Abstract: According to the present disclosure, an isotropic structural colour printing process is provided. The process comprising (a) providing an ink composition comprising ink particles (such as polymeric particles (e.g. polystyrene), metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) (e.g. ZIF-8)) in a liquid reagent; and (b) depositing the ink composition onto a surface of a substrate (e.g. anodic aluminium oxide membrane, photo papers). Due to capillary action and/or absorption of the liquid reagent, the ink particles form an amorphous arrangement of structures that lead to isotropic structural colour. In the preferred embodiment, the ink particles may further be coated with a catechol group (such as polydopamine). An apparatus for detecting a target substance in the gaseous phase, wherein the apparatus comprises a nanostructure capable of exhibiting a change in isotropic structural colour when one or more molecules of the target substance are entrapped as an indication that the target substance is present, is also provided.

Abstract: A core-shell plasmonic nanogapped nanostructured material is provided. The core-shell nanogapped nanostructured material has a core and at least one shell surrounding the core, wherein the at least one shell comprises a first layer comprising a polymer having a catechol group, wherein the first layer defines the nanogap in the core-shell plasmonic nanostructured material, and a second layer comprises a metal disposed on the first layer. A method of preparing the core-shell plasmonic nanogap nanostructured material, and use of the core-shell plasmonic nanogap nanostructured material are also provided. As an embodiment, a polydopamine covalently bonded to a Raman probe or a fluorescent probe is used to prepare the first layer of the shell in said core-shell plasmonic nanogap nanostructured material, thereafter a gold shell is deposited onto the polydopamine to form a second layer of the shell.

Abstract: A method for preparing a magnetic chain structure is provided. The method comprises providing a plurality of magnetic particles; dispersing the plurality of magnetic particles in a solution comprising a dopamine-based material to form a reaction mixture; applying a magnetic field across the reaction mixture to align the magnetic particles in the reaction mixture; and polymerizing the dopamine-based material on the aligned magnetic particles to obtain the magnetic chain structure. A magnetic chain structure prepared by the method is also provided.

Abstract: A highly absorbent, super-soft composite yarn includes a core formed of microfibers and a covering layer formed of natural fibers which are twisted and surround the microfibers. The microfiber is a composite fiber having two or more components. In one structure, the two components are held together in an interleaved structure resembling an orange in cross-section. In another structure, the microfibers have undergone a splitting process and the two components are separated from each other, where the single filaments of the two components have a linear mass density below 0.55 dtex. The natural fibers of the covering layer cotton fibers, hemp fibers, wool fibers, bamboo fibers, silk fibers, or soybean fibers. The microfibers are functionalized with one or more additives, such as antibacterial, aromatic, and UV-blocking additives. A method for manufacturing the composite yarn and related textile is also described.

Abstract: A fabric having a ground fabric, and a double layer terry or a double layer pile on either or both surfaces of the ground fabric, or a double layer terry on one surface and a double layer pile on the other surface. The double layer terry has an outer terry and an inner terry lower than the outer terry; the double layer pile has an outer pile and an inner pile lower than the outer pile. The outer terry or outer pile is a natural fiber, and the lower terry or lower pile is a microfiber. Methods of manufacturing the fabric are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fabric having a ground fabric, and a double layer terry or a double layer pile on either or both surfaces of the ground fabric, or a double layer terry on one surface and a double layer pile on the other surface. The double layer terry has an outer terry and an inner terry lower than the outer terry; the double layer pile has an outer pile and an inner pile lower than the outer pile. The outer terry or outer pile is a natural fiber, and the lower terry or lower pile is a microfiber. Methods of manufacturing the fabric are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compounds and compositions including a polyglycerol nanocarrier, a therapeutic agent or imaging agent, and optionally a targeting agent. In certain aspects the disclosed compounds include biocompatible hyperbranched polymer nanocarriers. Such compounds and compositions are useful for the targeted delivery of antitumor agents and imaging agents to tumors in vivo. Methods are also disclosed for detecting and treating such tumors.