A theoretical prediction of favorable ion exchange between PEDOT:PSS and hard-cation-soft-anion ionic liquids (IL) is confirmed experimentally and computationally by treating PEDOT:PSS with a new IL composed of an extremely hard protic cation MIM+ and an extremely soft anion TCB–. This protic IL significantly improves both conductivity and stretchability of PEDOT:PSS, outperforming its aprotic counterpart, EMIM :TCB, which has been the best IL employed for this purpose so far. This electrical and mechanical enhancement is speculated as a result of the aromatic and protic cation MIM+ which does not only provide efficient ion exchange with PEDOT:PSS but also serves as a molecular glue holding together multiple PEDOT domains by strong ionic as well as hydrogen bonds, because washing MIM+ out of the film degrades the stretchability while keeping the morphology. Our results offer molecular-level insights on the morphological, electrical, and mechanical properties of PEDOT:PSS and a molecular-interaction-based enhancement strategy for intrinsically stretchable conductive polymers.

The Poultry Red Mite is considered the number one arthropod enemy of the poultry industry; despite this, this pest is hardly studied in terms of alternative control. The enormous economic loss they caused worldwide and the inefficacy of its control urge for solid solutions. One of the reasons why Dermanyssus gallinae is so challenging to manage is its hiding nature. Indeed, no treatment can reach them efficiently in their hiding spots. The idea of this project is to study the chemical ecology of the mite to attract it out of its hideouts. Le Studium Foundation has been instrumental in bringing together Prof Patricia Golo, an entomopathogenic-fungi specialist, and Dr. Fotini Koutroumpa, a specialist on arthropod chemosensation. Here, we would like to report preliminary results for optimizing the mite olfactory behavior tests in the laboratory and the first attempt to study one chemosensory gene expression of the mite. Comparison of these assays between fungus-treated and untreated mites was the goal of the project to understand if the entomopathogenic fungi could change the mite chemosensation and, therefore, negatively impact the fungus treatment. Further, we aimed to understand if a generally considered attractive molecule could enhance mite control with the fungus by masking the fungus's eventually repulsive molecules or/and attracting the mite to the fungus source. This collaboration set the base for further exchange to attend to these goals.

This paper explores the significance of photogrammetry as an accessible and innovative imaging technique for preserving and studying written cultural heritage. Focusing on the challenges of traditional digitization methods in capturing the materiality and craftsmanship of manuscripts and books, we present a cost-effective photogrammetry workflow using the 3DF Zephyr software. Demonstrating its potential, we discuss the generation of detailed 3D models and the integration with other software tools. The research findings were presented at the 19th International Seminar on the Care and Conservation of Manuscripts, and the paper is planned for publication in the conference proceedings. This work contributes to the broader discourse on Digital Codicology and encourages interdisciplinary collaboration in cultural heritage studies.

The primary aim of this Le Studium project was a thorough physico-chemical analysis and structural characterization of key phases and compounds of high-temperature fluoride melt/solid interphases. This knowledge is then used for a targeted synthesis and preparation of different compounds and materials (including their physicochemical characterization), based on oxo-fluoro-aluminates of alkali metals.