Ngoc Huu Nguyen

Liquid‐metal conductors promise metallic conductivity with tissue‐like compliance, yet their translation into ultrathin functional films is limited by uncontrolled flow, coalescence, and loss of pattern fidelity under deformation. Here, we show that mechanical stress can program the microstructure of gallium–carbon nanotube (Ga/CNT) films into electroactive architectures. Drying‐induced tensile stress and rolling‐assisted sintering generate hierarchical microcrack networks that partition gallium into confined conductive microdomains while preserving mechanically repairable electrical pathways. CNT loading defines a structure–property trade‐off: low CNT content stabilizes gallium thin films and maintains high conductivity under bending, folding, and fracture, whereas intermediate CNT loading produces microcrack‐rich surfaces. Crack edges and junctions are proposed to act as distributed electroactive sites that localize the electric field: atmospheric plasma emission intensifies with crack density, and low‐voltage stimulation potentiates antibacterial activity with elevated intracellular reactive oxygen species. The resulting Ga/CNT films inactivate Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria while maintaining human keratinocyte compatibility under the tested in vitro conditions. This work establishes stress‐programmed microcracking as a route for transforming gallium composites from passive deformable conductors into plasma‐active and electroresponsive antibacterial interfaces.

Non‐thermal plasma‐enabled polymerisation is an emerging strategy in which non‐equilibrium plasma activates precursors, sustains polymer growth or drives post‐discharge polymer‐forming reactions. This review links plasma physicochemical characteristics and reactor platforms to precursor‐specific activation, growth‐relevant species, fragmentation–association balance, network formation and material function. Products span biofunctional and regenerative materials, antimicrobial and therapeutic systems, membranes and water‐retentive porous materials, sorbents, remediation media, and sensing and electronic materials. Distinctive capabilities include low‐thermal‐load processing, reduced reliance on added initiators, expanded precursor space, non‐conventional polymeric structures, processing versatility and spatial and temporal tunability. Key constraints are predictability, structural ambiguity, conditional precursor suitability and process‐dependent sustainability.

The growing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant infections highlights the need for antimicrobial surfaces that do not rely on conventional drug release.

Implanted and indwelling medical devices remain challenged by infection, oxidative stress, and chronic inflammation, underscoring the need for multifunctional surface coatings to holistically address these complications. Peppermint essential oil is inherently antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti‐inflammatory, yet its integration into stable, contact‐active coatings is limited by fabrication constraints. Here, we present a one‐step atmospheric pressure plasma polymerisation process that converts peppermint essential oil into a conformal, cross‐linked coating that preserves precursor‐derived functional groups that drive broad bioactivity. While the coating is substrate‐independent, we evaluate its bioactive performance within the context of bladder catheterisation as a pilot application. It scavenges up to 90% of reactive species, reduces pro‐inflammatory cytokine expression by up to 60%, and increases anti‐inflammatory cytokines by up to 50%, while promoting macrophage polarisation toward an M2 phenotype. The coating exhibits intrinsic antibacterial activity, reducing viable bacteria by 90% (Live/Dead) and 70% (CFUs), attributed to membrane disruption of Gram‐negative pathogens. In turn, this interaction potentiates the activity of colistin and levofloxacin, two antibiotics used in catheter‐associated urinary tract infection management. Together, these findings establish a stable, multifunctional coating capable of mitigating infection, alleviating inflammation, and enhancing antibiotic performance, while offering a sustainable route for essential‐oil‐derived biomaterials.

Implant‐associated infections and inflammation during pre‐ and post‐operative procedures remain significant challenges that reduce implant longevity. In this study, the uniques bioactive coatings derived from silver‐gallium liquid metal particles (Ag‐GaNPs) deposited uniformly over HAp scaffold (HAp‐Ag‐GaNPs) are developed. The HAp‐Ag‐GaNPs exhibit strong antimicrobial activities against Gram‐negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Gram‐positive Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus ), drug‐resistant bacteria such as methicillin‐resistant S. aureus , and persistent bacteria like small colony variant of S. aureus . The antibacterial mechanisms of HAp‐Ag‐GaNPs are multifaced, including reactive oxygen species within cells, leading to damage and leakage of cytosolic contents and reduced ATP levels. The synchrotron macro attenuated total reflectance – Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy is utilized to understand the influence of HAp‐Ag‐GaNPs on lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids of pathogenic bacteria. Proteomic analysis reveals that HAp‐Ag‐GaNPs disrupt critical bacterial processes, including DNA replication, RNA transcription, protein synthesis, and energy metabolism, alongside inducing oxidative stress and membrane damage in bacteria. In addition, in vivo studies demonstrate reduced bacterial colonization and enhanced tissue integration at implant sites treated with HAp‐Ag‐GaNPs, further supporting their dual functionality. The findings highlight the potential of HAp‐Ag‐GaNPs as a next‐generation biomaterial with dual antibacterial and osteogenic properties for clinical applications in orthopedic implants.

Baghdadite (BAG, Ca₃ZrSi₂O₉), a calcium silicate compound with zirconium incorporation, shows significant potential in medical implants. However, its susceptibility to infections poses a considerable challenge. To tackle this problem, doping biocompatible magnesium (Mg) into BAG to create Mg‐BAG enhances antibacterial activity and prevents infection in orthopedic implants. Mg‐BAG demonstrates effectiveness against Gram‐positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram‐negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This study finds that the antibacterial activity of Mg‐BAG is multifaced including causing the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within cells and disrupting membrane potential, resulting in leakage of intracellular contents. The synchrotron macro attenuated total reflectance Fourier‐transform infrared microspectroscopy shows the impact of Mg‐BAG on bacteria, resulting in modifications to biomolecules such as lipids, protein structures, and the stability of nucleic acids. The combined effect of Mg ions (Mg²⁺) and intracellular ROS formation contributes to the disruption of biomolecules and bacterial cell death. Mg‐BAG is a promising next‐generation bioceramic offering innovative nonantibiotic solutions for preventing infection.