Suspension culture is superior to planar culture in efficiently growing large numbers of cells. It also greatly improves cell functions by mimicking the in vivo environment. Although several methods are available to differentiate human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells into hepatocyte-like cells, their differentiation by suspension culture by using functional polymers remains unreported. We developed a suspension culture system using the functional polymers FP001 and FP003 to generate hepatocyte-like cells with superior phenotypes than human iPS cell-derived hepatocyte-like cells generated in planar culture. Specifically, optimizing the initial spheroid size and utilizing FP003 effectively maintained appropriate spheroid structures, resulting in higher albumin production compared to FP001. In 3D sphere culture, the mRNA expression of albumin (ALB), drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters, and the activity of CYP1A2 were increased in the presence of 0.01% FP003. Additionally, immunofluorescence analysis confirmed uniform hepatic differentiation throughout the spheroids. These findings suggest that differentiation in 3D sphere culture with the functional polymer FP003 improved the function of human iPS cell-derived hepatocyte-like cells. Therefore, we conclude that this system may be an effective strategy to generate human iPS cell-derived hepatocyte-like cells with enhanced functions.
Rapid, accurate, and on-site detection of foodborne pathogens remains a critical challenge in ensuring food safety. Traditional microbiological methods, including culture-based assays, ELISA, and PCR, often require long processing times, specialized equipment, and trained personnel, limiting their practical application in real-time monitoring. Electrochemical biosensors have emerged as promising alternatives due to their portability, fast response, low cost, and compatibility with complex food matrices. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) offer a robust synthetic recognition layer for these sensors, providing high chemical stability and tenable selectivity while overcoming limitations of biological recognition elements such as antibodies and enzymes. However, conventional MIP fabrication often relies on empirical trial-and-error approaches, which can reduce reproducibility and slow sensor development. This review summarizes recent advances in computationally guided MIP design for electrochemical biosensing of key foodborne pathogens, including Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We discuss how molecular docking, density functional theory, and molecular dynamics simulations can predict template-monomer interactions, optimize cavity formation, and guide polymer properties, thereby improving sensor sensitivity, selectivity, stability, and response time. By integrating computational modeling with experimental electrochemical methods, these approaches enable a mechanism-driven development of portable, high-performance biosensors for microbial detection. This convergence of computational and microbiological methods provides a pathway toward next-generation, ready-to-use devices for rapid foodborne pathogen monitoring.
The chiral ligand (R)-3-(1-carboxyethoxy)benzoic acid [(R)-H2cea], was synthesized by modifying an aromatic carboxylic acid with lactic acid. This ligand was used to react with Zn2+ and Cd2+ ions under hydrothermal conditions in the presence of N-containing heterocyclic auxiliary ligands [1,4-bis(2-methyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)benzene (1,4-bmib) and 1,1'-(2,5-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene)bis(1H-imidazole) (2,5-dpb)], successfully constructing two chiral coordination polymers (CPs), namely, poly[[μ-1,4-bis(2-methyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)benzene-κ2N:N'][μ-(R)-3-(1-carboxylatoethoxy)benzoato-κ2O:O']zinc(II)], [Zn(C10H8O5)(C14H14N4)]n or HCU40-R, and poly[[μ-1,4-bis(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-2,5-dimethylbenzene-κ2N:N'][μ-(R)-3-(1-carboxylatoethoxy)benzoato-κ4O,O':O'',O''']cadmium(II)], [Cd(C10H8O5)(C14H14N4)]n or HCU41-R. Both CPs crystallize in the chiral space group P21, and the central chirality from the (R)-cea2- anion is transferred and amplified into supramolecular helical chirality. In HCU40-R, the Zn2+ ions adopt a tetrahedral geometry, forming a one-dimensional right-handed helical chain that further extends into a two-dimensional helical layer. In HCU41-R, the Cd2+ ions exhibit an octahedral geometry, displaying a double-helical chain and a twofold interpenetrated two-dimensional layered structure. Powder X-ray diffraction and elemental analysis confirmed the phase purity of the samples. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed thermal stability up to 350 °C for HCU40-R and 300 °C for HCU41-R. Fluorescence measurements showed emission peaks at 451 nm for HCU40-R and 491 nm for HCU41-R. Furthermore, both compounds exhibited second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) effects, with second harmonic generation (SHG) intensities of 0.38 and 0.35 times that of KDP, respectively.
Cyclopentane is used to make high-performance plastics and composites. Cyclohexane is a polymer that has several specialized applications due to its unique properties, such as good chemical resistance, low moisture absorption, and high thermal stability. Despite their industrial relevance, a systematic comparative analysis of degree-based and neighborhood degree-based topological indices and their predictive capability for chemical properties remains limited in the existing literature. In this study, we compute and analyze several fundamental molecular descriptors, including the Zagreb indices, Randić index, atom bond connectivity index, geometric arithmetic index, sum connectivity index, and augmented Zagreb index for the molecular graphs networks of Cyclopentane and Cyclohexane. These indices can be used to correlate various properties of the polymers with the topological indices. The obtained topological indices are employed to establish quantitative structure-property relationships (QSPR) between molecular structure and physicochemical properties of these polymers. To address the lack of predictive modeling in earlier graph-theoretical studies, a machine-learning-based regression models are developed and applied to evaluate the strength of correlation between molecular descriptors and experimental property data. This approach provides a computationally efficient framework for molecular property estimation and offers a foundation for extending advanced learning models to more complex polymer networks.
Mechanically guided 3D assembly has emerged as a powerful approach for constructing complex mesostructures, but conventional strategies rely on selective chemical bonding between 2D precursors and elastomeric substrates, restricting material compatibility and scalability. Here, we introduce a physical anchoring-based, buckling-guided assembly platform that decouples 3D structure formation from chemical adhesion. The platform employs an elastomeric substrate patterned with an array of rods to achieve robust mechanical fixation, enabling the integration of diverse functional materials, including polymers, metals, water-soluble polymers, and stimuli-responsive systems, independent of their interfacial or mechanical properties. Oxygen plasma surface treatment further reduces adhesion, allowing reliable assembly of freestanding and large-area architectures. As a proof-of-concept, we integrate liquid crystalline networks (LCNs) to demonstrate light-responsive soft robotic systems capable of remote actuation. This physically anchored assembly strategy establishes a general and scalable framework for mesoscale fabrication, expanding material and geometric design freedom for applications in soft robotics, bioelectronics, and multi-material integration.
Core-shell nanoformulations from linear (PEG-b-PCL) and branched (PEG2-b-PCL) polymers containing a multi-potent drug interact with human serum proteins. These interactions are affected by PEG shell density, leading to enhanced lipophilic cargo release without drug aggregation.
Microbial aerosols pose a serious threat to public health and safety due to their pathogenicity and need to be monitored quantitatively. Although evaluating airborne particulate pollution by size/number is the gold standard for atmospheric assessment, it cannot be applied to microbial aerosol detection because impurities of similar size interfere. Therefore, we propose an innovative detection method that amplifies the size signal of bacterial cells via colloidal encapsulation to count microbial aerosols in the "clean-size-range". This method can detect total microbial aerosols after cell surface engineering and detect special microbial aerosols by grafting bacteria-templated polymers. The detection sensitivity can reach 50 CFU/mL in water and 6 CFU/m3 in air. This work provides an innovative approach to the total and specific detection of microbial aerosols by "transforming complex microbial aerosols detection into simple polymer particle counting". This innovative approach can achieve precise microbial detection in complex particulate environments.
Biosensing technologies play a critical role across the healthcare, environmental monitoring, and food safety sectors. The in vivo sensing of biomolecules is challenging due to the non-biocompatibility of nano-microelectrodes. In this regard, lignocellulosic materials will have a significant impact on sensors owing to their outstanding properties. Although lignocellulose lacks conductivity, it can be modified with other metal nanoparticles or conductive polymers to improve its conductivity. By leveraging functionally applied nanomaterials with lignocellulose, promising flexible biosensors can be developed with enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and versatility. This integration of lignocellulosic materials with nanomaterials enables advanced biosensors with improved performance, facilitated by their high surface area-to-volume ratios and suitability for biomolecule immobilization. Lignocellulosic nanofibrils exhibit thermal stability, absorption in the ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) region, water stability, and reduced moisture sensitivity and enhance sensor performance. Lignocellulosic materials have emerged as promising substrates for the development of next-generation biosensors. This review explores the suitability of lignocellulose for biosensing applications. Here, we discuss how plant-based materials have been used for biomolecule sensing. Lignocellulose has outstanding mechanical properties, which is why it can be used as a base material and sensing electrode to fabricate brain-on-chip and organ-on-chip devices. Because it is a plant-derived material, it also exhibits microfluidic properties. A cellulose skin-substituted natural polymer shows promise as a substrate for wearable sensors.
Coal gangue is the main solid waste generated during the mining and processing of coal. Its resource utilization is a pressing issue that needs to be addressed urgently at present. Meanwhile, lead pollution has become one of the major environmental challenges faced by global soil and water bodies. This study utilized the bacterium (Bacillus megaterium) to conduct microbial modification of coal gangue, with the aim of enhancing its application performance in the remediation of heavy metal pollution. By evaluating the tolerance of the strain to different Pb2+ concentrations, the adsorption behavior of the modified coal gangue (CG-W) was systematically investigated, and the adsorption mechanism was revealed by combining techniques such as XRD, XPS and FT-IR. The results show that Bacillus megaterium can still grow normally under the condition of 800 mg/L Pb2+, demonstrating a high tolerance; the modified coal gangue achieved a removal rate of 94% for Pb2+ under the optimal adsorption conditions (initial pH 6, temperature 40°C, and time 60 min) with an initial Pb2+ concentration of 200 mg/L. Under the optimal modification conditions (bacterial concentration of 5.88×1012CFU/mL, load temperature of 30 °C, and coal gangue pH of 6.0-8.0), the repair mechanism mainly results from the complexation effect of extracellular polymers secreted by microorganisms on Pb2+, as well as the ion exchange process involving mineral components. This study provides an effective approach for the resource utilization of coal gangue and the treatment of heavy metal pollution.
By combining amphiphilic polymers with natural biomolecules, layer-by-layer (LbL) surface modification technology provides a versatile strategy to tailor the interfacial properties of self-assembled fullerene nanostructures for biomedical applications. Herein, we developed LbL surface-modified supramolecular fullerene microrods (FMR) to investigate tunable cell-material interactions associated with a cell-feeding phenomenon. Using LbL surface modification, FMR (average length 55 ± 8 μm and diameter 1.7 ± 0.6 μm) prepared by the liquid-liquid interfacial precipitation (LLIP) method was endowed with a layered polymer structure, thereby forming multilayer-coated fullerene microrods (FMR-P/G) with enhanced surface hydrophilicity. After 12 h of gelatin cross-linking, the resulting FMR-P/G_12 h sample exhibited layered structures, with Pluronic and gelatin layers stacked with thicknesses of ∼19 ± 6 and ∼31 ± 4 nm, respectively. The contact angle of FMR decreased from 104° to 44°, reflecting a pronounced enhancement in surface wettability. The impact of the surface-modified FMR-P/G_12 h sample on the biological behavior of NIH/3T3 fibroblasts was explored to assess its potential for biomedical applications. When FMR-P/G_12 h was used to treat NIH/3T3 fibroblasts, the cells exhibited markedly enhanced early stage viability (∼152% at 1-day culture and ∼349% at 3-day culture), while showing comparable survival levels during extended culture (cell viability ∼323% at 14-day culture). This effect may be attributed to the improved hydrophilicity and interfacial properties of the polymer-modified fullerene microrods, which facilitate favorable cell-material interactions during the early culture stage. These results suggest that FMR-P/G_12 h can modulate cellular responses through surface-engineered interfaces, highlighting the feasibility of LbL surface-modified self-assembled fullerene nanostructures for biointerface-related applications. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of LbL-engineered fullerene constructs for interface-driven biomedical material design.
In this study, four zein-ECG polymer conjugates were prepared by grafting two epicatechin gallate (ECG)-derived polymers (BP and EP) onto zein using alkaline and radical approaches. The effects of ECG polymerization and grafting strategies on conjugate properties were compared. SDS-PAGE, FT-IR, CD, and fluorescence spectroscopy confirmed covalent-modification-reduced migration, an α-helix- to-β-sheet triggered transition, and quenched zein fluorescence. SEM revealed that the alkaline conjugates formed rod-like aggregates, whereas the radical conjugates retained their spherical morphology. The BP-zein conjugates exhibited the maximum grafting efficiency and total phenolic content. Alkaline modification significantly improved solubility, while covalent bonding enhanced interfacial diffusion and rearrangement. Correlation analysis confirmed a strong positive correlation between the total phenolic content and grafting efficiency, both of which governed the performance of the conjugate. Overall, the modification method and ECG polymer type collectively determined the structure, physicochemical properties, and biological activity of the zein conjugates.
Microtubules are dynamic cytoskeletal polymers whose lattice architecture regulates force generation, nucleotide hydrolysis, and recognition by motor proteins and microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs). Microtubule-stabilizing agents (MSAs), including taxanes and laulimalide/peloruside-site ligands, suppress depolymerization by binding to defined lattice sites, yet stabilization is not structurally neutral. How ligand chemistry reshapes lattice organization and function remains unresolved. Here, we address three mechanistic questions. First, do distinct ligand classes induce defined lattice states? Using X-ray fiber diffraction, we show that MSAs selectively stabilize two preferred longitudinal conformations, a compact state (~4.06 nm monomer rise) and an expanded state (~4.17 nm), while modulating lateral organization reflected in shifts in mean MT radius. These axial spacings cluster around discrete values across chemotypes, indicating stabilization of preexisting conformational minima rather than continuous distortion. Second, are these states interconvertible upon changes in ligand occupancy? Time-resolved diffraction reveals that longitudinal transitions occur within seconds of ligand addition even at substoichiometric occupancy, whereas, lateral equilibration proceeds slower, consistent with redistribution within heterogeneous protofilament organizations. Third, do such structural states alter nucleotide hydrolysis and motor/MAP behavior? Expanded lattices are associated with reduced apparent GTP hydrolysis rates under steady-state assembly conditions and altered kinesin motility, whereas compact lattices preferentially promote tau binding and distinct motor interaction profiles. Together, these findings establish longitudinal lattice conformation as a regulatory parameter and position MSAs as chemical tools that bias a dynamic structural landscape with predictable catalytic and transport consequences.
Microplastic (MP) pollution has been increasingly documented in remote high-altitude environments worldwide, including the European Alps, Himalayas, Andes, and polar snowfields, where atmospheric transport delivers plastic particles even to regions far from emission sources. Despite this growing body of evidence, the occurrence of MPs in the mountainous regions of Türkiye remains unknown. This study presents the first nationwide investigation of MP contamination in alpine snow, conducted across eleven sites, including Mount Ağrı, Süphan, Kaçkar, Erciyes, Uludağ, and Sandras. MPs were detected at all locations, with an average concentration of 286 ± 91 MPs/L with the highest concentration detected at Sandras Mountain (908 MPs/L) and the lowest at Uzundere-Uzunkavak, Erzurum (16 MPs/L). Across the eleven sites, the mean relative shape composition was 71.2 ± 6.1% fibres, 23.8 ± 5.8% fragments, and 5.0 ± 4.5% films (summing to 100% as percentages of all detected MPs). Polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon (PA), and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) were identified as the primary polymers. Spatial variability suggested both atmospheric deposition and local human activities contributed to contamination. Backward trajectory analysis indicated that microplastic deposition in snow was influenced by both long-range atmospheric transport from Africa and the Mediterranean and short-range local emissions, highlighting the combined impact of transboundary and regional processes on microplastic distribution. These first-season findings provide a preliminary baseline that even isolated alpine snowpacks of Türkiye can receive measurable MP inputs of both regional and long-range origin, highlighting the need for sustained, multi-season monitoring of high-mountain ecosystems within national and transboundary mitigation frameworks.
The behavior and mechanisms of marine biofouling─the process by which marine organisms attach onto surfaces in the ocean─have been extensively studied using various biofoulers. Barnacles are often used as model hard fouling organisms, which deposit a proteinaceous adhesive from the shell edge that is later calcified; the side plates and base plates remain on some surfaces even after death. In nature and laboratory settings, barnacles can settle as larvae (cyprids), juveniles, and adults. Much work on barnacle biofouling has focused on characterizing its influence on surface behavior, including inducing crevice corrosion, lowered surface modulus, and dehydration. However, details of the adhesive biomolecules' interaction with fouling surfaces are still under exploration. In this paper, we employed sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy, a surface-sensitive optical technique that can elucidate molecular behavior at the buried interface between a barnacle and a fouling substrate. Several barnacle/substrate interfaces were studied, using juvenile and adult barnacles, and hydrophobic and hydrophilic substrates with varying complexity. Our results indicated that adhesive proteins were present in both juvenile and adult systems, and the strength, ordering, and structure of these proteins differed between surfaces. Interfacial dehydration occurred when barnacles attached to the nonantifouling surfaces, while surface hydration induced antifouling/fouling-release behavior on zwitterionic coatings. In this study, SFG successfully probed buried barnacle/polymer interfaces, providing vital insight into the hydration mechanisms that are necessary for promoting and deterring bioadhesion and leading the way for future studies between fouling organisms and highly functionalized nonfouling polymers.
Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides exhibit various biological activities, but conventional extraction is biased toward high-molecular-weight (Mw) polymers. This study aimed to explore the structure and bioactivity of low-Mw polysaccharides from G. lucidum (AGLP1). A low-Mw heteroglucan from G. lucidum was purified and identified as a heteroglucan mainly composed of a (1 → 3)-linked glucopyranosyl backbone with (1 → 6)-linked glucopyranosyl side chains. In vivo investigations revealed that AGLP1 significantly enhanced the spleen index, macrophage phagocytic activity and proliferation of T and B lymphocytes. These immunomodulatory effects were gut microbiota-dependent, as evidenced by their abolition in microbiota depleted mice via antibiotic (ABX) treatment. Mechanistically, AGLP1 reshaped the gut microbiota and serum metabolite profile by enriching potentially beneficial bacteria such as Ruminococcaceae and Eubacterium brachy group, as well as associated metabolites including decanoic acid, stearic acid and pimelic acid. In vitro fermentation using a human fecal model showed that AGLP1 also consistently increased the abundances of Ruminococcaceae and Eubacterium brachy group. These findings demonstrate that the immunomodulatory and microbiota-reshaping effects of AGLP1, observed in animal models, were also replicated in a human gut simulation. This underscores its potential as a functional food ingredient.
This study focuses on the CO2 capture performance of poly(N,N-dimethylaminopropyl acrylamide) (PDMAPAm) and poly(N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-acrylamide)-b-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PDMAPAm-b-PMMA) diblock copolymers for fabrication of CO2-responsive membrane adsorbers. By systematically varying the block composition of the diblock copolymer PDMAPAm-b-PMMA, optimal compositions for maximizing CO2 adsorption capacity are identified. The adsorption mechanisms were characterized under both dry and humid conditions, revealing distinct physisorption and chemisorption pathways. The first major novelty of this work is the creation of a unified kinetic model that, for the first time, integrates polymerization kinetics with adsorption kinetics, allowing the CO2 uptake capacity of membrane adsorbers to be directly predicted from the underlying polymer properties. A second key innovation is the use of this unified model to rationally design and fabricate a polymer membrane adsorber that achieves a CO2 uptake capacity of 6 mmol g-1, substantially exceeding the performance of commercially available polymer-based sorbents.
Chemical and physically crosslinked hydrogels, as pharmaceutical carrier compounds with antibacterial and sustained release features, hold high potential for clinical uses. In this study, synthesized biodegradable tetracycline drug-loaded hydrogels were used to treat bacterial infections with the aim of controlling systemic side effects and slow release in order to provide an effective antibacterial delivery system to progress patient adherence by declining the repetition of prescribed drugs. Sodium alginate and carboxymethyl cellulose were solved in water, and after complete solvation of the polymer, adipic acid dihydrazide as a cross-linker was added to the polymer solution to afford chemically crosslinked hydrogel. The produced hydrogel was purified by the dialysis bag. FT-IR and 1H-NMR spectra identified the presence of an amide group. Surface examination of hydrogel showed a soft texture with a porous structure. Chemical tetracycline drug-loaded hydrogel showed slow-release tetracycline and better antibacterial effects against S. aureus and E. coli strains. Chemical tetracycline drug-loaded hydrogel was slower to release than physical tetracycline drug-loaded hydrogel against bacterial strains. Furthermore, feed-forward input propagation was employed to assess the effect of the time on drug released as response. It confirmed that the prognostic capability of training algorithms is in the order of Levenberg Marquardt (LM) > Bayesian Regularization (BR) > Gradient Descent (GD) for chemically crosslinked hydrogels and GD > BR > LM for physically crosslinked hydrogels. The findings clearly established manufactured hydrogel as an attractive candidate for effective drug delivery while also paving the way for extended delivery systems in other biomedical applications.
Narrowband emission is essential for high-color-purity organic light-emitting diodes, yet rapid prediction of the emission full width at half-maximum (fwhm) from molecular electronic structure remains challenging. Here, we adapt the cyanine limit two-state framework to define ceff2, an effective descriptor of charge-resonance balance in oxygen-bridged triarylborane multiple-resonance (MR) emitters. This descriptor is constructed from the state and transition dipole moments at the Franck-Condon geometry and, therefore, provides an axis-independent measure of excitation-induced dipolar reorganization without requiring excited-state geometry optimization. For 5,9-dioxa-13b-boranaphtho[3,2,1-de]anthracene (DOBNA) derivatives in dichloromethane, ceff2 shows a strong inverse linear correlation with experimental fwhm, giving R2 = 0.997. The same negative trend is retained in toluene, with R2 = 0.925, although the correlation is more scattered because the cyanine-like charge-resonance balance is less fully stabilized in the less polar medium. Analysis of the underlying dipole quantities indicates that fwhm variation is governed primarily by the magnitude of excitation-induced dipolar reorganization rather than by the transition dipole moment alone. These results establish ceff2 as a physically interpretable and computationally economical descriptor for assessing spectral narrowing in DOBNA-based MR emitters.
This paper presents a low-profile, lightweight, and flexible antenna to work over three bands used by wearable electronic devices. Wearable applications demand the flexibility of the antenna, and this is achieved by employing a nickel-copper-coated ripstop conductive fabric of the radiative part (patch and ground) and a silicon-based polymer, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), for the substrate material. The geometry of the antenna is a triangular patch with two stubs and two slots added to the antenna to enhance the impedance and matching bandwidth. The suggested antenna offers three frequency bands at 3.5, 5.15, and 6.6 GHz, which enable 5G-enabled wearables, Wi-Fi devices, and short-range sensing applications, respectively. The proposed work is validated by studying performance parameters such as S-parameter, gain, and radiation pattern. To make the proposed antenna suitable for wearable devices, conformal analysis, SAR analysis, and gain on the body are studied. The conformal analysis shows a good agreement with the flat antenna analyzed in terms of S11, gain, efficiency, and radiation pattern. The design is also retrieved on a human body phantom to investigate both SAR and gain using the Sim4Life EM simulation tool. Moreover, the antenna's performance is compared with recently published articles. The findings provided by the suggested antenna, together with comprehensive comparisons to existing literature, demonstrate that the antenna exhibits robust performance and is well-suited for incorporation into wearable electronic devices.
Materials based on water-processable, non-conjugated organic molecules featuring afterglow luminescence are promising due to their sustainable character and their straightforward upscale. Yet, they remain barely applied in advanced optoelectronics, such as solid-state lighting and anti-counterfeiting, because of a lack of mechanistic studies. Herein, we describe a class of terminal bis-formamide compounds, H(O═)CNH─(CH2)n-HNC(═O)H, that feature a long afterglow with an average excited-state lifetime (<τ>) close to the second. As an interesting archetype, N,N'-(hexane-1,6-diyl) bis-formamide (n = 6, BFAC6) exhibits a <τ> of 0.40 s associated with a photoluminescence quantum yield of 13% in both crystalline solid state and polyvinyl alcohol films (BFAC6@PVA). Thorough investigations such as temperature-dependent x-ray analyses, time-resolved electronic spectroscopy, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy suggest that the unusual long-lived emission could be attributed to rigid packing ruled by H-bonding, resulting in an emitting excited state attributed to- at least- a H-trapped emissive state. Moreover, the so-called clustering-triggered emission, or clusteroluminescence, is also to be considered here. As a proof of concept, these materials were used for decoration, anti-counterfeiting, and color down-conversion for white hybrid light-emitting diodes, featuring promising performances in terms of device stability, as well as recovery of the initial emission features upon heating-cooling processes.