Article
Chemistry, Physical
Pankaj Bharti, Arnab Neogi, Ragini Sharma, Chetna Dhand, Rajeev Kumar, Pradip Kumar, Subramanian K. R. S. Sankaranarayanan, Neeraj Dwivedi
Summary: This study developed a novel ternary nanocomposite overcoat that can significantly reduce friction and wear. The overcoat is composed of multi-layer graphene, molybdenum disulfide, and multi-walled carbon nanotubes, and it alters the sliding interfaces to improve lubrication performance. Extensive spectroscopic and microscopic characterizations confirmed the superior performance of this coating.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Robert J. Elkington, Richard M. Hall, Andrew R. Beadling, Hemant Pandit, Michael G. Bryant
Summary: To preserve the function of synovial joint counter-face during osteochondral defect repairs, it is important to develop surfaces optimized for healthy cartilage function. In this study, PEEK surfaces were modified with a hydrophilic coating (SPMK-g-PEEK) to provide a low friction and compliant sliding interface. The results showed that SPMK-g-PEEK maintained low friction and minimized forces on the cartilage interface, providing an enhanced cartilage counter-surface.
JOURNAL OF THE MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Philipp G. Gruetzmacher, Michele Cutini, Edoardo Marquis, Manel Rodriguez Ripoll, Helmut Riedl, Philip Kutrowatz, Stefan Bug, Chia-Jui Hsu, Johannes Bernardi, Carsten Gachot, Ali Erdemir, Maria Clelia Righi
Summary: This study describes an innovative method of converting selenium nanopowders into 2D selenides with lubricating properties by sprinkling them on metallic surfaces coated with molybdenum and tungsten thin films. Advanced material characterization confirms the formation of a thin film containing selenides, reducing the coefficient of friction to below 0.1, comparable to the use of fully formulated oils.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Koichiro Hayashi, Kunio Ishikawa
Summary: The main reason for revision arthroplasty with an alumina-based prosthesis is aseptic loosening of the prosthesis. Researchers developed an alumina substrate with carbonate apatite coating to enhance its osteogenic ability and prevent loosening of the prosthesis. The carbonate apatite-coated alumina substrate showed improved bonding to bone and promoted cell proliferation, osteogenic differentiation, and mineralization.
SURFACES AND INTERFACES
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hossein Montazerian, Elham Davoodi, Avijit Baidya, Maryam Badv, Reihaneh Haghniaz, Arash Dalili, Abbas S. Milani, Mina Hoorfar, Nasim Annabi, Ali Khademhosseini, Paul S. Weiss
Summary: This review provides a biomacromolecular design roadmap for the development of tough adhesive surgical sealants. The intrinsic toughness and elasticity of polymers are achieved through the introduction of strong and dynamic inter- and intramolecular interactions, either through polymer chain design or the use of crosslink regulating additives. Efforts have also been made to promote underwater adhesion through covalent/noncovalent bonds and micro/macro-interlock mechanisms. The measurement and reporting requirements for fair comparisons of different materials and their properties are discussed.
CHEMICAL SOCIETY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Antoine Venault, Tesfaye Abebe Geleta, Tai-Yi Chiu, Hao-Tung Lin, Irish Valerie Maggay, Yung Chang
Summary: Scientists synthesized a copolymer that can maintain its antifouling properties after steam sterilization, effectively mitigating biofouling in various situations. Moreover, the copolymer shows stable properties even at high temperatures.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Coatings & Films
Tao Chen, Zixin Deng, Defu Liu, Xiangcheng Zhu, Yi Xiong
Summary: Recent advancements in biological applications, such as artificial joint replacement, focus on enhancing the wear resistance of titanium alloys through the fabrication of a TiC ceramic coating on Ti6Al4V substrates. This approach has shown promising results in improving the mechanical reliability and wear resistance while maintaining good cytocompatibility.
SURFACE & COATINGS TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Andrew L. Ferguson, Rama Ranganathan
Summary: The design of synthetic proteins with desired functions is a long-standing goal in biomolecular science, and data-driven models provide predictive maps between protein sequence and function for efficient search. The applications of machine learning and deep learning in protein engineering platforms have led to recent successes and offer promising computational methodologies for the future.
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Ying Zhou, Liang Gao, Hao Li
Summary: This study proposes an optimization method for the design of infill for free-form surfaces. The method simultaneously optimizes the microstructural geometry and macroscopic distribution of the infills. It utilizes a local level sets approach to generate graded and connectable infill microstructures, and employs cubic polynomials interpolation to predict their effective properties. A computational conformal mapping technology is used to map the geometry between the 3D surface and a 2D parameter space, allowing the infill units to fit the curved surface without losing any geometric feature. The infill optimization problem is then recast as a 2D optimization problem defined in the parameter domain.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Babak Mehrjou, Yuzheng Wu, Pei Liu, Guomin Wang, Paul K. Chu
Summary: The emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens poses serious health issues. There is a global effort to find new methods to treat infections and develop better antibacterial materials and therapies. Non-biological methods and biomimetic patterns show potential for antimicrobial effects. This review summarizes recent advances in the application of chemical and biological approaches to combat bacterial infection and antibiotic resistance.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Ji Ae Chae, Songah Jeong, Hea Ji Kim, Tomohiro Tojo, Yuree Oh, Won Seok Chi, Hyeonseok Yoon, Hyungwoo Kim
Summary: A bottom-up design approach has been developed for fibrous polymer monoliths with mesopores that can photocatalytically degrade aromatic dyes without the need for templates or additives. The resulting fibrous polymer monoliths are soft, compressible, and possess enhanced photocatalytic activity, offering potential for advanced textile systems. Additionally, the monomers used in the design provide an anisotropic nanostructure that allows for efficient degradation of aromatic dyes under various light conditions.
Review
Polymer Science
Hatice Mutlu
Summary: The objective of this article is to highlight derivatives of polymeric profluorescent nitroxides and discuss the limitations and challenges in expanding this class of polymers. The author also suggests strategies for the advancement of polymeric profluorescent nitroxide derivatives.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Svetlana V. Kurmaz, Evgenia O. Perepelitsina, Sergey G. Vasiliev, Irina A. Avilova, Igor I. Khodos, Vladimir A. Kurmaz, Dmitry A. Chernyaev, Yuliya V. Soldatova, Natalia V. Filatova, Irina I. Faingold
Summary: New amphiphilic VP-(di)methacrylate terpolymers of different monomer compositions and topologies were synthesized and their structures and properties were studied. The terpolymers showed amorphous structures and no cytotoxic effects. Encapsulation of hydrophobic D-alpha-tocopherol in terpolymer nanoparticles showed antioxidant activity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
I-Te Chu, Brent O. Hutcheson, Hudson R. Malsch, Gary J. Pielak
Summary: Most studies on macromolecular crowding focus on complete unfolding, while smaller excursions, known as breathing, promote aggregation and cause several diseases, hindering protein production. By using NMR, we examined the effects of ethylene glycol (EG) and polyethylene glycols (PEGs) on the structure and stability of protein G's B1 domain (GB1). Our findings show different modes of stabilization between EG and PEGs, with EG having stronger interaction but no effect on folded state structure. EG and 12000 g/mol PEG stabilize GB1 to a greater extent than intermediate-sized PEGs, with EG and smaller PEGs acting via enthalpy and the largest PEG via entropy. We also found that PEGs induce global unfolding from local unfolding, which is supported by meta-analysis of published data. These findings have practical implications for improving biological drugs and commercial enzymes.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Liying Liu, Shuangfeng Wang, Xinjuan Zeng, Pihui Pi, Xiufang Wen
Summary: Condensation is a common heat transfer process used in various industries. Dropwise condensation, with higher heat transfer efficiency than filmwise condensation, is considered the future process. Nanoengineered surfaces are designed to enhance dropwise condensation and improve heat transfer performance.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Kaihuan Zhang, Wenqing Yan, Rok Simic, Edmondo M. Benetti, Nicholas D. Spencer
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Amine Layadi, Benjamin Kessel, Wenqing Yan, Matteo Romio, Nicholas D. Spencer, Marcy Zenobi-Wong, Krzysztof Matyjaszewski, Edmondo M. Benetti
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2020)
Article
Polymer Science
Matteo Romio, Lucca Trachsel, Giulia Morgese, Shivaprakash N. Ramakrishna, Nicholas D. Spencer, Edmondo M. Benetti
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lucca Trachsel, Matteo Romio, Shivaprakash N. Ramakrishna, Edmondo M. Benetti
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Martina Schroffenegger, Nikolaus S. Leitner, Giulia Morgese, Shivaprakash N. Ramakrishna, Max Willinger, Edmondo M. Benetti, Erik Reimhult
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Bianka Golba, Edmondo M. Benetti, Bruno G. De Geest
Summary: Cyclic polymers, lacking chain ends, possess unique architecture and properties that make them suitable for various applications in nano-, micro-, and macro-scale materials. In the biomedical field, biomaterials based on cyclic polymers demonstrate distinct properties in terms of drug delivery efficiency and surface activity. Future challenges in utilizing cyclic polymers in biomedical applications are also discussed in this review.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Roberta Peruzzo, Andrea Mattarei, Michele Azzolini, Katrin Anne Becker-Flegler, Matteo Romio, Giovanni Rigoni, Andrea Carrer, Lucia Biasutto, Sofia Parrasia, Stephanie Kadow, Antonella Manago, Andrea Urbani, Andrea Rossa, Gianpietro Semenzato, Maria Eugenia Soriano, Livio Trentin, Syed Ahmad, Michael Edwards, Erich Gulbins, Cristina Paradisi, Mario Zoratti, Luigi Leanza, Ildiko Szabo
Article
Polymer Science
Lucca Trachsel, Matteo Romio, Marcy Zenobi-Wong, Edmondo M. Benetti
Summary: Cyclic macromolecules exhibit enhanced mechanical strength and greater hydration in hydrogels, compared to their linear counterparts, due to the higher effective intramolecular repulsion between polymer segments and the topology effects.
MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Lucca Trachsel, Shivaprakash N. Ramakrishna, Matteo Romio, Nicholas D. Spencer, Edmondo M. Benetti
Summary: The polymer composition and topology of surface-grafted polyacids play a crucial role in determining the extent of pH-induced swelling transition. Cyclic polymers exhibit enhanced repulsive interactions between charged segments upon deprotonation, leading to amplified expansion compared to their linear analogues. Additionally, the hydration of polyacid grafts is controlled by their composition, affecting the swelling behavior during pH-induced transition.
Article
Polymer Science
Rebecca Faggion Albers, Tommaso Magrini, Matteo Romio, Edson R. Leite, Rafael Libanori, Andre R. Studart, Edmondo M. Benetti
Summary: Cu-0-mediated surface-initiated ATRP is an oxygen-tolerant process for functionalizing 3D, microporous supports by forming single and multiple polymer-brush gradients with tunable composition. This process involves dispensing polymerization mixtures on a Cu-0-coated plate to scavenge oxygen and provide an active catalyst, leading to controlled growth of polymer brushes in contact with an ATRP initiator-bearing microporous elastomer.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Matteo Romio, Benjamin Grob, Lucca Trachsel, Andrea Mattarei, Giulia Morgese, Shivaprakash N. Ramakrishna, Francesca Niccolai, Elisa Guazzelli, Cristina Paradisi, Elisa Martinelli, Nicholas D. Spencer, Edmondo M. Benetti
Summary: The heterogeneity of side chains in graft polymers significantly influences hydration and hydrophobic interactions, thus impacting fundamental interfacial properties. Side-chain dispersity leads to assemblies that are more hydrated, less adhesive, and more lubricious and biopassive compared to homogeneous structures in graft polymers.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2021)
Review
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Lucca Trachsel, Marcy Zenobi-Wong, Edmondo M. Benetti
Summary: PAOXAs, as starting materials for tissue engineering supports and cell culture platforms, have gained popularity due to their biocompatibility, chemical versatility, and potential to fabricate multifunctional biomaterials with a broad spectrum of properties.
BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Rebecca Faggion Albers, Wenqing Yan, Matteo Romio, Edson R. Leite, Nicholas D. Spencer, Krzysztof Matyjaszewski, Edmondo M. Benetti