Article
Chemistry, Applied
Tan Hu, Yang Xu, Gang Xu
Summary: Self-assembling dipeptide hydrogels with enhanced mechanical properties and stability were developed through the co-assembly of alkyl-chain modified dipeptides with Arabic gum and citrus pectin. The addition of polysaccharides led to molecular rearrangement, resulting in increased β-sheet structure and hydrogen bonds in the co-assembled hydrogels. The co-assembled hydrogels showed low cytotoxicity and were effective for the encapsulation and slow-release of docetaxel.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
M. Monti, E. Scarel, A. Hassanali, M. Stener, S. Marchesan
Summary: This study uncovers the conformational differences that drive self-assembly of dipeptides into distinct outcomes. Through in silico and experimental data, the electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra of self-assembling dipeptides were analyzed, revealing the importance of folded or extended conformers in the self-assembly process.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Saroj Ray, Peng Zhang, Song Cheng
Summary: This paper presents a theoretical model for microexplosion and puffing in a single isolated emulsion droplet at high ambient temperature and one atmospheric pressure. The model considered transient heating of the droplet, bubble growth dynamics, bubble motion, and bubble interactions (e.g., bubble coalescence). The simulated microexplosion delay times are compared with the experimental data from the literature, with good qualitative and quantitative agreements obtained. The simplified model bears practical potential in enabling spray combustion modeling of water-emulsified fuels with considerably reduced computational costs.
Article
Immunology
Gaurav Anand, Saikat Biswas, Nitin Yadav, Paushali Mukherjee, Virander Singh Chauhan
Summary: A fusion chimeric vaccine composed of multiple protective domains was developed to enhance immune responses and reduce morbidity caused by Plasmodium falciparum. The tag-free recombinant PfMSPFu24 was successfully expressed and purified, and shown to be highly immunogenic with a human-compatible adjuvant. Additionally, two dipeptides based hydrogels were investigated as effective delivery platforms for the antigen, showing promising results in stimulating specific antibody titers and invasion inhibitory activity.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wei Zhan, Ziwei Liu, Shaokun Jiang, Chunying Zhu, Youguang Ma, Taotao Fu
Summary: In this study, the generation processes of bubbles and droplets in a step-emulsification microfluidic device are compared to show the similarities and differences in the emulsification process. By changing the placement of the microdevice, the effects of buoyancy and gravity on the generation of bubbles and droplets are introduced, and the feedback mechanism of the bubble layer and the effect of droplet accumulation on the emulsification process are clarified.
JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Yafeng Jing, Anhe Wang, Jieling Li, Qi Li, Qingquan Han, Xuefang Zheng, Hongyu Cao, Shuo Bai
Summary: The integration of hydrophilic conductive polydopamine-doped polypyrrole nanoparticles into dipeptide hydrogel networks creates conductive nanofibrils in situ, allowing for a good level of hydrophilic templating and maintaining transparency. This strategy not only provides the dipeptide hydrogel with good conductivity and high transparency, but also shows great potential for applications in body-adhered signal detection based on experimental data.
BIO-DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiaoliang Ji, Pingsong Jiang, Yichen Jiang, Hongyue Chen, Weiming Wang, Wenxuan Zhong, Xiaoqiang Zhang, Wei Zhao, Duyang Zang
Summary: In this work, a new approach using acoustic levitation combined with controlled liquid compensation is proposed to stabilize bubbles. The bubbles can remain stable and intact permanently due to the suppression of drainage by sound field and prevention of capillary waves by liquid compensation. It has been found that the acoustically levitated bubble shows a significantly enhanced particle adsorption ability. These results provide insight for the development of novel air-purification techniques without consuming any solid filters.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Kutay Sagdic, Emilio Fernandez-Lavado, Massimo Mariello, Outman Akouissi, Stephanie P. Lacour
Summary: Hydrogels, as soft materials, show biomimetic properties similar to biological tissues and provide a suitable environment for cell growth. Studies have found that mechanosensitive cells in the central nervous system exhibit reduced activation when cultured on hydrogel substrates with a modulus of less than 1 kPa, suggesting the potential use of soft hydrogels in implantable neural interfaces. This article reviews recent progress in hydrogel materials and associated technologies for the design of implantable bioelectronics, including their structural, mechanical, and electronic properties, manufacturing methods, and challenges.
Article
Acoustics
Sukwon Park, Gihun Son
Summary: A numerical model is presented to study the acoustic vaporization threshold of a dodecafluompentane microdroplet, showing the intricate dependence on bubble compressibility, liquid inertia, and phase-change heat transfer. Acoustic pressure-frequency diagrams are provided for bubble growth regimes and ADV threshold conditions, with investigations on the effects of acoustic parameters, fluid properties, and droplet radius on the vaporization threshold.
ULTRASONICS SONOCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Neeraj Kulkarni, Prajakta Rao, Govinda Shivaji Jadhav, Bhakti Kulkarni, Nagaraju Kanakavalli, Shivani Kirad, Sujit Salunke, Vrushali Tanpure, Bichismita Sahu
Summary: Hydrogels have wide applications in biomedical research due to their biocompatibility, tunable mechanical properties, permeability, and ability to hold water. In recent years, dipeptide-based injectable hydrogels have gained attention for their low production cost, high synthetic accessibility, and stability. A timely review on dipeptide-based injectable hydrogels will highlight various aspects of this interesting class of biomaterials.
Article
Thermodynamics
Yunjie Xu, Linlin Tian, Chunling Zhu, Ning Zhao
Summary: In this study, a three-dimensional numerical simulation based on the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) is used to analyze the dynamic and thermodynamic behaviors of droplet impingement and boiling on heated surfaces. The simulation successfully captures the process of vapor bubble nucleation, growth, coalescence, and even burst at the droplet interface. Four typical regimes including film evaporation, nucleate boiling, transition boiling, and film boiling are numerically reproduced. The study reveals the importance of vapor bubble dynamics in heat transfer performance and identifies three different rebound types.
APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jiaxin Tang, Yanguang Shan, Youhua Jiang
Summary: In an evaporating nanofluid droplet with a bubble inside, the bubble boundary remains fixed while the droplet perimeter recedes. The dry-out patterns are determined by the presence of the bubble and their morphology can be controlled by the size and location of the added bubble.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Yuying Song, Feng Zhu, Chong Cao, Lidong Cao, Fengmin Li, Pengyue Zhao, Qiliang Huang
Summary: This study successfully prepared a biocompatible supramolecular hydrogel loaded with the herbicide dicamba, which showed shear-thinning and self-healing properties, and reduced drift by increasing droplet size. The research provides a new strategy for reducing spray drift from the perspective of pesticide formulation, and indicates potential application of supramolecular hydrogels in agriculture.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Beibei Wang, Tan Liu, Hao Chen, Bangqi Yin, Zhao Zhang, Thomas P. Russell, Shaowei Shi
Summary: Using amphiphilic molecular brushes as surfactants can easily stabilize emulsions and produce structured liquids with exceptional mechanical properties at the oil-water interface. The in situ formation, assembly, and jamming of MBSs offer numerous potential applications, including in chemical biphasic reactions and liquid electronics.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yuning Zhang, Xiaofei Zhang, Shurui Zhang, Yihao Yang, Xuan Du, Zhaohao Li, Yuning Zhang
Summary: The research on cavitation bubbles within droplets has emerged as a significant topic in confined fluid domains and is closely related to the industry fields. However, the understanding of the relationship between cavitation bubble collapse within droplets and droplet splash dynamics is still in its early stages. This study constructed a high-speed photography experimental platform to investigate the influence of bubble eccentricities within droplets on the phenomenon. The findings are as follows: (1) With changes in eccentricity, the droplet splash morphology can be categorized into three cases: scattering, trident, and composite splashes, and the movement trend of the bubble wall can be classified into three categories: spherical, fabiform, and ellipsoidal. (2) The eccentricity can alter the height of the main peak of the droplet splash and the distribution pattern of the splash angle. (3) The bubble collapse time of the droplet is significantly influenced by the eccentricity.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Wei Chen, Paul Clegg, Tao Li
Summary: The study demonstrates that a synergistic effect can be achieved in double HIPEs through a symbiotic process between dispersed oils, which can prevent phase separation and expand the potential technological applications in designing novel multi-functional composite materials.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuchen Si, Tao Li, Paul S. Clegg
Summary: This paper describes an experimental technique for producing foams composed of bubbles in a balanced aqueous and oil phase. By mixing two highly stable foams, a well-mixed and dry final foam can be obtained.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Michele Cariello, Bart Dietrich, Lisa Thomson, Valentina Gauci, Alistair Boyer, Stephen Sproules, Graeme Cooke, Annela Seddon, Dave J. Adams
Summary: A novel flavin-based gelator is reported, which exhibits different structures and catalytic performance at different pH values.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Rebecca I. Randle, Ana M. Fuentes-Caparros, Leide P. Cavalcanti, Ralf Schweins, Dave J. Adams, Emily R. Draper
Summary: The use of small-angle neutron scattering to investigate the aggregation of self-assembling molecules is well established and shows promise in various applications, such as in electrochemistry. Electrochemistry can induce aggregation and can be carried out directly on a sample in the neutron beam to monitor changes in situ.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Dave J. Adams
Summary: Low molecular weight gels are formed by the self-assembly of small molecules into anisotropic structures that can immobilize solvents. Despite their common occurrence and wide range of applications, there are significant gaps and challenges in our understanding of these systems.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
J. Lonchamp, P. S. Clegg, S. R. Euston
Summary: This study investigated strategies to enhance the functionality of whole egg, egg yolk, and whey protein concentrate, aiming to reduce their concentration in formulations and environmental impact. The results showed that partial denaturation treatments and synergy between WPC and whole egg or egg yolk could enhance the functionality of these ingredients.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Libby J. Marshall, Matthew Wallace, Najet Mahmoudi, Giuseppe Ciccone, Claire Wilson, Massimo Vassalli, Dave J. Adams
Summary: Multicomponent supramolecular systems can achieve different properties and new behaviors compared to single-component systems. In this study, a two-component system is used to modify the assembly of the gelling component, resulting in co-assembled structures that cannot be formed by the gelling component alone. The systems are characterized at multiple length scales, and the addition of a second component enhances the mechanical properties of the multicomponent noodles, allowing the preparation of hierarchical composite noodles.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Paolo Ravarino, Santanu Panja, Simona Bianco, Todor Koev, Matthew Wallace, Dave J. Adams
Summary: This study presents a new method to convert between co-assembled and self-sorted networks in multicomponent gels using a pH-driven annealing process. By controlling the pH changes, the gel structures and compositions can be manipulated, leading to a wide range of morphologies and complexities.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Qingwen Guan, Kate McAulay, Tian Xu, Sarah E. Rogers, Charlotte Edwards-Gayle, Ralf Schweins, Honggang Cui, Annela M. Seddon, Dave J. Adams
Summary: Self-sorting in functionalized dipeptide systems can occur based on the chirality of a single amino acid, both in the micellar state at high pH and in the gel state at low pH. The resulting structures are influenced by the relative concentrations of the components, demonstrating the complexity of this approach. The gel network's structures are determined by the micellar structures at high pH. Using small-angle neutron scattering and cryo-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM), we provide strong evidence for self-sorting in both the micellar and gel phases, showing complete self-sorting across a range of relative concentrations.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lisa Thomson, Rebecca E. Ginesi, Daniel D. Osborne, Emily R. Draper, Dave J. Adams
Summary: Gels formed from PBI can exhibit the photothermal effect, where the formation of PBI radical anions results in new absorption bands that can be used to induce heating of the gel through irradiation. We demonstrate the use of electrochemical methods and multicomponent systems to generate radical anions without UV light, and how this photothermal effect can be used to induce phase transitions in solutions above the gels.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Dipankar Ghosh, Libby J. Marshall, Giuseppe Ciccone, Wanli Liu, Adam Squires, Annela Seddon, Massimo Vassalli, Dave J. Adams
Summary: Supramolecular assembly can be used to fabricate complex functional materials, but controlling hierarchical assembly across multiple length scales is difficult. This study investigates the correlation between a supramolecular gel network and a pre-gelling aggregate using a functional dipeptide 2NapFF. By varying the counterions, different micellar structures can be formed at high pH. Replacing the counterions with a divalent calcium salt results in a cross-linked gel network or an analog gel noodles.
MACROMOLECULAR MATERIALS AND ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Max J. S. Hill, Ana M. Fuentes-Caparros, Dave J. Adams
Summary: We investigated the effects of spatial constraints on hydrogels formed by dipeptide-based low molecular weight gelators. The gels were formed by either solvent switch or pH change methods in vessels of different sizes to produce gels of different thicknesses. Confocal microscopy and cavitation rheology were used to examine the microstructures and mechanical properties of the gels. Our results show that solvent-switch-triggered gels are sensitive to spatial constraints, while pH-triggered gels are not. These findings are important for applications requiring gels of different thicknesses.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yuchen Si, John R. Royer, Tao Li, Paul S. Clegg
Summary: By adding particles to two stable foams, a stable composite foam can be formed, combining two immiscible liquids. The structure and flow properties of the composite foam depend on the proportions of the two foams, the particles and propylene glycol, and the sample age.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Libby J. Marshall, Simona Bianco, Rebecca E. Ginesi, James Doutch, Emily R. Draper, Dave J. Adams
Summary: Preparation of multicomponent systems allows for changing the properties of low molecular weight gelator-based systems. By varying the concentration ratio, we can tune the properties of the multicomponent systems before gelation, during gelation, and in the gel state. Changing the chirality of a single component also affects the properties of these systems. This work provides insights into tuning the properties of multicomponent systems composed of two gelators with the same basic structural design.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Courtenay Patterson, Santanu Panja, Wanli Liu, Andrew R. Mount, Adam Squires, Dave J. Adams
Summary: We demonstrate the use of Fmoc-3 to form hydrogels at basic pH and achieve the first electrodeposition of a low molecular weight gelator at high pH using an electrochemically generated pH gradient. Additionally, we show that electrodeposition can facilitate the simultaneous growth of two hydrogels at opposing pH extremes on different electrodes.
MATERIALS CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Faiza Diaba, Gisela Trenchs
Summary: The first violet light-mediated synthesis of gamma- and delta-lactams from N-alkenyl trichloroacetamides is reported in this paper. The reactions are conducted in tetrahydrofuran or 2-methyltetrahydrofuran as the sole solvent without catalysts or additives, under non-anhydrous conditions in an air atmosphere where the solvent serves as the radical initiator.
ORGANIC & BIOMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Feroze Hussain, Sajjad Ahmed, Ashiq Hussain Padder, Qazi Naveed Ahmed
Summary: This study reports a novel and efficient one-pot synthesis method for mixed phosphorotrithioates, which does not require supplementary additives and shows broad applicability.
ORGANIC & BIOMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Hyunjin Oh, Ikyon Kim
Summary: A new 1,2,4-triazole-pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine hybrid system, 6-acylpyrrolo[1,2-a][1,2,4]triazolo[5,1-c]pyrazine, was synthesized using a catalyst-free method. This method involved sequential exposure of pyrrole-2-carbonitrile-derived substrates to DMF-DMA and acyl hydrazide, resulting in the formation of acylated pyrazine and 1,2,4-triazole rings, enabling the installation of various substituents at specific positions on the core skeleton.
ORGANIC & BIOMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Ming Yan, Si-fan Wang, Yong-po Zhang, Jin-zhong Zhao, Zhuo Tang, Guang-xun Li
Summary: Here we developed an efficient photocatalytic approach for the convenient preparation of sulfinamides. The reaction allows for the gram-scale preparation of sulfinamides and the one-pot synthesis of various sulfonyl amides.
ORGANIC & BIOMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Farzaneh Bandehali-Naeini, Zahra Tanbakouchian, Noushin Farajinia-Lehi, Nicolas Mayer, Morteza Shiri, Martin Breugst
Summary: Two tandem catalytic systems were developed for the synthesis of novel 3,4-disubstituted maleimides using the same Ugi adducts. Different maleimide structures can be synthesized using either Pd or Cu catalysis.
ORGANIC & BIOMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Tanya Raghava, Anjan Chattopadhyay, Subhadeep Banerjee, Nivedita Sarkar
Summary: Amine substitution of two ortho fluorine atoms of tetrafluoroterephthalonitrile through SNAr chemistry is easily achievable. But further fluorine substitution is only possible under forcing conditions, yielding valuable fluorophores for bioimaging.
ORGANIC & BIOMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY
(2024)
Review
Chemistry, Organic
Anju Chadha, Santosh Kumar Padhi, Selvaraj Stella, Sowmyalakshmi Venkataraman, Thangavelu Saravanan
Summary: Alcohol dehydrogenases are enzymes that use cofactors for oxidation or reduction reactions of alcohols or carbonyl compounds. They are utilized in green chemistry and have applications in the production of pharmaceuticals. Recombinant enzymes have solved the challenge of producing purified enzymes in large quantities. Engineered alcohol dehydrogenases have been used in asymmetric synthesis in industry. Various methods have been established for regenerating expensive cofactors to make the enzymatic process more efficient and economically viable.
ORGANIC & BIOMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY
(2024)
