Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Guanru Zhao, Xing Sun, Gangwen Fu, Qingsong Liu, Jiaojiao Cui, Ruiyi Jiang, Junyuan He, Leiqing Cao, Tingting Jing, Fei Qin, Miao Tian, Xi Xu
Summary: Solar interfacial evaporation is a promising method for solving the global shortage of fresh water. This study proposes a multifield assisted strategy based on a gradient 3D structure with high tortuosity, which creates a thermal field environment for efficient evaporation through high absorption of sunlight and excellent photothermal conversion, and uses the gradient structure to optimize the internal pressure field to enhance water evaporation and transport, achieving a high evaporation rate.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Tao Zhang, Qian Cheng, Yifan Li, Zhiguo Hu, Jinbang Ma, Yixin Yao, Yuxuan Zhang, Yan Zuo, Qian Feng, Yachao Zhang, Hong Zhou, Jing Ning, Chunfu Zhang, Jincheng Zhang, Yue Hao
Summary: In this study, beta-Ga2O3 films were deposited on (-201) homo-substrates using MOCVD method. It was found that the Ga source flow rate significantly influenced the surface morphology, and a relatively flat surface was obtained with appropriate TEGa and O-2 flow rates. The substrate morphology can be greatly improved by cleaning and thermal annealing, which promotes the surface flatness of the epilayer. Insertion of a buffer layer and optimization of growth conditions also contribute to achieving a higher surface flatness.
SCRIPTA MATERIALIA
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Goomin Kwon, Jisoo Park, Kangyun Lee, Youngsang Ko, Youngho Jeon, Suji Lee, Jeonghun Kim, Jungmok You
Summary: With a gas-solid reaction using chemical vapor deposition, hydrophobic regenerated cellulose (RC) films with good barrier properties were developed in this study. A biodegradable, free-standing substrate matrix was created using the RC films, and hydrophobic coating material methyltrichlorosilane (MTS) was used to control wettability and improve barrier properties of the final films. The MTS readily coupled with hydroxyl groups on the RC surface, resulting in optically transparent, mechanically strong, and hydrophobic MTS/RC films. The MTS/RC films exhibited low oxygen and water vapor transmission rates, outperforming other hydrophobic biopolymer films.
Article
Polymer Science
Valentina Grumezescu, Alexandru Mihai Grumezescu, Anton Ficai, Irina Negut, Bogdan Stefan Vasile, Bianca Galateanu, Ariana Hudita
Summary: This article presents the preparation and characterization of composite coatings based on hydroxyapatite (HAp), chitosan (CS), and FGF2, and investigates their effects on attachment, growth, and differentiation of cells through in vitro experiments. The results suggest that these coatings are suitable for bone tissue engineering applications.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Yi Li, Zhonghua Li, Yanchun He, Hu Wang, Kaifeng Zhang, Lu Yuan, Shengzhu Cao, Dongfeng Ma, Lin Li, Miao Yang, Hengjiao Gao, Kai Wang, Min Xu, Detian Li
Summary: A dense, defect-free hybrid HMDSO/SiO2 thin film coating with compositional gradients was successfully synthesized in this study, which enhances the atomic oxygen resistance of polyimide materials and shows potential application in water-oxygen barrier films.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Mengfan Jing, Lijie Zhang, Zhengbing Fan, Xuyang Liu, Yaming Wang, Chuntai Liu, Changyu Shen
Summary: Through the synergism between high-energy mechanical force field and APTES modification, dispersion and hydrophobization of cellulose were achieved simultaneously. The modified cellulose film showed increased hydrophobicity and water contact angle, while maintaining the original crystal form. Furthermore, the thermostability and mechanical properties of cellulose film were improved through mechanochemical modification.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yu Hui, Yingbin Wu, Wenping Sun, Xudong Sun, Gang Huang, Zhaolin Na
Summary: In this study, a copper-tin-tin oxide 3D mesh skeleton bonded to copper foam through Cu3Sn alloy was designed and prepared using a nanosecond-pulsed-laser-assisted deposition strategy. This skeleton provides homogeneous Li nucleation sites to inhibit Li dendrites growth and the porous space and strong bonding of the Cu3Sn layer prevent structural deterioration of the anodes. As a result, symmetric cells based on this material demonstrate excellent cycling stability and capacity retention. Moreover, the versatility of the pulsed-laser-assisted deposition strategy for preparing battery materials was demonstrated through the successful preparation of other composite materials on various substrates.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yujeong Jeong, Shreyanka Shankar Naik, Jayaraman Theerthagiri, Cheol Joo Moon, Ahreum Min, M. L. Aruna Kumari, Myong Yong Choi
Summary: An efficient approach is proposed to promote energy-saving hydrogen production by using a composition-dependent multifunctional CoPd alloy via pulsed laser ablation in liquids, where the anodic oxygen evolution reaction is replaced with the hydrazine oxidation reaction. The optimal Co1Pd9 alloy sample demonstrates excellent hydrogen evolution reaction and hydrazine oxidation reaction with the lowest overpotentials. The CoPd alloy exhibits remarkable electrochemical and structural stability, making it suitable for practical use in hydrogen fuel cells.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Maria Elena Zarif, Sasa Alexandra Yehia-Alexe, Bogdan Bita, Irina Negut, Claudiu Locovei, Andreea Groza
Summary: In this study, calcium phosphate-chitosan composite layers were synthesized, and the effect of substrate temperature on the incorporation of chitosan was investigated. The degree of chitosan incorporation significantly influenced the properties and adherence strength of the composite layers. The adherence strength was diminished after chitosan deposition.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Zhichao Li, Xi Chen, Shirui Yang, Donghe Zhang, Jie Xu, Rui Ma, Debin Shan, Bin Guo
Summary: Liquid-assisted pulsed laser cleaning technique is employed to treat titanium alloy oxide film, resulting in the formation of micro- and nanostructured amorphous-nanocrystalline phases oxidized layer. The surface morphology, composition, and structure are characterized by various microscopy techniques. Optimal surface quality is achieved under specific laser fluence and spot overlap ratio conditions. The mechanisms of liquid-assisted laser cleaning involve laser-induced shock wave, laser ablation, and phase blasting, providing effective surface cleaning and material processing.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY-JMR&T
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Robert Fonoll-Rubio, Ignacio Becerril-Romero, Pedro Vidal-Fuentes, Enric Grau-Luque, Fabien Atlan, Alejandro Perez-Rodriguez, Victor Izquierdo-Roca, Maxim Guc
Summary: This review discusses the constraints and strategies for the application of combinatorial analysis in thin-film materials, with a focus on chalcogenide compounds. It provides an overview of the research results in the field of chalcogenide thin-film PV technologies, demonstrating the importance of the combinatorial approach in boosting the development of photovoltaic technology and optoelectronic devices.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Yiwen Zhang, Li Zhan, Li Hu, Guangyin Fan
Summary: In this study, hierarchical porous O, N co-doped porous carbon nanosheet assemblies were synthesized for efficient H2O2 electrosynthesis from 2e- ORR. The pyrrolic-N and C = O configurations in the carbon material enabled highly selective electrosynthesis of H2O2. The obtained amorphous ONPC-700 exhibited good H2O2 yield, selectivity, methanol tolerance, and long-term stability. This research provides insights for the development of metal-free carbon materials with dual active motifs for H2O2 electrosynthesis. Rating: 8/10.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sreekanth Mandati, Prashant Misra, Divya Boosagulla, Narasinga Rao Tata, Sarada V. Bulusu
Summary: CIGS absorbers prepared by direct current electrodeposition process are selenized in a tubular furnace at 550 degrees C in elemental selenium atmosphere using Ar as carrier gas, with the evacuation of tube prior to selenization affecting the formation of CIGS absorbers. Solar cells fabricated using vacuum-based selenization show improved performance compared to non-vacuum selenization, indicating potential for environmentally friendly low-cost solar cells.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Masaru Kubo, Takuya Sugahara, Manabu Shimada
Summary: A new spray-assisted process was used to fabricate HKUST-1 thin films in less than 3 minutes. This process involves the formation of nanoparticles from droplets attached to the substrate surface as seed particles, followed by the growth of seed particles to form thin films. Incorporating multi-walled carbon nanotubes into the spraying solution allows for the fabrication of MWCNT/HKUST-1 films, which have consistent porosities with HKUST-1 powders synthesized by conventional and spray-assisted methods.
MICROPOROUS AND MESOPOROUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Vijay Singh Meena, Ajay Kumar Saini, Anand Singh, Sumit Jain, Ranveer Singh, Mohan Singh Mehata
Summary: Gold (Au) thin films were deposited on the HgCdTe surface using thermal evaporation deposition. The thermally grown Au films had desired structure, elemental compositions, and purity. The films exhibited low roughness and ideal grain size. The optimized Au films were used to fabricate Ohmic contacts for HgCdTe infrared detectors, exhibiting low specific contact resistance.
Article
Plant Sciences
Maxime Versluys, Ebru Toksoy Oner, Wim Van den Ende
Summary: This study found that chicory can detect both extracellular levan oligosaccharides (LOS) of microbial origin and extracellular small inulin-type fructooligosaccharides (FOS) of endogenous origin. It also discovered that sulfated LOS has a direct antifungal effect and can trigger an increase in apoplastic sugar concentrations. These findings provide new insights into the immune response of plants.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Anam Nasir, Waqar Ahmad, Fazal Sattar, Iram Ashfaq, Stephen R. Lindemann, Ming-Hsu Chen, Wim Van den Ende, Ebru Toksoy Oner, Onur Kirtel, Shazia Khaliq, Muhammad A. Ghauri, Munir A. Anwar
Summary: A new Gram-positive bacterium, Bacillus paralicheniformis LB1-1A, producing a levan with low branching and high molecular weight, was isolated from the rhizosphere of Buffalo grass, making it a promising candidate for industrial applications.
ANTONIE VAN LEEUWENHOEK INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GENERAL AND MOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Dan Lian, Shuo Zhuang, Chen Shui, Shicheng Zheng, Yanhong Ma, Zongjiu Sun, Jaime R. Porras-Dominguez, Ebru Toksoy Oner, Mingxiang Liang, Wim Van den Ende
Summary: This study isolated a Glutamicibacter mishrai NJAU-1 strain from the rhizosphere context of inulin-accumulating plants, showing exo-inulinase activity and releasing fructose from fructans. The growth conditions and substrate specificity of the inulinase enzymes were explored, with two exo-inulinase genes cloned and heterologously expressed. Subtle substrate differences and active site docking studies were revealed between the two inulinases, providing insights into their protein structures.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
C. E. Staicu, F. Jipa, I Porosnicu, A. Bran, E. Stancu, C. Dobrea, B. M. Radu, E. Axente, I Tiseanu, F. Sima, K. Sugioka
Summary: Lab-on-a-chip strategies using miniaturized devices allow cells to be cultured in a 3D space that mimics in vivo environment. This study proposes a miniaturized lab-on-chip glass device for dosimetry measurements and evaluation of the biological effects of ionizing radiation on cancer cells. Microfluidic networks are created using high repetition rate picosecond laser-assisted etching in photo-sensitive glasses, and radiation dose is evaluated using collimated X-ray beams. This lab-on-chip platform provides a valuable tool for analyzing cellular response to new irradiation strategies.
APPLIED PHYSICS A-MATERIALS SCIENCE & PROCESSING
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nardiah Rizwana Jaafar, Nashriq Jailani, Roshanida A. Rahman, Ebru Toksoy Oner, Abdul Munir Abdul Murad, Rosli Md Illias
Summary: A combined strategy of computational, protein engineering and cross-linked enzyme aggregates (CLEAs) approaches was used to investigate the preferred amino acids and orientation of the cross-linker in constructing stable and efficient biocatalyst. The study found that amino acids on the enzyme's surface play a crucial role in the construction of highly stable, efficient and recyclable CLEAs.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Songul Yasar Yildiz, Ilaria Finore, Luigi Leone, Ida Romano, Licia Lama, Ceyda Kasavi, Barbara Nicolaus, Ebru Toksoy Oner, Annarita Poli
Summary: Genomic analysis of Parageobacillus thermantarcticus M1 revealed its significant potential in biotechnological and industrial applications, including the production of exopolysaccharides (EPSs), ethanol, and thermostable enzymes. The study also highlighted its use in lignocellulosic transformation and microbial astrobiology research.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ozlem Erdal Altintas, Ebru Toksoy Oner, Ahmet Cabuk, Pinar Aytar Celik
Summary: This study evaluated the chemical and biological properties of levan produced by the halophilic bacteria Halomonas elongata. The levan displayed antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibiofilm, and antimicrobial activities, and showed no cytotoxicity. This suggests that Halomonas elongata has great potential in the medical, pharmaceutical, and dermo-cosmetics industries.
JOURNAL OF POLYMERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Edmilson Clarindo de Siqueira, Ebru Toksoy Oener
Summary: Levan is a homopolysaccharide of fructose that has diverse applications in health, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries. Efforts have been made to select levan-producing microorganisms, manipulate their genetics, and use inexpensive agro-industrial byproducts as substrates to make its production economically viable. The concomitant synthesis of levan with other high market value products, including fructooligosaccharides, ethanol, sorbitol, poly-epsilon-lysine, poly-gamma-glutamic acid, and polyhydroxyalkanoates, has been successfully demonstrated. This paper provides a systematic review of recent strategies involving the simultaneous synthesis of levan and other bioproducts, discussing the challenges and opportunities for large-scale production and applications.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Merve Erginer, Baris Gokalsin, Selay Tornaci, Cenk Sesal, Ebru Toksoy Oner
Summary: This study investigates the effects of structurally different extremophilic Halomonas levan polysaccharides on human skin epidermis cells for the first time. The results show that these polysaccharides can increase the proliferation of keratinocytes and fibroblasts, improve skin barrier function, and promote wound healing. Therefore, they have high potential to be used as natural active ingredients in cosmeceutical and skin regenerating formulations.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Irina Negut, Carmen Ristoscu
Summary: Bioactive glasses have been developed into various items for treating medical problems. They are not only used in healing hard tissues but also gaining popularity in soft tissue healing. They accelerate skin regeneration and have positive effects on wound healing stages. They can adhere to hard tissues and aid in their regeneration by forming a calcium-phosphate-like layer.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Ella Peled, Selay Tornaci, Ivan Zlotver, Arita Dubnika, Ebru Toksoy Oner, Alejandro Sosnik
Summary: Based on stimuli in the biological milieu, macrophages can regulate their activation into pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory phenotypes. In this study, the interaction of Halomonas levan and its derivatives with human macrophages was investigated. The results show that Halomonas levans trigger a pro-inflammatory phenotype in macrophages, indicating their potential application in therapeutic interventions.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Muhammad Mujtaba, Qasid Ali, Bahar Akyuz Yilmaz, Mehmet Seckin Kurubas, Hayri Ustun, Mustafa Erkan, Murat Kaya, Mehmet Cicek, Ebru Toksoy Oner
Summary: In this study, biobased composite coatings composed of chitosan, mucilage, and levan were applied on sweet cherry fruits and tested for postharvest parameters in both market and cold storage conditions. The results showed that the shelf life of sweet cherries can be extended until the 30th day while maintaining important post-harvest properties. The cost-effectiveness of the polymers used indicates the feasibility of extending the shelf-life of sweet cherries on a larger scale.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Nicolae A. Enaki, Ion Munteanu, Tatiana Paslari, Marina Turcan, Elena Starodub, Sergiu Bazgan, Diana Podoleanu, Carmen Ristoscu, Sinziana Anghel, Maria Badiceanu, Ion N. Mihailescu
Summary: Nowadays, there is considerable interest in using metamaterials for fluid decontamination and pathogen annihilation. The novelty of this research lies in the significant increase in depollution effects achieved by packing metamaterials and using UVC irradiation. Packing smaller elements between larger elements allows for deeper penetration of radiation into the fluid and optimal dispersion of this radiation, promoting enhanced depollution against pathogen agents.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Sinziana-Andreea Anghel, Mihai Oane, Cristian N. Mihailescu, Bogdan A. Sava, Mihail Elisa, Natalia Mihailescu, Dorina Ticos, Alexandra M. I. Trefilov, Carmen Ristoscu, Ana V. Filip, Ion N. Mihailescu
Summary: The ultrafast fs laser pulse heating of thin metal films is studied for the first time using the two-temperature model based on the Fokker-Planck formalism. The predictions are intended for experimentalists in various fields who can benefit from the understanding of the interdependence between the target's size, the phonon/lattice characteristics, and the coefficient beta. The study highlights the importance of nano-sized spatial dimensions of the metal sample.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Irina Negut, Gratiela Gradisteanu-Pircalabioru, Mihaela Dinu, Bogdan Bita, Anca Constantina Parau, Valentina Grumezescu, Carmen Ristoscu, Mariana Carmen Chifiriuc
Summary: This study reports the use of MAPLE synthesized thin films based on BG and VD3 to enhance osseointegration and corrosion protection of Ti-like implant surfaces. The results show that the films have good chemical stability and biocompatibility, with favorable cell adhesion and no inflammatory response. The films also demonstrate good wettability, facilitating interaction with biological fluids.
