Article
Polymer Science
Dongwon Yun, Jong-Bong Kim
Summary: This study analyzes the hot embossing process of PMMA film using computational analysis method to quickly find the optimal process conditions. The developed constitutive model considers strain, strain rate, temperature-dependent stress and softening of the flexible film, accurately describing the behavior of PMMA materials. The proposed method allows for a precise analysis of the film change phenomenon during the hot embossing process.
Article
Electrochemistry
Jiao Liu, Guoxi Li, Benfeng Zhu, Xiaoqing Du, Yumeng Yang, Guoying Wei, Zhao Zhang
Summary: Electrochemical noise (EN), chronoamperometry, and cyclic voltammetry techniques were used to investigate the effects of substrate, temperature, current density, and nickel ion concentration on nickel electroplating. The results show that the noise energy (E(D)) is weakly affected by the nickel ion concentration within the concentration range considered, and is only limitedly influenced by the substrate, current density, and temperature. The influence of current density on noise energy is achieved through its effect on the nucleation behavior of the initial deposit monolayer (current density-dependent nucleation behavior). E(D) primarily reflects the foreign work consumed in the formation of the initial deposit monolayer and can be used as an index of electrochemical noise to characterize the difficulty level of localized attacks.
JOURNAL OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Metallurgy & Metallurgical Engineering
Jiao Liu, Guo-xi LI, Ben-feng Zhu, Xiao-qing DU, Yu-meng Yang, Guo-ying Wei, Zhao Zhang
Summary: The effects of current density and bath temperature on the structure of deposition layer of nickel and electrochemical noise energy are studied. It is found that electrochemical noise mainly reflects the severity of the local cathodic reaction and is influenced by the nucleation/growth kinetics of the nickel deposit film. The nucleation/growth process on a foreign substrate has a greater effect on electrochemical noise energy than the subsequent growth of the already formed film particles.
TRANSACTIONS OF NONFERROUS METALS SOCIETY OF CHINA
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jianzhi Li, Kang Yang, Guihao Lian, Feng Gong, Gao Yang
Summary: This study proposes a two-stage gravity-assisted hot embossing process for the fabrication of high-quality glass micro-pillar arrays in a rapid and green manner. Experimental results show that by optimizing the process parameters, the embossed glass micro-pillars achieve high transfer ratios in height and diameter, with low surface roughness and minimal warpage. The proposed hot embossing process has strong industrialization potential for producing high-quality glass microstructures more cleanly and sustainably.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lihua Li, Jian Zhou
Summary: The newly developed hot embossing technique using CBG heating has been successfully applied in the fabrication of microlens arrays, showing high replication fidelity with some geometric warpage. By conducting thermo-mechanical coupled finite element modeling and trial simulations, an appropriate compensation curvature was determined to significantly decrease the warpage in re-embossed microlens arrays. This demonstrates the feasibility of a simulation-oriented compensation scheme to improve the quality of optics embossed by this innovative technique.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jianzhi Li, Feng Gong, Xin Wang, Gao Yang
Summary: This paper presents a novel rapid hot embossing approach and investigates the filling capacity of optical glass in the hot embossing process. The experimental results indicate that the embossing force and embossing temperature have a more significant influence on the filling capacity of N-BK7 glass.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Kuo Lu, Jin Xie, Risen Wang, Lei Li, Wenzhe Li, Yuning Jiang
Summary: This study proposes a method to control microforming accuracy by optical detection of microforming heights in real-time, improving efficiency and precision in the hot-embossing process. Using intelligent algorithms and models, precise adjustment of process parameters is achieved, enabling control of microforming heights within allowable error limits under unstable hot-embossing conditions.
JOURNAL OF INTELLIGENT MANUFACTURING
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Quanquan Sun, Jiaxuan Tang, Lifeng Shen, Jie Lan, Zhenfeng Shen, Junfeng Xiao, Xiao Chen, Jianguo Zhang, Yu Wu, Jianfeng Xu, Xuefang Wang
Summary: This paper proposes a high-precision, low-cost method for processing spherical microlens arrays using a nanoimprint technique. By fabricating a nanoimprint mold with high surface precision and low surface roughness, and performing anti-sticking treatment on the mold, the microstructure of the microlens array was successfully transferred to a silicon substrate.
Article
Automation & Control Systems
Joao Paulo Colafemina, Marcel Henrique Militao Dib, Renato Goulart Jasinevicius
Summary: Hot embossing was used to fabricate two aspherical Fresnel molds which successfully replicated optical quality replicas of PMMA convex-plane lenses. The study demonstrated submicron level geometry form accuracy of microfeatures and successful replication of surface roughness at the nanometer level.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Jin Xie, Risen Wang, Lei Li
Summary: This study proposes an optical sensing method for real-time recognition of the size of two-level microstructures during hot embossing. Experimental comparison shows that green light provides the best response to micro-forming heights, and the Naive Bayes method can accurately identify microstructure sizes.
Article
Polymer Science
Chih-Yuan Chang
Summary: A novel nonuniform heating method for hot embossing of polymers with multiscale microstructures was proposed in this study, allowing for the fabrication of high-quality polymer microstructure patterns through a single-step process. This technique has great potential for rapid and flexible fabrication of multiscale microstructure patterns on polymer substrates.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jaishree, A. Bhandari, N. Khatri, Y. K. Mishra, M. S. Goyat
Summary: Over the past few decades, superhydrophobic coatings (SHCs) have attracted scientists and researchers due to their wide range of applications in various fields. Different techniques have been attempted to fabricate SHCs, but most of them have limitations. The hot embossing (HE) technique, however, shows great potential in replicating micro-nanofeatures on polymeric surfaces. This review article focuses on the recent advancements in HE-operated polymeric SHCs and their applications.
MATERIALS TODAY CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Kevin H. R. Rouwenhorst, Aloijsius G. J. Van der Ham, Leon Lefferts
Summary: The feasibility of single-pass thermochemical ammonia synthesis as an alternative to the high-temperature, high-pressure Haber-Bosch synthesis loop is discussed in this article. Recently developed low temperature ammonia synthesis catalysts and solid ammonia sorbents are provided as alternatives. It is shown that the low temperature, low pressure single-pass ammonia synthesis process can produce ammonia at a lower cost for small-scale synthesis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hong-Yang Wang, Yu Li, Shu-Qiang Jiao, Kuo-Chih Chou, Guo-Hua Zhang
Summary: A new process for the recovery of Ni from Ni-bearing electroplating sludge is proposed, involving carbothermic reduction and smelting stages. In the reduction stage, Ni3S2 and Fe4Ni5S8 were generated by the carbon reduction of CaSO4, Fe2O3, and NiO at 1000 degrees C. The reduced sludge was then smelted with SiO2 at 1500 degrees C, resulting in the separation of liquid Ni-Fe-S matte from the molten slag. The recovery ratio of Ni was 97.2%, significantly higher than that of Fe.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zhiqiang Shi, Shuyue Wu, Siyuan Lin, Jia Sun, Han Huang, Deming Kong, Yongli Gao, Conghua Zhou
Summary: In this study, nickel electroplating is used to modify the transparent conductor in order to solve the corrosion problem caused by lead halide hybrid perovskite in perovskite solar cells. The results show that nickel electroplating improves the conductance, corrosion resistance, and oxidization resistance of the transparent conductor. SnO2 quantum dots and ITO sputtering are also applied to further improve the film conductance. The perovskite solar cells fabricated on the modified transparent conductors achieve a power conversion efficiency of 18.37%. The nickel-treated transparent conductors ensure efficient charge-extraction process and retard charge recombination. The storage-stability of the devices is also good, with 80% of initial performance reserved after 432 hours of storage in dark.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Anders M. Torp, Khorshid Kamguyan, Juliane F. Christfort, Katja Ann Kristensen, Priscila Guerra, Noemie Daniel, Line Hagner Nielsen, Kinga Zor, Benoit Chassaing, Anja Boisen, Martin Bahl, Tine Rask Licht
Summary: Microcontainers loaded with streptomycin enhanced the proliferation of a resistant E. coli strain in the cecum and colon without affecting the small intestine environment. The application of microcontainers provides new prospects for antibiotic treatment with fewer side effects on nontarget bacterial populations.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shashank Vasudevan, Andrea Dotti, Janko Kajtez, Alberto Martinez-Serrano, Carsten Gundlach, Sandrina Campos Macas, Karin Lauschke, Anne-Marie Vinngaard, Silvia Garcia Lopez, Marta Pereira, Arto Heiskanen, Stephan S. Keller, Jenny Emneus
Summary: This study introduces a novel approach to generate Omni-LOEFs using laser ablation and demonstrates that dopamine detection current recorded from neurons differentiated on Omni-LOEFs upon light-induced stimulation is significantly higher compared to other materials.
BIOELECTROCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Philip H. R. Carlsen, Rolf Bech Kjeldsen, Gabriel K. Pedersen, Dennis Christensen, Line Hagner Nielsen, Anja Boisen
Summary: Oral vaccination has gained attention recently due to patient compliance and logistics. However, developing oral subunit vaccines is challenging. Micro technology, such as Microcontainers (MCs), can be used to overcome these challenges by facilitating protection and effective delivery of vaccine components in the gastrointestinal tract. The study tests MCs for oral delivery of the C. trachomatis vaccine candidate CTH522, and finds that alpha-GalCer is the most efficient adjuvant for the oral vaccine. The study also suggests that larger animals should be used in future trials with MCs due to potential clearance issues in mice.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tijana Maric, Vaios Adamakis, Zhongyang Zhang, Carmen Milian-Guimera, Lasse Hojlund Eklund Thamdrup, Eugen Stamate, Mahdi Ghavami, Anja Boisen
Summary: For macromolecules and poorly permeable drugs, oral drug delivery often suffers from low bioavailability and absorption. To address this issue, a cascade delivery device comprising Magnesium-based Janus micromotors (MMs) inside microscale containers (MCs) has been proposed. This device aims to facilitate targeted drug delivery by allowing MMs to lodge within the intestinal mucosa. Loading MMs into MCs can potentially enhance drug absorption through increased proximity and unidirectional release. The concept of dual-acting cascade devices holds great potential in applications that require proximity to the epithelium and deep mucus penetration.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Tijana Maric, Amalie Lovind, Zhongyang Zhang, Jiayue Geng, Anja Boisen
Summary: In this study, gold-coated mesoporous silica nanoparticles are developed as nanomotors driven by near-infrared light. These nanomotors can propel themselves through biofilms and disperse them through photothermal effect. The velocities of the nanomotors are found to increase with increasing laser power, and they show excellent capabilities to eradicate Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms even under short irradiation time. This study holds great promise for overcoming challenges in bacterial biofilm eradication.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Tien-Jen Chang, Rolf Bech Kjeldsen, Juliane Fjelrad Christfort, Eduard Marzo Vila, Tommy Sonne Alstrom, Kinga Zor, En-Te Hwu, Line Hagner Nielsen, Anja Boisen
Summary: This study investigates the use of microscale stereolithography 3D printing to fabricate radiopaque microcontainers with enhanced mucoadhesive geometries, aiming to improve bioavailability. The results show that microcontainers with adhering features exhibit increased mucoadhesion. In vivo studies using imaging techniques reveal the time-dependent gastrointestinal location and spatial dynamics of microcontainers.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Braulio Beltran-Pitarch, Benny Guralnik, Neetu Lamba, Andreas R. Stilling-Andersen, Lars Norregaard, Torben M. Hansen, Ole Hansen, Nini Pryds, Peter F. Nielsen, Dirch H. Petersen
Summary: In order to develop materials with higher thermoelectric efficiency, a new method based on micro four-point probe (M4PP) was developed to determine the thermal diffusivity of a bulk material using the phase delay of the second harmonic voltage. The method was tested on two relevant thermoelectric materials, skutterudite and bismuth telluride, and showed good agreement with independent estimates. The M4PP method also demonstrated the ability to characterize materials with nonuniform and erratic electrical resistivity, such as bismuth telluride.
MATERIALS TODAY PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Optics
Arnhold Simonsen, Gyeong Cheol Park, Thor Ersted Ansbaek, Ole Hansen, Kresten Yvind
Summary: In this letter, we introduce a 2D mirror design that offers a large optical bandwidth and high reflection. This design is also more rigid than 1D mirrors. We specifically study the impact of rounded corners of rectangles during the transfer from CAD to the wafer using lithography and etching.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Haipeng Li, Elodie Dumont, Roman Slipets, Thomas Thersleff, Anja Boisen, Georgios A. Sotiriou
Summary: Pesticide residues in food products are a concern for human health, and their rapid and easy detection is necessary. The surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) technique can detect pesticide residues quickly and reliably, but its application in food safety diagnostics is limited by its high cost, low scalability, and low reproducibility of necessary sensors. In this study, we have developed a low-cost, large-scale, and highly reproducible method for fabricating SERS nano-sensors, based on the direct deposition of plasmonic core-shell structured Ag-SiO2 nanoparticles produced in the gas phase on temperature-controlled inexpensive glass substrates. Our highly sensitive SERS substrates can rapidly and quantitatively detect pesticide residues in fresh orange, demonstrating their practical applicability for food safety diagnostics.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mahdi Ghavami, Jesper Pedersen, Rolf Bech Kjeldsen, Aage Kristian Olsen Alstrup, Zhongyang Zhang, Vasiliki Koulianou, Johan Palmfeldt, Thomas Vorup-Jensen, Lasse Hojlund Eklund Thamdrup, Anja Boisen
Summary: In this study, researchers developed a new generation of medical devices called self-unfolding proximity enabling devices, which can orally deliver macromolecules without perforating the intestine. These devices protect the macromolecules from harsh conditions in the stomach and release their active pharmaceutical ingredients near the intestinal epithelium. One version of the device, a self-unfolding foil, was used to deliver insulin and nisin to rats and pigs, resulting in a significant increase in absorption.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Shahana Bishnoi, Xiaoli Liu, Lasse Hojlund Eklund Thamdrup, Ritika Singh Petersen, Leticia Hosta-Rigau, Stephan Sylvest Keller
Summary: This article introduces a novel two-step fabrication technique for the development of biocompatible microgel shapes for oral drug administration. UV-initiated crosslinking of aqueous solutions at ambient temperatures is used to form two-dimensional microgel shapes, without the need for high temperatures, solvents, and multiple processing steps. The successful loading of a fluorescently labeled model biomacromolecule, bovine serum albumin, onto the microgel shapes is demonstrated by fluorescence microscopy. In vitro studies further quantify the macromolecular content and release profile associated with the fabricated microgel shapes.
MICRO AND NANO ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Laura Serioli, Lina Gruzinskyte, Giulia Zappala, En Te Hwu, Trygvi Zachariassen Laksafoss, Peter Lunding Jensen, Danilo Demarchi, Anette Mullertz, Anja Boisen, Kinga Zor
Summary: The CMoD platform is a compact centrifugal device that utilizes artificial intelligence software for real-time monitoring of cell culture and drug interaction under flow conditions. It can accurately analyze cell images and provide data on cell viability and toxicity.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Carmen Milian-Guimera, Reece Mccabe, Lasse Hojlund Eklund Thamdrup, Mahdi Ghavami, Anja Boisen
Summary: Oral dosage forms are the preferred solution for systemic treatment and prevention of diseases, but traditional forms face challenges. Research on novel formulation strategies for oral drug delivery has bloomed in the last decade to overcome these challenges, with approaches based on drug release and mucus interfacing showing promising results in personalized medicine and improved bioavailability.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Stephanie Ingemann Bisgaard, Long Quang Nguyen, Katrine Lindholm Bogh, Stephan Sylvest Keller
Summary: Microneedle-based sensors have been introduced as a novel strategy for in situ monitoring of biomarkers in the skin. In this study, silicon microneedles with different dimensions and shapes were evaluated for their ability to penetrate the skin. It was found that triangular microneedles require the lowest force for skin penetration.
BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Pi Westi Bondegaard, Anders Meyer Torp, Priscila Guerra, Katja Ann Kristensen, Juliane Fjelrad Christfort, Karen Angeliki Krogfelt, Line Hagner Nielsen, Kinga Zor, Anja Boisen, Martin Steen Mortensen, Martin Iain Bahl, Tine Rask Licht
Summary: The use of microcontainers did not provide a competitive advantage for the probiotic E. coli Nissle in colonizing the gut of mice. Alternative approaches are needed to enhance the competitive capacity of EcN in the gut.
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY LETTERS
(2023)
