Article
Food Science & Technology
Chunwei Li, Xiankang Fan, Yangying Sun, Changyu Zhou, Daodong Pan
Summary: Goose liver oil microcapsules prepared with konjac glucomannan and soybean protein isolate exhibited high encapsulation efficiency and improved thermal and oxidative stability compared to free goose liver oil. The microcapsules showed a smooth spherical surface morphology and homogeneous internal structure. They also demonstrated good gastric juice permeability and controlled release in the intestinal region.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Indira Govindaraju, Guan-Yu Zhuo, Ishita Chakraborty, Sindhoora Kaniyala Melanthota, Sib Sankar Mal, Bhaswati Sarmah, Vishwa Jyoti Baruah, Krishna Kishore Mahato, Nirmal Mazumder
Summary: This study investigated the structural and functional characteristics of starch from ten indigenous rice varieties in Northeast India, showing variations in physicochemical properties and hydrolysis rates. Results revealed changes in starch granule shape during enzymatic hydrolysis and differences in starch crystallinity. Additionally, the research identified amylose hydrolysis and disturbances in the ordered arrangement in the crystalline part in hydrolyzed starch granules.
FOOD HYDROCOLLOIDS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Composites
Ayda Bouhamed, Qin Binyu, Benny Boehm, Nathanael Joehrmann, Nicole Behme, Werner A. Goedel, Bernhard Wunderle, Olav Hellwig, Olfa Kanoun
Summary: The study focuses on developing a high performance flexible nanogenerator based on hybrid piezoelectric composite, with improved piezoelectric performance by doping with silver nanoparticles. Dimethyl formamide (DMF) solvent is used to enhance the rate of crystalline phases, resulting in improved output voltage and power of the nanogenerator.
COMPOSITES SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chunjie Li, Shili Guo, Songhao Shang, Pengcheng Qi, Bailian Li
Summary: This study aimed to compare the biochemical processes and mechanisms at the microaggregate scale for different land use types in the water source area of China's Middle Route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project. The results showed that microaggregates from forests and shrublands had a flocculent spatial structure, while those from terraces had a nondirectional plate-like spatial structure, and those from cultivated land had a laminar spatial structure. The mineral composition and spatial structure of microaggregates are important determinants of soil biochemical processes and mechanisms.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Carla N. Schnell, Maria Galvan, Yamil N. Solier, Maria C. Inalbon, Miguel A. Zanuttini, Paulina Mocchiutti
Summary: The effect of ethanol concentration on the ionization degree of xylan and chitosan, as well as the properties of polyelectrolyte complex suspensions and derived films, was studied. Increasing ethanol concentration led to changes in particle sizes, z-potential values, and crystallinity of films. The stress at break of the films increased, while the swelling capacity decreased favorably.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2021)
Article
Spectroscopy
Grzegorz Kalisz, Agata Przekora, Paulina Kazimierczak, Barbara Gieroba, Agnieszka Lewalska-Graczyk, Izabela S. Pieta, Marcin Holdynski, Grazyna Ginalska, Anna Sroka-Bartnicka
Summary: This study investigates the structural characteristics and physicochemical properties of a tri-component biomaterial seeded with mesenchymal stem cells using DRIFT, XPS, and SEM. The non-conventional approach of DRIFT spectroscopy was utilized to analyze the biomaterial changes under simulated physiological conditions. The study demonstrates the bioactivity and biocompatibility of the designed biomaterial, showing promise for tissue engineering applications.
SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA PART A-MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Rajesh Kumar, Sheo K. Mishra, Arvind Kumar, Indresh Kumar, Manjeet Kumar, Ju-Hyung Yun, Sunil Kumar, Abhimanyu Kumar Singh
Summary: This study focuses on the synthesis and characterization of pure and cerium rare-earth-ion-doped ZnO (CZO) nanophosphors with different Ce concentrations. The structural, morphological, optical, and photoconductivity properties of the synthesized nanophosphors were investigated. The results show that the CZO samples exhibit crystalline hexagonal wurtzite ZnO nanostructures, and the presence of Ce in ZnO was confirmed. The CZO samples also demonstrate efficient photoconduction, indicating their suitability for luminescent and photosensor applications.
Review
Food Science & Technology
Indira Govindaraju, Ishita Chakraborty, Vishwa Jyoti Baruah, Bhaswati Sarmah, Krishna Kishore Mahato, Nirmal Mazumder
Summary: Various techniques including optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, and Differential scanning calorimetry have been used to study the structural and functional characteristics of starch under different processing conditions.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jaeyeon Park, Seongjin Hong, Won Joon Shim, Jong Seong Khim, Jinsoon Park
Summary: The study investigated the spatial and vertical distributions and compositions of microplastics (MPs) in tidal flat sediments along the west coast of Korea. The abundance of MPs in surface and core sediments ranged from 20 to 325 and 14 to 483 particles per 50 g dry weight, respectively. Polypropylene (51%) and polyethylene (36%) were the most dominant MPs with a size <0.3 mm, and mostly appearing as fragments and fibers. The abundance of MPs in sediments has increased rapidly since the 1970s but recently showed a slight decrease. Scanning electron microscope analysis revealed that the MPs in tidal flats were highly weathered mechanically and/or oxidatively. This study provides valuable baseline data on the distribution of MPs in tidal flats.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Yilan Cai, Liling Jia, Hao Li, Yujie He, Yong Liu, Rui Jia, Dan Yang, Runtao Xia, Jingpeng Jiao, Ju Huang, Yun Weng, Jichao Zhang, Hailing Zheng, Hailiang Yang, Bing Wang, Yang Zhou, Zhiqin Peng
Summary: Understanding the degradation of silk fibers and tracing silk fabrics from archeological sites have always been challenging. This study examines Chinese historic silk fabrics from various dynasties as well as artificially aged silk specimens to investigate their degradation using techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and isotope ratio mass spectrometry. The results provide insights into the silk degradation mechanism and can be useful for tracing the rich textile heritage.
POLYMER DEGRADATION AND STABILITY
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Xuejiao Ren, Huili He, Tuoping Li
Summary: The study examined the structural and functional differences in flaxseed gum samples obtained from different flaxseed cultivars. Results showed significant variability in FG yields, as well as slight differences in FTIR spectra, XRD patterns, and SEM images among the samples from different cultivars. The zeta potential measurements also indicated cultivar-dependent differences in the samples, suggesting diverse structural properties across different flaxseed cultivars.
FOOD SCIENCE & NUTRITION
(2021)
Article
Anthropology
A. Holguin, M. Charles, S. Mithen, R. Schulting
Summary: This paper investigates the conditions under which hazelnut shells can become charred. The study finds that temperature, duration, and oxygen availability are key factors in the charring process. The results of the study can guide future analytical work on hazelnut shells and similar archaeobotanical materials.
JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Mojgan Vaziri, Olov Karlsson, Lars Abrahamsson, Chia-Feng Lin, Dick Sandberg
Summary: This study demonstrates that welding treatment leads to higher hydrophobicity and lower water uptake and swelling in pine joints, while beech joints show increased hydrophobicity, decreased water uptake, but increased swelling. The welding process increases specific absorption bands in pine and beech, promoting a dense structure in the joints.
Article
Environmental Sciences
R. Seenivasagan, A. Karthika, K. Poonkuzhali
Summary: In this study, fungal isolates capable of degrading low-density polyethylene (LDPE) were identified from a plastic disposal site. The degradation ability of one of the isolates, Rhizopus oryzae, was demonstrated through biomass increase and weight reduction of LDPE. Furthermore, docking analysis confirmed the potential of LDPE degradation by the chitinase enzyme from Rhizopus oryzae. These findings have significant implications for plastic waste recycling.
WATER AIR AND SOIL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mari Honkanen, Mika Huuhtanen, Marja Karkkainen, Tomi Kanerva, Kimmo Lahtonen, Ari Valiheikki, Kauko Kallinen, Riitta L. Keiski, Minnamari Vippola
Summary: Simultaneous sulfur+phosphorus poisoning on platinum-based diesel oxidation catalyst significantly affects catalyst activity by blocking adsorption sites for sulfur species on alumina and leading to sulfur mainly adsorbing on cerium oxides, while remaining with and near platinum particles to block active sites.
JOURNAL OF CATALYSIS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Cosimo Brondi, Ernesto Di Maio, Luigi Bertucelli, Vanni Parenti, Thomas Mosciatti
Summary: Liquid-type organofluorine additives efficiently reduce the average cell size of both rigid polyurethane and polyisocyanurate foams, leading to improved thermal insulating and mechanical properties.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PLASTICS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Fabrizio Errichiello, Aniello Cammarano, Ernesto Di Maio, Luigi Nicolais
Summary: Designing foam structures with varying density and morphology allows for tuning mechanical and functional properties to specific applications. Graded foams, characterized by nonuniform densities and/or morphologies, have shown superior performance in many cases but slightly lower Young's modulus in pure compressive loading compared to uniform foams. Compressive tests on graded foams made from sintered beads with nonuniform cell structures showed up to a 30% increase in Young's modulus when the beads had a denser outer layer at the same average density.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Alessandra Longo, Ernesto Di Maio, Maria Laura Di Lorenzo
Summary: This article presents a novel method to enhance and control bubble nucleation in PLLA foaming without relying on external nucleating agents. The method involves annealing amorphous PLLA at temperatures close to its glass transition and foaming it after sorption of CO2. The resulting foam has a bimodal morphology with bubbles of different sizes.
MACROMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Mechanics
Pietro Renato Avallone, Paolo Iaccarino, Nino Grizzuti, Rossana Pasquino, Ernesto Di Maio
Summary: This study investigates the production of yeast-free pizza using gas foaming and rheology to guide the process design. The novel process utilizes a gaseous blowing agent and pressure program to form and stabilize bubbles during baking, eliminating the need for yeast and lengthy leavening stage. The evolution of the dough structure is studied through rheological characterization under leavening and baking conditions.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Cosimo Brondi, Mercedes Santiago-Calvo, Ernesto Di Maio, Miguel Angel Rodriguez-Perez
Summary: This study investigates the influence of mixing conditions on the foaming process of polyurethane (PU) foams. The study finds that slower mixing speeds lead to coarser cellular structures, while higher mixing speeds result in finer cellular structures.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Alessandra Longo, Deborah Giannetti, Daniele Tammaro, Salvatore Costanzo, Ernesto Di Maio
Summary: This contribution details the production of thermoplastic polyurethane-based porous heterostructures by combining physical foaming with fused deposition modeling. Through the study of the thermal stability and rheological properties of the neat polymer, suitable processing protocols were designed, and three different combined techniques were proposed. The results show that the samples foamed via pressure quench exhibit the highest degree of crystallinity and a uniform cell morphology.
INTERNATIONAL POLYMER PROCESSING
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Characterization & Testing
Daniele Tammaro, Valerio Loianno, Fabrizio Errichiello, Ernesto Di Maio
Summary: An innovative pressure vessel was designed for a high throughput study of batch foaming of thermoplastic polymers. The method allows for simultaneous foaming of multiple samples, exploring the effects of processing variables on density and morphology, leading to rapid development of suitable foaming resins.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Fausta Loffredo, Fulvia Villani, David Choy Buentello, Grissel Trujillo-de Santiago, Mario Moises Alvarez, Riccardo Miscioscia, Ernesto Di Maio
Summary: This research introduces a method of using inkjet printing technology and gas-foaming process to create patterned porosities on polymeric thin films. By printing poly (vinyl alcohol) on the thin film and subsequently conducting a gas-foaming process, a bubble pattern can be formed in the covered areas. The surface-morphology features of the patterned porous PLA films have been proven effective at driving endothelial cell growth.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Andrew S. Ylitalo, Huikuan Chao, Pierre J. Walker, Jacob Crosthwaite, Thomas C. Fitzgibbons, Valeriy G. Ginzburg, Weijun Zhou, Zhen-Gang Wang, Ernesto Di Maio, Julia A. Kornfield
Summary: This study investigates the factors affecting the solubility of carbon dioxide in polyether polyols through experimental measurements and modeling. The results show that the solubility of carbon dioxide in polyether polyols decreases with molecular weight and functionality.
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Federica Recupido, Giuseppe C. Lama, Mario Ammendola, Ferdinando De Luca Bossa, Andrea Minigher, Pietro Campaner, Angela Gala Morena, Tzanko Tzanov, Mariana Ornelas, Ana Barros, Filipa Gomes, Veronica Bouca, Regina Malgueiro, Monica Sanchez, Eva Martinez, Luigi Sorrentino, Laura Boggioni, Massimo Perucca, Sridhar Anegalla, Roberta Marzella, Pierluigi Moimare, Letizia Verdolotti
Summary: This paper presents a cradle-to-factory approach for a bio-based polyurethane foam (PUR) solution. Designed bio-based rigid PURs have gained attention in green construction sector as a replacement for synthetic counterparts. In this work, functionalized hemp fibers and silica powders were used as reactive fillers to enhance the properties of the PURs. The effect of the filler's chemistry on the foam properties was investigated and a Life Cycle Assessment was performed to evaluate their environmental impact.
Article
Polymer Science
Dario Fontana, Federica Recupido, Giuseppe Cesare Lama, Jize Liu, Laura Boggioni, Selena Silvano, Marino Lavorgna, Letizia Verdolotti
Summary: Currently, the scientific community is focused on developing green and environmentally friendly processes and products due to pollution and climate change problems. Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) have gained significant attention due to their biocompatibility, high mechanical properties, specific surface area, tunable surface chemistry, and renewability. However, the hydrophilicity of CNCs poses a challenge for their application in hydrophobic polymeric matrices, such as polyurethane foams, as it complicates their dispersion and compromises their properties. In order to overcome this challenge, two strategies were used to functionalize CNCs and improve their dispersion in the matrix.
Article
Polymer Science
Paolo Trucillo, Fabrizio Errichiello, Ernesto Di Maio
Summary: This paper investigates the effect of CO2, N-2, and He as blowing agents on PPSU foam. The experimental results show that CO2 has the highest diffusivity, followed by N-2, and He has the lowest. Scanning electron microscopy analysis reveals the highest cell number density for CO2.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Alessandra Longo, Ernesto Di Maio, Fanfan Du, Rene Androsch, Maria Laura Di Lorenzo
Summary: This study compared the cold crystallization of poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) containing α-mesophase with fully amorphous PLLA by mild CO2 treatment. CO2-induced mesophase developed in surface-near regions of the PLLA disks, while the core remained amorphous. Cold-crystallization of CO2-treated PLLA resulted in the formation of conformationally disordered α'-crystals.
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Maria Alejandra Fanovich, Ernesto Di Maio, Aurelio Salerno
Summary: Biocompatible and biodegradable foams prepared using high-pressure foaming technique have been extensively studied for their applications as porous scaffolds in tissue growth. The foaming process allows for the loading of bioactive molecules and cells within the scaffold's pores at low temperatures, while the properties of the scaffold can be adjusted through material selection and processing conditions. High-pressure foaming is an ideal choice for scaffold preparation, as it minimizes the use of cytotoxic and tissue-toxic compounds. This review presents the state of the art in high-pressure foaming of biomedical polymers and composites, highlighting the design and fabrication of multifunctional scaffolds for tissue engineering.
JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL BIOMATERIALS
(2023)
Proceedings Paper
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Zhe Wang, Lisa Miccio, Sara Coppola, Vittorio Bianco, Pasquale Memmolo, Volodymir Tkachenko, Vincenzo Ferraro, Ernesto Di Maio, Pier Luca Maffettone, Pietro Ferraro
Summary: Digital holography is an important tool for visualization and testing of soft matter. It offers non-contact, label-free, quantitative, high-resolution, and real-time capabilities. By numerically managing wavefronts and diffraction propagation, digital holography enables clear imaging and full-field 3D quantitative measurements during dynamic processes. Additionally, it simplifies measurement operations by managing and removing aberrations using simple methods.
OPTICS AND PHOTONICS FOR ADVANCED DIMENSIONAL METROLOGY II
(2022)
