Article
Chemistry, Physical
Marta Dobrosielska, Renata Dobrucka, Dariusz Brzakalski, Milosz Frydrych, Paulina Kozera, Monika Wieczorek, Marek Jalbrzykowski, Krzysztof J. Kurzydlowski, Robert E. Przekop
Summary: Fractionation of diatomaceous earth allowed for obtaining a range of particle sizes, with modification using the smallest particles resulting in improved impact strength, melt flow rate, and elasticity of the PLA composite material.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Magdalena Lepicka, Magdalena Rodziewicz, Michal Kawalec, Klaudia Nowicka, Yurii Tsybrii, Krzysztof Jan Kurzydlowski
Summary: The effect of introducing diatomaceous earth as a filler in a glass-ionomer cement matrix was investigated. The results showed that diatomaceous earth particles are uniformly distributed in the matrix and can enhance surface microhardness and roughness, but have no effect on wear performance or compressive strength.
JOURNAL OF THE MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jun Mu, Shenwei Yu, Shimeng Hao
Summary: A quantitative assessment model is established for the thermal conductivity of earth materials, based on their microscopic agglomeration morphology and pore structure properties. The model improves the precision of characterizing the thermal conductivity and investigates the impact of clay, sand, and gravel content on the thermal conductivity of earth materials. The findings offer a theoretical foundation for optimizing the thermal performance and fabrication process of earth materials.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Razan Haddad, Nasr Alrabadi, Bashar Altaani, Tonglei Li
Summary: This article summarizes the development of paclitaxel nanocrystal formulations, which improve the solubility and pharmacological properties of PTX. These formulations can be used for oral as well as intravenous, intraperitoneal, local, and intertumoral delivery. Additional modifications to the nanocrystals, such as stabilization with surfactants and coating with polymers, can achieve superior properties.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiaoyun Li, E. Coulter Montague, Angela Pollinzi, Andrew Lofts, Todd Hoare
Summary: This review discusses the design of switchable nanoparticles that can alter their size, surface chemistry, shape, or a combination thereof as a function of time, disease-specific microenvironment, and/or via an externally applied stimulus to optimize nanoparticle properties in each step of the delivery process. The practical use of such nanoparticles in chemotherapy, bioimaging, photothermal therapy, and other applications is also explored.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Martin Sedlacik, Martin Nguyen, Tomas Opravil, Radomir Sokolar
Summary: This study explores the potential use of waste diatomaceous earth for the production of foam glass. The chemical composition, mineralogy, and high temperature behavior of the waste diatomite were analyzed to assess its suitability. Glass-ceramic foams were produced using NaOH solution as a foaming agent, and the effects of different treatments and firing temperatures on the foam's structure and strength were investigated. The results show that the pretreatment temperature and firing conditions significantly influence the foam properties, and the thermal decomposition of organic matter in the waste material contributes to foam formation.
Review
Chemistry, Applied
Masoud Hamidi, Oseweuba Valentine Okoro, Peiman Brouki Milan, Mohammad Reza Khalili, Hadi Samadian, Lei Nie, Amin Shavandi
Summary: Fungal exopolysaccharides have diverse potential applications in various industries. However, there are only a few commercialized products based on fungal EPSs in the biomedical field. This review critically discusses the potential biomedical applications of fungal EPSs in tissue engineering, drug and gene delivery.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Wen Shen, Yuanlan Ning, Xuemei Ge, Guodong Fan, Fen Ao, Shang Wu, Yueyang Mao
Summary: Polymer microspheres are used as carriers for hydrophobic or hydrophilic drugs, and surface coating with phosphoglyceride (P-P-Gly) can improve their properties. The microspheres prepared in this study showed porous characteristics, with P-P-Gly successfully coated on the surface. In vitro release experiments demonstrated a gentle drug release trend due to incomplete coverage of microspheres' pores by the coating.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lucie Korena, Vaclav Slovak, Gabriela Zelenkova, Tomas Zelenka
Summary: The effects of porosity and particle size on carbon surface oxidation were investigated. Carbon xerogels with different porosity and particle size were prepared and characterized. Isothermal thermogravimetry experiments showed that particle size and porosity significantly influence diffusion and heat transfer during carbon oxidation. The apparent kinetic parameters were determined, and it was found that porosity and particle size do not affect the basic chemical reactions occurring on the carbon surface during oxidation.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhixi Yu, Xinxian Meng, Shunuo Zhang, Yunsheng Chen, Zheng Zhang, Yixin Zhang
Summary: Transdermal drug delivery system is a convenient and efficient method with less systemic side effects, and transdermal nanocarriers have the greatest clinical potential. However, designing optimal transdermal nanocarriers remains challenging. Surface modification is a promising strategy to enhance penetration efficiency, control drug release, and achieve targeting.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Shadi Rahimi, Yanyan Chen, Mohsen Zareian, Santosh Pandit, Ivan Mijakovic
Summary: Despite significant advances in early detection and personalized treatment, cancer remains one of the leading causes of death globally. Graphene-based materials show promise as nanocarriers for specific and efficient delivery of anticancer drugs. This review presents an overview of the interactions between graphene-based materials and normal and cancerous cells, highlighting key parameters that influence their internalization and biocompatibility for potential therapeutic applications.
ADVANCED DRUG DELIVERY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Numan Salah, Ahmed Alshahrie, Mutabe Aljaghtham, Abdu Saeed, Neazar Baghdadi, Kunihito Koumoto
Summary: The article introduces the improved thermoelectric performance of copper iodide nanoparticles through appropriate aluminum doping. Aluminum doping enhances the electrical conductivity and reduces the particle size, leading to enhanced thermoelectric efficiency. The doped nanoparticles also show enhanced power generation capabilities near room temperature.
ADVANCED ELECTRONIC MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Amani L. Lee, Sang-Hyuk Lee, Huan Nguyen, Meghan Cahill, Elaine Kappel, William C. K. Pomerantz, Christy L. Haynes
Summary: This study investigated the impact of various parameters on the entrapment of PFC filled nanoparticles, revealing that sonication time had the strongest correlation with loading efficiency. However, the current model does not fully explain the loading capabilities, indicating a need for further research to explore confounding variables and more finely controlled parameters.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Yue Hu, Shan Gao, Abdur Rauf Khan, Xiaoye Yang, Jianbo Ji, Yanwei Xi, Guangxi Zhai
Summary: This review summarizes the strategies for constructing smart, size-tunable nanocarriers based on the characteristic factors of the tumor microenvironment (TME) to enhance the penetration and retention of drugs within tumors.
EXPERT OPINION ON DRUG DELIVERY
(2022)
Review
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Shuaijian Ni, Zhenjian Zhuo, Yufei Pan, Yuanyuan Yu, Fangfei Li, Jin Liu, Luyao Wang, Xiaoqiu Wu, Dijie Li, Youyang Wan, Lihe Zhang, Zhenjun Yang, Bao-Ting Zhang, Aiping Lu, Ge Zhang
Summary: Aptamers, with oligonucleotide sequences, have capabilities to bind to specific target molecules and are attracting great attention in diverse clinical translations. They offer advantages such as prolonged storage life and feasibility of chemical modifications for enhancing stability.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Mathias Aakyiir, Brayden Tanner, Pei Lay Yap, Hadi Rastin, Tran Thanh Tung, Dusan Losic, Qingshi Meng, Jun Ma
Summary: This study developed and modified a Ti3C2 MXene ink with a siloxane surfactant, which showed strong interactions with a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix. The resulting nanocomposite conductor exhibited high flexibility, conductivity, and mechanical resilience, providing a potential solution for applications in stretchable electronics and sensors.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Shaheer Maher, Denver Linklater, Hadi Rastin, Sandy Tzu-Ying Liao, Karolinne Martins de Sousa, Luis Lima-Marques, Peter Kingshott, Helmut Thissen, Elena P. Ivanova, Dusan Losic
Summary: This study developed advanced Ti implants with enhanced antibacterial activity using 3D printing technology and surface modification with gallium nitrate. The implants showed significant antibacterial performance against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, achieving 100% eradication of bacteria. The combination of sharp nanopillars and locally releasing gallium ions on the fabricated substrates demonstrated effective antibacterial properties and dual cytocompatibility for future implant engineering.
ACS BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Le Yu, Pei Lay Yap, Alexandre Santos, Diana Tran, Kamrul Hassan, Jun Ma, Dusan Losic
Summary: This study introduces the use of graphene or hexagonal boron nitride additives to significantly enhance the X-ray shielding performance of molybdenum disulfide/epoxy composites. The results show that the introduction of graphene or hexagonal boron nitride can greatly reduce X-ray transmission, and the use of an equal amount of graphene-hexagonal boron nitride mixture achieves even better shielding effect.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Jiaying Wang, Peihang Li, Peng Yu, Tim Leydecker, Ilker S. Bayer, Dusan Losic, Arup Neogi, Zhiming Wang
Summary: This paper presents a simple and efficient solution based on new plasmonic photothermal superhydrophobic composite coatings, which can be used to address surface anti-icing and deicing issues. The composite coating demonstrated excellent performance and multifunctional features.
ADVANCED COMPOSITES AND HYBRID MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Quoc Hue Pho, LiangLiang Lin, Evgeny Rebrov, Mohammad Mohsen Sarafraz, Thanh Tung Tran, Nam Nghiep Tran, Dusan Losic, Volker Hessel
Summary: N-doped carbon quantum dots were synthesized using a microplasma jet and a gas-liquid reactor. By adjusting the distance between the jet and water surface and the liquid conditions, the mass transfer and photoluminescence intensity were maximized.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Tran T. Tung, Manh T. Tran, Ana L. C. Pereira, Cristiano M. B. Cordeiro, Duc D. Nguyen, Nyan-Hwa Tai, Van V. Tran, Chia-Chen Hsu, Prerna Joshi, Masamichi Yoshimura, Jean F. Feller, Mickael Castro, Kamul Hassan, Md J. Nine, Nathan Stanley, Dusan Losic
Summary: Graphene, with its outstanding electromechanical property, can be used for wearable electronic sensor platforms. This study presents the performance of flexible and stretchable sensors fabricated from graphene woven fabrics embedded in a PDMS film substrate. The sensors demonstrate high pressure sensitivity, gauge factor, and temperature sensitivity, making them suitable for wearable devices in the healthcare sector.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Quang Nghia Pham, Marnie Winter, Valentina Milanova, Clifford Young, Mark R. Condina, Peter Hoffmann, Nguyen T. H. Pham, Tran Thanh Tung, Dusan Losic, Benjamin Thierry
Summary: Here, we present an optimized protocol for immuno-magnetic enrichment of specific extracellular vesicle (EV) subtypes, followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis. The results demonstrate efficient enrichment of target EVs with high protein recovery and low non-specific binding. This optimized method provides a low-cost, high-throughput approach for EV proteomic studies.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Le Yu, Penelope Adamson, Pei Lay Yap, Tran Tung, Shaheer Makar, Mark Turra, Geoff Higgins, Dusan Losic
Summary: The gold standard for COVID-19 diagnosis is based on RT-PCR using centralized facilities and commercial viral RNA extraction kits. Due to shortages at the beginning of the pandemic, alternative low-cost magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were developed from biowaste for viral RNA extraction. These MNPs, with their unique nanoplatelet shape and high surface area, showed comparable performance to commercial magnetic beads in high throughput PCR analysis and could significantly reduce the cost of nucleic acid extraction.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yanfu Wei, Peng Yuan, Junming Zhou, Jing Liu, Dusan Losic, Honghai Wu, Hongling Bu, Xinjie Tan, Zheng Li
Summary: Understanding precipitation formation at lanthanum hydroxide (La(OH)3) nanoparticle-solution interfaces is crucial for various applications. In this study, we used liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy to investigate the atomic-scale precipitation formation at La(OH)3 nanoparticle interfaces after reacting with phosphate. The results provide valuable references for observing precipitation at solid-solution interfaces.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Le Yu, Pei Lay Yap, Alexandre M. C. Santos, Diana N. H. Tran, Dusan Losic
Summary: Conventional lead-based aprons used in medical institutions and nuclear industries have many disadvantages. Therefore, there is a strong demand for lightweight, Pb-free, and flexible X-ray shielding materials. This study explores a new solution using a sandwich-structure composite to develop superior X-ray shielding materials. The sandwich-structure coated polyester fabric showed good X-ray shielding ability, making it a potential alternative to traditional lead-vinyl X-ray shielding clothing.
RADIATION PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Suresh Sagadevan, Md Zillur Rahman, Estelle Leonard, Dusan Losic, Volker Hessel
Summary: Graphene, a two-dimensional material with a single atomic crystal structure, has the potential to create next-generation devices in various fields due to its excellent properties. Azobenzene (AZO) polymers, with their unique light-induced conformations and structures, are recognized as excellent candidates for a new generation of light-controllable molecular electronics. Combining graphene derivatives and AZO-based polymers could generate hybrid structures with interesting properties.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Karolinne Martins de Sousa, Denver P. Linklater, Billy J. Murdoch, Mohammad Al Kobaisi, Russell J. Crawford, Roy Judge, Stuart Dashper, Alastair J. Sloan, Dusan Losic, Elena P. Ivanova
Summary: In this study, a multiscale titanium surface topography was developed to promote osteogenic and mechano-bactericidal activity. The results showed that the micronanostructured surfaces enhanced MG-63 attachment and differentiation, and exhibited a high level of bactericidal activity.
ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Vipin Richhariya, Ashis Tripathy, Oscar Carvalho, Md Julker Nine, Dusan Losic, F. S. Silva
Summary: Slip and fall accidents on icy/snowy surfaces are common worldwide, especially in Nordic regions. This review explores the biological designs of animal footpads and skins, such as polar bears and penguins, to develop efficient anti-slip shoe soles. Understanding the mechanisms of icy surfaces and mimicking animal anti-slipping mechanisms can lead to the design of advanced winter shoe soles.
MATERIALS & DESIGN
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Md Julker Nine, Alena Chizhova, Shaheer Maher, Ashis Tripathy, Arash Mazinani, Mahnaz Dadkhah, Kamrul Hassan, Pei Lay Yap, Tran T. Tung, Dusan Losic
Summary: Subzero temperatures cause ice-fouling on solid surfaces, which economically affects multiple industries. Surface chemistry modifications delay icing, but the limitations of slippery and superhydrophobic surfaces in preventing ice adhesion are not well understood.
SURFACES AND INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Purna B. Samal, Shengjian J. Chen, Tran T. Tung, Dusan Losic, Christophe Fumeaux
Summary: This article presents a design strategy to improve the radiation efficiency of a planar antenna made of MXene conductor on a lossy PDMS substrate. New methods are proposed to reduce conductor loss and dielectric loss. By identifying the high current density location on the antenna radiator and redistributing the surface currents, the conductor loss is minimized. The dielectric loss is reduced by using a folded ground plane structure.
IEEE OPEN JOURNAL OF ANTENNAS AND PROPAGATION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Yongxiang Wu, Nguyen Thi Hong Nhung, Deqian Zeng, Nengneng Luo, Akira Otsuki, Gjergj Dodbiba, Toyohisa Fujita
Summary: This study proposed a novel method for synthesizing flower-like vaterite calcium carbonate using nanobubble-containing ethanol and water mixed solution as the solvent and discussed the formation mechanism of vaterite with different shapes. The synthesized vaterite has significant practical interest in the integrated treatment of wastewater contaminated by heavy metals with effective Cd(II) removal, providing a promising field for studying heavy metal and pollutant adsorption in the liquid phase.
ADVANCED POWDER TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Jian Gong, Lipo Cheng, Ming Liu, Jie Jiang, Xiaoduo Ou
Summary: This study investigates the effects of particle shape on the collapse of granular columns using the discrete element method. The results show that particle shape has a significant impact on deposition morphology, energy evolution, and mechanical coordination number. Sphericity and angularity are identified as the most important macroscale factors, while roughness has a weaker microscale influence.
ADVANCED POWDER TECHNOLOGY
(2024)