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Topic Review
Electronics Applications of P(VDF-TrFE) Composites
Piezoelectric polymers are a class of material that belong to carbon–hydrogen-based organic materials with a long polymer chain. They fill the void where single crystals and ceramics fail to perform. This characteristic of piezoelectric polymers made them unique. Their piezoelectric stress constant is higher than ceramics and the piezoelectric strain is lower compared to ceramics. 
  • 1.7K
  • 20 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Polylactic Acid Composites
Sustainability is the prime focus nowadays; hence researchers are keen on developing sustainable materials. Green composites are the type of the materials that are derived from natural sources that do not have any impact on the environment since its inception to the end of its life. The main objective of this paper is to given a comprehensive review of polylactic acid compoistes reinforced with natural fibers focusing on jute and flax. This article has reported the recent progress that has happend in the area of polylactic acid focuing on the improvement of interfacial adhesion between fibers and matrix which leads to the improvement of mechanical properties.
  • 1.7K
  • 16 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Chitosan and its Derivatives
Chitosan (CS) is a hemi-synthetic cationic linear polysaccharide produced by the deacetylation of chitin. CS is non-toxic, highly biocompatible, and biodegradable, and it has a low immunogenicity. Additionally, CS has inherent antibacterial properties and a mucoadhesive character and can disrupt epithelial tight junctions, thus acting as a permeability enhancer. As such, CS and its derivatives are well-suited for the challenging field of ocular drug delivery. In the present review article, we will discuss the properties of CS that contribute to its successful application in ocular delivery before reviewing the latest advances in the use of CS for the development of novel ophthalmic delivery systems. Colloidal nanocarriers (nanoparticles, micelles, liposomes) will be presented, followed by CS gels and lenses and ocular inserts. Finally, instances of CS coatings, aiming at conferring mucoadhesiveness to other matrixes, will be presented.
  • 1.7K
  • 31 Jul 2020
Topic Review
Cellulose-Based Hydrogels
Hydrogels, three-dimensional (3D) polymer networks, present unique properties, like biocompatibility, biodegradability, tunable mechanical properties, sensitivity to various stimuli, the capacity to encapsulate different therapeutic agents, and the ability of controlled release of the drugs.
  • 1.7K
  • 28 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Polymeric Pipeline Coatings Time-Dependent Performance
The barrier performance of organic coatings is a direct function of mass transport and long-term stability of the polymeric structure. A predictive assessment of the protective coating cannot be conducted a priori of degradation effects on transport. Epoxy-based powder coatings are an attractive class of coatings for pipelines and other structures because application processing times are low and residual stresses between polymer layers are reduced. 
  • 1.7K
  • 27 May 2021
Topic Review
Lignin as Renewable Building Block for Sustainable Polyurethanes
Lignin, being a natural aromatic polymer rich in functional hydroxyl groups, has been drawing the interest of academia and industry for its valorization, especially for the development of polymeric materials. Among the different types of polymers that can be derived from lignin, polyurethanes (PUs) are amid the most important ones, especially due to their wide range of applications. Lignin, being a natural aromatic polymer rich in functional hydroxyl groups, has been drawing the interest of academia and industry for its valorization, especially for the development of polymeric materials. Among the different types of polymers that can be derived from lignin, polyurethanes (PUs) are amid the most important ones, especially due to their wide range of applications. 
  • 1.7K
  • 20 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Polymer-Based Composites for Electromagnetic Shielding Application
Traditional metals and alloys are often used for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding due to their excellent electrical conductivity. However, they have drawbacks such as being heavy, expensive, and having low corrosion resistance, which limits their application in electromagnetic shielding. Therefore, it is crucial to develop novel EMI shielding materials. Polymers, being highly flexible, corrosion-resistant, and possessing high specific strength, are frequently employed in electromagnetic shielding materials.
  • 1.7K
  • 17 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Applications of Polyvinyl Alcohol-Chitosan Hydrogel
Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM) holds great promise for addressing the growing need for innovative therapies to treat disease conditions. To achieve this, TERM relies on various strategies and techniques. The most prominent strategy is the development of a scaffold. Polyvinyl alcohol-chitosan (PVA-CS) scaffold emerged as a promising material in this field due to its biocompatibility, versatility, and ability to support cell growth and tissue regeneration. 
  • 1.6K
  • 07 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Historical Perspective on Membrane Science and Technology
Over the last few decades, considerable effort has been devoted to developing better membranes and extending their range of applications to different areas. Membrane processes already have an established role in gas separation and water treatment, and their applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and health areas have been continuously increasing. In the last few years, membrane processes proved to have a key role in biorefinery and bioenergy production processes, namely for process intensification and the recovery and purification of valuable products. Membranes are also a crucial component of electrochemical energy conversion devices, including fuel cells and electrolysers. Moreover, the growing environmental concerns have drawn attention to the use of fossil-based polymers and toxic solvents for membrane fabrication. Therefore, the development of new membranes, using polymers from renewable sources and more sustainable fabrication methods, is being pursued.
  • 1.6K
  • 23 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Alginate Microparticles for Food, Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Applications
Alginates are the most widely used natural polymers in the pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic industries. Usually, they are applied as a thickening, gel-forming and stabilizing agent. Moreover, the alginate-based formulations such as matrices, membranes, nanospheres or microcapsules are often used as delivery systems. Alginate microparticles (AMP) are biocompatible, biodegradable and nontoxic carriers, applied to encapsulate hydrophilic active substances, including probiotics.
  • 1.6K
  • 21 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Organosolv Lignin-Based Polyurethane
Polyurethanes (PUs) present an important class of polymers due to outstanding mechanical, chemical and physical properties. Thus, they find application in many industrial sectors in the form of flexible or rigid foams, coatings, adhesives, elastomers, thermoplasts or thermosets. Modern PU coating applications include self-healing coating films that can also be applied to rather rough surfaces, such as wood.
  • 1.6K
  • 22 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Biodegradable Polymers
Biodegradable polymers are those which can degrade into water and carbon dioxide under normal environmental conditions through microbial action, providing compost as a simple and sustainable disposal option.
  • 1.6K
  • 17 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Types of Micellar Assemblies
Amphiphilic block copolymers (with a variety of hydrophobic blocks and hydrophilic blocks; often polyethylene oxide) self-assemble in water to micelles/niosomes similar to conventional nonionic surfactants with high drug loading capacity.
  • 1.6K
  • 08 Nov 2022
Topic Review
HPMCAS-Based Amorphous Solid Dispersions in Clinic
Therapeutic candidates with low solubility have become increasingly common in pharmaceutical research pipelines. Several techniques such as hot melt extrusion, spray drying, supercritical fluid technology, electrospinning, KinetiSol, etc., have been devised to improve either or both the solubility and dissolution to enhance the bioavailability of these active substances belonging to BCS Class II and IV.
  • 1.6K
  • 19 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Polyester Fibrous Panels
Nowadays, polyester fibrous materials are becoming one of the most important alternatives for controlling reverberation time by absorbing unwanted sound energy in the automobile and construction fields. The polyester nonwoven structure used in noise reduction is normally in the form of panel.
  • 1.6K
  • 09 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Microcellular Injection Moulding
Microcellular injection moulding (MuCell®) is a polymer processing technology that uses a supercritical fluid inert gas, CO2 or N2, to produce light-weight products. Due to environmental pressures and the requirement of light-weight parts with good mechanical properties, this technology recently gained significant attention. However, poor surface appearance and limited mechanical properties still prevent the wide applications of this technique.
  • 1.6K
  • 16 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Modification of Glucomannan as an Excipient
Glucomannan (GM) is a polysaccharide generally extracted from the tuber of Amorphophallus konjac. It consists of mannose and glucose residues linked by β-(1-4) and exhibits hydrocolloid characteristics which can be applied as thickening and gelling agents. However, it has poor water resistance and low mechanical strength when used as an excipient in solid form. Several physical and chemical modifications have been carried out to improve these drawbacks. Chemical modification involves the substitution of functional groups in GM’s structure including esterification and etherification. It causes a decrease in its high hydrophilic film behavior and produce water-resistant films. Physical modification involves mixing native GM with other excipients through processes involving milling, moisture, temperature, pressure, radiation, etc. It causes variations to particle size, shape, surface properties, porosity, density, and to functional properties such as swelling capacity and gelation ability
  • 1.6K
  • 26 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Water in Epoxy Coatings
The absorption of water strongly affects the exploitation characteristics of epoxy coatings and their lifecycles. The models used for describing water absorption to a polymer matrix involve many parameters that can adequately describe the process with parameter tuning. However, when using multiple variable parameters, the physical essence of absorption can be obscured. Hence, one of the promising directions in this field is the development of new models with fixed physically transparent parameters, which will adequately describe the water uptake process in epoxy resins.
  • 1.6K
  • 04 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Cascading Recycling of Wood Waste
Wood wastes are divided into two main categories: industrial wastes generated within the industry and final wastes, after use of the products.
  • 1.6K
  • 09 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Smart Bioinks for Printing Human Tissue Models
A bioink is a mixture of materials and biological molecules or cells to be used for bioprinting. Most bioinks are hydrogels, highly hydrated polymeric networks used to homogenously encapsulate cells by mimicking the natural extracellular matrix found in vivo. Hydrogels must meet certain characteristics to ensure they can support cell survival and function.
  • 1.6K
  • 25 Apr 2022
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