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Topic Review
Electroplated Functional Materials
Electroplating has been favored to date as a surface treatment technology in various industries in the development of semiconductors, automobiles, ships, and steel due to its advantages of being a simple, solution-based process, with low cost and high throughput. Recently, classical electroplating has been reborn as an advanced manufacturing process for functional materials by combining it with unconventional optical three-dimensional (3D) nanofabrication techniques capable of generating polymer templates with high-resolution 3D periodic nanostructures.
  • 1.5K
  • 29 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Tire-Derived Rubber Recycle
Rubber, as elastomer, is difficult to recycle. Today, the main end of life routes of tyres and other rubber products are landfilling, incineration in e.g. cement plants, and grinding to a fine powder, with huge quantities lacking sustainable recycling of this valuable material. Devulcanization, i.e. the breaking up of sulfur bonds by chemical, thermo-physical or biological means, is a promising route that has been investigated for more than 50 years. This review article presents and update on the state-of-the art in rubber devulcanization. This review article addresses established devulcanization technologies and novel processes described in the scientific and patent literatures. It is expected that the public discussion of environmental impacts of thermoplastics will soon spill over to thermosets and elastomers. Therefore, the industry needs to develop and market solutions proactively. Tyre recycling through devulcanization has a huge lever, since approx. 40 million tons of tyres are discarded annually.
  • 1.5K
  • 27 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Silver Nanoparticles
The silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been shown to have bactericidal action. In this study, we demonstrated that ultraviolet A (UVA) irradiation of AgNPs is effective at enhancing their activity. This bactericidal effect is attributable to the UV irradiation-mediated enhanced production of highly reactive hydroxyl radicals generated from AgNPs. The method of UV irradiation is very simple. The UV radiation used in this study was UVA, which is safer for humans than UVC as known to have a strong bactericidal activity. Although challenges persist regarding the effects of AgNPs on human health and the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms underlying the generation of radicals, our findings would contribute to the development of medical materials for further protection against infection.
  • 1.5K
  • 28 Jul 2020
Topic Review
Shape Changing Materials
This short review is the applications section of our original paper that reviews materials and structures displaying non-conventional deformations as a response to different actuations (e.g., electricity, heat and mechanical loading).
  • 1.5K
  • 27 Oct 2020
Topic Review
3D Graphene-Based Toxic Gas Sensors
Air pollution is becoming an increasingly important global issue. Toxic gases such as ammonia, nitrogen dioxide, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like phenol are very common air pollutants. To date, various sensing methods have been proposed to detect these toxic gases. Researchers are trying their best to build sensors with the lowest detection limit, the highest sensitivity, and the best selectivity. As a 2D material, graphene is very sensitive to many gases and so can be used for gas sensors. Recent studies have shown that graphene with a 3D structure can increase the gas sensitivity of the sensors. The limit of detection (LOD) of the sensors can be upgraded from ppm level to several ppb level.
  • 1.5K
  • 25 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Hot-Melt Adhesive Composition
Hot-melt adhesives (HMAs) are thermoplastic materials that can bond various substrates by solidifying rapidly upon cooling from the molten state, and their modification with organosilicon compounds can result in crosslinking behavior, characteristic of gels. Organosilicon compounds are hybrid molecules that have both inorganic and organic components and can enhance the properties and performance of HMAs.
  • 1.5K
  • 20 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Fundamentals and Applications of Triboelectric Nanogenerator
The triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is a promising research topic for the conversion of mechanical to electrical energy and its application in different fields. Among the various applications, self-powered bio-medical sensing application has become popular. The selection of a wide variety of materials and the simple design of devices have made it attractive for the applications of real-time self-powered healthcare sensing systems. 
  • 1.5K
  • 13 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Interesterified Fat
Interesterified fat is a type of oil where the fatty acids have been moved from one triglyceride molecule to another. This is generally done to modify the melting point, slow rancidification, and create an oil more suitable for deep frying or making palatable margarine with low saturated fat content. It is not the same as partial hydrogenation which produces trans fatty acids, but interesterified fats used in the food industry can come from hydrogenated fat,[clarification needed] for simplicity and frugality.
  • 1.5K
  • 26 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Formation and Partitioning Theories of the Mixed Micelle
When two or more surfactants are mixed, the critical micelle concentration and solubilization capability are changed, and a careful selection of the combination promotes the micelle formation and enhances the solubilizing capability. Thus, understanding the mechanism behind the phenomena is essential for controlling the physical properties of the mixed micelle. The interaction parameters β and B that describe the formation of mixed micelles and their partitioning of solutes, respectively, were proposed by Treiner four decades ago. 
  • 1.5K
  • 26 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Superconducting YBCO Foams
Superconducting foams of YBa2Cu3Oy (YBCO) are proposed as trapped field magnets or supermagnets. The foams with an open-porous structure are light-weight, mechanically strong and can be prepared in large sample sizes. The trapped field distributions were measured using a scanning Hall probe on various sides of an YBCO foam sample after field-cooling in a magnetic field of 0.5 T produced by a square Nd-Fe-B permanent magnet. The maximum trapped field (TF) measured is about 400 G (77 K) at the bottom of the sample. Several details of the TF distribution, the current flow and possible applicatons of such superconducting foam samples in space applications, e.g., as active elements in flux-pinning docking interfaces (FPDI) or as portable strong magnets to collect debris in space, are outlined.
  • 1.5K
  • 20 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Applications of Boron Nitride QDs
Boron nitride quantum dots (BNQDs) have gained increasing attention for their versatile fluorescent, optoelectronic, chemical, and biochemical properties. 
  • 1.5K
  • 06 Apr 2021
Topic Review
C-,N- and S-Doped TiO2 Photocatalysts
This entry describes the basics of photocatalysis. It also presents properties and applications of C-,N- and S-Doped TiO2 as a photocatalyst.
  • 1.5K
  • 28 May 2021
Topic Review
Silica Pervaporation Membranes
Solvents are very critical not only to produce lifesaving drugs, but also to manufacture many household products. Hence, they are widely used in the pharmaceutical industry, petroleum refineries, paints and coatings, adhesives, printing inks, industrial cleaning and research essential to the fields of medicine and disease diagnosis. Conventional technologies such as distillation which are used to recover those solvents, are energy-intensive, inefficient and suffer from high operating and maintenance costs. Pervaporation based membrane separation overcomes these challenges and in conjunction with the utilization of inorganic membranes derived from non-toxic, sufficiently abundant and hence expendable, silica, allows for high operating temperatures and enhanced chemical and structural integrity, raw material abundance and easy disposability. However, silica membranes possess some disadvantages, such as an inadequacy in the complete understanding of the governing mechanism as well as compromised structural integrity towards dilute aqueous organic mixtures.  Membrane-based separation is predicted to dominate the industry in the coming decades, as the process is being understood at a deeper level, leading to the fabrication of tailored membranes for niche applications. The current review aims to compile and present the extensive and often dispersive scientific investigations to the reader and highlight the current scenario as well as the limitations suffered by this mature field. In addition, viable alternative to the conventional methodologies, as well as other rival materials in existence to achieve membrane-based pervaporation are highlighted.
  • 1.5K
  • 13 Aug 2020
Topic Review
Poly Drug Use
Poly drug use or polysubstance use refers to the use of combined psychoactive substances for recreational purposes. In many cases one drug is used as a base or primary drug, with additional drugs to leaven or compensate for the side effects of the primary drug and make the experience more enjoyable with drug synergy effects, or to supplement for primary drug when supply is low.
  • 1.5K
  • 17 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Canada's Food Guide
Canada's Food Guide (French: Guide alimentaire canadien) is a nutrition guide produced by Health Canada. In 2007, it was reported to be the second most requested Canadian government publication, behind the Income Tax Forms. The Health Canada website states: "Food guides are basic education tools that are designed to help people follow a healthy diet."
  • 1.5K
  • 19 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Epidemic Dropsy
Epidemic dropsy is a form of edema of extremities due to poisoning by Argemone mexicana (Mexican prickly poppy). Epidemic dropsy is a clinical state resulting from use of edible oils adulterated with Argemone mexicana seed oil. Sanguinarine and dihydrosanguinarine are two major toxic alkaloids of argemone oil, which cause widespread capillary dilatation, proliferation and increased capillary permeability. When mustard oil is adulterated deliberately (as in most cases) or accidentally with argemone oil, proteinuria (specifically loss of albumin) occurs, with a resultant edema as would occur in nephrotic syndrome. Other major symptoms are bilateral pitting edema of extremities, headache, nausea, loose bowels, erythema, glaucoma and breathlessness. Leakage of the protein-rich plasma component into the extracellular compartment leads to the formation of edema. The haemodynamic consequences of this vascular dilatation and permeability lead to a state of relative hypovolemia with a constant stimulus for fluid and salt conservation by the kidneys. Illness begins with gastroenteric symptoms followed by cutaneous erythema and pigmentation. Respiratory symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath and orthopnoea, progressing to frank right-sided congestive cardiac failure, are seen. Mild to moderate anaemia, hypoproteinaemia, mild to moderate renal azotemia, retinal haemorrhages, and glaucoma are common manifestations. There is no specific therapy. Removal of the adulterated oil and symptomatic treatment of congestive cardiac failure and respiratory symptoms, along with administration of antioxidants and multivitamins, remain the mainstay of treatment. Epidemic dropsy occurs as an epidemic in places where use of mustard oil from the seeds of Brassica juncea, commonly known as Indian mustard, as a cooking medium is common.
  • 1.5K
  • 10 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Hydrogen Generation
Hydrogen generation is the process of producing hydrogen gas from various sources, such as fossil fuels, water, or biomass. Hydrogen gas is a clean and versatile energy carrier that can be used in a wide range of applications, including fuel cells, transportation, and industrial processes. Hydrogen generation can be achieved through various methods, including steam methane reforming, electrolysis, and coal gasification. The use of hydrogen as a fuel offers a clean and sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuels, with applications in transportation, power generation, industrial processes, heating systems, and energy storage. The development of sustainable hydrogen generation technologies is crucial for achieving a low-carbon economy and combating climate change. However, the technology still faces challenges such as high cost and lack of infrastructure. This entry provides an overview of the different methods and applications of hydrogen generation, and discusses the potential benefits and challenges associated with this technology.
  • 1.5K
  • 23 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Interstitial Atom Engineering
Interstitial light elements play an important role in magnetic materials. Especially, Mn-based compounds with interstitial atoms are important for the easy fabrication of highly functional magnetic devices.
  • 1.5K
  • 11 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Recycling and Use of Plastic Waste
Research into plastic recycling is rapidly increasing as ocean and land pollution and ecosystem degradation from plastic waste is becoming a serious concern. In this study, we conducted a systematic review on emerging research topics, which were selected from 35,519 studies on plastic recycling by bibliometrics analysis. Our results show that research on the biodegradability of plastics, bioplastics, life cycle assessment, recycling of electrical and electronic equipment waste, and the use of recycled plastics in construction has increased rapidly in recent years, particularly since 2016. Especially, biodegradability is the most emerging topic with the average year of publication being 2018. Our key finding is that many research area is led by developed countries, while the use of recycled plastics in the construction sector is being actively explored in developing countries. Based on our results, we discuss two types of recycling systems: responsible recycling in the country where plastic waste is generated and promoting recycling through the international division of labor between developed and developing countries. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both approaches and propose necessary measures for sustainable and responsible production and consumption of plastics such as waste traceability system and technology transfer between developed and developing countries.    
  • 1.5K
  • 03 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Benchmarking Data Sets
Developing realistic data sets for evaluating virtual screening methods is a task that has been tackled by the cheminformatics community for many years. Numerous artificially constructed data collections were developed, such as DUD, DUD-E, or DEKOIS. However, they all suffer from multiple drawbacks, one of which is the absence of experimental results confirming the impotence of presumably inactive molecules, leading to possible false negatives in the ligand sets. In light of this problem, the PubChem BioAssay database, an open-access repository providing the bioactivity information of compounds that were already tested on a biological target, is now a recommended source for data set construction. Nevertheless, there exist several issues with the use of such data that need to be properly addressed. In this article, an overview of benchmarking data collections built upon experimental PubChem BioAssay input is provided, along with a thorough discussion of noteworthy issues that one must consider during the design of new ligand sets from this database. The points raised in this review are expected to guide future developments in this regard, in hopes of offering better evaluation tools for novel in silico screening procedures.
  • 1.5K
  • 26 Oct 2020
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