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Topic Review
Microfluidic High-Throughput Platforms
High-throughput screening is a potent technique to accelerate the discovery and development of new materials. By performing massive synthesis and characterization processes in parallel, it can rapidly discover materials with desired components, structures and functions. Among the various approaches for high-throughput screening, microfluidic platforms have attracted increasing attention. Compared with many current strategies that are generally based on robotic dispensers and automatic microplates, microfluidic platforms can significantly increase the throughput and reduce the consumption of reagents by several orders of magnitude.
  • 1.2K
  • 11 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Electrospun Nanofibers for Chemical Separation
The separation and purification of specific chemicals from a mixture have become necessities for many environments, including agriculture, food science, and pharmaceutical and biomedical industries. Electrospun nanofiber membranes are promising materials for the separation of various species such as particles, biomolecules, dyes, and metals from liquids because of the combined properties of a large specific surface, light weight, high porosity, good connectivity, and tunable wettability. This paper reviews the recent progress in the design and fabrication of electrospun nanofibers for chemical separation. Different capture mechanisms including electrostatic, affinity, covalent bonding, chelation, and magnetic adsorption are explained and their distinct characteristics are highlighted. Finally, the challenges and future aspects of nanofibers for membrane applications are discussed.
  • 1.2K
  • 28 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Carbon Nanoparticles
Currently, carbon nanoparticles play a large role as carriers of various types of drugs, and also have applications in other fields of medicine, e.g., in tissue engineering, where they are used to reconstruct bone tissue. They also contribute to the early detection of cancer cells, and can act as markers in imaging diagnostics. Their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties are also known. This feature is particularly important in dental implantology, where various types of bacterial infections and implant rejection often occur. The search for newer and more effective treatments may lead to future use of nanoparticles on a large scale.
  • 1.2K
  • 22 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Radiation-engineered nano-scale bio-hybrid polymer devices
Bio-hybrid hydrogels consist of a water-swollen hydrophilic polymer network encapsulating or conjugating single biomolecules, or larger and more complex biological constructs like whole cells. By modulating at least one dimension of the hydrogel system at the micro- or nanoscale, the activity of the biological component can be extremely upgraded with clear advantages for the development of therapeutic or diagnostic micro- and nano-devices. Gamma or e-beam irradiation of polymers allow a good control of the chemistry at the micro-/nanoscale with minimal recourse to toxic reactants and solvents. Another potential advantage is to obtain simultaneous sterilization when the absorbed doses are within the sterilization dose range.
  • 1.2K
  • 29 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Smart Nanomaterials for Biomedical Applications
Recent advances in nanotechnology have forced the obtaining of new materials with multiple functionalities. Due to their reduced dimensions, nanomaterials exhibit outstanding physio-chemical functionalities: increased absorption and reactivity, higher surface area, molar extinction coefficients, tunable plasmonic properties, quantum effects, and magnetic and photo properties. However, in the biomedical field, it is still difficult to use tools made of nanomaterials for better therapeutics due to their limitations (including non-biocompatible, poor photostabilities, low targeting capacity, rapid renal clearance, side effects on other organs, insufficient cellular uptake, and small blood retention), so other types with controlled abilities must be developed, called “smart” nanomaterials.
  • 1.2K
  • 24 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Generation Nanobubbles in Flotation
Nanobubbles (NBs), also known as ultrafine bubbles, are extremely small (finer than 1 µm) and have several unique physical and physicochemical properties, making them very different from sub-micron (SMBs < 50 µm), micro- (MBs, 50–1000 µm) and conventional air bubbles (CBs, >1000 µm). They can be categorized into surface NBs (formed at solid–liquid interfaces), bulk NBs (exist in bulk liquid and are spherical with a typical diameter of 100–200 nm), and micro-pancakes (quasi-two-dimensional gaseous domains).
  • 1.2K
  • 11 May 2022
Topic Review
Diamond-like Carbon Coatings with Ionic Liquid Lubricants
Owing to the solid lubrication characteristic of Diamond-like carbon coatings (DLCs), which reduces wear and friction and protects contacting surfaces from degredation, DLCs are often used in industrial machinery and harsh environments. DLC coatings are optimized by adjusting operating and deposition parameters as well as doping them with other elements to improve performance, such as thermal stability and chemical resistance. Ionic liquid (ILs) are a promising green lubricant option due to their low melting temperature, superior thermal stability, and acceptabble miscibility with organic substances. ILs have been studied as main lubricants and additives to the main lubricants, and their tribological properties have been investigated, including their use as extreme temperature lubricants. The tribological properties of pure/doped DLC coatings with ILs have also been explored, although limited research has been conducted in this area. The combined synergistic effect of DLCs and ILs shows great promise in reducing energy loss due to friction, promoting longevity, and conserving energy.
  • 1.2K
  • 16 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Protein-based Subunit Nanovaccine
Protein-based subunit nanovaccines are typically composed of native or altered protein antigens that can self-assemble into nanoparticles, or antigens associated with nanoparticles through covalent or noncovalent interactions. Characteristically, nanovaccines are 1 to 1000 nm in size which generally facilitates the induction of stronger immune responses.
  • 1.2K
  • 18 Oct 2021
Topic Review
The Functionalization of Alkenes
The functionalization of alkenes is one of the most important conversions in synthetic chemistry to prepare numerous fine chemicals. Typical procedures, such as hydrosilylation and hydroformylation, are traditionally catalyzed using homogeneous noble metal complexes, while the highly reactive and stable heterogeneous single-atom catalysts (SACs) now provide alternative approaches to fulfill these conversions by combining the advantages of both homogeneous catalysts and heterogeneous nanoparticle catalysts. 
  • 1.2K
  • 20 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Chemically Modified Extracellular Vesicles
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been exploited as bio-inspired drug delivery systems (DDS) in the biomedical field. EVs have more advantages than synthetic nanoparticles: they are naturally equipped to cross extra- and intra-cellular barriers. Furthermore, they can deliver functional biomolecules from one cell to another even far away in the body. These advantages, along with obtained promising in vivo results, clearly evidenced the potential of EVs in drug delivery.
  • 1.2K
  • 14 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Nanoparticles Used in X-Ray Photodynamic Therapy
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has long been known as an effective method for treating surface cancer tissues. Deeper penetration of X-rays into tissues has been implemented, which is now known as X-ray photodynamic therapy (XPDT). The two methods differ in the photon energy used, thus requiring the use of different types of scintillating nanoparticles. These nanoparticles are known to convert the incident energy into the activation energy of a photosensitizer, which leads to the generation of reactive oxygen species.
  • 1.2K
  • 08 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries and Flexible Zinc-Ion Batteries
Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have been considered an easily accessible battery technology because of their low weight, cheapness, etc. Unfortunately, they have significant drawbacks, such as flammability and scarcity of lithium. Since the components of zinc-ion batteries are nonflammable, nontoxic, and cheap, aqueous zinc-Ion batteries (AZIBs) could be a suitable replacement for LIBs. 
  • 1.2K
  • 24 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Functional Nanostructured Materials in the Cosmetics Industry
Cosmetics have always been in demand across the globe among people of all age groups. In the modern cosmetic world, nanostructured materials have proven hugely advantageous in producing cosmeceuticals or ‘nano-cosmeceuticals’ and various beauty products. The application of nanostructured materials in cosmetic products possesses some challenges in terms of short- and long-term safety and environmental issues, despite their growing popularity. The nanostructured particles in cosmeceuticals provide a targeted route of administration due to their high penetrability, site selectivity, high effectiveness, prolonged activity, and drug encapsulation potential. However, standard methods for toxicity evaluation may not be relevant for cosmeceuticals, leading to the need for an alternative methodology.
  • 1.2K
  • 21 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Advances in Curcumin Formulations
Traditional clinical procedures for treating or removing tumors, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgical dissection, are widely used. Although chemotherapy remains a very efficient strategy in the battle against cancer, it is typically associated with substantial drawbacks and side effects. Therefore, there remains the possibility that tumors that have been surgically removed may return and may also be resistant to radiation treatment. Marine and terrestrial natural products are far more favorable for improving treatment outcomes in disorders with complicated pathological behavior. Due to their biochemical structures, natural compounds can affect numerous cellular targets, such as genes and proteins. Herbal preparations and their related natural products offer a pivotal role in cancer chemotherapy and chemoprevention. As they are safe and able to minimize the side effects on healthy cells, selected medicinal plants have been developed to address a variety of malignancies. Curcumin is a polyphenol derivative found in the turmeric plant (Curcuma longa L.), and provides chemopreventive, antitumor, chemo-, and radio-sensitizing properties. 
  • 1.2K
  • 08 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Gasochromic WO3 Nanostructures
Gasochromic WO3 nanostructure sensors work based on changes in their optical properties and color variation when exposed to hydrogen gas. They can work at low or room temperatures and, therefore, are good candidates for the detection of hydrogen leakage with low risk of explosion. Once their morphology and chemical composition are carefully designed, they can be used for the realization of sensitive, selective, low-cost, and flexible hydrogen sensors.
  • 1.2K
  • 23 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Advantages of 2D Materials and Cellulose in Biosensors
The use of 2D materials in biosensor applications provides several advantages, including excellent mechanical, optical, and electrical properties. These properties are essential for the development of wearable biosensors that enable real-time monitoring of human health information and accurate measurement of vital signs. Integrating 2D materials into wearable biosensors has expanded opportunities for early detection of life-threatening diseases and continuous health tracking. In addition to 2D materials, cellulose-based biosensors also offer significant benefits. They are cost-effective, highly sensitive, and compatible with portable sensing devices used in biomedical applications. One major advancement in this field is the functionalization of cellulose papers with antibodies, nucleic acids, and nanomaterials in PBBs (paper-based bioassays) and μPADs (microfluidic paper-slip devices). Hence, the application of 2D materials and cellulose in medical diagnostics and biosensors has shown great potential. These materials have unique properties that make them suitable for various applications, including disease detection, real-time monitoring, and point-of-care diagnostics.
  • 1.2K
  • 04 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Nanoengineering to Modulate Macrophage Polarization
Modulation of macrophage plasticity is emerging as a successful strategy in tissue engineering (TE) to control the immune response elicited by the implanted material. Indeed, one major determinant of success in regenerating tissues and organs is to achieve the correct balance between immune pro-inflammatory and pro-resolution players. In recent years, nanoparticle-mediated macrophage polarization towards the pro- or anti-inflammatory subtypes is gaining increasing interest in the biomedical field. In TE, despite significant progress in the use of nanomaterials, the full potential of nanoparticles as effective immunomodulators has not yet been completely realized. This work discusses the contribution that bioactive inorganic nanoparticles may give to TE applications, helping native or synthetic scaffolds to direct macrophage polarization for skeletal muscle regeneration. 
  • 1.2K
  • 20 Oct 2020
Topic Review
The Antioxidant Effect of Metal and Metal-Oxide Nanoparticles
Inorganic nanoparticles, such as CeO3, TiO2 and Fe3O4 could be served as a platform for their excellent performance in antioxidant effect. They may offer the feasibility to be further developed for their smaller and controllable sizes, flexibility to be modified, relative low toxicity as well as ease of preparation.
  • 1.2K
  • 25 May 2022
Topic Review
Cementitious Materials Mixed with Nanomaterials
Nanotechnology is an innovative developing science in the area of civil engineering that is still in its early stages. Extensive attempts were made to integrate nanomaterials into traditional cementitious pastes to improve performance. Previous research has shown that incorporating nanomaterial into geopolymer concrete (GPC) enhances the geopolymerization and microstructure. As a result of their exceptional and intelligent characteristics, cementitious materials mixed with nanomaterials led to high-performance structural components for various purposes in the building sector.
  • 1.2K
  • 10 May 2022
Topic Review
Graphene Oxide Action Mechanisms
Graphene oxide (GO), an oxidized form of graphene, is regarded to be more superior to graphene with regards to application in drug delivery due to the presence of functional groups that could allow the binding of different compounds, especially water-insoluble drugs. 
  • 1.2K
  • 23 Aug 2022
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