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Topic Review
AFM imaging of extracellular vesicles
Advanced and optimised microscopy methods, including atomic force microscopy (AFM), are required to visualise and characterise morphology of extracellular vesicles (EVs), a heterogenous groups of nanoparticles regarded as highly promising source of diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic tools. EVs are nanosized phospholipid membranous structures ubiquitously found in human biofluids, secreted from almost every cell, and thus reflect both physiological and pathophysiological changes of their parental cells. The lipid membrane of an EV contains proteins (e.g., tetraspanins, receptors and other molecules) and diverse luminal content with bioactive cargo that includes nucleic acids (DNA, mRNA, miRNA and lncRNA), proteins, organelles, or infectious particles.  AFM is a nanoscale tool for the determination of morphology, structure and composition, but also biomechanics and biophysical characteristics of nanometric structures. Briefly, AFM uses a micrometric cantilever with a nanometre-sized tip actuated by piezoelectric crystals. Upon receiving signals of a tip-sample interaction, a position-sensitive photodiode (PSPD) converts it to a voltage and sends it to a piezoelectric actuator (PA). The latter expands and contracts proportionally to the applied voltage to manipulate the sample and the probe position across three dimensions with high precision. The PA can be coupled to a cantilever or positioned under a sample holder. The whole system is controlled by suitable control electronics.
  • 2.3K
  • 11 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Silver Nanoparticle
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are among the most commonly used engineered nanomaterials with medicinal, industrial, and agricultural applications. Considering the vast usage of AgNPs, there is a possibility of their release into the environment, and their potential toxicological effects on plants and animals. Apart from using the particulate form of silver, AgNPs may be transformed to silver oxide or silver sulfide via oxidation or sulfidation, respectively, and these ones impact the soil and living organisms in a variety of ways. Therefore, it is critical to address the behavior of nanoparticles in the environment and possible methods for their removal. This review focuses on three objectives to discuss this issue including: the possible pathways for the release of AgNPs into the environment; the toxicological effects of AgNPs on plants and microorganisms; and the recommended phytoremediation approaches.
  • 2.3K
  • 19 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Magnetite Nanoparticles
Magnetite nanoparticles with different surface coverages are of great interest for many applications due to their intrinsic magnetic properties, nanometer size, and definite surface morphology. Magnetite nanoparticles are widely used for different medical-biological applications while their usage in optics is not as widespread. In recent years, nanomagnetite suspensions, so-called magnetic ferrofluids, are applied in optics due to their magneto-optical properties.
  • 2.3K
  • 24 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Two-Dimensional Nanomaterials
Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials have attracted increased interest and exhibited extended applications from nanotechnology to materials science, biomedicine, tissue engineering, as well as energy storage and environmental science. With the development of the synthesis and fabrication of 2D materials, a new family of 2D materials, metal carbides (MCs), revealed promising applications in recent years, and have been utilized for the fabrication of various functional 2D and three-dimensional (3D) nanomaterials for energy and environmental applications, ascribing to the unique physical and chemical properties of MCs. In this review, we present recent advance in the synthesis, fabrication, and applications of 2D and 3D MC-based nanomaterials. This work provides useful information on the preparation, hybridization, structural tailoring, and applications of MC-based materials, and is expected to inspire the design and fabrication of novel and functional MXene materials with improved performance.
  • 2.3K
  • 08 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Nanoencapsulation of Essential Oils
Essential oils (EOs) are complex mixtures of volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds that originate from different plant tissues, including flowers, buds, leaves and bark. According to their chemical composition, EOs have a characteristic aroma and present a wide spectrum of applications. However, EOs are unstable and easily degradable if not protected from external factors such as oxidation, heat and light. Therefore, there is growing interest in the encapsulation of EOs, since polymeric nanocarriers serve as a barrier between the oil and the environment. In this context, nanoencapsulation seems to be an interesting approach as it not only prevents the exposure and degradation of EOs and their bioactive constituents by creating a physical barrier, but it also facilitates their controlled release, thus resulting in greater bioavailability and efficiency.
  • 2.3K
  • 20 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Organic Piezoelectric Biomaterials
The past decade has witnessed significant advances in medically implantable and wearable devices technologies as a promising personal healthcare platform. Organic piezoelectric biomaterials have attracted widespread attention as the functional materials in the biomedical devices due to their advantages of excellent biocompatibility and environmental friendliness. Biomedical devices featuring the biocompatible piezoelectric materials involve energy harvesting devices, sensors, and scaffolds for cell and tissue engineering. This paper offers a comprehensive review of the principles, properties, and applications of organic piezoelectric biomaterials. How to tackle issues relating to the better integration of the organic piezoelectric biomaterials into the biomedical devices is discussed. Further developments in biocompatible piezoelectric materials can spark a new age in the field of biomedical technologies.
  • 2.3K
  • 30 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Extended Surfactants Using HLDN approach
Extended surfactants are molecules including an intramolecular extension that allow attaining high performance without the need for cosurfactant or linker alcohol. The polypropylene oxide chain intramolecular extension generates a polarity transition inside the molecule that produces more interactions with the oil and aqueous phases. The idea was developed in the 1990s, basically to fasten together the rather hydrophilic surfactant and the lipophilic linker, producing the same effect as the mixture without losing a part of the lipophilic linker going away from the interface. Since the lipophilic linker was an amphiphile with a small hydrophilic part located close to the interface, the single structure was developed to imitate the mixture situation. It contains a polar head located in water, then an intermediate slightly polar zone in the oil phase close to the interface, and finally, the surfactant classical hydrocarbon tail.
  • 2.3K
  • 14 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Nanocellulose-Based Materials for Water Treatment
Nanocelluloses are promising bio-nano-materials for use as water treatment materials in environmental protection and remediation. This review aims at giving an overview of nanocellulose requirements concerning emerging nanotechnologies of waster treatments and purification, i.e., adsorption, absorption, flocculation, photocatalytic degradation, disinfection, antifouling, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis. 
  • 2.3K
  • 23 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Coal Fly Ash
Coal fly ash (CFA) is a complex material produced from the combustion of pulverized coal in thermal power plants during the production of electricity.
  • 2.2K
  • 18 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Two-Dimensional Materials for Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction
Electrocatalytic CO2 reduction (ECR) is an attractive approach to convert atmospheric CO2 to value-added chemicals and fuels. However, this process is still hindered by sluggish CO2 reaction kinetics and the lack of efficient electrocatalysts. Therefore, new strategies for electrocatalyst design should be developed to solve these problems. Two-dimensional (2D) materials possess great potential in ECR because of their unique electronic and structural properties, excellent electrical conductivity, high atomic utilization and high specific surface area.
  • 2.2K
  • 23 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Olive Biophenols Oleuropein and Hydroxytyrosol
Oleuropein (OLE) and hydroxytyrosol (HT) are olive-derived phenols recognised as health-promoting agents with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, antifungal, antimicrobial, and antitumor activities, providing a wide range of applications as functional food ingredients. HT is Generally Recognised as Safe (GRAS) by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), whereas OLE is included in EFSA daily consumptions recommendations, albeit there is no official GRAS status for its pure form. 
  • 2.2K
  • 05 May 2022
Topic Review
Ceramic-Based Hybrid Supercapacitors
Supercapacitors (SCs) have attracted considerable attention among various energy storage devices due to their high specific capacity, high power density, long cycle life, economic efficiency, environmental friendliness, high safety, and fast charge/discharge rates. SCs are devices that can store large amounts of electrical energy and release it quickly, making them ideal for use in a wide range of applications. They are often used in conjunction with batteries to provide a power boost when needed and can also be used as a standalone power source. They can be used in various potential applications, such as portable equipment, smart electronic systems, electric vehicles, and grid energy storage systems.
  • 2.2K
  • 02 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Nanoporous Anodic Alumina
Nanoporous Anodic Alumina (NAA) is formed by the electrochemical anodization of pure aluminum wafers and consists of a parallel array of pores surrounded by hexagonal cells of aluminum oxide (alumina).
  • 2.2K
  • 25 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Sustainable Synthesis of MXenes
MXenes provide a major drawback involving environmentally harmful and toxic substances for its general fabrication in large-scale production and employing a high-temperature solid-state reaction followed by selective etching. Meanwhile, how MXenes are synthesized is essential in directing their end uses. Therefore, making strategic approaches to synthesize greener, safer, more sustainable, and more environmentally friendly MXenes is imperative to commercialize at a competitive price. 
  • 2.2K
  • 17 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Advanced Flame Spray Pyrolysis for Engineering Multifunctional Nanostructures
Flame spray pyrolysis (FSP) is an industrially scalable technology that enables the engineering of a wide range of metal-based nanomaterials with tailored properties nanoparticles.
  • 2.2K
  • 28 Nov 2023
Topic Review
TiO2 as Water Splitting Photocatalyst
Hydrogen produced from water using photocatalysts driven by sunlight is a sustainable way to overcome the intermittency issues of solar power and provide a green alternative to fossil fuels. TiO2 has been used as a photocatalyst since the 1970s due to its low cost, earth abundance, and stability. There has been a wide range of research activities in order to enhance the use of TiO2 as a photocatalyst using dopants, modifying the surface, or depositing noble metals. However, the issues such as wide bandgap, high electron-hole recombination time, and a large overpotential for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) persist as a challenge. Here, we review state-of-the-art experimental and theoretical research on TiO2 based photocatalysts and identify challenges that have to be focused on to drive the field further. We conclude with a discussion of four challenges for TiO2 photocatalysts—non-standardized presentation of results, bandgap in the ultraviolet (UV) region, lack of collaboration between experimental and theoretical work, and lack of large/small scale production facilities. We also highlight the importance of combining computational modeling with experimental work to make further advances in this exciting field.
  • 2.2K
  • 24 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Functionalized CQDs in Food Analysis
Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) with stable physicochemical properties and excellent optical performances are a kind of emerging and fascinating carbon nanomaterial with size less than 10 nm. The significant advantages of low cytotoxicity and cost make CQDs an ideal raw material for constructing effective sensing devices. The CQDs can be functionalized and combined with other kinds of materials to form the nanostructured composites with unique properties, having a very broad application prospect for related research of many fields. Green-synthesized CQDs have been applied in functional components analysis and monitoring trace harmful substances in food and made remarkable research progress. This entry reviews the relevant sensing applications of CQDs in food components analysis and food safety inspection of recent five years, which can provide significant references for further study of fluorescent and biomimetic sensing of CQDs in this field.
  • 2.2K
  • 28 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Chronic Wounds
The chronicity of wounds is affected by several contributory factors, including hormonal imbalances, cytokines, invasive microbial infections, and growth factors. More importantly, bacterial infections have been implicated as the predominant feature in most chronic wound microenvironments, including Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These bacteria exist in polymicrobial forms forming biofilms that afford them protection against the host’s immunity and conventional antibiotics. S. aureus biofilms are sometimes present close to the surface of chronic wounds, while P. aeruginosa biofilms appear deep within wound tissue. The recalcitrant disposition of these microbes has been implicated as one of the causalities of antimicrobial resistance.
  • 2.2K
  • 17 May 2022
Topic Review
Barriers to Electric Vehicle Adoption in Thailand
Electric vehicles (EVs) are considered to be a solution for sustainable transportation. EVs can reduce fossil fuel consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and the negative impacts of climate change and global warming, as well as help improve air quality.
  • 2.2K
  • 09 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering
The efficiency of the generation of Raman spectra by molecules adsorbed on some substrates (or placed at a very close distance to some substrates) may be many orders of magnitude larger than the efficiency of the generation of Raman spectra by molecules that are not adsorbed. This effect is called surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). In the first SERS experiments, nanostructured plasmonic metals have been used as SERS-active materials. Later, other types of SERS-active materials have also been developed.
  • 2.2K
  • 10 Feb 2021
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