Topic Review
Manufacturing Processes for Ceramic Matrix Composites
Materials such as ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) have been the focus of research and being tested in different conditions for several decades now. They are known as a subgroup of composite materials and ceramics. Ceramic composites were developed to control and address problems that occurred with other commonly used ceramics, such as silicon carbide, alumina, silicon nitride, aluminum nitride, and zirconia. Such ceramics fractured with ease, revealing scratches and cracks while mechanical and thermo-mechanical loads were applied to them. CMCs exhibit mechanical and thermal properties comparable with, and in some cases, even better than, the conventional superalloys used in aero-engines. However, their adoption relies on other variables as well, such as the cost of development, industrialization, manufacturing, and the availability of manufacturing technologies and systems.
  • 3.1K
  • 27 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-Based Hydrogels
Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) is a widely utilized negative thermosensitive polymer (as it has increased solubility with lowering of temperature, causing volume phase transition by forming hydrogen bonds) that has currently sparkled a lot of scientific inquisitiveness. Smart hydrogels based on PNIPAM demonstrate distinct thermoresponsive features close to a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) that enhance their capability in various biomedical applications such as drug delivery, tissue engineering, and wound dressings.
  • 3.1K
  • 29 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Deep Eutectic Solvents
Deep eutectic solvents (DESs), were introduced in 2001 as an alternative to ILs. These showed a stronger ecofriendly profile, with easier and cheaper production, while having similar properties. DESs contain large, asymmetrical ions that have low lattice energy and, thus, low melting points. They are often acquired by the complexation of a quaternary ammonium salt with a metal salt or hydrogen bond donor (HBD). The charge delocalization occurring through hydrogen bonding between, for instance a halide ion and the hydrogen-donor moiety, is responsible for the decrease in the melting point of the mixture, in relation to the melting points of the individual components. Since 2001, many scientists around the globe pursed the utilization of DESs and published a variety of studies. The use of DESs in analytical microextraction techniques is on the rise, due to the many benefits they provide, such as lower cost and easier synthesis than ILs and an environmentally friendly profile, because of the low toxicity reported, although they need further investigation. To this day, the number of HBAs and HBDs is quite limited, so more studies ought to be carried out to present a plethora of DESs available for use. Moreover, DESs are not commercially available yet, substantially affecting and further limiting their usage for routine analyses in industrial or certified laboratories. The extraordinary high relative recoveries, selectivity, low LODs and decent repeatability they offer, render them appropriate for the determination and quantification of lots of compounds in either simple or complex matrices. As seen, most applications regard liquid phase microextractions rather than solid phase microextractions, because of their liquid nature, as it is simpler to use them as supporting solid adsorbents. The fact that the sample preparation of complicated matrices is of high interest makes them ideal for the research. Hopefully, DESs will be available for purchase in the foreseeable future and will replace organic solvents in some analytical methods commonly used nowadays, while more studies are carried out about their properties. Our aim in this review will be towards the use of DESs in analytical extraction and microextraction techniques, while briefly presenting some frequently used DESs, their synthesis methods and their properties. The ever-increasing use of deep eutectic solvents (DES) in microextraction techniques will be discussed, focusing on the reasons needed to replace conventional extraction techniques with greener approaches that follow the principles of green analytical chemistry.
  • 3.1K
  • 10 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Binders Used for the Manufacturing of Composite Materials
Binders, or tackifiers, have become widespread in the production of new composite materials by liquid composite molding (LCM) techniques due to their ability to stabilize preforms during laying-up and impregnation, as well as to improve fracture toughness of the obtained composites, which is very important in aviation, automotive, ship manufacturing, etc. Furthermore, they can be used in modern methods of automatic laying of dry fibers into preforms, which significantly reduces the labor cost of the manufacturing process.
  • 3.1K
  • 19 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Spider Silk with Inorganic Nanomaterials
High-performance functional biomaterials are becoming increasingly requested. Numerous natural and artificial polymers have already demonstrated their ability to serve as a basis for bio-composites. Spider silk offers a unique combination of desirable aspects such as biocompatibility, extraordinary mechanical properties, and tunable biodegradability, which are superior to those of most natural and engineered materials. Modifying spider silk with various inorganic nanomaterials with specific properties has led to the development of the hybrid materials with improved functionality. The purpose of using these inorganic nanomaterials is primarily due to their chemical nature, enhanced by large surface areas and quantum size phenomena. Functional properties of nanoparticles can be implemented to macro-scale components to produce silk-based hybrid materials, while spider silk fibers can serve as a matrix to combine the benefits of the functional components. Therefore, it is not surprising that hybrid materials based on spider silk and inorganic nanomaterials are considered extremely promising for potentially attractive applications in various fields, from optics and photonics to tissue regeneration. This review summarizes and discusses evidence of the use of various kinds of inorganic compounds in spider silk modification intended for a multitude of applications. It also provides an insight into approaches for obtaining hybrid silk-based materials via 3D printing.
  • 3.1K
  • 29 Sep 2020
Topic Review
Antibacterial Designs for Implantable Medical Devices
The uses of implantable medical devices are safer and more common since sterilization methods and techniques were established a century ago; however, device-associated infections (DAIs) are still frequent and becoming a leading complication as the number of medical device implantations keeps increasing.
  • 3.1K
  • 01 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Aminoacid Surfactants
Aminoacid surfactants are a type of surfactant that is composed of both an amino acid and a hydrophobic tail. They have both hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties, which allows them to lower the surface tension between two immiscible phases, such as oil and water. Aminoacid surfactants are becoming increasingly popular in personal care and cosmetic products due to their mildness and biocompatibility. They are often used as alternatives to traditional surfactants, which can be harsh and irritating to the skin and eyes. Here are several types of amino acid surfactants, each with its own unique properties and applications. Alkyl-L-glutamate, alkyl-L-amino acids, alkyl-D-amino acids, alkyl-amino acids, and dipeptide surfactants are just a few examples of the different types of amino acid surfactants available. With their biodegradability, low toxicity, and excellent foaming and emulsifying properties, amino acid surfactants are a valuable addition to the surfactant industry.
  • 3.1K
  • 24 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Halogen Bonds
A halogen bond occurs when there is evidence of a net attractive interaction between an electrophilic region associated with a halogen atom in a molecular entity and a nucleophilic region in another, or the same, molecular entity.
  • 3.0K
  • 08 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Electroactive Polymers
Electroactive polymers (EAPs) are a versatile class of electrically deformable polymers. These polymers have the ability to deform when excited by electrical potentials due to their inherent electro-mechanical properties. The piezoelectric couplings in EAPs provide them with unique capabilities that are of significant interest in actuators and soft robotics.
  • 3.0K
  • 12 Oct 2021
Topic Review Peer Reviewed
Active Edible Packaging
Active edible packaging is a food packaging made of comestible bioproducts and active compounds that interacts with the food. The bioproducts, usually biopolymers, must be recognized as safe and with characteristics to be consumed by humans—comestible—and not toxic and capable of carrying an active compound, like anti-browning agents, colorants, flavors, nutrients, antimicrobial and/or antioxidant compounds, in order to extend the product shelf-life, reduce contamination and maintain or even enhance the nutritional value.
  • 2.9K
  • 13 Apr 2022
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