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Topic Review
Biography
Topic Review
Deep Eutectic Solvents in Pharmaceutical Industry
Neoteric solvents emerged as an alternative to organic solvents and are commonly called green solvents, since they have low toxicity, are biodegradable, are made with accessible and low-cost materials, and are quite easy to produce. Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are defined as a mixture of two or more pure compounds, which, when combined in an appropriate ratio, give rise to a eutectic mixture that deviates from the ideal thermodynamic behaviour. This deviation is due to strong interactions between the initial components that act as hydrogen bond donors (HBDs) and hydrogen bond acceptors (HBAs). The HBDs and HBAs interact in the DESs to form a dense network of molecules that give them remarkably interesting physical and chemical properties.
296
23 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Novel Materials for Semi-Transparent Organic Solar Cells
The rapid development of photovoltaic technology has driven the search for novel materials that can improve the cost-effectiveness and efficiency of solar cells. Organic semiconductors offer unique optical tunability and transparency, allowing customization for the absorption of specific optical spectra like near-infrared radiation. Through the molecular engineering of electron donors and acceptors, these materials can be optimized for targeted optical selectivity. This adaptability enables the development of efficient energy-harvesting devices tailored for specific spectral regions. Consequently, organic semiconductors present a promising avenue for specialized applications such as semi-transparent organic solar cells.
160
23 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Optimized Polymeric Membranes for Water Treatment
Conventional polymers, endowed with specific functionalities, are extensively utilized for filtering and extracting a diverse set of chemicals, notably metals, from solutions. The main structure of a polymer is an integral part for designing an efficient separating system. However, its chemical functionality further contributes to the selectivity, fabrication process, and resulting product morphology. One example would be a membrane that can be employed to selectively remove a targeted metal ion or chemical from a solution, leaving behind the useful components of the solution. Such membranes or products are highly sought after for purifying polluted water contaminated with toxic and heavy metals. An efficient water-purifying membrane must fulfill several requirements, including a specific morphology attained by the material with a specific chemical functionality and facile fabrication for integration into a purifying module Therefore, the selection of an appropriate polymer and its functionalization become crucial and determining steps.
161
23 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Aerogels for the Removal of Heavy Metal Ions
Aerogel is a general term referring to novel nanostructured materials characterized by very high porosity and tunable physicochemical properties that are obtained following a sol–gel process and an appropriate drying method. Such novel materials are entering the market in everyday products and a wide portfolio of properties usable for applications in health care, foods, agriculture, energy, and environmental remediation. Bio-based aerogels obtained from renewable resources and biomass are biodegradable and biocompatible due to the natural origin of the polymers, and for this reason, they greatly contribute to the sustainable concept of the bio-economy, offering promising commodities for environmental remediation.
165
22 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Biomimetic Smart Materials
Biomimicry, rooted in emulating nature’s sophisticated solutions, serves as the foundational framework for developing materials endowed with remarkable characteristics, including adaptability, responsiveness, and self-transformation. These advanced engineered biomimetic materials, featuring attributes such as shape memory and self-healing properties, undergo rigorous synthesis and characterization procedures, with the overarching goal of seamless integration into the field of additive manufacturing. The resulting synergy between advanced manufacturing techniques and nature-inspired materials promises to revolutionize the production of objects capable of dynamic responses to environmental stimuli. Extending beyond the confines of laboratory experimentation, these self-transforming objects hold significant potential across diverse industries, showcasing innovative applications with profound implications for object design and fabrication. Through the reduction of waste generation, minimization of energy consumption, and the reduction of environmental footprint, the integration of biomaterials, biopolymers, and additive manufacturing signifies a pivotal step towards fostering ecologically conscious design and manufacturing practices. Within this context, inanimate three-dimensional objects will possess the ability to transcend their static nature and emerge as dynamic entities capable of evolution, self-repair, and adaptive responses in harmony with their surroundings. The confluence of biomimicry and additive manufacturing techniques establishes a seminal precedent for a profound reconfiguration of contemporary approaches to design, manufacturing, and ecological stewardship, thereby decisively shaping a more resilient and innovative global milieu.
324
22 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Applications of Nanoporous Anodic Aluminum Oxide in Sensors
Nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) is an important template for 1D nanomaterial synthesis. It is used as an etching template for nanopattern transfer in a variety of contexts, including nanostructured material synthesis, electrical sensors, optical sensors, photonic and electronic devices, photocatalysis, and hardness and anticorrosion improvement.
223
22 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Plastic Mismanagement in Africa
Plastic waste pollution is one of the main items on international agendas. It leads to more and more leakages and constitutes a dangerous threat to living beings and the ecosystem (toxic substances). Globally, only 9% of plastic waste is recycled, while 22% of it is mismanaged. A large part of this waste ends up legally or illegally in Africa.
152
22 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Polymer-Based Self-Assembled Drug Delivery Systems for Glaucoma Treatment
Glaucoma has become the world’s leading cause of irreversible blindness, and one of its main characteristics is high intraocular pressure. Currently, the non-surgical drug treatment scheme to reduce intraocular pressure is a priority method for glaucoma treatment. However, the complex and special structure of the eye poses significant challenges to the treatment effect and safety adherence of this drug treatment approach. To address these challenges, the application of polymer-based self-assembled drug delivery systems in glaucoma treatment has emerged.
141
22 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles in Enhancing Plant Stress Resistance
Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO nanoparticles) have gained substantial attention from researchers worldwide for their capacity to alleviate the detrimental impacts of both biotic and abiotic stress on plants, concurrently reducing dependence on environmentally harmful chemicals.
324
19 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Self-Assembled Monolayer-Based Hole-Transporting Materials
Ever since self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) were adopted as hole-transporting layers (HTL) for perovskite solar cells (PSCs), numerous SAMs for HTL have been synthesized and reported. SAMs offer several unique advantages including relatively simple synthesis, straightforward molecular engineering, effective surface modification using small amounts of molecules, and suitability for large-area device fabrication.
124
19 Jan 2024
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