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Micro, Volume 3, Issue 3 (September 2023) – 11 articles

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14 pages, 1442 KiB  
Communication
Paving Way for a Paradigm Shift in Oncology: Curing Cancer by Loving It?
by Vuk Uskoković
Micro 2023, 3(3), 749-762; https://doi.org/10.3390/micro3030053 - 21 Sep 2023
Viewed by 1094
Abstract
Plateaus in the efficacy of traditional methods for the treatment of cancer reached in the last decades call for the exploration of alternative models as their potential clinical complements. Here, the classical view of cancer as a tissue that is to be eradicated [...] Read more.
Plateaus in the efficacy of traditional methods for the treatment of cancer reached in the last decades call for the exploration of alternative models as their potential clinical complements. Here, the classical view of cancer as a tissue that is to be eradicated by methods describable by a compendium of militaristic metaphors is being challenged with a provocative idea: what if cancer can be cured with love condensed down to the level of molecular and cell biology? Correspondingly, the idea that love mimics the traits of the objects of its affection and helps them grow was translated to the level of cell biology by incorporating anti-apoptotic properties in healthy cells and promoting tumorigenesis in cancerous cells. Both the indirect and direct co-culture of the two cell types demonstrated hindered growth of cancer cells relative to that of their primary counterparts when these cellular modifications inspired by love for cancer were being implemented. The two experimental models reported here are emphasized as crude and simplistic methods derived from the idea that cancer may be best treated by being loved at the cellular and molecular biology levels. More comprehensive and effective methods may emanate from continued exploration and expansion of the intriguing and innovative avenue for cancer management proposed here. Full article
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10 pages, 4462 KiB  
Article
Conductive Additives Effects on NCA–LFMP Composite Cathode in Water-Based Binder for High-Safety Lithium-Ion Batteries
by Chih-Wei Yang, Meng-Lun Lee, Wen-Ren Liu, Celastin Bebina Thairiyarayar, Wei-Ren Liu, Tsan-Yao Chen and Chi-Young Lee
Micro 2023, 3(3), 739-748; https://doi.org/10.3390/micro3030052 - 5 Sep 2023
Viewed by 1930
Abstract
Lithium nickel–cobalt–aluminum oxide (NCA) is a promising cathode material for lithium-ion batteries due to its high energy density of more than 274 mAh/g. However, thermal runaway inhibits its practical applications. Lithium ferromanganese phosphate (LFMP), due to its olivine structure, can effectively stabilize the [...] Read more.
Lithium nickel–cobalt–aluminum oxide (NCA) is a promising cathode material for lithium-ion batteries due to its high energy density of more than 274 mAh/g. However, thermal runaway inhibits its practical applications. Lithium ferromanganese phosphate (LFMP), due to its olivine structure, can effectively stabilize the surface stability of NCA and reduce the exothermic reactions that occur during thermal runaway. LFMP can also inhibit cathode expansion and contraction during charging and discharging. To improve the conductivity of an NCM–LFMP composite electrode, three different conductive additives, namely carbon black, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and graphene, were introduced into the electrode. Finally, battery safety tests were conducted on 1.1 Ah pouch cells fabricated in the present study. The energy density of the NCA–LFMP 1.1 Ah lithium-ion pouch cells with only 0.16% CNT content reached 224.8 Wh/kg. The CNT–NCA–LFMP pouch cell was also the safest among the cells tested. These results provide a strategy for designing high-energy-density and safe pouch cells for energy storage device applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Microscale Materials Science)
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11 pages, 6528 KiB  
Article
Geochemistry and Microbiology of Atacamite-Paratacamite Biofilms Floating on Underground Brine and Petroleum Pools in the White Pine Copper Mine, Michigan (USA)
by Eleanora I. Robbins, Mark R. Stanton and Cheryl D. Young
Micro 2023, 3(3), 728-738; https://doi.org/10.3390/micro3030051 - 28 Aug 2023
Viewed by 1187
Abstract
At depth in an abandoned tunnel of the White Pine Copper Mine, green films of the Cu-OH-Cl minerals atacamite and paratacamite were found on standing pools of brine. Some pools were also coated with a thin layer of petroleum. Green films of atacamite [...] Read more.
At depth in an abandoned tunnel of the White Pine Copper Mine, green films of the Cu-OH-Cl minerals atacamite and paratacamite were found on standing pools of brine. Some pools were also coated with a thin layer of petroleum. Green films of atacamite were composed of individual blebs that averaged 20 μm in diameter and enclosed mixed colonies of Gram-negative, short rod-shaped, and sheathed filamentous bacteria. Carbon δ13C values in the atacamite–paratacamite mixtures reflect the isotopic values of bacteria and minor amounts of petroleum mixed with the minerals. Heterotrophic bacteria are interpreted to be using petroleum as a carbon source and may be catalyzing the precipitation of the copper hydroxy chloride minerals or acting as a template. Full article
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13 pages, 5522 KiB  
Article
Experimental Wear Analysis of Nano-Sized Titania Particles as Additives in Automotive Lubricants
by Ádám István Szabó, Álmos Dávid Tóth, Hebah Abdallah and Hajnalka Hargitai
Micro 2023, 3(3), 715-727; https://doi.org/10.3390/micro3030050 - 21 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1468
Abstract
This study focuses on the wear effects of nano-sized titania as a potential engine lubricant additive. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles have promising wear-reducing properties and significant tribological potential. In this article, titania nanoparticles were homogenized in Group III automotive oil at five different concentrations [...] Read more.
This study focuses on the wear effects of nano-sized titania as a potential engine lubricant additive. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles have promising wear-reducing properties and significant tribological potential. In this article, titania nanoparticles were homogenized in Group III automotive oil at five different concentrations (0.1; 0.2 … 0.5 wt%). The nanodoped oil samples were tested on a linear oscillating tribometer with oil circulation. Based on the tribological results, titania nanoparticles increased friction by 20–32% but can reduce the wear area by up to 32%. According to the confocal microscopic examination, wear volume can be reduced by up to 57% with titania nanoparticles. Titania nanoparticles improved the repeatability of tribological measurements. A scanning electron microscopy examination of the wear track revealed that the characteristic wear of the tribological system was abrasive, but a significant amount of adhesive wear was also observed. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis found that the nanoparticles fill the deeper trenches of the wear. The worn surface uniformly contains TiO2 particles and the quantified normalized titanium concentration was between 0.56 and 0.62%. Full article
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16 pages, 4976 KiB  
Article
Matrix Effect of Properties of Au, ZnO and Eu2O3: Silica, Titania and Alumina Matrices
by Carlos Díaz, Olga Cifuentes-Vaca and María Luisa Valenzuela
Micro 2023, 3(3), 699-714; https://doi.org/10.3390/micro3030049 - 19 Aug 2023
Viewed by 916
Abstract
The composites Au/SiO2, Au/TiO2, Au/Al2O3, ZnO/TiO2, ZnO/TiO2, ZnO/Al2O3 and Eu2O3/SiO2, Eu2O3/TiO2 and Eu2O3/Al [...] Read more.
The composites Au/SiO2, Au/TiO2, Au/Al2O3, ZnO/TiO2, ZnO/TiO2, ZnO/Al2O3 and Eu2O3/SiO2, Eu2O3/TiO2 and Eu2O3/Al2O3 were prepared using a solid-state method. The effect of the polymer precursors was investigated using two precursor polymers, Chitosan and Poly(styrene-co-4vinylpyridine), (PS-co-4-PVP) in the M/MxLy•Chitosan//M’xO’y as well as M/MxLy•PS-co-4-PVP//M’xO’y with M’xO’y = SiO2, TiO2 and Al2O3. The effects on the particle size and morphology were observed. The new composites were characterized using X-ray powder diffraction, SEM-EDS mapping and HRTEM analysis. The distribution of the metallic nanoparticles as well as the metal oxide nanoparticles inside the matrices depend on the matrix. Marked optical and photocatalytic effects of the Au, ZnO and Eu2O3 inside the SiO2, TiO2 and Al2O3 matrices are expected. An experiment is in course. Full article
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13 pages, 5107 KiB  
Article
Highly Sensitive Sensor for the Determination of Riboflavin Using Thionine Coated Cadmium Selenide Quantum Dots Modified Graphite Electrode
by Arumugam Kalaivani, Rajendran Suresh Babu and Sangilimuthu Sriman Narayanan
Micro 2023, 3(3), 686-698; https://doi.org/10.3390/micro3030048 - 13 Aug 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1491
Abstract
In this paper, the electrochemical non-enzymatic detection of Riboflavin (RF) was proposed based on its catalytic reduction in a Thionine-coated Cadmium Selenide Quantum dots (TH@CdSe QDs)-modified paraffin wax-impregnated graphite electrode (PIGE) that was prepared using a novel approach. The synthesized TH@CdSe QDs were [...] Read more.
In this paper, the electrochemical non-enzymatic detection of Riboflavin (RF) was proposed based on its catalytic reduction in a Thionine-coated Cadmium Selenide Quantum dots (TH@CdSe QDs)-modified paraffin wax-impregnated graphite electrode (PIGE) that was prepared using a novel approach. The synthesized TH@CdSe QDs were confirmed by UV-Vis spectroscopy, Confocal Raman Microscopy and High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM) studies. The electrochemical response of the TH@CdSe QDs-modified PIGE was studied by cyclic voltammetry. The voltammetric response of RF at the TH@CdSe QDs-modified PIGE showed higher current than the bare PIGE. Under optimum conditions, the electrocatalytic reduction currents of RF was found to be linearly related to its concentration over the range of 1.6 × 10−7 M to 1.4 × 10−4 M with a detection limit of 53 × 10−9 M (S/N = 3). The TH@CdSe QDs-modified PIGE was utilized as an amperometric sensor for the detection of RF in flow systems was performed by carrying out hydrodynamic and chronoamperometric experiments. The TH@CdSe QDs-modified PIGE showed very good stability and a longer shelf life. The applicability of the fabricated electrode was justified by the quantification of RF in commercial tablets. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Methods for Semiconductor Doping)
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15 pages, 4196 KiB  
Article
Microfluidic System for Cell Mixing and Particle Focusing Using Dean Flow Fractionation
by Alexander Wiede, Ondrej Stranik, Astrid Tannert and Ute Neugebauer
Micro 2023, 3(3), 671-685; https://doi.org/10.3390/micro3030047 - 31 Jul 2023
Viewed by 1698
Abstract
Recent developments in the field of additive manufacturing processes have led to tremendous technological progress and opened directions for the field of microfluidics. For instance, new flexible materials for 3D printing allow the substitution of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) in microfluidic prototype development. Three-dimensional-printed microfluidic [...] Read more.
Recent developments in the field of additive manufacturing processes have led to tremendous technological progress and opened directions for the field of microfluidics. For instance, new flexible materials for 3D printing allow the substitution of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) in microfluidic prototype development. Three-dimensional-printed microfluidic components open new horizons, in particular for the automated handling of biological cells (e.g., eukaryotic cells or bacteria). Here, we demonstrate how passive mixing and passive separation processes of biological cells can be realized using 3D printing concepts for rapid prototyping. This technique facilitates low-cost experimental setups that are easy to modify and adopt for specific detection and diagnostic purposes. In particular, printing technologies based on fused deposition modeling and stereolithography are used and their realization is discussed. Additive technologies enable the fabrication of multiplication mixers, which overcome shortcomings of current pillar or curve-based techniques and enable efficient mixing, also of biological cells without affecting viability. Using standard microfluidic components and state-of-the art 3D printing technologies, we realize a separation system based on Dean flow fragmentation without the use of PDMS. In particular, we describe the use of a 3D-printed helix for winding a capillary for particle flow and a new chip design for particle separation at the outlet. We demonstrate the functionality of the system by successful isolation of ~12 µm-sized particles from a particle mixture containing large (~12 µm, typical size of eukaryotic cells) and small (~2 µm, typical size of bacteria or small yeasts) particles. Using this setup to separate eukaryotic cells from bacteria, we could prove that cell viability is not affected by passage through the microfluidic systems. Full article
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18 pages, 3398 KiB  
Article
Extraction and Modification of Cellulose Microfibers Derived from Biomass of the Amazon Ochroma pyramidale Fruit
by Ana Luisa Farias Rocha, Bianca de Andrade Feitosa, Adriano de Souza Carolino, Ronald Zico de Aguiar Nunes, Célio Matias Airone Macalia, Kalil Araújo da Silva, Cleverton Oliveira Dias, Sérgio Michielon de Souza, Pedro Henrique Campelo, Jaqueline de Araújo Bezerra and Edgar Aparecido Sanches
Micro 2023, 3(3), 653-670; https://doi.org/10.3390/micro3030046 - 28 Jul 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2029
Abstract
Microfibers are important to several areas of human lifestyle, and the knowledge about their physicochemical characteristics allows for proposing new technological applications. The in natura microfiber of Ochroma pyramidale fruit (IN sample) and its extracted pulp (PU sample) were evaluated by X-ray Diffraction [...] Read more.
Microfibers are important to several areas of human lifestyle, and the knowledge about their physicochemical characteristics allows for proposing new technological applications. The in natura microfiber of Ochroma pyramidale fruit (IN sample) and its extracted pulp (PU sample) were evaluated by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Thermogravimetry and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (TG/dTG and DSC). Microfibers were composed mainly of (68 ± 1)% holocellulose, (35.8 ± 0.1)% cellulose, (32 ± 3)% lignin and (3.7 ± 0.3)% extractives. The XRD pattern of the PU sample revealed that the mercerization process resulted in the change of the cellulose crystal structure from Iα type (triclinic) to type II (monoclinic). The SEM technique showed that the IN sample presented regular cylindrical/hollow-shaped wire-like microfibers with diameters ranging from 5 µm to 25 µm. However, the mercerization process changed their natural morphology. A significant change in the FTIR spectra after the removal of hemicellulose and lignin components was observed: weak bands at 1739 cm−1 (C=O stretching of lignin and hemicellulose fractions), 1463 cm−1 (CH3 of lignin) and 1246 cm−1 (C-O of lignin) were still observed in the PU sample, indicating that the lignin was not completely removed due to the natural difficulty of isolating pure cellulose. The TG/dTG and DSC evaluation revealed a temperature increase of the second thermal event (starting at 235 °C) in the PU sample, which was assigned to the cellulose and residual hemicellulose degradation. Then, this work aimed to disseminate and characterize a microfiber with unusual characteristics still little explored by the scientific community, as well as its cellulosic pulp, providing information that may be useful in its application in different industries, enabling the positive development of new biocompatible, renewable and sustainable materials. Full article
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10 pages, 3398 KiB  
Article
Photodegradation of Tropaeolin O in the Presence of Ag-Doped ZnO Nanoparticles
by Sonia J. Bailon-Ruiz, Yarilyn Cedeño-Mattei, Kerianys Torres-Torres and Luis Alamo-Nole
Micro 2023, 3(3), 643-652; https://doi.org/10.3390/micro3030045 - 28 Jul 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1367
Abstract
Azo dyes such as Tropaeolin O have diverse applications in the textile, food, and biomedical industries. However, their recalcitrant properties make them toxic substances in surface waters. Nanocatalysts are photoactive nanoparticles that generate reactive oxygen species to destroy organic compounds. Moreover, the presence [...] Read more.
Azo dyes such as Tropaeolin O have diverse applications in the textile, food, and biomedical industries. However, their recalcitrant properties make them toxic substances in surface waters. Nanocatalysts are photoactive nanoparticles that generate reactive oxygen species to destroy organic compounds. Moreover, the presence of dopant agents in the nanoparticles’ crystalline structure efficiently enhances photocatalytic activity. Ag-doped ZnO nanoparticles were prepared in ethylene glycol at 197 °C and characterized by UV-Vis absorption, photoluminescence, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and electron diffraction (ED). The particles were mainly spherical with a size of ~10 nm, a hexagonal structure, and an elemental composition of 56.2% Zn, 37.8% O, and 5.9% Ag. The particles evidenced a broad absorption peak in the UV region and two emission peaks. Absorption analysis indicates that 92% and 58% of Tropaeolin O were degraded using 100 and 50 ppm of Ag-doped ZnO nanoparticles, respectively, during the first 550 min. Ion chromatograms selected using quadrupole time-of-flight liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (QTOF-LC-MS) indicate a complete Tropaeolin O degradation (295.04 m/z) during the first 330 min. Initially, the nanocatalyst attacks the electron-rich groups (-OH and -NH), generating the 277.03 m/z [M-OH]+ and 174.02 m/z (molecule rupture on the azo group). In addition, small oxidized fragments 167.03 m/z and 114.03 m/z confirm the nanoparticles’ photocatalytic capacity, and oxidized chains indicate the tropaeolin’s opening rings (including phtalic acids) and mineralization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Microscale Materials Science)
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11 pages, 14337 KiB  
Article
Simulation of the Dynamics of Supersonic N-Crowdions in fcc Lead and Nickel
by Ayrat M. Bayazitov, Alexander S. Semenov and Sergey V. Dmitriev
Micro 2023, 3(3), 632-642; https://doi.org/10.3390/micro3030044 - 4 Jul 2023
Viewed by 1029
Abstract
In the case where an interstitial atom is located in a close-packed atomic row of the crystal lattice, it is called a crowdion. Crowdions play an important role in the processes of mass and energy transfer resulting from irradiation, severe plastic deformation, ion [...] Read more.
In the case where an interstitial atom is located in a close-packed atomic row of the crystal lattice, it is called a crowdion. Crowdions play an important role in the processes of mass and energy transfer resulting from irradiation, severe plastic deformation, ion implantation, plasma and laser processing, etc. In this work, supersonic N-crowdions (N=1, 2) in fcc lattices of lead and nickel are studied by the method of molecular dynamics. Modeling shows that the propagation distance of a supersonic 2-crowdion in lead at a high initial velocity is less than that of a supersonic 1-crowdion. In other fcc metals studied, including nickel, supersonic 2-crowdions have a longer propagation distance than 1-crowdions. The relatively short propagation distance of supersonic 2-crowdions in lead is due to their instability and rapid transformation into supersonic 1-crowdions. This feature of the dynamics of supersonic N-crowdions in lead explains its high radiation-shielding properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Microscale Materials Science)
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12 pages, 4570 KiB  
Article
Fabrication of Circular Cross-Section Microchannels with 3-D Lattice Arrangement and Their Use as On-Off Valves
by Kaori Uehara, Yutaka Hori and Takaaki Ishigure
Micro 2023, 3(3), 620-631; https://doi.org/10.3390/micro3030043 - 30 Jun 2023
Viewed by 909
Abstract
In this paper, circular cross-section microchannels with 3-D lattice arrangements are designed and fabricated using the Mosquito method in order to construct on-off valves. The 3-D microchannels with on-off valves consist of two types of lines: the flow lines for chemical liquid flow [...] Read more.
In this paper, circular cross-section microchannels with 3-D lattice arrangements are designed and fabricated using the Mosquito method in order to construct on-off valves. The 3-D microchannels with on-off valves consist of two types of lines: the flow lines for chemical liquid flow and the control lines to activate the valves. We confirmed that both a circular cross-section and a PDMS with low elastic modulus used as the microchannel material contribute to a valve that can be closed with a lower pressure. Then, we demonstrated liquid flow to evaluate the functionality of the valve. Fluorescein solution was flown into a flow line. We found that the fluorescence intensity decreases at the intersection between the flow and control lines when the flow line is closed by the inflation of the control line, experimentally confirming the functionality of the valve microchannels fabricated via the Mosquito method. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Microscale Engineering)
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