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Micro

Micro is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal on microscale and nanoscale research and applications in physics, chemistry, materials, biology, medicine, food, environment technology, engineering, etc., published quarterly online by MDPI.

All Articles (254)

Wire explosion (WE) inherently generates particle ensembles spanning the nano- to microscale, posing challenges for conventional characterization methods in terms of capturing the full particle population. To address this issue, spectrophotometric analysis combined with algorithmic spectrum reconstruction based on Mie theory and constrained distribution models were employed to characterize copper WE products formed in aqueous surroundings within the 4–12 kV discharge voltage range. Three independent fitting strategies, specifically a semimanual fitting, an evolutionary algorithm, and a grid search, were applied to retrieve the size distributions and relative shares of copper and copper oxide particles as a function of discharge voltage. Based on experimental and theoretical findings, lognormal and normal distributions across the 10–300 nm diameter range were assumed as constraints for oxide and metallic fractions, respectively. The reconstructed metallic copper population exhibited mean diameters ranging from 123 to 181 nm, while oxidized fractions followed lognormal distributions centred near 10 nm mode diameters. Voltage-dependent trends revealed an optimal discharge regime between 6 kV and 8 kV, where the exploded fraction reached approximately 63% and the metallic mass share exceeded 80%. These results confirmed that spectrophotometry represents an essential tool for the quantitative characterization of such complex, wide-range systems.

6 February 2026

Spectrophotometric extinction spectra of aquasols, produced by underwater wire explosion of copper at capacitor charging voltages between 4 kV and 12 kV [41,42].

The functionalization of molecules on C60 is a promising engineering approach, as non-covalently governed fullerene surfaces facilitate reversible host–guest recognition, tunable electronic communication, and conformationally adaptive molecular adsorption. In this work, spin-resolved simulations using density functional theory (DFT) were conducted to examine the interaction between a newly identified arylalkanone isolated from the medicinal species Myristica ceylanica and the nanocarbon framework of C60 fullerene, including doped configurations incorporating group III elements (B, Al, Ga, In and Tl). The results indicate that the arylalkanone binds to pristine C60 through an exothermic, energetically favourable binding process, supporting thermodynamically viable molecular uptake. Among the doped models, B substitution exhibits the greatest overall thermodynamic preference; however, Al doping produces the most pronounced enhancement in binding energy, identifying the Al-doped configuration as the most effective surface-uptake architecture in relative terms. Across all complexes, a small amount of charge transfer is noted, signifying weak yet persistent electronic coupling between the ligand and the carbon carrier. Additionally, all doped fullerenes demonstrate induced magnetic behaviour, a property of increasing relevance in spintronics research, suggesting that these complexes may hold future value in spin-dependent electronic and molecular-recognition-guided nanoscale biomedical engineering.

6 February 2026

(a) The optimized structure of C60, (b) its corresponding DOS plot and (c) the optimised structure of arylalkanone. The dotted red vertical line indicates the Fermi energy.

Nanomaterials have emerged as a pivotal driving force in the field of biomedicine due to their unique physicochemical properties. This article systematically reviews the design, synthesis, and characterization of novel nanomaterials, with a focus on their application advances in three key areas: targeted drug delivery, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, and disease diagnosis and sensing. In drug delivery, nanocarriers enable precise drug targeting and controlled release through surface functionalization and stimuli-responsive design. In tissue engineering, nanocomposite scaffolds mimic the structure and function of the natural extracellular matrix, providing an ideal microenvironment for tissue repair. In disease diagnosis, nanomaterials significantly enhance the sensitivity and specificity of biosensors, promoting the development of real-time, non-invasive, and ultra-early detection technologies. The article further summarizes current challenges in the clinical translation of nanomedicine and envisions its future trends toward intelligence, personalization, and the integration of diagnosis and therapy.

5 February 2026

Application of Nanomaterials and Technologies in Biomedicine.

Malignant gliomas, including glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and grade 4 astrocytoma, are the most common types of brain tumors in adults. Standard treatment for gliomas includes adjuvant chemotherapy, typically based on temozolomide, combined with radiotherapy. However, its effectiveness is severely hindered by the limited ability of drugs to cross the blood–brain barrier and by the hyperactivation of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway, which drives tumor cell survival. Therefore, innovative drug combinations and novel delivery strategies are crucial for overcoming these barriers. Polymeric micelles represent a promising approach for enhancing drug delivery to brain tumors. This study aimed to obtain micelles containing cannabidiol (CBD), celecoxib (CELE), and temozolomide (TMZ), as well as their combinations, and to verify their anti-glioma properties. The study involved optimizing the micelle composition, incorporating active ingredients, and assessing the temporal stability of the resulting nanocarriers under varying temperature conditions. The GBM cell line U-138 MG and astrocytoma cell line U-87 MG were used to evaluate the biologic effects of the tested micelles. Cytotoxicity was assessed using the MTT assay, and flow cytometry was used to analyze the effect of the micelles on apoptosis. Western blot analysis was employed to assess the impact of the tested nanoformulations on the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. The optimized micelles demonstrated strong cytotoxic and proapoptotic effects, accompanied by attenuation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. These preliminary findings support the therapeutic potential of polymeric micelles for treating malignant gliomas; however, further in vitro and in vivo studies are required to confirm their clinical applicability.

4 February 2026

Graphical overview of the study workflow: preparation and optimization of Tween 20/Tween 80 polymeric micelles (PBS, sonication), physicochemical characterization (size, PDI, zeta potential, stability, loading/encapsulation, release), and biological evaluation in U-138 MG and U-87 MG glioma cell lines (MTT, apoptosis by flow cytometry, and Wnt/β-catenin pathway assessment by Western blot).

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Micro - ISSN 2673-8023