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Keywords = dissolving acid comparison

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16 pages, 898 KB  
Review
Extremophile Red Algae for Acid Mine Waste Remediation: A Design-Forward Review Focused on Galdieria sulphuraria
by Shaseevarajan Sivanantharajah, Kirusha Sriram, Mathupreetha Sivanesarajah, Sinthuja Nadesananthan and Thinesh Selvaratnam
Processes 2026, 14(3), 417; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14030417 - 25 Jan 2026
Viewed by 962
Abstract
Acid mine drainage (AMD) and acid-generating mine wastes exhibit low pH, high sulfate levels, and complex multi-metal loads that strain conventional treatment. Thermoacidophilic red algae of the order Cyanidiales, particularly Galdieria sulphuraria (G. sulphuraria), have attracted interest as a biological option [...] Read more.
Acid mine drainage (AMD) and acid-generating mine wastes exhibit low pH, high sulfate levels, and complex multi-metal loads that strain conventional treatment. Thermoacidophilic red algae of the order Cyanidiales, particularly Galdieria sulphuraria (G. sulphuraria), have attracted interest as a biological option because they tolerate extreme acidity and elevated temperatures, grow under low light in mixotrophic or heterotrophic modes, and display rapid metal binding at the cell surface. This review synthesizes about two decades of peer-reviewed work to clarify how G. sulphuraria can be deployed as a practical module within mine water treatment trains. We examine the mechanisms of biosorption and bioaccumulation and show how they map onto two distinct configurations. Processed freeze-dried biomass functions as a regenerable sorbent for rare earth elements (REEs) and selected transition metals in packed beds with acid elution for recovery. Living cultures serve as polishing units for divalent metals and, when present, nutrients or dissolved organics under low light. We define realistic operating windows centered on pH 2–5 and temperatures of approximately 25–45 °C, and we identify matrix effects that govern success, including competition from ferric iron and aluminum, turbidity and fouling risks, ionic strength from sulfate, and suppression of REE uptake by phosphate in living systems. Building on laboratory studies, industrial leachate tests, and ecosystem observations, we propose placing G. sulphuraria upstream of bulk neutralization and outline reporting practices that enable cross-site comparison. The goal is an actionable framework that reduces reagent use and sludge generation while enabling metal capture and potential recovery of valuable metals from mine-influenced waters. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Environmental and Green Processes)
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21 pages, 5844 KB  
Article
Design and Material Characterisation of Additively Manufactured Polymer Scaffolds for Medical Devices
by Aidan Pereira, Amirpasha Moetazedian, Martin J. Taylor, Frances E. Longbottom, Heba Ghazal, Jie Han and Bin Zhang
J. Manuf. Mater. Process. 2026, 10(1), 39; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmmp10010039 - 21 Jan 2026
Viewed by 1007
Abstract
Additive manufacturing has been adopted in several industries including the medical field to develop new personalised medical implants including tissue engineering scaffolds. Custom patient-specific scaffolds can be additively manufactured to speed up the wound healing process. The aim of this study was to [...] Read more.
Additive manufacturing has been adopted in several industries including the medical field to develop new personalised medical implants including tissue engineering scaffolds. Custom patient-specific scaffolds can be additively manufactured to speed up the wound healing process. The aim of this study was to design, fabricate, and evaluate a range of materials and scaffold architectures for 3D-printed wound dressings intended for soft tissue applications, such as skin repair. Multiple biocompatible polymers, including polylactic acid (PLA), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), butenediol vinyl alcohol copolymer (BVOH), and polycaprolactone (PCL), were fabricated using a material extrusion additive manufacturing technique. Eight scaffolds, five with circular designs (knee meniscus angled (KMA), knee meniscus stacked (KMS), circle dense centre (CDC), circle dense edge (CDE), and circle no gradient (CNG)), and three square scaffolds (square dense centre (SDC), square dense edge (SDE), and square no gradient (SNG), with varying pore widths and gradient distributions) were designed using an open-source custom toolpath generator to enable precise control over scaffold architecture. An in vitro degradation study in phosphate-buffered saline demonstrated that PLA exhibited the greatest material stability, indicating minimal degradation under the tested conditions. In comparison, PVA showed improved performance relative to BVOH, as it was capable of absorbing a greater volume of exudate fluid and remained structurally intact for a longer duration, requiring up to 60 min to fully dissolve. Tensile testing of PLA scaffolds further revealed that designs with increased porosity towards the centre exhibited superior mechanical performance. The strongest scaffold design exhibited a Young’s modulus of 1060.67 ± 16.22 MPa and withstood a maximum tensile stress of 21.89 ± 0.81 MPa before fracture, while maintaining a porosity of approximately 52.37%. This demonstrates a favourable balance between mechanical strength and porosity that mimics key properties of engineered tissues such as the meniscus. Overall, these findings highlight the potential of 3D-printed, patient-specific scaffolds to enhance the effectiveness and customisation of tissue engineering treatments, such as meniscus repair, offering a promising approach for next-generation regenerative applications. Full article
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17 pages, 1098 KB  
Article
Ranking and Assessment of Sequential Passive Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage Using Water Quality and Pollution Indices
by Joshua Pascual Pocaan, Lucia Dizon, Jonathan Manalo, Raica Eliene Parungao, Francine Ciara Que, Michael Angelo B. Promentilla and Aileen H. Orbecido
Minerals 2026, 16(1), 64; https://doi.org/10.3390/min16010064 - 7 Jan 2026
Viewed by 585
Abstract
Some mining sites generate acid mine drainage (AMD)—a highly acidic, metal-rich waste stream that affects bodies of water. Passive treatment systems are widely being adapted, particularly for abandoned or closed mines, due to their cost-effectiveness and lower environmental impact. However, novel strategies and [...] Read more.
Some mining sites generate acid mine drainage (AMD)—a highly acidic, metal-rich waste stream that affects bodies of water. Passive treatment systems are widely being adapted, particularly for abandoned or closed mines, due to their cost-effectiveness and lower environmental impact. However, novel strategies and approaches still need to be developed, especially in their implementation. Through batch experiments, this study identifies the effective sequence of three locally available treatment media, namely limestone (LS), steel slag (SS), and activated carbon (AC), using various water quality and pollution indices (WQPIs). The performance of the sequences was assessed based on their ability to improve various in situ parameters (pH, oxidation–reduction potential (ORP), dissolved oxygen (DO), and electrical conductivity (EC)) and their efficiency in removing Fe, Mn, Cu, and SO42−. Six sequences of media were identified and ranked by calculating a score based on comparisons with the Philippine General Effluent Standard (GES) by normalization and specific WQPIs for AMD and AMD-impacted waters, such as the CCMEWQI, MAMDI, and WPI-AMD. Analysis showed that the sequence of LS-AC-SS and SS-LS-AC yielded the highest removal for heavy metals (98.78% for Fe and Mn and 89.92% for Cu). However, limited removal of SO42− was observed (14.96%), which suggests that additional treatment beyond the materials explored must be considered. Considering all the parameters and assessing them through normalization and WQPIs, the sequence of SS-LS-AC achieved the overall best treatment performance. Differences were observed in the ranking between the methods, with WQPIs successfully capturing actual water quality, demonstrating its robustness as an assessment tool. This study shows that the treatment media sequence is a factor in treating AMD, specifically utilizing AC, SS, and LS. Full article
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20 pages, 16874 KB  
Article
A Pilot Study for “In Vitro” Testing the Surface Conditioning Effects on CAD/CAM Hybrid Nanoceramic Adhesion
by Georgi Veselinov Iliev, Lucian Toma Ciocan, Vlad Gabriel Vasilescu, Gaudențiu Vărzaru, Florin Miculescu, Ana Maria Cristina Țâncu, Marina Imre and Silviu Mirel Pițuru
Dent. J. 2026, 14(1), 36; https://doi.org/10.3390/dj14010036 - 6 Jan 2026
Viewed by 529
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The clinical application of CAD/CAM restorative materials continues to evolve due to increasing demand for aesthetic, durable, and minimally invasive indirect restorations. Hybrid nanoceramics, such as Grandio disc (VOCO GmbH, Cuxhaven, Germany), are increasingly used in indirect restorative dentistry due to [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The clinical application of CAD/CAM restorative materials continues to evolve due to increasing demand for aesthetic, durable, and minimally invasive indirect restorations. Hybrid nanoceramics, such as Grandio disc (VOCO GmbH, Cuxhaven, Germany), are increasingly used in indirect restorative dentistry due to their favourable combination of mechanical strength, polishability, wear resistance, and bonding potential. One challenge associated with adhesive protocols for CAD/CAM materials lies in achieving durable bonds with resin cements. Extensive post-polymerization during fabrication reduces the number of unreacted monomers available for chemical interaction, thereby limiting the effectiveness of traditional adhesive strategies and necessitating specific surface conditioning approaches. This study aimed to evaluate, in a preliminary, non-inferential manner, the influence of several combined conditioning protocols on surface micromorphology, elemental composition, and descriptive SBS trends of a CAD/CAM hybrid nanoceramic. This work was designed as a preliminary pilot feasibility study. Due to the limited number of specimens (two discs per protocol, each providing two independent enamel bonding measurements), all bond strength outcomes were interpreted descriptively, without inferential statistical testing. This in vitro study investigated the effects of various surface conditioning protocols on the adhesive performance of CAD/CAM hybrid nanoceramics (Grandio disc, VOCO GmbH, Cuxhaven, Germany) to dental enamel. Hydrofluoric acid (HF) etching was performed to improve adhesion to indirect resin-based materials using two commercially available gels: 9.5% Porcelain Etchant (Bisco, Inc., Schaumburg, IL, USA) and 4.5% IPS Ceramic Etching Gel (Ivoclar Vivadent, Schaan, Liechtenstein), in combination with airborne-particle abrasion (APA), silanization, and universal adhesive application. HF may selectively dissolve the inorganic phase, while APA increases surface texture and micromechanical retention. However, existing literature reports inconsistent results regarding the optimal conditioning method for hybrid composites and nanoceramics, and the relationship between micromorphology, elemental surface changes, and adhesion remains insufficiently clarified. Methods: A total of ten composite specimens were subjected to five conditioning protocols combining airborne-particle abrasion with varying hydrofluoric acid (HF) concentrations and etching times. Bonding was performed using a dual-cure resin cement (BiFix QM) and evaluated by shear bond strength (SBS) testing. Surface morphology was examined through environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), and elemental composition was analyzed via energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Results: indicated that dual treatment with HF and sandblasting showed descriptively higher SBS, with values ranging from 5.01 to 6.14 MPa, compared to 1.85 MPa in the sandblasting-only group. ESEM revealed that higher HF concentrations (10%) created more porous and irregular surfaces, while EDS indicated an increased fluorine presence trend and silicon reduction, indicating deeper chemical activation. However, extending HF exposure beyond 20 s did not further improve bonding, suggesting the importance of protocol optimization. Conclusions: The preliminary observations suggest a synergistic effect of mechanical and chemical conditioning on hybrid ceramic adhesion, but values should be interpreted qualitatively due to the pilot nature of the study. Manufacturer-recommended air abrasion alone may provide limited adhesion under high-stress conditions, although this requires confirmation in studies with larger sample sizes and ageing simulations. Future studies should address long-term durability and extend the comparison to other hybrid CAD/CAM materials and to other etching protocols. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dental Materials Design and Application)
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17 pages, 4495 KB  
Article
Ecotoxicological Evaluation of Simple Xanthone, Cinnamic Acid, and Chalcone Derivatives Using the Microtox Assay for Sustainable Synthetic Design of Biologically Active Molecules
by Dorota Żelaszczyk, Agnieszka Gunia-Krzyżak, Justyna Popiół and Karolina Słoczyńska
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(24), 12998; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152412998 - 10 Dec 2025
Viewed by 452
Abstract
The increasing emphasis on green chemistry and environmentally responsible organic synthesis highlights the need to evaluate not only the biological activity but also the ecological safety of bioactive molecules. Xanthone, cinnamic acid, and chalcone scaffolds are widely explored in pharmaceutical and cosmetic research, [...] Read more.
The increasing emphasis on green chemistry and environmentally responsible organic synthesis highlights the need to evaluate not only the biological activity but also the ecological safety of bioactive molecules. Xanthone, cinnamic acid, and chalcone scaffolds are widely explored in pharmaceutical and cosmetic research, yet their environmental profiles remain insufficiently characterized. This study assessed the ecotoxicity of simple derivatives from these three structural classes using the Microtox assay with the bioluminescent bacteria Aliivibrio fischeri. Test compounds were synthesized or obtained commercially, dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and evaluated at two exposure times (5 and 15 min), with half maximal effective concentration (EC50) values calculated based on luminescence inhibition. The results revealed substantial differences between the investigated groups: chalcone derivatives exhibited uniformly high ecotoxicity, whereas cinnamic acid derivatives showed the most favorable environmental profile with low variability in EC50 values. Xanthone derivatives displayed the widest ecotoxicity range, with toxicity strongly dependent on substituent type and substitution position. Notably, chloro-substitution in cinnamic acid derivatives correlated with lower toxicity, while positional effects were critical in the xanthone series. A comparison with in silico predictions generated using the ADMETlab platform showed poor correlation with the experimental outcomes. The predictive model did not distinguish the differing ecotoxicological behavior of α,β-unsaturated systems in chalcones versus cinnamic acids and systematically flagged halogenation as a toxicity-driving feature, contrary to several of our in vitro observations. Together, these findings provide new insights into structure–ecotoxicity relationships and underscore the need to complement computational predictions with validated experimental assays when designing bioactive compounds with improved environmental safety. Full article
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19 pages, 3706 KB  
Article
Microstructural Comparison of the Mineralization Within Borsec and Tusnad Public Springs
by Simona Elena Avram, Lucian Barbu Tudoran, Gheorghe Borodi and Ioan Petean
Water 2025, 17(19), 2892; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17192892 - 4 Oct 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2214
Abstract
Mineral water content strongly depends on the geologic layer characteristics. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to make a comparison between two renowned mineral water sources in Romania, Borsec and Tusnad. Two public springs were selected from each location: Boldizsar (about [...] Read more.
Mineral water content strongly depends on the geologic layer characteristics. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to make a comparison between two renowned mineral water sources in Romania, Borsec and Tusnad. Two public springs were selected from each location: Boldizsar (about 6600 L/day) and Lazar (about 500 L/day) from Borsec and Mikes (about 5000 L/day) and Young’s spring (about 600 L/day) from Tusnad. All investigated springs are naturally carbonated. Water properties were measured in situ and in laboratory for the collected samples; the results found that Borsec mineral water has a pH of about 7.5, while Tusnad mineral water is slightly acid (pH = 6.5). TDS strongly depends on the spring’s flow (for instance, Boldizsar has a TDS of about 900 mg/L, while Lazar has a TDS of about 1529 mg/L due to its high mineralization, while Young’s spring has a TDS of 165 mg/L due to its low mineralization, although it has low flow). Borsec mineral water has a lower salinity of about 1.22 PSU, while Tusnad water has a salinity of about 2 PSU, caused by a high amount of Na and Fe ions. Mineral waters dissolve ions from the geological layers, which react with carbonic acid during drying, generating specific crystallized compounds. The crystallized matter was investigated using XRD coupled with mineralogical optical microscopy (MOM); their microstructural features were observed using SEM coupled with elemental spectroscopy. Borsec water generates mainly Ca, Mg, and Na minerals like calcite, aragonite, pseudo-dolomite, natron, and traces of halite. Tusnad mineral waters have significant amounts of Ca, but also have Fe and much more Cl, since calcite and aragonite are mixed up with large amounts of halite and iron compounds. It looks like the presence of iron ions in the Tusnad mineral water collected from Mikes and Young’s spring explains the acidic pH. All these aspects are useful for further investigation regarding specific therapeutic purposes like chronic colitis and biliary lithiasis symptom amelioration (Boldizsar), chronic colitis, and enterocolitis symptoms (Lazar). Tusnad waters, like the water from Mikes spring, are recommended for anemia and neurasthenia, while Young’s spring is recommended for renal lithiasis amelioration. Full article
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11 pages, 3000 KB  
Article
Comparative Study of the Bulk and Foil Zinc Anodic Behavior Kinetics in Oxalic Acid Aqueous Solutions
by Vanya Lilova, Emil Lilov, Stephan Kozhukharov, Georgi Avdeev and Christian Girginov
Materials 2025, 18(15), 3635; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18153635 - 1 Aug 2025
Viewed by 842
Abstract
The anodic behavior of zinc electrodes is important for energy storage, corrosion protection, electrochemical processing, and other practical applications. This study investigates the anodic galvanostatic polarization of zinc foil and bulk electrodes in aqueous oxalic acid solutions, revealing significant differences in their electrochemical [...] Read more.
The anodic behavior of zinc electrodes is important for energy storage, corrosion protection, electrochemical processing, and other practical applications. This study investigates the anodic galvanostatic polarization of zinc foil and bulk electrodes in aqueous oxalic acid solutions, revealing significant differences in their electrochemical behavior, particularly in induction period durations. The induction period’s duration depended on electrolyte concentration, current density, and temperature. Notably, the temperature dependence of the kinetics exhibited contrasting trends: the induction period for foil electrodes increased with temperature, while that of bulk electrodes decreased. Chemical analysis and polishing treatment comparisons showed no significant differences between the foil and bulk electrodes. However, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) observations of samples anodized at different temperatures, combined with Inductively Coupled Plasma–Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) analysis of dissolved electrode material, provided insights into the distinct anodic behaviors. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) studies further confirmed these findings, revealing a crystallographic orientation dependence of the anodic behavior. These results provide detailed information about the electrochemical properties of zinc electrodes, with implications for optimizing their performance in various applications. Full article
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15 pages, 1902 KB  
Article
Rice-Fish Co-Culture Promotes Soil Carbon Sequestration Through Alterations in Soil Microbial Community Structure
by Daolin Sun, Hongjun Zheng, Zhaoji Shi, Jiaen Zhang, Qi Jia, Xing Liu, Min Zhao, Yuting Chen, Qi Chen and Mingzhu Luo
Agronomy 2025, 15(5), 1054; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15051054 - 27 Apr 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1378
Abstract
The high-input production mode of rice monoculture (RM) has caused severe soil degradation and biodiversity loss, necessitating a transition toward more sustainable practices. The traditional rice-fish co-culture (RF) may provide valuable insights for this situation. However, it remains elusive how long-term RF system [...] Read more.
The high-input production mode of rice monoculture (RM) has caused severe soil degradation and biodiversity loss, necessitating a transition toward more sustainable practices. The traditional rice-fish co-culture (RF) may provide valuable insights for this situation. However, it remains elusive how long-term RF system influences soil microbial community structure, enzyme activities, and carbon (C) sequestration. Here, a study was conducted at two representative RF areas in Lianshan Zhuang and Yao Autonomous County. At Shatian (P1), three treatments included rice monoculture (RM1) and 2-year and 5-year RF (RF2, RF5). At Gaoliao (P2), the experimental treatments included rice monoculture (RM2) and 15 and 30 years of RF (RF15, RF30). We collected the surface layer (0–20 cm) soils. Then, we analyzed the chemical properties, phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA), and enzyme activities to investigate the effects of their variation on soil C sequestration. The results showed that RF treatments significantly increased soil organic C (SOC) content. Specifically, RF2 and RF5 treatments promoted the SOC content by 4.82% and 13.60% compared with RM1 treatment at P1, respectively; RF15 and RF30 treatments increased the SOC content by 23.41% and 31.93% compared with RM2 treatment at P2, respectively. Additionally, RF5 treatment significantly increased the biomass of the soil microbial community in comparison with RM1 treatment, as did RF15 treatment and RF30 treatment compared with RM2 treatment, including the contents of total PLFA and the PLFA of gram-positive bacteria (G+), gram-negative bacteria (G−), actinomycetes, fungi, and bacteria. Activities of β-glucosidase, cellobiohydrolase, β-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminidase, and urease significantly increased in RF5 and RF30 treatments. The piecewise SEM results indicated that the changes of total PLFA content and the PLFA content ratio of fungi to bacteria were related to contents of dissolved organic C (DOC) and total N (TN) under different RF durations, which are key indicators affecting SOC content. Overall, SOC storage increases with the RF durations, and soil microbial community structure may drive soil C sequestration under long-term RF, which provides a scientific significance and practical value in promoting the sustainability of agricultural ecosystems, enhancing the potential of soil as a carbon sink, and addressing global climate change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Farming Sustainability)
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19 pages, 3436 KB  
Article
Carbon Dioxide Capture by Alkaline Water with a Semi-Batch Column and Ultra-Fine Microbubble Generator
by Samiya A. Almamari, Salam K. Al-Dawery, Saima Farooq, Dalal H. Al Aisri, Sumaya S. Alrahbi, Aisha A. Al Fazari, Hamed N. Harharah, Ramzi H. Harharah, Salim S. Al Alawi and Gasim Hayder
Processes 2025, 13(4), 1259; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13041259 - 21 Apr 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3135
Abstract
Increased emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) from industrial activities are the main cause of the growing problem of global warming and climate change, highlighting the needs for efficient CO2 capture and storage (CCS) techniques. The present work aims to investigate [...] Read more.
Increased emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) from industrial activities are the main cause of the growing problem of global warming and climate change, highlighting the needs for efficient CO2 capture and storage (CCS) techniques. The present work aims to investigate the possibility of CO2 sequestration using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) in a semi-batch column with an integrated gas lift tower and an ultra-micro bubbles generator, a novel setup designed to enhance mass transfer rates and capture efficiency. Unlike the previously reported setups, our system achieves a 50% faster capture rate with improved mass transfer, enhanced gas-liquid interaction and higher removal efficiency due to finer bubble dispersion, as confirmed by experimental findings. Preliminary tests to ascertain the effectiveness of CO2 removal were carried out across various CO2 gas flow rates (3, 5, 7 L/min), NaOH volumes (2, 3, 4 L) and concentrations (0.1, 0.2, 0.3 M). The results indicated that both gas flow rate and NaOH concentration have profound impacts on the CO2 capture rate. Increasing either of these parameters, or using low concentrations of NaOH, leads to a rapid drop in pH due to a faster rate of neutralization and the formation of carbonic acid (H2CO3), a weak acidic solution. For instance, with 0.1 M NaOH and 2 L volume, the pH decreased from 13.07 to 7.02 within 1.5 min at gas flow rate of 7 L/min, while with 0.3 M NaOH, pH reduced to 7.3 after 6 min. Higher volumes and concentrations of NaOH caused a decrease in the capture rate of CO2 due to reversed reaction with formed sodium carbonate. For instance, with 0.3 M NaOH and 4 L volume, the pH reduced from 13.58 to 8 after 5 min at 7 L/min gas flow rate. Scaling up to a 100 L semi-batch column with an ultra-fine micro bubble generator, as a new approach, reduced the time taken by half in the capture of CO2. Additionally, the study also investigated the comparison of tap versus deionized water in CO2 capture reaction. The results demonstrated that dissolved minerals in tap water, particularly Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions, affected precipitate formation and capture efficiency differently than deionized water, offering practical insights for CCS in varied water sources. Full article
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20 pages, 18130 KB  
Article
Lab-Scale Experimental Study of Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery on Low-Permeability Cores Using the Silicate Bacterium Paenibacillus mucilaginosus
by Lei Li, Chunhui Zhang, Peidong Su and Hongmei Mu
Microorganisms 2025, 13(4), 738; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13040738 - 25 Mar 2025
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1448
Abstract
Silicate bacteria, capable of decomposing silicate minerals that are widely distributed in oil reservoirs, have never been applied in microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR). This study investigated a typical silicate bacterium (Paenibacillus mucilaginosus) for the first time in a simulation experiment [...] Read more.
Silicate bacteria, capable of decomposing silicate minerals that are widely distributed in oil reservoirs, have never been applied in microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR). This study investigated a typical silicate bacterium (Paenibacillus mucilaginosus) for the first time in a simulation experiment on low-permeability cores. Meanwhile, a biosurfactant-producing bacterium (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and an acid-producing bacterium (Bacillus licheniformis) that have been widely studied and applied in MEOR were used for comparison. The results show that although P. mucilaginosus is inferior to P. aeruginosa and B. licheniformis in terms of enhancement of oil recovery at the microbial flooding stage, it can maintain efficient dissolution of minerals over extended periods during the subsequent water flooding stage. This is different from the other two bacteria and ultimately leads to a 6.9% enhancement in oil recovery (7.9% for P. aeruginosa and 4.8% for B. licheniformis). P. mucilaginosus improves oil recovery by increasing the porosity (1.4%) and permeability (12.3 mD) of low-permeability cores through biological weathering. The μCT results show that the pore quantity and pore volume across varying pore radii in low-permeability cores are altered after the MEOR simulation experiment by reducing the quantity and volume of pores with radii less than 10 μm and increasing the quantity and volume of pores with radii between 10 and 25 μm. Under MEOR simulation experimental conditions, P. mucilaginosus slightly degrade saturated hydrocarbons (1.9%), mainly the n-alkanes of C11–C20, but cannot degrade aromatic hydrocarbons, resins, and asphaltenes. The enhanced oil recovery by P. mucilaginosus is attributed to its bio-dissolution under neutral pH conditions, which prevents acid sensitivity damage to low-permeability cores. Thus, its MEOR characteristics are significantly different from the biosurfactant-producing bacterium P. aeruginosa and acid-producing bacterium B. licheniformis. Injecting P. mucilaginosus at the early stages of reservoir development or using it together with other microorganisms should maximize its MEOR effect. This study advances the MEOR framework by extending silicate-dissolving bacteria from agricultural microbial fertilizer systems to MEOR in low-permeability reservoirs, revealing the broad prospects of mineral-targeting microbes for both research and industrial applications in MEOR. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Microbiology)
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16 pages, 4119 KB  
Article
Inhibitory Activity of Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose on Rhinovirus and Influenza A Virus Infection of Human Nasal Epithelial Cells
by Hsiao-Hui Ong, YongChiat Wong, Jayant Khanolkar, Belinda Paine, Daniel Wood, Jing Liu, Mark Thong, Vincent T. Chow and De-Yun Wang
Viruses 2025, 17(3), 376; https://doi.org/10.3390/v17030376 - 6 Mar 2025
Viewed by 3439
Abstract
The nasal epithelium is the primary site for entry of respiratory viruses. In comparison to oral administration, nasal drug applications directed locally to the site of infection can serve as early interventional barriers against respiratory virus pathogenesis by limiting viral spread in the [...] Read more.
The nasal epithelium is the primary site for entry of respiratory viruses. In comparison to oral administration, nasal drug applications directed locally to the site of infection can serve as early interventional barriers against respiratory virus pathogenesis by limiting viral spread in the upper airway. Experiments on the diffusion of methylene blue and nanoparticles in both water and low pH conditions revealed that hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) can act as an effective physical barrier. This study also evaluated the activity of HPMC as a barrier against common respiratory viruses, i.e., rhinovirus (RV) and influenza A virus (IAV) using the in vitro human nasal epithelial cell (hNEC) model. Utilizing the hNEC infection model, we assessed the protective effects of HPMC in pH 3.5 and pH 7 buffers against RV and IAV. Acidic and pH-neutral buffers and HPMC dissolved in acidic and pH-neutral buffers were administered for 4 h prior to virus infection and at 4 h post-infection (hpi). The apical supernatant was harvested at 24 hpi to determine the viral loads of RV and IAV (H1N1 and H3N2). HPMC was demonstrated to exert protective effects in the infected hNECs independent of acidic pH. Pre-treatment with HPMC in acidic buffer significantly diminished viral loads for both RV and IAV infections of hNECs. Similarly, direct treatment of HPMC in acidic buffer after infection (4 hpi) also effectively decreased viral loads of both RV and IAV. Moreover, treatment using HPMC in acidic buffer before or after infection did not affect the epithelial integrity and ciliary function of hNECs. This study demonstrates the protective effects of HPMC in acidic buffer against RV and IAV infections of the human nasal epithelium. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmacology of Antiviral Drugs)
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18 pages, 1365 KB  
Article
Increasing the Resistance of Steel and Austenitic Stainless Steels Against Pitting Corrosion by a γ-Irradiated Self-Assembled Amphiphilic Molecular Layer
by Éva Kocsisné Pfeifer, Zoltán May, Miklós Péter Mohai, János Mink, István Gábor Gyurika and Judit Telegdi
Coatings 2024, 14(12), 1601; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings14121601 - 21 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1603
Abstract
This study, based on our previous research, aims to quantitatively determine the enhanced protection of austenitic stainless steels against pitting corrosion in NaCl solution by self-assembled molecular (SAM) layers, in their original form and after γ-irradiation. This study focuses on four stainless steels [...] Read more.
This study, based on our previous research, aims to quantitatively determine the enhanced protection of austenitic stainless steels against pitting corrosion in NaCl solution by self-assembled molecular (SAM) layers, in their original form and after γ-irradiation. This study focuses on four stainless steels of varying compositions, covered by self-assembled undecenyl phosphonic acid layers. The metal dissolution in corrosion experiments was measured by a special, highly sensitive analytical technique using the inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The comparison of the dissolved metal ion concentrations measured in the presence of different metals with and without nanocoatings allowed the evaluation of the anticorrosion effectiveness of nanofilms as well as the importance of the alloying elements. The ICP-OES results demonstrated that the quality of layers have a significant impact on anticorrosion efficacy. The γ-irradiated self-assembled layers were the most effective in controlling the dissolution of stainless steels. The mechanisms of the inhibition in the presence of these nanolayers were elucidated by infrared spectroscopy. First of all, it revealed the differences in the adsorption of the undecenyl phosphonic acid self-assembled layer, both with and without γ-irradiation. The other important observation that confirmed the increased anticorrosion efficiency after γ-irradiation proved the formation of a more compact, polymer-like layer over the metal surface. The increased anticorrosion efficacy, defined as the enhancement in Pitting Resistance Equivalent Numbers (PRENs) in the presence of self-assembled layers (either pre- or post-γ-irradiation), can be documented. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anticorrosion Coatings: From Materials to Applications)
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27 pages, 4876 KB  
Article
Halogenated Cobalt Bis-Dicarbollide Strong Acids as Reusable Homogeneous Catalysts for Fatty Acid Esterification with Methanol or Ethanol
by Pavel Kaule, Václav Šícha, Jan Macháček, Yelizaveta Naumkina and Jan Čejka
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(24), 13263; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252413263 - 10 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2408
Abstract
The most commonly used homogeneous catalyst for fatty acid esterification is a corrosive sulphuric acid. However, this requires costly investment in non-corrosive equipment, presents a safety risk, is time consuming, and increases effluent generation. In this study, inorganic 3D heteroborane cluster strong acids [...] Read more.
The most commonly used homogeneous catalyst for fatty acid esterification is a corrosive sulphuric acid. However, this requires costly investment in non-corrosive equipment, presents a safety risk, is time consuming, and increases effluent generation. In this study, inorganic 3D heteroborane cluster strong acids are employed for the first time as homogeneous catalysts. Three novel isomeric tetrachlorido and tetrabromido derivatives of 3,3′-commo-bis[undecahydrido-closo-1,2-dicarba-3-cobaltadodecaborate](1−) [1] were synthesised and fully characterised using a range of analytical techniques, including NMR, TLC, HPLC, MS, UV-Vis, melting point (MP), CHN analyses, and XRD. Ultimately, H3O[8,8′-Cl2-1] was identified as the most efficient, reusable, and non-corrosive homogeneous catalyst for the esterification of four fatty acids. The reactions are conducted in an excess of alcohol at reflux. The effective absorption of water vapour provided by the molecular sieves maximises acid conversion. The hydrophobic dye Sudan black B was employed as an acid-base indicator to facilitate a comparison of the H0 acidity function of sulphuric acid and halogenated heteroboranoic acids when dissolved together in methanol. The 23Na NMR analysis demonstrated that the application of dry methanol resulted in the displacement of Na+ ions from zeolite, which subsequently exchanged the H3O+ ions of the acid. This process led to a gradual reduction in the efficiency of the catalysts, particularly with repeated use. The solution to this issue is to regenerate the catalyst on the ion exchanger following each reaction. In contrast to the published methods, our new approach meets 10 of 12 green chemistry principles. Full article
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17 pages, 7227 KB  
Article
Tuning Biodegradation of Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) at Mild Temperature by Blending with Poly (butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PBSA) or Polycaprolactone (PCL)
by Dimitri Van de Perre, Lynn Serbruyns, Maria-Beatrice Coltelli, Vito Gigante, Laura Aliotta, Andrea Lazzeri, Ruben Geerinck and Steven Verstichel
Materials 2024, 17(22), 5436; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17225436 - 7 Nov 2024
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3210
Abstract
Biobased plastics are fully or partially made from biological resources but are not necessarily biodegradable or compostable. Poly (lactic acid) (PLA), one of the most diffused bioplastics, is compostable in industrial environments, but improving degradation in home composting conditions, in soil and in [...] Read more.
Biobased plastics are fully or partially made from biological resources but are not necessarily biodegradable or compostable. Poly (lactic acid) (PLA), one of the most diffused bioplastics, is compostable in industrial environments, but improving degradation in home composting conditions, in soil and in seawater could be beneficial for improving its end of life and general degradability. Blends obtained by the extrusion of PLA with different amounts of poly (butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PBSA) or poly (caprolactone) (PCL) were characterized in terms of their home composting, soil, marine and freshwater biodegradation. The blending strategy was found to be successful in improving the home compostability and soil compostability of PLA. Thanks to the correlations with morphological characterization as determined by electron microscopy, it was possible to show that attaining an almost co-continuous phase distribution, depending on the composition and melt viscosity of the blend components, can enhance PLA degradation in home composting conditions. Tests in marine and freshwater were also performed, and the obtained results showed that in marine conditions, pure PLA is degradable. A comparison of different tests evidenced that salt dissolved in marine water plays an important role in favoring PLA’s degradability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers, Processing and Sustainability)
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20 pages, 8953 KB  
Article
Implementation of Fuzzy Logic Scheme for Assessment of Power Transformer Oil Deterioration Using Imprecise Information
by Zuhaib Nishter and Fangzong Wang
Energies 2024, 17(21), 5412; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17215412 - 30 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2018
Abstract
This research aims to analyze the implementation of a fuzzy logic-based approach in improving the diagnosis of power transformer oil deterioration, which is critical for maintaining the efficient performance and operational life of transformers. Traditional diagnoses are based on strict measurements that do [...] Read more.
This research aims to analyze the implementation of a fuzzy logic-based approach in improving the diagnosis of power transformer oil deterioration, which is critical for maintaining the efficient performance and operational life of transformers. Traditional diagnoses are based on strict measurements that do not account for the factors of variability and uncertainty of the actual data. In this article, we perform six different types of tests in this regard, and data have been collected during the period of 2021 to 2022 of 188 power transformer failures in the New KotLakhpat Lahore unit, whose voltage range is 132/66 kv and rating capacity is 40/50 MVA. In this case, a fuzzy logic-based scheme is developed based upon the membership function, a rule-based and defuzzification method that works with imprecision and the implementation of uncertainty in assessing the condition of transformer oils. Moisture, acidity, and a dissolved gas analysis indicator, along with other indication approaches such as interfacial tension, viscosity, and tangent delta measurement, are used to analyze the deterioration process in transformer oils. In the visual representation, oil samples with the following properties were first fuzzified: 19.9 mm2/s of viscosity, 0.453 mgKOH/g of acidity, 695 ppm of DGA, 20.8 mg/kg of moisture, 19.98 of IFT, and 4.35 × 100.14 of tangent delta. The output that was generated by software using the values entered into the parameters (HI and Age) after defuzzification is 45. Fuzzy logic serves as a concrete framework for transforming the diagnostics system and deterring the threats to the entire transformer’s health and reliability in the future. By using this technique, various faults were hypothetically and practically analyzed in a transformer to implement early detection technologies with the possibility to reduce maintenance costs and extend operational life up to 45 years. Various case studies indicate the effectiveness of fuzzy logic in comparison to traditional diagnostics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section F: Electrical Engineering)
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