Search Results (767)

Low-melting bioabsorbable polymers, such as poly(caprolactone-co-lactide) (PCLA), hold significant promise for biomedical applications. However, achieving high-precision micro- and nanotopographical functionalization remains a formidable challenge due to the material’s susceptibility to thermal deformation during conventional thermal molding processes. In this study, functional microstructured PCLA coatings were engineered via low-temperature nanoimprint lithography utilizing a TiO₂–SiO₂ gas-permeable mold. These molds were synthesized via a sol–gel method utilizing titanium dioxide and silicon precursors. The gas-permeable nature of the mold facilitated the efficient evacuation of trapped air and volatiles during the imprinting process, enabling the high-fidelity replication of microstructures (1.3 μm height, 3 μm pitch) and nanostructured PCLA coatings featuring linewidths as narrow as 600 nm. The resultant microstructured PCLA coatings demonstrated modulated surface wettability, evidenced by an increase in water contact angles from 70.1° to 91.4°, and exhibited enhanced FD4 elution kinetics. These results confirm morphology-driven functionalities, specifically hydrophobicity and controlled release capabilities. Collectively, these findings underscore the efficacy of this microfabrication approach for polycaprolactone-based materials and highlight its potential to catalyze the development of high-value-added biomaterials for advanced medical and life science applications. This study establishes a foundational framework for the practical deployment of next-generation bioabsorbable materials and is anticipated to drive innovation in precision medical manufacturing. Full article

In this research, 59 samples from 31 animals (19 European rabbits, 11 Iberian hares, and 1 cat) and an axenic culture of the Leishmania infantum isolate (MCAN/ES/97/10445, zymodeme ZM/MON-1) used as a reference were studied based on the analysis of kinetoplast minicircle (kDNA) restriction fragments by combining polymerase chain reaction and length polymorphisms (PCR-RFLP). This analysis was performed in parallel with polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and capillary electrophoresis (CE), as well as in silico digestion of the abovementioned reference. These analyses did not reveal differences between the L. infantum isolates detected in the different samples of wild lagomorphs (rabbits and hares) from various areas of the Community of Madrid or with the axenically cultured promastigotes of the L. infantum isolate (MCAN/ES/97/10445, zymodeme ZM/MON-1) used as a reference. Consequently, it was proven that with the implemented approaches, only one isolate of L. infantum was responsible for infection in wild leporids and that these animals sustained the pathogen’s life cycle, both in the area of the human leishmaniasis outbreak that has been occurring in the Community of Madrid since 2009 and outside of it. Additionally, this isolate has been circulating since at least the 1990s. Full article

Orange peel waste has potential to be valorized from agro-industrial and food sectors to formulate products for personal hygiene and public health. This study presents the formulation of alcohol-based antibacterial gels incorporating essential oils extracted from Citrus sinensis orange peel waste and its sensory evaluation among 770 participants in a holistic approach. The orange essential oil, obtained via hydrodistillation, demonstrated a high limonene content of 96.5% by GC-MS. Antibacterial activity assessed by agar diffusion assays showed orange essential oil efficacy against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, with inhibition zones of 25.9 mm and 23.62 mm, respectively. Two gel prototypes, GSA and GSB, were developed and sensorily evaluated. GSA was preferred for its superior appearance, spreadability, absorption, and smell, with 99% acceptability. Appearance and spread sensory parameters were the differentiators between both formulations according to user preferences. Thus, 93% of respondents are willing to use either GSA or GSB as a daily hygiene product over commercial ones. Although the gels exhibited reduced antibacterial activity relative to essential oil, with inhibition zones measuring 8.3 mm for E. coli and 9.0 mm for S. aureus, they retained satisfactory user acceptability. These findings support the use of citrus biowaste-derived essential oils in sustainable personal hygiene products. Full article

The valorization of extraction residues from biomass waste through a cascade approach contributes significantly to promote circular economy practices and facilitates the transition toward more sustainable functional materials, like chitosan. Virgin and spent fungal biomass, previously subjected to supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) using CO₂, was further processed through demineralization and deproteinization to isolate chitin. This chitin was then deacetylated to obtain chitosan, and the yield of each step was evaluated. Although the extraction process requires further optimization, all the samples were characterized using infrared spectroscopy to assess compositional changes resulting from the treatments and compared with commercial counterparts. Chitosan solutions in acidic water were used to formulate hydroalcoholic gels, with ethanol pretreatment enabling compatibility between chitosan and alcohol. This study highlights the potential of chitosan—sourced from shrimps or fungi—as a sustainable raw material for disinfecting-gel applications, offering promising insights into its role in polymer-based formulations. Full article

Gel treatments have been widely applied to control water production in oil and gas reservoirs. However, for water shutoff in dense gas reservoirs, most gel-based treatments focus on individual wells rather than the entire reservoir, exhibiting limited treatment depth, poor durability, and inadequate repeatability Notably, formation damage is a primary consideration in treatment design—most dense gas reservoirs have a permeability of less than 1 mD, making them highly susceptible to damage by formation water, let alone viscous polymer gels. Constrained by well completion methods, gelant can only be bullheaded into deep gas wells in most scenarios. Due to the poor gas/water selective plugging capability of conventional gels, the injected gelant tends to enter both gas and water zones, simultaneously plugging fluid flow in both. Although several techniques have been developed to re-establish gas flow paths post-treatment, treating gas-producing zones remains risky when no effective barrier exists between water and gas strata. Additionally, most water/gas selective plugging materials lack sufficient thermal stability under high-temperature and high-salinity (HTHS) gas reservoir conditions, and their injectivity and field feasibility still require further optimization. To address these challenges, treatment design should be optimized using non-selective gel materials, shifting the focus from directly preventing formation water invasion into individual wells to mitigating or slowing water invasion across the entire gas reservoir. This approach can be achieved by placing large-volume gels along major water flow paths via fully watered-out wells located at structurally lower positions. Furthermore, the drainage capacity of these wells can be preserved by displacing the gel slug to the far-wellbore region, thereby dissipating water-driven energy. This study evaluates the viability of placing gels in fully watered-out wells at structurally lower positions in an edge-water drive gas reservoir to slow water invasion into structurally higher production wells interconnected via numerous microfractures and high-permeability streaks. The gel system primarily comprises polyethyleneimine (PEI), a terpolymer, and nanofibers. Key properties of the gel system are as follows: Static gelation time: 6 h; Elastic modulus of fully crosslinked gel: 8.6 Pa; Thermal stability: Stable in formation water at 130 °C for over 3 months; Injectivity: Easily placed in a 219 mD rock matrix with an injection pressure gradient of 0.8 MPa/m at an injection rate of 1 mL/min; and Plugging performance: Excellent sealing effect on microfractures, with a water breakthrough pressure gradient of 2.25 MPa/m in 0.1 mm fractures. During field implementation, cyclic gelant injections combined with over-displacement techniques were employed to push the gel slug deep into the reservoir while maintaining well drainage capacity. The total volumes of injected fluid and gelant were 2865 m³ and 1400 m³, respectively. Production data and tracer test results from adjacent wells confirmed that the water invasion rate was successfully reduced from 59 m/d to 35 m/d. The pilot test results validate that placing gels in fully watered-out wells at structurally lower positions is a viable strategy to protect the production of gas wells at structurally higher positions. Full article

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles (NPs) have garnered significant attention as photocatalysts for degrading organic pollutants, particularly synthetic dyes such as rhodamine B (RhB), methylene blue, methyl orange, and others. The impact of several synthesis methods, including sol–gel, hydrothermal, and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) techniques, on the electrical and morphological properties of TiO₂ NPs has been studied, emphasizing the distinctive physicochemical properties of TiO₂ NPs, including their extensive surface area, significant oxidative capacity, and remarkable chemical stability, which are important in the recent advancements in their use for RhB degradation. A detailed examination of TiO₂’s photocatalytic mechanism shows that it is based on the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by photoinduced electron–hole pair formation under ultraviolet (UV) light exposure. In wastewater treatment, TiO₂ degrades RhB into less harmful byproducts by the generation of electron–hole pairs that initiate redox reactions under sunlight. This study includes a thorough overview of significant factors influencing photocatalytic efficacy. The parameters include particle size, crystal phase (anatase, rutile, and brookite), surface changes, and the incorporation of metal or non-metal dopants to enhance visible light absorption. Researchers continually seek methods to overcome challenges, including restricted visible-light responsiveness and rapid electron–hole recombination. The investigated approaches include heterojunction generation, composite development, and co-catalyst insertion. This review article aims to address the deficiencies in our understanding of TiO₂-based photocatalysis for the degradation of RhB and to propose enhancements for these systems to enable more efficient and sustainable wastewater treatment in the future. Full article

Tissue engineering offers a promising solution by developing scaffolds that mimic the extracellular matrix and guide cellular growth and differentiation. Recent evidence suggests that scaffolds must provide not only biocompatibility and appropriate mechanical properties, but also the structural complexity and heterogeneity characteristic of natural tissues. Particle-based scaffolds represent an emerging paradigm in regenerative medicine, wherein micro- and nanoparticles serve as primary building blocks rather than minor additives. This approach offers exceptional control over scaffold properties through precise selection and combination of particles with varying composition, size, rigidity, and surface characteristics. The presented review examines the fundamental principles, fabrication methods, and properties of particle-based scaffolds. It discusses how interparticle connectivity is achieved through techniques such as selective laser sintering, colloidal gel formation, and chemical cross-linking, while scaffold architecture is controlled via molding, templating, cryogelation, electrospinning, and 3D printing. The resulting materials exhibit tunable mechanical properties ranging from soft injectable gels to rigid load-bearing structures, with highly interconnected porosity that is essential for cell infiltration and vascularization. Importantly, particle-based scaffolds enable sophisticated pharmacological functionality through controlled delivery of growth factors, drugs, and bioactive molecules, while their modular nature facilitates the creation of spatial gradients mimicking native tissue complexity. Overall, the versatility of particle-based approaches positions them as prospective tools for tissue engineering applications spanning bone, cartilage, and soft tissue regeneration, offering solutions that integrate structural support with biological instruction and therapeutic delivery on a single platform. Full article

Sorghum, the fifth major global cereal, has potential as a source crop in temperate regions. To completely use sorghum bagasse, the ideal enzyme cocktail aims to identify and select the contributed enzymatic system. This study investigated the enzymatic system of Clostridium cellulovorans cellulosome and noncellulosomal enzymes using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry LC-MS/MS. Enzyme solutions from treated and untreated sorghum bagasse were prepared and compared based on carboxymethyl cellulase (CMCase) activity. As a result, the enzyme solution derived from untreated sorghum bagasse had the highest activity. Protein bands from each C. cellulovorans culture showed distinct patterns on SDS-PAGE examination: three enzyme fractions, including culture supernatants, crystalline cellulose (Avicel) bound, and unbound fractions. These results suggested that untreated sorghum bagasse induced a variety of cellulosomal and uncellulosomal proteins. On the other hand, 5% or 10% sorghum supernatants could not induce Avicel-bound proteins, including the cellulosome, although even 5% sorghum juice induced three major bands: 180 kilodalton (kDa), 100 kDa, and 70 kDa, respectively. In contrast, cellobiose induced three major bands, while the total number of all isolated proteins from the cellobiose medium was the most limited among all culture media. More intriguingly, our investigation detected one cellulosomal protein, hydrophobic protein A (HbpA) and three noncellulosomal enzymes, indicating that glycosyl hydrolase family 130 (GH130) was identified as a biomass-induced enzyme in good accord with previously published proteomic studies. Therefore, the proteomic dataset generated in this study provides us a foundation for future computational approaches, including machine learning-based prediction of optimal enzyme cocktails for target biomass degradation. Full article

Modulating the characteristics of pulse protein gels provides opportunities for creating gelled products with unique structures and textures. This work investigates the effects of acidification (pH of 6.3–6.6, 5.5, 4.5), calcium addition (0–30 mg Ca/g protein), and process type (nonthermal vs. thermal) on the structural characteristics of gels made from pea, lentil, and faba bean protein concentrates. Protein concentrate suspensions were processed under conditions that lead to gel formation, either by high-pressure processing (HPP) at 600 MPa, 5 °C for 4 min, or thermal processing at 95 °C for 15 min. The resulting gels were evaluated for rheological properties, texture, water holding capacity, and structure. Both acidification and calcium addition increased protein aggregation due to reduced electrostatic repulsion among protein molecules. Acidification increased the strength of both HPP- and thermally induced gels, while the effect of calcium addition depended on pH and process type. Generally, HPP-induced gels had lower mechanical strength than thermally induced gels, but certain combinations of acidification and calcium addition produced HPP-induced gels stronger than their thermally induced counterparts. These results demonstrate how the structure and mechanical properties of pulse protein gels can be customized through a combination of acidification, calcium addition, and processing. This approach can be used as a foundation for the development of plant protein-based foods of desired structure and texture. Full article

Lithium–sulfur (Li-S) batteries are renowned for their high theoretical energy density and low cost, yet their practical implementation is hampered by the polysulfide shuttle effect and sluggish redox kinetics. Herein, a sol–gel strategy is proposed to engineer a multifunctional MXene/Fe₃O₄ composite as an efficient mediator for the cathode interlayer. The synthesized composite features Fe₃O₄ nanospheres uniformly anchored on the highly conductive Ti₃C₂T_x MXene lamellae, forming a unique 0D/2D conductive network. This structure not only provides abundant polar sites for strong chemical adsorption of polysulfides but also significantly enhances charge transfer, thereby accelerating the conversion kinetics. As a result, the Li-S battery based on the MXene/Fe₃O₄ interlayer delivers a high initial discharge capacity of 1367.1 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.2 C and maintains a stable capacity of 1103.4 mAh g⁻¹ after 100 cycles, demonstrating an exceptionally low capacity decay rate of only 0.19% per cycle. Even at a high rate of 1 C, a remarkable capacity of 1066.1 mAh g⁻¹ is retained. Electrochemical analyses confirm the dual role of the composite in effectively suppressing the shuttle effect and catalyzing the polysulfide conversion. This sol–gel engineering approach offers valuable insight into the design of high-performance mediators for advanced Li-S batteries. Full article

The sustainability of managing archaeological iron collections presents both environmental and economic challenges for heritage institutions. Energy-intensive climate control and rising operational costs necessitate evaluation of conservation treatments and preventive storage strategies. This study examines the environmental impacts of treatments commonly used for archaeological iron, including sodium hydroxide and sodium disulfite desalination, as well as emerging microbially derived “greener” approaches. Life cycle assessment (LCA) analyses quantify the global warming potential, toxicity, and energy requirements of these treatments. Preventive conservation strategies, including relative humidity (RH) control in storage and display, are assessed for energy efficiency and sustainability. Air exchange rates, dehumidifier performance, and silica gel replacement schedules were measured and modelled to estimate energy consumption and associated environmental impacts. Results highlight that chemical treatments contribute minimally to overall environmental burden, whereas operational energy demands for storage and display are significant. The findings provide evidence-based guidance for implementing more sustainable conservation practices for archaeological iron, balancing material preservation, resource efficiency, and environmental responsibility. Full article

Jelly is a popular confectionery, and research increasingly focuses on nutritionally enhanced formulations. In this study, gelatin capsule waste was valorized as a natural gelling base for chamomile jelly, providing an innovative approach to upcycling food-grade waste into functional products. The effects of replacing sugar with inulin (INU) or polydextrose (PDX) (25–100%) on chemical, physical, and sensory properties were investigated. Sugar replacement decreased carbohydrate content while increasing ash and fat, slightly increased turbidity, and reduced lightness (L*) and yellowness (b*). Gels with inulin and polydextrose exhibited higher gel strength (55.97–81.45 g) and hardness (9.77–10.20 N) than the control, whereas antioxidant activity remained largely unaffected. Among the formulations, 50% inulin (INU-50) received the highest consumer acceptance score (6.88 ± 1.05) and maintained stable quality during 21 days at 4 °C, with decreased free water content and increased gel strength. INU-50 jelly supplied essential nutrients, was cholesterol-free, and promoted Lactobacillus plantarum growth, supported by metabolomic analysis. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of chamomile jelly with inulin substitution as a functional, health-promoting product and highlights a novel, sustainable approach to valorize gelatin capsule waste for modern health-conscious consumers. Full article

Background/Objectives: RAPID^TM Biodynamic Haematogel is a platelet-based gel for wound healing in diabetic foot ulcers. This study aimed to identify the processing parameters that impact on the quality of this autologous point-of-care manufactured product. Methods: An innovative design of experiments (DOE) approach utilizing a split-plot factorial design and linear mixed-effects models enabled the evaluation of six processing parameters on time to gel and the exudation of gel releasate. Results: Across all manufacturing conditions, time to gel was 181.3 ± 179.2 s (n = 28) and the total mass of releasate exuded in 2 h was 5.6 ± 2.1 g (n = 28). Two processing parameters (temperature 15–30 °C and pre-mixing of ascorbic acid and L-PRP) had a significant impact on releasate exudation and/or time to gel. The other processing parameters (time-to-thrombin use, mixing time, WBC content and filtering of the thrombin) had little effect. The amount of releasate exuded was affected by the interaction of the temperature and time-to-thrombin use. Time to gel was affected by the mixing time and by pre-mixing the ascorbic acid and L-PRP in conjunction with temperature. Conclusions: This study illustrates an optimization of DOE methodology to inform pharmaceutical product development and identify factors that influence variability in the RAPID Biodynamic Haematogel product. Full article

The accumulation of residual hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) gel or molecular-based solutions in reservoirs after polymer flooding poses dual challenges: irreversible formation damage and long-term environmental risk issues. However, existing research mainly focuses on treating polymers in surface-produced water, neglecting both in situ decomposition of residual polymer gel or molecular-based solutions in reservoirs and the degradation of HPAM gels under high temperatures from in situ combustion (ISC). This work investigates the thermochemical behavior of HPAM gel during ISC and its dual-function role in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) and reservoir remediation. It was demonstrated that the residual gel and/or molecular-based solutions undergo efficient degradation, serving as an in situ fuel that significantly reduces the activation energy for crude oil oxidation by up to 58.4% in the low-temperature stage and 75.2% in the high-temperature stage. Factors influencing the gel’s degradation and the combustion process, including its molecular weight, ionic type, and crude oil viscosity, were systematically evaluated. Optimal conditions achieved over 90% gel degradation. Combustion tube experiments validated the dual benefits of this approach: an incremental oil recovery of 68.6% and an average HPAM gel removal efficiency of 64.8%. This work presents a novel strategy for utilizing retained gels in situ to simultaneously enhance oil recovery and mitigate gel-induced formation damage, offering significant insights for the management of mature gel-treated reservoirs. Full article

The solar-driven water splitting for the production of renewable green hydrogen fundamentally relies on the exploration of efficient photocatalysts. Nanostructured TiO₂ is widely recognized as a promising material for photocatalysis, yet it remains hindered by inadequate light harvesting and fast photogenerated carrier recombination. Herein, calcined C/TiO₂ xerogels with yolk–shell and core–shell nanostructures (denoted as YS-C/TiO₂ and CS-C/TiO₂) were designed and fabricated via a typical sol–gel–calcination assisted approach. Thanks to the encapsulation of carbon nanospheres into TiO₂, it effectively enhances light absorption, improves carrier separation, and lessens carrier recombination, making the well-designed YS-C/TiO₂ composite display a remarkable hydrogen evolution rate of 975 µmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ under simulated solar light irradiation and without the use of any co-catalyst, which is approximately 21.7 times that of the commercial TiO₂. The work provides an efficacious design concept in developing nanostructured TiO₂-based photocatalysts and in boosting broad photocatalytic applications. Full article