Search Results (1,855)

Injectable fillers that combine immediate volume restoration with a sustained biological response remain of considerable interest in minimally invasive aesthetic medicine. In this study, a hydroxyapatite-loaded methacrylated recombinant type III collagen microgel (HAp@rhCol III-MA) was prepared by in situ coprecipitation and photocrosslinking. Recombinant type III collagen (rhCol III) was functionalized with methacryloyl groups to obtain rhCol III-MA, after which a calcium phosphate phase was mineralized in the presence of the modified collagen and the collagen phase was crosslinked under ultraviolet irradiation. More than 80% of the microgel particles prepared at 900 rpm were 20–80 μm in diameter. Spectroscopic, elemental, thermal, and diffraction analyses supported the incorporation of a poorly crystalline, HAp-compatible calcium phosphate phase, while rheological measurements showed higher storage and loss moduli than those of rhCol III-MA gel. HAp@rhCol III-MA did not reduce NIH-3T3 cell viability at the tested concentrations and enhanced HUVEC scratch closure and tube-network formation in vitro. Following subcutaneous implantation in rats, the microgel retained more volume than rhCol III-MA during the early and intermediate observation periods, with residual volumes of 56.58 ± 3.03 mm³ for HAp@rhCol III-MA and 52.80 ± 1.79 mm³ for rhCol III-MA at day 59; the commercial type I collagen comparator retained 123.23 ± 2.80 mm³. The composite caused no evident tissue injury and was associated with progressive collagen deposition and a low, declining CD68-positive response. These findings support further investigation of HAp@rhCol III-MA as an injectable dermal-filling material, while long-term persistence and clinical injection performance remain to be established. Full article

With rapid development of 5G/6G communication and high-power electronic devices, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding textiles are urgently required to mitigate electromagnetic pollution. Traditional metallic shielding suffered from heavy weight, poor corrosion resistance, and secondary electromagnetic reflection, while continuous basalt fibers (CBFs) exhibit excellent mechanical strength, lightweightness, thermal/chemical resistance, and electrical insulation, which makes CBFs ideal substrates for EMI devices. Herein, a multifunctional waterborne polyurethane (WPU) sizing agent (coating emulsion) integrated with Mn-Zn spinel ferrite was developed for in situ lubrication on the as-spun CBFs. The composite sizing agents consisted of a WPU matrix, water-soluble epoxy, mineral oil lubricant, CTAB surfactant, KH-570 coupling agent, and micro-sized Mn-Zn ferrites. Characterizations including particle size distribution, thermogravimetric analysis, water contact angle (WCA), water absorption, FTIR, XRD, and SEM were conducted to verify uniform anchoring of ferrites on the CBF surfaces. Increasing ferrite dosages induced slight particle aggregation, elevated surface hydrophobicity (WCA = 42.4° → 99.43°), and reduced water absorption (65% → 35%), which greatly improved the moisture resistance of the CBFs. The X-band EMI shielding tests revealed that the total shielding effectiveness (SET) of modified CBF fabrics increased from 0.11 dB (pristine fiber without ferrite) to 58.57 dB at a loading of 8.0 g/L ferrite. The absorption loss (SEA) dominated the shielding performance over reflection loss (SER). The low-to-moderate contents (1.5–3.0 g/L) of ferrite achieved ultra-high absorption, while higher ferrite loading (5.0–8.0 g/L) intensified the impedance mismatch and enhanced surface reflection. This work establishes a scalable fabrication of absorption-prioritized lightweight CBF shielding, which provides a feasible pathway for flexible EMI shielding textiles. Full article

Drug delivery systems (DDSs) have attracted significant attention due to their ability to enhance therapeutic efficacy while minimizing side effects. In this study, vancomycin (VCM)-loaded calcium phosphate-liposome (CaPLip) composite nanoparticles were developed as a pH-responsive drug delivery system. The CaPLip nanoparticles were fabricated by in situ calcium phosphate precipitation on preformed liposomal templates in the presence of VCM, allowing the drug to be incorporated within the calcium phosphate matrix and adsorbed onto the CaP-coated surface (VCM-CaPLip). Structural and morphological characterization using FT-IR, XRD, and TEM confirmed the successful formation of calcium phosphate-coated liposomal nanoparticles with particle sizes ranging from 300 to 700 nm and a negative surface charge. The developed system exhibited an overall drug-loading efficiency of 47.28% and effectively reduced the initial burst release under physiological conditions. Equilibrium adsorption studies performed using preformed CaPLip nanoparticles demonstrated that VCM adsorption was well described by the Langmuir isotherm, indicating a high affinity of VCM for the CaP-coated surface under equilibrium conditions. Drug release studies at pH 4.0, 6.5, and 7.4 revealed pronounced pH-dependent behavior, with sustained release at pH 7.4 and accelerated release under acidic conditions. Changes in electrical conductivity provided supporting evidence for calcium phosphate dissolution accompanying drug release under acidic conditions. Kinetic analysis indicated a transition from predominantly diffusion-controlled release at physiological pH to diffusion-dissolution coupled release under acidic conditions. These findings demonstrate that CaPLip nanoparticles provide an effective pH-responsive antibiotic delivery platform and show potential for controlled drug release in infection-associated mildly acidic microenvironments. Full article

Tin contamination on extreme ultraviolet (EUV) collector mirrors significantly degrades mirror reflectivity. Hydrogen-based plasma cleaning is currently the standard method for removing the tin layer. However, to prevent substrate damage from over-cleaning, real-time monitoring of the tin layer thickness is critical. It has been established that the secondary electron yield (SEY) induced by high-energy primary electron bombardment correlates with the tin layer thickness. Thus, SEY can serve as a thickness indicator to determine the optimal cleaning endpoint. In this study, the evolution of secondary electrons during the cleaning process is simulated using a Particle-in-Cell (PIC) model combined with the Monte Carlo method, and the relationship between SEY and tin layer thickness is established. The simulation results indicate that under the specified conditions, H³⁺ is the dominant ionic species generated. Primary electrons account for nearly 24% of the incident particles, with an average energy of approximately 47 eV. Most secondary electrons possess energies below 30 eV, and their yield increases monotonically with the tin layer thickness, ranging from 0.60 to 1.05. These findings provide a novel approach for in situ detection of tin contamination layer evolution on EUV collector mirrors. Full article

With the continuous expansion of ultra-deep and deep well drilling toward complex geological formations, the performance stability of water-based drilling fluids and wellbore stability under ultra-high temperature and high-salinity conditions have become critical challenges. High temperature and salt contamination can induce the degradation or failure of drilling fluid additives, while the development of pores and fractures in complex formations further increases the risk of filtrate invasion. Conventional polymer and inorganic plugging agents often suffer from insufficient thermal stability, poor salt tolerance, or limited adaptability to complex pore structures. In this study, an organic–inorganic hybrid gel microsphere plugging agent (HGP) with a core–shell structure was developed by in situ polymerization of AMPS, styrene (St), and sodium styrene sulfonate (SSS) on KH570-modified nano-SiO₂. The hybrid microspheres consisted of a rigid SiO₂ core and a flexible polymer shell, providing synergistic thermal stability, mechanical strength, and deformation capability. Structural characterization confirmed the successful formation of the designed organic–inorganic hybrid structure. After aging at 240 °C, HGP maintained stable morphology and dispersion characteristics, while exerting minimal influence on drilling fluid rheological properties. The addition of 3 wt% HGP reduced API fluid loss by approximately 30% and decreased sand bed invasion by approximately 50% after high-temperature aging. Under 35 wt% NaCl and 5 wt% CaCl₂ contamination, HGP maintained effective filtration control, reducing fluid loss by more than 50% compared with the base fluid. Furthermore, HGP achieved core plugging efficiencies above 94% and reduced mud cake permeability by over 70%, demonstrating superior plugging performance compared with polymer microspheres NF-1 and SiO₂ particles. The enhanced performance was considered to arise from the synergistic effects of stable dispersion, pore-throat bridging, deformation filling, and structural stabilization. This study provides a rigid–flexible hybrid strategy for designing high-performance plugging agents for ultra-high temperature and high-salinity water-based drilling fluids. Full article

The global energy transition and rapid electrification are driving increased demand for copper. However, conventional pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical extraction routes are increasingly challenged by declining ore grades and stricter environmental regulations. Bioleaching involves the microbial catalysis of sulfide mineral dissolution and provides a sustainable method for copper recovery from low-grade ores, tailings and secondary resources. This review provides a critical and integrated analysis of copper sulfide bioleaching, covering microbial diversity, molecular mechanisms, mineralogical controls, operational parameters, and industrial applications. This review also examines the functional roles of prominent acidophiles, including the functional roles of prominent acidophiles, including Acidithiobacillus spp., Leptospirillum spp. and thermophilic archaea, in the oxidation of iron and sulfur, mitigation of passivation, and metal solubilization. The molecular underpinnings of these processes are explored by investigating iron and sulfur oxidation gene networks (the rus operon and sox cluster), copper resistance systems (CopA, CusCBA) and biofilm formation pathways. The mineralogical controls on the behavior of chalcopyrite (refractory/passivating), chalcocite (highly reactive) and bornite (intermediate) are critically assessed. The synergistic effects of key operational parameters (temperature, pH, redox potential, aeration and particle size) on leaching kinetics and microbial community dynamics are investigated. The scalability, efficiency and environmental footprint of industrial applications such as heap, dump, stirred-tank and in situ bioleaching are discussed. Despite more than four decades of commercial development, several challenges remain, such as slow chalcopyrite dissolution, passivation, metal toxicity, and scale-up limitations. Emerging solutions such as synthetic microbial consortia, multi-omics technologies, artificial intelligence-assisted optimization, and digital twins are identified as transformative approaches for next-generation biomining. In this review, microbiology, mineralogy, electrochemistry, and process engineering are integrated to demonstrate that biotechnological leaching is among the most promising technologies for the sustainable production of copper and to identify future directions for its industrial application. Full article

The rapid growth of tennis participation and the widespread use of lithium-ion batteries have led to increasing volumes of rubber waste and spent battery materials, underscoring the need for integrated recycling strategies. In this work, a thermochemical co-pyrolysis process is developed to convert waste tennis ball rubber particles (TBRPs) and spent lithium-ion battery (LIB) cathodes into valuable products. The decomposition of TBRPs generates reactive gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons that function as in situ reductants, enabling the breakdown of high-valence transition metal oxides in the cathode material. Subsequent magnetic separation and mild acid-washing yield nonmagnetic solids enriched in lithium compounds and carbonaceous residues. Structural and chemical analyses (SEM, XRD, TEM, EDS, and XPS) confirm extensive cathode reduction and the formation of Li₂CO₃ at optimized conditions (650 °C, 1 h, cathode-to-TBRPs mass ratio 1:0.65). The carbonized rubber evolves into a highly porous carbon material with a carbon purity of approximately 95.37 At%. This study demonstrates a low-energy, environmentally friendly pathway for the co-valorization of two challenging waste streams while simultaneously recovering lithium salts, reduced metal oxides, and functional porous carbon. Full article

The performance of CO₂ hydrogenation to methanol strongly depends on catalyst structure, which can be effectively regulated through the synthesis method. Herein, different sugars (xylose, glucose, fructose, and sucrose) were utilized as complexing agents in the sol–gel method to prepare Cu/ZnO/ZrO₂ catalysts with varying physicochemical properties, thereby enabling the establishment of structure–activity relationships. The catalytic test results showed that the catalyst prepared with the assistance of glucose (CZZ-Glc) exhibited superior catalytic performance, with a STY of 316.87 mg ${\mathrm{g}}_{\mathrm{cat}}^{-1}$ h⁻¹, CO₂ conversion of 12.44%, and methanol selectivity of 59.36% at 240 °C, 3 MPa, and GHSV = 12,000 mL ${\mathrm{g}}_{\mathrm{cat}}^{-1}$ h⁻¹. Structural characterizations revealed that the CZZ-Glc catalyst had a smaller particle size and a higher Cu surface area, which strengthened the interactions between active phases. Additionally, XPS results revealed that more oxygenated carbon groups (C–O and C=O) were present on the CZZ-Glc catalyst. Both features could facilitate H₂ spillover, leading to an increased concentration of surface *H species. In situ DRIFTS experiments revealed that CO₂ hydrogenation to methanol over the obtained catalyst followed the formate pathway, and that hydrogenation of adsorbed CO₂ and intermediates was obviously promoted on the CZZ-Glc catalyst. These results highlight the importance of synthesis strategy in regulating catalyst structure and provide new insights into the development of high-performance catalysts for CO₂ hydrogenation to methanol. Full article

Stable emulsified oil droplets are difficult to separate because of persistent interfacial films and colloidal stability. Garlic-extract-functionalized Fe₃O₄ magnetic colloids, operationally denoted Allicin@Fe₃O₄, were prepared by in situ coprecipitation as organic–inorganic building blocks for gel-like interfacial capture. The sample name identifies the allicin-containing garlic-extract route and does not imply that allicin was proven to be the predominant surface species. SEM, FTIR, and XRD supported deposition of an organic, sulfur/oxygen-containing surface layer and retention of crystalline Fe₃O₄, but these methods are not species-specific. The colloids removed more than 95% of emulsified oil within 20 min and reached an experimental equilibrium apparent uptake of approximately 380 mg·g⁻¹. Tests across pH 3–11, 0–50 g·L⁻¹ NaCl, 15–55 °C, and representative coexisting ions showed robust but condition-dependent removal. Removal remained above 90% after five reuse cycles and was approximately 84% after ten cycles. Calculations using allicin as a representative garlic organosulfur molecule suggest how polar sulfur/oxygen regions and allyl segments could favor oil–droplet anchoring and association; they do not establish the surface composition of the extract-derived coating. The capture behavior is consistent with transient, gel-like particle–droplet association coupled to magnetic recovery. These results connect bio-derived surface functionalization, gel-related colloidal structuring, and magnetic separation under the tested batch conditions. Full article

Determining the shear strength parameters of granular materials in high waste rock dump slopes is essential for reliable slope stability analysis. In this study, dump materials were sampled from six benches (elevations 2800–2950 m) of an open-pit mine dump slope, and in situ density tests, gradation analyses, and large-scale consolidated drained (CD) triaxial tests were performed. Two PFC2D slope models—one with uniform (spatially averaged) parameters and one with elevation-dependent (layered) parameters—were then established to quantify how spatial heterogeneity affects stability predictions. The results show pronounced vertical heterogeneity: density, porosity, gradation, and shear strength parameters vary systematically among benches, reflecting the combined effects of compaction history and particle segregation during dumping. All specimens exhibited strain hardening and continuous shear contraction, and specimens with a denser, better-graded structure showed higher strength and lower compressibility. The layered model yields a higher factor of safety and shallower, bench-scale slip surfaces, whereas the uniform model underestimates stability and misplaces the critical slip zones. These findings demonstrate that elevation-dependent parameter assignment better represents the heterogeneous failure mechanism of high dump slopes and should be preferred over uniform parameterization in stability analyses of similar waste rock dumps. Full article

Background: Plant-derived virus-like particles (VLPs) are emerging nanoplatforms for local cancer immunotherapy, yet their relative performance across structurally distinct particles remains insufficiently defined. Methods: We performed a comparative benchmarking study of eleven plant-derived VLPs spanning diverse architectures and functional properties using an integrated workflow of physicochemical characterization, immune-functional profiling, and in vivo evaluation. All VLPs were produced in endotoxin-minimized ClearColi BL21 (DE3), enabling assessment of intrinsic particle-associated immunostimulatory activity with reduced bacterial endotoxin confounding. Results: In vitro, several VLPs stimulated macrophage-associated responses and enhanced tumor cell killing, although classical M1/M2 polarization markers in RAW264.7 cells did not consistently predict functional cytotoxicity. In a subset of candidates, HEK-TLR3 reporter activity varied substantially under RNA-normalized conditions and was not predicted solely by total RNA content or apparent RNA size distribution. Five candidates were advanced to intratumoral evaluation in the male-derived B16-F10 melanoma model, where CCMV-ss and CMVtt showed trends toward reduced tumor progression and increased immune cell infiltration in male mice. Furthermore, host sex-associated differences in baseline immune features were observed, though these must be interpreted with caution given the H-Y antigen-driven immunogenicity inherent to the male-derived B16-F10 model in female hosts. Conclusions: This study establishes a standardized comparative framework linking plant VLP properties with immune-functional performance and identifies CCMV-ss and CMVtt as promising candidates for further development as locally administered cancer immunotherapy nanoplatforms. Full article

Interfaces at multiple scales within rocks critically control the mechanical properties of rock masses. However, the mechanisms by which interface roughness characteristics affect non-plastic deformation remain incompletely understood. In this study, particle-flow simulations were used to conduct loading–unloading tests on rough interfaces. The results show that contact surfaces inclined relative to the overall interface provide additional resistance during unloading and recovery, thereby increasing both the magnitude and likelihood of interfacial hysteresis. This mechanism explains why hysteresis can occur under loading normal to the interface. Differences between the static and dynamic friction coefficients, together with dynamic changes in the normal vectors of the contact surfaces, further intensify the hysteretic response. When deformation of the surrounding material is considered, the “lateral compression–expansion effect” caused by asperity extrusion and interlocking under compression, as well as the slip-induced “dilatancy effect,” also contributes substantially to rough-interface hysteresis. In addition, initial stress on crack surfaces can enhance the degree of hysteresis. The grain-based rock model incorporating interface roughness and in situ stress effectively reproduces the non-plastic hysteretic behavior of rocks. Full article

After in situ leaching of weathered crust elution-deposited rare earth ore (WREO), large amounts of residual ammonium (RA) salts remain in the ore body and slowly release, causing persistent ammonia-nitrogen pollution in surrounding waters. This study proposes using magnesium chloride for in situ elution remediation of closed mines. Column experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of eluent concentration, liquid–solid ratio, flow rate, pH, and temperature on residual ammonium removal, and a kinetic model was established based on the shrinking unreacted-core model. The results show that increasing Mg²⁺ concentration, temperature, or flow rate accelerates the eluting rate, with temperature being the most influential. A higher liquid–solid ratio in the tested range could enhance the elution efficiency of residual ammonium, but it will substantially raise the production cost. Weakly acidic pH 4–6 favors the reaction, while alkaline conditions inhibit it. Kinetic analysis indicates inner particle diffusion control, with an activation energy of 6.03 kJ/mol and a reaction order of 0.3009. Under optimal conditions of 0.1 mol/L Mg²⁺, 2:1 liquid–solid ratio, 0.6 mL/min, pH 4–6 and room temperature, elution efficiency reaches 95.45%. This work provides theoretical and technical support for green remediation of historical ammonium contamination in WREO. Full article

As the population ages, the demand for customizable, resorbable bone implants in tissue engineering has intensified, outstripping the limitations of traditional autografts and allografts. While silicate-based bioactive glasses dominate bioactive glass research, borate-based bioactive glasses (BBGs) present distinct biomimetic advantages due to their accelerated degradation kinetics and superior ion-release profiles. However, producing highly pure, homogeneous BBG powders tailored for additive manufacturing remains a severe bottleneck. This study reports the development of a highly efficient synthesis protocol and subsequent Digital Light Processing (DLP) 3D printing of BBG scaffolds. An aqueous-based precursor mixture was processed via spray drying and a customized multi-stage thermal pretreatment sequence up to 800 °C to mitigate material loss, minimize oxide evaporation, and completely eliminate carbonates. Subsequent “flash melting” at 1150 °C for 20 min yielded an amorphous, high-purity borate–phosphate glass network (68.1B₂O₃-3.8Na₂O-18.9CaO-4.9MgO-4.3P₂O₅, in wt%). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed a glass transition temperature ($T_g$) of 625 °C, while in situ X-ray diffraction localized the onset of crystal nucleation between 706 °C and 723 °C. Following fine planetary milling to achieve a highly dense particle packing distribution (D_v50 = 5.4 µm, D_n50 = 0.6 µm), the optimized BBG powder was successfully loaded into an acrylate-based photosensitive slurry (51.2 wt% solid loading) to manufacture complex 3D biomimetic gyroid scaffolds via DLP. While the structural feasibility of printing high-resolution gyroid porous architectures is validated, post-printing evaluation highlighted a narrow thermal processing window; sintering at 660 °C optimized particle coalescence while minimizing microstructural de-densification caused by closed porosity expansion (which reaches 48.4% at 675 °C). This scalable synthesis-to-printing workflow offers a crucial steppingstone toward next-generation fully resorbable bone tissue scaffolds. Full article

A rare-earth (RE)-segregation-assisted route combining mechanical alloying and hot extrusion was used to produce a WE43 alloy with an in situ network-like bimodal structure. Mechanical alloying fragmented and partially dissolved RE-containing phases produced a supersaturated Mg-RE solid solution, and dispersed oxygen-bearing surface films. During the pre-sintering stage before hot extrusion, defect-rich prior powder-particle boundaries (PPBs) acted as preferential sinks for RE solutes, establishing RE-enriched regions before extrusion, while some oxygen-bearing species remained near PPBs and grain boundaries. During subsequent hot extrusion, RE solute drag and pinning by RE-containing precipitates and retained oxides restricted grain-boundary migration near PPBs, whereas rotation-assisted grain coalescence and growth occurred within particle interiors. In the 350—extruded alloy, the relatively coarse and fine grains averaged 299 and 144 nm and occupied 71 and 29 vol.%, while the precipitates averaged 97.1 and 9.2 nm. The 400—extruded alloy achieved a yield strength of 396 MPa, an ultimate tensile strength of 432 MPa, and an elongation of 7.9%. For the 350—extruded alloy, Orowan-type, solid-solution, grain-boundary, and dislocation strengthening contributed approximately 118.5, 116.8, 84, and 67 MPa, respectively, leaving an unresolved residual difference of 63.7 MPa. Coupled RE redistribution and oxide dispersion therefore provide a route to a favorable strength–ductility balance in powder-metallurgy Mg alloys. Full article