Search Results (1,543)

Hydrogels constructed from natural biomacromolecules with multifunctional properties, such as improved mechanical strength, ionic stability, biocompatibility, and ionic conductivity, are highly desirable for advanced food and biomedical applications, yet remain challenging to design. Although alginate is one of the most widely used hydrogel-forming polysaccharides due to its biocompatibility and gelation ability, its intrinsic limitations often hinder the development of hydrogels with fully optimized performance. This review provides a systematic comparison of alginate-based composite hydrogels formed with complementary biopolymers, including whey proteins, gelatin, pectin, starch, and chitosan, focusing on their synergistic effects on structural, mechanical, and functional properties. Recent studies are critically analyzed to elucidate how polymer–polymer interactions influence gel network formation, environmental ionic stability, and encapsulation performance. Particular attention is given to fabrication strategies and formulation parameters that enhance the immobilization and controlled release of probiotics, vitamins, polyphenols, and other bioactive compounds. By integrating current knowledge on structure–function relationships and processing approaches, this review offers practical design guidelines for the development of multifunctional alginate-based hydrogel systems for applications in functional foods and nutraceutical delivery. Full article

Magnetoelectric (ME) materials that exhibit simultaneous coupling between electric polarization and magnetization have attracted significant attention due to their potential technological applications in the emerging generation of multifunctional devices. In this research, Ba_0.85Ca_0.15Ti_0.92Zr_0.08O₃-CoFe₂O₄:x (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3% mol) composites were synthesized using solid-state and sol–gel combustion chemical methods to elucidate their ME coupling at ultra-low concentrations of the magnetic phase. Rietveld refinement and Raman spectroscopy results confirm a shift in the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB), evidenced by an increase in the tetragonal phase relative to the orthorhombic structure. High stability of the P4mm and Amm2 symmetries is reached at 1300 °C without diffusion of Fe and Co into the octahedral site. At this temperature, the CoFe₂O₄ spinel structure remains stable without secondary phases. The orthorhombic phase fraction decreases from 55% to 37% as the magnetic phase fraction increases, driven by stress and constraint rather than ionic interactions alone. The Curie temperature decreases from 99 to 90 °C, attributed to the grain-size reduction effect rather than structural disorder. The dielectric permittivity (ε_r) reaches an absolute value of 5070 and progressively decreases with increasing magnetic saturation. An increase in compressive residual stress is observed, which ensures the mechanical stability of the electroceramics. Magnetoelectric (ME) coupling, evaluated through measurements of electric polarization as a function of the magnetic field, shows an increase from 3.8 to 4.9 μC/cm² under a magnetic field of 50 Oe. The composites with x = 0.2 and 0.3 mol% exhibit potential for applications in fast-switching magnetoelectric devices and magnetic field sensors. Full article

Wheeled multifunctional motorized crossing frames represent a new type of crossing equipment for high-voltage transmission line construction. The initial design is too conservative, having a large safety margin and high material redundancy. Therefore, it is necessary to study a lightweight design version. However, as the structure constitutes an assembly consisting of multiple components, it also exhibits relatively high complexity. In a lightweight design, optimizing multi-component and multi-size parameters can lead to structural interference and separation, seriously affecting the smooth progress of design optimization. Therefore, an optimization design method of a multi-parameter complex assembly structure is proposed to solve this problem. Firstly, the typical stress conditions of the wheeled multifunctional motorized crossing frame were analyzed using its structural model. Then, a finite element model of the beam was established in ANSYS 2021 R1 Workbench, and the mechanical characteristics were analyzed. The results show that the arm support is the key load-bearing component and has significant optimization potential. Subsequently, functional mapping relationships were established among the 14 dimension parameters of the arm support, reducing the number of design variables to six and successfully avoiding component separation or interference during optimization. Through global sensitivity analysis, the height, thickness, and length of the arm body were screened out as the core optimization parameters from six initial design variables. Then, 29 groups of sample points were generated via central composite design (CCD), and a response surface model reflecting the relationships among the arm body’s dimensional parameters, total mass, maximum stress, and maximum deformation was established using the Kriging method. Leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV) was performed, and the coefficients of determination (R²) for model fitting were all higher than 0.995, indicating extremely high prediction accuracy. Taking mass and deformation minimization as the optimization objectives, the MOGA algorithm was adopted to perform multi-objective optimization and determine the optimal engineering parameters. Simulation verification was conducted on the optimized arm support, and an eigenvalue buckling analysis was performed simultaneously to verify structural stability. Finally, the proposed optimization method was experimentally verified through mechanical performance tests of the full-scale prototype under symmetric and eccentric loads. The results show that the mass of the optimized arm support is reduced from 217.73 kg to 189.8 kg, with a weight reduction rate of 12.8%. Under an eccentric load of 70,000 N, the maximum deformation of the arm support is 8.9763 mm, the maximum equivalent stress is 314.86 MPa, and the buckling load factor is 6.08, all of which meet the requirements for structural stiffness, strength, and buckling stability. The maximum error between the experimental and finite element results is only 4.64%, verifying the accuracy and reliability of the proposed method. The proposed optimization methodology, validated on a wheeled multifunctional motorized crossing frame, serves as a transferable paradigm for the lightweight design of complex assemblies with coupled dimensional constraints, thereby offering a general reference for the structural optimization of multi-component transmission line equipment, construction machinery, and other multi-component engineering systems. Full article

Olive pomace biochar, obtained through the pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass, has emerged as a sustainable and multifunctional additive for polymer composites. Its physicochemical properties, including porosity, surface area, and electrical conductivity, can be tailored by controlling feedstock type and pyrolysis conditions. Although mechanical reinforcement and thermal stability improvements are well documented, the influence of biochar on surface-related properties such as wettability and contact angle remains insufficiently explored for environmentally relevant composite systems. In this study, epoxy-based composites containing biochar synthesized at 750 °C were evaluated in terms of their water interaction behavior by monitoring the evaporation dynamics of ultra-pure water droplets (10 μL, 0.055 mS/cm conductivity) at eight time intervals between 20 and 580 s using high-resolution digital microscopy. Image enhancement and segmentation were performed prior to Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) analysis to describe droplet geometry in the frequency domain. Time-dependent variations in the standard deviations of DCT coefficients were optimized using the Bat Algorithm, resulting in mathematical models capable of accurately representing droplet evolution and surface–fluid interactions. The primary novelty of this study lies in the development of a hybrid experimental–computational framework that integrates droplet-based wettability measurements with signal-domain analysis and metaheuristic optimization. Unlike conventional studies focusing solely on material characterization, this approach establishes quantitative relationships between surface behavior and numerical descriptors derived from DCT and the Bat Algorithm. The proposed methodology provides a data-driven tool for predicting wettability trends in biochar-reinforced composites and supports the development of moisture-resistant materials for coatings, packaging, and thermal insulation applications within the context of sustainable composite design. Full article

Carbon nanotube yarns (CNTYs) have received more consideration recently due to their excellent specific mechanical, electrical and thermal properties, making them promising materials for different applications. Until now, the axial properties of the yarn have been thoroughly investigated; however, the transverse or radial properties, orthogonal to the fiber axis, remain relatively unknown due to the challenges associated with their measurement. In this study, the transverse or radial response of the CNTY including its elastic modulus was determined using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Raman Spectroscopy. Determining transverse properties in fibrous materials presents challenges owing to their geometry, inherent anisotropy, whereby mechanical characteristics exhibit directional disparities; i.e., the properties in the transverse direction may be several orders of magnitude smaller than those in the axial direction. To overcome these difficulties, AFM was utilized to perform nanoindentation experiments, where a tipless flexible cantilever probe was used to apply a controlled force to the CNTY surface. The resulting indentation depth was then analyzed to determine the transversal elastic modulus. Preliminary findings indicate that the transverse elastic modulus of the CNTYs ranges from 10–54 kPa for strain levels below 3%. Complementary Raman spectroscopy provided insight into the bulk-scale mechanical behavior of CNTYs. Incremental compressive loading between microscope slides induced nonlinear upshifts in the 2D Raman band (from ~2686.6 to 2691.4 cm⁻¹), indicating nanoscale tube realignment, inter-tube densification, and compaction. From lateral diameter measurements under load, a stress–strain curve was constructed, revealing three distinct regimes: one with an initial elastic modulus of 3.12 MPa (0.3–11.2% strain), another one with an elastic modulus increasing to 8.46 MPa (11.2–14.4%), and finally one with an elastic modulus peaking at 16.86 MPa beyond 14.4% strain. Together, these methods delineate the hierarchical and anisotropic nature of CNTYs, validating the importance of multiscale mechanical characterization for their deployment in piezoresistive sensors and multifunctional composites. This study establishes a robust framework for quantifying the transverse mechanical response of CNTYs. Full article

Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum J. Presl) bark essential oil (CBO) represents a promising source of natural bioactive compounds for biological plant protection. For the first time, the antibacterial and antifungal activity of CBO was systematically evaluated against a curated panel of phytopathogenic strains (IOR collection), revealing broad-spectrum efficacy across both bacteria and filamentous pathogens. This study evaluated its chemical composition, antimicrobial activity against phytopathogens, effects on bacterial metabolic activity, and its ability to induce plant defence responses. CBO was dominated by cinnamaldehyde, linalool, and eucalyptol. The oil exhibited strong antibacterial activity against Dickeya dadantii, Pectobacterium carotovorum, Pseudomonas syringae, and Xanthomonas hortorum as well as antifungal activity against Fusarium graminearum, F. culmorum, Rhizoctonia solani and Phytophthora cinnamomi. Metabolic assays revealed a marked reduction in bacterial metabolic activity, indicating that CBO disrupts physiological processes and inhibits growth. In planta experiments showed that foliar application of CBO stimulated PAL activity in wheat leaves without visible phytotoxic symptoms. These findings demonstrate a multifunctional mode of action of CBO, combining direct antimicrobial effects with the elicitation of plant defence responses, and support its potential application in sustainable crop protection. Full article

In recent decades, the requirement for materials with excellent electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption properties has been steadily expanding. Developing and designing multifunctional hybrid absorbers featuring diverse components and synergistic loss mechanisms have become a significant research field. MOF materials feature abundant heterogeneous interfaces and high porosity, and their derivatives exhibit superior magnetic effects. They can enhance EMW absorption through multiple scattering and reflection. These merits enable them to satisfy the demands of diverse EMW absorption applications. Therefore, this work summarizes the investigations and applications of MOF derivatives in EMW absorption. The EMW absorption mechanisms of MOF derivatives are thoroughly investigated from the aspects of precursor design, framework construction, and compounding with reinforcing phases. Meanwhile, the research progress of related materials is summarized, including multi-component MOF-derived EMW absorbers, MOF-derived biomass composite absorbing materials, and MOF-derived conductive polymer composite absorbers. In addition, the subsequent progress of EMW absorbers shows promising prospects. The various deficiencies of MOF-derived absorbers in current research are also analyzed. It is expected to provide more systematic and thorough guidance for the future investigations in related fields. Full article

Zinc oxide (ZnO) and zinc sulfide (ZnS) nanocomposites represent promising multifunctional photocatalysts due to their complementary band structures and synergistic charge separation. ZnO–ZnS nanocomposites with varied ZnS content were synthesized to elucidate the composition–structure–property relationships governing their multifunctional performance. Structural characterization using XRD, SEM/EDS, Raman spectroscopy, and XPS confirmed the coexistence of wurtzite crystalline phases of ZnO and ZnS. SEM analysis revealed ZnS fine deposition on the ZnO surface. XPS measurements showed a gradual increase in the amount of ZnS on the ZnO surface with increasing sulfide content and a shift in the valence band maximum from 2.32 eV (pure ZnO) to 0.77 eV (pure ZnS). Optical measurements (IR, UV–Vis diffuse reflectance, photoluminescence) demonstrated that, despite the evolution of vibrational and luminescence features characteristic of ZnS, the apparent band gap remained nearly constant at 3.16–3.18 eV across the series. Photocatalytic methylene blue (MB) degradation followed pseudo-first-order kinetics, peaking for ZN_2 (1% ZnS, k_app = 103 × 10⁻³ min⁻¹), which is 1.7 times higher than for pure ZnO. This enhanced performance is consistent with an S-scheme-like heterojunction that facilitates electron migration to the ZnS conduction band while retaining ZnO valence band holes for oxidation. Scavenging experiments confirmed that electrons dominate MB degradation (k_app up to 185.1 × 10⁻³ min⁻¹ with EDTA/t-BuOH/Ar), outperforming hole-mediated pathways. Antibacterial assays against Staphylococcus aureus revealed good antimicrobial activity for all nanoparticles. The nanocomposite’s antibacterial activity was similar across all samples and was only slightly lower than that of pure ZnS and ZnO. Full article

Bee pollen is a natural product with multifunctional properties, containing abundant bioactive compounds, especially phenolic acids and flavonoids, which are largely responsible for its antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. In this study, the bioactive composition, antioxidant capacity, encapsulation efficiency, antimicrobial activity, and gastrointestinal stability of bee pollen extract (PE) were investigated. The pollen extract exhibited high total phenolic (2817 mg GAE/100 g) and flavonoid contents (5255 mg QE/100 g), along with strong antioxidant activity (DPPH: 4305 mg TE/100 g; CUPRAC: 3685 mg TE/100 g). To improve the stability and bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds, PE was encapsulated using β-cyclodextrin (BCD) at different weight ratios. Among the formulations, the PE:BCD ratio of 1:2 showed the highest encapsulation efficiency (64%) and favorable physicochemical properties, including higher particle size and more negative zeta potential values, indicating good colloidal stability. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated for PE, BCD-only, and the selected PE-loaded formulation (1:2, w:w). Encapsulation led to a modest reduction in antimicrobial activity compared to free PE (6.25–50 mg/mL); however, the encapsulated formulation still exhibited considerable antibacterial effects against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains (25–50 mg/mL). Furthermore, in vitro gastrointestinal digestion indicated that BCD encapsulation substantially enhanced the bioaccessibility of total phenolics (81%) and antioxidant capacity (DPPH: 48%; CUPRAC: 76%), particularly during the intestinal stage. Phenolic profiling showed that chlorogenic acid and quercetin derivatives remained relatively stable throughout digestion. Overall, encapsulation with BCD effectively safeguarded pollen phenolics, improved their gastrointestinal stability, and increased bioaccessibility, highlighting the potential of encapsulated bee pollen as a functional food ingredient or nutraceutical. Full article

The global population explosion and accelerated industrialization have led to an increasing shortage of fossil fuels and environmental contamination, underscoring the urgent need to develop innovative energy storage technologies to improve energy utilization efficiency. As pivotal components in thermal energy storage (TES) systems, phase change materials (PCMs) enable spatiotemporal matching between thermal energy supply and demand through latent heat absorption and release during phase transitions. Organic PCMs are considered ideal candidates for thermal energy storage due to their high energy storage density, stable phase transition temperature, low supercooling, and negligible phase separation. However, inherent drawbacks such as low thermal conductivity, liquid leakage, limited light absorption, and lack of functionality have hindered their widespread application in advanced thermal management systems. Herein, we systematically summarize cutting-edge functionalization strategies for PCMs, progressing from conventional methods like thermal conductive particle blending and microencapsulation to the emerging design of 3D porous thermally conductive skeletons, including metal foams, boron nitride aerogels, carbon-based aerogels, and MXene aerogels. These frameworks not only enhance thermal transport via continuous conductive pathways and impart shape stability through capillary encapsulation but also, when integrated with photo-thermal, electro-thermal, and magneto-thermal conversion properties, enable broad applications in solar photo-thermal/photo-thermo-electric conversion, thermal management of electronics and batteries, building efficiency, and wearable thermal regulation. The review further addresses current challenges and future directions, highlighting scalable 3D framework fabrication, the shift to active thermal management, and innovative applications beyond conventional domains. By establishing a microstructure–property–application correlation, this work provides valuable insights for developing next-generation high-performance multifunctional phase change composites. Full article

The drive systems of new energy vehicles, which employ high-speed motors and low-viscosity lubricants, often subject motor bearings to high-temperature and oil-starved conditions. This can lead to the deformation of polymer bearing cages, resulting in abnormal vibration and noise. In this study, polyimide/molybdenum disulfide (PI/MoS₂) composites were prepared, and their thermal stability was characterized using a dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). High-temperature friction and wear tests against ceramic balls were conducted on a multifunctional tribometer. The wear behavior and surface element distribution were examined by laser confocal microscopy (LCSM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Results indicate that the PI-MoS₂ composites effectively mitigate surface contact deformation with rising temperatures, reducing the wear loss by around 30% compared to pure PI. This improvement is attributed to the enhanced heat resistance from MoS₂ and the formation of a lubricating film during friction. The findings provide guidance for selecting and designing composite materials for high-speed bearing cages. Full article

Plant-derived extracellular vesicles (PDEVs), engineered phytosomes, bioinspired polymeric plant-based nanoparticles (PBNPs), hybrid phyto-inorganic nanocomposites, green-synthesized metal nanoparticles, self-assembled nanoarchitectures, and multifunctional composites represent a rapidly advancing class of sustainable, nature-inspired nanocarriers. These platforms combine exceptional biocompatibility, negligible immunogenicity, and renewable sourcing with tunable drug loading, targeted delivery, and controlled release properties. This review synthesizes translational advances from 2020 to 2026, covering scalable isolation/bioprocessing (bioreactors, elicitation), multi-parametric physicochemical/multi-omics characterization, rational engineering/hybridization, and rigorous in vitro/in vivo assessments of uptake, biodistribution, pharmacokinetic (PK), and efficacy. Phytosomes and PBNPs markedly enhance oral bioavailability and targeted delivery of lipophilic phytochemicals, while PDEVs offer unique immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and gene-regulatory activities. Hybrid and green-synthesized systems provide structural stability, redox modulation, and synergistic effects, and self-assembled/multifunctional composites address solubilization barriers with stimuli-responsive design. Early-phase human studies on grapefruit-, ginger-, turmeric-, and ginseng-derived PDEVs report excellent short-term safety, favorable PK, and preliminary bioactivity signals, with no observed immunogenicity or dose-limiting toxicities; however, these trials remain exploratory, constrained by small sample sizes and safety-focused endpoints. Despite challenges, including methodological heterogeneity, variable yields, long-term safety uncertainties (notably for inorganic hybrids), and regulatory ambiguities, emerging strategies such as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-engineered plant line; artificial-intelligence-driven process optimization; standardized guidelines, and integrated clinical, intellectual property, and commercialization frameworks are progressively addressing these barriers. Collectively, these advances position plant-derived nanocarriers as immunologically privileged, eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic and mammalian platforms, laying the foundation for a sustainable era of precision phytomedicine. Full article

This work focused on the investigation of sulfonated lignin as a novel and sustainable reinforcing filler for polyamide 6 (PA6) composites. Different formulations were thus prepared by melt compounding, varying the lignin content (5, 10, and 20 wt%). The interaction between lignin and PA6 was systematically studied through rheological, structural, morphological, thermo-mechanical, and flammability tests. Rheological measurements showed an increase in the complex viscosity and viscoelastic moduli with increasing lignin content, suggesting restricted polymer chain mobility and the formation of strong physical interactions between the molten PA6 and the lignin particles. Microstructural observations through FESEM highlighted a good dispersion of lignin particles and efficient filler–matrix interfacial adhesion. Moreover, the addition of lignin significantly increased the tensile stiffness of the composites (up to 3.4 GPa), and a lignin content of 10 wt% enhanced the tensile strength up to 58.4 MPa (i.e., +45% compared to neat PA6) without compromising the ductility. Finally, UL-94 tests revealed an improvement in flame retardancy at higher lignin contents due to the intrinsic char-forming ability of this filler. These results demonstrated that lignin could be an effective multifunctional bio-based filler that can improve the thermo-mechanical performance of PA6 without the need for compatibilizing agents. Full article

The rising cost of conventional protein sources such as soybean meal has prompted the search for sustainable and economical alternatives in aquafeeds. Sugar beet pulp (SBP), an abundant by-product of the sugar industry, possesses nutritional potential but is limited by its high fiber and anti-nutritional factors. Solid-state fermentation (SSF) offers a promising approach to enhance its nutritive value and functional properties. This study evaluated the effects of dietary inclusion of mixed microbial solid-state fermented beet pulp (FBP) on the growth, systemic health and intestinal function of juvenile yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco). First, orthogonal optimization determined Lactiplantibacillus plantarum:Saccharomycopsis fibuligera:Bacillus subtilis = 1:3:3 as the optimal ratio, significantly improving the nutritional profile of FBP. Based on this optimized FBP, an 8-week feeding trial, five isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated by replacing 0–12% soybean meal with FBP. The results demonstrated that 9% FBP inclusion yielded optimal growth performance and significantly improved muscle texture. At the systemic level, FBP supplementation reduced serum lipid markers and liver enzyme activities while enhancing antioxidant capacity. At the intestinal level, FBP promoted intestinal health by increasing key digestive enzyme (lipase, trypsin, amylase) activities, stimulating villus development, and improving intestinal antioxidant status. Furthermore, gut microbiota analysis revealed that dietary FBP supplementation significantly modulated intestinal microbial composition, with notable enrichment of genera such as Leucobacter. In conclusion, FBP is a multi-functional ingredient that enhances growth, product quality, systemic physiology, and intestinal health in yellow catfish aquaculture. These findings provide a viable strategy for the sustainable utilization of agricultural by-products in aquafeeds. Full article

Background/Objectives: The strategy of targeting endotoxins and circulating histones to alleviate excessive inflammation and tissue damage has been proposed as an important immunoregulatory strategy against sepsis. However, the development of a multifunctional hemoperfusion adsorber that simultaneously removes endotoxins and histones remains an unmet clinical need in sepsis management. Methods: We synthesized chitosan-cellulose composite (CSCE) microspheres utilizing phase inversion technology, while heparin-grafted chitosan-cellulose composite (CSCEHEP) microspheres were developed by grafting heparin onto CSCE microspheres through the carbodiimide coupling method. In our experimental design, we allocated healthy New Zealand rabbits to four distinct groups: a healthy control group, a lipopolysaccharides (LPS) group, a CSCE group, and a CSCEHEP group. Following the administration of LPS for 12 h, septic rabbits underwent extracorporeal hemoperfusion with either CSCE or CSCEHEP microspheres for a duration of 6 h, notably without the inclusion of heparin in the blood circuits. Post-hemoperfusion, we conducted an analysis of thrombus formation and total protein adsorption on the column. Concurrently, blood samples were collected from the venous side to evaluate inflammatory cytokine concentrations, liver and kidney function levels, LPS levels, the histone presence, and to perform histopathological assessments of liver and kidney injury. Results: Our in vivo experiments demonstrated that CSCEHEP microspheres for extracorporeal circulation could achieve a 6 h hemoperfusion session in septic rabbits without the need for continuous anticoagulation with heparin. A CSCEHEP column turns into a very light-red color (almost the original white) and light contamination or clotting was observed after the 6 h hemoperfusion. Moreover, CSCEHEP microspheres effectively reduced the concentration levels of leukocyte, serum IL-6 and TNF-α, mitigated pathological damage to the liver and kidneys, and removed over 56.7% of LPS and nearly 58.6% of histone H3 from the blood of septic rabbits during hemoperfusion. Conclusions: Hemoperfusion utilizing CSCEHEP microspheres exhibits excellent self-anticoagulation capabilities, remarkable anti-inflammatory performance, efficient endotoxin adsorption and histone antagonism properties, rendering it both effective and safe for use in septic rabbits. Full article