Search Results (123)

Sustainable construction requires bio-based insulation materials that achieve low thermal conductivity without compromising mechanical performance. Poplar wood, which is locally abundant in France, serves as an effective carbon sink and represents a promising resource. While recent research has explored bulk wood delignification, the characterization of such modified materials remains insufficient for practical implementation. In this work, we report the development of gradient-delignified poplar wood through partial delignification using alcoholysis and sodium chlorite bleaching. This process produced a hybrid structure with delignified outer layers and a lignified core. Microscopic analyses revealed that lignin removal led to cell wall swelling and the formation of nano-scale pores. Compared to native poplar, the modified material showed lower transverse thermal conductivity (0.057 W·m⁻¹·K⁻¹), higher specific heat capacity (1.4 kJ·K⁻¹·kg⁻¹ at 20 °C), increased hygroscopicity, and reduced longitudinal compressive strength (15.9 MPa). The retention of the lignified core preserved dimensional stability and load-bearing capacity, thereby overcoming the limitations of complete delignification. In contrast to synthetic foams or mineral wools, these findings demonstrate that partial delignification can produce anisotropic wood-based insulation materials that combine thermal efficiency, mechanical stability, and biodegradability. This work highlights the potential of wood modification nanotechnology to reduce the carbon footprint of building materials. Full article

Molecular communication (MC) has emerged as a promising paradigm for nanoscale information exchange in Internet of Bio-Nano Things (IoBNT) environments, offering intrinsic biocompatibility and potential for real-time in vivo monitoring. This study proposes a cascaded MC channel framework for vascular stenosis detection, which integrates non-Newtonian blood rheology, bell-shaped constriction geometry, and adsorption–desorption dynamics. Path delay and path loss are introduced as quantitative metrics to characterize how structural narrowing and molecular interactions jointly affect signal propagation. On this basis, a peak response time-based delay inversion method is developed to estimate both the location and severity of stenosis. COMSOL 6.2 simulations demonstrate high spatial resolution and resilience to measurement noise across diverse vascular configurations. By linking nanoscale transport dynamics with system-level detection, the approach establishes a tractable pathway for the early identification of vascular anomalies. Beyond theoretical modeling, the framework underscores the translational potential of MC-based diagnostics. It provides a foundation for non-invasive vascular health monitoring in IoT-enabled biomedical systems with direct relevance to continuous screening and preventive cardiovascular care. Future in vitro and in vivo studies will be essential to validate feasibility and support integration with implantable or wearable biosensing devices, enabling real-time, personalized health management. Full article

Polymeric vesicles, characterized by enhanced colloidal stability, excellent mechanical properties, controllable surface functionality, and adjustable membrane thickness, are extremely useful in nano- and bio-technology for potential applications as nanosized carriers for drugs and enzymes. However, a few preparative steps are necessary to achieve a unilamellar vesicle with a narrow size distribution. Herein, we report the spontaneous formation of unilamellar polymeric vesicles with nanometer sizes (<50 nm), fabricated by simply mixing diblock copolymers (P(EO-AGE)(2K-2K) and P(EO-AGE)(0.75K-2K)) with differing hydrophilic mass fractions in aqueous solutions. Depending on the mixing ratio of block copolymers and the temperature, the block copolymer mixtures self-assemble into various nanostructures, such as spherical and cylindrical micelles, or vesicles. The self-assembled structures of the block copolymer mixtures were characterized by small-angle neutron scattering, resulting in a phase diagram drawn as a function of temperature and the mixing condition. Notably, the critical temperature for the micelle-to-vesicle phase transition can be easily controlled by altering the mixing conditions; it decreases with an increase in the concentration of one of the block copolymers. Full article

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are increasingly recognized as key regulators of gene expression and cellular signaling in cancer. Their functions are primarily mediated through interactions with specific protein partners that modulate chromatin structure, epigenetic remodeling, transcription, and signal transduction. In this review, we explore reports and strategies for the proteomic characterization of lncRNA-associated proteins, particularly emphasizing high-throughput liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based techniques. Affinity-based methods such as RNA pull-down, ChIRP MS, RAP-MS, BioID-MS, and SILAC-MS enable sensitive and specific mapping of lncRNA and protein complexes. These approaches reveal cancer-specific proteomic signatures, post-translational modifications, and mechanistic insights into tumor biology. The use of label-free quantification, bituminization, and crosslinking strategies further enhances the resolution of dynamic RNA–protein networks. Validation tools following bioinformatic analyses, such as Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and ELISA, are used to prioritize and confirm findings. Candidate biomarkers from hepatocellular carcinoma to colorectal and prostate cancers, profiling lncRNA-associated proteins, hold promise for identifying clinically actionable biomarkers and therapeutic targets. This review highlights the translational relevance of lncRNA protein studies and advocates for their broader adoption in oncological research. In LC-MS workflows, proteins bound to lncRNAs are enzymatically digested into peptides, separated via nano-LC, and analyzed using high-resolution tandem MS. Label-free or isotope-labeled methods quantify differential enrichment, followed by bioinformatics-driven pathway annotation. Full article

In this paper, a series of polyaniline (PANI)/Ti₃C₂ MXene composites (PMCs) with a biomimetic structure were prepared and employed as an anticorrosion coating application. First, the PANI was synthesized by oxidative polymerization with ammonium persulfate as the oxidant. Then, 2D Ti₃C₂ MXene nanosheets were prepared by treating the Ti₃AlC₂ using the optimized minimally intensive layer delamination (MILD) method, followed by characterization via XRD and SEM. Subsequently, the PMC was prepared by the oxidative polymerization of aniline monomers in the presence of Ti₃C₂ MXene nanosheets, followed by characterization via FTIR, XRD, SEM, TEM, CV, and UV–Visible. Eventually, the PMC coatings with the artificial biomimetic surface structure of a macaw feather were prepared by the nano-casting technique. The corrosion resistance of the PMC coatings, evaluated via Tafel polarization and Nyquist impedance measurements, shows that increasing the MXene loading up to 5 wt % shifts the corrosion potential (E_corr) on steel from −588 mV to −356 mV vs. SCE, reduces the corrosion current density (I_corr) from 1.09 µA/cm² to 0.035 µA/cm², and raises the impedance modulus at 0.01 Hz from 67 kΩ to 3794 kΩ. When structured with the hierarchical feather topography, the PMC coating (Bio-PA-MX-5) further advances the E_corr to +103.6 mV, lowers the I_corr to 7.22 × 10⁻⁴ µA/cm², and boosts the impedance to 96,875 kΩ. Compared to neat coatings without biomimetic structuring, those with engineered biomimetic surfaces showed significantly improved corrosion protection performance. These enhancements arise from three synergistic mechanisms: (i) polyaniline’s redox catalysis accelerates the formation of a dense passive oxide layer; (ii) MXene nanosheets create a tortuous gas barrier that cuts the oxygen permeability from 11.3 Barrer to 0.9 Barrer; and (iii) the biomimetic surface traps air pockets, raising the water contact angle from 87° to 135°. This integrated approach delivers one of the highest combined corrosion potentials and impedance values reported for thin-film coatings, pointing to a general strategy for durable steel protection. Full article

Spice by-products, often discarded as waste, represent an untapped resource for sustainable packaging solutions due to their unique, multifunctional, and bioactive profiles. Unlike typical plant residues, these materials retain diverse phytochemicals—including phenolics, polysaccharides, and other compounds, such as essential oils and vitamins—that exhibit controlled release antimicrobial and antioxidant effects with environmental responsiveness to pH, humidity, and temperature changes. Their distinctive advantage is in preserving volatile bioactives, demonstrating enzyme-inhibiting properties, and maintaining thermal stability during processing. This review encompasses a comprehensive characterization of phytochemicals, an assessment of the re-utilization pathway from waste to active materials, and an investigation of processing methods for transforming by-products into films, coatings, and nanoemulsions through green extraction and packaging film development technologies. It also involves the evaluation of their mechanical strength, barrier performance, controlled release mechanism behavior, and effectiveness of food preservation. Key findings demonstrate that ginger and onion residues significantly enhance antioxidant and antimicrobial properties due to high phenolic acid and sulfur-containing compound concentrations, while cinnamon and garlic waste effectively improve mechanical strength and barrier attributes owing to their dense fiber matrix and bioactive aldehyde content. However, re-using these residues faces challenges, including the long-term storage stability of certain bioactive compounds, mechanical durability during scale-up, natural variability that affects standardization, and cost competitiveness with conventional packaging. Innovative solutions, including encapsulation, nano-reinforcement strategies, intelligent polymeric systems, and agro-biorefinery approaches, show promise for overcoming these barriers. By utilizing these spice by-products, the packaging industry can advance toward a circular bio-economy, depending less on traditional plastics and promoting environmental sustainability in light of growing global population and urbanization trends. Full article

The use of UV filters is a well-established strategy for preventing skin cancer and photoaging. Among inorganic filters, titanium dioxide (TiO₂) provides excellent protection against both UVA and UVB radiation. Moreover, the use of such inorganic filters at the nano-sized scale has increased their acceptability because it ensures the cosmetically desired transparency in sunscreens that consumers demand. However, concerns remain regarding the potential toxicity of TiO₂ nanoparticles, and discussion about their use in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics is still in progress. Their increased (bio)reactivity compared to bulk materials may lead to DNA damage. Furthermore, their capacity to cross dermal, respiratory, and gastrointestinal membranes remains a subject of debate. This study is therefore designed to assess and contrast the toxicological characteristics of a pair of commercially available titanium (IV) oxide sunscreens differing in particle size—microscale versus nanoscale. First, the morphology and hydrodynamic diameter of the TiO₂ nanoparticles were characterized. Then, potential interactions and/or interferences of these nanoparticles with the methods used to evaluate cytotoxic behavior were studied. Finally, the hemocompatibility, cytotoxicity, phototoxicity, and genotoxicity of both micro- and nano-sized TiO₂ were evaluated using human keratinocytes. Full article

The transition to sustainable energy has given biodiesel prominence as a renewable alternative to diesel. This review highlights the development and optimization of solid transesterification catalysts, contributing greatly to the efficiency of biodiesel synthesis. These heterogeneous catalysts are constituted of titanium-, zinc-, and bio-based systems and significant advantages such as reusability, thermal stability, and the ability to be synthesized from low-grade feedstocks. Recent advancements in structural optimization, with nano-structured titanium dioxide having the potential of yielding higher biodiesel production up to a yield of 96–98% within 5–7 cycles, render improved stability and catalytic performance. Several characterization techniques, such as the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method, X-ray diffraction, and temperature-programmed desorption, are instrumental in the characterization of these catalysts and their effective design. However, despite their substantial promise, there are still problems to be dealt with in the large-scale production, regeneration, and service life stability of these catalysts. This account collates recent innovations, analytical mechanisms, and prospective directions which elucidate the potential of solid transesterification catalysts in furthering biodiesel technology and the sustainable production of chemicals. Full article

Rapidly growing industrial biotechnology and bio-manufacturing require simple and cost-effective bioseparation tools. A novel strategy of bioseparation based on the streptavidin-decorated polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) nano-granules was developed in this study. By fusing to the N-terminus of PHA-associated phasin protein, the streptavidin was one-step immobilized on the surface of PHA nano-granules simultaneously with the accumulation of PHA in recombinant Escherichia coli. About 1.95 g/L of PHA nano-granules (54.51 wt% of cell dry weight) were produced after 48 h bacterial cultivation. The following qualitative and quantitative characterizations demonstrated that the streptavidin accounted for approximately 6.78% of the total weight of the purified PHA nano-granules and confirmed a considerable biotin affinity of 0.1 ng biotin/μg surface protein. As a proof of concept, the nano-granules were further functionalized with biotinylated oligo(dT) for mRNA isolation and about 1.26 μg of mRNA (occupied 2.59%) was purified from 48.45 μg of total RNA, achieving good integrity and high purity with few DNA and rRNA contaminations. Moreover, the nano-granules retained more than 80% of their initial mRNA recovery efficiency after ten cycles of repeated use. The PHA-SAP nano-granules were also functionalized with biotinylated magnetic beads, allowing magnetic recovery of the PHA nano-granules from cell lysates that still needs optimization. Our study provides a novel and expandable platform of PHA nano-granules that can be further functionalized with various biological groups for bioseparation applications. The functional PHA nano-granules have a great potential to serve as bioseparation resin for large-scale purification processes after suitable optimizations for “bench-to-factory” translation, contributing to scalable and sustainable bioprocessing. Full article

Electrospinning is a versatile technique for obtaining nano/micro fibers which are able to significantly change the active properties of composite materials and bring in new dimensions to agri-food applications. Composite bio-based packaging materials obtained from whey proteins, functionalized with thyme essential oil (TEO) and reinforced by electrospun polylactic acid (PLA) fibers, represent a promising solution for developing new active food packaging using environmentally friendly materials. The aim of this study is to obtain and characterize one-side-active composite films covered with a PLA fiber mat: (i) WF/G1, WF/G2, and WF/G3 resulting from electrospinning with one needle at different electrospinning times of 90, 150, and 210 min, respectively, and (ii) WF/G4 obtained with two face-to-face needles after 210 min of electrospinning. While TEO bioactivity is mainly related to its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, the PLA fiber mat uplifted the composite mechanical and barrier properties of films. The bi-layer films obtained were characterized by SEM, showing the distribution of the electrospun fiber mat and an increased thickness of the PLA layer from WF/G1 to WF/G4, while FTIR spectra showed the structural vibrations of the functional groups. The experimental results show that WF/G4 have a FTIR fingerprint resembling PLA, retained ~50% of the volatile compounds present in the uncovered film (WF/TEO), while it only had 1.41 ± 0.14 (%) of the permeability to octanol of the WF/G1 film. WF/G4 exhibited 33.73% of the WVP of WF/G1 and displayed the highest tensile strength, about 2.70 times higher than WF/TEO. All films studied revealed similar antimicrobial effect against Bacillus cereus, Geotrichum candidum, and Rhodotorula glutinis and good antiradical activity, thus demonstrating good prospects to be applied as food packaging materials. WF/G composite materials are good candidates to be used as bioactive flavoring primary packaging in hard cheese making. Full article

This study investigates the effects of varying indium tin oxide (ITO) layer thicknesses and the patterning of the ITO layer on the growth of metallic gold (Au) nano- and microstructures on titanium dioxide (TiO₂) templates. The ITO-TiO₂ heterojunction serves to collect photogenerated electrons in the ITO sublayer, facilitating their transport to the pattern edges and concentrating photocatalytic activity at these edges. Six template types were fabricated on glass substrates, with systematic variations in ITO thickness (0, 3, 6, 10, and 30 nm) and different ITO patterning methods (either continuous or patterned with the TiO₂ layer). Photocatalytic gold growth was carried out on each of the substrates, and morphological analysis was conducted using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results showed that a 6 nm ITO layer beneath a 70 nm TiO₂ layer yielded the most uniform gold lines, characterized by 3D flower-shaped structures and enhanced edge growth. Conductance measurements indicated a value of 23 mS, suggesting potential applications in bio-inspired electronics. These findings provide insights into optimizing gold structure growth for advanced neuromorphic devices. Full article

The utilization of nano-sized drug delivery systems in herbal drug delivery systems has a promising future for improving drug effectiveness and overcoming issues connected with herbal medicine. As a consequence, the use of nanocarriers as novel drug delivery systems for the improvement of traditional medicine is critical to combating infectious diseases globally. In line with this, we herein report the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), and bimetallic nanoparticles (BMNPs) as antibacterial agents against pathogenic bacterial strains using Annona squamosa L. leaf extract as a bio-reductant and bio-stabilizing agent. The as-synthesized metal nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and the dynamic light scattering (DLS) method. The as-synthesized MNPs had an average particle size of 6.98 nm ± 2.86 nm (AgNPs), 21.84 ± 8.72 nm (AuNPs), and 2.05 nm ± 0.76 nm (BMNPs). The as-synthesized AgNPs and BMNPs showed good antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacterial strains of Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) and Gram-negative Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922). The obtained results offer insight into the development of benign nanoparticles as safe antibacterial agents for antibiotic therapy using Annona squamosa L. leaf extract. Full article

Background/Objectives: Ivermectin gained widespread attention as the “miracle drug” during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Its inclusion in the 21st World Health Organization (WHO) List of Essential Medicines is attributed to its targeted anti-helminthic response, high efficacy, cost-effectiveness and favorable safety profile. Since the late 2000s, this bio-inspired active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) gained renewed interest for its diverse therapeutic capabilities. However, producing ivermectin formulations does remain challenging due to its poor water solubility, resulting in low bioavailability after oral administration. Therefore, the transdermal drug delivery of ivermectin was considered to overcome these challenges, which are observed after oral administration. Methods: Ivermectin was incorporated in a nano-emulsion, nano-emulgel and a colloidal suspension as ivermectin-loaded nanoparticles. The nano-drug delivery vehicles were optimized, characterized and evaluated through in vitro membrane release studies, ex vivo skin diffusion studies and tape-stripping to determine whether ivermectin was successfully released from its vehicle and delivered transdermally and/or topically throughout the skin. This study concluded with cytotoxicity tests using the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) and neutral red (NR) assays on both human immortalized epidermal keratinocytes (HaCaT) and human immortalized dermal fibroblasts (BJ-5ta). Results: Ivermectin was successfully released from each vehicle, delivered transdermally and topically throughout the skin and demonstrated little to no cytotoxicity at concentrations that diffused through the skin. Conclusions: The type of nano-drug delivery vehicle used to incorporate ivermectin influences its delivery both topically and transdermally, highlighting the dynamic equilibrium between the vehicle, the API and the skin. Full article

The escalating demand for sustainable rubber products has spurred research into alternative reinforcing fillers, driven by concerns regarding the detrimental effects of using conventional fillers like carbon black and silica. In this investigation, nano-crystalline cellulose (NCC), derived from micro crystalline cellulose (MCC), sourced from sugarcane bagasse via acid hydrolysis, serves as a bio-filler to reinforce Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) matrices. NBR-NCC nano-composites were prepared using a two-roll mill, varying NCC from 1–5 parts per hundred rubber matrices, followed by hot press curing. NCC and NBR-NCC nano-composites were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), curing characteristics, thermo-mechanical testing, thermal aging and motor oil resistance. Chemical interactions between the NCC and NBR matrix were verified with FTIR. The SEM images of the NCC showed a combination of rod-like and spherical morphologies and a homogenous dispersion of NCC in NBR-NCC nano-composites with some agglomeration, notably at higher percentages of NCC. It is shown that the cure time decreases with increasing NCC loading which mimics a shorter industrial production cycle. The results also showed an increase in tensile strength, hardness, oil resistance and a rise in degradation temperature when compared to NBR at approximately 34%, 36%, 38% and 32 °C, respectively, at 3 phr NCC loading. Furthermore, NBR-NCC nano-composites showed a lower decrease in mechanical properties after aging when compared to NBR. The findings of this research suggest that the NBR-NCC nano-composites may find applications in high oil resistance seals and rubber gloves where higher thermal stability is strictly required. Full article

Hydrothermal liquefaction technology (HTL) is a promising thermochemical method to convert biomass into novel liquid fuels. The introduction of oxides and inorganic acids/bases during the hydrothermal process significantly impacts the yield and composition of bio-oil. However, systematic research on their effects, especially at lower temperatures, remains limited. In this paper, we examine the effects of acidity and alkalinity on cotton stalk hydrothermal bio-oil by introducing homogeneous acids and bases. Given the operational challenges associated with product separation using homogeneous acids and bases, this paper further delves into the influence of heterogeneous oxide catalysts (possessing varying degrees of acidity and alkalinity, as well as distinct microstructures and pore architectures) on the production of cotton stalk hydrothermal bio-oil. The effects of nanoscale oxides (CeO₂, TiO₂, ZnO, Al₂O₃, MgO and SiO₂) and homogeneous acid–base catalysts (NaOH, K₂CO₃, Na₂CO₃, KOH, HCl, H₂SO₄, HNO₃) on the quality of cotton stalk bio-oil under moderate hydrothermal conditions (220 °C, 4 h) were investigated. Characterization techniques including infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, elemental analysis, and GC-MS were employed. The results revealed that CeO₂ and NaOH achieved the highest bio-oil yield due to Ce³⁺/Ce⁴⁺ redox reactions, OH-LCC disruption, and ionic swelling effects. Nano-oxides enhanced the formation of compounds like N-ethyl formamide and aliphatic aldehydes while suppressing nitrogen-containing aromatics. The total pore volume and average pore width of oxides negatively correlated with their catalytic efficiency. CeO₂ with low pore volume and width exhibited the highest energy recovery. The energy recovery of cotton stalk bio-oil was influenced by both acid and base sites on the oxide surface, with a higher weak base content favoring higher yields and a higher weak acid content inhibiting them. The findings of this research are expected to provide valuable insights into the energy utilization of agricultural solid waste, such as cotton stalks, as well as to inform the design and development of highly efficient catalysts. Full article