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12 pages, 1647 KiB  
Article
Detection of Burkholderia mallei in Microbiological Culture: A Comparative Analysis of PCR Primer Sets
by Jéssica Cristine K. Moriya, Paula Adas P. Suniga, Ana Clara L. Araújo, Maria Goretti Santos, Juliana S. G. Rieger, Cynthia Mantovani, Rodrigo Jardim, Márcio Roberto Silva, Flábio R. Araújo and Lenita R. Santos
Pathogens 2025, 14(8), 766; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14080766 (registering DOI) - 2 Aug 2025
Viewed by 52
Abstract
Glanders is a highly contagious and often fatal zoonotic disease of equids caused by Burkholderia mallei, a pathogen of significant concern due to its potential for bioterrorism. In Brazil, glanders remains endemic, particularly among working equids in the Northeast region. Diagnostic confirmation [...] Read more.
Glanders is a highly contagious and often fatal zoonotic disease of equids caused by Burkholderia mallei, a pathogen of significant concern due to its potential for bioterrorism. In Brazil, glanders remains endemic, particularly among working equids in the Northeast region. Diagnostic confirmation typically involves serology, culture, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), although false-negative PCR results have been increasingly reported. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance and analytical sensitivity of four B. mallei-specific PCR primer sets using samples from 30 seropositive equids. Microbiological cultures were obtained from various organs and swabs, followed by PCR targeting four genomic regions: fliP-IS407A(a), fliP-IS407A(b), Burk457, and Bm17. All animals were confirmed positive for B. mallei via culture, but PCR detection rates varied significantly across primer sets. The fliP-IS407A(b) primer set showed the highest sensitivity, detecting 86% of samples, while the WOAH-recommended fliP-IS407A(a) set had the lowest performance (13.4%). Analytical sensitivity assays confirmed that fliP-IS407A(b) and Bm17 primers detected DNA concentrations as low as 0.007 ng, outperforming the others. These findings suggest that certain widely used primer sets may lack sufficient sensitivity for reliable detection of B. mallei, especially in chronically infected animals with low bacterial loads. The study underscores the need for ongoing validation of molecular diagnostics to improve the detection and control of glanders in endemic regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Bacterial Pathogens)
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32 pages, 2710 KiB  
Review
Polyphosphazene-Based Nanotherapeutics
by Sara Gutierrez-Gutierrez, Rocio Mellid-Carballal, Noemi Csaba and Marcos Garcia-Fuentes
J. Funct. Biomater. 2025, 16(8), 285; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16080285 - 2 Aug 2025
Viewed by 50
Abstract
Poly(organo)phosphazenes (PPZs) are increasingly recognized as versatile biomaterials for drug delivery applications in nanomedicine. Their unique hybrid structure—featuring an inorganic backbone and highly tunable organic side chains—confers exceptional biocompatibility and adaptability. Through precise synthetic methodologies, PPZs can be engineered to exhibit a wide [...] Read more.
Poly(organo)phosphazenes (PPZs) are increasingly recognized as versatile biomaterials for drug delivery applications in nanomedicine. Their unique hybrid structure—featuring an inorganic backbone and highly tunable organic side chains—confers exceptional biocompatibility and adaptability. Through precise synthetic methodologies, PPZs can be engineered to exhibit a wide spectrum of functional properties, including the formation of multifunctional nanostructures tailored for specific therapeutic needs. These attributes enable PPZs to address several critical challenges associated with conventional drug delivery systems, such as poor pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. By modulating solubility profiles, enhancing drug stability, enabling targeted delivery, and supporting controlled release, PPZs offer a robust platform for improving therapeutic efficacy and patient outcomes. This review explores the fundamental chemistry, biopharmaceutical characteristics, and biomedical applications of PPZs, particularly emphasizing their role in zero-dimensional nanotherapeutic systems, including various nanoparticle formulations. PPZ-based nanotherapeutics are further examined based on their drug-loading mechanisms, which include electrostatic complexation in polyelectrolytic systems, self-assembly in amphiphilic constructs, and covalent conjugation with active pharmaceutical agents. Together, these strategies underscore the potential of PPZs as a next-generation material for advanced drug delivery platforms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials for Drug Targeting and Drug Delivery (2nd Edition))
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15 pages, 1619 KiB  
Article
Reducing Energy Penalty in Wastewater Treatment: Fe-Cu-Modified MWCNT Electrodes for Low-Voltage Electrofiltration of OMC
by Lu Yu, Jun Zeng, Xiu Fan, Fengxiang Li and Tao Hua
Energies 2025, 18(15), 4077; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18154077 (registering DOI) - 1 Aug 2025
Viewed by 154
Abstract
Pseudo-persistent organic pollutants, such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products (PPCPs), and organic dyes, are a major issue in current environmental engineering. Considering the limitations of traditional wastewater treatment plant methods and degradation technologies for organic pollutants, the search for new technologies more suitable [...] Read more.
Pseudo-persistent organic pollutants, such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products (PPCPs), and organic dyes, are a major issue in current environmental engineering. Considering the limitations of traditional wastewater treatment plant methods and degradation technologies for organic pollutants, the search for new technologies more suitable for treating these new types of pollutants has become a research hotspot in recent years. Membrane filtration, adsorption, advanced oxidation, and electrochemical advanced oxidation technologies can effectively treat new organic pollutants. The electro-advanced oxidation process based on sulfate radicals is renowned for its non-selectivity, high efficiency, and environmental friendliness, and it can improve the dewatering performance of sludge after wastewater treatment. Therefore, in this study, octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC) was selected as the target pollutant. A new type of electrochemical filtration device based on the advanced oxidation process of sulfate radicals was designed, and a new type of modified carbon nanotube material electrode was synthesized to enhance its degradation effect. In a mixed system of water and acetonitrile, the efficiency of the electrochemical filtration device loaded with the modified electrode for degrading OMC is 1.54 times that at room temperature. The experimental results confirmed the superiority and application prospects of the self-designed treatment scheme for organic pollutants, providing experience and a reference for the future treatment of PPCP pollution. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section D2: Electrochem: Batteries, Fuel Cells, Capacitors)
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34 pages, 4196 KiB  
Review
Surface Interface Modulation and Photocatalytic Membrane Technology for Degradation of Oily Wastewater
by Yulin Zhao, Yang Xu, Chunling Yu, Yufan Feng, Geng Chen and Yingying Zhu
Catalysts 2025, 15(8), 730; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15080730 (registering DOI) - 31 Jul 2025
Viewed by 183
Abstract
The discharge of oily wastewater threatens the ecosystem and human health, and the efficient treatment of oily wastewater is confronted with problems of high mass transfer resistance at the oil-water-solid multiphase interface, significant light shielding effect, and easy deactivation of photocatalysts. Although traditional [...] Read more.
The discharge of oily wastewater threatens the ecosystem and human health, and the efficient treatment of oily wastewater is confronted with problems of high mass transfer resistance at the oil-water-solid multiphase interface, significant light shielding effect, and easy deactivation of photocatalysts. Although traditional physical separation methods avoid secondary pollution by chemicals and can effectively separate floating oil and dispersed oil, they are ineffective in removing emulsified oil with small particle sizes. To address these complex challenges, photocatalytic technology and photocatalysis-based improved technologies have emerged, offering significant application prospects in degrading organic pollutants in oily wastewater as an environmentally friendly oxidation technology. In this paper, the degradation mechanism, kinetic mechanism, and limitations of conventional photocatalysis technology are briefly discussed. Subsequently, the surface interface modulation functions of metal doping and heterojunction energy band engineering, along with their applications in enhancing the light absorption range and carrier separation efficiency, are reviewed. Focus on typical studies on the separation and degradation of aqueous and oily phases using photocatalytic membrane technology, and illustrate the advantages and mechanisms of photocatalysts loaded on the membranes. Finally, other new approaches and converging technologies in the field are outlined, and the challenges and prospects for the future treatment of oily wastewater are presented. Full article
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19 pages, 2442 KiB  
Article
Monitoring C. vulgaris Cultivations Grown on Winery Wastewater Using Flow Cytometry
by Teresa Lopes da Silva, Thiago Abrantes Silva, Bruna Thomazinho França, Belina Ribeiro and Alberto Reis
Fermentation 2025, 11(8), 442; https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation11080442 (registering DOI) - 31 Jul 2025
Viewed by 162
Abstract
Winery wastewater (WWW), if released untreated, poses a serious environmental threat due to its high organic load. In this study, Chlorella vulgaris was cultivated in diluted WWW to assess its suitability as a culture medium. Two outdoor cultivation systems—a 270 L raceway and [...] Read more.
Winery wastewater (WWW), if released untreated, poses a serious environmental threat due to its high organic load. In this study, Chlorella vulgaris was cultivated in diluted WWW to assess its suitability as a culture medium. Two outdoor cultivation systems—a 270 L raceway and a 40 L bubble column—were operated over 33 days using synthetic medium (control) and WWW. A flow cytometry (FC) protocol was implemented to monitor key physiological parameters in near-real time, including cell concentration, membrane integrity, chlorophyll content, cell size, and internal complexity. At the end of cultivation, the bubble column yielded the highest cell concentrations: 2.85 × 106 cells/mL (control) and 2.30 × 106 cells/mL (WWW), though with lower proportions of intact cells (25% and 31%, respectively). Raceway cultures showed lower cell concentrations: 1.64 × 106 (control) and 1.54 × 106 cells/mL (WWW), but higher membrane integrity (76% and 36% for control and WWW cultures, respectively). On average, cells grown in the bubble column had a 22% larger radius than those in the raceway, favouring sedimentation. Heterotrophic cells were more abundant in WWW cultures, due to the presence of organic carbon, indicating its potential for use as animal feed. This study demonstrates that FC is a powerful, real-time tool for monitoring microalgae physiology and optimising cultivation in complex effluents like WWW. Full article
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26 pages, 9475 KiB  
Article
Microalgae-Derived Vesicles: Natural Nanocarriers of Exogenous and Endogenous Proteins
by Luiza Garaeva, Eugene Tolstyko, Elena Putevich, Yury Kil, Anastasiia Spitsyna, Svetlana Emelianova, Anastasia Solianik, Eugeny Yastremsky, Yuri Garmay, Elena Komarova, Elena Varfolomeeva, Anton Ershov, Irina Sizova, Evgeny Pichkur, Ilya A. Vinnikov, Varvara Kvanchiani, Alina Kilasoniya Marfina, Andrey L. Konevega and Tatiana Shtam
Plants 2025, 14(15), 2354; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14152354 - 31 Jul 2025
Viewed by 265
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs), nanoscale membrane-enclosed particles, are natural carriers of proteins and nucleic acids. Microalgae are widely used as a source of bioactive substances in the food and cosmetic industries and definitely have a potential to be used as the producers of EVs [...] Read more.
Extracellular vesicles (EVs), nanoscale membrane-enclosed particles, are natural carriers of proteins and nucleic acids. Microalgae are widely used as a source of bioactive substances in the food and cosmetic industries and definitely have a potential to be used as the producers of EVs for biomedical applications. In this study, the extracellular vesicles isolated from the culture medium of two unicellular microalgae, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (Chlamy-EVs) and Parachlorella kessleri (Chlore-EVs), were characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM), cryo-electronic microscopy (cryo-EM), and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). The biocompatibility with human cells in vitro (HEK-293T, DF-2 and A172) and biodistribution in mouse organs and tissues in vivo were tested for both microalgal EVs. An exogenous therapeutic protein, human heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), was successfully loaded to Chlamy- and Chlore-EVs, and its efficient delivery to human glioma and colon carcinoma cell lines has been confirmed. Additionally, in order to search for potential therapeutic biomolecules within the EVs, their proteomes have been characterized. A total of 105 proteins were identified for Chlamy-EVs and 33 for Chlore-EVs. The presence of superoxide dismutase and catalase in the Chlamy-EV constituents allows for considering them as antioxidant agents. The effective delivery of exogenous cargo to human cells and the possibility of the particle yield optimization by varying the microalgae growth conditions make them favorable producers of EVs for biotechnology and biomedical application. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Plant Cell Biology)
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15 pages, 1273 KiB  
Article
Fungal Pretreatment of Alperujo for Bioproduct Recovery and Detoxification: Comparison of Two White Rot Fungi
by Viviana Benavides, Gustavo Ciudad, Fernanda Pinto-Ibieta, Elisabet Aranda, Victor Ramos-Muñoz, Maria A. Rao and Antonio Serrano
Agronomy 2025, 15(8), 1851; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15081851 - 31 Jul 2025
Viewed by 169
Abstract
Alperujo, a solid by-product from the two-phase olive oil extraction process, poses significant environmental challenges due to its high organic load, phytotoxicity, and phenolic content. At the same time, it represents a promising feedstock for recovering value-added compounds such as phenols and volatile [...] Read more.
Alperujo, a solid by-product from the two-phase olive oil extraction process, poses significant environmental challenges due to its high organic load, phytotoxicity, and phenolic content. At the same time, it represents a promising feedstock for recovering value-added compounds such as phenols and volatile fatty acids (VFAs). When used as a substrate for white rot fungi (WRF), it also produces ligninolytic enzymes. This study explores the use of two native WRF, Anthracophyllum discolor and Stereum hirsutum, for the biotransformation of alperujo under solid-state fermentation conditions, with and without supplementation of copper and manganese, two cofactors known to enhance fungal enzymatic activity. S. hirsutum stood out for its ability to release high concentrations of phenolic compounds (up to 6001 ± 236 mg gallic acid eq L−1) and VFAs (up to 1627 ± 325 mg L−1) into the aqueous extract, particularly with metal supplementation. In contrast, A. discolor was more effective in degrading phenolic compounds within the solid matrix, achieving a 41% reduction over a 30-day period. However, its ability to accumulate phenolics and VFAs in the extract was limited. Both WRF exhibited increased enzymatic activities (particularly Laccase and Manganese Peroxidase) with the addition of Cu-Mn, highlighting the potential of the aqueous extract as a natural source of biocatalysts. Phytotoxicity assays using Solanum lycopersicum seeds confirmed a partial detoxification of the treated alperujo. However, none of the fungi could entirely eliminate inhibitory effects on their own, suggesting the need for complementary stabilization steps before agricultural reuse. Overall, the results indicate that S. hirsutum, especially when combined with metal supplementation, is better suited for valorizing alperujo through the recovery of bioactive compounds. Meanwhile, A. discolor may be more suitable for detoxifying the solid phase strategies. These findings support the integration of fungal pretreatment into biorefinery schemes that valorize agroindustrial residues while mitigating environmental issues. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Biosystem and Biological Engineering)
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21 pages, 3418 KiB  
Article
Tunable Optical Bandgap and Enhanced Visible Light Photocatalytic Activity of ZnFe2O3-Doped ZIF-8 Composites for Sustainable Environmental Remediation
by Fatma Alharbi, Taymour Hamdalla, Hanan Al-Ghamdi, Badriah Albarzan and Ahmed Darwish
Catalysts 2025, 15(8), 720; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15080720 - 29 Jul 2025
Viewed by 254
Abstract
Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), particularly ZIF-8, have emerged as promising materials due to their high porosity, tunability, and chemical stability. In this study, we report the synthesis of ZnFe2O3-doped ZIF-8 composites with 10 wt% loading via a solvothermal method to [...] Read more.
Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), particularly ZIF-8, have emerged as promising materials due to their high porosity, tunability, and chemical stability. In this study, we report the synthesis of ZnFe2O3-doped ZIF-8 composites with 10 wt% loading via a solvothermal method to enhance their optical and photocatalytic performance. Structural analyses confirmed the successful incorporation of ZnFe2O3 without disrupting the ZIF-8 framework. Optical studies revealed enhanced absorption in the visible range, a narrowed bandgap (4.26 eV vs. 4.37 eV for pristine ZIF-8), and an increased extinction coefficient, indicating superior light-harvesting potential. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated by methylene blue (MB) degradation under visible light, where the 10 wt% ZnFe2O3-ZIF-8 composite achieved 90% degradation efficiency, outperforming pristine ZIF-8 (67.8%). The catalyst also demonstrated excellent recyclability over five cycles and a proposed degradation mechanism involving ·OH and ·O2 radical formation. These findings demonstrate the potential of highly doped ZnFe2O3@ZIF-8 composites for environmental remediation and photonic applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalysis Accelerating Energy and Environmental Sustainability)
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19 pages, 3963 KiB  
Article
Real-Time Energy Management in Microgrids: Integrating T-Cell Optimization, Droop Control, and HIL Validation with OPAL-RT
by Achraf Boukaibat, Nissrine Krami, Youssef Rochdi, Yassir El Bakkali, Mohamed Laamim and Abdelilah Rochd
Energies 2025, 18(15), 4035; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18154035 - 29 Jul 2025
Viewed by 341
Abstract
Modern microgrids face critical challenges in maintaining stability and efficiency due to renewable energy intermittency and dynamic load demands. This paper proposes a novel real-time energy management framework that synergizes a bio-inspired T-Cell optimization algorithm with decentralized voltage-based droop control to address these [...] Read more.
Modern microgrids face critical challenges in maintaining stability and efficiency due to renewable energy intermittency and dynamic load demands. This paper proposes a novel real-time energy management framework that synergizes a bio-inspired T-Cell optimization algorithm with decentralized voltage-based droop control to address these challenges. A JADE-based multi-agent system (MAS) orchestrates coordination between the T-Cell optimizer and edge-level controllers, enabling scalable and fault-tolerant decision-making. The T-Cell algorithm, inspired by adaptive immune system dynamics, optimizes global power distribution through the MAS platform, while droop control ensures local voltage stability via autonomous adjustments by distributed energy resources (DERs). The framework is rigorously validated through Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing using OPAL-RT, which interfaces MATLAB/Simulink models with Raspberry Pi for real-time communication (MQTT/Modbus protocols). Experimental results demonstrate a 91% reduction in grid dependency, 70% mitigation of voltage fluctuations, and a 93% self-consumption rate, significantly enhancing power quality and resilience. By integrating centralized optimization with decentralized control through MAS coordination, the hybrid approach achieves scalable, self-organizing microgrid operation under variable generation and load conditions. This work advances the practical deployment of adaptive energy management systems, offering a robust solution for sustainable and resilient microgrids. Full article
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16 pages, 2131 KiB  
Article
A Comparative Study on ZrO2- and MgO-Based Sulfonic Acid Materials for the Reactive Adsorption of o-Xylene
by Hongmei Wang, Xiaoxu Zhang, Ziqi Shen and Zichuan Ma
Molecules 2025, 30(15), 3171; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30153171 - 29 Jul 2025
Viewed by 190
Abstract
The recovery and abatement of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have received increasing attention due to their significant environmental and health impacts. Supported sulfonic acid materials have shown great potential in converting aromatic VOCs into their non-volatile derivatives through reactive adsorption. However, the anchoring [...] Read more.
The recovery and abatement of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have received increasing attention due to their significant environmental and health impacts. Supported sulfonic acid materials have shown great potential in converting aromatic VOCs into their non-volatile derivatives through reactive adsorption. However, the anchoring state of sulfonic acid groups, which is closely related to the properties of the support, greatly affects their performance. In this study, two supported sulfonic acid materials, SZO and SMO, were prepared by treating ZrO2 and MgO with chlorosulfonic acid, respectively, to investigate the influence of the support properties on the anchoring state of sulfonic acid groups and their reactive adsorption performance for o-xylene. The supports, adsorbents, and adsorption products were extensively characterized, and the reactivity of SZO and SMO towards o-xylene was systematically compared. The results showed that sulfonic acid groups are anchored on the ZrO2 surface through covalent bonding, forming positively charged sulfonic acid sites ([O1.5Zr-O]δ−-SO3Hδ+) with a loading of 3.6 mmol/g. As a result, SZO exhibited excellent removal efficiency (≥91.3%) and high breakthrough adsorption capacity (ranging from 38.59 to 82.07 mg/g) for o-xylene in the temperature range of 130 –150 °C. In contrast, sulfonic acid groups are anchored on the MgO surface via ion-paired bonding, leading to the formation of negatively charged sulfonic acid sites ([O0.5Mg]+:OSO3H), which prevents their participation in the electrophilic sulfonation reaction with o-xylene molecules. This work provides new insights into tuning and enhancing the performance of supported sulfonic acid materials for the resource-oriented treatment of aromatic VOCs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Chemistry in Asia)
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22 pages, 6926 KiB  
Article
Exploring Heavy Metals Exposure in Urban Green Zones of Thessaloniki (Northern Greece): Risks to Soil and People’s Health
by Ioannis Papadopoulos, Evangelia E. Golia, Ourania-Despoina Kantzou, Sotiria G. Papadimou and Anna Bourliva
Toxics 2025, 13(8), 632; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13080632 - 27 Jul 2025
Viewed by 861
Abstract
This study investigates the heavy metal contamination in urban and peri-urban soils of Thessaloniki, Greece, over a two-year period (2023–2024). A total of 208 composite soil samples were systematically collected from 52 sites representing diverse land uses, including high-traffic roadsides, industrial zones, residential [...] Read more.
This study investigates the heavy metal contamination in urban and peri-urban soils of Thessaloniki, Greece, over a two-year period (2023–2024). A total of 208 composite soil samples were systematically collected from 52 sites representing diverse land uses, including high-traffic roadsides, industrial zones, residential neighborhoods, parks, and mixed-use areas, with sampling conducted both after the wet (winter) and dry (summer) seasons. Soil physicochemical properties (pH, electrical conductivity, texture, organic matter, and calcium carbonate content) were analyzed alongside the concentrations of heavy metals such as Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn. A pollution assessment employed the Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), Contamination Factor (Cf), Pollution Load Index (PLI), and Potential Ecological Risk Index (RI), revealing variable contamination levels across the city, with certain hotspots exhibiting a considerable to very high ecological risk. Multivariate statistical analyses (PCA and HCA) identified distinct anthropogenic and geogenic sources of heavy metals. Health risk assessments, based on USEPA models, evaluated non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks for both adults and children via ingestion and dermal contact pathways. The results indicate that while most sites present low to moderate health risks, specific locations, particularly near major transport and industrial areas, pose elevated risks, especially for children. The findings underscore the need for targeted monitoring and remediation strategies to mitigate the ecological and human health risks associated with urban soil pollution in Thessaloniki. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Distribution and Behavior of Trace Metals in the Environment)
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35 pages, 3995 KiB  
Review
Recent Advancements in Latent Thermal Energy Storage and Their Applications for HVAC Systems in Commercial and Residential Buildings in Europe—Analysis of Different EU Countries’ Scenarios
by Belayneh Semahegn Ayalew and Rafał Andrzejczyk
Energies 2025, 18(15), 4000; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18154000 - 27 Jul 2025
Viewed by 577
Abstract
Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems account for the largest share of energy consumption in European Union (EU) buildings, representing approximately 40% of the final energy use and contributing significantly to carbon emissions. Latent thermal energy storage (LTES) using phase change materials (PCMs) [...] Read more.
Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems account for the largest share of energy consumption in European Union (EU) buildings, representing approximately 40% of the final energy use and contributing significantly to carbon emissions. Latent thermal energy storage (LTES) using phase change materials (PCMs) has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance HVAC efficiency. This review systematically examines the role of latent thermal energy storage using phase change materials (PCMs) in optimizing HVAC performance to align with EU climate targets, including the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED). By analyzing advancements in PCM-enhanced HVAC systems across residential and commercial sectors, this study identifies critical pathways for reducing energy demand, enhancing grid flexibility, and accelerating the transition to nearly zero-energy buildings (NZEBs). The review categorizes PCM technologies into organic, inorganic, and eutectic systems, evaluating their integration into thermal storage tanks, airside free cooling units, heat pumps, and building envelopes. Empirical data from case studies demonstrate consistent energy savings of 10–30% and peak load reductions of 20–50%, with Mediterranean climates achieving superior cooling load management through paraffin-based PCMs (melting range: 18–28 °C) compared to continental regions. Policy-driven initiatives, such as Germany’s renewable integration mandates for public buildings, are shown to amplify PCM adoption rates by 40% compared to regions lacking regulatory incentives. Despite these benefits, barriers persist, including fragmented EU standards, life cycle cost uncertainties, and insufficient training. This work bridges critical gaps between PCM research and EU policy implementation, offering a roadmap for scalable deployment. By contextualizing technical improvement within regulatory and economic landscapes, the review provides strategic recommendations to achieve the EU’s 2030 emissions reduction targets and 2050 climate neutrality goals. Full article
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16 pages, 1640 KiB  
Article
Polydroxyalkanoates Production from Simulated Food Waste Condensate Using Mixed Microbial Cultures
by Konstantina Filippou, Evaggelia Bouzani, Elianta Kora, Ioanna Ntaikou, Konstantina Papadopoulou and Gerasimos Lyberatos
Polymers 2025, 17(15), 2042; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17152042 - 26 Jul 2025
Viewed by 373
Abstract
The growing environmental concerns associated with petroleum-based plastics require the development of sustainable, biodegradable alternatives. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), a family of biodegradable bioplastics, offer a promising potential as eco-friendly substitutes due to their renewable origin and favorable degradation properties. This research investigates the use [...] Read more.
The growing environmental concerns associated with petroleum-based plastics require the development of sustainable, biodegradable alternatives. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), a family of biodegradable bioplastics, offer a promising potential as eco-friendly substitutes due to their renewable origin and favorable degradation properties. This research investigates the use of synthetic condensate, mimicking the liquid fraction from drying and shredding of household food waste, as a viable substrate for PHA production using mixed microbial cultures. Two draw-fill reactors (DFRs) were operated under different feed organic concentrations (2.0 ± 0.5 and 3.8 ± 0.6 g COD/L), maintaining a consistent carbon-to-nitrogen ratio to selectively enrich microorganisms capable of accumulating PHAs through alternating nutrient availability and deficiency. Both reactors achieved efficient organic pollutant removal (>95% soluble COD removal), stable biomass growth, and optimal pH levels. Notably, the reactor with the higher organic load (DFR-2) demonstrated a modest increase in PHA accumulation (19.05 ± 7.18%) compared to the lower-loaded reactor (DFR-1; 15.19 ± 6.00%), alongside significantly enhanced biomass productivity. Polymer characterization revealed the formation of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), influenced by the substrate composition. Microbial community analysis showed an adaptive shift towards Proteobacteria dominance, signifying successful enrichment of effective PHA producers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioplastics)
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20 pages, 1716 KiB  
Article
Enhancing Antioxidants Performance of Ceria Nanoparticles in Biological Environment via Surface Engineering with o-Quinone Functionalities
by Pierluigi Lasala, Tiziana Latronico, Umberto Mattia, Rosa Maria Matteucci, Antonella Milella, Matteo Grattieri, Grazia Maria Liuzzi, Giuseppe Petrosillo, Annamaria Panniello, Nicoletta Depalo, Maria Lucia Curri and Elisabetta Fanizza
Antioxidants 2025, 14(8), 916; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14080916 - 25 Jul 2025
Viewed by 351
Abstract
The development of ceria (CeO2−x)-based nanoantioxidants requires fine-tuning of structural and surface properties for enhancing antioxidant behavior in biological environments. In this contest, here ultrasmall water-dispersible CeO2−x nanoparticles (NPs), characterized by a high Ce3+/Ce4+ ratio, were synthesized [...] Read more.
The development of ceria (CeO2−x)-based nanoantioxidants requires fine-tuning of structural and surface properties for enhancing antioxidant behavior in biological environments. In this contest, here ultrasmall water-dispersible CeO2−x nanoparticles (NPs), characterized by a high Ce3+/Ce4+ ratio, were synthesized in a non-polar solvent and phase-transfer to an aqueous environment through ligand-exchange reactions using citric acid (CeO2−x@Cit) and post-treatment with dopamine hydrochloride (CeO2−x@Dopa). The concept behind this work is to enhance via surface engineering the intrinsic antioxidant properties of CeO2−x NPs. For this purpose, thanks to electron transfer reactions between dopamine and CeO2−x, the CeO2−x@Dopa was obtained, characterized by increased surface Ce3+ sites and surface functionalized with polydopamine bearing o-quinone structures as demonstrated by complementary spectroscopic (UV–vis, FT-IR, and XPS) characterizations. To test the antioxidant properties of CeO2−x NPs, the scavenging activity before and after dopamine treatment against artificial radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH·) and the ability to reduce the reactive oxygen species in Diencephalic Immortalized Type Neural Cell line 1 were evaluated. CeO2−x@Dopa demonstrated less efficiency in DPPH· scavenging (%radical scavenging activity 13% versus 42% for CeO2−x@Cit before dopamine treatment at 33 μM DPPH· and 0.13 mg/mL loading of NPs), while it markedly reduced intracellular ROS levels (ROS production 35% compared to 66% of CeO2−x@Cit before dopamine treatment with respect to control—p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively). While steric hindrance from the dopamine-derived polymer layer limited direct electron transfer from CeO2−x NP surface to DPPH·, within cells the presence of o-quinone groups contributed with CeO2−x NPs to break the autoxidation chain of organic substrates, enhancing the antioxidant activity. The functionalization of NPs with o-quinone structures represents a valuable approach to increase the inherent antioxidant properties of CeO2−x NPs, enhancing their effectiveness in biological systems by promoting additional redox pathways. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Natural and Synthetic Antioxidants)
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28 pages, 4562 KiB  
Article
A Capacity-Constrained Weighted Clustering Algorithm for UAV Self-Organizing Networks Under Interference
by Siqi Li, Peng Gong, Weidong Wang, Jinyue Liu, Zhixuan Feng and Xiang Gao
Drones 2025, 9(8), 527; https://doi.org/10.3390/drones9080527 - 25 Jul 2025
Viewed by 194
Abstract
Compared to traditional ad hoc networks, self-organizing networks of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) are characterized by high node mobility, vulnerability to interference, wide distribution range, and large network scale, which make network management and routing protocol operation more challenging. Cluster structures can be [...] Read more.
Compared to traditional ad hoc networks, self-organizing networks of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) are characterized by high node mobility, vulnerability to interference, wide distribution range, and large network scale, which make network management and routing protocol operation more challenging. Cluster structures can be used to optimize network management and mitigate the impact of local topology changes on the entire network during collaborative task execution. To address the issue of cluster structure instability caused by the high mobility and vulnerability to interference in UAV networks, we propose a capacity-constrained weighted clustering algorithm for UAV self-organizing networks under interference. Specifically, a capacity-constrained partitioning algorithm based on K-means++ is developed to establish the initial node partitions. Then, a weighted cluster head (CH) and backup cluster head (BCH) selection algorithm is proposed, incorporating interference factors into the selection process. Additionally, a dynamic maintenance mechanism for the clustering network is introduced to enhance the stability and robustness of the network. Simulation results show that the algorithm achieves efficient node clustering under interference conditions, improving cluster load balancing, average cluster head maintenance time, and cluster head failure reconstruction time. Furthermore, the method demonstrates fast recovery capabilities in the event of node failures, making it more suitable for deployment in complex emergency rescue environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for Enhanced Emergency Response)
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