Saved Queries

by Hao-Zhe Yu, Guan-Yong Deng, Nan Gao, Li-Hong Fan, Jian-Wen Wang, Xing-Jian Liu, Wei Zhang, Shi-Lin Tian, Yu-Xiong Weng, He-Shuang Dai, Yi-Wen Zhang and Huan Deng

Pharmaceutics 2026, 18(5), 607; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18050607 (registering DOI) - 15 May 2026

Abstract

Background: Photothermal therapy (PTT), a highly efficient and controllable method with minimal drug resistance, transforms near-infrared (NIR) radiation into heat. This process exerts antibacterial effects, aids in tissue repair, and promotes healing. Methods: Our study presented a novel kind of composite wound dressing that incorporated adhesive conductive hydrogel combined with piezoelectric film for NIR-responsive applications. The inherent adhesiveness of the hydrogel ensured robust anchoring of the piezoelectric film to both hydrogel matrix and wound site. Its conductivity enabled synergistic endogenous electrical stimulation with the piezoelectric film, while also serving as therapeutic layer to augment hemostasis, analgesia, and antibacterial activity. Results: The hydrogel’s capacity for moisture retention and exudate absorption sustained optimal wound environment, thereby supporting debridement and recovery. Furthermore, the piezoelectric film possessed excellent photothermal properties and transferred heat to the hydrogel through heat conduction to enhance antibacterial activity and promote wound healing. The in vitro and ins vivo experiments confirmed that the composite dressing exhibited strong promotion effect on wound healing under NIR irradiation. Conclusions: In summary, our research provided a new strategy for developing advanced piezoelectric biomaterials with great clinical potential for wound healing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrogels-Based Drug Delivery System for Wound Healing)

18 pages, 19088 KB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing Flood Adaptation Measures in Post-Cyclone Recovery and Reconstruction: The 2023 Cyclone Freddy Case in Kachulu, Malawi

by Ali Taghimolla, Ali Asgary and Mahbod Aarabi

Remote Sens. 2026, 18(10), 1593; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs18101593 (registering DOI) - 15 May 2026

Abstract

In 2023, Tropical Cyclone Freddy caused severe damage in southern Malawi, flooding much of the lowland area near Lake Chilwa and displacing many residents. This study evaluates long-term, region-specific mitigation strategies to lessen future risks, using a novel approach that combines drone and satellite data, building footprints, and 3D simulations to analyze how building elevation affects flood damage and assess Property-Level Flood Risk Adaptation measures. Results show a significant difference in ground elevation between affected and unaffected buildings, with damaged structures generally at lower levels. The 3D simulation confirmed a water-level rise of approximately 3.0 m caused by Freddy. Scenario analysis indicates that elevating buildings by 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 m could reduce direct flood exposure and 64%, 76%, and 91% of damage, respectively. These insights can inform the development of targeted regional risk-mitigation strategies through Property-Level Flood Risk Adaptation in high-risk areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Remote Sensing for Hydrological Management)

19 pages, 2809 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Acid and Alkali Pretreatments on the Degradation Patterns and Structural Properties of Lignocellulose in Energy Crop Arundo donax L.

by Zhennan He, Guolin Yang, Siyi Wang, Yuanyuan Jing and Fengqin Gao

Agronomy 2026, 16(10), 986; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy16100986 (registering DOI) - 15 May 2026

Abstract

Arundo donax L. is a significant energy crop and perennial grass, with its efficient conversion holding substantial implications for the utilization of agricultural biomass resources. However, the distinct effects of acid and alkali pretreatments on its lignocellulose degradation patterns and structural modifications remain inadequately characterized. This study utilized Arundo donax L. as raw material to compare the effects of dilute sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide pretreatments on its component degradation and structural modifications. Single-factor experiments were conducted, and the mechanisms were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. The results indicated that dilute sulfuric acid pretreatment primarily degraded hemicellulose (up to 85.8%) with limited lignin removal (<13%), whereas sodium hydroxide pretreatment effectively removed lignin (66.8%). XRD analysis revealed that crystallinity after dilute acid treatment was significantly higher than that of untreated samples (p < 0.05). Sodium hydroxide treatment induced a concentration-dependent non-monotonic change in crystallinity: the crystallinity index (CrI) peaked at a 1% concentration, was significantly lower at 3% and 4%, and showed intermediate values at 2% and 5%. The apparent crystallite size remained at 3.0–3.3 nm, suggesting that both pretreatments primarily targeted amorphous regions. FTIR analysis confirmed that alkali treatment more thoroughly disrupted ester bonds and lignin. SEM images revealed that alkali-treated fiber bundles were more loosely packed with relatively smoother surfaces. In acid treatment, 100 °C was identified as the critical temperature for a significant increase in crystallinity, whereas in alkali treatment, temperature had no significant effect on crystallinity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Biosystem and Biological Engineering)

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27 pages, 7263 KB

Open AccessArticle

LEViM-Net: A Lightweight EfficientViM Network for Earthquake Building Damage Assessment

by Qing Ma, Dongpu Wu, Yichen Zhang, Jiquan Zhang, Jinyuan Xu and Yechi Yao

Remote Sens. 2026, 18(10), 1592; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs18101592 (registering DOI) - 15 May 2026

Abstract

Building damage and collapse are the main sources of serious casualties and financial losses during earthquakes, which are among the most destructive natural disasters that endanger human life and property. Therefore, quick and precise post-earthquake building damage assessment is essential for risk assessment and emergency action. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) primarily concentrate on local features and frequently ignore global contextual information within and across buildings, despite the fact that deep learning-based techniques allow automated damage identification. Transformer-based approaches, on the other hand, are good at capturing global dependencies, but their large memory and processing costs restrict their usefulness. As a result, existing networks still struggle to achieve an effective balance between accuracy and efficiency. To address this issue, this study proposes a lightweight and efficient network for post-earthquake building damage assessment. Specifically, we develop a two-stage method based on EfficientViM with an encoder–decoder architecture. In the encoder, Mamba is introduced to extract multi-scale change features with long-range dependencies, leveraging the state space model to preserve global modeling capability while significantly reducing computational complexity. In the decoder, two lightweight modules are designed to further enhance discriminative capability and computational efficiency. The network finally outputs building localization and pixel-level building damage, respectively. Experiments were conducted on four earthquake events from the BRIGHT dataset using a three-for-training and one-for-testing cross-event rotation evaluation strategy. The results demonstrate that LEViM-Net requires only 30.94 M parameters and 27.10 G FLOPs. In addition, for the Türkiye earthquake event, the proposed method achieves an F1 score of 80.49%, an overall accuracy (OA) of 88.17%, and a mean intersection over union (mIoU) of 49.73%. The proposed model enables efficient remote-sensing-based mapping of macroscopic and image-visible building damage, providing timely support for early-stage emergency response. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in AI-Driven Remote Sensing for Geohazard Perception)

29 pages, 3527 KB

Open AccessReview

Molecular Insights into Lignin Bioactivity: From Structural Architecture to Sustainable Food Industry Applications

by Akhmadjon Sultanov, Rakhmat Sultonov, Byung-Dae Park, Ju-Ock Nam, Soo Rin Kim and Deokyeol Jeong

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(10), 4458; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27104458 (registering DOI) - 15 May 2026

Abstract

This review explores the biological properties and application potential of native, technical, and modified lignins, with a focus on their antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activities. Native lignin generally preserves more of its original phenolic architecture and thus shows stronger intrinsic biological activity. This is likely due to its more homogeneous structure, which makes its physicochemical behavior more predictable compared with highly processed technical lignins. Among technical lignins, organosolv and soda lignin appear the most promising due to their sulfur-free nature, lower condensation, and higher reactivity. At the monomer level, catechol-type phenolics show the highest antioxidant potential, while vanillin remains the most attractive lignin-derived monomer because it combines bioactivity with direct application potential in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic systems. Comparison of modification strategies indicates that phenolic grafting, esterification, and carboxylation are more practical for scale-up than complex multistep polymer grafting. In particular, gallic acid grafting produced some of the strongest results, including near-complete 2,2′-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) scavenging, 98.7% 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical inhibition, and a fourfold increase in phenolic hydroxyl content, whereas other modified lignins also showed improved antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. Overall, mild and green lignin modification, especially with food-safe phenolic compounds, appears to be the most promising strategy for future food and human health applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Plant Sciences)

17 pages, 748 KB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Effectiveness of β-TriCalcium Phosphate for Alveolar Ridge Preservation: A Systematic Review

by Vitolante Pezzella, Andrea Blasi, Leopoldo Mauriello, Giuseppe Trapanese, Elio Ramaglia, Michele Basilicata, Vincenzo Iorio-Siciliano and Luca Ramaglia

J. Funct. Biomater. 2026, 17(5), 247; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb17050247 (registering DOI) - 15 May 2026

Abstract

Alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) aims to reduce post-extraction bone resorption and facilitate implant placement. Among alloplastic grafts, β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) is widely used due to its osteoconductive properties and complete resorbability. This systematic review evaluated the clinical effectiveness of β-TCP for ARP, focusing on ridge dimensional changes assessed by cone–beam computed tomography (CBCT). Electronic searches were performed in major scientific databases up to April 2026. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting CBCT-based dimensional outcomes after at least 4 months were included. Five RCTs met the inclusion criteria. Considerable heterogeneity was observed in biomaterial formulations, socket management, and outcome assessment. When used alone, β-TCP showed variable results, ranging from greater ridge resorption compared with xenograft to outcomes comparable with those of freeze-dried bone allograft. More consistent findings were reported when β-TCP was used in combination with other biomaterials, with outcomes generally comparable to those of deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM). Overall, β-TCP may have a potential role in alveolar ridge preservation; however, evidence remains limited and heterogeneous. Differences between β-TCP alone and composite formulations should be carefully considered, and no definitive conclusions can be drawn regarding its comparative predictability versus xenografts. Further RCTs are needed to clarify its clinical effectiveness and identify optimal applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomaterials Applied in Dental Sciences (2nd Edition))

19 pages, 1387 KB

Open AccessArticle

Uniform in Bandwidth Consistency of the L¹-Modal Regression Estimator for High-Dimensional Data

by Fatimah A. Almulhim, Mohammed B. Alamari and Ali Laksaci

Entropy 2026, 28(5), 558; https://doi.org/10.3390/e28050558 (registering DOI) - 15 May 2026

Abstract

We propose a new nonparametric estimator of the conditional mode in a regression framework where the covariates are functional in nature. The estimator is constructed through a quantile regression approach, which provides a robust alternative to classical density-based procedures. It is well documented [...] Read more.

L^{1}

-structure in quantile regression, the estimation procedure improves robustness properties, particularly resistance to outliers and heavy-tailed error distributions. This feature makes the

L^{1}

estimation of the conditional mode more stable and reliable in complex and high-variability functional data settings. The main objective of this paper is to establish strong consistency, with explicit convergence rates, for the associated kernel estimators, uniformly over a range of bandwidth parameters. The latter is developed under general regularity conditions involving the concentration distribution of the functional regressor, smoothness assumptions on the structural components of the model, and entropy conditions ensuring adequate control of the functional class complexity. Uniformity in bandwidth is essential both from a theoretical and practical issues, as it guarantees stability of the estimator under data-driven smoothing parameter selection. Beyond its theoretical contribution, this paper has direct implications for applied statistics. Specifically, it provides mathematical support for the automatic bandwidth selection procedures in the high-dimensional data context. Furthermore, the main theoretical novelty is highlighted through simulation experiments and applications to real data. Full article

18 pages, 946 KB

Open AccessArticle

Optimizing Motion Sequences with Projective Dual Quaternions

by Danail Brezov

AppliedMath 2026, 6(5), 80; https://doi.org/10.3390/appliedmath6050080 (registering DOI) - 15 May 2026

Abstract

This paper builds upon a previous study suggesting an optimization procedure for rotation sequences by introducing a fourth factor in Euler-type decompositions, thus allowing for an additional degree of freedom used both as a variational parameter and a means to avoid the gimbal lock singularity. Here, an analogous result is derived for generic rigid motions, which is of potential interest in 3D robot manipulators, aircraft, and spacecraft using gimbals to navigate in space. The idea is based on Kotelnikov’s principle of transference, which extends the properties of pure rotations to arbitrary Galilean transformations, interpreted as screw motions. To do that in practice, it is convenient to use dual quaternions or their projective version, referred to as dual Rodrigues’ vectors. With this approach, the explicit solutions are easy to extend and therefore optimization is rather straightforward: we show, both analytically and with numerical examples, that factorizing motion into sequences of four consecutive screws is, in general, significantly more energy-efficient compared to using three. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Mathematical Modelling in Mechanical Design and Analysis)

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25 pages, 11094 KB

Open AccessArticle

Tuning Thermochemistry Behavior of Coal Gasification Fine Ash via Alkyl Chain-Length-Dependent Surface Functionalization: Mechanisms and Structure–Property Relationships

by Luzhen Jiao, Huiguo Yu, Yanshun Li, Yiqun Chen, Jiawei Li and Xiaoguang Li

Molecules 2026, 31(10), 1682; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31101682 (registering DOI) - 15 May 2026

Abstract

Coal gasification fine ash (CGFA) is a carbon–mineral composite solid waste whose valorization is severely hindered by poor interfacial compatibility with organic media due to its highly polar surface. Here, we report a surface alkylation strategy using haloalkanes with variable chain lengths to systematically tune the surface chemistry and thermo-oxidative behavior of CGFA. Comprehensive spectroscopic characterizations (XPS, FTIR, and ¹³C NMR) confirm successful grafting of alkyl chains, which increases aliphatic C-H content from 24.8% to 43.9% while reducing polar carboxyl groups from 7.9% to 1.6%, with the mineral framework remaining intact. Thermogravimetric analysis reveals that alkylation lowers the onset decomposition temperature from 358 °C to 295 °C and enhances the maximum mass-loss rate. Kinetic analysis shows that grafted alkyl chains act as low-energy initiation sites, reducing the initial activation energy to 95 kJ/mol, while the later-stage oxidation becomes diffusion-limited. Notably, long straight-chain alkylation achieves the best performance, whereas branched chains are less effective due to steric hindrance and pore blockage. This work establishes a clear chain-length-dependent structure–thermal response relationship, positioning alkylated CGFA as a designable precursor for functional carbon materials, intelligent char-forming agents, and tunable components for energy or responsive material systems. Full article

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26 pages, 6494 KB

Open AccessArticle

Mechanical and Optical Characterization of 0.7 mm Ion-Exchange-Strengthened Aluminosilicate Glass for Building-Integrated Photovoltaics

by Paweł Kwaśnicki, Ludmiła Marszałek, Dariusz Augustowski, Anna Gronba-Chyła and Agnieszka Generowicz

Energies 2026, 19(10), 2389; https://doi.org/10.3390/en19102389 (registering DOI) - 15 May 2026

Abstract

Ion-exchange-strengthened 0.7 mm aluminosilicate glass offers a promising route to lightweight, mechanically robust front covers for building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) modules, but systematic characterization at sub-millimeter thicknesses remains limited. This study investigated 100 × 60 × 0.7 mm glass samples subjected to Na⁺/K⁺ ion exchange (6 h, 430 °C, KNO₃) and characterized mechanical and optical properties relevant to BIPV applications. Depth of layer (DOL) was cross-validated using three independent methods, mass gain diffusion modeling (31–37 μm), elasto-optic measurements (FSM-6000: 38–42 μm), and EDS Na/K depth profiling (35–40 μm), confirming consistent strengthened layer depth of 35–40 μm. Surface compressive stress measured 733 MPa (Series 2) and 773 MPa (Series 3), significantly exceeding conventional PV cover glass (490–515 MPa, 1 mm thickness). Vickers hardness increased by 17.7% (490 → 596 HV, p < 0.0001), demonstrating enhanced damage tolerance. Spectrophotometric analysis (200–2400 nm) showed transmittance >91% (380–2000 nm) and >92% (600–2000 nm) for both as-received and strengthened glass, confirming no optical degradation (p = 0.29–0.41). The 78–83% mass reduction relative to standard 3.2–4 mm glass, combined with superior CS/DOL and preserved optical performance, establishes ion-exchanged 0.7 mm aluminosilicate glass as a strong material-level candidate for next-generation lightweight BIPV modules. Future work requires module-scale mechanical validation (bending, impact testing per EN/IEC standards) and techno-economic assessment to verify system-level benefits. Full article

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16 pages, 2643 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of the Ar:N₂:O₂ Flow Ratio on the Structure, Hardness, and Adhesion of Thin TiON Films

by Aidar Kengesbekov, Ainur Serikbaikyzy and Arnur Askhatov

Coatings 2026, 16(5), 600; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings16050600 (registering DOI) - 15 May 2026

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of the gas mixture composition ratio (Ar:N₂:O₂) during magnetron sputtering on the morphology, phase composition, and visual characteristics of TiN_xO_y thin films. Five different modes were used with a variable N₂:O₂ ratio ranging from 0.5 to 3. The resulting coatings exhibited noticeable differences in color—from golden to dark blue—which correlates with changes in chemical composition and phase state. The morphology of the films, examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), varied from a dense to a columnar structure. These results demonstrate that the properties of TiON coatings can be controlled by adjusting the N₂:O₂ ratio: nitrogen-rich conditions promote denser coatings with higher hardness and improved wear resistance, whereas a balanced N₂:O₂ ratio enhances coating adhesion to the substrate. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wear and Tribology Properties of Materials, Films and Coatings)

23 pages, 5092 KB

Open AccessArticle

Facile Synthesis of Multifunctional MNPs@Chitosan-Ag Nanocomposites: Investigating SERS Substrate Potential and Antibacterial Properties

by Yeliz Akpinar

Nanomaterials 2026, 16(10), 608; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16100608 (registering DOI) - 15 May 2026

Abstract

Nanocomposite materials combine diverse material properties to form multifunctional structures, enhancing the efficiency of conventional applications. Particularly in environmental monitoring, such as water analysis, nanocomposites significantly improve sensitivity and lower costs associated with standard analysis methods. The SERS method is gaining popularity due to its operational simplicity, on-site applicability, and rapid results delivery. This study focused on the development of a multifunctional metal-chitosan-based nanocomposite utilizing an economical, eco-friendly approach as an SERS substrate. The resulting composite exhibits considerable preconcentration capabilities and will provide low detection limits (LOD) for future SERS applications. Specifically, magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were electrostatically combined with chitosan-coated silver nanoparticles (Chi-Ag NPs) to synthesize the MNPs@Chi-Ag NPs nanocomposite. CoFe₂O₄ NPs were prepared as MNPs. The resulting nanocomposite, which demonstrated colloidal stability after optimization, was characterized using various techniques, including UV-VIS and FTIR spectroscopy, XRD, TEM, SEM, and DLS. As a SERS substrate, the MNP@Chi-Ag NPs exhibited considerable analytical enhancement factors of (1.5 ± 0.4) × 10⁶, (7.0 ± 0.3) × 10⁶, and (1.2 ± 0.5) × 10⁶ for the detection of water contaminants BCB, CV, and MP, respectively. It was demonstrated that the substrate enhances precision and exhibits preconcentration. Finally, the MNPs@Chi-Ag NP nanocomposite demonstrates remarkable antibacterial activity, with larger inhibition zones observed at higher nanocomposite concentrations, indicating a concentration-dependent effect. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterial Application in Environmental Monitoring and Water Treatment: 2nd Edition)

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38 pages, 7602 KB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Thermal Environment and Thermal Comfort of Modern Timber Buildings: A Systematic Review

by Lei Jiang, Lei Zhang, Weidong Lu, Huayu Guo, Xiaowu Cheng, Miao Xia, Daiwei Luo and Xukun Zhang

Buildings 2026, 16(10), 1966; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16101966 - 15 May 2026

Abstract

Against the global backdrop of carbon neutrality and the green transition of the construction sector, modern timber-framed buildings have emerged as a core enabler of sustainable construction. However, a systematic synthesis of research on indoor hygrothermal environments and thermal comfort in such buildings remains lacking, and the underlying coupling mechanisms—as well as pathways for performance optimization—are still insufficiently understood. To address these gaps, this study aims to systematically characterize and evaluate the performance features of indoor thermal and moisture environments in modern timber buildings, and to identify the key influencing factors and their underlying mechanisms. In accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines for systematic reviews, this study identified and analyzed 203 high-quality peer-reviewed publications retrieved from three major academic databases, covering the period 2010–2025. Specifically, the literature search was conducted across the Web of Science, Scopus, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and visualization analysis was performed using VOSviewer 1.6.20 software. The results indicate that timber-framed buildings exhibit distinctive indoor hygrothermal characteristics: rapid temperature response, strong humidity buffering capacity, and superior thermal insulation performance compared with concrete structures, enabling indoor relative humidity to remain stably within the thermally comfortable range. Nevertheless, challenges persist, including summer overheating and elevated risks of mold growth under hot-humid conditions. Furthermore, the PMV model demonstrates significant predictive deviation for thermal comfort in timber-framed buildings; its application thus requires calibration incorporating both the hygrothermal properties of timber materials and occupants’ psychological adaptation. This study synthesizes the current state of research, identifies key influencing factors, and proposes climate-responsive optimization strategies to advance the development of robust thermal comfort models and support the low-energy, high-comfort design of timber-framed buildings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Building Energy, Physics, Environment, and Systems)

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38 pages, 7646 KB

Open AccessReview

Effect of Precursor Powder on the Solidification Microstructure and Superconducting Properties of Superconductors: A Review

by Zhenguo Zhang, Minghui Tang, Hao Zhou, Wei Ren, Shuhua Yang, Dongliang Wang and Yanwei Ma

Powders 2026, 5(2), 17; https://doi.org/10.3390/powders5020017 - 15 May 2026

Abstract

The solidification process is crucial for preparing high-performance superconductors and is strongly dependent on the characteristics of the starting powder, including particle size, morphology, and phase purity. This review concisely examines the study on four key superconductors: REBCO, Bi-2212, FeSeTe, and MgB₂. In REBCO, additives such as CeO₂, Pt, or BaO₂ powder can refine the RE-211 phase. In Bi-2212, Pb doping stabilizes the high-T_c phase. For FeSeTe, doping with F or Co modifies phase separation and introduces Δκ pinning. Meanwhile, in MgB₂, the incorporation of SiC nanoparticles powder generates effective pinning centers. Concurrently, processing conditions exert a decisive influence on the final microstructure, as demonstrated by the TSMG/TSIG route in REBCO, partial melting parameters for Bi-2212, specific cooling protocols and thermal treatments for FeSeTe, and optimized sintering and post-annealing processes for MgB₂. Future research directions should prioritize fundamental understanding of phase separation mechanisms during powder processing, development of multi-component doping strategies for powder modification, and advancement of scalable powder processing routes for practical conductor architectures. Full article

15 pages, 5508 KB

Open AccessArticle

Regenerated Cellulose Films from Vegetable Waste: Fabrication, Characterization, and Sustainable Applications

by Adisak Jaturapiree, Ukrit Amphaiphan, Chanjira Jaramornburapong, Thanunya Saowapark, Kanjarat Sukrat and Ekrachan Chaichana

Polysaccharides 2026, 7(2), 57; https://doi.org/10.3390/polysaccharides7020057 (registering DOI) - 15 May 2026

Abstract

Cellulose is a complex polysaccharide that serves as the primary structural component of plant cell walls. It is highly suitable for packaging films due to its inherent and tunable properties, which offer a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics. In this study, cellulose was extracted from vegetable waste (kale and cabbage) and processed into films using LiCl/N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) as the solvent system. The regenerated cellulose films were characterized and compared with a film prepared from commercial microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) using the same procedure. The vegetable-waste films showed a lower degree of crystallinity than the MCC film. SEM micrographs revealed that the vegetable-waste films possessed smooth and uniform surfaces. Furthermore, they demonstrated good transparency, ductility, and thermal stability. Biodegradation tests indicated rapid decomposition of the vegetable-waste films, which fully degraded within 10 weeks, whereas the MCC film required 16 weeks. The cabbage-derived film exhibited a smoother surface and slightly better mechanical properties than the kale-derived film, suggesting that differences in the cellulose source can influence the regeneration process and, consequently, the properties of the resulting films. Overall, this work demonstrates that vegetable waste can be effectively upcycled into eco-friendly, low-cost cellulose films with strong potential for use in various sustainable material applications. Nevertheless, for edible applications, cytotoxicity testing is required to confirm the absence of residual health-risk reagents such as LiCl and DMAc in the resulting films. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polysaccharides in Advanced Packaging: Active Coatings, Safe Additives, and Green Processing)

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