Search Results (1,070)

The increased demand for food worldwide has led to the widespread use of synthetic chemical fertilizers. Since the Green Revolution, the use of such chemical fertilizers has been in high demand as a nutrient input in agriculture. The increased application of fertilizer to upsurge crop yields is not suitable for the long term and leads to nutrient loss, as well as severe environmental and ecological consequences. In contrast to conventional fertilizers, nano fertilizers, which are designed at the 1–100 nm size, provide focused nutrient delivery, decreased leaching, and improved plant absorption. They accomplish this by greatly increasing crop yields, enhancing fertilizer usage efficiency, and facilitating sustainable farming in the face of obstacles, including resource scarcity, climate change, and a projected population size of 10 billion by 2050. In comparison to typical NPK fertilizers at equal nutrient rates, nano fertilizers enhanced crop yields by an average of 20–23% across cereals, legumes, and horticulture crops according to studies conducted between 2015 and 2024. In particular, using nano urea with rice increased grain yields by 28.6% with 44% less nitrogen input, and applying nano zinc to wheat increased yields by 31.2% and improved the grain’s Zn content by 41%. Through targeted foliar or soil application, nano fertilizers frequently increase nutrient use efficiency (NUE) by more than 50% as opposed to 30–50% for conventional fertilizers. Nano fertilizer is prepared based on the encapsulation of plant essential minerals and nutrients with a suitable polymer matrix as a carrier and then delivered as nano-sized particles or emulsions to the plants. Natural plant openings like stomata and lenticels in plant parts facilitate the uptake and diffusion, leading to higher NUE. This review provides an overview of current knowledge on the development of advanced nano-based and smart agriculture using nano fertilizer to improve nutritional management. Furthermore, nanoscale fertilizers and their formulation, nano-based approaches to increase crop production, the different types of fertilizers that are currently available, and the mechanism of action of the nano fertilizers are discussed. Thus, it is expected that a properly designed nano fertilizer could synchronize the release of nutrients in crop plants as and when needed. Full article

Flexible and biocompatible sensors are vital for a wide range of biomedical applications, including real-time health monitoring, intracranial pressure monitoring, knee replacement surgeries, wearables, and smart prosthetics. While various highly sensitive and stable pressure sensors have been demonstrated, they often lack the conformability and biocompatibility crucial for their wider application in various bio-integrated electronic systems. Herein, a piezoelectric pressure sensor is proposed using a hybrid polymer composite by leveraging the unique properties of Chitosan and Parylene C. Various material characterisations, such as XRD and FTIR, were performed to reveal structural and chemical characteristics of the novel composite material. Next, electromechanical characterisations of the pressure sensor were performed to reveal its dynamic sensing properties. The pressure sensor exhibits excellent sensitivity for both pressure and frequency, as well as cyclic stability (10³ cycles), wide pressure range (20–70 kPa), and biocompatibility. Full article

Lost circulation remains a persistent and costly challenge in drilling operations for oil, gas, and geothermal energy systems, particularly when wide fractures and cavernous formations are encountered. Although a wide range of lost circulation materials (LCMs) is commercially available, multiple laboratory studies report that many conventional products are unable to effectively seal fractures of approximately 5 mm width under controlled conditions. In contrast, recent investigations of shape memory polymer (SMP)-based LCMs have demonstrated successful sealing of fractures up to approximately 12 mm in width. This review examines recent advances in SMP-based LCMs as an emerging class of smart materials capable of overcoming geometric and operational constraints associated with drilling equipment, particularly bottom-hole assembly (BHA) components. Through thermomechanical programming, these materials are transformed into compact temporary shapes suitable for seamless circulation and are subsequently triggered by reservoir temperatures to recover permanent geometries up to an order of magnitude larger. Upon activation, these discrete elements function collectively as a hierarchical, jammed system. The resulting multiscale networks—comprising ladder-shaped elements, interwoven fibers, and granular particles—bridge large apertures, enhance mechanical interlocking, and achieve superior hydraulic isolation. Full article

Optimizing drug administration remains a central challenge in the development of modern therapies, especially in the context of conditions that require spatiotemporal control of active substance release. In this context, hydrogels have been intensively investigated as polymeric platforms for drug delivery, through their three-dimensional hydrophilic structure, tunable properties, and compatibility with biological environments. This analysis presents an integrated approach to hydrogels used in drug administration, addressing the physicochemical fundamentals, the constitutive polymeric materials, and the mechanisms of response to relevant physiological stimuli. Recent experimental studies have been discussed, which highlight the use of hydrogels based on natural, synthetic, and hybrid polymers for controlled and targeted release, in correlation with various administration routes, including oral, injectable, transmucosal, and topical ones. Advanced functionalization strategies that allow adaptive responses to pH, temperature, glucose, enzymes, and reactive oxygen species are also analyzed. Furthermore, emerging directions integrating hydrogels with biosensors, microdevices, and wireless communication systems for real-time monitoring and on-demand release are highlighted. Overall, the analysis emphasizes the role of smart hydrogels as multifunctional platforms for complex therapeutic strategies while also underlining the current challenges associated with clinical translation and long-term performance. Full article

pH-responsive indicator films for intelligent food packaging applications are based on the embedding of a natural or synthetic dye in a polymeric substrate, preferably biobased and biodegradable. Although natural colorants like anthocyanins were extensively investigated in this respect, nature-inspired synthetic flavylium compounds could represent an alternative based on their higher stability. In this work, five novel synthetic 4′-aminoflavylium derivatives with different substitution patterns in the benzopyrylium core (compounds 1–5) were synthesized and characterized. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), as well as chitosan–PVA and chitosan–starch blends, were used to prepare pH-responsive indicator films having inserted each of the synthesized flavylium dyes or a natural onion peel extract. The PVA films with compounds 1 and 3, and the PVA–chitosan film with compound 1, exhibited antioxidant activity, highlighting their potential for active packaging applications. All indicator films showed pH responsiveness in the range of 2 to 12 and were subsequently tested in contact with the packaging atmosphere or in direct contact with pork and fish meat, at different temperatures (4 °C, 20 °C, and 40 °C) for 24 h to assess their colorimetric response to progressive spoilage. Although the differences were small, the films with the 7-hydroxy-4′-aminoflavylium derivative exhibited the earliest and most intense color change during storage of meat, starting from direct contact at 4 °C for 24 h, being able to identify the initial stages of meat spoilage, while the performance of the dihydroxy-substituted derivative was attenuated by incorporation in polymer matrices. This behavior was comparable to that of onion peel extract, but the synthetic flavylium derivative was more stable. The results can provide new opportunities for intelligent food packaging applications using biopolymer indicator films with 4′-aminoflavylium derivatives. Full article

This review presents a comprehensive analysis of modern thermosensitive polymer systems for in situ systems (ISSs) which are used for targeted drug delivery in situ. The main classes of polymers used to create “smart” hydrogels that undergo a “sol–gel” phase transition in response to a temperature stimulus in the physiological range are considered. Key representatives of thermosensitive matrices are described in detail: synthetic block copolymers (poloxamers, block copolymers of polylactic-co-polyglycolic acid with polyethyleneglycol, etc.) and natural, modified natural, and semi-synthetic polymers (chitosan, including in combination with β-glycerophosphate, xyloglucan, etc.). This paper systematizes the advantages and disadvantages of various thermosensitive systems and highlights the key risks in their pharmaceutical development, including the influence of the nature and concentration of the active pharmaceutical ingredients and excipients on the rheological properties and phase transition temperature. Particular attention is paid to the difference between thermoreversible and irreversible gel-forming systems. Modern in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo methods for evaluating critical quality parameters of thermosensitive systems, such as gelation temperature and time, gel strength, mucoadhesive properties, and release kinetics, are discussed. The need to develop standardized and biologically relevant methods to improve the reproducibility and success of preclinical studies is emphasized. The review is intended to help researchers to make informed choices about polymer matrices and optimize compositions for successful pharmaceutical development. Full article

In this study, core–shell molecularly imprinted polymers (CS-MIP) were utilized for the detection of the herbicide S-metolachlor in surface water samples, collected from a river and pond that are in the proximity of cornfields. The study revealed that no traces of herbicide were detected in the samples that were analyzed. The collected water samples were treated with membrane filtration—microfiltration and ultrafiltration. The adsorption isotherms were fitted using the Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin–Radushkevich, and Scatchard models. This indicated that the Scatchard model is the most appropriate for CS-MIP. The data obtained from the kinetic study were analyzed using the pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models, as well as Fick’s second law. For CS-MIP, the most suitable model was determined to be the particle diffusion model, while for core–shell non-imprinted polymers (CS-NIP), the film diffusion model was identified as the limiting step. A method for the desorption of S-metolachlor from the pH-sensitive sorbent bed has been developed, thereby enabling the material to be reused. The optimum eluent from the multicomponent solution was determined to be a 30% aqueous ethanol solution with a pH of approximately 9. This solution effectively removed the majority of contaminants, with the exception of S-metolachlor, which was retained within polymer pores. Full article

Enhancing the solubility and processability of graphene remains a critical challenge, limiting its integration into advanced materials systems. In this work, poly(tert-butyl acrylate) (PtBA) and poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAM) were grafted onto graphene via controlled atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) to create well-defined polymer–graphene hybrids with tunable interfacial properties. ATRP enabled the synthesis of PtBA and PNIPAM homopolymers with narrow molecular weight distributions and systematically varied chain lengths (4–18 kDa), allowing direct correlation between polymer architecture and material performance. Notably, the thermos-responsive behavior of PNIPAM was strongly dependent on chain length, highlighting the importance of controlled polymer design. Raman and FTIR spectroscopy confirmed successful grafting and chemical modification of the graphene surface. In addition, pilot studies demonstrate the ATRP synthesis of PtBA-b-PNIPAM block copolymers and their hydrolysis to PAA-b-PNIPAM, providing a platform for future development of multifunctional graphene interfaces. Overall, this study establishes a versatile and precisely controlled route for engineering polymer-grafted graphene with enhanced solubility and tunable functionality, enabling broader applications in smart materials and hybrid nanocomposites. Full article

Star polymers with dense shell structures exhibit unique advantages in molecule encapsulation. The incorporation of dendronized polymers as arms into star polymers enables the formation of spherical core–shell structures with high-density chain stacking, which is of great significance for enhancing their encapsulation capabilities. Here, we report on the synthesis of a new type of star dendronized polymer consisting of oligoethylene glycol (OEG)-based dendronized polymers as the arms and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as the core. Due to the thickness of individual dendronized polymer arms, the morphology of star dendronized polymers was directly visualized by an atomic force microscope (AFM). These star polymers inherit characteristic thermoresponsiveness from the OEG-based dendronized linear polymers, and their thermoresponsive behavior depends mainly on the grafting density of polymer chains on the AuNP cores and the molecular weights of the polymer arms. More importantly, these star dendronized polymers exhibit a tunable encapsulation capacity to guest molecules, which can be modulated through thermally induced aggregation. By virtue of these peculiarities, these thermoresponsive star dendronized polymers with tailorable release properties hold promise as smart nanoboxes for bio-applications, including drug delivery and biosensing. Full article

Smart textiles require conductive materials that maintain electrical stability under repeated mechanical deformation and laundering while preserving textile-like flexibility. In this work, an elastic–rigid copolymer elastomer was designed as a polymer binder for washable conductive pastes used in wearable textile electronics. The copolymer was synthesized using polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMEG), 3,3′,4,4′-benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA), and m-xylylene diisocyanate (XDI), enabling the incorporation of thermally stable imide segments and elastic polyurethane domains within a single polymer framework. By adjusting the molar ratio between rigid and soft segments, the resulting copolymer exhibited balanced tensile strength, Young’s modulus, and elastic recovery, outperforming a commercial thermoplastic polyurethane in mechanical performance. Silver-filled conductive pastes were prepared by dispersing 62 wt% micrometer-sized silver flakes into the copolymer matrix, achieving a bulk resistivity of 3.5 × 10⁻⁵ Ω·cm. The printed conductive films showed stable electrical resistivity under cyclic tensile deformation up to 20% strain. Washing durability was further evaluated following the AATCC 135 top-loading laundering standard. After 50 laundering cycles, the resistance increase remained within 2.8–5.5 Ω for knitted fabrics and 2.0–5.1 Ω for woven fabrics, indicating satisfactory electrical stability and adhesion to textile substrates. These results suggest that elastic–rigid copolymer binders are suitable for the development of wash-durable conductive pastes for wearable textile applications. Full article

Polymer-based systems have been shown to have a particular combination of characteristics that make them desirable in technological sectors, such as lightness, insulating properties, and easy molding during processing, as well as mechanical versatility, which is greatly due to their molecular microstructure. Nevertheless, they still present limitations in mechanical performance and use at moderate/high temperatures, considerably restricting their range of applications. Thus, great efforts have been directed towards developing strategies intended to enhance said characteristics and predict their complex mechanical behavior, with the main goal of adapting their properties to the end-use application. The present review considers the most recent developments, focusing on the research published in 2025 and early 2026, and future challenges in the mechanical behavior of polymer-based materials, being structured according to material considerations, more specifically the development of advanced (nano)composites based on high-performance matrices and functional nanoparticles, as well as bio-based polymer (nano)composites obtained from renewable sources and multifunctional smart and meta-materials for monitoring and long-term use; the development of new processing methods, focusing on advanced additive manufacturing; and the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning. All in all, the final objective is generating knowledge that will enable the preparation of components with tailor-made mechanical characteristics and functional properties, covering material design and processing. Full article

Conventional tribological materials such as metals, ceramics, and synthetic polymers demand energy-intensive processing and create end-of-life waste. This motivates the search for more sustainable alternatives. Recent research demonstrates that agricultural residues, industrial by-products, post-consumer waste, and recycled polymers can be engineered into tribological systems that provide competitive wear resistance, stable friction, and multifunctional benefits, including thermal dissipation and vibration damping. This review summarizes progress across these material categories, highlighting how fillers like rice husk ash, fly ash, tire-derived carbon black, and reprocessed plastics transition from low-value waste into high-performance tribomaterials. System-level strategies such as interface engineering, hybrid reinforcement, and advanced processing are essential for overcoming material variability and achieving reliable tribological performance. In parallel, optimization approaches, including predictive modeling and smart material design, are increasingly enabling improved consistency, reproducibility, and scalability. Applications in automotive braking systems, recycled carbon black composites, acoustic damping structures, coatings, and reinforced polymers confirm the industrial viability of waste-derived materials. While challenges remain in feedstock variability, standardization, and long-term durability, these developments point to waste-based tribology as a practical pathway toward circular economy solutions that unite sustainability with engineering performance. Full article

There is an increasing demand for multifunctional devices, that can operate simultaneously as energy storage and electrochromic display devices, widely known as electrochromic supercapacitors. For instance, Prussian blue (PB) exhibits outstanding electrochromic properties; however, it has not been well explored for energy storage applications. Moreover, the electrochemical properties can be enhanced by surface engineering the host material via compositing with conducting polymers. In this work, we studied the electrochromic supercapacitor properties of composites such as Prussian blue-polyaniline (PB-PANI). The PB-PANI 90 composite thin-film electrode exhibited the highest coloration efficiency of 461.39 cm²/C and demonstrated superior electrochemical performance, with an aerial capacitance of 50.80 mF/cm² and an optical modulation of 19.4%. All samples achieved rapid switching times of less than 3 s. These findings highlight the potential of optimizing conducting polymer coatings on Prussian blue to achieve a well-balanced composite structure with enhanced morphological properties, paving the way for advanced multifunctional electrochromic supercapacitor devices in next-generation smart systems. Full article

Functional polymers are designed to enhance the evaporative cooling capacity of sports clothing ensembles, though little is known about how they alter the material properties of commonly used fabrics. The aim of this study was to quantify the impact of a commercially available textile finish treatment (HeiQ Smart Temp ^TM) on the structural, thermal, and moisture management properties of synthetic (SYN; 100% polyester) and blended (BLEND; 47% lyocell, 46% cotton, 7% elastane) fabrics. Structural (fabric mass, thickness, bulk density, relative porosity), thermal (air permeability, water vapour permeability, water vapour resistance) and moisture management properties (wetting time, spreading speed, wetting radius, absorption, vertical wicking rate) were assessed and compared between treated and untreated samples. Significant improvements (p < 0.05) in air permeability (SYN: Δ 26.0 mm.s⁻¹; BLEND: Δ 61.6 mm·s⁻¹), wetting time (SYN: Δ 0.3 s; BLEND: Δ 0.3 s), and spreading speed (BLEND: Δ 1.1 mm·s⁻¹; SYN: no change) were recorded following treatment. Non-significant changes in water vapour permeability (SYN: Δ 0.1; BLEND: Δ 0.1), water vapour resistance (SYN: Δ 0.7 Pa·m²W⁻¹; BLEND: Δ 0.4 Pa·m²W⁻¹) and vertical wicking (BLEND: Δ 6.1 mm·s⁻¹; SYN: no change) were also observed following treatment. Though not all material properties improved, this study provides evidence that the functional polymer treatment can enhance the evaporative cooling capacity of sports clothing fabrics. Future research is needed to understand how these results translate to physiological, perceptual, and performance-based effects in wearer trials during exercise. Full article

Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) composites represent a transformative class of structural materials, combining low density, high specific strength, and excellent fatigue resistance. This review provides a comprehensive overview of CFRPs, addressing their structure, manufacturing routes, mechanical performance, and functional behavior, with particular emphasis on damage tolerance, tribological properties, and environmental durability. The discussion begins with the classification and morphology of carbon fibers, highlighting their influence on composite anisotropy and interlaminar behavior. The effects of impact loading, delamination, and environmental conditioning on residual strength and fatigue life are then examined, with reference to established evaluation methods such as ASTM D7136 and compression-after-impact (CAI) testing. From a tribological perspective, the incorporation of nanoscale additives, such as graphite nanoplatelets and TiO₂ nanoparticles, and their contribution to enhancing wear resistance by promoting the formation of stable tribofilms, is explored. Advances in processing techniques, including low-pressure curing and improved resin systems, are also discussed for their roles in enhancing manufacturability and energy efficiency. Overall, the review underscores that optimal CFRP performance is achieved through the synergistic integration of fiber architecture, matrix design, and precise processing control, while future progress in nanomodification, recycling, and sustainable curing technologies is expected to further expand CFRP applications in the aerospace, automotive, and high-performance engineering sectors. Full article