Search Results (25)

This paper investigates the application of non-calcined metal tartrate as a novel alternative pore former to prepare functional ceramic composites to fabricate solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). Compared to carbonaceous pore formers, non-calcined pore formers offer high compatibility with various ceramic composites, providing better control over porosity and pore size distribution, which allows for enhanced gas diffusion, reactant transport and gaseous product release within the fuel cells’ functional layers. In this work, nanocrystalline gadolinium-doped ceria (GDC) and Ni-Gd-Ce-tartrate anode powders were prepared using a single-step co-precipitation synthesis method, based on the carboxylate route, utilising ammonium tartrate as a low-cost, environmentally friendly precipitant. The non-calcined Ni-Gd-Ce-tartrate was used to fabricate dense GDC electrolyte pellets (5–20 μm thick) integrated with a thin film of Ni-GDC anode with controlled porosity at 1300 °C. The dilatometry analysis showed the shrinkage anisotropy factor for the anode substrates prepared using 20 wt. The percentages of Ni-Gd-Ce-tartrate were 30 wt.% and 40 wt.%, with values of 0.98 and 1.01, respectively, showing a significant improvement in microstructural properties and pore size compared to those fabricated using a carbonaceous pore former. The results showed that the non-calcined pore formers can also lower the sintering temperature for GDC to below 1300 °C, saving energy and reducing thermal stresses on the materials. They can also help maintain optimal material properties during sintering, minimising the risk of unwanted chemical reactions or contamination. This flexibility enables the versatile designing and manufacturing of ceramic fuel cells with tailored compositions at a lower cost for large-scale applications. Full article

Background/Objectives: [6]-Gingerol ([6]-G), a bioactive compound derived from Zingiber officinale (ginger), exhibits strong anticancer potential but is hindered by poor aqueous solubility and low bioavailability. This study aimed to develop and evaluate PEGylated liposomal [6]-G (6-G-Lip) to enhance its stability, bioavailability, and chemopreventive efficacy in benzo[a]pyrene (BaP)-induced lung carcinogenesis. Methods: 6-G-Lip was synthesized using a modified thin-film hydration technique and characterized for size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency (EE%), and release kinetics. The chemopreventive effects were assessed in BaP-induced lung cancer in Swiss albino mice, with prophylactic 6-G-Lip administration from two weeks before BaP exposure through 21 weeks. Cancer biomarkers, antioxidant enzyme activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, induction of apoptosis, and histopathological alterations were analyzed. Results: 6-G-Lip exhibited a particle size of 129.7 nm, a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.16, a zeta potential of −18.2 mV, and an encapsulation efficiency (EE%) of 91%, ensuring stability and effective drug loading. The formulation exhibited a controlled release profile, with 26.5% and 47.5% of [6]-G released in PBS and serum, respectively, at 72 h. 6-G-Lip significantly lowered cancer biomarkers, restored antioxidant defenses (SOD: 5.60 U/min/mg protein; CAT: 166.66 μm H₂O₂/min/mg protein), reduced lipid peroxidation (MDA: 3.3 nm/min/mg protein), and induced apoptosis (42.2%), highlighting its chemopreventive efficacy. Conclusions: This study is the first to prepare, characterize, and evaluate PEGylated [6]-G-Lip for the chemoprevention of lung cancer. It modulates oxidative stress, restores biochemical homeostasis, and selectively induces apoptosis. These findings support 6-G-Lip as a promising nanotherapeutic strategy for cancer prevention. Full article

Overcoming the limitations of powder-based additive manufacturing processes is a crucial aspect for the manufacturing of patient-specific sophisticated implants with tailored properties. Within this work, a novel manufacturing process for the fabrication of polymer-based implants is proposed. This manufacturing process is inspired by the laminated object manufacturing technology and is based on using thin films as raw material, which are processed using an ultrafast laser source. Utilizing thin films as a starting material helps to avoid powder contamination during additive manufacturing, thus supporting the generation of internal cavities that can be filled with secondary phases. Additionally, the use of medical materials mitigates the burden of a later certification of potential implants. Furthermore, the ultrafast laser supports the generation of highly resolved structures smaller than the average layer thickness (from 50 to 100 µm) through material ablation. These structures can be helpful to obtain progressive part properties or a targeted stress flow, as well as a specified release of secondary phases (e.g., hydrogels) upon load. Within this work, first investigations on the joining, cutting, and structuring of thin polymer films with layer thickness of between 50 and 100 µm using a ps-pulsed laser are reported. It is shown that thin film sizes of around 50 µm could be structured, joined, and cut successfully using ultrafast lasers emitting in the NIR spectral range. Full article

Considering the application of titanium nitride (TiN) films as a release layer in producing Wolter-I X-ray telescope mirror shells by the electroformed nickel replication (ENR) technique, this research pays attention to the influence of nanometer-scale thickness variation in the microstructure and physical properties of TiN films deposited by the pulsed direct current (DC) magnetron sputtering method. This topic has received limited attention in the existing literature. TiN films (9.8 nm to 42.9 nm) were fabricated to comprehensively analyze the evolution in microstructure, depth distribution of elements, surface morphology, and intrinsic stress. With increasing thickness, TiN transitioned from amorphous to (200) and (111)–(200) mixed-oriented crystallization, explaining inflection points in the increasing roughness curve. Elements (C, N, O, Si, and Ti) and chemical bond proportions (Ti-N, Ti-N-O, and Ti-O) varied with film depth, and the fitting of film density can be optimized according to these variations. Crystallite size increased with thickness, which led to a reduction in intrinsic stress. It is evident that as film thickness increases, TiN forms a stable crystal structure, thereby reducing intrinsic stress, but resulting in increased roughness. Considering the impact of changes in thin film thickness on physical properties such as roughness, crystallinity, and intrinsic stress, a TiN film with a thickness of approximately 25 nm is deemed suitable for application as a release layer. Full article

To explore the bending process and theory of the free-boundary aerodynamic film forming method for curved detectors, this study integrates practical forming structures with theoretical analysis and establishes a simulation model to investigate stress, strain, and morphological changes during bending. The analysis indicates that the shift from “projection” to “wrapping” in forming theory is due to the release of boundary degrees of freedom. The forming process can be summarized as the mold’s arc characteristics, originating from the chip’s corners, gradually replacing the chip’s rectangular characteristics along the diagonal, resulting in corresponding stress and strain changes. The “wrapping” bending theory of this method has significant advantages over traditional methods and represents a crucial direction for achieving higher curvature in the future. However, this study found that the use of film pressure can only inhibit out-of-plane deformation to a certain extent, and the buckling phenomenon will still occur when the thinner chip is bent. It prevents the use of thinner chips in the thinning–bending method, so avoiding out-of-plane deformation during the molding process is the direction that needs to be broken in the future. Full article

In this paper, berberine hydrochloride-loaded liposomes-in-gel were designed and developed to investigate their antioxidant properties and therapeutic effects on the eczema model of the mouse. Berberine hydrochloride-liposomes (BBH-L) as the nanoparticles were prepared by the thin-film hydration method and then dispersed BBH-L evenly in the gel matrix to prepare the berberine hydrochloride liposomes-gel (BBH-L-Gel) by the natural swelling method. Their antioxidant capacity was investigated by the free radical scavenging ability on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and H₂O₂ and the inhibition of lipid peroxides malondialdehyde (MDA). An eczema model was established, and the efficacy of the eczema treatment was preliminarily evaluated using ear swelling, the spleen index, and pathological sections as indicators. The results indicate that the entrapment efficiency of BBH-L prepared by the thin-film hydration method was 78.56% ± 0.7%, with a particle size of 155.4 ± 9.3 nm. For BBH-L-Gel, the viscosity and pH were 18.16 ± 6.34 m Pas and 7.32 ± 0.08, respectively. The cumulative release in the unit area of the in vitro transdermal study was 85.01 ± 4.53 μg/cm². BBH-L-Gel had a good scavenging capacity on DPPH and H₂O₂, and it could effectively inhibit the production of hepatic lipid peroxides MDA in the concentration range of 0.4–2.0 mg/mL. The topical application of BBH-L-Gel could effectively alleviate eczema symptoms and reduce oxidative stress injury in mice. This study demonstrates that BBH-L-Gel has good skin permeability, excellent sustained release, and antioxidant capabilities. They can effectively alleviate the itching, inflammation, and allergic symptoms caused by eczema, providing a new strategy for clinical applications in eczema treatment. Full article

Magnetoelectric (ME)-based magnetometers have garnered much attention as they boast ultra-low-power systems with a small form factor and limit of detection in the tens of picotesla. The highly sensitive and low-power electric readout from the ME sensor makes them attractive for near DC and low-frequency AC magnetic fields as platforms for continuous magnetic signature monitoring. Among multiple configurations of the current ME magnetic sensors, most rely on exploiting the mechanically resonant characteristics of a released ME microelectromechanical system (MEMS) in a heterostructure device. Through optimizing the resonant device configuration, we design and fabricate a fixed–fixed resonant beam structure with high isolation compared to previous designs operating at ~800 nW of power comprised of piezoelectric aluminum nitride (AlN) and magnetostrictive (Co_1-xFe_x)-based thin films that are less susceptible to vibration while providing similar characteristics to ME-MEMS cantilever devices. In this new design of double-clamped magnetoelectric MEMS resonators, we have also utilized thin films of a new iron–cobalt–hafnium alloy (Fe_0.5Co_0.5)_0.92Hf_0.08 that provides a low-stress, high magnetostrictive material with an amorphous crystalline structure and ultra-low magnetocrystalline anisotropy. Together, the improvements of this sensor design yield a magnetic field sensitivity of 125 Hz/mT when released in a compressive state. The overall detection limit of these sensors using an electric field drive and readout are presented, and noise sources are discussed. Based on these results, design parameters for future ME MEMS field sensors are discussed. Full article

Doxorubicin is one of the most effective chemotherapeutic agents; however, it has various side effects, such as cardiotoxicity. Therefore, novel methods are needed to reduce its adverse effects. Quercetin is a natural flavonoid with many biological activities. Liposomes are lipid-based carriers widely used in medicine for drug delivery. In this study, liposomal doxorubicin with favorable characteristics was designed and synthesized by the thin-film method, and its physicochemical properties were investigated by different laboratory techniques. Then, the impact of the carrier, empty liposomes, free doxorubicin, liposomal doxorubicin, and quercetin were analyzed in animal models. To evaluate the interventions, measurements of cardiac enzymes, oxidative stress and antioxidant markers, and protein expression were performed, as well as histopathological studies. Additionally, cytotoxicity assay and cellular uptake were carried out on H9c2 cells. The mean size of the designed liposomes was 98.8 nm, and the encapsulation efficiency (EE%) was about 85%. The designed liposomes were anionic and pH-sensitive and had a controlled release pattern with excellent stability. Co-administration of liposomal doxorubicin with free quercetin to rats led to decreased weight loss, creatine kinase (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and malondialdehyde (MDA), while it increased the activity of glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase enzymes in their left ventricles. Additionally, it changed the expression of NOX1, Rac1, Rac1-GTP, SIRT3, and Bcl-2 proteins, and caused tissue injury and cell cytotoxicity. Our data showed that interventions can increase antioxidant capacity, reduce oxidative stress and apoptosis in heart tissue, and lead to fewer complications. Overall, the use of liposomal doxorubicin alone or the co-administration of free doxorubicin with free quercetin showed promising results. Full article

Thin copper and carbon coatings of electrodes of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have the potential to improve LIB operation by preserving electrode integrity during cycling, by developing a proper solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer (e.g., by increasing the de-solvation rate), and by enhancing electric conductivity. In the structures, the thin coatings, e.g., copper thin films, must be permeable to Li⁺ ions in order to facilitate Li⁺ uptake and Li⁺ release in the electrochemically active material of coated electrodes beneath. The influences of copper and carbon thin coatings on LIB-electrode performance were investigated in this work by electrochemically cycling a [C(16 nm)/Cu(17 nm)] × 10 multilayer (ML) up to lithium plating. The C/Cu ML was deposited onto a copper current collector using ion beam sputtering. The rate capability and the long-time cycling were compared to the corresponding ones for the cycling of the bare copper substrate and 16 nm and 230 nm carbon single films (without Cu coating). The bare copper electrode does not store Li⁺ ions, which is as expected because copper is electrochemically inactive with respect to lithiation. The Li⁺ uptake and Li⁺ release in thin carbon layers capped by thin copper layers within the C/Cu ML is compared to that of uncapped carbon single thin films. All electrodes exhibited a good rate capability and long-term cycling stability. Under fast cycling, the amount of reversible Li⁺ uptake and Li⁺ release was largest for the case of the C/Cu ML, which pointed to the beneficial influence of the capping Cu layers. The higher Li kinetics in the C/Cu ML was confirmed using impedance analysis. The C/Cu ML behaves as a supercapacitor possessing a differential charge plot nearly independent of potential. At lower currents, the specific capacity of the C/Cu ML is only 20% of that of the thin carbon single films, with that of the latter being the same as that of graphite. On the one hand, this evidences a disadvantageous influence of the thin Cu layers, which block the Li⁺ permeation, that is necessary to reach deeper carbon layers of the C/Cu ML electrode. On the other hand, the differential capacity plots reveal that the carbon material in the interior of the C/Cu ML is electrochemically cycled. Microscopy, Raman scattering, depth profiling with X-ray reflectometry (XRR), and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) were applied to get deep insights and a comprehensive examination of the contradiction. The XRR examination revealed a non-altered ML after more than 542 electrochemical cycles, after the washing procedure, and even after 15 months of air exposure. This observation suggests that the copper layers block contamination as well as the Li insertion. The analyses of microscopy, Raman, and SIMS affirm the ML intactness but also reveal the participation of some portions of the interior of the C/Cu ML in electrochemical cycling. The low capacity of carbon in the C/Cu ML may stem from the mechanical stress inside the C/Cu ML, which reduces the Li⁺ uptake and Li⁺ release. Full article

The present study delineates the preparation of piperine-loaded spanlastics (PIP-SPL) to improve piperine (PIP) solubility, bioavailability, and permeation through nasal mucosa for intranasal delivery. PIP-SPL was formulated using the thin-film hydration method and optimization was performed using Box–Behnken design (BBD). PIP-SPL optimized formulation (PIP-SPLopt) was characterized for polydispersity index (PDI), vesicle size, entrapment efficiency, zeta potential, and in vitro PIP release. For further evaluation, blood–brain distribution study, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nasal permeation study, and confocal scanning laser microscopy (CLSM) were performed withal. The PIP-SPLopt presented spherical and sealed shape vesicles with a small vesicle size of 152.4 nm, entrapment efficiency of 72.93%, PDI of 0.1118, and in vitro release of 82.32%. The CLSM study unveiled that the developed formulation has greater permeation of PIP across the nasal mucosa in comparison with the PIP suspension. The blood–brain distribution study demonstrated higher C_max and AUC_0–24h of PIP-SPL via the intranasal route in comparison to PIP-SPL via oral administration. The in vivo study revealed that the PIP-SPL has good antiepileptic potential in comparison with the standard diazepam, which was evinced by seizure activity, neuromuscular coordination by rotarod test, biochemical estimation of oxidative stress markers, and histopathological studies. Furthermore, nasal toxicity study confirm that the developed PIP-SPL formulation is safer for intranasal application. The current investigation corroborated that the prepared spanlastic vesicle formulation is a treasured carrier for the PIP intranasal delivery for the management of epilepsy. Full article

Titanium nitride (TiN) thin films deposited by high-power pulsed magnetron sputtering usually have a high compressive residual stress, which is not conducive for the adherence of TiN thin films. This study investigated the potential of Ti₂AlN for releasing the compressive residual stress of HPPMS-deposited TiN thin films and evaluated the adherence strength and hardness of TiN/Ti₂AlN multilayers by introducing the Ti₂AlN MAX phase to form TiN/Ti₂AlN multilayers. The results showed that smooth TiN/Ti₂AlN multilayers with the TiN (111) and Ti₂AlN (002) textures were successfully synthesized by HPPMS deposition and subsequent vacuum annealing. The compressive residual stress in TiN was released by Ti₂AlN. The adherence strength of the TiN/Ti₂AlN multilayers was improved after the release of the compressive residual stress, and the hardness of TiN/Ti₂AlN multilayers was close to the annealed TiN. This study provides a novel approach for releasing the residual stress of hard ceramic thin films using the MAX phase. Full article

Thin film through-thickness stress gradients produce out-of-plane bending in released microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) structures. We study the stress and stress gradient of Al_0.68Sc_0.32N thin films deposited directly on Si. We show that Al_0.68Sc_0.32N cantilever structures realized in films with low average film stress have significant out-of-plane bending when the Al_1−xSc_xN material is deposited under constant sputtering conditions. We demonstrate a method where the total process gas flow is varied during the deposition to compensate for the native through-thickness stress gradient in sputtered Al_1−xSc_xN thin films. This method is utilized to reduce the out-of-plane bending of 200 µm long, 500 nm thick Al_0.68Sc_0.32N MEMS cantilevers from greater than 128 µm to less than 3 µm. Full article

Peripheral nerve injuries significantly impact patients’ quality of life and poor functional recovery. Chitosan–ufasomes (CTS–UFAs) exhibit biomimetic features, making them a viable choice for developing novel transdermal delivery for neural repair. This study aimed to investigate the role of CTS–UFAs loaded with the propranolol HCl (PRO) as a model drug in enhancing sciatica in cisplatin-induced sciatic nerve damage in rats. Hence, PRO–UFAs were primed, embedding either span 20 or 60 together with oleic acid and cholesterol using a thin-film hydration process based on full factorial design (2⁴). The influence of formulation factors on UFAs’ physicochemical characteristics and the optimum formulation selection were investigated using Design-Expert^® software. Based on the optimal UFA formulation, PRO–CTS–UFAs were constructed and characterized using transmission electron microscopy, stability studies, and ex vivo permeation. In vivo trials on rats with a sciatic nerve injury tested the efficacy of PRO–CTS–UFA and PRO–UFA transdermal hydrogels, PRO solution, compared to normal rats. Additionally, oxidative stress and specific apoptotic biomarkers were assessed, supported by a sciatic nerve histopathological study. PRO–UFAs and PRO–CTS–UFAs disclosed entrapment efficiency of 82.72 ± 2.33% and 85.32 ± 2.65%, a particle size of 317.22 ± 6.43 and 336.12 ± 4.9 nm, ζ potential of −62.06 ± 0.07 and 65.24 ± 0.10 mV, and accumulatively released 70.95 ± 8.14% and 64.03 ± 1.9% PRO within 6 h, respectively. Moreover, PRO–CTS–UFAs significantly restored sciatic nerve structure, inhibited the cisplatin-dependent increase in peripheral myelin 22 gene expression and MDA levels, and further re-established sciatic nerve GSH and CAT content. Furthermore, they elicited MBP re-expression, BCL-2 mild expression, and inhibited TNF-α expression. Briefly, our findings proposed that CTS–UFAs are promising to enhance PRO transdermal delivery to manage sciatic nerve damage. Full article

In this study, we comparatively study the microstructures and mechanical properties of prequenching—quenching and partitioning (QQ&P) and traditional Q&P samples at different annealing temperatures (intercritical annealing temperatures). When the annealing temperature is 780 °C, the ferrite and retained austenite in QQ&P samples with lath and blocky morphologies. The lath retained austenite is mainly distributed along the lath ferrite. As the annealing temperature increases, the lath ferrite recrystallizes and gradually grows into the blocky (equiaxed) shape, leading to a decrease in the lath retained austenite content. When the annealing temperature increases to 870 °C, the ferrite content decreases significantly, and the retained austenite is mainly blocky and thin film, distributed at the boundaries of prior austenite grains and between martensite laths, respectively. Different from QQ&P samples, the ferrite and retained austenite in Q&P samples are mainly blocky when the annealing temperature is 780 °C or 810 °C. When the annealing temperature is increased to 870 °C, the microstructures of the Q&P sample are basically the same as that of the QQ&P sample. The 780 °C-QQ&P sample and the 810 °C-QQ&P sample have higher total elongation and product of strength and elongations (PSEs) than their counterpart Q&P samples due to the fact that lath ferrite and retained austenite are conducive to carbon diffusion and carbon homogenization in austenite grains, thereby improving the thermal stability and volume fraction of the retained austenite. In addition, the lath structures can release local stress concentration and delay the formation of voids and microcracks. The difference of mechanical properties between QQ&P samples and Q&P samples decreases with the increase in the annealing temperature. The results show that the low annealing temperature combined with prequenching—Q&P heat treatments can significantly improve the elongation and PSE of Q&P steel. Full article

Detonation waves released by energetic materials provide an important means of physical self-destruction (Psd) for information storage chips (ISCs) in the information insurance field and offer advantages that include a rapid response and low driving energy. The high electrical sensitivity of energetic materials means that they are easily triggered by leakage currents and electrostatic forces. Therefore, a Psd module based on a graphene-based insurance actuator heterogeneously integrated with energetic materials is proposed. First, the force–balance relation between the electrostatic van der Waals force and the elastic recovery force of the insurance actuator’s graphene electrode is established to realize physical isolation and an electrical interconnection between the energetic materials and the peripheral electrical systems. Second, a numerical analysis of the detonation wave stress of the energetic materials in the air domain is performed, and the copper azide dosage required to achieve reliable ISC Psd is obtained. Third, the insurance actuator is prepared via graphene thin film processing and copper azide is prepared via an in situ reaction. The experimental results show that the energetic materials proposed can release physical isolation within 14 μs and can achieve ISC Psd under the application of a voltage signal (4.4–4.65 V). Copper azide (0.45–0.52 mg) can achieve physical damage over an ISC area (23.37–35.84 mm²) within an assembly gap (0.05–0.25 mm) between copper azide and ISC. The proposed method has high applicability for information insurance. Full article