BINA

In recent years, there has been a lot of interest in biodegradable surface-engineered iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) because they could be used in drug delivery and other biomedical fields. This chapter gives an overview of the current state of research on how to make biodegradable IONPs, how to engineer their surfaces, and how to make them work for drug delivery and other biomedical applications. Because these nanoparticles are biodegradable, they will break down and leave the body in a safe way, reducing worries about toxicity. Also, the surface of IONPs can be changed to make them more stable, biocompatible, and able to target specific cells or tissues. This makes it easier for drugs to get to where they need to go. The review talks about how natural polymers, peptides, and targeting ligands are used to change the surface, as well as how these changes affect the physicochemical properties and …

Zinc metal, with its high theoretical capacity and low cost, stands out as a promising anode material for affordable high energy-density storage technologies in rechargeable batteries. However, obtaining a high level of reversibility in zinc electrodeposition, which is pivotal for the success of rechargeable zinc-metal-based batteries, remains a significant challenge. A critical factor in this regard is the physicochemical characteristics of the electrolyte solution. Previous studies have indicated that adjusting the electrolyte solutions’ composition with additives or co-solvents, along with fine-tuning concentrations and pH levels, can enhance the reversibility and kinetics of Zn deposition/stripping. However, the precise impact of Zn salts counter anions in the electrolyte solutions on these processes is not fully understood yet. Aiming to focus on the key fundamental aspects related to the electrolytes’ influences on the Zn …

Developing high performance catalysts for electrochemical water splitting is critical to an efficient and sustainable route for hydrogen production. For this, single-atom catalysts (SACs) are the best candidates as they offer the highest atom efficiency. However, current methods to produce SACs require a complex synthesis, frequently involving multiple lengthy and expensive steps, and often yielding an insufficient density of single atoms. Here, we report a one-step chemical vapor deposition (CVD) synthesis to produce free-standing (FS) electrodes with SACs of Ni on a matrix of sulfur-doped carbon nanofibers (CNFs), referred here as SACs@nanocarbon. The mechanism is based on a temperature-controlled delamination of thin films, with Au in contact with a SiO2 substrate, leading to nucleating and growing SACs@nanocarbon. Advanced characterizations indicate the presence of Ni and Au single atoms and of …

Traumatic injuries, neurodegenerative diseases and oxidative stress serve as the early biomarkers for neuronal damages, impedes angiogenesis and subsequently neuronal growth. In this line, the present work is aimed to develop angiogenesis/neurogenesis properties imprinted poly(N-acryloylglycine)-co-(acrylamide)-co-(N-acryloylglutamate) hydrogel [p(NAG-Ac-NAE)]. As constituents of this polymer to modulate the vital role in biological functions, inhibitory neurotransmitter glycine regulates neuronal homeostasis, and glutamatergic signalling regulates angiogenesis. The p(NAG-Ac-NAE) is highly-branched, biodegradable and shows pH-responsive with very high swelling behavior upto 6188%. Mechanical stability (G’, 2.3-2.7kPa) of this hydrogel is commendable in differentiation of the mature neurons. This hydrogel is biocompatible in HUVEC cells and proliferative in PC12 cells (152.7±13.7 %), whereas …

Pharmaceutical waste and contaminants pose a significant global concern for water and food safety. The detection of piperidine, a common residue in drug and supplement synthesis, is critical due to its toxic nature to both humans and animals. In this study, we develop a plasmonic-based detector for surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) measurements. The plasmonic device is composed of triangular cavities, milled in silver thin film and protected by 5 nm of SiO2 layer. Due to the confined and enhanced electromagnetic field, remarkable sensitivity to piperidine with concentration of 10-8M in water is achieved. Despite the relative small polarizability of piperidine, high sensitivity is observed even when using a low numerical aperture of 0.3., attributing to the directional scattring from our plasmonic device. Thus, It offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional high numerical aperture used in SERS, and the …

List of participants Page 1 List of participants Dr Vibin Abraham, University of Michigan, USA Professor Ali Alavi, Max Planck Institute, Germany Mr Damiano Aliverti, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Germany Mr Marcus Allen, King's College London, United Kingdom Mr Kemal Atalar, King's College London, United Kingdom Mr Kenneth Berard, Brown University, USA Professor Timothy Berkelbach, Columbia University and Flatiron Institute, USA Dr George Booth, King's College London, United Kingdom Dr Hugh Burton, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom Miss Lila Cadi Tazi, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom Professor Garnet Chan, Caltech, USA Dr Agisilaos Chantzis, Syngenta Limited, United Kingdom Professor Ji Chen, Peking University, China Mr Luca Craciunescu, Heriot-Watt University, United Kingdom Dr Yael Cytter, Rafael ltd., Israel Dr Jiri Czernek, Czech Academy of Sciences, Czech …

Pharmaceutical waste and contaminants pose a significant global concern for water and food safety. The detection of piperidine, a common residue in drug and supplement synthesis, is critical due to its toxic nature to both humans and animals. In this study, we develop a plasmonic-based detector for surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) measurements. The plasmonic device is composed of triangular cavities, milled in silver thin film and protected by 5 nm of SiO2 layer. Due to the confined and enhanced electromagnetic field, remarkable sensitivity to piperidine with concentration of 10-8M in water is achieved. Despite the relative small polarizability of piperidine, high sensitivity is observed even when using a low numerical aperture of 0.3., attributing to the directional scattring from our plasmonic device. Thus, It offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional high numerical aperture used in SERS, and the …

Preface - IOPscience Skip to content IOP Science home Accessibility Help Search Journals Journals list Browse more than 100 science journal titles Subject collections Read the very best research published in IOP journals Publishing partners Partner organisations and publications Open access IOP Publishing open access policy guide IOP Conference Series Read open access proceedings from science conferences worldwide Books Publishing Support Login IOPscience login / Sign Up Close Click here to close this panel. Search all IOPscience content Article Lookup Select journal (required) Volume number: Issue number (if known): Article or page number: Journal of Physics: Conference Series Purpose-led Publishing, find out more. Purpose-led Publishing logo. Purpose-led Publishing is a coalition of three not-for-profit publishers in the field of physical sciences: AIP Publishing, the American Physical Society …

Lithiated transition metal oxides are the most important cathode materials for lithium‐ion batteries. Many efforts have been devoted in recent years to improving their energy density, stability, and safety, as demonstrated by thousands of publications. However, the commercialization of several promising materials is limited due to obstacles like stability limitations. To overcome the limitations of energetically high‐voltage or high‐capacity cathode materials, unconventional solutions for their surface engineering were suggested; among them, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and zeolites have been employed. MOFs possess favorable characteristics for stabilization goals, including manageable structures, topological control, high porosity, large surface area, and low density. This review article explores promising strategies for improving the electrochemical behavior of favorable cathode materials through surface …

Cobalt toxicity is difficult to detect and therefore often underdiagnosed. The aim of this study was to explore the pathophysiology of cobalt-induced oxidative stress in the brain and its impact on structure and function. Thirty-five wild-type C57B16 mice received intraperitoneal cobalt chloride injections: a single high dose with evaluations at 24, 48, and 72 h (n= 5, each) or daily low doses for 28 (n= 5) or 56 days (n= 15). A part of the 56-day group also received minocycline (n= 5), while 10 mice served as controls. Behavioral changes were evaluated, and cobalt levels in tissues were measured with particle-induced X-ray emission. Brain sections underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electron microscopy, and histological, immunohistochemical, and molecular analyses. High-dose cobalt caused transient illness, whereas chronic daily low-dose administration led to longterm elevations in cobalt levels accompanied by brain inflammation. Significant neurodegeneration was evidenced by demyelination, increased blood–brain barrier permeability, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Treated mice exhibited extended latency periods in the Morris water maze test and heightened anxiety in the open field test. Minocycline partially mitigated brain injury. The observed signs of neurodegeneration were dose-and time-dependent. The neurotoxicity after acute exposure was reversible, but the neurological and functional changes following chronic cobalt administration were not.

Analyzing the effect of doping concentration in split-well resonant-phonon terahertz quantum cascade lasers: supplement Page 1 Supplemental Document Analyzing the effect of doping concentration in split-well resonant-phonon terahertz quantum cascade lasers: supplement SHIRAN LEVY,1,2,† NATHALIE LANDER GOWER,1,2,† SILVIA PIPERNO,1,2 SADHVIKAS J. ADDAMANE,3 JOHN L. RENO,3 AND ASAF ALBO 1,2,∗ 1Faculty of Engineering, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel 2The Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel 3Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies, Sandia National Laboratories, MS 1303, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185-1303, USA †These authors contributed equally to this work ∗ asafalbo@gmail.com This supplement published with Optica Publishing Group on 18 March 2024 by The Authors under the terms of the …

Nickel‐rich cathode materials such as LiNi0.9Co0.05Mn0.05O2 (NMC90) have gained attention due to their ability to deliver high energy densities while being cost‐effective for Lithium‐ion battery manufacturing. However, NMC90 cathodes suffer irreversible parasitic reactions such as electrolyte decomposition, severe capacity fading and impedance build‐up upon prolonged cycling. Herein, we synthesize a conformal ultrathin, surface protection layer on NMC90 powder using ZnxOy via atomic layer deposition technique (ZnxOy@NMC90). Prolonged electrochemical investigation of full cells at high discharge rates of 2 C shows that ZnxOy@NMC90 cells yielded ~31 % improvement in discharge capacity compared to pristine NMC90. Furthermore, operando electrochemical mass spectroscopy studies show that the ZnxOy@NMC90 cells have significantly suppressed electrolyte decomposition as compared to …

Nerve injury is a pervasive clinical issue with profound social and economic implications worldwide. Despite the availability of different therapeutic schemes for stimulating nerve regeneration, these treatments have not yielded significant benefits for patients, especially for injuries of the central nervous system (CNS). Consequently, it is essential to return to basic research to explore new avenues and develop more effective solutions for nerve repair and regeneration. This has encouraged scientific and public interest in the research aimed at understanding and promoting axon regeneration postinjury. Historically, chemical signaling in axon growth has long been recognized, but recent attention has shifted toward the role of the biophysical environment and axonal mechanics. Mechanical force plays a key role in the morphogenesis of the CNS, modulating neural cell (neurons and precursors) navigation and …

This study delves into the critical role of customized materials design and synthesis methods in influencing the performance of electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs). It introduces a novel approach to obtain platinum-free (PGM-free) electrocatalysts based on the controlled integration of iron active sites onto the surface of silica nanoparticles (NPs) by using nitrogen-based surface ligands. These NPs are used as hard templates to form tailored nanostructured electrocatalysts with an improved iron dispersion into the carbon matrix. By utilizing a wide array of analytical techniques including infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy techniques, X-ray diffraction and surface area measurements, this work provides insight into the physical parameters that are critical for ORR electrocatalysis with PGM-free electrocatalysts. The new catalysts showed a …

Fe–N–C catalysts are currently the leading candidates to replace Pt-based catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. To maximize their activity, it is necessary to optimize their structure to allow high active site density on one hand, and hierarchical porous structure that will allow good mass transport of reactants and products to and from the active sites on the other hand. Hence, the hierarchical structure of the catalyst plays an important role in the balance between the electrochemical active site density and the mass transport resistance. Aerogels were synthesized in this work to study the interplay between these two parameters. Aerogels are covalent organic frameworks with ultra-low density, high porosity, and large surface area. The relative ease of tuning the composition and pore structure of aerogels make them prominent candidates for catalysis. Herein, we report on a …

Battery technologies based in multivalent charge carriers with ideally two or three electrons transferred per ion exchanged between the electrodes have large promises in raw performance numbers, most often expressed as high energy density, and are also ideally based on raw materials that are widely abundant and less expensive. Yet, these are still globally in their infancy, with some concepts (e.g., Mg metal) being more technologically mature. The challenges to address are derived on one side from the highly polarizing nature of multivalent ions when compared to single valent concepts such as Li+ or Na+ present in Li-ion or Na-ion batteries, and on the other, from the difficulties in achieving efficient metal plating/stripping (which remains the holy grail for lithium). Nonetheless, research performed to date has given some fruits and a clearer view of the challenges ahead. These include technological topics …

Topological insulators, a class of materials possessing bulk bandgap and metallic surface states with a topological nontrivial symmetry, are considered promising candidates for emerging quantum and optoelectronic applications. However, achieving scalable growth and control over parameters including thickness, carrier density, bulk bandgap, and defect density remains a challenge in realizing such applications. In this work, we show the scalable growth of topological insulator alloys Bi2Se(3-x)Sx and demonstrate composition-tunable bandgap, using chemical vapor deposition (CVD). A bandgap increase of up to ~40% at a sulfur concentration of ~15% is demonstrated. Correspondingly, the real part (n) of the refractive index is reduced in the alloy by ~25% relative to that of Bi2Se3. Additionally, electronic transport measurements indicate a bulk p-type doping and field-effect tunable metallic surface states of the …

Fe single atoms in N‐doped C (Fe‐N‐C) present the most promising replacement for carbon‐supported Pt‐based catalysts for the O2 reduction reaction at the cathode of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). However, it remains unclear how the I/C ratio affects Fe‐N‐C degradation and the stability of single Fe atom active sites (FeNx). Here, an accelerated stress test (AST) protocol is combined with emerging electrochemical techniques for a porous Fe‐N‐C in PEMFC with a range of I/C ratios. The PEMFC current density degradation rates are found to be comparable; however, with increased I/C ratio the additional FeNx sites accessed are more stable, as shown by their higher active site stability number (electrons passed per FeNx lost) at the end of the AST protocol. Meanwhile, the initial rate of TOF decay is suppressed with increasing I/C. Electrochemical process changes are studied via distribution …

Traumatic injuries, neurodegenerative diseases and oxidative stress serve as the early biomarkers for neuronal damage and impede angiogenesis and subsequently neuronal growth. Considering this, the present work aimed to develop a poly(N-acryloylglycine)-co-(acrylamide)-co-(N-acryloylglutamate) hydrogel [p(NAG-Ac-NAE)] with angiogenesis/neurogenesis properties. As constituents of this polymer modulate their vital role in biological functions, inhibitory neurotransmitter glycine regulates neuronal homeostasis, and glutamatergic signalling regulates angiogenesis. The p(NAG-Ac-NAE) hydrogel is a highly branched, biodegradable and pH-responsive polymer with a very high swelling behavior of 6188%. The mechanical stability (G′, 2.3–2.7 kPa) of this polymeric hydrogel is commendable in the differentiation of mature neurons. This hydrogel is biocompatible (as tested in HUVEC cells) and helps to …

Adaptive Immune Receptor Repertoire sequencing (AIRR-seq) is critical for our understanding of the adaptive immune system's dynamics in health and disease. Reliable analysis of AIRR-seq data depends on accurate Immunoglobulin (Ig) sequence alignment. Various Ig sequence aligners exist, but there is no unified benchmarking standard representing the complexities of AIRR-seq data, obscuring objective comparisons of aligners across tasks. Here, we introduce GenAIRR, an efficient simulation framework for generating Ig sequences alongside their ground truths. GenAIRR realistically simulates the intricacies of V(D)J recombination, somatic hypermutation, and an array of sequence corruptions. We comprehensively assessed prominent Ig sequence aligners across various metrics, unveiling unique performance characteristics for each aligner. The GenAIRR-produced datasets, combined with the proposed rigorous evaluation criteria, establish a solid basis for unbiased benchmarking of immunogenetics computational tools. It sets up the ground for further improving the crucial task of Ig sequence alignment, ultimately enhancing our understanding of adaptive immunity.

Malaria is a major public health concern with over 200 million new cases annually, resulting in significant financial costs. Preventive measures and diagnostic remedies are crucial in saving lives from malaria, and especially in developing nations. 2D materials are, therefore, ideal for fighting such an epidemic. Graphene and its derivatives are extensively studied due to their exceptional properties in this case. The biomedical applications of graphene‐based nanomaterials have gained significant interest in recent years due to their remarkable biocompatibility, solubility, and selectivity. Their unique physicochemical characteristics, like ample surface area, biofunctionality, high purity, solubility, substantial drug‐loading capacity, and superior ability to penetrate cell membranes, make them up‐and‐coming candidates as biodelivery carriers. In this review, crucial graphene‐based technologies to combat malaria are …