1,721,081 research outputs found
Editorial for the special issue on 2d nanomaterials processing and integration in miniaturized devices
Full text linkInitially considered little more than a scientific curiosity, the family of 2D nanomaterials has become increasingly popular over the last decade [...]
Unraveling the Effect of Carbon Nanotube Oxidation on Solid-State Decomposition of Ammonia Borane/Carbon Nanotube Composites
Full text linkAmong the routes to perform hydrogen release from ammonia in solid state, the nanoconfinement into a carbonaceous matrix or the use of carbon-supported catalysts for the thermal degradation of ammonia borane (AB) is the most interesting one. Oxidized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) represent a suitable choice for preparing AB mixtures or for anchoring catalysts for dehydrogenation. Nevertheless, literature lacks detailed study about the influence of CNT oxidation degree on the AB degradation/hydrogen release. In this study, we first described in a comprehensive way that the thermal degradation of AB mixed with CNTs by varying the CNT oxidation degree enlightens the degradative routes mainly active in each case. Using highly oxidized CNTs, we observed a decrement of activation energy of the degradative process up to around 53% and the activation/suppression of different pathways based on the amount of oxygen functionalities present in the mixtures. Furthermore, the presence of oxidized CNTs modulated the solid-state reactivity of AB reducing the release of nitrogen/boron species together with hydrogen. These findings lead the way for the design of new hydrogen storage materials
Funneling spontaneous emission into waveguides via epsilon-near-zero metamaterials
Full text linkIn this work, we discuss the use of epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) metamaterials to efficiently couple light radiated by a dipolar source to an in-plane waveguide. We exploit both enhanced and directional emission provided by ENZ metamaterials to optimize the injection of light into the waveguide by tuning the metal fill factor. We show that a net increase in intensity injected into the waveguide with respect to the total power radiated by the isolated dipole can be achieved in experimentally feasible conditions. We think the proposed system may open up new opportunities for several optical applications and integrated technologies, especially for those limited by outcoupling efficiency and emission rate
3D bioprinting of cell-laden carbopol bioinks
Full text linkTraditional in vitro culture models are unable to fully reflect the organ microenvironment, due to differences in terms of cell morphology, protein expression, cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, and drug response. In contrast, the flexibility of bioprinting modes allows for the deposition of cell-containing biomaterials in any free-form-inspired 3D structures on chip. The main purpose of this study was to design and optimize commercially available Carbopol-based 3D printing formulations, because of their many advantages, such as low-cost, the ability to produce clear and stable gels, and the water thickening. For this purpose, three different Carbopol gels (EDT 2020 NF, Ultrez 10 NF and NF-980) were tested in terms of printability and biocompatibility, with lung cancer epithelial (A549) and normal lung fibroblast (MRC-5) cells. This study demonstrates that Carbopol is a promising candidate for the 3D printing of cell-laden constructs, both in terms of rheology and printing performance
Aerosol mediated localized dissolution to enhance the electrical behavior and sensitivity of piezoresistive nanofiber-based flexible sensors
Full text linkThis work proposes the use of solvents in the form of small size droplets to improve the connections among nanofibers (NFs) in electrospun composite nanofibers with carbon nanotube multiwalled (MWCNT) by improving the electrical and piezoresistive behavior of such electrically conductive polymer composites. The here proposed Aerosol Mediated Localized Dissolution (AMLD) process has been shown to be effective in improving the 3D microporous NF mat by inducing local dissolution that is effective in improving the connections among fibers within the mat. The AMLD process is demonstrated here for polyethylene oxide (PEO) / MWCNTs composite nanofibers, showing that the electrical conductivity is particularly improved in those samples with low content of MWCNTs, even below the original percolation threshold. The improved electrical conductivity is coupled with exceptional sensitivity of the flex sensor for low MWCNTs contents, this is particularly due to the ability of the AMLD process to preserve the high surface area of the 3D mat by inducing better fiber-to-fiber contacts in few regions only. In addition, this work demonstrates the effectiveness of applying an electrical potential difference during the AMLD process to improve the alignment of MWCNTs within the 3D microporous NF mat. The combination of voltage and AMLD allow to obtain a gauge factor as high as 571.9 with a MWCNTs loading of 1 wt%
Current and emerging trends in polymeric 3D printed microfluidic devices
Full text linkDuring the last two decades, 3D printing technology has emerged as a valid alternative for producing microfluidic devices. 3D printing introduces new strategies to obtain high precision microfluidic parts without complex tooling and equipment, making the production of microfluidic devices cheaper, faster, and easier than conventional fabrication methods such as soft lithography. Among the main 3D techniques used for this purpose, fused filament manufacturing (FFF), inkjet 3D printing (i3Dp) and vat polymerization (VP) are of the greatest interest since they are well-established techniques in the field and are cost-affordable both in equipment and material. However, there are still some barriers in terms of technology and materials to overtake for definitively establishing 3D printing as a truly microfluidic production method. For example, the level of resolution and precision of 3D printed microfluidic parts still does not reach the level of conventional fabrication techniques, and, from a materialistic point of view, few materials present the desired characteristics (e.g., biocompatibility, optical transparency, and mechanical properties) for target areas such as medicine, analytical chemistry, and pharmaceuticals. This review intends to evaluate and analyze the current state of polymeric 3D printing techniques and materials to manufacture microfluidic chips. The article will show and discuss the latest innovations, materials, and applications of such 3D printed microstructures. The focus of this review is to provide an overview of recent and future developments in 3D printing and materials in the branch of microfluidics fabrications, showing that the selection of the right materials together with the design freedom afforded by 3D printing will be the cornerstone for microfluidic development
Numerical study of the effect of channel aspect ratio on particle focusing in acoustophoretic devices
Full text linkAerogels for energy and environmental applications
Full text linkAerogels are emerging as one of the most intriguing and promising groups of microporous materials, characterized by impressive properties such as low density, high surface area, high porosity and tunable surface chemistry. Fostering unique thermal and acoustic insulation features, for several decades they mainly received attention from the aerospace and building sectors. More recently, new great opportunities arose due to significant advances in the drying technologies that currently, represent the enabling step for aerogel synthesis and fabrication. This process-ability dramatically increased the interest toward aerogels from new disciplines.
This explains why in the last decade the Environmental Science and Energy fields significantly contributed to the expansion of the aerogel technology, suggesting novel uses and applications and contributing to extend the group of materials that can be synthetized by aerogel processing. New, unforeseen properties emerged for aerogel materials, such as adsorption of contaminants and fluids purification, catalysis of different reactions, electrical conductivity. The present short-review aims at providing a critical overview of the key advances in the development of aerogels for energy and environmental applications, especially emphasizing the common strategies and properties that are turning aerogels into one of the new key emerging technologies of these areas of science
Funneling Spontaneous Emission into Waveguides via Epsilon-Near-Zero Metamaterials
Full text linkIn this work, we discuss the use of epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) metamaterials to efficiently couple light radiated by a dipolar source to an in-plane waveguide. We exploit both enhanced and directional emission provided by ENZ metamaterials to optimize the injection of light into the waveguide by tuning the metal fill factor. We show that a net increase in intensity injected into the waveguide with respect to the total power radiated by the isolated dipole can be achieved in experimentally feasible conditions. We think the proposed system may open up new opportunities for several optical applications and integrated technologies, especially for those limited by outcoupling efficiency and emission rate
Simple PDMS microdevice for biomedical applications
No full textPolydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is a well-known biocompatible polymer employed for many applications in the biomedical field. In this study, the biocompatibility and versatility of PDMS was tested setting up a microdevice devoted to the purification and analysis of nucleic acids. The PDMS microdevice was demonstrated to successfully fulfill all requirements of genetic analyses such as genotyping and pathogen DNA identification both in multiplex and real-time PCR, suggesting the possibility to carry out a molecular test directly on-chip. Moreover, the PDMS microdevice was successfully applied to the purification and detection of disease biomarkers, such as microRNAs related to cancer or heart disease. On-chip microRNA purification was demonstrated starting from clinically relevant samples, i.e. plasma, serum, tissue biopsies. Significantly, the purification and the transcription of microRNA into cDNA occur in the same PDMS chamber, saving time and labor for the overall analysis. Again, the PDMS microdevice was confirmed as a notable candidate for compact, rapid, easy-to-use molecular tests
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