1,182 research outputs found
Filtering media by electrospinning: Next generation membranes for separation applications
No full textThis book covers the state-of-the-art on electrospun materials for the use of filters for water remediation, ion-exchange membranes and affinity membranes for the capture of selected chemical and biochemical species, as well as filtering applications covering air treatment, defense and protective applications, and oil-water separation. The book also provides an overview of the landscape of marketed electrospun filters and of technical approaches for the large scale production of nanofibrous non-woven filter media. This is an ideal book for biomaterials and polymer researchers interested in the applications of filtering media by electrospinning. This book also: Covers the latest research on ion-exchange membranes and affinity membranes for capture of cells and biological substances. Broadens reader understanding of antimicrobial electrospun filters and sieving filters for liquid microfiltration. Reviews exhaustively the key recent research into electrospun filters for oil-water separation, heavy metals removal, and defense and protective applications
Mass versus personalized medicine against COVID-19 in the "system sciences" era
No full textThe importance of personalized/precision medicine for targeted therapies and improved outcomes both in terms of efficacy and safety in health care is by now grounded. We here discuss the current landscape of personalized medicine approaches against SARS-CoV-2. A schematic of the approach is illustrated in the figure in the text
Cell signalling and biomaterials have a symbiotic relationship as demonstrated by a bioinformatics study: the role of surface topography
No full textCell–substrate interaction is a process influenced by severalvariables. The topography, the chemical and mechanicalproperties of a biomaterial can influence significantly specificintracellular signalling cascades that exert control over adhe-sion, proliferation, self-renewal, migration and cell differentia-tion. Through a bioinformatics approach, we evaluated thepathways that are modulated by topographies on differentbiomaterials. Nanofibers are biomaterials with a topographythat well mimics naturally occurring extracellular environmentable to establish symbiotic-like relationships with the cells. In-teractions with the contact area of the cells and the focalcontacts represent a link between the extracellular matrix andthe cytoskeleton, capable of influencing epigenetic regulationof cell processes. Electrospun fibres are the ideal candidatescaffolding material owing to their surface properties and theability to promote cell adhesion and to guide intracellularsignalling cascades. The use of predictive models can facilitatethe rational design of tailored biomaterial substrate–cells in-terfaces necessary for the improved outcomes of biomaterialsscience, stem cells, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine
3D/4D printing of cellulose nanocrystals-based biomaterials: Additives for sustainable applications
No full textCellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) have gained significant attraction from both industrial and academic sectors, thanks to their biodegradability, non-toxicity, and renewability with remarkable mechanical characteristics. Desirable mechanical characteristics of CNCs include high stiffness, high strength, excellent flexibility, and large surface-to-volume ratio. Additionally, the mechanical properties of CNCs can be tailored through chemical modifications for high-end applications including tissue engineering, actuating, and biomedical. Modern manufacturing methods including 3D/4D printing are highly advantageous for developing sophisticated and intricate geometries. This review highlights the major developments of additive manufactured CNCs, which promote sustainable solutions across a wide range of applications. Additionally, this contribution also presents current challenges and future research directions of CNC-based composites developed through 3D/4D printing techniques for myriad engineering sectors including tissue engineering, wound healing, wearable electronics, robotics, and anti-counterfeiting applications. Overall, this review will greatly help research scientists from chemistry, materials, biomedicine, and other disciplines to comprehend the underlying principles, mechanical properties, and applications of additively manufactured CNC-based structures.</p
Quantification of Non-linearities in the Consequential Life Cycle Assessment of the Use Phase of Battery Electric Vehicles
No full textThe diffusion of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) is projected to influence the electricity grid operation, potentially offering opportunities for load-shifting policies aimed at higher integration of renewable energy technologies in the electricity system. Moreover, the examined literature emphasizes electricity as a relevant driver of BEVs Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) results. To evaluate LCA impacts associated to future BEVs diffusion scenarios in Italy, we adopt the Consequential Life Cycle Assessment (CLCA) methodology. LCA conventionally assumes a proportional relation between environmental impact indicators and the functional unit. However, such relation may not be representative if the electricity system is significantly affected by the large-scale diffusion of BEVs. Our study couples the conventional CLCA methodology with the EnergyPLAN model through three different approaches, which progressively include BEV-specific dynamics, to capture correlations between additional BEVs fleets and the electricity grid operation, that affectthe mix of electricity consumed in the use phase by BEVs, in Italy in 2030. Here we show that if renewables capacity is not additionally installed in response to additional BEVs electricity demand, the marginal Climate change total indicator of BEVs may increase up to ~40%, with respect to a business-as-usual scenario. Moreover, we quantitatively support the literature indications on how to properly estimate BEVs LCA impacts. Indeed, we weight electricity LCA impacts on hourly BEV charge profiles, finding that this approach best captures BEVs interdependence with the electricity system. At low BEVs diffusion, this approach clearly shows the potential BEVs capability to increase exploitation of renewable energy, whereas at high BEVs diffusion, it fully highlights potential responses of fossil fuel power plants to additional electricity demand. Due to these dynamics, we find that linearly scaling the business-as-usual scenario results would lead to an underestimation of 12.45 Mton CO2-eq of the total impacts of an additional BEVs fleet, under a 100% BEV diffusion scenario. Our methodology could be replicated with different energy system models, or at various geographical scales. Our framework could be coupled with comprehensive assessments of transport systems, to further provide robustness to policymakers by including non-linearities in the mix of electricity consumed during the use phase of BEVs
Waste-to-Energy as a Method of Refuse Disposal: An Analysis of Sustainable Technologies and Their Environmental Impact
No full textNowadays, waste-to-energy (WtE) is considered the most effective disposal system for nonrecyclable materials. There is general concern with regard to potential environmental and health risks connected with WtE plants. Data from epidemiological studies, conducted since the 1980s, had shown that old-generation plants have a negative environmental impact. Owing to innovations in both technology and methodology involved in waste processing, new-generation WtE plants have considerably mitigated such negative impact. The aim of the study is to assess how legislation, technological innovation, and mitigation strategies can help and reduce the repercussions that waste-to-energy might have on both the environment and people’s health. The first step in this study consisted in investigating the current European and Italian legislation, as well as the operating mechanisms and technologies available to mitigate environmental impacts. Successively, the second step consisted in verifying their actual effectiveness when applied to the most recent plants. In particular, ten modern incinerations, new or restored in the last decade, were examined in detail. The case studies’ analysis and their comparison showed that, when adequately submitted to a health impact assessment (HIA) and in presence of valid monitoring plans, the most advanced facilities are able to keep emissions way below the limits prescribed by the law, mitigating environmental and health impacts. In addition, the study highlighted some areas of possible future interventions and actions. Finally, the outcome of the research is to propose a set of guidelines, legal tools, and appropriate technologies, as exportable and scalable healthy strategies in several contexts
Editorial: Electrospinning of Bioinspired Materials and Structures for Bioengineering and Advanced Biomedical Applications
No full textThe Research Topic “Electrospinning of Bioinspired Materials and Structures for Bioengineering and Advanced Biomedical Applications” includes submissions that relate to the “Biomaterials” and “Bionics and Biomimetics” sections of Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology. The collection aims to provide an overview of how electrospinning, inspired by nature, can reproduce the hierarchical structure and biomechanical properties of biological tissues, ranging from the nanoscale to the macroscale. The development of such innovative nanofibrous structures requires the improvement of both functionalization and biofabrication strategies, to enhance the scaffold bioactivity and to drive cells in the regeneration of the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the target tissues of interest. Recent technological advances have given rise to the availability of intelligent and smart biomaterials for the regeneration of innovative procedures for manufacturing nanometric structures, and methods for assembling multiscale hierarchical structures. Furthermore, imaging has improved considerably in the last few years, allowing multimodal imaging with nanometric resolution
Electrospraying technique for the fabrication of metronidazole contained PLGA particles and their release profile
No full textAdvanced engineering of materials for the development of drug delivery devices provides scope for novel and versatile strategies for treatment of various diseases. 'Electrospraying' was used to prepare PLGA microparticles and further encapsulate the drug, metronidazole (Met) within the particles to function as a drug delivery system. Two different solvents were utilized for the preparation of drug loaded PLGA particles, whereby the polymeric solution in dichloromethane (DCM) produced particles of bigger sizes than using trifluoroethanol (TFE). Scanning electron microscopy showed the spherical morphology of the particles, with sizes of 3946 ± 407 nm and 1774 ± 167 nm, respectively for PLGA-Met(DCM) and PLGA-Met(TFE). The FTIR spectroscopy proved the incorporation of metronidazole in the polymer, but without any specific drug-polymer interaction. The release of the drug from the particles was studied in phosphate buffered saline, where a sustained drug release was obtained for at least 41 days. Cytotoxicity evaluation of the drug extract using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) showed not hindering the proliferation of MSCs, and the cell phenotype was retained after incubation in the drug containing media. Electrospraying is suggested as a cost-effective and single step process for the preparation of polymeric microparticles for prolonged and controlled release of drug.Fil: Prabhakaran, Molamma P.. National University Of Singapore; SingapurFil: Zamani, Maedeh. National University Of Singapore; SingapurFil: Felice, Betiana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Ramakrishna, Seeram. National University Of Singapore; Singapu
Dr. Seeram Ramakrishna
No full textEl surgimiento de las universidades asiáticas como generadoras de conocimiento y pilar de la competitividad de la región: El caso de la Universidad de Singapur
Clip 01 de 01, Octubre 15 de 201
Hydrogen Production as a Clean Energy Carrier through Heterojunction Semiconductors for Environmental Remediation
No full textToday, as a result of the advancement of technology and increasing environmental problems, the need for clean energy has considerably increased. In this regard, hydrogen, which is a clean and sustainable energy carrier with high energy density, is among the well-regarded and effective means to deliver and store energy, and can also be used for environmental remediation purposes. Renewable hydrogen energy carriers can successfully substitute fossil fuels and decrease carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and reduce the rate of global warming. Hydrogen generation from sustainable solar energy and water sources is an environmentally friendly resolution for growing global energy demands. Among various solar hydrogen production routes, semiconductor-based photocatalysis seems a promising scheme that is mainly performed using two kinds of homogeneous and heterogeneous methods, of which the latter is more advantageous. During semiconductor-based heterogeneous photocatalysis, a solid material is stimulated by exposure to light and generates an electron–hole pair that subsequently takes part in redox reactions leading to hydrogen production. This review paper tries to thoroughly introduce and discuss various semiconductor-based photocatalysis processes for environmental remediation with a specific focus on heterojunction semiconductors with the hope that it will pave the way for new designs with higher performance to protect the environment
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