37 research outputs found

    Microfluidics and Nanofluidics Handbook

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    The Microfluidics and Nanofluidics Handbook: Two-Volume Set comprehensively captures the cross-disciplinary breadth of the fields of micro- and nanofluidics, which encompass the biological sciences, chemistry, physics and engineering applications. To fill the knowledge gap between engineering and the basic sciences, the editors pulled together key individuals, well known in their respective areas, to author chapters that help graduate students, scientists, and practicing engineers understand the overall area of microfluidics and nanofluidics. Topics covered include Finite Volume Method for Numerical Simulation Lattice Boltzmann Method and Its Applications in Microfluidics Microparticle and Nanoparticle Manipulation Methane Solubility Enhancement in Water Confined to Nanoscale Pores Volume Two: Fabrication, Implementation, and Applications focuses on topics related to experimental and numerical methods. It also covers fabrication and applications in a variety of areas, from aerospace to biological systems. Reflecting the inherent nature of microfluidics and nanofluidics, the book includes as much interdisciplinary knowledge as possible. It provides the fundamental science background for newcomers and advanced techniques and concepts for experienced researchers and professionals

    ANTIMICROBIAL EFFECT OF NEW RESTORATIVE DENTAL MATERIAL INCORPORATING SILVER NANOPARTICLES

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    Secondary or recurrent caries are dental lesions originated at the margins of an existing restoration, and are considered the most common reason for restoration failure. Usually, these lesions are histologically similar to the primary caries and can be difficult to detect unless somewhat advanced, resulting in a considerable loss of tooth structure. Over the past decades, resin-based dental materials have been used in restorative dentistry for their excellent esthetics and improved mechanical performance. However, they represent potential sources of carbon and energy for microorganisms including oral bacteria and fungi residual in the dental cavity. In addition, cariogenic bacteria can infiltrate the restoration-tooth margins compromise the restoration’s longevity. Because caries at the restoration margins is a main reason for restoration failures, it would be highly desirable for the composite and bonding agent to possess antibacterial capabilities. Novel antibacterial dental materials were developed by introducing quaternary ammonium monomers, including 12-methacryloyloxydodecylpyridinium bromide (MDPB), dimethylaminohexadecyl methacrylate (DMAHDM), and dimethylaminododecyl methacrylate (DMADDM). These monomers can form covalent bonds with the polymer matrix and be immobilized in the resin-based materials, representing a non-released, contact-killing agent. Several other antimicrobial formulations were also developed, including a methacryloxylethylcetyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (DMAE-CB) containing adhesive, quaternary ammonium polyethylenimine (PEI) nanoparticles for antimicrobial dental composites, antibacterial glass ionomer cements, and antibacterial nanocomposites and bonding agents incorporating a quaternary ammonium dimethacrylate (QADM). Quaternary ammonium acrylate (QAM) resins possess positively-charged quaternary amine N+ which can interact with the negatively-charged membrane of bacteria, leading to membrane disruption and cytoplasm leakage. It is postulated that long-chained quaternary ammonium compounds can be especially effective by inserting into the bacterial membrane, resulting in physical disruption and bacteria death. Aside from the antibacterial monomers added to the resin matrix, an alternative approach is to add silver nanoparticles. Indeed, silver (Ag) is known for its antimicrobial activity against a diverse group of bacteria and has been used for many years as an antimicrobial substance in the medical field. Composite containing Ag particles with long-lasting antibacterial activity have been manufactured and observed to inhibit S. mutans growth . In addition, resins containing Ag nanoparticles were able to inhibit biofilm viability. Although the restorative materials had significant evolvement in the past few decades, the high rates of treatment failure suggest that the current restorative approaches are not yet optimized and have a potential for improvement. The aim of this work is to synthesize and evaluate new bioactive and antibacterial composite materials based on photo-activated Bis-GMA/TEGDMA matrix, containing an hydrotalcite-like compound intercalated with Ag nanoparticles as filler. We have obtained a dental resin with improved physical and biological properties and, in addition, able to release low amount of silver in a controlled and tunable way for a long period of time. In contrast to the conventional and resin-modified glass-ionomers, our CR-Agx were able to release silver ions when intraoral pH values drop below the critical pH of 5.5, counteracting the demineralization process of the tooth surface. The caries protective effect of these materials may be related to the material’s ability to release adequate amounts of silver ions for sustained periods of time and during acidic attack

    Basics and Applications in Quantum Optics

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    Quantum optics has received a lot of attention in recent decades due to the handiness and versatility of optical systems, which have been exploited both to study the foundations of quantum mechanics and for various applications. In this Special Issue, we collect some articles and a review focusing on some research activities that show the potential of quantum optics in the advancement of quantum technologies

    MOCAST 2021

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    The 10th International Conference on Modern Circuit and System Technologies on Electronics and Communications (MOCAST 2021) will take place in Thessaloniki, Greece, from July 5th to July 7th, 2021. The MOCAST technical program includes all aspects of circuit and system technologies, from modeling to design, verification, implementation, and application. This Special Issue presents extended versions of top-ranking papers in the conference. The topics of MOCAST include:Analog/RF and mixed signal circuits;Digital circuits and systems design;Nonlinear circuits and systems;Device and circuit modeling;High-performance embedded systems;Systems and applications;Sensors and systems;Machine learning and AI applications;Communication; Network systems;Power management;Imagers, MEMS, medical, and displays;Radiation front ends (nuclear and space application);Education in circuits, systems, and communications

    Carbon Nanomaterials for Therapy, Diagnosis, and Biosensing

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    In the landscape of the design of carbon nanomaterials, the fine-tuning of their functionalities and physico-chemical properties has increased their potential for therapeutic, diagnostic, and biosensing applications. In this editorial, we will provide a brief overview of the contents of this Special Issue. In particular, nanoplatforms originating from the synergistic combination of carbon-based nanomaterials (i.e., nanotubes, graphene, graphene oxide, carbon quantum dots, nanodiamond, etc.) with various functional molecules such as drugs, natural compounds, biomolecules, polymers, metal nanoparticles, and macrocycles that have useful applications in drug delivery, multi-targeted therapies, theranostic as well as scaffolds in tissue engineering, and as sensing materials have been selected for publication as Articles or Mini Reviews. The variety of applications covered by the nine articles published in this Special Issue of Nanomaterials are proof of the growing attention that the use of carbon nanomaterials in the biomedical/pharmaceutical field has received in recent years. We hope that readers find the contents of this Special Issue useful for their research, which is aimed to advance carbon nanomaterials from the laboratory to clinical nanomedicine

    Surface characterization of biomass by imaging mass spectrometry

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    Lignocellulosic biomass (e.g., non food-based agricultural resides and forestry wastes) has recently been promoted for use as a source of bioethanol instead of food-based materials (e.g., corn and sugar cane), however to fully realize these benefits an improved understanding of lignocellulosic recalcitrance must be developed. The primary goal of this thesis is to gain fundamental knowledge about the surface of the plant cell wall, which is to be integrated into understanding biomass recalcitrance. Imaging mass spectrometry by TOF-SIMS and MALDI-IMS is applied to understand detailed spatial and lateral changes of major components in the surface of biomass under submicron scale. Using TOF-SIMS analysis, we have demonstrated a dilute acid pretreated poplar stem represented chemical differences between surface and bulk compositions. Especially, abundance of xylan was observed on the surface while sugar profile data showed most xylan (ca. 90%) removed from the bulk composition. Water only flowthrough pretreated poplar also represented difference chemistry between surface and bulk, which more cellulose revealed on the surface compared to bulk composition. In order to gain the spatial chemical distribution of biomass, 3-dimensional (3D) analysis of biomass using TOF-SIMS has been firstly introduced in the specific application of understanding recalcitrance. MALDI-IMS was also applied to visualize different molecular weight (e.g., DP) of cellulose oligomers on the surface of biomass.PhDCommittee Chair: Art J. Ragauskas, Advisor; Committee Member: Charles L. Liotta; Committee Member: David M. Collard; Committee Member: Stefan France; Committee Member: Yulin Den

    17th Annual Petersheim Academic Exposition Abstracts

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    NASA Tech Briefs, April 1997

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    Topics covered include: Video and Imaging; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery/Automation; Manufacturing/Fabrication; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences; Books and Reports

    Innovative Materials and Methods for the Removal of Pollutants from the Environment

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    The progress of society has led to an improvement of the quality of life of a significant number of people. On the other hand, anthropogenic pollution dramatically increased, with serious consequences for the environment and human health. Controlling and remedying environmental pollution is one of the main challenges of our century. Fundamental and applicative research are called to collaborate, involving scientists in the development of realistic and effective systems for the prevention and the removal of pollutants from the environment. Spreading knowledge is among the missions of researchers and this is the aim of this book, offering an updated view on innovative materials and methods for pollutant treatment. It is composed of 18 articles, among them 5 reviews and 13 original articles, dedicated to new adsorbent materials (inorganic, organic, and hybrid materials) for the capture of pollutant species and for their catalytic conversion into non-toxic substances, and to bioremediation approaches to treat contaminated media. Water, air, and soil pollution was investigated, both at the lab and large scale, with special relevance for wastewater treatments for the removal of heavy metals and organic pollutants. We are grateful to “Molecules” for the opportunity to edit the Special Issue on “Innovative Materials and Methods for the Removal of Pollutants from the Environment”. We created, for this book, an original cover image, dedicated to the efforts of chemistry to defend the beauty of environment, represented by flowers, against every prejudice that considers chemistry an enemy of life

    A contribution for the preservation of cellulose esters black and white negatives

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    Cellulose esters film-based negatives are known for their autocatalytic and irreversible decay. Over time, the ephemeral nature of these negatives became one of the most challenging issues for manufacturers, photographers, scientists, conservators, and overall caretakers that strive to foresee the decay of those composite materials and to develop preservation solutions. The aim of this study is to introduce an analytical methodology that can inform the conservator not only about the nature of the film base but also about its condition in a non-invasive way. For this purpose, three hundred and sixty-one cellulose nitrate and cellulose acetate film-based negatives (1930s-1950s) from Portuguese institutions were selected. The selection of the cases studies relied on three main criteria: historical framework of the collection, film characteristics (type of support, format, producers/brands) and preservation condition. The selected negatives are representative of European and North American producers. The objects were studied using infrared and Raman microspectroscopies (μ-FTIR and μ-Raman), pH and hardness measurements, and Near infrared spectroscopy. μ-FTIR analysis allowed to identify three types of film supports: cellulose nitrate, cellulose acetate and cellulose acetate butyrate. Based on the μ-FTIR analysis a correlation between molecular identification of the film base and notch codes was accomplished. For the set of negatives with cellulose acetate butyrate support no significant molecular changes were obtained, indicating that this type of negatives is considerably stable. Concerning cellulose nitrate and acetate-based negatives, μ-FTIR allowed to assess very different preservation conditions, ranging from Very Good to Severely degraded. A careful observation of the results obtained for cellulose nitrate-based negatives allowed concluding that negatives with spectral changes associated with severe degradation may have different degradation pathways according to thickness. Concerning cellulose acetate-based negatives, similar results were obtained. Moreover, the FTIR results enabled to identify a degradation trend associated with a film typology characterized by ‘U’ notch code and blue and brown anti-halation dyes. Different plasticizers, namely camphor, phosphates and phthalates, were also identified by μ-FTIR and μ-Raman analysis. pH and hardness measurements supported the spectral results obtained. It was confirmed that the de-esterification and chain-scission may be detected by their decrease. To confirm the chemical behaviour of cellulose nitrate-based negatives, an artificial ageing experiment (80⁰C, 90% RH) was carried out, followed by the same analytical methodology. The results obtained for samples artificially aged support the findings obtained from the study of historical films. These findings contribute for a review of the preservation strategies currently used, establishing a novel and non-invasive methodology which could provide accurate tools for the identification of early degradation stages of negatives with cellulose nitrate and cellulose acetate supports. By examining by μ-EDXRF and SEM-EDS the image layer of a set of cellulose nitrate negatives presenting colours, it was possible to identify the chemical elements present and correlate them with possible intensification and reduction treatments used to improve image density and contribute for the knowledge of Portuguese photographers working methods
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