Wearable nanocomposite textile-based piezoelectric and triboelectric nanogenerators: progress and perspectives

In recent years, the widespread adoption of next-generation wearable electronics has been facilitated by the integration of advanced nanogenerator technology with conventional textiles. This integration has led to the development of textile-based nanogenerators (t-NGs), which hold tremendous potential for harvesting mechanical energy from the surrounding environment and serving as power sources for self-powered electronics. Textile structures are inherently flexible, making them well-suited for wearable applications. However, their electrical performance as nanogenerators is significantly limited when used without any modifications. To address this limitation and enhance the electrical performance of textile-based nanogenerators, nanocomposite textiles have been extensively utilized for fabricating advanced nanogenerators. This critical review focuses on the recent progress in wearable nanocomposite textiles-based piezoelectric and triboelectric nanogenerators. The review covers the fundamentals of piezoelectricity and triboelectricity, the working principles of nanogenerators, and the selection of materials. Furthermore, it provides a detailed discussion of nanocomposite textiles in various forms, such as fibers or yarns, fabrics, and electrospun nanofibrous webs, which are employed in piezoelectric and triboelectric nanogenerators. The review also highlights the challenges associated with their implementation and outlines the prospects of textile-based nanogenerators. It can be concluded that nanocomposite textile based piezoelectric and triboelectric nanogenerators exhibit better electrical output and mechanical strength compared to conventional textile based nanogenerators. Nanocomposite electrospun web based piezoelectric nanogenerators exhibit higher piezoelectric output compared with nanocomposite fibre/yarn or fabric based piezoelectric nanogenerators. This is because an in-situ poling takes place in electrospinning unlike with fibre or fabric based piezoelectric nanogenerators. Nanocomposite electrospun web based triboelectric nanogenerators also show better triboelectric output compared to the fibre or fabric-based equivalents. This is due to the higher contact area developed with electrospun nanocomposite webs compared to the fibre or fabric cases. Overall, it can be concluded that while nanocomposite construction can boost output and durability of textile based nanogenerators, more research is required to bring output, stability and durability up to the levels achievable with non-textile based devices

Mass Drug Administration Coverage Evaluation Survey for Lymphatic Filariasis in Bagalkot and Gulbarga Districts

Background: Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is endemic in 83 countries and territories, with more than a billion people at risk of infection. In view with the global elimination, mass drug administration (MDA) with single dose of diethylcarbamazine and albendazole tablets was carried out for the eligible population in Bagalkot and Gulbarga districts. Objective: Assess coverage of MDA against LF in Bagalkot and Gulbarga districts. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional coverage evaluation survey, one urban and three rural clusters were selected randomly in each district. The data were collected in a pretested performa, computed and analyzed using SPSS-10 to calculate frequencies and proportions. Results: A total of eight clusters in two districts resulted in a total study population of 1,228 individuals. The overall compliance rate in Bagalkot district was 78.6% and in Gulbarga district it was only 38.8%. The prime reason for noncompliance was fear of side effects and not received tablets. Conclusion: There is an urgent need for more effective drug delivery strategies to improve the compliance in both the districts

Synthesis and Characterization of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Using Acacia caesia Bark Extract and Its Photocatalytic and Antimicrobial Activities

This paper presents the green synthesis and characterization of ZnO nanoparticles and their microbial and photocatalytic application. The green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles was carried out using Zinc nitrate hexahydrate and the bark extract of Acacia caesia (L.) Willd. The nanoparticles were synthesized at an optimum temperature of 65 °C followed by calcination at 400 °C. The samples were characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, SEM, XRD, FTIR and EDX analysis. UV-visible spectroscopy showed a characteristic peak at 338 nm and the bandgap energy was found to be 3 eV which is specific for ZnO. SEM confirmed the presence of ZnO on its nanoscale. EDX gave the elemental details of Zinc constituting to 37.77% and Oxygen comprising 20.77% of its atomic weight. XRD analysis gave the diffractogram indexed at various angles corresponding to ZnO nanoparticles. It also revealed the average crystalline size to be 32.32 nm and the shape was found to be hexagonal. The functional group present in the nanoparticles was characterized using FTIR, which gave a characteristic peak at 485 cm−1. The synthesized nanoparticles exhibited significant photocatalytic (methyl blue under UV irradiation). The presence of nanoparticles induces changes in its kinetics, whose rate constants and correlation coefficients were analyzed during the photocatalytic degradation of the model pollutant Methyl Blue. Studies on antibacterial (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus), antifungal (Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans) and anti-inflammatory (COX assay) properties were also carried out. The nanoparticles were synthesized in an eco-friendly and cost-effective method. The study opens new horizons in the field of water treatment, biosensors and nanotechnology

Cardamonin Attenuates Experimental Colitis and Associated Colorectal Cancer

Cardamonin is a naturally occurring chalcone, majorly from the Zingiberaceae family, which includes a wide range of spices from India. Herein, we investigated the anti-inflammatory property of cardamonin using different in vitro and in vivo systems. In RAW 264.7 cells, treatment with cardamonin showed a reduced nitrous oxide production without affecting the cell viability and decreased the expression of iNOS, TNF-α, and IL-6, and inhibited NF-kB signaling which emphasizes the role of cardamonin as an anti-inflammatory molecule. In a mouse model of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis, cardamonin treatment protected the mice from colitis. Subsequently, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of this chalcone in a colitis-associated colon cancer model. We performed microRNA profiling in the different groups and observed that cardamonin modulates miRNA expression, thereby inhibiting tumor formation. Together, our findings indicate that cardamonin has the potential to be considered for future therapy against colorectal cancer