Review of flexible energy harvesting for bioengineering in alignment with SDG

To cater to the extensive body movements and deformations necessitated by biomedical equipment flexible piezoelectrics emerge as a promising solution for energy harvesting. This review research delves into the potential of Flexible Piezoelectric Materials (FPM) as a sustainable solution for clean and affordable energy, aligning with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By systematically examining the secondary functions of stretchability, hybrid energy harvesting, and self-healing, the study aims to comprehensively understand these materials' mechanisms, strategies, and relationships between structural characteristics and properties. The research highlights the significance of designing piezoelectric materials that can conform to the curvilinear shape of the human body, enabling sustainable and efficient mechanical energy capture for various applications, such as biosensors and actuators. The study identifies critical areas for future investigation, including the commercialization of stretchable piezoelectric systems, prevention of unintended interference in hybrid energy harvesters, development of consistent wearability metrics, and enhancement of the elastic piezoelectric material, electrode circuit, and substrate for improved stretchability and comfort. In conclusion, this review research offers valuable insights into developing and implementing FPM as a promising and innovative approach to harnessing clean, affordable energy in line with the SDGs.</p

Review of flexible energy harvesting for bioengineering in alignment with SDG

To cater to the extensive body movements and deformations necessitated by biomedical equipment flexible piezoelectrics emerge as a promising solution for energy harvesting. This review research delves into the potential of Flexible Piezoelectric Materials (FPM) as a sustainable solution for clean and affordable energy, aligning with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By systematically examining the secondary functions of stretchability, hybrid energy harvesting, and self-healing, the study aims to comprehensively understand these materials' mechanisms, strategies, and relationships between structural characteristics and properties. The research highlights the significance of designing piezoelectric materials that can conform to the curvilinear shape of the human body, enabling sustainable and efficient mechanical energy capture for various applications, such as biosensors and actuators. The study identifies critical areas for future investigation, including the commercialization of stretchable piezoelectric systems, prevention of unintended interference in hybrid energy harvesters, development of consistent wearability metrics, and enhancement of the elastic piezoelectric material, electrode circuit, and substrate for improved stretchability and comfort. In conclusion, this review research offers valuable insights into developing and implementing FPM as a promising and innovative approach to harnessing clean, affordable energy in line with the SDGs.</p

Hydrolysis of raw tuber starches by amylase of Aspergillus niger AM07 isolated from the soil

Eight Aspergillus niger strains which produced strong starch degrading amylase were isolated from the soil using a medium containing Remazol Brilliant Blue (RBB) starch as substrate. Amylase production was detected by the disappearance of the blue colour around the colony. Among the isolates, A. niger AM07 produced the largest clear zone (7.0mm) on Remazol Brilliant Blue (RBB) agar plate and also gave the highest amylase yield (806 U/ml) in solid-state fermentation process, hence it was selected for further studies. The crude amylase preparation of A. niger AM07 had temperature and pH optima activities at 60oC and 4.0 respectively. The optimum substrate concentration was 3 %. The action of the crude amylase of A. niger on raw tuber starches of yam, cassava, sweet potato and cocoyam were studied in comparison with the well known maize starch which is a cereal starch. The crude amylase was able to hydrolyze all the raw starches tested. Hydrolysis was significantly (

Quality of life and visual function in Nigeria: findings from the National Survey of Blindness and Visual Impairment

Aims To assess associations of visual function (VF) and quality of life (QOL) by visual acuity (VA), causes of blindness and types of cataract procedures in Nigeria. Methods Multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling was used to identify a nationally representative sample of persons aged >= 40 years. VF/QOL questionnaires were administered to participants with VA = 6/12. Results VF/QOL questionnaires were administered to 2076 participants. Spearman's rank correlation showed a strong correlation between decreasing VA and VF/QOL scores (p< 0.0001) with greatest impact on social (p< 0.0001) and mobility-related activities (p< 0.0001). People who were blind due to glaucoma had lower VF and QOL scores than those who were blind due to cataract. Mean VF and QOL scores were lower after couching compared with conventional cataract surgery (mean VF score=51.0 vs 63.0 and mean QOL score=71.3 vs 79.3). Finally, VF and QOL scores were lower among populations with specific characteristics. Conclusions Populations with the following characteristics should be targeted to improve VF and QOL: people who are blind, older people, women, manual labourers, people living in rural areas, those living in the northern geopolitical zones, those practising Islamic and Traditionalism faith, those not currently married and those who have undergone couching

Shape memory polymer review for flexible artificial intelligence materials of biomedical

The self-healing and biocompatibility of polymer composites for biomedicine have made them a preferred approach for small-scale tissue engineering elements. By moving from static to dynamic pressure, 4D printing simulates the natural physical-mechanical changes of living tissue over time. A promising new platform with excellent controllability actuation is required to enhance the significance of 4D printing for biological applications. This study systematically analyses current 4D printing technologies for the flexible fabrication of artificial intelligence (AIM) materials. In addition, many potential applications of flexible 4D printing in composite biological engineering are thoroughly investigated. We found that knowledge about this new category of flexible AIM composites is relatively limited, and the potential for practical applications has not yet been demonstrated. Finally, we discuss the problems and limitations of flexible 4D printing technology, AIM, and future approaches and applications.</p

Impact of rGO-coated PEEK and lattice on bone implant

© 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).The composite coating can effectively inhibit bacterial proliferation and promote the expression of bone-building genes in-vitro. Therefore, a novel production was used to produce poly-ether-ether-ketone, and reduced graphene oxide (PEEK-rGO) scaffolds with ratios of 1–3%, combining a different lattice for a bone implant. An inexpensive method was developed to prepare the new coatings on the PEEK scaffold with reduced graphene oxide (rGO). Mechanical testing, data analysis and cell culture tests for in-vitro biocompatibility scaffold characterisation for the PEEK composite were conducted. Novel computation microanalysis of four-dimensional (4D) printing of microstructure of PEEK-rGO concerning the grain size and three dimensional (3D) morphology was influenced by furrow segmentation of grains cell growth on the composite, which was reduced from an average of 216–155 grains and increased to 253 grains on the last day. The proposed spherical nanoparticles cell grew with time after dispersed PEEK nanoparticles in calcium hydroxyapatite (cHAp) grains. Also, the mechanical tests were carried out to validate the strength of the new composites and compare them to that of a natural bone. The established 3D-printed PEEK composite scaffolds significantly exhibited the potential of bone implants for biomimetic heterogeneous bone repair.Peer reviewedFinal Published versio