Sustainable Collagen Blends with Different Ionic Liquids for Resistive Touch Sensing Applications

Considering the sustainable development goals to reduce environmental impact, sustainable sensors based on natural polymers are a priority as the large im plementation of these materials is required considering the Internet of Things (IoT) paradigm. In this context, the present work reports on sustainable blends based on collagen and different ionic liquids (ILs), including ([Ch][DHP], [Ch][TSI], [Ch][Seri]) and ([Emim][TFSI]), processed with varying contents and types of ILs in order to tailor the electrical response. Varying IL types and contents leads to different interactions with the collagen polymer matrix and, therefore, to varying mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. Collagen/[Ch][Seri] samples display the most pronounced decrease of the tensile strength (3.2 ± 0.4 MPa) and an increase of the elongation at break (50.6 ± 1.5%). The best ionic conductivity value of 0.023 mS cm–1 has been obtained for the sample with 40 wt % of the IL [Ch][Seri]. The functional response of the collagen–IL films has been demonstrated on a resistive touch sensor whose response depends on the ionic conductivity, being suitable for the next generation of sustainable touch sensing devices.Grant PID2021-124294OB-C22 funded by MCI/AEI10.13039/501100011033 and by “ERDF A way of making Europe”. This work was supported by the Basque Government through the research groups of the Basque university system (IT1658-22). This work was also supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under strategic funding UIDB/04650/2020, UID/FIS/04650/2021, projects MIT-EXPL/TDI/0033/2021 and POCI-01-0247-FEDER-046985

Tailoring physicochemical properties of collagen-based composites with ionic liquids and wool for advanced applications

Wool, choline dihydrogen phosphate ([Ch][DHP]) or choline serinate ([Ch][Seri) ionic liquids (ILs) were incorporated into native collagen formulations and films were prepared by compression molding. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed no agglomeration, indicating good dispersion of additives within films. The denaturation peak observed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), along with infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results, showed that collagen fibrillary structure was preserved in all samples. These outcomes were correlated with X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns. Wool or ILs addition increased tensile strength and improved electrical conductivity and all films showed antistatic behaviour. The samples showed a high dielectric constant, mainly determined by mobile charge contributions. This work shows the potential of native collagen films with tuneable physical-chemical characteristics for a new generation of sustainable materials for a wide variety of applications.This research was funded by MCI/AEI/FEDER, UE, grant number RTI2018-097100-B-C22. This work was also supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under strategic funding UIDB/04650/2020, UID/FIS/04650/2021, project PTDC/FIS-MAC/28157/2017, grant SFRH/BPD/121526/2016 (D.M.C) and Investigator FCT Contract 2020.04028.CEECIND (C.M.C.) funded by national funds through FCT and by the ERDF through the COMPETE2020-Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalizacao (POCI). The authors also acknowledge funding from the Basque Government (KK-2021/00131). Mireia Andonegi also thanks the Basque Government for her fellowship (PRE_2017_1_0025). Thanks are also due to the Advanced Research Facilities (SGIker) from the UPV/ EHU. Finally, the authors would like to thank Paula Menoyo for the wool provided

Sustainable lithium-ion battery separators based on cellulose and soy protein membranes

The food industry produces millions of tons of natural by-products. Through this study, we followed an environmentally friendly strategy using discards, such as soy protein isolate (SPI) from soya oil production and marine cellulose (Cell) from the agar industry, in order to achieve added-value applications. In particular, this work focuses on the development of membranes based on soy protein and cellulose, and their validation as battery separator membranes toward sustainable energy storage systems. SPI membranes with Cell show excellent compatibility with the electrolyte based on physical interactions. These physical interactions favor the swelling of the membranes, reaching swelling values of 1000% after three days in the liquid electrolyte. The membranes are thermally stable up to 180 °C. After being subjected to the liquid electrolyte, it is observed that the microstructure of the membranes change, but the porous structure is maintained, while the materials remain easy to handle. The ionic conductivity value, lithium transference number and battery performance in cathodic half-cells are ∼ 5.8 mS.cm−1, 0.77, and 112 mAh.g−1 at 1C-rate, respectively. Overall, considering environmental issues and circular economy, it is proven that it is possible to obtain more sustainable high-performance lithium-ion batteries based on waste materials.The authors thank the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) for financial support under the framework of Strategic Funding UIDB/04650/2020, UID/FIS/04650/2020, UID/EEA/04436/2020, and UID/QUI/00686/2020 and under projects MIT-EXPL/TDI/0033/2021, POCI-01-0247-FEDER-046985 and 2022.03931.PTDC funded by national funds through FCT and by the ERDF through the COMPETE2020—Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização (POCI). The authors also thank the FCT for financial support under Grant 2021.08158.BD (J.P.S.) and FCT investigator contracts CEECIND/00833/2017 (RG) and 2020.04028.CEECIND (C.M.C.). This study forms part of the Advanced Materials program and was supported by MCIN with funding from European Union NextGenerationEU (PRTR-C17.I1) and by The Basque Government under the IKUR program. The authors also thank the project BIDEKO, funded by MCIN/AEI, NextGenerationEU, PRTR. This work was also supported by the (IT1658-22) and Grant PID2021-124294OB-C22 funded by MCI/AEI10.13039/501100011033 and by “ERDF A way of making Europe”. J.U. thanks the University of the Basque Country for her fellowship (ESPDOC21/74)

Magnetically responsive chitosan-pectin films incorporating Fe3O4 nanoparticles with enhanced antimicrobial activity.

Chitosan-pectin films with iron oxide (Fe3O4) magnetic nanoparticles were prepared by solution casting in order to produce biopolymer based magnetically active materials. Infrared (FTIR) spectra indicated physical interactions between the matrix and nanoparticles, corroborated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results. In addition, thermal characterization suggested that the interactions between chitosan, pectin and the nanoparticles resulted in a less compact structure, influencing the film mechanical properties. Regarding vibrating-sample magnetometry (VSM) and electrical analysis, chitosan-pectin films with Fe3O4 nanoparticles showed ferrimagnetic behavior, with an increase of the dielectric constant as the nanoparticle concentration increased. Furthermore, films displayed enhanced antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (Gram-positive) bacteria. Therefore, chitosan-pectin films with Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles provide promising results for active and intelligent food packaging applications.Grant PID2021-124294OB-C22 funded by MCI/AEI10.13039/501100011033 and by “ERDF A way of making Europe”. Biomat group thanks the Basque Government for funding (IT1658-22) and I.Z. thanks the Basque Government for her fellowship (22-2018-00078). This work was also supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under strategic funding UIDB/04650/2020, UID/FIS/04650/2021, project PTDC/FIS-MAC/28157/2017, and Investigator FCT Contracts 2020.02915.CEECIND (D.M.C) and 2020.04028.CEECIND (C.M.C.) funded by national funds through FCT and by the ERDF through the COMPETE2020-Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização (POCI). Thanks are also due to the Advanced Research Facilities (SGIker) from the UPV/EHU

Sustainable Collagen Composites with Graphene Oxide for Bending Resistive Sensing

This work reports on the development of collagen films with graphene oxide nanoparticles (GO NPs), aiming toward the development of a new generation of functional sustainable sensors. For this purpose, different GO NP contents up to 3 wt % were incorporated into a collagen matrix, and morphological, thermal, mechanical and electrical properties were evaluated. Independently of the GO NP content, all films display an increase in thermal stability as a result of the increase in the structural order of collagen, as revealed by XRD analysis. Further, the inclusion of GO NPs into collagen promotes an increase in the intensity of oxygen characteristic absorption bands in FTIR spectra, due to the abundant oxygen-containing functional groups, which lead to an increase in the hydrophilic character of the surface. GO NPs also influence the mechanical properties of the composites, increasing the tensile strength from 33.2 ± 2.4 MPa (collagen) to 44.1 ± 1.0 MPa (collagen with 3 wt % GO NPs). Finally, the electrical conductivity also increases slightly with GO NP content, allowing the development of resistive bending sensors.This research was funded by Grant PID2021-124294OB-C22 funded by MCI/AEI10.13039/501100011033 and by “ERDF A way of making Europe”. This work was also supported by the Basque Government (IT1658-22) and the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under strategic funding UIDB/04650/2020, UID/FIS/04650/2021, project PTDC/FIS-MAC/28157/2017, and Investigator FCT Contract 2020.02915.CEECIND (D.M.C) and 2020.04028.CEECIND (C.M.C.) funded by national funds through FCT and by the ERDF through the COMPETE2020-Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização (POCI). The authors also acknowledge funding from the Basque Government Industry and Education Department under the ELKARTEK program. M.A. thanks the Basque Government for her fellowship (POS_2022_1_0007)

Goodbye Hartmann trial: a prospective, international, multicenter, observational study on the current use of a surgical procedure developed a century ago

Background: Literature suggests colonic resection and primary anastomosis (RPA) instead of Hartmann's procedure (HP) for the treatment of left-sided colonic emergencies. We aim to evaluate the surgical options globally used to treat patients with acute left-sided colonic emergencies and the factors that leading to the choice of treatment, comparing HP and RPA. Methods: This is a prospective, international, multicenter, observational study registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. A total 1215 patients with left-sided colonic emergencies who required surgery were included from 204 centers during the period of March 1, 2020, to May 31, 2020. with a 1-year follow-up. Results: 564 patients (43.1%) were females. The mean age was 65.9 ± 15.6 years. HP was performed in 697 (57.3%) patients and RPA in 384 (31.6%) cases. Complicated acute diverticulitis was the most common cause of left-sided colonic emergencies (40.2%), followed by colorectal malignancy (36.6%). Severe complications (Clavien-Dindo ≥ 3b) were higher in the HP group (P < 0.001). 30-day mortality was higher in HP patients (13.7%), especially in case of bowel perforation and diffused peritonitis. 1-year follow-up showed no differences on ostomy reversal rate between HP and RPA. (P = 0.127). A backward likelihood logistic regression model showed that RPA was preferred in younger patients, having low ASA score (≤ 3), in case of large bowel obstruction, absence of colonic ischemia, longer time from admission to surgery, operating early at the day working hours, by a surgeon who performed more than 50 colorectal resections. Conclusions: After 100 years since the first Hartmann's procedure, HP remains the most common treatment for left-sided colorectal emergencies. Treatment's choice depends on patient characteristics, the time of surgery and the experience of the surgeon. RPA should be considered as the gold standard for surgery, with HP being an exception

Azimuthal anisotropy of charged jet production in root s(NN)=2.76 TeV Pb-Pb collisions

We present measurements of the azimuthal dependence of charged jet production in central and semi-central root s(NN) = 2.76 TeV Pb-Pb collisions with respect to the second harmonic event plane, quantified as nu(ch)(2) (jet). Jet finding is performed employing the anti-k(T) algorithm with a resolution parameter R = 0.2 using charged tracks from the ALICE tracking system. The contribution of the azimuthal anisotropy of the underlying event is taken into account event-by-event. The remaining (statistical) region-to-region fluctuations are removed on an ensemble basis by unfolding the jet spectra for different event plane orientations independently. Significant non-zero nu(ch)(2) (jet) is observed in semi-central collisions (30-50% centrality) for 20 <p(T)(ch) (jet) <90 GeV/c. The azimuthal dependence of the charged jet production is similar to the dependence observed for jets comprising both charged and neutral fragments, and compatible with measurements of the nu(2) of single charged particles at high p(T). Good agreement between the data and predictions from JEWEL, an event generator simulating parton shower evolution in the presence of a dense QCD medium, is found in semi-central collisions. (C) 2015 CERN for the benefit of the ALICE Collaboration. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).Peer reviewe

Forward-central two-particle correlations in p-Pb collisions at root s(NN)=5.02 TeV

Two-particle angular correlations between trigger particles in the forward pseudorapidity range (2.5 2GeV/c. (C) 2015 CERN for the benefit of the ALICE Collaboration. Published by Elsevier B. V.Peer reviewe