Estratégia de difusão da nanotecnologia: Ensino interdisciplinar aos professores do ensino fundamental

The objective of the research was to disseminate nanotechnology concepts, applications, and benefits among educators from different Costa Rican provinces to increase their acceptance and dissemination of the subject to elementary students. Teachers from different areas of the country were called to participate.  Five training workshops were held in Turrialba, Cahuita, Alajuela, Buenos Aires, and Nicoya covering fundamental nanotechnology concepts and applications, as well as the contributions offered from an educational point of view. The workshops were held in person two full days including talks, practical activities, and discussions. In addition, educational materials were prepared, such as a poster and an information brochure, and two educational videos on nanotechnology. A total of 98 teachers, 87% men and 13% women, from different provinces were trained. Workshop evaluations were positive in terms of the knowledge acquired with an average of 57.30%, compared to 5.10% before starting the training. This project contributed to strengthen teachers’ knowledge about nanotechnology and its applications. In addition, national and international nanotechnology research projects were made known. The above will help teachers disseminate new knowledge to the student population, thus becoming knowledge multipliers.El objetivo de la investigación fue socializar los conceptos, aplicaciones y beneficios de la nanotecnología entre personal educador de las diferentes provincias de Costa Rica, para incrementar su aceptación y difusión del tema a los niños y niñas de educación primaria. Se realizó una convocatoria para seleccionar a sujetos educadores de distintas zonas del país. Se impartieron 5 talleres de capacitación en las siguientes localidades: Turrialba, Cahuita, Alajuela, Buenos Aires y Nicoya. En estos se abordaron temas fundamentales de la nanotecnología y sus aplicaciones, así como los aportes que se pueden ofrecer desde el punto de vista educativo. Los talleres se impartieron de manera presencial durante dos días completos, con exposición de charlas, actividades prácticas y discusiones. Además, se preparó material didáctico, como un afiche y un folleto informativo, y dos videos educativos alusivos a la nanotecnología. Se logró capacitar a 98 sujetos educadores, 87 % hombres y 13 % mujeres, de distintas provincias del país. Los resultados de las evaluaciones de los talleres fueron buenos, en términos del conocimiento adquirido con un promedio de calificación de un 57,30 %, comparado con un 5,10 % alcanzado antes de iniciar la capacitación. Este proyecto, contribuyó a fortalecer el conocimiento de los educadores sobre la nanotecnología y sus aplicaciones; además, se dieron a conocer proyectos de investigación nacionales e internacionales relativos a la nanotecnología. Lo anterior permitirá que los educadores sean capaces de transmitir los nuevos conocimientos a la población estudiantil, y se conviertan en multiplicadores del conocimiento.Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo socializar os conceitos, aplicações e benefícios da nanotecnologia entre os educadores dos diferentes municípios da Costa Rica, para aumentar a aceitação e difusão do tema nos estudantes do ensino fundamental. Foi realizada uma convocatória para escolher sujeitos educadores de distintas zonas do país. Foram ministradas 5 oficinas de capacitação nas seguintes localidades: Turrialba, Cahuita, Alajuela, Buenos Aires e Nicoya. Foram abordados temas fundamentais da nanotecnologia e suas aplicações, assim como as contribuições que podem ser dadas desde o ponto de vista educativo. Essas oficinas foram ministradas presencialmente durante dois dias completos, com exposição de palestras, atividades práticas e discussões. Além disso, foi preparado material didático, como um cartaz e um folheto informativo, e dois vídeos educativos alusivos à nanotecnologia. Foi possível capacitar 98 sujeitos educadores, 87 % homens e 13 % mulheres, de distintos municípios do país. Os resultados das avaliações das oficinas foram bons, em termos do conhecimento adquirido com uma média de nota de 57,30 %, comparado aos 5,10 % alcançados antes de iniciar a capacitação. Este projeto contribuiu para a consolidação do conhecimento dos educadores sobre a nanotecnologia e suas aplicações; além disso, divulgaram projetos de pesquisas nacionais e internacionais relativos à nanotecnologia. Isso permitirá que os educadores sejam capazes de transmitir os novos conhecimentos à população estudantil e de se transformar em multiplicadores do conhecimento

Cu2O nanoparticles synthesized by green and chemical routes, and evaluation of their antibacterial and antifungal effect on functionalized textiles

The potential for the application of metal-containing nanomaterials at the nanoscale promotes the opportunity to search for new methods for their elaboration, with special attention to those sustainable methods. In response to these challenges, we have investigated a new method for green synthesis of cuprous oxide nanoparticles (Cu2O NPs) using Myrciaria dubia juice as an organic reductant and, comparing it with chemical synthesis, evaluating in both cases the influence of the volume of the organic (juice) and chemical (ascorbic acid) reductants, for which a large number of techniques such as spectrophotometry, EDX spectrometry, TEM, SEM, DLS, FTIR spectroscopy have been used. Likewise, the nanomaterial with better morphological characteristics, stability, and size homogeneity has been applied in the functionalization of textiles by means of in situ and post-synthesis impregnation methods. The success of the synthesis process has been demonstrated by the antimicrobial activity (bacteria and fungi) of textiles impregnated with Cu2O NPs

Evaluation of the antiviral activity of ultraviolet light and zinc oxide nanoparticles on textile products exposed to Avian coronavirus

This research has developed a piece of sanitizing locker-model equipment for textiles exposed to avian coronavirus, which has been put under the influence of UV light, UV + zinc oxide nanoparticles (phytosynthesized ZnONP), and water + UV, and, in turn, under the influence of the exposure time (60, 120, 180 s). The results linked to the phytosynthesis of ZnONP indicate a novel method of fabricating nanostructured material, nanoparticles with spherical morphology and an average size of 30 nm. The assays were made based on the viral viability of avian coronavirus according to the mortality of SPF embryonated eggs and a Real-Time PCR for viral load estimation. This was a model to evaluate the sanitizing effects against coronaviruses since they share a very similar structure and chemistry with SAR-CoV-2. The influence of the type of textile treatment evidenced the potential effect of the sanitizing UV light, which achieved 100% of embryo viability. The response of the ZnONP + UV nebulization showed a notorious influence of photoactivation according to the exposure time, and the 60-s treatment achieved a decrease of 88.9% in viral viability, compared to 77.8% and 55.6% corresponding to the 120 and 180-s treatments, respectively. Regarding the decrease in viral load between the types of treatments, UV 180 s reduced 98.42% and UV 60 s + ZnONP reduced 99.46%, respectively. The results show the combinatorial effect of UV light and zinc nanoparticles in decreasing the viral viability of avian coronavirus, as a model of other important coronaviruses in public health such as SARS-CoV-2

Biogenic production of silver, zinc oxide, and cuprous oxide nanoparticles, and their impregnation into textiles with antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2

Nanotechnology is being used to fight off infections caused by viruses, and one of the most outstanding nanotechnological uses is the design of protective barriers made of textiles functionalized with antimicrobial agents, with the challenge of combating the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the causal agent of COVID-19. This research is framed within two fundamental aspects: the first one is linked to the proposal of new methods of biogenic synthesis of silver, cuprous oxide, and zinc oxide nanoparticles using organic extracts as reducing agents. The second one is the application of nanomaterials in the impregnation (functionalization) of textiles based on methods called "in situ" (within the synthesis), and "post-synthesis" (after the synthesis), with subsequent evaluation of their effectiveness in reducing the viral load of SARS-CoV-2. The results show that stable, monodisperse nanoparticles with defined geometry can be obtained. Likewise, the "in situ" impregnation method emerges as the best way to adhere nanoparticles. The results of viral load reduction show that 'in situ' textiles with Cu2O NP achieved a 99.79% load reduction of the SARS-CoV-2 virus

ZnO nanoparticles obtained by green synthesis as an alternative to improve the germination characteristics of L. esculentum

Tomatoisanimportantcropduetoitsnutritionalcontributionsandorganolepticproperties, which make it an appetizing vegetable around the world. In its sowing, the use of seed is the most accessible propagation mechanism for farmers. However, the induction to germination and emergence is often limited in the absence of stimulants that promote the development and growth of the seedling, added to the interference of infectious agents that notoriously reduce the vitality and viability of the seed. Given this, it was proposed as a research objective to determine the effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) mediated by a green route on the germinative characteristics of Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. 1768 “tomato”. The experimental phase consisted of the synthesis of ZnO NPs and its subsequent characterization. After its synthesis, its inoculation was conducted during the germination of seeds of L. esculentum, considering six sample groups for the treatment with zinc nanoparticles (T1: Control; T2: 21.31 ppm; T3: 33.58 ppm; T4: 49.15 ppm; T5: 63.59 and T6: 99.076 ppm). The results indicate that concentrations close to 100 ppm of ZnO NPs are ideal in the treatment of L. esculentum seeds, due to the promotion of enzymatic and metabolic activity to achieve cell elongation; likewise, the biosynthesized nanoparticles showed no phytotoxicity, due to the fact that, in all the treatments, there were processes of germination and emergence. This was linked to the generation of a Zn0-phenolate complex through a chelating effect, which generates compatibilitywiththeseedand,comparedtoclassicinorganicsynthesis,usuallyshowsphytotoxicity. In this sense, green synthesis is presented as a great alternative in this type of application

Ética profesional en educación superior : finalidades, estrategias y desafíos de la formación

Todo proyecto educativo que no responde a su época se expone a problemas de legitimidad y al duro escrutinio y sanción de los usuarios. Las instituciones de educación superior no son la excepción de esta premisa clásica, incluso más validada por eldinamismos, la versatilidad y ojo crítico en el mundo contemporáneo. La ética se ha convertido en el baremo principal para someter a juicio a las instituciones y a las personas que ahí actuan, como a las finalidades que se pretenden en sus acciones. En esta perspectiva, debe examinarse la función de las instituciones de educación superior.Este libro es el esfuerzo colectivo por acercarnos a esa problemática, en especial a las finalidades, estrategias y relaciones en juego para cumplir la tarea de la formación y sus nexos inevitables con la ética profesional

Impacto de concentraciones ambientalmente relevantes de nanopartículas de plata en la comunidad microbiana del suelo

Montes de Oca Vásquez, G. (2021). Impacto de concentraciones ambientalmente relevantes de nanopartículas de plata en la comunidad microbiana del suelo. [Tesis de Doctorado]. Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica.La nanotecnología es un área de la ciencia emergente que involucra la ingeniería de partículas nanométricas de diversos materiales (Khare et al., 2014). De acuerdo con la Agencia de Protección Ambiental de Estados Unidos (EPA, por sus siglas en inglés), la nanotecnología se define como "la creación y uso de estructuras, dispositivos y sistemas que tienen propiedades y funciones novedosas debido a su pequeño tamaño". Estas partículas y estructuras moleculares tienen dimensiones en el rango nanométrico (típicamente entre 1 y 100 nm en al menos una dimensión) (Hobson, 2011). Es debido a esta escala que los materiales pueden adquirir propiedades físicas y químicas diferentes a las que tienen en la escala macroscópica (Ivask et al., 2014; Tortella et al., 2020), como propiedades ópticas, electrónicas, antimicrobianas, magnéticas y catalíticas (Capek, 2006). Debido a estas características la producción global de las nanopartículas (NPs) continúa aumentando, y se han utilizado en numerosos productos comerciales con diversas aplicaciones industriales (Sharma et al., 2019; Tortella et al., 2020). Se han utilizado en el área agrícola, como fertilizantes y pesticidas (Madbouly et al., 2017), en el área médica (Her et al., 2017), principalmente con el desarrollo de NPs para la liberación controlada de fármacos (Pang et al., 2019), en el desarrollo de dispositivos de diagnóstico médico (McNamara & Tofail, 2015), además, de su uso para mejorar las imágenes médicas (Ryan et al., 2019). Asimismo, las NPs se han utilizado en dispositivos electrónicos (Khanra et al., 2018), en cosméticos (de la Calle et al., 2017), en la nanoremediación (Moustafa, 2017), en el sector agroalimentario (Dasgupta et al., 2017), entre otros.Nanotechnology is an emerging area of ​​science that involves the engineering of nanometric particles of various materials (Khare et al., 2014). According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), nanotechnology is defined as "the creation and use of structures, devices and systems that have novel properties and functions due to their small size." These particles and molecular structures have dimensions in the nanometric range (typically between 1 and 100 nm in at least one dimension) (Hobson, 2011). It is due to this scale that materials can acquire physical and chemical properties different from those they have on the macroscopic scale (Ivask et al., 2014; Tortella et al., 2020), such as optical, electronic, antimicrobial, magnetic and catalytic properties. (Capek, 2006). Due to these characteristics, the global production of nanoparticles (NPs) continues to increase, and they have been used in numerous commercial products with various industrial applications (Sharma et al., 2019; Tortella et al., 2020). They have been used in the agricultural area, as fertilizers and pesticides (Madbouly et al., 2017), in the medical area (Her et al., 2017), mainly with the development of NPs for the controlled release of drugs (Pang et al. ., 2019), in the development of medical diagnostic devices (McNamara & Tofail, 2015), in addition to their use to improve medical images (Ryan et al., 2019). Likewise, NPs have been used in electronic devices (Khanra et al., 2018), in cosmetics (de la Calle et al., 2017), in nanoremediation (Moustafa, 2017), in the agri-food sector (Dasgupta et al. , 2017), betweenUniversidad Nacional, Costa RicaEscuela de Ciencias Biológica

Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Extracts from Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis) Wastes

Synthesis of metallic nanoparticles by an eco-friendly and sustainable process is an important target to be developed in nanotechnology area. In the present work, two different commercial brands of yerba mate from Argentina and their wastes (PYM and TYM samples) were used for the preparation of aqueous extracts, in order to synthesize silver nanoparticles at room temperature (25 °C). The silver nanoparticles obtained were spherical, hexagonal and, triangular in shape with the average particle size of 50 nm and, shows a surface plasmon peak around 460 nm. The antimicrobial activity of the silver nanoparticles obtained with the extracts from yerba mate wastes was evaluated against E. coli and S. aureus. The minimum inhibitory concentrations required for E. coli were 7.66 and 17.66 µg ml−1 using the treatment T2YE and P2YE, respectively and, for S. aureus were 23.25 and 50.60 µg ml−1 for the treatment T2YE and P2YE, respectively. The study suggests that polyphenols present in I. paraguariensis leaf extract act as reducing agent and stabilizer of the nanoparticles.Fil: Arreche, Romina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias Aplicadas "Dr. Jorge J. Ronco". Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias Aplicadas; ArgentinaFil: Montes de Oca Vásquez, Gabriela. Centro Nacional de Alta Tecnología; Costa RicaFil: Vega Baudrit, José. Centro Nacional de Alta Tecnología; Costa RicaFil: Vazquez, Patricia Graciela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias Aplicadas "Dr. Jorge J. Ronco". Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias Aplicadas; Argentin

Enhanced antimicrobial efficacy of biogenic ZnO nanoparticles through UV-B activation: A novel approach for textile garment

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NP) are characterized by novel properties which have been attracting the attention of different lines of research due to their wide applicability. Obtaining this nanomaterial is strongly linked to biogenic synthesis methods, which have also been developed in this research, using Coriandrum sativum extract as a reducing agent. ZnO NPs have been properly characterized by techniques to evaluate their morphology by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and elemental analysis by EDX. The evaluation of the antimicrobial and antifungal effects is linked to the use of a system provided by ''locker sanitizer'' equipment, which has been designed and built as part of this research, and is intended to treat textile garments by nebulizing the ZnO NP colloid (99.08 μg/mL) + UV-B, water + UV-B, and UV-B only, and also to evaluate the influence of the treatment time for 1, 2 and 3 min. In this sense, it is known that the nanomaterial used shows a better response to UV light because more hydroxyl radicals are produced, leading to a higher reaction rate, which results in greater efficiency in inhibitory processes. The results show that the use of the locker sanitizer is more efficient when using ZnO NP + UV-B light since it achieved 100 % growth inhibition against E. coli, C. albicans, and A. brasiliensis, and >99 % against S. aureus, after 3 min of treatment

Biodegradable plastics in aquatic ecosystems: Latest findings, research gaps, and recommendations

The negative impact of plastic accumulation in aquatic ecosystems is a known and undeniable problem. However, while many of the scientific community's countermeasures against such accumulation target the effects of the most common commodity plastics, the consequences of so-called 'biodegradable' plastics in those ecosystems are seldom discussed. After all, though their alleged biodegradability sustains the widespread belief that they are harmless to the environment, because a material's fate determines its classification as biodegradable or not, many plastics classified as biodegradable do not in fact meet the required norms and standards of biodegradability in aquatic ecosystems. Furthermore, during the past five years, the scientific community has shown that the degradation of such plastics can generate bio-microplastics that have effects similar to or worse than those of conventional microplastics (MPs). Against that background, this review details the latest findings regarding how biodegradable plastics can influence aquatic ecosystems and thus cause adverse health effects in living organisms and/or act as vectors of chemical pollutants. Beyond that, it identifies the key aspects of such trends to be investigated in greater depth, including the need to consider a wider variety of biodegradable plastics and to develop systematic methods that allow quantifying and identifying the remains of those pollutants in living species. Other aspects worth considering include the arrival and mobilisation dynamics of MPs in oceans. The ways in which small animals fed by filtering (e.g. red crabs and other zooplankton organisms) move MPs through the water column and into food webs also merit attention, for those MPs are ingested by numerous species at different trophic levels, at which point bioaccumulation in tissues has to be considered as a factor of toxicity. This review closes with a series of recommendations and perspectives for future studies on 'biodegradable plastics' in aquatic ecosystems.Fil: Ribba, Laura Gabriela. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Física; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Lopretti, Mary. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Montes de Oca Vásquez, Gabriela. Laboratorio Nacional de Nanotecnologia (lanotec) ; Centro Nacional de Alta Tecnologia;Fil: Batista, Diego. Laboratorio Nacional de Nanotecnologia (lanotec) ; Centro Nacional de Alta Tecnologia;Fil: Goyanes, Silvia Nair. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Física de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Física de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Vega Baudrit, José Roberto. Laboratorio Nacional de Nanotecnologia (lanotec) ; Centro Nacional de Alta Tecnologia