120 research outputs found
Nuclear wastewater decontamination by 3D-Printed hierarchical zeolite monoliths
3D-printed monoliths of zeolites chabazite and 4A were made, characterized, and shown effective for removing strontium and caesium from water
SELF-HEALING HYDROGELS 3D-PRINTED VIA VAT PHOTOPOLYMERIZATION
virtual European Symposium of Photopolymer Science 202
Antimicrobial activity of bone cements embedded with organic nanoparticles
Infections after orthopedic surgery are a very unwelcome outcome; despite the widespread use of antibiotics, their incidence can be as high as 10%. This risk is likely to increase as antibiotics are gradually losing efficacy as a result of bacterial resistance; therefore, novel antimicrobial approaches are required. Parabens are a class of compounds whose antimicrobial activity is employed in many cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. We developed propylparaben nanoparticles that are hydrophilic, thus expanding the applicability of parabens to aqueous systems. In this paper we assess the possibility of employing paraben nanoparticles as antimicrobial compound in bone cements. The nanoparticles were embedded in various types of bone cement (poly(methyl methacrylate) [PMMA], hydroxyapatite, and brushite) and the antimicrobial activity was determined against common causes of postorthopedic surgery infections such as: Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant S. aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Acinetobacter baumannii. Nanoparticles at concentrations as low as 1% w/w in brushite bone cement were capable of preventing pathogens growth, 5% w/w was needed for hydroxyapatite bone cement, while 7% w/w was required for PMMA bone cement. No Âdetrimental effect was determined by the addition of paraben nanoparticles on bone cement compression strength and cytocompatibility. Our results demonstrate that paraben nanoparticles can be encapsulated in bone cement, providing concentration-dependent antimicrobial activity; furthermore, lower concentrations are needed in calcium phosphate (brushite and hydroxyapatite) than in acrylic (PMMA) bone cements. These nanoparticles are effective against a wide spectrum of bacteria, including those already resistant to the antibiotics routinely employed in orthopedic applications, such as gentamicin.Arthritis Research UK (ARUK:18461
Nanodrawing of aligned single carbon nanotubes with a nanopen
Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs)
are considered pivotal
components for molecular electronics. Techniques for SWCNT lithography
today lack simplicity, flexibility, and speed of direct, oriented
deposition at specific target locations. In this paper SWCNTs are
directly drawn and placed with chemical identification and demonstrated
orientation using fountain pen nanolithography (FPN) under ambient
conditions. Placement across specific electrical contacts with such
alignment is demonstrated and characterized. The fundamental basis
of the drawing process with alignment has potential applications for
other related systems such as inorganic nanotubes, polymers, and biological
molecules
Functional Dyes in Polymeric 3D Printing: Applications and Perspectives
Three-dimensional printing (3DP) is considered among the key-
technologies for the next industrial revolution, with considerable effects on
production processes, economy, and society. In this context, the most relevant
part of the market consists of polymeric 3D printing. The 3D printable liquids
are composed of various components, among them dyes are usually underrated
because they are introduced merely for aesthetical reasons or to enhance the
objects’ resolution. In recent years, the capability of specific dyes to go beyond
conventional use and to confer functional properties to 3D printed objects has
become an emerging research area. Modifying elastic moduli upon light
irradiation, inducing optical and emitting properties in the matrices or
conferring temperature responsivity are just few examples of innovative
stimuli-responsive materials that can be produced by combining well-designed dyes with the appropriate 3DP printed
matrices. In this Review, we discuss and critically analyze the most relevant recent results achieved in the use of smart dyes in
the synthesis of stimuli responsive 3D printed polymers
Treatment of a multiple sclerosis animal model by a novel nanodrop formulation of a natural antioxidant
Over 6% Efficient Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Solar Cell Screen-Printed from Oxides on FTO
A new approach to fabricate copper, indium, gallium diselenide (CIGSe) solar cells on conductive fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) reached an efficiency of over 6% for a champion photovoltaic device. Commercial oxide nanoparticles are formulated into high-quality screen-printable ink based on ethyl cellulose solution in terpineol. The high homogeneity and good adhesion properties of the oxide ink play an important role in obtaining dense and highly crystalline photoabsorber layers. This finding reveals that solution-based screen-printing from readily available oxide precursors provides an interesting cost-effective alternative to current vacuum- and energy-demanding processes of the CIGSe solar cell fabrication.FCT PTDC/CTM-ENE/5387/2014 (PrintPV), Grant Agreement No. 016663, FCT SFRH/BD/121780/2016. Nanochemistry Research Group at INL for valuable
discussions. This work was supported by ERDF COMPETE 2020 and Portuguese FCT funds
under the PrintPV project (PTDC/CTM-ENE/5387/2014, Grant Agreement No. 016663). B.F.G.
is grateful to the FCT for the SFRH/BD/121780/2016 gran
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