Gas‐shearing fabrication of multicompartmental microspheres : a one‐step and oil‐free approach

Multicompartmental microparticles (MCMs) have attracted considerable attention in biomedical engineering and materials sciences, as they can carry multiple materials in the separated phases of a single particle. However, the robust fabrication of monodisperse, highly compartmental MCMs at the micro- and nanoscales remains challenging. Here, a simple one-step and oil-free process, based on the gas-flow-assisted formation of microdroplets ("gas-shearing"), is established for the scalable production of monodisperse MCMs. By changing the configuration of the needle system and gas flow in the spray ejector device, the oil-free gas-shearing process easily allows the design of microparticles consisting of two, four, six, and even eight compartments with a precise control over the properties of each compartment. As oils and surfactants are not used, the gas-shearing method is highly cytocompatible. The versatile applications of such MCMs are demonstrated by producing a magnetic microrobot and a biocompatible carrier for the coculturing of cells. This research suggests that the oil-free gas-shearing strategy is a reliable, scalable, and biofriendly process for producing MCMs that may become attractive materials for biomedical applications

Stimuli-responsive nanobubbles for biomedical applications

Stimuli-responsive nanobubbles have received increased attention for their application in spatial and temporal resolution of diagnostic techniques and therapies, particularly in multiple imaging methods, and they thus have significant potential for applications in the field of biomedicine. This review presents an overview of the recent advances in the development of stimuli-responsive nanobubbles and their novel applications. Properties of both internal- and external-stimuli responsive nanobubbles are highlighted and discussed considering the potential features required for biomedical applications. Furthermore, the methods used for synthesis and characterization of nanobubbles are outlined. Finally, novel biomedical applications are proposed alongside the advantages and shortcomings inherent to stimuli-responsive nanobubbles

A data mining-based method for revealing occupant behavior patterns in using mechanical ventilation systems of Dutch dwellings

\u3cp\u3eOccupant behaviors influence the energy consumption of dwelling mechanical ventilation systems significantly. There is still a lack of effective method to analyze the occupant behaviors in adjusting the mechanical ventilation systems in buildings. Therefore, this study proposes a data mining-based method to reveal the occupant behavior patterns and the motivations behind. A first derivative Gaussian filter-based approach is developed to detect when an occupant increases or decreases the mechanical ventilation flowrate without direct measurements. A logistic regression-based statistical analysis approach is developed to find the crucial factors influencing the behaviors of increasing and decreasing ventilation flowrate. A K-means clustering-based analysis approach is introduced to further find the motivations behind the behaviors. The proposed data mining-based method discovers the ventilation behaviors and the crucial factors influencing them successfully for the occupants from the 10 dwellings located in a Dutch community. The motivation patterns of the ventilation flowrate adjustment behaviors are further revealed based on the discovered crucial factors. The discovered insights are useful to provide more accurate assumptions and inputs for the mechanical ventilation system models. It is also helpful to generate tailored design, refurbishment and control strategies.\u3c/p\u3

Recycling of Spent Lead-Acid Battery for Lead Extraction with Sulfur Conservation

This study proposed a cleaner pyrometallurgical lead-acid battery (LAB) recycling method for lead extraction and sulfur conservation without an excessive amount of SO2 generation. A reducing atmosphere was introduced to the lead paste recycling system to selectively reduce PbSO4 to PbS. At the same time, PbO and PbO2 components contained in the lead paste were also reduced to metallic Pb. Then, the intermediate PbS further reacted with a sulfur-fixing agent, typically Fe3O4, to generate PbO and FeS. Sulfur was transformed from PbSO4 to PbS and finally conserved as FeS. Thus, SO2 emissions and pollution were significantly eliminated. This work investigated the thermodynamic and experimental feasibility and phase conversion mechanism of this proposed method, the detailed lead extraction and sulfur fixing mechanisms were clarified, and the phase transformation and microstructural evolution processes were characterized. Additionally, a bench experiment of industrial, end-of-life LAB paste was conducted to detect the lead recovery and sulfur fixation efficiency.Peer reviewe