| 1. |
- Ghai, Viney, 1989, et al.
(author)
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Orientation of graphene nano sheets in magnetic fields
- 2024
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In: Progress in Materials Science. - 0079-6425. ; 143
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aligning anisotropic nanoparticles using external fields is one of the major obstacles to unlocking their enormous potential for novel applications. The most famous such example is graphene, a 2D family of nanomaterials that has received enormous attention since its discovery. Using graphene to enhance mechanical, thermal, electric or gas barrier properties, imparting antibacterial properties etc., relies to a great extent on the ability to control their orientation inside a matrix material, i.e., polymers. Here we summarize the latest advances on graphene orientation using magnetic fields. The review covers the underlying physics for graphene interaction with magnetic fields, theoretical continuum mechanics framework for inducing orientation, typical magnetic field orientation setups, and a summary of latest advances in their use to enhance the performance of materials. Current trends, limitations of current alignment techniques are highlighted and major challenges in the field are identified.
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| 2. |
- Ruan, Hengzhi, 1995, et al.
(author)
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Biomimetic Antibacterial Gelatin Hydrogels with Multifunctional Properties for Biomedical Applications
- 2023
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In: ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. - 1944-8252 .- 1944-8244. ; 15:47, s. 54249-54249–54265
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A facile novel approach of introducing dopamine and [2-(methacryloyloxy) ethyl] dimethyl-(3-sulfopropyl) ammonium hydroxide via dopamine-triggered in situ synthesis into gelatin hydrogels in the presence of ZnSO4 is presented in this study. Remarkably, the resulting hydrogels showed 99.99 and 100% antibacterial efficiency against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, respectively, making them the highest performing surfaces in their class. Furthermore, the hydrogels showed adhesive properties, self-healing ability, antifreeze properties, electrical conductivity, fatigue resistance, and mechanical stability from −100 to 80 °C. The added multifunctional performance overcomes several disadvantages of gelatin-based hydrogels such as poor mechanical properties and limited thermostability. Overall, the newly developed hydrogels show significant potential for numerous biomedical applications, such as wearable monitoring sensors and antibacterial coatings.
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| 3. |
- Ruan, Hengzhi, 1995
(author)
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New strategies for multifunctional antibacterial materials
- 2023
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Licentiate thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) are responsible for significant financial and human costs in healthcare systems. Therefore, a substantial amount of research has been devoted to developing biopolymer-based strategies that prevent bacterial attachment and biofilm formation on surfaces. Gelatin hydrogels have been used in the last decades for different biomedical applications due to the excellent biocompatibility, easy processability, bioactivities to mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM). However, their poor mechanical properties and thermal stability limited their potential applications. Herein, a facile and economical approach of introducing dopamine and [2-(methacryloyloxy) ethyl] dimethyl-(3-sulfopropyl) ammonium hydroxide (SBMA) via in situ synthesis into gelatin hydrogels with the existence of ZnSO4 was applied to overcome these disadvantages. This fabrication method allows the obtaining of gelatin-based hydrogels with fatigue resistance and mechanical stability from -100 to 80 ℃. Moreover, the hydrogels showed adhesive, self-healing, electrical and excellent antibacterial properties leading to their potential use as wearable monitoring sensors and antibacterial coatings. In particular, the hydrogels showed adhesion to various types of surfaces such as paper, skin, wood, plastic, rubber and steel, as well as 99.99% and 100% of antibacterial efficiency against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria respectively. The results indicate widespread applications of the new hydrogels in many biomedical areas.
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| 4. |
- Ruan, Hengzhi, 1995, et al.
(author)
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Polysaccharide-based antibacterial coating technologies
- 2023
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In: Acta Biomaterialia. - 1878-7568 .- 1742-7061. ; 168, s. 42-77
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- To tackle antimicrobial resistance, a global threat identified by the United Nations, is a common cause of healthcare-associated infections (HAI) and is responsible for significant costs on healthcare systems, a substantial amount of research has been devoted to developing polysaccharide-based strategies that prevent bacterial attachment and biofilm formation on surfaces. Polysaccharides are essential building blocks for life and an abundant renewable resource that have attracted much attention due to their intrinsic remarkable biological potential antibacterial activities. If converted into efficient antibacterial coatings that could be applied to a broad range of surfaces and applications, polysaccharide-based coatings could have a significant potential global impact. However, the ultimate success of polysaccharide-based antibacterial materials will be determined by their potential for use in manufacturing processes that are scalable, versatile, and affordable. Therefore, in this review we focus on recent advances in polysaccharide-based antibacterial coatings from the perspective of fabrication methods. We first provide an overview of strategies for designing polysaccharide-based antimicrobial formulations and methods to assess the antibacterial properties of coatings. Recent advances on manufacturing polysaccharide-based coatings using some of the most common polysaccharides and fabrication methods are then detailed, followed by a critical comparative overview of associated challenges and opportunities for future developments. Statement of significance: Our review presents a timely perspective by being the first review in the field to focus on advances on polysaccharide-based antibacterial coatings from the perspective of fabrication methods along with an overview of strategies for designing polysaccharide-based antimicrobial formulations, methods to assess the antibacterial properties of coatings as well as a critical comparative overview of associated challenges and opportunities for future developments. Meanwhile this work is specifically targeted at an audience focused on featuring critical information and guidelines for developing polysaccharide-based coatings. Including such a complementary work in the journal could lead to further developments on polysaccharide antibacterial applications.
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