Microencapsulation of Betalains Extracted from Garambullo () to Produce Active Chitosan-Polyvinyl Alcohol Films with Delayed Release of Bioactive Compounds.

Garambullo is a plant with little industrial application. However, garambullo contains betalains, photosensitive phytochemical compounds, which through microencapsulation can be used in chitosan-polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) films for application in tomato coatings. These biopackages were characterized by physical tests, water vapor permeability, puncture tests, extension, color, differential scanning calorimetry (DCS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and antioxidant and antimicrobial activity analyses.

Design of Acetaldehyde Gas Sensor Based on Piezoelectric Multilayer Microelectromechanical System Resonator.

Acetaldehyde is a volatile organic compound that can cause damage at the cellular and genomic levels. The monitoring of acetaldehyde gas at low concentrations requires fast-response and low-cost sensors. Herein, we propose the design of an acetaldehyde gas sensor based on a low-cost Microelectromechanical System (MEMS) process.

Simplified Models to Assess the Mechanical Performance Parameters of Stents.

Ischemic heart disease remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide, which has promoted extensive therapeutic efforts. Stenting has emerged as the primary intervention, particularly among individuals aged 70 years and older. The geometric specifications of stents must align with various mechanical performance criteria outlined by regulatory agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Eco-friendly, compact, and cost-efficient triboelectric nanogenerator for renewable energy harvesting and smart motion sensing.

In recent years, the growth of Internet of Things devices has increased the use of sustainable energy sources. An alternative technology is offered by triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) that can harvest green energy and convert it into electrical energy. Herein, we assessed three different nopal powder types that were used as triboelectric layers of eco-friendly and sustainable TENGs for renewable energy harvesting from environmental vibrations and powering electronic devices.

Simulation and Analysis of Anodized Aluminum Oxide Membrane Degradation.

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)-based filter with microchannels enables the removal of various microorganisms, including viruses and bacteria, from fluids. Membranes with porous channels can be used as filtration interfaces in MEMS hemofilters or mini-dialyzers. The main problems associated with the filtration process are optimization of membrane geometry and fouling.

Chemically Modified Nanoparticles for Enhanced Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties with Cinnamon Essential Oil.

We explored the potential of different nanoparticles (TiO, CaCO, and AlO), considering their pure form and modified with cinnamon essential oil (CEO). These materials were characterized using various techniques, including FTIR spectroscopy, XRD analysis, TGA, and SEM. The interaction between CEO and nanoparticles changed depending on the nanoparticle type.

Simulation, Fabrication and Microfiltration Using Dual Anodic Aluminum Oxide Membrane.

Microfluidic devices have gained subsequent attention due to their controlled manipulation of fluid for various biomedical applications. These devices can be used to study the behavior of fluid under several micrometer ranges within the channel. The major applications are the filtration of fluid, blood filtration and bio-medical analysis.

Evaluation of the Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Potential of SiO Modified with Cinnamon Essential Oil () for Its Use as a Nanofiller in Active Packaging PLA Films.

One of the main causes of food spoilage is the lipid oxidation of its components, which generates the loss of nutrients and color, together with the invasion of pathogenic microorganisms. In order to minimize these effects, active packaging has played an important role in preservation in recent years. Therefore, in the present study, an active packaging film was developed using polylactic acid (PLA) and silicon dioxide (SiO) nanoparticles (NPs) (0.

A Portable Triboelectric Nanogenerator Based on Dehydrated Nopal Powder for Powering Electronic Devices.

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) based on organic materials can harvest green energy to convert it into electrical energy. These nanogenerators could be used for Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices, substituting solid-state chemical batteries that have toxic materials and limited-service time. Herein, we develop a portable triboelectric nanogenerator based on dehydrated nopal powder (NOP-TENG) as novel triboelectric material.

Triboelectric and Piezoelectric Nanogenerators for Self-Powered Healthcare Monitoring Devices: Operating Principles, Challenges, and Perspectives.

The internet of medical things (IoMT) is used for the acquisition, processing, transmission, and storage of medical data of patients. The medical information of each patient can be monitored by hospitals, family members, or medical centers, providing real-time data on the health condition of patients. However, the IoMT requires monitoring healthcare devices with features such as being lightweight, having a long lifetime, wearability, flexibility, safe behavior, and a stable electrical performance.

Green Route to Produce Silver Nanoparticles Using the Bioactive Flavonoid Quercetin as a Reducing Agent and Food Anti-Caking Agents as Stabilizers.

In previous work, the isolated polyphenolic compound (PPC) quercetin was used as a reducing agent in the formation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), testing two types of quercetin. This PPC is a bioactive molecule that provides the electrons for the reduction of silver ions to zerovalent silver. The results demonstrated that quercetin in dietary supplement presentation was better than reagent grade quercetin for the synthesis of AgNPs, and the difference between them was that the dietary supplement had microcrystalline cellulose (CM) in its formulation.

Recent Progress of Nanogenerators for Green Energy Harvesting: Performance, Applications, and Challenges.

Natural sources of green energy include sunshine, water, biomass, geothermal heat, and wind. These energies are alternate forms of electrical energy that do not rely on fossil fuels. Green energy is environmentally benign, as it avoids the generation of greenhouse gases and pollutants.

Estimation of the Young's Modulus of Nanometer-Thick Films Using Residual Stress-Driven Bilayer Cantilevers.

Precise prediction of mechanical behavior of thin films at the nanoscale requires techniques that consider size effects and fabrication-related issues. Here, we propose a test methodology to estimate the Young's modulus of nanometer-thick films using micromachined bilayer cantilevers. The bilayer cantilevers which comprise a well-known reference layer and a tested film deflect due to the relief of the residual stresses generated during the fabrication process.

Triboelectric Energy Harvester Based on Stainless Steel/MoS and PET/ITO/PDMS for Potential Smart Healthcare Devices.

The smart healthcare devices connected with the internet of things (IoT) for medical services can obtain physiological data of risk patients and communicate these data in real-time to doctors and hospitals. These devices require power sources with a sufficient lifetime to supply them energy, limiting the conventional electrochemical batteries. Additionally, these batteries may contain toxic materials that damage the health of patients and environment.

Synthesis of ZnO Nanorod Film Deposited by Spraying with Application for Flexible Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting Microdevices.

Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things have significantly increased the use of sensors and electronic products based on flexible substrates, which require electrical energy for their performance. This electrical energy can be supplied by piezoelectric vibrational energy harvesting (pVEH) devices.

Electromechanical Modeling of Vibration-Based Piezoelectric Nanogenerator with Multilayered Cross-Section for Low-Power Consumption Devices.

Piezoelectric nanogenerators can convert energy from ambient vibrations into electrical energy. In the future, these nanogenerators could substitute conventional electrochemical batteries to supply electrical energy to consumer electronics. The optimal design of nanogenerators is fundamental in order to achieve their best electromechanical behavior.

Recent Progress in Nanomaterials for Modern Concrete Infrastructure: Advantages and Challenges.

Modern concrete infrastructure requires structural components with higher mechanical strength and greater durability. A solution is the addition of nanomaterials to cement-based materials, which can enhance their mechanical properties. Some such nanomaterials include nano-silica (nano-SiO), nano-alumina (nano-AlO), nano-ferric oxide (nano-FeO), nano-titanium oxide (nano-TiO), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene and graphene oxide.

Electromechanical Modeling of a Piezoelectric Vibration Energy Harvesting Microdevice Based on Multilayer Resonator for Air Conditioning Vents at Office Buildings.

Piezoelectric vibration energy harvesting (pVEH) microdevices can convert the mechanical vibrations to electrical voltages. In the future, these microdevices can provide an alternative to replace the electrochemical batteries, which cause contamination due to their toxic materials. We present the electromechanical modeling of a pVEH microdevice with a novel resonant structure for air conditioning vents at office buildings.

Design and Modeling of a MEMS Dual-Backplate Capacitive Microphone with Spring-Supported Diaphragm for Mobile Device Applications.

New mobile devices need microphones with a small size, low noise level, reduced cost and high stability respect to variations of temperature and humidity. These characteristics can be obtained using Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) microphones, which are substituting for conventional electret condenser microphones (ECM). We present the design and modeling of a capacitive dual-backplate MEMS microphone with a novel circular diaphragm (600 µm diameter and 2.

Design of a Novel MEMS Microgripper with Rotatory Electrostatic Comb-Drive Actuators for Biomedical Applications.

Primary tumors of patients can release circulating tumor cells (CTCs) to flow inside of their blood. The CTCs have different mechanical properties in comparison with red and white blood cells, and their detection may be employed to study the efficiency of medical treatments against cancer. We present the design of a novel MEMS microgripper with rotatory electrostatic comb-drive actuators for mechanical properties characterization of cells.

Cytotoxicity Evaluation of Anatase and Rutile TiO₂ Thin Films on CHO-K1 Cells in Vitro.

Cytotoxicity of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) thin films on Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) cells was evaluated after 24, 48 and 72 h of culture. The TiO₂ thin films were deposited using direct current magnetron sputtering. These films were post-deposition annealed at different temperatures (300, 500 and 800 °C) toward the anatase to rutile phase transformation.

Design and Modeling of Polysilicon Electrothermal Actuators for a MEMS Mirror with Low Power Consumption.

Endoscopic optical-coherence tomography (OCT) systems require low cost mirrors with small footprint size, out-of-plane deflections and low bias voltage. These requirements can be achieved with electrothermal actuators based on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). We present the design and modeling of polysilicon electrothermal actuators for a MEMS mirror (100 μm × 100 μm × 2.

Recent Advances of MEMS Resonators for Lorentz Force Based Magnetic Field Sensors: Design, Applications and Challenges.

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) resonators have allowed the development of magnetic field sensors with potential applications such as biomedicine, automotive industry, navigation systems, space satellites, telecommunications and non-destructive testing. We present a review of recent magnetic field sensors based on MEMS resonators, which operate with Lorentz force. These sensors have a compact structure, wide measurement range, low energy consumption, high sensitivity and suitable performance.

Improved detection of magnetic signals by a MEMS sensor using stochastic resonance.

We introduce the behavior of the electrical output response of a magnetic field sensor based on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology under different levels of controlled magnetic noise. We explored whether a particular level of magnetic noise applied on the vicinity of the MEMS sensor can improve the detection of subthreshold magnetic fields. We examined the increase in the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of such detected magnetic fields as a function of the magnetic noise intensity.

A handy approximate solution for a squeezing flow between two infinite plates by using of Laplace transform-homotopy perturbation method.

This article proposes Laplace Transform Homotopy Perturbation Method (LT-HPM) to find an approximate solution for the problem of an axisymmetric Newtonian fluid squeezed between two large parallel plates. After comparing figures between approximate and exact solutions, we will see that the proposed solutions besides of handy, are highly accurate and therefore LT-HPM is extremely efficient.