Modulating the hydrophobicity of cellulose by lipase-catalyzed transesterification.

The production of hydrophobic and oil resistant cellulosic fibers usually requires severe chemical treatments and generates toxic by-products. Alternative approaches such as biocatalysis use milder conditions; lipase-catalyzed methods for grafting nanocellulose with hydrophobic ester moieties have been reported. Here, we investigate the lipase-catalyzed esterification of cellulose fibers, in native form or pretreated with 1,4-β-glucanases, and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) in solvent-free conditions.

Fatigue-driven compliance increase and collagen unravelling in mechanically tested anterior cruciate ligament.

Approximately 300,000 anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears occur annually in the United States, half of which lead to the onset of knee osteoarthritis within 10 years of injury. Repetitive loading is known to result in fatigue damage of both ligament and tendon in the form of collagen unravelling, which can lead to structural failure. However, the relationship between tissue's structural, compositional, and mechanical changes are poorly understood.

Polymerization-Induced Hierarchical Self-Assembly: From Monomer to Complex Colloidal Molecules and Beyond.

The nanoscale hierarchical design that draws inspiration from nature's biomaterials allows the enhancement of material performance and enables multifarious applications. Self-assembly of block copolymers represents one of these artificial techniques that provide an elegant bottom-up strategy for the synthesis of soft colloidal hierarchies. Fast-growing polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) renders a one-step process for the polymer synthesis and self-assembly at high concentrations.

Engineering laminated paper for SARS-CoV-2 medical gowns.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for diversity in the market and alternative materials for personal protective equipment (PPE). Paper has high coatability for tunable barrier performance, and an agile production process, making it a potential substitute for polyolefin-derived PPE materials. Bleached and newsprint papers were laminated with polyethylene (PE) coatings of different thicknesses, and characterised for their potential use as medical gowns for healthcare workers and COVID-19 patients.