Consensus Statement on Brillouin Light Scattering Microscopy of Biological Materials.

Brillouin Light Scattering (BLS) spectroscopy is a non-invasive, non-contact, label-free optical technique that can provide information on the mechanical properties of a material on the sub-micron scale. Over the last decade it has seen increased applications in the life sciences, driven by the observed significance of mechanical properties in biological processes, the realization of more sensitive BLS spectrometers and its extension to an imaging modality. As with other spectroscopic techniques, BLS measurements not only detect signals characteristic of the investigated sample, but also of the experimental apparatus, and can be significantly affected by measurement conditions.

Silver Nanoparticles and Simvastatin-Loaded PLGA-Coated Hydroxyapatite/Calcium Carbonate Scaffolds.

The need to develop synthetic bone substitutes with structures, properties, and functions similar to bone and capable of preventing microbial infections is still an ongoing challenge. This research is focused on the preparation and characterization of three-dimensional porous scaffolds based on hydroxyapatite (HA)-functionalized calcium carbonate loaded with silver nanoparticles and simvastatin (SIMV). The scaffolds were prepared using the foam replica method, with a polyurethane (PU) sponge as a template, followed by successive polymer removal and sintering.

Real-Time AI-Assisted Push-Broom Hyperspectral System for Precision Agriculture.

In the ever-evolving landscape of modern agriculture, the integration of advanced technologies has become indispensable for optimizing crop management and ensuring sustainable food production. This paper presents the development and implementation of a real-time AI-assisted push-broom hyperspectral system for plant identification. The push-broom hyperspectral technique, coupled with artificial intelligence, offers unprecedented detail and accuracy in crop monitoring.

3D-Printed Piezoelectret Based on Foamed Polylactic Acid for Energy-Harvesting and Sensing Applications.

Poly(lactic) acid (PLA) is a bio-compatible polymer widely used in additive manufacturing, and in the form of cellular foam it shows excellent mechanical and piezoelectric properties. This type of structure can be easily 3D-printed by Fusion Deposition Modelling (FDM) with commercially available composite filaments. In this work, we present mechanical and electrical investigations on 3D-printed low-cost and eco-friendly foamed PLA.

Size and environment: The effect of phonon localization on micro-Brillouin imaging.

Specifically designed samples have been analyzed to test the ability of Brillouin spectroscopy to provide reliable mechanical characterization of micro and nano-objects. The selected samples are polymeric films, whose transversal sizes from hundreds of nano- to some micro-meters cover the entire range of length-scales relevant in Brillouin scattering process. The experimental data highlight how, the size of the extended collective oscillation (acoustic phonons, in brief) is the lowest spatial resolution reachable in Brillouin mechanical characterization.