Publications by authors named "Nasir M Ahmad"

Cupronickel-based alloys are widely known for their excellent resistance against aqueous corrosion, however, they can be susceptible to corrosion at accelerated rates and premature failure when exposed to a polluted or brackish seawater medium, even for short-term exposure durations. This unfamiliar corrosion behavior may be a result of the formation of an unprotected corrosion film during the early exposure durations. The paper investigates the corrosion phenomenon in cupronickel 90/10 alloy, by exposing the coupons in two different seawater compositions in the Arabian Sea region.

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Infectious diseases, particularly those associated with biofilms, are challenging to treat due to an increased tolerance to commonly used antibiotics. This underscores the urgent need for innovative antimicrobial strategies. Here, we present an alternative simple-by-design approach focusing on the development of biocompatible and antibiotic-free nanocarriers from docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) that has the potential to combat microbial infections and phosphatidylglycerol (DOPG), which is attractive for use as a biocompatible prominent amphiphilic component of Gram-positive bacterial cell membranes.

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Environmental pollution has been increasing since last decade due to increasing industrialisation and urbanisation. Various kinds ofenvironmental pollutants including carbon dioxide (CO), dyes, pharmaceuticals, phenols, heavy metals along with many organic and inorganic species have been discovered in the various environmental compartments which possess harmful impacts tox human health, wildlife, and ecosystems. Thus, various efforts have been made through regulations, technological advancements, and public awareness campaigns to reduce the impact of the pollution.

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Article Synopsis
  • Novel ultrafiltration (UF) polymer membranes were developed by mixing different amounts of a cationic polymer (PDMAEMA) into a polyethersulfone (PES) base to improve filtration efficiency and resist fouling.
  • Adding PDMAEMA increased the membranes' surface energy, hydrophilicity, and porosity, leading to superior filtration performance with higher water flux and better flux recovery compared to standard PES membranes.
  • Specifically, the optimized PES/PDMAEMA membrane achieved a water flux of 330.39 L·m·h, significantly outperforming the 163.158 L·m·h of the neat PES, while also reducing the total fouling ratio from 64.9% to
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This article presents that acrylate copolymers are the potential candidate against the adsorption of bovine serum albumin (BSA). A series of copolymers poly(methyl methacrylate) (pMMA), poly(3-sulfopropyl methacrylate-co-methyl methacrylate) p(SPMA-co-MMA), and poly(dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate-co-methyl methacrylate) p(DMAEMA-co-MMA) were synthesized via free radical polymerization. These amphiphilic copolymers are thermally stable with a glass transition temperature (Tg) 50-120 °C and observed the impact of surface charge on amphiphilic copolymers to control interactions with the bovine serum albumin (BSA).

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Thermal conductivity (TC) and thermal stability are the basic requirements and highly desirable properties in thermal management, heat storage and heat transfer applications. This work is regarding the fabrication of polystyrene/boron nitride composites and melt extruded to produce good thermal stability, increased thermal conductivity and enhanced mechanical properties. Our strategy is potentially applicable to produce thermally conductive composites of low cost over large scale.

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In this research work, polymer blends of poly-lactic acid (PLA)/ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) were prepared as the drug carrier materials for a bi-layer drug-loaded coating film for coronary stents. Different optimum compositions of blends were prepared by using an intense mixer. Then, the blends were hot-pressed and later cold-pressed to prepare for films of different thickness.

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Recently, dual-mode imaging systems merging magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound (US) have been developed. Designing a dual-mode contrast agent is complex due to different mechanisms of enhancement. Herein, we describe novel phase change nanodroplets (PCNDs) with perfluoropentane encapsulated in a pre-polyglycerol sebacate (pre-PGS) shell loaded with polyethylene glycol (PEG)-coated iron oxide nanoparticles as having a dual-mode contrast agent effect.

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The fouling of surfaces such as textiles is a major health challenge, and there is a continuous effort to develop materials and processes to overcome it. In consideration of this, this study regards the development of antifouling functional nanoencapsulated finishing for the cotton textile fabric by employing a layer-by-layer dip coating technique. Antifouling textile finishing was formulated by inducing the nanoencapsulation of the antifouling functional group inside the hydrophobic polymeric shell.

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Article Synopsis
  • * The study shows that mAC membranes have improved hydrophilicity, resulting in better porosity, water retention, and higher flux rates, while also exhibiting antibacterial properties.
  • * Antifouling tests revealed that mAC membranes effectively filter bovine serum albumin (BSA), with enhanced flux due to the electrostatic repulsion between BSA and the unique properties of mAC, making them promising for protein isolation applications.
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This research endeavor aimed to synthesize the lead (II) diphenyldiselenophosphinate complex and its use to obtain lead selenide nanostructured depositions and further the impedance spectroscopic analysis of these obtained PbSe nanostructures, to determine their roles in the electronics industry. The aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition technique was used to provide lead selenide deposition by decomposition of the complex at different temperatures using the glass substrates. The obtained films were revealed to be a pure cubic phase PbSe, as confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis.

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Article Synopsis
  • A rapid global population growth is leading to a critical shortage of safe drinking water, prompting the need for effective and cost-efficient solutions.
  • This study explored the development of ultrafiltration polyethersulfone membranes using two different concentrations, incorporating chitosan and activated carbon to enhance performance and combat fouling.
  • Results showed that membranes with a novel thiolated chitosan/activated carbon composite demonstrated improved permeability and hydrophilicity, significantly increasing water flux and antifouling properties.
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The objective of the present study was to achieve the successful encapsulation of a therapeutic agent to achieve antifouling functionality regarding biomedical applications. Considering nanotechnology, drug-loaded polycaprolactone (PCL)-based nanoparticles were prepared using a nano-precipitation technique by optimizing various process parameters. The resultant nano-formulations were investigated for in vitro drug release and antifouling applications.

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Mixed-matrix nanocomposite (PES/CA/PVP) membranes were fabricated for water desalination by incorporating varying amount of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO NPs) ranging from 0 and 2 wt. %. Efficient dispersion of nanoparticles within polymeric membranes was achieved using the chemical precipitation method for uniform surface generation, and an asymmetric morphology was achieved via phase inversion method.

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A commercial thin film composite (TFC) polyamide (PA) reverse osmosis membrane was grafted with 3-sulfopropyl methacrylate potassium (SPMK) to produce PA-g-SPMK by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The grafting of PA was done at varied concentrations of SPMK, and its effect on the surface composition and morphology was studied by Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), optical profilometry, and contact angle analysis. The grafting of hydrophilic ionically charged PSPMK polymer brushes having acrylate and sulfonate groups resulted in enhanced hydrophilicity rendering a reduction of contact angle from 58° of pristine membrane sample labeled as MH0 to 10° for a modified membrane sample labeled as MH3.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study focused on creating and optimizing a Curcumin-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (C-SLNs) patch for effective transdermal delivery using a modified injection method.
  • C-SLNs showed a particle size of 170 nm with a high encapsulation efficiency of 90%, and the patch provided a sustained release of the drug for up to 72 hours.
  • Adding a permeation enhancer significantly improved skin absorption, making the modified injection method a simple and cost-effective way to develop the patch.
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This study is based upon the functionalization of polypropylene (PP) by radical polymerization to optimize its properties by influencing its molecular weight. Grafting of PP was done at different concentrations of maleic anhydride (MAH) and benzoyl peroxide (BPO). The effect on viscosity during and after the reaction was studied by torque rheometer and melt flow index.

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Article Synopsis
  • Amphiphilic copolymers, specifically P(DMAEMA-co-MMA), are important biomaterials due to their effectiveness in preventing bacterial growth and are synthesized through free radical polymerization.
  • The study tested the antibacterial activity of these copolymers against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria using the disk diffusion method, with the PDM1 variant showing significant inhibition zones.
  • Additionally, PDM1 and PDM2 showed strong control over bacterial biofilm adhesion, suggesting potential applications in bioreactors, sensors, surgical tools, and drug delivery systems.
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Intricate formulation methods and/or the use of sophisticated equipment limit the prevalence of liposomal dosage-forms. Simple techniques are developed to assemble amphiphiles into globular lamellae while transiting from the immiscible organic to the aqueous phase. Various parameters are optimized by injecting chloroform solution of amphiphiles into the aqueous phase and subsequent removal of the organic phase.

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Aminodextran (AMD) coated magnetic cobalt ferrite nanoparticles are synthesized via electrostatic adsorption of aminodextran onto magnetic nanoparticles and their potential theranostic application is evaluated. The uncoated and aminodextran-coated nanoparticles are characterized to determine their hydrodynamic size, morphology, chemical composition, zeta potential and magnetization. The aminodextran containing cobalt ferrite nanoparticles of nanometer size are positively charged in the pH range from 3 to 9 and exhibit saturation magnetization of 50 emu/g.

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Aim: This study aimed to utilise the proficient function of diacerein (DCR) and anti-inflammatory polymers to develop sustained release nanoencapsulated emulgel for potential use in osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: Chitosan (CHS) and chondroitin sulphate (CS) were employed as natural anti-inflammatory polymers to encapsulate nanoformulation of DCR. Optimised nanoformulation was prepared and characterised by investigating impact of polymers and surfactant on particle size, PDI, and encapsulation efficiency (EE).

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Magnetic polymer colloids comprising of magnetite (FeO) nanoparticles and Eudragit E100 were employed to fabricate thin film gradients and were investigated for in-vitro magnetic resonance imaging. Magnetic polymer colloids (MPC) and polyacrylic acid (PAA) with stimuli-responsive cationic and anionic functional groups respectively facilitate the formation of thin film gradients via layer by layer technique. The characteristics of films were controlled by changing the pH and level of the adsorbing solutions that lead to the development of gradient films having 5.

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Fungal infections in immune-compromised patients are an important cause of mortality and morbidity. Amphotericin B (Amp B) is considered a powerful fungicidal drug but its clinical usage has certain limitations when administered intravenously due to its toxicity and poor solubility. In consideration of such challenges, in cutaneous leishmaniasis, the topical application of Amp B can be a safer option in many aspects.

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Superparamagnetic nanoparticles are attracting significant attention. Therefore, being explored in microsystems for a wide range of applications. Typical examples include lab-on-a-chip and microfluidics for synthesis, detection, separation, and transportation of different bioanalytes, such as biomolecules, cells, and viruses to develop portable, sensitive, and cost-effective biosensing systems.

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Plant phytochemicals have potential decontaminating properties, however, their role in the amelioration of hydrophobic water filtration membranes have not been elucidated yet. In this work, phytochemicals (i.e.

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Synopsis of recent research by authors named "Nasir M Ahmad"

  • - Nasir M Ahmad's recent research spans various fields, focusing on material science, particularly the corrosion resistance of alloys in marine environments, the development of innovative antimicrobial nanoparticles, and the enhancement of polymer membranes for water filtration and drug delivery applications.
  • - His studies on cupronickel alloys illustrate the impact of environmental factors like seawater composition on corrosion behavior, indicating potential vulnerabilities despite their general resistance.
  • - Ahmad's research also emphasizes creating antibiotic-free formulations, such as biocompatible nanoparticles and advanced polymer membranes, showcasing his commitment to sustainable solutions in combating biofilms and enhancing filtration efficiency in environmental applications.