Publications by authors named "Riccardo C Barberi"

In this work, electrochromic devices were prepared using the redox couple ethyl viologen diperchlorate and 1,1'-diethyl ferrocene in propylene carbonate as an aprotic solvent to facilitate ions separation and diffusion inside the devices. Electrochromic devices were made using electrochromic gel mixtures at the concentrations of 55%, 60% and 65% with respect to the bisphenol A polymer. In particular, two sets of gels were made: one set contained the bisphenol A not-polymerized while and the second one contained the polymerized polymer.

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Article Synopsis
  • The research focuses on developing new anticounterfeiting solutions using the physical unclonable function (PUF) concept.
  • A novel method combines electrospinning and electrospraying to create flexible films that contain various PUF keys for enhanced security.
  • These films allow for complex anticounterfeiting labels with multiple encryption levels, making them cost-effective and practical for protecting goods.
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In this work, the implementation of an electrochromic device (10 cm × 10 cm in size) for energy saving applications has been presented. As electrochromic system has been used with an electrochromic solution (ECsol) made by ethyl viologen diperchlorate [EV(ClO)], 1,1'-diethyl ferrocene (DEFc) and propylene carbonate (PC), as solvent. The final system has been obtained by mixing the ECsol, described above, with a polymeric system made by Bisphenol-A glycerolate (1 glycerol/phenol) diacrylate (BPA) and 2,2-Dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone (Irgacure 651) in a weight percentage equal to 60:40% /, respectively.

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Curcumin, a plant polyphenol extracted from the Chinese herb turmeric, has gained widespread attention in recent years because of its multifunctional properties as antioxidant, antinflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer agent. Effects of the molecule on mitochondrial membranes properties have also been evidenced. In this work, the interaction of curcumin with models of mitochondrial membranes composed of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) or mixtures of DMPC and 4 mol% tetramyristoylcardiolipin (TMCL) has been investigated by using biophysical techniques.

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The behavior of lyotropic chromonic liquid crystals (LCLCs) in confined environments is an interesting research field that still awaits exploration, with multiple key variables to be uncovered and understood. Microfluidics is a highly versatile technique that allows us to confine LCLCs in micrometric spheres. As microscale networks offer distinct interplays between the surface effects, geometric confinement, and viscosity parameters, rich and unique interactions emerging at the LCLC-microfluidic channel interfaces are expected.

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  • The study investigates how polyelectrolyte (PE) layers affect the SERS (Surface Enhancement Raman Spectroscopy) of substrates made of glass with gold nanoparticles (GNPs).
  • Four sample types with varying PE layers (0, 3, 11, and 21) were analyzed using micro-Raman spectroscopy to evaluate the enhancement effect.
  • It was found that as the number of PE layers increases, there is a corresponding increase in the intensity ratios of Raman bands related to acetic acid, attributed to improved interaction between laser light and the plasmonic properties of the GNPs due to changes in the surrounding medium.
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This work describes the electrochemical properties of a type of PMMA-based gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs). The gel polymer electrolyte systems at a concentration of (20:80) % / were prepared from poly (methyl methacrylate), lithium perchlorate LiClO and single plasticizer propylene carbonate (PMMA-Li-PC) and a mixture of plasticizers made by propylene carbonate and ethylene carbonate in molar ratio 1:1, (PMMA-Li-PC-EC). Different salt concentrations (0.

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  • The study explores how adding a Zn(II) complex to chitosan (CS) films can enhance their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.
  • The films were created using a solvent casting method, resulting in a flexible and transparent material that was thoroughly characterized using various scientific techniques.
  • The findings showed that the new CS@Zn films displayed greater antioxidant activity and improved antimicrobial effectiveness against certain bacteria compared to pure chitosan.
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  • Researchers developed new anticounterfeiting tags using a combination of materials, including silver, Zinc Oxide, and PolyVinylPyrrolidone, which create unique visual patterns.
  • The low adhesion of silver to glass during the manufacturing process leads to random surface variations, making it harder to replicate the tags.
  • The tags showed unique optical responses when tested, and they can be manufactured on a large scale, offering an affordable way to protect items from counterfeiting.
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