Toughening hydrogels through a multiscale hydrogen bonding network enabled by saccharides for a bio-machine interface.

Hydrogels have considerably emerged in a variety of fields, but their weak mechanical properties severely restrict the wide range of implementation. Herein, we propose a multiscale hydrogen bonding toughening strategy using saccharide-based materials to optimize the hydrogel network. The monosaccharide (glucose) at the molecular scale and polysaccharide (cellulose nanofibrils) at the nano/micro scale can effectively form hydrogen bonds across varied scales within the hydrogel network, leading to significantly enhanced mechanical properties.

Comparing enzymatic post-treatments by endoglucanase (EG) and lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase (LPMO) on microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) to enhance cellulose film fabrication.

Cellulose is the world's most abundant natural polymer and it can be used as a substitute for fossil derived products. The work described here evaluated the use of mono-component enzyme treatment, using endoglucanase (EG) and lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase (LPMO), to improve the properties of micro-fibrillated cellulose (MFC) produced from mechanically refined kraft pulp. Endoglucanase treatment of the pulp significantly reduced the degree of polymerization (DP) of the cellulose by promoting fiber cutting.

Lignin-based porous carbon adsorbents for CO capture.

A major driver of global climate change is the rising concentration of atmospheric CO, the mitigation of which requires the development of efficient and sustainable carbon capture technologies. Solid porous adsorbents have emerged as promising alternatives to liquid amine counterparts due to their potential to reduce regeneration costs. Among them, porous carbons stand out for their high surface area, tailorable pore structure, and exceptional thermal and mechanical properties, making them highly robust and efficient in cycling operations.

Gut Microbiome in Alzheimer's Disease: from Mice to Humans.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent type of dementia, but its etiopathogenesis is not yet fully understood. Recent preclinical studies and clinical evidence indicate that changes in the gut microbiome could potentially play a role in the accumulation of amyloid beta. However, the relationship between gut dysbiosis and AD is still elusive.

Interfacial modulation of TiCT MXene using functionalized cellulose nanofibrils for enhanced electrochemical actuation.

Electrochemical actuators (ECAs) with low voltage actuation and large deformation ranges generally require electrode materials with high ion kinetic energy transport, high charge storage, and excellent electrochemical-mechanical properties. However, the fabrication of such actuators remains a major challenge. In the present work, hybrid electroactive films were fabricated by self-assembling one-dimensional functionalized cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) with two-dimensional MXene (TiCT).

Unusual low-temperature behavior in the half-filled band of the one-dimensional extended Hubbard model in atomic limit.

Recently, a kind of finite-temperature pseudotransition was observed in several quasi-one-dimensional models. In this work, we consider a genuine one-dimensional extended Hubbard model in the atomic limit, influenced by an external magnetic field and with the arbitrary number of particles controlled by the chemical potential. The one-dimensional extended Hubbard model in the atomic limit was initially studied in the seventies and has been investigated over the past decades, but it still surprises us today with its fascinating properties.

Chemistry, applications, and future prospects of structured liquids.

Structured liquids are emerging functional soft materials that combine liquid flowability with solid-like structural stability and spatial organization. Here, we delve into the chemistry and underlying principles of structured liquids, ranging from nanoparticle surfactants (NPSs) to supramolecular assemblies and interfacial jamming. We then highlight recent advancements related to the design of intricate all-liquid 3D structures and examine their reconfigurability.

Cotton-quality fibers from complexation between anionic and cationic cellulose nanoparticles.

Natural polymers are attractive sustainable materials for production of fibers and composite materials. Cotton and flux are traditional plants used to produce textiles with comforting properties while technologies like Viscose, Lyocell and Ioncell-F allowed to extent fiber use into regenerated cellulose from wood. Neither natural nor man-made fibers completely satisfy the needs for cellulose based fabrics boosting development of new approaches to bring more sustainability into the fashion.

Aerogels based on Bacterial Nanocellulose and their Applications.

Microbial cellulose stands out for its exceptional characteristics in the form of biofilms formed by highly interlocked fibrils, namely, bacterial nanocellulose (BNC). Concurrently, bio-based aerogels are finding uses in innovative materials owing to their lightweight, high surface area, physical, mechanical, and thermal properties. In particular, bio-based aerogels based on BNC offer significant opportunities as alternatives to synthetic or mineral counterparts.

Betulin Enables Multifunctional Cellulose-Based Insulative Foams with Low Environmental Impacts.

The significance of synthetic foams as insulative materials stems from their mechanical and water resistance as well as their cost-effectiveness. Broadly, the design of building envelopes should also consider fire and mold resistance and the impacts on the environment (end of life and compostability). This study addresses these issues considering the ever-increasing demand for sustainable sources to develop highly porous insulative materials.

Interfacial Membranization of Regenerated Cellulose Nanoparticles and a Protein Renders Stable Water-in-Water Emulsion.

Pickering water-in-water (W/W) emulsions stabilized by biobased colloids are pertinent to engineering biomaterials with hierarchical and confined architectures. In this study, stable W/W emulsions are developed through membranization utilizing biopolymer structures formed by the adsorption of cellulose II nanospheres and a globular protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA), at droplet surfaces. The produced cellulose II nanospheres (NPcat, 63 nm diameter) bearing a soft and highly accessible shell, endow rapid and significant binding (16 mg cm ) with BSA.

Isolation of from the Oral Cavity of Immunocompetent Young Adults from the North of Mexico.

Unlabelled: The human oral cavity is normally colonized by microorganisms including bacteria, fungi, archaea, viruses and protozoa. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of spp., in de oral cavity in a group of medical students from the north of Mexico.

Pickering emulsion stabilization with colloidal lignin is enhanced by salt-induced networking in the aqueous phase.

We study the effect of electrolytes on the stability in aqueous media of spherical lignin particles (LP) and its relevance to Pickering emulsion stabilization. Factors considered included the role of ionic strength on morphology development, LP size distribution, surface charge, interfacial adsorption, colloidal and wetting behaviors. Stable emulsions are formed at salt concentrations as low as 50 mM, with the highest stability observed at a critical concentration (400 mM).

Myelin-reactive B cells exacerbate CD4 T cell-driven CNS autoimmunity in an IL-23-dependent manner.

B cells and T cells collaborate in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis. IgH mice possess a B cell repertoire skewed to recognize myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG). Here, we show that upon immunization with the T cell-obligate autoantigen, MOG, IgH mice develop rapid and exacerbated experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) relative to wildtype (WT) counterparts, characterized by aggregation of T and B cells in the IgH meninges and by CD4 T helper 17 (Th17) cells in the CNS.

Photoluminescent Nanocellulosic Film for Selective Hg Ion Detection.

We developed a highly sensitive solid-state sensor for mercury detection by stabilizing red-sub-nanometric fluorescent gold nanoclusters (AuNC, 0.9 ± 0.1 nm diameter) with bovine serum albumin in a matrix composed of cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) (BSA-AuNC/CNF).

Electric field-modulated evaporative thin film deposition of bio-particles for piezoelectric applications.

Bio-based functional materials can be used to replace or limit the use of synthetic materials sourced from unsustainable sources. However, the potential of such materials remains largely unexplored. In this study, we demonstrate the use of weak AC electric fields to deposit ultra-thin piezoelectric films from cellulose nanocrystals (CNC).

Colloidal interactions between nanochitin and surfactants: Connecting micro- and macroscopic properties by isothermal titration calorimetry and rheology.

This study elucidates the intricate interactions between chitin nanocrystals (ChNC) and surfactants of same hydrophobic tail (C) but different head groups types (anionic, cationic, nonionic): sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB), and polyoxyethylene(23)lauryl ether (Brij-35). Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC) and rheology are used to study the complex ChNC-surfactant interactions in aqueous media, affected by adsorption, self-assembly and micellization. The ITC results demonstrate that the surfactant head group significantly influences the dynamics and nature of the involved phenomena.