Penetration of gold nanoparticles across the stratum corneum layer of thick-Skin.

Background: Transdermal particulate penetration across thick-skin, such as that of palms and sole, is particularly important for drug delivery for disorders such as small fiber neuropathies. Nanoparticle-based drug delivery across skin is believed to have much translational applications, but their penetration especially through thick-skin, is not clear.

Objective: This study specifically investigates the effectiveness of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for thick-skin penetration, especially across the stratum corneum (SC) as a function of particle size.

Graphene oxide nanoflakes incorporated gelatin-hydroxyapatite scaffolds enhance osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells.

In this study, graphene oxide (GO) nanoflakes (0.5 and 1 wt%) were incorporated into a gelatin-hydroxyapatite (GHA) matrix through a freeze drying technique and its effect to enhance mechanical strength and osteogenic differentiation was studied. The GHA matrix with GO demonstrated less brittleness in comparison to GHA scaffolds.

Nanotextured stainless steel for improved corrosion resistance and biological response in coronary stenting.

Nanosurface engineering of metallic substrates for improved cellular response is a persistent theme in biomaterials research. The need to improve the long term prognosis of commercially available stents has led us to adopt a 'polymer-free' approach which is cost effective and industrially scalable. In this study, 316L stainless steel substrates were surface modified by hydrothermal treatment in alkaline pH, with and without the addition of a chromium precursor, to generate a well adherent uniform nanotopography.

On global energy scenario, dye-sensitized solar cells and the promise of nanotechnology.

One of the major problems that humanity has to face in the next 50 years is the energy crisis. The rising population, rapidly changing life styles of people, heavy industrialization and changing landscape of cities have increased energy demands, enormously. The present annual worldwide electricity consumption is 12 TW and is expected to become 24 TW by 2050, leaving a challenging deficit of 12 TW.

Carbon nanofibers extracted from soot as a sorbent for the determination of aromatic amines from wastewater effluent samples.

The isolation and characterization of carbon nanofibers from soot obtained by burning natural oil is reported. The fibers were extracted from the soot with tetrahydrofuran followed by sonication. The carbon nanofibers were mixed with poly(vinyl alcohol) and electrospun to get the nanofiber mat.

Functionalization of surfactant wrapped graphene nanosheets with alkylazides for enhanced dispersibility.

A facile and simple approach for the covalent functionalization of surfactant wrapped graphene sheets is described. The approach involves functionalization of dispersible graphene sheets with various alkylazides and 11-azidoundecanoic acid proved the best azide for enhanced dispersibility. The functionalization was confirmed by infrared spectroscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy.