Fundamentals to Apply Magnetic Nanoparticles for Hyperthermia Therapy.

The activation of magnetic nanoparticles in hyperthermia treatment by an external alternating magnetic field is a promising technique for targeted cancer therapy. The external alternating magnetic field generates heat in the tumor area, which is utilized to kill cancerous cells. Depending on the tumor type and site to be targeted, various types of magnetic nanoparticles, with variable coating materials of different shape and surface charge, have been developed.

Assessment of agricultural waste-derived activated carbon in multiple applications.

To minimize waste production and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, agricultural waste such as rice straw has been actively used in biochemical production. In Taiwan, cellulosic waste has been used in anaerobic digestion for bioethanol production. This process produces a large amount of biomass-associated sludge that may become a serious environmental issue.

Preparation of magnetite hollow structure for drug delivery application.

Monodispersed Fe3O4 nanospheres with hollow interior and porous shell structures were synthesized without any template by refluxing iron precursor solution in a Teflon-line autoclave at 200 degrees C. Those nanoparticles exhibited a ferromagnetic behavior with a high saturation magnetization of 76 emu/g. The hollow structure was formed based on the assembly of many small particles to form large-sized spheres, followed by chemical conversion coupled with Oswald ripening process.

Production of bio-hydrogenated diesel by catalytic hydrotreating of palm oil over NiMoS2/γ-Al2O3 catalyst.

Catalytic hydrotreating of palm oil (refined palm olein type) to produce bio-hydrogenated diesel (BHD) was carried out in a continuous-flow fixed-bed reactor over NiMoS2/γ-Al2O3 catalyst. Effects of dominant hydrotreating parameters: temperature: 270-420°C; H2 pressure: 15-80 bar; LHSV: 0.25-5.

Role of Surface Area, Primary Particle Size, and Crystal Phase on Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticle Dispersion Properties.

Characterizing nanoparticle dispersions and understanding the effect of parameters that alter dispersion properties are important for both environmental applications and toxicity investigations. The role of particle surface area, primary particle size, and crystal phase on TiO2 nanoparticle dispersion properties is reported. Hydrodynamic size, zeta potential, and isoelectric point (IEP) of ten laboratory synthesized TiO2 samples, and one commercial Degussa TiO2 sample (P25) dispersed in different solutions were characterized.

Application of TiO2-coated alumina beads to dielectric barrier discharge-photocatalyst hybrid process for NO and SO2 removals.

NO and SO2 removal by dielectric barrier discharge-photocatalyst (DBD-P) hybrid process was examined for various conditions of process variables. Alumina beads were coated with TiO2 thin film by a rotating cylindrical PCVD reactor and they were packed inside the cylindrical reactor. The NO and SO2 removal efficiencies can be enhanced by using a combination of dielectric barrier discharge and photodegradation by TiO2.

Particle trajectories and temperature histories of TiO2 nanoparticles synthesized in diffusion flame reactor.

The computational analysis was developed to illustrate the gas temperature and velocity profiles in the oxy-methane diffusion flame reactor during the formation of TiO2 nanoparticles and the collection of the TiO2 nanoparticles by filter. The computational simulation shows that the increase in gas temperature and velocity is significantly affected by the increase in CH4 flow rate. The particle trajectory was calculated by using the model, which concerns the effects of thermophoretic force and gas velocity on the particle movement.

A simple method for bakers' yeast cell disruption using a three-phase fluidized bed equipped with an agitator.

A three-phase fluidized bed equipped with a turbine agitator was utilized as a simple device for disrupting bakers' yeast cells (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). The degree of yeast cell disruption was evaluated based on the number of broken cells and its validity was confirmed by the total amount of crude soluble proteins released and by microscopic observation. It was found that the equipment could yield 90% of yeast cell disruption.

Characteristics of carbon nanoparticles synthesized by a submerged arc in alcohols, alkanes, and aromatics.

Fullerene-related carbon nanostructures can be synthesized by an arc-in-liquid system as a cost-effective technique. In this work, we investigated the effects of additional carbon sources from liquid media that were alcohols (C(m)H(2m+1)OH, m = 1-8), alkanes (C(m)H(2m+2), m = 6-7), and aromatic compounds (C6H6-C(n)H(2n), n = 1-2) on the product structures and the yield of nanocarbon-rich deposits. It was found that carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) that included multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MW-CNTs) and multi-shelled carbon nanoparticles were produced at high concentrations in the hard deposit at the cathode tip formed by the arc in the alcohols and alkanes, similar to that in a water environment.

Modeling of experimental treatment of acetaldehyde-laden air and phenol-containing water using corona discharge technique.

Acetaldehyde-laden air and phenol-contaminated water were experimentally treated using corona discharge reactions and gas absorption in a single water-film column. Mathematical modeling of the combined treatment was developed in this work. Efficient removal of the gaseous acetaldehyde was achieved while the corona discharge reactions produced short-lived species such as O and O- as well as ozone.