Microfluidics-Based Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) Devices in Dealing with Waves of COVID-19 Pandemic: The Emerging Solution.

Recent advances in microfluidics-based point-of-care testing (POCT) technology such as paper, array, and beads have shown promising results for diagnosing various infectious diseases. The fast and timely detection of viral infection has proven to be a critical step for deciding the therapeutic outcome in the current COVID-19 pandemic, which in turn not only enhances the patient survival rate but also reduces the disease-associated comorbidities. In the present scenario, rapid, noninvasive detection of the virus using low cost and high throughput microfluidics-based POCT devices embraces the advantages over existing diagnostic technologies, for which a centralized lab facility, expensive instruments, sample pretreatment, and skilled personnel are required.

Unusual High Hardness and Load-Dependent Mechanical Characteristics of Hydrogenated Carbon-Nitrogen Hybrid Films.

Mechanical components are exposed to a rigorous environment in a number of applications including engineering, aerospace, and automobiles. Thus, their service lifetime and reliability are always on the verge of risk. Protective coatings with high hardness are required to enhance their service lifetime and minimize the replacement cost and waste burden.

Green-synthesized, pH-stable and biocompatible carbon nanosensor for Fe: An experimental and computational study.

Brightly fluorescent Carbon Dots (CDs) were synthesized by green hydrothermal method using commonly available biomass (Aloe vera) as carbon precursor. Their physiochemical and optical characterization was done by standard microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. Photophysical features of their aqueous dispersion were investigated in detail.

Next-Generation Intelligent MXene-Based Electrochemical Aptasensors for Point-of-Care Cancer Diagnostics.

Delayed diagnosis of cancer using conventional diagnostic modalities needs to be addressed to reduce the mortality rate of cancer. Recently, 2D nanomaterial-enabled advanced biosensors have shown potential towards the early diagnosis of cancer. The high surface area, surface functional groups availability, and excellent electrical conductivity of MXene make it the 2D material of choice for the fabrication of advanced electrochemical biosensors for disease diagnostics.

Phytochemicals-based targeting RdRp and main protease of SARS-CoV-2 using docking and steered molecular dynamic simulation: A promising therapeutic approach for Tackling COVID-19.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has affected millions of people worldwide and caused substantial socio-economic losses. Few successful vaccine candidates have been approved against SARS-CoV-2; however, their therapeutic efficacy against the mutated strains of the virus remains questionable. Furthermore, the limited supply of vaccines and promising antiviral drugs have created havoc in the present scenario.

Carbon-Based Sorbents for Hydrogen Storage: Challenges and Sustainability at Operating Conditions for Renewable Energy.

It is estimated that all fossil fuels will be depleted by 2060 if we continue to use them at the present rate. Therefore, there is an unmet need for an alternative source of energy with high calorific value. In this regard, hydrogen is considered the best alternative renewable fuel that could be used in practical conditions.

Challenges of the Omicron (B.1.1.529) Variant and Its Lineages: A Global Perspective.

The SARS-CoV-2 virus has shown increased ability to mutate over the past two years, especially in the regions of the spike protein and receptor binding sites. Omicron (B.1.

SARS-CoV-2 and its variants of concern including Omicron: A never ending pandemic.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 is associated with high morbidity and mortality. This zoonotic virus has emerged in Wuhan of China in December 2019 from bats and pangolins probably and continuing the human-to-human transmission globally since last two years. As there is no efficient approved treatment, a number of vaccines were developed at an unprecedented speed to counter the pandemic.

Borophene as an emerging 2D flatland for biomedical applications: current challenges and future prospects.

Recently, two-dimensional (2D)-borophene has emerged as a remarkable translational nanomaterial substituting its predecessors in the field of biomedical sensors, diagnostic tools, high-performance healthcare devices, super-capacitors, and energy storage devices. Borophene justifies its demand due to high-performance and controlled optical, electrical, mechanical, thermal, and magnetic properties as compared with other 2D-nanomaterials. However, continuous efforts are being made to translate theoretical and experimental knowledge into pragmatic platforms.

Profiling of trace elemental impurities in caustic soda matrix by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric technique.

An inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric (ICP-MS) technique method is developed for simultaneous determination of Li, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Co, Cu, Sr, Ag, Cd, Ba, and Pb at trace level in caustic soda. Operational parameters of the instrument were optimized and suitable accessory (argon gas dilution) was used in the method. Direct aspiration of high total dissolved solids (TDS) samples (beyond 0.

SERS Based Lateral Flow Immunoassay for Point-of-Care Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Clinical Samples.

The current scenario, an ongoing pandemic of COVID-19, places a dreadful burden on the healthcare system worldwide. Subsequently, there is a need for a rapid, user-friendly, and inexpensive on-site monitoring system for diagnosis. The early and rapid diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 plays an important role in combating the outbreak.

Emerging architecture titanium carbide (TiCT) MXene based photocatalyst toward degradation of hazardous pollutants: Recent progress and perspectives.

MXenes family has aroused marvelous consideration as a frontier photoactive candidate for solar energy transformation and environmental remediation. 2D TiC exhibit a unique layered microstructure, large surface functional groups (-F, -OH, -O), substantial sorption selectivity, superior reduction efficiency, and electrical conductivity. Electronically conductive TiCT with tunable energy band gap (0.

2D Materials-Based Aptamer Biosensors: Present Status and Way Forward.

Current advances in constructing functional nanomaterials and elegantly designed nanostructures have opened up new possibilities for the fabrication of viable field biosensors. Two-dimensional materials (2DMs) have fascinated much attention due to their chemical, optical, physicochemical, and electronic properties. They are ultrathin nanomaterials with unique properties such as high surface-to-volume ratio, surface charge, shape, high anisotropy, and adjustable chemical functionality.

Green conversion of hazardous red mud into diagnostic X-ray shielding tiles.

Red mud is a solid hazardous alumina industrial waste, which is rich in iron, titanium, aluminum, silicon, calcium, etc. The red mud contains 30-60% of hematite, which is suitable for shielding high energy X- and gamma rays. So, the iron rich red mud was converted into diagnostic X-ray shielding tiles through ceramic route by adding a certain weight percentage of BaSO and binders (kaolin clay or sodium hexametaphosphate) with it.

Antibacterial and antiviral high-performance nanosystems to mitigate new SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern.

The increased severity of the COVID-19 infection due to new SARS-CoV-2 variants has resonated pandemic impact which made health experts to re-evaluate the effectiveness of pandemic management strategies. This becomes critical owing to the infection in large population and shortcomings in the existing global healthcare system worldwide. The designing of high-performance nanosystems (NS) with tunable performances seems to be the most efficient method to tackle infectious SARS-CoV-2 variants including recently emerged omicron mutation.

Functional Ionic Liquids Decorated Carbon Hybrid Nanomaterials for the Electrochemical Biosensors.

Ionic liquids are gaining high attention due to their extremely unique physiochemical properties and are being utilized in numerous applications in the field of electrochemistry and bio-nanotechnology. The excellent ionic conductivity and the wide electrochemical window open a new avenue in the construction of electrochemical devices. On the other hand, carbon nanomaterials, such as graphene (GR), graphene oxide (GO), carbon dots (CDs), and carbon nanotubes (CNTs), are highly utilized in electrochemical applications.

Angstrom-Scale Transparent Overcoats: Interfacial Nitrogen-Driven Atomic Intermingling Promotes Lubricity and Surface Protection of Ultrathin Carbon.

Lubricity, a phenomenon which enables the ease of motion of objects, and wear resistance, which minimizes material damage or degradation, are important fundamental characteristics for sustainable technology developments. Ultrathin coatings that promote lubricity and wear resistance are of huge importance for a number of applications, including magnetic storage and micro-/nanoelectromechanical systems. Conventional ultrathin coatings have, however, reached their limit.

A review on efficient electromagnetic interference shielding materials by recycling waste-a trio of land to lab to land concept.

The materials used in electrical and electronic applications have great importance and broader applications, but they have severe electromagnetic interference (EMI). These materials have extensive applications in broadcasting, medical industries, research, defence sectors, communication and similar fields. The EMI can be addressed by using effective EMI shielding materials.

High throughput molecularly imprinted polymers based electrochemical nanosensors for point-of-care diagnostics of COVID-19.

The importance of early diagnosis of infectious disease has been revealed well by the COVID-19 pandemic. The current methods for testing SARS-CoV-2 mainly utilize biorecognition elements. The process of production of these biorecognition elements is not only tedious, time-consuming but also costly.

Preparation of nanolignin rich fraction from bamboo stem via green technology: assessment of its antioxidant, antibacterial and UV blocking properties.

This work reports the preparation of nano lignin-rich fraction material via green technology from the holistic use of lignocellulosic biomass bamboo. The bamboo is first chemically treated, followed by acid precipitation to extract bamboo-derived macro lignin-rich fraction material. The nano lignin-rich fraction material was then prepared via ultrasonication technique from the extracted bamboo-derived macro lignin-rich fraction material.

Phenolic compounds degradation: Insight into the role and evidence of oxygen vacancy defects engineering on nanomaterials.

Oxygen vacancy as a typical point defect has incited substantial interest in photocatalysis due to its profound impact on optical absorption response and facile isolation of photocarriers. The presence of oxygen vacancy can introduce the midgap defect states, which promote extended absorption in the visible region. The redistribution of electron density at the surface can stimulate the adsorption and activation kinetics of adsorbates, manifesting optimal photocatalytic performance.

The Internet of Things in Geriatric Healthcare.

There is a significant increase in the geriatric population across the globe. With the increase in the number of geriatric people and their associated health issues, the need for larger healthcare resources is inevitable. Because of this, healthcare service-providing industries are facing a severe challenge.

Advancements in spontaneous microbial desalination technology for sustainable water purification and simultaneous power generation: A review.

Population growth and rapid urbanization have put a lot of pressure on the already scarce freshwater around the globe. The availability of freshwater is not only limited but it is non-uniform also. Available desalination technologies help mitigate water shortage; however, these techniques are energy-intensive and unsustainable.

3D Printing: Advancement in Biogenerative Engineering to Combat Shortage of Organs and Bioapplicable Materials.

Abstract: Organ or cell transplantation is medically evaluated for end-stage failure saving or extending the lives of thousands of patients who are suffering from organ failure disorders. The unavailability of adequate organs for transplantation to meet the existing demand is a major challenge in the medical field. This led to day-day-increase in the number of patients on transplant waiting lists as well as in the number of patients dying while on the queue.

A sustainable approach towards utilization of plastic waste for an efficient electrode in microbial fuel cell applications.

Microbial fuel cells (MFC) are a novel technique for power generation from wastewater. A number of approaches for the modification of physical as well as chemical properties of the electrodes can be employed to attain the maximum output power density and high power electricity. The use of an active organic linker, extracted from waste residue (plastic), for the synthesis of porous nanostructured materials would be beneficial in the fabrication of electrodes for MFC.