Tunable Focusing Liquid Crystal Lenses: The Challenges and the Opportunities.

The utilization of liquid crystals (LC) as materials has enabled the enlargement of lenses with the potential to alter their focus. Tunable LC lenses with adjustable focus are essential for optical imaging, sensing, and detection devices. This technology offers many benefits, such as the ability to adjust focus, operate with low power, and be easily made.

Polypyrrole functionalized MoS for sensitive and simultaneous determination of heavy metal ions in water.

Assessing heavy metal ion (HMI) contamination to sustain drinking water hygiene is a challenge. Conventional approaches are appealing for the detection of HMIs but electrochemical approaches can resolve the limitations of these approaches, such as tedious sample preparation, high cost, time consuming and the need for trained professionals. Here, an electrochemical approach is developed using a nano-sphered polypyrrole (PPy) functionalized with MoS (PPy/MoS) by square wave anodic stripping voltammetry for the detection of HMIs.

Zinc oxide/tin oxide nanoflower-based asymmetric supercapacitors for enhanced energy storage devices.

Research on energy storage devices has focused on improving asymmetric supercapacitors (ASCs) by utilizing two different electrode materials. In this work, we have successfully prepared a unique material, ZnO/SnO nanoflower, the hydrothermal method. Graphene oxide (GO) was synthesized by applying the modified Hummers' technique.

Spectroscopic investigation on shuttlecock-shaped liquid crystalline trimers: Mesomorphic behaviour and its application in optical storage devices.

In this paper, we discuss the synthesis and characterization of 2,3,4-tris[-((4-(-cyanophenyl)diazenyl)phenoxy)alkyloxy]benzonitrile obtained by coupling 2,3,4-trihydroxy benzonitrile and ()-4-((4-((-bromoalkyl)oxy)phenyl)diazenyl)benzonitrile, pertain to shuttlecock shaped liquid crystals. The molecular structure was confirmed by NMR spectroscopic and elemental analyzer. The thermal behavior of the trimers was assessed using a polarizing optical microscope (POM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).

Experimental investigation of a biomass-derived nanofluid with enhanced thermal conductivity as a green, sustainable heat-transfer medium and qualitative comparison mathematical modelling.

In this study, bio-based carbon nanospheres (CNSs) were synthesized from lignocellulosic-rich groundnut skin () and tested for their practical application in nanofluids (NFs) for enhanced heat transfer. The CNSs were characterized using various techniques, including FESEM, EDS, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, zeta potential analysis, and FTIR. Thermal conductivity (TC) and viscosity measurements were conducted using transient plane source (TPS) technique with a Hot Disk thermal analyser and discovery hybrid rheometer, respectively.

PEDOT-Doped Mesoporous Nanocarbon Electrodes for High Capacitive Aqueous Symmetric Supercapacitors.

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and PEDOT-functionalized carbon nanoparticles (f-CNPs) were synthesized by in situ chemical oxidative polymerization and pyrolysis methods. f-CNP-PEDOT nanocomposites were prepared by varying the concentration of PEDOT from 1 to 20% by weight (i.e.

Adsorption and storage of hydrogen- A computational model approach.

Due to the imperative global energy transition crisis, hydrogen storage and adsorption technologies are becoming popular with the growing hydrogen economy. Recently, complex hydrides have been one of the most reliable materials for storing and transporting hydrogen gas to various fuel cells to generate clean energy with zero carbon emissions. With the ever-increasing carbon emissions, it is necessary to substitute the current energy sources with green hydrogen-based efficient energy-integrated systems.

Efficient cationic dye removal from water through skin-derived carbon nanospheres: a rapid and sustainable approach.

The present study investigates the potential of skin-derived carbon nanospheres (CNSs) as an efficient adsorbent for the rapid removal of cationic dyes from aqueous solutions. The CNSs were synthesized through a facile, cost-effective, catalyst-free and environmentally friendly process, utilizing skin waste as a precursor. This is the first reported study on the synthesis of mesoporous carbon nanospheres from skin.

Sustainable carbonaceous nanomaterial supported palladium as an efficient ligand-free heterogeneouscatalyst for Suzuki-Miyaura coupling.

A novel ligand-free heterogeneous catalyst was synthesized pyrolysis of pods to produce carbon nanospheres (SS-CNSs), which served as a carbon support for immobilizing palladium nanoparticles through an reduction technique (Pd/SS-CNS). The SS-CNSs effectively integrated 3% of Pd on their surfaces with no additional activation procedures needed. The nanomaterials obtained underwent thorough characterization employing various techniques such as FT-IR, XRD, FE-SEM, TEM, EDS, ICP-AES, and BET.

Wound healing efficacy of curcumin-loaded sandalwood bark-derived carbon nanosphere/PVA nanofiber matrix.

The present investigation deals with the evaluation of the wound healing efficacy of sandalwood bark-derived carbon nanospheres loaded with curcumin-embedded polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofiber membranes (NF). Carbon nanospheres (CNS) were prepared by pyrolyzing sandal wood bark powder at 750 °C. The morphology was confirmed by field emission scanning electron micrographs and a rich amount of carbon was confirmed by the energy dispersive X-ray technique.

Green synthesized cobalt nanoparticles from L. as a novel antimicrobials and antioxidants.

is a dietary and medicinal plant that has gained substantial importance due to its pharmacological properties. This plant was used for its various healing properties since the ancient period in ayurvedic system of medicine. The green synthesis technique is an eco-friendly as well as cost effective technique which can produce more biocompatible nanoparticles when compared with those fabricated by physio-chemical methods.

Cost effective porous areca nut carbon nanospheres for adsorptive removal of dyes and their binary mixtures.

Novel porous nanospheres from areca nuts (ACNPs) were synthesized via one-step pyrolysis without the use of any chemical treatment and the materials were used as adsorbents for the removal of cationic methylene blue (MB) and anionic methyl orange (MO) as well as their binary mixtures. Around, 6-7 tonnes of areca nut biowaste is generated every year which are then burnt due to their slow rate of decomposition resulting in higher carbon footprints. Biosorbents are generally a preferable alternative for dye adsorption but involve chemical modification for surface enhancement and complex sample treatment.

SnOQDs Deposited on GO/PPy-Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode for Efficient Electrochemical Hydrogen Peroxide Sensor.

In this present work, we demonstrate an efficient electrochemical sensor for the detection of hydrogen peroxide (HO) using a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with a ternary nanocomposite of tin oxide QDs/GO/PPy (SGP2). An in situ chemical oxidative polymerization method was used to create the SGP2 nanocomposite. FTIR, XRD, HR TEM, CV, DPV, and impedance analysis were used to characterize the nanocomposite.

Biowaste-Derived, Highly Efficient, Reusable Carbon Nanospheres for Speedy Removal of Organic Dyes from Aqueous Solutions.

The current work explores the adsorptive efficiency of carbon nanospheres (CNSs) derived from oil palm leaves (OPL) that are a source of biowaste. CNSs were synthesized at 400, 600, 800 and 1000 °C, and those obtained at 1000 °C demonstrated maximum removal efficiency of ~91% for malachite green (MG). Physicochemical and microscopic characteristics were analysed by FESEM, TEM, FTIR, Raman, TGA and XPS studies.

Polymer Nanocomposite Graphene Quantum Dots for High-Efficiency Ultraviolet Photodetector.

Influence on photocurrent sensitivity of hydrothermally synthesized electrochemically active graphene quantum dots on conjugated polymer utilized for a novel single-layer device has been performed. Fabrications of high-performance ultraviolet photodetector by depositing the polypyrrole-graphene quantum dots (PPy-GQDs) active layer of the ITO electrode were exposed to an Ultraviolet (UV) source with 265 and 355 nm wavelengths for about 200 s, and we examined the time-dependent photoresponse. The excellent performance of GQDs was exploited as a light absorber, acting as an electron donor to improve the carrier concentration.

Influence of electrochemical co-deposition of bimetallic Pt-Pd nanoclusters on polypyrrole modified ITO for enhanced oxidation of 4-(hydroxymethyl) pyridine.

Bimetallic Pt-Pd nanoparticles were dispersed on polypyrrole coated indium-tin oxide coated polyethylene terephthalate sheets (ITO-PET sheets). The excellent filming property of pyrrole gives a high porous uniform active area for the proper adsorption of bimetallic transition metal nanoparticles. Electrochemical behavior of the modified electrodes was determined using cyclic voltammetry and impedance studies.

Fast and effective removal of textile dyes from the wastewater using reusable porous nano-carbons: a study on adsorptive parameters and isotherms.

In the present study, recyclable porous nano-carbons (PNCs) were used to remove textile dyes (mainly methylene blue, methyl orange, and rhodamine B) from an aqueous environment. Due to their high surface area and mesoporous nature, PNCs exhibited extremely fast and efficient adsorption behavior. PNCs synthesized at an elevated temperature of 1000 °C are used in batch experiments, as they showed maximum dye removal with high surface area.

Non-enzymatic electrochemical determination of salivary cortisol using ZnO-graphene nanocomposites.

Electrochemically deposited ZnO nanoparticles on a pencil graphite electrode (PGE) coated with graphene generate a noteworthy conductive and selective electrochemical sensing electrode for the estimation of cortisol. Electrochemical techniques such as cyclic voltammetry (CV) analysis and electrochemical impedance spectroscopic (EIS) tests were adopted to analyze and understand the nature of the modified sensor. Surface morphological analysis was done using various spectroscopic and microscopic techniques like X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Garlic peel based mesoporous carbon nanospheres for an effective removal of malachite green dye from aqueous solutions: Detailed isotherms and kinetics.

Biowaste based nanoadsorbents have gained much attention in the recent times for wastewater decolourization owing to their low cost, high surface area and high adsorption capacities. In the present research, garlic peel based nanoparticles (GCNP) were synthesized at different temperatures by a one step pyrolytic green approach for the effective removal of cationic dye, malachite green from the aqueous medium. The surface properties of Garlic nanoparticles were elucidated by N adsorption- desorption and all the GCNP samples were found to exhibit Type IV(a) isotherm indicating the presence of mesopores in carbon matrix.

SI-ATRP Decoration of Magnetic Nanoparticles with PHEMA and Post-Polymerization Modification with Folic Acid for Tumor Cells' Specific Targeting.

Targeted nanocarriers could reach new levels of drug delivery, bringing new tools for personalized medicine. It is known that cancer cells overexpress folate receptors on the cell surface compared to healthy cells, which could be used to create new nanocarriers with specific targeting moiety. In addition, magnetic nanoparticles can be guided under the influence of an external magnetic field in different areas of the body, allowing their precise localization.

Geraniol and Citral as potential therapeutic agents targeting the HSP90 activity: An in silico and experimental approach.

Lemongrass essential oil has antifungal and anti-cancerous properties. Heat-shock protein (HSP90), an ATP-dependent molecular chaperone found in eukaryotes, is involved in protein folding, stability, and disease, making it a promising research topic. Both in silico and in vitro approaches were used to provide a clear insight into the HSP90-ATPase 3D structures, activity, and their interaction with the essential oil constituents among various species such as fungi (S.

Manganese-Doped N-Hydroxyphthalimide-Derived Carbon Dots-Theranostics Applications in Experimental Breast Cancer Models.

Background: Theranostics, a novel concept in medicine, is based on the use of an agent for simultaneous diagnosis and treatment. Nanomaterials provide promising novel approaches to theranostics. Carbon Dots have been shown to exhibit anti-tumoral properties in various cancer models.

Development of a heptaplex PCR assay for identification of Staphylococcus aureus and CoNS with simultaneous detection of virulence and antibiotic resistance genes.

Background: Staphylococcal toxicity and antibiotic resistance (STAAR) have been menacing public health. Although vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) is currently not as widespread as methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), genome evolution of MRSA into VRSA, including strains engineered within the same patient under anti-staphylococcal therapy, may build up to future public health concern.

Ischemic heart disease risk factors in lead exposed workers: research study.

Background: Review of other epidemiological studies reveal inconsistent results of relationships between high blood lead level and risk of hypertension, hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia. In this study we wanted to find if there is a relationship between blood lead level and these ischemic heart disease risk factors.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a battery recycling plant, and 497 male workers with the mean age of 41.

The REACH perspective: toward a new concept of toxicity testing.

A sustainable society and a healthy society are major goals for European policymakers. Although most Europeans live a longer healthy life than ever, there is growing concern and anxiety about unknown health risks and threats of chemicals and a strong demand for more knowledge and more control. European legislation is responding to these demands.