Bioactive Silk Revolution: Harnessing Curcuminoid Dye and Chitosan for Superior Antimicrobial Defence and UV Shielding.

Background/objectives: The use of natural colourants is gaining attention due to their biocompatibility and functional benefits. This study introduces a different approach using turmeric ( L.) dye extract combined with chitosan to significantly enhance the antibacterial and UV-shielding properties of silk.

Exploring 3D Printing in Drug Development: Assessing the Potential of Advanced Melt Drop Deposition Technology for Solubility Enhancement by Creation of Amorphous Solid Dispersions.

Melt-based 3D printing technologies are currently extensively evaluated for research purposes as well as for industrial applications. Classical approaches often require intermediates, which can pose a risk to stability and add additional complexity to the process. The Advanced Melt Drop Deposition (AMDD) technology, is a 3D printing process that combines the principles of melt extrusion with pressure-driven ejection, similar to injection molding.

Sustainable Carbon Dots Loaded into Carboxymethylcellulose Based Hydrogels for Uterine Cancer Bioimaging.

: The development of innovative materials for disease diagnostics and therapeutics is a fast-growing area of scientific research. In this work, we report the development of innovative hydrogels incorporating carbon dots (Cdots) for bioimaging purposes. : The Cdots were prepared using a sustainable and low-cost process, starting with an underused fiber from the Brazilian semiarid region.

Mechanics of Surface Instabilities in Soft Dielectrics Subject to Electromechanical Loading.

As a category of polymeric materials, soft dielectrics, such as most elastomers and rubber-like materials, have shown great potential for extensive applications in various fields. Owing to their intriguing electromechanical coupling behaviors, the morphological instabilities in soft dielectrics have been an active research field in recent years. In this work, the recent progress in experimental and theoretical research on their electromechanical morphological instabilities is reviewed, especially regarding the theoretical aspect.

Current Positron Studies on the Modifications of the Molecular Packing in Green-Based Polymers Through Changes in the Synthesis Procedures or Environmental Conditions.

The sensitivity of positron annihilation characteristics to changes in the molecular packing in network-forming polymers has been demonstrated since the early 1980s. Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) is a unique technique that can provide direct information on the free volume in polymers through the experimental parameters of the free volume hole distribution, their mean value, and volume fraction. This knowledge is currently applied for PALS investigations on the main processes that govern the molecular organization in some green polymers when subjected to different synthesis procedures or environmental conditions (humidity, physical aging, temperature).

A Novel Polytetrahydrofuran-Based Shape Memory Polyurethane Enhanced by Polyglycolide-Block-Polytetrahydrofuran-Block-Polyglycolide Copolymer.

A series of polyurethanes (PU-GT) were prepared using polyglycolide-block-polytetrahydrofuran-block-polyglycolide (PGA-PTHF-PGA), polytetrahydrofuran homopolymer (PTHF), glycerol, and hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) by a one-pot synthesis method. The non-isothermal crystallization and subsequent heating curves showed that the PTHF component in these polyurethanes could crystallize in a temperature range of -11.5~2.

Extraction of Natural-Based Raw Materials Towards the Production of Sustainable Man-Made Organic Fibres.

Bioresources have been gaining popularity due to their abundance, renewability, and recyclability. Nevertheless, given their diverse composition and complex hierarchical structures, these bio-based sources must be carefully processed to effectively extract valuable raw polymeric materials suitable for producing man-made organic fibres. This review will first highlight the most relevant bio-based sources, with a particular focus on promising unconventional biomass sources (terrestrial vegetables, aquatic vegetables, fungi, and insects), as well as agroforestry and industrial biowaste (food, paper/wood, and textile).

Participation of Polymer Materials in the Structure of Piezoelectric Composites.

This review explores the integration of polymer materials into piezoelectric composite structures, focusing on their application in sensor technologies, and wearable electronics. Piezoelectric composites combining ceramic phases like BaTiO, KNN, or PZT with polymers such as PVDF exhibit significant potential due to their enhanced flexibility, processability, and electrical performance. The synergy between the high piezoelectric sensitivity of ceramics and the mechanical flexibility of polymers enables the development of advanced materials for biomedical devices, energy conversion, and smart infrastructure applications.

The Influence of Fresh Latex Coagulation on the Parameter Characteristics of the Yeoh Hyperelastic Constitutive Model for Natural Rubber.

The coagulation of fresh latex is one of the critical processes that impacts rubber quality during natural rubber processing. Constitutive relationships are the basis for the study of the mechanical properties of rubber materials and serve as a prerequisite for material simulation studies. However, studies on the effect of different coagulation methods on natural rubber constitutive relationships have yet to be carried out, and the current models used for natural rubber constitutive relationships need to be improved.

Clarification of Bio-Degumming Enzymes Based on a Visual Analysis of the Hemp Roving Structure.

Hemp fibers, recognized for their breathability, specific strength, and ultraviolet resistance, are widely utilized in textile manufacturing and composite materials. Bio-degumming is a promising alternative technology to traditional chemical degumming that can be used to produce hemp fibers due to its eco-friendly nature. However, its lower efficiency has hindered its widespread adoption.

Detecting Early Degradation of Wood Ultrastructure with Nonlinear Optical Imaging and Fluorescence Lifetime Analysis.

Understanding the deterioration processes in wooden artefacts is essential for accurately assessing their conservation status and developing effective preservation strategies. Advanced imaging techniques are currently being explored to study the impact of chemical changes on the structural and mechanical properties of wood. Nonlinear optical modalities, including second harmonic generation (SHG) and two-photon excited fluorescence (TPEF), combined with fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM), offer a promising non-destructive diagnostic method for evaluating lignocellulose-based materials.

Layered Composites for High Tan Delta Plateau over Wide Temperature Range.

Tan Delta reflects the viscoelastic behavior of materials, particularly polymers. In most cases, a high Tan Delta value is associated with transitions (such as glass transition or melting), enabling effective damping properties near these temperature ranges. However, achieving a high Tan Delta over a broad temperature range is challenging, particularly for engineering applications that involve significant temperature fluctuations.

New Composite Packaging Material from Edible Oil By-Product Coated with Paraffin Wax for Dry Apricot Slice Packing Under a Modified Atmosphere.

Composite biopolymer hydrogel as food packaging material, apart from being environmentally favorable, faces high standards set upon food packaging materials. The feature that favors biopolymer film application is their low gas permeability under room conditions and lower relative humidity conditions. However, most biopolymer-based materials show high moisture sensitiveness and limited water vapor permeability, which limits their application for food packaging.

Effect of High-Energy Electron Beam Irradiation on the Structure and Thermoelectric Properties of Polypyrrole.

The effects of different doses (10-100 kGy) of electron beams on the molecular structure, microstructure, and thermoelectric properties of polypyrrole (PPy) under high-energy electron beam irradiation (10 MeV) were studied. The results showed that after electron beam irradiation, the conductivity of PPy increased slightly, but the Seebeck coefficient and power factor remained relatively stable. The structural analysis of FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction indicated that the molecular structure of PPy was strongly stable, and its microstructure was only slightly affected by electron beam irradiation.

Investigation into the Reinforcement Modification of Natural Plant Fibers and the Sustainable Development of Thermoplastic Natural Plant Fiber Composites.

Natural plant fibers (NPFs) have emerged as a sustainable alternative in the manufacture of composites due to their renewability and low environmental impact. This has led to a significant increase in the use of natural plant fiber-reinforced polymers (NPFRPs) in a variety of industries. The diversity of NPF types brings a wide range of properties and functionalities to NPFRPs, which in turn highlights the urgent need to improve the properties of fiber materials in order to enhance their performance and suitability.

Thermal Resistance Enhancement and Wettability Amelioration of Poly(benzimidazole-aramid) Film by Silica Nanocomposites.

Polybenzimidazole (PBI) is a high-performance polymer known for its excellent thermal stability, mechanical strength, and chemical resistance, attributes that are derived from its unique structure comprising repeated benzene and imidazole rings. However, limitations such as relatively low thermal stability and moisture sensitivity restrict its application as a super engineering plastic. In this study, amide groups are incorporated into the PBI backbone to synthesize the copolymer poly(BI--A), effecting a structural modification at the molecular level.

Evaluation and Characterization of Functionally Graded Adhesive Joints: Experimental and Numerical Analyses.

Epoxy resins have exhibited exceptional performance in engineering applications, particularly as a replacement for traditional mechanical joints in adhesive bonding. This study evaluates the suitability of two innovative adhesives, SikaPower-1511 and SikaPower-1548, in various graded configurations. The thermal curing behavior of the adhesives was analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).

Modulated Mechanical Properties of Epoxy-Based Hybrid Composites via Layer-by-Layer Assembly: An Experimental and Numerical Study.

In this study, epoxy-based composites were fabricated using a layer-by-layer assembly technique, and their mechanical properties were systematically evaluated. The inclusion of cellulose nanocrystals led to variations in the mechanical properties of the composites. These modified properties were assessed through tensile and flexural tests, with each layer cast to enhance strength.

Microstructural Characterization of Cellulose Nanocrystals and Microcellulose from Bamboo () for Reinforcing Ordinary Portland Cement Matrix.

This study investigates the microstructural characterization of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and microcellulose (MC) extracted from bamboo fibers () and their potential as reinforcement agents in ordinary Portland cement (OPC) composites. CNC with a mean particle size of 29.3 nm and MC with a mean size of 14.

Characterization and Evaluation of Zero-Order Release System Comprising Glycero-(9,10-trioxolane)-trialeate and PLA: Opportunity for Packaging and Biomedicine Applications.

Glycerol-(9,10-trioxolane) trioleate (OTOA) is a promising material that combines good plasticizing properties for PLA with profound antimicrobial activity, which makes it suitable for application in state-of-the-art biomedical and packaging materials with added functionality. On the other hand, application of OTOA in PLA-based antibacterial materials is hindered by a lack of knowledge on kinetics of the OTOA release. In this work, the release of glycero-(9,10-trioxolane) trioleate (OTOA) from PLA films with 50% OTOA content was studied during incubation in normal saline solution, and for the first time, the kinetics of OTOA release from PLA film was evaluated.

Fabrication and Performance Evaluation of a Novel Composite PVC-ZnO Membrane for Ciprofloxacin Removal by Polymer-Enhanced Ultrafiltration.

Water pollution is a major global issue, and antibiotic drugs released into aquatic environments by the pharmaceutical industry, such as ciprofloxacin, have negative consequences on both human health and the ecosystem. In this study, the performance of PVA as a polymer ligand for ciprofloxacin (CPFX) removal is evaluated through polymer-enhanced ultrafiltration using a novel composite PVC-ZnO membrane. The initial concentration of the ciprofloxacin solution, pH, ionic strength, ideal polymer concentration, duration, and maximum retention capacity were among the factors that were examined.

Harnessing of Sunflower Stalks by Hydrolysis and Fermentation with to Produce Biofuels.

A sequential valorization process of sunflower stalks was carried out using nitric acid (0.1-2 mol dm) as a hydrolytic agent and fermenting the hydrolysate of higher sugar concentration in the presence of the non-conventional yeast . Values reached for ethanol yield (0.

Fabrication and Performance Regulation of Lightweight Porous Electromagnetic Absorbing Materials via CO Nucleation-Free Foaming of EP.

In this study, CO reacted with a curing agent through nucleophilic addition to form ammonium salts, enabling the stable capture and internal release of CO, which achieved gas-phase nucleation and foaming. Additionally, the introduction of wave-absorbing agents improved the absorption mechanism and promoted uniform foaming. This nucleation-free foaming process relies on the induced growth of gas nuclei and the synergistic effect of the wave-absorbing agents, effectively preventing the uneven foaming issues caused by traditional nucleating agents.

Flexible Phase Change Materials with High Energy Storage Density Based on Porous Carbon Fibers.

Phase change fibers (PCFs) can effectively store and release heat, improve energy efficiency, and provide a basis for a wide range of energy applications. Improving energy storage density and preserving flexibility are the primary issues in the efficient manufacture and application development of PCFs. Herein, we have successfully fabricated a suite of flexible PCFs with high energy storage density, which use hollow carbon fibers (HCFs) encapsulated phase change materials (PCMs) to provide efficient heat storage and release, thereby enhancing energy efficiency and underpinning a broad range of energy applications.

Damage and Failure Monitoring of Aerospace Insulation Layers Based on Embedded Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors.

Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites are widely used in aviation thermal insulation layers due to their high strength-to-weight ratio and excellent high-temperature performance. However, challenges remain regarding their structural integrity and durability under extreme conditions. This study first employed finite element simulation to model the damage evolution of CFRP laminated plates under axial tensile loads and their thermal decomposition behavior in high-temperature environments, providing a theoretical reference.