ChemBioEng Reviews最新文献

The leaching of pharmaceutical ingredients into water bodies poses an escalating threat, demanding urgent remediation strategies. Among several techniques advanced for their remediation, advanced oxidation methods utilizing persulfate (PS) and peroxymonosulfate (PMS) stand out as promising avenues for pharmaceutical degradation in wastewater. This article consolidates the research on photocatalytic degradation of pharmaceutical contaminants, focusing on PMS-based photoactive composites, and elucidates their efficacy in removing active pharmaceutical ingredients from water. Moreover, it delineates alternative techniques for activating PS and PMS, providing a holistic understanding of the field's advancements. By outlining research limitations and knowledge gaps, this review underscores the imperative for further investigation and innovation in pharmaceutical wastewater treatment.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) remains a formidable challenge in cancer treatment, necessitating innovative strategies to enhance therapeutic outcomes. This review explores the potential of a synergistic gold nanorod (GNR) therapy (SGNRT) utilizing GNRs as multifunctional platforms for co-delivering chemotherapy and thermal therapies. The rational design of SGNRT systems enables targeted payload delivery, circumvention of Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette drug efflux transporters, and hyperthermia-induced chemo sensitization. In vitro studies demonstrate the synergistic impact of SGNRT in overcoming MDR, emphasizing its potential for enhanced antitumor efficacy. However, further in vivo investigations are essential to assess the clinical viability of this nanoparticle (NP)-directed approach against advanced multidrug-resistant malignancies. The integration of SGNRT holds promise for advancing precision cancer therapies and addressing the intricate challenges of drug resistance in clinical settings.

Generally, thermal inputs dominate the food processing industry for food preservation. Pulsed electric field (PEF) is one of the most promising nonthermal microorganism-killing techniques. The most important factors in PEF processing are electric field strength and treatment duration. At the laboratory level, encouraging results are reported; however, industrialization raises the cost of the command charging power supply and the high-speed electrical switch. In this review, the results of previous experimental studies on PEFs and proposed future research directions in this field are discussed. There is currently no successful PEF processing system for industrial applications. Those who wish to promote the industrial application of the PEF processing system face a significant barrier in the form of the system's high initial cost of installation. Innovative developments in high-voltage pulse technology will reduce the cost of pulse generation and make PEF processing competitive with thermal processing methods.

Efforts from the scientific community and the private sector are required to lower the costs of large-scale production of nanomaterials (NMs) to enhance their commercialization. In this work, the computer-aided process design of large-scale NM synthesis procedures is comprehensively reviewed. Moreover, a generalized process flow diagram for all large-scale production processes was constructed by surveying numerous scalable experimental procedures reported in the literature. Previous studies reporting simulation cases of large-scale production processes of NMs and nanocomposites (NCs) are also reviewed based on the type of material produced, e.g., oxides, sulfides, carbonaceous materials, organic materials, metals, and other types of NMs. Finally, technical insights from classical chemical engineering specializations, such as altering process configurations, optimizing process variables, integrating chemical processes, utilizing renewable energy sources, conducting computational calculations, employing machine learning techniques, and studying the process's environmental impact, are reviewed for large-scale NMs and NCs synthesis.

The abundance and renewability of lignocellulosic biomass have made it a suitable alternative to fossil fuels in the reduction of global warming. The complex nature of the cellulose–hemicellulose–lignin bonds in the biomass makes it difficult to directly obtain platform chemicals. Pretreatment of the biomass has become a solution to remove lignin and obtain cellulose and or hemicellulose to produce platform chemicals. Platform chemicals such as hydroxymethylfurfural, furfural, and levulinic acid are viable feedstocks for aldol condensation to produce C₈–C₁₅ fuels. This review reports on deep eutectic solvents and microwave-assisted pretreatment as green techniques for the delignification and platform chemicals production. Emphasis is placed on the use of hydrotalcites (HTs) as catalysts in platform chemicals production and aldol condensation for C₈–C₁₅ alkane fuels. Additionally, the hydrogenation of furfural into cyclopentanone and successive conversion into C₁₀ and C₁₅ alkanes with HTs was reviewed.

Electrochemical wastewater treatment technologies are gaining attraction as sustainable alternatives for industrial and municipal wastewater management. This study conducts a comprehensive life cycle assessment to assess the environmental and economic sustainability of electrochemical methods such as electrocoagulation, electrooxidation, and electroreduction. By analyzing key stages, from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal, the review aims to provide insight into their overall sustainability performance. The study also delves into environmental impact categories and utilization of methods used in quantifying the environmental implications. Moreover, a cost structure analysis and cost-effectiveness evaluation offer insights into the economic viability of these technologies. Despite facing challenges like high initial costs and regulatory constraints, electrochemical technologies demonstrate competitive advantages in treatment efficiency and energy savings. Collaborative efforts and supportive policy frameworks are deemed crucial for overcoming barriers and fostering the widespread adoption of electrochemical technologies, thereby advancing sustainable wastewater management practices.

Effective biobased thermally insulating materials are crucial to addressing the escalating concerns surrounding climate change and plastic waste. Numerous experimental biobased foams have demonstrated properties that are either equal to or superior to those of traditional foams employed in the construction sector. The comprehensive review titled “Recent Advances in Biobased Foams and Foam Composites for Construction Applications” by DSouza et al. (DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/cben.202300014) specifically focuses on the fabrication methods, advancements, and future prospects of biobased polyurethanes (BPU), biobased phenol formaldehyde (BPF), and cellulose nanofibers (CNF) foams for application in residential construction. To be a suitable material for construction, a biobased foam must be an excellent thermal insulator (possessing low thermal conductivity), a fire retardant (with high limiting oxygen index) and possess remarkable mechanical properties. The cover image thus depicts forest waste-based foams that meet the design criteria for construction applications. [Credits: Riddhi Gadre for the initial design and InMyWork Studio team for the final design]

Biobased Foams for Construction Applications. Copyright: Glen Cletus DSouza, Harrison Ng, Paul Charpentier, Chunbao Charles Xu