Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology最新文献

The treatment of dry eye disease (DED) often requires frequent use of artificial tear products. Because of their low permeability and limited ocular bioavailability, repeated applications are required for therapeutic effectiveness. In contrast to traditional drug delivery systems (DDS), a functional ophthalmic nanoemulsion was specifically designed to alleviate symptoms of DED by leveraging its antioxidant and osmoprotective properties. The study evaluated the optimal concentration of lecithin required to produce nanoemulsions with a uniform particle size and incorporated a co-surfactant to enhance the stability of the nanoformulation. A straightforward method was proposed, involving the dilution of the preformulation in an ophthalmic vehicle, followed by homogenization through ultrasonication, resulting in OphtNE-3.70% with a droplet diameter of 173 nm and a zeta potential of -44.7 mV. The addition of Kolliphor^® HS15 in OphtNE-3.66%(K1%) initially reduced the droplet size to 70.8 nm and enhanced the antioxidant effect. Although the droplet size and polydispersity index increased after more than 60 days, the formulation remained physically quite stable without phase separation. Both nanoformulations contained 2.6% (w/v) linseed oil, providing a bioactive concentration compatible with ocular administration volumes (~50 µL). At a final concentration of 1.30 mg·mL^-1, OphtNE-3.66%(K1%) showed >75% cell viability in L929 cells and ~10% 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) antioxidant effect. These findings support the multifunctional potential (cytocompatibility and antioxidant) of sterile OphtNE-3.66%(K1%) for the treatment of DED, emphasizing the need for in vivo studies to ensure its efficacy and safety for ocular administration.

The anisotropic hygroscopic behavior of pine cone scales and its effect on bending motion, with implications for bioinspired actuation, is investigated. Using gravimetric water uptake measurements, synchrotron radiation-based nano-holotomography, and digital volume correlation analysis, inter- and intra-tissue variations of hygroscopic swelling/shrinkage were observed. In addition, the moisture content of pine cone scale tissues was measured as a function of relative humidity. There were distinct differences between tissues and a pronounced hysteresis between sorption and desorption. Finite element analysis was performed on geometries ranging from simplified bilayer models to complex remodeled scales. Simulation results showed an underestimation of the bending of bilayer geometries due to an overestimated contribution of sclerenchyma fiber stiffness. Geometries with discrete fibers embedded in a brown tissue matrix more accurately reproduced the bending angles observed in experiments. This highlights the importance of the chosen material properties and tissue arrangements for predicting pine cone scale bending in silico. By contributing to a deeper understanding of pine cone scale biomechanics, these results also support the development of bioinspired technical applications. Future studies should refine tissue mechanical properties and integrate high-resolution computed tomography-based geometries to further elucidate the mechanisms underlying hygroscopic actuation. This integrative approach will bridge experimental findings with computational modeling and advance plant biomechanics and biomimetic transfer.

In this work we consider a spin model composed of a single spin and connected to an infinitely coordinated Ising chain. Theoretical models of this type arise from various fields of theoretical physics, such as theory of open systems, quantum control, and quantum computations. In the thermodynamic limit of an infinite chain, we map the chain Hamiltonian to the Hamiltonian of the Lipkin-Meshkov-Glik model, and the system as a whole is described by a generalized Rabi Hamiltonian. Next, the effective Hamiltonian is obtained using the Foulton-Gouterman transformation. In the thermodynamic limit we obtain the spectrum of the whole system and study the properties of the ground-state quantum phase transition.

Ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (APXPS) has emerged as an important technique for investigating surface and interface chemistry under realistic conditions, overcoming the limitations of conventional XPS restricted to ultrahigh vacuum. This review highlights the capabilities and scientific impact of APXPS at the MAX IV Laboratory, the world's first fourth-generation synchrotron light source. With the APXPS beamlines SPECIES and HIPPIE, MAX IV offers state-of-the-art instrumentation for in situ and operando studies across a broad pressure range, enabling research in catalysis, corrosion, energy storage, and thin film growth. The high brilliance and small beam size of MAX IV's synchrotron light are essential for pushing the time-resolution boundaries of APXPS, especially in the soft X-ray regime. We discuss representative studies at MAX IV, including investigations of single-atom catalysts, confined catalysis, time-resolved catalysis, atomic layer deposition, and electrochemical interfaces, showcasing the role of APXPS in advancing material and surface science.

Nanotechnology is revolutionizing pharmaceutical industry and drug development by providing significant advantages in controlling drug release, enhancing stability, and reducing adverse effects. Concurrently, natural products are being extensively researched for their anticancer and immunomodulatory properties. This patent review aims to analyze publications that integrate nanotechnology with natural products to develop cancer treatments and immunotherapies. In this context, 17 patents were identified through the free online databases of the European Patent Office (EPO) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The review discusses various types of nanotechnology, including nanoparticles, nanocarriers, and nanocapsules, as well as bioactive compounds primarily extracted from plants. Among the most frequently identified natural products were ursolic acid, hyaluronic acid, and catechins. These bioactive compounds have been shown to promote cell cycle arrest, reduce tumor size, and exhibit synergistic effects with other anticancer agents. Consequently, the combination of natural products with nanotechnology holds significant therapeutic potential.

Reported accidents involving scorpion poisoning by Tityus serrulatus are the most frequent in Brazil. The only specific treatment for envenomation is the administration of antivenoms associated with traditional adjuvants. Novel adjuvants are studied to reduce or avoid side effects and potentialize the efficacy of conventional serum. In this study, poly(lactic acid) nanoparticles were functionalized with polyethylenimine for loading peptides and proteins of T. serrulatus venom, and their use as a potential immunoadjuvant was evaluated. The protein loading efficiency of about 100% and the polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis assay confirmed the success of venom loading. Dynamic light scattering and zeta potential analysis supported small and narrow-sized cationic functionalized nanoparticles. Atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy images showed nanoparticles with a spherical and smooth shape. The stability of tested formulations was accessed for six weeks, and the sustained release of proteins controlled by diffusion mechanism was also measured. Finally, in vivo immunization in BALB/c mice showed superior efficacy of the T. serrulatus venom protein-loaded nanoparticles compared to the traditional aluminum hydroxide immunoadjuvant. Thus, the formulations shown are promising nanocarriers to be used as a biotechnological approach to immunotherapy against scorpion envenomation.

The increasing prevalence of microplastics (MPs) in aquatic environments has raised significant concerns due to their persistence, potential for bioaccumulation, and adverse effects on human and ecosystem health. Conventional wastewater treatment technologies are largely inadequate for effectively removing MPs, especially those in the nanosize range. This review presents a detail analysis of the sources, pathways, detection methods, and health impact of MPs, while emphasizing the emerging role of nanotechnology in their remediation. Nanomaterials, including nanoadsorbents, photocatalysts, and advanced membrane materials, exhibit unique properties such as high surface area, enhanced reactivity, and tunable surface chemistry, which offer promising avenues for the selective and efficient removal of MPs from water. This paper also explores the mechanism, performance and limitations of various nanoenabled treatment strategies such as adsorption, photocatalysis, and membrane filtration using materials like metal-organic frameworks, carbon-based nanomaterials, MXenes, and metal oxides. It also highlights recent innovations such as microrobotic systems and AI-assisted detection frameworks for MP monitoring. Despite high laboratory scale efficiencies, there are several challenges such as material scalability, environmental safety, regulatory frameworks, and real water applicability. This study proposes future directions for sustainable nanotechnology deployment, including green synthesis, hybrid system integration, and machine learning optimization. Together, these approaches aim to establish a comprehensive, scalable, and environmentally safe solution for the remediation of MPs in wastewater systems.

Biological systems and their structural and functional adaptations provide valuable insights into increasing the longevity of engineered materials. A striking example is the hemiparasitic European mistletoe (Viscum album), which forms a lifelong (over 20 years) connection with its host tree, providing physiological supply and mechanical anchorage. The V-shaped interface between mistletoe and host is characterized by a lignification and cell wall gradient that bridges the mechanical differences between the adjacent tissues. These characteristics of the mistletoe-host interface can be transferred to functionally graded polymeric materials. Using extrusion molding and hot pressing, we developed a material system that combines pure and glass-fiber-reinforced polypropylene and exhibits a continuously graded mistletoe-inspired V-shaped interface. Microtomographic analyses quantified the gradual transition of the glass fiber content along one specimen from 0 to 30%, further revealing the random fiber orientation in the polymer matrix. Tensile tests showed that both Young's modulus (by 38%) and ultimate tensile strength (by 62%) could be increased by introducing V-shaped interfaces. Digital image correlation analysis and the fracture images showed that the positioning of the area with the highest glass fiber content can lead to spatial control over local strain behavior and the failure point. Moreover, this phenomenon was transferred to metamaterial structures where the material gradient counteracts the geometric gradient (beam thickness). The results highlight the effective anchoring method of mistletoe through graded structuring of the interface with the host branch and provide a framework for creating bioinspired functionally graded material systems with programmable local strain and failure behavior.

Increasing the efficiency of quantum processors is possible by moving from two-level qubits to elements with a larger computational base. An example would be a transmon-based superconducting atom, but the new basic elements require new approaches to control. To solve the control problem, we propose the use of nonclassical fields in which the number of photons is comparable to the number of levels in the computational basis. Using theoretical analysis, we have shown that (i) our approach makes it possible to efficiently populate on demand even relatively high energy levels of the qudit starting from the ground state; (ii) by changing the difference between the characteristic frequencies of the superconducting atom and a single field mode, we can choose which level to populate; and (iii) even the highest levels can be effectively populated on a sub-nanosecond time scale. We also propose the quantum circuit design of a real superconducting system in which the predicted rapid control of the transmon-based qudit can be demonstrated.

Vertically aligned TiO₂ nanowires demonstrate exceptional photoactivity owing to their high specific surface area and improved charge separation; however, their unsatisfactory interaction with target contaminants diminishes photocatalytic degradation efficiency in water. Here, we present a mild solution method to precipitate anatase TiO₂ nanowire arrays, measuring 1.5 μm in thickness, over carbon cloth to ensure substantial interactions with target pollutants and, in turn, a superior photoactivity. Compared to TiO₂ nanowire arrays grown on metallic Ti substrates, TiO₂ nanowires supported on carbon cloth substrates demonstrate markedly superior efficiency in the photocatalytic degradation of ofloxacin (OFL) molecules in water when exposed to UV light. The TiO₂ nanowires remove 90-97% OFL in water with a high initial concentration of 50 ppm in 6 h under UV light irradiation for up to six cycles. The contributions of the hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) additive were also studied. An enhanced efficiency could be achieved only when the H₂O₂ in water reaches a critical amount, below which a negative effect is noted. This investigation demonstrates the potential of improving the photoactivity of one-dimensional TiO₂ nanostructures by utilizing a highly adsorptive substrate, which can help mitigate the effects of hazardous materials in water.