Recently, there have been increasing demand for the application of Pickering emulsions in various industries due to its combined advantage in terms of cost, quality and sustainability. This review ...aims to provide a complete overview of the available methodology for the physical characterization of emulsions that are stabilized by solid particles (known as Pickering emulsion). Current approaches and techniques for the analysis of the formation and properties of the Pickering emulsion were outlined along with the expected results of these methods on the emulsions. Besides, the application of modelling techniques has also been elaborated for the effective characterization of Pickering emulsions. Additionally, approaches to assess the stability of Pickering emulsions against physical deformation such as coalescence and gravitational separation were reviewed. Potential future developments of these characterization techniques were also briefly discussed. This review can act as a guide to researchers to better understand the standard procedures of Pickering emulsion assessment and the advanced methods available to date to study these emulsions, down to the minute details.
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•Latest Pickering emulsion measurement (analytical) methods are reviewed.•Potential of innovative approaches for pickering emulsion characterization are discussed•Mathematical correlations on Pickering emulsions analysis are described.•Challenges and opportunities for future research are addressed.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
We report herein the synthesis of ZnFe
2
O
4
(ZF) nanoparticles via a simple and eco-friendly green route using lemon juice as a reducing agent and fuel. The effect of different calcination ...temperatures on the particle size and bandgap of grown ZF nanoparticles was investigated. The structural, morphological and optical properties of the synthesized nanoparticles were evaluated using synchrotron x-ray diffraction (S-XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis-DRS), respectively. S-XRD confirmed a spinel F-d3m phase in all four samples calcined at 350°C, 550°C, 750°C and 1000°C. The crystallite size calculated from the Debye–Scherrer equation showed an increase from 14 nm to 20 nm with the increase in calcination temperature. Williamson–Hall (W-H) analysis revealed an increase in the particle size from 16 nm to 21 nm and a decrease in the lattice microstrain from 0.913 × 10
−3
to 0.154 × 10
−4
with the increase in calcination temperature. The optical bandgap of the ZF nanoparticles obtained from UV-Vis-DRS decreased from 2.265 eV to 2.225 eV with the increase in calcination temperature. The ZF nanoparticles with tunable particle size, lattice microstrain and optical bandgap have potential application in ferrofluid, electromagnetic shielding, photocatalysis, hyperthermia, dye degradation and other areas.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
The newly refurbished vertical tunnel (V-tunnel) at Delft University of Technology has been redesigned as a state-of-the-art facility for research in aeroacoustics (A-tunnel), as well as fundamental ...studies in laminar-turbulent transition and flow control. This manuscript focuses on the design and refurbishment aspects of the facility, including a description of the main modifications in the supporting structures and the drive system of the fan, with details of the flow conditioning and anechoic performance. A rigorous aeroacoustic and aerodynamic characterization of the facility is also presented, benchmarking the flow quality and acoustic performance of the new wind tunnel with respect to other aeroacoustic facilities across the world.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
This study presents an analysis of the structural and thermoluminescence properties of amazonite, a feldspar species. The characterization was done using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence ...(XRF), optical spectroscopy, and vibrational spectroscopies such as Raman and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR). The sample exhibits a partial (Al, Si) ordenation, and contains an albite phase in addition to microcline. FTIR and Raman indicated the presence of water and OH– vibration modes. Optical absorption measurements highlighted the influence of the hydroxyl groups as catalyst for Pb transitions, contributing to the coloration of amazonite. Thermoluminescence (TL) studies were performed within a dose range from 0.1 to 10 Gy using a built-in beta source (90Sr/90Y; delivering 10 mGy/s), showing seven TL glow peaks based on non-first kinetic order. The sample exhibited a linear dose–response, with TL signals proving to be both repeatable and reproducible (CV ∼ 2%). Fading analysis showed the first two TL peaks disappear after 16 days of dark storage. Thermal quenching behavior was investigated under various heating rates, demonstrating a decrease in luminescence efficiency with increasing heating rates. Additionally, the activation energies were determined using different methods, and the amazonite TL glow curve presented activation energies values within 0.7 to 2 eV.
•Thermoluminescence (TL) of amazonite was studied.•Optical absorption showed the role of water in the color of amazonite.•The TL glow curve of the sample studied is a distribution of energies.•The sample presents thermal quenching for heating rates higher than 0.5 K/s.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Exosomes are a class of extracellular vesicles of around 100 nm in diameter that are secreted by most cells and contain various bioactive molecules reflecting their cellular origin and mediate ...intercellular communication. Studies of these exosomal features in tumor pathogenesis have led to the development of therapeutic and diagnostic approaches using exosomes for cancer therapy. Exosomes have many advantages for conveying therapeutic agents such as small interfering RNAs, microRNAs, membrane‐associated proteins, and chemotherapeutic compounds; thus, they are considered a prime candidate as a delivery tool for cancer treatment. Since exosomes also provide an optimal microenvironment for the effective function of immunomodulatory factors, exosomes harboring bioactive molecules have been bioengineered as cancer immunotherapies that can effectively activate each stage of the cancer immunity cycle to successfully elicit cancer‐specific immunity. This review discusses the advantages of exosomes for treating cancer and the challenges that must be overcome for their successful clinical development.
Exosomes are nano‐sized vesicles secreted by cells that reflect features of parental cells and play critical roles in intercellular communication. Exosomes are suitable for cancer treatment by providing an optimal environment to convey various bioactive molecules. The advantages of using exosomes for cancer treatment, from conventional therapy to immunotherapy, and challenges to be solved for clinical usage are reviewed.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
This review focuses on the in-depth characterization of defect-rich OER electrocatalysts, particularly on the extensive investigation of defect-induced electronic modifications and structural/phase ...transformation before, during, and after the water oxidation process.
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•In-depth characterization of the catalysts with defects throughout the OER process.•Various ex-situ and in-situ/operando characterization techniques.•Effects of defect-rich catalyst on the OER activity and stability.•Post-characterization of defect-rich catalysts to identify the changes.•Current challenges and future research directions of characterization techniques.
Over the past decade, defect-promoted electrochemical activity and stability have become essential concepts to a rational catalyst design. The interest in defect engineering has been increasing drastically in recent years. Defect-induced electronic modifications and surface reconstruction during water oxidation have been at the focal point of attention because they have been suggested to promote the formation of real active species and/or sites responsible for driving the anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Owing to the rapid development of characterization techniques, the in-depth analysis of the dynamic reconstruction of OER catalysts under operating conditions has become possible. The intrinsic changes in catalyst surface structure, composition, and electronic configuration, which ultimately affect the reaction mechanism, are presently probed using modern in-situ and operando microscopy and spectroscopy techniques. Herein, we present a detailed overview of the different ex-situ, in-situ, and operando characterization techniques generally used to provide crucial insights into the structural, morphological, compositional, chemical, and physical properties of catalysts throughout the water oxidation process. We then elaborate on the indispensable effects of defects on the OER catalytic activity and stability by presenting up-to-date survey literature focused on the characterization of defect-rich catalysts. Finally, we draw attention to the urgent challenges of modern characterization techniques and future research directions to produce defect-enriched, stable OER catalysts that would fast-forward the advance to the future hydrogen economy.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Hydrogels, based on polymerized ionic liquids, are increasingly used in the medical and pharmaceutical industry as implants, drug delivery systems, contact lens material, bone substitutes and stent ...coatings. Therefore they need to be biocompatible, flexible and resistant to external stress. In order to meet these requirements, there is a large interest in design, synthesis and characterization of these interesting polymers. In this work, mechanical properties such as gelation kinetics, shear strain resistance, and response to compression and stretching of ten different polymerized ionic liquid-based hydrogels were examined, completing the picture of the rheological behavior of these materials. Interestingly, the investigations of stretching measurements showed a wide range of critical strains leading to failure from 4.8 ± 1.1 to 47.9 ± 15.1%and in compression measurements critical strain from 7.8 ± 3.6 to higher than 59.8 ± 17.3%, as well as a linear viscoelastic range in shear from 14 ± 8 to 267 ± 26%. These results allow improved design with a “choose-the-best-material”-toolbox for medical applications.
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•Large variety of hydrogels based on ionic liquids.•Chemical structure of the monomers influences the gelation time of the hydrogel.•Amplitude sweep measurements.•Counterion of the charged polymer backbone influences the storage modulus.•Compression and tensile tests.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
A data mining approach is presented for probabilistic characterization of maritime traffic and anomaly detection. The approach automatically groups historical traffic data provided by the Automatic ...Identification System in terms of ship types, sizes, final destinations and other characteristics that influence the maritime traffic patterns off the continental coast of Portugal. The approach consists of identifying relevant waypoints along a route where significant changes in the ships’ navigational behaviour are observed, such as changes in heading, using trajectory compression and clustering algorithms. This provides a vector-based representation of the ship routes consisting of straight legs and connecting turning sections that facilitates route probabilistic characterization and anomaly detection. The maritime traffic is characterized probabilistically at the identified route legs and waypoints in terms of lateral distribution of the trajectories and speed profile, which allows the characterization of the typical behaviour of a group of similar ships along a particular route. In the proposed approach heading changes are automatically detected using the Douglas and Peucker algorithm and clustered by the density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise algorithm. The proposed method is applied to the characterization of southbound maritime traffic from the traffic separation scheme off Cape Roca to the ports of Lisbon, Setúbal and Sines. Finally, an example of ship trajectory anomaly detection based on the developed maritime traffic probabilistic models is provided.
•A data mining approach is presented for probabilistic characterization of the maritime traffic off the coast of Portugal.•The approach automatically groups historical traffic data in terms of ship types, sizes, final destinations.•The approach is identifying relevant waypoints where significant changes on the ships' dynamic behaviour are observed.•An example of ship trajectory anomaly detection based on the developed maritime traffic probabilistic models is provided.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
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•Liposomes represent a powerful delivery system for several drugs;•Methods for liposomal production: conventional and novel;•Properties of the liposomal formulation such as its ...characterization, stabilization and limitations.•Therapeutic applications of liposomes, focuses on marketed liposomes.
Liposomes are spherical vesicles consisting of one or more concentric phospholipid bilayers enclosing an aqueous core. Being both nontoxic and biodegradable, liposomes represent a powerful delivery system for several drugs. They have improved the therapeutic efficacy of drugs through stabilizing compounds, overcoming obstacles to cellular and tissue uptake and increasing drug biodistribution to target sites in vivo, while minimizing systemic toxicity. This review offers an overview of liposomes, thought the exploration of their key fundamentals. Initially, the main design aspects to obtain a successful liposomal formulation were addressed, following the techniques for liposome production and drug loading. Before application, liposomes required an extensive characterization to assurance in vitro and in vivo performance. Thus, several properties to characterize liposomes were explored, such as size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, shape, lamellarity, phase behavior, encapsulation efficiency, and in vitro drug release. Topics related with liposomal functionalization and effective targeting strategies were also addressed, as well as stability and some limitations of liposomes. Finally, this review intends to explore the current market liposomes used as a drug delivery system in different therapeutic applications.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
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Polycrystalline alloys are used pervasively across structural applications contingent upon extensive experimental testing. A statistically representative number of tests are necessary ...to expose the variability in the material's performance, as a result of non-uniform microstructures and associated micromechanical fields. In a more direct means of capturing this pertinent information, multi-modal experimental techniques are presented to measure and track the complete micromechanical state, evolving during loading, of each and every grain within the regions of interest. Specifically, a combination of high-energy X-ray diffraction microscopy and digital image correlation coupled with electron backscatter diffraction are conducted on a specimen for each of the alloys, Haynes 282 and Ti7Al. The results of the multi-modal analysis definitively demonstrate that the degree of heterogeneity increases with deformation level and is used to assess the number of grains necessary for a representative volume element description of the stress state for each of these materials. Moreover, higher resolution imaging is used for identification of the slip system activity and subsequently used to study slip transmission events. An accurate knowledge of the resolved shear stress in adjacent grains (grain interactions) is demonstrated to be a key descriptor of the slip transmission events.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
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