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Unprinting of paper can reduce multiple life-cycle stages in the recycling of paper to yield significant environmental impact. Laser-unprinting has been demonstrated for uncoated paper but causes significant damage to coated paper. This work explores a scalable optical (non-laser) process for unprinting coated paper. Printed coated paper is exposed to pulsed broad-spectrum Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) from a xenon lamp and the toner is then removed by dabbing gently with an ethanol wipe. While black toner is easily unprinted, unprinting of colored prints (red, blue, green) is best realized by incorporating an initial overprint of black toner. An unprinting throughput on the order of mm2/s is achieved. Three distinct regimes of unprinting are identified based on the extent of toner removal and damage of the paper. The optical properties of the unprinted paper, characterized via UV–Visible spectrophotometry, are correlated to these regimes to understand the potential for in-situ optical process monitoring. Scanning Electron Micrography and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy are performed to understand the underlying mechanisms that govern the occurrence of the different unprinting regimes. Further, the potential impact of the developed approach on recycling of paper is discussed in the context of the capabilities of current optical unprinting approaches and the potential elimination of life-cycle stages in conventional paper recycling. • Intense Pulsed Light can scalably unprint toner from coated paper with minimal chemical usage. • Our overprinting approach enables colored prints to be removed as well. • Unprinting throughput of mm2/s is achieved. • Three distinct unprinting regimes exist, depending on process parameters and toner types. • Thermal weakening of toner-coating bonds and cracking are the primary governing mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulose is now considered as an appealing environment friendly material for the development of sustainable separators for rechargeable batteries. This study thus aims to develop high performance paper based ceramic separators with superior electrolyte wettability (>170 %), high thermal stability (>200 °C) and excellent flame safety. While developing paper based ceramic separator, extensive studies are carried out to understand thenature and functionality of different nano-structured ceramic materials (Al 2 O 3 , BaTiO 3 and ZrO 2) impregnated in paper matrix. Nano-ZrO 2 facilitates an effective pathway for Li +-ion transport (t Li + = 0.51), whereas BaTiO 3 and Al 2 O 3 ceramics show moderate Li +-ion transport properties (t Li+ of 0.29 and 0.30 respectively). Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) measurement clearly reveals that ZrO 2 exhibits more interfacial compatibility with the electrodes (MCMB and LiNi 1/3 Mn 1/3 Co 1/3 O 2) compared to the other two ceramic separators during full cell operation. The developed paper separators show excellent electrochemical properties in terms of cycling (tested 300 cycles), multi-electrode compatibility and rate capabilities at different current densities of 0.1–1.2 mAcm−2. The pre- and post-electrochemical EIS data reveal that ZrO 2 based impregnation offers significantly lower charge transfer resistance compared to the other two separators. The study thus demonstrates a real promise for its successful application in Li-ion battery towards achieving sustainability and safety. [Display omitted] • Sustainable, flexible and high safety ceramic based paper separators for LIBs. • Separators were developed using easy to scale up wet-coating process. • Ceramic impregnation affects physical and electrochemical properties of the separators. • Paper separators show superior electrolyte wettability and high thermal stability. • Better electrochemical performances and flame safety are other important advantages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The surface properties of melamine-urea-formaldehyde (MUF) impregnated paper decorative panels are unsatisfactory, characterized by brittle surfaces, poor abrasion resistance, and limited flame retardancy. A modification was introduced to the MUF resin by incorporating a blend of polyelectrolyte complex polyethyleneimine (PEI)-phytic acid (PA) and Nano-Al 2 O 3 with the aim of enhancing the surface properties of the decorative panel. The modified resin underwent characterization, and subsequent analyses were conducted to investigate the properties of both the modified impregnated paper and the decorative panel. The results showed that the thermal stability of the modified resin was improved with a curing temperature of 124 °C. In comparison to the control, the modified impregnated paper showed an increase of 146.0 % in tensile strength and 154.5 % in elongation at break. The improved toughness of the modified MUF-impregnated paper resulted in a notable upsurge in both surface bond strength and cracking resistance of the decorative panel. The combustion test results indicated that the modified impregnated had a LOI value of 40.0 % and self-extinguishing behavior. In addition, due to the inclusion of Nano-Al 2 O 3 , the decorative panel exhibited a low abrasion value of only 14.1 mg/100r. Overall, the technology proposed in this study can improve the surface properties of decorative panels, increase their added value, and provide a new strategy for modifying MUF resin in the impregnated paper-decorated wood-based panels industry and for researchers. [Display omitted] • MUF resin was modified using polyelectrolyte complex (PEI-PA) and Nano-Al 2 O 3. • Modified impregnated paper exhibited superior toughness and flame retardancy. • Blockboard with modified impregnated paper showed greatly improved surface properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prussian blue analogues (PBAs) are promising materials due to their rich active sites and straightforward synthesis. However, their limited conductivity and electron transfer inefficiency hinder practical applications. This study utilizes a simple one-pot synthesis approach to produce a tungsten-disulfide (WS 2) and iron-cobalt Prussian blue analogue composite (WS 2 -PBA), enhancing conductivity and electron transfer rate performance. Through the inclusion of sodium citrate into the solution, the S-edge site concentration of WS 2 increases. This augmentation introduces additional active sites and defects into the catalyst, enhancing its catalytic activity. The effectiveness of the WS 2 -PBA 3D-Origami paper device for lactate detection in sweat is also evaluated for biomedical applications. The device demonstrated a robust relationship between the lactate concentration and current intensity (R2 = 0.997), with a detection limit of 1.83 mM. Additionally, this platform has successfully detected lactate in clinical sweat, correlating with the high-performance liquid chromatography test results, suggesting promising prospects for clinical diagnosis. In the future, the excellent catalytic and R ct performance of the WS 2 -PBA will enable its use in biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Nano-modified natural ester- paper cellulose interface can adsorb more H 3 O+. • Acids in paper cellulose is significantly reduced after nano-modification. • Nano-modification enhanced the ageing resistance of natural ester- paper cellulose system. The oil-paper insulation system will be affected by the synergistic effects of moisture and acids during long-term stable operation of the transformer. The moisture in the oil can be combined with the H+ionized from the acid molecules in the form of H 3 O+ by coordination, thus changing the proportion of acid distribution in the insulating oil and paper cellulose. Natural ester insulating oil, as a new development trend to replace mineral oil, can be significantly improved by adding nanoparticles to them. The diffusion behavior of H 3 O+ in paper cellulose and nano-SiO 2 -modified soybean oil-based natural ester insulating oil insulating system has been investigated using molecular dynamics in this article. The results indicate that the incorporation with nanoparticles is effective in mitigating the impact of temperature on the diffusion behavior of H 3 O+ in oil-paper insulation. Compared with the unmodified model, the nano-modified model results in a significant reduction in the concentration distribution of H 3 O+ in paper cellulose. The hydroxyl and ether bonds in paper cellulose will interact with H 3 O+ to generate hydrogen bonds and destroy its original hydrogen bonding network, while nanoparticles can inhibit diffusion by adsorbing H 3 O+ through hydroxyl oxygen atoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A novel MOF-based paper sheet was developed for passive indoor moisture control. • The MOF paper sheet has excellent moisture buffer capacity and mechanical properties. • A numerical model was developed to find the optimal thickness of the MOF paper sheet. • The energy-saving potential of wallpaper made of MOF paper sheet was investigated. Passive indoor moisture control is a meaningful way to reduce HVAC operation and improve building energy efficiency. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been considered one of the most promising sorbent materials for passive indoor moisture control. However, the powder form of MOF is challenging to use in the built environment. Typical shaping methods like pellets, beads, and coating can lead to problems like partial pore blocking, insufficient mechanical stability, amorphization, and low material utilization. Here, we report a new sustainable MOF paper sheet comprising 25% cellulosic fibers and 75% MOF MIL-100(Fe) powder. The porous polymer matrix provides good support and fixation for MOF particles, so it's more applicable in the built environment. The crystalline and pore structure characteristics of the MOF in the membrane are well preserved. Hydro characteristic test results show that MIL-100(Fe) paper sheet has high water vapor uptake, S-shape isotherm, mild regeneration condition, and high MBV. Then, a numerical model was developed to calculate the relation between a material's MBV and its thickness. MIL-100(Fe) paper sheet with the most efficient thickness was applied as wallpaper in a building energy simulation model. The simulation result shows that the MIL-100(Fe) paper sheet is promising for passive indoor moisture control. It can remove about 45%-55% of the latent cooling load in most European climate types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A novel bimetallic nanozyme (COF Fe/CoP-Ph) displayed excellent triple-enzyme mimetic activities. • The multiple enzyme-driven cascade catalysis strategy was proposed. • The colorimetric determination of malathion was achieved without the addition exogenous H 2 O 2. • A smartphone POCT analysis platform with integrated paper chip sensors was developed. Enzyme-induced biological cascade catalysis can achieve selective and efficient transformations of substrates in vivo. Thus, the biomimetic cascade systems have attracted much attention in biological detection on account of their ingenious strategies for signal conduction and amplification. In this study, a porphyrin-based covalent organic framework (COF Fe/CoP-Ph) with bimetal-nitrogen-coordinate centers (M − N 4) were constructed via Schiff base reaction. The synergistic effect of the highly exposed M − N 4 bimetallic active sites and the unique topology overcame the self-limitation of nanozyme, resulting in a significant enhancement of the triple-enzyme mimetic activities of COF Fe/CoP-Ph , namely oxidase (OXD)-, peroxidase (POD)-, and catalase (CAT)-like activities. Simultaneously, a multiple enzyme-driven cascade catalysis strategy for signal amplification was proposed utilizing the OXD- and POD-like mimetic mechanisms of COF Fe/CoP-Ph , enabling the colorimetric determination of malathion without the addition exogenous H 2 O 2. The established colorimetric sensor exhibited an exceptional linear relationship within the range of 1–18 μM and a low detection limit of 11 nM. Subsequently, a portable smartphone platform was developed by integrating paper chip, facilitating successful malathion point-of-care testing (POCT) in real samples. This work not only creates a bimetallic COF nanozyme and establishes an efficient cascade amplification strategy, but also introduces a novel design approach for development of a low-cost and user-friendly POCT method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic-coated paper straws are insufficient to solve the plastic pollution problem because microplastics are formed during their degradation. In this study, upgraded paper straws were prepared by coating with biodegradable sodium alginate/cellulose nanofiber/stearic acid (SA/CNF/STA) on the surface of paper without additional adhesives. The tensile strength of the paper was enhanced synergistically by the coated SA and CNF after cross-linking with Ca2+ ions, reaching a maximum (26.46 MPa) when the mass ratio of SA to CNF was 4:1. The straws were prepared by spirally winding coated paper into tubes. Subsequent STA modification with different concentration (1–40%) improved the water stability of the paper straws. The paper straws exhibited excellent mechanical properties (including 13.45 MPa of flexural strength, 13.30 MPa of compressive strength) and hydrophobicity (103.67° of maximum water contact angle). After 130 days of soil burial, the paper straws were completely degraded. The comprehensive performance of prepared straws exceeds that of commercially available products in the same category, and they are safe and biodegradable. Paper straw in the work is in line with the concept of green and low-carbon development. [Display omitted] • Processing a paper straw based on biomass resource coatings. • SA/CNF hybrid coating synergistically enhanced the tensile strength of the straw. • The STA imparts satisfactory water stability to the straw. • The comprehensive performance of the straw outperforms commercial straw products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A distance-based paper sensor for the detection of DNase I is developed. • The quantitative detection of DNase I is achieved by measuring the watermark on the indicator paper. • This method exhibits the advantages of the aptamer-mediated enzyme cascade reaction, low-cost, and label-free detection. DNase I is proven to be an early predictive molecule for a variety of diseases, which is important for early diagnosis and clinical detection of diseases. Herein, we demonstrate a distance-based paper sensor to detect DNase I via an enzymatic cascade reaction mediated by the thrombin aptamer. In the presence of DNase I, the thrombin is able to clot the plasma normally because the aptamer chain is hydrolyzed by DNase I and cannot bind thrombin properly to inhibit thrombin activity. The concentration of DNase I is negatively correlated with the volume of mobile phase in sample solution, and it can be quantified by measuring the flow distance of water on the pH indicator strip. The distance-based paper sensor has good specificity, and the detection limit is 2 × 10−2 U/mL. In addition, it can be used for DNase I analysis in human serum samples to show its efficacy in the early diagnosis of diseases associated with DNase I activity. Overall, we developed a simple, fast and low-cost DNase I detection method, which has great commercial potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Metalloid nanoparticles (MNPs) of Mg–C and graphene fabricated via laser ablation. • Metalloid Mg–C nanoparticles inkjet printed for paper electronics. • Laser ablation used to alter the size and chemistry of nanoparticles after synthesis. Metalloid nanoparticles (MNPs) possess unique physicochemical properties but are challenging to create through biological or chemical routes. Using Pulsed Laser Ablation in Liquid (PLAL), Mg–C MNPs are fabricated from powders. The produced nanocolloids were ablated after the target was removed to tailor the particle size. MNPs with a mean size 300 nm could be reduced to 60 nm. Alternatively, MNPs with a mean size of 60 nm could be increased to 90 nm. The increase/decrease in size is controlled by the laser processing parameters and showcases the ability of PLAL for real-world applications that require meticulous control of size. The as-fabricated nanocolloids were successfully inkjet printed on paper, achieving a low resistivity of 75 Ω/square after 60 prints, highlighting their potential in printed electronics. To address a historical research gap, this article explored the impact of PLAL processing parameters, including fluence (1–2 J/cm2), pulse width (0.2–0.9 ns), repetition rate (10–20 kHz), and pH, factors often overlooked which is partly limiting applications. The influence of powder vs rod target on the PLAL process was addressed revealing that powders produce better size control and are easier to handle but they produce lower colloid concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing high-performance and low-cost electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) favorably promotes large-scale hydrogen production from water. Here, we design a nanocomposite of Co 9 S 8 -Ni 9 S 8 nanodiscs (CNS) in-situ grown from polypyrrole hollow nanospheres (PHS) on carbon paper (CP) via unipolar pulse electrodeposition (UPED) technique as HER catalyst in alkaline media. The lattice structure along with the interlacing nanodiscs-like morphology of the Co 9 S 8 -Ni 9 S 8 mischcrystal is controllable by UPED method. The optimal CNS/PHS/CP electrode obtained with pulse potential of − 0.80 V exhibits favorable catalytic activity with low overpotential (186 mV at 10 mA cm−2), superior stability performance (for 100 h with no current density decay), and high electrochemically active surface area up to 1925 cm2, which should be attributed to the interlacing Co 9 S 8 -Ni 9 S 8 mischcrystal with rich active sites, the ingenious combination with conductive polymer, and the integrated electron-proton conductive network. This work will provide a new sight to design low-cost bimetallic sulfide-based electrocatalysts for high-performance HER in water splitting. [Display omitted] • In-situ growth of Ni 9 S 8 -Co 9 S 8 is controllable by unipolar pulse electrodeposition. • Precise regulation of mischcrystal lattice works on the morphology optimization. • Escape from binder contributes to high conductivity and HER catalytic activity. • Integrated frame, large ECSA and rich active sites lift HER dynamics and stability. • The CNS-0.80 catalyst exhibits low overpotential and superior long-term stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Cerium – Manganese Catalytic Ceramic Paper very active for soot oxidation. • Spray method showed to be efficient for anchoring catalytic species on fibers. • Experiments at bench scale showed good soot filtration capacities. • Citric Acid addition during impregnation improved catalytic distribution on fibers. Diesel Particulate filters are considered one of the most efficient technologies to reduce particulate matter emitted by diesel engines. In this paper we study the development of catalytic ceramic papers based on Mn-Ce and their applications as soot particle filters in bench scale tests. Ceramic papers were prepared by a dual polyelectrolyte papermaking method and were impregnated with Mn and Ce precursors through a wet-spray procedure using a commercial fogger. Catalytic ceramic papers were tested as catalysts for the combustion of soot, which was obtained both from the burning of diesel fuel and directly from a bench test. In addition, the filtering capacity of catalytic ceramic papers was tested through opacity measurements by placing the ceramic papers in a suitable case at the end of the engine. Mn-Ce based catalysts were active in the soot combustion. The addition of citric acid considerably improved the catalytic performance of all the systems studied. This beneficial effect of citric acid is related to an improvement in the distribution of the catalytic material onto the ceramic fibers, being the mixed equimolar oxide Mn-Ce the most active catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food analysis plays a critical role in assessing human health risks and monitoring food quality and safety. Currently, there is a pressing need for a reliable, portable, and quick recognition element for point-of-care testing (POCT) to better serve the demands of on-site food analysis. Aptamer-modified paper-based analytical devices (Apt-PADs) have excellent characteristics of high portability, high sensitivity, high specificity, and on-site detection, which have been widely used and concerned in the field of food safety. The article reviews the basic components and working principles of Apt-PADs, and introduces their representative applications detecting food hazards. Finally, the advantages, challenges, and future directions of Apt-PADs-based sensing performance are discussed, to provide new directions and insights for researchers to select appropriate Apt-PADs according to specific applications. • The special composition and structure of Apt-PADs are systematically described. • In-depth description of the sensing applications of Apt-PADs and the research progress in recent years. • Intervention strategies of aptamers and paper bases to obtain high sensitivity of Apt-PADs. • Specific outlook on the future direction of Apt-PADs improvements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Fabrication of functionalized polymer nanoparticles via emulsion copolymerization. • Generation of oxazolidine-based polymer nanoparticles (OX-PNPs) through doping. • Optical detection of cyanide by OX-PNPs in deionized water and human blood plasma. • Optical pH sensing based on the absorption or emission spectra of OX-PNPs. • Drawing intelligent fluorescent artworks using acidochromic properties of OX-PNPs. Stimuli-responsive materials play a crucial role in developing sensor technology for rapid colorimetric and fluorometric detection applications. Their ability to undergo changes in response to external stimuli makes them suitable for creating naked-eye sensors, enabling rapid detection of hazardous ions. In this study, our main objective was to synthesize oxazolidine-based polymer nanoparticles (OX-PNPs) that exhibit dual colorimetric and fluorometric responses. These OX-PNPs were developed as sensors specifically for the detection of the cyanide ion (CN–) in solution and human blood plasma. We prepared stable emulsions of polymer nanoparticles by copolymerizing methyl methacrylate and different amounts of acrylamide through emulsion polymerization. The addition of synthesized oxazolidine to the latex samples resulted in the formation of OX-PNPs. After addition of OX-PNPs 1–7 to a solution of CN– in deionized (DI) water, instant chromogenic changes from orange to pink, accompanied by spectral shifts in the UV–Vis and increase in emission intensity spectra was observed. Notably, the detected concentration limit of OX-PNPs for CN– was found to be within the range of 3.67 × 10-9 to 1.66 × 10-8 M, surpassing the recommended guideline value for CN– in drinking water established by the World Health Organization (WHO). Furthermore, we successfully developed paper-based test strips using OX-PNPs for the colorimetric and fluorometric detection of CN– in solution. These paper test strips exhibited rapid and distinct color changes from the original orange to pink upon exposure to CN–. By employing Job's plot method, we confirmed a 1:1 stoichiometry complex formation between OX-PNPs and CN– anions. Additionally, OX-PNPs demonstrated pH-responsive behavior, displaying observable color changes in different pH solutions and on the prepared paper-based sensors across a pH range of 1–14. The pH-sensing ability of OX-PNP 7 paper strips was investigated by FESEM. These unique colorimetric and fluorometric properties make OX-PNPs ideal for applications in ionochromic and acidochromic paper-based sensors, offering immediate and reliable responses. Through this work, for the first time we present a novel application of intelligent pigments, namely oxazolidine-based polymer nanoparticles, for both intelligent artwork creation using a single pigment and as a cyanide detector in human blood plasma. These OX-PNPs hold potential for forensic medicine analysis, providing an effective means of examining cyanide-induced deaths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing pressure on natural resources and the climate has been noted by businesses and governments worldwide, who now face the difficult task of integrating paths of environmental sustainability and economic growth. One promising approach to sustainable development, reducing the pressure on natural resources and solving waste problems is circular economy. From different ways of implementing circular economy, this study focuses on the productization of industrial side streams, which carry a great deal of underutilized potential. In this article, the productization of pulp and paper industry side stream, fiber sludge, for commercial use as a dust-binding agent is studied via a descriptive, in-depth case study. Apart from inconsistent quality, fluctuating supply, cost of storage and logistics, what makes industrial side stream utilization challenging is the lack of knowledge that stakeholders have about side streams and their utilization and the lack of new value chain development for their commercial use. Therefore, it is essential for all parties involved to have a clearer vision of what is being sold for what purposes, through productization. This study found that the productization of side streams follows the same steps as the productization of any other traditional product, and the productized side streams can be added to the company's product portfolio as by-products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon materials with layered structure and high conductivity are promising electrode candidates for dual-ion batteries (DIBs). However, the size mismatch of electrolyte ions and interlayer spacing of carbon materials limits the overall performance of DIBs. Thus, finding an effective strategy to adjust the interlayer spacing of carbon materials is of great importance. Here, we describe an efficient electrochemical strategy combining ion pre-intercalation and gas evolution reaction treatment to expand the interlayer spacing and modify graphene layers of carbon fiber papers. Furthermore, through the theoretical calculation we have demonstrated that the anion adsorption energy is reduced and kinetics is accelerated by the introduction of functional groups on the graphene layer. After the electrochemical modification, the discharge capacity of CFP increases more than 50%, the transfer resistance reduces even more than 40% and the capacity retains 94% after 1000 cycles in an ionic liquid electrolyte. These promising results demonstrate an effective and convenient method to solve the size mismatch issue, and therefore, arouse the potentials of carbon materials and other materials with layered structure for high performance DIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable degrowth offers effective alternative strategies for tackling social and environmental problems such as climate crisis, resource depletion, biodiversity loss, and species hecatomb. However, it plays a marginal role in policy. Moreover, researchers need to operationalise many degrowth proposals in a more sufficient way for the policy. This mainly conceptual-methodological article conceptualises the problem of sustainable degrowth in policy as the problem of knowledge utilisation. How well research papers on the topic adapt to the needs of policy-makers is an important factor influencing this utilisation. This adaptation is under the control of researchers and may be seen as a necessary first step in the introduction of degrowth proposals into policy-making and further implementation. I argue that translating research papers into legislative drafts by researchers can be understood as adaptation of these papers to the policy-makers' needs. This is because the law can be understood as universal basis of public policies and fundamental language to express these policies. The legal system has a systematic, hierarchical, and logical structure while its language tends to be precise, clear, and unambiguous. Legal language may also be salient for many policy-makers. I labelled this way of adaptation as the Translational Legal Approach to Knowledge Utilisation (TLA). It can be applied beyond texts on sustainable degrowth as well. Based on the literature review, I theoretically and conceptually discuss the aforementioned hypotheses by looking at the corresponding criteria of research adaptation with characteristics of law and legal language. I provide the strongest support for the theses that translation of research papers into provisions of legislative drafts can increase readability, comprehensibility, precision, and operationalisation of degrowth research proposals, as well as helps to give them more systemic nature and incorporate policy-makers' context. Future research is needed to create a methodological framework for TLA as well as to empirically verify hypotheses made in this article. • Degrowth plays a marginal role in policies and needs better operationalisation. • The role of degrowth in policy can be seen as a problem of knowledge utilisation. • Law could be a common language between researchers and policy-makers. • Translating research papers into legislative drafts adapts them for policy-makers. • Translating degrowth proposals into legislative drafts supports their utilisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A laser-derived paper-based three electrode system was fabricated. • The electrodes were thoroughly characterized physically and electrochemically. • The multi-functional sensing ability of the fabricated electrodes was demonstrated. • The chemically engineered electrodes offered great reproducibility and reliability. • Real sample assessment included small molecules, free radicals, and macromolecules. The demand for eco-friendly, disposable, and affordable electrochemical sensors stimulates the fabrication of laser-directed paper-based electrodes. This work reports the fabrication of laser-derived patterns on the paper substrate and its multi-functional sensing applications. For this, a computer-aided design (CAD) software-driven computer numerical control (CNC) manufacturing method was developed to engrave a three-electrode design on a paper substrate. The fabricated L aser- D irected e lectrochemical P aper A nalytical D evice (LD-ePAD) was thoroughly characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), contact angle analysis, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and the cyclic voltammetry (CV). After that, we demonstrated the multi-functional sensing ability of the LD-ePADs by detecting diverse model analytes, including small molecules (i.e., lead ions [Pb2+]), free radicals (i.e., peroxide [H 2 O 2 ]), and macromolecules (i.e., Alkaline phosphatase [ALP]). Upon investigation, it exhibits a fair detection limit of 5.19 (±0.21) µM for Pb2+, 48.66 (±0.31) µM for H 2 O 2 , and 0.48 (±0.02) U/L for ALP. The LD-ePADs' outstanding repeatability, stability, abundance of catalytic active sites, remarkable tunability, and potential for nano-bioengineering emphasized their tremendous commercial feasibility. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to use controlled one-step laser direct engraving to fabricate a three-electrode setup on a paper-substrate that can sense three heterogeneous molecules electrochemically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wearable electronic energy storage devices usually require the integration of flexible mechanisms and uncompromising electrochemistry of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Most of the studies in this field have mainly focused on enhancing the electrochemical properties of the material, while the significance of its flexibility and mechanical properties has been relatively ignored. In this study, the 20 wt % carbon fibers (CFs) composite N-doped flexible carbon nanofiber paper (NFCFP) was prepared through a facile PFI refiner and Bauer sieve of pulping and papermaking machinery sieve-assisted methods combined with annealing technology. The NFCFP-700 with high pyridine N content shows good ion transport and storage performance, the specific capacity remained 308 mAh⸱g−1 after 100 cycles at 0.1 C, and even at 1 C, the specific capacity of the electrode material instead increases constantly at 142 mAh⸱g−1. According to density functional theory (DFT) calculations, the coexistence of pyridine N content and defects in carbon materials was found to enhance the adsorption energy (E ad) of lithium, and the N4V2 locally show the most negative electrostatic potential (ESP) distribution, which was more favorable for the adsorption of Li+ being positively charged. This insight from DFT studies combined with experimental data emphasizes the favorable impact of pyridine N content and defects on the lithium adsorption process in carbon materials, also providing valuable information for the design and optimization of materials for lithium storage applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we aimed at transforming naturally superhydrophilic Hanji, a traditional Korean Han paper into its superhydrophobic version. This change is crucial for applications requiring water damage resistance, such as mold growth, abrasion, and degradation. The resulting superhydrophobic Hanji shows potential for diverse applications, including fabricating wallpaper, traditional window covers, and high-end wrapping paper. To achieve this, ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) were deposited on the surface of Hanji via supersonic spraying, resulting in morphological curvatures capable of accommodating nanoscale air pockets. Additionally, supersonic spraying facilitated the robust adhesion of ZnO NPs to the Hanji cellulose fibers. Notably, the hydroxyl groups from both ZnO and Hanji were removed through subsequent annealing, resulting in superhydrophobic ZnO-Hanji. The annealing-induced shrinkage and densification of Hanji enhanced its superhydrophobicity, a property not achieved using regular A4 paper. This substantiated the unique benefits of using Hanji to realize superhydrophobicity. The superhydrophobicity reverted to superhydrophilicity upon exposure to ultra-violet irradiation, initiating reactions of the –OH group from atmospheric moisture with electron–hole pairs on the ZnO surfaces. Consequently, tunable/reversible wettability of ZnO-decorated Hanji was achieved via simple supersonic spraying and annealing, without any chemical modifications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since April 2022, a large number of monkeypox (MPX) cases have emerged across the globe in regions that are known to be totally free of zoonotic reservoir. The High Council for Public Health is a national institute commissioned to provide guidelines to the French Ministry of Health. The objective of these guidelines and recommendations is to inform the public, people at risk of severe MPX infection, infected patients and their families and contacts and healthcare workers in charge of infected patients. A review of the literature from the MEDLINE database was carried out using the single keyword 'monkeypox', including recent and older articles from January 2000 to June 2022. There was no filter for the type of study, except English language. The titles and summaries of all the articles were read by the experts to select articles of interest. The High Council for Public Health brought together specialists with expertise in the field to analyse the scientific literature and international recommendations. Recommendations were classified with clinical practice methodology using four levels (strong recommendation, recommendation, optional recommendation and no recommendation) without grading the level of evidence. To develop and methodologically validate the recommendations, the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation Instrument (AGREE-II)chart was partially used. (a) What are the therapeutic management measures for hospitalized patients with severe forms of MPX infection, and what are the preventive measures to protect healthcare professionals? (b) What are the isolation and prevention measures in the community for patients with mild or moderate severity MPX infection? (c) what are the preventive measures for contacts of an MPX-infected person? (d) Who should be vaccinated? (e) What are the specific prevention measures for children and schools? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional slurry-based electrodes consist of heavy current collectors and electroactive materials with a low weight percentage, which inevitably increase the total weight and cost of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Consequently, the development of low-cost, lightweight, flexible and binder-free electrodes for LIBs is highly desirable but also greatly challenging. In this work, we report the synthesis of small ZnO nanoparticles uniformly embedded in N-doped carbon (NC) nanoplate arrays (NPAs) tightly grown on a N-doped carbon paper (NCP) substrate (ZnO/NC NPAs@NCP) through a facile metal-organic framework-engaged strategy. This electrode design not only avoids the utilisation of insulating polymer binders but also offers other advantages, including large electrode/electrolyte contact areas, abundant electroactive sites, good wettability of the electrolyte, fast electron/ion transport and efficient volume accommodation. Notably, the freestanding ZnO/NC NPAs@NCP electrode displays a high reversible capacity of 610 mA h g−1 (based on the mass of entire electrode) at a current density of 100 mA g−1 for 50 cycles and excellent long-term cycling stability (363 mA h g−1 at 500 mA g−1 for 200 cycles). Furthermore, a full cell employing ZnO/NC NPAs@NCP as the anode and commercial LiFePO 4 as the cathode is constructed, indicating the feasibility for practical application. Moreover, an analysis of the electrode kinetics confirms the favourable lithium-ion storage kinetics within the ZnO/NC NPAs@NCP electrode. The present work could provide a new approach to develop low-cost, lightweight and flexible electrodes for advanced energy storage. N-doped carbon nanoplate arrays (NPAs) embedded with small ZnO nanoparticles tightly grown on N-doped carbon paper (NCP) substrate is designed and exhibits excellent performance as a low-cost, lightweight, flexible and binder-free electrode for lithium-ion batteries. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the rapid development of intelligent technologies in recent years, the digital transformation of the whole industry and society has become increasingly important. Among them, digital twins and artificial intelligence have great potentials in improving industry processes and further enhancing productivity. This paper proposes an Intelligent Digital Twin System (IDTS) based on artificial intelligence and digital twins for the paper industry. The system includes the prediction models for the stirring speed of the dump chest, the water consumption of the deflaker, the supply air pressure of the dryer, and the exhaust air temperature of the dryer. The sensors, 5G network slices, and other equipment collect related data during the papermaking process for generating twin data, and we use the prediction models to analyze the data and monitor important indicators (stirring speeds, water consumptions, supply air pressures, and exhaust air temperatures) for the manufacturing processes, which are used to improve the energy utilization and production efficiency of the paper industry and thus facilitate cost saving. We apply this intelligent digital twin system and its associated prediction models to an actual paper manufacturing factory and show their effectiveness by improving the operational efficiency and saving labor and maintenance costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A rapid and sensitive paper-based colorimetric sensing array for full-content ethanol detection is developed. • The sensing array is fabricated via inkjet-printing diacetylene monomers on A4 paper followed by photopolymerization. • The sensing array displays distinct color difference patterns for diverse ethanol contents. • The sensing array is applicable for discrimination and authentication of ethanol content in real samples. • A smartphone app is develped and integrared with the array that directly enables read-out of the ethanol content in real samples. The accelerated consumption of ethanol in pharmaceutical, food and fuel industries instinctively actuates the development of simple, portable, reliable and inexpensive sensing method for ethanol content monitoring. Herein, a paper-based polydiacetylene (PDA) sensor array is prepared from four diacetylene (DA) monomers modified with imidazole and its derivates. DA inks derived from the four monomers are directly coated on A4 paper via inkjet printing and converted to PDAs by UV irradiation with high stability and uniformity. The printed PDA sensors show solvent induced irreversible color transition upon exposure to organic solvents and water. The diverse colorimetric responses integrally provide unique color change patterns which are capable of distinguishing 11 distinct solvents including ethanol and water. The pattern-based sensing performance further promotes the fabrication of spot-matrix sensor array that could generate distinct color difference maps towards different ethanol contents with multiple sensing elements and a widely dynamic sensing range from 0 to 100%. Combined with RGB value radar map and principal component analysis (PCA), the sensor array also displays excellent ability of differentiating ethanol content from 5 to 100%. With this proposed method, commercial spirit samples with different ethanol contents or gasolines with different amounts of ethanol are readily distinguished and identified through naked eye and PCA score plot. Furthermore, to facilitate usability, a smartphone app is developed and integrated with the PDA sensor array, which directly enables read-out of the ethanol content in real liquor samples with high accuracy. Considering the simplicity, portability and reliability of the proposed sensing system, this study offers a promising method for point-of-use detection of ethanol content that may find broad applications in terms of quality control, food safety inspection and consumer protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allocating environmental impacts within life cycle assessment (LCA) is a recognised methodological problem. Different allocation methods have been developed to fulfil the various goals of LCA studies. At present, there is neither a consensus regarding the method to be used nor a one-fits-all method for dealing with recycling in LCA. The paper discusses some of the main allocation procedures practised in the pulp and paper industry, namely those covered by ISO/TS 14067:2018, GHG Protocol/PAS 2050, and the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF). All in all, the allocation method described in the ISO/TS 14067:2018 standard was considered the most appropriate to account for open-loop recycling of paper products. However, the method neither considers the number of subsequent uses of recycled fibres, nor the recycled fibre age. Yet, both of them are considered especially important in the open-loop recycling of paper products. In order to account for these aspects, the present study proposes an advanced, step-wise approach to handle allocation in LCAs accounting for the open-loop recycling of paper products. The advanced approach is based on the fibre mass flow model used to calculate the mean fibre age and the mean number of uses of paper products within the European context. The approach was validated with the data from the pulp and paper industry, particularly examining the newsprint paper grade with different contents of recycled fibre and fibre age. The paper, however, introduces all the parameters required to perform allocation based on the proposed method for other paper grades. The categpory of global warming potential was considered in the study as an illustrative example. yet the method could be applied to other impact assessment categories. The results calculated using the proposed allocation approach were compared to those obtained with the allocation methods described in the GHG Protocol/PAS 2050 and the PEF. The proposed allocation method can be used to guide further development of available standards and the product category rules, which will contribute to increased harmonisation and consistency of LCA studies in the pulp and paper sector, as well as to the enhanced practical implementation of LCA in industry. • A science based method for open loop recycling in life cycle assessment. • European fiber flow model used for calculation of fiber age and mean number of uses. • For product environmental footprint calculations of paper and board products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paper-based electronics offer a simple and cost-effective means to fabricate flexible devices. Here, we report an efficient pen-on-paper approach to construct metasurfaces on paper with silver units. Further, paper-based metasurfaces are employed to shield the electromagnetic interference which create new opportunities in turning waste paper into a solution for eliminating electromagnetic pollution. Experimental measurements and simulations show that waste paper-based metasurface manufactured in this way exhibits remarkable electromagnetic shielding properties with small thickness (thickness reduced more than 90% compared with that of traditional shielding materials), which makes it an ideal candidate for specific frequency electromagnetic filters. In addition, it can be readily extended to other regions of the electromagnetic spectrum, widened the shielding band by simply scaling the silver units' sizes and utilizing appropriate three-dimensional structures. Having taken performance into consideration, production is also taken into account. Paper-based shields offer both economic and energy benefits when considered on electronic printing, in addition, environment friendly nature and pliability of paper as well as simple fabrication procedure make paper-based metasurfaces promising candidates for the future 'green' electronics. • Shielding frequencies band can be readily extended in three-dimensional configuration of paper-based metasurfaces. • Paper-based metasurfaces exhibit remarkable electromagnetic shielding properties at small thickness. • Paper-based metasurfaces not only solve the electromagnetic pollution, but also effectively utilize the waste paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pulp and paper industry (PPI) is one of the main pillars of the global economy, but its high energy consumption, pollution, and emissions necessitate urgent transformation. Various types of enzymes can play a crucial role in improving pulp performance, reducing energy consumption, as well as decreasing pollution, which benefits a lot to clean and sustainable development. Due to the complex and numerous substrates in the papermaking processes, enzyme cocktails are often more effective single enzymes. In addition, the effect of enzyme cocktails is affected to varying degrees by the complex environment, including the different papermaking process, pH, temperature, residence time, chemical additives and auxiliary technologies. In this review, we provide a brief summary of hydrolases and oxidases frequently applyed in PPI, along with a list of auxiliary enzymes and proteins with potential applications in this field. More attention is given to enzyme cocktails for various processes such as pulping, refining/beating, deinking, bleaching, and stickies control. The factors influencing enzyme efficiency are analyzed and progresses in this area are reviewed. Further, cutting-edge biotechnologies are highlighted to improve the robustness of enzymes, which could expand the market share of enzyme preparations. By and large, studying the mechanisms and influencing factors of enzyme cocktails will facilitate the transition of the PPI to a greener, low-carbon, economical and energy-efficient industry. [Display omitted] • Compared with single enzymes, enzyme cocktails are more suitable for pulp and paper industry applications. • Enzyme cocktails require more special consideration of application environment (pH, temperature, chemical additives). • Development of biotechnology can further improve the robustness of PPI related enzymes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A paper-based assay was developed for real-time, onsite, and dual-signal detection of ATP. • The assay integrated the ATP-responsive ZIF-90 collapse and inhibition effect of ZIF-90 for nanozyme. • The analytical signals combined the distance- and colorimetric- readout. • A paper-based kit was designed to achieve standardized ATP onsite detection. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is an important biological biomarker, but its rapid extracellular decomposition poses challenges for on-site detection. We report a paper-based dual-readout viscosity flow sensor enabling rapid, equipment-free quantification of ATP. The assay integrates molybdenum disulfide nanozymes for signal amplification with zeolitic imidazolate framework-90 (ZIF-90) for selective ATP recognition and nanozyme regulation. In the presence of ATP, the intact chitosanase-encapsulated ZIF-90 structure was disintegrated to release chitosanase and thus hydrolyzed chitosan hydrogel, decreasing the viscosity of chitosan solution. Moreover, elimination of ZIF-90 inhibitory effect reactivated the catalytic activity of MoS 2 nanozyme, resulting in the oxidation of 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) to produce obvious color change. The analytical signals, combining the distance- and colorimetric- readout, were directly displayed on filter paper without further processed. The proposed dual-readout viscosity flow sensor exhibited remarkable sensitivity for ATP detection with detection limits down to 0.038 nM with the distance-readout and 0.057 nM for the colorimetric-readout. Furthermore, we developed an integrated paper kit with a printed scale and color card for standardized on-site analysis without instrumentation. Successful application for ATP quantification in bacterial biofilms and blood samples demonstrates the sensor's strong performance and potential for decentralized testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adding biochar to paper mill biosolids (PB) amendments may affect PB mineralization rate and nitrogen (N) availability. The objective of this 224-day incubation study was to evaluate the effect of amending two PB types varying in carbon (C)/N ratio (PB1, C/N = 24; and PB2, C/N = 13) with three rates (0%, 2%, and 5%) of pine (Pinus strobus L.) biochar produced at 700 °C on the dynamics of total C, total N, mineral N, N mineralization rate, and microbial biomass C (MBC) and N (MBN) in two agricultural soils (Kamouraska clay and St-Antoine sandy-loam). Two reference treatments were also included, namely, mineral fertilization and unamended soil. Total soil C concentration remained stable over the incubation period, whereas a decrease in total soil N was observed in both soils. In comparison with the unamended soil, the application of PB significantly increased total N, NH 4 -N, NO 3 -N, net mineralized N, applied N mineralization rate, and MBC in both soils. In comparison with the application of PB alone, biochar addition increased total C and MBC but decreased NH 4 -N, NO 3 -N, net N mineralization, and applied N mineralization rate in both soils. The co-application of biochar and PB1 resulted in the sequestration of mineral N released, which was more pronounced in the Kamouraska clay soil. The co-application of biochar and PB2 resulted in moderate release of mineral N. This study showed that the co-application of biochar and PB can benefit agricultural soils by improving NO 3 -N retention in agroecosystems while increasing organic matter and promoting microbial biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial fuel cell is a promising technology to harvest energy from wastewater, and effective anode catalysts are essential for its applications. In this study, zero-dimension nitrogen-doped carbon dots, as biocompatible efficient modifiers, were synthesized and decorated onto the carbon paper surface to prepare microbial fuel cell anode. The as-fabricated nitrogen-doped carbon dots decorated carbon paper anode was able to enhance electricity generation and efficient wastewater treatment. It was found that the as-fabricated electrode had a high hydrophilicity, which was favorable for the microbial immobilization. Compared with the carbon paper anode, the biofilm on the as-prepared anode was almost twice of thickness. After introducing nitrogen-doped carbon dots, the extracellular electron transfer process from the microorganisms to the anode was enhanced. The microbial fuel cell with the as-developed anode generated a remarkable power output of 0.32 mW, 1.1 times higher than that of the raw carbon paper anode with same measurement area. Moreover, 16 sRNA pyrosequencing analysis shows that the quantity of Pseudomonas on the electrode increased by ∼40%, which also promoted the electron transfer rate by excreting mediators like phenazines or phenazine derivatives. This work developed a new approach to design microbial fuel cell anode material and fabricate a high-efficiency and environmentally friendly anode for electricity generation from wastewater. Image 100697 • Notable power output was obtained from MFC with N-doped CDs@carbon paper electrode. • The carbon paper electrode was highly hydrophilic by decorating with N-doped CDs. • The EET efficiency was enhanced by modifying the electrode with N-doped CDs. • The relative abundance of Pseudomonas was enhanced with N-doped CDs' decoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental remediation of toxic organic pollutants on catalytic reduction has gained much attention. The discharge of untreated effluents into the aquatic environment leads to an unwanted change in ecological balance. Recently, effluents of organic dyes and nitroarenes have been identified as a new threat because the unwanted dyes and nitro compounds are toxic to fauna, flora, and humans. Effective and selective removal of organic dye from water systems is a pressing global issue for both drinking water and wastewater purification. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using Duranta erecta leaves' extract as a reducing agent. Silver nanocomposites were prepared supported by cellulose acetate filter paper (Ag@CAF) and titanium dioxide (Ag@TiO 2) via facile biological route. Microscopic properties of the prepared Ag@CAF and Ag@TiO 2 were examined using various spectroscopic techniques such as EDX, XRD and FE-SEM. To check the applicability of synthesized catalysts toward wastewater decontamination, reduction of six models, organic pollutants were investigated such as 4-nitrophenol (4-NP), 2-nitrophenol (2-NP), 2-nitroaniline (2-NA), trinitrophenols (TNP) as well as rhodamine B (RhB) and methyl orange (MO) dyes. The CAF and TiO 2 based Ag nanocatalysts showed multifunctional properties, like outstanding catalytic activity, easy recovery as well as high stability. In addition to being eco-friendly and renewable, the rough and porous structure of CAF and TiO 2 provided surface area for the silver nanoparticles. The dense metal nanoparticles provide possible catalytic sites for the subsequent reduction of organic molecules. In the present paper, Ag@CAF and Ag@TiO 2 demonstrate cheaper, ecofriendly, highly effective, recoverable, stable and universally applicable and advocated that the prepared catalysts would be highly useful in the treatment of wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recycling of industrial wastewater meeting quality standards for agricultural and industrial demands is a viable option. In this study, paper and pulp industrial wastewater were treated with three biological treatments viz. aerobic, anaerobic and sequential (i.e. 20 days of anaerobic followed by 20 days of aerobic cycle), associated with simulation modeling by Mamdani Fuzzy Logic (MFL) model of some selected parameters. Electric air diffuser and minimal salt medium in sealed plastic bottles at control temperature were used for aerobic and anaerobic treatments, respectively. The significant reduction in chemical (COD: 81%) and biological oxygen demand (BOD: 71%), total suspended (TSS: 65%), dissolved solids (TDS: 60%) and turbidity (68%) was recorded during sequential treatment. The treated water was irrigated to determine its phytotoxic effects on seed germination, vigor and seedling growth of mustard (Brassica campestris). Sequential treatment greatly reduced phytotoxicity of wastewater and showed the highest germination percentage (90%) compared to aerobic (60%), anaerobic (70%) treatments and untreated wastewater (30%). Regression analysis also endorsed these findings (R2 = 0.76–0.95 between seed germination, seedling growth and vigor). MFL technique was adopted to simulate sequential treatment process. The results support higher performance of MFL model to predict TDS, TSS, COD, and BOD based on the physico-chemical water quality parameters of raw wastewater, time of treatment and treatment type variation. Based on these findings, we conclude that the sequential treatment could be a more effective strategy for treatment of pulp and paper industrial wastewater with efficiency to be used for agricultural industry without toxic effects. Image 10 • Pulp and paper wastewater was subjected to aerobic, anaerobic and sequential treatment. • Sequential treatment significantly reduced COD, BOD, TSS, TDS and turbidity. • Mamdani Fuzzy Logic technique was adopted to simulate sequential treatment process. • Sequentially treated wastewater improved seed germination, seedling growth and vigor index. • Sequential treatment is more efficient as compared to sole aerobic and anaerobic treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The landfilling of paper mill sludge (PMS) has been restricted or even banned in many countries due to the raised concern about greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and contamination of the soil and water, calling for a sustainable PMS management approach. The potential valorization of PMS to nanomaterials combined with traditional biorefinery was examined in this work. Three types of PMS-derived cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) were prepared and evaluated: enzymatically assisted CNF (AU: with in-house produced enzyme and CT: with commercial enzyme), mechanically pretreated CNF (BT), and chemically pretreated CNF by TEMPO oxidation (TEMPO). It was found that enzyme-assisted mechanical fibrillation-derived CNFs had a comparable average diameter (27.9 nm for AU and 22.7 nm for CT) with that produced from mechanical pretreatment (26.5 nm for BT) and TEMPO oxidation pretreatment (20.0 nm for TEMPO), and they showed the best drainage properties among the three types of CNF. The CNFs resulting from enzymatic pretreatment reduced 15% of energy consumption compared to the mechanical method and had better thermostability than TEMPO oxidation method. In addition, the on-site produced enzyme showed similar performance to the commercial enzymes towards the CNF properties. These findings provide new insights into a promising integrated strategy in engineering CNF from PMS with on-site enzyme production as a novel and sustainable approach for PMS management and valorization. [Display omitted] • A novel and integrated biorefinery strategy was developed for enzyme hydrolysis-assisted CNF fabrication. • The in-house enzyme was comparable to the commercial enzyme in CNF preparation. • The CNF prepared by enzyme was compared with that using mechanical and chemical pretreatment. • The enzyme-hydrolysis-assisted CNF had the best drainage property. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-performance carbon fiber paper (CFP) is usually an important part of the fuel cell gas diffusion layer (GDL). However, the preparation of CFP for GDL is still a challenge due to its arduous preparation process. Here, inspired by the structure of bird's nest in nature, we present the original design of PPS spherical sites welding three-dimensional (3D) carbon fiber network to produce high-performance CFP by facile wet papermaking and heat treatment. With a 3D CF network as the skeleton and PPS spherical sites as the welding points, CFs/PPS composite paper exhibits good mechanical strength and outstanding flexibility. Meanwhile, the excellent conductivity (6.8 S/cm) is integrated with super-hydrophobic performance, electrothermal performance (T max = 365 °C), heat resistance (DTG max >575 °C), and corrosion resistance, becoming a high-performance multifunctional CFP. The mythical combination of these properties makes CFs/PPS composite paper an ideal candidate in the field of fuel cell GDL. In addition, the evolution of chemical structure of CF/PPS during carbonization is emphasized, which is of great significance for the properties of composite paper. This work presents a leap forward in the preparation of multi-property high-performance CFP in a simple method and is a key step toward exploring how the structural changes of CFs/PPS composite paper can be understood during carbonization. [Display omitted] • Inspired by the structure of bird's nest in nature. • High-performance carbon paper prepared without graphitization. • The fabulous multi-performance combination makes composite paper an ideal candidate for the fuel cell gas diffusion layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an overview of pulp and paper mills (PPM) production processes, the resulting release of wastewater effluent loaded with wide range of pollutants and associated environmental impacts. The review highlighted the different types of functional materials and their modified forms employed as coagulants for pulp and paper mills industries effluent (PPME) treatment that have been intensively studied as a promising strategy for PPM to achieve cleaner and sustainable treatments in accordance with sustainable development goals (SDGs) "6-Clean water and sanitation", "9-Industry, innovation, and infrastructure", and "12-Responsible consumption and production". Standalone coagulation treatment processes are inherently ineffective towards meeting the increasingly stringent discharge requirements, coupled with their higher energy demand, and increased operational and maintenance costs. Owing to the recalcitrant nature of PPME contaminants, this review explored the effectiveness of the coagulation processes for decontamination of PPME. Furthermore, the review provides a state-of-the-art coagulation-based hybrid systems employed for enhanced PPME treatment. The process limitations, influencing factors and optimization techniques are highlighted. The review also highlights how sustained research in the subject area impacts on achieving cleaner production. The review also discusses coagulant classifications and the synergistic, antagonistic and shock load toxic effects of hybrid coagulants on toxicant biodegradation and their associated system efficiency. Moreover, it offers a guide for the development and application of sustainable hybrid-based coagulants for PPME treatment. The findings presented herein provide a vital theoretical foundation for sustainable solutions to improve coagulation-based hybrid systems efficiency and their scale-up towards potential commercialization. [Display omitted] • Pulp and paper mills produce effluents containing diverse and emerging contaminants. • Different materials and their modified forms are used as coagulants for PPME treatment. • The synergistic and shock load toxic effects of hybrid-based coagulants could be identified. • Hybrid systems are highly efficient techniques for PPME treatment. • The review highlights process weaknesses, influencing factors and optimization techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high demand for flexible electroconductive elements, such as organic coatings, is associated with the development of IoT devices, wearable health monitoring devices, and similar devices. To meet cost and environmental standards, the ideal coating should use the richness of nature, be biodegradable, and be water soluble to avoid the use of harmful organic solvents. All of these criteria are met by the composite coating consisting of sodium lignosulfonate (SLS) and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Furthermore, the SLS/CNT coating on paper substrates is highly electroconductive, hydrophobic, and resistant to annealing, high humidity, bending, and scratching. The electrical conductivity of the SLS/CNT coating varies depending on the substrate used, but it is highly conductive and resistant on all substrates tested. Most importantly, due to the use of abundant and mass produced and cheap materials, the price of a coating containing 77 wt% SLS and 23 wt% CNT, with a sheet resistance of 113 Ω/sq is estimated to be around 2.05 EUR/m2. This coating can be especially beneficial for large-scale applications, such as heating films. [Display omitted] • SLS is an affordable and readily available stabilizer for CNT dispersion in water. • SLS/CNT creates a highly conductive coating on cellulose substrates. • The SLS/CNT coating on paper has potential applications as cost-effective sensors or heaters. • The conductivity of the coating is influenced by the properties of the substrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laboratory-based nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) are highly sensitive and specific, but they require the transportation of samples to centralized testing facilities and have long turnaround times. During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, substantial advancement has been achieved with the development of paper-based point-of-care (POC) NAATs, offering features such as low cost, being easy to use, and providing rapid sample-to-answer times. Although most of the POC NAATs innovations are towards clinical settings, we have developed a portable, paper-based loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) testing platform for on-farm applications, capable of detecting Bacteroidales as a fecal contamination biomarker. Our integrated platform includes a drop generator, a heating and imaging unit, and paper-based biosensors, providing sensitive results (limit of detection 3 copies of Bacteroidales per cm2) within an hour of sample collection. We evaluated this integrated platform on a commercial lettuce farm with a concordance of 100% when compared to lab-based tests. Our integrated paper-based LAMP testing platform holds great promise as a reliable and convenient tool for on-site NAATs. We expect that this innovation will encourage the fresh produce industry to adopt NAATs as a complementary tool for decision-making in growing and harvesting. We also hope that our work can stimulate further research in the development of on-farm diagnostic tools for other agricultural applications, leading to improved food safety and technology innovation. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the development and initial validation of a paper-based nucleic acid testing platform that integrates Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) with clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) technology, referred to as PLACID (Paper-based LAMP-CRISPR Integrated Diagnostics). LAMP eliminates the need for thermal cycling, resulting in simplified instrumentation, and the CRISPR-associated protein (Cas 12a) system eliminates false positive signals from LAMP products, resulting in highly selective and sensitive assays. We optimized the assay to perform both amplification and detection entirely on paper, eliminating the need for complex fluid handling steps and lateral flow assay transfers. Additionally, we engineered a smartphone-operated system that includes a low-powered, non-contact IR heating chamber to actuate paper-based LAMP and CRISPR reactions and enable the detection of fluorescent signals from the paper. The platform demonstrates high specificity and sensitivity in detecting nucleic acid targets with a limit of detection of 50 copies/μL. We integrate an equipment-free sample preparation separation technology designed to streamline the preparation of crude samples prior to nucleic acid testing. The practical utility of our platform is demonstrated by the successful detection of spiked SARS-CoV-2 RNA fragments in saliva, E. Coli in soil, and pathogenic E. Coli in clinically fecal samples of infected patients. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the paper-based LAMP CRISPR chips employed in our assays possess a shelf life of several weeks, establishing them as viable candidates for on-site diagnostics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Triangular silver nanoprism (AgNPrs) was synthesized using novel hydrothermal protocol. • AgNPrs was used for the identification of dopamine in human biofluids using colorimetric and spectrophotometric assay. • A novel photochemical one-drop microarray was proposed for the low-cost sensing of dopamine. Trace-level detection of Dopamine (DA) in human body fluids is crucial for diagnosing neurological disorders, understanding mental health, and advancing drug discovery, but found challenging with rapid and low-cost detection technologies. Herein, an innovative paper-based photochemical method has been developed for the detection of DA using triangular silver nanoprism (AgNPrs), as an optical nanoprobe, in human blood plasma and urine samples. The redox reaction between DA and AgNPrs was evaluated through a color change at two pHs (5.35and 6.14), which can be analyzed by UV–Vis spectrophotometry and microfluidic paper-based colorimetric device (µ PCD) with low limit of quantification of 0.01 µM. This study presents pioneering work with the potential to inspire the development of simple and effective on-site semi quantifying recognition devices for other neurotransmitters, requiring only a lightweight piece of paper and a single drop of the necessary reagent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-performance aramid papers are ideal insulating materials in the electric industry, due to their superior mechanical strength and insulation capabilities. However, when subjected to prolonged high-voltage and high-power operations, these papers are prone to electrical damage, such as breakdown or corona aging. Unfortunately, most damaged aramid papers are viewed as mere waste, discarded through landfill or other unsustainable disposal methods. It is not only contrary to circular economy principles but also poses a significant environmental threat due to the potential for pollution. Herein, a closed-loop recycling strategy is proposed that efficiently and effectively reclaims electrically damaged meta-aramid papers. Using the DMAc/LiCl deprotonation system, waste aramid papers are completely decomposed into molecular chains, exposing carbon residues resulting from electrical breakdown. These carbon residues are removed through a step-by-step purification process. A reprotonation treatment is then applied to regenerate new meta-aramid papers by reforming the intermolecular hydrogen bonds. This approach not only fully restores the original honeycomb-like structure but also ensures the crystallization and hydrogen bond content, maintaining both electrical and mechanical properties at above 90 % of their original values. Notably, our recycling method is also compatible with aramid-based composites, achieving exceptional recycling efficiency. [Display omitted] • Electrically damaged meta-aramid paper can be recycled in a closed loop. • The DMAc/LiCl system completely dissolves waste aramid into PMIA molecular chains. • Carbon residues induced by electrical breakdown can be removed by purification. • The synergistic conservation of electrical and mechanical properties exceeds 90 %. • Closed loop recycling strategy is also viable for inorganic-aramid composite paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paper-based self-pumping microfluidic fuel cells (PMFCs) typically exploit the wicking effects in porous papers to enable passive reactant delivery and co-laminar flow, eliminating micro pumps and physical membranes. PMFCs have been regarded as promising micro-power sources for next-generation paper-based electrochemical microfluidic assays for biomedical applications. However, the PMFC performance is fundamentally limited by the low capillary flow velocity and ineffective diffusive fuel transport. In this study, a novel PMFC with an anodic wedge-shaped channel is developed. The anodic wedge-shaped channel enables reactant convection at improved fuel flow velocity. Visualization experiments suggest that the fuel flow velocity can be improved by about 23 times in this anodic wedge-shaped channel configuration as compared to that in conventional single-layer paper-based flow channel. In addition, favorable features like localized enhancement of fuel transport and reduced fuel crossover are also observed in this novel configuration. Due to enhanced convective-diffusive fuel transport, the cell performance can be improved 245.8 % as compared to the single-layer case. The peak power density reaches 59.9 mW cm−2 and the limiting current density achieves 305.9 mA cm−2, outperforming most of the previous PMFCs. This anodic wedge-shaped channel configuration can also be potentially used in paper-based assays to enhance reactant delivery. • Wedge-shaped channel is formed by inserting anode between two-layer flow channel. • The anodic wedge-shaped channel can significantly increase fuel flow velocity. • The anodic wedge-shaped channel also helps to reduce fuel crossover. • Anodic fuel transport is enhanced by convection and diffusion. • The peak power density is increased 245.8 % by using wedge-shaped channel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of an advanced analytical platform with regard to SARS-CoV-2 is crucial for public health. Herein, we present a machine learning platform based on paper-assisted ratiometric fluorescent sensors for highly sensitive detection of the SARS-CoV-2 RdRp gene. The assay involves target-induced rolling circle amplification to generate magnetic DNAzyme, which is then detectable using the paper-assisted ratiometric fluorescent sensor. This sensor detects the SARS-CoV-2 RdRp gene with a visible-fluorescence color response. Moreover, leveraging different fluorescence responses, the ResNet algorithm of machine learning assists in accurately identifying fluorescence images and differentiating the concentration of the SARS-CoV-2 RdRp gene with over 99% recognition accuracy. The machine learning platform exhibits exceptional sensitivity and color responsiveness, achieving a limit of detection of 30 fM for the SARS-CoV-2 RdRp gene. The integration of intelligent artificial vision with the paper-assisted ratiometric fluorescent sensor presents a novel approach for the on-site detection of COVID-19 and holds potential for broader use in disease diagnostics in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The large use and emission of p -nitrophenol (p-NP) seriously pollute the environment and endanger human health. In this work, a hydrazone-linked fluorescent covalent organic framework (BATHz-COF) was simply synthesized at room temperature and covalently linked N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NALC) via the "thiol-ene" click reaction, where carboxyl groups were introduced to improve dispersion and fluorescence intensity. As a rapid, good selectivity and reusability fluorescence sensor, the obtained COF-NALC has been used for quantitative analysis of p-NP predicated on the internal filtering effect (IFE). Under optimal conditions, COF-NALC enabled quantitative detection of p-NP with a linear range of 5–50 μM and the detection limit was 1.46 μM. The application of COF-NALC to the detection of p-NP in river water samples was successful, and the satisfactory recoveries were 98.0%–109.3%. Furthermore, the fluorescent COF paper chips constructed by in situ growth were combined with a smartphone to build a visual platform for the quick and real-time detection of p-NP, providing an excellent illustration for the development of intelligent fluorescence sensing in environmental analysis. [Display omitted] • Covalent Organic Frameworks are modified with N-acetyl- l -cysteine to improve dispersion and fluorescence performance. • The obtained hydrophilic framework is highly selective for the detection of p -nitrophenol. • Paper-based sensors with in-situ immobilization of frameworks are prepared for visual analysis of p -nitrophenol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Time-resolved multicolor dynamic anti-counterfeiting was achieved by exploiting the stimuli-response properties and lifetimes differences between NOCQDs and NCQDs, realizing the 5D information encryption in all five stimulus-, pattern-, time-, and color-dependent codes. [Display omitted] • Through precise regulation, two kinds of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) were prepared. • The color of afterglow is dependent on excitation wavelength. • Information encryption and dynamic identification were realized in 5D mode. Multi-stimuli responsive multicolored room-temperature phosphorescent (RTP) carbon quantum dots (CQDs) have recently attracted considerable attention, owing to their potential applications in advanced dynamic anti-counterfeiting. The design and development of carbon dots that exhibit both stimulus response characteristics and multicolor RTP emission remains a significant challenge in the field. In this work, we present a novel approach to control the dynamic phosphorescence color and stimulus response properties of CQDs coated on paper by fine-tuning the surface functional groups of the CQDs. Specifically, histidine and 2,4,6-triaminopyrimidine was separately used to prepare N, O co-doped CQDs (NOCQDs) and N-doped CQDs (NCQDs), respectively. These CQDs were further coated on filter paper substrates to achieve water and heating cascade stimulus–response RTP. These stimuli-responsive properties of NOCQDs can be modulated by deprotonating their surface oxygen-containing groups. Eventually, we achieved time-resolved multicolor dynamic anti-counterfeiting by exploiting the stimuli-response properties and lifetimes differences between NOCQDs and NCQDs, realizing the 5D information encryption in all five stimulus-, pattern-, time-, and color-dependent codes. These findings highlight the potential of NOCQDs as advanced anti-counterfeiting materials and lay a foundation for further exploration into the synthesis and properties of CQDs with tunable stimuli-response features and RTP emission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ChatGPT could allow students to plagiarize the content of their coursework with little risk of detection. Little is known about undergraduate willingness to use AI tools. In this study, psychology undergraduates (N = 160) from the United Kingdom, indicated their willingness to use, and history of using, ChatGPT to write university assignments. Almost a third (32%) indicated that they would use such tools; 15% indicated that they had used them already. Neither personality (conscientiousness, agreeableness, Machiavellianism, narcissism), academic performance, nor study skills self-efficacy could predict future use of AI tools. A novel Degree Apathy Scale was the only significant predictor. Willingness to use AI tools was greater when the risk of getting caught was low, and punishment was light, particularly for those high in degree apathy. Findings suggest that degree apathy is a key risk factor in academic misconduct. Wider research and pedagogical applications of degree apathy are discussed. • Thirty-two percent of students surveyed reported that they would use ChatGPT on future academic assignments. • Future use of AI tools was significantly predicted by a new Degree Apathy Scale. • Big Five and Dark Triad scores were not significant predictors, nor was previous academic performance. • Likelihood of cheating using ChatGPT was reduced with increasing risk of detection or severity of punishment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This response mainly deals with the scientific description of the comments on the structure of the published compound (Bi 1/2 K 1/2)(Fe 1/2 W 1/2)O 3. The newly designed (Bi 1/2 K 1/2)(Fe 1/2 W 1/2)O 3 compound was prepared using the solid-state reaction method. The ingredients were taken to satisfy the required stoichiometry/chemical composition to form a single-phase compound. The lattice parameters and structure is strongly affected by K and W doped elements. The structural analysis is supported by the results of other experimental techniques (dielectric study, Raman characterization, Hysteresis loop, etc.). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early detection of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is critical due to a lack of effective treatment for toxoplasmosis.This study established a simple, cost-effective, and rapid colorimetric detection method for T. gondii. The entire testing process, from sample collection to results, takes only 0.5 h. These characteristics fulfill the demands of researchers seeking rapid target detection with minimal equipment reliance. For genomic extraction, this study evaluated the ability of two filter papers to capture genomes. A rapid genomic extraction device combined with the two filter papers was designed to simplify the genomic extraction process, which was completed within 10 min and increased the detection sensitivity tenfold. The method utilized a simplified primer design for isothermal amplification, namely allosteric strand displacement (ASD), and employed an underutilized commercial color indicator, Bromothymol Blue (BTB), for signal output. Compared with other reported indicators, BTB exhibited a more pronounced color change, shifting from blue to yellow in positive samples, facilitating easier visual differentiation. The reaction was completed in 20 min with a limit of detection (LOD) as low as 0.014 T. gondii per microliter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This comprehensive review explores recent advancements in the manufacturing of cellulose nanofiber (CNF)-based cellulose nanopaper (CNP). The analysis delves into customizing CNPs through nanofiber manufacturing, mechanical refining, and chemical treatments. The report underscores the growing interest in CNPs derived from CNF due to their exceptional properties and eco-friendly attributes. CNP strength significantly enhanced through mechanical refining encompassing cellulose nanofibrillation were breaking down of cellulose into nanofibers takes place. Conversely, dense CNF network formed through filtration and casting method. Chemical treatments such as dispersion, functionalization, and coating methods followed by drying and consolidation introduce custom functionalities for diverse applications. These applications span packaging, electronics, energy harvesting, EMI shielding, optoelectronics, nanogenerators, transparent conducting films, water treatment, bioelectronics, and neuromorphic computing. The study conducts an in-depth investigation to assess CNP's effects on promoting sustainability and minimizing environmental waste, making a significant contribution to the circular economy. This investigation underscores the pursuit of innovation and aligns with the principles of progressing toward a more environmentally sustainable future. [Display omitted] • Explores CNF production, refining and chemical treatments for CNP customization. • Remarkable properties of CNP draw academic and industrial interest. • CNP applied in packaging, electronics, energy, and environmental science. • Investigates role of CNP in circular economy. • Emphasizes CNPs as eco-friendly, fostering innovation and sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The basic structural characteristics of chloroplast genomes of Gnaphalieae were analyzed and compared. • The chloroplast genome size is much reduced for the FLAG clade, but relatively expanded for the others. • Insertion-deletion in intergenic regions are attributed to be the main factor to genome size variances in Gnaphalieae. Chloroplast genomes, as an essential source of phylogenetic information, are increasingly utilized in the evolutionary study of angiosperms. Gnaphalieae is a medium-sized tribe of the sunflower family of Asteraceae, with about 2,100 species in 178 genera distributed in temperate habitats worldwide. There has been considerable progress in our understanding of their phylogenetic evolution using both nuclear and chloroplast sequences, but no focus on chloroplast genomic data. In this study, we performed sequencing, assembly, and annotation of 16 representative chloroplast genomes from all the major lineages of Gnaphalieae. Our results showed that the plastomes exhibited a typical circular tetrad structure with similar genomic structure gene content. But there were differences in genome size, SSRs, and codon usage within the tribe. Phylogenetic analysis revealed Relhania clade is the earliest diverged lineages with the Lasiopogon clade and the Gnaphalium s.s. clade diverged subsequently. The core group includes FLAG clade sister to the HAP and Australasian group. Compared with the outgroup species, chloroplast genome size of the FLAG clade is much reduced whereas those of Australasian, HAP, Gnaphalium s.s., Lasiopogon and Relhania clades are relatively expanded. Insertions and deletions in the intergenic regions associated with repetitive sequence variations are supposed to be the main factor leading to length variations in the chloroplast genomes of Gnaphalieae. The comparative analyses of chloroplast genomes would provide useful implications into understanding the taxonomic and evolutionary history of Gnaphalieae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]