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Today, the use of alternative fuels that have plant origin has attracted the attention of most countries because these fuels emit less pollution. In this research, bioethanol production has been evaluated considering solar energy sources. In the present study, the possibility of developing net-zero energy concepts in a bioethanol production plant as one of the most consumed energy industries in the field of bio-systems of the country from a technical and economic perspective was investigated. The purpose of this research is to model the bioethanol production plant with the aim of achieving zero net energy using a photovoltaic system. In addition, technical and economic analyses have been used in different approaches for a more detailed investigation. According to the modeling done, in the zero net energy approach, the results showed that the maximum production of electrical energy by the photovoltaic cell is 76.6 GWh/y. For this approach, the return on investment is 10.7 years. The area required to install photovoltaic modules in this approach is very large and equal to 88 334 m2.

MXene is a rapidly emerging group of two-dimensional (2D) multifunctional nanomaterials, drawing huge attention from researchers of a broad scientific field. Reporting the synthesis of MXene was the following breakthrough in 2D materials following the discovery of graphene. MXene is considered the most recent developments of materials, including transition metal carbonitrides, nitrides, and carbides synthesized by etching or mechanical-based exfoliation of selective MAX phases. MXene has a plethora of prodigious properties such as unique interlayer spacing, high ion and electron transport, large surface area, excellent thermal and electrical conductivity, exceptional volumetric capacitance, thermal shock, and oxidation resistance, easily machinable and inherently hydrophilic, and biocompatibility. Owing to the abundance of tailorable surface function groups, these properties can be further enhanced by surface functionalization with covalent and non-covalent modifications via numerous surface functionalization methods. Therefore, MXene finds their way to a plethora of applications in numerous fields including catalysis, membrane separation, energy storage, sensing, and biomedicine. Here, the focus is on reviewing the structure, synthesis techniques, and functionalization methods of MXene. Furthermore, MXene-based detection platforms in different sensing applications are survived. Great attention is given to reviewing the applications of MXene in the detection of biomolecules, pathogenic bacteria and viruses, cancer biomarkers food contaminants and mycotoxins, and hazardous pollutants. Lastly, the future perspective of MXene-based biosensors as a next-generation diagnostics tool is discussed. Crucial visions are introduced for materials science and sensing communities to better route while investigating the potential of MXene for creating innovative detection mechanisms.

A novel polyazo dye (SDMAPD3BS) was synthesized and its application as a universal acid–base indicator was investigated. This molecule can be used as a universal indicator for all types of acid–base reactions.

In this work, a robust and reliable electrochemical sensor was developed for sensitive detection of non-electroactive melamine (MEL) using a modified glassy carbon electrode with ascorbic acid (AA) as the active recognition element. To increase the current signal of AA, the working electrode was successively modified with l-arginine (l-Arg) and reduced graphene oxide-copper nanoflower composite. The voltammetry measurements denoted that the hydrogen bonding was formed between AA and MEL. Using the optimum conditions, the proposed enhanced sensor can detect MEL concentrations ranging from 10 × 10-9 to 9.0 × 10-8 M with a detection limit of 5.0 × 10-9 M that is proportional to the decrease of AA in the anodic peak current. Finally, the proposed sensor was successfully applied for the determination of MEL in commercial infant milk samples and good recovery values were obtained.

Ferrites have emerged out as excellent material for a broad spectrum of applications. Thick films of these materials have great demand for energy and advanced electronics. This review highlights a brief overview of the spinel-type of ferrite thick films (S-FTFs) development right from their historical developments, preparation strategies and state of art applications. The fabrication of S-FTFs includes the discussion on screen-printing, doctor blade tape casting, plasma spray, and spin coating. The comparative analysis of the screen printing technique to the other methods is provided to assist the scientific community during the process of choosing the most suitable fabrication technique. The influence of the synthesis parameters such as temperatures (pre-sintering and final sintering), binders (organic and inorganic), sizes (crystallite, grain, and particle), substrate material and the final heat treatment process in S-FTFs, and the preparation of the ferrite powders and their fabrication technique are review and summarized. Moreover, this review provides a brief overview of the S-FTFs applications, which are classified into four broad categories: sensors, microwave, magnetic and advanced applications. This classification provides a deeper insight into the potential of the S-FTF applications. The motivation in materializing the review of S-FTFs technology is to inspire aspiring research candidates and boost their research interest in this particular field.

As the myelin sheath is crucial for neuronal saltatory conduction, loss of myelin in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) leads to demyelinating neuropathies causing muscular atrophy, numbness, foot deformities and paralysis. Unfortunately, few interventions are available for such neuropathies, because previous pharmaceuticals have shown severe side effects and failed in clinical trials. Therefore, exploring new strategies to enhance PNS myelination is critical to provide solution for such intractable diseases. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of electrical stimulation (ES) to enhance myelination in the mouse dorsal root ganglion (DRG)—an ex vivo model of the PNS. Mouse embryonic DRGs were extracted at E13 and seeded onto Matrigel-coated surfaces. After sufficient growth and differentiation, screening was carried out by applying ES in the 1–100 Hz range at the beginning of the myelination process. DRG myelination was evaluated via immunostaining at the intermediate (19 days in vitro (DIV)) and mature (30 DIV) stages. Further biochemical analyses were carried out by utilizing ribonucleic acid sequencing, quantitative polymerase chain reaction and biochemical assays at both intermediate and mature myelination stages. Imaging of DRG myelin lipids was carried out via time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). With screening ES conditions, optimal condition was identified at 20 Hz, which enhanced the percentage of myelinated neurons and average myelin length not only at intermediate (129% and 61%) but also at mature (72% and 17%) myelination stages. Further biochemical analyses elucidated that ES promoted lipid biosynthesis in the DRG. ToF-SIMS imaging showed higher abundance of the structural lipids, cholesterol and sphingomyelin, in the myelin membrane. Therefore, promotion of lipid biosynthesis and higher abundance of myelin lipids led to ES-mediated myelination enhancement. Given that myelin lipid deficiency is culpable for most demyelinating PNS neuropathies, the results might pave a new way to treat such diseases via electroceuticals.

Self-cleaning concept has achieved significant attention because of their distinct features and inclusive range of probable applications in various fields. Inspired from the lotus effect; the self-cleaning properties showed by the leaves due to the micro and nanoscopic design which reduces the water droplets adhesion to the surface, self-cleaning technology (SCT) plays a significant role in the current time in various applications. One of its special features is its ability to keep the surface clean and maintain the self-cleaning property stable under severe environmental conditions over an intended period of time. This review introduces an overview of the fabrication techniques for superhydrophobic coating and self-cleaning (SC) applications in various fields. The SCT has applications in areas such as textiles, cotton-fabrics garments, buildings construction, lavatories, domestic-automobiles windows, architectural heritage, and photovoltaic and solar cells. As SCT has wide range of applications, there is a need for a deeper understanding of the resilience and preparation of SC surfaces. Therefore, we have discussed the major applications of SCT in building, toilet, mineral paints for architectural heritage, photovoltaic devices or solar cell, fabrics or textile industry in this review. Apart from this, we have also added information regarding the techniques of SC superhydrophobic surfaces and flexible self-cleaning materials and their applications. SCT naturally suffers from great issues in their durability and stability. As the durability of SCT is significant in daily human life, it is intensively reflected in this literature survey. Furthermore, the ongoing progress and potential efforts in the recent innovative applications of SCT along with the critical conclusions, forthcoming views, and obstacles on the field of the durability of SCT are discussed in the presented survey.

Bacterial cell lysis is demonstrated using polymeric microfluidic biochips operating via a hybrid mechanical shearing/contact killing mechanism. These biochips are fabricated from a cross-linked poly(methyl methacrylate) (X-PMMA) substrate by well-controlled, high-throughput laser micromachining. The unreacted double bonds at the surface of X-PMMA provide covalent bonding for the formation of a porous polymeric monolith (PPM), thus contributing to the mechanical stability of the biochip and eliminating the need for surface treatment. The lysis efficiency of these biochips was tested for gram-positive (Enterococcus saccharolyticus and Bacillus subtilis) and gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas fluorescens) and confirmed by off-chip PCR without further purification. The influence of the flow rate when pumping the bacterial suspension through the PPM, and of the hydrophobic-hydrophilic balance on the cell lysis efficiency was investigated at a cell concentration of 10(5) CFU/mL. It was shown that the contribution of contact killing to cell lysis was more important than that of mechanical shearing in the PPM. The biochip showed better lysis efficiency than the off-chip chemical, mechanical, and thermal lysis techniques used in this work. The biochip also acts as a filter that isolates cell debris and allows PCR-amplifiable DNA to pass through. The system performs more efficient lysis for gram-negative than for gram-positive bacteria. The biochip does not require chemical/enzymatic reagents, power consumption, or complicated design and fabrication processes, which makes it an attractive on-chip lysis device that can be used in sample preparation for genetics and point-of-care diagnostics. The biochips were reused for 20 lysis cycles without any evidence of physical damage to the PPM, significant performance degradation, or DNA carryover when they were back-flushed between cycles. The biochips efficiently lysed both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria in about 35 min per lysis and PPM regeneration cycle.

Reusable antibacterial non-leaching monolithic columns polymerized in microfluidic channels designed for on-chip cell lysis applications were obtained by the photoinitiated free radical copolymerization of diallyldimethylammonium chloride (DADMAC) and ethylene glycol diacrylate (EGDA) in the presence of a porogenic solvent. The microfluidic channels were fabricated in cross-linked poly(methyl methacrylate) (X-PMMA) substrates by laser micromachining. The monolithic columns have the ability to inhibit the growth of, kill and efficiently lyse Gram-positive Micrococcus luteus (Schroeter) (ATCC 4698) and Kocuria rosea (ATCC 186), and Gram-negative bacteria Pseudomonas putida (ATCC 12633) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 35218) by mechanically shearing the bacterial membrane when forcing the cells to pass through the narrow pores of the monolithic column, and simultaneously disintegrating the cell membrane by physical contact with the antibacterial surface of the column. Cell lysis was confirmed by off-chip PCR without the need for further purification. The influence of the cross-linking monomer on bacterial growth inhibition, leaching, lysis efficiency of the monolithic column and its mechanical stability within the microfluidic channel were investigated and analyzed for three different cross-linking monomers: ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDA), ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) and 1,6-hexanediol dimethacrylate (1,6-HDDMA). Furthermore, the bonding efficiency of two X-PMMA substrates with different cross-linking levels was studied. The monolithic columns were shown to be stable, non-leaching, and reusable for over 30 lysis cycles without significant performance degradation or DNA carryover when they were back-flushed between lysis cycles.

The application of porous polymeric monolith (PPM) columns as an effective tool for bacterial cell lysis within microfluidic chips is demonstrated. By taking advantage of the large surface area and controllable pore size inherent to PPMs, we developed a double mechanism cell lysis technique. The bacterial cell wall is mechanically sheared by flowing through the porous medium of the PPM column, but it is also damaged and disintegrated by physical contact with the antibacterial polymeric biocide covering the porous surface. This leads to leakage of the intracellular contents. The stable and non-leaching antibacterial column introduced in this work alleviates the need for chemical or enzymatic lysins and their potential release of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) inhibitors. The PPM columns were obtained by the photoinitiated free radical copolymerization of n-butyl methacrylate (BuMA) and N-(tert-butyloxycarbonyl)aminoethyl methacrylate (Boc-AEMA) in the presence of a cross-linker and porogenic solvents. The porous network was synthesized directly inside a microfluidic channel fabricated in a cross-linked poly(methyl methacrylate) (X-PMMA) substrate by laser micromachining. After removing the Boc protecting group with phosphoric acid, an amphiphilic and cationic network structure reminiscent of synthetic mimics of antimicrobial peptides (SMAMPs) was obtained. The antibacterial activity of the PPM columns was tested against Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) cells. Cell lysis was evidenced by DNA release, which was then amplified by PCR and confirmed by gel electrophoresis, to verify that the antibacterial monolithic columns did not strongly interfere with the PCR process.