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Understanding the underlying physics of natural gas hydrate dissociation is necessary for efficient CH4 extraction and in the exploration of potential additives in the chemical injection method. Silica being "sand" is already present inside the reservoir, making the silica nanoparticle a potential green additive. Here, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have been performed to investigate the dissociation of the CH4 hydrate in the presence and absence of ∼1, ∼2, and ∼3 nm diameter hydrophilic silica nanoparticles at 100 bar and 310 K. We find that the formation of a CH4 nanobubble has a strong influence on the dissociation rate. After the initial hydrate dissociation, the rate of dissociation slows down till the formation of a CH4 nanobubble. We find the critical concentration and size limit to form the CH4 nanobubble to be ∼0.04 mole fraction of CH4 and ∼40 to 50 CH4 molecules, respectively. The solubility of CH4 and the chemical potential of H2O and CH4 are determined via Gibbs ensemble Monte Carlo simulations. The liquid phase chemical potential of both H2O and CH4 in the presence and absence of the nanoparticle is nearly the same, indicating that the effect of this additive will not be significant. While the formation of the hydration shell around the nanoparticle via hydrogen bonding confirms the strength of interactions between the water molecules and the nanoparticle in our MD simulations, the contact of the nanoparticle with the interface is infrequent, leading to no explicit effect of the nanoparticle on the dynamics of methane hydrate dissociation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regarding the rheological properties of fluids, certain nanoparticles can markedly modify the rheological behavior of low surface tension solutions by interacting with surfactant molecules. In this work, a low surface tension fluid with cetyltrimethylammonium chloride was prepared, and the silica nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed into it by ultrasonic dispersion. By adjusting the size, shape, and concentration of nanoparticles, the fluid behavior can be changed from Newtonian to non-Newtonian with finely tuned viscosity and characterized by a shear-thinning rheological behavior. In addition, this work explored how variations in environmental temperature and solution pH affect the rheological responses of the low surface tension suspension system. The experimental findings revealed that increasing the temperature substantially decreases the system's viscosity and induces a shear-thickening behavior. It is particularly significant that, under extreme pH conditions (either strongly acidic or alkaline), the viscosity of the nanoparticle suspensions was markedly enhanced at a particle concentration of 10 000 ppm. This interesting result coincided with a notable reduction in the zeta potential and an increase in the average particle size, suggesting an intensified aggregation of particles within the suspension system. A mechanism detailing the interaction between silica nanoparticles and surfactant micelles was proposed. This work indicates that the incorporation of nanoparticles into surfactant solutions offers a powerful approach to modulating fluid rheology across various conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevention of drying-induced cracking is crucial in maintaining the mechanical integrity and functionality of colloidal deposits and coatings. Despite exploring various approaches, controlling drying-induced cracking remains a subject of great scientific interest and practical importance. By introducing chain-like particles composed of the same material and with comparable size into commonly used colloidal suspensions of spherical silica nanoparticles, we can significantly reduce the cracks formed in dried particle deposits and achieve a fivefold increase in the critical cracking thickness of colloidal silica coatings. The mechanism underlying the crack suppression is attributed to the increased porosity and pore sizes in dried particle deposits containing chain-like particle, which essentially leads to reduction in internal stresses developed during the drying process. Meanwhile, the nanoindentation measurements reveal that colloidal deposits with chain-like particles exhibit a smaller reduction in hardness compared to those reported using other cracking suppression approaches. This work demonstrates a promising technique for preparing colloidal coatings with enhanced crack resistance while maintaining desirable mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A combination of experimental and numerical investigations on metallic silver and platinum nanoparticles deposited on silica substrates is presented, with a focus on metal–substrate interactions. Experimentally, the nanoparticles, obtained by ultra-high vacuum atom deposition, are characterized by grazing-incidence small-angle x-ray scattering and high resolution transmission electronic microscopy to determine their structure and morphology and, in particular, their aspect ratio (height/diameter), which quantifies the metal–substrate interaction, from the as-grown to equilibrium state. Numerically, the interactions between the metal and the silica species are modeled with the Lennard-Jones (12, 6) potential, with two parameters for each metal and silica species. The geometric parameters were found in the literature, while the energetic parameters were determined from our experimental measurements of the aspect ratio. The parameters are as follows: σAg–O = 0.278 nm, σAg–Si = 0.329 nm, ɛAg–O = 75 meV, and ɛAg–Si = 13 meV for Ag–silica and σPt–O = 0.273 nm, σPt–Si = 0.324 nm, ɛPt–O = 110 meV, and ɛPt–Si = 18 meV for Pt–silica. The proposed Ag–silica potential reproduces quantitatively the unexpected experimental observation of the variation of the aspect ratio for Ag nanoparticles larger than 5 nm, which has been interpreted as a consequence of the silica roughness. The nanoparticle orientation, structure, and disorder are also considered. This metal–silica potential for Ag and Pt should be helpful for further studies on pure metals as well as their alloys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding polymer transport in nanopores is crucial for optimizing heterogeneously catalyzed processes in polymer upcycling and fabricating high-performance nanocomposite films and membranes. Although confined polymer dynamics have been extensively studied, the behavior of polyethylene (PE)—the most widely used commodity polymer—in pores smaller than 20 nm remains largely unexplored. We investigate the effects of extreme nanoconfinement on PE transport using capillary rise infiltration in silica nanoparticle packings with average pore radii ranging from ∼1 to ∼9 nm. Using in situ ellipsometry and the Lucas–Washburn model, we discover a previously unknown inverse relationship between effective viscosity (ηeff) and average pore radius (Rpore). Additonally, we determine that PE transport under these extreme conditions is primarily governed by physical confinement, rather than pore surface chemistry. We refine an existing theory to provide a generalized formalism to describe the polymer transport dynamics over a wide range of pore radii (from 1 nm and larger). Our results offer valuable insights for optimizing catalyst supports in polymer upcycling and improving infiltration processes for nanocomposite fabrication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is crucial to precisely strike the bacterially infected area and avoid damaging healthy tissue in bacterial infection treatment. Herein, we report an acidity-triggered aggregation antibacterial nanoplatform based on biodegradable mesoporous organic silica nanoparticles (MON NPs). The surface of MON NPs modified with polydopamine (PDA) encapsulated ciprofloxacin (CIP) and methylene blue (MB) and was then further grafted with glycol chitosan to obtain MB/CIP@MON-PDA-GCS NPs (MCMPG NPs). In the bacterial infection environment with acidic characteristics, glycol chitosan (GCS) becomes positively charged. Consequently, the positively charged acidity-triggered GCS enables MCMPG NPs to accumulate on the negatively charged bacterial surfaces in the infected area and not in healthy tissue. The targeted method allows for the precise release of CIP and MB, ensuring the spatial accuracy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) for effective bacteria-specific treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibubbles are liquid droplets encapsulated by a gas film that have recently been explored for on-demand ultrasound-triggered drug release. However, their ultrasound imaging capabilities are limited by their stiff shells stabilized with silica nanoparticles. Here, we develop polymeric antibubbles that generate greater ultrasound contrast than silica-based antibubbles, while showing better stability than conventional polymeric microbubbles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The synthesis of antibacterial nanoparticles is one of the most promising strategies to get rid of the primary threat that pathogenic bacteria pose to public health. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are a promising antibacterial agent with robust and broad antibacterial characteristics that have the potential to resolve this issue. A straightforward reduction–impregnation approach for creating an Ag‐loaded SiO2 nanocomposite has been presented in the present study. First, the well‐known Stöber method was employed to produce silica nanoparticles, which were subsequently examined utilizing an X‐ray diffraction (XRD), a field emission scanning electron microscope (FE‐SEM), and a high‐resolution transmission electron microscope (HR‐TEM). After that, a composite made of Ag@SiO2 was produced and examined. AgNPs, which are loaded with silica and exhibit instantaneous and synergistic antibacterial activity against Gram‐positive “Bacillus subtilis” (B. subtilis) bacteria, were demonstrated. The coating layer that was produced also showed strong adherence to the steel substrate, a high inhibitory effect against the (B. subtilis), and versatility in its application across various sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new strategy for multifunctional coatings with flame retardancy, superhydrophobicity and UV shielding ability on cotton fabrics (SFR cotton) was realized by step-by-step spraying ammonium phytate, lignin and hybrid nanoparticles of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) modified mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) with entrapped Fe2O3 (PDMS@Fe2O3-MSNs). The surface adhesion PDMS@Fe2O3-MSNs constructed micro/nano-scale surface structure on SFR cotton fabric, which endowed superhydrophobic (WCA = 152 ± 1.3°), anti-fouling and self-cleaning properties. Benefiting from the synergistic effects of the physical barrier provided by the PDMS@Fe2O3-MSNs and the intumescent flame-retardant properties of ammonium phytate and lignin, the SFR cotton fabric demonstrated excellent self-extinguishing performance under an open fire and left a char layer with 8.4 cm. In addition, due to the excellent UV-absorption ability of lignin and Fe2O3 nanoparticles, the SFR cotton fabric was able to shield the UV irradiation damages to rat skin. Furthermore, the SFR cotton fabric demonstrated remarkable durability against rigorous conditions, including ultrasonic washing, sandpaper abrasion, UV irradiation and exposure to strong acid/alkali environments. After 150 min of ultrasonic washing and 50 cycles of abrasion, the SFR cotton fabric could preserve its hydrophobicity, flame retardancy and UV shielding ability. In addition, the SFR cotton fabric delivered exceptional chemical stability and UV durability when exposed to strong acid/alkali for 24 h and UV irradiation (200 W) for 12 h, respectively. Significantly, the SFR cotton fabric could retain the original flexibility and breathability of pristine cotton fabric. Therefore, the simple and feasible strategy of multifunctional coatings has broad application prospects in advanced multifunctional textiles, military facilities and other fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA) is a commonly encountered degenerative joint disease in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Recent studies have shown that the excessive unbalanced activation of Wnt/β‐catenin signaling is connected with the pathogenesis of TMJOA and due to the inability to inhibit the over‐activated Wnt pathway, while Wnt16‐deficient mice has a more severe Knee OA. However, the efficacy of direct intra‐TMJ injection of Wnt16 for the relief of TMJOA is still not directly confirmed. Moreover, small‐molecule drugs such as Wnt16 usually exhibit short‐lived efficacy and poor treatment adherence. Therefore, in order to obtain a stable release of Wnt16 both in the short and long term, this study fabricates a double‐layer slow‐release Wnt16 carrier based on mesoporous silica nanospheres (MSNs) encased within hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogels. The biofunctional hydrogel HA/Wnt16@MSN is analyzed both in vitro and in vivo to evaluate the treatment of TMJOA. As a result, it shows superior pro‐cartilage matrix restoration and inhibition of osteoclastogenesis ability, and effectively inhibits the over‐activation of the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway. Taken together, biofunctional hydrogel HA/Wnt16@MSN is a promising candidate for the treatment of TMJOA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to apply biosilica nanoparticles from renewable resources for improving soil quality as a type of fertilizer carier. The silica particles having a purity of about 98 % were extracted from rice husk at the calcination temperatures of 550 °C, 600 °C, 650 °C, and 700 °C. The required materials properties were investigated by advanced measurement techniques. All samples showed the amorphous structure with Si–O–Si bond and the particles' agglomeration with the average size of 10–50 nm and principle electronic structures with the typical spectra of Si and O 2. When the synthesized silica was used as the medium to release absorbed nutrients in a controlled manner, surface properties, including the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller area and the average pore diameter were evaluated between 179 m2/g to 570 m2/g, and 4 nm–40 nm, respectively. The measured electrokinetic potential of the synthesized particles was between −20 mV and −36 mV guaranteeing the stability when they are dispersed in the aqueous environment. The experimental results showed that the silica particles calcinated at 650 °C had the best properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concern for the global pollution and emissions hazards is increasing with the increased awareness of the harms of the pollution and its effects on eco-system, the solution is the biodegradable materials, that can reduce the pollution. The biodegradable materials are less thermal resistant. This study's aim is to determine the optimized mechanical attributes of the bio-composite with the fire retardants. The polylactic acid (PLA) and hemp fibers were used as the matrix and reinforcement respectively, the fire retardants used were ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and silicon dioxide (SiO2) nano-particles. The specimens of Neat PLA and PLA with 10, 20, 30 & 40 percent hemp fiber were manufactured, and examined, the PLA with 20 % hemp fibers demonstrated the highest mechanical properties. Further, the 20 % hemp fiber composite tested with three percentages of fire retardants, the 12 % APP & 2 % SiO2 showed the highest mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silica nanoparticles (SNPs) have been extensively studied and used in different dental applications to promote improved physicochemical properties, high substance loading efficiency, in addition to sustained delivery of substances for therapeutic or preventive purposes. Therefore, this study aimed to review the SNPs applications in nanomaterials and nanoformulations in dentistry, discussing their effect on physicochemical properties, biocompatibility and ability to nanocarry bioactive substances. Literature searches were conducted on PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases to identify studies examining the physicochemical and biological properties of dental materials and formulations containing SNPs. Data extraction was performed by one reviewer and verified by another A total of 50 were reviewed. In vitro studies reveal that SNPs improved the general properties of dental materials and formulations, such as microhardness, fracture toughness, flexural strength, elastic modulus and surface roughness, in addition to acting as efficient nanocarriers of substances, such as antimicrobial, osteogenic and remineralizing substances, and showed biocompatibility SNPs are biocompatible, improve properties of dental materials and serve as effective carriers for bioactive substances Overall, SNPs are a promising drug delivery system that can improve dental materials biological and physicochemical and aesthetic properties, increasing their longevity and clinical performance. However, more studies are needed to elucidate SNPs short- and long-term effects in the oral cavity, mainly on in vivo and clinical studies, to prove their effectiveness and safety. • Silica nanoparticles have been widely studied and used in dentistry in intra and extraoral materials and formulations. • In vitro results reveal that silica nanoparticles enhance the physicochemical properties of dental materials. • In vitro results also confirm the potential silica nanoparticles can effectively load and release antimicrobial substances, acting as a sustained-release drug delivery system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last decade, the task of developing environmentally friendly and cost-effective methods for obtaining stable superhydrophobic coatings has become topical. In this study, we examined the effect of the concentrations of filler and polymer binder on the hydrophobic properties and surface roughness of composite coatings made from organic–aqueous compositions based on hexyl methacrylate (HMA) and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) copolymers. Silicon dioxide nanoparticles were used as a filler. A single-stage "all-in-one" aerosol application method was used to form the coatings without additional intermediate steps for attaching the adhesive layer or texturing the substrate surface, as well as pre-modification of the surface of filler nanoparticles. As the ratio of the mass fraction of polymer binder (Wn) to filler (Wp) increases, the coatings show the lowest roll-off angles among the whole range of samples studied. Coatings with an optimal mass fraction ratio (Wn/Wp = 1.2 ÷ 1.6) of the filler to polymer binder maintained superhydrophobic properties for 24 h in contact with a drop of water in a chamber saturated with water vapor and exhibited roll-off angles of 6.1° ± 1°. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Overexpression of permeability-glycoprotein (P-gp) transporter leads to multidrug resistance (MDR) through cellular exclusion of chemotherapeutics. Co-administration of P-gp inhibitors and chemotherapeutics is a promising approach for improving the efficacy of therapy. Nevertheless, problems in pharmacokinetics, toxicity and solubility limit the application of P-gp inhibitors. Herein, we developed a novel all-in-one hybrid nanoparticle system to overcome MDR in doxorubicin (DOX)-resistant breast cancer. First, folic acid-modified DOX-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) were prepared and then loaded into PEGylated poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles along with a P-gp inhibitor, elacridar. This hybrid nanoparticle system had high drug loading capacity, enabled both passive and active targeting of tumour tissues, and exhibited sequential and pH-triggered release of drugs. In vitro and in vivo studies in DOX-resistant breast cancer demonstrated the ability of the hybrid nanoparticles to reverse P-gp-mediated drug resistance. The nanoparticles were efficiently taken up by the breast cancer cells and delivered elacridar, in vitro. Biodistribution studies demonstrated substantial accumulation of the folate receptor-targeted PLGA/MSN hybrid nanoparticles in tumour-bearing mice. Moreover, deceleration of the tumour growth was remarkable in the animals administered with the DOX and elacridar co-loaded hybrid nanoparticles when compared to those treated with the marketed liposomal DOX (Caelyx®) or its combination with elacridar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composite sandwich structures, which are widely employed in engineering structures, require a multitude of inserts. In certain instances, the necessity for a specialized insert arises from the unique characteristics of a particular application. In applications such as weather radar radomes, double-curved sandwich panels should be designed with electromagnetic (EM) transparency as a primary objective. The use of metal inserts should be restricted to the absolute minimum. Given the limitations of using metal materials to protect against EM radiation and the need to enhance the load-bearing capacity of the joint against pull-out loads, a composite insert has developed as an innovative solution. In this study, a composite insert of a double-curved sandwich dome has been developed using silica nanoparticles, and its mechanical strength against pull-out load has been evaluated through both experimental and numerical analysis. The strength results obtained have been compared with analytical estimates. Additionally, the buckling of the double-curved sandwich dome against a wind speed of 220 km/h has been investigated numerically. The critical buckling load for wind loading for the full-scale sandwich radome was estimated to be 16,303 N. According to the numerical results obtained with the Abaqus finite element (FE) software, the maximum pull-out force applied to the connection area is approximately 10.7 kN. A parametric study of geometric variables and experimental results showed that it is possible to achieve a stronger composite insert (by 1 wt % nano silica particles) by 20.7% lighter and 102.65% more bearing capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since conventional antibiotics are almost ineffective on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains, designing their antibacterial alternatives is necessary. Besides, the use of vancomycin is applied for specific detection of the bacteria. Silver-incorporated vancomycin-modified mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs@Van@Ag NPs) were designed for detection and treatment of MRSA bacteria. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) were synthesized through the template method, modified with vancomycin, and finally incorporated with silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs). The MSNs@Van@Ag NPs with a homogenously spherical shape, average size of 50-100 nm, surface area of 955.8 m2/g, and thermal stability up to 200°C were successfully characterized. The amount of Ag incorporated into the MSNs@Van@Ag was calculated at 3.9 ppm and the release amount of Ag was received at 2.92 ppm (75%) after 100 h. The in vitro antibacterial susceptibility test showed the MIC of 100 μg mL−1 for MSNs@Van and 50 μg mL−1 for MSNs@Van@Ag, showing in vitro enhanced effect of Ag and vancomycin in the bactericidal process. An in vivo acute pneumonia model was performed and biochemical assays and pathological studies confirmed the nanomedicine's short-term safety for in vivo application. Cytokine assay using ELISA showed that MSN@Van@Ag causes a reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines and bacterial proliferation leading to alleviation of inflammatory response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, nanomedicine has attracted much attention at the forefront of nanotechnology, gaining great expectations in the biomedical sectors. Among various nanomaterials, silica nanoparticles-based drug delivery is considered effective owing to their physicochemical stability and biological compatibility. Surface grafting and chemical conversion techniques were used to create an amphoteric functional ligand known as amidoxime ligand (AL) modified mesoporous silica material (MS-AL NPs). With this technique, amidoxime ligand groups can be introduced in greater concentration to the silica surface without compromising its structure. The active surface allows for surface functionalization and integration of medicinal substances. They are widely employed in the bio-medical industry for diagnostics, target administration of drugs, bio-sensing, cellular absorption, and so on. The function of the produced MS-AL NPs as a regulated drug delivery system was studied utilizing doxorubicin (Dox) as a model anticancer drug. Using the MCF-7 cell line, the biocompatibility and cellular uptake characteristics were investigated. Considering all factors, the MS-AL NPs may be used as pH-responsive drug carriers in cancer treatment applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: The research on the protective properties of oleaster oil against oxidative stress and cytotoxicity induced by silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) in albino Wistar rats has substantial practical implications in the fields of toxicology and therapeutic interventions. This work has a specific application in the development of natural antioxidant therapies to mitigate the adverse effects of nanoparticle exposure in humans and animals. The potential for inadvertent or chronic exposure is high due to the increasing use of nanoparticles in a variety of industries. This research indicates that oleaster oil, which is abundant in bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties, has the potential to be used as a therapeutic agent or dietary supplement to protect against oxidative damage and organ toxicity resulting from nanoparticle exposure. In occupational health, where workers are at a higher risk of nanoparticle exposure, or in clinical contexts to treat patients experiencing nanoparticle-induced toxicity, such applications could be particularly valuable. Nanoparticles have found widespread application in a variety of fields, despite growing worry about their possible hazardous effects on both the environment and human health. In recent years, research efforts have focused on plants and vegetable oils, which have been identified as abundant sources of many bioactive compounds. Many of these substances are known to participate in antioxidant processes. As a result, the current study was designed to investigate the antioxidant and protective properties of oleaster oil against cytotoxicity and oxidative stress induced by silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) in albino Wistar rats. Forty male rats were randomly assigned to four equally sized cohorts: a control group, SiNP-treated group (at a dose of 50 mg/kg), SiNP-treated group supplemented with oleaster oil (at a dose of 2 mL/kg), and those receiving only 2 mL/kg of oleaster oil. The findings demonstrated that SiNPs initiated an oxidative stress environment, as evidenced by higher lipid peroxidation levels and changes in antioxidant defense mechanisms. Antioxidant enzymes were significantly reduced, including glutathione levels between the control and SiNP-exposure treatments (36.01%, 36.59%, 60%), glutathione-S-transferase (29.74%, 29.90%, 13.49%), catalase (24.14%, 28.19%, 30.85%), and tissue superoxide dismutase (11.90%, 37.78%, 37.79%) in the liver, kidney, and heart, respectively. Furthermore, histological investigations revealed significant liver, kidney, and heart damage, as indicated by pathological alterations such as vascular dilatation and congestion, inflammatory cellular infiltration, and hepatocellular dysfunction. Encouragingly, the administration of oleaster oil significantly ameliorated a majority of these detrimental effects. These data suggest a potential protective effect of oleaster oil against the adverse histological effects induced by SiNP injection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Until now, automation in nanomaterial research has been largely focused on the automated synthesis of engineered nanoparticles (NPs) including the screening of synthesis parameters and the automation of characterization methods such as electron microscopy. Despite the rapidly increasing number of NP samples analyzed due to increasing requirements on NP quality control, increasing safety concerns, and regulatory requirements, automation has not yet been introduced into workflows of analytical methods utilized for screening, monitoring, and quantifying functional groups (FGs) on NPs. To address this gap, we studied the potential of simple automation tools for the quantification of amino surface groups on different types of aminated NPs, varying in size, chemical composition, and optical properties, with the exemplarily chosen sensitive optical fluorescamine (Fluram) assay. This broadly applied, but reportedly error-prone assay, which utilizes a chromogenic reporter, involves multiple pipetting and dilution steps and photometric or fluorometric detection. In this study, we compared the influence of automated and manual pipetting on the results of this assay, which was automatically read out with a microplate reader. Special emphasis was dedicated to parameters like accuracy, consistency, achievable uncertainties, and speed of analysis and to possible interferences from the NPs. Our results highlight the advantages of automated surface FG quantification and the huge potential of automation for nanotechnology. In the future, this will facilitate process and quality control of NP fabrication, surface modification, and stability monitoring and help to produce large data sets for nanomaterial grouping approaches for sustainable and safe-by-design, performance, and risk assessment studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silica sol-gel antireflection coatings are used in high-power lasers due to their excellent laser damage resistance. These coatings are prepared using silica nanoparticles, and flaws generated during the coating preparation process are considered one of the factors that can lead to laser damage. Ring-shape flaws of micrometer-size usually appear on the surface of silica sol-gel antireflection coating. The morphologies of these flaws were investigated through optical microscopy, contact-type surface profilometer and scanning electron microscope. The diameters of the ring-shape flaws are from several micrometers to tens of micrometers. It has been demonstrated that the ring-shape flaws are nodule-like structures containing closely packed silica nanoparticles. The quasi-in-situ laser damage tests of the coated samples show the ring-shape flaws have a low damage probability. The formation of ring-shape flaws on the silica sol-gel coating is related to the polydispersity of the colloidal silica nanoparticles. Through the analysis of the size distribution of silica nanoparticles, a mechanism for flaws formation is proposed. Highlights: Morphologies of the ring-shape flaws on the surface of silica sol-gel antireflection coating. Quasi-in-situ laser damage tests of the ring-shape flaws on the silica coating. Formation mechanism of the ring-shape flaws on the silica sol-gel coating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fused silica glass is prepared by dispersing silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) through the hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA). The dispersion of SiNPs was characterized using transmission electron microscopy and small angle X-ray scattering. The rheological properties and functional groups of SiNP slurries were analyzed utilizing a rotational rheometer and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The sintering quality of the fused silica glass was characterized through scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The research results show that HEMA adsorbs on the surface of SiNP through hydrogen bonding to form a solvation layer of a certain thickness, thereby hindering the agglomeration of SiNPs. The SiNP slurry system exhibits bi-fractal properties. The viscosity and shear stress of the SiNP slurry initially decrease and then increase with increasing HEMA content. Achieving a homogeneous dispersion of SiNPs in the slurry is essential for sintering high-quality silica glass. The internal voids of agglomerates are the origin of crack formation. Highlights: The mechanism of dispersing silica nanoparticles by hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) was deeply investigated. The microstructure and rheological properties of silica nanoparticle slurries were analyzed. The effect of HEMA content on the sintering quality of fused silica glass was studied. The formation and origin of cracks during the sintering of fused silica glass were revealed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The capture, regeneration, and conversion of CO2 from ambient air and flue gas streams are critical aspects of mitigating global warming. Solid sorbents for CO2 absorption are very promising as they have high mass transfer areas without energy input and reduce emissions and minimize corrosion as compared to liquid sorbents. However, precisely tunable solid CO2 sorbents are difficult to produce. Here, we demonstrate the high‐throughput production of hydrogel‐based CO2‐absorbing particles via liquid jetting. By wrapping a liquid jet consisting of an aqueous solution of cross‐linkable branched polyethylenimine (PEI) with a layer of suspension containing hydrophobic silica nanoparticles, monodisperse droplets with a silica nanoparticle coating layer was formed in the air. A stable Pickering emulsion containing PEI droplets was obtained after these ejected droplets were collected in a heated oil bath. The droplets turn into mm‐sized particles after thermal curing in the bath. The diameter, PEI content, and silica content of the particles were systematically varied, and their CO2 absorption was measured as a function of time. Steam regeneration of the particles enabled cyclic testing, revealing a CO2 absorption capacity of 6.5 ± 0.5 mol kg−1 solid PEI in pure CO2 environments and 0.7 ± 0.3 mol kg−1 solid PEI for direct air capture. Several thousands of particles were produced per second at a rate of around 0.5 kg per hour, with a single nozzle. This process can be further scaled by parallelization. The complete toolbox for the design, fabrication, testing, and regeneration of functional hydrogel particles provides a powerful route toward novel solid sorbents for regenerative CO2 capture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current research on tumor fibrosis has focused on cancer‐associated fibroblasts, which may exert dual functions of tumor promotion and inhibition. Little attention has been paid to whether tumor cells themselves can undergo fibrotic transformation and whether they can inhibit parenchymal cells similar to pulmonary fibrosis, thus achieving the goal of inhibiting the malignant progression of tumors. To explore the significance of inducing tumor fibrosis for cancer treatment. This study utilizes mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) loaded with Trehalose dimycolate (TDM) to induce tumor cell fibrosis through the dual effects of TDM‐induced inflammatory granuloma and MSN‐induced foreign body granuloma. The results show that TDM/MSN (TM) can effectively induce tumor fibrosis, manifested specifically by collagen internalization, and suppression of proliferation and invasion capabilities, suggesting the potential role of tumor fibrosis therapy. However, further investigation reveals that extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) mediates resistance to fibrosis induction. To comprehensively enhance the efficacy, WRN exonuclease is conjugated to TM to form new nanoparticles (TMW) capable of effectively eliminating ecDNA, globally promoting tumor cell fibroblast‐like transformation, and validated in a PDX model to inhibit cancer progression. Therefore, TMW, through inducing tumor cell fibrosis to inhibit its malignant progression, holds great potential as a clinical treatment strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, some of 2‐amino‐4H‐benzo[h]chromene derivatives were synthesized by multicomponent reaction of 1‐naphthol, benzaldehyde derivatives and malononitrile. The reaction was performed under green conditions using water as the solvent in the presence of heterogeneous nano catalyst containing Co(II) and Cu(II) stabilized on magnetic mesoporous silica nanoparticles/tannic acid (M–MSN/TA/Co(II),Cu(II)) at room temperature. The prepared catalyst showed excellent efficiency and its magnetic properties allow easy separation. The structure and morphology of prepared catalyst was identified using Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), elemental mapping, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and vibrating‐sample magnetometry (VSM) analysis. All of products were obtained in high to excellent yields (78–94 %) after short reaction times (20–45 min) in optimal conditions and their structures were confirmed using FT‐IR and Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopic techniques. This study shows that the M–MSN/TA/Cu(II), Co(II) presents a good catalytic activity, reusability and stability compared to other catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractImmunostimulation caused by nanoparticles may be beneficial or adverse depending on their intended application. Activation of immune cells is beneficial for indications targeting the immune system for therapeutic purposes, such as tumor microenvironment reprogramming, immunotherapy, and vaccines. When it is unwanted, however, immunostimulation may lead to excessive inflammation, cytokine storm, and hypersensitivity reactions. The increasing use of silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) for the delivery of drugs, imaging agents, and antigens warrants preclinical studies aimed at understanding carrier-mediated effects on the number, activation status, and function of immune cell subsets. Herein, we present an in vitro study utilizing primary human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) to investigate the proinflammatory properties of four types of SiNPs varying in size and porosity. Cytokine analysis was performed in resting and LPS-primed PBMC cultures to understand the ability of silica nanoparticles to induce de novo and exaggerate preexisting inflammation, respectively. Changes in the number and activation status of lymphoid and myeloid cells were studied by flow cytometry to gain further insight into SiNP-mediated immunostimulation. Nonporous SiNPs were found to be more proinflammatory than mesoporous SiNPs, and larger-sized particles induced greater cytokine response. LPS-primed PBMC resulted in increased susceptibility to SiNPs. Immunophenotyping analysis of SiNP-treated PBMC resulted in T and B lymphocyte, natural killer cell, and dendritic cell activation. Additionally, a loss of regulatory T cells and an increase in γδ TCR T cell population were observed with all particles. These findings have implications for the utility of SiNPs for the delivery of drugs and imaging agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have investigated the effect of dye distribution on the electrochemiluminescence (ECL) intensity measured with a simplified magnetic bead-based immunoassay for two families of silica nanoparticles (NPs) doped with the cationic Ru(bpy)32+ and the zwitterionic Ru(bpy)2bps complexes (bps = bathophenanthroline disulfonate). The NPs doped with the Ru(bpy)2bps complex, which can efficiently self-organize in the NP volume favoring ECL generation, resulted in 150–400% signal enhancement compared to the Ru(bpy)32+-doped ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoparticle‐stabilized, bicontinuous interfacially jammed emulsion gels (bijels) find potential applications as battery, separation membrane, and chemical reactor materials. Decreasing the liquid domain sizes of bijels to sub‐micrometer dimensions requires surfactants, complicating bijel synthesis and postprocessing into functional nanomaterials. This work introduces surfactant‐free bijels with sub‐micrometer domains, solely stabilized by nanoparticles. To this end, the covalent surface functionalization of silica nanoparticles is characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, mass spectrometry, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, and contact angle measurements. Bijels are generated with the functionalized nanoparticles via solvent transfer induced phase separation (STrIPS), enabling the optimization of nanoparticle functionalization and surface ionization. Nanoparticles of intermediate functionalization and controlled negative surface charge stabilize bijels with sub‐micrometer liquid domains. This remarkable control over bijel synthesis provides urgently needed progress to facilitate the widespread implementation of bijels as nanomaterials in research and applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gelatin methacrylate (GM) and sodium alginate (SA) are two biomaterials that have been widely employed in tissue engineering, particularly in 3D bioprinting. However, they have some drawbacks including undesirable physico‐mechanical properties and printability, hindering their application. This work developed an interpenetrating polymeric network (IPN) of GM and SA reinforced with silica nanoparticles (SNPs) to deal with hydrogels’ drawbacks. Besides, for cross‐linking, visible light is used as an alternative to UV light to prevent disruptions in cellular metabolism and immune system reactions. Four GM/SA/SNP hydrogels different in SNPs concentration (0, 0.5, 1, and 2 w/w%) are studied. The performance of the hydrogels is evaluated in terms of physico‐mechanical properties (viscoelasticity, compressive modulus, degradation, and swelling), rheological properties, and biological properties (fibroblast cell growth and adhesion, and MTT assay). The results demonstrated that the GM/SA/SNP hydrogel with 1% SNPs provided desirable physical (645% swelling and 59.3% degradation), mechanical strength (270 kPa), rheological (tan δ of almost 0.14), and biological performances (≈98% viability after 3 days) while maintaining appropriate printability. The findings suggest that the GM/SA/SNP hydrogel holds great potential for applications in soft tissue regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continuous heat generation in perovskite solar cells (PSCs), caused by solar radiation, poses a significant challenge to their lifespan. Existing active cooling methods require extra energy input and might not be effective at high temperatures. Most reported passive radiative cooling materials either lack solar transparency or require complex fabrication processes. Here, mesoporous silica nanoparticles are designed, synthesized, and assembled into multilayered stacks with a graded refractive index (GRI) by spray coating them on top of PSCs made from methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) over a large scale (15.6 × 15.6 cm2). This coating offers both high transparency in the visible wavelength and high emissivity in the mid‐infrared region, leading to an average temperature reduction of 6.65 ±  1.48 °C in GRI‐coated MAPbI3 PSCs under outdoor conditions compared to non‐coated references. After 50 d, the GRI‐coated PSCs maintain 80.9 ± 8.7% of their initial photoconversion efficiency, in contrast to 6.1 ± 5.9% for the noncoated ones. The calculated cooling power of the GRI‐coated PSCs is 28.9% higher than that of the reference cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microfluidic technology widely used in generating monodisperse emulsion droplets often suffers from complexity, scalability, applicability to practical fluids, as well as operation instability due to its susceptibility to flow perturbations, low clearance, and depletion of surfactants. Herein, we present a monolithic 3D-printed step-emulsification device (3D-PSD) for scalable and robust production of high viscosity emulsion droplets up to 208.16 mPa s, which cannot be fully addressed using conventional step-emulsification devices. By utilizing stereo-lithography (SLA), 24 triangular nozzles with a pair of 3D void flow distributors are integrated within the 3D-PSD to ensure uniform flow distribution followed by monodisperse droplet formation. The outlets positioned vertically downward enables gravity-assisted clearing to prevent droplet accumulation and thereby maintain size monodispersity. Deposition of silica nanoparticles (SiNP) within the device was also shown to alter the surface wettability from hydrophobic to hydrophilic, enabling the production of both water-in-oil (W/O) as well as oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion droplets, operated at a maximum production rate of up to 50 mL h−1. The utility of the device is further verified through continuous production of biodegradable polycaprolactone (PCL) microparticles using O/W emulsion as templates. We envision that the 3D-PSD presented in this work marks a significant leap in high-throughput production of high viscosity emulsion droplets as well as the particle analogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies, necessitating the exploration of more effective synergistic treatment strategies to overcome the limitations of conventional therapies. Chemodynamic therapy (CDT) is an innovative antitumor approach that can be combined with chemotherapy to achieve potent synergistic effects. Mesoporous silica nanomaterials (MSNs) are ideal drug delivery vehicles in cancer therapy due to their unique advantages. This study presents an effective and straightforward strategy to design an intelligent drug delivery system (DDS) activated by the tumor-specific weakly acidic microenvironment to achieve efficient cancer treatment. By incorporating the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin (DOX) and divalent iron (Fe2+) into the unique mesoporous channels of MSNs, we fabricated MSNs@Fe2+@DOX. Under weakly acidic pH conditions, the functional components Fe2+ and DOX of MSNs@Fe2+@DOX are gradually released at the tumor site. The released Fe2+ can then consume hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in tumor cells, increasing the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxides through the Fenton reaction, thereby inducing ferroptosis. The combination of DOX-induced apoptosis and ferroptosis results in further enhanced cancer treatment. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that MSNs@Fe2+@DOX had an excellent therapeutic effect on breast cancer cells and tumor-bearing nude mice. We anticipate that this study will provide a promising biotechnological platform for combined breast cancer treatment by inducing CDT and chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lateral flow assay (LFA) systems use metal nanoparticles for rapid and convenient target detection and are extensively studied for the diagnostics of various diseases. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are often used as probes in LFAs, displaying a single red color. However, there is a high demand for colorimetric LFAs to detect multiple biomarkers, requiring the use of multicolored NPs. Here, we present a highly sensitive multiplexed colorimetric lateral flow immunoassay by multicolored Plasmon-controlled metal–silica Isoform Nanocomposites (PINs). We utilized the localized surface plasmon resonance effect to create multi-colored PINs by precisely adjusting the distance between the NPs on the surface of PINs through the controlled addition of reduced gold and silver precursors. Through simulations, we also confirmed that the distance between nanoparticles on the surface of PINs significantly affects the color and colorimetric signal intensity of the PINs. We achieved multicolored PINs that exhibit stronger colorimetric signals, offering a new solution for LFA detection with high sensitivity and a 33 times reduced limit of detection (LOD) while maintaining consistent size deviations within 5%. We expect that our PINs-based colorimetric LFA will facilitate the sensitive and simultaneous detection of multiple biomarkers in point-of-care testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The surface of fumed silica nanoparticles was modified by pyridine carbaldehyde and barbituric acid to provide fumed-Si-Pr-Ald-Barb. The structure was identified and investigated through diverse techniques, such as FT-IR, EDX, Mapping, BET, XRD, SEM, and TGA. This nanocomposite was used to detect different cations and anions in a mixture of H2O:EtOH. The results showed that fumed-Si-Pr-Ald-Barb can selectively detect Hg2+ and Cr2O72− ions. The detection limits were calculated at about 5.4 × 10−3 M for Hg2+ and 3.3 × 10−3 M for Cr2O72− ions. A computational method (DFT) was applied to determine the active sites on the Pr-Ald-Barb for electrophilic and nucleophilic attacks. The HOMO-LUMO molecular orbital was calculated by B3LYP/6-311G(d,p)/LANL2DZ theoretical methods. The energy gap for the Pr-Ald-Barb and Pr-Ald-Barb+ion complexes was predicted by the EHOMO and ELUMO values. The DFT calculation confirms the suggested experimental mechanism for interacting the Pr-Ald-Barb with ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Taurine (Tau) is a well-known antioxidant. However, the protective effects of Tau against silica nanoparticle (SNP)-induced reproductive toxicity still remain unexplored. So this study reveals the effect of Tau on SNP-induced porcine ovarian granulosa cell toxicity. SNPs trigger oxidative stress through excessive ROS production, leading to inflammation and cell apoptosis in porcine ovarian granulosa cells. Tau mitigates SNP-induced cytotoxicity by reducing oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and mitochondria-mediated cell apoptosis in porcine ovarian granulosa cells. Therefore, Tau could be an effective strategy to alleviate SNP-induced toxicity and holds promising application prospects in the animal husbandry and veterinary industry. Silica nanoparticles (SNPs) induce reproductive toxicity through ROS production, which significantly limits their application. The protective effects of taurine (Tau) against SNP-induced reproductive toxicity remain unexplored. So this study aims to investigate the impact of Tau on SNP-induced porcine ovarian granulosa cell toxicity. In vitro, granulosa cells were exposed to SNPs combined with Tau. The localization of SNPs was determined by TEM. Cell viability was examined by CCK-8 assay. ROS levels were measured by CLSM and FCM. SOD and CAT levels were evaluated using ELISA and qPCR. Cell apoptosis was detected by FCM, and pro-inflammatory cytokine transcription levels were measured by qPCR. The results showed that SNPs significantly decreased cell viability, while increased cell apoptosis and ROS levels. Moreover, SOD and CAT were decreased, while IFN-α, IFN-β, IL-1β, and IL-6 were increased after SNP exposures. Tau significantly decreased intracellular ROS, while it increased SOD and CAT compared to SNPs alone. Additionally, Tau exhibited anti-inflammatory effects and inhibited cell apoptosis. On the whole, these findings suggest that Tau mitigates SNP-induced cytotoxicity by reducing oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and cell apoptosis. Tau may be an effective strategy to alleviate SNP-induced toxicity and holds promising application prospects in the animal husbandry and veterinary industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By using piezoelectric materials, it is possible to convert clean and renewable energy sources into electrical energy. In this paper, the effect on the piezoelectro-elastic response of piezoelectric-fiber-reinforced nanocomposites by adding silica nanoparticles into the polyimide matrix is investigated by a micromechanical method. First, the Ji and Mori–Tanaka models are used to calculate the properties of the nanoscale silica-filled polymer. The nanoparticle agglomeration and silica–polymer interphase are considered in the micromechanical modeling. Then, considering the filled polymer as the matrix and the piezoelectric fiber as the reinforcement, the Mori–Tanaka model is used to estimate the elastic and piezoelectric constants of the piezoelectric fibrous nanocomposites. It was found that adding silica nanoparticles into the polymer improves the elastic and piezoelectric properties of the piezoelectric fibrous nanocomposites. When the fiber volume fraction is 60%, the nanocomposite with the 3% silica-filled polyimide exhibits 39%, 31.8%, and 37% improvements in the transverse Young's modulus E T , transverse shear modulus G T L , and piezoelectric coefficient e 31 in comparison with the composite without nanoparticles. Furthermore, the piezoelectro-elastic properties such as E T , G T L , and e 31 can be improved as the nanoparticle diameter decreases. However, the elastic and piezoelectric constants of the piezoelectric fibrous nanocomposites decrease once the nanoparticles are agglomerated in the polymer matrix. A thick interphase with a high stiffness enhances the nanocomposite's piezoelectro-elastic performance. Also, the influence of volume fractions of the silica nanoparticles and piezoelectric fibers on the nanocomposite properties is studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The exploitation of drought is a critical worldwide challenge that influences wheat growth and productivity. This study aimed to investigate a synergistic amendment strategy for drought using the single and combined application of plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPM) (Trichoderma harzianum) and biogenic silica nanoparticles (SiO2NPs) from rice husk ash (RHA) on Saudi Arabia's Spring wheat Summit cultivar (Triticum aestivum L.) for 102 DAS (days after sowing). The significant improvement was due to the application of 600 ppm SiO2NPs and T. harzianum + 600 ppm SiO2NPs, which enhanced the physiological properties of chlorophyll a, carotenoids, total pigments, osmolytes, and antioxidant contents of drought-stressed wheat plants as adaptive strategies. The results suggest that the expression of the studied genes (TaP5CS1, TaZFP34, TaWRKY1, TaMPK3, TaLEA, and the wheat housekeeping gene TaActin) in wheat remarkably enhanced wheat tolerance to drought stress. We discovered that the genes and metabolites involved significantly contributed to defense responses, making them potential targets for assessing drought tolerance levels. The drought tolerance indices of wheat were revealed by the mean productivity (MP), stress sensitivity index (SSI), yield stability index (YSI), and stress tolerance index (STI). We employed four databases, such as BAR, InterPro, phytozome, and the KEGG pathway, to predict and decipher the putative domains in prior gene sequencing. As a result, we discovered that these genes may be involved in a range of important biological functions in specific tissues at different developmental stages, including response to drought stress, proline accumulation, plant growth and development, and defense response. In conclusion, the sole and/or dual T. harzianum application to the wheat cultivar improved drought tolerance strength. These findings could be insightful data for wheat production in Saudi Arabia under various water regimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehensive Summary Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been attracted a surge of research interest. However, there are several obstacles to limit the efficacy of PDT, such as hypoxic tumor microenvironment (TME), overexpressed glutathione (GSH), inefficient reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and so on. Herein, a smart responsive nanosystem was constructed, which was composed of Au25 modified with triphenylphosphine (Au25‐TPP), catalase (CAT) and GSH‐responsive diselenide‐bridged mesoporous silica nanoparticles (Se‐MSN). When the nanosystem arrived at tumor site, Se‐MSN was degraded by the intracellular overexpressed GSH to release Au25‐TPP and CAT. The Au25‐TPP was targeted to mitochondria and generated ROS under the 808 nm NIR laser irradiation to kill tumor cells. Simultaneously, CAT could catalyze hydrogen peroxide to provide oxygen for relieving the hypoxia of TME. Besides, GSH was consumed by the diselenide bond to diminish the ROS loss. The above tactics (mitochondria targeting, hypoxia relieving and GSH consuming) jointly enhanced the PDT efficacy. The nanosystem showed distinct in vitro anticancer effect significantly stronger than other groups containing one or two assistance. Moreover, the in vivo results suggested that the tumors could be restrained obviously. The current study provides a new inspiration for constructing novel inorganic nanomedicines with multiple enhancement effect of PDT efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite encouraging outcomes of the eight FDA approved drugs in lessening obesity burden, they have been associated with side effects caused by the lack of direct action on the adipose tissue. Therefore, a nanomedicine is reported that promotes the transformation of local fat‐storage white adipocytes, associated with obesity, into thermogenic adipocytes, indicative of enhanced metabolism, to both human cells and mice. This nanomedicine consisting of a lipid‐silica nanohybrid that allows accommodation of the natural supplement forskolin has resulted in successful browning of mature human adipocytes in vitro through upregulating thermogenesis biomarkers on mature human adipocytes and in vivo in mice tissue (achieving 400‐ and 80‐fold increases in UCP1 and Cox7A1, respectively), while significantly enhancing glucose uptake and lipolysis in an acute fashion and significantly preventing weight gain in high fat diet (60% HFD) mice compared to other treatments including liposomal medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complexation of microgels with rigid nanoparticles is an effective way to impart novel properties and functions to the resulting hybrid particles for applications such as in optics, catalysis, or for the stabilization of foams/emulsions. The nanoparticles affect the conformation of the polymer network, both in bulk aqueous environments and when the microgels are adsorbed at a fluid interface, in a non-trivial manner by modulating the microgel size, stiffness and apparent contact angle. Here, we provide a detailed investigation, using light scattering, in-situ atomic force microscopy and nano-indentation experiments, of the interaction between poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) microgels and hydrophobized silica nanoparticles after mixing in aqueous suspension to shed light on the network reorganization upon nanoparticle incorporation. The addition of nanoparticles decreases the microgels' bulk swelling and thermal response. When adsorbed at an oil-water interface, a higher ratio of nanoparticles influences the microgel's stiffness as well as their hydrophobic/hydrophilic character by increasing their effective contact angle, consequently modulating the monolayer response upon interfacial compression. Overall, these results provide fundamental understanding on the complex conformation of hybrid microgels in different environments and give inspiration to design new materials where the combination of a soft polymer network and nanoparticles might result in additional functionalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smart afterglow paints can function as energy‐saving products that are able to persist lighting in the dark. Additionally, polyurethane paints (PURPs) have shown some limitations, including weak adhesion, poor mechanical performance, poor corrosion, and low water resistance as compared with solvent‐based paints. Herein, nanoparticles of lanthanide aluminate (NLA; 16–24 nm) were mixed with polyurethane and silica to develop novel photoluminescent nanocomposite paints. A precursor of NLA‐encapsulated silica nanoparticles (NLA@Silica; 200–225 nm) can be described as a SiO2‐coated NLA pigment prepared by the heterogeneous precipitation method. Steel was coated with nanocomposite paints made of PURP, silica, and NLA. Using emission spectra and Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage (CIE) Lab coordinates, the coloring and transparency of painted films were investigated. Upon excitation at 365 nm, the UV‐irradiation of transparent painted films showed green emission at 518 nm. The hydrophobic activity and hardness properties were examined. Using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), the anticorrosion of coatings applied to mild steel was studied. Improved anticorrosion characteristics were observed due to the fluorescence of NLA@Silica in the applied coatings. The optimal long‐lasting luminous characteristics were observed for nanocomposite films containing 12.5% of NLA@Silica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuromodulation technologies have gained considerable attention for their clinical potential in treating neurological disorders and advancing cognition research. However, traditional methods like electrical stimulation and optogenetics face technical and biological challenges that limit their therapeutic and research applications. A promising alternative, photoelectric neurostimulation, uses near‐infrared light to generate electrical pulses and thus enables stimulation of neuronal activity without genetic alterations. This study explores various design strategies to enhance photoelectric stimulation with minimally invasive, ultrasmall, untethered carbon electrodes. Employing a multiphoton laser as the near‐infrared (NIR) light source, benchtop experiments are conducted using a three‐electrode setup and chronopotentiometry to record photo‐stimulated voltage. In vivo evaluations utilize Thy1‐GCaMP6s mice with acutely implanted ultrasmall carbon electrodes. Results highlighted the beneficial effects of high duty‐cycle laser scanning and photovoltaic polymer interfaces on the photo‐stimulated voltages by the implanted electrode. Additionally, the promising potential of carbon‐based diamond electrodes are demonstrated for photoelectric stimulation and the application of photoelectric stimulation in precise chemical delivery by loading mesoporous silica nanoparticles (SNPs) co‐deposited with polyethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT). Together, these findings on photoelectric stimulation utilizing ultrasmall carbon electrodes underscore its immense potential for advancing the next generation of neurostimulation technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review provides a comprehensive survey of the preparation and application of homogeneous and heterogeneous boron and indium alkoxide catalysts and typical Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley (MPV) reduction process techniques that are usually employed in the production of alcohol. A significant number of preparation and application methods are now available for various heterogeneous catalysts synthesized with some mesoporous silica nanoparticles. In this review article, preparation, characterization, application and advantages of boron and indium alkoxides grafted metal-free mesoporous heterogeneous catalysts are discussed. Also, recent research on applying mesoporous MCM-41 and SBA-15 to heterogeneous catalysis in synthesizing heterogeneous MPV catalysts has been reviewed. The potential heterogeneous catalysts that could be derived from the grafting of alkoxides on mesoporous materials, methods of preparing solid boron and indium alkoxide catalysts, as well as reusability and leaching analysis are discussed in detail. We think that the development of new, environmentally friendly, efficient, and selective catalytic procedures for carbonyl reduction and alcohol formation, represents a fundamental research aim in synthetic chemistry. In this context, this review can make an important contribution to organic synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inspired by nepenthes pitcher plants, the slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces have received extensive attention. In its practical application, good oil storage and oil-locking ability are important guarantee for the surface to maintain the interface performance for a long time. In this paper, mesoporous silica (KCC-1) was obtained by cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as template agent, urea as a hydrolyzing agent, and TEOS as silicon source reagent, then modified with (3-Aminopropyl) trimethoxysilane. Then combined with the breath figures, amino-modified mesoporous silica, 3,3'-4,4'-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (S-BPDA), 2,2'-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxyphenyl)]propane (BAPP) were used as raw materials to prepare polyimide SLIPS with good stability by a two-step method. The wettability and stability of SLIPS were investigated, and the results show that the introduction of mesoporous silica inorganic nanoparticles enhanced the performance of SLIPS. Among them, the sliding angle of polyimide SLIPS with a nanoparticle content of 10% is 2°, which has good self-cleaning performance, antifouling performance, and stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, glutathione (GSH)-responsive magnetic mesoporous silica nanoparticles grafted by disulfide organosilicon (SMNPs) were synthesized, characterized, and evaluated as controlled drug carriers. The nanoparticles exhibited consistent dispersion, considerable drug-loading capacity, and high saturation magnetization. Importantly, they demonstrated the ability to release doxorubicin (DOX) by up to 43% in a reducing tumor microenvironment, highlighting their potential for targeted therapy. In addition, the SMNPs displayed favorable biocompatibility, making them suitable for biomedical applications. Most notably, the SMNPs loaded with DOX effectively killed both HepG2 and HeLa cancer cells, while also showing efficient cellular uptake in HeLa cells. These findings suggest that SMNPs are a promising platform for magnetic-targeted and GSH-responsive delivery of therapeutic agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immunofluorescence analysis of individual extracellular vesicles (EVs) in common fluorescence microscopes is gaining popularity due to its accessibility and high fluorescence sensitivity; however, EV number and size are only measurable using fluorescent stains requiring extensive sample manipulations. Here we introduce highly sensitive label‐free EV size photometry (SP) based on interferometric scattering (iSCAT) imaging of immersed EVs immobilized on a glass coverslip. We implement SP on a common inverted epifluorescence microscope with LED illumination and a simple 50:50 beamsplitter, permitting seamless integration of SP with fluorescence imaging (SPFI). We present a high‐throughput SPFI workflow recording >10,000 EVs in 7 min over ten 88 × 88 µm2 fields of view, pre‐ and post‐incubation imaging to suppress background, along with automated image alignment, aberration correction, spot detection and EV sizing. We achieve an EV sizing range from 37 to ∼220 nm in diameter with a dual 440 and 740 nm SP illumination scheme, and suggest that this range can be extended by more advanced image analysis or additional hardware customization. We benchmark SP to flow cytometry using calibrated silica nanoparticles and demonstrate superior, label‐free sensitivity. We showcase SPFI's potential for EV analysis by experimentally distinguishing surface and volumetric EV dyes, observing the deformation of EVs adsorbed to a surface, and by uncovering distinct subpopulations in <100 nm‐in‐diameter EVs with fluorescently tagged membrane proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hyperenrichment of Au in orogenic ores occurs overwhelmingly within quartz veins, but the formation pathway of quartz veins in orogenic systems remains enigmatic. We conducted hydrothermal experiments simulating coprecipitation of Au and amorphous silica and subsequent recrystallization to test whether this is a viable mechanism to generate Au nuggets within quartz veins. Within minutes, coprecipitation of amorphous silica and Au nanoparticles occurred, representing an effective Au deposition mechanism. Within one week, amorphous silica had recrystallized to quartz, causing the coarsening of Au particles and their relocation to quartz grain boundaries and fractures. The experimental textures are similar to those observed in high-grade zones of orogenic gold deposits. In addition to trapping Au, amorphous silica may increase competency contrasts that facilitate short-term fracture reactivation during earthquake aftershock periods or swarms, allowing further Au input from fresh fluids. These findings demonstrate that amorphous silica precipitation may be an important transient stage in orogenic gold deposit formation, with significant implications for metal accumulation in quartz veins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi-aptamer recognition of breast cancer cells (MCF-7) is utilized to achieve high specificity. The method comprises two parts, aptamer-functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) loaded with dissimilar dyes (thymolphthalein or curcumin) as signal transducers and aptamer-modified magnetic beads (MBs) as capture agents, which worked together to detect MCF-7 cells sensitively and accurately. The results indicated that the aptasensor has a linear detection range of 100 to 4000 cells and a detection threshold of 10 cells/mL. The method had been successfully employed to detect breast cancer cells in real blood samples to distinguish between breast cancer patients and healthy individuals. In conclusion, the development of the multi-aptamer-based colorimetric sensor offered a novel method for the highly selective detection of MCF-7 cells, contributing to the accurate identification of breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Life-threatening systemic fungal infections caused by Candida albicans are significant contributors to clinical mortality, particularly among cancer patients and immunosuppressed individuals. The evasion of the immune response facilitated by fungal surface components enables fungal pathogens to evade macrophage attacks and to establish successful infections. This study developed a mesoporous silica nanoplatform, i.e., MSNP-EAP1Ab, which is composed of mesoporous silica nanoparticles grafted with the antibody of C. albicans surface adhesin Eap1. The activity of MSNP-EAP1Ab against C. albicans immune escape and infection was then evaluated by using the cell interaction model and the mouse systemic infection model. During interaction between C. albicans cells and macrophages, MSNP-EAP1Ab significantly inhibited fungal immune escape, leading to the enhanced phagocytosis of fungal cells by macrophages, with phagocytosis rates increasing from less than 8% to 14%. Furthermore, after treatment of the C. albicans-infected mice, MSNP-EAP1Ab drastically prolonged the mouse survival time and decreased the kidney fungal burden from >30,0000 CFU/g kidney to <100 CFU/g kidney, indicating the rapid recognition and killing of the pathogens by immune cells. Moreover, MSNP-EAP1Ab attenuated kidney tissue inflammation, with remarkable attenuation of renal immune cell accumulation. This study presents an innovative nanoplatform that targets the C. albicans adhesin, offering a promising approach for combatting systemic fungal infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]