Silicatein-α is responsible for the biomineralization of silicates in sponges. We used silicatein-α to guide self-assembly calcite "spicules" similar spicules calcareous sponge Sycon sp. The self-assembled spicules, 10 300 micrometers (μm) length and 5 μm diameter, are composed aligned nanocrystals. initially amorphous but transform into within months, exhibiting unusual growth along [100]. They scatter x-rays like twinned crystals. Whereas natural evidence brittle failure, synthetic show an...

Superamphiphobic surfaces are commonly associated with superior anticontamination and antifouling properties. Visually, this is justified by their ability to easily shed off drops contaminants. However, on micropillar arrays, tiny droplets known remain pillars' top faces while the drop advances. This raises question of whether remnants even nanostructured superamphiphobic surfaces. Are really self-cleaning? Here we investigate presence microdroplet contaminants three After brief contact...

Global warming has prompted a search for new materials that capture and sink carbon dioxide (CO2). Biochar is derivative of biomass pyrolysis mainly used to improve crop production. This work explores the underlying mechanism behind biochar's electric conductivity using wide range feedstocks its combination with binder (gypsum). gypsum–biochar composite exhibits decreased density flexural moduli increasing biochar content, particularly after 20% w/w. Gypsum–biochar drywall-like prototypes...

Abstract A new top‐down approach is proposed to form large amounts of anisometric particles. Multicompartment fibers that present different domains composed silica nanoparticles and larger polystyrene are fabricated by colloid‐electrospinning subsequently calcinated broken. The obtained containing voids cut via sonication yield It shown the majority can be broken at voids.

We present an experimental study of the micro- and mesoscopic structure thin films medium length n-alkane molecules on native oxide layer a silicon surface, prepared by dip-coating in n-C32H66/n-heptane solution. Electron micrographs reveal two distinct adsorption morphologies depending substrate withdrawal speed v. For small v, dragonfly-shaped molecular islands are observed. large stripes parallel to direction These have lengths few hundred micrometers micrometer lateral separation....

Abstract Pottery was a traditional art and technology form in pre-colonial Amazonian civilizations, widely used for cultural expression objects, utensils as cooking vessels. Abundance workability of clay made it an excellent choice. However, inferior mechanical properties constrained their functionality durability. The inclusion reinforcement particles is possible route to improve its resistance thermal damage. civilizations incorporated freshwater tree sponge spicules ( cauixí ) into the...

This work investigates the influence of TiO₂ nanostructures on anti-adhesion and photoinduced bactericidal properties thin film composite (TFC) membranes.

Due to its high durability and transparency, soda lime glass holds a huge potential for several applications such as photovoltaics, optical instrumentation biomedical devices, among others. The different technologies request specific properties, which can be enhanced through the modification of surface morphology with nanopattern. Here, we report simple method nanostructure soft lithography wet-chemical etching in potassium hydroxide (KOH) solutions. Glass samples etched polymeric mask...

The development of scaffolds that mimic the aligned fibrous texture extracellular matrix has become an important requirement in muscle tissue engineering. Electrospinning is a widely used technique to fabricate biomimetic scaffolds. Therefore, biopolymer blend composed salmon gelatin (SG), chitosan (Ch), and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) was developed by electrospinning onto micropatterned (MP) collector, resulting scaffold for seeding cells. Rheology surface tension studies were performed...

Crystalline-to-rotator phase transitions have been widely studied in bulk hydrocarbons, particular normal alkanes. But few studies of these deal with molecularly thin films pure n-alkanes on solid substrates. In this work, we were able to grow dotriacontane (n-C32H66) without coexisting particles, which allows us isolate the contribution ellipsometric signal from a monolayer molecules oriented their long axis perpendicular SiO2 surface. For submonolayer films, found step ellipsometer at ∼331...

We have used synchrotron X-ray reflectivity measurements to investigate the structure of n-dotriacontane (n-C(32)H(66) or C32) films deposited from vapor phase onto a SiO(2)-coated Si(100) surface. Our primary motivation was determine whether and growth mode these differ those solution on same substrate. The vapor-deposited had thickness approximately 50 A thick as monitored in situ by high-resolution ellipsometry were stable air. Similar case solution-deposited C32 films, we find that film...

Abstract To increase efficiencies of bifacial solar cells, emitter, back surface field (BSF), and metal patterns must be optimized. We study the influence paste volume, through multiple prints, two silver pastes on contact formation at rear side n‐type passivated emitter totally diffused (n‐PERT) cells with BSF doping profiles. Differences in fingers' electrical properties were found between pastes. Contact resistivity shows a relative difference 27.6%, partially explained by changes...

Nanomechanical properties of bio‐compatible polymers play crucial roles in tissue engineering scaffolds and filtration devices. The hygro‐mechanical those fibers have been mostly studied from a very coarse perspective, reaching micrometer‐scale. However, at the nanoscale mechanical response polymeric becomes more challenging due to both experimental‐theoretical limitations. In particular, environment‐mediated polymer‐fibers demands advanced models that consider sub‐nanometric changes local...

Superhydrophobic surfaces have long been the center of attention many researchers due to their unique liquid repellency and self-cleaning properties. However, these properties rely on stability so-called Cassie state, which is a metastable state with air-filled microstructures. This tends transit stable Wenzel where inside microstructures eventually wets. For potential industrial applications, it therefore critical maintain state. We investigate Cassie-to-Wenzel transition superhydrophobic...

Local dielectric spectroscopy (LDS) was employed to analyze the miscible blend composed of poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). The two homopolymers have very different relaxation times glass transition temperatures. aim study dynamic heterogeneity in films as a function film thickness. Measurements local composition at nanoscale shown that LDS is sensitive heterogeneity. In thinner films, phase segregation occurs, kinetics demixing studied using probe change...

The development of biopolymeric scaffolds crosslinked with nanoparticles is an emerging field. Gelatin/chitosan are gaining interest in medical areas, e.g., bone tissue engineering, given their suitability for nano-hydroxyapatite incorporation. glass transition temperature a thermodynamic property polymer that changes crosslinker or nanofiller concentration. Here, we report the experimental change gelatin/chitosan modified by hydroxyapatite and Our results show synergic effects between...

Extensive damage to peripheral nerves is a health problem with few therapeutic alternatives. In this context, the development of tissue engineering seeks obtain materials that can help recreate environments conducive cellular and functional repair nerves. Different hydrogels have been studied presented as alternatives for future treatments emulate morphological characteristics Along this, other research proposes need incorporate electrical stimuli into agents promote cell growth...

Nanofibers composed of silica nanoparticles, used as structural building blocks, and polystyrene nanoparticles introduced sacrificial material are fabricated by bicolloidal electrospinning. During fiber calcination, particles combusted leaving voids with controlled average sizes. The mechanical properties the sintered fibers investigated suspending nanofiber over a gap performing three-point bending experiments atomic force microscopy. We investigate three different cases: without 60 or 260...

Extensive damage to peripheral nerves is a health problem with few therapeutic alternatives. In this context, the development of tissue engineering seeks obtain materials that can help recreate environments conducive cellular and functional repair nerves. Different hydrogels have been studied presented as alternatives for future treatments emulate morphological characteristics Along this, other research proposes need incorporate electrical stimuli into agents promote cell growth...

The MOCVD assisted formation of nested WS2 inorganic fullerenes (IF-WS2) was performed by enhancing surface diffusion with iodine, and fullerene growth monitored taking TEM snapshots intermediate products. internal structure the core–shell nanoparticles studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) after cross-cutting a focused ion beam (FIB). Lamellar reaction intermediates were found occluded in particles. In contrast to carbon fullerenes, layered metal chalcogenides prefer planar,...

Nanoparticles can be used in a large variety of applications, including magnetic sensing, biological, superconductivity, tissue engineering, and other fields. In this study, we explore the fabrication gas phase silver nanoparticles using sputtering evaporation source. This setup composed dual magnetron cluster source holds several advantages over techniques. The system has independent control concentration wide range size materials that for clusters matrix where it embedded. Characterization...

Chitosan is a useful and versatile biopolymer with several industrial biological applications. Whereas its physical physicochemical bulk properties have been explored quite intensively in the past, there lack of studies regarding morphology growth mechanisms thin films this biopolymer. Of particular interest for applications bionanotechnology are ultrathin thicknesses under 500 Å. Here, we present study chitosan prepared dry process using vapor deposition situ ellipsometric monitoring. The...