Syngas production from H2O and CO2 over Zn particles in a packed‐bed reactor

The solar thermochemical production of H₂ and CO (syngas) from H₂O and CO₂ is examined via a two‐step cycle based on Zn/ZnO redox reactions. The first, endothermic step is the thermolysis of the ZnO driven by concentrated solar energy. The second, nonsolar step is the exothermic reaction of Zn with a mixture of H₂O and CO₂ yielding syngas and ZnO; the latter is recycled to the first step. A series of experimental runs of the second step was carried out in a packed‐bed reactor where ZnO particles provided an effective inert support for preventing sintering and enabling simple and complete recycling to the first, solar step. Experimentation was performed for Zn mass fractions in the range of 33–67 wt % Zn‐ZnO, and inlet gas concentrations in the range 0–75% H₂O–CO₂, yielding molar Zn‐to‐ZnO conversions up to 91%. A 25 wt % Zn‐ZnO sample mixture produced from the solar thermolysis of ZnO was tested in the same reactor setup and exhibited high reactivity and conversions up to 96%. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2012     

Synthesis, properties and biomedical applications of poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS): A review

Poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) is a biodegradable polymer increasingly used in a variety of biomedical applications. This polyester is prepared by polycondensation of glycerol and sebacic acid. PGS exhibits biocompatibility and biodegradability, both highly relevant properties in biomedical applications. PGS also involves cost effective production with the possibility of up scaling to industrial production. In addition, the mechanical properties and degradation kinetics of PGS can be tailored to match the requirements of intended applications by controlling curing time, curing temperature, reactants concentration and the degree of acrylation in acrylated PGS. Because of the flexible and elastomeric nature of PGS, its biomedical applications have mainly targeted soft tissue replacement and the engineering of soft tissues, such as cardiac muscle, blood, nerve, cartilage and retina. However, applications of PGS are being expanded to include drug delivery, tissue adhesive and hard tissue (i.e., bone) regeneration. The design and fabrication of PGS based devices for applications that mimic native physiological conditions are also being pursued. Novel designs range from accordion-like honeycomb structures for cardiac patches, gecko-like surfaces for tissue adhesives to PGS (nano) fibers for extra cellular matrix (ECM) like constructs; new design avenues are being investigated to meet the ever growing demand for replacement tissues and organs. In less than a decade PGS has become a material of great scrutiny and interest by the biomedical research community. In this review we consolidate the valuable existing knowledge in the fields of synthesis, properties and biomedical applications of PGS and PGS-related biomaterials and devices.     

New insights into the crystallization process of sol-gel–derived 45S5 bioactive glass

In this work the influence of thermal treatment conditions on crystallization of a sol-gel-derived 45S5 bioactive glass was evaluated using DSC, XRD, TEM, EDX, and X-ray nanocomputed tomography (nano-CT). Temperature and time of the thermal treatment strongly influence the composition of the crystalline phases. At the onset of the glass transition temperature (600°C), combeite crystallizes as the main phase along with a calcium silicate-phosphate phase, which decomposes into rhenanite from 2 hours of thermal treatment at this temperature. At the crystallization temperature (700°C), combeite remains as the main crystalline phase. Additionally, Na₂Ca₂Si₂O₇ crystalline phase is formed. Our results provide a basic platform for tailoring the crystalline phases by controlling the nucleation and growth of crystalline phases via thermal treatments. Different morphologies (round particles, stacked layers, toothpick-like, and long features) were discerned by TEM as a function of temperature and time of treatment. It is the first time that bioactive glass is investigated by nano-CT at laboratory scale. This novel technique enables the 3D visualization of features in the nanometer range, giving clear information about the volumetric distribution of phases in the sample.     

Electrophoretic deposition of zein coatings

In this study, crack free, well-adhered and transparent zein coatings were obtained on 316L stainless steel substrates by electrophoretic deposition (EPD) employing varying deposition voltages and times. Obtained films were studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, and it was shown that the obtained coatings exhibit homogeneous and smooth surfaces. The deposition yield was investigated at various EPD conditions; the highest yield was found at 10 V and 10 min deposition time. The deposition mechanism was discussed by considering chemical reactions occurring during EPD. The EPD method developed here is attractive for the surface modification of metal implants by zein layers aiming at functionalizing surfaces for biomedical applications.     

Synthesis of Fluorinated Hyperbranched Polymers and Their Use as Additives in Cationic Photopolymerization

Summary: A fluorine containing hyperbranched polymer was synthesized by modifying an aromatic‐aliphatic hyperbranched polyester with a semifluorinated alcohol via a Mitsunobu reaction and was subsequently used as an additive in cationic photopolymerization of an epoxy resin. The remaining OH groups of the fluorinated hyperbranched polymer interact with the polymeric carbocation through a chain‐transfer mechanism inducing an increase in the final epoxy conversion. The fluorinated HBP induces modification of bulk and surface properties, with an increase in T_g and surface hydrophobicity already reached at very low concentration. The HBFP additive can, therefore, protect the coatings from aggressive solvents, increases hardness, and allows the preparation of a low energy surface coating.

Synthesis of fluorinated hyperbranched polyester.     

Oriented crystallization and mechanical properties of polypropylene nucleated on fibrillated polytetrafluoroethylene scaffolds

It is known that friction deposited polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) layers are able to nucleate crystallization of thin films of isotactic polypropylene (iPP). In order to investigate the influence of PTFE on the crystallization behavior and morphology of iPP in bulk, PTFE‐particles of two different sizes in various concentrations were melt‐blended with iPP and subsequently processed by injection molding. For one size of particles, high resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR‐SEM) showed the presence of a PTFE scaffold consisting of highly fibrillated PTFE particles. With X‐ray diffraction (WAXD) pole‐figures, it was evidenced that, after melting and recrystallization of the iPP matrix, a strongly oriented crystallization of iPP on this PTFE scaffold takes place (quiescent crystallization conditions). With WAXD it was also shown that under processing conditions, PTFE acts as a nucleating agent for iPP and that PTFE strongly enhances the formation of processing induced morphologies. Impact and tensile performance of the mixtures were measured. Both the strain energy release rate (G_I) and the E‐modulus were found to increase upon introducing PTFE in iPP. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 45:458–468, 2005. © 2005 Society of Plastics Engineers.     

Obesity and Male Reproduction: Do Sirtuins Play a Role?

Obesity is a major current public health problem of global significance. A progressive sperm quality decline, and a decline in male fertility, have been reported in recent decades. Several studies have reported a strict relationship between obesity and male reproductive dysfunction. Among the many mechanisms by which obesity impairs male gonadal function, sirtuins (SIRTs) have an emerging role. SIRTs are highly conserved nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)-dependent deacetylases that play a role in gene regulation, metabolism, aging, and cancer. SIRTs regulate the energy balance, the lipid balance, glucose metabolism, and adipogenesis, but current evidence also indicates a role for SIRTs in male reproduction. However, the majority of the studies have been conducted in animal models and very few have been conducted with humans. This review shows that SIRTs play an important role among the molecular mechanisms by which obesity interferes with male fertility. This highlights the need to deepen this relationship. It will be of particular interest to evaluate whether synthetic and/or natural compounds capable of modifying the activity of SIRTs may also be useful for the treatment of obesity and its effects on gonadal function. Although few studies have explored the role of SIRT activators in obesity-induced male infertility, some molecules, such as resveratrol, appear to be effective in modulating SIRT activity, as well as counteracting the negative effects of obesity on male fertility. The search for strategies to improve male reproductive function in overweight/obese patients is a challenge and understanding the role of SIRTs and their activators may open new interesting scenarios in the coming years.     

Novel poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) composite films containing bioactive glass nanoparticles for wound healing applications

Bioactive glass is considered an ideal material for haemostasis as it releases Ca²⁺ ions upon hydration, which is required to support thrombosis. In this study the effects of the presence of nanoscaled bioactive glass (n‐BG) in poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) (P(3HB)) microsphere films on the structural properties, thermal properties and biocompatibility of the films were studied. The n‐BG with a high surface area was also tested for its in vitro haemostatic efficacy and was found to be able to successfully reduce clot detection time. In an effort to study the effect of the roughness induced by the formation of hydroxyapatite on cellular functions such as cell adhesion, cell mobility and cell differentiation, the composite films were immersed in simulated body fluid for periods of 1, 3 and 7 days. From scanning electron microscopy images, the surface of the P(3HB)/n‐BG composite microsphere films appeared fairly uniform and smooth on day 1; however on day 3 and day 7 a rough and uneven surface was observed. The presence of hydroxyapatite on the composite microsphere films on day 3 and day 7 influenced the surface roughness of the films. However, when the P(3HB)/n‐BG composite microsphere films with enhanced surface roughness were tested for biocompatibility, reduced amounts of protein adsorption and cell adhesion were observed. This study thus revealed that there is an optimal surface roughness for the P(3HB) microsphere films for increased cell adhesion, beyond which it could be deleterious for cell adhesion and differentiation. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry