Red Blood Cell Membrane as a Biomimetic Nanocoating for Prolonged Circulation Time and Reduced Accelerated Blood Clearance

For decades, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) has been widely incorporated into nanoparticles for evading immune clearance and improving the systematic circulation time. However, recent studies have reported a phenomenon known as “accelerated blood clearance (ABC)” where a second dose of PEGylated nanomaterials is rapidly cleared when given several days after the first dose. Herein, we demonstrate that natural red blood cell (RBC) membrane is a superior alternative to PEG. Biomimetic RBC membrane‐coated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄@RBC NPs) rely on CD47, which is a “don't eat me” marker on the RBC surface, to escape immune clearance through interactions with the signal regulatory protein‐alpha (SIRP‐α) receptor. Fe₃O₄@RBC NPs exhibit extended circulation time and show little change between the first and second doses, with no ABC suffered. In addition, the administration of Fe₃O₄@RBC NPs does not elicit immune responses on neither the cellular level (myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs)) nor the humoral level (immunoglobulin M and G (IgM and IgG)). Finally, the in vivo toxicity of these cell membrane‐camouflaged nanoparticles is systematically investigated by blood biochemistry, hematology testing, and histology analysis. These findings are significant advancements toward solving the long‐existing clinical challenges of developing biomaterials that are able to resist both immune response and rapid clearance.     

An automatic spring-back compensation method in die design based on a genetic algorithm

In the present work, a die shape design method to compensate spring-back in the sheet metal forming process is developed based on a finite element analysis and a genetic algorithm. The proposed method is robust and automated enough for industrial applications. Using a simple stretch bending process as an example, it was demonstrated that the new method optimizes the die profile effectively. The good performance of the die profile optimized utilizing the new method was also verified experimentally, confirming that the new method is likely to be more cost-effective than common design practices in practical applications.     

Influence of transverse vibrations on convective heat transfer in parallel flow tube-in-tube heat exchanger

Tube-in-tube heat exchangers are widely used in food processing industries and wastewater treatment for both heating and cooling. Enhancement techniques namely active, passive, and compound are developed to reduce the thermal resistance in heat exchangers by improving convective heat transfer with or without increase in surface area. The present experimental study is aimed at analyzing the influence of vibrations on the convective heat transfer of a parallel flow tube-in-tube heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is placed in horizontal position and is subjected to transverse vibrations under turbulent fluid flow conditions. Experiments were performed at four frequencies (20, 40, 60, and 100 Hz), three amplitudes (1, 2, and 3 m/s²), and three vibration generator positions along its length, in the Reynolds number range of 10 710 to 21 420. An enhancement in Nusselt number is found with vibration than without vibration throughout the entire range of Reynolds numbers. A maximum enhancement of 33% at 40 Hz frequency, 3 m/s² amplitude, and vibration generator position at three-fourth of the tube length was observed. Empirical correlations are developed for Nusselt number to determine the heat transfer coefficient with vibration with an error of $\pm$10%.     

Effect of fibre content and alkali treatment on mechanical properties of Roystonea regia-reinforced epoxy partially biodegradable composites

The present paper investigates the effect of fibre content and alkali treatment on tensile, flexural and impact properties of unidirectional Roystonea regia natural-fibre-reinforced epoxy composites which are partially biodegradable. The reinforcement Roystonea regia (royal palm) fibre was collected from the foliage of locally available royal palm tree through the process of water retting and mechanical extraction. The poor adhesion between fibre and matrix is commonly encountered problem in natural-fibre-reinforced composites. To overcome this problem, specific physical and chemical treatments were suggested for surface modification of fibres by investigators. Alkali treatment is one of the simple and effective surface modification techniques which is widely used in natural fibre composites. In the present study both untreated and alkali-treated fibres were used as reinforcement in Roystonea regia epoxy composites and the tensile, flexural and impact properties were determined at different fibre contents. The alkali treatment found to be effective in improving the tensile and flexural properties while the impact strength decreased.     

Treatment of refractory organics from membrane rejects using ozonation

The reject water or retentate generated from membrane application for recovery of water from tannery wastewater treatment contains certain refractory organics. These refractory organics are present in substantial quantity in the condensate of reject water also. Hence the treatment of rejects using conventional methods is rather difficult. In this paper, an attempt has been made to treat the reject water from the reverse osmosis (RO) and nano filtration (NF) operation on tannery wastewater using ozonation treatment technique. Ozonation studies on RO and NF rejects indicate that ozone dose of 80 and 100mg/min for 60 and 70 min contact time achieves 59 and 78% chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduction, respectively. The mass balance in ozone indicates the ozone consumption for RO and NF rejects varies from 2.4 to 3.4 and 2.8 to 4.5 g/g of COD removed respectively. The results suggest that ozonation of RO and NF rejects would significantly reduce the refractory organic pollutant loading into the environment from wastewater reuse facility.     

Infrared photodetectors based on reduced graphene oxide and graphene nanoribbons

The use of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) as infrared photodetectors is explored, based on recent results dealing with solar cells, light-emitting devices, photodetectors, and ultrafast lasers. IR detection is demonstrated by both RGO and GNRs in terms of the time-resolved photocurrent and photoresponse. The responsivity of the detectors and their functioning are presented.     

Si-Sb-Te materials for phase change memory applications

Si-Sb-Te materials including Te-rich Si?Sb?Te? and Si(x)Sb?Te? with different Si contents have been systemically studied with the aim of finding the most suitable Si-Sb-Te composition for phase change random access memory (PCRAM) use. Si(x)Sb?Te? shows better thermal stability than Ge?Sb?Te? or Si?Sb?Te? in that Si(x)Sb?Te? does not have serious Te separation under high annealing temperature. As Si content increases, the data retention ability of Si(x)Sb?Te? improves. The 10 years retention temperature for Si?Sb?Te? film is ~393 K, which meets the long-term data storage requirements of automotive electronics. In addition, Si richer Si(x)Sb?Te? films also show improvement on thickness change upon annealing and adhesion on SiO? substrate compared to those of Ge?Sb?Te? or Si?Sb?Te? films. However, the electrical performance of PCRAM cells based on Si(x)Sb?Te? films with x > 3.5 becomes worse in terms of stable and long-term operations. Si(x)Sb?Te? materials with 3 < x < 3.5 are proved to be suitable for PCRAM use to ensure good overall performance.     

Induced albumin secretion from HepG2 spheroids prepared using poly(ethylene glycol) derivative with oleyl groups

We developed a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) derivative with oleyl groups, so-called “cell adhesive”, for the promotion of human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cell spheroids. Our approach was based on crosslinking of the cell membrane with a cell adhesive via a hydrophobic interaction. A cell adhesive, PEG derivative with hydrophobic oleyl groups at both ends was synthesized and characterized. HepG2 spheroids formed when the adhesive was added to cell suspensions. The size of the spheroids increased with time in culture. In addition, Ammonia elimination of HepG2 spheroid with cell adhesive was 3.4 times higher than that without cell adhesive. Furthermore, albumin secretion from HeG2 spheroids grown with the cell adhesive for 7 days was 3.3 times that from HepG2 spheroids grown without cell adhesive. Fluorescence microscopy showed greater albumin staining in spheroids grown with cell adhesive compared with spheroids grown without adhesive. This cell adhesive may be useful not only for single type of cells but also for multi types of cells to form artificial organs. This cell adhesive will be a key material for liver tissue engineering when it will apply to primary hepatocytes.     

Analysis and simulation of a solar water pump for lift irrigation

A solar water pump for lift irrigation, which was shown to be economically viable, was proposed by Rao and Rao [5]. A “modified pump” is suggested, which is suitable for village water supply. The thermodynamic analysis of the pumps is presented. Though the solar water pump is intended to be operated with flat-plate collectors, it is analysed whether the pump could be run more efficiently when coupled with concentrating collectors. The analysis is also applicable for bellow actuated solar water pumps.Preliminary experimental studies showed that the heat losses are 2–3 times the theoretical energy requirement and the losses to the water tank shell accounted for a major part of the total heat losses. To reduce these losses, it is proposed that the inner surface of the water tank shell be lined with a resin bonded cork insulation. A method to evaluate the heat losses to the shell with insulation by solving the unsteady state heat conduction equation for a composite cylindrical body with time varying convective boundary conditions is presented. The heat losses are reduced to 5–15 per cent of the theoretical energy requirement with the use of the internal insulation. The major problem encountered in operating the pump was the inadequate condensation of the working fluid, which resulted in failure of the suction of water into the water tank. To ensure proper suction of water, the conditions to be maintained are analysed. The presence of water vapor and air in the spent vapor has to be taken into consideration while designing the condenser.An algorithm to evaluate the year round performance of the water-cooled pump for any location, given the lift and collector area, is presented. The cost of the water-cooled pump is compared with the costs of other types of solar water pumps and it is shown that the pump under consideration costs several times less than the other ones. The conditions at which the pump will be economical vis-a-vis diesel and electrical pumps are presented.