Choon-Peng Chng¹, Changjin Huang^1,*

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.31, No.2, pp. 1-1, 2024, DOI:10.32604/icces.2024.011464

Abstract Biological membranes play crucial roles in cellular functions, serving as dynamic interfaces that regulate the passage of molecules and signals between the cell and its environment. Understanding how these membranes respond to environmental stimuli is paramount in elucidating cellular adaptation and survival mechanisms. In this talk, we will present our recent studies on the structural and mechanical changes of biological membranes in response to two different environmental factors, including the presence of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and dehydration. Through systematic molecular dynamics simulations, we have revealed a dynamic interplay between membrane components, membrane mechanics and… More >

Christin Rina Ratri^1,2, Qolby Sabrina², Adam Febriyanto Nugraha¹, Sotya Astutiningsih¹, Mochamad Chalid^1,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.11, pp. 1863-1878, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.055492 - 22 November 2024

Abstract Commercial lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) use polyolefins as separators. This has led to increased research on separators composed of renewable materials such as cellulose and its derivatives. In this study, the ionic conductivity of cellulose acetate (CA) polymer electrolyte membranes was enhanced via plasticization with citric acid and succinonitrile. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of these plasticizers in improving cellulose-based separator membranes in LIBs. CA membranes were fabricated using solution casting technique and then plasticized with various concentrations of plasticizers. The structural, thermal, and electrochemical properties of the resulting membranes… More > Graphic Abstract

Xin Yi^1,*

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.30, No.3, pp. 1-1, 2024, DOI:10.32604/icces.2024.012558

Abstract The intricate packing of elastic filaments, including cytoskeletal microtubules, actin filaments, and artificial nanotubes, is fundamental to understanding a plethora of cellular functions and their applications in cellular engineering. Through rigorous theoretical analysis, we investigate the packing dynamics of filaments within vesicles and explore the axial stretching of the vesicle–filament system. Our examination reveals how the interplay of stiffness and size ratios between filaments and vesicles drives transitions in vesicle configurations, prompting filament bending or coiling. We construct morphological phase diagrams to elucidate these transitional phenomena, highlighting the influence of pressurized vesicles in enhancing resistance More >

Yeye Liu¹, Leilei Zhang^1,*, Ruonan Zhang¹, Siqi Shao¹, Lina Sun¹, Xinyi Wan¹, Tiantian Wang¹

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.30, No.2, pp. 1-1, 2024, DOI:10.32604/icces.2024.012576

Abstract Superior thermal insulating and fire-retardant ceramic membranes are urgently demanded in the aerospace, construction and chemical engineering industries. However, the generic characteristics of ceramic membranes, such as brittleness, structural collapse and crystallization-induced pulverization behavior, present a great plague to their practical applications. Herein, we report a highly flexible, mechanically stable, fire retardant and high-temperature-resistant ceramic membrane based on the interlocked Si₃N₄ nanowires formed by the precursor pyrolysis method. The Si₃N₄ nanowires membrane (SNM) has excellent high temperature resistance under alcohol lamp and butane spray lance. The thermal insulation with a thermal conductivity as low as 0.056… More >

Salma Moushi^1,*, Jaouad Ait lahcen¹, Ahmed El Hana¹, Yassine Ezaier¹, Ahmed Hader^1,2, Imane Bakassi¹, Iliass Tarras¹, Yahia Boughaleb^1,3

FDMP-Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, Vol.20, No.11, pp. 2509-2521, 2024, DOI:10.32604/fdmp.2024.053501 - 28 October 2024

Abstract Multi-layer membrane filtration is a widely used technology for separating and purifying different components of a liquid mixture. This technique involves passing the liquid mixture through a series of membranes with decreasing pore sizes, which allows for the separation of different components according to their molecular size. This study investigates the filtration process of a fluid through a two-dimensional porous medium designed for seawater desalination. The focus is on understanding the impact of various parameters such as the coefficient of friction, velocity, and the number of layers on filtration efficiency. The results reveal that the More >

Anuraag Moturi, Dharmesh R. Chejara^*

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.41, No.3, pp. 179-190, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2024.055887 - 30 September 2024

Abstract A chitosan and guar protein isolate blend conjugate (Ch/GPI-Glu) based membrane has been designed and studied for its possible interaction with this biopolymer mixture. The designed conjugate chitosan/guar protein isolate blended membrane was investigated for its structural features using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analyses. IR Spectroscopic data suggested that chitosan and guar protein isolate contributed to a specific intermolecular interaction. The designed membrane was water-insoluble and it exhibited strong polymer–protein interaction. Further, the membrane was also found to have a smooth morphology More >

NOELIA L. D´ELĺA^1,2, A. NOEL GRAVINA^1,2, LUCIANO A. BENEDINI^2,3,*, PAULA V. MESSINA^1,2

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.10, pp. 1401-1403, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.055512 - 02 October 2024

Abstract This work shows relevant interactions between cells and drug-delivery systems based on vesicles crucial for therapeutic activity. This interplay drives strategies for the design of new drug-carry. Among the described systems are found liposomes, extracellular vesicles, and hybrid systems. The text details their properties, advantages, and constraints, and eventually, a perspective about the future of these formulations is proposed. More >

Heru Suryanto^1,2,*, Daimon Syukri³, Fredy Kurniawan⁴, Uun Yanuhar⁵, Joseph Selvi Binoj⁶, Sahrul Efendi², Fajar Nusantara², Jibril Maulana⁷, Nico Rahman Caesar⁵, Komarudin Komarudin²

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.9, pp. 1605-1624, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.054047 - 25 September 2024

Abstract Utilizing biomass waste as a potential resource for cellulose production holds promise in mitigating environmental consequences. The current study aims to utilize pineapple biowaste extract in producing bacterial cellulose acetate-based membranes with magnetic nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles) through the fermentation and esterification process and explore its characteristics. The bacterial cellulose fibrillation used a high-pressure homogenization procedure, and membranes were developed incorporating 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.0 wt.% of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles as magnetic nanoparticle for functionalization. The membrane characteristics were measured in terms of Scanning Electron Microscope, X-ray diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared, Vibrating Sample Magnetometer, antibacterial activity, bacterial… More > Graphic Abstract

JUN-FENG ZHAO^1,†, YI-RAN JIANG^2,†, TIAN-LIN GUO¹, YONG-QING JIAO^1,*, XUN WANG^1,*

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.7, pp. 1011-1022, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.050120 - 03 July 2024

Abstract Neurodegenerative diseases constitute a broad category of diseases caused by the degeneration of the neurons. They are mainly manifested by the gradual loss of neuron structure and function and eventually can cause death or loss of neurons. As the global population ages rapidly, increased people are being diagnosed with neurodegenerative diseases. It has been established that the onset of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is closely linked with increasing age and its major pathological features include amyloid-beta plaques (Aβ), Tau hyperphosphorylation, Neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), neuronal death as well as synaptic loss. The involvement of microglia is crucial… More >

MINGYUE HUANG^1,#, JUNFEI DAI^1,#, XIANLIANG ZHONG², JIN WANG², JIANZHONG XU², BO DU^2,*

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.6, pp. 889-896, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.050097 - 10 June 2024

Abstract Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a disease characterized by capsuled blood products that progressively occupy the intracranial space, causing intracranial hypertension and compression in the brain. CSDH frequently occurs in all demographics, especially in the elderly, but the pathogenesis of CSDH remains unclear. In this review, we discuss the origin, development, and current treatment strategies of CSDH. For the first time, we analyzed the cellular and molecular compositions of hematoma membranes with a focus on neomembrane formation, a complex early-stage interactive event in hematoma pathogenesis. We hypothesize that in patients with CSDH, dural border cells… More >