2023 - Publications Repository - Gdańsk University of Technology

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Publications from the year 2023

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Multifunctional catalyst-assisted sustainable reformation of lignocellulosic biomass into environmentally friendly biofuel and value-added chemicals
- Muhammad Naeem
- Muhammad Imran
- Shoomaila Latif
- Adnan Ashraf
- Nazim Hussain
- Grzegorz Boczkaj
- Wojciech Smułek
- Teofil Jesionowski
- Muhammad Bilal
2023 CHEMOSPHERE
Rapid urbanization is increasing the world's energy demand, making it necessary to develop alternative energy sources. These growing energy needs can be met by the efficient energy conversion of biomass, which can be done by various means. The use of effective catalysts to transform different types of biomasses will be a paradigm change on the road to the worldwide goal of economic sustainability and environmental protection. The development of alternative energy from biomass is not easy, due to the uneven and complex components present in lignocellulose; accordingly, the majority of biomass is currently processed as waste. The problems may be overcome by the design of multifunctional catalysts, offering adequate control over product selectivity and substrate activation. Hence, this review describes recent developments involving various catalysts such as metallic oxides, supported metal or composite metal oxides, char-based and carbon-based substances, metal carbides and zeolites, with reference to the catalytic conversion of biomass including cellulose, hemicellulose, biomass tar, lignin and their derivative compounds into useful products, including bio-oil, gases, hydrocarbons, and fuels. The main aim is to provide an overview of the latest work on the use of catalysts for successful conversion of biomass. The review ends with conclusions and suggestions for future research, which will assist researchers in utilizing these catalysts for the safe conversion of biomass into valuable chemicals and other products.
Multi-functional monodispersed SiO2-TiO2 core-shell nanostructure and TEOS in the consolidation of archaeological lime mortars surfaces
- Abdelrhman Fahmy
- Anna Gołąbiewska
- Wiktoria Wojnicz
- Alicja Stanisławska
- Jakub Kowalski
- Justyna Łuczak
- Adriana Zaleska-Medynska
- Salvador Bella Domínguez-
- Javier Martínez-lópez
- Eduardo Molina-piernas
2023 Journal of Building Engineering
Archaeological traditional lime mortars are susceptible to many environmental conditions such as the impact of water (rain, humidity, groundwater, etc.), variation of temperatures' degrees, wind and/or pollution. Accordingly, this research aims to provide newly assessed multifunctional Nano-coating for the purpose of archaeological lime mortar protection. For this, the study combined physicochemical and mechanical characterizations in performance assessment of 3%, 5%, and 7% of the synthesized SiO2–TiO2 core-shell nanostructure and TEOS as consolidants on the surfaces of the experimental lime mortars. A series of techniques and tests were fulfilled for the evaluation. For analysis, X-ray diffraction and UV–Vis along with scanning electron microscopy were used to identify microstructure. Furthermore, wettability, colorimetric, self-cleaning, petrophysical, Nano-indentation, and uniaxial compressive strength tests were performed to select the most durable consolidant between 3%, 5%, and 7% SiO2–TiO2/TEOS. Durability assessments were carried out through salt weathering, thermal and UV aging tests. The results showed that 3% and 5% of SiO2–TiO2/TEOS enhanced the physical and mechanical properties of the lime mortars. On the other hand, 7% SiO2–TiO2/TEOS proved their insufficient efficacy in improving the surfaces of lime mortars for the high amount of TiO2 and its behavior for aggregation.
Multimedia industrial and medical applications supported by machine learning
- Andrzej Czyżewski
2023
This article outlines a keynote paper presented at the Intelligent DecisionTechnologies conference providing a part of the KES Multi-theme Conference “Smart Digital Futures” organized in Rome on June 14–16, 2023. It briefly discusses projects related to traffic control using developed intelligent traffic signs and diagnosing the health of wind turbine mechanisms and multimodal biometric authentication for banking branches to provide selected examples of industrial applications of intelligent decision technologies. In addition, the developed medical applications for communicating with the surroundings by unconscious people, advanced analyzing disordered speech, and an advanced noncontact respiratory-circulatory radar are presented, using intelligent data analysis and machine learning.
Multi-objective optimization of the ORC axial turbine for a waste heat recovery system working in two modes: cogeneration and condensation
- Łukasz Witanowski
- Piotr Klonowicz
- Piotr Lampart
- Paweł Ziółkowski
2023 ENERGY
Due to the demand of the district heating network and electric power grid ORC turbines can operate in the condensation and cogeneration modes. This approach requires the design of an expander which is characterized by high efficiency in each mode of operation. The paper is devoted to a multi-objective efficiency optimization of a one stage axial ORC turbine working on MM (Hexamethyldisiloxane). An Implicit Filtering algorithm (IF) is used to find a flowpath with maximum efficiency. During the optimization the rotor profiles (at the hub and shroud) and the shape of endwall contours of the rotor domain are changed. Five optimization tasks are carried out with different weights of the efficiency of both modes of operation. Pareto fronts are obtained and a decision- making method is used to select an optimum solution. The optimization of the rotor row allows for significant efficiency improvements in two regimes of operation, with respect to a baseline geometric configuration designed with the help of classical methods
Multi-objective optimization of tool wear, surface roughness, and material removal rate in finishing honing processes using adaptive neural fuzzy inference systems
- Irene Buj - Corral
- Piotr Sender
- Carmelo J. Luis-Pérez
2023 Full text TRIBOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
Honing processes are usually employed to manufacture combustion engine cylinders and hydraulic cylinders. A crosshatch pattern is obtained that favors the oil flow. In this paper, Adaptive Neural Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) models were obtained for tool wear, average roughness Ra, cylindricity and material removal rate in finish honing processes. In addition, multi-objective optimization with the desirability function method was applied, in order to determine the process parameters that allow minimizing roughness, cylindricity error and tool wear, while maximizing material removal rate. The results showed that grain size and tangential velocity should be at their minimum levels, while density, pressure and linear velocity should be at their maximum levels. If only roughness, cylindricity error and tool wear are considered, then low grain size, low pressure and low linear velocity are recommended, while density and tangential velocity vary, depending on the optimization algorithm employed. This work will help to select appropriate process parameters in finishing honing processes, when roughness, cylindricity error and tool wear are to be minimized.
Multiple Reprocessing of Conductive PLA 3D-Printing Filament: Rheology, Morphology, Thermal and Electrochemical Properties Assessment
- Mateusz Cieślik
- Agata Rodak
- Agnieszka Susik
- Natalia Wójcik
- Michał Szociński
- Jacek Ryl
- Krzysztof Formela
2023 Full text Materials
Additive manufacturing technologies are gaining more and more attention, resulting in the development or modification of 3D printing techniques and dedicated materials. On the other hand, economic and ecological aspects force the industry to develop material recycling strategies. In this work, the multiple reprocessing of a commercially available PLA conductive composite with carbon black filler, dedicated to 3D printing, was investigated. The effects of extrusion temperature (190 °C and 200 °C) and reprocessing steps (1–5 steps) on the rheology, morphology, thermal and electrochemical properties of the conductive PLA 3D-printing filament were evaluated. The results showed deterioration of the thermal stability and material strength, as well as the influence of reprocessing on the melting point, which increases after initial melting. The electronic conduction mechanism of the composite depends on the percolation paths and it is also affected by the multiple processing. The reversibility of the [Fe(CN)6]3−/4− redox process diminishes with a higher degradation level of the conductive PLA. Importantly, the material fluidity was too high after the multiple reprocessing, which should be considered and suitably corrected during CB–PLA application as a 3D-printed electrode material.
Multi-response optimization on the effect of wet and eco-friendly cryogenic turning of D2 steel using Taguchi-based grey relational analysis
- Sisay Workineh Agebo
- Mahaboob Patel
- Mariusz Deja
2023 Full text INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY
Material removal processes, including turning and milling, are still commonly used operations for manufacturing most of mechanical components in modern industry. Apart from the cutting parameters, the cooling method has the great impact on the technological efects and, above all, on the environmental friendliness of production. In this study, multi-response optimization on the efect of wet and cryogenic machining is performed during the turning of AISI D2 steel samples. Spindle speeds, feed rates, depths of cut, and cutting fluid types varied in a Taguchi mixed design L16 orthogonal array. Statistics, such as an analysis of variance (ANOVA) and a regression model, were applied to the obtained data on the metal removal rate and surface roughness. By employing a grey relational analysis, the best cutting factors for a set of several responses were determined. Among the many factors influencing the rate at which material is removed, analysis of variance revealed that the feed rate was the most influential factor (46.67%), followed by spindle speed (46.65%). Analysis of the factors influencing surface roughness pointed to the feed, cutting condition, and spindle speed as the most essential at 56.66%, 26.04%, and 11.7%, respectively. ANOVA of grey relational analysis shows that speed followed by cutting conditions is the most predominant factor, with a percentage contribution of 71.9% and 14.14%, respectively. From grey relational analysis, a level setting of 4-4-1-2 was identified as the best possible combination of multi-response process parameters. A close agreement is observed between the predicted value of GRG 0.7927 and the experimental validation value of GRG 0.8031. Moreover, the validation test reveals that the percentage errors in estimating material removal rate, surface roughness, and GRG, respectively, are 4.33%, 9.09%, and 1.29%, from predicted values. A study on metallographic observations revealed that parts after wet machining have more tool marks on the treated surface than parts after cryogenic machining.
Multiscale model for blood flow after a bileaflet artificial aortic valve implantation
- Marcin Nowak
- Eduardo Divo
- Wojciech P. Adamczyk
2023 COMPUTERS IN BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality in the world, mainly due to atherosclerosis and its consequences. The article presents the numerical model of the blood flow through artificial aortic valve. The overset mesh approach was applied to simulate the valve leaflets motion and to realize the moving mesh, in the aortic arch and the main branches of cardiovascular system. To capture the cardiac system’s response and the effect of vessel compliance on the outlet pressure, the lumped parameter model has been also included within the solution procedure. Three different turbulence modeling approaches were used and compared — the laminar, k- and k- model. The simulation results were also compared with the model excluding the moving valve geometry and the importance of the lumped parameter model for the outlet boundary condition was analyzed. Proposed numerical model and protocol was found as suitable for performing the virtual operations on the real patient vasculature geometry. The time-efficient turbulence model and overall solving procedure allows to support the clinicians in making decisions about the patient treatment and to predict the results of the future surgery.
Multisine impedimetric monitoring with an in-depth distribution of relaxation times analysis of WE43 and AZ31 magnesium alloys corrosion
- Maria Osipenko
- Jakub Karczewski
- Michał Dominów
- Marta Prześniak-Welenc
- Iryna Makarava
- Irina Kurilo
- Dmitry Kharitonov
- Jacek Ryl
2023 Full text MEASUREMENT
This research aims to develop and utilize an impedance-based tool for monitoring non-stationary electrochemical processes, coupling the multisinusoidal perturbation signal approach and distribution of relaxation times (DRT) analysis for the first time. The approach was used to distinguish independent processes occurring at the surface of AZ31 and WE43 Mg alloys undergoing corrosion in Hank’s Balanced Salt Solution at 37 °C. We highlighted two common processes related to corrosion product layer formation. Detailed DEIS-DRT analysis was capable of real-time identification of a unique third process for the WE43 alloy, resulting from a spatially localized filiform corrosion attack in the vicinity of intermetallic particles. The proposed tool proved to be highly efficient in terms of studying non-stationary processes, while the DRT analysis allowed for an in-depth and precise localization of the number and the kinetics of the ongoing processes. The corrosion mechanism description was supported by numerous microscopic and spectroscopic tools.
Mutagenic and Carcinogenic Compounds in Food
- Agnieszka Bartoszek-Pączkowska
- Serhii Holota
2023
Food is a major environmental human cancer risk factor. One of the reasons for this is that food products contain substances that exhibit mutagenic and carcinogenic potential which may induce the transformation of normal somatic cells into cancerous cells. These compounds occur in food as a result of microbial contaminations (mycotoxins produced by molds), are generated from natural food components upon processing (e.g. heterocyclic aromatic amines formed during thermal treatment of meat), penetrate into foodstuffs due to environmental exposure (pesticides used to protect crops), but also sometimes are added to foods purposefully (some food additives). Although food components may affect carcinogenic processes in the human organism in many ways, affecting different hallmarks of cancer, the genotoxic mutagens and carcinogens are likely to remain the convenient marker of food safety as their detection and association with the development of oncological diseases are best established. This chapter presents major food mutagens and carcinogens with an emphasis on their established usefulness in the assessment of diet-related cancer risk.
Mutual Coupling Reduction in Antenna Arrays Using Artificial Intelligence Approach and Inverse Neural Network Surrogates
- Saeed Roshani
- Sławomir Kozieł
- Salah Yahya
- Muhammad Chaudhary
- Yazeed Ghadi
- Sobhan Roshani
- Łukasz Gołuński
2023 Full text SENSORS
This paper presents a novel approach to reduce undesirable coupling in antenna arrays using custom-designed resonators and inverse surrogate modeling. To illustrate the concept, two stand-ard patch antenna cells with 0.07λ edge-to-edge distance are designed and fabricated to operate at 2.45 GHz. A stepped-impedance resonator is applied between the antennas to suppress their mutual coupling. For the first time, the optimum values of the resonator geometry parameters are obtained using the proposed inverse artificial neural network (ANN) model, constructed from the sampled EM-simulation data of the system, and trained using the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. The inverse ANN surrogate directly yields the optimum resonator dimensions based on the target values of its S-parameters being the input parameters of the model. The in-volvement of surrogate modeling also contributes to acceleration of the design process, as the ar-ray does not need to undergo direct EM-driven optimization. The obtained results indicate a re-markable cancellation of the surface currents between two antennas at their operating frequency, which translates into isolation as high as −46.2 dB at 2.45 GHz, corresponding to over 37 dB im-provement as compared to the conventional setup.
MXene-based materials for removal of antibiotics and heavy metals from wastewater– a review
- Farooque Janjhi
- Ihsanullah Ihsanullah
- Muhammad Bilal
- Roberto Castro-Muñoz
- Grzegorz Boczkaj
- Fausto Gallucci
2023 Full text Water Resources and Industry
As a novel family of 2D materials, MXenes provide an extensive variety of applications in water and effluent treatment due to their distinctive properties and attractive applicability, including superior electrical conductivity, higher thermal stability, hydrophilicity, and high sorption-reduction capacity. Their excellent sorption selectivity makes them perfect for removing hazardous contaminants. Currently, MXene-based materials are regarded as one of the most important topics in membrane separation processes. This work presents a comprehensive review of recent developments in MXene-based water treatment materials. The applications of MXene-based membranes, adsorbents, and photo-catalysts in removing antibiotics and heavy metals from water are discussed. A comparison of MXene-based membranes with other 2D membranes is outlined. Finally, prospects and challenges for future research are discussed.
MXenes Antibacterial Properties and Applications: A Review and Perspective
- Farzad Seidi
- Ahmad Arabi Shamsabadi
- Mostafa Dadashi Firouzjaei
- Mark Elliott
- Mohammad Saeb
- Yang Huang
- Chengcheng Li
- Huining Xiao
- Babak Anasori
2023 SMALL
The mutations of bacteria due to the excessive use of antibiotics, and generation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria have made the development of new antibacterial compounds a necessity. MXenes have emerged as biocompatible transition metal carbide structures with extensive biomedical applications. This is related to the MXenes’ unique combination of properties, including multifarious elemental compositions, 2D-layered structure, large surface area, abundant surface terminations, and excellent photothermal and photoelectronic properties. The focus of this review is the antibacterial application of MXenes, which has attracted the attention of researchers since 2016. A quick overview of the synthesis strategies of MXenes is provided and then summarizes the effect of various factors (including structural properties, optical properties, surface charges, flake size, and dispersibility) on the biocidal activity of MXenes. The main mechanisms for deactivating bacteria by MXenes are discussed in detail including rupturing of the bacterial membrane by sharp edges of MXenes nanoflakes, generating the reactive oxygen species (ROS), and photothermal deactivating of bacteria. Hybridization of MXenes with other organic and inorganic materials can result in materials with improved biocidal activities for different applications such as wound dressings and water purification. Finally, the challenges and perspectives of MXene nanomaterials as biocidal agents are presented.
Nano soil improvement technique using cement
- Hamed Niroumand,
- Lech Bałachowski
- Reza Parviz
2023 Full text Scientific Reports
Nano soil-improvement is an innovative idea in geotechnical engineering. Nanomaterials are among the newest additives that improve soil properties. Herein, laboratory tests, such as unconfined compressive strength, direct shear test, and initial tests, were conducted to investigate the geotechnical properties of Kelachay clay with micro- and nanosized cement to evaluate its particles in untreated soil and observe changes in the behavioral properties of treated soil compared to those of untreated soil. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray fluorescence images were analyzed before and after the grinding process to determine the nature of the studied particles. Furthermore, effects of time and nanocement content (0%, 1%, 3%, 5%, and 7%) on curing performance were evaluated. The optimum percentage of nano-cement was found to be 7%, which increased the unconfined compressive strength by up to 29 times and reduced the strain at rupture by 74% compared to the untreated soil. The results showed that nano-cement significantly improved the strength and stiffness of the soil–cement mixture by forming calcium silicate hydrate (C–S–H) gel that filled the pores and bonded the soil particles. Nano-cement also acted as a nucleation site for more C–S–H growth, enhancing the durability and strength of the mixture.
Nanobiocatalysis for biofuel production
- Faisal Khan
- Nazim Hussain
- Hafiz M.N. Iqbal
- Jesús Fernández-Lucas
- Jakub Zdarta
- Teofil Jesionowski
- Muhammad Bilal
2023
The human race is relied on the use of conventional and non-renewable energy resources like fossil fuels for centuries. With the rising environmental issues linked with the use of these conventional energy resources, the trend soon shifted towards more robust and sustainable energy resources. In this regard, the different generations of biofuels have revolutionized the industrial sector by ensuring an eco-friendly and more economical way of producing energy. The second-generation feedstock has widely been exploited in the industries to generate vital biofuels like biodiesel and bioethanol. The conventional methods utilized for biofuel production had some major drawbacks like greenhouse gases emission, lower conversion yield, high enzyme cost, and the energy requirement for pretreatment processes. These complications led scientists and researchers around the globe to find ways to not only enhance the pre-existing methods but also to introduce novel methods for biofuel production. In this regard, nanobiocatalysis emerged as a novel system where the advances in nanotechnology and biotechnology unraveled novel methods for efficient biofuels production. The application of nanobiocatalysis has thus greatly enhanced the biocatalytic properties of enzymes in the production of biofuels such as biodiesel, bioethanol, and biogas. This chapter provides a general overview of the different generations of biofuels and feed stocks. Moreover, it highlights the recent trends in nanobiocatalysis for biofuel production and summarizes the various immobilization methods of enzymes by exploiting nanoparticles developed recently.
Nanocrystallization as a tool for controlling in vitro dissolution of borophosphate glass
- Julia Dziewanowska
- Jakub Karczewski
- Sharafat Ali
- Natalia Wójcik
2023 CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL
The controlled nanocrystallization of sodium-calcium-borophosphate glass (Na16.6Ca5.1B10.5Al0.8P10.5 O56.5 in at %) was conducted to investigate its influence on in vitro dissolution. Three temperatures (570 ◦C, 590 ◦C, and 610 ◦C) were selected based on thermal analysis and investigation of the morphology, structure, and in vitro dissolution of glass and glass-ceramics was conducted. The results of X-ray diffraction confirmed the presence of calcium phosphates nanocrystallites in glass-ceramics, with their contents increasing proportionally to the crystallization temperature. Infrared spectroscopy showed the presence of phosphate and borate network units, along with phosphates in a crystalline form. It was found that the target glass shows the highest mass loss in comparison to the glass-ceramics. Controlled nanocrystallization slowed down the dissolution of the materials (>10%), but did not adversely affect the deposition of hydroxyapatite layer. The presence of calcium phosphate nanocrystallites favors the process of B3+ release. The nanocrystallization of borophosphate glasses is a perspective tool for controlling the rate of dissolution of bioactive materials and enhancing their ability to deposit hydroxyapatite on their surface.
Nanodiamonds Doped with Manganese for Applications in Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Srinivasu Kunuku
- Bo-Rong Lin
- Chien-Hsu Chen
- Chun-Hsiang Chang
- Tzung-Yuang Chen
- Tung-Yuan Hsiao
- Hung-Kai Yu
- Yu-Jen Chang
- Li-Chuan Liao
- Fang-Hsin Chen
- Robert Bogdanowicz
- Huan Niu
2023 Full text ACS Omega
Nanodiamonds (NDs) are emerging with great potential in biomedical applications like biomarking through fluorescence and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), targeted drug delivery, and cancer therapy. The magnetic and optical properties of NDs could be tuned by selective doping. Therefore, we report multifunctional manganese-incorporated NDs (Mn-NDs) fabricated by Mn ion implantation. The fluorescent properties of Mn-NDs were tuned by inducing the defects by ion implantation and enhancing the residual nitrogen vacancy density achieved by a two-step annealing process. The cytotoxicity of Mn-NDs was investigated using NCTC clone 929 cells, and the results revealed no cytotoxicity effect. Mn-NDs have demonstrated dual mode contrast enhancement for both T1- and T2-weighted in vitro MR imaging. Furthermore, Mn-NDs have illustrated a significant increase in longitudinal relaxivity (fivefold) and transversal relaxivity (17-fold) compared to the as-received NDs. Mn-NDs are employed to investigate their ability for in vivo MR imaging by intraperitoneal (ip) injection of Mn-NDs into mice with liver tumors. After 2.5 h of ip injection, the enhancement of contrast in T1- and T2-weighted images has been observed via the accumulation of Mn-NDs in liver tumors of mice. Therefore, Mn-NDs have great potential for in vivo imaging by MR imaging in cancer therapy.
Nanokrystaliczne warstwy ceramiczne otrzymywane metodą pirolizy aerozolowej w tlenkowych ogniwach paliwowych
- Bartosz Kamecki
2023 Full text
Niniejsza rozprawa doktorska dotyczy badań materiałów wytwarzanych w postaci cienkich, nanokrystalicznych warstw ceramicznych metodą pirolizy aerozolowej dla zastosowań w tlenkowych ogniwach paliwowych (SOFC). Badane są trzy możliwe obszary zastosowań wytwarzanych warstw tj. osadzanie powłok ochronnych na stalowych interkonektorach dostarczających gazy do elektrody tlenowej, wytwarzanie bariery ochronnej zapobiegającej dyfuzji jonów pomiędzy elektrodą tlenową, a elektrolitem oraz modyfikacja interfejsu katoda - elektrolit poprzez wprowadzenie funkcjonalnej warstwy katodowej na interfejsie. Zakres przeprowadzonych prac eksperymentalnych obejmuje wytwarzanie materiałów w postaci cienkich warstw metodą pirolizy aerozolowej, badania strukturalne metodą dyfrakcji rentgenowskiej, analizę mikrostruktury, morfologii i składu chemicznego metodami mikroskopowymi, pomiary przewodności elektrycznej i właściwości elektrochemicznych, a także badania pojedynczych ogniw paliwowych z zastosowaniem opracowanych warstw. Pierwsza część rozprawy przedstawia podstawy funkcjonowania i dotychczasowy stan wiedzy na temat ogniw paliwowych. Kolejna część pracy zawiera opis i przegląd literatury na temat metody wytwarzania warstw - pirolizy aerozolowej oraz metody eksperymentalne wykorzystywane do ich pomiaru. Główną część pracy przedstawiającą przeprowadzone badania i ich analizę stanowi zbiór sześciu publikacji opublikowanych w czasopismach: Journal of the European Ceramic Society (IF 6.364, 140 pkt MNiSW 2021), ECS Transactions, Journal of Electronic Materials (IF 2.047, 40 pkt MNiSW 2021), Advanced Materials Interfaces (IF 6.389, 100 pkt MNiSW 2021), oraz ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces (IF 10.383, 200 pkt MNiSW 2021). Końcowa część rozprawy podsumowuje wykonane badania oraz płynące z nich wnioski.
Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis of Urinary Extracellular Vesicle Proteins as a New Challenge in Laboratory Medicine
- Kornelia Sałaga-zaleska
- Agnieszka Kuchta
- Beata Bzoma
- Gabriela Chyła-Danił
- Anna Safianowska
- Agata Płoska
- Leszek Kalinowski
- Alicja Dębska-ślizień
- Maciej Jankowski
2023 Full text INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
Urinary extracellular vesicle (uEV) proteins may be used as specific markers of kidney damage in various pathophysiological conditions. The nanoparticle-tracking analysis (NTA) appears to be the most useful method for the analysis of uEVs due to its ability to analyze particles below 300 nm. The NTA method has been used to measure the size and concentration of uEVs and also allows for a deeper analysis of uEVs based on their protein composition using fluorescence measurements. However, despite much interest in the clinical application of uEVs, their analysis using the NTA method is poorly described and requires meticulous sample preparation, experimental adjustment of instrument settings, and above all, an understanding of the limitations of the method. In the present work, we demonstrate the usefulness of an NTA. We also present problems encountered during analysis with possible solutions: the choice of sample dilution, the method of the presentation and comparison of results, photobleaching, and the adjustment of instrument settings for a specific analysis. We show that the NTA method appears to be a promising method for the determination of uEVs. However, it is important to be aware of potential problems that may affect the results.
Nanoparticles and nanofiltration for wastewater treatment: From polluted to fresh water
- Tomy M. Joseph
- Hussein Al-Hazmi
- Bogna Śniatała
- Amin Esmaeili
- Sajjad Habibzadeh
2023 ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
Water pollution poses significant threats to both ecosystems and human health. Mitigating this issue requires effective treatment of domestic wastewater to convert waste into bio-fertilizers and gas. Neglecting liquid waste treatment carries severe consequences for health and the environment. This review focuses on intelligent technologies for water and wastewater treatment, targeting waterborne diseases. It covers pollution prevention and purification methods, including hydrotherapy, membrane filtration, mechanical filters, reverse osmosis, ion exchange, and copper-zinc cleaning. The article also highlights domestic purification, field techniques, heavy metal removal, and emerging technologies like nanochips, graphene, nanofiltration, atmospheric water generation, and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs)-based cleaning. Emphasizing water cleaning's significance for ecosystem protection and human health, the review discusses pollution challenges and explores the integration of wastewater treatment, coagulant processes, and nanoparticle utilization in management. It advocates collaborative efforts and innovative research for freshwater preservation and pollution mitigation. Innovative biological systems, combined with filtration, disinfection, and membranes, can elevate recovery rates by up to 90%, surpassing individual primary (<10%) or biological methods (≤50%). Advanced treatment methods can achieve up to 95% water recovery, exceeding UN goals for clean water and sanitation (Goal 6). This progress aligns with climate action objectives and safeguards vital water-rich habitats (Goal 13). The future holds promise with advanced purification techniques enhancing water quality and availability, underscoring the need for responsible water conservation and management for a sustainable future