polymers – TechConnect Briefs

Therapeutic nanoparticle treatment for acute kidney injury

Hughes E., Van Keuren E., Houser B., Gong J., Kang P., Georgetown University, US

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common surgery complication caused by an overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), primarily hydrogen peroxide, in the body. Despite the prevalence and severity of this condition, there is currently [...]

Exploring the Role of Nanomaterials in Advancing Solar Thermal Technologies

Demirel O., Bond A., Beachnau B., Anderson M.G., Icarus RT, Inc., US

Photovoltaics (PV) are a viable renewable energy technology, yet inadequate conversion efficiency remains a steadfast problem. A heat extractor that will attach to the back of a PV panel will cool it and boost its [...]

A Simple Synthesis of Polymer Coated Gold and Silver Nanoparticles in Water for Potential Use in Biomedical Applications

Rahme K., Minassian G., Ghanem E., Sarkis M., Nakhl M., El Hage R., Souaid E., Holmes J.D., Notre Dame University (Louaize), LB

Herein we describe a simple method for the synthesis of highly stable gold (Au) and silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs) in water. Ag and Au NPs of different surface charges (positively charged, negatively charged, or nearly [...]

On the use of polymeric additives to promote plasma separation from whole blood in open microchannels

Lee E., Berthier J., Laurent P., Navarro F., Cubizolles M., CEA, FR

Polymers additives in whole blood are known to modify blood physical properties. For example, Dextran molecules usually accelerate the aggregation of re-suspended RBCs in Ringer solutions. In this work, we first investigate the effect of [...]

Uses of Self-assembled Peptide structures doped with electroluminescent compounds

Martins T.D., Ribeiro A.C.C., Souza G.A., Camargo H.S., Cordeiro D.S., Federal University of Goias, BR

Several distinct technological applications can be addressed to self-assembled peptide nanostructures, especially when electroluminescent organic compounds are inserted in these structures. Depending on the preparation methods, these additives can drive the peptide´s self-assembling, resulting in [...]

Polyurethane Nanocomposite for Fireproof Applications to reduce toxic gases

Mena M.E., Estrada R., Torres L.A., Universidad Iberoamericana Ciudad de Mexico, MX

Rigid polyurethane foams have a wide range of applications such as insulation, packaging, among others, due to their excellent properties. However, as most organic materials are moderately flammable and the flame propagation is very fast; [...]

Branched PEI Capped Gold Nanoparticles in Water for siRNA Delivery to Cancer Cells

Rahme K., Guo J., Biswas S., O’Driscoll C.M., Holmes J.D., Notre Dame University (Louaize), LB

Herein we describe a simple method for the synthesis of different sizes of polyethylenimine-capped gold nanoparticles (AuNPs-PEI) in water and assess their potential to deliver siRNA or other therapeutic agents to cancer cells. AuNP-PEI with [...]

Inkjet Printing of High κ-Dielectric Ceramic/Polymer Composite Thick Films

Mikolajek M., Binder J.R., Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), DE

Inkjet printing offers a high flexibility and therefore is increasingly gaining importance for the selective deposition of functional materials, for example in printed electronics. However, till today either particle based inks or inks based on [...]

Biodiesel Co-product Utilization: Glycerol-derived Films for use in Commercial Applications

Wyatt V., Strahan G., Liu C-K., Jin T., United States Department of Agriculture, US

Developing new outlets for glycerol would have a significant impact on the economics of biodiesel production if value-added products made from glycerol can be identified. Glycerol is the major co-product produced from the process used [...]

Polymer Nanostructure Approach for Photoelectric Solar Energy Conversions

Sun S., Norfolk State University, US

At materials molecular level, photoelectric/photovoltaic conversion corresponds to a photo induced electron transfer from a molecular electron rich donor entity to an electron deficient acceptor entity, and the process is also called photo induced exciton [...]