Polymer Technology Research Articles

Impact of Porosity and Stiffness of 3D Printed Polycaprolactone Scaffolds on Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells and Activation of Dendritic Cells.

Despite the potential of extrusion-based printing of thermoplastic polymers in bone tissue engineering, the inherent nonporous stiff nature of the printed filaments may elicit immune responses that influence bone regeneration. In this study, bone scaffolds made of polycaprolactone (PCL) filaments with different internal microporosity and stiffness was 3D-printed. It was achieved by combining three fabrication techniques, salt leaching and 3D printing at either low or high temperatures (LT/HT) with or without nonsolvent induced phase separation (NIPS). Printing PCL at HT resulted in stiff scaffolds (modulus of elasticity (E): 403 ± 19 MPa and strain: 6.6 ± 0.1%), while NIPS-based printing at LT produced less stiff and highly flexible scaffolds (E: 53 ± 10 MPa and strain: 435 ± 105%). Moreover, the introduction of porosity by salt leaching in the printed filaments significantly changed the mechanical properties and degradation rate of the scaffolds. Furthermore, this study aimed to show how these variations influence proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hBMSC) and the maturation and activation of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (Mo-DC). The cytocompatibility of the printed scaffolds was confirmed by live-dead imaging, metabolic activity measurement, and the continuous proliferation of hBMSC over 14 days. While all scaffolds facilitated the expression of osteogenic markers (RUNX2 and Collagen I) from hBMSC as detected through immunofluorescence staining, the variation in porosity and stiffness notably influenced the early and late mineralization. Furthermore, the flexible LT scaffolds, with porosity induced by NIPS and salt leaching, stimulated Mo-DC to adopt a pro-inflammatory phenotype marked by a significant increase in the expression of IL1B and TNF genes, alongside decreased expression of anti-inflammatory markers, IL10 and TGF1B. Altogether, the results of the current study demonstrate the importance of tailoring porosity and stiffness of PCL scaffolds to direct their biological performance toward a more immune-mediated bone healing process.

Hydrogel granular systems for controlled release based on (co)polymers of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate with polyvinylpyrrolidone (a review)

The development of polymer carriers for systems of prolonged and controlled release of substances, particularly drugs, into the action environment is a relevant task in polymer chemistry and technology. This aims to solve the problem of reducing the effective dose of a medical drug administered into the body of a person or animal. The latest achievements in the field of creating such carriers in the form of spherical particles based on 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and polyvinylpyrrolidone (co)polymers are analyzed and summarized. The working principles and advantages of such systems are described. The research of the synthesis regularities, structure, properties and perspectives of application of granular hydrogels based on 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and its copolymers with polyvinylpyrrolidone was analyzed. The mixture of decanol and cyclohexanol as a solvent for the monomer phase is substantiated. Based on the analysis of kinetic studies, the optimal technological parameters for the suspension polymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate with polyvinylpyrrolidone were selected, and the possibility of regulating the dispersion characteristics of copolymers via changes in the technological synthesis modes was confirmed. The results of studies on the sorption-desorption properties of copolymers concerning model substances and drugs are described. The possibility of directed regulation of sorption capacity and drug release rate through changes in copolymer composition was confirmed. Methods for increasing the sorption capacity of hydrogels for drugs are proposed.

Exploring the role of SAP chemical composition in the internal curing of high-performance cementitious materials

This study investigates the impact of the chemical composition of superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) on their effectiveness in internal curing within high-performance cementitious materials. Although the use of commercial SAPs in cementitious systems has been widely researched, there is still no consensus on how different SAP structures influence material properties. For the first time, this research employs photoinitiated free radical polymerization technology to synthesize three structurally distinct SAPs: SAP with sulfonic acid groups (PAMPS), SAP with amide groups (PAM), and SAP with carboxyl groups (PAAs). The effects of these SAPs on the cement hydration process and microstructure were examined by analyzing their water absorption behavior in cement filtrate. The residual cation content on the SAP surface was evaluated using EDS, while XRD and TGA were used to study how SAP structure affects cement hydration products. Furthermore, the impact of these SAPs on the strength and autogenous shrinkage of the material was investigated. The results indicate that PAMPS, with its sulfonic acid groups, exhibited stable water absorption performance in the alkaline cement environment, promoting hydration reactions and increasing the formation of needle-shaped C-S-H. This stability contributed to mitigating the negative effects on mechanical properties. While the inclusion of SAPs generally reduced the strength of the cement matrix, PAMPS was the most effective in mitigating autogenous shrinkage, achieving a shrinkage mitigation efficiency of 86 %. These findings highlight the importance of SAP chemical structure in influencing cement hydration and material performance, offering insights for the development of effective internal curing agents to enhance high-performance concrete.

In Situ Multiphysical Metrology for Photonic Wire Bonding by Two-Photon Polymerization.

Femtosecond laser two-photon polymerization (TPP) technology, known for its high precision and its ability to fabricate arbitrary 3D structures, has been widely applied in the production of various micro/nano optical devices, achieving significant advancements, particularly in the field of photonic wire bonding (PWB) for optical interconnects. Currently, research on optimizing both the optical loss and production reliability of polymeric photonic wires is still in its early stages. One of the key challenges is that inadequate metrology methods cannot meet the demand for multiphysical measurements in practical scenarios. This study utilizes novel in situ scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to monitor the working PWBs fabricated by TPP technology at the microscale. Optical and mechanical measurements are made simultaneously to evaluate the production qualities and to study the multiphysical coupling effects of PWBs. The results reveal that photonic wires with larger local curvature radii are more prone to plastic failure, while those with smaller local curvature radii recover elastically. Furthermore, larger cross-sectional dimensions contribute dominantly to the improved mechanical robustness. The optical-loss deterioration of the elastically deformed photonic wire is only temporary, and can be fully recovered when the load is removed. After further optimization based on the results of multiphysical metrology, the PWBs fabricated in this work achieve a minimum insertion loss of 0.6 dB. In this study, the multiphysical analysis of PWBs carried out by in situ SEM metrology offers a novel perspective for optimizing the design and performance of microscale polymeric waveguides, which could potentially promote the mass production reliability of TPP technology in the field of chip-level optical interconnection.

The Input of Nanoclays to the Synergistic Flammability Reduction in Flexible Foamed Polyurethane/Ground Tire Rubber Composites.

Currently, postulated trends and law regulations tend to direct polymer technology toward sustainability and environmentally friendly solutions. These approaches are expressed by keeping materials in a loop aimed at the circular economy and by reducing the environmental burdens related to the production and use of polymers and polymer-based materials. The application of recycled or waste-based materials often deals efficiently with the first issue but at the expense of the final products' performance, which requires various additives, often synthetic and petroleum-based, with limited sustainability. Therefore, a significant portion of research is often required to address the drawbacks induced by the application of secondary raw materials. Herein, the presented study aimed to investigate the fire performance of polymer composites containing highly flammable matrix polyurethane (PU) foam and filler ground tire rubber (GTR) originating from car tire recycling. Due to the nature of both phases and potential applications in the construction and building or automotive sectors, the flammability of these composites should be reduced. Nevertheless, this issue has hardly been analyzed in literature and dominantly in our previous works. Herein, the presented work provided the next step and investigated the input of nanoclays to the synergistic flammability reduction in flexible, foamed PU/GTR composites. Hybrid compositions of organophosphorus FRs with expandable graphite (EG) in varying proportions and with the addition of surface-modified nanoclays were examined. Changes in the parameters obtained during cone calorimeter tests were determined, discussed, and evaluated with the fire performance index and flame retardancy index, two parameters whose goal is to quantify the overall fire performance of polymer-based materials.

3D Bioprinting Strategies for Melatonin‐Loaded Polymers in Bone Tissue Engineering

AbstractBone pathologies are still among the most challenging issues for orthopedics. Over the past decade, different methods are developed for bone repair. In addition to advanced surgical and graft techniques, polymer‐based biomaterials, bioactive glass, chitosan, hydrogels, nanoparticles, and cell‐derived exosomes are used for bone healing strategies. Owing to their variation and promising advantages, most of these methods are not translated into clinical practice. Three dimensonal (3D) bioprinting is an additive manufacturing technique that has become a next‐generation biomaterial technique adapted for anatomic modeling, artificial tissue or organs, grafting, and bridging tissues. Polymer‐based biomaterials are mostly used for the controlled release of various drugs, therapeutic agents, mesenchymal stem cells, ions, and growth factors. Polymers are now among the most preferable materials for 3D bioprinting. Melatonin is a well‐known antioxidant with many osteoinductive properties and is one of the key hormones in the brain–bone axis. 3D bioprinted melatonin‐loaded polymers with unique lipophilic, anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, and osteoinductive properties for filling large bone gaps following fractures or congenital bone deformities may be developed in the future. This study summarized the benefits of 3D bioprinted and polymeric materials integrated with melatonin for sustained release in bone regeneration approaches.

Investigation the machining of the engineering polymers

During the turning process, we have investigated the problems that can arise, such as avoiding the formation of flowchips, which are eliminated by sawing the workpiece longitudinally. Furthermore, we measured the main cutting forcesacting on the blade and the cutting forces in the feed direction at different feed rates, depths of grip and cutting speeds,and investigated possible correlations between these.Chips produced at different cutting parameters and with different materials were investigated. All turning operationsare carried out without emulsion and all other coolants for environmental and other reasons.The specific cutting resistances have been determined, which are essential for determining good tool utilisation andalso for planning the economics of machiningThe aim of this research is to define machining parameters that can be used in practice for the engineering plasticsunder investigation, so that the machining of these materials by turning can be made more economical.

The Fabrication of Polyimide-Based Tunable Charge Traps Ternary Memristors Doped with Ni-Co Coated Carbon Composite Nanofibers.

In the dynamic fields of information science and electronic technology, there is a notable trend towards leveraging carbon materials, favored for their ease of synthesis, biocompatibility, and abundance. This trend is particularly evident in the development of memristors, benefiting from the unique electronic properties of carbon to enhance device performance. This study utilizes sensitized chemical evaporation and spin-coating carbonization techniques to fabricate nickel-cobalt coated carbon composite nanofibers (SC-NCMNTs). Novel polyimide (PI) matrix composite memory devices were fabricated using in situ polymerization technology. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and micro-Raman spectroscopy analyses validated the presence of dual interface structures located between the Ni-Co-MWNTs, carbon composite nanofibers, and PI matrix, revealing a significant number of defects within the SC-NCMNTs/PI composite films. Consequently, this results in a tunable charge trap-based ternary resistive switching behavior of the composite memory devices, exhibiting a high ON/OFF current ratio of 104 and a retention time of 2500 s at an operating voltage of less than 3 V. The mechanism of resistive switching is thoroughly elucidated through a comprehensive charge transport model, incorporating molecular orbital energy levels. This study provides valuable insights for the rational design and fabrication of efficient memristors characterized by multilevel resistive switching states.

Polymer Science and Engineering in India

Polymer Science and Engineering in India

Comparative study of bisphenols in e-cigarette liquids: Evaluating fabric phase sorptive extraction, ultrasound-assisted membrane extraction, and solid phase extraction techniques

To address the under-researched risk of bisphenols (BPs) in e-cigarette liquids, comprehensive studies have been conducted to propose optimum sample preparation and analysis methods. To determine twelve BPs in refill liquids for e-cigarettes, three sample preparation methods based on distinct operational and working principles were employed. These included fabric phase sorptive extraction (FPSE), ultrasound-assisted solvent extraction of porous membrane-packed samples (UASE-PMS) and solid phase extraction (SPE) utilizing molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) technology. Each extraction method was combined with ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Key parameters of FPSE and UASE-PMS procedures were optimized. This optimization included selection of the FPSE membrane types, durations of extraction and the choice solvents. Comprehensive validation was conducted, demonstrating linearity across a range from 2 to 60 ng/mL for all BPs (BPS, BPA, BPF, BPE, BPB, BPC, BPZ, BPFL, BPBP, BPP, BPG and BPM). Determination coefficients were above 0.9913, signifying linear relationship. The limits of detection (LODs) were established below 0.90 ng/mL, while the limits of quantification (LOQs) were lower than 2.5 ng/mL. Notably, the method based on UASE-PMS was successfully applied to the analysis of refill liquids for e-cigarettes samples. A comparative analysis of the methods highlighted variances in precision, accuracy, and applicable aspects, such as adjustment of parameters, sample preparation time, cost, handling, availability and possible limitations. Three methods have been identified as suitable for analysing BPs in e-cigarette refill liquids, highlighting the necessity to examine their presence in these products.

Boron nitride: The key material in polymer composites for electromobility

AbstractDespite the continuous development and improvement of many technologies and multifunctional materials for the electric powertrain (ePowertrain) for electric vehicles, there are still technical issues and challenges to address such as thermal management in batteries, electric motors, and power electronic devices, as most of their failures are due to poor thermal management. Consequently, conventional engineering polymer materials already used must be replaced since most of them have low thermal conductivity and are therefore limited in performance for thermal management applications. A key solution is to develop highly thermally conductive polymer composites that combine other features, such as flame‐retardant, electrical insulation, and mechanical and barrier properties, by incorporating fillers into the polymer matrix. This approach has attracted intensive research efforts. In this review, we first examine the key drivers, trends, and solutions of the ePowertrain segment, emphasizing thermal management. Second, special attention is given to the state‐of‐the‐art boron nitride (BN) polymer composites with current or potential applications in the automotive industry, especially, in batteries, electric motors, and power electronics. Third, analysis and prediction of thermal properties of BN polymer composites by finite element simulation are presented. Finally, outlooks for future research in this field are highlighted.Highlights Thermal management of batteries, electric motors and power electronics, using BN polymer composites, optimizes the functionality of electric vehicles. Cross‐linked polymers with BNNSs provide resins for high power motors, film capacitors, and Li‐metal battery electrolytes for electric vehicles. Mathematical modeling and life cycle analysis can predict trends and research gaps in ePowertrain applications.

Smoluchowski temperature and Maxwell velocity slip impacts on magneto-radiative Fe 3 O 4-Al 2 O 3-Cu/H 2 O tri-hybrid nanofluid flow over a shrinking surface with entropy generation: a stability performance

ABSTRACT This investigation aims to find entropy production and to determine the existence of a dual solution in magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) thermal radiative tri-hybrid nanofluid flow over an exponentially shrinking surface by considering suction effects at the surface. Furthermore, the effects of Smoluchowski temperature and Maxwell velocity slip are considered. The products on various flow fields are examined for three different types of fluid: mono nanofluid ( F e 3 O 4 / H 2 O ), hybrid nanofluid ( F e 3 O 4 - A l 2 O 3 / H 2 O ), and tri-hybrid nanofluid ( F e 3 O 4 - A l 2 O 3 - Cu / H 2 O ). The similarity transformation translates the nonlinear partial differential equations (PDEs) into a set of ordinary differential equations (ODEs). The numerical MATLAB function bvp4c is utilized to construct and solve governing higher-order nonlinear ODEs. A tabular and graphical analysis is conducted on the impact of emergent factors on velocity, temperature, skin friction coefficient, Nusselt number, and entropy generation. The acceptable parameter ranges for the computation are as follows: 0.01 < ϕ 1 < 0.1 , 0.01 < ϕ 2 < 0.1 , 0.01 < ϕ 3 < 0.1 , − 0.7 < ξ < 1.6 , 2.0 < S < 3.0 , 0.0 < M < 0.2 , 0.5 < Nr < 1.5 , 0.1 < ω < 0.5 , and 0.1 < ε < 0.5 . Due to the contraction of the surface, dual solutions are found, but dual solutions cannot be found beyond the critical values. The critical values ξ λ are − 1.44285 , − 1.44804 , and 1.51550 for mono nanofluid, hybrid nanofluid, and tri-hybrid nanofluid, respectively. Including A l 2 O 3 and Cu nanoparticles inside F e 3 O 4 nanoparticles containing nanofluid depicted an accelerating effect on skin friction and Nusselt number rates. The skin friction coefficient and heat transference rate in both the solution branches improved as the suction parameter S was increased. It has been demonstrated that the fluid’s temperature is enlarged by the thermal radiation parameter Nr and increasing nanoparticle volume fractions ϕ 1 , ϕ 2 , ϕ 3 . However, the temperature is reduced greatly by the suction parameter S and Smoluchowski temperature slip parameter ε . Since dual solutions are present, stability analysis is performed by finding the minimum eigenvalue. A positive minimum eigenvalue ( β 1 ) denotes the upper stable solution branch, whereas a minimal eigenvalue that is negative indicates the bottom branch is unstable. The entropy of the flow was found to increase with thermal radiation parameter Nr and magnetic field parameter M in a physically stable solution. Still, it decreased with a higher nanoparticle volume fraction ( ϕ 1 , ϕ 2 , ϕ 3 ). The current optimization technique offers a new and beneficial insight through numerous applications in various fields, i.e. polymer engineering, extrusion of polymer, plastic sheet compression, glass production, fiber, metallic furnace, medicine, and the field of biomedical technology.

3D Printing of Liquid Crystal Polymers for Space Applications

AbstractFused Filament Fabrication is a promising manufacturing technology for the circularity of space missions. Potential scenarios include in‐orbit applications to maximize mission life and to support long‐term exploration missions with in situ manufacturing and recycling. However, its adoption is restricted by the availability of engineering polymers displaying mechanical performance combined with resistance to space conditions. Here, a thermotropic Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) is reported as a candidate material with extrusion 3D printing. To expand its scope of applicability to structural parts for space applications, four different exposure conditions are studied: thermal cycling under vacuum, atomic oxygen, UV, and electron irradiations. While 1 MeV‐electron irradiation leads to a green coloration due to annealable color centers, the mechanical performance is only slightly decreased in dynamic mode. It is also found that increased printing temperature improves transverse strength and resistance to thermal cycling with the trade‐off of tensile stiffness and strength. Samples exposed to thermal cycling and the highest irradiation dose at lower printing temperatures still display a Young's modulus of 30 GPa and 503 MPa of tensile strength which is exceptionally high for a 3D‐printed polymer. For the types of exposure studied, overall, the results indicate that LCP 3D‐printed parts are well suited for space applications.

OVERVIEW OF THE USE OF CONVENCIONAL AND BIODEGRADABLE POLYMERS

This article aims to provide an overview of important moments in the consolidation of the use of conventional and biodegradable polymers throughout history. It begins by discussing the definition of conventional and biodegradable plastics, followed by a historical contextualization of petroleum-derived plastics, referred to here as conventional plastics, highlighting significant events in their evolution. The article then emphasizes the development and growth of biodegradable polymer applications. To this end, a literature review was conducted, supported by data collection from publications discussing polymer technologies. The studies highlight the environmental advantages of biodegradable polymers, despite their still higher production costs. Although biodegradable polymers are a viable alternative to petroleum-derived polymers, there are cases in which their use is not yet feasible, depending on the context of application, economic conditions, and consumer experience.

Mechanical Behavior of Polymeric Materials: Recent Studies

This Special Issue is devoted to one of the most exciting fields in polymer science and technology: the many factors that influence the properties of polymer-based materials [...]

Rational design based on multi-monomer simultaneous docking for epitope imprinting of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein

Among biomimetic strategies shaping engineering designs, molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) technology stands out, involving chemically synthesised receptors emulating natural antigen-antibody interactions. These versatile ‘designer polymers’ with remarkable stability and low cost, are pivotal for in vitro diagnostics. Amid the recent global health crisis, we probed MIPs’ potential to capture SARS-CoV-2 virions. Large biotemplates complicate MIP design, influencing generated binding site specificity. To precisely structure recognition sites within polymers, we innovated an epitope imprinting method supplemented by in silico polymerization component screening. A viral surface Spike protein informed epitope selection was targeted for MIP development. A novel multi-monomer docking approach (MMSD) was employed to simulate classical receptor-ligand interactions, mimicking binding reinforcement across multiple amino acids. Around 40 monomer combinations were docked to the epitope sequence and top performers experimentally validated via rapid fluorescence binding assays. Notably, high imprinting factor polymers correlated with MMSD predictions, promising rational MIP design applicable to diverse viral pathologies.

Li-Ga Alloy-Contained Hybrid Solid Electrolyte Interphase Induced by In Situ Polymerization for High-Performance Lithium Metal Batteries.

Construction of quasi-solid-state lithium metal batteries (LMBs) by in situ polymerization is considered a key strategy for the next generation of energy storage systems with high specific energy and safety. Poly(1,3-dioxolane) (PDOL)-based electrolytes have attracted wide attention among researchers, benefiting from the low cost and high ionic conductivity. However, interfacial deterioration and uncontrollable growth of lithium dendrites easily appeared in LMBs due to the high reactivity of lithium metal, resulting in the failure of LMBs. In this work, a strategy is developed of using Ga(OTF)3 as the initiator to obtain a PDOL-based gel electrolyte (GaPD). In addition, a hybrid stable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) of lithium fluoride/Li2O/Li-Ga alloys is observed on the surface of lithium metal. Combined with density functional theory calculations, the hybrid SEI shows high affinity toward Li+, indicating that a uniform deposition of Li+ could be achieved. Therefore, the Li/GaPD/Li cell operates stably for 1600 h at room temperature. In addition, the LiFePO4/GaPD/Li cell retains a capacity retention rate of 90.2% over 200 cycles at 1 C. This work provides a reference for the practical application of in situ polymerization technology in high-performance and safe LMBs.

Molecularly imprinted electrochemiluminescence-colorimetric dual-mode sensor based on Mn@NC nanozyme amplification for the detection of phoxim

The common detection methods of phoxim mostly rely on the output mode of single signal, which is easily disturbed by complex environmental media and causes errors. Herein, in order to improve the reliability of detection, we developed a dual-mode detection strategy based on nanozyme for the detection of phoxim. Firstly, manganese-nitrogen co-doped carbon nanozyme (Mn@NC) with peroxidase-like activity was synthesized by one-step pyrolysis, which was used to construct in the luminol-H2O2 electrochemiluminescence (ECL) system with molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) technology. Among them, Mn@NC can act as a co-reaction promoter to catalyze H2O2 to produce large amounts of hydroxyl radicals (•OH), thereby significantly amplifying the cathode signal of luminol and improving the stability of the signal. Benefiting from the specific selection of phoxim by MIP, this molecularly imprinted electrochemiluminescence (MIECL) mode has considerable sensitivity and selectivity, with a low limit of detection (LOD) of 0.011 ng/mL (S/N = 3). Moreover, the •OH produced by Mn@NC-catalyzed H2O2 oxidized the colorless 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) to blue oxidized TMB (oxTMB). Taking advantage of the fact that the simultaneous presence of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and acetylthiocholine (ATCh) inhibited the activity of Mn@NC. A sensitive and simple colorimetric pesticide sensing platform was constructed by combining the nanozyme with the TMB-H2O2 system to achieve the colorimetric detection of phoxim, with the LOD as low as 1.27 ng/mL. The dual-mode sensor was successfully applied to the determination of phoxim in agricultural products with satisfactory results, showing its great potential in the monitoring of food hazards.

In-situ electrochemically synthesized “artificial” Gly m TI antibody for soybean allergen quantification in complex foods

Biosensors, especially those designed for detecting food allergens like Gly m TI in soybean, play a crucial role in safeguarding individuals who suffer from adverse food allergies, extending to both individual well-being and broader public health considerations. Furthermore, their integration into food production and monitoring processes aids in compliance with regulatory standards, reducing the incidence of allergen-related recalls and protecting vulnerable populations. Technological advancements in biosensor development, such as increased portability, real-time monitoring capabilities, and user-friendly interfaces, have expanded their practical applications, making them indispensable in various settings, including manufacturing plants, food service establishments, and even at-home use by consumers.For the first time, a biosensor targeting the Gly m TI allergen based on molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) technology was developed to detect/quantify soybean in complex food matrices and effectively address the detection challenges of complex and processed foods. The Gly m TI-MIP underwent a thorough validation process using anti-Gly m TI IgG raised as a polyclonal response to the trypsin inhibitor. Gly m TI-MIP was successfully tested across a range of food matrices, including tree nuts (e.g., peanuts, walnuts, and hazelnuts) and legumes (e.g., lentils, beans, and lupine), presenting minimal cross-reactivity with lupine and walnut. The innovative approach provided a linear response in the 1 ag mL−1 - 10 μg mL−1 range, with a LOD<1 ag mL−1. Applying the Gly m TI-MIP sensor to complex model foods allowed to detect 0.1 mg kg−1 (0.00001 %) of soybean protein isolate in biscuits, ham, and sausages before and after the respective thermal treatments. The innovative biosensor can significantly improve food safety protocols by addressing the complexities of tracing allergens in processed and unprocessed food products. By ensuring rigorous allergen control, these biosensors may support global food trade compliance with international safety standards, boost consumer confidence, and promote transparency in food labeling, ultimately contributing to a safer food supply chain.

Efficacy and Tolerance of a Polymeric Surfactant Technology-Based Cleanser for Clinically Diagnosed Sensitive Skin.

Cleansing is an important hygiene activity, necessary to prevent bacterial, fungal, yeast, and viral infection. However, in the presence of skin disease, cleansing can take on a new challenge: removing the sebum, sweat, externally applied substances, environmental debris, and organisms from the face without damaging the skin barrier. Since cleansers cannot easily distinguish between sebum and the intercellular lipids required to maintain skin integrity, unique cleansing technologies are necessary to provide mild cleansing for the many manifestations of sensitive skin. This 4-week clinical study aimed to evaluate the appropriateness of a cosmetic facial foaming gel cleanser with a polymeric surfactant technology in a diverse sensitive skin population. 85 subjects with sensitive skin due to eczema/atopic dermatitis, rosacea, acne, or cosmetic intolerance syndrome were evaluated via investigator grading, self-assessment questionnaire, noninvasive measurements, and digital photography. The foaming gel cleanser was well tolerated showing no significant increases in investigator-graded irritation endpoints. Sensitive skin subjects saw considerable reduction (P&lt;0.05) in stinging, itching, burning, tightness, and overall sensitivity at 2 and 4 weeks. Improvements in smoothness, softness, clarity, radiance, and overall skin appearance, were observed by both the investigator and patients (P&lt;0.05) at 2 and 4 weeks. The polymeric surfactant technology-based foaming gel cleanser provided a rich, foaming lather that felt gentle and left skin feeling comfortable. J Drugs Dermatol. 2024;23(10):889-893. doi:10.36849/JDD.8510.