Articles publicats en revistes (Institut de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia (IN2UB))

URI permanent per a aquesta col·leccióhttps://diposit.ub.edu/handle/2445/59249

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Honey geographical origin characterization and authentication based on spectrophotometric assays, physicochemical parameters and LC-MS/MS polyphenolic profiling
(MDPI, 2025-11) Mostoles, Danica; de Krijger, Fleur; Mara, Andrea; Sanna, Gavino; Saurina, Javier; Sentellas, Sonia; Núñez Burcio, Oscar
Honey is a highly consumed natural sweetener produced by honeybees from the nectar of plants, secretions of living parts of plants, or insect excretions. Its high value is due to its nutritional value and multiple benefits to human health. However, due to the diversity in geographical origins, the properties of honey can vary depending on the region of production, leading to discrepancies in honey pricing. Therefore, it is essential to examine these variations by analyzing several parameters in honey from diverse regions. In this work, honeys from 8 countries were characterized by measuring several physicochemical parameters and spectrophotometric assays aiming at geographical origin authentication. In addition, the polyphenolic profile of the samples was obtained by LC-LRMS. An acceptable discrimination of the samples was obtained when considering all variables altogether, with classification errors lower than 31.9%.
Kinetico-mechanistic insights into the photodynamic process of AuI complexes with the CNC6H4NNC6H5 (iso-Ph) azobenzene ligand
(Royal Society of Chemistry, 2025-01) Raïch Panisello, Ot; Jover Modrego, Jesús; Puigjaner, Cristina; Ferrer García, Montserrat; Martínez López, Manuel, 1957-
A family of neutral isocyanide monoazo AuI complexes [AuCl(iso-Ph)], [Au(C6F5)(iso-Ph)] and [Au(C[triple bond, length as m-dash]Cpy)(iso-Ph)] (iso-Ph being CN–C6H4–N[double bond, length as m-dash]N–Ph) and a closely related cationic bisazo symmetrical derivative, [Au(iso-Ph)2](OTf), have been prepared. All the compounds have been structurally characterized using the conventional techniques HRMS, NMR, UV-Vis and IR spectroscopy. Moreover, the structure of the [AuCl(iso-Ph)] compound has been determined by XRD. These compounds undergo more efficient trans-to-cis photoisomerisation upon irradiation at 365 nm than that of the free iso-Ph ligand. The reverse cis-to-trans thermal process has been investigated using different solvents, temperatures and pressures to determine the values of the activation parameters and thus, the corresponding isomerisation mechanism. A change in the operating mechanism (from charge-separated rotational to inversional) has been observed upon going from the monoazo to the bisazo compounds. This effect has been attributed to the difference in the electronic density at the AuI centre in the transition state between the unsymmetrical and the symmetrical species.
C60 fullerene as an on-demand single photon source at room temperature
(American Chemical Society, 2025-10-03) Lahoz Sanz, Raul; Lozano Martín, Lidia; Brú Cortés, Adrià; Hernández Márquez, Sergi; Duocastella, Martí; Gómez Cama, José María; Juliá-Díaz, Bruno
Single photon sources are fundamental for applications in quantum computing, secure communication, and sensing, as they enable the generation of individual photons and ensure strict control over photon number statistics. However, current single photon sources can be limited by a lack of robustness, difficulty of integration into existing optical or electronic devices, and high cost. In this study, we present the use of off-the-shelf C60 fullerene molecules embedded in polystyrene as room-temperature reliable single-photon emitters. As our results demonstrate, these molecules exhibit on-demand single-photon emission, with short fluorescence lifetimes and, consequently, high emission rates. The wide availability and ease of preparation and manipulation of fullerenes as single photon sources can pave the way for the development of practical, economic and scalable quantum photonic technologies.
Confronting positions: para- vs. meta-functionalization in triindole for p-type air-stable OTFTs
(Elsevier, 2024-05-01) Cuadrado Santolaria, Alba; Bujaldón Carbó, Roger; Fabregat, Clara; Puigdollers i González, Joaquim; Velasco Castrillo, Dolores
The 5,10,15-trihexyl-10,15-dihydro-5H-diindolo[3,2-a:3′,2′-c]carbazole core, namely triindole, is well-known for its prominent hole-transporting properties and air stability. The functionalization of this core is also rather versatile, which allows the modulation of its properties by anchoring targeted scaffolds to different positions, e.g. 3,8,13 (para with respect to the nitrogens), 2,7,12 (analogously meta) or the nitrogen heteroatoms. Therefore, triindole excels as a pivotal semiconductor to be exploited in long-lasting organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs). This report aims to shed light on the effect of functionalizing whether para or meta positions with sulfurated moieties, in the pursuit of an enhanced performance in OTFTs. Remarkably, meta-substituted derivatives outshone their para- counterparts in terms of thermal, optical, intermolecular arrangement and semiconductor properties, claiming mobility values up to 2 × 10−3 cm2 V−1 s−1 and a shelf lifetime beyond the analyzed period of 5 months. Analysis of the thin films by grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIRXD) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) revealed that the meta-substitution also induces a higher degree of order and better morphology, further corroborating the potential of this structural approach.
On-the-Fly Synthesis of Freestanding Spin-Crossover Architectures With Tunable Magnetic Properties
(Wiley-VCH, 2025-06-13) Ngo, Anh Tuan; Aguilà Avilés, David; Vale, João Pedro; Sevim, Semih; Mattera, Michele; Díaz-Marcos, Jordi; Pons, Ramon; Aromí Bedmar, Guillem; Jang, Bumjin; Pané, Salvador; Mayor, Tiago Sotto; Palacios-Corella, Mario; Puigmartí-Luis, Josep
Spin-crossover (SCO) molecular-based switches have shown promise across a range of applications since their discovery, including sensing, information storage, actuators, and displays. Yet limited processability remains a barrier to their real-world implementation, as traditional methods for integrating SCO materials into polymer matrices are often complex, expensive, and prone to producing uneven material distributions. Herein, we demonstrate how 3D flow-focusing chemistry enables unprecedented control for the direct fabrication of SCO composite materials, addressing key challenges in processability, scalability, and cost. By using a 3D coaxial flow-focusing microfluidic device, we simultaneously synthesize [Fe(Htrz)2(trz)](BF4) and achieve its homogeneous incorporation into alginate fibers in a continuous manner. The device’s versatility allows for precise manipulation of the reaction-diffusion (RD) zone, resulting in SCO composite fibers with tunable physicochemical and magnetic properties. Additionally, we demonstrate the ability to isolate these fibers as freestanding architectures and highlight the potential for printing them with defined shapes. Finally, we show that the 3D control of the RD zone granted by continuous flow microfluidic devices offers precise spatiotemporal control over the distribution of SCO complexes within the fibers, effectively encoding SCO materials into them. SCO-encoded fibers can seamlessly combine adaptability and functionality, offering innovative solutions for application-specific customization.
Synergistic enhancement of Raney-Ni catalyst for methane dry reforming viaelectrochemically e ngineered CoNi co-catalyst
(Elsevier B.V., 2025-09-29) Lloreda Rodes, Judit; Serrano, Isabel; Llorca, Jordi, 1966-; Abad, Vanessa; Gómez, Elvira; Serrà i Ramos, Albert
Dry reforming of methane (DRM) offers a promising route to convert biogas into syngas while capturing CO₂.However, the harsh reaction conditions (≥700 ◦C) lead to rapid deactivation of conventional Ni-based catalystsdue to carbon deposition and sintering. In this work, we explore the catalytic behavior of commercial Raney-Nifor DRM and introduce electrochemically synthesized CoNi microparticles as co-catalysts to enhance stabilityand performance. Catalyst screening was performed in a fixed-bed reactor using a CH₄:CO₂:N₂ = 3:2:10 feedmixture under atmospheric pressure. Raney-Ni showed high activity (CH₄ conversion >92 % at 700 ◦C), butsuffered from coke accumulation and deactivation after 5 h of continuous operation. CoNi–Raney-Ni compositeswere prepared via physical blending of CoNi and Raney-Ni powders, and tested at various compositions. Thebest-performing among the tested compositions (25 wt% CoNi) maintained high conversion (>90 %) and stablesyngas production (H₂/CO ≈ 1.0) over extended periods. Post-reaction analysis revealed extensive filamentouscarbon on pure Raney-Ni, while CoNi-containing catalysts exhibited smoother surfaces and suppressed graphiticcarbon, as confirmed by FE-SEM and Raman spectroscopy. Notably, CoNi alone showed minimal CH₄ activationbut enhanced CO₂ dissociation and limited carbon formation. These results demonstrate a synergistic effect,where CoNi promotes carbon gasification while Raney-Ni provides high CH₄ reactivity. This composite approachenables scalable, low-cost catalysts with improved coke tolerance for biogas reforming applications.
Multicaloric effects and magnetostructural coupling in the Cr2Ge2Te6 van der Waals crystal
(Elsevier, 2025-04-22) Abadia-Huguet, Aleix; Mendive Tapia, Eduardo; Stern Taulats, Enric; Planes Vila, Antoni; Eggert, Benedikt; Wende, Heiko; Acet, Mehmet; Sturza, Mihai-Ionut; Kohlmann, Holger; Costache, Marius V.; Mañosa, Lluís
Materials with significant coupling between magnetism and their crystal structure are prone to exhibit multicaloric effects, which offer a novel approach to addressing the bottlenecks of ecologic solid-state refrigeration by optimizing the interplay of multiple driving fields. Here we uncover the multicaloric properties of CrGeTe, establishing ferromagnetic van der Waals (vdW) crystals, famous for their spintronics applications, as a previously unrecognized class of multicaloric materials. By combining magnetization measurements with an ab initio disordered local moment theory, we report, for the first time, pronounced barocaloric and multicaloric effects induced by the application of magnetic fields and hydrostatic pressure around CrGeTe’s ferromagnetic phase transition. Our experimental and ab initio analysis quantifies the underlying magnetostructural coupling in this material, which accounts for approximately 25% of the total multicaloric entropy change. Significant multicaloric effects are expected to be found in other vdW ferromagnets with strong magnetostructural coupling.
A versatile luminescent probe for sensing and monitoring amyloid proteins
(Elsevier B.V., 2024-12-01) Vázquez Bigas, Guillem; Espargaró Colomé, Alba; Caballero Hernández, Ana Belén; Di Pede Mattatelli, Ania; Busquets i Viñas, Ma. Antonia; Nawrot, Daria; Sabaté Lagunas, Raimon; Nicolás Galindo, Ernesto; Juárez Jiménez, Jordi; Gámez Enamorado, Patrick
A modified lysine residue containing an environment-sensitive moiety was prepared through a straightforward synthesis, and its fluorescent properties were examined. The new fluorescent sensor, DMN-BocK, can monitor amyloid aggregation processes associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s. DMN-BocK offers advantages over classical amyloid-specific dyes like Thioflavins or Congo Red because it is (1) available to detect a broader range of amyloid structures; (2) useful both in vitro and in cellulo; (3) capable of differentiating amyloid structures, providing information on the binding site microenvironment; and (4) a synthon than can be incorporated into protein sequences to gain further structural information. Our findings suggest that DMN-based amino-acid probes have a strong potential to become a sensor of choice for in vitro and in cellulo studies of amyloid aggregation in drug discovery assays.
Atomic layer deposition of SnO2 and TiO2 on electrodeposited BiOI thin films for efficient light-driven peroxymonosulfate activationited BiOI thin films for efficient light-driven peroxymonosulfate activation
(Elsevier, 2025-09) Huidobro, Laura; Abid, Mahmoud; Maslouh, Haitham; Demore, Arnaud; Bechelany, Mikhael; Gómez, Elvira; Serrà i Ramos, Albert
Light-driven peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation is gaining traction as a green advanced oxidation strategy for degrading recalcitrant water pollutants; however, catalyst instability and sluggish charge separation still hinder its practical application. Here, we report for the first time the fabrication of ALD-engineered BiOI thin-film heterojunctions, coated with nanometric SnO2 or TiO2 layers (∼5 nm) and decorated with Pd nanoparticles (∼2 nm), which simultaneously enhance catalytic activity and stability. The BiOI/SnO2 and BiOI/TiO2 systems exhibit well-defined type-II band alignments, facilitating efficient interfacial charge transfer, while Pd nanoparticles form Schottky junctions that extract photogenerated electrons and mitigate BiOI photocorrosion. Using 20 ppm tetracycline (TC) at pH 7 as a model contaminant, TiO2-BiOI achieved 92.7 % TC removal and 84.8 % total organic carbon (TOC) mineralization within 90 min under UV-A light (365 nm) with 2.5 mM PMS. In contrast, SnO2-BiOI showed superior performance under simulated sunlight (λ > 400 nm), attaining 80.8 % degradation and 76.5 % mineralization. Radical scavenging assays revealed a threefold increase in sulfate and hydroxyl radical production compared to pristine BiOI. Pd modification reduced Bi and I leaching by more than 80 % after 360 min of continuous irradiation and preserved over 95 % of the photocatalytic activity across ten successive reuse cycles. This work establishes a modular ALD-based strategy to design stable semiconductor/oxide/metal nanointerfaces for wavelength-tunable PMS activation. The resulting thin-film catalysts, fabricated on FTO substrates with sub-nanometer precision, offer a scalable platform for solar-driven water purification and expand the material design space for sulfate-radical-based advanced oxidation processes.
First Order Alignment Transition in an Interfaced Active Nematic
(American Physical Society, 2024-06-15) Bantysh, Olga; Martinez-Prat, Berta; Nambisan, Jyothishraj; Fernandez de las Nieves, Alberto; Sagués i Mestre, Francesc; Ignés i Mullol, Jordi
We investigate experimentally the dynamic phase transition of a two-dimensional active nematic layer interfaced with a passive liquid crystal. Under a temperature ramp that leads to the transition of the passive liquid into a highly anisotropic lamellar smectic-A phase, and in the presence of a magnetic field, the coupled active nematic reorganizes its flow and orientational patterns from the turbulent into a quasilaminar regime aligned perpendicularly to the field. Remarkably, while the phase transition of the passive fluid is known to be continuous, or second order, our observations reveal intermittent dynamics of the order parameter and the coexistence of aligned and turbulent regions in the active nematic, a signature of discontinuous, or first order, phase transitions, similar to what is known to occur in relation to flocking in dry active matter. Our results suggest that alignment transitions in active systems are intrinsically discontinuous, regardless of the symmetry and momentum-damping mechanisms.
Revalorització de la biomassa mitjançant fonts d’hidrogen alternatives: síntesi de la γ-valerolactona
(Institut d'Estudis Catalans, 2024-12-18) Bujaldón Carbó, Roger; Garcia Amorós, Jaume; Gómez, Elvira; Serrà i Ramos, Albert
La recerca de condicions més respectuoses per generar productes orgànics d’alt valor afegit, sobretot si els reactius provenen de la transformació de la biomassa, és un punt primordial cap a un desenvolupament sostenible. En aquest treball s’explora l’obtenció d’un d’aquests derivats, la γ-valerolactona, mitjançant la hidrogenació in situ de l’àcid levulínic. Per això, s’han analitzat dos agents hidrogenants alternatius a l’hidrogen molecular: l’àcid fòrmic i l’alcohol isopropílic. En un primer estadi, s’ha realitzat un cribratge sobre diferents catalitzadors heterogenis en què s’ha constatat la necessitat d’una àrea específica elevada, fet que ens ha empès a escollir el níquel Raney tant per la seva naturalesa com per la seva accessibilitat. En un segon estadi, s’ha determinat que l’isopropanol permet treballar a una temperatura menor i invertint menys temps de reacció del que ho fa l’àcid fòrmic, cosa que implica una reducció del consum energètic. Finalment, s’observa que la transició de medi aquós a alcohòlic encara afavoreix més la reacció amb transformacions properes al 100 %.
Characterizing the Hard and Soft Nanoparticle-Protein Corona with Multilayer Adsorption
(Frontiers Media, 2025-01-17) Vilanova, O.; Martinez-Serra, Alberto; Monopoli, Marco P.; Franzese, Giancarlo
Nanoparticles (NPs) in contact with biological fluid adsorb biomolecules into a corona. This corona comprises proteins that strongly bind to the NP (hard corona) and loosely bound proteins (soft corona) that dynamically exchange with the surrounding solution. While the kinetics of hard corona formation is relatively well understood, thanks to experiments and robust simulation models, the experimental characterization and simulation of the soft corona present a more significant challenge. Here, we review the current state of the art in soft corona characterization and introduce a novel open-source computational model to simulate its dynamic behavior, for which we provide the documentation. We focus on the case of transferrin (Tf) interacting with polystyrene NPs as an illustrative example, demonstrating how this model captures the complexities of the soft corona and offers deeper insights into its structure and behavior. We show that the soft corona is dominated by a glassy evolution that we relate to crowding effects. This work advances our understanding of the soft corona, bridging experimental limitations with improved simulation techniques.
Gold(I) complexes as powerful photosensitizers – a visionary frontier perspective
(Royal Society of Chemistry, 2024-07-26) Pinto Martínez, Andrea; Rodríguez Raurell, Laura
La producció d’oxigen singlet i la seva reactivitat tenen implicacions rellevants en camps que van des de la ciència dels polímers fins a la teràpia fotodinàmica. La recerca s’ha centrat principalment en el desenvolupament de materials orgànics i complexos de metalls pesants com Ru(II), Rh(III), Ir(III) i Pt(II). No obstant això, els complexos metàl·lics que contenen Au(I) han estat poc explorats i requereixen una investigació més aprofundida.
Aquesta revisió ofereix una anàlisi detallada dels compostos reportats, classificats segons els lligands coordinats al centre d’or(I). A més, es discuteixen les perspectives futures en el desenvolupament de fotosensibilitzadors i aplicacions de l’oxigen singlet.
Probing active nematics with in situ microfabricated elastic inclusions
(National Academy of Sciences, 2024-03-07) Vélez Cerón, Ignasi; Guillamat Bassedas, Pau; Sagués i Mestre, Francesc; Ignés i Mullol, Jordi
In this work, we report a direct measurement of the forces exerted by a tubulin/kinesin active nematic gel as well as its complete rheological characterization, including the quantification of its shear viscosity, η, and its activity parameter, α. For this, we develop a method that allows us to rapidly photo-polymerize compliant elastic inclusions in the continuously remodeling active system. Moreover, we quantitatively settle long-standing theoretical predictions, such as a postulated relationship encoding the intrinsic time scale of the active nematic in terms of η and α. In parallel, we infer a value for the nematic elasticity constant, K, by combining our measurements with the theorized scaling of the active length scale. On top of the microrheology capabilities, we demonstrate strategies for defect encapsulation, quantification of defect mechanics, and defect interactions, enabled by the versatility of the microfabrication strategy that allows to combine elastic motifs of different shapes and stiffnesses that are fabricated in situ.
Unraveling the magnetic properties of NiO nanoparticles: From synthesis to nanostructure
(MDPI, 2024-08-28) Moya Álvarez, Carlos; Ara Escario, Jorge; Labarta, Amílcar; Batlle Gelabert, Xavier
NiO nanoparticles have garnered significant interest due to their diverse applications and unique properties, which differ markedly from their bulk counterparts. NiO nanoparticles are p-type semiconductors with a wide bandgap, high discharge capacity, and high carrier density, making them ideal for use in batteries, sensors, and catalysts. Their ability to generate reactive oxygen species also imparts disinfectant and antibiotic properties. Additionally, the higher Néel temperature of NiO compared to other antiferromagnetic materials makes it suitable for high-temperature applications in spintronic devices and industrial settings. This review focuses on the critical role of structure and composition in determining the magnetic properties of NiO nanoparticles. It examines how finite-size surface effects, morphology, crystallinity, and nickel distribution influence these properties. Fundamental physical properties and characterization techniques are discussed first. Various synthesis methods and their impact on NiO nanoparticle properties are then explored. Their magnetic phenomenology is examined in detail, highlighting the effects of finite size, particle composition and surface, and crystal quality. The review concludes with a summary of key insights and future research directions for optimizing NiO nanoparticles in technological applications.
Electrodeposited BiVO4-based photoanodes for an energy-efficient photo-assisted CO2-to-formate conversion
(Elsevier B.V., 2025-06-15) Abarca, José Antonio; Molera Janer, Martí; Merino-García, Ivan; Díaz-Sainz, Guillermo; Irabien, Angel; Solla-Gullón, José; Fàbrega Gallego, Cristian; Andreu Arbella, Teresa; Albo, Jonathan
The development of efficient photoanodes that reduce external energy requirements for the electrochemical conversion of CO2 to formate is essential for the future implementation of this technology. In this work, we explore different photoanode structures based on electrodeposited BiVO4 onto transparent FTO substrates to achieve a more efficient PEC reduction of CO2. Among the tested structures, the photoanode incorporating a Bi2O3 underlayer, which enhances the BiVO4-FTO interface by reducing electron-hole recombination, exhibits the best PEC performance. Integrating this photoanode into a CO2 photoelectrolyzer with back visible light illumination achieves an impressive current density of −29 mA cm−2 at constant −1.8 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). Using a Bi/C GDE as the cathode, the system produces up to 56.2 g L−1 of formate with a Faradaic efficiency of 96 %. In terms of energy performance, illuminating the photoanode reduces energy consumption by nearly 40 %, bringing it down to 317 kWh kmol−1, with an energy efficiency of 38 %. The external bias can be further decreased by increasing the irradiation intensity to 2.5 suns using concentrated solar light, resulting in an additional 10 % reduction in energy consumption (290 kWh kmol−1), while maintaining high conversion efficiencies for CO2 to formate (over 95 % Faradaic efficiency). Besides, energy efficiency improves by 12 %, as the cathodic potential is reduced to −1.65 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). These results represent significant progress in reducing the external bias required for CO2 to formate conversion in PEC systems, marking a step toward the industrial application of CO2 conversion technology.
Towards the real-time measurement of Ultrasound Fields by combining Schlieren Tomography and Wavefront Sensing
(2023-12-01) Colom, Mateu; Ricci, Pietro; Duocastella, Martí
Recent advances in ultrasound generation such as ultrasonic holography and acoustic tweezers require methods for the fast characterization of pressure fields. Typically, this can be achieved by using a hydrophone, but the measurement of the three-dimensional (3D) pressure distribution in a few cm region is extremely time-consuming, with typical times ranging from hours to even days. Alternatively, visual methods like Schlieren techniques offer a rapid assessment of the pressure field, but they remain largely qualitative. In this work, we combine Schlieren tomography with wavefront sensing to fill this void and quantitatively reconstruct 3D ultrasonic fields within seconds. Our method is based on the simultaneous acquisition of intensity images with a Schlieren setup and phase maps with a Wavefront Sensor. Because optical phase differences are related to changes in refractive index in the medium and, at the same time, to changes in pressure, we can convert phase values into pressure maps. By feeding this information into the Schlieren sinograms, we obtain quasi-real-time 3D pressure fields with sub-millimetric resolution. This new optical method is a significant step forward toward the real-time and precise characterization of ultrasound
Insight into the Antioxidant Activity of Ascorbic Acid-Containing Gelatin Nanoparticles in Simulated Chronic Wound Conditions
(MDPI, 2024-02-28) Morán Badenas, María del Carmen; Porredon, Cristina; Gibert, Coloma
Chronic wounds differ from acute wounds by remaining in the inflammatory phase for a long time. This chronic inflammation confers a high concentration of inflammatory cytokines, proteases, and ROS. Likewise, the pH environment of chronic wounds has been recorded within the range of 7.2-8.9 due to the alkaline by-products of bacterial proliferation. In this work, differences in pH between healthy skin and chronic cutaneous wounds have been used for the design and development of pH-responsive gelatin-based nanoparticles (NPs). Ascorbic acid (AA), as an antioxidant compound that can neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS), has been the therapeutic model compound included in these NPs. The goal of the present work has been the preparation and characterization (physicochemical and biological properties) of NPs for the effective release of AA under simulated chronic wound conditions. In vitro experiments demonstrated total AA release at pH corresponding to the chronic wounds. The biocompatible character of these gelatin-based NPs based on their hemolytic and cytotoxicity responses has been highlighted under in vitro conditions. The reversible and protective antioxidant properties of the AA-including NPs in erythrocytes and skin cell lines, respectively, have been confirmed to be modulated by the gelatin A gel strength. Keywords: antioxidant; ascorbic acid; chronic wound; gelatin; hydrogen peroxide; pH.
Polypurine reverse hoogsteen hairpins as a therapeutic tool for SARS-CoV-2 infection
(Elsevier, 2024-10-11) Chillón, Miguel; Ciudad i Gómez, Carlos Julián; Valiuska, Simonas; Rojas, Manuel (Rojas Castellanos); Nogales-Altozano, Pablo; Aviñó Andrés, Anna; Eritja i Casadellà, Ramon; Sevilla, Noemí; Noé Mata, Verónica
Although the COVID-19 pandemic was declared no longer a global emergency by the World Health Organization in May 2023, SARS-CoV-2 is still infecting people across the world. Many therapeutic oligonucleotides such as ASOs, siRNAs, or CRISPR-based systems emerged as promising antiviral strategies for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2. In this work, we explored the inhibitory potential on SARS-CoV-2 replication of Polypurine Reverse Hoogsteen Hairpins (PPRHs), CC1-PPRH, and CC3-PPRH, targeting specific polypyrimidine sequences within the replicase and Spike regions, respectively, and previously validated for COVID-19 diagnosis. Both PPRHs are bound to their target sequences in the viral genome with high affinity in the order of nM. In vitro, both PPRHs reduced viral replication by more than 92% when transfected into VERO-E6 cells 24 h prior to infection with SARS-CoV-2. In vivo intranasal administration of CC1-PPRH in K18-hACE2 mice expressing the human ACE receptor protected all the animals from SARS-CoV-2 infection. The properties of PPRHs position them as promising candidates for the development of novel therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2 and other viral infections.
Manufacturing and properties characterization of Ti patterned coatings for water electrolyzers by CSAM
(Elsevier, 2024-12) Garfias Bulnes, Andrea; Sarret i Pons, Maria; Sanchez, Javier; García Cano, Irene; Albaladejo-Fuentes, Vicente; Andreu Arbella, Teresa
This work investigates the microstructure and manufacturing control of the masked Cold Spray Additive Manufacturing (CSAM) strategy for producing of new bipolar plates (BPPs) for Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyzers, using low-cost, lightweight, and machinable materials. CSAM is a solid-state process capable of fabricating 3D patterned parts based on a bottom-up approach using masks with a desired pattern. This study focuses on the dimensional and microstructural characteristics of pin fins fabricated with spherical (Ti-S) and irregular (Ti-I) Ti powders using the masked CSAM technology. Additionally, the performance of both Ti parts for its application in PEM electrolyzers was evaluated in terms of corrosion resistance and interfacial contact resistance (ICR). The results demonstrated that the masked CSAM technology allowed precise control and customization of the dimensions of the 3D-printed pin fins, obtaining porosity values of 6 ± 1 % for Ti-S and 4 ± 1 % for Ti-I. The evaluation of the corrosion resistance of the CSAM Ti patterned parts showed that for both Ti-S and Ti-I powders a stable oxide film at the typical operation potential (1.8 V vs Ag/AgCl) of a PEM water electrolyzer was formed without signs of pitting corrosion. Finally, at a compaction pressure of 150 N/cm2 ICR values of 42 ± 19, 40 ± 13, and 24 ± 7 mΩ·cm2 were obtained for Ti-I, Ti-S, and standard Ti Bulk, respectively. The results suggest than the masked CSAM technology shows great potential for the fabrication of Ti BPPs.

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