Nanostructured Bioaerogels as a Potential Solution for Particulate Matter Pollution

Exploring the Versatility of Aerogels: Broad Applications in Biomedical Engineering, Astronautics, Energy Storage, Biosensing, and Current Progress

Aerogels are unique and extremely porous substances with fascinating characteristics such as ultra-low density, extraordinary surface area, and excellent thermal insulation capabilities. Due to their exceptional features, aerogels have attracted significant interest from various fields, including energy, environment, aerospace, and biomedical engineering. This review paper presents an overview of the trailblazing research on aerogels, aiming at their preparation, characterization, and applications. Various methods of aerogel synthesis, such as sol-gel, supercritical drying, are discussed. Additionally, recent progress in the characterization of aerogel structures, including their morphology, porosity, and thermal properties, are extensively reviewed. Finally, aerogel's utilizations in numerous disciplines, for instance, energy storage, thermal insulation, catalysis, environmental remedy, and biomedical applications, are summarized. This review paper provides a comprehensive understanding of aerogels and their prospective uses in diverse fields, highlighting their unique properties for future research and development.

State-of-the-Art Advances and Current Applications of Gel-Based Membranes

Gel-based membranes, a fusion of polymer networks and liquid components, have emerged as versatile tools in a variety of technological domains thanks to their unique structural and functional attributes. Historically rooted in basic filtration tasks, recent advancements in synthetic strategies have increased the mechanical strength, selectivity, and longevity of these membranes. This review summarizes their evolution, emphasizing breakthroughs that have positioned them at the forefront of cutting-edge applications. They have the potential for desalination and pollutant removal in water treatment processes, delivering efficiency that often surpasses conventional counterparts. The biomedical field has embraced them for drug delivery and tissue engineering, capitalizing on their biocompatibility and tunable properties. Additionally, their pivotal role in energy storage as gel electrolytes in batteries and fuel cells underscores their adaptability. However, despite monumental progress in gel-based membrane research, challenges persist, particularly in scalability and long-term stability. This synthesis provides an overview of the state-of-the-art applications of gel-based membranes and discusses potential strategies to overcome current limitations, laying the foundation for future innovations in this dynamic field.