A Microvascular System Self-Healing Approach on Polymeric Composite Materials

Enhancing Dental Material Performance: Tung Oil-Infused Polyurea Microcapsule Coatings for Self-Healing and Antimicrobial Applications

Within the realm of dental material innovation, this study pioneers the incorporation of tung oil into polyurea coatings, setting a new precedent for enhancing self-healing functionality and durability. Originating from an ancient practice, tung oil is distinguished by its outstanding water resistance and microbial barrier efficacy. By synergizing it with polyurea, we developed coatings that unite mechanical strength with biological compatibility. The study notably quantifies self-healing efficiency, highlighting the coatings' exceptional capacity to mend physical damages and thwart microbial incursions. Findings confirm that tung oil markedly enhances the self-repair capabilities of polyurea, leading to improved wear resistance and the inhibition of microbial growth, particularly against Streptococcus mutans, a principal dental caries pathogen. These advancements not only signify a leap forward in dental material science but also suggest a potential redefinition of dental restorative practices aimed at prolonging the lifespan of restorations and optimizing patient outcomes. Although this study lays a substantial foundation for the utilization of natural oils in the development of medical-grade materials, it also identifies the critical need for comprehensive cytotoxicity assays. Such evaluations are essential to thoroughly assess the biocompatibility and the safety profile of these innovative materials for clinical application. Future research will concentrate on this aspect, ensuring that the safety and efficacy of the materials align with clinical expectations for dental restorations.

Recent progress in self-healable energy harvesting and storage devices - a future direction for reliable and safe electronics

Electronic devices with multiple features bring in comfort to the way we live. However, repeated use causes physical as well as chemical degradation reducing their lifetime. The self-healing ability is the most crucial property of natural systems for survival in unexpected situations and variable environments. However, this self-repair property is not possessed by the conventional electronic devices designed today. To expand their lifetime and make them reliable by restoring their mechanical, functional, and electrical properties, self-healing materials are a great go-to option to create robust devices. In this review the intriguing self-healing polymers and fascinating mechanism of self-healable energy harvesting devices such as triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG) and storage devices like supercapacitors and batteries from the aspect of electrodes and electrolytes in the past five years are reviewed. The current challenges, strategies, and perspectives for a smart and sustainable future are also discussed.

The Applications of Ferulic-Acid-Loaded Fibrous Films for Fruit Preservation

The aim of this study was to develop a novel ultrathin fibrous membrane with a core-sheath structure as an antioxidant food packaging membrane. The core-sheath structure was prepared by coaxial electrospinning, and the release of active substances was regulated by its special structure. Ferulic acid (FA) was incorporated into the electrospun zein/polyethylene oxide ultrathin fibers to ensure their synergistic antioxidant properties. We found that the prepared ultrathin fibers had a good morphology and smooth surface. The internal structure of the fibers was stable, and the three materials that we used were compatible. For the different loading positions, it was observed that the core layer ferulic-acid-loaded fibers had a sustained action, while the sheath layer ferulic-acid-loaded fibers had a pre-burst action. Finally, apples were selected for packaging using fibrous membranes to simulate practical applications. The fibrous membrane was effective in reducing water loss and apple quality loss, as well as extending the shelf life. According to these experiments, the FA-loaded zein/PEO coaxial electrospinning fiber can be used as antioxidant food packaging and will also undergo more improvements in the future.

A Brief Review on Advanced Sandwich Structures with Customized Design Core and Composite Face Sheet

Sandwich structures are a class of multifunctional high-performance structural composites that have the advantages of being lightweight, of a high strength-to-weight ratio, and of high specific energy absorption capabilities. The creative design of the core along with the apposite material selection for the fabrication of the face sheet and core are the two prerequisites with encouraging areas for further expedition towards the fabrication of advanced composite sandwich structures. The current review work focused on different types of core designs, such as truss, foam, corrugated, honeycomb, derivative, hybrid, hollow, hierarchical, gradient, folded, and smart core along with different composite materials accessible for face sheet fabrication, including fiber-reinforced composite, metal matrix composite, and polymer matrix composite are considered. The joining method plays a major role for the performance evolution of sandwich structures, which were also investigated. Further discussions are aligned to address major challenges in the fabrication of sandwich structures and further enlighten the future direction of the advanced composite sandwich structure. Finally, the work is summarized with a brief conclusion. This review article provides wider guidelines for researchers in designing and manufacturing next-generation lightweight multilayer core sandwich structures.

Advances in the Application of Electrospun Drug-Loaded Nanofibers in the Treatment of Oral Ulcers

Oral ulcers affect oral and systemic health and have high prevalence in the population. There are significant individual differences in the etiology and extent of the disease among patients. In the treatment of oral ulcers, nanofiber films can control the drug-release rate and enable long-term local administration. Compared to other drug-delivery methods, nanofiber films avoid the disadvantages of frequent administration and certain side effects. Electrospinning is a simple and effective method for preparing nanofiber films. Currently, electrospinning technology has made significant breakthroughs in energy-saving and large-scale production. This paper summarizes the polymers that enable oral mucosal adhesion and the active pharmaceutical ingredients used for oral ulcers. Moreover, the therapeutic effects of currently available electrospun nanofiber films on oral ulcers in animal experiments and clinical trials are investigated. In addition, solvent casting and cross-linking methods can be used in conjunction with electrospinning techniques. Based on the literature, more administration systems with different polymers and loading components can be inspired. These administration systems are expected to have synergistic effects and achieve better therapeutic effects. This not only provides new possibilities for drug-loaded nanofibers but also brings new hope for the treatment of oral ulcers.