Effect of electron phonon interaction on the optical conductivity of zigzag carbon nanotubes

Optical conductivity of a zigzag carbon nanotube is investigated in the context of the Holstein model. Green??s function approach is applied to calculate the optical conductivity as a function of photon frequency, temperature, and electron?Cphonon coupling strength. Based on our results, optical conductivity decreases with electron?Cphonon coupling constant for both metallic and semiconducting carbon nanotubes. Our results show that temperature yields shortening the height of peaks of zigzag CNT optical absorption.     

Vibration analysis of piezoelectric nanowires with surface and small scale effects

An analytical model for predicting surface effects on the free transverse vibrations of piezoelectric nanowires (NWs) is developed based on the non-local Euler-Bernoulli beam theory. The governing equation of motion for the piezoelectric NW with consideration of both surface and non-local effects is initially obtained, and the exact expressions for the natural frequencies and the fundamental buckling voltage are derived for simple support conditions. In addition, an explicit relationship between the residual surface tension and the small scale parameter of the piezoelectric NW, in terms of the critical electric potential at which the axial buckling occurs, is offered. Accordingly, a design chart is presented which may assist in experimental characterization of the mechanical properties of piezoelectric NW-based devices.     

Formulation and Characterization of Chitosan-Decorated Multiple Nanoemulsion for Topical Delivery In Vitro and Ex Vivo

In the present study, chitosan-decorated multiple nanoemulsion (MNE) was formulated using a two-step emulsification process. The formulated multiple nanoemuslion was evaluated physiochemically for its size and zeta potential, surface morphology, creaming and cracking, viscosity and pH. A Franz diffusion cell apparatus was used to carry out in vitro drug-release and permeation studies. The formulated nanoemulsion showed uniform droplet size and zeta potential. The pH and viscosity of the formulated emulsion were in the range of and suitable for topical delivery. The drug contents of the simple nanoemulsion (SNE), the chitosan-decorated nanoemulsion (CNE) and the MNE were 71 ± 2%, 82 ± 2% and 90 ± 2%, respectively. The formulated MNE showed controlled release of itraconazole as compared with that of the SNE and CNE. This was attributed to the chitosan decoration as well as to formulating multiple emulsions. The significant permeation and skin drug retention profile of the MNE were attributed to using the surfactants tween 80 and span 20 and the co-surfactant PEG 400. ATR-FTIR analysis confirmed that the MNE mainly affects the lipids and proteins of the skin, particularly the stratum corneum, which results in significantly higher permeation and retention of the drug. It was concluded that the proposed MNE formulation delivers drug to the target site of the skin and can be therapeutically used for various cutaneous fungal infections.     

Sodium Phytate-Incorporated Gelatin-Silicate Nanoplatelet Composites for Enhanced Cohesion and Hemostatic Function of Shear-Thinning Biomaterials

Shear-thinning biomaterials (STBs) based on gelatin-silicate nanoplatelets (SNs) are emerging as an alternative to conventional coiling and clipping techniques in the treatment of vascular anomalies. Improvements in the cohesion of STB hydrogels pave the way toward their translational application in minimally invasive therapies such as endovascular embolization repair. In the present study, sodium phytate (Phyt) additives are used to tune the electrostatic network of SNs-gelatin STBs, thereby promoting their mechanical integrity and facilitating injectability through standard catheters. We show that an optimized amount of Phyt enhances storage modulus by approximately one order of magnitude and reduces injection force by ≈58% without compromising biocompatibility and hydrogel wet stability. The Phyt additives are found to decrease the immune responses induced by SNs. In vitro embolization experiments suggest a significantly lower rate of failure in Phyt-incorporated STBs than in control groups. Furthermore, the addition of Phyt leads to accelerated blood coagulation (reduces clotting time by ≈45% compared to controls) due to the contributions of negatively charged phosphate groups, which aid in the prolonged durability of STB in coagulopathic patients. Therefore, the proposed approach is an effective method for the design of robust and injectable STBs for minimally invasive treatment of vascular malformations.     

Numerical Simulation of Electrochemical Systems by Coupling Analytical Calculation of the Diffuse Double Layer and Finite Element Description of Solution Bulk

Numerical modelling of electrochemical systems covers length scales from the nanometers up to the macroscopic scale. With finite element methods, the mesh must be extremely fine to describe the diffuse double layer, thus increasing the needed computational resources. We propose a method to describe the diffuse double layer by analytical equations, expressed as boundary conditions for the partial differential equations describing the solution bulk. We apply the method to a one-dimensional system, i. e. to a cell with plane parallel electrodes, in the presence of a redox couple and a supporting electrolyte. We provide evidence of the precision of the method.