Chemistry and Materials Science

Abstract: Diatoms—unicellular microalgae essential for global ecosystems—synthesize nanostructured siliceous frustules composed of valves and girdle bands. In recent years, these frustule components have attracted increasing attention as sustainable, eco-friendly, and cost-effective alternatives to selected artificially fabricated micro/nanostructures used in micro- and nanosystems, particularly in fields such as photonics, sensing, and microfluidics, leading to the rise of diatom nanotechnology. Yet, the fabrication of commercially viable diatom-based devices remains hindered by several bottlenecks, including challenges associated with the precise assembly and integration of frustule-derived components within sophisticated micro- and nanosystems. In this perspective, we focus on these challenges and propose automated micromanipulation as a potentially transformative approach for addressing them.

Abstract: Organ-on-chip (OoC) systems — microfluidic devices lined with living human cells that reconstitute organ-level structure and function in vitro — are, at the materials level, chemical constructs: cross-linked siloxane or hydrocarbon polymer networks, plasma-activated and silanized at defined interfaces, coated with adsorbed or covalently immobilized extracellular-matrix proteins, and in continuous chemical exchange with the small-molecule drugs and metabolites they are built to study. This extensively referenced perspective takes that materials- and surface-chemistry foundation as its organizing frame. It first details the polymer network chemistry of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) device fabrication — hydrosilylation cross-linking, epoxide-based photoresist chemistry in mold production, oxygen-plasma-driven silanol (Si–OH) generation, siloxane (Si–O–Si) covalent bonding, the thermodynamically driven hydrophobic recovery that constrains device assembly windows, and silane-coupling and carbodiimide bioconjugation chemistry used to immobilize extracellular-matrix proteins at defined interfaces. It then addresses, in quantitative chemical terms, the single limitation most consequential to pharmaceutical use of these devices: PDMS's bulk absorption of lipophilic small molecules, contrasted against surface-adsorption-dominated, more chemically inert alternatives such as cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) and styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS) elastomers, drawing on partition-coefficient data spanning logP values from below zero to above five. Building on this materials-chemistry foundation, the article reviews organ-specific pharmaceutical evidence across the systems most developed for drug testing — liver (drug-induced liver injury, DILI), kidney (drug-induced kidney injury, DIKI, and transporter-mediated clearance), heart (torsadogenic and structural cardiotoxicity), blood-brain barrier (CNS drug permeability), gut (absorption and peristalsis-dependent differentiation), and immune-competent chips (cytokine release syndrome and immuno-oncology) — before detailing the regulatory landscape on both sides of the Atlantic, market trajectory, the organoid-versus-chip comparison, and the technical and institutional barriers, including chemistry-rooted ones, that continue to separate OoC technology from routine pharmaceutical use. As of mid-2026, no organ-chip has achieved full FDA qualification, though several sponsors have submitted chip-derived data directly within individual investigational new drug (IND) applications, and one hepatotoxicity chip has cleared the first of three ISTAND qualification stages. This article argues that organ-chip material and surface chemistry is not a peripheral fabrication detail but a first-order determinant of whether a given platform's pharmacological data can be trusted, and that organ chips are best understood today not as animal-testing replacements but as a maturing, chemistry-constrained, regulator-engaged evidentiary category whose near-term value is organ-system-specific and accrues fastest where substrate chemistry has been matched to the physicochemical properties of the compound class under study.

Abstract: Background/Objectives: Poly(xylitol sebacate) (PXS) is a biodegradable, biocompatible hyperbranched polyester capable of self-assembling into nanoparticles for hydrophobic drug delivery. Building on our prior physicochemical characterization of PXS nanoparticles, this study evaluated whether curcumin-loaded PXS nanoparticles (LNP) can deliver curcumin to colorectal cancer (CRC) cells and enhance its anticancer activity relative to free curcumin. Methods: Unloaded (UNP) and curcumin-loaded PXS nanoparticles were fabricated by nanoprecipitation and characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Four CRC cell lines (HCT116, HT29, SW480, SW620) were treated with free curcumin, UNP, or LNP at an equivalent curcumin concentration of 20 μg/mL for 48 h; viability was measured by CellTiter-Blue® assay, and cell morphology and curcumin cellular association were assessed by phase-contrast and fluorescence microscopy. Results: Nanoparticles fell within the target 100–200 nm range (LNP: 171.04 nm; UNP: 212.40 nm at 24 h) and remained colloidally stable for 48 h (159–203 nm). SEM confirmed spherical morphology for both formulations, and UNP were not cytotoxic at 20 μg/mL. LNP produced substantially greater viability reduction than free curcumin across all lines: SW480 and SW620 decreased to ~30% viability (~70% reduction), HT29 to ~60% (~40% reduction, despite minimal response to free curcumin), and HCT116, the most resistant line, to ~70% (~30% reduction). Fluorescence imaging suggested closer cellular association of LNP-delivered curcumin, although the signal was modest and not quantified. Conclusions: PXS nanoparticles are an effective, biodegradable carrier that enhances the cellular delivery and anticancer activity of curcumin in CRC cells, supporting further development of this hyperbranched polyester platform for cancer drug delivery.

Abstract: Background/Objectives: Cancer therapy remains limited by poor tumor selectivity, systemic toxicity, biological barriers to drug transport, rapid clearance, treatment resistance, and postoperative recurrence. Functional biomaterials offer engineered systems to address these limitations through targeted, localized, controlled, and stimuli-responsive drug delivery. However, existing reviews commonly classify these systems according to carrier type, therapeutic agent, or cancer application, with less emphasis on how biomaterial structure and physicochemical properties determine therapeutic performance. This review addresses this gap using a structure-property-performance (SPP) framework for the rational engineering of functional biomaterials for targeted and localized cancer drug delivery. Methods: The review critically examines particle size and morphology, surface chemistry and charge, targeting functionalization, stimulus responsiveness, porosity and internal architecture, mechanical stability, and degradation, and relates these design parameters to drug loading and release, systemic transport, tumor accumulation and penetration, cellular uptake, and local retention. The review further evaluates these relationships across cancer-specific biomaterial applications. Results: The reviewed evidence shows that biomaterial properties are strongly interdependent and often involve competing requirements, so optimizing one property can improve one aspect of therapeutic performance while limiting another. Cancer-specific applications in breast, brain, colorectal, pancreatic, melanoma, ovarian, bladder, and bone cancers further demonstrate that effective biomaterial design must be matched to disease-specific biological and anatomical barriers. Conclusions: The SPP framework provides a design approach for moving functional biomaterials from empirical formulation toward integrated, application-specific design. Future development is expected to increasingly incorporate AI-guided and personalized design, image-guided delivery, multi-responsive functionality, and integration of cancer therapy with tissue regeneration to advance more precise and clinically translatable cancer treatments.

Abstract: Magnesium has been of interest to researchers as a potential biodegradable alternative to metal orthopedic implants due to its biocompatibility and mechanical properties similar to those of bone. However, magnesium implants corrode more quickly than would be beneficial. This study focused on the influence of calcium modification on the microstructure, mechanical and electrochemical degradation (in simulated body fluids at 25°C and 40°C) of selected Mg-Zn alloys. Four alloys, Mg1Zn, Mg2Zn, Mg1Ca1Zn and Mg1Ca2Zn, were fabricated by levitation induction melting under argon atmosphere. Microstructural characterization was performed using optical microscopy and SEM/EDS analysis, mechanical behavior was evaluated by microhardness testing and Gaussian mixture modeling while corrosion performance was assessed in Ringer lactate solution. The results indicated that calcium addition modified the microstructural morphology. Moderate Ca addition modified the distribution of secondary phases and altered the local mechanical response of the Mg matrix. Among the investigated composition, Mg1Ca1Zn exhibited the best balance between microstructural characteristic, mechanical properties and corrosion resistance These results provide key criteria for the development of future resorbable orthopedic implants that improve patients’ quality of life.

Abstract: The deep-sea harbors an exceptional proportion of the ocean’s unexplored biological and chemical diversity, while the extreme conditions of hydrothermal vent ecosystems have imposed selective pressures that have driven the evolution of biochemical and structural adaptations with no clear counterpart among shallow-water organisms. This review focuses on one such organism, the vent mussel Bathymodiolus azoricus, dominant across Mid-Atlantic Ridge hydrothermal fields, as a source of biomedically relevant molecules that goes beyond its well-known role as a physiological adaptation model organism. We address this potential through two complementary lines of evidence, one rooted in immunology and the other in biomaterials research, which have largely been treated as separate fields in the literature but which we argue form part of a unified narrative. First, we review Bathymodiolus azoricus as a model organism for the study of innate immunity, focusing on its hemocyte biology, phagocytic and signaling responses, and the transcriptional interplay between host immune genes and its chemosynthetic endosymbionts. Although this body of work, conducted predominantly by Bettencourt and colleagues over the past fifteen years, has significantly advanced our understanding of host-symbiont interactions in hydrothermal vent mussels, it has only rarely been connected to the biomaterials literature on the same species. Second, we examine the byssal adhesive proteins secreted by the mussel foot, which are rich in the catecholic amino acid DOPA, as templates for the development of medical bioadhesives. Particular attention is given to the possibility that the metal-rich hydrothermal vent environment has selected for Fe³⁺-binding chemistries with higher affinity than those found in shallow-water mytilids. This constitutes a testable B. azoricus-specific hypothesis, rather than a generic restatement of established principles of mussel adhesion biology. We further extend this discussion to shell-derived biomaterials, focusing on nacre and calcium carbonate biomineralization as potential precursors for calcium phosphate-based bone-graft materials. We also highlight mussel byssal collagen, a structurally important yet underexploited protein whose biomedical potential has only recently begun to attract attention. Collectively, these observations suggest that the vent-adapted physiology of B. azoricus not only supports its value as a model system for extremophile biology but also identifies it as a promising and underutilized source of structural biomaterials and immune-active molecules. Testing this hypothesis will require addressing several outstanding experimental challenges, including recombinant production of foot-derived adhesive proteins, completion of the species’ immune-gene catalogue, and systematic structural and functional comparisons with shallow-water relatives.

Abstract: Ti35NbxSn alloys produced via Electrical Resistance Sintering were evaluated for their potential in biomedical applications, particularly dental implants. The study focused on the effects of Sn content and sintering current on electrochemical properties and tribocorrosion behaviour. Testing in Hartmann-Ringer solution and sulfuric acid showed that alloys with 6 wt.% Sn sintered at 11 kA offered the best performance, demonstrating superior corrosion resistance, minimal wear rates, and stable microhardness. Sn significantly enhanced the stability of passive oxide films, aiding in repassivation during slide. Ion release remained below acceptable levels, indicating biocompatibility.

Abstract: Acne patches provide a convenient site-specific approach for topical acne treatment. However, their rapid drug release may limit sustained drug availability at the affected site. This study integrates the synthesis, comprehensive characterization, molecular docking simulation, and in vitro evaluation of a lignin:chitosan:agarose composite hydrogel designed as a short-term sustained release vehicle for salicylic acid in acne treatment. The hydrogel exhibited a soft, stable texture with a highly porous micro-structure, as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis, thereby facilitating efficient drug loading and controlled release. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy indicated strong intermolecular interactions among the hydrogel components and salicylic acid. Antibacterial testing demonstrated significant inhibitory activity against Cutibacterium acnes, the primary pathogen in acne symptoms. In vitro release studies showed approximately 96% cumulative release of salicylic acid over 6 hours, suitable for prolonged topical application, such as anti-acne patches. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations revealed stable hydrogen-bonding interactions between salicylic acid and the active site of C. acnes lipase (PDB ID: 6KHM), suggesting potential enzymatic inhibition. These findings highlight the lignin:chitosan:agarose hydrogel as a promising biocompatible platform for controlled salicylic acid delivery with dual antibacterial and anti-inflammatory mechanisms, advancing its potential as an effective anti-acne patch.

Abstract: New single crystal hybrid ionic material, ethylenediammonium tetraacetate diperchlorate tetrahydrate (EDTAH₂²⁺.2ClO₄⁻.4H₂O), was synthesized. Its structure was affined by XRD, illustrating P2/n monoclinic system with cell parameters a=11.705(2), b=5.592(11), c=14.250(3)Å, β=101.747(7)° and filling rate Z=2. The 3D-supramolecular network is maintained by weak interactions as confirmed by Hirshfeld surfaces analysis, showing a supramolecular layered-like structure. UV-Vis spectrum reveals that the material is transparent in the visible domain; FT-IR spectroscopy investigates the vibration modes that were correlated to the functional groups of the material. In addition, the hybrid material exhibits significant in vitro antioxidant activity, as demonstrated by the β-carotene bleaching assay, showing effective inhibition of lipid peroxidation compared to BHT. In addition, density functional theory (DFT) calculations provided insight into the electronic structure and showed good agreement with the experimental results, supporting the observed antioxidant behavior.

Abstract: Hydrogels have become indispensable biomaterials in modern biomedicine because of their exceptional biocompatibility, tunable physicochemical properties, and ability to mimic the native extracellular matrix. Over the past decade, advances in hydrogel engineering have enabled the development of multifunctional systems that integrate smart responsiveness, controlled therapeutic delivery, bioactivity, and tissue-specific regenerative capabilities. These innovations have significantly expanded the application of hydrogels beyond conventional scaffolds toward precision drug delivery, advanced tissue engineering, and translational regenerative medicine. This review systematically summarizes recent progress in hydrogel engineering, covering stimuli-responsive, injectable, self-healing, nanocomposite, bioactive, biomimetic, and three-dimensional bioprintable hydrogel platforms. Their emerging biomedical applications are discussed in the context of localized cancer therapy, antimicrobial treatment, gene and protein delivery, and regeneration of bone, cartilage, skin, neural, cardiac, ocular, and vascular tissues. The current barriers to clinical translation, including scalable manufacturing, reproducibility, sterilization, regulatory approval, and commercialization, are critically evaluated. Finally, future opportunities involving artificial intelligence-assisted material design, advanced biofabrication, smart multifunctional hydrogels, and precision medicine are highlighted. By integrating recent advances in material engineering, biomedical applications, and translational perspectives, this review provides a comprehensive roadmap for the development of next-generation hydrogel systems for drug delivery and regenerative medicine.

Abstract: Polymeric micelles represent a fundamental self-assembled architecture of gel-based soft materials and have emerged as promising nanocarriers for anticancer drug delivery. Their performance is largely governed by the block composition of constituent copolymers, and understanding their self-assembly behavior provides critical insights into the rational design of gel-related drug delivery systems. In this work, dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulations were performed to systematically investigate two types of mixed drug-loaded micellar systems self-assembled from a triblock copolymer mPEG-b-PDEAEMA-b-PMMA (polymer A) with either a diblock copolymer PDEAEMA-b-PMMA (polymer B) or PPEGMA-b-PDEAEMA (polymer C). By tailoring the ratios of hydrophobic (MMA) and pH-sensitive (DMA) blocks, the protonation-responsive behavior, structural stability, drug loading capacity, and release kinetics of the micelles were comprehensively examined. The simulation results demonstrate that: (1) increasing the hydrophobic block ratio accelerates the protonation-triggered micellar swelling and drug release, yet an optimal ratio (+16 MMA) exists beyond which excessive hydrophobic blocks suppress release due to core densification; (2) increasing the pH-sensitive block ratio significantly enhances the maximum drug loading capacity (from 9.83% to 12.22% for the A/C system), but exerts only limited influence on the release rate; (3) the A/C mixed micelles with higher PEG content exhibit superior structural stability and drug loading capacity, while the A/B system with higher MMA content displays more sensitive pH-responsiveness. These findings reveal a competing mechanism between "protonation-driven force" and "structural resistance," providing mesoscopic theoretical guidance for the rational design of pH-responsive gel-related nanocarriers and self-assembled soft materials via block ratio modulation.

Abstract: Hydroxyapatite (HAp) is widely used in biomedical applications, yet its passive functional nature and moderate mechanical performance limit its utility in advanced optical tracking and load-bearing coatings. Here, a combined experimental (XRD, FTIR, Raman, spectroscopy, nanoindentation) and density functional theory (DFT) study was conducted to investigate the structural, electronic, vibrational, and mechanical modifications induced by Ytterbium doping (Yb-HAp). Crystallographic and DFT analyses reveal that Yb³⁺ preferentially occupies seven-coordinated Ca(II) sites, causing unit-cell volume contraction (521.69 ų) and local point-symmetry breaking in PO₄^3- groups. This local distortion activates a strain-induced ν_4-PO₄^3- bending mode at 715 cm-1 and asymmetric Raman peak broadening. Electronic calculations demonstrate that localized intra-gap Yb-4f states narrow the optical absorption threshold to ~1.0 eV, enabling efficient near-infrared photoluminescence while preserving the wide fundamental bandgap (5.25 eV) of the host matrix. Furthermore, Yb-doping yields significant mechanical reinforcement, elevating elastic moduli through shorter, covalent Yb-O bonds. Overall, these findings establish Yb-HAp as a versatile biomaterial combining structural robustness with near-infrared imaging capabilities for advanced dental restorations and bio-monitored implants.

Abstract: The physicochemical properties of buccal films are vital for improving drug delivery. It helps ensure that medications are safe, effective, with patient-friendly drug administration. By focusing on these properties, researchers can enhance the functionality of the films and provide a better overall experience for users. In this research study, biocomposite films composed of gellan gum (GG) and pineapple stem fiber (PSF), with glycerine as a plasticizer, were prepared using the solvent casting method to develop a formulation suitable for oral cavity applications. This study aimed to overcome the limitations of neat gellan gum and to produce buccal films with enhanced physicochemical properties. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, pH and thickness measurements, tensile test, folding endurance, swelling index, scanning electron microscope (SEM), mucoadhesion test and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis were conducted to determine the optimal PSF content in the GG-based biocomposite film formulation. The results indicated that the optimal formulation, GG/3PSF, was achieved with the incorporation of 3 wt. % PSF relative to the total biopolymer mass. This biocomposite film exhibited significant improvements in tensile strength, elongation at break, tensile toughness, folding endurance and mucoadhesion property while maintaining acceptable thickness, pH, and swelling index values. The developed buccal film is environmentally friendly due to the utilization of pineapple stem fiber, an agricultural by-product that can reduce material costs compared with synthetic fillers, and shows considerable potential for drug delivery applications.

Abstract: Biosensors are evolving from isolated analytical detectors into integrated systems for molecular diagnosis, longitudinal monitoring, dynamic tissue assessment, and clinical or preclinical decision support. This critical narrative review synthesizes literature from 2018 through July 2026 on biorecognition, biointerface engineering, transduction, wearable and microneedle architectures, CRISPR diagnostics, and sensor-integrated microphysiological systems. Unlike previous work that primarily classifies biosensors by analyte, recognition chemistry, or transduction modality, this review provides a unified translational framework that shifts evaluation from analytical sensitivity alone to the ability of systems to generate reliable, longitudinal, and clinically actionable information. A central distinction is made among snapshot assays, repeated discrete measurements, and genuine molecular trajectories, which require reversible recognition, controlled sampling, calibration, drift management, and temporal fidelity. Across applications, translational maturity depends on the measurement pathway. Continuous glucose monitoring remains the clearest benchmark because it combines durable chemistry, reproducible manufacture, workflow integration, and demonstrated clinical benefit. Other platforms have reached authentic-matrix testing, feasibility, prospective validation, or regulatory clearance but remain limited by fouling, matrix effects, calibration transfer, incomplete sample-to-answer operation, device variability, and insufficient manufacturing evidence. Future progress requires durable interfaces, claim-matched validation, reproducible scale-up, interoperable data systems, and measurements that remain trustworthy across time, users, devices, and settings.

Abstract: With advancements in DNA nanotechnology, DNA has evolved far beyond its traditional genetic role into a programmable material distinguished by specific molecular recognition and controllable self-assembly. As contemporary environmental pollutants become increasingly complex, conventional remediation technologies often face critical limitations due to their poor selectivity and low adaptability. Consequently, DNA nanotechnology presents a promising alternative for intelligent remediation. Specifically, functional nanostructures such as aptamers, DNAzymes, hydrogels, and hybrid nanocomposites serve as innovative platforms for the highly selective sequestration, degradation, and isolation of diverse contaminants. This review summarizes the fundamental properties of DNA relevant to environmental remediation, including enzyme-free amplification and stimulus-responsive structural transitions. We further discuss diverse DNA-based material platforms and systematically classify recent remediation strategies by pollutant categories, such as heavy metals, organic/biological contaminants, and radionuclides. Finally, we evaluate the current challenges hindering the practical translation of DNA-based remediation systems and outline promising future directions, offering a comprehensive perspective on developing next-generation smart materials for sustainable environmental management.

Abstract: The impact of chitosan (CS) characteristics (deacetilation degree and molar mass), and concentration as well as of the strategy employed to fabricate porous nanocomposites CS-laponite (LAP), on the physicochemical properties of CS-LAP sponges was investigated in the paper. Information about the incorporation of LAP within the CS-LAP nanocomposites were obtained by EDX and FTIR spectroscopy. The influence of the fabrication conditions on the physical cross-linking was evidenced first by the swelling of the composite sponges at equilibrium in distilled water, with the values of the swelling ratio of about 6-18, for the CS-LAP composites prepared with one freeze drying (1FD) step, and of about 22-40, for the composites prepared with 2FD steps. The average pore size and pore size distribution were evaluated using software assisted analysis of SEM micrographs. The elastic modulus ranged between 6 - 21 kPa for CS-LAP composites prepared with 1FD, and between 2 - 10 for the nanocomposites prepared with 2FD steps. The physicochemical properties of CS-LAP nanocomposite sponges were correlated with their behavior in the loading and in vitro release of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) as a function of pH. It was found that the CS-LAP composites with the highest swelling ratio exhibited the fastest release of 5-FU in simulated gastric fluid (pH 2.0), with the cumulative release in the range of 85 – 100%, in about 60 min, at 37 oC. The CS-LAP composites with the lowest swelling ratio, prepared by 1FD strategy, displayed the slowest release rate of drug. The drug release from the double component composites was accompanied by the carrier dissolution/disintegration. To retard the release of 5-FU in the gastric environment, the drug was sealed in the porous CS-LAP nanocomposites by simple complexation of the free positive charges of CS with carboxymethylcellulose as polyanion. These systems kept their integrity in pH 2.0, pH 6.8 and phosphate buffer with pH 7.4, and released 5-FU in a controlled manner making them suitable systems for delivery of 5-FU in both the stomach and small intestine.

Abstract:

The series of ceramics with a host composition corresponding to popular 45S5 bioglass doped with manganese ions was prepared using the modified sol-gel technique with a citric acid as a catalyst. The same line of ceramics, for the first time in the case of bioactive glasses or ceramics, was obtained in the procedure applying an addition of a plant extract – aloe vera one -as a surfactant to get more porous material. The structure and properties of the glasses were characterized with SEM, XRD, DSC, Raman and IR spectroscopy. All samples, regardless the Mn ions concentration, are bioactive as it was shown by in vitro immersion in artificial plasma – increase of manganese content improves the bioactivity of the material. The addition of aloe vera gel leads to a significant increase in the surface porosity of the samples; its scale is correlated with content of the aloe vera. Studies reveal that Mn exists in tetrahedral positions coordinating oxygen and reducing concentration of NBO. An addition of aloe vera change this situation lowering cross-linking of the ceramic glassy host. Amount of aloe vera in the presence of Mn dopant plays an important role in speeding the growth of phosphate compounds layers. The phosphorous layer growth during immersion in SBF is both quicker and more intense in the case of material prepared with the plant extract. This study reveal, using Raman 3D mapping, that the HpA is not located only at the surface of the samples but also in the volume and that its volume concentration is bigger than the surface one.

Abstract: The field of skin tissue engineering has rapidly advanced in recent years. This advancement has been driven by the increasing need to address biocompatibility, fabrication techniques, antimicrobial properties, hemostatic properties, and porosity of the materials used for tissue repair and regeneration. This review focuses on three common materials for scaffold fabrication in skin tissue engineering, cellulose, chitosan, and gelatin. As the most common natural organic polymer on Earth, cellulose is a readily available and renewable material that is distinguished by a remarkable combination of advantages. These advantages include biocompatibility, biodegradability, renewability, and good mechanical strength, rendering it a nontoxic and environmentally friendly substance. The benefits of chitosan include its antimicrobial and hemostatic properties, while gelatin enhances cell adhesion and proliferation, contributing to the scaffold’s overall biocompatibility. The inherent porous structure of these materials supports fluid flow, cell infiltration, and nutrient transport, creating a conducive environment for tissue repair and regeneration. In addition, this review highlights improved techniques in fabricating a durable scaffold. It also addresses the challenges in fabrication, such as controlling the pore size and uniformity of the pores and structure within the scaffold. This is crucial for cell growth and tissue regeneration. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of tissue repair and underscore the importance of using scaffolds and multilayered materials in skin tissue regeneration. Further research in skin tissue engineering will be essential for overcoming existing challenges and realizing the full potential of cellulose, chitosan, and gelatin in tissue engineering.

Abstract: The growing demand for environmentally friendly energy storage materials has sparked interest in biomass-derived activated carbon for supercapacitor electrodes. The study looks at the physicochemical properties of chicken litter as a prelude to biochar manufacturing for supercapacitor applications. Poultry litter samples were characterised using proximal, ultimate and compositional analysis to determine their suitability for carbon material synthesis. The results revealed that poultry litter comprises 43.06% carbon, 6.13% hydro-gen, and 40.68% oxygen, as well as 70.26% volatile matter and 18.51% fixed carbon. The inorganic fraction contained large amounts of calcium (4.12%), potassium (3.42%), and silicon (0.89%), which could influence porosity growth during activation. The higher heating value (16.86 MJ kg⁻¹) implies moderate energy content. Based on these properties, poultry litter shows promise as a low-cost, abundant feedstock for producing porous car-bon materials suitable for supercapacitor electrodes, especially when combined with ap-propriate activation strategies to increase surface area and electrochemical performance.

Abstract: The identification of natural yellow dyes in ancient textiles is complicated, regardless of whether destructive or non-destructive techniques are used. The main limitation is the need for sampling, followed by deterioration and interference by the materials used in consolidation and restoration processes. In addition, different yellow dye sources share the same main fluorophores or components such as luteolin, kaempferol, and quercetin-based chromophores. We propose a minimally invasive methodology to identify sweet-scented marigold (Tagetes lucida), zacatlaxcalli (Cuscuta tinctoria), and weld (Reseda luteola). This methodology was tested on yellow wool samples that were dyed in an artisan workshop in the last 3 to 10 years. Another two samples of yellow wool fibres were obtained from the textile collection of the Franz Mayer Museum in Mexico City. Confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM), micro-Raman spectroscopy, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and variable pressure environmental scanning electron microscopy (VP-ESEM) were used to analyse the samples. The CLSM results showed that dyes are absorbed into the matrix of the fibres. The wool and dyes presented different emission spectra, which can be associated with the main groups of autofluorescent compounds in plants. The FTIR-ATR results supported the proteinaceous origin of the fibres, and the chemical composition and molecular structure of the autofluorescence phytocompounds were identified by micro-Raman spectroscopy. The findings indicate that the proposed methodology is adequate for identifying natural yellow dyes in wool fibres and can be applied to cultural heritage textiles.