Current Materials Science - Volume 17, Issue 4, 2024

Packaging materials design is related to economic and social development. At the same time, it also reflects human aesthetic and emotional expression. With the continuous maturity of consumer psychology, people have a new understanding of packaging design, and the past packaging materials design concepts can no longer meet the various needs of customers. As is known, packaging plays a very important role in promoting products to customers. Therefore, attractive packaging materials design is essential. In this work, the developing history of packing materials design was reviewed in detail. Both the advantages and disadvantages of the packing materials were discussed. Packaging materials experienced the process from paper, plastic, and metal to composite materials. The functions of packaging materials have gone from single to comprehensive. Driven by the commercialization of fierce competition, although humans have made great achievements in packaging material design, there is still greater room for development in packaging material design to meet the needs of future society. For a long time from now to the future, the balance between practicality and aesthetics will still be the basic principle of material packaging design. In addition, the human experience, such as the friction coefficient of packaging materials, has begun to be considered. The artistic combination of materials, shapes, colors, and characters combined with artificial intelligence has gradually become the frontier of packaging material design. By learning from nature, it can be concluded that smart packaging, eco-friendly and sustainable development in packaging materials design combining practicality and aesthetics are the developing trend for the future.

Various human actions have raised the level of heavy metal (HM) pollution in the environment. From contaminated water and soil, the HMs infiltrate into the agricultural crops that are consumed by animals as well humans. Deposition of heavy metals leads to DNA damage and several digestive, reproductive, and respiratory system-related health problems. Various microorganisms have evolved mechanisms of HM resistance, tolerance, detoxification, and metabolization. Physicochemical methods of HM treatment are expensive and non-ecofriendly. Therefore, remediation of contaminated soil and water using microorganisms or bioremediation has become a topic of interest for scientists. Bioremediation is a cheaper, eco-friendly and more efficient method. The present review attempts to describe various mechanisms (biosorption, bioaccumulation, biotransformation and active export) by which microbes resist and remediate heavy metal pollution. In addition, the role of different types of consortia/co-culture in bioremediation has been discussed. Microbes, such as fungi, bacteria, and protozoa can remove metals both singly and in amalgamation. Furthermore, an advanced nanotechnology approach for metal ion treatment from wastewater has been briefly discussed. To fully utilize the microbial potential for heavy metal removal and create better strategies to alleviate environmental pollution, a deeper knowledge of the molecular, biochemical, and genetic mechanisms used by these species is required.

This review article discusses the relevant rheological tests to evaluate the properties of compositions applied to the 3D printing of concrete (3DCP). These materials must rapidly develop rigidity and resistance, avoiding the collapse of the printed structure, with suitable buildability and other state properties, such as extrudability. A good balance must be maintained between properties and rheological parameters, such as yield stress and viscosity. Cohesion, Young's modulus, and thixotropy are also among the parameters used in these evaluations. The rheological tests addressed are the rheometer, direct shear test, uniaxial unconfined compression test, and penetration test. Their limitations must be taken into account to obtain accurate values of the rheological parameters. It was found that the most used test is the rheometer, and the test that needs to be further studied is the penetration test. Hence, it is recommended to search for a more expeditious method related to the rheological assessment to facilitate obtaining the associated parameters in a simple way.

Background: Non-wood plant parts provide unique opportunities for cellulose for paper manufacture and offer advantages over wood, such as less harsh chemicals and lower lignin content. Objective: This review examined several cellulose extraction procedures from non-wood sources, such as leaves, stems, grass, straw, fruit peels, and husks. Methods: Acid and alkali extraction, oxidation, and bleaching were the main techniques used. Corresponding mechanical properties of cellulose derivatives were also reviewed, with tensile strength being the most reported property, with variability among the species and products. Additives were also explored to improve the properties of non-wood paper. Results: Further processing of cellulose into nanocrystalline cellulose enabled the manufacture of biodegradable composites with a wide range of utilities in wastewater treatment, reinforcing materials, alternatives to plastics and circuit boards for nanotechnology applications. Various methods now available for cellulose extraction provide scientists with several efficient options for different plant materials with beneficial properties. Conclusion: Non-wood cellulose has found its uses in several industries, but further research may consolidate these attempts.

The largest organ of the human body, the skin, shields the body from the outside environment. Despite having a great capacity for regeneration, major skin abnormalities cannot heal on their own and must be covered with artificial skin. In recent years, significant advancements have been achieved in the area of skin tissue engineering to create novel skin replacements. Because of their porous as well as moisturized polymeric structural composition, hydrogels are one of the choices with the greatest ability to imitate the natural skin microenvironment. Naturally derived polymers, synthesized polymers, polymerizable synthetic monomolecules, as well as mixtures of natural and synthesized polymers, can all be used to create hydrogels. They can be used to assist in the regeneration as well as repair of the wounded dermis, epidermis or else both by dressing various wounds permanently or temporarily. Hydrogels possess distinct properties like lightweight, stretchable, biocompatible, and biodegradable; they have the potential to be incorporated as flexible solutions for the care of chronic wounds. Additionally, these characteristics make hydrogels appropriate for use in the pharmaceutical and medical industries. Physical, chemical, and hybrid bonding are all involved in the creation of hydrogels. Several processes, including solution casting, solution mixing, bulk crosslinking polymerization, the free radical mechanism, radiation therapy, and the development of interpenetrating networks, are used to create the bonding. This review primarily focuses on the type of wounds with phases in wound healing and the many kinds of hydrogels based on cross-linking, ionic charge, physical properties, source etc., and it also describes potential fabrication techniques for hydrogel design in biomedical applications, drug delivery as well as wound management hydrogel systems. Hydrogel-based systems for wound recovery and management are described, as well as current research & future prospective of hydrogel-based drug delivery systems in wound healing for topical applications.

The demand for innovative solutions has arisen from the inevitability of improved packaging systems to protect processed food from various factors that cause spoilage. Traditional food packaging materials have limitations in fulfilling all the requirements of consumers, such as being inert, cheap, lightweight, easily degradable, reusable, and resistant to physical abuse. Nanofillers incorporated in the polymer matrix can provide potential solutions to these challenges. This review paper deliberates the use of nanofillers in a polymer matrix to develop an active and intelligent polymer nanocomposites-based processed food packaging system. The present review article focuses on the properties of nanofillers and their potential benefits when incorporated into the polymer matrix. It also examines the challenges associated with developing such packaging systems and explores the ways to address them. It highlights the potential of nanofiller-based polymer nanocomposites in developing a novel food packaging system that can improve the shelf-life and quality of processed food. Such systems can protect food from dirt or dust, oxygen, light, moisture, and food-spoiling microorganisms. Incorporating nanofillers can provide a viable solution to these problems. Most importantly, this paper provides research insights into the potential benefits of nanofillers-based polymer nanocomposites and their applications in the food packaging industry. The verdicts of this review will be of interest to the food packaging industry, entrepreneurs and researchers interested in developing sustainable and innovative packaging systems.

Background: Powder technology provides conditions to control particle-particle interactions that drive the formation of final-component/material, which also includes the crystalline structure, microstructure and features. Alumina (Al2O3) is the most studied ceramic based material due to its useful properties, disposal, competitive price, and wide technological applicability. This work aims to produce alumina crucibles with controlled size and shape from free dispensant suspensions. These crucibles will be used as containers for the synthesis of new materials for radiation dosimetry. Methods: The Al2O3 powders were characterized by XRD, SEM, PCS, and EPR. The stability of alumina particles in aqueous solvent was evaluated by zeta potential determination as a function of pH. Alumina suspensions with 30 vol% were shaped by slip casting in plaster molds, followed by sintering at 1600^oC for 2 h in an air atmosphere. Alumina based crucibles were characterized by SEM and XRD. Results: #145;-Al2O3 powders exhibited a mean particle diameter size (d50) of 983nm. Besides, the stability of particles in aqueous solvent was achieved at a range of pH from 2.0-6.0, and from 8.5-11.0. EPR spectra revealed two resonance peaks P1 and P2, with g-values of 2.0004 and 2.0022, respectively. The as-sintered #145;-alumina based crucibles presented uniform shape and controlled size with no apparent defects. In addition, the final microstructure driven by solid-state sintering revealed a dense surface and uniform distribution of grains. Conclusion: The #145;-Al2O3 crucibles obtained by slip casting of free dispensant alumina suspensions, followed by sintering, exhibited mechanical strength, and controlled shape and size. These crucibles will be useful labwares for the synthesis of new materials for radiation dosimetry.

Introduction: This study investigated the characteristics of the powder, the concentration of the ions, and the growth characteristics of Chili that were irrigated with the natural magnesium- zinc ionised water. The findings revealed that the ion dissolution rate was higher for greater water temperatures. Methods: Extended sintering of the zinc-modified natural serpentinite powder at 400°C reduced the number of dissolved magnesium ions and increased the number of dissolved zinc ions. The Chili planting experiment was performed with two groups: 1) Chili irrigated with natural magnesium- zinc ionised water (natural magnesium-zinc Chili) and 2) Chili irrigated with distilled water (distilled-water Chili). Results: The natural magnesium-zinc Chilis were discovered to have higher concentrations of magnesium and zinc ions in various parts. Furthermore, during the later stages of growth, the natural magnesium-zinc Chili had a larger body and did not easily turn yellow, resulting in better freshness. This study used modified serpentine powder to cultivate natural magnesium-zinc Chili. Appropriate powder roasting conditions and the rates of magnesium and zinc dissolution were established, and the growth characteristics of natural magnesium-zinc Chili were determined. Conclusion: The Chilis can help humans ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages by sufficient zinc and magnesium intake.

Background: The influence of carbonation on the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) microstructure of cement-based materials was significant. However, the width of ITZ is about tens of microns, and studying its micro-characteristics (such as porosity, hydration products, content of unhydrated cement, etc.) by macro test was difficult. Methods: Backscattered electron (BSE) imaging technology and gray scale analysis method were used to analyze the cement-based materials with water-binder (W/B) ratios of 0.53 and 0.35, respectively. Results: BSE and gray scale analysis showed that in the ITZ, the porosity of 0.53P (Portland cement paste), 0.35P (Portland cement paste), 0.53F (fly ash), and 0.35F (fly ash) decreased by 24.1%, 28.9%, 49.5%, and 64.2% respectively, whereas the content of hydration products increases after carbonation, and the matrix also shows the same rule. At the same time, the smaller W/B ratio, the greater the porosity reduction, and the filling effect of carbonation on the specimens with supplementary cementitious material (SCM) was more significant than that of pure cement specimens. Conclusion: The porosity of the ITZ decreased after carbonation, however it remained higher than that of the matrix. Consequently, the ITZ remained a vulnerable zone with a greater diffusion rate of CO2 compared to the matrix even after carbonation.