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Current Materials Science - Volume 19, Issue 2, 2026

Volume 19, Issue 2

Volume 19, Issue 2, 2026

    • Recent Advances in Creating 3D-interconnected Networks within Thermally Conductive Aluminum Nitride Polymer Composites: A Review

      https://doi.org/10.2174/0126661454342916241207195435

      The demand for efficient heat dissipation in advanced electronic devices necessitates the development of polymer composites with exceptional thermal conductivity. Over the course of the last few years, a great deal of research has been conducted to augment the thermal management of polymer composites through the incorporation of fillers possessing exceptionally high thermal conductivity. Among these fillers, aluminum nitride (AlN) has emerged as an exemplary choice for enhancing the thermal conductivity properties of polymer composites. Nevertheless, the substantial thermal resistance that exists at the interface of the filler and polymer matrix, as well as between fillers themselves, significantly impedes heat conduction, thereby limiting the improvement in thermal conductivity. The concise review endeavors to illustrate the recent advancements in the production techniques of polymer/AlN composites that exhibit high thermal conductivity by creating a three-dimensional interconnected filler network. The review begins with an introduction to the proposed mechanisms of heat conductivity in polymer composites, followed by a brief discussion of the various factors influencing the thermal conductivity of these composites. Subsequently, the different methods for fabricating three-dimensional interconnected AlN networks in polymer/AlN composites, all aimed at enhancing thermal conductivity, are presented. The review aims to present novel methods for improving the thermal conductivity of polymer composites by building complex three-dimensional filler networks.

    • Phytopharmacological and Ethnomedicinal Importance of L: A Review

      https://doi.org/10.2174/0126661454314305240826112529

      L. (Family: Compositae), a medicinal plant that grows as a weed, has a wide distribution in the United States and Canada, Brazil, China, and Malaysia, including hotter regions of India. Traditionally, the herb has been used largely to treat various illnesses. The entire plant, particularly its leaves, roots, fruits, and seeds, has been used in conventional healthcare to treat a variety of conditions, including leukoderma, infections from bacteria and fungi, long-term malaria cases, rheumatism, tuberculosis, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, urticaria, rheumatoid arthritis, diarrhoea, constipation, and lumbago. In-depth information about the plant's pharmacological and botanical properties is included in this detailed account. The pharmacological properties and their antibacterial, anti-tumor, antitussive, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, diabetic, antimitotic, antioxidant, antitrypanosomal, CNS depressant, diuretic, contact dermatitis, insecticidal, and herbicidal properties are some of the highlights. Constituents found in all plant components, such as sesquiterpene lactones, glycosides, phenols, and polysterols, account for the majority of the pharmacological actions. Nevertheless, in order to validate conventional knowledge in the context of a sensible phytotherapy, future efforts should focus more on laboratory and investigations as well as clinical trials. Research requires quantification of individual ingredients and assessment of their pharmacological effects in humans due to the herb's multi-activity, especially its anti-tumor and anti-cancer properties, which have garnered a lot of attention.

    • Polymeric Nanoparticles: Targeted Delivery in Breast Cancer - A Review

      https://doi.org/10.2174/0126661454345326241206062935
      Introduction

      Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers affecting the female population worldwide. It is a highly heterogeneous disease mainly classified into three subtypes based on the status of the molecular markers for the hormones (estrogen and progesterone) and epidermal growth factor (HER-2) receptors. Hormone receptor positive breast cancer shows a good prognosis, while tumors that do not show any of these receptors (triple negative breast cancer) are highly invasive. Despite all the conventional therapies for the treatment of breast cancer, it remains the leading cause of cancer deaths of women worldwide. Chemical grafting of nanoparticles (NPs) with polymers and surface modifiers as a targeted ligand can become an alternative for active targeting. Hence, these polymeric NPs can control drug release with pH-responsive stimuli, and the high selectivity of these NPs allows them to accumulate more inside the cancer cells that overexpress these receptors, leaving normal cells unaffected.

      Methods

      Formulation incorporates various polymers, solvents drug, and stabilizing agents in the aqueous phase. Various techniques discussed in this review are employed for synthesis, resulting in a dry NP formulation.

      Results

      In this context, we shall discuss the development of NPs against distinct forms of cancer malignancies. From here, we know that polymeric NPs can produce a system with good characteristics, effectiveness, and active targeting of different cancer cells.

      Conclusion

      This system is a striking candidate for the targeted drug delivery for cancer therapy, anticipating that NPs could be further developed for various breast cancer therapy applications.

    • A Comprehensive Overview of Manufacturing and In-service Defects in Rails: Occurrence and Remedies

      https://doi.org/10.2174/0126661454353007241219113634

      Indian Railways, the second-largest rail network in Asia and the fourth-largest in the world, has been a cornerstone of India's progress for 162 years. With over 19,000 trains serving 7,112 stations, this national institution is vital to the country’s economic and social development. It strengthens regional connectivity, enhances citizen mobility, and fuels commercial growth, all while providing top-tier logistics and transportation infrastructure. In 2021, Indian Railways freight revenues were $16 billion. Furthermore, the auto sector favours Indian Railways as its primary transporter. Although using trains for transportation has many benefits and is safe, the frequency of train accidents is continually rising. Indian Railways reported 373 train derailments between 2009 and 2015. More than 60% rail accidents are due to defects in the rail tracks. Derailment has been responsible for more than 50% of railway accidents in the past three years. Defective track, mostly rail, has been the cause of 29% of these occurrences. In the past three years, derailment-related accidents have increased by 67%. This paper discusses the different types of in-service defects in rail steels, which are the causes of accidents in India. The study also intends to identify ways of reducing the disastrous effects of vehicle derailments through suitable measures according to the gravity of railway accidents. The role of metallurgy in development of materials for rails is also highlighted.

    • Antibacterial Activity of Ag-graphene Nanocomposites against Gram-positive and Gram-negative Bacteria

      https://doi.org/10.2174/2666145417666230825163555
      Introduction

      Many pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, which are common sources of disease and infection in both humans and animals, have a significant impact on human health. To combat these microorganisms, scientists and technicians are steadily attempting to develop novel and potent antimicrobial agents. Recently, graphene nanosheets (GNs) based nanocomposites (NCs) have shown promising potential as antibacterial activity against microorganisms. The present is an attempt to examine the antimicrobial effect of Silver (Ag)/GNs NCs against gram-positive (, , and ) and gram-negative () bacteria.

      Methods

      In this study, Ag/GNs NCs have been synthesized by the solvothermal method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-vis spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy have all been used to study the Ag/GNs NCs. The antibacterial activity of synthesized GO and Ag/GNs NCs was evaluated against microorganisms using the disk diffusion method.

      Results

      The elemental analysis of synthesized nanomaterial revealed that GO and Ag ions have been reduced by citric acid, and led to the successful formation of Ag/GNs NCs. The resultant NCs have been examined for their antibacterial activity against gram-positive (, , and ) and gram-negative () bacteria. It was observed that Ag/GNs NCs markedly inhibit gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.

      Conclusion

      The prepared Ag/GNs NCs have the potential for long-term gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria-targeting antibacterial activities and grasp the ability in combating public health threats.

    • Controlled Release of a Vasodilator Drug through Membrane-controlled Transdermal Systems: Development, Characterization, and Evaluation

      https://doi.org/10.2174/0126661454312739240815094648
      Introduction

      An attempt was made to develop and evaluate the membrane-controlled transdermal systems for the controlled release of nicorandil. The carbopol gel was selected as a drug reservoir, crosslinked blend membranes of XG and SA were selected as rate-controlled membranes (RCM), and a film of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) was selected as the backing membrane. The aim of the current work was to formulate the membrane-controlled transdermal drug delivery systems for the effective delivery of a vasodilator, nicorandil, for the management of hypertension and angina pectoris, and and evaluation of these developed formulations.

      Methods

      Reservoir gel was evaluated for drug content, pH, viscosity, and RCMs by weight uniformity, thickness uniformity, differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) analysis, x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), water vapor transmission, skin irritation, and histopathology.

      Results

      Depending on crosslink density, variation in the water vapor permeation of RCMs was noticed. The RCMs showed no signs of skin irritation. drug permeation through rat skin was extended for a period of 24 hours. With an increase in acetaldehyde concentration in the RCM, there was a decrease in drug permeation. Among the two terpenes used as penetration enhancers, the cineole at a concentration of 20% exhibited a maximum permeation rate. The release mechanism from all systems followed non-Fickian transport. Histopathology results indicated minor changes in skin structure after skin permeation studies, which were reversible.

      Conclusion

      The developed transdermal systems were found to be versatile dosage forms for the controlled release of nicorandil, a vasodilator.

    • Influence of Rubber Distribution and Shape on Properties of Thermoplastic Vulcanizate: Finite Element Modeling

      https://doi.org/10.2174/0126661454335122240921021158
      Introduction

      Thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV), as a rapidly developing green engineering material, its microstructure determines its comprehensive mechanical properties. However, there are few reports on the influence of the distribution and shape of rubber particles on the overall properties of TPV.

      Methods

      In order to overcome the shortcoming that traditional experimental methods cannot obtain the internal stress change process of materials, we have established a series of representative volume element (RVE) models with different particle distributions and shapes through the micromechanical finite element method.

      Results

      The uniaxial tension and tension recovery of the models have been simulated. The results show that with the change of particle distribution and shape, the minimum elastic modulus of TPV based on ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) / polypropylene (PP) could reach 31.4 MPa and the highest resilience could reach 87.4%.

      Conclusion

      In addition, it can be seen from the stress distribution nephogram that the change in particle distribution and shape would obviously change the position of the stress concentration area in TPV.

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