Recent Patents on Nanotechnology - Volume 18, Issue 2, 2024

Background: MXenes have attracted intensive attention owing to their unique twodimensional (2D) layered structure, high specific surface area, excellent conductivity, superior surface hydrophilicity, and chemical stability. In recent years, selective etching of the A element layers from MAX phases by fluorine-containing etchants (HF, LiF-HCl, etc) is a common method to prepare multilayered MXene nanomaterials (NMs) with plentiful surface terminations. At present, many studies have been reported on the use of fluorine-free etchants (NaOH, ZnCl2, etc) to etch MAX phases. The properties of MXene NMs are dependent on their structures. Objective: The purpose of this review is to focus on a comprehensive and systematical survey on the preparation, structure modulation, and applications of MXene NMs in electrochemical energy storage devices, including supercapacitors, lithium-ion battery, sodium-ion battery, potassium-ion battery, and aluminum-ion battery. Methods: Extensive information related to the preparation and applications of 2D MXene NMs for electrochemical energy storage and their associated patents were collected. This review highlights the recently reported 2D MXene NMs which are used in supercapacitor and various metal ion. Results: It is found that the preparation methods have great impacts on the layer spacing and surface terminations of MXenes, consequently affecting their performance. Hence, this paper summarizes the research progress of the preparation strategies, layer spacing and surface termination modulation of MXene NMs. Conclusion: The applications of 2D MXene NMs in electrochemical energy storage are outlined. The forward-looking challenges and prospects for the development of MXenes are also proposed.

Background: Electrochromic materials can dynamically change their optical properties (such as transmittance, absorbance, and reflectance under the action of an applied voltage, and their research and application in the visible band have been widely concerned. In recent years, with the continuous development of electrochromic technology, the related research has been gradually extended to the infrared region. Objective: This invited review aims to provide an overview of the current status of several inorganic infrared electrochromic materials, to provide some references for future research, and to promote the research and application of electrochromic technology in the infrared region. Methods: This review summarizes various research results in the field of infrared electrochromic, which includes a detailed literature review and patent search. Starting from the key performance parameters and device structure characteristics of infrared electrochromic devices (ECDs), the research and progress of several types of inorganic infrared electrochromic materials, including metal oxides, plasma nanocrystals, and carbon nanomaterials, are mainly presented, and feasible optimization directions are also discussed. Conclusion: We believe that the potential of these materials for civilian and military applications, for example, infrared electrochromic smart windows, infrared stealth/disguise, and thermal control of spacecraft, can be fully exploited by optimizing the materials and their devices to improve their performance.

The increasing incidence of breast cancer and the associated morbidity due to higher metastasis created the urge to develop a nanocarrier that can be used as a potent therapeutic carrier with targeting efficacy. The use of superparamagnetic nanoparticles in breast cancer research and treatment has gained considerable attention in recent years. Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) can be used to construct nanocarriers since they possess superior properties such as superparamagnetism, easy surface functionalization to attach ligands, and non-immunogenic. MNPs are superior carriers that are used to target cancer cells without harming the normal cells in the body, which leads to therapeutic efficacy in the body. Along with their established anticancer potential and enhanced drug concentration at endosomal pH, the superparamagnetic property of MNPs was further exploited for their applications in reticuloendothelial uptake, drug delivery, medical imaging, and theranostics applications in breast cancer. Moreover, the clinical translational of MNPs, along with future prospects and key challenges in vivo, have been duly presented in the final review. The scientists preferred the ongoing research in MNPs due to their high biocompatibility and ease of targeting at molecular and cellular levels. The review highlighted the in vitro and in vivo research and patent supported data for potential use of MNPs for the treatment of breast cancer.

Tuberculosis (TB) is considered a significant health problem caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is one of the second-deadly infectious diseases right after AIDS. Several factors such as poor patient compliance, high dose intake, low drug bioavailability and prolonged treatment of disease are responsible for the prevalence of multi-drug resistance tuberculosis and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis cases. Therefore, developing such drug-resistant bacterial strains has created a robust and efficient system that can improve the therapeutic effectiveness of anti-tubercular drugs. This review manuscript highlights the therapeutic outcomes of a nanotechnology-based drug delivery system in treating TB. Various novel nanoformulations for anti-mycobacterial drugs have been explored. Such novel approaches would have shown several advantages such as sustained/controlled drug release, reduced dose frequency, and resolved poor patient compliance over many free anti-tubercular drugs. This framework will provide valuable information on various nanoparticle-based technology employed in treating TB infectious disease. Patent data were searched in google patent and nanoformulations outcomes for TB management improves health of patients.

Background: Around 1.5 billion people in the world are affected by complex neurological disorders, and the figure is increasing alarmingly due to unsatisfactory clinical outcomes. To date, no conventional formulation can show a promising effect on the control or prevention of neurodegeneration. However, Nano delivery tools have shown better penetration and profound action on the targeted area of the brain. Methods: Although existing Nano therapeutic approaches are abundant but would not reach the clinic due to their improper bioavailability, BBB restricts its entry and causes improper biodistribution, so it is a challenge to use certain bioactive as a potential therapy in neurodegenerative disorders. Hybrid nanocarriers are nano-vesicular transported systems which could be utilized as carriers for the delivery of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic compounds. Available patents on nanodelivery for therapeutic approaches will also include in this review. Results: Hybrid Nano delivery system may provide good stability to polar and nonpolar compounds and improve their stability. Conclusion: This manuscript updates the available findings on the Nano vesicular system to deliver drugs for neurodegenerative disorders.

One of the drug delivery technologies is nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), which improve drug permeability and thus bioavailability. NLCs are nanoparticles made from a lipid matrix made up of a mixture of solid and liquid lipids. The inclusion of liquid lipids is useful in lowering the ordered structure of solid lipids, increasing nanoparticle loading capacity, and drug entrapment efficiency within NLCs. Hot homogenization, cold homogenization, micro-emulsion, emulsification-solvent diffusion, high shear homogenization, and/or ultrasonication techniques, double emulsion technique, melting dispersion method, membrane contractor technique, and evaporation solvent injection are some of the methods that can be used to make NLCs. Both hydrophilic and lipophilic medicines can be carried out by NLCs. They can deliver medications in a variety of ways, including oral, topical, transdermal, parenteral, and ophthalmic. During the process of preparing this review article, several distinct studies and patent reports about various methods of NLCs formulations, their various therapeutic applications, and various routes of administration were investigated and discussed. The study conducts an in-depth evaluation of the most recent research publications and patents. NLCs have been utilized to treat a variety of disorders, including cancer, fungal infections, bacterial infections, inflammation, liver diseases, and ocular infections, due to their benefits. They can deliver medications to specific locations throughout the body, allowing for drug targeting and a reduction in unwanted side effects. They can also be used to improve bioavailability, reduce the medication's supplied dose, and improve the drug's pharmacological activity.

The current work aims to provide a complete sojourn on gastro-retentive drug delivery system (GRDDS) along with formulation methods, polymer selection, and in vitro/ in vivo challenges with finished dosage forms. Ideally, a biopharmaceutical-hindered drug has a rapid clearance and erratic bioavailability due to its low aqueous solubility and permeability. Additionally, it also suffers from high first-pass metabolism and pre-systemic gut wall clearance. Gastro-retentive drug delivery systems have become an emerging technology where newer methodologies and scientific approaches have been used to provide the controlled release of drugs and provide a protective mechanism in the stomach. By the virtue of utilizing GRDDS as a dosage form, these formulations increase Gastroretention time (GRT) which prolongs the controlled release of the drug in the dosage form. GRDDS contribute to increased drug bioavailability and targeting at a site of action, which enhances therapeutic action and offers significant patient compliance. Furthermore, the present work also highlighted the critical role of polymers in favoring drug retention across GIT with the mechanism of gastro-retention and recommended concentration ranges. The emerging technology is also highlighted by the approved drug products and patented formulations in the recent decade which is depicted in a justified manner. GRDDS formulations have demonstrated clinical efficacy, which is supported by a compilation of patents for cutting-edge innovations in dosage forms that can be held in the stomach for an extended period of time.

The ever-increasing applications of cyclodextrin and cyclodextrin-based nanosponges in formulation development has gained much attention from researchers towards needed research in this arena. Nanosponges are three-dimensional nanoporous versatile carriers in the pharmaceutical research field because of their capability to encapsulate lipophilic and hydrophilic drugs both in their crystalline structure by inclusion and non-inclusion phenomenon. This review sheds light on the advancements made in this field and the associated patents with regard to their synthesis while zooming in on the utilization of two novel energies (Microwave and ultrasonic) in accomplishing this goal and its future thereof. Microwave and ultrasound-assisted manufacturing of cyclodextrin-based nanosponges (CDNS) has been found superior to conventional heat-dependent methods due to rapid/homogenous heating and fast kinetics, which ultimately provide the final product with high yield and crystallinity relatively rapidly. The review article also defines several facets of microwave and ultrasound-assisted nanosponge synthesis including the synergism of microwave and ultrasonic energy and the theories behind them. This hitherto unexplored microwave-ultrasonic coupling technology could be a future technology to synthesize CD-NS with a better outcome. In the recent past, these novel energy processes have been used successfully in material synthesis at an industrial scale due to their swift and streamlined synthesis attributes. Likewise, these wave-assisted methods have the full potential to materialize the concept of CD-NS from lab scale to industrial scale as a competent and versatile drug carrier, having all the prerequisite characteristics, for commercialization.

Psoriasis is an inflammatory and proliferative autoimmune dermatological disorder. It is a skin ailment that is defined by particular, drab-red or peach-pink stiff areas with silvery scales patches. Other typical characteristics include the proliferation of epidermal layer, aberrant keratinization, hyperkeratosis, increased micro capillary vascularization, and infiltration of inflammatory mediator loaded cells. Conventional pharmacotherapies currently available can only provide minor advantages. Nanomedicines based on nanotechnology can potentially improve the efficacy and safety of psoriasis medications. Apoptosis plays an important pathogenetic role in many chronic inflammatory diseases, including those of dermatological interest, in particular, regarding psoriasis. In this regard, treatments with antioxidant properties could be appropriate therapeutic options. We reviewed the available studies on the efficacy of antiapoptotic therapies in psoriasis. We'll look at phytochemicals in this review, which are natural components found in plants with antiapoptotic activity that are frequently used to treat psoriasis. For improved topical treatment, we also take into consideration the advantages of loading phytoconstituents as medicines into lipid based nanocarriers. The utilization of herbal nanomedicines in psoriasis, as well as nano delivery carrier system for phytoconstituents with improved therapeutic profiles and decreased toxicity, are the subjects of this review. The study's purpose is to find more effective herbal nanomedicines for treating psoriasis. In the treatment of psoriasis, phytoconstituents that have shown antipsoriatic potential in recent years, as well as phytoconstituents loaded based nanomedicines, have a lot of promising roles to be explored. Furthermore, very few patents have been found in the field of nanotechnology utilizing lipid-based nanocarrier system for the treatment of psoriasis. Therefore, this review greatly compels the researcher to validate the process development of lipid-based drug delivery system for the patentability of the product. This should be in a view of shifting in the applicability of the drug delivery system for general public health as a potential treatment option in psoriasis.

Background: Resistive random-access memory (RRAM) is considered to be the most promising next-generation non-volatile memory because of its low cost, low energy consumption, and excellent data storage characteristics. However, the on/off (SET/RESET) voltages of RRAM are too random to replace the traditional memory. Nanocrystals (NCs) offer an appealing option for these applications since they combine excellent electronic/optical properties and structural stability and can address the requirements of low-cost, large-area, and solution-processed technologies. Therefore, the doping NCs in the function layer of RRAM are proposed to localize the electric field and guide conductance filaments (CFs) growth. Objectives: The purpose of this article is to focus on a comprehensive and systematical survey of the NC materials, which are used to improve the performance of resistive memory (RM) and optoelectronic synaptic devices and review recent experimental advances in NC-based neuromorphic devices from artificial synapses to light-sensory synaptic platforms. Methods: Extensive information related to NCs for RRAM and artificial synapses and their associated patents were collected. This review aimed to highlight the unique electrical and optical features of metal and semiconductor NCs for designing future RRAM and artificial synapses. Results: It was demonstrated that doping NCs in the function layer of RRAM could not only improve the homogeneity of SET/RESET voltage but also reduce the threshold voltage. At the same time, it could still increase the retention time and provide the probability of mimicking the bio-synapse. Conclusion: NC doping can significantly enhance the overall performance of RM devices, but there are still many problems to be solved. This review highlights the relevance of NCs for RM and artificial synapses and also provides a perspective on the opportunities, challenges, and potential future directions.