This study utilizes response surface methodology (RSM) to examine the effectiveness of several nanomaterials on the residual compressive strength (CS) of concrete exposed to high temperature. Three nanoparticles were used as partial cement replacement by weight at replacement ratios up to 5%: nano-granodiorite (NG), nano-magnetite (NM), and nano-lead oxide (NL). The specimens were exposed to temperatures of 400 °C, 600 °C, and 800 °C, and the residual compressive strength was determined. The experimental results exhibited that all nanoparticles in concrete specimens reduced the loss of strength at high temperature. The control specimen lost 48.39% of its compressive strength at 800 °C. A dose of 4% NG and NM resulted in an increase in residual strength of 37.87% and 22.06%, respectively, while 3% NL specimens resulted in 11.4% improvement. A regression model for predicting concrete CS was developed using RSM. The model was successful in capturing the high correlation between the input variables (temperature, type of nanomaterial, and nanoparticle dose) and the output of CS. A good agreement between model predictions and the experimental data was obtained. The results of CS optimization showed that 5% NG at 126 °C resulted in the highest compressive strength of 61.80 MPa, confirming its superiority over NM and NL for the formulation of concrete under thermal conditions. The results reveal that the utilized nanoparticles, especially NG, have great potential to be used as cementitious materials to improve the high-temperature resilience of concrete.
We present here a one-pot hydrothermal synthesis of fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) using olive, rosemary, sage, and thyme leaves as a carbon source. The hydrothermal reaction was conducted at 180 °C for 12 h, thereby converting biomass into water-dispersible CDs without a passivating agent. The average size of the CDs, determined by TEM, was 3–6 nm, with a spherical morphology. All synthesized CDs displayed excitation-dependent fluorescence, with emission maxima at 400–440 nm (blue) with excitation at 340–370 nm. FLIM measurements yielded similar fluorescence lifetimes of approximately 5 ns in aqueous solutions of CDs. FTIR spectra indicated surface hydroxyl and nitrogen-containing functionalities that may contribute to photoluminescence. The antibacterial activity of the as-synthesized CDs against a panel of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria innocua, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), multidrug-resistant (MDR) E. coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae (MDR)) was investigated. It was shown that biomass-derived CDs exhibit antibacterial activity, being more effective against Gram-positive bacteria, with MIC values as low as 0.625 mg/mL for olive-, rosemary-, and thyme-derived CDs against S. aureus and MRSA. These findings suggest that the developed CDs are fluorescent materials offering viable possibilities in biomedical research, as well as antimicrobial agents.
Hydrophobic porphyrin photosensitizers can lose photodynamic activity when densely loaded into nanoparticles because intermolecular aggregation promotes excited-state quenching. We investigated whether CAOM, a cinnamic-acid-derived oily solubilizer, could regulate the intraparticle organization of the π-extended porphyrin photosensitizer rTPA in MITO-Porter nanoparticles. Low-loading MITO-Porter (Low-MP), high-loading MITO-Porter (High-MP), and CAOM-containing High-MP (High-MP+CAOM) were prepared using the iLiNP microfluidic device. At an equivalent rTPA concentration, High-MP generated substantially less singlet oxygen than Low-MP, whereas High-MP+CAOM showed singlet oxygen generation comparable to Low-MP. High-MP+CAOM was internalized by HeLa cells and was observed in proximity to mitochondria. At comparable total lipid concentrations calculated from formulation inputs, High-MP+CAOM produced the greatest light-dependent reduction in cell viability, while dark toxicity remained limited under the tested conditions. Fluorescence spectroscopy was consistent with attenuated aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ), while cryo-transmission electron microscopy showed a more homogeneous intraparticle morphology after CAOM incorporation. These findings suggest that CAOM incorporation may support the photodynamic performance of porphyrin-containing lipid formulations under the tested conditions.
Escalating global energy demand and the concomitant environmental deterioration, driven by the relentless combustion of fossil fuels, have placed sustainable energy conversion and environmental remediation technologies at the forefront of scientific research [...]
Nanoscale materials can support vaccine delivery, antigen display and immune stimulation, but successful platform function or enhanced immunogenicity does not necessarily establish meaningful or durable clinical protection. This narrative review examines evidence published from January 2016 through April 2026, with selected foundational studies, for nanotechnology-enabled vaccines against malaria, tuberculosis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and dengue, focusing on their relevance to the Global South. These diseases were selected for their substantial public-health burden, distinct biological barriers to vaccination and contrasting stages of translational development, enabling comparison across preclinical research, human immunogenicity, clinical efficacy and implementation evidence. The synthesis distinguishes the functional contribution of nanoscale carriers, antigen-display scaffolds and adjuvants from the performance of complete vaccine formulations. Malaria has the most advanced clinical and implementation evidence among the reviewed platforms. Tuberculosis has disease-prevention evidence in a defined infected adult population, and HIV and dengue platforms remain predominantly at preclinical or early clinical stages. Clinical efficacy of a nano-enabled formulation does not, by itself, quantify the incremental benefit attributable to its nanoscale component. Across diseases, translational value depends on antigen suitability, disease-relevant immune function, durability, formulation-specific safety and applicability to the intended population. Evidence from selected trial cohorts cannot automatically be generalized across heterogeneous Global South settings. Manufacturing readiness, storage requirements, affordable complete schedules, regulatory capacity and equitable access must therefore be assessed alongside biological performance. The review identifies where links between platform function, clinical benefit and feasible implementation are supported and where they remain unestablished.
