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Ungureanu C, Răileanu S, Zgârian R, Tihan G, Burnei C. State-of-the-Art Advances and Current Applications of Gel-Based Membranes. Gels 2024; 10:39. [PMID: 38247761 PMCID: PMC10815837 DOI: 10.3390/gels10010039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Gel-based membranes, a fusion of polymer networks and liquid components, have emerged as versatile tools in a variety of technological domains thanks to their unique structural and functional attributes. Historically rooted in basic filtration tasks, recent advancements in synthetic strategies have increased the mechanical strength, selectivity, and longevity of these membranes. This review summarizes their evolution, emphasizing breakthroughs that have positioned them at the forefront of cutting-edge applications. They have the potential for desalination and pollutant removal in water treatment processes, delivering efficiency that often surpasses conventional counterparts. The biomedical field has embraced them for drug delivery and tissue engineering, capitalizing on their biocompatibility and tunable properties. Additionally, their pivotal role in energy storage as gel electrolytes in batteries and fuel cells underscores their adaptability. However, despite monumental progress in gel-based membrane research, challenges persist, particularly in scalability and long-term stability. This synthesis provides an overview of the state-of-the-art applications of gel-based membranes and discusses potential strategies to overcome current limitations, laying the foundation for future innovations in this dynamic field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camelia Ungureanu
- Department of General Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnologies, The National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, Gheorghe Polizu 1-7 Street, 011061 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Silviu Răileanu
- Department of Automation and Industrial Informatics, Faculty of Automatic Control and Computer Science, The National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, Splaiul Independenţei 313 Street, 060042 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Roxana Zgârian
- Department of General Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnologies, The National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, Gheorghe Polizu 1-7 Street, 011061 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Grațiela Tihan
- Department of General Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnologies, The National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, Gheorghe Polizu 1-7 Street, 011061 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Cristian Burnei
- Clinical Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology II, Clinical Emergency Hospital, Calea Floreasca 8, 014461 Bucharest, Romania;
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Xiao X, Mei Y, Ge Z, Xu Y, Huang Y, Deng W, Zou G, Hou H, Ji X. Electric-Eel-Type Bi-Ionic Gradient Battery. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023. [PMID: 37921590 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c13008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Electric eels generate electricity with a discharge voltage of up to 860 V under ionic gradients, providing a fascinating example to inspire viable and flexible power sources. However, hitherto reported eel-related devices are strictly restricted by complicated fabrication and environmental energy input. Herein, an electric-eel-type bi-ionic gradient battery (BGB) is performed by cationic and anionic polyelectrolyte hydrogels featuring simplified units and self-energy supply. Benefiting from ionic bonds with opposite charges in the polymer chain, bianion gradients as well as ion selective migration pathways are synchronously constructed and integrated units are enabled. As a result, an open-circuit voltage of 0.54 V and a short-circuit current density of 13 μA cm-2 are generated by a BGB unit. Moreover, a voltage output up to 60 V is derived from integrated BGB devices, demonstrating the potential to drive wearable and implantable electronics. In this case, these artificial electric systems could overcome the great challenges of environmentally friendly, biocompatible, low-cost, and soft power sources, providing in-depth insights into the development of clean and sustainable power generation technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangting Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
| | - Yu Mei
- State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
| | - Zhaofei Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
| | - Yunlong Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
| | - Yujie Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
| | - Wentao Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
| | - Guoqiang Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
| | - Hongshuai Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
| | - Xiaobo Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
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Ma C, Duan X, Lei X. 3D cell culture model: From ground experiment to microgravity study. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1136583. [PMID: 37034251 PMCID: PMC10080128 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1136583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Microgravity has been shown to induce many changes in cell growth and differentiation due to offloading the gravitational strain normally exerted on cells. Although many studies have used two-dimensional (2D) cell culture systems to investigate the effects of microgravity on cell growth, three-dimensional (3D) culture scaffolds can offer more direct indications of the modified cell response to microgravity-related dysregulations compared to 2D culture methods. Thus, knowledge of 3D cell culture is essential for better understanding the in vivo tissue function and physiological response under microgravity conditions. This review discusses the advances in 2D and 3D cell culture studies, particularly emphasizing the role of hydrogels, which can provide cells with a mimic in vivo environment to collect a more natural response. We also summarized recent studies about cell growth and differentiation under real microgravity or simulated microgravity conditions using ground-based equipment. Finally, we anticipate that hydrogel-based 3D culture models will play an essential role in constructing organoids, discovering the causes of microgravity-dependent molecular and cellular changes, improving space tissue regeneration, and developing innovative therapeutic strategies. Future research into the 3D culture in microgravity conditions could lead to valuable therapeutic applications in health and pharmaceuticals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiyuan Ma
- Center for Energy Metabolism and Reproduction, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Xianglong Duan
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, China
- Second Department of General Surgery, Shaanxi Provincial People’s Hospital, Xi’an, China
- *Correspondence: Xianglong Duan, ; Xiaohua Lei,
| | - Xiaohua Lei
- Center for Energy Metabolism and Reproduction, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Xianglong Duan, ; Xiaohua Lei,
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