Cluster-assembled nanostructured carbon with a fractal morphology is employed as a large-area surface scaffold for metal decoration. By depositing silver by pulsed laser ablation densely packed, distributions of metal nanoparticles are produced. The authors show, using the surface-enhanced Raman effect and the modification of fluorescence quantum yields near metallic surfaces, that silver-coate...

Tin alloy-based anodes supported by inverse-opal nanoscaffolds undergo large volume changes from (de)lithiation during cyclic battery (dis)charging, affecting their mechanical stability. We perform continuum mechanics-based simulation to study the evolution of internal stresses and strains as a function of the geometry of the active layer(s): (i) thickness of Ni3Sn2 single layer (30 and 60 nm) ...

RNA is a polyribonucleic acid belonging to a special class of anionic polymers, holding a unique property of self-assembly that is controllable in the construction of structures with defined size, shape, and stoichiometry. We report here the use of RNA as polymers to fabricate boiling-resistant triangular nanoscaffolds, which were used to construct hexagons and patterned hexagonal arrays. The R...

We study the differences in electrical charge transport dynamics of conductivity enhancement poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) derivatives under geometrical confinement. The results polymer blend poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) and a polymer-monomer blend, poly(3,4- ethylenedioxythiophene):tosylate, highlight role dopants processing conditions these systems preva...

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been proposed and actively explored as multipurpose innovative nanoscaffolds for applications in fields such as material science, drug delivery and diagnostic applications. Their versatile physicochemical features are nonetheless limited by their scarce solubilization in both aqueous and organic solvents. In order to overcome this drawback CNTs can be easily non-cov...

Nanomaterials (NMs) are increasingly used for the therapy, diagnosis, and monitoring of disease- or drug-induced mechanisms in the human biological system. In view of their small size, after certain modifications, NMs have the capacity to bypass or cross the blood-brain barrier. Nanotechnology is particularly advantageous in the field of neurology. Examples may include the utilization of nanopa...

Stem cell research has obtained much prominence in recent years for its therapeutic potential in dealing with serious diseases, many of which are essentially incurable by routine therapies. Mesenchymal stem cells with pluripotency and immunomodulatory properties are suitable candidates for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Today, nanofibrous scaffolds are widely used in tissue en...

Biodegradable polymers are popularly being used in an increasing number of fields in the past few decades. The popularity and favorability of these materials are due to their remarkable properties, enabling a wide range of applications and market requirements to be met. Polymer biodegradable systems are a promising arena of research for targeted and site-specific controlled drug delivery, for d...