Dispersion of nanomaterials in polymeric matrices plays an important role in determining the final properties of the composites. Dispersion in nano scale, and especially in single layers, provides best opportunity for bonding. In this study, we propose that by proper functionalization and mixing strategy of graphene its dispersion, and bonding to the polymeric matrix can be improved. We then ap...

Soft-bodied magnetically actuated microrobots could be developed by including controlled dispersions of magnetic nanoparticles into polymeric micro-fabricated structures. The characterization and actuation of magnetically active soft-bodied microrobots by tailored magnetic fields is, thus, a key issue for the design, full control and further development of these mobile micro-systems. In this wo...

Drugs administered to treat cancers typically distribute randomly throughout the body, resulting in a lower concentration of the drug at the tumor and some severe side effects due to the lack of specificity of the anticancer agent. Targeted drug delivery systems have the potential to offer more effective treatment with significantly reduced adverse effects through specific interactions with the...

TiO2 semiconducting nanoparticles are known to be photocatalysts of moderate activity due to their high band-gap and high rate of electron-hole recombination. The formation of a shell of carbon around the core of TiO2, i.e., the formation of TiO2@C nanoparticles, is believed to partly alleviate these problems. It is usually achieved by a hydrothermal treatment in a presence of a sugar derivativ...

Self-assembled nano-micelles of amphiphilic polymers represent a novel anticancer drug delivery system. However, their full clinical utilization remains challenging because the quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) between the polymer structure and the efficacy of micelles as a drug carrier is poorly understood. Here, we developed a series of QSPR models to account for the drug lo...

Laser-induced cross-linking in polymeric semiconductors was utilized to achieve micro- and nano-structuring in thin films. Single- and two-photon cross-linking processes led to the reduction in both the refractive index and thickness of the polymer films. The resultant photonic structures combine the features of both relief- and phase-gratings. Selective cross-linking in polymer blend films bas...

Nano-sized polymeric amphiphilic micelle was prepared using the hydrophilic polysaccharide, oligo-chitosan, and hydrophobic side chains, ursolic acid which assists the skin penetration, because the amphiphilic polysaccharide nanoparticles have been widely investigated as the carriers for active agents such as small molecules, proteins, peptides, and nucleic acids due to many advantages in prote...

We present an in-silico-to-in-vitro approach to develop well-defined, self-assembled, rigid-cored polymeric (Polybee) nano-architecture for controlled delivery of a key component of bee venom, melittin. A competitive formulation with lipid-encapsulated (Lipobee) rigid cored micelle is also synthesized. In a series of sequential experiments, we show how nanoscale chemistry influences the deliver...

The high incidence of bacterial infection and the growing resistance of bacteria to conventional antibiotics have resulted in the strong need for the development of new generation of antibiotics. Nano-sized particles have been considered as novel antibacterial agents with high surface area and high reactivity. The overall antibacterial properties of antimicrobial nanostructures can be significa...

Polymeric nano-materials utilization in reinforced concrete, aiming to deal with steel corrosion was developed in previous works. Promising results were obtained with PEO–b–PS nano-formations, both in terms of enhanced bulk matrix properties and improved steel corrosion resistance. Recent research has been focusing on a cheaper and commercially available polymer, Pluronic P123. Pluronic is able...