Stentrx,
2026
The University of Akron
Stentrx, Emma Barna, Minuthi Cooray, Bruce Newlands, Joseph A. Sabetta
Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects
This project aims to develop a biodegradable, drug-eluting biliary stent for the treatment of biliary cancers. Current metal stents that restore bile flow bit are non-degradable, prone to migration, and unable to deliver drugs locally. The proposed stent will be biocompatible, biodegradable, and capable of controlled drug release to both maintain bile flow and treat tumors. The end goal is to produce a functional prototype that can be deployed via a minimally invasive catheter and maintain bile duct patency for at least three months. The project is expected to be involved in the NEOMED Bench-to-Bedside competition and provisionally patented.
Generating Concentrated Ring Polymers Through Supercoiled And Open Circle Pdna Isoform Separation,
2026
University of New Hampshire, Durham
Generating Concentrated Ring Polymers Through Supercoiled And Open Circle Pdna Isoform Separation, Kelsey E. Hodsdon
Honors Theses and Capstones
DNA can serve as a model polymer due to its high uniformity compared to synthetic polymers. Plasmid DNA (pDNA) in particular offers a well-defined, low-dispersity model for studying topologically uniform systems of a cyclic nature. pDNA has unique isoforms known as open circle (OC) and supercoiled (SC). Using fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC), specifically anion exchange chromatography (AEX), these OC and SC isoforms can be separated in order to access their unique material properties. Our lab was able to yield the pure SC isoform. However, OC isoform separation has been more challenging. Various difficulties arose during this process, including imaging …
Recent Advances In Bioceramics, Fundamental Properties And Future Perspective In Biomedical Applications ‒ A Review,
2026
The First Affiliated Hospital of Lishui University
Recent Advances In Bioceramics, Fundamental Properties And Future Perspective In Biomedical Applications ‒ A Review, Ayesha Younas, Muhammad Umar Aslam Khan, Mohd Faizal Binte Abdullah, Lobat Tayebi, Shuanghu Wang, Abdalla Abdal-Hay, Yichi Xu
Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications
Bioceramics are important biomaterials in biomedical engineering because of their biocompatibility, bioactivity, osteoconductivity, and structural resemblance to actual bone tissue. In recent years, materials science and nanotechnology have enabled the use of bioceramics in bone regeneration, dental restoration, tissue engineering, drug delivery systems, and implantable medical devices. This comprehensive review covers advances in bioceramics, including calcium phosphates, hydroxyapatite (HAp), tricalcium phosphate, bioactive glasses, zirconia, alumina, and multifunctional ceramic nanocomposites. Priority is given to techniques such as additive manufacturing, 3D printing, sol-gel processing, electrospinning, and nanostructuring to improve mechanical strength, porosity, bioactivity, and cell interactions. Recent advances include ion doping, surface …
Parametric Study Of Yields And Properties Of Corn Stover-Derived Hydrothermal Liquefaction Products By Using Statistical Approaches,
2026
Old Dominion University
Parametric Study Of Yields And Properties Of Corn Stover-Derived Hydrothermal Liquefaction Products By Using Statistical Approaches, Isamu Umeda, Meicen Liu, Jiefu Wang, Yi Zheng, Zhiwu Wang, Jaya Shankar Tumuluru, Sandeep Kumar
Civil & Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications
Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of lignocellulosic biomass produces multiple product fractions, including solid residue (SR), heavy bio-oil (HBO), aqueous phase (AP), and light bio-oil (LBO). This study mainly applied principal component analysis (PCA) and regression modeling to predict AP solution weight, LBO weight and fuel characteristics, and HTL wastewater biodegradability, as well as to improve prediction accuracy for SR and HBO under various operating conditions (temperature: 250–350 °C, residence time: 5–60 min, and the combined solid loading of three batches: 15–45 g). A complementary relationship between SR and AP weights found in PCA enabled the estimation of AP weight based on …
Synthesis And Characterization Of Glass-Ceramic Nanoparticles And Nanobubbles For Integration Into Bone Regenerative Biomaterials,
2026
University of Central Florida
Synthesis And Characterization Of Glass-Ceramic Nanoparticles And Nanobubbles For Integration Into Bone Regenerative Biomaterials, Sun Latt
Honors Undergraduate Theses
Osteoporosis affects over 200 million individuals worldwide and is characterized by an imbalance between osteoclastic bone resorption and osteoblastic bone formation, leading to fragility fractures that significantly diminish quality of life. Current clinical bone cements, such as poly(methyl methacrylate), are limited by poor osseointegration, toxic monomers, and an inability to address the underlying pathophysiology of osteoporosis. This work presents the synthesis, characterization, and systematic in vitro evaluation of a sol-gel-derived, magnesium-incorporated glass-ceramic (GC) nanoparticle within the CaO-MgO-SiO2 system for incorporation into a novel hydrogel bone cement and bioresorbable magnesium implants. XRD confirmed a biphasic amorphous-crystalline diopside composition, and TEM …
Development Of An Adhesive Emulsion Hydrogel For Soft Tissue Reconstruction,
2026
CUNY City College
Development Of An Adhesive Emulsion Hydrogel For Soft Tissue Reconstruction, David J. Alpert
Dissertations and Theses
Soft tissue filling materials are most commonly associated with various aesthetic, cosmetic procedures, primarily using lightly cross-linked hyaluronic acid to fill wrinkles and give facial features a more youthful appearance. These natural materials are biocompatible but degrade over time while more persistent synthetic fillers may provoke a chronic inflammatory response. Migration from the injection site is also a key factor as this may not only render the implant non- functional but necessitate further procedures for removal of the foreign material. Such concerns are more pronounced for soft tissue reconstruction procedures (e.g., to treat congenital defects or traumatic injuries), which require …
De Novo Protein Binding To Zinc Oxide Through Biomineralization Pathways,
2026
Virginia Commonwealth University
De Novo Protein Binding To Zinc Oxide Through Biomineralization Pathways, Jean-Mark A. Francis
Theses and Dissertations
De novo proteins are structurally distinct from proteins found in nature and thus capable of having their amino acid sequence modified to accomplish tasks such as increasing protein-nanoparticle binding without unfolding or decomposing. Zinc Oxide nanoparticles are functionally distinct from their bulk counterparts and are widely used as semiconductors in a variety of fields such as medicine and agriculture. With demand for these nanoparticles increasing, environmentally sustainable methods of Zinc Oxide nanoparticle synthesis are being investigated as an eco-friendly alternative to currently utilized but environmentally hazardous chemical and physical techniques. This research investigates the binding characteristics between Zinc Oxide nanoparticles …
Bioprinted Scaffolds For Investigating Fibroblast Alignment,
2026
Virginia Commonwealth University
Bioprinted Scaffolds For Investigating Fibroblast Alignment, Lillian Thro, Daeha Joung Ph.D.
UROP Posters
Fibroblasts play a vital role in tissue repair, ECM remodeling, and maintaining structural integrity in human tissues. However, their behavior in engineered 3D microenvironments remains poorly understood. Traditional 2D cultures fail to capture the complex cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions that govern fibroblast alignment, migration, and proliferation in vivo. To address this gap, this project uses bioprinted scaffolds that mimic native ECM structures and provide a platform for studying fibroblast behavior in controlled microenvironments. The project focuses on varying scaffold channel properties—such as width, depth, and geometry—to investigate how physical cues influence fibroblast organization and collective migration. A biodegradable gelatin-based ECM …
Engineering Plga Nanoparticle Size To Modulate Immune Responses After Spinal Cord Injury,
2026
University of Kentucky
Engineering Plga Nanoparticle Size To Modulate Immune Responses After Spinal Cord Injury, Daniel J. Kolpek
University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations
Spinal cord injury is a severe and debilitating condition that often results in lifelong complications, including paralysis. Many of these chronic outcomes are driven by a sustained inflammatory response at the injury site, which limits tissue regeneration and functional recovery. As a result, therapeutic strategies that modulate this immune response have gained significant interest. Polymer based nanoparticle therapies have emerged as a promising approach due to their ability to interact with and influence immune cell behavior. Importantly, the physicochemical properties of nanoparticles can be precisely tuned to optimize these effects. Among these properties, size has been shown to influence key …
Curing Duration Optimization To Reduce Shrinkage Cracking In One-Part Alkali-Activated Slag Concrete,
2025
Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
Curing Duration Optimization To Reduce Shrinkage Cracking In One-Part Alkali-Activated Slag Concrete, A. Sadrmomtazi, H. Zanganeh
Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies
The consequences of inadequate curing on one-part alkali-activated slag concrete (O-AAS) performance relative to ordinary Portland cement concrete (OPCC) have been investigated in this research. Prior to exposure to unsaturated conditions, samples underwent initial moist curing for durations ranging from 24 hours to one year. The testing program included compressive strength evaluation, chloride ion transport analysis, and measurement of free and restrained shrinkage. In addition, cylindrical cores were extracted from concrete columns to assess internal strength and chloride penetration resistance. Under unsaturated exposure, O-AAS exhibited a strength-aging phenomenon, with up to a 37% decrease in compressive strength over 360 days, …
Laboratory Investigation And Numerical Modelling Effect Of Carbon Nanotubes On Hot Mix Asphalt Permanent Displacement,
2025
Assistant Professor of the Civil Engineering Department, Altinbas University, I˙ stanbul, Turkey
Laboratory Investigation And Numerical Modelling Effect Of Carbon Nanotubes On Hot Mix Asphalt Permanent Displacement, Sepehr Saedi, Auwal Usman Nadada
Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies
One of the primary causes of asphalt pavement deterioration is rutting; in contrast, one of the most effective methods to address this type of damage is the use of additives and quality evaluation during the design stages. In this research, laboratory testing and modeling using Abaqus software were employed to validate the laboratory results and predict and assess the potential for rutting. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were selected as an additive due to their exceptional mechanical properties and molecular interactions with bitumen. These nanotubes were used to modify the bitumen for the preparation of laboratory samples. The laboratory results from the …
Influence Of Early Microwave Curing On Performance Of Slag-Based Geopolymer Mortars,
2025
Department of Civil Engineering, Gaziantep University Faculty of Engineering, Gaziantep, Turkiye
Influence Of Early Microwave Curing On Performance Of Slag-Based Geopolymer Mortars, Ahmet Taşdemı̇R, Abdulkadir Çevı̇K
Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies
In this article, an experimental study was conducted to examine the effect of curing time and microwave power on the compressive strength of early microwave-cured slag based geopolymers. Geopolymers have the potential to serve as an environmentally friendly substitute for cement-based building materials, and the use of microwave curing to geopolymers holds the promise of substantial strength improvement. Different microwave curing energies (300 - 800 Watts) were utilized at varying durations (10 - 60 minutes) on demoulded mortar specimens after one day. After that, compressive strength tests were conducted on both the cured and uncured specimens at three different ages: …
Use Of Alaçatı Stone Aggregate In Conventional And Self-Consolidating Concretes,
2025
Marmara University, Department of Civil Engineering, Maltepe, 34854, İstanbul
Use Of Alaçatı Stone Aggregate In Conventional And Self-Consolidating Concretes, Tahir Kemal Erdem
Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies
Alaçatı stone or Alapietra stone is widely used mostly for building cladding. However, its production and use in the construction sites generate high amounts of waste (debris), causing environmental pollution in Çeşme which is a touristic district. This study investigated the reuse of Alaçatı stone as lightweight aggregate (LWA) in both conventional and self-consolidating concrete (SCC) mixtures. The concretes were prepared to have three different water-to-cement ratios (w/c), which were 0.38, 0.42 and 0.48. For each w/c, a conventional concrete mixture and two SCC mixtures with 60 or 70 cm slump flow were produced by varying the superplasticizer SP content. …
A Decision Support Model For Building Material And Component Reuse In The Context Of Circular Buildings,
2025
Department of Architecture, Faculty of Fine Arts, Design and Architecture, Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University, Tekirdağ, 59030, Türkiye
A Decision Support Model For Building Material And Component Reuse In The Context Of Circular Buildings, Havva Aksel
Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies
Construction activities cause significant environmental impacts such as waste generation, pollution, resource consumption, and land use, which are expected to increase with global construction demands. To mitigate these environmental problems, the circular building occurs as an emerging concept depending on in the circular economy, which aims to minimize waste and redefine the “end-of-life” concept by reducing, reusing, recycling, and recovering materials. The reuse of building materials and components (BMCs) from existing structures represents a crucial strategy for achieving circularity in the built environment. Within this framework, design plays a key role. However, designing with reclaimed BMCs remains complex due to …
Expansion Limits Of Meshed Split-Thickness Skin Grafts,
2025
Washington University in St. Louis
Expansion Limits Of Meshed Split-Thickness Skin Grafts, Haomin Yu
McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations
Split-thickness skin grafts are widely used to treat chronic wounds. Procedure design requires surgeons to predict how much a patch of the patient's own skin expands when it is meshed with rows of slits and stretched over a larger wound area. Accurate prediction of graft expansion remains a challenge, with current models overestimating the actual expansion, leading to suboptimal outcomes. Inspired by the principles of mechanical metamaterials, we developed a model that distinguishes between the kinematic rearrangement of structural elements and their stretching, providing a more accurate prediction of skin graft expansion. Our model was validated against extensive data …
2d-Nanosilicate Carriers For Sustained Delivery Of Vaccine Components,
2025
Washington University in St. Louis
2d-Nanosilicate Carriers For Sustained Delivery Of Vaccine Components, Chih Yun Liu
McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations
Laponite® 2D Nanosilicates (NS) are disc-shaped platelets (~30 nm diameter, ~1 nm thick) with positively charged edges and negatively charged faces, capable of loading proteins, drugs, and nucleic acids via electrostatic interactions to form a house-of-cards gel that sequesters cargo. Here, we evaluated NS for sustained delivery of antigens and Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists to extend germinal center duration and enhance antibody quality. The model antigen ovalbumin (OVA) was adsorbed onto NS at acidic pH in a ~1:1 ratio, with partial unfolding that remained stable at physiological pH. NS-OVA complexes were efficiently internalized by dendritic cells, with uptake driven primarily …
Durability Of Alkali-Activated Concretes Under 5% Sulfuric Acid Environment,
2025
Department of Civil Engineering, Istanbul Gelisim University, Istanbul, Türkiye
Durability Of Alkali-Activated Concretes Under 5% Sulfuric Acid Environment, Celal Karabaş, Anıl Niş
Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies
The investigation focused on the resistance to 5% sulfuric acid degradation of the alkali-activated concretes (AAC). The AAC was manufactured using a blended binder of 50% slag and 50% F-type fly ash. The AAC was activated using a blend of 14 M sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate, with a hydroxide-to-silicate ratio of 1/2,5. Six AAC were produced against a 5% sulfuric acid environment, varying the binder amounts (400–500–600 kg/m3) and activator-binder (A/B) ratios (0,45–0,55). The chemical resistance of AAC was evaluated by visual appearance, variation in weight and compressive strengths. The findings pointed out that more gypsum and higher weight …
Comprehensive Risk Assessment For Construction Site Managers In Kosovo: A Mixed-Method Approach,
2025
Faculty of Civil Engineering and Infrastructure, UBT-Higher Education Institution, 10000 Pristina, Republic of Kosovo
Comprehensive Risk Assessment For Construction Site Managers In Kosovo: A Mixed-Method Approach, Muhamet Ahmeti, Besian Sinani
Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies
This study developed and validated a hybrid ISO 31000:2018 Kosovo-compliant risk assessment framework tailored for construction site managers operating within transitional economies. The research employed audits of 20 ISO-certified contractors in Pristina, Kosovo, along with field observations, interviews, and quantitative risk matrices. The findings indicate a critical concentration of risk, with 70% of firms classified as "High" or “Very High” risk. The most prevalent hazards identified were working at height without collective protection, unprotected electrical systems, and manual handling of heavy materials. Regression analysis revealed that firms with a designated safety champion achieved significantly lower risk scores, whereas those with …
Behaviour Of Internally Strengthening Hollow Stainless-Steel Hot-Rolled Circular Columns Filled With Crumb Rubber And Recycled Aggregate Concrete,
2025
Faculty of Engineering, Sohar University, 311 Sohar, Oman
Behaviour Of Internally Strengthening Hollow Stainless-Steel Hot-Rolled Circular Columns Filled With Crumb Rubber And Recycled Aggregate Concrete, Wadhah M. Tawfeeq, Mohammed M. Rasheed, Mithaq Kohees, Ahmed W. Al Zandd, Saif Al-Balushi, Hamed Al Abdul Salam
Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies
Stainless-steel sections are increasingly being utilised in favour of their higher durability. Simultaneously, the use of recycled materials in concrete is aligned with the global concern to encourage sustainable and environmentally friendly construction. The paper examined the behaviour of stainless-steel columns filled with concrete with crumb rubber (CR) and recycled aggregate (RA). It analysed the effect of different percentages of CR (0, 15, and 30) and RA (0, 15, and 50) on the compressive strength of the concrete and the performance of the columns using stainless-steel hollow sections. 20 specimens were manufactured, 18 of which were cast with concrete containing …
Piezoelectric Concrete: A Smart Material Approach For Energy-Harvesting Structural Technologies,
2025
School of Civil Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Engineering Campus, 14300 Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia
Piezoelectric Concrete: A Smart Material Approach For Energy-Harvesting Structural Technologies, Dianah Mazlan, Vynotdni Rathinasamy, Naveen Kumar, Liu Chunpeng, Elango Elango
Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies
The rapid growth of urban infrastructure demands innovative materials that not only support structural performance but also contribute to sustainability through energy harvesting. Piezoelectric concrete, which integrates ceramics, polymers, nanomaterials, and bio-based fillers into cementitious matrices, has emerged as a promising solution. This review systematically explores the fundamentals of piezoelectricity in concrete, highlighting how stress-induced electromechanical coupling enables both energy harvesting and structural health monitoring. The paper critically evaluates major material systems including PZT ceramics, PVDF polymers, hybrid nanocomposites, and emerging bio-based materials, alongside their integration strategies such as embedded and surface-mounted approaches. Applications across pavements, bridges, and smart buildings …
