Articles

The Impact of Nanotechnology on Desalination Water Treatment: Mechanisms, Performance, and Practicality

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A major societal issue that needs an innovative and sustainable approach to freshwater production is the global water scarcity problem. Traditional desalination processes have limitations, such as high energy costs, empirically-supported membrane fouling issues, and low selectivity rates. However, a new approach using nanotechnology may help address many of these problems. Molecular and atomic scale treatments for water can produce higher permeabilities and salt rejection efficiencies through the use of enhanced nano-membranes when using nanomaterials like graphene, nanotubes, and polymer nanocomposites. Examples of mechanisms used in ion removal through nanostructuring include adsorption, sieve-like, and electrochemical interactions. Other examples of improving energy savings through using nanomaterials include capacitive deionization and nanofiltration processes. Challenges associated with nanotechnology are scale-up, cost of production, and the long term stability of the nanomaterials; nonetheless, additional investigation will provide further knowledge regarding the environmental health effects due to leaching of nanomaterials. A life cycle assessment is crucial for a safe and sustainable application of these products and remains an important factor affecting large scale adoption of nanotechnology enabled desalination systems over traditional desalination technologies by being more energy efficient; further study between laboratory results and actual application will help close that gap.

Biomedical-Based Nanotechnology for Oral Cancer as an Innovative Strategy for the Head and Neck Region: A Comprehensive Scoping Review of Future Perspectives

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Nanotechnology is transforming medical practice, and maxillofacial surgery is beginning to benefit from its applications, particularly in the diagnosis and treatment of oral carcinoma. This review aimed to evaluate the impact, efficacy, and current challenges of nanotechnology in oral cancer management. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Scopus, following PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Artificial intelligence software (Rayyan) was used to support article screening. The search strategy included the terms “nanotechnology,” “carcinoma,” “oral cavity,” and “nanotechnology in oral carcinoma,” with Boolean operators (“AND/OR”) and a date filter from 2014 to 2024. A total of 47 articles were identified in databases and 820 through reference screening; 12 met the inclusion criteria.

Evidence shows that nanotechnology-based therapies achieve an average tumor reduction of 43% and improve mouth opening by 35%. Severe complications were reported in 25% of cases, and the overall survival rate reached 70%. These outcomes indicate that nanotechnology may increase treatment precision, reduce adverse effects, and improve patient quality of life.

Despite its potential, clinical application remains limited due to insufficient large-scale trials and the need for long-term toxicity assessment. Continued research and clinical validation are essential to integrate nanotechnology into routine maxillofacial oncology practice.

Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles: A Comprehensive Review on Synthesis and Properties

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Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) are inorganic metal oxides extensively utilized as preservatives in packaging materials and as potent antibacterial agents with minimal associated risks. The physicochemical properties of ZnO-NPs, including antibacterial efficacy, are significantly influenced by parameters such as particle size, morphology, concentration, and duration of interaction with bacterial cells. Beyond their antimicrobial applications, ZnO-NPs have garnered interest in diverse fields such as food technology, agriculture, cosmetology, and optoelectronics. Green synthesis of ZnO-NPs mediated by plant extracts has demonstrated enhanced antibacterial activity against various bacterial and fungal pathogens. Several plant species, including Trifolium, Justicia adhatoda, Physalis alkekengi L., Cassia auriculata, Aloe barbadensis, Pongamia pinnata, Limonia acidissima, Plectranthus amboinicus, Sedum alfredii Hance, and Aspidoterys cordata, have been identified as effective bioresources for nanoparticle fabrication. The resultant ZnO-NPs exhibit desirable physicochemical characteristics that are largely dependent on synthesis conditions, including particle size, shape, and concentration. This review comprehensively summarizes various green synthesis methodologies and characterization techniques for ZnO-NPs, highlighting their potential applications across the food, pharmaceutical, and textile industries.

Biosurfactant-Mediated Green Synthesis of Nanoparticles from Medicinal Endophytic Bacteria: A Comparative Evaluation of Antimicrobial and Anti-Biofilm Efficacy

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Biosurfactants, surface-active compounds made by bacteria, have drawn interest in the synthesis of nanoparticles. Using biosurfactants isolated from endophytic bacteria, nanoparticles made were looked for their antibacterial and antibiofilm abilities. UV-Vis spectrophotometry was used to confirm the synthesis and stability of nanoparticles. The nanoparticles showed inhibition that were similar to those of standard antibiotics when tested against bacterial strains of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa, indicating it to be a potential antibacterial. Additionally, they were found to be successful in preventing preformed biofilms, which is important because biofilms are a contributing factor to antibiotic resistance and chronic infections and thus can be a suitable biomedical application. These results demonstrate the potential of nanoparticles produced from biosurfactants as an alternative to antibacterial drugs. They are suitable for biological applications because of their ability to inhibit bacterial and biofilm growth. More investigation needs to be carried out to evaluate their toxicity, stability, and biocompatibility. Testing on in vivo models and cell cultures is crucial to determine their efficacy and safety in medical applications. Biosurfactant-based nanoparticles may provide a new and environmentally friendly method of creating an antibiotic in light of the growing prevalence of antibiotic resistance. By understanding the need for more research into bio-based options for infection management, this work adds to the expanding area of nanotechnology.