Extensive application of clustering and classification algorithms shows the potential of a CNT-based sensor array in breathomics.
A multitude of biological processes are enabled by complex interactions between lipid membranes and proteins. To understand such dynamic processes, it is crucial to differentiate the constituent biomolecular species and track their individual time evolution without invasive labels. Here, we present a label-free mid-infrared biosensor capable of distinguishing multiple analytes in heterogeneous biological samples with high sensitivity. Our technology leverages a multi-resonant metasurface to simultaneously enhance the different vibrational fingerprints of multiple biomolecules. By providing up to 1000-fold near-field intensity enhancement over both amide and methylene bands, our sensor resolves the interactions of lipid membranes with different polypeptides in real time. Significantly, we demonstrate that our label-free chemically specific sensor can analyze peptide-induced neurotransmitter cargo release from synaptic vesicle mimics. Our sensor opens up exciting possibilities for gaining new insights into biological processes such as signaling or transport in basic research as well as provides a valuable toolkit for bioanalytical and pharmaceutical applications.The synthesis of fluorinated dual-responsive block terpolymers
Citrate (Cit) and Deferoxamine B (DFOB) are two important organic ligands coexisting in soils with distinct different affinities for metal ions. It has been theorized that siderophores and weak organic ligands play a synergistic role during the transport of micronutrients in the rhizosphere, but the geochemical controls of this process remain unknown. Here we test the hypothesis that gradients in pH and ion strength regulate and enable the cooperation. To this end, first we use potentiometric titrations to identify the dominant Zn(II)\uffe2\uff80\uff93Cit and Zn(II)\uffe2\uff80\uff93DFOB complexes and to determine their ionic strength dependent stability constants between 0 and 1\uffc2\uffa0mol\uffc2\uffa0dm\uffe2\uff88\uff923. We parametrise the Extended Debye-H\uffc3\uffbcckel (EDH) equation and determine accurate intrinsic association constants (log\uffce\uffb20) for the formation of the complexes present. The speciation model developed confirms the presence of [Zn(Cit)]\uffe2\uff88\uff92, [Zn(HCit)], [Zn2(Cit)2(OH)2]4\uffe2\uff88\uff92, and [Zn(Cit)2]4\uffe2\uff88\uff92, with [Zn(Cit)]\uffe2\uff88\uff92 and [Zn2(Cit)2(OH)2]4\uffe2\uff88\uff92 the dominant species in the pH range relevant to rhizosphere. We propose the existence of a\uffc2\uffa0new [Zn(Cit)(OH)3]4\uffe2\uff88\uff92 complex above pH 10. We also verify the existence of two hexadentate Zn(II)\uffe2\uff80\uff93DFOB species, i.e., [Zn(DFOB)]\uffe2\uff88\uff92 and [Zn(HDFOB)], and of one tetradentate species [Zn(H2DFOB)]+. Second, we identify the pH and ionic strength dependent ligand exchange points (LEP) of Zn with citrate and DFOB and the stability windows for Zn(II)\uffe2\uff80\uff93Cit and Zn(II)\uffe2\uff80\uff93DFOB complexes in NaCl and rice soil solutions. We find that the LEPs fall within the pH and ionic strength gradients expected in rhizospheres and that the stability windows for Zn(II)\uffe2\uff80\uff93citrate and Zn(II)\uffe2\uff80\uff93DFOB, i.e., low and high affinity ligands, can be distinctly set off. This suggests that pH and ion strength gradients allow for Zn(II) complexes with citrate and DFOB to dominate in different parts of the rhizosphere and this explains why mixtures of low and high affinity ligands increase leaching of micronutrients in soils. Speciation models of soil solutions using newly determined association constants demonstrate that the presence of dissolved organic matter and inorganic ligands (i.e., bicarbonate, phosphate, sulphate, or chlorides) do neither affect the position of the LEP nor the width of the stability windows significantly. In conclusion, we demonstrate that cooperative and synergistic ligand interaction between low and high affinity ligands is a valid mechanism for\uffc2\uffa0controlling zinc transport in the rhizosphere and possibly in other environmental reservoirs such as in the phycosphere. Multiple production of weak and strong ligands is therefore a valid strategy of plants and other soil organisms to improve access to micronutrients.In recent years, vibrational spectroscopic techniques based on Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) or Raman microspectroscopy have been suggested to fulfill the unmet need for microplastic particle detection and identification. Inter-system comparison of spectra from reference polymers enables assessing the reproducibility between instruments and advantages of emerging quantum cascade laser-based optical photothermal infrared (O-PTIR) spectroscopy. In our work, IR and Raman spectra of nine plastics, namely polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polystyrene, silicone, polylactide acid and polymethylmethacrylate were simultaneously acquired using an O-PTIR microscope in non-contact, reflection mode. Comprehensive band assignments were presented. We determined the agreement of O-PTIR with standalone attenuated total reflection FTIR and Raman spectrometers based on the hit quality index (HQI) and introduced a two-dimensional identification (2D-HQI) approach using both Raman- and IR-HQIs. Finally, microplastic particles were prepared as test samples from known materials by wet grinding, O-PTIR data were collected and subjected to the 2D-HQI identification approach. We concluded that this framework offers improved material identification of microplastic particles in environmental, nutritious and biological matrices.
", "keywords": ["Science", "Microplastics", "Q", "R", "Reproducibility of Results", "Spectrum Analysis", " Raman", "Polypropylenes", "01 natural sciences", "Article", "0104 chemical sciences", "Spectroscopy", " Fourier Transform Infrared", "Medicine", "Plastics", "Water Pollutants", " Chemical", "Environmental Monitoring"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-23318-2.pdf"}, {"href": "https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-23318-2"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Scientific%20Reports", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1038/s41598-022-23318-2", "name": "item", "description": "10.1038/s41598-022-23318-2", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1038/s41598-022-23318-2"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2022-11-05T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1038/s43017-022-00365-x", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"license": "Closed Access", "updated": "2026-06-26T16:19:28Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2022-11-09", "title": "Embrace complexity to understand microplastic pollution", "description": "Environmental cycling of microplastics and nanoplastics is complex; fully understanding these pollutants is hindered by inconsistent methodologies and experimentation within a narrow scope. Consistent methods are needed to advance plastic research and policy within the context of global environmental change.", "keywords": ["13. Climate action", "11. Sustainability", "01 natural sciences", "0104 chemical sciences", "0105 earth and related environmental sciences"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://www.nature.com/articles/s43017-022-00365-x.pdf"}, {"href": "https://doi.org/10.1038/s43017-022-00365-x"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Nature%20Reviews%20Earth%20%26amp%3B%20Environment", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1038/s43017-022-00365-x", "name": "item", "description": "10.1038/s43017-022-00365-x", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1038/s43017-022-00365-x"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2022-11-09T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1039/d0qo00161a", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"license": "Closed Access", "updated": "2026-06-26T16:19:31Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2020-03-17", "title": "Oxidative N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed [3 + 3] annulation reaction of enals with benzofuran-3-ones: efficient access to benzofuran-fused \u03b4-lactones", "description": "A facile route to benzofuran-fused \u03b4-lactones was developed
Fluorinated polyacrylates with tunable surface hydrophobicity are prepared
RAFT polymerization of 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl \u03b1-fluoroacrylate (FATRIFE) was studied under thermal conditions and light irradiation in the presence of four chain transfer agents. Polymers with narrow dispersities were obtained in the presence of trithiocarbonate CTA2, and this further led to fluorinated block copolymers.
", "keywords": ["[CHIM.POLY] Chemical Sciences/Polymers", "[CHIM.POLY]Chemical Sciences/Polymers", "13. Climate action", "01 natural sciences", "7. Clean energy", "0104 chemical sciences"]}, "links": [{"href": "http://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2018/PY/C8PY00571K"}, {"href": "https://doi.org/10.1039/C8PY00571K"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Polymer%20Chemistry", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1039/C8PY00571K", "name": "item", "description": "10.1039/C8PY00571K", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1039/C8PY00571K"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2018-01-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1039/c2ee02480b", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-06-26T16:19:30Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2012-02-15", "title": "Replacing Fossil Based Pet With Biobased Pef; Process Analysis, Energy And Ghg Balance", "description": "An energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) balance study was performed on the production of the bioplastic polyethylene furandicarboxylate (PEF) starting from corn based fructose. The goal of the study was to analyze and to translate experimental data on the catalytic dehydration of fructose to a simulation model, using the ASPEN Plus modeling software. The mass and energy balances of the simulation model results were then used as inputs for a process chain analysis (by application of the life cycle assessment methodology, LCA) and compared to its petrochemical counterpart polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The production of PEF can be divided into three main units: the production of fructose from corn starch; the conversion of fructose into Furanics and subsequent recovery and upgrading; and the oxidation to the monomer 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) and polymerization with ethylene glycol (EG) into PEF. The ASPEN Plus simulation model describes the conversion of fructose into Furanics, subsequent recovery and upgrading and a CHP unit. The production of fructose from corn starch and the oxidation and polymerization into PEF were based on the literature. In total, six model cases were analyzed, using different sets of underlying experimental data; four cases based on crystalline fructose and two cases on high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). Fructose can be converted into Furanics at efficiencies between 38% and 47%. The production of PEF can reduce the NREU approximately 40% to 50% while GHG emissions can be reduced approximately 45% to 55%, compared to PET for the system cradle to grave. These reductions are higher than for other biobased plastics, such as polylactic acid (PLA) or polyethylene (PE). With an annual market size of approximately 15 million metric tonnes (Mt) of PET bottles produced worldwide, the complete bottle substitution of PEF for PET would allow us to save between 440 and 520 PJ of non-renewable energy use (NREU) and to reduce GHG emissions by 20 to 35 Mt of CO2 equivalents. If also substantial substitution takes place in the PET fibres and film industry, the savings increase accordingly. The GHG emissions could be further reduced by a switch to lignocellulosic feedstocks, such as straw, but this requires additional research.", "keywords": ["13. Climate action", "11. Sustainability", "SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy", "02 engineering and technology", "SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production", "0210 nano-technology", "7. Clean energy", "01 natural sciences", "12. Responsible consumption", "0104 chemical sciences"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1039/c2ee02480b"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Energy%20%26amp%3B%20Environmental%20Science", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1039/c2ee02480b", "name": "item", "description": "10.1039/c2ee02480b", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1039/c2ee02480b"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2012-01-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1039/c3ce40706c", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-06-26T16:19:30Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2013-05-31", "title": "Synthesis of a phthalocyanine and porphyrin 2D covalent organic framework", "description": "A new phthalocyanine and porphyrin based hybrid covalent organic framework, CoPc-PorDBA COF, has been synthesized and its gas storage properties have been measured. The CoPc-PorDBA COF crystallizes into 2D sheets with an eclipsed AA stacking motif, and it showed high surface area (SBET = 1315 m2 g\u22121), and can store up to 0.8 wt% of H2 at 77 K and 1 bar and 0.6 wt% of CH4 at 298 K and 1 bar.", "keywords": ["01 natural sciences", "0104 chemical sciences"], "contacts": [{"organization": "Venkata S. Pavan K. Neti, Xiaofei Wu, Shuguang Deng, Luis Echegoyen,", "roles": ["creator"]}]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1039/c3ce40706c"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/CrystEngComm", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1039/c3ce40706c", "name": "item", "description": "10.1039/c3ce40706c", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1039/c3ce40706c"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2013-01-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1039/c7py00209b", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-06-26T16:19:30Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2017-03-07", "title": "Poly(fluoroacrylate)s with tunable surface hydrophobicity via radical copolymerization of 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl \u03b1-fluoroacrylate and 2-(trifluoromethyl)acrylic acid", "description": "Fluorinated polyacrylates with tunable surface hydrophobicity are prepared
RAFT polymerization of 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl \u03b1-fluoroacrylate (FATRIFE) was studied under thermal conditions and light irradiation in the presence of four chain transfer agents. Polymers with narrow dispersities were obtained in the presence of trithiocarbonate CTA2, and this further led to fluorinated block copolymers.
", "keywords": ["[CHIM.POLY] Chemical Sciences/Polymers", "13. Climate action", "7. Clean energy", "01 natural sciences", "0104 chemical sciences"]}, "links": [{"href": "http://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2018/PY/C8PY00571K"}, {"href": "https://doi.org/10.1039/c8py00571k"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Polymer%20Chemistry", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1039/c8py00571k", "name": "item", "description": "10.1039/c8py00571k", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1039/c8py00571k"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2018-01-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1039/c8ra05020a", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-06-26T16:19:31Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2018-07-20", "title": "Inactivation of an urban wastewater indigenous Escherichia coli strain by cerium doped zinc oxide photocatalysis", "description": "Doping of ZnO with cerium at 0.04\u2009:\u20091\u2009Ce\u2009:\u2009Zn at/at gives substantial improvements in rate of photocatalytic inactivation of
The cooperative cathode modification by BioAu from Au(
Extensive application of clustering and classification algorithms shows the potential of a CNT-based sensor array in breathomics.
This work reports the validation of an analytical method for the determination of monoaromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX) using a portable membrane inlet mass spectrometer (MIMS) with a quadrupole mass analyser.
Industrial activity has resulted in heavy metals anthropogenic contamination of groundwater, especially in industrial or mining areas. Bioelectrochemical systems (BES) can be used for metals removal and recovery from aqueous solutions. In the framework of GREENER project, double-chamber BES have been adopted to treat groundwater from industrial sites containing copper, nickel and zinc (Cu, Ni and Zn), among other contaminants. Two operation modes, (i) short-circuited microbial fuel cell (MFC), and (ii) power supply driven microbial electrolysis cell (MEC, poisoning the cathode at -0.4 V vs. Ag/AgCl), were studied for metals removal at lab-scale. Two control reactors were run to evaluate metals adsorption on cathodes and membranes, and the effect of anolyte composition. Synthetic water containing different concentrations of Cu, Ni and Zn were treated, and metals removal pathways were studied. MEC and MFC performed similarly and the highest removal efficiencies were 97.1\u00b13.6%, 50.7\u00b16% and 74,5% for Cu, Ni and Zn respectively, from initial concentrations in the range of 1.1-1.5 mM.