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Reverse osmosis (RO) is the most common method for treating salt and brackish water. As a membrane‐driven process, a key challenge for RO systems is their susceptibility to scaling and biofouling. To address these issues, functional coatings utilizing metal nanoparticles (MNPs) are developed. In this study, silver, gold, and copper nanoparticles are applied onto thin‐film composite (TFC) membranes using plasma‐enhanced magnetron sputtering. The elemental composition, surface morphology, and hydrophilicity of the coatings are analyzed using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and contact angle measurements. The antimicrobial properties and the filtration efficiency of the coated membranes are assessed through application‐specific experimental setups. Silver and copper nanoparticles exhibit superior antimicrobial properties, reducing microorganism adhesion by a factor of 103 compared to uncoated membranes. Under appropriate coating conditions, no deterioration in filtration performance is observed. Enhancing the adhesion of MNPs is necessary for achieving sustained release of metal ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the suitability of selected essential oils as more environmentally friendly, sustainable antimicrobial agents in photographic films for long‐term data storage. For this purpose, essential oils of oregano, thyme, and lemongrass were added in concentrations ranging from 0.4% to 4% to the gelatin comprising a protective layer for photographic microfilms. The emulsions were analyzed via UV‐Vis for their optical transparency, then tested for their antimicrobial efficacy against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus hominis and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Thin coatings generated by spreading and drying the emulsions onto photographic film substrates were then characterized morphologically via SEM before and after standardized artificial aging procedures. It was found that oregano oil at a concentration of 0.4% maintained the optical and physical properties of the emulsion and proved highly effective against all tested bacteria. Thyme and lemongrass oil also exhibited some antimicrobial activity, however, were not able to inhibit the bacterial growth completely. At higher concentrations of the oils, the gelatin coatings cracked after artificial aging, which makes them unsuitable for the application. To conclude, selected essential oils like oregano oil can be used as an effective antimicrobial agent without compromising the quality of the photographic films. Practical Applications: The results of our research can be applied directly to the manufacturing of photographic films, specifically ones intended for long‐term data storage. Furthermore, many applications of gelatin or related materials which require antimicrobial activity, such as food packaging, could be enhanced by the addition of essential oils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elastic fibers are extracellular components of higher vertebrates and confer elasticity and resilience to numerous tissues and organs such as large blood vessels, lungs, and skin. Their formation and maturation take place in a complex multistage process called elastogenesis. It requires interactions between very different proteins but also other molecules and leads to the deposition and crosslinking of elastin's precursor on a scaffold of fibrillin‐rich microfibrils. Mature fibers are exceptionally resistant to most influences and, under healthy conditions, retain their biomechanical function over the life of the organism. However, due to their longevity, they accumulate damages during aging. These are caused by proteolytic degradation, formation of advanced glycation end products, calcification, oxidative damage, aspartic acid racemization, lipid accumulation, carbamylation, and mechanical fatigue. The resulting changes can lead to diminution or complete loss of elastic fiber function and ultimately affect morbidity and mortality. Particularly, the production of elastokines has been clearly shown to influence several life‐threatening diseases. Moreover, the structure, distribution, and abundance of elastic fibers are directly or indirectly influenced by a variety of inherited pathological conditions, which mainly affect organs and tissues such as skin, lungs, or the cardiovascular system. A distinction can be made between microfibril‐related inherited diseases that are the result of mutations in diverse microfibril genes and indirectly affect elastogenesis, and elastinopathies that are linked to changes in the elastin gene. This review gives an overview on the formation, structure, and function of elastic fibers and their fate over the human lifespan in health and disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]