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CubeSat and small satellites play a very important role in modern space exploration. Their success and diverse capabilities rely on the development of efficient and compact sub-systems. This task is not trivial due to multiple challenges posed by their small size and mass, and the solution calls for conceptually new designs for the fabrication and integration of complex miniaturized satellite components. The importance of additive techniques in small satellite manufacturing is steadily increasing as they enable rapid, large-scale production of sophisticated architectures, such as hollow, webbed parts with a cell-like structure similar to animal bone, with lower mass and improved functionality. Moreover, these architectures feature higher strength, enhanced heat transfer, and efficient thermal and electromagnetic radiation shielding. When compared to traditional subtractive technologies like cutting and milling, additive manufacturing proves to be more versatile and effective in realizing architectures with an increasing intricacy of shapes, structures, and compositions. The perspective explores the suitability of 3D printing in various satellite production tasks, including the propulsion system components and satellite elements. Looking ahead, the challenges and advantages of integrating 3D printing technology into satellite production, emphasizing the need for continuous development through consolidated, proactive collaborative efforts of many devoted teams are outlined.

Aim: Cell microenvironment contains a plethora of information that influences cell modulation. Indeed, the extracellular matrix plays a central role in tissue development. Reproducing the cell–extracellular matrix crosstalk able to recapitulate both physical and biochemical signals is crucial to obtain functional tissue models or regenerative strategies. Materials & methods: Here, a combined method is proposed to easily functionalize collagen surface films, tailoring morphological properties. Oxygen nonthermal plasma treatment and glyco-conjugation with chondroitin sulfate are used to modify surface properties. Results: It results in higher adhesion, proliferation and morphological organization of U87 glioblastoma cells. Conclusion: Our finding suggests new promising strategies for the development of collagen-based biomaterials, which can be employed for advanced in vitro models.

The resurgence of masks due to the COVID-19 pandemic underscores their essential role as a simple yet crucial innovation. The evolution of masks mirrors the dynamic shifts in societal demands over time. Through a comprehensive examination of textile materials employed in medical contexts, this review highlights the enduring significance of filtering and antibacterial attributes of masks since their inception. As living standards advance, there is an escalating emphasis on the breathability of masks. Furthermore, this paper delves into the prospective significance and potential challenges associated with the development of comfortable, biocompatible, self-cleaning masks in the future. Different technologies, including mask detection systems, and advanced materials have been proposed in the framework of a multidisciplinary context. The multifaceted journey of masks encapsulates their pivotal role in safeguarding public health and underscores the ongoing pursuit of improved performance and user comfort.

Low-dimensional copper oxide nanostructures are very promising building blocks for various functional materials targeting high-demanded applications, including energy harvesting and transformation systems, sensing and catalysis. Featuring a very high surface-to-volume ratio and high chemical reactivity, these materials have attracted wide interest from researchers. Currently, extensive research on the fabrication and applications of copper oxide nanostructures ensures the fast progression of this technology. In this article we briefly outline some of the most recent, mostly within the past two years, innovations in well-established fabrication technologies, including oxygen plasma-based methods, self-assembly and electric-field assisted growth, electrospinning and thermal oxidation approaches. Recent progress in several key types of leading-edge applications of CuO nanostructures, mostly for energy, sensing and catalysis, is also reviewed. Besides, we briefly outline and stress novel insights into the effect of various process parameters on the growth of low-dimensional copper oxide nanostructures, such as the heating rate, oxygen flow, and roughness of the substrates. These insights play a key role in establishing links between the structure, properties and performance of the nanomaterials, as well as finding the cost-and-benefit balance for techniques that are capable of fabricating low-dimensional CuO with the desired properties and facilitating their integration into more intricate material architectures and devices without the loss of original properties and function.

È comunemente accettato che il cambiamento climatico sia dovuto ad un effetto antropico. Gli agenti inquinati sono sicuramente responsabili del peggioramento della qualità della vita umana ed è necessario trovare una soluzione. Una importante classe di inquinati è quella dei Composti Organici Volatili (VOC). Molti di questi composti sono classificati come cancerogeni o possibili cancerogeni per le persone, oltre al fatto che possono causare danni a lungo termine sull'ambiente. Nonostante questi problemi, i VOC sono necessari nelle vernici di pareti o arredi, nei trattamenti dei tessuti e sono largamente utilizzati nei processi industriali, per poi essere rilasciati nell'ambiente come prodotti di scarico. Al momento, però, non è possibile sostituirli con altri composti meno dannosi, pertanto è necessario concentrarsi sulla loro degradazione dopo la diffusione nell'aria. Il modo più facile è tramite i reattori di combustione, ma sono molto ingombranti, richiedono molta energia ed è necessario raggiungere temperature superiori ai 300°C per essere efficaci. I plasmi a pressione atmosferica, in particolare le Surface Dielectric Barrier Discharge (SDBD), possono essere di aiuto nel miglioramento dell'abbattimento dei VOC. Infatti le SDBD richiedono molta meno energia dei tipici reattori di combustione, occupano volumi molto minori (generalmente meno di un metro cubo) e la temperatura globale del gas è dell'ordine della temperatura ambiente. L'inquinamento da agenti chimici non è l'unico problema che dobbiamo affrontare per migliorare la qualità della vita. L'antibiotico resistenza è un problema crescente. I farmaci antibiotici hanno migliorato nettamente le condizioni di salute sin dal momento in cui sono stati scoperti, ma stanno diventando via via sempre meno efficienti a causa dell'uso improprio che è stato fatto negli ultimi decenni. Un modo per contrastare l'uso di antibiotici è quello di ridurre o eliminare le cariche batteriche presenti nell'aria, a, It is generally accepted that the reduction of life quality is largely due to anthropic effects, mainly due to pollutant agents, and possible solutions need to be addressed. An important class pollutants are the so-called Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Many of these compounds are classified as carcinogenic, or possibly carcinogenic, for humans and, in addition, they can cause long term environmental damage. Despite these drawbacks, they are suitable for wall and/or furniture painting, for the textile treatments, and are widely used in a variety of industrial processes. Unfortunately, they are released into the environment as waste products. As of today, it is not possible to replace VOCs with other compounds, but one can attempt to modify them just before they get disseminated in the atmosphere. The easiest way to achieve that goal is by using combustion reactors. However, they are bulky, require a lot of energy and need to reach high temperatures up to 300°C, or more, to be effective. Atmospheric pressure cold plasmas, in particular Surface Dielectric Barrier Discharge (SDBD), can largely improve the abatement process of VOCs. Indeed, SDBD require much less energy than typical combustion reactors, they occupy much smaller volumes (less than a cubic meter) and the global gas temperature gets down to the order of room temperature. Chemical pollution is not the only problem affecting our living environment, for instance antimicrobial resistance is also becoming an important issue. The antimicrobial and antibacterial drugs have improved our health conditions since they were discovered, but they are becoming less and less effective as a result of their improper use during the last decades. A way to reduce the use of antibiotic can be obtained by eliminating or hindering microbial diffusion in air, such as using particulate filters in ventilation systems. However, the biological agents collected in the filters are not just passive, but get accumulated on the filter s

As famed quantum physicist W. Pauli once said, “The surface was invented by the devil”. The nonequilibrium state of particles forming the surface, and the presence of dangling bonds transform the surfaces into a 2D reactor with high physical and chemical reactivity. When two such active surfaces are matched, their interface becomes even more reactive, giving rise to novel properties or enhanced performance. For this reason, much effort is applied to design nanoengineered interfacial systems for applications spanning all facets of human life. This review article discusses recent, mostly within two years, progress in the design of complex, sophisticated carbon-based interfacial material systems for energy and photonics applications, with the aim to emphasize some of the most interesting and important examples of such systems. Differences in the processes that take place on flat and 3D (curved) surfaces are discussed, with the view of guiding the design and construction of complex functional interfaces, focusing on several points that are of particular importance to the ongoing development of advanced interfacial material systems.

Aptamers have emerged as versatile and powerful tools in the fields of therapeutics and diagnostics. These molecules are single-stranded nucleic acids—either DNA or RNA—that fold into unique three-dimensional structures, allowing them to selectively bind to target molecules with high affinity and specificity. They can be identified through an iterative selection process called SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment).