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This study demonstrates the successful synthesis of Ni/Y[sub.2]O[sub.3] nanocomposite particles through the application of ultrasound-assisted precipitation using the ultrasonic spray pyrolysis technique. They were collected in a water suspension with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as the stabiliser. The presence of the Y[sub.2]O[sub.3] core and Ni shell was confirmed with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and with electron diffraction. The TEM observations revealed the formation of round particles with an average diameter of 466 nm, while the lattice parameter on the Ni particle’s surface was measured to be 0.343 nm. The Ni/Y[sub.2]O[sub.3] nanocomposite particle suspensions were lyophilized, to obtain a dried material that was suitable for embedding into a polylactic acid (PLA) matrix. The resulting PLA/Ni/Y[sub.2]O[sub.3] composite material was extruded, and the injection was moulded successfully. Flexural testing of PLA/Ni/Y[sub.2]O[sub.3] showed a slight average decrease (8.55%) in flexural strength and a small decrease from 3.7 to 3.3% strain at the break, when compared to the base PLA. These findings demonstrate the potential for utilising Ni/Y[sub.2]O[sub.3] nanocomposite particles in injection moulding applications and warrant further exploration of their properties and new applications in various fields.

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The present work analyzes the influence of modified, epoxidized and maleinized corn oil as a plasticizing and/or compatibilizing agent in the PLA–PHB blend (75% PLA and 25% PHB wt.%). The chemical modification processes of corn oil were successfully carried out and different quantities were used, between 0 and 10% wt.%. The different blends obtained were characterized by thermal, mechanical, morphological, and disintegration tests under composting conditions. It was observed that to achieve the same plasticizing effect, less maleinized corn oil (MCO) is needed than epoxidized corn oil (ECO). Both oils improve the ductile properties of the PLA–PHB blend, such as elongation at break and impact absorb energy, however, the strength properties decrease. The ones that show the highest ductility values are those that contain 10% ECO and 5% MCO, improving the elongation of the break of the PLA–PHB blend by more than 400% and by more than 800% for the sample PLA.

Alginate, a promising biopolymer in the food, biomedical, pharmaceutical, and electronic materials industries, is characterized by its biodegradability, biocompatibility, low toxicity, and gel-forming properties. It is most abundantly found in brown algae. However, conventional dilute acid and alkali extraction methods face limitations in commercialization due to their long processing time, low throughput, and high solvent requirements. In this study, a microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) process for sodium alginate was designed to improve extraction efficiency. The solid/liquid ratio, extraction temperature, and extraction solvent concentration were major variables affecting sodium alginate extraction from Undaria pinnatifida (sea mustard). They were then statistically optimized using response surface methodology. Under optimal conditions (13.27 g/L, 91.86 °C, 2.51% (w/v), and 15 min), the yield was 38.41%, which was 93.43% of the theoretical content of sodium alginate in Undaria pinnatifida. Our work has confirmed the productivity and industrial feasibility of the efficient extraction of sodium alginate from marine biomass, and we hope that it will serve as an encouraging case for the application of biopolymers as one of the desirable options for alternative petrochemicals to construct a sustainable society.

Transient Robotics As described by Fabian Wiesemüller, Mirko Kovač, and colleagues in article number 2300037, transient robots are biodegradable tools for assessing environmental health and autonomously creating ecological models. After collecting the targeted environmental data, the aerial robot lands and completes its service life. The structure of the robot, made from renewable biopolymers, degrades and the stored nutrients are reintroduced into the carbon cycle. This circular economy approach towards robot manufacturing minimizes the environmental footprint.

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In this work, FeSiAl-Fe.sub.3O.sub.4-GR/PLA composite printed wires were prepared by a two-step process of ball-mill mixing and melt extrusion using polylactic acid (PLA) as the base material, graphene (GR), FeSiAl and Fe.sub.3O.sub.4 as microwave absorbing enhancers. The results show that when the mass percentages of FeSiAl and Fe.sub.3O.sub.4 are 15 wt% and 15 wt% and the thickness is 5.3 mm, the composite material obtains the largest finite absorption bandwidth, at which time, the minimum reflection loss is - 48.08 dB and the absorption bandwidth is 3.52 GHz. When the mass percentages of FeSiAl and Fe.sub.3O.sub.4 are 20 wt% and 10 wt% and the thickness is 5.7 mm, the composite material has the strongest reflection loss, and the minimum reflection loss is - 50.62 dB and the absorption bandwidth is 3.28 GHz. Effective absorption of S, C, X and Ku band microwaves can be achieved by adjusting the thickness of the composite material. The excellent microwave absorption performance of the composites is mainly attributed to the effective synergy of the dual magnetic media, which enhances the absorption effects of interfacial polarization, dipole polarization, natural resonance, eddy current loss, and multiple reflections. Our research provides an effective way to prepare lightweight and efficient microwave absorbing materials in a green and simple process.

Packaging is an integral part of food products, allowing the preservation of their quality. It plays an important role, protecting the packed product from external conditions, maintaining food quality, and improving properties of the packaged food during storage. Nevertheless, commonly used packaging based on synthetic non-biodegradable polymers causes serious environmental pollution. Consequently, numerous recent studies have focused on the development of biodegradable packaging materials based on biopolymers. In addition, biopolymers may be classified as active packaging materials, since they have the ability to carry different active substances. This review presents the latest updates on the use of silver nanoparticles in packaging materials based on biopolymers. Silver nanoparticles have become an interesting component of biodegradable biopolymers, mainly due to their antimicrobial properties that allow the development of active food packaging materials to prolong the shelf life of food products. Furthermore, incorporation of silver nanoparticles into biopolymers may lead to the development of materials with improved physical-mechanical properties.

Natural polysaccharides, which are described in this study, are some of the most extensively used biopolymers in food, pharmaceutical, and medical applications, because they are renewable and have a high level of biocompatibility and biodegradability. The fundamental understanding required to properly exploit polysaccharides potential in the biocomposite, nanoconjugate, and pharmaceutical industries depends on detailed research of these molecules. Polysaccharides are preferred over other polymers because of their biocompatibility, bioactivity, homogeneity, and bioadhesive properties. Natural polysaccharides have also been discovered to have excellent rheological and biomucoadhesive properties, which may be used to design and create a variety of useful and cost-effective drug delivery systems. Polysaccharide-based composites derived from natural sources have been widely exploited due to their multifunctional properties, particularly in drug delivery systems and biomedical applications. These materials have achieved global attention and are in great demand because to their biochemical properties, which mimic both human and animal cells. Although synthetic polymers account for a substantial amount of organic chemistry, natural polymers play a vital role in a range of industries, including biomedical, pharmaceutical, and construction. As a consequence, the current study will provide information on natural polymers, their biological uses, and food and pharmaceutical applications.