Ambient particulate matter (PM) pollution has posed serious threats to global environment and public health. However, high efficient filtration of submicron particles, so named 'secondary pollution' caused by e.g. bacterial growth in filters and the use of non-degradable filter materials, remains a serious challenge. In this study, Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and konjac glucomannan (KGM) based nanofiber membranes, loaded with ZnO nanoparticles, were prepared through green electrospinning and eco-friendly thermal crosslinking. Thus obtained fibrous membranes do not only show high-efficient air-filtration performance but also show superior photocatalytic activity and antibacterial activity. The filtration efficiency of the ZnO@PVA/KGM membranes for ultrafine particles (300nm) were higher than 99.99%, being superior to commercial HEPA filters. By virtue of the high photocatalytic activity, the Methyl orange (MO) were efficiently decolorized with a removal efficiency of more than 98% at an initial concentration of 20 mgL-1 under 120 min solar irradiation. The multifunctional membrane with high removal efficiency, low flow resistance, superior photocatalytic activity and antibacterial activity was successfully achieved. It's conceivable that the combination of biodegradable polymer and active metal particle would form

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Air filtration materials (AFMs) have gradually become a research hotspot on account of the increasing attention paid to the global air quality problem. However, most AFMs cannot balance the contradiction between high filtration efficiency and low pressure drop. Electrospinning nanofibers have a large surface area to volume ratio, an adjustable porous structure, and a simple preparation process that make them an appropriate candidate for filtration materials. Therefore, electrospun nanofibers have attracted increased attention in air filtration applications. In this paper, first, the preparation methods of high-performance electrospun air filtration membranes (EAFMs) and the typical surface structures and filtration principles of electrospun fibers for air filtration are reviewed. Second, the research progress of EAFMs with multistructures, including nanoprotrusion, wrinkled, porous, branched, hollow, core–shell, ribbon, beaded, nets structure, and the application of these nanofibers in air filtration are summarized. Finally, challenges with the fabrication of EAFMs, limitations of their use, and trends for future developments are presented.

Nanoparticle-sensitized photoporation is an upcoming approach for intracellular delivery of biologics, combining high efficiency and throughput with excellent cell viability. However, as it relies on close contact between nanoparticles and cells, its translation towards clinical applications is hampered by safety and regulatory concerns. Here, we show that light-sensitive iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) embedded in biocompatible electrospun nanofibers induce membrane permeabilization by photothermal effects without direct cellular contact with IONPs. The photothermal nanofibers are successfully used to deliver effector molecules, including CRISPR/Cas9 ribonucleoprotein complexes and siRNA, in adherent and suspension cells, including embryonic stem cells and hard-to-transfect T-cells without affecting cell proliferation or phenotype. In vivo experiments furthermore demonstrate successful tumor regression in mice treated with CAR-T cells in which expression of PD1 is downregulated after nanofiber photoporation with siPD1. In conclusion, cell membrane permeabilization with photothermal nanofibers is a promising concept towards the safe and more efficient production of engineered cells for therapeutic applications, including stem cell or adoptive T cell therapy.

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In this study, we report the design and fabrication of a novel biocompatible sponge with excellent antibacterial property, making it a promising material for wound dressings. The sponge is formed by grafting amoxicillin onto regenerated bacterial cellulose (RBC). It was observed that the grafted RBC could enhance the antibacterial activity against fungus, Gram-negative, and Gram-positive bacteria. The morphology of strains treated with the grafted RBC and fluorescent stain results further demonstrated the antibacterial ability of the fabricated sponge. Moreover, a cytocompatibility test evaluated in vitro and in vivo illustrates the nontoxicity of the prepared sponge. More importantly, the wound infection model reveals that this sponge can accelerate the wound healing in vivo. This work indicates the novel sponge has the huge potential in wound dressing application for clinical use.

This review presents an overview of the recent advances in the development of stimuli-responsive nanobubbles and their novel biomedical applications including bio-imaging, drug delivery and ablation of tumor tissues.

The globalization of drug trade leads to the expansion of pharmaceutical counterfeiting. The immense threat of low quality drugs to millions of patients is considered to be an under‐addressed global health challenge. Analytical authentication technologies are the most effective methods to identify active pharmaceutical ingredients and impurities. However, most of these analytical testing techniques are expensive and need skilled personnel. To combat counterfeiting of drugs, the package of an increasing number of drugs is being protected through advanced package labeling technologies. Though, package labeling is only effective if the drugs are not repackaged. Therefore “in‐drug labeling,” instead of “drug package labeling,” may become powerful tools to protect drugs. This review aims to overview how advanced micro‐ and nanomaterials might become interesting markers for the labeling of tablets and capsules. Clearly, how well such identifiers can be integrated into “solid drugs” without compromising drug safety and efficacy remains a challenge. Also, incorporation of tags has so far only been reported for the protection of solid drug dosage forms. No doubts that in‐drug labeling technologies for “liquid drugs,” like injectables which contain expensive peptides, monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, dermal fillers, could help to protect them from counterfeiting as well.