Since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, the increasing demand and disposal of surgical masks has resulted in significant economic costs and environmental impacts. Here, we applied a dual-channel spray-assisted nanocoating hybrid of shellac/copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) to a nonwoven surgical mask, thereby increasing the hydrophobicity of the surface and repelling aqueous droplets. The resulting surface showed outstanding photoactivity (combined photocatalytic and photothermal properties) for antimicrobial action, conferring reusability and self-sterilizing ability to the masks. Under solar illumination, the temperature of this photoactive antiviral mask (PAM) rapidly increased to >70 °C, generating a high level of free radicals that disrupted the membrane of nanosized (∼100 nm) virus-like particles and made the masks self-cleaning and reusable. This PAM design can provide significant protection against the transmission of viral aerosols in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has transformed the daily lifestyles of people worldwide. COVID-19 was characterized as a pandemic owing to its global spread, and technologies based on engineered materials that help to reduce the spread of infections have been reported. Nanotechnology present in materials with enhanced physicochemical properties and versatile chemical functionalization offer numerous ways to combat the disease. Facemasks are a reliable preventive measure, although they are not 100% effective against viral infections. Nonwoven materials, which are the key components of masks, act as barriers to the virus through filtration. However, there is a high chance of cross-infection because the used mask lacks virucidal properties and can become an additional source of infection. The combination of antiviral and filtration properties enhances the durability and reliability of masks, thereby reducing the likelihood of cross-infection. In this review, we focus on masks, from the manufacturing stage to practical applications, and their abilities to combat COVID-19. Herein, we discuss the impacts of masks on the environment, while considering safe industrial production in the future. Furthermore, we discuss available options for future research directions that do not negatively impact the environment.

Coronavirus has affected the entire global community owing to its transmission through respiratory droplets. This has led to the mandatory usage of surgical masks for protection against this lethal virus in many countries. However, the currently available disposable surgical masks have limitations in terms of their hydrophobicity and reusability. Here, we report a single-step spray-coating technique for the formation of a superhydrophobic layer of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) on a meltblown polypropylene (PP) surgical mask. The sprayed SWCNTs form a nanospike-like architecture on the PP surface, increasing the static contact angle for water from 113.6°± 3.0°to 156.2°± 1.8°a nd showing superhydrophobicity for various body fluids such as urine, tears, blood, sweat, and saliva. The CNT-coated surgical masks also display an outstanding photothermal response with an increase in their surface temperature to more than 90 °C within 30 s of 1 sun solar illumination, confirming its self-sterilization ability. Owing to the cumulative effect of the superhydrophobicity and photothermal performance of the SWCNTs, the CNT-coated masks show 99.99% higher bactericidal performance toward Escherichia coli than pristine masks. Further, the virucidal ability of the SWCNT-coated mask, tested by using virus-like particles, was found to be almost 99% under solar illumination. As the spray-coating method is easily scalable, the nanotube-coated mask provides cost-effective personal protection against respiratory diseases.

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Next-generation catalysts are urgently needed to tackle the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance. Existing antimicrobials cannot function in the complex and stressful chemical conditions found in biofilms, and as a result, they are unable to infiltrate, diffuse into, and eradicate the biofilm and its associated matrix. Here, we introduce mixed-FeCo-oxide-based surface-textured nanostructures (MTex) as highly efficient magneto-catalytic platforms. These systems can produce defensive ROS over a broad pH range and can effectively diffuse into the biofilm and kill the embedded bacteria. Because the nanostructures are magnetic, biofilm debris can be scraped out of the microchannels. The key antifouling efficacy of MTex originates from the unique surface topography that resembles that of a ploughed field. These are captured as stable textured intermediates during the oxidative annealing and solid-state conversion of β-FeOOH nanocrystals. These nanoscale surfaces will advance progress toward developing a broad array of new enzyme-like properties at the nanobio interface.

with simple primitive life. However, whether life emerges from scratch from nonliving matter remains a mystery. Accordingly, understanding the fundamental principles of life processes is still a major scientific challenge. [1] Engineers can create a biological environment absent in nature by employing synthetic biology tools, thus allowing the discovery and elucidation of fundamentally complex biological cells in ways that remain currently impossible. [2] As a result, its essential goal is to regulate the required components to enhance their complexity as the need for comprehension grows. [3] To address fundamental questions regarding the transition from chemistry to biology, the chemical techniques applied to non-living matter to produce life are divided into top-down or bottom-up synthesis. [2] The majority of the top-down approaches have focused on genetic engineering and molecular biology techniques applied to prokaryotes such as Escherichia coli (E. coli), Klebsiella pneumonia (K. pneumonia), and others to isolate and generate enzymes, drug precursors, and biofuels for their application in health, bioremediation, environmental, and other therapeutic strategies. [4,5] A bottom-up approach is typically used to create new life-like features, known as artificial cells, from cellular components or non-living matter, to better understand specific cellular characteristics and the origin of life.The generation of an artificial cell factory provides a foundation for critical cell biology research. However, the concept of an artificial cell can be controversial, as factors such as cell size, genetic composition, and morphological similarity need to be considered. [6] Vesicles such as giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs), polysaccharidosomes, membrane-less coacervate microdroplets, and hydrogel particles are being explored to mimic the cell organelles and provide a functional unit to address their issues. [7][8][9][10] Though synthetic micro or nanoreactors have been used to mimic life-like functions and to learn about the fundamental biology of natural cells, constructing a life-like structure out of non-living building blocks remains a considerable challenge. In this review, we focus on hybrid approaches that use both natural and synthetic materials to mimic and interface with biological systems (Figure 1). Using hybrid vesicle micro or nanoreactors, bioinspired life-like functions such as chemical compartments, cascade signaling, energy generation, growth, replication, and environmental A cell, the fundamental unit of life, contains the requisite blueprint information necessary to survive and to build tissues, organs, and systems, eventually forming a fully functional living creature. A slight structural alteration can result in data misprinting, throwing the entire life process off balance. Advances in synthetic biology and cell engineering enable the predictable redesign of biological systems to perform novel functions. Individual functions and fundamental processes at the core of the biology of cells can be investig...

Membrane fusion is one of the key phenomena in the living cell for maintaining the basic function of life. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have the ability to transfer information between cells through plasma membrane fusion, making them a promising tool in diagnostics and therapeutics. This study explores the potential applications of natural membrane vesicles, EVs, and their fusion with liposomes, EVs, and cells and introduces methodologies for enhancing the fusion process. EVs have a high loading capacity, bio-compatibility, and stability, making them ideal for producing effective drugs and diagnostics. The unique properties of fused EVs and the crucial design and development procedures that are necessary to realize their potential as drug carriers and diagnostic tools are also examined. The promise of EVs in various stages of disease management highlights their potential role in future healthcare.

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