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The development of alga-based biodegradable membranes represents a significant advancement in fuel cell technology, aligning with the need for sustainable material solutions. In a significant advancement for sustainable energy technologies, we have developed a novel biodegradable κ-carrageenan (KC) and boron nitride (BN) nanoparticle membrane, optimized with ammonium sulfate (NHS). This study employed a set of characterization techniques, including thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), where thermal anomalies were observed in the membranes around 160 °C and 300 °C as products of chemical decomposition. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) revealed the phases corresponding to the different precursors, whose value in the EDS measurements reached a maximum in the KC/BN/NHS5% membrane at 2.31 keV. In terms of the mechanical properties (MPs), a maximum tensile stress value of 10.96 MPa was achieved for the KC/BN sample. Using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), the physicochemical properties of the membranes were evaluated. Our findings reveal that the KC/BN/NHS1% membrane achieves an exceptional ionic conductivity of 7.82 × 10−5 S/cm, as determined by impedance spectroscopy (IS). The properties of the developed membrane composite suggest possible broader applications in areas such as sensor technology, water purification, and ecologically responsive packaging. This underscores the role of nanotechnology in enhancing the functional versatility and sustainability of energy materials, propelling the development of green technology solutions. 

Society has long been exposed to naturally-occurring nanoparticles. Due to their ubiquitous nature, biological systems have adapted and built protection against their potential effects. However, for the past decades, there have been onslaughts of newly engineered nanoparticles being released in the environment with no known effects on ecosystems. Although these materials offer distinct advantages in manufacturing processes, such as odor-free fabric or controlled drug delivery, their fate in nature has yet to be thoroughly investigated. As the size of an already-large NPs market is expected to grow, due to advances in synthetic biology, it is vital that we increase our understanding of their impacts on human, food and natural ecosystems. Recent studies have shown that NPs affect phytoplankton biomass and diversity in the ocean, solely by regulating micronutrients bioavailability. These types of changes could ultimately impact several biogeochemical cycles, as phytoplankton are responsible for almost half of the primary production on earth. Consequently, this study was designed to evaluate the impact of various concentrations (0µM, 20µM, 40µM, 80µM and 100µM) of several manufactured nanoparticles (gold, carbon and iron) on the dynamics of four economically important microalgae strains. Responses, such as chlorophyll content, protein, lipid content, lipid profile, biomass and cell morphology were monitored over a period of two weeks. No significant acute toxicity was exhibited within the first 24 hours of exposure. However, after 4 days, a remarkably high mortality rate was detected with increasing NPs concentrations of Fe60, C80 and Au60. Iron suspensions were found to be more toxic to the microalgae strains tested than those of Gold and Carbon under comparable regimes. Further investigations with other, either positively or negatively charged nanoparticles, should provide a deeper understanding on the impacts on these engineered materials in our ecosystems. 

Society has long been exposed to naturally-occurring nanoparticles. Due to their ubiquitous nature, biological systems have adapted and built protection against their potential effects. However, for the past decades, there have been onslaughts of newly engineered nanoparticles being released in the environment with no known effects on ecosystems. Although these materials offer distinct advantages in manufacturing processes, such as odor-free fabric or controlled drug delivery, their fate in nature has yet to be thoroughly investigated. As the size of an already-large NPs market is expected to grow, due to advances in synthetic biology, it is vital that we increase our understanding of their impacts on human, food and natural ecosystems. Recent studies have shown that NPs affect phytoplankton biomass and diversity in the ocean, solely by regulating micronutrients bioavailability. These types of changes could ultimately impact several biogeochemical cycles, as phytoplankton are responsible for almost half of the primary production on earth. Consequently, this study was designed to evaluate the impact of various concentrations (0μM, 20μM, 40μM, 80μM and 100μM) of several manufactured nanoparticles (gold, carbon and iron) on the dynamics of four economically important microalgae strains. Responses, such as chlorophyll content, protein, lipid content, lipid profile, biomass and cell morphology were monitored over a period of two weeks. No significant acute toxicity was exhibited within the first 24 hours of exposure. However, after 4 days, a remarkably high mortality rate was detected with increasing NPs concentrations of Fe60, C80 and Au60. Iron suspensions were found to be more toxic to the microalgae strains tested than those of Gold and Carbon under comparable regimes. Further investigations with other, either positively or negatively charged nanoparticles, should provide a deeper understanding on the impacts on these engineered materials in our ecosystems.