Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method for promoting plant growth, comprising subjecting at least one part of a plant to a carbon dot, wherein the carbon dot is doped with one or more doping material selected from the group consisting of silica, plant macronutrients, plant micronutrients, and drug molecules; and wherein the doping material is conjugated within and on the surface of the carbon dot. The present invention also relates to the use of a carbon dot for plant growth, wherein the carbon dot is doped with one or more doping material selected from the group consisting of silica, plant macronutrients, and plant micronutrients, and drug molecules; and wherein the doping material is conjugated within and on the surface of the carbon dot.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a complex comprising a central moiety and a plurality of branches extending from the central moiety, wherein the plurality of branches comprises at least one loading branch and at least three crosslinking branches; wherein the loading branch comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is capable of connecting to a first load; and wherein each crosslinking branch comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is capable of connecting to a linker. The present invention also relates to a hydrogel comprising the complex, a 3D cell culture, a pharmaceutical composition, methods and uses thereof.
Abstract:
A non-destructive testing method of analyzing a sample comprising a composite material is disclosed. The method comprises: emitting an electromagnetic signal onto the sample, the electromagnetic signal having a range of frequencies; detecting a response signal transmitted and / or reflected by the sample in response to the electromagnetic signal; processing the response signal to determine variation with frequency of a dielectric permittivity of the sample over the range of frequencies; and determining an indication of a structural characteristic of the sample from a measure of the variation with frequency of the dielectric permittivity of the sample.
Abstract:
A method of reducing moisture content of soil is provided. The method includes placing a device having a flexible, water-permeable membrane defining an enclosure for receiving a water swellable material, and a water swellable material received within the enclosure in soil. The method may be used in soil strengthening, construction, and works underground such as underground excavation, mining, and tunneling.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a composite material made from a honeycomb substrate coated with ZnO, particularly in the form of nanosheets or nano rods that is able to remove sulfur-containing compounds from a fuel gas, amongst other applications. Also disclosed herein are a method to make the composite material and its application to the removal of said sulphur-containing compounds from a fuel gas in need thereof.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method of functionalizing surfaces of carbon nanomaterials using oxygen in the air. The method is clean and eco-friendly with virtually zero chemical usage and zero waste generation. The dispersion of the surface-functionalized carbon nanomaterials is excellent in organic solvents.
Abstract:
A draw solute for a forward osmosis process, the draw solute comprising: a thermally responsive ionic compound having at least one of: a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) and an upper critical solution temperature (UCST), the draw solute being regeneratable from a diluted aqueous draw solution after forward osmosis via one of: liquid- liquid phase separation and solid-liquid phase separation, the draw solute being regeneratable when the diluted aqueous draw solution is at a temperature selected from one of: above the LCST and below the UCST
Abstract:
The invention relates to an antibacterial cryogel, its preparation method, and its use for disinfecting water. The invention further relates to an antibacterial porous hydrogel.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a draw solute for forward osmosis comprising a carbon dioxide responsive structural unit and a thermally responsive structural unit, wherein the draw solute is capable of reversibly switching between a protonated state and a deprotonated state. The present invention also provides a forward osmosis method utilising the draw solute.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a method of partially depolymerising a depolymerisable condensation polymer, the method requiring the steps of forming a mixture comprising a depolymerisable condensation polymer, a polar aprotic solvent, a catalyst and a cleaving agent, where the latter is a polyol compound. The mixture is then heated to a temperature from greater than 150 °C to less than 200 °C and the depolymerisation reaction is allowed to take place for a period of time to provide oligomers derived from the depolymerisable condensation polymer.