Abstract

Nanotechnology has revolutionized defense applications by enhancing the performance, safety, and reliability of military systems. The integration of nanomaterials into defense systems aims to improve both offensive and defensive capabilities, offering advantages such as stronger and lighter materials for armor, advanced wound healing technologies, and enhanced sensory and communication systems. Nanomaterials, such as nano-thermites, have been developed for use in energetic materials, providing superior explosive properties due to their fine particle distribution (Choudhary, 2023). Military applications of nanotechnology also include the development of polymer nanocomposites that enhance the durability and functionality of military equipment by providing high fatigue and fracture resistance, as well as improved ballistic and corrosion resistance (Ladhani, 2023). Furthermore, advancements in nanomaterials for energy storage and conversion, such as supercapacitors, are crucial for defense applications, offering improved energy efficiency and performance in military operations (Rezende et al., 2022). Despite these advancements, there are inherent risks associated with the manufacture and disposal of nanomaterials, necessitating stringent safety protocols and environmental considerations (Abed and Jawad, 2022). Overall, while nanotechnology holds significant promise for enhancing military capabilities, it also requires careful management to mitigate potential risks

Biography

María Cecilia Colautti is Doctor of Medicine from the Inter-American Open University (UAI), Postgraduate Studies in Pain Medicine from Favaloro University. Specialist in Occupational Medicine from the Medical College of the Province of Buenos Aires. Specialist in Forensic Medicine from the Argentine Catholic University (UCA). Master's degree in Occupational Health and Safety. Prevention of Occupational Risks. Polytechnic University of Catalonia. Full Professor in the Master's Program on Safety, Health, and Hygiene at the Faculty of Engineering of the Argentine Army. National Defense University. She has an extensive professional experience focused on integrated management systems in Safety, Health, Environment, and Quality processes. Certification in ISO 9001, ISO 45001, ISO 14001, ISO 18001, Occupational Safety and Health. ISO 14000 Environmental Management. TC 22000 Certification in Food Safety Management Systems. Cecilia was a Professor with Dr. Juan Felipe Rodríguez Lenci Scholarship. Occupational Medicine Society of the Province of Buenos Aires (SMTBA). Fellow at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Full Member of the Occupational Medicine Society of the Province of Buenos Aires. Full Member of the International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH). Founding Member of the Nanomaterials Committee of the International Commission on Occupational Health. Cecilia is author of the Chapter on Nanotechnology and Occupational Health. Book on Occupational Medicine in Argentina (Erga Ommes Publishers. June 2022; Amazon 2023); and author of the Chapter on Nanotechnology and Legal Aspects (Occupational Health. Forensic Medicine of Work. Erga Omnes. August 2022). Author of the book Fundamentals of Nanotechnology and Nanotoxicity, (Erga Omnes Publishers. September 2022; Amazon 2023).

Abstract

Implant infection is rising with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control predicting one person every three seconds will die from a bacteria infection by 2050. Nanomedicine is the use of nanomaterials to improve disease prevention, detection, and treatment which has resulted in hundreds of FDA approved medical products. While nanomedicine has been around for several decades, new technological advances are pushing its boundaries. For example, this presentation will provide an over 25 year journey of commercializing nano orthopedic implants now in over 30,000 patients to date showing no signs of failure. Current orthopedic implants face a failure rate of 5 – 10% and sometimes as high as 60% for bone cancer patients. Further, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionized numerous industries to date. However, its use in nanomedicine has remained few and far between. One area that AI has significantly improved nanomedicine is through implantable sensors. This talk will present research in which implantable sensors, using AI, can learn from patient’s response to implants and predict future outcomes. Such implantable sensors not only incorporate AI, but also communicate to a handheld device, and can reverse AI predicted adverse events. Examples will be given in which AI implantable sensors have been used in orthopedics to inhibit implant infection and promote prolonged bone growth. In vitro and in vivo experiments will be provided that demonstrate how AI can be used towards our advantage in nanomedicine, especially implantable sensors. Lastly, this talk will summarize recent advances in nanomedicine to both help human health and save the environment

Biography

Thomas J. Webster’s (H index: 128) degrees are in chemical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh (B.S., 1995; USA) and in biomedical engineering from RPI (Ph.D., 2000; USA). He has formed over a dozen companies who have numerous FDA approved medical products currently improving human health in over 30,000 patients. His technology is also being used in commercial products to improve sustainability and renewable energy. He is currently helping those companies and serves as a professor at Brown University, Saveetha University, Hebei University of Technology, UFPI, and others. Dr. Webster has numerous awards including: 2020, World Top 2% Scientist by Citations (PLOS); 2020, SCOPUS Highly Cited Research (Top 1% Materials Science and Mixed Fields); 2021, Clarivate Top 0.1% Most Influential Researchers (Pharmacology and Toxicology); 2022, Best Materials Science Scientist by Citations (Research.com); and is a fellow of over 8 societies. Prof. Webster is a former President of the U.S. Society for Biomaterials and has over 1,350 publications to his credit with over 55,000 citations. He was recently nominated for the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Prof. Webster also recently formed a fund to support Nigerian student research opportunities in the U.S

Abstract

A new systems approach to subclinical, predictive and/or diseased states and wellness resulted in a new Hi Tech trend in the healthcare services, namely, personalized and precision medicine (PPM).

Meanwhile, despite breakthroughs in designed-driven research that have led to an increased understanding of PPM-based disease, the translation of discoveries into therapies for patients and pre-illness persons-at-risk has not kept pace with medical need. It would be extremely useful to integrate data harvesting from different databanks for applications such as prediction and personalization of further treatment to thus provide more tailored measures for the patients and persons-at-risk resulting in improved outcomes and more cost effective use of the latest health care resources including diagnostic (e.g., companion ones and theranostics), preventive and therapeutic (targeted molecular and cellular) etc.

Biodesigners, biotechnologists and biomanufacturers are beginning to realize the promise of PPM, translating to direct benefit to patients or persons-at-risk. For instance, companion diagnostics tools and targeted therapies and biomarkers represent important stakes for BioPharma, in terms of market access, of return on investment and of image among the prescribers. So, developing medicines and predictive diagnostic tools requires changes to traditional clinical trial designs, as well as the use of innovative (adaptive) testing procedures that result in new types of data. Making the best use of those innovations and being ready to demonstrate results for regulatory bodies requires specialized knowledge that many clinical development teams don’t have. The areas where companies are most likely to encounter challenges, are data analysis and workforce expertise, biomarker and diagnostic test development, and cultural awareness. Navigating those complexities and ever-evolving technologies will pass regulatory muster and provide sufficient data for a successful launch of PPM, is a huge task. So, partnering and forming strategic alliances between researchers, biodesigners, clinicians, business, regulatory bodies and government can help ensure an optimal development program that leverages the Academia and industry experience and FDA’s new and evolving toolkit to speed our way to getting new tools into the innovative markets.

Healthcare is undergoing a transformation, and it is imperative to leverage new technologies to support the advent of PPM.

Both PPM and nanobiotechnologies are new to medical practice, which are being integrated into diagnostic and therapeutic tools to manage an array of medical conditions. On the other hand, PPM is a novel and individualized concept that aims to customize therapeutic management based on the personal attributes of the patient. Novel nanomedicines have been employed in the treatment of several diseases, which can be adapted to each patient-specific case according to their genetic profiles. 

Nanotechnology is used in conjunction with advanced tools such as OMICS technologies to achieve more personalized therapeutic, diagnostic, and theranostic strategies. Clinical application of nanotheranostics would enable subclinical detection and preventive treatment of diseases. And PPM has thus become an interdisciplinary challenge where nanotechnology-enabled theranostic approaches may indeed become a key driver in harmonizing the needs of the various stakeholders by allowing cost-effective delivery and monitoring of drug efficiency and safety, and close-meshed high-quality data collection.

For instance, nanoparticles and nanocarriers have been developed to overcome the limitations of free therapeutics and navigate biological barriers - systemic, microenvironmental and cellular - that are heterogeneous across patient populations and diseases. Overcoming this patient heterogeneity has also been accomplished through precision and nanodrug-based therapeutics, in which personalized interventions have enhanced therapeutic efficacy. So, the integration of nanotechnology into the PPM-driven healthcare industry holds immense potential for the future, whilst covering: (i) cancer treatment: (ii) diagnostic tools; (iii) tissue regeneration etc. This is the reason for developing global scientific, clinical, social, and educational projects in the area of PPM to elicit the content of the new trend.

Meanwhile, it is urgently needed to discover and establish new methods or strategies to discover, to develop and to create new drugs. And with the support of nanotechnology, the solubility, absorption and targeting of traditional drugs were greatly improved by modifying and fabricating with various types of nanoparticles to some extent, though many shortages remain. For instance, candidate proteins associated with disease development and progression might provide novel targets for new targeted therapeutic agents and biomaterials, or aid the development of assays for disease biomarkers and identification of potential biomarker-target-ligand (drug) tandems to be used for the targeting. Latest technological developments facilitate proteins to be more thoroughly screened and examined in the context of drug discovery and development.

The latter means that advancements in nanobiomedicine have played a crucial role in driving the PPM-guided revolution. With the ability to engineer and manipulate materials at the nanoscale, biodesigners have been able to develop innovative solutions for diagnostics, drug delivery, and imaging. So, the Grand Change and Challenge to secure our Health and Wellness are rooted not in Medicine, and not even in Science! Just imagine WHERE?! In the upgraded Hi-Tech Culture!

Biography

Sergey Suchkov was born in the City of Astrakhan, Russia, in a family of dynasty medical doctors. In 1980, graduated from Astrakhan State Medical University and was awarded with MD. In 1985, Suchkov maintained his PhD as a PhD student of the I.M. Sechenov Moscow Medical Academy and Institute of Medical Enzymology. In 2001, Suchkov maintained his Doctor Degree at the National Institute of Immunology, Russia. From 1989 through 1995, Dr Suchkov was being a Head of the Lab of Clinical Immunology, Helmholtz Eye Research Institute in Moscow. From 1995 through 2004 - a Chair of the Dept for Clinical Immunology, Moscow Clinical Research Institute (MONIKI). In 1993-1996, Dr Suchkov was a Secretary-in-Chief of the Editorial Board, Biomedical Science, an international journal published jointly by the USSR Academy of Sciences and the Royal Society of Chemistry, UK

Abstract

Encapsulation is defined as the isolation of active substances (in liquid, solid or gas state), to obtain products with spherical form and micrometric size, in which the active material or core, is shielded by a membrane from the surrounding environment [1]. This membrane may be a polymer, whereas the coated product may be a flavor, a drug or food  molecules/ingredients like (flavors, antioxidants, polyunsaturated oils, vitamins, drugs…) [1,2]

The release of microparticle content at controlled rates can be triggered by shearing, solubilization, heating, pH or enzyme action. Thus, during the last decade research has been focus on using nanotechnology to encapsulate bioactive substances in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical sector [2,3]

The layer or coating material used for encapsulation serves as a protective covering for components, which are transported through nano- or microencapsulation to the intended site of action. This method is a desirable substitute for redesigning functional food ingredients that can significantly modify the stability and the bioavailability of biologically active compounds [2].

Amont others, protein nanoparticles are a promising system for encapsulating and delivering drugs and bioactive substances [2]. Proteins and peptides are attractive chemical building blocks to encapsulate and protect active substances thanks to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, low immunogenicity, and added functionality compared to synthetic polymers [4,5]. Moreover, protein functionalities such as water-binding ability, gelation, foaming, and emulsification, as well as their wide range of uses as components in the food industry allow its use as encapsulant material [2,6]. In particular, protein-based micro- and nanocapsules offer several advantages over purely synthetic polymers in terms of potential unfavorable solubility, undesirable toxicology, and nonspecific interactions characteristic of synthetic methods reinforce the necessity of investing in encapsulation research [5].

In addition, proteins offer multiple modifications opportunities via coupling proteins with other functional molecules or formulations of different types of proteins which enhances the versatility of this class of materials [5], and even due to their natural function they may resist physiological stress, biological stability, and the possibility of oral administration make them more attractive than other strategies such as liposomes, etc [7].

Such properties have been pointed as ideal characteristics to improve both pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of various types of drugs based on adjustments of the parameters in their formulations as nanoparticle-based systems [8].

As a result, considerable efforts have been done in order to use protein-based carriers, especially for those applications directly connected with humans: drug delivery, bioimaging, and conservation of food and drugs. Capsule size is a parameter of extreme importance depending on the type of targeted application [5].

Although encapsulation and the use of nano- and microcarriers has evolved in the last few decades, there are some remaining challenges to be overcome including the reduction of formulation or a fully control of the drug/cargo release to maintain the physicochemical and biological activities of the encapsulated molecules. In order to reach the industrialization of the encapsulated product the protocols for capsule generation and storage need needs to be simple and efficient enough to allow future scale-up. Long-term performance and safety of these type of materials also need to be carefully assessed [5].

The field of protein-based delivery systems is growing rapidly because of the perceived benefits of these natural polymers for encapsulating, protecting, and releasing bioactive agents. Protein nanoparticles have the advantages of being more stable as compared with other colloidal carriers. In addition, protein from various sources can be manufactured into nanoparticles using an easy, cost-effective, and eco-friendly synthesis process, accompanied by the use of less chemicals, as compared with nanoparticles from other materials. Among the various proteins for drug delivery applications animal protein such as casein and albumin are widely used. On the other hand, the interest on plant proteins is increasing.

Protein-based nanoparticles can be processed in a wide number of ways, allowing their properties to be tailored for particular applications. Although there are still obstacles to conquer, there is a growing need in the medical and food sectors for biocompatible protein these with encapsulant properties. Future research on protein-based nanoparticles must concentrate on the creation of large-scale manufacturing techniques that enable the extraction of plant-based proteins with high purity and the production of the particles in a commercially viable manner.

1. Nesterenko, A.; Alric, I.; Silvestre, F.; Durrieu, V. Vegetable proteins in microencapsulation: A review of recent interventionsand their effectiveness. Ind. Crops Prod. 2013, 42, 469–479, doi:10.1016/J.INDCROP.2012.06.035.
2. Kiran, F.; Afzaal, M.; Shahid, H.; Saeed, F.; Ahmad, A.; Ateeq, H.; Islam, F.; Yousaf, H.; Shah, Y.A.; Nayik, G.A.; et al. Effect of protein-based nanoencapsulation on viability of probiotic bacteria under hostile conditions. Int. J. Food Prop. 2023, 26,1698–1710, doi:10.1080/10942912.2023.2228514.
3. Pateiro, M.; Gómez, B.; Munekata, P.E.S.; Barba, F.J.; Putnik, P.; Bursa´c, D.B.; Kovačevi´c, K.; Lorenzo, J.M.; Pellegrino, F.;Cesano, F.; et al. molecules Nanoencapsulation of Promising Bioactive Compounds to Improve Their Absorption, Stability, Functionality and the Appearance of the Final Food Products. 2021, doi:10.3390/molecules26061547.
4. De Oliveira, J.L.; Fraceto, L.F.; Bravo, A.; Polanczyk, R.A. Encapsulation Strategies for Bacillus thuringiensis: From Now to the Future. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2021, 69, 4564–4577, doi:10.1021/ACS.JAFC.0C07118.
5. Ramos, R.; Bernard, J.; Ganachaud, F.; Miserez, A. Protein-Based Encapsulation Strategies: Toward Micro- and Nanoscale Carriers with Increased Functionality. Small Sci. 2022, 2, doi:10.1002/SMSC.202100095.
6. de la Cruz Pech-Canul, A.; Ortega, D.; García-Triana, A.; González-Silva, N.; Solis-Oviedo, R.L. A Brief Review of Edible Coating Materials for the Microencapsulation of Probiotics. Coatings 2020, Vol. 10, Page 197 2020, 10, 197, doi:10.3390/COATINGS10030197.
7. Shin, J.; Cole, B.D.; Seyedmohammad, M.; Lim, S.I.; Jang, Y. Protein Nanocarriers Capable of Encapsulating Both Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Drugs. Methods Mol. Biol. 2024, 2720, 143–150, doi:10.1007/978-1-0716-3469-1_10.

Verma, D.; Gulati, N.; Kaul, S.; Mukherjee, S.; Nagaich, U. Protein Based Nanostructures for Drug Delivery. J. Pharm. 2018,2018, 1–18, doi:10.1155/2018/9285854.

Biography

Ana Brotons-Canto has completed her PhD from the department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Chemistry at the University of Navarra (Spain). She is R&D manager at Nucaps Nanotechnology S.L.(Spain). The main focus of her research is to improve the oral bioavailability and/or stability of different compounds through encapsulation technologies. Se has participated in numerous conferences, fairs, and events. In addition se has take part of research projects at european and national level. In addition, as R&D manager at Nucaps, she has work in developments for third parties and in collaboration with the international companies. She collaborates with different journals as reviewer.

Abstract

This Plenary Talk will be addressed to the development of nano-supplementary cementitious material (NSCM), aiming at to improve the mechanical properties and durability performance of cementitious composites, as recently emphasized. In this regard, nanosilica (NS) has been considered a key option to improved cementitious composites’ performance levels. Nevertheless, challenges to provide performance improvements in some properties still remains, as for instance the great agglomeration tendency of NS. In addition, there is the occurrence of autogenous shrinkage of cementitious materials caused by the accelerated development of mechanical strength in a short period of time. In view of this, recent efforts to fabricate monodisperse NS via surface functionalization methods point to significant development of functionalized nanosilica (FNS). FNS can be developed with chemically grafted functional groups that can improve their properties as NSCM

Biography

Professor Paulo César De Morais, PhD, was full Professor of Physics at the University of Brasilia (UnB) – Brazil up to 2013. Appointed as UnB’s (Brazil) Emeritus Professor (2014); Visiting Professor at the Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) – China (2012-2015); Distinguished Professor at the Anhui University (AHU) – China (2016-2019); Full Professor at the Catholic University of Brasília (CUB) – Brazil (2018); CNPq-1A Research Fellow since 2010; 2007 Master Research Prize from UnB. He held two-years (1987-1988) post-doc position with Bell Communications Research, New Jersey – USA and received his Doctoral degree in Solid State Physics (1986) from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) – Brazil. With more than 12,000 citations, He has published about 500 papers (Web of Science) and more than 16 patents.

Abstract

Assessing sperm quality is essential in the fields of reproductive toxicology and therapeutic research. This study explores the detrimental effects of a toxic copper dose on sperm quality in Wistar rats and evaluates the potential protective effects of green-synthesized nanoparticles derived from the hawthorn plant (Crataegus monogyna). The experimental design involved exposing rats to a defined toxic dose of copper, followed by treatment with hawthorn-synthesized nanoparticles. Sperm samples were analyzed using a Sperm Class Analyzer (SCA) to assess various parameters, including motility, concentration, morphology, vitality (VCL, VSL, and VAP), amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH), beat cross frequency (BCF), DNA fragmentation, and oxidative stress in the testes. The results revealed a significant deterioration in sperm quality post-copper exposure, evidenced by reduced motility, increased morphological abnormalities, and decreased vitality. However, treatment with the aqueous extract of Crataegus monogyna and the associated nanoparticles resulted in notable improvements in several parameters, indicating a dose-dependent protective and restorative effect. The findings suggest that hawthorn-derived aqueous extract and metal nanoparticles offer protective benefits for semen quality and enhance the antioxidant defense mechanisms in the testes of rats subjected to copper-induced toxicity

Biography

I am Dr. Feriel REMITA, holding a Ph.D. in animal ecophysiology from the University of Badji Mokhtar Annaba, and as a researcher at the Environmental Research Center (CRE) in Annaba, my career has been defined by an unwavering passion for environmental preservation. Currently, my work at CRE is centered around an innovative project that explores the application of green nanoparticles as a depollution agent while assessing their impact on cellular health. This pioneering initiative aims to develop sustainable solutions to mitigate pollution issues while safeguarding ecosystem health. My dedication to environmental research and conservation continues to drive me to be a catalyst for a cleaner and healthier future.

Abstract

The talk will discuss the challenges in developing corrosion resistant graphene coating on most common engineering alloys, such as mild steel, and present recent results demonstrating circumvention of these challenges. In spite of traditional approaches of corrosion mitigation (e.g., use of corrosion resistance alloys such as stainless steels and coatings), loss of infrastructure due to corrosion continues to be a vexing problem. So, it is technologically as well as commercially attractive to explore disruptive approaches for durable corrosion resistance. Graphene has triggered unprecedented research excitement for its exceptional characteristics. The most relevant properties of graphene as corrosion resistance barrier are its remarkable chemical inertness, impermeability and toughness, i.e., the requirements of an ideal surface barrier coating for corrosion resistance. However, the extent of corrosion resistance has been found to vary considerably in different studies. The author’s group has demonstrated an ultra-thin graphene coating to improve corrosion resistance of copper by two orders of magnitude in an aggressive chloride solution (i.e., similar to sea-water). In contrast, other reports suggest the graphene coating to actually enhance corrosion rate of copper, particularly during extended exposures. Authors group has investigated the reasons for such contrast in corrosion resistance due to graphene coating as reported by different researchers. On the basis of the findings, author’s group has succeeded in demonstration of remarkable and durable corrosion resistance of mild steel as result of development of suitable graphene coating

Biography

Professor Raman Singh’s primary research interests are in the relationship of Nano/microstructure and Environment-assisted degradation and fracture of metallic and composite materials, and Nanotechnology for Advanced Mitigation of such Degradations. He has worked extensively on advanced materials (e.g., graphene) for corrosion mitigation, stress corrosion cracking, and corrosion-mitigation (including in the context of advanced civil engineering applications such as seawater sea sand concrete). He is a senior professor at Monash University, Australia. He is/was a Guest Professor at ETH Zurich, Switzerland (2020, 2023, 2024), US Naval Research Lab, Indian Institute of Science, and University of Connecticut. He worked as a scientist at Indian Atomic Energy and as a post-doc fellow at UNSW/Australia. Prof Singh’s professional distinctions and recognitions include: Guest Professor of ETH Zurich, Editor of a book on Cracking of Welds (CRC Press), Lead Editor of a book on Non-destructive Evaluation of Corrosion (Wiley), Editor-in-Chief of an Elsevier and two MDPI journals, leader/chairperson of a few international conferences and numerous plenary/keynote lectures at international conferences, over 285 peer-reviewed international journal publications and 15 book chapter, and several competitive research grants. He has supervised 60 PhD students.