The production of fast pyrolysis bio-oil (FPBO) from secondary biomass is a promising technique for the production of liquid biofuels. However, the resulting FPBO is often viscous and chemically unstable, requiring significant upgrading while also being difficult to work with. To overcome this issue, FPBO can be hydrotreated using slurry hydrotreatment, which has a long history as a processing technique for upgrading viscous and difficult-to-work-with vacuum residues, and as such presents a solution. In this processing technique, the hydrotreatment catalyst is usually generated as dispersed MoS2 nanoparticles to improve feedstock-catalyst contact, as well as avert the diffusion problems that arise when utilizing a traditional, porous packed bed with a viscous feedstock. However, for such nanoparticulate dispersed catalysts, the nanoparticle structure and morphology play an important role in dictating activity and product distribution. Although much work has been done on characterizing dispersed MoS2 catalysts in the context of vacuum residues, such data is still scarce in the context of upgrading bio-oils. In this publication, we present a detailed characterization of in situ-generated MoS2 nanoparticles for the catalytic hydrotreatment of FPBO in a technology readiness level 5 (TRL5) slurry hydroprocessing plant. The results indicate a significant effect of the bio-based feedstock on the nanoparticle morphology, providing a starting point for further investigations into optimization of catalytic activity in the context of slurry hydrotrotreatment of bio-based feedstocks

The continuous quest for materials capable of providing sustained release of antimicrobial drugs is particularly important for indwelling medical applications. In this study, we utilized amoxicillin as a model active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) to investigate the feasibility of using porous media – specifically, functionalized calcium carbonate (FCC) microparticles – as a primary drug carrier embedded within an ethyl cellulose (EC) polymer film. Our main objective was to prolong and sustain the release of the API. The fabrication process of the microparticle containing film involved two key steps: loading the model API into the FCC particles and then embedding these loaded particles into the polymeric film. Amoxicillin was loaded into the FCC particles using a solvent evaporation method. Detailed characterization through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), lab- and synchrotron-based XRD revealed that amoxicillin precipitated both inside and on the surface of the FCC particles, predominantly in an amorphous form. Additionally, ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopic data demonstrated an increased release rate from the porous FCC compared to direct dissolution of pure amoxicillin powder. Embedding amoxicillin preloaded porous FCC particles in the EC film led to a more rational sustained release compared with powder amoxicillin embedded directly in the film, advantageously delivering the same amount of amoxicillin over a longer period; a result that may be relevant for indwelling medical devices such as urinary catheters, vascular access devices or wound drains

A synchrotron-based experiment was carried out to demonstrate the potential of x-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS) to characterize collective dynamics driven by superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) during magnetomotive ultrasound (MMUS) imaging. MMUS is a developing diagnostic imaging technique that has the potential to enable more precise cancer staging than other clinically established diagnostic tools. It relies on SPIONs acting as a contrast agent while being stimulated by time-varying magnetic fields. The resulting dynamics are crucial to maximizing image contrast. We describe the design and execution of an XPCS experiment on phantoms mimicking human tissue during MMUS imaging. Quantitative analysis of the results reveals variations in the temporal correlation functions of the scattered intensity as a function of scattering vector and angle. Preliminary observations indicate that these variations might depend on experimental parameters such as the frequency and strength of the magnetic field and SPION type and concentration

Objective To characterize the redistribution patterns of zinc and calcium ions during human sperm capacitation and to investigate their roles in sperm maturation and fertilization. Design In vitro experimental study using synchrotron-based x-ray fluorescence microscopy and complementary immunohistochemistry to assess elemental changes during different capacitation stages at nanometric spatial resolution. Subjects Semen samples collected from healthy donors, evaluated according to World Health Organization guidelines. Exposure None. Main Outcome Measures Nanometric distribution and quantification of zinc and calcium in different sperm region (head, midpiece, tail, and centriole) during different stages of capacitation. Results The x-ray fluorescence mapping allowed to evaluate the nanometric redistribution of zinc and calcium in human sperm during capacitation. Distinct "zinc signatures" were observed during different capacitation stages, with zinc initially abundant throughout the cell, later concentrating in the midpiece after capacitation, and further decreasing during acrosomal exocytosis. A persistent presence of zinc-rich areas at the centriole was also observed, which likely helps maintain the integrity of the head and midpiece. Concurrently, increased calcium levels in the flagellum during capacitation suggest potentially linked dynamics between zinc efflux and calcium influx. These findings provide new insight into elemental dynamics underlying sperm maturation and fertilization potential. Conclusion A deeper understanding of male fertility may be achieved by elucidating the multifaceted role of zinc in sperm function, particularly its interaction with calcium signaling pathways. By considering both the biochemical and ionic mechanisms alongside the physical aspects of sperm activity, a more precise assessment of sperm functionality becomes possible

X-ray fluorescence emission spectroscopy is a powerful tool to gain chemical information on a wide variety of samples. Its combination with focused X-ray beams and translation stages enables X-ray fluorescence microscopy, generating quantitative distribution maps for sets of chemical elements, depending on incident photon energy and detector specifications. The use of synchrotron radiation for X-ray fluorescence microscopy has led to unprecedented performance: with the advent of 4th generation synchrotron facilities such as MAX IV, the increase of the achievable incident photon flux has made higher sensitivity and measuring speed possible, while new nanofocus capabilities have enabled nanoscale spatial resolution. Here, an overview of recent and ongoing research is presented from selected two-dimensional X-ray fluorescence microscopy experiments carried out at NanoMAX, the hard X-ray nanoprobe beamline at MAX IV. Results showcase the technique’s versatility, as it is applied to microalgae, human dental tissue and engineered materials. 

We present a systematic study of thermoplastic polypropylene (PP) composites reinforced with wood fibers (WF) derived from Norway spruce industrial residues (FibraQ) as scalable, sustainable alternatives to conventional polymers. The wood fibers retain a characteristic softwood monosaccharide profile and display robust morphological integrity and uniform dispersion across loadings from 20 to 50 wt%. Mechanical characterization demonstrates a linear increase in tensile modulus and strength with increasing WF content, counterbalanced by reduced ductility and impact toughness due to increasing fiber network density. Thermal analyses confirm enhanced stability and elevated Vicat softening temperatures upon WF addition. Importantly, these composites exhibit outstanding closed-loop mechanical recyclability: after three industrially relevant processing cycles, PPWF retains >90% of initial stiffness and >94% tensile strength, significantly outperforming neat PP and previously reported biocomposite systems. Our study provides the first direct quantitative comparison of recyclability and structural retention for industrially relevant PPWF composites. These advances offer a pathway for integrating renewable residues into high-performance, durable, and circular materials platforms beyond the capabilities of conventional polymers. This journal is

X-ray Fluorescence microscopy is a sophisticated advanced technique which can provide information regarding the concentration and the distribution of chemical elements within biological samples. It is increasingly used in the study of cells and tissues as it does not require the use of staining or fluorescent probes. For XRF measurements, sample preparation is a key step in the analytical process that affects all aspects of the analysis. Cells should be maintained in conditions that closely resemble physiological environments, but this can be challenging, especially under vacuum conditions. While numerous fixation protocols exist, finding one that works best for all cell types remains difficult. This study focuses on human spermatozoa, as they differ from other cell types in size, structure, and function. Furthermore, in human sperm, the presence and the balance of various chemical elements are crucial to their efficiency and success in reproduction. Our work aims at investigating the most suitable protocol for spermatozoa fresh cell fixation for XRF analyses at different energies; in particular, paraformaldehyde (PFA) 4% and methanol fixation are compared through XRF analyses at low and hard X-ray energy excitation, revealing light and trace elements. Although PFA is the most widely used chemical fixative for biological sample preparation, our results suggest that methanol is an excellent alternative for fixing human sperm for X-ray microscopy as it better preserves their elemental content while still maintaining an acceptably good morphology.

The sodium consumption in many countries is too high, which results in increased risk for hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, stroke and premature death. Inhomogeneous sodium distribution using layering is a viable way to reduce sodium in bread that normally contains a lot of sodium. Prevention of sodium migration during production and storage is important for the function of this approach. Furthermore, the distribution of sodium between starch and gluten influences their properties. The spatial distribution of sodium was investigated at high resolution using combinations of X-ray fluorescence microscopy (XFM), scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM), light microscopy (LM), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) and image analysis. Reference breads and layered bread samples were baked with one salt-free layer and one layer containing 3.6 wt% sodium chloride salt. The obtained results showed that the concentration of sodium is higher in the starch phase than in the glutenphase and that sodiummigrates across the layer interface from the salt-containing to the salt-free layer. The ratios betweenthe sodium concentration in the starch and gluten phases were dependent on the sodium concentration across the interfaces. Furthermore, magnesium and phosphor signals in bread yeast cells were observed using XFM.

The chemical forms of zinc in fly ash from municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) crucially affect ash management, influencing both material recovery options and the risk of unwanted leaching into ecosystems. The zinc speciation was investigated in fly ash samples sourced from full-scale MSWI plants, including four grate fired boilers (GB) and one fluidized bed boiler (FB). We applied X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS), and the spectra were analyzed against a unique library of over 30 relevant compounds, tailored to the nuances of zinc chemistry of fly ash. Nano-XANES and sequential leaching were employed as complementary analytical methods. Multiple chemical forms of zinc were found in the ash, whereof potassium zinc chloride salts (K2ZnCl4) emerged as the predominant form in GB fly ash representing 41–64 % of the zinc content, while less for FB fly ash (19 %). The mere exposure to humidity in the air during storage resulted in hydroxylation of the alkali zinc chlorides into Zn5(OH)8Cl2·H2O. Other forms of zinc in the ash were Zn4Si2O7(OH)2·H2O, ZnFe2O4, ZnAl2O4, surface adsorbed zinc, and Zn5(CO3)2(OH)6. Notably, the proportion of zinc in spinel forms (ZnFe2O4 and ZnAl2O4) increased threefold in FB ash compared to GB ash, representing ∼60 % and ∼10–20 % of the zinc, respectively.