Miguel Avalos-Borja

Bio: Miguel Avalos-Borja is an academic researcher from Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica. The author has contributed to research in topics: Catalysis & Silver nanoparticle. The author has an hindex of 28, co-authored 117 publications receiving 4610 citations. Previous affiliations of Miguel Avalos-Borja include Goethe University Frankfurt & National Autonomous University of Mexico.

On the nature of the silver phases of Ag/Al2O3 catalysts for reactions involving nitric oxide

Abstract: The nature of the silver phases of Ag/Al 2 O 3 catalysts (prepared by silver nitrate impregnation followed by calcination) was investigated by X-ray diffractograms (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV–VIS analyses and related to the activity of the corresponding materials for the oxidation of NO to NO 2 . The UV–VIS spectrum of the 1.2 wt.% Ag/Al 2 O 3 exhibited essentially one band associated with Ag + species and the NO 2 yields measured over this material were negligible. A 10 wt.% Ag/Al 2 O 3 material showed the presence of oxidic species of silver (as isolated Ag + cations and silver aluminate), but the UV–VIS data also revealed the presence of some metallic silver. The activity for the NO oxidation to NO 2 of this sample was moderate. The same 10% sample either reduced in H 2 or used for the C 3 H 6 -selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO showed a significantly larger proportion of silver metallic phases and these samples displayed a high activity for the formation of NO 2 . These data show that the structure and nature of the silver phases of Ag/Al 2 O 3 catalysts can markedly change under reaction feed containing only a fraction of reducing agent (i.e. 500 ppm of propene) in net oxidizing conditions (2.5% O 2 ). The low activity for N 2 formation during the C 3 H 6 -SCR of NO (reported in an earlier study) over the high loading sample can, therefore, be related to the presence of metallic silver, which is yet a good catalyst for NO oxidation to NO 2 . The reverse observations apply for the oxide species observed over the low loading sample, which is a good SCR catalyst but do not oxidize NO to NO 2 .

Polymeric scaffolds in tissue engineering application: a review

Abstract: Current strategies of regenerative medicine are focused on the restoration of pathologically altered tissue architectures by transplantation of cells in combination with supportive scaffolds and biomolecules. In recent years, considerable interest has been given to biologically active scaffolds which are based on similar analogs of the extracellular matrix that have induced synthesis of tissues and organs. To restore function or regenerate tissue, a scaffold is necessary that will act as a temporary matrix for cell proliferation and extracellular matrix deposition, with subsequent ingrowth until the tissues are totally restored or regenerated. Scaffolds have been used for tissue engineering such as bone, cartilage, ligament, skin, vascular tissues, neural tissues, and skeletal muscle and as vehicle for the controlled delivery of drugs, proteins, and DNA. Various technologies come together to construct porous scaffolds to regenerate the tissues/organs and also for controlled and targeted release of bioactive agents in tissue engineering applications. In this paper, an overview of the different types of scaffolds with their material properties is discussed. The fabrication technologies for tissue engineering scaffolds, including the basic and conventional techniques to the more recent ones, are tabulated.

Environmental transformations of silver nanoparticles: impact on stability and toxicity.

Abstract: Silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) readily transform in the environment, which modifies their properties and alters their transport, fate, and toxicity. It is essential to consider such transformations when assessing the potential environmental impact of Ag-NPs. This review discusses the major transformation processes of Ag-NPs in various aqueous environments, particularly transformations of the metallic Ag cores caused by reactions with (in)organic ligands, and the effects of such transformations on physical and chemical stability and toxicity. Thermodynamic arguments are used to predict what forms of oxidized silver will predominate in various environmental scenarios. Silver binds strongly to sulfur (both organic and inorganic) in natural systems (fresh and sea waters) as well as in wastewater treatment plants, where most Ag-NPs are expected to be concentrated and then released. Sulfidation of Ag-NPs results in a significant decrease in their toxicity due to the lower solubility of silver sulfide, potentiall...

The ALICE experiment at the CERN LHC

Abstract: ALICE (A Large Ion Collider Experiment) is a general-purpose, heavy-ion detector at the CERN LHC which focuses on QCD, the strong-interaction sector of the Standard Model. It is designed to address the physics of strongly interacting matter and the quark-gluon plasma at extreme values of energy density and temperature in nucleus-nucleus collisions. Besides running with Pb ions, the physics programme includes collisions with lighter ions, lower energy running and dedicated proton-nucleus runs. ALICE will also take data with proton beams at the top LHC energy to collect reference data for the heavy-ion programme and to address several QCD topics for which ALICE is complementary to the other LHC detectors. The ALICE detector has been built by a collaboration including currently over 1000 physicists and engineers from 105 Institutes in 30 countries. Its overall dimensions are 161626 m3 with a total weight of approximately 10 000 t. The experiment consists of 18 different detector systems each with its own specific technology choice and design constraints, driven both by the physics requirements and the experimental conditions expected at LHC. The most stringent design constraint is to cope with the extreme particle multiplicity anticipated in central Pb-Pb collisions. The different subsystems were optimized to provide high-momentum resolution as well as excellent Particle Identification (PID) over a broad range in momentum, up to the highest multiplicities predicted for LHC. This will allow for comprehensive studies of hadrons, electrons, muons, and photons produced in the collision of heavy nuclei. Most detector systems are scheduled to be installed and ready for data taking by mid-2008 when the LHC is scheduled to start operation, with the exception of parts of the Photon Spectrometer (PHOS), Transition Radiation Detector (TRD) and Electro Magnetic Calorimeter (EMCal). These detectors will be completed for the high-luminosity ion run expected in 2010. This paper describes in detail the detector components as installed for the first data taking in the summer of 2008.

Silver nanoparticles as potential antibacterial agents.

Abstract: Multi-drug resistance is a growing problem in the treatment of infectious diseases and the widespread use of broad-spectrum antibiotics has produced antibiotic resistance for many human bacterial pathogens. Advances in nanotechnology have opened new horizons in nanomedicine, allowing the synthesis of nanoparticles that can be assembled into complex architectures. Novel studies and technologies are devoted to understanding the mechanisms of disease for the design of new drugs, but unfortunately infectious diseases continue to be a major health burden worldwide. Since ancient times, silver was known for its anti-bacterial effects and for centuries it has been used for prevention and control of disparate infections. Currently nanotechnology and nanomaterials are fully integrated in common applications and objects that we use every day. In addition, the silver nanoparticles are attracting much interest because of their potent antibacterial activity. Many studies have also shown an important activity of silver nanoparticles against bacterial biofilms. This review aims to summarize the emerging efforts to address current challenges and solutions in the treatment of infectious diseases, particularly the use of nanosilver antimicrobials.

Few-Layer MoS2: A Promising Layered Semiconductor

Abstract: Due to the recent expanding interest in two-dimensional layered materials, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) has been receiving much research attention. Having an ultrathin layered structure and an appreciable direct band gap of 1.9 eV in the monolayer regime, few-layer MoS2 has good potential applications in nanoelectronics, optoelectronics, and flexible devices. In addition, the capability of controlling spin and valley degrees of freedom makes it a promising material for spintronic and valleytronic devices. In this review, we attempt to provide an overview of the research relevant to the structural and physical properties, fabrication methods, and electronic devices of few-layer MoS2. Recent developments and advances in studying the material are highlighted.