Inhalation is a non-invasive method of local drug delivery to the respiratory system. This study analyzed the potential use of aqueous dispersion of oxygen nanobubbles (ADON) as a drug carrier with the additional function of oxygen supplementation to diseased lungs. The suitability of the membrane-based method of ADON preparation and, next, the stability of ADON properties during storage and after aerosolization in nebulizers of various designs (jet, ultrasonic, and two vibrating mesh devices) was investigated. The increased oxygen content in the aerosol generated in two mesh nebulizers suggests that the proposed concept may be helpful in the oxygen supplementation during drug delivery by aerosol inhalation without using an additional oxygen source. This application can increase the overall effectiveness of lung disease treatment and pulmonary rehabilitation.

Ti₃C₂T_x MXene-modified hydrogels offer a unique platform for exploring the interplay between nanomaterials, hydrogel structures, and biological interactions.

This article presents the concept of a method of improving the dynamics of combustion in boilers operating in power plants, cogeneration plants, and heating plants by introducing a catalyst that is fed with a carrier in the form of droplets. Thanks to the proposed method, a greater degree of fuel burnout can be obtained, which, in turn, results in lower energy consumption in the case of producing the same amount of power. The parameters of the emitted exhaust gases and ash are also improved. The method described in the article involves the adding of a catalyst to the dust pipe of the boiler, which improves the combustion parameters. The catalyst was implemented using a sprayer/nebulizer. In order to obtain the correct flow parameters, the sprayer was modeled using CFD calculations. The calculations include trajectories, velocities and concentrations with regards to various flow parameters. Particular attention should be paid to the model of the evaporation of moving droplets. The results of these calculations enable the parameters that guarantee that the catalyst reaches the dust channel outlet in the desired form to be assessed. The analysis is an introduction to experimental research that is carried out on a medium and large scale.

The article presents a method of controlling the size of droplets generated by a system that sprays a high-viscosity liquid containing particles of a solid body, i.e., a catalyst. The work is a continuation of previous research concerning the spraying of liquids with a catalyst, which improves the efficiency of the process. As a result of the conducted CFD calculations, it was found that to bring the catalyst to the system, a droplet with a diameter of at least 30 µm should be generated. The tests were carried out on a laboratory scale on a model isopropanol-water system. A polymer containing Raney nickel particles was added to the suspension. The analysis of the obtained data confirmed the possibility of generating droplets with the desired diameters in order for the liquid carrying the catalyst to not evaporate before it is delivered to the combustion chamber. The designed and constructed test system allows the diameters of the generated droplets to be controlled by changing the settings of the spraying nozzle. Moreover, it enables the parameters of the process, and the spraying itself, to be controlled. In further work, tests on a real 0.5 MW facility are planned. Due to the use of a catalyst, a greater degree of fuel burnout can be obtained, and the dynamics of the combustion process can be improved. Additionally, the parameters of the emitted exhaust gases and ash composition can also be enhanced.

Independent lung ventilation (ILV) is a life-saving procedure in unilateral pulmonary pathologies. ILV is underused in clinical practice, mostly due to the technically demanding placement of a double lumen endotracheal tube (ETT). Moreover, the determination of ventilation parameters for each lung in vivo is limited. In recent years, the development of 3D printing techniques enabled the production of highly accurate physical models of anatomical structures used for in vitro research, considering the high risk of in vivo studies. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of double-lumen ETT on the gas transport and mixing in the anatomically accurate 3D-printed model of the bronchial tree, with lung lobes of different compliances, using various ventilation modes. The bronchial tree was obtained from Respiratory Drug Delivery (RDD Online, Richmond, VA, USA), processed and printed by a dual extruder FFF 3D printer. The test system was also composed of left side double-lumen endotracheal tube, Siemens Test Lung 190 and anesthetic breathing bag (as lobes). Pressure and flow measurements were taken at the outlets of the secondary bronchus. The measured resistance increased six times in the presence of double-lumen ETT. Differences between the flow distribution to the less and more compliant lobe were more significant for the airways with double-lumen ETT. The ability to predict the actual flow distribution in model airways is necessary to conduct effective ILV in clinical conditions.

Transport properties of bronchial mucus are investigated by two-stage experimental approach focused on: (a) rheological properties and (b) mass transfer rate through the stagnant layer of solutions of mucus components (mucine, DNA, proteins) and simulated multi-component mucus. Studies were done using thermostated horizontal diffusion cells with sodium cromoglycate and carminic acid as transferred solutes. Rheological properties of tested liquids was studied by a rotational viscometer and a cone-plate rheometer (dynamic method). First part of the studies demonstrated that inter-molecular interactions in these complex liquids influence both rheological and permeability characteristics. Transfer rate is governed not only by mucus composition and concentration but also by hydrophobic/hydrophilic properties of transported molecules. Second part was focused on the properties of such a layer in presence of selected nanostructured particles (different nanoclays and graphene oxide) which may be present in lungs after inhalation. It was shown that most of such particles increase visco-elasticity of the mucus and reduce the rate of mass transfer of model drugs. Measured effects may have adverse impact on health, since they will reduce mucociliary clearance in vivo and slow down drug penetration to the bronchial epithelium during inhalation therapy.