The fundamental role of copper and the recognition of its complexes as important bioactive compoundsin vitroandin vivoaroused an ever-increasing interest in these agents as potential drugs for therapeutic intervention in various diseases. The vast array of information available for their bioinorganic properties and mode of action in several biological systems, combined with the new opportunities offered by the flourishing technologies of medicinal chemistry, is creating an exciting scenario for the development of a novel generation of highly active drugs with minimized side effects which could add significantly to the current clinical research and practice. In this paper we attempt to summarize all the available-to-date information on these issues.

This study focuses on the successful fabrication of a cost-effective strain sensor using exclusively additive manufacturing Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) technology, enabling fast on-site production, which is particularly advantageous in maritime settings, reducing downtime, and supporting a circular economy approach by minimizing inventory needs and environmental footprint. The principle of operation of the developed device is based on the piezoresistive characteristics of a carbon nanotube (CNT)-enriched building material, from which the main sensing element consists. The prototype exhibited reliable piezoresistive properties, and a clear correlation was observed between the thermal treatment of the printed piezoresistor and the resulting gauge factor, linearity, and hysteresis. Its robustness, simple design, and single-step manufacturing process, together with its ability to be integrated into the readout circuitry through standard soldering, enhance its reliability and durability. The key advantages of the proposed device include its low cost, simple design, and rapid remote production.

The increased use of fossil fuels in transportation is considered a major cause of environmental pollution and climate change on a global scale. In international shipping, regulations and strict measures have been introduced by the International Maritime Organization to achieve the goal of a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030, with the envisage to reach net-zero GHG emissions close to 2050. Renewable energy sources, such as solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, can be implemented on new-build or existing marine vessels as an effective alternative source for auxiliary power generation, reducing the dependency on fossil fuels and contributing to decarbonization. In the present paper, a sustainable retrofit design using PV panels on an existing Ro-Ro vessel is analyzed for its feasibility. The proposed system is used for energy production during ship cargo operations and takes advantage of the large space area on the upper deck and its continuous exposure to sunlight during its voyage. To investigate the effectiveness of the PV system as an alternative to fossil fuel consumption, an environmental and economic evaluation is performed. According to the results obtained, the solar PV system can provide approximately 88% of the required energy annually for lighting during ship cargo operations, with the corresponding fuel savings and emission reductions, making the investment economically feasible, with a high potential to contribute to environmental sustainability.

Material extrusion is a widely employed additive manufacturing technique with the functional capability of fabricating solid objects or cellular structures by depositing molten thermoplastic material in successive layers according to the designed path of deposition beads. Carbon fiber sandwich composites are advanced structures, ideal in applications that require high strength and stiffness, and low weight. In the present work, sandwich composites consisting of a carbon fiber-reinforced polyamide core—3D printed with a cubic pattern at 50% infill density—and carbon fiber fabric (CFF) skin, were fabricated using the hand lay-up method and experimentally investigated. The results showed that the tensile, flexural and impact strength of the sandwich composites increased by 64.5%, 24.5% and 69.0%, respectively, compared to unreinforced 3D printed specimens with 50% infill density, and by 24.3%, 18.8% and 56.3%, respectively, compared to unreinforced 3D printed specimens with 100% infill density. In addition, a reduction in the water absorption and the density of the sandwich composites was observed. Similar results were obtained for sandwich composites with one additional internal CFF layer. This work demonstrates that this specific combination of materials and manufacturing processes can be successfully employed for lightweight, water-resistant carbon fiber sandwich structures with improved mechanical strength.

Material extrusion is a widely employed additive manufacturing technique with the functional capability of fabricating solid objects or cellular structures by depositing molten thermoplastic material in successive layers according to the designed path of deposition beads. Carbon fiber sandwich composites are advanced structures, ideal in applications that require high strength and stiffness, and low weight. In the present work, sandwich composites consisting of a carbon fiber-reinforced polyamide core—3D printed with a cubic pattern at 50% infill density—and carbon fiber fabric skin, were fabricated using the hand lay-up method and experimentally investigated. The results showed that the tensile, flexural and impact strength of the sandwich composites increased by 64.5%, 24.5% and 69.0% respectively, compared to unreinforced 3D printed specimens with 50% infill density, and by 24.3%, 18.8% and 56.3% respectively, compared to unreinforced 3D printed specimens with 100% infill density. In addition, a reduction in the water absorption and the density of the sandwich composites was observed. Similar results were obtained for sandwich composites with one additional internal CFF layer. This work demonstrates that this specific combination of materials and manufacturing processes can be successfully employed for lightweight, water-resistant carbon fiber sandwich structures with improved mechanical strength.

Additive manufacturing offers several advantages, such as rapid prototyping, cost-efficient production, and flexibility in constructing components. This work presents the design and fabrication of a strain sensor capable of generating electrical signals under applied mechanical loads, enabling potential failure prediction. The sensor was manufactured using the Fused Deposition Modeling 3D-printing process, combining acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate as structural and protective layers with a conductive polylactic acid matrix containing carbon nanotubes as the sensing element. To assess its performance, the sensor was embedded within a Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polyester composite and subjected to bending tests. The results demonstrate a reliable sensing response, characterized by a measurable increase in electrical resistance under bending load. Moreover, the change in resistance increased with applied bending force, demonstrating the sensor’s feasibility for structural health monitoring applications.