| Gold nanoparticles: Gold nanoparticles are extremely small particles of gold, ranging from 1to 100 nanometres where 1 nanometre is one-billionth of a meter. At this scale, it exhibits unique optical, chemical and biological properties that differ from bulk of gold. Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) is a semiconducting material composed mainly of carbon and nitrogen, with a structure somewhat similar to graphite where carbon atoms are replaced by nitrogen in certain positions. It exists as a two-dimensional polymeric material with strong covalent bonding between these atoms and is typically formed through the polymerization of precursors such as melamine or dicyandiamide. Applications Photocatalysis: g-C3N4 is renowned for its efficiency in visible-light-driven catalytic processes, especially for environmental cleanup (degrading pollutants), water splitting for hydrogen generation, and CO2 reduction. Catalysis: It can act as a metal-free catalyst or a support for metal nanoparticles in heterogeneous catalysis. Other Uses: Additional uses include as tribological coatings, biocompatible medical coatings, insulators, sensors, energy storage media, and in electronic and biomedical devices. Protein p47 is a cofactor protein that acts as a helper for the cellular machine p97, which is involved in moving, trafficking, degrading proteins, and membrane fusion. Recent research has shown that p47 is not just a passive assistant but can directly stabilize proteins under mechanical force, functioning as a “mechanical chaperone.” It enhances the mechanical efficiency of extracting proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) into the cytoplasm by stabilizing polypeptides under stress, thereby reducing misfolding and improving protein translocation success. This foldase-like activity makes p47 crucial for maintaining protein stability under mechanical stress and presents new therapeutic potential for diseases linked to protein instability, such as neurodegenerative disorders and cancers. Structurally, p47 is a 40.7 kDa protein composed of 370 amino acids with specific domains that allow it to interact with ubiquitin and regulate membrane fusion events, especially in coordination with p97. Its role expands the functional repertoire of accessory proteins in cellular protein quality control and mechanical stress protection. Smog-eating Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) refers to a photocatalytic technology that uses titanium dioxide as a catalyst to neutralize and break down harmful air pollutants like nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in smog. When TiO2-coated surfaces such as roads, pavements, buildings, or paints are exposed to sunlight or ultraviolet (UV) light, the titanium dioxide activates and produces reactive substances like hydroxyl radicals and superoxide. These substances oxidize the pollutants, converting them into less harmful compounds such as nitrates, water, and carbon dioxide, effectively “eating” the smog around them. |