Recent Submissions
Physical laboratory-based practical activities in school: a literature review centred on students
( 2026 ) Morgado, Sofia; Dourado, Luís; Leite, Laurinda
Science research laboratories have changed over time, but the laboratories of today continue to be an outstanding research resource. The same applies to the schools’ physical sciences laboratories that, for instance, have been incorporating digital technology. Pupils are usually eager to ‘work’ in the school laboratory to get the feeling of being scientists and to carry out hands-on, spectacular experiments. A balanced school science education encompasses learning science, learning about science, and learning how to do science. The laboratory work contributes differently to these dimensions, as some depend on it more than others. The success of laboratory-based teaching depends on how the design and implementation of lab-based activities match the intended learning outcomes and capture students’ attention. This chapter presents a revision of 143 physical lab-based school science education research articles focusing on students, published in Scopus and or Web of Science-indexed journals. It also discusses future directions for physical lab-based science education research in the digital era.
Chitosan and polycaprolactone electrospun nanofibrous composites for sustainable decolorization of textile wastewaters
( 2026 ) Martínez-Rico, Óscar; Sousa, Rui P. C. L.; Araújo, Joana Carolina Carvalho; Costa, Sofia Maria Soares; González, Begoña; Ferreira, Diana P.
A new approach for textile wastewater remediation via adsorption with electrospun nanofibers is presented in this work. Chitosan (Ch) and poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) were electrospun to obtain a nanocomposite, and different deposition methods of the polymers were tested in order to optimize their mechanical and adsorptive properties. A layered structure showed higher capacities for dye adsorption compared to the monolayer structures, achieving full decolorizations with efficiencies over 98%, for a wide range of concentrations and temperatures. The developed fibrous structures were characterized via ATR-FTIR, SEM, TGA and measurements of the wettability, porosity and mechanical performance. Experimental data best fit to the pseudo-second order kinetic model and the Langmuir isotherm, with the maximum adsorption capacities found to be 69.5 mg/g at 25 °C. Desorption was possible using alkali media, recovering up to 25% of the dye. Sorbents could be used for at least 3 cycles without loss on the removal efficiency, which shows the potential of these new nanocomposites as reusable, versatile and stable eco-friendly adsorbents.
Recent developments in advanced manufacturing technologies for hernia repair meshes
( 2026 ) Nogueira, Ana Catarina Fernandes; Flora, Maria C.; Sousa, Rui P. C. L.; Fangueiro, Raúl; Ferreira, Diana P.
Hernias are one of the most common pathologies, with over 20 million surgeries performed annually worldwide. The most commonly used surgery to treat this pathology involves the implantation of fibrous mesh structures to reinforce weakened abdominal tissue. Although commercially available synthetic and biological meshes have significantly reduced recurrence rates, they are still associated with postoperative complications, such as chronic inflammation, foreign body response, and intra-abdominal adhesions. This review focuses on the use of advanced manufacturing techniques, specifically extrusion-based three-dimensional (3D) printing and electrospinning, in the development of next-generation mesh structures for hernia repair. These techniques offer precise control over structural architecture, customizable mechanical properties, and the ability to integrate bioactive compounds for patient-specific implant design. Furthermore, the combination of extrusion-based 3D printing and electrospinning presents a synergistic approach, utilizing 3D printing for robust mechanical support and electrospinning to mimic the native extracellular matrix (ECM) and regulate the biological interface, ultimately aiming to optimize tissue integration and minimize postoperative complications. In addition to the critical analysis of current advances, this review aims to serve as a practical guide for researchers in this field, providing a structured overview of the reported key parameters and conditions.