@article{Caccavo2023b,
title = {Coaxial Injection Mixer for the Continuous Production of Nanoparticles},
author = {Diego Caccavo and Gaetano Lamberti and Anna Angela Barba},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3303/CET23100051},
doi = {10.3303/CET23100051},
issn = {22839216},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-06-30},
journal = {Chemical Engineering Transactions},
volume = {100},
pages = {Pages 301-306},
abstract = {Nanoparticles (NPs) production in batch reactors is limited in terms of reproducibility and control over physical properties such as particle size. Microfluidic techniques and flow-focusing can improve these limitations, but continuous nanoprecipitation through turbulent mixing can also be achieved. This study evaluates the effect of fluid dynamics on NP production and characteristics in a coaxial jet mixer. The results showed that the vertical and horizontal configurations of the mixer impact mixing performance, with buoyancy in the horizontal configuration causing fluid segregation and altering the coaxiality. The mixing performance was tested using water/water and ethanol/water systems with different flow rates, and results indicated that a turbulent jet develops at high values of both the Flow Momentum Ratio (FMR) and Reynolds number (NRe). The mixing time for the turbulent jet was found to have a clear relationship with the Reynolds number and FMR and was successfully fitted using a power law equation. Finally, the results showed that the NPs produced in turbulence were smaller and more uniform in size, with a Z-average half that of those produced in laminar conditions. The improved size uniformity and reduced dimensions of the particles resulted in a clearer final product. This study suggests that micromixing is a more favourable method for producing liposomes with improved characteristics and higher productivity compared to interdiffusion.},
keywords = {Coaxial Injection, Continuous Production, nanoparticles},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{Lamberti2020,
title = {Drug Delivery of siRNA Therapeutics},
author = {Gaetano Lamberti and Anna Angela Barba},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/12/2/178/pdf},
doi = {10.3390/pharmaceutics12020178},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-02-20},
journal = {Pharmaceutics},
volume = {12(2)},
number = {178},
keywords = {aptamers, Drug Delivery Systems, gene therapy, liposomes, nanoparticles, polycations, siRNA},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{Cavallaro2015,
title = {PHEA-PLA biocompatible nanoparticles by technique of solvent evaporation from multiple emulsions.},
author = { Gennara Cavallaro and Emanuela Fabiola Craparo and Carla Sardo and Gaetano Lamberti and Anna Angela Barba and Annalisa Dalmoro},
url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378517315302519},
doi = {10.1016/j.ijpharm.2015.09.050},
issn = {1873-3476},
year = {2015},
date = {2015-09-01},
journal = {International journal of pharmaceutics},
volume = {495},
number = {2},
pages = {719-727},
abstract = {Nanocarriers of amphiphilic polymeric materials represent versatile delivery systems for poorly water soluble drugs. In this work the technique of solvent evaporation from multiple emulsions was applied to produce nanovectors based on new amphiphilic copolymer, the $alpha$,$beta$-poly(N-2-hydroxyethyl)-DL-aspartamide - polylactic acid (PHEA - PLA), purposely synthesized to be used in the controlled release of active molecules poorly soluble in water. To this aim an amphiphilic derivative of PHEA, a hydrophilic polymer, was synthesized by derivatization of the polymeric backbone with hydrophobic grafts of polylactic acid (PLA). The achieved copolymer was thus used to produce nanoparticles loaded with $alpha$ tocopherol (vitamin E) adopted as lipophilic model molecule. Applying a protocol based on solvent evaporation from multiple emulsions assisted by ultrasonic energy and optimizing the emulsification process (solvent selection/separation stages), PHEA-PLA nanostructured particles with total $alpha$ tocopherol entrapment efficiency (100%), were obtained. The drug release is expected to take place in lower times with respect to PLA due to the presence of the hydrophilic PHEA, therefore the produced nanoparticles can be used for semi- long term release drug delivery systems.},
keywords = {Biopolymer, Micro and Nano Vectors, multiple emulsions, nanoparticles, solvent evaporation},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}