Akella Sivaramakrishna

Molecular electronic devices with tunable resistance hold significant potential as candidates for next-generation non-volatile memory technology and neuromorphic computation.

Functionalized polyurethane foams (PUF) with hierarchical porosity are architected multifunctional platforms that can be transformed into advanced task‐specific materials towards waste management, energy harvesting, and biomedical applications. Strategic incorporation of inorganic nanofillers (silica, nanoclays, metal/metal–oxide nanoparticles), carbonaceous phases (graphene), bio‐based components (biopolymers, carbohydrates, castor‐oil derivatives, melamine), and organophosphorus motifs enables targeted performance enhancements. Advanced fabrication routes such as in situ green synthesis, layer‐by‐layer assembly, and 3D printing provide hierarchical control over cell morphology and functional domain distribution. These strategies unlock PU foams as versatile substrates for heavy‐metal sorption, oil–water separation, gas/volatile organic compound capture, tissue engineering, wound healing, piezoresistive sensing, shape‐memory actuation, and triboelectric energy harvesting. Composite‐driven, data‐guided design positions PU foams as sustainable, “smart” platforms for next‐generation technologies, paving the way for scalable, adaptive materials systems.

The demand for novel, selective anticancer agents, driven by drug resistance and systemic toxicity of current treatments, underscores the importance of targeted drug discovery. Present research involved cytotoxic screening of a series of synthesized copper nanocatalyzed carbonyl‐functionalized triazoles ( 3a – p ), where 3i and 3j have shown highest selectivity index (SI) scores of 2.30 and 4.44, respectively. Computational validation of the lead compounds demonstrated specific interaction with BCL2‐associated X protein (BAX) and BCL2, characterized by strong binding affinities ranging between −6.73 and −7.70 kcal/mol. Corresponding protein–ligand complexes demonstrated robust conformational stability throughout their 100 ns of molecular dynamics simulation. Subsequent in vitro validation using MCF‐7 cells firmly corroborated the in silico findings, by revealing significant upregulation of BAX ( p  < 0.001) and downregulation of BCL2 ( p  < 0.001). Compound induced cellular stress, elevated the ROS‐producing cell population up to 40%. Resulting cellular oxidative stress, rapidly depleted the glutathione reserves up to 50% ( p < 0.001), consequently compromising the mitochondrial membrane potential leading to mitochondrial dysfunction. Furthermore, the compound induced S‐phase cell cycle arrest (upto 51.5%), played a pivotal role in promoting apoptosis by activating DNA damage response pathways. In conclusion, this study has successfully identified two lead compounds ( 3i & 3j ) that modulate multiple converging oncogenic pathways, providing compelling preclinical candidates for targeted management of breast cancer.

The purposeful synthesis of biocompatible and efficient polyurethane foams (PUF‐DTA 1‐4 ) is achieved by employing dextrose and hydrophobic tartaramide at varied molar ratios. Among all, one of the foams (PUF‐DTA 3 ) shows the best absorption capacity for the separation of oils and organic solvents in a relatively shorter time from the water surface. With more than 95° water contact angle, PUF‐DTA 3 displays remarkable absorption efficiencies for chloroform (1600%), benzene (565%), toluene (1547%), diesel (1053%), petrol (1006%), sunflower oil (896%), coconut oil (632%), and mustard oil (612%)/100 mg of foam. Notably, PUF‐DTA 3 is reusable for many absorption‐squeezing cycles (i.e. , > 10 cycles) and the performance order follows the trend: PUF‐DTA 3 » PUF‐DTA 2 » PUF‐DTA 4 > PUF‐DTA 1 . The promising oil/organic solvent separation could be due to the acquisition of required hydrophobic and oleophilic properties in PUF‐DTA 3 . Further, the structural and functional properties of PUF‐DTA 3 were assessed using various spectroscopic and analytical techniques. The salient features of the present work are easy and room‐temperature synthesis of task‐specific foams, excellent hydrophobic and oleophilic properties, thermal stability, excellent compression, tensile strength, and reusability. These promising scalable applications in oil–water separation can be demonstrated through a simple, cost‐effective, and eco‐friendly process.

The nature of heterocyclic ligands and the geometry of coordination complexes play important roles in biological activities. In this regard, a series of functionalized 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine (tpy) ligands (L1–L4) and their respective mononuclear square planar Ni(II) complexes (NiL1–NiL4) were synthesized. The purity of these products was examined using spectroscopic and analytical data. The binding studies of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and DNA with the tpy ligands and their Ni(II) complexes indicated that the Ni(II) complex of tpy-2,6-dimethoxyphenyl 4-methyl-benzenesulfonate exhibited the highest binding affinity (i.e. −9.2 kcal mol⁻¹) among all. Furthermore, cytotoxicity assessments utilizing human hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) and normal Vero cell cultures showcased the potent activity of the NiL1 (L1 = 4-([2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridin]-4′-yl)-2,6-dimethoxy phenol) complex with an IC₅₀ value of 21.46 ± 3 μM, which was compared with the standard drug cisplatin. In addition, DFT calculations indicated notable variations in the molecular orbital energies (HOMO and LUMO) of the proposed tpy ligands and their respective Ni(II) complexes. Docking simulations demonstrated the competitive binding of these complexes to proteins and DNA. Interactions with BSA and DNA were further examined by employing UV-visible and fluorescence titrations.

A lipophilic terpyridine containing an ester group at the end of the alkyl chain functions as a probe for the selective determination of Zn ²⁺ under biological conditions with LODs 106 nM (solution-phase) and 115 nM (test paper strip).

Phosphine oxides are an interesting class of compounds possessing tetracoordinate and pentavalent phosphorus atoms and have been employed in a wide range of applications including reagents in organic synthesis, metal extractants, flame retardants, pharmaceuticals, and bioactivity studies. Among all, the degree of basicity of phosphoryl oxygen driven by the nature of substituents influences the electronic properties of the central metal in a complex toward the diversified catalytic processes. Further, the presence of heteroatoms adjacent to the central phosphorus atom enhances the nucleophilicity of the phosphoryl oxygen atom. In view of this, the present review covers the past two decades of remarkable catalytic versatility of P=O‐based metal complexes and describes the governing factors influencing the structural properties and the resultant coordination behavior. Interestingly, some of the P=O bond distances of metal complexes are either longer or shorter compared to their free ligands, indicating the catalytic activity. These complexes can effectively catalyze a wide range of chemical reactions including polymerizations, C−C and Si−C bond activations, oxidation, reduction, hydroformylation, hydrophosphination, hydrogenation and cyclization reactions. Furthermore, this review emphasizes the impact of substituents, solvents, additives, light, and temperature on the catalytic efficiency.