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Copyright of Studies in Conservation is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The study aims to visualise the citation behaviour of Chemistry researchers in the Western Himalayan Region of India by analysing 16,823 sources cited in Scopus-indexed publications from 2012 to 2021. Employing the Bibliometrix and Biblioshiny packages within R Studio, the research delves into various bibliometric variables and keywords to present a detailed picture of Chemistry research. The study revealed significant insights into how Chemistry researchers in this region engage with the literature, predominantly relying on high-impact journal articles and reviews, with lesser emphasis on other document types. The visual analysis, including keyword occurrences and co-word network mappings, highlights prominent research themes such as ‘material synthesis and applications’ and ‘chemical and biological functions’. Additionally, visual tools like word clouds and tree-maps demonstrate the frequency and distribution of these keywords, emphasising the importance of interdisciplinary research that bridges Chemistry with fields like Biology, Materials Science, and Technology. The findings provide crucial information for stakeholders such as researchers, policymakers, and funding bodies, enabling them to grasp the research dynamics and priorities in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have garnered increasing attention as a promising photovoltaic technology. PSCs have shown rapid improvement in efficiency compared to other photovoltaic technologies, demonstrating their significantly high potential. Due to their desirable features, such as high-power conversion efficiency, being a solution-based technique, being lightweight, low cost, and flexible, PSCs are considered promising candidates for commercial applications. This article discusses the fundamentals of perovskite photovoltaics and their future scope through undergraduate students' experiments. A group of undergraduate students deposited uniform films of each material using a spin-coating technique and annealing, and then analysed the resulting thin-film properties via X-ray diffraction, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and current–voltage measurements. The undergraduate students were able to fabricate simple PSC modules, and critically interpret and compare their results. They successfully fabricated highly efficient solar cell modules and achieved a power conversion efficiency of 9.10%. Further, they demonstrated a working model of smart traffic lights and smart windows by using the fabricated PSC module to understand the potential of PSCs in real-world applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study analyzes the unique behavior of two-phase flows when incorporating nanofluids containing aluminum trioxide (Al2O3) and copper (Cu) nanoparticles in a vertical channel. The main goal is to investigate the behavior of airnanofluid mixtures in this setting, with potential implications for industrial and exploration applications. Research in this area could provide valuable insights into the dynamics of these flows and their impact on heat transfer, fluid dynamics, and material science. This study includes an analysis of upwelling dynamics, the effect of fluid characteristics on bubble growth, and the system's thermal efficiency. Using numerical and quantitative visualization techniques, we seek to understand the behavior of these particles at the interface between the liquid and gas phases by integrating Al2O3 and Cu nanoparticles into the VOF approach. Because of their superior thermal conductivity, copper nanoparticles have a higher volumetric density and provide more efficient heat transfer, leading to quick and efficient thermal dissipation. Smaller nanoparticles offer an increased surface area-to-volume ratio, which improves heat transfer capabilities and ensures uniform heat dissipation throughout the material. Consequently, copper nanoparticles emerge as the preferred choice for applications necessitating high thermal transfer and optimal performance. These results significantly impact the design of more efficient heat exchangers and optimize recovery techniques by elucidating the interactions between these nanoparticles and the surrounding fluids. Furthermore, the selection of smaller copper nanoparticles further amplifies thermal transfer, maximizing performance across diverse applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The International Journal of Powder Metallurgy is hosting an Exhibitor Showcase in Pittsburgh from June 16-19, featuring experts from leading companies in the powder metallurgy, particulate materials, and metal additive manufacturing industries. Attendees can learn about the latest trends in powders, production equipment, process technologies, testing, and quality control equipment, as well as meet with suppliers for immediate help with production and materials questions. The document provides a list of exhibitors and their offerings, including precision ceramics, debinding and sintering technology, automation solutions, additive manufacturing, electromagnetic testing, powder compaction presses, and thermal processing systems. The companies mentioned offer a wide range of products and services for industries such as aerospace, electronics, automotive, and medical treatment. Additionally, the document mentions the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, which focuses on cybersecurity, infrastructure security, and emergency communications. [Extracted from the article]

This article provides an overview of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the powder metallurgy industry and highlights its resilience and potential for growth. It discusses the shift towards electrification in the automotive sector and the opportunities for powder metallurgy applications in electric vehicles. The article also explores the growth of additive manufacturing in the industry and the development of new metal powders for 3D printing. Various companies are mentioned for their advancements in powder metallurgy technology, including the development of sustainable alloys, water-atomized powders, and customized powders for different metal AM printers. Equipment trends and advancements in hot isostatic pressing are also discussed. Additionally, the article highlights companies involved in additive manufacturing technologies and their contributions to the field. [Extracted from the article]

Cold-formed steel, prized for its affordability and durability, gains enhanced structural performance through perforated patterns on beams. This study explores the impact of perforation on load-carrying capacity and capability-to-weight ratio in cold-formed steel cantilever beams, specifically focusing on "C" sections. Assessing beams of varying lengths under uniform loading, the investigation, employing ABAQUS software, reveals significant load-carrying capability reductions of 35% to 95% for beams subjected to minor-axis bends, depending on hole quantity and placement. The findings stress the imperative precision needed when incorporating perforated sections into load-bearing structural systems. Flange perforations result in substantial drops, up to 90%, in load-carrying capacity, while web holes in beams bent about the major axis cause only minor reductions. This study informs the establishment of innovative design standards for perforated cold-formed steel beams, enhancing efficiency in construction and minimizing environmental impact. The proposed cold-formed steel cantilever beam exhibits a substantial load-bearing capacity of 185.4 kg/KN, surpassing capacities of simply-supported RC beams (119 kg/KN) and fixed beams (165 kg/KN), suggesting its potential advantages in structural applications. Bridging structural engineering and material science, this research pioneers sustainable and cost-effective construction approaches for the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are promising in tumor treatments due to their capacity for magnetic hyperthermia therapy (MHT), chemodynamic therapy (CDT), and immuno-related therapies, but still suffer from unsatisfactory tumor inhibition in the clinic. Insufficient hydrogen peroxide supply, glutathione-induced resistance, and high-density extracellular matrix (ECM) are the barriers. Herein, we hierarchically decorated MNPs with disulfide bonds (S-S), dendritic L-arginine (R), and glucose oxidase (GOx) to form a nanosystem (MNPs-SS-R-GOx). Its outer GOx layer not only enhanced the H 2 O 2 supply to produce .OH by Fenton reaction, but also generated stronger oxidants (ONOO−) together with the interfaced R layer. The inner S-S layer consumed glutathione to interdict its reaction with oxidants, thus enhancing CDT effects. Importantly, the generated ONOO− tripled the MMP-9 expression to induce ECM degradation, enabling much deeper penetration of MNPs and benefiting CDT, MHT, and immunotherapy. Finally, the MNPs-SS-R-GOx demonstrated a remarkable 91.7% tumor inhibition in vivo. Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are a promising tumor therapeutic agent but with limited effectiveness. Our hierarchical MNP design features disulfide bonds (S-S), dendritic L-arginine (R), and glucose oxidase (GOx), which boosts H 2 O 2 supply for ·OH generation in Fenton reactions, produces potent ONOO−, and enhances chemodynamic therapy via glutathione consumption. Moreover, the ONOO− facilitates the upregulation of matrix metalloprotein expression beneficial for extracellular matrix degradation, which in turn enhances the penetration of MNPs and benefits the antitumor CDT/MHT/immuno-related therapy. In vivo experiments have demonstrated an impressive 91.7% inhibition of tumor growth. This hierarchical design offers groundbreaking insights for further advancements in MNP-based tumor therapy. Its implications extend to a broader audience, encompassing those interested in material science, biology, oncology, and beyond. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Advancements in material science and engineering, especially in the field of porous nanomaterials lead to new types of therapeutics and technologies. Among different types of porous nanomaterials, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have been considered the most promising inorganic nanomaterials due to their significant stability and ease of functionalization. To date, very limited research has been done on developing nanocomposites based on MOFs and MXenes. The current experiment has been performed to design a novel UiO-66 MOF and MXene nanocomposite, modified with Rosmarinus officinalis (RO) leaf extracts for co-delivery of doxorubicin (DOX)/clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR). The synthesis procedure was completed with the assistance of a high-gravity system and a rotating packed bed (RPB) device for the first time, and the characterization results showed the successful synthesis of the nanomaterials. Based on the drug release and loading results, the DOX payload efficiency of about 46% was recorded, and sustained drug release at acidic pH values (same as the cancerous cells) was observed. However, the presence of leaf extracts slowed down the drug release and have a minor effect on the release profiles, the cellular internalization results on the MCF-7 and HT-29 cell lines showed considerably dependent images. The gene transfections result by using two nanosystems of UiO-66@MXene@RO@DOX@pCRISPR, and UiO-66@MXene@RO@DOX@RO@pCRISPR showed about 18.3% and 22.1% transfection efficiency on the A549 cell lines. Those results showed no heavily dependent results on the presence or absence of the leaf extracts. Therefore, this study revealed that the green modification of nanocomposites does have a major effect only on the cellular internalizations of DOX, rather than CRISPR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetic fields play an essential role in material science and biomedical engineering. Magnetic-responsive materials can be arranged orderly in matrix to realize the construction of an aligned scaffold under magnetic induction. However, a single topological cue is insufficient to activate neural tissue regeneration, demanding more cues to promote regeneration synergistically, such as electrical stimulation and a biomimetic matrix. Herein, we propose one-dimensional (1D) magnetoelectric Fe 3 O 4 @BaTiO 3 nanochains with controllable lengths under the regulation of a magnetic field. These nanochains can be oriented in the biomimetic hydrogel under magnetic guidance and induce the hydrogel microfiber to align along the direction of the nanochains, which is beneficial for cell-oriented outgrowth. This aligned hydrogel enabled wireless electrical stimulation mediated by magnetoelectric nanochains under magnetic stimulation, thereby activating the voltage-gated ion channel. Consequently, topological and electrical cues in this multifunctional biomimetic hydrogel synergistically enhanced the expression of neural functional proteins, facilitating synapse remodeling and neural regeneration. Predictably, the construction of multifunctional hydrogels based on low-cost and facile synthesis of magnetoelectric nanochains is an emerging patient-friendly and effective therapeutic strategy for neural or other tissue regeneration. A facile and controllable magnetic strategy is established to manipulate 1D nanomaterial growth, matrix topography, and wireless electrical stimulation of cells. First, the magnetic-assisted interface co-assembly was used to control the length of Fe 3 O 4 @BaTiO 3 nanochains with enhanced magnetoelectric effect. Then, the motion of the magnetic-induced nanochains guided the orientation of nanofibers in a 3D biomimetic hydrogel matrix. Finally, wireless electrical signals and topological cues in the biomimetic matrix synergistically promoted orderly aligned cell outgrowth and membrane depolarization by Ca2+ influx, thus enhancing nerve cell synaptic plasticity and functional expression. Consequently, this work provides a conceptual strategy from material design to extracellular matrix signal manipulation and synergistic induction of tissue regeneration. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A longstanding quest in material science has been the development of superhydrophobic coating based on a single material, without the requirement of fluorination or silane treatment. In this work, the micro-arc oxidation (MAO) coating as transition layer can effectively enhance the bonding force of the superhydrophobic coating. The semiconductor@metal organic frameworks (MOFs) core-shell structure was synthesized by a simple self-templating method, and obtained ZnO@2-methylimidazole zinc salt (ZIF-8) nanorods array on magnesium (Mg) alloy. ZnO nanorods not only act as the template but also provide Zn2+ for ZIF-8. In addition, we proved that the ligand concentration, synthesis time and temperature are the keys to the preparation of ZnO@ZIF-8 nanorods. As we expect, the ZnO@ZIF-8 nanorods array can trap air in the gaps to form an air layer, and the coating exhibits superhydrophobic properties (154.81°). Excitingly, ZnO@ZIF-8 nanorods array shown a superhydrophobic property, without the requirement of fluorination or silane treatment. The results shown that the coating has good chemical stability and self-cleaning performance. Meanwhile, the corrosion resistance has been significantly improved, R ct was increased from 1.044×103 to 1.414×106 Ω/cm2 and I corr was reduced from 4.275×10−5 to 5.611×10−9 A/cm2. Therefore, the semiconductor@MOFs core-shell structure has broad application prospects in anti-corrosion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β cells. Transplantation of immunoisolated pancreatic islets might treat T1DM in the absence of chronic immunosuppression. Important advances have been made in the past decade as capsules can be produced that provoke minimal to no foreign body response after implantation. However, graft survival is still limited as islet dysfunction may occur due to chronic damage to islets during islet isolation, immune responses induced by inflammatory cells, and nutritional issues for encapsulated cells. This review summarizes the current challenges for promoting longevity of grafts. Possible strategies for improving islet graft longevity are also discussed, including supplementation of the intracapsular milieu with essential survival factors, promotion of vascularization and oxygenation near capsules, modulation of biomaterials, and co-transplantation of accessory cells. Current insight is that both the intracapsular as well as the extracapsular properties should be improved to achieve long-term survival of islet-tissue. Some of these approaches reproducibly induce normoglycemia for more than a year in rodents. Further development of the technology requires collective research efforts in material science, immunology, and endocrinology. Islet immunoisolation allows for transplantation of insulin producing cells in absence of immunosuppression and might facilitate the use of xenogeneic cell sources or grafting of cells obtained from replenishable cell sources. However, a major challenge to date is to create a microenvironment that supports long-term graft survival. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the currently identified factors that have been demonstrated to be involved in either stimulating or reducing islet graft survival in immunoisolating devices and discussed current strategies to enhance the longevity of encapsulated islet grafts as treatment for type 1 diabetes. Although significant challenges remain, interdisciplinary collaboration across fields may overcome obstacles and facilitate the translation of encapsulated cell therapy from the laboratory to clinical application. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A demanding task of the musculoskeletal system is the attachment of tendon to bone at entheses. This region often presents a thin layer of fibrocartilage (FC), mineralized close to the bone and unmineralized close to the tendon. Mineralized FC deserves increased attention, owing to its crucial anchoring task and involvement in enthesis pathologies. Here, we analyzed mineralized FC and subchondral bone at the Achilles tendon-bone insertion of rats. This location features enthesis FC anchoring tendon to bone and sustaining tensile loads, and periosteal FC facilitating bone-tendon sliding with accompanying compressive and shear forces. Using a correlative multimodal investigation, we evaluated potential specificities in mineral content, fiber organization and mechanical properties of enthesis and periosteal FC. Both tissues had a lower degree of mineralization than subchondral bone, yet used the available mineral very efficiently: for the same local mineral content, they had higher stiffness and hardness than bone. We found that enthesis FC was characterized by highly aligned mineralized collagen fibers even far away from the attachment region, whereas periosteal FC had a rich variety of fiber arrangements. Except for an initial steep spatial gradient between unmineralized and mineralized FC, local mechanical properties were surprisingly uniform inside enthesis FC while a modulation in stiffness, independent from mineral content, was observed in periosteal FC. We interpreted these different structure-property relationships as a demonstration of the high versatility of FC, providing high strength at the insertion (to resist tensile loading) and a gradual compliance at the periosteal surface (to resist contact stresses). Mineralized fibrocartilage (FC) at entheses facilitates the integration of tendon in bone, two strongly dissimilar tissues. We focus on the structure-function relationships of two types of mineralized FC, enthesis and periosteal, which have clearly distinct mechanical demands. By investigating them with multiple high-resolution methods in a correlative manner, we demonstrate differences in fiber architecture and mechanical properties between the two tissues, indicative of their mechanical roles. Our results are relevant both from a medical viewpoint, targeting a clinically relevant location, as well as from a material science perspective, identifying FC as high-performance versatile composite. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Kiru is the property of Universidad de San Martin de Porres and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Clear aligner orthodontic treatment is not a new treatment modality. Treatment with the use of plastic invisible removable appliances counts more than 80 years when Kesling introduced the tooth positioner, Sheridan introduced the Essix aligner and Align technology its aligners. In-house designing and aligner fabrication has been around for more than 10 years. The last years a digital technological and material advancement has changed the process of aligner manufacturing from the plastic foil thermoforming procedure to a direct aligner printing one. Direct aligner printing posses advantages and some disadvantages compared to the traditional thermoforming procedure. The aligner designing and printing workflow entails steps that are sensitive to errors that must be carefully analyzed and studied through scientific research. Due to the versatile printed aligner designing capabilities, aligners can be designed to fulfill specific clinical needs. A few evidence based scientific studies have been published which help to understand and optimize the final printed outcome. Despite that, more studies are needed in order to overcome difficulties and create an appliance that will meet the demands of a successful orthodontic treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fibrous networks are essential structural components of biological and engineered materials. Accordingly, many approaches have been developed to quantify their structural properties, which define their material properties. However, a comprehensive overview and comparison of methods is lacking. Therefore, we systematically searched for automated tools quantifying network characteristics in confocal, stimulated emission depletion (STED) or scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and compared these tools by applying them to fibrin, a prototypical fibrous network in thrombi. Structural properties of fibrin such as fiber diameter and alignment are clinically relevant, since they influence the risk of thrombosis. Based on a systematic comparison of the automated tools with each other, manual measurements, and simulated networks, we provide guidance to choose appropriate tools for fibrous network quantification depending on imaging modality and structural parameter. These tools are often able to reliably measure relative changes in network characteristics, but absolute numbers should be interpreted with care. Structural properties of fibrous networks define material properties of many biological and engineered materials. Many methods exist to automatically quantify structural properties, but an overview and comparison is lacking. In this work, we systematically searched for all publicly available automated analysis tools that can quantify structural properties of fibrous networks. Next, we compared them by applying them to microscopy images of fibrin networks. We also benchmarked the automated tools against manual measurements or synthetic images. As a result, we give advice on which automated analysis tools to use for specific structural properties. We anticipate that researchers from a large variety of fields, ranging from thrombosis and hemostasis to cancer research, and materials science, can benefit from our work. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to review the role of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) and ACPbased products in remineralization of enamel and dentin. An automated search was conducted for articles and data published on ACP-based remineralization systems. References of the selected articles were also searched manually for related articles. In the present study, the focus was placed on in-vitro studies on ACP-based remineralization systems published from 2011 to 2020. Out of the 600 articles, 11 articles were found to be suitable for our systematic review. These articles were analysed and together proved that ACP is a promising non - fluoride-based remineralizing agent, which furthermore can be combined with organic molecules, polymers, proteins, and ions for enhancing its stability and its remineralizing effect. ACP readily dissolves in saliva and acts as a reservoir of calcium and phosphate ions which are taken up by demineralized tissues; induce remineralization and balance the pH of the oral cavity. ACP is turning out to be more and more essential in dentistry. It remineralizes enamel and dentin better than crystalline calcium phosphates, and the new mineral deposit is similar in structure and composition to the dental tissues. It is considered that ACP will be put into use even more comprehensively soon due to the rapid growth of tissue engineering and applied material science. However, more long-term clinical studies are essential to compare the remineralization efficacy of ACP compared to other remineralizing systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Estudios Filosóficos is the property of Estudios Filosoficos and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper assesses the work of Henry Winram Dickinson of the Science Museum in the decade following the end of the Great War. Archival material in the Science Museum's collections builds a detailed picture of Dickinson's work covering the period from 1919 until 1930, during which the Newcomen Society was founded, the Science Museum's present East Hall was opened, and highly significant acquisitions of material relating to James Watt were made. In so doing it shines a light on a peak period in the history of engineering curatorship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous chemical and biological entities are greatly impacted by non-covalent interactions in terms of their stability and structure. One such example is the interaction of aromatic rings. These interactions are highly valued in the domains of astrochemistry, biology, chemistry, biochemistry, and material science. The main goals of this study are to explore the Potential Energy Surface (PES) of Chrysene (Chy) heterodimers, identify the most stable configurations among the Chy-Bz, Chy-Np, and Chy-Anth heterodimer complexes, and analyze the inter-molecular interactions between these molecules. This analysis was conducted utilizing ab initio computational techniques. On their PES, the Chy-Np heterodimer exhibited four minima, while the Chy-Bz and Chy-Anth heterodimer complexes showed three. Compared to conformers oriented perpendicularly, co-facial arrangement conformers in Chy heterodimer complexes have stable structures. The global minimum structure of Chy-Bz has been determined to be the face isomer, while Chy-Np and Chy-Anth have global minimum structures of the cross isomer. The binding energies of the structures generated by MP2 are higher than those of DFT-D3, DFT-D4, and SCS-MP2. Optimized geometries and binding energies of larger hydrocarbon aromatic systems are explained in detail by B3LYP-D3 and the recently created B3LYP-D4. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The realm of two-dimensional (2D) materials, with its burgeoning array of members exceeding a thousand, presents a paradigm shift in material science, promising revolutionary applications across a spectrum of technologies. This review delineates a comprehensive classification of 2D materials into graphene and its derivatives, MXenes, chalcogenides, and 2D oxides, each characterized by unique atomic configurations and intrinsic properties. The graphene family, including novel structures like graphene and its variants, emerges as a cornerstone for electrical and filtration applications, owing to its remarkable semiconducting and nanoporous features. MXenes, identified by their singular elemental composition and anisotropic lattice structures, unveil potential in bioimaging, theragnostic, and sensing technologies. The synthesis methodologies for these 2D materials are critically analyzed. Furthermore, this review accentuates the strategic manipulation of defects within 2D materials as a pivotal methodology for tailoring their electronic, chemical, and mechanical properties to enhance application-specific performance. It elucidates how defect engineering, through the introduction of vacancies, dislocations, and heteroatom doping, can modulate the physicochemical landscape of 2D materials, thereby augmenting their functionality in energy conversion and storage. In conclusion, this review offers an in-depth exploration of the classification, synthesis strategies, and defect engineering of 2D materials, focusing on their applications. It underscores the necessity for advanced synthesis methods and intentional defect manipulation to unlock the full application spectrum of 2D materials, heralding a new era in material science and engineering. In the last future aspects are discussed to provide the future basis for research to produce efficient electrode catalysts. [Display omitted] • The review categorizes 2D materials into graphene and its derivatives. • It delves into the synthesis techniques of 2D materials, emphasizing the the quality of the resulting materials. • A significant portion discusses the strategic manipulation of defects within 2D materials. • The review underscores the potential of 2D materials with engineered defects in electrocatalytic water splitting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen and carbon nanotubes are two novel and engaging research topics in clean fuel and material science. Methane decomposition is the most advantageous itinerary for the concurrent production of CO x -free hydrogen and carbon filaments. The 50Ni/Al 2 O 3 catalyst was successfully fabricated using a simple one-pot hydrothermal method, and the influence of transition metals (Zr, Mn, and Zn) was investigated as the promoter. The homogeneous accumulation of the nanoparticles with a high specific surface area of 101–147 m2.g−1 was revealed to be the consequence of the mesoporous structure's presence. The reactor tests' findings demonstrated that synthesized bimetallic catalysts are more stable and active than monometallic catalysts. Besides, the Zn-modified catalyst was shown to have the highest performance and durability. The maximal methane conversions of 65.7, 77.2, 69.6, and 51.7 % were achieved over the 50Ni-xZn/Al 2 O 3 (defined as 50Ni-xZn/Al 2 O 3 ; x = 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 wt%) at 650 °C and GHSV = 24,000 mL.(h.g cat)−1, respectively. A deeper look at the microstructure and textural characteristics of the aged catalysts makes it clear that the zinc promoter introduced to the 50Ni/Al 2 O 3 sample, by increasing the growth rate of carbon fiber/nanotube, changes the structure of the formed carbons from spherical shape to very homogeneous diameter filaments and lead to the production of ordered carbon filaments with better crystallinity. [Display omitted] • Investigation of the impact of transition metals (Mn, Zr, and Zn) over the catalytic performance of the 50Ni/Al 2 O 3 catalyst. • Reaching superior stability and activity by bimetallic catalysts compared to monometallic counterparts. • Achieving the optimum H 2 yield of ∼82 % in 50Ni-5Zn/Al 2 O 3 catalyst with BET =102.7 m2 g−1. • Formation of single-layer graphene and single-walled carbon nanotubes via Zn promoter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The environmental impacts of a reusable packaging system depend on material, system, and human factors. • People need to be willing to reuse packaging containers more times than the environmental break-even point. • Lightweighting of containers whilst retaining durability and renewable energy for washing can reduce the break-even point. • Return systems (business owned containers) require the return rate to be greater than the break-even point. • Interdisciplinary research is essential to design viable reuse systems. Reuse packaging systems (both return and refill) are a key part of achieving a circular economy, however adoption and uptake are low. A reuse system must be environmentally beneficial, economically viable and acceptable to users such that they are willing to use, and reuse, the system. Here we focus on returnable takeaway food containers and develop a methodology that combines simulating wear associated with use, assessments of consumer willingness to reuse worn containers, and quantitative life cycle assessment (LCA). The findings suggest that environmental break-even points may be lower than the number of times people are willing to use a worn container. Factors such as the design of containers and washing can be improved through lightweighting and use of renewable energy, and behavioural interventions can be delivered to increase willingness. Such interdisciplinary research enables careful system design to ensure that reuse systems confer environmental benefit. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymer nanocomposites have received significant scientific and industrial attention due to the synergetic combination of features of a polymeric matrix and organic or inorganic nanofillers. While experiments have been essential for identifying and characterizing new materials, their high costs and limited trials have shifted the focus towards applying machine learning (ML) to predict nanocomposite properties. This study aims to establish a connection with the tribological performance of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) reinforced with polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) nanocomposites through the comparison of ML techniques. The wear and friction characteristics of MWCNT-reinforced PMMA nanocomposites were predicted based on three input variables: material weight percentage, load weight, and track diameter. The features of nanocomposites were predicted using three different ensemble ML algorithms: random forest (RF), extra tree (ET), and gradient boosting machine (GBM). The dataset was utilized to train the proposed models in Python, followed by hyperparameter tuning to determine the best model for predicting target values. The results demonstrated that the GBM model outperformed the RF and ET models, with an R-squared of 0.99, RMSE of 0.62, and MAE of 0.18. The proposed models' predictions of wear values were more precise than their friction values. These findings indicate that ML techniques, particularly the GBM model, can effectively predict the tribological properties of MWCNT-reinforced PMMA nanocomposites, potentially reducing the need for extensive experimental trials and contributing to advancements in nanocomposite material science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we propose scandium and boron/aluminium-based thin films as highly efficient materials for capturing CO 2 , exhibiting a binding energy range from −3.0 to −3.5 eV. Density Functional Theory (DFT) results corroborate with molecular dynamics studies, highlighting the superior affinity of these materials compared to graphene and boron nitride sheets. Primarily, our research offers a comprehensive time series analysis of daily industry-specific, country-wise CO 2 emissions spanning from 2019 to 2023. Excluding data from 2020 due to the disruptive effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, our analysis utilizes principal component analysis (PCA) to identify key contributors to CO 2 emissions, emphasizing the Power, Industry, and Ground Transport sectors as significant contributors. Employing a 7-day moving averaged dataset enhances data quality for prediction purposes, capturing both short-term and long-term trends. Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) models applied to this dataset effectively predict emissions, providing valuable insights for policy decisions, mitigation strategies, and climate change efforts. The model demonstrates high efficiency, with R2 values ranging from 0.8242 to 0.995 across various countries and sectors. This work extends beyond prediction by contributing novel advancements in the realm of materials science, showcasing its potential for practical applications in mitigating climate change impacts. [Display omitted] • Proposed thin films capture CO 2 efficiently, outperforming graphene and boron nitride. • The study provides a detailed time series analysis of daily CO 2 emissions globally. • PCA identifies Power, Industry, and Ground Transport sectors as major CO 2 contributors. • Using a 7-day moving average dataset, the study captures short and long-term trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]