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316L stainless steel pipes are widely used in the storage and transportation of low-temperature media due to their excellent low-temperature mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. However, due to their low thermal conductivity and large coefficient of linear expansion, they often lead to significant welding residual tensile stress and thermal cracks in the weld seam. This also poses many challenges for their secure and reliable applications. In order to effectively control the crack defects caused by stress concentration near the heat-affected zone of the weld, this paper establishes a thermal elastoplastic three-dimensional finite element (FE) model, constructs a welding heat source, and simulates and studies the influence of process parameters on the residual stress around the pipeline circumference and axial direction in the heat-affected zone. Comparison and verification were conducted using simulation and experimental methods, respectively, proving the rationality of the finite element model establishment. The axial and circumferential residual stress distribution obtained by the simulation method did not have an average deviation of more than 30 MPa from the numerical values obtained by the experimental method. This study also considers the effects of welding energy, welding speed, and welding start position on the pipe's circumferential and axial residual stress laws. The results indicate that changes in welding energy and welding speed have almost no effect on the longitudinal residual stress but have a more significant effect on the transverse residual stress. The maximum transverse residual stress is reached at a welding energy of 1007.4~859.3 J/mm and a welding speed of 6.6 mm/s. Various interlayer arc-striking deflection angles can impact the cyclic phase angle of the transverse residual stress distribution in the seam center, but they do not alter its cyclic pattern. They do influence the amplitude and distribution of the longitudinal residual stress along the circumference. The residual stress distribution on the surface of the pipe fitting is homogenized and improved at 120°. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experimental and numerical simulation analysis of a TiAl alloy by laser metal deposition technology is presented in this paper. The research examines the macroscopic morphology, microstructure, and mechanical properties of samples as laser power varies. It also delves into how the temperature field and residual stress evolve under different laser powers. The results reveal that the microstructure of samples is mainly composed of α2-Ti3Al phase and a γ-TiAl phase and that the details of the microstructure are significantly affected by laser power. As laser power increases, coarse lamellar structure content increases, corresponding to a decrease in α2 phase content. The deposited layer hardness ranges from 550 HV to 600 HV, and the average deposition layer hardness decreases with increased laser power. Simulation results predict the molten pool's size, temperature, and residual stresses. A significant increase in the molten pool size is observed when the laser power exceeds 1000 W, and the measured molten pool depths correspond closely to simulation predictions. However, significant tensile stresses are generated in the deposition layer due to high cooling rates, mainly in the x direction. Cracks are observed on the surface of the deposition layer at all laser powers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of a cost-effective and accurate model for predicting the fatigue life of materials is essential for designing thermal power plants and assessing their structural reliability under operational conditions. This paper reports a novel energy-based approach for developing unified models that predict the fatigue life of boiler tube materials in ultra-supercritical (USC) power plants. The proposed method combines the Masing behavior with a cyclic stress–strain relationship and existing stress-based or strain-based fatigue life prediction models. Notably, the developed models conform to the structure of the modified Morrow model, which incorporates material toughness (a temperature compensation parameter) into the Morrow model to account for the effects of temperature. A significant advantage of this approach is that it eliminates the need for tensile tests, which are otherwise essential for assessing material toughness in the modified Morrow model. Instead, all material constants in our models are derived solely from fatigue test results. We validate our models using fatigue data from three promising USC boiler tube materials—Super304H, TP310HCbN, and TP347H—and their welded joints at operating temperatures of 500, 600, and 700 °C. The results demonstrate that approximately 91% of the fatigue data for all six materials fall within a 2.5× scatter band of the model's predictions, indicating a high level of accuracy and broad applicability across various USC boiler tube materials and their welded joints, which is equivalent to the performance of the modified Morrow model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both microvoids and helium (He) impurities are widely present in tungsten (W) plasma-facing materials (PFMs), where the interaction between microvoids and He atoms has led to the intriguing development of microvoids. In this paper, we comprehensively investigated the interaction between He atoms and trivacancy (V3), a fundamental microvoid in W-PFMs, at the level of tight-binding theory. Our study showed that He atoms can catalyze the decomposition of the original V3 or facilitate its transformation into another V3 variant. We propose that a He atom near the V3 defect induces significant changes in the distribution of d-electron charges within the W atoms lining the inner wall of the V3 defect, making the W atom nearest to this He atom cationic and the other W atoms anionic. The attractive interaction between them promotes the decomposition and deformation of V3. As electronic excitation increases, the ionization of W atoms on the V3 wall gradually intensifies, thereby enhancing the cationic characteristics of the W atoms closest to the He atom. This process also prompts other W atoms to shift from anions to cations, leading to a transition in the electrostatic interactions between them from attraction to repulsion. This transformation, driven by electronic excitation, plays a significant inhibitory role in the decomposition and deformation of V3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The work presents a detailed analysis of the possibilities of the thermal processing of clay raw material granulates in a fluidized bed reactor powered by coal fuel. Potential customers of calcined granulates include the following: plants producing refractory materials for the steel industry, producers of refractory concrete, sanitaryware plants, tile plants, large-size tile plants, industry abrasives, chemicals, paints, paper, food and medical industries and others. The advantage of the presented fluid bed calcination technology is the possibility of the continuous operation of the reactor and the short time of the material in the bed, compared to the previously used methods of calcination in a shaft and rotary kiln, which lasts less than twenty minutes in the temperature range of 650–850 °C. During the experimental studies of calcination in the fluidized bed layer, the influence of the type of coal, its particle size and the mass share of coal in the feed mixture on the calcination process and the final product obtained was analysed. As a result of the conducted research, it was proven that solid fuels such as anthracite and steam coal type 31.2 (flaming) can be successfully used in the fluidized bed calcination process of clay materials. The key parameter determining the fluidized bed calcination process is the fuel particle distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While binder jetting (BJ) additive manufacturing (AM) holds considerable promise for industrial applications, defects often compromise part quality. This study addresses these challenges by investigating binding mechanisms and analyzing common defects, proposing tailored solutions to mitigate them. Emphasizing defect identification for effective quality control in BJ-AM, this research offers strategies for in-process rectification and post-process evaluation to elevate part quality. It shows how to successfully process metallic parts with complex geometries while maintaining consistent material properties. Furthermore, the paper explores the microstructure of AISI M2 tool steel, utilizing advanced image processing techniques like digital image analysis and SEM images to evaluate carbide distribution. The results show that M2 tool steel has a high proportion of M6C carbides, with furnace-cooled samples ranging from ~2.4% to 7.1% and MC carbides from ~0.4% to 9.4%. M6C carbides ranged from ~2.6% to 3.8% in air-cooled samples, while water-cooled samples peaked at ~8.52%. Sintering conditions also affected shrinkage, with furnace-cooled samples showing the lowest rates (1.7 ± 0.4% to 5 ± 0.4%) and water-cooled samples showing the highest (2 ± 0.4% to 14.1 ± 0.4%). The study recommends real-time defect detection systems with autonomous corrective capabilities to improve the quality and performance of BJ-AM components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The corrosion resistance properties of a new type of environmentally-friendly organic inhibitor containing amino ketone molecules are presented in this paper. To evaluate the prevention effect of the inhibitor on corrosion of reinforcement, the electrochemical characteristics of steels in the simulated concrete pore solution (SPS) were investigated under varied conditions of the relevant parameters, including concentrations of the inhibitor and NaCl, pH value, and temperature. The inhibition efficiency of the material was characterized through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), potentiodynamic polarization, and the weight loss of steels. The results reveal a significant improvement in the corrosion resistance of steels with the inhibitor. A maximum resistance value of 89.07% was achieved at an inhibitor concentration of 4%. Moreover, the new organic inhibitor exhibited good corrosion protection capability for steels under different NaCl concentrations. Its inhibition efficiency was determined to be 65.62, 80.06, and 66.30% at NaCl concentrations of 2, 3.5 and 5%, respectively. On the other hand, it was found that an alkaline environment was favorable for an enhanced corrosion prevention effect, and an optimal pH value of 11.3 was observed in this work. Besides, the inhibition efficiencies at different temperatures showed a trend of 25 > 35 > 40 > 20 > 30 °C, with a maximum value of 81.32% at 25 °C. The above results suggest that the new organic material has high potential to be used as an eco-friendly and long-term durable inhibitor for steel corrosion prevention under complex conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing research in metasurface design was based on trial-and-error high-intensity iterations and requires deep acoustic expertise from the researcher, which severely hampered the development of the metasurface field. Using deep learning enabled the fast and accurate design of hypersurfaces. Based on this, in this paper, an integrated learning approach was first utilized to construct a model of the forward mapping relationship between the hypersurface physical structure parameters and the acoustic field, which was intended to be used for data enhancement. Then a dual-feature fusion model (DFCNN) based on a convolutional neural network was proposed, in which the first feature was the high-dimensional nonlinear features extracted using a data-driven approach, and the second feature was the physical feature information of the acoustic field mined using the model. A convolutional neural network was used for feature fusion. A genetic algorithm was used for network parameter optimization. Finally, generalization ability verification was performed to prove the validity of the network model. The results showed that 90% of the integrated learning models had an error of less than 3 dB between the real and predicted sound field data, and 93% of the DFCNN models could achieve an error of less than 5 dB in the local sound field intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The positive effects of deep rolling on fatigue strength—reduced surface roughness, work hardening and compressive residual stress—in the near-surface region are achieved by controlled high plasticisation of the treated material. However, excessive and/or repeated plasticising poses a risk of damage to the machined component. This paper investigates the damage caused by deep rolling of a railway axle. Two sections of the axle are experimentally deep rolled repeatedly at different feed rates until damage is detected. For comparative analysis, these experiments are numerically analysed and the damage is assessed using the strain-based damage calculation. The results are compared and a damage sum of ~120% is evaluated for both tests, thus developing a reliable and conservative assessment method. The single deep rolling treatment at a feed rate of 0.25 mm causes damage of 6.1%, and at a feed rate of 0.5 mm, damage of 4.7%. The developed and experimentally validated evaluation method allows for investigating the limits of applicability of different deep rolling parameters. The influence of the deep rolling force and feed rate and a proposed optimisation with multiple deep rolling with reduced deep rolling forces are investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the practical issues connected with guided wave measurement are studied: (1) the influence of gluing of PZT plate actuators (NAC2013) on generated elastic wave propagation, (2) the repeatability of PZT transducers attachment, and (3) the assessment of the possibility of comparing the results of Laser Doppler Vibrometry (LDV) measurement performed on different 2D samples. The consideration of these questions is crucial in the context of the assessment of the possibility of the application of the guided wave phenomenon to structural health-monitoring systems, e.g., in civil engineering. In the examination, laboratory tests on the web of steel I-section specimens were conducted. The size and shape of the specimens were developed in such a way that they were similar to the elements typically used in civil engineering structures. It was proved that the highest amplitude of the generated wave was obtained when the exciters were glued using wax. The repeatability and durability of this connection type were the weakest. Due to this reason, it was not suitable for practical use outside the laboratory. The permanent glue application gave a stable connection between the exciter and the specimen, but the generated signal had the lowest amplitude. In the paper, the new procedure dedicated to objective analysis and comparison of the elastic waves propagating on the surface of different specimens was proposed. In this procedure, the genetic algorithms help with the determination of a new coordinate system, in which the assessment of the quality of wave propagation in different directions is possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adding fibers into cement to form fiber-reinforced soil cement material can effectively enhance its physical and mechanical properties. In order to investigate the effect of fiber type and dosage on the strength of fiber-reinforced soil cement, polypropylene fibers (PPFs), polyvinyl alcohol fibers (PVAFs), and glass fibers (GFs) were blended according to the mass fraction of the mixture of cement and dry soil (0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, and 2%). Unconfined compressive strength tests, split tensile strength tests, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) tests, and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) pore structure analysis tests were conducted. The results indicated that the unconfined compressive strength of the three types of fiber-reinforced soil cement peaked at a fiber dosage of 0.5%, registering 26.72 MPa, 27.49 MPa, and 27.67 MPa, respectively. The split tensile strength of all three fiber-reinforced soil cement variants reached their maximum at a 1.5% fiber dosage, recording 2.29 MPa, 2.34 MPa, and 2.27 MPa, respectively. The predominant pore sizes in all three fiber-reinforced soil cement specimens ranged from 10 nm to 100 nm. Furthermore, analysis from the perspective of energy evolution revealed that a moderate fiber dosage can minimize energy loss. This paper demonstrates that the unconfined compressive strength test, split tensile strength test, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) pore structure analysis offer theoretical underpinnings for the utilization of fiber-reinforced soil cement in helical pile core stiffening and broader engineering applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The multifaceted role of quantum dots (QDs) in breast cancer research highlights significant advancements in diagnostics, targeted therapy, and drug delivery systems. This comprehensive review addresses the development of precise imaging techniques for early cancer detection and the use of QDs in enhancing the specificity of therapeutic delivery, particularly in challenging cases like triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The paper also discusses the critical understanding of QDs' interactions with cancer cells, offering insights into their potential for inducing cytotoxic effects and facilitating gene therapy. Limitations such as biocompatibility, toxicity concerns, and the transition from laboratory to clinical practice are critically analyzed. Future directions emphasize safer, non-toxic QD development, improved targeting mechanisms, and the integration of QDs into personalized medicine, aiming to overcome the current challenges and enhance breast cancer management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to address the issues of energy depletion, more resources are being searched for in the deep sea. Therefore, research into how the deep-sea environment affects cement-based materials for underwater infrastructure is required. This paper examines the impact of ocean depth (0, 500, 1000, and 1500 m) on the ion interaction processes in concrete nanopores using molecular dynamics simulations. At the portlandite interface, the local structural and kinetic characteristics of ions and water molecules are examined. The findings show that the portlandite surface hydrophilicity is unaffected by increasing depth. The density profile and coordination number of ions alter as depth increases, and the diffusion speed noticeably decreases. The main cause of the ions' reduced diffusion velocity is expected to be the low temperature. This work offers a thorough understanding of the cement hydration products' microstructure in deep sea, which may help explain why cement-based underwater infrastructure deteriorates over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coda waves are highly sensitive to changes in medium properties and can serve as a tool for structural health monitoring (SHM). However, high sensitivity also makes them susceptible to noise, leading to excessive dispersion of monitoring results. In this paper, a coda wave multi-feature extraction method is proposed, in which three parameters, the time shift, the time stretch, and the amplitude variation of the wave trains within the time window, are totally derived. These three parameters are each mapped to the temperature variations of concrete beams, and then combined together with their optimal weight coefficients to give a best-fitted temperature–multi-parameter relationship that has the smallest errors. Coda wave signals were collected from an ultrasonic experiment on concrete beams within an environmental temperature range of 14 °C~21 °C to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. The results indicate that the combination of multi-features derived from coda wave signals to quantify the medium temperature is feasible. Compared to the relationship established by a single parameter, the goodness-of-fit is improved. During identification, the method effectively reduces the dispersion of identification errors and mitigates the impact of noise interference on structural state assessment. Both the identification accuracy and stability are improved by more than 50%, and the order of magnitude of the identification accuracy is improved from 1 °C to 0.1 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the compaction process of HMA pavement, it is common to spray cold water on the wheel of a road roller to prevent the mixture from sticking to the wheel, which might deteriorate the bonding strength between the asphalt binder and aggregate, and consequently lead to surface polishing of the pavement. This paper aims to demonstrate whether the water used during the compaction process affects the surface performance of HMA pavement. In this study, the black pixel ratio and mass loss ratio were used to evaluate the water effect on the surface performance of asphalt pavement, considering the water consumption, molding temperature and long-term ageing process. The test results indicated that the water used during the compaction process would increase the risk of surface polishing of HMA pavement. This adverse effect became more significant if the HMA samples were prepared using greater water consumption, a greater molding temperature and a long-term ageing process. Moreover, there exists a certain correlation between the black pixel ratio and mass loss ratio, and their relationships were demonstrated by the experimental results in this study. It is recommended that further research concentrates on the influencing mechanism and the treatment strategy for the adverse effect caused by the water used during the compaction process. The use of more types of asphalt binders, aggregate and methodologies is also recommended in further studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need to manufacture components out of copper is significantly increasing, particularly in the solar technology, semiconductor, and electric vehicle sectors. In the past few decades, infrared laser (IR) and green laser (GL) have been the primary technologies used to address this demand, especially for small or thin components. However, with the increased demand for energy saving, alternative joint techniques such as blue diode laser (BDL) are being actively explored. In this paper, bead-on-plate welding experiments on 0.2 mm thick pure copper samples employing a BDL are presented. Two sets of parameters were carefully selected in this investigation, namely Cu-1: Power (P) = 200 W; Speed (s) = 1 mm/s; and angle = 0°, and Cu-2: P = 200 W; s = 5 mm/s; and angle = 10°. The results from both sets of parameters produced defect-free full penetration welds. Hardness test results indicated relatively softer weld zones compared with the base metal. Tensile test samples fractured in the weld zones. Overall, the samples welded with Cu-1 parameters showed better mechanical properties, such as strength and elongation, than those welded with the Cu-2 parameters. The tensile strength and elongation obtained from Cu-1 were marginally lower than those of the unwelded pure copper. The outcomes from this research provide an alternative welding technique that is able to produce reliable, strong, and precise joints, particularly for small and thin components, which can be very challenging to produce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electroplated diamond wire sawing is widely used as a processing method to cut hard and brittle difficult-to-machine materials. Currently, obtaining the sawing capability of diamond wire saw through the wire bow is still difficult. In this paper, a method for calculating the sawing capability of diamond wire saw in real-time based on the wire bow is proposed. The influence of the renewed length per round trip, crystal orientation of sapphire, wire speed, and feed rate on the wire sawing capability has been revealed via slicing experiments. The results indicate that renewing the diamond wire saw, and reducing the wire speed and feed rate can delay the reduction in sawing capability. Furthermore, controlling the value of renewed length per round trip can make the diamond wire saw enter a stable cutting state, in which the capability of the wire saw no longer decreases. The sawing capability of diamond wire saw cutting in the A-plane of the sapphire is smaller than that of the C-plane, and a suitable feed rate or wire speed within the range of sawing parameters studied in this study can avoid a rapid decrease in the sawing capability of the wire saw during the cutting process. The knowledge obtained in this study provides a theoretical basis for monitoring the performance of the wire saw, and guidance for the wire cutting process in semiconductor manufacturing. In the future, it may even be possible to provide real-time performance parameters of diamond wire saw for the digital twin model of wire sawing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limestone is commonly used in cement concrete due to its unique nature and type. It has physical effects (nucleation effect and dilution effect) and chemical effects on the hydration process of cement. This paper reviews the effects of three representative limestone materials on the hydration process, hydration products, and hydration kinetics. In the hydration process, the reaction was delayed by limestone powder with a particle size larger than 20 μm and calcium carbonate whiskers due to their dilutive effect. On the other hand, limestone powder with a particle size smaller than 20 m and calcium carbonate nanoparticles facilitated the reaction through nucleation and chemical effects. Limestone has a similar effect on hydration products, promoting the production of C-S-H through nucleation. The mechanism of action for this nucleation effect depends on the differences in crystalline form and particle size of the three types of micro- and nano-calcium. Chemical effects impact the amount of AFt produced, with the generation of new products being the main reaction influenced by the limestone admixture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to their exceptional properties and diverse applications, including to magnetic devices, thermoelectric materials, catalysis, biomedicine, and energy storage, nanoscale metallic multilayer composites (NMMCs) have recently attracted great attention. The alternating layers of two or more metals that make up NMMCs are each just a few nanometers thick. The difficulties in producing and synthesizing new materials can be overcome by using nanoscale multilayer architectures. By adjusting the layer thickness, composition, and interface structure, the mechanical properties of these materials can be controlled. In addition, NMMCs exhibit unusually high strength at thin layer thicknesses because the multilayers have exceptionally high strength, as the individual layer thicknesses are reduced to the nanoscale. The properties of NMMCs depend on the individual layers. This means that the properties can be tuned by varying the layer thickness, composition, and interface structure. Therefore, this review article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the mechanical properties and the application of high-performance NMMCs. The paper briefly discusses the fabrication methods used to produce these composites and highlights their potential in various fields, such as electronics, energy storage, aerospace, and biomedical engineering. Furthermore, the electrical conductivity, mechanical properties, and thermal stability of the above composite materials are analyzed in detail. The review concludes with a discussion of the future prospects and challenges associated with the development of NMMCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides insights into the four key behaviors and mechanisms of the aging to failure of batteries in micro-overcharge cycles at different temperatures, as well as the changes in thermal stability. The test results from a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and an energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS) indicate that battery failure is primarily associated with the rupture of cathode materials, the fracturing and pulverization of electrode materials on the anode current collector, and the formation of lithium dendrites. Additionally, battery safety is influenced by environmental temperatures and the battery's state of health (SOH), with failed batteries exhibiting the poorest stability and the highest mass loss rates. Under isothermal conditions, micro-overcharge leads to battery failure without thermal runaway. Thus, temperature stands out as the most influential factor in battery safety. These insights hold significant theoretical and practical value for the development of more precise and secure battery management systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper was to evaluate the fracture resistance of 3D-printed zirconia occlusal veneers (OVs) of different thicknesses and supported by different abutment materials. Materials and Methods: The standard OV of a natural molar was prepared and digitized using a laboratory 3D scanner. The resulting digital tooth abutment was milled either using cobalt–chromium (CoCr) or a fiber-reinforced composite (FRC). All the abutments were digitized and standardized OVs (30° tilt of all the cusps) designed with 0.4 mm, 0.6 mm, or 0.8 mm wall thicknesses. The OVs were fabricated using either the Programill PM7 milling device (Ivoclar Vivadent, PM) or one of two 3D zirconia printers, Cerafab 7500 (Lithoz, LC) or Zipro-D (AON, ZD). The ZD samples were only tested on CoCr abutments. The completed OVs were luted to their abutments and subjected to artificial aging, consisting of thermocycling and chewing simulation before fracture testing with a steel sphere (d = 8 mm) as an antagonist with three contact points on the occlusal OV surface. Besides the total fracture resistance Fu,tot, the lowest contact force Fu,cont leading to the local fracture of a cusp was of interest. The possible effects of the factors fabrication approach, wall thickness, and abutment material were evaluated using ANOVA (α = 0.05; SPSS Ver.28). Results: The total fracture resistance/contact forces leading to failure ranged from Fu,tot = 416 ± 83 N/Fu,cont = 140 ± 22 N for the 0.4 mm OVs fabricated using LC placed on the FRC abutments to Fu,tot = 3309 ± 394 N (ZD)/Fu,cont = 1206 ± 184 N (PM) for the 0.8 mm thick OVs on the CoCr abutments. All the factors (the fabrication approach, abutment material, and OV wall thickness) had an independent effect on Fu,tot as well as Fu,cont (p < 0.032). In pairwise comparisons for Fu,tot of the OVs luted to the CoCr abutments, the ZD samples statistically outperformed the LC- and PM-fabricated teeth irrespective of the thickness (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, the printed occlusal veneers exhibited comparable fracture resistances to those of the milled variants. However, more resilient abutments (FRC as a simulation of dentine) as well as a thinner wall thickness led to reduced OV fracture resistance, suggesting that 0.4 mm thick zirconia OVs should not be unreservedly used in every clinical situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, an iron–aluminide intermetallic compound with cerium addition was subjected to Vickers microhardness testing. A full range of Vickers microhardness loadings was applied: 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, 300, 500, and 1000 g. Tests were conducted in two areas: 0.5 mm under the surface of the rolled specimen and in the center. The aim was to find the optimal loading range that gives the true material microhardness, also deemed load-independent hardness, HLIH. The results suggest that in the surface area, the reverse indentation size effect (RISE) occurred, similar to ceramics and brittle materials, while in the center, indentation size effect (ISE) behavior was obtained, more similar to metals. This clearly indicated an optimal microhardness of over 500 g in the surface region and over 100 g in the central region of the specimen. Load dependencies were quantitatively described by Meyer's law, proportional specimen resistance (PSR), and the modified PSR model. The modified PSR model proved to be the most adequate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the workability, mechanical, ion leaching, and drying shrinkage properties of alkali-activated concrete with recycled coarse and fine aggregates were studied, and the pore structure and micro-morphology of different alkali-activated recycled aggregate concretes (AARACs) were characterized by using the mercury intrusion method and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The experimental results showed that with the increase in the replacement rate of the recycled fine aggregate (RFA), the flowability showed a decreasing trend. Adding a certain amount of RFA improves the mechanical properties of the AARAC. The compressive strength at a curing age of 28 days was 65.3 MPa with 70 wt% RFA replacement. When the replacement rate of the RFA was 100 wt%, the maximum splitting tensile strength (4.5 MPa) was obtained at a curing age of 7 days. However, the addition of the RFA had little effect on the flexural strength of the AARAC. As an extension of the curing age, the splitting tensile strength, flexural strength, tension-to-compression ratio, and flexure-to-compression ratio all showed an increasing trend at first and then a decreasing trend. At a curing age of 7 days, the tension-to-compression ratio and flexure-to-compression ratio were both high (except for those of R100), indicating that the ductility and toughness of the specimen were improved. The addition of the RFA increased the drying shrinkage of the AARAC. At a curing age of 120 days, compared to the specimen without the RFA, the drying shrinkage rate of the specimen with the addition of 70 wt% RFA increased by 34.15%. As the curing age increased, the microstructure of the reaction products became denser, but the proportion of large-diameter pores increased. This study evaluated the application of RFA in AARAC. The experimental results showed that the RFA-based AARAC had acceptable mechanical and durability properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scanning force microscopy (SFM) is one of the most widely used techniques in biomaterials research. In addition to imaging the materials of interest, SFM enables the mapping of mechanical properties and biological responses with sub-nanometer resolution and piconewton sensitivity. This review aims to give an overview of using the scanning force microscope (SFM) for investigations on dental materials. In particular, SFM-derived methods such as force–distance curves (scanning force spectroscopy), lateral force spectroscopy, and applications of the FluidFM® will be presented. In addition to the properties of dental materials, this paper reports the development of the pellicle by the interaction of biopolymers such as proteins and polysaccharides, as well as the interaction of bacteria with dental materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metakaolin-based geopolymers have substantial potential as replacements for cement, but their relatively inferior mechanical properties restrict their application. This paper aims to enhance the mechanical properties of metakaolin-based geopolymers by incorporating appropriate amounts of calcium sources. CaCO3, Ca(OH)2, and CaSO4 are three types of calcium sources commonly found in nature and are widely present in various industrial wastes. Thus, the effects of these three calcium sources on the performance of metakaolin-based geopolymers were studied. Through the analysis of the mechanical properties, heat-release behavior during hydration, hydration products, and microstructure of geopolymers, the effectiveness of the aforementioned calcium sources in improving the performance of metakaolin-based geopolymer was evaluated, and the mechanisms of action were elucidated. The results indicate that the pozzolanic reaction between CH and MK could promote MK hydration and increase the proportion of CASH gel in the hydration products, thereby facilitating the setting of the geopolymer and enhancing its strength. CS could react with the active aluminates in MK to form ettringite, thus forming a higher early strength. CC had a lower reactivity with MK and does not improve the performance of MK-based geopolymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the realm of high-tech materials and energy applications, accurately measuring the transient heat flow at media boundaries and the internal thermal conductivity of materials in harsh heat exchange environments poses a significant challenge when using conventional direct measurement methods. Consequently, the study of photothermal parameter reconstruction in translucent media, which relies on indirect measurement techniques, has crucial practical value. Current research on reconstructing photothermal properties within participating media typically focuses on single-objective or time-invariant properties. There is a pressing need to develop effective methods for the simultaneous reconstruction of time-varying thermal flow fields and internal thermal conductivity at the boundaries of participating media. This paper introduces a computational model based on the numerical simulation theory of internal heat transfer systems in participating media, stochastic particle swarm optimization algorithms, and Kalman filter technology. The model aims to enable the simultaneous reconstruction of various thermal parameters within the target medium. Our results demonstrate that under varying levels of measurement noise, the inversion results for different target parameters exhibit slight oscillations around the true values, leading to a reduction in reconstruction accuracy. However, overall, the model demonstrates robustness and accuracy in ideal conditions, validating its effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impact tests on post-fire concrete confined by Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer/Plastic (CFRP) sheets were carried out by using Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) experimental setup in this paper, with emphasis on the effect of exposed temperatures, CFRP layers and impact velocities. Firstly, according to the measured stress-strain curves, the effects of experiment parameters on concrete dynamic mechanical performance such as compressive strength, ultimate strain and energy absorption are discussed in details. Additionally, temperature caused a softening effect on the compressive strength of concrete specimens, while CFRP confinement and strain rate play a hardening effect, which can lead to the increase in dynamic compressive strength by 1.8 to 3.6 times compared to static conditions. However, their hardening mechanisms and action stages are extremely different. Finally, nine widely accepted Dynamic Increase Factor (DIF) models considering strain rate effect were summarized, and a simplified model evaluating dynamic compressive strength of post-fire concrete confined by CFRP sheets was proposed, which can provide evidence for engineering emergency repair after fire accidents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regeneration agents play a critical role in modifying the mechanical properties and durability of RAP asphalt mixtures. This paper aimed to develop a castor oil-based asphalt regeneration agent. The effects of this regeneration agent on the pavement performance of laboratory-aged asphalt and an RAP asphalt mixture were comparatively studied by a series of laboratory tests. For the developed castor oil-based asphalt regeneration agent, the weight ratio of the castor oil to dibutyl phthalate was determined as 1:4. Moreover, the regeneration effectiveness of the castor oil-based regeneration agent was tested on three laboratory-aged asphalt binders and an RAP asphalt binder; the penetration, softening point and ductility of the RAP asphalt binder recovered to 83 dmm, 50.3 °C, and more than 100 cm, respectively. The optimum content of the regeneration agent was 5% by the weight of the aged asphalt binder. Furthermore, the castor oil-based regeneration agent could effectively restore the pavement performance of an RAP asphalt mixture. In this study, the RAP percentage can reach up to 60% by the weight of the HMA mixture using the castor oil-based asphalt regeneration agent according to the Chinese specification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper experimentally and analytically investigated the damage and seismic behavior of concrete walls reinforced by low-bond ultra-high-strength (LBUHS) bars. To this end, four half-scale rectangular concrete walls were fabricated and tested under reversed cyclic loading and constant axial compression. The test variables were the shear span ratio and the axial load ratio. Based on the test results, the propagation of cracks on the wall surface, the maximum strain capacity of concrete, the hysteresis loops and envelope curves, the residual drifts, and the strain distributions of LBUHS rebars were presented and discussed. The experimental results showed that all the test walls could exhibit drift-hardening capability until at least a 2.0% drift ratio if LBUHS rebars were anchored by nuts at their ends. The test results also indicated that the maximum strain capacity of concrete was above 0.86%, much larger than the currently recommended 0.4%. After unloading from the transient drift ratios of 2.0% and 2.5% for the walls with shear span ratios of 1.5 and 2.0, respectively, the measured residual drift ratios were controlled below 0.4%, which is less than the critical drift ratio (0.5%) having 98% repairable probability recommended in the FEMA document (P-58) for general concrete structures. Furthermore, a numerical method was presented to evaluate the cyclic response of the test walls, and a comparison between the experimental and the calculated results verified the reliability and accuracy of the proposed numerical method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the methodology of measuring chip temperature in the cutting zone in the rough milling of magnesium alloys. Infrared measurements are taken to determine the effect of variable cutting speed, feed per tooth, and depth of cut on the maximum temperature of chips. Thermal images of chip temperature for a generated collective frame and corresponding histograms are presented. Chip temperatures are presented in numerical terms as median and average values; maximum and minimum values; range; and standard deviation. Box plots are also shown for selected machining conditions. The problems arising during signal recording with a mean emissivity coefficient ε = 0.13, a value which is dedicated during machining magnesium alloys, are discussed in detail. Chip temperatures obtained in the tests do not exceed approx. 420 °C. Therefore, the dry rough milling process carried out with carbide tools with different blade geometries can be considered safe for a wide range of machining parameters. The proposed methodology of chip temperature measurement and result processing is a new and effective approach to safety assessment in the dry milling of magnesium alloys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi-material additive manufacturing using heterogeneous powders as raw materials is one of the important development directions of metal additive manufacturing technology. The evaporation behavior of heterogeneous powders in the selective laser melting (SLM) process has a significant influence on the accuracy of chemical composition control and the quality of the final product. In this paper, the fusion process of Fe20Mn (80 wt.% Fe and 20 wt.% Mn) heterogeneous powder, Fe and Mn elemental powders, and Fe20Mn pre-alloyed powder is numerically simulated using FLOW-3D® software and partially validated through SLM experimental results. The morphology and the characteristics of the flow field and temperature field in the melt pool for four kinds of powder materials are analyzed. The influence of the elemental evaporation behavior of different powders on the mass loss of the Mn element is discussed. The results show that the excessive accumulation of heat increases the maximum temperature of the melt pool, thus increasing mass loss. The Fe20Mn heterogeneous powder has a wider heat-affected zone and a higher peak value of temperature, nearly 400 K higher than that of the Fe20Mn pre-alloyed powders, which exhibits an intensive evaporation behavior. The mass loss of the Mn element obtained from the SLM experiment for Fe20Mn heterogeneous powders forming parts is more than the Fe20Mn pre-alloyed powders' forming parts for different laser powers, up to 17 wt.% at P = 120 W. This tendency is consistent with the numerical analysis of the effect of evaporation behavior of Fe–Mn heterogeneous powder during the SLM process. This study provides the necessary theoretical reference and process guidance for realizing the precise control of the SLM composition of a heterogeneous powder in multi-material additive manufacturing caused by evaporation behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a thorough investigation is presented on the static and dynamic behaviors of a short-span cable-stayed bridge (CSB) incorporating steel and carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) hybrid cables. The study focuses on the world's largest span and China's first highway, CFRP CSB. The performance of the CSB was compared using numerical simulations under four different cable patterns: steel cables, CFRP cables, and steel, and two types of hybrid cables with different structural arrangements. The results indicate that the use of the use of CFRP cables in the long cable region in the short-span CSB project investigated in this study offers improved performance in terms of stability, seismic response, and reduced displacements. In comparison to CFRP cables, hybrid cables have demonstrated a reduction of 12% in the maximum vertical displacement of the main girder. On the other hand, the hybrid cables result in reduced maximum internal forces and longitudinal and lateral displacements of the main girders and towers compared to steel cables. The difference in the arrangement of CFRP cables in the long cable region or short cable region is not obvious under dead loads, but significant differences still exist between the CFRP cable bridges in the short cable region and the long cable region in terms of live load effects, temperature effects, and dynamic characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the different structural strength requirements of different parts of fiberglass yachts, carbon fiber/glass fiber hybrid reinforcement can be applied to the skins of sandwich panels in special areas. This paper designs and prepares 12 foam sandwich panel samples composed of pure carbon fiber, a carbon fiber/glass fiber hybrid, pure glass fiber skin, and PVC and SAN foam sandwich, with reference to the layup structure of the outer panel of a fiberglass yacht. Through a comparative analysis of low-speed impact experiments, edge compression experiments, and short beam three-point bending experiments, we seek the optimal carbon fiber/glass fiber hybrid layup design scheme for local structures to guide production. The results show that a reasonable hybrid carbon fiber layup in fiberglass skin can effectively reduce the low-speed impact damage of the sandwich structure, reduce edge compression damage, and improve the bending and compression resistance of sandwich structure. The impact resistance, compression resistance, and shear resistance of the SAN sandwich structure are stronger than the PVC sandwich structure. The carbon fiber/glass fiber hybrid SAN foam sandwich structure can be used for the local structural reinforcement of special parts such as the bow, side, and main deck of fiberglass yachts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pyrolysis separation of calcium and magnesium from phosphate tailings is an important process due to its high-value resource utilization. In this paper, aiming to address the problems of high energy consumption, a slow decomposition rate and the low activity of decomposition products in the high-temperature pyrolysis of phosphate tailings, the medium-temperature pyrolysis of phosphate tailings under a H2O atmosphere was carried out, and the phase reconstruction and activation of pyrolysis process were discussed. The results showed that compared with N2, air and CO2 atmospheres, the pyrolysis process of phosphate tailings in a H2O atmosphere was changed from two stages to one stage, the starting decomposition temperature was reduced to 500 °C and the decomposition time was shortened to 30 min. The order of the influence of each factor on the pyrolysis of phosphate tailings was temperature > H2O pressure > holding time. Under the optimized pyrolysis conditions, the yield of CaMg(CO3)2 decomposition of phosphate tailings into MgO and CaO was 97.3% and 98.1%, respectively, and the reactivity of MgO was 31.6%. The distribution of Ca and Mg elements in the phosphate tailings after pyrolysis showed a negative correlation, and both of them no longer formed associated compounds; Ca mainly existed in the form of Ca(OH)2, Ca5(PO4)3F, CaSiO3 and CaF2, and Mg mainly existed in the form of MgO, MgF2 and Mg(OH)2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of tribological tests on WE43 and WE54 magnesium alloys with rare earth metals performed in linear reciprocating motion for four different material couples (AISI 316-L steel, silicon nitride—Si3N4, WC tungsten carbide, and zirconium dioxide—ZrO2). Additionally, magnesium alloys were subjected to a complex heat treatment consisting of precipitation hardening combined with a deep cryogenic treatment. The study presents the effect of deep cryogenic treatment combined with precipitation hardening on the tribological properties of WE43 and WE54 alloys. Tribological tests revealed the most advantageous results for the magnesium alloy—AISI 316-L steel friction node. For both alloys tested after heat treatment, a nearly 2-fold reduction in specific wear rate has been achieved. Furthermore, microscopic examinations of the wear track areas and wear products were performed, and the wear mechanisms and types of wear products occurring in linear reciprocating friction were determined. Wear measurements were taken using the 3D profilometric method and compared with the results obtained from calculations performed in accordance with ASTM G133 and ASTM D7755, which were modified to improve the accuracy of the calculation results (the number of measured profiles was increased from four to eight). Appropriately selected calculation methods allow for obtaining reliable tribological test results and enabling the verification of both the most advantageous heat treatment variant and material couple, which results in an increase in the durability of the tested alloys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the impact of varying the part geometric complexity and 3D printing process setup on the resulting structural load bearing capacity of fiber composites. Three levels of geometric complexity are developed through 2.5D topology optimization, 3D topology optimization, and 3D topology optimization with directional material removal. The 3D topology optimization is performed with the SIMP method and accelerated by high-performance computing. The directional material removal is realized by incorporating the advection-diffusion partial differential equation-based filter to prevent interior void or undercut in certain directions. A set of 3D printing and mechanical performance tests are performed. It is interestingly found that, the printing direction affects significantly on the result performance and if subject to the uni direction, the load-bearing capacity increases from the 2.5D samples to the 3D samples with the increased complexity, but the load-bearing capacity further increases for the 3D simplified samples due to directional material removal. Hence, it is concluded that a restricted structural complexity is suitable for topology optimization of 3D-printed fiber composites, since large area cross-sections give more degrees of design freedom to the fiber path layout and also makes the inter-layer bond of the filaments firmer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of research on the influence of the moisture content in a filament made of ABS polymer on the properties of products manufactured using FDM (fused deposition modeling). Tests were carried out on a standard printer, using the parameters recommended by the manufacturer and the literature on the subject. A special climatic chamber was used to condition the material. A negative impact of ABS filament moisture on the strength and dimensional accuracy of printed products and on the structure of their surface is demonstrated. When the range of the filament moisture is between 0.17% and 0.75%, the strength decreases by 25% and the sample thickness increases by 10%. It is also shown that this effect does not depend on the history of the polymer reaching a given moisture level, i.e., by absorbing moisture in the absorption process or releasing moisture in the desorption process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites are popular materials in the aerospace and automotive industries because of their low weight, high strength, and corrosion resistance. However, wrinkles or geometric distortions in the composite layers significantly reduce their mechanical performance and structural integrity. This paper presents a method for non-destructively extracting the three-dimensional geometry, lamina by lamina, of a laminated composite. A method is introduced for fabricating consistent out-of-plane wrinkled CFRP laminate panels, simulating the in-service wrinkle observed in industries that utilize thick structure composites such as the vertical lift or wind power industries. The individual lamina geometries are extracted from the fabricated coupon with an embedded wrinkle from captured ultrasonic waveforms generated from single-element conventional ultrasonic (UT) scan data. From the extracted waveforms, a method is presented to characterize the wrinkle features within each individual lamina, specifically the spatially varying wrinkle height and intensity for the wrinkle. Parts were fabricated with visibly undetectable wrinkles using a wet layup process and a hot press for curing. Scans were performed in a conventional immersion tank scanning system, and the scan data were analyzed for wrinkle detection and characterization. Extraction of the layers was performed based on tracking the voltage peaks from A-scans in the time domain. Spatial Gaussian averaging was performed to smooth the A-scans, from which the surfaces were extracted for each individual lamina. The extracted winkle surface aligned with the anticipated wrinkle geometry, and a single parameter for quantification of the wrinkle intensity for each lamina is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the corrosion behavior of the welding heat-affected zone (HAZ) of HDR (high chromium, duplex, corrosion-resistant) duplex stainless steel, which currently faces corrosion-related challenges in marine seawater systems. The corrosion behavior of the HAZ was studied using microstructure analysis, polarization curve experiments, and double-loop potentiodynamic reactivation experiments. The results show that (1) the covering welding current can promote the formation of austenite in the HAZ, and that the covering welding current has no strict correspondence with the formation of austenite; (2) increasing the welding gap properly can facilitate the formation of austenite; (3) increasing the covering welding current enhances the material's pitting resistance, and a covering welding current of 70 A, coupled with a covering welding current of 100 A, represents a reasonable choice in terms of achieving a stronger pitting resistance; (4) in terms of intergranular corrosion resistance, increasing the covering welding current is not conducive to the intergranular corrosion resistance of the material, as the covering current will promote the precipitation of the secondary phase at the grain boundary, thus reducing its intergranular corrosion resistance; and (5) reducing the welding current appropriately contributes to improving the stability of the grain boundary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphene–silicon Schottky diodes are intriguing devices that straddle the border between classical models and two-dimensional ones. Many papers have been published in recent years studying their operation based on the classical model developed for metal–silicon Schottky diodes. However, the results obtained for diode parameters vary widely in some cases showing very large deviations with respect to the expected range. This indicates that our understanding of their operation remains incomplete. When modeling these devices, certain aspects strictly connected with the quantum mechanical features of both graphene and the interface with silicon play a crucial role and must be considered. In particular, the dependence of the graphene Fermi level on carrier density, the relation of the latter with the density of surface states in silicon and the coupling between in-plane and out-of-plane dynamics in graphene are key aspects for the interpretation of their behavior. Within the thermionic regime, we estimate the zero-bias Schottky barrier height and the density of silicon surface states in graphene/type-p silicon diodes by adapting a kown model and extracting ideality index values close to unity. The ohmic regime, beyond the flat band potential, is modeled with an empirical law, and the current density appears to be roughly proportional to the electric field at the silicon interface; moreover, the graphene-to-silicon electron tunneling efficiency drops significantly in the transition from the thermionic to ohmic regime. We attribute these facts to (donor) silicon surface states, which tend to be empty in the ohmic regime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experimental research and numerical simulations of the structural response to shock waves with pulse durations of hundreds of milliseconds, or even seconds, are extremely challenging. This paper takes typical single-layer and sandwich cylindrical shells as the research objects. The response rules of cylindrical shells under long-duration blast loadings were studied. The results show that when the pulse duration is greater than or equal to 4~5 times the first-order period of the structure, the maximum response of the structure tends to be consistent, that is, the maximum response of the cylindrical shells with different vibration shapes shows a saturation effect as the pulse duration increases. This study established the relationship between the saturation loading time and the inherent characteristics of the structure. It was found that the saturation effect was applicable under the following conditions, including different load waveforms, elastic–plastic deformation of the structure, and the loading object being a sandwich shell. This will help transform the long-duration explosion wave problem into a finite pulse-duration shock wave problem that can be realized by both experiments and numerical simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to address the issue of hole collapse, which frequently arises when boring piles are being constructed in intricate marine strata, this paper discusses the influence of the slurry ratio on the slurry performance as well as the mechanism of slurry wall protection. It performs this by means of theoretical analysis, laboratory ratio testing, engineering analogies, numerical simulation, and field testing. Our findings demonstrate that adding sodium polyacrylate and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose can enhance mud's viscosity, contribute to flocculation, and improve the connection between mud and soil layers. Refering similar engineering cases, three optimization schemes are proposed for achieving a mud ratio that offers wall protection in complex marine strata. Furthermore, the particle flow model of slurry viscous fluid is established. The collapse of holes in the sand layer is reflected in the uneven radial displacement of hole walls and the invasion of mud particles. Increasing the viscosity of mud gradually transforms the uneven radial deformation of pore walls in the sand layer into a uniform radial deformation, whereas increasing the proportion of mud significantly decreases the radial displacement of hole walls. Additionally, when the mud pressure in the hole is 300 kPa and 600 kPa, the wall protection effect is better, and there is no particle penetration by substances such as sand. It is found that a high mud pressure can promote the diffusion of mud particles into the sand layer, while low mud pressure cannot balance the pressure on deep soil. The results of the field tests show that the ratio of water–clay–bentonite–CMC-Na–sodium carbonate = 700:110:90:1.5:0.5 used (where the mass percentage of each material is 77.8% water, 12.2% clay, 10% bentonite, 0.16% CMC-Na, and 0.05% sodium carbonate) can effectively prevent hole collapse and reduce the thickness of the sand layer at the bottom of the hole by 50%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, water jet-guided laser (WJGL) drilling of C f / SiC composites was employed and the effects of the processing parameters on the depth and quality of the micro-holes were systematically investigated. Firstly, the depth measurement showed that the increase in processing time and power density led to a significant improvement in micro-hole drilling depth. However, the enhancement of the water jet speed resulted in a pronounced decrease in the depth due to the phenomenon of water splashing. In contrast, the scanning speed, path overlap ratio, pulse frequency, and helium pressure exhibited less effect on the micro-hole depth. Secondly, the microstructural analysis revealed that the increase in power density resulted in the deformation and fracture of the carbon fibers, while the augmentation in water jet speed reduced the thermal defects. Finally, based on the optimization of the processing parameters, a micro-hole of exceptional quality was achieved, with a depth-to-diameter ratio of 8.03 and a sidewall taper of 0.72°. This study can provide valuable guidance for WJGL micro-hole drilling of C f / SiC composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bimetallic composites have a wide range of application prospects in various industries. Different bonding temperatures, as one of the influencing factors, directly affect the bonding effectiveness as well as the performance and application of the materials. Using metallurgical bonding techniques ensures a strong bond at the interface of bimetallic materials, resulting in high-quality composite pipe billets. This paper describes an Incoloy825/P110 steel bimetal composite material made by the solid–liquid composite method. By utilizing ProCAST 14.5 software for simulation and deriving theoretical formulas, an initial range of temperatures for bimetallic preparation has been tentatively determined. And this temperature range will be utilized for on-site experiments to prepare bimetallic samples. After the preparation process is completed, samples will be selected. The influence of the external mold temperature on the interface bonding of Incoloy825/P110 steel solid–liquid composite material is studied using an ultra-depth three-dimensional morphology microscope and a scanning electron microscope. Through research, the optimal preheating temperature range for the solid–liquid composite outer mold of Incoloy825/P110 bimetallic composite material has been determined. The casting temperature of the inner mold has a significant impact on the interface bonding of this bimetal composite material. As the casting temperature of the inner mold increases, the interface thickness gradually increases. At lower temperatures, the interface thickness is lower and the bonding is poorer. At higher temperatures, melting may occur, leading to coarse grains at the interface. When the temperatures of the inner and outer molds are within a certain range, a new phase appears at the interface. Indeed, it increases the strength of the interface bonding. Due to co-melting of the bimetal near the interface, element migration occurs, resulting in increased Ni and Cr content at the interface and enhanced corrosion resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last few decades, there has been a growing discourse surrounding environmental and health issues stemming from drinking water and the discharge of effluents into the environment. The rapid advancement of various sewage treatment methodologies has prompted a thorough exploration of promising materials to capitalize on their benefits. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), as porous materials, have garnered considerable attention from researchers in recent years. These materials boast exceptional properties: unparalleled porosity, expansive specific surface areas, unique electronic characteristics including semi-conductivity, and a versatile affinity for organic molecules. These attributes have fueled a spike in research activity. This paper reviews the current MOF-based wastewater removal technologies, including separation, catalysis, and related pollutant monitoring methods, and briefly introduces the basic mechanism of some methods. The scale production problems faced by MOF in water treatment applications are evaluated, and two pioneering methods for MOF mass production are highlighted. In closing, we propose targeted recommendations and future perspectives to navigate the challenges of MOF implementation in water purification, enhancing the efficiency of material synthesis for environmental stewardship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper verified the possibility of applying chitosan and/or ferulic acid or polycaprolactone (PCL)-based coatings to polydimethylsiloxane/neodymium–iron–boron (PDMS/NdFeB) composites using the spin-coating method. The surface modification of magnetic composites by biofunctional layers allows for the preparation of materials for biomedical applications. Biofunctional layered magnetic composites were obtained in three steps. The spin-coating method with various parameters (time and spin speed) was used to apply different substances to the surface of the composites. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) were used to analyze the thickness and surface topography. The contact angle of the obtained surfaces was tested. Increasing spin speed and increasing process time for the same speed resulted in decreasing the composite's thickness. The linear and surface roughness for the prepared coatings were approximately 0.2 μm and 0.01 μm, respectively, which are desirable values in the context of biocompatibility. The contact angle test results showed that both the addition of chitosan and PCL to PDMS have reduced the contact angle θ from 105° for non-coated composite to θ~59–88° depending on the coating. The performed modifications gave promising results mainly due to making the surface hydrophilic, which is a desirable feature of projected biomaterials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development of high and new technology, rubidium and its compounds show broad application prospect and market demand with their unique characteristics. At present, the production of rubidium metal is mainly prepared by calcium thermal reduction of rubidium chloride. Rubidium metal obtained by reduction requires multi-step vacuum distillation to obtain high-purity rubidium metal. The purity of rubidium metal depends on the purity of the raw material rubidium chloride. Rubidium metal is relatively active and is easy to oxidize and explode in air. Therefore, a method combining vacuum decomposition and vacuum distillation to reduce impurity elements in rubidium chloride from raw materials is proposed in this paper. The experimental results show that under the conditions of pressure of 5–10 Pa, distillation temperature of 823 K and vacuum distillation time of 60 min, the contents of Si and Zn impurities are reduced from 1206 mg/kg and 310 mg/kg to less than 0.1 mg/kg, and the removal rates are 99.99% and 99.97%, respectively. Rubidium chloride has almost no loss, and through one-step vacuum distillation, the impurity elements silicon and zinc can be deeply removed, reducing the flammability and explosiveness, high cost, long process and other problems caused by the subsequent preparation of high-purity rubidium metal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of triboelectric materials has gained considerable attention in recent years, offering a sustainable approach to energy harvesting and sensing technologies. Biomass-derived materials, owing to their abundance, renewability, and biocompatibility, offer promising avenues for enhancing the performance and versatility of triboelectric devices. This paper explores the synthesis and characterization of biomass-derived materials, their integration into triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), and their applications in energy harvesting, self-powered sensors, and environmental monitoring. This review presents an overview of the emerging field of advanced triboelectric applications that utilize the unique properties of biomass-derived materials. Additionally, it addresses the challenges and opportunities in employing biomass-derived materials for triboelectric applications, emphasizing the potential for sustainable and eco-friendly energy solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface preparation is an important step in adhesive technology. A variety of abrasive, chemical, or concentrated energy source treatments are used. The effects of these treatments vary due to the variety of factors affecting the final strength of bonded joints. This paper presents the results of an experimental study conducted to determine the feasibility of using fiber laser surface treatments in place of technologically and environmentally cumbersome methods. The effect of surface modification was studied on three materials: aluminum EN AW-1050A and aluminum alloys EN AW-2024 and EN AW-5083. For comparison purposes, joints were made with sandblasted and laser-textured surfaces and those rolled as reference samples for the selected overlap variant, glued with epoxy adhesive. The joints were made with an overlap of 8, 10, 12.5, 14, and 16 mm, and these tests made it possible to demonstrate laser processing as a useful technique to reduce the size of the overlap and achieve even higher load-bearing capacity of the joint compared to sandblasting. A comparative analysis was also carried out for the failure force of the adhesive bond and the failure energy. The results show the efficiency and desirability of using lasers in bonding, allowing us to reduce harmful technologies and reduce the weight of the bonded structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, two flower-like magnesium silicate nanomaterials were prepared. These and another two commercial magnesium silicate materials were characterized using a scanning electron microscope, the N2 adsorption–desorption method, and other methods. The structure–activity relationship between the adsorption performance of these four magnesium silicate materials and their specific surface area, pore size distribution, and pore structure was compared. The results showed that the 3-FMS modified by sodium dodecyl sulfonate (SDS) had the largest specific surface area and pore size, the best adsorption performance, and the largest experimental equilibrium adsorption capacity (qe,exp) for Co2+, reaching 190.01 mg/g, and Cr3+, reaching 208.89 mg/g. The adsorption behavior of the four materials for Co2+ and Cr3+ both fitted the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir adsorption model, indicating that chemical monolayer uniform adsorption was the dominant adsorption process. Among them, the theoretical adsorption capacity (qm) of 3-FMS was the highest, reaching 207.62 mg/g for Co2+ and 230.85 mg/g for Cr3+. Through further research, it was found that the four materials mainly removed Co2+ and Cr3+ through electrostatic adsorption, surface metal ions (Mg2+), and acidic groups (-OH and -SO3H) exchanging with ions in solution. The adsorption performance of two self-made flower-like magnesium silicate materials for Co2+ and Cr3+ was superior to that of two commercial magnesium silicates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]