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This phenomenological study explores the experiences of Chinese international undergraduate students in the United States as they work through the complications of COVID-19 that are potentially intertwined with Sinophobia. By drawing on insights from critical race theory, especially the lens of racial trauma and trauma-informed care, the current study interprets four primary themes: (a) Paradox: Confusions about Racism in Academic Life; (b) Racially-Traumatic Incidences and Risk Factors in Social and Cultural Life; (c) Exodus: Burnout, Homesick, and the Dilemma; and (d) Determined Traumatic Symptoms: Insomnia, Nightmare, and Negative Memories. Noticeably, social justice issues such as isolation, exclusion, threats, and discrimination were present during the 2020 academic year. Therefore, the implications are explored through sociopsychological perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

4D printing, which is the combination of 3D printing technology and printable smart materials, provides the potential of automating actuation devices. In this paper, we have used a modified-fused deposition modelling 3D printing technology to fabricate a double-layer laminate smart material, which can be activated by temperature directly or by an electric circuit indirectly. A double-layer laminate mathematical model has been developed to describe the bending behaviour caused by the mismatch strain between the surface layer and the basal layer. The electrocaloric deformation testings were performed to find the different bending rules of this low-cost printed active composite in different physical states. The considerable maximal deformation values and deformation force (7 mm and 100 mN for these carbon fibre (CF)/polylactic acid specimens, and 10 mm and 200 mN for these CF/polyether-ether-ketone specimens in the paper) provide this double-layer smart material and 4D printing method the prospective to be applied in biomimetic sensors, actuators, transducers, and artificial muscles. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Parameters in the stereolithography, drying, and sintering processes of ceramic components had significant influences on the fabrication accuracies. Taguchi's experimental design method was utilised to investigate the relationships between parameters and the fabrication accuracies. In the stereolithography process, line-width compensation had a significant influence on the part's dimensions. On the contrary, scanning speed had an insignificant effect. The vacuum-freeze drying method was used to decrease shrinkage (less than 2.0%) in the drying process. Sintering temperature was the most important factor in the sintering process. According to analysis of the influence of the ladder effect on surface roughness, small layer thickness and large inclination angle (more than 30°) were proposed to improve the surface quality of the produced ceramic parts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]