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Johnson's approximation is implemented in a finite element code to simulate the electric field dependence of a core–shell microstructure material. We show how the microstructure, based here on a 50:50 volume fraction, influences the measured effective permittivity as a function of applied voltage. Using a Johnson's parameter of β = 1.0 × 1010 Vm5/C3, verified from commercial BaTiO3‐based multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCC), we show how the microstructure and the difference in core and shell conductivities alter the local fields generated and how this influences the voltage dependence of the effective permittivity. Systems that comprise a conductive core‐like material surrounded by a resistive shell experience little or modest voltage dependence due to the shell material providing shielding to large electric fields within the cores. Conversely, if the core material is more resistive than the shell material, substantial voltage dependence occurs with simulations showing over a 50% decrease in the effective permittivity. These simulations give improved understanding of voltage dependence and provide a method to help guide the design of future materials for MLCCs with improved performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent advancements in 3D tissue engineering and organ‐on‐a‐chip systems have revolutionized biomedical research by providing sophisticated platforms that mimic complex physiological environments. This review explores various techniques in 3D printing, including bioprinting materials, laser‐induced forward transfer, ink‐jet systems, and microextrusion methods, highlighting their roles in fabricating intricate tissue constructs. Physical and biochemical characterization methods for assessing these engineered tissues on microchips are discussed in detail, emphasizing their importance in accurately replicating physiological conditions. The review further delves into the development of multiple organ and single organ‐on‐a‐chip systems. It covers two‐organ, three‐organ, and four‐organ platforms, as well as individual systems such as pancreas‐on‐a‐chip, kidney‐on‐a‐chip, liver‐on‐a‐chip, lung‐on‐a‐chip, blood–brain barrier‐on‐a‐chip, heart‐on‐a‐chip, breast cancer‐on‐a‐chip, gut‐on‐a‐chip, and blood vessels‐on‐a‐chip. Each section addresses the unique challenges and advancements associated with these models, providing insights into their potential applications in drug testing, disease modelling, and personalized medicine. In conclusion, the article discusses current challenges and offers perspectives on future directions in 3D tissue engineering and organ‐on‐a‐chip technology, highlighting the transformative impact of these systems on biomedical research and healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogels are renowned for their complex structures and unique physicochemical properties, establishing them as key materials in bioenergy harvesting applications. They are used in various applications, including triboelectric nanogenerators, piezoelectric, hydraulic, thermoelectric, and biofuel cells. Among these, hydrogels as key materials for thermoelectric applications represent a technology capable of continuously converting biological energy (thermal energy) into electrical energy. This technology shows great potential and commercial value in body monitoring, energy storage, and human‐machine interaction applications. Given its rapid development, a timely review focusing on the research progress of hydrogels and their composites in thermoelectric technology is presented. This review discusses various types of hydrogels used for thermoelectric power generation and refrigeration, their unique properties, strategies for enhancing their thermoelectric performance, and their applications in the field. Finally, the remaining challenges and feasible strategies are identified for improving the efficiency, stability, application range, and system‐level integration of next‐generation hydrogels for thermoelectric applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nature's diversity offers an abundance of promising solutions for novel bioinspired functional materials and systems. In particular, single‐celled organisms exhibit solutions and material properties that are realized at the nano‐ and micro‐scales. Ciliates are ubiquitous unicellular eukaryotes that are well‐adapted to a wide range of environmental conditions. They have developed a large variety of interesting and highly specialized characteristics with unique properties and design. In this review, the background of selected ciliate characteristics is highlighted with respect to material properties and structure‐function relationships. Hierarchically complex mineralized structures, highly efficient sensors for movement and protection, shape‐memory structures, as well as survival and detoxification strategies are to be emphasized. Proposed future bioinspired applications of these properties of ciliates expand the possibilities to more sustainable materials and development processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to its excellent durability and steady mechanical qualities, three‐dimensional porous polyurethane foam (PUF) presents a wide range of possibilities for flexible piezoresistive sensors. Its extreme flammability, poor electrical conductivity, and susceptibility to outside factors present serious difficulties, though. In this study, a waterborne polyurethane‐coated flexible PUF sensor that incorporates reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and polyaniline (PANI) through a methodical, step‐by‐step dip‐coating methodology is successfully developed. The final product has a water contact angle of 133°, which improves its ability to adapt to a variety of environmental circumstances. Flexible graphene sheets are incorporated to improve heat resistance and flame retardancy, and PANI and RGO provide strong bonding to the PUF framework, ensuring outstanding structural stability even after 1500 cycles. The flexible foam sensor shows promise for use in flexible piezoresistive sensors and electronic skin due to its remarkable strain monitoring range of up to 70%, quick response time of 0.39 s in sensitivity experiments, and adaptability to different physical activities like walking and gesturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The escalating concern regarding the release of CO2 into the atmosphere poses a significant threat to the contemporary efforts in mitigating climate change. Amidst a multitude of strategies for curtailing CO2 emissions, the electrochemical CO2 reduction presents a promising avenue for transforming CO2 molecules into a diverse array of valuable gaseous and liquid products, such as CO, CH3OH, CH4, HCO2H, C2H4, C2H5OH, CH3CO2H, 1‐C3H7OH and others. The mechanistic investigations of gaseous products (e. g. CO, CH4, C2H4, C2H6 and others) broadly covered in the literature. There is a noticeable gap in the literature when it comes to a comprehensive summary exclusively dedicated to coherent roadmap for the designing principles for a selective catalyst all possible liquid products (such as CH3OH, C2H5OH, 1‐C3H7OH, 2‐C3H7OH, 1‐C4H9OH, as well as other C3‐C4 products like methylglyoxal and 2,3‐furandiol, in addition to HCO2H, AcOH, oxalic acid and others), selectively converted by CO2 reduction. This entails a meticulous analysis to justify these approaches and a thorough exploration of the correlation between materials and their electrocatalytic properties. Furthermore, these insightful discussions illuminate the future prospects for practical applications, a facet not exhaustively examined in prior reviews. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soft robots have been advancing rapidly, but their control is still limited by rigid control elements. Soft valves offer a solution to this problem by enabling soft robots to no longer rely on rigid control elements. They have become an emerging research topic in soft robotics. However, with a large number of publications on soft valves, it may be challenging for researchers to quickly grasp the advanced technology related to soft valves. To address this issue, this article summarizes the current state of development in soft valves. The design principles and applications of soft valves in terms of structures and materials are discussed, along with the modeling ideas for soft valves. Finally, the current challenges faced by soft valves are outlined, and potential solutions to these problems are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural resources are vital resources given by nature and are responsible for promoting a nation's economic development. However, with the existence of two opposing theories, it is essential to provide state‐of‐the‐art research that ascertains the association between natural resources and economic growth. The Rostow hypothesis presents the importance of natural resources in promoting economic growth, while the resources curse hypothesis alludes that natural resources, in the developing countries, reduce economic growth. The present research uses the contemporary Methods of Moments Quantile Regression method to explore on this relationship in the fifteen natural resources‐rich African countries. The data used are annual data for the period 1990 to 2021. The major results presented in this research show that natural resources rent significantly promotes economic growth in this region, supporting the postulations of Rostow's hypothesis. Renewable energy is also observed to play a significant role in raising economic growth of this region. However, labor force participation rate is determined to reduce economic growth and this can be explained by high levels of unemployment in this region. Capital provides a positive but insignificant effect on economic growth of the natural resources‐rich African countries. The study results also show that economic growth, capital, trade openness, and labor force enhance natural resources rent. The study calls for the improvement in the use of renewable energy and natural resources in order to attain sustainable economic development in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the important research components of photocatalytic research is the development of new photocatalysts, and recent studies have shown the rise of borate‐type photocatalysts. This paper focuses on the photoreduction of potassium dichromate and the photodegradation of rhodamine B by two borate composites under simulated sunlight. A coral‐like borate was obtained by sol‐gel preparation and then assembled by photodeposition with Pt nanoparticles dots or CuO particles to obtain the new composites with excellent performance. The kinetic constants of photocatalytic properties of 2 %Pt/Gd0.85Ce0.15B5O9 and 2.5 %CuO/Gd0.90Ce0.10B5O9 samples in the reduction and degradation reactions are 0.0050 min−1 and 0.0150 min−1, which are 25 and 4.2 times of the intrinsic GdB5O9 sample respectively. The results of the study indicate the research promise of developing new visible photocatalysts based on borates, especially for photocatalytic applications for pollutant removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the important research components of photocatalytic research is the development of new photocatalysts, and recent studies have shown the rise of borate‐type photocatalysts. This paper focuses on the photoreduction of potassium dichromate and the photodegradation of rhodamine B by two borate composites under simulated sunlight. A coral‐like borate was obtained by sol‐gel preparation and then assembled by photodeposition with Pt nanoparticles dots or CuO particles to obtain the new composites with excellent performance. The kinetic constants of photocatalytic properties of 2 %Pt/Gd0.85Ce0.15B5O9 and 2.5 %CuO/Gd0.90Ce0.10B5O9 samples in the reduction and degradation reactions are 0.0050 min−1 and 0.0150 min−1, which are 25 and 4.2 times of the intrinsic GdB5O9 sample respectively. The results of the study indicate the research promise of developing new visible photocatalysts based on borates, especially for photocatalytic applications for pollutant removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circular economy (CE) is aimed at redressing the negative impacts on the environment from linear economic models. CE should consider the economic and environmental dimensions; however, in most cases, these have been addressed separately. CE discourses have focused mainly on the environmental dimension and assumed that all material loops must be closed. Despite the calls to engage with CE, there has been extremely limited research on decision‐making for CE. The following steps were followed in the decision‐making for CE framework construction and design: (1) reviewing the literature; (2) considering economic data approaches; (3) accounting for material flows; (4) modifying the fungibility approach to focus on the environmental dimension; (5) considering environmental impacts; and, (6) selecting a decision tree format. This paper combines the economic fungibility (probability of recovery and price), environmental impacts fungibility (probability of recovery and environmental impacts) to develop the 'Decision‐making tree for circular economy' framework. The decision‐making tree for circular economy is aimed at providing guidance on which and how to close loops depending on economic considerations, environmental impact, and probability of recovery of materials. The CE decision‐making tree provides eight options to help decide which and how to close such loops, and help decide which material loops should be eliminated, closed, or remain open. Decision‐making is key to deciding which loops to close to engage with CE more efficiently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to trauma and disease, bone defects endanger the healthy life of human beings. At present, the gold standard for bone defect repair is still autologous bone transplantation and allogeneic bone transplantation. However, its insufficient source, potential disease transmission and immune rejection limit its clinical application. Therefore, the development of bone repair materials plays an important role in promoting bone repair. As the interface between material and tissue, the surface of the material plays an important role in the reaction after implantation, which determines the effectiveness of defect repair treatment. With the development of surface engineering and technology, bone repair materials have developed from biological inertia to biological activity by endowing various biological functions by controlling the composition, topological morphology and structure of the material surface etc. The inspired biofunctionalisation of material surface includes the capacities of inducing osteogenesis, promoting angiogenesis, antibacterial, immune regulation etc., as well as integration of postoperative repair and treatment. The authors review the biofunctionalisation of biomaterial surface and the inspired biological effects for bone repair, mainly including physical and chemical properties of material surface to regulate osteogenesis, and functional strategy of bone repair material surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochromic devices (ECDs) possess the performance advantages in terms of color adjustability, low power consumption, and visual friendliness, emerging as one of the ideal candidates for energy‐efficient smart windows, next‐generation displays, and wearable electronics. The optical and electrical characteristics of ECDs can be adjusted by modifying the materials or structure of devices. This review summarizes the recent developments of innovative technologies and key materials of ECDs for display applications, highlighting the key issues and development trends in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for efficient and accelerated osseointegration in dental implantology has led to the exploration of innovative tissue engineering strategies. Immediate implant loading reduces treatment duration and necessitates robust osseointegration to ensure long‐term implant success. This review article discusses the current studies of tissue engineering innovations for enhancing osseointegration in immediate dental implant loading in the recent decade. Keywords "tissue engineering," "osseointegration," "immediate implant loading," and related terms were systematically searched. The review highlights the potential of bioactive materials and growth factor delivery systems in promoting osteogenic activity and accelerating bone regeneration. The in vivo experiment demonstrates significantly improved osseointegration in the experimental group compared to traditional immediate loading techniques, as evidenced by histological analyses and biomechanical assessments. It is possible to revolutionize the treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction in dental implants by integrating bioactive materials and growth factors. Significant statement: In dental implantology, breakthrough tissue engineering approaches are being explored to achieve efficient and rapid osseointegration. Throughout the past decade, several studies have attempted to enhance osseointegration in direct‐loading dental implants. For successful osseointegration of implants, immediate loading aims to reduce treatment duration. These findings highlight the potential of bioactive materials and growth factor delivery systems for stimulating osteogenic activity and accelerating bone regeneration. Based on histological analyses and biomechanical assessments, in vivo studies show significantly improved osseointegration than traditional immediate loading techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrocatalysis plays a pivotal role in renewable energy conversion and associated chemical production, enabling a variety of emerging sustainability technologies with societal impacts. Achieving marked improvement in electrocatalytic performance relies on a deep understanding of catalyst microstructures and catalytic mechanisms, with a particular emphasis on the detailed, spatiotemporally resolved characterizations of the underlying fundamental electrocatalytic processes. This fundamental need drives the development of operando imaging techniques, which improve the ability to detect dynamic structural changes in electrocatalysts and establish clear structure‐performance relationships for morphologically complex, hierarchically structured catalytic materials. This review aims to highlight significant advancements in the application of operando imaging techniques to develop a deeper understanding of important heterogeneous electrocatalytic reactions critical for emerging sustainability technologies. We summarize the up‐to‐date key mechanistic insights regarding these reactions achieved through a range of operando imaging techniques, including electron microscopies, X‐ray imaging techniques, scanning probe microscopies, and optical microscopies. We conclude by pointing out emerging directions and future prospects within the field of operando imaging in electrocatalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have defined a procedure for the late‐stage functionalization of aryl borazines to facilitate the synthesis of a diverse array of borazine derivatives with varying substitution patterns, paving the way for further exploration of the field. More in detail, we have studied and disclosed a simple iodination procedure that could be applied to several differently substituted substrates (1 a–i) with mostly good to excellent yields (47–96%). The representative iodinated compounds 2 b and 2 e, were utilized to test their use in further representative functionalization steps such as cyanation, Heck, and Sonogashira reactions. All products 3 a–e were obtained in satisfactory good to very good yields considering the multiple (three or six times) concomitant reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cocatalyst and the semiconductors are tightly coupled to achieve effective separation of charges, which is one of the effective ways to improve photocatalytic hydrogen production in recent years. In this report, natural reed as raw material was simple sintering to obtain silicon carbide (SiC) nanowires supported on carbon nano onions (CNOs), and NiOX as a cocatalyst was introduced and evenly distributed on the SiC and CNOs to form a NiOX/SiC/CNOs heterojunction composite, which can be used for photocatalytic hydrogen production under visible light. The structure and performance of the composite were investigated by XRD, XPS, TEM, SEM, FTIR, GC, etc. The results show that the NiOX/SiC/CNOs composite performed excellent photocatalytic activity, When the loaded NiOX is 1.0 wt %, the maximum hydrogenation rate can reach 3160.2 μmol ⋅ g−1 h−1 in the presence of Eosin Y (EY) as photosensitizer and triethanolamine (TEOA) as a sacrificial agent, which is 2.86 times that of SiC/CNOs. The improvement in photocatalytic performance was mainly attributed to synergistic effects of high light absorbing efficiency, effective charge separation, increasing the transfer rate of electrons, and NiOX high dispersion active sites in SiC/CNOs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soils around the planet creep, despite wide variations in particle properties and environments. This sub‐yield "flow" of soil interacts with a variety of boundaries, in terms of geometry and friction. Here we explore the veracity of recent observations of undisturbed, gravity‐driven creep, by testing a suite of materials and boundary configurations in an experimental hillslope. Using an optical interferometry technique, we demonstrate that creep is a generic relaxation process whose qualitative dynamics are insensitive to grain properties. Velocity profiles are exponential, albeit with a defect near the no‐slip boundary. Quantitative patterns such as spatial variability and magnitude of strain rates, however, are exquisitely sensitive to the details of the experiment. The emerging picture is that creep is accomplished by localized plastic failure, which induces an elastic redistribution. Similar patterns have been observed in model glasses and on earthquake faults, indicating that sub‐yield relaxation in disordered materials may share common physics. Plain Language Summary: A while ago, we poured some glass beads into a box. Even days after we were done pouring, the grains still moved—but really slowly. This is creep. Our observations of "undisturbed" creep have aroused surprise and also suspicion from fellow geoscientists—in particular because experiments were conducted using glass beads, while natural soil particles are more angular and sometimes sticky. To help convince everyone that creep is robust, we dumped a bunch of different materials into an acrylic box over and over again. Sand, espresso grounds, yeast, clay—you name it, we dumped it. It all creeps, and it doesn't really matter whether the boundaries are smooth or rough. Key Points: Soil slowly creeps downhill due to gravity aloneCreep dynamics are robust across a range of granular materials and boundary roughnessGranular creep is similar to creep in glass and also localized slip along faults [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In cases of severely damaged teeth with limited coronal tooth structure and remaining hard dental tissues subgingivally, a custom‐made post‐and‐core restoration is required. Teeth with non‐circular canal space also require this type of restoration because the build‐up with pre‐fabricated posts could lead to thick cement layer. The development of CAD/CAM technologies widens the range of the materials that can be used for prosthetic restorations. Along with base dental alloys, newly developed materials may be applied. The aim of the article is to present four clinical cases of severely damaged teeth which utilize different materials and different production techniques for custom post‐and‐core fabrication. In the first clinical case, a metal post‐and‐core restoration was fabricated by direct metal laser sintering. In the second clinical case, digital technologies were used to produce a 3D‐printed resin prototype for further investing and casting from base metal dental alloy. In the third clinical case, fibre‐reinforced composite was used for fabrication of the custom post‐and‐core by milling. In the fourth clinical case, the restoration is produced by milling of lithium disilicate ceramics IPS emax CAD (Ivoclar Vivadent, Lichtenstein). The bond between the fibre‐reinforced composite post‐and‐core and the hard dental tissues offered possibility to compensate—to some extent—the shape of the preparation which was not optimal. CAD/CAM technologies applied in these clinical cases provided combination of high accuracy of fitting with good stability and individual shape of the restorations. © 2023 Australian Dental Association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic solar cells (OSCs) are a promising emerging photovoltaic technology for solar energy conversion. Recently, the power conversion efficiencies of the OSCs have been improved to get closer to their Schottky–Queisser limit. However, the operational stability of OSCs remains as a major challenge ahead of their deployment for practical applications. The main causes of OSC instability stem from the poor intrinsic stability of materials, metastable morphology of the multicomponent active layer, unstable interfaces, and sensitivity to moisture and oxygen. To address these issues, it is necessary to have a comprehensive and in‐depth understanding of the OSC fundamentals and develop an integrated solution to overcome them. Herein, the state‐of‐art strategies used to improve the stability of OSCs from the aspects of material design, device processing, and encapsulation techniques, in hope of delivering comprehensive and rational solutions, are summarized. In the end, the prospects toward the future development of efficient and stable OSCs are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ankle–foot orthoses (AFOs) assist patients with gait impairment by correcting ankle and foot deformities, restoring mobility, reducing pain, and providing protection and immobilization. AFOs can effectively manage various types of gait pathologies, including foot drop, crouch gait, equinus gait, and stiff knee gait. AFOs are available in prefabricated or custom‐made forms in various designs. The selection criteria for the fabrication of an AFO are the duration of usage, the amount of applied force, the degree of axial loading, the patient's skin condition, and the cost. The accessibility of diverse materials in the last century has significantly improved orthoses. Ideal orthotic materials must be light, stiff, and strong, and can be made of plastics, metals, polymer‐based composites, leather, or a hybrid of different materials. A deeper understanding of the materials employed in the fabrication of AFOs holds the potential for more advanced and efficient orthoses, which can improve patients' ability to ambulate in the real world. The present review provides insight into the various materials utilized for the fabrication of AFOs and describes the benefits and challenges associated with the materials. An attempt has also been made to highlight typical gait pathologies and design concepts in response to them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bionic robotics and actuators have made dramatic advancements in structural design, material preparation, and application owing to the richness of nature and innovative material design. Appropriate and ingenious sources of bio‐inspiration can stimulate a large number of different bionic systems. After millennia of survival and evolutionary exploration, the mere existence of life confirms that nature is constantly moving in an evolutionary direction of optimization and improvement. To this end, bio‐inspired robots and actuators can be constructed for the completion of a variety of artificial design instructions and requirements. In this article, the advances in bio‐inspired materials for robotics and actuators with the sources of bio‐inspiration are reviewed. The specific sources of inspiration in bionic systems and corresponding bio‐inspired applications are summarized first. Then the basic functions of materials in bio‐inspired robots and actuators is discussed. Moreover, a principle of matching biomaterials is creatively suggested. Furthermore, the implementation of biological information extraction is discussed, and the preparation methods of bionic materials are reclassified. Finally, the challenges and potential opportunities involved in finding sources of bio‐inspiration and materials for robotics and actuators in the future is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teacher educators drive preservice teachers' learning about teaching particularly through feedback. The learning materials produced by preservice teachers also play a crucial role in English language teacher training but may not be receiving the necessary attention in teacher education programs. Preservice teachers lack formal teaching experiences, which may result in their overemphasizing material delivery while underemphasizing material suitability. Providing teacher educators with criteria for evaluating learning materials developed by preservice teachers could aid in their providing quality formative feedback. Therefore, this study was designed to construct a research‐based contextualized evaluation checklist for learning materials. Adopting a systematic yet flexible design‐based method allowed for the integration of design and intervention to develop a solution for this targeted educational problem. The researchers adopted a three‐phase process for this study: analysis and exploration of a teacher educator's needs and extant literature on learning materials; design and construction; and evaluation and reflection. Learning materials designed by a preservice teacher were used to pilot the checklist. The results showed a need for refinement to form the final evaluation checklist. The checklist can be used by teacher educators for preservice teacher evaluation purposes or by preservice teachers as a quality check. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogels with adjustable mechanical properties have been engineered as matrices for mammalian cells and allow the dynamic, mechano‐responsive manipulation of cell fate and function. Recent research yields hydrogels, where biological photoreceptors translated optical signals into a reversible and adjustable change in hydrogel mechanics. While their initial application provides important insights into mechanobiology, broader implementation is limited by a small dynamic range of addressable stiffness. Herein, this limitation is overcome by developing a photoreceptor‐based hydrogel with reversibly adjustable stiffness from ≈800 Pa to the sol state. The hydrogel is based on star‐shaped polyethylene glycol, functionalized with the red/far‐red light photoreceptor phytochrome B (PhyB), or phytochrome‐interacting factor 6 (PIF6). Upon illumination with red light, PhyB heterodimerizes with PIF6, thus crosslinking the polymers and resulting in gelation. However, upon illumination with far‐red light, the proteins dissociate and trigger a complete gel‐to‐sol transition. The hydrogel's light‐responsive mechanical properties are comprehensively characterized and it is applied as a reversible extracellular matrix for the spatiotemporally controlled deposition of mammalian cells within a microfluidic chip. It is anticipated that this technology will open new avenues for the site‐ and time‐specific positioning of cells and will contribute to overcome spatial restrictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigations on material requirements of high‐strength steels – FOSTA research network HOCHFEST Structural steels with higher strengths enable slender and material saving, thus particularly sustainable construction. In the second generation of EC3‐1‐1, which will be applied in the future, design of steel structures is already possible up to steel grade S700. However, already now, the standardization committee CEN/TC/250/SC3 has commissioned the respective WG12 to prepare rule proposals for the Eurocodes for the design of steel structures using steel grades in the range S700 to S960. Clarification of the material requirements in this context is at the very beginning of the works. The question arises as to whether the set of requirements as formulated so far for the steels up to S700 can continue to exist not only in the amount of minimum or limit‐values, but also whether the type of requirements would then still be appropriate. This article reports on the status of the investigations in this respect of a research project P1509 set up within the framework of High Strength Research Network (HOCHFEST). It discusses the current material requirements with regard to a transfer to steels up to S960 in type and value, gives an overview of the research methods and points out possible alternatives. The research project is not yet completed and further results are therefore to be expected. However, tendencies are already emerging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimized shelving racks through the use of high‐strength steel Warehouse technology worldwide is characterized by booming online trade, limited space capacities and greater heights of rack structures. However, the technical design of racking systems follows the rapid development in logistics only sluggishly. The potential of modern high‐strength steels, which have long been established in automotive and mechanical engineering, is not fully exploited in modern storage technology, even though shelving is predestined for the use of high‐strength steels. The aim of the FOSTA research project P1512 (IGF Nr.21465/N) was therefore to develop the material‐specific, manufacturing and dimensioning fundamentals for the use of high‐strength steels in shelving. For this purpose, on the one hand, the suitability of various high‐strength steels for their use in floors and supports was tested. On the other hand, the load‐bearing and stability behavior of shelf uprights made of high‐strength steel was analyzed through experimental investigations; numerical simulations are used to optimize upright geometries so that their cross‐sections can be utilized with the lowest possible material input. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

20 July 1969: approximately 240 000 mi away from Earth, two astronauts named Neil Armstrong and Edwin E. Aldrin Jr. landed on the moon. 20 October 2020: approximately 200 million miles away from Earth, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) managed to land a spacecraft on an asteroid named Bennu and collect a sample from its surface. Sometime 2030s: approximately 34 million miles away from Earth, NASA is looking to successfully send humans to Mars. So, why is all this important? The effects of climate change are apparent on Earth today—temperatures around the world higher than normal, a rising sea level, natural disasters increasing in frequency and strength—and these effects continue to become ever more apparent as time goes on; thus, there is a need for solutions, which outer space has become one that is simultaneously grown in seriousness over the years. Colonizing space, traveling to distant planets and inhabiting them, these are definite possibilities for humans, as evidenced above by the remarkable progress NASA has made; however, one of the biggest obstacles NASA is dealing with in bringing those possibilities into fruition is their food system—all the actors and interactions within a food chain, meaning those who grow the food, those who process the food, those who transport the food, those who sell the food and finally, those who consume and dispose of the food. The shelf life of NASA's current food system will not last past 18 months in the unique environment of space, where there are the hazards of galactic cosmic rays, solar radiation and microgravity. Recognizing this—essentially recognizing that achieving such aforementioned feats would require a food system that can last much longer—NASA and others have constantly been researching and experimenting with their food system, ranging from how its food is grown, processed and preserved to the focus of this literature review: how it is packaged. Henceforth, the purpose of this literature review is to chronologically look at and discuss the major materials and technologies used in NASA's space food packaging of the past—the 1960s–1970s—look at and discuss those of the present—the 1980s–2000s—and finally, look ahead and discuss those of the future, entailing materials and technologies currently being worked on or considered for future use in NASA space missions. At that, here's to 60 years of activity in space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an implementation tool of data intensive scientific research methods, machine learning (ML) can effectively shorten the research and development (R&D) cycle of new materials by half or even more. ML shows great potential in the combination with other scientific research technologies, especially in the processing and classification of large amounts of material data from theoretical calculation and experimental characterization. It is very important to systematically understand the research ideas of material informatics to accelerate the exploration of new materials. Here, we provide a comprehensive introduction to the most commonly used ML modeling methods in material informatics with classic cases. Then, we review the latest progresses of prediction models, which focus on new processing–structure–properties–performance (PSPP) relationships in some popular material systems, such as perovskites, catalysts, alloys, two‐dimensional materials, and polymers. In addition, we summarize the recent pioneering researches in innovation of material research technology, such as inverse design, ML interatomic potentials, and microtopography characterization assistance, as new research directions of material informatics. Finally, we comprehensively provide the most significant challenges and outlooks related to the future innovation and development in the field of material informatics. This review provides a critical and concise appraisal for the applications of material informatics, and a systematic and coherent guidance for material scientists to choose modeling methods based on required materials and technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tension member made from carbon fiber polymer composite subject to static and fatigue loads – first results from joint research project NeZuCa For high availability of bridge infrastructure, solutions are needed that can withstand high traffic loads reliably and contribute to climate protection through resource savings. The principle of the network arch bridge allows for efficient and low‐deformation bridge structures with spans of over 300 m, using slender primarily axially loaded main members. The use of high‐performance carbon materials (unidirectional carbon‐fibre‐reinforced polymers, UD‐CFRP) allows for an extremely efficient lightweight solution for highly stressed tension members and offers potential savings in the primary structure. Carbon tension members are currently not regulated by building authorities. For the basis of an individual approval (ZiE), project‐specific component tests financed by the respective client were used for initial applications. Within the framework of the joint research project NeZuCa (Network Arch Bridges with Carbon Tension Members), component tests under static and non‐static loading conditions, as well as additional investigations, are conducted to establish the basis for a standardized and simplified application of the technology. This article presents the initial results reported by the project consortium. NeZuCa is supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy as part of the Lightweight Construction Technology Transfer Program (TTP‐LB) and is supervised by the Project Management Agency Jülich (PTJ). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is an urgent need that defect repair can develop from simple device fixation to living tissue reconstruction, from short life function replacement to permanent regeneration repair. At present, bone transplantation has become the second largest transplantation surgery after blood transfusion, and artificial bone transplantation generates great hope for the repair and treatment of bone defect. In order to repair bone defect, artificial bone must have good biological properties and sufficient mechanical properties, and it should also have the shape matching to bone defect site and the connected porous structure. For structures and properties requirements of artificial bone, in this review three major challenges faced by artificial bone transplantation are systemtically analyzed and current methods and strategies to address these issues are discussed: 1) the need for developing a type of bone scaffold material with both biological and mechanical properties, 2) the need for realizing the controllable fabrication of individual shape and multistage pore structure of bone scaffold, 3) the need for realizing the transformation from man‐made structure to biological structure. Besides, it summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of these methods and discusses the potential future directions of structural and functional adaptive artificial bone for bone defect regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Material properties of historical steels from exhibition hall 12 in Leipzig at elevated temperatures This paper describes material investigations on historic steel structures. In the course of the reconstruction of the exhibition hall 12 in Leipzig, parts of the original load‐bearing structure are to be restored and integrated into the new building. In order to verify the resistance of the structure, material tests were carried out on the steels and the riveted joints both under ambient temperature and at elevated temperatures. In analogy to the regulations of Eurocode 3, calculation values for the verification were derived from the test results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Driven by the need for new affordable wireless data communication technologies, special liquid crystals have been developed and optimized for use in microwave components above 10 GHz. As tunable dielectrics, they pave the way for continuously tunable antennas for SATCOM and wireless 5G/6G applications either fixed at home or on‐the‐move. This presentation gives an insight into the current material development with special focus on the application in transparent antennas for fixed 5G access. Sunlight stability tests for an equivalent device lifetime of 5 years were conducted resulting in yellowing index values of < 4, being 2.5 times less than the required threshold. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perovskite materials have demonstrated excellent performance in the field of solar cells, and the device efficiency has already exceeded 25%. However, to date, perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have not been able to achieve large‐scale production. The biggest obstacle to commercializing PSCs is the stability problem that has been widely criticized since their inception. In the last 5 years, the emergence of 2D/3D perovskites has provided a new way to solve this problem. In this review, the representative work on 2D/3D perovskites is summarized, focusing on how 2D/3D structures can simultaneously improve device efficiency and stability. Starting from materials, the current perovskite material system with 2D/3D structure, as well as the bulky organic molecules used to prepare 2D/3D perovskites, is summarized and the corresponding preparation methods are discussed. After that, the influence of the 2D/3D structure on the crystallization of perovskites, the passivation, stabilization, and protection of 2D perovskite on 3D perovskite, and the mechanism of the 2D/3D perovskite heterojunction are discussed in depth. In the end, the development of 2D/3D perovskite from the aspects of research status, advantages, problems encountered, and future research directions is analyzed and prospected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The choice of the ideal material employed in selector devices is a tough task both from the theoretical and experimental side, especially due to the lack of a synergistic approach between techniques able to correlate specific material properties with device characteristics. Using a material‐to‐device multiscale technique, a reliable protocol for an efficient characterization of the active traps in amorphous GeSe chalcogenide is proposed. The resulting trap maps trace back the specific features of materials responsible for the measured findings, and connect them to an atomistic description of the sample. The metrological approach can be straightforwardly extended to other materials and devices, which is very beneficial for an efficient material‐device codesign and the optimization of novel technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an extended member of the thermoelectric family, ionic thermoelectrics (i‐TEs) exhibit exceptional Seebeck coefficients and applicable power factors, and as a result have triggered intensive interest as a promising energy conversion technique to harvest and exploit low‐grade waste heat (<130 °C). The last decade has witnessed great progress in i‐TE materials and devices; however, there are ongoing disputes about the inherent fundamentals and working mechanisms of i‐TEs, and a comprehensive overview of this field is required urgently. In this review, the prominent i‐TE effects, which set the ground for i‐TE materials, or more precisely, thermo‐electrochemical systems, are first elaborated. Then, TE performance, capacitance capability, and mechanical properties of such system‐based i‐TE materials, followed by a critical discussion on how to manipulate these factors toward a higher figure‐of‐merit, are examined. After that, the prevalent molding methods for assembling i‐TE materials into applicable devices are summarized. To conclude, several evaluation criteria for i‐TE devices are proposed to quantitatively illustrate the promise of practical applications. It is therefore clarified that, if the recent trend of developing i‐TEs can continue, the waste heat recycling landscape will be significantly altered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mechanical material behaviour of ultra‐high‐strength structural steel S960QL in case of fire Due to their good strength‐to‐weight ratio, high‐ and ultra‐high‐strength structural steels are increasingly used in multi‐storey and industrial buildings in the form of plate material, pipes and sections. For structures with fire protection requirements, however, the use of high‐strength structural steels is currently inhibited by a lack of knowledge regarding temperature‐ and rate‐dependent material behaviour. Comprehensive knowledge of the material behaviour is a basis for a realistic modeling of the load‐bearing behaviour of steel structures. Within the framework of the FOSTA‐research project P 1502, systematic investigations of the structural material behaviour of ultra‐high‐strength steels are carried out in terms of an extensive tensile test program. The aim of the project is to characterise the mechanical material behaviour during all phases of a fire, including the cooling phase of natural fire scenarios. The paper addresses the material behaviour of quenched and tempered steel S960QL in fire. Steady state and transient state tensile test results are presented and used for the characterisation of the material behaviour during the heating phase of a fire and the comparison to common material models. In addition, the results of natural fire tests for the evaluation of the material behaviour in the cooling phase and the residual behaviour are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bar bundle columns with high‐strength reinforcing steel As part of the AiF project "Bar bundle columns with high‐strength reinforcement steel" the load‐bearing behavior of bar bundle columns in cold and fire conditions was investigated. Bar bundle columns are a new type of composite columns. To this purpose, a bundle of high‐strength reinforcing bars with a yield strength of 670 MPa is placed in a steel tube and then grouted with mortar. The bundle can consist of 1, 3, 7 or 19 bars. To analyze the load‐bearing behavior, relevant material parameters were determined in cold and in fire conditions. Subsequently, large‐scale buckling tests were carried out under room temperature and in fire case. Considering the obtained results, an FE model was created and calibrated. On this basis, a design concept was developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The implantable electronic devices have attracted great attention for solving clinical problems ranging from monitoring psychological states to electro‐organ transplantation. The ongoing challenges are the selection of suitable materials in a target device configuration for biomedical applications. To address the ongoing challenges, there are several interesting questions: what types of electronic materials can be used as the implantable electrodes? What types of materials can be used as the substrates for the implantable electronic devices? What types of materials can be used as membranes and encapsulations? What types of device configurations are there for implantable biomedical applications? What types of applications are for implantable electronic devices? This review will highlight the attempts for addressing these questions. This review will explore the fundamentals and practical aspects of a variety of materials and their biomedical applications in implantable electronic devices. It is anticipated that this review could provide new opportunities for the construction of future implantable electronic devices, as well as related applications for disease diagnosis and therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Learning takes place in various spaces through human and nonhuman interactions. Considering the urgent need for rethinking how humans relate to nature, in this article we present a MA level course in the context of art, craft and design to discuss how learning with the natural environment approach can impact learning experiences. We introduce walking with nature as a creative method that fosters students' ability to let the environment actively shape their creative events. The encounter with nature‐based materials in their different forms and following the material's flow provides students with a foundation for their creative processes. This study proposes that walking can facilitate the entanglement between the student's knowledge and encountered materials, generating an emotional and dialogical relationship with the natural environment that contributes to a holistic learning experience. We propose that such an experience can help in comprehending the importance of the caring actions we need to take and maintain towards the nonhuman world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photovoltaic silicon converts sunlight in 95% of the operational commercial solar cells and has the potential to become a leading material in harvesting energy from renewable sources, but silicon can hardly convert clean energy due to technologies required for its reduction from sand and further purification. The implementation of the novel materials into photovoltaic systems depends on their conversion efficiency limited by the material's inherent properties, longevity dependent on internal stability, and ease of manufacturing process. A major challenge is discovering a multilayered set of different photovoltaic materials capable of converting clean energy from a wider spectra range since emerging materials and technologies such as dye‐sensitized and quantum dots suffer from low conversion efficiencies while perovskite and organic cells have short longevity in atmospheric conditions. Presently, improving technologies for commercialized materials and creating multijunction solar cells enhanced by new photovoltaic materials is a path toward cleaner energies. With the rapid development of the integrative technologies and challenges that photovoltaics for clean energy conversion are facing, the entire clean photovoltaic industry could arise by bottom‐up course as a part of integrative technologies rather than erecting large power plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased human life expectancy, due in part to improvements in infant and childhood survival, more active lifestyles, in combination with higher patient expectations for better health outcomes, is leading to an extensive change in the number, type and manner in which health conditions are treated. Over the next decades as the global population rapidly progresses toward a super-aging society, meeting the longterm quality of care needs is forecast to present a major healthcare challenge. The goal is to ensure longer periods of good health, a sustained sense of well-being, with extended periods of activity, social engagement, and productivity. To accomplish these goals, multifunctionalized interfaces are an indispensable component of next generation medical technologies. The development of more sophisticated materials and devices as well as an improved understanding of human disease is forecast to revolutionize the diagnosis and treatment of conditions ranging from osteoarthritis to Alzheimer's disease and will impact disease prevention. This review examines emerging cutting-edge bionic materials, devices and technologies developed to advance disease prevention, and medical care and treatment in our elderly population including developments in smart bandages, cochlear implants, and the increasing role of artificial intelligence and nanorobotics in medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to clarify the formation process of the concept of "form" from the 1920s to the 1930s by chronologically tracing the creation of Perriand's furniture. That is, by analyzing the key terms "equipment," "art brut" and "en forme (in shape)," this paper examines how the generation and transformation of steel pipe furniture as "form," which was considered "new decoration." When Perriand pursued the possibilities of "form," the dualisms of industrial and natural materials were not at issue. When she sought in form to induce and "control" a gesture, the geometrical form limited and inhibited it. "En forme" was to liberate the threshold of gesture that form defines. Being "controlled" by the matter, rather than "controlled" by humans, could give rise to unexpected uses. It was the practice of her "new decoration," a development of Le Corbusier's concept of "equipment" as the kind of interior "decoration" to regulate the typological gestures of humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Determination of the shear properties of sandwich core materials A comparison of the core materials of sandwich panels has revealed inconsistent relationships between their stiffness moduli at different core thicknesses. Therefore, two test methods for determining the shear properties of the core material of sandwich panels were assessed theoretically and experimentally. The results show that for the shear beam test according to EN 14509 a more precise definition of the load distribution plates is necessary and that the usual neglect of the indentation at the support is only justified for thin and medium panel thicknesses. The investigations on the square shear test have shown the influence of the eccentricity between the joint plane and the top edge of the specimen and resulted in the development of a new test setup. The findings from the investigations provide the basis for more realistic modelling of the load‐bearing behavior of sandwich panels in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Automated post weld treatment for offshore wind turbines A more economical and resource‐saving construction of offshore wind energy converters (OWEC) is necessary in order to implement climate policy objectives. The increase of the fatigue resistance by using high‐strength steels and by applying post‐weld treatment methods offers great potential for reducing the use of materials and costs for monopiles. Specifically, in the automated OWEC manufacturing chain, automated processes such as deep rolling are a suitable option. Deep rolling is an established process in mechanical engineering for increasing the wear and fatigue resistance of metallic components. This paper presents results of deep rolling as a new post treatment method to increase the fatigue strength of welds. The surface and subsurface zone properties of submerged arc welded butt joints made of a structural steel grade S355MLO before and after deep rolling are shown. In order to quantify the influence of deep rolling on the weld geometry, measurements of a laser line sensor are presented. Finally, the results of fatigue tests are discussed, which show the great potential of the deep rolling process as a post weld treatment method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HFMI‐treatment of ultrahigh‐strength steels – extension of the DASt‐guideline 026 In the case of highly loaded steel structures such as wind towers or bridges, the use of newer ultra‐high‐strength structural steels is interesting, but the fatigue verification is usually decisive for these structures. Standards and guidelines specify detail categories for fatigue assessment that are independent of material strength, so there is no benefit regarding the use of high‐strength steels in fatigue loaded structures. By using post‐weld treatment by high‐frequency mechanical impact treatment (HFMI), the fatigue strength of welded joints can be increased to a great extent. Previous investigations show an increasing effectiveness of HFMI‐treatment with increasing material strength. The new DASt‐guideline 026 gives rules for the fatigue assessment of constructional details made of steel grades reaching from S235 to S700 after the application of HFMI‐treatment. An extension for steels up to a steel grade of S960 is pending and geometric imperfections exceeding weld quality level B of ISO 5817 are not covered yet. The objective of the current AiF‐FOSTA project 21410 BG (P 1505) is to develop the basis for an extension of the DASt‐guideline 026 for high strength steels up to a steel grade of S960 and to investigate the influence of increased imperfections on the fatigue strength of HFMI‐treated welds. Therefore, experimental investigations are carried out on constructional details with and without imperfections. Moreover, the influence of various imperfections is analysed numerically. In the following, the project is presented and first project results are shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This contribution shares experience of teaching an interdisciplinary university course in crystal growth with examples ranging from geology to biology. This is an attempt to combine teaching the basics of the classical and non‐classical theories of crystallization with impressive examples of crystals growing around us and in the human body, as well as demonstration of the common phenomena in the growth of minerals in nature, crystalline materials in industry and the laboratory, and biomimetic and stimulus‐responsive crystals. Lectures are supported by laboratory exercises. Students can also perform an individual research project and present an oral contribution at a mini‐conference. Examples of the topics considered in the course are given, and an extensive list of references to papers and web resources is provided, which may be useful to those who want to implement anything from the authors' experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although 3D printers are becoming more common in households, they are still under‐represented in many laboratories worldwide and regarded as toys rather than as laboratory equipment. This short review wants to change this conservative point of view. This mini‐review focuses on fused deposition modeling printers and what happens after acquiring your first 3D printer. In short, these printers melt plastic filament and deposit it layer by layer to create the final object. They are getting cheaper and easier to use, and nowadays it is not difficult to find good 3D printers for less than €500. At such a price, a 3D printer is one, if not the most, versatile piece of equipment you can have in a laboratory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unique features of vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB), such as easy scalability and long durability, qualifies it as one of the prominent renewable energy storage technologies. Attracted by its features, scientific and commercial community around the globe have now begun to test prototypes/demonstrations of VRFB for a wide array of applications that deal at a scale of kW‐MW. A few scientific groups have discussed the design and performance of kW‐scale (up to 10 kW) VRFB in literature. It is interesting to note that the discussed designs have been developed with a diverse approach and have achieved different results. In this review, we critically examine and discuss those contributions at kW‐scale VRFB by analyzing the materials associated with their design, understanding the development of the flow engineering aspects in order to tackle the pressure and shunt current losses and the overall electrochemical performance. Till date, kW‐scale VRFB system has achieved an energy efficiency of ~80% at current densities of 100 mA⋅cm−2. Though the choice for majority of VRFB components is fixed, the right choice for its separator/membrane still needs to be standardized. With these aspects in picture, this review article will help to lay a background for researchers and engineers to know the present state‐of‐art and engineering issues at kW‐scale VRFB, which is a building block for scaling up. This article is categorized under:Emerging Technologies > Energy Storage [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Design and execution of membrane structures according to prCEN/TS 19102 This paper reflects the progressive development of the first European design standard for membrane structures. It will be published in future as CEN/TS 19102 "Design of tensioned membrane structures". In addition to design rules, it will also contain interim execution rules based on the design concept. The current status of the planned regulations in these two areas is presented in this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The automotive industry continues to be one of the most dynamic and innovative. A revolution in propulsion systems that are becoming increasingly complex and must meet a number of extremely stringent environmental pollution requirements is currently witnessed. On the other hand, one of the systems that remains unchanged is the braking system that has been proving its efficiency for a very long time but with gradual continuous improvements. The presented work is based on tests and experiments performed in collaboration with the manufacturer Fermit S.A. which is one of the most experienced and long‐standing actors in the automotive industry in Romania. They produce a wide range of brake pads for the automotive, heavy duty, and railway industries. Starting from the experiments that offer the input data in the modeling and simulation activity, the paper presents the analysis of the behavior of a braking plate produced by Fermit S.A. Based on the geometry provided by the manufacturer, the properties of the composite material that forms the basis of the braking element and the experimental data that are presented, an analysis is made with finite elements in which to study, analyze, and interpret data such as displacements and stress states that occur in the structure formed by the composite material and the metal support plate on which it is deposited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]