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Modern software engineering of electronic structure codes has seen a paradigm shift from monolithic workflows toward object-based modularity. Software objectivity allows for greater flexibility in the application of electronic structure calculations, with particular benefits when integrated with approaches for data-driven analysis. Here, we discuss different approaches to create deep modular interfaces that connect big-data workflows and electronic structure codes and explore the diversity of use cases that they can enable. We present two such interface approaches for the semi-empirical electronic structure package, DFTB+. In one case, DFTB+ is applied as a library and provides data to an external workflow; in another, DFTB+receives data via external bindings and processes the information subsequently within an internal workflow. We provide a general framework to enable data exchange workflows for embedding new machine-learning-based Hamiltonians within DFTB+ or enabling deep integration of DFTB+ in multiscale embedding workflows. These modular interfaces demonstrate opportunities in emergent software and workflows to accelerate scientific discovery by harnessing existing software capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a newly synthesized two-dimensional (2D) carbon material, monolayer quasi-hexagonal phase fullerene (qHP C60) has an excellent electronic structure and low thermal conductivity. qHP C60 attracted significant attention from scientists because it has potential applications in thermoelectric materials. Thermoelectric properties of 2D materials significantly depend on the transport of carriers (such as electrons and phonons), and strain engineering is an essential method for modulating the transport of electrons and phonons in 2D materials. However, the strain engineering method for the modulation of the thermoelectric properties of monolayer qHP C60 has not been reported yet. In the present paper, the first-principles combined with the non-equilibrium Green's function method are used to investigate the ballistic transport properties of electrons and phonons in monolayer qHP C60. The effects of temperature, chemical potential, and biaxial tensile strain on the thermoelectric transport parameters (including conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, power factor, and thermal conductivity) as well as the figure of merit (ZT) of monolayer qHP C60 are presented, compared, discussed, and analyzed. We found that monolayer qHP C60 exhibits anisotropic characteristics in electron and phonon transport properties, showcasing outstanding thermoelectric properties. The distinctive quasi-hexagonal phase fullerene network structure offers a novel platform for exploring innovative 2D thermoelectric materials in research. This study provides crucial theoretical insights to guide the designing and implementation of 2D thermoelectric materials based on fullerenes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The time-modulated active medium with linear independent frequency conversion method has been demonstrated to enable wave orientation and reconstruction. However, due to the symmetric scattering field, this technique requires intricate microcircuit designs. To overcome this limitation, this paper proposes a tunable piezoelectric metasurface based on acoustic black holes (ABHs) to redirect flexural wave reflections. The system can convert an incident flexural wave into a reflected wave of any direction and frequency. This is accomplished through the linear time modulation of the sensing signal, which breaks the constraints of Snell's law inherent in traditional designs and is insensitive to the incident amplitude. The coupling of the ABH damping system with a linear independent frequency conversion mechanism allows for the conversion of an incident flexural wave into a reflected wave in any direction and frequency while also eliminating the influence of second harmonic reflection on the wave field and simplifying the time modulation circuit. In addition, this paper demonstrates arbitrary angle reflection, focusing, beam splitting, and frequency conversion of the incident wave. By improving the flexibility of elastic wave manipulation, this paper introduces a new approach for active control of elastic waves and provides a design method that can be employed in a variety of applications ranging from vibration protection of engineering structures to vibration sensing and evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous Zn-ion hybrid supercapacitors (AZHSCs) combining the advantages of high‐energy batteries and high‐power supercapacitors see a bright future, but they still suffer from the poor capacity of carbonic cathodes. Herein, a functionalized porous carbon cloth (denoted as FPCC) electrode is demonstrated based on commercial carbon cloth (denoted as CC) tuning by structural and surface engineering. The constructed exfoliated porous carbon layer and the negatively charged functionalized interface not only increase the electrical double layer capacitance but also favor the chemical adsorption of Zn2+ to obtain additional pseudocapacitance. Consequently, the FPCC electrode delivers a high capacity of 0.16 mAh cm−2 at 4 mA cm−2, which is 923.8 times higher than CC, and a long cycle life (85.0% capacity retention after 30 000 cycles). More importantly, the Zn//FPCC AZHSC possesses an impressive energy density (3.3 mWh cm−3) and power density (240 mW cm−3), superior to many advanced batteries and supercapacitors. The quasi-solid-state device is also assembled as a demo. This modification strategy may provide new opportunities for high-performance AZHSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structural engineering is a promising approach to enhance the performance of racetrack devices in term of power consumption for domain wall dynamics and shift errors via the control of the in-plane shape anisotropy in magnetic nanowires. Because the in-plane shape anisotropy is determined by the nanowire width, it is essential to incorporate the width effect into the demagnetizing tensor to design racetrack devices through a structural approach; however, a quantitative evaluation of the width effect on the demagnetizing tensor is still lacking. In this work, we have derived the formula for the effective demagnetizing tensor in nanowires with finite width. We also analytically revealed that the special width, at which intrinsic pining potential vanishes, is proportional to the domain wall width. The derived formulas were in good agreement with the two-dimensional micromagnetic simulation results at various nanowire widths, demonstrating their validity. Our results provide a guideline for designing racetrack devices with low power consumption and minimal shift errors via structural engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents procedures and results from quasi-static uniaxial tensile experiments carried out on hybrid bolted bonded (HBB) joints using carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) adherends. The impact of various dimensional parameters, including lap length (L), lap width (W), number of bolts (N), bolt diameter (D), and bolt arrangement, on its ultimate load and failure modes of the HBB joint is investigated. The failure mechanism of the HBB joint is examined and summarized, offering theoretical insights for the engineering application of this structural configuration. The findings of the study indicate that the ultimate load capacity of the hybrid joint is notably enhanced by increasing both the lap length and lap width, and is further influenced by the effective dimensions at the edges and end distances. The transverse configuration of multiple bolts within the adhesive-bolt hybrid joint demonstrates superior maximum load capacity and average stiffness in comparison to a longitudinal arrangement. During tensile testing, the primary mode of failure observed in the Hybrid Bolted-Bonded (HBB) joint is adhesive failure, often accompanied by delamination. Cleavage failure is predominantly observed in configurations with longitudinally aligned multiple bolts arranged in a singular row. On the other hand, shear tear-out and bearing failures are commonly encountered in single-bolt joints characterized by a substantial width-to-diameter (W/D) ratio. Specifically, shear tear-out failure tends to manifest in cases with a small length-to-diameter (L/D) ratio, whereas bearing failure is more prevalent in instances with a large L/D ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most likely scenario for civil engineering structures is that only some components or parts of a structure are complex, while the rest of the structure can be well physically modeled. In this case, utilizing powerful neural networks to model these complex components or parts only and embedding the neural network models into the structure might be a viable choice. However, few studies have considered the real‐time interaction between the neural network model and another model. In this paper, a new hybrid structural modeling strategy that incorporates the neural network model is proposed. Structures installed with energy dissipation devices (EDDs) are investigated, where continuous‐time state‐space neural network (CSNN) models are adopted to represent EDDs and to couple with the physical model of the structure excluding EDDs through the state‐space substructuring method. First, CSNN models with an identical model configuration are trained to represent different physical models of EDDs and fit the experimental results of a damper to evaluate the CSNN model at the model level. Then, to demonstrate the hybrid structural analysis method, the CSNN‐based structural models of the interfloor‐damped and base‐isolated structures are established for seismic analyses. It is observed that CSNN‐based models exhibit high prediction performance and are easy to implement. Therefore, the developed hybrid structural analysis method that adopts CSNN models for EDDs is engineering practical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After high-temperature etching of metal-free porous N -doped carbon with NaCl, the doped Cl atoms significantly enhance the peroxidase-like activity of the nanozyme. [Display omitted] Metal-free carbon-based nanozymes often exhibit superior chemical stability and detection reliability compared to their metal-doped counterparts. However, their catalytic activity remains an area ripe for further enhancement. Herein, we successfully prepared a chlorine (Cl)-modified, metal-free, and porous N -doped carbon nanozyme (Cl x -pNC) via NaCl molten etching. The incorporation of Cl induced an increase in the intrinsic defects of sp3-hybridized carbon within Cl x -pNC and optimized the electronic structure of the N -connected carbon atoms. Remarkably, the peroxidase (POD)-like activity of Cl x -pNC was enhanced twelvefold compared to porous N -doped carbon (pNC). Theoretical simulations highlighted that the introduction of Cl not only promoted H 2 O 2 adsorption but also lowered the energy barrier for its decomposition, facilitating the generation of active intermediates and thus boosting POD-like activity. Based on the POD mimic activity of Cl x -pNC, we developed a colorimetric platform for OPs detection utilizing a cascade amplification strategy. This work provides insights into the rational design of carbon-based nanozymes and the development of nanozyme-based colorimetric biosensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the progress of technologies in data collection systems, structural engineers are faced with a large amount of unlabeled data gathered from various states of different structures, directing studies toward using improved classifiers in machine learning approaches of structural health monitoring. In this research, Laplacian Support Vector Machines (LapSVMs) are used as a semi-supervised learning algorithm to classify mentioned data. Using vibrational data of structure, dynamic properties of the structure are extracted. Modal strain energy is used as damage sensitive features (DSF) to perform damage assessment in a statistical pattern recognition framework by a semi-supervised learning algorithm using LapSVMs to classify unlabeled and labeled data. Also, Support Vector Machines (SVMs) and Regularized Least Square Classifier (RLSC) are used as classifiers to compare results. To compare the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm, different states of structural response are determined by labeled and unlabeled data. These results show high accuracy of LapSVM methods compared to others in cases where the labeled dataset is small. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The practical application of aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) is impeded by the instability of the Zn anode|electrolyte interface, including dendrite growth, hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and corrosion. Herein, the periodical micro‐nano structure is constructed on the surface of Zn anode through picosecond laser lithography (PLL) technology. This micro‐nano surface structure is conductive to obtain hydrophobicity for diminishing direct contact between the electrolyte and Zn anode, enhancing the corrosion resistance of the Zn anode. Simultaneously, the low surface energy and reconstructed electric field are achieved through laser‐induced texture microstructure, leading to the oriented Zn2+ deposition along the (002) plane. As a result, the lower electrochemical polarization and long cycling stability of 1400 h for Zn||Zn symmetric cell is achieved at 4 mA cm−2 and 2 mAh cm−2. The average coulombic efficiency (CE) of the Zn||Cu cell is enhanced to 99.83% at 2 mA cm−2, while the Zn||MnO2 cell delivers a capacity retention of 68.7% after 600 cycles at 1 A g−1. Consequently, the advantages of micro‐nano structure can highlight the importance of surface structure design for the development of stable Zn anode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing robust nonprecious metal-based electrocatalysts toward hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is essential for hydrogen production via electrochemical water splitting. Herein, the NiFeCoCuTi alloy is described as a multisite electrocatalyst for highly effective hydrogen and oxygen evolution in alkaline environments. This is achieved by utilizing heterogeneous atoms on the surface that exhibit distinct adsorption behaviors for hydrogen and hydroxyl, thereby accelerating the dissociation of water and mediating the adsorption of hydrogen intermediates required for molecule formation. The monolithic nanoporous multi-metal NiFeCoCuTi alloy electrode displays remarkable alkaline HER and OER electrocatalysis, exhibiting low overpotentials of 48.7 and 264.2 mV, respectively, to deliver a current density of 10 mA cm−2. Furthermore, it demonstrates exceptional stability for over 100 h in 1 M KOH electrolyte. The exceptional qualities of nanoporous NiFeCoCuTi alloy electrodes make them a highly desirable option for utilization as the cathode and anode material in water electrolysis, which produces hydrogen. They also imply that this is the optimal platform for the development of multisite electrocatalysts. [Display omitted] • The multi-metal NiFeCoCuTi alloys were synthesized by dealloying. • The precursor species and dealloying parameters were investigated. • The 4-NiFeCoCuTi catalyst exhibits excellent HER and OER catalytic properties. • Local structure engineering improves catalytic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present the design and fabrication of a plasmonic metasurface based on titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanowire arrays integrated with plasmonic layers. The structure is engineered to produce Fano resonances within the visible spectrum, resulting from the coupling of localized surface plasmon resonances, lattice modes, and nanowire's optical modes. Experimentally, we show that by tuning the geometrical features of the metasurface, such as the length, diameter, and period of the nanowires, a high-quality factor single peak can be achieved in the reflection spectra, resulting in vivid structural colors in bright field. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of such vivid colors with nanowire arrays in bright field reflections. When characterized by refractive index fluids around the refractive index of water, the plasmonic metasurface also showed great potential for biochemical colorimetric sensing. The best design demonstrated a bulk sensitivity of 183 nm/RIU with high Q resonance features and linear changes in color values using image processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional chemical additives inevitably pollute, damage, and destroy the ecological environment and natural resources while simultaneously addressing the requirements of engineering construction in loess areas. Additionally, freeze–thaw cycles exert a substantial influence on the long‐term durability of engineering structures located in areas with loess deposits. Thus, it is a considerable benefit to identify and utilize materials that are beneficial to the environment and which will augment the engineered performance and freeze–thaw resistant capacity of loess. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the impact of freezing and thawing cycles on the mesostructural attributes using loess reinforced with lignin fiber and to elucidate an effect of varying fiber doses in relation to the response of loess to freezing and thawing. The findings illustrate that the incorporation of fiber effectively eliminates the presence of overhead pores in the loess. Furthermore, the freeze–thaw action induces the formation of long‐narrow pores along the fiber surface in the reinforced loess. Adding the fiber reduces the characteristic parameters of the loess mesostructure. On the other hand, the freezing and thawing action increases the apparent void ratio, the mean pore area, and the area probability distribution index of the reinforced loess, while decreasing the probability entropy and bringing the fractal dimension very close. Freeze–thaw has the least effect on the apparent void ratio and microfine pore area ratio of 1% fiber loess. The filling and bridge effects of lignin fiber serve as the primary means of enhancing the strength of loess. Through its control of water, fiber bears the influence of some loess particles and pores, thus improving the freeze–thaw resistant capacity of loess. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Product design changes are implemented to remain competitive in the market. Product change propagates in design and manufacturing system. Completing product change prediction analysis well in advance is the key in successful engineering change management. Manufacturing companies are facing challenges to control changes in a process during implementation phase. Process parameters are required to be reset against product changes with multiple production trials. This delay in change implementation phase increases obsolescence cost along with high chances of product quality failures. Our research objective is to reduce overall time required to implement product design change in manufacturing system. It is proposed to extend the concept of design structure matrix from design phase to production environment through a machine learning tool. A case study is conducted on the riveting process parameters in an automotive company. Riveting process is decomposed with process parameters by use of design structure matrix. Machine learning tool is used to extract relationship between process parameter and part features with scientific method. Prediction results of the case study from machine learning tool are evaluated with actual design of experiments trials. Prediction results are found very close to results from DOE trials. The results from case study supports to research objective by early prediction of impact on process parameter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The high load with very low occurrence probability in the fatigue load spectrum may introduce the favorable residual stress at the metal structure notch, so it is necessary to clip the high load of spectrum to avoid a dangerous test result. Based on the time‐domain extrapolation principle and the extreme value theory, the probability distribution of high load in the whole‐life load spectrum was predicted. Considering the dispersion of high load and the influence of high load on the structural fatigue life, a selection criterion of high load clipping level was proposed, which makes the test result under the corresponding clipped spectrum both conservative and authentic. To demonstrate the rationality and practicality of criterion, the transport aircraft load spectrum was extrapolated and the spectral fatigue tests of 2024‐T3 aluminum alloy sheet were conducted, providing reference for the design of fatigue test load spectrum of aircraft structure in practical engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is currently minimal data that may be used for retention and recruitment strategies for timber professional engineering in Canada. A comprehensive survey performed in 2022 to address this lack of data are discussed. The survey was generated and analyzed by York University (Canada) and distributed through the Canadian Wood Council's membership directory. This survey explored participants' motivations for working on timber-based structural projects and the existing state of EDI training within the workspace. Findings from the context of analysis illustrated that retention in the work force appears not to be affected by gender, with participants overwhelmingly indicating their plan is to continue to work in the timber structural engineering sector. Gender specific findings suggest that most men who practice timber structural design have had more recorded work experience, whereas women were more likely to obtain a PhD when pursuing graduate school. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aging and deterioration of engineering building structures present significant risks to both life and property. Fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors, acclaimed for their outstanding reusability, compact form factor, lightweight construction, heightened sensitivity, immunity to electromagnetic interference and exceptional precision, are increasingly being adopted for structural health monitoring in engineering buildings. This research paper aims to evaluate the current challenges faced by FBG sensors in the engineering building industry. It also anticipates future advancements and trends in their development within this field. Design/methodology/approach: This study centers on five pivotal sectors within the field of structural engineering: bridges, tunnels, pipelines, highways and housing construction. The research delves into the challenges encountered and synthesizes the prospective advancements in each of these areas. Findings: The exceptional performance of FBG sensors provides an ideal solution for comprehensive monitoring of potential structural damages, deformations and settlements in engineering buildings. However, FBG sensors are challenged by issues such as limited monitoring accuracy, underdeveloped packaging techniques, intricate and time-intensive embedding processes, low survival rates and an indeterminate lifespan. Originality/value: This introduces an entirely novel perspective. Addressing the current limitations of FBG sensors, this paper envisions their future evolution. FBG sensors are anticipated to advance into sophisticated multi-layer fiber optic sensing networks, each layer encompassing numerous channels. Data integration technologies will consolidate the acquired information, while big data analytics will identify intricate correlations within the datasets. Concurrently, the combination of finite element modeling and neural networks will enable a comprehensive simulation of the adaptability and longevity of FBG sensors in their operational environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to address the energy dilemma and meet environmental protection requirements, it is an urgent need to develop lead-free piezoelectric energy harvesters (PEHs). However, the low output power density has seriously hindered the application of lead-free piezoceramics as high efficiency energy harvesters. To solve above question, the combination of phase structure regulation and texturing technique in the K 0.5 Na 0.5 NbO 3 - x Bi 0.5 Na 0.5 ZrO 3 -0.5%wtBiFeO 3 (KNN- x BNZ) ceramics was adopted in this work. Because of both the Rhombohedral-Orthorhombic-Tetragonal (R-O-T) multiphases coexistence and texturing engineering, an ultrahigh piezoelectric activity quality factor d 33 × g 33 ∼ 18324 × 10−15 m2 N−1 was achieved in the textured KNN-0.05BNZ (T-KNN-0.05BNZ) ceramics, which is about third times higher than that of random KNN-0.05BNZ (R-KNN-0.05BNZ) (d 33 × g 33 ∼ 6672 × 10−15 m2 N−1) ones. A high output power of ∼0.32 mW was also obtained in the T-KNN-0.05BNZ ceramics by cantilever beam-based energy harvester devices under the resonance frequency of 75 Hz and matched R L of 1.2 MΩ, suggesting that the T-KNN-0.05BNZ ceramics have a great potential for application in the PEHs devices. This result also reveals that the combination of phase structure regulation and texturing technique is an effective way to achieved a high energy harvesting performances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We use the spatial map of the logarithm of past estimated released earthquake energies as input of fully convolutional networks (FCN) to forecast future earthquakes. This model is applied to California and compared with an elaborated version of the epidemic type aftershock sequence (ETAS) model. Our long-term earthquake forecast simulations show that the FCN model is close to the ETAS model in forecasting earthquakes with |$M \ge 3.0,\,\,4.0,\,\,{\rm{and\,\,}}5.0$| according to the Molchan diagram. Moreover, training and implementing the FCN model is 2000–4000 times faster than calibrating the ETAS model and generating its probabilistic forecasts. The FCN model is straightforward in terms of its neural network structure and feature engineering. It does not require extensive knowledge of statistical seismology or the analysis of earthquake catalogue completeness. Using the earthquake catalogue with |$M \ge 0$| as FCN input can enhance the model's performance in some time–magnitude forecasting windows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper assesses the impact of utilizing statistically defined residual stress fields from cold expansion (Cx) in linear elastic, multi‐point fracture mechanics analyses using the spatial analysis of residual stress (SpARS) methodology. There is significant value and interest in leveraging the increased fatigue life afforded by Cx, but it is imperative to quantify the variability of the residual stress to understand the expected variability in benefit due to Cx. Comparisons of the predicted fatigue lives from SpARS‐produced statistical residual stress fields are made to fatigue test data. Results demonstrated that the less compressive 95% upper bound from the mean residual stress would be a reasonable strategy as it supplies a compromise between safety and inherent material and process variability while still producing a sizable improvement in predicted fatigue life. In this study, using SpARS to incorporate statistically representative residual stress fields in fatigue crack growth analyses demonstrates a methodology to aircraft structural engineers for improved fleet management and allow increased aircraft availability through fewer inspections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonpersistent joints are prevalent in engineering rock masses and are sensitive to cyclic loads induced by geological movements and engineering disturbances. Therefore, studying the fatigue mechanisms of rock masses with nonpersistent joints under cyclic compressive loads is crucial for ensuring the rational design and long‐term stability of rock engineering structures. Based on laboratory experiments, this study employed the discrete element method to create specimens with different nonpersistent joints, and uniaxial compressive cyclic loading tests were conducted on these specimens with different maximum cyclic stress levels. The results show that the joint inclination significantly affects the characteristics of jointed rock, such as deformation modulus, irreversible strain, energy evolution, and crack characteristics. Increasing the maximum stress in the stress path results in a rapid release of hysteretic energy in the jointed regions of the rock, which leads to an exponential decrease in fatigue life while an increase in initial irreversible strain, final irreversible strain, and hysteretic energy density. Additionally, the shear fracture zones on both sides of the model expand, and the propagation and merging of cracks between joints become more extensive and complex. The results are significant for studying rock fatigue instability and structure engineering design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colonizing other planets, like Mars, marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of a multi-planetary existence. Millions of people would settle on Mars in self-sufficient bases. Colonizing Mars is a long-term mission that demands self-sufficient, secure habitats and comprehensive planning. Importing structures, such as inflatable structures, from Earth is cost-prohibitive, making the utilization of in-situ resources and onsite construction the most viable approach for preparing the required buildings. Studies have shown that it is possible to produce and craft several kinds of binders and concretes with appropriate mechanical behavior using Martian soil composition; however, determining the optimal option for onsite construction remains a challenge. This study investigates available cement/concrete options for onsite construction on Mars from a structural engineering perspective, taking into account the available resources and technologies. In this regard, the observations and data provided by Martian landers, rovers, orbiters and methods such as Viking-1 & 2, Pathfinder, Spirit, Opportunity, Curiosity, Mars Express, Ultraviolet–visible/Near-infrared reflectivity spectra and Alpha particle X-ray spectrometer were used to obtain a comprehensive and detailed investigation. Eleven types of Martian cement/concrete based on the in-situ resources, soil composition, and available technologies were compared based on the criteria and indices defined in accordance with the structural engineering point of view to select the best practical option for onsite construction. These criteria encompass factors such as mechanical behavior, Martian structural loads, raw material accessibility, available sources, energy required for production, water requirement, curing and hardening time, possibility of using 3D printers, byproduct usefulness, conditions required for hardening and curing, importation requirements from Earth, production complexity, long-term durability and behavior under galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) and solar energetic particles (SEPs). The pros and cons of each cement/concrete option are thoroughly assessed, considering the harsh conditions on Mars. Additionally, the study highlights extra considerations that are crucial for onsite construction on Mars. To determine the best practical option for onsite construction and sustainable colonization, the proposed cements/concretes were compared using multi-scale spider/radar diagrams and a quantitative point of view. This perspective was enabled by assigning weights to each criterion through expert consultation, experimental data, and literature review, ensuring that the diagrams accurately reflect the features of each concrete mix. This comprehensive investigation aims to provide valuable insights into selecting the most suitable cement/concrete for onsite construction on Mars, considering the structural engineering perspective and the long-term goal of sustainable colonization. • The Martian soil composition is investigated using data from Martian landers and orbiters. • Eleven types of Martian concrete/cements are proposed based on available resources and technologies. • Structural engineering criteria and indices are defined to select the best option for onsite construction. • The best practical option for onsite construction is determined using multi-scale spider/radar diagrams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient pollutant disposal and rational resource recycling are pivotal for alleviating ecological dysfunction and balancing global energy consumption. The essential demand for functional materials has triggered tremendous efforts. High-entropy oxides (HEOs), incorporating at least five metal cations into a single-phase crystal structure, exhibit significant configurational disorder, providing an almost unlimited scope for tailoring the structure and property. These instinct characteristics endow HEOs with superior activity, adaptability, and stability than traditional metallic materials, presenting considerable commercial value. This review summarizes the design and progress of HEOs for catalysis, covering development history, synthetic strategies, structural features, and intrinsic properties, emphasizing the correlation between compositional and structural engineering and catalytic performance optimization. Mechanisms related to catalytic degradation of various pollutants and multifaceted resource utilization are analyzed, proposing challenges for future HEOs development. Tuning the composition and configuration of HEOs provides new ideas for obtaining high-performing catalysts and addressing challenges inherent in traditional systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) bars have better resistance to corrosion and higher tensile strength than steel bars, thus being a prospective material for concrete structures in marine engineering. However, it is less fire-resistant, and the residual bearing capacity of FRP-reinforced concrete members after the fire needs to be clarified. This study explores the impact resistance of Glass FRP-reinforced concrete (GFRP-RC) columns at high temperatures using finite element models. To assess the accuracy of the model, the simulation results were compared with the test results in terms of fire resistance and impact resistance, respectively. Based on these, the impact behavior of GFRP-RC and steel-RC columns were compared and analyzed. The results show that GFRP-RC columns were more severely damaged by impact loading after high temperatures than steel-RC columns. The peak impact forces of the GFRP-RC columns and steel-RC columns are nearly identical. However, the former has a smaller reaction force and a more significant mid-span displacement. Furthermore, the residual axial bearing capacity of GFRP-RC columns after high temperature and impact loading is significantly reduced compared to steel-RC columns. Exposure to high temperatures takes a more significant proportion in the reduction than impact loading. In addition, a relationship between the damage index (based on residual bearing capacity) and the lateral displacement of the columns after fire and impact loadings was established. In contrast, the corresponding damage classification criteria were determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymers play a crucial role in modern construction, particularly in the context of underground engineering structures. Foamable polymer (FP) is commonly used for grouting to remediate civil engineering construction. The foaming expansion process produced different microstructures based on the surrounding geological conditions, resulting in the appearance of a crystal structure and cellular structure at the interface in turn. When the crystal structure was located at the interface of the concrete or rock, it was known as a molded skin. To study the water-plugging effect of FP applied in underground structures, this study visualized water intrusion into FP by using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis and determined the sealing pressure threshold. Two empirical formulas were obtained to verify the sealing pressures of FP. The water infiltration process was observed as "microfoamed molded skin to polymer cellular structure to partial foamed cracks to microfoamed molded skin." When there was preexisting damage on the polymer surface, water directly contacted the cellular structure and accumulated on the molded skin, decreasing the sealing pressure threshold. The maximum sealing threshold pressure of the polymer was approximately 1.50 MPa, increasing exponentially with density, while foaming reduced density. In simulated crack grouting tests, that threshold of polymers increased from 0.74 MPa with the increased polymer density. This study provided a means of verifying the water-plugging effect of grouting in geological engineering structure disasters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a novel methodology that addresses the limited predictive capability of the existing crystal plasticity (CP) method in interfaces modeling. Our approach incorporates interfacial parameters generated from molecular dynamic (MD) simulations into the continuum-level crystal plasticity finite element analysis (CPFEA) model. To address the inherent scale mismatch between atomistic and continuum models, we employ two essential techniques—the nucleation theory and machine learning (ML) method. The nucleation theory is utilized in conjunction with the nudged elastic band (NEB) method to extrapolate the low strain-rate yield stresses from the high strain-rate MD simulation results. To overcome the length scale limitation of MD, we use a method that was recently developed by the authors—a two-step approach that utilizes MD-calculated stress–strain data to train a probabilistic ML model for predicting stress–strain behaviors at larger scale. The resulting flow parameters and extrapolated yield stresses are then integrated into the atomistic-informed interface region of the CPFEA model. This multiscale computational method that combines MD, CPFEA, nucleation theory, NEB and ML enables a grain-level large time scale crystal plasticity modeling with atomic accuracy at the interfaces, as demonstrated by carefully validating it through a bicrystal Cu model with experimental results. This validation highlights the importance of accurately describing interfaces in the modeling of material mechanical behavior. Notably, our proposed methodology is not limited to interfaces but can be applied to other microstructures requiring atomic accuracy. The method opens up new possibilities for comprehensively understanding and designing materials with complex microstructure for various engineering applications. Practical Applications: The methodology presented in this paper offers significant practical applications for materials engineering, particularly in industries where materials are subjected to high stress and strain, such as aerospace, automotive, and structural engineering. By integrating atomistic interfacial parameters into the crystal plasticity finite element analysis (CPFEA) model, this approach allows for more accurate predictions of material behavior at the grain level, leading to better-informed decisions in material design and optimization. The ability to model interfaces with atomic accuracy means that engineers can design materials with enhanced mechanical properties, such as increased strength and ductility, by understanding and manipulating the behavior of grain boundaries. This is crucial for developing advanced materials that can withstand extreme conditions, thereby improving the safety and performance of critical components in various engineering applications. Additionally, the use of machine learning to predict stress–strain behaviors at larger scales from molecular dynamics data provides a powerful tool for scaling up the modeling process, making it more feasible and efficient for practical use. This comprehensive multiscale framework opens new avenues for innovation in material science, allowing for the design of next-generation materials with tailored properties for specific engineering challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study introduces a large-scale testing campaign on five suitably sized steel and steel-concrete composite plate girders subjected to web shear buckling. The focus of this investigation is on understanding the structural behavior of composite plate girders, the contribution of the concrete slab, and the composite action on the phenomenon of web shear buckling with almost no influence of the bending moments. Implementing an antisymmetric loading scenario, along with comprehensive state-of-the-art optical measurements, reveals that the overall shear resistance increased because of the concrete slab. These findings indicate that the current European normative rules require the application of a more advanced analytical model to provide accurate design results. Furthermore, although the influence of web slenderness and the aspect ratio is significant, the degree of shear connection is shown to have less of an impact on the ultimate load in plate girders in shear. Moreover, this study examines not only the overall structural behavior of composite plate girders but also delves into the deflected shape of the web panel, the formation and development of the tension field in the web, the creation of plastic hinges in the flanges, and the crack development and failure in the concrete slab. The aforementioned aspects help unveil the ambiguity behind the phenomenon of shear buckling in composite plate girders. Practical Applications: This study provides essential insights into the behavior of steel and steel-concrete composite plate girders given web shear buckling conditions. The findings have practical implications for engineers and practitioners in the field of structural engineering, particularly those involved in the design and assessment of bridge girders and other large-scale structures. The research highlights the increased shear resistance and load-carrying capacity of composite plate girders compared with those of steel girders. The contribution of the concrete slab to the overall shear stiffness and the effective transfer of forces through shear studs are key benefits that can enhance the design and longevity of composite structures. By understanding these mechanisms, engineers can optimize the design of composite girders to achieve higher performance and safety standards. Additionally, this study reveals the significant influence of web slenderness and the aspect ratio on the ultimate load capacity, emphasizing the need for the accurate consideration of these factors in design codes. The findings suggest that current European design codes could be improved by incorporating more advanced analytical models that account for the concrete slab's contribution and composite action. Overall, this research underscores the importance of considering composite action in girder design and provides a foundation for future improvements in structural design codes, potentially leading to more efficient and resilient infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Swarm intelligence algorithms and finite element model update technology are important issues in the field of structural damage detection. However, the complexity of engineering structural models normally leads to low computational efficiency and large detection errors in structural damage detection. To solve these problems, a simulated annealing-artificial hummingbird algorithm (SA-AHA) is proposed based on the artificial hummingbird algorithm (AHA). The Sobol sequence is used to improve the identification efficiency by optimizing the initial population distribution of the AHA. Then, the simulated annealing strategy is introduced to improve the detection accuracy by enhancing the global search ability of the AHA. In addition, a novel objective function is presented by combining modal flexibility residual, natural frequency residual, and trace sparse constraint of the structural model. Numerical simulations of a simply supported beam and a two-story rigid frame are carried out to verify the superiority of the proposed SA-AHA and the objective function. Simulation results demonstrate that the SA-AHA is better than the AHA in terms of damage computational efficiency and damage identification accuracy. Moreover, the new objective function can be more excellently applied to the SA-AHA than the previous one, which can be effectively used to locate and estimate the damage of the proposed SA-AHA in structure. Finally, experimental studies are carried out to verify the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stiffened composite panels are widely used in various engineering structures, but their nondestructive testing methods face certain limitations. The traditional wave field imaging method faces difficulties when applied for damage detection in complex composite structures. An improved adjacent wave subtraction (AWS) method is proposed in this research to visualize the multiple damage in stiffened composite panels. The method is based on the concept that the Lamb wave signals from two adjacent scanning points at healthy area are very similar and the anomalous wave, caused by the structural discontinuities including the damage, has different signal packets at any two adjacent scanning points. The ${S_0}$ mode Lamb wave signals are used in the proposed AWS method due to their faster speed in low-frequency domains. A damage index is proposed to show the signal difference of any two adjacent points, which can indicate the damage locations. A robust time window is used to enhance the anomalous wave signals and improve the damage imaging results. The prosed method is proven to be effective for damage detection in stiffened composite panels with numerical simulations and experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The editorial discusses the importance of multi-axial real-time hybrid simulation (maRTHS) in structural engineering to replicate real-world conditions accurately. It highlights the need for advanced control strategies to manage complex actuator interactions and nonlinearities in multi-dimensional testing. The research topic presents a benchmark control problem for maRTHS, encouraging the shift from single-actuator to multi-actuator experiments for a more comprehensive understanding of structural responses to dynamic loads. Various authors have contributed innovative developments and compensation techniques to improve the accuracy and capabilities of maRTHS, marking a significant step forward in designing and controlling multi-actuator systems. [Extracted from the article]

Developing high‐rate electrode materials is a critical enabler of fast‐charging Na‐ion battery (NIB). Prussian blue analog (PBA) with rapid charge transfer channels has shown significant potential as high‐rate NIB cathodes; however, the fast‐charging capability of reported PBA‐based anodes remains limited. This challenge primarily stems from the complete transformation of their original PBA‐based crystal structures during synthesis processes, resulting in loss of the inherent rapid charge transfer channels. Herein, a Ni‐Fe based PBA (Ni3[Fe(CN)6]2) with a representative PBA‐based crystal structure is presented as a prototype to investigate its potential as a NIB anode, and structural modification strategies are implemented to unlock its rapid Na‐ion storage. First, conversion reaction mechanism is demonstrated in the Ni3[Fe(CN)6]2 during sodiation, with a theoretical specific capacity of 357.2 mAh g−1. However, its reversible capacities after long‐term cycling and at high rates are low. To address these issues, structural optimization strategies including S incorporation, configurational entropy modulation, and coordination environment regulation are utilized. Consequently, its fast‐charging (≈40 s per charge with 245.0 mAh g−1 input) and excellent cycling capabilities are realized. This study demonstrates the feasibility of PBA as high‐rate NIB anodes, and promotes the further investigation into structural optimization strategies aimed at developing other fast‐charging electrodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanical properties of an engineering structure can be substantially influenced by a random impact force (RIF), which may compromise the integrity and safety of the structure. Nevertheless, accurately localising the RIF applied to a structure presents a significant challenge. To address this issue, this study introduces a novel method known as the weighted reference database method (WRDM). Its innovations are reflected in three aspects: (i) constrained by the sparse construction of a reference database, bicubic interpolation is utilised to increase the reference impact point density and improve the localisation accuracy; (ii) a weighted random impact localisation framework is constructed, in which a cosine distance variant is chosen as the weight to further improve the localisation accuracy; and (iii) to overcome the region limitation of interpolation, the boundary range of the WRDM is extended. Experiments on a suspended rectangular plate were conducted to validate and demonstrate the effectiveness of the WRDM in terms of localisation accuracy. The experimental results indicate that the average absolute error of the method is 16.67 mm (the interpolation interval size is 2 mm and the prioritisation point number (PPN) is 108), and its localisation accuracy is higher than that of previously published methods (21.54 mm for PRMCSM; 20.80 mm for the hybrid method). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the demand for scalable electrochemical energy storage increases, vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) offer multiple advantages due to their inherent safety, environmental friendliness, and power‐to‐capacity decoupling capability. However, the intrinsic structural limitations of the electrodes, coupled with deficiencies in their surface properties, significantly impede the practical implementation of VRFBs. The systematic optimization of electrodes through precursor engineering represents a forward‐thinking approach with significant potential for advancing the field. In this paper, recent advances in VRFB electrodes are comprehensively reviewed from the perspective of precursor engineering. To begin with, the advantages based on different types of precursors and processing methods are elucidated. Next, the focus is on the additive modification and design of electrodes through various precursor engineering strategies to optimize their structural and surface properties. Lastly, this review also discusses the current dilemmas faced by the four types of precursor engineering and explores future directions. It is hoped that this review will contribute to the further innovation and production application of VRFB electrode materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past decades, benefitting from the development of synthesis methodology, Cd‐based semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) have been extensively studied and their structure‐dependent properties further inspired diverse applications. However, the high toxicity of Cd in Cd‐based semiconductor NCs significantly limits their widespread applications. Colloidal Zn‐based semiconductor NCs are one of the most promising candidates for Cd‐based semiconductor NCs attributed to their low toxicity, creating high‐band gap systems with excellent optoelectronic properties. Herein, an overview of the synthesis, structure engineering, and optoelectronic applications of colloidal Zn‐based semiconductor NCs are provided. In the first section, the typical growth mechanisms are introduced, including oriented attachment, templated‐assisted growth, and ripening. Then, structure engineering, such as core–shell structure, heterostructure, alloying, and doping, of Zn‐based NCs are summarized. Simultaneously, an insight into various applications related to these structures of Zn‐based NCs are given, including quantum dots light emitting diodes (QLEDs), catalysts, biological‐application, sensors, and solar cells. Finally, although huge progress in both synthesis methodology and applications of colloidal Zn‐based semiconductor NCs have been achieved, some issues still hinder the further development of Zn‐based semiconductor NCs. Then in the last section, it is elaborated on the challenges and provides the possible solutions to tackle these challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nomex® honeycomb is a widely used composite material. To further improve the mechanical properties of honeycomb and expand the engineering application capability, a Nomex® honeycomb with embedded aluminum tubes (NHEAT) was proposed. Tests and simulations show that the NHEAT can improve the mechanical properties and has a beneficial effect on energy absorption. The practical application of the NHEAT in the energy absorption device of railway vehicles was studied, and the energy absorption performance of the device could be improved by 213% and a gradient energy-level response was achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Real-time hybrid simulation (RTHS) is a widely applied test method in structural engineering, which is developed from pseudo-dynamic test. Much of the past work has been centered on one-dimensional RTHS using a single hydraulic actuator. When the complexity of the problem demands to increase the number of degrees of freedom to be enforced on the boundary conditions, more than one hydraulic actuator must be used. Multiple-actuator or multi-axial RTHS (maRTHS) requires that more than one hydraulic actuator exerts the required motion on experimental substructures demanding the implementation of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) control strategies. A new maRTHS benchmark control problem has been developed, focusing on a frame subjected to seismic load at the base, substantially transforming and intensifying the complexity of the problem. The time delay generated by the dynamic characteristics of the loading system and the transmission process as well as the high coupling between the hydraulic actuators and the nonlinear kinematics escalates the complexity of the actuator control tracking. A sliding mode adaptive delay compensation method suitable for maRTHS is proposed, which utilizes a MIMO sliding mode method to reduce the coupling effects of actuators and the adaptive compensation method to compensate the residual delay. The effectiveness of the method is verified by numerical simulating different working conditions in the Benchmark Problem Platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intrinsic low conductivity, low tap density, and huge volume expansion during lithium storage severely restrict the practicality of micron‐silicon suboxide (m‐SiOx). Here, a carbon and MXene dual confinement and dense structural engineering strategy is proposed to construct m‐SiOx composites (m‐SiOx@C/MXene) through in situ carbon coating and electrostatic self‐assembly process. This integrated structural achieves a conductivity of 157 S cm−1 for m‐SiOx@C/MXene, which is 7 and 2 orders of magnitude higher than m‐SiOx (5.3 × 10−5 S cm−1) and m‐SiOx@C (2.9 S cm−1), respectively. The tap density of m‐SiOx@C/MXene reaches 1.35 g cm−3, significantly greater than that of m‐SiOx (0.82 g cm−3) and m‐SiOx@C (0.75 g cm−3). The 29% volume expansion of m‐SiOx@C/MXene during lithium storage is much lower than the 228% and 162% of m‐SiOx and m‐SiOx@C. The synergistic effect of the above advantages enables m‐SiOx@C/MXene to exhibit excellent rate performance and cycle stability. When assembled into a full cell with the LiFePO4 (LFP) cathode, it features high capacity retention and energy density of 99.1% and 380 Wh kg−1 after 100 cycles at 0.2 C. This work provides new reference for the stable structural design of m‐SiOx or other materials with huge volume expansion during energy storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]