The 100 most-cited articles in Materials, 2024

The evolution of photovoltaic cells is intrinsically linked to advancements in the materials from which they are fabricated. This review paper provides an in-depth analysis of the latest developments in silicon-based, organic, and perovskite solar cells, which are at the forefront of photovoltaic research. We scrutinize the unique characteristics, advantages, and limitations of each material class, emphasizing their contributions to efficiency, stability, and commercial viability. Silicon-based cells are explored for their enduring relevance and recent innovations in crystalline structures. Organic photovoltaic cells are examined for their flexibility and potential for low-cost production, while perovskites are highlighted for their remarkable efficiency gains and ease of fabrication. The paper also addresses the challenges of material stability, scalability, and environmental impact, offering a balanced perspective on the current state and future potential of these material technologies.

Biomaterials embody a groundbreaking paradigm shift in the field of drug delivery and human applications. Their versatility and adaptability have not only enriched therapeutic outcomes but also significantly reduced the burden of adverse effects. This work serves as a comprehensive overview of biomaterials, with a particular emphasis on their pivotal role in drug delivery, classifying them in terms of their biobased, biodegradable, and biocompatible nature, and highlighting their characteristics and advantages. The examination also delves into the extensive array of applications for biomaterials in drug delivery, encompassing diverse medical fields such as cancer therapy, cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders, and vaccination. This work also explores the actual challenges within this domain, including potential toxicity and the complexity of manufacturing processes. These challenges emphasize the necessity for thorough research and the continuous development of regulatory frameworks. The second aim of this review is to navigate through the compelling terrain of recent…

This review examines high-performance advanced composites (HPACs) for lightweight, high-strength, and multi-functional applications. Fiber-reinforced composites, particularly those utilizing carbon, glass, aramid, and nanofibers, are highlighted for their exceptional mechanical, thermal, and environmental properties. These materials enable diverse applications, including in the aerospace, automotive, energy, and defense sectors. In extreme conditions, matrix materials-polymers, metals, and ceramics-and advanced reinforcement materials must be carefully chosen to optimize performance and durability. Significant advancements in manufacturing techniques, such as automated and additive methods, have improved precision, reduced waste, and created highly customized and complex structures. Multifunctional composites integrating structural properties with energy storage and sensing capabilities are emerging as a breakthrough aligned with the trend toward smart material systems. Despite these advances, challenges such as recyclability, scalability, cost, and robust quality assurance remain.…

To date, batteries are the most widely used energy storage devices, fulfilling the requirements of different industrial and consumer applications. However, the efficient use of renewable energy sources and the emergence of wearable electronics has created the need for new requirements such as high-speed energy delivery, faster charge-discharge speeds, longer lifetimes, and reusability. This leads to the need for supercapacitors, which can be a good complement to batteries. However, one of their drawbacks is their lower energy storage capability, which has triggered worldwide research efforts to increase their energy density. With the introduction of novel nanostructured materials, hierarchical pore structures, hybrid devices combining these materials, and unconventional electrolytes, significant developments have been reported in the literature. This paper reviews the short history of the evolution of supercapacitors and the fundamental aspects of supercapacitors, positioning them among other energy-storage systems. The main electrochemical measurement methods used to characterize…

The development of lightweight and durable materials for car body panels and load-bearing elements in the automotive industry results from the constant desire to reduce fuel consumption without reducing vehicle performance. The investigations mainly concern the use of these alloys in the automotive industry, which is characterised by mass production series. Increasing the share of lightweight metals in the entire structure is part of the effort to reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. Taking into account environmental sustainability aspects, metal sheets are easier to recycle than composite materials. At the same time, the last decade has seen an increase in work related to the plastic forming of sheets made of non-ferrous metal alloys. This article provides an up-to-date systematic overview of the basic applications of metallic materials in the automotive industry. The article focuses on the four largest groups of metallic materials: steels, aluminium alloys, titanium alloys, and magnesium alloys. The work draws attention to the limitations in…

This paper provides a comprehensive review of recent advancements in computational methods for modeling, simulation, and optimization of complex systems in materials engineering, mechanical engineering, and energy systems. We identified key trends and highlighted the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) with traditional computational methods. Some of the cited works were previously published within the topic: "Computational Methods: Modeling, Simulations, and Optimization of Complex Systems"; thus, this article compiles the latest reports from this field. The work presents various contemporary applications of advanced computational algorithms, including AI methods. It also introduces proposals for novel strategies in materials production and optimization methods within the energy systems domain. It is essential to optimize the properties of materials used in energy. Our findings demonstrate significant improvements in accuracy and efficiency, offering valuable insights for researchers and practitioners. This review contributes to the field by synthesizing state-of-the-art…

Hydrogen embrittlement (HE) is a broadly recognized phenomenon in metallic materials. If not well understood and managed, HE may lead to catastrophic environmental failures in vessels containing hydrogen, such as pipelines and storage tanks. HE can affect the mechanical properties of materials such as ductility, toughness, and strength, mainly through the interaction between metal defects and hydrogen. Various phenomena such as hydrogen adsorption, hydrogen diffusion, and hydrogen interactions with intrinsic trapping sites like dislocations, voids, grain boundaries, and oxide/matrix interfaces are involved in this process. It is important to understand HE mechanisms to develop effective hydrogen resistant strategies. Tensile, double cantilever beam, bent beam, and fatigue tests are among the most common techniques employed to study HE. This article reviews hydrogen diffusion behavior, mechanisms, and characterization techniques.

In this study, recent advances in tailoring the surface properties of polymers for the optimization of the adhesion of various coatings by non-equilibrium gaseous plasma are reviewed, and important findings are stressed. Different authors have used various experimental setups and reported results that scatter significantly and are sometimes contradictory. The correlations between the processing parameters and the adhesion are drawn, and discrepancies are explained. Many authors have explained improved adhesion with the adjustment of the surface free energy or wettability of the polymer substrate and the surface tension of liquids used for the deposition of thin films. The adhesion force between the polymer substrate and the coating does not always follow the evolution of the surface wettability, which is explained by several effects, including the aging effects due to the hydrophobic recovery and the formation of an interlayer rich in loosely bonded low molecular weight fragments.

Today, smart materials are commonly used in various fields of science and technology, such as medicine, electronics, soft robotics, the chemical industry, the automotive field, and many others. Smart polymeric materials hold good promise for the future due to their endless possibilities. This group of advanced materials can be sensitive to changes or the presence of various chemical, physical, and biological stimuli, e.g., light, temperature, pH, magnetic/electric field, pressure, microorganisms, bacteria, viruses, toxic substances, and many others. This review concerns the newest achievements in the area of smart polymeric materials. The recent advances in the designing of stimuli-responsive polymers are described in this paper.

A nondestructive evaluation of the hydrogen damage of materials in a hydrogen environment is important for monitoring the running conditions of various pieces of equipment. In this work, a new thermostatic electrolytic hydrogenation in situ ultrasonic test system (In Situ TEH-UT) was developed. The system operates by combining cross-correlation delay estimation and frequency domain amplitude estimation and hence improves measurement accuracy with respect to ultrasonic propagation time and amplitude, allowing in situ ultrasonic evaluation of the hydrogen-charging process in X80 pipeline steel. The experimental results show that under a 30 mA/cm2 hydrogen-charging current, the hydrogen saturation time of X80 pipeline steel is 800 min. Between 0 and 800 min, the attenuation coefficient and amplitude attenuation both demonstrate a strong linear relationship with the hydrogen-charging time. After 800 min, the attenuation coefficient and amplitude attenuation do not change further, while the attenuation coefficient fluctuates greatly. Through the characterization of the microstructures of…

For concrete structures in marine or groundwater environments, sulfate attack is a major factor contributing to the degradation of concrete performance. This paper analyzes the existing literature on the chemical reactions and physical crystallization effects of sulfate attack on cement-based materials, summarizing the degradation mechanisms of corroded concrete. Experiments have been conducted to study the performance evolution of concrete under sulfate attack, considering both external environmental factors and internal factors of the cement-based materials. External environmental factors, such as the temperature, humidity, concentration, and type of sulfate solutions, wet-dry cycles, freeze-thaw cycles, chloride coupling effects, and stray currents significantly impact sulfate attack on concrete. Internal factors, including internal sources of corrosion, the chemical composition of the cement, water-cement ratio, and the content of C-S-H gel and Ca(OH)2, influence the density and sulfate resistance of the cement-based materials. Additionally, five typical methods for enhancing…

Nanomanufacturing and digital manufacturing (DM) are defining the forefront of the fourth industrial revolution-Industry 4.0-as enabling technologies for the processing of materials spanning several length scales. This review delineates the evolution of nanomaterials and nanomanufacturing in the digital age for applications in medicine, robotics, sensory technology, semiconductors, and consumer electronics. The incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to explore nanomaterial synthesis, optimize nanomanufacturing processes, and aid high-fidelity nanoscale characterization is discussed. This paper elaborates on different machine-learning and deep-learning algorithms for analyzing nanoscale images, designing nanomaterials, and nano quality assurance. The challenges associated with the application of machine- and deep-learning models to achieve robust and accurate predictions are outlined. The prospects of incorporating sophisticated AI algorithms such as reinforced learning, explainable artificial intelligence (XAI), big data analytics for material synthesis, manufacturing…

Materials offering high energy density are currently desired to meet the increasing demand for energy storage applications, such as pulsed power devices, electric vehicles, high-frequency inverters, and so on. Particularly, ceramic-based dielectric materials have received significant attention for energy storage capacitor applications due to their outstanding properties of high power density, fast charge-discharge capabilities, and excellent temperature stability relative to batteries, electrochemical capacitors, and dielectric polymers. In this paper, we present fundamental concepts for energy storage in dielectrics, key parameters, and influence factors to enhance the energy storage performance, and we also summarize the recent progress of dielectrics, such as bulk ceramics (linear dielectrics, ferroelectrics, relaxor ferroelectrics, and anti-ferroelectrics), ceramic films, and multilayer ceramic capacitors. In addition, various strategies, such as chemical modification, grain refinement/microstructure, defect engineering, phase, local structure, domain evolution, layer thickness,…

In this comprehensive review, the current state of the art and recent advances in 3D printing in dentistry are explored. This article provides an overview of the fundamental principles of 3D printing with a focus on vat photopolymerization (VP), the most commonly used technological principle in dental practice, which includes SLA, DLP, and LCD (or mSLA) technologies. The advantages, disadvantages, and shortcomings of these technologies are also discussed. This article delves into the key stages of the dental 3D printing process, from computer-aided design (CAD) to postprocessing, emphasizing the importance of postrinsing and postcuring to ensure the biocompatibility of custom-made medical devices. Legal considerations and regulatory obligations related to the production of custom medical devices through 3D printing are also addressed. This article serves as a valuable resource for dental practitioners, researchers, and health care professionals interested in applying this innovative technology in clinical practice.

Diamond is known as the ultimate semiconductor material for electric devices with excellent properties such as an ultra-wide bandgap (5.47 eV), high carrier mobility (electron mobility 4000 cm2/V·s, hole mobility 3800 cm2/V·s), high critical breakdown electric field (20 MV/cm), and high thermal conductivity (22 W/cm·K), showing good prospects in high-power applications. The lack of n-type diamonds limits the development of bipolar devices; most of the research focuses on p-type Schottky barrier diodes (SBDs) and unipolar field-effect transistors (FETs) based on terminal technology. In recent years, breakthroughs have been made through the introduction of new structures, dielectric materials, heterogeneous epitaxy, etc. Currently, diamond devices have shown promising applications in high-power applications, with a BV of 10 kV, a BFOM of 874.6 MW/cm2, and a current density of 60 kA/cm2 already realized. This review summarizes the research progress of diamond materials, devices, and specific applications, with a particular focus on the development of SBDs and FETs and their use in…

Plastics are widely used across various industries due to their flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and durability. This extensive use has resulted in significant plastic pollution, with microplastics (MPs) becoming pervasive contaminants in water bodies worldwide, adversely affecting aquatic ecosystems and human health. This review explores the surface characteristics of carbon-based adsorbents, including biochar, activated carbon, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and graphene, and their influence on MP removal efficiency. Key surface characteristics such as the carbon content, surface area, pore size, and particle size of adsorbents influenced adsorption efficiency. Additionally, hydrophobic interaction, van der Waals forces, π-π interactions and electrostatic interaction were found to be mechanisms by which microplastics are trapped onto adsorbents. Modified biochar and activated carbon demonstrated high adsorption efficiencies, while CNTs and graphene, with their high carbon contents and well-defined mesopores, showed outstanding performance in MP removal. Although a high surface area was…

Chitosan, a natural biopolymer with excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and modifiable structure, has broad applications in regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, food packaging, and environmental technology. Its abundance, solubility in acidic solutions, and capacity for chemical modification make it highly adaptable for creating specialized derivatives with enhanced properties. Recent advances have demonstrated chitosan's efficacy in composite systems for tissue regeneration, drug delivery, and antimicrobial applications. This review examines chitosan's unique properties, with a focus on its antibacterial activity as influenced by factors like pH, concentration, molecular weight, and deacetylation degree. Additionally, chitosan's potential as a sustainable, non-toxic material for eco-friendly packaging and water treatment is explored, highlighting the growing interest in chitosan composites with other polymers and metallic nanoparticles for enhanced biomedical and environmental applications.

This study presents test results and deep discussion regarding measurements of the fracture toughness of new concrete composites based on ternary blended cements (TCs). A composition of the most commonly used mineral additive (i.e., fly ash (FA)) in combination with nano-silica (NS) has been proposed as a partial replacement of the ordinary Portland cement (OPC) binder. The novelty of this article is related to the fact that ordinary concretes with FA + NS additives are most often used in construction practice, and there is a decided lack of fracture toughness test results concerning these materials. Therefore, in order to fill this gap in the literature, an extensive evaluation of the fracture mechanic parameters of TC was carried out. Four series of concretes were created, one of which was the reference concrete (REF), and the remaining three were TCs. The effect of a constant content of 5% NS and various FA contents, such as 0, 15%, and 25% wt., as a partial replacement of cement was studied. The parameters of the linear and nonlinear fracture mechanics were analyzed in this…

Precision manufacturing requirements are the key to ensuring the quality and reliability of biomedical implants. The powder bed fusion (PBF) technique offers a promising solution, enabling the creation of complex, patient-specific implants with a high degree of precision. This technology is revolutionizing the biomedical industry, paving the way for a new era of personalized medicine. This review explores and details powder bed fusion 3D printing and its application in the biomedical field. It begins with an introduction to the powder bed fusion 3D-printing technology and its various classifications. Later, it analyzes the numerous fields in which powder bed fusion 3D printing has been successfully deployed where precision components are required, including the fabrication of personalized implants and scaffolds for tissue engineering. This review also discusses the potential advantages and limitations for using the powder bed fusion 3D-printing technology in terms of precision, customization, and cost effectiveness. In addition, it highlights the current challenges and prospects of…

The interest in natural fibres and biopolymers for developing bio-composites has greatly increased in recent years, motivated by the need to reduce the environmental impact of traditional synthetic, fossil fuel-derived materials. However, several limitations associated with the use of natural fibres and polymers should be addressed if they are to be seriously considered mainstream fibre reinforcements. These include poor compatibility of natural fibres with polymer matrices, variability, high moisture absorption, and flammability. Various surface treatments have been studied to tackle these drawbacks, such as alkalisation, silane treatment, acetylation, plasma treatment, and polydopamine coating. This review paper considers the classification, properties, and limitations of natural fibres and biopolymers in the context of bio-composite materials. An overview of recent advancements and enhancement strategies to overcome such limitations will also be discussed, with a focus on mechanical performance, moisture absorption behaviour, and flammability of composites. The limitations of…

Metal matrix composites (MMCs) are essential materials in various industries due to superior properties, such as high strength-to-weight ratios, better corrosion resistance, improved wear resistance and adaptability, developed by continuous improvements in their fabrication methods. This helps to meet the growing demand for high-performance and sustainable products. The industries that stand to gain the most are automotive and aerospace, where MMCs are used for car parts, airplane frames, and jet engines that need to be strong and lightweight. Furthermore, MMCs are being extensively used in the biomedical industry for implants and medical equipment because of their suitable mechanical integrity and corrosion resistance. Applications in heavy construction, defense, and even space exploration are noteworthy. The advancements in fabrication of MMCs have revolutionized the composite industry with their improved mechanical, tribological, and metallurgical properties. This review article offers an introduction and thorough examination of the most recent advancements (mostly within the…

This work aims to analyze the influence of selected plants on the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Six plants were chosen for the experiment, from which extracts were prepared: maclura fruit, spruce and ginkgo needles, green algae (Ch. kessleri), and mushrooms, namely Collybia nuda, and Macrolepiota procera. The composition of the extracts and colloids after preparation of the nanoparticles was analyzed using FTIR analysis. The composition of the extracts affected not only the rate of the synthesis but also the shape of the nanoparticles. TEM analysis confirmed the synthesis of mainly spherical nanoparticles (size range: 10–25 nm). However, triangular prisms and polyhedral nanoparticles synthesized by the extracts containing mainly flavonoids, terpenes, and phenols (the main compounds of resins) were also confirmed. EDS analysis was used to analyze the composition of the nanoparticles. It was proven that by choosing the right plant extract and using the appropriate technology with extract treatment, it is possible to prepare nanoparticles of different shapes.

With the widespread application of small-sized bolts in aerospace and other fields, the demand for measuring their connection structures is increasing. Currently, although ultrasonic longitudinal wave methods are commonly used for bolt pretension stress measurement, their accuracy is limited for small-sized bolts. This paper proposes a piezoelectric acoustic resonance method (PZTAR) for small-sized bolt pretension stress measurement based on acoustic elasticity theory, ultrasonic resonance principles, and a bolt stress-strain model. The method involves analyzing the ultrasonic time-domain signals of small-sized bolts under load in the frequency domain to better evaluate the changes in the ultrasonic frequencies under different pretension stress. The effectiveness of this method is verified through pretension stress measurement experiments. The results indicate that the proposed ultrasonic resonance method achieves an average error of less than 5% for M5 specification bolts. Compared to traditional ultrasonic time delay methods, the proposed method demonstrates higher measurement…

In electronic packaging products in the service process, the solder joints experience thermal fatigue due to temperature cycles, which have a significant influence on the performance of electronic products and the reliability of solder joints. In this paper, the thermal fatigue failure mechanism of solder joints in microelectronic packages, the microstructure changes of the thermal fatigue process, the influence factors on the joint fatigue life, and the simulation analysis and forecasting of thermal fatigue life are reviewed. The results show that the solder joints are heterogeneously coarsened, and this leads to fatigue cracks occurring under the elevated high-temperature phase of alternating temperature cycles. However, the thickness of the solder and the hold time in the high-temperature phase do not significantly influence the thermal fatigue. The coarsened region and the IMC layer thicken with the number of cycles, and the cracks initiate and propagate along the interface between the intermetallic compound (IMC) layer and coarsened region, eventually leading to solder joint…

Steel slag is a by-product of the steel industry and usually contains a high amount of f-CaO and f-MgO, which will result in serious soundness problems once used as a binding material and/or aggregates. To relieve this negative effect, carbonation treatment was believed to be one of the available and reliable methods. By carbonation treatment of steel slag, the phases of f-CaO and f-MgO can be effectively transformed into CaCO3 and MgCO3, respectively. This will not only reduce the expansive risk of steel slag to improve the utilization of steel slag further but also capture and store CO2 due to the mineralization process to reduce carbon emissions. In this study, based on the physical and chemical properties of steel slag, the carbonation mechanism, factors affecting the carbonation process, and the application of carbonated steel slag were reviewed. Eventually, the research challenge was also discussed.

Nowadays, high-pressure hydrogen storage is the most commercially used technology owing to its high hydrogen purity, rapid charging/discharging of hydrogen, and low-cost manufacturing. Despite numerous reviews on hydrogen storage technologies, there is a relative scarcity of comprehensive examinations specifically focused on high-pressure gaseous hydrogen storage and its associated materials. This article systematically presents the manufacturing processes and materials used for a variety of high-pressure hydrogen storage containers, including metal cylinders, carbon fiber composite cylinders, and emerging glass material-based hydrogen storage containers. Furthermore, it introduces the relevant principles and theoretical studies, showcasing their advantages and disadvantages compared to conventional high-pressure hydrogen storage containers. Finally, this article provides an outlook on the future development of high-pressure hydrogen storage containers.

Plastic pollution has escalated into a critical global issue, with production soaring from 2 million metric tons in 1950 to 400.3 million metric tons in 2022. The packaging industry alone accounts for nearly 44% of this production, predominantly utilizing polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Alarmingly, over 90% of the approximately 1 million PET bottles sold every minute end up in landfills or oceans, where they can persist for centuries. This highlights the urgent need for sustainable management and recycling solutions to mitigate the environmental impact of PET waste. To better understand PET's behavior and promote its management within a circular economy, we examined its chemical and physical properties, current strategies in the circular economy, and the most effective recycling methods available today. Advancing PET management within a circular economy framework by closing industrial loops has demonstrated benefits such as reduced landfill waste, minimized energy consumption, and conserved raw resources. To this end, we identified and examined various strategies based on…

Phosphogypsum (PG), a byproduct during the phosphoric acid production process, also known as the wet process, contains complex and diverse impurities, resulting in low utilization and considerable accumulation. This leads to a massive waste of land resources and a series of environmental pollution problems. Given the current urgent ecological and environmental situation, developing impurity removal processes with low energy consumption and high efficiency, exploring valuable resource recovery, preparing high value-added PG products, and broadening the comprehensive utilization ways of PG are significant strategies to promote the sustainable consumption of PG and sustainable development of the phosphorus chemical industry. This review comprehensively summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of existing PG impurity removal and utilization technologies and probes into the future development direction, which provides references and ideas for subsequent PG research.

Calcined mixed clays are one of the most promising alternative supplementary cementitious materials. However, their standardized use is difficult due to the wide range of compositions of the raw materials. The reactivity potential of different clays can hardly be estimated on the basis of simple characteristics so far. This review aims to identify and compile the factors that determine reactivity. At first, an overview of the methods to evaluate reactivity is presented in order to provide a definition of this term. Subsequently, the reactivity-determining factors are compiled and subdivided into the characteristics of the raw material (chemical and mineralogical composition), the parameters of calcination (furnace type, temperature, grain size, retention time, and cooling), and the characteristics of the calcined material (physical properties and amorphous phase). Interrelations are discussed qualitatively. In the second step, a quantitative literature analysis was conducted to quantify correlations between the different factors and reactivity. However, since the characterization…

In the present study, composites incorporating NiO-Co3O4 (NC) and CuO-NiO-Co3O4 (CNC) as active electrode materials were produced through the hydrothermal method and their performance was investigated systematically. The composition, formation, and nanocomposite structure of the fabricated material were characterized by XRD, FTIR, and UV–Vis. The FE-SEM analysis revealed the presence of rod and spherical mixed morphologies. The prepared NC and CNC samples were utilized as supercapacitor electrodes, demonstrating specific capacitances of 262 Fg−1 at a current density of 1 Ag−1. Interestingly, the CNC composite displayed a notable long-term cyclic stability 84.9%, which was observed even after 5000 charge–discharge cycles. The exceptional electrochemical properties observed can be accredited to the harmonious effects of copper oxide addition, the hollow structure, and various metal oxides. This approach holds promise for the development of supercapacitor electrodes. These findings collectively indicate that the hydrothermally synthesized NC and CNC nanocomposites exhibit potential as…

The widespread use of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) from packaging to engineering applications seems to follow the current global trend. The development of high-performance PLA-based blends has led to the commercial introduction of various PLA-based resins with excellent thermomechanical properties. The reason for this is the progress in the field of major PLA limitations such as low thermal resistance and poor impact strength. The main purpose of using biobased polymers in polymer blends is to increase the share of renewable raw materials in the final product rather than its possible biodegradation. However, in the case of engineering applications, the focus is on achieving the required properties rather than maximizing the percentage of biopolymer. The presented review article discusses the current strategies to optimize the balance of the key features such as stiffness, toughness, and heat resistance of PLA-based blends. Improving of these properties requires molecular structural changes, which together with morphology, crystallinity, and the influence of the processing conditions are…

Topology optimization is a powerful structural design method that determines the optimal configuration by distributing materials efficiently within a given design domain while satisfying specified load, performance, and volume constraints. Unlike size and shape optimization, topology optimization is independent of the initial design, offering a broader design space. This paper provides a systematic review of topology optimization methods, covering two theoretical frameworks: linear elasticity and nonlinear theory. Specifically, the review focuses on sensitivity analysis, optimization criteria, and topology solution smoothing within the context of linear elasticity. In the context of nonlinear theory, the review primarily addresses nonlinear phenomena arising from stress constraints, geometric, material, and contact nonlinearities. The paper concludes by summarizing the current state of the field, identifying limitations in existing methods, and suggesting directions for future research.

Hydrogels, known for their unique ability to retain large amounts of water, have emerged as pivotal materials in both tissue engineering and biosensing applications. This review provides an updated and comprehensive examination of cutting-edge hydrogel technologies and their multifaceted roles in these fields. Initially, the chemical composition and intrinsic properties of both natural and synthetic hydrogels are discussed, highlighting their biocompatibility and biodegradability. The manuscript then probes into innovative scaffold designs and fabrication techniques such as 3D printing, electrospinning, and self-assembly methods, emphasizing their applications in regenerating bone, cartilage, skin, and neural tissues. In the realm of biosensing, hydrogels' responsive nature is explored through their integration into optical, electrochemical, and piezoelectric sensors. These sensors are instrumental in medical diagnostics for glucose monitoring, pathogen detection, and biomarker identification, as well as in environmental and industrial applications like pollution and food quality…

The objective of this study was to review the scientific evidence currently available on 3D printable materials and 3D printing technologies used for the fabrication of permanent restorations, focusing on material properties that are clinically relevant. A literature search was performed on four databases (MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Web of Science) for articles published from January 2013 until November 2023, using a combination of free words: (restorative dentistry OR prosthetic dentistry) AND (3D printing OR additive manufacturing OR rapid prototyping) AND materials. Two reviewers screened titles and/or abstracts of 2.468 unique studies. In total, 83 studies were selected for full-text reading, from which 36 were included in the review. The assessed variables were mechanical properties, reporting in most of the cases positive results, dimensional accuracy and fit, reporting conflicting results with a predominance of positive, aesthetic properties, with positive reports but scarcely addressed, and biological properties, almost unexplored in independent studies.…

Polymersomes are artificial nanoparticles formed by the self-assembly process of amphiphilic block copolymers composed of hydrophobic and hydrophilic blocks. They can encapsulate hydrophilic molecules in the aqueous core and hydrophobic molecules within the membrane. The composition of block copolymers can be tuned, enabling control of characteristics and properties of formed polymersomes and, thus, their application in areas such as drug delivery, diagnostics, or bioimaging. The preparation methods of polymersomes can also impact their characteristics and the preservation of the encapsulated drugs. Many methods have been described, including direct hydration, thin film hydration, electroporation, the pH-switch method, solvent shift method, single and double emulsion method, flash nanoprecipitation, and microfluidic synthesis. Considering polymersome structure and composition, there are several types of polymersomes including theranostic polymersomes, polymersomes decorated with targeting ligands for selective delivery, stimuli-responsive polymersomes, or porous polymersomes with…

As the most stable phase of gallium oxide, β-Ga2O3 can enable high-quality, large-size, low-cost, and controllably doped wafers by the melt method. It also features a bandgap of 4.7–4.9 eV, a critical electric field strength of 8 MV/cm, and a Baliga’s figure of merit (BFOM) of up to 3444, which is 10 and 4 times higher than that of SiC and GaN, respectively, showing great potential for application in power devices. However, the lack of effective p-type Ga2O3 limits the development of bipolar devices. Most research has focused on unipolar devices, with breakthroughs in recent years. This review mainly summarizes the research progress fora different structures of β-Ga2O3 power diodes and gives a brief introduction to their thermal management and circuit applications.

Batteries are essential in modern society as they can power a wide range of devices, from small household appliances to large-scale energy storage systems. Safety concerns with traditional lithium-ion batteries prompted the emergence of new battery technologies, among them solid-state batteries (SSBs), offering enhanced safety, energy density, and lifespan. This paper reviews current state-of-the-art SSB electrolyte and electrode materials, as well as global SSB market trends and key industry players. Solid-state electrolytes used in SSBs include inorganic solid electrolytes, organic solid polymer electrolytes, and solid composite electrolytes. Inorganic options like lithium aluminum titanium phosphate excel in ionic conductivity and thermal stability but exhibit mechanical fragility. Organic alternatives such as polyethylene oxide and polyvinylidene fluoride offer flexibility but possess lower ionic conductivity. Solid composite electrolytes combine the advantages of inorganic and organic materials, enhancing mechanical strength and ionic conductivity. While significant advances…

This study optimized friction stir welding (FSW) parameters for 1.6 mm thick 2024T3 aluminum alloy sheets. A 3 × 3 factorial design was employed to explore tool rotation speeds (1100 to 1300 rpm) and welding speeds (140 to 180 mm/min). Static tensile tests revealed the joints' maximum strength at 87% relative to the base material. Hyperparameter optimization was conducted for machine learning (ML) models, including random forest and XGBoost, and multilayer perceptron artificial neural network (MLP-ANN) models, using grid search. Welding parameter optimization and extrapolation were then carried out, with final strength predictions analyzed using response surface methodology (RSM). The ML models achieved over 98% accuracy in parameter regression, demonstrating significant effectiveness in FSW process enhancement. Experimentally validated, optimized parameters resulted in an FSW joint efficiency of 93% relative to the base material. This outcome highlights the critical role of advanced analytical techniques in improving welding quality and efficiency.

In this paper, the influence of different fiber materials on the dynamic splitting mechanical properties of concrete was investigated. Brazil disc dynamic splitting tests were conducted on plain concrete, palm fiber-reinforced concrete, and steel fiber-reinforced concrete specimens using a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) test device with a 100 mm diameter and a V2512 high-speed digital camera. The Digital Image Correlation (DIC) technique was used to analyze the fracture process and crack propagation behavior of different fiber-reinforced concrete specimens and obtain their dynamic tensile properties and energy dissipation. The experimental results indicate that the addition of fibers can enhance the impact toughness of concrete, reduce the occurrence of failure at the loading end of specimens due to stress concentration, delay the time to failure of specimens, and effectively suppress the expansion of cracks. Steel fibers exhibit a better crack-inhibiting effect on concrete compared to palm fibers. The incident energy for the three types of concrete specimens is roughly the…

This review comprehensively addresses the developments and applications of polymer materials in optoelectronics. Especially, this review introduces how the materials absorb, emit, and transfer charges, including the exciton-vibrational coupling, nonradiative and radiative processes, Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET), and energy dynamics. Furthermore, it outlines charge trapping and recombination in the materials and draws the corresponding practical implications. The following section focuses on the practical application of organic materials in optoelectronics devices and highlights the detailed structure, operational principle, and performance metrics of organic photovoltaic cells (OPVs), organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), organic photodetectors, and organic transistors in detail. Finally, this study underscores the transformative impact of organic materials on the evolution of optoelectronics, providing a comprehensive understanding of their properties, mechanisms, and diverse applications that contribute to advancing innovative technologies in the field.

Owing to its outstanding physical properties, graphene has attracted attention as a promising biosensor material. Field-effect-transistor (FET)-based biosensors are particularly promising because of their high sensitivity that is achieved through the high carrier mobility of graphene. However, graphene-FET biosensors have not yet reached widespread practical applications owing to several problems. In this review, the authors focus on graphene-FET biosensors and discuss their advantages, the challenges to their development, and the solutions to the challenges. The problem of Debye screening, in which the surface charges of the detection target are shielded and undetectable, can be solved by using small-molecule receptors and their deformations and by using enzyme reaction products. To address the complexity of sample components and the detection mechanisms of graphene-FET biosensors, the authors outline measures against nonspecific adsorption and the remaining problems related to the detection mechanism itself. The authors also introduce a solution with which the molecular species…

Metal material processing using femtosecond lasers is a useful technique, and it has been widely employed in many applications including laser microfabrication, laser surgery, and micromachining. The basic mechanisms of metal processing using femtosecond lasers are reviewed in this paper and the characteristics and theory of laser processing are considered. In addition to well-known processes, the recent progress relating to metals processing with femtosecond lasers, including metal material drilling, metal ablation thresholds, micro/nano-surface modification, printed circuit board (PCB) micromachining, and liquid metal (LM) processing using femtosecond lasers, is described in detail. Meanwhile, the application of femtosecond laser technology in different fields is also briefly discussed. This review concludes by highlighting the current challenges and presenting a forward-looking perspective on the future of the metal laser processing field.

Magnesium alloys, renowned for their lightweight yet high-strength characteristics, with exceptional mechanical properties, are highly coveted for numerous applications. The emergence of magnesium alloy additive manufacturing (Mg AM) has further propelled their popularity, offering advantages such as unparalleled precision, swift production rates, enhanced design freedom, and optimized material utilization. This technology holds immense potential in fabricating intricate geometries, complex internal structures, and performance-tailored microstructures, enabling groundbreaking applications. In this paper, we delve into the core processes and pivotal influencing factors of the current techniques employed in Mg AM, including selective laser melting (SLM), electron beam melting (EBM), wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM), binder jetting (BJ), friction stir additive manufacturing (FSAM), and indirect additive manufacturing (I-AM). Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) excels in precision but is limited by a low deposition rate and chamber size; WAAM offers cost-effectiveness, high efficiency,…

The NiTi alloy, known as Nitinol, represents one of the most investigated smart alloys, exhibiting a shape memory effect and superelasticity. These, among many other remarkable attributes, enable its utilization in various applications, encompassing the automotive industry, aviation, space exploration, and, notably, medicine. Conventionally, Nitinol is predominantly produced in the form of wire or thin sheets that allow producing many required components. However, the manufacturing of complex shapes poses challenges due to the tenacity of the NiTi alloy, and different processing routes at elevated temperatures have to be applied. Overcoming this obstacle may be facilitated by additive manufacturing methods. This article provides an overview of the employment of additive manufacturing methods, allowing the preparation of the required shapes of Nitinol products while retaining their exceptional properties and potential applications.

The depletion of reliable energy sources and the environmental and climatic repercussions of polluting energy sources have become global challenges. Hence, many countries have adopted various renewable energy sources including hydrogen. Hydrogen is a future energy carrier in the global energy system and has the potential to produce zero carbon emissions. For the non-fossil energy sources, hydrogen and electricity are considered the dominant energy carriers for providing end-user services, because they can satisfy most of the consumer requirements. Hence, the development of both hydrogen production and storage is necessary to meet the standards of a "hydrogen economy". The physical and chemical absorption of hydrogen in solid storage materials is a promising hydrogen storage method because of the high storage and transportation performance. In this paper, physical hydrogen storage materials such as hollow spheres, carbon-based materials, zeolites, and metal-organic frameworks are reviewed. We summarize and discuss the properties, hydrogen storage densities at different temperatures…

Chemical shrinkage (CS) is an intrinsic parameter that may affect the early age cracking of paste, mortar and concrete. It is well known as the driving force of self-desiccation, autogenous shrinkage (AGS) and drying shrinkage. During the first stage of cement hydration (at the initial setting time), the CS and AGS are equal. In the hardened stages, there is a difference in values between the two shrinkage parameters. This paper is a comprehensive review on CS and AGS, measurement techniques, modeling and prediction of different cementitious systems. Based on the various experimental studies, chemical shrinkage depends on the water to binder ratio (w/b) and is proportional to the degree of hydration. A low w/b ratio leads to high CS and AGS. The composition of cement has an effect on both CS and AGS. Also, incorporating supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) affects both shrinkage parameters. It is concluded that adding fly ash (FA) to concrete contributes to CS and AGS reductions. However, this is not the case when concrete contains slag. More than 170 references were…

With the booming of renewable clean energies towards reducing carbon emission, demands for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in applications to transportation vehicles and power stations are increasing exponentially. As a consequence, great pressures have been posed on the technological development and production of valuable elements key to LIBs, in addition to concerns about depletion of natural resources, environmental impacts, and management of waste batteries. In this paper, we compile recent information on lithium, nickel, and cobalt, the three most crucial elements utilized in LIBs, in terms of demands, current identified terrestrial resources, extraction technologies from primary natural resources and waste. Most nickel and cobalt are currently produced from high-grade sulfide ores via a pyrometallurgical approach. Increased demands have stimulated production of Ni and Co from low-grade laterites, which is commonly performed through the hydrometallurgical process. Most lithium exists in brines and is extracted via evaporation-precipitation in common industrial practice. It is…

Ultrafast laser technology has moved from ultrafast to ultra-strong due to the development of chirped pulse amplification technology. Ultrafast laser technology, such as femtosecond lasers and picosecond lasers, has quickly become a flexible tool for processing brittle and hard materials and complex micro-components, which are widely used in and developed for medical, aerospace, semiconductor applications and so on. However, the mechanisms of the interaction between an ultrafast laser and brittle and hard materials are still unclear. Meanwhile, the ultrafast laser processing of these materials is still a challenge. Additionally, highly efficient and high-precision manufacturing using ultrafast lasers needs to be developed. This review is focused on the common challenges and current status of the ultrafast laser processing of brittle and hard materials, such as nickel-based superalloys, thermal barrier ceramics, diamond, silicon dioxide, and silicon carbide composites. Firstly, different materials are distinguished according to their bandgap width, thermal conductivity and other…

This article explores recent advancements and innovative strategies in biosorption technology, with a particular focus on the removal of heavy metals, such as Cu(II), Pb(II), Cr(III), Cr(VI), Zn(II), and Ni(II), and a metalloid, As(V), from various sources. Detailed information on biosorbents, including their composition, structure, and performance metrics in heavy metal sorption, is presented. Specific attention is given to the numerical values of the adsorption capacities for each metal, showcasing the efficacy of biosorbents in removing Cu (up to 96.4%), Pb (up to 95%), Cr (up to 99.9%), Zn (up to 99%), Ni (up to 93.8%), and As (up to 92.9%) from wastewater and industrial effluents. In addition, the issue of biosorbent deactivation and failure over time is highlighted as it is crucial for the successful implementation of adsorption in practical applications. Such phenomena as blockage by other cations or chemical decomposition are reported, and chemical, thermal, and microwave treatments are indicated as effective regeneration techniques. Ongoing research should focus on the…

Due to the growing concerns about pharmaceutical contamination and its devastating impact on the economy and the health of humans and the environment, developing efficient approaches for removing such contaminants has become essential. Adsorption is a cost-effective technique for removing pollutants. Thus, in this work, banana peels as agro-industrial waste were utilized for synthesizing activated carbon for removing pharmaceuticals, namely amoxicillin and carbamazepine from different water matrices. The chemically activated carbon by phosphoric acid (H3PO4) was carbonized at temperatures 350 °C, 450 °C and 550 °C. The material was characterized by several techniques such as scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Boehm titration, point of zero charge (pHPZC), BET surface area (SBET), the proximate and ultimate analyses, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and thermos-gravimetric analysis (TGA). The SEM of banana peel activated carbon (BPAC) depicted a semi-regular and heterogeneous morphology,…

Natural fibres, valued for their low density, cost-effectiveness, high strength-to-weight ratio, and efficient energy absorption, are increasingly emerging as alternatives to synthetic materials in green composites. Although they cannot fully replace synthetic counterparts, like carbon, in structural applications due to their inferior mechanical performance, combining them through hybridization presents a potential solution. This approach promotes a balance between environmental benefits and mechanical efficiency. Recently, the transportation sector has shifted its focus towards delivering lightweight and crashworthy composite structures to improve vehicle performance, address safety concerns, and minimise environmental impact through the use of eco-friendly materials. The crashworthiness of energy absorbers, typically thin-walled structures, is influenced by several factors, including their material and geometric design. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of recent studies focused on the crashworthiness of fibre-reinforced, thin-walled composites under axial crushing. It…

Nowadays, lithium-ion batteries are undoubtedly known as the most promising rechargeable batteries. However, these batteries face some big challenges, like not having enough energy and not lasting long enough, that should be addressed. Ternary Ni-rich Li[NixCoyMnz]O2 and Li[NixCoyAlz]O2 cathode materials stand as the ideal candidate for a cathode active material to achieve high capacity and energy density, low manufacturing cost, and high operating voltage. However, capacity gain from Ni enrichment is nullified by the concurrent fast capacity fading because of issues such as gas evolution, microcracks propagation and pulverization, phase transition, electrolyte decomposition, cation mixing, and dissolution of transition metals at high operating voltage, which hinders their commercialization. In order to tackle these problems, researchers conducted many strategies, including elemental doping, surface coating, and particle engineering. This review paper mainly talks about origins of problems and their mechanisms leading to electrochemical performance deterioration for Ni-rich cathode…

Magnesium (Mg) has attracted considerable attention as a biodegradable material for medical implants owing to its excellent biocompatibility, mitigating long-term toxicity and stress shielding. Nevertheless, challenges arise from its rapid degradation and low corrosion resistance under physiological conditions. To overcome these challenges, titanium (biocompatibility and corrosion resistance) has been integrated into Mg. The incorporation of titanium significantly improves mechanical and corrosion resistance properties, thereby enhancing performance in biological settings. Mg-Ti alloys are produced through mechanical alloying and spark plasma sintering (SPS). The SPS technique transforms powder mixtures into bulk materials while preserving structural integrity, resulting in enhanced corrosion resistance, particularly Mg80-Ti20 alloy in simulated body fluids. Moreover, Mg-Ti alloy revealed no more toxicity when assessed on pre-osteoblastic cells. Furthermore, the ability of Mg-Ti-based alloy to create composites with polymers such as PLGA (polylactic-co-glycolic acid) widen their…

The properties of each lattice structure are a function of four basic lattice factors, namely the morphology of the unit cell, its tessellation, relative density, and the material properties. The recent advancements in additive manufacturing (AM) have facilitated the easy manipulation of these factors to obtain desired functionalities. This review attempts to expound on several such strategies to manipulate these lattice factors. Several design-based grading strategies, such as functional grading, with respect to size and density manipulation, multi-morphology, and spatial arrangement strategies, have been discussed and their link to the natural occurrences are highlighted. Furthermore, special emphasis is given to the recently designed tessellation strategies to deliver multi-functional lattice responses. Each tessellation on its own acts as a novel material, thereby tuning the required properties. The subsequent section explores various material processing techniques with respect to multi-material AM to achieve multi-functional properties. The sequential combination of multiple…

Mg-based materials have been widely studied as potential hydrogen storage media due to their high theoretical hydrogen capacity, low cost, and abundant reserves. However, the sluggish hydrogen absorption/desorption kinetics and high thermodynamic stability of Mg-based hydrides have hindered their practical application. Ball milling has emerged as a versatile and effective technique to synthesize and modify nanostructured Mg-based hydrides with enhanced hydrogen storage properties. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the state-of-the-art progress in the ball milling of Mg-based hydrogen storage materials. The synthesis mechanisms, microstructural evolution, and hydrogen storage properties of nanocrystalline and amorphous Mg-based hydrides prepared via ball milling are systematically reviewed. The effects of various catalytic additives, including transition metals, metal oxides, carbon materials, and metal halides, on the kinetics and thermodynamics of Mg-based hydrides are discussed in detail. Furthermore, the strategies for synthesizing nanocomposite Mg-based hydrides…

This study addresses the critical need for efficient and recyclable photocatalysts for water treatment applications by presenting a novel approach for the synthesis and characterization of copper (I) oxide (Cu2O) nanoparticles modified with ascorbic acid (Cu2O/AA). The motivation for this research stems from the increasing concern about environmental pollution caused by organic pollutants, such as Brilliant Cresyl Blue (BCB), and the necessity for sustainable solutions to mitigate this issue. Through comprehensive characterization techniques including Ultraviolet–Visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), zeta potential measurements, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis, we demonstrate a significant modification to the electronic structure, enhancing the photocatalytic activity of Cu2O/AA. BET analysis revealed a mesoporous structure with a specific surface area of 2.7247 m2/g for Cu2O/AA, further emphasizing its potential for enhanced catalytic performance. The photocatalytic…

As a popular energy storage equipment, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have many advantages, such as high energy density and long cycle life. At this stage, with the increasing demand for energy storage materials, the industrialization of batteries is facing new challenges such as enhancing efficiency, reducing energy consumption, and improving battery performance. In particular, the challenges mentioned above are particularly critical in advanced next-generation battery manufacturing. For batteries, the electrode processing process plays a crucial role in advancing lithium-ion battery technology and has a significant impact on battery energy density, manufacturing cost, and yield. Dry electrode technology is an emerging technology that has attracted extensive attention from both academia and the manufacturing industry due to its unique advantages and compatibility. This paper provides a detailed introduction to the development status and application examples of various dry electrode technologies. It discusses the latest advancements in commonly used binders for different dry processes…

Esters are versatile compounds with a wide range of applications in various industries due to their unique properties and pleasant aromas. Conventionally, the manufacture of these compounds has relied on the chemical route. Nevertheless, this technique employs high temperatures and inorganic catalysts, resulting in undesired additional steps to purify the final product by removing solvent residues, which decreases environmental sustainability and energy efficiency. In accordance with the principles of "Green Chemistry" and the search for more environmentally friendly methods, a new alternative, the enzymatic route, has been introduced. This technique uses low temperatures and does not require the use of solvents, resulting in more environmentally friendly final products. Despite the large number of studies published on the biocatalytic synthesis of esters, little attention has been paid to the reactors used for it. Therefore, it is convenient to gather the scattered information regarding the type of reactor employed in these synthesis reactions, considering the industrial field in…

The introduction of 3D printing technology in dentistry has opened new treatment options. The ongoing development of different materials for these printing purposes has recently enabled the production of definitive indirect restorations via 3D printing. To identify relevant data, a systematic search was conducted in three databases, namely PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Additionally, a manual search using individual search terms was performed. Only English, peer-reviewed articles that encompassed in vitro or in vivo research on the mechanical properties of 3D-printed composite materials were included, provided they met the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. After screening 1142 research articles, 14 primary studies were selected. The included studies mainly utilized digital light processing (DLP) technology, less commonly stereolithography (SLA), and once PolyJet printing technology. The material properties of various composite resins, such as VarseoSmile Crown Plus (VSC) and Crowntec (CT), were studied, including Vickers hardness, flexural strength, elastic modulus,…

In this review article, we focus on the relationship between permanent magnets and the electric motor, as this relationship has not been covered in a review paper before. With the increasing focus on battery research, other parts of the electric system have been neglected. To make electrification a smooth transition, as has been promised by governing bodies, we need to understand and improve the electric motor and its main component, the magnet. Today's review papers cover only the engineering perspective of the electric motor or the material-science perspective of the magnetic material, but not both together, which is a crucial part of understanding the needs of electric-motor design and the possibilities that a magnet can give them. We review the road that leads to today's state-of-the-art in electric motors and magnet design and give possible future roads to tackle the obstacles ahead and reach the goals of a fully electric transportation system. With new technologies now available, like additive manufacturing and artificial intelligence, electric motor designers have not yet…

Water pollution is caused by heavy metals, minerals, and dyes. It has become a global environmental problem. There are numerous methods for removing different types of pollutants from wastewater. Adsorption is viewed as the most promising and financially viable option. Nanostructured materials are used as effective materials for adsorption techniques to extract metal ions from wastewater. Many types of nanomaterials, such as zero-valent metals, metal oxides, carbon nanomaterials, and magnetic nanocomposites, are used as adsorbents. Magnetic nanocomposites as adsorbents have magnetic properties and abundant active functional groups, and unique nanomaterials endow them with better properties than nonmagnetic materials (classic adsorbents). Nonmagnetic materials (classic adsorbents) typically have limitations such as limited adsorption capacity, adsorbent recovery, poor selective adsorption, and secondary treatment. Magnetic nanocomposites are easy to recover, have strong selectivity and high adsorption capacity, are safe and economical, and have always been a hotspot for research. A…

Microplastics (MPs) pose a profound environmental challenge, impacting ecosystems and human health through mechanisms such as bioaccumulation and ecosystem contamination. While traditional water treatment methods can partially remove microplastics, their limitations highlight the need for innovative green approaches like photodegradation to ensure more effective and sustainable removal. This review explores the potential of nanomaterial-enhanced photocatalysts in addressing this issue. Utilizing their unique properties like large surface area and tunable bandgap, nanomaterials significantly improve degradation efficiency. Different strategies for photocatalyst modification to improve photocatalytic performance are thoroughly summarized, with a particular emphasis on element doping and heterojunction construction. Furthermore, this review thoroughly summarizes the possible fundamental mechanisms driving the photodegradation of microplastics facilitated by nanomaterials, with a focus on processes like free radical formation and singlet oxygen oxidation. This review not only…

Two-dimensional superconductors, especially the covalent metals such as borophene, have received significant attention due to their new fundamental physics, as well as potential applications. Furthermore, the bilayer borophene has recently ignited interest due to its high stability and versatile properties. Here, the mechanical and superconducting properties of bilayer-δ6 borophene are explored by means of first-principles computations and anisotropic Migdal-Eliashberg analytics. We find that the coexistence of strong covalent bonds and delocalized metallic bonds endows this structure with remarkable mechanical properties (maximum 2D-Young's modulus of ~570 N/m) and superconductivity with a critical temperature of ~20 K. Moreover, the superconducting critical temperature of this structure can be further boosted to ~46 K by applied strain, which is the highest value known among all borophenes or two-dimensional elemental materials.

Tissue engineering is an interdisciplinary field that combines materials, methods, and biological molecules to engineer newly formed tissues to replace or restore functional organs. Biomaterials-based scaffolds play a crucial role in developing new tissue by interacting with human cells. Tissue engineering scaffolds with ideal characteristics, namely, nontoxicity, biodegradability, and appropriate mechanical and surface properties, are vital for tissue regeneration applications. However, current biocomposite scaffolds face significant limitations, particularly in achieving structural durability, controlled degradation rates, and effective cellular integration. These qualities are essential for maintaining long-term functionality in vivo. Although commonly utilized biomaterials can provide physical and chemical properties needed for tissue regeneration, inadequate biomimetic properties, as well as insufficient interactions of cells-scaffolds interaction, still need to be improved for the application of tissue engineering in vivo. It is impossible to achieve some essential features…

The development of materials with self-healing capabilities has garnered considerable attention due to their potential to enhance the durability and longevity of various engineering and structural applications. In this review, we provide an overview of recent advances in materials with self-healing properties, encompassing polymers, ceramics, metals, and composites. We outline future research directions and potential applications of self-healing materials (SHMs) in diverse fields. This review aims to provide insights into the current state-of-the-art in SHM research and guide future efforts towards the development of innovative and sustainable materials with enhanced self-repair capabilities. Each material type showcases unique self-repair mechanisms tailored to address specific challenges. Furthermore, this review investigates crack healing processes, shedding light on the latest developments in this critical aspect of self-healing materials. Through an extensive exploration of these topics, this review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the current landscape and…

Effective wound treatment has become one of the most important challenges for healthcare as it continues to be one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Therefore, wound care technologies significantly evolved in order to provide a holistic approach based on various designs of functional wound dressings. Among them, hydrogels have been widely used for wound treatment due to their biocompatibility and similarity to the extracellular matrix. The hydrogel formula offers the control of an optimal wound moisture level due to its ability to absorb excess fluid from the wound or release moisture as needed. Additionally, hydrogels can be successfully integrated with a plethora of biologically active components (e.g., nanoparticles, pharmaceuticals, natural extracts, peptides), thus enhancing the performance of resulting composite hydrogels in wound healing applications. In this review, the-state-of-the-art discoveries related to stimuli-responsive hydrogel-based dressings have been summarized, taking into account their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hemostatic…

Thin conducting films are distinct from bulk materials and have become prevalent over the past decades as they possess unique physical, electrical, optical, and mechanical characteristics. Comprehending these essential properties for developing novel materials with tailored features for various applications is very important. Research on these conductive thin films provides us insights into the fundamental principles, behavior at different dimensions, interface phenomena, etc. This study comprehensively analyzes the intricacies of numerous commonly used thin conducting films, covering from the fundamentals to their advanced preparation methods. Moreover, the article discusses the impact of different parameters on those thin conducting films' electronic and optical properties. Finally, the recent future trends along with challenges are also highlighted to address the direction the field is heading towards. It is imperative to review the study to gain insight into the future development and advancing materials science, thus extending innovation and addressing vital challenges in…

Additive Manufacturing (AM) is a transformative manufacturing technology enabling direct fabrication of complex parts layer-by-layer from 3D modeling data. Among AM applications, the fabrication of Functionally Graded Materials (FGMs) has significant importance due to the potential to enhance component performance across several industries. FGMs are manufactured with a gradient composition transition between dissimilar materials, enabling the design of new materials with location-dependent mechanical and physical properties. This study presents a comprehensive review of published literature pertaining to the implementation of Machine Learning (ML) techniques in AM, with an emphasis on ML-based methods for optimizing FGMs fabrication processes. Through an extensive survey of the literature, this review article explores the role of ML in addressing the inherent challenges in FGMs fabrication and encompasses parameter optimization, defect detection, and real-time monitoring. The article also provides a discussion of future research directions and challenges in employing ML-based…

This article describes the synthesis and characterization of porous carbon derived from waste banana peels by chemical activation with KOH or by activation KOH and urea modification. The as-synthesized samples were carefully characterized by various techniques. The prepared carbonaceous materials possess highly developed micropore and mesopore structures and high specific surface area (up to 2795 cm2/g for materials synthetized with KOH and 2718 cm2/g for activated carbons prepared with KOH and urea). A series of KOH-activated samples showed CO2 adsorption at 1 bar to 5.75 mmol/g at 0 °C and 3.74 mmol/g at 25 °C. The incorporation of nitrogen into the carbon sorbent structure increased the carbon uptake capacity of the resulting materials at 1 bar to 6.28 mmol/g and to 3.86 mmol/g at 0 °C and 25 °C, respectively. It was demonstrated that treatment with urea leads to a significant increase in nitrogen content and, consequently, CO2 adsorption, except for the material carbonized at 900 °C. At such a high temperature, almost complete decomposition of urea occurs. The results presented…

Due to its lightweight, high strength, good machinability, and low cost, aluminum alloy has been widely used in fields such as aerospace, automotive, electronics, and construction. Traditional manufacturing processes for aluminum alloys often suffer from low material utilization, complex procedures, and long manufacturing cycles. Therefore, more and more scholars are turning their attention to the laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) process for aluminum alloys, which has the advantages of high material utilization, good formability for complex structures, and short manufacturing cycles. However, the widespread promotion and application of LPBF aluminum alloys still face challenges. The excellent printable ability, favorable mechanical performance, and low manufacturing cost are the main factors affecting the applicability of the LPBF process for aluminum alloys. This paper reviews the research status of traditional aluminum alloy processing and LPBF aluminum alloy and makes a comparison from various aspects such as microstructures, mechanical properties, application scenarios, and…

Intelligent devices, when subjected to multiple interactions, tend to generate electromagnetic pollution, which can disrupt the normal functioning of electronic components. Ferrite, which acts as a microwave-absorbing material (MAM), offers a promising strategy to overcome this issue. To further enhance the microwave absorption properties of ferrite MAM, numerous works have been conducted, including ion doping and combining with other materials. Notably, the microstructure is also key factor that affects the microwave absorption properties of ferrite-based MAM. Thus, this article provides a comprehensive overview of research progress on the influence of the microstructure on ferrite-based MAM. MAMs with sheet and layered structures are also current important research directions. For core-shell structure composites, the solid core-shell structure, hollow core-shell structure, yolk-eggshell structure, and non-spherical core-shell structure are introduced. For porous composites, the biomass porous structure and other porous structures are presented. Finally, the development trends are…

This comprehensive review delves into the world of hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogels, exploring their creation, characteristics, research methodologies, and uses. HA hydrogels stand out among natural polysaccharides due to their distinct features. Their exceptional biocompatibility makes them a top choice for diverse biomedical purposes, with a great ability to coexist harmoniously with living cells and tissues. Furthermore, their biodegradability permits their gradual breakdown by bodily enzymes, enabling the creation of temporary frameworks for tissue engineering endeavors. Additionally, since HA is a vital component of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in numerous tissues, HA hydrogels can replicate the ECM's structure and functions. This mimicry is pivotal in tissue engineering applications by providing an ideal setting for cellular growth and maturation. Various cross-linking techniques like chemical, physical, enzymatic, and hybrid methods impact the mechanical strength, swelling capacity, and degradation speed of the hydrogels. Assessment tools such as rheological analysis,…

Polyurethane foams constitute highly problematic waste due to their low density and consequently large volume. Among the most promising recycling approaches, the glycolysis of polyurethane waste stands out and was extensively discussed in this article. Existing literature reviews lack a detailed analysis of glycolysis processes and a clear presentation of the most important data. However, in this review, the scientific literature on glycolysis has been thoroughly examined and updated with the latest research in the field. The article provides an overview of glycolysis methods, categorized into rigid and flexible foams, along with a review of the catalysts and process conditions employed. Additionally, this study offers a comprehensive analysis of industrial methods protected by active patents, which has not been previously explored in the literature. This detailed examination of patent information adds significant value to the review and distinguishes it from others. Furthermore, this review also aims to introduce the main types of polyurethanes and their properties. It outlines the…

Beta-phase gallium oxide (β-Ga2O3) is a cutting-edge ultrawide bandgap (UWBG) semiconductor, featuring a bandgap energy of around 4.8 eV and a highly critical electric field strength of about 8 MV/cm. These properties make it highly suitable for next-generation power electronics and deep ultraviolet optoelectronics. Key advantages of β-Ga2O3 include the availability of large-size single-crystal bulk native substrates produced from melt and the precise control of n-type doping during both bulk growth and thin-film epitaxy. A comprehensive understanding of the fundamental growth processes, control parameters, and underlying mechanisms is essential to enable scalable manufacturing of high-performance epitaxial structures. This review highlights recent advancements in the epitaxial growth of β-Ga2O3 through various techniques, including Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE), Metal-Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition (MOCVD), Hydride Vapor Phase Epitaxy (HVPE), Mist Chemical Vapor Deposition (Mist CVD), Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD), and Low-Pressure Chemical Vapor Deposition (LPCVD). This review…

This study explores the prediction of concrete compressive strength using machine learning models, aiming to overcome the time-consuming and complex nature of conventional methods. Four models-an artificial neural network (ANN), a multiple linear regression, a support vector machine, and a regression tree-are employed and compared for performance, using evaluation metrics such as mean absolute deviation, root mean square error, coefficient of correlation, and mean absolute percentage error. After preprocessing 1030 samples, the dataset is split into two subsets: 70% for training and 30% for testing. The ANN model, further divided into training, validation (15%), and testing (15%), outperforms others in accuracy and efficiency. This outcome streamlines compressive strength determination in the construction industry, saving time and simplifying the process.

High-entropy alloys (HEAs) have drawn substantial attention on account of their outstanding properties. Additive manufacturing (AM), which has emerged as a successful approach for fabricating metallic materials, allows for the production of complex components based on three-dimensional (3D) computer-aided design (CAD) models. This paper reviews the advancements in the AM of HEAs, encompassing a variety of AM techniques, including selective laser melting (SLM), selective laser sintering (SLS), selective electron beam melting (SEBM), directed energy deposition (DED), binder jetting (BJT), direct ink writing (DIW), and additive friction stir deposition (AFSD). Additionally, the study discusses the powders and wires utilized in AM, the post-processing of AM-processed HEAs, as well as the mechanical and corrosion properties of these alloys. The unique ultra-fine and non-equilibrium microstructures achieved through AM result in superior mechanical properties of HEAs, like improved strength and ductility. However, research regarding certain aspects of HEA AM, such as fatigue properties and…

Spent coffee grounds (SCG) have great potential as a useful, value-added biological material. In this context, activated carbon (AC) was prepared from SCG by an activation process using H3PO4 at 600°C in air and used as an adsorbent for the azo dye AO7, a model molecule for dye colorants found in textile industry effluents. X-ray diffraction, SEM and BET revealed that the AC was predominantly amorphous, consisting of a powder of 20-100 µm particles with mesopores averaging 5.5 nm in pore size. Adsorption kinetics followed a pseudo-second-order law, while the Langmuir model best fitted experimental isotherm data (maximum capacity of 119.5 mg AO7 per AC g). Thermodynamic parameters revealed that adsorption was endothermic and spontaneous. All the characterizations indicated that adsorption occurred by physisorption via mainly - interactions. The best experimental removal efficiency optimized by means of a Box-Behnken design and response surface methodology was 98% for an initial AO7 concentration of 20 mg.L-1 at pH 7.5 with a dose of 0.285 g.L-1 of AC and a contact time of 40 min.…

Environmental pollution caused by organic effluents emitted by industry has become a worldwide issue and poses a serious threat to the public and the ecosystem. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), comprising metal-containing clusters and organic bridging ligands, are porous and crystalline materials, possessing fascinating shape and size-dependent properties such as high surface area, abundant active sites, well-defined crystal morphologies, and huge potential for surface functionalization. To date, numerous well designated MOFs have emerged as critical functional materials to solve the growing challenges associated with water environmental issues. Here we present the recent progress of MOF-based materials and their applications in the treatment of organic effluents. Firstly, several traditional and emerging synthesis strategies for MOF composites are introduced. Then, the structural and functional regulations of MOF composites are presented and analyzed. Finally, typical applications of MOF-based materials in treating organic effluents, including chemical, pharmaceutical, textile, and…

The purpose of this manuscript is to present a review of laboratory experiments (including methodology and results) that use biochar, a specific carbon obtained by a pyrolysis process from different feedstocks, as an alternative material for heavy metal adsorption from groundwater. In recent years, many studies have been conducted regarding the application of innovative materials to water decontamination to develop a more sustainable approach to remediation processes. The use of biochar for groundwater remediation has particularly attracted the interest of researchers because it permits the reuse of materials that would be otherwise disposed of, in accordance with circular economy, and reduces the generation of greenhouse gases if compared to the use of virgin materials. A review of the different approaches and results reported in the current literature could be useful because when applying remediation technologies at the field scale, a preliminary phase in which the suitability of the adsorbent is evaluated at the lab scale is often necessary. This paper is therefore organised with…

Recently, the favorable electrical properties of biomaterials have been acknowledged as crucial for various medical applications, including both bone healing and growth processes. This review will specifically concentrate on calcium phosphate (CaP)-based bioceramics, with a notable emphasis on hydroxyapatite (HA), among the diverse range of synthetic biomaterials. HA is currently the subject of extensive research in the medical field, particularly in dentistry and orthopedics. The existing literature encompasses numerous studies exploring the physical-chemical, mechanical, and biological properties of HA-based materials produced in various forms (i.e., powders, pellets, and/or thin films) using various physical and chemical vapor deposition techniques. In comparison, there is a relative scarcity of research on the electrical and dielectric properties of HA, which have been demonstrated to be essential for understanding dipole polarization and surface charge. It is noteworthy that these electrical and dielectric properties also offer valuable insights into the structure and…

New materials and the interactions between them are the basis of novel energy storage devices such as supercapacitors and batteries. In recent years, because of the increasing demand for electricity as an energy source, the development of new energy storage materials is among the most actively studied topics. Conductive polymers (CPs), because of their intrinsic electrochemical activity and electrical conductivity, have also been intensively explored. While most of the high capacitance reported in the literature comes from hybrid materials, for example, conductive polymers composed of metal oxides and carbon materials, such as graphene and carbon nanotubes, new chemistry and the 3D structure of conductive polymers remain critical. This comprehensive review focuses on the basic properties of three popular conductive polymers and their composites with carbon materials and metal oxides that have been actively explored as energy storage materials, i.e., polypyrrole (PPy), polyaniline (PANi), and polythiophene (PTh), and various types of electrolytes, including aqueous, organic,…

Magnesium matrix composites are essential lightweight metal matrix composites, following aluminum matrix composites, with outstanding application prospects in automotive, aerospace lightweight and biomedical materials because of their high specific strength, low density and specific stiffness, good casting performance and rich resources. However, the inherent low plasticity and poor fatigue resistance of magnesium hamper its further application to a certain extent. Many researchers have tried many strengthening methods to improve the properties of magnesium alloys, while the relationship between wear resistance and plasticity still needs to be further improved. The nanoparticles added exhibit a good strengthening effect, especially the ceramic nanoparticles. Nanoparticle-reinforced magnesium matrix composites not only exhibit a high impact toughness, but also maintain the high strength and wear resistance of ceramic materials, effectively balancing the restriction between the strength and toughness. Therefore, this work aims to provide a review of the state of the art of research on…

This study explores the conversion of agricultural waste into valuable industrial precursors, specifically focusing on the production of silica nanoparticles from rice husk (RH) via calcination and sol-gel processes. The synthesized particles underwent detailed analysis to assess their chemical composition, structural features, morphological characteristics, and size distribution. This comparative analysis evaluates the effectiveness of various methods in generating silica from RH and examines the impact of different drying techniques, including freeze-drying and conventional thermal drying, on the properties of the resulting silica nanoparticles. Utilizing a combination of sol-gel and freeze-drying techniques produced spherical nanoparticles with diameters of 10 to 20 nm, characterized by size uniformity, clear contours, and minimal aggregation. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis identified the amorphous nature of the silica, as evidenced by diffraction peaks typical of amorphous silica in the RH-derived samples processed via different methods. Significantly, the XRD patterns of the…

By virtue of its narrow pulse width and high peak power, the femtosecond pulsed laser can achieve high-precision material modification, material additive or subtractive, and other forms of processing. With additional good material adaptability and process compatibility, femtosecond laser-induced application has achieved significant progress in flexible electronics in recent years. These advancements in the femtosecond laser fabrication of flexible electronic devices are comprehensively summarized here. This review first briefly introduces the physical mechanism and characteristics of the femtosecond laser fabrication of various electronic microdevices. It then focuses on effective methods of improving processing efficiency, resolution, and size. It further highlights the typical progress of applications, including flexible energy storage devices, nanogenerators, flexible sensors, and detectors, etc. Finally, it discusses the development tendency of ultrashort pulse laser processing. This review should facilitate the precision manufacturing of flexible electronics using a femtosecond…

Laser beam welding is the most modern and promising process for the automatic or robotized welding of structures of the highest Execution Class, EXC3-4, which are made of a variety of weldable structural materials, mainly steel, titanium, and nickel alloys, but also a limited range of aluminum, magnesium, and copper alloys, reactive materials, and even thermoplastics. This paper presents a systematic review and analysis of the author's research results, research articles, industrial catalogs, technical notes, etc., regarding laser beam welding (LBW) and laser hybrid welding (LHW) processes. Examples of industrial applications of the melt-in-mode and keyhole-mode laser welding techniques for low-alloy and high-alloy steel joints are analyzed. The influence of basic LBW and LHW parameters on the quality of welded joints proves that the laser beam power, welding speed, and Gas Metal Arc (GMA) welding current firmly decide the quality of welded joints. A brief review of the artificial intelligence (AI)-supported online quality-monitoring systems for LBW and LHW processes indicates the…

Additive manufacturing (AM) is not necessarily a new process but an advanced method for manufacturing complex three-dimensional (3D) parts. Among the several advantages of AM are the affordable cost, capability of building objects with complex structures for small-batch production, and raw material versatility. There are several sub-categories of AM, among which is fused filament fabrication (FFF), also commonly known as fused deposition modeling (FDM). FFF has been one of the most widely used additive manufacturing techniques due to its cost-efficiency, simplicity, and widespread availability. The FFF process is mainly used to create 3D parts made of thermoplastic polymers, and complex physical phenomena such as melt flow, heat transfer, solidification, crystallization, etc. are involved in the FFF process. Different techniques have been developed and employed to analyze these phenomena, including experimental, analytical, numerical, and finite element analysis (FEA). This study specifically aims to provide a comprehensive review of the developed numerical models and simulation…

In this paper, an overview of wide-bandgap (WBG) semiconductors for radiation detection applications is given. The recent advancements in the fabrication of high-quality wafers have enabled remarkable WBG semiconductor device applications. The most common 4H-SiC, GaN, and β-Ga2O3 devices used for radiation detection are described. The 4H-SiC and GaN devices have already achieved exceptional results in the detection of alpha particles and neutrons, thermal neutrons in particular. While β-Ga2O3 devices have not yet reached the same level of technological maturity (compared to 4H-SiC and GaN), their current achievements for X-ray detection indicate great potential and promising prospects for future applications.

Over the past two decades, extensive research has been conducted to explore alternative supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) in order to address the environmental concerns associated with the cement industry. Bricks, which are frequently preferred in the construction sector, generate a lot of waste during the production and demolition of existing buildings, requiring environmentally sustainable recycling practices. Therefore, many studies have been carried out in recent years on the use of brick waste as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) in cement mortar and concrete production. This critical review evaluates the impact of waste brick powder (WBP) on the mechanical and durability properties of mortar and concrete when used as a partial replacement for cement. It was observed that the properties of WBP-blended cement mortar or concrete depend on several factors, including WBP particle size, replacement ratio, pozzolanic activity, and mineralogical structure. The findings indicate that WBP with a particle size range of 100 µm to 25 µm, with a maximum cement…

The determination of the electrochemically active surface area (ECSA) of a catalyst layer (CL) of a non-precious metal catalyst is of fundamental importance in optimizing the design of a durable CL for anion exchange membrane (AEM) water electrolysis, but has yet to be developed. Traditional double layer capacitance (Cdl), measured by cyclic voltammetry (CV), is not suitable for the estimation of the ECSA due to the nonconductive nature of Ni-based oxides and hydroxides in the non-Faradaic region. This paper analyses the applicability of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) compared to CV in determining capacitances for the estimation of the ECSA of AEM-based CLs in an aqueous KOH electrolyte solution. A porous electrode transmission line (TML) model was employed to obtain the capacitance–voltage dependence from 1.0 V to 1.5 V at 20 mV intervals, covering both non-Faradic and Faradic regions. This allows for the identification of the contribution of a NiFe-layered double hydroxide (LDH) catalyst and supports in a CL, to capacitances in both non-Faradic and Faradic regions. A…

Conventional heat treatment is not capable of converting a sufficient amount of retained austenite into martensite in high-carbon or high-carbon and high-alloyed iron alloys. Cryogenic treatment induces the following alterations in the microstructures: (i) a considerable reduction in the retained austenite amount, (ii) formation of refined martensite coupled with an increased number of lattice defects, such as dislocations and twins, (iii) changes in the precipitation kinetics of nano-sized transient carbides during tempering, and (iv) an increase in the number of small globular carbides. These microstructural alterations are reflected in mechanical property improvements and better dimensional stability. A common consequence of cryogenic treatment is a significant increase in the wear resistance of steels. The current review deals with all of the mentioned microstructural changes as well as the variations in strength, toughness, wear performance, and corrosion resistance for a variety of iron alloys, such as carburising steels, hot work tool steels, bearing and eutectoid steels, and…

The global population is expected to increase by nearly 2 billion individuals over the next three decades, leading to a significant surge in waste generation and environmental challenges. To mitigate these challenges, there is a need to develop sustainable solutions that can effectively manage waste generation and promote a circular economy. Mycelium-based composites (MBCs) are being developed for various applications, including packaging, architectural designs, sound absorption, and insulation. MBCs are made by combining fungal mycelium with organic substrates, using the mycelium as a natural adhesive. Mycelium, the vegetative part of fungi, can be grown on various organic feedstocks and functionalized into a range of diverse material types that are biobased and thus more sustainable in their production, use, and recycling. This work aims to obtain mycelium-based composites with acoustic absorption properties, using coffee grounds and agricultural waste as raw materials. The topic approached presents a new method of recovering spent coffee grounds that does not involve high…

The presented study investigates the effects of weight percentages of boron carbide reinforcement on the wear properties of aluminum alloy composites. Composites were fabricated via ball milling and the hot extrusion process. During the fabrication of composites, B4C content was varied (0, 5, and 10 wt.%), as well as milling time (0, 10, and 20 h). Microstructural observations with SEM microscopy showed that with an increase in milling time, the distribution of B4C particles is more homogeneous without agglomerates, and that an increase in wt.% of B4C results in a more uniform distribution with distinct grain boundaries. Taguchi and ANOVA analyses are applied in order to investigate how parameters like particle content of B4C, normal load, and milling time affect the wear properties of AA2024-based composites. The ANOVA results showed that the most influential parameters on wear loss and coefficient of friction were the content of B4C with 51.35% and the normal load with 45.54%, respectively. An artificial neural network was applied for the prediction of wear loss and the…

This manuscript explores the multifaceted applications of polydopamine (PDA) across various scientific and industrial domains. It covers the chemical aspects of PDA and its potential in bone tissue engineering, implant enhancements, cancer treatment, and nanotechnology. The manuscript investigates PDA's roles in tissue engineering, cell culture technologies, surface modifications, drug delivery systems, and sensing techniques. Additionally, it highlights PDA's contributions to microfabrication, nanoengineering, and environmental applications. Through detailed testing and assessment, the study identifies limitations in PDA-related research, such as synthesis complexity, incomplete mechanistic understanding, and biocompatibility variability. It also proposes future research directions aimed at improving synthesis techniques, expanding biomedical applications, and enhancing sensing technologies to optimize PDA's efficacy and scalability.

The aim of the present work is to design active acoustic metamaterial consisting of an array of Helmholtz resonators and fabricating them using an additive manufacturing technique in order to assist in a reduction in noise levels in aerospace applications. To this aim, initially, a passive metamaterial consisting of an array of 64 Helmholtz resonator unit cells is designed and tested to establish the effectiveness and region of performance. The selected design variable for change is identified as the resonator cavity depth through the frequency response for each parameter of the Helmholtz resonance equation and randomized to achieve a broadband frequency range of the passive metamaterial. An active model of this design (actuated by a stepper motor) is fabricated and tested. The metamaterials are tested under two acoustic set-ups: a closed system aimed at recreating the environment of a soundproof room and an open-system aimed to recreate the condition of an active liner. For the case of passive system, the metamaterial gave sound attenuation of 18 dB (for f = 150 Hz) in open system…

This review focuses on recent advances in concrete durability using graphene oxide (GO) as a nanomaterial additive, with a goal to fill the gap between concrete technology, chemical interactions, and concrete durability, whilst providing insights for the adaptation of GO as an additive in concrete construction. An overview of concrete durability applications, key durability failure mechanisms of concrete, transportation mechanisms, chemical reactions involved in compromising durability, and the chemical alterations within a concrete system are discussed to understand how they impact the overall durability of concrete. The existing literature on the durability and chemical resistance of GO-reinforced concrete and mortar was reviewed and summarized. The impacts of nano-additives on the durability of concrete and its mechanisms are thoroughly discussed, particularly focusing on GO as the primary nanomaterial and its impact on durability. Finally, research gaps, future recommendations, and challenges related to the durability of mass-scale GO applications are presented.

As the lightest structural metal material, magnesium alloys possess good casting properties, high electrical and thermal conductivity, high electromagnetic shielding, and excellent damping properties. With the increasing demand for lightweight, high-strength, and high-damping structural materials in aviation, automobiles, rail transit, and other industries with serious vibration and noise, damping magnesium alloy materials are becoming one of the important development directions of magnesium alloys. A comprehensive review of the progress in this field is conducive to the development of damping magnesium alloys. This review not only looks back on the traditional damping magnesium alloys represented by Mg-Zr alloys, Mg-Cu-Mn alloys, etc. but also introduces the new damping magnesium materials, such as magnesium matrix composites and porous magnesium. But up to now, there have still been some problems in the research of damping magnesium materials. The effect of spiral dislocation on damping is still unknown and needs to be studied; the contradiction between damping performance and…

Closed-cell aluminum foams have many excellent properties, such as low density, high specific strength, great energy absorption, good sound absorption, electromagnetic shielding, heat and flame insulation, etc. As a new kind of material, closed-cell aluminum foams have been used in lightweight structures, traffic collision protections, sound absorption walls, building decorations, and many other places. In this paper, the recent progress of closed-cell aluminum foams, on fabrication techniques, including the melt foaming method, gas injection foaming method, and powder metallurgy foaming method, and on processing techniques, including powder metallurgy foaming process, two-step foaming process, cast foaming process, gas injection foaming process, mold pressing process, and integral foaming process, are summarized. Properties and applications of closed-cell aluminum foams are discussed based on the mechanical properties and physical properties separately. Special focuses are made on the newly developed cast-forming process for complex 3D parts and the improvement of mechanical…

2021 framework via a VUMAT subroutine, enhancing the characterization of the mechanical performance and damage evolution in the elastic and softening stages of composite materials via the accurate calculation of damage variables and accommodation of non-monotonic loading conditions. In the subsequent multi-level verification, it is found that the model accurately simulates the primary failure modes at the element level and diminishes the influence of element size, ensuring a reliable behavior representation under non-monotonic loading. At the laminate level, it also accurately forecasts the elastic behavior and damage evolution in open-hole lamina and laminates, demonstrating the final crack band at ultimate failure. This paper also emphasizes the importance of correct characteristic length selection and how to minimize mesh size impact by selecting appropriate values. Compared to ABAQUS's built-in 2D model, the 3D VUMAT subroutine shows superior accuracy and effectiveness, proving its value in characterizing the mechanical behavior and damage mechanisms of fiber-reinforced polymer…

Structural lightweight concrete (SLWC) is crucial for reducing building weight, reducing structural loads, and enhancing energy efficiency through lower thermal conductivity. This study explores the effects of incorporating silica fume (SF), micro-polypropylene (micro-PP), and macro-PP fibers on the workability, thermal properties, and strength of SLWC. SF was added to all mixtures, substituting 10% of the Portland cement (PC), except for the control mixture. Macro-PP fibers were introduced alone or in combination with micro-PP fibers at volumetric ratios of 0.3% and 0.6%. The study evaluated various parameters, including slump, Vebe time, density, water absorption (WA), ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), thermal conductivity coefficients (k), compressive strength (CS), and splitting tensile strength (STS) across six different SLWC formulations. The results indicate that while SF negatively impacted the workability of SLWC mortars, it improved CS and STS due to the formation of calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) gels from SF's high pozzolanic activity. Additionally, using micro-PP…

The green synthesis of ZnO NPs is becoming increasingly valued for its cost-effectiveness and environmental benefits. This study successfully synthesized hexagonal ZnO NPs using a combination of clove (Syzygium aromaticum) and Thymus capitatus extracts. The use of both extracts significantly improved the antibacterial and antioxidant properties of the ZnO NPs. By optimizing synthesis conditions, including ZnCl2 and extract concentrations, hexagonal wurtzite ZnO NPs were produced at room temperature with only drying at 80 °C without high-temperature annealing. The synthesized ZnO NPs exhibited a hexagonal morphology with an average particle size of 160 nm and a crystallite size of 30 nm. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) confirmed the elemental composition of the ZnO NPs, showing a high carbon content (63.9 wt.%), reflecting the presence of phytochemicals from the extracts coated the ZnO NPs surface. The UV–Vis spectrum revealed an absorption peak at 370 nm and a bandgap energy of 2.8 eV due to lattice defects caused by organic impurities. The ZnO NPs demonstrated…