We present organic, diamagnetic materials based on structurally simple (hetero-) tolane derivatives. They form crystalline thin-film aggregates that are suitable for Faraday rotation (FR) spectroscopy. The resulting new materials are characterized appropriately by common spectroscopic (NMR, UV-Vis), microscopy (POM), and XRD techniques. The spectroscopic studies give extremely high FR activities thus makes these materials promising candidates for future practical applications. Other than a proper explanation, we insist in the complexity of designing efficient FR materials starting off from single molecules.

During quasi-stationary tensile deformation of ultrafine-grained Cu-0.2 mass%Zr at 673 K and a deformation rate of about 10⁻⁴ s⁻¹ load changes were performed. Relative load reductions by more than about 25% to relative loads R < 0.75 initiate anelastic back flow. Subsequently the creep rate turns positive again and goes through a relative maximum. This is interpreted by a strain rate contribution ε ̇− from recovery of dislocations. Back extrapolation indicates that ε ̇− contributes about (20 ± 10)% to the quasi-stationary strain rate. The stress dependences of the recovery-strain rate ε ̇− and the rate ε ̇+ related with generation and storage of dislocations are discussed in terms of thermally activated processes characterized by different kinetics.

This work reports two approaches of Dy diffusion from the surface into the grain of the magnets during vapor deposition process, and three stages of coercivity Hcj enhancement and Dy contents increasement in Nd-Fe-B sintered magnets respectively: from 0 to 4 hours, Hcj and Dy contents increased rapidly; from 4 to 24 hours, Hcj and Dy contents increased slowly; from 24 to 30 hours, Hcj and Dy contents changed scarcely. So extending Dy diffusion duration was without virtual meaning after 24 hours. In the Dy diffusion process, the intergranular grain boundaries became continuous and homogeneous, some grain micro-defects were repaired. As a result, from 0 to 24 hours, Hcj enhanced significantly, remanence Br change barely. The Nd-Fe-B magnet with high performances was obtained: Br: 12. 22kGs, Hcj: 38.9kOe, (BH)max: 36.87MGOe.

Understanding the stability limit of crystalline materials under variable tensile stress conditions is of capital interest for their technological applications. In this study, we present results from first-principles density functional theory calculations that quantitatively account for the response of selected covalent and layered materials to general stress conditions. In particular, we have evaluated the ideal strength along the main crystallographic directions of 3C and 2H polytypes of SiC, hexagonal ABA stacking of graphite and 2H-MoS2. Transverse superimposed stress on the tensile stress was taken into account in order to evaluate how the critical strength is affected by these multi-load conditions. In general, increasing transverse stress from negative to positive values leads to the expected decreasing of the critical strength. Few exceptions found in the compressive stress region correlate with the trends in the density of bonds along the directions with the unexpected behavior. In addition, we propose a modified spinodal equation of state able to accurately describe the calculated stress-strain curves. This analytical function is of general use and can also be applied to experimental data anticipating critical strengths and strains values and providing informattion on the energy stored in tensile stress processes.

The effects of the dielectric constant of the powder phase on lead zirconate titanate (PZT)/PZT sol-gel composite films were investigated to tailor their electrical properties. Three types of PZT powders were used to fabricate three different PZT/PZT sol-gel composite films. The PZT powders had the same electromechanical coupling coefficient but different relative dielectric constants. The PZT/PZT films were fabricated on a 3 mm-thick titanium substrate using an automatic spray coating system, and their properties were investigated. The relative dielectric constants of the PZT/PZT films were successfully controlled by tailoring the properties of the PZT powder phase. However, the piezoelectric constants showed a tendency different to those of the raw powders, because of the poor poling degree. This was overcome by conducting poling at a high temperature.

Li₂MnO₃ is critical component in the well-studied Li-excess cathode materials xLi₂MnO₃•(1- x)LiMO₂ for achieving high lithium storage capacity. In this article, the diffusion of Li ions in Li₂MnO₃ is studied using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation with well-behaved empirical force fields obtained by fitting against the crystal structure from experiment and phonons calculated using Density Function Theory (DFT). We have found two possible tetrahedral hopping channels, 0-TM and 1-TM(Mn⁴⁺) channel, which are differentiated by the face sharing octahedral cations. Simulation results show that the 0-TM channel is active for Li hopping, while 1-TM(Mn4+) channel is inactive. During the delithiation process, the Li ions in the TM layered are firstly removed, then those in the Li layer. However, the Li ions will be trapped in the tetrahedral 0-TM channels as long as the four face sharing octahedral sites are cleared. Up to x=1.0 for Li₂-xMnO₃, almost all the Li ions are located at the tetrahedral sites, forming a regular array along a axis. The de-intercalation of tetrahedral Li ions requires a high voltage (>5.2 V vs. Li/Li+), limiting the practical capacities measured in lab. The diffusion of Mn ions into the Li layers is observed in a deeper delithiated structure (x=1.2 for Li₂-xMnO₃), indicating an initial phase transformation to a spinel-like structure. However, the Mn ions are mainly trapped in the tetrahedral sites in the Li layer, instead of the octahedral sites fin spinel-like structure. A few of Mn ions diffusing into the octahedral sites in Li layers have no face sharing tetrahedral Li ions, revealing a further Li de-intercalation is imperative for the complete phase transformation. Our model is not stable for x≥1.4 in Li₂-xMnO₃. Other charge compensation mechanism should be considered in this high delithiation stage, eg. oxygen release.

The influence of the grain structure on the tensile deformation strength is studied for precipitation-strengthened Cu-0.2%Zr at 673 K. Subgrains and grains are formed by ECAP and annealing. The fraction of high-angle boundaries increases with prestrain. Subgrains and grains coarsen during deformation. This leads to softening in the quasi-stationary state. The initial quasi-stationary state of severely predeformed, ultrafine-grained material exhibits relatively high rate-sensitivity at relatively high stresses. This is interpreted as result of the stress dependences of the quasi-stationary subgrain size and the volume fraction of subgrain-free grains.

The microstructures and mechanical properties of the hot-rolled Fe-6.5wt.%Si sheet are analyzed. The microstructure of the hot-rolled sheet is layered along the thickness direction. The surface exhibits fine and equiaxed grains, whereas the center part shows coarse and elongated grains with a <101> fiber texture along the rolling direction. Serrated flow behavior is observed during tensile deformation of both the hot-rolled sheet and its center samples at 350 °C; thus, the serrated flow of the hot-rolled sheet is mainly attributed to the serration of the center part. The analyses of dislocation configurations, ordered structures, and crystal orientation show that the serrated flow behavior results from the interaction of solutes with mobile dislocations. Mobile dislocations are pinned by combining parallel forest dislocations with the pipe diffusion of solution atoms. This study provides a new perspective for the deformation mechanism of the Fe-6.5wt.%Si alloy.

Synthesis and characterization of anhydrous LiZn(IO₃)₃ powders prepared from an aqueous solution are reported. Morphological and compositional analyses were carried out by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray measurements. The synthesized powders exhibit a needle-like morphology after annealing at 400°C. A crystal structure for the synthesized compound has been proposed from powder X-ray diffraction and density-functional theory calculations. Rietveld refinements led to a monoclinic structure, which can be described with space group P21, number 4, and unit-cell parameters a = 21.874(9) Å, b = 5.171(2) Å, c = 5.433(2) Å, and beta = 120.93(4)º. Density-functional theory calculations supported the same crystal structure. Infrared spectra were also collected and the vibrations associated to the different modes discussed. The non-centrosymmetric space group determined for this new polymorph of LiZn(IO₃)₃, the characteristics of its infrared absorption spectrum, and the observed second harmonic generation suggest a promising infrared non-linear optical material.

Random copolymers made of both (PIM-polyimide) and (6FDA-durene-PI) were prepared for the first time by a facile one-step polycondensation reaction. By combining the highly porous and contorted structure of PIM (polymers with intrinsic microporosity) and high thermomechanical properties of PI (polyimide), the membranes obtained from these random copolymers [(PIM-PI)x-(6FDA-durene-PI)y] showed high CO₂ permeability (> 1047 Barrer) with moderate CO₂/N₂ (> 16.5) and CO₂/CH₄ (> 18) selectivity, together with excellent thermal and mechanical properties. The membranes prepared from three different compositions of two comonomers (1:4, 1:6 and 1:10 of x:y), all showed similar morphological and physical properties, and gas separation performance, indicating ease of synthesis and practicability for large-scale production. The gas separation performance of these membranes at various pressure ranges (100–1500 torr) was also investigated.

700 MPa grade Ti and Nb-Ti microalloyed steels produced by thermo-mechanical control rolled processes (TMCP) were studied to elucidate texture that contributes to delamination and consequent impact toughness. The microstructure of Ti and Nb-Ti steels consisted of ferrite and bainite. Compared with Ti steel, Nb-Ti steel was characterized by a microstructure with finer ferrite and more bainite. The results from tensile and impact tests indicated that there is insignificant change in tensile properties, but toughness was greater in Nb-Ti steel compared with Ti steel. More severe delamination in Nb-Ti steel is attributed to stronger α-fiber (RD ||<110>) texture than Ti steel, especially {100}<110>, {113}<110> and {112}<110> texture. Typical cleavage river patterns were not observed on delaminated fracture surface, instead the cleavage fracture surface indicated some dimples. Interestingly, the impact energy of samples with delamination was greater than samples without delamination in the ductile–brittle transition region. The study suggests that delamination in the ductile–brittle transition zone may also be representative of high toughness.

This paper describes a new approach that can be used to determine the mechanical properties of unknown materials and complex material systems. The approach uses inverse finite element modelling (FEM) accompanied with a designed algorithm to obtain the modulus of elasticity, yield stress and strain hardening material constants of an isotropic hardening material model, as well as the material constants of the Drucker-Prager material model (modulus of elasticity, cap yield stress and angle of friction). The algorithm automatically feeds the input material properties data to finite element software and automatically runs simulations to establish a convergence between the numerical loading-unloading curve and the target data obtained from continuous indentation tests using common indenter geometries. A further module was developed to optimise convergence using an inverse FEM analysis interfaced with a non-linear MATLAB algorithm. A sensitivity analysis determined that the dual Spherical and Berkovich (S&B) approach delivered better results than other dual indentation methods such as Berkovich and Vickers (B&V) and Vickers and Spherical (V&S). It was found that better convergence values can be achieved despite a large variation in the starting parameter values and / or material constitutive model and such behaviour reflects the uniqueness of the dual S&B indentation in predicting complex material systems. The study has shown that a robust optimization method based on a non-linear least-squares curve fitting function (LSQNONLIN) within MATLAB and ABAQUS can be used to accurately predict a unique set of elastic plastic material properties and Drucker-Prager material properties. This is of benefit to the scientific investigation of properties of new materials or obtaining the material properties at different location of a part which might be not be similar due to manufacturing processes (e.g. different heating and cooling rates at different locations).

A new strategy to nanoengineer gold/fluorocarbon multilayer (ML) nanostructures is reported. We have investigated the morphological changes occuring at the metal-polymer interface in multilayer structures with varying volume fraction of gold (Au) and the kinetic growth aspect of the microscale properties of nano-sized Au in plasma polymer fluorocarbon (PPFC). Investigations were carried out at various temperatures and annealing time by means of grazing incidence small-angle and wide-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS and GIWAXS). We have fabricated a series of multilayers with variying volume fraction (0.12, 0.27, 0.38) of Au and bilayer periodicity in ML structure. They show an interesting granular structure consisting of nearly spherical shaped nanoparticles within the polymer layer. The nanoparticle (NP) morphology changes due to the collective effects of NPs diffusion within ensembles in the in-plane vicinity and inter-layer with increasing temperature. The in-plane NPs size distinctly increases (from 1.9 to 4 nm) with increasing temperature. The NPs become more spherical thus reducing the surface energy. Linear growth of NPs with temperature and time shows diffusion-controled growth of NPs in the ML structure. The structural stability of the multilayer is controlled by the volume ratio of the metal in polymer. At room temperature UV-Vis shows a blueshift of the plasmon peak from 560 nm in ML Au/PTFE_1 to 437 nm in Au/PTFE_3. We have identified the fabrication and post-deposition annealing conditions to limit the Local Surface Plasmon resonance (LSPR) shift (from 〖∆λ〗_LSPR=180 nm (Au/PTFE_1) to 〖∆λ〗_LSPR=67 nm (Au/PTFE_3 ML)) and their optical response over a wide visible wavelength range. A variation in the dielectric constant of the polymer in precence of varying Au inclusion is found to be the main factor affecting the LSPR frequency. Our finding may provide insights in Nano engineering ML structure can be useful to systematically control the growth of NPs in polymer matrix.

The manufacture of SiC-based composites is quite widespread, and currently different methods are employed for to produce them. The most efficient method, taking into account the cost/performance ratio, is reactive melt infiltration. It consists in infiltrating liquid silicon into a porous preform that must contain carbon, so that SiC is produced during infiltration. This chemical reaction is, in fact, the driving force of the process. In the present work, the synthesis of two SiC-based composite materials with very different applications and microstructures has been studied and optimized. In both cases, materials have been obtained with suitable properties for the selected applications. One of the materials studied is SiCp/Si for protection systems such as armor jackets, and the other one is Cf/SiC for use in braking systems. For the optimization, the dwell time and the atmosphere (Ar or primary vacuum) were used as variables. It has been found that in both preforms the optimum conditions are 1 hour dwell time and a vacuum atmosphere at 1450 °C. The effect of these parameters on microstructure and infiltration kinetics are discussed.

Materials design for processing and application requires fundamental understanding of their properties based interatomic interaction. The use of the novel concept of total bond order density (TBOD) as a single quantum mechanical metric to characterize the internal cohesion of a crystal and correlate with the calculated physical properties is particularly appealing. This requires detailed first-principles calculation of the electronic structure, interatomic bonding and related properties. In this article, we use this new concept and apply it to chalcogenide crystals based on data obtained from 25 crystals: Ag₂S, Ag₂Se, Ag₂Te, As₂S₃, As₂Se₃, As₂Te₃, As₄Se₄, Cu₂S, Cu₂Se, Cu₂Te, Cu₄GeS₄, Cu₂SnS₃, Cu₂SnSe₃, GeS₂, GeSe₂, Ge₄Se₉, Sb₂S₃, Sb₂Se₃, Sb₂Te₃, SnS, SnSe, CdSe, CdTe, ZnSe, and ZnTe. Together with the calculated optical and mechanical properties, we demonstrate the efficacy of using this novel approach for materials design that could facilitate the exploration and development of new chalcogenide crystals and glasses. Moreover, the TBOD and its partial components (PBOD) could be the key descriptors in machine learning protocol for broader scale design when a large database is available.

Many studies discuss carbon-based materials because of the versatility of carbon element. These studies include different opinions for scientific problems and discuss various levels within the scope and application. Originally, a carbon atom converts for various states depending on the conditions of processing its precursors or compounds. The electron transfer mechanism is responsible for converting the gas carbon atom into various states, such as graphite, nanotube, fullerene, diamond, lonsdaleite and graphene. The parabola shaped of ‘energy trajectory’ enables transfer of electrons from the left and right sides of an atom. That ‘energy trajectory’ is linked to states (suitable filled and unfilled states), where forcing exertion along the poles of transferring electrons is remained balance or impartial. So, the mechanism of originating different states of a gas state carbon atom is under the involvement of energy first. This is not the case with atoms executing confined inter-state electron dynamics as the force in conserved manner is involved first. Graphite, nanotube and fullerene state atoms partially evolve partially develop (form) structures. These possess one-dimensional, two-dimensional and four-dimensional ordering of atoms respectively. Atoms of their structural formation involves ‘energy curve’ having a shape like parabola while transferring of suitable filled state electron to suitable nearby unfilled state. Their structural formation deal with a balanced exertion of force engaged for the poles of relevant electrons. The graphite structure under attained dynamics of atoms only can also be formed but in a two-dimensional order. Here, binding energy between graphite atoms is due to a small difference of exerting forces to their opposite poles. Structural formation in diamond, lonsdaleite and graphene atoms involves energy to gain required infinitesimal displacements of electrons. Through the involved energy, orientationally exerting forces along the dedicated poles of relevant electrons in their atoms are engaged. In this study, the growth of diamond is found to be south to east-west (ground), where atoms bind ground to south. Thus, diamond atoms merge from a tetra-electron ground to south topological structure. Lonsdaleite atoms merge from a bi-electron ground to a bit south topological structure. The growth of graphene is found to be from north to ground, where atoms bind from ground to north. Thus, graphene atoms merge from a tetra-electron ground to north topological structure. Glassy carbon exhibits layered-topological structure, where tri-layers of gas, graphite and lonsdaleite state atoms successively bind in repetitive order. Structure of each state carbon atom explores own science. Based on the carbon structure, hardness (at Mohs scale) of nanoscale components is also sketched.

Gray cast iron is one of the most important engineering materials that has many applications in various industries including automotive and machinery manufacturing due to its mechanical properties, wear resistance, machining potentials and low price. In this research effect of adding aluminum and silicon to composition of gray cast iron on microstructure and wear resistance was studied. Moreover, it was investigated the role of formation of Fe-Al-Si intermetallic compound in final properties of the alloy. For studying wear resistance of samples pin-on-disc method was carried out. The results showed that addition of aluminum to gray cast iron causes formation of ferrite matrix, which leads to a decrease in hardness value. Increasing silicon content up to 2 wt. % in cast iron with 4 wt. % aluminum intensifies the formation of ferrite matrix, while further increase to 3 wt. % causes emerging a Fe-Al-Si intermetallic phase. Improvement in hardness value was achieved by increasing silicon content from 3 wt. % to 4 wt. % due to the increased percentage of intermetallic phase. Effect of intermetallic phase on decreasing wear rate was showed by studying microstructure and hardness values, however the lowest wear resistance was observed in aluminum bearing cast iron containing 2 wt. % silicon.

First of all the paper presents a solid solution of piezoelectric ceramic that was synthesized according to the general formula Pb(1-x)Srx(Ti0.48Zr0.52)(1-y)NbyO3 with x = 0.05 and y = 0.02, using wet ceramic processing technology and using an oxide mix as prime material. The effects of dopants (Sr2+ and Nb5+) on phase constitution, on microstructure and on the dielectric and piezoelectric properties were determinate. The Zr/Ti ratio was chosen near the morphotropic phase boundary of the PZT system in studied composition. The XRD data revealed that the PZT doped composition had tetragonal perovskite structure. Secondly the paper presents the design of the novel piezo-motor based on a surface wave which translates the linear extension of different piezoelectric segments of a piezoelectric cylinder into a rotational bending movement. This rotational bending of the piezoelectric cylinder is then transformed into a continuous rotation of the rotor through a calculated contact. The design of the motor takes advantage of the high piezoelectric constants of the developed material in an optimal way in order to increase the energetic efficiency. A brief mathematical model of electromechanical answer of piezoelectric materials is presented as it was used in the modeling of the material during the numerical simulations.

Many studies discuss carbon-based materials because of the versatility of its element. They include different opinions for scientific problems and discuss fairly at convincing and compelling levels within the scope and application. A gas-state carbon atom converts into various states depending on its conditions of processing. The electron transfer mechanism in the gas-state carbon atom is responsible to convert it into various states, namely, graphite, nanotube, fullerene, diamond, lonsdaleite and graphene. The shape of ‘energy trajectory’ enables transferring electrons from the left- and right-sides of an atom is like a parabola. That ‘energy trajectory’ is linked to states (filled state and suitable nearby unfilled state) where force-exertion along the poles of transferring electrons is remained balance. So, the mechanism of originating different states of a gas-state carbon atom is under the involvement of energy first. This is not the case for atoms executing confined inter-state electron-dynamics as the force is involved first. Graphite-, nanotube- and fullerene-state atoms ‘partially evolve partially develop’ (form) their structures. These possess one-dimensional, two-dimensional and four-dimensional ordering of atoms, respectively. Their structural formation also comprises ‘energy curve’ having a shape-like parabola. Transferring suitable filled state electron to suitable nearby unfilled state is under a balance force exerting along the poles. The graphite structure under only attained-dynamics of atoms can also be formed but in two-dimension. Here, binding energy between graphite-state carbon atoms is for a small difference of exerting forces along their opposite poles. Structural formation in diamond, lonsdaleite and graphene atoms involve energy to gain required infinitesimal displacements of electrons through which they maintain orientationally-controlled exerting forces along dedicated poles. In this study, the growth of diamond is found to be south to east-west (ground) where atoms bound ground to south. Thus, diamond atoms merge for a tetra-electron ground to south topological structure. Lonsdaleite atoms merge for a bi-electron ground to just-south topological structure. The growth of graphene is found to be north to ground where atoms bound ground to north. Thus, graphene atoms merge for a tetra-electron ground to north topological structure. Glassy carbon exhibits layered-topological structure where, tri-layers of gas-, graphite- and lonsdaleite-state atoms successively bind in repetitive order. Nanoscale hardness is also sketched based on different force-energy behaviors of different state carbon atoms. Here, structure evolution in each carbon state atom explores its own science.

Electron Channeling Contrast Imaging (ECCI) is becoming a powerful tool in Materials Science for characterizing deformation defects. Dislocations observed by ECCI in Scanning Electron Microscope, exhibit several features depending on the crystal orientation relative to the incident beam (white/black line on a dark/bright background). In order to bring new insights concerning these contrasts, we report an original theoretical approach based on the dynamical diffraction theory. Our calculations led, for the first time, to an explicit formulation of the backscattered intensity as a function of various physical and practical parameters governing the experiment. Intensity profiles are modeled for dislocations parallel to the sample surface for different channeling conditions. All theoretical predictions are consistent with experimental results.

Marine mortar was the goal material and its multi-scale physical-chemical-mechanical characteristics were the principal interest in this study. The on-line multi-scale damage detection experiments art was designed to quantify the characteristics mathematically and graphically. The normal cylinder specimen with 70-day age was produced and investigated by dynamically global MSHCT scan and local detection of EDS, SEM and XRD. The experiments results indicated that the marine mortar offered the appreciable strength at the early age at least, although some saline minerals were generated during the preparation. The micro-interfacial behavior and the parental foci controlled the damage development of the marine mortar the performance of which was still the adjustable one by the composition optimization.

In a depolarizing instrument, such as a broadband imaging spectrometer, the depolarizers are placed on the system for stabilization the optical signal. They are also used to reduce measurements offsets due to strong polarization dependence, which produce drastic deterioration of the signal to noise ratio. Dynamic depolarizer with a controllable degree of polarization is also required to study the effect of noise on quantum information. The article described a new instrument for characterization the variable depolarizer with features which make it different from a polarimetric system. The analysing system based on the simple structural design and has good stability for real-time measurement. A practical application of the described interferometer system for variable depolarizer characterization is also presented.

Electron Channeling Contrast Imaging (ECCI) is becoming a powerful tool in Materials Science such as for characterizing deformation defects. Dislocations observed by ECCI in Scanning Electron Microscope, exhibit several features depending on the crystal orientation relative to the incident beam (white/black line on a dark/bright background). In order to bring new insights concerning these contrasts, we report an original theoretical approach based on the dynamical diffraction theory. Our calculations led, for the first time, to an explicit formulation of the backscattered intensity as function of various physical and practical parameters governing the experiment. Intensity profiles are modeled for dislocations parallel to the sample surface for different channeling conditions. All theoretical predictions are consistent with experimental results.

In this paper, the effect of Bi₂O₃ doping on the mechanical properties of PbO ceramic pellets was studied. For this purpose, different ratios of Bi2O3/PbO (i.e., xBi2O3–(1-x)PbO, where x is 0, 1, 3, 5, 7 wt%) were fabricated and sintered at 570, 620, and 670°C. Mechanical properties including density, hardness, flexural strength, and sintering of PbO were studied for the aforementioned compositions. Phase compositions, microstructures, and worn surfaces of the composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The XRD analysis revealed that a solid solution formed in the composite ceramic. The best suited conditions of temperature and doping of Bi₂O₃ for optimal sintering are 620°C and 3 wt%, respectively. The hardness of the 3 wt% Bi2O3–97 wt% PbO ceramic was 717 MPa, which is about four times higher than the hardness of pure PbO; in addition, the strength of the composites was 43 MPa, which is two times higher than that of pure PbO. The integrity of the composites was verified using the lead–bismuth eutectic alloy flushing experiment. Results of this research paper are important for future studies of oxygen control in the lead–bismuth eutectic alloy of lead-cooled fast reactors.

When we were working on improving the resistance to deep abrasion of porcelain stoneware tiles, several tiles which had a very high resistance to abrasion were found in the market. The abraded volume of these tiles, measured via ISO 10545-6 method, was conspicuously less than 75 mm³. These values were well below the standard limit (<175 mm³) and reported values in the literature (>110 mm³). We determined the chemical, physical and microstructural characteristics of these tiles and other commercially available ones to find the relationship between the abrasion resistance and the technical specifications. We also characterized the samples by Vickers microhardness (VH), X-ray diffraction (XRD), mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was observed that the high resistance to abrasion could be due to the presence of an adequate glassy phase capable of wetting all the hard crystalline phases in the matrix such as quartz and mullite. Therefore, the resistance to deep abrasion could be improved by increasing the amount of “vitreous” matrix, without altering the content of "hard" phases considerably well-bonded to the matrix.

A detailed analysis of the dehydrogenation mechanism and reversibility of LiBH₄ doped by active Al* derived from AlH₃ was performed by thermogravimetry (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), mass spectral analysis (MS), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results show that the dehydrogenation of LiBH₄/Al* is a five-step reaction: (1) LiBH₄ + Al → LiH + AlB₂ + “Li-Al-B-H” + B₂H₆ + H₂; (2) the decomposition of "Li-Al-B-H" compounds liberating H₂; (3) 2LiBH₄ + Al → 2LiH + AlB₂ + 3H₂; (4) LiBH₄ → LiH + B + 3/2H₂; (5) LiH + Al → LiAl + 1/2H₂. And the reversibility of LiBH₄/Al* composite is based on equation as follows: LiH + LiAl + AlB₂ + 7/2H₂ ↔ 2LiBH₄ + 2Al. The extent of dehydrogenation reaction between LiBH₄ and Al* greatly depends on the precipitation and growth of reaction products (LiH, AlB₂ and LiAl, etc.) on the surface of Al*. A passivation shell of Al* formed by these products is the kinetic barrier to the dehydrogenation of LiBH₄/Al* composite.

This paper describes a novel methodology of data management in materials characterisation, which has as starting point the creation and usage of Data Management Plan (DMP) for scientific data in the field of materials science and engineering, followed by the development and exploitation of ontologies for the harnessing of data created through experimental techniques. The case study that is discussed here is nanoindentation, a widely used method for the determination and/or modelling of mechanical properties on a small scale.The same methodology can be applicable to a large number of techniques that produce big amount of raw data, while at the same time it can be invaluable tool for big data analysis and for the creation of an open innovation environment, where data can be accessed freely and efficiently.Aspects covered include the taxonomy and curation of data, the creation of ontology and classification about characterization techniques, the harnessing of data in open innovation environments via database construction along with the retrieval of information via algorithms. The issues of harmonization and standardization of such novel approaches are also critically discussed.Finally, the possible implications for nanomaterial design and the potential industrial impact of the new approach are described and a critical outlook is given.

Hydrogels incorporated with hydrophobic motifs have received considerable attention to recapitulate the cellular microenvironments, specifically for the bio-mineralization of a 3D matrix. Introduction of hydrophobic motifs into a hydrogel often results in irregular arrangement of the motifs, and further phase separation of hydrophobic domains, but limited efforts have been made to resolve this challenge in the hydrophobically-modified hydrogel. Therefore, this study presents an advanced integrative strategy to incorporate hydrophobic domains regularly in a hydrogel by self-assembling of polymer cross-linkers, building blocks of a hydrogel. Self-assemblies between polymer cross-linkers were examined as micro-domains to incorporate hydrophobic motifs in a hydrogel. The self-assembled structures in a pre-gelled solution were confirmed with the fluorescence analysis and the hydrophobicity of a hydrogel could be tuned by incorporating the motifs in a controlled manner. Overall, the results of this study would greatly serve to tuning performance of a wide array of hydrophobically-modified hydrogels in drug delivery, cell therapies and tissue engineering.

A series of Ti₄₀Zr₂₅Cu₉Ni₈Be₁₈)_100-xTM_x (x = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 at.%, TM = Nb, Y) Bulk amorphous alloys were designed and prepared using the copper mold casting method. The microstructures, glass forming ability and mechanical properties of the alloys were investigated by means of X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), differential scanning colorimetry (DSC), depth-sensitive nanoindentation and uniaxial compressive test. The Bulk amorphous alloys with different ductility were investigated by measuring their plastic deformation energy (PDE) of the first pop-in events during loading. The relationships between the PDE value, shear band formation and ductility in Bulk amorphous alloys have been investigated. The results show that the PDE value decreases by the Nb addition and promotes the generation of multiple shear bands easily, which increase the fracture strength and plasticity significantly. Substituting Nb with Y has exactly the reverse effect. A useful rule for preparing of Bulk amorphous alloys with high plasticity is herein proposed, whereby the chemical composition of the Bulk amorphous alloys can be tailored to possess a lower PDE value.

This paper describes a novel methodology of data management in materials characterisation, which has as starting point the creation and usage of Data Management Plan (DMP) for scientific data in the field of materials science and engineering, followed by the development and exploitation of ontologies for the harnessing of data created through experimental techniques. The case study that is discussed here is nanoindentation, a widely used method for the determination and/or modelling of mechanical properties on a small scale.The same methodology can be applicable to a large number of techniques that produce big amount of raw data, while at the same time it can be invaluable tool for big data analysis and for the creation of an open innovation environment, where data can be accessed freely and efficiently.Aspects covered include the taxonomy and curation of data, the creation of ontology and classification about characterization techniques, the harnessing of data in open innovation environments via database construction along with the retrieval of information via algorithms. The issues of harmonization and standardization of such novel approaches are also critically discussed.Finally, the possible implications for nanomaterial design and the potential industrial impact of the new approach are described and a critical outlook is given.

This paper describes a novel methodology of data management in materials characterisation, which has as starting point the creation and usage of Data Management Plan (DMP) for scientific data in the field of materials science and engineering, followed by the development and exploitation of ontologies for the harnessing of data created through experimental techniques. The case study that is discussed here is nanoindentation, a widely used method for the determination and/or modelling of mechanical properties on a small scale.The same methodology can be applicable to a large number of techniques that produce big amount of raw data, while at the same time it can be invaluable tool for big data analysis and for the creation of an open innovation environment, where data can be accessed freely and efficiently.Aspects covered include the taxonomy and curation of data, the creation of ontology and classification about characterization techniques, the harnessing of data in open innovation environments via database construction along with the retrieval of information via algorithms. The issues of harmonization and standardization of such novel approaches are also critically discussed.Finally, the possible implications for nanomaterial design and the potential industrial impact of the new approach are described and a critical outlook is given.

The effects of heating rate before solution treatment and cooling rate after solution treatment on the morphological distribution and evolution of precipitation phase of nickel-based single crystal superalloy were studied. The dissolution, precipitation and growth of precipitation phase and matrix phase during heat treatment were analyzed by means of high power scanning electron microscopy. The results show that the morphology of precipitated phase has nothing to do with the distribution of precipitated phase and the heating rate in the heating process, but the cooling rate in the cooling process affects the shape, size and distribution of precipitated phase. The faster the cooling rate, the smaller the precipitated phase is, the more irregular the shape is, the smaller the equivalent edge length is, and the smaller the channel width of matrix phase is.

In atomic GdFe$_2$ films capped by 4$d$ and 5$d$ transition metals, we show that skyrmions with diameters smaller than 12 nm can emerge. The Dzyaloshinskii--Moriya interaction (DMI), exchange energy, and the magnetocrystalline anisotropy (MCA) energy were investigated based on density functional theory. Since DMI and MCA are caused by spin--orbit coupling (SOC), they are increased with 5$d$ capping layers which exhibit strong SOC strength. We discover a skyrmion phase by using atomistic spin dynamic simulations at small magnetic fields of $\sim$1 T. In addition, a ground state that a spin spiral phase is remained even at zero magnetic field for both films with 4$d$ and 5$d$ capping layers.

The perpendicular exchange bias effect is observed in the ferromagnetic Co/Ni multilayers adjacent to the antiferromagnetic FeRh layer. It is found that as the antiferromagnetic FeRh thickness increases from 10 Å to 50 Å, the hysteresis loop is gradually changed from the symmetric shape to the asymmetric shape shifted by some amount corresponding to the exchange-biased field at the thickness of 25 Å. Also, the magnetic domain observation experiment confirms that the domain reversals in the increasing and the decreasing field regions of the sample with the thickness of 50 Å exhibit the same single domain wall motion even though they have the different coercivities.

The effects of carbon fiber hybridisation on the thermal properties of woven kenaf reinforced epoxy composites kenaf fibre were studied. Woven kenaf hybrid composites at the different weave designs of plain and satin, and fabric count of 5 × 5 and 6 × 6 were manually prepared by vacuum infusion technique.  Thermal properties of pure carbon fibre and hybrid composites were conducted by using thermogravimetric analyser (TGA) and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). It was found that at high kenaf fibre content showed better thermal stability while the highest thermally stable was found in pure carbon fibre composite.  The TG and DTG results showed that the amount of residue decreased in plain-designed hybrid composite compared to satin-designed hybrid composite. The DSC data revealed that the presence of woven kenaf increase decomposition temperature.

In atomic GdFe$_2$ films capped by 4$d$ and 5$d$ transition metals, we show that skyrmions with extremely reduced diameters of a smaller than 12 nm can occur. The Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI), exchange energy, and the magnetocrystalline anisotropy (MCA) energy were investigated based on density functional theory. Since DMI and MCA are caused by spin-orbit coupling, they are increased with 5$d$ capping layers compared to films capped by 4$d$ transition metal. We discovered a skyrmion phase by using atomistic spin dynamics simulations at small magnetic fields of $\sim$ 1 T. A ground state that a spin spiral phase is remained even at zero magnetic field for both films with 4$d$ and 5$d$ capping layers.

This study examines whether gas is emitted from the materials used in the fabrication of metal vacuum panels or not and if emitted, their degree as time goes by. As experimental materials, metal sheets, foamed concrete as a core material, and polymer materials as a sealing material between metal sheets were selected. Experiments on the type and the degree of bending of metal materials showed that aluminum’s vacuum reaching time of 0.001 torr was at least 40 sec to 90 sec in its flat plate, but its vacuum reaching time increased from 3 times to 4.5 times in case of 90 ° and 135 ° bending state. For this reason, it is judged that stainless steel or steel material is suitable because aluminum is inadequate in terms of processability at the time of fabricating the metal vacuum panel. Also, vacuum arrival times and weight changes with increasing foam content of inorganic foamed concrete increased from 22,000 sec to 42,000 sec with increasing foaming rate and also, the weight change increased from 1.7% to 8%. Also, the experimental results on the type of honeycomb materials, the PE (polyethylene) with a vacuum reaching time of 30,000 sec and with a weight change of 0.5% and the PTFE (Poly-tetrafluoro ethylene) with a vacuum reaching time of 29,000 sec and with a weight change of 2.2% showed the optimum value.

Many studies discuss carbon-based materials because of the versatility of the carbon element. They present different sorts of understandings fairly at convincing and compelling levels. A gas-state carbon atom converts into its various states depending on the conditions of processing. The electron transfer mechanism in the gas-state carbon atom is responsible for its conversion to various states, namely, graphite, nanotube, fullerene, diamond, lonsdaleite and graphene. The shape of energy responsible to transfer electron from the sides (east- and west-poles) of its atom is like parabola. That energy is linked to states (from filled state to nearby unfilled state) where exerted force to relevant poles of transferring electron is remained neutral. So, the mechanism of originating different states from a gaseous carbon atom is under the involvement of energy at first, which is not the case for atoms executing their confined inter-state electron-dynamics where force is involved at first. Structure evolved in graphite-, nanotubes- and fullerene-states have respectively one-dimensional, two-dimensional and four-dimensional atoms. Moreover, the associated energy curve is a parabola, indicating the transfer of electrons under neutral exertion of forces to their relevant poles. The graphite structure under only attained-dynamics of atoms is also developed but in two-dimension. Here, binding energy between graphitic carbon atoms is engaged under the influence of a small difference available between their involved forces along opposite poles. Structural evolution in diamond, lonsdaleite and graphene atoms involve potential energy of electrons required to undertake infinitesimal displacements under orientationally-controlled exerting forces to their relevant poles. In this study, the growth of diamond is found to be south to ground where atoms bound ground to south. Thus, diamond atoms merge for a tetra-electron ground to south topological structure. Lonsdaleite atoms merge for a bi-electron ground to just-south topological structure. The growth of graphene was just-north to ground; however, the binding of atoms was ground to just-north showing tetra-electrons ground to just-north topological structure. Glassy carbon exhibits layered-topological structure which successively binds tri-layers of gas-, graphite- and lonsdaleite-state atoms in repetitive manner. Orientating pair of electrons of each atom of below gas layer and above lonsdaleite layer enter from the rear side and front side respectively to undertake another clamping of unfilled energy knots belonging to each atom of intermediate graphitic layer. Different carbon atoms develop amorphous structures when they bind under frustrating amalgamation. Hardness of carbon-based materials was also sketched in the light of force-energy behaviors of different state carbon atoms. Here, structure evolution in each carbon state atom explores its own science.

The expansion of concrete subjected to extreme elevated temperature is linked with intricate micro-structural variations, such as the transformation of the constituent phases. This study proposes a model to predict the thermal expansion of cement paste and concrete considering micro-structural changes under elevated temperatures ranging from 20°C to 800°C. The model presented can consider characteristics of various aggregates in the calculation of thermal expansion for concrete. The model is a combination of a multi-scale stoichiometric model and a multi-scale composite model. At the cement paste level, the model satisfactorily predicted a test result. At concrete level, upper bounds from the model were matched relatively well with test results by previous researcher. If the mechanical properties, such as elastic modulus (E), Poisson’s ratio (ν), and thermal deformation, of the aggregates used in concrete are given, it is likely that the model will reasonably predict experimental results.

In this investigation steel P355NH has been successfully cladded with Inconel 625 through the method of explosive welding. Explosively welded bimetal clad-plate was subjected to the two separated post weld heat treatment processes: stress relief annealing (at 620oC for 90 minutes) and normalizing (at 910oC for 30 minutes). In order to analyze the microstructure of the joint in the as-welded state and to investigate the influence of the post weld heat treatment on it, the light and scanning electron microscope observations and microhardness analysis have been performed. The examination of the diffusion zone microstructure has been performed by using the scanning transmission electron microscope. It was stated that obtained joint has characteristic wavy-shape geometry with the presence of the melted zones and severe deformed grains of both joined materials. Strain hardening of the materials in joint zone was established with microhardness analysis. In both of the heat treatments the changes in the grain structure have been observed. The normalizing heat treatment has the most significant impact on the microstructure of the joint as well as the concentration of the chemical elements in the joint zone. It was reported that due to normalizing the diffusion zone has been formed together with precipitates in the joint zone. The analysis of the diffusion zone images leads to the conclusion that the diffusion of alloying elements from Inconel 625 to steel P355NH takes place along the grain boundaries with additional formation of the voids in this area. The precipitates in Inconel 625 in the joint zone are two type of carbides – chromium-rich and molybdenum-rich. Scanning transmission electron microscope observation of the grain microstructure in the diffusion zone shows that this area consists of equiaxed grains (from the side of Inconel 625 alloy) and columnar grains (from the side of steel P355NH).

The fatigue strength of the hot work steel depends on various factors, including the mechanical, properties and behavior and bulk and the surface under layer, the microstructural features as well as heat treatments. The influence of a series of heat treatments on the fatigue strength of H13 hot work steel was investigated. Different preheating, quenching and tempering treatments were applied to four sets of specimens and fatigue tests were conducted at room temperature using a rotating bending test machine. All heat treatments resulted in a certain improvement of the fatigue strength. Highest fatigue strength obtained by applying a double tempering heat treatment (first tempering at 550 °C for two hours and second tempering at 610 °C for two hours) after initial preheating and quenching. One tempering treatment (550 °C for two hours after preheating and quenching) did not significantly improve the fatigue strength.

Detection of formaldehyde is very important in terms of life protection, as it can cause serious injury to eyes, skin, mouth and gastrointestinal function if indirectly inhaled and hence researchers are putting effort in developing novel and sensitive device. In this work, we have fabricated an electro-chemical sensor in the form of a field effect transistor (FET) to detect formaldehyde over wide range (10 nM to 1 mM). For this, ZnO nanosheets (NS) were first synthesized by hydrothermal method with in-situ deposition on cleaned SiO₂ coated Si (100) substrate. The synthesized materials were characterized for morphology and purity and surface area (31.718 m²/g). The developed device was tested for formaldehyde detection at room temperature that resulted in a linear response with concentration (96%), sensitivity value of 0.27 mA/M/cm² and a low detection limit of 210 nM, and a high 0.93194 return.

Many studies discuss carbon-based materials because of the versatility of the carbon element. They present different sorts of understandings fairly at convincing and compelling levels. A gas state carbon atom converts into its various states depending on the conditions of processing. The electron transfer mechanism in the gas state carbon atom is responsible for its conversion to various states namely, graphite, nanotube, fullerene, diamond, lonsdaleite and graphene. The shape of energy responsible to transfer electron from the sides (east- and west-poles) of its atom is like parabola that is linked to states where exerted force to relevant poles of transferring electron (from filled state to nearby unfilled state) is remained neutral. So, the mechanism of forming different states of a gaseous carbon atom is under a bit non-conserved involving energy, which is not the case for atoms executing their confined inter-state electron-dynamics. Structure evolved in graphite, nanotube and fullerene states have one-dimensional, two-dimensional and four-dimensional atoms, respectively, and the associated energy curve is like parabola indicating transfer of electrons under neutral exertion of forces to their relevant poles. The graphite structure under only attained-dynamics of atoms is also developed but in two-dimension where engaged binding energy between them is under an influence of a small difference between involved forces of their opposite poles. Structural evolution in diamond, lonsdaleite and graphene atoms involve potential energy of electrons required to undertake infinitesimal displacements under orientationally-controlled exerting forces to their relevant poles. In this study, the growth of diamond was found to be from south to ground in which the atoms were bound in ground to south indicating tetra-electrons ground to south topological structure. Lonsdaleite showed a bi-electrons ground to just-south topological structure. The growth of graphene was just-north to ground; however, the binding of atoms was ground to just-north showing tetra-electrons ground to just-north topological structure. Glassy carbon exhibits layered-topological structure which successively binds tri-layers of gas, graphite and lonsdaleite state atoms in the repetitive manner. In this case, pair of orientated electrons of gas atoms and lonsdaleite atoms in their layers take another clamping of pair of unfilled energy knots by entering from the rear-side and front-side, respectively and to bind to intermediate layers of graphitic carbon atoms. Different carbon atoms develop amorphous structures when they bind under frustrating amalgamation. Hardness of carbon-based materials was also sketched in the light of different force-energy behaviors of different state carbon atoms. Here, structure evolution in each carbon state atom explores its own science.

The shape memory alloys belong to the smart materials thanks to their thermomechanical proprieties' reply to thermal or to mechanical loading. These materials can change shape, stiffness, displacement, natural frequency, and many mechanical characteristics in response to stress or to heat such as conduction, convection or radiation. However, heating by convection or conduction are the most useful and studied methods unlike radiation. Therefore, this paper aims to study the radiation effect on the shape memory alloy behavior

Detection of formaldehyde is very important in terms of life protection, as it can cause serious injury to eyes, skin, mouth and gastrointestinal function if indirectly inhaled and hence researchers are putting effort in developing novel and sensitive device. In this work, we have fabricated an electro-chemical sensor in the form of a field effect transistor (FET) to detect formaldehyde over wide range (10 nM to 1 mM). For this, ZnO nanosheets (NS) were first synthesized by hydrothermal method with in-situ deposition on cleaned SiO₂ coated Si (100) substrate. The synthesized materials were characterized for morphology and purity and surface area (31.718 m²/g). The developed device was tested for formaldehyde detection at room temperature that resulted in a linear response with concentration (96%), sensitivity value of 0.27 mA/M/cm² and a low detection limit of 210 nM, and a high 0.93194 return.

Additive manufacturing (AM) offers customization of microstructure and mechanical properties of fabricated components according to the material selected, and process parameters applied. Selective laser melting (SLM) is the commonly used technique for processing high strength aluminum alloys. Selection of SLM process parameters could control the microstructure of parts and their mechanical properties. However, the process parameters limit and defects obtained inside the as-built parts present obstacles to customized part production. This study investigates the influence of SLM process parameters on the quality of as-built Al6061 and AlSi10Mg parts according to the mutual connection between the microstructure characteristics and mechanical properties. The microstructure of both materials was characterized for different parts processed over a wide range of SLM process parameters. The optimized SLM parameters were investigated to eliminate the internal microstructure defects. The behaviour of mechanical properties of parts was presented through regression models generated from the design of experiment (DOE) analysis for the results of hardness, ultimate tensile strength, and yield strength. A comparison between the results obtained and that reported in the literature is presented to illustrate the influence of process parameters, build environment, and powder characteristics on the quality of parts produced. The results obtained from this study could help to customize the part’s quality by satisfying their design requirements in addition to reducing the as-built defects which in turn reduce the amount of the post-processing needed.

In this study, a parameter of volume stability was proposed for the first time to design polymorph zirconia ceramics used for special components. A series of heterogeneous polymorph zirconia ceramics with various amounts of monoclinic (M) phase were fabricated by two-step sintering. Samples with about 27%, 31%, and 51% M phase content were selected to study the properties. The thermal shock durability was found to be associated with thermal expansion behavior and noncritical micro cracks, which both based on M phase initial content. In good agreement with experimental results, the correlation of normalized K versus M phase initial content was established. It could provide a repeatable reference to prepare special zirconia components without loss of density.

Abstract: This work for the first time investigated the densification of multi-doping zirconia ceramic body with organic coating powders for solid electrolyte of solid oxide fuel cells via online imaging technology. The densification results show the initial stage plays a key role in the sintering. It can be found the covered organic PVA (polyvinyl acetate) supplies a potential kinetics to the initial densification during sintering. As a result, a kinetic function of densification in the initial stage was suggested. Furthermore, a novel sintering model with six sub-stages is developed for polycrystalline zirconia ceramics. The findings would be a valuable reference for predicting final temperature of sintering, the equivalent strain during the sintering process, as well as optimizing the densification behavior.

Partially stabilized zirconia (PSZ) is a promising material with superior combination properties in a wide range of industries. In this study, the effect of grain size on the mechanical properties such as hardness, bending strength and fracture toughness (named as ‘indentation toughness’ in this study) was investigated. The multi-doped zirconia ceramics were prepared by powder processing and pressure-less sintered following four sintering schedules. The measured mechanical properties results show that the polymorph structure sintered at a higher temperature has a lower bending strength and hardness. But 300% more indentation toughness (30.54 Kg/mm) of samples sintered at 1600 °C +1150 °C relative to others was estimated due to the grain size effect by our suggested equation. By contrast, the fracture toughness was calculated with an existing method. The results showed that similar trends were obtained. It appeared to be a novel method for evaluating the toughness of partially stabilized zirconia ceramics with micron grains based on the size effect.

Ce³⁺ and Dy³⁺ ions doped Ca₂Al₂SiO₇ (CAS) phosphors were prepared by the solid-state reaction at 12800C for 1h. X-ray diffraction patterns confirmed a tetragonal crystalline structure. The luminescent spectra of CAS: Ce³⁺, Dy³⁺ phosphors consist a board band with peaking at 420 nm corresponding to the luminescence of Ce³⁺ ions and narrow lines of Dy³⁺ ions. The energy transfer from Ce³⁺ ion to Dy³⁺ ion is presented and discussed

Anion exchange membrane (AEM) electrolysis is hampered by two main issues: stability and performance. Focusing on the latter, this work demonstrates a highly active NiMo cathode for hydrogen evolution in AEM electrolysis. We demonstrate an electrolyzer performance of 1 A cm⁻² at 1.9 V (total cell voltage) with a NiMo loading of 5 mg cm⁻² and an iridium black anode in 1 M KOH at 50 °C, that may be compared to 1.8 V for a similar cell with Pt at the cathode. The catalysts developed here will be significant in supporting the pursuit of cheap and environmentally friendly hydrogen fuel.

Sodium substitution Li1-xNaxMn2O4 cathodes were synthesized by a solid-state reaction method. The morphologies and crystal structures of Li1-xNaxMn2O4 were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. All Li1-xNaxMn2O4 samples exhibited a single phase LiMn2O4 spinel structure with good crystallinity. The effect of Na+ ions on the electrochemical performance of Li1-xNaxMn2O4 was investigated by galvanostatic charge-discharge test. The results showed that lithium substituted by sodium deteriorated its capacity retention but enhance its discharge capacity when it worked at large current densities. The initial discharge capacity was 114.2 mAh/g for Li0.94Na0.06Mn2O4, and 93.1 mAh/g remained after 300 cycles at a current density of 2220 mA/g in the voltage range 3.0–4.3 V at room temperature.

K417G Ni-based superalloy is widely used in aeroengine turbine blade for its excellent properties. However, the aeroengine rotor blade zigzag crown appears early failure frequently, which is because of the wear problems occurring in the working process. Laser forming repairing (LFR) is a promising technique to repair these damaged blades. Unfortunately, the laser formed Ni-based superalloys with high content of (Al + Ti) have a high cracking sensitivity. In this paper, the crack characterization of the LFRed K417G, the microstructure, microhardness and tribological properties of the coating before and after laser remelting are presented. The results show that the microstructure of as-deposited K417G consists of γ phase, γ′ precipitated phase, γ + γ′ eutectic and carbide. Cracking mechanisms including solidification cracking, liquation cracking and ductility dip cracking are proposed based on the composition of K417G and processing characteristics to explain the cracking behavior of the K417G superalloy during LFR. After laser remelting, the microstructure of the coating has been refined, and the microhardness and tribological properties has been improved. Laser remelting can decrease the size of the cracks in the LFRed K417G but not the number. Therefore, laser remelting can be applied as an effective method for strengthening coating and as an auxiliary method for controlling cracking.

Water electrolysis provides efficient and cost-effective production of hydrogen from renewable energy. Currently, the oxidation half-cell reaction relies on noble-metal catalysts, impeding widespread application. In order to adopt water electrolyzers as the main hydrogen production systems, it is critical to develop inexpensive and earth-abundant catalysts. This review discusses the proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis (WE) and the progress in replacing the noble-metal catalysts with earth-abundant ones. Researchers within this field are aiming to improve the efficiency and stability of earth-abundant catalysts (EACs), as well as to discover new ones. The latter is particularly important for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) under acidic media, where the only stable and efficient catalysts are noble-metal oxides, such as IrO_x and RuO_x. On the other hand, there is significant progress on EACs for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in acidic conditions, but how many of these EACs have been used in PEM WEs and tested under realistic conditions? What is the current status on the development of EACs for the OER? These are the two main questions this review addresses.

By means of density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we have investigated the effect of hydrostatic pressure on the structural, electronic and elastic properties of the barium-doped silicon clathrate Ba8Si46 in the type-VIII structure (α phase). Physical properties are calculated under different conditions of pressure (0 GPa to 45 GPa) using the GGA-PBE functional, those calculations have been performed using the Cambridge serial total energy package CASTEP code within the Materials Studio package. Electronic properties have shown that the type-VIII Ba8Si46 has metal-like properties with a fundamental bandgap of 1 eV. Under pressure the fundamental bandgap increases slightly and the positions of the valence band maximum VBM and the conduction band minimum CBM remain unchanged. We found that the compound is mechanically stable under the pressure range, but this needs to be confirmed experimentally through synthesis, a comparison with the type-I and the guest-free counterparts has exhibited promising features for the type-VIII Ba8Si46.

Water electrolysis provides efficient and cost-effective production of hydrogen from renewable energy. Currently, the oxidation half-cell reaction relies on noble-metal catalysts, impeding widespread application. In order to adopt water electrolyzers as the main hydrogen production systems, it is critical to develop inexpensive and earth-abundant catalysts. This review discusses the proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis (WE) and the progress in replacing the noble-metal catalysts with earth-abundant ones. Researchers within this field are aiming to improve the efficiency and stability of earth-abundant catalysts (EACs), as well as to discover new ones. The latter is particularly important for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) under acidic media, where the only stable and efficient catalysts are noble-metal oxides, such as IrO_x and RuO_x. On the other hand, there is significant progress on EACs for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in acidic conditions, but how many of these EACs have been used in PEM WEs and tested under realistic conditions? What is the current status on the development of EACs for the OER? These are the two main questions this review addresses.

Several challenges stand in the way of production of Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) such as higher processing temperatures, particulate mixing, particulate-matrix interface bonding issues and ability to process into desired geometrical shapes. Although there are many literatures showing composites with single particulate reinforcements, the studies on composites with multiple reinforcing agents (hybrid composites) are found to be limited. Development of a hybrid particulate composite with optimized mechanical and tribological properties is very significant to suit modern engineering applications. In this study, Al-Si hypereutectic alloy (A390) is used as the matrix and Silicon Carbide (SiC) and Graphite (Gr) and Molybdenum di-Sulphide (MoS₂) are used as particulates. Particulate volume (wt%) is varied and sample test castings are made using squeeze casting process through stir casting processing route. The evaluation of mechanical properties indicates that presence of both the hard phase (SiC) and the soft phase has distinct effect on the properties of Hybrid Composite. Composite samples were characterized to understand the performance and to meet the tribological applications. Fractography study indicated an intra-granular brittle fracture for hybrid composites. Wear study shows that Hybrid MMCs has better tribological performance compared to that of A390 alloy.

Additive manufacturing (AM) provides customization of the microstructure and mechanical properties of components. Selective laser melting (SLM) is the commonly used technique for processing high strength Aluminum alloys. Selection of SLM process parameters could control the microstructure of fabricated parts and their mechanical properties. However, process parameter limits and defects inside the as-built parts present obstacles to customized part production. This study is the second part of a comprehensive work that investigates the influence of SLM process parameters on the quality of as-built Al6061 and AlSi10Mg parts. The microstructure of both materials was characterized for different parts processed over a wide range of SLM process parameters. The optimized SLM parameters were investigated to eliminate the internal microstructure defects. Mechanical properties of the parts were illustrated by regression models generated with design of experiment (DOE) analysis. The results reported in this study were compared to previous studies, illustrating how the process parameters and powder characteristics could affect the quality of produced parts.

Additive manufacturing (AM) of high strength Al alloys promises to enhance the performance of critical components related to various aerospace and automotive applications. The key advantage of AM is its ability to generate lightweight, robust, and complex shapes. However, the characteristics of the as-built parts may represent an obstacle to satisfy the part quality requirements. The current study investigates the influence of selective laser melting (SLM) process parameters on the quality of parts fabricated from different Al alloys. A design of experiment (DOE) is used to analyze relative density, porosity, surface roughness, and dimensional accuracy according to the interaction effect between the SLM process parameters. The results show a range of energy densities and SLM process parameters for the AlSi10Mg and Al6061 alloys needed to achieve “optimum” values for each performance characteristic. A process map is developed for each material by combining the optimized range of SLM process parameters for each characteristic to ensure good quality of the as-built parts. The second part of this study investigates the effect of SLM process parameters on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the same Al alloys. This comprehensive study is also aimed at reducing the amount of post-processing needed.

Water splitting plays an important role in electrochemical and photoelectrochemical conversion of energy devices. Electrochemical water splitting by the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is a straightforward route to produce hydrogen (H2), which requires an efficient electrocatalysts to minimize energy consumption. Recent advances have created a rapid rise in new electrocatalysts, particularly those based on non-precious metals. In this review, we present a comprehensive overview of the recent developments of ternary and quaternary 6d-group transition metal chalcogenides (TMCs) based electrocatalysts for water splitting, especially for HER. Detailed discussion is organized from binary to quaternary TMCs including, surface engineering, heterostructures, chalcogen substitutions, and hierarchically structural design in TMCs. Moreover, emphasis is placed on future research scope and important challenges facing these electrocatalysts for further development in their performance towards water splitting.  

This paper addresses the effect of both microstructure and relative humidity on the long-term creep properties of sustainable calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) cements. Those can be prepared by mixing amorphous calcium carbonate and vaterite with water. A larger starting amount of vaterite, X_V, within the mixture design gives a higher elasticity and resistance to the specimens due to the larger overall bridging area within the newly formed calcite crystals. Regarding creep properties for a given relative humidity, the amplitude of creep strain decreases with X_V, and makes the relation between the elastic modulus, E, and hardness, H, of the samples to be linear with the contact creep modulus, C. On the other hand, for a given composition, the amplitude of creep increases with the relative humidity, making the contact creep modulus, Ci, to rise exponentially with the elastic modulus, E, and hardness, H, of the specimens. The most probable creep mechanisms for this kind of cement seem to be a combination of microcraking in the early stages and dissolution and reprecipitation of calcite in the long-term (also known as pressure solution theory). The presence of water in pores with increasing relative humidity might enhance the local dissolution of calcite, and hence the creep amplitude.

Calcium carbonate cements have been synthesized by mixing amorphous calcium carbonate and vaterite powders with water to unravel the mechanisms of creating mechanical strength during the setting reaction. In-situ XRD was used to monitor the transformation of ACC and vaterite phases into calcite. Unlike this transformation of crystals suspended in a stirred solution, the transformation in the cement is controlled by vaterite dissolution. The supersaturation within the cement paste, Ω, depends not only on the bulk free energy difference of the phases, ΔG, but also on the grain size evolution. Among the strengthening mechanisms, an initial geometric reorganization of CaCO₃ particles has been identified by rheological measurements; followed by the formation of an interconnected network of calcite crystals that increases in strength as the crystals grow and form bridges among them. All compositions yield microporous calcite structures with diverse transformation history, crystal bridging efficiency, and hence final mechanical properties.

Disposable absorbent hygiene products have evolved for superior performance, enhancing the convenience of daily lives. Yet the use of disposable hygiene pads has brought safety concerns on chemical exposure, and significant efforts have been made to assess the potential risks associated with use of hygiene pads. This article intends to overview the safety assessment framework of diapers and feminine pads, which includes hazard identification, hazard characterization, exposure assessment, risk characterization, and postmarket risk management. Risk assessment of various constituents are reviewed for quantification methods and conservative estimation of exposure parameters. By reviewing the up-to-date considerations in risk assessment, we aim to provide insightful discussion on safety evaluation of current versions of disposable absorbent products. More clinical testing and postmarket surveillance are needed for continuous monitoring of potential health impacts of advanced products and constituents.

The effect of transition metal substitution for Fe and the structural and magnetic properties of Gd2Fe16Ga0.5TM0.5 (TM=Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn) compounds were investigated. Rietveld analysis of X-ray diffraction indicates that all the samples crystallize in the hexagonal Th2Ni17 structure. The lattice parameters: a, c and unit cell volume show TM ionic radii dependence. Both Ga and TM atoms show preferred site occupancy for 12j and 12k sites. The saturation magnetization at maximum room temperature was observed for Co, Ni, and Cu of 69, 73, and 77 emu/g, respectively while minimum value was observed for Zn (62emu/g) doping Gd2Fe16Ga0.5TM0.5. Highest Curie temperature of 590 K was observed for Cu doping which is 15% and 5% and thesehigher than Gd2Fe17 and Gd2Fe16Ga compounds, respectively. The hyperfine parameters viz. hyperfine field and isomer shift, show systematic dependence on the TM atomic number. The observed magnetic and Curie temperature behavior in Gd2Fe16Ga0.5TM0.5 is explained on the basis of Fe(3d)-TM(3d) hybridization. The superior Curie temperature and magnetization value of Co, Ni, and Cu doped Gd2Fe16Ga0.5TM0.5 compounds as compared to pure Gd2Fe17 or Gd2Fe16Ga makes Gd2Fe16Ga0.5TM0.5 a potential candidate for high-temperature industrial magnet applications.

The effect of transition metal substitution for Fe and the structural and magnetic properties of Gd2Fe16Ga0.5TM0.5 (TM=Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn) compounds were investigated. Rietveld analysis of X-ray diffraction indicates that all the samples crystallize in the hexagonal Th2Ni17 structure. The lattice parameters: a, c and unit cell volume show TM ionic radii dependence. Both Ga and TM atoms show preferred site occupancy for 12j and 12k sites. The saturation magnetization at maximum room temperature was observed for Co, Ni, and Cu of 69, 73, and 77 emu/g, respectively while minimum value was observed for Zn (62emu/g) doping Gd2Fe16Ga0.5TM0.5. Highest Curie temperature of 590 K was observed for Cu doping which is 15% and 5% and thesehigher than Gd2Fe17 and Gd2Fe16Ga compounds, respectively. The hyperfine parameters viz. hyperfine field and isomer shift, show systematic dependence on the TM atomic number. The observed magnetic and Curie temperature behavior in Gd2Fe16Ga0.5TM0.5 is explained on the basis of Fe(3d)-TM(3d) hybridization. The superior Curie temperature and magnetization value of Co, Ni, and Cu doped Gd2Fe16Ga0.5TM0.5 compounds as compared to pure Gd2Fe17 or Gd2Fe16Ga makes Gd2Fe16Ga0.5TM0.5 a potential candidate for high-temperature industrial magnet applications.

Many studies deal synthesis of carbon because of its versatility but lack the arresting of understanding at convincing and compelling levels. A binding energy shape-like parabola is linked to state of handing over electron to state of taking over at each opposite-side of the atom maintaining the equilibrium of resulting new state of the carbon atom. Through this mechanism of transferring electrons for the gas state carbon atom, it converts into graphitic state, nanotube state, fullerene state, diamond state, lonsdaleite state and graphene state carbon atom. Exerting forces to relevant poles of transferring electrons work neutral to attain specific state of their carbon atom. Structure evolutions in graphitic, nanotube and fullerene state carbon atoms are remained one-dimensional, two-dimensional and four-dimensional, respectively, where energy shape-like parabola is involved along the relevant quadrant for transferring electron(s) where neutral behavior of exerting forces is engaged. A graphite structure when develops under attained dynamics of atoms and their binding is under a bit difference of involved opposite pole forces, it develops in two-dimensional also. Evolution of structure in diamond, lonsdaleite and graphene state carbon atoms is under the involvement of potential energy of electrons as per their undertaking the infinitesimal displacements, thus, engaging their relevant poles exerting forces in the orientationally-controlled manner. Growth of diamond is south to ground, but binding of atoms is ground to south, so, it is a tetra-electrons ground to south topological structure. Lonsdaleite is a bi-electrons ground to just-south topological structure. Growth of graphene is just-north to ground but binding of atoms is ground to just-north, so, it is a tetra-electrons ground to just-north topological structure. Glassy carbon is related to a layered-topological structure where successive tri-layers of gas, graphitic and lonsdaleite state atoms bind in the repetitive manner. In glassy carbon, pair of orientated electrons of gas and lonsdaleite state carbon atoms undertake another clamping of pair of unfilled energy knots by entering from the rear-side and front-side, respectively, to bind to intermediate layers of graphitic state atoms. Different carbon atoms develop amorphous structures when they bind under frustrating amalgamation. Hardness of carbon-based materials is also sketched in the light of different force-energy behaviors of different state carbon atoms. Here, structure evolution in each carbon state atom explores its own science.

The evaluation of the piezoelectric properties of ferroelectric ceramics generally has a high level of uncertainty, due to incomplete poling, porosity, domain wall clamping and other effects. In addition, the poling process is often difficult and dangerous, due to the risk of breaking or damaging the sample. A method is described for the evaluation of the potential intrinsic piezoelectric response that a ceramic would have after full poling, without poling it. The method relies on the fact that any material undergoes an elastic softening below the ferroelectric transition temperature, whose magnitude can be expressed in terms of the intrinsic piezoelectric and dielectric coefficients of the material. Such a softening is equivalent to an electromechanical coupling, averaged over all the components due to the unpoled state of the sample, and can be deduced from a single temperature scan of an elastic modulus of a ceramic sample, spanning the ferroelectric and paraelectric states. The strengths, limits and possible applications of the method are discussed.

Sensory evaluation has been widely applied in assessing the quality of many consumer products that directly serve human needs such as food, beverages, clothing, etc. This paper first examined the inherent deficiencies in this approach, due mainly to the essentially subjective nature of human sensory preference. It then argued that instinctively designating certain materials attributes as sensory perceptions is unnecessary; considering every scientific concept is in essence the processed results of our sensory organs/brains, i.e., all quantities were initially human perceptions.  Scientific advances have inevitably generated gradual transformation of such human perceptions as warmth and heaviness into objective parameters measurable in physical quantities like temperature and kilograms. Then using existing successful examples, it demonstrated firmly how the sensory attributes can be assessed by more reliable instrumental methods, and envisioned the key steps to turning a perception into scientifically measurable parameter(s).

The unique porous crystal structure of zeolite offers various important utilizations, it is one of the considerations in selecting zeolite at this study as component of composite for restraining noise. It so happens, previous experiments show that banana stem has porous structure, fibrous, high flexibility and can be applied as material for many various products including as component of acoustic material. The combination of both is alleged that it has capability in absorbing noise. This paper presents an investigation on the composite that it was synthesized of Activated Zeolite and Banana Stem Fibre in various weight for determining its sound absorption coefficient alpha (a). Activating natural zeolite was conducted by using 6M HCl in order for enlarging zeolite pores. The sound absorption coefficient was measured in the frequency range between 125 Hz up to 6000 Hz. The results show that the different weight of banana stem fibre as component of the synthesized composite affects the value of alpha and shifts the frequency area.

The evaluation of the piezoelectric properties of ferroelectric ceramics generally has a high level of uncertainty, due to incomplete poling, porosity, domain wall clamping and other effects. In addition, the poling process is often difficult and dangerous, due to the risk of breaking or damaging the sample. A method is described for the evaluation of the potential intrinsic piezoelectric response that a ceramic would have after full poling, without poling it. The method relies on the fact that any material undergoes an elastic softening below the ferroelectric transition temperature, whose magnitude can be expressed in terms of the intrinsic piezoelectric and dielectric coefficients of the material. Such a softening is equivalent to an electromechanical coupling, averaged over all the components due to the unpoled state of the sample, and can be deduced from a single temperature scan of an elastic modulus of a ceramic sample, spanning the ferroelectric and paraelectric states. The strengths, limits and possible applications of the method are discussed.

Zinc oxide is one of the most important semiconductor metal oxides and one of the most promising n-type materials, but its practical use is limited because of both its high thermal conductivity and its low electrical conductivity. Numerous studies have shown that doping with metals in ZnO structures leads to the modification of the band gap energy. In this work, Al-doped ZnO, Ni-doped ZnO, and undoped ZnO nanocrystalline powders were prepared by sol-gel method coupled with ultrasound irradiation. The doping concentration in ZnO was 1.0 at.% of Al and Ni. Influence of Al³⁺ and Ni²⁺ ions in the ZnO network are explored in this paper. X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Raman Spectroscopy, Nitrogen Adsorption (BET method), X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) analyses demonstrated the incorporation of metal ions (aluminum and nickel) into the ZnO wurtzite structure. The crystallite size of the sample was decreased from 24.5 nm (ZnO) to 22.0 nm (ZnO-Al) and 21 nm (ZnO-Ni).

Bipolar plates significantly contribute in the development of the polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells technology due to their ability to produce high electrical conductivity based on type of materials used. Mismatching of inappropriate materials and manufacture may lead to the inferior performance of PEM fuel cells. Hence, material development was determined crucial to balance the overall performance of PEM fuels including the mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of the materials. Studies on conductive polymer composites (CPCs) offered filler orientation as an alternative method to enhance the overall performance of bipolar plate. Filler orientations permit an excellent conductivity network formation while controlling the filler alignment based on required applications. This paper reviewed various studies of filler orientations including materials used and methods of manufacture of CPC materials for the effective development of bipolar plate.

Crystalline β-cobalt hydroxide (β-Co(OH)₂) of different morphologies have been successfully synthesized with the addition of sodium hydroxide to cobalt nitrate solution and aging in the mother liquor. The rate of NaOH addition, ranging from 0.1 mL/min to 10 mL/min, influences the surface morphology with the obtained storage capability of the respective electrode. Characterization of the β-Co(OH)₂ was fully developed, including X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and BET analyses. At a lower rate of NaOH addition, particles are like platelets, while for a higher rate (≥2 mL/min) grains are fused together forming a larger crystallite size. This result is supported by the X-ray diffraction structural analysis, where the phase evolution of (002) plane becomes distinct for the higher rate of NaOH addition. Lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO₂) was synthesized through oxidation from the as-prepared β-Co(OH)₂ and LiOH. The electrochemical performance of as obtained LiCoO₂ is investigated using charge-discharge and cyclic voltammetric studies. The precursor β-Co(OH)₂ prepared at a lower rate of 0.1 mL/min in LiCoO₂ demonstrated the best electrochemical performance of 155 mAh/g. After 50 cycles, the capacity retention rate was 67% compared with the first cycle. Finally, we have attempted to correlate the amount of the available OH^- ions with the formation of platelets and the discharge capacity. This work has developed a methodology for the synthesis of LiCoO₂ using β-Co(OH)₂ in a facile chemical solution process.

True contact between solids with randomly rough surfaces tends to occur at a large number of microscopic contact patches.  So far, two scaling regimes have been identified for the number density n(A) of contact-patch sizes A in elastic, non-adhesive, self-affine contacts.  At small A, n(A) is approximately constant,  while  n(A)  decreases as a power law at large  A.  Using Green’s function molecular dynamics, we identify a characteristic (maximum) contact area Ac above which a superexponential decay of n(A) becomes apparent if the contact pressure is below the pressure p_cp at which contact percolates.  We  also find that  A_c increases with load relatively slowly far away from contact percolation. Results for A_c  can be estimated from the stress autocorrelation function G_σσ (r) with the following argument: the radius of characteristic contact patches, r_c, cannot be so large that G_σσ (r_c) is much less than p_c². Our findings provide a possible mechanism for the breakdown of the proportionality between friction and wear with load at large contact pressures and/or for  surfaces with a large roll-off wavelength.

In order to improve the strength of PVA/xylan composite films and endow them with ultraviolet (UV) shielding ability, TiO2-KH550 nanoparticle was synthesized and added into the PVA/xylan matrix. The TiO2-KH550 nanoparticle dispersed well in the 0.04% sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) solution under ultrasonic and stirring treatments. Investigations on the properties of films showed that TiO2-KH550 had the positive impact on improving the strength, moisture and oxygen barrier properties of the composite films. The maximum tensile strength (27.3 MPa), the minimum water vapor permeability (2.75×10-11 g•m-1•s-1•Pa-1) and oxygen permeability (4.013 cm3•m-2•24h-1•0.1MPa-1) were obtained under the addition of 1.5% TiO2-KH550. The tensile strength of TiO2-KH550 reinforced composite film was increased by 70% than that of the pure PVA/xylan composite film, and the water vapor and oxygen permeability were decreased by 31% and 41%, respectively. Moreover, the UV transmittance of film at the wavelength of 400 nm was almost zero when adding 1.5~2.5% of TiO2-KH550, which indicated the PVA/xylan composite films were endowed with excellent UV light shielding ability.

Fabrication of a nanocrystal zinc oxide (ZnO)/nitrogen-doped (N-doped) graphene composite using a novel and facile in situ sol-gel technique is demonstrated. Two-dimensional nanostructure morphology with uniform ZnO nanoparticles (average diameter of 10.25 nm) anchored on N-doped graphene nanosheets was observed via electron microscopy. Because of the polar heteroatoms on the graphene sheets, an abundance sites for polysulfide absorption were provided. More importantly, the strong chemical interaction between ZnO and polysulfides efficiently hindered the transport of polysulfides. Consequently, the lithium/sulfur (Li/S) battery with the ZnO/N-doped graphene composite-coated separator delivered enhanced performance in terms of discharge capacity and cycling stability when compared to the cell with a normal separator. With the modified separator, the battery achieved a discharge capacity as high as 942 mAh g^-1 for the first cycle and remained at 90.02 mAh g^-1 after the 100th charge/discharge test at 0.1 C. Results indicate that impeding the shuttling of polysulfides contributes to efficiently improving the behavior of the Li/S battery.

Many studies deal synthesis of carbon because of its versatility but lack the arresting of understanding at convincing and compelling levels. A binding energy shape-like parabola is linked to state of handing over electron to state of taking over electron at each opposite side of the atom maintaining the equilibrium of resulting new state of the carbon atom. Through this mechanism of transferring electrons for the gas state carbon atom, it converts into graphitic state, nanotube state, fullerene state, diamond state, lonsdaleite state and graphene state carbon atom. Forces of relevant poles remain neutral at instant of transferring electrons to attain specific state of their carbon atom. Structure evolutions in graphitic, nanotube and fullerene state carbon atoms are remained one-dimensional, two-dimensional and four-dimensional, respectively, where energy shape-like parabola is also involved along the relevant quadrant executing electron-dynamics to engage neutral behavior of exerting relevant poles forces. A graphite structure when develops under attained dynamics of atoms and their binding is under a bit difference of involved opposite pole forces, it develops in two-dimensional also. Evolution of structure in diamond, lonsdaleite and graphene state carbon atoms is under involving potential energy of electrons dealing double clamping of energy knot where relevant poles forces exerted in the orientationally controlled manner. Growth of diamond is south to ground, but binding of atoms is ground to south, so, it is a tetra-electrons ground to south topological structure. Lonsdaleite is a bi-electrons ground to just-south topological structure. Growth of graphene is just-north to ground, but binding of atoms is ground to just-north, so, it is a tetra-electrons ground to just-north topological structure. Glassy carbon is related to a layered-topological structure where successive tri-layers of gas, graphitic and lonsdaleite state atoms bind in the repetition manner. In glassy carbon, pairs of orientated electrons of gas and lonsdaleite state carbon atoms deal double clamping of energy knot by entering from the rear-side and front-side, respectively, to bind to intermediate layers of graphitic state atoms. Different carbon atoms develop amorphous structures when they bind under frustrating amalgamation. Hardness of carbon-based materials is also sketched in the light of different force-energy behaviors of different state carbon atoms. Here, structure evolution in each carbon state atom explores its own science.

It is important for researchers in material domain to reconstruct and visualize the microstructure of alloy, which helps discover morphologies and properties that can only be found in three dimensional and microscopic space. However, because of the limitation of state-of-the-art sensors, the internal microstructure of the material is not easy to obtain. In this paper, a novel automatic 3D reconstruction method is proposed using diffraction contrast tomography technology to capture the 3D microstructure of Al-La alloy. The pipeline of the proposed method starts from the imaging of Al-La alloy with the LabDCT technique from Carl Zeiss AG, which produces a sequence of 2D microstructure sections. Then, a segmentation algorithm based on superpixel and lifted multicut is proposed to extract the 2D microstructure in an image section. Finally, 2D segmentations are joined together to reconstruct and visulize the 3D microstructure. As a result, a novel morphology of Al-La alloy is recovered with both dendrite and lamellar morphologies. The proposed method has the advantage of the ability to losslessly recover the internal microstructure.

The proper hydrogenation of Hyper-coal (HPC) using 1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydroquinoline (THQ) was able to decrease the oxygen content and adjust the molecular structure of HPC for preparing the spinnable pitch with high softening point (SP). The spinnable pitch prepared from the THQ-soluble (QS) fraction of HPC as a precursor consisted more naphthenic carbon groups than that prepared from the 1-methylnaphthalene (1-MN) soluble (MNS) fraction of HPC. The HPC-QS derived pitch showed excellent spinnability even the SP of 260°C, and the tensile strength of the resultant carbon fiber was up to 1350 MPa with a diameter around 8 µm by only heat treatment at 800°C for 5 min.

Fabrication of a nanocrystal zinc oxide (ZnO)/nitrogen-doped (N-doped) graphene composite using a novel and facile in situ sol-gel technique is demonstrated. Two-dimensional nanostructure morphology with uniform ZnO nanoparticles (average diameter of 10.25 nm) anchored on N-doped graphene nanosheets was observed via electron microscopy. Because of the polar heteroatoms on the graphene sheets, an abundance sites for polysulfide absorption were provided. More importantly, the strong chemical interaction between ZnO and polysulfides efficiently hindered the transport of polysulfides. Consequently, the lithium/sulfur (Li/S) battery with the ZnO/N-doped graphene composite-coated separator delivered enhanced performance in terms of discharge capacity and cycling stability when compared to the cell with a normal separator. With the modified separator, the battery achieved a discharge capacity as high as 942 mAh g^-1 for the first cycle and remained at 90.02 mAh g^-1 after the 100th charge/discharge test at 0.1 C. Results indicate that impeding the shuttling of polysulfides contributes to efficiently improving the behavior of the Li/S battery.

Bitumen aging is the major factor which contributes to the deterioration of the road pavement. Oxidation and volatilization are generally considered as the most important phenomena affecting aging in asphalt paving mixtures. The present study was carried to investigate whether various antioxidants provided by natural resources such as phospholipids, ascorbic acid as well as lignin from rice husk, could be used to reduce age hardening in asphalt binders. A selected bituminous material was modified by adding 2 % w/w of the anti-aging natural additives and subjected to accelerated oxidative aging regimes according to the Rolling Thin Film Oven Test (RTFOT) method. The effects of aging were evaluated based on changes in sol-gel transition temperature of modified bitumens measured through Dynamic Shear Rheology (DSR). Moreover, changes of Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectra were monitored on the bituminous fractions asphaltene and maltene separated by solvent extraction upon oxidative aging. The phospholipids-treated binder exhibited the highest resistance to oxidation and the lowest age-hardening effect compared to the other tested anti-oxidants. The combination of EPR and DSR techniques represents a promising method for elucidating the changes in associated complex properties of bitumen fractions promoted by addition of free radical scavengers borrowed by green resources.

The development of a novel and simple inhibition biosensor array for detection of water pollutants based on immobilized bacteria is the main goal of this work. A series of electrochemical measurements (i.e. cyclic voltammograms) were carried out on screen-printed gold electrodes with three types of bacteria, namely Escherichia coli, Shewanella oneidensis, and Methylococcus capsulatus, immobilized via poly L-lysine. For comparison purposes, similar measurements were carried out on bacteria samples in solutions,; also optical measurements (fluorescence microscopy, optical density, and flow cytometry) were performed on the same bacteria in both liquid and  immobilized forms. The study of the effect of heavy metal ions (lead), pesticides (atrazine) and petrochemicals (hexane) on DC electrochemical characteristics of immobilized bacteria revealed a possibility of pattern recognition of the above inhibition agents in aquatic environment.

Alumina dispersion-strengthened copper, Glidcop, is used widely in high-heat-load ultra-high-vacuum components for synchrotron light sources (absorbers), accelerator components (beam intercepting devices) and in nuclear power plants. Glidcop has similar thermal and electrical properties to OFE (oxygen free electrical) copper, but has superior mechanical properties, thus making it a feasible structural material; its yield and ultimate strength are equivalent to those of mild-carbon steel. The purpose of this work has been to develop a brazing technique to join Glidcop to Mo, using a commercial Cu-based alloy. The effects of the excessive diffusion of the braze along the grain boundaries on the interfacial chemistry and joint microstructure, as well as on the mechanical performance of the brazed joints, has been investigated. In order to prevent the diffusion of the braze into the Glidcop alloy, a copper barrier layer has been deposited on Glidcop by means of RF-sputtering.

Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are a subclass of porous materials that have unique properties such as varieties of structures from different metals and organic linkers, tunable porosity from a structure or framework design, etc. Moreover, modification/functionalization of the material structure could optimize the material properties and demonstrate high potential for a selected application. MOF materials exhibit exceptional properties and make these materials widely applicable including in energy storage and heat transformation applications. This review aims to give a broad overview of MOFs and their development as adsorbent materials having the potential for heat transformation applications. We summarize current investigations, developments, and possibilities of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) especially the tuning of the porosity and hydrophobic/hydrophilic design required for this specific application. These materials applied as adsorbent are promising in the thermal driven adsorption for heat transformation using water as working fluid and related application.

Many studies deal synthesis of carbon because of its versatility but lack the arresting of understanding at convincing and compelling levels. Each carbon state atom explores its own science and application. To convert gas state carbon atom into graphitic state carbon atom, a non-conserved energy is required to transfer filled state electron to nearby unfilled state, on left-side and right-side. Forces of relevant poles at instant of transferring electrons behave neutral enabling each electron to obey arc-like trajectory formed by typical energy to go into nearby unfilled state. Changing the position of two electrons results into originate a new physical behavior of each established state carbon atom. Different state of the carbon atom is obtained under confined inter-state electron-dynamics where involved non-conserved energy engaged the non-conservative force. Involved energies in one-dimensional structure evolution of graphite engage neutral behavior of forces exerting in space format and surface format along the single axis. Involved energies in two-dimensional structure evolution of nanotube engage neutral behavior of forces exerting in space format-surface format and grounded format-surface format (and vice versa) along the two axes. Involved energies in four-dimensional structure evolution of fullerene engage neutral behavior of forces exerting in all four quadrants of binding each fullerene state atom. A graphite structure does evolve under attained dynamics of graphitic state atoms, only where opposite pole forces under a slight difference keep adhering the structure. Evolution of structure in diamond and lonsdaleite state atoms is under the joint application of surface format and grounded format where electrons of binding atom deal double clamping of energy knots belonging to unfilled states of deposited atom under their neutral behavior of exerting forces. Structural evolution of graphene is under the joint application of surface format and space format where four electrons of binding atom deal double clamping of energy knots belonging to unfilled states of deposited atoms under their neutral behavior of exerting forces. Growth of diamond is south to ground, but binding of diamond state atoms is ground to south, so, it is tetra-double-clamped energy knot ground to south topological structure. Same is the case for lonsdaleite state atoms except it is bi-double-clamped energy knot ground to south topological structure. Growth of graphene is north to ground, but binding of atoms is ground to north, so, it is tetra-double-clamped energy knot ground to north structure. Glassy carbon is related to a wholly layered-topological structure where tri-layers of gas carbon atoms, graphitic state atoms and lonsdaleite state atoms order in the repetition manner. In glassy carbon, forces of all formats (space, surface and grounded) work neutral while binding atoms under their successive tri-layers. Gas state carbon atoms do not evolve structure due to maintenance of electrons at above ground. Different states carbon atoms also evolve different amorphous structures when bind under their frustrating amalgamation. Hardness of carbon-based materials identified in literature is sketched in the light of different force-energy behaviors of different state carbon atoms. A carbon atom is the best model to explain binding mechanism in atoms.

In this review, severe plastic deformation (SPD) is considered as a materials processing technology. The deformation mode is the principal characteristic differentiating SPD from common forming operations. For large plastic strains, deformation mode depends on the distribution of strain rates between continuum slip lines and can be varied from pure shear to simple shear. A scalar, invariant and dimensionless coefficient of deformation mode is introduced as a normalized speed of rigid rotation. On this basis, simple shear provides the optimum mode for structure modification and grain refinement whereas pure shear is "ideal" for forming operations. Special experiments and SPD practice confirm this conclusion. Various techniques of SPD are classified and described in accordance with simple shear realization or approximation. It is shown that correct analyses of the processing mechanics and technological parameters are essential for comparison of SPD techniques and the development of effective industrial technologies.

A comprehensive model for designing robust all-in-fiber microresonator-based optical sensing setups is illustrated. The investigated all-in-fiber setups allow light to selectively excite high-Q whispering gallery modes (WGMs) into optical microresonators, thanks to a pair of identical long period gratings (LPGs) written in the same optical fiber. Microspheres and microbubbles are used as microresonators and evanescently side-coupled to a thick fiber taper, with a waist diameter of about 18 µm, in-between the two LPGs. The model is validated by comparing the simulated results with the experimental data. A good agreement between the simulated and experimental results is obtained. As an application example, the sensing of the concentration of an aqueous glycerol solution is demonstrated. The model is general and by exploiting the refractive index and/or absorption characteristics at suitable wavelengths, the sensing of other substances or pollutants can be also predicted.

Polymer-derived SiC-polycrystalline fiber (Tyranno SA) shows excellent heat-resistance up to 2000^oC, and relatively high strength. Up to now, through our research, the relationship between the strength and residual defects of the fiber, which were formed during the production processes (degradation and sintering), has been clarified. In this paper, we addressed the relationship between the production condition and the surface roughness of the obtained SiC-polycrystalline fiber, using three different raw fibers (Elementary ratio: Si₁Al_0.01C_1.5O_0.4~0.5) and three different types of reactor (Open system, Partially-open system, and Closed system). With increase in the oxygen content in the raw fiber, the degradation during the production process easily proceeded. In this case, the degradation reactions (SiO+2C=SiC+CO and SiO₂+3C=SiC+2CO) in the inside of each filament become faster, and then the CO partial pressure on the surface of each filament is considered to be increased. In consequence, according to Le Chatelier’s principle, the surface degradation reaction and grain growth of formed SiC crystals would be considered to become slower. That is to say, using the raw fiber with higher oxygen content and closed system (highest CO content in the reactor), much smoother surface of the SiC-polycrystalline fiber could be achieved.

The developed microstructure features a long with mechanical properties in vacuum brazing of commercially pure Ti-alloy using Ti₂₀Zr₂₀Cu_60-x-Ni_x (x=10, 20, 30, 40 and 50) metallic filler. Brazing temperatures and holding times employed in this study were 1240-1279 K (967-1006^oC) for a period of 10 min, respectively. The mechanical properties of brazed joints were evaluated by nanoindention at a constant peak load of 5000 μN and tensile tests. The number of intermetallic phase, such as NiTi₂, Ti₂Cu, (Ti, Zr)₂Cu, (Ti, Zr)₂Ni, β(Ti, Zr), α-Ti and NiTi. The solid solution matrix have been identified at 1279 K out of these different regions the NiTi₂ rich region had the highest nanohardness of 17 GPa, It is interesting to note that among five different glasses, the Ti₂₀Zr₂₀Cu₁₀Ni₅₀ has the highest yield strength of 17 GPa, which is mainly due to NiTi₂ phase. Based on the tensile test results all cracks propagate along the brittle intermetallic compounds like NiTi₂ in the reaction layer the reduction of the strength of the joints and fracture behaviour upon propagation of the crack, which shows the morphological cleavage including facets characteristics.

The present study investigation, our results on characterization of commercially pure-Ti alloy brazed with metallic glass ribbons of Ti20Zr20Cu60-xNix (x = 30, 40, and 50) metallic glass ribbons were produced using a vacuum melt spinner. These ribbons were then used as filler materials for vacuum brazing of two Ti alloy plates at 1268, 1277 and 1279 K for a period of 10 min. Field-Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and the energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The as-spun ribbons showed fully amorphous structure when examined on both surfaces by XRD and also verified by TEM investigation. The brazing joint of two Ti-plates using the metallic glass ribbon when brazed with Ni50 was found to be of very high strength. FESEM characterization of the cross-section of the brazed joints shows sub-micron size grains uniformly distributed in the matrix with brighter appearance. FESEM and EDX analysis revealed that the sub-micron grains are rich in Ti & Ni while the matrix phase mainly consisted of Ti. BSE image along with EDS Analysis indicated that the brazed joint has a presence of NiTi2 and Cu2 (Ni Zr) phases which could be responsible for increase in the strength of the brazed joint.

In Nature, it is common for living plants and non-living plant tissues to consist of materials with anisotropic multilayer and non-homogenous structure. The structure of tissues determines their self-shaping and self-folding capabilities in response to a stimulus in order to activate different functionalities. Predetermined movements are realized according to changes in environmental conditions, which trigger the fibrous anisotropic structure of the plants’ material. In this study, we present the fabrication process of low-cost anisotropic multilayer materials that are capable of realizing complex movements caused by small temperature changes (<40 ^oC). The mismatch in the thermo-mechanical properties between three or more anisotropic thin layers creates responsive materials that alter their shape owing to the developed internal stresses. Isotropic layers can perform only bending movements, whereas anisotropic multilayer materials can perform bending, twisting or complex combined modes. The movements of the material can be controlled by forming anisotropic homogenous metallic strips over an anisotropic polymer. As a result, inexpensive responsive materials can be developed to passively react to a very broad range of thermal requirements. We studied the major parameters that affect the sensitivity of the developed materials, as well as their failure modes and crack formation under thermal fatigue conditions.

Li⁺-conducting polyethylene oxide-based membranes, incorporating the N-butyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, are as electrolyte separators for all-solid-state lithium polymer batteries operating at medium-high temperatures. The incorporation of the ionic liquid remarkably improves the thermal, ion-transport and interfacial properties of the polymer electrolyte, which, in combination with the wide electrochemical stability even at medium-high temperatures, allow high current rates without any appreciable lithium anode degradation. Battery tests carried out at 80 °C have shown excellent cycling performance and capacity retention even at high rates, never tackled by ionic liquid-free polymer electrolytes. No dendrite growth onto the lithium metal anode was observed.

Outer particles collision with certain dynamic object is not a pure impact wear behavior; it is typically accompanied by sliding wear phenomena. This study aimed investigating the impact-sliding wear performance of three different TC17 titanium alloys. One was untreated, and the other two were subjected to laser shock peening (LSP) by 5 and 7 J pulse energy, respectively. Wear test was performed on a novel impact-sliding wear testing rig, which can realize multiple impact-sliding motions by changing motion parameters in x and z directions. Present results showed that wear resistance of both treated samples improved compared with the untreated alloy. Given the increase in wear cycles, increment in wear rate of the untreated sample was constantly higher than those of treated samples. All results can be attributed to the increase in surface hardness of the material and residual compressive stress, which was also introduced after LSP.

Present work has systematically investigated the evolution of dispersoid and elevated-temperature properties including the strength and creep resistance during the various multi-step heat treatments in Al-Mn-Mg 3004 alloys. Results show that only α-Al(MnFe)Si dispersoid is observed in the studied temperature range (up to 625°C) and it coarsens with increasing temperature to 500°C but dissolves at 625°C. The evolution of elevated-temperature strength and creep resistance is greatly related to the temperature of each step during the multi-step heat treatments. Generally, lower temperature at the first-step heat treatment leads to higher properties while the properties decrease with increasing temperature of last-step heat treatment. Suitable models have been introduced to explain the evolution of strength and the creep threshold stress at elevated-temperature during the various heat treatments.

Slow and controlled release systems for drugs, have attracted increasing interest recently. A highly efficient metal-organic gels (MOGs) drug delivery carrier, i.e., MIL-100(Al) gels, has been fabricated by a facile, low cost and environment friendly one-pot process. The unique structure of MIL-100(Al) gels leads to a high loading efficiency (620 mg/g) towards doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) as a kind of anticancer drugs. DOX-loaded MOGs exhibited high stability under physiological conditions and sustained release capacity of DOX for up to 3 days (under acidic environments). They further showed sustained drug release behavior and excellent antitumor effects in in vitro experiments on HeLa cells, in contrast with the extremely low biotoxicity of MOGs. Our work provides a promising way for the anticancer therapy, by utilizing this MOGs-based drug delivery system, as an efficient and safe vehicle.

Spherical microparticles of TiO₂ were synthesized by the ionic liquid-assisted solvothermal method at different reaction time (3, 6, 12 and 24h). The properties of the prepared photocatalysts were investigated by means of UV-vis diffuse-reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), BET surface area measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results indicated that the efficiency of phenol degradation was related with a time of the solvothermal synthesis as determined for TiO₂_EAN(1:1)_24h sample. Microparticles of TiO₂_EAN(1:1)_3h formed during the only 3h of synthesis time revealed really high photoactivity under visible irradiation – 75%. This value increased to 80% and 82% after 12h and 24h, respectively. The photoactivity increase was accompanied by the increase of the specific surface area thus pores size, as well as ability to absorb UV-vis irradiation. The high efficiency of phenol degradation of IL-TiO₂ photocatalysts was ascribed to the interaction between the surface of TiO₂ and ionic liquid components (carbon and nitrogen).

Air pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), as well as water pollutants including heavy metal, are harmful to human and environment. Effective control and reduction of their pollution is therefore an important topic for today’s scientists. Fly ash (FA) is a type of industrial waste that can cause multiple environmental problems if discharged into the air. On the other hand, because of its high porosity, large specific surface area, and other unique characteristics, the FA can also be used as a low-cost and high efficient adsorbent with some simple modifications. This paper reviews the effects of FA on treatment of the above air and water pollution based on our research experience over many years, including to the current status of global FA utilization, physicochemical properties, principle of adsorption, and the application direction of FA in the future. It focuses on the use of nanocomposite technology to fabricate functional FA fibrous membranes to adsorb VOCs from air, and treat heavy metal wastewater. This present review first describes the fabrication technology of FA nanocomposites and their mechanism of adsorption VOCs from air. Utilization of nanofiber technology to fabricate multi-functional FA emerging composite materials to mitigate air and water pollution has great potential in the future, especially use of pollutant material to control other pollutants.

Many studies deal synthesis of carbon-based materials because of the versatility of carbon element where lack the arresting of understanding at convincing and compelling levels. A non-conservative energy is required to transfer occupied state electron to nearby unfilled state along both left and right sides of the gas state carbon atom to convert it into its graphitic state where exerting forces of relevant poles of transferring electrons remain neutral at the instant of tracking the arc-like trajectory to go into unfilled state. Changing the position of two electrons in each state carbon atom results into originate its new physical behavior. Different state carbon atoms were obtained under confined inter-state electron-dynamics under the involvement of non-conservative energies where engaging the non-conservative forces instead of conservative were engaged. Structure evolution for graphitic, nanotube, and fullerene states atoms mainly engages the surface format forces where involved arc-shape energies enable execution of confined inter-state electron-dynamics binding to amalgamating atoms in one quadrant, two quadrants and four quadrants to develop structure of one-dimension, two-dimension and four-dimension, respectively. However, a graphite structure is evolved under the application of electron-dynamics of attaining graphitic state atoms as well as under their attained dynamics, only. Evolution of structure in diamond and lonsdaleite state atoms are under the joint application of surface format force and grounded format force where electrons of binding atom deal another clamping of energy knots belonging to unfilled states of deposited atoms while visualizing the force of south to their bottom tips through them. Structural evolution of graphene engages both surface format and space format forces to work neutral at the instant of binding atom through its four electrons dealing another clamping of energy knots belonging to unfilled states of deposited atoms while visualizing the force of north to their top-sides through them. Growth of diamond is south to ground but binding of atoms is ground to south, so it is tetra-double-clamped energy knot ground to south topological structure. Same is the case for lonsdaleite state atoms except it is bi-double-clamped energy knot ground to south topological structure. Growth of graphene is north to ground but binding of atoms is ground to north, so it is tetra-double-clamped energy knot ground to north structure. Glassy carbon is related to a wholly layered-topological structure where tri-layers of gas carbon atoms, graphitic state atoms and lonsdaleite state atoms order in repetition manner. In glassy carbon, forces of space format, surface format and grounded format work as neutral while binding atoms of successive tri-layers. Due to maintenance of electrons at above ground surface in gas state carbon atoms, they do not attain the favorable point for binding. Hardness of carbon-based materials as per identified in literature is sketched under the exploration of different force-energy behaviors exerting at electron level is described. A carbon atom is a best model to explain binding mechanism in atoms of various elements and in fullerene state, it is a best model to understand the working forces at ground surface.

Carrying out technological tests and research is indispensably connected with high costs and elongation of implementation time of new casting technologies and their modifications in industry. Hence, the application of specialised computer software, enabling the simulation and analysis of metallurgical and casting processes in modern foundry industry is of special interest. The present work presents an experimental application of MAGMASoft software in casting process of EV31A magnesium alloy structural element of helicopter engine. The results of computer simulation have been compared with industrial cast of the simulated element, fabricated in the same conditions. It has been revealed that the computer simulation provides a complex information on the analysed process, leading to reduction of costs and time, connected with technological tests in implementation of new casting technologies.

Semiconductor materials have been shown to have better photocatalytic behavior and can be utilized for the photodegradation of organic pollutants. In this work, three-dimensional flower-like SnS₂ were synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method. Core-shell structured SiO₂@α-Fe₂O₃ nanocomposites were then deposited on the top of the SnS₂ flowers. The as-synthesized nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). The photocatalytic behavior of the SnS₂-SiO₂@α-Fe₂O₃ nanocomposites was observed by observing the degradation of methylene blue (MB). The results show an effective enhancement of photocatalytic activity for the degradation of MB especially for the 15 wt. % SiO₂@α-Fe₂O₃ nanocomposites on SnS₂ flowers.