Leading Edge

Composite laminated structures, comprising various engineering materials, are extensively utilized in engineering structures due to their superior design flexibility and enhanced mechanical performance. This study investigates the mechanical behavior of laminated cylindrical shells under combined thermal and mechanical loads. Using the theory of thermoelasticity, exact solutions are derived for temperature, displacement, and stress distributions in axisymmetric cylindrical shells with arbitrary numbers of layers and varying thicknesses, considering the temperature-dependent properties of the component materials. An iterative method and a slice model are introduced to address the interplay between temperature variations and material properties with the transfer matrix method on the basis of Fourier’s law of heat conduction. Stresses and displacements are used to formulate the state-space equation. Continuity conditions at the interfaces are applied to recursively establish the relationships between internal and external surfaces by the state-space method. Unique solutions for temperature, displacement, and stress, which are dependent on temperature, are determined by the surface conditions. The high accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed method are validated through convergence and comparative studies. Notably, neglecting temperature dependence leads to significant differences, with temperature increasing by 11.28%, displacement by 17.35%, and stress by 33.74%. Furthermore, the effects of surface temperature, thickness-to-radius ratio, layer numbers, and component materials on the temperature, displacement, and stress distributions within laminated cylindrical shells are thoroughly explored.

In this study, to enhance the output performance of a contact-separation mode triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), a zinc oxide nanorod (ZnO NR) film with piezoelectric properties was integrated into a Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) film as the dielectric layer. The working mechanism of the PDMS-ZnO NR-based TENG was theoretically analyzed in two stages: charge transfer during contact electrification on the material surface and charge movement in the electrostatic induction process. The output characteristics of the PDMS-ZnO NR-based TENG were investigated and compared with those of a PDMS-based TENG. The experimental results demonstrate that the PDMS-ZnO NR-based TENG reached an open-circuit voltage of 39.34 V, representing an increase of 64.5% compared to the PDMS-based TENG. The maximum output power of a 4 cm × 4 cm PDMS-ZnO NR-based TENG reached 82.2 μW. Using a specially designed energy-harvesting circuit, the generated electrical energy was stored in a capacitor, which was charged to 1.47 V within 1 min and reached 3 V in just 2.78 min. This voltage was sufficient to power over 20 LEDs and small sensors. Additionally, the TENG was integrated into the sole of footwear, where the electrical signals generated by compression could be utilized for step counting and gait analysis.

In this study, the results of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) examinations of neutron-irradiated (2.5 dpa at 150 °C, 350 °C, and 450 °C) CuCrZrV and ODS(Y2O3)-Cu alloys are presented. These materials were developed for application as heat sink materials in fusion technology. This study includes TEM imaging and quantitative analysis of neutron radiation-induced defects such as dislocation loops and voids as well as the determination of the conditions for their formation. It was found that dislocation loops of a0½⟨110⟩ type form in both alloys at all irradiation temperatures. The formation of voids in CuCrZrV alloy is effectively suppressed. The neutron irradiation causes a redistribution of Cr, Zr, and V in the CuCrZrV alloy. A particular focus was on the investigation of the distribution of the transmutation products Ni and Zn. Ni tends to segregate at the Cr-rich clusters and forms a shell around them, while Zn is evenly distributed.

We report on the preparation and characterization of a cost-effective, durable, and reusable macrocomposite, prepared in the form of pellets and designed for the photodegradation of water pollutants, using amoxicillin (AMX) as a model compound. Using the wet impregnation method, kaolin clay and TiO2-P25 composites were doped with copper (Cu2+) and cobalt (Co2+). The produced materials were characterized by SEM-EDS, XRD, XRF, textural property analysis, and their potential lixiviation of components by ICP-MS. The photodegradation efficiency under solar irradiation was evaluated by varying the acidity of the medium, the concentration of AMX, and the amount of catalyst. The performance of the recycled photocatalysts was also studied. The photodegradation of AMX was monitored by UV–Vis and UV–Vis/HPLC spectrophotometry. The optimal formulations, Cu (0.1%)/TiO2 and Co (0.1%)/TiO2, achieved up to 95% degradation of 5 mg·L−1 AMX in 3 h at pH 5.9, with a catalyst loading of 1 g·L−1. The Cu-doped material showed a slightly faster reaction rate and higher total-organic-carbon removal (80.4%) compared to the Co-doped material (59%) under identical conditions. The same photodegradation intermediates were identified by LC-MS/MS for both doped macrocomposites, and a reaction mechanism is proposed. These macrocomposites showed efficient and consistent recyclability over more than five reuse cycles, showing their potential to be used for antibiotic pollution abatement in water-treatment facilities.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the strength of polyamide utilized in high pressure hydrogen transmission, exemplified by reinforced plastic hoses. The research encompasses a comprehensive investigation of materials employed in hydrogen infrastructure, focusing on their barrier and mechanical properties. It addresses challenges associated with hydrogen storage and transport, presenting various types of tanks and hoses commonly used in the industry and detailing the materials used in their construction, such as metals and polymers. Two materials were analyzed in the study; one new material and one material exposed to hydrogen. Key mechanisms and factors affecting gas permeation in materials are discussed, including an analysis of parameters such as fractional free volume (FFV), solubility coefficient (S), diffusion coefficient, and permeability coefficient. Methods for evaluating material permeation were outlined, as they are essential for assessing suitability in hydrogen infrastructure. Experimental analyses included Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR), differential thermal analysis (DTA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). These techniques provided detailed insights into the structure and properties of polyamide, allowing for an assessment of its performance under high pressure hydrogen conditions. Pressure was identified as a critical factor influencing both the material’s mechanical strength and its hydrogen transport capability, as it affects the quantity of adsorbed particles. According to the DTA investigation, the polyamide demonstrates minimal mass loss at lower temperatures, indicating a low risk of material degradation. However, its performance declines significantly at higher temperatures (above 350 °C). Up to 250 °C, the material shows no notable decomposition occurred, suggesting its suitability for certain applications. The presence of functional groups was found to play a significant role in gas permeation, highlighting the importance of detailed physicochemical analysis. XRD studies revealed that hydrogen exposure did not significantly alter the internal structure of polyamide. These findings suggest that the structure of polyamide is well-suited for operation under specific conditions, making it a promising candidate for use in hydrogen infrastructure. However, the study also highlights areas where further research and optimization are needed. Overall, this work provides valuable insights into the properties of polyamide and its potential applications in hydrogen systems.

A simple and low-cost synthesis assisted by seed crystals has been proposed to convert residual colorless glass powder into a Na-X zeolite. For this purpose, the optimal parameters for acid leaching of glass powder were studied to remove impurities that could interfere with the crystallization process. Then, the hydrothermal syntheses were supported by Na-X seed crystals (0% to 5%, wt.) to induce the growth of zeolite X, evaluating the crystallization time (12 h to 48 h) and the variation of the silicon source (acid-treated and untreated residues). The formation of the faujasite as the main phase, with a higher degree of structural order and microporosity, was observed with the previous treatment in the residue, a higher seed loading, and a shorter crystallization time. On the other hand, a phase competition between faujasite, gismondine, Linde type-A, and sodalite structures was observed in the zeolites synthesized from the untreated residue. In this case, the high seed loading and the longer synthesis time allowed the correct targeting of the faujasite structure with low structural order and micro/mesoporous properties. Furthermore, interzeolite transformations occur in all syntheses, where the framework type synthesized was influenced by the presence of a specific ion as a mineralizing agent.

Yttrium oxide ceramic is an excellent optical material widely used in lasers, scintillators, and upconversion luminescence. In this study, LiF was employed as an additive to generate volatile gases (CF)n to effectively inhibit carbon contamination and act as a sintering aid to accelerate densification during the spark plasma sintering (SPS) process. The effects of sintering temperature and annealing time on the transmittance of Y1.8La0.2O3 transparent ceramics were systematically investigated. Results indicate that excessive LiF addition reduces the transmittance of Y1.8La0.2O3 transparent ceramics due to the precipitation of F− ions at grain boundaries, forming a secondary phase. For the Y1.8La0.2O3 ceramics with 0.3 wt.% LiF, transmittance initially increases and then decreases with rising sintering temperature, reaching a maximum value of 78.10% in the UV region at 1550 °C. Under these conditions, the average particle size and relative density are 10–30 μm and 99.36%, respectively. Oxygen vacancies within the ceramics act as defects that degrade transmittance. Proper annealing in air reduces oxygen vacancy content, thereby improving transmittance. After annealing at 900 °C for 3 h, the maximum transmittance of Y1.8La0.2O3 ceramics with 0.3 wt.% LiF increases to 82.67% in the UV region, accompanied by a 5.68% reduction in oxygen vacancy concentration.

FeCoNiCrAl high-entropy alloy (HEA) coating was prepared by air plasma spraying, and the coating’s morphology and properties under different power parameters were analyzed. The results show that the spraying power significantly affects the morphology of the coating during plasma spraying. The molten droplets formed during the preparation process of HEA coatings tend to combine with oxygen, with aluminum bonding particularly strongly with oxygen, resulting in the presence of aluminum oxide within the coating, while other elements exhibit weaker bonding with oxygen. The optimal spraying power is 12 kW, and coatings prepared at this optimal power exhibit advantages such as low porosity, uniform element distribution, and excellent corrosion resistance. The aluminum in the HEA coating forms a relatively stable compound with oxygen, creating a Cr-depleted and Al-enriched region. This region is less prone to passivation during corrosion and more susceptible to reacting with corrosive media, leading to localized corrosion of the coating.

In this work, the influence of Ba/Ca ratios on the BaO-CaO-SiO2 (BCS) glass network structure, crystallization phases, and coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) was investigated. As the Ba/Ca ratio increases, the Qn units in the glass network structure have undergone significant changes. The Q4 units in the BCS glass network transform into Q3 units, indicating the reduction of the glass network connectivity. The variation in the Ba/Ca ratio leads to a change in the crystallization phases of BCS glass-ceramics sintered at a temperature higher than Tc (crystallization temperature). The addition of α-SiO2 (quartz) could regulate the crystallization phases and their ratio of the barium silicates (BaSi2O5, Ba2Si3O8, and Ba5Si8O21) in the BCS glass-ceramics. An abundant orthorhombic BaSi2O5 phase can be obtained in the BCS glass-ceramics with 15 wt% α-SiO2 calcinated over 875 °C. The α-SiO2 modified BCS glass-ceramics exhibited excellent properties (CTE = 12.10 ppm/°C, εr = 7.49 @ 13.4 GHz, tanδ = 4.96 × 10⁻⁴, Q × f = 27,034 GHz) sintered at optimized conditions, making it a promising candidate material for RF module and electronic packaging substrate.

Lattice structures have the characteristics of light weight, excellent heat dissipation and mechanical properties. Because of excellent properties, lattice structures have been widely used in aerospace, automobile manufacturing, biomedical and other fields. At present, additive manufacturing is the mainstream method for manufacturing lattice structures. This study reviews the existing literature on additive manufacturing of lattice structures, introduces manufacturing methods, and summarizes the influencing factors of forming quality. In addition, the topology optimization of the unit cell and the gradient design of the lattice structure are discussed, and the future research direction of the lattice structure is proposed.

An accurate constitutive model for fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) is fundamental for analyzing and designing FRC structures. The recently released fib Model Code 2020 (MC2020) includes significant modifications to the tensile constitutive model for FRC, enhancing its accuracy. However, it has been observed that the applicability of this model for certain types of FRC is limited due to its overly simplified post-cracking mechanical assumptions. This is particularly evident in structural FRC, where the fiber pull-out force reaches its maximum at a large fiber slip, resulting in a load decrease before increasing again after the notched beam cracks. In that case, the bilinear assumption in the stress–strain model of MC2020 for post-cracking is insufficient to reflect the fiber mechanism and the mechanical properties of FRC at small crack widths. Therefore, based on the characteristics of fiber pull-out in structural FRC, this paper proposes a trilinear post-cracking stress–strain model to reflect the fiber pull-out mechanism more accurately and better analyze the performance of FRC structures in the serviceability limit state. Through an analysis of experimental data and numerical simulation studies on steel fiber-reinforced concrete (SFRC) notched beams, the parameters for the proposed trilinear constitutive model are determined and validated, and the results indicate that the stress value at the new inflection point in the post-cracking trilinear model should be 0.8fFts (the serviceability residual strength of the FRC). Although the proposed trilinear model seems similar to the trilinear model provided in MC2020, it is developed based on fiber pull-out behavior, whereas the trilinear model in MC2020 was mainly developed to eliminate numerical singularities. Finally, while the models in MC2020 perform well in evaluating the ultimate limit state performance, the proposed constitutive model can serve as a supplement, especially when serviceability limit state performance is considered.

Different approaches have been proposed to control the tribological behavior of materials under different conformal and non-conformal contact conditions with influenced surface texturing. The ever-increasing demand to improve material friction, erosion wear, and adhesion bond strength of coatings is a major concern for the contact interface of surfaces. Laser texturing is considered a promising approach to tuning materials’ tribological properties. The latter are strongly influenced by the texture density and shape imprinted on the engineered materials and vary in dry or lubricating conditions. In this work, the physicochemical properties of picosecond laser-textured surfaces of metallic materials have been systematically analyzed. Specifically, the wettability character of laser-textured materials was correlated with their morphological/compositional features.

This study investigates SnO2-based varistors in the SnO2-Co3O4-Cr2O3-Nb2O5 system with varying B2O3 doping concentrations to optimize both electrical properties and thermal conductivity. The experimental formulation involved doping B2O3 with fixed concentration ratios of Co3O4, Cr2O3, and Nb2O5 (ranging from 0 mol% to 0.35 mol%), and the microstructure, electrical properties, and thermoelectric coefficient of the samples were measured in order to identify the optimal doping proportion. The varistor doped with 0.25 mol% B2O3 exhibited optimal performance, demonstrating a maximum voltage gradient of 525 V/mm, a minimum leakage current density of 11.2 μA/cm2, and a peak nonlinear coefficient of 36. Furthermore, the optimized formulation achieved enhanced thermal performance with a maximum thermal conductivity of 6.13 W·m−1·K−1.

Azulene has been attracting much attention as a charge transfer material in organic electronics due to its inherent large dipole moment and small band gap, but its application in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is very limited. Herein, azulene was applied as the core acceptor for hole transport materials (HTMs), and two molecules named Azu-Py-DF and Azu-Py-OMeTPA were designed and synthesized, in which 4-pyridyl was introduced on the 6-position of the 1,3-substituted azulene core to adjust energy levels. The different spatial orientations of pyridine and the azulene core improve the solubility and reduce the crystallinity of the material, which is conducive to creating a thin film morphology. Azu-Py-OMeTPA exhibited good hole and electron mobility compared with standard Spiro-OMeTAD. Applied as an HTM in PSCs, the Azu-Py-OMeTPA-based device achieved a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 18.10%, which is higher than that of the 6-position unsubstituted counterpart. Nevertheless, the anticipated passivation effect of the 4-pyridyl group was diminished due to the electron-deficient nature of azulene’s seven-membered ring. These results demonstrate that optimizing the structure of azulene-based HTMs can significantly alter molecular spatial structure, film formation properties, electron delocalization characteristics and charge transport, and can lead to improved device performance, providing insights for the future design of novel HTMs.

Electrode surface microstructuring involves the engineering of the topographical features of an electrode to enhance its performance in electrochemical sensing applications. By creating controlled micro- or nano-scale patterns, the active surface area can significantly increase, which leads to improved electron transfer and enhanced sensitivity to target analytes in devices such as biosensors. Geometrical parameters such as diameter, height, pitch, and position of the patterns can be optimized to enhance sensor detection. This paper introduces an electrochemical biosensor designed to detect Moraxella catarrhalis, a respiratory pathogen affecting young children. This paper investigates the effects of the radius of micropillars on adsorption in the electrochemical biosensor using COMSOL Multiphysics (Version: 6.0). The model demonstrates that the rate of surface adsorption depends on the position of the micropillars on the electrode. The paper also presents the effects of analyte concentration on the detection current of the biosensor using Cottrell’s equation.