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The imperative for lightweighting technologies, paramount in mission-critical cyber-physical systems (CPSs) including aerospace, automotive and allied sectors, hinges upon optimizing energy efficiency and curbing product weight. Honeycomb structures, celebrated for their exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, have indisputably guided the pursuit of lightweight design. This paper expounds upon the versatility of honeycomb structures by scrutinizing their in-plane mechanical attributes. Leveraging finite element simulations and polynomial fitting, we enhance the prevailing equivalent elastic modulus model for uniform honeycomb structures, expanding its domain to encompass a broader spectrum of relative density values. Deliberations ensue concerning the model's constraints and its inapplicability to nonuniform honeycomb structures. The investigation introduces nodes as pivotal influencers in the mechanical comportment of nonuniform honeycomb structures, delineating the nexus between the equivalent elastic modulus and node dimensions through a fusion of finite element simulations and mechanical experimentation. Furthermore, this research delves into the tenets and constructs of density-based variable density methodologies within the ambit of topology optimization, with an overarching goal of maximizing stiffness. We furnish a holistic design protocol for optimizing honeycomb structures, underscored by a pragmatic instantiation of the density-based variable density approach. Scrutinizing the geometric interplay between honeycomb structures and design spaces, we posit an innovative paradigm employing concentric circles to approximate cellular envelopes, streamlining numerical cartography and the conversion of optimization outputs into variable density honeycomb configurations. Evaluation of the in-plane mechanical attributes of variable density honeycomb structures reveals that TPU material augments the resilience of both uniform and variable density honeycomb structures, whereas topology optimization amplifies specific stiffness and resilience modulus in variable density honeycomb structures relative to their uniform counterparts. This study sheds light on the complexities of honeycomb structures, providing valuable insights for their optimization in lightweight applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Honeycomb structures made of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) are increasingly used in the aerospace field due to their excellent energy absorption capability. Attention has been paid to CFRP structures in order to accurately simulate their progressive failure behavior and discuss their ply designability. In this study, the preparation process of a CFRP corrugated sheet (half of the honeycomb structure) and a CFRP honeycomb structure was illustrated. The developed finite element method was verified by a quasi-static test, which was then used to predict the low-velocity impact (LVI) behavior of the CFRP honeycomb, and ultimately, the influence of the ply angle and number on energy absorption was discussed. The results show that the developed finite element method (including the user-defined material subroutine VUMAT) can reproduce the progressive failure behavior of the CFRP corrugated sheet under quasi-static compression and also estimate the LVI behavior. The angle and number of plies of the honeycomb structure have an obvious influence on their energy absorption under LVI. Among them, energy absorption increases with the ply number, but the specific energy absorption is basically constant. The velocity drop ratios for the five different ply angles are 79.12%, 68.49%, 66.88%, 66.86%, and 60.02%, respectively. Therefore, the honeycomb structure with [0/90]s ply angle had the best energy absorption effect. The model proposed in this paper has the potential to significantly reduce experimental expenses, while the research findings can provide valuable technical support for design optimization in aerospace vehicle structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies of graphene show that robust chemical bonds such as covalent bonds with trigonal‐planar atoms afford layered atomic 2D crystals possessing unique properties. Although layered molecular crystals are of interest to diversify elements and structures of 2D materials, the structural diversity of molecules as well as weak intermolecular interactions inevitably makes the design to be one‐off and individual. We herein report a versatile method to assemble layered molecular crystals. By developing a D3‐symmetry host at vertices to form a honeycomb layer, a diverse range of layered 2D host–guest crystals were obtained. Substituents on the host, elements/structures of the guest, the stereochemistry of the host and types of intercalants were diversified, which should allow for 6×32×3×2 combinations for structural diversification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies of graphene show that robust chemical bonds such as covalent bonds with trigonal‐planar atoms afford layered atomic 2D crystals possessing unique properties. Although layered molecular crystals are of interest to diversify elements and structures of 2D materials, the structural diversity of molecules as well as weak intermolecular interactions inevitably makes the design to be one‐off and individual. We herein report a versatile method to assemble layered molecular crystals. By developing a D3‐symmetry host at vertices to form a honeycomb layer, a diverse range of layered 2D host–guest crystals were obtained. Substituents on the host, elements/structures of the guest, the stereochemistry of the host and types of intercalants were diversified, which should allow for 6×32×3×2 combinations for structural diversification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a three-rib intersecting composite diamond honeycomb structure is fabricated by interlocking technology. The mechanical properties of the composite interlocked diamond honeycomb (CIDH) and corresponding sandwich structure (CIDHSS) are experimentally tested. The stiffness, strength, and failure characteristics of CIDH and CIDHSS are analyzed. The results show that CIDH has better mechanical properties than the interlocked Kagome and square honeycombs. The edge effect limits the edge compressive strength and stiffness of CIDH. Debonding is the main failure mode that limits both bending and compressive strength of CIDHSS. The reinforced plate added to the edge effectively improves the anti-debonding ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors report an experimental investigation on square thin-walled energy absorbers with different topologies and materials. The material was steel SAE 1010 and aluminum AL 6160. Some samples non-filled and filled with polymeric material received patterned windows placed in opposite faces with specific dimensions: 20x20, 15x30, and 20x30 mm2. Quasi-static axial loading crushes hollow specimens and hybrid specimens filled with PET-G honeycomb. The core filling was printed using the FDM technique. The crashworthy ability of specimens was evaluated based on the specific energy absorption (SEA), load ratio (LR) and structural efficiency (η), which showed that windowed-filled specimens with 20x30 mm2 perform better. The maximum increase of SEA was 212%, LR decreased from 4.02 to 1.78 and η increased from 0.45 to 0.89 for steel energy absorbers and in the same manner, the values for aluminum specimens were 123%, 2.97 to 1.28 and 0.46 to 0.71. The effects of the patterned windows and their combination with the honeycomb core for both metallic materials show that such a topology improved the performance in two factors. The windows reduced the peak force, and the PET-G honeycomb furnished a smoothing to the region at the end of the fold formation, contributing to the crashworthy ability. Future work envisages experimental testing of the samples in dynamic tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a novel approach inspired by the hexagonal honeycomb structure found in nature, leveraging image processing algorithms to precisely define complex geometries in thermal systems. Hexagonal phase change material containers and thermally conductive fins were meticulously delineated, mirroring the intricate real-world designs of honeycombs. This innovative methodology not only streamlines setup processes but also enhances our understanding of melting dynamics within enclosures, highlighting the potential benefits of biomimetic design principles in engineering applications. Two distinct honeycomb structures were employed to investigate their impact on the melting process within cavities subject to heating from the left wall, with the remaining walls treated as adiabatic surfaces. The incorporation of a thermally conductive fin system within the enclosure significantly reduced the time required for a complete phase change, emphasizing the profound influence of fin systems on thermal design and performance. This enhancement in heat transfer dynamics makes fin systems advantageous for applications prioritizing precise temperature control and expedited phase change processes. Furthermore, the critical role of the fin system design was emphasized, influencing both the onset and location of the final point of melting. This underscores the importance of tailoring fin systems to specific applications to optimize their performance. Our study highlights the significant impact of the Rayleigh (Ra) number on the melting time in a cavity without fins, revealing a decrease from 6 to 0.4 as the Ra increased from 102 to 105; the introduction of a fin system uniformly reduced the melting time to Ste.Fo = 0.5, indicating fins' universal effectiveness in optimizing thermal dynamics and expediting the melting process. Moreover, the cavity angle was found to significantly affect the fluid fraction diagram in unfanned cavities but had minimal impact when fins were present, highlighting the stabilizing role of fins in mitigating gravitational effects during melting processes. These insights expand our understanding of cavity geometry and fin interactions in heat transfer, offering potential for enhanced thermal system designs in various engineering applications. Decreasing thermal conductivity (λ) by increasing the fin thickness can halve the melting time, but the accompanying disadvantages include a heavier system and reduced energy storage due to less phase change material, necessitating a careful balance in decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, sorghum and reed, which possess light stem structures in nature, were selected as biomimetic prototypes. Based on their mechanical stability characteristics—the porous structure at the node feature and the porous feature in the outer skin— biomimetic optimization design, simulation, and experimental research on both the traditional hexagonal structure and a hexagonal honeycomb structure were carried out. According to the two types of straw microcell and chamber structure characteristics, as well as the cellular energy absorption structure for the bionic optimization design, 22 honeycomb structures in 6 categories were considered, including a corrugated cell wall bionic design, a modular cell design, a reinforcement plate structure, and a self-similar structure, as well as a porous cell wall structure and gradient structures of variable wall thickness. Among them, HTPC-3 (a combined honeycomb structure), HSHT (a self-similar honeycomb structure), and HBCT-257 (a radial gradient variable wall thickness honeycomb structure) had the best performance: their energy absorption was 41.06%, 17.84%, and 83.59% higher than that of HHT (the traditional hexagonal honeycomb decoupling unit), respectively. Compared with HHT (a traditional hexagon honeycomb decoupling unit), the specific energy absorption was increased by 39.98%, 17.24%, and 26.61%, respectively. Verification test analysis revealed that the combined honeycomb structure performed the best and that its specific energy absorption was 22.82% higher than that of the traditional hexagonal structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cuttlebone is known for its ability to possess high specific stiffness, progressive failure and lightweight from the porous chambered structure. Inspired by the microstructural characteristics of cuttlebone and incorporating the wall gradient design, a series of double-asymmetric honeycombs were designed and processed by LPBF. Results indicated that bionic structural units with the junction design can maintain the integrity of the residual parts after local buckling and failure, improving the load-bearing capacity. The double-asymmetric honeycomb with gradation parameter a = 2/3 achieved a maximum specific compressive strength of 70.64 MPa cm3/g. As a decreases, there is an increase in specific energy absorption and a narrowing of the hysteresis loop. The as-build honeycomb had undergone stress-induced martensite transformation during compression. The dissipated mechanical energy (ME) decreased with the increasing cycle number and the decreasing a. The results provide design guidelines and process strategies for developing high-performance honeycombs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The shape memory alloy (SMA) can deform pseudo-plastically under external load, based on which a reusable impact energy absorption structure was designed. According to the classical SMA constitutive model, the finite element model for thin-wall structures was established, and the dynamic characteristics such as deformation modes and energy absorption of different forms of honeycomb structures under different impacting velocities, were analyzed, and the optimal energy absorption performance of the SMA structures was obtained. In addition, through comparison of the energy absorption performance of the SMA honeycomb with that of the aluminum honeycomb, the energy absorption of the SMA honeycomb with different structure configurations was different from that of the aluminum honeycomb under different-velocity impacts, with the optimal structure changes. The work provides a reference for the selection and design of the SMA honeycomb structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Honeycomb-structured S and N dual-doped graphene-like carbon (SNG) is prepared by low-temperature (850 °C) pyrolysis of S-doped carbon nitride with Mg. • Mg acts as a reducing agent for graphitizing the carbon precursor and as a precursor for new Mg 3 N 2 and MgS products, which play as pore-generating templates for honeycomb-like structure. • Rh/SNG catalyst outperforms state-of-the-art commercial Pt/C for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) with an extremely lower overpotential of 13 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and outstanding stability. • High crystallinity, superior electrical conductivity, and hierarchically porous honeycomb structure of SNG doped with N and S are credited with this remarkable HER performance. State-of-the-art electrocatalysts are based on catalytically active metal deposited on conductive porous carbon. Herein, we report a new strategy of engineering of a honeycomb-structured S and N dual-doped graphene-like carbon (SNG) as a supporting material for Rh catalysts by a simple low-temperature (850 °C) pyrolysis of S-doped carbon nitride (S-CN) in the presence of Mg. Interestingly, here Mg plays a marvelous dual role not only as a reducing agent for graphitizing the S-CN but also as a precursor for new Mg 3 N 2 and MgS products, which play as pore-generating templates for honeycomb-like structures. This features highly robust graphitized carbon with excellent electrical conductivity, proper S and N content, and porosity, making it highly desirable as catalyst support. Supporting Rh (5.2 wt.%) on SNG outperforms state-of-the-art commercial Pt/C electrodes for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) under alkaline settings (1.0 M KOH) with an extremely lower overpotential of 13 mV at 10 mA cm−2, a lower Tafel value, and a higher turnover frequency. In addition, Rh/SNG as the cathode for industrial water electrolysis in 6.0 M KOH electrolyte at 70 °C shows excellent performance with only 1.76 V cell to achieve 500 mA cm−2 and maintains long-term durability with negligible decay. The distinctive properties of SNG, including S and N dual doping, high graphiticity, superior electrical conductivity, and honeycomb-like hierarchical meso‑ and macropore structure, are credited with this remarkable HER performance. The S and N dopants in the SNG framework optimize the electronic structure of the Rh by synergistic interaction between them as illustrated by first-principal density functional theory calculations and electronic structure analysis. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Ni 6 W 6 C/Co 2 O 3 @C composites are prepared from glucose, an eco-friendly material. • EAB can reach 7.12 GHz at the thickness of 2.04 mm and RL min is −56.68 dB at 5.43 GHz. • We designed absorber and the results showed that the microwave absorber can achieve an average EMW loss of more than 99 % in the 0.3–16.04 GHz frequency band and an average EMW loss in the 16.04–18 GHz frequency band is more than 90 %. In recent years, the synthesis of absorbing materials using green and environmentally friendly natural raw materials have become a research topic, but green and environmentally friendly materials with both high performance and simple synthesis steps still need to be developed. In this work, glucose and metal organic framework (MOF) were used to prepare composite materials with strong absorbing ability and low cost. We chose glucose, which is convenient to purchase on the market, as the raw material and constructed MOF derivatives with carbon shell skeleton nanostructures through a simple method of hydrothermal and annealing. Compared to the raw materials of traditional absorbing materials, glucose has environmentally friendly, low-cost and green characteristics. We characterized the microstructure and morphology of the material. In addition, we also analyzed the material composition and absorption mechanism of Ni 6 W 6 C/Co 2 O 3 @C. We have found from the theoretical analysis and simulation results of transmission lines that the minimum reflection loss (RL min) value of Ni 6 W 6 C/Co 2 O 3 @C material at 5.43 GHz and 4.76 mm is −56.68 dB. And the effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) at 2.04 mm can reach 7.12 GHz. We load the best sample to the honeycomb structure, a broadband microwave absorber was designed for simulation. The results show that the broadband microwave absorber can achieve an average electromagnetic wave (EMW) loss of more than 99 % in the 0.3–16.04 GHz frequency band (RL value is less than −20 dB), and an average EMW loss of more than 90 % in the 16.04–18 GHz frequency band (RL value less than −10 dB). The composite structure of glucose and MOF derivatives enhances the dielectric loss of the material and enriches various EMW loss mechanisms. Finally, a green, environmental-friendly, high-performance absorbing material with a simple synthesis method is prepared. These results provide insights into the research on EMW absorption of composite materials and new methods for referring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The models for thermal conductivity tensor of two types honeycombs are proposed. • Impact of the wall uniformity within honeycomb on the thermal property is quantified. • Honeycomb ETC's max anisotropic porosity reduces as thermal conductivity ratio rises. The effective thermal conductivity (ETC) is a critical parameter for simulating macroscopic heat transfer processes in composite materials, which estimation is particularly critical where the thermal conductivity of the composite phases is completely different. The huge difference in thermal conductivity of the composite phases makes their volume fraction modulation a classical way to reach the desired thermal conductivity. Nevertheless, the typical manufacturing process of honeycomb cellular structures allows various degrees of stretching of the structure, leading to various honeycomb geometries. In these 'real' structures some of the honeycomb wall sides are twice as thick as other parts, modifying the symmetry of the system with respect to honeycomb with uniform wall side thickness. A noticeable example of these composites is that of a hexagonal metallic honeycomb structure filled with phase change material (PCM) which is a widely utilized material in the field of thermal storage and thermal management by exploiting the heat absorbed/released by the PCM phase during its melting/solidification. While the thermal response of a PCM composite during a thermal cycle is not only defined by thermal conductivity (but also by cell size), this represents the basis for the with the optimization of a system based on a composite PCM. For this reason, in this study, steady-state simulations of heat transfer in unit honeycomb cells in different directions perpendicular to the cell axis are conducted to quantify the impact of morphology on the thermal property of the different wall types within honeycomb structures. The results demonstrate that in both SHS and DHS, the porosity exhibiting maximum anisotropy of ETC decreases as the thermal conductivity ratio increases. Moreover, simple predictive models for calculating the ETC in all directions are proposed for each type of honeycomb, considering a wide range of porosity and thermal conductivity ratio, with a relative error limited to 2 %. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High temperatures can significantly diminish the efficiency of solar photovoltaic panels, emphasizing the critical need for effective thermal management strategies. While the use of phase change material has shown promise in this regard, issues arise from non-uniform temperature distribution within the phase change material, limiting its overall effectiveness. This paper introduces an innovative solution by incorporating a novel honeycomb-like aluminum structure into the phase change material tank, aiming to address these challenges. Numerical investigations explore various configurations involving different phase change material volumes and aluminum honeycomb grid thicknesses. The honeycomb structure proves effective in preventing the formation of a single high-temperature melting pool, ensuring a more uniform distribution of melting zones throughout the phase change material. Compared to scenarios without the honeycomb structure, the proposed design achieves an additional 10 °C reduction in photovoltaic cell temperature, translating to a noteworthy 0.57% improvement in panel efficiency. This enhancement is particularly significant given the baseline low efficiency of the photovoltaic panel, which stands at 14.7%. Furthermore, the study reveals that increasing the thickness of the aluminum grid contributes to enhanced temperature uniformity, reducing the maximum temperature by up to 4 °C. The findings underscore the potential of the proposed honeycomb structure. • A novel aluminum honeycomb structure is proposed for photovoltaic panel thermal management. • Compared to panels cooled without the honeycomb, it achieves a 10 °C temperature reduction. • The structure enhances photovoltaic panel efficiency by 0.57%. • Uniform temperature distribution and melting zones are achieved in the phase change material zone. • Improved thermal management enhances efficiency, prolongs panel lifespan, and ensures system reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexible piezoelectric sensors have received widespread attention in wearable electronics for their ability to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy, while the insufficient output power and complex preparation process have limited their application. In this work, several honeycomb structures based on graphene macro-film (GAMF) were created via laser engraving, which can utilize negative Poisson's ratio (NPR) properties to improve the output electric performance of flexible piezoelectric sensors. The effect of different electrode materials on the piezoelectric output was investigated in the experiments and compared with the theoretical equations, indicating that the output power of the sensor could be enhanced up to 142 % by improving the materials auxetic mechanical properties. The stability tests have proven that the sensors can operate effectively for a long time under different operating conditions. Moreover, the optimized sensor shows powerful potential for monitoring human movements such as finger tapping, joint bending, and foot stepping. This work opens up a new development path for the preparation of convenient and high-performance wearable electronic devices. The negative Poisson's ratio characteristic of the honeycomb graphene macro-film is used to increase the deformation of PVDF film to increase the electrical output performance of the flexible piezoelectric sensor. The optimized sensor can be used to detect human movements. [Display omitted] • Honeycomb graphene macro-films with different mechanical properties were prepared by laser engraving. • Flexible piezoelectric sensors based on honeycomb graphene macro-films are prepared. • The output performance of piezoelectric sensors can be improved by adjusting mechanical properties of electrode materials. • The flexible piezoelectric sensors can be used to detect human movements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Three kinds of honeycomb structures were printed using carbon fiber reinforced composites, and the tensile mechanical properties of honeycomb structures were studied by combining experimental and simulation analysis methods. Finally, the relationship between fracture toughness and fractal dimension of tensile fracture surface is analyzed by fractal theory. The study employed chopped fiber-reinforced nylon composite, referred to as "Onyx," along with continuous carbon fiber materials. Using the material extrusion manufacturing process, three sandwich structures were created: a conventional, a concave hexagonal with negative Poisson's ratio, and a feather-inspired structure. Tensile testing and finite element simulations were conducted to analyze their tensile properties and crack propagation paths under tension. Fractal dimensions were calculated for each structure: the standard structure had a dimension of 1.4626, the bionic feather-inspired was 1.4810, and the negative Poisson's ratio concave hexagonal structure measured 1.4973. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The presence of ZGV is predicted and confirmed in the CFRP-Nomex honeycomb structure. • The ZGV formation mechanism in the honeycomb structure is analyzed and elaborated. • A new debonding detection method is proposed using ZGV feature. Carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) − Nomex adhesive honeycomb structures are widely used in aerospace due to their excellent properties. However, debonding defects pose a significant challenge to structural safety due to their hidden nature and high risk. In this work, to address the debonding detection in the CFRP-Nomex honeycomb structure, a method based on the zero group velocity (ZGV) feature is proposed. By calculating the dispersion curve of the structure, it is found that there is the ZGV on the S 1 branch. Further analysis revealed that this ZGV feature is generated by the repulsion between the S 2 and S 1 branches. The simulation and experimental analysis of the acoustic propagation characteristics in the honeycomb structure confirmed the presence of the ZGV feature with its energy localized near the exciting point. When debonding defects occur in the honeycomb structure, this feature disappears. Therefore, the ZGV feature can be used for the debonding detection of CFRP-Nomex honeycomb structures. Compared with ultrasonic C-scan, the results demonstrate that the proposed method can accurately detect and locate debonding defects with a diameter of 20 mm. Due to its simplicity, the method does not require sophisticated equipment or complex signal processing procedures, making it suitable for in-service inspection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A class of modified hexagonal honeycomb to realize pattern transformation. • Honeycomb's elastic constants are derived by theoretical energy analysis. • Honeycomb structures exhibit auxetic behavior after pattern transformation. • The cell/node of the honeycomb has a rotating behavior after pattern transformation. • The underlying mechanism of pattern transformation is revealed for honeycomb. Pattern transformation, as one of the special properties of mechanical metamaterials, is widely found in elastic porous structures and gradually expanding to honeycomb structures. Inspired by the higher-order flower-like buckling pattern of hexagonal honeycomb, and generalizing the geometry of structures that pattern transformation occurs under uniaxial compression, this paper proposes a Modified Hexagonal Honeycomb(MHH) structure by adjusting the thickness ratio α and the deflection extension angle θ of the cell wall to topologically reconstruct the honeycomb structure to initiate the first-order quasi-flower-like buckling pattern under uniaxial loading. Results show that the quasi-flower-like pattern transformation appears directly for the MHH structure under uniaxial compression, accompanied with a transition of the Poisson's ratio, from positive to negative. And the butterfly pattern, which appears for traditional hexagonal honeycomb only under biaxial loading, is also observed for the MHH under uniaxial compression. The relative size of the nodes among cell walls is believed to play a crucial role on the appearance of the pattern transformation of the honeycomb structure. This work has revealed the underlying physical mechanism for pattern transformation of honeycomb structures, and would also extend the application range of honeycomb structures to the design of elastic dampers, bending/torsion actuators, or robot drive joints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Synthesis and characterization of modified NH 2 -MCM-41 for drug release. • Performance of modified NH 2 -MCM-41 nanoparticles improved compared to MCM-41. • Analysis of Adriamycin, Metformin and Naproxen drugs release. The aim of this work is the preparation and characterization of modified mesoporous silica NH 2 -MCM-41 (NM-41) nanoparticles (NPs) in comparison to MCM-41 (M−41) with the aim of obtaining a pH-sensitive system for controlled drug release (CDR) applicable in cancer treatment. Three drugs were used for CDR studies including Adriamycin, Metformin and Naproxen, and loaded onto the mesoporous silica. The samples were prepared and analyzed by solid characterization methods including FTIR, XRD, SEM, TEM, BET, and DSC analyses. The SEM images clearly showed the increase in surface porosity of NM-41 nanocarriers (NCs) compared to M−41 NCs. The CDR behavior of the obtained NCs was investigated at pH 1.5–3.5 (simulated gastric fluid media-SGF), pH 6 (simulated intestine fluid media-SIF) and pH 7.35–7.45 (simulated body fluid media-SBF). The results showed that the performance of modified NM-41 NPs improved compared to M−41, and the performance of modified NM-41 NPs at SIF and SBF pHs is much higher than SGF, which shows the success in the preparation of drug pH-sensitive NCs for CDR. The results of drug loading showed that the amount of Adriamycin, Metformin and Naproxen drugs in modified NM-41 NPs is significantly higher than M−41. Furthermore, survival studies were conducted for the prepared systems and the results showed good biocompatibility of the prepared drug delivery systems (DDS). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The battery-pack system of electric vehicles is prone to collide with low obstacles on the road, causing battery short circuits and even explosions. It poses a great safety threat to passengers and drivers. The honeycomb structure's high energy absorption and lightweight properties have made it a popular choice in the automotive industry. This paper designs different bio-inspired honeycomb structures to a battery-pack system of electric vehicles to improve the crashworthiness performance. The effects of different bio-inspired honeycomb structures on the crashworthiness of a battery-pack system during frontal impact are analyzed based on a nonlinear finite element model. First, the geometric parameters of seven different bio-inspired honeycomb individual units are described. The overall structure of the honeycomb is applied to a battery-pack system. Second, the nonlinear finite element model of a battery-pack system and honeycomb structures are established and verified. Then, collision simulations are conducted. The deformation and the maximum stress of a battery-pack's bottom shell are computed. The energy absorbed by the honeycomb structures during frontal impact are investigated. The results indicate that the proposed bio-inspired honeycomb structure mimicking grass stems improves the safety performance of battery-pack systems most. Finally, a parametric design is carried out on the bio-inspired honeycomb structure. The effects of wall thicknesses and the number of replacement hexagons on the crashworthiness performance are analyzed. The honeycomb structure preforms best when thickness is 1 mm and the number of replacement hexagons is 2 and 4. The optimized bio-inspired honeycomb structure reduces the deformation of the battery-pack' bottom shell by up to 30%, and maximum stress by 10%. • The deformation, maximum stress, and energy absorption are investigated. • The effects of seven bio-inspired honeycomb structures are analyzed. • Parametric design is carried out to further improve the crashworthiness performance. • The deformation of the bottom shell can be reduced by up to 30%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A honeycomb-structured superhydrophobic coating is prepared. • The coating exhibited a high visible light transmittance (90.0%). • By regulating structure, the haze of the coating can be adjusted (8.9%-54.1%). • The coating has excellent mechanical abrasion and weathering resistance. Transparent superhydrophobic coatings have excellent self-cleaning performance and are particularly suitable for applications in the fields of outdoor photovoltaic displays, solar power generation, and windows. However, the micro-nanostructures required for superhydrophobic coatings make them poor abrasion-resistant and foggy, and hence transparent superhydrophobic coatings with good practicality still remain great challenging. Here, we report honeycomb-structured coatings simultaneously with high transparency, abrasion-resistance and superhydrophobicity by fabrication of honeycomb epoxy resin structure via PDMS template method and subsequent spraying of hydrophobic SiO 2 nanoparticles. The coatings with different honeycomb structures exhibit average transmittance of 90.0 %, and the haze in the range of 8.9–54.1 %. Both the honeycomb structure formed by hard epoxy resin and strong adhesion of hydrophobic SiO 2 nanoparticles enable the coatings to maintain superhydrophobicity after harsh mechanical abrasion and weathering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The natural beesʼ honeycombs maintain long-term structural stability in harsh environments, employing a highly material-efficient approach. However, the reasons remain somewhat ambiguous. To clarify the stabilization mechanism and investigate quasi-static compression responses of double-layer ordered cellular structures, honeycomb, Tóth and single-layer cellular structures with a relative density (ρ r) of 25.84 % were fabricated using 3D printing technology. Then, quasi-static compression experiments in three directions were conducted. Further, a numerical study was conducted to uncover the stabilization mechanism and effect of ρ r on compressive behaviors. Results revealed that the stabilization mechanism was mainly attributed to bearing load priority of intermediate layer and its inhibition on formation of plastic hinges. A relative density of 5.17 % served as a transition point for deformation mode, beyond which honeycomb and Tóth structures exhibited stronger in-plane compressive strength at expense of less sacrificed out-of-plane compressive strength, below which they both exhibited more stable compressive curves compared to single-layer cellular structures, which were favorable for energy absorption. This study clarifies the stability mechanism of beesʼ honeycombs and addresses the lack on compression behaviors of double-layer ordered cellular structures. Moreover, it introduces two available bionic structures with controllable deformation modes to expand the application of single-layer cellular structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen production from biomass is an efficient and clean utilization way for renewable energy to significantly alleviate the energy crisis. In order to improve the biomass conversion efficiency, a device combining honeycomb structure wood and inert porous pellets was proposed, and the combustion characteristics of honeycomb wood was studied with different biomass species and pore structures. The results indicated that softwood had the higher syngas yield compared with hardwood, and the hydrogen yield was up to 9.0 %. The increasing of inlet air velocity improved combustion temperature, but it was not conducive to syngas production. In addition, circle shape structure showed the stable combustion rate and the high conversion efficiency due to the uniform pore distribution. With the increasing of pore number, outlet temperature and hydrogen production increased first and then decreased. Moreover, syngas yield improved as the pore diameter increased and the maximum hydrogen growth rate reached 256 %. Meanwhile, the co-combustion mechanism of honeycomb wood and inert pellets was revealed, and the efficient realization of heat-hydrogen coproduction had practical guiding significance for optimizing the energy structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Combining ML and FE methods to accelerate the design process of honeycomb structures. • Using 2D unit cell surrogate 3D honeycomb structures. • CDAE with a pixelation strategy is proposed to manage FE data. • LSTM uses latent features and external loads to predict structural dynamic responses. In this study, a novel framework was presented for accelerating the prediction of the mechanical response of honeycomb structures under dynamic crushing, using 2D cells to surrogate 3D honeycomb structures by machine learning (ML). The sizes of different honeycomb structures were designed and the necessary training data obtained through finite element (FE) simulations, but without using any explicit design parameters of the honeycomb cells in the ML model. A pixelization method of FE model was proposed to separate the complete cell structure from the honeycomb FE grid data and convert it into a matching pixel map. FE data was structuralized while reducing the large amount of computational power consumed in identifying complex array structures. Unsupervised automatic extraction of low-dimensional features of pixel maps was performed using a convolutional denoising autoencoder (CDAE). The crushing velocity and the extracted latent features were used as the input of the long-short term memory (LSTM) network to predict the crushing deformation and stress-strain curve of the honeycomb structure under different dynamic loading. Results showed that the constructed ML model could describe the dynamic crushing response behavior. Compared with the traditional FE method, the prediction model was 4.45 × 103 and 1.05 × 103 times faster in predicting the stress-strain and structural deformation response, respectively. The mechanical response prediction model provided a method for rapidly evaluating the dynamic mechanical response behavior of similar periodic array structures using FE model data, which could be beneficial for the design and development of equipment based on bionic structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]