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Nanozymes are a class of nanomaterials with biocatalytic function and enzyme-like activity, whose advantages include high stability, low cost, and mass production. They can catalyze the substrates of natural enzymes based on specific nanostructures and serve as substitutes for natural enzymes. Their applied research involves a wide range of fields such as biomedicine, environmental governance, agriculture, and food. Molecular logic gates are a new cross-disciplinary discipline, which can simulate the function of silicon circuits on a molecular scale, perform single or multiple input logic operations, and generate logic outputs. A molecular logic gate is a binary operation that converts an input signal into an output signal according to the rules of Boolean logic, generating two signals, a high level, and a low level. The high and low levels represent the "true" and "false" values of the logic gates, and their outputs correspond to "l" and "0" of the molecular logic gates, respectively. The combination of nanozymes and logic gates is a novel and attractive research direction, and the cross-application of the two brings new opportunities and ideas for various fields, such as the construction of efficient biocomputers, intelligent drug delivery systems, and the precise diagnosis of diseases. This review describes the application of logic gates based on nanozymes, which is expected to provide a certain theoretical foundation for researchers' subsequent studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High fracture toughness and low erosion wear play key roles in improving the working reliability and service life of erosion-resistant ZTA ceramic parts (ZTA-CPs). To reconcile the hardness, fracture toughness and erosion wear resistance, the Y 2 O 3 content of ZTA-ceramics with 20 wt% ZrO 2 (Z20TA) was successfully controlled by adjusting the mass ratio of commercially available m -ZrO 2 and 3Y–ZrO 2 powders in the initial compositions in this paper. Significantly, the fracture toughness and Vickers hardness of Z20TA bulk ceramics with different Y 2 O 3 content can reach up to 5.35 MPa m1/2 and 15.82 GPa, and the erosion wear volume can be reduced to as low as 0.019 cm3, higher than those of Z20TA-ceramic parts by 5∼22 %, 12–19 % and 24–47 %, respectively. This novel Y 2 O 3 content adjustment method is feasible for the industrial level mass production of anti-erosion wear high-performance ZTA parts, promoting the industrial development and wider application of erosion-resistant ceramic parts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT This study presents the development of a small electric vehicle (EV) traction drive motor using Fe‐based amorphous laminated cores that can be mass produced. The following innovative technologies are developed to realize the amorphous laminated core: (1) production technology for thicker amorphous alloy foils to reduce the number of machining operations and (2) punching press technology for amorphous alloy foils that improves the usability of the tool life and maintains quality. The interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM) using the amorphous laminated core is designed to be compatible with a 4.5‐kW‐class small EV traction drive with high efficiency while satisfying the required torque characteristics. A prototype of the designed IPMSM was manufactured and evaluated. The test machine achieves a maximum efficiency of 98.7% and a wide range of efficiencies exceeding 97%. Additionally, the prototype motor exhibit improved efficiency in all operating points compared with a prototype manufactured using an electrical steel sheet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study demonstrates fully solution‐processed polymeric multilayer piezoelectric devices. The key challenge, the effective control of the redissolution issue that will cause severe electrical shorting and inconsistent piezoelectric output, is overcome by searching for and using a solvent that offers adequate solubility but extremely slow dissolution for the piezoelectric polymer. The solvent screening methodology is established and demonstrated. The process parameters is systematically optimized to maximize the piezoelectric performance of the multilayer devices. The multilayer devices can output a high charge density of 376 µC m−2, even higher than the record charge density of 250 µC m−2 achieved by traditional contact electrification‐based triboelectric nanogenerators operated in ambient air. The crucial factors for increasing device fabrication yield, namely resistance to short circuits and poling‐induced breakdown, are analyzed. The potential of multilayer devices in practical applications is demonstrated using a five‐layer device as a direct power source and energy harvester. More importantly, the process developed here is transferrable for cost‐effective high‐throughput roll‐to‐roll production. This work thus lays the foundation for the mass production of polymeric multilayer piezoelectric devices and paves the way for their future commercialization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diagrams demonstrating principles of formal arrangement (what is commonly called composition or design) were pervasive in the production and interpretation of pictorial art in the United States throughout the first half of the twentieth century. This essay surveys three of the most influential: a Japan-inspired design manual written by art educator Arthur Dow and first published in 1899; a WWI-era proportional scheme devised by illustrator and amateur classical archeologist Jay Hambidge, and a series of essays from 1926 on the ‘mechanics of form organization’ by painter (and, at the time, Art Students League of New York instructor), Thomas Hart Benton. These and similar devices were an integral part of the relentless standardization and self-conscious modernization of artists’ methods modeled on industrial processes of mass production and pursued between the Civil War and the Great Depression by educators and policy-makers interested in establishing the teaching of art in the United States on a more practical basis than that provided by the European academic tradition. Despite their once near-ubiquity and pivotal role in the development of several generations of American modernists, including Georgia O’Keeffe, George Bellows and Jackson Pollock, as described here, these hugely popular devices are almost entirely forgotten today. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we proposed a new optical Mura compensation method that requires only a few Mura detections for all gray levels. We analyzed the characteristics of Mura resulting from process variations in the thin film transistor (TFT) of each pixel and developed a new model using a logarithmic function. The proposed compensation algorithm has been verified with simulation and experimental results. We found that the uniformity of the proposed compensation algorithm at 7G, 24G, 75G, 100G, 150G, and 255G, which required only two image captures, was comparable to those that required five captures. The model improved uniformity from 41.32% to 68.60% at 0.18 nit brightness, demonstrating its effectiveness. Additionally, the method significantly reduces the number of image captures needed from five to two and decreases the image capturing process time from 2183 to 150 ms, saving over 14 times in process efficiency. The proposed methodology demonstrates significant advancements in achieving luminance uniformity in OLED displays, addressing mass production constraints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrocatalytic oxidation of biomass‐derived 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) presents a promising pathway for synthesizing the value‐added chemical, 2,5‐furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA). However, it is still lack of scalable strategies to fabricate electrocatalysts with high activity and selectivity. Herein, a bayberry‐like Ni@Ni3S2 core–shell catalyst is prepared via a spontaneous corrosion strategy for HMF electro‐oxidation. The Ni3S2 shells with abundant electron‐deficient Ni sites facilitate the generation of high‐valence Ni3+OOH active species. Additionally, the in situ oxidation of S2− to SO42− enhances the electron and proton transport capacity. Both high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and density functional theory (DFT) analyses reveal that Ni@Ni3S2 preferentially selects the 2,5‐dicarboxyfurylfuran (DFF) pathway due to the lower reaction energy barrier from HMF to DFF, and the rate‐determining step of DFF oxidation to generate 5‐formylfuran‐2‐carboxylic acid (FFCA) is significantly accelerated. Consequently, the yield of FDCA and Faraday efficiency are found to be 99.20% and 99.35%, respectively, and they still reach 88.79% and 90.33% after ten cycles, showing excellent stability. Moreover, a mass production of 13.97 g Ni@Ni3S2 is successfully synthesized using the spontaneous corrosion strategy. This work offers a valuable reference for designing scalable and high‐performance catalysts by manipulating reaction routes to achieve efficient biomass conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metasurface‐based flat optics has a great potential to replace conventional bulky and heavy optical elements, consistent with the trend of miniaturizing optical elements. One of the trends is to broaden the operating area of the metasurface. The previous approaches are focused on expanding the metasurface area, which has intrinsic manufacturing and optical limitations. Here, this work presents the fabrication of wafer‐scale metalens arrays, and demonstrates the Gabor superlens composed of the metalens arrays, which behaves optically like a large lens system. A pair of fabricated 8‐inch‐sized metalens arrays are used to float the large‐area display, producing a real image in the air. This superlens is easily manufactured in a high‐throughput and cost‐effective manner using an argon fluoride dry scanner and a single reticle. Their capability for diffraction‐limited focusing and imaging is demonstrated. Considering the groundbreaking nature of imaging a large‐area display through the metalens arrays, this work shows a great potential for scaling up the optical display systems in a simple manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, N‐polar GaN/AlGaN/AlN high‐electron‐mobility transistors (HEMTs) have been demonstrated using molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). However, the MBE method is not suitable for mass production because of the need for ultrahigh vacuum, small chamber size, and long deposition time. This study fabricates N‐polar GaN‐ or AlGaN‐channel HEMTs on AlN with polarization directions opposite to those of Ga‐polar GaN‐based HEMTs without any cap layer and demonstrates field‐effect transistor static characteristics. In this article, the focus is on the crystal quality of the underlying layer and the effect of crystalline quality on electrical properties is investigated. The crystalline quality of the twist component of the N‐polar AlN layer is improved by combining the Al‐polar tiny‐pit layer and polarity inversion from Al‐ to N‐polar. Finally, it is shown that the crystalline quality of the twist component is a crucial factor for improving the electron mobility of the N‐polar GaN channel and simultaneously increasing IDS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large‐diameter, single‐crystalline aluminum nitride (AlN) substrates are sought for growth of AlGaN‐based devices. A combination of high crystalline perfection and optical transparency is desired for UV‐C emitter applications. A mapping analysis of 2‐in. AlN substrates grown by physical vapor transport is performed to study the within‐wafer uniformity of structural and optical properties. Substrates with spatially uniform crystalline perfection and UV‐C absorption coefficients, as determined by typical X‐ray rocking curve widths below 15 arcsec and 4.68 eV absorption coefficients below 20 cm−1, are shown. These findings demonstrate a robust mass production process for high‐quality, 2 in. AlN substrates possessing uniform structural and UV optical properties, making them highly suited for growth of next‐generation, AlGaN‐based devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), specifically poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (P(3HB-co-3HHx), PHBHHx) with physical properties governed by the 3-hydroxyhexanoate (3HHx) mole fraction, is a promising bioplastic. Although engineered strains used to produce P(3HB-co-3HHx) with various 3HHx mole contents and fermentation techniques have been studied, mass production with specific 3HHx fractions and monomers depends on the batch, supply of substrates, and strains, resulting in the time-consuming development of strains and complex culture conditions for P(3HB-co-3HHx). To overcome these limitations, we blended poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [(P(3HB), produced from C. necator H16] and P(3HB-co-20 mol%3HHx) [from C. necator 2668/pCB81] to prepare films with various 3HHx contents. We evaluated the molecular weight and physical, thermal, and mechanical properties of these films and confirmed the influence of the 3HHx monomer content on the mechanical and thermal properties as well as degradability of the blended P(3HB-co-3HHx) films containing various 3HHx mole fractions, similar to that of original microbial-based P(3HB-co-3HHx). Moreover, the degradation rate analyzed via Microbulbifer sp. was >76% at all blending ratios within 2 days, whereas a weaker effect of the 3HHx mole fraction of the blended polymer on degradation was observed. P(3HB-co-3HHx) could be produced via simple blending using abundantly produced P(3HB) and P(3HB-co-20 mol%HHx), and the resulting copolymer is applicable as a biodegradable plastic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, third-generation solar cells have experienced a remarkable growth in efficiency, making them a highly promising alternative energy solution. Currently, high-efficiency solar cells often use top electrodes fabricated by thermal evaporation, which rely on high-cost and high energy-consumption vacuum equipment, raising significant concerns for mass production. This study develops a method for fabricating silver electrodes using the screen-printing process, aiming to achieve solar cell production through an all-solution coating process. By selecting appropriate blocking-layer materials and optimizing the process, we have achieved device efficiencies for organic photovoltaics (OPVs) with screen-printed silver electrodes comparable to those with silver electrodes fabricated by thermal evaporation. Furthermore, we developed a method to cure the silver ink using near-infrared (NIR) annealing, significantly reducing the curing time from 30 min with hot air annealing to just 5 s. Additionally, by employing sheet-to-sheet (S2S) slot-die coating, we scaled up the device area and completed module development, successfully verifying stability in ambient air. We have also extended the application of screen-printed silver electrodes to perovskite solar cells (PSCs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glass constructions at the turn of the century The period of high modernism (ca. 1880–1970) goes hand in hand with technical developments of the industrial revolution, which leads from handicraft production to the industrial mass production of glass. The further development of manufacturing processes and the dimensions and qualities of the glass panes now available had a considerable influence on the development of glass constructions and profiles. Using selected examples, this article traces the development of flat glass applications from 1880 to 1920 in order to demonstrate changes in glass construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The insensitivity of thermoelectric (TE) performance to defects and impurities induced by off‐stoichiometry or low‐purity raw elements is crucial for the low‐cost mass production of highly efficient TE materials. Here it is demonstrated that heavy‐band TE materials with high optimized carrier concentration can exhibit a high tolerance against the off‐stoichiometry in their composition. Using the heavy‐band half‐Heusler compounds as examples, it is found that for ZrNiSn with optimal carrier concentration, the off‐stoichiometry of the nominal composition in between ±5% only results in a fluctuation of its peak zT value less than 10%. A composition‐zT phase diagram is thus established, guiding the exploration of a wide nominal composition region with peak zT values exceeding 1.0. The high defect tolerance observed in heavy‐band TE materials enables the achievement of high TE performance using low‐purity raw elements. As demonstrated in several systems, including n‐type ZrNi(Sn, Sb), (Zr, Nb)CoSb, and p‐type ZrCo(Sb, Sn), comparable zT values are attained when utilizing low‐purity raw elements (≈99.5%), instead of the high‐purity ones (99.95–99.999%), leading to substantial cost saving. These findings highlight the importance of understanding defect tolerance in TE materials, which could offer an additional advantage for their practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The manufacturing process of light-curing additive manufacturing leads to the inevitable presence of steps on the surface of the produced models, which affects the surface quality of the product. In the context of mass production, evaluating the surface quality of a model requires a large number of experimental samples to obtain data, which leads to material waste and extended production cycles. To facilitate the acquisition of surface feature data of a solid model, a digital twin system is proposed in this study. The system is specifically applied to light-curing additive manufacturing to generate a digital model with the surface features of a solid model. It aims to realize the replacement of the solid model with a virtual model for surface quality inspection. To realize the concept of generating high-fidelity digital models, a digital twin light-curing molding process was designed. It simulates the principle of light-curing molding and generates a digital model containing the surface features of a solid product based on the slice profile data. Case studies are conducted to build a digital twin system for the liquid crystal display light-curing additive manufacturing molding process to verify the feasibility of the proposed scheme and the fidelity of the digital model. The results of the comparison test between the digital model and the solid model show that the digital model produced by the digital twin system of the LCD light-curing additive manufacturing molding process contains the key features of the solid model. The digital model serves as the foundational data to verify whether the physical model meets the requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid water electrolysis offers a groundbreaking approach to energy‐saving hydrogen production by utilizing thermodynamically favorable and value‐added reactions to replace sluggish anodic oxygen evolution in overall water splitting. However, numerous anodic processes generate intermediates or products incompatible with aqueous environments, thereby degrading anodic performance to limit the efficiency and durability of hybrid water electrolysis. Herein, this difficulty is addressed by applying anodic mass transport intensification in conjunction with catalyst engineering, realizing a long‐lasting hybrid seawater electrolysis coupling sulfion oxidation reaction (SOR) for efficient hydrogen production below 1.2 V at an industrial‐level current density of 500 mA cm−2. An exceptional longevity of 2000 h is achieved for the electrolysis by eliminating anode passivation by sulfur deposition during SOR, a general concern in the sulfur‐involved industrial sector. This technology cut the electricity expense of hydrogen production to 2.80 kWh m−3 H2, undercutting alkaline water electrolysis by 34.9–51.1%. Simultaneously, fast upcycling of sulfion pollutants to value‐added sulfur is achieved to add additional economic and environmental profits, enabling hydrogen production at a midpoint expense ($ 0.93) of the United States Department of Energy's 2026 target ($ 2.0) for the cost per gallon of gasoline‐equivalent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphene electrodes draw considerable attention in solar‐blind ultraviolet (SBUV) detection owing to their unique features including high ultraviolet (UV) transparency and superior intrinsic carrier mobilities. However, their adoption comes with challenges, as the most commonly used preparation technique, i.e., the dry transfer process, is challenging to achieve mass production. In this work, graphene/β‐Ga2O3 heterojunction photodetectors processed by wet transfer are reported. Benefiting from the UV‐transparent electrode and heterojunction, both the responsivity and response speed are improved. The characteristic of the graphene/β‐Ga2O3 interface is analyzed by the current–voltage (I–V) and capacitance–voltage (C–V) curves, featuring a high‐quality junction. Operated at zero bias, the photodetector exhibits a low dark current of less than 1 pA and a high response speed of less than 1 ms. An excellent UV‐C/visible rejection ratio is also achieved. Importantly, the photodetector performs excellent reproducibility and performance stability. This results provide a new perspective for the mass production of graphene/Ga2O3 integrated devices, enabling high‐performance Ga2O3 photodetector arrays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silicon‐based on‐chip broadband surface‐enhanced infrared absorption (SEIRA) is highly desired for integrated micromolecular detection systems, taking advantages of CMOS mass production, low cost, high sensitivity, etc. However, the silicon platform is difficult to operate in the mid‐infrared wavelength region above 4 µm where abundant fingerprint characteristics of biomolecules are located, because of the strong absorptions in silicon dioxide cladding above 4 µm. Here, a large‐core rib silicon waveguide‐integrated gradient nanoantenna array is proposed for broadband long‐wave infrared biomolecular detection. It is shown that Low loss propagation of light in the long‐wave infrared region up to 7 µm (1428 cm−1) in silicon photonics can be achieved while avoiding complex fabrication techniques. A gradient nanoantenna array is designed on the waveguide to achieve broadband enhancement from 5 to 7 µm (1428–2000 cm−1). Laser spectroscopy of bovine serum albumin on the chip is demonstrated, showing enhancement of absorbance by approximately ten times over laser transmission spectroscopy in the amide bands. Such a platform opens up a new horizon of silicon‐based on‐chip SEIRA biomolecular detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium‐sulfur batteries offer high energy density but face great safety and cycle life challenges due to the use of Li metal anode. Replacing the Li metal anode with pre‐lithiated carbon anodes can thoroughly address cycling stability and safety issues. Directly contacting Li foil with graphite electrode is one of the most efficient and simple strategy to introduce a high content of lithium source into the sulfur‐carbon full batteries. However, the 100% lithiation of the graphite anode through the direct contact method generates excessive heat and stress heterogeneity, which leads to electrode structure cracking and electrochemical properties fading. This study implements a double‐layer anode to mitigate these issues. A thin layer of hard carbon placed between graphite and Cu foil limits heat generation and stress heterogeneity due to its structural and electrochemical stability. Additionally, differing from traditional electrochemical lithiation, this method gains better solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) for the graphite anode after several cycles. This research highlights the mass production potential of coupling high energy density lithium source‐free cathode materials with various lithium source‐free anodes for constructing long‐cycle and high‐safety rechargeable batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The augmentative release of the parasitoid species Anastatus japonicus Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae) is essential for managing the recent invasion of litchi stink bugs (Tessaratoma papillosa (Drury)) (Hemiptera: Tessaratomidae) in Taiwan. The mass release program in the spring targets this univoltine pest's reproduction cycle. Low-temperature storage for the host eggs and parasitoids is required to maximize the production for the annual release program. This study aimed to enhance the shelf life of Samia cynthia (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) eggs using the combination of refrigeration and individual quick freezing (IQF) as a storage treatment. Storage of A. japonicus in the IQF-treated S. cynthia eggs was evaluated to determine the optimal production process during the short preparation window before the release. Results: The influences of cold storage and IQF treatment on the host eggs were evaluated for different storage durations. The host quality was determined according to the emergence rate and female ratio of A. japonicus. The study's results demonstrated that the host quality of S. cynthia eggs did not change significantly compared to the control group after 28 d of refrigeration at 7 °C. IQF treatment extended S. cyathia's shelf life to 5 months without significantly affecting the host quality. Applying IQF at different developmental stages of the host eggs affected the parasitism rates of A. japonicus. Significantly higher emergence rates of A. japonicus were recorded in the eggs treated during the initial development (D0 to D2). However, storing parasitoids in the IQF-treated eggs under the current storage condition for one month at 12 °C significantly impacted the parasitoid's emergence rate. Conclusions: The results of this study highlight the potential benefits of the individual quick freezing technique. This technique didn't alter the egg quality of S. cynthia, a crucial factor for the mass production of A. japonicus. The IQF treatment extends the shelf life of the host eggs to 5 months when stored at − 20 °C, a significant improvement compared to the 4-week shelf life without IQF treatment. This technology offers a promising and efficient approach for the mass production of A. japonicus and supports field releases. The treatment allowed for the stockpiling of host eggs during the off-season, which can help expedite the mass production of A. japonicus to fit an eight-week production window. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nuclear energy is increasingly being considered for such targeted energy applications as data centers in light of their high capacity factors and low carbon emissions. This paper focuses on assessing the tradeoffs between economies of scale versus mass production to identify promising reactor sizes to meet data center demands. A framework is then built using the best cost estimates from the literature to identify ideal reactor power sizes for the needs of the given data center. Results should not be taken to be deterministic but highlight the variability of ideal reactor power output against the required demand. While certain advocates claim that with the gigawatts of clean, firm energy needed, large plants are ideal, others advocate for SMRs that can be deployed in large quantities and reap the benefits from learning effects. The findings of this study showcase that identifying the optimal size for a reactor is likely more nuanced and dependent on the application and its requirements. Overall, the study does show potential economic promise for coupling nuclear reactors to data centers and industrial heat applications under certain key conditions and assumptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The injection molding process is one of the most widely used methods for polymer processing in mass production. Three critical factors in this process include the type of polymer, injection molding machines, and processing molds. Polypropylene (PP) is a widely used semi-crystalline polymer due to its favorable flow characteristics, including a high melt flow index and the absence of a need for a mold temperature controller. Additionally, PP exhibits good elongation and toughness, making it suitable for applications such as box hinges. However, its tensile strength is a limitation; thus, glass fiber is added to enhance this property. It is important to note that the incorporation of glass fiber increases the viscosity of PP. Multi-cavity molds are commonly employed to achieve cost-effective and efficient mass production. The filling challenges associated with geometrically balanced layouts are well documented in the literature. These issues arise due to the varying shear rates of the melt in the runner. High shear rate melts lead to high melt temperatures, which decrease melt viscosity and facilitate easier flow. Consequently, this results in an imbalanced filling phenomenon. This study examines the impact of runner size, gate size, polymer viscosity, and molding process on the filling imbalanced problem in multi-cavity injection molds. Tensile bar injection molding was performed using conventional injection molding (CIM) and microcellular injection molding (MIM) techniques. The tensile properties of the imbalanced multi-cavity molds were analyzed. Flow length within the cavity served as an indicator of the filling imbalance. Additionally, computer simulations were conducted to assess the shear rate's effect on the runner's melt temperature. The results indicated that small runner and gate sizes exacerbate the filling imbalance. Conversely, glass fiber-filled polymer composites also contribute to increased filling imbalance. However, foamed polymers can mitigate the filling imbalance phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lotus-type porous copper was fabricated using a continuous casting method in pressurized hydrogen and nitrogen gas atmospheres. This study evaluates the effects of process parameters, such as the hydrogen ratio, total pressure, and transference velocity, on the resulting pore structure. A continuous casting process was developed to facilitate the mass production of lotus-type porous copper. To achieve the desired porosity and pore diameter for large-scale manufacturing, a systematic evaluation of the influence of each process parameter was conducted. Lotus-type porous copper was produced within a hydrogen ratio range of 25–50%, a transference velocity range of 30–90 mm∙min−1, and a total pressure range of 0.2–0.4 MPa. As a result, the porosity ranged from 36% to 55% and the pore size varied from 300 to 1500 µm, demonstrating a wide range of porosities and pore sizes. Through process optimization, it is possible to control the porosity and pore size. The hydrogen ratio and total pressure were found to primarily affect porosity, whereas the hydrogen ratio, transference velocity, and total pressure significantly influenced pore diameter. When considering these parameters together, porosity was most influenced by the hydrogen ratio, whereas the total pressure and transference velocity had a greater influence on pore diameter. Reducing the hydrogen ratio and increasing the transference velocity and total pressure reduced the pore diameter and porosity. This optimization of the continuous casting process enables the control of porosity and pore diameter, facilitating the production of lotus-type porous copper with the desired pore structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two‐dimensional (2D) nonlayered metal compounds with porous structure show broad application prospects in electrochemistry‐related fields due to their abundant active sites, open ions/electrons diffusion channels, and faradaic reactions. However, scalable and universal synthesis of 2D porous compounds still remains challenging. Here, inspired by blowing gum, a metal‐organic gel (MOG) rapid redox transformation (MRRT) strategy is proposed for the mass production of a wide variety of 2D porous metal oxides. Adequate crosslinking degree of MOG precursor and its rapid redox with NO3− are critical for generating gas pressure from interior to exterior, thus blowing the MOG into 2D carbon nanosheets, which further act as self‐sacrifice template for formation of oxides with porous and ultrathin structure. The versatility of this strategy is demonstrated by the fabrication of 39 metal oxides, including 10 transition metal oxides, one II‐main group oxide, two III‐main group oxides, 22 perovskite oxides, four high‐entropy oxides. As an illustrative verification, the 2D transition metal oxides exhibit excellent capacitive deionization (CDI) performance. Moreover, the assembled CDI cell could act as desalting battery to supply electrical energy during electrode regeneration. This MRRT strategy offers opportunities for achieving universal synthesis of 2D porous oxides with nonlayered structures and studying their electrochemistry‐related applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two‐dimensional (2D) nonlayered metal compounds with porous structure show broad application prospects in electrochemistry‐related fields due to their abundant active sites, open ions/electrons diffusion channels, and faradaic reactions. However, scalable and universal synthesis of 2D porous compounds still remains challenging. Here, inspired by blowing gum, a metal‐organic gel (MOG) rapid redox transformation (MRRT) strategy is proposed for the mass production of a wide variety of 2D porous metal oxides. Adequate crosslinking degree of MOG precursor and its rapid redox with NO3− are critical for generating gas pressure from interior to exterior, thus blowing the MOG into 2D carbon nanosheets, which further act as self‐sacrifice template for formation of oxides with porous and ultrathin structure. The versatility of this strategy is demonstrated by the fabrication of 39 metal oxides, including 10 transition metal oxides, one II‐main group oxide, two III‐main group oxides, 22 perovskite oxides, four high‐entropy oxides. As an illustrative verification, the 2D transition metal oxides exhibit excellent capacitive deionization (CDI) performance. Moreover, the assembled CDI cell could act as desalting battery to supply electrical energy during electrode regeneration. This MRRT strategy offers opportunities for achieving universal synthesis of 2D porous oxides with nonlayered structures and studying their electrochemistry‐related applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

I-line stepper is widely used in large scale device manufacturing with limited achievable critical dimension by itself. With the aid of the spacer sidewall, the critical dimension can be further shrunk down. Spacer sidewall aided process necessitates an additional deposition-etching process, which inevitably results in process related damage under the gate. This paper proposes an optimized spacer sidewall aided gate patterning procedure for 0.15 μm GaN High Electron Mobility Transistors (HEMTs) fabrication. The process is proved to be effective in improving device performance compared to conventional sidewall process by keeping first Si-rich SiN passivation layer integrity at the gate edge. Interface trap density (Dit) and mobility were extracted for both conventional sidewall process and the optimized one with different passivation layers at the gate edge, demonstrating a lower Dit and higher mobility using the optimized process with enhanced device performances, such as higher current, breakdown voltage, and stress state characteristics, compared to the conventional process, which is promising for mass production of 0.15 μm GaN HEMTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hygroscopic salt hydrogel photothermal composites and related technology are a promising pathway for water harvesting. However, due to the overly cumbersome preparation process, the distribution of the surface photothermal layer is difficult to control and the photothermal efficiency is low. In this paper, a method is proposed to greatly simplify the preparation process of photothermal layer hydrogels and improve their atmospheric water harvesting performance by constructing temperature‐sensitive interpenetrating networks. Due to the decomposition of some reversible hydrated structures in the network during heating and warming, carbon nanotubes move autonomously to form a layered structure with a photothermal effect on the upper surface, which can return to its original state after cooling and remain stable at room temperature or under solar illumination. Compared with hydrogels with general layered structure or overall distribution of photothermal materials, agar/GG/PAM/CNT hydrogel has faster moisture adsorption efficiency and higher desorption efficiency, and during the 24 h continuous sorption–desorption cycle is capable of achieving high water yield of 2.57 Lwater kgsorbents−1 day−1, superior to most recent hydrogel adsorbents. Simplifying the preparation process while maintaining high efficiency, while greatly improving photothermal performance, paves the way for cost‐effective mass production applications for a wide range of hygroscopic salt‐hydrogel photothermal composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multilevel diffractive lenses (MDLs) has undergone considerable advancements, marked by their exceptional efficiency and diverse focusing capabilities, resulting in their widespread use in optical systems. In recent times, MDLs have consistently been juxtaposed with metalenses, which have experienced swift progress over the last decade. Concurrently, MDLs have continued to evolve, propelled by their distinct advantages, such as cost-effective production and adaptability for mass manufacturing. This article explores the evolution and foundational concepts of MDLs, highlighting the advantages of their circular symmetry in enhancing simulation and optimization efficiency. Furthermore, we present several innovative fabrication methods for MDLs that capitalize on the latest advancements in 3D printing technology. We also show the practical applications and potential future developments of MDLs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silver nanofiber (Ag NF)-percolated networks have been widely utilized in the development of flexible transparent electrodes, transparent heaters, energy-saving devices, and electromagnetic interference shielding materials. Ag NFs with high aspect ratios substantially decrease the number density required for percolation, resulting in qualitatively superior transparent conducting networks. However, the mass production of Ag NFs with high aspect ratios is challenging. Recently, we developed a cost-effective method for the rapid mass production of Ag NFs that involves only two steps: blow spinning a self-reducing solution to generate precursor NFs, followed by heating treatment in air. However, the current utilization of high heating temperatures limits the choice of optional substrate materials. In this study, we investigate the effect of heating temperature on the self-reduction process and explore the possibility of lowering the heating temperature to rapidly produce Ag NFs. We observe that Ag NFs obtained at different heating temperatures exhibit similar microstructures, fiber diameters, compositions, and sheet resistances. In addition, we quantitatively analyze the self-reduction durations at different heating temperatures and examine the causes of failure of the self-reduction process at specific temperatures. The insights gained in lowering the heating temperature will contribute to broadening the range of suitable substrate materials and promoting energy conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diamond plays a significant role in the fields of mechanics, optics, thermology and electronics (such as semiconductors) with its excellent properties. However, the surface quality of diamond affects its application in these areas. Therefore, obtaining high-quality surfaces through efficient polishing technology has always been a focus of diamond research. The main diamond polishing technologies include mechanical polishing, thermochemical polishing, laser polishing and chemical mechanical polishing, among which chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) has the advantages of low equipment operating costs, simple process, and minimal surface damage after polishing. Based on the analysis and comparison of the above polishing methods, this paper focuses on the field of CMP and makes a detailed comparison and analysis of its development history. Although the early CMP technology had certain limitations in process and polishing efficiency, it lays the foundation for the innovation and optimization of the subsequent technology; the application of H2 O2 and its mixtures not only enhances the chemical reaction activity in the process of CMP and improves the material removal rate, but also effectively reduces the surface roughness and improves the surface quality of diamond; the photocatalytic assisted chemical mechanical polishing can enable diamond to achieve a high surface quality, but the equipment is relatively complicated and cannot meet the demand of mass production, which needs further research and optimization. In addition, this paper also predicts the future development of chemical mechanical polishing to provide reference for researchers in related fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although efforts have been undertaken to produce polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) with various monomers, the low yield of PHAs because of complex metabolic pathways and inhibitory substrates remains a major hurdle in their analyses and applications. Therefore, we investigated the feasibility of mass production of PHAs containing 5-hydroxyvalerate (5HV) using δ-valerolactone (DVL) without any pretreatment along with the addition of plant oil to achieve enough biomass. We identified that PhaCBP-M-CPF4, a PHA synthase, was capable of incorporating 5HV monomers and that C. necator PHB−4 harboring phaCBP-M-CPF4 synthesized poly(3HB-co-3HHx-co-5HV) in the presence of bean oil and DVL. In fed-batch fermentation, the supply of bean oil resulted in the synthesis of 49 g/L of poly(3HB-co-3.7 mol% 3HHx-co-5.3 mol%5HV) from 66 g/L of biomass. Thermophysical studies showed that 3HHx was effective in increasing the elongation, whereas 5HV was effective in decreasing the melting point. The contact angles of poly(3HB-co-3HHx-co-5HV) and poly(3HB-co-3HHx) were 109 and 98°, respectively. In addition, the analysis of microbial degradation confirmed that poly(3HB-co-3HHx-co-5HV) degraded more slowly (82% over 7 days) compared to poly(3HB-co-3HHx) (100% over 5 days). Overall, the oil-based fermentation strategy helped produce more PHA, and the mass production of novel PHAs could provide more opportunities to study polymer properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monascus pigments (MPs) have been used as natural food pigments for many years. There is a high demand for Monascus red pigments (MRPs) to enhance color and for antibacterial and cancer prevention therapies in food and medicine. Most MRPs are not water soluble, and the yield of water‐soluble MRPs is naturally low. On the other hand, water‐soluble MRP is more cost effective for application in industrial mass production. Therefore, it is important to improve the yield of water‐soluble MRPs. Environmental factors have a significant influence on the synthesis of water‐soluble MRPs, which is crucial for the development of industrial production of water‐soluble MRPs. This review introduces the biosynthetic pathways of water‐soluble MRPs and summarizes the effects of environmental factors on the yield of water‐soluble MRPs. Acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl‐CoA) is a precursor for MPs synthesis. Carbon and nitrogen sources and the carbon/nitrogen ratio can impact MP production by regulating the metabolic pathway of acetyl‐CoA. Optimization of fermentation conditions to change the morphology of Monascus can stimulate the synthesis of MPs. The appropriate choice of nitrogen sources and pH values can promote the synthesis of MRPs from MPs. Additives such as metal ions and non‐ionic surfactants can affect the fluidity of Monascus cell membrane and promote the transformation of MRPs into water‐soluble MRPs. This review will lay the foundation for the industrial production of water‐soluble MRPs. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for stretchable strain sensors with customizable sensitivities has increased across a spectrum of applications, spanning from human motion detection to plant growth monitoring. Nevertheless, a major challenge remains in the digital fabrication of scalable and cost‐efficient strain sensors with tailored sensitivity to diverse demands. Currently, there is a lack of simple digital fabrication approaches capable of adjusting strain sensitivity in a controlled way with no changes to the material and without affecting the linearity. In this study, parallel microgates‐based strain sensors whose strain sensitivity can be adjusted systematically throughout an all‐laser‐based fabrication process without any material replacement are presented. The technique employs a two‐step direct laser writing method that combines the well‐established capabilities of laser ablation and laser marking, boasting a varying gauge factor of up to 433% (GF = 168), while paving the way for the mass production of nanocomposite strain sensors. Parallel microgates‐based strain sensors exhibit a remarkable signal‐to‐noise ratio at ultralow strains (ɛ = 0.001), rendering them ideal for monitoring the gradual growth of plants. As an application demonstration, the proposed sensors are deployed on tomato plants to capture their growth under varying planting conditions including hydroponic and soil mediums, as well as diverse irrigation regimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline electrolytes using transition metal dichalcogenides is a research area that is not tapped into. Alkaline HER (2H2O+2e-→H2+OH- ${{2H}_{2}O+2{e\ }^{-}\to {H}_{2}+{OH}^{-}{\rm \ }}$) is harder to achieve relative to acidic HER (H++2e-→H2 ${{H}^{+}+2{e\ }^{-}\to \ {H}_{2}}$), this is attributed to the additional water dissociation step that occurs in basic HER to generate H+ ions. In fact, for most catalysts, their HER activity decreases tremendously when the electrolyte is changed from acidic to basic conditions. Platinum dichalcogenides, PtX2 (X=S, Se, Te), are an interesting member of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) as these show an immense hybridization of the Pt d orbitals and chalcogen p orbitals because of closely correlated orbital energies. The trend in electronic properties of these materials changes drastically as the chalcogen is changed, with PtS2 reported to exhibit semi‐conductor properties, PtSe2 is semi‐metallic or semi‐conductive, depending on the number of layers, while PtTe2 is metallic. The effect of varying the chalcogen atom on the HER activity of Pt dichalcogenides will be studied. Pt dichalcogenides have previously been prepared by direct high‐temperature chalcogen deposition of Pt substrate and evaluated as electrocatalysts for HER in H2SO4. The previously employed synthesis procedures for PtX2 limit these compounds′ mass production and post‐synthesis treatment. In this study, we demonstrated, for the first time the preparation of PtSe2 and PtTe2 by colloidal synthesis. Colloidal synthesis offers the possibility of large‐scale synthesis of materials and affords the employment of the colloids at various concentrations in ink formulation. The electrochemical HER results acquired in 1 M KOH indicate that PtTe2 has a superior HER catalytic activity to PtSe2. A potential of 108 mV for PtTe2 and 161 mV for PtSe2 is required to produce a current density of −10 mA cm−2 from these catalysts. PtTe2 has a low Tafel slope of 79 mVdec−1, indicating faster HER kinetics on PtTe2. Nonetheless, the stability of these catalysts in an alkaline medium needs to be improved to render them excellent HER electrocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the construction of the international linear collider, mass production of niobium (Nb) superconducting cavities is essential. In the surface treatment of the Nb cavities, on-site analysis of electropolishing solution composed of hydrofluoric acid and sulfuric acid is desired. In this work, we analyzed the electropolishing solutions containing from 1.0 g L-1 to 10.0 g L-1 Nb by surface-enhanced laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (surface-enhanced LIBS) that needs only a microvolume sample and simple operations. The sample solution was trapped on porous silicon (Si) fabricated by metal-assisted etching (metalassisted chemical etching) through a wiping process. Nb emission lines were detected with low laser energy irradiation (2.0 mJ per pulse) onto the substrate. A regression model was built by partial least squares regression, and the Nb concentrations of test samples were predicted with a mean absolute error of approximately 0.4 g L-1. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report that applied LIBS to the analysis of the highly toxic electropolishing solution. The proposed method would be helpful for the quality control of surface treatment and the efficient use of solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although 2D Bi2O2Se plays an important role in the electronics and optoelectronics based on its in‐plane property, its out‐of‐plane electrical transport behavior remains unclear, especially in fabricating vertical devices with high integration density for novel functionality. Here, a solution‐processed method is developed to prepare 2D Bi2O2Se with mass production (e.g., hundreds of milliliter scale). The out‐of‐plane ferroelectric property of 2D Bi2O2Se is observed by piezoresponse force microscopy and the ferroelectric dipole map atom‐by‐atom at the Bi2O2Se surface, which shows an atomically resolved dipolar displacement of Se ions. The out‐of‐plane resistant switching property of 2D Bi2O2Se is revealed by conductive atomic force microscopy. Moreover, the electric field on the local polarization of Bi2O2Se is addressed by using ab initio simulations, which shows a broken inversion symmetry along the z‐axis of Bi2O2Se. The working mechanism of resistant switching behavior in Bi2O2Se is attributed to the diffusion and shuttle of Se ions. Besides, a controllable wet‐assembled method is developed to prepare Bi2O2Se thin film with centimeter scale and explores its application on photodetectors under 808 nm laser light. This work reveals the unique out‐of‐plane transport behavior of 2D Bi2O2Se, providing the basis for fabricating multifunctional devices with high integration based on this 2D material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Direct-write digital holographic (DWDH) printing is a highly flexible technique for the generation of photoresist masters, which are required to produce the metallic shims used for the mass production of holograms in the security and packaging industries. Here we describe a new type of holographic feature, which can be combined with any other feature printable using DWDH: full-parallax, full-colour transmission masters containing limited animation. We will also describe a technique to print the fringe pattern of each hogel without using a reference beam. By programming the required fringe calculation algorithm on a graphics card using CUDA, we obtain acceptable calculation times. The advantage of using such direct fringe writing is that once again DWDH allows extra features to be written onto a master and combined with other features to produce a stronger security solution. Finally, we present results concerning the use of hogel image dithering to improve the grey-scale performance of DWDH printers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is an historical analysis of the changing editorial strategy of Tafelberg, a South African publisher. It aims to shed light on the culture-commerce divide in South African publishing, the changing cultural and social impact of a publisher specialising in a minority language, and the nexus of editorial philosophies, language and nationalism. The research considers Bourdieu's (1993) conceptualisation of the fields of culture with their associated levels of symbolic, financial and cultural capital, and the notion of poles of restricted and mass production of textual products in its analysis. It was found that Tafelberg has had significant cultural impact in South Africa, particularly with its involvement in the growth of Afrikaans literature and nationalism. Tafelberg is now a smaller part of one of South Africa's publishing giants, and they remain an important publisher of Afrikaans titles, even though their social and symbolic impact has changed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymers are versatile materials widely used in various industries, with significant applications in biomedicine where biofouling on polymer surfaces presents major health and economic challenges. Biofouling, initiated by bacterial adhesion, can be mitigated by modifying surface properties through laser micro- and nano-texturing, an approach that offers advantages over chemical treatments. This study introduces an economical mass production process for textured polymeric components using injection molding to replicate hierarchical textures. Testing revealed that all textured samples significantly reduced bacterial adhesion compared to untextured surfaces across different designs and bacteria types after 24 h of culture. The study examined factors like wettability, nanoscale roughness, and pattern dimensions to explain these outcomes, comparing them with existing studies. Despite all textured samples showing decreased wettability and roughness, these factors alone did not ensure reduced bacterial adhesion. The most effective anti-adhesive performance was observed in surfaces with parallel ridge patterns, which segmented the surface into isolated areas that limited bacterial interaction and hindered micro-colony formation, highlighting the importance of specific surface patterning in combating biofouling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the realm of low-pressure wax injection molding, the cooling time refers to the period during which the molten wax inside the aluminum-filled epoxy resin rapid tool solidifies and cools to a temperature conducive to safe ejection without distortion. Consequently, ensuring efficient cooling is paramount for the mass production of injection-molded parts. However, cooling efficiency is affected by the different coolant media. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of different coolant media on the cooling efficiency of aluminum-filled epoxy resin rapid tools with different surface roughness of cooling channels. It was found that the surface roughness of the inner wall in the low-pressure wax injection mold significantly influenced the cooling time of the molded product. In particular, a higher maximum roughness on the inner wall was associated with shorter cooling times for the injection-molded product. An aluminum-filled epoxy resin rapid tool with parallel cooling channels can reduce the cooling time of the injection-molded product by approximately 14.65%, 11.36%, 7.56%, and 16.50% using a coolant temperature of 15 °C compared with one equipped with a series of cooling channels. Taking the nanobubble coolant temperature of 15 °C as an example, an aluminum-filled epoxy resin rapid tool with parallel cooling channels can reduce the cooling time of the injection molded product by approximately 15.4% compared with one equipped with a series of cooling channels. Taking the vehicle coolant to cool aluminum-filled epoxy resin rapid tool as an example, the parallel cooling channel in the high-temperature aluminum-filled epoxy resin rapid tool demonstrates superior cooling efficiency compared to the series cooling channel, resulting in an average saving of about 49.05% in the cooling time of the aluminum-filled epoxy resin rapid tool. The results of this study have practical importance for industrial applications and support sustainable development goals 7, 9, 10, and 12. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monoclinic VO2 (M) is a material of great significance in the study of correlation effects in solids because of its reversible metal‐insulator phase transition between VO2 (M) and VO2 (R) just above the room temperature. Synthesizing pure monoclinic VO2 (M) can be a challenging task due to the formation of other polymorphs such as VO2 (A), VO2 (B), VO2 (D) and VO2 (P) etc. during the synthesis. Additionally, these synthesis techniques involve complex multistep procedures with protective gas environment and controlled reaction parameters clubbed with elongated reaction time ranging from 1 to 7 days which are major obstacles in the mass production of this material. Here we report a novel and rapid synthetic protocol of VO2 (M) for first time using diethylene triamine (DETA) as a reducing and morphology controlling agent in hydrogen peroxide medium. The detailed characterization of prepared materials confirms the formation of phase pure VO2 (M) crystalline powders. The present approach helps to tune these particles from one‐dimensional rods to two‐dimensional petals like structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manganese (Mn)‐based lithium (Li)‐ion batteries with high energy density and low cost have recently attracted considerable attention. One drawback of Mn‐based batteries is the severe capacity attenuation caused by the Jahn‐Teller effect, which distorts the crystal structure and reduces the kinetics of Li‐ion insertion/extraction in the cathodes. In this study, the Mn valence state is regulated on the surface of Mn‐based oxide particles and oxygen vacancies are introduced to facilitate rapid Li‐ion transport and charge storage by adding succinonitrile (SN) to Mn‐based cathodes. Because of the reaction between SN and Mn‐based cathode particles, the contents of Mn3+ ions and oxygen vacancies increase, leading to an improvement in the Li‐ion kinetic properties of the cathodes as well as a reduction in the dissolution of Mn from the cathodes. By regulating the Mn valence state, Li‐ion and Li metal batteries with LiMn2O4 or Li‐rich Mn‐based layered oxide cathodes show significantly enhanced discharge capacity and improved cyclic performance. This study demonstrates that regulating the valence state of Mn ions is an effective strategy for enhancing the electrochemical performance of Mn‐based Li batteries and that adding SN to the cathodes is a cost‐effective method for mass production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing importance of submicrometer‐structured surfaces across a variety of different fields has driven progress in light manipulation, color diversity, water‐repellency, and functional enhancements. To enable mass production, processes like hot‐embossing (HE), roll‐to‐roll replication (R2R), and injection molding (IM) are essential due to their precision and material flexibility. However, these processes are tool‐based manufacturing (TBM) techniques requiring metal molds, which are time‐consuming and expensive to manufacture, as they mostly rely on galvanoforming using templates made via precision microlithography or two‐photon‐polymerization (2PP). In this work, a novel approach is demonstrated to replicate amorphous metals from fused silica glass, derived from additive manufacturing and structured using hot embossing and casting, enabling the fabrication of metal insets with features in the range of 300 nm and a surface roughness of below 10 nm. By partially crystallizing the amorphous metal, during the replication process, the insets gain a high hardness of up to 800 HV. The metal molds are successfully used in polymer injection molding using different polymers including polystyrene (PS) and polyethylene (PE) as well as glass nanocomposites. This work is of significant importance to the field as it provides a production method for the increasing demand for sub‐micron‐structured tooling in the area of polymer replication while substantially reducing their cost of production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The punching machine is a mechanical equipment that is widely used in leather cutting. To facilitate mass production, both the punching table and layout are designed to accommodate long strokes over a large area. This enables one-time automatic continuous punching of large leather sheets. However, as the punching layout increases in size, it becomes more difficult to maintain the equal distance of the die cutter and table plate. Moreover, the table plate is overlaid with a polypropylene (PP) punching pad that is approximately 25 mm thick. Although it acts as a buffer to preserve the sharpness of the die, it causes cumulative deformation and defects in the die after repeated punching. Additionally, there often exists a height deviation of approximately 1–2 mm between the die and the punching pad at different positions. As the thickness of the leather sheet is often between 0.1 and 2 mm, automatic punching has a few drawbacks; although the leather is cut completely according to the set depth in some areas, other areas of the sheet might be over- or under-cut. This results in excessive consumption of the die or punching pad or generates excessive waste at the locations where the cutting is incomplete. To determine the effective punching stroke for a large layout (1.2 m × 2.2 m), this study proposes the innovative method of using the object packing as the reference to obtain the actual depth of the punching point for each die through automatic search before automated mass production. The results are then recorded in the packing system. In addition, the control delay time of the hydraulic solenoid valve is obtained from signal analysis. This approach enables the adjustment of the punching depth, to punch and cut the leather material successfully in a large layout. Moreover, the depth of the die mark left in the punching pad is restricted to a value between 0.1 and 0.2 mm. This effectively increases the life of the die and reduces the consumption of the punching pad, greatly improving the accuracy and stability of the punching system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Milling-based micro-texturing is an emerging technique that employs mechanical milling to create precise and flexible surface patterns, enabling controlled surface property modulation. With high precision, controllability, repeatability, and mass production, it finds extensive applications in optics, biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, and among others. Herein, this paper systematically summarizes the key contents of micro-texturing technology from the perspective of mechanical milling for the first time. Firstly, the surface texture generation mechanisms are systematically described, encompassing milling forces modeling, texture formation process, and size effect. Secondly, the importance of tool selection and manufacturing in micro-milling is briefly addressed, followed by a detailed classification and comparison of existing milling-based micro-texturing techniques for metallic and non-metallic materials. Subsequently, the design criteria of surface micro-texturing, methods for characterizing its performance, and typical applications of this technology are summarized in detail. Finally, a brief summary and outlook for future work are delineated. This research is expected to facilitate the enhancement of surface performance, the development of functional materials, and the exploration of novel applications in response to ultra-precision manufacturing demands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Direct synthesis of graphene on nonmetallic substrates via chemical vapor deposition (CVD) has become a frontier research realm targeting transfer-free applications of CVD graphene. However, the stable mass production of graphene with a favorable growth rate and quality remains a grand challenge. Herein, graphene glass fiber fabric (GGFF) was successfully developed through the controllable growth of graphene on non-catalytic glass fiber fabric, employing a synergistic binary-precursor CVD strategy to alleviate the dilemma between growth rate and quality. The binary precursors consisted of acetylene and acetone, where acetylene with high decomposition efficiency fed rapid graphene growth while oxygen-containing acetone was adopted for improving the layer uniformity and quality. Notably, the bifurcating introducing-confluent premixing (BI-CP) system was self-built for the controllable introduction of gas and liquid precursors, enabling the stable production of GGFF. GGFF features solar absorption and infrared emission properties, based on which the self-adaptive dual-mode thermal management film was developed. This film can automatically switch between heating and cooling modes by spontaneously perceiving the temperature, achieving excellent thermal management performances with heating and cooling power of ∼501.2 and ∼108.6 W m−2, respectively. These findings unlock a new strategy for the large-scale batch production of graphene materials and inspire advanced possibilities for further applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Injection moulding has been a pivotal technology in the mass production of polymer optics for many years. The surface quality of the moulding inserts exerts a significant influence on the quality of the optics produced. In the production of micro-structured polymer optics, such as Fresnel lenses, conventional isothermal injection moulding is unable to achieve the requisite surface accuracy. Variothermal injection moulding allows for improved surface accuracy and reduced residual stresses, but increases technical effort and cycle times. To reduce the cycle time and residual stresses of variothermal injection moulding, the potential of additive manufacturing of Al-40Si for the fabrication of moulding inserts is investigated. In order to achieve these objectives, the offered design freedom of additive manufacturing is investigated with a view to developing optimised conformal cooling channels. Numerical methods will be used for thermal and structural analyses. The performance of the newly developed moulding insert is evaluated experimentally by thermographic measurements and the measurement of stress birefringence on replicated PMMA samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]