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Topological interlocking assembly (TIA) and computational architecture treat form as an emergent property of a material system, where the final shape results from the interplay of geometries and geometric interdependencies influenced by contextual constraints (material, structure, and fabrication). This paper posits that TIA is an ideal pedagogical tool for introducing students to computational architecture, and its theoretical foundations and design principles. Specifically, defining TIA as a material system provides a robust educational approach for engaging students with computation; fostering design processes through bottom-up, hands-on investigations; expressing design intents as procedural logic; understanding generative geometric rules; and exploring the flexibility of parametric variations. The methodology is detailed and illustrated through a design workshop and study unit from the Bachelor’s and Master’s programs at the Faculty for the Built Environment, University of Malta. Four case studies of TIA—of tetrahedra, cones, octahedra, and osteomorphic blocks—demonstrate how these exercises introduce students to computational thinking, parametric design, and fabrication techniques. This paper discusses the advantages and limitations of this pedagogical methodology, concluding that integrating computational architecture in education shifts students’ design processes to investigation and innovation-based approaches, enabling them to address contemporary design challenges through context-driven solutions.

As one of the lightest structural metals, the application breadth of aluminum alloys is, to some extent, constrained by their relatively low wear resistance and hardness. However, laser cladding technology, with its low dilution rate, compact structure, excellent coating-to-substrate bonding, and environmental advantages, can significantly enhance the surface hardness and wear resistance of aluminum alloys, thus proving to be an effective surface modification strategy. This review focuses on the topic of surface laser cladding materials for aluminum alloys, detailing the application background, process, microstructure, hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance of six types of coatings, namely Al-based, Ni-based, Fe-based, ceramic-based, amorphous glass, and high-entropy alloys. Each coating type’s characteristics are summarized, providing theoretical references for designing and selecting laser cladding coatings for aluminum alloy surfaces. Furthermore, a prediction and outlook for the future development of laser cladding on the surface of aluminum alloys is also presented.

Additive manufacturing technology (AM) is a new type of manufacturing technology based on the discrete-stacking principle and processing component with computer model data. Selective laser melting (SLM) is an important technology in the field of additive manufacturing. With its integrated manufacturing characteristics and significant advantages in the field of complex structural parts manufacturing, it has become a key development technology and frontier direction in the field of aerospace manufacturing. This article reviews the material system and application fields of SLM technology, and mainly analyzes the latest process research of SLM technology and typical applications in the aerospace field. It focuses on the research progress and results of SLM iron-based alloys, nickel-based alloys, titanium alloys and aluminum alloys. While SLM technology is widely used in various fields, there are also many problems and shortcomings, such as many internal defects of forming materials, cracks and deformations of high-performance materials, lack of standard systems, and low compatibility of powder materials. Constraints require further in-depth work in these areas.

Within the framework of a circular economy, we aim to efficiently use raw materials and reduce waste generation. In this context, the longevity of biomimetic material systems can significantly contribute by providing robustness and resilience of system functionality inspired by biological models. The aim of this review is to outline various principles that can lead to an increase in robustness (e.g., safety factor, gradients, reactions to environmental changes) and resilience (e.g., redundancy, self-repair) and to illustrate the principles with meaningful examples. The study focuses on plant material systems with a high potential for transfer to biomimetic applications and on existing biomimetic material systems. Our fundamental concept is based on the functionality of the entire system as a function of time. We use functionality as a dimensionless measure of robustness and resilience to quantify the system function, allowing comparison within biological material systems and biomimetic material systems, but also between them. Together with the enclosed glossary of key terms, the review provides a comprehensive toolbox for interdisciplinary teams. Thus, allowing teams to communicate unambiguously and to draw inspiration from plant models when developing biomimetic material systems with great longevity potential.

Nanodielectrics have been regarded as a class of material system that can provide significantly improved chemical, mechanical and dielectric properties over conventional microcomposites. This is due to the presence of a high volume fraction of the interphase between nanoparticles and polymers. However, precise effects of nanodielectrics are not well understood, leading to difficulties in interpreting the dielectric behaviours of nanodielectrics. In the current work, effects of nanoparticle distributions, interparticle distances, nanoparticle sizes, interphase permittivities and interphase thicknesses on the possible electric field variations within a nanodielectric model have been simulated using Finite Element Method Magnetics (FEMM) 4.2. The results demonstrate that different nanoparticle and interphase configurations lead to different effects on the electric field intensity within the nanodielectric model. Mechanisms leading to changes in dielectric properties based on the observed electric field variations are discussed.

The aim of this paper is to present a critical analysis of existing methodologies, approaches and strategies used to develop materials systems and coatings for uses in extreme environments. The extreme or harsh conditions encompass a large variety of in-service forms such as: extreme temperatures, abrasion, corrosion, impact and radiation that can exist in various applications such as those associated with aerospace and aeronautical engineering, land and marine transport, manufacturing machinery, and even microelectronics products. This article describes how working environment and required service performance of a particular part or structure could affect the choice of materials and surfaces to which it is composed. In addition, the paper explains the relevance that abusive working environments have for industry, especially relating to their costs, being followed by an overview of surface deposition approaches that are currently popularly used to improve performance of mechanical devices that need to combat adverse conditions. Finally, a material system and three kinds of protective coatings that could be used in applications in extreme conditions are described. The critical review is an outcome of the strategic review from the EU H2020 SUPERMAT project which deals with materials and manufacture for the products/structural parts used in extreme conditions.