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Humanity is often fascinated by structures and materials developed by Nature. While structural materials such as wood have been widely studied, the structural and mechanical properties of fungi are still largely unknown. One of the structurally interesting fungi is the polypore Fomes fomentarius. The present study deals with the investigation of the light but robust fruiting body of F. fomentarius. The four segments of the fruiting body (crust, trama, hymenium, and mycelial core) were examined. The comprehensive analysis included structural, chemical, and mechanical characterization with particular attention to cell wall composition, such as chitin/chitosan and glucan content, degree of deacetylation, and distribution of trace elements. The hymenium exhibited the best mechanical properties even though having the highest porosity. Our results suggest that this outstanding strength is due to the high proportion of skeletal hyphae and the highest chitin/chitosan content in the cell wall, next to its honeycomb structure. In addition, an increased calcium content was found in the hymenium and crust, and the presence of calcium oxalate crystals was confirmed by SEM-EDX. Interestingly, layers with different densities as well as layers of varying calcium and potassium depletion were found in the crust. Our results show the importance of considering the different structural and compositional characteristics of the segments when developing fungal-inspired materials and products. Moreover, the porous yet robust structure of hymenium is a promising blueprint for the development of advanced smart materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial 1D and 2D lattices have emerged as a powerful platform for the emulation of lattice Hamiltonians, the fundamental study of collective many‐body effects, and phenomena arising from non‐trivial topology. Exciton‐polaritons, bosonic part‐light and part‐matter quasiparticles, combine pronounced nonlinearities with the possibility of on‐chip implementation. In this context, organic semiconductors embedded in microcavities have proven to be versatile candidates to study nonlinear many‐body physics and bosonic condensation, and in contrast to most inorganic systems, they allow the use at ambient conditions since they host ultra‐stable Frenkel excitons. A well‐controlled, high‐quality optical lattice is implemented that accommodates light‐matter quasiparticles. The realized polariton graphene presents with excellent cavity quality factors, showing distinct signatures of Dirac cone and flatband dispersions as well as polariton lasing at room temperature. This is realized by filling coupled dielectric microcavities with the fluorescent protein mCherry. The emergence of a coherent polariton condensate at ambient conditions are demonstrated, taking advantage of coupling conditions as precise and controllable as in state‐of‐the‐art inorganic semiconductor‐based systems, without the limitations of e.g. lattice matching in epitaxial growth. This progress allows straightforward extension to more complex systems, such as the study of topological phenomena in 2D lattices including topological lasers and non‐Hermitian optics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silicon oxycarbide (SiOC) ceramics have been used to fabricate microwave-absorbing metastructures, demonstrating impressive absorption capabilities. However, SiOC ceramic metastructures with excellent performance require simple fabrication processes and appropriate mechanical and electromagnetic properties. In this study, a solvent-free photosensitive polysiloxane preceramic was developed by blending methoxy/hydroxy polysiloxanes with acrylates, with a ceramic yield of over 60% after curing using a novel two-step ultraviolet (UV)/thermal method. The composition and microstructure of SiOC ceramics can be designed by controlling the preceramic composition. Dense, crack-free gyroid-shellular shaped triple periodic minimal surface (GS-TPMS) electromagnetic metastructures were fabricated using digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing technology. By designing the porosity of the GS-TPMS structure to 51%, an effective absorption bandwidth that covers the X-band can be achieved at a thickness of 3.1 mm. The honeycomb structure, with a geometric density of 0.69 g/cm3, exhibited a high compressive strength of 107.05 MPa. This paper presents an efficient approach for the prompt and customized fabrication of lightweight ceramic metastructures with outstanding microwave absorption properties. • A solvent-free polysiloxane/acrylate hybrid preceramics is developed for 3D printing. • The UV/thermal two-stage treatment achieved cross-linking curing of the preceramics. • Multiscale design of SiOC ceramics for enhanced microwave absorption properties. • SiOC ceramic metastructures with effective absorption in the X-band are prepared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The free vibration analysis of a rotating sandwich conical shell with a reentrant auxetic honeycomb core and homogenous isotropic face layers reinforced with a ring support is studied. The shell is modeled utilizing the first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT) incorporating the relative, centripetal, and Coriolis accelerations alongside the initial hoop tension created by the rotation. The governing equations, compatibility conditions, and boundary conditions are attained using Hamilton's principle. Utilizing trigonometric functions, an analytical solution is derived in the circumferential direction, and a numerical one is presented in the meridional direction via the differential quadrature method (DQM). The effects of various factors on the critical rotational speeds and forward and backward frequencies of the shell are studied. The present work is the first theoretical work regarding the dynamic analysis of a rotating sandwich conical shell with an auxetic honeycomb core strengthened with a ring support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aluminum honeycomb sandwich structure with panels made of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) are widely used in aerospace and other fields. Simulation of the eddy current (EC) testing of the sandwich structure using the finite element (FE) method is challenging as the traditional FE method has difficulties in mesh division and the solution of the algebraic equations. This paper proposes to use the domain decomposition FE method to solve such problems. The top CFRP panel, the aluminum honeycomb core, and the bottom CFRP panel of the sandwich structure and the ferrite core of the coil are placed in different subdomains and the subdomains are meshed independently. This method simplifies the mesh generation and does not require regenerating the meshes when simulating the scanning testing with the ferrite-core coil. In this way, the efficiency of simulation is greatly improved. The EC distributions in the sandwich structure are computed and the influence of defect on EC distribution is analyzed. The C scans of the sandwich structures are simulated. The images of the EC responses to the defects, such as wall fracture, node disconnection, and core wrinkle, are obtained. The simulation results are validated by experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Honeycomb structures have attracted much attention for their excellent characteristics of reducing vibration and noise in recent years. In this study, through band analysis of different ligament structures, we aim to optimize the design of a steel structure that can isolate most of the noise in the 1500–5000 Hz range. The present study examines several different chiral structures. We calculate the band gaps of chiral structures under different geometric configurations and identify the variations in band gaps with geometric layouts. It is found that compared to other chiral structures, the triligaments chiral structure exhibits excellent band gap characteristics. The calculation results demonstrate that enhancing axial symmetry while filling central nodes can effectively enhance the structure's band gap properties. Frequency–response functions of different lattice structures are computed, and the results align with the calculations of band structures. This study then analyzes the influence of the number of periods on the magnitude of vibration attenuation, revealing that under the same number of periods, the wider the band gap of the structure, the greater the vibration attenuation. Both the triligaments chiral structure and the vertical triligaments structure possess ideal band gap widths, effectively suppressing wave propagation. Subsequently, harmonic response analyses and transient wave calculations further validate the accuracy of the band structure and frequency–response curve calculations. Our study results provide a new way to design a sound insulation structure that can isolate noise signals within the frequency range from 1500 to 5000 Hz in engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additive manufacturing enables the production of lattice structures, which have been proven to be a superior class of lightweight mechanical metamaterials whose specific stiffness can reach the theoretical limit of the upper Hashin–Shtrikman bound for isotropic cellular materials. To achieve isotropy, complex structures are required, which can be challenging in powder bed additive manufacturing, especially with regard to subsequent powder removal. The present study focuses on the Finite Element Method simulation of 2.5D anisotropic plate lattice metamaterials and the investigation of their lightweight potential. The intentional use of anisotropic structures allows the production of a cell architecture that is easily manufacturable via Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) while also enabling straightforward optimization for specific load cases. The work demonstrates that the considered anisotropic plate lattices exhibit high weight-specific stiffnesses, superior to those of honeycomb structures, and, simultaneously, a good de-powdering capability. A significant increase in stiffness and the associated surpassing of the upper Hashin–Shtrikman bound due to anisotropy is achievable by optimizing wall thicknesses depending on specific load cases. A stability analysis reveals that, in all lattice structures, plastic deformation is initiated before linear buckling occurs. An analysis of stress concentrations indicates that the introduction of radii at the plate intersections reduces stress peaks and simultaneously increases the weight-specific stiffnesses and thus the lightweight potential. Exemplary samples illustrate the feasibility of manufacturing the analyzed metamaterials within the LPBF process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid development of additive manufacturing (AM) has facilitated the creation of bionic lightweight, energy-absorbing structures, enabling the implementation of more sophisticated internal structural designs. For protective structures, the utilization of artificially controlled deformation patterns can effectively reduce uncertainties arising from random structural damage and enhance deformation stability. This paper proposed a bionic corrugated lightweight honeycomb structure with controllable deformation. The force on the onset state of deformation of the overall structure was investigated, and the possibility of controlled deformation in the homogeneous structure was compared with that in the corrugated structure. The corrugated structures exhibited a second load-bearing capacity wave peak, with the load-bearing capacity reaching 60.7% to 117.29% of the first load-bearing peak. The damage morphology of the corrugated structure still maintained relative integrity. In terms of energy absorption capacity, the corrugated lightweight structure has a much stronger energy absorption capacity than the homogeneous structure due to the second peak of the load carrying capacity. The findings of this study suggested that the combination of geometric customization and longitudinal corrugation through additive manufacturing offers a promising approach for the development of high-performance energy-absorbing structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the limitations of the Kramers-Kronig relationship, how to achieve ultra-wide effective absorption bandwidth remains a challenge for typical magnetic-dielectric absorbers. In the present work, we have explored the possibility of obtaining ultra-wide absorption bandwidth in FeSiAl composites with help of efficient electromagnetic (EM) simulation software-Computer Simulation Technology (CST). Flaky FeSiAl powders covered by CeO 2 have been prepared, in which EM parameters can be tuned by filling ratio of FeSiAl/CeO 2 in FeSiAl/CeO 2 -paraffin composites. The filling ratio has an effect on impedance matching and EM parameters by the arrangement of particles in the paraffin. The composite with 30 wt% flaky FeSiAl/CeO 2 achieves an effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of 6.48 GHz and the optimal microwave absorption efficiency of 1499.3 dB GHz/(wt%⋅m) at 1.9 mm. Integrated with a macroscale honeycomb structural design, the FeSiAl/CeO 2 composites based metastructure exhibits broadband microwave absorption with an EAB of 14.224 GHz covering from 3.776 GHz to 18 GHz and reflection loss of-65.61 dB at 8.5 GHz. The excellent performances of the designed absorber are ascribed to multiple loss by integrating EM parameters of flaky FeSiAl/CeO 2 and the geometry parameters of honeycomb metasrtucture. The present work makes flaky FeSiAl/CeO 2 composites possible to achieve broadband microwave absorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Machining of Nomex honeycomb composite (NHC) structures is of critical importance in manufacturing parts to the specifications required in the aerospace industry. However, the special characteristics of the Nomex honeycomb structure, including its composite nature and complex geometry, require a specific machining approach to avoid cutting defects and ensure optimal surface quality. To overcome this problem, this research suggests the adoption of RUM technology, which involves the application of ultrasonic vibrations following the axis of revolution of the UCK cutting tool. To achieve this objective, a three-dimensional finite element numerical model of Nomex honeycomb structure machining is developed with the Abaqus/Explicit software, 2017 version. Based on this model, this research examines the impact of vibration amplitude on the machinability of this kind of structure, including cutting force components, stress and strain distribution, and surface quality as well as the size of the chips. In conclusion, the results highlight that the use of ultrasonic vibrations results in an important reduction in the components of the cutting force by up to 42%, improves the quality of the surface, and decreases the size of the chips. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A modified 3D re-entrant honeycomb is designed and fabricated utilizing Laser Cladding Deposition (LCD) technology, the mechanical properties of which are systematically investigated by experimental and finite element (FE) methods. Firstly, the influences of honeycomb angle on localized deformation and the response of force are studied by an experiment. Experimental results reveal that the honeycomb angles have a significant effect on deformation and force. Secondly, a series of numerical studies are conducted to analyze stress characteristics and energy absorption under different angles (α) and velocities (v). It is evident that two variables play an important role in stress and energy. Thirdly, response surface methodology (RSM) and the Non-Dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II) are implemented with high precision to solve multi-objective optimization. Finally, the final compromise solution is determined based on the fitness function, with an angle of 49.23° and an impact velocity of 16.40 m/s. Through simulation verification, the errors of energy absorption (EA) and peak crush stress (PCS) are 9.26% and 0.4%, respectively. The findings of this study offer valuable design guidance for selecting the optimal design parameters under the same mass conditions to effectively enhance the performance of the honeycomb. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nomex honeycomb composites (NHCs) are commonly used in various industrial sectors such as aerospace and automotive sectors due to their excellent material properties. However, when machining this type of structure, problems can arise due to significant cutting forces and unwanted cell vibrations. In order to remedy these shortcomings, this study proposes to integrate RUM (rotary ultrasonic machining) technology, which consists of applying ultrasonic vibrations along the axis of rotation of the cutter. To fully understand the milling process by ultrasonic vibrations of the NHC structure, a 3D numerical finite element model is developed using Abaqus/Explicit software. The results of the comparative analysis between the components of the simulated cutting forces and those from the experiment indicate a close agreement between the developed model and the experimental results. Based on the developed numerical model, this study comprehensively analyzes the influence of the ultrasonic vibration amplitude on various aspects, such as stress distribution in the cutting zone, chip size, the quality of the machined surface and the components of the cutting force. Ultimately, the results demonstrate that the application of ultrasonic vibrations leads to a reduction of up to 50% in the components of the cutting force, as well as an improvement in the quality of the machined surface and a reduction in the size of chips. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stereolithography has been used to create ceramic parts with complex geometry that is difficult to achieve with conventional fabrication techniques. This study used stereolithography to print silica honeycomb structures with a commercial Formlabs Form2 printer. The printed samples were sintered at different temperatures, and the print shape was retained up to 1300°C, but significant distortion from partial melting occurred at 1400°C. Higher sintering temperatures lead to more shrinkage, but it is non‐uniform among directions, with the open cell plane shrinking more than the dense plane of the sample. As expected, the density of samples also increases with the sintering temperature. At higher sintering temperatures, there is an increase in cristobalite and a decrease in quartz, tridymite, and amorphous silica. Regarding mechanical properties, the out‐of‐plane compressive strength is approximately one order of magnitude higher than the in‐plane compressive strength. When compressed along the out‐of‐plane direction, the samples sintered at lower temperatures surprisingly exhibit higher strength, which is explained by the micro‐cracking mechanism. As expected, the samples sintered at higher temperatures display higher strength when compressed along the in‐plane direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A non-pneumatic tire (NPT) overcomes the shortcomings of a traditional pneumatic tire such as wear, punctures and blowouts. In this respect, it shows great potential in improving driving safety, and has received great attention in recent years. In this paper, a carbon fiber-reinforced polyethylene terephthalate (PET/CF) honeycomb is proposed as a support structure for NPTs, which can be easily prepared using 3D printing technology. The experimental results showed that the PET/CF has high strength and modulus and provides excellent mechanical properties. Then, a finite element (FE) model was established to predict the compression performance of auxetic honeycombs. Good agreement was achieved between the experimental data and FE analysis. The influence of the cell parameters on the compressive performance of the support structure were further analyzed. Both the wall thickness and the vertically inclined angle could modulate the mechanical performance of the NPT. Finally, the application of vertical force is used to analyze the static load of the structure. The PET/CF honeycomb as the support structure of the NPT showed outstanding bearing capacity and stiffness in contrast with elastomer counterparts. Consequently, this study broadens the material selection for NPTs and proposes a strategy for manufacturing a prototype, which provides a reference for the design and development of non-pneumatic tires. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamic mechanical behavior and cushioning performance of honeycomb sandwich panels, which are extensively employed in product cushioning packaging due to their exceptional energy absorption capabilities, were examined using a combination of experimental and numerical methods. Several factors, such as maximum acceleration–static stress, cushioning coefficient–static stress, and other curves, were analyzed under various impact conditions. The simulated stress–strain, deformation modes, cushioning coefficients, and other parameters demonstrate consistency with the experimental results. The acceleration, maximum compression, and cushioning coefficient obtained from the experiment and simulation calculation were 30.68 g, 15.44 mm, and 2.65, and 31.96 g, 14.91 mm, and 2.79, respectively. The results indicate that all error values were less than 5%, confirming the precision and reliability of the model. Furthermore, the model was utilized to simulate and predict the cushioning performance of honeycomb sandwich panels with different cell structures and paper thicknesses. These results provide a solid basis for enhancing the design of subsequent honeycomb element structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-dimensional black phosphorus (2D BP) has attracted significant research interest in the field of biomedical applications due to its unique characteristics, including high biocompatibility, impressive drug-loading efficiency, phototherapeutic ability, and minimal side effects. However, its puckered honeycomb lattice structure with lone-pair electrons of BP leads to higher sensitivity and chemical reactivity towards H2O and O2 molecules, resulting in the degradation of the structure with physical and chemical changes. In our study, we synthesize polyethylene glycol (PEG) and glutathione-stabilized doxorubicin drug-assembled Au nanoparticle (Au-GSH-DOX)-functionalized BP nanosheets (BP-PEG@Au-GSH-DOX) with improved degradation stability, biocompatibility, and tumor-targeting ability. Transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy indicate the nanoscale degradation behavior of synthesized nanoconjugates in three different environmental exposure conditions, and the results demonstrate the remarkable nanoscale stability of BP-PEG@Au-GSH-DOX against the degradation of BP, which provides significant interest in employing 2D BP-based nanotherapeutic agents for tumor-targeted cancer phototherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to explore the potential application of hollow glass beads (HGB) compounded with graphene oxide (GO, HGB@GO) to improve the mechanical properties of rigid polyurethane foam (RPUF). This HGB@GO/RPUF composite is considered a potential filler for reinforcing aluminum honeycomb (AH). A characterization of the chemical structure and surface morphology of HGB@GO was conducted, as well as the analysis of its effect on the compression properties of the foam. The compressive strength of HGB@GO/RPUF (4 wt. %) is 146.17% higher than that of pure RPUF. This study also compared the deformation modes of AH and foam-filled honeycomb (F-AH) structure under axial crushing. The interaction effects between the foam and AH were also analyzed. The results indicated that the RPUF improves the compressive capacity and deformation stability of the AH through its good compression properties and interaction with the aluminum foil. The use of HGB@GO/RPUF further enhances the energy absorption characteristics of the F-AH. In comparison with the pure RPUF-AH, the total and specific energy absorption of the HGB@GO/RPUF (4 wt. %)-AH increase by 74.65% and 44.98%, respectively. This work demonstrates that the prepared HGB@GO can enhance the mechanical properties of RPUF, and HGB@GO/RPUF-AH is expected to be a desirable energy-absorbing device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Androgenetic alopecia, the most common cause of non-scarring hair loss, is a consequence of the gradual miniaturization of the hair follicles. In the majority of male androgenetic alopecia cases, a patient's history and clinical evaluation may be sufficient to establish the diagnosis, while for women, they should be supplemented with trichoscopy. Methods: The PubMed and Scopus databases were used to collate published studies and to analyze the most typical trichoscopic findings in patients diagnosed with androgenetic alopecia. A total of 34 articles were retrieved after exclusion. Results: The most common features identified using trichoscopy included hair diameter variability (94.07% of patients), vellus hairs (66.45%) and the peripilar sign (43.27%). Others, such as the honeycomb pattern, yellow and white dots, were less relevant. Conclusions: We concluded that hair diameter variability, vellus hairs and the peripilar sign represented valuable indicators for the diagnosis of androgenetic alopecia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary reason for the decrease in power output from the PV array is partial shading. During partial shading conditions (PSCs) PV modules experience a mismatch in current and voltage generated. Also, the power voltage (P–V) characteristics of the PV array possess multiple peaks under PSCs. To mitigate the effects caused by PSCs, the configuration of the PV array is the finest solution. This paper proposes a novel Reduced Cross Tied (RCT) configuration to enhance maximum power output from a symmetrical PV array under PSCs. The RCT configuration has fewer cross-ties compared to the TCT configuration and is applicable to a square array of any size. The proposed RCT configuration along with conventional configurations such as Total Cross Tied (TCT), Series–Parallel, Bridge-Link, and Honey-Comb are validated in simulation and hardware for 7 × 7 and 8 × 8 symmetrical PV arrays under Short and Narrow (SN), Short and Wide (SW), Long and Narrow (LN) and Long and Wide (LW) shading patterns. A comparative analysis is done between the proposed configuration and conventional configurations in terms of mismatch loss (ML), fill factor, efficiency (η ), Wiring Loss, and Global Maximum PowerPoint (GMPP). The proposed RCT configuration is able to achieve GMPP equal to the TCT configuration under the LN shading pattern and on par with the TCT configuration under SN, SW, and LW shading patterns. RCT-configured PV array possesses a minimum reduction of 25% in wiring loss for any array size. RCT configuration applies to a square array of any size.The results replicate the efficacy of the proposed RCT configuration compared to existing configurations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The membrane-type structure that can achieve excellent sound insulation characteristics under lightweight conditions is widely concerned, but it generally involves a small mass block attached to a thin membrane. Although this kind of design can obtain better acoustic insulation performance, the mass block will cause installation and manufacturing issues in industrial applications. This paper presents a multilayer honeycomb membrane-type acoustic metamaterial with an interlayer structure. Similar to the mass block, the interlayer structure makes less sound energy transmitted by varying the eigenmode characteristics of the membrane. Considering the integrated design of the interlayer structure, the issues of installation and manufacturing are solved and the sound transmission loss is enhanced on the fixed overall dimension and small additional mass. The results indicate that the design of interlayer structures can break the bottleneck of ultrathin and lightweight requirements. Meanwhile, the symmetry of interlayer position can lead to the shift in transmission loss valley to a higher frequency, achieving high sound insulation in a wide frequency range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The excellent recyclability of SiC foam renders it an ideal catalyst in the field of photocatalytic degradation, however to further improve its photocatalytic efficiency remains a major challenge in current research. In this regard, a honeycomb-like porous SiC foam was successfully constructed through freeze-drying and polymer-to-ceramic derivation method, with two-dimensional Ti 3 C 2 T x nanosheets anchored on its three-dimensional framework. Their photocatalytic performances were evaluated by the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible-light irradiation. All Ti 3 C 2 T x /SiC hybrid foams show superior photocatalytic degradation capability compared with SiC foam, with a highest removal rate (adsorption and degradation) reaching 94.4% for TSF-4, denoting an increasement of 50.4%. Even after five cycles, the removal rate remained at 91.4% with only a slightly loss of 3%, suggesting its excellent recycling performance. These desirable results stem from the unique structural design, in which the porous structure facilitates the contact between catalyst and pollutant, while the Ti 3 C 2 T x /SiC heterojunction promotes effective separation of photogenerated carriers. This work paves the way for the development of lightweight, efficient and easily recyclable photocatalyst for wastewater purification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the graded hierarchical hexagonal honeycomb (GHHH) integrating gradient design and hierarchical design was fabricated using the 3D-printing technique, and its in-plane elastic properties were investigated theoretically, experimentally, and numerically. Theoretical solutions were developed based on the Euler beam theory to predict the effective elastic modulus and Poisson's ratio of GHHH, and theoretical values were in good agreement with the experimental and numerical results. The effect of gradient design and hierarchical design on the in-plane elastic properties of GHHH was also analyzed and compared. Results showed that the hierarchical design has a more significant effect on Poisson's ratio and adjusting the internal forces of GHHH compared with the gradient design. In addition, it was found that GHHH exhibited higher stiffness compared with regular hexagonal honeycomb (RHH), graded hexagonal honeycomb (GHH), and vertex-based hierarchical hexagonal honeycomb (VHHH) under the constraint of the same relative density, respectively. Specifically, the effective elastic modulus of GHHH can be enhanced by 119.82% compared to that of RHH. This research will help to reveal the effect of integrating hierarchical design and gradient design on the in-plane elastic properties of honeycombs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the shortcomings of concentrated stress, difficult forming, and short service life of commonly used honeycomb ceramic thermal storage materials with square lattice holes, the author has developed a new type of low stress honeycomb ceramic thermal storage material by studying the structure, forming mold, and extrusion forming material of the thermal storage body. The author introduced the changes in specific surface area and porosity of heat storage materials with different geometric structures, and analyzed and compared the structural characteristics of two types of heat storage materials, namely heat storage balls and honeycomb bodies, under the premise of equal heat storage capacity. The trajectory of air-flow in the heat storage chamber was simulated using CFD software, and the pressure loss and centerline velocity changes of different shapes of honeycomb were analyzed. The flow characteristics, pressure distribution, and heat transfer performance of gas inside different shapes of honeycomb were calculated. The experimental results showed that the closer to the circular shape, the smaller the pressure loss of the centerline. The larger the equivalent diameter, the smaller the resistance along the path. From the perspective of cold pressure loss alone, regular quadrilateral holes and regular circular holes are the best choices for the shape of honeycomb openings. The centerline velocity of the equilateral triangle hole is the largest, indicating that the smaller the equivalent diameter is, the greater the average velocity at the outlet is. The resistance along the path of the round hole is the smallest, the regular quadrilateral hole is slightly larger, and the pressure loss of the equilateral triangle hole is the largest, which exceeds the round hole by nearly 1/3. Taking into account factors such as heat storage, specific surface area, flow characteristics, and heat transfer characteristics, quadrilateral honeycomb cells are the best choice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to further study the cushioning performance of concave hexagonal cores (CHCs) and expand their application range, the in-plane finite element model of CHCs is established in this paper. A dynamic cushioning coefficient method was proposed to characterize the cushioning performance of CHCs. The dynamic cushioning coefficient curve and minimum dynamic cushioning coefficient (MDCC) of CHCs with different impact velocities and structural parameters are obtained. The influence rules of structural parameters and impact velocities on the MDCC are analyzed; the deformation mode and transformation empirical formula are also obtained. The results show that when other parameters are constant, the MDCC of CHCs decreases with the increase of impact velocity, increases with the increase of wall thickness and side length ratio, and decreases with the increase of expansion angle. The theoretical analysis is consistent with the finite element results, which further verifies the reliability of the model. This paper provides a solid theoretical basis for the industrial application of the cushioning performance of CHCs and forms a key technical support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Materials properties are determined by their compositions and structures. In ABO3 oxides different cation orderings lead to mainly perovskite‐ or corundum like derivatives with exciting physical properties. Sometimes, a material can be stabilized in more than one structural modification, providing a unique opportunity to explore structure‐properties relationship. Here, CoVO3 obtained in both ilmenite‐(CoVO3‐I) and LiNbO3‐type (CoVO3‐II) polymorphs at moderate (8–12 GPa) and high pressures (22 GPa), respectively are presented. Their distinctive cation distributions affect drastically the magnetic properties as CoVO3‐II shows a cluster‐glass behavior while CoVO3‐I hosts a honeycomb zigzag magnetic structure in the cobalt network. First principles calculations show that the influence of vanadium is crucial for CoVO3‐I, although it is previously considered as non‐magnetic in a dimerized spin‐singlet state. Contrarily, CoVO3‐II shows two independent interpenetrating antiferromagnetic Co‐ and ferromagnetic V‐hcp sublattices, which intrinsically frustrate any possible magnetic order. CoVO3‐II is also remarkable as the first oxide crystallizing with the LiNbO3‐type structure where both metals contain free d electrons. CoVO3 polymorphs pinpoint therefore as well to a much broader phase field of high‐pressure A‐site Cobaltites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the model of magnonic crystals (MCs) with honeycomb structure, we propose another model of two-dimensional MCs with honeycomb–kagome structure that is a periodic magnetic composite system composed of Fe, Co, or Py ferromagnetic cylindrical scatterers arranged in the EuO matrix as the honeycomb–kagome structure. The band structures of magnons in these systems are studied numerically by using the plane-wave expansion method. The results show that the Dirac points of magnons will be generated at the Brillouin region points if the scatterers are close-packed, that is to say, the edges of cylindrical scatterers are in contact with each other. The frequency of Dirac points can be indirectly adjusted by changing the radius ratio of close-packed cylinders. In addition, in the case of a large difference in the radius between the close-packed cylindrical scatterers, there will be a magnonic flat band in the band structure, which is a phenomenon of so-called compact localized states different from the impurity state in the crystal, and it is formed by the highly interference superposition of spin waves in the honeycomb–kagome structure. The research on the generation and modulation of magnonic Dirac points and flat bands not only expands the research content of condensed matter topological physics but also provides a promising platform for the application of artificial MCs in the fabrication of spin-wave topological devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMSs) have demonstrated significant potential in lattice structure design and have been successfully applied across multiple industrial fields. In this work, a novel lattice structure with tunable anisotropic properties is proposed based on two typical TPMS types, and their mechanical performances are studied both experimentally and numerically after being fabricated using a polymer 3D printing process. Initially, adjustments are made to the original TPMS lattice structures to obtain honeycomb lattice structures, which are found to possess significant anisotropy, by utilizing numerical homogenization methods. Based on this, a continuous self-twisting deformation is proposed to change the topology of the honeycomb lattice structures to largely tune the mechanical properties. Quasi-static compression experiments are conducted with different twisting angles, and the results indicate that self-twisting can affect the mechanical properties in specific directions of the structure, and also enhance the energy absorption capacity. Additionally, it mitigates the risk of structural collapse and failure during compression while diminishing structural anisotropy. The proposed self-twisting strategy, based on honeycomb lattice structures, has been proven valuable in advancing the investigation of lattice structures with largely tunable mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve the impact resistance of sandwich panels under low-velocity impact, the lotus leaf vein is selected as a biological prototype to design a bio-inspired honeycomb (BIH) sandwich panel. ABAQUS is used to establish and effectively verify the finite element (FE) model of the BIH sandwich panel. To systematically compare and study the mechanical properties of BIH and conventional hexagonal honeycomb sandwich panels under low-velocity impact, the maximum displacement of face-sheets, the deformation mode, the plastic energy consumption and the dynamic response curve of the impact end are presented. At the same time, the performance differences between them are revealed from the perspective of an energy absorption mechanism. Furthermore, the influence of the circumscribed circle diameter ratio of the BIH trunk to branch (γ), the thickness ratio of the trunk to branch (K) and the impact angle (θ) on impact resistance is studied. Finally, the BIH sandwich panel is further optimized by using the response surface method. It can be concluded that, compared to conventional hexagonal honeycomb sandwich panels, the addition of walls in the BIH sandwich panel reduces the maximum deformation of the rear face-sheet by 10.29% and increases plastic energy consumption by 8.02%. Properly adjusting the structural parameters can effectively enhance the impact resistance of the BIH sandwich panel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reactor design requires safety studies to ensure that the reactors will behave appropriately under incidental or accidental situations. Safety studies often involve multiphysics simulations where several branches of reactor physics are necessary to model a given phenomenon. In those situations, it has been observed that the neutron transport part is still a bottleneck in terms of computational times, with more than 80% of the total time. In the case of hexagonal lattice reactors, transport solvers usually invert the discretised Boltzmann equation by discretising the regular hexagon into lozenges or triangles. In this work, we seek to reduce the computational burden of the neutron transport solver by designing a numerical spatial discretisation scheme that would be more appropriate for honeycomb meshes. In our past research efforts, we have set up interesting discretisation schemes in the finite element setting in 2D, and we wish to extend them to 3D geometries that are prisms with a hexagonal base. In 3D, a rigorous method was derived to shrink the tensor product between 2D and 1D bases to minimum terms. We have applied these functions successfully on a reactor benchmark—Takeda Model 4—to compare and contrast the numerical results in a physical setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through the method of numerical simulation, the detection rules of different defect characteristics and the detection effect of detection process parameters on different defects were explored. The optimal detection process parameters for GFRP/NOMEX honeycomb sandwich structure specimens with delaminating, debonding, water accumulation, and glue plugging defects were obtained. Experimental research was carried out to verify its detection effect for actual tests. The result is that the technology under this parameter can get better defect detection effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peculiarities of sintering of foamy ceramic filters based on submicron aluminum oxide powders with additions of titanium oxide and manganese dioxide nanopowders are considered. The processes of removal of polymeric and binder paraffin material during sintering have been studied. The physical and mechanical properties of the obtained porous permeable filters with a foamy structure were analyzed in details. At a sintering temperature in an air atmosphere of 1350 °C, sufficiently high physical and mechanical properties were obtained, which made it possible to use the developed filters as catalyst carriers for vehicle exhaust gases. Bench comparative tests have shown that ceramic filters with a foamed structure are promising catalysts for afterburning car exhaust gases instead of ceramic honeycomb blocks of catalyst carriers. The developed technology allows reducing the sintering temperature of porous foam ceramic filters to 1350 °C and replacing expensive high-temperature ceramic heaters with cheaper nickel-chromium ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: Aligned graphene building blocks take full advantages of the outstanding properties of graphene. Comprehensive review of recent advancements in the utilization of highly aligned graphene aerogels for multifunctional applications. By systematically summarizing the controlled assembly, aligned structural attributes, quantitative characterization methods, anisotropic properties, and multifunctional applications of graphene aerogels, this review enhances understanding of the material's potential for diverse applications, offering tailored properties and novel functionalities. Stemming from the unique in-plane honeycomb lattice structure and the sp2 hybridized carbon atoms bonded by exceptionally strong carbon–carbon bonds, graphene exhibits remarkable anisotropic electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties. To maximize the utilization of graphene's in-plane properties, pre-constructed and aligned structures, such as oriented aerogels, films, and fibers, have been designed. The unique combination of aligned structure, high surface area, excellent electrical conductivity, mechanical stability, thermal conductivity, and porous nature of highly aligned graphene aerogels allows for tailored and enhanced performance in specific directions, enabling advancements in diverse fields. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in highly aligned graphene aerogels and their composites. It highlights the fabrication methods of aligned graphene aerogels and the optimization of alignment which can be estimated both qualitatively and quantitatively. The oriented scaffolds endow graphene aerogels and their composites with anisotropic properties, showing enhanced electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties along the alignment at the sacrifice of the perpendicular direction. This review showcases remarkable properties and applications of aligned graphene aerogels and their composites, such as their suitability for electronics, environmental applications, thermal management, and energy storage. Challenges and potential opportunities are proposed to offer new insights into prospects of this material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: Aligned graphene building blocks take full advantages of the outstanding properties of graphene. Comprehensive review of recent advancements in the utilization of highly aligned graphene aerogels for multifunctional applications. By systematically summarizing the controlled assembly, aligned structural attributes, quantitative characterization methods, anisotropic properties, and multifunctional applications of graphene aerogels, this review enhances understanding of the material's potential for diverse applications, offering tailored properties and novel functionalities. Stemming from the unique in-plane honeycomb lattice structure and the sp2 hybridized carbon atoms bonded by exceptionally strong carbon–carbon bonds, graphene exhibits remarkable anisotropic electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties. To maximize the utilization of graphene's in-plane properties, pre-constructed and aligned structures, such as oriented aerogels, films, and fibers, have been designed. The unique combination of aligned structure, high surface area, excellent electrical conductivity, mechanical stability, thermal conductivity, and porous nature of highly aligned graphene aerogels allows for tailored and enhanced performance in specific directions, enabling advancements in diverse fields. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in highly aligned graphene aerogels and their composites. It highlights the fabrication methods of aligned graphene aerogels and the optimization of alignment which can be estimated both qualitatively and quantitatively. The oriented scaffolds endow graphene aerogels and their composites with anisotropic properties, showing enhanced electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties along the alignment at the sacrifice of the perpendicular direction. This review showcases remarkable properties and applications of aligned graphene aerogels and their composites, such as their suitability for electronics, environmental applications, thermal management, and energy storage. Challenges and potential opportunities are proposed to offer new insights into prospects of this material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents continued considerations presented in a prior publication on the development of a model for calculating the bending stiffness BS of cellular honeycomb paperboards, applying the strength properties of paper raw materials used for the production of paperboard and the geometric parameters of cellular board. The results of BS calculations obtained by using the analytical model presented in the prior publication were significantly overestimated in relation to the value obtained by measurements. The calculation error in relation to the measurement value for the tested group of paperboards in the case of bending stiffness in the machine direction MD was within the range from 23% to 116%, and the average error was 65%, while in the cross direction CD, it was within the range from 2% to 54%, and the average error was 31%. The calculation model proposed in this work based on the physical properties of cellular paperboard reduces the error values for bending stiffness in both the machine and cross directions. The value of the average error for both main directions in the paperboard plane was 10%. The method enables more accurate determination of BS in the machine direction MD and in the cross direction CD at the paperboard design stage. In order to validate the proposed analytical model, the calculation results were compared with the results of BS laboratory measurements performed using the four-point bending method and, in order to expand the group of tested paperboards, with the measurement results presented in the prior article for cardboards with different raw material composition and different geometric parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cell array type significantly affects the global stresses in curved honeycomb sandwich panels. In this study, the curved sandwich panels with the out-plane honeycomb core (COP) and the in-plane honeycomb core (CIP) are proposed. Their local impact resistance is numerically investigated using finite element simulation calibrated with air cannon test results. Various impact scenarios including different projectile diameters, different impacting velocities, angles, as well as locations are considered. The performances of the COP and CIP panels with similar overall mass and relative density are compared by evaluating their impact histories and energy absorption properties. It is demonstrated that the CIP panel shows improved impact mitigation and energy absorption property under local impact. However, its overall displacement is significantly larger than that of the COP panel. Based on the impact behavior of COP and CIP panels, the hybrid two-layer structures (HOI and HIO) are designed. It is found that the HIO panel shows an increase in energy absorption of approximately 3% over the COP and CIP panels and a reduction in the overall displacement of at least 28% over the CIP panel. Moreover, HIO configuration with the thinner cell wall thickness of the upper core demonstrates improved impact mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By performing isothermal–isochoric Monte Carlo simulations with depletion force, the author investigated the dependence of the epitxial layer structure on the differences in the particle size between the substrate in colloidal heteroepitaxy. By changing the size of epitaxial particles and performing simulations comprehensively, various structures including the structures observed in a experiment, such as a honeycomb, one created by hexagonal heptamers, and one consisting of both pentagonal tiles and triangular tiles, were created. When the ratio of particle sizes between the epitxial layer and substrate takes a specific value, two types of hexagonal structures were created. One is the hexagonal layer parallel to the substrate layer and the other layer is rotated by 60 ∘ from the substrate layer. The former structure was created over a wide range of particle-size ratios, whereas the latter structure was created when the particle-size ratio was only around the specific ratio, and it seemed a metastable structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to its advantages in terms of enhancing the performance of structures in the desired applications, the bio-inspired design approach has recently attracted the interest of researchers in a number of engineering disciplines. A hybrid bio-inspired design is suggested for the sandwich structures to absorb the energy of the blast loads in the current study. The sandwich structure's core, which often has a regular grid pattern resembling a honeycomb structure, is crucial to how well the panel absorbs energy. In order to achieve the best results, we first chose the structure of the core grid by taking into account potential 2D grids (polygons and multi-pointed stars) through Genetic Algorithm optimization. Next, we combined a bio-inspired bi-tubular thin-walled structure with the core grid to take advantage of its high energy absorption capacity. Finally, the performance of the suggested design is compared with four frequently implemented ones. The results show that the hybrid design has better energy absorption characteristics compared with the bionic and conventional designs presented in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Restricted growth of molybdenum carbide nanoparticles in hierarchically porous nitrogen-doped carbon matrix was prepared, which exhibits satisfactory electromagnetic wave absorption properties. This work enriches the variety of EMW absorbers and offers the route to promote the EMW absorption performance, especially large effective absorption bandwidth. [Display omitted] • MO 2 C/NC composites with honeycomb porous structure was synthesized; • This strategy enriches the variety of high-performance absorbers with mass production; • Bandwidth of 9.6 GHz at 3.5 mm was achieved for electromagnetic wave absorber; • Analysis of the absorption mechanism of MO 2 C/NC absorbers was investigated. With the development of electronic science and technology, electromagnetic pollution is becoming increasingly serious, which urgent people to develop wave-absorbing materials with the features of "thin, light, strong and wide". In this paper, restricted growth of molybdenum carbide nanoparticles in hierarchically porous nitrogen-doped carbon matrix (Mo 2 C/NC) was designed and prepared via a salt-assisted template route and carbonization process, whose morphology and the wave-absorbing properties are regulated by changing the content of Mo 2 C/NC nanoparticles. The honeycomb porous Mo 2 C/NC composites with large specific surface area and smooth surface can optimize the impedance matching and allow the entrance, multiple reflections and scattering of incident electromagnetic waves (EMW), which effective enhance the electromagnetic wave consumption. Meanwhile, the honeycomb cross-linked carbon matrix facilitates the construction of the conductive network and enhances its conductive loss. Furthermore, numerous Mo 2 C/NC nanoparticles dispersed restricted growth in carbon matrix induces interfacial polarization. In addition, the heteroatom nitrogen doping acts as dipole centers to induce dipole polarization under electromagnetic field. The uniquely designed Mo 2 C/NC absorbers show satisfactory EMW absorption behaviors of a minimum reflection loss (RL min) of −61.53 dB at 1.5 mm and an effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of 9.6 GHz at 3.5 mm. This work enriches the variety of EMW absorbers and offers the route to promote the EMW absorption performance, especially large effective absorption bandwidth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design of graded and multifunctional lattice cores is driven by the increasing demand for high-performance components in lightweight engineering. This trend benefits from significant achievements in additive manufacturing, where the lattice core and the face sheets are fabricated simultaneously in a single print job. This work systematically compares the mechanical performance of sandwich panels comprising various graded lattice cores subjected to concentrated loads. In addition to graded lattice cores, uniform lattices and conventional honeycomb cores are analyzed. To obtain an optimized graded lattice core, a fully stressed design method is applied. Stresses and displacements are determined using a linear elastic analytical model that allows grading the core properties in a layerwise manner through the core thickness. The analysis indicates the superior performance of graded lattice cores compared to homogeneous lattice cores. However, conventional honeycombs outperform graded lattice cores in terms of load-to-weight ratio and stiffness-to-weight ratio. This study provides valuable insights for the design of lattice core sandwich panels and the advantages of several design approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of this study were to prepare a high-purity hydroxylammonium nitrate (HAN) solution and evaluate the performance of various types of metal oxide/honeycomb catalysts during the catalytic decomposition of the HAN solution. Hydroxylammonium nitrate was prepared via a neutralization reaction of hydroxylamine and nitric acid. FT-IR was used to analyze the chemical composition, chemical structure, and functional groups of the HAN. The aqueous HAN solution obtained from pH 7.06 showed the highest concentration of HAN of 60% and a density of 1.39 g/mL. The concentration of HAN solution that could be obtained when the solvent was evaporated to the maximum level could not exceed 80%. In this study, catalysts were prepared using a honeycomb structure made of cordierite (5SiO2-2MgO-2Al2O3) as a support, with Mn, Co, Cu, Pt, or Ir impregnated as active metals. The pore structure of the metal oxide/honeycomb catalysts did not significantly depend on the type of metal loaded. The Cu/honeycomb catalyst showed the strongest effect of lowering the decomposition onset temperature in the decomposition of the HAN solution likely due to the intrinsic activity of the Cu metal being superior to that of the other metals. It was confirmed that the effect of the catalyst on the decomposition mechanism of the aqueous HAN solution was negligible. Through a repetitive cycle of HAN decomposition, it was confirmed that the Cu/honeycomb catalyst could be recovered and reused as a catalyst for the decomposition of an aqueous HAN solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a novel approach to synthesizing honeycomb carbon quantum dots (CQDs) from cigarette smoke by a hydrothermal process. A comprehensive characterization of these CQDs, conducted through high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), showcases their unique honeycomb structure, with an average particle size of 6.3 nm. Photoluminescence (PL) in CQDs is a captivating phenomenon where these nanoscale carbon structures emit strong blue luminescence at 461 nm upon exposure to ultraviolet light, with their excitation peak occurring at 380 nm. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis also identifies specific functional groups within the CQDs, offering valuable insights into the mechanisms governing their photoluminescence. Analysis of excitation spectra indicates the presence of both aromatic C=C bonds at 254 nm and C–O bonds from 280 to 420 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an innovative method of constructing energy absorbers, whose primary function is to effectively transform kinetic energy into strain energy in events with high deformation rates. Hybrid specimens are proposed considering thin-walled windowed metallic tubes filled with 3D-printed hexagonal honeycombs made of PET-G and ABS thermoplastic. The patterned windows dimensions vary from 20 × 20, 20 × 30, 15 × 20 and 15 × 30 mm2. Although using polymers in engineering and thin-walled sections is not new, their combination has not been explored in this type of structure designed to withstand impacts. Specimens resist out-of-plane quasi-static axial loading, and test results are analyzed, demonstrating that polymer core gives the samples better performance parameters than unfilled samples regarding energy absorption (Ea), load rate (LR), and structural effectiveness (η). An optimization procedure using specialized software was applied to evaluate experimental results, which led to identifying the optimal window geometry (16.4 × 20 mm2, in case) and polymer to be used (ABS). The optimized sample was constructed and tested for axial compression to validate the optimization outcomes. The results reveal that the optimal sample performed similarly to the estimated parameters, making this geometry the best choice under the test conditions. [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]

A significant challenge in electrolyte-supported solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) pertains to the substantial thickness of the electrolyte, resulting in elevated operational temperatures that hinder commercial viability. In this research, we utilized digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing technology to fabricate ultra-thin honeycomb electrolyte-supported SOFCs and subsequently evaluated their performance. Through the use of ultraviolet absorbers, we achieved a shallow curing depth (60.3 μm), which facilitated the creation of ultra-thin electrolyte samples. We investigated the mechanical properties of electrolytes with various honeycomb structures, finding that the square honeycomb structure exhibited the highest mechanical integrity, with an average failure load of 1.01 N. Finally, we assessed the electrochemical performance, observing a substantial power density of 215.4 mW/cm2, representing a twofold increase compared to the 114 mW/cm2 achieved by the same method in a flat primary cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porous honeycomb mullite ceramics were controllably fabricated in-situ using stereolithography 3D printing. The effects of the dispersant type and content on the rheological behavior of the mullite precursor slurry were investigated. Additionally, the influence of the debinding atmosphere (air and argon) on the quality of the samples and formation of cracks was also studied. The results indicated that oleic acid (OA), 3-glycidoxypropylthrimethoxysilane (KH560), and disperbyk (BYK111) displayed the capability to create low-viscosity and highly stable slurries. Among these KH560 was proved to be the most effective. The mullite precursor slurry containing 4 wt% KH560 dispersants exhibited a shear thinning behavior. It displayed a viscosity of 0.26 Pa·s at a shear rate of 30 s−1. The mullite ceramic parts displayed good a dimensional resolution at an exposure dose of 5.47 mJ/cm2. During the debinding process, the printed parts were susceptible to cracking and deformation in air, but remained devoid of defects in argon. When the samples were sintered at 1600 °C, the corundum phase transformed almost completely into the mullite phase. The linear shrinkage values were 5.81%, 6.33%, and 10.26% in the O-X, O–Y and O-Z directions, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, Al 2 O 3 honeycomb sandwich structures with different core geometries (square, triangular, circular) have been fabricated through an additive manufacturing system based on the stereolithography (SLA) method. The debinding procedure was performed under both nitrogen and air atmospheres. The impacts of the debinding atmosphere and core geometry on the densification and mechanical properties were investigated. The stiffness and flexural strength of the ceramics were examined experimentally using an impulse excitation of vibration technique and a three-point bending test, respectively. The specific stiffness and specific strength of the ceramics were also evaluated, with the core geometries taken into consideration. The outcomes showed that higher densification was achieved when the ceramics were exposed to debinding in nitrogen. The stiffness values were found to be similar for the same debinding condition within the honeycomb sandwich structures, irrespective of the core geometry. Notably, the highest specific stiffness (98 MNm/kg) was achieved for the samples subjected to debinding in nitrogen with a square core geometry. Furthermore, ceramics with square cores for debinding in a nitrogen atmosphere also demonstrated the highest performance in terms of specific strength (110 kNm/kg) within the honeycomb structures. This study demonstrated that Al 2 O 3 honeycomb sandwich structures with square cores may be suitable candidates for lightweight-structure demanding applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel CO2- and H3PO4-modified biochars were successfully synthesized from raw honeycomb biomass. They were characterized via several instrumental techniques. The optimal Pt(II) and Pt(IV) adsorption onto the studied biochars was reached for the initial pH of 1.5 and a contact time of 5 min (Pt(II)) and 24–48 h (Pt(IV)). The highest static adsorption capacities for Pt(II) and Pt(IV) were obtained for the H3PO4-modified biochar: 47 mg g−1 and 35 mg g−1, respectively. The Freundlich model described the Pt(II) adsorption isotherms onto both materials and the Pt(IV) adsorption isotherm onto the CO2-activated material, and the Langmuir model was the best fitted to the Pt(IV) adsorption isotherm onto the H3PO4-activated biochar. The best medium for the quantitative desorption of the Pt form from the H3PO4-modified biochar was 1 mol L−1 thiourea in 1 mol L−1 HCl. The adsorption mechanism of both the studied ions onto the synthesized H3PO4-modified biochar was complex and should be further investigated. The H3PO4-modified biochar was successfully applied for the first time for Pt(IV) removal from a spent automotive catalyst leaching solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Honeycomb cysts (HC) within the alveolar region are distinct histopathological features in the lungs of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients. HC are lined with a single-or stratified layer of basal cells (BC), or with a bronchiolar-like epithelium composed of basal-, ciliated- and secretory epithelial cells. By using cultured IPF patient-derived alveolar BC, we aimed to establish an in vitro- and in vivo model to mimic HC formation in IPF. We (1) optimized conditions to culture and propagate IPF patient-derived alveolar BC, (2) cultured the cells on an air liquid interface (ALI) or in a three dimensional (3D) organoid model, and (3) investigated the cells' behavior after instillation into bleomycin-challenged mice. Methods: Alveolar BC were cultured from peripheral IPF lung tissue and grown on tissue-culture treated plastic, an ALI, or in a 3D organoid model. Furthermore, cells were instilled into bleomycin-challenged NRG mice. Samples were analyzed by TaqMan RT-PCR, immunoblotting, immunocytochemistry/immunofluorescence (ICC/IF), or immunohistochemistry (IHC)/IF. Mann–Whitney tests were performed using GraphPad Prism software. Results: Cultured alveolar BC showed high expression of canonical basal cell markers (TP63, keratin (KRT)5, KRT14, KRT17), robust proliferation, and wound closure capacity. The cells could be cryopreserved and propagated for up to four passages without a significant loss of basal cell markers. When cultured on an ALI or in a 3D organoid model, alveolar BC differentiated to ciliated- and secretory epithelial cells. When instilled into bleomycin-challenged mice, human alveolar BC cells formed HC-like structures composed of human basal-, and secretory epithelial cells within the mouse parenchyma. Conclusion: IPF patient-derived alveolar BC on an ALI, in 3D organoids or after instillation into bleomycin-challenged mice form HC-like structures that closely resemble HC within the IPF lung. These models therefore represent powerful tools to study honeycomb formation, and its potential therapeutic inhibition in IPF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Layered honeycomb magnets with strong atomic spin–orbit coupling at transition metal sites have been intensively studied for the search of Kitaev magnetism and the resulting non-Abelian braiding statistics. α -RuCl 3 has been the most promising candidate, and there have been several reports on the realization of sibling compounds α -RuBr 3 and α -RuI 3 with the same crystal structure. Here, we investigate correlated electronic structures of α -RuCl 3 and α -RuI 3 by employing first-principles dynamical mean-field theory. Our result provides a valuable insight into the discrepancy between experimental and theoretical reports on transport properties of α -RuI 3 , and suggests a potential realization of correlated flat bands with strong spin–orbit coupling and a quantum spin-Hall insulating phase in α -RuI 3 . [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]