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Lennard-Jones potential parameters have been determined for the interlayered interaction in 12 elemental layered crystals. The layered crystals include corrugated borophene, buckled honeycomb structures with elements from the group IV (Si, Ge, and Sn) and group V (P, As, Sb, and Bi), as well as four puckered structures in the aw-phase (Sb and Bi) and sw-phase (P and As). We first calculated the minimal interfacial energy and the interlayer equilibrium distance for two typical shifted stackings, AA and AB, for every bilayer crystal using the density functional theory with a long-range dispersion correction. Then, we use the Lennard-Jones potential and the corresponding derivative to graphically match the calculated adhesion energy and the zero resultant force along the out-of-plane direction, determining the energy parameter and the size parameter for both stackings. The Lennard-Jones model with the obtained parameters can be in good agreement with the first-principles calculations for the AA and AB stackings in describing the relationship between the interfacial energy and the interlayer distance, and the Lennard-Jones parameters for the other stackings are directly determined according to Lorentz–Berthelot combining rules. The parameters can be applied in molecular dynamics simulations for the interfacial effect of elemental layered materials such as mechanical peeling and interlayer friction, as well as stacking formation, and the analytical method can be extended to determine the parameters of the Lennard-Jones potential for the compound layered crystals and the interlayer heterojunction structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tert-butyl functional groups can modulate the self-assembly behavior of organic molecules on surfaces. However, the precise construction of supramolecular architectures through their controlled thermal removal remains a challenge. Herein, we precisely controlled the removal amount of tert-butyl groups in tetraazaperopyrene derivatives by stepwise annealing on Ag(111). The evolution of 4tBu-TAPP supramolecular self-assembly from the grid-like structure composed of 3tBu-TAPP through the honeycomb network formed by 2tBu-TAPP to the one-dimensional chain co-assembled by tBu-TAPP and TAPP was successfully realized. This series of supramolecular nanostructures were directly visualized by high resolution scanning tunneling microscopy. Tip manipulation and density functional theory calculations show that the formation of honeycomb network structure can be attributed to the van der Waals interactions, N–Ag–N coordination bonds, and weak C–H⋯N hydrogen bonds. Further addition of two tert-butyl groups (6tBu-TAPP) leads to a completely different assembly evolution, due to the fact that the additional tert-butyl groups affect the molecular adsorption behavior and ultimately induce desorption. This work can possibly be exploited in constructing stable and long-range ordered nanostructures in surface-assisted systems, which can also promote the development of nanostructures in functional molecular devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Higher-order topological states, as emergent topological phases of matter, originating from condensed matter physics, have sparked a vibrant exploration of topological insulators. Their topologically protected multidimensional localized states are typically associated with nontrivial bulk band topology, and the significant impact of lattice geometry is unconsciously overlooked. Here, we construct coupled acoustic cavities on a two-dimensional honeycomb lattice to investigate the sensitivity of higher-order topological modes to the variations of edge contour. Fractional charge is utilized to accurately predict topological modes with distinct topological orders, in spite of the minimal bulk bandgaps inherent in the honeycomb lattice and bound states in the continuum. It is found that the presence and absence of the first-order and higher-order topological modes in the same topological phase are tightly linked to the sample boundaries, which can be demonstrated by both theoretical analysis and numerical calculation. Our study also discusses potential physical realization of geometry-dependent topological states across different platforms, providing inspiration for the prospective application of topological devices in acoustics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the Full Potential Linear Augmented Plane Wave and the pseudo-potential method based on the Density Functional Theory, we investigate the physical properties of two-dimensional (2D) boron nitride, carbon nitride, and boron carbide as well as their ternary system boron carbon nitride (BCN). The structural and optoelectronic properties are determined and discussed in detail with available theoretical and experimental results. We show that the studied physical properties are influenced and tunable by atom concentration. A high concentration of nitrogen (> 50%) disturbs the honeycomb structure of binary and ternary alloys. Additionally, the optoelectronic properties are very sensitive to the amount of boron and nitrogen atoms. The zero bandgap is only conserved for B3C12N3 and B6C6N6 ternary systems. A large bandgap was observed for B9N9 (∼3.9 eV) and a moderate one for B6N12 and B3N15 (∼2 eV). The coexistence of boron, carbon, and nitrogen atoms with different concentrations has important optical properties as they can absorb light in all spectra. However, they have more active absorption in the ultraviolet than visible regions. It is more interesting to use ternary BCN than binary or pristine alloys with tunable optoelectric properties, by varying the nitrogen content in nanodevices. [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]

Unconventional superconductivity on a honeycomb lattice has received increasing interest since the discovery of graphene primarily due to the similarities between materials with a honeycomb lattice and cuprate superconductors. Many theoretical studies have been conducted on superconductivity on a honeycomb lattice, however, a consistent picture is still lacking. In this paper, we have extended the theory of kinetic-energy-driven superconductivity, which has been developed to investigate unconventional superconductivity in cuprate superconductors, to explore superconductivity on a honeycomb lattice within the t-J model. Our results demonstrate that the charge-carrier pair gap parameter with d x 2 − y 2 + i d x y -wave symmetry exhibits a dome-like shape as a function of doping, with superconductivity emerging at a certain doping concentration and disappearing at high doping levels, similar to what has been observed in cuprate and cobaltate superconductors. Furthermore, the charge-carrier pair gap parameter decreases with increasing the value of J ∕ t (the ratio between the antiferromagnetic exchange coupling constant and the nearest-neighbor hopping integral), and approaches zero when J ∕ t reaches a sufficiently large value. This indicates that the antiferromagnetic order will suppress the superconducting state and a sufficiently strong exchange coupling will completely destroy the superconductivity. Taking into account our present results together with the corresponding results of cuprate and cobaltate superconductors, it appears that the dome-like shape of the doping dependence of the charge-carrier pair gap parameter may be a common feature in doped Mott insulators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigates the impact of different drying methods on the selection of thin-layer drying kinetic models, parameters, and quality for Exocarpium Citreic Grandis. This study investigates the drying characteristics, index constituents content, and microscopic structures of Exocarpium Citreic Grandis slices, subjected to three drying techniques: HAD (at 50, 60, 70 ∘ C), VD (at 50, 60, 70 ∘ C), and MVD (at 1000, 1500, 2000W). A thin-layer drying kinetic model was established. The findings demonstrated that the drying process was primarily dominated by the falling rate phase. When the drying temperature was 70 ∘ C and the microwave power was 2000W, the HAD VD, and MVD took 120, 360, and 20 minutes respectively. By fitting six commonly used thin-layer drying models, it was discovered that the optimal mathematical models for HAD, VD, and MVD were the Page model, the Logarithmic model, and the Page model, respectively. The highest average R 2 values were 0.9963, 0.9965, and 0.9964, and the lowest average RMSE values were 0.01782, 0.01704, and 0.0174 respectively. The effective diffusion coefficient increased with the drying temperature and microwave power, with MVD having the maximum coefficient. As the temperature and microwave power increased, the contents of naringin and rhoifolin decreased. However, the naringin content in MVD was 23.05% and 45.71% higher compared to hot air and VD respectively. The cross-section of Exocarpium Citreic Grandis dried via microwave vacuum exhibited a porous honeycomb structure with uniformly distributed spaces and larger pores, reflecting an expansion effect. The HAD process also resulted in a honeycomb-like structure, but with smaller pores. The VD process resulted in a layered structure with significant cell collapse. Microwave vacuum drying demonstrates superior energy efficiency and product quality compared to hot air and vacuum drying methods. The study finds that microwave drying does not have a destructive impact on the active compounds of Exocarpium Citreic Grandis. To facilitate large-scale, continuous production, microwave drying can be practically applied in industrial processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights Novel Stitched Foam‐filled Honeycomb Sandwich (SFHS) panels have been fabricated using vacuum‐assisted resin transfer molding to address the weak interfaces between the face sheets and the core in the Foam‐filled Honeycomb Sandwich (FHS) panel. The SFHS panels have shown better load‐bearing capacity and performance characteristics compared to FHS panel after Low‐Velocity Impact (LVI) tests. After the LVI test, MATLAB image processing was used to analyze the impact damage areas and failure mechanisms. In addition, Machine Learning regression algorithms were employed to predict the optimal amount of energy absorbed during low‐velocity impact testing of fabricated panels with a maximum impactor drop height of 700 mm. The results indicated that nylon yarn stitching significantly improved energy absorption and interfacial behavior compared to unstitched honeycomb panels. This research also revealed that SFHS1 panels with adjacent honeycomb cell stitching are more impact resistant, provide increased load carrying capacity, and are cost‐effective. These panels can be utilized by modern engineers to increase economy, durability, and functionality in industrial, automotive, and construction applications. Stitched Foam Filled Honeycomb Sandwich (SFHS) panels, manufactured via resin transfer molding, and eliminates weak interfaces between the face sheets and core. SFHS panels outperformed unstitched panels in load‐bearing and energy absorption during low‐velocity impact, as confirmed by MATLAB image analysis showing reduced damage and failure. Machine learning algorithms particularly polynomial regression model predicted maximum absorption energy precisely with 99.9% accuracy, close to experimental results. SFHS panels can be used in automotive and industrial applications due to their through‐thickness stitching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six new coordination polymers (CPs) of cadmium based on an extended anilate-type ligand, 4,4′-(1,4-phenylenebis(azanylylidene))bis(3,6-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxycyclohexa-2,5-dienone) (H2L), have been synthesized. The series of coordination polymers includes [Cd(L)(DMF)] (1), 1D-CP [Cd(L)(dipy-1)]·2DMF (2A) and 2D-CP [Cd(L)(dipy-1)]·DMF (2B), [Cd2(L)2(dipy-2)(DMF)2] (3), [Cd(HL)(CH3COO)(dabco)] (4) and [Cd(L)(ur)2]·(H2L) (5) (where L – deprotonated form of H2L, DMF – N,N′-dimethylformamide, dipy-1 – 4,4′-trimethylenedipyridine, dipy-2 – 4,4′-dipyridyl, dabco – 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane, ur – urotropine). The crystal structure and thermal decomposition of 1D- and 2D-coordination polymers are reported. The structural diversity of the synthesized compounds was found to depend on the additional neutral donor ligands in the cadmium coordination sphere. Thus, the introduction of the flexible N-donor ligand dipy-1 into the cadmium coordination sphere leads to the formation of two types of coordination polymers (1D and 2D). The use of the rigid ligand dipy-2 promotes the formation of "honeycomb" 2D-CPs. The use of shorter N-donor ligands dabco and ur leads to linear derivatives in which the ligands being coordinated by cadmium don't act as "crosslinkers" of the chains in the network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smart honeycombs are becoming the novel structural strategy for next‐generation devices and equipments. Unfortunately, traditional surface‐coating, structural immersing, and 3D printing approaches still face significant challenges in combining structural customization and performance multifunctionality. Herein, a brand‐new processing strategy is developed to construct graphene‐based smart honeycombs by stacking and deploying laser‐induced graphene (LIG) layers with alternatively inserted adhesives. Through tuning key parameters, various LIG‐enabled smart honeycombs (LIG‐HC) can be assembled with scalable areal dimension and thickness, variable cell sizes and shapes, as well as patternable graphene clusters. By further understanding the process‐dependent structural stability and electrical conductivity, multifunctional characteristics are systematically explored, including anisotropic mechanical, electrical, piezoresistive, and electromagnetic performance. To finally demonstrate the unique honeycomb multifunctionally applied in fields of aviation, an intelligent LIG‐HC enabled aircraft‐wing model is representatively constructed for performing anti‐/de‐icing, high‐temperature warning, flame retardancy, pressure and vibration monitoring, as well as electromagnetic shielding and stealth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Honeycomb structures have attracted wide attention due to outstanding mechanical properties as promising light material structures. Inspired by nature and artistic design, various honeycombs with different microstructural configurations have been designed for the sake of better mechanical performances and functions. Here, the Miura-origami reentrant honeycomb (MRH) structure integrating reentrant honeycombs (RH) and Miura-origami structures is investigated systematically. Dynamic impact behaviors of the present MRH structure are investigated numerically. The deformation modes and energy absorption capacity of RH and MRH are compared under different impact velocities, including low-velocity, medium-velocity and high-velocity. The results show that the plateau stress and the specific energy absorption(SEA) of MRH is much higher than RH. Moreover, the parametric study indicates that raising the inclined angle will decrease the plateau stress and the absolute value of Poisson'ratio for MRH structures. The specific energy absorption curves increase as the inclined angle of MRH grows up. In addition, the MRH with smaller dihedral angle can absorb much more impact energy and the variation of absorbed energy is proportional to the cell wall thickness of the MRH structure. This work is expected to provide a new thought for designing advanced energy absorption metastructures and achieving superior mechanical performances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

As a promising energy absorbing structure, reentrant honeycomb (RH) structures have been focus of interest in recent years. By reasonably adjusting the geometric configuration of the honeycomb cell, advanced structures with unique mechanical properties and deformation behaviors can be designed flexibly and novely. In this work, inspired by the composite laminates, a novel laminated reentrant honeycomb (LRH) structure is developed by controlling the orientations of RH layers for achieving excellent energy absorption capacity. Mechanical and deformation characteristics of the proposed structures under static and dynamic loadings are investigated experimentally and numerically. By comparing with single-layer RH structure with the same thickness, the results demonstrate that LRH structures have better energy absorption capacity. The deformation modes of RH and LRH structures are also discussed and it is noted that the LRH structure with ±30° honeycomb sublayers shows zero Poisson's ratio effect. It is worth emphasizing that LRH with 0° and 90° sublayers presents similar negative Poisson's ratio effect with RH by analyzing the equivalent Poisson's ratio-strain curves. In addition, it is found that the latter structure has the best energy absorption capacity when the thickness of single-layer 0° RH structure equals to 5 mm. This work provides a new and reliable thought to design the advanced protective structures under compression and impact loadings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on a novel multi-arc concave cell, four types of thickness gradient honeycomb structures with positive gradient, negative gradient, symmetric positive gradient, and symmetric negative gradient are constructed by changing cell wall thickness, and the relative density of the structure is deduced. The in-plane impact dynamics of gradient structure are revealed by numerical method. The deformation collapse mode, the dynamic response curve, the energy absorption effect, and the platform stress of different gradient arrangement and impact velocity are analyzed. It is found that gradient arrangement and impact velocity have significant effects on the impact properties of the thickness gradient honeycomb structures. When the impact velocity is low, the structure shows laminar shrinkage deformation, but this phenomenon will gradually disappear with the increase of impact velocity. The results show that the energy absorption capacity of the negative gradient structure is the best under different impact velocities. The platform stress is greatly affected by the impact velocity and less affected by the gradient arrangement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The elevator industry is constantly expanding creating an increased demand for the integration of high technological tools to increase elevator efficiency and safety. Towards this direction, Additive Manufacturing (AM), and especially metal AM, is one of the technologies that could offer numerous competitive advantages in the production of industrial parts, such as integration of complex geometry, high manufacturability of high-strength metal alloys, etc. In this context, the present study has 3D designed, 3D printing manufactured, and evaluated novel bioinspired structures for elevator safety gear friction pads with the aim of enhancing their dynamic friction performance and eliminating the undesired behavior properties observed in conventional pads. Four different friction pads with embedded bioinspired surface lattice structures were formed on the template of the friction surface of the conventional pads and 3D printed by the Selective Laser Melting (SLM) process utilizing tool steel H13 powder as feedstock material. Each safety gear friction pad underwent tribological tests to evaluate its dynamic coefficient of friction (CoF). The results indicated that pads with a high contact surface area, such as those with car-tire-like and extended honeycomb structures, exhibit high CoF of 0.549 and 0.459, respectively. Based on the acquired CoFs, Finite Element Models (FEM) were developed to access the performance of braking pads under realistic operation conditions, highlighting the lower stress concentration for the aforementioned designs. The 3D-printed safety gear friction pads were assembled in an existing emergency progressive safety gear system of KLEEMANN Group, providing sufficient functionality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Honeycomb sandwich panels are utilized in many industrial applications due to their high bending resistance relative to their weight. Defects between the core and the facesheet compromise their integrity and efficiency due to the inability to transfer loads. The material system studied in the present paper is a unidirectional carbon fiber composite facesheet with a honeycomb core with a variety of defects at the interface between the two material systems. Current nondestructive techniques focus on defect detectability, whereas the presented method uses high-frequency ultrasound testing (UT) to detect and quantify the defect geometry and defect type. Testing is performed using two approaches, a laboratory scale immersion tank and a novel portable UT system, both of which utilize only single-side access to the part. Coupons are presented with defects spanning from 5 to 40 mm in diameter, whereas defects in the range of 15–25 mm and smaller are considered below the detectability limits of existing inspection methods. Defect types studied include missing adhesive, unintentional foreign objects that occur during the manufacturing process, damaged core, and removed core sections. An algorithm is presented to quantify the defect perimeter. The provided results demonstrate successful defect detection, with an average defect diameter error of 0.6 mm across all coupons studied in the immersion system and 1.1 mm for the portable system. The best accuracy comes from the missing adhesive coupons, with an average error of 0.3 mm. Conversely, the worst results come from the missing or damaged honeycomb coupons, with an error average of 0.7 mm, well below the standard detectability levels of 15–25 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The passive safety in aircraft concerns all measures able to protect the passengers and crew in the event of an accident or emergency. In this context, an important role is played by the design adopted for components inside the passengers' cabin, such as the seats and the interior lining. An effective approach in design of passive safety system is provided by anthropomorphic test devices. In this work, a new design of the interior lining of the fuselage wall has been introduced and its crashworthiness features have been studied through a side impact of an unbelted window‐side passenger. The new proposed interior lining is made with a hybrid sandwich‐based design with a polypropylene honeycomb core able to ensure passive safety for passengers and thermal and acoustic insulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two main goals are pursued in the present work. First, the global buckling of axially loaded sandwich beams with composite face sheets and aluminum honeycomb cores under humid environments is investigated. An analytical solution with high accuracy is developed based on piecewise low-order shear deformation theory (PLSDT) to estimate the critical buckling loads. A parametric study is carried out to examine the influence of geometric parameters on the buckling loads of simply supported and clamped sandwich beams under different wet conditions. The obtained results indicate that humidity plays a significant role in the buckling behavior of honeycomb sandwich beams. As the second purpose of the present work, the weight minimization of sandwich beams is studied. The optimization variables include the face sheet thickness, core thickness, honeycomb cell size and honeycomb cell wall thickness. Moreover, different failure modes, including global buckling, face sheet dimpling, face sheet wrinkling, core shear instability, and face sheet failure are considered as design constraints. Imperialist competitive algorithm (ICA), a powerful socio-politically motivated global search strategy, is applied to handle the constrained optimization problem. The optimization results show that the presence of humidity in the environment significantly changes the optimal design of sandwich beams and makes them heavier. Furthermore, it is observed that by increasing the length of the structure, the optimal design is more affected by humidity. Moreover, it is found that ICA is a very powerful optimization tool both in obtaining the best values of geometric parameters and in reducing the computational cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent days, the sandwich structure has created significant evolutionary changes in world technology, which are used in many sectors like automobile, aeronautical, defence, etc., The structural-based studies are evaluated and replaced with the sandwich structure, which contains three layers; a core layer, upper and lower face sheets. This article evaluates the transverse shear modulus of the sandwich core structure of 3D-printed materials. Henceforth the bioinspired structural design is adopted as core structure which is bio-mimicked from the microstructural layer design of the woodpecker's beak. Forming the wavy patterns is incorporated with the conventional honeycomb shape. The edges of the structure's waviness are modeled as champer edges with the required dimensions. The fused deposition modeling (FDM) process is carried out to bring out the expected sandwich core design. Here, the article speaks about the contest between the various types of materials like polylactic acid (PLA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), high impact polystyrene (HIPS), carbon fiber-polylactic acid (CF-PLA), carbon fiber - acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (CF-ABS), carbon fiber-polyethylene terephthalate glycol (CF-PETG). Each material contains specific properties; Henceforth, each material property is validated by ASTM E1876 standard. The objective is to find the good effectiveness of transverse shear modulus by the Nondestructive process called alternative dynamic method among the 3D-printed Bioinspired materials. In this study, CF-PLA stands ahead to give efficient transverse shear modulus property values. These results can be carried forward to structural development, enhancing the structure's performance as the futuristic pathway. [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]

Aluminium honeycomb core is a thin-walled cellular structure extensively used in crash resistance applications in automotive industry. To overcome current challenges in adhesive-bonded honeycomb, new fabrication route using micro friction stir lap welding has been proposed. With a specific energy absorption capacity as high as 28.2 kJ/kg in flatwise impact testing, fabricated honeycomb demonstrated its potential for industrial applications. The structure exhibited no weld cracks or cell wall delamination, unlike adhesive-bonded honeycombs. However, in friction stir welding of thin sheets (0.5 mm), achieving an optimized heat input is challenging due to limited scope for variation in process parameter and tool design. Therefore, control of heat outflow by proper selection of backing plate material is the alternative approach for achieving desirable joint performance. Experiments with backing plates having a range of thermal diffusivities demonstrated that joint produced with mild steel backplate exhibited maximum shear-tensile strength. Conversely, joint with aluminium backplate exhibited poor plastic flow of material. Effective sheet thickness and lap width were predominantly affected by heat accumulation in weld, resulting in different failure modes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A circular honeycomb lower limb protection device was proposed to reduce the damage to the occupant's lower limbs under a vehicle under-belly blast. First, a local equivalent model of the occupant-restraint system was established, and drop impact tests and theory were used to validate the model's accuracy. Then, under the same mass, the protection performance of eight lower limb protection devices using circular honeycomb, hexagonal honeycomb, reentrant honeycomb, etc., as sandwiches were compared. It was found that the lower limb protection device with a circular honeycomb sandwich provides the best defence for lower limbs. Subsequently, the effect of gradient structure settings and dimensional parameters on the protection performance of circular honeycomb lower limb protection devices was investigated. Finally, multi-objective optimization has been carried out to further improve its protection performance. The results indicated that the protection performance of the lower limb protection device could be effectively improved by reasonably selecting the cell arrangement, gradient type and gradient interval of the honeycomb sandwich. When the optimized lower limb protection device was employed, the occupant's left and right lower tibial peak forces were decreased to 3.67 kN and 3.55 kN, respectively. Compared with the initial design, the optimized lower limb protection device reduced the left and right lower tibial peak forces by 21.1% and 23.8%, respectively, and the total mass decreased by 51.5%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sandwich panels are the fundamental structural element in a wide range of applications, including in satellite primary structures. While sandwich constructions are very efficient, their complex multi-material assembly leaves room for further optimisation of the core volume and improvement in the integration phase. One key technology that can enable the transition to multifunctional sandwich panel cores tailored to certain applications is the additive manufacturing (AM) of satellite primary structure sandwich panel cores. This paper investigates the feasibility of replacing the baseline Aluminium honeycomb core with a core printed out of AlSi10Mg through Powder Bed Fusion. Sandwich panels with carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) facesheets and printed honeycomb cores as well as fully printed corrugated panels are produced and tested under three point bending (3PB) and compression as part of the EU funded ReDSHIFT project. The Instron 5560 (3PB) and 4204 (compression) are used to perform the experiments that follow the ASTM C393-11 and C365 standards. When compared against the baseline CFRP-AL panels, the 3D printed honeycomb cores carry up to twice as much load per unit mass in bending and four times as much in compression, while also being stiffer. The fully printed corrugates samples are weaker than the honeycombs, but in conjunction with the honeycomb geometry may present a promising avenue for developing multifunctional cores. While limitations with current metal printing technology prevent AM cores from matching the mass of baseline designs, the superior specific performance and geometrical freedom make printed cores a promising design alternative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the method for water ingress detection in an aluminum honeycomb sandwich structure by laser ultrasonics. To clarify the propagation of Scholte waves generated at the solid-liquid interface, the theoretical dispersion curves in the water-aluminum layered structure are calculated by the global matrix method. Using a laser ultrasonic visualizing inspector, the guided wave propagation in the wavefields has been visualized, which shows the mode conversion behaviors occurring in the water ingress area. The clarification of mode conversion is then investigated by the finite element method. The Scholte modes at the solid-fluid interface and the Lamb modes in the face sheet are interconverted because of the change in the waveguide structure. Wavenumber filter reconstruction and the resulting energy maps are applied to illustrate the mode conversion in the wavefields and to detect the water ingress area. Results show that the appearance of the water layer contributes to the mode conversion behaviors during the guided wave propagation in the honeycomb sandwich structure, which offers the potential for water ingress detection based on the mode conversion behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of inserts into sandwich panel constructions is a complex multi-step process with significant human intervention that also limits the geometrical freedom of the insert design. In a standard sandwich construction, the panel core is made up of multiple materials across its main components: insert, potting and core. This multi-material assembly is not only difficult to manufacture, but it also promotes stress jumps at the insert-core interface, leading to a sub-optimal load distribution from the bolt to the panel core. Additive manufacturing (AM) can lead to a single-part core and insert assembly with more optimised insert geometries that can better transmit the loads applied to the panel. Previous work by the authors has explored the manufacturing limits and the failure modes of AM inserts integrated in cores printed out of sintered AlSi10Mg. The conclusions were that the core walls and insert elements should have a minimum design thickness of 0.5 mm to survive the tapping process without facesheets attached and it was found that the main failure mode of the geometries tested in pull-out was buckling of the insert walls. Based on these results, the paper proposes a novel insert design philosophy that can delay the buckling of 3D printed inserts and move the failure point of the insert away from the bolt. A set of inserts that follow this design direction is manufactured and tested under normal pull-out loads and the optimised designs outperform standard printed insert geometries by a factor of three. The design philosophy can be further developed to offer a suitable alternative to the current insert standard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Honeycomb Sandwich Composites (HSCs) have been widely used in aerospace and aircraft industries because of their high temperature and corrosion resistance, etc. As defects and damage to HSCs are unavoidable, non-destructive testing (NDT) is essential to ensure the reliability of HSCs. A series of artificial flat-bottomed holes (FBHs) defects of HSCs were prepared for pulse thermography (PT) and LFM-Chirp-Square pulse-compression thermography (PuCT). LFM-Chirp-Square PuCT has the advantage of frequency modulation over PT to detect different depth ranges of FBHs defects. In order to improve the efficiency of defect detection, pulse phase thermography (PPT) and total harmonic distortion (THD) techniques were applied to process the infrared image sequences. The results show that THD processing technique outperforms the PPT processing technique in improving the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) from feature images. The combination of LFM-Chirp-Square PuCT and THD techniques can be applied to improve the defect detection identification results in HSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, communication systems, including RFID, have been used in intelligent beehives for beekeeping. RFID systems in the UHF frequency band offer reading distances of tens of centimetres, allowing the localisation and identification of the queen bee inside the hive. With this purpose, this work proposes an analysis of an environment of propagation that consists of a honeycomb frame, where the reader is placed within the frame, and the tag is placed in different positions over it. A honeycomb frame consists of a wooden box containing a honey wax panel, supported by metallic wires. The environment is modelled theoretically using its S-parameters and simulated in CST Studio. An analysis of these results and empirical measurements is performed. The results show that a periodicity in the received power of the tag is found with respect to the distance to the reader when the tag is located in a direction parallel to the wire, where local maximum and minimum values are found. Additionally, when the tag is placed over a wire of the frame, a higher received power is obtained compared to the case where the tag is placed between two wires. Furthermore, it has been observed that the reading range has increased with respect to free space, covering the full frame. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An electromagnetic parameter-retrieval-based surrogate-assisted optimization (PSAO) algorithm is presented to reduce radar cross section (RCS) by optimizing the on-platform honeycomb absorbing structures. To facilitate the optimization process, the honeycomb structure is transformed to an anisotropic homogeneous slab, and the effective parameters of the slab are extracted by the retrieval algorithm. A multi-fidelity model is employed to reduce the computing-time consumption, in which a Gaussian process (GP) regression model is used as the substitute for the coarse model. The GP model establishes a relationship between the geometry of the honeycomb structure and the RCS response of the target coated with the equivalent slab. Finally, the optimization result of the fine model is achieved through a space mapping strategy. The accuracy of the parameter extraction algorithm is verified by analyzing the honeycomb absorbing structure. Subsequently, the proposed optimization method is applied to a metal plate and a metal cylinder, resulting in a 10 dB reduction of RCS in broadband and wide-angle scenarios. This demonstrates the applicability of the proposed PSAO algorithm to both planar and conformal on-platform honeycomb absorbing structures. Furthermore, an NACA0015 foil is analyzed, showing an average RCS reduction of 10 dB and a minimum RCS reduction of 5 dB in the X-band. These results indicate that the PSAO approach can effectively apply to complicated targets. Additionally, the proposed method exhibits significant advantages in terms of computational accuracy and efficiency compared to the traditional genetic algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, silicon has been considered one of the preferred materials for the anodes of next-generation high-energy-density Li-ion batteries due to its advantages of high specific capacity, low working voltage, and abundant reserves. However, the huge volume change and poor electrical conductivity of silicon anodes during the lithiation and de-lithiation process seriously affect their practical application. Herein, honeycomb porous silicon is synthesized by a modified Stöber method and magnesium thermal reduction, which avoids using toxic gases (such as silane) in the traditional preparation of commercial nano-silicon. Moreover, the honeycomb porous structure can effectively alleviate the volume expansion during the charge/discharge process and agglomeration behavior of nano-silicon. Therefore, thanks to its unique structural merits, the honeycomb porous silicon anode is endowed with a reversible specific capacity of 824.1 mA h g−1 after 100 cycles at 0.5 A g−1 and 679.2 mA h g−1 even at an ultrahigh current density of 1.0 A g−1 after an extended cycling period of 200 cycles, which is almost twice that of commercial nano-silicon. More importantly, this finding offers promising advancements in designing silicon anodes in energy storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of photonic microstructure into organic microcavities represents an effective strategy for manipulating eigenstates of cavity or polariton modes. However, well‐established fabrication processes for microstructured organic microcavities are still lacking. This study proposes a nanoimprint‐bonding process as a novel fabrication method for microstructured organic microcavities. This process relies on a UV nanoimprint technique utilizing two different photopolymer resins, enabling the independent fabrication of highly reflective reflectors and photonic microstructures without compromising the accuracy of each. The resulting organic microcavities demonstrate spatially localized photonic modes within dot structures and their nonlinear responses on the pumping fluence. Furthermore, a highly precise photonic band is confirmed within a honeycomb lattice structure, which is owing to the high quality factor of the cavity achievable with the nanoimprint‐bonding process. Additionally, a topological edge state is also observable within a zigzag lattice structure. These results highlight the significant potential of the fabrication method for advancing organic‐based photonic devices, including lasers and polariton devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a three-point bending test was carried out to determine the mechanical properties of hexagonal-shaped honeycomb core sandwich panels made of jute yarn with two distinct fiber orientations. A custom-made handloom was used to weave the unidirectional jute mat, and hand-layup with the cold press process was applied to fabricate the hexagonal honeycomb sandwich panel. To explore the effectiveness of different natural fibers for producing honeycomb core sandwich panels, a Finite Element Method (FEM) analysis was performed on different natural fibers with different fiber orientations. The resistance to environmental deterioration of bending properties was also investigated. Overall, this work offers perceptive information about the mechanical characteristics of sandwich panels made of jute honeycomb core and their behavior under various climatic circumstances, which may be relevant in a variety of engineering applications. Finally, it is noteworthy that the mechanical properties of jute fibers are anisotropic, which implies that their strength varies with the direction of loading. Sandwich panels with horizontal fiber orientation of hexagonal honeycomb core withstand a 36% higher bending strength than those with vertical fiber orientation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have prepared and characterized three coordination polymers formulated as [Dy2(C6O4Cl2)3(fma)6] ⋅ 4.5fma (1) and [Dy2(C6O4X2)3(fma)6] ⋅ 4fma ⋅ 2H2O with X=Br (2) and Cl (3), where fma=formamide and C6O4X22−=3,6‐disubstituted‐2,5‐dihydroxy‐1,4‐benzoquinone dianion with X=Cl (chloranilato) and Br (bromanilato). Compounds 1 and 3 are solvates obtained with slow and fast precipitation methods, respectively. Compounds 2 and 3 are isostructural and only differ in the X group of the anilato ligand. The three compounds present (6,3)‐gon two‐dimensional hexagonal honey‐comb structures. Magnetic measurements indicate that the three compounds show slow relaxation of the magnetization at low temperatures when a continuous magnetic field is applied, although with different relaxation times and energy barriers depending on X and the crystallisation molecules. Compounds 1–3 represent the first examples of anilato‐based lattices with formamide and field‐induced slow relaxation of the magnetization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The excellent shape stability of thermally expanded metamaterials and the good bandgap properties of acoustic metamaterials have a wide range of promising applications in aerospace and sensors. Here, a bi-material-directional honeycomb metamaterial (BHM) with tunable coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and bandgap properties is proposed. The theoretical analysis and numerical simulations are employed to reveal the thermal deformation mechanism of the BHM. In addition, the analytical expression of the effective Young's modulus is established by considering both tensile and bending deformation. Based on the Bloch theorem, the band structures of the BHM are calculated by the finite element method. Parameter analysis confirms that the CTE and bandgap of the BHM can be simultaneously regulated and drastically adjusted by changing the geometric parameters and material combinations. Meanwhile, the coupling relationship of the effective CTE, Young's modulus, and total effective bandgap width are investigated. The results show that the BHM can have tunable CTE function and large total effective bandgap width by selecting suitable parameters while satisfying stiffness requirements. This study achieves a dual objective of specific CTE properties and bandgap design through rational material selection and shape design, which makes the metamaterials have better tunability and multifunctionality. [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]

This article reports a carbon fiber–reinforced plastic Kagome composite honeycomb sandwich structure reinforced with polymethacrylimide (PMI) foam (PKCSS). Low‐velocity impact performances on the node, rib, and two cell centers of the PKCSS were experimentally compared with those on a composite Kagome honeycomb sandwich (CKHS), and the failure mechanism of the PKCSS was investigated. The impact process was analyzed through an explicit numerical analysis using ABAQUS. A three‐dimensional Hashin failure criterion was introduced using the VUMAT subroutine. Results confirmed that the PKCSS exhibits higher impact and specific loads than the CKHS, with the maximum improvements of 69.7% and 39.5%, respectively, under 50‐J impact energy. As an uncrushable material, the PMI foam provides strong impact resistance during its plateau stage. This technology of cell filling can be used to fabricate lightweight all‐composite honeycomb sandwiches for potential use in ultrahigh engineering applications. Highlights: Cell filling is applied in an all‐composite Kagome honeycomb sandwich.The LVI performances of the PKCSS and CKHS are experimentally compared.C‐scanning is used to analyze the failure of the considered structures.The PKCSS's numerical model is established to investigate the impact process.The enhancement mechanism of the PMI foam is analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Icosahedral B12 serves as a fundamental building block for a variety of boron allotropes and plays a crucial role in enhancing the stability of fullerene-like boron nanoclusters. However, progress in the development of two-dimensional (2D) functional assemblies made from icosahedral B12 has been limited. In this context, we propose a 2D semiconducting boron allotrope (h-B12) using icosahedral B12 as a building block. This structure features a stable honeycomb lattice, with its unit cell comprising two mirror-symmetric icosahedral B12 clusters. The results of first-principles calculations indicate that the band structure exhibits Dirac cones and a relatively high group velocity, similar to graphene. Additionally, it is found to be a material with a negative Poisson's ratio and a relatively low Young's modulus. Finally, our calculations reveal that the zigzag nanoribbon constructed from h-B12 displays prominent edge states at both edges, indicating that this structure represents a potential topological electronic material. Our findings shed light on the design and construction of nano-electronic materials via cluster assembly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the field of lightweight structures, foldcore sandwich structure is regarded as a promising replacement for conventional honeycomb sandwich structure. In this study, a new M-type glass fiber foldcore structure was fabricated by hot-pressing molding technology, and the effects of various factors on the low-velocity impact characteristics were investigated. In addition, a 3 D progressive damage numerical model matching the experimental results was established. The results showed that the impact energy exerted a certain influence on the response characteristics of the sandwich structure, but did not change the development trend of the load curve. The sandwich panel was able to achieve the overall load-carrying potential for the impactor whose size was longer than the foldcore span (25 mm). In addition, as the sharpness of the impactor increased, the damage range of the sandwich panel became concentrated and the load-bearing capacity gradually decreased. As revealed by the findings, the maximum load and specific energy absorption of laminated sandwich panels were improved by 150 and 40% respectively compared to single sandwich panel at base position. Therefore, it is beneficial to appropriately reduce the core span and increase the number of laminations to improve impact resistance of foldcore sandwich in practical applications. [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]

To comply with the trend in the development of engineering materials towards lightweight, high strength, eco-friendly, sustainable, and multi-functional, a three-dimensional braided integrated composite honeycomb is designed. The effects of geometrical parameters particularly joint wall lengths on the in-plane mechanical behavior of the honeycombs were investigated. The results show that the in-plane mechanical properties are related to the number of cell walls, and the angle between the cell wall and the loading direction. Increasing the number of cell rows to double and triple at similar areal density lead to an improvement of the maximum load up to 2.5, and 3.8 times, respectively. Similarly, the total absorbed strain energy increased up to 2.6 and 5.9 times, respectively. The displacement at the maximum load is increased by 1.6 and 2.7 times as a result of increasing the cell row number. The total absorbed strain energy increased to 1.7 and 1.3 times, respectively. The failure angle of the 3D braided composite honeycomb is about 4°–7°. This investigation presents the geometrical factors of a 3D braided composite honeycomb can be further designed and optimized, but it also provides a reference for the development and design of a new composite honeycomb. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The honeycomb pattern possesses a distinctive hexagonal structure capable of seamless repetition on a flat surface, leaving no gaps. Moreover, all arm thicknesses and angles are equal to one another. This remarkable configuration is deemed biomimetic, with numerous examples found in nature. Notably, it exhibits remarkably low density and exceptional mechanical strength. MAX phase films have gathered significant attention due to their exceptional capacity to amalgamate the essential properties of both metals and ceramics. Additionally, they possess the unique ability to effectively mend surface cracks that may arise as a result of friction-wear, restoring the material to a certain degree of integrity. In this study, Ti2AlN MAX phase thin films were deposited on M2 steel substrates by a closed field unbalanced magnetron sputtering system (CFUBMS). 750 °C heat treatment was applied to obtain the produced films in crystalline form. In addition, plasma etching parameters suitable for the phase structure of the deposited film were determined. With the inductive coupling plasma etching (ICP) process, the honeycomb pattern was given to the Ti2AlN MAX phase films with a continuous and smooth geometry at a depth of 2 μm. This study gives ideas for the development of multi-coating systems in which patterns of different geometries are included in a single layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nomex Honeycomb core is the foundational building block for manufacturing aerospace composite components. Its usage requires machining honeycomb in complex aerodynamic profiles where the quality of the core is governed by accuracy and precision of cut profiles. The assessment of accuracy and precision is directly related to forces induced in the cutting tool and cutting efficiency. These two parameters form the basis of a multi‐objective function that this paper aims to optimize for the milling operation. The parameter of depth of cut considered in this paper has not been analyzed in a multi‐objective optimization study of the Nomex Honeycomb core previously. A Taguchi‐based array of Design of Experiments followed by Analysis of Variance and correlation analysis is utilised. The results indicate that the most significant factor is the feed rate, with a percentage contribution of 72% for the cutting forces and depth of cut, with a percentage contribution of 85% in the case of cutting efficiency. The two parameters are optimized using Desirability Function Analysis and Grey Relational Analysis. The results are validated through experimental runs with an error within 5% of the statistical predictions, with the percentage improvement in cutting forces for optimum runs as compared to the worst experimental run at 47.8%. The percentage improvement in cutting efficiency likewise is 11%. [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]

Based on the proposed multi-arc curved edge concave adjustable Poisson's ratio cell, five kinds of sandwich panels with negative Poisson's ratio (NPR) were constructed by changing the in-plane thickness of cells: homogeneous, positive gradient, negative gradient, symmetrical positive gradient, and symmetrical negative gradient. The failure mechanical properties of the sandwich panels under the action of local impact were numerically studied. The influences of impact speed and gradient arrangement modes on the failure mode of the sandwich panels, the punch contact force (PCF) and the energy absorption effect (EAE) were investigated. It is found that the failure behavior of sandwich panels is different under different impact speeds. At the same impact speed, the thickness distribution pattern of the sandwich panel core layer will significantly affect the shock resistance of the panel. The study shows that the EAE of sandwich panels can be effectively enhanced by introducing gradient design method, and the sandwich panels with negative gradient arrangement show the best energy absorption effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]