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Occlusal Tactile Acuity (OTA) is the ability to detect small thicknesses between occluding teeth. Individuals diagnosed with Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) often refer an uncomfortable sensation associated with their occlusion. The aim of the current study was to measure the OTA in BMS patients, and to compare it with that of age and gender matched pain free controls. 25 BMS patients and 25 controls were enrolled. The OTA was tested with 10 different thicknesses: 9 aluminium foils (8 –72 µm with a constant increment of 8 µm) and 1 sham test (without foil), each thickness being tested 10 times in random order (100 tests in total). Significantly increased OTA was observed in the BMS group, compared to the controls group, for the foil thicknesses between 8 µm and 48 µm. Furthermore, BMS patients showed substantial impairment in the detection of the sham test, even if this finding did not reach statistically significance (P = 0.743). BMS patients presented increased ability to detect small thicknesses between antagonist teeth during intercuspation. These findings might explain the high somatosensory distortion referred by those patients, in absence of objective clinical findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The detection of nitrosamine impurities, particularly small dialkyl types, which are frequently known to be potent mutagenic carcinogens, in some Sartan group active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and finished drug products caused global regulatory organizations to have concerns. Accordingly, Registration Holders/Applicants, API manufacturers, and their raw material suppliers are required to check the presence of nitrosamines in their products and carry out risk assessments using the quality risk management principles specified in the ICH Q9 guide. In this context, a new LC-MS/MS method has been developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of NDMA, NDEA, NMBA, NDIPA, NEIPA, NDBA, and MeNP nitrosamine compounds in API and finished products as well as in primary packaging materials, one of the risk sources. This validated method was applied to check the nitrosamine content may occur from canister, blister, printed aluminum foil, nasal spray, and eye drop packaging materials as part of the Extractables & Leachables studies arising from interactions between the product and the primary packaging. For the determination and quality control of nitrosamines in sartan group pharmaceutical products and packaging materials, the developed LC-MS/MS analytical method offers highly reliable, fast, high accuracy, good sensitivity and simultaneous detection even at low concentrations. • A new LC-MS/MS method was developed and validated for the detection of nitrosamine impurities in different combined finished products containing sartan group and alu-foil packaging. • Different packaging components were studied within the scope of the Extractables&Leachables study to evaluate the possibility of leaching not only from tablet blisters but also from different pharmaceutical packaging components and ink printed labels. • Validation parameters and acceptance criteria were determined in accordance with USP 〈736〉 mass spectrometry monograph and ICH Q2 (R2) guide. • Packaging components (such as canister, blister, printed aluminum foil, nasal spray, and eye drop packaging materials) were checked in accordance with risk assessment studies carried out in line with the ICH Q9 guide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexible CdTe solar cells integrated onto polyimide foils are a promising renewable power generation technology. Optimizing crystal structure and reducing grain boundary recombination by CdCl 2 annealing are the key approaches to increase carrier concentration and improve device performance. However, the inherent thermal constraints of polyimide substrates limit the feasibility of achieving full annealing. In response, we introduce a novel two-stage annealing process: a primary recrystallization at 350 °C followed by a secondary recrystallization at 380 °C. Employing a rigorous investigation of surface and interface energy minimization, strain energy minimization, and the growth kinetics of Cl drag phenomena, this method induces significant secondary grain growth, surpassing the film thickness itself. The culmination of these efforts yields an extraordinary power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 12.2 %, marking a historic achievement for sputtered CdTe solar cells on polyimide substrates. This study not only unveils a pioneering approach to grain boundary engineering but also offers insights into optimizing the CdCl 2 annealing process for CdTe absorbers, ultimately facilitating the realization of high-efficiency, flexible CdTe solar cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a novel microforming limit curve (MFLC) prediction model that accounts for surface roughening and suggests appropriate surface roughness indices for use with the model. Parallel calculations of the Parmar, Mellor, and Chakrabarty (PMC) model and Marciniak–Kuczynski (M-K) model define the switching point of the dominant phenomenon. The potential for high-precision forming limit prediction for micro-precision presses is demonstrated based on comparisons with experimental values for pure aluminium foil. The proposed model demonstrates MFLC predictions with fine precisions by applying the maximum valley depth as a surface roughness index for pure aluminium foil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Moroccan phosphogypsum and aluminum wastes are transformed into hydrocalumite. • Characterization techniques confirmed the formation of hydrocalumite. • Sustainable synthesis approach reduces waste generation, promotes circular economy. • Synthesis process shows potential for commercialization of waste-based products. Each year, the phosphate industries in Morocco discard over 20 million tons of phosphogypsum into the Atlantic Ocean, posing a significant threat to aquatic life and causing potential long-term damage to ecosystems due to the accumulation of harmful substances. Hence, developing eco-friendly and cost-effective strategies to valorize phosphogypsum is vital to protect ecosystems and human health. This study aims to provide a concrete and efficient strategy for exploiting phosphogypsum and aluminum wastes in the preparation of hydrocalumite using the co-precipitation method. The synthesis strategy's effectiveness was assessed through a comprehensive analysis of the phosphogypsum-based hydrocalumite using various techniques, including FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy-Dispersive X-Ray (EDX) analysis, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). In addition, the structure was refined to discuss the arrangement of the polyhedrons occupied by the different ions in the hydrocalumite framework. It was found that the phosphogypsum-based hydrocalumite exhibited chemical and structural properties comparable to those of conventionally synthesized hydrocalumite, suggesting its potential applicability in diverse fields, including catalysis, cement and concrete production, polymer additives, medicine, and environmental remediation. Overall, in this work, the Moroccan phosphogypsum and aluminum wastes proved to be effective precursors of hydrocalumite, with structural and chemical properties presumably close to the conventional hydrocalumite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Electromagnetic induction technology was examined to harvest cathode materials. • High-purity of recovered electrode materials and Al foils were achieved. • A synergistic separation mechanism of cathode materials and Al was proposed. The separation of electrode materials from current collectors plays a significant role in determining the leaching efficiency of different metals from spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). In the presented research, a highly efficient, environmentally sustainable, and cost-effective cathode materials separation strategy was proposed for spent LiFePO 4 batteries. Based on the difference in the thermal expansion coefficient of the binder and aluminum foil, the electromagnetic induction system was examined to harvest cathode materials for the first time, which could provide a high heating rate to erase the mechanical interlocking force between Al foil and coated material, and breaking the chemical bond or Van der Waals forces of the binder. The process avoids the usage of any chemicals such as acids and alkalis, thus eliminating the emission of wastewater. Our system shows ultra-fast separation (3 min) and achieves high-purity of recovered electrode materials and Al foils (99.6% and 99.2%). Furthermore, the morphology and crystalline structure of delaminated electrode materials remain almost the same compared with the pristine materials, which provides a previously unexplored technology to realize sustainable spent battery recycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The irradiance model is significant for accurately modelling the electrical and thermal performance of bifacial photovoltaic (bPV) modules, but existing irradiance models fail to be employed for bPV modules in a simple but reliable way. Therefore, this paper presented a concise and anisotropic irradiance model to predict the irradiance received by bPV modules, in which an improved view factor-based model was adopted to calculate the ground-reflected irradiance. In addition to its computational simplicity, the proposed model can satisfy the assumption of an anisotropic irradiance at both sides of the horizontal, tilted, and vertical bPV modules. Outdoor experiments were conducted to validate the proposed model under different conditions. Results show that the proposed model can well predict the irradiance of bPV modules placed above a concrete ground. The prediction errors of the front/rear/total irradiance are 7.1%/12.5%/6.1% and 11.9%/16.5%/8.7% for tilted and vertical bPV modules, respectively. In addition, the prediction performance decreases when a high-reflective ground made of aluminum foil is used. It is found that the albedo of the high-reflective ground will vary significantly on sunny days, mainly due to the incident-angle dependence of the ground reflection. Grounds with more diffuse reflections can improve the accuracy of the model's predictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Bifacial PVT Greenhouse dryer with PCM is designed and developed. • The operating hours and performance of the dryer with PCM are improved. • North wall insulation with aluminium foil is used for better performance. • MOGA-ANN methods have been used to explore the performance of PVT dryer. A greenhouse dryer is the most economical and environmentally friendly device used to dry various products like fruits, vegetables and meats. The operating hours and heat losses from the north wall are the main concerns for its performance. To minimize the heat losses and improve the operating hours, the present study is undertaken on a modified hybrid greenhouse dryer with a thermal energy storage system and a bifacial photovoltaic thermal for electrical (BIFPVT) and thermal energy. A thermocol was wrapped in an aluminium foil (As a reflector) and placed on the north wall to minimize energy losses. The integration of PCM made the system sustainable to use while off sunshine hours as it stores the thermal energy during daytime. It was observed that the BIFPVT system provided electrical power ranging from 2.0 to 85.5 W and 0.6–81 W with respect to solar radiation intensity on the front (I F) and rear (I R) side of BIFPVT which varied from 34–950 W/m2 and 13–350 W/m2, respectively. The drying room temperature was found to be 16–44% higher than the ambient temperature for both days. Further, the experiment result was trained using an artificial neural network and optimized with the help of multi-objective genetic algorithm tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Irregular yttrium oxide nanopuncture-coated hollow glass microspheres (HGMs@Y 2 O 3), as a lightweight, thermal insulating, and high IR reflectivity materials could be prepared by a simple hydrothermal and high-temperature calcination process. Here, a flexible composite fabric with sandwiched structure was designed to combine the good infrared camouflage performance with self-cleaning ability. Thereinto, aluminum foil (AF), HGMs@Y 2 O 3 , and polypropylene spunbond nonwoven fabric (PPF) were binded and applied for low emissivity layer, thermal insulating layer and self-cleaning layer, respectively. The flexible composite fabric can realize the infrared camouflage effect to effectively shield the heated object (62.8 °C). The radiation temperature detected by the infrared camera is only 32.4 °C, which had a reduction of 30.4 °C. Based on the functional fabrics (anti-fouling performance), excellent thermal insulation (K = 0.0908 W/m-K) and low infrared emissivity (Average emissivity (ε ‾) of AF plane of composite <0.1; Average emissivity (ε ‾) of PPF plane of composite <0.5), the composite material enables the choice of presenting antifouling or thermal camouflage properties in different environments. This work provides another insight into the fabrication of flexible infrared camouflage materials while facilitating the exploration of flexible infrared camouflage materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fabric-based infrared (IR) stealth composites with thermal insulation and low emissivity are desirable for improving IR camouflage of military targets and thermal management of special environments. Therefore, a flexible and foldable composite fabric with a sandwich structure is delicate designed in this work aiming to realize dual-modes IR effects. Polyester fabric chemically plated with copper-nickel (Cu/Ni@PF) and aluminum foil (AF) are on the top and bottom, respectively, acting as low emissivity layers. The medium layer is constructed by silica aerogel microspheres (SAM) with thickeners and waterborne polyurethanes (WPU) functioned as thermal insulation. The thermal conductivity of as-prepared composite fabric is only 0.05904 W/(m·K). When the AF is heated to 70 °C, the introduction of the SAM in the medium layer with the thickness of 300 μm makes Cu/Ni@PF as top surface exhibit a obvious temperature difference of 11.7 °C, demonstrating excellent thermal insulation. The AF maintains a low emissivity of less than 0.2, and the emissivity of Cu/Ni@PF was also as low as 0.296 at 8–14 μm, which can effectively shield the IR signal. Thanks to the Cu/Ni@PF as the top surface, the radiation temperature displays only 36.3 °C when heated at 70 °C, which meaning the dramatic IR signal strength reduce. Therefore, this dual-modes flexible and foldable composite can be a potential candidate in the IR stealth fields. • Chemical plating method is introduced to polyester fabric performs excellent in low emissivity. • SiO 2 microspheres prepared by sol-gel method and emulsion spheronisation show good property in thermal insulation. • A sandwich structure composites with multi-module cooperation can lead to a better effect in IR stealth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper represents the synthesis of 1,2,3-triazole appended Schiff base functionalized silanes as colorimetric sensors for the detection of Al (III) and molecular docking analysis with butyrylcholinesterase in Alzheimer's diseases. A Boolean molecular logic circuit based on the reversible nature for ligand 7a was built. The real sample analysis performed with the aluminium foil. [Display omitted] • 1,2,3-Triazole appended Schiff base functionalized silanes has been achieved via a copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) click chemistry reaction. • Sensing behaviour of the synthesized compounds were evaluated towards various cations. • The binding mode of compound 7a with Al (III) was proven by NMR techniques. • The synthesized compounds (7a-c) were evaluated for cytotoxicity. • Molecular docking analysis was performed for compound 7a with the active site of soman-aged human butyryl cholinesterase in complex with the substrate analog butyrylthiocholine (PDB ID: 1P0P). The current article reports the synthesis of 1,2,3-triazole appended Schiff base functionalized silanes. The organosilane 7a used for the colorimetric detection of Al (III). The absorption studies have been performed, resulting in a limit of detection values of 1.28 × 10-7 M for the ligand7a.In order to validate the practical applicability of the synthesized probe, the real sample analysis has been performed with aluminium foil in distilled water. Further,the ligand 7a reversibility from [ligand 7a + Al (III)] complex upon EDTA addition can be utilised to build a molecular logic gate, with Al (III) and EDTA considered as inputs and the absorbance intensity at 433 nm considered as the output.The potential binding site of 7a for the Al (III) has been analysed by characterizing the metal–ligand complex using 1H NMR spectroscopy. The cytotoxicity assay of compounds 7(a-c) was performed using SAF-1 (ECACC n°00122301), rendering thenon-toxicity of synthesized compounds. The binding energy of −10.16 Kcal mol−1 demonstrated that the ligand 7a is a potent inhibitor for the butyrylcholinesterase enzyme and might be employed as an anti-Alzheimer agent in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The novel environmentally-benign KOH/ZnAl 2 O 4 efficiently produces biodiesel from WCO at low temperature and short reaction time. • Optimized transesterification of 4 wt% catalyst, 90 min, and 9:1 M:O-MR, yielded an outstanding 95.3 % biodiesel conversion. • The kinetics and thermodynamics insights are investigated for the purpose of commercialization. • Investigation of active phase leaching and its homogeneous contribution in biodiesel production. This study aims to explores the catalytic potential of potassium hydroxide loaded on zinc aluminate (termed as KOH/ZnAl 2 O 4), a novel heterogeneous catalyst, for the swift and efficient production of biodiesel from waste cooking oil (WCO) at low time and low temperature. Utilizing aluminum foil waste (AFW) as a precursor, environmentally friendly zinc aluminate (ZnAl 2 O 4) is synthesized and loaded with KOH, to enhance the feasibility of transesterification biodiesel processes and contribute to environmental sustainability. The catalyst is thoroughly characterized through various analytical techniques, including XRD, FT-IR, BET isotherm, CO 2 –TPD, SEM−EDX, and AFM. Systematic parametric studies identify optimal transesterification conditions: 4 % wt. catalyst loading, 90 min reaction time, and a 9:1 methanol to oil molar ratio (MTO-MR). Under these conditions, an exceptional biodiesel conversion rate of 95.3 % is achieved. These optimal conditions outperform comparable catalysts, affirming the reliability of this catalyst for environmentally friendly, commercially viable biodiesel production. Kinetic and thermodynamic analyses reveal activation energy (Ea), activation enthalpy (ΔH#), and activation entropy (ΔS#) values of 42.57 kJmol−1, +40 kJmol−1, and −147.9 Jmol−1 K−1, respectively. The catalyst exhibits sustained activity over six successive cycles. Additionally, the physicochemical properties of the produced biodiesel adhere to international standards (ASTM D-6751 and EN-14,214), endorsing the proposed catalyst as a robust option for industrial biodiesel manufacturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a simple yet robust technique for identification of the presence of contaminants in food samples by detecting the variation in the transmission coefficient (S 21) in a near field measurement setup. A compact step-notched antipodal Vivaldi antenna with a frequency range of operation 3 - 18 GHz, and realized gain of 12.81 dB at 16 GHz having compact dimensions 60 m m × 40 m m × 0.51 m m , i.e., 0.6 × 0.4 × 0.005 λ 0 3 (where λ 0 is the free space wavelength at the lowest frequency of operation) is designed for contamination detection due to its compact size, high directivity and high boresight gain for near-field measurement. An equivalent image is constructed from the S - parameters, measured at different positions and different antenna polarizations over the frequency range of 3-18 GHz for metallic contaminants, i.e., iron ball and aluminum foil. An algorithm is developed for detection of contamination from the images using the reference case of no-contamination scenario. The proposed algorithm is validated using full-wave simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Proton Beam Energy of a cyclotron at an energy between 10.8–18 MeV. • FLUKA simulation. FLUKA is a fully integrated particle physics MonteCarlo simulation package which has many applications in high energy experimental physics and engineering. When using a cyclotron for medical radionuclide production, it is important to know that the beam energy is suitable to cause the intended nuclear reaction and minimize unwanted impurities. This work focuses on the comparison of FLUKA as a tool to measure the beam energy of a cyclotron with experimental results using the method of stacked copper foils interspaced by an aluminum degrader. We compared two methods to determine the activity ratio: determining the activity in each foil using the experimentally measured cross-sections from the National Nuclear Data Center (NNDC) cross-section data and calculating the activity in the two Cu foils using the FLUKA program. These results were compared to those reported by Gagnon et al., 2011. The FLUKA results gave energy measurements that were different than the true energy by a percentage in the range of 2.4% to 13%, suggesting that FLUKA is not recommended for pre-calculating the cyclotron beam energy using these low Z materials without experimental confirmation. It also confirms that the experimental cross-section data from the NNDC database is superior for this application giving energy values that ranged from 0.1% to 1.6% from the true energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radon gas is known to exhale from the ground and can enter and accumulate inside buildings. Many countries set radon limit concentrations and propose mitigation techniques applied in the outdoors to prevent radon from entering buildings. However, radon can also exhale from building materials, e.g. cement, bricks, marble or tiles, contributing high concentrations indoors. Space ventilation is the most used technique to reduce the indoor radon concentration to safe limits, but sometimes, it is not enough. In these cases, it is necessary to apply alternative techniques. This work exposes a prevention technique to reduce radon concentration in indoor spaces that come from building materials or from the subsoil diffusing through basement walls, based on the use of wallpapers. The use of wallpapers is a common decorative technique in homes and buildings, which is compatible with interior finishes and is simple to apply, easily accessible, commercially available and inexpensive. Different commercial wallpapers were selected with a cellulosic and polymeric base and vinylic, cellulosic, latex or non-woven coating material. Configurations of single and double layers of wallpaper and a triple configuration by adding an intermediate layer of aluminium film have been tested. Tests to determine the reduction of radon concentration were performed, and diffusion coefficient and diffusion length were calculated following an adaptation of ISO/TS 11665–13 standard. Radon reduction of 90%, low-medium radon resistance and a diffusion coefficient around 10−11 m2/s were reached for single-layer configuration, and up to 98% of radon reduction, medium radon resistance and diffusion coefficient of 10−12 m2/s with double-layer configuration for dense non-porous base wallpapers with vinylic and non-woven coatings. Adding an aluminium foil intermediate in the double configuration improves the results of all wallpapers tested regarding radon reduction concentration, radon resistance, diffusion length and diffusion coefficient. Moreover, for the dense non-porous base made of non-woven fabric with a vinyl coating layer wallpaper, the diffusion length is shorter than the thickness of the sample in this configuration so the amount of penetrating radon will be reduced by the decay of radon in the wallpaper. Therefore, most radon would disintegrate along the sample and the concentration in the interior space would be lower. These results open a new alternative to protect indoor spaces from radon that access through walls or building materials based on a simple, easy and low-cost technique. • Radon indoors comes mainly from the soil through the basement and from building materials exhalation. • When ventilation is not enough to reduce it, alternative techniques should be applied. • Wallpaper is a common decorative technique that can be used as indoor radon barriers on walls. • Wallpaper of non-woven base with vinyl coating is the best material tested. • Double-layer configuration wallpaper barrier has a radon resistance of 162 Ms/m. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Binder-free LCO films sputtered on al foil as cathode. • Optimized film prepared at 350 °C, 60 W and 1.33 Pa. • The film shows a high wettability of 18.1°. • The initial capacity is 690 mAh/cm3 at 0.05 c rate. • Over 90 % of total lithium is contributed. The increasing demand for microelectronics has significantly driven the advancement of thin film energy storage devices, specifically lithium-ion batteries. In this current work, binder-free lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) has been synthesized by Radio Frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering on aluminium foil substrate in an argon atmosphere. The investigation focused on optimizing the cathode on aluminium foil by varying parameters, such as RF source power, working pressure, and temperature of the substrate. The deposited layers were analyzed for their structural and surface properties to confirm the formation of LCO. The surface of LCO obtained from this binder-free approach helps us create an excellent interface between cathode-electrolyte with a low contact angle (18.1°). An electrochemical analysis of the optimized sample (480 nm thick) was carried out by using 1 M lithium hexa-fluoro-phosphate. The initial charge capacity in the 2 − 4.2 V voltage range was obtained to be 624 mAh/cm3 at the C-rate of 0.05C, which is closer to the theoretical capacity (690 mAh/cm3). Signifying, over 90 % of total lithium is contributed during the charge storage mechanism. As a result, it can be interpreted that the binder-free sputtering technology can be implemented to fabricate efficient electrodes for lithium-ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Focusing auxiliary device brought significant light utilization effects. • Water-energy balance was got by hydrophilization treatment and light concentration. • External auxiliary device is universal in 3D interfacial solar-driven evaporation. Maintaining a water-energy balance is crucial for maximizing efficiency in 3D interfacial solar-driven evaporation. Regrettably, the inherent flaw of 3D evaporators results in insufficient water supply capacity. Herein, taking inspiration from metals that can reflect light, aluminum foil (AF) was utilized to create a light-collecting device with internal reflection capabilities. A 3D sola flower (SF) evaporator with Chinese ink absorption coating and PDA surface hydrophilic treatment (IPSF) was designed. The experimental and simulated results show that by applying surface hydrophilic treatment and using a light-collecting device, a notable increase in temperature on the side of the 3D evaporator is visible, indicating the successful implementation of the spotlight effect. Therefore, it is possible to achieve a water-energy balance and attain a high evaporation rate. The evaporation rate of IPSF was 2.31 kg m−2 h−1 before concentrating light under one sun and 3.5 wt% brine. Comparably, it rose to 3.95 kg m−2 h−1 after concentrating (IPSFCL), marking a 71 % enhancement. This innovative light-collecting device and water-energy balance engineering provides a novel strategy and technique for designing 3D evaporators and can be applied in different environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on carbazole derivatives, a new fluorescent dye G-D was constructed. White fluorescent fingerprint powder was constructed by proportionally blending montmorillonite with G-D and the previously synthesized dyes (B-D and R-D). White fluorescent fingerprint powder is obvious in the dark and can be subjected to minimal fluorescent background interference. The white fluorescent fingerprint powder was successfully used to develop latent fingerprints left on various surfaces, including glass, tin foil, marble, acrylic plate with bright fluorescence, painted wood and coins. Impressively, the white fluorescent fingerprint powder also has excellent applications in developing aged fingerprints and replication. For complex criminal investigation activities, the white fingerprint powder with high resolution, wide applicability and real-time development is a competitive visualization means. [Display omitted] • A novel fluorescent dye G-D was constructed based on carbazole. • The white fluorescent fingerprint powder was constructed by mixing three dyes with MMT in proportion. • The white fingerprint powder was successfully used to develop the latent fingerprints left on various substrates. • Aged fingerprints remaining 30 days ago were successfully developed with white fingerprint powder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthesis of Bis-Schiff base 4 which is detective analyte to Al(III) ion and citric acid and performing their real sample (Lemon juice) and Aluminium foil analysis. Compound 4 showcases active responsible for anticancer and molecular docking inhibitory interaction with anticancer protein 5hu9 study. [Display omitted] • Synthesis of novel Bis-schiff base (4). • Chemosensor 4 has selective detecting ability to Al(III) ion and citric acid. • Real sample extract analysis such as Lemon juice and aluminium foil with compound 4. • Probe 4 promising potential of anticancer activity against the cervical cancer cell line (Hela). • Exhibiting of probe 4 interacts against anticancer protein 5hu9 in molecular docking. A novel bis-Schiff base 4 has been synthesized in this manuscript, it is well characterised by different spectroscopic technique such as FT-IR, 1H &13C NMR spectroscopy and Mass spectrometry, TGA analysis has done to check the thermal stability of compound 4 and it complexes with Al(III) and citric acid. Under the UV–visible spectrophotometer, chemosensor 4 detects Al(III) and citric acid and then comprehensive analysis of real sample using aluminium foil and lemon juice solution toward compound 4 were carried out to enhance to support for sensing application. The limit of detection (LOD) and association constant (Ka) of synthesized chemosensor 4 towards Al(III) are found to be 9 × 10−6 M and 7 × 104 M whereas with citric acid are 2.6 × 10−6 M and 1.8 × 105 M respectively. The binding ratio of the compound 4 with Al(III) and citric acid are found to be 1:1 ratio. Anti-cancer activity of the chemosensor 4 has responded maximum reduction of cell viability up to 61.5 % to compare with untreated control cell, furthermore to assess anticancer activity computationally, molecular docking study of the compound 4 against protein 5hu9 has shown maximum binding energy (−11.41 kcal/mole). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Bimetallic NiMn-LDHs are synthesized using HMTA and urea as precipitating agents by hydrothermal synthesis route. • NiMn-LDH@HMTA shows open structured microflowers, high pore volume (0.24 cc g−1) and pore hierarchy. • NiMn-LDH@HMTA delivers a high specific capacity of 719 C g−1 at 1 A g–1 and excellent capacity retention of 82.6% after 10,000 cycles. • The supercapattery device, NiMn-LDH@HMTA//AC-KOH shows the energy density of 50 and 34 Wh kg–1 at the power densities of 800 and 4000 W kg–1, respectively. In this work, nickel-manganese layered double hydroxides (NiMn-LDHs) are synthesized using hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA) and urea as precipitating agents via hydrothermal synthesis route. The materials have different flower like microstructure and porosity. The effect of microstructures, porosity and mass loading of the LDHs on the overall electrochemical performance is thoroughly studied in this work. It is observed that HMTA assisted NiMn-LDH having open flower like microstructure delivers a high specific capacity of 719 C g −1 at 1 A g–1 and excellent capacity retention of 82.6% and 86% for 10,000 CV and 5000 GCD cycles, respectively. Furthermore, a supercapattery device assembled using NiMn-LDH@HMTA as cathode and activated carbon as anode exhibit high-capacity retention of 80.1% after 5000 GCD cycles along with an energy density of 50 and 34 Wh kg–1 at power densities of 800 and 4000 W kg–1, respectively. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel agar-based phantom was developed and assessed for ultrasonography (USG)-guided brain biopsy training. The phantom provides visual cues combined with sonologic cues, allowing multimodal training. Impact of multimodal training is evaluated through pretraining and posttraining trials. Twenty-five participants were divided based on experience with USG-based procedures into familiar (≥3 procedures performed in the past) (n = 14) and unfamiliar (<3 procedures performed) (n = 11). Agar phantoms with an opaque top and transparent middle layer were constructed in transparent glass bowls, each having 12 embedded targets. Participants underwent 2 supervised trials of USG-guided biopsy with aluminum foil covering the glass bowls, eliminating visual cues. Between 2 trials, participants underwent unsupervised self-training on a phantom without foil cover, providing visual cues. Performance was measured through insonation efficiency (EfI), biopsy efficiency (EfB), efficiency score (Ef), error score (Er), and performance score (PS). Scores were compared between and within the 2 groups before and after training. Impact of the self-training session on subjective comfort levels with the procedure was assessed through feedback forms. Familiars had better pretraining EfB, Ef, Er, and PS (P < 0.001) compared with unfamiliars. After training, both performed similarly on all metrics. After training, familiars improved only in EfI (P = 0.001), with the unfamiliars showing significance in all metrics except EfI. Simulation and phantom-based models can never supplant training through supervised skill application in vivo but our model supplements training by enabling technical skill acquisition, especially for beginners in USG-guided brain biopsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] As alloying-type anode materials, metallic aluminum owns an ultra-high specific capacity (993 mAh g A l - 1 to LiAl) for Li storage, which is low-cost and a promising candidate for next-generation rechargeable batteries with high energy densities. However, metallic Al anodes suffer from irreversible lithiation of naturally occurring alumina layer during cycles, resulting in rapid capacity decay of Al anode-based batteries. Herein, Li supplement nucleated on Al foil via a controllably electrochemical pre-lithiation technology is employed for achieving high-performance elemental foil anodes. In full batteries, the pre-lithiated areas continuously supply Li outward during dealloying process to compensate for irreversible lithium loss during alloying process that preferentially alloys the unreacted Al 2 O 3 surface layer along the rolling direction of Al foil until the entire surface is covered by Li x AlO y. This lithiation behavior can avoid the severe stress concentration during alloying to prevent the perforation and pulverization of foil, making commercial Al foil succeed as single-material anodes. The produced commercial Al foil anode-based Li-ion batteries employing various commercial cathodes demonstrate promising electrochemical performances. For example, the Al||LiNi 0.8 Co 0.1 Mn 0.1 O 2 battery offers a high specific capacity of 180 mAh g−1, an excellent capacity retention of ∼90% after 400 cycles, and relatively stable solid electrolyte interface without any dendrite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cryopreservation of prepubertal testicular tissue is important for children who are to undergo gonadotoxic treatment. There is ongoing debate around the optimal carrier for an inexpensive and rapid vitrification technique. How efficient would a novel, practical and sterilizable metal brush be when compared with previously used carriers? The testicular tissues of prepubertal rats were vitrified using four different carriers and evaluated by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Nuclei were easily discriminated in the metal brush, aluminium foil and high-security straw groups, but there was decreased discrimination of structures in the metal wire group. Minimal cytoplasmic degeneration, vacuolization and mild reversible degenerative effects were seen in spermatogonial stem cells and Sertoli cells in the metal brush group. Mild to moderate structural changes were found in the aluminium foil group. Severe pyknosis of the nuclei, a high degree of swelling, expansion of the endoplasmic reticulum, and swelling and blurring of the mitochondria were seen in the metal wire and high-security straw groups. The cell viabilities in the metal brush, aluminium foil, metal wire and high-security straw groups were 91.6 ± 3.85%, 83.0 ± 4.06%, 76.0 ± 3.16% and 68.6 ± 4.93%, respectively. The metal brush is a promising new carrier for prepubertal testis vitrification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The laser spiral spot welding of Al foil and Cu foil is successfully achieved with a maximum strength of 138.2 MPa. • The research explores the effects of keyhole and molten pool flow on joint morphology and microstructure evolution. • The controlled formation of IMC, alternated with ductile phases, effectively restricts crack propagation, enhancing shear strength and ductility. The micro-joining of Al foil and Cu foil is crucial for various industrial applications, such as manufacturing power lithium-ion batteries packs for electric and hybrid vehicles. An ongoing challenge in this process is the unsatisfactory joint strength, attributed to crack susceptibility and poor joint ductility. This issue is primarily caused by the continuous formation of an intermetallic compounds (IMC) layer between Al foil and Cu foil. This study investigates the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al/Cu lapped joints using laser spiral spot welding technique with a continuous-wave (CW) fiber laser. The research explores the effects of keyhole and molten pool flow on joint morphology and microstructure evolution, linking these aspects to joint fracture behaviors. The results demonstrate that CW laser spiral spot welding achieves defect-free joints with excellent mechanical properties. The controlled formation of IMC, alternated with ductile phases, effectively restricts crack propagation, enhancing shear strength and ductility. Optimal welding parameters, such as a laser power of 450 W and welding speed of 350 mm/s, yield joints with a maximum shear strength of 138.2 MPa, which represents a significant improvement over previous spiral spot welded joints and highlights the potential of CW laser welding for efficient and high-strength Al/Cu metal foil joints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The highly fluorinated molecules have strong oxidation resistance and can improve the electrochemical window of the electrolyte. • 1.2 M LHCE can effectively passivate the aluminum foil and inhibit the corrosion under high operating voltage. • The solvated structure (AGGs) of 1.2 M LHCE can inhibit the dissolution of transition metals and reduce the interface impedance. • High-energy batteries using 1.2 M LHCE possess the ability to operate the battery under challenging conditions. The drawbacks of temperature sensitivity, high voltage intolerance, and flammability of lithium batteries are gradually brought to light in conventional carbonate electrolytes. To solve these problems, a localized high concentration electrolyte (LHCE) employing highly fluorinated ethyl trifluoroacetate (TFAE) and 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-(1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethoxy) propane (TFEP) is designed. When applied in high-energy lithium batteries, the discharge specific capacity of Li||NMC811 battery can maintain 143.6 mAh/g after 500 cycles at 4.6 V and 1C, and the capacity retention of Li||LNMO battery retains as high as 89.99 % after 500 cycles at 5 V. In addition, this LHCE also possesses the ability to operate the battery under challenging conditions including low temperature, fast charge, safety risks, etc. The LHCE based on TFAE and TFEP has unique solvated structures to generate a moderate LiF-rich interfacial layer, ensuring the fast Li+ migration. This work will provide strong guidance for future electrolyte industrial design of high-energy lithium battery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Antiproton Decelerator (AD) at CERN provides antiproton bunches with a kinetic energy of 5.3 MeV. The Extra-Low ENergy Antiproton ring at CERN, commissioned at the AD in 2018, now supplies a bunch of electron-cooled antiprotons at a fixed energy of 100 keV. The MUSASHI antiproton trap was upgraded by replacing the radio-frequency quadrupole decelerator with a pulsed drift tube to re-accelerate antiprotons and optimize the injection energy into the degrader foils. By increasing the beam energy to 119 keV, a cooled antiproton accumulation efficiency of (26 ± 6) % was achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chloroplast biogenesis occurs in cotyledon during alfalfa seed germination before true leaf formation, and is extremely important for the followed plant development and growth. In this study, we conducted a simulation of alfalfa seed germination in the soil by using tin foil and focused on 10 pivotal time points of chloroplast biogenesis in cotyledons before and after light exposure, which showed significant differences in multispectral images, and covered the whole process of chloroplast biogenesis from proplastid, etioplast to mature chloroplast. We revealed three phases that referred to the programmed involvements of photosynthesis promotion, ultrastructure maturity, transcriptomic expression, and protein complex construction, and observed distinct transcriptional expressions of genes from nuclear and chloroplast genomes. In phase I at dark germination before light exposure, chloroplast-encoded genes showed up-regulated expressions together with the importation of chloroplast proteins. In phase II for the first day after light exposure, nuclear-encoded genes' expressions were initiated at 2 h after light exposure (E2h), followed by swift assembly of chloroplast thylakoid membrane protein complexes, and roaring F v / F m and contents of chlorophyll a , chlorophyll b and carotenoid. The initiation at E2h was pronounced by the observation of gradual accumulation of single lamella, and facilitated the formation of granum stacks (thylakoid) at E8h in phase II. In phase III from the second day after light exposure, chloroplast became gradually complete with the fully established photosynthetic capacity. Altogether, our results layed a theoretical foundation for enhancing potential photosynthetic efficiency in alfalfa and related species. • Alfalfa seed germination in the field screened using multi-spectral imaging. • Three phases of chloroplast biogenesis identified before/after light exposure. • Nuclear and chloroplast had unique gene expressions in chloroplast biogenesis. • 2 h after light exposure is key for initiation of chloroplast biogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, nanofibers loaded with zein (ZN), flaxseed oil (FSO)-loaded zein (ZNF), gallic acid-loaded zein (ZNG), and a combination of flaxseed oil and gallic acid (GA) loaded zein (ZNFG) nanofibers were obtained. FSO and GA were highly encapsulated within the nanofibers with a high encapsulation efficiency (EE) ranging from 97.13% to 98.03% for FSO and 91.46%–92.53% for GA, respectively. ATR-FTIR analysis also confirmed the successful encapsulation of these bioactive compounds. The obtained nanofibers exhibited diameters ranging from 170.79 ± 61.47 to 318.55 ± 37.90 nm. Incorporating FSO and GA, with their antioxidant bioactive properties, into chicken meatballs aimed to delay oxidation. Additionally, the antimicrobial property of flaxseed oil was intended to delay microbial growth. All nanofibres were collected on aluminum foil on the collector plate of the electrospinning device. Chicken meatballs were coated with aluminum foils (containing zein-based nanofibres). Coating chicken meatballs with nanofibers presented a novel approach, and this study demonstrated that it was a highly successful preservation method during storage compared to the control samples. On the 3rd day of storage, the total mesophilic aerobic bacteria (TMAB) load in control samples was 6 log CFU g−1, while the TMAB load in samples coated with ZNF nanofibers reached 6 log CFU g−1 on the 10th day. ZNF nanofibers provided better protection in terms of the total yeast and mold count (TMY). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • TOF-SIMS provides enhanced imaging of latent blood fingerprints after development. • Simultaneous imaging and substance analysis of latent blood fingerprints. • Diluted, aged fingerprints do not have much effect on the analysis of TOF-SIMS. • Developing reagent alters the imaging effect of certain secondary ions. • Proposing a process for blood fingerprint image enhancement in real crime case. As one of the most common types of evidence in violent cases, blood fingerprints play an important role in identifying suspects. Typically, Latent blood fingerprints from a crime scene require the application of chemical development reagents followed by photographing to visualize the ridge detail. However, conventional development techniques are not effective in the visualization of poor latent blood fingerprints due to the formation conditions. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) is a surface analysis technique that combines high mass resolution and high spatial resolution to recover through mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) to reveal fingerprints that are invisible to the naked eye, especially conventional visualization methods. In this study, an enhancement method for latent blood fingerprints was established by analyzing blood fingerprints that showed poor visibility using conventional methods (acid yellow, amido black 10B, tetramethylbenzidine) on plastic sheets, aluminum foil, various papers, and other objects. Additionally, blood samples were diluted with distilled water at concentration gradients of 1:5, 1:10, 1:20, and 1:100 to test the method's sensitivity. Latent fingerprints of blood that aged 14, 30, and 54 days were also examined. Results showed that this method not only enhances the development of fingerprints under challenging conditions but also allows for the recovery of incomplete fingerprints and the separation of overlapping fingerprints. Compared to conventional methods, this approach significantly improves the development effect of latent blood fingerprints while maintaining universality, reliability and practicality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spectrum averaged cross sections (SACS) in standard neutron field, e.g. 252Cf(s.f.), is a preferable tool for cross section evaluation and validation. A set of reaction measurements with high energy thresholds was previously performed. The presented work focuses on lower energy threshold reactions, namely on the inelastic scattering of the tin foil, more specifically the reaction 117Sn(n,n')117mSn, and the zinc foil reaction, namely 67Zn(n,p)67Cu. These reactions are of special interest due to their intermediate energy range, which is essential in classical reactor dosimetry and fast reactor dosimetry. The experiments were carried out in a standard neutron field formed by 252Cf(s.f.) source in Řež. The experimental results were compared with calculations using MCNP6.2, ENDF/B-VII.1 transport library, and ENDF/B-VIII.0 and IRDFF-II cross section data library. Additionally, the calculations using CEA code DARWIN/PEPIN2 using JEFF-3.0/A were executed. The obtained experimental SACS of previously measured reactions were in good agreement with the SACS calculated using the IRDFF-II library. Additionally, the calculational reaction rate of 67Zn(n,p)67Cu was in accordance with the experimental data in case of ENDF/B-VIII.0 nuclear data library. Moreover, the calculational results of 117Sn(n,n')117mSn obtained by DARWIN/PEPIN2 code (using JEFF-3.0/A nuclear data library) are closest to the experimental results. • Experimental SACS of 117Sn(n,n')117mSn evaluation. • Experimental SACS of 67Zn(n,p)67Cu evaluation. • Measurement of reaction rates of activated materials. • Calculational SACS using various nuclear data libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The accuracy of the combined OSL/TL technique is investigated by irradiation of LiF:Mg,Ti samples with 14.1 MeV neutrons and a comparison of the OSL/TL results with the neutron fluence determined by Al activation. • The advantage of the OSL/TL technique is the simultaneous determination of gamma/beta and neutron dose components on the same samples of 7LiF:Mg,Ti in a single dedicated TL/OSL reader. The measurement of beta/gamma and neutron dose components in mixed radiation fields is described involving combined OSL and TL measurements. The accuracy of the technique is investigated by irradiation of LiF:Mg,Ti samples with 14.1 MeV neutrons and a comparison of the OSL/TL results with the neutron fluence determined by Al activation. The precision of the measurements is 6.1 to 6.7 % (1 SD) for the OSL/TL technique compared to 7.3 % for the Al foils. The advantage of the technique is the simultaneous determination of the two dose components on the same samples of 7LiF:Mg,Ti in a single dedicated TL/OSL reader. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] The most used piece of equipment for sonochemistry is the ultrasonic cleaning bath. However, what is sometimes forgotten by scientists new to sonochemistry is the vital importance of the shape and positioning of any reaction vessel in the bath to obtain the most efficient and reproducible results. In experiments using an ultrasonic bath, a glass vessel (reactor) is inserted into the water contained in the bath. The water acts as the coupling medium for the transfer of acoustic energy from the transducer to the vessel (termed indirect sonication). The position of the reaction vessel above the base of the US bath can change the energy transmitted into it over a wide range of values (in our system between 100–500 J). We have carried out a study of the vertical distribution of the ultrasound field in a common type of ultrasound bath, comparing conventional sonochemistry dosimeters with a new and very simple approach using the Ultrasonic Capillary Effect (UCE) which can be performed in any laboratory. The technique involves the use of a capillary tube, to locate the vertical positions of acoustic pressure maxima above a single transducer on the base of the bath. The results are compared with those obtained using calorimetry, iodimetry, a cavitometer and the perforation of aluminium foil. The results show that the optimum position for the reaction vessel can be located very simply using UCE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spent Li-ion batteries(LIBs) cathodes possess high recycling value. To improve subsequent recovery efficiency and product purity, separating the cathode materials from the aluminum foil is critical. However, traditional separation methods are characterized by high energy consumption, low recycling efficiency, and environmental pollution. This research presents a novel method that involves injecting Joule heat directly into the aluminum foil in the air, resulting in the melting and slight thermal decomposition of the PVDF binder, which reduces its adhesive properties. Owing to the difference in thermal expansion coefficients between the binder and aluminum foil, an instantaneous thermal stress was generated at the interface of the cathode materials and aluminum foil, resulting in a peeling force. This method enabled a rapid and efficient separation of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and ternary Li-ion (NCM) battery cathode materials. The optimal separation conditions, separation mechanism, and properties of the recovered products were investigated thoroughly using high-speed camera imaging, temperature rise calculations, and microscopic characterization. This chemical-free method avoids the generation of wastewater and gas emissions. Under optimal experimental parameters, the separation efficiency and purity of cathode material reached 99 % and 99.7 %, respectively. Additionally, this method preserves both the structural integrity of the aluminum foil and the crystalline structure of the cathode materials, offering a new pathway for sustainable recycling of end-of-life LIBs. • Pulsed Power Technology Provided Fast Joule Heat to Separate Lithium-Ion Battery Cathode Materials. • High-purity of recovered cathode materials and Al foils were achieved. • Behaviour and mechanism of cathode material stripping from aluminium foil were proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High blue-emitting sulfur quantum dots (SQDs) with quantum yields of up to 58.7% were prepared using elemental sulfur using a facile ethylenediamine-assisted hydrothermal acceleration method at 60 °C for 7 h. In the presence of ethylenediamine, bulk sublimated sulfur powder can be broken down into fine particles of sulfur-nitrogen compounds and then oxidized to produce SQDs. HRTEM analysis of the morphology of SQDs showed that SQDs had a quasi-spherical shape with a size of 3.2 nm. In this process, under the influence of ethylenediamine, sublimated sulfur is rapidly converted from zero-valent sulfur to polysulfide with simple heating, greatly improving manufacturing efficiency. Synthesized fluorescent sulfur quantum dots (SQDs) were used in this study as fluorescent probes for quantitative detection of Hg2+. The SQD served as an effective Hg2+ detection probe with a detection limit of 2.7 μM through an efficient on-off switching mechanism in response to Hg2+. In addition, latent fingerprints were recognized using SQD powder, and fingerprints were detected on the surfaces of various media, such as paper, glass, and aluminum foil. The synthesized SQDs have a high potential for sensing applications of various luminescent materials. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Study optimizing thermal insulation, preserving okra quality during transport. • Innovative sandwich design significantly enhances thermal insulation performance. • Substantial reduction observed in water loss and browning incidents for okra. • Extended polyethylene with aluminum foil on both sides is preferred choice for insulation. Postharvest loss of okra is caused by its high respiration rate and temperature fluctuations in the supply chain. To address this, five thermal insulation boxes were designed, combining different materials, and evaluated for okra quality during simulated transportation and storage. The treatments included the standard foam box, metalized foam sheet (two layers consisting of aluminum foil and expanded polyethylene), prototype-A (three layers consisting of dual layer of aluminum foil and expanded polyethylene), prototype-B (four layers consisting of aluminum foil, nonwoven, expanded polyethylene, and aluminum foil), and standard regular slotted container. Material tests revealed that aluminum foil and expanded polyethylene had the lowest thermal heat energy. The composite sandwich box design, prototype-A, demonstrated the highest maximum insulation time of 28 h and thermal resistance of 0.332 m2°C/W. Prototype-A and prototype-B effectively maintained low temperature fluctuation, minimized air and okra temperature changes, and maintained 6.19 to 8.25 % CO 2 , which was within an acceptable range of 4–10 % for okra. Both prototypes exhibited reduced percentage mass loss in okra below 5 %. Importantly, both prototypes demonstrated the lowest incidence of okra pod surface browning and maintained the quality for 6 d, surpassing metalized foam sheet and standard regular slotted container. These findings offer sandwich design with 3 or 4 layers as promising alternatives for thermal insulation boxes in cold chain management, enhancing the transport packaging of okra under ambient environments compared to the standard foam box. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In fibers made from organic plastic scintillators, a combination of extrinsic and intrinsic effects results in the attenuation of light and thus in a position-dependent light yield. The trapping of photons can further be affected if fibers are coated with or wrapped in a light-absorbing or reflecting material to suppress optical cross-talk. These effects have frequently been studied for long (> 0. 5 m) fibers, yet little data is available for shorter ones. We experimentally studied the position-dependent light yield of single-cladded Kuraray SCSF-78 fibers with lengths of < 10 cm and tested the effect of different cross-talk-preventing materials. Contrary to the often acceptable simplification that light is transmitted in the fiber core alone, we found that photons trapped by the protective cladding significantly contribute to the light transmission in short fibers. In this paper, we perform an in-depth characterization of the position-dependent light yield of fibers sputter-coated with aluminum and wrapped in aluminum foil using a double-exponential attenuation function. Finally, we compare our findings to a simple photon transport model. • Attenuation results in a position-dependent light yield in scintillating fibers. • Coating or wrapping fibers to prevent optical cross-talk changes attenuation. • Light yield in short scintillating fibers is strongly position-dependent. • Photon transport in the fiber cladding contributes significantly to light yield. • Sputter-coating with aluminum is best and easiest method for cross-talk prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current ATLAS Inner Detector will undergo a complete upgrade in order to meet the requirements of the High Luminosity Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC). The new Inner Tracker (ITk) will be made completely of silicon sensors fabricated by Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. (HPK). Quality Assurance (QA) is focused on providing confidence that quality requirements will be fulfilled in production such as irradiation tolerance and testing specification for the mini sensors. The Associated Proton beam Experiment Platform (APEP) beam line at the China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS) was commissioned in 2022. This study focused on verifying the feasibility of CSNS as an ITk sensor QA irradiation site. A low-temperature Peltier cold box has been developed to keep the irradiation sensor samples at −15 ° C. Several fluence points have been studied from 5. 1 × 1 0 14 n eq /cm2 to 1. 6 × 1 0 15 n eq /cm2, measured with the activation of the aluminium foils. The post-irradiation measurements (IV, CV, and CCE) are done under cold temperatures (−8 ° C for IV and CV, −20 ° C for CCE), after annealing for 80 min at 60 ° C. Test results show CSNS could be a suitable proton irradiation site for the ATLAS ITk sensor project, after formal site qualification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Octocrylene is a common sun filter ingredient used to protect the skin from damaging UV rays. Benzophenone is an impurity found in formulations containing octocrylene. [14C]-Benzophenone was spiked (0.1 g/L) into 2 commercial sunscreen formulations; Neutrogena® Beach Defense Sunscreen Spray Broad Spectrum SPF 70 Aerosol, Neutrogena® Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Aerosol, and an acetone vehicle. The formulations were applied (ca 2 μL/cm2) to dermatomed human skin mounted in static diffusion cells in vitro. Receptor fluid was collected up to 24 h post dose. All samples were analyzed by liquid scintillation counting. The dermal delivery of [14C]-Benzophenone was 10.02, 9.04 and 5.19% for the 3 formulations. However, the [14C]-Benzophenone mass balances were low; 81.5, 85.3 and 8.02%, respectively. A volatility test was performed replacing skin with aluminum foil for the sunscreen formulations only. The [14C]-Benzophenone mass balance at dosing was 99% but fell to 56.9 and 60.6% at 24 h post dose, confirming the losses were due to [14C]-Benzophenone volatility. A conservative dermal absorption value of 12.42% was proposed to cover [14C]-Benzophenone containing formulations. • [14C]-Benzophenone mass balance was low (<90%) from sunscreen formulations. • Losses were confirmed to be due to volatility replacing skin with aluminum foil. • For risk assessment purposes, skin dermal absorption is <12.5%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The different solution-processed concentrations of graphene solid lubricant (0 – 30 mg/mL) were applied on the surface of copper/stainless steel 304 L composite foils. A variable trend of rolling force occurs, with a first falling and then rising trend and the lowest rolling force was obtained at 25 mg/mL for 3.82 kN. Besides, the height of ridges and aspect ratio were improved with an increased solution-processed concentration. On the valley surfaces, the GNPs filled up the cracks, flattened the grooves and eliminated the micro scratches. This indicates the self-repairing and self-polishing mechanisms of GNPs in the micro rolling process. The sliding and exfoliation of GNPs also contributed to the reduced roughness and improved quality of the sample surfaces. • Cu/SS304L composite micro channels were fabricated by micro rolling process. • GNPs solid lubricants were used to improve the forming accuracy and quality. • The lowest rolling force of 3.82 kN can be obtained in the G5 sample. • Aspect ratios increase from 0.534 for the G0 sample to 0.593 for the G6 sample. • GNPs fill up cracks, flatten grooves and eliminate scratches during micro rolling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microstructure surface is an effective method to improve the boiling performance and has the feasibility of application in solving the heat dissipation problem of high-power electronics. This study develops microgroove array surfaces with secondary micro-structures (MSs) by two perpendicular electrical discharge machining processes to further maximize the boiling performance. Wavy electrodes composed of copper and tin foils with varying thickness and quantity are prepared to fabricate MSs with different structural parameters, and it is confirmed that the enhancement ratio of MSs on boiling performance increases with the increase of number and width of secondary microgrooves. The wall superheats at the onset of nucleate boiling of MSs are 45.3%–62.1% lower than that of smooth copper plate, and an outstanding critical heat flux of 2592.4 kW/m2 with a maximum heat transfer coefficient of 138.6 kW/m2∙oC are achieved. The greatly enhanced boiling performance is attributed to the microgroove arrays and the secondary micro-structures, i.e., micro fins, ablation craters, and micropillars, which provide more nucleation sites and larger heat transfer area. Finally, the cell performance enhancement of concentrated photovoltaics using the nucleate boiling of MSs as thermal management solutions is evaluated as an example of its potential applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concentration variation of C3-C11 non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHCs) collected in several types of commercial flexible bags and adsorption tubes was systematically investigated using a gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) system. The percentage loss of each NMHC in the polyvinyl fluoride (PVF) bags was less than 5% during a 7-hr storage period; significant NMHCs loss was detected in aluminum foil composite film and fluorinated ethylene propylene bags. The thermal desorption efficiency of NMHCs for adsorption tubes filled Carbopack B and Carboxen1000 sorbents was greater than 95% at 300℃, and the loss of NMHCs in the adsorption tubes during 20-days storage at 4℃ was less than 8%. The thermal desorption efficiency for C11 NMHCs in the adsorption tube filled with Carbograph 1 and Carbosieve SⅢ absorbents was less than 40% at 300℃, and pyrolysis of the absorbents at 330℃ interfered significantly with the measurements of some alkenes. The loss of alkenes was significant when NMHCs were sampled by cryo-enrichment at -90℃ in the presence of O 3 for the online NMHC measurements, and negligible for enrichment using adsorption tubes at 25℃. Although O 3 scrubbers have been widely used to eliminate the influence of O 3 on NMHC measurements, the loss of NMHCs with carbon numbers greater than 8 was more than 10%. Therefore, PVF bags and adsorption tubes filled Carbopack B and Carboxen1000 sorbents were recommended for the sampling of atmospheric NMHCs. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium-sulfur (Li–S) batteries have received quite significant attention rooted from its ultra-high energy density. Nevertheless, the shuttle effect of dissoluble sulfurous intermediates is the primary obstacle which hinders their practical application. Herein, a porous carbon fiber membrane embedded with cobalt nanoparticles (Co–PCNF) was prepared by electrostatic spinning, then the active material was firmly fixed between the two layers of Co–PCNF to form a unique sandwich structure. With this strategy, an aluminum foil current collector can be replaced by the Co–PCNF sandwich structure, which is helpful to improve the energy density of Li–S battery as well as coordinate the volume change of sulfur in the process of charge and discharge, what's more, the shuttle effect is significantly inhibited. Results show that the as-assembled battery delivers an initial discharge specific capacities of 1013.3 mAh g−1 and 933.4 mAh g−1 at 0.5C and 1C, together with the decay rate of only 0.04% and 0.08% per cycle over 500 cycles, respectively. Moreover, the larger sulfur load (2.2 mg cm−2) still has the discharge specific capacity of 1009.8 mAh g−1 after 150 cycles at 0.2C. This Co–PCNF sandwich electrode may provide a new idea for the structural design for Li–S batteries. A porous carbon fiber membranes embedded with cobalt nanoparticles (Co–PCNF) was prepared by electrospinning, then the mixture of sulfur powder and Ketjen Black (KB) was firmly fixed between the two layers of carbon fiber membrane to form a unique sandwich structure, by which aluminum foil current collector can be replaced. The results show that this kind of Co–PCNF sandwich structure electrode is helpful to improve the energy density of lithium-sulfur battery and coordinate the volume change of sulfur in the process of charge and discharge, what's more, the shuttle effect is significantly inhibited, thus showing excellent electrochemical performance. [Display omitted] • A porous carbon fiber membrane embedded with cobalt nanoparticles (Co–PCNF) was prepared by electrospinning. • The electrode forms a unique sandwich structure. • The structural characteristics of the Co–PCNF sandwich electrode was explored. • Co-PCNF sandwich electrode can effectively inhibit the shuttle effect of polysulfide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of novel Sr5YTi3Nb7O30: x Eu3+ (x = 0.05–0.40) red-emitting phosphors were firstly synthesized using the high-temperature solid-state method. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns demonstrate that the phosphors are pure phase with the space group P 4 bm of tetragonal system. Under the 395 nm excitation wavelength, the red emission of Sr5YTi3Nb7O30:Eu3+ phosphor is considered to be dominated by the 5D 0 →7F 2 transition at 613 nm. The asymmetry ratios (R/O) of Sr5YTi3Nb7O30: x Eu3+ (x = 0.05–0.40) phosphors are identified as 2.64–2.78, which contribute to the high color purity (99.5%–99.8%). The phosphor has good thermal stability with 0.17 eV of activation energy. The Commission International de L'Eclairage (CIE) coordinates of the w-LED nearly overlap with the standard white light (0.333, 0.333), the R a is as high as 90. Meanwhile, the features of fingerprint are simultaneously distinguished at three levels on aluminum foil by Sr5YTi3Nb7O30:0.30Eu3+ phosphor. In addition, the latent fingerprint on various nonporous substrates (stainless steel, glass, and plastic surfaces) were identified. In summary, the phosphor is feasible to apply in the w-LEDs and latent fingerprint detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the Al 2 O 3 -reinforced high Nb–TiAl laminated composite is successfully fabricated by an innovative way of direct-current magnetron sputtering combined with the foil-foil metallurgy, with assistance of vacuum hot-pressed sintering. Here, the Nb-coated aluminum foil and titanium foil, microstructure evolution, the lamellar plane distribution and the mechanical performances are carefully studied. Specifically, the composite is composed of the α 2 -Ti 3 Al, γ-TiAl and α-Al 2 O 3 phase, in which the high Nb–TiAl matrix has a fully lamellar microstructure and a high content (∼6.5%) of Nb. Taken the textured titanium foil as raw material, the multi-stage annealing process is proved to be an effective way to control the lamellar plane distribution in the high Nb–TiAl matrix, showing that 82.3% of the lamellar planes forms an angle less than 30° from the RD-ND plane of the composite. Moreover, the bending strength and fracture toughness of the composite reach 817 MPa and 12.41 MPa m1/2, respectively. Further, the toughening and strengthening mechanisms are also detailly discussed. We believe that the major findings in this work can provide a new idea to design the high strength-toughness intermetallic-ceramic composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanosecond laser processing (NLP) is performed on aluminium and copper Li-ion battery (LIB) current collectors to improve the interface adhesion with active materials. The developed area ratio, S dr , void volume, V v , and maximum crater depth, h , are introduced to quantify the effectiveness and feasibility of NLP over a range of process parameters. By limiting the crater depth to half the foil thickness, increases in surface area of 20% and 13% are achieved on aluminium and copper foils of thickness 30 µm and 10 µm with a fluence of 24.8 J/cm2 and 49.5 J/cm2, respectively. The adhesion ratio of intact active material following peel-off tests on complete electrodes with textured current collectors is approximately 30% higher than with untreated current collectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Extraction of waste lubricating oil was examined utilizing methylethylketone. • The hydrotreatment of WLO with CoNiMo/γ-Al 2 O 3 was performed at different conditions. • The optimum conditions were temperature 400 °C, Pressure 60 bar, and 0.75 h−1 LHSV. • The properties of hydrotreated WLO was enhanced by decreasing of RI, TAN, and sulfur content. Because of the heavy metal content and other toxic chemicals, used lubricating oil remains one of the most serious environmental concerns. The target of this work is the synthesis of γ-Al 2 O 3 from waste aluminum foil and re-refining waste lubricating oils using solvent extraction pursued by hydrotreatment. The trimetallic CoNiMo/γ-Al 2 O 3 catalyst was prepared via a co-impregnation method. The support and tri-metallic supported alumina are characterized by N 2 adsorption–desorption techniques, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, HRTEM, and EDX. The catalyst was evaluated in the hydrotreating of extracted waste lubricating oils. The results confirmed that the solvent to oil ratio of 3 gave the higher performance with the highest percent of sludge elimination at room temperature. Hydrotreating of extracted lube oil was investigated to determine the effect of variables such as temperature, pressure, liquid hour space velocity, and hydrogen to oil feed ratio. The results indicated that the optimum conditions are (temperature 400 °C, Pressure 60 bar, 0.75 h−1 LHSV). The results showed improvement of the hydrotreated waste lubricating oils properties by decreasing the refractive index from 1.480 to 1.460, the total acid number decreased from 8.164 to 0. 459, the Viscosity Index increase from 78 to 129, and the Sulfur content decreased from 6752 ppm to 543 ppm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A single pulsed discharge enabled peeling of cathode particles from Al foil. • As a recycling technology, a pulsed discharge could reduce life cycle impacts. • Recovery of cathode particles reduced LC-GHG and resource consumption. • Life cycle assessment results changed due to a shift in battery chemistry. This series of papers addresses the recycling of cathode particles and aluminum (Al) foil from positive electrode sheet (PE sheet) dismantled from spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) by applying a high-voltage pulsed discharge. As concluded in Part I of the series (Tokoro et al., 2021), cathode particles and Al foil were separated in water based on a single pulsed power application. This separation of LIB components by pulsed discharge was examined by means of prospective life cycle assessment and is expected to have applications in LIB reuse and recycling. The indicators selected were life cycle greenhouse gas (LC-GHG) emissions and life cycle resource consumption potential (LC-RCP). We first completed supplementary experiments to collect redundant data under several scale-up circumstances, and then attempted to quantify the uncertainties from scaling up and progress made in battery technology. When the batch scale of pulsed discharge separation is sufficiently large, the recovery of cathode particles and Al foil from PE sheet by pulsed discharge can reduce both LC-GHG and LC-RCP, in contrast to conventional recycling with roasting processes. Due to technology developments in LIB cathodes, the reuse of positive electrode active materials (PEAM) does not always have lower environmental impacts than the recycling of the raw materials of PEAM in the manufacturing of new LIB cathodes. This study achieved a proof of concept for resource consumption reduction induced by cathode utilization, considering LC-GHG and LC-RCP, by applying high-voltage pulsed discharge separation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Multiple components can be recovered by the novel pneumatic separation at one time. • The recovery of Cu in current collectors is 92.08%, and that of Al is 96.68%. • Suspension velocity of flaky powder can be given by the equivalent diameter method. In recycling of the spent lithium iron phosphorus (LiFePO 4) batteries, the mechanical pretreatment is critical for relieving the pressure of the subsequent recycling process and reducing the cost of whole recycling process. In order to achieve the separation and concentration of the cathode materials, anode materials, copper and aluminum foils from spent LiFePO 4 batteries, a novel pneumatic separation combined with froth flotation is designed in this research. A pulsated pneumatic separation with variable-diameter structure separator is used, through which 92.08% of copper and 96.68% of aluminum were recovered. In the pneumatic separation the movement of the copper and aluminum flakes can be described by an improved equivalent diameter method, based on the force analysis of the flaky particles. The froth flotation is utilized to recover the cathode materials and anode materials with the recovery of 92.86% and 83.21%, respectively. A mass balance and a technological route of the recycling process are provided finally. The present work provides a green and high-efficiency recycling process in which copper, aluminum, anode and cathode materials in lithium-ion batteries can be recovered respectively only by physical methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]