Search

Small plastic packaging films make up a quarter of all packaging waste generated annually in Austria. As many plastic packaging films are multilayered to give barrier properties and strength, this fraction is considered hardly recyclable and recovered thermally. Besides, they can not be separated from recyclable monolayer films using near-infrared spectroscopy in material recovery facilities. In this paper, an experimental sensor-based sorting setup is used to demonstrate the effect of adapting a near-infrared sorting rig to enable measurement in transflection. This adaptation effectively circumvents problems caused by low material thickness and improves the sorting success when separating monolayer and multilayer film materials. Additionally, machine learning approaches are discussed to separate monolayer and multilayer materials without requiring the near-infrared sorter to explicitly learn the material fingerprint of each possible combination of layered materials. Last, a fast Fourier transform is shown to reduce destructive interference overlaying the spectral information. Through this, it is possible to automatically find the Fourier component at which to place the filter to regain the most spectral information possible.

WS2/a‐C multilayer films exhibit good friction reduction but relatively low hardness and load‐bearing capacity. To further enhance the tribological properties of WS2/a‐C films, Mo layers with different thicknesses are introduced into WSx/a‐C multilayer films to fabricate WSx/Mo/a‐C/Mo multilayer films by magnetron sputtering. The microstructure and tribological properties of the films are characterized by X‐ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy, nanoindentation, and ball‐on‐disk tribotesting. The results show that the WSx/Mo/a‐C/Mo multilayer films have better mechanical and tribological properties than WSx/a‐C multilayer films. With increasing Mo single‐layer thickness, the hardness of the multilayer films initially increases and then decreases slightly; moreover, an increased elastic modulus and decreased adhesion are observed. The multilayer film with an Mo single‐layer thickness of 2 nm demonstrates the optimal set of comprehensive properties (i.e., a maximum hardness (H)/elastic modulus (E) ratio of 0.0793, H3/E2 ratio of 0.0812 GPa, binding force of 30.4 N, minimum friction coefficient of 0.187, and wear rate of 1.01 × 10−14 m3 N−1 m−1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a significant part in optical computation, analogue optical spatial/temporal differentiators could play a great role in all‐optical signal processing, feature extraction, and optical storage. In the past few years, they have experienced rapid development but mostly for a single function. For many scenarios, optical computation with integrated functionalities is highly desired. In this work, an analogue optical spatiotemporal differentiator utilizing all‐dielectric multilayer is proposed. The film stack is specifically engineered to satisfy the requirements for both spatial and temporal transfer functions of the ideal differentiator. The time‐space performance of the device is numerically examined from the output field profile of the classical Gaussian beam or pulse. A wavelength‐scale high resolution for edge detection is attained using the integrated differentiator. This work may pave a potential way to establish ultracompact, high‐bandwidth, and real‐time optical multiple functional computation systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detailed dynamic modeling of a solar sail requires recording of solar radiation pressure influence. A photon-solar sail is determined by the thrust value and the direction. We define the solar sail's reflectivity depending on the film materials, the sail design and temperature, the thickness of multiple layers, and degradation factor, with a reasonable degree of accuracy. Thus, this work is devoted to the identification of optical characteristics of thin multilayer films in space flight conditions, i.e. to finding its reflectance, absorbance, and transmittance. In particular, the paper asks whether the solar sail simulates by a mathematical model of the optical characteristics of a multilayer epitaxial thin film. The temperature change effect and optical properties of solar sail degradation are considered as well. Solar sail flight from Earth to Mercury is designed as a simulation of the flight change in optical parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the increasingly pressing context of improving recycling, optical technologies present a broad potential to support the adequate sorting of plastics. Nevertheless, the commercially available solutions (for example, employing near-infrared spectroscopy) generally focus on identifying mono-materials of a few selected types which currently have a market-interest as secondary materials. Current progress in photonic sciences together with advanced data analysis, such as artificial intelligence, enable bridging practical challenges previously not feasible, for example in terms of classifying more complex materials. In the present paper, the different techniques are initially reviewed based on their main characteristics. Then, based on academic literature, their suitability for monitoring the composition of multi-materials, such as different types of multi-layered packaging and fibre-reinforced polymer composites as well as black plastics used in the motor vehicle industry, is discussed. Finally, some commercial systems with applications in those sectors are also presented. This review mainly focuses on the materials identification step (taking place after waste collection and before sorting and reprocessing) but in outlook, further insights on sorting are given as well as future prospects which can contribute to increasing the circularity of the plastic composites' value chains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chitosan (CS) cross-linked films were prepared using the Maillard reaction (CMR). Layer-by-layer casting created additional layers using alginate dialdehyde (ADA) containing cinnamaldehyde nanoemulsions (CANE) and CS. The ability to preserve grass carp fillets was evaluated along with the effects of CANE concentration on the microstructure, physicochemical properties, controlled-release behavior, antioxidation, and antibacterial activities of the films. In all films, Schiff base-induced bonds, electrostatic interactions, and hydrogen bonds brought the layers closer together, improving the mechanical properties (e.g., a 70% increase in tensile strength and a 34% increase in breaking elongation) and barrier capacity (e.g., inhibiting ultraviolet, water vapor, and oxygen transmission). CANE can improve the antioxidant activity, antibacterial activity, and sustained release characteristics of films. More importantly, over the 8-day storage period, the fish packaged using the active films were better than those in the control, commercial PE, and CS films in terms of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, pH, texture, total viable counts, and volatile basic nitrogen with indicator species. Fish could have a prolonged shelf life due to the prepared CMR/ADA-CA/CS film. In other words, it may be used as a sustainable food packaging material, with the performance of the film being regulated by different CANE concentrations. [Display omitted] • Schiff base, hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions exist in the films. • Cinnamaldehyde nanoemulsions enhanced the film' mechanical and barrier properties. • Cinnamaldehyde improved the film' antibacterial and antioxidant activity. • The trilayer films exhibited a sustained-release effect on cinnamaldehyde. • The films could prolong the shelf life of grass carp fillets during storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High dielectric constant ceramics fillers are widely used as fillers in polymer matrix to prepare high performance dielectric composites. Homogeneous filler distribution in these composites films is found to be quite difficult to achieve balance between high dielectric constant and high breakdown strength. Herein, multilayer structured composites films containing nickelous hydroxide (Ni(OH)2) as fillers, with different multilayered structures were designed and prepared, including 2–5 layers structure with various filler distribution. The effects of multilayer structure on the dielectric performance are explored by keeping the overall filler content constant. Combined with computer simulation, it is suggested that the variation in filler distribution in these films can effectively redistribute electric field intensity. Meanwhile, the dielectric constant and breakdown strength of the overall composites can be adjusted by changing the volume ratio between high filler content layer and low filler content layer. It is noted that at least 1/3 of the overall film volume should be occupied by a high breakdown strength layer to keep rather high overall breakdown strength. Moreover, high dielectric constant layer should be the outer layers to achieve overall high dielectric constant. Among all the layered structures investigated, the maximum energy density of 6.03 J/cm3 is obtained for film with a 3-layer nonsequential arrangement structure, which is 68% higher than single layer film with identical composition. This study provides some reference value for the preparation of multilayered dielectric polymer composites films for energy storage applications.

A novel method for fabricating a nano-Cu/Si 3 N 4 ceramic substrate is proposed. The nano-Cu/Si 3 N 4 ceramic substrate is first fabricated using spark plasma sintering (SPS) with the addition of nanoscale multilayer films (Ti/TiN/Ti/TiN/Ti) as transition layers. The microstructures of the nano-Cu metal layer and the interface between Cu and Si 3 N 4 are investigated. The results show that a higher SPS temperature increases the grain size of the nano-Cu metal layer and affects the hardness. The microstructure of the transition layer evolves significantly after SPS. Ti in the transition layer can react with Si 3 N 4 and with nano-Cu to form interfacial reaction layers of TiN and Ti–Cu, respectively; these ensure stronger bonding between nano-Cu and Si 3 N 4. Higher SPS temperatures improve the diffusion ability of Ti and Cu, inducing the formation of Ti 3 Cu 3 O compounds in the nano-Cu metal layer and Ti 2 Cu in the transition layer. This study provides an important strategy for designing and constructing a new type of ceramic substrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The magnetic properties of the [Tb–Co/Si]n films are studied at temperatures of 5–300 K. The regularities of changing the effective magnetic moment of terbium and the average magnetic moment of cobalt with decreasing magnetic layer thickness are determined. In this case, interlayer interfaces are shown to play the active role. A decrease in the Tb–Co layer thickness is accompanied by an increase in the opening angle of sperimagnetic cone and the transition from the sperimagnetic to speromagetic structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, the effectiveness of a multilayer film of polylactide (PLA), fully bio-based and compostable, was ascertained to develop a novel sustainable packaging solution for the preservation of fresh pork meat. To this end, the multilayer PLA films were first characterized in terms of their thermal characteristics, structure, mechanical performance, permeance to water and aroma vapors and oxygen, and optical properties and, for the first time, compared with two commercial high-barrier multilayer packaging films. Thereafter, the multilayers were thermosealed to package fillets of fresh pork meat and the physicochemical changes, lipid oxidation levels, and microbiological counts were monitored in the food samples during storage under refrigeration conditions. Results showed that the meat fillets packaged in PLA developed a redder color and showed certain indications of dehydration and oxidation, being more noticeably after 11 days of storage, due to the higher water vapor and oxygen permeance values of the biopolymer multilayer. However, the pH changes and bacterial growth in the cold-stored fresh pork meat samples were minimal and very similar in the three tested multilayer films, successfully accomplishing the requirements of the food quality and safety standards at the end of storage.

The goal of this research was to study the potential of polyelectrolyte multilayers as buccal dosage forms for drug delivery and to investigate how the properties of the drugs impact the overall performance of the delivery system. Multilayer films based on the polyelectrolyte interaction between casein and chitosan were developed using benzydamine, tolfenamic acid and betahistine as model drugs. The samples were characterized for surface pH, moisture content and moisture absorption, swelling behavior and mucoadhesion. Additionally, surface morphology was investigated, as well as the drugs’ physical state after incorporation in the multilayer films. The samples proved to be non-irritant (pH was within the physiological range), physically stable (moisture content and moisture absorption below 5%) and mucoadhesive, adsorbing from 60 to 70% mucin. The release behavior corelated to the swelling index profiles of the samples and was strongly dependent on the drug solubility. The developed multilayer films appeared to be an optimum delivery system for sparingly soluble drugs due to the high drug loading achieved.

This paper explores different film assembly conditions of the polyelectrolyte solutions of hyaluronan (HA) and chitosan (CHI), as well as both substrate and cell surface modifications, to investigate PC3 cells adhesion properties. UV–Visible, AFM-IR and Zeta potential techniques indicate that the solution ionic strength is a relevant parameter to modulate the free carboxylic groups of HA on the film surface. In addition, capacitive coupling measurements suggest that assembly conditions that favor surface charge mobility inhibit cell adhesion due to polymer rearrangements that support non-specific electrostatic interactions of positively charged CHI residues and the negatively charged cell moieties, rather than specific CD44-hyaluronan interactions. Moreover, the PC3 cells treatment with hyaluronidase and anti-CD44 antibody also highlighted the importance of CD44 binding site availability on the tumor cell adhesion properties. Finally, the conjugation of wheat germ agglutinin on the film surface proved to be a suitable strategy to boost the PC3 cell adhesion properties. Our results reveal the remarkable capacity of HA/CHI films to modulate cell-substrate properties, which pave the road for the development of surfaces suitable for several applications based on biosensing. [Display omitted] • The interplay of HA and CD44 is the main responsible for the cell adhesion mechanism. • Solution ionic strength modulates the HA availability on the film surface. • Cell adhesion is favored in smoother surfaces enriched with HA at medium/low levels. • Films bearing low surface charge mobility tend to favor specific cell interactions. • WGA functionalization increases the cell adhesion properties of the PEM films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A star‐shaped N C N‐pincer tri‐RuII complex 3 with a triarylamine core, capped with three 2,2':6',2''‐terpyridine‐4,4',4''‐tricarboxylic acid terminal ligands, has been synthesized. The single‐crystal X‐ray structure of a precursor ester complex 7 is presented. By using the Zr‐mediated layer‐by‐layer assembly, multilayer films FTO/SnO2:Sb/(3)n(Zr)n‐1 (n = 1–4) have been prepared on Sb‐doped SnO2 nanocrystalline substrates. These films have been characterized by XPS and SEM analysis. The electrochromism of these films in the near‐infrared region were examined by oxidative spectroelectrochemical measurements and douple‐potential‐step chronoamperometry. The two‐layered film displays the best overall performance with a contrast ratio (ΔT%) of 36 % at 1550 nm and response time of shorter than 2 s. After 1000 switching cycles, around 11 % loss of the contrast ratio is observed, suggesting good cyclic stability of these films. In addition, a comparison of the electrochromic performance of these multilayer films with respect to the previously reported electropolymerized films of a related tri‐RuII complex and monolayer films of two mono‐RuII complexes on SnO2:Sb is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The field of application of multilayer polymer films ranges from the packaging of food and other goods to medical technology and the encapsulation of organic electronics. The layer structure of the polymer films is adapted to the respective areas of application. Usually, polymer film systems contain several individual layers. A trend toward more flexible production and batch sizes down to one can be identified in all the above-mentioned areas of application. This requires new production processes. Laser transmission welding with adapted laser beam sources represents a promising approach for this. It is characterized by a contactless and a locally limited energy position. A very high degree of format flexibility is also possible, thanks to a purely numerical adjustment of the welding contour. In many applications, it is desired to keep the polymer film as it is available on the market. If two multilayer polymer films should be welded with laser radiation in an overlapping arrangement, sufficient absorption of the laser radiation in the material is required. Each individual polymer layer has wavelength-dependent material-specific optical properties. Due to the vibrations of polymer chains, polymers have absorption peaks in the near infrared range. If a suitable laser beam source is now used for the welding process, the energy can be deposited directly in the material without modifying it beforehand. The energy input should be the highest at the point of contact or in the sealing layers of the two polymer films so that it is locally heated and melted. The surrounding film layers are also thermally influenced by heat conduction processes. In addition, the optical properties of the other layers influence the propagation of the laser radiation through the multilayer polymer film. For a comprehensive understanding of the process, it is imperative to examine these processes in detail. Therefore, the interaction process is considered in depth and, especially, the propagation of the temperature field within the material, which is not directly accessible for real measurements, is analyzed exactly. For this purpose, on the one hand, a numerical temperature model is set up, which depicts the real experimental setup and takes into account the optical properties and heat conduction variables of the individual layers. The numerical model allows the temporal resolution of interaction processes within the multilayer polymer film to be viewed from different angles. On the other hand, thermographic images of the real samples are taken during the welding process. For this purpose, the emitted heat radiation of the polymer films is measured off-axis. The data obtained are evaluated and compared with each other. For the final discussion of the results, additional analyses of the weld specimens microscopy and thin sections are used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contact recombination at the interface between the selective contact material and electrode interface is one of the most pressing issues limiting most photovoltaic technologies. The results indicate that the high work function of the capping contact metal electrode has a negative influence on MgFx/Mg as the electron‐selective contact. Although the exact mechanism is still unclear, low‐work function metals appear to perform better. The contact stacks devised with these novel insights (1.5 nm MgFx/20 nm Mg/100 nm Al) and MoOx are applied as well to dopant‐free multilayer back‐contact (MLBC) solar cells to achieve an efficiency of 22.1% with an aperture area of 4.5 cm2 by directional evaporation for patterning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Rare Metal Materials & Engineering is the property of Northwest Institute for Nonferrous Metal Research and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The specifics of hysteresis properties of antiferro-/ferromagnetic exchange-coupled film structures of the Fe50Mn50/FM type, where FM = Co, Fe, Ni, Fe20Ni80, Fe11Ni89, and Co30Ni70, are investigated. The angular dependences of the exchange bias fields and coercive force in ferromagnetic layers with different crystal structures, crystal magnetic anisotropy, and magnetostriction are obtained. Using a modified Stoner–Wohlfarth model, a computer simulation of hysteresis loops that allows for evaluation of the influence of various factors on the character of the magnetization reversal process is performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cyclometalated diruthenium complex 2 bridged by 1,2,4,5-tetra(pyrid-2-yl)benzene with six carboxylic acid groups at two ends was synthesized. Monolayer and multilayer films FTO/TiO2/(2)n(Zr) (n=1,2) and FTO/SnO2:Sb/(2)n(Zr) (n=1–4) have been prepared via interfacial layer-by-layer coordination assembly of 2 with zirconium(IV) ions. All films show two consecutive redox couples in the potential range between 0 and +1.0 V vs. Ag/AgCl. These films exhibit reversible near-infrared electrochromism upon switching of redox potential. The response time of the films on SnO2:Sb is around a few seconds, while that on TiO2 is around a few tens of seconds. The film deposition cycles were found to have a great impact on the electrochromic performance. Among six films examined, the two-layered film on SnO2:Sb displays the best balanced performance with a contrast ratio of 56% at 1,150 nm and good cyclic stability (9% loss of contrast ratio after 1,000 continuous double-potential-switching cycles), which is superior to that of the previously reported electropolymerized films of a related diruthenium complex with the same bridging ligand. In addition, the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and electron transfer mechanism of these films have been investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lead-free dielectric film capacitors with fast charge-discharge rates are ideal for pulsed power capacitors, but their energy storage density lags behind. Lead-free epitaxial multilayered BiFeO 3 (BFO)/Na 0.5 Bi 0.5 TiO 3 (NBT)/La 0.7 Sr 0.3 MnO 3 (LSMO) films were designed and fabricated by solution processing and the effects of bottom electrodes as well as BFO thickness on microstructures, electrical properties and energy storage performances were investigated. Compared with the NBT film on Pt/Ti/SiO 2 /Si substrate, the leakage current densities are significantly suppressed and polarizations are obviously improved for the multilayered BFO/NBT/LSMO films. The BFO/NBT/LSMO film with BFO thickness of about 60 nm exhibits a recoverable energy storage density of 37.0 J/cm3 under 2680 kV/cm and excellent performance stability. These results demonstrate that the epitaxial multilayered BFO/NBT/LSMO films are promising candidates for high-power energy storage applications. [Display omitted] • The epitaxial multilayered BiFeO 3 /Na 0.5 Bi 0.5 TiO 3 /La 0.7 Sr 0.3 MnO 3 films were successfully prepared by chemical solution deposition. • Compared with the film deposited on Pt/Ti/SiO 2 /Si substrate, films deposited on La 0.7 Sr 0.3 MnO 3 /LaAlO 3 substrates have significantly improved electrical properties. • By adjusting the thicknesses of BiFeO 3 , the multilayered BFO/NBT/LSMO film exhibits an enhanced recoverable energy storage density of 37.0 J/cm3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, enhanced tryptophan (Trp) isomers recognition was successfully demonstrated on (CS/PAA) 3.5 @PEDOT:PSS/GCE, a multilayer chiral sensor with good stability and reproducibility. The (CS/PAA)n multilayers chiral interface was first fabricated via alternating self-assembly of chiral chitosan (CS) and achiral polyacrylic acid (PAA). Conductive PEDOT:PSS was then compounded with (CS/PAA) n multilayers to obtain the chiral sensor for the electrochemical recognition of Trp isomers. The structure of the sensor and its chirality properties for Trp isomers were characterized by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR)，scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrochemical methods. The SEM images showed uniform distribution of PEDOT:PSS in the multilayer films, which changed the internal structure of the (CS/PAA) 3.5. Consequently, (CS/PAA) 3.5 @PEDOT:PSS multilayers rendered more chiral centers in addition to improved good conductivity, which significantly amplified the oxidation peak current ratio of D-Trp to L-Trp (I D /I L) up to 6.71 at 25 °C. In addition, a linear relationship was observed between the peak current and Trp enantiomer concentration in the range of 0.002–0.15 mM, and the detection limits of D-Trp and L-Trp were 0.33 and 0.67 μM, respectively. More importantly, the percentage of D-Trp in non-racemic Trp enantiomers mixture solutions were successfully determined on the chiral interface, showing its effectiveness and promising potential in practical applications. [Display omitted] • A simple LbL-assembly technique is proposed for preparation of electrochemical chiral recognition sensor. • The (CS/PAA) 3.5 @PEDOT:PSS effectively amplified the electrochemical recognition of Trp enantiomers. • The percentage of L-Trp or D-Trp in a non-racemic mixture solution can be accurately determined by (CS/PAA) 3.5 @PEDOT:PSS/GCE. • The electrochemical sensor displayed good reproducibility and low detection limit for Trp isomers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• SECs were coated by polypeptide multilayer films for promoting cell adhesion. • The layer-by-layer method was utilized to coat SECs. • Hydrophobic SECs exhibited hydrophilic after LbL treatment. Sporopollenin exine capsules (SECs), extracted from plant pollen, are emerging as attractive and natural microcapsules for a wide range of bio-composite applications due to their abundant availability, chemical and mechanical robustness, species-specific architectural features, striking structural uniformity, and large inner cavity. However, SECs have a predominantly hydrophobic interface hindering their application in biomaterials. Thus, developing robust surface functionalization strategies to increase their hydrophilicity would open the door to interfacing microcapsules with cells. Herein, we create SECs with increased surface hydrophilicity coated by polypeptide multilayer films using layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly technology. Furthermore, human bone marrow-derived stem cells adhere more to these LbL-treated SECs acting as seed cells for tissue engineering. In summary, our findings demonstrate that LbL modification of SECs improves their functional properties and has broad implications across bio-composite applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Multilayers of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) and Cu 2 Se through a facile route. • Structural investigation shedding light over transport properties. • A higher power factor value which is about 82 % higher than that of pure PEDOT:PSS. Cu 2 Se is a promising thermoelectric material due to its superionic behavior with superior transport properties. Here we report a facile method of spin coating for the fabrication of multilayers of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) and Cu 2 Se thermoelectric materials for mid-temperature range applications. The synthesis of multilayered thin films with a unique organic-inorganic hybrid framework could be used in flexible thermoelectric devices. The detailed investigation of PEDOT:PSS and Cu 2 Se multilayered thin films reveals interaction between organic and inorganic material as inferred by AFM and FTIR. The electronic transport properties were investigated for all specimens, with the highest PF of 20.1 µW/m. K2 at 450 K was achieved from the bilayer stacking of Cu 2 Se and PEDOT:PSS, which is about 82 % higher as compared to that of pure PEDOT:PSS at the same temperature. These improved transport properties are the combined effect of energy filtering and interface effects. The proposed strategy opens up an avenue for research on chalcogenide based composite materials with an organic framework for flexible thermoelectric device applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transport, mechanical and global migration data concern multilayer food packaging films with different layouts, all incorporating a layered silicate/polyamide nanocomposite as oxygen barrier layer, and a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) as moisture resistant layer in direct contact with food. The data are related to “Tuning of co-extrusion processing conditions and film layout to optimize the performances of PA/PE multilayer nanocomposite films for food packaging” by Garofalo et al. (2017) [1]. Nanocomposite multilayer films, with different relative layer thicknesses and clay types, were produced using a laboratory scale co-extrusion blown-film equipment and were analyzed in terms of transport to oxygen and water vapor, mechanical properties and overall migration. The results have shown that all the multilayer hybrid films, based on the copolyamide layer filled with Cloisite 30B, displayed the most significant oxygen barrier improvements and the best mechanical properties compared to the unfilled films. No significant alteration of the overall migration values was observed, as expectable [2–4]. The performance improvement was more relevant in the case of the film with the thinner nanocomposite layer.

Multilayer thin films polymer have been commonly used in a wide range of electronics applications, such as solar cells, photoconductors, semiconductors, and light-emitting diodes, in which failure due to delamination can occur. For evaluating and improving the quality of a multilayer thin-film product, the interfacial strength between its layers must be measured correctly and accurately. In this work, the interfacial strength of a multilayer thin-film polymer was quantified by measuring the interfacial energy release rate (interfacial fracture toughness), Gi , using the nanoindentation test technique. Three specimens of four-layer thin films were fabricated on a glass substrate. The top layer of each specimen was prepared with different thicknesses. The unloading curve technique introduced by Kozuki and Kishimoto (2010) was implemented to quantify the Gi of each specimen. Then, cross-sectional observation of the specimens was performed to confirm the layer thicknesses and to identify the delamination condition after the test. The measured Gi tended to increase as the range between the two unloading curves used to calculate the delamination energy widened. This phenomenon is believed to be caused by the plastic energy of the deformed films during the indentation process. Finally, an empirical method for eliminating the effect of the plastic energy on the measured Gi was proposed. Using this method, a pure Gi value can be effectively extracted; thus, the interfacial strength of multilayer thin-film polymers can be measured correctly and accurately.

High temperature, high energy density, and low loss dielectric films are promising candidates for miniaturized capacitors in electric vehicles and high-speed trains. However, single-component polymers could not achieve these desired properties simultaneously. Polymer multilayer films (MLFs), which combine a high dielectric constant polymer [e.g., poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)] and a high breakdown/low loss polymer [e.g., polycarbonate (PC)] in a unique layered structure, have the potential achieve them at the same time. In this work, the effects of PC glass transition temperature ( T g ) on the dielectric insulation properties (breakdown strength and lifetime) were investigated at high temperatures of 100-150 °C. Three PC materials had T g values of 145 (PC1), 165 (PC2), and 185 °C (PC3), respectively. It is observed that MLF-PC3 with the highest T g of PC exhibited the highest Weibull direct/alternating current (DC/AC) breakdown strength and the longest DC/AC lifetime, whereas MLF-PC1 with the lowest T g showed the lowest Weibull DC/AC breakdown strength and the shortest DC/AC lifetime. A high-temperature high-volage leakage current study revealed that MLF-PC3 exhibited the lowest bulk conductivity at all temperatures under different electric fields. The knowledge obtained from this study will help us design better MLFs with high performance for next-generation miniaturized capacitors.

We demonstrate a method for the formation of multilayers composed of reduced graphene oxide (rGO), which can be used for transparent, conducting thin films. Using the layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly of positively and negatively charged GO sheets, we could obtain thin films with highly controllable sheet resistance. The natural negative charge of graphene oxide was turned to positive by the amidation reaction. After forming the multilayer films, the graphene oxide underwent thermal reduction at temperatures above 150 °C. The (rGO+/rGO−) films were characterized by UV-Vis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and their conductivity was measured by the four-point method. We found that after deposition of five (rGO+/rGO−), the coating structure reached the percolation limit, and the film resistance decreased more gradually to around 20 kΩ/sq for the films obtained by eleven deposition cycles with graphene oxide reduced at 250 °C. The formation of thin films on polyimide allows the forming of new flexible conductive materials, which can find applications, e.g., in biomedicine as new electroactive, low-cost, disposable sensors.

The spin‐contrast‐variation neutron reflectometry technique was developed for the structural analysis of multilayer films. Polarized‐neutron reflectivity curves of film samples vary as a function of their proton polarization (PH). The PH‐dependent reflectivity curves of a polystyrene monolayer film were precisely reproduced using a common set of structural parameters and the PH‐dependent neutron scattering length density of polystyrene. This result ensures that these curves are not deformed by inhomogeneous PH but can be used for structural analysis. Unpolarized reflectivity curves of poly(styrene‐block‐isoprene) films were reproduced using a flat free‐surface model but PH‐dependent polarized reflectivity curves were not. The global fit of the PH‐dependent multiple reflectivity curves revealed that holes with a depth corresponding to one period of the periodic lamellae of microphase‐separated polystyrene and polyisoprene domains were produced on the surface of the films, which agrees with the microscopic results. In this manner, the spin‐contrast‐variation neutron reflectometry technique determines the structure of multiple surfaces and interfaces in a film sample while excluding the incorrect structure that accidentally accounts for a single unpolarized reflectivity curve only. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Mercapto-propionic acid was grafted onto PPFS by para-fluoro-thiol reaction. • The extent of modification of PPFS was tuned by the reactional parameters. • The ability of PPFS-based copolymers to develop H-bonds with P4VP was studied. • H-bonded LbL films were successfully prepared. • The growth mechanism of the LbL assembly was fully investigated. Para-fluoro-thiol reaction (PFTR) was applied to poly(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorostyrene) (PPFS) with mercaptopropionic acid (MPA), resulting in a library of carboxylated-PPFS copolymers (PPFS-MPA) differing in their chemical composition. The ability of these COOH-containing derivatives to develop H-bonds with poly(4-vinyl pyridine) (P4VP) in solvent solution was investigated, and it was shown that the extent of the H-bonded complexes was closely influenced by the degree of PPFS modification and by the nature of solvent. Subsequently, the Layer by Layer stepwise deposition of P4VP and PPFS-MPA was achieved from various deposition solvents. It was demonstrated that the use of DMF as solvent does not allow for the formation of LbL films, due to its competitive H-bond acceptor character. In contrary, when solvents such as CHCl 3 and MEK are respectively utilized for P4VP and PPFS-MPA, thick (P4VP/PPFS-MPA)-based LbL films constituted of interpenetrated layers are obtained and the topography is smooth and rather featureless. The use of ethanol as deposition solvent for both P4VP and PPFS-MPA leads to very thin films made of well-stratified polymer layers, with a nodular and patchy surface morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This paper investigates the influence of thermal annealing temperature on the periodic nanostructures and the thermoelectric properties of Sb 2 Te 3 /Au multilayer thin films fabricated by magnetron sputtering. The as-deposited amorphous periodic multilayer films (10 periods, 20 and 7 nm for the Sb 2 Te 3 and Au layers, respectively) show regular and sharp interfaces between Sb 2 Te 3 and Au layers. It was found that the interfaces of periodic films became a little fuzzy and some nanocrystallines could be observed after annealing at relatively lower temperature (373 K) due to atomic diffusion and crystallization. Additionally, obvious crystal grains appeared and the Au layers began to coarsen and even rupture when the annealing temperature was elevated to higher than 423 K. The evolution mechanism has been discussed in the view of grain boundary free energy and interfacial free energy. Furthermore, the experimental results suggest that the resistivity and Seebeck coefficient of the multilayer film sample have not exhibited distinct change until the annealing temperature was increased to as high as 473 K when the periodic nanostructures disappeared. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • Nice periodic layered nanostructure in as-deposited multilayer film. • The Au layers began to coarsen and rupture when annealing at 423 K. • Stable layered structure and thermoelectric performance at lower temperature (below 423 K). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high-performance nonenzymatic glucose sensor was successfully prepared by a layer by layer strategy through electrodeposition assembling multilayer films of Cu-metal-organic frameworks/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (Cu-MOF/MWNTs) modified glassy carbon electrodes (GCE). Different multilayer films of Cu-MOF/MWNTs modified GCE (Cu-MOF/MWNTs/GCE) were prepared by repeating the electrodeposition of MWNTs onto the GCE in an MWNTs solution (MWNTs/GCE) and electrodeposition of the Cu-MOF layer onto the MWNTs film surface to form a Cu-MOF/MWNTs composite layer in the crystallization solution of Cu-MOF. Results confirmed that this method to fabricate multilayer composite films on the GCE was fast and convenient, and that multilayer composite films were stable and unified. The electrode modified by the multilayer composite films could effectively increase the exposure of active sites and increase the surface area of reactive contact. The GCE modified by eight layers (four multilayers Cu-MOF/MWNTs films) showed the optimum catalytic performance in the oxidation of glucose. The novel glucose sensor exhibited a wider detection linear range of 0.5 μM–11.84 mM, with a detection limit of 0.4 μM and a sensitivity of 3878 μA cm−2 mM−1. Moreover, the electrochemical response of the sensor on glucose was fast (within 0.3 s) and stable, exhibited good selectivity and was free of interference. • A novel and high-performance glucose sensor fabricated by electrodepositing of Cu-MOF and MWNTs was first employed. • Rich active sites of the deposited Cu-MOF films and the MWNTs make the sensor shows high catalytic activity for glucose. • The sensor has a wide detection linear range from 0.5 to 11840 μM and a detection limit of as low as 0.4 μM. • Fabricated sensor shows excellent capacity of resisting disturbance of AA, UA, DA, CaCl 2 , sucrose and D-fructose. • After a period of use, fabricated sensor can still maintain good stability and reproducibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compared with chemical modification of ferroelectric poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) for electric energy storage, polymer blends, whether miscible or immiscible, represent a much easier approach to suppress the ferroelectricity of PVDF. In this study, we explored both miscible [i.e., poly (methyl methacrylate) or PMMA] and immiscible (i.e., polycarbonate or PC) blends with poly (VDF- co -hexafluoroethylene) [P(VDF-HFP)], as well as the PC/P(VDF-HFP) multilayer films. For miscible PMMA/P(VDF-HFP) blend films, the addition of PMMA significantly decreased the crystallinity of P(VDF-HFP). At a high PMMA content of ca. 40 wt%, the stretched PMMA/P(VDF-HFP) blend films started to exhibit the linear dielectric behavior with suppressed ferroelectricity. For the immiscible PC/P(VDF-HFP) blend films, a high PC content of ∼50 vol% was required to suppress the ferroelectricity in P(VDF-HFP). Instead, the PC/P(VDF-HFP) multilayer films started to show linear hysteresis loops when the content of P(VDF-HFP) was only 30 vol%. More importantly, the PC/P(VDF-HFP) multilayer films exhibited significantly higher breakdown strength than the blend films. This could be attributed to the perpendicular interfaces (with respect to the applied electric field), which serve as effective blocks for hot electrons injected from the metal electrodes to pass through the film. From this study, compared to conventional miscible and immiscible blends, multilayer films are promising for next generation film capacitors, aiming to achieve high temperature tolerance, high energy density, and low loss simultaneously. Image 1 • Miscible PMMA/P(VDF-HFP) blend films cannot effectively suppress ferroelectric behavior. • Immiscible PC/P(VDF-HFP) multilayer films can effectively suppress ferroelectric behavior. • PC/P(VDF-HFP) multilayer films exhibit much higher breakdown strength than the blend films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogenated nanocrystalline silicon oxide/hydrogenated amorphous silicon oxide (nc-SiOx:H/a-SiOx:H) multilayer films were fabricated using very-high-frequency plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (VHF-PECVD) technique by alternate deposition of nc-SiOx:H and a-SiOx:H at a low substrate temperature of 220 °C. The effects of the amount of oxygen incorporation in the nc-SiOx:H sublayers on the structural and photoluminescence (PL) properties of nc-SiOx:H/a-SiOx:H multilayer films were investigated by transmission electron microscopy, Raman scattering, UV–VIS-NIR absorption spectra, steady and time-resolved PL spectra. As the amount of oxygen incorporation increases, the crystalline volume fraction of multilayer films decreases, while the intermediate-range order of multilayer films firstly increases and then decreases. Strong room temperature PL has been observed in the multilayer films and the correlation between structural and PL properties is discussed. This low-temperature procedure for fabricating nc-SiOx:H/a-SiOx:H multilayer films can provide powerful impetus for the further development of optoelectronic devices based on Si-NCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The low-density polyethylene films used for greenhouse roof were naturally weathered for 9 months in harsh climatic conditions (Tiaret region, Algeria). The changes in the mechanical properties have been measured by tensile and creep-recovery tests. The measurements were carried out for both monolayer and tri-layer films. The anisotropic character of the films is preserved during ageing. The improvement in the creep resistance via cross-linking for both monolayer and tri-layer films affects different deformations. The results revealed that the degradation performance of these new tri-layer films is found to be quite better than that of the monolayer film, with regard to the mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High dielectric constant ceramics fillers are widely used as fillers in polymer matrix to prepare high performance dielectric composites. Homogeneous filler distribution in these composites films is found to be quite difficult to achieve balance between high dielectric constant and high breakdown strength. Herein, multilayer structured composites films containing nickelous hydroxide (Ni(OH)2) as fillers, with different multilayered structures were designed and prepared, including 2–5 layers structure with various filler distribution. The effects of multilayer structure on the dielectric performance are explored by keeping the overall filler content constant. Combined with computer simulation, it is suggested that the variation in filler distribution in these films can effectively redistribute electric field intensity. Meanwhile, the dielectric constant and breakdown strength of the overall composites can be adjusted by changing the volume ratio between high filler content layer and low filler content layer. It is noted that at least 1/3 of the overall film volume should be occupied by a high breakdown strength layer to keep rather high overall breakdown strength. Moreover, high dielectric constant layer should be the outer layers to achieve overall high dielectric constant. Among all the layered structures investigated, the maximum energy density of 6.03 J/cm3 is obtained for film with a 3-layer nonsequential arrangement structure, which is 68% higher than single layer film with identical composition. This study provides some reference value for the preparation of multilayered dielectric polymer composites films for energy storage applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, protein‐based high‐oxygen barrier multilayer films were manufactured at a pilot plant scale by a roll‐to‐roll coating process and an adhesive lamination process. Also, their characteristics were examined to evaluate their industrial feasibility. Oxygen transmission rates (OTRs) of the protein‐based films (polyethylene terephthalate [PET]/pea protein isolate [PPI]/nylon/cast polypropylene [CPP], PET/whey protein isolate [WPI]/CPP, PET/WPI/nylon/CPP, and PET/PPI/nylon/low‐density polyethylene [LDPE]) were significantly lower than OTR of the PET/nylon/CPP film without a protein‐coating layer and that of the commercial high‐barrier multilayer film copolymer (PET/aluminum/CPP). In addition, water vapor transmission rates of the films containing protein layer were significantly lower than that of the commercial high‐barrier film containing ethylene vinyl alcohol [nylon/nylon/EVOH/easy peel layer [EPL]). Among the tested polymers, the PET/WPI/nylon/LDPE film showed the highest heat‐sealing ability, tensile strength, and elastic modulus. Moreover, transparency and haze of the PET/WPI/nylon/CPP film were similar to the film without WPI coating. Taken together, our results indicate that the protein‐based coating films showing high‐oxygen and high‐water barrier properties can be manufactured using industrial facilities and could replace commercial multilayer films based on synthetic materials. Practical Application: Oxygen barrier property is an important feature in food packaging materials. Therefore, protein‐coated high‐oxygen barrier multilayer films were manufactured at a pilot scale to verify the possibility of their mass production. Specifically, high‐oxygen and high‐moisture barrier coating was produced by pea and whey proteins. Finally, the protein‐based multilayer films made by an industrial facility were confirmed to be able to replace current commercial films containing synthetic barrier materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: The electrospinning coating technology is herein proposed to develop multilayer polylactide (PLA) films with controlled release rates of gallic acid (GA), a natural antioxidant, into saline medium. The bioactivity of the PLA films described here is based on their potential capacity to incorporate a large amount of GA into the packaging structure until its eventual release into the food product either through fast release, by means of coatings, or sustained release, in the form of interlayers, during storage. Therefore, their application in bioactive packaging for both short- and long-term storage of food products can advantageously permit the development of functional food, enhancing the food impact over the consumer's health. The present research reports on the development of bi- and multilayer polylactide (PLA) films by the incorporation of electrospun nanostructured PLA coatings and interlayers containing the antioxidant gallic acid (GA) at 40 wt% onto cast-extruded PLA films. To achieve the bilayer structures, submicron GA-loaded PLA fibers were applied on 200-µm cast PLA films in the form of coatings by electrospinning for 1, 2, and 3 h. For the multilayers, the cast PLA films were first coated on one side by electrospinning, then sandwiched with 10-µm PLA film on the other side, and the resultant whole structure was finally thermally post-treated at 150 °C without pressure. Whereas the bilayer PLA films easily delaminated and lacked transparency, the multilayers showed sufficient adhesion between layers and high transparency for deposition times during electrospinning of up to 2 h. The incorporation of GA positively contributed to delaying the thermal degradation of PLA for approximately 10 °C, as all films were thermally stable up to 345 °C. The in vitro release studies performed in saline medium indicated that the GA released from the bilayer PLA films rapidly increased during the first 5 h of immersion while it stabilized after 45–250 h. Interestingly, the PLA multilayers offered a high sustained release of GA, having the capacity to deliver the bioactive for over 1000 h. In addition, in the whole tested period, the GA released from the PLA films retained most of its antioxidant functionality. Thus, during the first days, the bilayer PLA films can perform as potent vehicles to deliver GA while the multilayer PLA films are able to show a sustained release of the natural antioxidant for extended periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Ferroelectric polymers are the materials of choice for capacitive energy storage owing to their highest dielectric constants (K) and the best energy densities among the current dielectric polymers. Herein, different from the conventional approaches based on the incorporation of high- K fillers into the single-layer films to enhance the capacitive performance, a low- K polymer, i.e. PMMA with a K value of 3–4, is selected as an example and introduced into the layered configurations of the ferroelectric polymer. Both improvements in the energy density (U e) and charge–discharge efficiency (η) over those of the pristine polymer have been achieved via the establishment of multiple interlaminar interfaces and modulation of component ratios. The influence of film configuration on the capacitive performance has been systematically studied. The trilayered all-polymer film with optimized component ratio is capable of operating with a charge–discharge efficiency as high as 84% and concurrently delivering an energy density up to 20.3 J cm−3, surpassing the capacitive performance of the currently available polymer dielectrics that present the upper limits of U e of ~20 J cm−3 and η of ~80%. Along with excellent stability of dielectric and mechanical properties of the polymer films, this work suggests great potential of the multicomponent ferroelectric polymers with layered architecture for electrical energy storage applications. Graphical abstract fx1 Highlights • Multilayered ferroelectric polymer films with excellent comprehensive energy storage performance have been achieved via layer by layer solution-casting process. • The obtained excellent cycling stability and mechanical reliability is of great importance for the long term operation of flexible electronic devices. • The uniqueness of the layered structures in the realization of comprehensive energy storage performance has been demonstrated in the comparison with other film configurations such as single layer and bilayered films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The results of investigating the microstructure and phase composition of AlN/SiNx multilayer films with alternating nanocrystalline aluminum nitride (nc-AlN) and amorphous silicon nitride (a-SiNx) phases, which were formed via magnetron sputtering, are presented. The layer thickness varies from 2 to 10 nm, the total film thickness is 300 nm, and the grain size of the AlN phase corresponds to the nc-AlN layer thickness. By means of transmission electron microscopy, it is revealed that, due to 30-keV He+ ion irradiation with a dose of 5 × 1016 cm-2, gas pores with an average size of 2.0-2.4 nm and localized mainly in a-SiNx layers are generated within the projective range of helium ions. The appearance of such inclusions is due to the fact that implanted helium atoms migrate into the formed vacancy complexes. In this case, the structural state of AlN crystal layers remains unchanged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the results of ferromagnetic resonance studies of three-layer magnetic films, where the magnetic layers are amorphous magnetically soft CoP layers, and the intermediate non-magnetic spacer is amorphous NiP layer. We found that, regardless of the nonmagnetic layer thickness, the interlayer interaction is ferromagnetic. Perpendicular anisotropy forms at the interface between the CoP and NiP layers. It is reasonable to suppose that the interlayer interaction is long-range, what is not typical for systems with metallic non-magnetic spacers.

An understanding of the structural evolution in micro-/nano-layer co-extrusion process is essential to fabricate high-performance multilayered products. Therefore, in this work, we reveal systematically the multiscale structural development, involving both the layer architecture and microstructure within layers of micro-/nano-layer coextruded polymer films, as well as its relationship to dielectric properties, based on poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP)/polycarbonate (PC) system. Interestingly, layer architecture and morphology show strong dependences on the nominal layer thicknesses. Particularly, with layer thickness reduced to nanometer scale, interfacial instabilities triggered by viscoelastic differences between components emerge with the creation of micro-droplets and micro-sheets. Films show an enhanced crystallization with the formation of two-dimensional (2D) spherulites in microlayer coextruded systems and the oriented in-plane lamellae in nanolayer coextruded counterparts, where layer breakup in the thinner layers further changes the crystallization behaviors. These macro- and microscopic structures, developed from the co-extrusion process, substantially influence the dielectric properties of coextruded films. Mechanism responsible for dielectric performance is further proposed by considering these effects of multiscale structure on the dipole switching and charge hopping in the multilayered structures. This work clearly demonstrates how the multiscale structural evolution during the micro-/nano-layer coextrusion process can control the dielectric properties of multilayered products.

New generation agricultural films combine multilayer technologies, with the latest developments in chemicals resistant UV stabilisers and possibly the incorporation of barrier layers against agrochemicals. The photo-degradation behaviour of a series of experimental multilayer (ML) films exposed to accelerated ageing in combination with agrochemicals, was analysed. It has been shown that the presence of a barrier layer (EVOH or PA) adversely affects the mechanical behaviour of ML films, because of the low ductility of these barrier layers, whose failure is propagating to the other layers leading to premature failure of ML film structures. ML films with barrier layer have shorter lifespan due to the rapid photo-degradation of the barrier layer. It was confirmed that these layers absorb the main part of the agrochemicals load, acting as effective barriers. Agrochemicals were shown to accelerate the detrimental effect of the UVA radiation on PA and EVOH layers causing premature failure of the barrier layers, compromising evenmore the mechanical strength and durability of the entire film. The presence of barrier layers such as PA (mainly) and EVOH in agricultural ML films is not recommended, as both their mechanical properties and photodegradation behaviour are adversely affected by the presence of low ductility barrier layers, deteriorated by the combination of UVA radiation and agrochemicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymeric wastes have caused increasing environmental problems, mainly in oceans that accumulate large amounts of non-degradable plastic waste. Particularly, waste of polymeric multilayer films for packaging presents low interest for mechanical recycling due to the poor properties and low commercial value of the recycled material generated as polymeric blends. Multilayer films of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polyamide 6 (PA6) is a typical material used for packaging applications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the action of the concentration of maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (PE-g-MA) on the compatibilization of LDPE/PA6 blends generated from mechanical recycling of multilayer films containing both polymers. The action of the PE-g-MA on the properties of the LDPE/PA6 blends was evaluated by tensile tests, optical microscopy, melt flow rate, and scanning electron microscopy. The use of PE-g-MA at 2.5 wt% as a compatibilizer during reactive extrusion of the multilayer films waste has showed the best result for production of the respective recycled LDPE/PA6 blends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract—: The article deals with a study of interactions between permalloy layers separated by granular Со‒Al2O3 spacer. Multilayer Ta/FeNi/FeMn/FeNi/Co-Al2O3/FeNi/Ta films prepared by magnetron sputtering are the test object. The spacer thickness and content of metallic phase in the spacer have been varied from 0 to 8 nm and 0 to 40%, respectively. A correlation has been found between the Co concentration in the spacer and critical spacer thickness. When the thickness of the spacer exceeds a critical value, the independent magnetization reversal of the permalloy layers adjacent the spacer takes place. It has been shown that, in the case of both cooperative and independent magnetization reversal of permalloy layers, the presence of a spacer substantially affects the hysteretic properties of film structure. The data obtained can be useful when purposefully controlling the coercive force and exchange-bias field in film structures with the unidirectional anisotropy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]