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To be CMOS-compatible, a low preparation temperature (3 films were successfully fabricated at a low annealing temperature (3 films was assessed at 440 ± 5 °C. By using a N2-rich atmosphere, a large remnant polarization (Pr~78.1 μC/cm2 @ 1165.2 kV/cm), and a high rectangularity (~91.3% @ 1165.2 kV/cm) of the P-E loop, excellent charge-retaining ability of up to 1.0 × 103 s and outstanding fatigue resistance after 1.0 × 109 switching cycles could be observed. By adopting a N2-rich atmosphere and aluminum foil substrates, acceptable electrical properties (Pr~70 μC/cm2 @ 1118.1 kV/cm) of the BiFeO3 films were achieved at the very low annealing temperature of 365 ± 5 °C. These results offer a new approach for lowering the annealing temperature for integrated ferroelectrics in high-density FeRAM applications.

This study was conducted during two successive seasons 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 to study the effect of some packing types on the storability and quality of saidy dates (Phoenix dactylifera L.) fruits during the storage period. The post-harvest treatments were packed with perforated or non-perforated polyethylene layers and aluminum foil. The fruits were stored at cold condition 5±1°C with 85-90% RH. Samples of each treatment were randomly taken every two months for 8 months. The results showed that fruit weight loss %, fruit damage %, total soluble solids % and sugar contents were significantly increased with prolonging the storage period. On other hand, the advanced storage period induced a gradual decrease of fruit weight, flesh% and fruit dimensions. All packing with non-perforated either polyethylene or aluminum foil caused a decrease in fruit weight loss and fruit damage percentage as well as fruit weight, flesh% and fruit dimensions compared to use other packing types .Using non-perforated polyethylene result in the least fruit weight loss and fruit damage percentage compared to use other packing types. Using non-perforated polyethylene packing improved the fruit quality during the storage period compared to use perforated polyethylene or either perforated or non-perforated aluminum foil. It could be concluded that using Packing with non-perforated polyethylene maintained fruit freshness without negative effects of fruit quality parameters and seems to be the proper and an ideal packing types to prolong cold storage of saidy dates without great reduction in fruit quality.

The cold spot forge-welding method, recently developed to achieve high-productivity and high-strength dissimilar material joining, was applied to multiple solid-phase joining of aluminum (Al) foils simulating tab-lead electrodes. Fifty Al foils of 12-μm thickness were sandwiched between 0.5 and 0.8 mm A1050 Al alloy plates and pressurized with 6-mm diameter punch for 1 s. The effect of bonding temperature (330–420 °C) and the reduction ratio (R, 1.4–3) on the tensile shear load of the joint was investigated. A lower R value at a higher bonding temperature resulted in base metal fracture (i.e., plug fracture) of the Al alloy plate. The maximum load reached 410 N using a reduction ratio of higher than 2.1 and bonding temperature of 420 °C. The processed foils were properly stretched in the plane without breakage, and a total of 51 sound layered bonded interfaces were formed. The results also confirmed that the oxide film became more rarefied with increasing R. These results are expected to be applicable to high-throughput, high-reliability bonding of secondary battery electrodes.

Biochar is a charcoal-like material obtained by burning organic wastes, coming from agricultural and forestry, in a controlled pyrolysis process. In this application, it is deposited on an aluminum foil of thickness 100 μm, which is used as a part of an heat exchanger. The thickness of the deposition of biochar on the aluminum foil ranges from 75 to 250 μm. The result coating is rough and, therefore, it is supposed to improve the heat exchange with the ambient environment, depending on the granulometry of the deposit. One key feature of the deposit is its thermal conductivity. In this work, it is determined by means of IR thermography used as a detector in a Laser Flash configuration. This allows us to evaluate the out-of-plane thermal diffusivity. Such measurements are complemented by density obtained by hydrostatic balance and specific heat by a differential scanning calorimeter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many "metallized plastic" packaging films bend if stretched and released. Such behavior can be reproduced in laminate composites prepared by bonding aluminum foil to an adhesive polymer sheet. It is shown that such bending occurs because stretching deforms the aluminum layer permanently (i.e., plastically), whereas the polymer layer deforms elastically. Upon releasing, the aluminum-polymer composite then resolves the strain mismatch by bending, with the aluminum on the convex side of the bend. The curvature is found to increase linearly with the applied strain and to reduce as the aluminum thickness increases. The theory of fully elastic bilayers with strain mismatch is in qualitative agreement with the results, but underpredicts the curvatures. It is shown how such bilayers can be patterned with defects such as holes or slits to realize more complex shape morphing, and also how one may achieve bidirectional bending. Such aluminum-polymer-layered composites provide an inexpensive platform suitable for rapid prototyping of self-folding origami structures using robust materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ga2O3 is an emerging wide‐bandgap semiconductor with high deep ultraviolet absorption, tunable persistent photoconductivity, and excellent stability toward electric fields, making it a promising component for neuromorphic visual systems (NVSs). However, Ga2O3‐based photosensors with high responsivity and long response decay times are required for efficient NVSs. A solution‐processed doping strategy for fabrication of Ga2O3 is proposed with tin foil as a dopant source. Tin‐doped Ga2O3 (Ga2O3:Sn) photosensors are obtained with ultrahigh responsivity and extremely long response decay times. These behaviors are attributed to substitutional tin and oxygen vacancies that modulate defect‐related hole trapping. High‐performance Ga2O3:Sn photosensors can mimic photonic synaptic behaviors and image pre‐processing functions. NVSs based on a Ga2O3:Sn photonic synapse array perform pattern recognition with an accuracy of 97.3% under an unprecedented low‐light pulse stimuli of 0.5 µW cm−2. This work provides a low‐cost solution‐processed approach to ultrasensitive Ga2O3:Sn NVSs and will facilitate developments in artificial intelligence technology. [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]

Premise: A comparison of methods using different materials to exclude light from stems to prevent stem CO2 exchange (i.e., photosynthesis), without affecting stem conductance to water vapor, surface temperature, and relative humidity, was conducted on stems of avocado trees in California. Methods and Results: The experiment featured three materials: aluminum foil, paper‐based wrap, and mineral‐based paint. We examined stem CO2 exchange with and without the light exclusion treatments. We also examined stem surface temperature, relative humidity, and photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) under the cover materials. All materials reduced PAR and stem CO2 exchange. However, aluminum foil reduced stem surface temperature and increased relative humidity. Conclusions: Methods used to study stem CO2 exchange through light exclusion have historically relied on methods that may induce experimental artifacts. Among the methods tested here, mineral‐based paint effectively reduced PAR without affecting stem surface temperature and relative humidity around the stem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a multi-pad bump-type foil thrust bearing with a taper-land height profile is investigated. A detailed thermo-elastohydrodynamic (TEHD) finite element (FE) model is used comprising all bearing pads instead of only a single pad. Although the single-pad reduction approach is commonly applied, it can not accurately account for the different temperatures, loads, and power losses for individual pads in the case of misalignment. The model accounts for the deformations of the foils on each pad via a Reissner-Mindlin-type shell model. Deformations of the rotor are calculated via the Navier-Lamé equations with thermoelastic stresses and centrifugal effects. The temperature of the top foil and the rotor are calculated with the use of heat diffusion equations. The temperature of each lubricating air film is obtained through a 3D energy equation. Film pressures are calculated with the 2D compressible Reynolds equation. Moreover, the surrounding of the bearing and runner disk is part of the thermodynamic model. Results indicate that the thermal bending of the runner disk as well as top foil sagging are key factors in performance reduction. Due to the bump-type understructure, the top foil sagging effect is observed in simulation results. The study at hand showcases the influence of misalignment between the rotor and the bearing on the bearing performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work investigates the potential synthesis of cost-effective polyaluminum chloride (PACl) coagulant from waste household aluminum foil and utilization for treating petroleum wastewater (PWW), especially dissolved organic compounds (DOC, like octanol–water mixture) and nonsettleable suspended (NSS-kaolin) mineral particles. Based on the Standard Practice for Coagulation–Flocculation Jar Test, the efficiency of PACl for DOC and NSS removal was evaluated in relation to the effects of the operational parameters. The results demonstrated that the as-prepared PACl has an amorphous morphology with a Keggin-type e-Al13 molecular structure {Na[AlO4(OH)24(H2O)]·xH2O and good thermal stability up to 278 °C. PACl coagulant also exhibited a higher efficiency for NSS removal than DOC by around 1.5- to 1.9-fold under broad pH (5–7), while a higher acidic/alkaline pH disrupts the sweep floc formation. An increased PACl dosage (over 25 mg/L) also caused a decrease in the coagulation efficiency by 11.7% due to Al species' transformation and pH depression (from 6.8 to 4.9) via increased PACl hydrolysis. With a fast rotating speed of 280 rpm for 2 min, the minimum dose of PACl (10–25 mg/L) can maximize the removal efficiency of NSS (~98%) and DOC (~69%) at pH 6.5 ± 0.5 and 35 °C after 30 min of settling time. Treating actual saline PWW samples (salinity up to 187.7 g/L) also verified the high efficacy of PACl coagulation performance in reducing the turbidity and dissolved hydrocarbons by more than 75.5% and 67.7%, respectively. These findings verify the techno-economic feasibility of the as-prepared PACl coagulant in treating PWW treatment at different salinity levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potential induced degradation (PID) is a reliability issue affecting photovoltaic (PV) modules, mainly when PV strings operate under high voltages in hot/humid conditions. Polarization‐type PID (PID‐p) has been known to decrease module performance quickly. PID‐p can be reduced or recovered under the light in some cases, but this effect, as expected, would be less pronounced on the rear side of bifacial PV modules receiving lower irradiance. As bifacial PV modules are projected to dominate the PV market within the next 10 years, it is crucial to understand the PID‐p issue in bifacial modules better. In this study, we performed indoor PID testing to induce PID‐p on 14 commercial bifacial p‐PERC modules with three different module constructions from three manufacturers. Four rounds (+ve and −ve polarities for front and rear sides) of PID testing are done at 25°C, 54% relative humidity (RH) for 168 h using the aluminum foil method. Each module side (front cell side and back cell side) is tested individually under both negative and positive voltage bias. The results show that the highest degradation of 32% in maximum power (Pmax) at standard test conditions (1000 W/m2) and 51% at low irradiance (200 W/m2) has been observed in some cases. Recovery under sunlight is also done, and outcomes show a near‐complete recovery in Pmax. This study presents an extensive experimental methodology and a detailed analysis to systematically and simultaneously/sequentially evaluate multiple construction types of bifacial modules to the PID‐p susceptibility and recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 3D COMSOL Multiphysics model has been constructed for a stationary microwave oven and used to investigate the microwave heating process of ready-to-heat baked spinach with cheese. The model has simulated the 30 s of microwave heating for 3D geometries of food packages of varying sizes. Then Polylactic acid cup-shaped packages have been produced by using a 3D printer and tested in an experiment. In order to heat 100 g of baked spinach with cheese for 60 s, the cup-shaped packages with and without a shielded aluminum foil have been placed at the center of 1300 W microwave oven. The experimental temperature profiles obtained with a thermal imaging camera have demonstrated a good correlation with the simulated results. A uniform heating has been obtained in a cup-shaped package with a diameter of 6.7 cm and a height of 5.2 cm, shielded with the aluminum foil. A temperature at the center has been above 70 °C. The temperature differences at various locations have been less than 15 °C, indicating uniform temperature distribution. It has been also found out that the cup-shaped package has provided a better temperature distribution of the baked spinach with cheese than the commercial tray packaging. These findings may be implemented in the ready-to-heat food product development, by modifying the microwave cooking conditions in order to achieve a better heating uniformity, and the shape of microwavable packaging to maximize the cooking performance with the least amount of experimental expense and time. Copyright © 2023 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l. - All rights reserved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rechargeable aluminum batteries with aluminum metal as a negative electrode have attracted wide attention due to the aluminum abundance, its high theoretical capacity and stability under ambient conditions. Understanding and ultimately screening the impact of the initial surface properties of aluminum negative electrodes on the performance and lifetime of the battery cell are of great significance. The purity, surface finishing and degree of hardness of aluminum metal may strongly impact the device's performance, but these properties have not been systematically studied so far. Here, we present an investigation of the underestimated but crucial role of the aluminum foil surface properties on its electrochemical behavior in aluminum battery half‐cells. The results show that commercial aluminum foils with the same purity and degree of hardness but with different thicknesses (from 0.025 to 0.1 mm) exhibit different microstructure and surface roughness, which in turn have an impact on the cyclability. Atomic force microscopy studies show that the aluminum foil is corroded after repeated electrochemical cycling, thus leading to cell failure. The sample with 0.075 mm thickness exhibits the best cycling stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, battery-electric drives and energy storage are elected to be the future technologies. In the manufacturing of parts for electric applications, laser beam welding is an appropriate and favorable welding method. The characteristics of high welding speed, local heat input, and the contact-free process allow efficient and automatable processes. For electrodes, mainly copper and aluminum are used. Many foils with thicknesses of an area of 10 μm have to be connected to create battery cells. Different than expected, aluminum is a more challenging material to produce than others. Pore formation is also extended in aluminum due to the presence of air between the foils. The connecting cross section is thereby reduced. Furthermore, there is detachment in the fusion area and a high weld seam undercut. In addition to insufficient clamping, a lack of material reduces strength and, thus, usability. In the research presented here, the use of aluminum filler wire (AA 1050A) and shielding gas are investigated for the application of welding 40 aluminum foils (AA 1050A) with a thickness of 15 μm to an aluminum sheet with a thickness of 2 mm using infrared laser beam wavelength. The aims of the process development are welds with high connection widths and high quality as well as reproducibility to provide excellent mechanical properties and the highest electrical conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work introduces a laser-induced cavitation bubble technique for forming an axisymmetric structure (i.e., microgroove) and the dynamics of a cavitation bubble from initial expansion to the collapse stages that were also simulated. Furthermore, the shock wave signals and dynamic properties of the cavitation bubble were recorded using a hydrophone and a high-speed camera. The experiments on microgrooves formed by laser-induced cavitation bubble stamping were carried out, and the effects of laser energy, the initial position of the bubble, and the number of impacts on the microformability of aluminum sheets are discussed. The depth of the microgroove was investigated using experiments, and it was found that the process can serve as a rapid technique for impressing microfeatures on thin-sheet metals. The experimental results showed that as the initial position of the bubble increased, the deformation depth decreased. As the laser energy and number of impacts increased, the deformation depth increased. The results of the response surface experiments showed that a laser energy of 27 mJ, 3 impacts, and a bubble position of 3 mm were optimal for the process. By using the optimal parameters, flat and smooth microgrooves with a forming depth of 102.54 µm were successfully fabricated. Furthermore, the maximum thickness thinning of the microgroove section occurred at the entrance areas, and this area had the greatest hardness. This also indicated that the greatest amount of plastic deformation of the material and grain refinement occurred in this area. On the other hand, the aluminum foil did not undergo oxidation during the plastic deformation process. These results demonstrated that laser-induced bubble stamping is an advanced micromachining method with promising applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The characteristics of internal short circuits (ISC) play a critical role in determining the thermal runaway behaviors and associated hazards of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, due to safety concerns and limitations in operando characterization at high state-of-charges (SoCs), the fundamental understanding of stress-driven ISCs under high SOC situations (above 30%) is still lacking. In this study, combined post-mortem characterization and multiphysics modeling is employed to clarify the evolution of ISC modes in LIBs with high SOCs. These findings reveal that the triggered ISC mode is SOC-dependent, with the Al current collector (Al)-Anode coating (An) mode dominant in high SOC situations. Experimentally obtained ISC resistance for the specified ISC mode is then assigned to the corresponding ISC region in the established multiphysics model, allowing for accurate coupling of the electromechanical relationship and prediction of mechanical-electrical-thermal responses of the LIB. Finally, a simple yet effective approach is proposed for avoiding the Al-An mode after battery fractures, achieved through surface notches on electrodes. Results discover novel phenomena for ISC in high SOC cells and reveal the underlying mechanisms, highlighting the importance and potential of battery structural design for developing next-generation robust batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pipelines remain the safest means of transporting natural gas and petroleum products. Nonetheless, the pipeline infrastructure in the US is facing major challenges, especially in terms of corrosion of steel/metallic pipes and excavation damage of onshore pipelines (leading to oil spills, explosions, and deaths). Corrosion of metallic pipelines can be avoided by using non-corrosive materials such as plastic pipes for low-pressure applications and glass-fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) composite pipes for transporting high-pressure oil and natural gas. However, buried non-metallic pipelines are not easily detectable, which can lead to increased excavation damage during construction and rehabilitation work. Alternative strategies for making buried non-metallic pipes easily locatable using ground-penetrating radar (GPR) were investigated in this study. Results from this study have shown that using carbon fabric or an aluminum foil overlay on non-metallic pipes before burying in soil significantly increases the reflected GPR signal amplitude, thereby making it easier to locate such pipelines. The reflected GPR signal amplitude for pipe sections with carbon fabric or aluminum foil overlays was found to have increased by a factor of up to 4.5 over the control samples. The results also highlight the importance of selecting the appropriate antenna frequency for GPR surveys, since wet silt loam soil and clay significantly reduce the penetration depths of the radar signals produced by the GPR antennae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) was introduced by Fabio Sauli in 1997. This technology is broadly used in current and planned High-Energy Physics (HEP) experiments. One of the key components of these detectors is a readout board, which collects charges amplified by GEM foils and transfers them to readout electronics. The commonly used Cartesian XY readout boards are manufactured from the same type of polyamide film used to produce the GEM foils. The manufacturing process utilizes a deep polyimide etching, similar to the Micro Chemical Vias (MCV) etching process, which is protected by patent. The material prepared in this way is glued onto a rigid substrate and mounted in a detector. The production process was developed at CERN, and the technology has been commercialized to a small extent. Consequently, only a few research centers have the ability to make dedicated readout strips readouts. GEM detectors are characterized by a segmented structure that allows the separation of an electron-multiplying structure from a readout. This feature enables the implementation of a new type of charge reading system without the need to interfere with the GEM foil system. A new approach is proposed to simplify production and reduce the costs of GEM detector readout boards. It is based on the concept of segmental readout structures that are manufactured in standard Printed Circuit Board (PCB) technology. The interconnectors and mountings are located on the back of the bottom, so it is possible to place the readout electronics behind the readout plate. The boards are designed in such a way that they can be panelized into a readout with a more extensive active area. The margin between PCBs is minimalized to approximately 200 µm, which is less than 1% of the 70 × 70 mm2 board area, so the active area is as big as possible. Therefore, this solution gives us the ability to further increase the size of a readout by adding additional segments, which reduces the cost of scaling up the detector size. A few research groups have suggested similar solutions that utilize PCB technology, but currently, only detectors with 1D zigzag readouts have been validated and used. The measurement results of other 2D (XY) redouts using PCB technology have not been presented. The measurements shown and discussed in this paper validated the proposed technology. X-ray radiographs were obtained, validating the ability to use this technology to manufacture readout boards for GEM detectors. In opposition to state-of-the-art readouts, the proposed solution can be manufactured by any PCB manufacturer without using MCV-patented technology. This gives the users flexibility in designing and ordering low-cost custom readouts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When stiffened deep mixed (SDM) columns are used to support embankments over soft soil, the embankment stability becomes one of the major concerns for geotechnical engineers. However, limit studies have been focused on failure of SDM columns under embankment load. This paper conducted a series of scale-reduced model tests to investigate stability of embankment over soft soils with SDM columns, including columns installed under the embankment base, and columns installed only under the embankment crest and the embankment side slope, respectively. A load system consisting of six loading plates was designed to create a uniform surcharge on the embankment crest. An aluminum foil tape was implanted into each core pile in a row to detect the model column failure during surcharge loading, as its electric resistance becomes infinity when the tape was broken due to the rupture of column. With the increase in the surcharge, the failure mode and process of SDM column were analyzed based on the peak stress on the top of column and strain difference along column length and the electric resistance change of aluminum foil tape. The test results showed that the SDM columns under the embankment crest also had effects on enhancing the embankment stability, even though the slip plane may not pass through them. With the increase in surcharge, the SDM columns failed progressively and had possible failure under compression, a combination of compression and bending, and bending depending on locations of the columns under embankment. The progressive failure mechanism was discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the ReAccelerator within the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, a combination of an interchangeable aluminum foil and a silicon detector was developed to quantify isobaric contamination in rare isotope beams. The device is simple to operate and is now used routinely. In this article, we describe the system and show an application of the device to determine the level of contamination of an Si-32 rare isotope beam by stable S-32. In addition, we describe how the new diagnostic device helped confirm an enhancement of the beam purity prior to beam delivery to experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brominated butyl rubber (BIIR) is a derivative of butyl rubber, with the advantage of high physical strength, good vibration damping performance, low permeability, aging resistance, weather resistance, etc. However, it is hard to avoid BIIR fiber sticking together due to serious swelling or merging, resulting in few studies on BIIR electrospinning. In this work, brominated butyl rubber membrane (mat) with BIIR microfiber has been prepared by electrospinning. The spinnability of elastomer BIIR has been explored. The factors influencing the morphology of BIIR microfiber membranes have been studied, including solvent, electrospinning parameters, concentration, and the rheological property of electrospinning solution. The optimal parameters for electrospinning BIIR have been obtained. A BIIR membrane with the ideal microfiber morphology has been obtained, which can be peeled from aluminum foil on a collector easily without being broken. Anti-bacterial property, the electrical conductivity of these membranes, and the mechanical properties of these samples were studied. The optimized BIIR electrospinning solution is Bingham fluid. The results of these experiments show that a BIIR membrane can be used in the field of medical prevention, wearable electronics, electronic skin, and in other fields that require antibacterial functional polymer materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With rapid urbanization and global population growth, the amount of wasted aluminum foil is significantly increasing. Most deformed and contaminated foil is difficult to recycle; hence, it is landfilled or incinerated, causing environmental pollution. Therefore, using aluminum foil waste for electricity may be conducive to addressing environmental problems. In this regard, various literatures have explored the concept of energy generation using foil, while a crumple ball design for this purpose has not been studied. Thus, a recycled foil‐based crumpled ball triboelectric nanogenerator (RFCB‐TENG) is proposed. The crumpled ball design can minimize the effects of contamination on foil, ensuring efficient power output. Moreover, owing to novel crumpled design, the RFCB‐TENG has some outstanding characteristics to become a sustainable power source, such as ultralight weight, low noise, and high durability. By introducing the air‐breakdown model, the RFCB‐TENG achieved an output peak voltage of 648 V, a current of 8.1 mA cm3, and an optimum power of 162.7 mW cm3. The structure of the RFCB‐TENG is systemically optimized depending on the design parameters to realize the optimum output performance. Finally, the RFCB‐TENG operated 500 LEDs and 30‐W commercial lamps. This work paves the guideline for effectively fabricating the TENG using waste‐materials while exhibiting outstanding characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a storage study was conducted to find suitable packaging material for tomato powder storage. Experiments were laid out in a single factor completely randomized design (CRD) to study the effect of packaging materials on lycopene, vitamin C moisture content, and water activity of tomato powder; The factor (packaging materials) has three levels (low‐density polyethylene bag, polypropylene bottle, wrapped with aluminum foils, and packed in low‐density polyethylene bag) and is replicated three times. During the study, a twin layer solar tunnel dried tomato slices of var. Galilea was used. The dried tomato slices were then ground and packed (40 g each) in the packaging materials and stored at room temperature. Samples were drawn from the packages at 2‐month interval for quality analysis and SAS (version 9.2) software was used for statistical analysis. From the result, higher retention of lycopene (80.13%) and vitamin C (49.32%) and a nonsignificant increase in moisture content and water activity were observed for tomato powder packed in polypropylene bottles after 6 months of storage. For low‐density polyethylene packed samples and samples wrapped with aluminum foil and packed in a low‐density polyethylene bag, 57.06% and 60.45% lycopene retention and 42.9% and 49.23% Vitamin C retention were observed, respectively, after 6 months of storage. Considering the results found, it can be concluded that lycopene and vitamin C content of twin layer solar tunnel dried tomato powder can be preserved at ambient temperature storage by packing in a polypropylene bottle with a safe range of moisture content and water activity levels for 6 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 0.05 mm-thick 304 stainless steel foil was annealed within the temperature range from 950℃-1100℃ for 10 minutes to obtain different microstructures. And micro-deep drawing experiments of stainless steel foils with different tissue structures were conducted to obtain relevant material forming properties influenced by dimensional effects. On this basis, the influence of the microstructure characteristics on the forming performance of 304 stainless steel foil and the quality of the cup formed by using micro-drawing was studied, and its mechanism was discussed. It can be seen from the results that the stainless steel foil annealed at 950℃ exhibits poor forming performance, and the wrinkle phenomenon of the deep-drawn cup is obvious. At the annealing temperature of 1050℃, the quality of the deep drawing cup is significantly improved. When the annealing temperature reaches 1100℃, with the increase of the annealing temperature, the crystal grains size increase sharply, and the coarse-grain effect causes the uneven plastic deformation effect to be obvious. Besides, the drawing quality is obviously deteriorated. The observation of the microstructure of the deep drawing cup shows that the forming effect of the drawing cup is poor due to the rolling defects and the coarse grain effect. The 304 stainless steel drawing cup annealed at 1050℃ enjoys the best forming effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The performance of gas foil thrust bearings is critical to the successful design and operation of the high axial load rotatory machines that employ gas foil bearings. However, our understanding of gas foil thrust bearings remains incomplete. To enhance our understanding and predict the performance of gas foil thrust bearings, we have established a detailed three-dimensional thermo-elastic-hydrodynamic model of a gas foil thrust bearing based on a fluid-thermal-structure interaction approach in this study. To validate the accuracy of our model, a gas foil thrust bearing test rig was developed. Moreover, we present a numerical investigation of the influence of bump foil configurations on gas foil thrust bearing performance. The results show that the gas foil thrust bearing that fixes the bump foil at the trailing edge and splits the bump foil into several strips exhibits a 36.4% increase in load capacity compared to the gas foil thrust bearing that fixes a whole piece of bump foil at the leading edge. Fixing the bump foil at the trailing edge and splitting it into several strips effectively decreases power loss and reduces the risk of bearing thermal failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article, besides offering data of great value for any designer of high-power short-circuits of special three-winding design, illustrates the correlation with the corresponding FRA measurements, validating this type of measurement. The frequency response measurements can provide data about the transformer's status after it is put into service, its vulnerability in incipient states, and, particularly for this type of transformer, its insulation, which is the subject of high dielectric stress due to its invertor working regime. This article presents the behavior of a three-phase 8400 kVA medium-voltage step-up transformer (corrugated hermetic tank) specially designed for photovoltaic applications during short-circuit tests. This transformer, fed by two inverters, has two secondaries with elliptical windings (non-circular aluminum foil for LV windings and an aluminum conductor for HV windings). Various experiments were performed, including measurements of winding resistance, measurements of voltage ratio, measurements of short-circuit impedance and load loss on three tappings, measurements of no-load loss and current, a frequency response analysis, and short-circuiting. These experiments were performed to study the behavior of the transformer, which, in real life, is powered by photovoltaic inverters on the LV side that feed into the MV grid on the HV side, making it the interface between the photovoltaic inverter and the MV grid. An auxiliary supply transformer may be connected to the LV side. Given these elements, concerning both the importance and the particularities of the problem studied, we can say that this article represents a niche study on the guarantee of good functioning and safety in operation given the passing of the test to withstand the dynamic effects of short-circuiting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, a facile method with high efficiency is proposed for the separation and regeneration of LiMn2O4 (LMO) cathode material for spent lithium‐ion batteries through a simple heat treatment method. At first, the aluminum foil is separated at 450 °C in air, with a separation efficiency as high as 97.95%. Then, separation LMO is regenerated with high crystallinity at 650 °C with an optimum calcination time of 6 h. Importantly, this method allows D‐LMO to exhibit high reversible capacity (133 mAh g−1 at 0.1C), high rate performance (101 mAh g−1 at 5C), and long lifespan (0.5C, 92.1% capacity retention ratio after 100 cycles). A positive effect of the pyrolysis of polyvinylidene fluoride on D‐LMO is also suggested by the results. Moreover, a detailed investigation of the kinetics of the separation and regeneration is done, and the electrochemical mechanism is explored. Furthermore, this method requires much less energy input and chemical consumption, which would be helpful for environmental protection and green recycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A significant advancement in micro-computed tomography (μCT) translational application in endodontics has occurred. The purpose of the study was to assess the applications of a new method to measure dentin mineral density (DMD) and to compare between 2 levels of energy sources. Two sets of standardized porous solid hydroxyapatite (HA) phantoms, with mineral densities of 0.25 g/cm3 and 0.75 g/cm3, respectively were embedded in aluminum foil. The μCT homogeneity and noise in the HA phantoms were analyzed using 50 kV and 100 kV energy sources. DMD of 66 extracted human teeth was measured at the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ), mid-root, and apical levels. Assessment included linearity between the energy source and the DMD measurement. The quality of the images obtained from the 2 energy sources was compared and analyzed statistically. HA phantom rods and validation methods showed that 100 kV provided a more accurate measurement of the DMD in all groups tested. The 100 kV 3D reconstructed µCT images displayed a more defined details of the dentin structure. A statistically significant difference was found between 100 and 50 kV (p < 0.05) in all measured areas except for the mid-root. Using micro-computed tomography is a practical and non-destructive method to measure dentin density. 100 kV energy source provides clearer and more consistent images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technology for recycling retired lithium batteries has become increasingly environment-friendly and efficient. In traditional recovery methods, pyrometallurgy or hydrometallurgy is often used as an auxiliary treatment method, which results in secondary pollution and increases the cost of harmless treatment. In this article, a new method for combined mechanical recycling of waste lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries is proposed to realize the classification and recycling of materials. Appearance inspections and performance tests were conducted on 1000 retired LFP batteries. After discharging and disassembling the defective batteries, the physical structure of the cathode binder was destroyed under ball-milling cycle stress, and the electrode material and metal foil were separated using ultrasonic cleaning technology. After treating the anode sheet with 100 W of ultrasonic power for 2 minutes, the anode material was completely stripped from the copper foil, and no cross-contamination between the copper foil and graphite was observed. After the cathode plate was ball-milled for 60 seconds with an abrasive particle size of 20 mm and then ultrasonically treated for 20 minutes with a power of 300 W, the stripping rate of the cathode material reached 99.0%, and the purities of the aluminium foil and LFP reached 100% and 98.1%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In recent years, the quest for effective lubrication in micro deep drawing (MDD) has seen promising advancements. In this study, the influence of TiO2 nanolubricants and graphene lubricants on the performance of 301 stainless steel foil in MDD is examined. The MDD undergoes an extensive evaluation of various lubrication conditions, including dry, TiO2 nanolubricant, graphene lubricant at concentrations of 2.5 mg/mL, 5.0 mg/mL, and 10.0 mg/mL, as well as combined applications of TiO2 and graphene lubricants. Utilising a 5.0 mg/mL graphene lubricant together with TiO2 nanolubricants led to a significant reduction in drawing force, highlighting the synergistic efficacy of this combined lubricant. A pronounced enhancement in the consistency of the produced microcups was also attained. These results emphasise the promise of TiO2 nanolubricant and graphene lubricants in optimising the MDD process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To prevent the transmission of blood-borne infections and reach the elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030, the World Health Organization (WHO) has set the goal to distribute 300 sterile needles and syringes each year per person who injects drugs (PWID). We aimed to assess drug paraphernalia distribution in Germany in 2021, including the WHO indicator, and to analyse changes to the distribution measured in 2018. Methods: We conducted a repeated cross-sectional study of low-threshold drug services in Germany. We assessed type and quantity of distributed drug paraphernalia and the number of supplied PWID in 2021 using an online and paper-based questionnaire. We conducted a descriptive statistical analysis of data from 2021, assessed fulfillment of the WHO indicator and changes in services that participated 2021 and in the previous study 2018. Results: Five hundred and eighty-nine of 1760 distributed questionnaires were returned in 2021. 204 drug services from 15 out of 16 federal states confirmed drug paraphernalia distribution, covering 20% of Germany's rural and 51% of urban counties. 108 services had also participated in 2018. The most frequently distributed paraphernalia for injecting drug use in 2021 were syringes (97% of services), needles (96%) and vitamin C (90%). Pre-cut aluminium foil (79% of services) and pipes (28%) for inhaling, and sniff tubes (43%) for nasal use were distributed less frequently. We found a median reduction in distributed syringes by 18% and by 12% for needles compared to 2018. Of 15 states, two reached the 2030 WHO-target for needles and one for syringes. Conclusions: The current national estimates and changes from 2018 to 2021 for drug paraphernalia distribution seem far from meeting the WHO target. Reasons could include a change in drug consumption behaviour towards less injecting use and more inhaling, and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic (supply difficulties, social distancing, lockdown, reduced opening hours of services). We observed pronounced regional differences in drug paraphernalia distribution. To close existing gaps, Germany should expand its drug paraphernalia distribution programmes and other harm reduction services, such as drug consumption rooms. Further investigation of determinants for adequate distribution is essential to reduce blood-borne infections in this key population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid-state transformer (SST) is an emerging technology that integrates with transformer power electronics converters and control. The most noticeable advantages of SST are the size and weight reduction compared with low-frequency transformers. Since this device is used in many devices such as smart grids, traction systems, systems with renewable energy sources (RESs) and electric vehicle charging devices, it is important to build a high-efficiency device at a low cost. The article evaluates a medium frequency transformer (SST) operating at a frequency of 500 Hz to 6000 Hz with coils wound with aluminum foil or Litz windings and of a grain-oriented electrical steel (GOES) core. The calculations were made using the 3D field method using the numerical finite element method, and the results were compared with the tests of the real model. The measurement method based on the Fourier analysis of real signals was used for the research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we proposed a sequential and scalable hydro-oxygen repair (HOR) route consisting of key steps involving cathode electrode separation, oxidative extraction of lithium (Li), and lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) crystal restoration, to achieve closed-loop recycling of spent LiFePO4 batteries. A hydro-oxygen environment (with a cathode electrode : H2O2 ratio of 30 g mL−1) was first used to achieve nondestructive separation of the LiFePO4 cathode material and aluminum foil within a short period of time (0.25 min). The selective and high-efficiency extraction of Li from exfoliated LiFePO4 cathode materials was subsequently achieved by mechanochemically coupled oxidation potential regulation (conditions: 10 min, a rotational speed of 1000 rpm, and a LiFePO4 cathode material : H2O2 ratio of 1 : 37.5 g mL−1). The LiFePO4 crystals were successfully restored via a solid phase sintering process using the extracted Li and residual iron phosphate framework, and the regenerated LiFePO4 crystal exhibited a considerable specific electrochemical capacity (∼151.2 mA h g−1, 1C), which is comparable to that of commercial cathode materials. A life cycle assessment demonstrated that the HOR route can significantly reduce carbon emissions by −0.38 kg CO2 eq. and smog release by −0.17 kg O3 eq. per kg of spent LiFePO4 batteries, thus contributing to a circular economy and global decarbonization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study addresses a gap in the extensive literature on Spanish indirect objects by offering a study of unmarked datives (i.e., Ø eso le pones un papel de aluminio 'to that you put an aluminum foil'; PRESEEA 2001). Analyzed are the linguistic constraints on the variable absence of dative marker a 'to' in corpora of spoken Puerto Rican Spanish, in which the rate of marker absence is 33% (n = 380). Results of logistic regression analysis reveal that unmarked datives occurred with low frequency, non-prototypical dative verbs. Inanimate referents favored the absence of the dative marker, as did complex DPs, where the dative phrase and the clitic pronoun+verb are not adjacent. The findings are discussed from the twin perspectives of analogy as a mechanism of change and frequency effects: unmarked datives seem to most affect items at the margins of the dative category, in terms of both verbs and referents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the potential use of lignocellulosic material for Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) foils in high-energy physics experiments. A 50 µm thick lignocellulosic film was created using a scattering method, and both surfaces were coated with a 2 µm thick copper electrode layer. Electrical characterization studies were conducted to assess the suitability of lignocellulosic material in GEM detectors. To ensure consistent atmospheric conditions during measurements, a special chamber was designed to monitor temperature and humidity values over time using an SHT3x sensor module and Rense Temperature/Humidity Meter. Electrical measurements were performed using a Keithley 4200 semiconductor characterization system, and I-V curves showing the current-voltage relationship under different atmospheric conditions were plotted. The results demonstrate the potential for developing sustainable and efficient detectors for various high-energy physics experiments using GEM detectors with lignocellulosic foils. This study comprehensively presents the advantages and disadvantages of using lignocellulosic material in GEM foils and contributes to the development of more environmentally friendly alternatives for GEM detector manufacturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is the most widely used and important method for chemically analyzing and speciating surfaces. XPS has surface sensitivity (5–10 nm), is quantitative, and is able to probe the oxidation states of the elements at surfaces. However, during the past few years, a great deal of incorrect XPS data analysis has entered the scientific literature. Accordingly, efforts, including this Insight Note, are being made to provide tutorial information to the scientific community. Aluminum is a scientifically and technologically important element. Here we discuss approaches for fitting the Al 2p peak envelope from a sample of aluminum foil with a thin layer of oxide on it. Signals from the metal and oxide are present. We discuss methods for electrically isolating (or not isolating) the sample during data acquisition, the choice of the baseline, fitting the oxide peak with one or two synthetic peaks, and fitting the metal signal with two symmetric or two asymmetric peaks. The thickness of the oxide is calculated based on the areas of the oxide and metal signals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current practices involve wrapping organic aerosol (OA) filter samples with aluminum foil and storing in a freezer to avoid sample degradation prior to analysis. However, there is a lack of evidence supporting these practices. Here, we investigate the effect of thermal and photodegradation on toluene-combustion OA, pine-combustion OA, and ambient OA samples by storing them in petri dishes for one month at three different conditions: covered with aluminum foil and in a freezer (F), covered with aluminum foil at room temperature (RC), and uncovered at room temperature (RUC). We performed three types of analyses: thermal-optical measurements, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. For all samples, we observed a mild reduction in the relatively volatile organic carbon fraction (OC1) in the RC and RUC conditions. We did not account for positive artifacts in this study, and therefore, this reduction was at least partially due to the evaporation of adsorbed vapors rather than particles. There was no evidence of significant systematic change in chemical composition relative to control for any of the storage conditions, except for loss of some small-molecular-size compounds in conditions RC and RUC for pine-combustion OA, likely due to evaporation. There was no evidence that photobleaching occurred in the RUC condition for any of the samples. On the contrary, we observed an increase in absorption in the RC and RUC conditions for pine-combustion OA, likely due to evaporation of small-molecular-size species with relatively weak absorption. Copyright © 2023 American Association for Aerosol Research [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous studies on the delamination process of cathode electrodes from spent lithium-ion batteries have been conducted. Unfortunately, the systematic selection of economically viable and environmentally friendly delamination process has hardly been investigated. In this study, most of the hydrometallurgical processes were investigated based on the delamination efficiency and cost of solvent, and four were chosen: solvent dissolution, alkali dissolution, deep eutectic solvent, and ethylene glycol. Chosen processes were performed in the laboratory and compared using four important parameters: delamination efficiency, economic assessment, environmental assessment, and overall process time. This comparison indicates that the alkali dissolution process (ADP) is superior to the other processes. However, it is still unclear how the process variables will affect the delamination efficiency in ADP. To address this issue, we have investigated the impact of the reaction variables using optimization. Furthermore, it was discovered that the delamination can be carried out using alkali waste solution, and it has the same ability to selectively react with aluminum foil, leaving behind the delaminated cathode material for three cycles without changing the metal (Li, Co, Mn, Ni, etc.) content. As a result, an economically viable and environmentally friendly delamination process has been established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of a study of the electrical explosion of aluminum foils with an artificial periodic surface structure created by laser engraving are presented. Experiments were carried out on pulsed high-current generators BIN (270 kA, 300 kV, 100 ns) and KING (200 kA, 40 kV, 200 ns) with Al foil of thicknesses 16 and 4 μm, respectively. Images of the exploded foils were recorded by point projection radiography in the radiation from hybrid X-pinches. It is found that the application of an artificial periodic structure to the foil leads to a much more uniform and well-defined periodic structure of the exploded foil. Images recorded in the UV range using a microchannel-plate-intensified detector show that the radiation from a surface-modified foil is more uniform along the entire length and width of the foil than that from a foil without modification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Joining aluminum alloys with stainless steel is of great importance in many industrial sectors. Due to the low solidus temperatures of high-strength aluminum alloys, brazing with commercially available filler metals is not possible. Al-Ge-Si filler metals with a lower melting temperature of about 490 °C allow these alloys to be joined. They are manufactured in the form of foil via ultrafast solidification. AA 6082/AISI 304 joints are produced via induction brazing and vacuum furnace brazing. In this study, the tensile shear strength and the fatigue behavior of joints are investigated. Joints produced via induction brazing reached a maximum joining strength of 53 MPa, while vacuum-brazed joints achieved a maximum of 20 MPa. The fracture occurs in the reaction zone, especially inside the Al7Fe2(Si,Cr) intermetallic layer. The results of the fatigue tests show that the joints produced via induction brazing achieved 1 × 107 cycles at a stress amplitude of 7 MPa. Vacuum-brazed joints reached this at a stress amplitude of 3 MPa. All fatigue-tested samples fail in the reaction zone. The high hardness and growth of the SiGe solid solution and the Al7Fe2(Si,Cr) intermetallic layer had a major influence on the joining strength and fatigue behavior of AA 6082/AISI 304-brazed joints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AC-etched aluminum foils for an Al electrolytic capacitor were covered with a TiO2 film by a sol–gel coating and then anodized to 25 V in an ammonium adipate solution. The structure, properties, and performance of the anodic oxide films were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electrochemical impedance measurements (EIS), a general digital LCR meter, a TV characteristic tester, and multicycle pulse charging–discharging. It was found that the anodizing of aluminum coated with TiO2 films led to the formation of Al-Ti composite anodic oxide films, which consist of an outer Al-Ti composite oxide layer and an inner Al2O3 layer on the metal substrate. The capacitance (C25V) of the anodic oxide films formed on specimens with a TiO2 coating was about 10% larger than without a TiO2 coating. The specific resistance (Rox) of the Al-Ti composite film measured by EIS was lower than the blank one, accounting for a greater increase in the rise time (Tr) and a slight reduction in the withstand voltage (Vt). After hydration and a multicycle pulse charging–discharging destructive test, the Al-Ti composite anodic oxide film maintained the same good, comprehensive dielectric properties and performance as the blank one, thereby proving to be promising for acting as dielectric layers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]