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Tight sandstone reservoirs have extremely low porosity and permeability. Bedding-parallel fractures (BPFs) contribute prominently to the storage and seepage capability. However, the distribution of BPFs is remarkably heterogeneous, impeding the prediction and modeling of sweet spots. BPFs are controlled fundamentally by laminations, which are widely distributed in lacustrine tight reservoirs and provide most weakness planes. Based on core and thin section data, BPFs of the upper Triassic Chang 7 tight oil reservoir are characterized microscopically. The lamination combination unit, which is defined by distinctive lamination assemblage and relatively stable lamination thickness and space, is utilized as a homogeneous unit to measure the density of lamination and related BPFs. The influence of laminations on BPFs is discussed further. Results show that most bedding-parallel fractures are unfilled, with apertures generally <40 μιτι, mainly <10 μιτι. Larger apertures correlate with low filling degrees. The distribution of BPFs is intricately controlled by lamination type, density, and thickness. (1) BPFs tend to develop along different types by a priority sequence which reflects their mechanical strength. The development degree of BPFs also depends on the mechanical contrast with adjacent laminations; (2) When controlled by a single type of lamination, the density of BPFs increases with lamination density under a turning point and then decreases; (3) BPFs prefer to develop along the thinner lamination and are usually inside it, while controlled by thick lamination, BPFs tend to extend along the edge. The change in the thickness of laminations leads to a change in the development position of BPFs, indicating that the position of the weak plane controls the development position of BPFs; (4) When multiple types of lamination coexist, the type and thickness of laminations jointly influence the development of BPFs. Plastic thin laminations are conducive to the development of BPFs, while brittle thick laminations are not conducive. When the thickness of the plastic lamination is close to or less than that of the brittle, the influence of lamination type dominates BPFs, while the thickness of the plastic laminations is much larger than the brittle, the influence of lamination thickness will dominate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study develops an impermeable and flexible sheet for food packaging using aluminium foil and jute web. A hot melt sheet is used for laminating foil with a jute web. A simple manufacturing process has been suggested. The effect of different process parameters has been studied and optimized. The optimized calendaring temperature (top/bottom), pressure, and speed are 150/120°C, 15 kPa, and 1 m/min, respectively. Preheating and three consecutive runs show higher tenacity. This hybrid sheet uses around 88% or 78% jute (by weight) in one and both side laminated sheets, respectively. The failure mechanism shows the role of fibre-to-foil bonding. The developed fabric is lighter and more cost-effective than jute woven laminated fabric. The packet from hybrid fabric is sufficiently strong and pliable with excellent barrier properties to use as a hygienic sheet for food packaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Requiring no fuel for generation and negligible material/energy for operation and maintenance, photovoltaic (PV) systems have environmental impacts mostly due to the production of modules and the commissioning of power plants. Thus, extending the service lifetime of these systems from 30 to 40 years through an enhanced lamination process for module production potentially reduces environmental impacts per unit energy generated. Life cycle assessment is employed to evaluate the environmental impacts under scenarios for resource utilizations for the new lamination process, operation and maintenance requirements in the extended service lifetime, and degradation rates of the devised modules. Extending the service lifetime significantly reduces environmental impacts across categories, with a 21–27% reduction in global warming potential on the pessimistic and optimistic ends. At least 20% impact reduction is achieved in most impact categories, even under a pessimistic scenario. Considering uncertainty models in the life cycle inventories, samples are generated for scenarios via Monte Carlo simulation, and with significant improvements with large effects in most environmental impact categories, deterministic impact comparisons are supported by ANOVA and Tukey tests. Production strategies for more durable and reliable PV modules have a significant potential in contributing to global sustainability efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to study the effect of ultrasonic aluminum (Al) bonding and lamination processes on the electrical performance of copper indium gallium (di)selenide (CIGS) thin film photovoltaic (TFPV) solar panels. Ultrasonic Al bonding on the MoSe2 layer of the CIGS TFPV solar panel was performed in three configurations: eight bonds, 16 bonds, and parallel configurations. The lamination process was performed on the Al bonds with MoSe2 layers of the CIGS TFPV solar panel. Ultrasonic bonding and lamination processes significantly affect the electrical performance of CIGS TFPV solar panels. Open circuit voltage, Voc is the least affected electrical characteristic with the application of ultrasonic bonding and lamination processes as compared to short circuit current (Isc), current density (Jsc), maximum power (Pmpp), fill factor (FF), and efficiency. 8-bonds configuration has the highest efficiency, ranging from 11.45% to 13.86% throughout unique connections of I-V measurement, compared to 16-bonds ranging from 7.99% to 10.77%, and parallel configurations, ranging from 9.14% to 11.92%. The notable variations in electrical properties with the processes used to create laminated CIGS TPFV solar panels with ultrasonic Al bonding can be explained by physical examination and lock-in infrared (IR) thermography. The ultrasonic Al bond is best suited to be used as the interconnection mean in the CIGS TFPV solar panel compared to that of conductive adhesive that has been widely applied nowadays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, an attempt has been made to improve the strength and impermeability of jute bonded nonwoven from 95 to 285 g/m2 areal density by single side or both side lamination with polyethylene sheet of around 15 − 20% by weight using Ethylene Vinyle Acetate adhesive film. Preheating of nonwoven with 100 °C for 20 min and three subsequent runs show a higher peeling force. Adding poly sheets on nonwoven increases tenacity, total energy, bending modulus, seam strength, and tear strength but reduces thermal insulation and makes air and water permeability zero. The effect of one-side lamination, both-side lamination, and areal density of nonwoven has been studied. Higher g/m2 of a nonwoven shows better properties than lower gsm for single-side lamination. The performance of the bag made out of optimised lightweight fabric has been evaluated and compared with the commercial synthetic counterpart, and observed that the developed fabric is better. A process has been suggested without needling. For that light-weight fabric, calendaring temperature, pressure, and speed have been optimised as 150/120 °C, 20KPa, and 0.75 m/min, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lamination is the predominant and widely developed sedimentary structure in mudstones. Similar to organic pores in shale gas reservoirs, the inorganic pores in the laminae of shale oil reservoirs are equivalently important high-quality reservoir spaces and flow channels. The laminae characteristics are strongly heterogeneous, being controlled by both deposition and diagenesis. However, the origin of this diversity is poorly understood. A detailed examination of cores, thin sections, and scanning electron microscopy analyses were conducted on the lacustrine mudstone of the Qingshankou Formation in the Songliao Basin to study the influence of deposition and diagenesis on laminae characteristics and their relationship to reservoir quality. Three types of laminae are mainly developed, namely thick siliceous laminae, thin siliceous laminae, and thin siliceous and argillaceous mixed laminae. Deposition controls the type and distribution of laminae. The thin siliceous and argillaceous mixed laminae are controlled by climate-driven seasonal flux variations. The thick siliceous laminae and thin siliceous laminae are controlled by bottom current or gravity-driven transport processes due to increased terrestrial input. The thin siliceous laminae have the optimum reservoir properties, followed by the thin siliceous and argillaceous mixed laminae, while the thick siliceous laminae have the worst properties. Diagenesis controls the pore evolution of the laminae. Different laminae have different paths of diagenesis. The thin siliceous laminae are mainly cemented by chlorite, preserving some primary porosity. The clay mineral content of the thin siliceous and argillaceous mixed laminae is high, and the primary pores are mainly destroyed by the strong deformation of the clay minerals during compaction. The thick siliceous laminae are intensely cemented by calcite, losing most of the porosity. The present study enhances the understanding of reservoir characteristics in laminae and provides a reference for shale oil exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Harvesting indoor light to power electronic devices for the Internet of Things has become an application scenario for emerging photovoltaics, especially utilizing organic photovoltaics (OPVs). Combined liquid‐ and solid‐state processing, such as printing and lamination used in industry for developing indoor OPVs, also provides a new opportunity to investigate the device structure, which is otherwise hardly possible based on the conventional approach due to solvent orthogonality. This study investigates the impact of fullerene‐based acceptor interlayer on the performance of conjugated polymer–fullerene‐based laminated OPVs for indoor applications. We observe open‐circuit voltage (VOC) loss across the interface despite this arrangement being presumed to be ideal for optimal device performance. Incorporating insulating organic components such as polyethyleneimine (PEI) or polystyrene (PS) into fullerene interlayers decreases the work function of the cathode, leading to better energy level alignment with the active layer (AL) and reducing the VOC loss across the interface. Neutron reflectivity studies further uncover two different mechanisms behind the VOC increase upon the incorporation of these insulating organic components. The self‐organized PEI layer could hinder the transfer of holes from the AL to the acceptor interlayer, while the gradient distribution of the PS‐incorporated fullerene interlayer eliminates the thermalization losses. This work highlights the importance of structural dynamics near the extraction interfaces in OPVs and provides experimental demonstrations of interface investigation between solution‐processed cathodic fullerene layer and bulk heterojunction AL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we study the Liouville current of flat cone metrics coming from a holomorphic quadratic differential. Anja Bankovic and Christopher J. Leininger proved in Bankovic and Leininger (Trans Am Math Soc 370:1867–1884, 2018) that for a fixed closed surface, there is an injection map from the space of flat cone metrics to the space of geodesic currents. We manage to show that metrics coming from holomorphic quadratic differentials can be distinguished from other flat metrics by just looking at the geodesic currents. The key idea is to analyze the support of Liouville current, which is a topological invariant independent of the metric, and get information about cone angles and holonomy. The holonomy part involves some subtlety of relationship between singular foliation and geodesic lamination. We also obtain a new proof of a classical result that almost all simple geodesics of a quadratic differential metric will be dense in the surface. Furthermore, for other flat cone metrics, there is no simple dense geodesic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work is focused on the study of polyurethane adhesives in the presence of functional fillers (encapsulated enzymes) intended to make them degradable. This is part of a general strategy aiming to recycle multilayer films for packaging, at their end of life, by means of separating the constituent layers as a result of adhesives degradation. Primarily, it was found that the presence of small quantities of functional filler greatly affects both, the quality of the coating process and the kinetics of the adhesive curing. The former, because of the dependency on particle size distribution, leads to high variations in thickness and mechanical properties of multilayers and, the latter, because of a significant catalytic effect (higher curing rates). Indeed, an assessment of the adhesives' kinetics by rheology showed that the pot‐life and the cross‐over point (G′ = G″) for the enzyme‐containing system were obtained three times faster in comparison to the control formulation. These findings were also confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry measurements. On the other hand, by reducing and homogenizing the filler's particle size using separated sieved material (≤50 μm), improvements in coating control as well as in the quality and final properties of the multilayers were evidenced. Highlights: Recycling multilayer plastic films for flexible packaging.Encapsulated enzymes to degrade the polyurethane adhesive in specific conditions.The presence of functional fillers affects the coating process.Process optimization to ensure the coating quality control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractIn pencil beam scanning proton therapy, the regulation and stabilization of the scanning magnetic field between two spots should be completed as quickly as possible in order to reduce treatment time. Because of the eddy current effect, the dynamic magnetic field lags behind the excitation current. It is significant to analyze the dynamic field and reduce the field stability time to minimize the delivery time and improve the therapy efficiency. In this paper, dynamic magnetic field simulation is carried out with a full lamination model of the scanning magnet in the Huazhong University of Science and Technology Proton Therapy Facility. In addition, a single lamination model instead of a full lamination model is explored to reduce time cost and memory for lamination of no more than 1-mm thickness. The eddy current diffusion trend and the influence of lamination on the eddy current are investigated. Moreover, the effect of lamination thickness (ranging from 5 to 0.1 mm) and current ramp rate (ranging from 20 to 100 A/ms) on the magnetic field stability time is studied. In addition, the characteristic of magnetic stability time for various spot steps is analyzed. Considering two spot patterns with discrete or clustered spots, an optimized delivery strategy with various scanning dead times according to the step is presented. When the lamination is 1 mm, the scanning time can be reduced by 39.2% for a clustered pattern and 38.4% for a discrete pattern using a genetic algorithm based on the different scanning dead-time strategy instead of the fixed dead-time strategy. With a thinner 0.1-mm lamination, the scanning time can be reduced by 49.8% for the clustered pattern and 43.3% for the discrete pattern, compared to that of the 1-mm lamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high-capacity and quality ceramic materials have the potential of miniaturization and convenience for electronic components. In this work, CaMnO 3 (CMO) and La 0.5 Sr 0.5 CrO 3 (LSCO) powders are prepared by the traditional solid phase method and the laminated LSCO/CMO/LSCO samples are made via the rolling process. It can be found that the CMO and LSCO layers are clearly kept flat in co-sintered samples by SEM analysis. The capacity value of >0.1 μF/cm2(<100 Hz), the obviously reduced dielectric loss and the increased insulation resistivity are achieved in LSCO/CMO/LSCO samples at room temperature. Through the characterization of complex impedance spectroscopy, XRD and XPS, the ameliorative dielectric performance mainly depends on the interface between CMO and LSCO layers, which produces the high resistance value and blocks the long-range transition of the carriers. This phenomenon has an important significance for the development and application of large-capacity and co-sintered ceramic capacitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary visual cortex (V1) is one of the most studied regions of the brain and is characterized by its specialized and laminated layer 4 in human and non-human primates. However, studies aiming to harmonize the definition of the cortical layers and borders of V1 across rodents and primates are very limited. This article attempts to identify and harmonize the molecular markers and connectional patterns that can consistently link corresponding cortical layers of V1 and borders across mammalian species and ages. V1 in primates has at least two additional and unique layers (L3b2 and L3c) and two sublayers of layer 4 (L4a and L4b) compared to rodent V1. In all species examined, layers 4 and 3b of V1 receive strong inputs from the (dorsal) lateral geniculate nucleus, and V1 is mostly surrounded by the secondary visual cortex except for one location where V1 directly abuts area prostriata. The borders of primate V1 can also be clearly identified at mid-gestational ages using gene markers. In rodents, a novel posteromedial extension of V1 is identified, which expresses V1 marker genes and receives strong inputs from the lateral geniculate nucleus. This V1 extension was labeled as the posterior retrosplenial cortex and medial secondary visual cortex in the literature and brain atlases. Layer 6 of the rodent and primate V1 originates corticothalamic projections to the lateral geniculate, lateral dorsal, and reticular thalamic nuclei and the lateroposterior–pulvinar complex with topographic organization. Finally, the direct geniculo-extrastriate (particularly the strong geniculo-prostriata) projections are probably major contributors to blindsight after V1 lesions. Taken together, compared to rodents, primates, and humans, V1 has at least two unique middle layers, while other layers are comparable across species and display conserved molecular markers and similar connections with the visual thalamus with only subtle differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since its inception nearly 100 years ago, flexible packaging has seen tremendous growth due to its ability to meet packaging needs at the lowest cost and with the least amount of material usage. The modern era of flexible packaging began in the early twentieth century with the introduction of cellophane, a transparent "wonder" film which enabled the development of large distribution channels of pre-packaged goods and changed consumer lifestyles and buying habits. New processes and materials have continually advanced flexible packaging technology. In concert, the scientific understanding of materials and polymer processing has progressed. This paper traces the history of flexible packaging, describing major developments in technology and the science behind them. Flexible packaging has constantly evolved to meet new demands and challenges. This bodes well for the future as the industry address its end-of-life shortcomings and moves towards a more circular economy. Learnings from the past, guided by improved scientific insight and engineering principles, can be leveraged to adapt flexible packaging to changing market, societal and regulatory demands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laminate biocomposites of wood pulp/polylactic acid (PLA) are produced using four types of adhesives as compatibilizers: PVA, PVA modified with 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate (modified PVA), PVA with microfibrillated cellulose (PVA-MFC), and the modified PVA with MFC (modified PVA-MFC). Sheets of wood pulp were spray-coated with the compatibilizers and then laminated with PLA film. The lamination of PLA film and pulp sheet via spray coating of modified PVA was successful due to the improved compatibility of the components. Modified PVA could increase the tensile strength of the laminate biocomposite by up to 25% compared with unmodified PVA. Additionally, the incorporation of 5 wt% of modified PVA-MFC improved the impact resistance of the laminate biocomposite by 195% while surface polarity was reduced by almost 85%. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) of viscoelastic properties revealed the plasticizing effect of MFC in modified PVA. Modified PVA-MFC best promoted the damping factor of the laminate biocomposite. A soil burial test showed that modified PVA-MFC also had the greatest effect on the biodegradation of the laminate biocomposite with a weight loss of 50% after six months. Our study indicated that the laminate biocomposite compatibilized with modified PVA-MFC (5 wt% dry mass of MFC in modified PVA) exhibited better mechanical properties and biodegradation than the other studied biocomposites and was more suitable for use as degradable food packaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tight sandstone reservoirs have extremely low porosity and permeability. Bedding-parallel fractures (BPFs) contribute prominently to the storage and seepage capability. However, the distribution of BPFs is remarkably heterogeneous, impeding the prediction and modeling of sweet spots. BPFs are controlled fundamentally by laminations, which are widely distributed in lacustrine tight reservoirs and provide most weakness planes. Based on core and thin section data, BPFs of the upper Triassic Chang 7 tight oil reservoir are characterized microscopically. The lamination combination unit, which is defined by distinctive lamination assemblage and relatively stable lamination thickness and space, is utilized as a homogeneous unit to measure the density of lamination and related BPFs. The influence of laminations on BPFs is discussed further. Results show that most bedding-parallel fractures are unfilled, with apertures generally

Abstract Requiring no fuel for generation and negligible material/energy for operation and maintenance, photovoltaic (PV) systems have environmental impacts mostly due to the production of modules and the commissioning of power plants. Thus, extending the service lifetime of these systems from 30 to 40 years through an enhanced lamination process for module production potentially reduces environmental impacts per unit energy generated. Life cycle assessment is employed to evaluate the environmental impacts under scenarios for resource utilizations for the new lamination process, operation and maintenance requirements in the extended service lifetime, and degradation rates of the devised modules. Extending the service lifetime significantly reduces environmental impacts across categories, with a 21–27% reduction in global warming potential on the pessimistic and optimistic ends. At least 20% impact reduction is achieved in most impact categories, even under a pessimistic scenario. Considering uncertainty models in the life cycle inventories, samples are generated for scenarios via Monte Carlo simulation, and with significant improvements with large effects in most environmental impact categories, deterministic impact comparisons are supported by ANOVA and Tukey tests. Production strategies for more durable and reliable PV modules have a significant potential in contributing to global sustainability efforts.

In this paper, the electromagnetic performance of variable flux memory (VFM) machines with series-magnetic-circuit is investigated and compared for different rotor topologies. Based on a V-type VFM machine, five topologies with different interior permanent magnet (IPM) arrangements are evolved and optimized under same constrains. Based on two-dimensional (2-D) finite element (FE) method, their electromagnetic performance at magnetization and demagnetization states is evaluated. It reveals that the iron bridge and rotor lamination region between constant PM (CPM) and variable PM (VPM) play an important role in torque density and flux regulation (FR) capabilities. Besides, the global efficiency can be improved in VFM machines by adjusting magnetization state (MS) under different operating conditions.

Abstract As the anisotropic behavior of sandstones and limestone along the Khorramabad-Zal expressway has not been studied, this research aims to examine the impact of layer orientation on the strength characteristics and failure patterns of layered sedimentary rocks using the Brazilian test. For this purpose, a total of 8 rock blocks were gathered from Kashkan sandstones and Sarvak limestones in three different locations along the Khorramabad-Zal highway in western Iran. The core specimens were drilled with 54 mm diameter and parallel to the laminations. Overall 150 disc-shaped specimens were subjected to Brazilian tensile strength (BTS) in ten different anisotropy angles, which refers to the angle between the loading direction and the lamination plane. The findings revealed that the highest and lowest BTS values were obtained at β = 70° and 20° for all three types of rock. After analyzing the samples that experienced the Brazilian test and examining their failure patterns, three primary modes of failure were identified: parallel to the lamination (PL), across the lamination (AL), and curved fracture (CF). Furthermore, the transitional angle, which signifies the point at which the dominant pattern of failure shifts from PL to AL or from PL to CF, was also determined.

As the anisotropic behavior of sandstones and limestone along the Khorramabad-Zal expressway has not been studied, this research aims to examine the impact of layer orientation on the strength characteristics and failure patterns of layered sedimentary rocks using the Brazilian test. For this purpose, a total of 8 rock blocks were gathered from Kashkan sandstones and Sarvak limestones in three different locations along the Khorramabad-Zal highway in western Iran. The core specimens were drilled with 54 mm diameter and parallel to the laminations. Overall 150 disc-shaped specimens were subjected to Brazilian tensile strength (BTS) in ten different anisotropy angles, which refers to the angle between the loading direction and the lamination plane. The findings revealed that the highest and lowest BTS values were obtained at β = 70° and 20° for all three types of rock. After analyzing the samples that experienced the Brazilian test and examining their failure patterns, three primary modes of failure were identified: parallel to the lamination (PL), across the lamination (AL), and curved fracture (CF). Furthermore, the transitional angle, which signifies the point at which the dominant pattern of failure shifts from PL to AL or from PL to CF, was also determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lamination can greatly enhance the anisotropy and heterogeneity of shale and plays a significant role in influencing hydraulic fracturing. The structure and mechanical difference of different lithofacies lamination are the basis to reveal the fracture propagation mechanism. In this paper, research focused on three continental oil shale with different lithofacies in Qikou sag, Bohai Bay basin, including Quartz-Feldspar dominated shale, Carbonate dominated shale and mixed-mineral shale. Scanning electron microscopy and mineral analysis are used to identify quartz-feldspar lamination and mixture lamination in Quartz- Feldspar dominated shales, as well as carbonate lamination and mixture lamination in Carbonate dominated shales. The distinct laminations with different characteristics were precisely located using FIB, which served as the guiding tool for the indentation experiment. The micromechanical properties of laminations with different lithofacies in oil shale samples are examined using the nanoindentation technique, highlighting their distinct differences. The findings demonstrate that the micromechanical properties of quartz-feldspar lamination in Quartz-Feldspar dominated shales exhibit superior strength, while the mechanical difference between laminations in Quartz-Feldspar dominated shales are significantly larger. The quartz-feldspar lamination exhibits the highest resistance when subjected to indentation force. The mechanical properties of mixture lamination in Quartz-Feldspar dominated shales and Carbonate dominated shales are comparable due to their similar mineral composition. Moreover, in conjunction with macroscopic rock mechanics experiments, it has been verified that the lamination structure facilitates the initiation and propagation of macroscopic fractures under stress loading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the first time, an optimized twill ripstop woven structure having an areal density of 70 g/m2 has been introduced as an outer shell protective jacket that shows excellent mechanical strength (tensile, tear, and abrasion). A thorough study of different weave designs and areal densities on the mechanical strength of nylon 6 and nylon 66 woven fabrics was conducted. A new factor "RF" is introduced to predict the mechanical strength of weave designs more accurately than the conventionally reported factors: CFF (cross-over firmness factor) and FYF (floating yarn factor). In addition, the mechanical strengths of twill ripstop woven fabric laminated with PU, PTFE, and Bi-component PTFE membranes were studied. Water vapor transmission and air permeability of all laminated membranes were analyzed to achieve a balance between wearer comfort and foul conditions. The contact or accumulation of the outer fabric with different lubricants (kerosene and grease) was also considered, and tear behavior was studied. Based on the results, an optimized laminating membrane was selected for the outer protective shell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the all-solution-processed organic light-emitting diode (OLED), manufacturing the cathode and lowering the work function of the cathode are the main problems limiting their commercialization. This paper reports a two-substrate bonding technology using hot roller lamination with improvement points to solve the existing problems. Ag was used to manufacture the cathode because it is less oxidative compared to Al, which has previously been used conventionally. We tried to use polyethylene imine (PEI), which is conventionally used as an electron injection layer (EIL), as an adhesive layer for the bonding, as it has the quality of being sticky. At higher PEI concentrations, the adhesion strength increased, but the electrical properties deteriorated. Therefore, the PEI wt% was decreased and mixed with polyethylene glycol (PEG), which was reported to lower the work function of the metallic surface. The results showed that the mixed solution of PEI and PEG had good adhesion and electrical properties. The device with an interfacial layer consisting of a 0.1 wt% PEI and 0.01 wt% PEG mixture turned on at 6 V and had a maximum luminance of 2700 cd/m2. The mixed solution layer provided a similar luminous characteristic for single- and double-substrate devices, highlighting the potential of fabricating all-solution-processed OLEDs using the two-substrate bonding technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Harvesting indoor light to power electronic devices for the Internet of Things has become an application scenario for emerging photovoltaics, especially utilizing organic photovoltaics (OPVs). Combined liquid‐ and solid‐state processing, such as printing and lamination used in industry for developing indoor OPVs, also provides a new opportunity to investigate the device structure, which is otherwise hardly possible based on the conventional approach due to solvent orthogonality. This study investigates the impact of fullerene‐based acceptor interlayer on the performance of conjugated polymer–fullerene‐based laminated OPVs for indoor applications. We observe open‐circuit voltage (VOC) loss across the interface despite this arrangement being presumed to be ideal for optimal device performance. Incorporating insulating organic components such as polyethyleneimine (PEI) or polystyrene (PS) into fullerene interlayers decreases the work function of the cathode, leading to better energy level alignment with the active layer (AL) and reducing the VOC loss across the interface. Neutron reflectivity studies further uncover two different mechanisms behind the VOC increase upon the incorporation of these insulating organic components. The self‐organized PEI layer could hinder the transfer of holes from the AL to the acceptor interlayer, while the gradient distribution of the PS‐incorporated fullerene interlayer eliminates the thermalization losses. This work highlights the importance of structural dynamics near the extraction interfaces in OPVs and provides experimental demonstrations of interface investigation between solution‐processed cathodic fullerene layer and bulk heterojunction AL.

Modern electronics highly demand base metal electrode multilayer ceramic capacitors (BME MLCCs) with ultra-thin dielectric layers and high capacitances owing to the trend for miniaturization. The reliability of MLCCs is crucial for practical applications and significantly affected by the lamination process and material defects. However, the detailed relationships between these factors and the reliability of ultra-thin MLCCs remain elusive. In this study, we investigated the influence of different lamination pressures (denoted as S1, S2 and S3) on the microstructure and reliability of BaTiO 3 (BT) based protocol MLCCs with hundreds of layers. Microstructural observations reveal that among the devices, S2 has the highest roughness for both the Ni internal electrode and dielectric layers. Dielectric property investigations show that S1 and S3 meet the X5R standard and the designed capacity of 10 μF while S2 fails to meet the X5R standard at high temperatures. The electron energy loss spectra investigation reveal that oxygen vacancies are asymmetrically distributed on both sides of the Ni-BT interface in the individual dielectric layers, especially for S2, which indicates that one-side pressure lamination from the bar bulk induces sintering differences on the two sides of the dielectric layer. The results from this study indicate that applying an appropriate critical pressure between BT and Ni (S1) is preferable for decreasing the asymmetry and improving the reliability of MLCCs with ultra-thin layers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The feedforward/feedback classification, as originally stated in relation to early visual areas in the macaque monkey, has had a significant influence on ideas of laminar interactions, area reciprocity, and cortical hierarchical organization. In some contrast with this macroscale "laminar connectomics," a more cellular approach to cortical connections, as briefly surveyed here, points to a still underappreciated heterogeneity of neuronal subtypes and complex microcircuitries. From the perspective of heterogeneities, the question of how brain regions interact and influence each other quickly leads to discussions about concurrent hierarchical and nonhierarchical cortical features, brain organization as a multiscale system forming nested groups and hierarchies, connectomes annotated by multiple biological attributes, and interleaved and overlapping scales of organization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proper cortical lamination is essential for cognition, learning, and memory. Within the somatosensory cortex, pyramidal excitatory neurons elaborate axon collateral branches in a laminar-specific manner that dictates synaptic partners and overall circuit organization. Here, we leverage both male and female mouse models, single-cell labeling and imaging approaches to identify intrinsic regulators of laminar-specific collateral, also termed interstitial, axon branching. We developed new approaches for the robust, sparse, labeling of Layer II/III pyramidal neurons to obtain single-cell quantitative assessment of axon branch morphologies. We combined these approaches with cell-autonomous loss-of-function (LOF) and overexpression (OE) manipulations in an in vivo candidate screen to identify regulators of cortical neuron axon branch lamination. We identify a role for the cytoskeletal binding protein drebrin (Dbn1) in regulating Layer II/III cortical projection neuron (CPN) collateral axon branching in vitro. LOF experiments show that Dbn1 is necessary to suppress the elongation of Layer II/III CPN collateral axon branches within Layer IV, where axon branching by Layer II/III CPNs is normally absent. Conversely, Dbn1 OE produces excess short axonal protrusions reminiscent of nascent axon collaterals that fail to elongate. Structure-function analyses implicate Dbn1S142 phosphorylation and Dbn1 protein domains known to mediate F-actin bundling and microtubule (MT) coupling as necessary for collateral branch initiation upon Dbn1 OE. Taken together, these results contribute to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that regulate collateral axon branching in excitatory CPNs, a key process in the elaboration of neocortical circuit formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive mechanical loading of lithium-ion batteries can impair performance and safety. Their ability to resist loads depends upon the properties of the materials they are made from and how they are constructed and loaded. Here, prismatic lithium-ion battery cell components were mechanically and optically characterized to examine details of material morphology, construction, and mechanical loading response. Tensile tests were conducted on the cell case enclosure, anodes, cathodes, and separators. Compression tests on stacks of anodes, cathodes, separators, and jellyrolls were made from them. Substantially differing behaviors were observed amongst all components tested. An optical examination of the anodes, cathodes, and separators revealed homogeneities, anisotropies, and defects. Substantial texturing was present parallel to the winding direction. When highly compressed, jellyrolls develop well-defined V-shaped cracks aligned parallel to the texturing. Like many laminates, altering the lay-up construction affects jellyroll mechanical performance. To demonstrate, a cross-ply jellyroll was fabricated by rotating every other complete component set (cathode/separator/anode/separator), reassembling, and compressing. A distinctly different fracture pattern and increased compressive strength were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, there has been significant interest in inorganic–organic hybrid perovskite solar cells (PSCs) due to their excellent photovoltaic performance. However, the fabrication of PSCs' top metallic electrodes using thermal evaporation in a vacuum atmosphere significantly increases the manufacturing cost and restricts large-scale production. In this study, we propose a water separation method for the fabrication of free-standing films of silver nanowires (AgNWs) that can be easily stripped by using water and laminated onto perovskite devices as top electrodes in an ambient atmosphere. The electrodes composed of long AgNWs exhibit superior electrical properties compared to those composed of shorter ones. We have identified that the reduced performance of PSCs with AgNW electrodes is mainly attributed to the high oxide content on the surface of AgNWs and the insufficient contact between the AgNW networks and hole transport layers. To resolve these issues, we employed sodium borohydride reduction and polyethoxysiloxane incorporation techniques. Through these treatments, PSCs with AgNW electrodes achieved a power conversion efficiency of 15.64%. This performance surpasses that reported in the literature for PSCs with AgNW electrodes, demonstrating the effectiveness of our approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand the stability of strongly weathered muddy slate slopes under water immersion effects, we obtained shear strength parameters of the weakly layered structures within this slate through direct shear tests. Point load tests were performed on in-site slate samples with varying water immersion durations to assess the water immersion's softening impact on slate strength. Results highlight that muddy slate strength presents pronounced random variability, declining as water immersion duration increases. Drawing from shear strength parameters and the water immersion softening observed in laboratory and in-site tests, we formulated a numerical slope model that considers layered structures and water immersion conditions to evaluate slope stability. Numerical simulations suggest that the slate slope's sliding surface, when layered, does not consistently form a basic circular arc or straight line. The slope safety factor (FOS) drops below 3, marking a notable decrease compared to a homogeneous slope (FOS = 3.22). In the model, multiple secondary sliding surfaces can emerge, leading to a sliding band with a specific thickness after introducing the random distribution of layer strength parameters. This further reduces the slope's FOS to below 2.9. Water immersion makes slopes inclined to slide following the layered structure. If the dip angle of the slate's layered structure is less steep than the slope's dip angle, water immersion notably diminishes the FOS, which can dip to a minimum of 1.12. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to determine the bonding performance of laminated giant bamboo [Dendrocalamus asper (Schult.) Backer] glued with four commercial adhesives (PVAc-D3, PUR, UF, PF) at different surface pairings (pith-pith, pith-skin, and skin-skin) and glue spread rates (100, 150, and 200 g/m²). Kiln-dried giant bamboo poles were ripsawn, planed, and cut to length to produce slats for lamination. Slats for surface roughness and wettability tests were sanded with 180-grit sandpaper on both skin and pith surfaces. Surface roughness of the skin and pith was measured using Mitutoyo SJ-210 Surftest unit, whereas wettability was determined via the sessile drop method. Giant bamboo slats were bonded using specific lamination parameters for each adhesive. Tensile shear tests at dry and wet conditions were performed on the laminates to determine bond strength. The results showed that the bamboo pith had a rougher texture than the skin but with insignificant contact angle differences. Moreover, PVAc-D3 and PUR gave the highest and lowest initial contact angles on both sides, respectively, with PUR maintaining the smallest values throughout the contact duration. Adhesive, surface pairing, and some interactions (adhesive x glue spread and adhesive x surface pairing) significantly affected the dry shear strength, whereas adhesive and adhesive x surface pairing influenced wet shear strength. PUR-bonded laminates had the highest dry shear strength, followed by PF, PVAc-D3, and UF. In terms of wet shear strength, only PVAc-D3 did not conform to the minimum glue bond strength requirement of more than 1 MPa and cohesive bamboo failure of at least 40% (PNS 2099:2015). Skin-skin and pith-pith surface pairing yielded the highest and lowest dry shear strengths, respectively. Increasing the amount of glue did not translate to a stronger bond. PUR, UF, and PF are feasible alternatives to PVAc-D3 in engineered bamboo production for various end-uses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the float glass process in a float bath, tin diffuses into the surface of the glass. The final product of the float process has two sides - one tin side and the other air side of the glass. In the next step, a layer of material is applied to the air side of the glass, which most often has an anti-reflective function, consisting of several layers, where the primary function is performed by a layer of silver. Such glass is used in the construction or automotive industry, for example. A problem arises, however, if the float glass is processed by another process where the glass is heated. When the glass is reheated, defects may appear on the tin side of the float blank due to the diffusion of ions present on the tin side of the float glass to its surface. The article deals with the diffusion of silver on the tin side of float glass in the laboratory and the subsequent analysis of the defect. The goal is to discuss the mechanism of this phenomenon and the possible methods to prevent the defect from occurring.

Tissue engineering is a powerful tool with which to systematically identify the determinants of biological functions. Applied to the design and fabrication of biomimetic brains, tissue engineering serves to disentangle the complex anatomy of neural circuits and pathways by recapitulating structure-function relationships in simplified model systems. The complex neuroanatomy of the cerebral cortex, with its enigmatic columnar and stratified cytoarchitectonic organization, represents a major challenge toward isolating the minimal set of elements that are required to assemble neural tissues with cognitive functions. Whereas considerable efforts have highlighted important genetic and physical correlates of early cortical tissue patterning, no substantive attempt to identify the determinants of how the cortices acquire their relatively conserved, narrow range of numbered layers is evident in the literature. Similarly, it is not yet clear whether cortical columns and laminae are functionally relevant or epiphenomena of embryonic neurodevelopment. Here, we demonstrate that spatial frequencies (m−1) derived from the width-to-height ratios of cerebral cortical columns predict sinusoids with a narrow range of spatial cycles over the average cortical thickness. The resulting periodicities, denoted by theoretical wavenumbers, reflect the number of observed cortical layers among humans and across several other species as revealed by a comparative anatomy approach. We present a hypothesis that cortical columns and their periodic layers are emergent of the intrinsic spatial dimensions of neurons and their nested, self-similar aggregate structures including minicolumns. Finally, we discuss the implications of periodic tissue patterns in the context of neural tissue engineering.

Abstract In the manufacturing of photovoltaic (PV) modules, the lamination process can take up to 20 min to complete. In this work, new lamination processes are being developed, and have been prototyped, which hope to be able to cut this time down to as little as 30 s. This could provide significant savings in the cost of lamination equipment, floor space, and energy. PV modules are expected to have a lifespan exceeding 20 to 30 years. For moisture‐sensitive PV technologies, the edge seal between the two layers of glass can be the weakest point of its reliability. There is an inherent challenge when evaluating edge seal materials due to their low permeation rates. As part of Colorado State University's Photovoltaic Research and Development 2, work at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory has developed models to evaluate edge seal configurations in glass‐glass PV modules. Here, this new manufacturing process is evaluated for long‐term moisture durability. Different edge seal design options within glass–glass PV modules are explored. Most of these designs are targeting a superstrate on glass configuration, e.g CdTe, but some designs could be used on conventional crystalline Si cells. Using COMSOL finite element simulation software, we investigated the edge seal and interlayer design configurations containing silicone perimeter edge adhesive, desiccated polyisobutylene‐based edge seal, air, and polyolefin while integrating climate conditions equivalent to a hot and humid environment such as Miami, Florida. We found optimized configurations that will allow the module to prevent moisture ingress over 50 years minimizing the amount of time and material used while utilizing polymers that are easily dispensed.

Lamination is the predominant and widely developed sedimentary structure in mudstones. Similar to organic pores in shale gas reservoirs, the inorganic pores in the laminae of shale oil reservoirs are equivalently important high-quality reservoir spaces and flow channels. The laminae characteristics are strongly heterogeneous, being controlled by both deposition and diagenesis. However, the origin of this diversity is poorly understood. A detailed examination of cores, thin sections, and scanning electron microscopy analyses were conducted on the lacustrine mudstone of the Qingshankou Formation in the Songliao Basin to study the influence of deposition and diagenesis on laminae characteristics and their relationship to reservoir quality. Three types of laminae are mainly developed, namely thick siliceous laminae, thin siliceous laminae, and thin siliceous and argillaceous mixed laminae. Deposition controls the type and distribution of laminae. The thin siliceous and argillaceous mixed laminae are controlled by climate-driven seasonal flux variations. The thick siliceous laminae and thin siliceous laminae are controlled by bottom current or gravity-driven transport processes due to increased terrestrial input. The thin siliceous laminae have the optimum reservoir properties, followed by the thin siliceous and argillaceous mixed laminae, while the thick siliceous laminae have the worst properties. Diagenesis controls the pore evolution of the laminae. Different laminae have different paths of diagenesis. The thin siliceous laminae are mainly cemented by chlorite, preserving some primary porosity. The clay mineral content of the thin siliceous and argillaceous mixed laminae is high, and the primary pores are mainly destroyed by the strong deformation of the clay minerals during compaction. The thick siliceous laminae are intensely cemented by calcite, losing most of the porosity. The present study enhances the understanding of reservoir characteristics in laminae and provides a reference for shale oil exploration.

The dominance of plastics in the packaging market is due to their low weight and thickness, which save transportation costs. However, their non-biodegradability poses a significant threat to the environment. Paper, on the other hand, is considered as a safer alternative due to its natural composition and biodegradability. The porous structure of paper limits its application in packaging, and its poor water resistance further restricts its use in humid environments. Therefore, lamination is a method useful tool to improve the barrier properties of paper. Additionally, the researchers are focusing on developing biodegradable and water-based coatings with anti-fat properties as a green alternative to plastic packaging. The impact of a new grease-resistant coating composed of starch, gelatin and sodium alginate on the mechanical properties of paper was investigated through tensile, tearing, and bursting strength tests. The results showed significant improvements in the mechanical properties of the coated paper sheets. Furthermore, the biodegradability test indicated that the paper samples coated with the new composition showed a 50% weight loss after one week of incubation in the soil, and after three weeks, they exhibited 100% weight loss, demonstrating their outstanding biodegradability.

The development of renewable energy sources has grown increasingly as the world shifts toward lowering carbon emissions and supporting sustainability. Solar energy is one of the most promising renewable energy sources, and its harvesting potential has gone beyond typical solar panels to small, portable devices. Also, the trend toward smart buildings is becoming more prevalent at the same time as sensors and small devices are becoming more integrated, and the demand for dependable, sustainable energy sources will increase. Our work aims to tackle the issue of identifying the most suitable protective layer for small optical devices that can efficiently utilize indoor light sources. To conduct our research, we designed and tested a model that allowed us to compare the performance of many small panels made of monocrystalline cells laminated with three different materials: epoxy resin, an ethylene–tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), under varying light intensities from LED and CFL sources. The methods employed encompass contact angle measurements of the protective layers, providing insights into their wettability and hydrophobicity, which indicates protective layer performance against humidity. Reflection spectroscopy was used to evaluate the panels' reflectance properties across different wavelengths, which affect the light amount arrived at the solar cell. Furthermore, we characterized the PV panels' electrical behavior by measuring short-circuit current (ISC), open-circuit voltage (VOC), maximum power output (Pmax), fill factor (FF), and load resistance (R). Our findings offer valuable insights into each PV panel's performance and the protective layer material's effect. Panels with ETFE layers exhibited remarkable hydrophobicity with a mean contact angle of 77.7°, indicating resistance against humidity-related effects. Also, panels with ETFE layers consistently outperformed others as they had the highest open circuit voltage (VOC) ranging between 1.63–4.08 V, fill factor (FF) between 35.9–67.3%, and lowest load resistance (R) ranging between 11,268–772 KΩ.cm−2 under diverse light intensities from various light sources, as determined by our results. This makes ETFE panels a promising option for indoor energy harvesting, especially for powering sensors with low power requirements. This information could influence future research in developing energy harvesting solutions, thereby making a valuable contribution to the progress of sustainable energy technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tissue engineering is a powerful tool with which to systematically identify the determinants of biological functions. Applied to the design and fabrication of biomimetic brains, tissue engineering serves to disentangle the complex anatomy of neural circuits and pathways by recapitulating structure-function relationships in simplified model systems. The complex neuroanatomy of the cerebral cortex, with its enigmatic columnar and stratified cytoarchitectonic organization, represents a major challenge toward isolating the minimal set of elements that are required to assemble neural tissues with cognitive functions. Whereas considerable efforts have highlighted important genetic and physical correlates of early cortical tissue patterning, no substantive attempt to identify the determinants of how the cortices acquire their relatively conserved, narrow range of numbered layers is evident in the literature. Similarly, it is not yet clear whether cortical columns and laminae are functionally relevant or epiphenomena of embryonic neurodevelopment. Here, we demonstrate that spatial frequencies (m−1) derived from the width-to-height ratios of cerebral cortical columns predict sinusoids with a narrow range of spatial cycles over the average cortical thickness. The resulting periodicities, denoted by theoretical wavenumbers, reflect the number of observed cortical layers among humans and across several other species as revealed by a comparative anatomy approach. We present a hypothesis that cortical columns and their periodic layers are emergent of the intrinsic spatial dimensions of neurons and their nested, self-similar aggregate structures including minicolumns. Finally, we discuss the implications of periodic tissue patterns in the context of neural tissue engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyvinyl butyral (PVB) is a well‐established polymer interlayer material that has been used in laminated safety glass panels for over 80 years. However, its intrinsically poor ionic conductivity (σ) severely restricts its widespread application as a solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) for laminated WO3–NiO electrochromic devices (ECDs). Here, a new strategy for significantly improving the σ of PVB via a cross‐linking reaction with 3‐glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (KH560) is presented. The cross‐linked PVB‐SPE with 10 wt.% KH560 exhibits the highest room‐temperature σ value among the investigated samples (1.51 × 10−4 S cm−1), which is also higher than that of previously reported PVB‐based SPEs (10−5–10−7 S cm−1). Additionally, the prepared SPE exhibits comprehensive optical, mechanical, and thermal performances, including a high visible transmittance (>91%), relatively high adhesive strength (2.13 MPa), and superior thermal stability (up to 150 °C). Laminated WO3–NiO ECDs with dimensions of 5 × 5 cm2 and 20 × 20 cm2, fabricated by leveraging the aforementioned properties of the electrolyte, operate stably at temperatures ranging from −20 to 80 °C, underscoring the potential of the PVB‐SPE for realizing commercially viable large‐area ECDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As is well known, the magnetostrictive phenomenon of electrical steel sheet is the main source of electricity in equipment such as transformers. The magnetostrictive characteristic of the actual transformer core is more complicated than that of single-sheet steel. The magnetostriction phenomenon of the transformer core cannot be fully understood by studying only a single piece of electrical steel, so it is necessary to study the local magnetic characteristics of the transformer directly. In this paper, two-limb, one-phase transformer core with a multi-step-lap construction was assembled, a laminated magnetostrictive testing system based on triaxial strain gauges was built, and the local magnetic characteristics were studied using a self-developed B-H vector sensor. The magnetostrictive and magnetic properties in different local regions were measured and analyzed under several magnetization patterns, and the influence of DC bias on the magnetostrictive property of the corner, yoke, and limb of the core was investigated. The influence of the position of the clamp on the magnetostriction of the transformer core was also studied. The magnetostrictive strain of the single sheet and laminated core was compared and discussed. The results showed that the strain caused by the interaction between laminations in this area can be effectively reduced when clamping in the middle of the yoke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the changes in various geomechanical properties were studied for sandstones cropped out at the Mescitli region of the Gümüşhane city under different saturation and anisotropy conditions. For this purpose, 225 specimens were prepared considering the lamination planes of those were chosen to have orientation of 0, 30, 45, 60 and 90° relative to loading direction. Index properties of the sandstones such as dry unit weight (γdry), saturated unit weight (γsat), water absorption by weight (Aw) and water absorption by volume (Av) were assigned. In accordance with the objective of study P wave velocity, uniaxial compressive strength and indirect tensile strength values were determined based on different saturation and anisotropy conditions. It was noted as a result of the observations carried out that specimens parallel to lamination have higher wave velocities in general when compared with specimens that are perpendicular to lamination planes. While uniaxial compressive strength values for sandstones are high for specimens which are parallel and perpendicular to lamination, the lowest strength value was observed in specimens with an anisotropy angle of 30°. In addition, it was also observed that the strength values decrease at a significant level with increasing saturation conditions. Strength anisotropy ratio (RUCS) for sandstones varies between 1.28–1.49 based on different saturation conditions. Similarly, while indirect tensile strength values were higher in specimens that were parallel and perpendicular to lamination, they were lower for other anisotropy orientations. Indirect tensile strength values also decreased with increasing degree of saturation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the manufacturing of photovoltaic (PV) modules, the lamination process can take up to 20 min to complete. In this work, new lamination processes are being developed, and have been prototyped, which hope to be able to cut this time down to as little as 30 s. This could provide significant savings in the cost of lamination equipment, floor space, and energy. PV modules are expected to have a lifespan exceeding 20 to 30 years. For moisture‐sensitive PV technologies, the edge seal between the two layers of glass can be the weakest point of its reliability. There is an inherent challenge when evaluating edge seal materials due to their low permeation rates. As part of Colorado State University's Photovoltaic Research and Development 2, work at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory has developed models to evaluate edge seal configurations in glass‐glass PV modules. Here, this new manufacturing process is evaluated for long‐term moisture durability. Different edge seal design options within glass–glass PV modules are explored. Most of these designs are targeting a superstrate on glass configuration, e.g CdTe, but some designs could be used on conventional crystalline Si cells. Using COMSOL finite element simulation software, we investigated the edge seal and interlayer design configurations containing silicone perimeter edge adhesive, desiccated polyisobutylene‐based edge seal, air, and polyolefin while integrating climate conditions equivalent to a hot and humid environment such as Miami, Florida. We found optimized configurations that will allow the module to prevent moisture ingress over 50 years minimizing the amount of time and material used while utilizing polymers that are easily dispensed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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AZO/Ag/AZO transparent conductive films were prepared on PMMA substrate by DC magnetron sputtering at low temperature (70 ℃). The effect of AZO sputtering power on the structure and properties of AZO/Ag/AZO thin films were investigated. In order to encapsulate AZO/Ag/AZO films, the films were laminated with another uncoated PMMA substrate and polyurethane film. Damp and heat resistance and heating performance of this laminated structure were discussed. The morphology and structure of the films were characterized by SEM, XRD and AFM. The results show that the sputtering power of AZO affects the surface energy of AZO layer and the crystallization of AZO/Ag/AZO films. The AZO/Ag/AZO films which prepared with AZO sputtering power of 100W and 150W exhibit the best performance with a low sheet resistance of 3.7 Ω/sq and a high transmittance of 86.1% at room temperature. The optical and electrical properties of PMMA laminated structure remain stable after 30 days of damp-heat experiment. The temperature-time curve during the heating process of the PMMA laminated structure at room temperature shows fast temperature response time and good temperature uniformity under 5 V DC voltage. The PMMA laminated structure exhibits saturation temperature stability in cold convection air (−10-−40 ℃).

A combination of their unique stiffness and strength, hybrid composites has great potential in a variety of industries, including medium-duty automotive, aircraft, and submarines. In order to evaluate the performance of kevlar/E-glass epoxy composites in this article concentrated on their fabrication and testing. It is well known that the composition has a major impact on the mechanical properties and functional traits of the composite. In order to ascertain the ideal epoxy mix, we thus used a manual layup technique to produce three unique composite sheets designated as P (2:3), Q (2:4), and R (3:2). Research follow ASTM guidelines while analyzing the mechanical parameters, concentrating on tensile strength and binding strength to assess overall structural integrity. As a way to find the interlayer laminar strength between Kevlar fibre and epoxy provide information on interfacial properties, delamination experiments were also carried out. Comparing composite sample P (2:3) to other compositions, our results showed that it had the lowest swelling ratio and the best mechanical qualities. Composite sample Q (2:4), on the other hand, showed the best interlaminar characteristics and adhesion capabilities. The significance of composition mix in attaining targeted performance attributes in hybrid composites is highlighted by these findings.