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The development of Si–HfO2/Yb2Si2O7/Yb2SiO5 environmental barrier coatings (EBCs) aims to improve the operational temperature and longevity of ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) in turbine environments. Nevertheless, several critical questions remain unanswered, including the oxidation mechanism of Si–HfO2 bond coating, the compatibility of its mixed thermally grown oxide (m-TGO) with adjacent layers during thermal cycling, and the evolution pattern of vertical mud-cracks that impact the overall performance in service. Using plasma spraying physical vapor deposition (PS-PVD), we fabricated these EBCs on a CMC substrate, and thermal cycling tests at 1400, 1450, and 1500 °C revealed that their durability reached 200 h. m-TGO growth followed a parabolic model, with the oxygen diffusion activation energy being 133.69 kJ/mol between 1400 and 1450 °C and 101.47 kJ/mol from 1450 to 1500 °C, emphasizing that the transport of molecular oxygen is key to controlling the oxidation of m-TGO in this EBC system. Although residual stresses and stored elastic strain energy build up between m-TGO and adjacent layers, especially around the cristobalite phase transition temperature, causing interlaminar crack formation in later thermal cycles, the stored elastic strain energy remains lower than that of the silicon oxide–thermally grown oxide (SiO2–TGO) formed in Si bond coating system. In addition to [110] dislocations, (001) twinning and interaction zones between twinning and dislocations were discovered for the first time, driving the bifurcation of mud cracks. Notably, controlling the mud-crack density is vital for protection of Yb2SiO5 layer, as bifurcated mud-crack tips may converge with adjacent mud-cracks.

Abstract Mitigating broadband noise with passive airborne sound absorbers has been a long-lasting challenge, particularly for low-frequency anthropogenic sounds below kilohertz with long wavelengths, which require bulky materials for effective absorption. Here, we propose a strategy that utilizes local triboelectric effect and in-situ electrical energy dissipation mechanism for airborne sound absorption. This approach involves a fundamentally different mechanism that converts airborne sound into electricity for energy dissipation, in contrast to conventional mechano-thermal energy conversion mechanisms. We establish an equivalent acoustic impedance model to provide theoretical analysis of the underlying sound absorption mechanisms, with a theoretical maximum mechano-electro-thermal coupling efficiency approaching 100% under optimal conditions. We design fibrous triboelectric composite foam materials accordingly and show their substantially boosted acoustic absorption performance experimentally, where the adoption of diverse triboelectric material pairs validates that a larger difference in material charge affinities intensifies the local triboelectric effect and results in higher acoustic absorbing performance.

Abstract In practical engineering, noise and impact hazards are pervasive, indicating the pressing demand for materials that can absorb both sound and stress wave energy simultaneously. However, the rational design of such multifunctional materials remains a challenge. Herein, inspired by cuttlebone, we present bioinspired architected metamaterials with unprecedented sound-absorbing and mechanical properties engineered via a weakly-coupled design. The acoustic elements feature heterogeneous multilayered resonators, whereas the mechanical responses are based on asymmetric cambered cell walls. These metamaterials experimentally demonstrated an average absorption coefficient of 0.80 from 1.0 to 6.0 kHz, with 77% of the data points exceeding the desired 0.75 threshold, all with a compact 21 mm thickness. An absorptance-thickness map is devised for assessing the sound-absorption efficiency. The high-fidelity microstructure-based model reveals the air friction damping mechanism, with broadband behavior attributed to multimodal hybrid resonance. Empowered by the cambered design of cell walls, metamaterials shift catastrophic failure toward a progressive deformation mode characterized by stable stress plateaus and ultrahigh specific energy absorption of 50.7 J/g—a 558.4% increase over the straight-wall design. After the deformation mechanisms are elucidated, a comprehensive research framework for burgeoning acousto-mechanical metamaterials is proposed. Overall, our study broadens the horizon for multifunctional material design.

Magnesium (Mg) and its alloys have recently gained increasing attention in the biomedical field as promising biodegradable materials with harmless degradation products. Magnesium-based alloys have a wide range of biomedical applications because of their outstanding biocompatibility and unique mechanical properties. Widespread use of Mg-based biomedical devices eliminates the need for post-healing biomaterial removal surgery and minimizes the negative consequences of the implantation of permanent biomaterials, including stress shielding and undesired metal ion release in the body. This paper provides a literature review on the properties and manufacturing methods of Mg-based alloys for biomedical applications, including orthopedic implants, cardiovascular applications, surgical wires and staplers, and antitumor activities. Each application of Mg-based biomaterials is investigated from a biological perspective, including matching functional properties, biocompatibility, host tissue responses, and anti-microbial strategies, along with potential additive manufacturing technologies for these applications. Finally, an outlook is presented to provide recommendations for Mg-based biomaterials in the future.

Abstract The current study developed an innovative design for the production of smart multifunctional core-double shell superparamagnetic nanoparticles (NPs) with a focus on the development of a pH-responsive drug delivery system tailored for the controlled release of Phenytoin, accompanied by real-time monitoring capabilities. In this regard, the ultra-small superparamagnetic iron oxide@silica NPs (IO@Si MNPs) were synthesized and then coated with a layer of gelatin containing Phenytoin as an antiepileptic drug. The precise saturation magnetization value for the resultant NPs was established at 26 emu g-1. The polymeric shell showed a pH-sensitive behavior with the capacity to regulate the release of encapsulated drug under neutral pH conditions, simultaneously, releasing more amount of the drug in a simulated tumorous-epileptic acidic condition. The NPs showed an average size of 41.04 nm, which is in the desired size range facilitating entry through the blood–brain barrier. The values of drug loading and encapsulation efficiency were determined to be 2.01 and 10.05%, respectively. Moreover, kinetic studies revealed a Fickian diffusion process of Phenytoin release, and diffusional exponent values based on the Korsmeyer-Peppas equation were achieved at pH 7.4 and pH 6.3. The synthesized NPs did not show any cytotoxicity. Consequently, this new design offers a faster release of PHT at the site of a tumor in response to a change in pH, which is essential to prevent epileptic attacks.

The repair of secondary critical bone defects is an international medical challenge. Bone tissue engineering provides methods and technology for bone repair. The bone regeneration mechanism serves as inspiration for the material and structural design of bone tissue engineering scaffolds. In terms of materials, this review draws inspiration from the biological characteristics of host cells in the osteogenic microenvironment (including osteoblast lineage, vascular cell lineage, inflammatory cells, etc.), reviewing the regulatory mechanisms of bone self-healing and proposing autonomous living materials scaffolds which prepared by in-situ manufacturing. Autonomous living scaffolds regulate cell migration, proliferation and differentiation in real time by releasing living cells steadily for long-term. Regarding structure, we review the functional role of natural bone structures in bone homeostasis, providing insights into the design of bone-inspired scaffolds. Due to the conflict between the mechanical properties and bone regeneration ability, this review proposes assembled scaffolds. They can prolong the half-life of living cells, provide mechanical support and attachment points for new bone growth, and autonomously regulate osteogenic microenvironment. The assembled scaffolds have potential to advance the research progress in bone tissue engineering field and pave the way for novel clinical bone repair treatments.

With an extensive range of distinctive features at nano meter-scale thicknesses, two-dimensional (2D) materials drawn the attention of the scientific community. Despite tremendous advancements in exploratory research on 2D materials, knowledge of 2D electrical transport and carrier dynamics still in its infancy. Thus, here we highlighted the electrical characteristics of 2D materials with electronic band structure, electronic transport, dielectric constant, carriers mobility. The atomic thinness of 2D materials makes substantially scaled field-effect transistors (FETs) with reduced short-channel effects conceivable, even though strong carrier mobility required for high performance, low-voltage device operations. We also discussed here about factors affecting 2D materials which easily enhanced the activity of those materials for various applications. Presently, Those 2D materials used in state-of-the-art electrical and optoelectronic devices because of the extensive nature of their electronic band structure. 2D materials offer unprecedented freedom for the design of novel p-n junction device topologies in contrast to conventional bulk semiconductors. We also, describe the numerous 2D p-n junctions, such as homo junction and hetero junction including mixed dimensional junctions. Finally, we talked about the problems and potential for the future.

This review focuses on standard Li recycling approaches for LiFePO4 (LFP) and nickel−cobalt−manganese (NCM) cathodes. The study discusses about advances in leaching agents, including organic acid, alkaline solutions, natural organic acid, and electrochemical treatments. Emphasis is placed on the significance of selective Li leaching strategies to optimize the recycling of waste batteries. The review also outlines potential future research directions for enhancing selective recycling, providing valuable insights into the recycling of LFP and NCM batteries. Simultaneously, the article addresses the challenges associated with the transition from conventional lithium-ion batteries to all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) in the pursuit of sustainable energy storage technologies. It highlights key points, including the challenges in developing ASSBs, the role of employing various material combinations and its preparation techniques, adopting scalable solution-based processes for commercialization, and strategies for sustainable ASSB recycling. The proposition of a fully recyclable ASSB model underscores the commitment to lower recycling costs using safer and simpler methods, positioning nanotechnology as an enabling tool for achieving advancements in materials and cell-level performance.

Abstract In tissue engineering, the pivotal role of scaffolds is underscored, serving as key elements to emulate the native extracellular matrix. These scaffolds must provide structural integrity and support and supply electrical, mechanical, and chemical cues for cell and tissue growth. Notably, electrical conductivity plays a crucial role when dealing with tissues like bone, spinal, neural, and cardiac tissues. However, the typical materials used as tissue engineering scaffolds are predominantly polymers, which generally characteristically feature poor electrical conductivity. Therefore, it is often necessary to incorporate conductive materials into the polymeric matrix to yield electrically conductive scaffolds and further enable electrical stimulation. Among different conductive materials, carbon nanomaterials have attracted significant attention in developing conductive tissue engineering scaffolds, demonstrating excellent biocompatibility and bioactivity in both in vitro and in vivo settings. This article aims to comprehensively review the current landscape of carbon‐based conductive scaffolds, with a specific focus on their role in advancing tissue engineering for the regeneration and maturation of functional tissues, emphasizing the application of electrical stimulation. This review highlights the versatility of carbon‐based conductive scaffolds and addresses existing challenges and prospects, shedding light on the trajectory of innovative conductive scaffold development in tissue engineering.

Summary: Among various electrocatalysts, high-entropy alloys (HEAs) have gained significant attention for their unique properties and excellent catalytic activity in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). However, the precise synthesis of HEA catalysts in small sizes remains challenging, which limits further improvement in their catalytic performance. In this study, boron- and nitrogen-doped HEA porous carbon nanofibers (HE-BN/PCNF) with an in situ–grown dendritic structure were successfully prepared, inspired by the germination and growth of tree branches. Furthermore, the dendritic fibers constrained the growth of HEA particles, leading to the synthesis of quantum dot-sized (1.67 nm) HEA particles, which also provide a pathway for designing HEA quantum dots in the future. This work provides design ideas and guiding suggestions for the preparation of borated HEA fibers with different elemental combinations and for the application of dendritic nanofibers in various fields.

Caffeine is the world's most popular stimulant and psychoactive substance. Given the ubiquitous use of caffeine, it is crucial for us to comprehend how our body interacts with caffeine. The pharmacokinetics of caffeine and its action mechanisms have been reviewed in this paper. The safety and recommended dosage of caffeine in healthy adults and vulnerable populations like children and pregnant women are also discussed in this paper. While caffeine consumption is generally safe, this review paper also examines the potential effects that caffeine could have on human health and development. Studies indicated that caffeine exhibits neuroprotective properties, potentially serving as a preventive measure against the onset of neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. The article also explores various physiological effects of caffeine on the body, in addition to investigating novel drug delivery techniques, particularly nano-delivery systems designed to efficiently administer caffeine.

High-quality copper oxide (CuO) thin films were deposited on the silicon (Si) substrate at the room temperature using the physical vapour deposition (PVD) technique named radio frequency (RF) sputtering. The copper-oxide thin-films were single crystalline and of uniform thickness. Subsequently, the influence of growth pressure (low gas pressure - 3 mTorr and high gas pressure - 100 mTorr) and post growth annealing at different temperatures (300 °C to 700 °C) were investigated to understand the microstructural and morphological changes of the thin film. With the influence of growth pressure and post thermal annealing temperature, significant changes in crystallinity, surface roughness, and surface oxidation rate of the CuO thin film were detected, which were adequately analyzed via several characterization techniques. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns revealed the phase formation with good crystallinity of the film, which is substantiated by Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) characterization. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images disclosed that the surface roughness of the film and grain size. By gaining insights into the structural and surface properties of CuO/Si thin films, this research presents new prospects for tuning of CuO phases, structures, and compositions for multifunctional applications.

Metal-air batteries (MABs) have emerged as a promising contender in the quest for alternative energy storage technologies, rivalling the widespread utilization of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Their comparable theoretical energy density to gasoline, reaching ∼12,000 Wh/kg, has sparked great interest. However, the practical implementation of MABs has been hindered by limitations associated with metal anodes, including volume expansion and unwanted side reactions. Surprisingly, the exploration of metalloid-air batteries (MLAB) remains largely unexplored. This comprehensive review aims to shed light on the potential of MLABs as a novel alternative battery technology. This technology employs metalloids in their elemental form or as compounds/alloys. Elemental metalloids, such as Silicon and Germanium, when used as anodes in combination with alkaline or Ionic liquid electrolytes, have showcased remarkable performance, surpassing their metallic counterparts in energy density, corrosiveness, and discharge time, among other critical factors. Moreover, this review delves into the discussion of Borides and Silicides, compounds of elemental Boron and Silicon, respectively, as anode materials for air batteries. Furthermore, diverse metalloid composites and computational studies exploring innovative configurations have also been examined and discussed, paving the way for future advancements in MLABs.

In some countries, the rules about how to grow their economy are changing. They are focusing more on green economic growth to develop despite global uncertainties. Green growth means changing current industries and creating new eco-friendly ones. Figuring out how to do this well is a big question, like a billion-dollar question. The answers depend on each country's economy, industries, location, people, resources, technologies, relationships with other countries, money, and politics. We're shifting towards materials that are low in carbon and can be recycled in various products, such as plastics, packaging, and textiles. Achieving this requires innovative methods for manufacturing, designing products, and running businesses smartly. This involves developing new items with low-carbon materials like steel, aluminium, and concrete. When constructing highly energy-efficient buildings with no net emissions, we must use materials that can be recycled, effectively manage temperature, and employ digital technology to reduce both the initial and ongoing carbon footprint. More and more people moving to cities means there's a good chance for new and smart ideas in engineering and design to grow. These ideas are important because they help make cities sustainable and build important things like data centers and the latest tech. The many different digital technologies we use today are a big part of making green growth happen. They help with ideas that recycle and are good for the environment in our tech stuff. Human activities, urbanization, and climate change contribute to biodiversity loss. Engineering approaches, such as habitat restoration, conservation planning, and sustainable land use practices, are crucial for preserving and restoring ecosystems. The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events require innovative engineering solutions for disaster preparedness, early warning systems, and resilient infrastructure to minimize the impact of natural calamities on communities. Degraded land and deforestation can be addressed through reforestation, afforestation, and sustainable land management practices. Engineering solutions may involve soil conservation, watershed management, and the restoration of degraded landscapes. Overfishing, pollution, and climate change threaten marine ecosystems. Engineering interventions, such as marine protected areas, sustainable fishing practices, and the restoration of coral reefs, contribute to the preservation and rehabilitation of marine environments. Urbanization often disrupts natural ecosystems. Sustainable urban planning, green infrastructure, and smart city technologies are examples of engineering solutions that can help restore and enhance urban ecosystems while fostering a balance between urban development and environmental conservation. Transforming food and farm waste into valuable materials presents an eco-friendly growth opportunity. This aligns with the concept of a circular economy, where waste is considered a resource that can be repurposed. Recycling and repurposing waste contribute to resource efficiency by reducing the environmental impact associated with disposal. It can also lead to the development of new industries and markets for recycled materials. Converting waste into valuable materials supports environmental sustainability by minimizing the generation of pollution and reducing the pressure on natural resources. The concept of a circular economy involves minimizing waste and maximizing the reuse and recycling of materials. Digital technologies play a crucial role in enabling circular economy practices for e-waste by improving the efficiency of collection, sorting, and recycling processes. Advanced sorting and segregation technologies contribute to resource recovery from e-waste. Precious metals, rare earth elements, and other valuable materials can be extracted and reused in the production of new electronic devices, reducing the need for virgin materials. Digital technologies can be employed to create labelling systems that provide information about the components and materials used in electronic devices. This facilitates efficient sorting and recycling by providing essential details for automated processes. These machines allow users to return used electronic devices for recycling in exchange for incentives or discounts. By incorporating digital technology, these machines can identify and sort different types of devices, ensuring that each component is properly handled during the recycling process. Automated robotic systems equipped with artificial intelligence and computer vision capabilities can efficiently sort and segregate various components of e-waste. This not only improves the accuracy and speed of the recycling process but also reduces the manual labour required. The adoption of digital technologies in e-waste management creates opportunities for skilled jobs related to the development, implementation, and maintenance of these technologies. This includes roles in robotics, artificial intelligence, data analysis, and software development. As e-waste recycling processes become more sophisticated and automated, new jobs are likely to emerge in the recycling industry. These jobs may include positions related to the operation and maintenance of recycling facilities, as well as roles in research and development for innovative recycling technologies. The emphasis on sustainable practices in e-waste management contributes to the growth of the green technology sector. This sector can generate employment in various fields, including renewable energy, waste management, and environmental consulting. Green growth starts with using certain technologies. To make it happen, we need to come up with better engineering ideas, use eco-friendly infrastructure, invest in sustainable practices, make the market encourage green choices, improve our workforce skills, try new business approaches, and get people to make greener choices. When a country does all these things, it can grow in a green way and not fall behind others in the world who are also trying to be environmentally friendly.

Abstract 3D printing technology is an emerging method that gained extensive attention from researchers worldwide, especially in the health and medical fields. Biopolymers are an emerging class of materials offering excellent properties and flexibility for additive manufacturing. Biopolymers are widely used in biomedical applications in biosensing, immunotherapy, drug delivery, tissue engineering and regeneration, implants, and medical devices. Various biodegradable and non-biodegradable polymeric materials are considered as bio-ink for 3d printing. Here, we offer an extensive literature review on the current applications of synthetic biopolymers in the field of 3D printing. A trend in the publication of biopolymers in the last 10 years are focused on the review by analyzing more than 100 publications. Their application and classification based on biodegradability are discussed. The various studies, along with their practical applications, are elaborated in the subsequent sections for polyethylene, polypropylene, polycaprolactone, polylactide, etc. for biomedical applications. The disadvantages of various biopolymers are discussed, and future perspectives like combating biocompatibility problems using 3D printed biomaterials to build compatible prosthetics are also discussed and the potential application of using resin with the combination of biopolymers to build customized implants, personalized drug delivery systems and organ on a chip technologies are expected to open a new set of chances for the development of healthcare and regenerative medicine in the future. Graphical Abstract

The “seesaw relationship” between thermal conductivity and thermal expansion coefficient (CTE) in most high temperature ceramics has become an obstacle to the design of long-life multilayer thermal/environmental barrier coatings (T/EBC). Due to low thermal conductivity and CTE, defect fluorite type high-entropy rare earth (RE) hafnates have drawn a lot of interest for potential application in T/EBC systems. This work designs and synthesizes the (Dy0.2Ho0.2Er0.2Tm0.2Lu0.2)2Hf2O7 with comprehensive thermal performance and investigates the thermophysical mechanism from the phonon scale. In addition to the lattice distortion effect caused by the point defects of multicomponent substitutional atoms in (Dy0.2Ho0.2Er0.2Tm0.2Lu0.2)2Hf2O7, the oxygen vacancies in the defect fluorite lattice also play a critical role in reducing the thermal conductivity. From microscopic thermal expansion behavior, the low-frequency optic phonons originated from the vibration of RE atoms are the key factors in altering CTE for hafnates. And doping smaller RE ions is beneficial for enhancing the RE–O bond strength and further reducing CTE. The results contribute to the understanding of high-entropy strategic design and suggest that (Dy0.2Ho0.2Er0.2Tm0.2Lu0.2)2Hf2O7 is a promising top layer material in the implementation of T/EBC.

Diabetic ulcers remain a significant challenge in wound care due to loss of epithelial cell migration. Aligned nanofibrous scaffolds mimicking the skin's extracellular matrix (ECM) are promising candidates for diabetic wound healing. In this study, a composition of poly(ε-caprolactone), gelatin, and dopamine-containing varying amounts of ε-polylysine (ε-PL) was electrospun to prepare aligned nanofiber wound dressings (ANFDs). We then investigated the morphological, physicochemical, mechanical, and biological properties of fabricated ANDFs. The presence of ε-PL confers bactericidal properties while promoting epithelial and fibroblast adhesion, proliferation, and migration, confirming its cell selectivity. The clinical importance of the ANFDs was then demonstrated in a mice model of full-thickness diabetic wounds. The results confirm that ANFD treatment resulted in a higher rate of wound closure in the linear range of wound closure than wounds treated with silver dressings. Taken together, these results suggest the potential of antimicrobial ANFDs for the treatment of diabetic wounds.

The widespread adoption of lithium-ion batteries has ushered in a transformative era across industries, powering an array of devices from portable electronics to electric vehicles. This review explores recent advancements in machine learning tools tailored for improving battery materials, management strategies, and system-level optimization. It provides a comprehensive overview of the current landscape, emphasizing the less-explored evolution of machine learning algorithms in battery materials. Machine learning integration enhances our understanding of material properties, accelerates the discovery of efficient compositions, and contributes to the development of more durable lithium-ion batteries. The article also delves into machine learnings role in predicting State of Health and remaining useful life, crucial for proactive battery maintenance. This review also highlights how integrating machine learning into the field of lithium-ion batteries has the potential to revolutionize battery design and accelerate advancements in energy storage technology, promising a more sustainable and technologically advanced future.

Abstract Despite a great deal of research about airflow sensors by far, it is still hard to maintain ultra‐low limit of detection, short response, and recovery time under humid and rainy environment, which compromises its practical applications. Herein, a robust bridge‐type airflow sensor base on flexible superhydrophobic carbon nanotube fiber thin films is developed, which can not only own remarkable sensitive properties with ultra‐low limit of detection, fast response, and rapid recovery, but also exclude the influence of moisture or water drops in real applications. Both response time and recovery time are reduced compared with that of the previously reported flexible carbon‐based airflow sensors. Particularly, recovery time is reduced by ≈2/3. Meanwhile, the superhydrophobic structure renders normal functioning of the sensor in severe environment of high humidity or even in the rain, so that the influence of moisture and raindrops can be excluded, a property deficient in the previously reported airflow sensors. Not only can the sensor detect ambient airflow sensitively, but it also exhibits outstanding performance in respiratory health monitoring. Hence, the novel sensor designed in this work realizes operation in the environment of high humidity and rain, which tremendously uplifts the applicability of flexible sensors.

Abstract In general, perovskite solar cells (PSC) with a sensitized or thin-film architecture absorb light from a single-side illumination, and carrier separation and transport only take place inside the active layer of the perovskite film. Herein, we demonstrated a dual-irradiation PSC system in which light passes through both the fluorinated tin oxide (FTO) side and the Au electrode side, resulting in much faster interfacial charge carrier extraction and transportation than that in a single-irradiation system, in which light passes through from either the FTO or semitransparent Au electrode side. This dual-irradiation PSC system with a configuration of FTO/Cl-TiO2/Mp-TiO2/mixed perovskite/spiro-OMeTAD/Au/ITO can form two quasi-interfacial p-n junctions, which occur separately at the interfaces of TiO2/perovskite and perovskite/spiro-OMeTAD. When the PSC device was illuminated simultaneously from both the FTO and Au/ITO sides, the PSC achieved a total power conversion efficiency (PCE) as high as 20.1% under high light intensity (1.4 sun), which is higher than PCE (18.4%) of a single-irradiation system. The time of flight (TOF) photoconductivity, small perturbation transient photovoltaic (TPV), finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) optical simulations, and dual illumination-side-dependent impedance spectroscopy (ISD-IS) were used to authenticate the presence of two quasi-interfacial p-n junctions in the PSC, creating more charge carriers than only one quasi p-n junction, and thus leading to a fast recombination process.

In this paper, a brief and applied study is performed for reviewing the application of composite materials in civil engineering structures and presenting the significant results and methods based on recent research (as an appropriate short-cut). Some applied trusses and algorithms, related simulations, bridge analysis, and applied solved problems are presented and analyzed in this article. For example, one of the dangerous and undesired happenings is failure and fracture in the structures, which may occur for the buildings. Therefore, the composite behavior must be accurately investigated for predicting and preventing unpleasant hazards. Thus, the analysis and application of the composites in the structures are essential and require increasing the safety and lifetime as well as suitable for managing the time and costs. Moreover, some highlighted challenges for the use of composites in the future such as considering costs and environment management are presented. Finally, a simulation has been done for simplifying the real problem to simple geometrical engineering system in section 6 (solved problems) which would be useful for engineers and students (researchers).

Abstract As an alternative form of vapor compression air conditioning devices, solid desiccant cooling (SDC) techniques have increasingly been explored recently. The overall performances of SDC primarily rely on the capability of dehumidification and regeneration of desiccant. A desiccant with a great uptake capability and excellent regeneration potential is preferred in an SDC system. Although traditional desiccants like silica gels and zeolites are able to absorb moisture at moderate levels, hygroscopic polymers show a superior ability in moisture sorption and desorption. Significant research has been conducted to investigate the hygroscopic polymers in SDC for household and industrial applications. Here, first, an introduction to SDC systems is presented, and then hygroscopic polymers from natural and synthetic origins are discussed. Synthetic polymers discussed are metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs), amorphous porous organic polymers (POPs), polyelectrolytes, and polymer‐based composites. Their dehumidification behaviors in SDC systems, primarily desiccant‐coated heat exchanger (DCHE) systems, are compared and summarized. Binders employed in SDC systems are also summarized, as a proper binder enhances the overall performance of the desiccant system. It can be anticipated that hygroscopic polymers and binder materials would witness extensive applications in the future.

The Southeast Asian (SEA) region has witnessed a relentless surge in energy demand, driven by rapid urbanization, industrialization, and economic growth. In response, the exploration and development of renewable energy sources have gained significant attention. Among these sources, solar energy has emerged as a highly promising candidate due to its remarkable growth rate. This comprehensive review article aims to analyze the challenges and opportunities involved in maximizing solar energy production in the SEA region. The article commences with a succinct introduction to electromagnetic wave spectra and emphasizes the significance of visible spectra. It then provides a comprehensive examination of gross horizontal irradiance (GHI) patterns across the SEA region. A systematic tabulation is presented, organizing the current and potential solar energy installations and outputs of ASEAN countries. The article explores the deployment of hybrid photovoltaic (PV) systems, particularly floating PV installations, as an effective strategy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Moreover, the utilization of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems for optimizing solar PV output is investigated. The article further delves into critical maintenance protocols, encompassing corrective, emergency, preventive, and predictive measures, and explores the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) to assess the profitability of solar PV installations. Lastly, the leadership of Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore in solar PV research is highlighted, with a specific focus on building integrated PV and floating PV research. By addressing these, this review article offers valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities for advancing solar energy production in the SEA region.

Magnesium (Mg)-based materials are a new generation of alloys with the exclusive ability to be biodegradable within the human/animal body. In addition to biodegradability, their inherent biocompatibility and similar-to-bone density make Mg-based alloys good candidates for fabricating surgical bioimplants for use in orthopedic and traumatology treatments. To this end, nowadays additive manufacturing (AM) along with three-dimensional (3D) printing represents a promising manufacturing technique as it allows for the integration of bioimplant design and manufacturing processes specific to given applications. Meanwhile, this technique also faces many new challenges associated with the properties of Mg-based alloys, including high chemical reactivity, potential for combustion, and low vaporization temperature. In this review article, various AM processes to fabricate biomedical implants from Mg-based alloys, along with their metallic microstructure, mechanical properties, biodegradability, biocompatibility, and antibacterial properties, as well as various post-AM treatments were critically reviewed. Also, the challenges and issues involved in AM processes from the perspectives of bioimplant design, properties, and applications were identified; the possibilities and potential scope of the Mg-based scaffolds/implants are discussed and highlighted.

The fabrication of metal oxide nanofibers using (titanium (IV) isopropoxide) and (tin (IV) tert-butoxide) of weight ratio 1:1 precursor in presence of poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) as a binder using a well-known electrospinning technique is reported. The average diameter of TiO2, SnO2, and composite TiO2-SnO2 nanofibers were found to be in the range 75–110 nm. The nanofibers were characterized using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to understand the polymer evaporation temperature and further analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to study the morphology of the nanofibers. The oxidation states of titanium (Ti) and tin (Sn) ions were analyzed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), indicating that the TiO2 undergoes a change even after loading SnO2. The photocatalytic efficiency of the composite TiO2-SnO2 fibers was investigated to study the degradation capabilities under ultraviolet (UV) light towards industrial polluting dyes such as Alcian Blue, Alizarin Red S, Bilirubin, Brilliant Blue, Bromophenol Blue, and Rhodamine B ITC. Rhodamine B showed a significant degradation rate of about 0.0064 min−1 in comparison to the other dyes.

Highlights Machine learning, techno-economic analysis, and life cycle analysis are imperative for various conversion approaches of high availability and low utilization biomass (HALUB). The conversion of HALUB to sustainable energy and materials has a positive consequence on mitigating climate change and building a green future. Microfluidic and micro/nanomotors-powered sustainable materials are of high potential for advanced applications.

Herein, the preparation process, morphology, structure, and magnetic properties of La1.85Sr0.15CuO4 (LSCO) cobweb-like nanofibers are reported. LSCO nanofibers with a regular grain size distribution are successfully prepared via electrospinning, followed by calcination. We conducted morphology analysis and elemental distribution using electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), respectively. Additionally, magnetic property testing was performed using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) to confirm the superconducting properties of the samples. Interestingly, our samples exhibited a superconducting transition temperature, Tc, of 25.21 K, which showed some disparity compared to similar works. Furthermore, we observed a ferromagnetic response at low temperatures in the superconducting nanofibers. We attribute these phenomena to the effects generated by surface states of nanoscale superconducting materials.

Additive Manufacturing (AM) has revolutionized the manufacturing industry in several directions. Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), a powder bed fusion AM process, has been dramatically accepted in various industries due to its versatility with several materials, including alloys. This comprehensive review article primarily explains the basic principle of the LPBF process, scientific and technological progress of several inter-related parameters, feedstock materials, produced properties/defects, and insights of numerical modelling to virtually understand the process behavior. Specific attention has been given to selective laser-meted (LPBFed) properties, driven through the microstructure formations and, thereby, concerning defects. The scope of the post-processing techniques to refine microstructure has also been discussed in this review paper. It has been identified that the defects are vital in LPBF process and are primarily governed by the process parameters. Therefore, a wisely chosen, optimized set of parameters can play a crucial role in minimizing defects considerably. Finally, the numerical modeling discussed in this review paper will help the researchers understand the LPBF process.

Potential engineering applications of magnesium (Mg) and Mg-based alloys, as the lightest structural metal, have made them a popular subject of study. However, the inferior corrosion and wear characteristics significantly limit their application range. It is widely recognized that surface treatment is the most commonly utilized technique for remarkably improving a substrate's surface characteristics. Numerous methods have been introduced for the surface treatment of Mg and Mg-based alloys to improve their corrosion behavior and tribological performance. Among these, thermal spray (TS) technology provides several methods for deposition of various functional metallic, ceramic, cermet, or other coatings tailored to particular conditions. Recent researches have shown the tremendous potential for thermal spray coated Mg alloys for biomedical and industrial applications. In this context, the cold spray (CS) method, as a comparatively new TS coating technique, can generate the coating layer using kinetic energy rather than combined thermal and kinetic energies, like the high-velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) spray method. Moreover, the CS process, as a revolutionary method, is able to repair and refurbish with a faster turnaround time; it also provides solutions that do not require dealing with the thermal stresses that are part of the other repair processes, such as welding or other TS processes using a high-temperature flame. In this review paper, the recently designed coatings that are specifically applied to Mg alloys (primarily for industrial applications) employing various coating processes are reviewed. Because of the increased utilization of CS technology for both 3D printed (additively manufactured) coatings and repair of structurally critical components, the most recent CS methods for the surface treatment, repair, and refurbishment of Mg alloys as well as their benefits and restrictions are then discussed and reviewed in detail. Lastly, the prospects of this field of study are briefly discussed, along with a summary of the presented work.

Abstract Among the existing metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), MIL‐101(Cr) is renowned for its stability in air and water. As a result, MIL‐101(Cr) has numerous potential applications ranging from adsorptive cooling to catalysis. The industrial‐scale production of MIL‐101(Cr) is necessary before realizing these applications. Yet, there remain two main bottlenecks in preparing MIL‐101(Cr) in bulk: the toxicity of hydrofluoric acid (HF) used in conventional MIL‐101(Cr) synthesis and the challenge of ensuring that the as‐prepared MIL‐101(Cr) is highly porous with specific Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area (SBET) above 4000 m2 g−1. On the laboratory scale, MIL‐101(Cr) often presents SBET 2300–3500 m2 g−1. The synthesis and purification procedures often influence the yield, particle size, porosity, and other properties of MIL‐101(Cr). This critical review examines trends in MIL‐101(Cr) preparation procedures and the MOF's resulting properties to elucidate areas for improvement toward its real‐world applications. The purification processes for conventional HF‐based MIL‐101(Cr) whereby porosities vary despite the same synthesis approach are first investigated. Next, the reported additives for substituting HF and their influence on the resulting MIL‐101(Cr)’s porosity and particle size are discussed. The selection of additives may be application‐specific: exemplified in the examination of MIL‐101(Cr)’s preparation, its corresponding water sorption capacity, and desiccant‐related applications.

Biopolymers are promising environmentally benign materials applicable in multifarious applications. They are especially favorable in implantable biomedical devices thanks to their excellent unique properties, including bioactivity, renewability, bioresorbability, biocompatibility, biodegradability and hydrophilicity. Additive manufacturing (AM) is a flexible and intricate manufacturing technology, which is widely used to fabricate biopolymer-based customized products and structures for advanced healthcare systems. Three-dimensional (3D) printing of these sustainable materials is applied in functional clinical settings including wound dressing, drug delivery systems, medical implants and tissue engineering. The present review highlights recent advancements in different types of biopolymers, such as proteins and polysaccharides, which are employed to develop different biomedical products by using extrusion, vat polymerization, laser and inkjet 3D printing techniques in addition to normal bioprinting and four-dimensional (4D) bioprinting techniques. It also incorporates the influence of nanoparticles on the biological and mechanical performances of 3D-printed tissue scaffolds, and addresses current challenges as well as future developments of environmentally friendly polymeric materials manufactured through the AM techniques. Ideally, there is a need for more focused research on the adequate blending of these biodegradable biopolymers for achieving useful results in targeted biomedical areas. We envision that biopolymer-based 3D-printed composites have the potential to revolutionize the biomedical sector in the near future.

Smart generators that collect energy from the ambient environment are a new approach for meeting growing global energy needs. Moisture is one of the most abundant resources in the ambient environment, and using it to generate electricity has aroused great interest in recent years. In this review, we first summarize the emerging design principles of moisture power generation, including ion diffusion, streaming potential, and charged surface potential. Then, based on these fundamental principles, we systematically summarize the materials thus far known to be suitable for moisture power generation. Finally, we highlight the application of moisture energy generators in various fields, such as thermoelectricity, solar thermal evaporation, capacitors, strain sensors, and information storage, and discuss current challenges and future prospects for the development of moisture energy generators.

Abstract Direct consideration for both, the catalytically active species and the host materials provides highly efficient strategies for the architecture design of nanostructured catalysts. The conventional wet chemical methods have limitations in achieving such unique layer-by-layer design possessing one body framework with many catalyst parts. Herein, an innovative physical method is presented that allows the well-regulated architecture design for an array of functional nanocatalysts as exemplified by layer-by-layer adornment of Pd nanoparticles (NPs) on the highly arrayed silica nanorods. This spatially confined catalyst exhibits excellent efficiency for the hydrogenation of nitroarenes and widely deployed Suzuki cross-coupling reactions; their facile separation from the reaction mixtures is easily accomplished due to the monolithic structure. The generality of this method for the introduction of other metal source has also been demonstrated with Au NPs. This pioneering effort highlights the feasibility of physically controlled architecture design of nanostructured catalysts which may stimulate further studies in the general domain of the heterogeneous catalytic transformations.

Many organisms in nature such as beetles and cacti can survive in arid places by their own surface structures that are still able to collect mist. These surfaces have micro-nano structures that maintain a very low adhesion, allowing them to continuously collect and transport water. Here, we used a light curing three dimensional molding process to create a template for a water harvesting system inspired by the back of a beetle, a hydrogel-like beetle back surface for water transport. By changing the curvature structure of the water evacuation channels and altering the hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties of the surface, the designed large-scale artificial water harvesting study was made possible. The results show that if the surface has a proper curvature structure and hydrophobic density, the water collection on the super-impregnated surface is much higher than that on an ordinary hydrophobic surface. Based on this, a new efficient and environmentally friendly water collection scheme is proposed. The data show that the triangular tip structure imitating beetle-backed hydrogel surface collects the highest amount of water with a water weight of 16 g in 2 h. This study offers interesting prospects for designing a new generation of structural materials with a bionic structure distribution for high-efficiency water harvesting. The results of the study are useful for pushing the improvement of environmental-friendly water collection, transport and separation devices. Abbreviations: The dorsal shape of the beetle's back is critical for water collection. In this work, while redesigning the shape of the back of the beetle, the method of 3D printing the beetle back template was used to prepare the beetle back made of hydrogel, which greatly improved the water collection performance and has certain engineering application prospects.

Silicon (Si) is one of the most promising anode materials for the next generation of lithium-ion battery (LIB) due to its high specific capacity, low lithiation potential, and natural abundance. However, the huge variation in volume during the storage of lithium, along with the low conductivity of element, are the main factors hindering its commercial application. Designing micro–nano structures as well as composites of heterogeneous materials have proven to be effective strategies to overcome these issues. Electrospinning technology is an affordable and scalable method for easily constructing a unique hierarchical micro–nano structure while realizing composites of heterogeneous materials. So far, many efforts have been made to solve the problems of Si-based anodes with general electrospinning. This review considers the technical fundamental and design strategies for electrospun Si-based nanofibers, including preparation processes, structural engineering, and lithium storage performance. The structure–performance relationship of various materials and the effects of compositing with heterogeneous materials are explored in detail. Finally, the remaining challenges are discussed, along with directions for future research. This review will provide inspiration for researchers in the design and manufacture of electrospun Si-based nanofibers for LIBs.

Magnesium (Mg) and its alloys are potential metals for biodegradable implants because of several benefits, including a reduction of stress shielding effect in the implant for orthopedic application and the elimination of the step of a second surgery to remove the implant. On the other hand, unexpected degradation can cause the Mg to collapse, and the implant fails; thus, many studies have been done to control the rate of degradation of Mg alloys. Heterogeneous corrosion of these implants leads to rapid mechanical properties loss, limiting the clinical applications. Adding ceramic reinforcements to the Mg matrix as so-called Mg nanocomposites is one method to enhance the ductility and also mechanical properties of the Mg alloys without a noticeable weight cost. Good corrosion resistance and noticeable mechanical properties of the Mg-based nanocomposites have developed their applications. However, it is difficult to uniformly disperse the ceramic-based nanoparticles as reinforcements in the Mg matrix and attain desired characteristics. As a result, selecting Mg-ceramic composite production methods and reinforcing types to overcome Mg restriction and increase the favorable material features based on their applications is critical. As a result, this review study focus on the different fabrication techniques and reinforcement material types and their influence on Mg-ceramic composites’ mechanical characteristics, in vitro corrosion performance and biocompatibility. The potential applications, and future research ideas of Mg matrix nanocomposite are investigated. The existing successes in this field are discussed, and future investigation areas are identified in order to boost the usage of degradable Mg-based composites.

In the present study, Monarda didyma L. essential oil (isolated from the flowering aerial parts of the plant) was examined to characterize its chemotype and to evaluate, in addition to the quali-quantitative chemical analysis, the associated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The plants were grown in central Italy, Urbino (PU), Marche region. Different analyses (TLC, GC-FID, GC-MS and 1H-NMR) allowed the identification of twenty compounds among which carvacrol, p-cymene and thymol were the most abundant. On this basis, the chemotype examined in the present study was indicated as Monarda didyma ct. carvacrol. The antioxidant effect was assessed by DPPH assay. Moreover, this chemotype was investigated for the anti-inflammatory effect in an in vitro setting (i.e., LPS-stimulated U937 cells). The decreased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 and the increased expression of miR-146a are suggestive of the involvement of the Toll-like receptor-4 signaling pathway. Although further studies are needed to better investigate the action mechanism/s underlying the results observed in the experimental setting, our findings show that M. didyma essential oil is rich in bioactive compounds (mainly aromatic monoterpenes and phenolic monoterpenes) which are most likely responsible for its beneficial effect.

Conventional Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) that relies on static coefficients is usually based on yearly averages. However, the impacts of electricity supply vary remarkably on an hourly basis. Thus, a company production plan is reassessed to reduce selected LCA impacts due to electricity consumption. To achieve this, the company will need a forecast of hourly LCA impacts due to electricity consumption, which can be directly forecast with the Direct Forecasting (DF) approach. Alternatively, the Electricity Technological Mix Forecasting (ETMF) forecasts the electricity production of the technologies in the mix and subsequently linearly combines it with unitary LCA impact indicators. Here, we assessed different machine learning models to forecast two LCA impact indicators for the consumption of electricity in the Italy-North control zone. The feed-forward neural network (NN) with the ETMF approach was the best perfomer among the assessed forecasting models. In our dataset, recurrent neural networks (RNNs) performed worse than feed-forward neural networks. Due to its better forecasting performance, the ETMF approach was preferred over the DF approach. This was due to its flexibility and scalability with easy updates or expansion of the selected forecast indicators, and due to its ability to assess technology-specific errors in the forecasting. Finally, we propose to adopt the correlation of LCA impact indicators within the dataset to select indicators while avoiding unconscious burden-shifting.

Electrospinning (e-spinning) is famous for the construction and production of ultrafine and continuous micro-/nanofibers. Then, the alignment of electrospun (e-spun) nanofibers becomes one of the most valuable research topics. Because aligned fibers have more advantages over random fibers, such as better mechanical properties, faster charge transport, more regular spatial structure, etc. This review summarizes various electrospinning techniques of fabricating aligned e-spun nanofibers, such as early conventional methods, near-field e-spinning, and three-dimensional (3D) printing e-spinning. Among them, four auxiliary preparation methods (e.g., auxiliary solid template, auxiliary liquid, auxiliary electromagnetic field and auxiliary airflow), two collection modes (static and dynamic collection), and the controllability of near-field e-spinning and 3D printing e-spinning are highlighted. The representative applications depending on aligned nanofibers are classified and briefly introduced, emphasizing in the fields of 1D applications (e.g., field-effect transistor, nanochannel and guidance carrier), 2D applications (e.g., platform for gas detection, filter, and electrode materials storage), and 3D applications (e.g., bioengineering, supercapacitor, and nanogenerator). At last, the challenges and prospects are addressed.

Conventional biomaterial is frequently used in the biomedical sector for various therapies, imaging, treatment, and theranostic functions. However, their properties are fixed to meet certain applications. Smart materials respond in a controllable and reversible way, modifying some of their properties because of external stimuli. However, protein-based smart materials allow modular protein domains with different functionalities and responsive behaviours to be easily combined. Wherein, these “smart” behaviours can be tuned by amino acid identity and sequence. This review aims to give an insight into the design of smart materials, mainly protein-based piezoelectric materials, shape-memory materials, and hydrogels, as well as highlight the current progress and challenges of protein-based smart materials in tissue engineering. These materials have demonstrated outstanding regeneration of neural, skin, cartilage, bone, and cardiac tissues with great stimuli-responsive properties, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and biofunctionality.

In the present study, a novel method of surface finish improvement is proposed using shot blasting of soda lime (SBSL) beads on the Mg-AZ31 alloy. The effect of the soda blasting process parameters, such as blast pressure, stand-off distance, and blast duration, have been studied in-response of material removal rate (MRR) and surface roughness (SR) and corresponding statistical models have been obtained. The multi-objective optimization has also been performed to obtain parameters for maximum MRR and minimum SR. The corrosion behavior of the treated specimens has been performed to study their in-vitro biodegradability in simulated body fluid (SBF) for 1, 3, 7, 10, 15, and 21 days. The wettability study of the SBSL treated samples has been investigated using sessile drop methodology. Further, cell adhesion test has also been performed to study the biocompatibility characteristics of the SBSL treated samples using Huh7 liver cell lines. Based on obtained quantitative data as well as scanning electron microscopy analysis of treated samples, the SBSL treatment of the AZ31 alloy has been found highly useful in producing biocompatibility surfaces along with desirable morphological features.