The automobile industry is recognized as one of the most influential sectors shaping global economies, societies, and individual lifestyles. Therefore, fierce competition among different companies is continuously undergoing, and special attention is focused on innovations to improve competitiveness. In the past several years, additive manufacturing (AM) has emerged as an innovative technology in applications in the automobile industry with significant advantages over traditional techniques. As a result, increasing efforts have been paid to combining AM technology with the development of the automobile industry. Currently, many automobile players are optimizing their industrial layout by incorporating innovative AM techniques, and meanwhile, a lot of research progress has been achieved in order to meet the market demand. This article aims at presenting a timely review to conclude the recent advances in the application of AM techniques in the automobile industry, focusing on the availabl... [more]

It is difficult to underestimate the role of electrochemistry in the modern world [...]

In this study, MgO as an environmentally friendly silt-solidifying material was first mixed with silt and then carbonized by injection with CO2. The strength and contaminant leaching characteristics of the MgO-solidified silt were studied using unconfined compressive strength and toxicity leaching tests, and the results were compared with those of cement-solidified silt. The unconfined compressive strength of the silt reached 111 kPa with 9% MgO content and a 14 d curing time. The CO2 injection further increased the unconfined compressive strength of the MgO-solidified silt by approximately 25%: the values for MgO-solidified silts without and with a CO2 injection were approximately 60% and 80%, respectively, of those of the cement-solidified silts with the same additive additions. The leaching concentrations of nutrient salts and heavy metal pollutants in the silt decreased with increased MgO content. Compared with the dredged silt, MgO solidification with carbonization reduced the lea... [more]

The present numerical investigation is focused on analyzing the characteristics of steady laminar mixed convection flow in a lid-driven square cavity, specifically considering the utilization of Al2O3−water nanofluid. The Al2O3−water nanofluid is assumed to be Newtonian and incompressible. Within the cavity, a square blockage is positioned at its center, which is subjected to isothermal heating. The blockage ratio of the square is B = 1/4, and the Grashof number is Gr = 100. The walls of the cavity are maintained at a constant temperature, Tc, while the square blockage remains at a constant temperature, Th. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the flow and heat transfer mechanisms, as well as the entropy generation within the cavity. This investigation is conducted for a range of Richardson numbers (0.01 ≤ Ri ≤ 100) and volume fractions of the nanofluid (0 ≤ ϕ ≤ 0.05). Several parameters are obtained and analyzed, including streamlines, isotherms, velocity variations o... [more]

Microwave radiation has become an effective catalytic combustion method, especially in the degradation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as toluene using catalysts like MnO2. In this study, a spine waveguide microwave reactor was designed to investigate the influence of different microwave processing conditions on the degradation of toluene catalyzed by MnO2. An experimental system for microwave-assisted catalytic degradation of toluene was established to explore the relationship between microwave power, catalyst conductivity, and toluene degradation rate. The results showed that the efficiency of MnO2 catalyzing toluene degradation had a nonlinear relationship with microwave power, first increasing to a peak and then decreasing. Additionally, the experiment found that the degradation rate of toluene was positively correlated with the conductivity of MnO2. Subsequent characterization analyses using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning el... [more]

This research explores fluid flow speed behavior in capillary channels using additive manufacturing, focusing on stereolithography (SLA). It aims to validate microchannels fabricated through SLA for desired fluid flow characteristics, particularly capillary-driven flow. The methodology involves designing, fabricating, and characterizing microchannels via SLA, with improvements such as an air-cleaning step facilitating the production of microchannels ranging from 300 to 1000 μm. Experimental validation assesses fluid flow speed behavior across channels of varying dimensions, evaluating the impact of channel geometry, surface roughness, and manufacturing parameters. The findings affirm the feasibility and efficacy of SLA in producing microchannels with consistent and predictable fluid flow behavior between 300 to 800 μm. This study contributes insights into microfluidic device fabrication techniques and enhances the understanding of fluid dynamics in capillary-driven systems. Overall, it... [more]

This study aimed to investigate the effect of exogenous nanoparticles on the rheological properties of artificial saliva. There are four reasons for undertaking this type of research: Firstly, the number of solid particles of various origins present in the air is still high. Secondly, nanoparticles (including silver and gold nanoparticles) are increasingly used in food packaging and can migrate into food. Thirdly, saliva is the first biological fluid that comes into contact with exogenous particles. Finally, the function of saliva is also closely related to its rheological properties. Due to the remarkable properties of nano-objects, nanoparticles of various origins in the body may cause effects that have not been realised until now. Therefore, each type of nanoparticle must be tested in terms of its impact on the body/body fluid. We used silver and gold nanoparticles because they are used in the food industry, and diesel exhaust particles because they are standard components of air po... [more]

With the continuous deepening of oil and gas exploration and development, unconventional oil and gas resources, represented by tight oil, have become research hotspots. However, few studies have investigated tight oil potential in any systematic way in the shell limestone reservoir of the Sichuan Basin. Herein, we used thin section analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-pressure mercury intrusion, low-pressure N2 and CO2 adsorption experiments, low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), focused ion beam−scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM), and nano-CT to characterize multi-porous media. The reservoir space controlled by nonfabric, shell, and matrix constitutes all the reservoir space for tight oil. The interconnected porosity was mainly distributed in the range of 1% to 5% (avg. 2.12%). The effective interconnected porosity mainly ranged from 0.5% to 2.0% (avg. 1.59%). The porosity of large fractures was 0.1% to 0.5% (avg. 0.21%). The porosity of isolated pores and bound oil−water... [more]

The oil pipeline transportation of highly waxy oils when it is cold is accompanied by the deposition of paraffins in the inner surface of the pipeline. This study of the initial properties of the oil; the composition, structure, and nature of the components of normal alkanes in oil; and their influence on the aggregative stability of the resulting system makes it possible to find the best solutions to optimize the conditions of oil transportation with the lowest energy costs. This study shows that, according to the content of solid paraffin (14.0−16.2%), the oils of the Kumkol group of fields in Kazakhstan are highly waxy. They are characterized by high yield loss temperature values (+9−+12 °C), which also correlate with the values of the rheological parameters (τ0 1.389 Pa, 3.564 Pa). The influence of the temperature and shear rate on the shear stress and effective viscosity of the initial oils was studied. At temperatures below 20 °C, depending on the shear rate, there is an increase... [more]

Blasting is a prevalent technique in deep rock excavation, with the state of rock fragmentation under high in-situ stress conditions being distinct from that under low in-situ stress conditions. A new material point method framework utilizing the generalized interpolated material point and convective particle domain interpolation functions was implemented to simulate the single-hole blasting process, analyze the stress distribution around the blasting hole, and elucidate the mechanism of how ground stress influences the expansion of blasting cracks through the interaction with the blasting load. In addition, the dynamic relaxation method realizes the stress’s initialization. It was concluded that the in-situ stress can increase the compressive stress induced by blasting load, whereas it decreases the caused tensile stress. With the increase in the ground stress, the scale of the cracks decreases. Under the non-isobaric condition, the blast-induced cracks preferentially expand along the... [more]

Electrochemical polishing exhibits high efficiency and simplicity of operation and presents broad prospects in metal field processing. However, the poor conductivity of the surface oxides generated during electrochemical polishing may lead to uneven electrolysis and surface protrusions if not promptly removed. This study combined ultrasonic treatment with electrochemical polishing and adjusted the angle of the ultrasonic jet to investigate the effect of ultrasonic-assisted electrochemical polishing on the removal of protruding microstructures. The study examined the surface morphology, hardness, residual stress, and workpiece contact angle before and after processing. The results demonstrated that ultrasonic assistance can effectively promote electrochemical reactions and improve the removal efficiency of the workpiece surface. With an increase in ultrasonic power and processing time, the corrosion potential of the workpiece decreased, which accelerated the material removal rate. The r... [more]

An expected increase in the demand for aviation transport service will result in the deterioration of the environment and human health, respectively, due to extra greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Concerns from EU institutions about the issue have led to legislation initiatives and, later, to development of Regulation (EU) 2023/2405 for the reduction of GHG emissions via the substitution of fossil kerosene with an increasing share of sustainable components. Hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFAs) are the most commercially acceptable sustainable alternative but their influence on aviation fuel properties needs to be further evaluated in terms of all required and extended properties, as per ASTM D1655. The main properties, together with the rarely reported upon existent gum, water separation, corrosion, and the electrical conductivity of HEFAs and their blends with fossil kerosene were quantitatively evaluated in this study. For every increase of 10% (v/v) of HEFAs, the following fue... [more]

With the rapid development of 3D printing technologies, more attention has been focused on using 3D printing for the fabrication of membranes. This study investigated the application of digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing combined with quaternization processes to develop dense anion exchange membranes (AEMs) for electrodialysis (ED) separation of Cl− and SO42− ions. It was discovered that at optimal curing times of 40 min, the membrane pore density was significantly enhanced and the surface roughness was reduced, and this resulted in an elevation of desalination rates (97.5−98.7%) and concentration rates (165.8−174.1%) of the ED process. Furthermore, increasing the number of printed layers improved the membranes’ overall polymerization and performance, with double-layer printing showing superior ion flux. This study also highlights the impact of the polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) molecular weight on membrane efficacy, where PEGDA-700 outperformed PEGDA-400 in ion transpo... [more]

With the advancement of the manufacturing industry, performing submerged arc welding subject to varying welding heat inputs has become essential. However, traditional thermodynamic models are insufficient for predicting the effect of welding heat input on elemental transfer behavior. This study aims to develop a model via CALPHAD technology to predict the influence of heat input on essential elements such as O, Si, and Mn when typical SiO2-bearing fluxes are employed. The predicted data demonstrate that the proposed model effectively forecasts changes in elemental transfer behavior induced by varying welding heat inputs. Furthermore, the study discusses the thermodynamic factors affecting elemental transfer behavior under different heat inputs, supported by both measured compositions and thermodynamic data. These insights may provide theoretical and technical support for flux design, welding material matching, and composition prediction under various heat input conditions subject to su... [more]

Implantable and semi-implantable biosensors fabricated with biodegradable materials and nanomaterials have gained interest in the past few decades. Functionalized biodegradable materials and nanomaterials are usually employed to satisfy clinical and research requirements because of their advanced properties. Novel fabrication techniques were developed to improve the efficiency and accuracy. Different working mechanisms were facilitated to design different types of sensors. This review discusses the recent developments of implantable and semi-implantable biosensors. The materials and fabrications are browsed, and different types of biomedical sensors for different variables are discussed as a focused topic. The biomedical sensors are discussed according to the targets and working mechanisms, followed by a focus on the nervous system sensing to provide an inspiration that different variables can be studied simultaneously on the single system. In the end, challenges and prospects will be... [more]

The combined effects of aqueous corrosion, stress factors, and seeded cracks on leakage in cast iron pipes have not been thoroughly examined due to the complexity and difficulty in predicting their interactions. This study seeks to address this gap by investigating the interdependencies between corrosion, stress, and cracks in cast iron pipes to optimise the material selection and design in corrosive environments. Leakage experiments were conducted under simulated localised corrosive conditions and internal pressure, revealing that leakage increased from 0 to 25 mL with crack sizes of 0.5 mm, 0.8 mm, 1 mm, and 1.2 mm, along with corrosion times of 0, 120, 160, and 200 h, and varying stress levels. An empirical model was developed using a curve-fitting approach to map the relationships among corrosion time, crack propagation, and leakage amount. The results demonstrate that the interaction between corrosion, stress, and crack propagation was complex and nonlinear, and the leakage amount... [more]

The burden structure directly decides the distribution of gas flow inside a blast furnace (BF). Falling, stacking, and descending bulk materials are the three main processes for burden formation, among which the stacking process plays a decisive role. The Discrete Element Method (DEM) and theoretical modelling were combined to predict stacking behavior in this study. Falling and stacking behaviors were first simulated based on DEM. The repose angle during the stacking process and mass fraction distribution in the radial direction were analyzed. Then, the upper, centroid, and lower trajectory falling lines were determined, and a polynomial relation was found between the angle and the packing height. The influences of three parameters on the repose angle were investigated. Compared with the natural repose angle and chute inclination angle, the effects of the trajectory line depth appeared trivial. The polynomial relation between the repose angle and the packing height was specified to be... [more]

The research presents a novel approach to develop high-strength functionally graded composite materials (FGCMs) by using recycled coconut shell ash (CSA) particles as reinforcement for a hypereutectic Al-Si alloy matrix. Using a centrifugal casting technique, test specimens are prepared for the study under ASTM standards. The optimal combination of materials to maximise the materials’ overall tensile strength is obtained through the mixture methodology approach. The results show that CSA particles in the matrix material increase the tensile strength of the produced material. Process parameters, melting temperature and rotating speed were found to play a pivotal role in determining the tensile strength. A better tensile strength of the material is obtained when Al-Si = 90.5 wt%, CSA = 9.5 wt%, rotating speed = 800 RPM, and melting temperature = 800 °C; the proposed regression model developed has substantial predictability for tensile strength. This work presents a methodology for enhanc... [more]

This study explores a novel method of directly epoxidizing hexafluoropropene with molecular oxygen under gaseous conditions using a Cu/HZSM-5 catalytic system (Cu/HZ). An in-depth investigation was conducted on the catalytic performance of Cu-based catalysts on various supports and Cu/HZ catalysts prepared under different conditions. Cu/HZ catalysts exhibited better catalytic performance than other porous medium-supported Cu catalysts for the epoxidation of hexafluoropropene by molecular oxygen. The highest propylene oxide yield of 35.6% was achieved over the Cu/HZ catalyst prepared under conditions of 350 °C with a Cu loading of 1 wt%. By applying characterization techniques including XRD, BET, NH3-TPD, and XPS to different catalyst samples, the relationship between the interaction of Cu2+ and HZSM-5 and the reactivity of the catalyst was studied, thereby elucidating the influence of calcination temperature and loading on the reactivity. Finally, we further proposed the possible mecha... [more]

Cheese quality is affected by seasonal variations. These variations can influence several aspects of cheese, including its flavor, texture, nutritional content, and overall sensory qualities. The aim of this study was to assess the performance of near-infrared (NIR) instrumentation in terms of its ability to detect seasonal variations in Halloumi cheese samples when applying limited sample preparation compared to traditional protocols. Therefore, the use of NIR spectroscopy was examined for the determination of seasonal variations in Halloumi cheese samples from Cyprus in combination with chemometrics. Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) was applied. We found that NIR and chemometrics successfully discriminated the Halloumi cheese samples based on different climate conditions, the four seasons in the year when the milk collection took place. To externally validate the model, the dataset was divided into training and test sets. The innovation of this study is that Hallo... [more]

The pectin methyl esterase gene from Populus trichocarpa (PtPME) was successfully cloned through PCR amplification and subsequently inserted into the expressing vector pMAL-c5e for successful expression in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). Initially, we determined the primary enzymatic properties of PtPME, a pectin methyl esterase derived from Populus trichocarpa. Notably, this enzyme exhibits a higher affinity towards citrus pectin, with an esterification degree exceeding 60%. Furthermore, this enzyme’s optimal reaction temperature and pH were found to be 30 °C and 8, respectively. Importantly, its exceptional stability under neutral conditions highlights its potential application in the industrial production of low-ester pectin.

This research evaluated two methods of arginine encapsulation, melt emulsification and nanoprecipitation, using a lipid matrix of carnauba wax and commercial polymers (Eudragit®) as a protective material. The ratios of wax−arginine were 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, and 4:1, while those of Eudragit® RS:RL were 30:70 and 40:60 in proportions of 1:0.5 and 1:1 Eudragit®−arginine. The microcapsules were morphostructurally characterized by scanning electron microscopy, and a microelement analysis was performed via energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Additionally, in vitro digestibility was used to determine the protection efficiency. Both encapsulated systems presented regular (crystals) and spherical (microcapsules) polyhedral morphologies. Qualitative nitrogen decreased significantly as the wax ratio increased in the wax−arginine formulations. The formulations with a 1:1 Eudragit:−arginine ratio (1000 mg arginine) produced a higher nitrogen content in the en... [more]

The production of cellulosic sugars in lignocellulose biorefinery presents significant economic and environmental challenges due to the recalcitrant nature of biomass. The economic and facile production of renewable sugars with high yield and productivity is pivotal for the success of biorefinery. The cellulosic sugars are valorized either by biochemical routes or chemical routes or by hybrid (biological and chemical) routes into renewable chemicals, fuels, and materials. This manuscript focuses on the critical parameters affecting the economic viability of cellulosic sugar production at large scale, including biomass-specific pretreatment strategies and enzyme cost efficiency. High pretreatment costs, carbohydrate loss, and inhibitors production during pretreatment are identified as major contributors to overall production costs. To address these issues, we highlight the importance of developing cost-effective and efficient pretreatment methods tailored to specific biomass types and s... [more]

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), renowned for its exceptional physical and chemical properties, finds widespread use in our daily lives. However, conventional PET drying methods are time consuming and energy intensive. Leveraging microwave heating effects, we investigated drying characteristics concerning both microwave parameters and PET permittivity. The PET permittivity variation during heating is related to the microwave reflection at the incident port. Our innovative approach involves frequency and power tuning based on reflection. This method not only significantly improved heating uniformity and reduced temperature covariance (COVT) but also led to a more uniformly distributed temperature profile and a drastic reduction in energy consumption. Integrating precise and rapid frequency tuning, we compared our method’s efficiency with traditional approaches, revealing an impressive time savings of 2 h and an energy consumption limited to approximately less than 3 kWh/kg. Notably, ou... [more]

Silver nanowires (AgNWs) are one kind of nanomaterials for various applications such as solar panel cells and biosensors. However, the morphology of AgNWs, particularly their length and diameter, plays a critical role in determining the efficiency of energy storage systems and the transmittance of biosensors. Thus, it is imperative to study synthesis strategy for morphology control. This study focuses on synthesizing AgNWs through the solvothermal approach and aims to understand the individual and combined effects of three nucleants, NaCl, Fe(NO3)3 and NaBr, on the morphology of AgNWs. Using a modified successive multistep growth (SMG) approach and fine-tuning the nucleant concentrations, this study synthesized AgNWs with controllable aspect ratios, while minimizing the presence of undesirable byproducts like nanoparticles. Our results demonstrated the successful synthesis of AgNWs with favorable morphologies, including lengths of approximately 180 µm and diameters of 40 nm, thus resul... [more]