Search Results (625)

Hydrogen-compatible elastomeric seals are critical for the reliability and safety of high-pressure hydrogen infrastructure. However, hydrogen exposure can alter the mechanical response and surface condition of elastomeric materials through coupled transport–mechanical interactions. This study presents a comparative experimental and data-driven investigation of the pressure-dependent degradation behavior of ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), and fluorocarbon elastomer (FKM) O-ring seals following 192 h exposure to hydrogen pressures ranging from 800 to 7000 psi at room temperature. Tensile testing was performed directly on complete O-ring geometries, and descriptor-based analysis was used to quantify peak-response behavior, energy absorption, stiffness evolution, and normalized deformation characteristics. Multivariate statistical methods, principal component analysis (PCA), clustering analysis, and Random Forest regression were applied to identify material-specific degradation patterns. NBR maintained the highest overall load-bearing capability and stiffness-related response across the investigated pressure range, whereas EPDM exhibited more compliant and non-monotonic deformation behavior. FKM showed the strongest pressure sensitivity, with substantial increases in force- and stiffness-related descriptors at elevated hydrogen pressures. Optical image analysis revealed pronounced increases in defect density and defect area fraction for NBR, while FKM exhibited comparatively stable surface-state behavior. PCA and clustering analyses identified distinct material-dependent degradation trajectories, and Random Forest regression achieved an R² value of 0.888 for energy-absorption prediction. The results demonstrate that hydrogen-induced degradation emerges through coupled interactions among stiffness evolution, deformation progression, energy absorption, and surface-state changes, providing a comparative framework for assessing elastomer performance in hydrogen environments. Full article

Optoelectronic devices are emerging as a cornerstone of advanced renewable energy technologies, offering innovative routes for energy harvesting, conversion, and management with high efficiency and versatility. This review summarizes recent advances in the semiconductor materials engineering field, device configurations, and light–matter interaction mechanisms that underpin advanced optoelectronic systems for solar energy harvesting, solar-driven chemical conversion, and smart grid integration, among others. Emphasis is placed on the breakthroughs achieved in the perovskite and hybrid photovoltaics, photoelectrochemical energy conversion, and nanostructured optoelectronic platforms that enable much-increased light absorption, reduced recombination losses, and scalable large-scale fabrications. Moreover, the challenges closely linked with long-term stability, environmental durability and benevolence, and worldwide deployment are critically addressed, together with the emerging opportunities in AI design, tandem device technological solutions, integrated energy systems, and machine learning approaches for optimizing device performance, thermal management, and energy storage capabilities. Finally, the present review concludes by outlining the future research directions that could accelerate the transition toward high-performance, cost-effective, and sustainable optoelectronic solutions responsive to global renewable energy requirements. Full article

Aiming at the technical bottleneck that traditional porous structures can hardly achieve mechanical load-bearing and acoustic regulation simultaneously, this study designs and fabricates three implicit surface porous structures (Gyroid, Diamond, Lidinoid) based on the bionic principle of trabecular bone. Experimental characterization and numerical analysis of their mechano-acoustic coupling performance are systematically carried out. Selective Laser Melting (SLM) technology is employed to realize the integrated forming of 316L bionic structures. Quasi-static compression experiments and finite element simulations are conducted to reveal the progressive deformation mechanism and energy absorption characteristics of different topological configurations. The results indicate that the Diamond structure exhibits the optimal comprehensive performance in terms of load-bearing capacity, specific energy absorption and isotropy. On this basis, the sound absorption and sound insulation performances of the structures are evaluated via an acoustic impedance tube test. The results show that the Diamond structure possesses a remarkably higher sound absorption coefficient and sound insulation value in the high-frequency range than other configurations, demonstrating excellent acoustic energy dissipation and sound wave isolation capability. The research indicates that the synergistic optimization of mechanical and acoustic performances can be achieved by regulating the Triply Periodic Minimal Surface (TPMS) topological configuration. Benefiting from its efficient stress transfer paths and intricate sound wave propagation channels, the Diamond structure realizes the coupling of high load-bearing capacity, superior energy absorption and favorable acoustic performance. This work provides a theoretical basis and technical support for the design of bionic porous structures in multifunctional scenarios such as bone implants and protective noise reduction. Full article

Auxetic sandwich structures have attracted considerable attention in recent years due to their unique deformation mechanisms, enhanced impact resistance, and superior energy absorption capabilities. However, studies investigating the combined effects of auxetic core geometry and polyurethane foam filling on the low-velocity impact behavior of sandwich structures remain limited. Therefore, this study systematically investigates the low-velocity impact behavior of sandwich structures with four different auxetic core geometries, such as re-entrant core (RESS), tetra-chiral core (TCSS), double-arrowhead core (DASS), and star-shaped core sandwich structures (SSSS). Each core sandwich structure is fabricated using additive manufacturing and is prepared in 3 different forms as foam-unfilled (FUF), 40 density polyurethane foam-filled (40DFF), and 60 density foam-filled (60DFF). The low-velocity impact tests of each sandwich structure are performed at the different impact energy levels of 6.04 and 10.74 J. The contact force history and contact force–displacement variation, crashworthiness indicators, damage analysis, and deformation fields obtained by means of the digital image correlation (DIC) technique are evaluated in detail to determine the unit cell core geometry and foam density on the low-velocity impact response. The existence of foam material provides a more uniform distribution of impact loads and controlled damage progression. Moreover, the crashworthiness indicators show an overall improvement with increasing foam density. In particular, the 60DFF structures exhibit higher stiffness, whereas the FUF structures show more localized and abrupt failure behavior. The impact performance of sandwich structures is significantly influenced by the core geometry, foam-filling condition, foam density, and the applied impact energy. Full article

Expanded snack extrusion is governed by tightly coupled interactions among raw material composition, moisture, barrel temperature, screw speed, feed rate, screw configuration, die geometry, and energy input. These variables affect not only final responses such as expansion ratio, bulk density, hardness, crispness, and water absorption or solubility indices, but also intermediate state variables including specific mechanical energy (SME), melt temperature, die pressure, melt viscosity, and bubble growth dynamics. As a result, modelling has become essential for product design, process optimisation, and scale-up. This review critically evaluates the major classes of models used to describe process–structure–quality relationships in the extrusion of expanded snacks. The literature shows that empirical regression and response surface methodology (RSM) remain the most widely applied tools because they are experimentally efficient and easy to interpret. However, mixture-process designs are more appropriate when formulation and operating variables are changed simultaneously, while phenomenological and mechanistic approaches provide better physical insight into expansion and structure development. More recently, machine-learning and interpretable artificial intelligence approaches have demonstrated strong predictive capability when large, well-curated datasets are available. Across model families, a consistent theme is that operating variables act on final product quality through intermediate process state variables rather than independently. On that basis, this review proposes a practical hybrid framework for expanded snack extrusion: a mixture-process quadratic model augmented with SME, die pressure, melt temperature and shear-related state variables, and structured in three levels linking (i) controllable inputs to state variables, (ii) state variables to measurable quality attributes, and (iii) quality attributes to a gold-standard product target or sensory-control criterion. Such a model offers a realistic balance between predictive performance, physical interpretability, experimental burden, and industrial usefulness, while also providing a clear pathway toward future digital twin and machine-learning-enabled optimisation. Full article

High-power 355 nm ultraviolet (UV) lasers, leveraging their short wavelength, high photon energy, and high absorption across a broad range of materials, have become indispensable light sources for precision manufacturing, semiconductor processing, and laser direct imaging (LDI). In this paper, we demonstrate a high-power 355 nm UV laser system based on a narrow-linewidth polarization-maintaining (PM) Yb-doped fiber laser and cascaded frequency conversion. A single-frequency semiconductor laser is employed as the seed source, with its spectral linewidth broadened to 0.32 nm (full width at half maximum, FWHM) via phase modulation to suppress stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS). Through a PM master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA) architecture, a maximum average output power of 899 W at 1064 nm is achieved with a beam quality factor of M² = 1.12 (M²_x = 1.11, M²_y = 1.13). By employing lithium triborate (LiB₃O₅, LBO) crystals for extracavity cascaded second-harmonic generation (SHG) and sum-frequency generation (SFG), a maximum green output power of 613.7 W at 532 nm is obtained, corresponding to a SHG conversion efficiency of 68.2%, and a maximum UV output power of 227.1 W at 355 nm is achieved, with a total conversion efficiency of 25.2%. At the maximum output power, the UV beam quality factors are M² = 1.16 (M²_x = 1.24 and M²_y = 1.09), and the power fluctuation is better than ±1.5% root-mean-square (RMS) over 8 h of continuous operation. These results indicate that the cascaded frequency conversion approach based on narrow-linewidth PM fiber lasers possesses the capability for further scaling to higher-power single-path high-brightness UV output and can provide high-brightness UV sources for applications such as flexible printed circuit (FPC) laser cutting, flat-panel display laser direct imaging, and semiconductor wafer scribing. Full article

We present a high-precision theoretical study of attosecond transient absorption spectroscopy (ATAS) of atomic hydrogen by numerically solving the time-dependent Schrödinger Equation (TDSE). A broadband extreme ultraviolet (XUV) attosecond pulse creates a wave packet of singly-excited bound states, which is subsequently probed by a time-delayed synthesized optical attosecond pulse (SOAP) with varying bandwidths and durations. When the SOAP has a narrow bandwidth (1.3–1.5 eV) and a long duration (~17 fs), the absorption spectrum exhibits conventional features, namely AC Stark shifts, half-cycle modulations (1.48 fs), and light-induced intermediate states, consistent with previous ATAS studies. In contrast, when the SOAP has a broad bandwidth (0.5–5.5 eV) and an attosecond duration (400 as), the dynamics are completely different. The spectrum reveals transverse wavelike modulations along the absorption lines and, remarkably, quantum beats with distinct frequencies, which are different from previous reports in hydrogen ATAS. To interpret these observations, we employ a dipole-control model. The model quantitatively reproduces the dominant modulation frequencies, identifying resonant couplings via two-photon processes (TPPs, 1.89 eV, period 2.18 fs) and three-photon processes (THPPs, 10.2 eV and 12.1 eV), as well as higher-order couplings. The validity of the $\delta$-like pulse approximation is quantitatively assessed. The model remains accurate for pulse durations shorter than 700 as (bandwidth broader than 3.5 eV) but fails for longer pulses (exceeding 4 fs), where energy level splittings emerge. Our results demonstrate that the dipole-control model provides a reliable and intuitive framework for interpreting complex multiphoton interactions in ATAS, and highlight the unique capability of broadband SOAP probes to resolve attosecond-scale quantum beats inaccessible with conventional few-cycle infrared pulses. Full article

CsPbI₃ exhibits multiple crystal phases, and the kinetic barriers for phase transitions are relatively low, facilitating the formation of abundant interphase boundaries (IBs) during phase transitions. These IB structures significantly influence the optoelectronic performance of the material. In this work, based on three types of CsPbI₃ IB structures, we systematically investigate the effects of pressure on the formation feasibility and optoelectronic properties of these IBs by calculating their formation energies, band alignments, optical absorption characteristics, and carrier effective masses. The results show that moderate pressure can increase the formation feasibility of certain IB structures and effectively modulate the band alignment at the CsPbI₃ IBs, thereby enabling the switching of different optoelectronic functions within the same material. Meanwhile, the application of pressure can also improve optical absorption and the spectroscopic-limited maximum efficiency, and reduce carrier effective masses in some IB systems, which is beneficial for enhancing carrier transport capabilities. This study demonstrates that pressure serves as an effective means to regulate the IB structures and optoelectronic properties of CsPbI₃, providing theoretical support for the design of multifunctional optoelectronic materials based on IB engineering and for expanding photovoltaic applications. Full article

Voltage-gated ion channels are central regulators of cardiac, neuronal, and skeletal muscle excitability, and their dysfunction underlies a wide spectrum of channelopathies, including arrhythmias and neuromuscular disorders. While conventional ion channel therapeutics typically target a single pore-binding site, emerging evidence supports the therapeutic potential of polypharmacological compounds capable of modulating multiple channel subtypes. ARumenamides represent a novel class of sulfonamide-based ligands originally identified as fenestration-targeting sodium channel modulators; however, their cross-family binding mechanisms and multitarget potential remain incompletely defined. Here, we employed an integrated structure-based computational workflow combining molecular docking, in silico ADMET profiling, and long-timescale (250 ns) molecular dynamics simulations to systematically evaluate 20 ARumenamide derivatives across 15 voltage-gated sodium, calcium, and potassium channel structures. Docking analyses revealed broad multitarget binding profiles, with several compounds exhibiting high predicted affinity across cardiac, neuronal, and skeletal muscle channel isoforms. ADMET predictions demonstrated favorable intestinal absorption and metabolic safety for most candidates, although solubility and mutagenicity liabilities were identified for select derivatives. Detailed molecular dynamics simulations of prioritized compounds (AR-310, AR-769, and AR-946) uncovered site-specific binding behaviors and conformational effects. AR-769 exhibited exceptional stability at both fenestration and central pore sites of Cav1.2, associated with persistent hydrogen-bond networks, reduced protein flexibility, and a well-defined free energy minimum. In contrast, AR-310 and AR-946 displayed selective stability within Nav1.4 fenestrations and the Kv4.3 central pore, respectively, highlighting how subtle chemical features bias binding site preference and dynamic retention. Collectively, these findings establish a structure–dynamics framework for rational design of ARumenamide-based multitarget ion channel modulators. Our results demonstrate that fenestration-focused binding can support sustained ligand engagement without obligatory pore occlusion, offering a mechanistically distinct strategy for developing next-generation polypharmacological therapeutics for cardiac and neuromuscular disorders. Full article

The ceramic tile industry is increasingly required to reduce its environmental impact while maintaining high technological and aesthetic standards. In this context, the use of secondary raw materials (SRMs) represents a promising strategy to decrease the consumption of virgin resources and the energy demand associated with conventional frit production. At the same time, solar-reflective engobes can contribute to passive cooling by limiting solar heat absorption and mitigating the urban heat island effect. In this study, white solar-reflective engobes were developed by incorporating at least 8 wt.% of SRMs, including various recycled glass streams, ceramic wastes, and yttria-stabilized zirconia residues. The results demonstrate that optimized formulations achieve high solar reflectance values (up to 0.79) while maintaining the technological and aesthetic requirements of industrial ceramic tiles. Recycled glasses act as effective fluxing agents, whereas waste zirconia enhances optical performance due to its strong light-scattering capability. The most promising formulations were validated at the industrial scale, confirming their applicability under real production conditions. Overall, the developed engobes represent a scalable alternative to traditional frit-based systems, enabling reduced resource consumption and supporting the development of energy-efficient ceramic surfaces. Full article

Industrial modernization has generated a wide range of toxic contaminants in industrial wastewater and domestic effluents. The increasing presence of emerging contaminants and endocrine disruptors in aquatic environments poses serious threats to ecosystems and human health. Accordingly, effective strategies are urgently needed for the removal of emerging organic pollutants, including dyes and antibiotics in pharmaceutical wastewater. Photocatalysis has attracted considerable interest as a versatile and sustainable remediation approach because photocatalysts are often cost-effective, earth-abundant, and capable of utilizing solar energy. This review summarizes recent advances in ZnO-based photocatalysts, focusing on compositional tuning and heterostructure engineering to enhance pollutant degradation. The major photocatalytic degradation mechanisms are also discussed. Despite significant progress, challenges remain, including limited light absorption, poor catalytic stability, and obstacles to practical application in wastewater treatment. This review provides an updated perspective on the development of ZnO-based photocatalysts for emerging pollutant removal. Full article

This study investigates the porous structure of Royal Water Lily Leaf vein cross-sections, integrating macroscopic structural observations, quasi-static compression experiments, and finite element simulations to systematically explore the influence of gradient fractal characteristics on mechanical performance and energy absorption behavior. First, the geometric features of the vein cross-sections were extracted through macroscopic measurements, and a parametric model incorporating key variables-porosity, pore ellipticity, and distribution density coefficient-was established. Single-factor analysis reveals that porosity plays a dominant role in determining the overall load-bearing capacity and energy absorption capability; pore ellipticity primarily affects local deformation modes and plateau-stage stability; while the distribution density coefficient significantly regulates the progressive and uniform deformation behavior. Subsequently, a multi-factor coupling model based on the Box–Behnken response surface methodology was developed to investigate the interactions among structural parameters. The results showed that the three variables exhibited significant synergistic effects rather than simple monotonic relationships. Within the investigated range, the optimized configuration (porosity = 30%, ellipticity = 1.6, distribution density coefficient = 1.5) achieved excellent comprehensive performance, with SEA = 115.75 J/kg, MCF = 248.2 N, and CFE = 0.445. Further analysis revealed that the porous vein structure does not exhibit strict self-similar fractal geometry but instead presents a gradient fractal characteristic with hierarchical progression and regional heterogeneity. During compression, the structure undergoes progressive collapse from the inner region outward, enabling staged load-bearing and efficient energy dissipation. These findings provide theoretical support and engineering guidance for the design and optimization of lightweight bioinspired porous energy-absorbing structures. Full article

This study involved a numerical parametric assessment of reinforced concrete (RC) T-beams strengthened with bonded steel wire ropes (SWRs), with the aim of evaluating the effectiveness of this strengthening system in terms of improving flexural performance. Since extensive experimental investigations are costly and time-consuming, a three-dimensional finite element model was constructed to represent the structural response of strengthened RC T-beams. This numerical model was verified using earlier experimental data to ensure its predictive capability for the flexural behavior of strengthened members. Following validation, the model was applied in a comprehensive parametric study to examine the effects of key design variables on structural performance. These variables included the SWR diameter, the compressive strength of the bonding mortar, and the strength of the bonding material. Their effects on load-carrying capacity, stiffness, deformation behavior, and energy absorption were systematically evaluated. The results indicated that SWR diameter was the dominant parameter, increasing ultimate load up to 1.93 times, with stiffness and energy absorption reaching 1.48 and 1.74 times those of the control beam, respectively. In contrast, higher concrete compressive strength provided moderate gains, with load capacity and stiffness increasing by up to 16% and 21%, while having a limited influence on ductility. Variations in bonding material strength showed minimal impact and negligible changes in stiffness. Strength and stiffness enhancements were accompanied by reduced ductility, indicating a trade-off between capacity and deformation. These findings confirmed that SWR efficiency was governed primarily by reinforcement size, while other parameters exhibited diminishing returns beyond threshold levels. Full article

The escalating energy crisis and global warming drive the demand for all-season self-regulating functional textiles. This study presents a Janus smart textile that combines phase change energy storage with active and passive heating modes, electromagnetic interference shielding, and self-cleaning capabilities. The front surface incorporates phase change temperature regulation and thermochromic properties, while the back surface is spray-coated with a transition metal carbide to establish a continuous conductive network. In the low-temperature state, the black surface enhances solar absorption for efficient heating; as the temperature rises, the surface turns white to increase solar reflection and suppress overheating. This mechanism, combined with phase change energy storage, enables the textile to mitigate environmental temperature fluctuations. The MXene layer on the back provides efficient Joule heating and cycling stability under driving voltages of 3 to 5 volts, along with electromagnetic interference shielding dominated by absorption loss. The front hybrid coating further imparts hydrophobic self-cleaning performance. This study offers a strategy for synergistic active and passive thermal management, demonstrating application potential in intelligent outdoor gear and specialized protective outer layers. Full article

A dedicated data acquisition system has been developed and commissioned for the tender-energy spectroscopy beamline BL16U1 at the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility. The system implements a distributed architecture integrating EPICS-based hardware control with the Bluesky experiment orchestration environment, supporting multiple X-ray absorption spectroscopy modes including transmission, total electron yield, total fluorescence yield, and partial fluorescence yield detection. A key technical feature is the hardware-level synchronization between a multi-channel silicon drift detector and a multichannel scaler, enabling precise timing for fluorescence-XAS measurements. A unified graphical interface based on Control System Studio provides streamlined experiment control and real-time data visualization. System validation using standard reference samples demonstrates successful acquisition of high-quality Cl K-edge XANES spectra in fluorescence mode, high signal-to-noise Co K-edge EXAFS data in transmission mode with extended k-space coverage up to 16 Å⁻¹, and high-sensitivity Ti K-edge fluorescence XAFS on dilute (1–3%) TiO₂ polymorphs. These results confirm the system’s capability for reliable, high-precision spectroscopy across the tender-energy range (2–16 keV), supporting both trace-element analysis and detailed local-structure determination. The fully integrated system is now operational at the beamline, providing a robust platform for advanced X-ray absorption studies in environmental, catalytic, and materials science. Full article