Search Results (872)

Poor consolidations and the strength–conductivity trade-off limit the performance of copper alloys fabricated by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). To address this, this study developed a strategy combining the response surface methodology (RSM) with direct ageing treatment (DAT) to achieve a favorable strength–conductivity synergy. The results showed that under the optimal process parameters, a high relative density of 99.25% (8.95 g/cm³ for theoretical density) was obtained. After direct ageing treatment at 490 °C for 60 min, the CuCrZr exhibited an ultimate tensile strength of 399.31 MPa and a thermal conductivity of 326.53 W/(m·K). To reveal the underlying mechanisms, this study employed a combination of systematic characterization via high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and quantitative modeling. HRTEM characterized the uniformly dispersed nanoscale body-centered cubic (BCC) Cr precipitates that form semi-coherent interfaces with the face-centered cubic (FCC) Cu matrix, showing a crystallographic misorientation of approximately 10.5° intermediate between the classic Nishiyama–Wassermann and Kurdjumov–Sachs orientation relationships. Quantitative modeling indicates that the high strength arises from a synergistic effect: coherent strain fields exerted by the precipitates effectively pin retained dislocations, coupling Orowan and dislocation strengthening. Meanwhile, solute precipitation reduces lattice distortion, restoring notable thermal conductivity. Full article

Italian “Agricultural Engineering”, while evolving toward the broader, interdisciplinary field of “Biosystems Engineering” (which also includes the study of biomasses/biomaterials, field and forest mechanization in difficult contexts and advanced post-harvest agri-food technologies), suffers from a structural critical issue due to its historical academic placement within the Agricultural rather than the Engineering departments. This positioning limits the depth of the technical subjects proposed to the students and does not facilitate the necessary collaboration with core engineering disciplines in research and didactics activities, thereby potentially slowing innovation in crucial fields like agro-bio-energies, precision agriculture and field robotics. To address this misalignment and foster inter-departmental synergy, this study proposes adopting the Contamination Lab (C-Lab) model as the archetype of a possible framework of academic and professional networking involving and centered on Agricultural Engineering. C-Labs (transdisciplinary platforms proposed by the Italian Ministry of University and Research) function as experiential laboratories, gathering students from Engineering, Agronomy, Computer Science, and Economics to collaboratively develop solutions to real-world challenges posed by industry stakeholders. The integration of a permanent, thematic C-Lab focused on agri-forestry and food machinery, supported by methodologies for enhancing creativity in technical fields, such as design thinking, represents an effective (and necessary) strategy to give Agricultural Engineering greater visibility in the Italian (and international) scenario and, prospectively, relocate it to the center of any research involving the technological and technical aspects of agriculture, forestry and food production. It is concluded that this initiative can serve as an institutional bridge for hybrid training, which is essential for aligning academic competencies with the growing demands for innovation and multidisciplinary professionalism in the national agri-food tech sector. Full article

To address the plant protection challenges of high canopy closure and poor droplet penetration in high-density maize, this study systematically elucidated the synergistic regulatory mechanisms of UAV operational parameters and reduced nano-pesticide application. Integrating laboratory microscopic characterization with a two-phase field experiment, this study evaluated spray volume, droplet size, and pesticide dosage as core variables. Phase I quantified the effects of physical spray parameters on droplet deposition and penetration characteristics, while Phase II comprehensively revealed the field control efficacy under multi-factor synergy. Results showed that 22.5 L/ha achieved the optimal balance; it increased deposition density by 109.0% compared to 15.0 L/ha (p < 0.05) while maintaining comparable efficacy to 30.0 L/ha without sacrificing operational efficiency. The 200 μm droplets demonstrated superior penetration, increasing lower-layer coverage by 33.9% compared to 300 μm (p < 0.05), and overcoming the evaporation limitations of 100 μm (which showed no significant efficacy improvement despite higher density, p > 0.05). Microscopic measurements confirmed that nano-pesticides exhibited excellent wetting dynamics, reducing the final contact angle on hydrophobic maize leaves to as low as 28.24° (achieving a maximum dynamic reduction rate of 54.48%), significantly enhancing interfacial adhesion. This mechanism compensated for low-volume spraying limitations, allowing a 30% dosage reduction to maintain a robust field efficacy of 90.6%, whereas a 50% reduction significantly compromised efficacy (<72.5%). Ultimately, this study established “22.5 L/ha + 200 μm + 30% reduction” as the optimal operational parameter combination, providing a solid theoretical foundation and crucial technological support for precision plant protection and “pesticide reduction with efficiency enhancement” in high-density maize cultivation. Full article

Hysteresis is normally unavoidable in hydrogels under complex external loading conditions due to the intermolecular friction, which usually leads to fatigue. Here, we fabricate a sarcomere-inspired double-network hydrogel made from polyacrylamide, alginate and phytic acid, whose hysteresis can be effectively regulated by preloading. Particularly, due to the synergy of micellization, fibrillation and micro-lubrication, the as-prepared hydrogel displays an ultralow hysteresis (≤0.02%) after it experiences a pre-tensile process at a specific amplitude and strain rate, or even possesses negative hysteresis in the case of low tensile amplitudes or high strain rates. Interestingly, smart responses of the developed hydrogel to cyclic tensile loadingare similar to the mechanical behaviors of sarcomeres in vivo. Likewise, the derived hydrogel with ultralow hysteresis performs reliably even at temperatures as low as −20 °C. The ultralow hysteresis presented by the biomimetic hydrogel with ultralow hysteresis makes it suitable for many engineering fields like electrical sensing with superior reliability (the corresponding electrical signal (ΔR/R₀) is stable even after 1000 stretching–unstretching cycles). Moreover, the design strategy of hydrogels with programmable hysteresis provides an innovative methodology for the future development of smart high-performance hydrogels. Full article

Electrodeposition of nanostructured metals often suffers from a trade-off between mechanical performance and efficiency. This study introduces ultranarrow slit-jet scanning electrodeposition (USJS-ECD), an additive-free technique employing a planar jet confined by a slit with opening width of <100 μm to scan the cathode. Numerical simulations coupling fluid flow and electric fields were conducted to optimize jet dynamics and scanning parameters. Experimental analyses reveal that USJS-ECD creates a highly localized, uniformly intensified energy field enabling direct fabrication of ultrahigh-strength nickel. The resulting deposits exhibit 98.82 wt% purity, an ultrafine grain size of 21.86 nm, and a mirror finish with surface roughness (Ra) of ~22 nm. Mechanical testing demonstrates a microhardness of 623 HV, a tensile strength of 756 MPa, and an elongation of 9.33%, achieving a superior strength-ductility synergy. Crucially, the deposition rate reaches 1.72 μm/min, significantly outperforming advanced ultrafine anode scanning electrodeposition (UAS-ECD) techniques. USJS-ECD presents a promising, efficient methodology for producing high-performance nanocrystalline metallic materials. Full article

Residual stress, an inevitable byproduct of manufacturing processes, significantly compromises the mechanical integrity, formability, and dimensional stability of metallic components. A comprehensive understanding of residual stress evolution and effective mitigation strategies is therefore critical for preventing structural failure. This review systematically examines the generation mechanisms, multi-scale classifications, and performance impacts of residual stresses in metallic structures. We critically evaluate the evolution of stress relief technologies, transitioning from traditional thermal and mechanical methods—which often suffer from high energy consumption, environmental concerns, or geometric distortion—to emerging non-thermal single-field techniques such as ultrasonic, magnetic, and electropulsing treatments. Crucially, this paper highlights a paradigm shift toward multi-field coupling strategies. By synergistically integrating thermal, magnetic, and vibrational energies, novel approaches like Combined Magnetic–Vibration (CMVSR), Thermal–Vibration (TVSR), and Thermal–Magnetic (TMSR) stress relief demonstrate superior stress relaxation efficacy while maintaining microstructural stability and minimizing energy expenditures. Ultimately, this review provides a comprehensive roadmap for selecting appropriate mitigation strategies and outlines the future trajectory of eco-friendly, high-efficiency stress relief in advanced manufacturing. Full article

In the severely cold regions of northern China, large-scale clean heating retrofits in rural areas face critical problems, including substandard indoor thermal environments, excessive energy consumption, and prohibitive operating costs. To address these challenges, this study focuses on rural residences in Hohhot as the research subject. Field measurements were conducted throughout the heating season in a typical rural house in Hohhot, a representative city with severe cold weather, to collect indoor/outdoor thermal parameters and real-time operational data of an air-source heat pump (ASHP). A dynamic simulation platform was established using TRNSYS 18. The optimization scheme integrates passive envelope retrofitting (ground insulation improvement and energy-efficient windows) with the active optimized control of the ASHP system. Indoor thermal comfort was evaluated using the Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) index. The results show that the ASHP exhibits excellent heating effectiveness and economic viability, making it the preferred technology for rural residences in Hohhot and similar regions. After implementing the active–passive scheme, the proportion of time with comfortable indoor conditions in rural houses surges from 34.1% to 84.1%, while during the severe cold period, this proportion increases from 16.97% to 61%. The indoor thermal comfort index shifts from its previous state to the baseline comfort range of −1.0 to 0. The total heating energy consumption decreased from 18,646 kWh to 15,861 kWh, and the seasonal operating cost dropped from 3207 to 2579.3 RMB, achieving an overall reduction of 19.6% in both energy and costs. The proposed active–passive synergistic optimization scheme simultaneously improves the indoor thermal environment and reduces heating energy consumption, overcoming the limitations of single-measure retrofits. This study fills the research gap on the quantitative evaluation of active–passive synergy for rural clean heating in severely cold regions, providing a theoretical basis and technical support for clean heating retrofits in Hohhot and Inner Mongolia, facilitating low-carbon and efficient rural clean heating in northern China. Full article

To address core challenges involving severe reservoir heterogeneity, complex fracture systems, and rapid energy depletion encountered in the development of tight oil reservoirs in the G5 block of the Nanpu Sag, this study performs a systematic analysis of geological characteristics and optimizes an integrated geology–engineering development strategy. Through the integration of 3D seismic and well-logging data, the “sandwich-style” superposition architecture of sand bodies in the Es₃⁴ sub-member is quantitatively characterized. It reveals that productivity is co-controlled by high-quality main channel sand bodies (permeability: 0.5–1 mD) and high-density fracture zones (linear density: 3.2 fractures·m⁻¹) along structural ridges. Consequently, a comprehensive technical system is established, incorporating trajectory optimization for high-angle wells, differential stimulated reservoir volume (SRV) fracturing based on the Reservoir Quality Index (RQI), and CO₂ huff-n-puff for energy supplementation. Field applications demonstrate that optimized well placement increased the drilling encounter rate of high-quality reservoirs from 42% to 78%, while CO₂ huff-n-puff technology successfully restored the formation pressure coefficient from 0.65 to 0.82. The implementation of this integrated approach extended the stable production period of typical wells to 18 months, significantly mitigating production decline and increasing the ultimate recovery factor of the block to 14.5%, which provides a favorable recovery level for a complex fault-block tight oil reservoir compared with the generally low primary-recovery performance reported for analogous tight oil systems in rift-basin settings. This study confirms that the coupling zone of fracture systems along structural ridges and high-quality sand bodies represents the optimal target for economic development. The proposed geology–engineering synergy model provides a transferable technical paradigm for the efficient development of similar complex fault-block tight oil reservoirs. Full article

The interaction between mycorrhizal fungi and mycorrhiza helper bacteria (MHB) constitutes a critical symbiotic interface that drives key functions within terrestrial ecosystems, profoundly influencing plant nutrient acquisition, stress resilience, and soil ecological processes. Although mycorrhizal symbiosis has been extensively studied, the complex interactive network between these fungi and MHB—which act as functional “enhancers” and “stabilizers”—and its systemic application potential remains insufficiently integrated and elucidated. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of advances in this field. First, it delineates the functional traits of major mycorrhizal fungal types and their inherent functional reliance on MHB. Subsequently, it dissects the core mechanisms underlying mycorrhizal fungi–MHB interactions through four interconnected dimensions: signal recognition, nutrient exchange, physical association, and defensive synergy. This analysis reveals the foundation for constructing a stable plant–fungus–bacteria functional continuum. Furthermore, the review comprehensively evaluates the empirical applications and demonstrated efficacy of this interactive system in enhancing agricultural productivity, promoting forestry cultivation, and advancing ecological restoration. Finally, by identifying prevailing research gaps spanning molecular mechanisms to field applications, it offers a critical perspective on future research priorities. It also discusses strategies for fostering interdisciplinary innovation to accelerate biotechnology development based on this symbiotic partnership, aiming to provide novel microbial solutions for addressing global challenges such as agricultural sustainability and ecosystem recovery. Full article

Traditional villages in the Chaoshan region serve as living repositories of local cultural heritage. Their concentrated and coordinated conservation and utilization can transcend administrative boundaries, enabling the integrated allocation of regional resources and the enhancement of cultural synergy. Currently, conservation practices for traditional villages are largely limited to piecemeal rescue efforts focused on individual villages. There is a lack of systematic understanding from a regional perspective and an explanation of the mechanisms underlying the formation of local landscapes, which hinders the realization of economies of scale in conservation and the development of cultural synergy. To explore effective approaches for the cluster-based conservation of traditional villages in China’s Lingnan coastal region, as well as the characteristics of human–land relationships and their adaptive mechanisms, this study focuses on 115 national and provincial-level traditional villages in the Chaoshan region. By introducing methods of single-factor and multi-factor cluster identification, the study innovatively constructs a four-dimensional cluster identification framework comprising “spatial proximity, geomorphological similarity, cultural convergence, and residential isomorphism,” and, utilizing the ArcGIS platform for coupled analysis, kernel density analysis, cluster identification, and field surveys, systematically analyzed the diverse typologies and landscape-specific characteristics of traditional village clusters in the Chaoshan region. The results indicate the following: (1) The identification of Chaozhou–Shantou traditional village clusters reveals three diverse types—comprehensive, distinctive, and potential—reflecting the richness and diversity of these clusters in the region. (2) Spatially proximate clusters exhibit a single-core, multi-point distribution, topographically similar clusters show differentiated distributions across plains and river valleys, culturally convergent clusters are significantly correlated with cultural carriers such as postal routes, water transport, and trade, and residential distributions are significantly correlated with topography and landforms, collectively constituting the unique character of Chaozhou–Shantou traditional village clusters. (3) Traditional villages in Chaoshan exhibit significant coupling with the natural environment, forming diverse spatial siting patterns in relation to mountains, water, forests, fields, and the sea, reflecting differentiated adaptation to and ingenious utilization of the natural environment. (4) The adaptive mechanism of the landscape of traditional Chaozhou–Shantou villages can be distilled into a three-tiered structure, natural adaptation as the foundation, social adaptation as the framework, and cultural adaptation as the soul, revealing the spatial planning wisdom of the Chaozhou–Shantou people in complex mountain and coastal environments. This study not only deepens our understanding of the human–land relationship in traditional villages of the Chaoshan region but also provides scientific evidence and theoretical support for the holistic preservation of cultural heritage and regional coordinated development. It holds significant practical value for promoting the protection and sustainable development of rural cultural heritage in the Lingnan coastal region. Full article

Heterostructured metals and alloys are designed with spatial variations in strength and hardening that produce synergy beyond the rule of mixtures. This review surveys face-centered cubic (FCC), body-centered cubic (BCC), and hexagonal close-packed (HCP) systems, including architectures formed or modified by rolling and related severe plastic deformation routes, and examines them under tension, compression, and shear. Across material classes, mechanical incompatibility between hetero-zones drives stress partitioning and plastic strain gradients that store geometrically necessary dislocations near zone boundaries. The associated internal back and forward stresses sustain work hardening, delay instability, and influence localization and damage initiation. We evaluate continuum, crystal plasticity, dislocation-based mesoscale, and atomistic approaches by whether they predict these internal fields and whether they are validated against internal-field measurements. Key observations are that predictive models require physically identifiable intrinsic length scales, experimentally constrained interface laws, and careful separation of mechanisms to avoid double-counting when gradient and kinematic terms coexist. Major gaps remain in parameter identifiability for multi-zone and nonlocal formulations, in transferability across processing routes and loading modes, and in community benchmarks that couple well-characterized microstructures with multimodal measurements. Recommendations are provided for validation targets and benchmark campaigns to accelerate predictive design. Full article

This study examines whether digital–intelligent technology innovation supports sustainable urban transition by improving urban pollution–carbon synergy in China. Using panel data for 278 prefecture-level cities from 2012 to 2023, we measure digital–intelligent technology innovation by the per capita intensity of patent applications in key digital–intelligent technology fields and construct an urban pollution–carbon synergy index based on a global non-radial directional distance function combined with data envelopment analysis. The results show that digital–intelligent technology innovation is positively associated with urban pollution–carbon synergy, and this finding remains robust to alternative variable definitions, sample adjustments, alternative frontier settings, and supplementary identification strategies. Further analyses suggest that the relationship is stage-dependent rather than purely linear, with stronger sustainability gains emerging after critical development thresholds are crossed. Channel analyses indicate that green technological innovation, digital inclusive finance, and AI firm agglomeration are important routes through which digital–intelligent innovation is translated into environmental governance capacity. Additional analyses show that the effect is stronger on the carbon mitigation dimension than on the pollution reduction dimension, is more pronounced in cities with higher human capital and more developed financial technology, and exhibits both temporal persistence and spatial spillover effects. In addition, digital–intelligent technology innovation is associated with higher energy efficiency, lower total energy consumption, and lower PM2.5, SO₂, total CO₂ emissions, and CO₂ intensity. Overall, these findings contribute to the sustainability literature by showing that digital–intelligent innovation can facilitate sustainable urban transition when it is effectively transformed through green innovation, financial support, and local application scenarios. Full article

Demographic growth and the global environmental crisis have intensified the need to reconcile energy generation with the protection of terrestrial ecosystems. Traditional organic waste management systems are inefficient in handling high pollutant loads, leading to uncontrolled methane emissions and degradation of soil and water. In response to this challenge, the present study aimed to conduct a critical review of how Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) valorize biomass to align climate action (SDG 13) with the protection of terrestrial life (SDG 15). Through a bibliometric analysis of the Scopus database (2010–2026), supported by tools such as Bibliometrix, 460 documents were examined, complemented by a systematic literature review addressing biomass types, microbial interactions, and electrode modifications. The main findings indicate that MFC research is currently in an exponential growth phase (R² = 0.99954), with Environmental Sciences (23%) and Chemical Engineering (15%) as the predominant fields. Industrial and plant residues exhibit the highest bioelectric potential, while mixed microbial consortia—particularly fungal–bacterial synergies—outperform pure cultures in degradative efficiency and energy generation, reaching up to 1760 mW/m² with Geobacter sulfurreducens bioaugmentation. Electrode modification with nanomaterials such as NiO or MWCNTs substantially enhances charge transfer. Standardization of measurement protocols, ecological impact assessment of nanomaterials, and evaluation of the economic–environmental feasibility of MFC-integrated biorefineries are recommended to ensure scalability and effective contributions to SDGs 13 and 15. Full article

Addressing the dual challenges of green agricultural transformation and the national carbon neutrality targets, the traditional pest control systems in the mulberry plantations of Nantong, Jiangsu Province, face concurrent problems, including excessive pesticide use, high direct carbon emissions, and low economic returns. This study establishes a comprehensive evaluation framework integrating technical, environmental, and economic dimensions. Utilizing a lightweight mobile sensing system, this research enables the early identification of white powdery mildew on mulberry trees and facilitates precise spatial pesticide management. Unlike traditional life cycle assessment (LCA) studies that rely on static data, this case study uses real-time field monitoring data as dynamic input to drive the standardized life cycle assessment model. In this pilot-scale validation (n = 3 pairs, one growing season), the proposed model reduced pesticide usage by an average of 28.7% (±3.1%), achieved a carbon emission reduction of 23.1 (±2.7) g/m², and increased net income by 0.199 (±0.018) yuan/m². Precision pest control driven by mobile sensing effectively enhances the synergy between ecological and economic benefits in specialty crop systems. Consequently, the study proposes a data-driven framework that shows promise for pesticide–carbon–income synergy, pending further validation across more sites and seasons. Full article

Dust accumulation on photovoltaic (PV) modules reduces power generation efficiency, and traditional water-based cleaning is impractical in arid regions. Inspired by the classical acoustic phenomenon of Chladni figures—specifically the mechanism where an acoustic standing wave field drives the regular migration and accumulation of particles—this study proposes a waterless dust removal method using low-frequency ultrasonic vibration via piezoelectric excitation. Impedance analysis identifies optimal electromechanical coupling at 28 kHz. Experiments demonstrate that higher driving voltages accelerate cleaning, with recovery rates saturating beyond 125 V. Notably, intense friction and collisions between particles within high-density dust layers consume substantial kinetic energy, significantly multiplying the required cleaning time. Macroscopic transport analysis reveals that dust removal relies on the synergy of vibration-induced adhesion decoupling and gravity-driven transport. Sufficient tangential gravity is crucial for macroscopic particle removal, and tilt angles above 30° provide the necessary downward driving force to ensure smooth particle sliding. Under optimal conditions, the system achieves an over 97% short-circuit current recovery at a low power consumption of ~10 W, providing a theoretical basis for waterless PV self-cleaning systems. Full article