Search Results (1,385)

Magnetron Sputter Vacuum Deposition (MSVD) has undergone significant advancements since its inception. This review explores the evolution of MSVD, encompassing its fundamental principles, various techniques (including reactive sputtering, pulsed magnetron sputtering, and high-power impulse magnetron sputtering), and its wide-ranging industrial applications. While detailing the advantages of high deposition rates, versatility in material selection, and precise control over film properties, the review also addresses inherent challenges such as low target utilization and plasma instability. A significant portion focuses on the crucial role of MSVD in the automotive industry, highlighting its use in creating durable, high-quality coatings for both aesthetic and functional purposes. The transition from traditional electroplating methods to more environmentally friendly MSVD techniques is also discussed, emphasizing the growing demand for sustainable manufacturing processes. This review concludes by summarizing the key advancements, remaining challenges, and potential future trends in magnetron sputtering technologies. Full article

Highly integrable silicon carbide (SiC) has emerged as a promising platform for photonic integrated circuits (PICs), offering a comprehensive set of material and optical properties that are ideal for the integration of nonlinear devices and solid-state quantum defects. However, despite significant progress in nanofabrication technology, the development of SiC on an insulator (SiCOI)-based photonics faces challenges due to fabrication-induced material optical losses and complex processing steps. An alternative approach to mitigate these fabrication challenges is the direct deposition of amorphous SiC on an insulator (a-SiCOI). However, there is a lack of systematic studies aimed at producing high optical quality a-SiC thin films, and correspondingly, on evaluating and determining their optical properties in the telecom range. To this end, we have studied a single-source precursor, 1,3,5-trisilacyclohexane (TSCH, C₃H₁₂Si₃), and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) processes for the deposition of SiC thin films in a low-temperature range (650–800 °C) on a multitude of different substrates. We have successfully demonstrated the fabrication of smooth, uniform, and stoichiometric a-SiCOI thin films of 20 nm to 600 nm with a highly controlled growth rate of ~0.5 Å/s and minimal surface roughness of ~5 Å. Spectroscopic ellipsometry and resonant micro-photoluminescence excitation spectroscopy and mapping reveal a high index of refraction (~2.7) and a minimal absorption coefficient (<200 cm⁻¹) in the telecom C-band, demonstrating the high optical quality of the films. These findings establish a strong foundation for scalable production of high-quality a-SiCOI thin films, enabling their application in advanced chip-scale telecom PIC technologies. Full article

The Junggar Basin contains a large amount of coal resources and is an important coal production base in China. The coal seam in Zhundong coalfield has a large single-layer thickness and high content of inertinite, but large particle Fe-sulphide minerals are associated with coal seams in some mining areas. A series of economic and environmental problems caused by the combustion of large-grained Fe-sulphide minerals in coal have seriously affected the economic, clean and efficient utilization of coal. In this paper, the ultra-thick coal seam of the Xishanyao formation in the Yihua open-pit mine of the Zhundong coalfield is taken as the research object. Through the analysis of coal quality, X-ray fluorescence spectrometer test of major elements in coal, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry test of trace elements, SEM-Raman identification of Fe-sulphide minerals in coal and LA-MC-ICP-MS test of sulfur isotope of marcasite, the coal quality characteristics, main and trace element characteristics, macro and micro occurrence characteristics of Fe-sulphide minerals and sulfur isotope characteristics of marcasite in the ultra-thick coal seam of the Xishanyao formation are tested. On this basis, the occurrence state and genesis of large particle Fe-sulphide minerals in the ultra-thick coal seam of the Xishanyao formation are clarified. The main results and understandings are as follows: (1) the occurrence state of Fe-sulphide minerals in extremely thick coal seams is clarified. The Fe-sulphide minerals in the extremely thick coal seam are mainly marcasite, and concentrated in the YH-2, YH-3, YH-8, YH-9, YH-14, YH-15 and YH-16 horizons. Macroscopically, Fe-sulphide minerals mainly occur in three forms: thin film Fe-sulphide minerals, nodular Fe-sulphide minerals, and disseminated Fe-sulphide minerals. Microscopically, they mainly occur in four forms: flake, block, spearhead, and crack filling. (2) The difference in sulfur isotope of marcasite was discussed, and the formation period of marcasite was preliminarily divided. The overall variation range of the δ³⁴S value of marcasite is wide, and the extreme values are quite different. The polyflake marcasite was formed in the early stage of diagenesis and the δ³⁴S value was negative, while the fissure filling marcasite was formed in the late stage of diagenesis and the δ³⁴S value was positive. (3) The coal quality characteristics of the thick coal seam were analyzed. The organic components in the thick coal seam are mainly inertinite, and the inorganic components are mainly clay minerals and marcasite. (4) The difference between the element content in the thick coal seam of the Zhundong coalfield and the average element content of Chinese coal was compared. The major element oxides in the thick coal seam are mainly CaO and MgO, followed by SiO₂, Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃ and Na₂O. Li, Ga, Ba, U and Th are enriched in trace elements. (5) The coal-accumulating environment characteristics of the extremely thick coal seam are revealed. The whole thick coal seam is formed in an acidic oxidation environment, and the horizon with Fe-sulphide minerals is in an acidic reduction environment. The acidic reduction environment is conducive to the formation of marcasite and is not conducive to the formation of pyrite. (6) There are many matrix vitrinite, inertinite content, clay content, and terrigenous debris in the extremely thick coal seam. The good supply of peat swamp, suitable reduction environment and pH value, as well as groundwater leaching and infiltration, together cause the occurrence of large-grained Fe-sulphide minerals in the extremely thick coal seam of the Xishanyao formation in the Zhundong coalfield. Full article

In recent years, active packaging has become a focal point of research and development in the food industry, driven by increasing consumer demand for safe, high-quality, and sustainable food products. In this work, solvent casting processed an active antibacterial multicomponent film based on hydroxypropyl methylcellulose incorporated with ferulic acid and chitin nanofibers. The influences of ferulic acid and different content of chitin nanofibers on the structure, thermal, mechanical, and water vapor stability and antioxidant and antibacterial efficiency of films were studied. It was shown that the inclusion of only ferulic acid did not significantly influence the mechanical, water vapor, and thermal stability of films. In addition, films containing only ferulic acid did not display antibacterial activity. The optimal concentration of chitin nanofibers in hydroxypropyl methylcellulose–ferulic acid films was 5 wt%, providing a tensile strength of 15 MPa, plasticity of 52%, and water vapor permeability of 0.94 × 10⁻⁹ g/m s Pa. With further increase of chitin nanofibers content, films with layered and discontinuous phases are obtained, which negatively influence tensile strength and water vapor permeability. Moreover, only films containing both ferulic acid and chitin nanofibers demonstrated antibacterial activity toward E. coli and S. aureus, suggesting that the presence of fibers allows easier release of ferulic acid from the matrix. These results imply that the investigated three-component systems have potential applicability as sustainable active food packaging materials. Full article

This paper presents a novel approach employing localized annealing through Joule heating to enhance the performance of Thin-Film Piezoelectric-on-Silicon (TPoS) MEMS resonators that are crucial for applications in sensing, energy harvesting, frequency filtering, and timing control. Despite recent advancements, piezoelectric MEMS resonators still suffer from anchor-related energy losses and limited quality factors (Qs), posing significant challenges for high-performance applications. This study investigates interface modification to boost the quality factor (Q) and reduce the motional resistance, thus improving the electromechanical coupling coefficient and reducing insertion loss. To balance the trade-off between device miniaturization and performance, this work uniquely applies DC current-induced localized annealing to TPoS MEMS resonators, facilitating metal diffusion at the interface. This process results in the formation of platinum silicide, modifying the resonator’s stiffness and density, consequently enhancing the acoustic velocity and mitigating the side-supporting anchor-related energy dissipations. Experimental results demonstrate a Q-factor enhancement of over 300% (from 916 to 3632) and a reduction in insertion loss by more than 14 dB, underscoring the efficacy of this method for reducing anchor-related dissipations due to the highest annealing temperature at the anchors. The findings not only confirm the feasibility of Joule heating for interface modifications in MEMS resonators but also set a foundation for advancements of this post-fabrication thermal treatment technology. Full article

Antimicrobial food packaging with natural antimicrobials and biodegradable polymers presents an innovative solution to mitigate microbial contamination, prolong freshness, reduce food waste, and alleviate environmental burden. This study developed antimicrobial hemicellulose-based films by incorporating carvacrol (1% and 2%) as a natural antimicrobial agent through micro-emulsification produced by high-pressure homogenization (M-films). For comparison, films with the same formula were constructed using coarse emulsions (C-films) without high-pressure homogenization. These films were investigated for their antimicrobial efficacy, mechanical and barrier properties, and physicochemical attributes to explore their potential as sustainable antimicrobial packaging solutions. The M-films demonstrated superior antimicrobial activity, achieving reductions exceeding 4 Log CFU/mL against Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella enterica, compared to the C-films. High-pressure homogenization significantly reduced the emulsion’s particle size, from 11.59 to 2.55 μm, and considerably enhanced the M-film’s uniformity, hydrophobicity, and structural quality. Most importantly, the M-films exhibited lower oxygen transmission (35.14 cc/m²/day) and water vapor transmission rates (52.12 g/m²/day) than the C-films at 45.1 and 65.5 cc/m²/day, respectively, indicating superior protection against gas and moisture diffusion. Markedly improved mechanical properties, including foldability, toughness, and bubble-free surfaces, were also observed, making the M-films suitable for practical applications. This study highlights the potential of high-pressure homogenization as a method for enhancing the functional properties of hemicellulose-based films (i.e., M-films). The fabricated films offer a viable alternative to conventional plastic packaging, paving the way for safer and greener solutions tailored to modern industry needs. Full article

In this study, a composite film with dual antioxidant and antibacterial properties was prepared by combining 2% chitosan and 7% gelatin (2:1, w:w), with D-carvone (0–4%) as the primary active component. The effect of D-carvone content on the performance of the composite films was systematically investigated. The results showed that adding 1% D-carvone increased the water contact angle by 28%, increased the elongation at break by 35%, and decreased the WVTR by 18%. FTIR and SEM confirmed that ≤2% D-carvone uniformly bonded with the substrate through hydrogen bonds, and the film was dense and non-porous. In addition, the DPPH scavenging rate of the 1–2% D-carvone composite film increased to about 30–40%, and the ABTS⁺ scavenging rate increased to about 35–40%; the antibacterial effect on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus increased by more than 70%. However, when the addition amount was too high (exceeding 2%), the composite film became agglomerated, microporous, and phase-separated, affecting the film performance, and due to its own taste, it reduced the sensory quality of the noodles. Comprehensively, the composites showed better performance when the content of D-carvone was 1–2% and also the best effect for freshness preservation in Xinjiang ramen. This study provides a broad application prospect for natural terpene compound-based composite films in the field of high-moisture, multi-fat food preservation, and provides a theoretical basis and practical guidance for the development of efficient and safe food packaging materials. In the future, the composite film can be further optimized, and the effect of flavor can be further explored to meet the needs of different food preservation methods. Full article

A recently proposed method called “controlled swelling of monolithic films” was implemented to prepare ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) ultrafiltration membranes. For the first time, the effect of UHMWPE molecular weight (MW) on the structure and properties of the membranes prepared via this special case of thermally induced phase separation was studied in detail. The morphology and properties of the membranes were studied using SEM, DSC, liquid–liquid displacement porometry, and standard methods for the evaluation of mechanical properties, permeance, rejection, and abrasion resistance. High-quality membranes with a tensile strength of 5.0–17.8 MPa, a mean pore size of 25–50 nm, permeance of 17–107 L m⁻² h⁻¹ bar⁻¹, rejection of model contaminant (blue dextran) of 72–98%, and great abrasion resistance can be prepared only if the MW of the polymer in the initial monolithic film is sufficiently high. The properties of the membranes can effectively be controlled by changing the MW of the polymer and the mass fraction of the latter in the swollen film. Shrinkage is responsible for the variation in the membrane properties. The membranes prepared from a higher-MW polymer are more prone to shrinking after the removal of the solvent. Shrinkage decreases before rising again and minimizes with an increase in the polymer content in the swollen film. Full article

Tungsten and tungsten alloys are widely used in important industrial fields due to their high density, hardness, melting point, and corrosion resistance. However, machining often leaves processing marks on their surface, significantly affecting the surface quality of precision components in industrial applications. Electrolytic polishing offers high efficiency, low workpiece wear, and simple processing. In this study, an electrolytic polishing method is adopted and a novel trisodium phosphate–sodium hydroxide electrolytic polishing electrolyte is developed to study the effects of temperature, voltage, polishing time, and solution composition on the surface roughness of a tungsten–nickel–iron alloy. The optimal voltage, temperature, and polishing time are determined to be 15 V, 55 °C, and 35 s, respectively, when the concentrations of trisodium phosphate and sodium hydroxide are 100 g·L⁻¹ and 6 g·L⁻¹. In addition, glycerol is introduced into the electrolyte as an additive. The calculated LUMO value of glycerol is −5.90 eV and the HOMO value is 0.40 eV. Moreover, electron enrichment in the hydroxyl region of glycerol can form an adsorption layer on the surface of the tungsten alloy, inhibit the formation of micro-pits, balance ion diffusion, and thus promote the formation of a smooth surface. At 100 mL·L⁻¹ of glycerol, the roughness of the tungsten–nickel–iron alloy decreases significantly from 1.134 μm to 0.582 μm. The electrochemical polishing mechanism of the tungsten alloy in a trisodium phosphate electrolyte is further investigated and explained according to viscous film theory. This study demonstrates that the trisodium phosphate–sodium hydroxide–glycerol electrolyte is suitable for electropolishing tungsten–nickel–iron alloys. Overall, the results support the application of tungsten–nickel–iron alloy in the electronics, medical, and atomic energy industries. Full article

Very-high-energy electrons, coupled with ultra-high dose rates, are being explored for their potential use in radiotherapy to treat deep-seated tumours. The dose per pulse needed to achieve ultra-high dose rates far exceeds the limit of current medical linear accelerator capabilities. A high dose per pulse has been observed as the limiting factor for many existing dosimeters, resulting in saturation at doses far below what is required. The MOSkin, an existing clinical quality assurance dosimeter, has previously been demonstrated as dose rate independent but has not been subjected to a high dose per pulse. Within this study, the MOSkins dose-per-pulse response was tested for linearity, with a dose per pulse as high as 23 Gy within 200 ns at the ANSTO Australian Synchrotron’s Pulsed Energetic Electrons for Research facility. While using EBT-XD film as a reference dosimeter, a dose rate dependence of the EBT-XD was discovered. Once confirmed and a correction factor established, EBT-XD was used as an independent reference measurement. This work presents confirmation of the MOSkin suitability for ultra-high dose-rate environments with an electron energy of 100 MeV, and a theoretical discussion of its dose-rate and dose-per-pulse independence; the MOSkin is the only detector suitable for both clinical quality assurance, and ultra-high dose-rate measurements in its standard, unmodified form. Full article

Indium-based oxide semiconductors have been commercialized because of their excellent electrical properties, but the high cost, limited availability, and environmental toxicity of indium necessitate the development of alternative materials. Among the most promising candidates, zinc–tin oxide (ZTO) is an indium-free oxide semiconductor with considerable potential, but its relatively low carrier mobility and inherent limitations in thin-film quality demand further performance enhancements. This paper proposes a new approach to overcome these challenges by incorporating single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) as conductive fillers into the ZTO matrix and using a layer-by-layer multiple coating process to construct nanocomposite thin films. As a result, ZTO/SWNTs (0.07 wt.%) thin-film transistors (TFTs) fabricated with three coating cycles exhibited a high saturation mobility of 18.72 cm²/V·s, a threshold voltage of 0.84 V, and a subthreshold swing of 0.51 V/dec. These values represent an approximately four-fold improvement in mobility compared to ZTO TFT, showing that the multiple-coating-based nanocomposite strategy can effectively overcome the fundamental limitations. This study confirms the feasibility of achieving high-performance oxide semiconductor transistors without indium, providing a sustainable pathway for next-generation flexible electronics and display technologies. Full article

A fungal strain with comparably high chitosan yield was isolated from the Shivaganga hills and identified as Aspergillus versicolor AD07 through molecular characterization. Later, the strain was cultivated on Sabouraud Dextrose Broth (SDB) and wild jackfruit-based media to evaluate its potential for chitosan production. Among the various media formulations, the highest chitosan yield (178.40 ± 1.76 mg/L) was obtained from the jackfruit extract medium with added peptone and dextrose. The extracted chitosan was characterized through FTIR, XRD (reported a crystallinity index of 55%), TGA/DTG, and DSC analysis, confirming the presence of key functional groups and high thermal resistance. The extracted chitosan was fabricated into a sheet incorporated with 1% lemongrass oil; the sheet exhibited strong antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (30 mm) and Bacillus megaterium (48 mm). The biodegradation studies reported a weight loss of 38.93 ± 0.51% after 50 days of soil burial. Further, the chitosan film was tested as a packaging material for paneer, demonstrating better preservation by maintaining nutritional quality and reducing microbial load over a 14-day storage period. These findings highlight the potential of A. versicolor AD07-derived chitosan, cultivated on a waste substrate medium, as a sustainable biopolymer for food packaging applications. Full article

High-entropy alloys (HEAs) represent a breakthrough class of materials characterized by a unique combination of properties derived from their multielement compositions. This review explores the current advancements in both electrochemical and electroless deposition techniques for synthesizing HEA thin films. This paper discusses the crucial plating conditions using aqueous or organic electrolytes and various current/potential modes that influence the formation, quality, and properties of these complex alloy coatings. Particular attention is given to their emerging applications in areas such as catalysis, protective coatings, microelectronics, and liquids’ separation. A comparison of electrochemical versus electroless methods reveals insights into the advantages and limitations of each technique for research and industrial use. This comprehensive review aims to guide further innovation in the development and application of HEA coatings. Full article

This work represents the first use of a phosphonium salt-functionalized β-Cyclodextrin polymer (β-CDP) as a highly selective sensing membrane for monitoring the safety of drinking water against perchlorate ions (ClO₄⁻) using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Structural confirmation via ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, ³¹P NMR, and FT-IR spectroscopies combined with AFM and contact angle measurements demonstrate how the enhanced solubility of modified cyclodextrin improves thin film quality. The innovation lies in the synergistic combination of two detection mechanisms: the “Host-Guest” inclusion in the cyclodextrin cavity and anionic exchange between the bromide ions of the phosphonium groups and perchlorate anions. Under optimized functionalization conditions, EIS reveals high sensitivity and selectivity, achieving a record-low detection limit (LOD) of ~10⁻¹² M and a wide linear range of detection (10⁻¹¹ M–10⁻⁴ M). Sensing mechanisms at the functionalized transducer interfaces are examined through numerical fitting of Cole-Cole impedance spectra via a single relaxation equivalent circuit. Real water sample analysis confirms the sensor’s practical applicability, with recoveries between 96.9% and 109.8% and RSDs of 2.4–4.8%. Finally, a comparative study with reported membrane sensors shows that β-CDP offers superior performance, wider range, higher sensitivity, lower LOD, and simpler synthesis. Full article

Increased market demand for plant herbs has prompted growers to ensure a continuous and assured supply of superior nutritional quality over the years. Apart from the nutritional value, culinary herbs contain phytochemical benefits that can improve human health. However, a significant amount of research has focused on enhancing yield, frequently overlooking the impact of production practices on the antioxidant and phytonutritional content of the produce. Thus, the study aimed to evaluate the yield, phytonutrients, and essential mineral profiling in selected aromatic herbs and their intricate role in nutritional quality when grown under different production systems. Five selected aromatic herbs (coriander, rocket, fennel, basil, and moss-curled parsley) were evaluated at harvest when grown under three production systems: in a gravel-film technique (GFT) hydroponic system and in soil, both under the 40% white shade-net structure, as well as in a soilless medium using sawdust under a non-temperature-controlled plastic tunnel (NTC). The phytonutritional quality properties (total phenolic, flavonoids, β-carotene-linoleic acid, and condensed tannins contents) as well as 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) were assessed using spectrophotometry, while vitamin C and β-carotene were analyzed using HPLC-PDA, and leaf mineral content was evaluated using ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry). The results show that the health benefits vary greatly owing to the particular culinary herb. The fresh leaf mass (yield) of coriander, parsley, and rocket was not significantly affected by the production system, whereas basil was high in soil cultivation, followed by GFT. Fennel had a high yield in the GFT system compared to in-soil and in-soilless cultivation. The highest levels of vitamin C were found in basil leaves grown in GFT and in soil compared to the soilless medium. The amount of total phenolic and flavonoid compounds, β-carotene, β-carotene-linoleic acid, and DPPH, were considerably high in soil cultivation, except on condensed tannins compared to the GFT and soilless medium, which could be a result of Photosynthetic Active Radiation (PAR) values (683 μmol/m²/s) and not favoring the accumulation of tannins. Overall, the mineral content was greatly influenced by the production system. Leaf calcium and magnesium contents were highly accumulated in rockets grown in the soilless medium and the GFT hydroponic system. The results have highlighted that growing environmental conditions significantly impact the accumulation of health-promoting phytonutrients in aromatic herbs. Some have positive ramifications, while others have negative ramifications. As a result, growers should prioritize in-soil production systems over GFT (under the shade-net) and soilless cultivation (under NTC) to produce aromatic herbs to improve the functional benefits and customer health. Full article