Search Results (2,767)

The integration of collaborative robots into industrial environments requires rigorous safety validation under the Power and Force Limiting (PFL) regime. This review article systematically maps the technological and normative development of certified Pressure and Force Measurement Devices (PFMDs) and experimental biofidelic instruments for Physical Human–Robot Interaction (pHRI) between the years 2011 and 2026. A quantitative screening of 68 studies revealed a publication peak in impact metrology in 2021. This peak occurred with a five-year latency after the release of the ISO/TS 15066 technical specification. Although global interest in collaborative robotics steadily grows, the publication trend indicates a gradual shift in scientific focus from reactive testing toward proactive prevention. A methodological deconstruction of four Research Questions (RQs) identifies persistent limitations in safety evaluation. The findings demonstrate that the internal structure of conventional sensors induces nonlinear shock filtering and parasitic oscillations (RQ1). Furthermore, the rigid fixation of test stands generates unrealistic pressure spikes. This physical limitation forces a transition to flexible and pendulum-based configurations (RQ2). Commercial flat films physically fail due to sensor saturation and introduced stiffness. Such failures accelerate the development of conformable electronic skins (e-skins) and multimodal test manikins (RQ3). To ensure interlaboratory reproducibility within the current ISO 10218-2:2025 standard, the text defines imperative metrological parameters. These parameters strictly include frequency response, calibration protocols, and volumetric mapping of inertial masses (RQ4). Furthermore, the analysed publications were systematically stratified into distinct technological categories, strictly reflecting their primary engineering domains, ranging from empirical metrological evaluation and sensor hardware design to advanced numerical modeling. Finally, the vision for future research anticipates a definitive shift toward proactive anti-collision technologies, encompassing Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine vision, and Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality/Mixed reality (AR/VR/MR). Future methodologies must also consider demographic anisotropies and the cognitive fatigue of the human operator. Full article

In this study, charge-trapping memory (CTM) transistors were developed using indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO) as the oxide semiconductor channel and high-k HfO₂ as the charge-trapping layer, aiming for next-generation nonvolatile memory applications. To evaluate the impact of plasma exposure on film quality and device performance, HfO₂ thin films were deposited via atomic layer deposition (ALD) using both direct plasma (DP) and remote plasma (RP) modes. Post-deposition annealing (PDA) was applied to the IGZO and HfO₂ layers, with experiments conducted at various annealing temperatures to enhance the interfacial stability between the HfO₂ layer and the IGZO channel. Electrical characterization results demonstrated that the RP-processed devices exhibited a wider memory window, reduced gate leakage current, and improved threshold voltage stability compared with the DP-processed devices. Thermal treatment effectively reduced the interfacial defect density and enhanced the crystallinity at the dielectric–channel interface. These findings underscore that the selection of the plasma process and annealing conditions is critical in determining the electrical characteristics and reliability of oxide semiconductor-based CTM devices. Full article

Plastics and microplastics are widespread in the environment, yet knowledge about their impact on agricultural soils, including their microbiological properties, remains limited. Therefore, this study addressed the research question regarding the impact of secondary microplastics, biodegradable poly(lactic acid) (PLA) mulch film, and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film on the abundance, structure, and functions of soil bacteria, with particular emphasis on the presence of bacterial pathogens. PLA and LDPE were applied to the soil at a dose of 4 g kg⁻¹ d.m. of soil. The aim of the experiment was to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of soil bioaugmentation with the Pseudomonas umsongensis strain and its biostimulation with humic acids in mitigating the negative effects of microplastics. The response of culturable bacteria revealed high sensitivity of organotrophic bacteria to both microplastics, with a stronger inhibitory effect from PLA, as well as stimulation of actinomycetes. 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing indicated that the materials differentially influenced the bacterial response. PLA most strongly stimulated Actinobacteriota and favored the dominance of Bacillus and Limnochorda, whereas LDPE promoted the growth of Actinobacteriota and Chloroflexota as well as genera KD4-96 and 1921-2. Both microplastics were colonized by potential pathogens, including Bacillus, Mycobacterium, Ralstonia, and Cupriavidus. PLA additionally stimulated the proliferation of Leifsonia sp. and Curtobacterium sp., while both PLA and LDPE reduced the abundance of Enterobacter sp. and Herbaspirillum sp. Bioaugmentation using the Pseudomonas umsongensis strain was more effective in restoring the balance of the soil microbiome than biostimulation with humic acids. The results indicate that microbial preparations based on Pseudomonas umsongensis may serve as an important tool in restoring the balance of soil exposed to microplastics. Full article

Color results from the interaction of objects with varying wavelengths of light and the human visual system’s perception under different illumination conditions. In this study, special emphasis was placed on examining how varying illumination conditions and measurement geometries affect the color appearance and optical properties of printed effect pigments. Two distinct groups of pigments were examined: three interference pigments (M-series) based on calcium–aluminum borosilicate substrates, and three multicolor pigments (C-series) based on silicon dioxide. To ensure comparability of the results, all pigments were printed using screen printing techniques onto black PVC film. Characterization involved using a multi-angle spectrophotometer to measure CIEL*a*b* values, chroma (C*), and hue (h*) under CIE standard illuminants D50, A2, and F2 at a fixed illumination angle of 45° and aspecular angles of −15°, 15°, 25°, 45°, 75°, and 110°. Furthermore, the research methodology included the evaluation of lightness difference (∆L*), color differences (∆E*), chroma difference (∆C*), and hue difference (∆H*), with the D50 illuminant chosen as the reference and A2 and F2 as sample illuminants. The flop index (FI), as the indicator of lightness change at different scattering angles, was calculated for all printed pigments under all three standard illuminations. This multidisciplinary approach provided a deeper understanding of the relationship between pigment structure, illumination conditions, and viewing angles in our visual perception of printed pigments, which is of great importance for the development and optimization of goniochromatic materials. The results showed that while A2 and F2 illuminants have a negligible impact on lightness differences across all pigments, they induce noticeable variations in color, chroma, and hue differences, particularly at near-specular angles (−15° and 15°). Conversely, these differences become negligible at far-aspecular angles (75° and 110°). Furthermore, flop index (FI) analysis revealed that despite the larger borosilicate flakes in the M-series, the silicon dioxide-based C-series pigments exhibited the highest overall flop effect, with pigment C1 maintaining consistently high FI values under all illuminants. Full article

Background: Soil mulching is a widely adopted agricultural practice known to regulate soil microclimate and enhance crop productivity; yet the biochemical mechanisms by which intact plastic and biodegradable mulch films influence soil nitrogen (N) cycling at the metabolic pathway level remain largely unexplored. Understanding these nitrogen transformation pathways is critical for assessing the long-term impacts of mulching materials on soil microbial communities, soil health, and sustainable agricultural management. This study focuses on the biochemical effects of intact mulch film application on soil N metabolism. Methods: N cycle-related soil metabolites were profiled using GC–MS/MS and MALDI TOF/TOF MS and then integrated with multivariate statistical modelling and pathway-level metabolic network perturbation analysis to compare conventional plastic and biodegradable plastic mulch film application against unmulched controls. Results: A panel of 62 KEGG-annotated N-cycle metabolites was profiled, and material-dependent metabolome separation was confirmed by OPLS-DA (R²Y 0.893–0.956; Q² 0.546–0.786). Both mulching materials significantly perturbed soil N-metabolite pools but differed in terms of pathway identity, magnitude, and directionality. Conventional plastic mulching caused the greatest disruption—near-complete suppression of N-storage and stress-adaptation pools (NES of −1.16; impact score of 10.01) and severe impairment of aspartate-centred metabolism—with L-aspartate identified as a critical stoichiometric hub. Biodegradable mulching material imposed a distinct profile dominated by inhibition of branched-chain amino acid catabolism and lysine degradation, with L-pipecolate as a treatment-specific critical impact node. Conclusions: These findings support that mulching material choice is a primary determinant of soil N-cycling biochemistry. The observed metabolite-level perturbations are suggestive of potential consequences for nitrogen retention. Though this inference is based on metabolite pool size differences and network topology metrics rather than directly measured process rates, it should therefore be interpreted with appropriate caution. Full article

This study investigated the impact of cobalt/nickel-silicate loadings on graphitic carbon nitride at 10% and 20% doses, designated (CoNiSi-10) and (CoNiSi-20), for the removal of ciprofloxacin (CPF), a hazardous, bioaccumulative antibiotic. The synthesized composites were characterized in detail using SEM, EDX, TEM, N₂ adsorption–desorption, XRD, and FTIR techniques. The CoNiSi-10 and CoNiSi-20 exhibited CPF q_t values of 64 and 107 mg g⁻¹, respectively, which were consistent with the surface area results. Adsorption kinetics indicated that CPF uptake on CoNiSi-10 and CoNiSi-20 fitted the Lagergren model, with the liquid-film and intraparticle-diffusion mechanisms co-governing CPF sorption. The isotherm investigations indicated CPF adsorption on CoNiSi-10 and CoNiSi-20 aligned with the Langmuir model, suggesting a homogeneous surface, while the Dubinin-Radushkevich results primarily indicated physisorption-based CPF removal. The thermodynamic analyses supported the physisorption outcome and indicated that CPF sorption onto CoNiSi-10 and CoNiSi-20 was endothermic. A five-cycle reusability test yielded average efficiencies of 94% and 96% for CoNiSi-10 and CoNiSi-20, respectively, and an after-sorption analysis indicated their stability and robustness. The ease of synthesis and excellent sorption performance may nominate CoNiSi-10 and CoNiSi-20 as promising adsorbents for treating pharmaceutically contaminated wastewater. Full article

Climate-related disasters increasingly threaten agricultural sustainability and agro-ecological systems, yet public engagement with these risks often remains limited because climate impacts are perceived as psychologically distant. This study examined whether AI-generated audiovisual simulations of climate-related disasters are associated with stronger emotional and action-oriented engagement responses, particularly when scenarios are presented in a familiar local context. Using an experimental survey design, 402 participants broadly reflecting the characteristics in Israel viewed four short AI-generated films depicting wildfire and tsunami scenarios in either local (Israel) or geographically distant settings. Participants were explicitly informed that the videos were generated using artificial intelligence tools. After viewing, participants ranked the scenarios according to emotional response, concern about future implications, perceived personal relevance, and willingness to take action. The findings show a consistent pattern in which locally framed scenarios elicited stronger responses across all four dimensions than geographically distant scenarios. Wildfire scenarios set in Israel were rated as the most emotionally impactful, personally relevant, and action-motivating. Additional differences were observed across demographic groups, with higher engagement among women, younger participants, and respondents with higher educational attainment. These results suggest that AI-generated simulations, especially when locally contextualized, may serve as a potentially useful communication tool for reducing psychological distance and strengthening public engagement with climate-related environmental risks that may indirectly affect agricultural sustainability and agro-ecological resilience. Full article

With the global advancement of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals, the importance of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies has become increasingly prominent. As a critical component of CCUS systems, gaseous CO₂ pipeline transportation has emerged as a research hotspot due to its efficiency and cost effectiveness. However, there are invariably corrosion problems when it comes to gaseous CO₂ pipeline transportation. These issues pose a significant threat to both the safety and economic viability of pipeline operations. Therefore, it is of importance to investigate gaseous CO₂ corrosion during pipeline transportation. In this work, based on recent domestic and international research achievements, research progress in the field of gaseous CO₂ corrosion during pipeline transportation is systematically reviewed. First, the corrosion mechanisms and corrosion characteristics during gaseous CO₂ pipeline transportation are studied, and the synergistic mechanisms by which key parameters such as impurities, temperature, pressure, flow velocity, and water content jointly influence pipeline wall corrosion behavior are elucidated. Then, corrosion products in CO₂ transportation pipelines are analyzed, and protective measures applicable to gaseous CO₂ pipeline systems are synthesized. Finally, future research goals are proposed to promote research on gaseous CO₂ corrosion during pipeline transportation: the impact of interactions among multiple impurities on corrosion behavior should be clarified; the inhibitory effects of the dynamic evolution of product films on mass transfer processes should be considered in corrosion rate calculation models; and more economical and efficient anti-corrosion technologies should be developed to meet diverse operational requirements. This work can provide guidance for the corrosion protection of gaseous CO₂ pipeline transportation. Full article

Essential oils (EOs) are widely studied as natural antimicrobial and antioxidant agents in food systems. However, their high volatility, low water solubility, instability, phytotoxicity, and strong aroma often limit their consistent applicability for food preservation. This review critically examines the literature and synthesizes current essential oil stabilization and delivery strategies in food systems, integrated with a bibliometric analysis of Scopus-indexed literature published before June 2025. The bibliometric findings showed an expanding research field, supported by 543 authors and 54 journals, revealing the disciplinary diversity of research on essential oil-based preservation systems. In addition, the review highlights a significant focus of studies on nanoemulsions, encapsulation, and active packaging in essential oil applications. Interestingly, the study also reveals the emergence of non-contact, or vapor-phase, technologies with improved release management. Furthermore, the review shows that essential oils’ functionality depends not only on major bioactive compounds but also on chemical class, oxidative sensitivity, release behavior, interactions with the food matrix, and the delivery platform. Mechanistically, stabilization technologies such as emulsions, encapsulation, and coatings/films can improve the protection, dispersion, and release of essential oils; however, their effectiveness strongly relies on formulation variables, matrix composition, and the regulatory framework. Emerging platforms such as nanofibers, zeolites, and metal–organic frameworks offer promising routes for vapor-phase or non-contact delivery systems, ensuring improved release control, functionality, and sensory quality, but may be limited by their scalability and production cost. However, a major research gap identified by this review is the imbalance between extensive “in vitro” studies and limited studies on real food matrices, which impedes understanding of the impacts of food matrices and packaging materials on essential oil release kinetics, antimicrobial efficacy, and sensory quality. Therefore, future research should integrate real-food applications, consumer acceptability, shelf-life performance, release-kinetic modeling, and techno-economic analysis to advance essential-oil-based technologies in food systems. Full article

The growing request for more sustainable materials and environmentally friendly nanofabrication methods in the electronics field has recently driven the scientific community in the development of bio-derived materials as an alternative to conventional lithographic resists. In this work, we used chitosan, a biodegradable and biocompatible polysaccharide, as a green direct-write resist material for Atomic Force Microscopy-based nanolithography. Chitosan thin layers were obtained by spin coating and systematically characterized, in terms of thickness and surface roughness, demonstrating nanoscale smoothness and tunable film thickness. Three Pulse–Atomic Force Lithography (P-AFL) approaches, i.e., Constant Pulse, Gradient Pulse, and Raster Pulse AFL methods, were used to pattern nanostructures with constant-depth nanogrooves, variable-depth (2.5D) profile, and three-dimensional nanoholes on chitosan films. The results reveal high pattern fidelity, reproducibility, and tunability of feature dimensions as a function of applied force and scanning direction. Moreover, the RP-AFL technique enabled the fabrication of well-defined 3D nanostructures with depths matching the film thickness, which is a prerequisite for subsequent pattern transfer. This experimental work provided a first proof-of-concept to adopt chitosan as a more sustainable alternative with respect to conventional resists. Moreover, the results highlight P-AFL methods as a versatile and low-impact nanofabrication strategy, contributing to the development of greener micro- and nano-manufacturing technologies. Full article

Modern supply chains have grown more intricate and globally widespread, often involving high consumption of single-use plastic materials for tertiary packaging. LLDPE stretch films represent a widely adopted solution, fully integrated into industrial automation systems and capable of providing effective load protection and pallet stability. However, large volumes of tertiary packaging consumed worldwide are associated with significant environmental impacts. In this context, it is necessary to rethink these systems from an ecodesign perspective, analyzing product design aspects such as usage conditions, film thickness, stretchability, and the presence of additional components. The present study evaluates, through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), the environmental performance of five LLDPE stretch films for which primary industrial data were collected. A comparison based on 1 m² of film shows that the solution containing 30% recycled content, characterized by minimal thickness and a high pre-stretch ratio (200%), outperforms the solution with the highest recycled content. Furthermore, the elimination of the cardboard core and its replacement with reusable dispensers further contributes to impact reduction. These findings demonstrate that a system-based approach, which considers multiple parameters and prioritizes functional efficiency, enables a more substantial improvement in the environmental performance of stretch film packaging than merely increasing recycled content. Full article

The growing demand for sustainable food packaging has intensified interest in biodegradable materials that can reduce environmental impact while preserving food quality. Among these materials, biodegradable polyester–starch composite films functionalized with phenolic compounds have gained attention as promising active packaging systems. They combine the melt processability and structural stability of polyesters, such as poly(lactic acid) (PLA), poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), poly(butylene succinate) (PBS), and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) with the renewability and biodegradability of starch and the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and UV-protective functions of phenolics, such as ferulic acid, quercetin, tea polyphenols, and anthocyanins. This review discusses recent advances in the selection of biodegradable polyesters, starch and thermoplastic starch blending, phenolic incorporation strategies, and their effects on compatibility, morphology, mechanical strength, barrier properties, optical behavior, release, and active packaging functionality. The characteristics and functionality of these films are governed not only by the individual components but also by phase morphology, interfacial interactions, phenolic location, processing conditions, and release control. Key challenges include polyester–starch incompatibility, TPS moisture sensitivity, phenolic stability during melt processing, migration safety, controlled release, and industrial scale-up. Collectively, biodegradable polyester–starch films functionalized with phenolic compounds represent a promising route for developing next-generation sustainable active packaging and may contribute to circular economy approaches. Full article

The long-term utilization and low recycling rate of agricultural films have resulted in substantial increases in plastic debris and microplastics remaining in the soil, impacting the sustainable utilization of agricultural soil. However, the distribution and ecological toxicity of microplastics in long-term film-covered greenhouses and nongreenhouse vegetable fields on soil animals remain unclear. In this study, six typical greenhouse and nongreenhouse vegetable fields in the Shenyang area, which had been covered with plastic film for more than 20 years, were investigated. The distribution of microplastic abundance, shape, and source across different particle sizes in soil, as well as their oxidative damage toxicity effects on earthworms, were examined. The results demonstrated that the total abundance of microplastics in greenhouse soil was greater than that in nongreenhouse soil. Plastic fragments and microplastics > 2 mm were more prevalent in nongreenhouse soil, whereas microplastics < 2 mm were predominantly found in greenhouse soil, accounting for 89.9–98.6%. Notably, the abundance of microplastics with small particle sizes of 20–40 μm was high in greenhouse soils, and their proportion increased with increasing soil depth, with the cucumber and tomato groups showing increased abundances. Microplastics were identified mainly as thin-film and filamentous forms composed of polyethylene and polypropylene. After 56 d of exposure, a slight increase in malondialdehyde was detected in the earthworms in the soil where the cucumbers and tomatoes were grown. Mantel analysis revealed a significant correlation between the particle size of the microplastics and oxidative stress markers in the earthworms. Although greenhouse soil currently only causes slight oxidative damage to earthworms, over time, the oxidative damage caused by greenhouse systems to earthworms will increase. Therefore, regulatory measures should be implemented to standardize vegetable field management, especially with respect to microplastic pollution. Full article

Sensors and biosensors designed for biomarker detection in biological samples often suffer from performance loss caused by surface fouling, interface blocking, and matrix interference. Although these effects are frequently discussed separately, in real sensing systems they are strongly interconnected and they determine analytical reliability, especially in body fluids like serum, plasma, whole blood, sweat, and other complex media. This review provides a practical and mechanism-oriented overview of how these processes originate, how they differ, and how they ultimately lead to signal drift, reduced sensitivity, false-positive responses, and shortened sensor lifetime. We first discuss the molecular origins of interface failure, including protein adsorption, conditioning film formation, nonspecific binding, ionic strength effects, pH fluctuations, viscosity-related diffusion changes, and electroactive interferents. The impact of these phenomena is then compared across major sensing platforms, including electrochemical, potentiometric, optical, capacitive sensors, field-effect transistors and wearable biosensors. A central part of this review focuses on practical prevention strategies already employed in real biomarker sensing platforms. These include hydration-driven antifouling coatings, zwitterionic and hydrogel interfaces, post-immobilization blocking with bovine serum albumin, mercaptohexanol and ethanolamine, ionophore and membrane engineering in ion-selective electrodes, hydrophobic solid-contact layers for water-layer suppression, regeneration workflows, membrane and microfluidic pre-treatment, and AI-assisted drift correction. By combining advances in materials engineering, surface chemistry, sample handling, and algorithmic correction, this review highlights strategies to improve sensor stability in complex biological fluids. Overall, it offers a practical guide for developing next-generation low-fouling, drift-resistant, and self-correcting sensing systems for reliable biomarker analysis at the point of care. Full article

Microplastic pollution has become a global concern due to its widespread impacts on organisms and ecosystems. While there have been a few studies quantifying microplastics in inland areas of Puerto Rico, none, to our knowledge, have studied nearshore coastal surface waters. This study, therefore, presents the first assessment of microplastic concentrations and descriptions in the surface waters of La Parguera Natural Reserve, southwestern Puerto Rico. Using 333-micron plankton net trawls, we found low mean ± standard deviation microplastic concentrations of 0.02 ± 0.07 microplastic particles m⁻³ (95% confidence interval = 0.01 to 0.04 microplastic particles m⁻³). The most prevalent polymers were high-density polyethylene (48%) and polyethylene (32%), followed by polypropylene (11%) and polystyrene (7%). The most common colors were white (50%), blue (34%), black (8%), red (5%), and colorless (3%). Subsequently, the common structures found were fragments (78%), filaments (12%), films (8%), and fibers (2%). No clear coastal gradient or seasonal patterns were detected (p < 0.05), and mean concentrations were similar to previously surveyed oceanic waters from the Caribbean, suggesting coastal sources of marine microplastics were minimal compared to oceanic sources. This study provides a foundational understanding of microplastics in the coastal waters of La Parguera Natural Reserve and provides critical baseline data for detecting potential future changes in microplastic concentrations. Full article