Search Results (3,141)

The Ordovician strata in Northern Tarim host extensively developed carbonate karst reservoirs that contain abundant hydrocarbon resources. However, owing to extreme burial depths, pronounced heterogeneity, and limited seismic resolution within the Tarim Basin, the diagenetic fluid types and their specific influences on reservoir development remain poorly understood. Consequently, this study integrates core observation, thin-section identification (TSI), cathodoluminescence (CL), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), stable isotopes (C, O, Sr), trace and rare earth elements (REE), fluid inclusion analysis (FIA), and in situ laser U-Pb dating (U-Pb). This multifaceted petrographic and geochemical approach characterizes the macro- and microscopic geological features of these karst reservoirs. By elucidating the types, timing, and phases of diagenetic fluids, this research evaluates fluid-driven impacts on reservoir quality and establishes a comprehensive genetic model for reservoir evolution. Results identify five distinct tectonic fracturing phases. Phases 1, 2, and 4 involved calcite infilling precipitated from seawater and meteoric freshwater, with fluid inclusion homogenization temperatures of 62–87 °C, 57–91 °C, and 94–126 °C, formed during the Caledonian–Hercynian, Early Hercynian, and Indosinian–Yanshanian periods, respectively. Phase 3 featured hydrothermal dolomite infilling during the Hercynian, with fluid inclusion homogenization temperatures ranging from 128 to 163 °C, whereas Phase 5 remained unfilled during the Himalayan. Constrained by the U–Pb age interval of 445.2–436.5 Ma acquired from vug-filling calcite together with cross-cutting petrographic relationships, multi-stage meteoric freshwater dissolution mainly occurred from Middle Caledonian Episode III (447–443.7 Ma) to the Early Hercynian (460–359 Ma). Reservoirs within the Penglaiba–Lower Yingshan Formations underwent a complex evolution comprising syngenetic-to-early diagenetic pore development, Middle Caledonian–Early Hercynian weathering crust karstification and dedolomitization, and Late Hercynian hydrothermal dissolution-infilling, ultimately resulting in the formation of tectonic-karst composite reservoirs. Full article

Femtosecond laser processing enables spatially controlled modification of the structure, composition, and functionality of advanced materials through highly localized energy deposition and laser–matter interaction mechanisms. This review discusses the role of ultrafast laser irradiation in the engineering of oxide-based functional systems, including functional oxides, oxide-containing layers, interfaces, and heterogeneous structures whose properties are substantially determined by an oxide component. The mechanisms governing laser-induced oxidation, phase transformation, elemental redistribution, defect generation, and hierarchical micro-/nanostructure formation are considered. Particular attention is given to the ability of femtosecond laser processing to create surfaces with tailored interactions with light, liquids, biological environments, and external stimuli, enabling responsive devices and advanced manufacturing strategies. Laser-modified oxide layers and nanostructured interfaces are analyzed as pathways for controlling surface energy, optical properties, chemical activity, and functional response. The relationship between laser-generated architectures and their applications in sensing, actuation, wetting control, and multifunctional systems is discussed. By connecting ultrafast laser surface engineering with emerging 4D manufacturing concepts, this review highlights femtosecond laser technologies as a versatile platform for designing systems with spatially programmed functionality and, where stimulus-dependent behavior is demonstrated, time-dependent performance. Such approaches provide opportunities for integrating adaptive oxide-based functional systems into advanced manufacturing. Full article

Surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (SALDI-MSI) using steel target coated with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by electrodeposition was applied for the direct visualization of metabolites in bulb tissue of Narcissus pseudonarcissus. Fresh bulb cross-sections were transferred onto an AgNP-SALDI target by a simple tissue imprint procedure and analyzed using a MALDI TOF mass spectrometer operating in positive-ion reflectron mode. Ion images were generated after total ion current normalization and metabolite annotation was performed based on accurate mass measurements, characteristic silver adduct formation, database searches and literature data. Twenty-one ion images representing seventeen putatively annotated metabolites were selected for detailed discussion. The putatively annotated compounds included primary metabolites (histidine, malic acid, succinic acid, thiamine, coenzyme A and acetyl-coenzyme A), phytohormones (indole-3-acetic acid, indole-3-butyric acid, 3-indolepropionic acid, 4-chloroindole-3-acetic acid and abscisic acid), flavonoids and characteristic Amaryllidaceae alkaloids, including galanthamine, lycoramine, crinine, assoanine, habranthine and 5,6-dihydrobicolorine. Distinct spatial distributions were observed for individual metabolites, reflecting the metabolic heterogeneity of bulb tissues. The results demonstrate that AgNPs-SALDI-MSI provides a rapid, matrix-free approach for in situ visualization of low-molecular-weight metabolites in plant tissues while preserving their spatial organization, making it a promising tool for plant metabolomics and phytochemical investigations. Full article

This study presents a systematic investigation into the mechanical responses of two tungsten-based alloys—84W–11.2Ni–4.8Fe and 88W–8.4Ni–3.6Fe—fabricated via selective laser melting (SLM). Quasi-static compression tests using a universal testing machine and dynamic impact experiments employing a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) were conducted over a temperature range of 298–598 K and strain rates spanning from 1 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹ to 2.3 × 10³ s⁻¹. Both alloys exhibited significant strain-rate hardening and thermal softening effects. Based on the experimental data, a Johnson–Cook (J–C) constitutive model was established. The fidelity of the calibrated model for the 84W alloy was rigorously validated through pulsed X-ray radiography and static armor penetration tests. The SLM-fabricated 84W-shaped charge liner produced a well-collimated jet with a tip velocity of 5101.5 m/s and achieved a penetration depth of 87 mm into rolled homogeneous armor (RHA)-equivalent steel targets. Numerical simulations using the developed J–C model showed close agreement with experimental measurements, with a maximum discrepancy of only 9.19%, thereby confirming the predictive capability of the constitutive model. These results demonstrate that the proposed J–C model can reliably characterize the large-deformation behavior of SLM-processed 84W and 88W liners under the extreme thermomechanical conditions characteristic of shaped charge jet formation—namely high temperature, high pressure, and ultra-high strain rate. Collectively, this work establishes a foundational framework for the application of SLM technology to shaped charge liner design and provides a critical basis for further research into jet formation physics and penetration mechanics of tungsten-based alloys. Full article

Titanium alloys are widely used for implants, yet corrosion, bacterial colonization and incomplete osseointegration remain important causes of interfacial failure. This review critically analyzes major biomedical functional coating fabrication techniques employed to enhance the surface properties of titanium alloys, including micro-arc oxidation, anodic oxidation, magnetron sputtering, electrochemical deposition, electrophoretic deposition, plasma spraying, physical vapor deposition, plasma immersion ion implantation, laser surface treatment, and hybrid (composite) approaches. For each method, key operational principles, structural and functional characteristics, performance advantages and limitations, and representative application domains are critically analyzed. Across these routes, biological performance depends on coating continuity, pore or nanotube geometry, interfacial bonding, phase composition and ion release. Calcium- and phosphorus-rich oxides and hydroxyapatite deposits generally promote cell adhesion, proliferation, alkaline phosphatase activity, mineralization and osteogenic differentiation. Dense oxide, nitride, tantalum and carbon-based films strengthen corrosion barriers, whereas Mn, Zn, Cu and Ag containing surfaces can inhibit bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation. Excessive ion release, however, may compromise cytocompatibility. Reported outcomes also vary with test medium, exposure time, bacterial strain and cell model. Standardized quantitative endpoints and longer-term corrosion, biofilm and osseointegration studies are required to guide clinically reliable multifunctional coatings. Full article

Ultrafast laser processing enables the creation of functional surfaces in metals, semiconductors, ceramics, polymers and other materials through spatially controlled nonequilibrium energy deposition. However, the resulting surface functionality cannot be explained solely by laser parameters or geometric features. Femtosecond irradiation induces a sequence of coupled processes, including nanoscale structuring, phase transformation, chemical modification, defect formation, and relaxation, which define the final surface state. This review introduces the Surface-by-Design concept, where functional surfaces are considered as engineered material states formed through controlled laser–matter interaction rather than as predefined patterns. Representative examples including laser-induced periodic surface structures, hierarchical micro/nanotextures, modified oxide layers, and laser-generated functional interfaces are analyzed in relation to wettability, tribological behavior, corrosion resistance, optical response, and other properties. The review further examines how advanced characterization, digital engineering, beam shaping, in situ diagnostics, and data-driven methods contribute to controlling surface evolution. Remaining challenges include reproducibility, scalability, and reliable prediction of functional behavior during service conditions. Future progress in femtosecond laser surface engineering will depend on the ability to control not only the generated morphology but also the evolving structural and physicochemical state of functional interfaces. Full article

Grain boundaries affect the mechanical and functional properties of crystalline materials by influencing interfacial energy, mobility, segregation, and the accumulation of damage. Among the grain boundaries in the grain boundary network, coincidence site lattice boundaries form a particular type of special grain boundary that is characterized by a higher degree of lattice-site coincidence. The present study examined the mechanisms involved in the formation of grain boundaries in a laser-powder-bed-fused AlSi10Mg alloy which had been subjected to two-pass twist equal-channel angular pressing (twist-ECAP). The microstructural evolution, deformation texture, and local orientation gradients were investigated using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). Moreover, atomistic simulations were carried out in order to assess the effect of geometrically necessary boundary (GNB)-like dislocation walls on the retention of planar faults. The EBSD results indicated that twist-ECAP considerably refined the microstructure and produced a strong fiber texture. Most of the Σ3 grain boundary segments detected were found in areas dominated by the ⟨110⟩||ED component, showing that their appearance is strongly dependent on the texture. Also, the atomistic modelling showed that the presence of a GNB-like wall led to the retention of planar-fault configurations and thus resulted in the highest number of atomic environments related to faults and extended dislocation-line lengths. These results show that the formation of Σ3 grain boundary segments in severely deformed LPBF AlSi10Mg is a coupled process which is mainly controlled by macroscopic texture selection and is locally assisted by deformation-boundary evolution. Full article

Laser cladding technology is a widely applied surface modification technique; but its inherent process characteristics render it susceptible to cracking. The addition of rare earth oxides has proven to be an effective approach for curbing crack formation and enhancing the comprehensive performance of the coating. This review summarizes the mechanisms by which rare earth additives improve the coating microstructure, molten bath behavior, and interfacial bonding strength, including adjusting surface tension, purifying the molten bath, and forming interatomic chemical bonding. The addition of rare earth oxides significantly improves the forming quality of materials, which contributes to a finer and more uniform microstructure and directly enhances material hardness and resistance to plastic deformation, thereby altering wear behavior and improving wear resistance. The increased hardness provides better support for the surface oxide film, while the improved microstructure mitigates galvanic corrosion and intergranular corrosion susceptibility, leading to enhanced corrosion resistance. In addition, the article incorporates relevant quantitative analysis to provide a reference basis for the type selection, content optimization, and particle size selection of rare earth additives. This article provides a coherent framework for understanding how the addition of rare earths transfers its effects from the process to the performance. However, the industrial application of rare earth oxide laser cladding faces key bottlenecks such as additive deactivation under extreme conditions, threshold effects, nano-agglomeration, and cost constraints. Full article

Natural water-repellent surfaces use hierarchical texture and low surface energy to minimize liquid adhesion, and this principle has inspired engineered superhydrophobic surfaces for passive anti-icing. However, whether such bioinspired water-repellent architectures remain beneficial during freezing and ice detachment depends on the stability of the wetting state and on the interaction between surface texture and coating chemistry. This study evaluates the anti-icing performance of smooth and laser-textured 1050A aluminum surfaces functionalized with different hydrophobic agents. Freezing delay measurements at −18 °C and ice adhesion strength measurements at −20 °C were conducted, together with wettability, surface free energy, roughness, and morphology analyses, to compare different coatings on identical morphologies and to isolate the effect of laser-generated texture for the same coating chemistry. On smooth surfaces, fluorinated alkyl phosphonic acid coating provided the largest reduction in ice adhesion strength, decreasing it by approximately 72% relative to the non-functionalized reference, while alkyl phosphonic acid coating reduced it by approximately 50%. In contrast, polydimethylsiloxane showed the longest freezing delay, with a mean value of 907 s, whereas the fatty acid-based coatings exhibited shorter freezing delays than the bare reference surface. On laser-textured surfaces, all coatings initially produced highly water-repellent wetting states. However, the differences in ice adhesion strength were markedly reduced and no longer followed the same ranking as on smooth surfaces. Polydimethylsiloxane again exhibited the most favorable freezing delay, while fluorinated alkyl phosphonic acid showed the poorest performance on the textured substrate. These results show that the bioinspired superhydrophobic state created by laser texturing does not by itself guarantee improved anti-icing performance, as under icing conditions, texture-mediated wetting, local liquid penetration, condensation or frost formation inside the texture, and mechanical interlocking can dominate over the nominal low-surface-energy chemistry. Full article

Purpose: Marking the one hundredth anniversary of quantum mechanics in 2025, quantum science has become foundational for the development of contemporary technologies, enabling advances in sensing, imaging, computing, and materials engineering. Cancer radiotherapy, although traditionally developed within the scope of classical dosimetric models and phenomenological biological frameworks, is fundamentally initiated by quantum-mechanical radiation-matter interactions. Radiation-induced DNA damage, which ultimately determines therapeutic effectiveness, originates from primary quantum-mechanical processes involving particle transport, electronic excitation and ionisation, followed by successive physicochemical and chemical stages including water radiolysis and radical formation. As scientific disciplines undergo a rapid “quantum transition,” radiation cancer treatment is increasingly positioned to benefit from deeper integration of quantum principles and emerging quantum technologies. Methods: This review examines how quantum mechanics governs the primary radiation-matter interactions that initiate the physical, physicochemical, chemical, and ultimately biological stages of radiation action at the (sub)cellular level, with particular emphasis on track structure, water radiolysis, DNA damage induction, and multiscale biological response. Contemporary approaches to DNA damage modeling are discussed, including track-structure Monte Carlo methods, nanodosimetric frameworks, and multi-scale simulation approaches that connect microscopic interaction events with biological outcomes. Key quantum concepts relevant to radiation therapy are outlined, together with emerging quantum technologies such as nanoscale quantum sensing, quantum lasers, quantum dots, and quantum computing, which are evaluated for their potential roles in dosimetry, imaging, treatment planning, and radiation transport simulations. In this context, artificial intelligence (AI) is considered a complementary tool to accelerate computation and integrate quantum-informed data across multiple scales. Results: The review highlights that quantum-informed modeling enables a more consistent description of radiation-induced processes across spatial and temporal scales, linking microscopic interaction mechanisms to DNA damage formation and macroscopic biological outcomes. Recent advances in track-structure and radiobiological modeling provide new opportunities for improving predictions of radiation effects and treatment response. Emerging quantum technologies show potential to enhance measurement sensitivity, improve simulation efficiency, and enable more precise control of radiation delivery. Furthermore, AI-assisted approaches facilitate the extraction of predictive patterns from complex datasets, supporting faster and more accurate estimation of biological endpoints such as DNA damage and cell survival. Conclusions: The quantum aspects of advanced treatment modalities, including proton and heavy-ion therapy, ultrafast radiation delivery, and the FLASH effect, as well as future concepts such as laser-plasma-driven and coherence-informed radiotherapy systems, indicate a promising direction for next-generation cancer treatment. By critically assessing both opportunities and limitations, this work provides a coherent framework for integrating DNA damage modeling, quantum principles, quantum-inspired techniques, emerging quantum technologies, and advanced computational tools to guide future developments in radiation oncology. Full article

Film cooling holes are critical cooling structures that enhance the temperature-bearing capacity of turbine blades. Irregularly shaped holes, such as laidback fan-shaped holes (LFSHs), have been demonstrated to exhibit superior cooling performance compared to traditional circular holes. However, the complex shapes and structures pose significant challenges for femtosecond laser processing. Due to the extremely limited reports available, the dependency of femtosecond laser processing on the formation of irregularly shaped holes has not yet been well understood. In this paper, the fabrication process of the LFSH expansion sections and the influence of defocus distance are discussed in detail. By systematically characterizing the surface micro- and nanostructures, three-dimensional topography, and roughness of the expansion sections, the processing differences under positive defocus, zero defocus, and negative defocus are compared. The formation mechanisms of the micro-hole structures on the expansion sections under positive defocus and zero defocus are elaborated by incrementally increasing the number of processing cycles. Under negative defocus, only a smooth honeycomb-like structure forms on the surface of the expansion section, yielding the highest surface quality. Under different processing times, the roughness under negative defocus can be reduced by up to 84.8% and 95.8% compared to zero defocus and positive defocus, respectively. Furthermore, a correlation between the surface micro-hole structure and the edge structure of the hole walls is established. Full article

Relativistic interaction of ultra-intense laser pulses with cluster targets is of particular interest for high-energy-density physics, compact X-ray source development, and laboratory astrophysics. Understanding the dynamics of such plasmas requires precise control of their parameters, in particular temperature, on subpicosecond timescales. In this study, X-ray spectral methods were used to diagnose the laser plasma of krypton cluster targets, created at laser pulse intensities of the order of 10²⁰–10²¹ W/cm². The use of a time-dependent detailed radiation-collisional kinetic model made it possible to describe the results of the observed X-ray spectra in the femtosecond laser plasma of a cluster target. We present a method for diagnosing the non-stationary plasma of high-atomic-number (krypton) clusters using resonance spectral lines 1s²2s²2p⁵3s ¹P₁–1s²2s²2p^{6 1}S₀ and 1s²2s²2p⁵3s ³P₁–1s²2s²2p^{6 1}S₀ of the Ne-like Kr XXVII ion, allowing one to determine the plasma temperature at the moment of “plasma channel” formation. In the experiment, this temperature was shown to be 55 ± 5 eV. The same spectroscopic approach can be extended to other cluster species (for example, Ar, Xe) for non-stationary plasma diagnostics in the relativistic regime. Full article

Rapid corrosion and poor coating adhesion continue to limit the use of magnesium alloys as temporary orthopedic implants. The two-stage laser process was developed to separate the high-temperature melting of 45S5 bioactive glass (BG) from the low-melting-point AZ31 substrate. Femtosecond-laser grids with spacings of 100, 200, and 300 μm were first produced on AZ31 to provide anchoring sites. Then, the target 45S5 BG was suspended above the substrate, locally melted with CO₂ laser, and transported onto the textured surface by gas jet. The 200 μm grid texture for Mg substrate with lowest water contact angle could give the highest tape-test adhesion rating (4B). At the selected deposition conditions of 20 W and 20 L·min⁻¹, two coating cycles produced a continuous layer approximately 50.5 μm thick. Relative to bare Mg alloy, this double-layer coating increased polarization resistance from 1.20 × 103 to 1.39 × 10⁵ Ω·cm² and decreased corrosion current density from 8.70 × 10⁻⁴ to 5.33 × 10⁻⁶ A·cm⁻². It also limited alkalization and mass loss during 28 days in simulated body fluid. As such, the double-layer surface coating supported apatite formation and improved MC3T3-E1 proliferation and alkaline phosphatase activity. These findings indicated that suspended-target deposition was able to form adherent, bioactive glass coatings on magnesium while limiting direct thermal damage to the substrate. Full article

Background/Objectives: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents one of the greatest challenges to modern medicine, particularly in chronic infections sustained by multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens and biofilm formation. SIOOT^® Oxygen–ozone major autohemotherapy (SIOOT^®-O₂-O₃-MAHT) has been proposed as an adjunctive treatment capable of exerting direct antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and immunomodulatory effects. This pilot study evaluated the clinical, microbiological, inflammatory, and mechanistic effects of standardized SIOOT^®-O₂-O₃-MAHT administered alongside conventional antibiotic therapy in patients with chronic MDR bacterial infections. Methods: A prospective longitudinal pilot study was conducted in 257 patients with chronic infectious and inflammatory disorders refractory to prolonged antibiotic treatment. Patients received standardized SIOOT^®-O₂-O₃-MAHT according to protocols from the Italian Scientific Society of Oxygen-Ozone Therapy (SIOOT) in addition to guideline-directed antibiotics. Longitudinal bacterial burden (CFU/mL), culture positivity, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were all assessed over a 12-month follow-up. In parallel, macrophage phagocytosis, intracellular bacterial killing, phago-lysosomal maturation, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) biofilm disruption were investigated using confocal laser scanning microscopy, gentamicin protection assays, and scanning electron microscopy. Results: SIOOT^®-O₂-O₃-MAHT was associated with a progressive reduction in bacterial burden from a geometric mean of 6.43 × 10⁶ CFU/mL before treatment to complete microbiological clearance after one year. Mean bacterial reduction reached 98.53% after one week and 99.95% after one month, while culture positivity decreased from 100% to 0% by one year (all p < 0.0001). ESR normalization increased from 28.2% at one week to 98.1% at one year, and CRP normalization increased from 32.4% to 98.7%. Mechanistic analyses demonstrated significantly enhanced macrophage phagocytosis, phago-lysosomal maturation, intracellular MRSA killing, and marked disruption of mature MRSA biofilms following ozone treatment. Conclusions: Adjunctive SIOOT^®-O₂-O₃-MAHT was associated with reductions in bacterial burden, progressive improvement of systemic inflammatory markers, enhanced macrophage antimicrobial activity, and disruption of bacterial biofilms in patients with chronic multidrug-resistant infections. Given the prospective, non-randomized pilot design, these findings should be considered exploratory and hypothesis-generating, providing biological and clinical rationale for further investigation. Adequately powered randomized controlled trials are required to determine the efficacy, safety, and long-term clinical benefits of adjunctive oxygen–ozone therapy. Full article

Background: Klebsiella pneumoniae is an opportunistic zoonotic pathogen that can cause respiratory diseases in chickens. The aim of this study was to investigate the biofilm formation, resistance, and virulence of K. pneumoniae isolates from chickens in Henan Province, China, between 2023 and 2025, and to analyze the associations among these characteristics. Methods: We identified the isolates through blood agar culture, Gram staining and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Hypermucoviscosity phenotype, biofilm-forming ability, antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes were assessed by the string test, crystal violet assay, disk diffusion and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), respectively. Results: A total of 102 K. pneumoniae isolates were identified. Of these, 81.4% were biofilm-forming strains, and 15.7% exhibited the hypermucoviscosity phenotype. The susceptibility profiles of the K. pneumoniae isolates indicated high resistance to penicillins (>90.0%) and low resistance to carbapenems (<10%), with 88.2% identified as multidrug-resistant. The results of virulence gene detection indicated that luxS (79.4%), mrkD (75.5%), and uge (73.5%) were the most prevalent virulence genes, followed by wabG (49.0%), ybtA (34.3%), and iucA (20.6%). The association analysis indicated that biofilm formation was significant association with multidrug-resistant and the carriage of virulence genes. Compared with non–biofilm–forming isolates, biofilm–forming isolates showed significantly higher resistance to ceftiofur and florfenicol, as well as higher detection rates of luxS, mrkD, and uge (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The data obtained in this study reveal the pathogenic potential and multidrug–resistant characteristics of this pathogen, highlighting the need for surveillance and monitoring. Full article