Search Results (1,677)

We report on the welding of optical borosilicate glass to an unpolished copper substrate (surface Ra of 0.27 µm and Rz of 1.89 µm) using bursts of femtosecond laser pulses. The present paper puts forth the hypothesis that glass–metal welding with a gap is contingent upon the ejection of molten jets of glass. We have ascertained the impact of pulse energy and focal position on weldability. This finding serves to substantiate our initial hypothesis and provides a framework for understanding the conditions under which this hypothesis is applicable. Under optimal conditions, but without the assistance of any clamping system, our welded samples maintained a breaking resistance of up to 10.9 MPa. Full article

The development of anode-free sodium metal batteries (AFSMBs) offers a promising pathway to achieve ultrahigh energy density and cost efficiency inherent to conventional sodium ion/metal batteries. However, irreversible Na plating/stripping and dendritic growth remain critical barriers. Herein, we demonstrate that separator engineering is a pivotal strategy for stabilizing AFSMBs. Through systematic evaluation of four separators—2500 separator (PP), 2325 separator (PP/PE/PP), glass fiber (GF), and an Al₂O₃-coated PE membrane, we reveal that the Al₂O₃-coated separator uniquely enables exceptional interfacial kinetics and morphological control. Na||Na symmetric cells with Al₂O₃ coated separator exhibit ultralow polarization (4.5 mV) and the highest exchange current density (1.77 × 10⁻² mA cm⁻²), while the anode-free AlC-NFPP full cells retain 91.6% capacity after 150 cycles at 2C. Specifically, the Al₂O₃ coating homogenizes Na⁺ flux, promotes dense and planar Na deposition, and facilitates near-complete stripping with minimal “dead Na”. This work establishes ceramic-functionalized separators as essential enablers of practical high-energy AFSMBs. Full article

Parametric changes in the first coordination shell (FCS) of a vitreous metallic Pd_42.5Cu₃₀Ni_7.5P₂₀ alloy are analysed, aiming to confirm the identification of the glass transition temperature (T_g) via processing of XRD patterns utilising radial and pair distribution functions (RDFs and PDFs) and their evolution with temperature. The Wendt–Abraham empirical criterion of glass transition and its modifications are confirmed in line with previous works, which utilised the kink of the temperature dependences of the minima and maxima of both the PDF and the maxima of the structure factor S(q). Massive fluctuations are, however, identified near the T_g of the derivatives of the minima and maxima of the PDF and maxima of S(q), which adds value to understanding the glass transition in the system as a true second-order-like phase transformation in the non-equilibrium system of atoms. Full article

This study investigates the use of waste glass powder derived from fluorescent lamps as a partial replacement for cement in mortar production, aiming to valorize this Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and enhance sustainability in the construction sector. Mortars were formulated by substituting 25% of cement by volume with glass powders from fluorescent lamp glass and green bottle glass. The experimental program evaluated mechanical strength, durability parameters and ecotoxicological performance. Results revealed that clean fluorescent lamp mortars showed the most promising mechanical behavior, exceeding the reference in long-term compressive (54.8 MPa) and flexural strength (10.0 MPa). All glass mortars exhibited significantly reduced chloride diffusion coefficients (85–89%) and increased electrical resistivity (almost 4 times higher), indicating improved durability. Leaching tests confirmed that the incorporation of fluorescent lamp waste did not lead to hazardous levels of heavy metals in the cured mortars, suggesting effective encapsulation. By addressing both technical (mechanical and durability) and ecotoxic performance, this research contributes in an original and relevant way to the development of more sustainable building materials. Full article

Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as advanced porous crystalline materials due to their highly ordered structures, ultra-high surface areas, fine-tunable pore sizes, and massive chemical diversity. These features, arising from the coordination between an almost unlimited number of metal ions/clusters and organic linkers, have resulted in significant interest in MOFs for applications in gas storage, catalysis, sensing, energy, and biomedicine. Beyond their stand-alone properties and applications, recent research has increasingly explored the integration of MOFs with other substrates, particularly electrodes, polymeric thin films, and glass surfaces, to create synergistic effects that enhance material performance and broaden application potential. Coating MOFs onto these substrates can yield significant benefits, including, but not limited to, improved sensitivity and selectivity in electrochemical sensors, enhanced mechanical and separation properties in membranes, and multifunctional coatings for optical and environmental applications. This review provides a comprehensive and up-to-date summary of recent advances (primarily from the past 3–5 years) in MOF coating techniques, including layer-by-layer assembly, in situ growth, and electrochemical deposition. This is followed by a discussion of the representative applications arising from MOF-substrate coating and an outline of key challenges and future directions in this rapidly evolving field. This article aims to serve as a focused reference point for researchers interested in both fundamental strategies and applied developments in MOF surface coatings. Full article

Biofilms cause a variety of problems, such as food spoilage, food poisoning, infection, tooth decay, periodontal disease, and metal corrosion, so knowledge on biofilm prevention and removal is important. A detailed observation of the three-dimensional structure of biofilms on the nanoscale is expected to provide insight into this. In this study, we report on the successful in situ nanoscale observations of a marine bacterial biofilm on glass in phosphate buffer solution (PBS) using both scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) over the same area. By observing the same area by SICM and CLSM, we were able to clarify the three-dimensional morphology of the biofilm, the arrangement of bacteria within the biofilm, and the difference in local ion conductivity within the biofilm simultaneously, which could not be achieved by observation using a microscope alone. Full article

The stabilization of heavy metal elements, such as zinc, in the form of ions within the glass-ceramics represents a valuable approach to addressing environmental pollution caused by heavy metals. This study investigates the feasibility and physicochemical properties of diopside-based glass-ceramics synthesized from zinc-containing smelting slag. The zinc-rich smelting slag is abundant in SiO₂, Al₂O₃, CaO, and other constituents, thereby providing cost-effective and efficient raw materials for glass-ceramic production. The conversion of zinc-containing smelting slag into glass-ceramics was achieved through a melting process. We analyzed the effects of varying doping levels on the properties of the resulting glass-ceramics. The results indicated that as the doping level of smelting slag increases, the crystallization temperature of the glass-ceramics decreases while the crystal phases of diopside and anorthite progressively increase, significantly enhancing both mechanical strength and chemical stability. Notably, when the doping level reaches 60%, these glass-ceramics exhibit remarkable physical properties, including high density (3.12 g/cm³), Vickers hardness (16.60 GPa), and excellent flexural strength (150.75 MPa). Furthermore, with increasing amounts of doped smelting slag, there are substantial improvements in acid resistance, alkali resistance, and corrosion resistance in these materials. Raman spectroscopy and EDS analysis further verified a uniform distribution of the crystal phase and effective immobilization of heavy metal zinc. Full article

This paper describes the development of a new hybrid composite for the metal joints of aluminium and glass fibre composite adherents. The aluminium adherend is manufactured using friction stir-formed studs that are inserted into the composite adherend in the through-thickness direction during the composite manufacturing process, where the dry fibres are displaced to accommodate the studs before the resin infusion process. The materials used were AA6082-T6 aluminium and plain-woven E-glass fabric reinforced epoxy, with primary applications in naval vessels. This joining approach offers a cost-effective solution that does not require complicated onsite welding. The joint design was developed based on a simulation test program with finite element analysis, followed by experimental characterisation and validation. The design solution was analysed in terms of the force displacement response, sequence of load transfer, and characterisation of the joint failure modes. Full article

To meet the rapid maneuverability and lightweight demands of micro-nano satellites, a space micro solid thruster using 3D-printed short glass fiber reinforced polyamide 6 (PA6GF) composites was developed. Thruster shells with wall thicknesses of 4, 3, and 2.5 mm were designed, and ground ignition tests were conducted to monitor chamber pressure and shell temperature. Compared with conventional metallic thrusters, PA6GF composites have exhibited excellent thermal insulation and sufficient mechanical strength. Under 8 MPa and 2773 K ignition conditions, the shell thickness was reduced to 2.5 mm and could withstand pressures up to 10.37 MPa. These results indicate that PA6GF composites are well-suited for space micro solid thrusters with inner diameters of 15–70 mm, offering new possibilities for lightweight space propulsion system design. Full article

The treatment of contaminants from road infrastructure poses significant challenges due to their variable composition and the high concentrations of chloride ions, heavy metals, and oil-derived substances. Traditional methods for protecting groundwater environments are often insufficient. A promising alternative is permeable reactive barrier (PRB) technology, which utilizes recycled materials and construction waste as reactive components within the treatment zone of the ground. This paper delves into the potential of employing a composite (MIX) consisting of modified construction aggregate (as recycled material) and activated carbon (example of reactive material) to address environmental contamination from a mixture of heavy metals and chloride. The research involved chemical modifications of the road aggregate, activated carbon, and their composite, followed by laboratory tests in glass reactors and non-flow batch tests to evaluate the kinetics and chemical equilibrium of the reactions. The adsorption process was stable and conformed to the pseudo-second-order kinetics and Langmuir, Toth, and Redlich–Peterson isotherm models. Studies using MIX from a heavy metal model solution showed that monolayer adsorption was a key mechanism for removing heavy metals, with strong fits to the Langmuir (R² > 0.80) and Freundlich models, and optimal efficiencies for Cd and Ni (R² > 0.90). The best fit, at Cd, Cu, Ni = 0.96, however, was with the Redlich–Peterson isotherm, indicating a mix of physical and chemical adsorption on heterogeneous surfaces. The Toth model was significant for all analytes, fitting Cl and Cd well and Pb and Zn moderately. The modifications made to the composite significantly enhanced its effectiveness in removing the contaminant mixture. The test results demonstrated an average reduction of chloride by 85%, along with substantial removals of heavy metals: lead (Pb) by 90%, cadmium (Cd) by 86%, nickel (Ni) by 85%, copper (Cu) by 81%, and zinc (Zn) by 79%. Further research should focus on the removal of other contaminants and the optimization of magnesium oxide (MgO) dosage. Full article

Automated waste classification is an essential step toward efficient recycling and waste management. Traditional deep learning models, such as convolutional neural networks, rely on extensive labeled datasets to achieve high accuracy. However, the annotation process is labor-intensive and time-consuming, limiting the scalability of these approaches in real-world applications. Zero-shot learning is a machine learning paradigm that enables a model to recognize and classify objects it has never seen during training by leveraging semantic relationships and external knowledge sources. In this study, we investigate the potential of zero-shot learning for waste classification using two vision-language models: OWL-ViT and OpenCLIP. These models can classify waste without direct exposure to labeled examples by leveraging textual prompts. We apply this approach to the TrashNet dataset, which consists of images of municipal solid waste organized into six distinct categories: cardboard, glass, metal, paper, plastic, and trash. Our experimental results yield an average classification accuracy of 76.30% with Open Clip ViT-L/14-336 model, demonstrating the feasibility of zero-shot learning for waste classification while highlighting challenges in prompt sensitivity and class imbalance. Despite lower accuracy than CNN- and ViT-based classification models, zero-shot learning offers scalability and adaptability by enabling the classification of novel waste categories without retraining. This study underscores the potential of zero-shot learning in automated recycling systems, paving the way for more efficient, scalable, and annotation-free waste classification methodologies. Full article

Pharmaceutical packaging materials play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and efficacy of medications. This mini-review examines the properties of common packaging materials (glass, plastics, metals, and rubber) and their implications for drug safety. By analyzing 127 research articles from PubMed, Web of Science, and CNKI databases (2000–2025), we also discuss recent regulatory updates in China and highlight emerging technologies, including nanomaterials, sustainable packaging solutions, and intelligent packaging systems that present new opportunities for the pharmaceutical industry. Key findings include the following: (1) The physicochemical properties of packaging materials and potential microbial contamination risks during production significantly impact drug quality and safety, underscoring the need for enhanced research and regulatory oversight. (2) Each material exhibits distinct advantages and limitations: glass demonstrates superior chemical stability but may leach ions; plastics offer versatility but risk plasticizer migration; metals provide exceptional strength yet have limited applications; rubber ensures effective sealing but may release additives compromising drug quality. (3) The pharmaceutical packaging sector is evolving toward intelligent systems and sustainable solutions to address contemporary healthcare challenges. This review can aid pharmaceutical companies in selecting drug packaging and guide manufacturers in developing innovative packaging solutions. Full article

In this study, the influence of annealing on the phase evolution and mechanical properties of the Fe₆₂Ni₁₈P₁₃C₇ (at.%) alloy was investigated. Ribbons produced via melt-spinning were annealed at various temperatures, and their structural transformations and hardness were evaluated. The alloy exhibited a narrow supercooled liquid region (ΔT_x ≈ 22 °C), confirming its low glass-forming ability (GFA). Primary crystallization began at approximately 380 °C with the formation of α-(Fe,Ni) and Fe₂NiP, followed by the emergence of γ-(Fe,Ni) phase at higher temperatures. A significant increase in hardness was observed after annealing up to 415 °C, primarily due to nanocrystallization and phosphide precipitation. Further heating resulted in a hardness plateau, followed by a noticeable decline. Additionally, samples were produced via selective laser melting (SLM). The microstructure of the SLM-processed material revealed extensive cracking and the coexistence of phosphorus-rich regions corresponding to Fe₂NiP and iron-rich regions associated with γ-(Fe,Ni). Full article

During the operation of structures, the components and materials from which they are made are exposed to various environmental, technological, and operational impacts. In this context, the use of a modified water-dispersion composition containing finely dispersed fillers with enhanced protective and performance characteristics proves to be effective. This article examines the development of a paint-and-coating composition using hollow glass microspheres and modified diatomite as finely dispersed fillers. The influence of technological factors on the properties of coating materials based on a synthesized acrylic dispersion and fillers—such as modified diatomite and hollow glass microspheres ranging from 20 to 100 μm in size with a bulk density of 0.107–0.252 g/cm³—is analyzed. The optimal formulation of the coating materials was determined to ensure the required coating quality. Experimental results demonstrate the improved strength and hardness of the coating due to the use of acrylic dispersion obtained through an emulsifier-free method and modifiers in the form of finely dispersed fillers. It has been established that the resulting samples also exhibit high adhesion to mineral and metallic substrates, along with excellent corrosion resistance. Moreover, the incorporation of acrylic dispersion contributes to increased elasticity of the coating, resulting in improved resistance to washing and abrasion. The developed protective material can be applied to a variety of surfaces, including walls, ceilings, and roofs of buildings and structures, pipelines, and many other applications. Thus, modified water-dispersion compositions based on synthesized acrylic dispersion showed the following results: resistance to sticking—5, which is the best; chemical resistance and gloss level with standard single-phase acrylic dispersion—no destruction or change in gloss. The adhesion of coatings cured under natural conditions and under the influence of UV radiation was 1 point. The developed formulations for obtaining water-dispersion paint and varnish compositions based on synthesized polymer dispersions, activated diatomite, and hollow glass microspheres, meet all the regulatory requirements for paint and varnish materials in terms of performance, and in terms of economic indicators, the cost of 1 kg of paint is 30% lower than the standard. Full article

Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) bars are becoming increasingly common in structural engineering applications due to their superior material properties, mainly their resistance to corrosion due to their metallic nature in comparison to steel reinforcement and their improved durability in alkaline environments compared to CFRP and BFRP reinforcement. However, GFRP bars also suffer from a few limitations. One of the main issues that affects the performance of GFRP reinforcing bars is their bond with concrete, which may differ from the bond between traditional steel bars and concrete. However, despite the wide attention of researchers, there has not been a critical review of the recent research progress on bond behavior between GFRP bars and concrete. The objective of this paper is to provide an overview of the current state of research on bond in GFRP-reinforced concrete in an attempt to systematize the existing scientific knowledge. The study summarizes experimental investigations that directly measure bond strength and investigates the different factors that influence it. Additionally, an overview of the analytical and empirical models used to simulate bond behavior is then presented. The findings indicate the dependence of the bond on several factors that include bar diameter, bar surface, concrete strength, and embedment length. Additionally, it was concluded that both traditional and more recent bond models do not explicitly account for the effect of different factors, which highlights the need for improved bond models that do not require calibration with experimental tests. Full article