Search Results (1,236)

In this study, syntactic composite foams were developed by incorporating cenosphere (CS) particles recovered from recycled fly ash into a one-component polyurethane (PU) foam system. During production, CS was added to the spray-applied PU foam at specific ratios, and the foaming reaction was simultaneously initiated via manual mixing. This approach minimized particle settling caused by the filler–matrix density difference and promoted a more homogeneous structure. Two types of CS, with mean sizes of approximately 70 µm and 130 µm, were incorporated at five loadings ranging from 5 wt% to 15 wt%. The resulting composites were evaluated for their acoustic, mechanical, and thermal performance. Thermal analyses revealed that CS addition increased the glass-transition temperature (Tg) by ≈12 °C and delayed the 5% mass-loss temperature (T₅%) by ≈30–35 °C compared with the neat N2 foam, confirming the stabilizing role of cenospheres. The refoaming process with manual mixing promoted finer cell diameters and thicker walls, enhancing the sound absorption coefficient (α), particularly at medium and high frequencies. Moreover, increasing the filler content improved both the sound transmission loss (STL) and compressive strength, alongside density, although further gains in α and STL were limited beyond a 10 wt% filler content. Significant enhancements in compressive strength were achieved at filler ratios above 12.5 wt%. Unlike conventional two-component PU foams, this study demonstrates a sustainable one-component PU system reinforced with recycled cenospheres that simultaneously achieves acoustic, mechanical, and thermal multifunctionality. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on incorporating recycled cenospheres into a one-component PU foam system, overcoming dispersion challenges of conventional two-component formulations and presenting an environmentally responsible route for developing versatile insulation materials. Full article

The sustainable conversion of biogenic waste into high-value materials presents a promising approach for addressing environmental and industrial challenges. This work reports an advancement into antioxidant-enriched phosphate minerals derived from green conversion of biogenic calcium carbonates of crustaceans. We demonstrate the effectiveness of Raman technology in controlling conversion using phosphoric acid treatment. The effects of reaction parameters—including acid stoichiometry, granular size distribution, and thermal treatment at 700 °C and 1200 °C—were systematically evaluated. Raman spectroscopy results validated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and SEM-EDX analyses revealed mixed-phase minerals monetite, brushite, whitlockite or hydroxylapatite, respectively. Notably, reducing particle size enhanced conversion efficiency by increasing the reactive surface area, while the use of excess phosphoric acid facilitated conversion to monocalcium phosphate and promoted the degradation of the organic matrix. Thermal treatment further altered the product composition: heating at 700 °C produced a whitlockite-rich phase, whereas treatment at 1200 °C shifted the balance toward hydroxylapatite. The synthesized calcium phosphate compounds, including hydroxylapatite, monocalcium phosphate, whitlockite, and brushite, hold significant practical utility in biomedical applications (such as bone grafts and dental implants), agriculture, and industrial processing. Moreover, we have proven that by controlling the reaction parameters the final product composition can be tailored according to the specific needs. A greener approach yields brushite, monetite, or monocalcium phosphate, while a more energy-demanding process, including heating to 1200 °C, yields a high-purity hydroxylapatite. This research offers a sustainable analytical route for producing high-purity calcium phosphate materials from wasted biomaterials, contributing to both the bioeconomy as well as scientific innovation. Full article

While immune escape and physical invasion are two key pathways in tumor development, traditional methods for analyzing their exosomal markers are often complex and face identification bias. Microfluidic technology offers significant advantages for non-invasive liquid biopsy, particularly in the analysis of tumor progression markers carried by exosomes. Here, we developed an integrated microfluidic system for the sensitive, accurate, totally on-chip exosome isolation and automatic quantification of tumor progression markers PD-L1 and MMP9. This platform leverages microfluidic design principles for efficient sample mixing and monodisperses microbeads for precise analysis, allowing for complete processing within 40 min. The system’s high efficiency and precision are further enhanced by a lightweight YOLOv5-based positional migration strategy that automates fluorescence quantification. Validation using four different cell lines demonstrated distinct exosomal protein signatures with a low detection limit of 12.58 particles/μL. This innovative microfluidic chip provides a sensitive and easy-to-handle tool for exosomal marker analysis, holding great potential for cancer identification and personalized therapy guidance in the era of point-of-care testing (POCT). Full article

Digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing is a powerful additive manufacturing technique but is limited by the relatively low mechanical strength of cured neat resin parts. In this study, a renewable bio-adhesive lignin was introduced as a reinforcing filler into a bisphenol A-type epoxy acrylate (EA) photocurable resin to enhance the mechanical performance of DLP-printed components. Lignin was incorporated at low concentrations (0–0.5 wt%), and three dispersion methods—magnetic stirring, planetary mixing, and ultrasonication—were compared to optimize the filler distribution. Cure depth tests and optical microscopy confirmed that ultrasonication (40 kHz, 5 h) achieved the most homogeneous dispersion, yielding a cure depth nearly matching that of the neat resin. DLP printing of tensile specimens demonstrated that as little as 0.025 wt% lignin increased tensile strength by ~39% (from 44.9 MPa to 62.2 MPa) compared to the neat resin, while maintaining similar elongation at break. Surface hardness also improved by over 40% at this optimal lignin content. However, higher lignin loadings (≥0.05 wt%) led to particle agglomeration, resulting in diminished mechanical gains and impaired printability (e.g., distortion and incomplete curing at 1 wt%). Fractographic analysis of broken specimens revealed that well-dispersed lignin particles act to deflect and hinder crack propagation, thereby enhancing fracture resistance. Overall, this work demonstrates a simple and sustainable approach to reinforce DLP 3D-printed polymers using biopolymer lignin, achieving significant improvements in mechanical properties while highlighting the value of bio-derived additives for advanced photopolymer 3D printing applications. Full article

This article demonstrates how the non-intrusive techniques PLIF (Planar Laser-Induced Fluorescence) and PIV (Particle Image Velocimetry) are used to study fluid flow and mixing in a water model of a continuous casting tundish. These techniques validate CFD models by providing hydrodynamic data and by testing the models’ ability to predict mixing through simulated concentration field evolution under defined process conditions. Using PIV and PLIF yields more accurate information on turbulent mixing and impurity transport than traditional methods. Access to flow and concentration field evolution enables more precise mathematical model refinement and clarifies the impact of tundish design or operational changes on hydrodynamics and mixing. Relative errors in chemical evolution are approximately 20%, whereas velocity errors vary depending on the measurement plane, being lower for longitudinal planes and higher for transversal planes. This suggests that the turbulence model does not fully capture all low- and high-velocity zones. This approach supports reliable flow and mixing predictions in metallurgy and related fields. Full article

Corbicula fluminea protein (CFP) and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) are natural nutrient fortifiers. During consumption or processing, they may interact with each other, inducing alternations in their structural and functional properties. However, nothing was known about the mechanism of their interaction and their synergistic antioxidant effect. In this research, C3G was physically mixed with CFP to simulate practical scenarios. The impact of the presence of C3G on the multispectral characteristics, antioxidant activity, and particle properties of CFP was examined and compared to chemically fabricated C3G-CFP covalent conjugates. The results indicate that C3G tended to spontaneously bind to CFP and formed compact non-covalent complex, with hydrophobic forces predominantly governing the interaction. This binding resulted in the statically quenched intrinsic fluorescence of CFP, accompanied by a dynamic model. Moreover, C3G preferentially induced Trp residue in CFP exposed to a more polar microenvironment, yet it exerted nearly no effects on CFP when analyzed using ultraviolet–visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy and synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy (SFS). Additionally, although the formed non-covalent complex demonstrated strengthened antioxidant capacity, C3G displayed an antagonistic effect with CFP, whereas lower C3G concentrations led to synergistic effects in covalent conjugates. These findings provide new insights into the effective application of C3G and CFP as nutritional antioxidants. Full article

In this study, NiO nanoparticle–reinforced PMMA nanocomposites were fabricated by melt blending, and the influence of extrusion mixing time on structural and thermal properties was examined. Mixing durations of 6 and 12 min were applied, and the materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). These analyses confirmed the presence of NiO within the PMMA matrix and indicated that prolonged mixing promoted particle agglomeration. Thermal behavior was assessed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) at heating rates of 5, 10, 15, and 20 K·min⁻¹, and activation energies of decomposition were calculated using the Kissinger, Takhor, and Augis–Bennett methods. The results showed that extended mixing reduced composite homogeneity and adversely affected thermal stability. Incorporation of NiO nanoparticles decreased both the onset decomposition temperature and the activation energy compared to pure PMMA, facilitating earlier degradation. At 620 K, pure PMMA exhibited ~8% mass loss, whereas the 12 min blend showed ~12% loss. These findings highlight the importance of nanoparticle dispersion and processing parameters in governing the degradation behavior of PMMA/NiO nanocomposites. Full article

Background/Objectives: Glidants and lubricants are commonly used pharmaceutical excipients that enhance powder flowability and reduce inter-particle friction, respectively, but they also negatively impact critical quality attributes such as tablet tensile strength and drug release rate. Quantifying these effects is essential as the pharmaceutical industry transitions from batch to continuous manufacturing. Methods: This study develops a rational-function-based modeling approach to capture the effects of lubricants and glidants on tableting. The framework automatically identifies upstream critical material attributes and process parameters, such as excipient concentration and mixing time, and describes their coupling to first and second orders. Reduced-order models were constructed to evaluate the influence of these variables on the four stages of powder compaction—die filling, compaction, unloading, and ejection—using formulations composed of 10% acetaminophen, microcrystalline cellulose, and varying small concentrations of magnesium stearate or colloidal silica. Tablets were fabricated across a wide range of relative densities by varying dosing position and turret speed. Results: The modeling approach successfully quantified the effects of lubricant and glidant mixing conditions on each compaction stage, providing mechanistic insight into how upstream conditions propagate through the tableting process and influence critical quality attributes. Conclusions: Overall, the rational-function-based framework offers a systematic approach to quantify and predict the impact of lubricants and glidants on tablet performance, thereby enhancing product and process understanding in continuous manufacturing. Full article

This study investigates how process manufacturing enterprises can optimize semi-finished inventory (SFI) distribution in delayed production models, with particular attention to differences in cost volatility between single- and multi-period planning scenarios. To address this research gap, we develop a mixed-integer programming model that determines optimal customer order decoupling point (CODP)/product differentiation point (PDP) positions and SFI quantities (both generic and dedicated) for each production period, employing particle swarm optimization for solution derivation and validating findings through a comprehensive case study of a steel manufacturer with characteristic long-period production processes. The analysis yields two significant findings: (1) single-period operations demonstrate marked cost sensitivity to service level requirements and delay penalties, necessitating end-stage inventory buffers, and (2) multi-period optimization generates a distinctive cost-smoothing effect through strategic order deferrals and cross-period inventory reuse, resulting in remarkably stable total costs (≤2% variation observed). The study makes seminal theoretical contributions by revealing the convex cost sensitivity of short-term inventory decisions versus the near-flat cost trajectories achievable through multi-period planning, while establishing practical guidelines for process industries through its empirically validated two-period threshold for optimal order deferral and inventory positioning strategies. Full article

Although many studies have examined reaction zones in groundwater–seawater mixing areas, little attention has been given to how subsurface processes drive changes in iron (Fe) precipitation over time and space. This gap has limited our understanding of the “iron curtain” phenomenon in coastal aquifers. To address this, this study developed a reactive transport model to investigate how porosity evolves during the oxidative precipitation of Fe(II) in porous media. The model incorporates the dynamic effects of tortuosity, diffusivity, and surface area as minerals accumulate. Validation experiments, conducted with syringe tests that simulated Fe precipitation during freshwater–saltwater mixing, showed that precipitates formed mainly near the inlets, reflecting the development of a geochemical barrier at the groundwater–seawater interface. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed that Fe precipitates coated the surfaces of spherical particles. Numerical simulations further revealed that high Fe(II) concentrations drove pore clogging near the inlet, creating a dense precipitation zone akin to the iron curtain in coastal aquifers. At 10 mmol/L Fe(II), local clogging was observed, while at 100 mmol/L Fe(II), outflow rates (i.e., discharge) were substantially reduced. Together, the experiments and simulations highlight how hydrogeochemical processes influence hydraulic properties during the oxidative precipitation of Fe(II) in mixing zones. Full article

Compression of clayey sediments not only causes land subsidence but also results in geogenic high fluoride groundwater. The distribution characteristics and enrichment mechanisms of fluoride in alluvial−lacustrine facies clayey sediments in the land subsidence area of Cangzhou Plain, China, were investigated using sample collection, mineralogical research, and hydrogeochemical and isotopic analysis. The results show that F⁻ concentration of groundwater samples ranged from 0.31 to 5.54 mg/L in aquifers. The total fluoride content of clayey sediments ranged from 440 to 792 mg/kg and porewater F⁻ concentration ranged from 0.77 to 4.18 mg/L. Clay minerals containing fine particles, such as muscovite, facilitate the enrichment of fluoride in clayey sediments, resulting in higher total fluoride levels than those in sandy sediments. The clay porewater F⁻ predominantly originated from the dissolution of water-soluble F and the desorption of exchangeable F from sediments. The F⁻ concentration in porewater was further influenced by ionic interactions such as cation exchange. The stable sedimentary environment and intense compression promoted the dissolution of F–bearing minerals and the desorption of adsorbed F in deep clayey sediments. The similar composition feature of δ²H−δ¹⁸O in deep groundwater and clay porewater samples suggests a significant mixing effect. These findings highlight the joint effects of hydrogeochemical and mineralogical processes on F behavior in clayey sediments. Full article

A sheet-type sinter-bonding material was developed to form thermally stable and highly heat-conductive joints suitable for wide-bandgap (WBG) semiconductor dies and high-heat-flux devices, and its bonding characteristics were investigated. To enhance the cost-competitiveness of the bonding material, Ag-coated Cu (Cu@Ag) particles were employed as fillers instead of conventional Ag particles. To facilitate accelerated sintering, a bimodal particle size distribution comprising several micron- and submicron-sized particles was adopted by synthesizing and mixing both size ranges. For sheet fabrication, a decomposable resin was used as the essential binder component, which could be removed during the bonding process via thermal decomposition. This approach enabled the formation of a sintered bond line composed entirely of Cu@Ag particles. Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses revealed that the decomposition of the resin in the sheet occurred within the temperature range of 290–340 °C. Consequently, sinter-bonding conducted at 350 °C and 370 °C exhibited significantly superior bondability compared to bonding at 330 °C. In particular, sinter-bonding at 350 °C for just 60 s resulted in a highly densified joint microstructure with a low porosity of 7.6% and high shear strength exceeding 25 MPa. The formation of the bond line was initiated by sintering between the outer Ag shells of the adjacent particles. However, with increasing bonding time or temperature, sintering driven by Cu diffusion from the particle cores to the outer Ag shells, particularly in the submicron-sized particles, was progressively enhanced. These results obtained from the fabricated sheet-type materials demonstrate that, even with the use of resin, rapid solid-state sintering between filler particles combined with the removal of resin through decomposition enables the formation of a metallic bond line with excellent thermal conductivity. Full article

Laboratory and industrial tests were conducted to study the impact of grinding media material on key indicators such as grinding product particle size, sodium cyanide consumption, gold recovery rate, unit power consumption, and ball consumption. Laboratory test results indicate that the reasonable mixing of ceramic and steel balls can achieve an increase of more than 2.8% in the fineness of the grinding product (−0.038 mm), an increase of 0.3% in the gold recovery rate, and a decrease of 1.3 kg/t in the consumption of sodium cyanide. Industrial trial studies indicate that, compared to the traditional steel ball scheme, using a ceramic ball to steel ball mass ratio of 3:1 under conditions of processing 50,000 tons of gold concentrate annually can save a total of 1.31 million yuan in annual ball consumption, electricity consumption, and cyanide consumption costs. Additionally, the improved recovery rate generates an additional economic benefit of 3.63 million yuan, resulting in an annual comprehensive economic benefit increase of 4.94 million yuan. In summary, in gold cyanide leaching grinding, the mixture ratio between ceramic balls and steel balls demonstrates significant potential for energy conservation, cost reduction, and efficiency enhancement, providing a theoretical basis and technical support for subsequent process optimization and green gold extraction. Full article

Sustainable management of aquatic ecosystems requires effective strategies to monitor and mitigate microplastic pollution, particularly in vulnerable tidal river systems. Microplastic accumulation in these environments poses significant environmental risks, threatening biodiversity, ecosystem health, and long-term water quality. This study employs a three-dimensional hydrodynamic model (TELEMAC-3D—v8p5) coupled with a Lagrangian particle tracking model (CaMPSim-3D—v1.2.1) to simulate microplastic transport dynamics in the lower Fraser River, British Columbia, Canada. The model incorporates tidal forcing, riverine hydrodynamics, and mixing processes, and was validated with good agreement against observed water levels. This model provides a high-resolution representation of microplastic dispersion under varying release scenarios, including emissions from combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). A novel approach is proposed to identify microplastic accumulation zones using the OPTICS (Ordering Points to Identify the Clustering Structure) clustering algorithm. Accumulation zone locations remain spatially consistent despite variations in release volume. Persistent clusters occurred near channel constrictions and shoreline segments associated with flow deceleration. These findings demonstrate the robustness of the method and provide a systematic framework for prioritizing high-risk areas, supporting targeted monitoring and informing sustainable estuarine management. Full article

The mixing process of powder materials determines the final quality of industrial products. This study employs the Discrete Element Method (DEM) to numerically characterize the effects of particle shape and mixer structure on mixing performance. Using the superquadratic equation, nine types of particles with regular shape variations are constructed, and mixing models are further simulated. The feasibility of superquadratic-generated particles is validated through a classic drum calibration experiment. To investigate the intrinsic mechanisms of particle shape effects, the motion and contact behaviors of particles are quantified by the diffusion index, proportion of rotational kinetic energy, interparticle compressive force, and contact number. Meanwhile, to examine geometry effects, three supplementary mixing simulations are conducted by varying the plow angle and deactivating the choppers. The results show that Cubic particles exhibited poor mixing performance, while disk-shaped particles outperformed cylindrical ones; Increasing the plow blade inclination angle enhanced particle convection and diffusion, whereas excessively small angles may fail to achieve homogeneous mixing; The auxiliary shear of chopper blades promoted particle diffusion, effectively overcoming dead zones between plow blade intervals. Full article