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Search Results (788)

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29 pages, 12570 KiB  
Article
Sustainable Zinc-Ion Battery Separators Based on Silica and Cellulose Fibers Derived from Coffee Parchment Waste
by Vorrada Loryuenyong, Buntita Plongmai, Nitikorn Pajantorn, Prasit Pattananuwat and Achanai Buasri
J. Compos. Sci. 2025, 9(8), 452; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs9080452 - 21 Aug 2025
Viewed by 226
Abstract
Currently, electrochemical devices and portable electronic equipment play a significant role in people’s daily lives. Zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) are growing rapidly due to their excellent safety, eco-friendliness, abundance of resources, and cost-effectiveness. The application of biomass as a polymer separator is gradually expanding [...] Read more.
Currently, electrochemical devices and portable electronic equipment play a significant role in people’s daily lives. Zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) are growing rapidly due to their excellent safety, eco-friendliness, abundance of resources, and cost-effectiveness. The application of biomass as a polymer separator is gradually expanding in order to promote a circular economy and sustainable materials. This research focuses on the usage of cellulose fibers obtained from coffee parchment (CP) waste. The extracted cellulose fibers are produced via both mechanical and chemical methods. The sustainable separators are fabricated through vacuum filtration using a polymer filter membrane. The impact of incorporating silica particles and varying silica content on the physical and electrochemical properties of a cellulose-based separator is examined. The optimum amount of silica integrated into the cellulose separator is determined to be 5 wt%. This content led to an effective distribution of the silica particles, enhanced wettability, and improved fire resistance. The ZIBs incorporating cellulose/recycled silica at 5 wt% demonstrate exceptional cycle stability and the highest capacity retention (190% after 400 cycles). This study emphasizes the promise of sustainable polymers as a clean energy resource, owing to their adaptability and simplicity of processing, serving as a substitute for synthetic polymers sourced from fossil fuels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Polymer Composites: Waste Reutilization and Valorization)
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16 pages, 5296 KiB  
Article
The Effect of the Fresh Latex Ratio on the Composition and Properties of Bio-Coagulated Natural Rubber
by Jianwei Li, Honghai Huang, Li Ding, Tuo Dai, Haoran Geng, Tao Zhao, Liguang Zhao, Fan Wu and Hongxing Gui
Polymers 2025, 17(16), 2211; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17162211 - 13 Aug 2025
Viewed by 379
Abstract
By proportionally blending fresh latex from PR107, Reyan 72059, and Reyan 73397, and employing both acid- and enzyme-assisted microbial coagulation methods, this study analyzed the effects of the specific latex formulation on the following: physicochemical properties, non-rubber components, molecular weight and distribution, vulcanization [...] Read more.
By proportionally blending fresh latex from PR107, Reyan 72059, and Reyan 73397, and employing both acid- and enzyme-assisted microbial coagulation methods, this study analyzed the effects of the specific latex formulation on the following: physicochemical properties, non-rubber components, molecular weight and distribution, vulcanization characteristics of compounded rubber, and physical–mechanical properties of vulcanized natural rubber. The results indicate that, compared to acid-coagulated natural rubber, enzyme-assisted microbial coagulated natural rubber exhibits slightly lower levels of volatile matter, impurities, plasticity retention index (PRI), nitrogen content, calcium ions (Ca2+), iron ions (Fe3+), and fatty acid content. Conversely, it demonstrates higher values in ash content, initial plasticity (P0), Mooney viscosity (ML(1+4)), acetone extract, magnesium ions (Mg2+), copper ions (Cu2+), manganese ions (Mn2+), gel content, molecular weight and distribution, and glass transition temperature (Tg). With the increase in the proportion of PR107 and Reyan 72059 fresh latex, the ash content, volatile matter content, fatty acid content, gel content, and dispersion coefficient (PDI) of natural rubber gradually decrease, while the impurity content, PRI, nitrogen content, weight-average molecular weight (Mw), and number-average molecular weight (Mn) gradually increase. Compared to acid-coagulated natural rubber compounds, enzyme-assisted microbial-coagulated natural rubber compounds exhibit higher minimum torque (ML) and maximum torque (MH), but shorter scorch time (t10) and optimum cure time (t90). Furthermore, as the proportion of PR107 and Reyan 72059 fresh latex increases, the ML of the compounds gradually decreases. In pure rubber formulations, enzyme-assisted microbial-coagulated natural rubber vulcanizates demonstrate higher tensile strength, tear strength, modulus at 300%, and Shore A hardness compared to acid-coagulated natural rubber vulcanizates. When the fresh latex ratio of PR107, Reyan 72059, and Reyan 73397 is 1:1:3, the tensile strength and 300% modulus of the natural rubber vulcanizates reach their maximum values. In carbon black formulations, the tensile strength and tear strength of enzyme-assisted microbial-coagulated natural rubber vulcanizates are significantly higher than those of acid-coagulated natural rubber vulcanizates in pure rubber formulations, with the increase exceeding that of other samples. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Additive Agents for Polymer Functionalization Modification)
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20 pages, 10909 KiB  
Article
Preparation Optimization and Antioxidant Properties of the β-Glucan and Ferulic Acid/Quercetin Complex from Highland Barley (Hordeum vulgare var. nudum)
by Yuanhang Ren, Yanting Yang, Mi Jiang, Wentao Gu, Yanan Cao, Liang Zou and Lianxin Peng
Foods 2025, 14(15), 2712; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14152712 - 1 Aug 2025
Viewed by 383
Abstract
Polysaccharides and phenols are commonly co-localized in various plant-derived foods, including highland barley (Hordeum vulgare L. var. nudum Hook. f.). The interactions between these compounds can influence multiple characteristics of food products, including their physicochemical properties and functional performance, such as bioavailability, [...] Read more.
Polysaccharides and phenols are commonly co-localized in various plant-derived foods, including highland barley (Hordeum vulgare L. var. nudum Hook. f.). The interactions between these compounds can influence multiple characteristics of food products, including their physicochemical properties and functional performance, such as bioavailability, stability, and digestibility, which may support promising application of the phenol and polysaccharide complex in health food industry. In this study, two complexes with potential existence in highland barley, such as β-glucan-ferulic acid (GF) and β-glucan-quercetin (GQ), were prepared using the equilibrium dialysis method in vitro. FTIR and SEM results showed that ferulic acid and quercetin formed complexes with β-glucan separately, with covalent and non-covalent bonds and a dense morphological structure. The pH value, reaction temperature, and concentration of phosphate buffer solution (PBS) were confirmed to have an impact on the formation and yield of the complex. Through the test of the response surface, it was found that the optimum conditions for GF and (GQ) preparations were a pH of 6.5 (6), a PBS buffer concentration of 0.08 mol/L (0.3 mol/L), and a temperature of 8 °C (20 °C). Through in vitro assays, GF and GQ were found to possess good antioxidant activity, with a greater scavenging effect of DPPH, ABTS, and hydroxyl radical than the individual phenolic acids and glucans, as well as their physical mixtures. Taking GF as an example, the DPPH radical scavenging capacity ranked as GF (71.74%) > ferulic acid (49.50%) > PGF (44.43%) > β-glucan (43.84%). Similar trends were observed for ABTS radical scavenging (GF: 54.56%; ferulic acid: 44.37%; PGF: 44.95%; β-glucan: 36.42%) and hydroxyl radical elimination (GF: 39.16%; ferulic acid: 33.06%; PGF: 35.51%; β-glucan: 35.47%). In conclusion, the convenient preparation method and excellent antioxidant effect of the phenol–polysaccharide complexes from highland barley provide new opportunities for industrial-scale production, development, and design of healthy food based on these complexes. Full article
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18 pages, 3231 KiB  
Article
Investigation into the Properties of Alkali-Activated Fiber-Reinforced Slabs, Produced with Marginal By-Products and Recycled Plastic Aggregates
by Fotini Kesikidou, Kyriakos Koktsidis and Eleftherios K. Anastasiou
Constr. Mater. 2025, 5(3), 48; https://doi.org/10.3390/constrmater5030048 - 24 Jul 2025
Viewed by 266
Abstract
Alkali-activated building materials have attracted the interest of many researchers due to their low cost and eco-efficiency. Different binders with different chemical compositions can be used for their production, so the reaction mechanism can become complex and the results of studies can vary [...] Read more.
Alkali-activated building materials have attracted the interest of many researchers due to their low cost and eco-efficiency. Different binders with different chemical compositions can be used for their production, so the reaction mechanism can become complex and the results of studies can vary widely. In this work, several alkali-activated mortars based on marginal by-products as binders, such as high calcium fly ash and ladle furnace slag, are investigated. Their mechanical (flexural and compressive strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity, and modulus of elasticity) and physical (porosity, absorption, specific gravity, and pH) properties were determined. After evaluating the mechanical performance of the mortars, the optimum mixture containing fly ash, which reached 15 MPa under compression at 90 days, was selected for the production of precast compressed slabs. Steel or glass fibers were also incorporated to improve their ductility. To reduce the density of the slabs, 60% of the siliceous sand aggregate was also replaced with recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic aggregate. The homogeneity, density, porosity, and capillary absorption of the slabs were measured, as well as their flexural strength and fracture energy. The results showed that alkali activation can be used to improve the mechanical properties of weak secondary binders such as ladle furnace slag and hydrated fly ash. The incorporation of recycled PET aggregates produced slabs that could be classified as lightweight, with similar porosity and capillary absorption values, and over 65% achieved strength compared to the normal weight slabs. Full article
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9 pages, 354 KiB  
Communication
Algorithm Providing Ordered Integer Sequences for Sampling with Replacement Confidence Intervals
by Lorentz Jäntschi
Algorithms 2025, 18(8), 459; https://doi.org/10.3390/a18080459 - 24 Jul 2025
Viewed by 293
Abstract
Sampling with replacement occurs when drawing without removing individuals from finite populations. It is a common distribution technique used in physics, biology, and medicine. It is used in state analysis of qubits, the physics of particle interactions, studies of genetic variation and variability, [...] Read more.
Sampling with replacement occurs when drawing without removing individuals from finite populations. It is a common distribution technique used in physics, biology, and medicine. It is used in state analysis of qubits, the physics of particle interactions, studies of genetic variation and variability, and analyzing the treatment effects from clinical trial analyses. When applied, sample statistics should be accompanied by confidence intervals. The major difficulty in expressing the confidence intervals in sampling with replacement consists of discreetness regarding the probability distribution. As a result, no mathematical formula can handle an optimum solution. Using a simple algorithm is proposed in order to obtain confidence intervals for sampling with replacement variables (x from m trials with replacement) and their proportion (x/m). A question-based discussion is presented. Traditional confidence intervals often require large sample sizes. Confidence intervals, constructed in a deterministic way provided by the proposed algorithm for sampling with replacement, allow constructing intervals without constraints. Full article
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13 pages, 3360 KiB  
Article
Effect of Edge-Oxidized Graphene Oxide (EOGO) on Fly Ash Geopolymer
by Hoyoung Lee, Junwoo Shin, Byoung Hooi Cho and Boo Hyun Nam
Materials 2025, 18(15), 3457; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18153457 - 23 Jul 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 304
Abstract
In this study, edge-oxidized graphene oxide (EOGO) was used as an additive in fly ash (FA) geopolymer paste. The effect of EOGO on the properties of the fly ash geopolymer was investigated. EOGO was added to the FA geopolymer at four different percentages [...] Read more.
In this study, edge-oxidized graphene oxide (EOGO) was used as an additive in fly ash (FA) geopolymer paste. The effect of EOGO on the properties of the fly ash geopolymer was investigated. EOGO was added to the FA geopolymer at four different percentages (0%, 0.1%, 0.5% and 1%), and the mixture was cured under two different conditions: room curing (~20 °C) and heat curing (~60 °C). To characterize the FA-EOGO geopolymer, multiple laboratory tests were employed, including compressive strength, Free-Free Resonance Column (FFRC), density, water absorption, and setting tests. The FFRC test was used to evaluate the stiffness at small strain (Young’s modulus) via the resonance of the specimen. The mechanical test results showed that the strength and elastic modulus were high during heat curing, and the highest compressive strength and elastic modulus were achieved at 0.1% EOGO. In the physical test, 0.1% EOGO had the highest density and the lowest porosity and water absorption. As a result of the setting time test, as the EOGO content increased, the setting time was shortened. It is concluded that the optimum proportion of EOGO is 0.1% in FA geopolymer paste. Full article
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12 pages, 1497 KiB  
Article
Deriving Implicit Optimal Operation Rules for Reservoirs Based on TgLSTM
by Ran He, Wenhao Jia and Zhengzhe Qian
Water 2025, 17(14), 2059; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17142059 - 10 Jul 2025
Viewed by 280
Abstract
With the continuous improvement of reservoir projects and the advancement of digital twin basin initiatives in China, rapidly and accurately generating long-term practical reservoir operation schedules has become a key priority for stakeholders. This study proposes a Theory-guided Long Short-Term Memory (TgLSTM) model [...] Read more.
With the continuous improvement of reservoir projects and the advancement of digital twin basin initiatives in China, rapidly and accurately generating long-term practical reservoir operation schedules has become a key priority for stakeholders. This study proposes a Theory-guided Long Short-Term Memory (TgLSTM) model to extract optimal reservoir operation rules accurately and reliably. Concretely, TgLSTM integrates data-fitting accuracy with the physical constraints of an operation, e.g., water level constraints and minimal discharge constraints, to address the low credibility often observed in conventional LSTM networks. Using the Three Gorges Reservoir during the dry season as a case study, a multi-year hydrological series optimized by particle swarm optimization (PSO) was used to train the TgLSTM network and derive optimized operation rules. Results show that TgLSTM efficiently generates operation schemes close to the theoretical optimum, achieving power generations of 4.27 × 1010 kW·h and 4.19 × 1010 kW·h in two test years, with deviations of only 4.20% and 2.33%, respectively. Compared to traditional LSTM models, TgLSTM is more reliable as it captures key operational characteristics such as terminal water levels and water level fluctuations, maintaining an average ten-day drawdown depth below 1.5 m—significantly lower than the 7 m fluctuations observed with conventional LSTM. Furthermore, comparative analyses against SwR, BP–ANN, and SVM confirm that TgLSTM offers a moderate performance in absolute metrics but is the best to simulate the constrained reservoir operation. Full article
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14 pages, 1775 KiB  
Article
Characterization of Recycled Aggregates from Building Demolition Waste for Use in Road Infrastructures
by Majid Ahmadpour, Davood Akbarimehr, Mohammad Rahai and Ali Momeni
Infrastructures 2025, 10(7), 167; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures10070167 - 1 Jul 2025
Viewed by 334
Abstract
In light of rising environmental concerns, the rapid industrial recycling of building demolition waste material (BDWM) is now capable of supporting sustainable development in metropolitan regions. From this perspective, the current study investigated the geotechnical properties and applications of BDWMs as substitutes for [...] Read more.
In light of rising environmental concerns, the rapid industrial recycling of building demolition waste material (BDWM) is now capable of supporting sustainable development in metropolitan regions. From this perspective, the current study investigated the geotechnical properties and applications of BDWMs as substitutes for natural materials (NMs) in road engineering infrastructures. For this purpose, the physical and geotechnical characteristics of both types of materials were initially examined, and then compared using laboratory-scale material comprehensive assessments such as sieve analysis (SA), the flakiness index (FI), the specific gravity test (Gs), the Los Angeles abrasion test (LAAT), Atterberg limits (AL), the water absorption test (WAT), the California bearing ratio (CBR), the direct shear test (DST), and the Proctor soil compaction test (PSCT). The BDWMs were collected from two locations in Iran. According to the results, the collected samples consisted of concrete, bricks, mortar, tile materials, and others. The CBR values for the waste material from the two sites were 69 and 73%, respectively. Furthermore, the optimum water content (OWC) and maximum dry unit weight (MDD) from the two sites were reported as 9.3 and 9.9% and 20.8 and 21 kN/m3, respectively, and the hydrogen potential (pH) as 9 and 10. The shear strength and CBR values indicated that the BDWM had a suitable strength compared to the NM. In terms of road infrastructure applications, the shear strengths were adequate for the analysis of common sub-base materials used in filling and road construction. Furthermore, the study’s findings revealed that BDWMs were suitable replacements for the NM used in road engineering operations and could make a significant contribution to sustainable development. Full article
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28 pages, 9583 KiB  
Article
Eco-Engineered Biopolymer–Clay Composite for Phosphate IonRemoval: Synergistic Insights from Statistical and AI Modeling
by Rachid Aziam, Daniela Simina Stefan, Safa Nouaa, Mohamed Chiban and Mircea Stefan
Polymers 2025, 17(13), 1805; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17131805 - 28 Jun 2025
Viewed by 466
Abstract
This research aims to synthesize a novel hydrogel bio-composite based on natural clay, sodium alginate (Na-AL), and iota-carrageenan as adsorbents to remove phosphate ions from aqueous solutions. The adsorbents were characterized by a variety of techniques, such as Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning [...] Read more.
This research aims to synthesize a novel hydrogel bio-composite based on natural clay, sodium alginate (Na-AL), and iota-carrageenan as adsorbents to remove phosphate ions from aqueous solutions. The adsorbents were characterized by a variety of techniques, such as Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-rays (SEM-EDX), and the determination of point zero charge (PZC). This research investigated how the adsorption process is influenced by parameters such as adsorbent dose, contact time, solution pH, and temperature. In this study, we used four isotherms and four kinetic models to investigate phosphate ion removal on the prepared bio-composite. The results showed that the second-order kinetic (PSO) model is the best model for describing the adsorption process. The findings demonstrate that the R2 values are highly significant in both the Langmuir and Freundlich models (very close to 1). This suggests that Langmuir and Freundlich models, with a diversity of adsorption sites, promote the adsorption of phosphate ions. The maximum adsorbed amounts of phosphate ions by the bio-composite used were 140.84 mg/g for H2PO4 ions and 105.26 mg/g for HPO42− ions from the batch system. The positive ∆H° confirms the endothermic and physical nature of adsorption, in agreement with experimental results. Negative ∆G° values indicate spontaneity, while the positive ∆S° reflects increased disorder at the solid–liquid interface during phosphate uptake. The main parameters, including adsorbent dosage (mg), contact time (min), and initial concentration (mg/L), were tuned using the Box–Behnken design of the response surface methodology (BBD-RSM) to achieve the optimum conditions. The reliability of the constructed models is demonstrated by their high correlation coefficients (R2). An R2 value of 0.9714 suggests that the model explains 97.14% of the variability in adsorption efficiency (%), which reflects its strong predictive capability and reliability. Finally, the adsorption behavior of phosphate ions on the prepared bio-composite beads was analyzed using an artificial neural network (ANN) to predict the process efficiency. The ANN model accurately predicted the adsorption of phosphate ions onto the bio-composite, with a strong correlation (R2 = 0.974) between the predicted and experimental results. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer Composites II)
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12 pages, 1004 KiB  
Review
Causes and Demonstration of Thermal Stress in Castings Made from Gray Iron
by Peter Futas, Alena Pribulova, Jozef Petrik, Peter Blasko, Marek Solc and Marcin Brzezinski
Thermo 2025, 5(3), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/thermo5030021 - 27 Jun 2025
Viewed by 429
Abstract
Cast iron is a longtime reliable material for the production of heat-treated stressed castings, i.e., those that are long, are cyclically heated, and heat-stressed. The durability of thermally stressed castings used in practice is dependent on the choice of the optimum chemical composition, [...] Read more.
Cast iron is a longtime reliable material for the production of heat-treated stressed castings, i.e., those that are long, are cyclically heated, and heat-stressed. The durability of thermally stressed castings used in practice is dependent on the choice of the optimum chemical composition, metallurgy of production, macro- and microstructures, construction, and the way of exploitation. Today, the successful solution of this problem is dominated by simulation programs. The comprehensive analysis of heat stress is very important, i.e., the impacts of various physical quantities on its rise, progress, and size. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of thermal stress mechanisms in gray iron castings, with a particular emphasis on the relationships between the material properties, microstructural characteristics, and component performance under thermal loading conditions. The theoretical foundations are complemented by experimental data, establishing practical guidelines for optimizing cast iron compositions and processing parameters for thermal applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermal Science and Metallurgy)
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21 pages, 7032 KiB  
Article
Influence of Moisture on the Shakedown Behavior of Fine Soils for Sustainable Railway Subballast Layers
by William Wilson dos Santos, Gleyciane Almeida Serra, Lisley Madeira Coelho, Sergio Neves Monteiro, Gabriel de Carvalho Nascimento and Antônio Carlos Rodrigues Guimarães
Infrastructures 2025, 10(6), 149; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures10060149 - 18 Jun 2025
Viewed by 396
Abstract
This study investigates the influence of moisture on the mechanical behavior of fine soil mixtures from the São Luís region, applied as subballast layers in railway track structures. Two samples were analyzed: a non-lateritic sandy soil (NA’, AM03) and a lateritic clayey soil [...] Read more.
This study investigates the influence of moisture on the mechanical behavior of fine soil mixtures from the São Luís region, applied as subballast layers in railway track structures. Two samples were analyzed: a non-lateritic sandy soil (NA’, AM03) and a lateritic clayey soil (LG’, AM09). The research included physical and chemical characterization tests, as well as repeated load triaxial tests to determine the resilient modulus and shakedown limits, complemented by numerical simulations using the SysTrain 2.0 software. The samples showed average resilient modulus values of 577 MPa and 638 MPa, respectively. Tests were conducted under optimum moisture content and under moisture 1% above the optimum, induced by capillary rise in compacted samples. The results indicated that under 1% above optimum moisture, the shakedown limits were reduced by up to 50% for AM03 and 25% for AM09, demonstrating greater stability for the lateritic soil. In addition, it was observed that as stress ratios increased, the shakedown limits for both moisture conditions tended to converge. Numerical simulations confirmed the adverse influence of increased moisture on the occurrence of shakedown in both samples. For AM03, the simulations revealed progressive failure under elevated moisture, indicating a more severe stress redistribution within the subballast layer. In contrast, AM09 remained within the shakedown regime under both conditions, although it exhibited higher values of S1/S1max under moisture above optimum, suggesting a greater tendency toward plastic creep. These findings highlight the critical importance of moisture control for the sustainable performance of railway substructures. This study contributes to understanding environmental vulnerability in transportation infrastructure and supports the development of more resilient and sustainable railway systems. Full article
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20 pages, 1633 KiB  
Article
Rheological and Mechanical Properties of Self-Compacting Geopolymer Concrete Reinforced with Short Basalt Fibres
by Saima Ali, Pulkit Khanna, James Stewart, Bidur Kafle and Riyadh Al-Ameri
J. Compos. Sci. 2025, 9(6), 264; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs9060264 - 26 May 2025
Viewed by 454
Abstract
Due to their low environmental impact, various mineral or cellulose-based natural fibres have recently attracted attention in the construction industry. Hence, the current study focused on basalt fibres and explored the changes in the physical, mechanical, and micro-structural properties of geopolymer concrete reinforced [...] Read more.
Due to their low environmental impact, various mineral or cellulose-based natural fibres have recently attracted attention in the construction industry. Hence, the current study focused on basalt fibres and explored the changes in the physical, mechanical, and micro-structural properties of geopolymer concrete reinforced with such fibres. The current study used self-compacting geopolymer concrete, an eco-friendly concrete composed of fly ash, ground granulated blast furnace slag, and an alkali activator, in addition to the regular components of normal concrete. The self-compacting geopolymer concrete compacts under its own weight, so extra compaction is not required. The present study investigated the effect of the fibre content and length. Two different fibre lengths were considered: 12 mm and 30 mm. Three different percentages (1%, 2%, and 3% of the weight of the total mix) of the basalt fibres were considered to determine the optimum fibre content. The mix design was carried out for all the mixes with different fibre contents and fibre lengths, and the workability properties in the slump flow, T-500, and J-ring tests are presented. The effects of the fibre length and content were evaluated in terms of compressive strength (28 and 56 days) and split tensile strength. The results indicated that a higher fibre content effectively increased the compressive strength of 12 mm long fibres. In contrast, a lower fibre content was ideal for the 30 mm long fibres. In addition, the short fibres were more effective in enhancing the geopolymer concrete’s tensile strength than the long fibres. Furthermore, a detailed microscopic analysis was carried out, which revealed that fibre clustering, voids, etc., changed the strength of the selected fibre-reinforced self-compacting geopolymer concrete. Moreover, the analytical method’s predicted tensile strength agreed with the experimental results. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical Properties of Composite Materials and Joints)
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17 pages, 2252 KiB  
Review
Part I: Development and Implementation of the Ten, Five, Three (TFT) Model for Resistance Training
by Quincy R. Johnson
Muscles 2025, 4(2), 14; https://doi.org/10.3390/muscles4020014 - 19 May 2025
Viewed by 2001
Abstract
The strength and conditioning literature examining neuromuscular physiology, bioenergetics, neuroendocrine factors, nutrition and metabolic factors, and the use of ergogenic aids, as well as physical and physiological responses and adaptations, have clearly identified the benefits of participating in regular resistance training programs for [...] Read more.
The strength and conditioning literature examining neuromuscular physiology, bioenergetics, neuroendocrine factors, nutrition and metabolic factors, and the use of ergogenic aids, as well as physical and physiological responses and adaptations, have clearly identified the benefits of participating in regular resistance training programs for athletic populations, especially as it relates to improving muscular strength. Beyond evidence-based research, models for resistance training program implementation are of considerable value for optimizing athletic performance. In fact, several have been provided that address general to specific characteristics of athleticism (i.e., strength endurance, muscular strength, and muscular power) through resistance training over the decades. For instance, a published model known as the strength–endurance continuum that enhances dynamic correspondence (i.e., training specificity) in athletic populations by developing structural, metabolic, and neural capacities across a high-load, low-repetition and low-load, high-repetition range. Further models have been developed to enhance performance approaches (i.e., optimum performance training model) and outcomes (i.e., performance pyramid), even within specific populations, such as youth (i.e., youth physical development model). The ten, five, three, or 10-5-3 (TFT) model for strength and conditioning professionals synthesizes currently available information and provides a framework for the effective implementation of resistance training approaches to suit the needs of athletes at each stage of development. The model includes three key components to consider when designing strength and conditioning programs, denoted by the acronym TFT (ten, five, three). Over recent years, the model has gained much support from teams, coaches, and athletes, mainly due to the ability to streamline common knowledge within the field into an efficient and effective resistance training system. Furthermore, this model is distinctly unique from others as it prioritizes the development of strength–endurance, muscular strength, and muscular power concurrently. This paper explains the model itself and begins to provide recommendations for those interested in implementing TFT-based approaches, including a summary of points as a brief take-home guide to implementing TFT interventions. It is the author’s hope that this paper encourages other performance professionals to share their models to appreciate human ingenuity and advance our understanding of individualized approaches and systems towards the physical development of the modern-day athlete. Full article
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24 pages, 8470 KiB  
Article
Research of Physical and Mechanical Properties of Self-Compacting Concrete Based on Polyfractional Binder
by Meiram M. Begentayev, Daniyar A. Akhmetov, Rauan E. Lukpanov, Erzhan I. Kuldeyev, Zhanar O. Zhumadilova, Tolebi Myrzaliyev, Duman S. Dyussembinov and Aigerim K. Tolegenova
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(10), 5283; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15105283 - 9 May 2025
Viewed by 379
Abstract
This article presents the results of a study on the influence of a three-level dispersed composition of the clinker component of a binder, which includes coarse, medium, and fine fractions, on the physical and mechanical properties of self-compacting concrete (SCC). One of the [...] Read more.
This article presents the results of a study on the influence of a three-level dispersed composition of the clinker component of a binder, which includes coarse, medium, and fine fractions, on the physical and mechanical properties of self-compacting concrete (SCC). One of the current challenges in SCC technology is enhancing its durability and resistance to aggressive environments while maintaining self-consolidating properties. Addressing this challenge holds significant engineering importance, especially for infrastructure under freeze–thaw cycles and chemical exposure. The work aimed to determine the optimal polyfractional composition that ensures the maximum packing density of cement binder particles and to assess the changes in the operational characteristics of SCC. A software and calculation complex featuring a three-dimensional modeling algorithm, Drop and Roll, was used to select the optimal composition. Experimental studies were conducted for mixtures with varying fraction contents, differing in average particle sizes of 12 μm, 6.6 μm, and 4.9 μm. It was found that the optimum composition, consisting of 15% of the 1500 cm2/g fraction, 75% of the 3000 cm2/g fraction, and 10% of the 4500 cm2/g fraction, contributes to an increase in compressive strength of 26%, bending strength of 10%, a times two increase in freeze-thaw resistance, a decrease in water absorption, and an improvement in chemical resistance to aggressive environments. The results confirm the effectiveness of optimizing the grain composition of the binder to enhance the durability and performance characteristics of SCC used in aggressive conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Materials Science and Engineering)
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28 pages, 7776 KiB  
Article
Research on Path Planning Multiple Mobile Robots Based on the LAPGWO Algorithm
by Wan Xu, Dongting Liu, Ao Nie, Junqi Wang and Shijie Liu
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(10), 5232; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15105232 - 8 May 2025
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Abstract
Given that the traditional optimization algorithm (GWO) often encounters problems like local optimum, and the convergence efficiency is not satisfactory in the path planning task of multiple mobile robots, an improved grey wolf optimization algorithm (LAPGWO) based on the combination of the logistic [...] Read more.
Given that the traditional optimization algorithm (GWO) often encounters problems like local optimum, and the convergence efficiency is not satisfactory in the path planning task of multiple mobile robots, an improved grey wolf optimization algorithm (LAPGWO) based on the combination of the logistic chaotic mapping and the artificial potential field method (APF) is proposed. Firstly, the LAPGWO algorithm uses logistic chaotic mapping to initialize the scale of grey wolves, improving the diversity of the population distribution. Secondly, the potential field function of APF is introduced to guide the individual grey wolves to move towards the low potential energy area. By adjusting the angle between the resultant force direction of the possible field and the movement direction, the global search ability is enhanced, and the algorithm is prevented from falling into the local optimum. At the same time, in the later iterations, it gradually decreases to increase the local search ability and accelerate the search efficiency. Finally, a repulsive force correction term function is proposed to solve the problem of unreachable targets. An independent potential field is constructed for each robot during the driving process to reduce path conflicts. To verify the performance of the improved algorithm, this paper will verify and analyze two different improved grey wolf algorithms based on the warehouse environment. The results show that, compared with the GWO algorithm, the shortest path and calculation time of the LAPGWO algorithm is shortened by 22.09%, 34.12%, and 47.75%, respectively. It has better convergence and stability. A physical verification platform is built to verify the practical effectiveness of the method proposed in this paper. Full article
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