Search Results (62,714)

Industry 5.0 (I5.0) reframes industrial transformation by placing human-centricity, sustainability, and resilience alongside digitalisation, and by linking the twin transition to circular economy ambitions. While the post-2020 literature is expanding, implications for Manufacturing Systems are presented as fragmented principles, technologies, or isolated use cases, which complicates traceability from I5.0 goals to system-level requirements. This manuscript addresses this gap by consolidating the I5.0 discourse via a challenge-based synthesis and translating it into Manufacturing System implications using an evidence-mapping logic. Reported challenges are clustered into four topic groups (planet and society, products and consumption, production, people) and mapped to the four Manufacturing System pillars to expose evidence concentrations and gaps. Building on this bridge, a Manufacturing Systems’ challenges taxonomy is derived in three streams: (i) personalised and circular products, (ii) sustainable, flexible, human-centric Manufacturing Systems, and (iii) an education and skills paradigm for reskilling across industry and research ecosystems. A research agenda matrix highlights priorities in lifecycle information infrastructures, orchestration metrics, human–automation symbiosis, and governance at a system-of-systems scale. In the coded corpus (n = 30), evidence is denser in Manufacturing Systems and operations and competitiveness and people (22 and 23 papers) than in materials and processes and product, tooling, and assembly (7 and 10 papers). Full article

Large datasets of fuel properties are indispensable for predictive combustion modeling and next-generation fuel design. However, resource-intensive experiments restrict existing databases to 200–500 compounds, capturing an infinitesimal fraction of the C1-20 hydrocarbon space. Furthermore, conventional rule-based and supervised learning extraction methods are constrained by poor scalability, domain-specific nomenclature, and weak contextual inference. To address these limitations, we introduce IgnitionGPT, a large language model fine-tuned on GPT-4.1-mini for the automated, concurrent extraction of three ignition metrics: Research Octane Number, Motor Octane Number, and Cetane Number. The model was trained on a human-annotated JSONL dataset of 304 sources (263 peer-reviewed articles, 41 patents) encompassing 581 diverse compounds. By evaluating IgnitionGPT directly against its zero-shot foundation, we isolate the impact of domain-specific fine-tuning. The model overcomes baseline overgeneralization (47.8% F1) to achieve saturated extraction accuracy on unseen data (i.e., 100% for the best model). Remarkably, it reaches this saturation on an 85% held-out test split using a mere 10% of the data for fine-tuning, demonstrating true robustness across heterogeneous literature. Ultimately, by open-sourcing our data and methods, this fine-tuning framework transitions chemical information retrieval from fragmented, rule-based heuristics to unified, concurrent extraction towards bridging the gap between experimental limitations and data-driven molecular design and modeling. Full article

Promoting the agricultural recycling of biogas slurry (BS) is crucial for sustainable development, yet its long-term ecological impacts remain unclear. Through a multi-year field trial in a sugarcane system, this study examined the effects of BS application (0, 3, and 6 years) on the soil properties, bacterial communities, and functional genes for C, N, P, and S cycling. The results revealed distinct two-phase patterns of changes in soil properties, microbial communities, and functional genes. Short-term (3-year) application induced a “disturbance” phase, characterized by significant acidification (pH decreased by 17.91%), a surge in nitrate-N (increased by 757.27%), and a transient decline in bacterial richness. Long-term (6-year) application drove a “functional restructuring” phase, reversing acidification and significantly increasing soil organic matter (29.05%) and total nitrogen (TN) (20.81%). Bacterial richness recovered, and community composition distinctively restructured. Functional gene analysis revealed shifts in gene abundance that transitioned from high abundance in the short term to a new balance favoring processes like N fixation. Co-occurrence network analysis indicated that this functional shift was associated with core microbial modules (e.g., Firmicutes) and changes in soil pH and SOM. This study suggests that, although short-term application causes significant adjustments, sustained and appropriate BS application can ultimately enhance soil fertility and promote a functionally reorganized state by reshaping microbial interaction networks. It presents a microbial ecological basis for the safe and sustainable use of BS in circular agriculture. Full article

With the increasing use of reinforced concrete segments in large-scale tunnels, engineering projects have placed higher mechanical demands on concrete, and the choice of concrete materials significantly influences these mechanical properties. This study is based on the preliminary mix design for the concrete used in the Second Undersea Tunnel Project, with the mass content of nano-SiO₂ (NS) (1–3%), the volume content of steel fibers (SF) (0.5–1.5%) and the volume content of polypropylene fibers (PPF) (0.05–0.25%) as independent variables and using compressive strength (Y₁), splitting tensile strength (Y₂), and toughness index (Y₃) as response variables. Using the Box–Behnken response surface design method, response surface models for each parameter were established and analyzed. The effects of NS, SF, and PPF on the mechanical properties of the concrete were investigated. Combining the MOPSO algorithm and the entropy-weighted TOPSIS method, a multi-objective cooperative optimization study was conducted. Finally, a microstructural analysis of the optimal NSDHFRC was performed. The results indicate that Y₁, Y₂, and Y₃ all initially increase and then decrease with increasing NS content; Y₁ and Y₃ increase with increasing SF content. However, when the SF content exceeds a certain level, the fiber spacing becomes too dense, weakening the effective bridging effect between fibers, resulting in a decrease in Y₂ at excessively high SF contents; PPF can suppress crack formation within a certain content range, but its effect on Y₁ is relatively weak. Due to agglomeration and water absorption, both Y₂ and Y₃ decrease when the PPF content is too high. It was determined that the optimal solution occurs when the mass fraction of NS is 2.15%, and the volume fractions of SF and PPF are 1.37% and 0.063%, respectively, with Y₁, Y₂, and Y₃ being 69.94 MPa, 5.49 MPa, and 1.99, respectively. Experimental verification confirmed that the relative error is within 5%. A microscopic analysis of the optimal solution revealed that an appropriate amount of NS refines the concrete structure through physical and chemical reactions, improves the interface transition zone, and enhances the bond strength between the fibers and the matrix. Meanwhile, PPF and SF distribute stress, respectively delaying the propagation of microcracks and macrocracks during different loading stages. These findings provide a reference for practical engineering applications. Full article

Water saturation is a key factor influencing the mechanical behavior and stability of tunnel rock masses in water-bearing strata. However, current research based on physical model tests has yet to systematically reveal its intrinsic relationship with rock failure modes. To address this gap, this study systematically investigated the effects of water saturation levels (0%, 33%, 58%, and 100%) on the failure mechanisms of four typical tunnel cross-section models: wall-arch, horseshoe, circular, and square. The results indicate the following: (1) Water saturation exerts a significant deteriorating effect on the mechanical properties of tunnel models. As saturation increases, peak stresses generally decrease across all models, but the extent of deterioration varies markedly by tunnel shape: at low saturation (≤58%), peak stress follows the order Wall-Arch > Horseshoe > Circular > Square; at high saturation (>58%), this relationship reverses to Circular > Square > Wall-Arch > Horseshoe. (2) The failure mechanism is significantly controlled by saturation, exhibiting distinct transition characteristics: At low saturation, capillary effects dominate, with matrix suction enhancing material strength, resulting in brittle failure with crack concentration. At high saturation, pore water pressure effects prevail, reducing effective stress and leading to plastic failure dominated by distributed shear slip. Notably, square tunnels consistently exhibit pronounced flexural failure characteristics across all saturation levels. (3) Energy evolution analysis indicates the following: as saturation increases, the total energy U of specimens decreases, the dissipation rate of dissipated energy U_d accelerates, the energy inflection point advances, and failure precursors manifest earlier. The energy dissipation factor n of high-saturation specimens decreases more significantly with increasing strain, confirming that moisture accelerates energy dissipation and promotes premature material instability. (4) Significant differences exist in the response characteristics to moisture effects among tunnel types: Square tunnels consistently exhibit pronounced flexural failure; Circular tunnels demonstrate optimal stress distribution properties under high water content conditions; Wall-arch and horseshoe-shaped tunnels are most sensitive to saturation changes, with their failure modes transitioning from tensile-dominated to shear failure as water content increases. This study reveals the coupled mechanism between water saturation and tunnel cross-sectional shape in influencing rock mass stability. Full article

The rapid digitalization of cities is reshaping urban planning practices; however, significant gaps persist between technological investments and institutional governance capacity, particularly in transition economies. This study investigates how digital tools can be systematically embedded within planning processes to improve decision-making quality, coordination, and administrative efficiency. Drawing on urban governance theory and an empirical implementation study conducted in Yerevan, Armenia (population 1.1 million) between 2019 and 2023, the paper develops and operationalizes a multi-layer governance framework that aligns digital instruments—including geospatial information systems, performance dashboards, and decision-support platforms—with strategic, tactical, and operational levels of city management. The framework is evaluated through institutional analysis of municipal policy documents, planning databases, and semi-structured interviews with planning officials. The results reveal substantial governance barriers, including data fragmentation, organizational silos, and limited digital capacity. Framework-based implementation produced measurable improvements: planning decision cycles shortened by 43%, GIS utilization increased from 18% to 68% of eligible projects, inter-agency data sharing rose sixfold, and annual cost savings of approximately $1.2 million were achieved through reduced duplication and faster approvals. By combining conceptual design with empirical validation, the study advances digital urban governance research and offers a transferable, evidence-based model for implementing resilient and efficient data-driven planning systems in resource-constrained contexts. Full article

The transition to net-zero energy systems requires operationally grounded decision-making frameworks that integrate technology performance, infrastructure readiness, and policy constraints at local scale. Food transportation represents a high-emission and operationally critical component of regional energy and supply chain systems, particularly in food-producing regions. This study proposes a preliminary Local Area Energy Planning (LAEP) framework to support operational decision-making for the decarbonisation of food transportation, using Lincolnshire, UK, as a case study. The framework evaluates alternative freight transport technologies—battery electric vehicles (BEVs), hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (HFCEVs), battery electric road systems (BERS), and conventional internal combustion engine vehicles—across energy efficiency, CO₂ emissions, infrastructure requirements, and cost implications. Secondary data from national statistics, regional planning documents, and peer-reviewed literature are analysed using comparative quantitative and qualitative assessment methods. Results indicate that BEVs currently offer the most energy-efficient and cost-effective solution for short-haul and last-mile food logistics, achieving overall efficiencies of approximately 77–82% with zero tailpipe emissions. HFCEVs and BERS present potential long-term operational advantages for heavy-duty and long-haul freight, but remain constrained by high infrastructure investment, energy conversion losses, and system-level costs. The findings highlight the importance of phased technology adoption, renewable energy integration, and infrastructure prioritisation to enable sustainable energy operations in freight transport systems. By embedding technology comparison within a place-based planning framework, this study contributes actionable insights for local authorities, logistics operators, and policymakers seeking to support operational decision-making in sustainable energy systems. The proposed LAEP framework is transferable to other food-producing regions aiming to decarbonise freight transportation while maintaining operational efficiency. Full article

Epoxy materials are an important class of thermosets whose properties strongly depend on the used formula, the curing parameters, and many available hardeners. Achieving desired properties such as enhanced thermal stability, extended lifetime, or self-regeneration requires selecting suitable precursors and carefully tuning curing conditions. In this work, a selected biphenyl epoxy precursor was used as a model compound to assess whether using different hardeners could be an effective factor in tailoring the elasticity of cured epoxy networks. We employed two chemically distinct hardeners—4,4′ diaminodiphenylmethane (DDM) and suberic acid—to generate materials with markedly different final properties. For instance, the glass transition temperature T_g varied within a range of over 35 °C. Two complementary experimental techniques were used in this paper to establish the optimal curing parameters: differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS). Both techniques supported tracking of changes in the mixture while curing and enabled determination of T_g in the obtained products. Dielectric relaxation spectroscopy revealed various molecular motions (α, β, and γ-processes) occurring in different phases, especially in glass-forming solids. BDS is therefore a good tool for testing new organic materials. The analytic route used in this work, based on a combination of calorimetric and electrical approaches, enables precise adjustment of the curing parameters to a specific hardener and helps verify the effects of using different hardeners on the elastic properties of the product. This allows the creation and modification of epoxy matrices towards modern materials, such as composites with self-healing properties or enhanced thermal stability. Full article

With the growing global emphasis on the transition to green energy, understanding the drivers of renewable energy investment (REI) has become a critical area of research. However, the role of social security contributions (SSCs) as a fiscal instrument influencing REI remains unexplored. This study examines whether SSCs stimulate renewable energy investment and assesses the extent to which innovation influences this relationship. Using newly compiled SSC data for 35 OECD countries over the period 1996–2022, the analysis applies the Cross-Sectionally Augmented Autoregressive Distributed Lag (CS-ARDL) framework to capture dynamic effects and cross-country dependence. The results show that both social security contributions and technological innovation promote REI. In addition, technological innovation strengthens the positive impact of social security contributions on clean energy investment, indicating that SSCs are effective in innovative OECD economies. The results suggest that policymakers in OECD countries should allocate a significant portion of SSC revenues to green energy initiatives and innovation. Furthermore, increasing investment in green energy research and development could strengthen the link between SSCs and innovation, thereby accelerating the clean energy transition. Full article

The transition toward low-carbon and resource-efficient construction materials has intensified interest in geopolymer binders incorporating industrial and post-consumer wastes. Waste glass powder (WGP), a silica-rich component of the global glass waste stream, has emerged as a promising circular-economy precursor in alkali-activated systems; however, reported durability trends remain inconsistent and are often interpreted without mechanistic integration. This review synthesises current knowledge of WGP reactivity, gel chemistry, and long-term performance through an explicit reaction–transport–ageing (R–T–A) framework that links dissolution behaviour and phase assemblage development to pore connectivity, ion ingress, and time-dependent degradation. Under alkaline activation, the amorphous structure of WGP promotes silica release, modifying Si/Al ratios and governing the formation of N-A-S-H or hybrid N-A-S-H/C-(A)-S-H gels. These reaction products determine transport characteristics and ageing evolution, which collectively control chemical resistance, chloride ingress, alkali–silica reaction-type instability, and dimensional stability. Variability across studies is shown to arise from imbalances in particle fineness, replacement level, precursor chemistry, and activator design rather than intrinsic inconsistency in WGP behaviour. The R–T–A framework clarifies how reaction completeness, pore network architecture, and long-term phase stability interact to produce system-dependent durability outcomes. WGP demonstrates strong potential as a circular-economy precursor in alkali-activated binders; however, reliable structural application requires durability-informed mix design grounded in coupled reaction–transport–ageing mechanisms and supported by extended exposure testing under realistic service conditions. Full article

Rapid urbanization-induced extreme rainstorms severely disrupt social functions. Previous research often focused on “de-densification” strategies, which are difficult to adapt to high-density Sponge City Stormwater Management Units (SMUs) that carry core development functions. This study uses Shenzhen as a case study, utilizing Keep movement big data as a “social sensor” for system function perception and introducing the Socio-Ecological-Technological Systems (SETS) theory to construct a “recovery (RCN)–resistance (MI)” binary assessment framework. Through systematic clustering and hierarchical regression models, the driving mechanisms of blue landscape patterns, topography, road networks, and the built environment on social behavioral resilience are systematically parsed. The results show: (1) Road network morphology dominates resistance, while multi-dimensional elements collaborate for recovery. Resistance (MI) is primarily dominated by macro road network detour resistance (TPD2000, β = 0.956), while recovery depends on the synergistic support of blue space interspersion (Blue_IJI), topography, and micro-circulation road networks. (2) Green infrastructure fails in the model due to efficiency bottlenecks, empirical evidence of weakened regulation caused by green space fragmentation in ultra-high-density environments. (3) Low-density, eco-centric built environments provide dual synergistic gains for resilience. Based on this, a “Bidirectional Socio-Ecological Resilience Needs Pyramid” model is constructed, identifying four governance types such as the “Synergistic Balanced Type”. This study provides a quantitative basis for the transition from administrative control to precise morphological governance in high-density cities. Full article

The reconstruction of detrital flux, paleoclimate, paleosalinity, paleo-primary productivity, paleohydrodynamic conditions, and paleo-water depth enhances understanding of sedimentary processes and their drivers during deep-time greenhouse-icehouse transitions, such as the Eocene–Oligocene transition. This study uses detailed geochemical analyses of major oxides and trace elements in sediment samples collected from the Beni Suef Formation (Bartonian–Priabonian) and the Maadi Formation (Priabonian) in the southern Tethys shelf (Egypt, northeastern Desert). Detrital proxies, including Si/Al, Ti/Al, and Zr/Al, indicate an enhanced influx of terrigenous sediments in the middle portion of the Qurn Member of the Beni Suef Formation, as further supported by noticeable facies variations, particularly the transition from shale to coarser silt- and sand-sized fractions. Paleoclimate indicators (Sr/Ba, Rb/Sr, K₂O/Al₂O₃, and Sr/Cu) point to a climatic shift from humid to arid conditions, consistent with the regional Late Eocene aridification across the Tethyan realm. Paleosalinity proxies (Sr/Ba, Ca/Al, and Mg/Al×100) suggest episodic intensification of open-marine influence and a reduction in freshwater input, with an upsection increase in Sr/Ba ratios, reflecting phases of enhanced marine water settings or decreased terrestrial runoff. Primary productivity was evaluated using multiple geochemical proxies, including P, Ni/Al, Cu/Al, P/Al, P/Ti, and Babio ratios. These collectively indicate generally low primary productivity interrupted by intervals of enhanced paleoproductivity or increased organic matter export to the sediments. This interpretation is further supported by the low total organic carbon (TOC) values. These results highlight the sensitivity of the southern Tethys shelf to Middle–Late Eocene climatic variability and the key role of prevailing paleoenvironmental conditions in controlling sediment supply, water chemistry, and biological productivity. Full article

The PGM-free Fe–Ni–Co trimetallic catalysts developed in this study demonstrated outstanding performance for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), achieving overpotentials as low as 300 mV at 10 mA cm⁻² in rotating disk electrode (RDE) measurements, a value competitive with the most efficient non-noble electrocatalysts reported in the literature. This study validates the strong catalytic performance of the baseline trimetallic configuration and provides important insights into the relationships among synthesis, structure, and morphology that govern catalyst activity. In particular, the findings highlight that although organic additives can be promising modifiers, the interaction between precursors and transition metals must be carefully controlled to avoid active-site isolation when designing efficient catalysts for sustainable hydrogen production. Actually, to further enhance catalytic activity, the nitrogen-rich precursor melamine was introduced into the supported trimetallic catalyst and then carbonized. However, no improvement in OER performance was observed. During carbonization, melamine promotes the formation of tip-growth carbon nanotubes, which mechanically disrupt the catalyst structure and degrade the supported active phase. Full article

Poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) is a polymer containing epoxy groups in its side chains, which makes it a suitable platform for the development of functional materials. In this study, crosslinked PGMA-based microspheres were synthesized by suspension polymerization using N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide as a crosslinker, and the effect of incorporating inorganic additives (InAds) (NaCl, CaCO_3, and MgO nanoparticles) during synthesis was evaluated. In all cases, solid microspheres were obtained, exhibiting variations in particle size, sphericity, and aggregation depending on the type and amount of InAds. Thermal stability was characteristic of crosslinked PGMA (i.e., a single broad thermal transition in ~80–110 °C), while water absorption remained within a narrow range (80–120% for t = 40 min). In addition, the number of epoxy groups per gram of sample was 4.83 ± 0.02 mmol g⁻¹. Selected microspheres were subsequently functionalized with polyethyleneimine (PEI) to obtain graft polymers (PGMA–PEI) and evaluated for the adsorption of three model contaminants: Acid Red 27 (AR-27), nitrites, and acetaminophen. PGMA–PEI showed high affinity toward AR-27 and nitrites, achieving high removal efficiencies at acidic and neutral pH, with rapid adsorption kinetics consistent with a pseudo-second-order model, attributed to electrostatic interactions between protonated amine groups and anions. At pH 11, anion desorption was promoted, enabling partial material regeneration. The results highlight the potential of PGMA–PEI microspheres for the removal of AR-27 (maximum retention ~0.25 mg of dye/g of polymer) and nitrites (maximum retention ~0.023 mg of <!-- MathType@Translator@5@5@MathML2 (no namespace).tdl@MathML 2.0 (no namespace)@ --> Full article

Polymer–drug conjugates (PDCs) represent an advanced drug delivery strategy designed to address critical limitations of conventional therapeutics, including poor water solubility, rapid systemic clearance, and off-target toxicity. By covalently linking therapeutic agents to polymeric carriers through rationally designed linkers, PDCs enable improved pharmacokinetic profiles, enhanced stability, and controlled drug release. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the key design principles governing PDC systems, with a particular focus on the role of biofunctional polymers. Essential parameters for polymer selection, including biocompatibility, biodegradability, molecular weight, and functional group availability, are discussed in relation to their influence on drug loading, release kinetics, and biological performance. In addition, both natural and synthetic polymers are evaluated for their ability to improve solubility, modulate biodistribution, and reduce systemic toxicity. An overview of stimuli-responsive PDCs is provided, including pH-, redox-, and temperature-sensitive systems, which enable site-specific and spatiotemporally controlled drug release in response to pathological microenvironments. We emphasize the special role of bioactive polymers such as poly-lysine, hyaluronic acid, chitosan, and gelatin for their intrinsic biological activity, including receptor-mediated targeting, antimicrobial activity, and synergistic therapeutic effects. These properties support the development of dual-active conjugates with enhanced specificity and efficacy. Overall, this review underscores the transition of polymers from passive carriers to active therapeutic components and outlines current challenges and future perspectives for the clinical translation of next-generation PDCs. Full article