Search Results (142)

This study investigates the effects of ultrasonic nanocrystalline surface modification (UNSM) on the formation of nitride layers in Ti-6Al-4V alloy during ion-plasma nitriding (IPN). Various UNSM parameters, including vibration amplitude, static load, and processing temperature, were systematically varied to evaluate their influence on microstructure, hardness, elastic modulus, and tribological behavior. The results reveal that pre-treatment with optimized UNSM conditions significantly enhances nitrogen diffusion, leading to the formation of dense and uniform TiN/Ti₂N layers. Samples pre-treated under high-load and elevated-temperature UNSM exhibited the greatest improvements in surface hardness (up to 25%), elastic modulus (up to 18%), and wear resistance, with a reduced and stabilized friction coefficient (~0.55). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses confirmed microstructural densification, grain refinement, and increased nitride phase intensity. These findings demonstrate not only the scientific relevance but also the practical potential of UNSM as an effective surface activation technique. The hybrid UNSM + IPN approach may serve as a promising method for extending the service life of load-bearing biomedical implants and engineering components subjected to intensive wear. Full article

In response to the increasing consumer interest in the health benefits of plant-based foods, in this study, fuzzy logic modeling (FLM) was used to optimize the lactic fermentation process of several buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum)-based substrates (B-bSs), which were bio-prospected for the development of pseudocereal-based fermented foodstuffs. The experimental methodology involved obtaining B-bSs, either green or roasted, under various milling conditions and subjecting them to two different types of thermal treatment. This experimental design allowed us to obtain a set of experimental data, based on which a fuzzy system was developed and calibrated. The main physicochemical characteristics (pH, total titratable acidity, dynamic viscosity, and color) and sensory attributes (appearance, color, aroma, taste, texture or mouthfeel, and overall acceptability) of B-bSs were evaluated. The fuzzy logic approach proved useful for monitoring the evolution of lactic fermentation and for the rapid and accurate identification of situations that require technological interventions, acting as a reliable tool for the ongoing optimization of fermentation processes. Our study’s results showed that the optimal technological variants identified using FLM corresponded to green buckwheat milled with a 0.12 mm gap disk and a hammer mill and subjected to ultrasonic water bath treatment. The hedonic descriptive sensory evaluation also validated this conclusion. Full article

Micro-nano bubbles (MNBs) are tiny bubbles with diameters ranging from 200 nm to 30 µm. They possess unique physicochemical properties such as a large specific surface area, slow rising velocity, high gas dissolution rate, high mass transfer efficiency, and strong interfacial zeta potential. These properties endow MNBs with great potential in various fields, including water treatment, enhanced oil recovery, medical and health care, and agriculture. This paper systematically reviews the physicochemical properties, generation methods, and applications of micro-nano bubbles. The main production methods include the mechanical stirring, pressurized dissolved gas release, ultrasonic cavitation, venturi injection, electrolysis, etc. The principles, advantages and disadvantages, and optimization strategies of these methods are comprehensively analyzed. In terms of applications, the mechanisms and typical cases of MNBs in enhanced oil recovery, water treatment, mineral flotation, medical drug delivery, and crop yield enhancement are thoroughly discussed. Extensive research has shown that MNB technology is highly efficient, energy-saving, and environmentally friendly. However, improving bubble stability, generation efficiency, and large-scale application remain key directions for future research. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of mechanical agitation of Aloe vera Barbadensis Miller solution at different concentrations using passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI), XP Endo Finisher (XPF), XP Clean (XPC), and Easy Clean (ECL), compared to conventional endodontic irrigation (CIE), on bond strength and adhesive failure patterns in the cervical, middle, and apical thirds of the root canal. Aloe vera solutions at 1%, 3%, and 5% were tested to reverse collagen fiber collapse induced by hypochlorous acid, a free radical released by 2.5% sodium hypochlorite, which impairs dentin hybridization and the light curing of resin cement. Fiberglass posts were cemented using an etch-and-rinse adhesive system (Ambar; FGM) and conventional dual resin cement (Allcem Core) in root dentin across all thirds. Human teeth underwent chemical–mechanical preparation, and the Aloe vera solution was agitated using the CIE, PUI, XPF, XPC, or ECL protocols. Slices from each root third were evaluated under a stereomicroscope at 10× magnification and subjected to the push-out test. Cytotoxicity was assessed by applying various Aloe vera concentrations to stem cells from the apical papilla (SCAPs) for 24 h, followed by analysis of cell metabolism (Alamar Blue), viability (Live/Dead), and proliferation (F-actin). Aloe vera demonstrated significant biological activity and enhanced bond strength, particularly at 3% and 5%, irrespective of the agitation method or root third. Thus, it can be concluded that using Aloe vera solution is an alternative for pre-treatment before the cementation of fiberglass posts with conventional dual-cure resin cement in endodontically treated dentin. Full article

Ultrasound is considered a physical technology that can be applied at various stages of food processing to optimise resources and reduce production time. In this study, the influence of ultrasonic treatments at different power levels (0 W, 100 W, 200 W, and 300 W) on three Isaño genotypes (yellow, yellow with purple eyes, and purple) during alcoholic fermentation was investigated. The main parameters assessed were yeast growth kinetics, ethanol production, and substrate consumption in an ultrasonic bath operating at a frequency of 50 kHz. The findings demonstrated enhanced yeast growth, accelerated substrate consumption, and increased ethanol production compared to the control (untreated sample). However, the impact of ultrasound on fermentation decreased as the power level increased. Notably, an ultrasonic power of 100 W applied over 84 h of fermentation resulted in the highest ethanol yield (10.36% v/v) in the purple Isaño genotype. In conclusion, ultrasonic treatment is a promising approach to improve the fermentation process of Isaño, potentially enabling its development as a functional beverage with both nutritional and therapeutic properties. Full article

With daily oil consumption approaching 100 million barrels, the global demand continues to generate significant quantities of oily wastewater during oil extraction, refining, and transportation, and the development of effective oil–water separation technologies has become crucial. However, membrane corrosion is a challenge under the harsh conditions involved. Here, we are inspired by the lotus leaf to create a corrosion-resistant and robust superhydrophobic membrane using a general spraying method. By using this spraying process to apply the Graphene@PDMS heptane dispersion onto the mesh substrate, we create a biomimetic corrosion-resistant and robust superhydrophobic stainless steel mesh (SSM). The modified SSM can still maintain superhydrophobic properties after soaking in a strong acidity solution (pH = 1), robust alkalinity solution (pH = 14), or NaCl solution (15 days), which demonstrates excellent chemical stability. Moreover, the modified SSM shows strong mechanical stability during ultrasonic treatment for 2 h. The superhydrophobic SSM can be used to separate various kinds of oils from water with high flux and separation efficiency. It shows a high flux of 27,400 L·m⁻²·h⁻¹ and high separation efficiency of 99.42% for soybean oil–water separation using 400-mesh SSM. The biomimetic modified SSM demonstrates great potential for oil–water separation under harsh conditions, which gives it promise as a candidate in practical applications of oil–water separation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Andiroba oil, extracted from Carapa guianensis seeds, possesses therapeutic properties including anti-inflammatory and wound healing effects. This study aimed to develop and characterize a nanoemulsion formulation containing andiroba oil (NeAnd) and to evaluate its cytotoxicity and wound healing potential in vitro. Methods: The oil was evaluated for acidity, antioxidant activity, and fatty acid composition. NeAnd was produced by ultrasonication and characterized using FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), Raman spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy. Results: NeAnd exhibited a spherical shape and stable physicochemical properties, with an average hydrodynamic diameter (HD) of 205.7 ± 3.9 nm, a polydispersity index (PdI) of 0.295 ± 0.05, a negative zeta potential of −4.16 ± 0.414 mV, and pH of approximately 6.5. These nanodroplets remained stable for 120 days when stored at 4 °C and maintained their parameters even under pH variations. FTIR and Raman analyses confirmed the presence of functional groups and the organization of fatty acid chains in NeAnd. Cell viability assays revealed no statistically significant differences in cytotoxicity at various concentrations (90–360 µg/mL) after 24 and 48 h. In scratch wound healing assays, NeAnd significantly enhanced wound closure (88.9%) compared to the PBS control (38%) and free andiroba oil (68.6%) in keratinocytes (p < 0.05). Conclusions: These promising findings indicate NeAnd as a potential nanophytomedicine for wound healing and tissue regeneration treatments. Full article

Heat-performance nickel-based superalloys are commonly applied in various critical industries. In this work, test samples in the form of turbine blades were manufactured by means of laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) 3D technology. This research focused on comparison of the influences of various surface finishing methods. The mechanical surface post-processing of the LPBF-manufactured Inconel 718 alloy samples consisted of ultrasonic impact treatment (UIT), ultrasonic shot peening (USP), shot peening (SP), and barrel finishing (BF). The surface microrelief was evaluated using a high-precision laser profilometer, while the microstructural features were studied by light optical microscopy (LOM), scanning/transmission electron microscopy (SEM/TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Potentiodynamic polarization tests were also conducted to compare the surface finishing methods in terms of corrosion resistance improvement of the LPBF-manufactured 718 alloy samples. The effects of the surface microstructure and hardening intensity in combination with residual stresses and surface relief coupled with roughness profile shapes on the room temperature corrosion behavior of plastically deformed 718 alloy specimens manufactured by LPBF were studied. The corrosion rate (CR) of the LPBF-manufactured samples was reduced after post-processing: BF (~16 μm/year), USP (~15 μm/year), SP (~6.5 μm/year), and UIT (~5.5 μm/year). The experimental trends also agreed well with the theoretical trends of uniform corrosion of the studied alloy. Full article

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a nonprotein amino acid, which confers stress resistance to plants. Precise mechanisms underlying GABA accumulation in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) subjected to dark and ultrasonic stresses have not been elucidated. We conducted transcriptome and metabolome analyses of quinoa samples exposed to various stress treatments to reveal molecular pathways leading to GABA accumulation. Through the comprehensive integration of metabolome and transcriptome data, an association was revealed between GABA accumulation, 9 differentially expressed metabolites, and 27 differentially expressed genes. Two pathways responsible for GABA synthesis were identified, involving glutamate decarboxylase and aldehyde dehydrogenases, respectively. These enzymes regulate the enrichment of GABA in quinoa under dark and ultrasonic stress conditions. We demonstrated that under ultrasonic stress, proline and alanine increased, whereas glutamate and arginine declined. Phenolic acid, flavonoids, and alkaloid metabolites increased. These findings provide novel insights into the mechanism by which darkness and ultrasound stress enhance GABA, supporting the development of targeted synthetic biology techniques. Full article

The oral environment significantly influences the esthetic appearance of CAD/CAM provisional restorative materials. Therefore, a veneering layer is required. Bonding veneering resin composites to these materials presents challenges, particularly under conditions of thermal aging. This study evaluated the impact of various surface treatments and thermal aging on the bond strength between veneering resin and CAD/CAM provisional materials. Fifty disk-shaped specimens of each CAD/CAM material (CAD-Temp, Everest C-Temp, and PEEK), measuring 10 mm in diameter and 3 mm in height, were fabricated. After being ultrasonically cleaned, specimens were embedded in acrylic resin blocks, leaving one surface exposed for surface treatments. Specimens were assigned to five groups at random. Group C: no surface treatments applied; DB: mechanically roughened with a diamond bur; DB + TC: DB group subjected to 5000 cycles of thermocycling; SB: treated with aluminum oxide airborne abrasion; SB + TC: SB group subjected to 5000 cycles of thermocycling. After the surface treatments, the primer and resin veneering composite were applied to the specimens. The shear bond strength (SBS) was calculated using a universal testing machine and the mode of failure was evaluated with an optical stereomicroscope with 40× magnification. Scanning electron microscopy evaluation was conducted to examine the surface topography of the materials’ surfaces after surface treatments. C-Temp in the SB group exhibited the highest SBS values (20.38 ± 1.04 MPa), while CAD-Temp in the C group showed the lowest values (4.60 ± 0.54 MPa). PEEK recorded significantly higher SBS values in DB + TC and SB + TC groups (9.26 ± 1.07 and 12.92 ± 0.97 MPa, respectively) compared to CAD-Temp in DB + TC and SB + TC groups (6.04 ± 0.76 and 8.82 ± 0.86 MPa, respectively). C-Temp exhibited higher SBS without surface treatment (13.11± 0.55 MPa), whereas PEEK showed higher SBS after diamond bur roughening and air particle abrasion (10.87 ± 1.02 MPa, and 14.37 ± 0.98 MPa, respectively). The thermocycling significantly reduced SBS values for C-Temp in the DB + TC and SB + TC groups (11.18 ± 0.92, 15.56 ± 0.87 MPa, respectively) and CAD-Temp in the DB + TC and SB + TC (6.04 ± 0.76 MPa and 8.82 ± 0.86 MPa, respectively). Conversely, the thermocycling had no significant effect on SBS values for PEEK material in the air particle abrasion group (12.92 ± 0.97 MPa). Full article

In recent years, the bioactive compounds extracted from Sanghuangporus, especially polysaccharides, phenols, and triterpenoids, have attracted great interest from people due to their extensive biological activity. Among them, polysaccharides are mainly extracted from the seed bodies, mycelium, and fermentation broth of Sanghuangyuan, exhibiting notable effects including immunomodulation, antitumor properties, and hypoglycemic effects. This article provides a comprehensive review of the extraction process, structural characteristics, and antitumor mechanism of Sanghuangyuan polysaccharides. First, the different extraction methods, such as hot water extraction, enzyme-assisted extraction, and ultrasonic-assisted extraction, are summarized. Then, the structure of the Sanghuangporus polysaccharide is studied in detail. Moreover, the antitumor mechanisms demonstrate significant inhibitory impacts on various malignant tumors, spanning gastric, hepatic, colorectal, breast, and prostate cancers. This groundbreaking revelation is of great significance for both the food and pharmaceutical sectors, presenting innovative pathways for Sanghuangyuan utilization and potentially inducing advancements in product development, treatment modalities, and therapeutic interventions. Full article

Discharge treatment is a vital process in the pretreatment of spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). This paper focuses on the effects of ultrasonic pretreatment on the discharge of spent LIBs from the perspective of electrolyte concentration and ultrasonic power. By integrating characterizations such as pH measurement and X-ray fluorescence (XRF), the effect of ultrasonic pretreatment on the discharge of spent LIBs is evaluated. Experimental results show that sodium chloride (NaCl) solution and potassium chloride (KCl) solution have a more significant and better discharge efficiency (DE) under ultrasonic treatment, while organic electrolyte solutions which mainly contain formate and acetate generally show a less ideal DE. Under experimental conditions of using electrolyte discharge solutions with various electrolyte concentrations with the same ultrasonic power of 300 W, the DE generated from the experimental condition with KCl solution in 30 g/200 mL deionized water is the highest, 64.9%; under different ultrasonic powers in the same electrolyte solutions, the DE of 10 wt.% HCOONa solution is the highest at ultrasonic power of 500 W, at 4.7%. This work provides a reference for the efficient and cost-effective pretreatment of spent LIBs and the discharge mechanism in different electrolyte solutions with ultrasonic treatment is also explored to support the recycling of spent LIBs. Full article

The main aim of this study was to enhance the content of soluble dietary fiber (SDF) derived from rice bran (RB) through various treatments, including physical methods (ultrasound and alternating magnetic field (AMF)) and enzymatic approaches (cellulase and xylanase), applied individually or in combination. The results revealed that AMF treatment was the most effective single modification technique for increasing SDF yield, followed by treatments with xylanase, cellulase, and ultrasound. Notably, among the combined approaches, the sequential ultrasound–xylanase treatment (U-X) demonstrated the highest potential for enhancing SDF yield. Further optimization experiments revealed that under the conditions of a xylanase addition of 4.3 mg/g sample, a material-to-liquid ratio of 50 mL/g, and an ultrasonic power of 72 W, the yield of U-X-SDF significantly increased from 1.03% to 18.4%. Compared to unmodified samples, the modified SDF groups exhibited marked enhancements in water holding capacity (42.5–86.4%) and water solubility (21.0–30.6%), while the unmodified SDF displayed superior oil holding capacity than the modified groups. In summary, the sequential ultrasound–xylanase treatment not only improves the SDF yield but also enhances the functional properties of RB-derived SDF, positioning it as a valuable health-promoting food additive with potential benefits for both laboratory and industrial food applications. The optimized treatment process can contribute to the development of new functional food ingredients from RB, thereby promoting health and wellness in consumers. Full article

Tetracycline is often used in treating various diseases or infections, which also leads to severe environmental threats due to its toxicity, durability, and low biodegradation. Meanwhile, although ultrasound (US)-assisted activation of persulfate (PS) is a promising technology for water and wastewater treatment, its reaction mechanism is still not well-defined. Herein, we explored the effect of the enhanced mechanism of ultrasonic activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) on the degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH). The findings revealed that the US/PMS system was highly effective in degrading TCH, achieving an 83.2% degradation efficiency for a TCH concentration of 10 mg/L within 3 h. Moreover, the combination of radical quenching experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analysis confirmed the generation of different types of reactive radicals (such as sulfate radical (SO₄^•−), hydroxyl radical (•OH), superoxide anions (•O₂⁻), and singlet oxygen (¹O₂)) upon PMS activation under ultrasonic cavitation. Thus, US-assisted activation of persulfate is a more promising strategy for efficient removal of refractory organic contaminants in wastewater. Full article

This paper presents an integrated approach based on physical–mathematical models and numerical simulations to optimize sludge treatment using ultrasound. The main objective is to improve the efficiency of the purification system by reducing the weight and moisture of the purification sludge, therefore ensuring regulatory compliance and environmental sustainability. A coupled temperature–humidity model, formulated by partial differential equations, describes materials’ thermal and water evolution during treatment. The numerical resolution, implemented by the finite element method (FEM), allows the simulation of the system behavior and the optimization of the operating parameters. Experimental results confirm that ultrasonic treatment reduces the moisture content of sludge by up to 20% and improves its stability, making it suitable for agricultural applications or further treatment. Functional controls of sonication and the reduction of water content in the sludge correlate with the obtained results. Ultrasound treatment has been shown to decrease the specific weight of the sludge sample both in pretreatment and treatment, therefore improving stabilization. In various experimental conditions, the weight of the sludge is reduced by a maximum of about 50%. Processed sludge transforms waste into a resource for the agricultural sector. Treatment processes have been optimized with low-energy operating principles. Additionally, besides utilizing energy-harvesting technology, plant operating processes have been optimized, accounting for approximately 55% of the consumption due to the aeration of active sludge. In addition, an extended analysis of ultrasonic wave propagation is proposed. Full article