Advanced Multifunction Research Articles

Development of multifunctional cementitious composite using biochar

The global emphasis on sustainability has increased the demand for eco-friendly construction materials, with biochar emerging as a promising additive for concrete. It enhances mechanical properties, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and adds advanced multifunctionalities. Traditionally, achieving multifunctionality in cementitious composites involves using costly conductive fillers like carbon fibers and carbon black, which pose dispersion and health challenges. In contrast, biochar offers a cost-effective and carbon-negative alternative. Its high carbon content enables multifunctionality and sensing capabilities when integrated into cement. This study explores the multifunctional properties of biochar-based cementitious composites, focusing on self-sensing abilities, carbon sequestration, and their chemical and mechanical properties. Results indicate that adding biochar at 5 %, 10 %, and 15 % levels enhances compressive strength by 16.62 %, 46.20 %, and 51.17 %, respectively, while reducing ductility due to its porous nature at higher concentrations. Moreover, increasing biochar content from 5 % to 10 % correlated strain with fractional changes in resistivity (R2 = 0.99), highlighting its potential in self-sensing and structural health monitoring applications. BC15 samples also exhibited a 70 % higher CO2 absorption rate compared to controls, showcasing biochar's ability to improve concrete's functionalities and environmental performance. This study supports the wider adoption of biochar in construction to advance sustainable construction practices and contribute to global carbon reduction goals.

Enhancing the performance of nanostructured PVA/SA scaffolds through incorporation of macromolecules: From synergistic effects to advanced multifunctionalities

The increasing use of biomaterial scaffolds in tissue engineering applications demands a comprehensive understanding and precise control of their overall properties. This work analyzes the synergy of naturally occurring biological macromolecules on the swelling, and thermal and mechanical properties of ionically crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/sodium alginate (SA) fibrous scaffolds. The presence of collagen (COL) or hyaluronic acid (HA) contributed not only to increasing the hydrogen-bond density but also to induce the crystalline PVA phase formation. Consequently, the swelling, thermal degradation, elastic modulus, and nanohardness of the scaffolds were significantly enhanced. By considering COL and HA the relevance in diverse cellular processes and tissue functions, the PVA-scaffolds here introduced are promising materials by providing advanced multifunctionalities.

Three-dimensional macroscopic absorbents: From synergistic effects to advanced multifunctionalities

Three-dimensional macroscopic absorbents: From synergistic effects to advanced multifunctionalities

Nanocomposite Based on Organic Framework-Loading Transition-Metal Co Ion and Cationic Pillar[6]arene and Its Application for Electrochemical Sensing of l-Ascorbic Acid.

In this study, we constructed a highly sensitive and selective electrochemical sensing strategy for l-ascorbic acid (AA) based on a covalent organic framework (COF)-loading non-noble transition metal Co ion and macrocyclic cationic pillar[6]arene (CP6) nanocomposite (CP6-COF-Co). The COF plays a crucial role in anchoring the Co ion according to its crystalline porous and multiple coordination sites and has an outstanding performance for building an electrochemical sensing platform based on a unique two-dimensional structure. Accordingly, the transition-metal Co ion can be successfully anchored on the framework of COF and shows strong catalytic activity for the determination of AA. Moreover, introduction of host-guest recognition based on CP6 and AA can bring new properties for enhancing selectivity, sensitivity, and practical application in real environment. Host-guest interactions between CP6 and AA were evaluated by the 1H NMR spectrum. When compared with other literatures, our method displayed a lower determination limit and broader linear range. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study carried out for the non-noble transition-metal Co ion, COF, and pillar[6]arene hybrid material in sensing field, which has a potential value in sensing, catalysis, and preparation of advanced multifunction materials.

Galvanic replacement reaction for in situ fabrication of litchi-shaped heterogeneous liquid metal-Au nano-composite for radio-photothermal cancer therapy

With tremendous research advances in biomedical application, liquid metals (LM) also offer fantastic chemistry for synthesis of novel nano-composites. Herein, as a pioneering trial, litchi-shaped heterogeneous eutectic gallium indium-Au nanoparticles (EGaIn-Au NPs), served as effective radiosensitizer and photothermal agent for radio-photothermal cancer therapy, have been successfully prepared using in situ interfacial galvanic replacement reaction. The enhanced photothermal conversion efficiency and boosted radio-sensitization effect could be achieved with the reduction of Au nanodots onto the eutectic gallium indium (EGaIn) NPs surface. Most importantly, the growth of tumor could be effectively inhibited under the combined radio-photothermal therapy mediated by EGaIn-Au NPs. Inspired by this approach, in situ interfacial galvanic replacement reaction may open a novel strategy to fabricate LM-based nano-composite with advanced multi-functionalities.

High Performance and Efficiency Resonant Photo-Effect-Transistor by Near-Field Nano-Strip-Controlled Organic Light Emitting Diode Gate.

Phototriggered devices have attracted attention due to their exceptional characteristics, advanced multifunctionalities and unprecedented applications in optoelectronic systems. Here, we report a pioneer structural device, a resonant photoeffect-transistor (RPET) with a functionalized nanowire (NW) charge transport channel, modulated by a near-field nanostrip organic light emitting diode (OLED) and controlled by a gate bias to realize exceptional photoelectric properties. The RPET presents high-quality nanowire channel characteristics due to tunable optical cavities manifesting strong standing wave resonance under controlled light emission. To enhance performance, methodical analyses were carried out to determine the effects of the structural design, electric field distribution and charge carrier generation on photoresponsivity when light traverses a single or multiple nanoslit masks. The developed RPET yields stable photocurrents in the 105 range and generates current on/off ratios upward of 106 under the influence of intense electromagnetic distribution, effectively lending itself to promising opportunities in fully integrated optoelectronic devices.

Two-Way and Multiple-Way Shape Memory Polymers for Soft Robotics: An Overview

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are smart materials capable of changing their shapes in a predefined manner under a proper applied stimulus and have gained considerable interest in several application fields. Particularly, two-way and multiple-way SMPs offer unique opportunities to realize untethered soft robots with programmable morphology and/or properties, repeatable actuation, and advanced multi-functionalities. This review presents the recent progress of soft robots based on two-way and multiple-way thermo-responsive SMPs. All the building blocks important for the design of such robots, i.e., the base materials, manufacturing processes, working mechanisms, and modeling and simulation tools, are covered. Moreover, examples of real-world applications of soft robots and related actuators, challenges, and future directions are discussed.

Effects of reaction atmosphere on physico-chemical properties of V-doped FeNb11O29

FeNb11O29, pure or doped with metal transition ions, is a very promising material with advanced multifunctionalities and interesting applicative perspectives. It is isostructural with Nb12O29, one of the rare compounds in which Nb displays a local magnetic moment and shows both antiferromagnetic ordering and metallic conductivity at low temperatures. In this work we have synthesized and studied Fe0.8V0.2Nb11O29 monoclinic powders. In particular we monitored the effects on structural, electronic and magnetic properties in samples produced in different atmospheres to stabilize cations with different oxidation states.We have demonstrated that the reaction atmosphere influences the phase homogeneity, the crystallite size and the amount of paramagnetic centres, with a transformation of Fe3+ in Fe2+ when an inert atmosphere is used, as proved by the absence, in this case, of any electron paramagnetic resonance signal. Also the Raman spectra result to be affected due to the change of coordination polyhedra. Subsequent re-oxidation of reduced powders brings to the monophasic iron niobate again containing Fe3+ demonstrating the reversibility of redox process. This reversibility is accompanied by a complete restoring of monoclinic structure evidenced by X-ray diffraction data and by Raman measurements, which allowed also to follow in situ the spectral changes induced by laser heating.

Full-visible multifunctional aluminium metasurfaces by in situ anisotropic thermoplasmonic laser printing

A new level of anisotropic plasmonic laser printing for aluminum multifunctional metasurfaces.

Cognitive predictors of skilled performance with an advanced upper limb multifunction prosthesis: a preliminary analysis

Purpose The objectives were to 1) identify major cognitive domains involved in learning to use the DEKA Arm; 2) specify cognitive domain-specific skills associated with basic versus advanced users; and 3) examine whether baseline memory and executive function predicted learning. Method Sample included 35 persons with upper limb amputation. Subjects were administered a brief neuropsychological test battery prior to start of DEKA Arm training, as well as physical performance measures at the onset of, and following training. Multiple regression models controlling for age and including neuropsychological tests were developed to predict physical performance scores. Prosthetic performance scores were divided into quartiles and independent samples t-tests compared neuropsychological test scores of advanced scorers and basic scorers. Baseline neuropsychological test scores were used to predict change in scores on physical performance measures across time. Results Cognitive domains of attention and processing speed were statistically significantly related to proficiency of DEKA Arm use and predicted level of proficiency. Conclusions Results support use of neuropsychological tests to predict learning and use of a multifunctional prosthesis. Assessment of cognitive status at the outset of training may help set expectations for the duration and outcomes of treatment.Implications for RehabilitationCognitive domains of attention and processing speed were significantly related to level of proficiencyof an advanced multifunctional prosthesis (the DEKA Arm) after training.Results provide initial support for the use of neuropsychological tests to predict advanced learningand use of a multifunctional prosthesis in upper-limb amputees.Results suggest that assessment of patients’ cognitive status at the outset of upper limb prosthetictraining may, in the future, help patients, their families and therapists set expectations for theduration and intensity of training and may help set reasonable proficiency goals.

Study of divalent elements (Mg, Sr and Ba)-doped LaMnO3 nano-manganites

Doping of group-II divalent cations in LaMnO3 can produce advanced multi-functionalities in these nano-manganite materials according to recent theoretical approaches. An experimental investigation of Mg, Sr and Ba-doped LaMnO3 nano-structures has been made by synthesizing these compositions with fuel agent assistive sol–gel auto-combustion technique. Detailed structural studies were carried out for crystal structure, lattice parameters, crystallite size, density and strain in structure using the data obtained from X-ray diffraction (XRD). Structural parameters were largely affected and significantly varied in all compositions due to doping of group-II elements with different sized ionic radii. Morphological and compositional analyzes were carried out using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, respectively. Electrical and magnetic properties were explored using four-point probe and physical property measurement setups and observed a significant change in various compositions. The substitution of group-II atoms with different sized ionic radii on the regular sites in structure provides a distinctive behavior in various properties.

The advanced multifunction RF concept

The goal of the Advanced Multifunction Radio Frequency Concept (AMRFC) Program is to demonstrate the integration of many sorts of shipboard RF functions including radar, communications, and electronic warfare (EW) utilizing a common set of broad-band array antennas, signal and data processing, signal generation, and display hardware. The AMRFC Program was launched in response to the growing number of topside antennas on U.S. Navy ships, which have almost doubled from the ships launched in the 1980s to those launched in the 1990s. The AMRFC Program seeks to develop and demonstrate a wide-band generic active array antenna architecture that has the ability to transmit and receive multiple simultaneous independent beams for radar, EW, and communication functions. This paper describes a proof-of-principle test-bed that is being developed to demonstrate the AMRFC.

High-band digital preprocessor (HBDP) for the AMRFC test-bed

A fully integrated very wide-band (WB) digital receiver subsystem has been developed to support the Navy Advanced Multifunction RF Concept test-bed program. Input RF signals in the 6-18-GHz band are processed to provide digital outputs for narrow-band and digital beam outputs for WB applications having instantaneous bandwidths of 22 and 230 MHz, respectively. This paper describes the design and performance of the digital receiver subsystem.