Applications In Industry Research Articles

Use of vegetable oils as dielectric fluids for electrical discharge machining. A case study

Electrical discharge machining with solid electrodes represents an efficient solution to generate blind cavities with complex geometry. Vegetable oils represent an alternative to conventional dielectrics, which are considered harmful for the environment and human health. This study tested the feasibility of two widely used vegetable oils, sunflower and soybean, under intense machining of three alloys with application in aeronautic industry, aiming for high process productivity and a good surface quality. The results have revealed that vegetable oils are capable to ensure an improvement of the material removal rates that can reach up to 55.15% compared to mineral oil. Also, the vegetable dielectrics allowed an improvement of surface quality for non-ferrous alloys, up to a maximum of 19.70%, whereas for the stainless steel, the mineral oil has provided a better surface finish.

The Curriculum in NDT Training Have to Include Basics Information Technology to Accomplish Reliability of Automated NDT Result's

Automation in Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) is a reality of modern manufacturing and quality assurance. Information technology applications are simultaneously developed and applied to different fields of NDT methods. The future of doing reliability checks using automated system is inevitable. The results are important to make a variety of decisions regarding the quality of a product and/or service, hence affecting safety and reliability. Depending on artificial intelligence and quantum device development, various NDT training schemes have to adopt a new curriculum to address the issue of the basic knowledge of information technology and automation in NDT. NDT operators are basically dependent on the end results of software, in which the software developer uses a set of algorithms. These are obtained in three categories; 1) Real time database; 2) Synthetic database and 3) Hybrid or combination of them. The developers should know how the NDT systems run and NDT operators in the other hand know the mechanism of the program, so that appropriate action can be taken, in case there is a missed detection, or a detected indication is not very much detrimental to the reliability of the part (Over sizing or wrongly evaluated). For example, a set of algorithms are used to create the focal laws in a phased array ultrasonic test software in space of 1˚ beam steering. Each has a limit of maximum up to 2nd Critical angle. Operators try to copy the same algorithm and set up to 89˚ refraction angle, which will just create creep wave with unreliable results to detect effective size the reflector. Programming knowledge of the operator can effectively eliminate this type of unreliability. In various Schemes of NDT Syllabus which are in common place to employ and train plus certify operators does not have it; actually, the operators do the scope of work which does includes application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Software. With the development of Q coupler (Quantum Computing) system, it is obvious to adopt the upcoming technology into the application of NDT industry. Training needs to update the curriculum accordingly. The current topic has intended to focus on the training gap and to address related kind of unreliability.

Evidence and Prospects of Lycopene as Powerful Red Superfood: Modern Approach to Food Science

Abstract: Lycopene is a plant-derived important nutrient belonging to a group of pigments identified as carotenoids. Lycopene has distinctive chemical and structural features contributing to definite biological properties. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant and prevents cells and tissues from damage caused by singlet oxygen or free radicals. Research studies have shown the healthpromoting potential of lycopene or its metabolites in the prevention of chronic diseases like diabetes, cancer, asthma, metabolic syndrome, arthritis, and cardiovascular diseases. Lycopene is stable for processing like other natural compounds when present in the plant tissue matrix. Over the last few years, the global lycopene market has increased in different sectors like pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food and dairy products, and other dietary supplements. The most important aspect of lycopene as a superfood is its synergistic nature with other nutrients. The main aim of this review article is to study chemistry, biosynthetic pathways, biotransformation, sources, and acceptable daily intake. Its characterization as a superfood, therapeutic potential, and wide range of applications in the food industry are also studied.

Stock Market Prediction

The prediction of stock market trends is a challenging yet critical task in the financial sector, given its significant implications for investors, traders, and financial institutions. This research leverages the Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) algorithm, a type of recurrent neural network (RNN), to develop a robust model for forecasting stock prices. The study utilizes historical stock market data sourced from Yahoo Finance, accessed via the yfinance package in Python. The primary objectives are to preprocess the data, implement the LSTM model, and evaluate its performance against traditional models such as Random Forest and Linear Regression. Data preprocessing involved handling missing values, normalizing the dataset, and transforming it into sequences suitable for LSTM training. The model's architecture includes multiple LSTM layers designed to capture temporal dependencies in the data. The study evaluates the model's performance using metrics such as Mean Squared Error (MSE), Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), and prediction accuracy. Comparative analysis shows that the LSTM model outperforms both Random Forest and Linear Regression models, with lower MSE and RMSE values and higher accuracy in predicting stock prices. This research discovered that LSTM's ability to retain long-term dependencies makes it particularly effective for stock market prediction, where historical trends and patterns significantly influence future prices. The results indicate that the LSTM model provides more reliable and precise predictions, which can enhance decision-making in trading and investment. This research highlights the potential of advanced neural network architectures in financial forecasting, offering a valuable tool for investors aiming to optimize their strategies and mitigate risks. The significance of this study lies in its practical application in the financial industry, demonstrating that machine learning models, particularly LSTM, can substantially improve the accuracy of stock market predictions. Future research could explore the integration of additional features, such as macroeconomic indicators and sentiment analysis, to further enhance model performance. This study underscores the importance of continuous innovation and the adoption of sophisticated algorithms to navigate the complexities of financial markets.

Experimental investigation of 3D printed polylactic acid and polylactic acid – hydroxyapatite composite through material extrusion technique for biomedical application

In biomedical industries, composite additive manufacturing are employed for customization, quicker production, efficient use and capital reduction. This experimental work focuses on the development of poly lactic acid (PLA) and novel extruded hydroxyapatite (HA) reinforced poly lactic acid (HPLA) by material extrusion (ME) technique and their properties were compared with that of standard 3D printed PLA. The extruded composite filaments were subjected to thermal characterization (DSC, TGA) and chemical characterization (FTIR) to ensure filament quality and its implementation in ME technique for 3D printing process. In addition, the melt compounded composite filaments were subjected to annealing to observe the influence of heat treatment upon their mechanical properties and thereby to validate their potential to resist breakage during ME process. Taguchi orthogonal array method using MiniTab software is employed to execute the parameter optimization for the 3D printing process. The 3D printed tensile, flexural and impact specimens, using pure PLA and extruded composite filaments, as per American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards were subjected to a comparative experimental study which showed that 3D printed specimens using PLA and HPLA performed better than that of standard PLA specimens due to the improvement in their crystalline nature. The ruptured specimens were subjected to microstructural characterization (optical microscopy, SEM) to observe failure modes and ash content test was conducted to validate the homogenous distribution HA filler particles in PLA matrix. In addition, mechanical characterization was also performed on 3D printed bone plate/bone scaffold application using extruded filaments of PLA and HPLA, as per ASTM F543 standards, to validate incorporation of the composite filaments in real-time application in biomedical industry.

Granulation of Lithium-Ion Sieves Using Biopolymers: A Review

The high demand for lithium (Li) relates to clean, renewable storage devices and the advent of electric vehicles (EVs). The extraction of Li ions from aqueous media calls for efficient adsorbent materials with various characteristics, such as good adsorption capacity, good selectivity, easy isolation of the Li-loaded adsorbents, and good recovery of the adsorbed Li ions. The widespread use of metal-based adsorbent materials for Li ions extraction relates to various factors: (i) the ease of preparation via inexpensive and facile templation techniques, (ii) excellent selectivity for Li ions in a matrix, (iii) high recovery of the adsorbed ions, and (iv) good cycling performance of the adsorbents. However, the use of nano-sized metal-based Lithium-ion sieves (LISs) is limited due to challenges associated with isolating the loaded adsorbent material from the aqueous media. The adsorbent granulation process employing various binding agents (e.g., biopolymers, synthetic polymers, and inorganic materials) affords composite functional particles with modified morphological and surface properties that support easy isolation from the aqueous phase upon adsorption of Li ions. Biomaterials (e.g., chitosan, cellulose, alginate, and agar) are of particular interest because their structural diversity renders them amenable to coordination interactions with metal-based LISs to form three-dimensional bio-composite materials. The current review highlights recent progress in the use of biopolymer binding agents for the granulation of metal-based LISs, along with various crosslinking strategies employed to improve the mechanical stability of the granules. The study reviews the effects of granulation and crosslinking on adsorption capacity, selectivity, isolation, recovery, cycling performance, and the stability of the LISs. Adsorbent granulation using biopolymer binders has been reported to modify the uptake properties of the resulting composite materials to varying degrees in accordance with the surface and textural properties of the binding agent. The review further highlights the importance of granulation and crosslinking for improving the extraction process of Li ions from aqueous media. This review contributes to manifold areas related to industrial application of LISs, as follows: (1) to highlight recent progress in the granulation and crosslinking of metal-based adsorbents for Li ions recovery, (2) to highlight the advantages, challenges, and knowledge gaps of using biopolymer-based binders for granulation of LISs, and finally, (3) to catalyze further research interest into the use of biopolymer binders and various crosslinking strategies to engineer functional composite materials for application in Li extraction industry. Properly engineered extractants for Li ions are expected to offer various cost benefits in terms of capital expenditure, percent Li recovery, and reduced environmental footprint.

3D composite printing: study of carbon fiber incorporation to different construction thermoplastic matrices in regard to dilatation characteristics

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to clarify the relationship between the use of different polymer matrices for the preparation of composite materials, namely, polyethylene terephthalate-glycol (PET-G) and polyamide (PA), using Composite Fiber Co-Extrusion technology with the application of two types of carbon fibers, short and continuous. The aim of the study is also to extend the knowledge of the production of composite materials with a defined structure from the point of view of their influence on the microstructure and their physical-mechanical properties. Design/methodology/approach As part of the experiment, four types of samples were prepared, namely, two types of samples with PA polymer matrix and two types with PET-G polymer matrix. All types contained short carbon fibers and always one set from each polymer matrix in addition to continuous carbon fibers. All types were prepared using the same 3D printing parameters to avoid any further influence. The samples were then tested for microstructure using microCT, mechanical properties using a tensile test and dilatation characteristics from the point of view of aerospace applications. Finally, the raw materials themselves were tested. Findings The paper provides insight into the influence of polymer matrix types on the physico-mechanical properties of 3D printed composites. The analysis confirmed that the physico-mechanical results varied with respect to the interface between the polymer matrix and the carbon fiber. The implications of the conclusions can be extended to the development of products in the aerospace and automotive sectors. Originality/value This study provides information for composite applications in the aerospace industry, focusing on evaluating dilatation characteristics within very low temperatures (−60 °C) when using carbon fibers (continuous carbon fibers, short carbon fibers and a combination of both) in two types of thermoplastic matrices. This perspective on materials characterisation for aerospace applications is a very important and unpublished approach within the 3D printing of composites. These characteristics are important parameters in the design of prototypes and functional samples with regard to the resulting behaviour in real conditions.

A Molecular Dynamics Study on the Defect Formation and Mechanical Behavior of Molybdenum Disulfide under Irradiation.

Due to its appealing characteristics, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) presents a promising avenue for the exploration of lubrication protection materials in high-energy irradiation scenarios. Herein, we present a comprehensive investigation into the defect behavior of multilayer MoS2 under argon (Ar) atom irradiation leveraging molecular dynamics simulations. We have demonstrated the energy shifts and structural evolution in MoS2 upon irradiation, including the emergence of Frenkel defects and intricate defect clusters. The structural damage exhibits an initial increase followed by a subsequent decrease as the incident kinetic energy increases, ultimately peaking at 2.5 keV. Moreover, we investigated the effect of postannealing on defect recovery and conducted the uniaxial tensile and interlayer shearing simulation in order to provide valuable insights for the defect evolution and its impact on mechanical and tribological properties. Furthermore, we have proposed the optimal annealing temperature. The current study reveals the atomic mechanisms underlying irradiation-induced damage on the structural integrity and mechanical performance of MoS2, thereby providing crucial guidance for its vital application in nuclear reactors and aerospace industries.

Essential oil-derived robust and heat-resistant polybenzoxazine-POSS composites as low dielectric matrixes

Polybenzoxazines (PBozs) are regarded as prime candidates as low dielectric matrixes. However, the fabrication of high-performance PBozs that combines low dielectric property with high thermal stability using sustainable resources as the starting raw materials remains a significant challenge. In this work, we constructed a novel main-chain benzoxazine (Boz) oligomer from natural essential oil-derived compounds (eugenol and p-menthane diamine) to fulfill the principles of green chemistry. To enhance their low dielectric properties, polar C-Si unit on the main-chain and cellular structure of polyoctahedral silsesquioxanes (POSS) as the cross-linkers were introduced in PBoz-POSS composites. The obtained composites demonstrated excellent thermal stability, mechanical property, and with remarkable low dielectric constants. Coupled with their exceptional hydrophobicity and heat resistance, these materials are promising matrixes for low dielectric application in contemporary electronic industries.

Production of Acetylene from Viable Feedstock: Promising Recent Approaches.

The potential of acetylene is extremely high both in chemical industry and synthetic applications due to unsaturated nature and the smallest C≡C unit. The production of many essential necessities is originated from acetylene; however, the formation of acetylene molecule requires a lot of energy. Currently, the access to acetylene is based on coal processing, methane reforming and calcium carbide hydrolysis. Recently, extensive research has been done to decrease the cost of acetylene. In this review, the routes to acetylene were highlighted, considering the energy consumption in kW/t of the product to evaluate the best approach. Since energy prices depend on various regions, the cost of the product is complicated. The manufacturing of acetylene is usually accompanied by formation of by-products, which may be valuable or not. The review should help to identify current status and not overlook promising approaches.

Application of Additive Manufacturing in the Automobile Industry: A Mini Review

The automobile industry is recognized as one of the most influential sectors shaping global economies, societies, and individual lifestyles. Therefore, fierce competition among different companies is continuously undergoing, and special attention is focused on innovations to improve competitiveness. In the past several years, additive manufacturing (AM) has emerged as an innovative technology in applications in the automobile industry with significant advantages over traditional techniques. As a result, increasing efforts have been paid to combining AM technology with the development of the automobile industry. Currently, many automobile players are optimizing their industrial layout by incorporating innovative AM techniques, and meanwhile, a lot of research progress has been achieved in order to meet the market demand. This article aims at presenting a timely review to conclude the recent advances in the application of AM techniques in the automobile industry, focusing on the available AM techniques, printable materials, and industry applications, based on which the advantages and disadvantages of each technique and material system are discussed in order to reveal the current application situation. The current research gaps and challenges are also outlined to indicate future research opportunities. Hopefully, this work can be useful to related researchers as well as game players in the industry of this field.

Effect of addition of γ-poly glutamic acid on bacterial nanocellulose production under agitated culture conditions.

Bacterial nanocellulose (BNC), a natural polymer material, gained significant popularity among researchers and industry. It has great potential in areas, such as textile manufacturing, fiber-based paper, and packaging products, food industry, biomedical materials, and advanced functional bionanocomposites. The main current fermentation methods for BNC involved static culture, as the agitated culture methods had lower raw material conversion rates and resulted in non-uniform product formation. Currently, studies have shown that the production of BNC can be enhanced by incorporating specific additives into the culture medium. These additives included organic acids or polysaccharides. γ-Polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA), known for its high polymerization, excellent biodegradability, and environmental friendliness, has found extensive application in various industries including daily chemicals, medicine, food, and agriculture. In this particular study, 0.15g/L of γ-PGA was incorporated as a medium additive to cultivate BNC under agitated culture conditions of 120rpm and 30℃. The BNC production increased remarkably by 209% in the medium with 0.15g/L γ-PGA and initial pH of 5.0 compared to that in the standard medium, and BNC production increased by 7.3% in the medium with 0.06g/L γ-PGA. The addition of γ-PGA as a medium additive resulted in significant improvements in BNC production. Similarly, at initial pH levels of 4.0 and 6.0, the BNC production also increased by 39.3% and 102.3%, respectively. To assess the characteristics of the BNC products, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis were used. The average diameter of BNC fibers, which was prepared from the medium adding 0.15g/L γ-PGA, was twice thicker than that of BNC fibers prepared from the control culture medium. That might be because that polyglutamic acid relieved the BNC synthesis from the shear stress from the agitation. This experiment held great significance as it explored the use of a novel medium additive, γ-PGA, to improve the production and the glucose conversion rate in BNC fermentation. And the BNC fibers became thicker, with better thermal stability, higher crystallinity, and higher degree of polymerization (DPv). These findings lay a solid foundation for future large-scale fermentation production of BNC using bioreactors.

The varying viscosity impact in an inclined peristaltic channel with diffusion‐thermo and thermo‐diffusion

AbstractA mathematical model is constructed to investigate the behavior of peristaltic flow of Jeffrey fluid in an inclined tapered asymmetric porous channel. The fluid viscosity is taken as space dependent variable quantity. Heat absorption, Soret and Dufour effects are also retained in the current scrutiny. These preferences have broad applications in engineering, biology and industry. We began our investigation by taking into account the two‐dimensional inclined asymmetric porous channel. In the context of mathematical modeling, the appropriate dimensional nonlinear equations for momentum, heat and mass transport are simplified into dimensionless equations by applying the essential estimation of long wavelength and low Reynolds number. The solution of the governing equations is executed numerically. A graphical depiction of many crucial physical characteristics on velocity, temperature, concentration, heat transfer rate, Nusselt number and Streamlines have been reported in ending section. Temperature profile exhibits an escalation with the augmentation of Brinkman number and Dufour number . For the growing values of Prandtl number , an increment in temperature profile is observed whilst a reverse tendency is captured for concentration profile. It is noted that concentration profile falls down owing to the enhancement in Soret number and Schmidt number . An oscillatory outlook is noticed for heat transfer rate and Nusselt number. The novelty of this proposed model in the research domain specifically depends on considerations of the combined study of the Variable viscosity, Darcy resistance, Viscous dissipation, Mixed convention, Heat absorption, Soret and Dufour effects in peristaltic flow of non‐ Newtonian Jeffrey fluid in an inclined Asymmetric tapered channel under the influence of convective boundary conditions.

Genie: Enhancing information management in the restaurant industry through AI-powered chatbot

In the dynamic restaurant industry, we introduce "Genie," an AI-powered chatbot, represents an advancement in customer service efficiency through technological innovation. Designed to enhance restaurant operations including order processing, reservations, and FAQs management, Genie leverages advanced Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques. By converting input queries into word embeddings and applying a sophisticated tag classification system, Genie precisely interprets customer intents and generates accurate responses, thereby markedly improving the dining experience. Our thorough examination of various word embeddings and classifiers—Word2Vec, Glove, BERT, Gaussian Naive Bayes, XGB, Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), and Recurrent Neural Networks—revealed that the combination of Word2Vec and ANN is the most effective, achieving an impressive accuracy rate of 88.9 %. This discovery highlights Genie's capability to not only streamline restaurant operations but also enhance customer satisfaction by minimizing wait times and facilitating contactless service options. Additionally, this study enriches the understanding of AI's application in service industries and explores the potential future impact of generative AI technologies on chatbot interactions. As AI technology advances, its integration is essential for Genie to deliver increasingly personalized and dynamic customer experiences, aligning with the evolving demands of the digital era. This research emphasizes the transformative impact of AI in the restaurant industry, providing valuable insights into its practical applications and future prospects for automated customer service solutions.

Effects of heat treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties of 17-4PH/IN625 bimetallic parts fabricated through extrusion-based sintering-assisted additive manufacturing

The mechanical properties of bimetallic composites are significantly influenced by their interfacial morphologies. This study delves into the impact of various heat treatment conditions on the microstructure and mechanical attributes of steel/nickel bimetallic (17-4PH/IN625) components produced through extrusion-based sintering-assisted additive manufacturing (ES-AM). The bimetallic composites were annealed at 1150°C for 1, 4, and 8 h, followed by an aging treatment at 482°C for samples annealed for 8 h. After annealing, microstructural heterogeneities, including variations in grain size and elemental distribution within the transition zone close to the interface, were observed. It was found that in the diffusion transition zone between the two alloy layers, the diffusion of iron (Fe) and nickel (Ni) elements increased with longer holding times, as corroborated by microhardness tests and quantified through theoretical parabolic diffusion law. The transition zone exhibited two distinct areas: an Fe-predominant zone and a Ni-predominant zone, with the latter containing oxides and molybdenum (Mo)- and niobium (Nb)-rich precipitates. No new phases emerged post-heat treatment; however, shifts in peak due to stress relaxation and the emergence of precipitates were identified through X-ray diffraction (XRD) observations. Microhardness within the transition zone increased following heat treatment, peaking at 186 HV1.0 after a 4-h annealing. The optimal heat treatment condition was identified as 1150°C for 4 h, which facilitated the development of uniform microstructures and improved bonding strength. This study demonstrates an enhanced interfacial bonding strength in 17-4PH and IN625 bimetallic parts manufactured through ES-AM, suggesting their wide-ranging potential applications in industry.

Unlocking the Nutraceutical Potential of Legumes and Their By-Products: Paving the Way for the Circular Economy in the Agri-Food Industry

Legumes, including beans, peas, chickpeas, and lentils, are cultivated worldwide and serve as important components of a balanced and nutritious diet. Each legume variety contains unique levels of protein, starch, fiber, lipids, minerals, and vitamins, with potential applications in various industries. By-products such as hulls, rich in bioactive compounds, offer promise for value-added utilization and health-focused product development. Various extraction methods are employed to enhance protein extraction rates from legume by-products, finding applications in various foods such as meat analogs, breads, and desserts. Moreover, essential fatty acids, carotenoids, tocols, and polyphenols are abundant in several residual fractions from legumes. These bioactive classes are linked to reduced incidence of cardiovascular diseases, chronic inflammation, some cancers, obesity, and type 2 diabetes, among other relevant health conditions. The present contribution provides a comprehensive review of the nutritional and bioactive composition of major legumes and their by-products. Additionally, the bioaccessibility and bioavailability aspects of legume consumption, as well as in vitro and in vivo evidence of their health effects are addressed.

Coupled bulk and interfacial transport of surfactants governs the settling of a drop towards a wall

Surfactant-like impurities are omnipresent in multiphase emulsions and may substantially affect the motion of small droplets by altering their interfacial properties. Usually these surfactants are soluble in the bulk and undergo adsorption–desorption onto the interface which modifies their surface concentration and hence their overall influence on droplet motion. Yet, the impact of the bulk solubility and transport of surfactants on droplet dynamics, especially in the presence of bounding walls, remains poorly understood. As such, in this article, we assess the impact of bulk soluble surfactants on the settling of a spherical drop towards a plane wall. We consider coupled bulk and interfacial transport of surfactants, mediated by adsorption–desorption processes and construct a semi-analytical framework for arbitrary values of ‘bulk interaction parameter’, which dictates the strength of adsorption–desorption kinetics compared with bulk diffusion. Our results indicate that while mass exchange between the bulk and the interface can remobilize the drop, a finite bulk diffusion rate restricts this process and therefore slows down the drop. This also results in bulk concentration depletion near the south pole and accumulation near the north pole, the extent of which becomes strongly asymmetric with an enhanced intensity of depletion, as the drop approaches the wall. Presence of the wall and bulk solubility are found to aid each other towards remobilizing the drop by aptly modifying the interfacial concentration. Our results may provide fundamental insights into the kinetics of surfactant-laden drops, with potential applications in food and pharmaceutical industries, separation processes, etc.

Advancements and Prospects of Electronic Nose in Various Applications: A Comprehensive Review

An electronic nose, designed to replicate human olfaction, captures distinctive ‘fingerprint’ data from mixed gases or odors. Comprising a gas sensing system and an information processing unit, electronic noses have evolved significantly since their inception in the 1980s. They have transitioned from bulky, costly, and energy-intensive devices to today’s streamlined, economical models with minimal power requirements. This paper presents a comprehensive and systematic review of the electronic nose technology domain, with a special focus on advancements over the last five years. It highlights emerging applications, innovative methodologies, and potential future directions that have not been extensively covered in previous reviews. The review explores the application of electronic noses across diverse fields such as food analysis, environmental monitoring, and medical diagnostics, including new domains like veterinary pathology and pest detection. This work aims to underline the adaptability of electronic noses and contribute to their continued development and application in various industries, thereby addressing gaps in current literature and suggesting avenues for future research.

Laboratory and Numerical Investigation of Pre-Tensioned Reinforced Concrete Railway Sleepers Combined with Plastic Fiber Reinforcement

This research investigates the application of plastic fiber reinforcement in pre-tensioned reinforced concrete railway sleepers, conducting an in-depth examination in both experimental and computational aspects. Utilizing 3-point bending tests and the GOM ARAMIS system for Digital Image Correlation, this study meticulously evaluates the structural responses and crack development in conventional and plastic fiber-reinforced sleepers under varying bending moments. Complementing these tests, the investigation employs ABAQUS’ advanced finite element modeling to enhance the analysis, ensuring precise calibration and validation of the numerical models. This dual approach comprehensively explains the mechanical behavior differences and stresses within the examined structures. The incorporation of plastic fibers not only demonstrates a significant improvement in mechanical strength and crack resistance but paves the way for advancements in railway sleeper technology. By shedding light on the enhanced durability and performance of reinforced concrete structures, this study makes a significant contribution to civil engineering materials science, highlighting the potential for innovative material applications in the construction industry.

The Application of the Metaverse in the Entertainment Industry and Its Commercial Value

Nowadays, people are yearning for new recreations to enrich their lives, and in this context, various technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR) are developing rapidly. By now, some entertainment companies have created virtual idols or characters in the metaverse, a new concept referring to a virtual shared space, in order to attract the publics attention, satisfy their changing needs in the fast-developing society, and get higher profits. This new concept has become popular around the globe, leading to massive imitation from other companies. This paper introduces the definition and typical examples of the metaverse, summarizes its application in the entertainment industry, and analyzes its commercial value as well as future development trends. Overall, virtual idols launched by entertainment companies in the metaverse have achieved great success, proving the commercial value and development potential of the metaverse. Meanwhile, the innovation of the metaverse not only labels the advances in science and technology but also reflects peoples pursuit of higher life quality as well as their rising expectations for the future.