Smart graphene-enhanced ceramic material refractive index sensor simulation design developed for highly sensitive breast Cancer detection optimized with machine learning.

Silicon recycling from cutting waste and end-of-life photovoltaic modules: a review of current status and future directions.

Features of dielectric properties of ceramic material based on CaSO4

Color stability and translucency of CAD-CAM lithium disilicate ceramic materials after repeated firings using different firing modes: An in vitro study.

Surface treatment enhances bonding to ceramic restorations but may alter their optical properties. Lithium disilicate and zirconia respond differently to surface treatments due to variations in their microstructure. This study evaluated how sandblasting, hydrofluoric acid with silane, and laser treatment affect the color stability and translucency of these ceramics. This study aimed to evaluate the individual and combined effects of ceramic material type and surface treatment on the color stability and translucency of lithium disilicate and zirconia ceramics. Forty samples were constructed in the form of discs form lithium disilicate and zirconia ceramic (n = 20 for each). Samples from each material were divided into four subgroups according to the surface treatment used as following: (Ctrl); control with no surface treatment, (S.B); sandblasting using AL2O3, (H.F); hydrofluoric acid etching with silane coupling agent, (L.A); laser treatment. Each subgroup from each material was undergoing color and translucency test using spectrophotometer. The data were statistically analysed using a Two-Way ANOVA, followed by multiple pairwise comparisons using Tukey's HSD for each individual factor. Among the tested surface treatments only laser showed color change within the clinical accepted range with lithium disilicate ceramic (1.04 ± 0.15), also hydrofluoric acid etching with silane application showed that with zirconia (0.41 ± 0.10). Sandblasting showed the lower translucency value with lithium disilicate and zirconia ceramic with a significant difference with the control samples (p value ˂0.001). Surface treatments affected the optical properties of both ceramics in a material-dependent manner. Laser conditioning preserved color acceptably in lithium disilicate, while hydrofluoric acid with silane did so for zirconia. Sandblasting significantly reduced translucency in both materials, indicating its potential to compromise esthetic outcomes.

This article presents a systematic analysis of the application of advanced mathematical and computational approaches in dental bioengineering, with a focus on biomaterials processing and machining-related technologies. The aim is to critically synthesize current knowledge on the use of numerical simulations, statistical modeling, and algorithm-based methods in the analysis and optimization of technological processes in dentistry. The review was conducted following the PRISMA framework to ensure a transparent and reproducible selection of relevant studies addressing the intersection of dental applications, manufacturing processes, and computational modeling. The results reveal that the current research does not constitute a unified modeling framework, but rather a heterogeneous set of approaches targeting specific aspects of biomaterial processing. The analyzed studies demonstrate the application of finite element analysis, empirical statistical models, and geometry-based computational methods, particularly in processes such as drilling and grinding of ceramic dental materials. These approaches enable detailed analysis of mechanical and thermal loading conditions, as well as partial optimization of process parameters. However, their applicability is often limited by their empirical nature, lack of integration, and insufficient linkage to real-time process control. The synthesis highlights a significant research gap in the development of integrated and multiphysics modeling frameworks capable of combining mechanical, thermal, and geometrical aspects of machining processes. Future research should focus on the implementation of digital twins, adaptive process control, and personalized modeling strategies to enhance the accuracy, efficiency, and predictability of dental biomaterial processing.

ABSTRACT In this study, to develop a refractory ceramic raw material with excellent lithium corrosion resistance, a γ-LiAlO2 raw material was manufactured from Li2CO3–Al2O3 via a solid-state reaction method, and its corrosion resistance against Li(Ni0.8Co0.1Mn0.1) was estimated by mixing it with corundum (Al2O3). To evaluate the basic properties of the manufactured γ-LiAlO2, its crystalline phase(XRD), crystalline phase fraction(Rietveld), and thermal expansion coefficient(TMA) were examined, while its microstructure(SEM) and crystalline phase were analyzed to determine the lithium corrosion behavior. The results of the basic property analysis of γ-LiAlO2 revealed that its single crystalline phase consisted of Li2CO3 and Al2O3 with a mixing ratio (wt.%) of 5.5:4.5, and the highest crystalline phase fraction (96.81%) was achieved. The results of the lithium corrosion behavior analysis demonstrated that as the added amount of γ-LiAlO2 increased, the corrosion depth of the cut surface decreased from 1800 to 600 µm, thereby improving the lithium corrosion resistance by up to 66%.

Predictive simulation of sintering-induced distortion remains challenging for ceramic components subjected to gravity and mechanical constraint. Classical constitutive sintering laws reproduce free densification reliably but lack the flexibility required to accurately capture stress-driven deformation within finite-element (FE) frameworks when calibrated solely from dilatometer data. This study presents a hybrid machine-learning-assisted constitutive framework for modelling constrained sintering of an industrial ceramic material. Dilatometer densification data and a gravity-loaded beam-bending experiments were obtained for the same material system, enabling simultaneous evaluation of volumetric sintering kinetics and part-level deformation. Two independently calibrated parameter sets of an Olevsky-type constitutive law reproduce densification behaviour but underpredict gravity-driven curvature (A) when applied within FE simulations, highlighting an inherent trade-off between densification fitting and deformation prediction. To overcome this limitation, the analytical volumetric strain-rate term is replaced by an artificial neural network trained directly on experimental densification data, while analytical formulations for mean and deviatoric stress response are retained. This hybrid framework decouples densification kinetics from shear-dominated deformation, enabling modulation of the effective viscous stiffness governing beam bending without compromising physical interpretability or numerical robustness. The results establish a simple, computationally efficient, and physically interpretable pathway toward predictive modelling of constrained sintering, providing a scalable foundation for industrial process optimisation and future digital-twin development.

Bomicke W, Schmitter M, Waldecker M, et al. Ceramic crowns and sleep bruxism: 3-year results of a randomized controlled trial. J Dent 2026;170:106691. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2026.106691 . Prospective randomized controlled clinical trial with a 3-year follow-up evaluating the influence of Sleep Bruxism (SB) on the clinical performance of monolithic ceramic molar crowns. A total of 109 patients requiring a single molar crown were enrolled. SB diagnosis included a structured questionnaire, clinical examination, and portable electromyography device (BruxOFF). Participants were allocated into four groups: lithium disilicate with SB, lithium disilicate without SB, zirconia with SB, and zirconia without SB. Standardized crown preparation, fabrication, and cementation protocols were used. Outcomes assessed were technical complications, survival, and success rates. The study time points were 1 week, 6 months, and 1, 2, and 3 years. Survival was defined as restoration remaining in situ without replacement. Success is defined as restoration without biological or technical complications. Fisher's exact test was used to compare outcomes between SB and non-SB groups, with statistical significance set at = 0.05. No technical complications occurred during the 3-year observation period. Survival rates remained high across all groups (95.2-100%), while success rates ranged from 81.5% to 95.8% for both ceramic materials. No statistically significant differences were observed between SB and non-SB patients or between lithium disilicate and zirconia crowns. Monolithic lithium disilicate and zirconia molar crowns demonstrated favorable clinical performance over three years, and SB was not associated with increased failure or complication risk.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of ceramic composition, resin cement shade, and tooth-shaded background on the optical properties and color differences of high translucent (HT) lithium-based ceramics. A total of 192 specimens were prepared from four CAD/CAM ceramics: advanced lithium disilicate, lithium disilicate, and two zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate ceramics. The relative translucency parameter (RTP) and opalescence (OP) were evaluated using a digital spectrophotometer. Specimens were evaluated using two resin cement shades (opaque and translucent) and two tooth-shaded backgrounds (A1 and A3). Color differences (ΔE₀₀) between baseline and after cementation measurements were calculated using the CIEDE2000 formula. Data were analyzed using one-way and three-way ANOVA (p < 0.05). Ceramic material significantly influenced RTP and OP values (p < 0.05). Three-way ANOVA revealed significant main effects of material and cement shade (p < 0.001), as well as a significant material × tooth-shaded background interaction (p = 0.013). Opaque cement resulted in significantly higher color differences than translucent cement across all materials and backgrounds (p < 0.05). Higher ΔE₀₀ values were found on the A3 background. The final color and optical properties of HT lithium-based ceramics were influenced by ceramic composition and resin cement shade. These findings may help clinicians optimize cement shade and material selection for improved esthetic outcomes.

This study compares the marginal and internal gaps for four restorative materials produced by two fabrication methods in both minimally invasive occlusal veneer and conventional onlay cavities. Eighty mandibular molars prepared as occlusal veneer and mesial-occlusal-distal-lingual onlays and restorations were produced using lithium disilicate glass ceramic, hybrid ceramic, nanohybrid composite, and laboratory composite materials. A silicone replica method was used to examine the marginal gap and internal gap with a stereomicroscope. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze the effects of the material and design, and one-way ANOVA was used to analyze the effect of the fabrication method. The marginal gap significantly differed in relation to the material, and the internal gap significantly differed in relation to the material and design. Gaps were significantly smaller for the laboratory composite groups than for the other groups. Comparison of fabrication methods showed that internal and marginal gaps were significantly smaller for the conventional procedure. The less complicated designs yielded a better fit. In particular, because of the greater number of intaglio surfaces, internal gap values were worse when cavity design complexity increased.

Ceramic materials are widely used in bone tissue engineering applications due to their chemical similarity to human bone, along with their inherent biocompatibility. Bone scaffolds fabricated with ceramics thus serve as a framework for supporting new bone formation through cell attachment, proliferation, and differentiation, and subsequently integrate with the host tissue. However, the cells are unable to attach directly to the implanted ceramic surfaces. Instead, they interact with the dynamic layer of proteins adsorbed on the material surface, which mediates cell adhesion and proliferation via specific integrin-ligand signalling. Therefore, rather than a passive process, protein adsorption can be utilized as a design criterion to develop advanced ceramic scaffolds. Despite extensive efforts in surface modification, the mechanistic relationship between ceramic surface properties, protein adsorption behaviour, and subsequent osteogenic signalling remains fragmented across the literature. This review emphasizes the central and often underexplored role of protein adsorption in mediating the initial cell-ceramic interactions critical for bone tissue regeneration. In contrast to previous pieces of literature, this paper critically examines the studies in the past decade, with special focus on the last five years, on how the protein-ceramic interaction can be manipulated to improve its biocompatibility, which adds to the novelty of this review. By critically evaluating the in vitro and in vivo studies, we propose that the protein adsorption on ceramic scaffolds can be treated as a controllable bio-instructive design parameter for next-generation osteoinductive ceramics. This review highlights the multifaceted nature of protein adsorption and its pivotal role in developing more biocompatible ceramic materials for bone tissue engineering.

The purpose of this study was to assess the surface roughness, color stability, and contact angle of lithium disilicate glass-ceramic (LD) and zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate (ZLS) ceramics following surface finishing and to compare these values using both manufacturer-specific polishing and glazing procedures and alternative methods designed for other types of ceramics. LD and ZLS ceramics were used to fabricate 80 samples, which were allocated into eight groups (n = 10) according to manufacturer-specific polishing (VITA Suprinity Polishing Set Clinical and OptraGloss Ceramic Kit) and glazing protocols (VITA Akzent Plus and Ivocolor Glaze) and their interchanged applications. Measurements of surface roughness, contact angle, and color stability were made following the polishing and glazing processes. The results were evaluated using parametric statistical analysis. Glazing produced a statistically significant change with the LD ceramic, whereas polishing did not. In the ZLS group, there was a significant difference between the glazing methods, but there was no statistically significant difference between the polishing techniques. In both ceramics, the contact angle values of the glazed samples were greater than those of the polished samples. Surface finishing procedures significantly affected both the color change of the ZLS ceramic and the surface roughness of the LD ceramics. The contact angle values of the glazed samples in both ceramics were approximately two to five times greater than those of the polished samples. It may be advisable for clinicians to use nonmanufacturer-specific techniques for polishing ceramic materials, especially in areas that do not affect their appearance, such as the back of the mouth.

We present a conceptually original study on temperature-controlled interfacial reactions in the La0.45Ca0.55MnO3-LaFeO3 nanocomposite. It highlights that the topotactic interfacial reactions can be utilized as an innovative and broader strategy for functional oxide design through the temperature controlled tuning of cation ordering. It provides the opportunity to rule out the charge and size limitation to attain the cation ordering phenomenon. Consequently, the cation ordering and associated magnetic properties can be customized through regulation of the reaction temperature. Unusual ordering of Mn and Fe has been achieved in ceramic samples through the interfacial topotactic reaction between La0.45Ca0.55MnO3 and LaFeO3 (LCMO-LFO) in the nanocomposite form. The ordering of Mn and Fe has been manifested in artificial superlattices of 1 : 1 LaMnO3-LaFeO3. The LCMO-LFO composite annealed at 700 and 800 °C exhibits ordering of Mn and Fe with a ferromagnetic TC of 225 K in corroboration with the TC of 230 K in the LaMnO3-LaFeO3 superlattice. The complete randomization of Mn and Fe in the 1000 °C annealed LCMO-LFO composite revealed the lack of long range magnetic ordering, whereas the 900 °C annealed LCMO-LFO nanocomposite has evidenced spectacular evolution of complex magnetic and electrical states having amalgamated features of the low temperature ordered state and the high temperature disorder phase. The coexisting order-disorder phases in the 900 °C annealed LCMO-LFO nanocomposite exhibit the emergence of the Griffiths phase, negative magnetoresistance and preferred Mott variable range hopping type electrical conduction at high temperature. On the other hand, a tendency towards long-range ferromagnetic cluster formation and the magnetic glassy state appear at lower temperatures. This partially ordered Mn-Fe based perovskite establishes a bridge between the ordered and disordered phases. This study unravels a potential deliberate route to design cation order/disorder functional ceramic materials through a temperature controlled interfacial topotactic reaction in the nanocomposite by overruling the differential charge and size limitation to achieve cation ordering.

To evaluate the effect of the implant material—either titanium or zirconia—on the development of bacterial deposits. In this one-year prospective split-mouth study, 20 patients with an edentulous lower jaw were treated with two zirconia and two titanium implants. Clip attachments were used for the removable denture. During the follow-up period, fluid samples were taken from around each patient’s implants and natural teeth to analyze the microbiota using DNA isolation, amplicon sequencing, and downstream analysis. Between the different time points, for the titanium material, the relative abundance of Actinomyces israelii increased significantly (p = 0.009) after 12 months when compared with the baseline. When comparing the different time points for each material, a significant decrease in the phyla Fusobacteria (p = 0.03) and Proteobacteria (p = 0.03) after six months versus baseline was detected for only zirconia, whereas the abundance of Firmicutes was significantly increased (p = 0.03). When comparing the different materials at each time point, the phylum Actinobacteria was found to be less abundant after 12 months on the zirconia implants than on the titanium implants (p = 0.04). By contrast, on the zirconia material, the relative abundance of the genus Leptotrichia decreased significantly after six months when compared with the baseline, while no significant changes in terms of this genus were found for the titanium implants or teeth over time. Zirconia tended to show less abundant bacterial deposits over time. The microbial diversity was lower on the titanium implants than on the ceramic material after 12 months. In addition, after 12 months of evaluation, neither the teeth nor the implants showed similar prevalences or levels of the target species.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-026-54915-0.

The long-term success of implant-supported prostheses (ISPs) is strongly influenced by material selection, which affects stress distribution within the implant system and surrounding cortical bone. This study aimed to assess the biomechanical behavior of a four-unit ISP supported by two implants in the posterior region, using different framework and superstructure material combinations through dynamic finite element analysis (FEA). Methods: A three-dimensional (3D) edentulous mandibular model was created using Mimics software, with two implants placed in the first premolar and second molar regions. Four framework materials—titanium (Ti), glass fiber–reinforced composite (GFRC), 3Y-TZP zirconia, and polyether ether ketone (PEEK)—were combined with two superstructure materials, 5Y-TZP zirconia and resin-matrix ceramic (RMC), forming eight groups. Dynamic loading simulated chewing forces, and stress distribution was analyzed using the von Mises criterion. Results: The results demonstrated that 3Y-TZP zirconia frameworks generated the highest stress values across implants, abutments, and cortical bone. RMC crowns consistently produced lower stress than 5Y-TZP zirconia across all the groups. PEEK showed the highest displacement, followed by GFRC, zirconia, and Ti. Conclusion: Materials with higher Young’s modulus tended to exhibit greater stress transfer to the implant, implant components, and cortical bone. In contrast, polymer-based materials may show a tendency toward greater deformation and displacement compared with metallic and ceramic materials.

Ceramic nanofiber-based materials have wide applicability in high-temperature management and protection. The transformation of conventional two-dimensional ceramic nanofibrous membranes into three-dimensional nanofiber-based bulks can effectively improve their thermal insulation performance and expand their range of applications. Herein, lamellar-structured Al2O3-SiO2 nanofibrous aerogels (LASO NFAs) with varying inorganic binder contents were prepared via a sequence of processes involving face-to-face stacking, impregnation, and calcination, using flexible Al2O3-SiO2 nanofibrous membranes (ASO NFMs) as building units and aluminum dihydrogen phosphate as an inorganic binder. Varying the inorganic binder content in the aerogel matrix enables effective control over the compressive properties and interlayer spacing of the resulting aerogels. Specifically, the optimized LASO-20 NFAs demonstrated relatively good compression resilience, with a plastic deformation of 22.1% after undergoing 500 compressive cycles at a compressive strain of 50%. Moreover, profiting from the high-temperature resistance of ASO NFMs and substantial air content present within nanofiber interlayers, the LASO-20 NFAs with a thickness of 20 mm could effectively insulate against surface temperatures of 1000 °C down to 224 °C. Moreover, LASO-20 NFAs exhibited a room-temperature thermal conductivity of approximately 0.043 W·m−1·K−1, illustrating a favorable high-temperature thermal insulation characteristic. Furthermore, the LASO-20 NFAs presented promising service performance in extreme environments, providing a novel perspective in the development of new types of ceramic aerogels.

W2CoB2 is a ternary boride-based cermet. Featuring high hardness, high melting point, excellent wear resistance and corrosion resistance, it has been widely used in numerous industrial fields such as cutting processing, surface protection and mold manufacturing. Toughening is a major issue that needs to be addressed for ceramic materials. In this study, the toughness of cermets is improved by the combined addition of CNTs and La2O3. The W2CoB2 cermets were fabricated via vacuum sintering, and the effects of CNTs and La2O3 on the microstructure and properties of the cermets were systematically investigated. The microstructure and phase composition of the specimens were characterized using a SEM and X-ray diffractometry (XRD), respectively. The density of the specimens was measured by the Archimedes drainage method. A Vickers microhardness tester was employed to determine the microhardness and fracture toughness of the specimens. The transverse rupture strength was tested using an electronic universal testing machine, while the wear resistance was evaluated via a wear tester. The results indicate that the addition of either CNTs or La2O3 can refine the grain size and improve the toughness of the cermets. The simultaneous incorporation of CNTs and La2O3 further enhances grain refinement and mitigates the issue of uneven dispersion of CNTs in the specimens. When 0.5 wt.% CNTs and 0.3 wt.% La2O3 are added, the specimen exhibits the following optimal properties: a density of 9.33 g/cm3, a microhardness of 2046 HV0.5, a fracture toughness of 12.36 MPa·m1/2, a transverse rupture strength of 985 MPa, and a friction coefficient reduced to 0.36. Synergistic addition of CNTs and La2O3 achieves grain refinement and uniform microstructure, which significantly improves the friction and wear performance and service stability of the cermet. The material retains high hardness and wear resistance, accompanied by enhanced comprehensive mechanical and service properties. Further studies will aim to cut costs while preserving material performances, facilitating its industrial application.

ABSTRACT Fabricating large, monolithic ceramic parts using material-extrusion additive manufacturing remains challenging due to difficulty maintaining uniform moisture content during printing, which can lead to drying-induced defects such as warping and cracking, especially as part size and print time increase. Fabricated parts have trade-offs among print resolution, high throughput, and structural fidelity. Our study has shown that increasing the ratio of nozzle traverse speed vs. material extrusion speed increases filament stretching in viscoelastic ceramic paste, helping to overcome the trade-offs between resolution and throughput. Using aqueous ZrB2–SiC (70/30 vol.%) as a representative ultra-high temperature ceramic paste, rheological characterisation revealed viscoelastic yield-stress behaviour with strong shear-thinning properties. Filament behaviour was examined for different nozzle sizes, printing speeds, and layer heights. A critical balance was identified between the speed ratio and layer height to avoid filament instability such as necking and Rayleigh–Plateau instability while maintaining deposition continuity. Three different print approaches were evaluated to produce a representative compact heat exchanger as a large ceramic part with fine features, while addressing the part drying issue during the fabrication.

Piezoelectric materials have emerged as promising electroactive biomaterials in regenerative medicine owing to their ability to convert mechanical forces into electrical signals and vice versa. These materials reproduce aspects of the body's native bioelectric microenvironment and influence key cellular processes, including adhesion, proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Clinically, piezoelectricity has been exploited, in dental implants, where electromechanical activity enhances osseointegration and long-term stability. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the principles of piezoelectricity, the major classes of piezoelectric materials, and recent advances in fabrication strategies such as electrospinning, additive manufacturing, and nanogenerators. Applications across bone, nerve, cartilage, skin, and cardiovascular tissues are critically examined, with emphasis on mechanosensitive ion channels, intracellular signalling pathways, and gene regulation. Safety concerns, including ion release from ceramic materials, and the emergence of biocompatible, lead-free alternatives are discussed alongside translational barriers related to scalability, regulatory approval, and device integration. The aim of this review is to provide a mechanistic and clinically oriented perspective that informs the design of next-generation piezoelectric materials. Finally, future directions in self-powered implants and piezoelectric catalysis are highlighted to support their clinical translation for tissue repair and regenerative therapies. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This review uniquely integrates the fundamental and translational aspects of piezoelectric biomaterials in regenerative medicine. We highlight how piezoelectric cues regulate cell behaviour through electrical stimulation, ion channel activation, particularly Ca²⁺ flux and downstream signalling pathways such as Wnt/GSK3β and PI3K/Akt. By linking these mechanisms to gene expression profiles and functional outcomes across bone, nerve, cartilage, cardiovascular, and skin tissues, this work provides a tissue-specific perspective that has not been comprehensively addressed before. Importantly, we emphasise the multifunctionality of piezoelectric scaffolds, showcasing their immunomodulatory, angiogenic, and biomechanical benefits. The review further bridges insights across chemistry, biology, materials science, and biofabrication, offering constructive guidance for designing next-generation, clinically translatable piezoelectric biomaterials.