Metal Composition Research Articles

Selective Hydrogenation of Furfural into Cyclopentanone Over Composite Metal Catalysts under Mild Conditions

Background/Introduction: The direct hydrogenate conversion of furfural to cyclopentanone is very interesting technology in biomass conversion and utilization. Many kinds of metal catalysts were used in this field, and composite metal catalysts exhibited superior catalytic performance. The hydrogenation process and rearrangement of the furan ring are competitive, polymerization of furfural can prevent the improvement of yield for the main product. Objective: Efficient and high selective catalyst need to be prepared for the improvement the yield of cyclopentanone from hydrogenate conversion of furfural under mild conditions. Methods: Preparation of many composite metal catalysts and catalytic test for the direct hydrogenate conversion of furfural to cyclopentanone. Characterization is chosen to explore the strong metal synergistic effect and micro react mechanism. Results: MCM-41 was chosen as the carrier, and both WO3 and TiO2 were selected as the modifiable assistant, Ru-Cu-WO3@TiO2-MCM-41 were prepared successfully and performed a strong metal synergistic effect in this reaction. The 2%Ru-5%Cu-4%WO3@TiO2-MCM-41 exhibited a 98.54% yield of cyclopentanone when water was chosen as solvent and good stability was found in the recycle tests in mild conditions. Conclusion: A certain amount of WO3 is helpful to enhance the Ru and Cu atoms’ dispersion and the number of acidic sites on the surface of nano catalyst, which may weaken the cracking of C-C bonds and improved the yield of cyclopentanone in mild conditions. A certain amount of TiO2- anatase species adjusted the textural properties of the carrier and show good synergism catalytic function. The best catalytic hydrogenation conversion of furfural was high at 99.75%, and the best selectivity to cyclopentanone was high at 98.79% over 2%Ru-5%Cu-4%WO3@TiO2-MCM-41 catalyst under mild conditions.

Tuning the Electronic Properties of CumAgn Bimetallic Clusters for Enhanced CO2 Activation

The urgent demand for efficient CO2 reduction technologies has driven enormous studies into the enhancement of advanced catalysts. Here, we investigate the electronic properties and CO2 adsorption properties of CumAgn bimetallic clusters, particularly Cu4Ag1, Cu1Ag4, Cu3Ag2, and Cu2Ag3, using generalized gradient approximation (GGA)/density functional theory (DFT). Our results show that the atomic arrangement within these clusters drastically affects their stability, charge transfer, and catalytic performance. The Cu4Ag1 bimetallic cluster emerges as the most stable structure, revealing superior charge transfer and effective chemisorption of CO2, which promotes effective activation of the CO2 molecule. In contrast, the Cu1Ag4 bimetallic cluster, in spite of comparable adsorption energy, indicates insignificant charge transfer, resulting in less pronounced CO2 activation. The Cu3Ag2 and Cu2Ag3 bimetallic clusters also display high adsorption energies with remarkable charge transfer mechanisms, emphasizing the crucial role of metal composition in tuning catalytic characteristics. This thorough examination provides constructive insights into the design of bimetallic clusters for boosted CO2 reduction. These findings could pave the way for the development of cost-effective and efficient catalysts for industrial CO2 reduction, contributing to global efforts in carbon management and climate change mitigation.

Effect of addition on microstructures and mechanical properties of cBN/Cu-Zn-Ti composites via the pulse electric current sintering

In order to improve the performance of metal-bonded grinding wheels, the cBN/Cu-Zn-Ti composites were fabricated by pulse current sintering with several different Co contents (i.e., 5, 10, and 15 wt%) were added. The specimen microstructure, interfacial analysis and fracture morphology of pulse current sintering cBN grain were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The mechanical properties of hardness, wear resistance, and three-point bending strength of the fabricated specimens were tested. The electrochemical properties was also tested. The specimen shape fabricated by pulse current sintering using the composite Cu-Zn-Ti alloy doped by Co was better than pure Cu-Zn-Ti alloy. The microscopic analysis revealed that TiB2 and TiN were maintained between the Cu-Zn-Ti composites and cBN. With the addition of Co, the hardness, flexural strength and wear resistance of the specimens are improved. The new phase CoTi3 enhancing strength of the metal composite via the Orowan mechanism. The S5 specimen containing 15 wt% Co particles has the highest flexural strength, which is 485.83 MPa and satisfies the requirements of high speed grinding. Meanwhile, when the Co content reaches 10 %, the lowest friction coefficient (0.217) and lowest wear rate (0.81 mg) are achieved for the sample. With the addition of Co, the corrosion resistance of the material is significantly improved.

Ionic polymer-metal composite (IPMC) as a flexible capacitor: an experimental study

Abstract In recent years, significant research has been directed towards the development of energy storage devices that are thin, lightweight, and flexible, catering to the diverse demands of modern smart electronics. This study investigates the remarkable adaptability of ionic polymer metal composite (IPMC) capacitors when subjected to bending conditions. Under investigation was the capacitor’s functionality within a broad spectrum of bending angles, ranging from 0 ∘ to 100 ∘ . The study aims to reveal the capacitor’s response and stability across this expansive curvature range, providing insights into its potential applications in flexible and dynamic systems. The flexibility of the supercapacitor allows it to bend or fold up to 180 ∘ without experiencing permanent mechanical deformation. The calculated specific capacitance values obtained by bending the cell at angles of 0, 40, 70, and 100 ∘ are found to be 4.3, 6.4, 8.2, and 8.4 mF g−1 respectively. The result displayed the IPMC capacitor exhibited notable resilience under varying bending angles, affirming its capacity to maintain operational integrity despite significant mechanical stress. Through a systematic exploration of bending conditions, this research unveils the capacitor’s ability to flexibly conform to various bending angles. This adaptability is particularly significant for applications where traditional rigid capacitors may be impractical or inefficient.

Microstructural and tribological analysis of friction stir processed AA6061 reinforced with SiC

The reinforced friction stir processing (FSP) improves tribological qualities like wear resistance and mechanical qualities like tensile strength, hardness, and fatigue. This study used FSP to introduce silicon carbide granules onto AA 6061 Al alloy, often used in automotive components, to alter the surface morphology. The fabricated surface metal composites showed superior wear resistance to the base metal. The tribological analysis was done on the 1000 m sliding distance, 40 mm wear track diameter and applied load 5 N to 15 N. The wear of the sample FSP at 1000 rpm and 80 mm/min feed found maximum wear at 5 N, 10 N and 15 N, and the minimum wear yielded 1000 rpm, 80 mm/min at indirect cooled FSP condition. Similar results were obtained for friction force and coefficient of friction. The wear was increased at a very high rotational speed value in FSP. Developing a brittle intermetallic compound (IMC) reduced the microstructural properties of dry FSP. It was revealed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. The indirect cooling mechanism controlled the development of IMC. The maximum tensile strength of 122.21 MPa was obtained at 1200 rpm and indirect cooled FSP. The indirect cooling in the process of FSP improves the microhardness value.

In-situ alloying of a Zr-based bulk metallic glass composite via powder-fed laser additive manufacturing and pure elemental blend

This study investigates the feasibility of synthesizing a ZrCuAlNb bulk metallic glass composite through in-situ alloying of pure elemental powder blend using powder-fed laser-directed energy deposition. The process parameters are carefully optimized and multiple laser remelting is applied to address the chemical inhomogeneity and elemental micro-segregation. A detailed microstructural examination confirms the successful discovery and development of an amorphous-crystalline composite structure.

Electrocatalysts for the Formation of Hydrogen Peroxide by Oxygen Reduction Reaction.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a widely used strong oxidant, and its traditional preparation methods, anthraquinone method, and direct synthesis method, have many drawbacks. The method of producing H2O2 by two-electron oxygen reduction reaction (2e- ORR) is considered an alternative strategy for the traditional anthraquinone method due to its high efficiency, energy saving, and environmental friendliness, but it remains a big challenge. In this review, we have described the mechanism of ORR and the principle of electrocatalytic performance testing, and have summarized the standard performance evaluation techniques for electrocatalysts to produce H2O2. Secondly, according to the theoretical calculation and experimental results, several kinds of efficient electrocatalysts are introduced. It is concluded that noble metal-based materials, carbon-based materials, non-noble metal composites, and single-atom catalysts are the preferred catalyst materials for the preparation of H2O2 by 2e- ORR. Finally, the advantages and novelty of 2e- ORR compared with traditional methods for H2O2 production, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of the above-mentioned high-efficiency catalysts, are summarized. The application prospect and development direction of high-efficiency catalysts for H2O2 production by 2e- ORR has been prospected, which is of great significance for promoting the electrochemical yield of H2O2 and developing green chemical production.

Nanoarchitectonics with cetrimonium bromide on metal nanoparticles for linker-free detection of toxic metal ions and catalytic degradation of 4-nitrophenol.

Heavy metal ions and organic pollutants, such as 4-nitrophenol (4-NP), pose significant environmental and human health threats. Addressing these challenges necessitates using advanced nanoparticle-based systems capable of efficient detection and degradation. However, conventional approaches utilizing strong capping agents like cetrimonium bromide (CTAB) on nanoparticles lead to limitations due to the rigid nature of CTAB. This restricts its utility in heavy metal detection and 4-NP degradation, requiring additional surface modifications using linker molecules, thereby increasing process complexity and cost. To overcome these limitations, there is a critical need for the development of an easy-to-use, dual-functional, linker-free nanosystem capable of simultaneous detection of heavy metals and efficient degradation of 4-NP. For enabling linker-free/ligand-free detection of heavy metal ions and catalytic degradation of 4-NP, CTAB was engineered as a versatile capping agent on gold and silver nanoparticles. Various factors, including nanoparticle characteristics such as shape, size, metal composition, centrifugation, and NaOH amount, were investigated for their impact on the performance of CTAB-capped nanoparticles in heavy metal detection and 4-NP degradation. CTAB-Au nanospheres demonstrated limited heavy metal ion detection capability but exhibited remarkable efficiency in degrading 94.37% of 4-NP within 1 min. In contrast, silver nanospheres effectively detected Hg2+, Cu2+, and Fe3+ at concentrations as low as 1 ppm and degraded 90.78% of 4-NP within 30 min. Moreover, anisotropic gold nanorods (CTAB-AuNR1 and CTAB-AuNR2) showed promising sensing capabilities towards Cu2+, Cr3+, and Hg2+ at 0.5 OD, while efficiently degrading 4-NP within 5 min at 1 OD. This study emphasizes the importance of tailoring parameters of CTAB-capped nanoparticles for specific sensing and catalytic applications, offering potential solutions for environmental remediation and human health protection.

Mechanical Properties Optimization and Microstructure Analysis of Pure Copper Heterostructured Laminates via Rolling

Heterogeneous metallic structures constitute a novel class of materials with excellent mechanical properties. However, the existing process for obtaining heterostructures from a single material does not meet large-scale industrial requirements. In this study, a pure copper heterostructured laminate (HSL) composed of a surface elongated-grain layer and a central equiaxed-grain layer was fabricated by rolling bonding and annealing. To study the effect of the interface on the mechanical properties of gradient-structured materials, both laminate metal composite (LMC) and non-composite laminate (NCL) were fabricated by cold-rolling pretreatment of the center layer (60% reduction) and cold-rolling bonding of the whole blank (67% reduction). Then, the HSL was obtained by controlling the post-annealing regimes, the microstructure of each layer was optimized, and a larger degree of microstructural heterogeneities, such as grain size, misorientation angle, and grain orientation, was obtained, which resulted in obvious mechanical differences. Tensile tests of the HSL, surface layer, center layer, and NCL specimens revealed that the HSL annealed at 300 °C for 1 h had a significantly higher strength than the center layer and a higher elongation than the surface layer. The HSL had a tensile strength and elongation at fracture of 278.08 MPa and 46.2%, respectively, indicating a good balance of strength and plasticity. The improved properties were primarily attributed to the strengthening or strain hardening due to the inhomogeneous deformation of the heterogeneous layers in the laminate and the mutual constraint acquired by the distinct layers with strong mechanical differences. The HSL had an interfacial bonding strength of 178.5 MPa, which played a vital role in the coordinated deformation of the heterogeneous layers. This study proposes an HSL design method that effectively simplifies the process of obtaining heterostructures in homogeneous materials by controlling the cumulative deformation of the surface and center layers.

Full-component recovery of cobalt-rich waste by sodium carbonate roasting combined with cascade leaching

The rapid development of the battery industry, which relies heavily on cobalt, has significantly increased focus on the cobalt industry chain. In this context, the extraction and recovery of cobalt from secondary resources, which are often considered waste products or byproducts of other industrial processes, have emerged as an important source of the cobalt industry chain. This study developed an environmentally friendly sodium carbonate roasting process combined with cascade leaching process to realize the full-component recovery of a complex cobalt-rich waste containing valuable elements, including cobalt, tungsten, chromium, tantalum, and niobium. Sodium carbonate roasting was used for pre-treatment to decompose the composite metal oxides and convert dicobalt orthosilicate to sodium cobalt silicate. Water leaching after sodium carbonate roasting can selectively separate tungsten and chromium with leaching efficiencies exceeding 99%. Subsequently, the leaching efficiency of cobalt reached 99.9% via sulfuric acid leaching with sodium sulfite as the reducing agent. A method for precipitating tungsten and chromium was proposed, achieving precipitation efficiencies of 97.1% for tungsten and 99.9% for chromium, respectively. The results of this study provide a resource guarantee for the sustainable development of the cobalt industry.

Optimizing feedstock organic composition to regulate humification and heavy metal passivation during solid-state anaerobic digestion

This study uncovered the impacts of feedstock organic composition, comprising proteins, lignocellulose, and lipids, on humification and passivation of heavy metals (HMs) in solid-state anaerobic digestion (SSAD). Mantel tests and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) results revealed that copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) passivation predominantly occurred through complexation with humic acid (HA). In contrast, lead (Pb) and chromium (Cr) passivation were pH-dependent as influenced by substrate conditions in SSAD. Increasing protein content in the feedstock facilitated lignocellulose biodegradation to enhance HA formation, and thus augmenting Cu and Zn passivation. Furthermore, the improved biodegradation of organic components elevated the substrate pH, further enhancing Pb and Cr passivation. Such improvement was notable when the protein: lignocellulose: lipid ratio of feedstock was regulated to 4.1:3.7:2.2, which increased HA contents to 35.25% and pH to 9 to enhance the passivation of Cu, Pb, and Cr by 0.48%, 52.0%, and 17.9%, respectively.

Antioxidant and antidiabetic potential of Cystoseira myrica-mediated green metallic zinc nanoparticles using the algal extract: synthesis and characterization

Abstract Cystoseira myrica marine macroalgae (CSR) were used to produce metallic zinc nanoparticle composites by utilizing the phytochemicals naturally found in the algae. This involves homogenizing the residuals of CSR (10 g), zinc nitrate solution (5 M; 100 ml), and methanol liquid extract (100 ml) at 30 °C for 24 h of sonication and stirring, followed by filtration and drying. This resulted in a hybrid bio-composite (Zn/CSR), which demonstrated strong antioxidant and antidiabetic properties when compared to zinc oxide (ZnO) and CSR used separately. The Zn/CSR hybrid showed excellent antioxidant activity against common radicals such as DPPH (91.5 ± 1.66%), nitric oxide (90.4 ± 1.2%), ABTS (92.2 ± 1.9%), and O2 ·− (27.8 ± 1.12%) (p < 0.05), performing better than the standard antioxidant, ascorbic acid. Regarding its antidiabetic properties, the Zn/CSR composite significantly inhibited key enzymes involved in diabetes, including both commercial enzyme forms (α-amylase (80.3 ± 1.65%), α-glucosidase (96.6 ± 1.11%), amyloglucosidase (95.8 ± 1.3%)) and their crude intestinal forms (α-amylase (72.3 ± 1.5%), α-glucosidase (94.2 ± 1.7%)) (p < 0.05). This improvement increases the impact of the green CSR extract in reducing the agglomeration behaviors of the loaded metal and the formation of a capping layer from the phytochemicals on its surface, in addition to the beneficial effects of the CSR as substrate, which enhances the biological functions of the loaded metal and its interaction interfaces. The Zn/CSR composite also outperformed commercial miglitol drugs and slightly surpassed acarbose in effectiveness. Given the high cost and potential side effects of current medications, the Zn/CSR composite could be a cost-effective alternative for antioxidant and antidiabetic treatments. These findings also emphasize the role of CSR-derived phytochemicals and algae residues in enhancing the biological activity of the metal nanoparticles.

Enhanced vacuum brazing joining between Ti–48Al–2Cr–2Nb/Ti–22Al–25Nb intermetallic alloys by Zr-free Ti-based filler

This study investigates the microstructure and tensile properties of vacuum-brazed joints of Ti–48Al–2Cr–2Nb (Ti4822) and Ti–22Al–25Nb (Ti2AlNb) intermetallic alloys using Ti-based filler metals, with and without the addition of Zr element. Detailed microstructural characterization of the brazed joints was conducted using Electron Backscatter Diffraction and Transmission Electron Microscopy, identifying various phases and their distributions. The tensile properties were tested at room temperature and at 650 °C, revealing the influence of Zr on the mechanical performance of the joints. The results demonstrated that the microstructure of joints brazed with Zr-containing filler metals exhibited a layered structure with brittle Zr-enriched intermetallic compounds, limiting their mechanical properties. Conversely, Zr-free filler metals yielded more homogeneous and ductile microstructures, significantly improving tensile strength and elongation. The Zr-free joints obtained after holding at 980 °C for 60 min exhibits the highest tensile strength, reaching 368.23 MPa at room-temperature and 293.46 MPa at 650 °C, respectively. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing brazing processes and filler metal compositions to enhance the performance of TiAl-based intermetallic alloy joints.

EVALUATION OF PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF BN REINFORCED AL7079 METAL MATRIX COMPOSITES

Metal matrix composites (MMCs) are regarded as viable alternatives to conventional materials such as metals, plastics, and ceramics in structural applications due to their properties, including lightweight, high specific stiffness, elevated elastic modulus, enhanced specific strength, and excellent wear resistance. Among the many metal composites, aluminum metal matrix composites (MMCs) have emerged as sophisticated engineering materials for several prospective applications in engineering industries due to their superior qualities compared to typical aluminum alloys. Ceramic particles are the most extensively utilized reinforcements in MMCs due to their superior wear resistance, thermal stability, and exceptional bonding with the matrix. This research work has been conducted to develop ceramic particle-reinforced aluminum matrix composites and to evaluate their physical and mechanical properties. Al7079 alloy and Boron Nitride (BN) are selected as the matrix and reinforcement for the study respectively. The stir casting technique was utilized to fabricate the composites.Al7079-BN composites are prepared by varying the percentage of BN reinforcement particles from 0 to 8% by volume, with an increment of 2%. Test specimens were machined from the produced composites for the evaluation of microstructural, physical, mechanical properties according to ASTM standards. The microstructural analysis of the produced samples was conducted using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The density of the composite was assessed empirically using Archimedes principle and theoretically through the rule of mixture. Microstructural analysis reveals a homogeneous distribution of BN particles throughout the matrix without any agglomeration, and it also demonstrates excellent bonding. The density of the composites decreased by approximately 4.6% with the incorporation of BN reinforcement up to 8%, attributed to the lower density of BN particles. The mechanical properties such as hardness, tensile strength, Youngs modulus, and compressive strength of the composite increases significantly.

An Experimental Investigations on Design and Weight Optimization for a Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) Drive Shaft Using a Composite Material Aluminum and Glass Fiber (Al + GF)

Aluminum is primarily used in Metal Composites because of its lighter weight and higher strength. Glass fibers are wound around an aluminum shaft to create the composite. ANSYS results determine the relative amounts of aluminum and Eglass fiber in each shaft. The purpose of this study is to use a torsion test to evaluate the mechanical performance of a composite shaft composed of aluminum and glass fiber. The results are carefully examined for different combinations of glass fiber layers and aluminum layers. When the weight proportion of aluminum in the composite increases, the mechanical properties of the composites improve.

The improvement of radar absorption performance in MnxFe3–xO4/PANI/AC nanocomposites by manipulating the composition of 3d transition metal elements

Radar-absorbing materials (RAMs) have been extensively employed, particularly in national security stealth technologies. Even though various novel RAMs have been invented, iron oxides still attract tremendous attention due to their distinctive properties that are suitable for radar absorption applications. However, some development should still be carried out to improve the feasibility of iron oxides as RAMs. In this study, iron oxides-based RAMs were developed by manipulating the composition of 3d metal transition elements, Fe and Mn, which mainly influence the radar absorption performance. We also use a compositing strategy by combining this iron oxide with conductive and dielectric polymer materials to form MnxFe3–xO4/PANI (polyaniline)/AC (activated carbon) nanocomposites. The nanocomposites were synthesized using the coprecipitation method with x = 0–1.2 variation. The RAMs functioned in the X-band frequency range (approximately 7–13 GHz) with a thickness of 2 mm to 5 mm. The MnxFe3–xO4/PANI/AC nanocomposites were successfully fabricated by various examinations. The Mn2+ ion was incorporated into Fe3O4, while the nanocomposites exhibited sphere-like morphologies constructed from MnxFe3–xO4, AC, and PANI having aggregates, granules, and chains forms, respectively. Moreover, the nanocomposite sample exhibited superparamagnetic properties, with the saturation magnetization decreasing with the increase in the Mn2+. Interestingly, the MnxFe3–xO4/PANI/AC nanocomposites with x = 1.2 showed a high radar absorption performance with a reflection loss of –42 dB at 9.3 GHz, which mainly attributed to the magnetic loss mechanism and, thus, makes the obtained nanocomposite very potential for radar absorption applications. We believe our findings could pave the way for the realization of iron oxide-based RAMs for radar absorption applications.

Wormhole Mesoporous Silica Framework with Enhanced Thiol Loading for Improved Hg2+ Sequestration.

Thiol-functionalized mesoporous silica and materials potentially dedicated to diverse applications of composite materials, metal colloids, and metal catalysts, etc. Here, we developed a new synthesis route for 3-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxy silane (MPTMS) functionalized mesoporous silica (KIT-6), achieving a 71.5 % enhancement in thiol functionalization on KIT-6 surfaces. Characterization using XRD, TEM, BET, FTIR, Raman, 29Si NMR, XPS, and ICP-OES revealed structural and morphological features. XRD, TEM, and BET confirmed the three-dimensional structural stabilization of mesoporous silica with ~4 nm pore diameter and a surface area of 1451 m2 g-1. FTIR, Raman, and 29Si NMR studies established the mechanism of thiol functionalization, the formation of a new wormhole chain structural framework (WCSF), and stabilization through hydrogen bonding within the mesopores. The 29Si NMR spectra showed characteristic peaks (T3, T2, Q4, Q3) indicating self-condensed functionalized thiols with siloxane networks. XPS analysis validated enhanced thiol functionalization, indicating a structurally homogeneous WCSF suitable for mercury adsorption. ICP-OES measured a mercury adsorption capacity of 3199.6 mg g-1 for KIT-6, with an Hg2+/S ratio of 1.8, corroborated by molecular structure and mechanism analysis. This innovative thiol functionalization approach enhances the efficacy of applications such as extracting Hg2+ from contaminated sources.

A Novel Approach to Produce Metal–Metal Composites by Leveraging Immiscibility: Laser Powder Bed Fusion of Nanosilver‐Dispersed Titanium

The antimicrobial properties of silver ions are well known and effectively utilized in various biomedical applications. The efficacy of silver‐containing materials, particularly in terms of antimicrobial activity, heavily relies on the oxidizing surface, favoring nanosized silver features. However, producing such structures is challenging due to the high probability of miscibility in the liquid phase. Developing Ti–Ag composite alloys using the laser powder bed fusion technique with supported titanium powders and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) represents a novel research pursuit, with no prior investigations reported. Incorporating AgNPs into titanium forms nanoislands, directly enhancing the antimicrobial efficacy of biomedical components. In this study, it is aimed to explore the solubility limit of silver in titanium and the feasibility of achieving finely dispersed silver islands. Experimental findings reveal that incorporating AgNPs into Ti‐based alloys results in discrete silver islands (0.01–0.02 μm2) within the microstructure, governed by the solubility limit of silver in titanium. In this study, valuable insights into producing components with augmented biocompatibility and proven antibacterial properties against Staphylococci infections are offered. The successful development of Ti–Ag composite alloys, featuring finely dispersed silver islands, opens promising avenues for biomedical applications, enhancing their antibacterial characteristics and improving patient outcomes.

Optimization and Multimachine Learning Algorithms to Predict Nanometal Surface Area Transfer Parameters for Gold and Silver Nanoparticles.

Interactions between gold metallic nanoparticles and molecular dyes have been well described by the nanometal surface energy transfer (NSET) mechanism. However, the expansion and testing of this model for nanoparticles of different metal composition is needed to develop a greater variety of nanosensors for medical and commercial applications. In this study, the NSET formula was slightly modified in the size-dependent dampening constant and skin depth terms to allow for modeling of different metals as well as testing the quenching effects created by variously sized gold, silver, copper, and platinum nanoparticles. Overall, the metal nanoparticles followed more closely the NSET prediction than for Förster resonance energy transfer, though scattering effects began to occur at 20 nm in the nanoparticle diameter. To further improve the NSET theoretical equation, an attempt was made to set a best-fit line of the NSET theoretical equation curve onto the Au and Ag data points. An exhaustive grid search optimizer was applied in the ranges for two variables, 0.1≤C≤2.0 and 0≤α≤4, representing the metal dampening constant and the orientation of donor to the metal surface, respectively. Three different grid searches, starting from coarse (entire range) to finer (narrower range), resulted in more than one million total calculations with values C=2.0 and α=0.0736. The results improved the calculation, but further analysis needed to be conducted in order to find any additional missing physics. With that motivation, two artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) algorithms, multilayer perception and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression, gave a correlation coefficient, R2, greater than 0.97, indicating that the small dataset was not overfitting and was method-independent. This analysis indicates that an investigation is warranted to focus on deeper physics informed machine learning for the NSET equations.

A mini-review on egg waste valorization.

Each year, approximately million tons of waste is generated from eggshells disposed of in landfills. This waste is challenging to manage because of the odor and microbiological development. However, eggshells have potential applications as a solid byproduct. They can be modified and used in various industries such as metal, polymer and ceramic composites, in the production of biodiesel, heavy metal absorption from wastewater, and even as a biomaterial to substitute bone tissues. Furthermore, eggshells can be used as a cheap adsorbent for the treatment of contaminated waterways. They are also a great source of calcium and fertilizer for plants, animals and humans. Chicken eggshells can even be used as a catalyst for converting waste frying oil into biofuel. This review highlights the challenges and opportunities of eggshell waste valorization in the food industry. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.