Direct Mixing Research Articles

Cell-Inspired Microreactor with Compartmentalized Active Sites for Development of Cascade Catalysis System in Biosensing.

Enzymatic cascade reactions with high activity and specificity in living cells always benefit from multicompartmentalized organelles that provide separately confined spaces for enzymes, avoiding their mutual interference to ensure the high-efficiency operation of necessary vital movements. Inspired by this, we designed a 3D spherical microreactor (Au@H-APF@Pt) with biomimetic cascade catalysis for glucose detection. First, ultrasmall gold nanoparticles were immobilized in situ on the internal cavities of hollow 3-aminophenol formaldehyde resin (H-APF) nanospheres, along with glucose oxidase activity. Then, platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) with peroxide-like activity were reduced surrounding the outer layer of the H-APF nanospheres. Similar to the cell structure, different metal sites in this bifunctional microreactor operated independently, bringing higher catalytic activity and selectivity and thus being synergistically capable of a cascade reaction to catalyze the substrate for glucose detection. This cell-mimicking microreactor (Au@H-APF@Pt) was successfully applied in glucose colorimetric detection, showing a 1.9-fold activity enhancement compared to direct mixing (Au/Pt). The observed low catalytic activity was attributed to the extended time for transferring hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) from Au NPs to the solution and then to PtNPs. Integrating a smartphone APP, a real-time, visual, and Au@H-APF@Pt-based hydrogel sensor for glucose detection was also proposed. Satisfactory results highlight that this cell-mimicking microreactor offers a very successful strategy to improve the efficiency of cascade catalysis systems in biosensing.

Development and Characterization of 3D-Printed PLA/Exfoliated Graphite Composites for Enhanced Electrochemical Performance in Energy Storage Applications

This research introduces a new way to create a composite material (PLA/EG) for 3D printing. It combines polylactic acid (PLA) with exfoliated graphite (EG) using a physical mixing method, followed by direct mixing in a single-screw extruder. Structural and vibrational analyses using X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the PLA/EG’s formation (composite). The analysis also suggests physical adsorption as the primary interaction between the two materials. The exfoliated graphite acts as a barrier (thermal behavior), reducing heat transfer via TG. Electrochemical measurements reveal redox activity (cyclic voltammetry) with a specific capacitance of ~ 6 F g−1, low solution resistance, and negligible charge transfer resistance, indicating ion movement through a Warburg diffusion process. Additionally, in terms of complex behavior (electrochemical impedance spectroscopy), the PLA/EG’s actual capacitance C’(ω) displayed a value greater than 1000 μF cm−2, highlighting the composite’s effectiveness in storing charge. These results demonstrate that PLA/EG composites hold significant promise as electrodes in electronic devices. The methodology used in this study not only provides a practical way to create functional composites but also opens doors for new applications in electronics and energy storage.

Damping and acoustic properties of nanosilica filled poly(styrene-acrylate) interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs): Effect of nanocomposite preparation method

Research on noise pollution reduction has focused on utilizing damping coatings and polymer nanocomposites to enhance sound absorption. Nanosilica/poly(styrene-acrylate) nanocomposites as a water-based coating were prepared through in-situ emulsion polymerization and direct mixing methods at varying concentrations of 1, 2, and 3 wt% of nanosilica. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy revealed that the inclusion of surfactant-containing micelles and a more extended synthesis period in the in-situ synthesis technique enhanced the interaction between silica nanoparticles and polymer chains. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis showed a unimodal distribution and an acceptable range of polydispersity index (PDI) for neat and nanocomposite latexes. The addition of silica nanoparticles enhanced the stability of latex particles, especially evident in the direct mixing method. The field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images confirmed the better dispersion of nanoparticles within the polymer matrix in the in-situ method. The addition of nanosilica resulted in a significant increase in pseudoplastic behavior and viscosity, notably in the in-situ synthesis. In both the in-situ synthesis and direct mixing techniques, the addition of 1 wt% of nanosilica resulted in an increase in the damping factor of nanocomposite films to about 2. However, when the nanosilica content was further increased to 3 wt%, the damping factor decreased. Acoustic tests demonstrated improved sound absorption with silica nanoparticles, yielding noise reduction coefficient (NRC) values of 0.49 and 0.46 for in-situ synthesis and direct mixing. The direct mixing method notably enhanced tensile properties at all nanoparticle content levels. Dried nanocomposite films exhibited superior UV-blocking capabilities compared to neat polymer films.

The Importance of Impoundment interception in Simulating Riverine Dissolved Organic Carbon

AbstractModeling of riverine dissolved organic carbon (DOC) dynamics is of great importance for the global carbon budget. Impoundment interception changes the travel time of water and DOC from upslope contributing areas, exerting substantial influence on riverine DOC dynamics in the catchments with many impoundments. However, the impact of impoundment interception representation on riverine DOC modeling has not been evaluated so far. This study investigated to what extent impoundment interception representation affects DOC simulations using a newly developed catchment‐scale DOC model, which can represent the upslope contributing areas of impoundments and the impoundment interception process. The results showed that streamflow and DOC load simulation were well simulated regardless of whether impoundment interception was represented, but the simulation of DOC concentrations was satisfiable only when impoundment interception was taken into account. The simulation without impoundment interception produced unrealistic fluctuation of DOC concentration due to the direct mixing of DOC from different sources with contrasting concentration gradients. These results underscored the significance of employing an appropriate model structure for riverine DOC simulation. It is strongly recommended that DOC concentration be utilized for model evaluation in order to attain robust simulation outcomes. Moreover, the newly developed model in this study keeps a balance between the completeness of process presentation and model complexity, occupying a unique “ecological niche” among catchment‐scale riverine DOC models.

Post-Earthquake Survey of Bagmati River Seepage Through Physicochemical Analysis of Water

Bagmati river has a great cultural, economic and mythological significance. It has also been related to the civilization of Kathmandu valley. Due to the rapid and unmanaged urbanization and industrialization the river has been heavily polluted leading to the water borne hazards and water shortage problem in the capital. Amidst this problem there was a major earthquake in Kathmandu in 2015 which disturbs the land masses in the valley. This research was conducted to assess the physico-chemical parameters of Bagmati river water and ground water from its corridor at about 50 m and 100 m distance for comparison to detect the post-earthquake seepage status of river water from October 2019 to March 2020. In total 10 sites (A-J) were selected from Gokarna to Chovar. From each site 1 river and 2 ground water samples at approximately about 50 m and 100 m radial distance from river were taken. The range of temperature, turbidity, conductivity, TDS, pH, chloride, total hardness, total acidity, total alkalinity, total iron content, total ammonia content, dissolved oxygen content and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) were recorded to be 13-22 ºC, 150.5-395.5 NTU, 121.1-825 μs/cm, 77.56-528 ppm, 6.5-7.84, 4.97-114.3 mg/l, 34-180 mg/l, 10-224 mg/l, 70-382 mg/l, 0.55-4.156 mg/l, 5-150 mg/l, 0-4.5 mg/l and 5.35-320 mg/l respectively for river water samples and 16-21 ºC, 3.8-52.1 NTU, 25.2-745 μs/cm, 16-476.8 ppm, 6.08-7.61, 5.68-134.9 mg/l, 6-328 mg/l, 10-140 mg/l, 30-340 mg/l, 0.02-5.101 mg/l, 0.026-0.9 mg/l, 2.63-8.1 mg/l and 1.62-16.3 mg/l respectively for ground water samples at 50 m distance from river and 16-20 ºC, 3.1-60 NTU, 25.6-697 μs/cm, 12.8-446.08 ppm, 5.49-8.78, 5.68-44.02 mg/l, 10-300 mg/l, 10-160 mg/l, 14-294 mg/l, 0.015-4.37 mg/l, 0.028-0.54 mg/l, 3.1-8.7 mg/l and 0.63-14.2 mg/l respectively for ground water samples at 100 m distance from the river. As there were significant differences in turbidity, chloride, total acidity, iron, ammonia and BOD among Bagmati and ground water samples, direct mixing of polluted Bagmati river water with nearby ground waters through seepage was not detected. Thus, irrespective of earlier condition, the land masses near the Bagmati territory has not been affected so as to allow deeper seepage of river water by the earthquake of 2015.

Integration of nanomaterials in FDM for enhanced surface properties: Optimized manufacturing approaches

This article presents a comprehensive review of advanced techniques for integrating nanomaterials into fused deposition modeling (FDM) processes, addressing prevalent challenges such as limited surface quality and wear resistance in traditional FDM-printed parts. The integration of nanomaterials offers potential solutions to these issues by enhancing surface properties. This review explores key methodologies, including direct nanoparticle mixing with polymer filaments, in-situ polymerization, and surface coating techniques, and demonstrates their impact on improving surface roughness and wear resistance. Specifically, nanomaterial-enhanced composites achieve up to a 30% reduction in surface roughness and a 40% improvement in wear resistance compared to conventional materials. To optimize manufacturing processes, we apply the Taguchi method to identify critical process parameters such as extrusion temperature, print speed, layer thickness, and nanoparticle concentration that influence surface properties. Our simulations and analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicate that optimal settings can enhance surface quality by 25% and improve wear resistance by 35%. The proposed methodologies and theoretical framework lay the groundwork for experimental validation, which will involve testing the optimized parameters and assessing their practical impact. This research advances the field of additive manufacturing by providing novel insights into nanomaterial integration, paving the way for improved FDM technology with applications spanning aerospace, biomedical engineering, and beyond. The findings contribute significantly to overcoming existing limitations and enhancing the performance of FDM-printed parts.

Excellent Low-Frequency Microwave Absorption and High Thermal Conductivity in Polydimethylsiloxane Composites Endowed by Hydrangea-Like CoNi@BN Heterostructure Fillers.

The advancement of thin, lightweight, and high-power electronic devices has increasingly exacerbated issues related to electromagnetic interference and heat accumulation. To address these challenges, a spray-drying-sintering process is employed to assemble chain-like CoNi and flake boron nitride (BN) into hydrangea-like CoNi@BN heterostructure fillers. These fillers are then composited with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to develop CoNi@BN/PDMS composites, which integrate low-frequency microwave absorption and thermal conductivity. When the volume fraction of CoNi@BN is 44 vol% and the mass ratio of CoNi to BN is 3:1, the CoNi@BN/PDMS composites exhibit optimal performance in both low-frequency microwave absorption and thermal conductivity. These composites achieve a minimum reflection loss of -49.9dB and a low-frequency effective absorption bandwidth of 2.40GHz (3.92-6.32GHz) at a thickness of 4.4mm, fully covering the n79 band (4.4-5.0GHz) for 5G communications. Meanwhile, the in-plane thermal conductivity (λ∥) of the CoNi@BN/PDMS composites is 7.31W m-1 K-1, which is ≈11.4 times of the λ∥ (0.64W m-1 K-1) for pure PDMS, and 32% higher than that of the (CoNi/BN)/PDMS composites (5.52W m-1 K-1) with the same volume fraction of CoNi and BN obtained through direct mixing.

Thermophysical and transport properties of a pyrrolidinium-based ionic liquid confined in silica

Ionic liquid (IL) 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (BMPyrrTFSI) was confined in silica (Aerosil A380) by direct mixing. The resulting BMPyrrTFSI/xSiO2 ionogel (x – from 2.3 to 6.7 wt%) was studied by TG, DSC, conductometry and viscometric methods. For confined IL, a decrease in the Tm and Ts-s by 14–16 °C and an increase in the Tg, and Tcc by 4–5 °C were found. With an increase in xSiO2, the opposite dynamics of the decomposition temperatures Tonset and Tpeak, and a disproportionate decrease in ionic conductivity were observed. The change in the properties of BMPyrrTFSI under conditions of limited geometry of the silica matrix is explained in the terms by the interaction of the IL and SiO2, as well as the conformation features of the cation and anion. In the first time, parameters such as the fragility index D and the formation factor F were also discussed for such systems. As a result, BMPyrrTFSI/4.5 wt% SiO2 ionogel (0.2 S m−1, 20 °C) was proposed as a promising electrolyte for application in electrochemical devices. This study may be useful for creating quasi-solid electrolytes based on ILs and inorganic materials.

Efficacy of Direct Versus Peripheral Adjuvant Dexamethasone on Duration and Rebound Pain in Regional Anesthesia for Outpatient Distal Radius Fracture Fixation: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Blinded Study.

Despite increasingly wider use, there remains controversy among anesthesiologists regarding preferred formulations and the role of steroid adjuvants in regional anesthesia. There is also uncertainty in the role of dexamethasone when administered directly versus peripherally. We hypothesize that directly mixing dexamethasone into the regional nerve block rather than peripherally administered intravenous dexamethasone will demonstrate a difference in efficacy concerning duration and rebound pain, decreased postoperative pain scores, or opioid consumption within the short-term postoperative period. A prospective, randomized controlled blinded study was conducted for patients undergoing open reduction and internal fixation with a volar plate technique for distal radius fractures. Patients were randomized for their preoperative anesthesia. One group had ultrasound-guided supraclavicular block with ropivacaine with a direct mix of dexamethasone 4 mg (Direct group), while the other group had ultrasound-guided supraclavicular block with ropivacaine and peripheral intravenous dexamethasone 4 mg (Indirect group). Data was collected pre, intra, and postoperatively. Fifty patients consented and participated in the study, with 27 participants in the direct group and 23 participants in the indirect group. Compared to intravenous administration, directly administered dexamethasone demonstrated a significant difference in the average time for the block to fade, onset of motor and sensory recovery, and block resolution. Our findings prove that directly mixing dexamethasone compared to peripherally administered intravenous dexamethasone will demonstrate a difference in efficacy with regards to duration and rebound pain, but do not prove that there will be a difference in decreased postoperative pain scores or opioid consumption within the 24-hour postoperative period. Prognosis Level I.

Novel Orange-Emitting YPO4:Sm3+/Polymer Nanocomposite Phosphor Films for LED Applications.

A polymer based nanocomposite (NC) material embedded with highly luminescent nanopowders could be promising for replacing traditional luminescent materials from a technological pointof view.In this study, we have successfully obtained YPO4: Sm3+ /Polymer nanocomposite phosphor films by embedding YPO4: Sm3+ luminescent nanoparticles (NPs) for orange-light emitting diode (LED) applications. These luminescent NPs were synthesized using the sol gel method in different polymer matrices i.e. polystyrene (PS) and poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) by using direct solution mixing. The structural, morphological, and photoluminescence characteristics of the nano-phosphors and resulting NC films were examined and discussed. The emission spectra of YPO4: Sm3+ (x at.%) nano-phosphors under near-UV excitation at 404nm were dominated by orange emission attributed to 6H5/2 4F7/2 (601nm) luminescence of Sm3+ ions. The optimum doping concentration of activator Sm3+ in YPO4 matrix was found to be 5 at.%. When the doping concentration of Sm3+ was higher than 5 at.%, concentration quenching occurred. The incorporation of YPO4: Sm3+ NPs into polymer matrices indicated that the NCs retained the original luminescence properties of the luminescent NPs, although a decrease in their emission intensity was observed for the NC films, attributable to a polymer matrix effect, which dominated in PS matrix. The fluorescence decay times of NPs in the NC films were measured and compared to those of proper YPO4: Sm3+ nano-phosphors. A decrease in decay time in NC film was observed due the effective refractive index effect. Temperature-dependent photoluminescence (TDPL) of PMMA NC film was studied in 100-400K range, investigating the thermal stability of the film. Additionally, CIE coordinates confirmed the red-orange light emission of the prepared phosphors and NC films. The obtained results indicate that the synthesized polymer-nanophosphor NC films are promising candidates for orange-LED applications.

Target dispersion of pozzolanic materials nearby hydration-released calcium hydrates to improve the pozzolanic reaction degree

The random distribution of pozzolanic materials (PM) using direct mixing strategy reduces their contact possibility with hydration-released calcium hydroxide (CH), and limits the corresponding reinforcing efficiency to cement-based materials via pozzolanic reaction. In this study, a target dispersion strategy of PM nearby CH was proposed using super absorbent polymers (SAPs) as the carrier. On the one hand, nano silica (NS) and calcined clay (CC), two typical PM, can be encapsulated into SAPs through the hydrogen bonding interaction; on the other hand, the region around SAPs was enriched with more water and higher Ca2+ concentration, which triggered the in situ crystallization of CH. In this case, the contact possibility between the NS or CC (NS/CC) and hydration-released CH was improved by the target dispersion strategy, and resulted in a 60 %–253 % increase in pozzolanic reaction degree (PRD) of NS/CC. Furthermore, the reinforcing effect of NS/CC on compressive strength of cement paste was enhanced by 25 % through this strategy. Therefore, the current study introduces a novel method for increasing the pozzolanic reinforcing efficiency of cement-based materials by turning the random to target dispersion of PM nearby CH.

Fabrication of metal‐organic frameworks macro-structures for adsorption applications in water treatment: A review

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are emerging porous organic–inorganic hybrid materials composed of metal centers/clusters and various organic ligands, which are widely used in water and wastewater treatment applications due to their large specific surface area, high porosity, tunable chemical properties and abundant active sites. However, pure MOFs powders have limitations such as poor recovery, blocked pipelines and secondary contamination in practical water treatment processes. Enabling the magnetization of MOFs or immobilizing MOFs as macroscopic MOFs materials offers new opportunities to improve solid–liquid separation performances of powdered MOFs. Besides, macroscopic MOFs materials with outstanding adsorption performance and mechanical properties by the combining of 3D particles and 2D nanosheets MOFs with other substrates are widely used for water treatment. This paper provides a comprehensive review of recent advancements in MOFs macro-structures. We firstly summarized the synthesis strategies of magnetic MOFs composites and various MOFs macro-structures such as hydrogels/aerogels, membranes, beads/spheres, others composites, etc. which can be constructed by various methods, including in-situ growth, solvothermal method, direct mixing, self-assembly, layer-by-layer growth, etc. Innovative preparation strategies to improve the mechanical properties of MOFs macro-structures were highlighted. Next the article discusses its application for adsorptive removal of various pollutants (i.e., dyes, heavy metal ions, oils and organic pollutants) from water. Finally, the challenges of macroscopic MOFs materials and their practical applications are presented, while future research directions to overcome these existing limitations are also pointed out.

Next-generation 3D tumor modeling: A microfluidic platform with biocompatible red carbon dots for live cell imaging in co-cultured elongated spheroid tumor model

Co-culture spheroids mimic tumor architecture more accurately than traditional 2D cell cultures, but non-invasive, long-term tracking of live cells within these 3D models remains a challenge. This study addresses this critical need by developing a novel approach for live cell imaging in U-87/HUF co-culture spheroids. We introduce water-soluble, biocompatible red carbon dots (R-CDs) exhibiting exceptional stability and brightness (21% quantum yield) specifically designed for imaging within these 3D models. Furthermore, we designed a microfluidic chip with ellipsoid-shaped microwells to efficiently generate two distinct co-culture spheroid types: direct mixing and core-shell. R-CDs enabled non-invasive tracking of U-87 cancer cell location within these 3D models demonstrating their efficacy for long-term monitoring of live cells in cancer research. This R-CD and microfluidic technology has the potential to accelerate cancer drug discovery by enabling live cell studies in 3D tumor models.

Stress-Relieving Carboxylated Polythiophene/Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Conductive Layer for Stable Silicon Microparticle Lithium-Ion Battery Anodes

Silicon is one of the most promising anode materials for next generation Lithium ion batteries (LIBs) on account of its ultrahigh specific capacity (4200 mAh g-1) and relatively low working potential of 0.3 V (vs. Li+/Li). However, practical commercial implementation of silicon poses a great challenge due to technical difficulties such as low conductivity (10-5-10-3 S cm-1), low initial Coulombic efficiency (50-80%) and stress-induced fracture, along with SEI accumulation due to severe volume changes (~400%) inherent in silicon-based anodes.To address these challenges and advance the next generation of LIBs, we present poly[3-(potassium-4-butanoate)thiophene] (PPBT) and single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) coated silicon microparticles (Si MPs) (PPBT/SWNT@Si MPs) as active materials for highly stable Si-based anodes for LIB systems. The water-soluble conjugated polymer, PPBT, was selected for its ability to serve as an ion and electron conducting physical/chemical linker (10-5 S cm-1 vs. PVDF; ~ 10-8 S cm-1) to the surface of various high capacity anode active materials systems. In consideration of current practical requirements for Si-based anode materials, Si MPs were selected as starting materials due to their lower surface area than the nanoscale analogs, a characteristic that can further improve LIB bulk capacity. In addition, Si MPs are known to have high initial Coulombic efficiency and industrial compatibility. With the help of PPBT, which facilitates unraveling of entangled single-walled carbon nanotubes, SWNTs were successfully attached to the surface of the active materials. PPBT carboxylate substituents were found to be chemically bound to the Si MP surface, providing an electrochemically conductive environment in intimate contact with the 1D SWNTs and Si MPs.Due to facilitated ion/electron transport kinetics, PPBT/SWNT@SiMP anodes exhibited superior capacity retention and higher reversible capacities, even at a high current density of 8 A g-1, compared to bare Si MP anodes. Improved initial Coulombic efficiency and stable cycling performance over 300 cycles were achieved. In situ Raman spectroscopy was employed to investigate the evolution of stress on the SWNTs during lithiation/delithiation, which elucidated the mechanism underlying the enhancement in PPBT/SWNT@Si MP anode cycling performance. The single-walled carbon nanotubes within the PPBT/SWNT@Si MP anodes consistently exhibited reversible stress recovery and 45 % less tensile stress variation after the 10th cycle than SWNT@Si MP control anodes fabricated by direct mixing of the microparticles with SWNTs to create SWNT@Si MPs.Combined, the results suggest that a well-developed conductive interface can enhance the rate performance, and improve electrode stability and Coulombic efficiency. Furthermore, the PPBT/SWNT coating directly bound to the Si MP surface provides for efficient stress relaxation of Si-based electrodes, resulting in reversible lithiation/delithiation, low electrode resistance, and reduced SEI layer formation.

Pt/C and PtRu/C Catalysts Prepared by Modified Sulfite Complex Routes for Fuel Cell Applications

In-house 30 wt.% Pt and 50 wt.% Pt1Ru1 catalysts supported on high-surface area carbon (Ketjenblack, abbreviated as KB) were synthesized by the sulfite complex route. Two different procedures involving either a direct mixing of Pt-sulfite and Ru-sulfite complexes or Pt-sulfite preparation and subsequent impregnation of Ru precursor were adopted for the bimetallic species. In both cases, an impregnation of the formed metal oxides onto KB was adopted to increase the electronic conductivity of the samples. Finally, a carbothermal treatment at 600°C in He atmosphere was carried out for the reduction of the metal oxides to metallic PtRu/C compounds. The Pt1Ru1 ratio was calculated and revealed by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis whereas the carbon percentage was calculated by weight loss. 50 mg of sample was treated in air at 550°C for 2 h and, after cooling, the weight corresponded to 25 mg, confirming a carbonaceous matrix percentage of 50 wt.%. In a similar way, the 30 wt.% Pt/C was determined. X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed that the samples showed face centered cubic (fcc) structure for Pt nanoparticles. It appears that two distinct crystallographic phases of Pt and Ru nanoparticles were encountered after the synthesis conducted by Ru impregnation. In contrast, only a single fcc phase is visible when the Pt and Ru sulfite precursors were mixed, confirming the formation of an alloy. Furthermore, Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy-Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (S/TEM-EDX) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) were used to characterize the differences in morphology and surface characteristics of the catalysts.For the electrochemical measurements, rotating disc electrode (RDE) technique under acid and alkaline conditions was employed to investigate the half cell reactions. The catalysts were also deposited at the anode and cathode of fuel cells to evaluate the activity, performance, and short-term durability. Acknowledgement “This research was funded by the European Union – EIT Raw Materials in the framework of the following project: LYDIA- Recycling Critical Metals from Fuel Cells (G.A. 22019)”

Significantly enhanced high-temperature energy storage performance for polymer composite films with gradient distribution of organic fillers

Film capacitors as one of the most important electronic devices are heading in large capacity, heightened integration and excellent extreme-condition tolerance, which faces the challenges in maintaining outstanding performance under harsh conditions of high temperature and large electric field. Nonetheless, polymer capacitive films, which are renowned for their exceptional thermal stability, experience an escalation in conduction losses at elevated temperatures, resulting in degradation of energy storage performance. This study presents the gradient distribution of organic fillers content in all-organic polymer capacitive films utilizing electrospinning technique, the significantly improved high-temperature energy storage performance has been achieved. Glucose (GLC), a weak polar molecule rich in hydroxyl groups, is blended with the most promising polyetherimide (PEI). Experimental and theoretical calculations confirm that the formed hydrogen bond between GLC and PEI acts as a trapping site for capturing carriers and suppressing conduction losses. Furthermore, the spatial distribution of organic fillers was designed on the basis of direct mixing. The results demonstrate that the gradient composite film introduces interlayer interfacial polarization, while the dielectric mismatch between adjacent layers increases the height of potential barriers for the charge carriers across the interfaces, thereby achieving a synergistic enhancement of dielectric response and insulation strength. The maximum discharge energy density of 6.52 J/cm3 with an efficiency of 85.6 % has been achieved at 150℃ for the modified capacitive films. This work establishes a decoupling relationship between permittivity and electric breakdown strength, offering insights for the advancement of polymer films with outstanding energy storage capabilities in extreme environments.

Properties of Chemically Stabilized Methanol–HVO Blends

Approximately 25% of global carbon emissions come from food production. Renewable fuels are crucial for curbing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from vehicles, non-road machines, and agricultural machinery. Tractors, key to modern farming, are central to these efforts. As agriculture strives for sustainability, alternative fuels like methanol and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) are arousing interest because they are renewable and offer potential for blending for use in diesel engines. Methanol and HVO have limited solubility in direct mixing, so the addition of a co-solvent is essential. This study addresses the research gap regarding the properties of HVO and methanol blends with co-solvents. It investigated the impact of three co-solvents, 1-dodecanol, 1-octanol, and methyl butyrate, on the miscibility of HVO and methanol. The experimental measurements cross-varied the co-solvent type with different blending ratios (MeOH5 and MeOH10). Investigated parameters include fuel density, kinematic viscosity, distillation properties, and surface tension. The co-solvents enabled the formation of a singular, clear, and homogeneous phase in methanol-HVO blends. The co-solvent 1-dodecanol demonstrated the highest solubilizing capacity for MeOH5 and MeOH10 blends, followed by 1-octanol. Adding co-solvents led to increased fuel density, decreased kinematic viscosity, and small changes in surface tension. These findings contribute to the optimization of methanol–HVO fuel blends for efficient and environmentally friendly use in vehicles, non-road machinery, and agricultural machinery.

Mechanical, Thermal and Morphological Characterization of Graphene/Al2O3‐Reinforced Epoxy Hybrid Nanocomposites

AbstractThis work investigates the hybrid nanocomposites manufactured by direct mixing by dispersing varying weight percentages (wt.%) of graphene nanoparticles (GNPs) and Al2O3 NPs in epoxy resin. Their properties are then obtained using various mechanical (tensile, flexural, impact, and hardness) and thermal (thermogravimetric) analyses. Furthermore, their microstructure and functional groups are studied by SEM and FTIR, respectively. The hybrid nanocomposite, which contains 1.5 wt.% GNPs and 8.5 wt.% Al2O3 NPs, has excellent mechanical properties. Compared to a composite without GNPs, the tensile strength, flexural strength, impact strength, and shore D hardness improve by 95.12, 90.01, 171.43, and 19.75%, respectively. It is also found that hybrid nanocomposite exhibits enhanced thermal stability as GNPs increase, particularly at lower wt.% of Al2O3. The SEM of tensile fractured specimens of GNPs/Al2O3 epoxy hybrid nanocomposites reveals prominent failure mechanisms, including agglomeration of GNPs and debonding between the GNPs/Al2O3 and epoxy. The FTIR spectroscopy analysis reveals distinctive spectral peaks indicating successful incorporation of Al2O3 and GNPs into the epoxy‐based composite, with observed peaks corresponding to functional groups and bonds characteristic of each component. These findings suggest that the manufactured nanocomposite holds promise as a component in structural applications, particularly in automobiles, aerospace components, and sports equipment.

Silicone elastomer dielectric composites by introducing novel O-MMT@TiO2 nanoparticles for energy harvesting application

Dielectric elastomers have attracted attention in emerging advanced electromechanical applications. However, how to simultaneously improve the dielectric constant and the breakdown strength of dielectric composite needs to be solved. In this paper, we propose a new strategy to anchor TiO2 nanoparticles onto organically modified montmorillonite (O-MMT) nanoplatelets through dehydration reaction to synthesize a novel filler O-MMT@TiO2. Then, the O-MMT@TiO2 is incorporated into methyl vinyl silicone rubber (MVSR) matrix to obtain O-MMT@TiO2/MVSR dielectric composites. Comparing with the composites by direct mixing of TiO2 and O-MMT in MVSR (O-MMT/TiO2/MVSR), O-MMT@TiO2/MVSR composites significantly increase mechanical and dielectric and energy storage properties. 30 wt% O-MMT@TiO2/MVSR composite achieves the highest energy storage density of 118.65 kJ/m3, which is 142.9 % higher than that of 15 wt%O-MMT/15 wt%TiO2/MVSR (48.84 kJ/m3). This study offers an effective method for the preparation of high-performance dielectric elastomer materials, which can be exploited for the energy harvesting application.

First report of root rot of strawberry caused by Fusarium cugenangense, a member of the F. oxysporum species complex, in Tennessee, USA.

Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch) in Tennessee is cultivated on plastic mulched beds annually, and production is limited primarily by multiple oomycete and fungal root rot pathogens that result in reduced vigor and black root rot disease symptoms. In early June 2018, plants (cv. Chandler) with reduced shoot vigor and size, and black, necrotic stunted roots were collected from Rhea County, TN. Roots and crowns of 10 plants were cut into 1-3 cm pieces and surface sterilized with 0.6% NaOCl, followed by 70% ethanol for 1 min each, and plated on water agar. White mycelia produced after 3 days were transferred to potato dextrose agar amended with 10 mg/liter rifampicin. After 10 days, fungal colonies were light purple on the surface and dark purple on the colony underside, later developing blue-black pigmentation on the underside. Microconidia on carnation leaf agar were ovoid to ellipsoid, aseptate or septate and 8.0 to 24.2 (13.7) × 3.0 to 4.5 (3.8) μm in size, macroconidia were 3 to 5 septate and falcate to almost straight and 33.7 to 52.8 (44.4) × 4.0 to 5.5 (4.9) μm in size (n=80); both conidia were produced on monophialides. Chlamydospores were globose and subglobose, formed terminally and intercalary on aerial, submerged, and surface mycelium, singly or in pairs and were abundantly produced in sucrose broth and on synthetic nutrient-poor agar (SNA) (diam. 7.6 μm). Morphology was consistent with Fusarium oxysporum (Leslie and Summerell, 2006) and F. cugenangense, a member of the F. oxysporum species complex, as described by Maryani et al. (2019). Fungal mycelia were used for PCR (Phire Plant Direct PCR Master Mix, Thermo Scientific, CA) and the translational elongation factor 1-α (EF1α) region was amplified with primers EF-1/EF-2 (O'Donnell et al., 1998), internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions amplified with primers ITS1/ITS2 (White et al. 1990), and the RNA polymerase second largest subunit region (RPB2) with primer pairs 5f2/7cr and 7cf/11ar (O'Donnell et al., 2022). PCR products of isolate SC5 were sequenced, and sequences compared to all sequences in the FUSARIOID-ID database using polyphasic identification (Crous et al., 2021) with EF1α (GenBank Accession No. ON703236) and RPB2 (OR472390) sequences. The highest similarity (100%) was with isolates of F. cugenangense, including ex-type isolate InaCC F984 (99.94% similarity) (Maryani et al., 2019). F. cugenangense is closely related to F. callistephi and F. elaeidis, but both species lack chlamydospores, and F. elaeidis has polyphialides (Lombard et al, 2019). To satisfy Koch's postulates, healthy rooted strawberry plants produced in soilless media were transplanted into 4 plastic pots (1.2-liter) containing 5% (w/v) fungal inoculum (grown on barley grain) and mixed into the top 5-cm of peat-based soilless medium. Pots were incubated at 25°C and 50% RH in a growth chamber. Four pots without inoculum served as controls. The trial was repeated. Within 8 weeks, all inoculated plants had low vigor, with necrotic and stunted roots. Root sections of control and inoculated plants were plated, and the pathogen was re-isolated from diseased roots of all inoculated plants only and confirmed as F. cugenangense based on morphology and sequence analysis. To our knowledge, this is the first report of F. cugenangense, or any member of the F. oxysporum species complex, causing root rot of strawberry in Tennessee and could be an important component of the production-limiting black root rot disease complex of strawberry.