Energy Absorption Capacity Research Articles

Sunflower pith inspired dual-gradient cellular polyurethane architecture with amplified mechanical functions

Artificial cellular materials with various mechanical functions are attracting increasing attentions from aerospace, transportation, and industrialization. However, many artificial cellular materials, despite of the hierarchically ordered structures and even unique performance to some, still lag behind many natural ones in amplification of mechanical functions owing to the limitations in intrinsic mechanical performance and sophisticated structural design. Herein, inspired with lightweight and high strength of sunflower piths, we proposed a dual-gradient structure consisting of pore size gradient and wall thickness gradient to engineer cellular architectures with desirable mechanical performance by harnessing vat photopolymerization 3D printing of double crosslinking networks polyurethane elastomer. The double-gradient cellular polyurethane architecture displays more exceptional capability in load-bearing and energy absorption compared with non– and single gradient structures. Besides, the specific compressive strength and energy absorption of the dual-gradient cellular architectures are 4 times higher than those of traditional mechanical metamaterial structures such as octet-truss lattice, gyroid lattice, and porous structure prepared with the same material. Potential mechanisms such as dual-gradient cellular structures to obtain selective flexural deformation behaviour increasing their energy absorption and dissipation capacity are fully elucidated. As the potential paradigms, we demonstrated the mechanical functions of biomimetic mechanical cellular architectures for efficient impact protection and noise isolation, which offered a promising perspective toward developing soft metamaterials with excellent mechanical functions for potential soft machines and engineering applications.

Breaking mechanical performance trade-off in 3D-printed complex lattice-inspired multi-cell tubes under axial compression

It is a long-standing challenge to balance the structural load capacity and toughness in the design of lightweight multi-cell tubes. To tackle this challenge, we provide two kinds of complex lattice-inspired composite multi-cell tubes. The composite multi-cell tubes consist of inner polylactic acid (PLA) complex lattice-inspired multi-cell tubes and outside aluminum tubes. The energy absorption capacity of these multi-cell tubes was evaluated under quasi-static axial compression. The effect of cross-sectional topology and thermal exposure were considered in the experiment. The results show that the integration of PLA tubes within aluminum tubes significantly enhances their energy absorption performance, effectively addressing the limitations posed by the low fracture strain of PLA. The synergistic effect between the aluminum and PLA tubes mitigates the fracture instability and distributes the load more evenly, resulting in improved specific energy absorption (SEA) and mean crushing force (MCF) up to 103.32% and 184.38%, respectively. In these composite tubes, a global self-similar layout can markedly enhance its energy absorption. However, their mechanical properties decrease significantly at 323K compared to room temperature. Overall, this research provides a novel approach to enhancing the mechanical performance of PLA tubes, paving the way for their application in engineering fields requiring lightweight and high-strength structures.

Low-velocity crashworthiness and optimization of a crash box filled with modularized graded honeycomb

PurposeGraded honeycombs are materials that exhibit better energy absorption performance compared to uniform honeycombs without adding additional weight. This paper introduces a novel modularized graded honeycomb into a commercial crash box to improve its crashworthiness.Design/methodology/approachA modularized graded honeycomb is inserted into a commercial crash box to develop a novel crash box. Finite element analyses are conducted to investigate the crashworthiness. Pareto cumulative influence analysis is conducted to rank the effects of design parameters on crashworthiness. A surrogate model-based multi-objective optimization is carried out to improve energy absorption while limiting the impact peak force. An optimal Pareto solution set is obtained.FindingsModularized honeycomb-filled crash box outperforms that of its corresponding uniform honeycomb-filled crash box and empty crash box in resisting impact. Pareto cumulative influence analysis reveals that for most crashworthiness indicators, cell-wall thicknesses of crash box tube contribute the most, followed by average relative density and graded coefficient of modularized honeycomb (MH). Graded coefficient contributes nearly 10% on mean force and maximum displacement, but it has insignificant influence on peak force and weight. Optimization results show that the optimal designs can not only absorb more energy but also limit the peak force compared with those of uniform honeycomb-filled crash box.Originality/valueThis paper fills a MH into a commercial crash box to propose a novel crash box and demonstrates the positive impact of modularized design on crashworthiness compared with that of uniform honeycomb-filled crash box. Moreover, modularizing honeycomb does not change the weight of the filler, and thus, the novel crash box would benefit development of crash box with lightweight and excellent energy absorption capacity.

Influence of projectile shape on ballistic behavior of 3D shallow straight-joint woven fabrics

This study investigates the influence of projectile shape on the ballistic behavior of 3D shallow straight-joint woven fabrics (3DSSWFs). Utilizing a series of numerical simulations, we analyze the impact resistance and energy absorption capabilities of 3DSSWFs when subjected to projectiles of varying geometries. The projectile setup includes spherical, conical, flat, and hemispherical projectiles to comprehensively assess their effects on fabric deformation, damage mechanisms, and overall ballistic performance. Results indicate that projectile shape significantly affects the penetration resistance and failure modes of 3DSSWFs. Spherical projectiles tend to cause extensive delamination and localized fabric failure, whereas conical and flat projectiles exhibit different interaction dynamics, influencing the energy dissipation patterns within the fabric matrix. The findings of this study provide critical insights into the complex relationships between projectile geometry and fabric response in 3DSSWFs. By elucidating the role of projectile shape in determining the ballistic limit, energy absorption capacity, and failure mechanisms, this research contributes to the broader understanding of impact dynamics in advanced textile structures.

Study on the Dynamic Crushing Behaviors of Hourglass Honeycomb Sandwich Panels

In response to the problem of enclosed internal spaces in existing honeycomb sandwich panels, the concept of an hourglass honeycomb sandwich panel model is proposed for the first time, which provides a breakthrough approach for achieving the multifunctional integration of honeycomb sandwich panels. Numerical simulation methods are employed to investigate the dynamic performance of the hourglass honeycomb sandwich panels. The focus is on discussing the influences of the geometric parameters on the deformation mode, dynamic response, load uniformity, and energy absorption capacity of the hourglass honeycomb sandwich panel under different impact velocity conditions. The research results indicate that under low-velocity-impact conditions, the influence of the geometric parameters is predominant. In contrast, under high-velocity-impact conditions, the influence of the impact velocity conditions is predominant. Hourglass honeycomb sandwich panels with low density, a large inclination angle of the honeycomb wall, and small contact distances between the hourglass honeycomb cell and the panel have excellent load uniformity, and the distances between the contact points of the hourglass honeycomb cell and the panel have a great influence on the energy absorption capacity of the sandwich panels. This study provides a theoretical basis for the application of honeycombs in aerospace and other engineering areas.

Blast-Resistant Design of Reinforced Concrete Slabs with Auxetic-Shaped Reinforcement Layout

This paper presents a numerical study of a blast-resistant design of reinforced concrete panels with a novel auxetic reinforcement layout inspired by auxetic materials, which have a negative Poisson’s ratio, i.e., shrink under compression and expand under tension. A series of two-way supported panels reinforced with re-entrant auxetic-shaped rebars were numerically tested under a TNT explosion. The high-fidelity multi-physics explicit solver of LS-DYNA was utilized to analyze the efficiency of the proposed design. Firstly, the incident pressure of a TNT explosion data and the structural response of a conventional reinforced concrete panel under a TNT explosion were successfully validated by comparing with the experimental and empirical results. Secondly, the blast-resistant capacity of the proposed model was evaluated in comparison to two different conventional designs. Moreover, a parametric study was carried out to reveal the driving parameters of the newly proposed auxetic-shaped reinforcement design. It has been proved that the proposed auxetic reinforcement layout significantly reduces the spalling radius and increases the energy absorption capacity of panels. As a result of the parametric study, the increased reinforcement volume ratio was ineffective on the spalling radius, although the cell size of auxetic reinforcement was found to be quite effective for the blast-resistant design of concrete panels. Overall, the proposed re-entrant auxetic reinforced panel performed far better than conventional designs under blast load. With the recent developments in 3D printing technology, the proposed auxetic reinforcement layout is a strong candidate to deal with blast-resistant designs of concrete panels.

Compressive Mechanical and Heat Conduction Properties of AlSi10Mg Gradient Metamaterials Fabricated via Laser Powder Bed Fusion

Metamaterials are defined as artificially designed micro-architectures with unusual physical properties, including optical, electromagnetic, mechanical, and thermal characteristics. This study investigates the compressive mechanical and heat transfer properties of AlSi10Mg gradient metamaterials fabricated by Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF). The morphology of the AlSi10Mg metamaterials was examined using an ultrahigh-resolution microscope. Quasi-static uniaxial compression tests were conducted at room temperature, with deformation behavior captured through camera recordings. The findings indicate that the proposed gradient metamaterial exhibits superior compressive strength properties and energy absorption capacity. The Gradient-SplitP structure demonstrated better compressive performance compared to other strut-based structures, including Gradient-Gyroid and Gradient-Lidinoid structures. With an apparent density of 0.796, the Gradient-SplitP structure exhibited an outstanding energy absorption capacity, reaching an impressive 23.57 MJ/m3. In addition, heat conductivity tests were performed to assess the thermal resistance of these structures with different cell configurations. The gradient metamaterials exhibited higher thermal resistance and lower thermal conductivity. Consequently, the designed gradient metamaterials can be considered valuable in various applications, such as thermal management, load-bearing, and energy absorption components.

MPS@BWO with High Adsorption Capacity for Efficient Photocatalytic Reduction of CO2

Photocatalysis can reduce CO2 to available energy by means of light energy, which is considered to be an effective solution to alleviate energy and environmental problems. In this paper, an MPS@Bi2WO6 composite photocatalyst was prepared by in situ hydrothermal method. BWO grew on the surface of MPS, which increased the CO2 absorption capacity of the photocatalyst and improved the microstructure. Under the synergistic effect of the two aspects, BWS achieves the enhancement of light energy absorption capacity and can effectively excite electron-hole pairs. The transition electrons with high reduction ability migrate to the surface and contact with high concentrations of CO2, achieving efficient CO2 reduction under visible light. Among the photocatalysts in this paper, BWS-1 (BWO: MPS = 1:1) has efficient CO2 gas phase reduction ability under visible light, and the CO yield reaches 29.51 μmol/g. The MPS@BWO photocatalyst is a low-cost and efficient CO2 photoreduction catalyst with broad application prospects.

Punching shear performance of reinforced concrete slab-to-steel column connections incorporating ECC and UHPECC

Unlike the conventional reinforced concrete (RC) slab-column connection, the punching shear generated at the RC slab-to-steel column connection may lead to brittle punching shear failure due to the small area around the steel column. Moreover, the unexpected moments arising from eccentric loading can also lead to the failure of the slab in punching shear mode. This paper proposes employing high-performance concrete (HPC) to fill the critical punching shear zone to improve the punching shear resistance of RC slabs to steel column joints. Experiments on eight RC slabs to steel column connections are reported. The test parameters under investigation are the type of HPC used to fill the critical punching shear zone, the distance (S) of the HPC zone measured from the flanges of the steel column and loading condition (concentric and eccentric). The types of HPC include engineered cementitious composite (ECC) and ultra-high performance ECC (UHPECC). The experimental results show that the proposed techniques can significantly improve the cracking load, elastic stiffness, energy absorption capacity, ductility, failure modes, and ultimate load of the slab-to-column connections. The ultimate load of the tested connections is increased by as much as 33 %, and 28 % for the slabs subjected to concentric and eccentric loading, respectively. However, the ultimate load and energy absorption capacity of the slab with UHPECC having a S value of 1d, where d is the effective depth are lower than those of the control slab. Three-dimensional nonlinear finite element models are developed to simulate the performance of tested slab-to-column connections and validated by experimental results. The parametric study shows that the n (=S/d) value greater than 3.5 has insignificant effects on the ultimate punching shear capacity of the slab. It is demonstrated that the proposed formulas faithfully estimate the ultimate punching shear capacity of slab-to-column connections constructed with different HPCs under concentric and eccentric loadings.

Transverse energy absorption performance of sandwich tubes with various origami foldcores

Nowadays, composite sandwich tubes are extensively utilized in the civil and aerospace industries due to their superior strength-to-weight mechanical properties. Origami-based core offers a large enhancement of the mechanical properties, yet little study research focuses on the effect of various foldcore configurations on the transverse mechanical properties of sandwich tubes, necessitating the design method for applications. This study introduces an innovative approach by incorporating origami into the composite sandwich core to enhance the transverse energy absorption capacity. The quasi-static transverse mechanical properties of carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) sandwich tubes with foldcores are studied under three-point bending-like local compression and transverse structural compression. A systematic geometric design framework and numerical modelling technique are provided. By integrating finite element analysis and experiments, the research investigates the effects of various origami foldcore configurations and geometric parameters on transverse energy absorption capacity. The experiment setup is provided by sandwich tubular specimens with a full-diamond configuration as the foldcore. The cylindrical tubes (foldcore) of the sandwich structures were manufactured using four plies [0°]4 of T700 (T300) woven CFRP with the hot press moulding (vacuum bag using female and male moulds) technique respectively. Then, the parametric study and damage mode analysis of eight different foldcore patterns (axial Miura, circumferential Miura, diamond, Kresling, and their curved-creased counterparts) were studied. The results showed the superior energy absorption performance of the sandwich tube with Miura-pattern foldcore over the origami-pattern counterparts, nested tube, and traditional honeycomb sandwich tube with CFRP or aluminium-made cores. Therefore, the structural parameters optimisation of the Miura pattern tube was carried out by the Response Surface method (RSM) and a design strategy for increasing the energy absorption capacity was found. The findings offer guidance for designing high-specific energy absorption tubular structures for future advanced engineering applications.

Experimental and Numerical Research on Fracture Properties of Mass Concrete Under Quasi-Static and Dynamic Loading

The dynamic fracture behavior of mass concrete is crucial to the dynamic analysis and safety evaluation of concrete dams subjected to strong earthquake shocks in the framework of fracture mechanics. In the presented research, cylindrical specimens with a ring of preset cracks were cast by three-graded mass concrete, and direct tension tests were performed with two loading rates considered, i.e., 10−6/s for quasi-static loading and 10−3/s for dynamic loading. The load–crack mouth opening displacement (P-CMOD) curves were obtained, from which the fracture toughness, fracture energy, and characteristic length of the mass concrete were obtained. In this process, the influence of the eccentricity in the tests was compensated by the numerical modeling of the tests. Next, the crack propagation process of the mass concrete was modeled using the extended finite element method. From the test results, it is found that, under quasi-static loading, the crack generally propagates along the interface between the aggregates and the matrix, while, under dynamic loading, more aggregates are fractured. As compared to the case of quasi-static loading, the energy absorption capacity, fracture energy, and fracture toughness increase for dynamic loading, while the characteristic length decreases. Moreover, the numerically predicted P-CMOD curves agree reasonably well with the experimental measurements.

Improving energy absorption of rotating triangle auxetic metamaterials through multistage perforations

This article described the new rotating triangle auxetic metamaterials with multistage perforations which can achieve both lightweight design and higher energy absorption. Primary star shaped perforations can induce rotating triangle deformation behavior in the structure, and secondary circular or triangular perforations can enable lightweight design of metamaterials. Two kinds of lightweight structures, the rotating triangle-circle auxetic (RTCA) structure and the rotating triangle-truss auxetic (RTTA) structure, were established based on the above method. Experimental and numerical results showed that the elastic modulus, strength and Poisson's ratio of the RTCA and RTTA structures did not decrease compared to the secondary unperforated structures, but the specific energy absorption was greatly improved. There were the energy absorption thresholds for both RTCA and RTTA structures, and RTCA structure had better specific energy absorption characteristics at the same densities. Furthermore, the influence of star shaped perforation geometrical parameters on the mechanical properties of the RTCA structure was revealed. Considering the stability and energy absorption of metamaterials, the optimal geometric parameters for the RTCA structure were determined. The designed RTCA structure was approximately 28.2 % lighter and 103.2 % higher in the energy absorption capacity compared to the secondary unperforated structures. The lightweight design strategy proposed in this paper can be applied to aerospace, automotive manufacturing, and other engineering fields to enhance the performance of metamaterials and reduce structural loads.

Bending response and energy absorption of sandwich beams with combined reinforced auxetic honeycomb core

This study introduces a reinforced star-shaped auxetic honeycomb (RSSAH) sandwich beam, enhanced with hollow thin-walled tubes to improve bending resistance and energy absorption performance. The bending performance of the RSSAH is systematically investigated through quasi-static three-point bending tests and finite element numerical simulations. The findings suggest that when subjected to mid-span stress, the RSSAH displays both localized indentation and overall bending deformation, accompanied by notable negative Poisson’s ratio (NPR) impact under bending loads. Parametric studies are undertaken by numerical simulations to investigate the impact of compression position, auxetic angle, and face sheet thickness on the bending mode of the auxetic honeycomb sandwich beam. The analysis shows that the RSSAH can exhibit excellent bending performance and, at one of the compression positions, displays double-plateau stress characteristics. It is also found that altering key geometric parameters, such as the auxetic angle and panel thickness ratio, can greatly improve the bending capabilities of the RSSAH, achieving stable plastic deformation and high energy absorption. Finally, compared to star-triangle honeycomb (STH) sandwich beam, traditional reentrant honeycomb (RH) sandwich beam and star-shaped auxetic honeycomb (SSAH) sandwich beam, the RSSAH demonstrates superior bending performance and energy absorption capacity. This study offers insights and references for the development of innovative reinforced auxetic honeycomb sandwich beams.

Mechanical energy absorption capacity of the porous Ti-6Al-4V alloy under quasi-static and dynamic compression

Porous materials are very efficient in absorbing mechanical energy in different applications. In the present study, porous materials based on the Ti-6(wt.%)Al-4V alloy were manufactured with the use of two different powder metallurgy methods: i) blended elemental powder approach using titanium hydride (TiH2) as well as V-Al master alloy powders and ii) using hydrogenated Ti-6-4 pre-alloyed powder. The powder compacts were sintered with additions of ammonium bicarbonate as a pore-holding removable agent. The emission of hydrogen from hydrogenated powders on vacuum sintering and the resulting shrinkage of powder particles permitted the control of the sintering process and creation of anticipated porous structures. Mechanical characteristics were evaluated under quasi-static and dynamic compressive loading conditions. Dynamic compression tests were performed using the direct impact Hopkinson pressure bar technique. All investigations aimed at characterizing the mechanical energy-absorbing ability of the obtained porous structures. The anticipated strength, plasticity, and energy-absorbing characteristics of porous Ti-6-4 material were evaluated, and the possibilities of their application were also discussed. Based on the obtained results, it was found that porous Ti-6-4 material produced with a blended elemental powder approach showed more promising energy absorption properties in comparison with pre-alloyed powder.

Programmable heterogeneous lamellar lattice architecture for dual mechanical protection

Shear bands frequently appear in lattice architectures subjected to compression, leading to an unstable stress-strain curve and global deformation. This deformation mechanism reduces their energy absorption and loading-bearing capacity and causes the architectures to prioritize mechanical protection of external components at the expense of the entire structure. Here, we leverage the design freedom offered by additive manufacturing and the geometrical relation of dual-phase nanolamellar crystals to fabricate heterogeneous lamellar lattice architectures consisting of body-centered cubic (BCC) and face-centered cubic (FCC) unit cells in alternating lamella. The lamellar lattice demonstrates more than 10 and 9 times higher specific energy absorption and energy absorption efficiency, respectively, compared to the BCC lattice. The drastic improvement arises as the nucleation of shear bands is inhibited by the discrete energy threshold for plastic buckling of adjacent heterogeneous lattice lamella during loading. Despite its lower density than the FCC lattice, the lamellar lattice exhibits significant enhancement in plateau stress and crushing force efficiency, attributed to the strengthening effect induced by simultaneous deformation of unit cells in the BCC lattice lamella and the resulting cushion shielding effect. The design improves the global mechanical properties, making lamellar lattices compare favorably against numerous materials proposed for mechanical protection. Additionally, it provides opportunities to program the local mechanical response, achieving programmable internal protection alongside overall external protection. This work provides a different route to design lattice architecture by combining internal and external dual mechanical protection, enabling a generation of multiple mechanical protectors in aerospace, automotive, and transportation fields.

Bending Performance of Reinforced Concrete Beams with Rubber as Form of Fiber from Waste Tires

An investigation was conducted to assess the efficacy of using waste rubber as a substitute for a portion of an aggregate to enhance concrete’s sustainability. For the purpose of accomplishing this objective, a total of 12 specimens were constructed and then subjected to a series of tests to investigate their bending behavior. The samples were constructed with the following dimensions: 1000 mm length and a 100 mm by 150 mm cross-sectional area. A few factors were selected, including the impacts of the longitudinal reinforcement ratio and the waste rubber ratio. Based on the volume of aggregates, rubber replacement rates of 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% were investigated in this study. To assess the beam bending behavior, the stirrup width and spacing were kept constant at ∅6/10. The longitudinal reinforcement was composed of three diameters: ∅6 at the top (for all beams) and ∅8, ∅10, and ∅12 at the bottom. The experimental results demonstrated that the effects of varying amounts of waste rubber and tension reinforcement on the bending and cracking of reinforced concrete beams (RCBs) were varied. The findings indicate that the incorporation of waste rubber into concrete results in a reduction in both the load-carrying capacity and the level of deformation of the material. Additionally, it was shown that as the amount of waste rubber in the RCB increased, the energy absorption capacity and ultimate load decreased. There was a reduction in energy dissipation of 53.71%, 51.69%, and 40.55% for ∅8 when longitudinal reinforcement was applied at 5%, 10%, and 15% replacement, respectively. Additionally, there were reductions of 25.35%, 9.31%, and 58.15% for ∅10, and 38.69%, 57.79%, and 62.44% for ∅12, respectively.

Biomimetic Modular Honeycomb with Enhanced Crushing Strength and Flexible Customizability.

The integration of biomimetic principles into the sophisticated design of honeycomb structures has gained significant traction. Inspired by the natural reinforcement mechanisms observed in tree stems, this research introduces localized thickening to the conventional honeycombs, leading to the development of variable-density honeycomb blocks. These blocks are strategically configured to form modular honeycombs. Initially, the methodology for calculating the relative density of the new design is meticulously detailed. Following this, a numerical model based on the plastic limit theorem, verified experimentally, is used to investigate the in-plane deformation models of modular honeycomb under the low- and high-velocity impact and to establish a theoretical framework for compressive strength. The results confirm that the theoretical predictions for crushing strength in the modular honeycomb align closely with numerical findings across both low- and high-velocity impacts. Further investigation into densification strain, energy absorption, and gradient strategy is conducted using both simulation and experimental approaches. The outcomes indicate that the innovative design outperforms conventional honeycombs by significantly enhancing the crushing strength under low-velocity impacts through the judicious arrangement of honeycomb blocks. Additionally, with a negligible difference in densification strains, the modular honeycomb demonstrates superior energy dissipation capabilities compared to its conventional counterparts. At a strain of 0.85, the modular honeycomb's energy absorption capacity improves by 36.68% at 1 m/s and 25.47% at 10 m/s compared to the conventional honeycomb. By meticulously engineering the arrangement of sub-honeycombs, it is possible to develop a modular honeycomb that exhibits a multi-plateau stress response under uniaxial and biaxial compression. These advancements are particularly beneficial to the development of auto crash absorption systems, high-end product transportation packaging, and personalized protective gear.

Machine learning – enabled inverse design of shell-based lattice metamaterials with optimal sound and energy absorption

ABSTRACT Currently, the development in shell-based lattice, is increasingly focused on multifunctionality, with growing interest in combining sound and energy absorption. However, few studies have explored the multi-objective inverse design process. Herein, we propose a new approach using machine learning (ML) to optimise both the mechanical and acoustic performances of shell-based lattices. Firstly, the K-Nearest Neighbour and Artificial Neural Network are employed to predict the properties of different configurations. Then the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm is employed to generate the desired structures. Finally, the lightweight metamaterials generated achieve optimal multifunctional performances (an energy absorption capacity of 50% higher than typical Gyroid structure and a sound absorption coefficient near 1 at specific frequency band). Besides, the potential trade-off phenomenon of mechanical and acoustic properties is also presented by our work. Overall, this work presents a new concept to use ML and genetic algorithm for multi-functional inverse design for shell lattice metamaterials.

The structural and mechanical properties of open-cell aluminum foams: Dependency on porosity, pore size, and ceramic particle addition

Aluminum foams are desired for lightweight, high-performance, and cost-effective materials, particularly in automotive, aerospace, and advanced power plants. Expansion of their applications depends on developing a detailed understanding of the structural and mechanical properties of aluminum foams. In this research, open-cell aluminum foams with 25.51–81.88 % porosity were manufactured through powder metallurgy using a space holder technique, with varying carbamide (urea) ratios (17–80 %) and particle sizes (1–1.4 mm, 1.7–2 mm, 2–2.4 mm). Three different ceramic particles, B4C, Al2O3, and SiC were used as reinforcement to improve the compression properties and energy absorption capacity of the foam materials. The study determined open and closed porosity ratios, spherical diameter, sphericity values, micropore sizes, mechanical properties, and energy absorption capacity of the foam samples both with and without ceramic additives. The results show that porosity ratio, pore size, and ceramic particle addition significantly affect aluminum foams' structural and mechanical properties, allowing for tailored properties for specific applications. It was observed that as porosity increased, compressive stress decreased, and the length of the plateau region and the shape change where densification began increased. However, there was no significant change in compressive stress and specific energy values with changing pore size. The optimal B4C addition was found to be 4 %, which significantly improved compressive strength to 3.75 MPa and specific energy to 4.24 MJ m−3.

Optimizing and investigating the charging time of phase change materials in a compact-latent heat storage using pareto front analysis, artificial neural networks, and numerical simulations

There's a growing emphasis on adopting eco-friendly energy sources to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and foster sustainability. While renewable energy sources like solar power offer numerous benefits, they have some limitations. Additionally, storing electricity generated from solar panels can be costly and challenging due to limitations in battery technology and storage capacity. Therefore, phase change material-based thermal energy storage systems offer a promising solution to these challenges. These systems also play a crucial role in enhancing buildings' energy efficiency and sustainability. The dimensionality of these systems affects their performance. Traditional systems often rely on fixed dimensions, leading to non-uniform thermal conditions within the storage medium. To address these challenges, adopting a compact-latent heat storage (C-LHS) mechanism was recommended herein. Besides, some fins were inserted into the C-LHS system to alter the heat transfer dynamics within the device. Three of the critical parameters of the fins were changed to examine their impact on the charging time. Artificial neural networks and genetic algorithms were employed to determine the optimal positioning of fins to minimize the duration of material to get both part (melt fraction of 0.8) and full (melt fraction of 1) melting capacities. Here, the primary aim was to present a predictive model capable of accurately forecasting the charging time of the material. In all the presented finned samples, the entire PCM melted in less than 15,110 s (4 h and 12 min) and was able to fully utilize the energy absorption capacity in latent form, whereas in the non-finned system, only 68.6 % of the material managed to melt within the entire duration of the investigation (5 h). After analyzing the data, two optimal configurations of OS1 and OS2 with the minimum time for melt fractions of 0.8 and 1 were introduced. In the OS2 configuration, it took 16,200 s (4 h and 30 min) to absorb 4929 kJ of energy. The non-finned sample absorbed only 3250 kJ of energy during the same period. In General, OS2 achieved total energy absorption 51.6 % faster than the non-finned sample. Therefore, the introduced system has the potential to increase absorbed energy in the rest of the daylight hours to further amounts by increasing the number of units and employing a larger volume of material.