Flexible Components Research Articles

Prediction in reading: A review of predictability effects, their theoretical implications, and beyond.

Historically, prediction during reading has been considered an inefficient and cognitively expensive processing mechanism given the inherently generative nature of language, which allows upcoming text to unfold in an infinite number of possible ways. This article provides an accessible and comprehensive review of the psycholinguistic research that, over the past 40 or so years, has investigated whether readers are capable of generating predictions during reading, typically via experiments on the effects of predictability (i.e., how well a word can be predicted from its prior context). Five theoretically important issues are addressed: What is the best measure of predictability? What is the functional relationship between predictability and processing difficulty? What stage(s) of processing does predictability affect? Are predictability effects ubiquitous? What processes do predictability effects actually reflect? Insights from computational models of reading about how predictability manifests itself to facilitate the reading of text are also discussed. This review concludes by arguing that effects of predictability can, to a certain extent, be taken as demonstrating evidence that prediction is an important but flexible component of real-time language comprehension, in line with broader predictive accounts of cognitive functioning. However, converging evidence, especially from concurrent eye-tracking and brain-imaging methods, is necessary to refine theories of prediction.

Emissive Hydrazone-Linked Covalent Organic Frameworks as Highly Sensitive and Selective Sensor for the Hydrazine Detection.

Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs) exhibit a range of exceptional attributes, including notable porosity, outstanding stability, and a precisely tuned π-conjugated network, rendering them highly promising candidates for fluorescence sensors applications. In this study, the synthesis of two emissive hydrazone-linked COFs designed for hydrazine detection is presented. The partially conjugated structure of the hydrazone linkage effectively weakens the fluorescence quenching processes induced by aggregation. Additionally, the incorporation of flexible structural components further reduces conjugation, thereby enhancing luminescent efficiency. Remarkably, these COFs possess a significant abundance of heteroatoms, enabling distinctive interactions with hydrazine molecules, which in turn results in exceptional selectivity and sensitivity for hydrazine detection. The detection limit of these COFs reaches the nanomolar range, surpassing all previously reported COFs, thereby underscoring their superior performance in chemical sensing applications.

A Flexible Organomagnetic Single-Layer Composite Film with Built-In Multistimuli Responsivity.

Materials possessing multiple properties and functionalities, that can be controlled or modulated by external stimuli, are a central focus of current research in materials sciences due to their potential to significantly enhance various future technological applications. Herein, we report a significant advancement in this field through the development of a smart, multifunctional organomagnetic composite material. By utilizing a thin layer of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and polypyrrole (PPy) precursors, doped with nickel nanoparticles (NiNPs), we have created an innovative organomagnetic, PDMS/PPy/NiNPs (PPN), single-layer composite film that displays multistimuli responsivity. The study presents the first demonstration of a multifunctional flexible, three-component film structure integrating the structural and flexible PDMS component, together with a conductive polymer component and metal-based nanoparticles into a single-layer design, which displays enhanced and unprecedented responsivity properties against multiple different stimuli. Unlike typical stacked multilayered structures, that exhibit one or two functionalities at most, this novel configuration exhibits multiple functionalities, including magnetoresistance, mechanical stress response, piezoresistivity, and temperature change sensitivity. The as-prepared film demonstrates notable magnetoresistance responsivity, with a relative electrical resistance, ΔR/R0, changing under a weak magnetic field and under ambient conditions. The significance of our study lies in the film's versatility, stability, and sensitivity, especially within the physiological temperature range, making it highly relevant for future biomedical applications. Furthemore, the film's sensitivity to mechanical deformation reveals an impressive piezoresistance behavior. Unlike existing multilayer architectures of higher complexity, our single-layer thin film offers a simpler, more flexible, and reliable solution with a broad range of stimuli-sensing capabilities. The significance of this novel multiresponsive composite material is underscored by the growing demand for advanced materials in biomedical devices, magnetic switches, sensors, electronic skin, transistors, and organic spintronic devices. These promising organomagnetic self-standing layers provide a robust platform for future technological innovations.

Reduced-Order Modeling for Dynamic System Identification with Lumped and Distributed Parameters via Receptance Coupling Using Frequency-Based Substructuring (FBS)

Paper presents an effective technique for developing reduced-order models to predict the dynamic responses of systems using the receptance coupling and frequency-based substructuring (RCFBS) method. The proposed approach is particularly suited for reconfigurable dynamic systems across various applications, like cars, robots, mechanical machineries, and aerospace structures. The methodology focuses on determining the overall system receptance matrix by coupling the receptance matrices (FRFs) of individual subsystems in a disassembled configuration. Two case studies, one with distributed parameters and the other with lumped parameters, are used to illustrate the application of this approach. The first case involves coupling three substructures with flexible components under fixed–fixed boundary conditions, while the second case examines the coupling of subsystems characterized by multiple masses, springs, and dampers, with various internal and connection degrees of freedom. The accuracy of the proposed method is validated against a numerical finite element analysis (FEA), direct methods, and a modal analysis. The results demonstrate the reliability of RCFBS in predicting dynamic responses for reconfigurable systems, offering an efficient framework for reduced-order modeling by focusing on critical points of interest without the need to account for detailed modeling with numerous degrees of freedom.

Multidisciplinary space shield origami composite: Incorporating cosmic radiation shielding, space debris impact protection, solar radiative heat shielding, and atomic oxygen erosion resistance

Origami composites have been extensively utilized in space structures with constrained payload volumes due to their capability to efficiently transform compact structures into larger surface area or volume configurations. The proposed origami composite incorporates hydrogen-rich benzoxazine polymers known for their high radiation shielding capability and ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene fibers known for their high ballistic performance, radiation shielding capability, and flexibility. The proposed origami composite and manufacturing method can enhance bonding strength by achieving precise origami shapes and utilizing the same matrix for both flexible and rigid components. Membrane sheets are manufactured at a low curing temperature to provide flexibility, while rigid facets are separately manufactured at a high curing temperature to increase rigidity. The integration of a polyimide protection layer significantly enhances space environment resistance and reduces mass loss due to atomic oxygen erosion. Despite a slight decrease in ballistic performance after exposure to space conditions, the proposed origami composite maintains superior ballistic performance compared to conventional space materials and conventional origami composites. Compared to existing origami composites or conventional space materials, the proposed origami composite exhibited superior radiation shielding performance. The laminated structure of the proposed origami composite can offer some solar radiation shielding capability. The proposed origami composite offers a multifunctional origami solution as a membrane-space shield material, fulfilling requirements for high ballistic performance, cosmic radiation shielding, solar radiative heat shielding, and space environmental resistance.

Ionic Covalent Organic Frameworks Consisting of Tetraborate Nodes and Flexible Linkers.

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have emerged as versatile materials with many applications, such as carbon capture, molecular separation, catalysis, and energy storage. Traditionally, flexible building blocks have been avoided due to their potential to disrupt ordered structures. Recent studies have demonstrated the intriguing properties and enhanced structural diversity achievable with flexible components by judicious selection of building blocks. This study presents a novel series of ionic COFs (ICOFs) consisting of tetraborate nodes and flexible linkers. These ICOFs use borohydrides to irreversibly deprotonate the alcohol monomers to achieve a high degree of polymerization. Structural analysis confirms the dia topologies. Reticulation is explored using various monomers and metal counterions. Also, these frameworks exhibit excellent stability in alcohols and coordinating solvents. The materials have been tested as single-ion conductive solid-state electrolytes. ICOF-203-Li displays one of the lowest activation energies reported for ion conduction. This tetraborate chemistry is anticipated to facilitate further structural diversity and functionality in crystalline polymers.

Optimizing Low-Cost Gas Analysis with a 3D Printed Column and MiCS-6814 Sensor for Volatile Compound Detection.

This paper explores an application of 3D printing technology on the food industry. Since its inception in the 1980s, 3D printing has experienced a huge rise in popularity. This study uses cost-effective, flexible, and sustainable components that enable specific features of certain gas chromatography. This study aims to optimize the process of gas detection using a 3D printed separation column and the MiCS-6814 sensor. The principle of the entire device is based on the idea of utilizing a simple capillary chromatographic column manufactured by 3D printing for the separation of samples into components prior to their measurement using inexpensive chemiresistive sensors. An optimization of a system with a 3D printed PLA block containing a capillary, a mixing chamber, and a measuring chamber with a MiCS-6814 sensor was performed. The optimization distributed the sensor output signal in the time domain so that it was possible to distinguish the peak for the two most common alcohols, ethanol and methanol. The paper further describes some optimization types and their possibilities.

Acceptance and commitment therapy to alleviate climate-induced psychological distress

ABSTRACT The aim of this clinical article is to propose the relevance of the acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) model Hayes, S. C., Villatte, M., Levin, M., & Hildebrandt, M. [2011. Open, aware, and active: Contextual approaches as an emerging trend in the behavioral and cognitive therapies. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 7(1), 141–168. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-032210-104449] to alleviate climate-induced psychological suffering. After a brief introduction establishing the need for climate-informed mental health intervention, the article is divided into three sections. The first section briefly presents ACT, highlighting the six core components of psychological flexibility. The second section provides a discussion to broaden and deepen psychotherapists’ understanding of eco-emotions, particularly eco-anxiety and eco-anger. The third section presents how this framework is relevant to assessing psychological flexibility in the context of climate change, using a hypothetical clinical example partly based on empirical findings.

Exploring subsea dynamics: A comprehensive review of underwater pipelines and cables

The development of marine resources is intrinsically linked to the utilization of various marine equipment. Among these, marine pipelines and cables are crucial for the exploitation of deep-sea oil and gas resources. Mooring cables, marine towed cables, marine umbilical cables, submarine cables, and marine pipelines are typical slender and flexible marine components. These slender marine flexible members present various dynamic challenges during laying, installation, and in-position operation. Facing these challenges, scholars from China and around the globe have explored theoretical, numerical, and experimental solutions to these challenges. The conclusions need to be condensed to improve their practical and academic value for engineering applications. This paper summarizes the explorations and provides general design methods and concepts of marine pipelines. Additionally, this paper looks forward to the future development trend of marine pipelines in engineering applications as well as theoretical research. The aim is to provide a reference for the research of underwater pipelines and cables.

Measurement method of flexible component pose based on discrete motion actuators

Abstract In order to address the limitations of traditional large discrete motion actuator mechanisms in realizing high-precision inter-axis relationship calibration in manufacturing environments, this paper proposes a new convolutional neural network-based attitude mapping estimation method, component pose using convolutional neural network (CPCNN). The method implicitly encodes the inter-axis relation matrix into the weight parameters of the training neural network, which results in a high degree of integration with existing large discrete motion actuator mechanisms. The CPCNN-based method directly obtains the attitude change of the adjustment cabin by reading the change of each axis of the current motion actuator mechanism in its own coordinate system. This method can overcome the limitations of the experimental process in the traditional calibration methods and improve the accuracy of attitude mapping under the influence of self-weight by selecting better motion parameters through redundant degrees of freedom. The application of this new method will provide an effective solution for the high-precision inter-axis relationship calibration of large discrete motion actuator mechanisms in manufacturing environments, offering new possibilities for improving production efficiency and product quality.

Optimal Control of a Roll-to-Roll Dry Transfer Process With Bounded Dynamics Convexification

Abstract For efficient roll-to-roll (R2R) production of flexible electronic components, a precise R2R transfer peeling process is essential, requiring accurate modeling and control. This paper introduces a novel approach to confining the dynamics of a nonlinear R2R mechanical peeling system within a convex set known as a norm-bounded linear differential inclusion (NLDI). This method utilizes constraints on uncertain system variables to create a tighter NLDI representation compared to other convexification techniques. Moreover, it offers drastically reduced computational cost compared to previous methods applied to convexify the R2R peeling system. The NLDI is employed to generate an H∞-optimal controller for the R2R peeling system, and both simulations and experiments demonstrate better dynamic performance compared to other controllers for R2R transfer.

One-step self-assembled biomass carbon aerogel/carbon nanotube/cellulose nanofiber composite for supercapacitor flexible electrode

Flexible and exceptionally lightweight energy storage devices are crucial for wearable electronic gadgets. Biomass materials are emerging as ideal flexible electrode components due to their biocompatibility and non-toxic nature. In this study, pineapple leaf fibers were utilized to create activated biomass carbon aerogel (Bio-CAA). Then, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were integrated as conductive additives, combined with sturdy pineapple leaf cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) to establish a robust 3D framework. Utilizing a one-step self-assembly method, carbon aerogel/carbon nanotube/carbon nanofiber (Bio-CAA/CNT/CNF) flexible composite electrode materials were successfully synthesized. The porous structure of Bio-CAA effectively minimized the aggregation of CNTs, thereby significantly enhancing the electrochemical performance of the electrode material. The characterization indicated that the carbon aerogel composite exhibited a high specific surface area (684.275 m2 g−1) after tablet compression. The material was light yet robust, capable of being bent arbitrarily and recovering its original shape and withstanding 400 Kpa of pressure at an 88 % strain rate, demonstrating excellent mechanical properties. In a three-electrode system, the Bio-CAA/CNT/CNF = 19:1:1 based electrode exhibited a capacitance of 481 F g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1. The CAA/CNT/CNF = 19:1:1 based solid symmetric supercapacitor (SSC) displayed excellent cycling stability, preserving 91.7 % capacitance after 10,000 cycles at a current density of 5 A g−1. It achieved an energy density of 39.63 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 500 W kg−1. This biomass-derived carbon aerogel-based composite material demonstrates exceptional energy storage capabilities, and its lightweight attributes make it highly suitable for use in flexible displays, wearable devices, and related fields.

Construction and Psychometric Evaluation of the Critical Thinking Disposition Assessment Questionnaire Among Medical Undergraduate Students in West Bengal, India.

Introduction Assessing the critical thinking disposition of students with a valid tool in an Indian setting was a prerequisite to introducing critical thinking under the undergraduate medical curriculum, as it was shaped by society, culture, and language. The study planned to design and assess the psychometrics of the Critical Thinking Disposition Assessment Questionnaire (CTDAQ) in the Indian setting. Methods The study was conducted among undergraduate students at a medical college in West Bengal, India. A 30-item scale was initially designed through the review of relevant literature and discussion with experts. Through two rounds of the Delphi technique, a 20-item CTDAQ was formulated, and the content validity index (CVI) was calculated. The test-retest agreement was calculated after administering the tool twice among 25 students with a gap of three weeks using the weighted kappa coefficient. Then, principal component analysis was conducted to extract component structure with rotation. The internal consistency was measured using Cronbach's alpha. Results Item-wise and scale CVIs were more than 0.80 and 0.90, respectively. All items had a weighted kappa coefficient of ≥0.75. A three-component model was extracted from 20 items, with a minimum factor loading of 0.30. It explained 50.3% of the total variance. Cronbach's alpha of the scale, the conversance and systematicity component with seven items, the analyticity and flexibility component with nine items, and the maturity component with four items were 0.783, 0.789, 0.825, and 0.797, respectively. Conclusions The 20-item CTDAQ is psychometrically a valid, stable, and internally consistent scale to assess critical thinking disposition in the Indian context.

Dynamic Characteristics of Pressure-Balanced Metal Bellows in Fluid–Structure Interaction

As a flexible component in high-pressure vessels and pipeline systems, bellows experience significant fluid–structure interaction effects under high-speed internal fluids and external vibrations. Nevertheless, their dynamic response mechanisms coupled with fluid–structure interaction mentioned below have not yet been clarified so far. In this work, a novel pressure-balanced metal bellow (PBMB) for low-stiffness and high-pressure resistance is firstly proposed. Several fluid–structure interaction models were considered to study the dynamic response characteristics of the PBMB. An experimental platform associated with fluid–structure interaction was established to validate the effectiveness of its vibration attenuation performance. The results indicate that the PBMB has an obvious vibration attenuation effect in the range of 5–90[Formula: see text]Hz, and super-harmonic and sub-harmonic resonance phenomena occur in the range of 90–200[Formula: see text]Hz. Under constant fluid conditions, fluid density, viscosity, flow velocity, and pressure are positively correlated with the response amplitude of the PBMB. The response of the PBMB oscillates at the fluid entry point due to both pulsating flow velocity and pulsating pressure. After several cycles, the response caused by pulsating flow velocity gradually decays and stabilizes. Thus, the impact of pulsating frequency on the stability of the response of bellows is insignificant during the initial cycles.

A one-step fabrication method of flexible magnetostrictive fiber ribbon based on Fe50Co50 alloy and its characteristics study

Magnetostrictive materials are widely used in sensors, actuators and micro-nano electronics because of their excellent performance. However, traditional rigid magnetostrictive materials are difficult to adapt to the flexible and deformable structure of flexible electronic devices. In order to solve the deformation, sensing and control problems in the field of flexible electronics, a one-step new method of is proposed to deposit Fe50Co50 fiber ribbons with reciprocated and loop structures on flexible substrate. Helmholtz coil is designed to test the magnetostrictive positive effect ability of Fe50Co50 ribbon, and its magnetostrictive strain curve is analyzed. Furthermore, frequency domain characteristics of Fe50Co50 ribbon are tested, and the influence of externally driving magnetic field on elastic layer materials and resonance output characteristics is analyzed. The experimental results show that Fe50Co50 ribbon exhibits good low-frequency magnetic field characteristics. And free end displacement of Fe50Co50 ribbon based on loop structure, under 12 mT alternating magnetic field and 134 mT bias magnetic field, reaches a peak-to-peak value of 870 μm for first-order resonance, and 320 μm for second-order resonance. This verifies that Fe50Co50 ribbon possesses the expected properties that magnetostrictive materials should have, and innovatively breaks through the technical bottleneck of manufacturing flexible micro-nano magnetostrictive energy exchange components.

Photocuring 3D printable flexible strain sensor enhanced by in situ grown silk fibroin nanoparticles

The growing demand for flexible strain sensors across diverse applications necessitates elevated standards regarding the outstanding mechanical performance and customizability of their polymer-based substrates. In this study, the ionically conductive gels with in situ generation of silk fibroin nanoparticles (SFN) for photocuring 3D printing were successfully designed. The silk fibroin underwent chain folding as a result of phase separation with the photocurable resins (PCR), leading to the direct in situ generation of nanoparticles within the PCR. The results demonstrated a significant improvement in the stability of liquid PCR/SFN and the mechanical performance of ionogels prepared via the in situ SFN growth method, manifesting a notable enhancement in tensile strength and elongation at break by 340% and 62.8%, respectively. Moreover, reliable loading behavior was maintained under large strain conditions of 600% tensile strain and 50% compressive strain throughout long-term cycles, accompanied by stable signals. The customization, stability, and sensitivity of sensing behavior were achieved through the fabrication of customized porous-structured flexible sensor components from the PCR/SFN system, including a series of finger, wrist, and throat sensors, as well as an insole gait sensor. The facile strategy of in situ SFN growth could be an effective approach for manufacturing nanocomposite conductive ionogels, offering new avenues for modulating the mechanical performance of 3D-printed flexible strain sensors.

Injection 3D Printing of Doubly Curved Ceramic Shells in Non-Synthetic Particle Suspensions.

This paper examines the application of non-synthetic particle suspensions as a support medium for the additive manufacturing of complex doubly curved ceramic shells with overhangs between 0° and 90° using clay paste. In this method, the build-up material is injected within a constant volume of air-permeable particle suspension. As the used clay paste does not solidify right after injection, the suspension operates like a support medium and enables various print path strategies. Different non-synthetic suspension mixtures, including solid and flexible components such as quartz sand, refractory clay, various types of wood shavings, and cotton flocks, were evaluated for their ability to securely hold the injected material while allowing drying of the water-based clay body and its shrinkage. The balance between grain composition, added water, and the compressibility of the mixture during printing and drying played a pivotal role in the particle suspension design and assessment. Furthermore, the moisture absorption of the particle suspension and the structural integrity of the layer bond of the fired ceramics were also assessed. The examined additive manufacturing process not only enables the production of meso-scale doubly curved ceramic shells with average overhang of 56° but also introduces a new practice for designing specialized surfaces and constructions.

Understanding the challenges and successes of implementing ‘hybrid’ interventions in healthcare settings: findings from a process evaluation of a patient involvement trial

Introduction‘Hybrid’ interventions in which some intervention components are fixed across sites and others are flexible (locally created) are thought to allow for adaptation to the local context while maintaining fidelity....

Predicting multidimensionality of mathematical creativity among students: Do mathematics self-efficacy, attitude to mathematics and motivation to mathematics matter?

Mathematical creativity is the focus of most curriculum in that students with this ability are prone to solving problems in society from a multidimensional perspective. However, studies of this nature, especially in Africa, are limited, and this poses a challenge to policy development. To cover this gap, the study sought to model the predictive effect of mathematics self-efficacy, motivation for mathematics, and attitude towards mathematics on mathematical creativity from a multidimensional perspective. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey using 654 mathematics students for the study. Two instruments–the mathematics self-efficacy, attitude towards mathematics, and mathematical motivation scales and the mathematical creativity test were used for data analysis after they had undergone a qualitative and quantitatively rigorous validation process. This was done using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis with the average variance extracted and Fornell-Larcker criterion for convergent and divergent analysis, respectively, while Cronbach’s alpha was used to determine the stability of the scales. Analysis was performed using hierarchical regression and the result showed that mathematics self-efficacy and attitude towards mathematics, when taken individually, are the only strong predictors of mathematics creativity from the perspective of fluency, flexibility, and originality components. Collectively, the three predictors were significant in contributing to the variance in mathematics creatively from the three dimensions assessed. However, mathematics self-efficacy was the strongest predictor, followed by attitude towards mathematics. The implications of the study were discussed for policy and curriculum redesign in mathematics education.

Trade-offs in biomethane production by substrate mixture optimization under German market conditions

BackgroundNew regulations and market conditions in Germany affect the profitability of biomethane upgrading as a repowering option for existing biogas plants following on-site CHP utilization. These conditions present trade-off challenges between higher sustainability requirements, maintaining production capacity and new revenue opportunities. Optimization methods, such as linear programming (LP), are essential for determining the ideal substrate mixture and profitable solutions amidst multiple market conditions, plant-specific process constraints, and substrate properties.MethodsWe updated a substrate mixture optimization model within an assessment framework for the repowering of existing biogas plants (BGPs), which focuses on the operator’s perspective. By integrating multiple German biomethane markets for various BGPs, we assessed changes in the substrate mixture, GHG emissions, contribution margins, and constraint parameters to derive conclusions for operators and future framework design.ResultsIntegrating market revenues and constraints can increase contribution margins by 12–55%. Additional gains can be achieved by considering multiple markets simultaneously but limited to a few BGPs. The plant-specific LP solution space and used benchmark market are decisive. The former limits the potential of high substrate-specific contribution margins, which has a significantly higher impact than the relation between plant-specific characteristics and process constraints. The advanced fuel market is currently the lead market for biomethane, incentivizing GHG-emission extensive substrates, decreasing gas production and GHG emissions but increasing levelized cost of energy (LCOE) and partially CO2 abatement costs.ConclusionsThe key to improve profitability and to supply an increasing biomethane demand while fulfilling new requirements is a large LP solution space. Increasing market options, substrate availability, and digestion system capacity achieve this on the operator’s side. Policy makers could reduce normative requirements such as the maize cap or double counting of advanced fuels and favor high but uniform GHG requirements. Operators can prepare robustly for the future substrate mixture by adding digester volume and pre-treatment tech, ensuring long-term and diverse substrate availability, and contracts with flexible components. Although current market conditions can improve specific GHG emissions, they do not necessarily increase manure usage when other options, such as straw, are viable. Other regulatory support systems will be required to do so.