Homogenization Treatment Research Articles

Ultra-stable strain/ humidity dual-functional flexible wearable sensor based on brush-like AgNPs@CNTs@TPU heterogeneous structure

Wearable flexible sensors have a broad applications prospect in human motion and health monitoring. However, designing and manufacturing ultra-stable sensors with wide operating ranges and extremely low detection limits remain a challenging task. In this paper, a heterogeneous-structured fibrous membrane was constructed using the electrospinning process and subsequent ultrasonic homogenizer treatment. The fibrous membrane is composed of brush-like thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) fibers, which are embedded with carbon nanotubes decorated with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs@CNTs). A dual-function sensor for strain and humidity based on the fiber membrane was designed. As a strain sensor, it has an ultra-low detection limit (0.05 %), an ultra-wide sensing range of 600 %, and excellent stability (100,000 cycles of stretch/release operation at 50 % strain). As a humidity sensor, it can achieve fast response as low as 1 s. With excellent sensing capabilities in terms of strain and humidity, the fiber membrane can be used to monitor breathing, pulse, and limb movement, as well as non-contact sensing, such as sensing the vibration of guitar strings or monitoring footsteps. The versatility and manufacturability of fiber membranes provide a new way for the application of wearable sensors in health monitoring and motion tracking.

Homogenizing optimization, microstructure and tensile properties evolution of CuCrFeNi2Mn0.5 alloy

In this research, a central composite design of experiment has been carried out to investigate the homogenizing treatment of the low-cost CuCrFeNi2Mn0.5 alloy. For this purpose, the alloy was cast via the vacuum induction melting method and homogenized under different time/temperature conditions, according to experimental design. Finally, a model was developed using Response Surface Methodology (RSM), determining the relationship between homogenizing parameters and segregation ratio values. According to the results obtained from the model, the best homogenization conditions yielding optimal segregation ratio (SR = 1) was heat treating at 1100OC for 17 h. Microstructural studies showed that the mentioned alloy maintained its phase stability after homogenization and had a single FCC phase solid solution. In addition, due to the necessity of quenching the high entropy alloy samples after long-time homogenization at high temperatures, it was shown that an effective factor contributing to the loss of mechanical properties of the homogenized sample is the tensile residual stresses on the surface upon quenching.

Pea and lupin protein ingredients: New insights into endogenous lipids and the key effect of high-pressure homogenization on their aqueous suspensions

The incorporation of plant protein ingredients in foods is a means to promote the transition to vegetable proteins. Pea and lupin meet sustainability demands and their protein ingredients display promising technological properties, yet sometimes poor functionalities. However, the involved mechanisms are still unclear, partly because comprehensive and systematic characterization of those ingredients in terms of composition and physicochemical properties is still lacking. In this work, commercial protein fractions of pea and lupin (one isolate and one concentrate for each) were thoroughly characterized. A high-pressure homogenization (HPH) treatment was applied to their aqueous suspensions (pH 7.0) to improve their dispersibility. Although isolates displayed a higher protein content (up to 72 g/100 g (d.m.) against 39 g/100 g (d.m.) for the concentrates, with respective specific N factors), their solubility (i.e., the proteins remaining in the supernatant after centrifugation) was lower than for the concentrates (15–49 wt% of the total proteins, against 65 wt%). Substantial amounts of endogenous lipids in the powders were measured after chloroform/methanol extraction (3.4–10.3 g/100 g (d.m.)), of which about half were phospholipids. For all ingredients, detailed microscopic investigations (including confocal fluorescence microscopy), and light scattering measurements showed that HPH was useful to break down large powder grains. Thus, it altered the colloidal structures present, released endogenous lipid assemblies and enhanced protein solubility. Those new insights into the non-protein composition of plant protein fractions and their behaviour in aqueous media are key for improving their functionalities and facilitating food products’ rational formulation.

Effects of high-pressure homogenization treatment on physiochemical properties of novel plant proteins

The plum seed protein isolates (PSPI), wolfberry protein isolates (WPI) jujube seed protein isolates (JPI), and hemp seed protein isolates (HPI) were prepared and treated with high-pressure homogenization at 90 MPa. The effects of high-pressure homogenization treatment on particle size, surface hydrophobicity, solubility, subunits, rheological behavior, and microstructure of proteins were investigated in this study. As compared with native proteins, the particle size of PSPI, WPI, JPI and HPI decreased 89%, 38%, 93% and 83%, respectively, after high-pressure homogenization treatment; the solubility of PSPI, WPI, JPI and HPI increased 31%, 9%, 43% and 201%, respectively. However, the effects of treatment on surface hydrophobicity and rheological behavior depended on the type of proteins. The surface hydrophobicity of WPI increased 22%, while the surface hydrophobicity of PSPI, JPI and HPI decreased 4%, 19% and 46%, respectively. The treatment also promoted the gelation of WPI, JPI and HPI. Furthermore, the composition of proteins was not affected by high-pressure homogenization treatment.

Effect of B and Zr additions and homogenization treatment on the carbide morphology of a vacuum cast Co-Cr-W-Ni superalloy

The influence solution heat treatment (1200 °C) on the evolution of carbide morphology and creep tensile properties of a vacuum cast Co-Cr-W-Ni base superalloy with and without of B and Zr additions has been investigated. The experimental evidence, shows that compared to the as cast microstructure, the creep life at a temperature of 750 °C, the carbide morphology and distribution are affected by the B and Zr additions as well as the solution treatment. After solution treating the alloy without additions, a finer carbide distribution along the interdendritic arms was observed. On the contrary, the additions of B and Zr impact the carbide morphology as well as its distribution, precipitating within the dendrites and at interdendritic regions. Due to this, the creep life and creep deformation of sample with additions are 12.5 and 2.7 times higher compared to the sample without additions respectively.

Homogenization treatment and heat deformation behavior of cast ZK60 magnesium alloy

The casting ZK60 magnesium alloy was homogenized by different methods, and the best homogenization method was determined by observing the metallography. The stress and strain curves of casting ZK60 magnesium alloy after homogenization were obtained by hot a compression experiment. The thermal processing map of peak stress was drawn by the stress-strain curve, and by the analysis of the thermal processing map could distinguish the processing instability zone and safe zone of the casting ZK60 magnesium alloy.

Kinetics of Martensite Decomposition and Microstructure Stability of Ti-6246 during Rapid Heating to Service Temperatures

The aerospace alloy Ti-6246 was subjected to inductive heat treatments with high heating and quenching rates (up to 1500 K/s) while being applied to an in situ diffraction study at the HEMS beamline P07B at DESY. Thereby, the characterization of the emerging phases was possible at any point in the process. The heat treatment schedules include the preparation of Ti-6246 samples by means of a homogenization treatment and subsequent quenching to trigger α″-martensite formation. In order to simulate fast reheating within the scope of application, the samples were reheated to the upper range of possible service temperatures (550–650 °C) with a heating rate of 100 K/s. In a second heat treatment design, the homogenized and quenched sample state was exposed to high-temperature tempering at 840 °C, which aims for the elimination of α″. Again, fast reheating to the same service temperatures was executed. With the aim of this approach, the stability of the microstructure consisting of α-Ti, β-Ti and α″-martensite was characterized. Further, the martensite decomposition path was analyzed. It shows a two-tier nature, firstly approaching the bcc β-unit cell in the low-temperature range (<400 °C) but subsequently transforming into an hcp-like unit cell and later on into equilibrium α-Ti.

Density Functional Theory and Machine Learning-Based Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship Models Enabling Prediction of Contaminant Degradation Performance with Heterogeneous Peroxymonosulfate Treatments.

Heterogeneous peroxymonosulfate (PMS) treatment is recognized as an effective advanced oxidation process (AOP) for the treatment of organic contaminants. Quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models have been applied to predict the oxidation reaction rates of contaminants in homogeneous PMS treatment systems but are seldom applied in heterogeneous treatment systems. Herein, we established QSAR models updated with density functional theory (DFT) and machine learning approaches to predict the degradation performance for a series of contaminants in heterogeneous PMS systems. We imported the characteristics of organic molecules calculated using constrained DFT as input descriptors and predicted the apparent degradation rate constants of contaminants as the output. The genetic algorithm and deep neural networks were used to improve the predictive accuracy. The qualitative and quantitative results from the QSAR model for the degradation of contaminants can be used to select the most appropriate treatment system. A strategy for selection of the optimum catalyst for PMS treatment of specific contaminants was also established according to the QSAR models. This work not only increases our understanding of contaminant degradation in PMS treatment systems but also highlights a novel QSAR model to predict the degradation performance in complicated heterogeneous AOPs.

Enhancement in dispersoid precipitation and dispersion strengthening by prior deformation in an Al–Mg–Mn alloy

Dispersion strengthening effect of Mn-containing dispersoids in the non-age hardenable Al–Mg–Mn alloys is generally limited since it is difficult to achieve the high-density and fine sized dispersoids through conventional homogenization treatment. In this work, inspired by the heterogeneous precipitation along dislocation for Mn-containing dispersoids, strain induced dislocations was introduced by prior deformation to increase the nucleation sites in the matrix. Based on the classical nucleation theory, the nucleation rate in the pre-strained specimen is improved by an order of magnitude compared with that of the as-cast specimen. Detailed electrical conductivity tests and transmission electron microscopy observations showed that prior deformation can promote the decomposition of supersaturated solid solution and successfully increase the number density of Mn-containing dispersoids, but decrease their sizes from 323 ± 83 nm to 118 ± 43 nm in long axis dimension after homogenization treatment. An improvement of 36.5 MPa in yield strength can be achieved through the enhanced dispersion strengthening mechanism. Simultaneously, the diffusion distance of Mn solute atoms dramatically increases from 0.85 μm to 27 μm due to the enhancement in diffusivity, which can be mostly attributed to the increase in diffusion paths caused by the higher density of strain-induced dislocations. Thus, the volume fraction of dispersoid free zones was decreased by 51% in the pre-strained specimen, indicating that a more uniform distribution of dispersoids in the Al matrix can be obtained by prior deformation. This work provides some insight into the enhanced dispersion strengthening effect of Mn-containing dispersoids by prior deformation, which is a promising approach to further improve mechanical properties of non-age hardenable Al alloy.

A new lightweight Al2.7TiVCrCu high entropy alloy with excellent strength and toughness after homogenization treatment

This work prepared a new lightweight multiphase Al2.7TiVCrCu high-entropy alloy (4.97 g/cm3) by a multi-stage melting process. The microstructure of soft and hard phases formed after homogenization and annealing effectively improved the compressive properties. The compressive strength reached 1805 MPa and the strain at break reached 32%.

Effects of Processing on Chemical Composition of Extracts from Sour Cherry Fruits, a Neglected Functional Food

Sour cherries fruits (Prunus cerasus L., syn P. cerasus var. austera) are locally known as "visciola di Sezze", due to the name of the city where they are traditionally cultivated in Lazio Region, Italy. Fruit samples from three harvesting years (June 2019, 2020 and 2021), were submitted to a protocol of analyses to detect the bioactive content based on year of harvest, freezing, homogenization and thermic treatments. Polyphenolic components, particularly anthocyanin compounds, were extracted, purified and analyzed by HPLC-DAD and DI-ESI-MS. An anthocyanin content between 0.24 and 21 mg/g fresh weight and a flavonols content between 0.04 and 0.2 mg/g fresh weight were found, depending on the harvest year and the applied procedures. Anthocyanins, besides being the principal components, were mainly represented by cyanidin-3-glucosyl-rutinoside (about 80%), a not particularly widespread molecule, mostly accounting for polyphenolic content. Color analysis and anti-radical activity of the different obtained extracts were performed with the aim to correlate organoleptic characters and health potential to the detected anthocyanins and flavanols content. Results show that immediate post-harvest freezing is the best way to preserve the bioactive content, the correlated color expression and anti-radical activity.

Effect of heat treatment on microstructures and mechanical properties of Inconel 718 additively manufactured using gradient laser power

To achieve high-performance nickel-based superalloys by laser powder deposition for applications in the aviation industry, post-heat treatments are always indispensable. We prepared two typical as-deposited microstructures by constant laser power deposition (CLP) and gradient laser power deposition (GLP), respectively. A systematic research on the room-temperature microstructural evolution, hardness, tensile property and fracture morphology of Inconel 718 after three kinds of heat treatments is performed. The as-deposited microstructure and segregation ratio (SR) can significantly influence the microstructure evolution. The as-deposited GLP samples with fine discrete Laves phases and a low SR can achieve a relatively uniform element distribution and γ′′ and γ′ phase precipitation after standard solution treatment plus aging (STA), while CLP samples with coarse long-chain Laves phases and high SR require a high-temperature homogenization plus STA (HSTA) heat treatment to achieve the uniform element distribution. Differences in heat treatments have a greater impact on the fracture mechanism. With the transformation of heat treatments from direct aging, STA to HSTA, the fracture mode of both CLP and GLP samples transforms from a ductile transgranular fracture mode to a mixed mode of transgranular and intergranular fractures.

Higher stress response and altered quality of life in schizophrenia patients with low membrane levels of docosahexaenoic acid.

Schizophrenia is a severe, chronic, and heterogeneous mental disorder that affects approximately 1% of the world population. Ongoing research aims at clustering schizophrenia heterogeneity into various "biotypes" to identify subgroups of individuals displaying homogeneous symptoms, etiopathogenesis, prognosis, and treatment response. The present study is in line with this approach and focuses on a biotype partly characterized by a specific membrane lipid composition. We have examined clinical and biological data of patients with stabilized schizophrenia, including the fatty acid content of their erythrocyte membranes, in particular the omega-3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Two groups of patients of similar size were identified: the DHA- group (N = 19) with a lower proportion of membrane DHA as compared to the norm in the general population, and the DHAn group (N = 18) with a normal proportion of DHA. Compared to DHAn, DHA- patients had a higher number of hospitalizations and a lower quality of life in terms of perceived health and physical health. They also exhibited significant higher interleukin-6 and cortisol blood levels. These results emphasize the importance of measuring membrane lipid and immunoinflammatory biomarkers in stabilized patients to identify a specific subgroup and optimize non-pharmacological interventions. It could also guide future research aimed at proposing specific pharmacological treatments.

Validation of automated post-adjustments of HDR prostate brachytherapy treatment plans by quantitative measures and oncologist observer study

PURPOSEThe aim was to evaluate a postprocessing optimization algorithm's ability to improve the spatial properties of a clinical treatment plan while preserving the target coverage and the dose to the organs at risk. The goal was to obtain a more homogenous treatment plan, minimizing the need for manual adjustments after inverse treatment planning. MATERIALS AND METHODSThe study included 25 previously treated prostate cancer patients. The treatment plans were evaluated on dose-volume histogram parameters established clinical and quantitative measures of the high dose volumes. The volumes of the four largest hot spots were compared and complemented with a human observer study with visual grading by eight oncologists. Statistical analysis was done using ordinal logistic regression. Weighted kappa and Fleiss’ kappa were used to evaluate intra- and interobserver reliability. RESULTSThe quantitative analysis showed that there was no change in planning target volume (PTV) coverage and dose to the rectum. There were significant improvements for the adjusted treatment plan in: V150% and V200% for PTV, dose to urethra, conformal index, and dose nonhomogeneity ratio. The three largest hot spots for the adjusted treatment plan were significantly smaller compared to the clinical treatment plan. The observers preferred the adjusted treatment plan in 132 cases and the clinical in 83 cases. The observers preferred the adjusted treatment plan on homogeneity and organs at risk but preferred the clinical plan on PTV coverage. CONCLUSIONSQuantitative analysis showed that the postadjustment optimization tool could improve the spatial properties of the treatment plans while maintaining the target coverage.

Protein modifications due to homogenisation and heat treatment of cow milk.

This research paper aimed to locate protein modifications caused by treatment of milk and determine if the modification locations were consistent. The majority of milk for consumption is homogenised using pressure and heat, and this causes changes in the location of proteins in the milk as well as protein modifications. To investigate these proteomic changes, raw milk was pasteurised (72°C, 15 s), then, to separate the treatment for homogenisation, heated at these different pressures and temperatures: 45°C without no pressure applied, 45°C with 35 MPa, 80°C without pressure applied and 80°C, with 35 MPa. Proteomic analysis was done after separating the milk into three fractions: whey, casein and cream. Protein modifications in each fraction were examined and we found Maillard products as well as oxidation to be of interest. The proteins were also further identified and characterised to compare protein modification sites and differences in proteins present in the cream resulting from homogenisation and/or pasteurisation. This experiment showed that both heat and pressure during homogenisation can cause increases in protein modifications as a result of oxidation or the Maillard reaction. Total cysteine oxidation and total proline oxidation differed between treatments although this was only significantly different for cysteine. It was observed that protein modifications occurred in the same location in the protein sequence rather than in random locations which we highlighted by examining α-S1-casein, lactadherin and β-lactoglobulin.

Cancer burden in adolescents and young adults in Europe

Cancer epidemiology is unique in adolescents and young adults (AYAs; aged 15-39 years). The European Society for Medical Oncology/European Society for Paediatric Oncology (ESMO/SIOPE) AYA Working Group aims to describe the burden of cancers in AYAs in Europe and across European Union (EU) countries. We used data available on the Global Cancer Observatory. We retrieved crude and age-standardised (World Standard Population) incidence and mortality rates. We reported about AYA cancer burden in Europe and between 28 EU member states. We described incidence and mortality for all cancers and for the 13 cancers most relevant to the AYA population. Incidence and mortality varied widely between countries with the highest mortality observed in Eastern EU countries. Cancers of the female breast, thyroid and male testis were the most common cancers across countries followed by melanoma of skin and cancers of the cervix. Variations in cancer incidence rates across different populations may reflect different distribution of risk factors, variations in the implementation or uptake of screening as well as overdiagnosis. AYA cancer mortality disparities may be due to variation in early-stage diagnoses, different public education and awareness of cancer symptoms, different degrees of access or availability of treatment. Our results highlight the future health care needs and requirements for AYA-specialised services to ensure a homogeneous treatment across different countries as well as the urgency for preventive initiatives that can mitigate the increasing burden.

HRTEM Characterization of an Age-Hardened Mg–Ca Binary Alloy

A Mg–2.8 mass% Ca binary alloy was subjected to a homogenization treatment. The three-dimensional morphology and coherency of the Mg2Ca phase (with C14 structure), which precipitated in the primary α-Mg dendrite, were investigated for the specimens aged at 423 K. The Mg2Ca precipitate exhibited a hexagonal plate-like morphology, with a planar surface that is parallel to the (0001)α basal plane and sides that are parallel to the {-1010}α columnar plane of the α-Mg matrix. The coarsening Mg2Ca precipitate retained coherency with the α-Mg matrix for aging time of 3 h, which corresponded to the peak-aged condition. Furthermore, during the coarsening process, misfit dislocations were introduced on the planar surface of the precipitates, and the coherent interface became a semi-coherent interface for aging time of 100 h, which corresponded to the over-aged condition. The Mg2Ca precipitates evolved from a hexagonal plate-like morphology to a rectangular morphology and then to a polygonal morphology during aging treatment at 423 K.

Microstructure, mechanical properties and fatigue behaviour of a new high-strength aluminium alloy AA 6086

This study presents the comprehensive experimental investigation of the microstructure, mechanical and fatigue properties of a new high-strength aluminium alloy AA 6086, which was developed from a commercial aluminium alloy AA 6082. The new alloy possesses a higher content of Si, and, it also contains Cu and Zr. The alloy was characterised in the as-cast condition after homogenisation, extrusion, and T6 heat treatment. Light microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectrometry were used to analyse the microstructure and the fractography of broken specimens. The quasi-static and fatigue tests were performed on the MTS Landmark 100 kN servo-hydraulic test machine, controlled with a mechanical extensometer with a 25 mm gauge length. The quasi-static strength of the analysed aluminium alloy AA 6086 was found to be significantly higher if compared to some other AA 6xxx alloys, while the ductility was kept almost the same. The experimental results of the comprehensive fatigue tests in a Low Cycle Fatigue (LCF) and High Cycle Fatigue (HCF) regime showed a good fatigue resistance, and represent a good basis for engineering design applications of the newly developed aluminium alloy AA 6086.

Improved Fe(II) regeneration from actual ferric sludge using a biocathode with granular sludge

Ferric sludge pollution and unsustainable utilization of Fe(II) reagent were tough nuts to crack for homogeneous Fenton treatment. Previous Fe(II) regeneration methods are still limited by high reagent consumption or low regeneration rate. In this work, granular sludge was introduced into the biocathode of microbial electrolysis cell (MEC), to improve Fe(II)-regeneration rate from actual ferric sludge at near neutral pH. Wastewater constituents in the bioanode of dual-chamber MEC were used as the reducing power to regenerate Fe(II). In the flow-through biocathode, 175 ± 16 mg/L of dissolved Fe(II) was efficiently regenerated from actual ferric sludge. The regeneration rate of dissolved Fe(II) was 7.2 times higher than that of the previously reported biocathode. Besides, the actual and synthetic ferric sludge had a similar Fe(II) regeneration performance. Interestingly, recalcitrant organics and 20 mg/L NO3–N in ferric sludge were removed by 96% and 100% during Fe(II) regeneration. The biomass in the granular sludge biocathode was 12 times that of the control biocathode, in which Clostridium sensu stricto dominated. These findings provide insights and theoretical support for developing a viable biotechnology platform, to close the gap for the efficient and sustainable iron cycle.

Phase characteristic and segregation related with corrosion on hypereutectic Sn–Bi solder under thermal storage and cycling corrosion test

Hypereutectic Sn-58%wt Bi solders were synthesized to observe phase change, corrosion and electrical endurance by various thermal storages. Initially, Cu6Sn5 IMC layer thickness is linear growth by Sn reacting with Cu joint, following, the Cu3Sn IMC starts to grow when the Cu6Sn5 is thicker enough to obstruct Cu inter-diffusing into solder. The segregation of Bi concentration gradient in eutectic phase is mitigated by homogenization treatment but corrosion resistance is deteriorated. Lump shape of SnO2 corrosive byproduct is initially observed, then the flower shape of Bi3O2 is found after Sn corroding completely. Moreover, phase change of solder related with current endurance is studied.