Inspired by the hair structure of desert animals, the structure-engineered aerogel fiber (SAF) has effectively prepared through the utilization of the double-diffusion process in wet spinning. The SAF fabric exhibit high emissivity (96.1%) within the atmospheric window and high reflectivity (92.3%) within the solar spectrum, thereby effectively mitigating the impact of solar radiation on human thermal balance. Additionally, the fibers exhibit an internal porosity of ∼93.9%, which functions to reduce the penetration of external heat and facilitates the instantaneous absorption (over 80% of self-weight) and evaporation (∼5.7gh-1) of sweat through capillary effect, thereby further enhancing the dissipation of heat from human body. The continuous and scalable technical routes also endow SAFs with outstanding mechanical strength, water resistance, and breathability. Practical application tests demonstrate that the temperature of SAF fabric is ∼10.6°C lower than the commercialized cotton fabric under direct sunlight (solar irradiation: ∼1511Wm-2) and ∼12.0°C under the simultaneous action of direct sunlight (solar irradiation: ∼1091Wm-2) and simulated sweat infiltration. These results underscore the cost-effectiveness and high performance of SAF fabric, which offers substantial solutions and broad application prospects for multifunctional textiles and evaporative and radiative synergistic cooling applications.

Conductive hydrogels, combining flexibility and electrical conductivity, show great potential in flexible electronics, wearable sensors, and smart materials. However, their practical applications remain constrained by insufficient mechanical strength, unstable sensing performance, and low structural integration. To address these challenges, we develop a highly sensitive MXene@PDA/PF127-DA/Zn2+ conductive hydrogel, which achieves an effective balance between mechanical strength and sensing performance through the synergistic effect of multiple components. MXene nanosheets serve as the primary conductive framework, while the polydopamine coating effectively enhances its dispersibility and interfacial adhesion. In addition, the double-bond modified PF127-DA can self-assemble into micelles, providing a dynamic structure that offers better elastic properties for the conductive hydrogel. Finally, the introduction of Zn2+ as a dynamic coordination crosslinker further enhances mechanical toughness. This collaborative design makes it possible to construct a new type of conductive hydrogel system with high mechanical strength, excellent stability, and tunable sensing performance. When attached to human skin, the conductive hydrogel can quickly respond (response time up to 0.089 s) and accurately detect subtle electrical signals associated with joint motion and muscle contraction. Furthermore, real-time signal acquisition and wireless transmission are achieved through an integrated electrochemical workstation and Bluetooth module, enabling efficient motion monitoring. This study provides a promising strategy for designing multifunctional conductive hydrogels for next-generation wearable bioelectronic devices.

Abstract Graphene is a prominent 2D nanomaterial which consists of a monolayer of sp²-hybridized carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb lattice. It is widely used due to its extraordinary electrical conductivity, mechanical strength, thermal stability, and large specific surface area. These exceptional properties make it highly suitable for a wide range of applications, particularly in the fields of energy, biomedicine, and optoelectronics. This review provides a comprehensive overview of advanced graphene-based nanostructures, focusing on their synthesis methods, including top-down (mechanical exfoliation, chemical exfoliation, chemical synthesis) and bottom-up (CVD, pyrolysis, epitaxial growth), as well as key characterization techniques, including X-ray Diffraction, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, Raman Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron, Transmission Electron Microscopy, and Atomic Force Microscopy. Particular attention is placed on recent breakthroughs in energy applications, where graphene and its derivatives are utilized as a high-performance electrode material in supercapacitors, lithium-ion and magnesium-ion batteries, and photovoltaic cells due to their outstanding charge transport and storage capabilities. In biomedical applications, graphenebased materials are integrated into drug delivery systems, biosensors, photothermal platforms, and wearable devices due to their biocompatibility, functional surface chemistry, and structural versatility. Furthermore, graphene's optical transparency, tunable electronic properties, and flexibility position it as a leading material in the development of next-generation optoelectronic devices, including organic light-emitting diodes, transparent conductive electrodes, and highsensitivity photodetectors. Through the critical analysis of recent studies, this review underscores graphene's role as a platform material for multifunctional and scalable nanotechnologies and discusses future perspectives in tailoring its properties for applicationspecific performance in smart and sustainable systems.

ABSTRACT Organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN) membranes were fabricated for the first time using poly(4‐methyl‐1‐pentene) (PMP) via the non–solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) method for ethanol recovery from a soybean oil/ethanol mixture. Nanocomposite membranes were also prepared by incorporating graphene hydroxyl (GOH) nanosheets at varying concentrations (0.5 to 1 wt%) to evaluate their impact on membrane properties and performance. The resulting nanocomposite membranes were systematically characterized in terms of morphology, porosity, surface wettability, mechanical strength, and solvent stability. The incorporation of GOH nanosheets led to a significant increase in porosity, hydrophilicity, tensile strength, and solvent permeance (from 0.74 to 2.55 L/m 2 h·bar), while maintaining high soybean oil rejection (95%). The membranes also exhibited outstanding ethanol stability with minimal swelling and near‐complete gel retention after 4 weeks. These findings demonstrate a promising strategy for tailoring polymeric membranes with improved separation efficiency and sustainability. The novel PMP/GOH membrane system demonstrates strong potential for industrial solvent recovery processes, enabling energy‐efficient, hexane‐free oil extraction that aligns with green chemistry principles.

Al-Mg-Zn crossover alloys are promising lightweight structural materials. This study systematically investigates the effects of Ga content (0–0.8 wt.%) and pre-treated aging (PA) on the mechanical properties and microstructure in high-Mg-content Al-Mg-Zn crossover alloys. The results show that, under two-step aging (90 °C/24 h + 140 °C/24 h), increasing the Ga content from 0 to 0.8 wt.% leads to a significant enhancement in mechanical strength. The hardness, ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and yield strength (YS) increased from 102.8 HV to 169.2 HV, from 457.7 MPa to 592.0 MPa, and from 288.0 MPa to 505.7 MPa, respectively, while maintaining an elongation (EL) of 15.8%. This enhancement is attributed to increased Ga content, which promotes precipitation refinement and a morphology transition from rod-like to fine spherical precipitates. Furthermore, in the alloy containing 0.4 wt.% Ga, the application of PA treatment enhanced the UTS and YS from 527.3 MPa to 569.3 MPa, and from 413.7 MPa to 483.7 MPa, respectively. This work demonstrates that the appropriate addition of Ga and PA treatment effectively enhances the precipitation behavior and tensile properties of Al-Mg-Zn alloys, providing valuable guidance for the development of high-performance, lightweight structural materials.

Abstract Objective: Cartilage defects associated with temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA) demonstrate limited repair capacity and are influenced by a complex biomechanical environment, leading to suboptimal clinical repair outcomes. This study aims to develop an injectable hydrogel system incorporating salidroside (SAL) and to address two primary objectives. First, to optimize the hydrogel concentration to achieve effective SAL loading and controlled release. Second, to compare the cartilage regeneration potential of hydrogels loaded with chondrocytes versus those loaded with cultured cartilage tissue within an antiinflammatory micro-environment. Methods: The material properties and anti-inflammatory effects of SAL were systematically evaluated in GelMA hydrogels at concentrations of 8%, 10%, and 12% to determine the optimal formulation. Subsequently, chondrocytes (CC) and cultured cartilage tissue (CT) were each incorporated into the optimized drug-loaded hydrogel to fabricate CC/SAL-Gel and CT/SAL-Gel composites. In vitro biocompatibility of both composites was initially assessed using Phalloidin staining and Live/Dead assays. Thereafter, the cartilage regeneration capacity of the two groups was compared through histological analyses, including HE, SO, and COL-2 staining, as well as evaluation of cartilage formation marker expression. Results: Material characterization indicated that the 10% GelMA hydrogel exhibited an optimal balance among mechanical strength, degradation rate, and sustained release of SAL. The incorporation of SAL effectively conferred anti-inflammatory properties. In vitro experiments demonstrated that the CT/SAL-Gel group significantly surpassed the CC/SAL-Gel group in preserving the cartilage phenotype and promoting extracellular matrix synthesis. Conclusion: This study successfully developed an injectable hydrogel system incorporating SAL. The results demonstrate that employing pre-formed cultured CT as a regenerative construct, in conjunction with the anti-inflammatory effects of SAL, more effectively facilitates the formation of functional cartilage-like tissue. These findings offer novel theoretical insights and practical strategies for advancing TMJ cartilage regeneration by leveraging the synergistic interaction between cultured tissue and an anti-inflammatory microenvironment.

NbFeSb-based half-Heusler alloys offer high electrical conductivity and mechanical strength, yet suffer from high lattice thermal conductivity. Constructing complex microstructures to reduce thermal conductivity remains challenging due to high-temperature processing. This study introduces PbI2 during ball-milling, which sublimates during sintering, creating a hierarchical structure in Nb0.8Ti0.2FeSb. The resulting features-PbI2 nanophases, core-shell pore@Pb structures, multiscale porosity, and Fe vacancies-enable full-spectrum phonon scattering. Furthermore, the presence of Fe vacancies softens the lattice and reduces the sound velocity. Together, these reduce lattice thermal conductivity to 3.34W m-1 K-1 at 973 K, a 32% decrease. Lowered grain-boundary barriers reduce hole trapping, increasing carrier concentration and electrical conductivity, leading to a power factor of 52.7 µW cm-1 K-2 and zT ~ 1. The material maintains high compressive strength (1132MPa, 38% improvement) and microhardness (950 HV), as second-phase strengthening offsets pore-induced weakening. This approach demonstrates that sublimable compounds can form full-scale hierarchical architectures in high-temperature thermoelectrics, enabling both robust mechanical and thermoelectric performance.

In this work, an attempt was made to study the effects of various shielding gases on the quality of SS304H welded using a CO2 laser. The SS 304H sheets of 5 mm thickness were welded using three different shielding gases, viz. 100% CO2100% Argon and 80% Argon + 20% CO2 shielding gases at a flow rate of 15 liters/min. Weld quality was evaluated based on the analysis of mechanical properties, including hardness, tensile strength, and impact strength. The property variations are justified through metallurgical investigations, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) analyses. Overall, the usage of 100% CO2 as shielding gas resulted optimum microstructural and mechanical characteristics with a hardness value of 280 HV and tensile strength of 729 MPa, though with a low impact toughness value of 33 J.

Plant fiber-reinforced concrete is gaining increasing attention due to its potential to enhance sustainability and improve mechanical properties. Among various plant fibers, reed fibers have shown promise in reinforcing concrete. However, the impact of different fiber addition sequences on the mechanical performance of concrete is not yet fully understood. This study investigates the effect of different addition sequences of reed fibers on the mechanical properties of concrete. Ordinary Portland cement was used as the base material, incorporating 0.5% by volume of 20 mm-long reed fibers. Four different addition sequences were designed: dry fiber pre-mix, dry fiber post-addition, surface-dried saturated fiber pre-mix, and surface-dried saturated fiber post-addition. Compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and flexural strength tests were performed to evaluate the mechanical properties and strength development of concrete. The results indicate that the surface-dried saturated fiber post-addition method exhibited the optimal mechanical performance. This method improves fiber-cement particle interaction during the mixing stage, leading to a more stable interfacial bond and higher strength in compressive, flexural, and splitting tensile tests. Based on the experimental results, this study identifies surface-dried saturated post-addition as the most suitable addition sequence for reed fiber reinforced concrete, offering valuable insights for optimizing production processes and enhancing the performance of plant fiber reinforced concrete.

Chronic diabetic wounds represent a major clinical challenge, compounded by persistent inflammation, microbial invasion, and deficient angiogenesis. To address these intertwined pathophysiological features, we developed a copper-ion coordinated andrographolide-loaded hydrogel (ASFH), significantly enhancing andrographolide solubility and promoting wound healing dynamics. In vitro assessments demonstrated superior antimicrobial activity, optimal mechanical strength, self-healing ability, and cytocompatibility. In diabetic mice, ASFH notably accelerated wound closure, stimulated collagen maturation and re-epithelialization, dynamically shifted macrophages toward an anti-inflammatory phenotype, and markedly enhanced angiogenesis. Mechanistic studies integrating network pharmacology, molecular docking, dynamics simulations, and SPR validation pinpointed the Rac1/JNK1/Jun/Fos signaling cascade as a primary mediator of these regenerative effects. This work presents ASFH as a translationally relevant dressing system, simultaneously addressing critical limitations in diabetic wound management through targeted molecular therapeutic intervention.

Large-scale mining of graphite, a crucial strategic mineral, generates substantial amounts of graphite tailings (GT). The stockpiling of this solid waste occupies vast land resources and poses persistent environmental risks due to potential heavy metal leaching. Repurposing GT into construction materials presents a promising solution, with its use as a partial replacement for fine aggregates in cementitious composites being one of the most effective methods. This review systematically consolidates current research on graphite tailings cement mortar (GTCM) and graphite tailings concrete (GTC). Due to its physicochemical properties comparable to natural sand, GT is suitable for producing building materials. Studies consistently demonstrate that a substitution level of 10% to 20% optimizes overall performance. This optimal range enhances particle packing, promotes cement hydration via pozzolanic activity, and refines the microstructure, leading to improved workability, superior mechanical strength, and enhanced durability, including resistance to permeability, freeze–thaw cycles, and chemical attacks. Moreover, the inherent carbon content imparts electrical conductivity to GTC, enabling functional applications like de-icing and structural health monitoring. The successful utilization of GT also extends to lightweight foamed and autoclaved aerated concrete. However, research on the structural behavior of GTC components remains limited. Preliminary findings on beams and columns are encouraging, but comprehensive studies on their seismic performance and design methodologies are urgently needed to facilitate the widespread engineering application of this sustainable material and mitigate the environmental impact of tailings accumulation.

This study aims to optimize the physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of 100% Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS) based geopolymer wood-composite panels. Pine fibers were utilized as the primary reinforcement matrix, while glass and hemp fibers were introduced as secondary reinforcements at varying proportions (3%, 6%, 9% by weight). The research investigated the effects of fiber pretreatments (hot water vs. 1% NaOH) and reinforcement hybridization. Results indicate that GGBFS successfully geopolymerized, forming a hybrid N-A-S-H and C-A-S-H gel network. Quantitative analysis revealed that 9% glass fiber reinforcement yielded the highest mechanical performance, achieving a Modulus of Rupture (MOR) of 10.05 N/mm2 and Internal Bond (IB) strength of 1.32 N/mm2, alongside superior water resistance (1.0% Thickness Swelling). Conversely, while hemp fiber inclusion reduced mechanical strength (MOR: 5.77 N/mm2 at 9%), it significantly enhanced thermal insulation, reducing thermal conductivity to 0.10 W/m·K. It was observed that aggressive NaOH pretreatment caused alkali-induced degradation of pine fibers, negatively impacting the composite’s integrity compared to hot water treatment. This study demonstrates the feasibility of tailoring 100% slag-based geopolymer composites for either structural (glass-reinforced) or insulating (hemp-reinforced) applications using industrial by-products.

Fog water collectors (FWCs) present a sustainable solution for arid regions where fog is a primary water source. To improve their efficiency, we developed a durable and high-performance mesh composed of electrospun hydrophobic thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) fibers combined with hydrophilic cellulose acetate (CA) microbeads. This hybrid design represents a novel biomimetic strategy, mimicking natural fog-harvesting mechanisms by optimizing wetting and drainage. Despite the significant reduction in average fiber diameter, the TPU-CA mesh maintained mechanical strength close to 1 MPa, comparable to pristine TPU. The introduction of hydrophilic domains into a hydrophobic fibrous network is a unique architectural approach that enhanced fog collection performance, achieving a high water harvesting rate of 127 ± 12 mg·cm−2·h−1. Remarkably, although the mesh remained predominantly hydrophobic, droplets shed completely from its vertical surface, exhibiting near-zero contact angle hysteresis. This synergistic wetting concept enables performance unattainable with conventional single-wettability meshes. Compared to single-material meshes, the TPU-CA hybrid showed nearly double the water collection efficiency. The innovative interplay between surface chemistry, microscale heterogeneity, and mechanical robustness is key to maximizing water capture and transport, offering a promising path for scalable, efficient FWCs in poor water-stressed regions.

Anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE) is promising for low-cost hydrogen production, but its progress is limited by the weak mechanical strength and structural instability of polymer membranes. Here, a PPS-PBP/PVA composite membrane was developed using a polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) mesh as the mechanical scaffold, poly(biphenyl piperidinium) (PBP) as the ion-conducting polymer, and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) as an interfacial binder. The membrane shows significantly enhanced tensile strength and puncture resistance, reduced swelling, and improved interfacial integrity. The optimized PPS-PBP/PVA (10 wt%) membrane delivers 6 A cm−2 at 2.16 V in 1 M KOH at 80 °C and maintains stable operation for 500 h at 1 A cm−2 with only a slight voltage increase. The results demonstrate that reinforcement coupled with interface regulation is an effective approach to constructing robust and durable composite membranes for AEMWE.

Vanadium–titanium magnetite is a strategically important resource for iron, vanadium, and titanium production, yet its utilization in conventional blast furnace–basic oxygen furnace routes is limited by the dilution of titanium into low-value slag. This study investigates an integrated process route combining pellet preparation, hydrogen-based shaft furnace reduction conducted in the temperature range of 800–1000 °C, and subsequent electric furnace smelting for efficient recovery of Fe, V, and Ti. Pellets prepared from 100 wt.% vanadium–titanium magnetite exhibited sufficient mechanical strength but showed poor reducibility and severe low-temperature reduction disintegration, rendering them unsuitable for hydrogen-based shaft furnace operation. To overcome these limitations, systematic ore blending was applied. An optimized pellet composition comprising 40 wt.% vanadium–titanium magnetite, 50 wt.% high-grade iron ore, and 10 wt.% titanium concentrate achieved reduction degrees above 90%, acceptable swelling and bonding behavior, and low reduction disintegration indices meeting industrial HYL requirements. Industrial trials in a hydrogen-based shaft furnace demonstrated stable operation and consistent product quality, producing direct reduced iron with controlled metallization and enrichment of titanium and vanadium. Subsequent electric furnace smelting achieved clear slag–metal separation, yielding hot metal with high iron and vanadium recovery and a TiO2-rich slag containing approximately 45 wt.% TiO2. Recovery rates of Fe, V, and Ti exceeded 90%, confirming the technical feasibility of the proposed process route.

ABSTRACT Regenerative medicine combines biomaterials, cells, scaffolds, and bioactive agents via modern technologies to aid in the reconstruction and repair of damaged tissues. Among these, nanoclay scaffolds have demonstrated unique advantages in facilitating the delivery of therapeutic agents. This review investigates the structural and physicochemical features of various nanoclays—such as laponite, montmorillonite, and halloysite—that improve the mechanical strength, biocompatibility, and adjustable release properties when incorporated into polymeric scaffolds. Nanoclays encapsulated in scaffolds protect and facilitate the long‐term release of bioactive substances, such as growth factors, extracellular vesicles, and nucleic acids, thereby promoting tissue healing processes such as angiogenesis, osteogenesis, and stem cell recruitment and differentiation. Furthermore, recent developments in hydrogels, microspheres, and 3D‐printed scaffolds containing nanoclays have emphasized their performance in preclinical models. Despite their potential, challenges with scalability, long‐term safety, and exact control of release still remain. Overall, scaffolds based on nanoclays represent a versatile and multipurpose approach to regenerative therapies, bridging nanotechnology and biomedical engineering for future clinical uses.

This study investigates a karst bauxite deposit from NE Spain with a dual objective incorporating the novel aspect of directly linking genetic processes to industrial ceramic performance. First, the bauxite is mineralogically and texturally characterized using X-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscopy. Second, the mineralogical and textural transformations of the bauxite during firing at 1000, 1200 and 1300 °C are analyzed, together with their effects on the physical properties of the fired products. The Lower Cretaceous bauxite is autochthonous, shows a pisolithic structure, and formed in situ under tropical monsoon conditions through intense chemical weathering involving dissolution–crystallization processes. For ceramic testing, the bauxite was mixed with illitic–kaolinitic clays in a 90/10 proportion. During firing, kaolinite and illite destabilize and transform into mullite, initially by solid-state reactions at 1000 °C and subsequently by crystallization from a vitreous phase at higher temperatures, producing larger crystals and composition closer to the empirical mullite formula. The formation of vitreous phase and mullite leads to reduced porosity and increased density and linear shrinkage, particularly between 1000 and 1200 °C. Specimens fired at 1300 °C show higher mechanical strength, related to higher mullite content and a larger size of its crystals. The results demonstrate the potential interest of these bauxites for ceramic manufacturing.

Calcium sulfoaluminate–calcium oxide expansive agents (HCSA) are commonly used in mass concrete to compensate for thermal shrinkage. However, the ettringite (AFt) formed by HCSA hydration decomposes when temperatures exceed 70 °C. This study examines the synergistic effects of curing temperature (20 °C to 80 °C), fly ash (FA) content (0%, 40%), and water–binder ratio (w/b, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5) on the expansion behaviour and microstructure of HCSA–cement systems. A critical temperature threshold was identified at 60 °C. Below this limit, elevated temperatures accelerate hydration and enhance expansion, with the restrained expansion ratio peaking at 9.2 × 10−4 mm/mm under 60 °C curing. Beyond 60 °C, expansion capacity significantly diminishes due to the thermal decomposition of AFt into monosulfoaluminate (AFm), as confirmed by XRD and SEM analysis. Calculations of expansive stress reveal a critical mismatch at temperatures ≥ 40 °C, where the expansive stress exceeds the early-age tensile strength, causing microstructural damage. Furthermore, subsequent cooling to standard curing conditions triggers the reformation of AFt from AFm, leading to Delayed Ettringite Formation (DEF), which poses potential risks for late-stage cracking. AFt morphology shifted from needle-like (2–5 μm) to prismatic (5–8 μm). The incorporation of FA suppressed early-stage expansion but improved expansion stability. above 40 °C, although excessive temperatures (>70 °C) led to pore coarsening and reduced mechanical strength. These findings provide a theoretical basis for optimizing the curing regimes of HCSA-admixed mass concrete to ensure structural integrity.

Abstract Purpose The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of an HIIT protocol on the bone mineral density (BMD), mechanical strength, and bone mineralization of animals supplemented with creatine. Methods Forty male Wistar rats, 60 days old, were used. The animals were divided into four groups: (1) control (C), (2) creatine (Cr), (3) training (T), and (4) training + creatine (TCr). The animals in the Cr and TCr groups were supplemented with creatine monohydrate (2% of daily feed weight). The T and TCr groups performed an HIIT protocol, 5x/week, for 12 weeks, with the treadmill at a 15° inclination. The running protocol was performed at 60% of the Vmax obtained in the maximum effort test for 3 min, followed by 4 min of running at 85% of the Vmax. At the end of the experiment, the animals were euthanized, and samples of the tibia were collected. Subsequently, bone densitometry analyses were performed to determine the BMD and Raman spectroscopy to observe bone mineralization. The three-point mechanical test was also used to determine bone strength (Fmax). Results The results showed a reduction in the TCr group for mechanical strength (Cr vs TCr) and for the analyzed minerals (C vs TCr) ( p < 0.05). Conclusion HIIT added to creatine supplementation led to decreases in mechanical strength and the mineralization of the tibia.

Superelastic and highly sensitive conductive hydrogel sensor enabled by spatially confined assembly of MXene within bacterial cellulose network.