ABSTRACT This study investigates the cold extrusion of metal matrix composites with an emphasis on sustainable manufacturing practices. The influence of extrusion die angle, lubricant type (four renewable-source oils and one mineral oil) and composite architecture on material flow behaviour is evaluated. Five composite configurations, including laminated billets and chip-reinforced composites produced from recycled steel chips, were experimentally extruded using die angles of 45° and 60°. Material deformation was quantified through experimental visioplasticity, allowing measurement of local true strain at central and lateral positions, and was systematically compared with three-dimensional finite element method (FEM) simulations. The results demonstrate that composite architecture and die geometry strongly govern strain distribution and deformation homogeneity, while lubricant selection significantly affects extrusion force and local strain gradients. Statistical analysis confirms that lubricant effects extend beyond dynamic viscosity alone. Renewable-source oils exhibited deformation behaviour comparable to the mineral lubricant, with castor oil showing favourable tribological performance under certain conditions. FEM simulations showed strong qualitative agreement with experimental material flow patterns and provided insight into stress and velocity fields during extrusion. The findings highlight an integrated experimental–numerical approach for analysing composite extrusion and support the feasibility of combining recycled reinforcements with bio-based lubricants in advanced metal forming applications.

ABSTRACT Optimizing the fuel phase in bulk emulsions for open-pit and underground mining enhances safety and efficiency. In this study, gas-to-liquid (GTL) fuels have been studied due to their low viscosity readily biodegradable nature, and low odor and toxicity. Single- and double-salt emulsions were prepared with two GTL fuels, G85 and G100, different in boiling range but identical in hydrocarbon composition targeting at 95/5%m/m oxidizer/fuel (O/F) ratio. GTL emulsions were compared to a standard 94/6%m/m O/F ratio emulsion prepared with White Oil, as well as common polyisobutylene succinic anhydride (PIBSA) emulsifiers. Viscosity and microscopy data demonstrated good emulsification and stability, even with reduced fuel content (5% vs. 6%m/m). Decrease in density with time during chemical gassing with NaNO2 was also evaluated, pointing to differences between fuel phases, which was ascribed to the highly paraffinic nature of the fuel, as well as the varying viscosities. Further, it was demonstrated that the reduce fuel content did not impact velocity of detonation (VoD) significantly, showing values around 4500 m/s in unconfined tests in plastic pipes with two diameters. This work demonstrated that GTL fuel phases offer advantages over mineral oils while maintaining emulsion stability and performance, offering economic and safety benefits.

Avocado (Persea americana Mill) is a crop of significant economic importance in Ecuador, facing major threats from insect pests such as Monalonion velezangeli (Hemiptera: Miridae), which can reduce production by up to 42%. This study evaluated the effectiveness of six treatments based on physical barriers and biorational products within an integrated pest management (IPM) framework in an experimental avocado orchard (cv. Fuerte) in Pichincha, Ecuador. The treatments included pyrethroid, kaolin, mineral oil, combinations of kaolin and mineral oil, fruit bagging and a water control. The Kruskal–Wallis analysis revealed significant differences among treatments (T = 23.10, df = 6, p = 0.000765). Fruit bagging and a pyrethroid emerged as the most effective strategies, with mean pest damage incidences of 10.33 and 9.17%, respectively, while the control treatment showed the highest pest damage incidence (32.83%). The combination of mineral oil and kaolin demonstrated intermediate efficacy, acting as a physical barrier that interferes with the pest’s feeding and oviposition behaviours. Although fruit bagging proved highly effective, its adoption in commercial systems is limited by cost and time requirements.

Aqueous cigarette smoke extract reduces mitochondrial potential and increases nuclear degeneration in bovine oocytes matured in vitro.

Behavioral response of the tick Rhipicephalus linnaei to the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae.

Subtleties of UV-crosslinking in microfluidic particle fabrication: UV dosage and intensity matter.

Development of peroxidase-modified zeolite carbon paste electrodes (Prx-Zeo/CPE) for the biosensing of hydroquinone in pharmaceutical skin cream.

Comparative microbial responses and degradation characteristics of petroleum-based and biodegradable chainsaw lubricants in forest soils impacted by timber harvesting.

Dual-property enhancement of naphthenic mineral oil with ZnO nanoparticles for improved cooling and insulation performance.

Migration of mineral oil hydrocarbons from food contact paper and board and probabilistic health risk assessment

Miniaturized liquid-liquid extraction for selective separation and enrichment of non- or low-alkylated aromatics from complex mineral oil mixtures.

Fate and stability of petroleum oil droplets in potable water sources: Morphological transformations and governing parameters

Abstract The formation of dense gases is driven by high pressures, critical temperatures, and high content of CO₂, conditions characteristic of ultra-deepwater production environments such as the Brazilian pre-salt. This study presents an experimental investigation of horizontal and slightly upward inclined dense-gas and liquid two-phase flow under hydrodynamic conditions representative of these scenarios. Due to the lack of experimental data in such regimes, the accuracy of existing predictive models remains limited, potentially leading to economic losses and environmental or safety risks. Experiments were conducted using a high-pressure inclinable loop equipped with a 30 m pipeline, employing pressurized sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) as the gas phase and mineral oil as the liquid phase. The test section was configured at 0°, 5°, and 10°, and 125 experimental points were collected, including pressure, temperature, flow, holdup, and flow pattern data. Two-phase flow visualization was carried out using a high-speed camera, while liquid holdup and phase fraction distribution were determined with a collimated gamma-ray densitometer. The observed flow patterns included stratified smooth, stratified wavy, stratified wavy with mixing at the interface, slug, pseudo-slug, dispersed, and the rarely reported dual-continuous pattern. Notably, the dual-continuous flow pattern was identified for the first time under upward inclined conditions (5° and 10°). The experimental results demonstrate that pipe inclination and dense gas velocity are key factors in the transition between slug and pseudo-slug flow patterns. Additionally, interfacial instabilities and liquid splashing were observed at high dense-gas velocities. These findings address important knowledge gaps and support the development of more accurate predictive models for multiphase flow in complex production scenarios.

Efficient application of phytosanitary sprays is essential for sustainable control of foliar fungal diseases such as Black Sigatoka in banana crops. Mineral oils are commonly used for their fungistatic properties, yet their modes-of-action, particularly their interactions with leaf tissues, remain poorly understood. This study aims to elucidate the physical behavior of mineral oil droplets on banana leaves and their subsequent diffusion into internal tissues. High-speed imaging shows that mineral oil droplets reach their maximum spread without retraction and exhibit only low splashing at high impact velocities. Spray coverage is strongly anisotropic and increases over time following a power-law scaling (ta with α = 0.21 ± 0.02), in agreement with Tanner's law. Micro-infrared spectroscopy reveals that mineral oil penetrates the leaf, with preferential accumulation in the palisade parenchyma. Diffusion into internal leaf tissues, specifically the palisade parenchyma, follows Fick's law after a latency of ≈3.6 h, with an effective diffusion coefficient of (1.2 ± 0.8) × 10-8 cm2 s-1. This study provides the first direct evidence that mineral oils not only protect leaf surfaces, but also diffuse into internal tissues targeted by fungal pathogens. These findings offer a mechanistic basis for field practices and support the development of more effective and sustainable foliar spray formulations. © 2026 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

A simple fluid barometer is a device used to measure atmospheric pressure by utilizing the principle of hydrostatics. It typically consists of a column of liquid, such as mercury or water, within a sealed tube. As atmospheric pressure changes, the liquid level in the tube rises or falls, allowing for pressure measurement. The choice of liquid is crucial in a fluid barometer. Mercury is a traditional and common choice due to its high density, which results in a relatively tall column and high sensitivity to pressure changes. However, due to its toxicity, other alternatives like water or mineral oil are often used. The tube should be made of a material that is chemically compatible with the chosen liquid and does not react with it. Typically, glass or metal tubes are used for their stability and durability. A simple fluid barometer is an essential scientific instrument used to measure atmospheric pressure. The device was invented by Evangelista Torricelli in 1643 and is the basis for modern mercury and aneroid barometers. The core of a simple fluid barometer is a U-shaped glass tube filled with a liquid, typically mercury or water. This design allows the liquid to respond to changes in atmospheric pressure. Research Significance: The U-shaped tube design enables the measurement of atmospheric pressure variations, which is vital for meteorology, weather forecasting, and various scientific and engineering applications. Within the COPRAS-G framework, it is essential to define selection criteria, evaluate information related to these criteria, and formulate techniques for assessing the needs of meeting participants. To assess the surrogate's overall performance, certain standards need to be established. When a decision needs to be made, the decision maker (DM) is faced with the task of weighing a specific set of options, each with competing requirements, and selecting one from the range of available choices. The Complexity Proportionality Assessment (COPRAS) method can be employed as a solution in this decision-making process. From the result Barometer model E got first rank whereas the Barometer model A is having the lowest rank.

Mineral oils are increasingly being replaced by plant-based insulating liquids, known as natural esters, because of their biodegradability and high fire safety characteristic. However, their wider use in high-voltage and unsealed transformer applications is still limited due to concerns about thermo-oxidative stability and the relatively limited long-term performance data available compared to mineral oils. This study investigates improving the oxidation stability of natural esters through nanotechnology. A canola-based insulating liquid was used as the base fluid and modified with TiO2 and SiO2 nanoparticles of different sizes. Nanoparticle concentrations ranged from 0.05 to 0.25 wt.%, while Span 80 (sorbitan monooleate, non-ionic surfactant) served as a surfactant to ensure uniform dispersion and long-term colloidal stability. The nanofluids were subjected to accelerated aging to evaluate oxidation resistance, and key properties such as acidity, viscosity, and dissipation factor were monitored throughout the process. Dielectric performance was assessed using AC breakdown voltage testing, with results interpreted through two-parameter Weibull statistics. The TiO2-based nanofluids demonstrated superior thermo-oxidative stability compared to both the base oil and the SiO2-modified samples. Formulations containing smaller TiO2 nanoparticles (5 nm) exhibited the lowest increases in viscosity, acid value, and dissipation factor, indicating strong resistance to degradation under thermal stress. In dielectric performance, SiO2 nanofluids reached 65.8 kV, while TiO2 nanofluids achieved a higher value of 72.4 kV, confirming their greater effectiveness. Although the nanoparticles are not biodegradable, their use at low concentrations significantly enhances the oxidative and dielectric stability of natural esters, helping extend fluid life and reduce dependence on petroleum-based insulating liquids.

Abstract Lubrication in space mechanisms is governed by specific requirements arising from extreme conditions such as vacuum, radiation, thermal gradients, and the impossibility of in situ maintenance. This article firstly traces the development of space-grade lubricants, from early investigations with silicones and mineral oils to the current use of heritage lubricants such as perfluoropolyethers (PFPEs) and multiply alkylated cyclopentanes (MACs). While PFPEs have become the reference fluids thanks to their low vapor pressure and high thermal stability, increasing environmental restrictions on fluorinated compounds drive the search for sustainable alternatives. MACs are a modern alternative to PFPEs with improved boundary lubrication properties. However, these lubricants suffer from technical limitations such as dewettability and initial seizure-like high friction values. In this context, ionic liquids (ILs) have emerged as promising candidates due to their negligible volatility, high chemical, and thermal stability. The second part of the review compares the performance of these lubricant families, addressing challenges such as evaporation losses, tribochemical degradation, or atomic oxygen resistance, and concludes with recent advances on ILs as both primary lubricants and functional additives.

Abstract This work examines the optimization of turning parameters across various lubrication environments, that is, mineral oil, biodiesel, and biodiesel augmented with multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), utilizing Taguchi design and Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The influence of spindle speed, feed rate, and depth of cut on material removal rate (MRR) was methodically examined. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that spindle speed is the most significant metric under biodiesel lubrication, but depth of cut is predominant under biodiesel–MWCNT settings. Biodiesel and nano‐augmented biodiesel exhibited greater machining performance relative to mineral oil, due to enhanced viscosity, improved lubricity, and the creation of a tribo‐film at the tool–workpiece interface. These methods markedly diminished cutting forces, tool wear, and surface roughness. The optimization results indicated that the minimal material removal rate (MRR) occurred at a feed rate of 0.2 mm/rev, a spindle speed of 1036 rpm, and a depth of cut of 2.47 mm, with experimental validation closely aligning with anticipated values, thereby affirming the reliability of the generated model. Scanning electron microscopy validated these findings, revealing improved surface integrity, with biodiesel–MWCNT lubrication yielding the smoothest machined surfaces. The findings underscore the wider ramifications of utilizing nano‐augmented biodiesel lubricants, such as less reliance on petroleum‐derived cutting fluids, enhanced process sustainability, and conformity with eco‐friendly manufacturing standards. The study confirms biodiesel‐based nanolubricants as a realistic, high‐performance alternative for sustainable turning operations, optimizing productivity, surface quality, and environmental responsibility.

This study investigates the synthesis and physicochemical characterization of biolubricant base oils derived from sunflower oil methyl esters (SUNOMEs) via transesterification with trimethylolpropane (TMP) using guanidine carbonate (GNDC) as a green and efficient catalyst. The transesterification process was optimized to achieve high conversion and desirable physicochemical properties suitable for lubrication applications. The synthesized esters were characterized by viscosity, density, pour point, and oxidation stability, confirming their suitability as environmentally friendly lubricants. Reaction parameters, such as catalyst concentration (3.0–5.0 wt%), were optimized under both solvent-free and vacuum-assisted conditions. The use of guanidine carbonate achieved enhanced physicochemical properties with significantly reduced reaction times (≈6 h) and eliminated soap formation. The resulting TMP triesters exhibited kinematic viscosities in ranges of 41.27–52.73 cSt (40 °C) and 8.668–10.02 cSt (100 °C), a viscosity index in the range of 180–196, and excellent oxidation stability (RSSOT: up to 54.27 min). Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis confirmed the formation of complete triester structures with characteristic carbonyl and C–O stretching bands at 1735 cm−1 and 1050 cm−1, respectively. Spectra showed also distinct stretching vibrations near 1640–1670 cm−1 and 3300–3400 cm−1, which correspond to amide carbonyl and N–H characteristic groups. The tribological performance was evaluated using Four-Ball Standard Test Method, demonstrating significant improvements compared to commercial mineral oils. The results indicate that guanidine carbonate is an effective catalyst for producing sunflower-oil-derived esters with favorable lubricating properties, highlighting their potential as sustainable biolubricants for industrial applications.

ABSTRACT The study examines the tribological characteristics of various oil blends developed from the incorporation of ZDDP additive at various proportions (0.10–3 wt.%) in a 75% Neem seed oil (NSO) − 25% polyalphaolefin (PAO6) base oil blend. The tribological characteristics of these formulations were evaluated using a four-ball tester and its effectiveness are compared with SAE20W40 to determine the ideal ZDDP concentration. The blend with 1 wt.% ZDDP (NPZ4) exhibited superior performance, resulting in a 21.5% reduction in coefficient of friction and an 11% decrease in wear scar diameter when compared to the base formulation. The wear scar morphology and elemental analysis validated the formation of a stable Zn–P–S-rich tribofilm, which significantly improved wear protection. The further analysis of the lubrication regime using minimum film thickness and lambda (λ) ratio indicated that the blend NPZ4 works within the boundary-to-mixed lubrication regime (hmin = 155.42 nm, λ = 0.51), nearing the performance characteristics of SAE20W40. The selected ideal blend was then subjected to further experimental analysis in hydrodynamic plain journal bearing at different speeds while maintaining a constant load. The pressure profile trend for all oil samples was consistent across all situations, with the mineral oil displaying a predominant profile, with the ideal blend demonstrated superior characteristics compared to the base oil sample. The application of two-way ANOVA for statistical validation showed a significant impact of lubricant formulation and operating speed on bearing pressure performance, with a R² value of 95.1%.