Multifunctional Design Research Articles

Self-diagnosing and active protective dual-functional water-borne polyurethane coating based on smart mesoporous containers

In this work, a dual functional coating was constructed to possess self-diagnosing and active anti-corrosion protection using pH-sensitive mesoporous silica containers containing gallic acid (GA). The containers are capable of releasing the inner GA when corrosion occurs at the metal substrate/coating interface due to pH sensitivity. GA can react with the Fe3+ ions to form conspicuous purple color at damaged sites, which provides the coating with a fast and timely corrosion self-diagnosing function. It can also inhibit the expansion of corrosion and realize active corrosion protection. This work provides a new idea for the multifunctional design of smart coatings with a single substance that provides both self-diagnosing and active corrosion protection.

Supporting Multifunctional Bio-Inspired Design Concept Generation through Case-Based Expandable Domain Integrated Design (xDID) Model

Combining different features inspired by biological systems is necessary to obtain uncommon and unique multifunctional biologically inspired conceptual designs. The Expandable Domain Integrated Design (xDID) model is proposed to facilitate the multifunctional concept generation process. The xDID model extends the previously defined Domain Integrated Design (DID) method. The xDID model classifies biological features by their feature characteristics taken from various case-based bio-inspired design examples into their respective geometric designations called domains. The classified biological features are mapped to the respective plant and animal tissues from which they originate. Furthermore, the paper proposes a representation of the functions exhibited by the biological features at the embodiment level as a combination of the integrated structure (multiscale) and the structural strategy associated with the integrated structure. The xDID model is validated using three multifunctional bio-inspired design case studies at the end of the paper.

A "Test-to-Treat" Pad for Real-Time Visual Monitoring of Bacterial Infection and On-Site Performing Smart Therapy Strategies.

Skin infections are major threats to human health, causing ∼500 incidences per 10 000 person-year. In patients with diabetes mellitus, particularly, skin infections are often accompanied by a slow healing process, amputation, and even death. Timely diagnosis of skin infection strains and on-site therapy are vital in human health and safety. Herein, a double-layered "test-to-treat" pad is developed for the visual monitoring and selective treatment of drug-sensitive (DS)/drug-resistant (DR) bacterial infections. The inner layer (using carrageenan hydrogel as a scaffold) is loaded with bacteria indicators and an acid-responsive drug (Fe-carbenicillin frameworks) for infection detection and DS bacteria inactivation. The outer layer is a mechanoluminescence material (ML, CaZnOS:Mn2+) and visible-light responsive photocatalyst (Pt@TiO2) incorporated elastic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). On the basis of the colorimetric sensing result (yellow for DS-bacterial infection and red for DR-bacterial infection), a suitable antibacterial strategy is guided and then performed. Two available bactericidal routes provided by double pad layers reflect the advantage. The controllable and effective killing of DR bacteria is realized by in situ generated reactive oxygen species (ROSs) from the combination of Pt@TiO2 and ML under mechanical force, avoiding physical light sources and alleviating off-target side effects of ROS in biomedical therapy. As a proof-of-concept, the "test-to-treat" pad is applied as a wearable wound dressing for sensing and selectively dealing with DS/DR bacterial infections in vitro and in vivo. This multifunctional design effectively reduces antibiotic abuse and accelerates wound healing, providing an innovative and promising Band-Aid strategy in point-of-care diagnosis and therapy.

A 3D Composited Flexible Sensor Based on Percolative Nanoparticle Arrays to Discriminate Coupled Pressure and Strain.

Flexible mechanical sensors based on nanomaterials operate on a deformation-response mechanism, making it challenging to discern different types of mechanical stimuli such as pressure and strain. Therefore, these sensors are susceptible to significant mechanical interference. Here, we introduce a multifunctional flexible sensor capable of discriminating coupled pressure and strain without cross-interference. Our design involves an elastic cantilever fixed on the pillar of the flexible main substrate, creating a three-dimensional (3D) substrate, and two percolative nanoparticle (NP) arrays are deposited on the cantilever and main substrate, respectively, as the sensing materials. The 3D flexible substrate could confine pressure/strain loading exclusively on the cantilever or main substrate, resulting in independent responses of the two nanoparticle arrays with no cross-interference. Benefitting from the quantum transport in nanoparticle arrays, our sensors demonstrate an exceptional sensitivity, enabling discrimination of subtle strains down to 1.34 × 10-4. Furthermore, the suspended cantilever with one movable end can enhance the pressure perception of the NP array, exhibiting a high sensitivity of -0.223 kPa-1 and an ultrahigh resolution of 4.24 Pa. This flexible sensor with multifunctional design will provide inspiration for the development of flexible mechanical sensors and the advancement of decoupling strategies.

Integration of antibacterial and photocatalysis onto polyethersulfone membrane for fouling mitigation and contaminant degradation

Biofouling is a significant constraint in the development of membrane filtration technology. In this study, Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized homogeneously in situ on the polyethersulfone (PES) membrane surface, and titanium dioxide (TiO2) photocatalytic agent was subsequently coated through the functional polydopamine intermediate layer. The Ag-TiO2-PDA/PES membrane presented enhanced hydrophilicity, attractive antibacterial ability, and photocatalytic performance. The AgNPs modification achieved 96% bacterial inactivation by using the E.coli DH5α as the model microorganism, and TiO2 provided a photocatalytic degradation ability to the membrane. The improved flux recovery of the Ag-TiO2-PDA/PES membrane, which was approximately 95% in the third cyclical filtration, revealed the efficient antifouling ability through AgNPs and TiO2 modification. The Ag-TiO2-PDA/PES membrane inhibited biofouling in dynamic filtration by AgNPs and degraded the irreversible fouling by TiO2 during the cleaning procedure. The combined modification of the PES membrane by AgNPs and TiO2 exhibited a synergistic effect on the improvement of antifouling properties. This study provides a multifunctional membrane design strategy by combining antibacterial and photocatalysis to improve membrane fouling resistance.

TRANSPORT EFFICIENCY OF DELIVERY TRUCKS: A STUDY OF COUPLING VEHICLE DESIGN AND TRANSPORT SYSTEM THROUGH FUNCTIONAL MODELLING AND OPTIMISATION

AbstractTo enable the emergence of new and efficient vehicle design from the transport system perspective, a formulation of a multifunctional vehicle-transport design optimisation problem is presented. System- wide measures of transportation and vehicle efficiency measures are conceptually considered in an integrative design approach to drive the transport solutions towards more resource-efficient and eventually more sustainable solutions. Considered efficiency measures associated with the system-wide aspect are namely, productivity and service efficiency, and measures associated with vehicle attributes are namely mass and shape efficiency. The conflicting nature of these measures is balanced using optimisation methodologies through multiple transportation scenarios with varying transport demand and deterministic drive cycles. The obtained optimisation results demonstrated that there is a strong interconnectivity between the vehicle's overall configuration and transportation aspects. Thus, conceptually demonstrating how the inclusion of various transport-vehicle efficiency measures simultaneously in an integrative design approach during the early vehicle design may yield a more efficient and better overall system performance.

A CASE STUDY OF MULTIFUNCTIONAL NON-PNEUMATIC TIRE DESIGN FOR THE VALIDATION OF META-LEVEL DESIGN PARAMETER IN DOMAIN INTEGRATED DESIGN (DID) METHOD

AbstractThe work introduced two novel multiscale multifunctional tire designs developed using the Domain Integrated Design (DID) method and modelled with the LatticeQuery geometric modelling software. Furthermore, this research validates the meta-level parameter “interaction area” proposed for selecting biological analogy in the DID method. These two use cases were simulated with Abaqus. The concepts covered in this work are an example of multi-functional design. The obtained results validate the meta-level parameter derived from the DID methodology.

Comparison of efficiency for steel and combined frames

Recently, in the practice of design, customers of design works and investors of various projects have a dilemma regarding the choice of building material for load-bearing building structures. At the same time, the choice is usually limited to two types of materials – steel and reinforced concrete. Each of these materials has its advantages and disadvantages, which results in their different efficiency of application for various types of building structures. At the same time, the main attention is paid to the estimation side, because in modern complex and dynamic conditions, it turns out to be dominant in many cases. 
 The article presents the results of research of the completed master's thesis on the comparative analysis of the effectiveness of steel and combined frames (steel-reinforced concrete) on the example of the filter station building. The building has dimensions in plan of 54 × 36 m with a total height of about 22 m. Its supporting frame is a statically nondefined flat frame consisting of columns and crossbars in the form of trusses. In the longitudinal direction of the building, the frames are united into a spatial system by means of covering structures. The building is craneless and has three floors, each about 6.5 m high. 
 In the course of research, the considered variants of the transverse frame were analyzed using the finite element method on the basis of the LIRA-CAD multifunctional design complex. As a result, appropriate cross-sections for loads according to the climatic conditions of Ukraine were obtained. A comparison of variants showed that the first design variant is 9 % cheaper. Taking into account the additional technological advantages in its manufacture, the steel frame can be considered more effective for the given construction conditions and be recommended for practical implementation. Separately, it should be noted that such a frame also has an average of 5 times less total mass, which should be considered its additional advantage.

Recent Advances in Ballistic Resistance of Lightweight Metal Sandwich Cores

Sandwich construction has proven to be an excellent low-density multifunctional design for a wide range of applications in ballistic protection, energy absorption, and thermal insulation. Based on the bulletproof effect of each layer of the sandwich structure, this paper expounds and summarizes the material properties that can be used as each layer. The mechanical and ballistic properties of ultra-high strength aramid (Kevlar) and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMEPE) composites and the ballistic properties of mixed fibers of these two materials versus the mechanical properties of single fiber materials, the mechanical properties, chemical stability and other properties of aluminum and magnesium alloys, the effects of heat treatment and coating treatment on the ballistic properties of aluminum alloys, and finally the energy absorption properties of several common core materials structures are compared.

Multifunctional and switchable metamaterial for terahertz polarization modulation in the reflection mode.

In this paper, a broadband multi-layered active metamaterial design is investigated, which can achieve a high polarization conversion efficiency over a wide band of frequencies in the terahertz regime. The design can be switched to an efficient metamaterial absorber using the phase transition property of vanadium dioxide (V O 2). Additionally, the designed structure can convert the linear polarization of the incoming wavefronts to its cross-polarization and linear polarization to circular polarization in the reflection mode. The broadband characteristic is achieved due to the strong anisotropic behavior of the metasurface. The structure is robust to a wide range of incident angles as well. The proposed switchable multifunctional design can contribute to the development of active plasmonic polarization devices and metamaterial absorbers.

Multiple textile triboelectric nanogenerators based on UV-protective, radiative cooling, and antibacterial composite yarns

In addition to energy scavenging and self-powered sensing, there is growing interest in expanding the capabilities of textile-based triboelectric nanogenerators (T-TENGs). In this study, we present a novel approach to developing T-TENGs with advanced features, such as antibacterial, ultraviolet (UV) protection, and radiative cooling performance. We use core − shell yarns consisting of conductive stainless steel wires (SS) as the electrode and anti-UV cotton yarns with antibacterial properties (UV/OM-CY) combined with polyethylene (PE) yarns that are tightly twined around the core SS fibers as the basic building blocks (PE/UV/OM-CY). The resulting fabric (PE/UV/OM-CF TENG), woven from these composite yarns, not only exhibits remarkable UV-protection capabilities with a UPF value of up to 328, but also demonstrates exceptional personal temperature management performance, with a surface temperature approximately 6.9 °C lower than that of cotton fabrics under intense direct sunlight. Moreover, the PE/UV/OM-CF TENG exhibits remarkable antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Additionally, the fabricated PE/UV/OM-CF TENG displays excellent capability as a self-powered movement sensor, which could assist patients in modifying their exercise routines. Our multifunctional and consumer-centric design of T-TENG technology shows great potential for wearable electronics and could advance the development of artificial intelligence.

Bioinspired Textiles; Observations from the Evaluation of a Novel Practice-Based Framework Linking Lessons on Sustainable/Circular Design from Biology to Textile Practice

This paper presents initial findings from the evaluation of the BIT design framework and potential impacts on the usage of resources (substance and energy) during the design and manufacture of textile products. The Bio-inspired Textile (BIT) design framework was created to understand if and how lessons from the structures and properties of biological materials could help textile designers enhance the efficiency, longevity, and recovery of resources within their practice. The framework’s key objective was to enable the flow of information on the function/structure relationship of biological materials, generated by material scientists, into guidance for textile designers on implementing these new perspectives into their practice. To test the BIT design framework, we recruited fourteen professional textile Makers to participate in a collaborative design project and help us study the impact of the BIT framework on their individual practice. We collected reflections and critical feedback at key points during the collaboration via surveys, interviews and analysis of the physical artefacts produced by the Makers during the collaboration. The data was analysed using a mixed methods approach. Our findings suggest that the BIT framework, in its current format, primarily enhances design for resource efficiency and recovery by promoting practical, mono-material strategies that could help address the obstacles for reclaiming the substances captured within a product by either mechanical or chemical means. The framework also appears to facilitate the consolidation of two or more processing steps along the value chain, which presents potential in reducing the effort (energy) required to produce a particular product. Longevity is supported via multifunctional design strategies introduced by more complex biological systems such as muscular hydrostats.

Multifunctional self-reconstructive cathode/electrolyte interphase layer for cobalt-free Li-rich layered oxide cathode

High-capacity cobalt-free lithium-rich manganese-based oxide (LMNO) is a crucial representative of high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, the collaboration failure mechanism (CFM) between LMNO and electrolyte always leads to irreversible oxygen loss, harmful electrolyte decomposition, aggravated structural rearrangement, and severe interfacial side reactions, thereby triggering a sustained decrease in electrochemical performance. Therefore, capturing reactive oxygen species and generating the cathode-electrolyte-interface (CEI) layer shows the potential to resolve these typical issues induced by CFM propagation. Herein, an amine-functionalized mesoporous molecular sieve (NASM) additive with active oxygen/water scavenging capability was designed to construct a multifunctional self-reconstructive CEI layer with modified mechanical/electrochemical stability. Meanwhile, the additive-induced anti-fluoridation protective layer was synchronously generated to synergistically regulate the diffusion of lithium ions and electrons during the CEI reconstruction process. Benefiting from these advantages, the LMNO cathode with NASM-containing electrolyte presented outstanding cycle stability, with only ∼0.06% (1 C) and ∼0.07% (5 C) capacity attenuation per cycle during long-term cycling. This additive-induced multifunctional self-reconstructive CEI layer design provides new insights into reducing undesired CFM propagation to achieve a high-stability and high-energy-density LMNO system for advanced LIBs.

Development of a multi-functional companion animal cage design

Development of a multi-functional companion animal cage design

Multifunctional solvent molecule design enables high-voltage Li-ion batteries

Elevating the charging cut-off voltage is one of the efficient approaches to boost the energy density of Li-ion batteries (LIBs). However, this method is limited by the occurrence of severe parasitic reactions at the electrolyte/electrode interfaces. Herein, to address this issue, we design a non-flammable fluorinated sulfonate electrolyte by multifunctional solvent molecule design, which enables the formation of an inorganic-rich cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI) on high-voltage cathodes and a hybrid organic/inorganic solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) on the graphite anode. The electrolyte, consisting of 1.9 M LiFSI in a 1:2 v/v mixture of 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl trifluoromethanesulfonate and 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methanesulfonate, endows 4.55 V-charged graphite||LiCoO2 and 4.6 V-charged graphite||NCM811 batteries with capacity retentions of 89% over 5329 cycles and 85% over 2002 cycles, respectively, thus resulting in energy density increases of 33% and 16% compared to those charged to 4.3 V. This work demonstrates a practical strategy for upgrading the commercial LIBs.

Multifunctional design of single-atom catalysts for multistep reactions

Multifunctional design of single-atom catalysts for multistep reactions

Rate capability and Ragone plots for thermal management multifunctional structure designing

With the miniaturization of electronic devices, thermal management has been widely concerned in aerospace engineering. A multifunctional structure with load-bearing and thermal management abilities is proposed and manufactured by combining shape-stabilized phase change material with carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). The Winkler foundation model is employed to study the load-bearing ability. And corresponding 3D failure mechanism maps are constructed for studying the dominant failure modes. The thermal rate capability and Ragone plots are used for investigating the thermal management ability under different thermal loads. Based on that, the physical properties of phase change materials and geometric parameters influences for thermal management ability are elucidated. Furthermore, the trade-off between load-bearing and thermal management abilities is illustrated by the specific strength – specific energy curves. The appropriate geometric parameters can be selected based on the practical applying conditions through thermal Ragone/structural strength plot. The proposed framework can provide reference for multifunctional structure design.

Liquid Manipulator with Printed Electrode Patterns for Soft Robotic Systems

AbstractSoft robots are able to safely operate in a dynamically evolving or highly unstructured environment by virtue of their inherited compliance. Among the available actuation methods for soft robotics, fluid‐driven is frequently preferred due to holistic design considerations that enable multipurpose yet straightforward mechanical solutions to complicated issues. The motion of a soft fluid‐driven robotic system usually relies on the flow of its internal fluid, however, existing fluid pumps only enable a single linear flow, which severely hinders the integrated multifunctional design of soft robots. Herein, a class of liquid manipulator is proposed based on electrohydrodynamic (EHD) effect, which consists of a flexible substrate with a printed planar electrode pattern. By streamlining the electric field distribution via electrode pattern, the liquid manipulator can manipulate the fluid flow, allowing fluid to perform multiple movement behaviors, including tangential, radial, and linear motions. These liquid manipulators are fabricated by printing planar electrode patterns onto flexible substrates using the digital printing method, in which both the printed electrodes and substrate are flexible and bendable. These liquid manipulators are flexible, fast‐response, thin, lightweight, and scalable, which can be easily embedded into soft fluidic systems with insignificant footprint and weight and actuate their rapid movements. Three liquid manipulators are embedded into a continuously rotating motor, focus‐tunable liquid lens, and soft linear actuator to achieve their multiple motions, i.e., continuous rotation, radial motion, and linear motion, illustrating broad potential of liquid manipulators in soft robotic systems.

The Plant Leaf: A Biomimetic Resource for Multifunctional and Economic Design

As organs of photosynthesis, leaves are of vital importance for plants and a source of inspiration for biomimetic developments. Leaves are composed of interconnected functional elements that evolved in concert under high selective pressure, directed toward strategies for improving productivity with limited resources. In this paper, selected basic components of the leaf are described together with biomimetic examples derived from them. The epidermis (the "skin" of leaves) protects the leaf from uncontrolled desiccation and carries functional surface structures such as wax crystals and hairs. The epidermis is pierced by micropore apparatuses, stomata, which allow for regulated gas exchange. Photosynthesis takes place in the internal leaf tissue, while the venation system supplies the leaf with water and nutrients and exports the products of photosynthesis. Identifying the selective forces as well as functional limitations of the single components requires understanding the leaf as an integrated system that was shaped by evolution to maximize carbon gain from limited resource availability. These economic aspects of leaf function manifest themselves as trade-off solutions. Biomimetics is expected to benefit from a more holistic perspective on adaptive strategies and functional contexts of leaf structures.

Multifunctional Additive Manufacturing and Multiphysics Numerical Investigations of Carbon Fiber Structural Battery Composite using a Drop-on-Demand method with In-situ Consolidation

Lightweight carbon fiber structural battery composite has great potential in increasing structural energy storage efficiency for multifunctional applications. However, it is still challenging to design carbon fiber multifunctional composite due to lack of proper manufacturing methods. In this study, an integrated multifunctional design and fabrication approach is developed by combining a drop-on-demand additive manufacturing method with a multiphysics numerical model to guide the development of the new multifunctional composite. Through deposition with in-situ consolidation, the function and thickness of each carbon fiber layer as well as its fiber volume fraction are accurately controlled. Decreasing layer thickness improves flexural properties. The discharge capacity and energy density are initially improved by 47% and 39%, respectively, but then significantly reduced due to limited lithium transport within closely packed carbon fibers at higher volume fraction. An optimal fiber volume fraction of 35 vol% exists for carbon fiber structural battery composite. A good agreement is found between prediction results and experimental measurements. Further investigations of lithium-ion concentration and stress distribution by the validated multiphysics model find that electrolyte conductivity more significantly affects discharge process than discharge rate. The multifunctional design and fabrication approach provides insights for future development of high-performance carbon fiber structural battery composite.