Multilayered Composite Structures Research Articles

A stable dual functional superhydrophobic coating to inhibit Proteus mirabilis colonization, migration, and encrustation formation for urinary catheter applications.

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections are some of the most common hospital-acquired infections. Proteus mirabilis, a common pathogen associated with urinary tract infections, has swarming motility and has pili on its surface for adhesion and flagella for upward movement. Migration of P. mirabilis along the catheter surface can lead to ascending urinary tract infection. However, there is currently a lack of effective strategies to inhibit or delay the colonization, migration, and encrustation formation of P. mirabilis in urinary catheters. This study developed a method for constructing a stable superhydrophobic coating on the surface of urinary catheters using a layer-by-layer approach. The adhesion and deposition of polydopamine were enhanced by pre-coating a liquid bandage film on the polydimethylsiloxane surface, resulting in a multilayer micro-nano composite structure on the catheter surface. This structure was combined with copper ions and superhydrophobic modifiers, ultimately resulting in a highly stable superhydrophobic coating. The coating retains its superhydrophobic properties after prolonged incubation, friction tests, and tape peeling tests. Importantly, the coating demonstrates excellent efficacy in inhibiting P. mirabilis colonization, migration, and encrustation formation. This study offers novel insights into developing biomedical superhydrophobic coatings with enhanced stability and efficacy in inhibiting urinary tract bacterial infections.

Low velocity impact resistance of multilayer composite structures for mitigating acceleration

In this manuscript the low velocity impact resistance of a novel multilayered energy absorbing structure was studied and compared to the materials used in US Army Advanced Combat Helmets. We investigate the dynamic performance of 3D printed lattice structures sandwiched between carbon fiber composites and Kevlar fabrics to develop helmets that are lighter and have better blast protection. The energy absorbed by the sandwich structure was recorded based on the difference in acceleration between the top impacted surface and the base of the structure. A multi degree of freedom non-linear spring mass model was used to predict the response of the multilayer sandwich structures. Nonlinear stiffness values were determined through compression experiments. A good agreement between the model and the experiment at the measured boundary allows for better understanding of the material layers and provides a modeling framework for future predictions and optimization efforts. This study provides insights into the use of digitally 3D printed cellular materials, carbon fiber composites, and Kevlar fabrics to provide superior impact performance at a lighter weight compared to existing helmet systems.

The mechanical behavior and deformation mode of multilayer composite structures based on triply periodic minimal surface elements

In this paper, the mechanical behavior and compression deformation mode of three types of composite multilayer structures based on triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS) were conducted through experiments and finite element analysis. The results indicate that the load-displacement curves under varying stain rates manifest a double-platform characteristic for all three structure types. The P-G four-layer structure and P-G six-layer structure have no discernible extrusion of the structural layers during compression, and the entirety of the structure displays an almost regular cubic configuration after compression. Nevertheless, local separation was observed in the extruded portion of the P-H six-layer structure after the structural deformation at higher strain rates. For the other conditions, the structure exhibited a bulge but did not display any local detachment or separation phenomena. During the deformation of the P-H six-layer structure, a dome-shaped region emerges in the first and fifth layers. The “crown” layer displays an inverted bell-shaped failure mode for the first layer structure, exhibiting downward extrusion. In contrast, the fifth layer structure displays an upward extrusion and exhibits a bell-shaped failure mode. The P-H 6-layer structure has the best energy absorption performance under quasistatic compression conditions for the P-G 4-layer, P-G 6-layer and P-H 6-layer structure. However, the energy absorption performance of the identical structure remains largely consistent across varying strain rate conditions.

Preparation and Characterization of Waste Cotton Fabric Reinforced Polylactic Acid Green Composites with Multifunctional Properties in a Low-Carbon Process

The development and design of eco-friendly materials prove crucial for promoting the recycling of waste cotton textiles and reducing environmental pollution. In this study, waste cotton fabric (WCF) and polylactic acid (PLA) serve to produce cotton fabric-reinforced PLA composite material (CF/P). The CF/P is then integrated with traditional porous sound-absorbing materials to create a novel composite plate. This research highlights the potential of WCF reinforced plates for sound absorption and thermal insulation applications in the construction field of construction and reports the effects of variables such as hot pressing temperature, WCF mass fraction, and WCF layer alignment angle on the material properties. The optimum tensile strength, water absorption, and thermal conductivity of the prepared CF/P are 64.2 ± 1.8MPa, 1.98% ± 0.04%, and 0.03W/(m·K), respectively. By combining with porous sound-absorbing materials and modifying the layering structure of composite plates, its acoustic performance can be adjusted. The highest Sound Absorption Average (SAA) of plates with a multilayer composite structure is 0.67. Direct shaping through hot pressing diminishes the use of adhesives, thereby reducing costs and health hazards. This approach offers a practical and efficient solution for the recycling and repurposing of natural fibers.

Enhanced anti-icing and drag reduction of multilayer composite structure superhydrophobic surface

Enhanced anti-icing and drag reduction of multilayer composite structure superhydrophobic surface

Experimental and simulation of polyurea/CFRP composite structures were studied under high speed impact of projectile

Abstract With the development of composite structures, polyurea materials can be used to improve the protective performance of multilayer composite structures subjected to explosion or impact. In order to study the penetration resistance of polyurea sprayed CFRP composites, the fragment penetration loading test was carried out with a 14.5mm ballistic gun. The influence of polyurea coating position on the dynamic response of polyurea/CFRP composite structures were analyzed and discussed by test and numerical simulation. The results showed that polyurea coating on the back surface of CFRP can reduce the damage of CFRP and reduce the residual velocity of fragments compared with bare CFRP. The numerical simulation results were in good agreement with the experimental results, which showed that the numerical method can accurately simulate the penetration of fragment into polyurea/CFRP composites structure. The simulation results showed that the energy absorption of polyurea was increased as polyurea was sprayed on the back of CFRP. The lower the fragment initial velocity, the greater the contribution of polyurea for improving the penetration resistance of structure. The large tensile deformation and damage of fiber under the process of penetration can be seen by numerical simulation, revealing that the anti-ballistic mechanism of polyurea.

Multi-scale finite element analysis of laser-assisted forming of CF/PEEK composite corner structures

Laser-assisted forming can significantly increase the forming efficiency of thermoplastic composites. However, when forming CF/PEEK curved corner structures using laser-assisted forming, bending spring-back generated by the prepreg tape constrains the shape accuracy of the component. The bending deformation of unidirectional resin matrix composite materials is highly nonlinear. In this study, a multi-scale finite element method is used to obtain the bending properties of CF/PEEK composites for bending spring-back phenomenon of thermoplastic composite samples and predict the spring-back angle of CF/PEEK corner structures fabricated via laser-assisted forming. The average material properties were first calculated using RVE. Following this, a mesoscale model was developed to analyze kink deformation of the composite. Finally, the macroscopic prepreg bending spring-back was calculated. It was determined that the main mechanism of corner forming corresponds to the occurrence of a fiber kinking phenomenon on the interior of the corner. Furthermore, spring-back deformation is caused by residual stresses resulting from insufficient fiber kinking. The accuracy of the simulation results is verified via corner forming experiments. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the spring-back mechanisms of laser-assisted forming of corner structures and provides a theoretical guidance for precision forming of multilayer thermoplastic composite bent structures.

Uniform multiple laminates interpolation model and design method for double–double laminates based on multi-material topology optimization

Double–Double (DD) laminates, incorporating a repetition of sub-plies featuring two groups of balanced angles, offer broad design flexibility together with the ease of design and manufacturing. In this work, a novel optimization design method is proposed for DD composite laminates based on multi-material topology optimization. First, the uniform multiple laminates interpolation (UMLI) model is proposed to describe the certainty of the stacking direction in multi-layer composite structures, inspired by the interpolation model in multi-material topology optimization. Specifically, the stiffness matrices of all alternative angle combinations of laminates are interpolated to form virtual laminates. The UMLI model eliminates the need for adding interlayer constraints during the optimization process. Then, the optimization problem is defined to minimize the compliance of the composite structures and is solved using the gradient-based optimization algorithm. Finally, the proposed method is applied to the design of the composite stiffened panel, the composite Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) wing, and the rear fuselage. The results demonstrate that the UMLI model and proposed optimization method have considerable potential in the angle optimization design of multi-layer structures.

Justification of an innovative system for the complete burial of solid, high-level radioactive waste (HLW) in spent open-pit mines

The object of research is the spent open-pit mines themselves where the proposed system could be applied. The primary reason for this studying is the following circumstance: up to the present time period, in all countries of the world, no methods of HLW disposal in a storage facility has been identified that is absolutely safe for any length of time, taking into account the impact of catastrophic natural emergencies and man-made emergencies. The research was conducted to address the problem of safely managing and storing HLW, leveraging the unique characteristics of spent open-pit mines, such as their large volume and geological stability, to prevent environmental contamination and ensure long-term safety. In the article has been justified a novel approach to the burial of sarcophagus containers with solid HLW in exhausted mining pits and studied the usabilities of the basalt sarcofagous container. Robust materials and advanced robotic systems proposed in the article aims to address the challenges associated with long-term radioactive waste disposal effectively. The robotic systems transfer the basalt container with HLW, ensuring personnel safety by minimizing human presence near radioactive materials. In the article have been established the distribution of temperature into the multi-layered composite structure of the basalt sarcophagous with HLW from 300 °C into the inner space to 50 °C onto on the its outer suffer where the thickness of each layers (from inner to outer radius) was respectively: for lead matrix: from r1=0.1 m to r2=0.2 m; for clay layer: from r2=0.2 m to r3=0.3 m; for basalt block: from r3=0.3 m to r4=0.4 m. The findings on temperature distribution are crucial as they directly affect the performance and longevity of the basalt containment system

Harmonizing lightweight and ablation resistance: Design and performance of multilayer composite insulation materials for solid rocket motors

AbstractThe realization of lightweight insulation materials is often accompanied by a decrease in ablation performance. Coordinating the contradiction between lightweight and ablation resistance is the key to the development of thermal protection technology. Addressing the need for high‐performance insulation materials within solid rocket motors (SRMs) combustion chambers, we designed three multilayer composite structural insulation materials and studied their properties. The results show that among these constructed multilayer composites, the bilayer structure exhibited the lowest density at a mere 0.72 g/cm3, marking a 27% reduction compared to the basic structure. Remarkably, the bilayer configuration demonstrated superior ablation resistance, showcasing a 25% decrease in the line ablation rate in contrast to the basic structure after oxygen‐acetylene test. This achievement embodies the successful harmonization of lightweight properties with ablation resistance. Furthermore, based on the performance and microstructure of the char layer, a further analysis revealed the enhancement mechanism of ablative performance by the multilayer composite structure. It was found that the synergistic effect of the compact/porous structure of the char layer grants the bilayer structure thermal insulation material optimal ablative performance. This work provides strong support for improving the performance of SRMs.Highlights Insulation materials with multilayer composite structures are designed. The materials exhibit both lightweight and superior ablation resistance. Compact/porous char layers enhance material ablation performance.

A novel machine learning framework for impact force prediction of foam-filled multi-layer lattice composite structures

Numerical simulations can provide valuable insights for the optimization of design and operational management; however, they are often impractical and computationally intensive. Machine learning methods are appealing to these problems due to their sufficient efficiency and accuracy. In this study, a novel framework for predicting the impact responses of foam-filled multi-layer lattice composite structures (FMLCSs) was proposed by combining the accurate finite element (FE) analyses, surrogate models, fast Fourier transform (FFT) method, and inverse FFT (IFFT) method. Firstly, reliable FM models were established to simulate the crashworthiness of the five FMLCSs under impact loading, including an analysis of energy transformation. Subsequently, surrogate models, namely radial basis function (RBF), polynomial response surface (PRS), Kriging (KRG), and back propagation neural network (BPNN), combined with methods of FFT and IFFT, were employed to predict the impact force-time series of the FMLCSs. More than 1000 frequency points were employed for each type of FMLCS, and all the R-square (R2) values of the established surrogate models exceeded 0.95, indicating that the proposed framework accurately predicted the impact duration and impact responses in the frequency domain. In addition, parameter sensitivity analysis revealed that a high peak impact force was accompanied by a short impact duration. Moreover, increasing the lattice-web height resulted in a significant increase in the impact duration.

Intelligent design of multi-layered variable stiffness composite structure based on transfer learning

Variable stiffness composite structures offer more flexible design space than thin-walled metal structures and have greater potential for vibration-resistant design. When faced with multiple new types of design problems, the complex modelling and analysis procedures frequently prove to be both time-consuming and costly in terms of optimization. In this study, an innovative multi-layered variable stiffness (MVS) composite structure with high design flexibility is proposed, with images representation for curvilinearly stiffened paths, non-uniform layouts, and fiber and layup angles. Moreover, an intelligent optimization method based on transfer learning is proposed for addressing a variety of factors affecting dynamic design, including boundary types, structural features, and dynamic responses. The objective of the transfer learning model is to facilitate the inheritance and sharing of variable stiffness features, thereby enabling the efficient design of new problems with limited datasets. The validation of different examples shows that the transfer learning can effectively acquire the structural features from the existing source domain datasets, thereby significantly reducing the data for some new target domains by approximately 50 %. In comparison to the initial constant stiffness (CS) structures, the different optimized configurations indicate that the MVS composite structures are capable of effectively enhancing the dynamic responses by 10 %∼146 % for natural frequency and dynamic compliance. Furthermore, the MVS optimized configuration displays superior dynamic responses in some problems, when compared to the CS optimized configuration.

Photovoltaic effects in BiVO4/ZnTiO3 multilayer films with high fill factor

Bismuth-based semiconductor materials have garnered significant attention because of their appropriate optical bandgap and substantial photoelectric conversion efficiency. Enhancing the photocurrent and fill factor of photovoltaic films is essential for developing high-performance optoelectronic devices. In this study, high-performance BiVO4-ZnTiO3 multilayer films were fabricated using a straightforward sol-gel method, where the incorporation of ZnTiO3 films significantly improved the photovoltaic performance of BiVO4. Through structural design aimed at enhancing light utilization, the BiVO4-ZnTiO3 multilayer film achieved a photocurrent density of 1.9 mA/cm2 at 450 nm, along with a fill factor of 46.8 % in the composite multilayer structure. The improvement in film performance is attributed to the overall multilayer stacking effect. This study offers a novel approach for utilizing bismuth-based semiconductors in optoelectronics.

Enhancement of tribological performance of PTFE/aramid fabric liner under high-temperature and heavy-load through incorporation of microcapsule/CF multilayer composite structure

Liners suffer from low service life under high-temperature and heavy-load conditions, hindering their widespread use in aerospace applications. A novel strategy of incorporating polyaryl ether sulfone/polymethylphenlsiloxane (PES/PMPS) microcapsules and carbon fibers (CFs) into the polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)/aramid fabric liner was used. At the micro-scale level, the worn surface morphology and the transfer film morphology were analyzed to reveal the tribological mechanisms. At the nano-scale level, molecular dynamics simulation was used to analyze the formation mechanism of the transfer film. The results showed that the friction coefficient and wear rate of the liner with microcapsule/CF multilayer structure were reduced by 17 % and 24 %, respectively. The incorporation of microcapsule/CF multilayer structure can be effectively applied to enhance the tribological performance of liners in harsh operating conditions.

A new highly sensitive flexible SERS substrate: CVD graphene/copper foil decorated by Ag NPs

Graphene-mediated surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates are currently being investigated for their potential in ultrasensitive detection. Graphene (G) combined with plasmonic metal nanostructures is expected to provide an exceptional SERS response. Here, we prepared a flexible multilayer composite structure by directly decorating silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) on CVD graphene/copper foil under ultrasonic conditions. Due to the multi-dimensional plasmonic coupling of precious metals, extra chemical enhancement and exceptional molecule harvesting capability of G interlayer, the as-prepared Ag/G/Cu multilayer composite structure manifested ultrahigh sensitivity with the detection limit of Rhodamine 6G (R6G) as low as 1.0 × 10-14 M and a high enhancement factor (EF) of 8.86 × 108. The high performance flexible SERS substrate, with its ingenious process and simple structure, demonstrates excellent potential for applications in environmental protection.

Multi-layered medium ultrasonic phased array sparse TFM imaging based on self-adaptive differential evolution algorithm

Abstract Multilayer Composite material structures have been widely used in modern engineering fields. However, defects within these materials can adversely affect mechanical properties. Ultrasonic phased array total focusing method (TFM) imaging has advantages of high precision and dynamic focusing over the entire range, achieving significant progress in homogeneous medium detection. However, heavy computational burdens of multilayer structures lead to inefficient imaging. To address this issue, a sparse-TFM imaging algorithm using ultrasonic phased arrays suitable for multilayer media is proposed in this paper. This method constructs a fitness function with constraints such as main lobe width and sidelobe peak. Its objective is to obtain the distribution of sparse array element positions using an self-adaptive differential evolution algorithm. Subsequently, the delay time of each array element in multilayer media sparse TFM is calculated using the root mean square (RMS) principle and combined with amplitude weighting, the method corrects the imaging results. Compared with the Ray-based full-matrix capture and TFM method (Ray-based FMC/TFM), the RMS-based full-matrix capture and TFM (RMS-based FMC/TFM), and the phase shift method, the experimental and simulation results demonstrate that the proposed method significantly reduces the imaging data volume, improves computational efficiency, and maintains quantitative errors within 0.2 mm.

Multi-scale design of MWCNT/glass fiber/balsa wood composite multilayer stealth structure with wide broadband absorption and excellent mechanical properties

In unmanned aircraft applications, electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorbers suffer from defects in narrow absorption bands and poor mechanical properties. To solve the problems, a lightweight multilayer stealth structure with wide broadband absorption performance and excellent mechanical properties was designed and prepared by adjusting microscopically the number of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and modulating macroscopically the thickness-matching relationship of the structure to promote the absorption of EMW synergistically. Under the MWCNT of 30 wt% and the depletion layer with the thickness of 0.2 mm, the effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) covers the entire Ku-band while maintaining a minimum reflection loss (RL) of −15 dB. Besides, the radar cross-sectional area attenuation is as high as 23.1 dBm2, as well as the mechanical properties of the radar absorbing structures (RAS) were improved significantly due to the reducing structural density from balsa wood and the enhancement effect of glass fiber mats (GFM). The study constructed balsa-based RAS with excellent EMW absorbing and mechanical properties from both micro-nano scale and macro-structure, providing a research route for designing high-performance and lightweight stealth structures.

Surface Acoustic Wave Sensors for Wireless Temperature Measurements above 1200 Degree Celsius.

High-temperature wireless sensing is crucial for monitoring combustion chambers and turbine stators in aeroengines, where surface temperatures can reach up to 1200 °C. Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) temperature sensors are an excellent choice for these measurements. However, at extreme temperatures, they face issues such as agglomeration and recrystallization of electrodes, leading to loss of conductivity and reduced quality factor, hindering effective wireless signal transmission. This study develops an LGS SAW sensor with a Pt-10%Rh/Zr/Pt-10%Rh/Zr/Pt-10%Rh/Zr multilayer composite electrode structure to address these challenges. We demonstrate that the sensor can achieve wireless temperature measurements from room temperature to 1200 °C with an accuracy of 1.59%. The composite electrodes excite a quasi-shear wave on the LGS substrate, maintaining a Q-factor of 3526 at room temperature, providing an initial assurance for the strength of the wireless interrogation echo signal. The sensor operates stably for 2.18 h at 1200 °C before adhesion loss between the composite electrode and the substrate causes a sudden increase in resonant frequency. This study highlights the durability of the proposed electrode materials and structure at extreme temperatures and suggests future research to improve adhesion and extend the sensor's lifespan, thereby enhancing the reliability and effectiveness of high-temperature wireless sensing in aerospace applications.

Investigation of a novel hydraulic tunnel composite lining with polyurea coating interlayer

PurposeMultilayer composite liner structures are the primary structural form of hydraulic tunnels. However, the bearing mechanism of multilayer composite liners has not been investigated thoroughly. Many existing design schemes do not properly achieve a balance between structural safety, anti-seepage capacity, and cost effectiveness. Thus, a new composite liner structure type and its theoretical model was proposed.Design/methodology/approachA novel hydraulic tunnel composite liner structure with a polyurea spray coating interlayer was proposed in this study. A theoretical model based on the state-space method was developed and verified using FEM models and existing theoretical models. Parametric analysis was conducted based on the theoretical model to investigate the influence of various variables, including interfacial shear stiffness, inner liner thickness, and outer liner elastic modulus.FindingsIt was concluded that the proposed theoretical model can be used successfully to calculate multilayer composite liner structures with high calculation efficiency. The overall deformation stiffness of the composite liner system increased with the interfacial shear stiffness. The sprayed coating interlayer significantly affects the residual force distribution between the outer and inner liners, which can also be affected by the adjustment of the thickness of the outer and inner liners. Thus, attention should be paid to these factors in the rational design of the proposed composite liner system.Originality/valueWith the development of China’s water conservancy projects, complex geological conditions, high surrounding rock stress, high internal and external water pressures, and other unique application scenarios have gradually increased. This places higher requirements on the bearing performance and impermeability of hydraulic tunnel lining structures. On the other hand, conventional hydraulic tunnel lining structures can hardly achieve a satisfactory balance between economy, structural safety, and impermeability. Thus, the proposed structure has the potential to be used in a wide range of applications.

Study on the Tribological Properties of Multilayer Concentric Hexagonal Laser Texturing on Rubber Surfaces of Screw Pumps.

Given the friction and drag reduction effects observed in various biological hexagonal structures in nature, a new design was implemented on the rubber surface of the stator of a submersible screw pump. This design featured a multilayer concentric hexagonal groove structure. Furthermore, a composite multilayer hexagonal structure integrating grooves and pits was also developed and applied. This study investigated the influence of groove layer number, groove depth, pit depth, and multilayer hexagonal groove texture arrangement on the rubber surface flow characteristics. Additionally, the pressure field state, the degree of influence on the oil film-bearing capacity, and the biomimetic and hydrodynamic lubrication theories were tested using the finite element analysis method. Tribological experiments were conducted on nanosecond laser-processed rubber textures under simulated liquid lubrication conditions, reflecting actual shale oil well experiments. These experiments aimed to investigate the influence of multilayer hexagonal shape parameters on the tribological characteristics of the stator-rotor friction pair of a submersible screw pump. The results indicated that with a constant overall size, a multilayer hexagonal structure with ~0.1 mm groove depth enhanced the oil film-bearing capacity, providing significant friction and drag reduction. For composite textures, a deeper pit depth within the study area enhanced the oil film-bearing capacity. Furthermore, a gradient arrangement of groove textures featuring wider outer grooves and shallower depth exhibited superior performance in terms of bearing capacity.