Traditional Metal Research Articles

GLARE deformation in low-restraint state: Tensile and bending behavior

Fiber metal laminates (FMLs) possess a better weight reduction effect than traditional metal materials due to the coupling properties of heterogeneous materials, showing promise in the areas of aviation and aerospace. At present, the research on FMLs mainly focuses on the deformation properties after curing while the mechanical properties in the low-restraint state, i.e. the laminates are temporarily not cured and are formed under lower constraint stresses, are not studied in detail. Herein, the low-restraint GLARE is taken as a research object and its deformation characteristics and failure mode are studied using uniaxial tensile, bending experiments and numerical simulation in this paper. Moreover, the influence of key parameters, such as temperature, laminate structure and span length, is investigated, as well as the tensile and bending deformation behavior of GLARE in a low-restraint state is obtained. In addition, based on experimental observations, it is found that the low-restraint GLARE produces the phenomenon of interlayer slip, and the interlaminar residual stress is much smaller than the cured laminate, whereas the deformation limit and performance are improved. This paper provides theoretical bases for the in-depth analysis of deformation properties and forming laws of low-restraint GLARE, guiding further applications of laminates.

Assessment of the Biosensing Capabilities of SiGe Heterojunction Negative Capacitance-Vertical Tunnel Field-Effect Transistor.

In this study, a comparison of the negative capacitance vertical tunnel field-effect transistor (NC-VTFET) and VTFET for biosensing applications was conducted. Dielectrically modulated TFET demonstrates better sensitivity than the traditional metal oxide field effect transistor as a biosensor in label-free biosensing applications. The TFET biosensor, however, has much room for advancement by enhancing its DC characteristics. This research addresses the impact of ferroelectric gate oxide for integration of negative capacitance (NC) effect with the SiGe heterojunction pocket at the source-channel junction to enhance performance for biosensor applications. By putting the NC layer over SiO2, the channel voltage increases with decreased subthreshold slope and OFF current, thereby creating an NC effect. Because SiGe has a narrow band gap, pocket doping of SiGe near the source channel junction will increase the concentration of charge carriers, improving the band-to-band tunneling. In order to aid in the integration of biomolecules and to modulate band-to-band tunneling based on charge density (qf), dielectric constant (k), temperature, and cavity length, a cavity is additionally inserted above the source channel junction and underneath the NC layer, near to SiO2. These values were compared with and without the incorporation of NC layer with respect to various electrical properties such as drain current (Id), sensitivity, and electric field (E). According to the findings, labeled and label-free biosensors' sensitivity may be increased by incorporating the NC effect into VTFET biosensors.

Porosity in Sr1−xCaxFeO3-δ oxygen carriers: The role of surface area and pretreatment on storage activity

Perovskite oxides have generated interest as robust, low-temperature oxygen carrier materials for a variety of clean energy applications, including chemical looping gasification and air separations. Methods to improve O2 desorption kinetics are vital to allow these carriers to compete economically with traditional metal oxide carriers or cryogenic separations. Herein, we investigated the cumulative roles that surface area, pretreatment, and elemental composition have on the oxygen storage properties of a state-of-the-art carrier system, Sr1−xCaxFeO3-δ (x = 0.20, 0.25, 0.30) synthesized using multiple methods. Porous materials synthesized by the Pechini, or citrate, method had their surface area controlled using the synthesis temperature. The high surface area of the Sr0.7Ca0.3FeO3-δ materials is most beneficial at low operating temperatures, such as 350 and 400 °C, as their reduction rates are twice as fast as those obtained with their bulk counterparts. These effects are observed at higher operating temperatures and within a single composition, but temperature tunability using variable Ca2+ substitution in the Sr1−xCaxFeO3-δ overshadows the improvements gained from higher surface areas. Additionally, we establish that pretreatment in N2 at an elevated temperature is necessary to enhance kinetics further. For maximum efficiency, pretreatment at the synthesis temperature is suggested for the Pechini method-synthesized systems, whereas 800 °C is adequate for bulk materials.

MXenes as Electrocatalysts for the CO2 Reduction Reaction: Recent Advances and Future Challenges

AbstractElectrochemical carbon dioxide reduction (CO2RR) is gaining momentum as an effective process to capture and convert CO2 into valuable chemicals and fuels, as well as to contribute reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Two‐dimensional transition metal carbides and/or nitrides (MXenes) are increasingly attracting attention as CO2RR electrocatalysts due to their enhanced chemical activity and selectivity, overcoming limitations of traditional metal CO2RR electrocatalysts, and likely breaking the scaling relations of reaction intermediates toward the desired product. The present concept reviews the state‐of‐the‐art in the computational description of CO2RR on MXenes, going from CO2 activation on pristine models to different surface terminations, and discuss possible ways to tune the catalytic activity and selectivity, including doping, defects, supported single metal atoms, solvent effects, and electric field effects, while putting in the spotlight prospects by including kinetic aspects.

Energy absorption characteristics of carbon fiber reinforced plastic/aluminum hybrid materials double arrow-head auxetic structure

This study aimed to improve the energy absorption capabilities of auxetic structures, which are used in sandwich structures in engineering. To achieve this, the study used a combination of CFRP and aluminum materials in a hybrid double arrow-head auxetic (DAHA) structure. This paper conducted experiments and simulations to analyze the mechanical properties of the hybrid DAHA structures and found that the mixture ratio of hybrid material, ply angles of CFRP laminates, and inclination angles of beams significantly influenced the energy absorption performance of the structures. Additionally, the proposed hybrid DAHA structures outperformed other control groups when the thickness ratio of CFRP was 75%. The inclination angles of beams also affected the energy absorption capacity by changing the structural void of DAHA structures. These findings offer new insights into enhancing the energy absorption capacity of hybrid auxetic structures. The proposed hybrid structures can absorb more energy by 56.4% with a lower peak crushing force comparing with the traditional metal auxetic structure. Therefore, the CFRP/Aluminum hybrid auxetic structure has a bright future in the energy absorption fields.

Source Appointment and Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution in Surface Dust in the Main District Bus Stops of Tianshui City

In this study, a PMF model was used to identify the sources and pollution level of heavy metals in the surface dust of a bus station. On the basis of the traditional heavy metal pollution evaluation methods, the Hakanson toxicity response coefficient was used to modify the traditional weight. The matter-element extension theory was introduced to reflect the toxicological properties and hazard degree of the heavy metals, and the matter-element extension model was established to evaluate the pollution level of heavy metals in the surface dust of the study area. The results were compared with Igeo, PN, and RI. ① Except for Co and V, the other heavy metals were higher than the Gansu soil background values by 1.29-9.30 times. The points of Cu and Pb exceeded the rate by 100%, and Cr, Ni, and As exceeded the rate by 96.15%, 94.23%, and 96.15%, respectively. ② PMF showed that source 1 was a natural source, and its contribution rate to V was 32.12%. Source 2 was natural-traffic pollution sources, contributing 51.50% and 33.37% to Cu and Co, respectively. Source 3 was a construction waste pollution source, with contribution rates of 45.06% and 44.70% for Cr and Ni, respectively, and source 4 was a coal-traffic mixed source, with contribution rates of 49.89% and 75.25% for As and Pb, respectively. ③ The matter-element evaluation results showed that the surface dust of the bus stops was mainly class IV (moderately polluted), and 13% of sample points were still clean, 37% were moderately polluted, and 25% were slightly and heavily polluted. The results of this method were quite different from the PN results and were more consistent with the RI results, indicating that its evaluation results were more sensitive and can be used for heavy metal pollution assessment.

Thermo-Mechanical Stress Distributions in a Ceramic Matrix Composites Turbine Vane Coated with Environmental Barrier Coatings

It is of great significance to obtain an accurate stress assessment when replacing traditional metal components with ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) in turbine engines. The current study aims to investigate the stress characteristics of CMCs turbine vanes with multilayer-structured environmental barrier coatings (EBCs) using numerical simulation techniques. A three-dimensional finite element model of CMCs turbine vanes coated with EBCs was formulated. The distribution of thermal residual stresses generated during the manufacturing process of EBCs and the distribution of stresses under different loading conditions were calculated and compared. The results show that the hoop stress (σ11) and spanwise stress (σ22) in the turbine vanes are significantly higher than the through-thickness stress (σ33) under coupled loads. The maximum hoop stress (σ11) is approximately 346 MPa. The thermal residual stress induced during the EBCs manufacturing process reaches a maximum of approximately 360 MPa. The loading conditions significantly influence the stress distribution of EBCs, and the stress distribution of EBCs exhibits certain regularities at different heights under varying loading conditions. These results enable us to gain a deeper understanding of the failure mechanism of CMCs/EBCs turbine vanes and can improve the optimization capabilities for these components.

Highly Flexible and Self‐Standing Covalent Organic Framework–Metal–Organic Framework (COF–MOF) Composite Crystalline Porous Material (CPM) Membrane for Molecular Separation

AbstractCrystalline porous materials (CPMs), including covalent organic frameworks (COFs) and metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), are promising materials for advanced separation technologies. However, the challenge of transforming nanoscale CPMs into large‐area functional membranes hinders their application in the membrane separation process. Herein, a self‐standing pure COF (TpPa‐1) nanofiber membrane with high crystallinity, good flexibility, excellent mechanical properties, and scalability is prepared using an electrospinning process and polymer sacrificial template strategy. Subsequently, the COF nanofiber membrane is innovatively used to replace traditional inorganic discs, metal meshes, and polymer membranes as porous supports, and the COF–MOF composite CPM membrane is prepared through the tailorable and confined growth of zeolite imidazolium salt frame‐8 (ZIF‐8) on the surface of the COF membrane and in the gaps of the COF nanofibers. The COF–MOF composite membrane exhibits excellent permeability and significantly enhances separation selectivity for organic dyes. Moreover, MOF and COF form an interpenetrating network structure, and their similar chemical properties improve the interfacial stability between the two phases, giving the COF–MOF composite membrane good long‐term separation performance. This is the first self‐standing composite CPM membrane with excellent molecular sieving performance, which provides new insights into the design of high‐performance and robust composite membranes.

Vacancy diffusion barrier spectrum and diffusion correlation in multicomponent alloys

Vacancy diffusion serves a crucial role in many important kinetic behaviors and properties of multicomponent alloys. Essential questions, however, persist regarding how chemical complexity affects diffusion and what unique characteristics, if any, set these alloys apart from traditional metals. Using neural network kinetics model, we study vacancy diffusion in NbMoTa alloy across a broad temperature range (2600 to 800 K). Unlike pure metals, the two key diffusion parameters—diffusion correlation factor f and activation energy ΔGm—are not constant in alloys, but instead substantially decrease with decreasing temperature. This temperature dependence arises from a reduced number of active vacancy jump pathways at lower temperatures, leading to more correlated diffusion. Upon examining vacancy diffusion throughout the entire compositional space of the Nb-Mo-Ta system, we discover that the slowest vacancy diffusion surprisingly occurs in the non-equimolar region, rather than the equimolar concentration where the configurational entropy is highest. The diffusion barrier spectrum, characterizing the diffusion energy landscape, is an intrinsic material characteristic, which controls both f and ΔGm and, thereby, the diffusivity. Finally, we find that the vacancy diffusion rate drops noticeably in the presence of local chemical order in the NbMoTa system, particularly for MoTa alloys with long-range B2 order.

3D-PRINTED ABSORBABLE METALLIC MEDICAL DEVICES AND THEIR APPLICATION POTENTIAL

AM specifically allows for cost-efficient production of patient-specific Orthopaedic medical devices with unusual designs and properties. A porous design allows to adjust the stiffness of metallic implants to that of the host bone. Beyond traditional metals, like titanium alloys, this talk will review the present state-of-the-art of directly printed absorbable metal families. Physicochemical, mechanical and biological properties of standardized design prototypes from all currently available metal families will be compared and their clinical application potential discussed. The impact of in vitro test environments on comparative corrosion behavior, post manufacturing aspects, and the recent status quo in biocompatibility testing and present knowledge gaps will be addressed.

Novel energy efficient RND inverter using quantum dot cellular automata in nanotechnology

Quantum-Dot Cellular Automata (QCA) is a promising technology for designing high-performance and efficient logic circuits, surpassing traditional Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor approaches. In today’s digital era, the demand for digital circuits with high speed, device density, and energy efficiency is paramount. This paper focuses on the innovative Rotated Normal Cells with Displacement (RND) inverter model, employing normal and rotated cells with a 10 nm displacement through a cell interactive method. Digital circuits designed using the RND inverter exhibit superior performance compared to existing designs. The proposed RND inverter gate utilizes only four QCA cells, occupying a total area of 4525.55 nm2. With a total energy dissipation of 0.508 meV and an average energy dissipation per cycle of 0.0462 meV, it achieves a polarization of 9.77. The novel RND inverter demonstrates a 44% improvement in cell area and a 63% reduction in total area compared to current designs, offering enhanced energy efficiency with 0.26 improved polarization. The RND inverter and the digital circuits facilitate finding applications in efficiently constructing various components within Quantum Computers. Beyond quantum computing, the RND inverter proves applicable in designing Nano-sized electronic gadgets and temperature-controlled circuits, showcasing its versatility across diverse technological applications.

Initial Vacancy-Dependent High-Temperature Creep Behavior of Nanocrystalline Ni by Molecular Dynamics Simulation

Nanocrystalline metals possessing excellent mechanical strength have great potential to replace traditional metal materials as structural materials, but their poor resistance to creep deformation seriously restricts their engineering applications at high temperatures. The high-temperature creep behavior of nanocrystalline Ni with different volume fractions of initial vacancies ranging from 0% to 10% was studied systematically by molecular dynamics simulation in this study. The results showed that the steady-state creep displacement first increased and then decreased with increasing initial vacancy concentration, reaching the maximum when the initial vacancy concentration was 6%. The microstructural characteristics, such as quantity increment and distribution of the vacancies, the number and types of dislocations, and shear strain distribution during creeping, were analyzed in detail. The deformation-induced vacancies formed at the grain boundary (GB) in the initial creep stage, and their variation trend with the initial vacancy concentration was consistent with that of the creep displacement, indicating that the initial vacancy-dependent high-temperature creep behavior of nanocrystalline Ni was mainly determined by the rapidly increasing number of vacancies at the GB in the initial creep stage. Afterwards, the deformation-induced, vacancy-assisted 1/6{112} Shockley partial dislocation activities dominated the creep deformation of nanocrystalline Ni in the steady-state creep stage. The results can provide theoretical support for expanding the application of nanocrystalline metals from the perspective of crystal defect engineering.

Structural characterization, optical, and magnetic properties of MgTbxFe2−xO4 nano ferrite particles using a combustion technique

The citrate gel auto-combustion method was utilised to synthesis terbium-doped nanoparticles (NP) with considerable concentrations of magnesium ferrites, using the chemical formula MgTbxFe2−xO4 and an X range of 0.000 to 0.0030 (with an X step of 0.0005). At 300 K, X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transition electron microscopy (TEM), and magnetic characteristics were all determined. The XRD and TEM images indicate nanoscale ranges as well as the cubic spinel structure, which is merely phased, and confirm the normal crystallite size. The lattice parameter and volume decrease as density increases with doping of terbium. The images from the FESEM. It is evident that the grain clusters were found within the material. In the specimen's case, the highly interacting grains were found. The fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) data clearly suggests that two metallic bands have formed, confirming the cubic spinel ferrites. There are two primary absorption bands visible between 200 and 650 cm−1. The UV–vis investigation demonstrates that the calculated direct band gap energy values have a violet shift. The band gab energy was reported in the range of 415.30 eV to 375.12 eV.The magnetic properties of the hysteresis loops indicate a transition from hard magnetic moments to soft magnetic moments. All magnetic properties were reduced when the Tb3+ ion was substituted. They are excellent for switching memory storage devices as well as telecommunications.

Pentagonal nanowires from topological crystalline insulators: a platform for intrinsic core-shell nanowires and higher-order topology.

We report on the experimental realization of Pb1-xSnx Te pentagonal nanowires (NWs) with [110] orientation using molecular beam epitaxy techniques. Using first-principles calculations, we investigate the structural stability of NWs of SnTe and PbTe in three different structural phases: cubic, pentagonal with [001] orientation and pentagonal with [110] orientation. Within a semiclassical approach, we show that the interplay between ionic and covalent bonds favors the formation of pentagonal NWs. Additionally, we find that this pentagonal structure is more likely to occur in tellurides than in selenides. The disclination and twin boundary cause the electronic states originating from the NW core region to generate a conducting band connecting the valence and conduction bands, creating a symmetry-enforced metallic phase. The metallic core band has opposite slopes in the cases of Sn and Te twin boundaries, while the bands from the shell are insulating. We finally study the electronic and topological properties of pentagonal NWs unveiling their potential as a new platform for higher-order topology and fractional charge. These pentagonal NWs represent a unique case of intrinsic core-shell one-dimensional nanostructures with distinct structural, electronic and topological properties between the core and the shell region.

Hyper strength, high sensitivity integrated wearable signal sensor based on non-covalent interaction of an ionic liquid and bacterial cellulose for human behavior monitoring.

Ion-sensing hydrogels exhibit electrical conductivity, softness, and mechanical and sensory properties akin to human tissue, rendering them an ideal material for mimicking human skin. In the realm of fabricating sensors for detecting human physiological activities, they present an ideal alternative to traditional rigid metal conductors. Nevertheless, achieving ionic hydrogels with outstanding tensile properties, toughness, ionic conductivity, and transport stability poses a significant challenge. This paper describes a simple method of forming a basic network by free radical polymerization of acrylamide, and then bacterial cellulose (BC) and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([EMIM]Cl) were introduced into the basic network. The polyhydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions in the system gave the hydrogel notable tensile properties (3271 ± 37%), toughness (7.39 ± 0.13 MJ m-3), and high ultimate tensile stress (385.1 ± 7.2 kPa). In addition, the combination of BC and [EMIM]Cl collaboratively enhanced the mechanical properties and electrical conductivity. Ion sensing hydrogels have a wide operating strain range (≈1000%) and high sensitivity (gage factor (GF) = 11.85), and are therefore considered promising candidates for next-generation gel-based strain sensor platforms.

Current status of research on composite bipolar plates for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs): nanofillers and structure optimization.

The proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is an efficient and clean energy source with promising applications. However, drawbacks such as high cost and low durability limit its application. Bipolar plates are an important component of PEMFCs, which not only account for a large proportion of the price and quality, but also affect the performance and durability of PEMFCs. Unlike traditional graphite and metal bipolar plates, composite bipolar plates have the advantages of easy processing, low cost, and corrosion resistance, but their lower performance limits their practical applications. This paper firstly summarizes the current research progress of various nanofillers used to improve the performance of composite bipolar plates, and discusses the improvement of the performance of composite bipolar plates by different forms and types of nanofillers. The morphological characteristics of different types of nanofillers and their effects on the improvement of conductive pathways are also analyzed. Subsequently, the means of structural optimization of composite bipolar plates are summarized, and specific optimization methods for phase interface, graphite/resin dispersion morphology, and conductive network structure are discussed in detail. Finally, challenges are discussed. Overall, this review can provide a reference for future research on composite bipolar plates.

Enhancing reversible capacity and cycling stability of Li<sub>1.2</sub>Ni<sub>0.13</sub>Fe<sub>0.13</sub>Mn<sub>0.54</sub>O<sub>2</sub> by inducing low Li/Ni misalignment through Mo doping

Li-ion batteries (LIBs) are widely used in mobile devices and electric vehicles, but the traditional layered transition metal cathode material, LiTMO<sub>2 </sub>(TM=Ni, Co, Mn, or Al), has a low energy density that cannot satisfy the demand of commercial applications. The Li-rich Mn-based layered oxides (LRLOs) are a strong competitor to the traditional layered cathode materials for their specific capacity of more than 200 mAh/g. Due to the high energy density and low cost, Li-rich Mn-based layered oxides (LRLO) have been a promising candidate cathode for next-generation Li-ion batteries. The anionic redox reaction (ARR) in LRLO destabilizes the lattice oxygen, leading to voltage degradation and capacity loss. Although iron-substituted cobalt-free Li-rich materials can achieve less voltage decay, they suffer severe cation disorder and poor kinetics. Here, we develop a simple and feasible high-valent ion doping strategy by doping Mo into Li<sub>1.2</sub>Ni<sub>0.13</sub>Fe<sub>0.13</sub>Mn<sub>0.54</sub>O<sub>2</sub>(LNFMO), which expands the Li layer spacing and provides a broader channel for Li<sup>+</sup> transport, thereby improving the diffusion kinetics of Li<sup>+</sup>, effectively suppressing the cation disorder, and further stabilizing the layered structure. As a result, the Mo-doped LRLO exhibits significantly enhanced electrochemical performance, with an initial reversible capacity of 209.48 mAh/g at 0.2 C, and the initial specific capacity increasing from 137.02 mAh/g to 165.15 mAh/g at 1 C. After 300 cycles, specific capacity remains 117.49 mAh/g for the Mo-doped cathode, and the voltage decay decreases from 2.09 mV/cycle to 1.66 mV/cycle. The Mo-doped LRLO is systematically characterized, and the mechanism of cycle stabilization is revealed, which provides an important reference for designing high performance Li-rich cathode.

Ni/Photoredox-catalyzed coupling of aryl bromides and methylenecyclopropanes via selective distal bond cleavage

C(sp3) hybridized fragments have been widely explored for the formation of crucial Ni-alkyl intermediates in the field of nickel-catalyzed C(sp2)-C(sp3) coupling reactions. Traditional alkyl metal reagents and diverse C(sp3) radical...

BaCuTP2 (T = Al, Ga, In): a semiconducting black sheep in the ThCr2Si2 intermetallic family

Semiconducting pnictides with a ThCr2Si2 type structure were realized via mixing Cu and group 13 elements (Al, Ga, and In) in the metal site.

A Cu2(C6O6) metal-organic framework monolayer assembled on silicon carbide grown graphene exhibiting a metallic band structure.

We report the self-assembly of a monolayer metal-organic framework of Cu-benzenehexol (BHO) on a graphene/SiC substrate assisted by in situ Cu-catalyzed deprotonation reactions. The density functional theory calculations reveal that the free-standing framework is a semiconductor with a band gap of 0.485 eV. Interestingly, upon adsorption on the substrate, the Fermi level is up-shifted to the conduction band of the free-standing framework due to the n-doped graphene on SiC, while the other band structure features are largely preserved. The metallic nature corroborates the scanning tunneling microscopy images acquired near the Fermi level. This work demonstrates that the graphene substrate, which interacts weakly with the framework, can be used to tune the Fermi level of the metal-organic framework.