Physical-mechanical properties of microbially induced calcite precipitation-treated loess and treatment mechanism

Loess disintegration can lead to geotechnical engineering problems,e.g.,slope erosion,wetting-induced landslide,and hydroconsolidation.Microbially induced calcite precipitation(MICP)technique is a potential loess reinforcing method.This study investigated the physical-mechanical properties of MICP-treated loess and then explored the mechanism of loess modification by MICP.Here,loess first underwent MICP treatment,i.e.,mixing loess with Sporosarcina pasteurii and cementation solution(CS).Then,the effects of the CS concentration(0.2,0.6,0.8,and 1 M)on the physical and mechanical properties of the MICP-treated loess were tested.Finally,the static contact angle test,scanning electron microscopy(SEM),and X-ray diffractometry(XRD)were conducted to study the mechanism of MICP treatment on loess.Results showed the following property changes of loess after MICP treatment:the liquid limit decreased by 1.7%,the average particle size increased from 6 to 47μm,the specific gravity decreased from 2.65 to 2.43,the unconfined compressive strength increased from 37 to 71 k Pa,and the disintegration time increased from 10 to 25 min.Besides,the shear strength also increased,and the shear strength parameters(cohesion c and internal friction angle?)varied with the CS concentration.The static contact angle tests indicated that the water absorption ability of loess was reduced after MICP treatment.SEM and XRD results verified that the CaCO_(3)from MICP was attributed to the above results.The above findings explained the mechanism of MICP treatment of loess:the CaCO_(3)coats and cements the particles,and fills the pores of loess,improving the strength and water stability of loess.

The difference analysis of physical-mechanical properties of sediments in the central South Yellow Sea and Zhe-Min coastal area in China

The difference analysis of physical-mechanical properties of muddy sediments is made in the central South Yellow Sea and the Zhe-Min（Zhejiang Province to Fujian Province of China） coastal area. The results show that sediments in the two regions are both dominated by mud. There are perfect negative power function correlations between the water content and the density, the compression coefficient and the compression modulus; a good positive power function correlation between the liquid limit and the plastic limit, a perfect positive linear correlation between the water content and the void ratio, and a perfect polynomial function correlation between the miniature vane shear strength and the pocket penetration resistance. In general, compared with sediments in the Zhe-Min coastal area, sediments in the central South Yellow Sea possess high water content, high void ratio,low density, high plasticity, high compressibility, low shear strength. The causes of the differences between physical-mechanical properties of sediments are analyzed from the topographic features, material sources,hydrodynamic conditions, deposition rate, and material composition. Compared with the Zhe-Min coastal area,the central South Yellow Sea is far from the Mainland and low-lying; has poor hydrodynamic condition; the materials diffused to the area are less and dominated by fine clay, have the high content of smectite and organic matters. These factors lead to sediments of the central South Yellow Sea has the higher water content, the higher plasticity, the lower density, and the lower strength than sediments in the Zhe-Min coastal area.

Some Aspects of Physical-mechanical Properties of Apple (Malus domestica) Cultivars for High Techniques in Manufacturing

Several mechanical and physical properties of five apple cultivars(Black, Apricot, Jester, Big Ariane and Medium Ariane) had been estimated. The results showed that there were important significant differences among the cultivars in most of the parameters that were measured. Among the cultivars, Black cultivar had the highest fruit mass(207.65 g), followed by Big Ariane(188.34 g) and Medium Ariane(137.49 g). The actual fruit volume(cm~3) ranged from 61.77(Apricot) to 269.67(Black). The highest geometric, arithmetic, square and equivalent mean diameter values were observed for Big Ariane. The surface area and projected area of cultivars were between 14.53-69 cm~2 and 45.56-165.33 cm~2, respectively. The maximum coefficient of static friction was obtained on plastic followed by steel, iron and glass; the maximum coefficient of dynamic friction was obtained on glass followed by steel, plastic and iron.

Effect of Ultrasound and Xylanase Treatment on the Physical-Mechanical Properties of Bleached Eucalyptus Kraft Pulp

The modification on the fiber structure of bleached eucalyptus kraft pulp is a very attractive alternative for improve- ments in the properties of paper production. The enzymatic treatment by xylanases and ultrassonic treatments modify the characteristics of the fibers, has been reported. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of ultrasonic waves as a facilitator of the action of enzymes (hemicellulase) by modifying the physicochemical nature of fiber eucalyptus Kraft pulp, in order to improve the physical and mechanical properties of the paper. But it was observed the that idea of ultrasound acts as facilitator for action of enzymes can’t be affirmed, since in most properties XA-1 and XA-2 were equal statistically. It may be noted that the junction of ultrasound and xylanase provided improves on tensile index, specific elastic modulus and tensile energy absorption and a decrease of tear index on the mechanical properties of handsheet and it increased the opacity when the ultrasound was applied before xylanase.

Corrosion Resistance and Physical-Mechanical Properties of Reinforced Mortars with and without Carbon Nanotubes

Following the evolution of currently enforced Performance Based Design standards of reinforced concrete (RC) structures for durability, the designer, rather than complying with given prescriptive limits, may instead specify a cementitious mix design that is proven to exhibit a code prescribed resistance level (class) to a given exposure environment. Such compliance will lead to the protection of the steel reinforcement from corrosion and the cementitious mortar from degradation, during the design lifespan of the structure, under aggressive environmental exposure conditions such as, marine or deicing salts and carbonation. In this context, the enhancement of the physical and durability properties of common cement-based mortars under chloride exposure are experimentally investigated herein. In particular, the experimental program reported herein aims to evaluate the influence of incorporating multi-walled carbon nanotubes on the physical and mechanical properties of reinforced mortars against chloride ions. Furthermore, the anticorrosion protection of cementitious composites prepared with nanomaterials at 0.2% w/w is further investigated, by comparing all test results against reference specimens prepared without any additive. Electrochemical (Half-cell potential, corrosion current) and mass loss of reinforcement steel measurements were performed, while the porosity, capillary absorption and flexural strength were measured to evaluate the mechanical and durability characteristics of the mortars, following a period of exposure of eleven months;SEM images coupled with EDX analysis were further recorded and used for microstructure observation. The test results indicate that the inclusion of the nanomaterials in the mix improved the durability of the mortar specimens, while the nano-modified composites exhibited higher chloride penetration resistance and flexural strength than the corresponding values of the reference mortars. The test results and the comparison between nanomodified and reference mortars showed that the use of CNTs as addition led to protection of steel reinforcing bars against pitting corrosion and a significant improvement in flexural strength and porosity of the mortars.

High-throughput calculations combining machine learning to investigate the corrosion properties of binary Mg alloys

Magnesium(Mg)alloys have shown great prospects as both structural and biomedical materials,while poor corrosion resistance limits their further application.In this work,to avoid the time-consuming and laborious experiment trial,a high-throughput computational strategy based on first-principles calculations is designed for screening corrosion-resistant binary Mg alloy with intermetallics,from both the thermodynamic and kinetic perspectives.The stable binary Mg intermetallics with low equilibrium potential difference with respect to the Mg matrix are firstly identified.Then,the hydrogen adsorption energies on the surfaces of these Mg intermetallics are calculated,and the corrosion exchange current density is further calculated by a hydrogen evolution reaction(HER)kinetic model.Several intermetallics,e.g.Y_(3)Mg,Y_(2)Mg and La_(5)Mg,are identified to be promising intermetallics which might effectively hinder the cathodic HER.Furthermore,machine learning(ML)models are developed to predict Mg intermetallics with proper hydrogen adsorption energy employing work function(W_(f))and weighted first ionization energy(WFIE).The generalization of the ML models is tested on five new binary Mg intermetallics with the average root mean square error(RMSE)of 0.11 eV.This study not only predicts some promising binary Mg intermetallics which may suppress the galvanic corrosion,but also provides a high-throughput screening strategy and ML models for the design of corrosion-resistant alloy,which can be extended to ternary Mg alloys or other alloy systems.

Microstructures,corrosion behavior and mechanical properties of as-cast Mg-6Zn-2X(Fe/Cu/Ni)alloys for plugging tool applications

Mg-6Zn-2X(Fe/Cu/Ni)alloys were prepared through semi-continuous casting,with the aim of identifying a degradable magnesium(Mg)alloy suitable for use in fracturing balls.A comparative analysis was conducted to assess the impacts of adding Cu and Ni,which result in finer grains and the formation of galvanic corrosion sites.Scanner electronic microscopy examination revealed that precipitated phases concentrated at grain boundaries,forming a semi-continuous network structure that facilitated corrosion penetration in Mg-6Zn-2Cu and Mg-6Zn-2Ni alloys.Pitting corrosion was observed in Mg-6Zn-2Fe,while galvanic corrosion was identified as the primary mechanism in Mg-6Zn-2Cu and Mg-6Zn-2Ni alloys.Among the tests,the Mg-6Zn-2Ni alloy exhibited the highest corrosion rate(approximately 932.9 mm/a)due to its significant potential difference.Mechanical testing showed that Mg-6Zn-2Ni alloy possessed suitable ultimate compressive strength,making it a potential candidate material for degradable fracturing balls,effectively addressing the challenges of balancing strength and degradation rate in fracturing applications.

Effects of deformation temperatures on microstructures,aging behaviors and mechanical properties of Mg-Gd-Er-Zr alloys fabricated by hard-plate rolling

In this investigation,a high-strength Mg-12Gd-1.0Er-0.5Zr(wt.%)alloy sheet was produced by hot extrusion(HE)and subsequent hard-plate rolling(HPR)at different temperatures.The results indicate that the microstructures of these final-rolled sheets are inhomogeneous,mainly including coarse deformed grains and dynamic recrystallized(DRXed)grains,and the volume fraction of these coarse deformed grains increases as the rolling temperature increases.Thus,more DRXed grains can be found in R-385℃sheet,resulting in a smaller average grain size and weaker basal texture,while the biggest grains and the highest strong basal texture are present in R-450℃sheet.Amounts of dynamic precipitation ofβphases which are mainly determined by the rolling temperature are present in these sheets,and its precipitation can consume the content of Gd solutes in the matrix.As a result,the lowest number density ofβphase in R-450℃sheet is beneficial to modify the age hardening response.Thus,the R-450℃sheet displays the best age hardening response because of a severe traditional precipitation ofβ’(more)andβH/βM(less)precipitates,resulting in a sharp improvement in strength,i.e.ultimate tensile strength(UTS)of∼518±17 MPa and yield strength(YS)of∼438±18 MPa.However,the elongation(EL)of this sheet reduces greatly,and its value is∼2.7±0.3%.By contrasting,the EL of the peak-aging R-385℃sheet keeps better,changing from∼4.9±1.2%to∼4.8±1.4%due to a novel dislocation-induced chain-like precipitate which is helpful to keep good balance between strength and ductility.

Pulsed current-assisted twelve-roll precision rolling deformation of SUS304 ultra-thin strips with exceptional mechanical properties

Innovative pulsed current-assisted multi-pass rolling tests were conducted on a 12-roll mill during the rolling deformation processing of SUS304 ultra-thin strips.The results show that in the first rolling pass,the rolling reduction rate of a conventionally rolled sample(at room temperature)is 33.8%,which can be increased to 41.5%by pulsed current-assisted rolling,enabling the formation of an ultra-thin strip with a size of 67.3μm in only one rolling pass.After three passes of pulsed current-assisted rolling,the thickness of the ultra-thin strip can be further reduced to 51.7μm.To clearly compare the effects of a pulsed current on the microstructure and mechanical response of the ultra-thin strip,ultra-thin strips with nearly the same thickness reduction were analyzed.It was found that pulsed current can reduce the degree of work-hardening of the rolled samples by promoting dislocation detachment,reducing the density of stacking faults,inhibiting martensitic phase transformation,and shortening the total length of grain boundaries.As a result,the ductility of ultra-thin strips can be effectively restored to approximately 16.3%while maintaining a high tensile strength of 1118 MPa.Therefore,pulsed current-assisted rolling deformation shows great potential for the formation of ultra-thin strips with a combination of high strength and ductility.

Hydrothermal treatment of pearl millet grains:Effects on nutritional composition,antinutrients and flour properties

Pearl millet(Pennisetum glaucum)is one of the major millets with high nutritional properties.This crop exhibits exceptional resilience to drought and high temperatures.However,the processing of pearl millet poses a significant challenge due to its high lipid content,enzyme activity,and presence of antinutrients.Consequently,it becomes imperative to enhance the quality and prolong the shelf life of pearl millet flour by employing suitable technologies.Hydrothermal treatment in the food industry has long been seen as promising due to its potential to reduce microbial load,inactivate enzymes,and improve nutrient retention.This study aims to investigate the effects of hydrothermal treatment on the quality characteristics of pearl millet.The independent variables of the study were soaking temperature(35,45,55℃),soaking time(2,3,4 h),and steaming time(5,10,15 min).Treatment conditions had a statistically significant effect on nutrient retention.Major antinutrients like tannins and phytates were reduced by 0.99% to 5.94% and 0.36% to 6.00%,respectively,after the treatment.Lipase activity decreased significantly up to 10% with the treatment conditions.The findings of this study could potentially encourage the use of pearl millet flour in the production of various food items and promote the application of hydrothermal treatment in the field of food processing.

Transformation of long-period stacking ordered structures in Mg-Gd-Y-Zn alloys upon synergistic characterization of first-principles calculation and experiment and its effects on mechanical properties

Based on experiments and first-principles calculations,the microstructures and mechanical properties of as-cast and solution treated Mg-10Gd-4Y-xZn-0.6Zr(x=0,1,2,wt.%)alloys are investigated.The transformation process of long-period stacking ordered(LPSO)structure during solidification and heat treatment and its effect on the mechanical properties of experimental alloys are discussed.Results reveal that the stacking faults and 18R LPSO phases appear in the as-cast Mg-10Gd-4Y-1Zn-0.6Zr and Mg-10Gd-4Y-2Zn-0.6Zr alloys,respectively.After solution treatment,the stacking faults and 18R LPSO phase transform into 14H LPSO phase.The Enthalpies of formation and reaction energy of 14H and 18R LPSO are calculated based on first-principles.Results show that the alloying ability of 18R is stronger than that of 14H.The reaction energies show that the 14H LPSO phase is more stable than the 18R LPSO.The elastic properties of the 14H and 18R LPSO phases are also evaluated by first-principles calculations,and the results are in good agreement with the experimental results.The precipitation of LPSO phase improves the tensile strength,yield strength and elongation of the alloy.After solution treatment,the Mg-10Gd-4Y-2Zn-0.6Zr alloy has the best mechanical properties,and its ultimate tensile strength and yield strength are 278.7 MPa and 196.4 MPa,respectively.The elongation of Mg-10Gd-4Y-2Zn-0.6Zr reaches 15.1,which is higher than that of Mg-10Gd-4Y0.6Zr alloy.The improving mechanism of elastic modulus by the LPSO phases and the influence on the alloy mechanical properties are also analyzed.

Microstructure and damping properties of LPSO phase dominant Mg-Ni-Y and Mg-Zn-Ni-Y alloys

This work studied the microstructure,mechanical properties and damping properties of Mg_(95.34)Ni_(2)Y_(2.66) and Mg_(95.34)Zn_(1)Ni_(1)Y_(2.66)alloys systematically.The difference in the evolution of the long-period stacked ordered(LPSO)phase in the two alloys during heat treatment was the focus.The morphology of the as-cast Mg_(95.34)Ni_(2)Y_(2.66)presented a disordered network.After heat treatment at 773 K for 2 hours,the eutectic phase was integrated into the matrix,and the LPSO phase maintained the 18R structure.As Zn partially replaced Ni,the crystal grains became rounded in the cast alloy,and lamellar LPSO phases and more solid solution atoms were contained in the matrix after heat treatment of the Mg_(95.34)Zn_(1)Ni_(1)Y_(2.66)alloy.Both Zn and the heat treatment had a significant effect on damping.Obvious dislocation internal friction peaks and grain boundary internal friction peaks were found after temperature-dependent damping of the Mg_(95.34)Ni_(2)Y_(2.66)and Mg_(95.34)Zn_(1)Ni_(1)Y_(2.66)alloys.After heat treatment,the dislocation peak was significantly increased,especially in the alloy Mg_(95.34)Ni_(2)Y_(2).66.The annealed Mg_(95.34)Ni_(2)Y_(2.66)alloy with a rod-shaped LPSO phase exhibited a good damping performance of 0.14 atε=10^(−3),which was due to the difference between the second phase and solid solution atom content.These factors also affected the dynamic modulus of the alloy.The results of this study will help in further development of high-damping magnesium alloys.

A new insight into LPSO phase transformation and mechanical properties uniformity of large-scale Mg-Gd-Y-Zn-Zr alloy prepared by multi-pass friction stir processing

A large-scale fine-grained Mg-Gd-Y-Zn-Zr alloy plate with high strength and ductility was successfully prepared by multi-pass friction stir processing(MFSP)technology in this work.The structure of grains and long period stacking ordered(LPSO)phase were characterized,and the mechanical properties uniformity was investigated.Moreover,a quantitative relationship between the microstructure and tensile yield strength was established.The results showed that the grains in the processed zone(PZ)and interfacial zone(IZ)were refined from 50μm to 3μm and 4μm,respectively,and numerous original LPSO phases were broken.In IZ,some block-shaped 18R LPSO phases were transformed into needle-like 14H LPSO phases due to stacking faults and the short-range diffusion of solute atoms.The severe shear deformation in the form of kinetic energy caused profuse stacking fault to be generated and move rapidly,greatly increasing the transformation rate of LPSO phase.After MFSP,the ultimate tensile strength,yield strength and elongation to failure of the large-scale plate were 367 MPa,305 MPa and 18.0% respectively.Grain refinement and LPSO phase strengthening were the major strengthening mechanisms for the MFSP sample.In particularly,the strength of IZ was comparable to that of PZ because the strength contribution of the 14H LPSO phase offsets the lack of grain refinement strengthening in IZ.This result opposes the widely accepted notion that IZ is a weak region in MFSP-prepared large-scale fine-grained plate.

Evolution of microstructure and properties of a novel Ni-based superalloy during stress relief annealing

We discussed the decrease in residual stress,precipitation evolution,and mechanical properties of GH4151 alloy in different annealing temperatures,which were studied by the scanning electron microscope(SEM),high-resolution transmission electron microscopy(HRTEM),and electron backscatter diffraction(EBSD).The findings reveal that annealing processing has a significant impact on diminishing residual stresses.As the annealing temperature rose from 950 to 1150℃,the majority of the residual stresses were relieved from 60.1 MPa down to 10.9 MPa.Moreover,the stress relaxation mechanism transitioned from being mainly controlled by dislocation slip to a combination of dislocation slip and grain boundary migration.Meanwhile,the annealing treatment promotes the decomposition of the Laves,accompanied by the precipitation ofμ-(Mo_(6)Co_(7))starting at 950℃ and reaching a maximum value at 1050℃.The tensile strength and plasticity of the annealing alloy at 1150℃ reached the maximum(1394 MPa,56.1%)which was 131%,200%fold than those of the as-cast alloy(1060 MPa,26.6%),but the oxidation process in the alloy was accelerated at 1150℃.The enhancement in durability and flexibility is primarily due to the dissolution of the brittle phase,along with the shape and dispersal of theγ′phase.

Bio-Based Waterborne Poly(Vanillin-Butyl Acrylate)/MXene Coatings for Leather with Desired Warmth Retention and Antibacterial Properties

This study presents a solvent-free,facile synthesis of a bio-based green antibacterial agent and aromatic monomer methacrylated vanillin(MV)using vanillin.The resulting MV not only imparted antibacterial properties to coatings layered on leather,but could also be employed as a green alternative to petroleum-based carcinogen styrene(St).Herein,MV was copolymerized with butyl acrylate(BA)to obtain waterborne bio-based P(MV-BA)miniemulsion via miniemulsion polymerization.Subsequently,MXene nanosheets with excellent photothermal conversion performance and antibacterial properties,were introduced into the P(MV-BA)miniemulsion by ultrasonic dispersion.During the gradual solidification of P(MV-BA)/MXene nanocomposite miniemulsion on the leather surface,MXene gradually migrated to the surface of leather coatings due to the cavitation effect of ultrasonication and amphiphilicity of MXene,which prompted its full exposure to light and bacteria,exerting the maximum photothermal conversion efficiency and significant antibacterial efficacy.In particular,when the dosage of MXene nanosheets was 1.4 wt%,the surface temperature of P(MV-BA)/MXene nanocomposite miniemulsioncoated leather(PML)increased by about 15℃ in an outdoor environment during winter,and the antibacterial rate against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was nearly 100%under the simulated sunlight treatment for 30 min.Moreover,the introduction of MXene nanosheets increased the air permeability,water vapor permeability,and thermal stability of these coatings.This study provides a new insight into the preparation of novel,green,and waterborne bio-based nanocomposite coatings for leather,with desired warmth retention and antibacterial properties.It can not only realize zerocarbon heating based on sunlight in winter,reducing the use of fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions,but also improve ability to fight off invasion by harmful bacteria,viruses,and other microorganisms.

Physical and mechanical properties and microstructures of submarine soils in the Yellow Sea

In recent years,the exploration of seabed has been intensified,but the submarine soils of silt and sand in the Yellow Sea area have not been well investigated so far.In this study,the physical and mechanical properties of silt and sand from the Yellow Sea were measured using a direct shear apparatus and their microstructures were observed using a scanning electron microscope.The test results suggest that the shear strength of silt and sand increases linearly with the increase of normal stress.Based on the direct shear test,the scanning electron microscope was used to observe the section surface of sand.It is observed that the section surface becomes rough,with many“V”‐shaped cracks.Many particles appear on the surface of the silt structure and tend to be disintegrated.The X‐ray diffraction experiment reveals that the sand and silt have different compositions.The shear strength of sand is slightly greater than that of silt under high stress,which is related to the shape of soil particles and the mineral composition.These results can be a reference for further study of other soils in the Yellow Sea;meanwhile,they can serve as soil parameters for the stability and durability analyses of offshore infrastructure construction.

Toward understanding the microstructure characteristics,phase selection and magnetic properties of laser additive manufactured Nd-Fe-B permanent magnets

Nd-Fe-B permanent magnets play a crucial role in energy conversion and electronic devices.The essential magnetic properties of Nd-Fe-B magnets,particularly coercivity and remanent magnetization,are significantly infuenced by the phase characteristics and microstructure.In this work,Nd-Fe-B magnets were manufactured using vacuum induction melting(VIM),laser directed energy deposition(LDED)and laser powder bed fusion(LPBF)technologies.Themicrostructure evolution and phase selection of Nd-Fe-B magnets were then clarified in detail.The results indicated that the solidification velocity(V)and cooling rate(R)are key factors in the phase selection.In terms of the VIM-casting Nd-Fe-B magnet,a large volume fraction of theα-Fe soft magnetic phase(39.7 vol.%)and Nd2Fe17Bxmetastable phase(34.7 vol.%)areformed due to the low R(2.3×10-1?C s-1),whereas only a minor fraction of the Nd2Fe14B hard magnetic phase(5.15 vol.%)is presented.For the LDED-processed Nd-Fe-B deposit,although the Nd2Fe14B hard magnetic phase also had a low value(3.4 vol.%)as the values of V(<10-2m s-1)and R(5.06×103?C s-1)increased,part of theα-Fe soft magnetic phase(31.7vol.%)is suppressed,and a higher volume of Nd2Fe17Bxmetastable phases(47.5 vol.%)areformed.As a result,both the VIM-casting and LDED-processed Nd-Fe-B deposits exhibited poor magnetic properties.In contrast,employing the high values of V(>10-2m s-1)and R(1.45×106?C s-1)in the LPBF process resulted in the substantial formation of the Nd2Fe14B hard magnetic phase(55.8 vol.%)directly from the liquid,while theα-Fe soft magnetic phase and Nd2Fe17Bxmetastable phase precipitation are suppressed in the LPBF-processed Nd-Fe-B magnet.Additionally,crystallographic texture analysis reveals that the LPBF-processedNd-Fe-B magnets exhibit isotropic magnetic characteristics.Consequently,the LPBF-processed Nd-Fe-B deposit,exhibiting a coercivity of 656 k A m-1,remanence of 0.79 T and maximum energy product of 71.5 k J m-3,achieved an acceptable magnetic performance,comparable to other additive manufacturing processed Nd-Fe-B magnets from MQP(Nd-lean)Nd-Fe-Bpowder.

Microstructure and Properties of AlCoCrFeNiTi High-Entropy Alloy Coatings Prepared by Laser Cladding

21-4N(5Cr21Mn9Ni4N)is extensively employed in the production of engine valves,operating under severe conditions.Apart from withstanding high-temperature gas corrosion,it must also endure the impact of cylinder explosion pressure.The predominant failure mode of 21-4N valves is abrasive wear.Surface coatings serve as an effective approach to prevent such failures.In this investigation,Laser cladding technology was utilized to fabricate AlCoCrFeNiTi high entropy alloy coatings onto the surfaces of 21-4N valves.According to the findings,the cladding zone has a normal dendritic microstructure,a good substrate-to-cladding layer interaction,and no obvious flaws.In terms of hardness,the cladding demonstrates an average hardness of 620 HV.The hardness has increased by 140%compared to the substrate.The average hardness of the cladding remains at approximately 520 HV even at elevated temperatures.Regarding frictional wear performance,between 400℃and 800℃,the cladding layer exhibits an average friction coefficient of 0.4,with the primary wear mechanisms being abrasive wear,adhesive wear,and a minor degree of plastic deformation.

A Polyvinyl Alcohol/Acrylamide Hydrogel with Enhanced Mechanical Properties Promotes Full-Thickness Skin Defect Healing by Regulating Immunomodulation and Angiogenesis Through Paracrine Secretion

Hydrogel-based tissue-engineered skin has attracted increased attention due to its potential to restore the structural integrity and functionality of skin.However,the mechanical properties of hydrogel scaffolds and natural skin are substantially different.Here,we developed a polyvinyl alcohol(PVA)/acrylamide based interpenetrating network(IPN)hydrogel that was surface modified with polydopamine(PDA)and termed Dopa-gel.The Dopa-gel exhibited mechanical properties similar to native skin tissue and a superior ability to modulate paracrine functions.Furthermore,a tough scaffold with tensile resistance was fabricated using this hydrogel by three-dimensional printing.The results showed that the interpenetration of PVA,alginate,and polyacrylamide networks notably enhanced the mechanical properties of the hydrogel.Surface modification with PDA endowed the hydrogels with increased secretion of immunomodulatory and proangiogenic factors.In an in vivo model,Dopa-gel treatment accelerated wound closure,increased vascularization,and promoted a shift in macrophages from a proinflammatory M1 phenotype to a prohealing and anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype within the wound area.Mechanistically,the focal adhesion kinase(FAK)/extracellular signal-related kinase(ERK)signaling pathway may mediate the promotion of skin defect healing by increasing paracrine secretion via the Dopa-gel.Additionally,proangiogenic factors can be induced through Rho-associated kinase-2(ROCK-2)/vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)-mediated paracrine secretion under tensile stress conditions.Taken together,these findings suggest that the multifunctional Dopa-gel,which has good mechanical properties similar to those of native skin tissue and enhanced immunomodulatory and angiogenic properties,is a promising scaffold for skin tissue regeneration.

Properties and Characteristics of Regolith-Based Materials for Extraterrestrial Construction

The construction of extraterrestrial bases has become a new goal in the active exploration of deep space.Among the construction techniques,in situ resource-based construction is one of the most promising because of its good sustainability and acceptable economic cost,triggering the development of various types of extraterrestrial construction materials.A comprehensive survey and comparison of materials from the perspective of performance was conducted to provide suggestions for material selection and optimization.Thirteen types of typical construction materials are discussed in terms of their reliability and applicability in extreme extraterrestrial environment.Mechanical,thermal and optical,and radiation-shielding properties are considered.The influencing factors and optimization methods for these properties are analyzed.From the perspective of material properties,the existing challenges lie in the comprehensive,long-term,and real characterization of regolith-based construction materials.Correspondingly,the suggested future directions include the application of high-throughput characterization methods,accelerated durability tests,and conducting extraterrestrial experiments.