This article aims to present the feasibility of storing thermal energy in buildings for solar water heating while maintaining the comfort environment for residential buildings.Our contribution is the creation of insul...This article aims to present the feasibility of storing thermal energy in buildings for solar water heating while maintaining the comfort environment for residential buildings.Our contribution is the creation of insulating composite panels made of bio-based phase change materials(bio-PCM is all from coconut oil),cement and renewable materials(treated wood fiber and organic clay).The inclusion of wood fibers improved the thermal properties;a simple 2%increase of wood fiber decreased the heat conductivity by approximately 23.42%.The issues of bio-PCM leakage in the cement mortar and a roughly 56.5%reduction in thermal conductivity with bio-PCM stability in composite panels can be resolved by treating wood fibers with an adjuvant by impregnating them in bio-PCM in the presence of the treated clay generated.Clay and wood fiber were treated with adjuvants that are both biological and environmentally acceptable,as confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy.The heat transfer bench(DIDATEK)showed a decrease in thermal conductivity.By using differential scanning calorimetric(DSC)analysis,the investigation of thermal stability and enthalpy during two heating cycles of pure bio-PCM and composite bio-PCM was validated.The novel renewable material was used to create composite panels for the trial prototype,which took the shape of a component attached to the solar heating system,33.57%less heat was lost,according to the heat transfer research.The outcomes demonstrated the possibility of replacing traditional electric water heating in residential buildings with solar water heating systems.展开更多
High-entropy materials represent a new category of high-performance materials,first proposed in 2004 and extensively investigated by researchers over the past two decades.The definition of high-entropy materials has c...High-entropy materials represent a new category of high-performance materials,first proposed in 2004 and extensively investigated by researchers over the past two decades.The definition of high-entropy materials has continuously evolved.In the last ten years,the discovery of an increasing number of high-entropy materials has led to significant advancements in their utilization in energy storage,electrocatalysis,and related domains,accompanied by a rise in techniques for fabricating high-entropy electrode materials.Recently,the research emphasis has shifted from solely improving the performance of high-entropy materials toward exploring their reaction mechanisms and adopting cleaner preparation approaches.However,the current definition of high-entropy materials remains relatively vague,and the preparation method of high-entropy materials is based on the preparation method of single metal/low-or medium-entropy materials.It should be noted that not all methods applicable to single metal/low-or medium-entropy materials can be directly applied to high-entropy materials.In this review,the definition and development of high-entropy materials are briefly reviewed.Subsequently,the classification of high-entropy electrode materials is presented,followed by a discussion of their applications in energy storage and catalysis from the perspective of synthesis methods.Finally,an evaluation of the advantages and disadvantages of various synthesis methods in the production process of different high-entropy materials is provided,along with a proposal for potential future development directions for high-entropy materials.展开更多
Depleting fossil energy sources and conventional polluting power generation pose a threat to sustainable development.Hydroelectricity generation from ubiquitous and spontaneous phase transitions between liquid and gas...Depleting fossil energy sources and conventional polluting power generation pose a threat to sustainable development.Hydroelectricity generation from ubiquitous and spontaneous phase transitions between liquid and gaseous water has been considered a promising strategy for mitigating the energy crisis.Fibrous materials with unique flexibility,processability,multifunctionality,and practicability have been widely applied for fibrous materials-based hydroelectricity generation(FHG).In this review,the power generation mechanisms,design principles,and electricity enhancement factors of FHG are first introduced.Then,the fabrication strategies and characteristics of varied constructions including 1D fiber,1D yarn,2D fabric,2D membrane,3D fibrous framework,and 3D fibrous gel are demonstrated.Afterward,the advanced functions of FHG during water harvesting,proton dissociation,ion separation,and charge accumulation processes are analyzed in detail.Moreover,the potential applications including power supply,energy storage,electrical sensor,and information expression are also discussed.Finally,some existing challenges are considered and prospects for future development are sincerely proposed.展开更多
Calcium ferrite(CF)is recognized as a potential green and efficient functional material because of its advantages of magnetism,electrochemistry,catalysis,and biocompatibility in the fields of materials chemistry,envir...Calcium ferrite(CF)is recognized as a potential green and efficient functional material because of its advantages of magnetism,electrochemistry,catalysis,and biocompatibility in the fields of materials chemistry,environmental engineering,and biomedicine.There-fore,the obtained research results need to be systematically summarized,and new perspectives on CF and its composite materials need to be analyzed.Based on the presented studies of CF and its composite materials,the types and structures of the crystal are summarized.In addition,the current application technologies and theoretical mechanisms with various properties in different fields are elucidated.Moreover,the various preparation methods of CF and its composite materials are elaborated in detail.Most importantly,the advantages and disadvantages of the synthesis methods of CF and its composite materials are discussed,and the existing problems and emerging challenges in practical production are identified.Furthermore,the key future research directions of CF and its composite materials have been prospected from the potential application technologies to provide references for its synthesis and efficient utilization.展开更多
Dynamic structuralcolors can change in response todifferent environmental stimuli.This ability remains effectiveeven when the size of the speciesresponsible for the structural coloris reduced to a few micrometers,prov...Dynamic structuralcolors can change in response todifferent environmental stimuli.This ability remains effectiveeven when the size of the speciesresponsible for the structural coloris reduced to a few micrometers,providing a promising sensingmechanism for solving microenvironmentalsensing problems inmicro-robotics and microfluidics.However, the lack of dynamicstructural colors that can encoderapidly, easily integrate, and accuratelyreflect changes in physical quantities hinders their use in microscale sensing applications. Herein, we present a 2.5-dimensionaldynamic structural color based on nanogratings of heterogeneous materials, which were obtained by interweaving a pH-responsive hydrogelwith an IP-L photoresist. Transverse gratings printed with pH-responsive hydrogels elongated the period of longitudinal grating in the swollenstate, resulting in pH-tuned structural colors at a 45° incidence. Moreover, the patterned encoding and array printing of dynamic structuralcolors were achieved using grayscale stripe images to accurately encode the periods and heights of the nanogrid structures. Overall, dynamicstructural color networks exhibit promising potential for applications in information encryption and in situ sensing for microfluidic chips.展开更多
Carbon materials are widely recognized as highly promising electrode materials for various energy storage system applications.Coal tar residues(CTR),as a type of carbon-rich solid waste with high value-added utilizati...Carbon materials are widely recognized as highly promising electrode materials for various energy storage system applications.Coal tar residues(CTR),as a type of carbon-rich solid waste with high value-added utilization,are crucially important for the development of a more sustainable world.In this study,we employed a straightforward direct carbonization method within the temperature range of 700-1000℃to convert the worthless solid waste CTR into economically valuable carbon materials as anodes for potassium-ion batteries(PIBs).The effect of carbonization temperature on the microstructure and the potassium ions storage properties of CTR-derived carbons(CTRCs)were systematically explored by structural and morphological characterization,alongside electrochemical performances assessment.Based on the co-regulation between the turbine layers,crystal structure,pore structure,functional groups,and electrical conductivity of CTR-derived carbon carbonized at 900℃(CTRC-900H),the electrode material with high reversible capacity of 265.6m Ah·g^(-1)at 50 m A·g^(-1),a desirable cycling stability with 93.8%capacity retention even after 100 cycles,and the remarkable rate performance for PIBs were obtained.Furthermore,cyclic voltammetry(CV)at different scan rates and galvanostatic intermittent titration technique(GITT)have been employed to explore the potassium ions storage mechanism and electrochemical kinetics of CTRCs.Results indicate that the electrode behavior is predominantly governed by surface-induced capacitive processes,particularly under high current densities,with the potassium storage mechanism characterized by an“adsorption-weak intercalation”mechanism.This work highlights the potential of CTR-based carbon as a promising electrode material category suitable for high-performance PIBs electrodes,while also provides valuable insights into the new avenues for the high value-added utilization of CTR.展开更多
As a mathematical analysis method,fractal analysis can be used to quantitatively describe irregular shapes with self-similar or self-affine properties.Fractal analysis has been used to characterize the shapes of metal...As a mathematical analysis method,fractal analysis can be used to quantitatively describe irregular shapes with self-similar or self-affine properties.Fractal analysis has been used to characterize the shapes of metal materials at various scales and dimensions.Conventional methods make it difficult to quantitatively describe the relationship between the regular characteristics and properties of metal material surfaces and interfaces.However,fractal analysis can be used to quantitatively describe the shape characteristics of metal materials and to establish the quantitative relationships between the shape characteristics and various properties of metal materials.From the perspective of two-dimensional planes and three-dimensional curved surfaces,this paper reviews the current research status of the fractal analysis of metal precipitate interfaces,metal grain boundary interfaces,metal-deposited film surfaces,metal fracture surfaces,metal machined surfaces,and metal wear surfaces.The relationship between the fractal dimensions and properties of metal material surfaces and interfaces is summarized.Starting from three perspectives of fractal analysis,namely,research scope,image acquisition methods,and calculation methods,this paper identifies the direction of research on fractal analysis of metal material surfaces and interfaces that need to be developed.It is believed that revealing the deep influence mechanism between the fractal dimensions and properties of metal material surfaces and interfaces will be the key research direction of the fractal analysis of metal materials in the future.展开更多
Research efforts on electromagnetic interference(EMI)shielding materials have begun to converge on green and sustainable biomass materials.These materials offer numerous advantages such as being lightweight,porous,and...Research efforts on electromagnetic interference(EMI)shielding materials have begun to converge on green and sustainable biomass materials.These materials offer numerous advantages such as being lightweight,porous,and hierarchical.Due to their porous nature,interfacial compatibility,and electrical conductivity,biomass materials hold significant potential as EMI shielding materials.Despite concerted efforts on the EMI shielding of biomass materials have been reported,this research area is still relatively new compared to traditional EMI shielding materials.In particular,a more comprehensive study and summary of the factors influencing biomass EMI shielding materials including the pore structure adjustment,preparation process,and micro-control would be valuable.The preparation methods and characteristics of wood,bamboo,cellulose and lignin in EMI shielding field are critically discussed in this paper,and similar biomass EMI materials are summarized and analyzed.The composite methods and fillers of various biomass materials were reviewed.this paper also highlights the mechanism of EMI shielding as well as existing prospects and challenges for development trends in this field.展开更多
A ternary early-strengthening agent consisting of calcium formate+triethanolamine+lithium sulfate was compounded with quercetin to shorten the setting time of cementitious materials while ensuring their early strength...A ternary early-strengthening agent consisting of calcium formate+triethanolamine+lithium sulfate was compounded with quercetin to shorten the setting time of cementitious materials while ensuring their early strength.The optimum ratio of the three early-strengthening agents was determined as 0.5%calcium formate+0.04%triethanolamine+0.4%lithium sulfate by response surface methodology.The effects of the ternary early-strengthening agent composed of calcium formate+triethanolamine(TEA)+lithium sulfate on cementitious pore sealing materials under the synergistic effect of quercetin were studied by means of the performance tests of compressive strength,fluidity,and setting time,and the microstructural characterizations of X-ray powder diffractometer(XRD),thermogravimetry(TG-DSC)and scanning electron microscopy(SEM).The study shows that the synergistic effect of ternary early-strengthening agent and quercetin forms a multi-performance composite admixture for cementitious materials.The best performance was obtained with the compounding scheme of 0.5%calcium formate+0.04%triethanolamine+0.4%lithium sulfate ternary early-strengthening agent and 0.05%quercetin.The compressive strength of 1,3,7,and 28 d are 94.8%,39.8%,42%,and 28%higher than those of the blank group,respectively.The initial time and final setting time are 41 and 57 minutes,respectively.According to the microscopic analysis,the network and fibrous C-S-H gels generated by ternary early-strengthening agents are attached to the surface promoted by quercetin,which forms skeleton support while thickening and solidifying the cement slurry,which enhances the early compressive strength of the cement-based materials.展开更多
We adopted the solution impregnation route with aluminum dihydrogen phosphate solution as liquid medium for effective surface modification on graphite substrate.The mass ratio of graphite to Al(H_(2)PO_(4))_(3) change...We adopted the solution impregnation route with aluminum dihydrogen phosphate solution as liquid medium for effective surface modification on graphite substrate.The mass ratio of graphite to Al(H_(2)PO_(4))_(3) changed from 0.5:1 to 4:1,and the impregnation time changed from 1 to 7 h.The typical composite phase change thermal storage materials doped with the as-treated graphite were fabricated using form-stable technique.To investigate the oxidation and anti-oxidation behavior of the impregnated graphite at high temperatures,the samples were put into a muffle furnace for a cyclic heat test.Based on SEM,EDS,DSC techniques,analyses on the impregnated technique suggested an optimized processing conditions of a 3 h impregnation time with the ratio of graphite:Al(H_(2)PO_(4))_(3) as 1:3 for graphite impregnation treatment.Further investigations on high-temperature phase change heat storage materials doped by the treated graphite suggested excellent oxidation resistance and thermal cycling performance.展开更多
A clean environment with low carbon emissions is the goal of research on the development of green and sustainable buildings that use bio-sourced materials in conjunction with solar energy to create more sustainable ci...A clean environment with low carbon emissions is the goal of research on the development of green and sustainable buildings that use bio-sourced materials in conjunction with solar energy to create more sustainable cities.This is particularly true in Africa,where there aren’t many studies on the topic.The current study suggests a 90 m^(2) model of a sustainable building in a dry climate that is movable to address the issue of housing in remote areas,ensures comfort in harsh weather conditions,uses solar renewable resources—which are plentiful in Africa—uses biosourced materials,and examines how these materials relate to temperature and humidity control while emitting minimal carbon emissions.In order to solve the topic under consideration,the work is split into two sections:numerical and experimental approaches.Using TRNSYS and Revit,the suggested prototype building is examined numerically to examine the impact of orientation,envelope composition made of bio-sourced materials,and carbon emissions.Through a hygrothermal investigation,experiments are conducted to evaluate this prototype’s effectiveness.Furthermore,an examination of the photovoltaic system’s production,consumption,and several scenarios used tomaximize battery life is included in the paper.Because the biosourcedmaterial achieves a thermal transmittance of 0.15(W.m^(-2).K^(-1)),the results demonstrate an intriguing finding in terms of comfort.This value satisfies the requirements of passive building,energy autonomy of the dwelling,and injection in-network with an annual value of 15,757 kWh.Additionally,compared to the literature,the heating needs ratio is 6.38(kWh/m^(2).an)and the cooling needs ratio is 49(kWh/m^(2).an),both of which are good values.According to international norms,the inside temperature doesn’t go above 26℃,and the humidity level is within a comfortable range.展开更多
Rechargeable magnesium batteries(RMBs)have been considered a promising“post lithium-ion battery”system to meet the rapidly increasing demand of the emerging electric vehicle and grid energy storage market.However,th...Rechargeable magnesium batteries(RMBs)have been considered a promising“post lithium-ion battery”system to meet the rapidly increasing demand of the emerging electric vehicle and grid energy storage market.However,the sluggish diffusion kinetics of bivalent Mg^(2+)in the host material,related to the strong Coulomb effect between Mg^(2+)and host anion lattices,hinders their further development toward practical applications.Defect engineering,regarded as an effective strategy to break through the slow migration puzzle,has been validated in various cathode materials for RMBs.In this review,we first thoroughly understand the intrinsic mechanism of Mg^(2+)diffusion in cathode materials,from which the key factors affecting ion diffusion are further presented.Then,the positive effects of purposely introduced defects,including vacancy and doping,and the corresponding strategies for introducing various defects are discussed.The applications of defect engineering in cathode materials for RMBs with advanced electrochemical properties are also summarized.Finally,the existing challenges and future perspectives of defect engineering in cathode materials for the overall high-performance RMBs are described.展开更多
In this manuscript,we propose an analytical equivalent linear viscoelastic constitutive model for fiber-reinforced composites,bypassing general computational homogenization.The method is based on the reduced-order hom...In this manuscript,we propose an analytical equivalent linear viscoelastic constitutive model for fiber-reinforced composites,bypassing general computational homogenization.The method is based on the reduced-order homogenization(ROH)approach.The ROH method typically involves solving multiple finite element problems under periodic conditions to evaluate elastic strain and eigenstrain influence functions in an‘off-line’stage,which offers substantial cost savings compared to direct computational homogenization methods.Due to the unique structure of the fibrous unit cell,“off-line”stage calculation can be eliminated by influence functions obtained analytically.Introducing the standard solid model to the ROH method enables the creation of a comprehensive analytical homogeneous viscoelastic constitutive model.This method treats fibrous composite materials as homogeneous,anisotropic viscoelastic materials,significantly reducing computational time due to its analytical nature.This approach also enables precise determination of a homogenized anisotropic relaxation modulus and accurate capture of various viscoelastic responses under different loading conditions.Three sets of numerical examples,including unit cell tests,three-point beam bending tests,and torsion tests,are given to demonstrate the predictive performance of the homogenized viscoelastic model.Furthermore,the model is validated against experimental measurements,confirming its accuracy and reliability.展开更多
The chloride penetration resistance of cement-based grout materials was improved by nano-silica emulsion.Specimens of mixtures containing different nano-silica particles or emulsions were exposed in sodium chloride so...The chloride penetration resistance of cement-based grout materials was improved by nano-silica emulsion.Specimens of mixtures containing different nano-silica particles or emulsions were exposed in sodium chloride solutions of specific concentrations with different test ages.Hardened properties of the mixes were assessed in terms of weight loss and compressive strength.X-ray diffraction(XRD)and scanning electron microscopy(SEM)of mixes were performed to analysis the phase evolution and microstructure.The results demonstrated that the introduction of nano-SiO_(2) emulsion significantly decreased the compressive strength loss and calcium hydroxide(CH)crystal content of hydration production,and then enhanced the resistance of cement-based grouting materials to chloride ion penetration.This improvement derives from the filling and pozzolanic effects of nano-SiO_(2) particles,which were incorporated via an emulsion and attributed to a well dispersion in grouting matrix.展开更多
This applied research seeks to explore feasible plant design for manufacturing insulation materials for construction projects using waste sheep fleece to address environmental issues related to wasted sheep wool and e...This applied research seeks to explore feasible plant design for manufacturing insulation materials for construction projects using waste sheep fleece to address environmental issues related to wasted sheep wool and enhance the gross national product. The process starts by collecting low-cost sheep fleece from farms and processed via a production line, including scouring, plucking, carding, thermal bonding, and packing. The design process involves determining an optimal location, infrastructure, staffing, machinery, environmental impact, and utilities. A final economic analysis is undertaken to estimate the product’s cost, selling price, and break-even point based on the anticipated capital and operational costs. The plant is intended to process 6778 tons of sheep wool annually. The study suggests that Mafraq Industrial City is a perfect location for the plant, and purchasing land and structures is the optimal option. The projected capital cost is 1,416,679 USD, while the anticipated operational costs amount to 3,206,275 USD. Insulation material production is estimated to be 114,756 m3 annually. The material may be manufactured into 1 m wide, 0.05 m thick sheets for 2.02 USD per square meter. Thus, for a 10-year plant, a 2.47 USD/m2 selling price breaks even in one year.展开更多
Predicting the material stability is essential for accelerating the discovery of advanced materials in renewable energy, aerospace, and catalysis. Traditional approaches, such as Density Functional Theory (DFT), are a...Predicting the material stability is essential for accelerating the discovery of advanced materials in renewable energy, aerospace, and catalysis. Traditional approaches, such as Density Functional Theory (DFT), are accurate but computationally expensive and unsuitable for high-throughput screening. This study introduces a machine learning (ML) framework trained on high-dimensional data from the Open Quantum Materials Database (OQMD) to predict formation energy, a key stability metric. Among the evaluated models, deep learning outperformed Gradient Boosting Machines and Random Forest, achieving up to 0.88 R2 prediction accuracy. Feature importance analysis identified thermodynamic, electronic, and structural properties as the primary drivers of stability, offering interpretable insights into material behavior. Compared to DFT, the proposed ML framework significantly reduces computational costs, enabling the rapid screening of thousands of compounds. These results highlight ML’s transformative potential in materials discovery, with direct applications in energy storage, semiconductors, and catalysis.展开更多
Solid waste management in Freetown has been further complicated in the wake of rapid population growth and urbanization, resulting in considerable pressure to implement effective and sustainable solutions. This study ...Solid waste management in Freetown has been further complicated in the wake of rapid population growth and urbanization, resulting in considerable pressure to implement effective and sustainable solutions. This study fills the knowledge gap on the recycling infrastructure, solid waste collection processing, sorting and material recovery facilities specific to the Freetown waste management system. The aim of this study is to examine these components in terms of identifying inefficiencies and suggest sustainable practices to eliminate them. The study was guided by a mixed-method approach, which consisted of both quantitative and qualitative methods, and data collection was done through systematic random sampling. The sample of 384 respondents was collected, which includes stakeholders from a range of sectors. The outcome exhibited inefficient waste collection, a lack of formal recycling infrastructure, and suboptimal waste separation at house level, with 65.2% of respondents evidencing not separating their waste and 33% being without access to waste collection services that result in illegal dumping and environmental pollution. The analysis of the solid waste composition shows that a larger share of the waste generated in Freetown is composed of organic material (53% is being organic), which allows for composting programs to be initiated. This research establishes the inevitable requirement for infrastructure upgrading, mounting public awareness, and policy development. By taking into account these sectors, Freetown can become a more environment-friendly waste management system, which would mean a reduction in landfills and much-emphasized resource recovery.展开更多
This experimental study assesses the effectiveness of traditional and nano-materials in enhancing the physical and mechanical properties of deteriorated sandstone from Ramesses III Temple, Karnak, Luxor, Egypt. Treatm...This experimental study assesses the effectiveness of traditional and nano-materials in enhancing the physical and mechanical properties of deteriorated sandstone from Ramesses III Temple, Karnak, Luxor, Egypt. Treatments included Nano Estel (5%), Paraloid B-72 (3%), Paraloid B-72/Nano Estel (3%/5%), and ethyl silicates. Treated samples underwent Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and physical/mechanical testing. Results show that Paraloid B-72/Nano Estel (3%/5%) yielded optimal consolidation, significantly improving sandstone’s physical and mechanical properties.展开更多
金属类专业的现有课程体系虽然在理论知识和实践技能方面都为学生提供了扎实的训练,但学生们往往难以将分散在不同课程中的知识点融会贯通,形成一个完整的知识体系。由此可见,缺乏一门能够使学生灵活运用所有专业知识的综合应用型课程...金属类专业的现有课程体系虽然在理论知识和实践技能方面都为学生提供了扎实的训练,但学生们往往难以将分散在不同课程中的知识点融会贯通,形成一个完整的知识体系。由此可见,缺乏一门能够使学生灵活运用所有专业知识的综合应用型课程。因此,设计了“Materials Engineering and Performance”专业选修课,涵盖了微观组织调控、强化机制、塑韧化机理,可帮助学生将金属材料科学的理论知识融会贯通,培养他们设计新型金属材料的能力,以有效应对科学和工程领域中的实际问题。展开更多
文摘This article aims to present the feasibility of storing thermal energy in buildings for solar water heating while maintaining the comfort environment for residential buildings.Our contribution is the creation of insulating composite panels made of bio-based phase change materials(bio-PCM is all from coconut oil),cement and renewable materials(treated wood fiber and organic clay).The inclusion of wood fibers improved the thermal properties;a simple 2%increase of wood fiber decreased the heat conductivity by approximately 23.42%.The issues of bio-PCM leakage in the cement mortar and a roughly 56.5%reduction in thermal conductivity with bio-PCM stability in composite panels can be resolved by treating wood fibers with an adjuvant by impregnating them in bio-PCM in the presence of the treated clay generated.Clay and wood fiber were treated with adjuvants that are both biological and environmentally acceptable,as confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy.The heat transfer bench(DIDATEK)showed a decrease in thermal conductivity.By using differential scanning calorimetric(DSC)analysis,the investigation of thermal stability and enthalpy during two heating cycles of pure bio-PCM and composite bio-PCM was validated.The novel renewable material was used to create composite panels for the trial prototype,which took the shape of a component attached to the solar heating system,33.57%less heat was lost,according to the heat transfer research.The outcomes demonstrated the possibility of replacing traditional electric water heating in residential buildings with solar water heating systems.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(22378431,52004338,51622406,21673298)Hunan Provincial Natural Science Foundation(2023JJ40210,2022JJ20075)+3 种基金the Science and Technology Innovation Program of Hunan Province(2023RC3259)the Key R&D plan of Hunan Province(2024JK2096)Scientifc Research Fund of Hunan Provincial Education Department(23B0699)Central South University Innovation-Driven Research Programme(2023CXQD008).
文摘High-entropy materials represent a new category of high-performance materials,first proposed in 2004 and extensively investigated by researchers over the past two decades.The definition of high-entropy materials has continuously evolved.In the last ten years,the discovery of an increasing number of high-entropy materials has led to significant advancements in their utilization in energy storage,electrocatalysis,and related domains,accompanied by a rise in techniques for fabricating high-entropy electrode materials.Recently,the research emphasis has shifted from solely improving the performance of high-entropy materials toward exploring their reaction mechanisms and adopting cleaner preparation approaches.However,the current definition of high-entropy materials remains relatively vague,and the preparation method of high-entropy materials is based on the preparation method of single metal/low-or medium-entropy materials.It should be noted that not all methods applicable to single metal/low-or medium-entropy materials can be directly applied to high-entropy materials.In this review,the definition and development of high-entropy materials are briefly reviewed.Subsequently,the classification of high-entropy electrode materials is presented,followed by a discussion of their applications in energy storage and catalysis from the perspective of synthesis methods.Finally,an evaluation of the advantages and disadvantages of various synthesis methods in the production process of different high-entropy materials is provided,along with a proposal for potential future development directions for high-entropy materials.
基金funding support from the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2022YFB3805800)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(52173059)+1 种基金The Major Basic Research Project of the Natural Science Foundation of the Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions(21KJA540002)Jiangsu Funding Program for Excellent Postdoctoral Talent(2022ZB555).
文摘Depleting fossil energy sources and conventional polluting power generation pose a threat to sustainable development.Hydroelectricity generation from ubiquitous and spontaneous phase transitions between liquid and gaseous water has been considered a promising strategy for mitigating the energy crisis.Fibrous materials with unique flexibility,processability,multifunctionality,and practicability have been widely applied for fibrous materials-based hydroelectricity generation(FHG).In this review,the power generation mechanisms,design principles,and electricity enhancement factors of FHG are first introduced.Then,the fabrication strategies and characteristics of varied constructions including 1D fiber,1D yarn,2D fabric,2D membrane,3D fibrous framework,and 3D fibrous gel are demonstrated.Afterward,the advanced functions of FHG during water harvesting,proton dissociation,ion separation,and charge accumulation processes are analyzed in detail.Moreover,the potential applications including power supply,energy storage,electrical sensor,and information expression are also discussed.Finally,some existing challenges are considered and prospects for future development are sincerely proposed.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.51574105)the Science and Technology Program of Hebei Province,China(No.23564101D)+2 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province,China(No.E2021209147)the Key Research Project of North China University of Science and Technology(No.ZD-ST-202308)the Postgraduate Innovation Funding Project of Hebei Province,China(No.CXZZBS2024135).
文摘Calcium ferrite(CF)is recognized as a potential green and efficient functional material because of its advantages of magnetism,electrochemistry,catalysis,and biocompatibility in the fields of materials chemistry,environmental engineering,and biomedicine.There-fore,the obtained research results need to be systematically summarized,and new perspectives on CF and its composite materials need to be analyzed.Based on the presented studies of CF and its composite materials,the types and structures of the crystal are summarized.In addition,the current application technologies and theoretical mechanisms with various properties in different fields are elucidated.Moreover,the various preparation methods of CF and its composite materials are elaborated in detail.Most importantly,the advantages and disadvantages of the synthesis methods of CF and its composite materials are discussed,and the existing problems and emerging challenges in practical production are identified.Furthermore,the key future research directions of CF and its composite materials have been prospected from the potential application technologies to provide references for its synthesis and efficient utilization.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.61925307).
文摘Dynamic structuralcolors can change in response todifferent environmental stimuli.This ability remains effectiveeven when the size of the speciesresponsible for the structural coloris reduced to a few micrometers,providing a promising sensingmechanism for solving microenvironmentalsensing problems inmicro-robotics and microfluidics.However, the lack of dynamicstructural colors that can encoderapidly, easily integrate, and accuratelyreflect changes in physical quantities hinders their use in microscale sensing applications. Herein, we present a 2.5-dimensionaldynamic structural color based on nanogratings of heterogeneous materials, which were obtained by interweaving a pH-responsive hydrogelwith an IP-L photoresist. Transverse gratings printed with pH-responsive hydrogels elongated the period of longitudinal grating in the swollenstate, resulting in pH-tuned structural colors at a 45° incidence. Moreover, the patterned encoding and array printing of dynamic structuralcolors were achieved using grayscale stripe images to accurately encode the periods and heights of the nanogrid structures. Overall, dynamicstructural color networks exhibit promising potential for applications in information encryption and in situ sensing for microfluidic chips.
基金financially supported by the Research Project Supported by Shanxi Scholarship Council of China(No.2022-049)the Natural Science Foundation of Shanxi Province,China(No.20210302123167)。
文摘Carbon materials are widely recognized as highly promising electrode materials for various energy storage system applications.Coal tar residues(CTR),as a type of carbon-rich solid waste with high value-added utilization,are crucially important for the development of a more sustainable world.In this study,we employed a straightforward direct carbonization method within the temperature range of 700-1000℃to convert the worthless solid waste CTR into economically valuable carbon materials as anodes for potassium-ion batteries(PIBs).The effect of carbonization temperature on the microstructure and the potassium ions storage properties of CTR-derived carbons(CTRCs)were systematically explored by structural and morphological characterization,alongside electrochemical performances assessment.Based on the co-regulation between the turbine layers,crystal structure,pore structure,functional groups,and electrical conductivity of CTR-derived carbon carbonized at 900℃(CTRC-900H),the electrode material with high reversible capacity of 265.6m Ah·g^(-1)at 50 m A·g^(-1),a desirable cycling stability with 93.8%capacity retention even after 100 cycles,and the remarkable rate performance for PIBs were obtained.Furthermore,cyclic voltammetry(CV)at different scan rates and galvanostatic intermittent titration technique(GITT)have been employed to explore the potassium ions storage mechanism and electrochemical kinetics of CTRCs.Results indicate that the electrode behavior is predominantly governed by surface-induced capacitive processes,particularly under high current densities,with the potassium storage mechanism characterized by an“adsorption-weak intercalation”mechanism.This work highlights the potential of CTR-based carbon as a promising electrode material category suitable for high-performance PIBs electrodes,while also provides valuable insights into the new avenues for the high value-added utilization of CTR.
基金financially supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(No.2022YFE0121300)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52374376)the Introduction Plan for High-end Foreign Experts(No.G2023105001L)。
文摘As a mathematical analysis method,fractal analysis can be used to quantitatively describe irregular shapes with self-similar or self-affine properties.Fractal analysis has been used to characterize the shapes of metal materials at various scales and dimensions.Conventional methods make it difficult to quantitatively describe the relationship between the regular characteristics and properties of metal material surfaces and interfaces.However,fractal analysis can be used to quantitatively describe the shape characteristics of metal materials and to establish the quantitative relationships between the shape characteristics and various properties of metal materials.From the perspective of two-dimensional planes and three-dimensional curved surfaces,this paper reviews the current research status of the fractal analysis of metal precipitate interfaces,metal grain boundary interfaces,metal-deposited film surfaces,metal fracture surfaces,metal machined surfaces,and metal wear surfaces.The relationship between the fractal dimensions and properties of metal material surfaces and interfaces is summarized.Starting from three perspectives of fractal analysis,namely,research scope,image acquisition methods,and calculation methods,this paper identifies the direction of research on fractal analysis of metal material surfaces and interfaces that need to be developed.It is believed that revealing the deep influence mechanism between the fractal dimensions and properties of metal material surfaces and interfaces will be the key research direction of the fractal analysis of metal materials in the future.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(32201491)Young Elite Scientists Sponsorship Program by CAST(2023QNRC001)The authors extend their appreciation to the Deanship of Scientific Research at Northern Border University,Arar,KSA for funding this research work through the project number“NBU-FPEJ-2024-1101-02”.
文摘Research efforts on electromagnetic interference(EMI)shielding materials have begun to converge on green and sustainable biomass materials.These materials offer numerous advantages such as being lightweight,porous,and hierarchical.Due to their porous nature,interfacial compatibility,and electrical conductivity,biomass materials hold significant potential as EMI shielding materials.Despite concerted efforts on the EMI shielding of biomass materials have been reported,this research area is still relatively new compared to traditional EMI shielding materials.In particular,a more comprehensive study and summary of the factors influencing biomass EMI shielding materials including the pore structure adjustment,preparation process,and micro-control would be valuable.The preparation methods and characteristics of wood,bamboo,cellulose and lignin in EMI shielding field are critically discussed in this paper,and similar biomass EMI materials are summarized and analyzed.The composite methods and fillers of various biomass materials were reviewed.this paper also highlights the mechanism of EMI shielding as well as existing prospects and challenges for development trends in this field.
基金Funded by the Key Technologies Research and Development Program(No.2021YFC28000900)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52374178)the Collaborative Innovation Project of Colleges and Universities of Anhui Province(No.GXXT-2020-057)。
文摘A ternary early-strengthening agent consisting of calcium formate+triethanolamine+lithium sulfate was compounded with quercetin to shorten the setting time of cementitious materials while ensuring their early strength.The optimum ratio of the three early-strengthening agents was determined as 0.5%calcium formate+0.04%triethanolamine+0.4%lithium sulfate by response surface methodology.The effects of the ternary early-strengthening agent composed of calcium formate+triethanolamine(TEA)+lithium sulfate on cementitious pore sealing materials under the synergistic effect of quercetin were studied by means of the performance tests of compressive strength,fluidity,and setting time,and the microstructural characterizations of X-ray powder diffractometer(XRD),thermogravimetry(TG-DSC)and scanning electron microscopy(SEM).The study shows that the synergistic effect of ternary early-strengthening agent and quercetin forms a multi-performance composite admixture for cementitious materials.The best performance was obtained with the compounding scheme of 0.5%calcium formate+0.04%triethanolamine+0.4%lithium sulfate ternary early-strengthening agent and 0.05%quercetin.The compressive strength of 1,3,7,and 28 d are 94.8%,39.8%,42%,and 28%higher than those of the blank group,respectively.The initial time and final setting time are 41 and 57 minutes,respectively.According to the microscopic analysis,the network and fibrous C-S-H gels generated by ternary early-strengthening agents are attached to the surface promoted by quercetin,which forms skeleton support while thickening and solidifying the cement slurry,which enhances the early compressive strength of the cement-based materials.
基金Funded by Scientific and Technological Innovation Project of Carbon Emission Peak and Carbon Neutrality of Jiangsu Province(No.BE2022028-4)。
文摘We adopted the solution impregnation route with aluminum dihydrogen phosphate solution as liquid medium for effective surface modification on graphite substrate.The mass ratio of graphite to Al(H_(2)PO_(4))_(3) changed from 0.5:1 to 4:1,and the impregnation time changed from 1 to 7 h.The typical composite phase change thermal storage materials doped with the as-treated graphite were fabricated using form-stable technique.To investigate the oxidation and anti-oxidation behavior of the impregnated graphite at high temperatures,the samples were put into a muffle furnace for a cyclic heat test.Based on SEM,EDS,DSC techniques,analyses on the impregnated technique suggested an optimized processing conditions of a 3 h impregnation time with the ratio of graphite:Al(H_(2)PO_(4))_(3) as 1:3 for graphite impregnation treatment.Further investigations on high-temperature phase change heat storage materials doped by the treated graphite suggested excellent oxidation resistance and thermal cycling performance.
文摘A clean environment with low carbon emissions is the goal of research on the development of green and sustainable buildings that use bio-sourced materials in conjunction with solar energy to create more sustainable cities.This is particularly true in Africa,where there aren’t many studies on the topic.The current study suggests a 90 m^(2) model of a sustainable building in a dry climate that is movable to address the issue of housing in remote areas,ensures comfort in harsh weather conditions,uses solar renewable resources—which are plentiful in Africa—uses biosourced materials,and examines how these materials relate to temperature and humidity control while emitting minimal carbon emissions.In order to solve the topic under consideration,the work is split into two sections:numerical and experimental approaches.Using TRNSYS and Revit,the suggested prototype building is examined numerically to examine the impact of orientation,envelope composition made of bio-sourced materials,and carbon emissions.Through a hygrothermal investigation,experiments are conducted to evaluate this prototype’s effectiveness.Furthermore,an examination of the photovoltaic system’s production,consumption,and several scenarios used tomaximize battery life is included in the paper.Because the biosourcedmaterial achieves a thermal transmittance of 0.15(W.m^(-2).K^(-1)),the results demonstrate an intriguing finding in terms of comfort.This value satisfies the requirements of passive building,energy autonomy of the dwelling,and injection in-network with an annual value of 15,757 kWh.Additionally,compared to the literature,the heating needs ratio is 6.38(kWh/m^(2).an)and the cooling needs ratio is 49(kWh/m^(2).an),both of which are good values.According to international norms,the inside temperature doesn’t go above 26℃,and the humidity level is within a comfortable range.
基金support of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.22225801,22178217 and 22308216)supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities,conducted at Tongji University.
文摘Rechargeable magnesium batteries(RMBs)have been considered a promising“post lithium-ion battery”system to meet the rapidly increasing demand of the emerging electric vehicle and grid energy storage market.However,the sluggish diffusion kinetics of bivalent Mg^(2+)in the host material,related to the strong Coulomb effect between Mg^(2+)and host anion lattices,hinders their further development toward practical applications.Defect engineering,regarded as an effective strategy to break through the slow migration puzzle,has been validated in various cathode materials for RMBs.In this review,we first thoroughly understand the intrinsic mechanism of Mg^(2+)diffusion in cathode materials,from which the key factors affecting ion diffusion are further presented.Then,the positive effects of purposely introduced defects,including vacancy and doping,and the corresponding strategies for introducing various defects are discussed.The applications of defect engineering in cathode materials for RMBs with advanced electrochemical properties are also summarized.Finally,the existing challenges and future perspectives of defect engineering in cathode materials for the overall high-performance RMBs are described.
基金support by the National Key R&D Program of China(Grant No.2023YFA1008901)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.11988102,12172009)is gratefully acknowledged.
文摘In this manuscript,we propose an analytical equivalent linear viscoelastic constitutive model for fiber-reinforced composites,bypassing general computational homogenization.The method is based on the reduced-order homogenization(ROH)approach.The ROH method typically involves solving multiple finite element problems under periodic conditions to evaluate elastic strain and eigenstrain influence functions in an‘off-line’stage,which offers substantial cost savings compared to direct computational homogenization methods.Due to the unique structure of the fibrous unit cell,“off-line”stage calculation can be eliminated by influence functions obtained analytically.Introducing the standard solid model to the ROH method enables the creation of a comprehensive analytical homogeneous viscoelastic constitutive model.This method treats fibrous composite materials as homogeneous,anisotropic viscoelastic materials,significantly reducing computational time due to its analytical nature.This approach also enables precise determination of a homogenized anisotropic relaxation modulus and accurate capture of various viscoelastic responses under different loading conditions.Three sets of numerical examples,including unit cell tests,three-point beam bending tests,and torsion tests,are given to demonstrate the predictive performance of the homogenized viscoelastic model.Furthermore,the model is validated against experimental measurements,confirming its accuracy and reliability.
基金Funded by a Science and Technology Project from the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of the People’s Republic of China(No.2019-K-047)Yangzhou Government-Yangzhou University Cooperative Platform Project for Science and Technology Innovation(No.YZ2020262)。
文摘The chloride penetration resistance of cement-based grout materials was improved by nano-silica emulsion.Specimens of mixtures containing different nano-silica particles or emulsions were exposed in sodium chloride solutions of specific concentrations with different test ages.Hardened properties of the mixes were assessed in terms of weight loss and compressive strength.X-ray diffraction(XRD)and scanning electron microscopy(SEM)of mixes were performed to analysis the phase evolution and microstructure.The results demonstrated that the introduction of nano-SiO_(2) emulsion significantly decreased the compressive strength loss and calcium hydroxide(CH)crystal content of hydration production,and then enhanced the resistance of cement-based grouting materials to chloride ion penetration.This improvement derives from the filling and pozzolanic effects of nano-SiO_(2) particles,which were incorporated via an emulsion and attributed to a well dispersion in grouting matrix.
文摘This applied research seeks to explore feasible plant design for manufacturing insulation materials for construction projects using waste sheep fleece to address environmental issues related to wasted sheep wool and enhance the gross national product. The process starts by collecting low-cost sheep fleece from farms and processed via a production line, including scouring, plucking, carding, thermal bonding, and packing. The design process involves determining an optimal location, infrastructure, staffing, machinery, environmental impact, and utilities. A final economic analysis is undertaken to estimate the product’s cost, selling price, and break-even point based on the anticipated capital and operational costs. The plant is intended to process 6778 tons of sheep wool annually. The study suggests that Mafraq Industrial City is a perfect location for the plant, and purchasing land and structures is the optimal option. The projected capital cost is 1,416,679 USD, while the anticipated operational costs amount to 3,206,275 USD. Insulation material production is estimated to be 114,756 m3 annually. The material may be manufactured into 1 m wide, 0.05 m thick sheets for 2.02 USD per square meter. Thus, for a 10-year plant, a 2.47 USD/m2 selling price breaks even in one year.
文摘Predicting the material stability is essential for accelerating the discovery of advanced materials in renewable energy, aerospace, and catalysis. Traditional approaches, such as Density Functional Theory (DFT), are accurate but computationally expensive and unsuitable for high-throughput screening. This study introduces a machine learning (ML) framework trained on high-dimensional data from the Open Quantum Materials Database (OQMD) to predict formation energy, a key stability metric. Among the evaluated models, deep learning outperformed Gradient Boosting Machines and Random Forest, achieving up to 0.88 R2 prediction accuracy. Feature importance analysis identified thermodynamic, electronic, and structural properties as the primary drivers of stability, offering interpretable insights into material behavior. Compared to DFT, the proposed ML framework significantly reduces computational costs, enabling the rapid screening of thousands of compounds. These results highlight ML’s transformative potential in materials discovery, with direct applications in energy storage, semiconductors, and catalysis.
文摘Solid waste management in Freetown has been further complicated in the wake of rapid population growth and urbanization, resulting in considerable pressure to implement effective and sustainable solutions. This study fills the knowledge gap on the recycling infrastructure, solid waste collection processing, sorting and material recovery facilities specific to the Freetown waste management system. The aim of this study is to examine these components in terms of identifying inefficiencies and suggest sustainable practices to eliminate them. The study was guided by a mixed-method approach, which consisted of both quantitative and qualitative methods, and data collection was done through systematic random sampling. The sample of 384 respondents was collected, which includes stakeholders from a range of sectors. The outcome exhibited inefficient waste collection, a lack of formal recycling infrastructure, and suboptimal waste separation at house level, with 65.2% of respondents evidencing not separating their waste and 33% being without access to waste collection services that result in illegal dumping and environmental pollution. The analysis of the solid waste composition shows that a larger share of the waste generated in Freetown is composed of organic material (53% is being organic), which allows for composting programs to be initiated. This research establishes the inevitable requirement for infrastructure upgrading, mounting public awareness, and policy development. By taking into account these sectors, Freetown can become a more environment-friendly waste management system, which would mean a reduction in landfills and much-emphasized resource recovery.
文摘This experimental study assesses the effectiveness of traditional and nano-materials in enhancing the physical and mechanical properties of deteriorated sandstone from Ramesses III Temple, Karnak, Luxor, Egypt. Treatments included Nano Estel (5%), Paraloid B-72 (3%), Paraloid B-72/Nano Estel (3%/5%), and ethyl silicates. Treated samples underwent Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and physical/mechanical testing. Results show that Paraloid B-72/Nano Estel (3%/5%) yielded optimal consolidation, significantly improving sandstone’s physical and mechanical properties.
文摘金属类专业的现有课程体系虽然在理论知识和实践技能方面都为学生提供了扎实的训练,但学生们往往难以将分散在不同课程中的知识点融会贯通,形成一个完整的知识体系。由此可见,缺乏一门能够使学生灵活运用所有专业知识的综合应用型课程。因此,设计了“Materials Engineering and Performance”专业选修课,涵盖了微观组织调控、强化机制、塑韧化机理,可帮助学生将金属材料科学的理论知识融会贯通,培养他们设计新型金属材料的能力,以有效应对科学和工程领域中的实际问题。
