Topic Review
ODS FeCrAl Alloys
After the Fukushima nuclear accident, the development of new accident-tolerant fuel cladding materials has become a research hotspot around the world. Due to its outstanding corrosion resistance, radiation resistance, and creep properties at elevated temperatures, the oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) FeCrAl alloy, as one of the most promising candidate materials for accident-tolerant fuel cladding, has been extensively studied during the past decade. In particular, the reasonable/optimized content of Cr is explained from the aspects of oxidation resistance, radiation resistance, and thermal stability. The essential role of the Al element in oxidation resistance, high-temperature stability, and workability was reviewed in detail. The roles of oxide-forming elements, i.e., Y (Y2O3), Ti, and Zr, and the solid solution strengthening element, i.e., W.
  • 305
  • 01 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Cellular Solid Materials
Cellular solids are materials made up of cells with solid edges or faces that are piled together to fit a certain space. These materials are already present in nature and have already been utilized in the past. Some examples are wood, cork, sponge and coral. New cellular solids replicating natural ones have been manufactured, such as honeycomb materials and foams, which have a variety of applications because of their special characteristics such as being lightweight, insulation, cushioning and energy absorption derived from the cellular structure. Cellular solids have interesting thermal, physical and mechanical properties in comparison with bulk solids: density, thermal conductivity, Young’s modulus and compressive strength. This huge extension of properties allows for applications that cannot easily be extended to fully dense solids and offers enormous potential for engineering creativity. Their Low densities allow lightweight and rigid components to be designed, such as sandwich panels and large portable and floating structures of all types. Their low thermal conductivity enables cheap and reliable thermal insulation, which can only be improved by expensive vacuum-based methods. Their low stiffness makes the foams ideal for a wide range of applications, such as shock absorbers. Low strengths and large compressive strains make the foams attractive for energy-absorbing applications. Their main properties, applications (real and potential) and recent developments are presented, summarized and discussed.
  • 121
  • 17 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Ternary Al–Ni–Er System
Al–Ni–Er is an essential system in heat-resistant Al alloys. The aluminum-rich corner of this system, which has the most practical application significance. The phase equilibria of the Al–Ni–Er system are investigated via experiments and thermodynamic modeling. The isothermal sections of the Al-rich corner of this ternary system at 600 and 700 °C were determined through equilibrated alloys combined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD).
  • 182
  • 03 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Antimicrobial Coatings with Metal and Metal Oxide Nanoparticles
Antimicrobial coatings are utilized in the surface modification of yarns and materials designed for use in medical and dental applications. Various physical and chemical methods are employed to create these coatings, ensuring the development of efficient, homogeneous, and uniform layers on diverse surfaces and materials. For these coatings to be effective, they must incorporate active compounds that can combat a wide array of microorganisms, including those that have developed resistance to antibiotics. Examples of such active compounds include metallic nanoparticles such as silver, copper, and gold, as well as nanoparticles of metal oxides such as zinc, titanium, and aluminum. Upon the application of these coatings to medical materials, extensive testing and characterization procedures are undertaken, which will be thoroughly detailed in this entry. It is crucial to emphasize that the absence of proper characterization and testing of nanoparticles in antimicrobial coatings could lead to the absence of standards, norms, or procedures necessary to safeguard human health and the environment. Despite their widespread application in the medical field, concerns have been raised regarding the potential toxicity of nanoparticles to living organisms.
  • 114
  • 03 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Corrosion and Scaling in Geothermal Heat Exchangers
Geothermal power is an attractive and environmentally friendly energy source known for its reliability and efficiency. Unlike some renewables like solar and wind, geothermal energy is available consistently, making it valuable for mitigating climate change. Heat exchangers play a crucial role in geothermal power plants, particularly in binary cycle plants, where they represent a significant portion of capital costs. Protecting these components from deterioration is essential for improving plant profitability. Corrosion is a common issue due to direct contact with geothermal fluid, which can lead to heat exchanger failure.
  • 296
  • 31 Oct 2023
Topic Review
FIB-SEM Tomography: Fundamentals and Applications in Materials Sciences
Focused ion beam (FIB)-scanning electron microscopy (SEM) tomography is an extremely important and reliable technique for the three-dimensional reconstruction of microscopic structures with nanometric resolution, with great potential to be integrated with other analytical techniques. FIB-SEM tomography plays a crucial role in the development of innovative multiscale and multimodal correlative microscopy workflows because it can be seamlessly integrated with other imaging modalities, as the reconstruction range bridges the gap between the non-destructive X-ray families of tomographic techniques, which provide sub-micron resolution, and the nano- to atomic-scale resolution achieved by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) tomography.
  • 307
  • 26 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Neutron Powder Diffraction in Metal Halide Solid-State Electrolytes
Metal halide solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) (Li-M-X system, typically Li3MX6 and Li2MX4; M is metal or rare-earth element, X is halogen) exhibit significant potential in all solid-state batteries (ASSB) due to wide stability windows (0.36–6.71 V vs. Li/Li+), excellent compatibility with cathodes, and a water-mediated facile synthesis route for large-scale fabrication. Understanding the dynamics of Li+ transportation and the influence of the host lattice is the prerequisite for developing advanced Metal halide SSEs. Neutron powder diffraction (NPD), as the most cutting-edge technology, could essentially reflect the nuclear density map to determine the whole crystal structure. Through NPD, the Li+ distribution and occupation are clearly revealed for transport pathway analysis, and the influence of the host ion lattice on Li+ migration could be discussed.
  • 130
  • 20 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Chemical Structures and Characteristics of Blue Emitters
Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) have outperformed conventional display technologies in smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, and televisions while gradually growing to cover a sizable fraction of the solid-state lighting industry. Blue emission is a crucial chromatic component for realizing high-quality red, green, blue, and yellow (RGBY) and RGB white display technologies and solid-state lighting sources. For consumer products with desirable lifetimes and efficiency, deep blue emissions with much higher power efficiency and operation time are necessary prerequisites.
  • 218
  • 19 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Stress Corrosion Cracking of Copper–Nickel Alloys
Under the combination of certain corrosive ions and stress, Cu-Ni alloys may experience severe stress corrosion cracking (SCC), which causes premature failure and hinders their further applications as crucial construction materials in various engineering fields.
  • 124
  • 13 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Perovskites Application in the Sensing of NPNC Biomarkers
erovskites are materials with a chemical formula of the form ABO3 (oxide-based form) or ABX3 (halogen-based form), ordered in a specific arrangement of atoms in a crystal lattice. It consists of a cubic unit cell in which an atom or ion is located at the center, surrounded by a larger octahedral cage of different atoms or ions. Non-protein nitrogenous compounds (NPNC) such as urea, uric acid, creatine, and creatinine are commonly used as biomarkers of human kidney health. 
  • 168
  • 28 Sep 2023
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