Topic Review
AlCr-Based Coatings in Industrial Applications
AlCr-based hard nitride coatings with different chemical compositions and architectures have been successfully developed and applied over the last few decades. Coating properties are mainly influenced by deposition conditions and the Al/Cr content. The fcc structure is dominant for an Al-content up to Al0.7Cr0.3N and is preferred for most cutting applications. Different (AlCrX)N alloying concepts, including X = Si, W, B, V, have been investigated in order to enhance oxidation resistance and wear behaviour and to provide tribological properties. AlCr-based oxynitrides and even pure oxides (Al1−xCrx)2O3 with different crystalline structures have been explored. Multi- and nanolayered coatings within the AlCr materials system, as well as in combination with (TiSi)N, for example, have also been implemented industrially. The dominant deposition technology is the vacuum arc process. Recently, advanced high-power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) processes have also been successfully applied on an industrial scale. 
  • 2.0K
  • 25 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Electron Transport Layer
The electron transport layer (ETL) acts as a function of collecting electrons and blocking the transport of holes to the FTO electrode in the PSC. The mesoporous structure of the ETL promotes the crystallization and film formation of perovskite and shortens the migration path of photogenerated electrons. A suitable ETL should have an energy band position that matches the perovskite material.
  • 2.0K
  • 10 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Applications of Natural Polymers-Based Materials
Natural polymers have emerged as promising candidates for the sustainable development of materials in areas ranging from food packaging and biomedicine to energy storage and electronics. 
  • 1.9K
  • 06 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Antibiotics-Coated Gold Nanoparticles to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become an alarming threat to the successful treatment of rapidly growing bacterial infections because of the abuse and misuse of antibiotics. Traditional antibiotics bear many limitations including restricted bioavailability, inadequate penetration and the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms. Recent advances in nanotechnology for the introduction of nanoparticles with fascinating physicochemical characteristics have been predicted as an innovative means of defence against antimicrobial-resistant diseases. The use of nanoparticles renders several benefits including improved tissue targeting, better solubility, improved stability, enhanced epithelial permeability and minimal side effects.
  • 1.9K
  • 07 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Sol-gel Technology for Commercial Coatings
The commercial availability of inorganic/organic precursors for sol-gel formulation is very high and increase day by day. By using the sol-gel technology, it is possible to provide materials with functional/multi-functional characteristics including flame retardant, anti-mosquito, water-repellent oil-repellent, anti-bacterial, anti-wrinkle, ultraviolet (UV) protection, self-cleaning and other properties. Some of these properties are discussed here, describing basic chemistry, factors affecting the sol-gel process, as well as progress and parameters controlling sol-gel technology for thin coatings.
  • 1.9K
  • 29 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Carbon Coating Method
The carbon coating has the following main mechanisms: (1) Modifying surface chemical stability, (2) Enhancing structural stability, and (3) Improving Li-ion diffusion. 
  • 1.7K
  • 07 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Transparent Electrode Materials
The nonrenewable nature of fossil energy has led to a gradual decrease in reserves. Meanwhile, as society becomes increasingly aware of the severe pollution caused by fossil energy, the demand for clean energy, such as solar energy, is rising. Moreover, in recent years, electronic devices with screens, such as mobile phones and computers, have had increasingly higher requirements for light transmittance. Whether in solar cells or in the display elements of electronic devices, transparent conductive films directly affect the performance of these devices as a cover layer. In this context, the development of transparent electrodes with low sheet resistance and high light transmittance has become one of the most urgent issues in related fields. At the same time, conventional electrodes can no longer meet the needs of some of the current flexible devices. Because of the high sheet resistance, poor light transmittance, and poor bending stability of the conventional tin-doped indium tin oxide conductive film and fluorine-doped tin oxide transparent conductive glass, there is a need to find alternatives with better performance. In this entry, the progress of research on transparent electrode materials with sandwich structures and their advantages is reviewed according to the classification of conductive materials to provide reference for research in related fields.
  • 1.7K
  • 09 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Fungal Degradation of Wood
Wood durability researchers have long described fungal decay of timber using the starkly simple terms of white, brown and soft rot, along with the less destructive mold and stain fungi. These terms have taken on an almost iconic meaning but are only based upon the outward appearance of the damaged timber. Long-term deterioration studies, as well as the emerging genetic tools, are showing the fallacy of simplifying the decay process into such broad groups.
  • 1.7K
  • 17 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Anti-Icing Surfaces
In numerous fields such as aerospace, the environment, and energy supply, ice generation and accretion represent a severe issue. For this reason, numerous methods have been developed for ice formation to be delayed and/or to inhibit ice adhesion to the substrates. Among them, laser micro/nanostructuring of surfaces aiming to obtain superhydrophobic behavior has been taken as a starting point for engineering substrates with anti-icing properties. 
  • 1.5K
  • 17 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Power Generation Using Dielectric Elastomers
Power generation using dielectric elastomer (DE) artificial muscle is attracting attention because of its light weight, low cost, and high-efficiency. Since this method is a system that produces electricity without emitting carbon dioxide nor using rare earths, it would contribute to the goal of environmental sustainability. 
  • 1.5K
  • 30 Jun 2021
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