Topic Review
“Brick-and-Mortar” Composites Made of 2D Carbon Nanoparticles
Among all biomimetic materials, nacre has drawn great attention from the scientific community, thanks to superior levels of strength and toughness and its brick-and-mortar (B&M) architecture. However, achieving the desired performances is challenging since the mechanical response of the material is influenced by many factors, such as the filler content, the matrix molecular mobility and the compatibility between the two phases. Most importantly, the properties of a macroscopic bulk material strongly depend on the interaction at atomic levels and on their synergetic effect. In particular, the formation of highly-ordered brick-and-mortar structures depends on the interaction forces between the two phases. Consequently, poor mechanical performances of the material are associated with interface issues and low stress transfer from the matrix to the nanoparticles. Therefore, improvement of the interface at the chemical level enhances the mechanical response of the material. 
  • 588
  • 27 Apr 2022
Topic Review
(Fe-Co-Ni-Zn)-Based Metal–Organic Framework-Derived Electrocatalyst for Zinc–Air Batteries
Zinc–air batteries (ZABs) have garnered significant interest as a viable substitute for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), primarily due to their impressive energy density and low cost. However, the efficacy of zinc–air batteries is heavily dependent on electrocatalysts, which play a vital role in enhancing reaction efficiency and stability. This research highlights the crucial significance of electrocatalysts in zinc–air batteries and explores the rationale behind employing Fe-Co-Ni-Zn-based metal–organic framework (MOF)-derived hybrid materials as potential electrocatalysts. These MOF-derived electrocatalysts offer advantages such as abundancy, high catalytic activity, tunability, and structural stability. Various synthesis methods and characterization techniques are employed to optimize the properties of MOF-derived electrocatalysts. Such electrocatalysts exhibit excellent catalytic activity, stability, and selectivity, making them suitable for applications in ZABs. Furthermore, they demonstrate notable capabilities in the realm of ZABs, encompassing elevated energy density, efficacy, and prolonged longevity. It is imperative to continue extensively researching and developing this area to propel the advancement of ZAB technology forward and pave the way for its practical implementation across diverse fields.
  • 180
  • 16 Oct 2023
Topic Review
[M(Salen)] Complexes, Their Polymers, and Composites Based Thereon
The polymers of square–planar complexes of 3d metal (M) atoms with tetradentate N2O2 Schiff base ligands, the so-called salen complexes ([M(Salen)]), are characterized by high redox conductivity, electrochromic behavior, and selective catalytic activity in heterogeneous reactions (including electrocatalysis). An important advantage of these polymers is also their high thermal stability (up to 350 °C) compared with monomer complexes due to their conductive polymer matrix. It is also expected that the synthesis of nanocomposites based on poly-[M(Salen)] and various forms of carbon (mesoporous and activated carbon), including nanostructured ones (carbon nanotubes, graphene, and nanoglobular carbon), will lead to the development of materials with improved energetic, catalytic, and other characteristics. This quality improvement is achieved due to the uniform distribution of the polymer on the surface of the carbon component of the composite material, which has a high specific surface area, electrical conductivity, and mechanical properties (strength, elasticity).
  • 58
  • 18 Feb 2024
Topic Review
3D-Printed Satellite Brackets
Brackets are the load-bearing components in a satellite. The current age of satellites comprises specific brackets that set out as a link between the bodies of the satellite, reflector parts, and feeder facilities mounted at its upper end. Brackets are used to carry loads of the satellite body frame, supporting elements, batteries, and electronic goods. Additive Manufacturing (AM) is a process in which a 3D solid object is built by adding the material layer-over-layer. The success of making the product using AM technology requires greater experience in Design for Additive Manufacturing (DFAM) which makes use of the design of freedom of AM. Owing to the various advantages of AM and DFAM, it is easy to create high strength-to-weight ratio products. This is an important contribution to aerospace industries in meeting the unabated demand for lightweight and strong structural applications.
  • 969
  • 09 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Acoustic Metamaterials in Aeronautics
Metamaterials, man-made composites that are scaled smaller than the wavelength, have demonstrated a huge potential for application in acoustics, allowing the production of sub-wavelength acoustic absorbers, acoustic invisibility, perfect acoustic mirrors and acoustic lenses for hyper focusing, and acoustic illusions and enabling new degrees of freedom in the control of the acoustic field. The zero, or even negative, refractive sound index of metamaterials offers possibilities for the control of acoustic patterns and sound at sub-wavelength scales. The potential of metamaterial-based technologies has recently caught the interest of the aeronautics community. Their effect in the presence of realistic flows in the surrounding domains, with boundary layer, turbulence, is currently a hot research topic. The interaction with flow requires a careful design of the metamaterial to avoid detrimental effects and enabling the device maximum capabilities in aeronautics.
  • 906
  • 25 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Additive Manufacturing of Ti-Based Alloys
TiAl-based intermetallic alloys have come to the fore as the preferred alloys for high-temperature applications. Conventional methods (casting, forging, sheet forming, extrusion, etc.) have been applied to produce TiAl intermetallic alloys. However, the inherent limitations of conventional methods do not permit the production of the TiAl alloys with intricate geometries. Additive manufacturing technologies such as electron beam melting (EBM) and laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), have been used to produce TiAl alloys with complex geometries. EBM technology can produce crack-free TiAl components but lacks geometrical accuracy. LPBF technology has great geometrical precision that could be used to produce TiAl alloys with tailored complex geometries, but cannot produce crack-free TiAl components. To satisfy the current industrial requirement of producingcrack-free TiAl alloys with tailored geometries, the paper proposes a new heating model for the LPBF manufacturing process. The model could maintain even temperature between the solidified and subsequent layers, reducing temperature gradients (residual stress), which could eliminate crack formation. The new conceptualized model also opens a window for in-situ heat treatment of the built samples to obtain the desired TiAl (gama-phase) and Ti3Al (α2-phase) intermetallic phases for high-temperature operations. In situ heat treatment would also improve the homogeneity of the microstructure of LPBF manufactured samples.
  • 633
  • 26 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Adsorbents for Heavy Metal Decontamination
The adsorption isotherm model is a valuable method for determining the theoretical optimal adsorption power as well as the potential interactions between adsorbents and adsorbate. Sorption isotherms are mathematical models that illustrate the allocation of metals in between adsorbate and adsorbent. The distribution of metals in between adsorbate and adsorbent depends upon the nature of the adsorbent whether it is homogeneous or heterogeneous, the type of exposure, and the bonding between adsorbent and adsorbate.
  • 516
  • 25 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Adsorbing Materials for Fluoride Removal
In recent years, there has been an increase in public perception of the detrimental side-effects of fluoride to human health due to its effects on teeth and bones. Today, there is a plethora of techniques available for the removal of fluoride from drinking water. Among them, adsorption is a very prospective method because of its handy operation, cost efficiency, and high selectivity. 
  • 723
  • 12 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Advances in Magnetostrictive Tb-Dy-Fe Alloys
Tb-Dy-Fe alloys are widely used in transducers, actuators and sensors due to the effective conversion between magnetic energy and mechanical energy (or acoustic energy). 
  • 377
  • 01 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Advantages of C3N4 with Layered Double Hydroxides Heterojunctions
Environmental pollution has been decreased by using photocatalytic technology in conjunction with solar energy. An efficient method to obtain highly efficient photocatalysts is to build heterojunction photocatalysts by combining graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) with layered double hydroxides (LDHs).
  • 169
  • 08 Dec 2023
  • Page
  • of
  • 22