Topic Review
Rare Earth Metals
Rare earth elements are the general named of 17 special elements, containing lanthanide element, scandium and yttrium. They are commonly represented by RE. They have been widely applied in functional materials, steel and nonferrous metals due to its special optical, electrical and magnetic properties. 
  • 692
  • 09 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Rare Earth Elements Recovery
The manuscript covers the issues related to the characteristics, application, and some methods of rare earth elements (REEs) recovery from coal fly ashes. REEs are elements with growing demand and a very wide range of application, especially when it comes to modern technologies. The development of the REE recovery technology would involve solving several problems related to REE speciation, optimization of factors controlling their extractivity and selection of the REE separation method from obtained extraction solutions with a very extreme pH and complicated composition. The paper presented advantages and disadvantages of usually used methods of REE separation from coal fly ashes, like physical and acid–base leaching. It was also presented alternative REE recovery techniques in the form of membrane and biological methods and based on ion liquids (ILs) or chelating agents. The directions of further modifications, which will allow the efficient REE recovery were presented. The aim of this article was to propose specific solutions based on the creation of appropriate multistage method of REE recovery. It will be a combination of magnetic and size separation, acid–base leaching (including roasting in justified cases), removal of matrix elements with ILs (Al, Si, and Fe), and finally REE membrane separation, allowing one to obtain the appropriate process efficiency.  
  • 966
  • 29 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Perylene-Based Non-Fullerene Acceptors
Perylene has had a tremendous impact in the history of material research for the molecular semiconductors. Among numerous derivatives of this polyaromatic hydrocarbon, perylene diimide (PDI) represents a promising class of organic materials envisioned as non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs) for the practical organic photovoltaic (OPV) applications due to their enhanced photo- and thermal stability and remarkably high electron affinity, some of which realize band-like transport properties. The present review guides some of the representative achievements in the development of rationally designed PDI systems, highlighting synthetic methodologies based on bay-functionalization strategies for creating well-designed molecular nanostructures and structure-performance relationship of perylene-based small molecular acceptors (SMAs) for the photovoltaic outcomes.
  • 1.2K
  • 28 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Nickel-Copper Alloys
Nickel-Copper (Ni-Cu) alloys exhibit simultaneously high strength and toughness (particularly, at cryogenic temperatures), excellent corrosion resistance, and may show good wear resistance. Therefore, they are widely used for manufacturing of (i) structural components of equipment in the chemical, oil, and marine industries, (ii) resistors and contacts in electrical and electronic equipment, (iii) corrosion resistant coatings, and (iv) fuel cells. Processing technologies includes bar forging, plate and tube rolling, wire drawing, heat treatment (for certain alloy compositions), powder and wire arc additive manufacturing, electrodeposition.
  • 2.0K
  • 26 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Mini/Micro/Nano Scale Liquid Metal Motors
Swimming motors navigating in complex fluidic environments have received tremendous attention over the last decade. In particular, liquid metal (LM) as a new emerging material has shown considerable potential in furthering the development of swimming motors, due to their unique features such as fluidity, softness, reconfigurability, stimuli responsiveness, and good biocompatibility. LM motors can not only achieve directional motion but also deformation due to their liquid nature, thus providing new and unique capabilities to the field of swimming motors. 
  • 683
  • 28 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Microstructure of Ni-Based Superalloy
To understand the behaviour of the especially complex Ni-based superalloys at high-homologous temperatures it is necessary to characterize their microstructure in fully heat-treatment condition. Detection and characterization of precipitates even nano-precipitates is essential in the study of creep and fatigue degradation. Without the knowledge about the phase composition of material, it is problematic to predict the microstructure evolution during long-term service. The main aim of this work was to perform the comprehensive characterization of equiaxed Ni-based superalloy René 108 from micro- to atomic-scale resolution by using analytical microscopy techniques.    
  • 6.4K
  • 20 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Microalloyed Niobium Steel
Thermomechanical processing of niobium microalloyed steel was performed with the purpose of determining the interaction between niobium precipitates and dislocations, as well as determining the influence of the temperature of final deformation on the degree of precipitation and dislocation density. Two variants of thermomechanical processing with di erent final rolling temperatures were carried out. Samples were studied using electrochemical isolation with an atomic absorption spectrometer, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray di raction analysis, and universal tensile testing with a thermographic camera. The results show that the increase in the density of dislocations before the onset of intense precipitation is insignificant because the recrystallization process takes place simultaneously. It increases with the onset of strain-induced precipitation. It is shown that niobium precipitates determine the density of dislocations. The appearance of Lüders bands was noticed as a consequence of the interaction between niobium precipitates and dislocations during the subsequent cold deformation. In both variants of the industrial process performed on the cold deformed strip, Lüders bands appeared.
  • 1.2K
  • 26 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Metal Oxide Applications
Metal oxides play a key role in environmental remediation.
  • 4.9K
  • 08 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Metal Matrix Composites
Metal matrix composites (MMCs) present extraordinary characteristics, including high wear resistance, excellent operational properties at elevated temperature, and better chemical inertness as compared to traditional alloys. These properties make them prospective candidates in the fields of aerospace, automotive, heavy goods vehicles, electrical, and biomedical industries. MMCs are challenging to process via traditional manufacturing techniques, requiring high cost and energy. The laser-melting deposition (LMD) has recently been used to manufacture MMCs via rapid prototyping, thus, solving these drawbacks. Besides the benefits mentioned above, the issues such as lower ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, weak bonding between matrix and reinforcements, and cracking are still prevalent in parts produced by LMD. In this article, a detailed analysis is made on the MMCs manufactured via LMD. An illustration is presented on the LMD working principle, its classification, and dependent and independent process parameters. Moreover, a brief comparison between the wire and powder-based LMDs has been summarized. Ex- and in-situ MMCs and their preparation techniques are discussed. Besides this, various matrices available for MMCs manufacturing, properties of MMCs after printing, possible complications and future research directions are reviewed and summarized.
  • 2.5K
  • 18 May 2021
Topic Review
Medium-Entropy Alloy
The objective of this study is to strengthen the FCC structued medium-entropy alloy using the hard carbides.
  • 2.4K
  • 26 Aug 2020
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