Phase change material-integrated three-dimensional concrete printing (PCM-3DCP) represents an emerging class of additively manufactured structural thermal energy storage materials designed to enable distributed, passive energy management in the built environment. By embedding latent heat storage within architected cementitious matrices, PCM-3DCP systems function as load-shifting thermal batteries that enhance energy flexibility, reduce peak demand, and improve indoor thermal stability without reliance on active mechanical systems. The convergence of nonlinear phase-change thermodynamics with anisotropic, layer-wise printed microstructures introduces complex multiscale heat-transfer and thermo-mechanical coupling effects that remain insufficiently understood, limiting predictive design and large-scale deployment. This review consolidates a fragmented cross-disciplinary synthesis of PCM-3DCP composite advances from materials to performance to provide a unified body of knowledge and identifies relationships between structure-process-property-performance levels to promote PCM-3DCP global adoption & scaling up. Additionally, it proposes a novel strategic framework linking PCM-3DCP innovation, application, and performance with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs), positioning it as an efficient pathway towards net-zero, low-carbon, multifunctional building envelopes that integrate structural capacity with active thermal regulation through architected latent heat storage. Furthermore, an extrusion-based mixture design strategic framework is presented alongside quantitative performance metrics to evaluate lifecycle, thermal properties & thermal energy gains, durability, and economic feasibility of PCM-3DCP composites. Finally, the work positions PCM-3DCP within the broader context of energy transition and decarbonization pathways, outlining current challenges and future research directions toward programmable, climate-responsive structural energy storage systems that support net-zero and resilient infrastructure.
Geopolymer technology offers a sustainable pathway for reducing the environmental impact of construction materials through the valorization of industrial wastes. Given this, waste marble powder (WMP), generated in large quantities worldwide, represents a promising alternative precursor to conventional aluminosilicate sources. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and performance of natural zeolite (NZ)–based geopolymers incorporating WMP, with particular emphasis on the effects of precursor replacement level, silicate modulus (MS), and curing temperature. Geopolymer composites were produced by partially replacing NZ with WMP at levels of 0–30
Radiotherapy generates high levels of reactive oxygen species, leading to oxidative damage in sensitive tissues. Food-derived flavonoids, such as naringenin (Nar), quercetin (Que), and hesperidin (Hes), are widely recognised for their potent antioxidant activity and are frequently incorporated into functional foods and nutraceutical formulations. Understanding their protective effects under extreme oxidative conditions is essential for evaluating their biological relevance in food science and health-oriented product development. This study investigated the ability of these dietary flavonoids to modulate carbonic anhydrase (CA) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities in rat brain and eye tissues exposed to ionising radiation. Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to 10 groups comprising: radiation-only (10, 12, and 15 Gy), flavonoid-only (Nar, Que, and Hes), and flavonoid pretreatment groups subsequently exposed to 15 Gy irradiation. Enzyme activities were determined spectrophotometrically, and data were analysed using one-way ANOVA and followed by Duncan's multiple comparison test (p < .05). Radiation exposure induced a dose-dependent decrease in brain CA and AChE activities compared with the control group, while no statistically significant alterations were detected in eye tissue (p > .05). Pretreatment with food-origin flavonoids partially preserved enzyme activities in brain tissue, suggesting a protective role against radiation-induced oxidative dysfunction. These findings suggest that dietary flavonoids may contribute to the modulation of radiation-associated enzymatic alterations and support their potential application in functional foods and nutraceutical strategies aimed at mitigating oxidative stress-related neural impairment.
The Covid-19 pandemic has negatively affected labour markets, among other aspects of life. This study examines the impact of the discouraged worker effect during the pandemic, focusing on the Turkish labour market from 2018 to 2021. Although few studies exist on this topic, they rely on labour force participation rates, whereas our dataset includes direct questions and data specifically related to the discouraged worker effect, allowing for a microeconomic analysis. Probit regression results show that the discouraged worker effect was stronger during the pandemic, with job seekers being 1.6% more likely to become discouraged than before. Higher education levels generally reduce this likelihood, both before and during the pandemic. While age negatively correlates with discouragement, this effect diminishes with increasing age. Single women were more adversely affected than single men and married women than married men. Higher unemployment rates increase discouragement, as expected, while an increase in the unemployment rate has a greater effect on individuals during the pandemic period. Findings suggest that the pandemic had a disproportionate impact on certain individuals, particularly with respect to education level and gender, while T & uuml;rkiye's societal structure may help explain the observed gender-based differences.
Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is widely used in engineering and industrial applications due to its excellent mechanical properties and versatility; however, its inherent flammability and thermal degradation behavior limit its use in fire-sensitive environments. In this study, flame-retardant TPU composites containing red phosphorus (RP) and zinc borate (ZnB) were prepared via melt compounding to investigate their combined effects on thermal stability, fire performance, and mechanical properties. Thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated that RP significantly increased char yield and altered the degradation pathway, whereas ZnB further enhanced condensed-phase stability by forming boron-rich protective layers. Non-isothermal degradation kinetics, evaluated using model-free methods, revealed conversion-dependent activation energies, indicating a complex multi-step degradation mechanism. RP-containing composites exhibited higher activation energies at advanced conversion levels, suggesting improved resistance to thermal degradation. Mechanical testing showed that RP increased tensile strength and modulus, whereas the incorporation of ZnB into hybrid systems reduced tensile strength and elongation at break. Overall, the RP/ZnB hybrid system offers a promising approach to achieving a balance among flame retardancy, thermal stability, mechanical performance, and processability in TPU composites.
