In this article, convex optimization is introduced as a promising tool to study Eshelby based inverse micromechanics problems. The focus is on inverse micromechanics using the Mori–Tanaka model given the dielectric constants of the composite material and of all of its components. The model is exactly the same for the conductivity properties (thermal and electrical) as well. This choice of model is made since the model is fairly simple, has a closed form analytical solution, and is known to perform well for the case of spheroidal inclusions as well. The forward or direct micromechanics problem deals with the determination of effective properties of a composite material given the properties of its components and microstructural information. The focus is on isotropic composites, and the distribution of inclusions is assumed to be such that this holds. The inverse micromechanics problem considered in this paper deals with the determination of microstructural information given the properties of the composite material and all of its components. Since in this paper the isotropy of the composite and only spherical inclusions are considered, the goal is to determine only the volume fractions of the components of the composite material. The inverse problem is formulated as a Linear Programming problem and is solved. Before this, the inverse problem and certain important variants of it are examined through the lens of convex optimization. Lastly, promising results are presented on the relationship between dispersive materials, noise in measurements, and the quality of the obtained volumetric splits. The scope of the use of convex optimization in inverse micromechanics is discussed.
Underwater tunnels beneath rivers and lakes are frequently subjected to leakage issues. However, the instability mechanism caused by particle loss remains insufficiently understood, particularly in pebble formations. This study combines experimental and numerical approaches to investigate the influence of particle loss on formation instability. The results indicate that the process of particle loss can be divided into intense erosion, erosion mitigation and stable seepage, and the anti-erosion capacity of gap-gradation pebble soils is the worst. When leakage occurs at the tunnel vault or sidewall, a continuous seepage erosion channel eventually propagates from the leakage location toward the ground surface. For leakage at the tunnel bottom, the particle disturbance zone is confined within the tunnel contour. As the leakage width increases, the disturbance zone continuously expands, and the instability evolution accelerates. The particle loss illustrates an initial rapid increase, followed by a trend toward stabilization after a certain step. Moreover, the calculation step required to reach the steady state decreases with increasing hydraulic pressure. The microscopic contact force above the vault deflects horizontally to form temporary arching effect near the leakage, determining the evolution of particle loss and formation deformation. These finds can provide references for the early warning and risk assessment of tunnel leakage disasters in pebble formations.
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.
Renewable energy is characterized by seasonal and regional fluctuations, and large-scale underground hydrogen storage (UHS) is a promising technology for regulating the imbalanced energy supply and demand. Existing UHS studies and projects of either pure hydrogen or its mixture with methane are mostly conducted with salt caverns and saline aquifers, other types of formations, e.g., coalbed methane (CBM) reservoirs, have not been systematically examined for hydrogen storage. The hydraulic fractures created for CBM production have favorable permeation properties for potential hydrogen storage. A coal seam model was built based on realistic geological parameters from the Qinshui Basin in China, upon which compositional modeling was carried out to study the primary CBM depletion and subsequent hydrogen injection and withdrawal processes in the reservoir. Sensitivity analyses against crucial UHS operating parameters show that well shut-in period between primary depletion and UHS operations has a minor impact on hydrogen recovery. Larger cushion gas volume leads to higher initial hydrogen recovery. Larger working gas volume improves long-term hydrogen recovery but is constrained by cushion gas in initial cycles. Lower injection-withdrawal rates favor higher hydrogen recovery by exploiting reservoir pressure support in the early stage. The purity of hydrogen remains stable at about 94% during longterm cycling. In addition, the recovery of the optimized case obtained through the L25(56) orthogonal experiment reaches 97.01%, and the overall purity is stable. Case studies support that depleted CBM reservoirs can be used for long-term cyclic UHS by maintaining satisfactory hydrogen recovery. This study provides an instructive evaluation of large-scale UHS in depleted CBM reservoirs and serves as a comparative reference for other UHS operations.
The transcription factor Snail is a central regulatory hub that governs the transition from localized tumorigenesis to invasive, metastatic, therapy-resistant disease. Elucidating the mechanisms of Snail-driven epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and identifying strategies to target this pathway are critical challenges and promising frontiers for novel oncology therapeutics. In this review, we systematically analyzed the association between Snail expression and patient outcomes across multiple malignancies based on bioinformatics and statistical interrogation of clinical datasets and molecular interaction networks. Our findings indicate that Snail primarily exerts its oncogenic effects by directly activating a network of pro-metastatic and pro-survival oncogenes, rather than by repressing epithelial genes. We further show that the canonical E-box motif (CANNTG) is a poor predictor of Snail targets. Instead, Snail’s tumor-promoting activity is largely mediated through its cooperation with EGR1/SP1 transcription factors on non-canonical TCACA promoter elements, which upregulate genes such as ZEB1, MMP9, and LEF1. Based on these conclusions, we propose a refined model for predicting Snail target genes. Finally, given that inhibiting the Snail-EMT axis presents a plausible opportunity to limit cancer progression and improve patient outcomes, we also discuss clinically relevant pharmacological strategies for targeting Snail.
