Typical specifications for steel fiber-reinforced shotcrete primarily focus on early-age mechanical properties and do not provide much guidance on evaluating changes in capacity over time, particularly under humid underground service conditions. In addition, accelerated laboratory durability tests are rarely calibrated against measurements obtained from underground structures in service. This study addressed that gap with a 12-month dual-track approach: (i) maintaining controlled near-saturated conditions in the laboratory at 23 ± 2 °C and 95–100% relative humidity, with subsequent evaluation of the mechanical properties (compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and single-fiber pull-out resistance) at 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months; and (ii) monitoring the compressive strength in three operating underground silver mines in Zacatecas, Mexico, using the mean 48 h production-control strength as the field reference and cores taken after approximately 12 months of service. The three laboratory trajectories were well described by first-order exponential models (R2 ≥ 0.99) throughout the 12-month monitoring period. The observed reductions were 22.0% for compressive strength, 21.4% for splitting tensile strength, and 26.3% for single-fiber pull-out resistance. The apparent pull-out rate constant was approximately 18% higher than the compressive-strength rate constant, though the mechanism for this difference was not identified independently. In the field, there was an apparent reduction in compressive strength of 8–10% after about 12 months. Comparison of the chamber and field compressive-strength rates produced an apparent acceleration factor, AF ≈ 2.7, with a per-mine range of 2.4–3.0. The high pairwise correlations among the three laboratory properties (r ≥ 0.996) and the first PCA component, which explained 99.8% of their standardized trajectory variance, reflected closely aligned temporal trends. However, since these were based on five exposure-age means, they should be considered only exploratory evidence of co-variation rather than causation. MANOVA demonstrated significant multivariate effects on the combined compressive and splitting tensile responses across exposure ages (p < 0.001). The proposed acceleration factor is preliminary and restricted to the materials, sites, exposure context, and observation period studied. Routine compressive-strength core testing may be useful as a practical screening indicator, but it cannot quantitatively replace direct bond or post-cracking evaluation.
Battery packs for new energy vehicles have evolved from simple load-bearing and protective assemblies into multifunctional safety structures integrating structural support, crash protection, thermal-runaway mitigation, flame retardancy, electrical insulation, electromagnetic interference shielding, waterproof sealing, and long-term reliability. Fiber-reinforced polymer composites are promising for upper covers, underbody shields, trays, cross beams, side frames, and local protective structures because of their low density, corrosion resistance, design flexibility, and functional-integration potential. However, composite-part performance is strongly governed by forming. Resin flow, impregnation, curing or cooling shrinkage, fiber orientation, filler dispersion, and interfacial bonding may induce voids, dry spots, resin-rich regions, delamination, warpage, and fiber waviness, thereby affecting load bearing, sealing, thermal protection, and durability. This review focuses on composite-forming technologies for new energy-vehicle battery packs. It summarizes component-level service requirements and material systems and compares representative forming routes, including sheet molding compound (SMC), prepreg compression molding/wet compression molding (PCM/WCM), resin transfer molding/high-pressure resin transfer molding (RTM/HP-RTM), vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM), long-fiber thermoplastic direct processing (LFT-D), glass-mat thermoplastic (GMT), thermoplastic sheet forming, pultrusion, and multi-material joining. These routes are evaluated from six dimensions: material form, forming cycle, typical defects, representative mechanical performance, applicable components, and engineering maturity. The review further discusses defect mechanisms, performance effects, detection and control methods, and the roles of in-line monitoring, non-destructive testing, process simulation, machine learning, and digital twins in closed-loop quality manufacturing. Finally, engineering challenges are examined in multi-material joining, thermal-safety integration, low-carbon recycling, and standard certification. Composite-material battery-pack structures should therefore be developed as coordinated design and closed-loop manufacturing systems linking materials, processes, defects, performance, and validation.
This study develops a finite element analysis (FEA) framework to quantify hydrostatic consolidation of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibril arrays containing interstitial voids. Hexagonal and stochastic representative volume elements (RVEs) were constructed from experimentally measured fibril diameters and embedded in a nearly incompressible Mooney–Rivlin medium to transfer hydrostatic pressure to irregular fibril surfaces. Molecular dynamics (MD)-derived fibril properties at 300 K and 400 K were used to evaluate the effects of temperature, elastic–plastic deformation, and stochastic microstructure on void collapse and effective fiber properties. The 300 K elastic model required pressures approaching 1.3 GPa to reach approximately 1–2% void content, whereas the combined effects of elevated temperature, elastic–plastic fibril behavior, and stochastic fibril packing reduced the corresponding pressure to approximately 160 MPa. The stochastic RVE exhibited a higher initial void content, earlier plastic dissipation, lower initial effective stiffness, and nonuniform fibril–fibril contact evolution compared to the idealized hexagonal RVE. As void content decreased, both models converged toward the dense fibril response. The framework establishes a processing–microstructure–property relationship linking consolidation pressure to the evolving void morphology, fibril shape and contact development, and the resulting effective plane-strain bulk modulus and the transverse compressive stress–strain response, including the Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio, of UHMWPE fibers.
The enzymatic conversion of lignocellulosic biomass (LB) into fermentable sugars is important for the development of sustainable biorefineries. This study investigated the immobilisation of Trichoderma reesei (T. reesei) cellulase on amine-functionalised magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and evaluated the resulting biocatalyst for the hydrolysis of pretreated hemp hurd (HH) biomass. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) provided evidence consistent with cellulase association with the nanoparticles, with the estimated dry-state particle diameter increasing from 22.4 ± 0.4 to 27.8 ± 0.3 nm after immobilisation. The selected immobilised catalyst loading produced approximately 89% of the total filter-paper assay response obtained with the selected free-enzyme loading, although this comparison was not normalised to protein content. During 7 h hydrolysis experiments, glucose production increased progressively for both enzyme forms. Across the tested enzyme dilutions, immobilised cellulase generated approximately 88–91% of the glucose produced by free cellulase. The immobilised enzyme also retained approximately 64% of its initial hydrolysis performance after five reuse cycles. These findings demonstrate the potential of magnetic cellulase nanobiocatalysts for recoverable and reusable hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass. However, further studies are required to determine protein-normalised activity, immobilisation efficiency, longer-term stability, process economics and industrial scalability.
Highlights What are the main findings? center dot The weave structure is the dominant factor influencing the multidirectional surface roughness of woven fabrics. center dot Plain weave fabrics exhibited higher amplitude roughness and more uniform surface behavior, while twill weave fabrics showed lower overall roughness but pronounced directional dependence, especially in diagonal directions. center dot Linear peak density is mainly affected by weave type, whereas laundering cycles, fiber composition, and antimicrobial finishing showed no statistically significant influence. What are the implications of the main findings? center dot The surface roughness of woven fabrics cannot be adequately described using a single parameter or only principal measurement directions due to the orthotropic nature of woven structures. center dot A combined evaluation of amplitude and spatial roughness descriptors, including off-axis directions, is necessary for accurate characterization of textile surface topography, which provides a basis for designing hospital textiles with improved tactile comfort and reduced risk of skin irritation during prolonged skin contact.Highlights What are the main findings? center dot The weave structure is the dominant factor influencing the multidirectional surface roughness of woven fabrics. center dot Plain weave fabrics exhibited higher amplitude roughness and more uniform surface behavior, while twill weave fabrics showed lower overall roughness but pronounced directional dependence, especially in diagonal directions. center dot Linear peak density is mainly affected by weave type, whereas laundering cycles, fiber composition, and antimicrobial finishing showed no statistically significant influence. What are the implications of the main findings? center dot The surface roughness of woven fabrics cannot be adequately described using a single parameter or only principal measurement directions due to the orthotropic nature of woven structures. center dot A combined evaluation of amplitude and spatial roughness descriptors, including off-axis directions, is necessary for accurate characterization of textile surface topography, which provides a basis for designing hospital textiles with improved tactile comfort and reduced risk of skin irritation during prolonged skin contact.Abstract Surface roughness of woven fabrics plays a key role in tactile comfort and skin-textile interaction, particularly in medical applications involving prolonged contact with human skin. This study focuses on the surface roughness of woven fabrics in plain and twill (1/3 S) weaves intended for hospital bed sheets and bedding applications. Plain weave represents a structurally symmetric system, while twill weave exhibits a pronounced diagonal structure. Roughness was evaluated using the Fabric Touch Tester (FTT) and further analyzed through amplitude (Rq), height distribution (Rku), and frequency-related parameters (linear peak density) obtained by signal processing and peak analysis in OriginPro 2026. The results showed that weave structure is the dominant factor influencing surface topography. Plain weave fabrics exhibited higher amplitude roughness and more uniform height distribution, while twill fabrics showed lower global roughness but stronger directional dependence, particularly in diagonal directions. Linear peak density was not significantly affected by laundering cycles, fiber composition, or finishing, but was strongly dependent on weave type. The findings demonstrate that due to the orthotropic nature of woven fabrics, surface roughness, derived from surface topography, cannot be adequately described by a single parameter, and that a combined analysis of amplitude and spatial descriptors is required, with the surface being evaluated not only along the principal symmetry directions (warp and weft) but also in off-axis directions. These results provide valuable insight for the design of hospital textiles with improved tactile comfort and reduced risk of skin irritation.
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) remain a significant global challenge, affecting approximately 7% of patients in developed countries and over 10% in developing regions, according to the World Health Organization. Medical textiles, particularly hospital bed linens and pillowcases, play a critical role in the transmission of pathogenic microorganisms due to their porous structure and moisture-retaining properties, which support microbial survival and proliferation, including bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Conventional disinfection methods, including laundering and thermal treatments, provide only temporary protection, leading to rapid recontamination during use. In recent years, various antimicrobial agents and functionalization techniques have been developed to impart long-lasting antiseptic properties to textile materials. However, these approaches differ significantly in terms of antimicrobial efficiency, durability, cost-effectiveness, and environmental impact, making the selection of optimal strategies challenging for practical healthcare applications. This review provides a comprehensive comparative analysis of antimicrobial agents used in healthcare textile functionalization, including metal-based nanoparticles, organic compounds, and bio-based materials. In addition, it evaluates key modification methods such as coating, padding, and in situ synthesis, with particular emphasis on their influence on antimicrobial performance, wash durability, and practical applicability. Furthermore, this review discusses major challenges associated with the use of antiseptic coatings, including toxicity, environmental concerns, and economic limitations. Based on the analysis, promising directions for the development of safer, cost-effective, and durable antimicrobial textile systems are highlighted, offering valuable insights for future research and real-world healthcare applications.
This study evaluated the effects of copper slag (CS), dosed relative to the mass of fly ash (FA; CS = 0, 7.5, 15, and 22.5%), and the volume fraction of hybrid steel fibers (Vf = 0.0, 0.5, and 1.0%) on the mechanical response of an alkali-activated geopolymer composite. The tests were performed using a two-factor CS & times; Vf design (4 & times; 3), with compressive strength (fc) and splitting tensile strength (fct.sp) determined as the response variables. Statistical analysis showed significant effects of CS, Vf, and CS & times; Vf on fc, and a significant CS & times; Vf interaction for fct.sp, confirming that the fiber effect depended on the CS content. The greatest increases in fc relative to fiber-free composites were obtained for CS = 7.5%: +73% (Vf = 0.5%) and +102% (Vf = 1.0%), and for CS = 22.5%: +75% (Vf = 1.0%). For fct.sp, a decrease was found at CS = 0% and Vf = 0.5% (-34%), whereas an increase was observed at CS = 22.5% and Vf = 1.0% (+49%). The interpretation of the mechanical response was extended by DIC-based strain analysis in compression and splitting tests, together with sigma ct.sp-epsilon x curves, indicating differences in strain/damage localization and post-cracking response.
Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites are in urgent demand in the aerospace, new energy vehicle, and wind power sectors owing to their superior specific strength, specific modulus, and lightweight potential. However, molding defects, such as voids, dry spots, and delamination, arising from their anisotropy and weak interlaminar bonding, severely constrain their service performance. Advanced molding technologies represent the key to overcoming this bottleneck. This paper systematically reviews typical advanced molding technologies in the field of CFRP composites, including resin transfer molding (RTM) and vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) in liquid composite molding, autoclave molding and compression molding (CM) in prepreg molding, and automated fiber placement (AFP) and material extrusion (ME) in automated molding. From an integrated perspective of “technological evolution–process characteristics–defect mechanisms–optimization strategies,” this review summarizes the technical principles, development trajectories, and core advantages of each process, analyzes the formation mechanisms of typical defects, including voids, dry spots, delamination, wrinkles, warpage, and melt instability, and summarizes multidimensional optimization advances in process parameter regulation, numerical simulation, resin modification, equipment upgrading, path planning, and thermal management. Furthermore, the differences and complementarities among these processes in terms of molding precision, efficiency, cost, and applicable scope are compared. Finally, future development directions, including digital twins, green low-carbon manufacturing, ultra-large integrated structures, multi-process integration, standardized defect characterization, and low-cost collaborative design, are discussed. This paper aims to provide systematic theoretical references and technical support for the optimization and upgrading, process integration, and industrial application of advanced CFRP molding technologies.
Highlights What are the main findings? center dot The developed 9.5 mm pultruded CFRP tendon exhibited a tensile strength of 2501 MPa and an elastic modulus of 132.5 GPa. The measured relaxation loss was 1.02% at 1000 h, and the regression-based relaxation loss at 1,000,000 h was estimated to be 2.11%. center dot The estimated 1,000,000 h creep rupture load ratio was approximately 80%. The CFRP tendon-anchorage assembly also maintained stable performance for up to 2,000,000 fatigue cycles without measurable elastic stiffness degradation or anchorage slip. What are the implications of the main findings? center dot The favorable prestress retention, creep rupture resistance, and fatigue performance demonstrate the potential of the developed CFRP tendon-anchorage system as a corrosion-resistant prestressing element for prestressed concrete and cable-supported structures. center dot The absence of anchorage slip and the occurrence of tendon rupture within the gauge length indicate that the compression-type anchorage provided stable load transfer under sustained and cyclic loading. However, the extrapolated long-term values should be considered preliminary until validated using larger specimen populations and longer-duration tests.Highlights What are the main findings? center dot The developed 9.5 mm pultruded CFRP tendon exhibited a tensile strength of 2501 MPa and an elastic modulus of 132.5 GPa. The measured relaxation loss was 1.02% at 1000 h, and the regression-based relaxation loss at 1,000,000 h was estimated to be 2.11%. center dot The estimated 1,000,000 h creep rupture load ratio was approximately 80%. The CFRP tendon-anchorage assembly also maintained stable performance for up to 2,000,000 fatigue cycles without measurable elastic stiffness degradation or anchorage slip. What are the implications of the main findings? center dot The favorable prestress retention, creep rupture resistance, and fatigue performance demonstrate the potential of the developed CFRP tendon-anchorage system as a corrosion-resistant prestressing element for prestressed concrete and cable-supported structures. center dot The absence of anchorage slip and the occurrence of tendon rupture within the gauge length indicate that the compression-type anchorage provided stable load transfer under sustained and cyclic loading. However, the extrapolated long-term values should be considered preliminary until validated using larger specimen populations and longer-duration tests.Abstract Carbon-fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) tendons have attracted increasing attention as corrosion-resistant prestressing elements for prestressed concrete and cable-supported structures; however, their practical implementation requires reliable verification of long-term mechanical performance and anchorage reliability. In this study, a 9.5 mm pultruded CFRP tendon and compression-type anchorage system were developed and experimentally evaluated through relaxation, creep rupture, and fatigue tests. The tendon exhibited a tensile strength of 2501 MPa and an elastic modulus of 132.5 GPa. Relaxation tests were conducted at an initial load corresponding to 70% of the ultimate tensile capacity, and the measured relaxation loss after 1000 h was 1.02%. Based on logarithmic regression of the measured data, the relaxation loss at 1,000,000 h was estimated to be 2.11%; however, this value should be interpreted as an extrapolated long-term estimate rather than a directly verified result. Creep rupture tests performed at load ratios of 82.4-100. 0% yielded an estimated 1,000,000 h creep rupture load ratio of approximately 80%, although the prediction is subject to uncertainty because of the limited number of specimens and scatter in rupture times. Fatigue tests indicated that the CFRP tendon-anchorage assembly maintained stable performance up to 2,000,000 cycles without measurable degradation in elastic stiffness under the adopted loading conditions. These results suggest that the developed CFRP tendon-anchorage system has promising potential for prestressing applications, while further long-term tests with a larger number of specimens are required to improve the statistical reliability of the extrapolated relaxation and creep rupture predictions.
The demand for materials that can operate reliably in extreme environments, including rocket nozzles, re-entry heat shields, sharp leading edges, high-velocity impact, and high-temperature energy systems, continue to drive advances in thermal–structural materials. Carbon/Carbon composites remain a leading baseline because of their low density, high-temperature mechanical retention in inert atmospheres, and excellent thermal-shock tolerance. However, long-term durability is constrained by rapid oxidation in air at elevated temperatures, limited fracture toughness and elastic modulus in many architectures, and high manufacturing cost driven by multi-cycle densification and stringent quality assurance. Consequently, contemporary strategies increasingly rely on modifying Carbon/Carbon composites with ultra-high-temperature ceramics and adopting accelerated or simplified manufacturing routes. This review synthesizes recent progress in the design, manufacture, and application of high-performance modified Carbon/Carbon composite systems for extreme aerospace environments, emphasizing composition/architecture selection, oxidation, and ablation protection, toughening concepts, and cost-aware densification. Because extreme environments performance is governed by coupled aerothermal loading, gas–surface chemistry, internal transport, recession, and thermomechanical response, the review also consolidates the multiscale modeling and software toolchains increasingly used to size thermal-protection systems, interpret experiments, and guide down-selection. Key challenges and future directions are further discussed for reusable materials and validated performances beyond ~2000 °C.
Improvement of the engineering properties of soils by reinforcing them with fibers, at an appropriate percentage of the weight of dry soil, is frequently selected to ensure the safe construction and operation of many structures. However, the published information regarding the investigation of the dynamic properties of fiber-reinforced soils at very small strains is very limited. Toward this end, the dynamic behavior of fiber-reinforced soils is investigated experimentally by conducting Bender Element tests under different confining pressures. The effect of polypropylene fiber reinforcement on the shear wave velocity (Vs), the velocity of the primary wave (Vp), the initial Young’s modulus (E0) and the initial shear modulus (G0) of sand and sand–clay mixtures with varying compositions is examined in this study. The soils were reinforced with five different types of polypropylene fibers having lengths from 9 mm to 50 mm, at fiber contents from 0.5% to 2% by weight of dry soil. The results indicate that the dynamic and the small-strain stiffness parameters of fiber-reinforced soils increase with increasing confining pressure, while also being affected by the soil type, the fiber type, and content. Although fiber inclusion resulted generally in a reduction of the dynamic properties of soils, increases ranging from 5% to 55% were observed in certain soil–fiber combinations in comparison with the unreinforced soils.
Highlights What are the main findings? Black carrot anthocyanins are valuable sources for hemp dyeing. Green chemistry principles were implemented in hemp dyeing. Colorimetric monitoring of fermented extracts for 1-26 days. What are the implications of the main findings? Design of green dyeing processes based on dyes from black carrot, without mordants. Reuse of the first three residual baths from a dyeing process. Different hemp shades were obtained by varying the dye bath pH.Highlights What are the main findings? Black carrot anthocyanins are valuable sources for hemp dyeing. Green chemistry principles were implemented in hemp dyeing. Colorimetric monitoring of fermented extracts for 1-26 days. What are the implications of the main findings? Design of green dyeing processes based on dyes from black carrot, without mordants. Reuse of the first three residual baths from a dyeing process. Different hemp shades were obtained by varying the dye bath pH.Abstract Hemp plants are precious resources for the textile industry, being considered a sustainable and more economical alternative to cotton. Sustainable dyeing processes should minimize the consumption of water, energy, and chemicals while ensuring high color intensity and reducing the pollution load of residual baths. Black carrot (Daucus carota L. ssp. sativus) is a valuable source of dyes for dyeing hemp materials because it is rich in anthocyanins and anthocyanidins, which generate colors ranging from red-orange and muted magenta to blue, depending on the pH. In this article, the dye extraction process was colorimetrically monitored for 26 days to determine the optimal fermentation/storage period that generates the most intense color during the dyeing process. The dyeing parameters tested were temperature (40-100 degrees C), pH (4.33-9.15), duration (1-24 h), concentration (2.5-10%), and the presence of organic acids (ascorbic and citric acids). Virgin baths and the first three residual baths were used in the dyeing process. While the results of FTIR, SEM, and EDX analyses confirmed the dyeing process, the CIEL*a*b* measurements quantified the characteristics of the colors obtained using virgin and residual baths. The 12 principles of green chemistry were also discussed, together with their implementation in hemp dyeing.
This study investigated the effects of 7-day water storage as an accelerated aging condition on the mechanical properties of short fiber-reinforced resin composites (SFRCs) and a bulk-fill resin composite (RC). Two SFRCs (everX Flow Bulk, EXB; everX Flow Dentin, EXD) and one bulk-fill RC (SDR) serving as a control were evaluated. Specimens were stored in distilled water at 37 degrees C for either 1 or 7 days. Flexural strength, flexural modulus, and Vickers hardness were evaluated. Fractured surfaces were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). For statistical analysis, a two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test were used (alpha = 0.05). After 7-day water storage, the flexural strength of SDR significantly decreased (p < 0.05), while SFRCs maintained their initial strength (p > 0.05). In contrast, the flexural modulus significantly decreased in all materials (p < 0.05). Vickers hardness remained unaffected by water storage for all groups (p > 0.05). SEM observation revealed fiber pull-out in SFRCs. Although water immersion induced matrix degradation reflected in a reduced flexural modulus, SFRCs demonstrated promising resistance to initial water aging by maintaining flexural strength after water storage. These findings suggest that SFRCs may be a promising option for biomimetic dentin replacement under short-term hydrolytic aging conditions.
Natural fibers are among the most extensively exploited bio-based materials in industry due to their abundance, affordability, and biodegradability. However, their intrinsic properties often require improvement through chemical, mechanical, or enzymatic treatments to expand their applications. Phosphorylation is a highly effective chemical modification that enables the covalent grafting of phosphate groups onto the fiber backbone. These functionalities enhance hydrophilicity, anionic charge density, swelling capacity, and water uptake, while significantly improving flame-retardant performance. In addition, phosphorylation can reduce energy consumption and production costs in the manufacture of functionalized micro- and nanofibrillated fibers, as the increased swelling facilitates fibrillation. Consequently, phosphorylated fibers are suitable for water treatment, biomedical devices, construction materials, and other advanced materials. Dozens of reagents and various synthetic routes have been explored to perform this reaction, each producing materials with distinct properties. Phosphorus content remains the primary parameter used to assess modification efficiency. This literature review examines existing phosphorylation methods, including reagents, substrates, and characterization techniques, and discusses applications such as flame retardancy, thermal insulation, ion exchange, energy storage, electrodes, and battery recycling. It also briefly addresses key challenges, including limited hydroxyl accessibility, control of the degree of substitution, potential cellulose degradation, and scalability constraints.
Many non-equilibrium phenomena and nonlinear dissipative systems can be described by the complex Ginzburg–Landau equation (CGLE). So far, several types of solutions to the cubic–quintic CGLE have been obtained, which can be mainly classified into two categories: stationary solutions and pulsating solutions. One of the most striking forms of pulsating solutions is the exploding soliton, which belongs to the class of chaotic solutions. In this paper, we review the main properties of exploding solitons, considering the case of passively mode-locked fiber lasers described by the CGLE. The impact of the filter’s spectral response and the possibility of converting exploding solitons into fixed-shape pulses by using a proper combination of some higher-order effects are illustrated. An overview of recent experimental observations concerning exploding solitons in different laser configurations is also provided.
Tissue engineering is widely used in research for investigating cellular proliferation, behavior, and responses to various stimuli. However, the predictive value of preclinical studies using cell culture plates is limited by the inability to recapitulate the complexity of the physiological microenvironment. Synthetic three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds can be engineered to mimic the complex morphology of the extracellular matrix of native tissues and can serve as physiologically relevant platforms for preclinical studies. In this study, 3D electrospun scaffolds were characterized to aid in breast cancer research. Unlike previous studies that focused primarily on scaffold fabrication or cell viability, this work systematically evaluates how scaffold morphology influences breast epithelial and breast cancer cell behavior within three-dimensional microenvironments. Breast cancer cell lines and normal breast epithelial cells were seeded on scaffolds of different morphologies, on commercially available mesh scaffolds, and on standard tissue culture plates. Cells were treated with a fluorescent fructose mimic (ManCou-H) that targets the fructose-specific transporter GLUT5 to assess metabolic activity on different scaffolds. The study evaluated cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions through time-lapse experiments, cell metabolism, and variations in the expression of cytoskeletal protein (CK18) and GLUT5. Statistically relevant differences were observed between cells cultured on scaffolds and plates, and different scaffolds morphologies. Results from this study demonstrate that scaffold topology alone can significantly alter cellular phenotype and metabolic responses, highlighting the importance of scaffold selection in the development of predictive non-animal in vitro models and studies of the tumor microenvironment.
Carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) components commonly require milling to achieve final dimensional accuracy and surface integrity, yet tool selection remains a trade-off between surface quality, process load, and cost. This study compared two industrial tool concepts for CFRP side milling under matched cutting conditions: a WC-Co compression-type end mill and a PCD end mill. A two-factor central composite design with 13 parameter sets was used, and tool effects were evaluated through paired differences in Ramean, Rzmean, and Fxy,RMS. The PCD tool significantly improved surface quality, with mean paired differences of -2.00 & micro;m for Ramean and -6.67 & micro;m for Rzmean, while increasing Fxy,RMS by 14.86 N relative to WC-Co. Response-surface analysis showed that the roughness advantage of PCD was broadly stable across the investigated process window, whereas the force penalty was nonlinear and was best described by a second-order CCD model (R2 = 0.820, model p = 0.015), with a significant quadratic cutting-speed term. Scenario-based decision analysis further showed that PCD was preferred in 12 of 13 DOE points under quality-driven weighting, whereas WC-Co was preferred in all 13 points under cost-driven weighting. The results indicate that PCD is the preferred quality-oriented solution for CFRP side milling, while WC-Co remains advantageous when lower load or lower cost is prioritized.
This article proposes a sustainable approach to producing eco-friendly paper from fibers derived from water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), an invasive aquatic species with potential high lignocellulose content. The research evaluated the possibility of using its biomass as a non-wood raw material for papermaking through an industrial-oriented processing framework. About 10 groups of water hyacinth samples were analyzed by separating their components (roots, leaves, and stems) to determine moisture content, dry biomass yield, fiber distribution, and performance in papermaking. Mechanical pulping and mild alkaline treatment with sodium hydroxide were compared to evaluate their effects on fiber behavior and paper quality. The results showed a high moisture content in the biomass, averaging approximately 88%, while the remaining dry matter represented the usable fibrous material fraction. After fiber classification, it was revealed that the long fibers predominated over the short fibers and the fine fibers (waste), favoring the hydrogen bonding and structural anchoring during sheet formation. Mechanical quality analyses were conducted using the Corrugating Medium Test (CMT), Concora Crush Test (CCT), Ring Crush Test (RCT), and Short Compression Test (SCT). Untreated water hyacinth paper demonstrated mechanical properties comparable to those of an industrial reference paper, including consistent compression resistance and corrugating performance. In contrast, the alkaline-treated sample showed greater structural uniformity but lower mechanical strength due to fiber fragmentation and increased fine production. Overall, the findings showed that Eichhornia crassipes represents a viable and sustainable alternative to non-wood fibers for paper production, offering potential environmental benefits by serving as an invasive species and reducing dependence on wood-based raw materials.
Highlights What are the main findings? center dot Combined experiments and ANSYS modeling accurately predict PLA coating morphology and thickness distribution. center dot Optimal electrospinning conditions (16 kV, 17 cm, 2.5 mL/h) produce uniform, defect-free nanofibers. What is the implication of the main finding? center dot Applied voltage strongly influences fiber diameter, while excessive voltage causes jet instability and fragmentation. center dot Coating deposition shows central thickness accumulation with progressive thinning toward substrate edges. center dot Integrated modeling enables reliable process optimization for reproducible PLA coating design.Highlights What are the main findings? center dot Combined experiments and ANSYS modeling accurately predict PLA coating morphology and thickness distribution. center dot Optimal electrospinning conditions (16 kV, 17 cm, 2.5 mL/h) produce uniform, defect-free nanofibers. What is the implication of the main finding? center dot Applied voltage strongly influences fiber diameter, while excessive voltage causes jet instability and fragmentation. center dot Coating deposition shows central thickness accumulation with progressive thinning toward substrate edges. center dot Integrated modeling enables reliable process optimization for reproducible PLA coating design.Abstract Non-uniform fiber deposition remains a critical limitation in electrospun poly(lactic acid) (PLA) coating systems. In the present study, experimental characterization was combined with numerical simulations to evaluate the influence of electrospinning parameters on fiber morphology, coating uniformity, and thickness distribution. A 3% PLA solution was electrospun under different processing conditions by varying the applied voltage, needle-to-collector distance, flow rate, and deposition time. The resulting coatings were further analyzed using numerical simulations performed with ANSYS Fluent 2020 R2 software. The results demonstrated that both solution-related and operational parameters strongly influence fiber morphology and spatial deposition behavior. Increasing the applied voltage promoted the formation of thinner fibers; however, excessively high voltage values generated jet instability associated with fiber fragmentation and spray formation. Furthermore, the deposited fibrous layers showed preferential accumulation in the central region of the collector, together with a gradual decrease in coating thickness toward the peripheral areas. A strong correlation was observed between the numerical simulations and the experimental results, confirming the reliability of the proposed modeling approach. Among the investigated conditions, the optimal electrospinning parameters were identified as an applied voltage of 16 kV, a needle-to-collector distance of 17 cm, and a flow rate of 2.5 mL/h. These conditions enabled the formation of homogeneous PLA nanofibers with minimal structural defects and improved substrate adhesion. The combined experimental and numerical approach provides valuable insight into the optimization of electrospinning parameters governing fiber formation and deposition behavior.
Highlights What are the main findings? Dragonwood PSB with face-bonded sections exhibited higher mean bearing capacity and stiffness than Ekki, based on compression perpendicular-to-grain tests, indicating strong potential for bearing-dominated applications. Glue-line orientation strongly influenced flexural behavior, resulting in strength reductions and undesirable shear failures; while single-lift specimens eliminated glue-line failures, their flexural strength was lower than Ekki. What are the implications of these findings? The results demonstrate that manufacturing configuration, particularly the presence of glue-line interfaces, governs both the mechanical performance and reliability of PSB materials. Although single-lift Dragonwood shows strong potential for jacking applications, its bearing behavior remains unverified and requires further experimental validation before practical implementation.Highlights What are the main findings? Dragonwood PSB with face-bonded sections exhibited higher mean bearing capacity and stiffness than Ekki, based on compression perpendicular-to-grain tests, indicating strong potential for bearing-dominated applications. Glue-line orientation strongly influenced flexural behavior, resulting in strength reductions and undesirable shear failures; while single-lift specimens eliminated glue-line failures, their flexural strength was lower than Ekki. What are the implications of these findings? The results demonstrate that manufacturing configuration, particularly the presence of glue-line interfaces, governs both the mechanical performance and reliability of PSB materials. Although single-lift Dragonwood shows strong potential for jacking applications, its bearing behavior remains unverified and requires further experimental validation before practical implementation.Abstract Engineered bamboo composites (EBCs) are increasingly considered as sustainable alternatives to tropical hardwoods in structural applications. In jacking systems, performance is primarily governed by compression perpendicular-to-grain (bearing), although improper use may introduce flexural demands. This study evaluates the bearing and flexural behavior of Dragonwood, a commercial parallel strand bamboo (PSB), in comparison to Ekki (Lophira alata) through 120 full-scale tests. Dragonwood exhibited higher mean bearing capacity than Ekki, with yield stresses exceeding those of Ekki by over 60%, indicating strong potential for bearing-dominated applications such as in jacking. However, face-bonded specimens showed sensitivity to glue-line orientation, resulting in flexural strength reductions of up to 42% and undesirable shear failures. Increasing adhesive content and pressing pressure in the manufacturing process did not eliminate this behavior. Single-lift specimens removed the glue-line and showed improved failure behavior in flexure, although with reduced strength. The results demonstrate that manufacturing strategy heavily influences PSB performance. While single-lift Dragonwood products show the most potential, further testing under bearing is required before its suitability for jacking applications can be fully established.
