Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Maciej Kaplan, Aishwarya Srinath, Lars Riekehr, Leif Nyholm, Bjorgvin Hjorvarsson, Stefan Fritze
Summary: Amorphous TaNiSiC and TaNiC films were prepared using combinatorial magnetron sputtering, and their properties were analyzed. The results showed that the addition of Si reduced the elemental segregation in TaNiSiC, resulting in improved hardness, corrosion resistance, and thermal stability of the films.
MATERIALS & DESIGN
(2022)
Article
Mechanics
Hector A. Tinoco, Pavel Hutar, Tomas Kruml, Jakub Holzer
Summary: Bulge testing is an experimental technique used for the characterization of thin films, with mechanical properties obtained through numerical and analytical methods. Different shapes of thin films require different methods for stress and strain calculations, leading to the development and application of models.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
A. Raval, I. A. Shaikh, Y. N. Doshi, N. M. Shastri, L. K. Saini, D. Shah
Summary: A simple drop-casting technique was used to prepare tin selenide thin films with triethanolamine as complexing agent. The synthesized films were analyzed for their surface morphology, structure, electrical conductivity, and optical properties. The results showed that the films had an orthorhombic crystal structure, good continuity, and were suitable for use as an absorber layer in solar cells.
MATERIALS TODAY CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Hongxing Shang, Xu Liang, Feng Deng, Shuling Hu, Shengping Shen
Summary: The flexoelectric effect is more evident in thin films due to the easier achievement of large strain gradients. This study investigates the flexoelectricity in wrinkled thin films and finds that enhanced flexoelectricity improves the energy and stretchability of the films. The wrinkle-induced flexoelectric polar pattern can be manipulated by compressive strain, providing a voltage-free strategy for mechanically modifying the polarity of dielectric materials. These findings pave the way for wrinkle-based microelectromechanical devices and applications.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yue Xiao, Qiyu Chen, Qing Hao
Summary: Nanoporous thin films have been widely studied for enhancing thermoelectric performance and manipulating thermal transport in thin-film-based devices, showing potential applications in the field.
MATERIALS TODAY PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Nguyen Ngoc Thanh Tien, Hiep Thi Nguyen, Ngoc Lieu Le, Tran Tien Khoi, Aurore Richel
Summary: The goal of this study was to produce and evaluate biodegradable films using pectin from dragon fruit peel, potato starch, and glycerol. The films were crosslinked with glutaraldehyde solution and exhibited different properties compared to non-crosslinked films. Crosslinked films showed improved tensile strength, elongation at break, and reduced solubility, thickness, density, and water vapor permeability. The film made with pectin and annealed starch demonstrated the best properties and potential for food packaging applications.
FOOD PACKAGING AND SHELF LIFE
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
C. Yuan, M. Park, Y. Zheng, J. Shi, R. Dargis, S. Graham, A. Ansari
Summary: This study investigates phonon scattering processes and thermal conductivity in Al1-xScxN alloys grown by molecular beam epitaxy. The results show a decreasing trend in thermal conductivity with increasing scandium content, with an increase in thermal conductivity with temperature below 200 K and a plateau at higher temperatures. Application of an analytical model helps estimate the effects of scattering mechanisms on thermal conductivity behavior.
MATERIALS TODAY PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Antonio Diaz-Parralejo, M. Angeles Diaz-Diez, Jose Sanchez-Gonzalez, Antonio Macias-Garcia, Juan Pablo Carrasco-Amador
Summary: This study prepared thin multilayer coatings of ZrO2-Y2O3-Al2O3 using the sol-gel method and dip-coating technique, investigating the influence of Al2O3 incorporation on the films. It was found that increasing alumina content improved the toughness and resistance to thermal shock of the coatings.
CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Boyce S. Chang, Chen Li, Jinghang Dai, Katherine Evans, Jingyu Huang, Mengdi He, Weili Hu, Zhiting Tian, Ting Xu
Summary: Thermal percolation, the rapid increase in thermal transport in polymer nanocomposites, is of great interest in thermal management. However, it remains a challenging subject in both experimental and modeling aspects. Previous studies on thermal percolation have mainly focused on high-aspect-ratio, conductive fillers. This study demonstrates that thermal percolation can be achieved even with nonconductive spherical fillers at a low volume fraction. Additionally, the effects of volume fraction, interfacial thermal resistance, and filler conductivity on thermal conductivity are found to deviate from effective medium approximations.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Alejandro Barrios, Cody Kunka, John Nogan, Khalid Hattar, Brad L. Boyce
Summary: This work presents a new methodology for high-throughput fatigue testing of thin films at the microscale, utilizing a microelectromechanical systems-based Si carrier to simultaneously and independently test an array of samples. The microscale fatigue behavior of nanocrystalline Al is efficiently characterized through automated fatigue testing with in situ scanning electron microscopy, reducing the total testing time significantly and revealing the stochastic nature of the microscale fatigue response. The manuscript also discusses the potential adaptations of this methodology for different samples, materials, geometries, and loading modes.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fengju Yao, Shunji Xia, Haoxiang Wei, Jiongzhi Zheng, Ziyuan Yuan, Yusheng Wang, Baoling Huang, Deyu Li, Hong Lu, Dongyan Xu
Summary: This study provides direct experimental evidence that superdiffusive thermal transport exists in SiGe alloys, as the thermal conductivity follows a power law relationship with film thickness. This research is significant for understanding the unique phenomenon of heat conduction.
Article
Acoustics
K. Herrmann, N. W. Pech-May, M. Retsch
Summary: The photoacoustic measurement technique is a powerful method for characterizing thermal transport properties of thin films, particularly in isotropic low thermal diffusivity samples. Significant influence of thermal effusivity, thermal diffusivity, and sample layer thickness on the measurement accuracy is discussed. The method allows for direct extraction of thermal conductivity without separate determination of heat capacity when appropriate boundary conditions are met.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kim Kuntze, Jani Viljakka, Matti Virkki, Chung-Yang (Dennis) Huang, Stefan Hecht, Arri Priimagi
Summary: By simple synthetic derivatisation, indigo dye can be converted into a red-light E-Z photoswitch, which exhibits negative photochromism and tuneable thermal isomerisation kinetics. This makes indigo derivatives highly attractive for materials and living systems applications. However, the translation of indigo photoswitching dynamics from solution to solid state, which is crucial for most applications, is not well understood. In this study, the photoswitching performance of six structurally distinct indigo derivatives in five polymers of varying rigidity is investigated. Three key strategies are identified to enable efficient photoswitching under red light: choosing a soft polymer matrix, creating free volume around the indigo molecules, and applying low dye loading to inhibit aggregation. Implementation of these strategies leads to isomerisation performance nearly identical to that in solution, paving the way for designing new red-light photochromic materials based on indigos.
Article
Polymer Science
Sebastien Buchwalder, Aurelio Borzi, Juan J. Diaz Leon, Florian Bourgeois, Cleo Nicolier, Sylvain Nicolay, Antonia Neels, Olaf Zywitzki, Andreas Hogg, Jurgen Burger
Summary: This study investigated the thermal impact on different types of Parylene films and evaluated their potential for high-temperature applications through analysis of thermal properties, structural properties, and barrier properties.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Zhong Zheng, Hong Zhao, Behnam Akhavan, Lixian Sun, Hongwei Liu, Kostadinos Tsoutas, Yanping Liu, Marcela M. Bilek, Zongwen Liu
Summary: This research demonstrates that annealing of AlCoCrCu0.5FeNi thin films can result in multiphase hardening and the formation of nanotwins. The annealing process at 700°C without vacuum or inert gas can create an oxide layer with excellent antioxidant properties. The formation of new phases and nanotwins significantly improves the mechanical properties of HEA thin films.
MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING A-STRUCTURAL MATERIALS PROPERTIES MICROSTRUCTURE AND PROCESSING
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Textiles
Silviya Elanthikkal, Tania Francis, Sultan Akhtar
Summary: Cellulose whiskers were extracted from Areca Nut Leaf Sheath using a sulfuric acid hydrolysis method, resulting in highly crystalline fibers with an aspect ratio of around 20 under moderate hydrolysis conditions. However, increasing the hydrolysis temperature and time led to surface flattening of the fibers and a decrease in aspect ratio. Traces of biosilica were found in the isolated cellulose whiskers.
JOURNAL OF NATURAL FIBERS
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
V. H. Shafeeq, G. Unnikrishnan
JOURNAL OF POLYMER RESEARCH
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
R. Sabarish, G. Unnikrishnan
JOURNAL OF POROUS MATERIALS
(2020)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
R. Rarima, G. Unnikrishnan
MATERIALS CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2020)
Article
Polymer Science
Valiyaveetil Haneefa Shafeeq, Cherumannil Karumuthil Subash, Soney Varghese, Gopalakrishna Panicker Unnikrishnan
POLYMER INTERNATIONAL
(2020)
Article
Polymer Science
Renu Jose, Lity Alen Varghese, Unnikrishnan Gopalakrishna Panicker
Summary: The dielectric properties of NR/MPU blends have been effectively improved by adding nanofillers, leading to enhancements in capacitance, dielectric permittivity, loss factor, volume resistivity, and electrical impedance. The improvement is attributed to the development of micro-capacitance structures in the NR/MPU matrix, promoting relaxation processes based on interfacial polarization and segmental mobility.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
V. H. Shafeeq, Subash Cherumannil Karumuthil, K. Juraij, Soney Varghese, Sujith Athiyanathil, Unnikrishnan Gopalakrishna Panicker
Summary: Piezoelectric polymer mats were fabricated using electrospinning technique and their ferro-piezoelectric features were confirmed through electrostatic force microscopy and dynamic-contact EFM. The samples showed piezoelectric responses to various activities, indicating the promising potential of fabricating user-friendly piezoelectric mats for physiological motion-sensing applications.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
V. M. Afnas, G. Unnikrishnan, S. Budhe, O. Manaf, J. Ameen
Summary: PVA/gelatin/chitin ternary polymer blends were developed and characterized using various techniques. The study showed that gelatin content enhances water absorption ability, chitin content is positively correlated with electrical conductivity, and the humidity sensor developed from the blend system has good antimicrobial properties.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE-MATERIALS IN ELECTRONICS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
P. Bashpa, K. Bijudas, P. Dileep, Silviya Elanthikkal, Tania Francis
Summary: This study presents a method to reuse waste shoe sole material as a reinforcing filler in natural rubber composites, and investigates its properties. The results show that the mechanical and wear properties of the composites are improved with the addition of waste material in appropriate amounts. Furthermore, the incorporation of waste material does not adversely affect the thermal stability of the composites.
JOURNAL OF ELASTOMERS AND PLASTICS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
M. Vintu, M. Monisha, G. Unnikrishnan, Sunil Jacob
Summary: A new polyindolocarbazole based polymer, ICZP4, was synthesized via Suzuki cross coupling reaction and modified as a semiconducting magnetic polymer hybrid, ICZP4F, using a magnetic ferrofluid for the removal of Cr(VI) ions from waste streams. The physical characteristics of ICZP4F were evaluated by XRD, FTIR, SEM, and magnetic susceptibility measurements. ICZP4F showed a separation efficiency of 91% for toxic Cr(VI) ions, with an adsorption rate of 122 mg/g at pH 2. The adsorption process followed the Freundlich model with a regression coefficient R-2 = 0.999. The adsorption removal efficiency of the hybrid was explained by the synergistic effect between ICZP4 and the magnetite present in the ferrofluid.
Article
Polymer Science
Archa Unni, Mekha Mariam Mathew, Monisha Manathanath, Sunil Jacob, Pooja Sankaranarayanan, Suchithra Tharamel Vasu, Unnikrishnan Gopalakrishna Panicker
Summary: Blending of polymers can improve the properties of the hybrid system without sacrificing component characteristics. A combination of biocompatible cellulose-based polymer HPMC and synthetic biocompatible polymer PVP has been designed for modifying mechanical and thermal properties. Plasticizing with non-toxic plasticizer PEG 6000 has been used to improve flexibility, and the addition of biocompatible filler nHA has reinforced the polymer matrix. The optimized blend meets the requirements for fabricating wound healing patches in the biosector.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Silviya Elanthikkal, Hanan H. Mohamed, Nuhad A. Alomair
Summary: There is a potential to extract pure silica nanoparticles from date palm biomass ash (DPBA) and use them in photocatalysis. The chemical sol-gel method or thermal combustion method can be employed for the extraction of silica. The chemically synthesized biosilica samples exhibited higher purity and surface area compared to the thermally prepared samples. These extracted biosilica samples showed efficient photodegradation of the bromophenol blue dye in water.
ARABIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Mekha Mariam Mathew, Unnikrishnan G. Panicker
Summary: Biodegradable crosslinked blends of natural rubber latex and dextrin were prepared and characterized in terms of their physico-chemical properties, morphology, and mechanical properties. The biodegradability and biocompatibility of the optimized crosslinked blend were confirmed, suggesting its potential application in controlled drug delivery.
JOURNAL OF POLYMER RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
V. H. Shafeeq, G. Unnikrishnan
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2020)
Article
Polymer Science
Satheesh Kumar B, Balakondareddy Sana, G. Unnikrishnan, Tushar Jana, Santhosh Kumar K. S.
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Keyu Zhu, Xitao Zheng, Jing Peng, Jiaming Sun, Ruilin Huang, Leilei Yan
Summary: This paper discusses the influence of multiple impacts on the compression strength of honeycomb sandwich structures with composite face sheets. It is found that the size of the impactor affects the turning point of the compression strength. Additionally, high impact energy leads to damage in the bottom face sheet and reduces the overall compression strength.
COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Danqian Wang, Yanfei Yue, Jueshi Qian
Summary: Magnesium Potassium Phosphate Cement (MKPC) as a binder for steel rebars shows improved corrosion resistance when subjected to carbonation, due to the increase in pH and the formation of a more protective oxide film.
COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Zhibin Li, Wenyu Wang, Pengcheng Xue, Xingyu Wei, Jian Xiong
Summary: This work proposes a design approach and manufacturing method for carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) corrugated sandwich truncated cones (CSTC) to improve their anti-debonding ability and ensure reliability. The study establishes theoretical models for CSTCs' stiffness and failure modes, which are verified through experiments and finite element analysis (FEA). The research reveals the effect of geometric parameters on failure modes and performs an optimal design for CSTC structures. The findings have significant implications for the design and application of lightweight CSTCs in constructions, such as launch vehicle adapters.
COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Mingyu Zhang, Lei Chu, Jiahua Chen, Fuxun Qi, Xiaoyan Li, Xinliang Chen, Deng-Guang Yu
Summary: This review summarizes the different structures and construction methods of fibrous membranes with asymmetric wettability. It also reviews the biological applications of these membranes and suggests future challenges.
COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
E. Mofakhami, L. Gervat, B. Fayolle, G. Miquelard-Garnier, C. Ovalle, L. Laiarinandrasana
Summary: This study investigates the effects of fibre concentration on the mechanical response of welded glass-fibre-reinforced polypropylene (GF-PP). Experimental observations reveal a significant reduction in weld ratio, up to 60%, indicating a decreased strength compared to the bulk material. Increasing fibre content in the welded material results in a decrease in stress at break and strain at the maximum stress. The use of DIC technique and X-ray microtomography further confirms the localized strain amplification in the welded zone due to the significant increase in fibre density.
COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Emad Pourahmadi, Farjad Shadmehri, Rajamohan Ganesan
Summary: This research compares the mechanical properties of laminates manufactured using automated fiber placement and conventional autoclave curing methods. The results show that laminates manufactured using automated fiber placement have a lower interlaminar shear strength compared to laminates reconsolidated using autoclave curing. A finite element simulation method is proposed to quantitatively analyze these differences.
COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Johnny Jakobsen, Benny Endelt, Fahimeh Shakibapour
Summary: This study proposes a new bolted/pinned joining method for composite applications, which improves load transfer by introducing a patch-type reinforcement. Experimental results demonstrate significant improvements in both static and fatigue load conditions compared to existing methods. Finite element simulations highlight the advantage of this method, as it creates a more efficient load-transferring mechanism through different stress distributions.
COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Gisele G. Cintra, Janine D. Vieira, Daniel C. T. Cardoso, Thomas Keller
Summary: This paper proposes a novel approach to assess multi-crack behavior in layered fiber-polymer composites. The generated Compliance and R-curves provide useful insights into understanding the multiple delamination process and allow for separate evaluation of strain energy release rate (SERR) for each crack. The developed cohesive zone model successfully simulates the failure process zone of three parallel cracks, showing good agreement between the numerical model and experimental results.
COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Renil Thomas Kidangan, Sreedhar Unnikrishnakurup, C. Krishnamurthy, Krishnan Balasubramaniam
Summary: The induction heating process can accurately identify fiber orientation and stacking order, making it a valuable tool for large-area inspection and quality control in manufacturing fiber-reinforced composites.
COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Sungjun Hwang, Yousoo Han, Douglas J. Gardner
Summary: Bleached Kraft pulp, unbleached Kraft pulp, and old corrugated cardboard pulp are suitable for producing cellulose nanofibril suspensions. Spray drying is a fast, simple, cost-effective, and scalable drying method. Spray-dried cellulose nanofibrils can be used as reinforcing materials in polypropylene matrices. The particle size of cellulose nanofibrils affects the material properties.
COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Mehdi Mahdavi, Abbas Zolfaghari
Summary: This study aims to improve the recovery forces of shape memory polymers (SMPs) through material extrusion additive manufacturing. By using glass fiber (GF) as reinforcement and manufacturing multi-layer composite specimens, it was found that PLA with 6.62% GF exhibited the best recovery force, which was further optimized through annealing heat treatment.
COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING
(2024)
Review
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Xiang Ao, Antonio Vazquez-Lopez, Davide Mocerino, Carlos Gonzalez, De-Yi Wang
Summary: The vulnerability of natural fibers to heat and fire poses a significant challenge for their substitution of traditional fiber reinforcements in composite materials. Natural fiber/polymer composites (NFCs) are regarded as potential candidates for engineering applications due to their environmental friendliness and low-impact sourcing. Thus, appropriate approaches need to be implemented to enhance the fire safety of NFCs. This review summarizes and discusses the latest understanding of flammability and thermal properties of natural fibers, with a special focus on their interaction with polymer matrix in fire behavior. Additionally, the latest developments in flame-retardant approaches for NFCs are reviewed, covering both flame retardancy and fire structural integrity. Finally, future prospects and perspectives on fire safety of NFCs are proposed, providing insights into further advancements of NFCs.
COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Cheng Wang, Siqi Huo, Guofeng Ye, Bingtao Wang, Zhenghong Guo, Qi Zhang, Pingan Song, Hao Wang, Zhitian Liu
Summary: The demand for multifunctional, transparent epoxy resin with superior dielectric, mechanical, and fire-safety performances is increasing in modern industries. Researchers have developed an epoxidized, phosphaphenanthrene-containing poly(styrene butadiene styrene) (ESD) for advanced fire-safe epoxy resin, which maintains high transparency and improves UV-blocking property. The addition of 10 wt% ESD results in improved mechanical properties, decreased dielectric constant and loss, and outperformance compared to other fire-safe epoxy resins. This research provides an effective method for developing multifunctional flame-retardant epoxy resin.
COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Bo Pang, Heping Zheng, Zuquan Jin, Dongshuai Hou, Yunsheng Zhang, Xiaoyun Song, Yanan Sun, Zhiyong Liu, Wei She, Lin Yang, Mengyuan Li
Summary: This study develops an internal superhydrophobic material (ISM) using waste denitrification fly ash, which maintains stable hydrophobicity under harsh conditions of use and does not rely on expensive fluor-based surface modifications. The synthesized ISM has excellent matrix strength, strong waterproof properties, and retains superhydrophobicity even at damaged or friction interfaces.
COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Meirbek Mussatayev, Qiuji Yi, Mark Fitzgerald, Vincent K. Maes, Paul Wilcox, Robert Hughes
Summary: Real-time monitoring of carbon fibre composites during Automated Fibre Placement (AFP) manufacturing remains a challenge for non-destructive evaluation (NDE) techniques. This study designed a directional eddy-current (EC) probe to evaluate the detectability of out-of-plane wrinkles. Experimental evaluations and finite element modeling were conducted to better understand the relationship between eddy-current density and defect detection. The findings suggest that the probe configuration with an asymmetric driver coil and differential pickup coils shows the best capability for wrinkle detection.
COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING
(2024)