Article
Chemistry, Physical
Bo Li, Shuangming Li, Bin Yang, Hong Zhong, Zhenpeng Liu, Dou Li
Summary: Solid-state cooling based on elastocaloric effect shows potential for refrigeration. This study focuses on the improvement of elastocaloric effect and thermal cycle stability using directional solidification technique to prepare single-crystal Ni50Mn31.6Ti18.4 shape-memory alloys. The results reveal that the single crystal solidified at 10 μm/s exhibits superior adiabatic temperature and cyclic stability compared to alloys solidified at higher rates. The findings highlight the significance of microstructure in enhancing the elastocaloric performance of shape-memory alloys.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Bin Sun, Kuishan Sun, Xianglong Meng, Zhiyong Gao, Wei Cai
Summary: The microstructure evolution, texture, and shape memory properties of the martensitic Ti-16Nb alloy after cold rolling and post deformation annealing were investigated. The alloy deforms mainly by twinning and slip when cold rolled in martensite state, and forms a specific texture after annealing at 700℃. The orientation effect and Schmid factor analysis on the alloy were analyzed, showing a decrease in critical stress for reorientation of martensite variants and a decrease in Schmid factor for martensite slip in the textured alloy.
MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING A-STRUCTURAL MATERIALS PROPERTIES MICROSTRUCTURE AND PROCESSING
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Emanuele Sgambitterra, Carlo Greco, Stefano Rodino, Fabrizio Niccoli, Franco Furgiuele, Carmine Maletta
Summary: A fully coupled electric-thermo-mechanical model is proposed to predict the thermal and mechanical response of Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) wires when electrically actuated. The model takes into account phase transformations, conduction and convective heat exchanges, as well as the dependency of resistivity on the thermo-mechanical parameters of the alloy. The results show that the proposed model accurately predicts the temperature evolution and actuation response of the wire, and can be used to evaluate the performance of SMA actuators.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS A-PHYSICAL
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Jian Li, Zhihong Liang, Xuelian Zhang, Qianhua Kan
Summary: The study investigates the influences of loading conditions on the shape memory effect of thermo-induced shape memory polyurethane through thermo-mechanical deformation experiments. The results show that there is a linear relationship between internal stress and recovery ratio under different strain rates and number of cycles, which can reflect the influence of deformation history on the shape memory effect. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of shape memory effect and the establishment of a constitutive model considering the thermo-mechanical deformation history of TSMPU.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Semra Ergen
Summary: The study investigated the effects of temperature and load on the indentation-induced mechanical properties of the Ti-V-Al-Cu alloy, finding that transformation temperatures decreased with heating rate and thermal cycles. The effect of load on the deformation mechanism of the alloy at different temperatures was different, positively affecting elastic recovery at 450 degrees C.
MATERIALS CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shalini Singh, I. A. Palani, Shirin Dehgahi, C. P. Paul, K. G. Prashanth, A. J. Qureshi
Summary: To address the issues of excessive heat build-up and process instability in Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM), the researchers optimized the interlayer temperature of NiTi walls and conducted related tests. The results showed that regulating the interlayer temperature below 300 degrees C, preferably at 200 degrees C, improved the mechanical characteristics, reduced porosity content, and enhanced the microstructure of the NiTi walls. This research is of great significance for the development and improvement of WAAM techniques for manufacturing high-quality NiTi SMA components.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Pham Mai Khanh, Vu Anh Tuan, Le Thi Nhung, Nguyen Duong Nam
Summary: In this study, the phase transformation and structure of martensite in CuAl9Fe4Ni2 alloy were analyzed through a thermo-mechanical deformation and heat treatment process. The results show that after undergoing various steps including heat treatment, cold deformation, and shaping, the shape memory level of the samples reached up to 80%.
MATERIALS RESEARCH EXPRESS
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
F. Masdeu, J. Pons, Y. Chumlyakov, E. Cesari
Summary: The present study investigated the two-way shape memory effect induced in Ni49Fe18Ga27Co6 (at%) ferromagnetic shape memory single crystals. It was found that a short superelastic cycling in compression along the [001] direction at increasing temperatures up to 453 K is enough to induce fully reversible TWSME. Trained samples showed a very good correlation between martensite reorientation tests and thermal transformation under antagonistic stress.
MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING A-STRUCTURAL MATERIALS PROPERTIES MICROSTRUCTURE AND PROCESSING
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
N. L. Church, L. D. Connor, N. G. Jones
Summary: Ti-Nb based alloys are commercially important due to their damping capabilities. The consistency of the starting microstructure affects the reversibility of the transformation. The thickness of the material influences the microstructures and behaviors, with a single-phase layer in thin material promoting more recoverable transformation behavior.
SCRIPTA MATERIALIA
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
M. K. El Fawkhry
Summary: The solution treatment process is crucial in the manufacturing of iron-based shape memory alloys, affecting microstructural features such as grain size and transformation temperatures. Research shows that solution treatment at 1000 degrees C enhances the shape memory effect of iron-based SMAs.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY-JMR&T
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
H. Onat Tugrul, Hasan H. Saygili, Benat Kockar
Summary: The cyclic stability and fatigue life of NiTiHf alloys at high temperatures are crucial, with limitations on actuation strain resulting in increased crack formation rather than dislocation accumulation.
JOURNAL OF INTELLIGENT MATERIAL SYSTEMS AND STRUCTURES
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
A. Sibirev, S. Belyaev, N. Resnina
Summary: The study investigates the influence of counter-body stiffness on the recovery stress, recoverable strain, and work output during thermal cycling of NiTi cylindrical samples in the actuator regime. Results show a nonlinear relationship between stiffness values and shape memory effect/recovery stress, and a gradual decrease in recovery stress, work output values during thermal cycling.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS A-PHYSICAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Stefano Rodino, Elio M. Curcio, Danilo A. Renzo, Emanuele Sgambitterra, Pietro Magaro, Franco Furgiuele, Marco Brandizzi, Carmine Maletta
Summary: This study focuses on the application of SMA composites in active aerodynamic systems in automotives. The critical issues related to the strength of SMA-polymer interfaces are analyzed. Suitable materials were selected and tests were conducted to examine the effects of SMA thermal activation on adhesion strength. The results highlight the limitations of SMA/PMC systems in terms of maximum allowable stresses.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
X. J. Zhou, C. A. Fu, A. Shuitcev, B. B. Zhang, K. Zhang, Y. X. Tong
Summary: The effects of Nb addition and aging on the microstructure evolution and martensitic transformation of high temperature shape memory alloys were investigated. Nb addition resulted in the formation of eutectic phase and changes in surface composition. Aging led to the formation of a nanoscale phase and reduced transformation hysteresis. The difference in hysteresis between aged and solution-treated samples increased with Nb content.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY-JMR&T
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Vanja Asanovic, Dragan Radonjic, Jelena Scepanovic, Darko Vuksanovic
Summary: The correlation between thermomechanical parameters and chemical composition in Cu-Zn-Al alloys was studied, showing that alloys with lower aluminum content exhibited better properties, recoverable strain, and shape memory recovery during tensile testing.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY-JMR&T
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Guoqiang Cao, Yue Xiao, Wei-Min Huang, Chien-Hua Chen, Jonas Baltrusaitis
Summary: This study investigates the production of hydrogen (H2) through ethanol steam reforming (ESR) in a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma reactor. A response surface methodology (RSM) was used to evaluate the effects of discharge power, total flow rate, and ethanol-to-water (EtOH/H2O) molar ratio on the plasma-assisted ESR reaction. The results showed that the EtOH/H2O molar ratio had the most significant effect on EtOH conversion and H2 selectivity, while the total flow rate determined the specific energy requirement (SER) for H2 production. Process optimization resulted in the identification of the optimal conditions for the ESR reaction.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Xuelian Wu, Jiaxing Zou, Jian Yang, Jiang Jiang, Qin Feng, Zihao Ye, Weimin Huang
Summary: Electrically conductive IPN composed of PVC and PANI is achieved with slightly different mechanical and shape memory properties compared to PVC alone. Non-uniform distribution of PANI in the thickness direction is observed. Heating and programming lead to a reduction in electrical conductivity, with further decrease during shape recovery.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Xuelian Wu, Changchun Wang, Jia Xi Pek, Wei Min Huang
Summary: The brittle-to-ductile transition in polycarbonate (PC) after thermomechanical treatment is investigated. The change in microstructure after pre-deformation is concluded as the reason behind the transition, but the type of subsequent loading is also important. The magnitude of pre-deformation, the temperature of pre-deformation, and the maximum deformation capability of the original material are three major parameters affecting the significance of the transition.
JOURNAL OF POLYMER RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Tao Xi Wang, Hong Mei Chen, Tong Li, Boon Siang Lucas Ng, Hui Xie, Rui Xiao, Wei Min Huang
Summary: The investigation on a vitrimer-like polyurethane revealed the existence of a Tan-delta plateau phenomenon associated with cross-linking dissociation, which is stable over a long temperature range and follows a melting transition. The time-temperature equivalence of the dissociation process was confirmed to be applicable to this material.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Zhenyu Zhao, Weimin Huang, Hua Qin, La Li
Summary: This work experimentally investigates and compares the terahertz electromagnetic shielding effect of micrometer-thick Ti3C2Tx MXene films on polyimide prepared by two different etching methods. The process using HCl/HF as the etchant shows higher absorption coefficient and electrical conductivity. Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy are used to study the structure and termination of the Ti3C2Tx MXene layer. The degree of oxygen termination plays a significant role in bridging nearby titanium atoms, resulting in increased surface continuity and enhanced terahertz radiation shielding.
APPLIED PHYSICS A-MATERIALS SCIENCE & PROCESSING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Xin Wang, Qiong Tian, Mingxing Zhu, Yingying Wang, Boya Wang, Xiaobei Jing, Hiroshi Yokoi, Lin Li, Zhenzhen Liu, Weimin Huang, Shixiong Chen, Zhiyuan Liu, Guanglin Li
Summary: Long-term physiological signal monitoring is crucial for diagnosing health conditions that occur randomly and are not easily detected during short hospital visits. However, the quality of signals obtained by conventional wet electrodes degrades over time due to gradual dehydration. This study proposes the use of an anhydrous carbon paste electrode (CPE) composed of carbon black and polydimethylsiloxane to enable long-term monitoring without signal quality degradation. Compared to wet electrodes, the CPE showed more stable skin-electrode impedance and higher signal qualities for ECG, EMG, EEG, and ABR measurements over a period of 48 days.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Haoshi Zhang, Mingxing Zhu, Yanbing Jiang, Dan Wang, Xin Wang, Zijian Yang, Weimin Huang, Shixiong Chen, Guanglin Li
Summary: In this study, an adaptive Kalman filtering (AKF) based ABR signal extraction method was proposed, which can constantly update parameters according to the real-time noise properties and extract reliable ABR signals in the presence of large background noises. The method showed good performance in various noise conditions and can adapt to different types and levels of noises.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Chunjian Su, Xuemeng Li, Zhengyang Feng, Xinxin Li, Balasundaram Selvan Naveen, Luhua Zhao, Weimin Huang
Summary: In this paper, a bending angle distribution function with optimized segmented boundary combination is proposed to improve the forming quality and reduce rebound defects in multi-pass roll forming. The stress and strain distributions in the sheets after each forming pass are analyzed using finite element simulation, and the influence of different bending angle parameters on sheet quality is obtained. The finite element simulation is verified by comparing experimental results.
MATERIALS & DESIGN
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Balasundaram Selvan Naveen, Nivya Theresa Jose, Pranav Krishnan, Subham Mohapatra, Vivek Pendharkar, Nicholas Yuan Han Koh, Woon Yong Lim, Wei Min Huang
Summary: This paper investigates the evolution of shore hardness in body-temperature programmable elastic shape memory hybrids (SMHs) upon cyclic loading and during the shape memory cycle. It is found that significant softening occurs upon cyclic loading, similar to the Mullins effect. After programming, the measured hardness generally increases with an increase in programming strain. However, in certain cases, the hardness decreases slightly and then rapidly increases, which can be explained by the formation of micro-gaps between the inclusion and the matrix after programming. Heating the samples melts the inclusions and largely recovers their original hardness.
Article
Materials Science, Textiles
Durai Aadithiya, Fei Yu Fang, Han Wang, Wei Min Huang
Summary: In this paper, finite element simulation (via ANSYS) is used to investigate the effect of shell thickness and prestrain on stimulus-induced shrinkage in electrospun polymeric fibres. The results show that the maximum shrinkage is determined by the prestrain in the shell. Young's modulus, fibre length, and boundary conditions have little influence on the final relative axial shrinkage. The diameter of the electrospun fibres strongly affects the final relative axial shrinkage, suggesting its potential for determining shell thickness and prestrain experimentally.
FIBERS AND POLYMERS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Meiwen Ding, Zhiping Lin, Chau Hung Lee, Cher Heng Tan, Weimin Huang
Summary: Prostate cancer is a common malignant tumor in men, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an important tool for its diagnosis. Accurate diagnosis requires targeted biopsy, often aided by MRI-ultrasound (MRI-US) fusion. However, automatic prostate segmentation on MRI is challenging due to variations in shape, appearance, and size. In this study, we propose a method called UCAnet that incorporates multi-scale and Channel-wise Self-Attention (CSA) to improve prostate segmentation accuracy. Experimental results on a public dataset demonstrate that UCAnet outperforms state-of-the-art methods for prostate segmentation.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON CIRCUITS AND SYSTEMS II-EXPRESS BRIEFS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dandan Wang, ZiZhang Li, Weimin Huang, Shengnan Cao, Liangyu Xie, Yuanzhen Chen, Huazhong Li, Lei Wang, Xiaoshu Chen, Jian-Rong Yang
Summary: Using single-cell RNA sequencing, the microenvironment and mechanisms of intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) in humans were explored. Functional subgroups were identified in the nucleus pulposus (NP) and annulus fibrosus (AF) at different stages of degeneration. Additionally, an increase in monocyte/macrophage population was found in degenerated discs, and specific interactions between cell populations were revealed.
Article
Automation & Control Systems
Chunjian Su, Xinxin Li, Xuemeng Li, Zhengyang Feng, Balasundaram Selvan Naveen, Rui Wang, Wei Min Huang
Summary: In the sheet forming process, the final bending angle is often determined based on experience and it is difficult to control the quality of the final products due to the decrease in thickness in the local bent areas. This study developed an optimized bending angle function by combining segment boundaries to improve the sheet forming quality and reduce local thinning defects. The finite element submodel method accurately simulated the thickness variation law of the bending area and analyzed the process parameters for local thinning. Experimental results showed that the proposed approach achieved better forming quality with smaller thinning defects compared to previously reported methods, and the thickness of the thinning defect was influenced by the process parameters and plate thickness.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Jia Wang, Cheng Li, Wei Zhang, Weimin Huang, Zhiqiang Liu, Rui Shi, Shiyuan Wang, Shan Liu, Weiguo Shi, Yunlan Li, Liang Xu
Summary: This paper proposes a new hemostatic powder based on poly(ethylene glycol)-di(cyanoacrylate) (CA-PEG-CA), which has tissue-contact-triggered strong adhesion and controlled fast degradation. The powder quickly forms an in situ gel on the wound through crosslinking polymerization when in contact with tissue or blood, demonstrating excellent hemostatic effects both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the gel can be rapidly biodegraded by ester bond hydrolysis with the addition of a cysteamine (CS)-containing solution, allowing for on-demand removal.
BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Xuelian Wu, Vishwa Mohan Tiwari, Kimaya Prasad Suryarao, Richard Tan, Rui Xiao, Haibao Lv, Yilei Zhang, Zhifeng Wang, Wei Min Huang
Summary: We present a cost-effective, highly reliable, and environmentally friendly method for patterned coloring of transparent PET. By varying the stretching speed, different color patterns can be achieved, including transparent, white/translucent, complete white/silver, and various combinations of these colors in PET strips. We investigate the conditions for obtaining high-quality color patterns and the length of the transient region during speed changes.