Journals
2026 EN
Wong JerkSheuan · Younis Mahmoud · Hu PeiCih
+7 more
The well‐defined porosity architectures and distinct charge characteristics of ionic covalent organic polymers (ICOPs) have garnered significant attention as promising candidates for drug delivery, adsorption, separation, and gas collection and storage applications. This study reports the synthesis of two novel ICOPs, TPE‐COP and PY‐COP, based on tetraphenylethene and pyrene cores, respectively, with viologen serving as the conjugated bridge. To complement the experimental findings and provide microscopic insights into the adsorption mechanism, density functional theory calculations are performed. Results indicate that the PY‐COP model exhibits a more planar structure compared to TPE‐COP, explaining the observed morphological variations: spherical for TPE‐COP and stacked morphology for PY‐COP. TPE‐COP exhibits markedly stronger stabilization toward oxoanions. Saturated adsorption capacities are determined for both ICOPs against selected anionic pollutants, demonstrating competitive performance compared to existing adsorbents. For KMnO 4 , TPE‐COP and PY‐COP demonstrate capacities of 0.77 and 0.35 g MnO 4 − g −1 , respectively. Similarly, for Na 2 Cr 2 O 7 , the saturated adsorption capacities are 0.17 g Cr 2 O 7 2− g −1 for TPE‐COP and 0.06 g Cr 2 O 7 2− g −1 for PY‐COP. These results demonstrate the superior adsorption performance of TPE‐COP compared to PY‐COP, highlighting the influence of structural design on adsorption efficacy.
Journals
2026 EN
Syed Junaid · Dyck Florian · Herberg Artjom
+2 more
The tribological behavior of thermo‐responsive poly( N ‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm)‐based microgels is investigated for use as water‐dispersible lubricant additives. Two types of microgels are synthesized using a surfactant‐free emulsion polymerization method: MG0, consisting of pure PNIPAAm with a volume phase transition temperature (VPTT) of ≈33 °C, and MG16, consisting of PNIPAAm copolymerized with hydrophobic tert ‐butyl acrylamide, exhibiting a lower VPTT of around 23 °C. Swelling and lubrication performance are evaluated at 20 and 40 °C. Both microgels significantly reduce friction and wear compared to water alone. At 20 °C, MG0 remains fully swollen and provides effective wear protection through hydrated microgel lubrication. MG16, being near its VPTT, exhibits partial collapse and slightly higher wear. At 40 °C, MG16 demonstrates improved wear resistance, attributed to enhanced film compaction in the collapsed state. Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy–energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy confirm that carbon‐rich tribofilms are formed via tribochemical reactions. MG0 produces more graphitic films, while MG16 generates amorphous carbon structures. These findings highlight the tunability of microgel composition for designing adaptive, water‐based lubricants for temperature‐sensitive applications.
Journals
2026 EN
Zhang Meng · Yang Le · Ding Xinyi
+5 more
Template‐assisted confinement has emerged as a versatile strategy for controlling the structure and function of liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs). By guiding mesogen alignment and polymer network formation within predefined geometries, these approaches enable LCEs with programmable actuation, optical properties, and mechanical responses. This review provides a comprehensive overview of templating methods for LCE fabrication, including planar substrates, porous scaffolds, droplet‐based confinement, colloidal assemblies, microstructured molds, fibrous templates, and direct ink writing. For each category, how the geometry, surface properties, and processing conditions influence alignment quality and material performance is highlighted. The unique capabilities and challenges associated with each method are also discussed. Finally, emerging directions such as hierarchical and reconfigurable templates, multifunctional composites, and applications in soft robotics, adaptive optics, and biomimetic systems are outlined. Overall, these insights highlight the growing potential of confinement‐guided approaches in advancing the next generation of responsive LCE materials.
Journals
2026 EN
Rajeswari Dhanikonda · Shashank Rebelli · Bhattacharya Sandip
+1 more
The continued downscaling of integrated circuits presents major challenges, particularly the increasing resistivity of copper (Cu) and difficulties in maintaining a high current‐carrying capacity in Cu interconnect lines as their dimensions shrink to the nanoscale. These limitations threaten the performance and reliability of advanced electronic devices. Consequently, research efforts have intensified to identify alternative materials that exhibit better electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties suitable for use in next‐generation interconnect technologies. To address these issues, a wide range of alternative materials has been explored, including elemental metals, intermetallic compounds, MAX phases, topological semimetals, self‐assembled monolayers, hexagonal boron nitride, MoS 2 , amorphous boron nitride, amorphous monolayer carbon, carbon materials, and nanocarbon/metal hybrid (NCMH) materials. Among these, NCMH materials have emerged as particularly promising due to their unique combination of conductivity of metals and high current‐carrying capacity of nanocarbons. This review presents a comprehensive overview of advancements in NCMH materials for interconnect applications. The review also highlights the key functional properties of NCMH materials, electrical, thermal, and mechanical that are essential for meeting the demands of downscaled interconnects. Overall, this review aims to offer a materials‐driven strategy for bridging the gap between academic research and industrial implementation in the development of future interconnect technologies.
Journals
2026 EN
QuintanarAbarca Bryan Ivan · MeloMáximo Dulce Viridiana · GarcíaLópez Erika
In this article, a diode‐pumped solid‐state laser marking system (maximum average power, 25 W; wavelength, 1064 nm) is used to texture Ti6Al4V substrates. This investigation examines the effect of varying marking speed (50 and 150 mm s −1 ) and average power (21.25 and 23.75 W), corresponding to linear energy densities ranging from 0.142 to 0.475 J mm −1 . Surface characterization is performed using a 3D focus variation microscope, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, and contact angle measurements. Surface roughness variations from 0.71 to 1.004 μm are shown after applying linear energy densities of 0.425 and 0.475 J mm −1 , respectively. A microstructural study demonstrates a reordering of the α and β titanium phases. The applied energy significantly influences surface morphology and chemical composition, increasing the oxygen content and indicating surface oxidation. Under this study's processing and measurement conditions (sessile drop with artificial saliva), all textured samples exhibit increased contact angles (from 95 ± 5° for the substrate to 116.03 ± 6.32° and 118.9 ± 6.8° for the textured samples), indicating a shift toward more hydrophobic behavior. The combined effects of increased micro‐roughness and oxide formation explain this trend.
Journals
2026 EN
Ben Fraj Boutheina · Loukil Nouha · Kallel Mouna
+1 more
Ni‐rich NiTi is a distinctive functional smart alloy well‐suited for biomedical and aerospace applications, owing to its exceptional thermomechanical properties, biocompatibility, and corrosion resistance. The wear resistance and long‐term service life of NiTi alloys are strongly dependent on their phase transformation behavior, which is intrinsically linked to microstructural evolution. In this context, the present study investigates the critical role of Ti 3 Ni 4 precipitates in governing phase transformation kinetics, microstructure, and tribological performance through controlled aging treatments at 450 °C and 650 °C. Results reveal that Ti 3 Ni 4 precipitation significantly hardens the alloy, inhibiting martensitic phase transformation while substantially improving wear resistance compared to precipitate‐free conditions, despite exhibiting higher surface roughness and friction coefficient. In contrast, the absence of Ti 3 Ni 4 precipitates (achieved by aging at 650 °C) accelerates the thermally induced transformation rate by 78% but severely degrades wear resistance, increasing both wear rate and wear depth by 67%. The findings establish a microstructure–property framework for tailoring Ni‐rich NiTi shape memory alloys: Ti 3 Ni 4 ‐rich microstructure optimizes wear‐critical applications, while unprecipitated microstructure favors rapid phase transformation. This work advances the design of NiTi alloys by decoupling the antagonistic effects of precipitates on transformation kinetics and wear performance, offering actionable guidelines for application‐specific heat treatments.
Journals
2026 EN
Liu Shanshan · Jia Qiuyue · Zhu Peng
+6 more
Continuous SiC fiber‐reinforced titanium matrix (SiC f /Ti) composites are considered promising candidates for low‐pressure compressor blades of aero engines. However, overload failure under coupling conditions of elevated temperature and bending load is the typical failure mode of blade materials, which is important to understand bending damage evolution at service temperature. Herein, three‐point bending interrupted tests of SiC f /Ti composite panel are conducted on parallel specimens at 723 K to capture different damage stages. Combining scanning electron microscopy and micro‐computed tomography, together with finite element analysis, is employed to investigate the failure mechanisms. The composite exhibits a bending strength of 1689 MPa at 723 K. The damage evolution follows a sequential process, interfacial debonding (stage I), tensile‐side fiber fracture (stage II), matrix cracking and multiple fiber breaks (stage III), cladding fracture and limited compressive‐side fiber failure (stage IV), and final catastrophic fracture (stage V). Distinct stress states lead to different fracture morphologies on the tensile and compressive sides, with tensile stress identifies as the primary factor governing failure. These findings establish a coherent understanding of the correlation between stress states and bending damage evolution, providing valuable insights for the structural designs and service reliability of SiC f /Ti composite components in high‐temperature applications.
Journals
2026 EN
Li Rui · Shan Qingliang · Wang Dongye
+3 more
To improve the mechanical properties of carbon fiber‐reinforced aluminum matrix composites (C f /Al) and protect the carbon fibers from damage, a SiC interphase is deposited onto the carbon fibers via chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The effects of interphase thickness on the microstructure, flexural resistance properties, and fracture behavior of composites are investigated. Transmission electron microscopy analysis demonstrates that the CVD‐SiC interphase effectively protects carbon fibers from erosion of high‐temperature Al melts, inhibiting Al diffusion into carbon fibers and preserving fiber integrity. Compared with the composites without SiC interphase, the flexural strength of the composites with a SiC interphase thickness of 1.93 μm has increased from 157.7 ± 0.9 to 409.8 ± 20.6 MPa. The CVD‐SiC interphase enhances fracture resistance by increasing crack path tortuosity and promoting energy dissipation through fiber pull‐out and interface debonding. However, an excessive thickness of CVD‐SiC may give rise to defects and pores within the fiber bundle, consequently decreasing the mechanical properties. This study offers meaningful insights for interface engineering in C f /Al composites and contributes to their potential structural applications.
Journals
2026 EN
Kao ChiaYu · Chen ChenMing · Pan YuHao
+5 more
Structures with triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS) are characterized by continuous and smooth geometries, providing design versatility well‐suited for mechanical enhancement and energy dissipation functions. Although metal additive manufacturing (AM) is a powerful method for fabricating TPMS structures, its application at large scales is often limited by high production costs, build size constraints, and challenges in achieving fully dense structures in complex enclosed geometries. To address these practical limitations, this study proposes a modular investment casting strategy using 3D‐printed polylactic acid patterns to fabricate Schwarz Primitive TPMS structures. By decomposing the structure into castable modules, the proposed method enables flexible scaling while reducing common casting defects such as cold shuts and incomplete filling. Six configurations with different wall thicknesses and unit cell counts are successfully produced. Experimental results demonstrate that increasing the wall thickness significantly enhances the yield strength, elastic modulus, and energy absorption, with the best‐performing specimen exhibiting a specific energy absorption of 19.9 J g −1 . Compared with conventional lattice topologies and stainless‐steel cellular metal foams, the modular TPMS structures demonstrate superior tunable energy absorption in the high‐density regime (1.8–3.5 g cm −3 ). This work establishes a cost‐effective and scalable alternative to AM for manufacturing high‐performance TPMS structures for engineering applications.
Journals
2026 EN
Spalek Niclas · Abreu Faria Guilherme · Davydok Anton
+1 more
Welded joints suffer from reduced fatigue life due to geometric stress concentrations and metallurgical changes in the heat‐affected zone that promote crack initiation under cyclic loading. This study investigates a novel postweld treatment, utilizing a Cu/Ni nanometallic multilayer thin film deposited onto the welded butt joint. Deposition current densities and individual Cu/Ni layer thicknesses are systematically varied to optimize fatigue performance. A multiscale residual stress (RS) analysis characterizes stress states within individual multilayers and in the steel substrate, indicating all substrate RS are compressive in nature after thin film deposition. Results demonstrate a direct correlation between compressive RS magnitude and fatigue strength improvement. Tested at Δ σ R = 0.75 × f y , a more than a 300% increase in cycles to failure is seen compared to the as‐welded condition. This postweld treatment offers a promising approach for extending the operational life of welded structures across industrial applications.