Ni-based single superalloys play a crucial role in the hottest parts of jet engines. However, due to the complex geometry and macro-segregation during the solidification process, the cast defect such ...as stray grains is inevitable. Therefore, the transient liquid phase (TLP) bonding which can join several small single crystalline castings together is gradually believed to be an effective method for improving the yields of production of the complex components. The melting point depressant element B is always added into the interlayer filler material. Consequently, borides including the M3B2 and M5B3 phase usually precipitate during the TLP bonding process. So a comprehensive knowledge of the fine structural characteristics of the borides is very critical for an accurate evaluation of the TLP bonding process. In this work, by means of the aberration-corrected transmission electron microscopy, we show, at an atomic scale, the Wyckoff positional order phenomenon of the metal atoms in the unit cell of M3B2- and M5B3-type boride. Meanwhile, the defect along the (001) plane of the above two types of boride are determined to be the polyhedral intergrowth with complex configurations.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
The aim of this work was to evaluate the flexural strength and surface hardness of heat-cured Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) modified by the addition of ZrO2 nanoparticles, TiO2 nanoparticles, and ...E-glass fibre at different wt.% concentrations. Specimens were fabricated and separated into four groups (n = 10) to measure both flexural strength and surface hardness. Group C was the control group. The specimens in the remaining three groups differed according to the ratio of filler to weight of PMMA resin (1.5%, 3%, 5%, and 7%). A three-point bending test was performed to determine the flexural strength, while the surface hardness was measured using the Vickers hardness. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was employed to observe the fractured surface of the specimens. The flexural strength was significantly improved in the groups filled with 3 wt.% ZrO2 and 5 and 7 wt.% E-glass fibre in comparison to Group C. All the groups displayed a significantly higher surface hardness than Group C, with the exception of the 1.5% TiO2 and 1.5% ZrO2 groups. The optimal filler concentrations to enhance the flexural strength of PMMA resin were between 3–5% ZrO2, 1.5% TiO2, and 3–7% E-glass fibre. Furthermore, for all composites, a filler concentration of 3 wt.% and above would significantly improve hardness.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Spatial and temporal control is a key advantage for placement and rapid setting of light-activated resin composites. Conventionally, placement of multiple thin layers (<2mm) reduces the effect of ...light attenuation through highly filled and pigmented materials to increase polymerisation at the base of the restoration. However, and although light curing greater than 2mm thick layers is not an entirely new phenomenon, the desire amongst dental practitioners for even more rapid processing in deep cavities has led to the growing acceptance of so-called “bulk fill” (4–6mm thick) resin composites that are irradiated for 10–20s in daily clinical practice. The change in light transmission and attenuation during photopolymerisation are complex and related to path length, absorption properties of the photoinitiator and pigment, optical properties of the resin and filler and filler morphology. Understanding how light is transmitted through depth is therefore critical for ensuring optimal material properties at the base of thick increments. This article will briefly highlight the advent of current commercial materials that rationalise bulk filling techniques in dentistry, the relationship between light transmission and polymerisation and how optimal curing depths might be achieved.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
Graphene was discovered in 2004 and has attracted intensive interests because of its unique mechanical, electric, thermal, optical, and structural properties, which makes graphene a potential ...candidate for various applications. Graphene is being used as a composite or filler material with metals, metal oxides, and polymers for potential advanced applications in solar cells, lithium-ion batteries, photocatalysis and sensing. These applications depend upon the distinctive properties of graphene, which in turn depend on the adopted synthetic approach. This article reviews the recent developments in synthesis of graphene and related composite materials. The synthesis of graphene through exfoliation, epitaxial growth and direct growth via carbon source, and modification approaches by covalent and noncovalent methodologies are discussed. Graphene-based metal and metal oxide composites for the purification of wastewater using photolytic process are also presented.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OBVAL, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Deformable energy devices capable of efficiently scavenging ubiquitous mechanical signals enable the realization of self-powered wearable electronic systems for emerging human-integrated ...technologies. Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) utilizing soft polymers with embedded additives and engineered dielectric properties emerge as ideal candidates for such applications. However, the use of solid filler materials in the state-of-the-art TENGs limits the devices' mechanical deformability and long-term durability. The current structural design for TENGs faces the dilemma where the enhanced dielectric constant of the TENG's contact layer leads to an undesirable saturation of the surface charge density. Here, we present a novel scheme to address the above issues, by exploring a liquid-metal-inclusion based TENG (LMI-TENG) where inherently deformable core–shell LMIs are incorporated into wearable high-dielectric-constant polymers. Through a holistic approach integrating theoretical and experimental efforts, we identified the parameter space for designing an LMI-TENG with co-optimized output and mechanical deformability. As a proof of concept, we demonstrated an LMI-TENG based wireless media control system for a self-powered user interface. The device architecture and design scheme presented here provide a promising solution towards the realization of self-powered human-integrated technologies.
A detailed step‐by‐step fabrication procedural document of thin‐walled aluminum honeycomb sandwich composite structures, panels, and specimens using vacuum assisted resin infusion process was ...delivered in this paper. By and large, honeycomb sandwich structures are made by keeping the honeycomb core in between two face sheets, which are glued with the help of adhesives. In the present fabrication process, aluminum honeycomb core was glued in between the carbon fabric reinforced epoxy composite face sheets through vacuum assisted resin infusion technique. The present paper is aimed at fabricating two configurations of honeycomb sandwich composite panels namely, without considering any filler material inside the honeycomb cell, with considering the filler material inside the honeycomb cell. Plastic pellets made up of poly carbonate were considered as filler material for stiffening the aluminum honeycomb sandwich composite panels.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Rising environmental concerns have forced many industries to seek more environmentally-friendly processing methods and safer material alternatives. The development of water-repellent ...(superhydrophobic and low-adhesion) coatings is one such application. Typically, repellent coatings make use of low surface energy materials (often fluorinated, or containing organosilicon compounds) that require processing with harsh organic solvents. We report a methodology to fabricate fluorine- and silane-free, entirely water-based coating formulations with plant-based filler materials ( e.g. cellulose, lycopodium) for making superhydrophobic surfaces, commonly defined as having water contact angles greater than 150°. All of the formulations discussed herein contain a plant-based filler material that imparts surface roughness, and an aqueous, polymeric dispersion providing the low surface energy coating component. More importantly, the present formulations are developed using a facile, low-cost, safe processing technique. Out of several coating formulations developed in this work, those comprising of lycopodium and a natural wax ( e.g. carnauba wax, beeswax) offer the highest performance in terms of hydrophobicity and water mobility, with the added advantages of no nanoparticles and thermal processing at temperatures below 100 °C. Once applied to a substrate, these coatings comprise of ∼99.5% naturally-occurring materials, with the remaining 0.5% comprising an FDA approved cross-polymer (Pemulen 1622). The green approach presented in the current study opens new avenues for technological advancement in water-repellent coatings without adverse environmental consequences.
Recent developments in additive manufacturing have demonstrated the potential for thermoset polymer feedstock materials to achieve high strength, stiffness, and functionality through incorporation of ...structural and functional filler materials. In this work, graphene was investigated as a potential filler material to provide rheological properties necessary for direct-write three-dimensional (3D) printing and electrostatic discharge properties to the printed component. The rheological properties of epoxy/graphene mixtures were characterized, and printable epoxy/graphene inks formulated. Sheet resistance values for printed epoxy/graphene composites ranged from 0.67 × 10
2
Ω/sq to 8.2 × 10
3
Ω/sq. The flexural strength of printed epoxy/graphene composites was comparable to that of cast neat epoxy (~ 80 MPa), suggesting great potential for these new materials in multifunctional 3D-printed devices.
This study evaluated a newly developed paper analytical device (PAD) for screening amoxicillin samples in Blantyre urban townships. Covert shoppers attempted to buy amoxicillin from a geographically ...stratified selection of private pharmacies (
= 22 out of 26) and drug stores (
= 23 out of 103) in the township area. According to the PAD results, all 42 samples obtained by the shoppers contained amoxicillin and none contained suspicious filler materials. Next, the products were assayed using high-performance liquid chromatography. Consistent with the PAD results, all samples contained the correct amount of amoxicillin with no unexpected ingredients. However, one sample was purchased as amoxicillin and contained that ingredient, but was packaged in capsules that are normally used to package ampicillin. Almost every sample failed a simple packaging analysis. Nine in 10 samples were missing their original packaging and/or inserts (52.4% repackaged capsules and 35.7% repackaged blister packs). Only 33.3% of the packages had expiry dates, 16.7% had batch numbers, and 47.6% had the manufacturer's name. Dispensing practices were likewise unsatisfactory. Ninety-five percentage of the sellers sold the amoxicillin without a prescription, even though this medicine is regulated as prescription-only in Malawi. Although the chemical analysis showed that amoxicillin quality was good, our market survey revealed poor adherence to prescription-only medicine dispensing of antibiotics, which threatens antimicrobial stewardship efforts. Furthermore, the wide prevalence of repackaging deprives medicines of important information needed during patient's use, regulatory investigations, and pharmacovigilance reporting.
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