As a filler, micro- and nano-sized particles of bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) were interspersed with the main matrix in varying proportions. EDX (energy dispersive X-ray analysis) revealed the chemical composition of the prepared sample. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to investigate the structural characteristics, specifically the morphology, of the bentonite-gypsum specimen. SEM pictures of the sample cross-sections displayed consistent porosity and uniformity in the structure. Four radioactive sources, including 241Am, 137Cs, 133Ba, and 60Co, each emitting photons of varying energies, were employed alongside a NaI(Tl) scintillation detector. Utilizing Genie 2000 software, the area under the energy spectrum's peak was established for each specimen, both in its presence and absence. Subsequently, the linear and mass attenuation coefficients were determined. The experimental results for the mass attenuation coefficient, assessed against the theoretical predictions from XCOM software, proved their accuracy. Calculations yielded radiation shielding parameters, including mass attenuation coefficients (MAC), half-value layer (HVL), tenth-value layer (TVL), and mean free path (MFP), all linked to the linear attenuation coefficient. Beyond other analysis, the effective atomic number and buildup factors were quantified. Uniformly, all the parameters indicated the same conclusion: a substantial improvement in the properties of -ray shielding materials when using a mixture of bentonite and gypsum as the primary matrix, vastly exceeding the performance observed with bentonite alone. JHU395 Beyond that, a more budget-friendly approach to production utilizes a mixture of gypsum and bentonite. Accordingly, the analyzed bentonite-gypsum substances hold potential applications, including as gamma-ray shielding materials.

Investigating the interplay between compressive pre-deformation and subsequent artificial aging on the compressive creep aging response and microstructural evolution of an Al-Cu-Li alloy is the aim of this work. Initially, severe hot deformation predominantly occurs near grain boundaries during compressive creep, gradually progressing into the grain interior. Subsequently, the T1 phases will exhibit a reduced radius-to-thickness proportion. In pre-deformed materials, the nucleation of secondary T1 phases is typically confined to dislocation loops or fragmented Shockley dislocations, formed by the motion of movable dislocations during creep. Low plastic pre-deformation is strongly correlated with this behavior. Across all pre-deformed and pre-aged samples, two precipitation situations are encountered. Low pre-deformation (3% and 6%) can lead to premature consumption of solute atoms (copper and lithium) during pre-aging at 200 degrees Celsius, resulting in dispersed, coherent lithium-rich clusters within the matrix. During subsequent creep, pre-aged samples with minimal pre-deformation lose the capability of forming substantial secondary T1 phases. When dislocations become extensively entangled, a high density of stacking faults along with a copper and lithium-containing Suzuki atmosphere can act as nucleation sites for the secondary T1 phase, even when pre-aged at 200 degrees Celsius. Due to the mutual reinforcement of entangled dislocations and pre-formed secondary T1 phases, the sample, pre-deformed by 9% and pre-aged at 200 degrees Celsius, demonstrates outstanding dimensional stability during compressive creep. Reducing total creep strain is more successfully accomplished by increasing the pre-deformation level rather than pre-aging.

Anisotropic swelling and shrinkage of the wooden elements within an assembly affect its susceptibility to stresses by altering planned clearances and interference. JHU395 A novel method for assessing the moisture-dependent dimensional shifts of mounting holes in Scots pine specimens, verified using three sets of identical samples, was detailed in this study. A pair of samples, differing in their grain patterns, was found in every set. All samples were subjected to reference conditions of 60% relative humidity and 20 degrees Celsius, resulting in their moisture content reaching equilibrium at a value of 107.01%. Seven mounting holes, with a diameter of 12 millimeters each, were situated on the side of every sample and drilled. JHU395 Subsequent to drilling, Set 1 was used to measure the effective hole diameter, employing fifteen cylindrical plug gauges, each with a 0.005mm step increase, while Set 2 and Set 3 underwent separate seasoning procedures over six months, in two drastically different extreme environments. Set 2 was subjected to air with a relative humidity level of 85%, causing an equilibrium moisture content of 166.05%. Set 3, in contrast, experienced a 35% relative humidity environment, arriving at an equilibrium moisture content of 76.01%. Plug gauge measurements on the samples subjected to swelling (Set 2) showed a noticeable increase in effective diameter within the range of 122 mm to 123 mm, representing a 17% to 25% expansion. In contrast, the samples that underwent shrinking (Set 3) exhibited a reduction in the effective diameter, with a range of 119 mm to 1195 mm, indicating an 8% to 4% contraction. Gypsum casts of the holes were created to precisely capture the intricate form of the deformation. By employing 3D optical scanning, the shapes and dimensions of the gypsum casts were accurately recorded. The 3D surface map's deviation analysis provided a more thorough and detailed understanding than the plug-gauge test results could offer. Shrinkage and swelling of the samples affected the holes' shapes and dimensions, with shrinkage producing a more considerable decrease in the effective diameter of the holes compared to the increase from swelling. The shape alterations of holes, brought on by moisture, are complex, exhibiting ovalization with a range dependent on the wood grain and hole depth, and a slight enlargement of the hole's diameter at the bottom. This study introduces a groundbreaking approach to assess the initial three-dimensional modifications of holes in wooden structures, as they undergo desorption and absorption.

In order to improve their photocatalytic effectiveness, titanate nanowires (TNW) were treated with Fe and Co (co)-doping, producing FeTNW, CoTNW, and CoFeTNW samples, using a hydrothermal synthesis. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) data consistently indicates the presence of both iron and cobalt in the lattice. XPS analysis confirmed the simultaneous presence of Co2+, Fe2+, and Fe3+ within the structure. Optical studies of the modified powders reveal the influence of the metals' d-d transitions on TNW's absorption, specifically the creation of additional 3d energy levels within the forbidden zone. Comparing the effect of doping metals on the recombination rate of photo-generated charge carriers, iron exhibits a stronger influence than cobalt. The prepared samples' photocatalytic properties were assessed through the removal of acetaminophen. Subsequently, a compound containing acetaminophen and caffeine, a commercially prevalent mixture, was also assessed. For acetaminophen degradation, the CoFeTNW sample emerged as the most effective photocatalyst in both testing conditions. A discussion of a mechanism for the photo-activation of the modified semiconductor, along with a proposed model, is presented. The outcome of the investigation was that cobalt and iron are vital components, within the TNW structure, for efficiently removing acetaminophen and caffeine.

Laser-based powder bed fusion (LPBF) of polymers enables the creation of dense components with notable improvements in mechanical properties. The current limitations of polymer materials applicable to laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), coupled with the elevated processing temperatures necessary, prompt this investigation into the in situ modification of material systems achieved by blending p-aminobenzoic acid with aliphatic polyamide 12 powders, subsequent to laser-based additive manufacturing. Substantial reductions in processing temperatures are observed in pre-mixed powder blends, correlating with the percentage of p-aminobenzoic acid, facilitating the processing of polyamide 12 at a build chamber temperature as low as 141.5 degrees Celsius. Raising the weight percentage of p-aminobenzoic acid to 20% leads to a substantial increase in elongation at break, specifically 2465%, although this is associated with a decrease in ultimate tensile strength. Through thermal analysis, the influence of a material's thermal history on its thermal properties is observed, a consequence of the suppression of low-melting crystalline components, and the resultant amorphous properties within the polymer, formerly semi-crystalline. Complementary infrared spectroscopic examination highlights a noticeable increase in secondary amides, suggesting that both covalently bound aromatic moieties and hydrogen-bonded supramolecular assemblies contribute to the evolving material properties. The presented approach, novel in its energy-efficient methodology, allows for the in situ preparation of eutectic polyamides, opening opportunities for manufacturing tailored material systems with customizable thermal, chemical, and mechanical properties.

The polyethylene (PE) separator's thermal stability is essential for the reliable and safe performance of lithium-ion batteries. While enhancing the thermal resilience of PE separators by incorporating oxide nanoparticles, the resulting surface coating can present challenges. These include micropore occlusion, easy separation of the coating, and the incorporation of potentially harmful inert materials. This significantly impacts battery power density, energy density, and safety. This paper details the use of TiO2 nanorods to modify the polyethylene (PE) separator's surface, and a suite of analytical methods (SEM, DSC, EIS, and LSV, among others) is applied to examine the correlation between coating level and the resultant physicochemical characteristics of the PE separator. The thermal, mechanical, and electrochemical properties of PE separators are enhanced via surface coatings of TiO2 nanorods, although the degree of improvement isn't linearly correlated to the coating quantity. The reason is that the forces opposing micropore deformation (due to mechanical strain or thermal contraction) are generated by the TiO2 nanorods' direct connection to the microporous network, not an indirect bonding.