Search Results (248)

Background: Treatment options for vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) remain limited; therefore, therapies that improve quality of life and reduce neoplastic risk are needed. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a potential option. This study aimed to evaluate quality of life and sexual function in patients treated according to the protocol used at our institution. Methods: Forty patients with refractory VLS underwent PDT using a 10% 5-aminolevulinic acid nanoemulsion (Ameluz^®) applied to lesions under an occlusive aluminum foil dressing. Patients received 1–6 sessions of 10 min illumination (LED: 37 J/cm², ~77 mW/cm²) at 4–6-week intervals. The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) were used for assessment. Results: Thirty-seven participants answered DLQI, while 20 declared themselves to be sexually active and were included in the analysis. Greater number of PDT sessions was associated with a lower DLQI score (τ = −0.583; adjusted p < 0.001). The number of PDT sessions and the total FSFI score (p = 0.014), as well as desire (p = 0.016), arousal (p = 0.020), orgasm (p = 0.020), and satisfaction (p = 0.016) domains were significantly correlated. Age correlated positively with DLQI scores (p = 0.016), indicating greater disease burden in older patients. Longer disease duration was also associated with poorer quality of life (p = 0.020). Conclusions: PDT can be considered an effective treatment for patients with VLS refractory to standard topical corticosteroid and calcineurin inhibitor therapies when delivered using a refined, patient-centered protocol. This optimized approach used in our institution is based on short irradiation time and precise light delivery, providing a favorable balance between therapeutic efficacy, patient comfort, and treatment feasibility. Our findings also suggest that the cumulative number of PDT sessions is a key factor for clinical response. Further studies should address long-term outcomes. Full article

Ultrasonic cavitation is a key mechanism in the dispersion and erosion of solid materials in liquids; however, the influence of processing conditions and medium properties on its efficiency in ultrasonic baths remains poorly systematized. Despite the widespread use of ultrasonic baths in materials processing, general optimization principles are lacking, and operating parameters are typically determined empirically for each system. In this work, cavitation activity was quantitatively assessed using an aluminum foil erosion test, with the foil clamped in a plastic frame to evaluate the mechanical effects of cavitation. The effects of ultrasonic power, frequency, treatment time, temperature, solvent nature, and vessel material on the foil mass loss were systematically investigated. The results demonstrate that both the instrumental parameters and physicochemical properties of the dispersion medium, including viscosity and surface tension, significantly affect the cavitation activity. Solvents with lower cavitation thresholds and favorable acoustic properties promote more intense erosion, while the vessel material and geometry also influence energy transmission to the liquid. This study provides a systematic framework for assessing the cavitation dose in ultrasonic baths and offers practical guidelines for optimizing ultrasonic dispersion processes and improving their reproducibility. Full article

Polyolefin bonding technologies with metal foils are extensively employed in various sectors, particularly in automotive, electronics, and aerospace industries. This research examined the innovative electromagnetic joining of polyolefins to aluminum by evaluating the behavior of hot-melt adhesives derived from polyolefins containing metallic particles. The study aimed at establishing the specific absorption rate (SAR, expressed in W/kg) via electromagnetic simulation using CST Studio Suite software. It was observed that, regardless of particle size, Al was the most efficient particle, while the distribution of particles has a negligible impact on Total SAR values. The most significant beneficial effect of the inserts on the absorption capacity of the hot-melt material is primarily observed with a particle size of 1 μm. When connecting polyolefins to aluminum, the power loss density and SAR values exceed those for bonding polyolefins to polyolefins by at least 10 times, owing to aluminum’s conductive properties, which influence the absorption of additional energy in the hot melt mass, likely due to the Salisbury screen effect generated by the bonding arrangement. For hot melts made from polyethylene, a higher frequency of 5.8 GHz is suggested, which is a newly approved frequency used in advanced industrial applications. This positively impacts the effectiveness and viability of the bonding process of polyolefins to aluminum, resulting in reduced exposure times and/or decreased microwave exposure power. It was observed that the hot melts derived from HDPE and PP yielded greater SAR values. Conversely, the SAR values increase when aluminum is attached to HDPE. As a result, the strongest bond of polyolefins to Al occurs when connecting HDPE to Al using HDPE-based hot melts. The proposed simulation methodology may offer considerable improvement in evaluating the efficacy of bonding technology for dissimilar materials subjected to electromagnetic energy Full article

This study systematically investigates the effects of the final annealing temperature on the microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of an Al-Fe-Si alloy aluminum foil. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) characterization and tensile tests are employed for analysis. As the annealing temperature is elevated from 240 °C to 360 °C, the average grain size increases monotonically from 5.2 μm to 9.6 μm. Continuous recrystallization is identified as the predominant grain growth mechanism. Tensile deformation exhibits the homogeneous plastic behavior without localized necking. The tensile strength decreases significantly in the range of 240–300 °C and subsequently undergoes a recovery stage at 300–360 °C. Significant elongation anisotropy is observed. The maximum elongation reaches 30–34% in the 45° direction, relative to the rolling direction (RD), which is approximately 1.5 times that along the RD (0°). Comparative analysis of the anisotropy indices demonstrates that the aluminum foil annealed at 240 °C achieves the minimal tensile strength anisotropy (13.0 MPa) and elongation anisotropy (−4.2%). This indicates an optimal comprehensive mechanical performance. These findings provide a theoretical rationale for the industrial optimization of the annealing processes for Al-Fe-Si alloy foils. They are particularly valuable for balancing microstructural regulation and mechanical property enhancement in lithium-ion battery soft-packaging applications. Full article

This study aims to reveal the mechanism of a novel method for fabricating hierarchical microstructured hydrophobic surfaces. Specifically, plasma shock waves induced by laser ablation are applied to the workpiece to replicate the microstructures on the mold surface, thus obtaining primary microstructures. Meanwhile, the material splashing effect induced by laser ablation is utilized to form secondary microstructures on the basis of the primary microstructures. Subsequently, fluorination treatment and aging treatment are adopted to alter the chemical composition of the hierarchical microstructures on the workpiece surface, thereby reducing the surface energy and enhancing hydrophobicity. In addition, this study investigates the effects of a different number of laser shocks, laser fluence and mold periods on the forming results. Under a laser fluence of 28.97 J/cm², within the range of one to five laser shocks, the forming effect of the aluminum foil workpiece improves with the increase in the number of laser shocks. When the number of laser shocks is set to 3, within the laser fluence range of 19.1–76.39 J/cm², the forming result of the aluminum foil workpiece is enhanced as the laser fluence increases. The larger the mold period, the better the forming effect of the workpiece. An analysis of aging treatment and fluorination treatment reveals their impacts on the workpiece through assessments of wettability, surface chemical composition, and surface morphology. The findings reveal that both aging and fluorination treatments significantly enhance the contact angle of the aluminum foil workpiece, all while preserving its original surface structure. The main changes occur in terms of element content and chemical composition, and a large number of non-polar groups are generated on the workpiece surface after the modification treatments. Full article

Sensitive and on-site detection of pesticide residues remains a critical challenge for food safety, particularly in developing regions where rapid screening tools are urgently needed. Herein, we report a flexible surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) platform based on triangular silver nanoplates (TSNPs) integrated onto a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate, enabling sensitive and conformal detection of paraquat residues on agricultural surfaces. TSNPs were synthesized via a seed-mediated photochemical growth method and formulated into a TSNP ink, which was directly deposited onto oxygen-plasma-treated and thiol-functionalized PDMS substrates. Owing to the highly anisotropic geometry and sharp edges of TSNPs, the flexible SERS substrate exhibits strong localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) enhancement and mechanically stable electromagnetic hot spots. Systematic optimization of TSNP optical absorbance revealed that uniform nanoplate distribution and optimal hotspot density were achieved at an absorbance of 2.0. The SERS performance was evaluated using rhodamine 6G under front-side and back-side illumination configurations, demonstrating good signal reproducibility and a detection limit of approximately 10⁻⁵ M. Notably, back-side illumination through the PDMS layer provided superior SERS responses due to improved optical transmission and light–matter interaction. The practical applicability was further demonstrated through back-side SERS detection of paraquat on aluminum foil as a model surface, achieving a lowest detectable concentration of 5 × 10⁻⁶ M, followed by damage-free detection on Chinese pear peels. This work highlights a reliable and nondestructive flexible SERS platform for on-site pesticide residue monitoring. Full article

Metal packaging materials remain fundamental across food, beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and technical sectors owing to their combination of mechanical robustness, total light and gas barrier performance, thermal resistance, and established recyclability. Aluminum alloys, tinplate, tin-free steel (TFS/ECCS), stainless steels, metal–matrix composites (MMCs), and metal–polymer or metal–paper laminates define distinct metal-based packaging architectures whose metallurgical and interfacial design governs forming behaviour, corrosion and migration pathways, coating integrity, and mechanical reliability. In this review, these architectures are examined from a materials- and systems-oriented perspective, linking composition, microstructure, processing routes, and surface engineering to functional performance across rigid, semi-rigid, and flexible formats. The analysis also considers the ongoing transition from bisphenol A (BPA)-based epoxy linings to BPA-free and hybrid coating chemistries, the use of nano-structured metallic and metal-oxide surfaces, and the role of composite laminates in which thin metallic foils are combined with polymeric or paper-based structural layers. These material and architectural aspects are discussed together with safety, regulatory, and circularity considerations that increasingly influence the design and selection of metal-based packaging. Ion migration, coating degradation, and corrosion under realistic storage environments are considered in relation to EU, FDA, ISO, and sector-specific requirements, while attention is also paid to the contrast between well-established closed-loop recycling infrastructures for aluminum and steel and the more complex end-of-life management of coated metals and multilayer laminates. The review provides a unified framework connecting materials selection, metallurgical design, processing, performance, regulatory compliance, and sustainability in metal-based packaging systems. Applications spanning consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and advanced electronics are integrated to support an overall understanding of how metallic and hybrid metal-based architectures underpin functional reliability and life-cycle sustainability. Full article

Friction stir-welding (FSW) is widely recognized as a modern solid-state technology used to join dissimilar materials by solid-state mechanical mixing. Such mechanical mixing can be exploited to fabricate in situ composite structures through solid-state deformation mechanisms. The present investigation highlights the microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of an in situ composite structure fabricated by FSW of aluminum (Al) to titanium (Ti) incorporating a thin Nickel (Ni) interlayer. A 0.1 mm thick Ni foil was placed across the full butt interface between 4 mm thick Al and Ti plates before friction stir-welding. Properties of the composite were investigated in detail, and the results revealed that fragmented Ti and Ni particles of different sizes were consolidated in the weld nugget. Al, on the other hand, exhibited substantial microstructural refinement and developed an equiaxed microstructure with random grain orientation, mixed grain boundaries and low micro-strain accumulation in the weld nugget. At the processing temperature, Al reacted with both Ti and Ni to form multiple intermetallic compounds. Tensile testing indicated that the tensile properties of the weld were close to those of the base aluminum. This retention of mechanical properties in spite of recrystallization is attributed to the following mechanisms: (1) Ti and Ni undergo severe deformation, forming fine particles with varying sizes and shapes; (2) at particle interfaces, diffusion and chemical reactions produce interlayers and intermetallic compounds; (3) these particles are consolidated within dynamically recrystallized Al, imparting composite characteristics to the weld nugget; and (4) the particles containing intermetallic compounds act as dispersoids in the Al matrix. Quantitatively, the weld retained 98% (104.2 ± 3.3 MPa) UTS and 90% (17.1 ± 1.2) ductility of base aluminum, demonstrating the effectiveness of the Ni interlayer approach in controlling brittle intermetallic formation. Full article

This study investigated the ability of anaerobically digested sewage sludge biochar (ADSSBC), pretreated with nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) prior to anaerobic digestion (AD), to remove lead (Pb(II)) ions from aqueous solutions. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of various parameters, including nZVI dosage, O₂-exclusion method (aluminum foil wrapping or N₂ purging), pyrolysis temperature (300–800 °C), adsorbent dosage, pH, coexisting ions, contact time, and initial Pb(II) concentration. Experimental data were fitted to adsorption kinetic and isotherm models. The characteristics of nZVI30-ADSSBC-700 before and after Pb(II) adsorption were analyzed using FTIR, SEM–EDS, XPS, and XRD to identify the adsorption mechanisms. The results showed that nZVI addition at 30 mg/g-TS prior to AD significantly enhanced Pb(II) removal efficiency compared with the control. Among the investigated pyrolysis temperatures and O₂-exclusion methods, the biochar produced at 700 °C using aluminum foil wrapping exhibited the highest Pb(II) removal efficiency (99.4%) at an initial Pb(II) concentration of 200 mg/L. The maximum Langmuir adsorption capacity obtained for this biochar was 139.3 mg/g. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model best described the Pb(II) adsorption kinetics. The investigated models and the results of physicochemical analyses indicated the involvement of both physical and chemical adsorption mechanisms, including surface precipitation, ion exchange, pore filling, and, to some extent, complexation. Full article

For the development of effective and secure methods for plant genetic resources preservation, different storage treatments of fiber flax seeds were compared. Seeds of the flax variety Orshanskiy-2 in aluminum foil bags were stored at different low temperatures, including in liquid nitrogen. Agronomic characters of plants grown from them and next-generation seeds were compared. Plants grown from frozen seeds changed 14 out of 31 evaluated characters in comparison with the non-frozen control. The biggest changes were detected after gradual freezing in liquid nitrogen, due to mechanical damage of the seed coat, and storage at −10 °C for 24 years. Freezing had a negative effect on production characters (straw, fiber and seed) because of the reduction of the germinated plant number. Seeds stored for 24 years at −10 °C, compared to control plants, ripened earlier, grew higher, produced a greater yield of straw and fiber, but had reduced fiber quality and increased seed size. Plants of the next generation showed a tendency toward attenuation of the storage time influence on flax characters. However, it is unknown how many years this process will take. For seed preservation in GeneBanks, it is recommended to use several variants of storage conditions and use rapid cooling and/or cryoprotectors. The latter two methods, which have been successfully used for other crops, should be implemented only after preliminary experiments. Full article

Edge cracking is prone to occur during the rolling of Mg/Al composite foils. Herein, a hybrid hot–cold rolling process was adopted to fabricate 30 μm thick Mg/Al composite foils with low edge cracking. AZ31B magnesium alloy and 5052 aluminum alloy sheets, both with an initial thickness of 0.5 mm, were chosen as research materials. Numerical simulations of composite pass were conducted at 300–450 °C with reduction ratios of 25–40%, and the optimal parameters were identified as 400 °C and a 35% reduction ratio. Based on this, multi-pass rolling experiments were performed: composite pass was heated at 400 °C for 10 min with 35% reduction ratio, hot rolling passes at 300 °C for 1–3 min, and subsequent cold rolling with 15% reduction ratio. After 21 rolling passes, 30 μm thick Mg/Al composite foils with low edge cracking were successfully prepared. Interface and metallographic characterizations demonstrated that the diffusion layer thickness varied slightly during hot rolling and increased moderately during cold rolling. For the magnesium alloy, hot rolling improved microstructural uniformity and reduced shear bands, while cold rolling caused decreased uniformity and the gradual emergence of shear bands. The research results provide a reference for the preparation of high-quality Mg/Al composite foils. Full article

This study presents the design and experimental evaluation of a low-cost parabolic solar concentrator fabricated primarily from recyclable materials. Three reflector configurations—aluminum foil, Plexiglass mirror tiles, and a hybrid design with a peripheral aluminum foil strip—were experimentally assessed to examine their effects on solar concentration performance. A novel foldable and adjustable tripod-mounted receiver was introduced to improve focal alignment, portability, and mechanical stability by isolating the receiver load from the dish structure. Results indicate that Plexiglass mirror tiles significantly enhance thermal performance compared to aluminum foil, while the hybrid configuration achieved the highest receiver temperature of 53 °C under controlled radiation conditions. The findings demonstrate that efficient and portable parabolic solar concentrators can be developed using inexpensive and recyclable materials for small-scale solar thermal applications. Full article

Reliable joining of multi-layer aluminum foil current collectors is crucial for enhancing the performance and safety of high-capacity lithium-ion batteries. However, laser welding of such thin-thick aluminum combinations is often hindered by porosity, cracks and unstable weld-pool behavior. In this study, a ring-mode fiber laser combined with sinusoidal oscillation and linearly gradient power modulation was employed to achieve high-quality lap welding between 80 layers of 1060 aluminum foil (1 mm in total thickness) and a 1.5 mm thick aluminum plate. Welding experiments and thermo-mechanical simulations were conducted to investigate the effects of welding speed (15–45 mm/s) and central-power modulation parameters (−2, 0, +2, +4) on weld morphology, defect formation, and mechanical properties. The results indicate that increasing the welding speed can effectively suppress cracks and improve the shear strength from 249.8 N to 403.9 N, but it also leads to an increase in porosity from 5.78% to 12.26% and deterioration of the weld reinforcement. Higher central-power modulation (+2, +4) transformed the weld-pool geometry from an ω shape to U shape, effectively suppressing fusion-line cracks but leading to increased porosity (up to 8.41%) and deteriorated surface morphology. Overall, a low welding speed of 15 mm/s combined with an optimized power modulation strategy achieves effective crack suppression while maintaining controlled porosity, resulting in a welded joint with superior comprehensive performance. This research provides a robust process solution for high-quality laser welding of multi-layer aluminum foil current collectors in power battery manufacturing. Full article

This study investigates the early-age performance of large-area C30 concrete slabs under different curing regimes using a multi-scale approach combining laboratory experiments, field monitoring, and numerical simulation. The experimental results indicated that standard curing (SC7) maximized the mechanical properties. In contrast, the thermal insulation and moisture retention curing (TC) regime significantly reduced temperature gradients and stress mutation amplitudes by 42% compared to wet curing (WC) by leveraging the synergistic effect of aluminum foil and insulating cotton. This makes TC a preferred solution in situations where engineering constraints apply. Field monitoring demonstrated that WC is suitable for humidity-sensitive scenarios with low-temperature control requirements, while TC is more suitable for large-area concrete or low-temperature environments, balancing early strength development and long-term durability. This multi-field coupled model exhibits significant deviations during the early stage (0–7 days) due to complex boundary interactions, but achieves high quantitative accuracy in the long-term steady state (after 14 days), with a maximum error below 8%. The analysis revealed that the key driving factors for stress evolution are early hydration heat–humidity coupling and mid-term boundary transient switching. The study provides a novel, multi-scale validated curing optimization path for crack control in large-area concrete slabs. Full article

Understanding the fluid dynamics of fluidized beds loaded with biomass pellets is of significant value for the design of wood waste gasifiers. In the present study, cylindrical wood pellets are loaded into a lab-scale cold gasifier unit at 2.5 vol% and 7.5 vol% concentrations and studied at superficial air velocities of 0.25, 0.282, and 0.344 m/s (corresponding to 80, 90, and 110 SCFM). Measurements of bubbles, sand particles, and biomass pellets are taken at a 45 cm height from the distributor plate, and at 9, 12, 15, 18, and 21 cm radial positions from the column wall by employing the CREC-GS-Optiprobes, a valuable integrated fiber optic-laser tool system. A new data processing methodology is established using laser signals that are reflected from the outer surface of aluminum-foil-wrapped cylindrical wood pellets. In addition, a new algorithm is implemented to distinguish pellet-reflected signals from those of bubbles and emulsion-phase particles. On this basis, for the first time, a Phenomenological Probabilistic Predictive Model (PPPM), is considered to predict Bubble Axial Chords (BACs) and Bubble Rise Velocities (BRVs), in a sand fluidized bed loaded with biomass pellets. This is accomplished within a set band of values accounting for three standard deviations from their means or including 85.9% of the bubbles measured. Thus, it is demonstrated that the PPPM is adequate to establish the constrained random motion of bubbles in sand fluidized beds, under the influence of uniformly distributed biomass pellets. It is anticipated that the findings of the present study will be of significant value for the design of sand biomass gasifiers of different scales. Full article