Search Results (325)

This study systematically investigated the influence of molecular weight (MW) and protein content (PC) on the interfacial behavior and foaming properties of soluble soybean polysaccharide (SSPS), aiming to elucidate the structure–function relationship for the targeted design of SSPS-based foam stabilizers. The results demonstrated that the low-MW group, particularly the LH sample (low MW, high PC), exhibited the highest foam expansion (FE = 272.5%), attributed to its smallest particle size, lowest zeta potential, and minimal surface tension, which facilitated rapid adsorption at the interface. Interfacial rheology revealed that all SSPS samples formed an elastic-dominated interfacial film (G′ > G″). The HM sample (high MW, moderate PC) showed the most rapid increase in G′ and the highest mechanical strength, while the LH sample (low MW, high PC) exhibited the strongest elastic response within the low-MW group, which contributed to its relatively high foam stability (FS = 69.9%). The interfacial viscoelasticity and foaming performance of SSPS are synergistically governed by its MW and PC. Low MW facilitates rapid adsorption and superior foam expansion, while high PC enhances interfacial film elasticity. Moreover, the long-term stability of foam depends not only on reduced interfacial tension but more critically on the mechanical strength and viscoelasticity of the interfacial film. These findings provide a crucial theoretical basis for optimizing SSPS applications in aerated foods. Full article

Articular fractures require precise anatomical reduction and rigid fixation to heal appropriately. In veterinary cases that involve fracturing of the lateral humeral condyle, cortical bone screws inserted in lag fashion with Kirschner wire are the preferred method for surgical fixation. However, relatively high complication rates associated with cortical lag screws (CLSs) highlights the need to investigate alternate screw designs. Variable-pitch headless compression screws (VPHCSs) are unique as they advance beneath the cortical surface. Although the use of VPHCSs are widely utilised in human orthopaedics, the current use in veterinary orthopaedics is limited. This study aimed to evaluate the peak interfragmentary force (PIF) and area of compression (AOC) generated by a 3.5 mm self-tapping cortical screw placed in lag fashion and a 3.5 mm VPHCS inserted to four depths. PIF and AOC were measured using a pressure-sensitive film placed between two blocks of polyurethane foam (0.24 g/cm³), simulating a transverse fracture. CLSs were inserted by hand into predrilled 2.5 mm pilot holes. PIF and AOC were measured at full insertion. VPHCSs were placed into predrilled 2.5 mm pilot holes, followed by a 3.5 mm tapered countersink. The screw was inserted until the head was level with the surface. PIF and AOC were measured between the two blocks. The screw was continued until the head was at a depth of 2, 5, and 9 mm below the surface, and the PIF and AOC were measured again at each stage. There was no detectable difference in PIF and AOC between CLSs and VPHCSs countersunk to −2 mm (PIF–CLS: Mean = 12.886, SD = 2.370; 2 mm: Mean = 17.301, SD = 8.858, p = 0.319; AOC–CLS: Mean = 0.936, SD = 0.291; 2 mm: Mean = 0.925, SD = 0.447, p = 0.872). VPHCSs countersunk to −5 mm and −9 mm produced significantly greater PIF compared to CLSs (5 mm: Mean = 16.086, SD = 6.799, p = 0.002; 9 mm: Mean = 34.987, SD = 4.015, p < 0.001). VPHCSs countersunk to −5 and −9 mm produced significantly greater PIF and AOC compared to CLSs in this model. Further investigation is required to produce recommendations for clinical use. Full article

This study investigates the inhibitory effects of alkali metal chlorides lithium chloride, sodium chloride and potassium chloride (LiCl, NaCl, and KCl) on sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) foams, focusing on the transition from interfacial to bulk-driven destabilization mechanisms. The research demonstrates that foam collapse at high electrolyte concentrations is governed by a massive increase in bulk cohesive pressure and specific ion-pairing (SIP), which leads to interfacial dehydration and the mechanical decoupling of the surface from the bulk phase. It is shown that while surface adsorption reaches a plateau, the thermodynamic state of the solvent becomes the primary driver for film drainage. The results indicate that KCl acts as the most potent defoamer due to its optimal matching of water affinities with the surfactant head groups. These findings provide a new theoretical framework for understanding foam stability in concentrated electrolytic environments, emphasizing the role of bulk cohesive stress over traditional interfacial elasticity. Full article

The rapid development of modern sports has placed higher demands on athlete protection. Traditional protective gear relying on passive energy dissipation through bulk materials such as foam and gel suffers from limitations like large volume and poor adaptability, driving the evolution of protection technology toward active and intelligent solutions. Impact absorption and damping coating technology, which integrates advanced functional materials in thin-film form onto the surface of protective gear, has achieved a paradigm shift in protective performance and is advancing toward lightweight, intelligent, and customizable designs. This review first systematically elaborates on the working principles and performance regulation mechanisms of novel coating systems centered on shear-thickening fluids, polymer gels, microstructural biomimetics, and phase-change materials. Secondly, it deeply analyzes the application modes and protective efficacy improvements of these technologies in specific scenarios such as helmets, joint protectors, and smart clothing. Furthermore, it explores the complex interaction mechanisms between coatings and human tissues under dynamic impact. Finally, we discuss the challenges and future trends in the evolution of this technology toward multifunctional integration, dynamic adaptability, and precise personalized design, aiming to provide a systematic reference for interdisciplinary innovation in fields such as materials science, biomechanics, and sports medicine. Full article

Waterborne two-component (2K) coatings are attractive for spray-applied wood finishing because crosslinking can provide durable films while reducing VOC emissions; however, practical use is often limited by short post-mixing workability, viscosity drift after activation, and restricted film-forming feasibility under ambient conditions. This study established a stepwise formulation strategy by sequentially screening emulsion Tg distribution, neutralizer–pH conditions, methacrylic acid (MAA) content, hardener type, and rheology packages. Increasing shell Tg progressively raised minimum film-forming temperature, whereas gel time increased sharply beyond an intermediate range, defining a practical trade-off between ambient film formation and post-mixing workability. Neutralizer identity strongly affected the gel time–pH response, and a practical condition around pH 6.6 was selected for subsequent screening. Increasing MAA reduced particle size but also increased viscosity and, above 3 wt%, caused pronounced foaming after activation. Hardener screening showed that film-forming viability had to be satisfied before viscosity stability could be used for ranking; an HDI/IPDI-based hardener gave the lowest viscosity drift among the film-forming candidates. Final validation showed stable appearance and largely unchanged film properties from 0 to 7 h after mixing, with the first measurable deviations appearing at 8 h. Full article

Benefiting from their outstanding porosity, considerable specific surface area, and natural flexibility, cellulose nanofibers (CNFs)/MOF materials have emerged as competitive candidates for advanced flexible energy storage devices. However, conventional CNFs/MOFs aerogels or films often suffer from poor recoverability under compression, bending, and folding, accompanied by severe plastic deformation that compromises the cycling and structural stability of devices. To address this issue, we report a rationally designed flexible PU/CNFs/ZIF-8/PANI composite foam with an interconnected micro-mesoporous structure. Using polyurethane foam as a soft substrate and CNFs/ZIF-8 as building blocks, the composite was fabricated through a combined strategy of impregnation, in situ ZIF-8 growth, hot-pressing, and in situ aniline polymerization with simultaneous etching of the ZIF-8. The incorporation of carboxylated CNFs enhances the hydrophilicity of the PU skeleton. This, in combination with the hot-pressed framework, establishes an interconnected 3D network, thereby effectively preventing the agglomeration of active materials. Meanwhile, the hierarchical pores derived from the sacrificial ZIF-8 template provide abundant electroactive sites, accelerate ion transport, and facilitate high PANI loading. By virtue of this synergistic architectural effect, the resultant electrode achieves a high specific capacitance of 449 F/g at 0.2 A/g, with 97% capacitance retention after 2000 cycles at 5 A/g. Furthermore, the composite foam demonstrates excellent mechanical flexibility, with a tensile strength of 0.87 MPa and an elongation at break of 230%. This work offers a feasible approach for developing high-performance flexible supercapacitors and provides novel perspectives for the rational design of portable energy storage devices. Full article

The thermal conductivity of thermal insulation materials is a critical parameter for assessing energy efficiency and performance in building, industrial, and aerospace applications. This study combined numerical simulation, parameter inversion optimization and experimental measurement to evaluate the transient hot-wire method for measuring the thermal conductivity of expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam. Using a nickel wire as the hot wire, the effects of various parameters—including wire length and width, heating power, Kapton film thickness and end effect—were systematically analyzed through finite element analysis and Bayesian optimization algorithm. Following the simulation and inversion conclusions, a series of hot-wire sensors with a fixed length of 30 mm and widths of 25 μm, 50 μm, 100 μm, 150 μm, and 200 μm were fabricated for experimental validation. Measurement results were compared against a reference value obtained by the guarded hot plate method. It was found that the sensor with a length of 30 mm and a width of 100 μm demonstrated optimal performance among the configurations tested, with deviations between the experimental measurements and the reference value remaining within approximately ±1.5%. Full article

In this study, the contamination of two drinking water catchments in Australia by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) was investigated. PFASs in water and sediment were found at hazardous concentrations in waterways affected by transport accidents 24 and 33 years earlier. The exact cause(s) of the PFAS pollution remains unclear due to large data gaps. Both locations experienced burning fuel tankers suppressed using PFAS foam. PFAS contamination of a Blue Mountains water supply triggered the closure of two drinking water reservoirs 3–5 km downstream of the accident site. PFAS contamination of Central Coast’s Ourimbah Creek was concentrated in two floodplain wetlands adjacent to the accident site. The Ourimbah PFAS-affected wetlands are within 500 m of a drinking water groundwater bore field and 1.2 km from a raw water offtake used as part of Central Coast’s drinking water supply. The Blue Mountains contamination has impaired the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, with perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) exceeding aquatic ecosystem protection guidelines by 100 times. The mean PFOSs in stream water near the area of the Blue Mountains road accident were 2.16 µg L⁻¹ and 213.3 µg kg⁻¹ in stream sediment. This research demonstrates how spillages of small quantities of PFASs can cause major harm due to their extreme persistence, and their levels have exceedance of environmental and health guidelines for decades, with major adverse implications for drinking water supplies and conservation areas. Full article

This study evaluates the effectiveness of natural zeolite (Shankhanai deposit, Kazakhstan) as a functional hydroponic substrate compared to a commercial foamed-glass control (GrowPlant). Using the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT), we assessed the growth and metabolic responses of Medicago sativa L. and three cultivars of Lactuca sativa L. Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis confirmed that zeolite (particle size 3.70 ± 1.20 mm) possesses a high specific surface area (21.80 m²/g), significantly exceeding the control (0.49 m²/g). This structure ensured superior moisture retention and cation exchange, even after a moderate decrease in surface area to 16.66 m²/g post-cultivation due to organic pore-filling. In M. sativa experiments, zeolite increased seedling viability and promoted a more branched root system compared to the artificial substrate. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) metabolic profiling of L. sativa revealed a significant substrate-driven reprogramming: zeolite increased the relative proportion of fatty acids and their derivatives (up to +51.27% in May King variety roots), suggesting membrane-protective adaptation. Genotype-specific responses were observed, with the Yeralash cultivar showing increased polyol synthesis (+2.93%) for osmoregulation. The results demonstrate that natural zeolite is an efficient, stable substrate for intensive hydroponics, optimizing root development and physiological stability through enhanced nutrient and water management. Full article

This paper introduced a simple, efficient method to prepare mechanically strong lignin-based foams (lignofoams) with open-cell structures using a facile baking technique. The self-expansion of lignin occurred without any additional chemical blowing agents, foaming agents, plasticizers, or lubricants. During heating, kraft lignin softened, and the internal water, either initially adsorbed or generated in situ through the dehydration of hydroxyl groups, acted as a natural blowing agent for foaming a porous foam structure. Incorporating a small amount of polypropylene (PP) enhanced mechanical properties by coating the inner walls of open cells. The porous, softened composite was then cooled to room temperature and solidified into the self-expanded lignofoam. The resulting lignofoams exhibited tunable densities ranging from 0.21 to 0.49 g/cm³ and a maximum compressive strength of 3.6 MPa. The lignofoam also showed excellent thermal insulation properties with low thermal conductive coefficients (0.057–0.098 W/mK). These features highlight the great potential of lignofoam for a bio-based thermal insulation material for construction applications. Full article

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are commonly detected in airport stormwater runoff due to historical and ongoing use of aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs). Conventional stormwater control measures (SCMs) are generally effective at removing PFASs associated with the particulate fraction, but may provide limited removal of dissolved-phase PFASs. Sorbent polishing beds represent a potential downstream treatment option; however, their applicability and performance for PFASs in stormwater have not been well studied. In this study, measured PFAS concentrations and runoff volumes from an AFFF-affected airport apron were combined with literature-derived sorption parameters to develop a screening-level framework for evaluating adsorber beds as polishing units for SCM effluent. Bed sizing was calculated using a representative empty bed contact time (EBCT) of 10 min and a design volume based on the 85th percentile storm event. Sorbent performance was evaluated using literature equilibrium partition coefficients (K_d) for activated carbons, ion exchange resins, and specialty materials to estimate operational lifetimes prior to regeneration or replacement. Model-based results indicated lifetimes ranging from approximately 7 years for activated carbon to more than 50 years for specialty materials, depending on PFAS chain length and affinity. Sensitivity analysis using quartile K_d ranges showed predicted lifetimes spanning orders of magnitude, emphasizing the screening-level nature of the estimates. This work links field monitoring data with conceptual adsorber design to support early-stage evaluation of sorbent polishing strategies for airport runoff management, supporting compliance under tightening discharge regulations. Full article

Addressing the technical bottlenecks of excessive surface density in traditional magnetic metal powder absorbers and excessive thickness in conventional foam-based absorbers, this study proposes a novel lightweight, ultra-wideband microwave-absorbing metamaterial. This metamaterial, through multi-layer and multi-dimensional structural design, has constructed a composite structure composed of a resistive film frequency-selective surface, a foam wave-absorbing medium layer and a reflective layer, achieving the controllable regulation of microwave absorption performance and the integration of structure and function. The research results show that the fabricated absorbing metamaterial achieves efficient electromagnetic wave absorption over a wide frequency band of 94 GHz under the ultra-light and ultra-thin conditions with a density as low as 0.078 g/cm³ and a thickness of only 4.9 mm. This study provides an effective design concept and solution for developing new lightweight, thin-layer, wide-band, and highly microwave-absorbing materials. Full article

With the rapid development of infrared detection methods and military surveillance technologies, flexible and wearable infrared stealth materials (ISM) have attracted increasing attention. Inspired by the layered structure of penguins’ fat–feather–oil, this study prepared a three-layer MXene/waterborne polyurethane (WPU)-foam rubber-phase change microcapsule (PCM)/WPU composite material (M-F-P) via the solution blending and doctor-blading method. The outermost layer of the M-F-P composite is an MXene/WPU conductive film, which features a low infrared emissivity and Joule heating performance to adapt to suddenly cold environments. The porous foam rubber in the middle layer provides excellent thermal insulation performance, which effectively inhibits heat conduction and enhances infrared stealth efficiency. Meanwhile, as a four-directional elastic material, it exhibits deformation recovery capability in both the warp and weft directions as well as the 45° direction. The bottom layer of the PCM/WPU film has a phase change enthalpy of 154.3 J/g and possesses efficient thermal management capability. It achieves dynamic thermal regulation through the cycle of heat absorption at high temperatures and heat release at low temperatures. Full article

In this study, we investigated the electrochemical properties and performance characteristics of Co_xS_y and silicon–carbon-based heterostructures synthesized on nickel foam substrates for energy storage applications. Cobalt sulfide films were successfully electrodeposited on nickel foam (NF) using cyclic voltammetry (CV) from the solutions with different Co²⁺ concentrations. The presence of a silicon–carbon sublayer promotes the deposition of cobalt sulfide material. The amorphous phase of α-CoS was observed by the X-ray diffraction technique. Raman spectroscopy confirmed the formation of CoS and CoS₂ phases. A significant increase in electrode areal capacitance is observed with the silicon–carbon film sublayer from 0.5 to 1.3 F·cm⁻² and from 1.6 to 2.3 F·cm⁻² at 3 mA·cm⁻² for samples prepared from solutions with CoCl₂·6H₂O concentrations of 0.005 M and 0.02 M, respectively. In the case of gravimetric capacitance, an increase is observed in the presence of a silicon–carbon sublayer for the SiC@CoS_0.005 sample, rising from 690 F·g⁻¹ to 748 F·g⁻¹ at 4 A·g⁻¹. Conversely, the SiC@CoS_0.02 sample shows a decrease from 1287 F·g⁻¹ to 6590 F·g⁻¹. It was shown that the capacitance of all the electrodes derives from the mix of diffusion-controlled and surface-controlled capacitance processes. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis indicates that the formation of heterostructure materials significantly alters the electrochemical properties by reducing both R_f and R_s. Full article

Flexible wearable pressure sensors still face the challenges of complex structure and high manufacturing costs. In this article, we present a simple method for preparing a highly sensitive, flexible wearable pressure sensor based on candle soot and porous PDMS foam. Meanwhile, to enhance the sensor’s robustness and practicality, a fully enclosed packaging design based on PDMS film was developed. The resulting sensor demonstrates excellent sensitivity, attributed to its porous structure, rough surface, and the unique properties of candle soot. Furthermore, the developed sensor can accurately detect movements in various parts of the human body and measure the force applied during finger pressing. This innovative porous PDMS/candle soot pressure sensor shows great potential for applications in wearable electronics. Full article