Search Results (17,998)

The Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect is responsible for increased urban temperatures compared to rural areas due to heat-absorbing materials like concrete and asphalt, worsening climate change impacts and creating thermal discomfort for citizens. Limited green spaces reduce natural cooling, increasing health risks. This study examines UHI in Paphos (2015–2024) during significant infrastructure development, using Landsat-9 data to analyze Land Surface Temperature (LST), urban growth (NDBI), and vegetation (NDVI). The results reveal how development has affected the microclimate of Paphos compared with the limitation of green spaces through time series. This study also highlights remote sensing’s effectiveness in assessing UHIs. Full article

Lactate is a vital biomarker for disease diagnosis and healthcare management. With the development of wearable sensors, by analyzing biofluids, such as sweat, saliva, and tears, it is possible to implement the in situ detection of lactate, which could provide clinical-grade data for early disease detection and personalized healthcare. Among them, non-enzymatic lactate electrochemical sensors (NELESs) are on the rise due to their quick response, are easily miniaturized, and have the ability to overcome the intrinsic disadvantages of enzymatic sensors. Compared with enzyme-based lactate sensors, NELESs could simplify the electrode preparation process, reduce the cost, and improve the sensing stability and service life. In this review, we introduce the significance of the real-time monitoring of lactate and highlight recent advances in wearable electrochemical sensors toward continuous lactate analysis in biofluids. In particular, metal nanomaterials have great potential in constructing NELESs due to their unique physical and chemical properties, which can be divided into four categories: bimetallic nanomaterials, transition metal chalcogenides (TMC), metal oxides, and layered double hydroxides. We discuss recent advances of these non-enzymatic lactate oxidation materials in detail, and provide some insights for the further development of NELESs through a comprehensive analysis. Full article

We investigate the thermoelectric response of single-molecule junctions composed of acyclic cross-conjugated molecules, including dendralene analogues and related iso-poly(diacetylene) (iso-PDA) motifs, in which node-possessing repeat units are connected in series. Using many-body quantum transport theory, we show that increasing the number of repeat units leaves the fundamental gap essentially unchanged while giving rise to a split-node spectrum whose cumulative broadening dramatically enhances the thermopower. This form of quantum enhancement can exceed other interference-based mechanisms, such as the coalescence of nodes into a supernode, suggesting new opportunities for scalable quantum-interference–based materials. Although illustrated here with cross-conjugated systems, the underlying principles apply broadly to series-connected architectures hosting multiple interference nodes. Finally, we evaluate the scaling of the electronic figure of merit ZT and the maximum thermodynamic efficiency. Together, these results highlight the potential for split-node-based materials to realize quantum-enhanced thermoelectric response. Full article

Thrust vectoring technology significantly improves the manoeuvrability and environmental adaptability of unmanned aerial vehicles by dynamically regulating the direction and magnitude of thrust. In this paper, the principles and applications of mechanical thrust vectoring technology, fluidic thrust vectoring technology and the distributed electric propulsion system are systematically reviewed. It is shown that the mechanical vector nozzle can achieve high-precision control but has structural burdens, the fluidic thrust vectoring technology improves the response speed through the design of no moving parts but is accompanied by the loss of thrust, and the distributed electric propulsion system improves the hovering efficiency compared with the traditional helicopter. Addressing multi-physics coupling and non-linear control challenges in unmanned aerial vehicles, this paper elucidates the disturbance compensation advantages of self-disturbance rejection control technology and the optimal path generation capabilities of an enhanced path planning algorithm. These two approaches offer complementary technical benefits: the former ensures stable flight attitude, while the latter optimises flight trajectory efficiency. Through case studies such as the Skate demonstrator, the practical value of these technologies in enhancing UAV manoeuvrability and adaptability is further demonstrated. However, thermal management in extreme environments, energy efficiency and lack of standards are still bottlenecks in engineering. In the future, breakthroughs in high-temperature-resistant materials and intelligent control architectures are needed to promote the development of UAVs towards ultra-autonomous operation. This paper provides a systematic reference for the theory and application of thrust vectoring technology. Full article

The transition to electric mobility has intensified efforts to develop battery technologies that are not only high-performing but also environmentally sustainable. A critical element in battery system design is the structural housing, which must provide effective impact protection to ensure passenger safety and prevent catastrophic failures. This study examines the impact response of an innovative sheet molding compound (SMC) composite battery housing, manufactured from an Elium resin modified with Martinal ATH matrix, reinforced with glass fibers, that combines fire resistance and recyclability, unlike conventional thermoset and metallic housings. The material was characterized through standardized mechanical tests, and its impact performance was evaluated via drop-weight experiments on plates and a full-scale housing. The impact tests were conducted at varying energy levels to induce barely visible impact damage (BVID) and visible impact damage (VID). A finite element model was developed in LS-DYNA using the experimentally derived material properties and was validated against the impact tests. Parametric simulations of ground and pole collisions revealed the critical velocity thresholds at which housing deformation begins to affect the first battery cells, while lower-energy impacts were absorbed without compromising the pack. The study provides one of the first combined experimental and numerical assessments of Elium SMC in battery enclosures, emphasizing its potential as a sustainable alternative for next-generation battery systems for transport applications. Full article

In this paper, the evaluation of the mechanical performance of novel, designed topologically optimized shin pads with advanced materials will be conducted with the aid of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to assess the endurance of the final structure on impact phenomena extracted from actual real-life data acquired from contact sports. The main focus of the developed prototype is to have high-enough energy absorption capabilities and vibration isolation properties, crucial for the development of trustworthy protective equipment. The insertion of advanced materials with controlled weight fractions and lattice geometries aims to strategically improve those properties and provide tailored characteristics similar to the actual human skeleton. The final design is expected to be used as standalone protective equipment for athletes or as a protective shield for the development of human lower limb prosthetics. In this context, computational investigation of the dynamic mechanical response was conducted by replicating a real-life phenomenon of the impact during a contact sport in a median condition of a stud kick impact and an extreme case scenario to assess the dynamic response under shock-absorption conditions and the final design’s structural integrity by taking into consideration the injury prevention capabilities. The results demonstrate that the proposed lattice geometries positively influence the injury prevention capabilities by converting a severe injury to light one, especially in the gyroid structure where the prototype presented a unified pattern of stress distribution and a higher reduction in the transmitted force. The incorporation of the PA-12 matrix reinforced with the reused ground tire rubber results in a structure with high enough overall strength and crucial modifications on the absorption and damping capabilities vital for the integrity under dynamic conditions. Full article

In response to the increasing demand for environmentally friendly and cost-effective adsorbents in wastewater treatment, this study reports the green synthesis, characterization, and application of a magnetic epichlorohydrin Rosa canina (m-ECH-RC) nanocomposite for removing Safranin O (SO), a commonly used cationic dye in textile effluents. The synthesized material was characterized using Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and zeta potential analyses to reveal its surface morphology, pore structure, functional groups, crystallinity, and colloidal stability. Adsorption performance was systematically tested under various conditions, including pH, adsorbent dose, contact time, ionic strength, and initial dye concentration. Kinetic analyses revealed that the adsorption process of Safranin O dye mainly obeys pseudo-second-order kinetics, but intraparticle and film diffusion also contribute to the process. As a result of the Isotherm analysis, it was found that the adsorption process conformed to the Langmuir model. Testing on real textile wastewater samples demonstrated a removal efficiency of 75.09% under optimized conditions. Reusability experiments further revealed that the material maintained high adsorption–desorption performance for up to five cycles, emphasizing its potential for practical use. These findings suggest that m-ECH-RC is a viable and sustainable adsorbent for treating dye-laden industrial effluents. Full article

In this study, a dynamically tunable terahertz device based on a VO₂–graphene hybrid metasurface is proposed, which realizes the dual functions of ultra-wideband absorption and efficient transmission through VO₂ phase transformation. At 345 K (metallic state), the device attains an absorption efficiency exceeding 90% (average 97.06%) in the range of 2.25–6.07 THz (bandwidth 3.82 THz), showing excellent absorption performance. At 318 K (insulated state), the device achieves 67.66–69.51% transmittance in the 0.1–2.14 THz and 7.51–10 THz bands while maintaining a broadband absorption of 3.6–5.08 THz (an average of 81.99%). Compared with traditional devices, the design breaks through the performance limitations by integrating phase change material control with 2D materials. The patterned graphene design simplifies the fabrication process. System analysis reveals that the device is polarization-insensitive and tunable via graphene Fermi energy and relaxation time. The device’s excellent temperature response and wide angular stability provide a novel solution for terahertz switching, stealth technology, and sensing applications. Full article

A non-destructive method for determining the properties of laminated composite materials made of twill-weave glass fibre fabric is considered. To determine the elastic characteristics of the composite monolayer, a combined numerical–experimental method is used. The method combines the results of experimental tests and numerical modelling methods using optimization techniques. Firstly, the method for determining the properties is tested in a virtual experiment to determine the influence of the elastic characteristics of the material that do not affect the frequency response. The adequacy of the approximation equations and the influence of elastic constants on frequency response are evaluated using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Using the results obtained, the properties of the elastic characteristics of layered composite plates made of twill-weave glass fibre fabric using vacuum infusion are determined. To compare the properties obtained from the dynamic calculation, a series of static measurements of tensile samples were carried out. The results showed that the elastic modulus from the static test and the flexural test do not coincide by 4% and 23%, respectively. The technique demonstrates high accuracy and applicability for the non-destructive determination of dynamic material properties in engineering practice. Full article

In this study, we present the chemical characterization of red pigment samples and their associated sediments that were collected from three human burial sites in Northeastern Patagonia. Regarding their chronology, the La Azucena 1 site (880 ¹⁴C years BP) corresponds to the period prior to European contact while the Loma Torta and Rawson sites date to periods following contact. These burials were discovered fortuitously. In the case of the La Azucena 1 site it was due to the impact of environmental conditions typical of this region, such as sparse vegetation and the effects of rain and wind, while for the Rawson and Loma Torta sites the burials suffered severe anthropic impact. Analysis of the red pigments and their sediments by a combination of analytical techniques using XRF, XRD, and ATR-FTIR revealed hematite as the chromophore responsible for the red color, together with large amounts of quartz in all the samples. The diffractogram of the red pigment from the La Azucena I site showed notable differences compared to those from the Loma Torta and Rawson sites, with calcite (CaCO₃) and anorthite (Na_0.45Ca_0.56)(Al_1.55Si_21.5O₈) as accompanying minerals and the presence of cristobalite, a high-temperature polymorph of silica (SiO₂), which were not identified in the sediment sample. This suggests that minerals identified in this sample are characteristic of the pigment material rather than of the sediment where the bone remains were found. Full article

Nanodiamonds (NDs) are an innovative material in biomedical applications based on their excellent biocompatibility, nanoscale dimensions, and high surface area. In this study, we evaluated the potential of ND-in-oil emulsion to induce potent antibody responses in animals immunized with cobra venom. NDs demonstrated the capacity to bind complex venom proteins as stable conjugates, well dispersed in aqueous solution. Immunization of mice with cobra venom incorporated with ND-in-oil emulsion adjuvant (ND/venom) elicited strong venom-specific antibody responses with titers comparable to those induced by venom formulation with conventional Freund’s adjuvants (FA/venom). IgG subclass analysis revealed that ND- and FA-based formulations induced a Th2-biased immune response in mice. Moreover, antibodies elicited by ND/venom or FA/venom immunization specifically recognized the epitopes of the lethal component of short-chain neurotoxin and conferred full protection against lethal cobra venom challenge (3LD₅₀). Further, ND/venom hyperimmunization was capable of inducing high levels of neutralizing antibodies in larger animals, rabbits, highlighting the potential for antivenom manufacturing. Notably, there were no obvious lesions at the injection sites of animals that received ND/venom, in contrast to those that received FA/venom. These findings indicated NDs as an effective and safe additive in venom formulation for antivenom production. Full article

This research investigates the integration of green cores as central biophilic elements in residential architecture, proposing a climate-responsive design methodology grounded in architectural optimization. The study begins with the full-scale refurbishment of a compact urban apartment, wherein interior partitions, fenestration and material systems were reconfigured to embed vegetated zones within the architectural core. Light exposure, ventilation potential and spatial coherence were maximized through data-driven design strategies and structural modifications. Integrated planting modules equipped with PAR-specific LED systems ensure sustained vegetation growth, while embedded environmental infrastructure supports automated irrigation and continuous microclimate monitoring. This plant-centered spatial model is evaluated using quantifiable performance metrics, establishing a replicable framework for optimized indoor ecosystems. Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR)-specific LED systems and embedded environmental infrastructure were incorporated to maintain vegetation viability and enable microclimate regulation. A programmable irrigation system linked to environmental sensors allows automated resource management, ensuring efficient plant sustenance. The configuration is assessed using measurable indicators such as daylight factor, solar exposure, passive thermal behavior and similar elements. Additionally, a post-occupancy expert assessment was conducted with several architects evaluating different aspects confirming the architectural and spatial improvements achieved through the refurbishment. This study not only demonstrates a viable architectural prototype but also opens future avenues for the development of metabolically active buildings, integration with decentralized energy and water systems, and the computational optimization of living infrastructure across varying climatic zones. Full article

A compact electrochemical sensor module for pH detection was developed for potential integration into specialized devices used for live cell or tissue incubation, for applications in highly parallelized cell culture analysis, by incorporating Organ-on-Chip devices. This research focuses on the deposition, structural and chemical analysis, and functional characterization of different titanium-oxide layers with various compositions as potentially sensitive materials for pH sensing applications. The titanium-oxide layers were deposited using vacuum sputtering and atomic layer deposition at 100 °C and 300 °C, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were utilized to determine the specific composition and structure of different titanium-oxide layers. These TiO_x-functionalized electrodes were connected to the application-specific analog front-end chip of the low-power readout circuit for precise evaluation. The pH sensitivity of the differently modified electrodes, employing various TiO_x materials, was evaluated using pH calibration solutions ranging from pH 6 to 8. Among the various deposition solutions, such as sputtering or high-temperature atomic layer deposition, the TiO_x layer deposited using low-temperature atomic layer deposition proved more suitable for pH sensing applications, with a sensitivity of 54.8–56.7 mV/pH, which closely approximates the Nernstian response. Full article

The prompt and reliable detection of NH₃ leakage at room temperature (RT) is considered important for safety assurance and sustainable production. Although chemiresistive NH₃ sensors feature low cost and structural simplicity, their practical application is hindered by high operating temperatures and inadequate selectivity. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and their derivatives offer a promising approach to address these limitations. In this work, Ce-BDC precursors with tunable particle sizes and crystallinity were synthesized by adjusting the raw material concentration. Controlled pyrolysis yielded a series of CeO₂-C-X (X = 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2) materials with nanosized particles. Among them, the CeO₂-C-1 sensor delivered a high response of 82% toward NH₃ under 40% relative humidity at RT. Moreover, it possessed excellent selectivity, repeatability, and rapid response-recovery behavior compared with the other samples. CeO₂-C-1 also remained stable under varying oxygen and humidity conditions, demonstrating high applicability. The superior sensing properties may be attributed to its high specific surface area and optimized mesoporous structure, which facilitated efficient gas adsorption and reaction. These findings demonstrated that precise control of MOF precursors and the structure in CeO₂ nanomaterials was critical for achieving high-performance gas sensing and established Ce-MOF-derived CeO₂ as a promising sensing material for NH₃ detection at RT. Full article

It is well known that the operation of a Borehole Heat Exchanger (BHE) can thermally induce groundwater convection in aquifers, enhancing the thermal performance of the BHE. However, the effect on the thermal performance of BHEs installed in low-permeable rock formations remains unclear. In this study, two BHEs were installed in a silty sandstone formation, one backfilled with high-permeable materials and the other grouted with sand–bentonite slurry. A Thermal Response Test (TRT) showed that the fluid outlet temperature of the high-permeable-material backfilled BHE was about 2.5 °C lower than that of the BHE refilled with sand–bentonite slurry, implying a higher thermal efficiency. The interpreted borehole thermal parameters also show a lower borehole thermal resistance in the high-permeable-material backfilled BHE. Physical model tests reveal that groundwater convective flow was induced in the high-permeable-material backfilled BHE. A test of BHEs with different borehole diameters shows that the larger the borehole diameter, the higher the thermal efficiency is. Thus, the thermal performance enhancement was attributed to two factors. First, the induced groundwater flow accelerates heat transfer by convection. Additionally, the increment of the thermal volumetric capacity of the groundwater stored inside a high-permeable-material refilled borehole stabilized the borehole’s temperature, which is key to sustaining high thermal efficiency in a BHE. The thermal performance enhancement demonstrated here shows potential for reducing reliance on fossil-fuel-based energy resources in challenging geological settings, thereby contributing to developing more sustainable geothermal energy solutions. Further validation in diverse field conditions is recommended to generalize these findings. Full article