Najnowsze publikacje

Streszczenie:
Doping of β-Ga2O3 (100) with Si by ion implantation onto heated substrates is investigated. The study reveals complex ion beam-induced defect processes in β-Ga2O3, characterized by the formation of various defect types and their temperature-dependent transformation. By employing X-Ray Diffraction, Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry, Particle-Induced X-Ray Emission, X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure Spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, and Density Functional Theory analyses, we examine lattice deformation, identify the local environment of dopants, assess electronic structure modifications, and verify the presence of extended defects induced by ion implantation. Our findings highlight the predominant contribution of substitutional and interstitial Si ions incorporated into complexes that act as donors manifesting n-type conductivity, while some fraction of the defects form complexes that act as traps for charge carriers. Notably, no monoclinic phase transformations were observed during implantation despite substrate temperature variations from 300 to 800 °C.

Słowa kluczowe:
β-Ga2O3, WBG, Implantation, XRD, RBS/PIXE/c, XANES, TEM, DFT, FMS

Streszczenie:
The forging of lead-free brass alloys is characterized by low tool durability, presenting a significant challenge in industrial applications. To address this issue, unique magnetron-sputtered coatings based on WB and with the addition of Tantalum, were employed to increase tool life. These coatings were produced from proprietary sintered targets using the SPS-HiPIMS technology. Initially, the coatings underwent laboratory testing, where their microstructure, adhesion to the substrate, and mechanical properties were tested and evaluated. The next phase involved testing these coatings on tools used in hot flashless forging processes. The experiments were conducted on dies that were preliminarily gas-nitrided to provide a suitable substrate for the coating application. The results were compared with those of only nitrided dies.
The study involved the use of nitrided dies, dies with WB2.5 and with W0.76Ta0.24B2.5 coatings. After forging, the tools were observed to assess the wear mechanisms. Surface scans were performed to measure material loss by comparing the surface profiles before and after forging. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was used to analyze the contribution of various wear mechanisms, such as abrasive wear, thermo-mechanical fatigue, and plastic deformation, to the overall tool wear.
The results confirmed the beneficial impact of these coatings on enhancing tool durability. In certain cases, the service life of the tools was extended by up to 50 %. This study demonstrates that the application of newly developed W0.76Ta0.24B2.5 coating which can significantly improve the durability of tools used in the flashless forging of lead-free brass alloys, offering a promising solution for industrial manufacturing challenges.

Streszczenie:
Pure Zinc single crystal was examined with instrumented spherical indentation on the basal-oriented surface with different tips’ radii. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) were used to investigate the topography and orientation changes within the imprint and the surrounding surface. Noticeable pop-ins were reproducible in the majority of tests. Contrary to the literature reports on zinc, plastic deformation was observed prior to the first pop-in, resulting in a hysteresis between loading and unloading curves. Therefore, pop-ins were associated not with the onset of plastic deformation but with slip deformation and contraction twinning because the twins were found inside and outside the imprint after pop-in event. Numerous cells with different orientations resulting from slip and twinning were revealed by EBSD analysis of the residual impressions. The external twins manifested as sink-in patterns. To illustrate the experimental observations, schemes for the evolution of the complex pile-up/sink-in pattern in terms of the parameters of the pop-in event and the increase of the load after the pop-in event have been proposed. Some novel aspects of Zinc nanoindentation were observed including pop-in bursts occurred during unloading process and detwinning properties after indentation. Finally, the difference between indentation results corresponding to two different tips, including the inverse size effect in the indentation phase prior to the pop-in event, was briefly discussed.

Streszczenie:
The objective of the present study is to investigate the hardening behavior, superelastic recovery, and structural properties of NiTi Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) after 10 MeV high-energy Fe+ ion irradiation to damage levels of 1.2 and 6.0 d.p.a (displacements per atom). According to Stopping and Range of Ions in Matter (SRIM) calculations, Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy (SIMS) analysis, and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) imaging, a 3-micron irradiation layer was obtained with an amorphous structure; the maximum values of damage and Fe+ ion concentration occurred at 2.4 and 2.7 microns, respectively. The mechanical response was characterized in two-direction nanoindentation tests: parallel and perpendicular to the ion beam direction. Cross-sectional nanoindentation indicates that the maximum hardening corresponds to the maximum of the Fe+ ion concentration; the maximum hardness was found at 2.7 microns for both d.p.a. levels. The changes in superelastic properties were achieved in the amorphous layer that suppressed the B2-B19′ phase transformation at a sub-micron scale. We show that cross-sectional nanoindentation is an appropriate method for determining the subtle micromechanical property changes in near-surface regions. It also allows the material and structural properties at a selected point in the non-homogeneous irradiated layer to be correlated with the local level of irradiation damage or ion concentration. This is very important in the development of SMAs and their applications in nuclear technologies

Streszczenie:
The paper presents a study of the structure-phase state of aluminised coatings obtained by the electrospark alloying (ESA) method. The influence of the discharge energy and the productivity of the treatment process on the thickness of the hardened layer, its microhardness, continuity and surface roughness of C20 and C40 steels has been studied. It is shown that the structure of ESA coatings consists of a white layer, a diffusion zone and a substrate metal. Increasing the discharge energy during ESA leads to a change in the chemical and phase composition of the layer. With a 2-fold decrease in ESA productivity, the thickness of the “white” layer increases to 75 to 110 µm, its microhardness to 7450 MPa; the continuity of the coating tends to 100 pct. With a 4-fold decrease in ESA productivity, the thickness of the ‘white’ layer also increases, but not intensively, to 60 µm at Wp = 4.6 J and then does not change; at the same time, the surface roughness Ra increases to 8.1 to 9.0 µm and the continuity is 95 pct. A 4-fold decrease in process productivity contributes to the deterioration of coating quality parameters and an increase in roughness. The study of the influence of the energy parameters of ESA, as well as the alloying time (‘productivity’) of the process, is important for the improvement of hardening technology. The paper proposes a mathematical model for predicting the coating parameters taking into account the processing time of a given plane to be alloyed, i.e., the labour intensity of the ESA process (the value of the inverse productivity). The equations of the mathematical model and methods for determining the constants of the equations for predicting the parameters of the alloyed layer have been obtained. An algorithm has been developed and the adequacy of the mathematical model has been verified, which allows the prediction of the main technological parameters of ESA in order to obtain a coating with the specified quality indicators.

Słowa kluczowe:
Thermal runaway, Battery safety, Lithium-ion batteries, Thermal safety, Nano-porous structures

Słowa kluczowe:
Additive manufacturing, Aluminum alloys, Reinforcements, Powder bed fusion, Direct energy deposition

Słowa kluczowe:
Fuel cells, Atomic layer deposition, Electrodes, Electrolyte, Balance of Stack (BoS)

Streszczenie:
Recently, a growing need for sustainable materials in various industries, especially biomedical, environmental, and packaging applications, has been observed. Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) is a versatile and widely used polymer, valued for its biocompatibility, water solubility, and easy processing, e.g., forming nanofibers via electrospinning. As a result of cross-linking, PVA turns into a three-dimensional structure—hydrogel with unusual sorption properties and mimicry of biological tissues. However, traditional cross-linking methods often involve toxic chemicals and harsh conditions, which can limit its eco-friendly potential and raise concerns about environmental impact. “Green” cross-linking approaches, such as the use of natural cross-linkers, freeze–thawing, enzymatic processes, irradiation, heat treatment, or immersion in alcohol, offer an environmentally friendly alternative that aligns with global trends toward sustainability. These methods not only reduce the use of harmful substances but also enhance the biodegradability and safety of the materials. By reviewing and analyzing the latest advancements in “green” PVA cross-linking approaches, this review provides a comprehensive overview of current techniques, their advantages, limitations, and potential applications. The main emphasis is placed on PVA nanostructured forms and applications of PVA-based biomaterials in areas such as wound dressings, drug delivery systems, tissue engineering, biological filters, and biosensors. Moreover, this article will contribute to the broader scientific understanding of how the materials based on PVA can be optimized both in terms of “greener” and safer production, as well as adjusting the final platform properties.

Słowa kluczowe:
cross-linking, eco-friendly approaches, nanostructured biomaterials, poly(vinyl alcohol)

Słowa kluczowe:
quantum steering, Bell nonlocality, quantum entanglement, steering inequalities, quantum certification

Streszczenie:
Time-averaged restraints from nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements have been implemented in the UNRES coarse-grained model of polypeptide chains in order to develop a tool for data-assisted modeling of the conformational ensembles of multistate proteins, intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) and proteins with intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs), many of which are essential in cell biology. A numerically stable variant of molecular dynamics with time-averaged restraints has been introduced, in which the total energy is conserved in sections of a trajectory in microcanonical runs, the bath temperature is maintained in canonical runs, and the time-average-restraint-force components are scaled up with the length of the memory window so that the restraints affect the simulated structures. The new approach restores the conformational ensembles used to generate ensemble-averaged distances, as demonstrated with synthetic restraints. The approach results in a better fitting of the ensemble-averaged interproton distances to those determined experimentally for multistate proteins and proteins with intrinsically disordered regions, which puts it at an advantage over all-atom approaches with regard to the determination of the conformational ensembles of proteins with diffuse structures, owing to a faster and more robust conformational search.

Streszczenie:
We theoretically investigate electron-electron interaction effects on the single-particle Green's function of doped monolayer MoS2, employing a massless Dirac continuum model within the random phase approximation and incorporating long-range Coulomb interactions via a modified Keldysh potential. Our calculations provide quantitative predictions for the many-body spectral function, the renormalized quasiparticle energy dispersion, and the renormalized velocity at both zero and finite temperatures, taking into account carrier density, electric field intensity, and spin polarization. We identify experimentally detectable many-body signatures that are substantially enhanced with decreasing carrier density, electric field, and spin polarization, alongside intriguing instabilities in the excitation spectrum at small wave vectors where interactions completely destroy the noninteracting linear dispersion. The velocity renormalization exhibits a leading-order temperature correction that is linear and positive, with a universal, density-independent slope in the high-density limit. We further predict an enhanced effective velocity at low temperatures and a nonmonotonic temperature dependence at higher temperatures (e.g.

Streszczenie:
To minimize the potential risk of concrete damage due to alkali-silica reaction (ASR) when using ordinary Portland cement in concrete mixtures, the alkali threshold level must be established for specific aggregate combinations. Since deicing salts used in the winter maintenance of highway structures can serve as an external source of alkalis, their impact on alkali threshold determination should be evaluated. An experimental investigation was conducted on concrete specimens subjected to a 60°C performance test, both with and without an external alkali supply. Concrete mixtures were prepared using Portland cements with alkali contents ranging from 0.45 % to 1.2 % Na2Oeq. Mineral aggregates consisted of blends of potentially reactive coarse granite and natural siliceous sand, characterized by varying degrees of reactivity. The development of concrete expansion over time and associated changes in its dynamic elastic modulus, as well as the characteristics of ASR products in concrete is reported. The chemical reactivity index was determined based on the concentrations of Si, Ca, and Al in test suspensions containing aggregate, CaO, and NaOH. At simulated pavement environmental conditions variations in temperature and relative humidity in concrete were monitored. The effects of exposure conditions on expansion behavior and the composition of ASR products are discussed. The alkali threshold levels derived for such different exposure conditions are compared and analyzed in relation to the varying potential reactivity of fine aggregates.

Słowa kluczowe:
Alkali-silica reaction,Alkali supply,Concrete durability,Critical alkali content,NaCl deicer,Reactive aggregate,Simulated service exposure conditions

Streszczenie:
The third version of the UNRES web server is described, in which the range of biological macromolecules treated and calculation types has been extended significantly. DNA and RNA molecules have been added to enable the user to run simulations of their folding/hybridization and dynamics. To increase the accuracy of the simulated proteins models, the restraints on secondary structure have been enhanced to include the probabilities of the coil, extended and helical state, which are taken from the PSIPRED or HHpred raw input and the restraints from multiple bioinformatics models have been added. The NMR-data-assisted functionality has been extended to include time-averaged restraints, this feature enabling the user to model multistate and intrinsically-disordered proteins and those with intrinsically-disordered regions. Finally, the prediction of the propensity of peptides to aggregation has been included to enable the user to predict peptide solubility and aggregation, including the character and the structures of the aggregates.

Słowa kluczowe:
protein and nucleic-acid structure prediction, peptide aggregation, coarse graining, molecular dynamics, time-averaged NMR

Streszczenie:
This work presents a novel approach to the development of supercapacitor technology through the integration of a gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) and Ag nanoparticle (NP) modified Mn3O4 electrodes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to employ a GPE comprising poly(vinylidene fluoride)-co-hexafluoropropylene (PVdF-HFP) as the host polymer, propylene carbonate (PC) as the plasticizer, and magnesium perchlorate (Mg(ClO4)2) as the salt, in conjunction with Ag NP-modified Mn3O4 electrodes. The study also introduces a pioneering low-temperature ultrasonication method for the attachment of Ag NPs to Mn3O4, which eliminates the need for a reducing agent. This approach is characterized by its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and scalability, offering significant advantages over conventional methods. The electrochemical performance of the resulting supercapacitor cells, featuring the modified electrodes and novel GPE, was comprehensively evaluated, yielding a single electrode specific capacitance of 9.38 F g⁻¹, with an energy density of 1.9 Wh kg⁻¹, and a power density of 30.8 W kg⁻¹. The findings demonstrate the potential of this new system to enhance energy storage capabilities, marking a substantial advancement in supercapacitor research, and this study sets the foundation for future investigations into scalable, high-performance energy storage solutions, emphasizing both innovation in material design and process optimization

Słowa kluczowe:
Manganese oxide, Mn3O4, Silver nanoparticles, Ag, Gel polymer electrolyte, Supercapacitor

Streszczenie:
The settling of highly elastic non-Brownian closed fibres (called loops) under gravity in a viscous fluid is investigated numerically. The loops are represented using a bead–spring model with harmonic bending potential and finitely extensible nonlinear elastic stretching potential. Numerical solutions to the Stokes equations are obtained with the use of HYDROMULTIPOLE numerical codes, which are based on the multipole method corrected for lubrication to calculate hydrodynamic interactions between spherical particles with high precision. Depending on the elasto-gravitation number B, a ratio of gravitation to bending forces, the loop approaches different attracting dynamical modes, as described by Gruziel-Słomka et al. (2019 Soft Matt. 15, 7262–7274) with the use of the Rotne–Prager mobility of the elastic loop made of beads. Here, using a more precise method, we find and characterise a new mode, analyse typical time scales, velocities and orientations of all the modes, compare them and investigate their coexistence. We analyse numerically the transitions (bifurcations) to a different mode at certain critical values of the elasto-gravitation number.

Słowa kluczowe:
low-reynolds-number flows, Stokesian dynamics, particle/fluid flow

Streszczenie:
This study investigates the application of edible insect protein–chitosan (IP/CS) complex coacervates, derived from T. molitor, A. domesticus, and L. migratoria proteins combined with low-, medium-, or high-molecular-weight chitosans, as stabilizers in Pickering emulsions aimed at enhancing emulsion stability and improving the retention of bioactive compounds. The underlying hypothesis posits that IP/CS can function as effective stabilizing systems in Pickering emulsions, providing high overall stability, low susceptibility to destabilization, and efficient encapsulation of lipophilic bioactives. Experimental results showed that IP/CS-based Pickering emulsions achieved high β-sitosterol retention, ranging from 56 % to 91 %. Emulsion stability was primarily attributed to electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonding within the coacervates. In addition, an effective stabilization mechanism was identified, involving the physical integration of oil droplets into the IP/CS matrix, which contributed to reduced flocculation. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and rheological analysis confirmed the presence of hydrogen bonding and indicated a viscous character of the emulsions, while ζ-potential measurements revealed surface charge properties that further supported emulsion stabilization. These findings demonstrate the role of intermolecular interactions in maintaining the integrity of oil-in-water (O/W) Pickering emulsions stabilized by IP/CS complexes.

Słowa kluczowe:
O/W Pickering emulsion,Edible insect protein,Chitosan,Complex coacervates,Stability,Retention,Phytosterols

Streszczenie:
Neutron irradiation in structural alloys promotes defect clustering, which suppresses plasticity and triggers a ductile-to-brittle transition (DBT), a key degradation mechanism limiting fracture resistance in nuclear materials. This study investigates the fracture mechanisms underlying this transition in irradiated Fe–Ni–Cr alloys. Using Molecular Dynamics simulations, we examine how different defect types influence crack propagation and energy dissipation mechanisms. The results reveal distinct roles of these defects: voids facilitate crack growth by reducing local cohesive energy, while dislocation loops act as barriers that impede crack advancement and redirect crack paths, significantly altering crack morphology. Building on the classical approach of separating fracture energy into brittle cleavage and plastic components, this study adapts the decomposition to irradiated materials. This framework quantifies the evolving contributions of surface energy and plastic work across increasing radiation damage levels, providing critical insight into how irradiation-induced defects govern fracture dynamics.

Słowa kluczowe:
DBT,Radiation-induced defects,MD simulations,Crack propagation,Critical strain energy release rate,Cr-rich alloys

Streszczenie:
This study investigates the effect of build orientation on the fatigue performance of Haynes 282 alloy manufactured via Direct Metal Laser Sintering at 0°, 45°, and 90°. Fatigue tests revealed superior service life for 0° and 45° orientations, attributed to equiaxed grains and high-angle grain boundaries identified by EBSD. Vertical builds exhibited columnar grains and reduced fatigue resistance. This work provides the first systematic correlation between grain boundary character and low-cycle fatigue behavior in DMLS-manufactured Haynes 282, expanding current understanding beyond Inconel-based systems and offering insights for orientation-based design optimization in critical high-temperature applications

Słowa kluczowe:
Nickel alloys, Fatigue, Additive manufacturing, Direct metal laser sintering (DMLS)

Streszczenie:
Material creep, defined as time-dependent strain accumulation under constant loading, can result in severe deformation and eventual component failure, posing a significant engineering challenge. Therefore, the possibility of early prediction of creep behavior is highly desirable. The objective of this study is to propose a robust method for predicting creep failure. To this end, we investigate the creep behavior of paper samples (quasi-brittle fiber composites) used as a model material, subjected to constant uniaxial tensile loads. Local strain fields are obtained through Digital Image Correlation and analyzed using dimensionality reduction techniques, a form of unsupervised machine learning, to identify universal indicators of deformation. This approach enables the detection of the onset of tertiary creep phase (deformation acceleration towards final failure), prediction of failure time, and accurate prediction of the failure location on the material surface just before the tertiary creep phase begins. Among the techniques used—Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Independent Component Analysis (ICA), Factor Analysis (FA), Non-negative Matrix Factorization (NMF), and Dictionary Learning (DL)—PCA and FA perform better in both detecting the onset of tertiary creep and predicting failure locations. The comparative analysis reveals the presence of universal characteristics in the evolution of local strain fields, offering a novel framework for studying material mechanics and providing key insights into failure prediction. In particular, the prediction of failure location as well as the comparison of the efficacy of various dimensionality reduction techniques are clearly novel aspects introduced in this work

Słowa kluczowe:
Creep, Digital Image Correlation, Local strain fields, Unsupervised machine learning, Dimensionality reduction techniques, Universal characteristics, Failure prediction

Streszczenie:
Biodegradable wastes, like tea leaves, play an essential role in promoting a sustainable waste management strategy by reducing pollution and providing chances to exploit valuable resources. In this study, discarded tea leaves are utilized to fabricate an electrochemical double-layer capacitor (EDLC) containing hierarchical porous activated carbon (AC) electrodes and an aqueous sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) electrolyte. With its various micro/mesoporous structural architecture, the resulting AC is well-suited for EDLCs. The device demonstrates high specific capacitance, energy, and power values of approximately 282 F g−1 (at 0.9 Ag-1), 28.3 Wh kg−1, and 35 kW kg−1, respectively. Notably, the enhanced device demonstrated its capability by powering a light-emitting diode (LED) for more than 11 min. In addition to maintaining a largely steady specific capacitance over 10,000 charge-discharge cycles with a retention rate of about 93 %, the device also attains 97–100 % coulombic efficiency. This study highlights that leftover tea leaves serve as a sustainable resource for energy storage devices, offering significant benefits to both society and the environment

Słowa kluczowe:
Axillary buds, Nanoparticle–plant interaction, Plant biotechnology, RAPD, Secondary metabolism regulation, Synthetic seeds

Streszczenie:
Brain microvascular endothelial cells experience hypoxic conditions in several neurodegenerative disease processes and the underlying mechanisms still need to be explored. Current imaging modalities and biochemical assays require many specific markers that should be detected to identify the hypoxic response, especially at a level of single cells. This study presents a single-cell molecular imaging approach utilizing Fourier-Transform Infrared and Raman spectroscopy. Those methods enable the simultaneous detection of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids encoded in their unique vibrational fingerprints. By establishing ratiometric estimators, we measured upregulated lipid metabolism, structural changes of proteins and asses DNA:RNA ratio at the single-cell level induced by oxygen depletion. Moreover, this approach allows for analyzing changes within specific cellular compartments, including nuclei, providing a comprehensive understanding of how hypoxia affects cellular functions and metabolism. Our findings pave the way for future investigations into the cellular adaptations to hypoxia in brain endothelial cells, potentially revealing novel therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative diseases.

Słowa kluczowe:
Hypoxia, Brain endothelium, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy imaging, Spectral markers

Słowa kluczowe:
Microsystems, Curved beams, Strain gradient elasticity, Porous composites, Isogeometric numerical approach

Słowa kluczowe:
Nonlocality, Couple stree tensor, Archs, Functionally graded composites, Isogeometric analysis

Słowa kluczowe:
Single lap joint, Cohesive zone model, Nanocomposites, Mechanical properties, Stress concentration

Słowa kluczowe:
polymer matrix composites, interlayer, welding quality, lap shear strength, spot welding

Słowa kluczowe:
Finite element analysis, Short fiber-reinforced, Natural frequency, Optimal dynamic stability, Randomly reinforced composites

Streszczenie:
A versatile, straightforward approach for direct fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) nanofibrous sponges via electrospinning is reported. The fabrication of porous 3D nanofibrous sponges is facilitated due to the protonation of dimethylamino ethyl (DMAE) groups in Eudragit E100 (EE). The generated 3D sponges are characterized by microscopy, thermal analysis, light scattering, and contact angle measurements to reveal their physicochemical properties. Additionally, antibacterial properties are confirmed via a colony-forming unit assay. Microscopy analysis demonstrated that the obtained nanofibers possessed uniform conformation without beads, and their overall diameter varies depending on the fraction of the blend composition. The protonation of DMAE groups is investigated via infrared spectroscopy and further confirmed via zeta potential measurements. The charged electrospun 3D sponges exhibited significant antibacterial properties, effectively combating E. coli even at a diluted extract of samples. Owing to their morphology, electrostatically charged surface, and significant antibacterial properties, these 3D nanofibrous sponges present themselves as an effective material for integration in filtering membranes or cartridges, which may minimize harmful substances suspended in the air.

Słowa kluczowe:
electrospinning, antibacterial materials, 3D materials

Streszczenie:
The aim of the article is to highlight the key role of artificial intelligence in modern oncology. The search for scientific publications was carried out through the following web search engines: PubMed, PMC, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase and Ebsco. Artificial intelligence plays a special role in oncology and is considered to be the future of oncology. The largest application of artificial intelligence in oncology is in diagnostics (more than 80%),
particularly in radiology and pathology. This can help oncologists not only detect cancer at an early stage but also forecast the possible development of the disease by using predictive models. Artificial intelligence plays a special role in clinical trials. AI makes it possible to
accelerate the discovery and development of new drugs, even if not necessarily successfully. This is done by detecting new molecules. Artificial intelligence enables patient recruitment by combining diverse demographic and medical patient data to match the requirements of a given research protocol. This can be done by reducing population heterogeneity, or by prognostic and predictive enrichment. The effectiveness of artificial intelligence in oncology
depends on the continuous learning of the system based on large amounts of new data but the development of artificial intelligence also requires the resolution of some ethical and legal issues.

Słowa kluczowe:
artificial intelligence, intelligent oncology, cancer prediction, cancer screening

Streszczenie:
Friction and wear are among the most crucial limiting factors for micro-electro-mechanical systems reliability. In this article, it introduces a novel approach to microtribological research by developing ultrastiff atomic force microscopy (AFM) probes capable of applying millinewton-range normal loads. This innovation enables friction measurements in operational ranges relevant to microbearings, overcoming limitations of conventional AFM probes. This article investigates the tribological performance of zirconium carbide (ZrC) coatings, fabricated via physical vapor deposition sputtering, in combination with various microspherical counterfaces. Its findings reveal that ZrC coatings with high carbon content exhibit coefficient of friction as low as 0.08 when paired with borosilicate glass. Additionally, it provides insights into wear behavior, advancing the selection of tribo-pairs for next-generation microbearings.

Streszczenie:
This study conducts a comprehensive numerical analysis to examine how the interphase zone influences the mechanical behavior of multiphase metal matrix composites at the microscale. A unit-cell model is developed within a finite element framework to capture the mechanical response of (a) interphase and particle deformation and damage, (b) a porous metal matrix, and (c) surface separation at two distinct interfaces. The material properties of the composite’s key constituents are determined through a calibration process combining experimental testing and literature data. A series of simulations on unit-cell models with varying interphase characteristics are carried out to assess the effect of different plastic properties. Additionally, the role of interphase brittleness is investigated by modifying the failure strain to represent brittle, semi-ductile,
and ductile behavior. By systematically varying interphase parameters, the study explores a broad spectrum of potential composite performance scenarios. Parametric studies are also conducted to analyze the behavior of interfaces between composite constituents. By adjusting cohesive strength and fracture energy, the model captures a wide range of bonding conditions—from weak to strong, and from brittle to ductile. The analysis identifies more than six distinct failure modes.
Comparative stress-strain responses are used to highlight the influence of specific parameters on composite behavior. Key performance metrics such as toughness, ultimate tensile strength, and ductility are evaluated to illustrate the connection between microscopic features and macroscopic properties.

Słowa kluczowe:
Metal matrix composite, Interphase, Finite element modelling, Fracture, Gurson–Tvergaard–Needleman model

Streszczenie:
This paper presents a mathematical and numerical framework for modelling and parametrising tumour evolution dynamics to enhance computer-aided diagnosis and personalised treatment. The model comprises six differential equations describing cancer cell and blood vessel concentrations, tissue stiffness, Ki-67 marker distribution, and the apparent velocity of marker propagation. These equations are coupled through S-functions with adjustable coefficients. An inverse problem approach calibrates the model by fitting adjustable coefficients to patient-specific clinical data, thereby enabling disease progression and treatment response simulations. By integrating historical and prospective patient data supported by machine learning algorithms, this framework holds promise as a robust decision-support tool for optimising therapeutic strategies.

Słowa kluczowe:
Tumour modelling, Personalised treatment, Breast cancer, Navier–stokes, Evolution simulation, Machine learning

Streszczenie:
This study investigates the use of eddy current testing (ECT) as a non-destructive technique to evaluate the thickness and structural variations of non-magnetic aluminide coatings on MAR-M247 nickel-based superalloy. Coatings with thicknesses of 20 μm and 40 μm were applied to substrates exhibiting fine, coarse, and columnar grain structures. Using sensors of different geometries, impedance measurements were performed within a frequency range of 11.5 MHz to 12.5 MHz. Results demonstrated the designed sensor’s superior sensitivity, with the highest values of absolute resistance difference significantly exceeding the threshold for reliable distinction due to coating thicknesses or grain structures. The study highlights the impact of eddy current penetration depth and edge effects on the measurement accuracy, emphasizing the need for optimized sensor design and frequency selection. Findings confirm the efficacy of ECT in differentiating coatings of varying thicknesses and substrate structures, offering a reliable tool for quality control in high-temperature applications.

Słowa kluczowe:
Aluminide coating, Eddy current testing, Non-destructive testing, Nickel alloys

Streszczenie:
Gel polymer electrolytes, constituted by plastic crystals, are an emerging class of semi-solid with desirable mechanical, thermal and electrochemical characteristics rendering them suitable for energy storage and conversion devices. This work presents the exploration of graphene nanoplatelets as electrodes with a novel gel polymer electrolyte based on poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVdF-HFP), incorporating non-ionic plastic crystal (succinonitrile), organic ionic plastic crystal (1-ethyl-1-methyl piperidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonic)imide), and lithium bis (trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide (Li-TFSI). With the addition of Li-TFSI in the bare electrolyte mentioned, the physical and electrochemical parameters are significantly enhanced. The ion diffusion coefficient improved by ∼122 %, with a specific capacitance, energy, and power densities of ∼67 F g−1, ∼ 9 Wh kg−1 and ∼119.2 kW kg−1, respectively. The EDLC illustrates overall stable and high-rate performance upto ∼42 Ag−1 with the coulombic efficiency of 96–98 % and depicting only ∼8.8 % initial fading. The device has capability to glove a LED upto ∼13 min indicating substantial practical efficiency of energy storage of supercapacitor.

Słowa kluczowe:
Lithium salt, Ionic conductivity, Gel polymer electrolytes, Graphene nanoplatelets, LED, Electrochemical double-layer capacitor

Streszczenie:
After the synthetization of graphene, various carbon allotropes with remarkable applications have emerged in
the material science. Net Y, closely related to Net C, is a novel carbon allotrope with exceptional properties. This study employs the molecular dynamics simulation to predict key mechanical characters of Net Y subjected to a uniaxial tension, including the failure strain as well as stress, Young’s modulus, and strain energy. A detailed tension distribution analysis is provided to explore its mechanical behavior further. The numerical results reveal that the defect density and temperature gradients significantly influence the mechanical performance of Net Y.
The nanosheet exhibits over twice the failure stress and 1.5 times the failure strain along with the X direction
than the initial failure stress and strain observed along with the Y direction. Also, it is demonstrated that the ultimate failure stress as well as strain along with the Y direction are more significant due to a substantial failure region in the associated stress–strain path. Furthermore, it is observed that the Young’s modulus declines consistently allocated to a higher defect density, decreasing by approximately 17 % via increasing the defect density from 0.5 % to 2 % along with the X direction. Moreover, the quantity of strain energy increases with the number of ribbons, reaching 1.58 × 10^(-26) eV and 3.99 × 10^(-26) eV along with the X and Y directions, respectively. The study also emphasizes the importance of defect location and structural stability through the tension distribution analysis.

Słowa kluczowe:
Carbon allotrope, Net Y, Molecular dynamics simulation, Mechanical properties

Streszczenie:
Technologies for functional coatings are evolving rapidly, with electrospark alloying (ESA) emerging as a promising method for surface modification due to its efficiency and localized impact. This review analyzes the fundamental principles of ESA and the effects of process parameters on coating characteristics and highlights its advantages and limitations. Particular attention is given to hybrid ESA-based technologies, including combinations with laser treatment, plastic deformation, vapor deposition, and polymer-metal overlays. These hybrid methods significantly improve coating quality by enhancing hardness, adhesion, and structural integrity and reducing roughness and defects. However, the multi-parameter nature of these processes presents optimization challenges. This review identifies knowledge gaps related to process reproducibility, control of microstructure formation, and long-term performance under service conditions. Recent breakthroughs in combining ESA with high-energy surface treatments are discussed. Future research should focus on systematic parameter optimization, in situ diagnostics, and predictive modeling to enable the design of application-specific hybrid coatings.

Słowa kluczowe:
electrospark alloying, hybrid technologies, surface plastic deformation, laser treatment, vapor phase deposition, metal–polymer material, coating, structure, properties, roughness, coating quality, sustainable development goals

Streszczenie:
In response to the specific requirements of the grinding mill industry, a new composite material for mill crushing parts has been developed. This innovative material, which is both cost-effective and environmentally sustainable, is manufactured from industrial waste of high-chromium cast iron (HCCI) reinforced with aluminum oxide (electrocorundum) particles. The HCCI shavings were crushed, sieved, and milled with the addition of 20 wt% of electrocorundum. The HCCI+20%Al2O3 powder mixture was consolidated through the process of hot pressing. By optimizing the process conditions, a composite material was obtained with a remarkably high relative density of 99.84%. Fracture toughness under quasistatic and dynamic loading conditions as well as wear resistance of the HCCI/Al2O3 composite samples were the main material properties investigated in accordance with the intended application. The wear test program included the ball-on-disc test, the linear abrasive test, and the abrasive blasting test. The base HCCI alloy and the HCCI reinforced with uncoated zirconia toughened alumina were used as reference materials. The results from the Taber linear abrasive test and the abrasive blasting test demonstrated the superior wear resistance of the HCCI/Al2O3 composite over the reference materials. However, in the ball-on-disc test, the HCCI/Al₂O₃ composite exhibited a higher degree of wear compared to the reference materials. This effect was found to be attributable to a specific microstructure of the reinforcing phase. The HCCI/Al₂O₃ composite shows promise for industrial applications. However, the hot pressing step requires scaling up to industrial pressing facilities to obtain reasonably sized samples for use in grinding mills.

Słowa kluczowe:
high-chromium cast iron, iron-alumina composites, powder metallurgy, fracture, wear behavior

Streszczenie:
This paper describes an ionotronic-based sensor that can detect changes in temperature using a solid polymer electrolyte (SPE)-based transparent electrochemical capacitor (EC). The EC developed using flexible ITO as an active electrode and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)- lithium chloride (LiCl) gel composite-based SPE. The electrochemical performances of the sensors are investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and galvanostatic charging and discharging (GCD) analysis. The EC was fabricated using a freestanding SPE, which exhibits a specific capacitance of 4.19 μF. cm-² at a scan rate of 5 mV. s-1. The direct coating of the SPE on the electrode enhances the specific capacitance and is found to be 18.70 μF.cm-², which is 12 times higher than the EC fabricated using freestanding SPE. When a temperature was applied to the top of the EC with directly coated SPE, we observed a variation in the device’s capacitance due to the change in the mobility of ions of the SPE, which is directly related to the temperature change. The EC exhibits a sensitivity of 0.30 µF/ °C (R2= 0.9694) for the temperature range of -10 to 50 °C. Due to its ionic reaction, the EC demonstrates a high capacitance value in the range of µF in the low frequency range, which shows its potential application in ionotronic-based sensing and as an energy storage for the next generation of wearable devices.

Słowa kluczowe:
Ionotronic sensor, Temperature monitoring, Transparent electronics, Electrochemical capacitor

Streszczenie:
In this study, Haynes 282 alloy bars were fabricated using Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) in three build orientations: 0°, 45°, and 90°. The process was conducted under an argon protective atmosphere with an energy density of 104 J/mm³, a laser power of 100 W, and a scanning speed of 800 mm/s. The additively manufactured (AM) specimens underwent fatigue testing at stress amplitudes ranging from ±550 MPa to ±800 MPa. Specimens printed at 0° and 45° showed significantly improved mechanical performance, indicating these orientations are more favorable. Notably, the AM specimens demonstrated extended service life at stress amplitudes below 700 MPa, highlighting the potential of DMLS for producing durable Haynes 282 components.

Słowa kluczowe:
Haynes 282,nickel alloys,fatigue,additive manufacturing,Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS)

Streszczenie:
This work demonstrates how a well-known malfunction that frequently occurs in material extrusion technologies, known as filament stringing or oozing, can be used to increase the acoustic performance of 3D printed sound absorbing materials. The purpose is first achieved with conventional slicer software by deliberately setting some printing parameters 'wrong' to provoke filament stringing. Acoustic materials based on the same original design of narrow slits are 3D printed with retraction enabled or disabled, or using a higher than required printing temperature. The uncontrolled filament stringing that occurs in this way creates fibres in the slits, which ultimately affects the sound absorption measured for these materials. This cannot be ignored in modelling if accurate sound absorption predictions are to be obtained. However, inspired by the uncontrolled stringing, we developed a new concept to print parts with deliberate parametrically adjustable micro-fibre substructures. These are achieved by directly designing innovative toolpaths with recently developed design software (FullControl GCODE Designer), which has never been used previously for sound absorption purposes. The method permits low-cost 3D printers to produce tailored complex acoustic materials with enhanced viscous dissipation effects and improved sound absorption properties. This behaviour is correctly captured by the proposed, experimentally verified, mathematical model of such acoustic composites. The examples presented in the article are also used to discuss some aspects of the reproducibility of acoustic materials 3D printed by extrusion.

Słowa kluczowe:
Prototyping acoustic composites,Exploiting 3D printing imperfections,Fully controlled G-code,Filament stringing,Fibrous fillers,Sound absorption

Streszczenie:
The electronic properties of monolayer two-dimensional are strongly influenced by the presence of a perpendicular electric field (), finite temperature (), an externally applied spin-polarized exchange field (), and spin-valley coupling effects () induced by surface adatoms or magnetic proximity interactions with a ferromagnetic substrate. Within the framework of the Random Phase Approximation (RPA), we investigate how these external fields reshape electron–electron interactions and provide both analytical and numerical results for the density of states (DOS), quantum capacitance, and effective Fermi velocity. Our findings show that the interplay between , , and leads to the emergence of a spin-valley coupling dependent self-energy structure in the charge carriers, resulting in pronounced spin- and valley-polarized behavior of the effective Fermi velocity. Our predictions agree well with available experimental data and reveal that the Fermi velocity can be tuned via spin polarization, enriching the qualitative and quantitative understanding of quantum effects in these materials.

Słowa kluczowe:
ffective velocity Fermi,Quantum capacity,Dos,Quantum well,TMDC

Streszczenie:
A multiresponse plasmonic structure constructed by integrating two stacked plasmonic gratings with reconfigurable properties is presented. The integration of the structure with a micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) device would allow for control of the He–Ne laser wavelength (633 nm) electromagnetic plane wave interaction with the structure. By adjusting only a relative horizontal shift between two stacked silver gratings, it is possible to achieve either high transmission (80%), reflection (98%), or high absorption (>98%) caused by the redirecting of the normally incident wave into a horizontal direction inside the structure. A thorough mode analysis was conducted, and the structure’s response to the incident light was analyzed. Such reconfigurable plasmonic–photonic structures can find their applications in various optical routing and guiding devices such as optical switches, filters, multiplexers, or beam splitters, increasing the capacity of optical communication systems.

Streszczenie:
Quality requirements for mineral aggregate for concrete used to construct pavement for busy highways are high because of the fatigue traffic loads and environmental exposure. The use of local aggregate for infrastructure projects could result in important sustainability improvements, provided that the concrete’s durability is assured. The objective of this study was to identify the potential alkaline reactivity of local greywacke aggregate and select appropriate mitigation measures against the alkali–silica reaction. Experimental tests on concrete specimens were performed using the miniature concrete prism test at 60 °C. Mixtures of coarse greywacke aggregate up to 12.5 mm with natural fine aggregate of different potential reactivity were evaluated in respect to the expansion, compressive strength, and elastic modulus of the concrete. Two preventive measures were studied—the use of metakaolin and slag-blended cement. A moderate reactivity potential of the greywacke aggregate was found, and the influence of reactive quartz sand on the expansion and instability of the mechanical properties of concrete was evaluated. Both crystalline and amorphous alkali–silica reaction products were detected in the cracks of the greywacke aggregate. Efficient expansion mitigation was obtained for the replacement of 15% of Portland cement by metakaolin or the use of CEM III/A cement with the slag content of 52%, even if greywacke aggregate was blended with moderately reactive quartz sand. It resulted in a relative reduction in expansion by 85–96%. The elastic modulus deterioration was less than 10%, confirming an increased stability of the elastic properties of concrete.

Słowa kluczowe:
alkali-silica reaction, aggregate, concreto, metakaolin, highway pavement

Streszczenie:
Visual inspection of civil infrastructure for structural health assessment, as performed by structural engineers, is expensive and time-consuming. Therefore, automating this process is highly attractive, which has received significant attention in recent years. With the increasing capabilities of computers, deep neural networks have become a standard tool and can be used for structural health inspections. A key challenge, however, is the availability of reliable datasets. In this work, the U-net and DeepLab v3+ convolutional neural networks are trained on a synthetic Tokaido dataset. This dataset comprises images representative of data acquired by unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery and corresponding ground truth data. The data includes semantic segmentation masks for both categorizing structural elements (slabs, beams, and columns) and assessing structural damage (concrete spalling or exposed rebars). Data augmentation, including both image quality degradation (e.g., brightness modification, added noise) and image transformations (e.g., image flipping), is applied to the synthetic dataset. The selected neural network architectures achieve excellent performance, reaching values of 97% for accuracy and 87% for Mean Intersection over Union (mIoU) on the validation data. It also demonstrates promising results in the semantic segmentation of real-world structures captured in photographs, despite being trained solely on synthetic data. Additionally, based on the obtained results of semantic segmentation, it can be concluded that DeepLabV3+ outperforms U-net in structural component identification. However, this is not the case in the damage identification task.

Słowa kluczowe:
semantic segmentation, structural health monitoring, computer vision-based techniques

Streszczenie:
In this work, we developed and characterized the membranes based on polyvinyl chloride plastisol modified with silver nanoparticles deposited on silica. The aim of the study was to obtain a functional PVC plastisol composite for use as linings and protective coatings, with improved mechanical, thermal, and antimicrobial properties. The plastisol was prepared by mixing PVC resin with a plasticizer (bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate). Silver nanoparticles were produced by two methods: chemical reduction using sodium citrate and gum arabic, and these particles were deposited on Aerosil®200 silica. These composites were introduced into plastisol at different concentrations and then processed into films by gelation and hydraulic pressing. The formation of silver nanoparticles was confirmed by UV-Vis spec-trophotometry, and the morphology of the composites was examined by scanning electron microscopy. Further char-acterization of the materials included infrared spectroscopy, thermomechanical analysis, mechanical property testing, and thermogravimetric analysis. Mechanical properties such as Young’s modulus, tensile strength, and elongation at break were determined by static tensile tests. Shore hardness tests were also performed to evaluate the stiffness of the composites. The antimicrobial activity of the membranes was evaluated according to ASTM method E2149-01 using reference strains of S. aureus and E. coli. Studies have shown that silver nanoparticles effectively inhibited the growth of E. coli, especially at higher concentrations of AgNPs, while they had no effect on S. aureus. AgNPs modi-fied membranes obtained from the reduction of AgNO₃ with sodium citrate and deposited on silica showed higher microbiological activity than those with AgNPs reduced with gum arabic. An optimal filler content in the range of 1 to 1.5% provides the most favorable combination of mechanical, thermal, and antibacterial properties.

Słowa kluczowe:
plastisol, silver nanoparticles

Streszczenie:
Tungsten boride alloyed with zirconium is considered a very promising material in the nuclear industry due to its shielding properties. In this paper, the resistance to helium irradiation of W-Zr-B thin films deposited on additively manufactured Inconel 617 is investigated. Two laser Directed Energy Deposition methods, a laser powder (DED-LP) and laser wire (DED-LW) were utilized for Inconel 617 substrate preparation. Preliminary studies with density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to determine the stability and theoretical values of structural and mechanical properties of fabricated coatings. Additionally to structural and mechanical properties, an irradiation effects after ion implantation of the layers at room temperature and 400 °C with He+ ion dose of 5 × 10¹⁷ ions/cm² and energy of 60 keV were also studied. The results show that HiPIMS is a reliable process that allows depositing dense and uniform coatings with excellent mechanical properties, comparable with DFT calculations. Scratch test results confirmed good adhesion to the surface regardless of the substrate despite low critical forces values (5.4 N and 6.6 N Lc3 values). The thickness of the deposited coatings varied from 2.40 to 2.50 µm. Nevertheless, after helium ion implantation, TEM observation shows helium voids and bubbles form at the near-surface area of the coatings. A significant decrease in hardness from initial 21.12 GPa to 6.51 GPa (LW), 7.83 GPa (LP) after room temperature and 9.40 GPa (LW), 9.71 GPa (LP) after 400 °C ion implantation, respectively is observed. The mechanism underlying this effect is also discussed in the article.

Słowa kluczowe:
Tungsten borides, Hard thin films, High-power impulse magnetron sputtering, He+ ion implantation, Nanoindentation

Streszczenie:
Near-β titanium alloys such as Ti–5Al–5Mo–5V–3Cr (Ti-5553) are widely applied in aerospace and automotive industries due to their high strength and fracture toughness. While additive manufacturing (AM) via Laser Engineered Net Shaping (LENS) provides design flexibility for such alloys, their mechanical properties are directly dependent on extensive post-processing. This study demonstrates that the introduction of a 26-second interlayer dwell time during LENS fabrication enables in-situ microstructural tailoring, resulting in a distinctive α/β structure with Widmanstätten features and thus, eliminating the need for further heat treatment. The as-built Ti-5553 alloy achieved a superior combination of yield strength (1198 MPa) and ductility (16%), outperforming both heat-treated and conventionally processed counterparts. Comparative annealing at 300 °C, 700 °C, and 750 °C led to moderate changes in strength or ductility thus proving that the as-built condition is characterized by the most balanced performance. These findings highlights, that the proper interlayer dwell time selection enable achieving application-ready mechanical properties in β-Ti alloys directly from the AM process.

Słowa kluczowe:
Ti-5553 titanium alloy, β-Ti alloys, Direct Energy Deposition (DED), Microstructure

Streszczenie:
Despite the great potential of citrate polyesters in regenerative medicine, the data about their application in electrospinning is somewhat limited. In this work, poly(dimethylene citrate) (P-1,2-ECit), poly(tetramethylene citrate) (P-1,4-BCit), and poly(hexamethylene citrate) (P-1,6-HCit) were synthesized. Nonwovens from poly(diol citrates)/PLA mixtures were successfully electrospun and characterized using SEM, AFM, water contact angle measurement, DSC, TGA, and in vitro degradation tests. The addition of poly(diol citrates) increases the hydrophilicity and surface adhesion force of PLA nonwovens; however, the observed effects depend on the scale level (macro/micro) of the analysis. Diol chain length in poly(diol citrate) influences the compatibility and heterogeneity of its distribution within the carrier polymer. Additionally, it impacts the crystallinity of the PLA phase. Degradation tests show the problem of the nonwoven stability in the aqueous media and the high leachability of the short-chained poly(diol citrates). Addressing this issue is important regarding controlling the degradation kinetics. Despite the good processability in electrospinning and promising surface properties of the poly(diol citrates)/PLA mixtures, the instability of these materials in an aqueous environment is an important issue which can subsequently affect the performance of the eventual implant/cell scaffold. The solution may involve chain elongation of the hydrophilic oligomeric additive.

Słowa kluczowe:
Electrospinning, Polyesters, Tissue Engineering, Functional Materials

Streszczenie:
Coatings are essential for protecting high-temperature components in aerospace and power generation industries. This study evaluates the integrity of aluminide coatings on MAR-M247, a nickelbased superalloy, under uniaxial tensile loading using acoustic emission (AE). Aluminide coatings, deposited via chemical vapor deposition (CVD), provide oxidation and corrosion resistance but are prone to damage under operational stresses. AE monitoring, a nondestructive evaluation method, detects transient elastic waves associated with damage events such as crack initiation and delamination. By analyzing AE signal characteristics like amplitude and energy, this research identifies acoustic signatures indicative of coating degradation. The findings highlight AE’s potential for real-time damage assessment, enabling early detection and predictive maintenance strategies in high-temperature applications.

Słowa kluczowe:
coatings,acoustic emission,nickel alloys,non destructive testing

Streszczenie:
The article highlights the importance of correct treatment of indenter tip when modelling Berkovich nanoindentation. In order to account for tip imperfection, a novel analytical function describing the shape of Berkovich tip has been proposed. The parameters of the constitutive model were calibrated using
experimental stress–strain curves. Simulations of Berkovich indentation with the same set of constitutive model parameters have been then conducted. An agreement between simulated and experimental stress–strain curves as well as load-displacement curves with a single set of constitutive model parameters has been demonstrated. Finally, the role of imperfection size and crystallographic orientation have been discussed.

Słowa kluczowe:
Berkovich indentation,crystal plasticity,finite element method,modelling nanoindentation,tip imperfection

Słowa kluczowe:
Polypropylene-waste, Pyrolysis, Montmorillonite, Distillates, Gasoline

Streszczenie:
This paper studies the interrelationships between the molecular weight, rheology, crystallinity, and tackiness of three types of commercial thermoplastic hot melt adhesives. The hot melt adhesives employed here differ in their compositions and molecular weights, even though all are copolyesters primarily based on poly(butylene terephthalate). Differences in the composition were found to influence the adhesives’ crystallization and melting behavior. These structural variations can translate into different thermal responses and processing characteristics relevant for tailoring adhesive selection to application requirements. Furthermore, adhesives with higher molecular weight were observed to possess larger elasticity, leading to significantly enhanced tackiness properties, as evidenced by the higher values of tensile modulus, peak stress, and work of debonding. This elevated tackiness was linked to the increased fibrillation process observed in polymers with higher molecular weights. Additionally, all tested adhesives exhibited storage moduli below the Dahlquist threshold (G′ < 3.3 × 105 Pa), which supports their ability to achieve measurable tackiness during the initial bonding process. The results presented in this study underscore the diversity among hot melt adhesives and the critical properties that should be considered when selecting adhesives for specific applications.

Słowa kluczowe:
Hot melt adhesives, copolyester, polybutylene terephthalate, tack properties, rheology, crystallinity

Streszczenie:
The aim of this work was to investigate the possibility of using the eddy current method, a technique for measuring voltage amplitude and resonant frequency, for non-destructive assessment of the thickness of the near-surface layer of iron nitrides in 42CrMo4 steel after gas nitriding. The scope of the work included preparation of test samples, chemical composition tests, surface roughness measurements, hardness distribution using the Vicker’s method and measurements of the thickness of nitrided layer on cross-sections, X-ray phase composition analysis, testing of nitrided layer using the eddy current method, analysis of the correlation of the results of destructive and non-destructive tests. The main research apparatus was the Wirotest M2 with the 25 kHz measuring head. Differences in electromagnetic parameters between the white layer and the rest of the nitrided material, as well as changes in the surface roughness of the layer, are factors influencing the eddy current signal, which allows indirect measurement of its thickness. The analysis of the voltage amplitude is more accurate, than the resonant frequency, in assessing the thickness of nitrides layer. With the increase in thickness of the nitrides layer, the voltage value of the signal of eddy currents increases. The research results also indicate the possibility of using the same measuring head to assess the roughness parameter Ra of the nitrided layer. The Wirotest M2 can be used in quality control of steel parts after nitriding.

Słowa kluczowe:
non-destructive testing, eddy currents, gas nitriding, nitrides zone, thickness measurement, voltage amplitude

Streszczenie:
This study examines the use of various eddy current induction techniques to evaluate the stability of austenite in SS316L steel subjected to plastic deformation. This deformation, which occurs locally in austenitic steel structures under operational loads, leads to a martensitic transformation. This transformation affects both the mechanical and magnetic properties of the steel. The martensitic phase content, being ferromagnetic, can be quantitatively assessed using a ferritoscope and other magnetic induction methods. The research explores techniques based on the analysis of impedance signal changes obtained using the NORTEC defetoscope and the WIROTEST device developed by the author’s team. By examining the phase angle, ET signal amplitude, and resonance frequency changes in the eddy current excitation system, the study aims to quantitatively assess the martensitic phase content in samples subjected to plastic deformation. These results were verified through comparison with data from a ferritoscope and X-ray diffraction analysis. Additionally, the eddy current technique facilitates surface screening of the specimen, making it possible to identify cracks and locate the martensitic transformation front in areas of stress concentration.

Słowa kluczowe:
eddy current, martensitic transformation, additive manufacturing, stainless steel, non-destructive testing, WIROTEST device

Streszczenie:
The methods of surface sulphur saturation of metal surfaces to provide them with special tribotechnical properties are reviewed and analysed. The main attention is focused on technologies based on the method of electrospark alloying (ESA). As shown, the process of sulphur saturation can be realised by using a special sulphur-containing saturating technical substance (STS). The methods of forming sulphided, sulphocarburized, sulphoaluminized, Al–C–S, and sulphomolybdenum coatings on steels using STS by ESA are considered. The results of sulphur distribution in the surface layer during ESA sulphurizing with a metal electrode using STS are presented. As shown, the sulphur concentration on the surface is of about 0.53–0.60% that gradually decreases deeper into the substrate. The topography of the treated surface and its structure after sulphocarburized of steel surfaces with a graphite electrode using STS containing sulphur are investigated. As found, the coating consists of several layers: a ‘soft’ layer saturated with sulphur, a hardened layer saturated with carbon, and the substrate metal. The thickness, microhardness, and continuity of the coating increase with the discharge energy. The qualitative parameters of sulphoaluminized coatings obtained by the ESA method with an aluminium electrode using STS are analysed. The microstructures reveal three zones: a near-surface, non-continuous loose layer with sulphur enrichment, 10–100-µm thick, and microhardness of 1368–2073 MPa; a ‘white’ hardened layer containing aluminium, 20–40 µm-thick, and microhardness of 4094–5157 MPa; a diffusion zone; and a substrate material. The sulphoaluminized-coatings’ phase composition depends on the ESA energy parameters. Intermetallics FeAl and FeAl2 are formed in the surface layer. The structural–phase state and properties of sulphomolybdenum coatings obtained by the ESA method with a molybdenum electrode using STS are discussed. The near-surface loose layer saturated with sulphur contains up to 8% of molybdenum disulphide formed due to ESA. Beneath this layer is a hardened layer saturated with molybdenum and having a microhardness of 10596–10731 MPa. It is proposed to use sulphurizing methods based on ESA using STS as cheap and effective methods of surface modification of friction surfaces to reduce seizure and friction coefficient.

Słowa kluczowe:
sulphurizing, electrospark alloying, coating, microstructure, tribotechnical properties

Streszczenie:
The aim of this study is to present a challenging insight into the molecular design and architecture optimization of two cost-effective conjugated polymers and their adoptions in bulk heterojunction fullerene-based solar cells. The new polymers, with repeating units based on symmetrically disubstituted polyalkyloxythiophenes have been prepared with simple procedures and have been employed as electron-donor materials for polymer solar cells. A comparative study with monosubstituted polyalkyloxythiophene has evidenced a more favorable active morphology, improved charge mobility, and higher power conversion efficiency for the newly prepared disubstituted polymers. Photoconversion ability further increases when a thin layer of a cationic polyelectrolyte is coated on the surface of the photoactive blend, thus facilitating electron transport. Finally, the prepared polymers were evaluated according to a figure of merit based on their synthetic complexity and conversion efficiency, resulting in particularly suitable for large-scale production.

Słowa kluczowe:
alkyl side chain modification,figure of merit,polymeric solar cells,thiophene-based electron donors

Streszczenie:
This study investigates the fatigue damage development in MAR-M247, a nickel-based superalloy with aluminide coating, using the digital image correlation (DIC) technique. The alloy’s microstructures, including fine, coarse, and columnar grains, were analyzed to understand their influence on fatigue crack initiation and propagation. Fatigue tests were conducted at room temperature under controlled force, with strain evolution monitored through non-contact full-field DIC measurements. Results revealed that fine-grained MAR-M247 exhibited superior fatigue resistance due to uniform strain distribution, while coarse-grained and columnar structures showed pronounced strain localization and earlier crack initiation. The application of aluminide coatings did not significantly affect strain distribution across the different microstructures but highlighted complex interactions between coating and grain structure under cyclic loading. These findings provide critical insights into optimizing the performance of MAR-M247 for high-stress applications

Słowa kluczowe:
fatigue, coatings, nickel alloys, digital image correlation

Streszczenie:
This study examines the yield surface evolution of technical copper (CP-Cu) under complex loading, focusing on monotonic tension and combined tension with cyclic torsion. Using biaxial testing, initial and pre-deformed yield surfaces were analysed. Results indicate kinematic hardening with tensile pre-strain, while cyclic torsion induces anisotropic hardening at lower amplitudes (±0.1 %) and softening at higher amplitudes (±0.2 %). Strain amplitude significantly impacts material response, while frequency has a minor effect

Słowa kluczowe:
copper,pre-deformation,yield Surface,biaxial

Streszczenie:
This study investigates the eddy current testing (ECT) technique to assess microstructural changes in S235 low carbon steel after cold rolling. Specimens of varying thicknesses (12 mm, 8 mm, and 6mm) were analyzed to evaluate the impact of deformation on such properties as dislocation density, grain texture, and hardness. Metallographic studies using light microscopy were performed, supplemented by dislocation density measurements via transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The ECT results demonstrated that microstructural changes, particularly cold-work hardening and grain elongation, significantly influenced the phase angle of impedance. Lower penetration depths were more sensitive to surface changes, highlighting the capacity of ECT for detecting nearsurface deformation. This work establishes a robust, non-destructive methodology for characterizing manufacturing-induced microstructural changes in heat-resistant steels, with applications in quality control and material performance evaluation

Słowa kluczowe:
cold rolling, eddy current, microstructure

Streszczenie:
This study focuses on component durability testing methods and their application in the automotive industry. These types of tests can be used to assess various objects with simple and complex geometries and a range of dimensions, manufactured using certain structural materials, including 6005 T6 aluminium alloy and S700MC high-strength steel. The test results characterise the component response at 2×106 loading cycles, and the crack trajectories are analysed after a high number of cycles. The influence of the welding process on the tensile mechanical parameters of the aluminium alloy and steel is also discussed, and fatigue behaviour of S700MC and its weld are illustrated

Słowa kluczowe:
durability test, fatigue, cracks, fracture, coupling, vehicles

Streszczenie:
The elastic limit, yield point, strain hardening component, and strength coefficient of martensitic steel were determined after monotonic tensile loading. The monotonic tension test of 41Cr4 steel was conducted for selected values of deformation. The specimen was unloaded after each pre-strain. The parameters from destructive tests were compared with those from the Barkhausen noise (BN) method obtained. It turned out that the magnetic Barkhausen effect can be helpful in the diagnostics of structural steel components and devices. Linear relationships between the elastic limit/yield point and parameters coming from the rms voltage of Barkhausen noise envelope were found

Słowa kluczowe:
yield point, elastic limit, strain hardening component, strength coefficient, magnetic Barkhausen noise

Streszczenie:
This dataset presents experimental data on the use of low-cost LiDAR scanners (integrated with iPads and iPhones) to evaluate the deformation of plastic-concrete specimens with fractal-based cross-sections. The specimens were created using 3D printed lost formwork and concrete. The dataset includes mesh models acquired using low-cost LiDAR technology and photogrammetry before and after the loading tests. This allows for the evaluation of geometric deformations and volume changes in specimens of varying cross-sectional complexity.
The measurements were performed in a controlled laboratory environment, where LiDAR-based volume calculations were compared with high-precision photogrammetric reference data. The dataset includes information on scanning conditions, point cloud processing techniques, and measurement errors, providing insight into the accuracy and repeatability of low-cost LiDAR technology in structural assessment.
This dataset is valuable to researchers investigating low-cost metrology, LiDAR-based strain monitoring, and the application of consumer-grade scanning technology in civil engineering and materials science. It enables further analysis of the accuracy of mobile LiDAR for measuring complex geometries and deformations of structures.

Słowa kluczowe:
Low-cost LiDAR, 3D printing, Point cloud analysis, Fractals, Concrete

Streszczenie:
Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is a promising therapeutic compound limited by instability and poor delivery control. This study introduces a novel approach by developing NMN-loaded liposomes and transethosomes coated with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) to achieve stable, pH-responsive transdermal delivery, significantly improving bioavailability for clinical applications. Unlike conventional uncoated systems, PVA coating adjusted zeta potentials toward less negative values, enhancing colloidal stability, with liposomes shifting from −19 ± 0.73 mV to −15.6 ± 0.40 mV and transethosomes from −22.3 ± 0.84 to −17.72 ± 0.60 mV, and increases entrapment efficiency (e.g., transethosomes from 68.8% to 71.2%) while maintaining particle uniformity (polydispersity index reduced, e.g., from 0.421 to 0.342). FTIR and differential scanning calorimetry analyses confirmed the structural integrity and thermal stability. Ex-vivo studies demonstrated that PVA-coated formulations uniquely provide delayed, pH-dependent NMN release, contrasting with the rapid release of uncoated transethosomes at physiological pH, with reduced diffusion at pH 5.5 for targeted delivery. This innovative use of PVA-coated nanocarriers offers a transformative platform for controlled drug delivery, addressing critical NMN administration challenges.transdermal delivery, nanocarriers, liposome, transethosome, entrapment efficiency, stability

Słowa kluczowe:
transdermal delivery,nanocarriers,liposome,transethosome,entrapment efficiency,stability

Słowa kluczowe:
Thermo-elasticity, Microscale structures, Meshfree technique, Functionally graded composites, Background decomposition method

Słowa kluczowe:
zagraniczni studenci, korzyści, zagrożenia

Streszczenie:
The paper analyses modern methods for improving the surface quality of steel parts of nuclear power plant pumps. The aim of the work was to improve the technology of nitrocarburisation by the method of electrospark alloying (ESA) by studying the effect of the ESA process performance on the quality parameters of the formed surfaces. As a result of the studies, the dependence of the quality parameters of the surfaces of steel parts during nitrocarburizing by the ESA method on the energy parameters of the equipment (discharge energy Wp) and the technological parameters of the process (productivity Q) was established. Experimental studies have shown that as Wp increases, the thickness of the hardened layer, its microhardness and continuity, and surface roughness grow. As Q decreases, the thickness, microhardness and continuity of the hardened layer rise, while the roughness remains practically unchanged. The proposed technology can be recommended for implementation in manufacturing

Słowa kluczowe:
HiPIMS magnetron sputtering, pulsed laser deposition, nanocomposite, transition metal borides, silver

Słowa kluczowe:
HiPIMS magnetron sputtering, DC magnetron sputtering, coatings

Słowa kluczowe:
Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning; Energy Grid; Battery Energy Storage System

Streszczenie:
This paper introduces a method for 360 camera with 3D LiDAR calibration and synchronization with example on Insta360 X4 and LiVOX MID 360. Both data streams (camera and LiDAR) are recorded separately to reach interoperability, robustness, full resolution, and maximal FPS (Frames Per Second). The novelty is based on LED circle strip illuminating timestamp, thus this information is recorded by camera. The timestamp is presented using gray code utilizing individually addressed LED strips. The data signal for LED is prepared by micro-controller. Microcontroller (ESP-8285) communicates using USB. We incorporated ResNet-18 based binary classifier to classify LEDs. Our method can efficiently assign timestamps with a resolution of 100 ms.
To fulfill the process of 3D point cloud colorization, we implemented camera to LiDAR calibration procedure requiring manually assigning 5 pairs of image to 3D point correspondences. Our method is independent from hardware, thus it can be used also for affordable one making it more accessible and easy to use.

Słowa kluczowe:
mobile mapping, sensor synchronization, 360 camera, 3D lidar

Streszczenie:
Precise forest inventory in difficult terrain remains challenging due to mobility constraints and canopy occlusion. This paper presents an affordable air-ground mobile mapping system combining shoulder-mounted double LiDAR with a lightweight FPV drone-based LiDAR. We developed an extrinsic calibration method for dual orthogonally-mounted sensors and implemented a comprehensive processing pipeline incorporating LiDAR odometry, pose graph SLAM, and multi-view Normal Distributions Transform. Field ex-periments demonstrate successful air-ground data fusion for tree stem detection and dendrometric parameter extraction. The system was validated in extreme environments including a cave survey, proving versatility in difficult terrain. All software components are released as open-source tools: https://github.com/MapsHD/HDMapping.

Słowa kluczowe:
UAV LiDAR, Forest Inventory, Under-Canopy Mapping, SLAM, Open Source