In the current study, we investigated the structural, electrical, and optical characteristics of Mn-modified BNT ceramic systems with the nominal formula (Bi0.5Na0.5)1-x Mn x TiO3, (x = 0.01-0.05), obtained by the solid-state reaction method. The structural analysis using Rietveld refinement suggested a rhombohedral phase with the R3c space group in all samples. Relaxor behavior was observed in all the modified samples, and Mn doping also promoted this behavior. At the same time, lower dielectric loss was noticed in the x = 0.05 ceramics. Detailed electrical characterization was performed through impedance spectroscopy studies. The Nyquist plot was fitted with the proposed RQC-RC circuit and found to be of the non-Debye type. Correspondingly, the grain and grain-boundary resistance values were determined. The AC conductivity data at different temperatures were fitted by the Jonscher's power law equation, σ tot(ω) = A(T) × ω s + σ dc(T); 0 < s < 1, supporting the correlated barrier hopping (CBH) model. The reduction in optical band gap energy (E g) obtained from UV-visible spectroscopy and the decrease in the hopping barrier height (W M) suggest that Mn doping may induce defect states. The results are consistent with possible oxygen vacancy formation, which may contribute to localized hopping conduction in the modified ceramic system. Furthermore, the slim polarization loop confirmed the relaxor behavior observed in the modified samples. The combined results suggest that Mn doping is an appropriate approach for optimizing the functional properties of BNT ceramics, with x = 0.05 as the most favorable in terms of overall performance.
Lithium disilicate-based glass-ceramics (LDC) are widely used for esthetic restorations, yet their surface and optical behavior can vary depending on the composition and surface treatment procedure. The purpose of this study was to compare the surface, colorimetric, and optical properties of LDC materials with different compositions after being subjected to polishing or glazing. Rectangular specimens were prepared by sectioning four compositions of LDC CAD/CAM blocks (IPS e.max CAD [IPS], Amber Mill [AM], Amber Mill Direct [AMD], Initial LiSi [ILS]). Baseline surface roughness (Ra), color, translucency parameter (TP), contrast ratio (CR), opalescence parameter (OP) and gloss (GU) values were recorded. Each group was divided into two subgroups according to surface treatments, one undergoing glazing and the other polishing, followed by post-treatment measurements (n = 10). Color change (ΔE00) for each group was calculated based on the CIEDE2000 formula. In addition to baseline and final Ra, TP, CR, OP, and GU measurements, the changes in these parameters (ΔRa, ΔTP, ΔCR, ΔOP, and ΔGU) were calculated by subtracting the baseline values from the final values obtained after polishing or glazing. One extra specimen from each group was prepared for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis H, and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used for statistical analysis (α = 0.05). The surface, colorimetric, and optical properties differed significantly based on the type of LDC material and the surface treatment method. The Ra values of IPS, AMD, and ILS decreased significantly after glazing compared to polishing (p = 0.016), which was confirmed by SEM analysis. Both surface treatments significantly reduced Ra values compared with baseline across all material groups (all p ≤ 0.013). Glazing resulted in higher mean ΔE00 values than polishing for IPS (p = 0.011) and ILS (p = 0.0001). For IPS, TP values were lower in the glazed specimens than those that were polished (p = 0.001), whereas the opposite trend was observed for CR values (p = 0.001). Regardless of the LDC material type, glazing produced significantly lower OP values (all p ≤ 0.041) and higher GU values (all p ≤ 0.023) than polishing. Surface, colorimetric, and optical properties of LDC materials varied depending on the surface treatment method and material composition. While both surface treatments effectively reduced surface roughness, glazing enhanced surface gloss and opalescence more prominently, but induced material-specific color changes. Glazing also enhanced the translucency of IPS e.max CAD compared to other LDC materials.
The aim of this in vitro study was to investigate the effects of 2-step and 3-step polishing systems on the surface roughness and biaxial flexural strength of lithium disilicate ceramics after grinding. Thirty-two 14 x 1.25 mm lithium disilicate (IPS e.max CAD) discs were divided into four groups ( n = 8): control (unmodified), ground-unpolished, ground-3-step polished (Shofu Zil Master), and ground-2-step polished (Toboom). A profilometer was used to quantify the surface roughness (Ra, µm), and ISO 6872 was followed to calculate the biaxial flexural strength (MPa). A profilometer was used to quantify the surface roughness (Ra, µm), and ISO 6872 was followed to calculate the biaxial flexural strength (MPa) of all the samples. The data were analyzed through the IBM SPSS Statistics software package (Version 25.0). One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to check variations among the groups followed by the Tukey's post hoc test (α=.05). There were significant differences between the groups in both flexural strength and surface roughness ( P <.001). As compared to the control, the 3-step system (0.43 ± 0.21 µm) provided smoother surfaces than the 2-step system (0.78 ± 0.34 µm). The control group (1696.8 ± 486.9 MPa) and the 3-step group (1500.0 ± 306.2 MPa) had the highest flexural strength, whereas the 2-step group (951.3 ± 121.2 MPa) had the lowest values. The flexural strength and surface roughness of ground lithium disilicate were enhanced by both polishing systems; however, the 3-step system performed better and produced outcomes that were on par with unaltered ceramics.
Stewart platforms are widely used in flight simulators, precision machining, and other fields due to their advantages in high precision, high dynamic response, and full six-degree-of-freedom spatial motion. However, the positioning accuracy of traditional rigid Stewart platforms is difficult to further improve due to limitations such as the structure of telescopic rods and insufficient kinematic solution accuracy. To address this technical challenge, this study proposes a flexible Stewart platform and conducts modeling and analysis on its forward and inverse kinematic solutions. First, by introducing piezoelectric ceramics to calculate the displacement loss caused by telescopic rods overcoming the inertia of the moving platform and load, a precise mathematical model for inverse kinematics is established based on geometric analysis and kinematic theory. Second, aiming at the problems of low efficiency and low accuracy in solving forward kinematics using the Newton-Raphson method and traditional BP neural networks, an improved BP neural network method based on the Levenberg-Marquardt (L-M) algorithm is innovatively proposed. By constructing a multi-layer feedforward neural network model and using inverse kinematic formulas to generate training datasets, a nonlinear mapping from rod lengths to platform pose is achieved, effectively avoiding the complexity of traditional calculation processes. Finally, MATLAB simulation results show that regarding inverse kinematics, the calculated displacement range of piezoelectric ceramics covers 27.9 nm to 47.4 nm. In terms of forward kinematics, the relative error of pose prediction using the proposed improved algorithm is controlled within 0.5% across the entire domain, with absolute errors in heatmaps controlled around 0.02 mm. The forward and inverse kinematic solution methods proposed in this paper for high-precision positioning flexible Stewart platforms are significantly superior to traditional methods in terms of friction displacement compensation range and pose prediction accuracy. This work not only provides an innovative solution for high-precision positioning technology but also lays an important theoretical foundation for applications in industrial robotics and precision measurement.
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Occupational risk, such as exposure to hazardous activities or substances in pottery manufacturing, can exacerbate traditional cardiovascular risk factors. In this work, we aimed to identify cardiovascular risks among pottery workers and their relationship with sociodemographic and occupational factors. Cardiovascular risk (CVR) was assessed in 406 potters in Tlaxcala through medical examinations, biochemical tests, occupational data collection, and lead blood testing. The use of lead in pottery and sociodemographic factors were evaluated. CVR scores were calculated using models that predicted 10- and 30-year CVD events. We found that 41.4% of the participants had high blood pressure, 30.1% were pre-diabetic, and 25.9% had hypercholesterolemia. Obesity affected 75% of the participants, with women showing a higher prevalence (59.6%). Lead exposure from pottery work significantly increased CVR: each additional year of crafting activity increased the 30-year CVR by 0.71%. Risk models showed 61.4% of the participants had a 30-year CVR > 20%. Despite the higher percentage of female obesity, male artisans showed a higher cardiovascular risk related to risk factors and worse clinical thresholds. This study highlights the heightened CVR among artisans, particularly those involved in the production of glazed ceramics, due to exposure to toxic substances like lead (Pb) and kiln-related air pollutants.
The aim of this study was to compare the failure loads and stress distribution of two different CAD-on systems used for implant-supported crowns. Implant-supported crowns were designed with CAD/CAM software (Cerec InLab V15.0) and fabricated using the CAD-on technique (n = 12 per group): Group ZF (zirconia core veneered with feldspathic ceramic) and Group ZL (zirconia core veneered with lithium disilicate ceramic). Following cementation onto titanium abutments, the restorations were subjected to failure load testing using a universal testing machine. Simultaneously, 3D models of FEA were generated to evaluate Von Mises, Maximum Principal, and Minimum Principal stress distributions across the restoration, implant, abutment, and supporting bone. The mean failure loads were compared using the independent samples t-test (p < 0.05). Group ZL exhibited significantly higher failure loads (4649.22 ± 733.42 N) compared to Group ZF (2085.91 ± 555.61 N) (p < 0.001). While stress concentrations were primarily located at the implant neck in both groups, the distribution on the abutments differed significantly. In Group ZF, delamination was the primary failure mode (100%), whereas Group ZL presented bulk fractures and abutment deformation. While the Group ZL exhibited significantly superior failure load, the veneer delamination observed in Group ZF could act as a protective failure mode. Although the FEA revealed that different veneer ceramics did not alter the stress distribution across the implant and the bone, the selection of restorative system should ideally balance high fracture resistance with the biomechanical safety of the implant components.
Nitride ceramics with high thermal conductivity can effectively dissipate localized heat and prevent hotspot formation in advanced electronics. However, their intrinsic brittleness and limited deformability render them susceptible to structural damage under multiaxial mechanical loading, disrupting the continuity of heat transfer pathways and compromising long-term device reliability. Here, a multiscale structural optimization strategy based on organic-inorganic hybrid chains is proposed to produce high-strength, flexible, yet highly thermally conductive nitride ceramic nanofibers. This achievement arises from an optimized grain structure with high crystallinity at the microscopic scale, coupled with a continuous, defect-minimized fibrous architecture at the mesoscale, collectively striking an optimal balance between stress transfer and phonon scattering to achieve rapid stress dissipation and efficient heat transport. Building on this feature, the nitride ceramic nanofibers exhibit excellent flexibility and a mechanical strength of up to 528.3 MPa despite possessing high crystallinity, a characteristic that typically leads to brittleness. Meanwhile, large-area, free-standing aligned fiber membranes fabricated via electrospinning achieve a high thermal conductivity of 16.58 W m- 1 K- 1 and structural stability during bending. This work offers new opportunities for high-performance fibrous materials in next-generation electronic systems.
Zirconia ceramics are widely used in restorative dentistry for their mechanical strength, but their lack of a glassy phase makes them resistant to conventional acid etching. While 10-methacryloyloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate (10-MDP) is utilized to facilitate chemical bonding, the influence of monomer concentration on molecular coordination at the interface remains unclear. This study evaluated the effect of varying 10-MDP concentrations on shear bond strength (SBS) and investigated the underlying chemical bonding mechanisms. Specimens were randomly divided into nine groups (n = 6): seven experimental groups treated with varying concentrations of experimental MDP solutions (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14% v/v in ethanol), a commercial MDP primer positive control (CMP; Z-Prime™ Plus), and a non-MDP primer-treated negative control (NMP). Zirconia surfaces were treated with these MDP solutions prior to bonding with flowable composite resin. Shear bond strength was measured using a universal testing machine. Chemical coordination modes were analyzed using 31P Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) to correlate molecular configurations with SBS data. Shear bond strength was significantly influenced by MDP concentration, increasing from 2% (7.1 ± 0.4 MPa) to a peak at 10% (11.3 ± 0.8 MPa), followed by a significant decline at 12% (7.6 ± 0.7 MPa) and 14% (7.7 ± 0.8 MPa).31P NMR analysis revealed that these variations correspond to five distinct bonding configurations (S1-S5). The superior performance of the 10% concentration was associated with the highest proportion of the S2 configuration, representing ionically bonded bidentate complexes. In contrast, the reduction in SBS at higher concentrations coincided with a decrease in S2 intensity and the emergence of S3 (bridging) and S4/S5 (phosphate oligomers). Bond strength is dictated by the distribution of MDP coordination modes rather than total presence. A 10% concentration is the ideal threshold for maximizing strong S2 ionic bonding. Exceeding this limit promotes non-productive phosphate multilayers that compromise interface stability.
The demanding requirements of stealth components in advanced aircraft for extreme environments necessitate novel materials that integrate high-temperature resistance and efficient electromagnetic wave absorption. Among them, HfC ceramic possesses a high melting point of nearly 3900 °C. However, the poor impedance matching severely restricts its application in electromagnetic wave absorption. Precursor-derived ceramics (PDCs) offer a versatile platform for designing high-temperature-resistant materials with porous microstructures for improving impedance matching. Inspired by structural engineering strategies, this work presents a novel PDC route to fabricate a porous layered HfC ceramic. Specifically, the precursor was obtained by crushing and freeze-drying a gel that formed via the simultaneous self-assembly of GO and its in situ reaction with Hf(acac)2(OH)2 during the solvothermal reaction. Leveraging its high specific surface area, layered GO offers abundant -COOH/-OH that enables reactions with Hf-OH to form a stable Hf-O-C bond. This stable chemical bonding could create an intimate interfacial contact, reducing diffusion distances and enhancing carbothermal reduction for efficient HfO2-to-HfC conversion. As a result, the porous HfC ceramic with a high hafnium content of 91.01 wt % was successfully obtained after pyrolysis at only 1400 °C. The resulting porous layered HfC ceramic retained its structural integrity up to 1800 °C. The pore structure was mainly constructed through the self-assembly of GO during the solvothermal reaction, ice crystal sublimation via freeze-drying, as well as subsequent high-temperature pyrolysis. Moreover, the porous layered HfC ceramic delivers outstanding electromagnetic wave absorption performance, attributed to the synergy effect between optimized impedance matching, conductive loss, and multiple polarization losses. Notably, it achieves a remarkable minimum reflection loss (RLmin) to a matching thickness ratio of -37.02 dB/mm, along with a radar cross section (RCS) attenuation value of 40.188 dB m2 in simulation, demonstrating both strong intrinsic absorption and practical stealth capability. This work paves the way for the development of high-performance, integrated structural-functional materials for extreme applications.
Effluents from textile, leather, paper, food, and cosmetic industries are recognized as major sources of dye pollution, while antibiotic contamination primarily originates from pharmaceutical, medical, and aquaculture activities. Both forms of pollution pose significant environmental and public health risks, necessitating the development of advanced multifunctional materials for wastewater remediation. In this study, a novel 3D-printed SiO2-BaTiO3/SrTiO3-polymeric composite scaffold was developed, integrating a triple synergistic mechanism comprising adsorption, photocatalysis, and piezocatalysis for the efficient mitigation of methylene blue (MB) dye and tetracycline (TC) pollutants. The BaTiO3 and SrTiO3 nanoparticles were synthesized via a solution combustion method, while SiO2 was sustainably obtained from bagasse ash, exhibiting surface areas of 11.88, 4.77, and 74.16 m2/g, respectively. The 3D-printed porous architectures, precisely designed using computer-aided modeling, enhanced active surface accessibility and facilitated mass transfer, thereby improving overall catalytic efficiency. The SiO2-BaTiO3-polymer and SiO2-SrTiO3-polymer composites achieved over 60% MB removal by adsorption, 18% by photocatalytic degradation under UV illumination, and over 20% by piezocatalytic degradation under ultrasonic vibration, resulting in total degradation efficiencies exceeding 88% for MB and 85% for TC. The integration of waste-derived SiO2, functional titanate ceramics, and additive manufacturing underscores the novelty of this work, providing a sustainable and scalable pathway for next-generation wastewater treatment systems in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The development of multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) with high-energy storage performance over a wide temperature range is critical for practical applications but remains challenging. Here, we propose a high-entropy design to disrupt the long-range ferroelectric order of tetragonal tungsten bronze (TTB) ceramics, inducing a polarization discontinuity composed of coexisting polar nanoregions and non-polar regions. This unique configuration delays polarization saturation while minimizing hysteresis loss through electrostatic interactions. Consequently, the TTB-based MLCC achieves a high recoverable energy density (Wrec) of 15.8 J cm-3 and an ultrahigh energy efficiency (η) of 97.5%, yielding a record-high figure of merit of 632 J cm-3 for TTB-based ceramic capacitors. Furthermore, the MLCC exhibits outstanding thermal stability from 25°C to 150°C, maintaining Wrec ≈ 13.04 ± 0.41 J cm-3 and η ≈ 95.43 ± 2.61%. The high-entropy-induced polarization discontinuity offers valuable insights into polarization modulation and provides an effective strategy for designing next-generation high-performance dielectrics.
The incorporation of silane into universal adhesive systems has been proposed as a strategy to simplify bonding protocols to glass ceramics; however, the effectiveness of this approach remains controversial. The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the influence of different silane and adhesive application protocols on the bond strength to lithium disilicate ceramic immediately (IM) and after thermocycling (TC). Lithium disilicate ceramic specimens were etched with hydrofluoric acid and allocated according to the silane application protocol and the adhesive system used. Composite resin cylinders were bonded to the ceramic surface, and microshear bond strength was measured at IM (after 24 hours storage) and after TC (10 000 cycles). Data were analyzed using 2-way ANOVA and the Tukey HSD post hoc test (α=.05). Ceramic surfaces treated with the different protocols were evaluated using a micro-Raman spectrometer for chemical interaction analysis. Microshear bond strength showed significant effects for both group and time (P<.001). At IM, universal adhesives combined with additional silane application achieved the highest IM values, particularly ABU APS Plus + Prosil and SBU Plus + RelyX CP. After TC, these groups maintained significantly higher bond strengths compared with silane alone or associated adhesives (P<.001). Raman analysis confirmed Si-O-Si and Si-O bond formation in groups treated with silane or silane-containing adhesives, indicating effective chemical interaction with the ceramic surface. Separate silane application improved the bond strength to lithium disilicate ceramic, regardless of the universal adhesive system evaluated.
Clinical evidence regarding 3D-printed complete arch interim prostheses remains limited. This randomized crossover trial was designed to compare mechanical complications between milled polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and a hybrid ceramic 3D-printed interim restoration and assess mechanical complications, passive fit, optical behavior, and oral health-related quality of life. Twenty edentulous patients received two complete arch interim prostheses, one milled PMMA and one hybrid ceramic resin 3D-printed restoration, each used for 3 months in a randomized crossover sequence. Mechanical complications, passive fit, optical parameters (L*, a*, b*, ΔE00), and oral health-related quality of life were assessed. Paired nonparametric tests, including the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and McNemar test, were applied (α = 0.05), and risk differences with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Milled PMMA exhibited fewer mechanical complications than 3D-printed (10% vs. 45%; p = 0.016; risk difference +35.0 percentage points; 95% CI: 9.5-60.5). Passive fit showed no statistically significant differences between materials (p = 0.500). Mean ΔE00 did not differ significantly (PMMA 4.68 ± 6.57; 3D-printed 4.73 ± 4.75; p = 0.243). The 3D-printed material presented higher L* values at both evaluations (p < 0.001) and a significant increase in a* over time (p = 0.008). Both materials improved Oral Health Impact Profile-14 scores; at 3 months, 3D-printed prostheses showed slightly lower scores than PMMA (p = 0.045). Milled PMMA showed more favorable mechanical performance. Both materials demonstrated passive fit, stable optical behavior, and improvements in patient-reported outcomes during the 3-month period.
Crosslinked polyethylene-based bearings have led to marked improvements in total hip arthroplasty (THA) survival. Antioxidant highly crosslinked polyethylene bearings are the latest addition to the bearing options. Previous reports were limited by low numbers and short follow-up in this category therefore limiting comparisons. We combined the UK National Joint Registry data set with polyethylene manufacturing characteristics to classify polyethylene as crosslinked (XLPE) or conventional polyethylene. The Hospital Episode Statistics data set was used to link ipsilateral surgical procedures for the treatment of periprosthetic hip fractures. The effect of bearing surface on THA survival was analyzed through estimating cause-specific cumulative incidence functions to allow for competing risks. This was followed by regression analysis that fitted a Fine-Gray proportional subdistribution hazards model for reoperation. A total of 696,013 THAs and 17,468 reoperations were included in this analysis. Average follow-up time was estimated to be between 4.83 and 9.64 years depending on the bearing combination while the maximum follow-up was 19.1 years across all bearings. The estimated cause-specific cumulative incidence functions allowing for competing risks revealed that Ceramicised Metal on XLPE (CMoXLPE) and Ceramic on Antioxidant XLPE (CoAoXLPE) had the lowest probability of reoperation by the end of the follow-up period. The regression analysis (all ages) with Metal on Polythelene (MoP) as the reference bearing adjusted for age, sex, and stem fixation showed CMoXLPE to be associated with the lowest risk of revision for any reason (HR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.58-0.72) followed by CoAoXLPE XLPE (HR 0.65, 95% CI = 0.57-0.74). This analysis, which includes fixations as well as revisions in defining reoperation for periprosthetic fracture, covers a longer follow-up period compared with earlier reports. Regression analysis in a model including all ages, all bearings, with MoP as the reference revealed the lowest risk of revision for any reason in THAs using CMoXLPE and CoAoXLPE. Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Restoration of extensive defects in young permanent molars is more complex than that in mature permanent teeth. Young permanent teeth are characterized by insufficient enamel mineralization, large pulp chambers, short occlusogingival distance, and unstable gingival margins, limiting both mechanical retention and bonding conditions. In addition, individual factors such as patient cooperation, caries risk, and orthodontic needs further complicate treatment planning. Based on current clinical evidence, this review summarizes the indications, advantages, and limitations of direct adhesive restorations, preformed crowns, provisional crowns, inlays/onlays/overlays, endocrowns, and computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) indirect restorations, proposing a clinical decision-making framework for extensive defects in young permanent molars. The proposed pathway follows a"three-level assessment and integrated decision-making"approach, in which the physiological characteristics of young permanent teeth, the objective condition of the affected tooth, and patient-and treatment-related factors are comprehensively evaluated to develop an individualized restorative plan. When moisture control is achievable and tooth conditions are favorable, adhesive restorations with cusp coverage can be selected. When moisture control is difficult or rapid restoration of coronal integrity is required, preformed metal crowns may serve as interim restorations. For non-vital teeth with short occlusogingival distance and insufficient retention, endocrowns may be considered. At present, CAD/CAM resin-ceramic indirect adhesive restorations have shown favorable short-to medium-term outcomes over 18-24 months; however, the long-term performance still requires further validation through multicenter studies with larger sample sizes. 年轻恒磨牙大面积牙体缺损修复较成熟恒牙更为复杂。年轻恒牙存在牙釉质矿化不足、髓腔宽大、(牙合)龈距离短及龈缘位置不稳定等特点，使机械固位与粘接条件受限；患儿配合度、龋风险及正畸需求等个体差异也会增加修复方案的选择难度。本文基于现有临床研究，系统梳理直接粘接修复、预成冠、临时冠、嵌体/高嵌体/超嵌体、髓腔固位冠及计算机辅助设计与辅助制作（CAD/CAM）间接修复的适应证、优势与局限性，并据此构建适用于年轻恒磨牙大面积缺损修复的临床决策体系。年轻恒磨牙大面积牙体缺损修复可遵循“三层评估，交叉决策”的临床路径，即综合考量年轻恒牙生理特点、患牙客观状况以及患者与治疗相关因素制订个性化方案。在隔湿可控且牙体条件允许时，可选择粘接性覆盖修复；隔湿困难或需快速恢复牙冠完整性时，金属预成冠可作为过渡性修复；(牙合)龈距离短且固位不足的无髓牙，可考虑采用髓腔固位冠。目前，CAD/CAM树脂陶瓷间接粘接修复已展现出良好的中短期（18~24个月）效果，但长期疗效仍需多中心、大样本研究进一步验证。.
The disparity between the complex structures of synthesized materials and their simplified computational models leads to deviations between theoretically calculated and experimental performance. To narrow this gap, we introduce the statistical descriptor φ, which is defined as the proportion of high-activity configurations in a given element combination. By considering the activity distribution of multiple structures rather than relying on a single model structure, φ can more accurately quantify macroscopic catalytic activity. Using the Seq-Equiformer model, a graph neural network we developed by augmenting EquiformerV2 with LSTM to capture dynamic structural changes during oxygen evolution reaction, we predict overpotentials for 250 million structures of 3d transition metal doped CoOOH. Based on these predictions, the value of φ for each element combination is calculated, and six optimal dopant combinations with the highest φ values are determined. For the leading MnFeNiCu combination, Bayesian optimization-driven AI experiments further optimize the elemental ratios. After only 40 experimental iterations, exploring 0.44% of the search space, the catalyst Mn0.07Fe0.09Ni0.14Cu0.01Co0.69OOH is identified, delivering an overpotential of 246.5 mV at 100 mA cm-2 and retaining 98.5% activity over 1000 h at 1 A cm-2. In validation, the statistical descriptor achieves 80% accuracy in identifying the top catalysts, a 30% improvement over single-structure screening, which evaluates the element combination based on the best configuration. The integration of statistical modeling, machine learning, and autonomous experimentation offers a powerful strategy to accelerate catalyst discovery and enhance prediction accuracy.
Calcium phosphate (CaP) bioceramics remain underutilized in cranioplasty because of their intrinsic brittleness, limited impact/fatigue tolerance, and insufficient early fixation, which can compromise stable host-implant coupling. This study of 3D-printed β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) burr-hole cover scaffold (3D Bioceramplug) engineered for mechanical reliability, controlled resorption, and well osteointegration in calvarial defect repair. A photocurable, negative thermo-responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM)-based ceramic slurry enabled digital light processing (DLP) printing of interconnected pores (300-500 μm) and high densification (94%), yielding compressive strength up to ∼38 MPa. It is worth mentioning that this novel slurry enables rapid dewatering within ∼1 h, stabilizing the green body and enabling timely transfer to high-temperature sintering for densification, thereby shortening the post-printing drying/stabilization stage. In a rabbit critical-size calvarial defect model, micro-CT and histology at 12 weeks demonstrated preserved structural integrity, osteoid ingrowth, and intramembranous ossification-mediated osteointegration. Immunohistochemistry (CD68, COL-I, vWF) indicated balanced remodeling, mature bone matrix deposition, and neovascularization. In a subsequent large-animal translational evaluation, implants with or without drainage ports were placed into 10 mm pig calvarial defects. Blood biochemistry and organ function markers remained within physiological ranges for 6 months, supporting systemic biocompatibility. CT/micro-CT enabled robust longitudinal assessment and showed synchronized scaffold degradation (16-19%) with progressive bone formation. Morphometric analysis revealed 70-80% defect occupancy by newly formed bone plus residual scaffold, compared with <25% in controls. Histology further confirmed bone ingrowth, osteoblastic differentiation (ALP), vascular formation (vWF), and minimal inflammation (CD68). Therefore, 3D Bioceramplug provides a mechanically stable, biologically safe, and osteoconductive platform for long-term calvarial (cranial) defect reconstruction while offering a substantially accelerated, personalized manufacturing route for sintered bioceramic bone substitutes.
The flexible, lightweight, and high-temperature-resistant aerogels with both thermal insulation and electromagnetic shielding functions are urgently required in many high-tech fields. Although carbon-based aerogels are promising, they are not satisfactory due to complex manufacturing processes and poor oxidation resistance (<500°C). Therefore, it is still a great challenge to design materials with processing advantages and multiple functions. Drawing inspiration from the unique structure of momordica charantia, this work developed a biomimetic C-SiC fibrous aerogel by employing low-cost polysiloxane and polyacrylonitrile as precursor materials. The C-SiC fiber exhibited special surface morphology with protrusions and hierarchical pores, as well as a loose core after a fabrication procedure involving centrifugal spinning and high-temperature sintering processes. The momordica charantia-like structure endowed the flexible C-SiC fibrous aerogel with ultralow density of 3.9 mg cm-3, exceptionally low thermal conductivity (9.12 mW m-1 K-1), and an ultrahigh specific electromagnetic shielding effectiveness (346 828.6 dB cm2 g-1). Besides compressibility and resilience, the aerogel exhibited outstanding acid-alkali corrosion resistance, ultrahigh-temperature stability (2000°C), and relatively good oxidation resistance (1000°C). This work delivered a scalable, cost-effective biomimetic strategy for fabricating high-performance fibrous aerogels as next-generation structure-function integrated materials, with potential applications in aerospace thermal protection and related high-temperature environments.
The deterministic integration of functional oxide thin films on technologically relevant substrates is a longstanding challenge for oxide electronics. Two-dimensional Ca2Nb3O10 nanosheets have emerged as versatile epitaxial templates, enabling high-quality film growth on arbitrary substrates by decoupling the overlying layer from the underlying support. However, the intrinsic gaps inherent in monolayer nanosheet assemblies originate from irregular geometry and stochastic deposition processes. These gaps create exposed substrate regions that introduce a second, distinct growth environment, whose influence on film properties remains poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that these nanoscale gaps are not merely structural imperfections but rather tunable elements that govern the crystallinity, transport behavior, and magnetic anisotropy of SrRuO3 thin films. By engineering Ca2Nb3O10 nanosheets with controlled lateral size distributions (>20 μm and <2 μm) and systematically varying substrate coverage (≈90% and ≈95%), precise modulation of the crystallographic phase of gap-nucleated SrRuO3 is achieved. The phase varies from amorphous on SiO2 to polycrystalline on Si and Al2O3, and coexists with c-axis-oriented epitaxy templated by the nanosheets. This coexistence gives rise to emergent phenomena including nonuniaxial magnetic anisotropy, two-channel anomalous Hall signatures, and stepwise magnetization reversal, all of which are tunable through coverage and substrate selection. Bilayer nanosheet coatings effectively eliminate gap contributions, restoring pristine in-plane easy magnetization axis and confirming complete film-substrate decoupling. Our findings establish a previously unrecognized design paradigm in which the deliberate control of nanosheet gaps enables the engineering of composite magnetic and electronic ground states in oxide thin films, providing a scalable route toward multifunctional spintronic devices on arbitrary substrates.
The growing volume of construction and demolition waste and the high carbon footprint of cement production have driven interest in waste-derived materials for sustainable concrete. This study presents a critical systematic review of the use of gypsum waste powder (GWP) and ceramic waste powder (CWP) as partial cement replacements, focusing on material mechanisms, performance limits, durability behaviour and sustainability trade-offs. The review follows PRISMA 2020 guidelines, and peer-reviewed studies published between 2015 and 2025 were systematically screened and synthesized. The review indicates that CWP exhibits a broader and more reliable performance window than GWP, attributed to its silica-rich composition, pozzolanic reactivity and microfilling effect. Cement replacement levels of approximately 10-20% CWP are consistently associated with improved compressive and flexural strength, reduced chloride penetration and enhanced durability under controlled curing conditions, whereas higher replacement levels require blending with reactive supplementary cementitious materials. In contrast, GWP demonstrates a narrower and exposure-sensitive applicability, with effective replacement typically limited to 10-15% due to sulphate-related risks affecting setting behaviour and long-term durability. From a sustainability perspective, partial cement replacement using GWP and CWP can reduce embodied CO₂ emissions by approximately 7-10% per 10% cement substitution, although net benefits depend strongly on processing energy, transportation distance and durability performance. Overall, this review establishes clear performance thresholds, failure mechanisms and applicability boundaries for GWP and CWP, providing decision-oriented guidance for sustainable concrete design and identifying key research needs related to durability, standardization and life cycle assessment.