Nowadays, additive manufacturing (AM) via the Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) 3D printing process offers promising opportunities for the customized manufacturing of ankle–foot orthoses based on polypropylene (PP). However, optimizing printing parameters remains a major challenge due to the specific properties of this polyolefin, particularly its low interlayer adhesion and volumetric shrinkage. The primary innovation of the present work lies in the optimization of printing conditions for the production of patient-specific orthoses using PP, a material still underutilized in the AM of biomedical devices. Firstly, a thorough thermo-mechanical characterization was conducted, allowing the implementation of a (thermo-)elastic material model for the used PP filament in the simulation software database (Digimat-AM®). Thereafter, a Taguchi design of experiments was established to study the influence of several printing parameters (extrusion temperature, layer thickness, infill density, infill pattern and part orientation) on the mechanical properties of 3D printed specimens. Three-point bending tests were conducted to evaluate the strength and stiffness of the samples, while additional tensile tests were performed on the 3D printed orthoses according to ISO 22675 standard to validate the optimal configurations. Finally, the applicability of the finite element method (FEM) to simulate the FFF process-induced deflections, part distortion (warpage) and residual stresses in 3D printed orthoses was investigated using Digimat-AM® numerical simulation tool. The comparison between experimental results and numerical simulations enabled the proposal of an optimized set of parameters, ensuring improved quality and robustness of the printed orthoses. The findings of this study contribute to a better understanding of ankle–foot orthosis 3D printing with polypropylene, paving the way for more reliable and customized production targeted towards rehabilitation purposes.

This study focused on the modification of polylactide (PLA) nonwoven fabric using two distinct approaches: in situ polymerization and the spraying of a polymer solution in ethanol. The objective was to evaluate how the modification method and the amount of polymer influence the hydrophilic and thermal properties of the material. The modification process involved the use of N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA), which was either polymerized directly on the PLA surface or applied in its pre-polymerized form as poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA).
The effectiveness of the modifications was assessed using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), as well as water absorption and moisture sorption measurements. The results clearly demonstrated that the modification technique significantly impacts the material's functional performance. In situ polymerization enabled a more durable anchoring of the polymer to the fiber surface, resulting in enhanced hydrophilicity and improved thermal stability compared to the spraying method. The findings suggest that both modification methods hold potential for tailoring PLA nonwovens for advanced applications. However, in situ polymerization proved more effective in achieving stronger and more uniform functionalization. These insights are particularly valuable for the development of functional materials in fields such as biomedical engineering, hygiene products, and filtration systems, where moisture management and thermal resistance are critical.

Laser-based colloid synthesis has emerged as a powerful and versatile technique in nanoscience, offering a clean, surfactant-free route to the production of functional nanomaterials. This approach is gaining increasing attention due to its wide application in energy, catalysis, photonics, and biomedicine. In particular, composite nanoparticles—comprising combinations of metals and metal oxides—generate great interest. Their unique physicochemical properties arise from nanoscale interactions and can be fine-tuned by controlling parameters such as composition, morphology, and structural architecture.

Metallic nanoparticles such as copper (Cu) are well known for their plasmonic behavior, bactericidal properties, catalytic efficiency, and thermal conductivity, making them valuable in various applications from electronics and optoelectronics to medicine. Copper oxides (Cu₂O, CuO), as semiconducting materials, play a key role in sustainable technologies, including hydrogen production by water splitting, photocatalysis for environmental remediation, and sensor development. These oxides also exhibit antibacterial and catalytic activities, which further enhance their multifunctionality.

Our research focused on the laser fabrication of Cu\Cu-oxide composite nanoparticles under varying conditions of laser fluence, irradiation time, precursor material, and solvent environment. We investigated the mechanisms underlying their formation, the interplay between processing parameters and particle structure/composition, and how these factors affected key properties. The results of our study, along with an evaluation of the antibacterial and electrocatalytic activities of the obtained composites, will be presented.

This research was partially supported by the Polish National Science Centre under grants No. 2018/31/B/ST8/03043 and No. 2022/06/X/ST3/01743, and partially by the Kosciuszko Foundation Exchange Program to the United States.

This article presents a textile laminate system with heating and relative humidity measurement functions. The laminate was designed specifically for specialized protective clothing for workers. The goal was to design a method for manufacturing a layered textile laminate that incorporates a heating and measurement system without compromising the user’s comfort. The laminate should be characterized by appropriate thermal resistance values, increased durability of printed electrically conductive traces, and directional water vapor transmission from the underwear under varying conditions of relative humidity and moisture content within the garment structure. This goal was achieved by sequentially modifying the textile laminate layers to appropriately combine functions such as a moisture barrier, water vapor transmission, heating, and humidity measurement. Inkjet printing technology was used for that purpose. The system was powered by a 3.7-volt lithium-ion battery and utilized Wi-Fi communication. This article presents a measurement data acquisition system and a web-based application for monitoring and managing the thermal properties of the laminate. Environmental tests were conducted at various relative humidity levels to determine the system's effectiveness.

The main conclusions are as follows:

1. The heating module's efficiency is higher than 8°C/W as a function of heating power. A temperature increase of 8°C was achieved by supplying 0.5 to 0.16 W of power to a heating pad with a width of 2 to 6 mm. The maximum efficiency achieved for the heating module in the research is 47°C/1W of power.
2. The expanded uncertainty (U RH) of the humidity of the printed sensor on the knitting laminate substrate is less than 9%. The following was achieved: URH = 8.83%.
3. The relationship between the static temperature of the heating module and the supplied power is linear.

These interactive laminates fit into the concept of smart clothing, especially protective clothing for workers.

Corrosion protection of metallic structures is essential in aggressive environments, especially for reinforced concrete exposed to chlorides, which significantly accelerates deterioration of embedded steel. This study investigates electroless Nickel coatings on carbon steel rebars as a protective strategy to enhance corrosion resistance in such conditions. Plain carbon steel rebars were coated with nickel and its alloys, using an electroless deposition process. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, optical profilometry, and atomic force microscopy were performed to analyze the presence of the Ni-P and Ni-P-W coatings’ phases, their morphologies, and topographies. X-ray diffraction confirmed the presence of Ni and Ni₃P phases for Ni-P and Ni-P-W coatings, whereas Scanning electron microscopy revealed uniform coatings and small island-like features. Energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis confirmed the elemental compositions of Ni-P and Ni-P-W in the respective coatings. Optical profilometry determined a surface roughness of ~0.7µm for Ni-P coating and ~3.1 µm for Ni-P-W coatings deposited at an optimized temperature of 85°C. To analyze the efficacy of the coatings, potentiodynamic polarizations were performed using a 3-electrode system, demonstrating improved corrosion resistance and indicating their potential application in marine infrastructure, coastal buildings, and chloride-contaminated construction sites. The results suggest that electroless Ni-based coatings can significantly improve the service life of steel-reinforced concrete structures in harsh environments.

Triply Periodic Minimal Surface (TPMS) lattices produced by Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) using AlSi10Mg were examined to assess their mechanical performance and structural reliability. This study focused on Face-Centered Rhombic Dodecahedron (FRD) structures, including both uniform and functionally graded variants (FRD-30, FRD-40, FRD-45), and compared them with Gyroid and Fischer–Koch–S topologies, all designed with a relative density of 45%. Quasi-static compression tests carried out in accordance with ISO 13314 standards revealed that FRD-40 provided the highest elastic modulus, reflecting superior stiffness and load-bearing capacity. In contrast, the Fischer–Koch–S design achieved the highest total and specific energy absorption, coupled with a uniform defect distribution and minimal pore volume, making it well-suited for energy-dissipative applications. FRD-30 further demonstrated stable deformation and smoother stress–strain behaviors relative to its uniform counterparts. Defect morphology and internal porosity were characterized through high-resolution X-ray computed tomography (XCT), while fracture surface analysis by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) identified delamination, unfused particles, and localized porosities that contributed to crack initiation and propagation. Finite Element simulations successfully captured the experimentally observed deformation and stress localization, validating the predictive power of the numerical models, while the Ashby–Gibson framework established density–property correlations and explained deviations caused by geometry and process-induced defects. Collectively, these results highlight how functional grading and topology optimization can improve the structural efficiency of AlSi10Mg TPMS lattices, offering valuable design strategies for demanding aerospace, automotive, and biomedical applications.

This study investigates the use of industrial mill scale waste as a sustainable source for developing an effective anti-corrosion pigment. Mill scale, a mixture of iron oxides (FeO, Fe₂​O₃​, and Fe₃​O₄​), forms as a crust on steel parts when heated above 575°C. Its formation is an unavoidable byproduct of steelmaking, hot or semi-hot forging, and hot rolling processes. To create the anti-corrosion pigment, we combined mill scale with a specific ore. We then incorporated this synthesized pigment into various protective coating formulations, systematically varying the proportions of mill scale at 100%, 42.85% and 28.57%. Prior to application on steel substrates, the substrates were polished to ensure optimal adhesion of the paint. The prepared coating formulations were characterized for their dry extract, flow time, and density. Electrochemical evaluation of the coated samples was performed using an AUTOLAB potentiostat-galvanostat controlled by ANOVA software. A standard three-electrode setup was employed for all experiments, consisting of a saturated calomel reference electrode, a platinum counter electrode, and the coated sample as the working electrode. The electrochemical analysis was conducted under specific operating conditions: a scan range of Ei​=0±250 mV/E.C.S, a scan speed of 1 mV/sec, and a 3.5% NaCl electrolyte. The results of the electrochemical analysis revealed significant anti-corrosion performance from the coatings. Notably, formulations containing the pigment with 28.57% mill scale demonstrated enhanced corrosion resistance. This research highlights a promising and sustainable approach to anti-corrosion solutions by effectively repurposing industrial byproducts.

Flash sintering (FS) is an electric field assisted sintering technique that enables densification of ceramics material at a reduced furnace temperature and time. In this work, we expand the capabilities of FS, by introducing and investigating plasma-flash sintering, PFS, a novel methodology that incorporates the formation of plasma prior to the flash event. PFS is conducted under a low-pressure nitrogen atmosphere and offers new processing pathways for ceramic materials. Although further research is needed to fully understand the underlying mechanism of PFS, initial findings demonstrate its ability to stabilize metastable surface phases and promote the superficial absorption of ionized species (1). Notably, PFS also enables the densification of ZnO at room temperature (RT) without any external heating, using an electric field as low as 250 V cm⁻¹ (2). This operating field is substantially lower than that required by conventional flash sintering (FS) methods, which typically need electric fields in the kilovolt-per-centimeter range to initiate the flash at RT. This reduction may mitigate common issues such as current localization, hot spots, and increased risk of mechanical failure. Furthermore, unlike other RT FS approaches, PFS does not rely on conductivity-enhancing additives or ambient moisture, thereby minimizing the risk of sample contamination.

(1) Eva Gil-González et al. Plasma-flash Sintering: Metastable phase stabilization and evidence of ionized species J Am Ceram Soc. 2025;108:e20105

(2) Eva Gil-González et al. Plasma-flash Sintering II: Flashing ZnO at room temperature using low AC voltage. J Am Ceram Soc. Accepted

Expanding the chemical complexity of materials beyond conventional compositions represents a promising strategy to address the growing demand for novel functionalities and tailored properties. This approach has led to the development of high-entropy materials, HEMs, a class of compounds characterized by the incorporation of multiple principal elements within a single-phase crystal structure. By enabling access to an expansive and largely unexplored chemical space, HEMs offer unique opportunities for the design of materials with tunable structural and functional properties. The concept was initially introduced in 2004 with high-entropy alloys (HEAs) [1], and later extended to ceramics, with the first high-entropy oxides (HEOs) reported in 2015 [2]. Since then, a wide range of HEMs have been synthesized.

This study explores the development of high-entropy rock-salt ceramics in the Li-doped Co-Cu-Zn-Mn-Ni-O system. The investigation focuses on the phase formation and stability of selected compositions synthesized via solid-state reaction and electric-field-assisted techniques, such as reaction flash sintering. This study provides a detailed comparison between both methodologies, where the influence of temperature, synthetic atmosphere as well as electric parameters is studied. Note that electric-field-assisted methodologies are of particular interest due to its adaptability to various atmospheric conditions, which can significantly impact the oxidation states of the constituent elements. The coexistence of multiple cations with distinct site preferences and potential interactions enables fine-tuning of material properties by modifying synthesis parameters. As a result, it is possible to obtain compounds with identical cation compositions but differing in crystal structure and stoichiometry.

References

[1] B. Cantor, I.T.H. Chang, P. Knight, A.J.B. Vincen , Materials Science and Engineering: A 375-377 (2004) 213-218.

[2] C.M. Rost, E. Sachet, T. Borman, A. Moballegh, E.C. Dickey, D. Hou, J.L. Jones, S. Curtarolo, J.-P. Maria, Nature communications 6(1) (2015) 8485.

Blast furnace slags (BFSs), significant by-products of the steel industry, represent a valuable, underutilized resource for environmental applications, particularly in adsorption. While raw BFSs have inherent limitations, their reactivity and performance as adsorbents can be substantially enhanced through mechanical, thermal, or chemical activation processes. This study delves into understanding the microstructural and compositional changes induced by various activation methods and their direct impact on the adsorption capacity of the slags. To comprehensively evaluate and quantify these transformations, the main objective of this research is to investigate the effect of local materials, specifically co-products from the El-Hadjar steel company (Annaba steel plant). We employed advanced characterization techniques such as X-ray Diffraction (XRD) for physical and chemical characterization, and used Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and specific adsorption tests for the identification of different chemical bonds. The primary objective is to demonstrate how activation transforms a material often considered waste into an efficient and cost-effective adsorbent. This valorization of BFSs not only contributes to the circular economy but also offers sustainable solutions for pollution control and environmental remediation. Future prospects for this research include further optimizing activation processes and exploring novel high-value applications for BFSs, such as the removal of emerging pollutants or the recovery of valuable resources