Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) were synthesized using a green eco frindly solution combustion route, employing zinc nitrate hexahydrate as the oxidizer and gum Arabic as a bio-organic fuel. No other chemical reagents were added during the synthesis process. The synthesized ZnO-NPs were characterized for average crystallite size, morphology, porosity, some of obtical properties and selected mechanical parameters. XRD analysis confirmed a single-phase hexagonal wurtzite structure, with an average crystallite size of ~14 nm as determined from the Size–Strain Plot (SSP) model, which provided the most consistent results among Debye–Scherrer, Williamson–Hall, and Halder–Wagner models. The average crystallite size, energy density value, micro strain and internal stress were estimated from peak broadening analysis. SEM images revealed a highly porous morphology with an average pore diameter of ~784 nm, implying a high specific surface area calculated from pore distribution analysis. UV–VIS spectroscopy exhibited a sharp excitonic absorption peak around 368.4 nm corresponding to a direct optical band gap of 3.8 eV. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed ZnO stretching vibrations between 500–700 cm⁻¹, verifying ZnO formation. Compared with previous literature, this synthesis route offers a sustainable, low-cost, and purely plant-based alternative that yields nanosized ZnO with enhanced surface area and controlled microstructure, suitable for photocatalytic and optoelectronic applications.

The transition toward net-zero manufacturing increased the use of recycled aluminium alloys in high-performance applications. However, their wider adoption, particularly in aerospace manufacturing, is limited by the presence of inclusions and intermetallic compounds that reduce melt cleanness and mechanical integrity. This study investigates the sedimentation behaviour of inclusions in recycled A356 aluminium alloy using computational fluid dynamics simulation as part of the UltraCleanCAST DLMM project. The simulation model incorporated alumina and Fe-rich intermetallic inclusions with diameters between 25 µm and 1000 µm and densities of (2560, 3338, and 3990) kg/m³. Simulations were conducted at flow rates of (50, 100, 180, and 500) kg/h under different baffle configurations, temperature gradients up to 100 °C and localised heating conditions within a newly designed launder.

The results show that inclusion sedimentation is sensitive to both flow rate and temperature gradient. Previous studies showed that flow rates below 100 kg/h promoted greater inclusion settling, however, localised heating applied at the middle and outlet sections of the launder further improved sedimentation efficiency by ~ 66 %. Under optimal combined conditions, the overall inclusion sedimentation efficiency increased by ~ 88 %.

These quantitative results provide a basis for optimising launder design and operating parameters for sedimentation-based purification. The study supports the development of a low-energy purification strategy for secondary aluminium casting, enabling cleaner production of recycled alloys for aerospace applications.

Lithium, widely recognized as the “energy metal of the 21st century,” is essential for the transition to sustainable energy systems and the expansion of electromobility. With annual consumption increasing by nearly 30% and global demand expected to outpace accessible reserves by 2030, the development of efficient, scalable, and environmentally responsible lithium extraction technologies has become an urgent industrial priority.

Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) has gained attention as a sustainable alternative to evaporation ponds and mining, particularly for underutilized resources such as lithium-enriched associated waters from oil and gas condensate fields. These waters, often considered industrial waste, represent a promising source of lithium when processed through advanced membrane technologies. Unlike traditional approaches, DLE provides high recovery rates, reduced environmental footprint, and product purity compatible with battery-grade requirements.

This work focuses on the design of composite polymer membranes modified with crown ethers, specifically amino-benzo-15-crown-5 ether (AB15C5). Crown ethers are macrocyclic ligands that selectively bind alkali metal cations depending on the size of their central cavity. AB15C5 exhibits a strong affinity for Li⁺ due to the close match between its coordination cavity (1.7–2.2 Å) and the ionic radius of lithium. This guest–host complexation mechanism allows for preferential lithium transport, even in the presence of competing ions such as Na⁺, Mg²⁺, and Ca²⁺, which are typically abundant in oilfield brines. Structural characterization confirmed the uniform distribution of the ligand, and electrochemical testing demonstrated a marked increase in lithium selectivity. Pilot-scale experiments with East Siberian formation waters yielded lithium carbonate with 98.5% purity, underscoring the practical viability of this approach.

By integrating selective crown ether chemistry with scalable membrane engineering, this technology transforms a challenging industrial byproduct into a valuable resource. The results highlight the potential of crown ether-modified membranes as a competitive DLE solution, enabling sustainable lithium recovery and supporting the global shift toward clean energy.

Ni-based superalloy Alloy 625 is widely utilized in aerospace and supercritical water reactors due to its remarkable stability and high corrosion resistance. However, its low hardness and limited wear resistance render it unsuitable for demanding environments involving severe abrasion and hot corrosion, such as tip blade repairs. To address these limitations, metal matrix composites (MMCs) emerge as promising alternatives, offering superior mechanical and physical properties even under high-temperature conditions. Alloy 625-based MMC matrices can be developed by incorporating various ceramic particles to enhance their performance for refractory, abrasive, and structural applications. In this work, Alloy 625 with varying additions of xTiC particles (x = 1.25, 2.5, 3.75, 5.0 wt%) composites were prepared by arc casting. The microstructure and selected properties were analyzed using thermodynamic simulations, synchrotron radiation, light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, hardness survey, tensile and stress rupture tests. It was observed that the ex-situ introduction of TiC particles into Alloy 625 strongly influenced its dendritic microstructure in the as-cast state. In the reference Alloy without TiC addition, Nb-rich carbides and Laves phase precipitates were found in the interdendritic spaces. During arc casting, TiC interacted with the melted Alloy 625, resulting in an increase in the amount of precipitates in the interdendritic spaces, including MC carbides and Laves phase. Mechanical testing at ambient and elevated temperature revealed that the addition of TiC particles significantly enhanced tensile strength and stress rupture resistance.

The authors gratefully acknowledge the funding by National Centre for Research and Development, Poland, under grant LIDER XIII – Development of the manufacturing and deposition technology of metal-ceramic nanocomposite coatings for the structural reconstruction of heat-resistant nickel-based superalloys (LIDER13/0036/2022).

Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems represent an innovative solution for renewable energy, combining efficiency and sustainability. However, a realistic numerical analysis of the most important phenomena in their multifunctional response is rather challenging. Their structural safety, particularly in fire conditions, requires expensive experiments but could be supported by rather complex numerical analyses, such as Finite Element (FE) thermo-mechanical simulations. In doing so, careful consideration should be spent for the thermo-physical and mechanical characterization of its constituent materials, including the glass covers, the encapsulants, the embedded solar cells and the fixing systems. Among several associated phenomena that can take place when BIPV systems (i.e., facades or roofs) are subjected to accidental loads of typical interest for building structural design, the resisitng and failure mechanisms are a critical aspect to verify. The objective of this study is to numerically assess the potential of FE predictions for the first glass crack detection (i.e., thermal shock) of a given BIPV in fire, and for the study of the expected structural failure mechanisms. A numerical parametric analysis is carried out in ABAQUS, considering possible influencing parameters superimposed to fire. As shown, many critical aspects should be carefully considered in the numerical analysis of similar systems, due to the complexity of the intrinsically associated phenomena. Besides, FE simulations can offer important support for their multidisciplinary assessment, in particular for their structural analysis under unfavourable operational conditions. In this regard, from the study also emerges that (similarly to the consolidated standardized procedures that are used for the analysis of traditional building components in fire conditions) robust performance indicators are needed for the structural evaluation of BIPVs, and these indicators should be efficently calibrated (with the support of a variety of configurations and scenarios of technical interest) to account for their implicit mechanisms.

This study focuses on the design and development of a novel flat ceramic microfiltration membrane produced from low-cost and environmentally sustainable raw materials. The approach relies on the valorization of carbonate waste, a by-product generated in large quantities by industrial processes, in combination with natural clay, which serves as a suitable binding and structural component. The integration of carbonate waste into the membrane composition not only provides an effective strategy for waste recycling but also reduces production costs, thereby addressing both environmental and economic concerns.

The fabrication process was systematically optimized through a statistical design methodology, which allowed the simultaneous evaluation of key synthesis parameters, namely the waste content, sintering temperature, and sintering duration. This methodological framework facilitated the identification of optimal processing conditions while minimizing the number of experimental trials required. The prepared membranes exhibited favorable physicochemical characteristics and satisfactory mechanical strength, making them suitable for practical applications. In addition, they demonstrated high chemical stability, particularly under harsh operating conditions, which is a crucial requirement for long-term use in wastewater treatment.

When tested with real textile effluents, the ceramic membranes showed efficient purification performance, confirming their capacity to reduce turbidity and organic load. These results highlight the potential of carbonate waste–clay ceramic membranes as a promising and sustainable alternative for industrial wastewater treatment and as a valuable contribution to the advancement of circular economy strategies in environmental engineering.

Recent emphasis has been directed on attaining the sustainable development goals by 2030. Given the significance of water and its numerous functions, the necessity for clean water is paramount. The inefficacy of many water treatment methods limits their extensive application. Consequently, it is imperative to devise an efficient and environmentally sustainable approach for transforming organic pollutants into non-toxic and innocuous substances. This research employed a green synthesis method from Tradescantia spathacea to successfully produce CuO nanoparticles. Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy, and Energy Dispersive X-Ray analysis were employed to characterize and elucidate the structural, morphological, and compositional properties of the synthesized nanoparticles. Furthermore, the synthesized particles were employed to decompose the harmful Bromocresol Green dye in the water. At a concentration of 1 g/l of catalyst and basic medium, the degradation rate accelerated to 90-100% under UV light after approximately 80 minutes. When the light was not present, the photocatalytic breakdown of bromocresol green using CuO nanoparticles was found to be about half as effective as when the light was present. The effectiveness of CuO nanoparticles that have been produced was maintained even after five cycles. Thus, the green synthesized catalysts were very practical, efficient, and stable.

A laser flash tri-layered analysis was conducted to measure the thermal diffusivity of nickel-based superalloy Inconel 718 (IN718) powder, Ti64 powder, and 316L stainless steel powder, which are widely used in laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) additive manufacturing. In the LPBF process, the thermal properties of the powder bed are strongly influenced by various input parameters. Understanding these thermal transport properties is essential for predicting melt pool behavior, microstructural evolution, and the final part quality. In this study, the thermal diffusivities of the powder samples were measured in two distinct gaseous environments, helium (He) and nitrogen (N₂), inside a high-temperature furnace. Measurements were performed at 200 °C, 400 °C, and 600 °C to investigate the combined effects of gas environment and temperature. The results indicate that variations in temperature have only a minimal effect on thermal diffusivity, whereas the surrounding gas environment plays a critical role. Helium consistently enhanced the thermal diffusivity compared to nitrogen. For comparison, the thermal diffusivity of solid samples of IN718, Ti64, and 316L stainless steel was also measured. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses were conducted to examine changes in powder morphology and surface oxidation state after exposure to high temperature and different gas atmospheres.

Abstract

Stainless steels are widely recognized for their superior combination of strength, ductility, and corrosion resistance compared to carbon steels, making them attractive candidates for structural and cryogenic applications. Among them, austenitic stainless steels, such as AISI 304, are extensively used in low-temperature environments owing to their excellent toughness and corrosion resistance even under severe sub-zero conditions. In this study, the mechanical behaviour and fracture response of AISI 304 were systematically investigated through cryogenic tensile testing. Cylindrical specimens with a gauge length of 50 mm and diameter of 8 mm were deformed using a Z100 Zwick/Roell universal testing machine equipped with a liquid nitrogen cooling chamber capable of reaching 173 K. Tests were conducted at room temperature (298 K), −30 °C (243 K), −60 °C (213 K), and −80 °C (193 K) under constant strain rates of 10⁻², 10⁻³, and 10⁻⁴ s⁻¹. Temperature stability was ensured by nitrogen gas circulation, while a K-type thermocouple affixed to the specimen surface verified the actual specimen temperature. The results revealed a pronounced strengthening response with decreasing temperature and strain rate. At 10⁻⁴ s⁻¹, the yield strength increased from 611.9 MPa at 298 K to 657.3 MPa at 193 K, while the ultimate tensile strength rose from 810 MPa to 1246 MPa. Similar trends were observed across higher strain rates, confirming the robustness of the strengthening effect. Conversely, elongation decreased gradually, from 0.65 at room temperature to 0.59 at 193 K, indicating reduced ductility. Fractographic analysis demonstrated a transition from ductile dimple rupture at room temperature to mixed-mode fracture with cleavage features at cryogenic temperatures. These findings establish a clear correlation between temperature, strain rate, and fracture mechanisms, providing critical insights into the cryogenic reliability of AISI 304 stainless steel and reinforcing its suitability for advanced applications such as hydrogen storage and low-temperature energy infrastructures.