To increase the life of mechanical product such as refrigerator and automobile, new structured reliability method – parametric Accelerated Life Testing (ALT) was provided with reliability quantitative (RQ) statements. It included: (1) ALT scheme established on system BX lifetime that will be X percent of the accumulated failure, (2) load examination, (3) tailored parametric ALTs with the design modification, and (4) judgement if product design(s) achieves the targeted BX life. A quantum/transported life-stress model and sample size formulation were proposed. This new parametric ALT enables engineer to identify the design defects and modify them in the product development. As the problematic designs are recognized and altered by utilizing this parametric ALT, companies can get away from recalls due to the product failures in the marketplace. As case studies, two products were suggested: 1) troublesome refrigerator compressor failed from the field and 2) the action of redesigning the hinge kit system (HKS) in a household refrigerator. After several parametric ALTs with modifications, the mechanical products – compressor and HKS were expected to reach the lifetime – B1 life of ten year.

The urgent need for sustainable energy solutions, particularly in addressing urban mobility challenges and promoting environmental stewardship, has underscored the critical importance of integrating renewable energy sources. This necessity is especially evident in underrepresented communities, where access to renewable energy education and resources remains limited. To address this disparity, the development and deployment of a Solar Charging Station for Micro-Mobility, Portable devices and Renewable Energy Education represents a significant stride forward. The project is a collaborative initiative between the University of Texas at Tyler and Houston Community College, aiming to serve the Greater Houston area. The project consisted of three main phases: feasibility study, design and construction, and operation and evaluation. The solar charging station uses a solar panel with maximum 300 W and maximum of 45 degree tilt, a set of batteries of up to 1000 Wh, a solar charge controller, a power inverter, and a data acquisition system to harness solar energy and convert it into electrical energy for charging various devices of up to 500 W. The system successfully addressed the functionality to be used in the educational setting and looks energy gaps in disadvantaged communities by providing clean energy alternative as well as enhance educational opportunities in the areas of science and engineering. Community-Based Renewable Energy Innovation: The project pioneers a localized approach to renewable energy deployment by addressing both the technical challenges of integrating solar power into everyday life and the social impact of clean energy access. Its focus on combining energy generation using a charging station in an underserved area presents a novel approach to utilizing solar energy as part of a community infrastructure, potentially contributing to new frameworks for community-based renewable energy systems.

This study explores food safety measures in workers' living compounds, focusing on the entire food handling process from receiving, inspecting, storing, preparing, cooking, and presenting food. The research emphasizes the implementation of food safety protocols at each stage, using a case study approach at project sites. Employing both qualitative and quantitative methods, data was collected through questionnaires and interviews with workers in onsite canteens. Findings indicate that while most food safety protocols are followed during food handling, significant issues were identified in storage practices, leading to a higher risk of contamination. These issues are often due to site conditions and resource limitations. Practical implications of the study highlight the need for improved storage solutions and ongoing training for food handlers to enhance overall food safety. By addressing these challenges, project sites can better protect workers from foodborne illnesses and improve health outcomes. However, the study's limitations include its focus on a single company and geographical area, which may affect the generalizability of the findings. Future research should consider a broader range of companies and locations to validate these results and provide more comprehensive recommendations. This research underscores the importance of rigorous food safety protocols in maintaining health and productivity in workers' living compounds.

The discovery of novel nanomaterials with outstanding functionality remains paramount for continuous technological advancements. Recently, significant attention has been paid to a family of zinc-based ternary nitrides¹. For instance, a comprehensive computational study demonstrated hundreds of new (meta)stable ternary nitrides².

Using ab initio modeling simulations, novel ternary nitride Zn₂(V, Nb, Ta)N₃ monolayers are predicted. A mechanism for the formation of the Zn₂(V, Nb, Ta)N₃ monolayers is evaluated using ab initio molecular dynamics to facilitate their the chemical vapor deposition.

The predicted Zn₂(V, Nb, Ta)N₃ monolayers reflect light in the far-infrared and infrared regions from 0.1 to 1.65 eV and absorb light in the visible range. The maximum absorption values reach 16.06%, 17.46%, and 17.72% for the Zn₂VN₃, Zn₂NbN₃, and Zn₂TaN₃ monolayers, respectively. Moreover, the Zn₂VN monolayer possesses the highest strength and elasticity. In addition, the Zn₂VN₃ monolayer is the most stable in moist environments and is less reactive towards atmospheric N-containing gas molecules. It is also found that there is a local surface dipole at the interface between the Zn₂(V, Nb, Ta)N₃ monolayers and the NH₃, NO, and NO₂ molecules, which affects their functionality.

In conclusion, the Zn₂VN₃ monolayer is the most promising for application in solar energy devices, such as for blocking layers in tandem solar cells. The discovered high sensitivity towards NH₃, NO, and NO₂ molecules and reversibility of the Zn₂TaN₃ monolayers make it promising for application in molecular sensing.

Acknowledgements. S.V.U. was supported by the State Assignment of the IMSP RAS. A.A.K. was supported by the Russian Science Foundation, grant No. 23-73-01001, https://rscf.ru/en/project/23-73-01001/.

References

1. S. Zhuk, S. Siol, Appl. Surf. Sci. 601, 154172, 2022.
2. W. Sun, et al. Nat. Mater. 18, 732−739, 2019.

The accelerated urbanization and industrialization have significantly heightened water contamination risks, posing severe threats to public health and ecological balance. Polymeric membranes stand at the forefront of addressing this challenge, revolutionizing water and wastewater treatment. These membranes adeptly remove a broad spectrum of contaminants, including organic compounds and heavy metals, thereby playing a crucial role in mitigating environmental pollution. This research delves into the sophisticated mechanisms of polymeric membranes in filtering out pollutants, with a spotlight on the enhancements brought about by nanotechnology. This includes a detailed examination of their inherent antibacterial properties, showcasing their innovative design and potential for extensive application. The study further investigates advanced techniques like electrochemical processes and membrane distillation, particularly focusing on desalination. These methods are central to the advancement of water purification, emphasizing efficiency and environmental sustainability. However, challenges such as membrane fouling pose significant hurdles, necessitating ongoing research into surface modifications and antifouling strategies. This paper offers a comparative analysis of various membrane technologies, highlighting their manufacturing complexities and efficiency benchmarks. In summation, the paper underscores the importance of continuous innovation in membrane technology, aiming to develop sustainable and effective water treatment solutions. By bridging the gap between basic science and technological advancements, this review aims to guide practitioners and researchers towards a future where clean water is universally accessible, ensuring the preservation of our ecosystems.

Mesoporous anatase TiO₂ nanoparticles can be synthesized by different routes. In this work, titania nanoparticles were prepared by an eco-friendly, simple, and fast-effective method [1], using titanium butoxide as a precursor and eucalyptus leaf extract solution as a reducing and dispersant agent to avoid the use of hazardous chemicals.

For phase conversion from amorphous TiO₂ into crystalline anatase titania, the amorphous TiO₂ gels obtained after hydrolysis of precursor were soaked in water at elevated temperature for a prolonged time. This is an alternative process to the conventional calcination methods, which cause irreversible collapse of the porous structure during thermal treatment and drastically decrease the surface area [2, 3]. This is confirmed by BET analysis (the surface area of TiO₂ nanoparticles calcined at 500°C is 5.0646 m²/g).

The aim of our work is the preparation of porous TiO₂ with both a large surface area and enhanced crystallinity, and the evaluation of photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methylene blue as a model organic dye under UV irradiation (365 nm).

The crystalline nature and structural formation of titanium dioxide NPs biosynthesized were confirmed by the X-ray diffraction technique, and functional groups of TiO₂ materials were confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy [4, 5].

The results revealed that the biosynthesized material, treated in water at 90°C for 24 hours, exhibited an enhanced rate of photocatalytic degradation of the toxic dye (MB). A comparative study with biosynthesized TiO₂ calcined at 500°C and commercial TiO2 was carried out for the oxidation of MB under UV (365 nm).

Heat treatment in water could be used as a simple, mild, yet effective method to transform sol-gel derived amorphous TiO₂ nanostructures into a porous anatase phase with high surface area and controllable crystallinity.

Ultrasonic plastic welding technology has been widely applied in practice. Welding horn design is one of the important tasks. Many studies have presented this problem. However, most of these studies are only interested in face profiles that are flat or have symmetrical profiles. Meanwhile, ultrasonic welding horns with complex working surfaces receive little attention. This research presented the design of an ultrasonic horn with a complex working surface. Moreover, the influence of the slot width in the horn, an important design parameter, on the performance of the designed horn was considered. The finite element method was used for modal and harmonic analysis. The performance of the design was assessed through criteria that are the uniformity of amplitude, the distribution of the greatest stress at points on the working surface, and close to the target frequency. A new parameter, namely Displacement unevenness (a), was proposed to evaluate the unevenness amplitude in the working surface of the horn. Effects of three alternative slot structures width corresponding values of 12 mm, 17 mm and 20 mm, denoted by B12, B17, and B20 respectively were carried out. The results showed that the B12 and B17 designs have natural frequencies close to the target frequency of the welding machine, while the natural frequency of the B20 design is far from the target one. The B12 and B17 designs also produce an unevenness amplitude smaller than those of the B20 design. The model showing the relationship between design parameters and the required criteria must be further developed. Additionally, this result can be said for the design guidelines not fully available in the literature.

Introduction: Resistive random access memory devices are crucial in nonvolatile memory applications. Hafnia- and zirconia-based devices are extensively researched due to their diverse properties. However, more insights are needed to enhance the performance of HfO₂-based resistive switching devices.

Method: Thin films of Zr_xHf_1–xO₂ were deposited using co-sputtering on n-type Si (100) substrates at room temperature. The films were deposited at different powers i.e. at 1,3,5 and 7 W onto the Zr target while keeping the RF power to the Hf target at 50 W. Various techniques including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis were employed for physical characterization. Additionally, electron beam evaporation was used for top metal deposition and patterned using UV photolithography to get 100µm diameter gate electrodes.

Results: XPS analysis revealed complete oxidation of Zr metal during sputtering and all the film contain non-lattice oxygen. The Zr concentration in the as-deposited films ranged from 8% to 11%. Devices with 9% Zr concentration exhibited the best resistive switching performance. DSC studies indicated an endothermic peak at 145.9°C for films doped with 9% Zr, confirming lattice oxygen release. Presence of non-lattice oxygen is not the sole criterion for achieving a better resistive switching property, release of lattice oxygen is also necessary. The liberated lattice oxygen can be reversibly restored to their original sites at elevated temperatures, thereby reinstating the high-resistance state. Increasing doping concentration improved current fluctuations at low- and high-resistance states.

Conclusions: This study underscores the significance of non-lattice and lattice oxygen as well as Zr concentration in achieving desirable resistive switching properties in Zr_xHf_1–xO₂ thin films. These findings hold implications for enhancing non-volatile memory device performance.

With exponentially growing pollution along with unfavorable natural conditions like snow and fog, the menace of road accidents has increased because most people will not be able to clearly view the safety board signs. Furthermore, it generally gets collected in most western countries which enhances the hindrance of these essential signs. The proposed solution makes use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology with the help of IoT to forward real-time warning messages to the drivers. In this system, an RFID reader is attached inside a vehicle and passive RFID tags are mounted on road safety signboards. If a vehicle falls in the range of the tag, it permits its reader to transmit the message alert of the tag towards the reader that then shows the warning to the driver. Hence, the system reduces the risk of accidents in harsh environments. The system has multi-lingual audio alerts, which it transmits through speakers and gives visual notice through a display screen; the multilingual audio output can be exploited to break the language barrier between various regions. The use of solar panel makes the system more energy efficient. This enhances road safety significantly and uses traditional signboards on roads along with RFID technology. Use of modules such as GPS and GSM modules allows for real updating of a vehicle's location in the cloud and, therefore, enhanced warnings and prevention of accidents. Besides this improvement in road safety, this solution also ensures environmental sustainability possibly by reducing emissions because of accidents and wastage of resources. The data collected through this system has been useful in studying the pattern of traffic and thereby adding towards more efficient and environmentally benign transportation systems. Quick and accurate notification to the driver aids in developing intelligent vehicle networks to make roads safer and sustainably used.

Piezoresistive strain sensors based on polymer nanocomposites are presented as promising candidates for human motion monitoring due to their higher flexibility, conformability, and sensitivity than conventional strain sensors. The fundamentals behind the use of conductive nanoparticles embedded within a flexible polymer matrix are investigated. This design is explained to allow changes in strain to translate into variations in electrical resistance, enabling accurate motion detection. Crucial performance parameters for human motion monitoring, including sensitivity, linearity, and response time, are discussed. Recent advancements in designing these nanocomposite sensors for human motion applications are highlighted. Specifically, the use of 1D nanoparticles, such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and 2D nanoparticles belonging to the graphene family, specifically so-called graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs), has been studied for the formation of electrical percolation networks in different flexible matrices, with a high capacity for elastic formation. The potential for the integration of these sensors into comfortable and wearable platforms for real-time monitoring of joint movement, muscle activity, and gait analysis is emphasized. For these reasons, various proofs-of-concepts with developed polymer nanocomposites are presented. By exploring the exciting potential and ongoing advancements in piezoresistive strain sensors based on polymer nanocomposites, this presentation aims to spark further developments in human motion monitoring technology.