Three-dimensional (3D) printing is an additive manufacturing process that enables the precise production of complex structures, layer by layer, with functional properties. The development of new biomaterials that could be used to produce 3D scaffolds for tissue regeneration and/or drug release systems, is nowadays a developing research field. [1,2] Biocompatibility and non-toxic properties are fundamental requirements to select the polymers to use as base matrices. However, using exclusively biopolymers often leads to poor mechanical properties. To overcome this challenge, inorganic reinforcing compounds, as hydroxyapatite, can be applied. This strategy improves both the structural and functional properties of the printed scaffolds.

In this research, an extrusion-based 3D printing was used, with a computer-controlled system, that enabled continuous deposition of the proposed bioblends, along the x-y-z axis. The studied formulations consisted of sodium alginate (5, 7.5 and 10%):hydroxyapatite (0, 2.5 and 5%) mixtures, dopped with 0.1% sulfanilamide. After printing, chemical crosslinking was performed by immersion in an aqueous calcium chloride solution.

The results showed that the addition of hidroxiapatite was fundamental to achieve a printable blend, once increase the viscosity. Mechanical properties were also enhanced and alginate and hydroxyapatite concentrations had influence on the drug release profile.

The feasibility of creating network-like three-dimensional structures using sulfanilamide-doped alginate–hydroxyapatite formulations was confirmed in our investigation. The drug release process performed better with lower alginate concentrations and more successfully with the addition of hydroxyapatite. These results show that these composite systems are promising for developing better biomaterials for use in tissue regeneration and drug delivery systems.

The demand for new processes of production, materials and applications of medication has changed significantly. In particular, there is a growing need for the development of methodologies to delivery active compounds with specific properties for patient-specific drugs with customized dosages, shapes, and release profiles. Three-dimensional bioprinting (3D) emerges as a promising technology, as it enables the creation of structures with high precision, low cost, and the potential to incorporate therapeutic agents.

In this study we developed a hydroxyapatite-based paste suitable for direct-ink-writing (DIW) 3D printing, with a view to producing relatively porous, multi-layered scaffolds that allow the incorporation of antibiotics.

The methodology adopted to obtain these structures consisted of using the 3D syringe extrusion printing technique, based on digital CAD models of varying complexity, which were subsequently rendered and adjusted with optimized printing parameters. This process allowed the creation of hydroxyapatite-based structures with controlled internal and external structure, ensuring a good mechanical stability even when doped with antibiotics. The optimization of the paste was ensured with a specific ratio: 37,5% of hydroxyapatite, 38% of sucrose, 0,5% of sodium alginate and 24% of water w/w. After printing, the scaffolds were impregnated with antibiotics and evaluated in a bacterial culture environment, one containing Escherichia coli and the other in the presence of Staphylococcus aureus, gram-negative and gram-positive microorganisms, respectively.

The results demonstrated that DIW 3D printing of the hydroxyapatite paste was successful, producing stable scaffolds that were suitable for drug solution absorption. Antibiotic impregnation was successful, as the structures exhibited activity against the tested bacteria. This approach has potential to be a promising strategy to develop controlled drug delivery systems that may assist in prevent ant treat localized infections.

Ensuring defect‐free parts in metal additive manufacturing (AM) is vital for safety‐critical components, yet it often relies on costly trial‐and‐error and slow computed‐tomography (CT) inspections. Here, we introduce a two‐stage, machine‐learning‐driven quality‐assurance framework for laser powder‐bed fusion (L‐PBF) that balances predictive modeling with rapid, vibration‐based, non‐destructive evaluation (NDE).

Stage 1: Process‐Parameter Optimization
A full‐factorial design of experiments (DoE) covering laser power, scan speed, and hatch spacing (75 successful builds) feeds a polynomial Ridge‐regression surrogate. Using nested 5‐fold cross‐validation and grid‐search tuning, the final quadratic Ridge model achieved a validation R² of 0.51 (RMSE ≈ 0.59 % density), capturing just over half of the variance in out‐of‐sample relative‐density measurements .

Stage 2: Vibration‐Based Defect Screening
Specimens are subjected to modal excitation and frequency‐response analysis (150–390 kHz), yielding 10,000 interpolated features. After in‐fold LARS feature‐selection and stability‐thresholding, three classifiers (5‐NN, SVC, and MLP) were evaluated via nested CV. The best model (MLP) attained 0.81 ± 0.08 accuracy, with true‐negative rates above 90%, but modest true‐positive recall (25–35%).

Integrated Impact
By combining proactive parameter tuning with vibration‐based NDE, the framework enables the removal of the majority of defective builds before certification and replaces hour‐long CT scans with minute‐scale vibration tests. This dual‐stream approach lays the groundwork for scalable, in‐situ quality assurance in AM, offering a path toward the real‐time monitoring and digital‐twin certification of complex parts.

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.