Explore the vast range of titles available.

This study evaluates the impact of incorporating varying contents (10–40 wt%) and molar concentrations (0.001–1 M) of citric acid solutions, as transient liquid phases in the Cold Sintering Assisted Sintering (CSAS) process of dysprosium zirconate (Dy 2 Zr 2 O 7 ). CSAS processed samples achieved relative densities up to 98% of the theoretical maximum and significantly increased Vickers microhardness by over 2.5 times, compared to the traditional ‘press and fired’ sintering method. The Dy 2 Zr 2 O 7 crystal structure remained consistent with the fluorite-type, with no secondary phases detected. Our findings underscore the benefits of using CSAS to enhance the mechanical strength of Dy 2 Zr 2 O 7 , while reducing the lengthy processing times at very high temperatures typically required for sintering refractory materials such as lanthanide zirconates.

This work studied the effect of self-protective paste nitriding (SPN) and ion plasma nitriding (IPN) on the surface chemistry, microstructure, and nanohardness of AISI 304 and 316L stainless steels, with both treated at 440 °C for 5 h. Surface modifications analyzed using SEM and nanoindentation revealed distinct outcomes. SPN induced an oxynitriding effect due to the oxidation properties of the pastes, forming Fe3O4 and FexC phases, while IPN produced an expanded austenite layer. Both methods enhanced surface nanohardness, but SPN showed superior results. For 316L SS, SPN increased nanohardness by 367.81% (6.83 GPa) compared to a 133.5% increase (3.41 GPa) with IPN. For 304 SS, SPN improved nanohardness by 26% (2.23 GPa), whereas IPN reduced it by 48% (0.92 GPa). These findings highlight SPN’s potential as an effective anti-wear treatment, particularly for 316L SS. The SPN process utilized a eutectic mixture of sodium cyanate and sodium carbonate, while IPN employed a N2:H2 (1:1) gas mixture. SEM analyses confirmed the formation of γ-Fe(N) phases, indicating dispersed iron nitrides (FeN, Fe3N, Fe4N). SPN’s simultaneous oxidation and nitrocarburization led to an oxide layer above the nitride diffusion layer, enhancing mechanical properties through iron oxides (Fe3O4) and carbides (FexC). Comparative analysis showed that AISI 316L exhibited better performance than AISI 304, underscoring SPN’s effectiveness for surface modification.

The current global warming is driving the use of clean and renewable energy. Intermittence is a drawback of clean energy. Energy storage is the answer to intermittence. Flow batteries, batteries, capacitors, and supercapacitors are among the most used energy storage devices in the world. In this paper, capacitors made from graphite and commercial graphene were fabricated. The obtained specific capacitances reached 851 F g −1 , indicating that the devices meet the performance standard for supercapacitors. The devices were fabricated using cellulose nanocrystals as binding material in the electrode, thus using an environmentally friendly binding material. Cyclic voltammetry revealed a quasi‐rectangular process. Charge–discharge cycles revealed a storage mechanism of electrical double layer. The Warburg impedance indicates the diffusive impedance of electrolyte ions in the devices.

In this study, a combination of conventional plasma nitriding and cathodic cage plasma deposition (CCPD) at different temperatures (400 and 450 °C) is implemented to enhance the surface properties of AISI-M2 steel. This combination effectively improves the surface hardness and the formation of a favorable hardness gradient toward the core, which would benefit the load-bearing capacity of substrate. The duplex-treated samples exhibit iron nitrides Fe4N, Fe2−3N and titanium nitride TiN phases. The thickness of the hard-TiN layer is 1.35 and 2.37 μm, whereas the combined thickness of the hard film and diffusion layer is 87 and 124 μm, for treatment at 400 and 450 °C, respectively. The wear rate and friction coefficient are dramatically reduced by duplex treatment. The oxidative wear mechanism and adhesive wear mechanism are dominant for duplex-treated samples. This study suggests that the cathodic cage plasma deposition technique can attain a combination of hard film and diffusion layer. The plasma nitriding before CCPD is beneficial for attaining an adequate nitrogen diffusion layer thickness. The drawbacks of conventional TiN film deposition, such as “egg-shell” problems, can be removed.

The dispersion and loading of metallic species into supports are a critical issue that determines its activity and stability during the catalytic reactions. In the present work, the incorporation of Cu in EMC-2 zeolite was carried out. Two methods were evaluated: in situ and post-synthesis. The zeolitic materials were characterized by XRD, SEM/EDS and FT-IR. The obtained materials presented an intergrowth of EMT/FAU framework, favoring the incorporation and dispersion of copper. The higher copper content into EMC-2 zeolite was reached by post-synthesis method. The efficient copper loading, the dispersion and hydrothermal stability of the Cu/EMC-2 zeolites make these materials to be useful for catalytic applications.

This research aimed to obtain a C-based coating electrochemically applied on an AA6063 alloy. Two electrochemical cells were designed and manufactured to obtain the C-based coating film on flat and cylindrical samples. Structural and microstructural characterizations were performed along with fatigue and corrosion performance testing. The structural and microstructural characterization revealed that the C-based coating deposited on AA6063 corresponded to carbon nanofibers and/or polycrystalline graphite. The performance testing showed an increase in fatigue life along with a decrease in corrosion resistance. The fracture surfaces of the fatigued samples were inspected by Scanning Electron Microscopy and 3D optical microscopy to correlate them with fatigue life estimation. The aforementioned process is a step towards the future development of a complete coating system that will overcome corrosion susceptibility. The carbon film obtained by this electrochemical route has not previously been reported elsewhere.

The 17-4 PH stainless steel is widely used in the aerospace, petrochemical, chemical, food, and general metallurgical industries. The present study was conducted to analyze the mechanical properties of two types of 17-4 PH stainless steel—commercial cold-rolled and direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) manufactured. This study employed linear and nonlinear tensile FEM simulations, combined with various materials characterization techniques such as tensile testing and nanoindentation. Moreover, microstructural analysis was performed using metallographic techniques, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results on the microstructure for 17-4 PH DMLS stainless steel reveal the layers of melting due to the laser process characterized by complex directional columnar structures parallel to the DMLS build direction. The mechanical properties obtained from the simple tension test decreased by 17% for the elastic modulus, 7.8% for the yield strength, and 7% for the ultimate strength for 17-4 PH DMLS compared with rolled 17-4 PH stainless steel. The FEM simulation using the experimental tension test data revealed that the 17-4 PH DMLS stainless steel experienced a decrease in the yield strength of ~8% and in the ultimate strength of ~11%. A reduction of the yield strength of the material was obtained as the grain size increased.

Background and ImportanceWithin the framework of the National Plan Against Antibiotic Resistance (PRAN), the WASPSS (Wise Antimicrobial Stewardship Programme Support System) application has been implemented in our health area to facilitate the management of antimicrobial treatments (AT) within the Antimicrobial Stewardship Programmes (PROA). This tool generates predefined alerts used by PROA teams (Pharmacy, Microbiology, and Infectious Diseases) to optimise AT. In this analysis, we reviewed the alerts related to intravenous AT longer than 3 days with good oral bioavailability.Aim and ObjectivesTo analyse the outcomes of alerts generated for intravenous AT longer than 3 days with good oral bioavailability through the WASPSS application within the PROA program established in our area.Material and MethodsData were collected using the WASPSS application from October 1st, 2022, to October 1st, 2024, resulting in a total of 2252 AT-related alerts. These alerts were categorised by patient’s clinical record number, clinical service, treatment, response, action taken, and the responder’s identity. The patient’s clinical record numbers were removed for data analysis.ResultsOf the 2252 alerts registered in WASPSS, this study focused on 227 alerts (10.08% of the total alerts) related to intravenous AT longer than 3 days with the potential for Early Oral Switch (EOS). The clinical services most frequently involved were General and Digestive Surgery (35.24%), Internal Medicine (19.38%), and Haematology (14.1%). The most frequently implicated antibiotics were metronidazole (39.21%), ciprofloxacin (15.86%), and levofloxacin (13.22%). Of the 227 recommendations, 60% were accepted, resulting in the implementation of EOS, and 10% received validation of the treatment.Conclusion and RelevanceTen percent of the alerts corresponded to intravenous AT suitable for conversion to oral therapy, of which 60% of the recommendations resulted in the implementation of EOS. The service most frequently involved was General and Digestive Surgery (35.24%), and the most commonly used antibiotic was metronidazole (39.21%), which may be attributed to delays in transitioning to oral therapy after surgical interventions. Nevertheless, the implementation of the WASPSS system has increased the EOS rate in these services. However, efforts are ongoing to optimise the alert-recommendation-response process to improve the precision in EOS management.References and/or AcknowledgementsConflict of InterestNo conflict of interest