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Influence of the BF3·O(C2H5)2 on the corrosion resistance of hybrid silica sol-gel coatings deposited on flash-PEO-treated Mg alloy
No full textAchieving highly cross-linked sol-gel coatings to provide effective corrosion protection of Mg alloys remains a challenging task. The aim of this work is to evaluate the effect boron trifluoride diethyl etherate (BF3·O(C2H5)2) as catalyst to epoxy group in a GPTMS/TEOS/SiO2 sol and assesses its effect on the structure and corrosion resistance properties of Flash-PEO coated pre-treated Mg alloy. 29Si MAS NMR and 13C CPMAS-NMR demonstrated that (BF3·O(C2H5)2) efficiently promotes the epoxy polymerization of the GPTMS and the formation of a hybrid silica network. However, the amount of (BF3·O(C2H5)2) should be optimized to minimize the formation of undesirable byproducts such as ethyl ether terminal units. Therefore, GPTMS/TEOS/SiO2 sols containing different amounts of (BF3·O(C2H5)2) were synthesized and deposited onto the Flash-PEO coated Mg alloy, leading to bilayer systems with a total thickness of ⁓8 μm. The corrosion behavior of the bilayer coatings in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution was evaluated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and Scanning Kelvin probe microscope (SKPFM). The results revealed that the barrier properties of the coatings with enhanced cross-linked structure showed impedance modulus (│Z│f:0.1 Hz) approximately four orders of magnitude higher than the bare magnesium alloy and two orders of magnitude higher than the F-PEO coated sample. A suitable compromise between (BF3·O(C2H5)2) amount and sol-gel film structure is required to obtain a more durable barrier coating capable to extend the protective lifespan of the magnesium alloy
Recurrent horizontal gene transfers across diverse termite genomes
No full textHorizontal gene transfer (HGT), the transmission of genetic material across species, is an important innovation source in prokaryotes. In contrast, its significance is unclear in many eukaryotes, including insects. Here, we used high-quality genomes of 45 termites and two cockroaches to investigate HGTs from non-metazoan organisms across blattodean genomes. We identified 289 genes and 2,494 pseudogenes classified into 168 orthologous groups originating from an estimated 281 HGT events. Wolbachia represented the primary HGT source, while termite gut bacteria and the cockroach endosymbiont Blattabacterium did not contribute meaningfully to HGTs. Most horizontally acquired genes descended from recent and species-specific HGTs, experienced frequent duplications and pseudogenizations, and accumulated substitutions faster than synonymous sites of native protein-coding genes. Genes frequently transferred horizontally to termite genomes included mobile genetic elements and genetic information processing genes. Our results indicate that termites continuously acquired genes through HGT, and that most horizontally acquired genes are specific to restricted lineages. Overall, genes acquired by HGT by termites and cockroaches seemed generally non-functional and bound to be lost
Multivariate optimization and characterization of graphene oxide via design of experiments and chemometric analysis
No full textControlling the structure and properties of graphene oxide (GO) remains a challenge due to the poor reproducibility of conventional synthetic protocols and limited understanding of parameter-property relationships. In this study, we present an integrated analytical framework that combines Design of Experiments (DoE) with chemometric modelling to systematically assess the effects of eight synthesis variables on GO’s physicochemical and functional features. A Plackett–Burman experimental design enabled efficient screening of synthesis conditions, while comprehensive characterization (spanning UV–Vis spectroscopy, XPS, SEM–EDX, TEM–EDX, and XRD) was coupled with multivariate tools (Principal Component Analysis and Multiple Linear Regression) to identify statistically significant correlations between synthetic inputs and material responses. Notably, we demonstrate that UV–Vis spectra can serve as a robust proxy for oxidation state, offering a rapid and accessible alternative to surface-sensitive methods. The approach yields a predictive analytical toolkit for guiding GO synthesis and highlights a generalizable strategy for the rational design of flat nanomaterials. This work supports reproducible, resource-efficient material development aligned with Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) principles
Thermographic investigation of the anisotropic behaviour of additively manufactured AISI316 steel using DED-Arc
No full textAdditive manufacturing is one of the most promising techniques for industrial production and maintenance, but the specifics of the layered structure must be considered. The Direct Energy Deposition-Arc process enables relatively high deposition rates, which is favourable for larger components. For this study, specimens with different orientations were prepared from one AISI316 steel block – parallel and orthogonal to the deposition plane. Quasistatic tensile loading tests were carried out, monitored by an infrared camera. The obtained surface temperature maps revealed structural differences between both orientations. The consideration of surface temperature transients yields more details about the behaviour of the material under tensile loading than the conventional stress-strain-curve. These preliminary investigations were supplemented by thermographic fatigue trials. Although the anisotropy was also observed during fatigue loading the fatigue behaviour in general was the same, at least for both inspected specimens. The presented results demonstrate the abilities and the potential of thermographic techniques for tensile tests
Novel Ag-modified zirconia nanomaterials with antibacterial activity
No full textThe outcome of an implant procedure largely depends on the implant's surface properties. Biomaterials are now designed to have surfaces with multifunctionality, such as favorable tissue integration and the ability to combat bacterial adhesion and colonization. Herein, we report on a simple approach to improve the antibacterial properties of zirconia nanotubes (ZrNTs) coatings by decorating with silver nanoparticles (AgNP), achieved through electrochemical anodization of a zirconium–silver alloy (Zr–Ag). The AgNPs were shown to partially consist of Ag2O, potentially enhancing the availability of Ag+ ions for antibacterial activity. The modified ZrNTs were characterized using SEM, EDS, ToF-SIMS, and XPS to determine their structural morphology and chemical composition, and were further subjected to antibacterial testing. The silver and zirconium ion release behavior was monitored via ICP-MS. ZrNTs decorated with AgNP exhibit strong antimicrobial activity (>99% bacterial killing) against both S. aureus and E. coli. Antimicrobial tests indicate that the antibacterial activity against the Gram-positive pathogen S. aureus was improved by a factor of 100 compared to unmodified ZrNTs, while unmodified ZrNTs already showed a comparable reduction of viable Gram-negative E. coli. This strategy illustrates a straightforward and effective modification that optimizes the interface between the host environment and the biomaterial surface to meet the very important criteria of biocompatibility and active antibacterial response
Cyclic polyglycolide by means of metal acetylacetonates
No full textGlycolide was polymerized in bulk at 160 °C using various metal acetylacetonates as catalysts. Zirconium acetylacetonate was particularly efficient, enabling rapid polymerization even at 130 °C. The formation of cyclic poly(glycolic acid) (PGA), most likely via a ring-expansion polymerization (REP) mechanism, was proven by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. Depending on the polymerization conditions, the formation of even-numbered cycles was favored to varying degrees. Number-average molecular weights (Mn) in the range of 2000–3500 g mol−1 were achieved with dispersities below 2.0. Wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) powder patterns showed that the crystal lattice was the same as that of known linear PGAs, regardless of the Mn values. These patterns enabled a comparison of crystallinities with values derived from DSC measurements
Enhancement of LIBS plasma in air with organic solvent vapors
No full textLaser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) offers versatile, field-deployable elemental analysis; however, compact, high-repetition-rate nanosecond laser systems typically face constraints in power consumption and size, often compromising emission intensity and thus analytical performance. We demonstrate a significant improvement in LIBS signals through the controlled introduction of common organic solvent vapors into a sheath gas, with a diode-pumped solid-state laser (1064 nm, 2–28 kHz repetition rate, 450–600-μJ pulse energy). Optical and acoustic diagnostics reveal up to ca. 40-fold enhancement of the N II emission line at 567 nm when ambient air serves as the analyte. Maximal enhancement occurs at intermediate repetition rates of ca. 15 kHz, particularly at pulse energies approaching the optical breakdown threshold; this observation suggests a viable strategy for operating LIBS at lower pulse energies and higher repetition rates. Enhancement effects scale jointly with both vapor pressure and ionization energy of the organic species, with acetone and toluene markedly outperforming methanol and isopropanol. These findings provide a rational foundation for significantly improving the analytical performance of portable LIBS instruments without exceeding platform-specific constraints
Spannstahlgefährdung - Stand der aktuellen Erkenntnisse aus Sondierungen und Materialuntersuchungen
No full textSpannstahlbrücken die in der Vergangenheit mir vergüteten Spannstählen errichtet worden sind können unter ungünstigen Gegebenheiten bei deren Erstellung signifikante Probleme hinsichtlich der Tragfähigkeit bekommen. Im Speziellen kann die wasserstoffinduzierte Spannungsrisskorrosion hier bei der Errichtung der Brückenbauwerke Anrisse an den Spanndrähten erzeugt haben die Jahre später zum Versagen der Brücke führen können. Die Präsentation im Speziellen behandelt den Teileinsturz der Carolabrücke in Dresden und neue Erkenntnisse zu vergüteten Spannstählen
Principal Component Analysis-Based Terahertz Self-Supervised Denoising and Deblurring Deep Neural Networks
No full textTerahertz (THz) systems inherently introduce frequency-dependent degradation effects, resulting in low-frequency blurring and high-frequency noise in amplitude images. Conventional image processing techniques cannot simultaneously address both issues, and manual intervention is often required due to the unknown boundary between denoising and deblurring. To tackle this challenge, we propose a principal component analysis (PCA)-based THz self-supervised denoising and deblurring network (THz-SSDD). The network employs a Recorrupted-to-Recorrupted self-supervised learning strategy to capture the intrinsic features of noise by exploiting invariance under repeated corruption. PCA decomposition and reconstruction are then applied to restore images across both low and high frequencies. The performance of the THz-SSDD network was evaluated on four types of samples. Training requires only a small set of unlabeled noisy images, and testing across samples with different material properties and measurement modes demonstrates effective denoising and deblurring. Quantitative analysis further validates the network’s feasibility, showing improvements in image quality while preserving the physical characteristics of the original signals
Harvesting energy consumption on European HPC systems: Sharing Experience from the CEEC project
No full textEnergy efficiency has emerged as a central challenge for modern high-performance computing (HPC) systems, where escalating computational demands and architectural complexity have led to significant energy footprints. This paper presents the collective experience of the EuroHPC JU Center of Excellence in Exascale CFD (CEEC) in measuring, analyzing, and optimizing energy consumption across major European HPC systems. We briefly review key methodologies and tools for energy measurement as well as define metrics for reporting results. Through case studies using representative CFD applications (waLBerla, FLEXI/GALÆXI, Neko, and NekRS), we evaluate energy-to-solution and time-to-solution on diverse architectures, including CPU- and GPU-based partitions of LUMI, MareNostrum5, MeluXina, and JUWELS Booster. Our results highlight the advantages of accelerators and mixed-precision techniques for reducing energy consumption while maintaining computational accuracy. Finally, we advocate the need to facilitate energy measurements on HPC systems in order to raise awareness, teach the community, and take actions toward more sustainable exascale computing