Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ZnO decorated laser-induced graphene produced by direct laser scribing

A scalable laser scribing approach to produce zinc oxide (ZnO) decorated laser-induced graphene (LIG) in a unique laser-processing step was developed by irradiating a polyimide sheet covered with a Zn/ZnO precursor with a CO2 laser (10.6 μm) under ambient conditions. The laser scribing parameters revealed a strong impact on the surface morphology of the formed LIG, on ZnO microparticles' formation and distribution, as well as on the physical properties of the fashioned composites. The ZnO microparticles were seen to be randomly distributed along the LIG surface, with the amount and dimensions depending on the used laser processing conditions. Besides the synthesis conditions, the use of different precursors also resulted in distinct ZnO growth's yields and morphologies. Raman spectroscopy revealed the existence of both wurtzite-ZnO and sp2 carbon in the majority of the produced samples. Broad emission bands in the visible range and the typical ZnO near band edge (NBE) emission were detected by photoluminescence studies. The spectral shape of the luminescence signal was seen to be extremely sensitive to the employed processing parameters and precursors, highlighting their influence on the composites' optical defect distribution. The sample produced from the ZnO-based precursor evidenced the highest luminescence signal, with a dominant NBE recombination. Electrochemical measurements pointed to the existence of charge transfer processes between LIG and the ZnO particles.
Torque and Power Characteristics of Single Piston LPG-Fueled Engines on Variations of Ignition Timing

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is an alternative fuel that has all key properties for the Spark Ignition (SI) engine. However, because of its properties, ignition timing on an LPG SI engine needs to be advanced from the reference angle to get the optimum performance. Therefore, this article presents the torque and power characteristics of a single piston LPG engine on variations of ignition timing. Evaluation of engine performance is carried out at the ignition timing of 15O, 17O, and 19O BTDC. The results showed the highest torque for LPG fuel was 10.64 Nm which was achieved at 3500 rpm with ignition timing of 19O BTDC, while the highest power for LPG fuel was 6.9 hp which was achieved at 5936 rpm with ignition timing of 19O BTDC.
Application of Materials Characterization, Efficacy Testing, and Modelling Methods on Copper Cold Spray Coatings for Optimized Antimicrobial Properties

The Copper Development Association (CDA) has identified over 450 copper alloys registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as antimicrobial. With growing antibiotic resistance, there is a need for copper coatings with increased antimicrobial capability. Cold spray is a high velocity, high deposition rate process that forms dense coatings with little to no oxides or inclusions. It is possible that this process contributes to the increased antimicrobial capability of copper cold spray coatings as compared to other additive processes. The focus of this effort is to understand the effects of powder production and cold spray process parameters on copper cold spray coatings in order to optimize antimicrobial properties. Specifically, this work looks at the differences in conventional and nanomaterial copper cold spray coatings. Materials characterization and test methods show differences in adhesion, microstructure, corrosion, mechanical properties, and surface topography. Materials data is compared against Abaqus FEA software model outputs, and antimicrobial efficacy test data, based on the EPA approved procedure, is used to support materials observations and modelling outputs. Application of Materials Characterization, Efficacy Testing, and Modelling Methods on Copper Cold Spray Coatings for Optimized Antimicrobial Properties
Modeling of Precipitation Hardening during Coiling of Nb–Mo Steels

Nb–Mo low-alloyed steels are promising advanced high strength steels (AHSS) because of the highly dislocated bainitic ferrite microstructure conferring an excellent combination of strength and toughness. In this study, the potential of precipitation strengthening during coiling for hot-strip Nb–Mo-bearing low-carbon steels has been investigated using hot-torsion and aging tests to simulate the hot-rolling process including coiling. The obtained microstructures were characterized using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), highlighting the effects of Nb and Mo additions on formation and tempering of the bainitic ferrite microstructures. Further, the evolution of nanometer-sized precipitates was quantified with high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). The resulting age hardening kinetics have been modelled by combining a phenomenological precipitation strengthening model with a tempering model. Analysis of the model suggests a narrower coiling temperature window to maximize the precipitation strengthening potential in bainite/ferrite high strength low-alloyed (HSLA) steels than that for conventional HSLA steels with polygonal ferrite/pearlite microstructures.
Porting the microphysics model CASIM to GPU and KNL Cray machines

CASIM is a microphysics scheme which calculates the interaction between moisture droplets in the atmosphere and forms a critical part of weather and climate modelling codes. However the calculations involved are computationally intensive and so investigating whether CASIM can take advantage of novel hardware architectures and the likely increase in performance this might afford makes sense. In this paper we present work done in porting CASIM to GPUs via the directive driven OpenACC and also modifying CASIM to take advantage of the Knights Landing (KNL) processor using OpenMP. Due to the design, models extracting out specific computational kernels for offload to the GPU proved suboptimal and instead the entire scheme was ported over to the GPU. We consider the suitability and maturity of OpenACC for this approach as well as important optimisations that were identified. Enabling CASIM to take advantage of the KNL was significantly easier, but still required careful experimentation to understand the best design and configuration. The performance of both versions of CASIM, in comparison to the latest generation of CPUs is discussed, before identifying lessons learnt about the suitability of CASIM and other similar models for these architectures. The result of this work are versions of CASIM which show promising performance benefits when utilising both GPUs and KNLs and enable the communities to take advantage of these technologies, in addition to general techniques that can be applied to other similar weather and climate models.
Numerical Approximation of Plane Deformation for the Indentation of Granular Material by a Smooth Rigid Wedge Punch

In this paper, a numerical approximation of the stress equation for the indentation of granular materials by a smooth rigid wedge is presented. Plane strain conditions are assumed, and the materials obey the Mohr-Coulomb yield condition. This method determines the deformation of granular material under a smooth rigid wedge punch and construction of stress field in the deforming region which are presented by using MATLAB programme. The granular material is assumed to be in dense, solid like state. The solution only refers to the initial motion after the punch. This was then applied on one type of boundary value problem. By using MATLAB, the value of each point (x,y) and the stress variables (p,ψ) which construct the deformation field are calculated. This method provides simple and reliable algorithms for the solution of the deformation problems involving the stress variables. The results will consequently help in the improvement of the existing labs and experimental facilities in the industries and will eventually increase its efficiency.
Enhanced dielectric and ferroelectric properties of cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) fiber embedded polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) multiferroic composite films

One-dimensional, ferromagnetic cobalt ferrite fibers were synthesized through electrospinning technique and were used as the fillers in poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) matrix to fabricate flexible, free-standing homogeneous PVDF/CoFe2O4 films. The structural properties of the composite films were analyzed through x-ray diffraction (XRD) whereas the functional groups were identified using FTIR studies, and a maximum enhancement of 76% of electroactive β-phase was observed with the incorporation of CoFe2O4 fibers. Morphological studies confirmed the formation of spherulites of diameter ranging from 5.2 to 15 μm. The roughness parameters of the PVDF/CoFe2O4 composite films were analyzed by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The variation in the dielectric constant and loss, and ferroelectric characteristics of the composite films at room temperature were investigated with respect to the fiber concentration. The enhanced dielectric constant of 29 with a tangent loss 0.21 was observed for 20 wt% filler loading at 100 Hz. The ferromagnetic nature of the composite films was analyzed with vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and the maximum saturation magnetization of 10.7 emu cm−3 was obtained for 20 wt% of the composite film. Further, the ferroelectric nature of the films was examined by the domain switching behavior using DC-EFM.
Durability of Mortars Modified with Calcined Montmorillonite Clay

This study aims to evaluate the performance of mortars containing locally available Pakistani montmorillonite (Mmt) clay mineral as partial replacement of cement in various curing environments. The local montmorillonite clay in “As is” (20°C) and “heated” (100°C, 200°C, 300°C, 400°C, 500°C, 600°C, 700°C, 800°C, 900°C & 1000°C) conditions was incorporated in mortar cubes as partial replacement of cement. Montmorillonite clay of all the temperatures was replaced by 15%, 20%, 25%, 30% and 35% of cement mass in mortar cubes. The Strength Activity Index (SAI) was calculated to determine the optimum activation temperature for the clay. Compressive strengths of the controlled mix and montmorillonite modified mortars were evaluated under the Sodium Sulfate (SS) (5% solution) and mixed (Sodium Sulfate + Sodium Chloride (SCS)) (5% +3.5% solution) curing environments to study its durability performance. Upon thermal treatment montmorillonite clay showed maximum activation at 800°C temperature. Mortar containing (800°C) calcined montmorillonite clay with 25% cement replacement exhibit competent compression results. Moreover, up on exposure to aggressive environments, montmorillonite clay mortars performed better than the control samples. The mortar cubes exposed to Sulfate environment (SS) were more damaged in compression than that exposed to mixed environment (SCS), for all replacement levels and time exposures.
Vitamin D-conjugated gold nanoparticles as functional carriers to enhancing osteogenic differentiation

ABSTRACT In an aging society, bone disorders such as osteopenia, osteoporosis, and degenerative arthritis cause serious public health problems. In order to solve these problems, researchers continue to develop therapeutic agents, increase the efficacy of developed therapeutic agents, and reduce side effects. Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) are widely used in tissue engineering applications as biosensors, drug delivery carriers, and bioactive materials. Their special surface property enables easy conjugation with ligands including functional groups such as thiols, phosphines, and amines. This creates an attractive advantage to GNPs for use in the bone tissue engineering field. However, GNPs alone are limited in their biological effects. In this study, we used thiol-PEG-vitamin D (SPVD) to conjugate vitamin D, an essential nutrient critical for maintaining normal skeletal homeostasis, to GNPs. To characterize vitamin D-conjugated GNPs (VGNPs), field emission transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and ultraviolet/visible absorption analysis were carried out. The developed VGNPs were well bound through the thiol groups between GNPs and vitamin D, and were fabricated in size of 60 nm. Moreover, to demonstrate VGNPs osteogenic differentiation effect, various assays were carried out through cell viability test, alkaline phosphatase assay, calcium deposition assay, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and immunofluorescence staining. As a result, the fabricated VGNPs were found to effectively enhance osteogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) in vitro. Based on these results, VGNPs can be utilized as functional nanomaterials for bone regeneration in the tissue engineering field. Graphical abstract
Evaluation of thermal conductivity of the NiFe2O4 ferrofluids under influence of magnetic field

The co-precipitating method was used to synthesize magnetic nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) nanoparticles. The structural, morphological and magnetic properties of the nickel ferrite nanoparticles were measured by the X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and the Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM) respectively. The prepared nanoparticles were used to prepare stable nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4)/ water (H2O) nanofluids were prepared using a two step method. Nickel ferrite nanofluids of various concentrations (0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8%, and 1% by volume) are prepared by dispersing appropriate amount of nanoparticles in water. Further, we attempt to study the thermal conductivity of the NiFe2O4/Water nanofluids under the influence of the magnetic fields ranging from 0G to 150G at the 300K. The thermal conductivity of the nanofluid was found to be increasing with increasing volume fraction and magnetic field strength. The nanofluids at smaller magnetic field strength show faster growth in the thermal conductivity.The co-precipitating method was used to synthesize magnetic nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) nanoparticles. The structural, morphological and magnetic properties of the nickel ferrite nanoparticles were measured by the X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and the Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM) respectively. The prepared nanoparticles were used to prepare stable nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4)/ water (H2O) nanofluids were prepared using a two step method. Nickel ferrite nanofluids of various concentrations (0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8%, and 1% by volume) are prepared by dispersing appropriate amount of nanoparticles in water. Further, we attempt to study the thermal conductivity of the NiFe2O4/Water nanofluids under the influence of the magnetic fields ranging from 0G to 150G at the 300K. The thermal conductivity of the nanofluid was found to be increasing with increasing volume fraction and magnetic field strength. The nanofluids at smaller magnetic field strength show faster growth in the thermal .
Microphonics Passive Damping

Different types of external loads on the resonator walls predetermine the main working conditions of the SRF cavities. The most important of them are very high electromagnetic fields that result in strong Lorentz forces and the pressure on cavity walls from the helium tank. For pulsed operation, the Lorentz forces usually play the decisive role for the cavity design. For CW operation, the liquid helium vessel pressure instability even for 2K operations is the source of large microphonics. All deformations resulting from any type of external loads on cavity walls lead to shifts in the working RF frequency in the range of hundreds of kHz. Taking into account high Qfactor of SC cavities such a large frequency shift takes the cavity out of operation. Here we present and discuss the achievements and problems of microphonics passive damping in different type SRF cavities.
A three-wave longitudinal analysis of the causal ordering of satisfaction and commitment on turnover decisions

Application de la methodologie de l'equation structurelle pour tester, avec des donnees longitudinales (N=440), le modele de Williams et Hazer (1986) sur les liens entre satisfaction dans le travail et implication organisationnelle d'une part et le changement de travail d'autre part
Structural behavior of the steel fiber reinforced concrete beam under multiple impact loadings: An experimental investigation

Steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) has been proved to be an appropriate material to resist extreme dynamic loadings. To explore the structural behavior of the SFRC component under multiple impact loadings, eight beams with continuous rebars were tested with a drop hammer system. Crack patterns were observed while strains of rebar and concrete, deformation of beams, the impact and reaction forces as well as acceleration were recorded during the experiment. The structural performances were analyzed, and influences of steel fiber amount, stirrup ratio, concrete strength and the times of impact loading were discussed. The test observations indicated that compared with ordinary RC beams after the first impact, crack patterns of SFRC beams were changed from punching-shear to bending and the peak mid-span deflection is considerably reduced. Under multiple impact loadings, the crack patterns of SFRC beams are mainly determined by the first blow, and few new cracks will be generated by the subsequent loadings. The increment of maximum mid-span deflection, however, increases as the number of blow increases. The shapes of deflection curves and distribution of internal force (dynamic shear force) for SFRC beams under multiple impact loadings are significantly different from those under static loadings. Moreover, the magnitude of the shear force slightly increases while the peak impact force decreases with the increasing of impact times. With the increasing steel fiber amount, impact force and energy absorption capacity of SFRC beams were increased while the residual deflection was reduced.
Laser-induced damage of nonlinear crystals in ultrafast, high-repetition-rate, mid-infrared optical parametric amplifiers pumped at 1 µm

The exceptional power scalability of Yb lasers has enabled the development of pulsed optical parametric amplifiers (OPA’s) operating at the short-wave edge of the mid-IR (MIR) with average powers beyond 10 W simultaneously providing peak powers in excess of 1 GW. Further wavelength extension into the longer-wave MIR is enabled by novel wide-bandgap non-oxide nonlinear crystals that can be pumped directly at 1 μm without detrimental one- and twophoton absorption of pump radiation. Eliminating the usual difference frequency generation step in producing MIR pulses above 5 μm could potentially increase the conversion efficiency of parametric down-conversion devices and enable a significant boost in the attainable average and peak power. Despite their utmost importance, material properties related to ultrafast laser-induced damage in nonlinear crystals are rarely investigated in the corresponding laser parameter range. In order to help unravel the complicated interplay of photorefractive effects, thermal lensing, and selffocusing/ defocusing affecting the beam quality and catastrophic breakdown threshold in MIR OPA’s, we present the nonlinear index of refraction at 1 μm of KTiOAsO4, LiGaS2, and BaGa4S7. The reported data provide crucial design parameters for the development of high-average-power MIR OPA’s. As examples, (i) a 100-kHz, 1.55/3.1 μm dual-beam OPA delivering multi-GW peak power in each beam and a total average power of 55 W and (ii) a 100-kHz, sub-100-fs, 1-μm-pumped OPA tunable in the 5.7-10.5-μm range are briefly presented.
Computer-aided manufacturing and focused ion beam technology enable machining of complex micro- and nano-structures

We present a novel framework for the fabrication of geometrically complex structures at the micro- and nano-scale which relies on the synergy of integrated computer-aided design and manufacturing systems (CAD/CAM) and focused ion beam (FIB) technology in a scanning electron microscope. Here we utilise industry standard G-code syntax, for the first time, to FIB machining by designing geometries with CAD, defining machining strategies and exporting G-codes with CAM and generating a coordinate list-based beam path by using a custom-built interpreter program. This allows the fabrication of complex structures from CAD models using syntax which is readily understood in the general fabrication industry. The use of G-code allows optimization of the beam path towards a reduction of beam blanking operations and tracing of contours, leading to minimized re-deposition of material. We give a detailed description of the method, use an application example to demonstrate advantages and prospects of the approach and provide the free and open-source interpreter program CAM2FIB for application of this method. We contrast and compare various existing available milling strategies and demonstrate the versatility of G-code based programming.
Dynamics of information processing in risky choices : Making thorough use of behavioral data

Most models of risky decision making assume that all relevant information is taken into account (e.g., Kahneman & Tversky, 1979; von Neumann & Morgenstern, 1944). However, there are also some models supposing that only part of the information is considered (e.g., Brandstätter et al., 2006; Gigerenzer & Gaissmaier, 2011). To further investigate the amount of information that is usually used for decision making, and how the use depends on feedback, we conducted a series of three experiments in which participants choose between two lotteries and where no feedback, outcome feedback, and error feedback was provided, respectively. The results show that without feedback participants mostly chose the lottery with the higher winning probability, and largely ignored the potential gains. The same results occurred when the outcome of each decision was fed back. Only after presenting error feedback (i.e., signaling whether a choice was optimal or not), participants considered probabilities as well as gains, resulting in more optimal choices. We propose that outcome feedback was ineffective, because of its probabilistic and ambiguous nature. Participants improve information integration only if provided with a consistent and deterministic signal such as error feedback.
Optimizing size and distribution of voids in phenolic resins through the choice of catalyst types

Phenolics are widely used for over a century in different industries due to their chemical resistance and thermomechanical properties. However, the presence of voids in phenolic resins has negative effects on the mechanical properties and a conventional approach is to avoid these by utilizing very long cure cycles. Our alternative approach investigates the tailoring of void size and distribution to achieve a better balance between processing time and mechanical properties. Therefore, we produced phenolic resin with a void‐free microstructure by a long cure cycle as a reference. To alter the void size and distributions, we utilized different catalysts and a short cure cycle to obtain phenolic resins and test their flexural properties with respect to the reference. We investigated the fracture surfaces of all materials by SEM, FTIR and compared results to finite element modeling that confirmed the effects of different void size and distributions on the mechanical properties.