Advances in Functional Polymers and Composites
Polymers and composites offer significant advantages such as cost-effectiveness, lightweight properties, design flexibility, and manufacturing adaptability. They are widely applied across aerospace, transportation, sustainable energy, construction, and other sectors. The production of polymer and composite components involves multiple steps, including structural design, preform shaping, curing and forming, machining and assembly, and inspection and analysis - each exerting a direct and significant influence on the final performance and reliability of the structure. With the growing use of these materials in high-end applications, composite components are increasingly developed at for large scale and integrated structures, with greater complexity and multifunctionality. These trends present new challenges in the design and manufacturing of advanced functional polymers and composites.This Reprint aims to showcase recent advances and cutting-edge research in this field, covering topics such as structural design, mechanics, molding processes, machining and assembly techniques, defect detection, and functional evaluation. Both original research articles and reviews are included, and through this collection, editors seek to promote the development of scientific theories and methodologies, and to support the broader application of advanced functional polymers and composites in high-performance equipment and interdisciplinary fields.
Recent Advances in Photocatalytic Treatment of Pollutants in Water
The pervasive contamination of water resources by persistent and emerging pollutants-including pharmaceuticals, industrial dyes, pesticides, and heavy metals-represents one of the most critical global environmental and public health challenges. Conventional water treatment methods often prove inadequate, inefficient, or costly for achieving the complete mineralization of these complex, non-biodegradable contaminants. With pollutants posing significant environmental threats, developing environmentally benign, efficient, and cost-effective treatment technologies is paramount. Photocatalysis stands at the forefront of this shift, offering a "green chemistry" pathway for water purification. In this Reprint, we focus on cutting-edge research on the application of photocatalysis for water treatment.
Advanced Studies on High-Performance Metal-Ion Capacitors
This Special Issue, "Advanced Studies on High-Performance Metal-Ion Capacitors: Technologies, Systems and Applications", highlights recent progress in hybrid electrochemical energy storage systems that integrate the merits of both batteries and supercapacitors. This Special Issue brings together research articles and reviews that address the challenges involved in the construction of metal-ion capacitors from multiple perspectives, including electrode structure engineering, heteroatom doping, electrolyte design and innovative cell configurations. This Reprint provides a comprehensive overview of emerging technologies and future directions for metal-ion capacitors, offering valuable insights for designing next-generation high-performance and sustainable electrochemical energy storage systems.
Advances in Hybrid Supercapacitors
Hybrid supercapacitors (HSCs) are an emerging class of energy storage devices that combine the high power density of supercapacitors with the high energy density of batteries, offering a unique set of advantages that make them ideal for a wide range of applications. By pairing a faradaic electrode-where charges are stored through reversible redox, intercalation, or conversion reactions-with a non-faradaic or pseudocapacitive electrode that relies on surface ion adsorption, HSCs can provide higher energy density while still maintaining a high level of power output in short bursts, making them well-suited for applications that require rapid charging and discharging, such as in electric vehicles during acceleration, regenerative braking, or start-stop events; cordless power tools that must drive screws or drill masonry without voltage sag; grid-tied buffers that smooth short-term fluctuations from renewables; and even wearable or IoT devices that harvest intermittent energy and must transmit data bursts. This preprint features eleven research and review papers that focus on the recent advances in the field of hybrid supercapacitors, covering topics such as carbon-based and transition metal oxides electrode materials, electrolytes and additives, Zn-ion hybrid capacitors, hybrid energy storage systems, and control algorithms for supercapacitors. Research from over 40 authors from China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Romania, the Republic of Korea, Greece, and other countries and regions contributed to this preprint.
Lithium-Ion Batteries
This Reprint, titled "Lithium-Ion Batteries: Design, Preparation, Reaction Mechanisms of Electrode Materials, and Battery Life Evaluation," collates cutting-edge research focused on overcoming the performance limitations of current energy storage systems. This collection addresses critical challenges in the field, from the development of next-generation silicon and composite anodes to the engineering of high-capacity cathodes and stable interfacial architectures. A significant emphasis is placed on elucidating the complex reaction mechanisms and degradation pathways that govern cell performance and longevity. Advanced preparation techniques and innovative electrode design strategies are explored to enhance ionic conductivity, mechanical stability, and cycling durability. Furthermore, this Reprint highlights the application of sophisticated in situ and operando characterization methods, alongside robust modeling frameworks, for precise state-of-health monitoring and accurate battery life prediction. By integrating fundamental material insights with practical engineering solutions, this compilation serves as a vital resource for developing more efficient, reliable, and commercially viable lithium-ion batteries for the future of electrified transportation and grid storage.
Artificial Intelligence-Based State-of-Health Estimation of Lithium-Ion Batteries
Lithium-ion batteries have a wide range of applications, but one of their biggest problems is their limited lifetime, which is due to performance degradation during usage. It is, therefore, essential to determine the battery's state of health (SOH) so that the battery management system can control the battery, enabling it to run in the best state, and thus prolonging its lifetime. Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies possess immense potential in inferring battery SOH, and can extract aging information (i.e., SOH features) from measurements and relate them to battery performance parameters, avoiding a complex battery modeling process. Therefore, this Special Issue showcase manuscripts showing efficient SOH estimation methods using AI which exhibit good performance, such as high accuracy, high robustness against the changes in working conditions, good generalization, etc.
Engineering Sustainability Goals
According to Socrates, "The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new." The new includes healthier living and sounder engineering. Specifically, we strive to generate cleaner energy and spread to to all corners of the world; improve understanding and care for the land, sea, and air; transform waste into useful resources; implement more eco-friendly agriculture and farming; and invigorate humans' minds, bodies, and souls. The emphasis is on bettering tomorrow in an integrated manner, through the knowledge of the interlinkages among technologies, social and behavioral perspectives, the environment and ecology, and policies and governances. The volume provides the first go-to reference for everyone who wishes to brighten tomorrow by thriving through change. It shows how to capitalize change and hasten the transition into a sustainable tomorrow from various perspectives. To sustainably thrive, we adapt cradle-to-cradle engineering. This closed cycle engineering ensures the end of a product, or an operation, is the beginning of a new one. The book is essential for researchers including students, professionals, policy makers, and tomorrow's leaders.
Polymers, Colloids, and Surface Chemistry
Polymers, colloids, and surface chemistry are interconnected areas that play significant roles in the development and functionality of various products and technologies. The book helps to address issues related to material performance, stability and interactions. It begins with an introduction to polymers, covering their history, classification, nomenclature, molecular weight, and industrial significance. The chemistry of polymerization is then discussed in detail, including the mechanisms and kinetics of free radical, cationic, anionic, step-growth, and coordination polymerization, along with industrial techniques. The book also delves into polymer solutions, emphasizing thermodynamics, solubility, phase behavior, and applications in industries such as plastics, coatings, and biomedical fields. Moving to colloid chemistry, it explores colloidal systems, their comparison with true solutions and suspensions, types, preparation methods, and industrial relevance. The properties of colloids, including optical, kinetic, and electrical properties such as the Tyndall effect, Brownian motion, and electrophoresis, are discussed alongside suspensions, emulsions, and their practical applications. The surface chemistry of colloids is examined through interfacial phenomena, surface potential, Langmuir-Blodgett films, electrical aspects, and colloidal stability. Furthermore, the applications of colloids in petroleum, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, water purification, and environmental science are highlighted, demonstrating their interdisciplinary significance. The book concludes with an in-depth study of surface chemistry, focusing on adsorption phenomena, types of adsorption, adsorption isotherms, and industrial applications in catalysis, chromatography, pollution control, and biological systems. With a structured approach, real-world examples, and a focus on industrial and scientific relevance, this book serves as a valuable resource for students aiming to master the fundamental and applied aspects of polymers, colloids, and surface chemistry.
Inorganic Electrode Materials in High-Performance Energy Storage Devices
This Reprint focuses on the innovation, optimization, and application of inorganic electrode materials for high-performance energy storage, addressing key challenges in advanced energy storage technologies. It covers a diverse range of systems, including lithium-sulfur batteries, lithium-ion batteries, aqueous zinc-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries, hybrid supercapacitors, and methanol-mediated water splitting. Featured research highlights cutting-edge strategies: structural engineering (hollow architectures, carbon nanofiber encapsulation, porous nanosheets), composition regulation (bimetallic synergistic effects, heteroatom doping, high-entropy alloying), and simplified scalable synthesis (EDTA-based synchronous carbonization-doping, two-step thermal annealing). The collected works report remarkable performance breakthroughs-such as long-cycle stability for sodium-ion battery anodes, high-rate capability for lithium-ion battery electrodes, and low overpotential for water-splitting catalysts-while elucidating critical structure-performance relationships. This Reprint serves as a concise, authoritative resource for researchers and engineers, facilitating knowledge exchange on inorganic electrode materials and accelerating the translation of fundamental research into practical, sustainable energy storage solutions.
Advances in Computation and Modeling of Materials Mechanics
This Reprint compiles the published articles from the Special Issue "Advances in Computation and Modeling of Materials Mechanics" in the journal Materials. The collection features cutting-edge research contributions in materials mechanics, covering experimental characterization and computational modeling of composite materials, simulation of irradiation effects in nuclear materials for enhanced performance and safety, multi-scale material mechanics simulations, and innovative machine learning approaches for material property prediction and design. The articles highlight significant advancements in computational methodologies, including multi-scale modeling, high-performance computing, and data-driven techniques, which enable a deeper understanding of complex material behavior under diverse conditions. By providing insights into the latest developments, this Reprint serves as a valuable resource for researchers and engineers in materials science and engineering, fostering further innovation in the design and application of advanced materials for critical sectors.
Forensic Chemistry Fundamentals
Fundamentals of Forensic Chemistry strives to help scientists & lawyers, & students, understand how their two disciplines come together for forensic science, in the contexts of analytical chemistry & related science more generally, and the common law systems of Canada, USA, UK, the Commonwealth. In this book, forensics is considered more generally than as only for criminal law; workplace health & safety, and other areas are included. And, two issues of Canadian legal process are argued as essays in the final two chapters.
Topoisomerases as Targets for Novel Drug Discovery
Topoisomerases play a crucial role in controlling DNA topology and have long been established as the therapeutic targets of several clinically successful antibacterial and anticancer drugs. Despite decades of clinical use, topoisomerase-targeting agents still face several limitations, including antibiotic resistance, off-target toxicity, the induction of secondary malignancies, cardiotoxicity, and limited tumor selectivity. These challenges have driven extensive research toward elucidating novel inhibitory mechanisms, designing more selective or multitarget topoisomerase inhibitors, and developing combination strategies that enhance therapeutic efficacy and reduce toxicity.Topoisomerases as Targets for Novel Drug Discovery is a Reprint of the Special Issue in Pharmaceuticals and contains a collection of review and research articles highlighting recent progress made in overcoming these challenges. The contributions explore the discovery and development of new topoisomerase inhibitors, innovative strategies to improve therapeutic selectivity and safety, and novel insights into the management of chemotherapy-induced toxicities. Overall, these articles highlight emerging trends in topoisomerase research and emphasize the importance of interdisciplinary approaches that connect structural biology, chemistry, and pharmacology to advance the next generation of topoisomerase-targeting therapies.
Recent Researches in Polymer and Plastic Processing
This Reprint, entitled "Recent Researches in Polymer and Plastic Processing", presents a curated selection of ten scientific articles from the journal Materials, offering a comprehensive overview of current trends and innovations in polymer science. Under the guiding theme of Polymers Reimagined-From Surface Engineering to Sustainable Recycling, this publication explores the following: Plasma-based surface treatments to enhance coating adhesion; The inkjet printability of biodegradable starch-based films; The impact of infill density reduction on the mechanical properties of 3D-printed PLA structures within a circular economy framework; The optimization of injection molding parameters using BP neural networks and NSGA-II algorithms; The strengthening of SGFRP-BMC composites through fiber shortening and electron beam irradiation; The use of asphalt as a low-cost plasticizer in polyacrylonitrile-based synthetic fiber production; The development of hydrogels incorporating plant-based ashes for internal curing in cementitious materials; UV-assisted degradation of PET using nonmetallic dibasic ionic liquids; Advanced recycling techniques for recovering EVA, PVDF, and PET from end-of-life photovoltaic modules.This volume is an essential resource for researchers, engineers, and students interested in advanced polymer processing, sustainable materials, and industrial applications. It highlights the transformative potential of polymers in shaping a more efficient and environmentally responsible future.
Multifunctional Application of Electrospun Fiber
This Special Issue compiles collective contributions that comprehensively reflect the versatile applications and cutting-edge advancements of electrospun nanofibers across diverse fields. These include biomedicine and drug delivery, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, environmental remediation and adsorption materials, air filtration and protective technologies, antibacterial and antifungal applications, and flexible electronics and energy devices. Each study offers a distinct perspective, which deepens the scientific and engineering insights into the design and fabrication of next-generation electrospun materials. It is anticipated that through the industry-academia-research collaborative model of "scientific breakthroughs led by universities and industrialization practices driven by enterprises", more electrospun nanofiber materials will transition from laboratory-scale research to real-world market applications. This will ultimately facilitate the full realization of the industrial value inherent in electrospun nanofibers.
Polymeric Materials in Energy Conversion and Storage, 2nd Edition
This reprint provides a comprehensive overview of the current advancements and emerging roles of polymer-based materials in energy conversion and storage technologies. Each chapter highlights recent findings on the design, synthesis, and functional optimization of novel polymers and polymer composites exhibiting superior electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties. The discussed materials demonstrate significant potential for applications in sensors, energy harvesting systems, batteries, supercapacitors, and various electronic devices. Emphasis is placed on understanding the structure-property-performance relationships that govern the efficiency and stability of these systems. Collectively, the contributions in this volume offer valuable insights into the development of next-generation polymeric materials for sustainable and high-performance energy technologies.
Molecular Simulations of Energy Materials
The continuous rise in global energy demand, together with the depletion of conventional resources, places increasing pressure on the scientific community to develop materials that enable clean, efficient, and sustainable energy generation, storage, and utilization. The phenomena underlying these processes are inherently complex, often occurring simultaneously across multiple spatial (from atomic to macroscopic) and temporal (from femtoseconds to years) scales. While experimental investigations remain fundamental to the study of energy and environmental systems, our understanding of material behavior under extreme conditions-particularly at the microscopic level-remains limited. Computational molecular science has therefore become an indispensable complement, offering powerful tools to analyze and describe the mechanisms governing these phenomena.Molecular simulations, including static calculations, Molecular Dynamics, and Monte Carlo methods, rely on intra- and intermolecular forces determined at quantum, classical, or coarse-grained levels. These approaches provide essential insights into the structure and dynamics of energy materials and help interpret experimental data. The integration of particle-based and continuum methods within multiscale frameworks further enhances our ability to capture the hierarchical nature of processes in energy and environmental materials. Collectively, these computational methodologies form a vital foundation for understanding, predicting, and optimizing the behavior of energy materials.
Polymer Thin Films
The use of polymer thin films is currently implemented in almost every aspect of modern life, due to their cost-efficiency, lightness, flexibility, and unique physical and chemical properties. The reason for focusing research into polymer thin films is to understand the mechanisms that affect interfacial interactions, flow behavior, film formation, and relationships between deposition process parameters and the film structure, as well as other advanced functional properties.This Special Issue highlights and discusses studies on the development and characterization of functional polymer coatings and films for various applications. In summary, the studies focus on the contribution of nano- and microfillers embedded in polymer matrices for enhancement of thermal and mechanical stability. It also covers the preparation and use of coated microcapsules, which effectively enhance antibacterial properties, and highlights the role of natural additives in improving performance. One study examines coatings for reducing foodborne pathogens on blackberries. Furthermore, the examination of different polyols in polyester-based polyurethane coatings demonstrates their influence on functional properties, while the layer-by-layer self-assembly technique for antistatic polyester fibers presents innovative approaches to modifying surface characteristics. Lastly, the synthesis and evaluation of bio-sourced plasticizer thin films highlight improvements in eco-friendly materials, as well as the use of a silicone coupling reagent for the preservation of oracle bones.
Surface Science
The Reprint of the Special Issue "Surface Science: Polymer Thin Films, Coatings and Adhesives" in the journal Surfaces gathers cutting-edge original research articles discussing how mastering surface and interface properties and phenomena allow the development of new polymer-based thin films, coatings and adhesives. Dedicated articles address topics related to new chemical (nanoimprinting coupled to controlled graft polymerization) and physical (plasma activation) surface treatments to prepare surface-functionalized polymer-based films and fibres or to enhance corrosion protection. Wettability challenges are also highlighted in this Reprint, demonstrating how Marangoni flow drives self-assembling of hydrogels. The core of the Reprint concerns the development of advanced coatings with original articles on new polyurethane preventive coatings, functional polyacrylate textile coatings and waterborne acrylic coatings. Finally, the chosen articles discuss the enhancement of ultimate properties (fracture toughness, wear), performances and sustainability of polymer films and coatings.
Sustainable Cementitious Materials for Civil and Transportation Engineering
Since its invention, concrete has become the most widely used construction material. Growing concerns over the greenhouse emissions profile of the Portland cement and concrete industry have led to a very high level of recent interest in the development of low-carbon construction materials. The requirements of raw materials for cement and concrete, such as natural minerals, stones, and river sand, have been increasing, especially in developing countries where massive amounts of infrastructure are being built. This trend promotes the requirements of sustainable cementitious materials with low carbon emissions for civil and transportation engineering. The development of low-carbon construction materials has been recognized as a means of reducing the carbon footprint of the Portland cement and concrete industry in response to growing global concerns over natural-material shortages and CO2 emissions from the construction sector. The concrete and cement industry has been under pressure to shift towards sustainability by developing alternative low-carbon cement and concrete materials. However, many fundamental mechanisms in this field require further elucidation. In addition, industrial applications are still scarce due to the gap existing between the fundamental research and industrial use in this area.
Properties and Applications of Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials
Nanomaterials have rapidly developed, and attention surrounding their use has increased in recent years. The emergence of various nanomaterials, i.e., nanoparticles, nano-grained alloys, and gradient nanostructures, is expected to make it possible for materials with super or very special properties to be applied in unusual practical contexts. There is a wide range of applications for nanomaterials in biochemistry or molecular medicine, fuel cells or metal-ion batteries, and flexible electronics, as well as in various components related to energy. The physical and chemical properties of nanostructures are determined by their chemical composition and structure and are also affected by the formation process, which is critical for their reliability and their use in practical applications.
Thermal Behaviour, Energy Efficiency in Buildings and Sustainable Construction
This reprint of the fourth edition Special Issue about Thermal Behaviour, "Energy Efficiency in Buildings and Sustainable Construction", published in the journal Energies (MDPI), includes 10 research papers, from across the world, with very interesting and actual research topics, such as the following: Thermophysical Properties of Compressed Earth Blocks; Envelope Deficiencies and Thermo-Hygrometric Challenges in Warehouse-Type Buildings; Natural Ventilation Analyses in Buildings at Urban Scale; Mitigating Soil Frost Heave Around Gas Pipelines; Assessment of Sustainable Building Design with Green Star Rating Using BIM; Influence of Solar Radiation on the Thermal Load of an External Wall Taking into Account Its Material Properties; Integrated Energy and Social Retrofit Strategies; Long-Term Performance of Thermal Insulating Composite Systems; Influence of Web-Perforated Cold-Formed Steel Studs on the Heat Transfer Properties of LSF External Walls; and Insulation Improvements in Dutch Houses.
Carbon Fiber Composites, Volume III
Many efforts have been made to create light-weight materials that maintain excellent physical and chemical properties, aiming at energy savings and property enhancement for aerospace, automotive, marine, and industrial applications over the past few decades. Among them, carbon fibers and their composites have attracted significant attention because of their unique properties, including high strength and modulus, novel dimensional stability, high surface area/volume ratios, low coefficient of thermal expansion, etc. Therefore, they have been widely applied in fields of energy storage, filtration, aircraft, etc., via advanced manufacturing technologies (i.e., wet/melt spinning, solution casting, 3D printing, etc.).The main aim of this Special Issue is to tackle the points mentioned above for the preparation, characterization, and properties of advanced carbon fibers and their composites to offer an insight into them, facilitating their practical applications in various fields.
Advances in Novel Precast Concrete Structures
With the growing global demand for construction, precast concrete structures have gained prominence due to their advantages in building quality, time and labor savings, cost efficiency, and environmental friendliness. A variety of precast systems have been developed, including emulative, pretensioning, rocking, and modular systems, while integration with emerging civil engineering technologies-such as novel energy-dissipators and advanced materials (e.g., FRP, UHPC, ECC)-and alignment with modern construction concepts (e.g., building industrialization, smart/intelligent construction) further underscore their significance as an active and prosperous research area in civil engineering. It presents high-quality research on the development and study of novel precast concrete structures, focusing on state-of-the-art progress, advancements, and emerging trends. The published articles cover (but are not limited to) topics such as high-efficiency emulative precast systems; the application of high-performance concrete in precast structures; novel precast structures with energy-dissipators; precast steel-concrete composite structures; precast underground concrete structures; modular concrete structures; the static and seismic performance of prefabricated element connections; analytical and design methods for precast structures; reliability and probabilistic safety assessment of precast structures; and the long-term performance and life-cycle cost analysis of precast structures.
Practical Organic Chemistry
"Practical Organic Chemistry - A Primer" is the ultimate guide for BSc and B. Pharm students embarking on their practical journey in organic chemistry. Unlike other books on the market aimed at advanced levels this book is designed specifically for students at the primary level providing them with the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in their practical work.Covering a wide range of experimental methods including synthesis chromatographic separation techniques qualitative organic analysis and the fundamentals of spectroscopy this comprehensive guide offers step-by-step instructions and detailed explanations to ensure a thorough understanding of the subject matter. Packed with practical examples students will not only learn the theories but also gain invaluable hands-on experience.To further enhance the learning experience the book includes eight annexures that cover topics such as preparation of solutions laboratory reagents risk assessment data and essential information on the periodic table. Additionally the book concludes with a selection of problems and solutions to test and reinforce the students' understanding. Practical Organic Chemistry - A Primer is the indispensable companion for students as they navigate the complex world of organic chemistry experiments. Whether you're pursuing a degree in chemistry or pharmacy this book will equip you with the essential knowledge and skills needed to excel in your practical work.
Feature Papers in Biobased and Biodegradable Metals
Biodegradable metals, such as magnesium, zinc, and iron, show significant promise for biomedical implants and specialized industrial applications due to their unique biodegradable characteristics. This reprint focuses on novel alloy design, thermomechanical processing, as well as microstructural, mechanical, and corrosion characterization, alongside in vitro degradation/cytocompatibility assessment. This reprint illustrates the remarkable progress in biobased and degradable Mg, Zn, and Fe alloys, providing critical insights to overcome current limitations and guide future development of these revolutionary materials.
Food Gels
This Reprint focuses on the recent advancements in food gel technology and their applications across multiple domains, encompassing surimi-based seafood analogs that demand mechanically robust networks and dairy products requiring high emulsification stability and efficient nutrient integration. The innovation of composite gels, which incorporate bioactive components, has further expanded their functional capabilities and health-promoting potential. The research landscape encompasses critical advancements, including low-salt surimi gelation strategies utilizing amino acid supplements and high-pressure processing, emulsion restructuring in milk via homogenization and ultrasonic treatment, and the design of double emulsions for enhanced nutrient encapsulation. Moreover, it addresses emerging sustainable resource utilization approaches, such as gelatin extraction from underutilized raw materials, biotherapeutic delivery through protein-polysaccharide complexes, and advanced processing technologies like microfluidization and membrane emulsification to improve texture and stability.
Food Chemistry and Bioactive Compounds in Relation to Health
The global rise in life expectancy has brought increased attention to age-related health challenges, particularly those associated with oxidative stress. As a result, bioactive compounds have emerged as key components in the promotion of health and the prevention of chronic diseases. Numerous epidemiological studies suggest that a diet rich in antioxidant bioactive compounds can have beneficial effects on human health, potentially reducing the risk of diseases linked to oxidative stress, metabolic imbalance, and age-related functional decline. The current Reprint Edition of the Special Issue focuses on several key areas: the extraction, purification, and structural elucidation of novel bioactive compounds from natural sources; the characterization of these compounds for potential use in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmeceutical applications; and the investigation of their metabolic pathways and biological activities using advanced analytical techniques, including metabolomics. These studies contribute to a deeper understanding of how bioactive compounds support health and help mitigate the effects of aging and disease.
Electrochemical Material Science and Electrode Processes
In the field of materials science, electrochemical interfaces and reactions are crucial for the preparation, analysis, and application of materials. They play a significant role in the development of new materials and encompass a range of applications including environmental sustainability, energy conversion and storage, and sensing technologies. As we move further into the twenty-first century, the importance of electrochemistry in diverse applications is becoming increasingly evident, highlighting its solid presence and promising future. Various key electrochemical processes are finding their way into the industry. For instance, the electrodeposition of metals, alloys, and composite materials can deliver multifunctional surfaces that can be easily adapted by electrochemical conditions and solution composition. Additionally, technological applications include the fabrication of electrodes targeting specific metals/ions, the electrowinning and recovery of metals, water electrolysis and splitting, and supercapacitive materials/devices.This Special Issue includes contributions-both articles or reviews-focused on the electrochemistry of materials and related electrochemical processes.
Recent Advances in Functional Polymer Materials for Water Treatment
This SI presents a platform for researchers to disseminate recent advances in the fundamentals, science, and technology of functional polymeric materials for use in water treatment. High-quality original articles, review articles, case studies, and short communications in this Special Issue cover topics such as: Polymeric coagulants and adsorbents for water purification;Polymeric separation membranes and ion-exchange resins for water treatment and reuse;Polymeric materials for enhancing biological water treatment (filler, bioaugmentation agents, etc.);Polymeric materials for use in water treatment, anti-scaling, scale removal, corrosion inhibition, and the suppression of bacteria and algae;Fabrication, modification, and characterization of polymeric materials for water treatment;Other polymeric material-related applications for pollutant detection in and removal from water (filtration, catalytic oxidation, electrode, sensors, etc.).
Energy-Efficient Chemistry
This Reprint arises from the growing need to innovate the chemical industrial sector, which remains one of the most energy-intensive and environmentally impactful industries. The main goal is to enhance its efficiency, in view of the sustainability targets that will be pursued globally in the coming decades. The main key points of intervention are the optimization of resource use as well as the achievement of significant energy savings, which can be gained by reducing the requirements of electricity or fuels, thanks to technological innovations, or by replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy and material sources. In such a framework, the production of chemicals from renewable feedstocks, such as biomass, or the adoption of alternative fuels are becoming attractive topics of research. Answers to questions about the most recent advancements, emerging technologies, and novel strategies to be employed for energy-efficient chemical production are gathered in a multifaceted perspective. Contributions cover both procedural and environmental issues, ranging from technical improvements and innovations to achieve energy savings and decreased impacts, by means of renewable feedstocks as well as renewable energy, to innovative production pathways based on the biorefinery concept.
Scientific Machine Learning for Polymeric Materials
Polymeric materials play a key role in supporting the ever-increasing demand for electronics, medicines, plastics, sensors, and the transition to renewable energy sources. This is achieved through polymers' distinct features at different structural and temporal scales (i.e., a subtle change in their atomic or mesoscopic structures leads to a totally emergent functionality). However, the design of new polymeric materials is still a lengthy process. This major challenge is related to their inability to comprehensively bridge phenomena that occur at temporal scales from tens of nanoseconds to seconds or spatial scales from nanometers to meters. Indeed, scientific datasets in this field are sparse and include only directly observable quantities, while the underlying processes are either too complex to observe directly or are completely unknown. To move towards an accelerated on-demand design for polymeric materials, recent breakthroughs in scientific machine learning (SciML) can be leveraged to explore the interactions of physics at different spatial and temporal scales. This reprint presents scientific works on SciML-e.g., physics-guided neural networks, physics-informed neural networks, physics-encoded neural networks, and neural operators-for multi-scale multi-temporal structures and mechanisms with polymer behaviors (rheology, self-assembly, phase transition, etc.).
Design and Applications of Heterogeneous Nanostructured Materials
Guided by structural principles found in natural materials, heterogeneous nanostructured systems-comprising zones with markedly varied mechanical and physical characteristics-have emerged as a central topic driving innovation in modern materials science. In contrast to homogeneous counterparts, heterogeneous nanostructured materials exhibit outstanding mechanical performance and multifunctional properties, reflecting structural principles that have been optimized through natural evolution and increasingly adopted in advanced material design. The rational design, controlled synthesis, and practical implementation of such materials therefore represent critical directions for the development of next-generation structural and functional systems.This Special Issue of Nanomaterials, entitled "Design and Applications of Heterogeneous Nanostructured Materials", seeks to present state-of-the-art research and comprehensive reviews addressing recent advances in this rapidly evolving field. Contributions are on topics encompassing the design strategies, fabrication techniques, characterization methods, theoretical modeling, and diverse applications of heterogeneous nanostructured materials across a wide range of scientific and technological domains.
Additive Manufacturing of Fibre Reinforced Polymer Composites
Special Issue 'Additive Manufacturing of Fibre-Reinforced Polymer Composites' has 13 pioneering studies advancing AM-FRPCs. Covering aerospace, automotive, energy, sustainability, it presents integration of novel materials, process/structural innovations, smart functionalities. It shows AM enables complex geometries, multifunctional parts with tailored mechanical, thermal, sensing properties. Articles address interlaminar toughness, porosity, fibre misalignment via nano-fillers, hybrid reinforcements, optimised paths. The highlights include laser-induced graphene for real-time damage sensing; eco-friendly biocomposites (chem-treated natural fibres); and spatial 3D printing for low-density, high-strength trusses. Mechanical testing uses experimental/numerical methods: acoustic emission, digital image correlation, finite element simulation, and Taguchi optimisation. Integrating AI and neural networks in print tuning and performance prediction marks a shift to intelligent manufacturing. From boosting buckling in anisotropic grids to refining laser-sintering via thermal simulation, this Special Issue offers insights into current research and future opportunities in process control, defect mitigation, and in situ monitoring. It is a timely collection of scientific breakthroughs and engineering practices driving next-gen FRPCs via AM, aiding researchers, engineers, and designers using AM's unique high-performance composite advantages.
Advances in Process Systems Engineering
This Special Issue shows some recent progress on process systems engineering in the Chinese PSE community. These progress primarily revolve around the fields of "process simulation, analysis and optimization", "process control, scheduling and planning", and "process monitoring, risk analysis and safety". The progress shows that more effort has been invested into the work related to AI and carbon reduction in the Chinese PSE community.
Food Technology and Law
Legal and Technological Aspects of Food Processing: A Global and Indian Perspective Dive into the dynamic world of food processing with this comprehensive exploration of cutting-edge technologies and the legal frameworks that shape the industry. From thermal and non-thermal processing to smart packaging and Industry 4.0 innovations like AI, IoT, and blockchain, this book unveils how technology ensures food safety, sustainability, and quality. With a focus on India's $535 billion food processing sector alongside global trends, it examines regulatory landscapes, including FSSAI, FDA, and EU standards, through insightful case studies like Amul's technology adoption and Nestl矇's compliance journey. Addressing challenges from data privacy to environmental compliance, this book offers a roadmap for stakeholders to navigate the future of food processing. Essential for industry professionals, policymakers, and researchers, it highlights the synergy of innovation and regulation driving global food security.
Organic Syntheses
Organic syntheses is a scientific publication that provides rigorously tested and reliable methods for the preparation of organic chemicals. The work addresses common challenges faced by chemists, emphasizing the need for detailed, reproducible procedures to minimize errors, reduce costs, and improve efficiency in both research and industrial settings. The opening sections outline the publication's purpose, highlighting the importance of precision, clarity, and accessibility in experimental methodology. Each synthesis is carefully documented with materials, step-by-step techniques, and expected yields, ensuring that chemists can confidently replicate the procedures across different laboratories. The publication serves as both an educational resource and a practical guide, supporting the work of students, researchers, and professionals in organic chemistry. It discusses the obstacles chemists often face, such as the high cost of chemicals, scarcity of reliable methods, and variability in experimental results. By prioritizing reproducibility and reliability, Organic Syntheses establishes a standard for experimental practice, enabling consistent production of vital organic compounds and advancing the field through systematic, verifiable research while fostering broader scientific collaboration and education.
Natural Poisons and Venoms
Biogenic toxins are fascinating natural products characterized by an enormous diversity of chemical structures and pharmacological activities. They not only pose hazards to humans and animals, but they are important components in the interplay of substances and living beings in nature and, moreover, important sources for new drugs. Numerous images of plants and chemical structural formulas complete the book, as well as extensive references for further reading. The multivolume reference is an essential resource for physicians, veterinarians, pharmacists, chemists, biochemists, food chemists and biologists, for students in the relevant fields, and maybe for interested laymen. All aspects of natural toxins based on the latest scientific knowledge are included: All aspects of the toxicology of all living organisms and natural foods, chemistry, action mechanisms, symptoms of intoxications. The only book arranged on a strictly scientific base according to the biogenetic origin and chemical structure. Natural Poisons and Venoms in 5 Volumes: Volume 1: Plant Toxins: Terpenes and Steroids 2023, ISBN 978-3-11-072472-1 Volume 2: Plant Toxins: Polyketides, Phenylpropanoids and Further Compounds 2024, ISBN 978-3-11-072851-4 Volume 3: Plant Toxins: Alkaloids and Lectins 2025, ISBN 978-3-11-112740-8 Volume 4: Animal Toxins 2023, ISBN 978-3-11-072854-5
Crystal Growth Fundamentals
A profound knowledge about crystal growth fundamentals and processes is needed for nanocrystals, epitaxial thin films and bulk crystals which became significant as the centerpieces of micro- and optoelectronics, photonics, computing. The mastery of crystallization and epitaxial processes requires a profound interdisciplinary knowledge that combines chemistry, crystallography, material science, physics. This three-volume textbook presents the three pillars of experimental crystal growth: _Thermodynamics of crystallization. _Kinetics of crystallization. _Transport of heat and mass. Part 2: Kinetics of Crystallization.
Intermetallics
The 3rd, updated and expanded edition summarizes basic data for the synthesis and crystal chemistry of binary/ternary intermetallic phases and gives a concise outlook on the many physical properties. It discusses selected examples from the huge family of intermetallic compounds from a solid state chemistry point of view. New chapters on corrosion, memory metals and medical implant materials.
Characterization and Modelling of the Deformation and Failure of Engineering Metallic Materials
Metals are the most widely used engineering materials, and their reliability is crucial for their applications. Engineered metallic materials exhibit diverse mechanical properties, defects, phases, microstructures, and chemical compositions. These microstructural features govern the deformation and failure of metals. Recent advances in material characterization techniques have provided insights into deformation mechanisms across a wide range of length and time scales. At the microscale, electron microscopy is widely used to reveal local crystal orientations and microstructures. At larger scales, digital image correlation (DIC) techniques and X-ray diffraction have enabled the measurement of internal stresses and lattice strains during deformation. Emerging techniques, such as 3D tomography, atom probe tomography (APT), and a focused ion beam (FIB), allow for the three-dimensional reconstruction of microstructures.Numerical modelling techniques have also progressed significantly. The finite element method (FEM) remains a cornerstone of mechanical simulation. Incorporating crystal plasticity models into FEM enables the consideration of microstructural features at the grain level. At a lower scale, discrete dislocation dynamics (DDD) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations capture the activities of dislocations.
2024 IEEE 7th International Conference on Knowledge Innovation and Invention
This Reprint represents the proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Knowledge Innovation and Invention 2024 (ICKII 2024). This conference was organized by the Science Education Center, National Taiwan Normal University, the Photovoltaic Research and Education Center for Smart Green Energy, National Formosa University, the International Institute of Knowledge Innovation and Invention (IIKII), and the IEEE Tainan Section Sensors Council (IEEE TSSC) in the area of sciences and engineering technologies. It provides a unified communication platform for researchers in the topics of Information Technology, Innovation Design, Bioengineering, Communication Science and Engineering, Industrial Design, Creative Design, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mechanical and Automation Engineering, Green Technology and Architecture Engineering, Material Science, and other related fields. This conference enables the interdisciplinary collaboration of science and engineering technologists in the academic and industrial fields, as well as networking internationally. ICKII 2024 provided 15 Regular Sessions and 4 Invited Sessions including 223 papers, and 46 excellent papers about relevant engineering fields to the conference were selected through peer review for publication in Engineering Proceedings (ISSN: 2673-4591, indexed by Scopus). The proceedings of ICKII 2024 are expected to accelerate the interdisciplinary collaboration of science and engineering technologists in the academic and industrial fields as well as international networking.
Hybrid O/I Sol-Gel-Derived Nanocomposites Systems for Advanced Functional Applications
The demand for high-performance polymer-based systems continues to drive both academia and industry toward the design of innovative and sustainable materials for applications in sectors like electrical engineering, electronics, advanced packaging, and flame retardancy. This Reprint brings together key contributions from experts in polymer research, focusing on hybrid O/I sol-gel-derived nanocomposites for advanced technologies. It highlights recent advancements in the preparation, characterization, and processability of hybrid O/I systems, with a focus on sustainability. The volume explores interactions between polymer matrices and functional components, examines alternative fillers with environmental and economic benefits, and emphasizes the increasing role of machine learning in sol-gel science. These data-driven approaches are enhancing material property prediction, formulation optimization, and the design of new composites. Each chapter provides a solid theoretical foundation, experimental results, and key conclusions, offering readers a deeper understanding of cutting-edge developments and the impact of artificial intelligence in materials science.
Recent Advances and Emerging Challenges in Functional Coatings
This Reprint gathers recent progress and perspectives in the field of functional coatings, reflecting the growing importance of surface engineering in modern materials science. As technological applications increasingly require components with properties that extend from bulk to tailored surface functionalities, coatings provide a vital means to enhance performance, durability, and adaptability in demanding environments.The contributions collected here span theoretical analyses, numerical modeling, and experimental investigations, offering a comprehensive overview of how coatings can be designed, optimized, and characterized. The articles address key advances in coating technologies, novel application strategies, and the integration of advanced analytical tools in production. They also highlight innovative materials solutions, from protective to multifunctional coatings, that are capable of meeting the challenges posed by complex service conditions.Together, these studies provide valuable insights into current trends and emerging directions in functional coatings, underlining their critical role in enabling sustainable and high-performance engineering applications.
Liquid Crystals and Their Applications
The Topical Collection "Liquid Crystals and Their Applications" in Crystals (MDPI) gathers cutting-edge contributions that reveal the remarkable versatility and impact of liquid crystal materials across technology and science. This collection features experimental and theoretical papers that demonstrate how manipulating the orientational order of nematic, chiral, and elastomeric phases enables novel influences on thermal, optical, and mechanical phenomena. Highlights include light-induced heating and Bragg resonance in nematic and helicoidal cholesteric structures, usage of nematic liquid crystals to boost dye-sensing solar cell performance, and the design of broadband near-infrared reflective coatings with stacked chiral liquid crystals. The integration of liquid crystals in filtration membranes, adjustable optical elements, and responsive elastomers illustrates their critical role in sustainable energy, smart windows, and advanced photonic devices. The review of angular-selective windows with guest-host liquid crystals underscores their promise for the next-generation static window technologies. Collectively, this collection offers a panoramic view of how liquid crystals shape modern materials innovation and device engineering for researchers, technologists, and industry stakeholders.
Coatings for Cultural Heritage
The aim of this Reprint is to research related scientific problems involved in coatings during the process of cleaning, protecting and restoring objects of cultural heritage through original research papers. As the precious legacy of human beings with high historical, artistic and scientific values, cultural heritage carries important information about human historical activities, reflecting the development and progress of world civilization. Studies of cultural heritage preservation play a key role in understanding human history, inheriting national cultures and safeguarding cultural diversity and creativity. Due to natural and anthropogenic factors, heritage assets have deteriorated, and cleaning, protection and restoration are crucial measures aimed at their preservation. In the process of preservation, coatings should be given particular attention as a research focus regarding the application of protective materials or advanced technologies/approaches on the culturally significant object, such as their compatibility, performance, stability, etc. Therefore, research on coatings for cultural heritage is an important issue in promoting the process of heritage conservation. In this Reprint, 11 original research articles include the following topics: Coatings for earthen sites, grottoes, stone and other immovable heritage preservation and consolidation;Coatings for movable cultural relics in cleaning, restoration and preservation;Modeling and evaluation of coatings;Compatibility of new protective materials from the perspective of coatings;Application of new theory, methods, and materials in cultural heritage preservation.
Advances in Modelling and Simulation of Materials in Applied Sciences
The Reprint of the Special Issue "Advances in Modelling and Simulation of Materials in Applied Sciences" presents recent developments in methods and applications of material modelling and simulation across a wide range of applied science fields. It features advanced approaches such as finite element simulations, multiphysics modelling, ab initio and molecular dynamics simulations, and structural optimization. Applications span mechanical and manufacturing engineering, mechanical behavior and characterization of materials, thermomechanics and thermohydrodynamics, vibration and acoustics, and fluid dynamics, with materials ranging from metals and alloys to composites, fibrous media, metamaterials, and multifunctional structures. Within this context, the contributions of the Special Issue are organized into five themes: (i) finite element simulations in mechanical and manufacturing engineering; (ii) mechanical behavior and characterization of materials; (iii) reliability and vibration performance of engineered systems; (iv) thermohydrodynamic multiphysics modelling; and (v) ab initio and atomistic modelling of materials. Together, they demonstrate how simulations not only predict outcomes but also complement experiments in guiding design, processing, and optimization. This collection serves as a valuable reference for researchers, physicists and engineers seeking the latest advances in computational materials science and novel methods for material processing and characterization across multiple scales.
Advanced Materials for Solar Energy Utilization
This Reprint highlights recent advances in materials science for solar energy conversion and utilization. It presents a collection of innovative research articles and reviews focused on the development of high-performance materials for solar-driven applications such as water splitting, CO2 reduction, ammonia synthesis, pollutant degradation, H2O2 production, photovoltaic energy harvesting, and more. By integrating insights from photochemistry, catalysis, nanotechnology, and environmental science, this Reprint explores cutting-edge strategies for enhancing light absorption, charge separation, and catalytic efficiency. The featured studies demonstrate the critical role of material design-from heterojunction engineering to vacancy modification and surface functionalization-in improving the sustainability and effectiveness of solar energy technologies. This Reprint serves as a valuable reference for researchers and engineers seeking to address global challenges in clean energy and environmental remediation through advanced photochemical and photovoltaic materials.
Surface Engineering and Mechanical Properties of Building Materials
This Reprint immerses the reader in cutting-edge research on enhancing the performance and sustainability of building materials. It explores innovative approaches in surface engineering and mechanical characterization, from evaluating the cracking resistance of in-service asphalt pavements and the durability of bridge deck systems to mitigating rebar corrosion in concrete. The studies within also unravel the potential of utilizing industrial by-products and eco-friendly composites, paving the way for a more circular economy in construction. Through insights from leading experts, this Collection embarks on a journey to unlock the full potential of advanced materials, seeking solutions that balance our infrastructural needs with the responsibility to build a more resilient and sustainable future.
