Potential utilization of waste plastic in sustainable geopolymer concrete production: A review.

Plastic production has increased manifold over the last decade, with worldwide production reaching 400 million tonnes in 2021, and the trend is estimated to have a sharp rise in the future. Apart from being non-biodegradable, plastics are essentially durable, which makes waste plastic disposal extremely difficult and poses a threat to solid waste management. Disposal methods, including incinerating, landfilling, disposal into water bodies, etc., are having hazardous environmental impacts. Hence, plastic recycling is essential for ensuring sustainability. The construction industry is a major contributor to global warming primarily due to the Portland cement production emitting 6% of global CO2 production. Growing awareness has emphasized partial replacement of Portland cement with other binders, such as metakaolin, fly ash, slag, etc., to be used in conventional composites or complete replacement to yield geopolymer composites. Waste plastics can be used in geopolymer concrete (GPC) as a partial or complete replacement of natural aggregates or added as fibers. Based on the above background, various researchers have incorporated plastics in GPC in the form of aggregate replacement or fiber addition, justifying sustainability and enhancing GPC characteristics. Plastic supplementation in GPC is a relatively new research domain. An attempt has been made through the current review work to develop a comprehensive database established on various concrete characteristics through the globally available research performances involving various forms of plastic incorporation in GPC yielding plastic-supplemented GPC (PSGPC). A detailed plastic classification and varying forms are poised, with identified plastics elicited from its global acceptance so far in PSGPC production. Through various PSGPC characteristics like fresh, physical, mechanical, durability, and microstructural analysis with different plastic types and forms, the optimal waste plastic disposable range is entrenched justifying eco-friendly and sustainable concrete yield.

Hydrophobic Ion Barrier-Enabled Ultradurable Zn (002) Plane Orientation towards Long-Life Anode-Less Zn Batteries.

Gradual disability of Zn anode and high negative/positive electrode (N/P) ratio usually depreciate calendar life and energy density of aqueous Zn batteries (AZBs). Herein, within original Zn2+-free hydrated electrolytes, a steric hindrance/electric field shielding-driven "hydrophobic ion barrier" is engineered towards ultradurable (002) plane-exposed Zn stripping/plating to solve this issue. Guided by theoretical simulations, hydrophobic adiponitrile (ADN) is employed as a steric hindrance agent to ally with inert electric field shielding additive (Mn2+) for plane adsorption priority manipulation, thereby constructing the "hydrophobic ion barrier". This design robustly suppresses the (002) plane/dendrite growth, enabling ultradurable (002) plane-exposed dendrite-free Zn stripping/plating. Even being cycled in Zn‖Zn symmetric cell over 2150 h at 0.5 mA cm-2, the efficacy remains well-kept. Additionally, Zn‖Zn symmetric cells can be also stably cycled over 918 h at 1 mA cm-2, verifying uncompromised Zn stripping/plating kinetics. As-assembled anode-less Zn‖VOPO4·2H2O full cells with a low N/P ratio (2:1) show a high energy density of 75.2 Wh kg-1full electrode after 842 cycles at 1 A g-1, far surpassing counterparts with thick Zn anode and low cathode loading mass, featuring excellent practicality. This study opens a new avenue by robust "hydrophobic ion barrier" design to develop long-life anode-less Zn batteries.

Oxygen-Terminated Polycrystalline Boron-Doped Diamond Superhydrophobic Surface with Excellent Mechanical and Thermal Stabilities.

Superhydrophobic surfaces are of great interest because of their remarkable properties. Due to its maximal hardness and chemical inertness, diamond film has great potential in fabricating robust superhydrophobic surfaces. In the present study, an oxygen-terminated polycrystalline boron-doped diamond (O-PBDD) superhydrophobic surface with micro/nano-hierarchical porous structures is developed. The preparation method is very simple, requiring only sputtering and dewetting procedures. The former involves sputtering gold and copper particles onto the hydrogen-terminated polycrystalline boron-doped diamond (H-PBDD) to form gold/copper films, whereas the latter involves placing the samples in an atmospheric tube furnace to form hierarchical pores. By controlling the etching parameters, the wettability of the O-PBDD surface can be adjusted from hydrophilic to superhydrophobic, which is significantly different to the normal hydrophilicity feature of O-termination diamonds. The water contact angle of the obtained O-PBDD surface can reach 165 ± 5°, which is higher than the superhydrophobic diamond surfaces that are reported in the literature. In addition, the O-PBDD surface exhibits excellent durability; it can maintain satisfactory superhydrophobicity even after high-pressure, high-temperature, and sandpaper friction tests. This work provides a new research direction for fabricating robust superhydrophobic materials with diamond film.

Tympanostomy Tubes Under Local Versus General Anesthesia for Children: A Prospective Long-Term Study.

OBJECTIVES: Tympanostomy tube insertion (TTI) under local anesthesia (LA) is gaining popularity but literature comparing long-term outcomes for children undergoing TTI under LA versus general anesthesia (GA) is limited. This study compares the long-term quality of life (QoL) between LA and GA in children undergoing TTI. Secondary objectives included long-term behavioral changes, parental satisfaction, tube durability, and postoperative complications. METHODS: We prospectively followed children aged under 6 who underwent TTI, under LA or GA, 2 years prior. We assessed QoL using validated scales (OM6, PedsQL), analyzed behavioral changes and parental satisfaction through qualitative scales, and retrieved data on tube durability and non-immediate complications. RESULTS: A total of 84 children (LA = 42; GA = 42) had complete data and a minimum of 1 year of follow-up. Demographic data were similar, except for younger patients in the LA group (1.4 vs. 1.9 years, p = 0.02). LA group exhibited increased fear of health care professionals following TTI (LA: Likert scale 2.1/5, GA: 1.5/5, p = 0.04). Tube retention rate was shorter in the LA group (at 15 months: GA:72%, LA:50%, p = 0.039). Two years post-TTI, there were no differences regarding QoL (OM-6 score; LA: 15.2/100, GA: 21.4/100, p = 0.18, and PedsQL score; LA: 84.3/100, GA: 83.8/100, p = 0.90), parental satisfaction with anesthesia (GA: 4.5/5, LA: 4.6/5, p = 0.56), and postoperative complications (GA: 3/42, LA: 7/42, p = 0.18). CONCLUSIONS: TTI under LA in children is associated with an increased fear of health care professionals and shorter functionality of tympanostomy tubes as compared to GA. No difference was observed in long-term QoL, parental satisfaction, and complications rate. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3 Laryngoscope, 2024.

The maintenance and interface of two wheelchairs used by children with cerebral palsy in Kenya: a cross-sectional study.

Current wheelchairs used in low-resource settings lack the adjustability required for children with cerebral palsy and are not well-suited for rough terrain environments. This study aimed to examine the durability and functional interface of two wheelchairs specifically designed for use in low-resource settings. This descriptive study assessed 14 wheelchairs used by children with cerebral palsy living in Kenya, Africa (Momentum Wheels for Humanity's Liberty II wheelchair n = 6, Beeline's Honey Bee wheelchair n = 8). Four physical and occupational therapists evaluated durability using the Wheelchair Components Questionnaire (WCQ) and functionality using the Wheelchair Interface Questionnaire (WIQ). Medians were used to compare differences in the chair types using the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test in Statistical Analysis Software (SAS) 9.4 with an alpha = 0.05. Median scores on the WCQ were 8.3/10 for the Liberty II and 7.8/10 for Beeline's Honey Bee wheelchair; however, the durability of the wheel locks was lower in the Beeline wheelchair (5.1/10 compared to the Liberty II 8.1/10 (p = 0.002). Median scores on the WIQ were lower and significantly different in the area of preventing distal lower extremity pain (Liberty II =3.7/10 and Beeline = 7.6/10, p = 0.045). Low scores occurred in both chairs in the areas of transfers and transporting the chairs in the community. The Beeline wheelchairs demonstrated higher average ratings for all areas of the WIQ, indicating the wheelchairs fit the children better and were more functional for use in the home and community environment.

Beeline Honey Bee and Clasp Liberty II wheelchairs demonstrate strengths supporting children in their communities, although no single type of wheelchair is perfect for children with cerebral palsy in low to middle-income countries with rough terrain.Rehabilitation professionals can use their physiological expertise to provide feedback on durability and functionality of wheelchairs in collaboration with wheelchair manufacturers to provide the most durable, cost-effective assistive technologies that support the user's physiological needs.The appropriate provision of wheelchairs can increase the quality of life for the child and their families, enabling them to participate in their local communities more fully.

Geopolymer concrete containing nanomaterials-a step toward sustainable construction.

Geopolymer concrete (GPC) utilizes industrial wastes such as fly ash, bottom, ash, and slag instead of conventional Portland cement as the primary binder, and thus promote a sustainable solution for bulk concrete works. Nanomaterials (NMs) have often been linked with developing these sustainable high-strength mixes. Furthermore, NMs have been proven to imbibe enhanced physio-mechanical properties, often eliminating the need for thermal curing. This not only reduces total energy demand for concrete production but also offers enhanced durability due to denser inter-particle packing of the mix. This review meticulously summarizes the performance of GPCs dosed with different types of NMs including nano-silica (NS), nano-alumina (NA), nano-titanium di oxide (NT), nano-clay (NC), nano-graphene oxide (NG), and carbon nanotubes (CNT). The reported findings of previous studies were carefully studied and compiled in a systematic manner in terms of physio-mechanical, durability, and microstructural properties. It was observed that addition of NM, in general, leads to a slight reduction in the mix's workability; however, the same can be counteracted by use of suitable superplasticizers. Furthermore, inclusion of NMs in GPC offers the distinct advantage of high density and impermeability, resulting in enhanced mechanical and durability characteristics. Two distinct multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) techniques were employed in this study to statistically analyze the most preferred NM for GPC. It was found that addition of NS (2%) yields the most desirable outcomes. Finally, limitations and challenges associated with production of NM dosed GPC along with scopes for future works are presented toward the end of this review.

Multilayer Core-Shell Fiber Device for Improved Strain Sensing and Supercapacitor Applications.

1D fiber devices, known for their exceptional flexibility and seamless integration capabilities, often face trade-offs between desired wearable application characteristics and actual performance. In this study, a multilayer device composed of carbon nanotube (CNT), transition metal carbides/nitrides (MXenes), and cotton fibers, fabricated using a dry spinning method is presented, which significantly enhances both strain sensing and supercapacitor functionality. This core-shell fiber design achieves a record-high sensitivity (GF ≈ 4500) and maintains robust durability under various environmental conditions. Furthermore, the design approach markedly influences capacitance, correlating with the percentage of active material used. Through systematic optimization, the fiber device exhibited a capacitance 26-fold greater than that of a standard neat CNT fiber, emphasizing the crucial role of innovative design and high active material loading in improving device performance.

Decay and Termite Resistance of Wood Modified by High-Temperature Vapour-Phase Acetylation (HTVPA), a Simultaneous Acetylation and Heat Treatment Modification Process.

High-temperature vapour-phase acetylation (HTVPA) is a simultaneous acetylation and heat treatment process for wood modification. This study was the first investigation into the impact of HTVPA treatment on the resistance of wood to biological degradation. In the termite resistance test, untreated wood exhibited a mass loss (MLt) of 20.3%, while HTVPA-modified wood showed a reduced MLt of 6.6-3.2%, which decreased with an increase in weight percent gain (WPG), and the termite mortality reached 95-100%. Furthermore, after a 12-week decay resistance test against brown-rot fungi (Laetiporus sulfureus and Fomitopsis pinicola), untreated wood exhibited mass loss (MLd) values of 39.6% and 54.5%, respectively, while HTVPA-modified wood exhibited MLd values of 0.2-0.9% and -0.2-0.3%, respectively, with no significant influence from WPG. Similar results were observed in decay resistance tests against white-rot fungi (Lenzites betulina and Trametes versicolor). The results of this study demonstrated that HTVPA treatment not only effectively enhanced the decay resistance of wood but also offered superior enhancement relative to separate heat treatment or acetylation processes. In addition, all the HTVPA-modified wood specimens prepared in this study met the requirements of the CNS 6717 wood preservative standard, with an MLd of less than 3% for decay-resistant materials.

Durability of Prestressed Piles in a Leachate Environment.

Prestressed pipe piles are common concrete components characterized by dense concrete structures and favorable mechanical properties, and thus, extensively used as coastal soft soil foundations. However, their durability in harsh environments has not been fully clarified. In this study, leachate from an actual landfill site was collected from the east coast of China as the corrosive medium, and the corrosion process was accelerated by electrifying prestressed pipe piles. The results demonstrated that the concentration of chloride ions in the concrete of the prestressed pile increased with the increase in corrosion time. Moreover, the experimental corrosion of these prestressed piles in the drying-wetting cycle proved to be the most severe. However, a protective layer of epoxy resin coating can effectively inhibit the diffusion of chloride ions into the interior of the piles. The final theoretical corrosion amounts of the piles were 1.55 kg, 1.20 kg, and 1.64 kg under immersion, epoxy resin protection, and a drying-wetting cycle environment. The application of epoxy resin reduced chloride penetration by 22.6%, and the drying-wetting cycle increased chloride penetration by 5.8%, respectively, with corresponding corrosion potentials following similar patterns. The actual corrosion depth of the welding seam was 3.20 mm, and there was a large corrosion allowance compared with the requirement (6.53 mm) for the ultimate bending moment. In summary, these prestressed piles exhibited good durability in a leachate environment.

Durability and Mechanical Properties of Nano-SiO2 and Polyvinyl Alcohol Fiber-Reinforced Cementitious Composites Subjected to Saline Freeze-Thaw Cycles.

To investigate the effects of nano-SiO2 (NS) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers on the durability and mechanical properties of cementitious composites subjected to saline freeze-thaw cycling, a series of PVA fiber-reinforced cementitious composite (PFRCC) specimens were prepared using various fiber contents, and a series of NS and PVA fiber-reinforced cementitious composite (NPFRCC) specimens were prepared using various combinations of NS and fiber contents. Durability and fracture toughness tests were subsequently conducted on the specimens after different numbers of saline freeze-thaw cycles. The results indicate that the degradation of material properties can be divided into slow and accelerated damage stages before/after 50 freeze-thaw cycles. The durability and fracture toughness of the specimen series tended to increase, then decrease with increasing NS and PVA contents, suggesting optimum levels. When the PVA fiber content was 0.5%, PFRCC specimens had the best durability after saline freeze-thaw cycles; when the NS and PVA fiber contents were 1.0% and 0.5%, respectively, NPFRCC specimens had the best durability and fracture properties, and the initiation toughness, destabilization toughness, and fracture energy after 100 saline freeze-thaw cycles were 120.69%, 160.02%, and 451.31%, respectively. The results of this study may guide future exploration of the durability and mechanical properties of concrete subjected to freeze-thaw action.

Durability Analysis of Cold Spray Repairs: Phase I-Effect of Surface Grit Blasting.

This paper presents the results of an extensive investigation into the durability of cold spray repairs to corrosion damage in AA7075-T7351 aluminium alloy specimens where, prior to powder deposition, the surface preparation involved grit blasting. In this context, it is shown that the growth of small naturally occurring cracks in cold spray repairs to simulated corrosion damage can be accurately computed using the Hartman-Schijve crack growth equation in a fashion that is consistent with the requirements delineated in USAF Structures Bulletin EZ-SB-19-01, MIL-STD-1530D, and the US Joint Services Structural Guidelines JSSG2006. The relatively large variation in the da/dN versus ΔK curves associated with low values of da/dN highlights the fact that, before any durability assessment of a cold spray repair to an operational airframe is attempted, it is first necessary to perform a sufficient number of tests so that the worst-case small crack growth curve needed to perform the mandated airworthiness certification analysis can be determined.

Variant-specific antibody response following repeated SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and infection.

The ongoing emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants poses challenges to the immunity induced by infections and vaccination. We conduct a 6-month longitudinal evaluation of antibody binding and neutralization of sera from individuals with six different combinations of vaccination and infection against BA.5, XBB.1.5, EG.5.1, and BA.2.86. We find that most individuals produce spike-binding IgG or neutralizing antibodies against BA.5, XBB.1.5, EG.5.1, and BA.2.86 2 months after infection or vaccination. However, compared to ancestral strain and BA.5 variant, XBB.1.5, EG.5.1, and BA.2.86 exhibit comparable but significant immune evasion. The spike-binding IgG and neutralizing antibody titers decrease in individuals without additional antigen exposure, and <50% of individuals neutralize XBB.1.5, EG.5.1, and BA.2.86 during the 6-month follow-up. Approximately 57% of the 107 followed up individuals experienced an additional infection, leading to improved binding IgG and neutralizing antibody levels against these variants. These findings provide insights into the impact of SARS-CoV-2 variants on immunity following repeated exposure.

Fatigue Test Method to Evaluate the 50 Year Durability of Venous Stents.

OBJECTIVE: Iliofemoral venous obstructive disease can result in significant, potentially debilitating symptoms that can negatively affect quality of life. Unlike arterial disease, patients with deep venous disease have a significantly lower median age, therefore the need for long term stent patency becomes a matter of decades rather than years. Furthermore, iliofemoral lesions frequently require stent placement across the inguinal ligament. Such stents are subject to dynamic stress from leg movement and associated concerns for device fatigue, resulting in stent fracture. The aim of this study was to describe an in vitro 50 year stent fatigue test method designed to assess durability against dynamic stress induced device fracture. METHODS: Through literature review, cadaver studies, and computer modelling, the most challenging loading was confirmed to be hip flexion across the inguinal ligament. This occurs when the patient adjusts between a seated and standing position. Sit to stand hip flexion at the inguinal ligament was effectively simulated on the bench in this in vitro experimental study. RESULTS: When tested under challenge parameters, hip flexion was reliably found to cause fractures in non-venous nitinol stents. However, a dedicated self expanding nitinol venous stent, engineered for improved durability, underwent up to 50 years of simulated loading on the bench with 15% (3/20) of stents experiencing fractures at 50 years, compared with fractures in 35% (14/40) of non-venous stents tested to 1.4 years; no statistical testing was performed as durations do not match and the objective was to demonstrate the test method). CONCLUSION: The presented fatigue test method is a suitable approach for evaluating the durability of stents intended for venous use. Venous stents demonstrated superior fatigue resistance compared with non-venous stents via in vitro hip flexion testing.

Boron carbon nitride as efficient oxygen reduction reaction support.

The electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is crucial for energy conversion systems such as fuel cells and metal-air batteries. Boron carbon nitrogen (BCN) is a novel functional material with a high specific surface area, excellent corrosion resistance, and outstanding electrochemical stability. These properties make BCN an effective ORR catalyst and a promising support for metal catalysts. This study leveraged the strong interaction between BCN and metals to anchor platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) onto the BCN surface (Pt/BCN), significantly enhancing the durability of traditional Pt/C catalysts in ORR. The half-wave potential of Pt/BCN is 0.927 V, higher than Pt/XC-72R (0.857 V) and commercial Pt/C (0.879 V). Notably, after 10,000 durability test cycles, the mass activity (MA) of Pt/XC-72R and commercial Pt/C decreased by 67 % and 75 %, respectively. Even after 50,000 cycles, Pt/BCN exhibited only a 54 % decrease in MA. Experimental data and density functional theory calculations confirmed increased electron transfer from Pt to the BCN support, indicating a strong electronic metal-support interaction (EMSI) between Pt and BCN. This strong EMSI effectively anchored the Pt NPs, preventing migration and aggregation during the ORR process. Consequently, our research introduces a novel electrocatalyst support material with significant potential for ORR and broader applications.

Physical and insecticidal durability of Interceptor®, Interceptor® G2, and PermaNet® 3.0 insecticide-treated nets in Burkina Faso: results of durability monitoring in three sites from 2019 to 2022.

BACKGROUND: National Malaria Programmes (NMPs) monitor the durability of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) to inform procurement and replacement decisions. This is crucial for new dual active ingredients (AI) ITNs, for which less data is available. Pyrethroid-only ITN (Interceptor®) and dual AI (Interceptor® G2, and PermaNet® 3.0) ITNs were assessed across three health districts over 36 months in southern Burkina Faso to estimate median ITN survival, insecticidal efficacy, and to identify factors contributing to field ITN longevity. METHODS: Durability was monitored through a prospective study of a cohort of nets distributed during the 2019 mass campaign. Three health districts were selected for their similar pyrethroid-resistance, environmental, epidemiological, and population profiles. Households were recruited after the mass campaign, with annual household questionnaire follow-ups over three years. Each round, ITNs were withdrawn for bioassays and chemical residue testing. Key measures were the percentage of cohort ITNs in serviceable condition, insecticidal effectiveness, and chemical residue content against target dose. Cox proportional hazard models were used to identify determinants influencing ITN survival. RESULTS: At endline, the median useful life was 3.2 (95% CI 2.5-4.0) years for PermaNet® 3.0 ITNs in Orodara, 2.6 (95% CI 1.9-3.2) years for Interceptor® G2 ITNs in Banfora and 2.4 (95% CI 1.9-2.9) years for Interceptor® ITNs in Gaoua. Factors associated with ITN survival included cohort ITNs from Orodara (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 0.58, p = 0.026), households seeing less rodents (aHR = 0.66, p = 0.005), female-headed households (aHR = 0.66, p = 0.044), exposure to social behavior change (SBC) messages (aHR = 0.52, ≤ 0.001) and folding nets when not in use (aHR = 0.47, p < 0.001). At endline, PermaNet® 3.0 ITN recorded 24-h mortality of 26% against resistant mosquitos on roof panels, with an 84% reduction in PBO content. Interceptor® G2 ITN 72-h mortality was 51%, with a 67% reduction in chlorfenapyr content. Interceptor® ITN 24-h mortality was 71%, with an 84% reduction in alpha-cypermethrin content. CONCLUSION: Only PermaNet® 3.0 ITNs surpassed the standard three-year survival threshold. Identified protective factors should inform SBC messaging. Significant decreases in chemical content and resulting impact on bioefficacy warrant more research in other countries to better understand dual AI ITN insecticidal performance.

Implanted size and structural valve deterioration in the Edwards Magna bioprosthesis.

Background: The desire of patients to avoid anticoagulation, together with the potential of valve-in-valve (VIV) transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), have resulted in the increasing use of bioprosthetic valves for aortic valve replacement (AVR). While patient-prosthesis mismatch (PPM) is known to be an adverse risk after AVR, few studies have addressed the effect of PPM on valve durability. This study evaluates the role of valve size and hemodynamics on long term durability after AVR with a Magna bioprosthesis. Methods: We performed a retrospective, single-center evaluation of patients who underwent a surgical AVR procedure between June 2004 through December 2022 using the Magna bioprosthesis. Perioperative information and long-term follow-up data were sourced from the institution's Society for Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Registry and outcomes database. Cumulative incidence of freedom from reintervention were estimated accounting for competing events. Group comparisons used Gray's test. Results: Among 2,100 patients, the mean patient age was 69 years (range, 22-95 years), of whom 98% had native aortic valve disease, 32.5% had concomitant coronary bypass grafting, and 19% had mitral valve surgery. Median follow-up was 5.8 (1.9-9.4) years, during which 116 reinterventions were performed, including 74 explants and 42 VIV procedures. Nine hundred and twenty-eight patients died prior to reintervention. Incidence of all cause reintervention was 1.2%, 4.5%, and 11.7% at 5, 10, and 15 years, respectively. Smaller valve size was associated with worse survival (P<0.001), but not with reintervention. Higher mean gradient at implant was associated with increased late reintervention [sub-distribution hazard ratio: 1.016; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.005 to 1.028; P=0.0047, n=1,661]. Conclusions: While reintervention rates are low for the Magna prosthesis at 15 years, the analysis is confounded by the competing risk of death. PPM, as reflected physiologically by elevated post-operative valve gradients, portends an increased risk of intervention. Further study is necessary to elucidate the mechanism of early stenosis in patients who progress to reintervention.

A Multilayer Photothermal Superhydrophobic Anti-Icing Coating Applied to Asphalt Pavement with Remarkable Wear Resistance.

Superhydrophobic surfaces exhibit considerable potential in road anti-icing applications due to their unique water-repellent properties. However, the nanorough structure of superhydrophobic coatings is highly susceptible to degradation under wheel rolling in practical applications. To maintain effective hydrophobicity under prolonged exposure to wheel rolling, a multilayer superhydrophobic anti-icing coating was developed. This coating utilizes antifreeze protein (AFP)-modified emulsified asphalt as the substrate with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and silicon carbide (SiC) as surface coatings. Experimental results indicate that the inclusion of AFP enhances the viscosity of the emulsified asphalt, thereby stabilizing the nanorough structure of the coating. Even after 100 cycles of sandpaper grinding and 500 wheel rolls, the coating maintains robust hydrophobic properties. Moreover, when the coating is worn away by long-term high-strength loads, the exposed AFP-modified emulsified asphalt layer continues to exhibit effective anti-icing capabilities, significantly prolonging the complete freezing time of water droplets on its surface. Additionally, the incorporation of CNTs and SiC enhances the photothermal conversion performance, further improving the anti-icing efficiency of the coating under light irradiation. Overall, this coating shows promise for application in road anti-icing strategies.

Lightweight, breathable and self-cleaning polypyrrole-modified multifunctional cotton fabric for flexible electromagnetic interference shielding.

The thriving of wearable electronics and the emerging new requirements for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding have driven the innovation of EMI shielding materials towards lightweight, wearability and multifunctionality. Herein, the hierarchical polypyrrole nanotubes (PNTs)/PDMS structures are rationally constructed on the textile for obtaining multifunctional and flexible EMI shielding textiles by in-situ polymerization and surface coating. The modified cotton fabric possesses a conductivity of about 2715.8 S/m and an SET of 28.2 dB in the X band when the thickness is only 0.5 mm. After ultrasonic treatment, cyclic bending and washing, the conductivity and EMI shielding performance remain stable and exhibit long-term durability. Importantly, the textile's inherent lightweight, breathable and soft properties have been completely retained after modification. This work shows application potentiality in the field of EMI pollution protection and affords a novel path for the construction of multifunctionally wearable and durable EMI shielding materials.

Durable Self-Cleaning Radiative Cooling Coatings for Building Energy Efficiency.

Passive daytime radiative cooling (PDRC) is an energy-saving technology without an additional energy supply or environmental pollution. At present, most PDRC coatings for buildings are only aiming at high solar reflectivity (RS) and high mid-infrared emissivity (EMIR) while ignoring practicalities such as adhesion strength, scalability, and durability. In this work, modified calcined kaolin/(ethylene trifluorochloroethylene copolymer-polydimethylsiloxane) (MK/(FEVE-PDMS)) coating with super practicability is prepared by using MK as a filler, FEVE as an adhesive, and PDMS as a hydrophobic modifier. The RS and EMIR of the coating are 92.5 and 94.6%, respectively. The MK/(FEVE-PDMS) coating exhibits superhydrophobicity, with an advancing contact angle (ACA) of 160.2° and a hysteresis contact angle of 7.3°. At an average solar irradiance of 742.78 W m-2, the coating achieved a temperature drop of 13.12 °C (shielded with PE film) and 3.09 °C (without shielding), respectively, relative to the environment. The coating adheres firmly to the substrate with an adhesion strength of class 2. The superhydrophobicity of the coating provides excellent durability and ease of repair, which can resist UV aging and mechanical damage. The durable superhydrophobicity gives the coating long-term stability in PDRC performance. Additionally, the cheap raw materials and the preparation process, consistent with the production of existing paints, show excellent scalability. Moreover, the energy consumption simulation results show that the energy saving ratio of the coating is more than 10% in the densely populated Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta. The durable self-cleaning radiative coating developed in this work has potential application prospects in areas where the demand for cooling in summer is large and the demand for heating in winter is small.

Thermomechanically Resilient Polyionic Elastomers with Enhanced Anti-Icing Performances.

Anti-icing gels inhibit ice formation and accretion; however, current iterations face prevalent drawbacks such as poor strength, weak substrate adhesion, and limited anti-icing properties. Herein, we propose a novel approach to address these challenges by developing a thermomechanical robust polyionic elastomer (PIE) with enhanced anti-icing properties. The PIE surface exhibits an icing delay time up to 5400 s and remains frost-free after exposure to -10 °C for 3.5 h, attributed to the inhibitory effect on ice formation by ions from ILs and the polyelectrolyte network. Moreover, the PIE exhibits remarkable anti-icing durability, with ice adhesion strengths below 35 kPa after undergoing 30 icing/deicing cycle tests at -20 °C. Following sandpaper abrasion (300 cycles), scratching, and heat treatment (100 °C, 16 h), the adhesion strength remains ca. 20 kPa, highlighting its resilience under various thermal and mechanical conditions. This exceptional durability is attributed to the low volatility of the IL and the robust ionic interactions within the PIE network. Furthermore, the PIE demonstrates favorable self-healing properties and strong substrate adhesion in both low-temperature and ambient environments, facilitated by the abundance of hydrogen bonds and electrostatic forces within PIE. This work presents an innovative approach to developing high-performance, durable, and robust anti-icing materials with potential implications across various fields.