Preparation and Characterization of Calcium Cross-Linked Starch Monolithic Cryogels and Their Application as Cost-Effective Green Filters

Monolithic cryogels from starch were successfully synthesized and applied as alternative biodegradable filters for the first time. Rice flour was cross-linked with Ca2+ from limewater during gelatinization before being frozen and then thawed for three cycles. The resultant material was then soaked in ethanol for 3 h before incubation at 80 °C for 1 h, yielding monolithic material with interconnected pores in sizes of 51 ± 18 to 52 ± 15 µm without any need of freeze-drying. The cryogels possessed macroporous structure with specific surface areas from 1.1 to 4.3 m2g−1, they could adsorb water from 599 ± 27 to 635 ± 59% of their dry weight with low swelling ratios of 6.0 ± 0.3 to 6.4 ± 0.6 gwater/gcryogel, and could be applied as biofilters to remove suspended particles and reduce the light absorption of water sample from 25 ± 3 to 96 ± 5%. The prepared biofilters can be re-used up to three times, although they cost only USD 0.0004/piece. Complete weight loss resulted from burial in soil for 30 days, indicating environmentally friendly biodegradation and potential for environmental applications.

Polymer 3D-Printing for Fabrication of Ceramic Parts with Complex Shape

In this work, using polymer 3D printing, we obtained ceramic parts of complex shape with the topology of a triple periodic minimal surface (TPMS), of the “Schwarz primitive” type. The technology of manufacturing ceramic products from a diamond-silicon carbide composite ("Ideal") with the geometry of TPMS by pressing is described. The properties of 3D ceramics are similar to those of a monolithic material.

Addition of Chromium and its effect on the microstructure and mechanical properties of laser-coated high carbon ferrochrome alloy on mild steel

Laser cladding is an additive manufacturing technology that can be utilized in surface strengthening, modification, and repair of components that are subjected to adverse working conditions. This can be accomplished by the addition of functionally graded material with a remarkable limit to enhancing an engaged credited property of monolithic material that is superior and better than its monolithic counterparts. Chromium addition to the microstructure of components has been found to increase the electrochemical stability, high-temperature strength and corrosion resistance of laser additive manufactured components. The current study investigates the effect of the extra addition of chromium on the hardness and microstructure of laser coated high carbon ferrochrome FeCrV15 on steel baseplate.

Obtaining an immunoaffinity monolithic material: poly(GMA-co-EDMA) functionalized with an HPV-derived peptide using a thiol–maleimide reaction

In this investigation, an organic monolithic material of poly(GMA-co-EDMA) was functionalized with a peptide via Michael addition chemistry for isolating and pre-concentrating antibodies.

STUDY OF THE STRUCTURE OF HIGHLY FILLED FLUOROPLAST-ALUMINUM COMPOSITES

Structure formation in fluoroplastic-aluminum composites obtained by static and explosive pressing has been investigated. The concentration of dispersed aluminum was 50 and 70% vol. In fluoroplastic-aluminum composites, after static pressing, spalling of metal particles, formed during the preparation of a microsection, was found, which indicates low adhesion of the polymer and metal. The production of fluoroplastic-aluminum composites using explosive pressing leads to the formation of a monolithic material with a high adhesive interaction of the components and the formation of a metal frame.

Localizing genesis in polydomain liquid crystal elastomers

Programming genesis in polydomain liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) is a differentiated approach to prepare monolithic material compositions with localized, omnidirectional deformation.