Recent measurements from the Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT), combined with Planck and DESI data, suggest a scalar spectral index nₛ higher than the Planck 2018 baseline, thereby placing conventional attractor-type inflationary models such as Starobinsky R² and Higgs inflation under increasing tension at the ≳ 2σ level. In this work, we examine quantum-corrected ϕ⁴ inflation with a non-minimal coupling to gravity. Introducing an anomalous scaling parameter γ to capture quantum corrections to the effective potential, we derive analytic expressions for the inflationary observables nₛ and r. Confronting these predictions with ACT, Planck, and BAO+lensing constraints, we demonstrate that modest values of γ can raise nₛ into the ACT-preferred range while maintaining a strongly suppressed tensor-to-scalar ratio. For instance, with N = 60 and γ ≃ 0.006, the model predicts nₛ ≃ 0.974 and r ≃ 0.007, in excellent agreement with current bounds. We further investigate preheating dynamics, focusing on particle production via parametric resonance in quantum-corrected ϕ⁴ inflation with a non-minimal coupling to gravity. In this scenario, the inflaton ϕ couples to an additional scalar χ through an interaction g²ϕ²χ². In Minkowski spacetime, the resonance dynamics reduce to the Mathieu equation, and we find that broad resonance can be readily achieved, leading to efficient particle production.

In this research, polymer composite sheets were developed by blending poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) or P(VDF-HFP) with varying concentrations of barium sulfate (BaSO₄) for X-ray shielding applications. The photon counting technique was used to evaluate the composite shielding characteristics through the linear attenuation coefficient. Surface properties, including surface morphology, hydrophobicity, and surface energy, were analyzed using an atomic force microscope (AFM) and a water contact angle machine. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to investigate the microstructural distribution and dispersion of BaSO₄ particles within the polymer matrix, providing insights into the composite’s uniformity and structural integrity. Additionally, the bulk properties of the composite polymer sheets, such as crystal structures, tensile strength, and thermal stability, were examined. The results demonstrate that increasing the concentration of BaSO₄ in BaSO₄/P(VDF-HFP) composite sheets significantly improves their X-ray attenuation capabilities. Moreover, higher BaSO₄ concentrations enhance the material’s hydrophobicity, flexibility, and thermal stability, highlighting the potential of these composites for advanced radiation shielding applications.

Previous studies have reported that poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) (P(VDF-HFP)) copolymers can exhibit large electrostrictive strains depending on the filler. This work examines the electrostrictive and structural properties of P(VDF-HFP) nanofibers modified with conductive polymer polyaniline (PANI). The P(VDF-HFP)/PANI composite nanofibers were prepared by an electrospinning method with different PANI concentrations (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 3 and 5 wt.%). The average diameter, water contact angle and element were analyzed by SEM, WCA and EDX, respectively. The crystalline, phase structure and mechanical properties were investigated by XRD, FTIR and DMA, respectively. The dielectric properties and electrostrictive behavior were also studied. The results demonstrated that the composite nanofibers exhibited uniform fibers without any bead formation, and the WCA decreased with increasing amount of PANI. However, a high dielectric constant and electromechanical response were obtained. The electrostrictive coefficient, crystalline, phase structure, dielectric properties and interfacial charge distributions increased in relation to the PANI content. Moreover, this study indicates that P(VDF-HFP)/PANI composite nanofibers may represent a promising route for obtaining electrostrictive composite nanofibers for actuation applications, microelectromechanical systems and sensors based on electrostrictive phenomena.