Because of their small size and large specific surface area, nanoparticles (NPs) have special properties that are different from bulk materials. In particular, Au/Ag NPs have been intensively studied for a long time, especially for biomedical applications. Thereafter, they played a significant role in the fields of biology, medical testing, optical imaging, energy and catalysis, MRI contrast agents, tumor diagnosis and treatment, environmental protection, and so on. When synthesizing Au/Ag NPs, the laser ablation and biosynthesis methods are very promising green processes. Therefore, this review focuses on the progress in the laser ablation and biological synthesis processes for Au/Ag NP generation, especially in their fabrication fundamentals and potential applications. First, the fundamentals of the laser ablation method are critically reviewed, including the laser ablation mechanism for Au/Ag NPs and the controlling of their size and shape during fabrication using laser ablation. Second, the fundamentals of the biological method are comprehensively discussed, involving the synthesis principle and the process of controlling the size and shape and preparing Au/Ag NPs using biological methods. Third, the applications in biology, tumor diagnosis and treatment, and other fields are reviewed to demonstrate the potential value of Au/Ag NPs. Finally, a discussion surrounding three aspects (similarity, individuality, and complementarity) of the two green synthesis processes is presented, and the necessary outlook, including the current limitations and challenges, is suggested, which provides a reference for the low-cost and sustainable production of Au/Ag NPs in the future.

Transparent nano-ceramics have an important high-transmittance, material-integrating structure and function and a variety of potential applications, such as use in infrared windows, optical isolators, composite armors, intelligent terminal screens, and key materials of solid-state lasers. Transparent ceramics were originally developed to replace single crystals because of their low fabricating cost, controllable shape, and variable composition. Therefore, this study reviews and summarizes the development trends in transparent nano-ceramics and their potential applications. First, we review the research progress and application of laser nano-ceramic materials, focusing on the influence of controllable doping of rare earth ions on thermal conductivity and the realization of large-scale fabrication technology. Second, the latest research progress on magneto-optical transparent nano-ceramics, mainly including terbium gallium garnet (Tb₃Ga₅O₁₂, TGG) ceramics and terbium aluminum garnet (Tb₃Al₅O₁₂, TAG) ceramics, are summarized, and their performance is compared. Third, the research progress of transparent armor nano-ceramic materials, represented by MgAl₂O₃ and Aluminum oxynitride (AlON), are reviewed. Lastly, the progress in electro-optical transparent nano-ceramics and scintillation transparent nano-ceramics is reported, and the influence of the material-fabrication process on electro-optic effect or luminous intensity is compared. Moreover, the effect of particle diameter on fabrication, the relationship between nano powder and performance, and different sintering methods are discussed. In summary, this study provides a meaningful reference for low-cost and sustainable production in the future.

Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) is a machining method commonly used to produce complex shapes and deep holes by eroding hard metals with an electric arc. There is a growing demand for process simulation using finite element models in order to improve the quality and efficiency of EDM, to reduce costs, to improve resource efficiency, and to facilitate its application in critical areas such as aerospace and mechanical engineering. Finite element models have greatly improved the prediction accuracy of EDM processes, simulated complex hybrid machining processes, and provided important guidance for the optimization of EDM processes. This paper systematically reviews the research progress of finite element modeling for EDM. Finite element method modeling is evaluated mainly in terms of four indicators: material removal rate, surface roughness, tool wear ratio, and recast layer thickness. Firstly, the importance and application of EDM are described, and the EDM finite element method modeling and its advantages are summarized. Then, the single-spark simulation model and the multi-spark simulation model of EDM are compared and discussed. Among the mainstream finite element models, the prediction error of the material removal rate for single-spark simulation ranges from 8.2% to 14.75%, while the prediction error of the recast layer thickness for multi-spark simulation can be as low as 1.98%. Finally, the applications of finite element modeling in EDM hybrid machining processes’ performance prediction and new material machining are summarized, and future research directions and trends in EDM finite element modeling are predicted.

Electric discharge machining (EDM) stands out for its ability to perform no-contact machining of materials with desired forms by multi-pulse discharges. In this investigation, the machinability of drilling on Ti₅₆Zr₁₈Cu₁₂, metallic glass, for micro-hole is investigated with renewable dielectrics in the EDM process. Machinability is investigated by examining performance indicators including material removal rate (MRR), overcut, edge deviation, and energy efficiency per volume (EEV) in relation to the process parameters, such as electrical and non-electrical parameters. The edges of the drilled holes are examined to investigate the micro-structural changes that occur in metallic glass as a result of micro-machining. The experimental results show that the maximal value of MRR of 0.0103 mm³/min is achieved when the pulse-on time of 30 μs and sunflower oil renewable dielectric is selected, and the minimum overcut and edge deviation of micro-hole drilling in Ti₅₆Zr₁₈Cu₁₂ is 39.99 and 9.41 μm, respectively. Minimum overcut and edge deviation are obtained for colza oil, optimized by 38% and 70%, respectively, over the worst-case conditions. Multi-objective optimization on the basis of ratio analysis (MOORA) results in a 70% reduction in energy consumption of EEV compared to the conventional paraffin media process. In addition, a range of pulse-on time, pulse duty cycle, and renewable dielectric are identified using the MOORA technique while EDM drilling in metallic glass Ti₅₆Zr₁₈Cu₁₂.

Diamond wire sawing, as the core process for monocrystalline silicon wafering, has gained widespread application in the photovoltaic and microelectronics industries due to its high efficiency and low material loss. This study investigates the cutting mechanism of monocrystalline silicon with (100) crystal orientation under multi-abrasive and multi-scratch conditions using explicit finite element dynamics simulation. It focuses on analyzing the effects of radial spacing and height difference between abrasive grains on surface morphology, cutting force, and residual stress. Based on the Johnson-Holmquist-II (JH-II) constitutive model, a high-precision three-dimensional finite element simulation model was constructed. Simulation results indicate that the spacing and height difference between abrasive grains significantly affect the grain-to-grain coupling, thereby influencing the peak cutting force and the surface damage characteristics of the scratches. To address cutting force and residual stress responses, this study proposes an algorithmic optimization scheme based on a multifactor orthogonal experimental design. The analysis indicates that the optimal parameters—U = 1385 m/min, V = 142°, and W = 6.2 μm—reduce residual stress by 33% and cutting force by 75%.