In this research work effect of embedment of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the physical and mechanical properties of medium density fiberboard (MDF) have been investigated. The MWCNTs were embedded in urea formaldehyde resin (UF) at 0, 1.5%, 3% and 5% concentrations by weight for the manufacturing of nano-MDF. The addition of these nanoparticles enhanced thermal conductivity by 24.2% reduced curing time by 20% and controlled formaldehyde emission by 59.4%. The internal bonding (I.B), modulus elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), thickness swelling (Ts) and water absorption (WA) properties were improved significantly by 21.15%, 30.2%, 28.3%, 44.8% and 29% respectively as compared to controlled MDF.

The chemical composition of TiNiPdCu high temperature shape memory alloys (HTSMAs) affects their microstructure and martensitic transformations. In TiNiPdC HTSMAs, second phase precipitates were found. Extremely high densities of nanoscale precipitates of TiPdCu and Ti₂Pd of particle size 0.8–4.4 μm were found to be produced by the TiNiPdCu alloys. It was found that the TiPdCu-type precipitates were favoured by the preferential migration of Cu atoms towards the heterogeneous nucleation sites, which in turn favoured the fine Ti₂Pd-type precipitates. Due primarily to their high-temperature stability, these precipitates significantly strengthened the resistance against transformation-induced plasticity and creep deformation, especially at high loads and high temperatures. High concentrations of these nanoscaled precipitates led to a significant rise in transformation temperatures by 12% and a small decrease in thermal hysteresis by 30%. It was anticipated that the current research findings will have a significant positive impact on the creation of HTSMAs that maintain their benefits of simplicity of manufacture. The HTSMAs developed in current research are beneficial for high temperature sensors and actuators at optimum cost.

The current research work investigates the effect of copper (Cu) addition on the properties of TiNiPdCu‐based high‐temperature shape memory alloys (HTSMAs) synthesized using powder metallurgy. Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) with various Cu compositions were prepared and compared to those fabricated using argon arc melting. Microstructural analyses revealed similar characteristics between powder metallurgy and arc melting methods. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) observations indicated the presence of second phase precipitates. X‐Ray Diffractometry (XRD) analyses confirmed the presence of martensite phases and second‐phase precipitates. Texture coefficients indicated changes in lattice constants with Cu addition. Transformation temperatures increased by 30% in solution treatment, 31.57% in annealing, and 33.33% in aging, while thermal hysteresis decreased by 31.3% in solution treatment, 24.56% in annealing, and 24.85% in aging. The results suggest that Cu addition influences the microstructure and transformation behavior of TiNiPdCu SMAs, making powder metallurgy a viable method for their fabrication, with potential applications in high‐temperature shape memory applications.

This study explores how the addition of copper (Cu) addition impacts the microstructural and thermal properties of shape memory alloys (SMAs), specifically TiNiPd alloys. Two compositions, 0Cu and 10Cu, were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Optical Microscopy (OM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). SEM revealed second-phase precipitates distributed along grain boundaries in both alloys, with sizes ranging from 0.9 to 2.9 μm; however, Cu addition reduced precipitate density without affecting size. The grain size increased significantly from 12.5 μm in 0Cu to 17.5 μm in 10Cu, attributed to decreased nickel content and reduced pinning effects of precipitates. Aging at 600°C and 700°C further influenced precipitate behavior and transformation temperatures, with Cu-containing alloys demonstrating enhanced thermal characteristics. DSC analysis indicated significant increases in transformation temperatures and decreased thermal hysteresis with Cu addition. These results highlight the promise of Cu as a viable substitute for Ni in enhancing the properties of TiNiPd SMAs.

This study presents a detailed techno-economic and thermal performance evaluation of a solar-assisted absorption cooling system optimized for the climatic conditions of Peshawar, Pakistan. Through dynamic simulations conducted over the summer season (May to September), the performance of key subsystems, including the solar collector array, auxiliary heater, thermal storage, and absorption chiller, was analyzed. Simulation results demonstrate that the system successfully maintains the chilled water outlet temperature at 7°C, with consistent cooling water and hot water temperatures of 28°C and 95°C, respectively. The system exhibits steady-state flow rates of 650 kg/hr (cooling), confirming effective hydraulic control. Under variable load conditions, the auxiliary heater responded through frequent pulsed flow patterns, achieving peak flow rates up to 49,000 kg/hr without compromising outlet temperature. Parametric analysis revealed that the optimal tilt angle for solar collectors is approximately 15°, maximizing solar fraction (SF) for both flat plate collectors (FPC) and evacuated tube collectors (ETC). For ETCs, primary energy savings (PES) (fsav,shc) of 0.49 were achieved using 560 m² of collector area and 14.9 m³ of thermal storage. The ideal storage volume was found to be 25 L/m², beyond which auxiliary energy consumption increased. Seasonal simulations revealed strong diurnal variations in cooling demand, peaking around 1.6 MW, while heating loads remained negligible, reinforcing the cooling-dominated nature of the operational period. The system's average seasonal solar collector efficiency was calculated at 0.188 for FPCs and 0.52 for ETCs, underscoring the superior thermal performance of ETCs at higher driving temperatures (111°C). A minimum of 400 m² collector area was required to achieve 50% primary energy savings. These findings validate the hybrid solar-auxiliary configuration’s suitability for high-demand cooling applications in arid climates and offer design insights for optimizing collector area, storage volume, and control strategies. The results not only optimize system design for local climatic conditions but also underscore the broader potential of solar cooling technologies to mitigate urban heat, lower electricity demand, and enhance energy resilience in developing regions. These perceptions provide valuable guidance for renewable infrastructure planning and policy constitution across the same climatic regions.

High-temperature shape memory alloys (HTSMAs) are a class of developed functional materials that exhibit the distinctive thermoelastic martensitic transformation behavior of conventional shape memory alloys (SMAs) while showing stability at high temperatures. Their potential to regain large strains, give high actuation forces, and keep functionality in harsh environments makes them capable for challenging applications in automotive, aerospace, sensors, actuators, energy, and biomedical systems. This chapter provides an extensive overview of HTSMAs, covering their basic thermomechanical principles, alloy systems, processing techniques, and important performance attributes such as martensite and austenite transformation temperatures, mechanical properties, and environmental stability. Special concentration is given to Ti-Ni-based SMAs with the addition of noble and refractory elements, which remain the most broadly studied systems for high-temperature applications. Emerging tendencies such as 4D printing, additive manufacturing, and integration with artificial intelligence are also discussed, representing the importance of HTSMAs in next-generation skillful structures and smart devices. In general, this chapter highlights both the opportunities and the ongoing issues, including long-term durability, cost, and resistance to oxidation, that keep the future research and application of HTSMAs.