In this study, conditions for the fabrication of extremely thin and flexible anodic films decorated with silver nanowire arrays by alternating current treatments for the finishing of high purity and commercial aluminium foils were developed. For characterization of these porous films with a thickness of ≤1.0 μm and encased silver species, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscopy were used. Variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry in the wavelength range of 200–1700 nm was also used to determine the influence of the deposited Ag content and the film thickness on the optical constants (n, k) of the fabricated alumina films. It is shown that due to surprisingly low k values of nano-Ag-in-alumina films in the visible and near IR regions these films could be applied as transparent films with an extremely low refractive index. In addition, the antimicrobial activity of the obtained films was assessed for the as-deposited and fully-encapsulated silver nanowire arrays against several widespread fungi and bacteria. The results obtained from in vitro tests indicated that the as-formed Ag-in-alumina films containing ≥19 μg cm⁻² of silver possessed antimicrobial properties and could be promising as foodstuff packaging materials.

Recent advances in ceramic materials, particularly porous alumina (Al₂O₃), have significantly enhanced the safety and efficacy of medical implants by improving biocompatibility and modulating cellular behavior for biomedical applications. Variations in the surface structure and chemical composition of porous Al₂O₃ promote different biological responses and coating stability, underscoring the need for further biological and corrosion research. Traditional methods for producing alumina ceramics from powder are expensive, time-consuming, and limited in their ability to create complex shapes and large structures due to the brittleness of alumina. This study evaluates the biocompatibility of bioceramic-coated aluminum (Al) alloy 6082 as a lightweight and cost-effective alternative for bone osteosynthesis plates. Al₂O₃ coatings were achieved through anodization using phosphoric and sulfuric acids. The untreated and anodized alloys were analyzed for chemical stability and biocompatibility and compared with medical-grade titanium alloy. All specimens exhibited excellent biocompatibility, demonstrating high adhesion and viability of the fibroblast cell line. Corrosion resistance and metal ion release were assessed in simulated body fluid, with all specimens effectively suppressing the release of Fe and toxic Al ions. The untreated Al alloy exhibited a higher release of Mn ions than the coated specimens. Notably, the bioceramic coating obtained in sulfuric acid demonstrated 3 orders of magnitude higher corrosion resistance, indicating its potential suitability for biomedical applications. By addressing the limitations of traditional alumina ceramics, our approach enables the fabrication of products in diverse sizes and shapes, offering a practical solution for creating customized biomedical implants.

Resistance to freezing and thawing of glass fibre reinforced concrete (GRC) modified with silica fume and metakaolin was tested according to scaling at freezing test method with de-icing salt after 112 cycles. Surface mass loss was obtained, flexural strain energies calculated from load- deformation curves and ductile/ brittle behavior of GRC composite explained. SEM micrograph analysis was used to identify possible flaws on the surface of filaments and fiber-matrix contact zone due to freeze-thaw influence.

This study investigates the tribological properties of resin composites reinforced with the fillers of glass powder and micro-bubbles. Resin composites were prepared with varying concentrations from 1% to 5% wt of fillers. Tribological tests were conducted using a block-on-ring scheme under dry friction conditions. The measurements of friction coefficient and wear values were performed under variable rotation speeds and loading conditions. The study showed that resin composites with 2–3% glass powder fillers and resin composites with 3–4% micro-bubbles exhibited optimal tribological properties. The resin glass powder modifications reduce the wear by 63% and resin micro-bubbles reduce wear by 32%. SEM analysis of the surfaces revealed surface imperfections and structural damage mechanisms, including abrasive and fatigue wear. The study concludes that specific filler concentrations improve the friction and wear resistance of resin composites, highlighting the importance of material preparation and surface quality in tribological performance. The increased wear resistance on both composites would hopefully expand the usage of additive manufactured composite, namely industrial moving components such as polymer gear, wheel, pulley, etc.

A geochemical and mineralogical approach was used to analyze 3rd millennium BCE pottery from Southeast Lithuania that is attributed to the foreign Corded Ware Culture and local hunter-gatherers. SEM-EDS, XRF, XRD, and FTIR were used to study the peculiarities of the pottery and to develop hypotheses about the raw material and technology choices present. The amounts of ten major elements in the bulk and clay matrix compositions (XRF, SEM-EDS) and eleven trace analytes in the bulk compositions (XRF) were compared with the Clarke values and tested to highlight the significance (Mann–Whitney U and Wilcoxon Matched Pairs Tests) of the differences in the elemental quantities between the clay matrix and bulk compositions, and between the lighter and darker clay matrixes. These also revealed the advantage of Ward’s clustering method using the City-block distance of bulk compositions as a tool for inter-correlating ceramics in attributing them to specific communities and locations. The XRD, FTIR, and SEM-EDS mineralogical analyses indicated a predominance of iron-rich illite clay, quartz, and alkali feldspar, in addition to very low to medium firing temperatures. All of the pottery samples consisted of hydromicaceous clay from local Quaternary glacial sediments that contain weathered granitoid fragments.

The adhesion quality of Ni-P coatings on aluminum is important for mechanical and anticorrosion properties. In this study, the adhesion of Ni-P coatings on nanoporous Al₂O₃ ceramic (NAC) was evaluated by impact testing. NAC was fabricated on AA6061 alloy by anodizing in sulfuric acid. The deposition of Ni-P coating was carried out on NAC with and without zincate pretreatment. It was found that zincate activation of Al₂O₃ accelerates the formation of Ni-P coating. A cross-sectional analysis using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy showed that the mechanical properties and impact resistance of the Ni-P coating are strongly related to the chemical composition in the vicinity of its interface with Al₂O₃. The course of the formation process of Ni-P coating and its mechanisms are also very important. Although the formation of Ni-P coating was slower without zincate treatment, its stronger adhesion to NAC led to superior impact resistance compared to zincate-treated Al₂O₃. Improved durability of items with Ni-P coatings can benefit many applications.