This paper presents the outcomes of investigations conducted on the development procedure of a personalized prosthetic device for an adult patient. The individualization is achieved through 3D scanning, followed by semi-automated design using the AutoMedPrint system, and low-cost fused deposition modelling (FDM) technology for 3D printing. The prosthesis is aimed for use during bicycle riding and other sport activities. During the conducted experiments outlined in this manuscript, the prosthesis is equipped with force and movement sensors. The purpose is to collect data on its functionality across different scenarios and dynamic activities, aiming to assess potential harm, refine the design, and serve as an initial step before activating the prosthesis end effector. This article describes the methodology in detail, including the process of designing, producing, and programming, as well as laboratory and field test results (including testing performed with and without a patient). Overall, the design and prototype are implemented successfully. A discussion about the need for particular improvements in both the mechanical and electrical areas is finally presented.

This paper presents results from experimental studies that assess the utilization of virtual, augmented, and mixed reality (VR, AR, MR) at different stages of developing personalized 3D printed upper limb prostheses for adult patients. The prostheses are designed automatically using the AutoMedPrint system, leveraging 3D scans as described in various prior publications. Various stages of development of the prosthesis are made as applications of different extended reality technologies. An assembly instruction is implemented as an immersive VR application, a configurator is designed as AR application and a configurator and try-on application is prepared and deployed in MR. The applications are tested by an international group of experts during a scheduled experiment. The experts then participate to surveys and comparatively evaluate the potential of all the XR technologies. The paper presents the development of these applications, provides a detailed account of the experimental process, including the rankings of XR technologies for different applications throughout the lifecycle of a prosthetic device.

Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels suffer from efficiency losses due to the accumulation of dust on their surface during operation, as well as the loss of transparency in the top glass. The efficiency can be increased when hydrophobic films are deposited on the top glass of the solar cells. The top glass of solar cells must have three characteristics: high transmittance in the 380–750 nm range, a band gap greater than 3.2 eV and a refractive index higher than 1.23. So, the films require the same characteristics. This work presents an increase in the contact angle (related to an increase in the hydrophobic character) when Ta₂O₅ is partially substituted with ZnO. The studied films, physically deposited on glass by e-gun technology, present a non-crystalline state in the form of the X-ray patterns shown. The films have a transmission of 75%–80% in the visible range. The morphology and roughness of the coatings were evaluated by atomic force microscopy. All films show the values of the Millipore water contact angle higher than 91 degrees, leading to the acquisition of hydrophobic properties on the surface. In comparison, the substrate is hydrophilic, with an average contact angle of 53.81 ± 2.16. The hydrophobic properties and self-cleaning ability make the films recommendable for application. The band gap of the coatings was calculated with the Tauc method, and they have values of 4.5–4.6 eV.

In recent years in the dental field, new types of materials and techniques for the manufacturing of dental crowns and analog implants have been developed to improve the quality of these products. The objective of this article was to perform the surface characterization and determine the properties of Co-Cr alloy samples fabricated by the direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) process and coated by e-gun technology with thin films of Ta₂O₅ and ZnO. Both oxides are frequently used for dental products, in pharmacology, cosmetics, and medicine, due to their good anticorrosive, antibacterial, and photo-catalytic properties. Following the deposition of thin oxide films on the Co-Cr samples fabricated by DMLS, a very fine roughness in the order of nanometers was obtained. Thin films deposition was realized to improve the hardness and the roughness of the Co-Cr parts fabricated by the DMLS process. Surface characterization was performed using SEM-EDS, AFM, and XRD. AFM was used to determine the roughness of the samples and the nanoindentation curves were determined to establish the hardness values and modulus of elasticity.

The aeronautical industry is a sector constantly looking for new materials and equipment because of its tendency to expand quickly. The Ti6Al4V titanium alloy is used frequently in the aeronautic, aerospace, automobile, chemical and medical industry because it presents high strength combined with low density (approximately 4.5 g/cm3), good creep resistance (up to 550°C), excellent corrosion resistance, high flexibility, good fatigue and biocompatibility. As a result of these properties, this titanium alloy is considered an excellent material for manufacturing structural parts in the aircraft industry for modern aeronautic structures, especially for airframes and aero-engines. But its use is also problematic because the Ti6Al4V titanium alloy manifests hydrogen embrittlement, by means of hydrides precipitation in the metal. The Ti6Al4V alloy becomes brittle and fractures because of hydrogen diffusion into metal and because titanium hydrides appear and create pressure from within the metal, thus generating corrosion. Because of titanium hydrides, the titanium alloy suffers from reduced ductility, tensile strength and toughness, which can result in fractures of aeronautical parts. This poses a very serious problem for aircrafts. In this paper, rapid hydrogen embrittlement is presented along with XRD, SEM and TEM analysis. Its goal is to detect the presence of titanium hydrides and to spot the initial cracks in the metallic material.