Artículos (Ingeniería y Ciencia de los Materiales y del Transporte)

URI permanente para esta colecciónhttps://hdl.handle.net/11441/11377

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Characteristics of Electric Scooter-Related Maxillofacial Trauma, from 2017 to 2024: A Retrospective Study
(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2026-07) González Pérez, Luis Miguel; Wideberg, Johan; Álvarez-Delgado, Carlos; Ingeniería y Ciencia de los Materiales y del Transporte; Cirugía
Background/Objectives: The aims of this study were to investigate maxillofacial trauma resulting from electric scooter accidents and to identify risk factors associated with the location of injuries. Methods: An 8-year retrospective cohort study was conducted involving all patients presenting with electric scooter-related maxillofacial fractures at a tertiary care center from 2017 to 2024. Data recorded for each patient included gender, age, date and cause of injury, contributing factors, type of facial fractures, other injuries, helmet use, and length of hospital stay. Results: Maxillofacial fractures were diagnosed in 138 patients (18.5% of e-scooter accident presentations). The study included 93 male and 45 female patients (ratio 2:1), with a mean age of 25.8 ± 7.75 years (range 14–45 years). Patients aged 20–29 years formed the largest group (51%). Most patients (89%) sustained a single facial fracture, and the most affected facial area was the lower third, with 80 cases (58%), followed by the middle third (36%). The remaining patients were represented by a combination of the various facial thirds, with thirds I-II being the most representative (12%). The most recurrent patterns were multifocal mandibular fractures (55%), followed by fractures of the orbito-malar-zygomatic complex (33%). Dental injuries were also frequent and were recorded in 40 patients (29% of all cases). Concomitant injuries outside the facial region were documented in 32 patients (23%), among which orthopedic limb injuries were most common (44% of patients with concomitant injuries). Contributing factors were identifiable in 102 patients (74%). Self-reported helmet use was low, with 63% of patients reporting never wearing a helmet, and 27% reporting inconsistent or occasional use. Conclusions: Accidents involving personal mobility vehicles have become a primary cause of emergency room admissions in recent years. Although electric-scooter-related maxillofacial fractures are a new phenomenon, an awareness of their frequency, contributing factors, and anatomical distribution is important for emergency and trauma teams who assess these patients first. Early recognition and timely management are crucial because missed diagnoses or delayed treatment can lead to permanent facial deformities and functional disability. These findings can inform targeted public health strategies and injury-prevention programs. In the future, helmet designs should be modified to improve maxillofacial protection in scooter-related injuries.
An Ion-Based Strategy Toward Synergistic Surface Functionalization Combining the Osteogenic Properties and NIR-Mediated Antibacterial Activity of PEEK
(Wiley, 2026-07-09) Xu, Zhiyan; Adam, Ondrej; Doubrava, Marek; Beltrán, Ana M.; Dlouhý, Ivo; Liu, Xin; Sui, Baiyan; Boccaccini, Aldo R.; Ingeniería y Ciencia de los Materiales y del Transporte; TEP123: Metalurgia e Ingeniería de los Materiales
Persistent implant-associated infections critically compromise the longevity and success of orthopedic prostheses. Herein, we present a facile surface-engineering strategy to construct a multifunctional PEEK-based implant by introducing manganese-chelated polydopamine (Mn@p) and mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles (MBGNs) onto sulfonated PEEK (SPEEK). The resulting Mn@p/MBG-SPEEK exhibits a hierarchically porous three-dimensional architecture with markedly enhanced hydrophilicity and surface roughness. This tailored interface shows in vitro bioactivity and cytocompatibility, significantly promoting the osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells through the activation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR and AP-1 signaling pathways, as evidenced by the upregulation of ALP, OCN, OPN, and Runx2 expression. Meanwhile, the pro-angiogenic potential of Mn@p/MBG-SPEEK is supported by the upregulation of VEGF and CD31 in HUVECs and enhanced capillary-like network formation. Notably, Mn@p/MBG-SPEEK demonstrates efficient light-to-heat conversion and potent antibacterial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations further reveal that Mn chelation narrows the HOMO-LUMO energy gap and facilitates charge separation, thereby amplifying photothermal and ROS-mediated antibacterial effects. Collectively, this study establishes a versatile and scalable route to enhance the biological performance of PEEK implants, offering a conceptual framework for integrating ion-assisted therapy with phototherapy toward next-generation bioactive and infection-resistant orthopedic materials.
Structural integrity and strain hardening variability of plasma metal deposited Fe-36Ni Invar alloy
(Elsevier, 2026-03-31) Montealegre-Meléndez, Isabel; Bolzoni, Leandro; Pérez-Soriano, Eva María; Ariza, Enrique; Neubauer, Erich; Arévalo Mora, Cristina María; Ingeniería y Ciencia de los Materiales y del Transporte; TEP123: Metalurgia e Ingeniería de los Materiales
The Fe-36Ni Invar alloy is known for its good combinations of strength and toughness at cryogenic temperatures. Additive manufacturing of Invar has been previously investigated predominantly using powder-bed based methods, but not via plasma metal deposition. Additionally, the strain hardening behaviour has been overlooked. Therefore, a systematic examination of the tensile behaviour as a function of the orientation and location across the 3D printed structure was performed in this study. The aim was to assess the structural integrity and strain hardening variability in plasma metal deposited Invar. It is found that local variations of the solidification conditions change both the morphology and size of the γ grains. Statistically significant variations, especially in terms of strain, were found depending on the orientation and location. This study also demonstrates that, upon loading, a structure composed of columnar grains stores lower elastic energy (i.e., modulus of resilience) when compared to cellular structures. Moreover, the plasma metal deposited Invar alloy has a favourable tensile stress (YS/UTS) ratio.
Thermoelectric analysis of Pyrograf® III carbon nanofiber/polypropylene composites with considerable high positive Seebeck coefficients
(Elsevier, 2026-08) Paleo Vieito, Antonio José; Krause, Beate; Mánuel Delgado, José Manuel; Beltrán, Ana M.; Ferreiro Ribeiro, Ana Isabel; Cerqueira, Maria F.; Muñoz Tavera, Enrique; Melle-Franco, Manuel; Sánchez-Valdés Saúl; Pötschke, Petra; Ingeniería y Ciencia de los Materiales y del Transporte; TEP123: Metalurgia e Ingeniería de los Materiales
This study presents, for the first time, the thermoelectric (TE) properties of as provided Pyrograf® III PR 24 HHT XT carbon nanofibers (CNFs) and their effect on the TE properties of polypropylene (PP) processed by melt mixing with 6% by weight of these CNFs. At 30 °C, the CNFs present a modest σ of ∼37 S m⁻¹ and a considerable high S of ∼40 μVK⁻¹, equivalent to a power factor (PF) of 6 × 10⁻² μW m⁻¹ K⁻², which makes them the CNFs with the greatest TE properties among the others Pyrograf® III grades. As for the PP/CNF composites, they show lower σ and S at 30 °C, with values of ∼7 × 10⁻² S m⁻¹, and ∼ 38 μVK⁻¹, respectively, equivalent to a PF of 1 × 10⁻⁴ μW m⁻¹ K⁻². From the TE results of the CNFs and their derived PP/CNF composite, a simplified quantum chemical model is applied to investigate the transfer of electrons (n-type doping) from PP to CNFs, concluding that this transfer depends on the adsorption mode of PP molecules and CNFs at their interface. Moreover, the σ of the CNFs and PP/CNF composite show negative temperature effect (NTC) in the interval from 30 to 100 °C, explained as thermally activated hopping mechanism by the 3D variable range hopping (VRH) model, while their S shows nonlinear character, also observed in others Pyrograf® III grades and derived PP/CNF composites, in that interval of temperature. These results are presented with the aim of determining the role played by this type of CNFs, on the thermoelectric properties of the polymer composites melt mixed using them, with a view to their use as p-type materials in thermoelectric generators (TEGs).
Role of nanotwin-confined threading dislocations in the ultra-high hardness of B₁₀C ceramics
(Elsevier, 2026-05-04) Keshtkar, N.; López Arenal, Jesús; Moshtaghion, Bibi Malmal; Cumbrera Hernández, Francisco Luis; Gómez García, Diego; Física de la Materia Condensada; Ingeniería y Ciencia de los Materiales y del Transporte; Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MICIU). España; Agencia Estatal de Investigación. España
A highly nano-twinned boron-rich boron carbide, ≈ B10C, has been prepared efficiently through high energy ball milling (HEBM) of elemental boron and carbon powders followed by spark plasma sintering (SPS). Prolonged mechanical activation by HEBM significantly enhances reactive SPS sinterability and leads to a submicrometric microstructure with an average grain size of 0.47 μm. A high density of nano-twins is observed in most grains, with an average twin spacing of λ = 5.1 nm. The mechanical response (Hv~34 GPa) is strongly correlated with the extensive presence of nano twining and the associated confinement of dislocations. The observed ultra-high hardness can be rationalized using the classical Foreman model, originally developed to describe threading dislocations in stressed, capped epitaxial semiconductor layers.
Mechanistic and Life-Cycle Framework for Green Nanomaterials in Atmospheric Water Harvesting
(MDPI, 2026-03-31) Al-Sadeq, Noor; Abdullah, Johar Amin Ahmed; Romero García, Alberto; Pérez Puyana, Víctor Manuel; Ingeniería Química; Ingeniería y Ciencia de los Materiales y del Transporte; Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MICIU). España; Agencia Estatal de Investigación. España; European Union (UE)
Atmospheric water harvesting (AWH) has been recognized as a promising technology to address global freshwater scarcity in a decentralized manner. Nevertheless, conventional AWH sorbents are often associated with high energy consumption, toxic synthesis procedures, and short operational lifetimes. To address such limitations, a comprehensive review paper develops a unified framework to bridge the gap between nanoscale material properties, such as synthesis routes, structural architecture, and adsorption thermodynamics, and macro-scale environmental and economic performance. This review paper rigorously examines emerging nanomaterials such as metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), mesoporous metal oxides, and graphene oxide derivatives. By highlighting benchmark materials such as MOF-303 and passive solar-regenerated COFok, the review paper emphasizes the advantages of bio-assisted “green” synthesis routes. Crucially, this review extends beyond traditional water uptake figures and incorporates comprehensive Techno-Economic Assessments (TEA) and Life-Cycle assessments (LCA). It examines various real-world influences, such as cumulative energy demand, levelized costs of water, and ton-scale manufacturing viability, to name a few. This report bridges atomic-level mechanics with industrial economics, and by so doing, offers design criteria to guide researchers in crafting a new generation of sustainable AWH infrastructure, with a focus on hierarchical pores, surface chemistry, and photothermal design.
Cellulose-reinforced electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone)/poly(glycerol sebacate) composite fibers: Enhanced mechanical properties for Achilles tendon repair
(Elsevier, 2026-07) Iorio, Francesco; El Khatib, Mohammad; Turriani, Maura; Giacinto, Oriana Di; Mauro, Annunziata; Gomes, Manuela E.; Domingues, Rui M. A.; Beltrán, Ana M.; Russo, Valentina; Barboni, Barbara; Boccaccini, Aldo R.; Ingeniería y Ciencia de los Materiales y del Transporte; European Union (UE). H2020; TEP123: Metalurgia e Ingeniería de los Materiales
Achilles tendon ruptures represent challenging clinical scenarios owing to high re-rupture rates commonly associated with biomaterials implantation and limited functional recovery. This leads to the need for mechanically enhanced scaffolds capable of withstanding demanding load-bearing requirements during healing and rehabilitation. This study investigated acetylated cellulose nanofibers (aCNFs) reinforcement of electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone)/poly(glycerol sebacate) (PCL/PGS) composite fibers for Achilles tendon repair applications. Cellulose nanofibers were chemically modified through acetylation obtaining a degree of substitution of 0.69, which enabled their successful integration into the PCL/PGS matrix via electrospinning in benign solvents. Three-dimensional tubular scaffolds were fabricated and comprehensively characterized with regards to their structural integrity and mechanical performance over 56 days, while biological evaluation of the scaffolds biocompatibility and teno-inductive properties was performed using amniotic epithelial stem cells (AECs). aCNFs incorporation at 2% w/w significantly enhanced mechanical properties, with ultimate tensile strength (UTS) values reaching 29-31 MPa under dry and wet conditions, approaching native Achilles tendon properties and representing a substantial improvement over unreinforced PCL/PGS scaffolds (14-16 MPa). The scaffolds exhibited preferential PGS removal during the extended degradation period, while maintaining structural integrity associated with PCL long-term stability. This led to sustained mechanical performance during degradation in scaffolds with 2% w/w aCNFs, which maintained 18-20 MPa UTS after 56 days. Despite reduced fiber alignment with increasing aCNFs content, scaffolds maintained excellent biocompatibility, supporting AECs viability and morphological transformation toward tenocyte-like phenotypes. Tenogenic differentiation capacity was preserved as evidenced by tenomodulin (TNMD) expression as early as 48 h, though spatial cell organization reflected the altered fiber architecture. These findings demonstrate that acetylated nanocellulose-based reinforcement represents a promising strategy for developing mechanically suitable scaffolds for demanding Achilles tendon repair applications, although it also highlighted a critical balance between scaffold topography and load-bearing capacity required for an appropriate cellular response in the context of tendon healing.
High-resolution depth profiling of residual stresses in PVD coatings on additively manufactured polymers via FIB-DIC and eigenstrain theory
(MDPI, 2026-03-17) Rodríguez Mariscal, José Daniel; Srivastava, Karuna; Romero Ocaña, Ismael; Escobar-Galindo, Ramón; Bernasconi, Andrea; Hernández-Saz, Jesús; Mecánica de Medios Continuos y Teoría de Estructuras; Física Aplicada I; Ingeniería y Ciencia de los Materiales y del Transporte; Junta de Andalucía; TEP973: Tecnología de Polvos y Corrosión
The synergy between additively manufactured (AM) polymers and functional PVD coatings is crucial for advanced applications, yet the reliability of these hybrid systems is dictated by the residual stresses induced during deposition. This work presents the first in-depth, nanoscale profiling of residual stresses in Ti6Al4V and SS316 coatings on 3D-printed Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate (ASA) and Silicon (Si) substrates. A cutting-edge methodology combining Focused Ion Beam (FIB) milling with Digital Image Correlation (DIC), rigorously interpreted through the non-integral eigenstrain theory, is employed. Our findings reveal a consistent pattern of compressive stresses near the coating surface but expose a significant tensile stress peak at the coating-substrate interface, a feature not observed on reference silicon substrates. High-resolution electron microscopy and elemental analysis suggest that this stress concentration is associated with the presence of a thin, brittle oxide interlayer formed on the substrate surface. Furthermore, this study quantifies the dominant effect of the low-stiffness polymer substrate, which leads to a strain relief magnitude an order of magnitude higher than in rigid substrates. This work provides critical quantitative data on the failure-driving mechanisms in these emerging material systems and establishes a robust, optimized metrological protocol for their characterization.
Multi-Component 3D bioprinted platform with sacrificial matrix and collagen-based bioinks for skeletal muscle tissue engineering
(MDPI, 2026-05-17) Granados Carrera, Carmen M.; Calero Castro, Francisco José; Pérez-Puyana, Víctor Manuel; Jiménez-Rosado, Mercedes; Navarrete-Damián, Jaime; Portilla de Juan, Fernando de la; Romero García, Alberto; Cirugía; Ingeniería Química y Ambiental; Ingeniería y Ciencia de los Materiales y del Transporte; Ingeniería Química; MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/ERDF/EU; TEP229: Tecnología y Diseño de Productos Multicomponentes
The development of biomimetic and mechanically functional constructs remains a major challenge in skeletal muscle tissue engineering. In this study, we present a multi-component 3D bioprinted platform integrating a polycaprolactone (PCL) support for mechanical stimulation, a sacrificial gelatin (GE) matrix for controlled bioink deposition, and collagen-based bioinks laden with Rattus norvegicus L6 skeletal muscle cells. The influence of PCL architecture, GE concentration (0.75, 1.5 and 3 wt%), and bioink composition—collagen (C), collagen–Matrigel (CM), and extracellular matrix-based (ECM)—was systematically evaluated. Rheological characterization demonstrated that all bioinks exhibited shear-thinning behavior and suitable viscoelastic properties for extrusion-based bioprinting, with sufficient mechanical stability to withstand dynamic bioreactor conditions. Microstructural analysis revealed highly interconnected porous networks, particularly in ECM-based scaffolds. While no statistically significant differences were observed, the ECM-based bioinks showed the highest cell viability and improved structural organization. Overall, this work demonstrates a versatile bioprinting strategy that combines mechanical support and biomimetic environments, highlighting the potential of ECM-based bioinks for the fabrication of functional skeletal muscle constructs.
A Thermoresponsive injectable drug delivery system of chitosan/β-glycerophosphate with gellan gum/alginate microparticles
(Elsevier, 2024-01) Carrêlo, H.; Jiménez Rosado, Mercedes; Vieira, Tânia; Da Rosa, Rafaela R.; Pérez-Puyana, Víctor Manuel; Silva, Jorge Carvalho; Romero García, Alberto; Borges, J.P.; Ingeniería Química; Ingeniería y Ciencia de los Materiales y del Transporte
The development of new Drug Delivery Systems (DDS) by incorporating microparticles within hydrogels can prolong the release rate of drugs and/or other bioactive agents. In this study, we combined gellan gum/alginate microparticles within a thermoresponsive chitosan (Ch) hydrogel with β-Glycerophosphate (β-GP), designing the system to be in the sol state at 21 °C and in the gel state at 37 °C to enable the injectability of the system. The system was in the sol state between 10 °C and 21 °C. Higher concentrations of β-GP (0, 2, 3, 4, 5 w/v%) and microparticles (0, 2 and 5 w/v%) allowed a faster sol-gel transition with higher mechanical strength at 37 °C. However, the sol-gel transition was not instantaneous. The release profile of methylene blue (MB) from the microparticles was significantly affected by their incorporation in Ch/β-GP hydrogels, only allowing the release of 60–70 % of MB for 6 days, while the microparticles alone released all the MB in 48 h. The proposed system did not present cytotoxicity to VERO cell lines as a preliminary assay, with the Ch/β-GP/GG:Alg having >90 % of cellular viability. The proposed Ch/β-GP system proved to have a delaying effect on drug release and biocompatible properties, being a promising future DDS.
Influence of plasticizers on the properties of soy-based bioplastic matrices for controlled release of iron
(Elsevier, 2026) Castro Criado, Daniel; Jiménez Rosado, Mercedes; Granados Carrera, Carmen M.; Pérez-Puyana, Víctor Manuel; Romero García, Alberto; Ingeniería Química; Ingeniería Química y Ambiental; Ingeniería y Ciencia de los Materiales y del Transporte; Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MICIU). España; Agencia Estatal de Investigación. España; European Union (UE); Ministerio de Hacienda y Función Pública; Junta de Andalucía; Consejería de Universidad, Investigación e Innovación
The global increase in horticultural production, driven by population growth and the resulting high food demand, has promoted the adoption of intensive cultivation systems that require large amounts of fertilizer. However, the low efficiency of conventional practices and their environmental impacts have driven the development of alternative strategies, such as controlled-release fertilizers. Soy protein isolate (SPI) bioplastics were developed, and the influence of plasticizers on their properties was analyzed. Bioplastic matrices were processed by compression molding at 300 bar using this by-product combined with different concentrations of water and glycerol (5, 10, and 15 wt%) as plasticizers and 5 wt% of iron sulphate heptahydrate as a micronutrient. Thus, physicochemical, mechanical, morphological and functional properties were assessed. Moreover, crop analyses were conducted to assess the potential biofortification effects of these systems. The results show that both plasticizers led to systems with similar elastic modulus (6.22 and 6.03 for systems 10/0 and 0/10, respectively). When glycerol is used, the systems exhibit greater instability than water-plasticized systems, as reflected by steeper slopes of the elastic moduli (70 and 120 for systems 10/0 and 0/10, respectively). Overall, these products demonstrated high potential for horticultural applications. They enabled optimal micronutrient assimilation by plants, which is reflected in increased biomass and crop weight, showing values from 33.3 to 41.5 g, matching or exceeding the positive control values (30.8 ± 5.3 g), while positively contributing to the soil, by-product valorization and nutrient delivery to soils within a circular-economy context.
Interface-Driven Orientation and Confinement in Poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl)/Polylactic Acid/Gold Nanoparticle Composite Films for Enhanced Charge Transport
(American Chemical Society, 2026-05-06) Salamone, Tommaso A.; Pennacchi, Beatrice; Mercurio, Martina; Cerra, Sara; Sappino, Carla; Giudice, Alessandra Del; Matassa, Roberto; Lozano, Juan G.; Beltrán, Ana M.; Bearzotti, Andrea; Vayer, Marylène; Hennet, Louis; Grigorian, Souren; Sinturel, Christophe; Fratoddi, Ilaria; Ingeniería y Ciencia de los Materiales y del Transporte; TEP123: Metalurgia e Ingeniería de los Materiales
Thin films made of functional nanophases based on the semiconducting polymer poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) and the insulating hydrophilic polymer polylactic acid (PLA), combined with functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), were investigated. Exploiting phase separation phenomena between the polymers, nanostructured morphologies were obtained, where P3HT was either confined in isolated domains or formed continuous phases, depending on the experimental conditions. Following a bottom-up synthesis of thiol-functionalized AuNPs, interconnected network systems were obtained and spin-coated together with the polymeric materials to obtain thin films of AuNPs-embedded polymeric nanophases. Combining strategies from chemistry and materials science, i.e., bottom-up synthesis of hydrophobic AuNPs and P3HT/PLA nanophase confinement, it was possible to fine-tune the nanophase confinement, enhance transport properties, and modify the orientation of the P3HT chains through interfacially driven self-assembly. The structure–property relations of the nanomaterials were investigated, morphologically with AFM and morphostructurally with synchrotron radiation-induced GIWAXS studies, evidencing that the addition of AuNPs in the blend influences the backbone orientation of P3HT, switching it from a mixed orientation to a prevalently face-on one. Electrical measurements were correlated with morphological features to assess the impact of nanoconfinement and nanoparticle inclusion on transport properties, finding that AuNPs-induced reorientation leads to a 10-fold enhancement in the blend’s electrical conductivity.
Influence of phosphate precursors on the incorporation of phosphorus and dopants into mesoporous bioactive glasses prepared by self-assembly induced evaporation
(Elsevier, 2026-05) Kaňková, Hana; Faturíková, Katarína; Buňová, Lenka; Beltrán, Ana M.; Galusek, Dušan; Galusková, Dagmar; Ingeniería y Ciencia de los Materiales y del Transporte; TEP123: Metalurgia e Ingeniería de los Materiales
Evaporation-Induced Self-Assembly (EISA) is a widely used method for synthesizing mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles (MBGNPs) with uniform pore structures and in vitro bioactivity suitable for bone regeneration. Although EISA enables the preparation of phosphorus-containing MBGNPs (e.g., 80SiO₂ –15CaO–5P₂O₅), the actual phosphorus content is often lower than the targeted composition due to limited precursor hydrolysis. This paper reports an optimized EISA approach to achieve controlled P₂O₅ incorporation by modifying synthesis conditions and replacing triethyl phosphate (TEP) with diethyl phosphate (DEP). The use of DEP significantly enhances phosphorus incorporation efficiency and allows the successful incorporation of Cu–Mg and Cu–Sr dopants without disrupting the mesoporous structure. These findings highlight that appropriate precursor selection and process optimization are crucial for precise compositional control in doped mesoporous bioactive glasses synthesized via EISA.
Unraveling the interfacial degradation mechanism of a metal oxide electrocatalyst/gas diffusion layer in Zn–air batteries through FIB-SEM analysis
(Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), 2026) García-Rodríguez, M.; González-Souto, L.; Hernández-Saz, Jesús; Juan-Juan, J.; Calvino, J. J.; Cazorla-Amorós, D.; Morallón, E.; Ingeniería y Ciencia de los Materiales y del Transporte; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). España
Focused Ion Beam-Scanning Electron Microscopy (FIB-SEM) was employed to investigate the Gas Diffusion Layer (GDL), electrocatalyst, and electrolyte interface in rechargeable Zn–Air Batteries (ZABs) using Fresh and Used samples (before and after long-term electrocatalytic activity, respectively). The electrocatalyst was based on (hydro-)oxides of manganese, cobalt and lanthanum and carbon material. The results reveal a loss of material compaction in the Used sample, accompanied by the formation of pores and irregular gaps, as well as enhanced permeation of the electrocatalyst through the GDL, as evidenced in the tomogram. Interestingly, the analysis of the distribution of elements in the Used sample shows important differences, strongly dependent on their chemical properties in the electrolyte used. Mn and Co, the more electroactive elements for the oxygen-involved reactions, remain in proximity to the electrolyte interface, while La forms a preferential region more distant from and parallel to the electrolyte. XPS results indicate that the formation of this region is associated with the generation of lanthanum acetate species, which are responsible for the decrease in conductivity of the Used sample, as demonstrated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy experiments, in addition to impairing O2 diffusion along the GDL. Furthermore, DFT calculations support that the formation of lanthanum acetate species from the metal (hydro)oxides is energetically favorable in the presence of zinc acetate electrolyte in ZABs.
Chitosan-alginate hybrid hydrogels: Prospects for sustainable horticulture
(Elsevier, 2026-06) Granados Carrera, Carmen M.; Pérez-Puyana, Víctor Manuel; Castro Criado, Daniel; Romero García, Alberto; Ingeniería Química y Ambiental; Ingeniería y Ciencia de los Materiales y del Transporte; Ingeniería Química; TEP229: Tecnología y Diseño de Productos Multicomponentes
New materials are needed to mitigate the eutrophication and soil degradation promoted by fertilizer overuse, highlighting biopolymer-based hydrogels due to their contribution to sustainable agriculture. In this regard, two notable biopolymers emerge: chitosan (CH) and sodium alginate (ALG). Chitosan possesses excellent mechanical properties and has been explored for controlled-release applications, while sodium alginate is known for its water-retention capacity, a critical factor in addressing drought under intensifying climate change. Thus, the objective of this article is the synthesis of hybrid hydrogels combining both biopolymers and characterizing their physicochemical, thermal, mechanical, morphological and functional properties. In this context, 3 distinct formulations were engineered, varying the polymer ratios (100–0, 50–50 and 0–100 CH-ALG). Hence, the synthesis process showed that gelation was enhanced in the case of chitosan due to ionic reinforcement promoted by calcium ions (an increase of 572% in the elastic modulus). The results indicate the formation of hard, stable gels with tan(δ) values below 0.2 and elastic moduli above 10 MPa in some formulations, in combination with thermal stability up to 40 °C (an extreme soil temperature). However, clear trends can be observed: the 50–50 CH-ALG hydrogels exhibited adequate water retention for horticultural applications (4000–6000%, depending on immersion time), highlighting enhanced water absorption compared to commercial formulations that incorporate gelatin. These findings underscore the potential of biopolymer-based hydrogels as a sustainable alternative to traditional fertilizers as well as a vital tool in restoring ecological balance and ensuring food sustainability.
Applets Web en JavaScript para el Apoyo a la Enseñanza en Ciencia de Materiales
(Gesernet, 2025-05) Jaime Coladas, Gonzalo; Montes Martos, Juan Manuel; Ternero Fernández, Fátima; Ingeniería y Ciencia de los Materiales y del Transporte; TEP971: Ingeniería de Materiales Avanzados
En el siguiente trabajo, se presenta el desarrollo y funcionamiento de tres programas informáticos en JavaScript relacionados con la Ciencia e Ingeniería de Materiales. El primero consiste en un simulador de cristalización mediante autómatas celulares. El segundo es un trazador de diagramas de equilibrio binarios básicos, que permite obtener diagramas teóricos a partir de argumentos termodinámicos. Finalmente, el tercer programa es un simulador de la evolución microestructural para un diagrama de equilibrio binario tipo III. Este último permite simultáneamente comparar la posición en el diagrama con los valores de composición y fracción de fases microconstituyentes, además de una visualización simplificada de la microestructura. Los tres códigos han sido traducidos a JavaScript a partir de versiones de escritorio desarrolladas en Microsoft Visual Basic por J.M. Montes, y estarán disponibles en una página web pública a modo de applets para su libre uso.
Digital light processing of SiO₂-TiO₂ materials by combining ceramic slurries and metal precursors
(Elsevier, 2025-12) Borlaf, Mario; Candelario, Víctor M.; López-Sánchez, Jesús; Li, Yiting; Valero-Saiz, María; Cepa-López, Víctor; Mas-Ballesté, Rubén; Moreno, Rodrigo; Ingeniería y Ciencia de los Materiales y del Transporte; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). España; European Commission (EC). Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER); Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MICIU). España; TEP123: Metalurgia e Ingeniería de los Materiales
One-step additive manufacturing of functional ceramics via Digital Light Processing (DLP) is still under development. The increased demand of such kind of materials creates new opportunities to investigate alternatives and new methodologies. In this work, a combination of photocurable SiO₂ slurries with Ti metal precursor (titanium isopropoxide, TIPO) is used to fabricate SiO₂-TiO₂ materials by DLP. Slurries with different solids content and metal precursor concentration were prepared. The obtained materials were characterized and evaluated as photocatalysts. The anatase-TiO₂ phase was retained at temperatures as high as 1200 ºC in all cases, although for higher concentrations the rutile phase was also detected at such temperature. From the methylene blue degradation experiments it can be extracted that the SiO₂ surface was fully covered when a 10 wt% of metal precursor was added, and the highest photocatalytic activity was obtained for the samples with 10–20 wt% of TIPO sintered at 1000–1100 ºC/1 h.
Simple finite element algorithm for solving antiplane problems with Gurtin–Murdoch material surfaces
(Elsevier, 2025-04) Herrera Garrido, María Ángeles; Mogilevskaya, Sofia G.; Mantic, Vladislav; Ingeniería y Ciencia de los Materiales y del Transporte; Mecánica de Medios Continuos y Teoría de Estructuras; European Union (UE). H2020; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). España; European Commission (EC). Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER); TEP131: Grupo de Elasticidad y Resistencia de Materiales
The finite element algorithm is developed to solve antiplane problems involving elastic domains whose boundaries or their parts are coated with thin and relatively stiff layers. These layers are modeled by the vanishing thickness Gurtin–Murdoch material surfaces that could be open or closed, and smooth or non-smooth. The governing equations for the problems are derived using variational arguments. The domains are discretized using triangular finite elements. In general, standard linear elements are used to approximate displacements in the domain. However, to capture the singular behavior of the elastic fields near the tips of the open Gurtin–Murdoch surfaces, a novel blended singular element is devised. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the accuracy and robustness of the algorithm developed.
Compressive strength as a screening tool for quality control of tubular honeycomb ceramic filters
(Elsevier, 2025-09) García-Galán, Manuel A.; Candelario, Víctor M.; Guiberteau, Fernando; Ortiz, Ángel Luis; Ingeniería y Ciencia de los Materiales y del Transporte; Gobierno de Dinamarca; TEP123: Metalurgia e Ingeniería de los Materiales
Strength-based screening is proposed to complement the filtration-based screening for the quality control of tubular honeycomb ceramic filters. It is first shown how compressive failure loads can be measured, converted to failure strengths, and analysed with Weibull plots, and then this method is applied to industrial SiC filters at their four stages of the production chain demonstrating that toughness, not porosity or dominant pore size, determines the strength of these filters. Specifically, it was found that the green supports are the weakest (∼10.5 MPa strength) because they are simple compacts of particles weakly bound by only a dehydrated polymer. The sintered supports are much stronger (∼68.3 MPa strength) because they have developed a cohesive macroporous skeleton with inter-particle necks. Unexpectedly, the membrane-coated supports are weaker (∼56.7 MPa strength) than the sintered supports because the membrane sintering cycle embrittles the inter-particle necks, which dominates over the strengthening compressive stresses (∼16 MPa) introduced by the membrane layer. Lastly, the commercial filters finally put on the market are the strongest (∼122.3 MPa strength) because their oxidation cycle increases the cohesion of the macroporous skeleton. To conclude, the usefulness of the strength-based screening for the quality control of tubular ceramic filters is discussed.
Engineering TNZT-coated titanium scaffolds via additive manufacturing and magnetron sputtering for bone tissue replacement
(Elsevier, 2026-02-15) Vilella, Tània; Delgado-Pujol, Ernesto J.; García-Hernández, Celia; Fargas Ribas, Gemma; Alfonso, Conrado R.M.; Rodríguez, Daniel; García Cabezón, Cristina; Alcudia Cruz, Ana; Sánchez López, Juan Carlos; Torres Hernández, Yadir; Ingeniería y Ciencia de los Materiales y del Transporte; Química Orgánica y Farmacéutica; Generalitat de Catalunya; Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MICIU). España; European Commission (EC). Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER); Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). España; TEP123: Metalurgia e Ingeniería de los Materiales; FQM408: Química Farmacéutica Aplicada
The biomechanical behavior and corrosion phenomena of porous metallic implants can compromise their clinical success. This work proposes modifying the surface of c.p. titanium scaffolds manufactured by 3D-printing (Direct Ink Writing), depositing a thin film of a β-Ti alloy (Ti-35Nb-7Zr-5Ta) using the High-Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering (HiPIMS) technique. The versatility of this technique has enabled the fabrication of conformal coatings with uniform thickness, excellent adhesion, a nanorough surface, and a homogeneous columnar distribution. Regarding the biofunctional behavior of the coatings, contact angle measurements and a comprehensive electrochemical study (including impedance spectroscopy, open-circuit potential, and anodic polarization) were performed in artificial saliva. The results are discussed in terms of 1) the potential of the HiPIMS technique; and 2) the role of the coating (effect on stress shielding, improved corrosion resistance, and fatigue life potential). Electrochemical measurements demonstrate the effectiveness of the coating in improving corrosion resistance. In particular, the corrosion current density decreased from 1.62 ± 0.06 μA/cm2 for uncoated scaffolds to 0.31 ± 0.01 μA/cm² after coating. At the same time, the polarization resistance increased nearly fivefold (from 0.84 × 10⁵ to 3.72 × 10⁵ Ω·cm²), confirming the protective effect of the TNZT film. The scaffold porosity favors bone ingrowth, while the reduced Young's modulus of the HiPIMS-deposited TNZT coating minimizes bone resorption. Moreover, its higher nanohardness suggests a potential increase in fatigue resistance. Finally, the synergistic combination of DIW-engineered porosity and a compact HiPIMS-deposited TNZT film will successfully alleviate stress shielding while enhancing corrosion resistance and biofunctional compatibility.

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