A Two-Step Approach to Tune the Micro and Nanoscale Morphology of Porous Niobium Oxide to Promote Osteointegration.

We present a two-step surface modification process to tailor the micro and nano morphology of niobium oxide layers. Niobium was firstly anodized in spark regime in a Ca- and P-containing solution and subsequently treated by acid etching. The effects of anodizing time and applied potential on the surface morphology is investigated with SEM and AFM, complemented by XPS compositional analysis.

Wear and Corrosion Resistance of AlSi10Mg-CP-Ti Metal-Metal Composite Materials Produced by Electro-Sinter-Forging.

Metal-metal composites are a class of composite materials studied for their high ductility and strength, but their potential applications are currently limited by the complex manufacturing processes involved. Electro-sinter-forging (ESF) is a single-pulse electro discharge sintering technique that proved its effectiveness in the rapid sintering of several metals, alloys, and composites. Previous studies proved the processability of Ti and AlSi10Mg by ESF to produce metal-metal composites and defined a correlation between microstructure and processing parameters.

Fused Deposition Modeling of Polyamides: Crystallization and Weld Formation.

International newspapers and experts have called 3D printing the industrial revolution of this century. Among all its available variants, the fused deposition modeling (FDM) technique is of greater interest since its application is possible using simple desktop printers. FDM is a complex process, characterized by a large number of parameters that influence the quality and final properties of the product.

Characterization of Glass-Ceramic Sealant for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells at Operating Conditions by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy.

A commercially available glass-ceramic composition is applied on a ferritic stainless steel (FSS) substrate reproducing a type of interface present in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) stacks. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is used to study the electrical response of the assembly in the temperature range of 380-780 °C and during aging for 250 h at 780 °C. Post-experiment analyses, performed by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), and along cross-sections by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, highlight the microstructural changes promoted by aging conditions over time.

Structural Properties and Thermoelectric Performance of the Double-Filled Skutterudite (Sm,Gd)(FeNi)Sb.

The structural and thermoelectric properties of the filled skutterudite (Sm,Gd)(FeNi)Sb were investigated and critically compared to the ones in the Sm-containing system with the aim of unravelling the effect of double filling on filling fraction and thermal conductivity. Several samples ( = 0.50-0.