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        <title>Frontiers in Materials | New and Recent Articles</title>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/materials</link>
        <description>RSS Feed for Frontiers in Materials | New and Recent Articles</description>
        <language>en-us</language>
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        <pubDate>2026-10-05T11:43:58.282+00:00</pubDate>
        <ttl>60</ttl>
        <item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1861716</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1861716</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Influence of alkali activator modulus on mechanical properties and microstructure of slag-fly ash geopolymer-solidified dredged sludge]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-10-05T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Yulin Wang</author><author>Yan Tian</author><author>Sisi Fang</author><author>Xianding Guo</author><author>Yating Fan</author><author>Jun Wang</author><author>Daohe Wu</author><author>Yinghua Cui</author><author>Xuexian You</author><author>Zipeng Qin</author>
        <description><![CDATA[This study investigates the solidification of dredged sludge using a slag-fly ash geopolymer to promote its resource-oriented reuse as a sustainable construction material. Moving beyond approaches that primarily vary activator dosage, this study treats the alkali activator modulus (SiO2/Na2O molar ratio) as an independent chemical-control parameter. The effects of nominal modulus (0.6–1.4) and activator dosage (6%–10% relative to the total slag-fly ash precursor mass) on unconfined compressive strength, cohesion, and internal friction angle (φ) were systematically evaluated. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy were used to characterize phase-related and morphological changes and to support interpretation of the reaction mechanisms. The intermediate nominal modulus levels of 1.0 and 1.2 exhibited comparatively favorable mechanical performance, with M = 1.0 producing the highest values among the tested modulus levels. For the representative C = 8% specimens examined by SEM and XRD, M = 1.0 exhibited the most continuous and dense gel-like matrix among the three moduli investigated, consistent with more extensive reaction. At M = 1.0, the M10C10 mixture reached the peak 28-day unconfined compressive strength of 1.63 MPa, while the M10C8 mixture reached a 28-day cohesion of 499.11 kPa. At the lower modulus of M = 0.6, later-age strength regression and crystalline precipitation indicate an unfavorable low-modulus reaction environment; alkali migration and efflorescence-related processes are treated as possible contributing mechanisms rather than demonstrated causes. At M = 1.4, the lower effective alkalinity was associated with less extensive activation and lower strength. Considering the limited additional 28-day strength gain when the activator dosage increased from 8% to 10% at M = 1.0, M = 1.0 with an 8% dosage may be considered a dosage-efficient candidate when activator-use efficiency is prioritized over maximum short-term strength. The 28-day mechanical performance indicates potential for embankment and backfill applications, but long-term durability and environmental performance require further verification. These findings show that controlling activator modulus is important for tailoring the mechanical response and microstructure of slag-fly ash geopolymer-solidified dredged sludge.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1964302</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1964302</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Protocol-dependent aging responses of polyurethane-bound pavement composites under thermo-oxidative, hygrothermal, and UV exposure]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-10-05T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Leilei Han</author><author>Zhengxin Wu</author><author>Zhiqing Zhu</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Polyurethane-bound pavement composites offer high mechanical performance, but accelerated durability rankings can depend on how aging is imposed and which material response is measured. This study compared a moisture-curing methylene diphenyl diisocyanate-based polyether polyurethane binder and dense PC-13 composite under thermo-oxidative, hygrothermal, continuous ultraviolet (UV), intermittent UV, and intermittent UV–immersion exposure. A 20 h thermo-oxidative group enabled duration-matched comparison with 20 h hygrothermal aging, and replicated mixture testing at 480 h supported Welch tests with Holm correction across the three UV protocols. At 20 h, thermo-oxidative aging reduced binder tensile strength to 13.52 MPa versus 18.13 MPa after hygrothermal aging and also produced lower elongation at break and splitting strength. Gel permeation chromatography and tetrahydrofuran-insoluble measurements showed that soluble-fraction molecular-mass changes did not reproduce the mechanical severity ranking. At 480 h, intermittent UV–immersion produced the lowest mean dynamic stability, flexural strain, and splitting strength, with retentions of 38.31%, 25.59%, and 52.57%, respectively. Flexural strain distinguished all three UV protocols, while the matched intermittent comparison showed a significant additional loss of dynamic stability when water immersion replaced 1 h of dark conditioning. Because continuous and intermittent schedules accumulated different UV-on times, those comparisons are interpreted only as whole-protocol contrasts. The results demonstrate that durability assessment of polyurethane-bound pavement composites requires protocol-specific, multi-indicator interpretation.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1927109</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1927109</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Stability analysis of surrounding rock during excavation unloading-reloading based on the Hoek-Brown criterion]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-10-02T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Xu-Hai Feng</author><author>Zeng-Lun Guan</author><author>Hou-Wei Sun</author><author>Zhi-Qiang Liu</author><author>Hai-Yang Huang</author><author>Pin-Qiang Mo</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The stability of surrounding rock in underground excavations is fundamentally governed by the stress evolution induced by excavation unloading and subsequent reloading processes, such as support installation, lining, or internal pressure recovery. However, existing studies have mainly focused on excavation-induced unloading, while the mechanical response of surrounding rock subjected to subsequent reloading remains insufficiently understood. To address this issue, an analytical framework based on the Hoek–Brown strength criterion is proposed to investigate the elastoplastic behavior of surrounding rock during the excavation unloading–reloading process. The proposed framework consists of two complementary components: a limit equilibrium analysis of the overlying rock mass to evaluate the global stability of underground openings, and an elastoplastic analytical solution for a circular cavern to characterize local stress redistribution, plastic zone evolution, and failure mode transition. Based on these solutions, the upper and lower limit pressures associated with tensile and shear failure mechanisms are derived. The results demonstrate that the stress path induced by unloading and reloading plays a critical role in controlling the mechanical response of surrounding rock. Subsequent reloading modifies the stress state around the excavation boundary and may lead to a transition from tensile-dominated instability to shear-controlled failure. Parametric analyses further reveal that burial depth, lateral pressure coefficient, and rock mass quality significantly affect the stability limits and failure characteristics. The proposed method provides an analytical basis for determining allowable pressure ranges and evaluating the stability of underground excavations.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1964867</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1964867</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Experimental study on strain redistribution and peak-load degradation of reinforced concrete lattice beams under localized beam-bottom support loss]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-10-02T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Chungen Wei</author><author>Shengfeng He</author><author>Zirong Huang</author><author>Sheng Liu</author><author>Cheng Yang</author><author>Biao Nie</author><author>Qingqing Zhang</author><author>Yuhang Wu</author><author>Qingyuan Liu</author><author>Yashen Gu</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Localized beam-bottom support loss can alter deformation compatibility within reinforced concrete lattice beams and reduce their load-carrying capacity, yet the associated spatial response remains insufficiently quantified. This study conducted staged central-node loading tests on 1:10 square-grid lattice-beam models under complete support and three prescribed support-loss conditions (η = 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6). Optical-frequency-domain-reflectometry distributed sensing provided continuous longitudinal strain fields on the upper and lower beam surfaces. Response evolution was evaluated from strain-field patterns, signed longitudinal-profile correlation, and the recorded system-level peak load. Increasing η produced progressively stronger strain localization around Horizontal Beam 2 and the orthogonally connected vertical beams, accompanied by relative unloading of peripheral parallel beams. At η = 0.6, the upper-surface correlation coefficient of Horizontal Beam 2 decreased to −0.59 to −0.77 at 200–400 kg, indicating substantial reorganization of the longitudinal strain distribution. The recorded peak load decreased from 1235 kg under complete support to 978, 782, and 604 kg, corresponding to reductions of 20.8%, 36.7%, and 51.1%, respectively. The observations demonstrate that localized support loss changes grid-level deformation sharing while progressively degrading the model-scale peak load. These results provide an experimental basis for identifying support-loss-sensitive regions and designing distributed monitoring layouts for lattice-beam slope-protection systems.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1959968</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1959968</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Microenvironment regulation of ruthenium complexes based on PDMS microsphere carriers and highly sensitive detection of dissolved oxygen]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-10-01T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Tianzi Song</author><author>Yanze Wang</author><author>Xiaolong Yu</author><author>Ting Guo</author><author>Xiaoxue Wei</author><author>Miao Zhang</author><author>Sitong Zhang</author><author>Xueting Xie</author><author>Kai Wang</author><author>Ling Lin</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Accurate monitoring of dissolved oxygen concentration in vivo is crucial for understanding cellular metabolism and pathological changes in the microenvironment. However, traditional oxygen sensing methods such as clark electrodes and magnetic resonance spectroscopy suffer from drawbacks including tissue damage, high cost, or insufficient spatial resolution. This study aims to develop a novel, cost-effective, biocompatible, and non-invasive oxygen sensor based on microfluidic technology for continuous, in situ monitoring of dissolved oxygen in the cellular microenvironment. We fabricated Polydimethylsiloxane flexible microspheres using microfluidic techniques, incorporating Ru (dpp)3Cl2 nanoparticles (a derivative of tris(4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline)ruthenium (II) dichloride) as an oxygen-sensitive indicator. By optimizing the flow rate ratio between the dispersed oil phase and continuous aqueous phase, as well as the concentration of Ru (dpp)3Cl2, we obtained microspheres with the highest fluorescence quenching constant and optimal dissolved oxygen responsiveness. These microspheres were subsequently co-cultured with three cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231, HeLa, and A549) to dynamically monitor dissolved oxygen levels. To further evaluate their potential as a drug delivery platform, paclitaxel was loaded into the microspheres, demonstrating excellent biocompatibility. This study successfully achieves highly sensitive, in situ, and cost-effective visual monitoring of dynamic Dissolved oxygen fluctuations. The developed microspheres hold significant application prospects in the field of bio-oxygen sensors, providing new insights for biomedical research.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1950397</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1950397</link>
        <title><![CDATA[From microplastics to nanoplastics: environmental transformation pathways, detection challenges, and health implications]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-10-01T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Nour Alnairat</author><author>Safaa B. Hussein</author><author>Duaa Abu-Dalo</author><author>Dima Nawafleh</author><author>Sahar Farwaneh</author><author>Mohammad Assaf</author><author>Ibrahim Qahtan Al-Khaial</author><author>Haneen Waleed</author><author>Hadeel T. Al-Sinjilawi</author><author>Banan Hudaib</author><author>Rund Abu-Zurayk</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The extensive buildup of plastic waste has become a significant environmental issue, especially due to the conversion of microplastics (MPs) into nanoplastics (NPs). In this review, we address the critical processes that lead to the fragmentation of MPs into NPs, including physical, chemical, and biological degradation mechanisms such as UV radiation, mechanical wear, and microbial activities in wastewater treatment systems, soils, and aquatic habitats. We place a strong focus on the analytical and methodological challenges encountered in detecting and characterizing NPs, highlighting the limitations of existing instrumentation, the absence of standardized protocols, and discrepancies in reporting metrics. Additionally, we explore the environmental behavior of NPs within the plastisphere and their interactions with co-contaminants, including heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and pathogenic microorganisms. Current understanding of the ecological and human health risks related to inhalation and ingestion exposure pathways is also summarized, with a focus on the uncertainties and gaps in toxicological data. Lastly, we emphasize key research gaps and future directions to facilitate the development of standardized assessment strategies and enhance the comprehension of nanoplastic risks.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1951523</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1951523</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Impact of the surrounding ambient temperature on the fresh and hardened properties of one-part alklai-activated materials properties incorporating recycled brick powder and aggregate]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-10-01T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Yazeed A. Al-Noaimat</author><author>Mazen J. Al-Kheetan</author><author>Mehdi Chougan</author><author>Ayah A. Alkhawaldeh</author><author>Seyed Hamidreza Ghaffar</author>
        <description><![CDATA[This study investigates the influence of the combined effect of mixing and curing temperatures on the flowability, slump height reduction, flexural and compressive strengths, water absorption, and microstructural performance of one-part alkali-activated materials (AAM), providing insight into the in situ efficiency and applicability of these materials. The effect of temperature was evaluated for two different mix designs: one prepared with 100% natural aggregates (NA) and the other with 50% brick aggregates (BA). Four different surrounding temperatures were selected: 35, 20, 10, and 0 °C, and the temperatures were varied together at 0, 10, 20, and 35 °C; consequently, the results describe the combined exposure condition and do not isolate the individual effects of mixing temperature and curing temperature. The workability of both mix designs was found to be dependent on the surrounding temperature, with lower flowability and a reduction in slump height as temperature increased. At the same time, increasing the surrounding temperature was found to increase the 3-day strength performance of the mixture. Nevertheless, 28-day mechanical strength performance was better for ambient-prepared mixtures, indicating that high temperature might initially boost AAM performance, but does not allow it to reach its maximum mechanical strength performance at later ages. Similarly, the water absorption capacity of the mixture was found to depend on the surrounding temperature, with the lowest value for the mixture prepared at 35 °C. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed that aggregates in both mixtures (100% NA and 50% BA) delaminated from the cement paste at 0 °C. The results presented in this study provide an insight into the efficiency and performance of AAM under varying environmental conditions.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1959000</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1959000</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Recent progress of biomaterials-based hydrogels for wearable electronics and health monitoring]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-09-30T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Danyang Ren</author><author>Jieyun Ma</author><author>Zhenpeng Han</author><author>Yawen Lei</author><author>Yiming Liu</author><author>Yan Zhu</author><author>Yanchao Mao</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Soft bioelectronics integrated with biological tissues are reshaping the landscape of personalized medicine, health diagnostics, and human-machine interfaces, yet they are frequently bottlenecked by the mechanical and biocompatibility discrepancies of conventional rigid hardware. Biomaterials-based hydrogels, defined as hydrogel systems constructed from natural polysaccharide or protein macromolecules, featuring extracellular matrix-like compliance, well-documented biocompatibility in numerous prior biomaterial studies and abundant functional groups, have emerged as promising interfacial materials to bridge this mechanical and biological mismatch. This review comprehensively surveys the state-of-the-art developments in polysaccharide-based (alginate, chitosan, and cellulose) and protein-based (collagen, silk fibroin, and bovine serum albumin) hydrogel platforms. It also analyzes their internal structures, crosslinking network topologies, and approaches to mechanical property regulation. Additionally, the deployment of these engineered hydrogels in capturing high-purity electrophysiological signals (e.g., electroencephalograms (EEG), electrocardiograms (ECG), and electromyograms (EMG)), as well as conducting respiratory monitoring and motion monitoring, is systematically evaluated. This review highlights critical structure-property trade-offs: reconciling mechanical softness, conductivity, biocompatibility and environmental stability remains a major unsolved bottleneck. In closing, the review concludes major contemporary challenges and future research routes for robust long-term wearable and implantable bioelectronics, to motivate original material designs of advanced soft biointerfaces for both wearable epidermal and implantable bioelectronic scenarios.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1945407</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1945407</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Toward data-driven reliability in hydrogel semiconductor devices: forecasting approaches for degradation and signal stability]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-09-30T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Mini Review</category>
        <author>Anbazhagan Geetha</author><author>S. Preethi</author><author>J. Santhakumar</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Semiconducting devices based on hydrogel are increasingly popular in wearable and flexible bioelectronics because of their biocompatibility, mechanical conformability and ionic-electronic signal transduction properties. In material classes conductive polymer hydrogels, MXene and carbon-nanomaterial composites, liquid-metal hybrids, and adhesive fibrous interfaces practical applications as wearable sensors with continuous, long-duration functionality are limited by a variety of, mechanistically coupled degradation modes: environmental instability, electrode corrosion, signal interference, mechanical fatigue and cyclic swelling-shrinking, biofouling and microbial contamination, and polymer aging. Although materials-level interventions and, individually, machine-learning approaches to sensing functionality (pattern recognition, material property prediction) have been previously reviewed, no previous literature has mapped data-driven reliability and degradation-prognostication strategies based on battery health management, renewable energy control, wearable motion-artifact rejection, structural corrosion monitoring, and additive manufacturing quality control to the specific failure modes of hydrogel semiconductor devices. This Review seals that gap, critically comparing techniques on computational cost, data requirements, and cross-domain transfer assumptions; proposing a conceptual monitoring framework with a corresponding practical implementation pathway, edge-computing considerations, and uncertainty/explainability treatment; suggesting a standardized dataset structure; and reviewing regulatory and clinical-validation pathways. This Review seeks to offer a practically actionable roadmap to validated, self-monitoring hydrogel bioelectronic systems by connecting materials science, data-driven reliability engineering and biomedical device regulation.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1953993</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1953993</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Mechanical and disintegration behaviors of carbonaceous rock under drying-wetting cycles]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-09-30T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Ke Ma</author><author>Chong Ma</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Effects of drying-wetting cycles and loads on the mechanical and disintegration characteristics of carbonaceous rock were investigated by triaxial compression tests and disintegration tests in this study. The disintegration phenomena of carbonaceous rock exposed to drying-wetting cycles were analyzed, and the corresponding mechanisms were discussed. The test results showed that drying-wetting cycles lead to the deterioration of particle contact conditions in carbonaceous rock, with a more pronounced impact on the elastic modulus than on the peak strength. After 20 drying-wetting cycles with a range of 5%, the elastic modulus and the peak compressive strength were reduced by 56.86% and 23.71%, respectively, as compared to those at the initial state. Confining pressure was found to mitigate this deterioration in mechanical properties. The disintegration process of carbonaceous rock was elucidated, and its underlying mechanism was revealed from an energy perspective. The mass percentages of each particle size fraction gradually stabilized after five cycles. As the number of cycles further increased, solid particles larger than 5 mm continued to disintegrate, while particles smaller than 5 mm would become increasingly difficult to break down. Particles in the 2–5 mm size range accounted for the highest mass fraction after the complete disintegration of carbonaceous rock. The dissolution of carbonate minerals and cation exchange on the surface of clay mineral particles were the main reasons for the rapid disintegration of carbonaceous rock exposed to drying-wetting cycles. It is believed that the outcomes of this study would shed light on the deterioration mechanism of mechanical properties for carbonaceous rock under adverse natural conditions.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1970660</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1970660</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Tensile properties of 3D-printed polylactic acid after extended UV radiation]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-09-30T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>J. M. L. Reis</author><author>H. G. Rohem</author><author>V. P. C. C. Bhering</author><author>F. C. Amorim</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) has expanded the use of bio-based thermoplastics in engineering applications; however, prolonged ultraviolet (UV) exposure can progressively affect their mechanical performance. This study investigates the tensile behavior of FDM-manufactured PLA specimens subjected to continuous UV-A radiation (61.4 W/m2 at approximately 43 °C) for periods of up to 270 days. The experimental results revealed a progressive and non-uniform deterioration of the mechanical response with increasing exposure time. Ultimate tensile strength decreased from 53.46 ± 2.3 MPa for the reference condition to 35.51 ± 0.9 MPa after 270 days, corresponding to a reduction of approximately 33.6%, whereas the tensile modulus remained comparatively stable throughout the investigated exposure period. Elongation at break showed no consistent decreasing trend during the initial and intermediate exposure periods but decreased markedly after prolonged exposure, supporting the evolution toward a more brittle tensile response. Statistical analysis confirmed a significant effect of exposure time on tensile strength and elongation at break, while no significant effect was observed on tensile modulus. To complement the experimental investigation, a reduced-parameter phenomenological analytical formulation was employed to describe the evolution of the stress–strain response as a function of ultraviolet exposure time. The formulation satisfactorily reproduced the experimental stress–strain response within the investigated exposure and deformation ranges, providing a compact description of the time-dependent mechanical behavior of UV-aged FDM-manufactured PLA.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1929207</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1929207</link>
        <title><![CDATA[A gradient-lattice-constant material for enhanced low-frequency and broadband underwater sound absorption]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-09-30T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Shibo Wang</author><author>Qicheng Zhang</author><author>Di Wu</author><author>Zhaohua Su</author><author>Sen Zhang</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Acoustic coatings with low-frequency and broadband sound absorption are vital for underwater vehicle stealth. Multi-layer cavity structures are of particular interest, as inter-layer coupling enables broadband absorption, while a gradient in cavity radii facilitates acoustic impedance matching. However, cascading more cavity layers within a given material thickness reduces the elastic medium thickness, thereby weakening sound absorption. To overcome this limitation, we propose and fabricate a multi-layer cavity material with uniform cavity radii but gradient lattice constants, dubbed gradient-lattice-constant material (GLM). The reduced cavity occupancy effectively increases the elastic medium thickness, thereby enhancing the underlying Fabry-Pérot (F-P) resonance and improving sound absorption. Specifically, the F-P resonance theory, displacement field and power dissipation density simulations are employed to evaluate the absorption performance of GLM under varying cavity parameters, including radius, lattice constant, and interlayer distance. The results demonstrate that the advantage of GLM becomes increasingly pronounced with four and more layers, effectively enhancing low-frequency and broadband sound absorption. Furthermore, we experimentally implement a five-layer GLM in water, which achieves effective absorption from 100 Hz to 2000 Hz, agreeing well with theoretical and simulation results. Our findings provide an efficient route to lightweight, high-performance acoustic coatings and absorbers.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1914758</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1914758</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Structural, biomedical and metal-ion sensing properties of the eco-friendly synthesized CrVO4 nanoparticles using Saussurea obvallata flower extract]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-09-29T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Diya Patel</author><author>Mamta Patil</author><author>Kajalben Patel</author><author>Yogita Abhale</author><author>Mahmoud Mirzaei</author><author>Majid S. Jabir</author><author>Suresh Ghotekar</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The pursuit of environmentally sustainable approaches in nanotechnology has encouraged the adoption of green synthesis routes for advanced functional materials. In the present work, chromium vanadate (CrVO4) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized via an eco-friendly method utilizing Saussurea obvallata flower extract as a natural reducing and stabilizing medium. The extract, rich in bioactive phytochemicals such as terpenoids, phenolic compounds, and flavonoids, enabled the controlled synthesis of NPs under benign circumstances without the need for hazardous reagents or high-energy inputs. The resulting NPs were comprehensively explored to elucidate their structural, topological, and optical features. In addition, their multifunctional applicability was investigated through anticancer, antitubercular, and metal ion sensing studies. The findings reveal that biosynthesized CrVO4 NPs exhibit improved biological efficacy, possibly due to phytochemical surface modification, and effective sensing performance driven by advantageous electron-transfer characteristics. This study establishes a sustainable and promising strategy for the synthesis of vanadate-based nanomaterials with promising biomedical and environmental applications.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1936225</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1936225</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Interfacial chemistry of UHMWPE fiber composites: surface modification, adhesion mechanisms, impact performance, and implications for lightweight sports protection]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-09-29T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Mini Review</category>
        <author>Jintao Guo</author><author>Ying Wang</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers combine low density with high specific strength and energy absorption, making them attractive for lightweight protective composites, including sports protective equipment. Their chemically inert, low-energy surface, however, limits wetting and stress transfer, while excessive interfacial bonding may suppress beneficial debonding, pull-out, and frictional dissipation. This mini review links UHMWPE surface chemistry, interphase structure, adhesion mechanisms, and impact response across fiber–matrix, inter-yarn, and interlaminar scales. Physical activation, chemical grafting, bio-inspired coatings, and hierarchical interphases are compared in terms of reactivity, fiber-strength retention, interphase toughness, durability, and manufacturability. Particular emphasis is placed on evidence that the adhesion–protection relationship can be non-monotonic: the optimum interface is application-dependent and must balance effective stress transfer with controlled debonding, sliding, and preservation of fiber integrity. Current evidence remains dominated by coupon- and ballistic-level studies, highlighting the need for standardized multiscale characterization, rate-dependent testing, durability assessment, and equipment-level validation for rigid shells and flexible protectors.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1890188</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1890188</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Long-term skid and abrasion resistance of limestone aggregate asphalt mixtures]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-09-29T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Liangfa Jiang</author><author>Shengyi Huang</author><author>Liuyuan Lan</author><author>Chengli Zhao</author><author>De Yang</author><author>Yuanfeng Chen</author><author>Junlin Liang</author>
        <description><![CDATA[To reveal the evolution trend of long-term skid resistance and abrasion resistance of limestone when applied in the surface layer of asphalt pavement, this study systematically investigated the coupling effects of temperature, loading speed, and aggregate particle size on the evolution of long-term skid resistance and abrasion resistance of asphalt pavement using a self-developed laboratory accelerated abrasion test device. Meanwhile, the degradation mechanism of pavement surface morphology and its internal correlation with performance decay were analyzed. The results show that the developed device can well simulate the abrasion process of asphalt pavement and realize the accurate acquisition of abrasion depth and friction coefficient. The skid resistance of limestone asphalt pavement mainly presents two distinct evolution modes: a rapid initial decline followed by stabilization, or a short-term initial increase followed by continuous decline. The abrasion resistance of the pavement exhibits three stages, namely, slow decline, rapid decline, and stabilization. Pavements with smaller aggregate particle size are more prone to overall structural deterioration, resulting in a faster decline in abrasion resistance and skid resistance. Meanwhile, increases in temperature and loading speed both accelerate the attenuation of skid resistance and abrasion resistance of the pavement. Under low-temperature conditions, the failure mode of pavement surface morphology is single, with relatively slow performance attenuation. In contrast, under high-temperature conditions, the failure modes of pavement surface morphology are more diverse, accompanied by faster performance attenuation. The research results can provide a theoretical basis for the rational application and durability design of limestone in the surface layer of asphalt pavement.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1869946</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1869946</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Lignocellulosic and chitin-rich agroindustrial residues as biochar precursors: a screening study based on proximate analysis and analytical pyrolysis]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-09-28T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Pablo Parra</author><author>Kevin Cedeño</author><author>José Luis Ballesteros</author><author>Emileni Terán</author><author>Gary Cedeño</author><author>Jose Guerra</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionThe thermochemical recovery of non-conventional waste requires selection criteria that go beyond its generic classification as biomass, given the combined influence of moisture, mineral fraction, and biopolymer composition on vapor and condensate formation. This study evaluated the suitability of five types of waste for different thermal conversion pathways.MethodsThe physicochemical properties of the selected materials were determined using proximate analysis, while the semi-quantitative composition of the volatile products was characterized by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS).ResultsThe materials did not constitute a homogeneous category but were grouped into three main behavioral patterns: wet lignocellulosic wastes requiring pretreatment, herbaceous matrices with high mineral content and marked ash interference, and nitrogenous marine wastes with a distinct chemotype. G. ulmifolia showed the greatest operational compatibility for standard pyrolysis due to its low moisture content and profile dominated by carbohydrate-derived products. T. cacao and B. beyrichiana generated condensates rich in oxygenated compounds, particularly cyclopentenones, lactones, and guaiacol, supporting their potential use as sources of platform molecules or for selective fractionation. A. truxillensis produced the volatile fraction richest in hydrocarbons, including BTEX, although its high ash content requires mineral control to maximize liquid yield. L. vannamei exhibited the most distinctive profile, characterized by phenols, nitrogen-containing heterocycles, and levoglucosenone-type carbonyls, compatible with a chitin biorefinery scheme.DiscussionCombined screening using proximate analysis and Py-GC/MS enables the differentiation of waste materials according to their thermochemical behavior, facilitates the identification of realistic value-added pathways, and provides a basis for subsequent bench-scale and catalytic design studies.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1922895</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1922895</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Enhanced aqueous refractive index sensing using an AlSb/BiFeO3/AlSb multilayer-integrated surface plasmon resonance platform]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-09-25T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>M. Jagadeeswar Goud</author><author>V. Kumar Koushik</author><author>Yesudasu Vasimalla</author><author>Bhishma Karki</author><author>Santosh Kumar</author>
        <description><![CDATA[In many cases of monitoring the environment, analyzing industrial effluents, and identifying heavy metals and multiple other chemical pollutants, it is essential to have an analysis done in real-time and without the use of any labels. Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) sensors can meet these needs. We present a new multilayer prism configured for optimum monitoring of the liquid environment. The assembly consists of a prism, silver (Ag) as the plasmonic layer, alluminum antimonide (AlSb) to capture the evanescent field and bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3) as the active sensing component. The superior dielectric and optical properties of the BiFeO3 aid great communication with the analytes, while the elevated refractive index of AlSb improves field confinement. The optical response of the sensor was numerically modeled using the transfer matrix method, and we demonstrated a significant increase in the sensitivity and accuracy of the detection compared to previous SPR design systems. This configuration will give the maximum attained sensing parameters as Sensitivity of 368.37 °/RIU, QF of 129.08 RIU−1, SNR of 2.581 and DA of 0.35 deg−1 This enables detailed, reliable, and real-time assessment of environmental liquid samples through the prism - Ag - AlSb - BiFeO3  - AlSb sensing medium architecture.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1943334</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1943334</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Functional photonic and optoelectronic materials and devices for climate-resilient smart agriculture: a review]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-09-25T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Mini Review</category>
        <author>Karthika Vishnu Priya Kathula</author><author>Murugesan Mohana Keerthi</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The variation in the temperature, precipitation, and extreme events has rendered climate change very threatening to crop production and the overall world food security. The prospects of sustainable and climate resilient agricultural production is brought up with the use of photonics and optoelectronics coupled with smart farming technology. The paper offers an overall foundation of smart agricultural systems that are assisted by photonics and optoelectronics that combine the state-of-the-art optical sensors, Internet of Things (IoT) communications, and machine learning algorithms in the crop and soil monitoring. Due to optical sensing technologies including fiber optic sensors, LiDAR, fluorescence spectroscopy, and hyperspectral imaging, optical sensors can also be used in high resolution and non-destructive measurement of physiological properties of plants, nutrient status, water stress and disease incidence. With the help of optoelectronic devices, it is possible to carry out the accurate signal processing, data collection, automated control of irrigation, fertigation and microclimate regulating systems. When sensor-based information is incorporated with any decision support systems the quality of early stress detection is improved, wastage of resources is minimized and the effect on the environment is minimized. Multispectral and temporal data based on machine learning models enhance forecasting of climate risk, diseases, and pest outbreaks forecasting, and crop yield forecasting. The system will aid in making the contemporary crop production systems more sustainable and resilient in the long-term due to the fact that it will provide scalable and flexible solutions across the agroecological regions.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1929773</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1929773</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Sustainable colloidal nanostructures for advanced PEMFC coolants: stability, environmental implications, and lifecycle challenges]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-09-25T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Maryam Taufiq Musa</author><author>Edy Herianto Majlan</author><author>Abhishek Agarwal</author><author>Michel Kalenga Wa Kalenga</author><author>Lim Bee Huah</author><author>Mohd Shahbudin Masdar</author><author>Irnie Azlin Zakaria</author><author>Md. Ahsanul Haque</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The development of advanced coolant media is increasingly important for improving thermal regulation in proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) stacks while addressing concerns related to material use, operational durability, and environmental sustainability. Colloidal nanostructures dispersed in conventional and alternative base fluids have attracted considerable attention because their composition, concentration, interfacial behaviour, and dispersion characteristics can be tailored to modify coolant thermophysical properties. This review examines the development of oxide-based, carbon-based, hybrid, and bio-derived nanofluids for PEMFC thermal management, with particular attention to the relationships among colloidal stability, thermal conductivity, viscosity, electrical conductivity, corrosion behaviour, and stack performance. Conventional cooling approaches are first discussed to establish the operational requirements that have motivated the development of nanostructured coolant systems. The effects of nanoparticle aggregation, sedimentation, surface modification, and coolant ageing on long-term performance are subsequently evaluated. Particular consideration is given to environmentally relevant issues associated with raw-material selection, coolant formulation, potential nanoparticle release, material compatibility, recovery, disposal, and lifecycle performance. Recent developments in cooling-channel configuration, multizone thermal regulation, phase-change-assisted systems, and adaptive coolant control are also assessed as complementary strategies for improving the practical application of colloidal coolants. Despite encouraging improvements in heat transfer, significant barriers remain, including limited long-duration stability data, inconsistent characterisation procedures, uncertain environmental fate, and insufficient validation under realistic stack conditions. Future research should therefore integrate thermal performance assessment with colloidal stability, material compatibility, environmental safety, and lifecycle considerations to support the development of durable and environmentally responsible coolant systems for PEMFC applications.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1957904</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1957904</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Mechanical, morphological and micromechanical characterization of multiscale walnut shell powder, E-glass fibre and graphene reinforced epoxy hybrid composites]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-09-24T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Tushar T. Hawal</author><author>Vinayak R. Malik</author><author>Shailesh Shirguppikar</author><author>Rohit Magdum</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The immense advancement in materials science has led to a progression across engineering disciplines, changing structural requirements from monolithic conventional materials to highly structured, multiphase composite materials. Hybrid composites utilize the properties of individual components, substituting for the deficiencies of the matrix and other primary reinforcements. This research focuses on advanced multiscale hybrid composites fabricated using an epoxy matrix reinforced with natural Walnut Shell Powder (WSp), synthetic E-glass fibres, and nanoscale graphene, prepared with the hand lay-up method, and cured at ambient temperature. The hybrid composite samples were tested for their performance in tensile, flexural, and compressive loads. The experimental results demonstrate that while the addition of 5wt% WSp significantly enhances compressive strength by 75.30% whereas its improvement in tensile characteristics is confined by particle agglomeration and interfacial void formation. In contrast, the multiscale hybrid composite sample reinforced with 15 wt% continuous E-glass fibres and a 0.1 wt% graphene showcased the optimal mechanical synergy. The E-EgG hybrid demonstrated a significant rise of 71.66% in ultimate tensile strength, 123.81% in flexural strength, and 355.71% in compressive strength in comparison to the neat epoxy sample. Morphological evaluation via Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) confirmed that the nano-scale graphene fundamentally alters the properties, bridging micro-cracks, improving the strength, and inducing significant crack deflection. The experimental trends were further confirmed through analytical micromechanical modeling. Rule-of-Mixtures and Halpin–Tsai predictions aligned with E-Eglass within 2%, while Halpin–Tsai substantially underpredicted the E-Gr modulus (−44.5), while a two-step homogenization approach, wherein graphene is initially assumed to be a matrix-toughening phase before superposing the macro-scale reinforcement, predicted the E-EgG modulus within 3.8% of the experimental value (7.81 vs. 9.22 GPa). Notably, the E-WSpG hybrid outperformed its corresponding two-step prediction by ∼46%, providing quantitative, model-based evidence for a genuine interdependent interaction between the micro-scale WSP and nanoscale graphene phases.]]></description>
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