Ahmad Nawaz^1,*, Hilal Khan², Salamat Ullah³, Hamad Almujibah^4,5, Ali E. A. Elshekh⁵, Maaz Osman Bashir⁵

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.148, No.2, 2026, DOI:10.32604/cmes.2026.086781 - 28 August 2026

Abstract Calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) cement is considered a promising low-carbon alternative to ordinary Portland cement owing to its lower clinkerization temperature and reduced CO₂ emissions. The incorporation of blast furnace slag can further enhance the sustainability of CSA-based binders by lowering clinker content, reducing cost and embodied carbon emissions, while maintaining satisfactory mechanical performance. However, optimizing CSA-slag systems remains challenging due to the complex interactions among binder composition, clinker mineralogy, and slag replacement levels. This study therefore aims to predict the compressive strength of CSA-slag binders, identify the mixture parameters governing it, and optimize mixture proportions for… More >

Jia Chen¹, Zhicheng Liao¹, Mengdi Hou², Jianbo Huang^1,3,*

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.89, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2026.086222 - 13 August 2026

Abstract Fly ash (FA) blended 3D printed concrete (3DPC) offers improved sustainability but requires strength prediction models validated at the mix-composition level rather than within familiar formulations. This study applies leave-one-mix-out (LOMO) cross-validation to benchmark eight machine learning algorithms on 126 experimental records spanning seven FA-blended 3DPC compositions (FA 0–15 wt.%, W/B 0.30–0.35, age 1–28 days). ExtraTrees and ElasticNet achieve the highest composition-level generalisation for compressive strength (CS, R2=0.786±0.253) and flexural strength (FS, R2=0.915±0.061, RMSE =0.301 MPa), respectively. SHAP analysis identifies FA replacement percentage as the dominant CS predictor (mean |SHAP|=3.92 MPa, negative… More >

Lei Yang^1,2, Yiyun Hu¹, Xianglong Yang^1,*

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.148, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/cmes.2026.083905 - 27 July 2026

Abstract Accurate prediction of entropy generation in nanofluid turbulent convection is essential for optimizing thermal system efficiency, yet remains challenging due to complex near-wall phenomena and thermal property variations with temperature. This study applied an elliptic blending turbulence model (SST k-ω-φ-α) to numerically analyze entropy generation in alumina-water nanofluid flow through a uniformly heated circular tube. The model’s performance was validated using both experimental data and established heat transfer and fluid flow correlations at small wall-bulk temperature difference condition, and its superiority was rigorously evaluated against two widely adopted turbulence models (SST k-ω and realizable k-ε).… More >

Yansen Sun^1,2, Yi Ding³, Hualei Cui⁴, Yuanchao Hui⁵, Yupeng He^1,2,*

Energy Engineering, Vol.123, No.7, 2026, DOI:10.32604/ee.2025.072860 - 18 June 2026

Abstract Integrated energy systems (IES) are pivotal for achieving low-carbon transitions, yet their optimization under carbon constraints remains challenging. This paper proposes an optimal scheduling model for IES that synergistically combines power-to-gas coupled with carbon capture systems (P2G-CCS) and hydrogen-blended natural gas under a tiered carbon trading mechanism. The model innovatively refines the P2G process into two stages (electrolysis and methanation), utilizing methanation reaction heat to enhance efficiency. It further incorporates hydrogen blending into gas turbines and boilers and implements a tiered carbon trading mechanism to constrain emissions. The objective is to minimize total costs, including… More >

Kuok Ho Daniel Tang^*

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.43, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2025.074391 - 03 April 2026

Abstract Biobased biodegradable plastics have gained increasing attention as sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based materials in food packaging, offering biodegradability, renewability, and reduced environmental impact. This review adopts a narrative review approach, integrating studies published between 2015 and 2025 from major databases to critically evaluate the recent advances, feasibility, and limitations of biobased biodegradable plastics in food packaging. Literature was thematically analyzed by material type and functional enhancement to assess their feasibility and limitations for sustainable packaging applications. Recent advances have focused on enhancing their mechanical, barrier, and functional properties through polymer blending, nanoparticle reinforcement, and incorporation… More >

Leonid Plotnikov^1,*, Leonid Osipov¹, Danil Davydov¹, Dmitry Krasilnikov¹, Alexander Ryzhkov²

Energy Engineering, Vol.123, No.4, 2026, DOI:10.32604/ee.2026.076278 - 27 March 2026

Abstract The use of alternative fuels to generate mechanical and thermal energy in engines is a promising and sought-after technological area with its own unique advantages and characteristics. Consequently, enhancing the technical, economic, and environmental efficiency of gas engines fueled by propane-butane mixture and syngas through optimized operating cycle parameters (including valve timing, ignition timing angle, fuel mixture composition, and compression ratio) is a pressing imperative for scientific and energy sectors. The aim of the study was to investigate and compare the performance of an engine with different compression ratios running on a propane-butane mixture and… More >

John Letwaba¹, Sudhakar Muniyasamy^2,3,*, Nagarethinam Rakku¹, Lucey Mavhungu¹

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.14, No.2, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2025.02025-0132 - 25 February 2026

Abstract Melt blending of biodegradable polyesters such as poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and poly (butylene adipate co-terephthalate) (PBAT) with a compatibilizer and natural filler offers a chance to develop biodegradable bio-composites with improved performance. In this study, we examined how PLA/PBAT blends behave during ultimate biodegradation (mineralization), both with and without compatibilizer and algae as a reinforcement, under controlled composting conditions using carbon dioxide (CO₂) respirometry techniques. Throughout the biodegradation process, the disintegration behaviour, thermal, chemical, and morphological properties of test samples before and after biodegradation were analyzed using FTIR, TGA, DSC, and SEM techniques. The results… More > Graphic Abstract

Dehui Li^1,#, Yiming Guo^1,#, Tao He¹, Binbin Zhang¹, Haixia Yu^2,*, Lingkun Meng^1,*

Chalcogenide Letters, Vol.23, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/cl.2026.075922 - 26 January 2026

Abstract Quinary Cu₃FeInSnS₆ (CFITS) nanoplates were synthesized through a synergistic dual-cation substitution strategy using a hot-injection method, where oleylamine and 1-dodecanethiol served as coordinating ligands to guide two-dimensional growth. The nanocrystals were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and absorption spectroscopy. Structural analysis confirms that the CFITS nanoplates crystallize in a phase-pure cubic zinc-blende structure (space group F-43 m) without detectable secondary phases. Optical measurements reveal that the nanoplates exhibit broad and intense visible-light absorption with a direct bandgap of 1.51 ± 0.03 eV, suitable for photovoltaic applications. Under standard AM 1.5 G… More >

Mengjie Wang¹, Jingfa Li^2,*, Bo Yu², Nianrong Wang³, Xiaofeng Wang³, Tao Hu⁴

FDMP-Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, Vol.21, No.12, pp. 3055-3072, 2025, DOI:10.32604/fdmp.2025.071675 - 31 December 2025

Abstract The adaptation of existing natural gas pipelines for hydrogen transportation has attracted increasing attention in recent years. Yet, whether hydrogen and natural gas stratify under static conditions remains a subject of debate, and experimental evidence is still limited. This study presents an experimental investigation of the concentration distribution of hydrogen–natural gas mixtures under static conditions. Hydrogen concentration was measured using a KTL-2000M-H hydrogen analyzer, with a measurement range of 0–30% (by volume), an accuracy of 1% full scale (FS), and a resolution of 0.01%. Experiments were conducted in a 300 cm riser, filled with uniformly… More >

Hailong Chen^1,*, Guanzhen Tao¹, Daijun Wei², Guangyao Ouyang³

FDMP-Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, Vol.21, No.10, pp. 2527-2538, 2025, DOI:10.32604/fdmp.2025.069569 - 30 October 2025

Abstract Modifications in fuel spray characteristics fundamentally influence fuel–air mixing dynamics in diesel engines, thereby significantly affecting combustion performance and emission profiles. This study explores the operational behavior of RP-5 aviation kerosene/diesel blended fuels in marine diesel engines. A spray visualization platform based on Mie scattering technology was developed to comparatively analyze the spray characteristics, ignition behavior, and soot emissions of RP-5 aviation kerosene, conventional-35# diesel, and their blends at varying mixing ratios (D100H0, D90H10, D70H30, D50H50, D30H70, D0H100). The findings demonstrate that, under constant injection pressure, aviation kerosene combustion results in a more uniform temperature More >