Artiles
Open Access
Article
25 February 2026Analysis of Grinding Mechanics and Improved Force Model in Ultrasonic Assisted Grinding Cf/SiC Composites
Grinding is a key precision machining method for achieving high surface quality and dimensional accuracy in carbon fiber reinforced silicon carbide ceramic matrix composites (Cf/SiC). Ultrasonic vibration-assisted grinding (UVAG), with its high-frequency intermittent loading characteristics, offers a novel approach to regulating the dynamic removal behavior of heterogeneous materials. This study firstly analyzed the material removal mechanism of abrasive particles based on abrasive geometry and kinematics. On this basis, mechanical models are developed for a single abrasive grain across three removal stages: ductile removal, ductile-to-brittle transition, and brittle removal. These are further extended into a grinding force prediction model by integrating the effects of multiple abrasive grains and process correction factors during ultrasonic-assisted grinding. Finally, the model is validated through UVAG experiments. Results show that under an ultrasonic frequency of 20 kHz and amplitude of 5 μm, the predicted grinding forces match the experimental values with a high degree of accuracy (98.98%). This grinding force model provides theoretical support and process guidance for high-performance, low-damage precision machining of Cf/SiC composites.
Open Access
Article
25 February 2026Ecological Application of UAVs for Monitoring and Eliminating Oil Product Spills on the Sea Surface
The objective of marine ecological safety necessitates the development of comprehensive, integrated strategies for oil spill management, encompassing advanced monitoring and effective remediation. This paper introduces and validates a novel integrated methodology and conceptual framework for autonomous marine environmental safety. The core of this framework lies in the merging of AI-assisted monitoring capabilities with a multi-agent Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) system for targeted dispersant delivery. UAV systems, within this methodology, function as a cost-effective and readily deployable operational platform. The study details the primary development stages of the methodology-driven system and presents empirical results from in-situ field trials. The framework leverages artificial intelligence (AI) tools developed and validated for slick monitoring, which execute primary segmentation for spill detection and subsequent secondary segmentation to categorize the slick into thickness uniformity maps. Datasets of actual marine oil slick imagery were compiled to facilitate robust deep learning of the underlying neural network architectures. The study explores scientific feasibility, specifically employing Laser-Induced Fluorescence (LIF) spectroscopy to classify oil product grades and assess the ecological impact of various remediation agents on local phytoplankton communities. This integrated method for spill response is underpinned by successful field validation results. The full methodology was tested during actual oil spill incidents in the waters of Peter the Great Bay from 2019 to 2024. The article presents experimental validation of a new concept and methodology of integrated environmental safety of marine areas by a multi-agent UAV system in the event of oil product spills.
Open Access
Article
25 February 2026Evaluating UAS Integration into Geoinformatics: An Operational, Regulatory and Policy Analysis in Greek Geoinformatics Service Providers
The rapid evolution of geoinformatics technologies, particularly through the adoption of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), has brought significant changes to the collection, processing, and analysis of spatial data. UAS are increasingly integrated into Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, and spatial analysis, enhancing efficiency and accuracy in applications such as precision agriculture and infrastructure management. However, limited empirical research has examined the consequences of their integration for operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and related management practices in the Greek context. This study evaluates how UAS integration into the operations of Greek geoinformatics firms enhances efficiency and supports compliance with Greek and European regulatory frameworks. A qualitative multi-case study methodology is employed across five Greek geoinformatics service providers, and data are collected through semi-structured interviews and secondary sources. Findings indicate that UAS integration improves the quality of spatial data, reduces data collection costs, and facilitates regulatory compliance of these firms. Finally, the study highlights the emergence of optimal operational management policies of UAS including standardized end-to-end workflows, clear role allocation and compliance responsibilities, systematic QA/QC procedures, proactive regulatory monitoring (PDRA/SORA readiness), which strengthen and promote innovative geoinformatics technologies.
Open Access
Article
25 February 2026Optimizing SI Engine Performance and Emissions with Gasoline-Ethanol and Gasoline-Methanol Blends
Although fossil fuels are the primary source of energy in the world, their greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants provide serious environmental problems. This study uses a gasoline blend with ethanol and methanol to examine the emissions and performance of a spark ignition (SI) engine. An experimental design focused on engine input factors such as load and fuel blends. Brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC), brake thermal efficiency (BTE), and emissions of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) were examined about these parameters using Taguchi’s L16 orthogonal array and ANOVA via Minitab 18. The results show that 80% engine load and a 15% blend for both ethanol and methanol provide the best engine performance, greatly lowering BSFC and raising BTE. Notably, 20% engine load and 15% blend result in the lowest CO emissions, whilst 20% load and 0% blend result in the lowest NOx emissions. Also, 20% load and 15% blend result in the lowest HC emissions. This study highlights the potential of alternative fuel blends to improve engine efficiency and reduce hazardous emissions.
Open Access
Article
25 February 2026Evolutionary and Economic Foundations for an Ecological Civilization
Human civilization threatens the life support functions generated by global ecosystems. Humanity must forge an ecological civilization to avoid collapse. We apply evolutionary theory to the human system, with an emphasis on the economy, to understand how we have arrived at our current predicament and to suggest paths forward. Neoliberal economic theory claims that within markets, the self-interested behavior of individuals and firms maximizes societal welfare, while some strands of evolutionary theory claim that selfish individuals will outcompete their selfish conspecifics. Yet, cooperation is ubiquitous. Humans have become more interdependent than ever. We present a theoretical argument that the structure of the global economy is best explained by multilevel selection (MLS)—an evolutionary process wherein competitive individuals outcompete cooperative individuals within groups, while cooperative groups outperform competitive groups. MLS helps explain why both cooperation and selfishness co-exist, with cooperation the most adaptive social behavior at higher-scales. We conclude that achieving an ecological civilization will not only require cooperation at the global scale, but also the forging of a new relationship between humans and the rest of nature, akin to the relationship between a human cell and the human body.
Open Access
Review
24 February 2026Technological Innovation in Syngas Fermentation and Prospects for Industrial Application
In the context of the global carbon neutrality strategy, syngas fermentation technology has emerged as a research hotspot in biomanufacturing because it can recover and convert industrial exhaust gas. Relying on the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway in acetogens, this technology converts gaseous substrates, such as CO and CO2, into high-value-added chemicals. However, bottlenecks including low gas-liquid mass-transfer efficiency and challenges with scale-up, severely limit its industrialization. The review focuses on core research-level topics, including the key enzymatic mechanisms of acetogens, metabolic regulation strategies, and high-throughput strain construction technologies; systematically analyzes the feed gas pretreatment process, design principles of large-scale reactors, fermentation process optimization, efficient product separation and purification technologies, and full-process integration at the process level; and summarizes techno-economic analysis and global policy support for industrial application. Finally, it thoroughly analyzes the core challenges of this technology across core mechanisms, engineering operations, economic markets, and industrial chain coordination, and outlines the future development direction of the technology. By systematically collating the syngas fermentation technology system and its industrialization bottlenecks, this review provides references for its industrialization. It is positioned to boost the economic viability and industrial appeal of the CCUS system, acting as a pivotal engine for advancing deep industrial decarbonization and fostering emerging green industries.
Open Access
Review
24 February 2026Bacteriophages in Human Gastrointestinal Health Applications
Bacteriophages are abundant viruses that naturally inhabit the human gastrointestinal tract, interacting closely with bacterial communities. While their therapeutic potential against bacterial infections has been recognized, clinical evidence remains limited. Here, we review recent randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human trials evaluating oral bacteriophage administration for gastrointestinal applications, including treatment of bacterial diarrhea and supplementation in individuals with mild gastrointestinal distress. These studies demonstrate that phage therapy is safe and well-tolerated, with minimal impact on overall gut microbiota composition. There is also some evidence of reduced target bacterial populations and symptom improvement during prolonged use. Additionally, combining phages with probiotics shows promise in enhancing gastrointestinal health. These findings suggest bacteriophages may serve as safe adjuncts or supplements for maintaining gut health and preventing infections, warranting further investigation into their mechanisms and long-term effects within the human microbiome.
Open Access
Review
24 February 2026A Critical Review on Recent Advances and Sustainability Challenges in EDM of Advanced Materials
Electrical discharge machining (EDM) remains indispensable for high-precision machining of advanced and hard-to-machine materials; however, its broader industrial adoption is constrained by high energy consumption, unstable discharge behavior, dielectric degradation, and limited integration of sustainable and intelligent manufacturing strategies. Although existing reviews address micro-EDM and environmentally benign EDM individually, a consolidated and critical synthesis linking discharge physics, sustainability bottlenecks, and intelligent process control has remained limited. This review systematically analyzes highly cited and recent studies (2020–2024) indexed in Scopus and Web of Science, focusing on micro-EDM, green dielectric systems, hybrid-assisted EDM, and intelligent EDM technologies. The synthesized literature identifies key bottlenecks, including deterioration of the inter-electrode environment, inefficient debris evacuation, dielectric decomposition, and the absence of standardized sustainability performance metrics. The analysis reveals a clear convergence toward hybrid-assisted, sustainability-driven EDM strategies, in which coupled plasma–thermal–chemical interactions govern material removal and surface integrity rather than purely thermal effects. Comparative findings indicate that ultrasonic assistance is most effective for micro-scale and brittle materials, magnetic field assistance enhances plasma stability in conductive metallic systems, and biodegradable or water-based dielectrics significantly reduce environmental impact while maintaining acceptable machining performance. Furthermore, intelligent EDM approaches integrating sensor-based monitoring, AI-assisted optimization, and digital-twin frameworks show strong potential for adaptive control, although industrial deployment remains limited by sensing robustness and system integration challenges. Overall, this review proposes a structured roadmap for transitioning EDM toward intelligent, energy-efficient, and sustainable industrial manufacturing.
Open Access
Perspective
24 February 2026Synthetic Biology–Driven Innovation in the Production of Cosmetic Ingredients: From Natural Mimicry to Precision Creation
The cosmetics industry is undergoing a historic transition from natural extraction to precision biomanufacturing. Amino acid derivatives, as a kind of core functional cosmetic ingredient, have witnessed synthetic biology–based production technologies overcome traditional bottlenecks in efficiency and cost. In this Perspective, grounded in recent advances in the construction of amino acid derivative cell factories, we propose the core trends for the future development of cosmetic ingredients: enzyme engineering, dynamic metabolic control, and irrational strategies are converging to enable both functional customization and production intelligence. Star molecules such as ergothioneine, spermidine, and bioactive peptides are poised to redefine the boundaries of anti-aging efficacy, while AI-driven R&D paradigms offer broad prospects but must still overcome cost, regulatory, and consumer perception barriers. We emphasize that only by establishing an integrated “efficient synthesis–precise delivery–validated activity” end-to-end chain can cosmetic ingredients move from laboratory to market, achieving an industrial leap from chemical addition to biological empowerment.
Open Access
Article
24 February 2026Bi-Level Optimal Configuration of Multi-Building Flexible Interconnected Energy Systems Considering Multi-Energy Complementarity
Flexible interconnection among different building types holds significant importance for integrating distributed energy resources, mitigating regional load peak-valley differences, and enhancing the local consumption capacity of renewable energy. Addressing the issue of insufficient multi-energy synergy in multi-building clusters, this paper proposes a bi-level optimal configuration method for flexible interconnected energy systems that accounts for multi-energy complementarity. By constructing a comprehensive multi-energy flow model encompassing all elements of source, network, load, storage, and conversion, a bi-level optimization framework is established. The upper level aims to minimize total lifecycle cost and carbon emissions, while the lower level targets maximizing the renewable energy self-consumption rate and minimizing daily operational cost. An improved NSGA-II algorithm integrating Lévy flight and a good point set is employed for an efficient solution. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed scheme can achieve cross-spatiotemporal energy transfer and multi-energy collaborative optimization. In a typical summer day scenario, the system’s renewable energy self-consumption rate increased to 96.20%, operational cost was reduced by 8.83%, and carbon emissions decreased by 10.18%, validating the effectiveness and superiority of the method in improving energy utilization efficiency and supporting the low-carbon and economic transition of regional building systems. The outcomes of this study can provide theoretical support and engineering reference for the low-carbon, economical, and efficient planning of multi-building energy systems.
