https://www.scientific.net/DFMA Latest Results for Diffusion Foundations and Materials Applications en-us https://www.scientific.net https://www.scientific.net/Image/JournalCover/33 https://www.scientific.net/DFMA.39.-1 Publication date: 2 January 2026 <br />Source: Diffusion Foundations and Materials Application Vol. 39 <br /> <br /> <br /> Fri, 2 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0100 Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:23:14 +0200 https://www.scientific.net/DFMA.39.3 10.4028/p-szL1pp Publication date: 2 January 2026 <br />Source: Diffusion Foundations and Materials Application Vol. 39 <br />Author(s): Evgeniy V. Naydenkin, Il'ya Ratochka, Olga Lykova, Ivan P. Mishin <br />The influence of low-temperature superplastic deformation on the structure and room temperature mechanical properties of ultrafine-grained titanium alloy Ti-55511 was investigated. It was shown that superplastic deformation by compression of the alloy at a strain rate of ~10-2 s-1 at a temperature of 823 K (0.42 Tm) leads to an insignificant growth in the elements of the UFG grain-subgrain structure with a slight decrease in the strength value compared to the initial state formed by the all-round pressing method. Additional annealing of samples at a temperature of 723 K for 5 hours after SP compression leads to an increase in mechanical properties to the level of the initial UFG alloy. It was found that preservation of high mechanical (strength) properties of the UFG Ti-55511 alloy after compression deformation can also be ensured by reducing the temperature of the superplastic deformation treatment up to 803 K. <br /> <br /> Fri, 2 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0100 Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:23:14 +0200 https://www.scientific.net/DFMA.39.11 10.4028/p-ms5gTi Publication date: 2 January 2026 <br />Source: Diffusion Foundations and Materials Application Vol. 39 <br />Author(s): Olga A. Yakovtseva, Zarnigor Turaeva, Eugene S. Statnik, Artemy V. Irzhak, Anastasia V. Mikhaylovskaya <br />The superplastic deformation behavior, microstructure evolution in the volume and on the FIB-milled surface of the samples of fine-grained AA5083-type alloy with an initial grain size of ~5 µm were investigated, and the role of deformation mechanisms was discussed for two superplastic deformation regimes (1) a strain rate of 1×10-3 s-1 and a temperature of 0.87Ti.m. and (2) a strain rate of 5×10-3 s-1 and a temperature of 0.97Ti.m.. The m values were ~0.45-0.55 and elongations to failure were ~300% and ~600% for the first and second regimes, respectively. According to the shifts of the marker grid lines after straining to e=0.41, GBS contributed ~33% and ~23% to the total strain in the low-temperature and high-temperature deformation, respectively. The dislocation-induced intragranular deformation provided ~30% for the low temperature regime and ~20 % for the high temperature regime, and remaining 30-50% of strain was localized in the striated zones formed at the across grain boundaries due to both GBS and diffusion creep deformation mechanisms. Considering the strain induced by grain elongation for the low and high temperature deformation regimes, it was concluded that diffusion creep contributed 23% and 34% of the total deformation, and the recalculated GBS contribution, including both FIB grid shifts and a portion of the strain localized in the striated regions, was 43% and 38%, respectively. <br /> <br /> Fri, 2 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0100 Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:23:14 +0200 https://www.scientific.net/DFMA.39.23 10.4028/p-L9sR6H Publication date: 2 January 2026 <br />Source: Diffusion Foundations and Materials Application Vol. 39 <br />Author(s): Anton D. Kotov, Maria N. Postnikova, Alena Y. Trishina, Matvey A. Zasypkin, Svetlana V. Medvedeva, Anastasia V. Mikhaylovskaya <br />The effects of minor additions of alloying elements Fe/Ni/Co (0.5wt.%), B (0.01–0.1wt.%), and Y (0.2wt.%) on the superplastic behavior, microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of Ti-4 wt.%Al-3wt.%Mo-1wt.%V alloys are investigated. By increasing the high-angle grain boundary fraction and related facilitation of the grain boundary sliding, these elements reduce the flow stress values at the initial deformation stage and improve flow stability at a steady state. The most pronounced effect is found at low deformation temperatures when acceleration of recrystallization and globularization of the microstructure is critical. As a result, minor additions of the studied elements provide good superplasticity at relatively low temperatures of 625–775 °C (m≈0.50 and elongation to failure ≈ 500–1000%) and post-forming room-temperature strength (YS≈830 MPa and UTS≈990 MPa). <br /> <br /> Fri, 2 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0100 Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:23:14 +0200 https://www.scientific.net/DFMA.39.35 10.4028/p-0ESeYU Publication date: 2 January 2026 <br />Source: Diffusion Foundations and Materials Application Vol. 39 <br />Author(s): Yarou Mohssen Hasseb Elsayed, Mohd Zaki Mohd Yusoff, Suraya Ahmad Kamil, Sharifah Aminah Syed Mohamad <br />Zinc oxide is the most widely used nanomaterial in nanotechnology due to its outstanding properties and characterizations. Enormous attention has arisen due to its unique physical properties consists of a wide energy band gap of 3.37 eV at ambient temperature and large binding energy of 60 meV, which give development to an extensive range of potential applications in many areas such as electronics, solar cells, and biological applications. The size and shape of nanoparticles are significant to ensure the process becomes faster, cheaper and more efficient compared with traditional methods. By having more active area of nanoparticles, the biological and chemical process become more effectives. The biological activity of ZnO Nanoparticles was investigated through the antibacterial activity, anti-microbial activity, as anticancer and antioxidant material. The method used to prepare the ZnO Nanoparticles also take an important part which is to reduce the by-product formation when applied in wastewater treatment. This article summarizes different preparation methods of ZnO Nanoparticles and its application uses. The ZnO nanoparticles can be used the various applications, for example for the antibacterial, anti-cancer, anti-microbial, antioxidant and for wastewater treatment applications. <br /> <br /> Fri, 2 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0100 Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:23:14 +0200 https://www.scientific.net/DFMA.39.57 10.4028/p-m5CF7K Publication date: 2 January 2026 <br />Source: Diffusion Foundations and Materials Application Vol. 39 <br />Author(s): Pallab Kumar Das, Swapan Bhunia, Nabin Baran Manik <br />This study explores the effect of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles on the electrical performance of Phenosafranine (PSF) dye-based organic devices. Composite films were fabricated by blending PSF with TiO₂ nanoparticles in varying weight ratios (1:1 to 1:4), and their structural and electrical properties were systematically analyzed. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images showed that the nanoparticles were evenly spread out, which is favorable for charge movement. The I–V results, analyzed using the Cheung method and trap energy model, showed that adding a moderate amount of TiO₂ nanoparticles reduced series resistance, ideality factor, and trap energy. These changes lead to enhance carrier mobility and overall device conductivity. However, when the TiO₂ amount was too high (more than 1:3 ratio), the performance started to drop. Overall, this work shows how TiO₂ nanoparticles can help improve the overall performance of organic electronic devices by changing their structure and electrical behavior in a controlled way. <br /> <br /> Fri, 2 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0100 Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:23:14 +0200 https://www.scientific.net/DFMA.39.69 10.4028/p-TVPCc9 Publication date: 2 January 2026 <br />Source: Diffusion Foundations and Materials Application Vol. 39 <br />Author(s): Aliq Bin Osman, Fiona W.M. Ling, Emma Suali, Anthony Degullacion, Becxter Berul, Alvin H. H. Teo <br />Long chain polymers are reported to be effective in reducing drag in turbulent flow systems. However, most of the effective polymers are synthetic, which are costly, non-biodegradable, and toxic that raises environmental concerns. Natural polymers, as eco-friendly alternatives, are gaining interest as drag-reducing additives (DRA), but single natural polymers have lower drag reduction (DR) efficacy compared to synthetic ones and degrade under high shear stress. This study aims to investigate biopolymer complexes from hibiscus leaves (HL) and okra (OK) as eco-friendly DRAs, comparing their performance with individual components. Biopolymers were extracted from dried hibiscus leaves and okra and diluted to concentrations of 200–1000 ppm. Complexes were formulated by mixing 200–1000 ppm HL extract with 1000 ppm OK extract. The extracts were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), meanwhile all the drag reducing solutions were assessed for viscosity, viscoelasticity and DR performance using an oscillating rheometer under different shear rate (0 – 200 s-1) and frequencies (0 – 100 Hz). All the polymer solutions showed non-Newtonian shear-thinning behavior. The biopolymers and their complexes also exhibited significant viscoelastic properties which is important for DRA stability in turbulent flow. OK solutions achieved up to 79% DR at 1000 ppm, while HL solutions reached an average of 99% DR at concentrations of 400 ppm and above. However, HL-OK complexes had lower DR efficacy, with a maximum DR of 72% at 800 ppm HL – 1000 ppm OK. This might be due to the high concentration altering the water's properties and increasing viscosity, which increases drag.In conclusion, HL and OK complexes have potential for drag reduction, but future research should optimize concentration ratios, test over a broader range of shear rates, and explore other natural polymers complexes to achieve the synergistic effect. <br /> <br /> Fri, 2 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0100 Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:23:14 +0200 https://www.scientific.net/DFMA.39.89 10.4028/p-5RQGqh Publication date: 2 January 2026 <br />Source: Diffusion Foundations and Materials Application Vol. 39 <br />Author(s): Mostafa A. Shohide <br />Concrete deterioration is a major concern for structural engineers, as it can weaken and damage structures, posing safety risks. One of the most effective ways to protect concrete from deterioration is to modify it with pozzolanic materials. Pozzolanic can react with calcium hydroxide (Ca (OH)2) in concrete to form strong, durable cementitious compounds. So this research aims at enhancing the durability of concrete structures against aggressive media attacks. Nanosilica (NS) was used in concrete mix design with different addition percentages of 0, 1, 1.5, 2, and 2.5 by cement weight. The durability of hardened concrete specimens was investigated as follows: measuring water absorption and contact angle; and determining chloride permeability by ion exchange chromatography. Also, the resistivity of concrete against both 3% sulfuric acid and 5% sodium chloride solutions was estimated. Finally, the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used to determine corrosion resistance of the reinforced concrete. The experimental results detected that NS has a significant mechanism for improving concrete performance as follows: water absorption of concrete modified with 2% NS (M4) decreased by 41% as compared to the control sample, and contact angle increased by 66%. Meanwhile, the chloride permeability decreased by 24%. Moreover, NS is mainly responsible for enhancing concrete durability against aggressive media attacks up to 2% by cement weight. As compared to the control concrete specimen, the durability of the M4 specimen increased by 39% against sulphate attack and by 42% against chloride attack. The study provided a good solution for the problem of concrete building deterioration, especially when it is exposed to aggressive environments. Key words: Concrete durability, pozzolanic materials, nanosilica. <br /> <br /> Fri, 2 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0100 Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:23:14 +0200 https://www.scientific.net/DFMA.39.105 10.4028/p-K5Ula8 Publication date: 2 January 2026 <br />Source: Diffusion Foundations and Materials Application Vol. 39 <br />Author(s): Mouhamadou Bamba Sène, Ndeye Awa Sène, Gnilane Thiam, Séckou Bodian, El Hadji Dieng, Ibrahima Diaw, Vincent Sambou, Mactar Faye, Alpha Ousmane Touré, Aida Gaye, Ibrahim Niang <br />This study focused on the valorization of swelling clay from Damniadio. This swelling clay is extracted during construction and dumped in the wild. The aim of this study was to valorize this clay in construction in order to produce bricks strong enough to be used in construction. The physical properties of this clay were evaluated, as well as the mechanical performance of the bricks produced. Finally, a model of a building component was produced using Autocad and Graitec OMD software. Compressive strength and tensile strength values ranged from 1.82 MPa to 30.24 MPa and from 0.14 MPa to 1.83 MPa respectively for raw earth bricks, and from 2.31 MPa to 40.6 MPa and from 0.15 MPa to 2.29 MPa respectively for kiln-dried earth bricks. The modelling of these bricks has thus shown their potential for use as load-bearing structures, making them both more environmentally friendly and more economical in a context where the purchase of concrete will be more expensive than the extraction and processing of clay. <br /> <br /> Fri, 2 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0100 Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:23:14 +0200 https://www.scientific.net/DFMA.39.119 10.4028/p-Wna2vT Publication date: 2 January 2026 <br />Source: Diffusion Foundations and Materials Application Vol. 39 <br />Author(s): Estabraq Khudhair Abbas, Khalil Alwan Hussien, Mudhar A. Al-Obaidi, Farhan Lafta Rashid, Hazim Abdulla Jasim, Jabbar Ahmed Abdullah <br />The high demand for solar power systems has stimulated research efforts to find better heat transfer fluids for evacuated-tube solar collectors. The present analysis aims at evaluating the thermal characteristics of an evacuated-tube solar collector which utilises engine oil as a heat transfer vehicle within a new efficient system beyond conventional flat-plate collectors. An evaluation shows that this system reacts swiftly to solar radiation changes and reaches maximum temperatures of 198 °C which makes water evaporation and superheating possible. Temperature elevation under solar radiation becomes rapid because the evacuated tube contains 20W50 engine oil which possesses a high boiling point of &gt;350 °C and heat transfer properties including 2.5 kJ/kg K heat capacity and 88 kg/m³ density. The through-flow copper pipe is submerged in a single evacuated tube after being bent in a U-shape. Between the inner surface of the tube and the outer surface of the copper pipe, oil serves as a medium for heat transfer. Experiments are conducted for different ranges of solar radiation intensity with consequence different ranges of engine oil temperatures. According to the results, the collector, in comparison to traditional flat-plate collectors, demonstrates a high conversion efficiency and quick response to the influencing parameters. The theoretical computations and experimental findings introduce that the engine oil temperature increases to 198 °C at a solar radiation of 800 w/m2. Accordingly, the temperature is high enough to cause it to heat, evaporate, and become superheated when the water passes through the copper tube inside the vacuum oil tub. <br /> <br /> Fri, 2 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0100 Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:23:14 +0200 https://www.scientific.net/DFMA.39.129 10.4028/p-6O60Sp Publication date: 2 January 2026 <br />Source: Diffusion Foundations and Materials Application Vol. 39 <br />Author(s): Muhammad Aadil, Kareem Akhtar, Muhammad Anas Wazir, Zia Ul Haq, Naseer Iqbal, Ghulam Mustafa <br />Heat exchangers are widely recognized as eco-friendly devices that transfer heat between two or more fluids without mixing. Double Pipe Heat Exchangers (DPHE) are used in many industrial applications such as power generation, chemical processing, HVAC, and renewable energy systems. Traditional DPHEs are simple and reliable, however, they often face limitations in heat transfer. Improving the thermal performance of DPHE can significantly enhance the operational efficiency of thermal energy systems. This study presents a novel fin arrangement to the traditional DPHE using different diamond-shaped fins to improve its thermal performance. The thermal and hydraulic properties of DPHE with different diamond-shaped fin configurations are investigated using CFD analysis. The optimization process is carried out using the Response Surface Method (RSM) for optimal diamond-shaped fin design. The results indicate that novel diamond-shaped fins improve thermal performance, particularly at high mass flow rates. The thermal enhancement factor (TEF), overall heat transfer coefficient, and pressure drop are used to evaluate the thermal performance of DPHE. The diamond-shaped fins exhibit a 55% increase in overall heat transfer coefficient compared to conventional DPHE. The TEF for diamond-shaped fin configurations is higher than 1 with a maximum value of 1.63 for DPHE-HF45 depicting a 63% increase in thermal enhancement. The optimization results show that the optimal fin design achieves a desirability of 81.3%, with a pressure drop of 870.726 Pa and an overall heat transfer coefficient of 2199.85 W/m2K at a mass flow rate of 2.711 lit/min. <br /> <br /> Fri, 2 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0100 Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:23:14 +0200 https://www.scientific.net/DFMA.39.153 10.4028/p-piW3tB Publication date: 2 January 2026 <br />Source: Diffusion Foundations and Materials Application Vol. 39 <br />Author(s): Fahmee Maqsood Awan, Junaid Iqbal, Muhammad Adil Qadeer, Irum Maqsood, Atif Shazad <br />Waste heat utilization is a critical aspect of enhancing energy efficiency and sustainability in various systems. This study investigates the recovery of waste heat using a heat exchanger installed at the outlet of a small-sized engine, demonstrating significant temperature control capabilities. The introduction of hot air from the heat exchanger effectively increased the ambient room temperature from 20 °C to 48 °C within 90 minutes. The heat exchanger's effectiveness improved with higher initial exhaust gas temperatures, as demonstrated across three test cases. In Case I, the room temperature rose to 33 °C with an initial exhaust temperature of 61 °C. Cases II and III showed further increases to 43 °C and 45.7 °C, respectively, corresponding to higher exhaust temperatures of 77 °C and 84 °C. A notable achievement was the consistent improvement in heat exchanger performance, evidenced by increased outlet temperatures and decreased exhaust temperatures, indicating efficient heat transfer. The effectiveness of the device improved from 0.31 to 0.55, highlighting its potential for energy-efficient ambient temperature regulation. However, the study also identified certain limitations. The temperature rise plateaued after 90 minutes, suggesting a limit to the heat exchanger’s capacity due to its size. Additionally, the minimal temperature difference between 60 and 90 minutes in Case III indicated that the engine had reached its peak efficiency, thereby limiting further heat recovery. <br /> <br /> Fri, 2 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0100 Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:23:14 +0200 https://www.scientific.net/DFMA.39.163 10.4028/p-i1A9IH Publication date: 2 January 2026 <br />Source: Diffusion Foundations and Materials Application Vol. 39 <br />Author(s): Adeel Abbas, Yasir Yasin, Muhammad Umer Farooq, Mumtaz Ahmed Qaisrani, Muhammad Mohsin Waqas, Muhammad Khalid, Muhammad Naeem Akhter <br />Drying is the fundamental process for preserving agricultural products and food items, requiring a significant amount of energy. There are quality issues associated with the conventional drying processes and methods. The conventional drying methods are prone to the inclusion of impurities and surface damage, and their drying rates are very slow. In this research, a Concentrated Direct Forced Convection Solar Dryer (CDFCSD) dryer, having two DC brushless fans to regulate the air, was used to dry the test specimens, and the results were compared with the performance of a Direct Natural Convection Solar Dryer (DNCSD). The apple samples were selected as the test product. The drying process involves slicing the apples and placing them into the dryer. The apples were weighed before and after each drying mode, and moisture removal was evaluated and compared. The results show that moisture content removal was 58.15% in the Concentrated Direct Forced Convection Solar Dryer (CDFCSD) and 51.85% by the Direct Natural Convection Solar Dryer (DNCSD). 6.3% more moisture was removed using CDFCSD as compared to DNCSD, which shows a better effective moisture extraction rate using CDFCSD. <br /> <br /> Fri, 2 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0100 Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:23:14 +0200 https://www.scientific.net/DFMA.39.177 10.4028/p-39Qeub Publication date: 2 January 2026 <br />Source: Diffusion Foundations and Materials Application Vol. 39 <br />Author(s): Abdul Khadir Mohamad Syafiq, Adel Nasser, Mohd Haidiezul Jamal Bin Ab Hadi, Noorhafiza Muhammad, Ahmad Zulhusni Bin Mahmad Zuki <br />Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage (LHTES) systems are increasingly recognised as effective solutions for mitigating the intermittency of solar thermal energy. This study presents a comprehensive numerical investigation into the effect of fin geometry on the thermal performance of LHTES units designed for solar applications. Five configurations were examined: a baseline unit and four enhanced designs incorporating longitudinal, V-shaped, T-shaped, and triangular fins. The triangular fin geometry was further optimised by varying the number of fin patterns—two to five—across the heat transfer surface. All configurations employed paraffin wax (RT82) as the phase change material (PCM), thermally enhanced with copper particles to improve thermal conductivity. A high-fidelity 3D model was developed in ANSYS Fluent to simulate the melting process within a triplex-tube heat exchanger under natural convection conditions. The results revealed a strong dependence of melting performance on fin geometry. Notably, the five-pattern triangular fin configuration achieved the shortest melting time (78 minutes), representing an 82% reduction compared to the baseline. These findings underscore the critical role of fin optimisation in improving heat transfer and overall efficiency of LHTES systems. <br /> <br /> Fri, 2 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0100 Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:23:14 +0200