Wind Turbine Blade plays a significant role in the efficiency and durability of the wind turbine. As such it is important to identify different ways how the blade performance can be improved. One of the key variables that affects the blade performance is the stress the blade undergoes over time. This paper describes the stress characteristics of a Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine Blade subject to Aerodynamic Forces under normal operating conditions. The stress and deflection that the blade undergoes when subject to rated wind loads are analysed. The simulation results show that most of the stress was experienced at the interface between the spar and the skin of the blade and hence was ignored. The results also show that the skin stress does not exceed 120 GPa and the maximum deflection does not exceed 7m. The power production results agree for wind speeds up to 15 m/s, after which they deviate.

This special edition represents to readers recent advancements and research findings across three critical areas of engineering: materials science, technologies and equipment for machining of structural materials and alternative energy engineering, offering valuable insights for both academics and engineers.

Fluoroelastomer (FKM) and perfluoroelastomer (FFKM) O-rings are to be employed for the construction of a gate valve in a solar thermochemical water-splitting reactor for hydrogen production. To assess the O-rings’ sealing performance during the first stage of the gate valve’s closing process, the compressive response of the materials under the applied gate forces is determined. An accelerated ageing program at 200, 225 and 250 °C for FKM and 250, 275 and 300 °C for FFKM is performed on compressed O-rings and non-compressed O-ring segments for up to 14 days. The aged O-rings’ sealing performance at low forces, and hence at low compressive strain, is evaluated by conducting leakage rate tests in vacuum using a newly developed test stand. Experimental results provide for the tested O-rings data of a minimum compression necessary to guarantee efficient sealing at different thermo-oxidative ageing levels. To investigate the materials’ degradation extent, weight loss measurements are performed on the exposed O-ring segments. In all cases, cumulative weight loss increases with longer exposure times and higher temperatures, while the weight loss rate decreases with exposure time.

This special edition presents the results of the exploration of properties and sphere of applications of cutting-edge engineering materials, providing a comprehensive understanding of their role in the development of various engineering fields. The compilation will serve as a valuable resource for researchers and engineers seeking to stay at the forefront of developments in applied material science, and we hope that it will inspire their further exploration and innovation.

The development of physiological detection is advancing rapidly, driven largely by the increase in the awareness of sport, healthcare, and biomedical knowledge. Wearable electronics have been integrated into real-world physiological sensing applications, with many recent studies aimed at enhancing their capabilities from both material selection and fabrication perspectives. To create the best fit for specific wearers, three-dimensional (3D) printing is an excellent candidate because of its potential to create structures ranging from simple to highly complex. This work investigates the effect of infill densities (20%, 40%, and 60%) on the electromechanical properties of 3D-printed thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) using fused deposition modeling (FDM). The printing conditions were consistently controlled throughout the study, specifically using a honeycomb infill pattern. The flexible TPU substrates were successfully 3D-printed, and 1% w/v of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were embedded in the 3D-printed samples using an ultrasonic cavitation-enabled treatment and thermal-assisted method. This process aims to prevent CNT fallout while maintaining the compression load-bearing capacity. A compressive load of 10 kN was applied to the samples during electromechanical testing. The results show that a 20% infill density provides the optimum sensitivity of 11.32 MPa-1 at 2V applied voltage due to its appropriate current path, which is confirmed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The dimension accuracy of the 3D-printed TPU samples tend to increase with higher infill densities and application of the double treatment.

Bio-based materials and phase change materials (PCMs) are currently being gradually noticed and emphasized as passive building envelopes. This study focuses on the effect of PCM placement and phase transition temperature on hygrothermal and energy performance. Systematic studies reveal that placing PCM with a phase transition temperature of 24-28 °C in the scenario PCM middle provides considerable results, reducing the summer temperature and relative humidity amplitude, heat load and moisture load by 5%, 0.03%, 8% and 5.8%, respectively. Besides, performance is further optimized with the scenario PCM middle of phase transition temperature of 26-30 °C, with the reductions in temperature and relative humidity fluctuations, heat load and moisture load by 88.6%, 85.4%, 69.65% and 69.63%, respectively. Overall, strategic PCM placement and phase transition temperature improve building energy efficiency and comfort, offering valuable insights for designing bio-based concrete structures.

The presented special edition is based on research results in diverse fields of materials science and engineering, giving readers insights into advanced materials and transformative technologies shaping the modern world. Focusing on the development of technology and the synthesis of new materials that transform our approaches to solving many engineering problems it will be a valuable source for many specialists whose professional activities contribute to the sustainable development of the designated areas of engineering.

The paper examines a complex methodology for calculating the slope stability of a tailing storage facility based on comparing the results obtained through deterministic and probabilistic approaches. The analysis is performed in GeoStudio software, based on the limit equilibrium method, and with a probabilistic approach that uses a Monte Carlo simulation to compute a probability distribution of the resulting factor of safety. A slope stability assessment of tailing dam was conducted on the example of Ferrexpo Poltava Mining, and a conclusion was reached about their reliability and safety. The results of the deterministic analysis showed that the calculated factor of safety is by those established in Ukrainian regulatory standards. It has been recognized that the factor of safety is not a consistent measure of risk for tailings dam. Considering the variability inherent in the soil materials of tailings dam is a way to achieve more accurate results. The importance of obtaining a failure probability and a reliability index due to tailing dam stability was highlighted by comparing deterministic and probabilistic approaches.

An electrochemical sensor was enhanced with magnetite nanoparticles for biosensor application. Nanoparticles of magnetite (Fe3O4) ranging in size from 5 to 30 nm were produced by the co-precipitation method and further modified with an amine functional group (Fe3O4@SiO2_NH2). During the process, the functional amine served as a supporting biomaterial and coating agent, regulating particle size and aggregation. The Fe3O4@SiO2_NH2 nanoparticles were incorporated into gold nanoparticle planes on a conductive graphene electrode in a diluted solution of the ultrafast redox probe K3[Fe(CN)6]. Using scanning electron microscopy to investigate the morphology of the modified graphene sheets and gold (Au) nanoparticles on screen printed electrodes (SCPE). The results clearly demonstrated the even distribution of Fe3O4 nanoparticles, almost always less than 30 nm in size, on AuNPs and graphene sheets. Adding these magnetite particles has created active sites, facilitating the movement of electrons from redox-active species in the solution. In addition, the electrochemical reduction of flawed graphene sheets has greatly limited the oxygen groups, making the material more conductive or enhancing signal. The sensor was subsequently investigated with the use of magnetite nanocomposites for electrochemical biosensing applications with (bovine serum albumin) BSA.

The Ecuadorian paper industry faces the constant challenge of seeking alternative raw materials to replace wood pulp in paper production and its derivatives to reduce production costs. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the quality properties of paper derived from bacterial cellulose from two of Ecuador's most abundant agricultural residues: banana peels and pineapple peels. The influence of the productivity parameters of the bacterial cellulose produced on the quality properties of the derived paper is established using multivariate statistical methodologies. Fifteen treatments with different carbon sources in the microorganism's culture medium were applied: medium with glucose (T1), media with banana peel extracts at various concentrations (T2-T8), and media with pineapple peel extracts at various concentrations (T9-T15). After obtaining the cellulose, additives and coating solutions were added to produce paper. The results showed that high concentrations of banana peel extracts (T5-T8) were significantly related to the weight and yield of bacterial cellulose, as well as the grammage and water content of the paper. This demonstrates that the quality of bacterial cellulose and the nutritional composition of banana peel extracts are optimal for efficient and sustainable paper production.