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Abstract Monitoring the microstructure and damage development of fibre-reinforced composites during loading is crucial to understanding their mechanical properties. Time-resolved X-ray computed tomography enables such an in-situ, non-destructive study. However, the photon flux and fibre-matrix contrast limit its achievable spatial and temporal resolution. In this paper, we push the limits of temporal and spatial resolution

Abstract The microstructure governs the behaviour of unidirectional fibre-reinforced composites. In this study, we developed a Deep Convolutional Generative Adversarial Network (DCGAN) to generate realistic 2D transverse microstructures of such composites. We evaluated the DCGAN-generated microstructures using three different methods: Fréchet inception distance, walking through the latent space, and feature matching. The results from these

Abstract Cementitious brittle construction materials are susceptible to fracturing due to their heterogeneous material composition and relatively weak bond between the aggregates and paste. Hence, enhanced methods of fracture analysis in these materials are an important subject of research. The acoustic emission technique (AET) is frequently used in the study of brittle construction materials, yet

Abstract Visualization and quantification of bone microarchitecture in the human knee allows gaining insight into normal bone structure, and into the structural changes occurring in the onset and progression of bone diseases such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. However, current imaging modalities have limitations in capturing the intricacies of bone microarchitecture. Photon counting computed tomography (PCCT)

Abstract Additive manufacturing (AM) of high-performance structural ceramic components with comparative strength and toughness as conventionally manufactured ceramics remains challenging. Here, a UV-curing approach is integrated in direct ink writing (DIW), taking advantage from DIW to enable an easy use of high solid-loading pastes and multi-layered materials with compositional changes; while, avoiding drying problems. UV-curable

Abstract Automation through 3D printing can be a possible technological breakthrough in construction. However, the carbon footprint is not necessarily reduced as the print formulations consist of more ordinary Portland cement (OPC) compared to conventional high-performance mortar. In this study, a hybrid mortar with minor amount of OPC and mainly Fe-rich, low-Ca slag is used for printing several structures,

Abstract 3D nanoparticles are important as reinforcing or functional phase in polymer composite materials; however, an optimised deagglomeration and uniform distribution of these particles is required to fully exploit their nanoscale properties. Classical dispersion methods like shear mixing have proven insufficient, and high-energy ultrasonication, as the preferred deagglomeration method, requires a challenging system-specific optimisation procedure.

Implementation of a methodology for in-situ 3D characterisation of the crack front in a double cantilever beam test using microfocus X-ray computed tomography

Characterizing the microstructure of an ice/surface interface and its effect on the icephobic behavior of surfaces remains a significant challenge. Introducing X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT) can provide unprecedented insights into the internal (porosity) and interfacial structures