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Semi-solid metal (SSM) processing, as a viable alternative manufacturing route to those of conventional casting and forging, has not yet been fully exploited despite nearly half a century since its introduction to the metal industry. The slow pace of adopting SSM routes may be due to various reasons, including capital costs, profit margins, and, most importantly, the lack of detailed analysis of various SSM processes in open literature to confidently establish their advantages over more conventional routes. Therefore, the SSM community must disseminate their findings more effectively to generate increased confidence in SSM processes in the eyes of our industrial leaders. As such, we have embarked on the task to invite the leaders in SSM research to share their findings in a Special Issue dedicated to semi-solid processing of metals and composites. SSM processing takes advantage of both forming and shaping characteristics usually employed for liquid and solid materials. In the absence of shear forces, the semi-solid metal has similar characteristics to solids, i.e., easily transferred and shaped; by applying a defined force, the viscosity is reduced and the material flows like a liquid. These unique dual characteristics have made SSM routes attractive alternatives to conventional casting on an industrial scale. With the intention of taking full advantage of SSM characteristics, it is crucial to understand SSM processing, including topics such as solidification and structural evolution, flow behavior through modelling and rheology, new processes and process control, alloy development, and properties in general. This Special Issue focuses on the recent research and findings in the field with the aim of filling the gap between industry and academia, and to shed light on some of the fundamentals of science and technology of semi-solid processing.

History of engineering & technology --- 7075 aluminum alloy --- thixoforming --- post-welding-heat treatment --- electron beam welding (EBW) --- nano-sized SiC particle --- wear rate --- friction coefficient --- rheoformed --- thixoformed --- semi-solid --- microstructure --- mechanical properties --- wear --- corrosion --- Al-Si alloys --- rheocasting --- HPDC --- electrochemical evaluation --- rheological model --- semi-solid state --- Mg alloys --- high-temperature rheology --- rheological properties --- rheology --- semi-solid alloys --- thixotropy --- rheometer --- compression test --- viscosity --- semi-solid material --- A356 alloy --- electromagnetic stirring --- compression --- primary α-Al particle --- enclosed cooling slope channel --- ZCuSn10P1 --- microstructure refinement --- properties --- thixowelding --- thixojoining --- semisolid joining --- cold-work tool steel --- semisolid processing --- thixoformability --- Fe-rich Al-Si-Cu alloy --- 2024 aluminum matrix composites --- Al2O3 nanoparticles --- polarized light microscopy --- anodic etching --- EBSD --- grain --- globule --- Al-Si alloy --- semi-solid metal processing --- EMS --- thixocasting --- 7075 aluminum alloy --- thixoforming --- post-welding-heat treatment --- electron beam welding (EBW) --- nano-sized SiC particle --- wear rate --- friction coefficient --- rheoformed --- thixoformed --- semi-solid --- microstructure --- mechanical properties --- wear --- corrosion --- Al-Si alloys --- rheocasting --- HPDC --- electrochemical evaluation --- rheological model --- semi-solid state --- Mg alloys --- high-temperature rheology --- rheological properties --- rheology --- semi-solid alloys --- thixotropy --- rheometer --- compression test --- viscosity --- semi-solid material --- A356 alloy --- electromagnetic stirring --- compression --- primary α-Al particle --- enclosed cooling slope channel --- ZCuSn10P1 --- microstructure refinement --- properties --- thixowelding --- thixojoining --- semisolid joining --- cold-work tool steel --- semisolid processing --- thixoformability --- Fe-rich Al-Si-Cu alloy --- 2024 aluminum matrix composites --- Al2O3 nanoparticles --- polarized light microscopy --- anodic etching --- EBSD --- grain --- globule --- Al-Si alloy --- semi-solid metal processing --- EMS --- thixocasting

Choose an application

• Reference Manager
• EndNote
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Semi-solid metal (SSM) processing, as a viable alternative manufacturing route to those of conventional casting and forging, has not yet been fully exploited despite nearly half a century since its introduction to the metal industry. The slow pace of adopting SSM routes may be due to various reasons, including capital costs, profit margins, and, most importantly, the lack of detailed analysis of various SSM processes in open literature to confidently establish their advantages over more conventional routes. Therefore, the SSM community must disseminate their findings more effectively to generate increased confidence in SSM processes in the eyes of our industrial leaders. As such, we have embarked on the task to invite the leaders in SSM research to share their findings in a Special Issue dedicated to semi-solid processing of metals and composites. SSM processing takes advantage of both forming and shaping characteristics usually employed for liquid and solid materials. In the absence of shear forces, the semi-solid metal has similar characteristics to solids, i.e., easily transferred and shaped; by applying a defined force, the viscosity is reduced and the material flows like a liquid. These unique dual characteristics have made SSM routes attractive alternatives to conventional casting on an industrial scale. With the intention of taking full advantage of SSM characteristics, it is crucial to understand SSM processing, including topics such as solidification and structural evolution, flow behavior through modelling and rheology, new processes and process control, alloy development, and properties in general. This Special Issue focuses on the recent research and findings in the field with the aim of filling the gap between industry and academia, and to shed light on some of the fundamentals of science and technology of semi-solid processing.

History of engineering & technology --- 7075 aluminum alloy --- thixoforming --- post-welding-heat treatment --- electron beam welding (EBW) --- nano-sized SiC particle --- wear rate --- friction coefficient --- rheoformed --- thixoformed --- semi-solid --- microstructure --- mechanical properties --- wear --- corrosion --- Al–Si alloys --- rheocasting --- HPDC --- electrochemical evaluation --- rheological model --- semi-solid state --- Mg alloys --- high-temperature rheology --- rheological properties --- rheology --- semi-solid alloys --- thixotropy --- rheometer --- compression test --- viscosity --- semi-solid material --- A356 alloy --- electromagnetic stirring --- compression --- primary α-Al particle --- enclosed cooling slope channel --- ZCuSn10P1 --- microstructure refinement --- properties --- thixowelding --- thixojoining --- semisolid joining --- cold-work tool steel --- semisolid processing --- thixoformability --- Fe-rich Al-Si-Cu alloy --- 2024 aluminum matrix composites --- Al2O3 nanoparticles --- polarized light microscopy --- anodic etching --- EBSD --- grain --- globule --- Al-Si alloy --- semi-solid metal processing --- EMS --- thixocasting --- n/a --- Al-Si alloys

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• Reference Manager
• EndNote
• RefWorks (Direct export to RefWorks)

Semi-solid metal (SSM) processing, as a viable alternative manufacturing route to those of conventional casting and forging, has not yet been fully exploited despite nearly half a century since its introduction to the metal industry. The slow pace of adopting SSM routes may be due to various reasons, including capital costs, profit margins, and, most importantly, the lack of detailed analysis of various SSM processes in open literature to confidently establish their advantages over more conventional routes. Therefore, the SSM community must disseminate their findings more effectively to generate increased confidence in SSM processes in the eyes of our industrial leaders. As such, we have embarked on the task to invite the leaders in SSM research to share their findings in a Special Issue dedicated to semi-solid processing of metals and composites. SSM processing takes advantage of both forming and shaping characteristics usually employed for liquid and solid materials. In the absence of shear forces, the semi-solid metal has similar characteristics to solids, i.e., easily transferred and shaped; by applying a defined force, the viscosity is reduced and the material flows like a liquid. These unique dual characteristics have made SSM routes attractive alternatives to conventional casting on an industrial scale. With the intention of taking full advantage of SSM characteristics, it is crucial to understand SSM processing, including topics such as solidification and structural evolution, flow behavior through modelling and rheology, new processes and process control, alloy development, and properties in general. This Special Issue focuses on the recent research and findings in the field with the aim of filling the gap between industry and academia, and to shed light on some of the fundamentals of science and technology of semi-solid processing.

7075 aluminum alloy --- thixoforming --- post-welding-heat treatment --- electron beam welding (EBW) --- nano-sized SiC particle --- wear rate --- friction coefficient --- rheoformed --- thixoformed --- semi-solid --- microstructure --- mechanical properties --- wear --- corrosion --- Al–Si alloys --- rheocasting --- HPDC --- electrochemical evaluation --- rheological model --- semi-solid state --- Mg alloys --- high-temperature rheology --- rheological properties --- rheology --- semi-solid alloys --- thixotropy --- rheometer --- compression test --- viscosity --- semi-solid material --- A356 alloy --- electromagnetic stirring --- compression --- primary α-Al particle --- enclosed cooling slope channel --- ZCuSn10P1 --- microstructure refinement --- properties --- thixowelding --- thixojoining --- semisolid joining --- cold-work tool steel --- semisolid processing --- thixoformability --- Fe-rich Al-Si-Cu alloy --- 2024 aluminum matrix composites --- Al2O3 nanoparticles --- polarized light microscopy --- anodic etching --- EBSD --- grain --- globule --- Al-Si alloy --- semi-solid metal processing --- EMS --- thixocasting --- n/a --- Al-Si alloys

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The negative impacts of global warming and global environmental pollution due to fossil fuels mean that the main challenge of modern society is finding alternatives to conventional fuels. In this scenario, biofuels derived from renewable biomass represent the most promising renewable energy sources. Depending on the biomass used by the fermentation technologies, it is possible to obtain first-generation biofuels produced from food crops, second-generation biofuels produced from non-food feedstock, mainly starting from renewable lignocellulosic biomasses, and third-generation biofuels, represented by algae or food waste biomass.Although biofuels appear to be the closest alternative to fossil fuels, it is necessary for them to be produced in competitive quantities and costs, requiring both improvements to production technologies and the diversification of feedstock. This Special Issue is focused on technological innovations, including the utilization of different feedstocks, with a particular focus on biethanol production from food waste; different biomass pretreatments; fermentation strategies, such as simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) or separate hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF); different applied microorganisms used as a monoculture or co-culture; and different setups for biofuel fermentation processes.The manuscripts collected represent a great opportunity for adding new knowledge to the scientific community as well as industry.

Technology: general issues --- Biotechnology --- biofuels --- corn --- extraction --- enzyme-assisted --- protein --- soybean --- molecular sieve --- water removal --- rotary shaking --- electromagnetic stirring --- biofuel --- gasohol --- trend analysis --- promotion policy --- regulatory measure --- bottleneck --- synthesis gas fermentation --- volumetric mass transfer coefficient --- Tween 80® surfactant --- gasification --- multi-objective optimization --- bioethanol --- syngas fermentation --- modeling --- sustainability --- soapberry pericarp --- carbonization --- biochar --- pore property --- surface chemistry --- biomethane --- food waste --- co-production --- biorefinery --- bioelectrochemical system (BES) --- carbon dioxide sequestration --- extracellular electron transfer (EET) --- electroactive microorganisms --- microbial biocatalyst --- electro-fermentation --- circular economy --- downstream processing (DSP) --- gene manipulation --- biogas --- compost leachate --- pressurized anaerobic digestion --- ethanol --- simultaneous saccharification and fermentation --- Saccharomyces cerevisiae --- single cell protein --- pineapple waste --- cell wall sugar --- fermentation --- spent sugar beet pulp --- model --- economics --- pretreatment --- saccharification --- B. ceiba --- biomass --- second-generation biofuel --- bioenergy --- biodiesel --- non-fossil fuel --- empty fruit bunches --- response surface methodology --- central composite design --- biofuel production technologies --- downstream processing --- energy --- bioethanol production --- agroforest and industrial waste feedstock valorization --- microorganisms for biofuel --- biofuels --- corn --- extraction --- enzyme-assisted --- protein --- soybean --- molecular sieve --- water removal --- rotary shaking --- electromagnetic stirring --- biofuel --- gasohol --- trend analysis --- promotion policy --- regulatory measure --- bottleneck --- synthesis gas fermentation --- volumetric mass transfer coefficient --- Tween 80® surfactant --- gasification --- multi-objective optimization --- bioethanol --- syngas fermentation --- modeling --- sustainability --- soapberry pericarp --- carbonization --- biochar --- pore property --- surface chemistry --- biomethane --- food waste --- co-production --- biorefinery --- bioelectrochemical system (BES) --- carbon dioxide sequestration --- extracellular electron transfer (EET) --- electroactive microorganisms --- microbial biocatalyst --- electro-fermentation --- circular economy --- downstream processing (DSP) --- gene manipulation --- biogas --- compost leachate --- pressurized anaerobic digestion --- ethanol --- simultaneous saccharification and fermentation --- Saccharomyces cerevisiae --- single cell protein --- pineapple waste --- cell wall sugar --- fermentation --- spent sugar beet pulp --- model --- economics --- pretreatment --- saccharification --- B. ceiba --- biomass --- second-generation biofuel --- bioenergy --- biodiesel --- non-fossil fuel --- empty fruit bunches --- response surface methodology --- central composite design --- biofuel production technologies --- downstream processing --- energy --- bioethanol production --- agroforest and industrial waste feedstock valorization --- microorganisms for biofuel