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This study aims to investigate the mechanical properties of sustainable recycled polypropylene (rPP) composite materials integrated with spherical silicon carbide (SiC) particles.

A representative volume element (RVE) analysis is employed to predict the Young’s modulus of rPP filled with spherical-shaped SiC at varying volume percentages (i.e. 10, 20 and 30%).

The investigation reveals that the highest values of Young’s modulus, tensile strength, flexural strength and mode 1 frequency are observed for the 30% rPP/SiC samples, exhibiting increases of 115, 116, 62 and 15%, respectively, compared to pure rPP. Fractography analysis confirms the ductile nature of pure rPP and the brittle behavior of the 30% rPP/SiC composite. Moreover, the RVE method predicts Young’s modulus more accurate than micromechanical models, aligning closely with experimental results. Additionally, results from ANSYS simulation tests show tensile strength, flexural strength and frequency within a 10% error range when compared to experimental data.

This study contributes to the field by demonstrating the mechanical enhancements achievable through the incorporation of sustainable materials like rPP/SiC, thereby promoting environmentally friendly engineering solutions.

The difficulty in winding coil-based electrical and electronic devices manually lies in the fact that it takes so much time and effort to perform. Furthermore, it is difficult to achieve accuracy manually, as it is possible to lose count of the number of turns being wound. The purpose of this paper is to detail the design methods and calculations used to achieve a cost-effective, significantly accurate and more efficient method of winding coils.

A program flowchart was designed as a guideline for writing the program. An AT89C52 microcontroller was used to control the movement of the two direct current (DC) motors used in the construction of the machine. The circuit design obtained was then simulated using Proteus to test the functionality of the components together.

An electromechanical automatic coil winding machine for the coiling of simple, small-sized, coil-based electrical devices was successfully designed and fabricated. The machine was tested by winding a 1 kVA transformer. Diagrams, calculations, results and observations obtained during the design and construction are detailed in this paper.

This machine solves the problem of tediousness in coil winding, stably and precisely winding 60 turns/min at a 24 V supply and providing a keypad input method. Although portable automatic coil winding machines have been rendered previously, most have applied the use of stepper motors. The application of brushed DC motors alongside an AT89C52 microcontroller is a variation to the pool of renditions, offering better controllability and a sustained output.

Additive manufacturing has rapidly developed in terms of technology and its application in various types of industries. With this rapid development, there has been significant research in the area of materials. This has led to the invention of Smart Materials (SMs). The 4D printing is basically 3D printing of these SMs. This paper aims to focus on novel materials and their useful application in various industries using the technology of 4D printing.

Research studies in 4D printing have increased since the time when this idea was first introduced in the year 2013. The present research study will deeply focus on the introduction to 4D printing, types of SMs and its application based on the various types of stimulus. The application of each type of SM has been explained along with its functioning with respect to the stimulus.

SMs have multiple functional applications pertaining to appropriate industries. The 4D printed parts have a distinctive capability to change its shape and self-assembly to carry out a specific function according to the requirement. Afterward, the fabricated part can recover to its 3D printed “memorized” shape once it is triggered by the stimulus.

The present study highlights the various capabilities of SMs, which is used as a raw material in 4D printing.