Investigation of oil palm harvesting tools design and technique on work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the upper body

The oil palm industry is one of the important sectors in Malaysia. The growth and development of this industry shows that Malaysia is the world second-largest oil palm producers. However, in the fresh fruit bunch (FFB) harvesting process, the harvesters are exposed to many types of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). The FFB harvesters tend to develop WMSDs especially the shoulders and trunk. Hence, it is important to identify the exposure levels, awkward postures and the reaction forces of muscle activity based on the posture and movement of the harvesters when using pole, chisel and loading spike during the harvesting process. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of the design of oil palm FFB harvesting tools on WMSDs of the upper body. Rapid Upper Limb Analysis (RULA) was used to investigate and assess the exposure level on the harvester body during the harvesting process. The assessment showed that the shoulders and trunk have high exposure level and undergo awkward posture. Human Musculoskeletal Model Analysis (HMMA) was used to identify the reaction force exerted on the muscle during the FFB harvesting process. In this study, 4 muscles were analysed including Triceps, Biceps, Erector Spinae and Psoas Major. The highest reaction force of 16.36 N was found on the left triceps when handling a loading spike. In conclusion, it is important to address the risks by reviewing all possible aspects that contribute to the WMSDs and interventions on the tool design, task and working shifts may be required.     

Dynamic viscoelasticity and molecular orientation in uniaxially drawn PC/PET blends

The dependence of dynamic viscoelasticity on molecular orientation of the hot-drawn polycarbonate (PC)/poly(ethylene terephthalate) blends was studied experimentally. The oriented states of samples were investigated by wide-angle X-ray diffraction and quantified by Hermans' factor. The viscoelasticity was probed by dynamic mechanical analysis. For the fitting curves of dynamic modulus versus orientation, the PC-rich blends with different compositions had an opposite concavity and convexity compared with the neat PC. The difference revealed the influence of molecular mobility on orientation and viscoelasticity. The assumption on the phase morphological change from sea-island to local sandwich-like structure in blends was proposed and used to interpret the variation of slope of fitting curves. The relationship between orientation and viscoelasticity was observed in PC-rich blends, which can help understand the mechanism of molecular orientation and develop the constitutive relations for simulation. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47514.     

基于高倍过采样与加窗插值FFT的电力谐波分析

为提高谐波分析精度,分析了信号加窗引起的信噪比损失以及AD转换产生的量化误差,阐述了过采样技术提高信噪比的原理。在此基础上,提出了基于高倍过采样和加窗插值快速傅里叶变换(fast Fourier transform, FFT)的谐波分析方法。该方法充分利用AD转换器的潜力,以尽量高的采样速率进行AD采样,同时通过均值滤波避免高倍过采样引起的采样数据量激增问题。详细研究了所提谐波分析方法对信号中谐波分量幅值和相位的影响,并给出了简洁实用的谐波幅值和相位校正方法。仿真表明,所提方法可在不增加系统成本的前提下改善加窗插值FFT的抗噪声能力,提高谐波分析精度。     

薄壁圆筒孔径测量误差分析

为给圆筒类零件的加工制造提供误差控制理论的支持,对当采用单激光传感器半接触式测量方式,测量圆筒工件内径时,而引入的影响测量误差因素进行了综合分析。针对在保证圆筒工件安装定位理想化条件下,将激光传感器在圆筒的任意位姿分解为偏心、倾斜和安装偏折几种误差影响因素。再运用数学几何方法将几种误差因素进行叠加,建立数学模型,并通过MATLAB仿真求解,给出定量结果,进行误差分析。通过实验测量数据验证测量系统的精度以及本测量方式的可行性。     

Influence of Yb Substitution for La on Thermophysical Property of La2AlTaO7 Ceramics

The (La_1−xYb_x)₂AlTaO₇ ceramics were synthesized by pressureless sintering process at 1600 °C for 10 h in air. The crystal phase, microstructure and thermophysical properties were investigated. Results show that pure (La_1−xYb_x)₂AlTaO₇ cermics with single weberite structure are prepared successfully. Owing to the reduction of crystal-lattice tolerance-factor, the thermal conductivity of (La_1−xYb_x)₂AlTaO₇ (x>0) ceramics increases with increasing Yb₂O₃ fraction at identical temperatures, which is lower than that of La₂AlTaO₇. Due to the relatively high electro-negativity of Yb element, the addition of Yb₂O₃ increases the thermal expansion coefficient of (La_1−xYb_x)₂AlTaO₇ ceramics.     

Sm_2YbTaO_7和La_2AlTaO_7的热物理性能

采用固相反应法制备了Sm_2YbTaO_7和La_2AlTaO_7氧化物,并研究了其热物理性能。Sm_2YbTaO_7和La_2AlTaO_7氧化物在20℃~1200℃范围内的平均热导率分别是0.45 W/(m·K)和1.71 W/(m·K),明显低于现役的氧化钇部分稳定氧化锆陶瓷(YSZ)。与La_2AlTaO_7相比,Sm_2YbTaO_7较低的热导率可以归因于其取代原子与基质原子之间较高的原子质量差别,Sm_2YbTaO_7较高的热膨胀系数则可归因于其A位与B位离子之间较低的电负性差别。Sm_2YbTaO_7和La_2AlTaO_7的热导率和热膨胀系数均满足热障涂层的要求,具有做为新型热障涂层表面陶瓷层材料使用的潜力。     

Crack healing mechanisms in atmospheric plasma sprayed Yb-silicate coatings during post-process heat treatment

The microstructural evolution of partially amorphous, atmospheric plasma-sprayed Yb-silicate coatings was investigated after heat treatment (HT, 1300 °C). Open porosity as well as crack area and widths in the coatings were characterized. A correlation was found between the increasing amorphous content of the as-sprayed coatings and the reduction in crack area due to crack healing after HT. Characterization results also suggested larger crack widths in the coatings after HT. The first crack-healing mechanism proposed was the capillarity-driven viscous flow of the amorphous phase in the coatings. It was experimentally shown that viscous flow-driven crack spheroidization (crack width enlargement), and crack healing started in the coatings at 1050 °C. Secondly, metastable to stable phase transformation (> 1100 °C) induced expansion in the constrained coatings was discussed as a crack healing mechanism. Finally, a two-step heat treatment was designed to prevent crack width enlargement during HT resulting in reduced porosity.     

Enhancing CMAS corrosion resistance of PS-PVD Si/Yb2Si2O7 EBCs via Al-modification

Enhancing the resistance to molten silicate corrosion is crucial for the long service life of environmental barrier coatings (EBCs). In this study, we used the Al-modification technique to enhance the CMAS corrosion resistance of Si/Yb₂Si₂O₇ coatings prepared by plasma spray-physical vapor deposition. The results show that the Al-modified Yb₂Si₂O₇ coating had higher resistance to CMAS corrosion than the Yb₂Si₂O₇ coating annealed at 1300 ℃ for 100 h, which is related to the refractory mullite and Yb₂Mg(AlO₂)₂O₃ generated during the CMAS exposure of Al-modified Yb₂Si₂O₇ coating. The Al-modified Yb₂Si₂O₇ coating also exhibited excellent resistance to oxygen penetration. The Al-modification technology provides the direction for the corrosion resistance of Yb₂Si₂O₇ system to CMAS.     

Investigating the thermal,mechanical and thermal cyclic properties of plasma-sprayed Al2O3-7YSZ/7YSZ double ceramic layer TBCs

Double ceramic layer (DCL) TBCs consisting of a top 20 wt.% Al₂O₃-7YSZ layer and a bottom 7YSZ layer were desirably designed to achieve preferable performance while the thermal, mechanical and thermal cyclic properties were comprehensively investigated. Compared to the conventional 7YSZ TBCs, the thermal insulation properties of the DCL coating were significantly improved due to the increased oxygen vacancy concentration induced by Al₂O₃ addition while the thickness of the thermally grown oxides was diminished by the decreased oxygen diffusion rate. Furthermore, the improved fracture toughness of the DCL coating also prolonged the thermal cyclic life.     

Thermophysical properties of (La0.25Sm0.25Gd0.25Yb0.25)2Ce2+xO7+2x(x=0.1, 0.2, and 0.3) high entropy oxides

A series of high-entropy oxides (La_0.25Sm_0.25Gd_0.25Yb_0.25)₂Ce_2+xO_7+2x were synthesised adopting a improved sol-gel technique and fritting method. The crystal-lattice, microstructure, elemental constitution, and thermal-physical performances were studied. The results showed that the synthesised high-entropy oxides have a single-fluorite lattice structure. The bulk specimen exhibits a compact microstructure, and clear grain boundaries. The thermal conductivities of the obtained high-entropy oxides are lower than those of CeO₂ and 7YSZ due to lattice strains and numerous oxygen vacancies. The obtained high-entropy oxides have greater thermal expansion coefficients than 7YSZ. The thermal conductivity and expansion coefficient are elevated because of the addition of excess CeO₂. The synthesised high-entropy oxides also exhibit outstanding lattice steadiness up to 1200 °C.