Grain orientation evolution and multi-scale interfaces enhanced thermoelectric properties of textured Sr0.9La0.1TiO3 based ceramics

Sr_0.9La_0.1TiO₃ based textured ceramics (SLTT-S3T) with a texture fraction of 0.81 are successfully fabricated by the reactive template grain growth method, in which Sr_0.9La_0.1TiO₃/20 wt%Ti was used as matrix and 10 wt% plate-like Sr₃Ti₂O₇ template seeds were used as templates. The phase transition, microstructure evolution, and the anisotropic thermoelectric properties of SLTT-S3T ceramics were investigated. The results show that the ceramics are mainly composed of Sr_0.9La_0.1TiO₃ and rutile TiO₂ phases. Grains grow with a preferred orientation along (h00). A maximum ZT of 0.26 at 1073 K was achieved in the direction perpendicular to the tape casting direction. The low lattice thermal conductivity of 1.9 W/(m K) at 1073 K was obtained decreased by 34%, 40%, and 38% compared with non-textured, SrTiO₃ and Sr_0.9La_0.1TiO₃ ceramics prepared by the same process, can be attributed to the enhanced phonon scattering by the complex multi-scale boundaries and interfaces. This work provides a strategy of microstructural design for thermoelectric oxides to decrease intrinsic lattice thermal conductivity and further regulate thermoelectric properties via texture engineering.     

Synthesis and properties of cinnamic acid series organic UV ray absorbents–interleaved layered double hydroxides

Organic ultraviolet (UV) ray absorbents, cinnamic acid (CA) and p-methoxycinnamic acid (PMOCA) were intercalated into Zn₂Al layered double hydroxides (Zn₂Al-LDHs) by co-precipitation reaction. The organic–inorganic nanocomposites, Zn₂Al-LDH/CA and Zn₂Al-LDH/PMOCA were obtained. The samples showed excellent UV ray absorption ability and their catalytic activity for the air oxidation of castor oil greatly decreased when the organic UV ray absorbents were intercalated in the layers of the Zn₂Al-LDHs. The studies suggested that Zn₂Al-LDH/organic UV absorbent nanocomposites might be used as safe sunscreen materials.     

Theoretical investigations on the spin Hamiltonian parameters for Er3+ ion in LiYF4

The spin Hamiltonian parameters g_∥, g_⊥, A_∥ and A_⊥ for Er³⁺ ion in LiYF₄ are investigated by using the perturbation formulas of these parameters for a 4f¹¹ ion in tetragonal symmetry. In these formulas, the contributions to the spin Hamiltonian parameters from the second-order perturbation terms and the admixtures of different states are considered. The relevant crystal field parameters are calculated from the superposition model and the local structural parameters of the Y³⁺ site occupied by impurity Er³⁺. The theoretical optical spectra within ⁴I_15/2 and ⁴I_13/2 states and the spin Hamiltonian parameters obtained in this work are consistent with the observed values.     

Plastic collapse of pipe bends under combined internal pressure and in-plane bending

Plastic collapse of pipe bends with attached straight pipes under combined internal pressure and in-plane closing moment is investigated by elastic–plastic finite element analysis. Three load histories are investigated, proportional loading, sequential pressure–moment loading and sequential moment–pressure loading. Three categories of ductile failure load are defined: limit load, plastic load (with associated criteria of collapse) and instability loads. The results show that theoretical limit analysis is not conservative for all the load combinations considered. The calculated plastic load is dependent on the plastic collapse criteria used. The plastic instability load gives an objective measure of failure and accounts for the effects of large deformations. The proportional and pressure–moment load cases exhibit significant geometric strengthening, whereas the moment–pressure load case exhibits significant geometric weakening.     

复合双压电层FBAR的建模与仿真

在复合单压电层薄膜体声波谐振器(FBAR)的基础上,提出了一种新型的复合双压电层FBAR,它可以大大提高压电材料选择的灵活性。通过建模得到该结构的输入阻抗解析表达式,据此进行了仿真分析。仿真结果表明,基模谐振频率随双压电层结构中的较高声速压电膜的厚度所占比率的增加而加速增大,而相对带宽随较高机电耦合系数的压电膜的厚度与较低机电耦合系数的压电膜的厚度比的增加逐渐增加,并且复合双压电层FBAR出现了单压电层时所没有的模式。     

Memory applications of a thiophene-based conjugated polymer by photoluminescence measurements

Data-storage and memory applications of conjugated polymers and organic semiconductors are generally probed by device current or dielectric properties to determine the storage and switching properties. In this article, we use photoluminescence as an alternate method of probing the states of the devices. We have fabricated such devices based on a polythiophene derivative, and recorded photoluminescence (PL) spectra during and after applying bias. The presence of localized charges on the backbone of the polymer has been found to modulate the PL intensity. Since the relaxation of the space charges is slow, we have shown that PL intensity can be used as a probe for memory applications to read the state of the device. PL as a probe for memory applications of polymeric materials offers an intrinsic advantage that the state can be read without affecting the device properties.     

基于仿真方法的任务集可调度性判定工具

针对含有纯周期任务的任务集可调度性判定问题,提出一种基于仿真方法的任务集可调度性判定工具。通过设定时钟变量,模拟任务调度过程中的系统时钟,在时钟变量值增长的过程中,根据任务优先级从高到低的顺序,分析各个任务的截止时间限,判定任务集的可调度性。实例分析证明了该工具的可调度性判定结果正确。     

Deformation characteristics of the intermetallic alloy 60NiTi

The deformation behavior of a Ni-rich Ni₅₅Ti₄₅ (at.%) alloy, commonly known as 60NiTi (as designated in wt.%), was analyzed using neutron and synchrotron x-ray diffraction during in situ isothermal tension and compression loading, and pre and post-test electron microscopy. The alloy was shown to exhibit remarkable strength and high hardness resulting from a high density of fine Ni₄Ti₃ precipitates (size ∼67 nm), which were uniformly dispersed throughout the matrix after a solution treatment and oil quench. The precipitate volume fraction was 55 ± 3%, determined from both the neutron Rietveld refinement and conventional x-ray measurements. Non-linear stress-strain behavior was observed in tension (but not in compression) and was attributed to reversible stress-induced martensite (SIM) that forms to accommodate the stress as revealed by neutron diffraction measurements. The tensile and compressive neutron data also showed peak broadening and residual lattice strains. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy revealed stress-induced coarsening of Ni₄Ti₃ precipitates in both tension and compression tested samples, but precipitation and growth of the stable Ni₃Ti phase was observed only after tensile testing. Finally, the potential ramifications of these microstructural changes are discussed.     

Storage of molecular hydrogen into ZSM-5 zeolite in the ambient atmosphere by the sealing of the micropore outlet

The storage of molecular hydrogen into ZSM-5 zeolite in the ambient atmosphere was examined by hydrogen filling into the micropore and the following sealing of the micropore outlet to prevent the release of hydrogen to the outside. The surface grafting of 1,4-bis(hydroxydimethylsilyl)benzene onto ZSM-5 zeolite was applied to the sealing of the micropore outlet. Pressurized hydrogen (10 MPa) was filled into the micropore of ZSM-5 at liquid nitrogen temperature (−196 °C), and then the sample was heated at 150 °C for forming strong binding between the zeolite surface and the disilane compound under the hydrogen pressure. The hydrogen sorption isotherm at −196 °C showed that the adsorption of hydrogen onto the disilane-grafted ZSM-5 thus obtained was reduced to less than 20% from the original ZSM-5. The remarkable hysteresis between the adsorption and desorption branches of the isotherm indicated that the kinetic trap of hydrogen occurred by the narrowed outlets of the micropores of ZSM-5 with the disilane compound. Even after exposing the disilane-grafted ZSM-5 to the atmosphere over a few months, hydrogen could be discharged by heating over 150 °C. This result demonstrated that molecular hydrogen was successfully stored into ZSM-5 zeolite in the ambient atmosphere for a long time.     

An optimization method to find the thermodynamic limit on enhancement of solar thermal decomposition of methane

An optimization approach to enhancing the solar thermal decomposition of methane (TDM) reaction process based on the fluid flow pattern reconstruction is proposed. The sum of entropy generations due to TDM reaction and heat convection in the process is shown to tend to its maximum when the performance of the reaction is enhanced, and thus, is used as the criterial to optimize the velocity field of the fluid. This optimization problem is solved by the calculus of variations method. The obtained flow pattern is shown to be able to give the conditions to achieve the optimally enhanced TDM process. As the sum of the entropy generations tends to its extremum, the solution found by the optimization can be known as the thermodynamic limit for the TDM process enhancement. The obtained flow pattern can then be used to inspire the design of internal structures of the solar TDM reactor.