Weak signal detection and adaptive synchronous stability of a novel fifth-order memristive circuit system

This paper is devoted to introduce a novel complex fifth-order memristive circuit system and its applications in synchronous stability and weak signal detection. Firstly, the typical dynamical behaviors of the memristive system are discussed by chaotic phase portrait, complexity analysis, one-parameter bifurcation and Lyapunov exponent spectrum. Secondly, the adaptive control method is applied to realize the synchronization between the drive memristive system (DMS) and the response memristive system (RMS). The results indicate that the synchronization method has strong robustness and anti-interference ability. Thirdly, the weak signal detection of the novel five-dimensional memristive system is realized by using the extreme sensitivity of chaotic system to initial values. Finally, the fifth-order memristive circuit is designed by using basic electronic elements and simulated by Multisim software. And the anti-interference ability and sensitivity of the fifth-order memristive circuit are further verified by adding different weak disturbance signals at different positions of the circuit.     

Single transition metal atom catalysts on Ti2CN2 for efficient CO2 reduction reaction

Electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR) is an efficient way in the utilization of CO₂. In this work, single transition-metal (TM) atom (TM = Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn) anchored on two-dimensional (2D) Ti₂CN₂ are designed for CO₂RR using density-functional-theory (DFT) calculation. We show that Ti₂CN₂ serves as an excellent substrate to support single atom catalysts (SACs), compared to Ti₂CO₂ and Ti₂CF₂. We find that the Sc, Ti and V supported on Ti₂CN₂ show high catalytic activities to produce CO with a low overpotential of 0.37, 0.27, and 0.23 eV, respectively. Differently, the Mn and Fe on Ti₂CN₂ are catalytically active for the production of HCOOH with a low overpotential of 0.32 and 0.43 eV, respectively. We further show that the negatively charged TM-Ti₂CN₂ can capture and activate CO₂ more effectively, and the catalytic activity and selectivity can be significantly tuned by injecting extra electrons.     

A numerical database for ultrasonic defect characterisation using array data: Robustness and accuracy

Elastodynamic scattering matrices are known to contain geometrical information about a given scatterer, such as its size and shape. Here, the extent to which this scattered information can be retrieved using an ultrasonic array and used to characterise defects for Non-Destructive Evaluation is explored. Experimentally measured defect scattering matrices are compared to a database of possible scatterers and the nearest neighbour used to characterise the defect's geometry in terms of crack length and orientation. As an example, a database of scattering matrices for small (lengths 0.2–2.0 mm) cracks at a range of frequencies (2–20 MHz) is formed. The short range similarity (i.e. that between close neighbours) and the long range similarity (i.e. uniqueness) are used to understand the uncertainties inherent in this approach. In addition, the effect of spatially coherent noise, such as grain scattering in a polycrystalline metal, on the scattered information content is quantified. It is shown that as the noise level or frequency increases, so the information retrievable from a given crack is reduced, setting bounds on the accuracy of characterisation possible from a given ultrasonic dataset.     

Conductivity in carbon nanotube polymer composites: A comparison between model and experiment

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) demonstrate remarkable conductive behaviour, which suggests promising applications. Their outstanding properties have been used in the development of CNT–polymer composites as possible alternative materials for various applications, such as flexible electrodes, antistatic coatings and piezoresistive sensors. In our study we focused our attention on the evaluation and modelling of CNT-filled epoxy resin electrical conductivity. We discuss the results with regard to the influence of CNTs dimensions and content. Exploiting the Dijkstra algorithm, we implemented a simulation code which determines the shortest route between electrodes in the polymer. The longer the path inside the polymer, the more non-conductive the composite becomes, since polymer resistivity is orders of magnitude higher than that of CNTs. We compared these simulated results with experimental data obtained at several wt% and found a good correspondence between modelling and experimental results.     

轧制温度和后处理方式对AZ31镁合金显微组织和力学性能的影响

在不同的轧制温度下,对AZ31镁合金板进行轧制,然后取出轧板立即进行水冷、空冷和退火3种不同的后处理。探究轧制温度和后处理对镁合金显微组织和力学性能的影响。结果表明,轧制温度为250、300℃时,水冷和空冷处理后板材存在着大量的孪晶,350℃时由于轧制温度较高,孪晶的数量很少;水冷处理后的平均晶粒尺寸要小于空冷,空冷处理之后的孪晶数量略少于水冷,当轧制温度为350℃时,退火处理后,晶粒尺寸减小,晶粒趋于等轴状,晶格畸变程度低。在相同的轧制温度下,水冷处理的镁合金板材的屈服强度、抗拉强度和硬度较高;退火处理后可以显著提高板材的伸长率,但屈服强度、抗拉强度略有下降。轧制温度升高时,3种后处理方式之间屈服强度和抗拉强度的最大差值会减小。     

Fabrication of cancellous-bone-mimicking β-tricalcium phosphate bioceramic scaffolds with tunable architecture and mechanical strength by stereolithography 3D printing

It is highly challenging to fabricate bioceramic scaffolds mimicking architecture and mechanical strength of cancellous bone. Gyroid structure, which is based on triply periodic minimal surface, highly resembles the architecture of cancellous bone. Herein, β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) bioceramic scaffolds with gyroid structure were fabricated by stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing. The SLA 3D printing ensured high precision of ceramic part. The porosity (51–87%), pore size (250 – 2400 µm), pore wall thickness (< 300 µm) and compressive strength (0.6 – 16.8 MPa) of gyroid bioceramic scaffolds were readily adjusted to match various sites of cancellous bone. The gyroid bioceramic scaffolds were more favorable for cell proliferation than the grid-like bioceramic scaffolds. The cancellous-bone-mimicking gyroid bioceramic scaffolds with tunable architecture and mechanical strength were expected to efficiently repair the target bone defects.     

Toughening effect of multi-walled boron nitride nanotubes and their influence on the sintering behaviour of 3Y-TZP zirconia ceramics

Different amounts (0.5, 1, 2.5 and 5 wt%) of hollow “cylindrical” and “bamboo-like” boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) have been used to reinforce 3Y-TZP zirconia ceramics via spark plasma sintering. No significant influence of different morphologies of BNNTs on the mechanical properties at the macro-scale (elastic modulus, hardness, and fracture toughness) has been observed. The fracture toughness increased continuously with the increasing amount of the BN nanotubes up to 2.5%, resulted in the improvement of ∼100% compared to the reference ZrO₂. A direct influence of BNNTs on the toughening of ZrO₂ has been recognized. The BNNTs strengthen the zirconia grain boundaries resulting in the alteration in fracture mode from inter- to trans-granular. The BNNTs also promoted the transformation toughening of zirconia. Their influence on the bridging and pull out has been confirmed by the investigation of the composites with the amorphous borosilicate matrix.     

NanoSIMS investigation of passive oxide films on high-Cr cast iron

The discrete depth characteristics of thin passive oxide films were investigated using high-resolution electron microprobe and nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS). A novel NanoSIMS method involving a Cs layer deposition before Cs⁺ sputtering was employed for the first time to determine the elemental distribution at different sub-layers of a passive film. The film was formed in air on the surface of a multi-phase microstructure of high-chromium cast iron (HCCI). It was found that the film composition and thickness varied according to the underlying microstructure phase. Based on the microprobe and NanoSIMS results, the influence of the HCCI passive film thickness and composition on the localized passivity breakdown has been proposed.     

Facile synthesis of a Co–B nanoparticle catalyst for efficient hydrogen generation via borohydride hydrolysis

A Co–B nanoparticle catalyst was prepared by a modified polyol method. Borohydride served both as a reducing agent for Co²⁺ and as a boron source, and the solvent, ethylene glycol, served as the surfactant and stabilizer to assemble Co–B clusters into small and uniform particles. The as-prepared Co–B possessed high surface active metal area and highly unsaturated coordinated Co metal, resulting in lower activation energy and higher hydrogen generation rate for hydrolysis of alkaline NaBH₄ solution than the conventional Co–B catalyst synthesized from chemical reduction in water bath.