A novel constitutive stress-strain law for compressive deformation of the gas diffusion layer

Substantial compressive deformation occurs in the gas diffusion layer (GDL) under the pressure applied during the fuel cell assembly. The GDL deformation has a direct impact on the efficiency and performance of the fuel cell since it leads to the alteration of the GDL microstructure and porosity. This makes the accurate characterization of the GDL compressive behavior crucial for analyzing the fuel cell performance and its optimal design. In this paper, analytical, experimental, and numerical methods have been employed to comprehensively study the constitutive law of the GDL under compression. Starting from the recently developed stress-density relations, the constitutive stress-strain equations are derived for the GDL and the relation between the stress-density and stress-strain laws are revealed. Experimental compression tests have been performed on GDL samples and the capability of the proposed constitutive law in capturing the real behavior of the material has been proved. It has been observed that the simplifying assumption of constant zero Poisson's ratio in the through-plane direction made in many previous studies cannot accurately represent the GDL material behavior and a modification is proposed. The developed constitutive law has been successfully implemented in a finite element model of the GDL-bipolar plate assembly in the fuel cell structure and the variations of the GDL porosity, density, and through-plane Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio have been investigated for different vertical displacements of the bipolar plate.     

Effect of micro-cracks on the in-plane electronic conductivity of proton exchange membrane fuel cell catalyst layers based on lattice Boltzmann method

Micro-cracks commonly occur on the catalyst layers (CLs) during the manufacturing of catalyst coated membranes (CCMs). However, the crack shape parameters effect on CLs in-plane (IP) electronic conductivity λ_s is not clear. In this work, the relationship between crack parameters and the λ_s is obtained based on the two-dimensional (2D) multiple-relaxation time (MRT) lattice Boltzmann method (LBM). The LBM numerical model is validated by the normalized λ_s experiment applied on three different home-made cracked CLs, and the parameter study focus on crack width, length, quantity and phase angle are carried out. The results show that the decrease of λ_s has different sensitivity |k| to the parameters above. The crack width has little effect on λ_s decrease, and the |k_w| is 0.038. However, crack arm length and quantity show more significant impact, which |k_l| and |k_N| are 0.753 and 0.725, respectively. The CLs with different crack propagation directions show significant anisotropy on λ_s, and a 53.53% decrease in λ_s is observed between 0° and 90° crack phase angle change. To manufacture a high electronic conductivity CL, crack initiation and migration mitigation are highly encouraged.     

Addressing amorphization and transgranular fracture of B4C through Si doping and TiB2 microparticle reinforcing

Over the last two decades, many studies have contributed to improving our understanding of the brittle failure mechanisms of boron carbide and provided a road map for inhibiting the underlying mechanisms and improving the mechanical response of boron carbide. This paper provides a review of the design and processing approaches utilized to address the amorphization and transgranular fracture of boron carbide, which are mainly based on what we have found through 9 years of work in the field of boron carbides as armor ceramics.     

Evaluation of electrochemical properties of antibacterial ZnO layers deposited to 316LVM steel using atomic layer deposition

The presence of a biofilm can lead to the disappearance of the surrounding bone tissue and, as a result, disturb the osseointegration process. Unfortunately, both in the case of instability of the implant and long-term bacterial infections, there is often a need for reoperation as well as replacement of the implant, which in turn is associated with huge costs, but most of all discomfort for the patient associated with long-term hospitalization. In order to limit this unfavorable process, the physicochemical properties of the surface layer of implants are indicated. Therefore, the paper proposes applying a layer with antibacterial effect on the surface of 316LVM steel used in bone surgery. As part of the work, the ZnO layer was applied using the atomic layer deposition method with different parameters of the application process (different number of cycles at constant temperature). In the first stage, pitting corrosion resistance tests were carried out using the potentiodynamic method and studies using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The surface morphology tests using a scanning electron microscope were also complemented. Obtained results may form the basis for the development of more detailed criteria for the assessment of the final quality of medical devices used in the skeletal system.     

The Couette flow of a conducting Jeffrey fluid when the walls are lined with deformable porous material

The paper deals with the flow, past a deformable porous channel bounded by finite deformable porous layer with moving rigid parallel plates. Transverse magnetic field is also applied and incorporated in the momentum equation. The coupled nonlinear equations are transformed to ordinary differential equations (ODEs) with suitable choice of similarity transformation. Further, these sets of nonlinear ODEs are solved analytically and are used to get results for the flow phenomena. The effects of the porous layer thickness and the drag on the flow phenomena are discussed graphically. It is observed that rigid velocity decreases with increasing in the drag, whereas the decrease in the deformable is noted. It is clear to see that the retards in solid displacement are shown with enhancing viscosity parameter η.     

克拉苏构造带盐下超深层储层的构造改造作用与油气勘探新发现

塔里木盆地克拉苏构造带油气群下白垩统巴什基奇克组埋深超过6 000 m,储层基质渗透率低,裂缝普遍发育,构造对储层的改造作用明显,但博孜9井的勘探突破反映出不同区带间构造改造作用差异较大、非均质性极强,重新认识构造对储层的改造作用对于预测超深层储层、指导油气勘探生产具有重要的意义。为此,基于钻井取心、构造平衡恢复、裂缝充填物同位素测年、区块应力数值模拟等资料,结合流体包裹体、声发射古应力、铸体薄片等实验分析方法,从定性分析到定量计算、研究了克拉苏构造带油气群超深层储层的构造改造作用及其差异性。研究结果表明:①北部天山造山带及南部古隆起控制了该构造带储层的沉积格局及差异构造变形,形成巴什基奇克组储层"西薄东厚"的分布特征;②博孜区段古应力最小,构造变形主要为正向挤压、逆冲传播,局部井区为斜向压扭;③大北区段主要为斜向压扭,古应力较小,构造变形为逆冲叠置;克深区段古应力最大,构造变形主要为正向挤压、后缘逆冲抬升、前缘滑脱收缩;④差异构造变形使同一构造带不同构造变形样式的构造减孔量呈现出较大的差别,且控制了不同区段造缝期与成岩胶结的叠加影响、中晚期裂缝网络与油气成藏期的配置关系,加剧了储层的非均质性,是区段间产能差异的基础改造因素;⑤现今构造应力的大小及方向影响裂缝有效性,南部为强挤压应力区,背斜相对高部位裂缝走向与现今应力交角较小,裂缝有效性最好;⑥构造成岩环境决定了构造裂缝充填物的类型,北部区块以淡水—半碱水介质成岩环境为主,裂缝充填物类型为方解石,有利于对储层进行酸化压裂改造。     

Formation of a protective layer against corrosion on Mg alloy via alkali pretreatment followed by vanillic acid treatment

Although Mg alloy possesses high specific strength, low density, and good biocompatibility, poor corrosion resistance hinders its further applications. In the present study, an innovative protective layer against corrosion was prepared on the AZ31 Mg alloy via alkali pretreatment followed by vanillic acid treatment. The alkali pretreatment supplied –OH for the AZ31 Mg alloy surface to react with vanillic acid. The vanillic acid treatment played a crucial role in enhancing the corrosion resistance due to the excellent ability to act as a barrier and retard aqueous solution penetration, which effectively isolated the underlying Mg alloy from the corrosive environment. The corrosion current density of alkali and vanillic acid-treated Mg alloy (AZ31V) almost showed two orders of magnitude lower values in comparison with that of the AZ31 Mg alloy, and the corrosion potential of AZ31V Mg alloy increased from −1.41 to −1.25 V. The immersion tests proved that there was no occurrence of severe corrosion. Hence, the alkali pretreatment and vanillic acid treatment may represent a promising method to improve the corrosion resistance of Mg alloy.     

Experimental and physical approaches on a novel semiconducting-ionic membrane fuel cell

Semiconducting-ionic membranes (SIMs) have exhibited significant superiority to replace the conventional ionic electrolytes in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). One interesting phenomenon is that the SIMs can successfully avoid the underlying short-circuiting issue and power losses while bringing significantly enhanced power output. It is crucial to understand the physics in such devices as they show distinct electrochemical processes with conventional fuel cells. We first presented experimental studies of a SIM fuel cell based on a composite of semiconductor LiCo_0.8Fe_0.2O₂ (LCF) and ionic conductor Sm-doped CeO₂ (SDC), which achieved a remarkable power density of 1150 mW cm^?2 at 550 °C along with a high open circuit voltage (OCV) of 1.04 V. Then, for the first time we used a physical model via combining a semiconductor-ionic contact junction with a rectifying layer which blocks the electron leakage to describe such unique SIM device and excellent performance. Current and power are the most important characteristics for the device, by introducing the rectifying layer we described the SIM physical nature and new device process. This work presented a new view on advanced SIM SOFC science and technology from physics.     

打印层厚度对FDM薄板固有特性的影响

针对不同打印层厚度对熔融沉积成型(fused deposition modeling,简称FDM)薄板固有特性的影响规律及相应的机理进行了研究。首先,以悬臂边界条件下的FDM薄板为研究对象,创建了固有特性理论模型;其次,完成了薄板样件的制备,同时搭建了样件的动力学测试系统,实验研究了样件的固有特性参数;最后,对比分析理论与实验结果,以验证理论模型的正确性。研究结果表明,所建模型可以准确预测FDM薄板结构的固有特征参数;打印层越厚,样件的固有频率越高,但其模态振型不会随着打印层厚度的变化而变化。该研究为提高FDM产品动力学性能提供了理论基础和技术支持。     

Analysis of a magnetic field and Hall effects in nanoliquid flow under insertion of dust particles

In this study, the two‐phase hydromagnetic flow of a viscous liquid through a suspension of dust and nanoparticles is considered. The influence of the Hall current is also taken into account. The similarity variables are utilized to transform the problem into one independent variable. The obtained expressions in one independent variable are solved through the Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg scheme connected with the shooting procedure. The computed results are sketched for employing multiple values of physical constraints on the temperature and velocity of the nanofluid and dust phase. The characterization of various nanoparticles like Cu, Al₂O₃, TiO_2, and Ag on velocities and temperatures of both phases is made through plots. A comparative analysis in the limiting approach is presented to justify the present solution methodology. The range of emerging parameters is taken as 0 ≤ l ≤ 3, 0.1 ≤ β_t ≤ 3, 0 ≤ m ≤ 2.5, 0 ≤ M² ≤ 2, 0.1 ≤ β_v ≤ 3, 0 ≤ ? ≤ 0.4, and ?0.8 ≤ λ ≤ 0.8. From the study, it is revealed that β_t has the opposite effect on the temperature of dust and nanofluid phases. The Hall parameter m raises the profiles of velocities in the nanoliquid and dust phases. Also, it is found that the transverse velocities h(η) and H((η) and temperatures θ(η) and θ_p(η) rise for larger ?.