Ferroelectric and electromechanical performance of diverse engineered states of Mn-doped 0.75Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.25PbTiO3 ceramics

The materials processing history has a great influence on their properties and finally determines their application effect. In this paper, the ferroelectric, polarization-switching current, and strain properties of Mn-doped 0.75Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃-0.25PbTiO₃ ceramics were studied in fresh state, aged state, and poled state, respectively. Compared with the symmetric polarization-electric-field (P-E) hysteresis loops, current-density-electric-field (J-E) curves, and bipolar electric-field-induced strain (S-E) curves in fresh state samples, asymmetric P-E loops, J-E curves, and bipolar S-E curves were obtained in poled state samples. Well-aged-state samples exhibit double hysteresis P-E loop, four peaks J-E curves, and symmetric S-E curves without negative strain. The symmetry-conforming short-range order (SC-SRO) principle of point defects and internal electric field E_i is employed to clarify the different phenomenon of three states. Results indicated that randomly oriented defect polarization P_D in aged samples can reverse the spontaneous polarization P_S back and result in the double hysteresis P-E loop and four peaks J-E curves. The oriented P_D and resulting E_i in poled-state samples will lead to the asymmetric loops and strain memory effect.     

不同种源地香叶树籽的油脂含量及脂肪酸组成分析

为探明不同种源地香叶树作为油料树种的开发价值，采集了全国6省20县市的香叶树果实，对香叶树全果、果肉及籽的油脂含量及脂肪酸组成进行了分析，并采用ward法对不同种源地香叶树籽油脂肪酸进行了聚类分析。结果表明：香叶树全果、果肉以及籽的平均油脂含量分别为43.31%、42.38%及46.12%；全果油脂肪酸组成以月桂酸、油酸和癸酸为主；果肉油以油酸和棕榈酸为主；而籽油则以月桂酸和癸酸为主，月桂酸含量为53.20%~70.30%，月桂酸和癸酸总含量达76.40%~90.10%；聚类分析将不同种源地香叶树分为3大类，云南省、贵州省及广西省的香叶树属低月桂酸类型，福建省、江西省及湖南省的香叶树属中高月桂酸型。香叶树可作为生产中碳链脂肪酸的新晋树种，福建省的香叶树籽油脂含量高，且籽油中月桂酸含量高，作为中碳链脂肪酸的原料地具有明显的开发优势。     

阶梯管件的矫直方法研究

针对单弧度弯曲阶梯管件,采用三点过弯压力矫直的修正方式,根据材料弹塑性力学理论,基于双线性强化弹塑性材料本构关系,解析了考虑变截面处应力集中因素的阶梯管件变形过程,推导了矫直行程计算公式.利用有限元软件显示动力学分析的阶梯管件矫直模拟过程以及相应的矫直实验对模型的正确性进行了验证,仿真和实验结果表明,矫直后的阶梯管件具有直线度高,矫直效果好的特点.     

Microanalysis of supersaturated gas release based on wall-attached bubbles

Supersaturation of dissolved gases in natural water, due to spillage from high dams and other factors, may cause fish mortality. In previous experiments, the dissipation coefficient has been used to denote the degassing process of total dissolved gas(TDG) saturation. These experiments mainly analyzed supersaturated TDG dissipation from a macroscopic view. To precisely clarify the mechanism of supersaturated TDG release, this study investigated bubble adsorption at a wall surface from a microscopic view. The experiment was conducted in a Plexiglas-wall container filled with supersaturated TDG water. A model that calculates the adsorption flux of supersaturated TDG by a solid wall, and helps describe construction for a contact angle at a three-phase intersection, was developed according to Young's equation. This model was used to investigate the formation process of bubbles adsorbed on a solid polymethyl methacrylate(PMMA) surface in supersaturated TDG water. The adsorption effect of a solid wall on TDG release was analyzed based on the experimental data. The modeling results were compared with observations under different wall area conditions, and it was found that TDG release tended to increase with wall area. This study helps improve our understanding of the mechanisms of supersaturated TDG release and provides an important theoretical method for accurate calculation of the release process. The adsorption flux model of the solid wall provides mitigation measures to combat the adverse effects of TDG supersaturation,which will be beneficial to the protection of aquatic organisms in hydropower-regulated rivers.     

Stable Aqueous Anode-Free Zinc Batteries Enabled by Interfacial Engineering

Anode-free zinc batteries (AFZBs) are proposed as promising energy storage systems due to their high energy density, inherent safety, low cost, and simplified fabrication process. However, rapid capacity fading caused by the side reactions between the in situ formed zinc metal anode and electrolyte hinders their practical applications. To address these issues, aqueous AFZBs enabled by electrolyte engineering to form a stable interphase are designed. By introducing a multifunctional zinc fluoride (ZnF₂) additive into the electrolyte, a stable F-rich interfacial layer is formed. This interfacial layer can not only regulate the growth orientation of zinc crystals, but also serve as an inert protection layer against side reactions such as H₂ generation. Based on these synergy effects, zinc deposition/dissolution with high reversibility (Coulombic efficiency > 99.87%) and stable cycling performance up to 600 h of are achieved in the electrolyte optimized by ZnF₂. With this electrolyte, the cycling life of AFZBs is significantly improved. The work may initiate the research of AFZBs and be useful for the design of high energy, high safety, and low-cost power sources.     

Lighting the Path: Light Delivery Strategies to Activate Photoresponsive Biomaterials In Vivo

Photoresponsive biomaterials are experiencing a transition from in vitro models to in vivo demonstrations that point toward clinical translation. Dynamic hydrogels for cell encapsulation, light-responsive carriers for controlled drug delivery, and nanomaterials containing photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy are relevant examples. Nonetheless, the step to the clinic largely depends on their combination with technologies to bring light into the body. This review highlights the challenge of photoactivation in vivo, and presents strategies for light management that can be adopted for this purpose. The authors’ focus is on technologies that are materials-driven, particularly upconversion nanoparticles that assist in “direct path” light delivery through tissue, and optical waveguides that “clear the path” between external light source and in vivo target. The authors’ intention is to assist the photoresponsive biomaterials community transition toward medical technologies by presenting light delivery concepts that can be integrated with the photoresponsive targets. The authors also aim to stimulate further innovation in materials-based light delivery platforms by highlighting needs and opportunities for in vivo photoactivation of biomaterials.     

Single-Crystalline TiO2(B) Nanobelts with Unusual Large Exposed {100} Facets and Enhanced Li-Storage Capacity

The {100} facet of single-crystalline TiO₂(B) is an ideal platform for inserting Li ions, but it is hard to be obtained due to its high surface energy. Here, the single-crystalline TiO₂(B) nanobelts from H₂Ti₃O₇ with nearly 70% {100} facets exposed are synthesized, which significantly enhances Li-storage capacity. The first-principle calculations demonstrate an ab in-plane 2D diffusion through the exposed {100} facets. As a consequence, the nanobelts can significantly accommodate Li ions in LiTiO₂ formula with specific capacity up to 335 mAh g⁻¹, which is in good agreement with the electrochemical characterizations. Coating with conductive and protective poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate), the cut-off discharge voltage is as low as 0.5 V, leading to a capacity of 160.7 mAh g⁻¹ after 1500 cycles with a retention rate of 66% at 1C. This work provides a practical strategy to increase the Li-ion capacity and cycle stability by tailoring the crystal orientation and nanostructures.     

Structure and Properties of Nonstoichiometric Y1-xNbxO1.5+x for Thermal Barrier Coatings

Understanding the effect of nonstoichiometry on material properties is of critical importance for the Thermal Barrier Coatings (TBCs) application. In this work, the effect of nonstoichiometry was systematically investigated in Y₃NbO₇, a recently identified promising TBCs material for next-generation gas turbine engines. The results show that the nonstoichiometry effect mediates the microstructure, mechanical properties, thermophysical properties, oxygen ionic conductivity and optical transmittance. The results suggest that the oxygen ionic conductivity is correlated to the mass diffusion in the oxygen-deficient fluorite oxides Y_1-xNb_xO_1.5+x. The stoichiometric composition Y₃NbO₇, with the lowest thermal conductivity and slowest mass diffusion in Y_1-xNb_xO_1.5+x series, is optimal for the TBCs application, which can be of relevance for TBCs material design and coating fabrication.     

Charge Transportation and Chirality in Liquid Crystalline Helical Network Phases of Achiral BTBT-Derived Polycatenar Molecules

First examples of multichain (polycatenar) compounds, based on the π-conjugated [1]benzothieno[3,2-b]benzothiophene unit are designed, synthesized, and their soft self-assembly and charge carrier mobility are investigated. These compounds, terminated by the new fan-shaped 2-brominated 3,4,5-trialkoxybenzoate moiety, form bicontinuous cubic liquid crystalline (LC) phases with helical network structure over extremely wide temperature ranges (>200 K), including ambient temperature. Compounds with short chains show an achiral cubic phase with the double network, which upon increasing the chain length, is at first replaced by a tetragonal 3D phase and then by a mirror symmetry is broken triple network cubic phase. In the networks, the capability of bypassing defects provides enhanced charge carrier mobility compared to imperfectly aligned columnar phases, and the charge transportation is non-dispersive, as only rarely observed for LC materials. At the transition to a semicrystalline helical network phase, the conductivity is further enhanced by almost one order of magnitude. In addition, a mirror symmetry broken isotropic liquid phase is formed beside the 3D phases, which upon chain elongation is removed and replaced by a hexagonal columnar LC phase.     

Features of crystal structures and thermo-mechanical properties of weberites RE3NbO7 (RE=La,Nd, Sm,Eu, Gd) ceramics

The features of crystal structures, thermo-mechanical properties and their dominant mechanisms of weberites RE₃NbO₇ were studied as high-temperature oxides. We concentrated on connections between structures and thermo-mechanical properties, the influences of bond lengths, lattice distortion degrees and microstructures on these properties were estimated. The shortening of bond length and increment of bonding strength would lead to the increase of mechanical properties. The Vickers hardness (4.5-7.8 GPa) and toughness (0.5-1.6 MPa·m^1/2) of weberites RE₃NbO₇ are enhanced by grain refinement and increment of bond strength, while crystal structures, bond lengths, and lattice distortion degrees influenced their Young's modulus (100-170 GPa). Nano-indentation was applied to test the influence of microstructures on modulus and hardness. The dominant mechanisms for mechanical properties and thermal conductivity were proposed, which was conducive to properties tailoring and engineering applications of weberites RE₃NbO₇ oxides.