High-temperature oxidation behavior of monolithic Zr3[Al(Si)]4C6 and its composite incorporating 30vol% ZrB2-SiC: Providing a basis for broadening the service temperature

To provide a basis for the high-temperature oxidation of ultra-high temperature ceramics (UHTCs), the oxidation behavior of Zr₃[Al(Si)]₄C₆ and a novel Zr₃[Al(Si)]₄C₆-ZrB₂-SiC composite at 1500 °C were investigated for the first time. From the calculation results, the oxidation kinetics of the two specimens follow the oxidation dynamic parabolic law. Zr₃[Al(Si)]₄C₆ exhibited a thinner oxide scale and lower oxidation rate than those of the composite under the same conditions. The oxide scale of Zr₃[Al(Si)]₄C₆ exhibited a two-layer structure, while that of the composite exhibited a three-layer structure. Owing to the volatilization of B₂O₃ and the active oxidation of SiC, a porous oxide layer formed in the oxide scale of the composite, resulting in the degradation of its oxidation performance. Furthermore, the cracks and defects in the oxide scale of the composite indicate that the reliability of the oxide scale was poor. The results support the service temperature of the obtained ceramics.     

Influence of surfactants on rheological behaviors of polyacrylonitrile/dimethyl sulfoxide/silicon blending polymer solutions

KH550, KH560, CTAB, and F127 were adopted to modify silicon (Si) to improve the dispersity and stability of Si in the polyacrylonitrile/dimethyl sulfoxide (PAN/DMSO) polymer solutions. The influence of surfactants on rheological behaviors of PAN/DMSO/Si blending polymer solutions was investigated by an advanced solution and melt rotation rheometer. The homogeneity and stability were also studied. The results showed that the surfactants could change the viscosity dependence of blending polymer solutions on shear rate, temperature and storage time by increase the steric hindrance of Si. Among the four solutions, PAN/DMSO/Si blending polymer solution with F127 exhibited the lowest viscosity, activation energy and the smallest structural viscosity index and exhibited the trend close to the Newtonian fluids. Moreover, PAN/DMSO/Si blending polymer solution with F127 exhibited the best dispersity and stability, indicating its best physical properties and machinability.     

Oxygen vacancy-induced short-range ordering as a sole mechanism for enhanced magnetism of spinel ZnFe2O4 prepared via a one-step treatment

Despite being difficult to identify, extremely dilute oxygen vacancies have been widely reported to play an important role in enhancing magnetism in ZnFe₂O₄. The mechanisms underlying this enhanced magnetism have not been well understood for a long time and remain controversial because the formation of oxygen vacancy-rich ZnFe₂O₄ can be accompanied by changes in the chemical/physical characteristics, especially the composition, particle size, surface morphology and cation distribution, which can significantly affect the magnetization. An open and important question is whether and to what extent the enhanced magnetization can be attributed only to oxygen vacancies. In this study, the relationship between the magnetization and oxygen vacancies in ZnFe₂O₄ was definitively determined by using a carefully designed “shake-and-heat” treatment to prepare vacancy-rich samples while keeping the other crystal/surface parameters constant. Compared to the nearly vacancy-free paramagnetism samples, the vacancy-rich samples exhibited a higher magnetization of approximately 5 emu/g at both 300 K and 2 K. The Fe³⁺-O^2--Fe³⁺ superexchange paths broken by oxygen vacancies then resulting in the Fe³⁺-Fe³⁺ ferromagnetism configuration. Meanwhile, the oxygen vacancy is highly diluted then the ferromagnetism configuration is confined in a single super-cell, favoring a short-range magnetic ordering at room temperature. The concentration of oxygen vacancies was calculated to be 0.68% by magnetization measurement. Our results may shed a light on how oxygen vacancies affect magnetism.     

Update on the Roles of Rice MAPK Cascades

The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades have been validated playing critical roles in diverse aspects of plant biology, from growth and developmental regulation, biotic and abiotic stress responses, to phytohormone signal transduction or responses. A classical MAPK cascade consists of a MAPK kinase kinase (MAPKKK), a MAPK kinase (MAPKK), and a MAPK. From the 75 MAPKKKs, eight MAPKKs, and 15 MAPKs of rice, a number of them have been functionally deciphered. Here, we update recent advances in knowledge of the roles of rice MAPK cascades, including their components and complicated action modes, their diversified functions controlling rice growth and developmental responses, coordinating resistance to biotic and abiotic stress, and conducting phytohormone signal transduction. Moreover, we summarize several complete MAPK cascades that harbor OsMAPKKK-OsMAPKK-OsMAPK, their interaction with different upstream components and their phosphorylation of diverse downstream substrates to fulfill their multiple roles. Furthermore, we state a comparison of networks of rice MAPK cascades from signal transduction crosstalk to the precise selection of downstream substrates. Additionally, we discuss putative concerns for elucidating the underlying molecular mechanisms and molecular functions of rice MAPK cascades in the future.     

Fabrication of Anticounterfeiting Nanocomposites with Multiple Security Features via Integration of a Photoresponsive Polymer and Upconverting Nanoparticles

Anticounterfeiting materials are used to distinguish real banknotes, products, and documents from counterfeits, fakes, or unauthorized replicas. However, conventional anticounterfeiting materials generally exhibit a single anticounterfeiting function, resulting in a low level of security. Herein, a novel anticounterfeiting nanocomposite is demonstrated with numerous prominent security features. The nanocomposite is fabricated by doping upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) in a photoresponsive azobenzene-containing polymer (azopolymer). Because of the cis–trans photoisomerization of the azopolymer, the nanocomposite exhibits photoinduced reversible color changes suitable for anticounterfeiting applications. Additionally, the hard nanocomposite can be converted to a rubber-like soft solid by light irradiation. Imprinted microstructures are fabricated on the photosoftened nanocomposite, which result in photonic colors. Moreover, polarization-dependent structures are fabricated on the nanocomposite via photoinduced orientation for encryption. Importantly, UCNPs in the nanocomposite emit visible light upon excitation by near-infrared light, enabling the observation of various anticounterfeiting structures with high contrast. An advantage of the anticounterfeiting nanocomposite is that the security features can be observed by the naked eye for quick discrimination and can be analyzed using laboratory equipment for higher accuracy. The anticounterfeiting nanocomposite is easily processed on paper, glass, and plastic, which demonstrates its potential anticounterfeiting functions for banknotes, wines, and medicines.     

Nano-Al doped-MoO3 high-energy composite films with excellent hydrophobicity and thermal stability

Developing the thermal stability of metal-based ceramic composites or their films has always been challenging and bottlenecks for the utilization of energy. In this paper, the novel mesh-like functional Al doped-MoO₃ nanocomposite film with even distribution and high purity was firstly fabricated by the high-efficiency electrophoretic deposition and surface modification. The optimal suspension turned out to be the mixture of isopropanol and the additives of polyethyleneimine and benzoic acid. The microtopography, crystalline structure, environmental resistance and thermal stability were analyzed by field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), exposure and droplet-impacting test, DSC analysis and ignition test, respectively. The water contact angle and sliding angle of product can reach ~170° and <1°, indicating the excellent anti-wetting property. In addition, the high heat-release (~3180 J/g) of product all kept almost unchangeable after six months exposure experiments, demonstrating the outstanding thermostability. The exquisite design idea here can perfectly match microelectromechanical system (MEMS), providing the valuable reference for fabricating other metal-based high-energy composites with long lifespan for real industrial applications.     

上海轨道交通车厢满载率实时感知与估计

本文通过利用WIFI探针设备,将其布设在上海轨道交通列车车厢内探测客流,同时收集同日同车次的车厢称重数据、断面客流数据进行数据分析与融合,得到列车车厢满载率的估计值,从而建立起更为精确的地铁车厢满载率数据.     

Chicken nuggets-like core/shell nanosheet arrays as high performance flexible all-solid-state supercapacitor cathode and buckwheat shell as anode

The energy density of a flexible all-solid-state supercapacitor (ASC) requires new electrode material with special structure and morphology as a prerequisite for its secured improvement. In this paper, a new morphological exploration of chicken nuggets-like core/shell NiCo₂O₄/MnO₂ (NCM) nanosheet arrays on Ni foam was employed. The application of this special morphology aims to greatly improve the electrochemical performance of the cathode electrode. Additionally, Buckwheat Biochar (BBC) is utilized as the anode while the PVA/KOH thin film is prepared as the separator. The chicken nuggets-like core/shell NCM nanosheet arrays were obtained by a two-step hydrothermal method. A series of characterization methods were carried out to further support the core/shell's well-designed structure and precise composition. The tests exhibited excellent specific capacitance of 593.3 F g^?1 at 5 mA cm^?2 and outstanding cycling stability with a retention of 90% after 10000 cycles. Furthermore, the assembled NCM//BBC ASC device indicated a high specific capacitance (239 F g^?1 at the current density of 5 mA cm^?2), this is in due part of the unique architecture of NCM nanosheet arrays and interconnected special porous structure of the BBC and the thin film PVA/KOH. Hence, the assembled ASC device exhibited high energy density (an energy density of 58 Wh·kg^?1 at 3263 W kg^?1) and remarkable cycling stability.     

Long-term performance analysis of chemical filters in clean rooms based on a prediction model

Chemical filters are the most important devices for removing gas-phase pollutants in clean rooms. However, the testing concentration of chemical filters is too high for reflecting their performance in a real clean room environment. This study tested the adsorption performance of chemical filters in the two most commonly used shapes at different concentrations. Then, the Langmuir equation and Wheeler-Jonas kinetic equation were combined to establish an adsorption performance prediction model of chemical filters under actual conditions. The predicted values of the model were in good agreement with the experimental results, which indicated the high accuracy of the prediction model. The model does not need to test the microscopic parameters of the adsorbent and can maintain high accuracy at low concentrations. A fast method for calculating the service life of chemical filters was also presented. Based on this model, the total cost of using a chemical filter with a high carbon content in microelectronic clean rooms could be decreased by 45% due to decreasing the number of filter replacements over 3 months. So a chemical filter with a high carbon content should be preferred over a filter with low resistance in microelectronic clean rooms.