Large Area Self-Assembled Ultrathin Polyimine Nanofilms Formed at the Liquid–Liquid Interface Used for Molecular Separation

Separation membranes with higher molecular weight cut-offs are needed to separate ions and small molecules from a mixed feed. The molecular sieving phenomenon can be utilized to separate smaller species with well-defined dimensions from a mixture. Here, the formation of freestanding polyimine nanofilms with thicknesses down to ≈14 nm synthesized via self-assembly of pre-synthesized imine oligomers is reported. Nanofilms are fabricated at the water–xylene interface followed by reversible condensation of polymerization according to the Pieranski theory. Polyimine nanofilm composite membranes are made via transferring the freestanding nanofilm onto ultrafiltration supports. High water permeance of 49.5 L m^-2 h⁻¹ bar⁻¹ is achieved with a complete rejection of brilliant blue-R (BBR; molecular weight = 825 g mol⁻¹) and no more than 10% rejection of monovalent and divalent salts. However, for a mixed feed of BBR dye and monovalent salt, the salt rejection is increased to ≈18%. Membranes are also capable of separating small dyes (e.g., methyl orange; MO; molecular weight = 327 g mol⁻¹) from a mixed feed of BBR and MO. Considering a thickness of ≈14 nm and its separation efficiency, the present membrane has significance in separation processes.     

New approaches to determine the interface height of fire smoke based on a three-layer zone model and its verification in large confined space

Large confined space has high incidence of fires, which seriously threatens the safety of people working there. Understanding the distribution of smoke in such large space is critical to fire development prediction and smoke control. Three improved methods for the stratification interface prediction of fire smoke are developed, including of improved intra-variance, integral ratio and N-percentage methods. In these methods, the interface height is determined by the vertical temperature distribution based on a three-layer smoke zone model, which is an improvement of a two-layer zone model. Thereafter, the three improved methods are applied to several typical fire cases simulated CFD to predict the smoke interface, and their applicability and reliability are verified by comparison of the smoke stratification results with the filed simulation results. Results show that the three improved methods can effectively determine the location of the three-layer zone model's interface, and they have the ability to predict smoke interface for fires with different fire source types and ventilation conditions.     

GO@TA-Fe/PVDF纳米复合材料制备与介电性能

为降低氧化石墨烯（GO）/聚偏氟乙烯（PVDF）体系的介电损耗，本文采用单宁酸-铁配合物（TA-Fe）修饰GO表面，将改性GO和PVDF复合后制得了GO@TA-Fe/PVDF纳米复合电介质材料，研究了GO@TA-Fe对PVDF复合材料的微观形貌及介电性能影响。研究结果表明，TA-Fe包覆层强化了GO与PVDF基体间界面相容性及界面作用力，促进了GO在基体中均匀分散；TA-Fe界面层的存在显著降低了GO/PVDF漏导电流及损耗，归因于绝缘界面层有效阻止了GO之间直接接触，抑制漏导电流；TA-Fe用量对体系介电性能有明显影响，随TA-Fe用量增大，体系的介电损耗和电导率显著降低。与GO/PVDF相比，质量分数2%的GO@TA-Fe/PVDF在100Hz下介电常数为1000，而介电损耗由19.8降低为0.08。本研究制备的高介电常数及低损耗的柔性GO@TA-Fe/PVDF纳米电介质材料在电子器件及电力设备领域具有潜在应用。     

The role of viscoelasticity on heterogeneous stress fields at frictional interfaces

We investigate the evolution of heterogeneous stress states along frictional interfaces. Using finite-element simulations, we model the occurrence of precursory slip sequences on a deformable-deformable as well as a deformable–rigid interface between two solids. Every interface rupture creates a stress concentration at its arrest position and erases the stress concentrations produced by previous slip events. While the interface is sticking perfectly between two slip events, erased stress concentrations reappear and survive several cycles of ruptures. Such reestablished stress concentrations are smaller than they were before the rupture. We show that the decrease rate of these stress concentrations is exponential with respect to the number of subsequent events and that the bulk viscoelasticity is at the origin of this history effect. During a slip event, the friction tractions at the interface change almost instantaneously, which leads, between two ruptures, to a relaxation-resembling viscous effect that restores the stress concentration. We describe the decrease rate analytically and highlight that it is proportional to the ratio of the viscous over the instantaneous Young’s moduli, and illustrate it by varying the material properties in our simulations.     

Surface energy and separation mechanics of droplet interface phospholipid bilayers

Droplet interface bilayers are a convenient model system to study the physio-chemical properties of phospholipid bilayers, the major component of the cell membrane. The mechanical response of these bilayers to various external mechanical stimuli is an active area of research because of its implications for cellular viability and the development of artificial cells. In this article, we characterize the separation mechanics of droplet interface bilayers under step strain using a combination of experiments and numerical modelling. Initially, we show that the bilayer surface energy can be obtained using principles of energy conservation. Subsequently, we subject the system to a step strain by separating the drops in a step-wise manner, and track the evolution of the bilayer contact angle and radius. The relaxation time of the bilayer contact angle and radius along with the decay magnitude of the bilayer radius were observed to increase with each separation step. By analysing the forces acting on the bilayer and the rate of separation, we show that the bilayer separates primarily through the peeling process with the dominant resistance to separation coming from viscous dissipation associated with corner flows. Finally, we explain the intrinsic features of the observed bilayer separation by means of a mathematical model comprising the Young–Laplace equation and an evolution equation. We believe that the reported experimental and numerical results extend the scientific understanding of lipid bilayer mechanics, and that the developed experimental and numerical tools offer a convenient platform to study the mechanics of other types of bilayers.     

Multi-modal approach to evaluate adaptive visual stimuli of remote operation system using gaze behavior

A multi-modal approach is proposed to evaluate the usability of Adaptive Visual Stimuli for User Interface (AVS4UI) of remote operation systems. This study focuses on the evaluation of AVS4UI for forklift work because the operation complexity includes driving and cargo handling, which typically requires multiple salient attention. Presenting this amount of information simultaneously on a User Interface (UI) tends to cause confusions to operators and reduces operation efficiency. AVS4UI can therefore be one of the promising solutions where the optimal visual stimuli are autonomously presented for different work conditions. However, evaluation of AVS4UI is challenging because operators may be disoriented by adaptive information and worked without safety considerations. Therefore, novel gaze metrics are proposed to evaluate responses of forklift operators to AVS4UI so that undesired behavior can be evaluated. The proposed metrics implicitly represent gaze pattern in terms of transition and distribution between UI elements, operation safety, and familiarity with the adaptive system. The ideal AVS4UI is expected to minimize the proposed gaze metrics and outperform the non-adaptive UI. More importantly, the results of these metrics are consistent with those of perceived workload defined by NASA-Task Load Index. We also propose a correlation model using stepwise linear regression that provides reasonable estimation of perceived workload. Such novel metrics and correlation model enable objective and online evaluation to minimize biases of subjective response. Therefore, online work support system can be developed to support workers.     

A review on modeling of solar photovoltaic systems using artificial neural networks,fuzzy logic,genetic algorithm and hybrid models

The uncertainty associated with modeling and performance prediction of solar photovoltaic systems could be easily and efficiently solved by artificial intelligence techniques. During the past decade of 2009 to 2019, artificial neural network (ANN), fuzzy logic (FL), genetic algorithm (GA) and their hybrid models are found potential artificial intelligence tools for performance prediction and modeling of solar photovoltaic systems. In addition, during this decade there is no extensive review on applicability of ANN, FL, GA and their hybrid models for performance prediction and modeling of solar photovoltaic systems. Therefore, this article focuses on extensive review on design, modeling, maximum power point tracking, fault detection and output power/efficiency prediction of solar photovoltaic systems using artificial intelligence techniques of the ANN, FL, GA and their hybrid models. In addition, the selected articles on the solar radiation prediction using ANN, FL, GA and their hybrid models are also summarized. Total of 122 articles are reviewed and summarized in the present review for the period of 2009 to 2019 with 90 articles in the field of {ANN, FL, GA and their hybrid models} + solar photovoltaic systems and 32 articles in the field of {ANN, FL, GA and their hybrid models} + solar radiation. The review shows the suitability and reliability of ANN, FL, GA and hybrid models for accurate prediction of the solar radiation and the performance characteristics of solar photovoltaic systems. In addition, this review presents the guidance for the researchers and engineers in the field of solar photovoltaic systems to select the suitable prediction tool for enhancement of the performance characteristics of the solar photovoltaic systems and the utilization of the available solar radiation.     

思维导图在《微机原理及接口技术》教学中的应用

思维导图作为一种可视化图形思维工具，可以有效表征知识体系、层次关系。本文针对《微机原理及接口技术》课程教学现状，介绍了思维导图的特点，分析了思维导图应用于该课程教学中的作用和意义，给出了用 MindManager软件绘制的8086CPU内部结构和输入输出接口的思维导图案例。教学实践证明，思维导图在《微机原理及接口技术》课程教学中可以激发学生学习兴趣，帮助学生建立“整体-局部”思想，促进学生对知识的理解和记忆，提升教学效果。     

Achieving Rich and Active Alkaline Hydrogen Evolution Heterostructures via Interface Engineering on 2D 1T‐MoS2 Quantum Sheets

Large‐scale production of hydrogen from water‐alkali electrolyzers is impeded by the sluggish kinetics of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalysts. The hybridization of an acid‐active HER catalyst with a cocatalyst at the nanoscale helps boost HER kinetics in alkaline media. Here, it is demonstrated that 1T–MoS₂ nanosheet edges (instead of basal planes) decorated by metal hydroxides form highly active ${\text{edge}}_{{\text{1T‐MoS}}_{\text{2}}}$/ ${\text{edge}}_{\text{Ni}{(\text{OH})}_{\text{2}}}$ heterostructures, which significantly enhance HER performance in alkaline media. Featured with rich ${\text{edge}}_{{\text{1T‐MoS}}_{\text{2}}}$/ ${\text{edge}}_{\text{Ni}{(\text{OH})}_{\text{2}}}$ sites, the fabricated 1T–MoS₂ QS/Ni(OH)₂ hybrid (quantum sized 1T–MoS₂ sheets decorated with Ni(OH)₂ via interface engineering) only requires overpotentials of 57 and 112 mV to drive HER current densities of 10 and 100 mA cm^?2, respectively, and has a low Tafel slope of 30 mV dec^?1 in 1 m KOH. So far, this is the best performance for MoS₂‐based electrocatalysts and the 1T–MoS₂ QS/Ni(OH)₂ hybrid is among the best‐performing non‐Pt alkaline HER electrocatalysts known. The HER process is durable for 100 h at current densities up to 500 mA cm^?2. This work not only provides an active, cost‐effective, and robust alkaline HER electrocatalyst, but also demonstrates a design strategy for preparing high‐performance catalysts based on edge‐rich 2D quantum sheets for other catalytic reactions.     

Optimized dual-function varistor-capacitor ceramics of core-shell structured xBi2/3Cu3Ti4O12/(1-x)CaCu3Ti4O12 composites

xBi_2/3Cu₃Ti₄O₁₂/(1-x)CaCu₃Ti₄O₁₂ composites were prepared by traditional solid-state reaction method. Extremely high nonlinear coefficient of 25 and breakdown field of 18.92 kV·cm⁻¹ were obtained in small current range of 0.1−1 mA·cm^-2. In addition, reduced dielectric loss of 0.055 was achieved with high dielectric constant of 1369. Optimized nonlinear and dielectric properties were integrated to make the composites a promising dual-function varistor-capacitor candidate. Microstructure analysis discovered two areas with various Bi/Ca ratio, designated as Bi-H and Bi-L respectively. It was found that the maximum ratio of Bi-H/Bi-L heterogeneous interface corresponded to optimized nonlinear and dielectric performance, which was associated with elevated potential barrier height and huge grain boundary resistance. Combined with relaxation analysis, a core-shell structure was proposed to elaborate microstructure evolution in xBi_2/3Cu₃Ti₄O₁₂/(1-x)CaCu₃Ti₄O₁₂ composite. According to the core-shell model, variation of heterogeneous interface was illustrated on how to influence nonlinear properties, which was well fitted to experimental results.