Poly(lactic acid)/pulp fiber composites: The effect of fiber surface modification and hydrothermal aging on viscoelastic and strength properties

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/kraft pulp fiber (30 wt%) composites were prepared with and without a coupling agent (epoxidized linseed oil, ELO, 1.5 wt%) by injection molding. The non-annealed composite samples, along with lean PLA, were exposed to two hydro-thermal conditions: cyclic 50% RH/90% RH at 23 and 50°C, both up to 42 days. The aging effects were observed by size exclusion chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic and tensile mechanical analysis, and fracture surface imaging. ELO temporarily accelerated the material's internal transition from viscous to an increasingly elastic response during the aging at 50°C. ELO also slowed down the tensile strength reduction of the composites at 50°C. These observations were explained with the hydrophobic ELO molecules' coupling and plasticizing effects at fiber/matrix interfaces. No effects were observed at 23°C.     

Numerical investigation on the effects of load conditions and hydrogen-air ratio on the combustion processes of a HSDI engine

Owing to high specific energy and low emissions production, hydrogen is a desirable alternative fuel. The combustion and emission performance can be improved by hydrogen addition injected in-cylinder, intake manifold and aspirated with air. However, engine loads and hydrogen-air ration have a significant effect on the performance, combustion and emission of the diesel-hydrogen (high speed direct injection) HSDI engine. In this paper, the CFD method is used to calculate the combustion process of a diesel-hydrogen dual HSDI engine working at constant speed of 4000 rpm, at different hydrogen added from intake port (hydrogen volume fraction of 0%–10%) and five engine loads (equivalent to 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% of its maximum output power), respectively. The modelling results showed that the in-cylinder pressure and temperature under low engine load were more affected by hydrogen addition. With increasing hydrogen volume fraction, the indicated expansion work and in-cylinder peak pressure increased, and combustion duration decreased due to faster fuel-air mixing and spray flame speed.     

Evolution mechanism of the microstructure and mechanical properties of plasma-sprayed yttria-stabilized hafnia thermal barrier coating at 1400 °C

Yttria stabilized hafnia (Hf_0.84Y_0.16O_1.92, YSH16) coatings were sprayed by atmospheric plasma spraying (APS). The effects of thermal aging at 1400 °C on the microstructures, mechanical properties and thermal conductivity of the coatings were studied. The results show that the as-sprayed coating was composed of the cubic phase, and the nano-sized monoclinic (M) phase was precipitated in the annealed coating. The presence of M phase effectively constrained the sintering of the coating due to its superior sintering-resistance. The Young's modulus kept at a nearly same level of ~78 GPa even after annealing, and the coating annealed for 6 h yielded a maximum value of hardness but revealed a declining tendency in the Vicker's hardness with prolonged sintering time. The thermal conductivity increased from 0.8-0.95 W m^-1 K^-1 at as-sprayed state to 1.6 W m^-1 K^-1 after annealing at 1400 °C for 96 h. The dual-phase coating is promising to serve at temperatures above 1400 °C due to its excellent thermal stability and mechanical properties.     

Optimal Pricing Algorithm in the Electricity Market with Battery and Accumulator and Demand–Supply Balancing

This paper considers the day‐ahead market with batteries and accumulators to level power generation. First, we model consumers with batteries, generators with batteries, and accumulators, all of whom strive to maximize their own profit. An optimal pricing algorithm based on dual decomposition and the steepest descent method is derived and shown to be stable. Finally, the effectiveness of the algorithm is demonstrated by means of numerical simulations which indicate that it achieves demand–supply balance.     

Synergistic effects of modified TiO2/multifunctionalized graphene oxide nanosheets as functional hybrid nanofiller in enhancing the interface compatibility of PLA/starch nanocomposites

The aim of this study is to investigate the synergistic effects of modified TiO₂/multifunctionalized graphene oxide nanosheets at different ratios on the interface compatibility between starch and poly(lactic acid) (PLA). To this end, silanylated nano-TiO₂ (MTiO₂, 1 and 2%) and alkylated maleic anhydride grafted graphene oxide (f-GO, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4%) at different combinations are blended with the PLA-starch composites using solution blending technique. Then, the synergistic effects of MTiO₂ and f-GO on PLA/starch matrix are investigated in terms of the morphology, crystallinity, structural characterization, thermal stability, dynamic mechanical, and antiaging properties, and the related mechanisms. The Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectra verify the successful synthesis of the two modified nanofillers (f-GO and MTiO₂) and the formation of strong hydrogen bond within the PLA-starch nanocomposites. Due to the strong interfacial interaction and the synergistic effect from the combination of 1% MTiO₂ and 0.2% f-GO, obvious improvement was observed in PLA-starch versus other nanocomposites in terms of morphology, thermal stability, surface hydrophobicity, storage modulus, ultraviolet-shielding capacity, and aging-resistance. Furthermore, differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), isothermal crystallization kinetic, and X-ray diffraction analysis demonstrate that f-GO and the M-TiO₂ significantly synergize in enhancing the crystallization rate and crystallinity of PLA/starch matrix. These results provide novel insights for constructing high-performance nanocomposites and facilitate their applications in food packaging.     

老旧煤矿健康老龄化环境建设路径分析

被关闭的低效率老旧煤矿,作为很多退休煤矿职工的家庭所在地,依然担负着为其提供正常生活条件和养老功能的任务。为了营造煤炭企业退休职工适老环境,对老旧煤矿健康老龄化环境建设路径进行了探讨。在分析健康老龄化的普遍性问题后,从公共服务、卫生健康服务、认同感、原有养老模式等方面论述了老旧煤矿存在的具体问题;针对现状及问题,从理顺养老服务管理机制和合理确定具体任务目标两方面提出了对策与建议。     

Thermal reliabilities of Sn-0.5Ag-0.7Cu-0.1Al2O3/Cu solder joint

The effects of trace addition of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles (NPs) on thermal reliabilities of Sn-0.5Ag-0.7Cu/Cu solder joints were investigated. Experimental results showed that trace addition of Al₂O₃ NPs could increase the isotheraml aging (IA) and thermal cyclic (TC) lifetimes of Sn-0.5Ag-0.7Cu/Cu joint from 662 to 787 h, and from 1597 to 1824 cycles, respectively. Also, trace addition of Al₂O₃ NPs could slow down the shear force reduction of solder joint during thermal services, which was attributed to the pinning effect of Al₂O₃ NPs on hindering the growth of grains and interfacial intermetallic compounds (IMCs). Theoretically, the growth coefficients of interfacial IMCs in IA process were calculated to be decreased from 1.61×10^-10 to 0.79×10^-10 cm²/h in IA process, and from 0.92×10^-10 to 0.53×10^-10 cm²/h in TC process. This indicated that trace addition of Al₂O₃ NPs can improve both IA and TC reliabilities of Sn-0.5Ag- 0.7Cu/Cu joint, and a little more obvious in IA reliability.     

自然时效效应及预时效处理对7A20铝合金组织性能的影响

研究了中强度7A20铝合金的自然时效硬化效应及预时效处理对组织和性能的影响。采用光学显微镜和透射电镜表征了其微观组织结构,采用维氏硬度计和万能拉伸试验机测试了其硬度和力学性能。结果表明:固溶态7A20试验铝合金的自然时效硬化效应明显,12天后硬度由56 HV0.5提高到122 HV0.5,提高了117.86%。经120 ℃×10 min预时效处理后,自然时效硬化增量最低,相比于固溶态降低了16 HV0.5,有效抑制自然时效硬化效应;同时,预时效处理提升了烘烤硬化效应,烘烤硬化后屈服强度提升了166 MPa,抗拉强度提高了51 MPa,伸长率降低了7%。烘烤处理前,其晶内的强化主要来自于与基体共格的GP区,烘烤处理后为尺寸小于5 nm、弥散分布的η′强化相。