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.     

A novel set-up and a CFD approach to study the biofilm dynamics as a function of local flow conditions encountered in fresh-cut food processing equipments

The hydrodynamic conditions as well as design and surface properties within fresh-cut food processing equipment create a complex environment for biofilms. A new experimental approach was thus proposed to identify those physical parameters impacting biofilm development in such conditions. A set-up comprising original mock-ups mimicking generic features of washing tanks (e.g. welds, folds, flat surfaces, air/liquid/wall interface) was designed. The flow pattern therein was characterized using two computational fluid dynamic calculation approaches. Full trials were run for 48 h at 10 °C with a Pseudomonas fluorescens strain to identify the preferential biofilm formation areas. As in current industrial systems, the pilot rig had recirculation areas and low wall shear stress rates (τ_w < 0.1 Pa) in corners and angles. These were identified as critical areas with Surface Microbial Loads (SML) over 5 Log₁₀/cm². However, τ_w alone failed to explain why SML in areas under unidirectional flow was higher than in the mock-ups. Lastly, air/liquid/wall interface conditions were more critical than immersed surfaces. This study validated the possibility of using CFD methods to understand the way in which flow pattern influences biofilm formation. The methodology proposed would be helpful in quantifying equipment components criticality based on biofilm growth parameters.     

高集成度射频收发器的差分正交调制解调测试与工程实现

针对高集成度射频收发器(AD9361)实现差分正交调制解调(DQPSK)收发过程中存在的工程实现问题,采用理论分析与硬件平台实现相结合的方法测试AD9361,验证DQPSK调制解调;先通过Serial Peripheral Interface(SPI)接口测试AD9361自发自收,采用点积叉积方法实现了DQPSK的调制解调;配置AD9361过程中,通过测试定位初始化后AD9361输出端无波形、通过示波器观察发现AD9361发射与接收本振时域波形扭曲、频谱仪观察AD9361输出端谐波分量严重、DQPSK解调时发射本振与接收本振存在随机相位误差4个疑难问题,分别通过采用降低SPI时钟频率为10 MHz、AD9361芯片的系统时钟更改设置为40 MHz、初始化过程中输出端频率设置为1.4 GHz、DQPSK的解调采用点积叉积方式进行解调4种方法予以解决;实验结果表明4个相关问题解决效果良好,所实现的DQPSK收发性能可靠。     

Electric Vehicle Charging Simulation Framework Considering Traffic, User, and Power Grid

The traffic and user have significant impacts on the electric vehicle (EV) charging load but are not considered in the existing research. We propose a novel integrated simulation framework considering the traffic, the user, and power grid as well as the EV traveling, parking and charging based on cellular automaton (CA). The traffic is modeled by the traffic module of the proposed framework based on CA, while the power grid and user are modeled in the EV charging module. The traffic flow, user’s charging preference, user’s charging satisfaction, and the total supply capability (TSC) in the surveyed region are considered in the proposed framework. Two cases are carried out to show the interactions between the user and power grid. It is shown that the proposed framework can accurately simulate the interactions among traffic situation, user’s behavior and TSC， which are significantly lacking in the existing research. The proposed framework is scalable in considering additional interrelated elements.     

Laboratory evaluation of interfacial mechanical properties in geogrid-reinforced bituminous layers

In this study, the mechanical properties of composite bituminous structures with geogrid products, used as an interlayer between different types of bituminous mixtures, at a constant temperature, were examined. A twofold experimental program based on new approaches was selected. A new configuration of the 3-Point Bending Test (3-PBT) was adopted to capture the J-integral and crack resistance property defined by crack resistance index (CRI) at the interface against bottom-up crack propagation. The bonding quality at the interface was also defined through a new index named coefficient of interface bonding (CIB), which was measured via a modified version of the slant shear device. The results derived from this research revealed that reinforcement of the interface, with varying degree of surface texture, by geogrid products significantly enhances the fracture toughness of the whole system in terms of the J-integral, which could be properly connected to the combined functions of bonding quality and crack resistance indices defined at the interface.     

Experimental study of the combustion characteristics of methanol‐gasoline blends pool fires in a full‐scale tunnel

The combustion characteristics of methanol‐gasoline blends pool fires were studied in a series of full‐scale tunnel experiments conducted with different methanol and gasoline blends. The parameters were measured including the mass loss rate, the pool surface temperature, the fire plume centerline temperature, the ceiling temperature, the smoke layer temperature profile, the flame height, and the smoke layer interface height. The gasoline components were analyzed by GC‐MS. The effects of azeotropism on the combustion characteristics of the different blends were discussed. On the basis of the results of the fire plume centerline temperature, the ceiling temperature, and the flame height, it shows that the tunnel fire regime gradually switches from fuel controlled to ventilation controlled with increasing gasoline fractions in the blends. The fire plume can be divided into 3 regions by the fire plume centerline temperature for the different blends. The N‐percentage rule to determine the smoke layer interface height is found to be applicable for tunnel fires with different blends for N = 26.     

Mullite-bonded SiC-whisker-reinforced SiC matrix composites: Preparation,characterization, and toughening mechanisms

A novel mullite-bonded SiC-whisker-reinforced SiC matrix composite (SiCw/SiC, SiC whisker-to-SiC powder mass ratio of 1:9) was designed and successfully prepared. Before preparing the composite, the inexpensive lab-made SiCw was first modified by an oxidation/leaching process and then coated with Al₂O₃. The kinetics results indicate that the oxidation process can be described by improved shrinking-cylinder models. The aspect ratio of SiCw improved after modification. Subsequently, raw materials with a SiC–SiO₂–Al₂O₃ triple-layered structure were obtained after the Al₂O₃-coating process and used as feedstocks during the subsequent hot-pressing sintering. Finally, the characterization of the composites indicates that the mullite-bonded sample performs better (relative density of 93.8?±?1.4%, flexural strength of 533.3?±?18.2?MPa, fracture toughness of 13.6?±?2.1?MPa?m^1/2, and Vickers hardness of 20.6?±?2.5?GPa) than the reference sample without the mullite interface. The improved toughness could essentially be attributed to the moderately strong interface bonding and effective load transfer effects of the mullite interface.     

Commercial farmers’ strategies to control water resources in South Africa: an empirical view of reform

This article shows how large-scale commercial farmers, individually and collectively, are responding to land and water reform processes in the Thukela River basin, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. With a high degree of innovative agency, commercial farmers have effectively executed four strategies, enabling them to adapt and use their access to resources to neutralize multiple water reform efforts that once promised to be catalysts for inclusive change in the post-apartheid era. It is likely that policy alone will not facilitate the envisioned transformation, if local practices are not sufficiently understood and anticipated by the governmental officials charged with the implementation of water reform processes.     

System for augmented human–robot interaction through mixed reality and robot training by non-experts in customer service environments

Human–robot interaction during general service tasks in home or retail environment has been proven challenging, partly because (1) robots lack high-level context-based cognition and (2) humans cannot intuit the perception state of robots as they can for other humans. To solve these two problems, we present a complete robot system that has been given the highest evaluation score at the Customer Interaction Task of the Future Convenience Store Challenge at the World Robot Summit 2018, which implements several key technologies: (1) a hierarchical spatial concepts formation for general robot task planning and (2) a mixed reality interface to enable users to intuitively visualize the current state of the robot perception and naturally interact with it. The results obtained during the competition indicate that the proposed system allows both non-expert operators and end users to achieve human–robot interactions in customer service environments. Furthermore, we describe a detailed scenario including employee operation and customer interaction which serves as a set of requirements for service robots and a road map for development. The system integration and task scenario described in this paper should be helpful for groups facing customer interaction challenges and looking for a successfully deployed base to build on.