基于SnO2中空纳米球的低温氢气传感器的研究

采用水热法一步合成SnO2纳米材料,采用XRD、SEM、TEM和氮吸附-脱附对材料的结构和形貌进行表征。表征结果表明所制备SnO2纳米材料是由直径150~200 nm的中空纳米球组成,且具有较大比表面积(82.6 m2/g)。采用丝网印刷技术将SnO2气敏浆料涂覆到叉指电极上,制成厚膜型气体传感器器件,研究其对氢气的气敏性能。结果表明SnO2中空纳米球在较低温度(200℃)下对5~200μl/L氢气具有较高的响应值及较快的响应速度,这归因于所制备的SnO2材料的中空结构和较大比表面积,利于氢气气体的吸附与扩散。     

Inferring kinetic dissolution of NaCl in aqueous glycol solution using a low-cost apparatus and population balance model

An experimental methodology for inferring brine dissolution rate in monoethylene glycol (MEG) solutions at different temperatures using a webcam combined with a mathematical model is presented. The measurement system is designed to track the RGB (red, green, and blue) colour variations during the dissolution process. A dynamic model augmented with the population balance equation is applied to describe the dissolution process. Moreover, the dissolution rate is consistently related to the temperature and MEG concentration through the driving force based on the Gibbs energy and chemical affinity. The applied low-cost measurement apparatus proved to be a useful resource for tracking the dissolution dynamics in a wide range of undersaturation.     

Structural properties and sensing performance of CeTiO3 ceramic films as a solid-state pH sensor

In this paper, we have studied the impact of postannealing treatment on the structural properties and sensing characteristics of CeTiO₃ ceramic membranes deposited on Si substrate by sputtering for solid-state electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor (EIS) pH sensors. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and atomic force microscopy were used to study the chemical compositions, elemental depth profiles, film structures, and surface morphologies of CeTiO₃ ceramic membranes treated at three rapid thermal annealing (RTA) temperatures of 700, 800 and 900?°C. The sensing performance of the CeTiO₃ ceramic membranes annealed at three different RTA temperatures is strongly correlated to their structural properties. The CeTiO₃ EIS device after RTA at 800?°C exhibited the best sensing characteristics (pH sensitivity, hysteresis voltage and drift rate) among these RTA temperatures. We attribute this behavior to the optimal RTA temperature enhancing the Ce³⁺/Ce⁴⁺ ratio of CeTiO₃ ceramic membrane, reducing an interfacial layer at the CeTiO₃-Si interface, and increasing its surface roughness.     

Ultrasonic vibration mill-grinding of single-crystal silicon carbide for pressure sensor diaphragms

Single-crystal silicon carbide (SiC) has gained tremendous attention for harsh-environment sensor applications due to its high-temperature tolerance and chemical resistance. However, there are many technological challenges in the fabrication of single-crystal SiC sensing microstructures such as thin SiC diaphragms for pressure sensors. This paper presents an ultrasonic vibration mill-grinding (UVMG) technique for the fabrication of 6H-SiC sensor diaphragms. The fundamental machining characteristics of UVMG are investigated experimentally compared with conventional mill-grinding (CMG). The experimental results show that the axial grinding force in UVMG is reduced by 60–70% compared to that in CMG. In addition, the wheel loading is severe in CMG, while the issue of wheel loading is significantly alleviated in UVMG due to the discontinuous cutting characteristic achieved in this method. As a result, sharp increase of the axial grinding force, which is accompanied by the crack of SiC workpiece, happens frequently in CMG after a total grinding depth of 200 µm. By contrast, the axial grinding force is stable in UVMG during the total grinding depth of at least 900 µm. The ultrasonic vibration in UVMG results in rough surface finish due to the material-removal mechanism of brittle fracture. However, by taking the advantages of better machining stability in UVMG and better surface roughness in CMG, extremely thin SiC sensor diaphragms with satisfactory surface quality can be achieved. Finally, we demonstrate the successful fabrication of a thin SiC diaphragm with a thickness of 20.3 µm.     

Prevailing Research Trends in Carbon Nanohorn and Polymer-based Hybrids

This review outlines research progress on carbon nanohorn (CNH) and polymer/CNH hybrids including structure, properties, application, and future stance. Carbon nanohorn is a type of nanocarbon existing as dahlia-like, bud-like, and seed-like structures. Most widely known form is single-walled carbon nanaohorn with diameter of ～5?nm and tube length ～50?nm. Polymers such as polystyrene, polyaniline, polythiophene, poly(vinylalcohol), poly(methylmethacrylate), poly(ethyleneglycol), polycaprolactone, polyimide, poly(2-aminopyridine), and nylon have been interacted with CNH using various techniques. Structural and physical properties of fine-tuned carbon nanohorn and polymer/CNH hybrids have been used for versatile applications such as dye-sensitized solar cell, supercapacitor, drug delivery, fuel cell, and sensors.     

Flower-shaped ZnO nanomaterials for low-temperature operations in NOX gas sensors

In this study, we synthesized nanostructured zinc oxide (ZnO) by using various concentrations (0–0.05 M) of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as a surfactant to optimize its morphology for gas sensor applications. The optimization process was used to elucidate the morphology effects (rod-shaped and flower-shaped morphologies). The morphologies were investigated through scanning electron microscopy, in which the assembly of nanorods leading to a spherical microstructure with a CTAB concentration of 0.005 M was observed. Brunauer–Emmett–Teller isotherm measurements revealed a surface area of 7.928 g/m² for the flower-like morphology, which was relatively higher than those of other CTAB-assisted morphologies. Such morphological features were expected to contribute toward high-performance gas-sensing. The effect of morphology variation on the resistance of ZnO microstructures was used for gas measurements. Among the varied morphologies, a sample with a spherical flower-shaped morphology exhibited a very high response at low temperatures (~29 at 25 °C) toward NO_X gas (0.75 ppm) and a high selectivity toward NO_x among ammonia (NH₃), toluene (C₆H₅CH₃), carbon monoxide (CO), acetone (CH₃COCH₃), and ethanol (C₂H₅OH). Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopy analyses unraveled the presence of a high density of oxygen vacancies in the sample, thereby suggesting a close link between the defective nature of the sample and the high response of the flower-like ZnO at low temperatures.     

基于深度学习的传感器优化布置方法

针对传感器优化布置(optimal sensor placement,简称OSP)问题,提出了一种新的使用深度神经网络的解决方案,并以简化的桥梁形状的桁架结构中的振动测试传感器优化为例进行了验证。首先,选择一种传统的传感器优化布置方法,对自动化生成的大量不同的桁架结构分别进行传感器优化布置计算,将所得优化布置结果在进行数据预处理后构建出深度学习方法所需要的训练集与验证集;其次,使用Python语言和深度学习框架TensorFlow设计实现与本研究问题适配的深度神经网络模型并训练;然后,随机生成了新的桁架结构参数;最后,将深度神经网络输出的传感器布置结果和传统方法的计算结果进行了比较,验证了本研究方法的有效性以及在速度上、可移植性与可扩展性方面的性能优势。     

Pressure sensor matrix for indirect measurement of grip and push forces exerted on a handle

To date, a large part of workers is exposed to vibrations (23% in Europe) which can negatively impact on their health. This work discusses the importance of measuring grip and push forces in the context of hand-arm vibration tests, bearing in mind the state-of-art of current standards. It proposes a method for indirect measurement of coupling forces using a matrix of polymeric pressure capacitive sensors and discusses the model used for defining these quantities. The matrix of pressure sensors is wrapped around the tool handle and the acting forces, exchanged with the handle, are derived from the pressure values measured by the matrix. Calibration is presented and the effect of curvature is discussed. The work continues with the experimental validation of the model proposed for push force measurements carried out through lifting tests using known masses with a cylindrical handle. An experimental correction coefficient is defined in correlation to the type of grip. The method for measuring the push force, thus corrected, is assessed by means of push force tests on an instrumented handle. Finally the experimental data are analysed in order to assess the uncertainty of the proposed method for measuring the push force, highlighting the contribution of the different sources of uncertainty. The proposed measurement method allows to measure the push and the grip force (known influencing quantities for the measurement of the hand-arm vibration) during tool test and without modifying the handles.