A comparison study into low leak rate buoyant gas dispersion in a small fuel cell enclosure using plain and louvre vent passive ventilation schemes

Hydrogen, producing electricity in fuel cells, is a versatile energy source, but with risks associated with flammability. Fuel cells use enclosures for protection which need ventilating to remove hydrogen emitted during normal operation or from supply system leaks. Passive ventilation, using buoyancy driven flow is preferred to mechanical systems. Performance depends upon vent design, size, shape, position and number. Vents are usually plain rectangular openings, but environmentally situated enclosures use louvres for protection. The effect of louvres on passive ventilation is not clear and has therefore been examined in this paper. Comparison ‘same opening area’ louvre and plain vent tests were undertaken using a 0.144 m³ enclosure with opposing upper and lower vents and helium leaking from a 4 mm nozzle on the base at rates from 1 to 10 lpm, simulating a hydrogen leak. Louvres increased stratified level helium concentrations by typically in excess of 15%. The empirical data obtained was also used in a validation exercise with a SolidWorks: Flow Simulation CFD model, which provided a good qualitative representation of flow behaviour and close empirical data correlations.     

Dual-activator luminescence of LuAG:Mn4+/Tb3+ phosphor for optical thermometry

Mn⁴⁺ and Tb³⁺ singly doped and Mn⁴⁺/Tb³⁺ codoped lutetium aluminum garnet (Lu₃Al₅O₁₂, or simply LuAG) phosphors were synthesized and investigated for the application of optical thermometry. X-ray powder diffraction and luminescence spectroscopy measurements were performed on all samples to analyze their crystal phases and optical properties. In particular, temperature-dependent luminescence of the LuAG:Mn⁴⁺/Tb³⁺ sample was measured at the temperature range of 270–420 K. The results showed that the luminescence intensity of Mn⁴⁺ has gone through a remarkable decline while the luminescence of Tb³⁺ has an only insignificant change with the rise of temperature which leads to a dramatic decrease in the fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) between the two activator Mn⁴⁺ and Tb³⁺. Further analysis showed that the LuAG:Mn⁴⁺/Tb³⁺ sample used for temperature sensing has a high relative sensitivity with maximum value of 4.3% K⁻¹ at 333 K. Our research indicated that this LuAG:Mn⁴⁺/Tb³⁺ material is a promising candidate for FIR-type optical temperature sensing.     

Microstructure and mechanical property of (TiB2-SiC) agglomerate-toughened B4C-TiB2-SiC composites

B₄C-TiB₂-SiC composites toughened by (TiB₂-SiC) agglomerates were prepared via reactive hot pressing with B₄C and TiSi₂ as raw materials. Phase composition, microstructure, and mechanical properties of the fabricated composites were investigated. The function of (TiB₂-SiC) agglomerates was analyzed, and the strengthening and toughening mechanism were also discussed. Results indicated that some of the in situ formed TiB₂ and SiC were interlocked to form special (TiB₂-SiC) agglomerates in the matrix. The good comprehensive performances of 510 MPa flexural strength, 5.84 MPa·m^1/2 fracture toughness, and 31.93 GPa hardness were obtained in the composites fabricated with 30 wt% TiSi₂. The in situ introduced fine TiB₂ and SiC grains refined the grains of B₄C due to the pinning effect, which enhanced the strength. The special (TiB₂-SiC) agglomerates and the existing toughening phenomena such as crack deflection, branching, and microcrack regions induced by the mismatch of thermal expansion coefficients, had cumulative effects on improving the fracture toughness.     

Loadbearing capacity of infill masonry walls considering the deformation‐based membrane effect

According to currently valid codes, it is not possible to determine the loadbearing capacity of unreinforced infill walls considering the deformation‐based membrane effect by incorporating the exact support conditions. One reason for this is the lack of a validated calculation procedure, which in addition to the equilibrium conditions also realistically represents the compatibility conditions of these systems. In the present paper, therefore, a new non‐linear analytical calculation procedure is presented. The main focus of the analysis of walls subject to area loading is the incorporation of the support conditions and thus the consideration of the deformation‐based membrane compressive force. Through generalised formulation and a standardised notation of the determination equations, different material behaviours and various support conditions can be taken into account with few parameters. On the action side, both lighter loading like wind loads and heavier loading like explosion loads can be considered. Through the implementation of the partial factor concept, it is possible to comply with the requirements of European codes and thus ensure the applicability of the analysis model.     

Metal–Organic Frameworks Based on Group 3 and 4 Metals

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) based on group 3 and 4 metals are considered as the most promising MOFs for varying practical applications including water adsorption, carbon conversion, and biomedical applications. The relatively strong coordination bonds and versatile coordination modes within these MOFs endow the framework with high chemical stability, diverse structures and topologies, and interesting properties and functions. Herein, the significant progress made on this series of MOFs since 2018 is summarized and an update on the current status and future trends on the structural design of robust MOFs with high connectivity is provided. Cluster chemistry involving Y, lanthanides (Ln, from La to Lu), actinides (An, from Ac to Lr), Ti, and Zr is initially introduced. This is followed by a review of recently developed MOFs based on group 3 and 4 metals with their structures discussed based on the types of inorganic or organic building blocks. The novel properties and arising applications of these MOFs in catalysis, adsorption and separation, delivery, and sensing are highlighted. Overall, this review is expected to provide a timely summary on MOFs based on group 3 and 4 metals, which shall guide the future discovery and development of stable and functional MOFs for practical applications.     

激光立体成形TC4钛合金的热力场演化

激光立体成形能够实现高性能复杂零件的精确成形，但成形过程中的高温度梯度极易导致残余应力和变形，最终影响构件的几何精度和力学性能。通过搭建基板单边夹持原位热变形测量系统，探究了多道多层TC4钛合金成形件在激光立体成形过程中基板温度、变形的演化规律，分析了不同扫描策略对构件热应力场的影响。研究结果表明，构件的变形发展受其热历史驱使，扫描策略对成形件的热变形具有显著影响。     

矿用无人卡车国内外研究现状及关键技术

分析了国内外露天矿山用卡车无人驾驶技术发展现状,详细介绍了露天矿山卡车无人驾驶关键技术;通过分析对比前装线控和后装线控两种技术路线的优缺点以及超声波雷达、毫米波雷达、激光雷达、4D光场智能感知系统、红外传感器、视觉传感器等环境感知技术的优缺点;提出多传感器高度融合将是露天矿山卡车实现全天候环境感知的发展方向。通过分析对比惯性导航系统、GNSS差分定位技术、车联网定位技术、电子地图定位技术、视觉传感器等定位导航技术的差异,指出多定位技术融合是露天矿山无人驾驶卡车定位方式的必然选择。结合露天煤矿的生产实际,提出将现有的无人驾驶各种技术算法与露天矿山标准作业流程有机融合是实现卡车无人驾驶的必由之路。最后指出无人驾驶卡车应用5G技术是露天矿山安全生产的关键和核心,是无人驾驶的必备技术。     

基于Unity 3D的岩心钻机模拟操作系统设计与实现

自2008年起,我国地勘行业投资规模迅速增长,随后快速回落,近年来市场规模趋于稳定,预计2020年我国的岩心钻机相关市场规模约为100亿元左右,从业人员也将超过5万人。为了使我国岩心钻机操作人员能够掌握在“高精尖”设备转型下的自动化全液压岩心钻机的操作技能,本研究利用虚拟现实技术,还原岩心钻机的实际现场工作状态；采用SolidWorks,3ds Max,Cinema 4D等软件对钻机进行三维建模、坐标更改和纹理着色；以C#语言为脚本,研究关键帧动画设定、摄像机视角控制、刚体碰撞模块、射线检测等技术,提出基于Unity 3D的岩心钻机模拟操作系统设计方案并最终实现。该模拟操作系统具有多视角展示、钻进控制、参数显示和语音指导等功能,呈现了能够身临其境的钻机操作体验。     

Modeling and surface texturing on surface roughness in machining LaPO4–Y2O3 composite

In this work, lanthanum phosphate with a 20% yttria (LaPO₄/Y₂O₃) composite prepared by an Aqueous Sol–Gel process is machined using an Abrasive Water Jet Machine (AWJM). The machinability of this composite is studied by varying the input parameters namely Jet Pressure (JP), Stand-Off Distance (SOD), and Traverse Speed (TS) on Surface finish. Garnet of 80 mesh size is used as an abrasive with a flow rate of 85?g/min. The microstructural characterization study reveals the presence of new element YPO₄. This element enhances the machinability and reduced porosity in the composite. Microscopy examinations on the machined surface reveals that partial overlapping at low JP, poor surface finish at high JP and SOD, forged deficiency at maximum SOD and TS. The minimum levels of all input parameters are influenced to obtain acceptable Ra. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) on the kerf surface shows micro wear track and peaks. The Multiple Regression Analysis (MRA) is developed for Ra to check the adequacy. From the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), SOD has a significant effect on Ra with a contribution of 53%. The influence of JP and TS on Ra is found to be 31% and 15%, respectively.