Simultaneous bioelectricity generation and pollutants removal of sediment microbial fuel cell combined with submerged macrophyte

A submerged macrophyte sediment microbial fuel cell (SP-SMFC) was constructed in this study. Ceratophyllum demersum L., Vallisneria natans, Hydrilla verticillate were chosen as the submerged plants to form cer-SMFC, val-SMFC, hyd-SMFC systems. Plant groups showed the advantage of bioelectricity generation and pollutants removal compared with the unplanted system. The cer-SMFC group stood out with the maximum power density as 24.56 mW m^?2 and the average pollutants removal in overlying water (COD: 81.16%, TN: 65.27%, TP: 79.10%) and in sediments (TN: 26.40%, TP: 21.79%). The determination of root exudates and radial oxygen loss (ROL) demonstrated that C. demersum L. was superior to other studied submerged macrophytes. More root exudates may contribute to an increase in available substrates for electrochemically active bacteria and other microorganisms. Higher enzyme activities were obtained in three SP-SMFCs (especially in cer-SMFC). ATPase and APA activities in cer-SMFC group were increased by over 40% compared with the control. The results indicated that the presence of plants enhanced the microorganism activities, thereby improving bioelectricity generation and pollutants removal. This study will facilitate the application of SP-SMFC technology as an alternative for in situ remediation of polluted sediments.     

Recent advances during CH4 dry reforming for syngas production: A mini review

Given the continuing issues of environment and energy, methane dry reforming for syngas production have sparked interest among researchers, but struggled with the process immaturity owing to catalyst deactivation. This review summarizes the recent advances in the development of efficient and stable catalysts with strong resistance to coking and metal sintering, including the application of novel materials, the assessment of advanced characterizations and the compatibility to improved reaction system. One feasible option is the crystalline oxide catalysts (perovskite, pyrochlore, spinel and LDHs), which feature a fine metal dispersion and surface confinement effect via a metal exsolution strategy and exhibit superior reactivity and stability. Some new materials (h-BN, clays and MOFs) also extend the option because of their unique morphology and microstructure. It also is elaborated that progresses were achieved in advanced characterizations application, leading to success in the establishment of reaction mechanisms and attributions to the formed robust catalysts. In addition, the perspective described the upgrade of reaction system to a higher reaction efficiency and milder reaction conditions. The combination of efficient reaction systems and robust catalysts paves a way for a scaling-up application of the process.     

Estimating long-term time-resolved indoor PM2.5 of outdoor and indoor origin using easily obtainable inputs

To evaluate the separate impacts on human health and establish effective control strategies, it is crucial to estimate the contribution of outdoor infiltration and indoor emission to indoor PM_2.5 in buildings. This study used an algorithm to automatically estimate the long-term time-resolved indoor PM_2.5 of outdoor and indoor origin in real apartments with natural ventilation. The inputs for the algorithm were only the time-resolved indoor/outdoor PM_2.5 concentrations and occupants’ window actions, which were easily obtained from the low-cost sensors. This study first applied the algorithm in an apartment in Tianjin, China. The indoor/outdoor contribution to the gross indoor exposure and time-resolved infiltration factor were automatically estimated using the algorithm. The influence of outdoor PM_2.5 data source and algorithm parameters on the estimated results was analyzed. The algorithm was then applied in four other apartments located in Chongqing, Shenyang, Xi'an, and Urumqi to further demonstrate its feasibility. The results provided indirect evidence, such as the plausible explanations for seasonal and spatial variation, to partially support the success of the algorithm used in real apartments. Through the analysis, this study also identified several further development directions to facilitate the practical applications of the algorithm, such as robust long-term outdoor PM_2.5 monitoring using low-cost light-scattering sensors.     

某农村生活污水治理工程设计方法的介绍

针对农村生活污水是造成农村水环境污染最重要的原因,且会随着农村生活方式的改变而加剧,而对其进行治理又是我国社会主义新农村建设的重要内容,本文以某农村治理模式的工程为例,对比分析了几种不同的污水处理工艺及其相互之间的组合利用方式和预计可以实现的排放标准,这为该类型其他工程今后的建设和改进提供了可以参考的依据.同时,工程整体的设计和运营管理模式的选择为工程可多年稳定地建设实施奠定了可靠的基础,这对加速推进该项国家任务的进程有着决定性的作用.     

Study on Thermal Deformation Measurement of Optical Remote Sensing Satellite Platform Based on Machine Vision

To solve the special requirements of the high orbit optical remote sensing-satellite for the thermal deformation of the platform, the thermal deformation test and measurement scheme of the satellite platform is designed. Through the comparative analysis of test results, the rationality of the thermal deformation design of the platform structure is verified. The results of thermal deformation measurement show that the maximum deformation of A camera mounting surface is 57.5~〃, and the maximum deformation of B camera mounting surface points to 79.3~〃, which can be used as the basis for thermal deformation prediction of satellite during the orbit operation.     

Alkali metal ion substitution induced luminescence enhancement of NaLaMgWO6:Eu3+ red phosphor for white light-emitting diodes

Alkali metal ion substitution is an effective strategy to improve the luminescence properties of phosphors. In this work, a series of red-emitting phosphors Na_1-xLi_x/2K_x/2La_0.6Eu_0.4MgWO₆ were prepared by a traditional high-temperature solid-state reaction. Their phase structure, microstructure, luminescence properties and potential application in phosphor-converted white light-emitting diodes (pc-WLEDs) were investigated in detail. X-ray diffraction (XRD) result revealed the formation of a solid solution when x?≤?0.3, which kept monoclinic structure of NaLaMgWO₆. Photoluminescence investigation indicated that the partial substitution of Li⁺/K⁺ ions for Na⁺ ions improved largely the red emission of Eu³⁺. Based on the optimized Na_0.7Li_0.15K_0.15La_0.6Eu_0.4MgWO₆ sample with relatively good thermal stability, a WLED device was fabricated by combining a near-ultraviolet (NUV) chip (~400?nm) with the phosphor mixture of commercial green/blue phosphors and the optimized red phosphor. The results indicated that the optimized red phosphor in this work could be a potential candidate for WLEDs pumped by NUV chips.     

Advances in statistical mechanics of rock masses and its engineering applications

To efficiently link the continuum mechanics for rocks with the structural statistics of rock masses,a theoretical and methodological system called the statistical mechanics of rock masses(SMRM)was developed in the past three decades.In SMRM,equivalent continuum models of stressestrain relationship,strength and failure probability for jointed rock masses were established,which were based on the geometric probability models characterising the rock mass structure.This follows the statistical physics,the continuum mechanics,the fracture mechanics and the weakest link hypothesis.A general constitutive model and complete stressestrain models under compressive and shear conditions were also developed as the derivatives of the SMRM theory.An SMRM calculation system was then developed to provide fast and precise solutions for parameter estimations of rock masses,such as full-direction rock quality designation(RQD),elastic modulus,Coulomb compressive strength,rock mass quality rating,and Poisson’s ratio and shear strength.The constitutive equations involved in SMRM were integrated into a FLAC3D based numerical module to apply for engineering rock masses.It is also capable of analysing the complete deformation of rock masses and active reinforcement of engineering rock masses.Examples of engineering applications of SMRM were presented,including a rock mass at QBT hydropower station in northwestern China,a dam slope of Zongo II hydropower station in D.R.Congo,an open-pit mine in Dexing,China,an underground powerhouse of Jinping I hydropower station in southwestern China,and a typical circular tunnel in Lanzhou-Chongqing railway,China.These applications verified the reliability of the SMRM and demonstrated its applicability to broad engineering issues associated with jointed rock masses.     

Influence of soil density on gas permeability and water retention in soils amended with in-house produced biochar

Biochar has been used as an environment-friendly enhancer to improve the hydraulic properties(e.g.suction and water retention) of soil.However,variations in densities alter the properties of the soil-biochar mix.Such density variations are observed in agriculture(loosely compacted) and engineering(densely compacted) applications.The influence of biochar amendment on gas permeability of soil has been barely investigated,especially for soil with diffe rent densities.The maj or obj ective of this study is to investigate the water retention capacity,and gas permeability of biochar-amended soil(BAS) with different biochar contents under varying degree of compaction(DOC) conditions.In-house produced novel biochar was mixed with the soil at different amendment rates(i.e.biochar contents of 0%,5% and 10%).All BAS samples were compacted at three DOCs(65%,80% and 95%) in polyvinyl chloride(PVC)tubes.Each soil column was subjected to drying-wetting cycles,during which soil suction,water content,and gas permeability were measured.A simplified theoretical framework for estimating the void ratio of BAS was proposed.The experimental results reveal that the addition of biochar significantly decreased gas permeability k_g as compared with that of bare soil(BS).However,the addition of 5%biochar is found to be optimum in decreasing kg with an increase of DOC(i.e.k_(g,65%) k_(g,80%) k_(g,95%)) at a relatively low suction range(200 kPa) because both biochar and compaction treatment reduce the connected pores.     

Evaluation of moisture reduction in aggregate base by wicking geotextile using soil column tests

This study investigated the distance effect on water reduction by the wicking geotextile in a base course experimentally using three sets of soil column tests. In each set of tests, two soil columns were constructed by compacting well-graded aggregate over a non-wicking woven geotextile and a wicking geotextile. A portion of the geotextile specimen was extended outside of the soil column for evaporation. The changes of the water contents in the soil column were monitored by volumetric water content sensors installed at various depths. The experimental results indicate the capillary drainage by the wicking geotextile effectively reduced water content within the soil column up to a distance from the wicking geotextile (i.e., approximately 200 mm for this specific aggregate with 10% fines). The test results also show that the wicking geotextile could reduce more water content of the aggregate below its optimum water content at a faster rate than the non-wicking geotextile.     

Spreading and Curing Behaviors of a Thermosetting Droplet-Silicone on a Heated Surface

Thermosetting materials are widely used as encapsulation in the electrical packaging to protect the core electronic components from external force, moisture, dust, and other factors. However, the spreading and curing behaviors of such kind of fluid on a heated surface have been rarely explored. In this study, we experimentally and numerically investigated the spreading and curing behaviors of the silicone(OE6550 A/B, which is widely used in the light-emitting diode packaging) droplet with diameter of ～2.2 mm on a heated surface with temperature ranging from 25 ℃ to 250 ℃. For the experiments, we established a setup with high-speed camera and heating unit to capture the fast spreading process of the silicone droplet on the heated surface. For the numerical simulation, we built a viscosity model of the silicone by using the Kiuna's model and combined the viscosity model with the Volume of Fluid(VOF) model by the User Defined Function(UDF) method. The results show that the surface temperature significantly affected the spreading behaviors of the silicone droplet since it determines the temperature and viscosity distribution inside the droplet. For surface temperature varied from 25 ℃ to 250 ℃, the final contact radius changed from ～2.95 mm to ～1.78 mm and the total spreading time changed from ～511 s to ～0.15 s. By further analyzing the viscosity evolution of the droplet, we found that the decreasing of the total spreading time was caused by the decrease of the viscosity under high surface temperature at initial spreading stage, while the reduction of the final contact radius was caused by the curing of the precursor film. This study supplies a strategy to tuning the spreading and curing behavior of silicone by imposing high surface temperature, which is of great importance to the electronic packaging.