Sequence-Dependent Nanofiber Structures of Phenylalanine and Isoleucine Tripeptides

The molecular design of short peptides to achieve a tailor-made functional architecture has attracted attention during the past decade but remains challenging as a result of insufficient understanding of the relationship between peptide sequence and assembled supramolecular structures. We report a hybrid-resolution model to computationally explore the sequence–structure relationship of self-assembly for tripeptides containing only phenylalanine and isoleucine. We found that all these tripeptides have a tendency to assemble into nanofibers composed of laterally associated filaments. Molecular arrangements within the assemblies are diverse and vary depending on the sequences. This structural diversity originates from (1) distinct conformations of peptide building blocks that lead to different surface geometries of the filaments and (2) unique sidechain arrangements at the filament interfaces for each sequence. Many conformations are available for tripeptides in solution, but only an extended β-strand and another resembling a right-handed turn are observed in assemblies. It was found that the sequence dependence of these conformations and the packing of resulting filaments are determined by multiple competing noncovalent forces, with hydrophobic interactions involving Phe being particularly important. The sequence pattern for each type of assembly conformation and packing has been identified. These results highlight the importance of the interplay between conformation, molecular packing, and sequences for determining detailed nanostructures of peptides and provide a detailed insight to support a more precise design of peptide-based nanomaterials.     

Size-dependent separation of graphene oxide by deformation of packed-gel in a chromatographic column

ABSTRACT

A deformable gel-packed chromatographic column was used to separate as-synthesized graphite oxide with different sizes. The synthesized gel (56 µm) was deformed by pressure of the fluid flow and the gaps in the gels showed a range of sizes. A suspension of graphene oxide (0.1 g/L, 10 mL) was injected, and graphene oxide in the elution had a size at 0.56 μm and 0.14 μm, whereas in half upper and bottom domain of the gel layer graphene oxide had a size at 33 µm and 2.9 µm, respectively, demonstrating that graphene oxide suspension was separated by size through gel layer.     

Novel hybrid serpentine-interdigitated flow field with multi-inlets and outlets of gas flow channels for PEFC applications

In our previous study, a novel flow field design for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) called “Hybrid Serpentine-Interdigitated (HSI)” had been proposed. Although it was very promising in terms of performance and pressure drop, it still had a major drawback of the low oxygen concentration area. To improve its design and performance, three HSI configurations with different numbers of gas inlet and outlet, namely one inlet and one outlet HSI (1-IO HSI), one inlet and two outlets HSI (1I-2O HSI) and two inlets and two outlets HSI (2-IO HSI) were numerically investigated and compared with the conventional single channel serpentine (1S). The investigation on the cell performance and other transport behaviors has been carried out using CFD techniques via ANSYS FLUENT software. At a practical operating potential of about 0.6 V of 50 cm² PEFCs, the 2-IO HSI offered the best distributions of oxygen, current density and water due to the shorter channel length. More importantly, the 2-IO HSI could contribute to a reduction in cathode pressure drop by 90%, as compared with the 1S, resulting in the enhancement in the net power output by 6%, approximately.     

基于CFD技术优化50 L发酵罐内气体分布器

通过CFD模拟技术对50L通气搅拌发酵罐内不同气体分布器的传质混合效果进行气液双相流模拟。首先对发酵罐自带气体分布器进行流场模拟,针对模拟结果提出两种改进气体分布器。结果表明:双层环形气体分布器表现出一种较理想的混合传质效果,为此类发酵罐的优化和放大提供一种有效的技术手段。     

7075铝合金热变形连接接头的组织与性能

应用Gleeble-3500热模拟机对7075铝合金进行了热变形连接试验,利用金相显微镜和扫描电镜对不同温度和保温时间的接头界面组织进行了观察和分析,并对接头进行了拉伸性能测试。结果表明:当连接温度为460 ℃,保温时间为24 h时,对界面进行EDS分析,界面处已经没有氧化物的偏聚,此时的力学性能最佳,抗拉强度达到444 MPa,屈服强度为265 MPa。     

Crystal-field engineering of ultrabroadband mid-infrared emission in Co2+-doped nano-chalcogenide glass composites

Tunable and ultrabroadband mid-infrared (MIR) emissions in the range of 2.5–4.5 μm are firstly reported from Co²⁺-doped nano-chalcogenide (ChG) glass composites. The composites embedded with a variety of binary (ZnS, CdS, ZnSe) and ternary (ZnCdS, ZnSSe) ChG nanocrystals (NCs) can be readily obtained by a simple one-step thermal annealing method. They are highly transparent in the near- and mid-infrared wavelength region. Low-cost and commercially available Er³⁺-doped fiber lasers can be used as the excitation source. By crystal-field engineering of the embedded NCs through cation- or anion-substitution, the emission properties of Co²⁺ including its emission peak wavelength and bandwidth can be tailored in a broad spectral range. The phenomena can be accounted for by crystal-field theory. Such nano-ChG composites, perfectly filling the 3–4 μm spectral gap between the oscillations of Cr²⁺ and Fe²⁺ doped IIVI ChG crystals, may find important MIR photonic applications (e.g., gas sensing), or can be used directly as an efficient pump source for Fe²⁺: IIVI crystals which are suffering from lack of pump sources.     

天然气新型气液分离器性能试验研究

为了解决天然气含有饱和水汽和少量烃降低输气效率、堵塞管线和设备等问题,利用旋风子、稳流元件、叶栅式分离元件、折流板式分离元件组合成新型天然气分离器。利用相位多普勒粒子分析仪对新型天然气分离器进出口粒子粒径与液态水含量的进行对比测试,以研究新型分离器的分离效率。结果表明:新型分离器具有良好的气液分离作用;在流量为10～64 m~3/h时,分离器的分离效率成抛物线形式,在33 m~3/h时分离器的分离效率降到最低值95.16%,主要原因是流量在33 m~3/h时,试验气液混合不均匀,导致内部流态紊乱,以至于试验测得分离效率相对偏低;在流量为10 m~3/h时分离器分离效率最高,为99.29%;分离器对该进口条件的气体中雾状液粒有较高的分离作用,且可以明显降低分离器出口气体中液粒的平均粒径;从进口到气相出口压力逐渐降低,总压降为950 Pa;流动区域速度梯度大不利于气液相分离,流动掺混会导致分离效率降低。     

锂离子在三维骨架复合锂金属负极中的沉积规律

锂金属具有极高的理论比容量和极低的氧化还原电极电势，成为了新一代高比能二次电池最理想的负极材料。然而，锂金属负极其走向大规模应用仍存在诸多问题与挑战。三维骨架复合负极可以控制金属锂均匀形核，低电流密度下均匀沉积，有望推动锂金属负极的实用化。为了更高效地指导锂金属负极设计和优化，采用相场理论，对三维骨架锂金属负极中比表面积对金属锂沉积过程的作用机制进行了定量分析和探究，发现了比表面积调控金属锂沉积的两阶段作用机理，并提出了基于比表面积参数的三维骨架负极设计与优化方向，从而最大程度发挥三维骨架在调控稳定金属锂负极上的积极作用。     

Thermoelastic analysis of laminated composite and sandwich shells considering the effects of transverse shear and normal deformations

Abstract

In the present study, thermoelastic analysis of laminated composite and sandwich shells (cylindrical/spherical) is presented using fifth-order shear and normal deformation theory. The significant characteristic of the present theory is that it includes the effects of both transverse shear and normal deformations. The mathematical formulation uses the principle of virtual work to derive the variationally consistent governing equations and traction free boundary conditions. To obtain the static solution, these governing equations are solved by employing Navier’s solution technique. The shell is subjected to a mechanical/thermal load sinusoidally distributed over the top surface of the shell. The thermal load linearly varies across the thickness of the shell. The present results are compared with other higher-order models and 3D elasticity solution wherever possible. Thermal stresses presented in this study will act as a benchmark for the future work.     

环氧丙烷产业现状及发展趋势

简述了全球及我国环氧丙烷产业的生产及供需现状;对环氧丙烷在聚醚多元醇、丙二醇/碳酸二甲酯、丙二醇醚及其酯类等领域的应用进行了分析;并对环氧丙烷生产技术进行了比较,提出了发展建议。