Composition-dependent xBa(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3-(1-x)(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3 bulk ceramics for high energy storage applications

This work reports the composition dependent microstructure, dielectric, ferroelectric and energy storage properties, and the phase transitions sequence of lead free xBa(Zr_0.2Ti_0.8)O₃-(1-x)(Ba_0.7Ca_0.3)TiO₃ [xBZT-(1-x)BCT] ceramics, with x?=?0.4, 0.5 and 0.6, prepared by solid state reaction method. The XRD and Raman scattering results confirm the coexistence of rhombohedral and tetragonal phases at room temperature (RT). The temperature dependence of Raman scattering spectra, dielectric permittivity and polarization points a first phase transition from ferroelectric rhombohedral phase to ferroelectric tetragonal phase at a temperature (T_R-T) of 40?°C and a second phase transition from ferroelectric tetragonal phase - paraelectric pseudocubic phase at a temperature (T_T-C) of 110?°C. The dielectric analysis suggests that the phase transition at T_T-C is of diffusive type and the BZT-BCT ceramics are a relaxor type ferroelectric materials. The composition induced variation in the temperature dependence of dielectric losses was correlated with full width half maxima (FWHM) of A₁, E(LO) Raman mode. The saturation polarization (P_s) ≈8.3?μC/cm² and coercive fields ≈2.9?kV/cm were found to be optimum at composition x?=?0.6 and is attributed to grain size effect. It is also shown that BZT-BCT ceramics exhibit a fatigue free response up to 10⁵ cycles. The effect of a.c. electric field amplitude and temperature on energy storage density and storage efficiency is also discussed. The presence of high T_T-C (110?°C), a high dielectric constant (ε_r ≈?12,285) with low dielectric loss (0.03), good polarization (P_s ≈?8.3?μC/cm²) and large recoverable energy density (W?=?121?mJ/cm³) with an energy storage efficiency (η) of 70% at an electric field of 25?kV/cm in 0.6BZT-0.4BCT ceramics make them suitable candidates for energy storage capacitor applications.     

The application of photography in investigating fraud

The impact of fraud on the world economy is significant. As fraud has evolved it has become more organized and increasingly cyber-enabled and committed across borders of law enforcement jurisdictions. The technological demands facing fraud investigators are increasing. Yet, little attention has been given to how forensic photography can help tackle emerging crime types, like fraud. This study reviews literature surrounding forensic photography and provides an up to date and collective narrative. This article focuses on the advancements in photography and how imaging-science techniques can apply to a fraud investigation. Photographic practice plays a key role in many crime investigations but must embrace continual change to ensure that it remains relevant to modern policing. Fresh approaches are essential and practitioners must fully utilize new technologies and adapt to tackle the increasingly demanding scope of fraud types.     

Imaging the Curie Point isothermal surface and predicting its impact on the geothermal regime within the Nile Delta,Egypt

The available aeromagnetic data together with information from some available wells have been used in the current study to shed the light on the geothermal setup of the Nile Delta Province. The aeromagnetic data was reduced-to-pole and critically analyzed using the Spectral Analysis Technique through the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), to determine the expected depths to the Basement and Curie Point (CPD) surfaces. The geothermal gradient between CPD and earth's surface was estimated, and accordingly the heat flow was evaluated using the proposed thermal conductivity. Then, the Basement Surface Temperature (BST) was estimated, by which the geothermal gradient and heat flow for the igneous-rocky basement and sedimentary-rocky horizon was independently predicted. By which, it could be possible to distinguish between the heat flow contribution from each horizon separately.     

Enhancing the Tribological Behavior of Lubricating Oil by Adding TiO2, Graphene,and TiO2/Graphene Nanoparticles

This article investigates the tribological behavior of nanoparticles (NPs) of titanium dioxide anatase TiO₂ (A), graphene, and TiO₂ (A) + graphene added to the pure base oil group ΙΙ (PBO-GΙΙ). The morphology of these two nanostructures of TiO₂ (A) and graphene was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Oleic acid (OA) was blended as a surfactant into the formulation to help stabilize the NPs in the lubricant oil. A four-ball test rig was used to determine the tribological performance of six different samples, and an image acquisition system was used to examine and measure the wear scar diameter of the stationary balls. Field emission–scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) was used to examine the wear morphology. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), element mapping, and Raman spectroscopy were employed to confirm the presence of (TiO₂ (A) + graphene) and the formation of a tribolayer/film on the mating surfaces. Moreover, a 3D optical surface texture analyzer was utilized to investigate the scar topography and tribological performance. The experiments proved that adding (0.4?wt% TiO₂ (A) + 0.2?wt% graphene) to the PBO-GΙΙ optimized its tribological behavior. These excellent results can be attributed to the dual additive effect and the formation of a tribofilm of NPs during sliding motion. Furthermore, the average reductions in the coefficient of friction (COF), wear scar diameter (WSD), and specific wear rate (SWR) were 38.83, 36.78, and 15.78%, respectively, for (0.4?wt% TiO₂ (A) + 0.2?wt% graphene) nanolubricant compared to plain PBO-GΙΙ lubricant.     

Hierarchical Coherent Phonons in a Superatomic Semiconductor

The coupling of phonons to electrons and other phonons plays a defining role in material properties, such as charge and energy transport, light emission, and superconductivity. In atomic solids, phonons are delocalized over the 3D lattice, in contrast to molecular solids where localized vibrations dominate. Here, a hierarchical semiconductor that expands the phonon space by combining localized 0D modes with delocalized 2D and 3D modes is described. This material consists of superatomic building blocks (Re₆Se₈) covalently linked into 2D sheets that are stacked into a layered van der Waals lattice. Using transient reflectance spectroscopy, three types of coherent phonons are identified: localized 0D breathing modes of isolated superatom, 2D synchronized twisting of superatoms in layers, and 3D acoustic interlayer deformation. These phonons are coupled to the electronic degrees of freedom to varying extents. The presence of local phonon modes in an extended crystal opens the door to controlling material properties from hierarchical phonon engineering.     

重水浓度与吸光度关系曲线类型研究

重水作为反应堆的慢化材料，其浓度直接影响反应堆的安全和性能。为研究其重水浓度与吸光度间的关系曲线类型，基于朗伯-比尔定律，从理论上推导出液态重水中某种水分子的红外吸收峰分别与0~2种其他水分子的红外吸收峰发生重叠时重水浓度与吸光度间的关系式，分情况对二者之间的关系曲线类型进行讨论。采用傅里叶变换红外光谱仪，测得浓度为0.015%~99.98%（摩尔比）的重水标准样品吸收光谱，对重水浓度和吸光度间的关系曲线类型进行验证，理论推导与实际吻合。研究表明，一般情况下，宽浓度范围内，重水浓度与吸光度间的关系曲线类型为二次曲线；窄浓度范围内，关系曲线类型为线性。特殊情况下，吸光度为定值或关系曲线类型为线性。     

Ta含量对NiCoCrAlY涂层性能的影响

采用真空雾化的方法制备了Ta含量为0、2%及5%的NiCoCrAlYTa合金粉末,利用超音速火焰喷涂制备了三种涂层,研究了Ta对合金粉末微观组织及物相的影响,绘制了1050℃条件下涂层的高温氧化动力学曲线,研究了500h氧化试验后涂层组织和β相的分布,初步探讨了Ta元素对改善涂层抗氧化性能的作用机理。研究结果表明:Ta通过提高MCrAlY体系抗氧化元素的溶质浓度,促进了氧化膜的形成,随着Ta含量的增加,涂层的内氧化程度降低,涂层抗氧化性能提高。但含Ta涂层在长时间氧化条件下会生成CrTaO_4、AlTaO_4等尖晶石类氧化物,且Ta的氧化物PBR值较大,对涂层的抗热震性能不利。     

Rapid screening of DON contamination in whole wheat meals by Vis/NIR spectroscopy and computer vision coupling technology

This work intends to develop an online experimental system for screening of deoxynivalenol (DON) contamination in whole wheat meals by visible/near-infrared (Vis/NIR) spectroscopy and computer vision coupling technology. Spectral and image information of samples with various DON levels was collected at speed of 0.15 m s⁻¹ on a conveyor belt. The two-type data were then integrated and subjected to chemometric analysis. Discriminant analysis showed that samples could be classified by setting 1000 μg kg⁻¹ as the cut-off value. The best correct classified rate obtained in prediction was 93.55% based on fusion of spectral and image features, with reduced prediction uncertainty as compared to single feature. However, quantification of DON by quantitative analysis was not successful due to poor model performance. These results indicate that, although not accurate enough to provide conclusive result, this coupling technology could be adopted for rapid screening of DON contamination in cereals and feeds during processing.     

基于超材料的无标记光学生物传感

超材料(metamaterials)因为能够在亚波长尺度范围内精细调控电磁波而受到人们广泛关注。超材料具有丰富的电磁模态,在表面支持高度局域场增强且对周围介电环境极其敏感,可应用于无标记光学生物传感领域。与传统光学生物传感器相比,超材料生物传感器具有小型化、集成化、高度灵敏、多功能可定制等突出优点。本文总结了近年来超材料生物传感器在可见光、近红外、中红外以及太赫兹波段的研究进展,包括折射率生物传感、表面增强拉曼散射、表面增强红外吸收和太赫兹生物传感等。