The Tunable Porous Structure of Gelatin–Bioglass Nanocomposite Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering Applications: Physicochemical,Mechanical, and In Vitro Properties

Unidirectional freeze‐casting method is used to fabricate gelatin–bioglass nanoparticles (BGNPs) scaffolds. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images show that sol–gel prepared BGNPs are distributed throughout the scaffold with diameters of less than 10 nm. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and differential scanning calorimetric are used to evaluate the physicochemical properties of BGNPs. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs present an oriented porous structure and a homogeneous distribution of BGNPs in the gelatin matrix. The lamellar‐type structure indicates an improvement of mechanical strength and absorption capacity of the scaffolds. Increasing the concentration of BGNPs from 0 to 50 wt% have no noticeable effect on pore orientation, but decreases porosity and pore size distribution. Increase in BGNPs content improves the compressive strength. The absorption and biodegradation rate reduces with augmentation in BGNPs concentration. Bioactivity is evaluated through apatite formation after immersion of the nanocomposites in simulated body fluid and is verified by SEM–energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), an element map analysis, X‐ray powder diffractometer, and FTIR spectrum. SEM images and methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay confirm the biocompatibility of scaffolds and the supportive behavior of nanocomposites in cellular spreading. The results show that gelatin–(30 wt%)bioglass nanocomposites have incipient physicochemical and biological properties.     

基于智能机器人视觉清理系统研究

针对铸造类零件人工清理效率低、劳动强度大、成本高等问题,论文提出一种基于机器视觉的智能机器人清理系统。设计了由CCD摄像机、图像采集卡、输入输出单元、控制装置构成的机器人硬件系统,搭建了图像采集、处理分析、学习识别软件系统。通过对金属型铸造的盖板、导体类零件浇口、冒口等清理部位机械化自动化清理工作的多次实验验证,零件残留小于1mm,清理准确率达到97.6%,该系统所有指标达到设计要求,满足了工厂对于零部件毛刺智能化清理的要求。     

Solidification of Be-free Ni-based dental alloy

A novel, Nb- and Si-rich and Be-free Ni-based alloy was cast by two methods of investment casting and continuous casting to study the microstructure evolution during solidification and its mechanical properties. The solidification of the alloy started with the primary crystallization of FCC-γ, followed by a binary eutectic reaction, with the formation of a heterogeneous constituent: FCC-γ+G-phase, which replaced the low-melting eutectic (FCC-γ+NiBe) in the Be-bearing alloys. AlNi₆Si₃ and γ′ formed during the terminal stages of solidification by investment casting, while the formation of AlNi₆Si₃ was suppressed by continuous casting. The Scheil solidification model agreed very well with the experimental results.     

A pseudo-transient heat transfer simulation of a continuous casting process,employing the element-free Galerkin method

The present work has been conducted in order to develop a novel solution for the heat transfer problem during the continuous casting of steel billets and blooms, by using the element-free Galerkin method under a pseudo-transient moving cross-section slice approach. The transport laws, non-linear aspects and boundary conditions of the initial value problem have been specified. A detailed explanation concerning the characteristics inherent to the application of the element-free Galerkin method to this problem has also been provided. The feasibility and suitability of this novel approach has been verified by comparison with the numerical techniques proposed and the results reported by other researchers as well as an analytical solution of a simple 1-D alloy solidification problem. The results have revealed that this technique could be used successfully in the pseudo transient moving cross-section solution of the heat transfer problem involved in the continuous casting of blooms and square billets.     

Influence of alkaline oxide on the deformation of ceramic shell mould at high temperatures during investment casting

In this investigation, the effect of alkaline oxides such as Na₂O and K₂O on the deformation of ceramic shell mould was studied at high temperatures. Two groups of ceramic shell mould samples were prepared by impregnating them with a solution of NaOH and KOH of different concentrations. Systematic creep test was conducted under different compression loads at 2?MPa, 4?MPa and 6?MPa using a specially designed creep testing equipment between 1200 and 1350?°C. The obtained results were analyzed based on Norton-Bailey-Arrhenius (NBA) equation. The phase transformation and micromorphology evolution of different samples were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. From the results it was observed that the activation energy of ceramic shell mould used was about 198?kJ/mol below 1300?°C, whereas it increased to 325?kJ/mol near 1350?°C with a stress exponent of around 1.50 at all the temperatures. Adding Na₂O and K₂O decreased the activation energy at low temperature and increased it at high temperature. Besides, the stress exponent obviously decreased to nearly 1.00 below 1300?°C indicated the dominance of interface sliding mechanism, which then increased back to 1.30–1.60 at 1350?°C suggesting a combined creeping mechanism. Based on the results of XRD and SEM, it could be noted that during the creeping process the temperature played an important role in changing the interface structure.     

Examination of Interpenetrating Polymer Networks of Polyurea in Silicone Molds Arising during Vacuum Casting Processes

We present an in-depth investigation of the aging effects in silicone molds for vacuum casting processes. Their lifetime is limited to a few production cycles due to contamination with the diisocyanate component of polyurethane casting materials. Using thermogravimetric analysis measurements, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and helium-ion-microscopy the chemical and physical mechanisms of the aging process have been identified. It has been shown that a diffusion process of diisocyanate into the cavity surface leads to the formation of interpenetrating polymer networks of polyurea derivatives in silicone rubber. This has been proven by extracting and analyzing polyurea of low molecular weights from the silicone.     

Making reusable reaction-bonded silicon nitride crucibles for silicon casting from kerf-loss silicon waste

Silicon kerf loss during wafer slicing and the broken quartz crucibles after silicon casting are two major solid wastes from photovoltaic (PV) industry. Especially, the recycle of kerf-loss silicon has become an urgent issue because near 100 000 t of solid wastes are generated every year. One of the most meaningful recycle routes of the kerf-loss silicon is to make silicon nitride crucibles to replace the quartz crucibles. In this study, we demonstrated how this is feasible through acid leaching refining, slip casting, and nitridation. The reaction-bonded silicon nitride (RBSN) crucibles after oxidation were found pure enough for silicon ingot growth. More importantly, they could be reused after ingot growth. With the present examples, the potential of using the kerf-loss silicon for fine ceramics is prominent.     

汽车发动机用AZ91D合金的表面喷涂与性能

采用热喷涂工艺在压铸态AZ91D合金表面制备了Al涂层,研究了热处理温度和保温时间对AZ91/Al涂层界面组织形貌的影响,并对比分析了扩散层的耐腐蚀性能和耐磨性能。结果表明,热处理前Al涂层与基材为机械结合,热处理后Al涂层与AZ91合金基材的界面处可形成冶金结合扩散层,且随着保温时间延长,扩散层厚度不断增加;热处理温度在375 ℃以下时扩散层主要由β-Mg₁₇Al₁₂相构成,375 ℃×8 h热处理后为α-Mg+β-Mg₁₇Al₁₂相,425 ℃×1 h热处理后为γ-Mg₂Al₃和β-Mg₁₇Al₁₂相。AZ91合金基材和扩散层腐蚀电位从高至低顺序为γ>β>α+β>AZ91合金基材,扩散层的腐蚀电流密度均低于AZ91合金基材,阻抗谱图中容抗弧半径从大至小顺序为γ>β>α+β>AZ91合金基材,扩散层的耐腐蚀性能均优于AZ91合金基材;γ、β和α+β扩散层的摩擦稳定性系数都高于AZ91合金基材,而磨损速率和磨痕宽度都要小于AZ91合金基材,其中β扩散层的磨损速率和磨痕宽度最小,具有最佳的抵抗磨损的能力。     

Porous SiC using polycarbosilane/camphene solutions: Roles of freeze casting parameters

In order to control the pore characteristics and macroscopical performance of porous ceramics, roles of the freeze casting parameters are the key points. Herein, aligned dendritic porous SiC was fabricated by freeze casting of PCS-camphene solutions with different solid loading, freeze front velocity, temperature gradient, and freezing temperature. Influence of these parameters on the microstructure and compressive strength of porous SiC was investigated. With increasing the PCS content, freeze temperature, freeze front velocity or temperature gradient, degree of undercooling of the camphene was increased, resulting in the formation of smaller pore size, decreased porosity and increased compressive strength. Compared to variables of freeze temperature and temperature gradient, increased freeze front velocity was more efficiency in improving the compressive strength of porous SiC, owing to the formation of smaller pore size and longer secondary dendritic crystals. Promising micron-sized porous SiC with high porosity (79.93 vol%) and satisfactory strength (15.84 MPa) was achieved for 10% PCS-camphene solution under optimized freezing conditions.     

Microstructure and dielectric properties of compositionally graded Ba1-xSrxTiO3 multilayer tunable capacitors

Li₂O/B₂O₃-added Ba_1-xSr_xTiO₃ (B_1-xS_xT) ceramics, where 0.2 ≤ x ≤ 0.35, were well densified at 920 °C with pure perovskite structure. The dielectric constant, tunability, and figure of merit (FOM) of B_1-xS_xT ceramics increased with x because of the decreasing Curie temperature (T_C). The specimen with x = 0.35, whose T_C was close to room temperature, exhibited a large tunability of 27.4 % and FOM of 110 at 10 kV/cm. A compositionally graded multilayer (CGML), which was sintered at 920 °C, was fabricated using B_1-xS_xT thick films to produce a temperature-stable tunable capacitor, and it evinced a dense microstructure and a continuous interface between the B_1-xS_xT thick film and the Ag electrode. This CGML capacitor showed a large tunability (51 %) and FOM (150) at 20 kV/cm. It also exhibited stable tunability (17–28 % at 10 kV/cm) at temperatures between 30–90 °C. Therefore, the B_1-xS_xT CGML capacitor is a suitable candidate for temperature-stable tunable capacitors.