Critical current density and mechanical performance of MgB2 superconductors prepared with different magnesium sources

In this study, the critical current density and mechanical performance of MgB₂ superconductors prepared using different magnesium sources (Mg and MgH₂ with 99.9% and 96.5% purities, respectively) were analyzed. When the samples were characterized structurally and electrically, we found that the grain sizes were about 40?nm and transition temperature was around 30?K being lower than the literature. Critical current densities of all samples were calculated using Bean's model and our calculations yielded critical current density values higher than 10⁶?A?cm^?2 in self-field. The highest critical transition temperature value belongs to M800 (Mg with 99.9% purity) sample and when the critical current density and transition temperature values of this sample are considered, this sample appears to have the potential for practical use. Vicker's microhardness measurements were performed and yield stress (Y), elastic modulus (E), brittleness (B_i), ductility (D) and fracture toughness (K_IC) were calculated. All samples exhibited Indentation Size Effect (ISE) and microhardness measurements were compared with some microhardness models with were compatible with ISE behavior.     

The reliability of asset management regime of the SROH using air void content of asphalt mixtures

The comparison pairs of cores (each 100 mm apart) from 68 reinstatements sites from various parts of the UK revealed that, the compounding consequences of generic non-homogeneous characteristics of hand laid recipe mixed materials (specified in Specification for the Reinstatement of Openings in Highways (SROH)) and high likeliness of being biased during air void (AV) testing makes the coring method extremely unreliable with very low repeatability and reproducibility. The wide-ranging maximum density reported in every instance in the comparison pair coring experiments meaningfully rationalizes the distorted homogeneity of materials. Although not only maximum density but also bulk density of adjacent cores located only 100 mm apart were found to be varied in the case of every pair in this study. Furthermore, the in situ performance shown by from 50 reinstatements after experiencing 1.5–10 years real-life ageing from various parts of the UK predictably indicates that either the linkage between the reinstatement with non-compliant AV and its impact on footways durability is non-proven or the reported AV content is extremely over estimated. At 95% level of significance, there exists enough evidence to conclude that, due to high uncertainty, very low repeatability and reproducibility and poor reliability with high chances of bias, the assessment of hand laid reinstatement work by AV testing will expose both the contractor and the client to unacceptable risk.     

Improving room-temperature electrochemical performance of solid-state lithium battery by using electrospun La2Zr2O7 fibers-filled composite solid electrolyte

Low ionic conductivity at room temperature and poor interfacial compatibility are the main obstacles to restrain the practical application of polymer solid electrolytes. In this work, lanthanum zirconate (LZO) fibers were prepared by electrospinning method and used for the first time as fillers in sandwich polypropylene carbonate (PPC)-based solid electrolyte. Meanwhile, a graphite coating was applied on one surface of the composite solid electrolyte (CSE) membrane. The results show that the LZO fibers significantly increases the room-temperature electrochemical performance of the CSE, and the graphite coating enhances the interfacial compatibility between electrolyte and lithium anode. Furthermore, an ultra-thin PPC-LZO CSE with a total thickness of 22 μm was prepared and used in NCM622/CSE/Li solid-state cell, which shows an initial discharge capacity of 165.6 mAh/g at the current density of 0.5C and a remaining capacity of 113.0 mAh/g after 250 cycles at room temperature. Rise to 1C, the cell shows an initial discharge capacity of 154.2 mAh/g with a remaining capacity of 95.6 mAh/g after 250 cycles. This ultra-thin CSE is expected to be widely applied in high energy-density solid-state battery with excellent room-temperature electrochemical performances.     

Observer-based prescribed performance attitude control for flexible spacecraft with actuator saturation

This paper investigates the prescribed performance attitude control problem for flexible spacecraft subject to external disturbances and actuator constraints. By using a new performance function and an error transformation, the attitude control system is transformed into an error system which will be kept bounded to ensure expected dynamic and steady-state responses. Compared with the commonly used performance function, the modified one has an explicit prespecified terminal time which determines the maximum convergence time of the attitude control system. A modal observer and a disturbance observer are designed to deal with the flexible vibration and disturbances, respectively. Furthermore, when considering actuator saturation, an improved control strategy is developed with an auxiliary system utilized to compensate the saturation. The stability of the closed-loop system is analyzed by Lyapunov theory. Simulation results show the effectiveness and performance of the proposed methods.     

组合轮径差对地铁车辆动力学性能的影响

为了研究各种轮径差组合形式对地铁车辆动力学性能的影响,基于车辆系统动力学和赫兹非线性接触理论,建立地铁动车非线性动力学模型,分析各种轮径差组合工况下地铁车辆的临界速度、平稳性、安全性和磨耗功率及其变化规律。结果表明:在多种轮径差组合工况下,轮径差增大会使地铁车辆的临界速度有较大幅度降低,会使地铁车辆的横向平稳性和磨耗功率明显增大;轮径差对地铁车辆的垂向平稳性、轮轴横向力、轮轨垂向力、脱轨系数和轮重减载率影响较小;通过左、右曲线时,轮径差对磨耗功率增幅的影响存在差异,但变化规律一致。     

在线粒度分析仪的工业应用

催化裂化催化剂应具有良好的颗粒分布,以保证良好的流化状态。一般要求催化剂颗粒<40μm的不大于25%,40～111μm不小于50%,>111μm的不大于30%。目前催化裂化催化剂生产过程中通常采用压力式喷雾干燥成型工艺,用高压泵把制备好的胶体在与热空气的接触中,迅速脱去水分汽化,即得到粉状或颗粒状干燥产品。现有生产装置在生产过程中,因分析结果滞后,无法及时指导装置调整催化剂成品的粒度分布,特引进使用了在线粒度分析仪。通过对该分析仪的简单研究,介绍了该分析仪的使用现状,并对使用中出现的问题进行了简单总结。     

Real-scale DEM simulations on the fault evolution process observed in sandbox experiments

The study of fault structures and stress states in accretionary prisms is important to elucidate the building and releasing of seismic energy as they control the generation of great earthquakes and tsunami. In this paper, we present the evolution process of three-dimensional fault structures performed in sandbox simulations using a discrete element method (DEM). To realize a real-scale sandbox simulation, we developed state-of-the-art techniques in high performance parallel computing for the DEM and performed the world’s largest DEM simulation using up to 1.9 billion particles with a similar grain size as real sand to identify the three-dimensional fault structure. The DEM simulations reproduced the undulation of fault structures, similar to those commonly found in nature. In addition, the characteristic grain motion was observed near the frontal fault before the commencement of the uplift event of the sand bed, which could be a precursor of tectonic events behind accretionary prism formation.     

NiH/Hβ催化剂的制备及催化正己烷异构化性能

采用浸渍还原法制备了一种新型镍氢化物/分子筛（NiH/Hβ）烷烃异构化催化剂，考察了催化剂制备条件及反应条件对其催化正己烷异构化性能的影响。结果发现，当活性组分质量分数为0.5%，反应温度为300 ℃，反应压力为2.0 MPa，氢/油摩尔比为4.0及质量空速为1.0 h^-1时，NiH/Hβ催化剂催化正己烷异构化活性最优，正己烷的转化率为83.0%，异构烷烃的选择性与收率分别达到78.6%、65.2%。根据实验结果，提出了NiH/Hβ催化剂催化正己烷异构化反应机理，证明NiH金属活性中心具有良好的加氢/脱氢功能。     

Effect of in-app components,medium, and screen size of electronic textbooks on reading performance,behavior, and perception

Although many app-based textbooks are available for students, reading have not been thoroughly outlined. This study aimed to understand how changes from paper to electronic textbooks have affected the academic reading task, investigate student users’ perceptions of in-app components and screen sizes, and identify issues affecting in-app components and task requirements. A mixed factorial design experiment was employed. Results showed that there were no significant changes in comprehension and time spent reading between print text and the iPad. Yet, student highlighting, notetaking, and reading behavior and perception significantly changed based on condition. In addition, students struggled to use in-app components and found them frustrating especially when accounting for sentence splitting. The findings presented can assist in understanding the changes in student reading behavior, which can be used to improve interface design of future e-textbooks.     

Enhanced electrochemical performance of LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 via titanium and boron co-doping

Titanium and boron are simultaneously introduced into LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂ to improve the structural stability and electrochemical performance of the material. X-ray diffraction studies reveal that Ti⁴⁺ ion replaces Li⁺ ion and reduces the cation mixing; B³⁺ ion enters the tetrahedron of the transition metal layers and enlarges the distance of the [LiO₆] layers. The co-doped sample has spherical secondary particles with elongated and enlarged primary particles, in which Ti and B elements distribute uniformly. Electrochemical studies reveal the co-doped sample has improved rate performance (183.1 mAh·g^-1 at 1 C and 155.5 mAh·g^-1 at 10 C) and cycle stability (capacity retention of 94.7% after 100 cycles at 1 C). EIS and CV disclose that Ti and B co-doping reduces charge transfer impedance and suppresses phase change of LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O_2.