Review of the phase change material (PCM) usage for solar domestic water heating systems (SDWHS)

The shortage in energy resources combined with the climb in greenhouse emissions is the main incentive beyond the deployment of solar energy resource in various applications. One of the most successful applications is the utilization of solar energy in the domestic water heating systems (DWHS) because 70% of the consumed energy in the residential segment is utilized for space heating and appliances in cold climates 1 . However, the full deployment of solar energy in domestic water heating is only possible when an energy storage system with acceptable price is available. Recently a new tendency for deploying phase change materials (PCMs) as an energy storage system is introduced in several solar DWHS. These systems are known as integrated PCM in solar DWHS and offer several advantages including high storage capacity, low storage volume, and isothermal operation during the charging and discharging phases. The present study reviews various techniques utilized for integrating the PCM in solar water heating systems and the utilized methods for enhancing the heat transfer characteristics of the PCM through the usage of extended surfaces and high conductive additives. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基于复合相变材料的梯级组合蓄热特性研究

针对潜热蓄热装置内部相变材料（PCM）导热系数偏小，蓄热速率过低的问题，对基于复合相变材料的两级串联式梯级蓄热装置的相变过程进行了数值研究。通过对不同热物性PCM工况的对比与分析，得到了装置在不同工况下的蓄热特性。结果表明，存在最佳的热扩散系数，使固定熔点的PCM实现“均匀等速相变”。同时，增大PCM的热扩散系数可以有效降低加热面温度，但随着热扩散系数的增大，加热面温度降低幅度减小。通过分析Stefan数，得到了装置最佳的参数，使工况蓄热效果最佳。最后，通过Stefan数为2.88时的实验工况验证了相关规律的正确性。     

机电控制无级变速器执行机构动态响应特性仿真研究

为研究夹紧力可调的机电控制无级变速器（EMCVT）电控电动执行机构的可靠性，及其速比和从动带轮夹紧力动态响应的影响因素，采用MATLAB/Simulink构建了EMCVT执行机构的动力学模型，设计了针对EMCVT电控电动执行机构的速比和夹紧力闭环控制器。对EMCVT输入转矩突变和目标速比突变两种工况进行了仿真分析，仿真结果表明：速比和从动带轮夹紧力动态响应的超调量和调节时间满足CVT的使用要求，从动带轮夹紧力响应时间小于1s，速比变化率可以达到2；EMCVT速比和从动带轮夹紧力动态响应的主要影响因素是执行电动机的负载和转动方向。     

A simple model for deep dynamic stall conditions

The present study is focused on modeling of dynamic stall behavior of a pitching airfoil. The deep stall regime is in particular considered. A model is proposed, which has a low implementation and computational complexity but yet is able to deal with different types of dynamic stall conditions, including those characterized by multiple vortex shedding at the airfoil leading edge. The proposed model is appraised against an extensive data set of experimental (α,C_L) curves for NACA0012. The results of an existing widely used model, having comparable complexity, are also shown for comparison. The proposed model is able to well reproduce not only the classic curves of deep dynamic stall but also the curves characterized by lift oscillations at high angles of attack due to the shedding of multiple vortices. Furthermore, the model appears to be robust to variations of its parameters from the optimal values and of the airfoil geometry. Finally, the model is successfully implemented in a commercial CFD software and applied to the simulation of a vertical axis wind turbine within the actuator cylinder approach. The accuracy of the prediction of the turbine power coefficient in the whole rotation cycle is very good for the optimal working condition of the turbine, for which the model parameters were calibrated. Fairly good accuracy is also obtained in significantly different working conditions without any further calibration.     

Design of energy‐efficient train speed profiles considering fixed‐block signaling system

In dense traffic railway networks, trains may often slow down or stop between stations owing to previous train delays. If preceding train trajectory can be predicted, energy‐efficient driving can be achieved by suppressing unnecessary speed changes. In this paper, we propose an algorithm to find energy‐efficient driving considering fixed‐block signaling (FBS) system by using dynamic programming (DP). DP is suitable for use because it can optimize the control inputs with discrete and state constraints. In this paper, we discuss energy‐efficient driving by considering a FBS system using some case studies of simulation. In the simulation, we examine a technique to drive an express train in an energy‐efficient way when the preceding local train is running toward the station with passing loops. The results show that the proposed method can derive complex speed profiles for energy‐efficient driving and the train can be operated with a maximum reduced energy consumption of 8.3%.     

Dynamic tensile mechanical properties and failure mode of zirconium diboride-silicon carbide ceramic composites

Dynamic indirect tension experiments were performed on zirconium diboride-silicon carbide (ZrB₂−20%SiC) ceramic. Flattened Brazilian disc specimens of ZrB₂−20%SiC were prepared to conduct dynamic tensile tests using the modified Split Hopkinson pressure bar system. The tensile experiments were completed at the range of loading rates from 7.53 to 74.71 GP s⁻¹. The tensile experimental results revealed that the zirconium diboride-silicon carbide ceramic composite is rate-sensitive in terms of the tensile strength and failure mode. The dynamic tensile strength increases linearly with the loading rate and changes from 195 MPa at 7.53 GP s⁻¹ to 654 MPa at 74.71 GP s⁻¹. Moreover, the dynamic tensile strength decreases with the increase in critical fracture time, which conforms to Tuler and Butcher's fracture criterion. In dynamic experiments, a high-speed camera was used to examine the tensile failure process, and fragments were collected to analyze the dynamic tensile failure mechanism. The tensile fracture mode of ZrB₂−20%SiC obviously showed the sensitivity of the loading rate. The fragment size of ZrB₂−20%SiC ceramic decreased but the quantity of fragments increased as the loading rate increased.     

热变形工艺对含硫非调质钢流变应力及组织的影响

在变形温度950~1150 ℃和应变速率0.01~5 s^-1下,通过Gleeble-3500热模拟试验机进行单道次压缩试验,研究了热变形工艺对含硫非调质钢F45MnVS流变应力及组织的影响。结果表明:随着应变速率的增大,热压缩过程中的峰值应力增加,随着温度的升高,峰值应力降低;动态再结晶平均晶粒尺寸随着应变速率、变形量的增加而减小,随着温度的提高而增大。     

Engineering Nanorobots for Tumor-Targeting Drug Delivery: From Dynamic Control to Stimuli-Responsive Strategy

Nanotechnology has been widely applied to the fabrication of drug delivery systems in the past decades. Recently, with the progress made in microfabrication approaches, nanorobots are steadily becoming a promising means for tumor-targeting drug delivery. In general, nanorobots can be divided into two categories: nanomotors and stimuli-responsive nanorobots. Nanomotors are nanoscale systems with the ability to convert surrounding energies into mechanical motion, whereas stimuli-responsive nanorobots are featured with activatable capacity in response to various endogenous and exogenous stimulations. In this minireview, the dynamic control of nanomotors and the rational design of stimuli-responsive nanorobots are overviewed, with particular emphasis on their contribution to tumor-targeting therapy. Moreover, challenges and perspectives associated with the future development of nanorobots are presented.     

纳米级超声造影剂的理论研究进展

为了克服超声造影剂中微米级气泡尺寸较大的局限性,大量研究人员对超声应用的替代造影剂(纳米级造影剂)进行了研究。随着生物纳米技术的飞速发展,纳米级超声造影剂在诊断与治疗领域有着广阔的发展前景。与超声造影剂中的微米级气泡相比,纳米级造影剂粒径较小,渗透能力极强,可以通过血管内皮间隙,进而可以实现血管外病变部位的显影。文中详细论述了超声造影剂在超声作用下的行为以及2种主要的纳米级造影剂:纳米气泡和纳米液滴造影剂,对其理论研究进展进行了总结,并提出了目前仍存在的一些问题及其未来的研究方向。     

隧道洞口上方危岩崩塌块石运动规律及其对隧道的危害

为揭示危岩崩塌块石的运动规律及其对下方隧道洞口的危害,以都香高速昭通段乐红隧道洞口高陡边坡危岩区崩塌体为研究对象,运用理论计算与Rockfall数值计算2种形式对危岩区崩塌体失稳后块石的运动特征进行预测,运用Abaqus有限元软件模拟不同初速度、不同冲击落点下块石冲击隧道结构的动力响应,揭示不同因素对块石冲击隧道结构的影响程度.结果 显示:理论计算与Rockfall数值计算结果吻合,崩塌块石经坠落、碰撞、滚动最终会与隧道引洞段上表面发生碰撞;与冲击落点相比,块石初速度对隧道结构的动力响应特性影响更大;块石冲击落点位于隧道圆拱圆心正上方位置时对隧道结构的损伤最大;不同冲击落点对碰撞回弹后块石的速度影响不大.