Improving gelling properties of myofibrillar proteins incorporating with cellulose micro/nanofibres

The effects of cellulose microfibres (CMFs, Average size: 100 ± 5 μm) and cellulose nanofibres (CNFs, Average size: 60 ± 3 nm) on the properties of myofibrillar protein (MP) gels from duck breast meat were studied. The results demonstrated that CMFs and CNFs were mostly connected to MP by non-covalent bonds, the diffusion and cross-linking of MP molecules was promoted, and a denser and more complete gel network was formed. With the increases of CMFs and CNFs concentration (0–10%), the hardness was increased by 13.15% and 19.78% for CMFs10% and CNFs10% gels, respectively, and the elasticity was increased by 40% and 80%, respectively. At the same concentration (0–10%), the increase in gel hardness, viscoelasticity and immobilised water content was greater in the CNFs-MP group than in the CMFs-MP group. The CNFs-MP group had a tighter gel network, and CNFs had a better potential to improve the gelation performance of MP.     

Research and demonstration on hydrogen compatibility of pipelines: a review of current status and challenges

Hydrogen transportation by pipelines gradually becomes a critical engineering route in the worldwide adaptation of hydrogen as a form of clean energy. However, due to the hydrogen embrittlement effect, the compatibility of linepipe steels and associated welds with hydrogen is a major concern when designing hydrogen-carrying pipelines. When hydrogen enters the steels, their ductility, fracture resistance, and fatigue properties can be adversely altered. This paper reviews the status of several demonstration projects for natural gas-hydrogen blending and pure hydrogen transportation, the pipeline materials used and their operating parameters. This paper also compares the current standards of materials specifications for hydrogen pipeline systems from different parts of the world. The hydrogen compatibility and tolerance of varying grades of linepipe steels and the relevant testing methods for assessing the compatibility are then discussed, and the conservatism or the inadequacies of the test conditions of the current standards are pointed out for future improvement.     

Preparation,structural and photocatalytic activity of Sn/Fe co-doped TiO2 nanoparticles by sol-gel method

Pure and Sn/Fe co-doped (0.2 at.% Sn and 0.6 at.% Fe, 0.6 at.% Sn and 0.2 at.% Fe, 1.0 at.% Sn and 1.0 at.% Fe) TiO₂ nanoparticles were synthesized via a sol-gel method and subsequently calcined at different temperatures. Furthermore, the particles were analyzed by TG-DSC, XRD, TEM, HRTEM, EDS, SAED and UV–Vis for investigating the influences of dopant and calcination temperature on the thermal effect, composition, morphology, energy band gap (E_g) and the degradation efficiency of methyl orange (MO) under various light irradiations respectively. Results indicated that Sn/Fe co-doping inhibited the crystallization transformation from anatase to rutile phase of TiO₂ and decreased the E_g. The increased calcination temperature and Sn/Fe co-doped effect brought about the abnormal grain growth of TiO₂ nanoparticles. 0.6 at.% Sn/0.2 at.% Fe and 1.0 at.% Sn/1.0 at.% Fe co-doped TiO₂ nanoparticles presented better photocatalytic performance than pure and 0.2 at.% Sn/0.6 at.% Fe co-doped TiO₂ nanoparticles under visible light irradiation mainly due to the decreased E_g. On the contrary, 0.2 at.% Sn and 0.6 at.% Fe co-doped TiO₂ nanoparticles calcined at 650 °C showed the most excellent photocatalytic performance under UV light irradiation, which was about twice as large as that of pure TiO₂ possibly due to the formed hybrid structure of anatase and rutile phase as well as the h⁺-mediated decomposition pathway.     

Crystallization behavior and density functional theory study of solution combustion synthesized silicon doped calcium phosphates

The influence of heat-treatment temperatures (700 °C, 900°C, 1200 °C) on the phase, physical properties, crystallization rate, and in vitro properties of the solution combustion synthesized silicon-doped calcium phosphates (CaPs) were investigated. The thermodynamic aspects (enthalpy, entropy, and free energy) of the synthesis process and the crystallographic properties of the final samples were first predicted and then confirmed using density functional theory (DFT). Results demonstrated that the crystallization rate was controlled by the fuel(s) type (glycine, citric acid, and urea) and the amounts of Si⁴⁺ ions (0, 0.1, 0.4 mol). The highest calculated crystallization rate values of the un-doped, 0.1, and 0.4 mol Si-doped samples were 64%, 22%, 38%, respectively. The obtained results from the DFT simulation revealed that crystal growth in the direction of c-axis of hydroxyapatite (HAp) structure could change the stability of (001) surface of (HAp). Also, the computational data confirmed the adsorption of Si–OH groups on the (001) surface of HAp during the SCS process with an adsorption energy of 1.53 eV. AFM results in line with DFT simulation showed that the observed change in the surface roughness of Si-doped CaPs from 2 to 8 nm could be related to the doping of Si⁴⁺ ions onto the surface of CaPs. Besides, the theoretical and experimental investigation showed that crystal growth and doping of Si⁴⁺ ions could decrease the activation energy of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Furthermore, the results showed that the crystallized HAp structure could have great potential to efficiently reduce oxidative stress in human body.     

Effects of non-thermal plasma treating wheat kernel on the physicochemical properties of wheat flour and the quality of fresh wet noodles

The effects of non-thermal plasma (NTP) on the physicochemical properties of wheat flour and the quality of fresh wet noodles ( FWN) were investigated. The results showed that NTP effectively decreased the total plate count (TPC), yeast and mould count (YMC) and Bacillus spp. in wheat flour. Wet gluten contents and the stability time reached the maximum when treated for 20 s. The viscosity of starch increased significantly after treatment due to the increased of damaged starch. The contents of secondary structure were altered to some extent, which was because that the ordered network structure of gluten protein broken. Furthermore, compared with the control, texture properties of FWN were enhanced significantly at 20 s, and the darkening rate of FWN was greatly inhibited due to the low polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity. Consequently, the most suitable treatment was 500 W for 20 s, providing a basis for the application of NTP in flour products.     

Effects of multiple freeze–thaw cycles on meat quality,nutrients, water distribution and microstructure in bovine rumen smooth muscle

This study investigated the effect of 5 freeze–thaw cycles (freezing at −18°C for 12 h and then thawing at 4°C for approximately 12 h) on the meat quality, proximate composition, water distribution and microstructure of bovine rumen smooth muscle (BSM). As the number of freeze–thaw cycles increased, BSM pH, shear force, water content and protein content decreased by 3.06%, 35.50%, 14.49% and 21.11%, respectively, whereas BSM thawing loss, cooking loss, pressing loss, total aerobic count (TAC), ash content and fat content increased by 108.12%, 47.75%, 78.33%, 90.99%, 105% and 35.20%, respectively. The freeze–thaw cycles resulted in greater protein and lipid oxidation, as evidenced by a 36.46% reduction in the sulfhydryl content and a 209.06% and 338.46% increase in the carbonyl and malondialdehyde contents, respectively. Ice crystal formation disrupted the structural integrity of the muscle tissue. Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance results showed that the freeze–thaw cycles prolonged the relaxation times (T_2b, T₂₁ and T₂₂), indicating that immobile water shifted to free water, and consequently, free water mobility increased. After 3 freeze–thaw cycles, the decline in shear force slowed, the increase in thawing loss became accelerated, and the TAC approached the domain value (6 log colony-forming units/g). Therefore, the number of freeze–thaw cycles of smooth muscle during transport, storage and distribution should be controlled to 3 or fewer. The current results provide a theoretical basis and data support for the further utilisation and culinary processing of smooth muscle.     

配分工艺对中碳Ti-Mo高强Q&P钢组织和性能的影响

摘要：采用盐浴实验、扫描电镜、透射电镜、拉伸实验和磨损实验等手段，研究了配分工艺对中碳Ti Mo钢组织和性能的影响，分析了不同配分工艺处理下的组织演变和性能变化。结果表明，显微组织主要由回火马氏体、渗碳体、(Ti，Mo)C粒子组成。随着配分时间的延长和配分温度的升高，板条马氏体数量减少，马氏体板条厚度增加，边界钝化。此外，随着配分温度从310℃提高至400℃，抗拉强度、硬度和低温冲击韧性同时下降，分别降低约250MPa、56HV和15J。最后，Ms以下温度配分（310℃）试样的耐磨损性能明显优于Ms以上温度配分（400℃）试样。Ms以下温度配分试样磨损表面形貌以塑性变形为主，Ms以上温度配分试样磨损表面以犁沟为主。     

Observation of table-like magnetocaloric effect and large refrigerant capacity in Nd6Fe13Pd1–xCux compounds

The table-like magnetocaloric effect is significant for the magnetic refrigeration applications above 20 K based on the Ericsson cycle. Herein, we prepared a series of Nd₆Fe₁₃Pd_1–xCu_x (x = 0.05, 0.1, 0.15) compounds by the arc-melting method. These compounds show the single crystalline phase in the tetragonal Nd₆Fe₁₃Si-type structure with the space group I4/mcm. A magnetic phase transition from ferromagnetism to antiferromagnetism and a metamagnetic transition from the antiferromagnetic state to the ferromagnetic state are observed in each of the compounds. The compounds exhibit table-like magnetocaloric effects with large refrigerant capacities. A constant ΔS_M in a temperature span of 40 K in the Nd₆Fe₁₃Pd_0.85Cu_0.15 compound are observed. For a field change of 0–5 T, the peak values of –ΔS_M for the Nd₆Fe₁₃Pd_0.95Cu_0.05, Nd₆Fe₁₃Pd_0.90Cu_0.10, and Nd₆Fe₁₃Pd_0.85Cu_0.15 compounds are estimated to be 4.8, 4.6 and 4.4 J/(kg·K) with corresponding refrigerant capacity values of 323, 331 and 316 J/kg, respectively. The obtained table-like magnetocaloric effects with large refrigerant capacities as well as fairly small thermal and magnetic hysteresis deem these series of compounds good candidates for single-phase magnetic refrigeration based on the Ericsson cycle.     

异种铁素体耐热钢接头界面组织及其影响

综述了铁素体与铁素体异种金属焊缝（dissimilar metal welds，DMWs）接头界面组织及其影响。结果表明，在焊后热处理或运行温度下的铁素体钢DMWs接头的不均匀界面组织中，通常会形成脱碳层和增碳层。在铁素体钢DMWs焊接接头界面组织影响因素中，焊缝金属的化学成分有重要影响；焊后热处理规范（温度和时间）、工作温度下运行时间的影响较为突出；焊接工艺参数的影响亦不可忽略。异种钢接头界面处近缝区裂纹的产生，以及接头的蠕变强度随Larson Miller 参数增大而下降等不利影响，均为异种钢界面碳迁移行为所导致。焊缝成分控制法是接头界面组织控制或改善的必要条件，而脱碳层部位转移法能有效防止裂纹发生，亦是接头安全运行的重要工艺措施之一。     

Microstructural and mechanical properties assessment of transient liquid phase bonding of CoCuFeMnNi high entropy alloy

The transient liquid phase (TLP) bonding of CoCuFeMnNi high entropy alloy (HEA) was studied. The TLP bonding was performed using AWS BNi-2 interlayer at 1050 °C with the TLP bonding time of 20, 60, 180 and 240 min. The effect of bonding time on the joint microstructure was characterized by SEM and EDS. Microstructural results confirmed that complete isothermal solidification occurred approximately at 240 min of bonding time. For samples bonded at 20, 60 and 180 min, athermal solidification zone was formed in the bonding area which included Cr-rich boride and Mn₃Si intermetallic compound. For all samples, the γ solid solution was formed in the isothermal solidification zone of the bonding zone. To evaluate the effect of TLP bonding time on mechanical properties of joints, the shear strength and micro-hardness of joints were measured. The results indicated a decrement of micro-hardness in the bonding zone and an increment of micro-hardness in the adjacent zone of joints. The minimum and maximum values of shear strength were 100 and 180 MPa for joints with the bonding time of 20 and 240 min, respectively.