Dynamic simulation and lifecycle assessment of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles considering various hydrogen production methods

In this research study, a real model of a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle is simulated using Simcenter Amesim software. The software used for vehicle simulation enabled dynamic simulation, resulting in more precise simulation. Furthermore, considering that fuel cell degradation is one of the significant challenges confronting fuel cell vehicle manufacturers, we examined the impact of fuel cell degradation on the performance of hydrogen vehicles. According to the findings, a hydrogen vehicle with a degraded fuel cell consumes 14.3% more fuel than a fresh fuel cell hydrogen vehicle. A comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) is also performed for the designed hydrogen vehicle. The results of the hydrogen vehicle life cycle assessment are compared with a gasoline vehicle to fully understand the effect of hydrogen vehicles in reducing air emissions. The methods considered for hydrogen production included natural gas reforming, electrolysis, and thermochemical water splitting method. Furthermore, because the source of electricity used for electrolysis has a significant impact on the life cycle emission of a hydrogen vehicle, three different power sources were considered in this assessment. Finally, while a hydrogen vehicle with a degraded fuel cell emits lower carbon dioxide (CO₂) than a gasoline vehicle, the emitted CO₂ from this vehicle using hydrogen from electrolysis is approximately 25% higher than that of a new hydrogen vehicle.     

Effect of geotextile ageing and geomembrane surface roughness on the geomembrane-geotextile interfaces for heap leaching applications

A series of large scale direct shear experiments is used to investigate the effect of the geomembrane (GMB) surface roughness, geotextile (GTX) properties, and GTX ageing, on the GMB-GTX interface shear behaviour. Interfaces involving smooth, coextruded textured, and structured surface GMBs underlying four different nonwoven needle-punched staple fibres (GTXs) with mass per unit areas between 200 and 2400 g/m², and a geocomposite drain (GCD) are examined at normal stresses between 250 and 1000 kPa. The results showed that the interlocking between the GMB and GTX increased with increasing the GMB asperity height and/or decreasing the mass per unit area of the GTX. For the interfaces that involved GTXs preaged prior to the shear box experiments for up to 2 years at 85 °C, it was found that the 2400 g/m² heat bonded two-layered GTX exhibited internal shear failure at low shear displacements. However, all the highly aged single layered GTXs showed an increase in the peak interface friction angles with the increase in their ageing. For these single layered GTX, the results suggest that assessing the interface friction angles using unaged GTXs for the stability analysis is conservative as long as the GTX remains intact in the field.     

Liquefaction behavior of fiber-reinforced calcareous sands in unidirectional and multidirectional simple shear tests

A study on the liquefaction resistance of calcareous sands reinforced with polypropylene fibers was reported. Stress-controlled cyclic simple shear tests were conducted on specimens prepared at a relative density of 50%, with and without fiber reinforcements. The liquefaction behavior was investigated by considering the effects of fiber contents ranging from 0% to 1%, fiber lengths varying from 3 mm to 12 mm and loading patterns. The results indicated that increasing fiber content and fiber length resulted in a decrease in the deformation, a reduction in pore pressure accumulation rate, and improved the liquefaction resistance of calcareous sands. Additionally, the risk of soil liquefaction could be significantly reduced when the fiber content was greater than 0.8%. The multidirectional loading had a considerable effect in reducing the liquefaction resistance compared to unidirectional loading. Further, the stiffness degradation of calcareous sands decreased with increasing fiber content and fiber length. The pore pressure generated in the cyclic tests was analyzed and was found to be affected by fiber content. A pore pressure prediction model was proposed to obtain the pore pressure characteristics of fiber-reinforced calcareous sands under various fiber content conditions.     

菌酶协同改善花生粕的饲用品质

花生粕是重要的蛋白饲料原料，但由于其氨基酸不平衡，特别是精氨酸与赖氨酸比例严重失衡（精氨酸与赖氨酸含量比值在3~4，理想的精氨酸与赖氨酸含量比值为1.0），限制了其在动物养殖中的应用。研究了复合酶预处理结合乳酸菌发酵花生粕对其品质的改善。结果表明：经菌酶协同处理后，花生粕粗蛋白质含量由46.4%提高至506%，大分子蛋白明显降解为小分子蛋白，酸溶蛋白质含量由2.3%提高至17.8%，多肽含量由1.6%提高至15.7%，蛋氨酸和赖氨酸含量分别提高了77.1%和42.0%，精氨酸降解率为18.7%，精氨酸与赖氨酸含量比值从3.7降低至2.1，总酸含量由06%提高到4.7%，其中乳酸含量由0.64 mg/g提高至14.63 mg/g。菌酶协同处理后的花生粕抗氧化性明显增强，其中每克菌酶协同处理后的花生粕对羟自由基的清除能力与171.6 mg VC相当，比花生粕（与47.6 mg VC相当）提高了2.6倍。     

Construction of CaTiO3 nanosheets with boron nitride quantum dots as effective photogenerated hole extractor for boosting photocatalytic performance under simulated sunlight

Herein, titanate-based perovskite CaTiO₃ nanosheets were successfully designed via boron nitride quantum dots (BNQDs) to fabricate CaTiO₃/BNQDs catalyst. The as-fabricated composite catalysts were analysed by transmission electron microscope (TEM), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM-EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–vis spectroscopy (UV-DRS), photoluminescence (PL) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. SEM-Mapping analysis showed that the boron and nitrogen elements dispersed well over the CaTiO₃ surface which was useful for building electronic channels for rapid transport of photo-induced charge pairs. TEM images verified the attachment of BNQDs around the surface of host CaTiO₃ forming intimate interface while the distribution of chemical states was observed by XPS analysis demonstrating strong coupling effect between BNQDs and CaTiO₃ through Ti–O–N and Ti–O–B bonds. Moreover, PL and light absorption properties enhanced with the quantum confinement effect of BNQDs. As expected, the photocatalytic degradation rate of CaTiO₃/BNQDs was increased to k_app = 0.015 min^{? 1} with optimum BNQDs loading, which was 2.31 times folder than that of bare CaTiO₃ (0.006 min^{? 1}). The enhanced photocatalytic efficiency was observed for CaTiO₃/BNQDs than pristine perovskite on account of formation of electron tapping sites, decreased band gap energy and hindered recombination rate. On the other hand, in the presence of H₂O₂, the degradation percentage increased from 88.5% to 92.1% at the end of 120 min of irradiation while 96.8% of TC was quickly degraded within 60 min after activating with peroxymonosulfate which created strong sulphate radicals. Radical trapping tests indicated that the photo-generated holes were the primary active species in the photocatalytic mechanism. Moreover, CaTiO₃/BNQDs catalyst showed excellent stability in recycling tests. Besides, the possible degradation mechanism was proposed. This study shed light on the significance of BNQDs in the enhancement of the photocatalytic activities of titanate-based perovskite for effective degradation of tetracycline antibiotic in contaminated water.     

Strong tribocatalytic dye degradation by tungsten bronze Ba4Nd2Fe2Nb8O30

The triboelectric effect has recently demonstrated its great potential in environmental remediation and even new energy applications for triggering a number of catalytic reactions by utilizing trivial mechanical energy. In this study, Ba₄Nd₂Fe₂Nb₈O₃₀ (BNFN) submicron powders were used to degrade organic dyes via the tribocatalytic effect. Under the frictional excitation of three PTFE stirring rods in a 5 mg/L RhB dye solution, BNFN demonstrates a high tribocatalytic degradation efficiency of 97% in 2 h. Hydroxyl radicals (?OH) and superoxide radicals (?O₂－) were also detected during the catalysis process, which proves that triboelectric energy stimulates BNFN to generate electron-hole pairs. The tribocatalysis of tungsten bronze BNFN submicron powders provides a novel and efficient method for the degradation of wastewater dye by utilizing trivial mechanical energy.     

State-of-the-art technology: Recent investigations on laser-mediated synthesis of nanocomposites for environmental remediation

In both developing and industrialized/developed countries, various hazardous/toxic environmental pollutants are entering water bodies from organic and inorganic compounds (heavy metals and specifically dyes). The global population is growing whereas the accessibility of clean, potable and safe drinking water is decreasing, leading to world deterioration in human health and limitation of agricultural and/or economic development. Treatment of water/wastewater (mainly industrial water) via catalytic reduction/degradation of environmental pollutants is extremely critical and is a major concern/issue for public health. Light and/or laser ablation induced photocatalytic processes have attracted much attention during recent years for water treatment due to their good (photo)catalytic efficiencies in the reduction/degradation of organic/inorganic pollutants. Pulsed laser ablation (PLA) is a rather novel catalyst fabrication approach for the generation of nanostructures with special morphologies (nanoparticles (NPs), nanocrystals, nanocomposites, nanowires, etc.) and different compositions (metals, alloys, oxides, core-shell, etc.). Laser ablation in liquid (LAL) is generally considered a quickly growing approach for the synthesis and modification of nanomaterials for practical applications in diverse fields. LAL-synthesized nanomaterials have been identified as attractive nanocatalysts or valuable photocatalysts in (photo)catalytic reduction/degradation reactions. In this review, the laser ablation/irradiation strategies based on LAL are systematically described and the applications of LAL synthesized metal/metal oxide nanocatalysts with highly controlled nanostructures in the degradation/reduction of organic/inorganic water pollutants are highlighted along with their degradation/reduction mechanisms.     

Mathematical law of size effect on the flexural property of ceramics

Brittle materials generally exhibit size effects, and the mechanical properties of these materials degrade significantly with an increase in size. However, the mathematical law governing the attenuation degree of mechanical properties with the increase in size is still unknown. In this study, maximum loads of differently sized ceramic test strips were subjected to three point bending tests under two working conditions of equal spans and span amplifications, respectively. Subsequently, the theoretical maximum loads of materials were calculated using the finite element method (FEM). By calculating the difference between the calculated values and the actual maximum loads, the attenuation of mechanical properties of ceramic samples were observed. The results show that the theoretical mechanical properties and the performance attenuation caused by the size effect tend to increase according to the following equation: y=ax³+bx²+cx+d. Therefore, mechanical properties and performance attenuation of any sample exhibiting a size within the experimental range can be predicted by a mathematical law, which was obtained through mechanical tests results of four samples with different sizes. The obtained mathematical law holds great significance for predicting the mechanical properties of materials under size effects.     

柠檬马鞭草精油结合亚麻籽胶对大菱鲆肌原纤维蛋白生化特性及构象的影响

本文旨在探究柠檬马鞭草精油结合亚麻籽胶对冰温贮藏大菱鲆肌原纤维蛋白(myofibril protein,MP)生化特性及构象的影响。以未涂膜处理组为对照,实验组用添加质量浓度为0%、0.128%、0.64%和1.28%柠檬马鞭草精油的复合涂膜处理,分析冰温贮藏期间大菱鲆MP结构及生化特性的变化。结果表明:随着贮藏时间的延长,所有组大菱鲆MP的总巯基含量和Ca^2+-ATPase活性均不断下降,游离氨基酸含量不断上升,且经0.128%质量浓度柠檬马鞭草精油复合涂膜处理的大菱鲆MP的总巯基含量在贮藏15 d后比对照组增加了22.04%,表明复合涂膜显著抑制了MP的氧化。傅里叶变换红外光谱测定发现复合涂膜处理抑制了α-螺旋相对含量的减少,同时涂膜能显著减缓内源荧光强度的下降速率,维持大菱鲆MP结构的稳定。此外,透射电镜观察表明添加0.128%质量浓度柠檬马鞭草精油复合涂膜处理的大菱鲆在贮藏后期依然保持较完整的肌原纤维结构。因此,柠檬马鞭草精油-亚麻籽胶复合涂膜能显著抑制冰温贮藏大菱鲆MP的氧化和降解,且精油质量浓度为0.128%时抑制效果最佳,表明这种复合涂膜用来保鲜大菱鲆具有一定的应用前景。     

新疆发酵驼乳中分解植酸盐酵母菌的筛选及鉴定

为发掘和保护新疆牧区传统发酵驼乳中潜在益生酵母菌资源，从新疆伊犁地区不同牧区采集12份传统发酵驼乳样品，通过酵母浸出粉胨葡萄糖（YPD）培养基分离酵母菌，通过富含植酸二钾的培养基初筛及降解植酸盐能力的测定从中筛选可降解植酸盐的酵母菌，通过形态观察、生理生化试验及5.8S rDNA ITS1/ITS4区域序列同源性分析进行菌种鉴定，并测定其耐酸及耐胆盐性能。结果表明，筛选出11株可分解植酸盐的酵母菌，鉴定8株为库德毕赤酵母（Pichia kudriavzevii），2株为白地霉（Geotrichum candidum），1株为乳酸克鲁维酵母（Kluyveromyces lactis），其中库德毕赤酵母菌BJ9-12在模拟胃液和模拟肠液中的存活率分别为87.79%和81.50%，耐酸及耐胆盐性能较好，且培养48 h时分解植酸盐的透明圈直径达到3.45 cm，在发酵食品中具有良好的应用潜力。