Physical characteristics of AFEX-pretreated and densified switchgrass,prairie cord grass,and corn stover

The goal of the study was to evaluate and compare the physical properties of control, pretreated and densified corn stover, switchgrass, and prairie cord grass samples. Ammonia Fiber Expansion (AFEX) pretreated switchgrass, corn stover, and prairie cord grass samples were densified by using the comPAKco device developed by Federal Machine Company of Fargo, ND. The densified biomass were referred as “PAKs” in this study. All feedstocks were ground into three different grind size of 2, 4 and 8 mm prior to AFEX pretreatment and the impact of grinding on pellet properties was studied. The results showed that the physical properties of AFEX-PAKed material were not influenced by the initial grind size of the feedstocks. The bulk density of the AFEX-PAKed biomass increased by 1.2–6 fold as compared to untreated and AFEX-pretreated materials. The durability of the AFEX-PAKed materials were between 78.25 and 95.2%, indicating that the AFEX-PAKed biomass can be transported easily. To understand the effect of storage on the physical properties of these materials, samples were stored in the ambient condition (20 ± 2 °C and 70 ± 5% relative humidity) for six months. After storage, thermal properties of the biomass did not change but glass transition temperature decreased. The water absorption index and water solubility index of AFEX-treated and AFEX-PAKed biomass showed mixed trends after storage. Moisture content decreased and durability increased upon storage.     

An experimental approach towards increasing mechanical durability of extruded fish feed in the drying process

Mechanical durability of extruded fish feed must be optimized to lower economic losses as well as emission of organic matter to aquatic environments. The glass transition hypothesis for viscoelastic biopolymers is demonstrated and confirmed experimentally to be valid for extruded fish feed pellets. It is proposed and demonstrated that it is important to avoid early glass transition onset, to optimize the obtained mechanical durability. From the proposed glass transition hypothesis, immediate process relevance to the pre-drying transport mechanism is demonstrated. Furthermore, measured mechanical durability is found to range from 1.5 to 5.0% loss, for different combinations of drying parameters.     

Fatigue life improvement of 12Cr1МoV steel by irradiation with Zr+ ion beam

Cyclic tension and bend tests were performed on heat-resistant 12Cr1MoV steel specimens in as-supplied condition as well as after Zr⁺ ion beam surface irradiation. Distinct differences in strain induced relief, as well in cracking pattern of modified surface layer were observed by optical microscopy and interference profilometry. Changes in subsurface layer are characterized by means of nano- and microindentation and fractography of fracture surfaces (with the help of scanning electron microscopy). It is shown that the main influence on mechanical properties is mostly induced by thermal treatment during irradiation rather than formation of a 2 μm thick layer doped with Zr. The differences in deformation behavior may be explained by physical mesomechanics concepts.     

Durable,Sensitive, and Wide‐Range Wearable Pressure Sensors Based on Wavy‐Structured Flexible Conductive Composite Film

Flexible pressure sensors have potential applications in human motion monitoring and electronic skins. To satisfy the practical applications, pressure sensors with a high sensitivity, a low detection limit, a broad response range, and an excellent stability are highly needed. Here, a piezoresistive pressure sensor based on wavy‐structured single‐walled carbon nanotube/graphite flake/thermoplastic polyurethane (SWCNT/GF/TPU) composite film is fabricated by a prestretching process. Due to the random wavy structure, high conductivity, and good flexibility, the prepared sensor displays a low detection limit of 2 Pa, a wide sensing range of 0–60 kPa, and a high sensitivity of 5.49 kPa^?1 for 0–50 Pa. Furthermore, the sensor shows a remarkable repeatability of over 1.1 × 10⁴, 9.0 × 10³, and 2.0 × 10³ pressure loading/unloading cycles at 50 Pa, 500 Pa, and 30 kPa, respectively, and a fast responsibility of 100–150 ms of loading response time and 400–600 ms of relaxation time. Therefore, the pressure sensor is successfully adopted to monitor both the large‐scale human activities (e.g., walk and jump) and the small‐scale signals (e.g., wrist pulse). Furthermore, a sensor array is assembled to map the weight and shape of an object, indicating its various potential applications including human–machine interactions, human health monitoring, and other wearable electronics.     

Sustainable biocarbon as an alternative of traditional fillers for poly(butylene terephthalate)-based composites: Thermo-oxidative aging and durability

Sustainable biocomposites have gained considerable interest as an alternative to conventional composites in recent years due to their cost-effectiveness and environmental friendliness. The aim of this study was to investigate the performance and durability behavior of biocomposites from sustainable biocarbon (BC) as compared to conventional established fillers. The poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) and its composites reinforced with BC, talc, and glass fiber (GF) were prepared and the durability performances was investigated. The study showed that BC/PBT biocomposites provided a lighter weight alternative to traditionally used fillers. After undergoes thermo-oxidative aging, the mechanical properties of BC/PBT biocomposite were deteriorated. The GF/PBT showed the most stable in retaining its mechanical properties in comparison to the talc/PBT and BC/PBT. The aging behavior and mechanism of the PBT composites were discussed. This study provides further insight on the durability-related properties progression of biocomposites as compared to traditional used fillers. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47722.     

新国标烯烃限值的无铅汽油对汽车耐久性能的影响

选用3种轿车,使用烯烃含量接近新国标限值35％的无铅汽油,行驶8×10~4km,进行整车和发动机台架检测,并对进气阀和喷嘴进行评定。试验结果表明,在行驶8×10~4km后,整车的动力性、经济性很稳定,电喷车的排放检测值符合现行国标的限值要求;进气阀较清洁,喷嘴流量损失小;发动机外特性、比油耗、活塞窜气量、汽缸压缩压力等都变化不大。这说明,符合现行国标烯烃限值要求的无铅汽油适合目前我国汽车的使用并能满足现行排放法规的要求。     

Optical switching properties of RCo2-type alloy thin films by electrochemical hydrogenation

The switchable optical properties of Pd-protected RCo₂-type Ho_0.6Mm_0.4Co₂ alloy thin films have been investigated in a KOH electrolyte. The reversible optical switching has been carried out simultaneously by measuring transmitted light through the thin film during electrochemical charging–discharging of hydrogen. The dependence of switching speed and cyclic durability of the film on the charging and discharging current density as well as concentration of KOH electrolyte has been studied. In addition, cyclic voltammetric measurements have been performed to examine the hydride formation and decomposition reactions.     

青藏铁路西格二线混凝土冻融试验研究

由于工期的要求,青藏铁路西格增建二线必须进行冬期施工。根据工程状况,分析了混凝土受冻的破坏机理,针对施工环境及对混凝土设计强度和要求,进行了大量冻融试验分析,对引气剂、水胶比、砂率、粉煤灰掺量等原材料与混凝土含气量的关系及其混凝土搅拌温度与静停时间等对混凝土性能的影响进行了分析与技术论证,确保了该线冬期混凝土施工顺利进行。     

高性能混凝土的尝试

针对普通混凝土耐久性差、寿命短等不足 ,结合实践试验 ,阐述了大掺量的粉煤灰制作高性能混凝土的试验方法 ,并对其试验效果进行了评析。指出了制作高性能混凝土的普遍可行性     

腐蚀环境中海工混凝土抗氯离子侵蚀性

模拟我国南方沿海浪溅区和水位变动区的海工钢筋混凝土结构物的腐蚀环境，对掺入粉煤灰和矿渣的混凝土抗氯离子侵蚀性进行了试验。结果表明，在水灰比相同的条件下，加掺和料的混凝土抗氯离子侵蚀性高于普通混凝土。