High stability superhydrophobic glass-ceramic surface with micro–nano hierarchical structure

Inspired by the surface structure of lotus leaves, micro–nano hierarchical surface structures have been widely used for designing superhydrophobic surfaces. However, the conventionally designed superhydrophobic surface structures are fragile. In this study, a layer of micron-sized mullite whiskers was grown using molten salt on the surface of BaAl₂Si₂O₈ (BAS) glass ceramics. Subsquently, SiO₂ nanoparticles modified with 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane were sprayed onto the whisker layer to form a superhydrophobic surface. The nanoparticles exhibit superhydrophobicity, which is protected by the whisker layer containing pores and bulges. This prohibits direct contact between the nanoparticles and external objects. Contact and rolling angle tests indicated that the surface contact angle of the micro–nano hierarchical structure is 158° and the rolling angle is less than 10°. The stability of the superhydrophobic surface was tested through ultraviolet light, long-time immersion in solutions with various pH values, water scouring, and sandpaper abrasion. The results showed that the contact angle is greater than 150°. This study is expected to provide a simple and effective method for fabricating superhydrophobic surfaces on ceramics on a large scale.     

Mechanical and thermal properties and microstructural evolution of Ta-doped Nb4AlC3

(Nb_1-xTa_x)₄AlC₃ (x = 0–0.5) ceramics were prepared by the hot press sintering method. The XRD results show that the second phase (Nb_1-xTa_x)C is formed when the Ta content increases to 25 mol%. The SEM micrographs show that (Nb_1-xTa_x)C has a core/rim structure, whose formation mechanism was also investigated. Substituting some Ta for Nb can significantly improve the mechanical properties of Nb₄AlC₃. (Nb_0.75Ta_0.25)₄AlC₃ exhibits an excellent fracture toughness of 8.3 ± 0.3 MPa m^1/2 at room temperature (RT). The highest Young's modulus (349 ± 16 GPa) and Vickers hardness (4.5 ± 0.3 GPa) at RT are exhibited by the (Nb_0.5Ta_0.5)₄AlC₃ sample, which correlate to increases of 18% and 80%, respectively, compared with those of Nb₄AlC₃. The flexural strengths of (Nb_0.5Ta_0.5)₄AlC₃ are 439 ± 18 MPa at RT and 344 ± 22 MPa at 1100 °C, which correlate to increases of 27% and 45%, respectively, compared with those of Nb₄AlC₃. The solid solution of Ta and the formation of (Nb_1-xTa_x)C are beneficial to the strengthening of Nb₄AlC₃. The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) increases slightly from 7.08 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ for Nb₄AlC₃ to 7.24 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ for (Nb_0.75Ta_0.25)₄AlC₃ at 25–1400 °C. The thermal conductivity of (Nb_0.75Ta_0.25)₄AlC₃ (28.4–29.8 W/m·K) is higher than that of Nb₄AlC₃ (18.1–21.2 W/m·K) over the whole test range (25–1000 °C). Owing to their excellent mechanical and thermal properties, Ta-doped Nb₄AlC₃ ceramics have good potential as structural materials.     

Microanalysis of supersaturated gas release based on wall-attached bubbles

Supersaturation of dissolved gases in natural water, due to spillage from high dams and other factors, may cause fish mortality. In previous experiments, the dissipation coefficient has been used to denote the degassing process of total dissolved gas(TDG) saturation. These experiments mainly analyzed supersaturated TDG dissipation from a macroscopic view. To precisely clarify the mechanism of supersaturated TDG release, this study investigated bubble adsorption at a wall surface from a microscopic view. The experiment was conducted in a Plexiglas-wall container filled with supersaturated TDG water. A model that calculates the adsorption flux of supersaturated TDG by a solid wall, and helps describe construction for a contact angle at a three-phase intersection, was developed according to Young's equation. This model was used to investigate the formation process of bubbles adsorbed on a solid polymethyl methacrylate(PMMA) surface in supersaturated TDG water. The adsorption effect of a solid wall on TDG release was analyzed based on the experimental data. The modeling results were compared with observations under different wall area conditions, and it was found that TDG release tended to increase with wall area. This study helps improve our understanding of the mechanisms of supersaturated TDG release and provides an important theoretical method for accurate calculation of the release process. The adsorption flux model of the solid wall provides mitigation measures to combat the adverse effects of TDG supersaturation,which will be beneficial to the protection of aquatic organisms in hydropower-regulated rivers.     

锦屏一级水电站运行期谷幅变形特性与影响因素分析

通过对锦屏一级水电站运行期跨江段谷幅历年变形值进行比较分析,总结运行期谷幅的变形规律和左岸边坡的变形收敛情况;采用逐步回归分析方法,分析运行期边坡谷幅变形的影响因素,分析库岸岩体变形与库水位、气温及其他作用因子的相关性,总结运行期左岸变形的时空分布规律与特点;通过各种观测手段与谷幅变形进行对比分析,对谷幅观测的可靠性进行验证,论证谷幅成果的可靠性和真实性。     

基于GIS的航电枢纽安全监测信息管理系统设计与应用

为解决航电枢纽安全监测海量数据统筹管理以及GIS技术结合应用程度低等问题,开发了基于GIS的航电枢纽安全监测信息管理系统。倾斜摄影技术的应用实现了高效建立工程三维数字模型,通过实景模型与工程监测的结合,为监测点可视化管理及成果可视化展示提供了条件。系统实现的技术路线,可为类似工程项目提供参考。     

基于“天空地”一体化技术的安全监测系统建设与应用

西藏江达县白格村金沙江右岸于2018年10月11日和2018年11月3日先后发生2次大规模滑坡—堰塞湖堵江事件,溃堰洪水对下游拉哇库区不良地质体的稳定性造成不同程度的影响。为保障下游水电站建设安全,对拉哇库区主要不良地质体建立了基于星载InSAR技术、无人机技术和地面传感器实时监测的“天空地”一体化监测预警体系,以多维空间采集技术获取变形信息,通过智能监控平台对信息及时进行处理、分析和可视化呈现,利用平台、短信等方式向相关人员进行分级告警,取得了较好的应用效果。     

Avoidance of partial load operation at coal-fired power plants by storing nuclear power through power to gas

The need of fast regulation of electricity production leads to a number of inconveniences occurred to the electric generation system and the electric market, especially to the nuclear power. A new concept to control nuclear power production is posed in order to allow the regulation of the electricity sent to the grid. This concept proposes the joint operation of a nuclear power plant, a coal power plant with postcombustion capture and a methanation plant. The cost effectiveness of this technology and its capability to reduce the CO₂ emissions -consumed in the methanation process- are assessed through the design and economic and environmental analysis of a hybrid facility. Mainly due to the increase of the operating hours of the coal-fired power plant, the environmental feasibility of the initial proposal seems to be limited. However, given that benefits are expected in the medium and long-term (2020–2030) for the Power to Gas facility, a future alternative use is proposed. The target of this new alternative configuration will be the storage of CO₂ together with the storage of renewable energy.     

基于BIM+GIS的大坝安全监测信息可视化展示技术研究

为了解决传统大坝监测信息三维可视化程度低,展示不够直观、形象等问题,采用BIM+GIS技术,将监测信息展示从传统二维空间拓展到三维空间。对BIM建模、模型轻量化、三维可视化展示以及系统功能设计进行了研究,通过在桃源水电站的应用实例表明,BIM+GIS技术能够实现大坝安全监测信息三维可视化展示,展示效果更为形象、生动,具有广泛应用前景。     

Additive manufacturing,quasi-static and dynamic compressive behaviours of ceramic lattice structures

Ceramic lattice structures (CLSs) are used for construction in common and extreme environments because of the extraordinary properties of ceramics. In this study, we designed and additively manufactured CLSs with distinct structural parameters to explore their quasi-static and dynamic compressive behaviours in detail. It was demonstrated that both the relative density (?ρ) and inclination angle (ω) had a significant impact on the quasi-static and dynamic mechanical properties of the CLSs. Furthermore, the mathematical relationships between the quasi-static compressive properties, including quasi-static compressive strength (QS), quasi-static Young’s modulus (QY), and quasi-static energy absorption (QE), versus ?ρ and ω obeyed the Gibson–Ashby and Deshpande and Fleck models, respectively. It was revealed by experiment and simulation that as the stiffness increased, the quasi-static failure mode of the CLSs changed from a parallel-vertical-inclined mixed mode to a parallel-vertical mode. In addition, the relationship between the dynamic mechanical properties of the CLSs versus ?ρ and ω also followed the Gibson–Ashby and Deshpande and Fleck models. The exceptional dynamic increase factor indicated that CLSs are highly suitable for extreme environments. These findings will aid in the research and development of customised additively manufactured CLSs.