A high-throughput chaotic advection microreactor for preparation of uniform and aggregated barium sulfate nanoparticles

A high-throughput (105.5 g/h) passive four-stage asymmetric oscillating feedback microreactor using chaotic mixing mechanism was developed to prepare aggregated Barium sulfate (BaSO₄) particles of high primary nanoparticle size uniformity. Three-dimensional unsteady simulations showed that chaotic mixing could be induced by three unique secondary flows (i.e., vortex, recirculation, and oscillation), and the fluid oscillation mechanism was examined in detail. Simulations and Villermaux–Dushman experiments indicate that almost complete mixing down to molecular level can be achieved and the prepared BaSO₄ nanoparticles were with narrow primary particle size distribution (PSD) having geometric standard deviation, σ_g, less than 1.43 when the total volumetric flow rate Q_total was larger than 10 ml/min. By selecting Q_total and reactant concentrations, average primary particle size can be controlled from 23 to 109 nm as determined by microscopy. An average size of 26 nm with narrow primary PSD (σ_g = 1.22) could be achieved at Q_total of 160 ml/min.     

Surface Modification of Co3O4 Nanosheets to Promote Peroxymonosulfate Activation for Degradation of Atrazine

Catalysis Letters - This study proposed a new facile route to rational creating oxygen-vacancy (Vo)-rich surface of Co3O4 nanosheets by acetic acid leaching. The acid leached Co3O4 nanosheets was...     

Applications of analytical electron microscopy to guide the design of boron carbide

Compositional analysis of boron carbide on nanometer length scales to examine or interpret atomic mechanisms, for example, solid-state amorphization or grain-boundary segregation, is challenging. This work reviews advancements in high-resolution microanalysis to characterize multiple generations of boron carbide. First, ζ-factor microanalysis will be introduced as a powerful (scanning) transmission electron microscopy ((S)TEM) analytical framework to accurately characterize boron carbide. Three case studies involving the application of ζ-factor microanalysis will then be presented: (1) accurate stoichiometry determination of B-doped boron carbide using ζ-factor microanalysis and electron energy loss spectroscopy, (2) normalized quantification of silicon grain-boundary segregation in Si-doped boron carbide, and (3) calibration of a scanning electron microscope X-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy (XEDS) system to measure compositional homogeneity differences of B/Si-doped arc-melted boron carbides in the as-melted and annealed conditions. Overall, the improvement and application of advanced analytical tools have helped better understand processing–microstructure–property relationships and successfully manufacture high-performance ceramics.     

Gluten-free cakes with walnut flour: a technological,sensory, and microstructural approach

Walnut flour (WF), a by-product of walnut oil production, is characterised by high polyunsaturated fatty acids, proteins, and fibre contents and presents suitability for bakery products. However, when using non-traditional ingredients, it is essential to evaluate the effect on the quality properties of the final product. So, this work aimed to assess the impact of WF on the technological, physicochemical, and sensory properties of gluten-free (GF) cakes. WF was added at a flour blend (cassava (CS) and maize (MS) starches and rice flour) at 0, 10%, 15%, and 20%. The results showed that WF modified starch gelatinisation, increased amylose–lipid complex (ALC) content, and made crumbs easier to chew. Besides, the total dietary fibre (TDF) and protein content significantly increased. Cakes with 15% WF presented the highest specific volume (SV) and no differences in overall acceptability with respect to control. Hence, WF is a suitable ingredient for gluten-free bakery products.     

基于机理数据协同驱动的重型燃气轮机 控制系统参数解析余度构建研究

针对重型针对重型燃气轮机控制系统传感器解析余度的构建问题，提出了一种机理数据协同驱动的控制系统 参数解析余度构建方法。首先基于重型燃气轮机工作原理，建立参数的机理模型;然后引人网络架构搜索法 得到最优前馈神经网络结构，通过前馈神经网络训练机理模型的误差，得到数据驱动模型，将其作为机理模 型的补偿部分，补偿部分提高了参数解析的精度。仿真结果表明本文提出的参数解析方法的有效性，用该方 法可获得精准的解析模型。 燃气轮机控制系统传感器解析余度的构建问题，提出了一种机理数据协同驱动的控制系统 参数解析余度构建方法。首先基于重型燃气轮机工作原理，建立参数的机理模型;然后引人网络架构搜索法 得到最优前馈神经网络结构，通过前馈神经网络训练机理模型的误差，得到数据驱动模型，将其作为机理模 型的补偿部分，补偿部分提高了参数解析的精度。仿真结果表明本文提出的参数解析方法的有效性，用该方 法可获得精准的解析模型。     

Centrifugally spun carbon fibers prepared from aqueous poly(vinylpyrrolidone) solutions as binder-free anodes in lithium-ion batteries

Aqueous solutions of poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) of various concentrations (20, 25, and 28 wt%) were successfully spun into fibers by centrifugal spinning. The pristine PVP fibers were annealed and carbonized to produce flexible carbon fibers for use as binder-free anodes in lithium-ion batteries. These flexible carbon fibers were prepared by developing a novel three-step heat treatment to reduce the residual stresses in the pristine PVP precursor fibers, and to prevent fiber degradation during carbonization. The thermogravimetric analysis data showed that the annealed fibers yielded a residual mass percentage of 36.0% while the pristine PVP fibers suffered a higher mass loss and only retained 26.5% of original mass above 450 °C (under nitrogen). The electrochemical performance of the carbon-fiber anodes was evaluated by conducting galvanostatic charge/discharge, rate performance, and cycle voltammetry experiments. The 20, 25, and 28 wt% derived binder-free anodes delivered specific charge capacities of 205, 189, and 275 mAh g⁻¹, respectively, after the first cycle at a current density of 100 mA g⁻¹. The results obtained in this work indicate that a feasible pathway towards a large-scale production of carbon-fiber anodes from a 100% aqueous solution can be achieved via centrifugal spinning and subsequent heat treatment.