Hydrodynamic pressure sensors with tunable sensitivity based on thermoresponsive hydrogels

Lateral line system of fish performs hydrodynamic flow-field perception with ultrasensitivity via mechanosensory neuromasts, which vary in geometrical dimension and sensitivity for a wide detection range. To achieve tunable sensitivity and wide detection range in engineered sensors, here we present a hydrodynamic pressure sensor inspired by the canal lateral line system of fish, which comprises of a microfluidic canal, and piezoelectric microcantilevers integrated with thermoresponsive hydrogel cupulae and microheaters. The poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-based hydrogel cupula can not only increase the sensitivity by a hydrogel-based drag enhancement mechanism, but also regulate the sensitivity by changing the cupula volume via localized heating. We characterized the pressure sensitivity and frequency response of the sensor, and the results demonstrated that the sensor possessed a wide detection range but a lower sensitivity during heater-on, while it performed higher sensitivity with narrow detection range during heater-off. The tunable hydrodynamic pressure sensors show many potential applications in flow analysis and hydrodynamic imaging.     

Fabrication of dense polymer‐derived silicon carbonitride ceramic bulks by precursor infiltration and pyrolysis processes without losing piezoresistivity

Dense polymer‐derived silicon carbonitride (SiCN) ceramic bulks were fabricated by powder consolidation following precursor infiltration and pyrolysis (PIP) densification. The density and open porosity of the ceramics varied from 1.42 g/cm³ and 32.75% before the PIP to 2.29 g/cm³ and 3.64% after the PIP, respectively. The electrical conductivity of the ceramics sharply increased from 6.26 × 10^?10 S/cm before the PIP process to 3.20 × 10^?7 S/cm after the 1st cycle of PIP and then gradually increased to 6.89 × 10^?6 S/cm after four cycles of PIP. However, the piezoresistive coefficient did not change with the PIP. The Raman and electron paramagnetic resonance results show that the graphitization level of free carbon in ceramics derived from PIP was higher than the ceramics derived from powder consolidation. The high graphitization level of free carbon leads to a high conductivity, and thus the conductivity of ceramics increased significantly after the PIP process. The carbon cluster size, which is related to the gauge factor of piezoresistivity, did not change significantly after the PIP process; thus, the gauge factor did not change significantly. Dense, large‐scale polymer‐derived ceramics were fabricated by combined conventional powder consolidation and PIP without the loss of piezoresistivity. These ceramics have potential application as both structural and functional components that can bear loads as well as monitor variations in external stress.     

Preparation of Si3N4 ceramic based on digital light processing 3D printing and precursor infiltration and pyrolysis

The emergence of digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing technology creates favorable conditions for the preparation of complex structure silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) ceramics. However, the introduction of photosensitive resin also makes the Si₃N₄ ceramics prepared by 3D printing have low density and poor mechanical properties. In this study, high-density Si₃N₄ ceramics were prepared at low temperatures by combining DLP 3D printing with precursor infiltration and pyrolysis (PIP). The Si₃N₄ photocurable slurry with high solid content and high stability was prepared based on the optimal design of slurry components. Si₃N₄ green parts were successfully printed and formed by setting appropriate printing parameters. The debinding process of printed green parts was further studied, and the results showed that samples without defects and obvious deformation can be obtained by setting the heating rate at .1°C/min. The effect of the PIP cycle on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the Si₃N₄ ceramics was studied. The experimental results showed that the mass change and open porosity of the samples tended to be stable after eight PIP cycles, and the open porosity, density, and bending strength of the Si₃N₄ ceramics were 1.30% (reduced by 97%), 2.64 g/cm³ (increased by 43.5%), and 162.35 MPa.     

N2气氛下温度和压力对煤热解的影响

研究煤热解的反应特性有助于提高煤热解的转化率和焦油收率并且能够改善焦油的品质。本文在固定床反应器上研究了N₂气氛中,不同压力和温度下的唐山烟煤热解反应,考察了温度和压力对热解失重率、热解气体组成及液相产物产率的影响规律。结果表明当热解压力由1MPa增加至3MPa时,唐山烟煤的失重率和焦油产率均先增加后降低,在2MPa时达到最大值。当温度低于600℃时,压力不影响CH₄、H₂和CO的收率,当温度超过600℃时,CH₄、H₂和CO的收率随热解压力的升高而降低。随着热解温度的升高,煤热解的失重率、水的产率以及CH₄、H₂的收率不断增大,焦油的收率和CO的收率先增大后降低,在2MPa下600℃时焦油的收率达最大值为9.23%。     

Effect of pressure on the pyrolysis of newsprint

Data are presented on tar and char yields from newsprint pyrolysed at temperatures between 300 and 385 °C and at pressures ranging from below 0.1 kPa to 93 kPa. A one parameter model is developed to describe the effect of ambient pressure on tar yield. Both untreated and 1% HC1 washed newsprint are considered.     

Effect of precursor, ambient pressure, and temperature on the morphology, crystallinity, and decomposition of powders prepared by spray pyrolysis and drying

The effect of reactor pressure and temperature on the morphology, crystallinity, and decomposition behavior of various powders produced by spray pyrolysis or drying is investigated. Zirconia, magnesium sulphate, and sodium chloride powders are produced at the reactor pressures of 760, 400, 250, and 120 Torr, and at the reactor temperatures of 100 °C, 200 °C, and 400 °C. Zirconia and magnesium sulphate powders are spherical, whereas the sodium chloride powders are cubic. Regardless of the pressure, the powders produced at 100 °C and 200 °C appear solid, and powders produced at 400 °C are hollow and disrupted. The experimental data and the calculations indicate that the evaporation rate, which is a function of pressure and temperature, controls the solute distribution within the droplet and as such determines the morphology of the powders. In addition, the shape and morphology of the powders are strong functions of the precursor type. The decomposition and crystallinity of the powders are determined using XEDS and XRD analyses, respectively. The crystallinity and decomposition of the powders are weak functions of pressure and strong functions of temperature.     

温度与压力对单孔气泡形成过程的影响

温度压力对进气管孔口气泡的生成具有重要影响。以氮气-水、氦气-水、氮气-十四烷为研究体系,采用高速摄像法,观察了恒速流下孔口气泡的形成过程,考察了孔口气速（0~1500 cm/s）、温度(293~393 K)、压力（0~6 MPa）、孔径（1.12, 2.5 mm）、气体类型（N₂、He）对气泡生长过程的影响。实验表明：随着压力增加,气泡直径减小,纵横比增加;温度升高一方面导致黏度、密度和表面张力降低,使气泡直径减小,另一方面加剧了液体汽化,使得气泡直径增大。根据实验结果修正了Gaddis提出的气泡直径模型,引入饱和蒸气压贡献项,得出新的适用于高温高压条件下气泡直径的估算式。     

Effects of firing temperature on the microstructures and properties of porous mullite ceramics prepared by foam-gelcasting

Porous mullite ceramics were prepared at 1300–1600°C for 2?h via a foam-gelcasting route using industrial-grade mullite powders as the main raw material, Isobam 104 as the dispersing and gelling agent, triethanolamine lauryl sulphate as the foaming agent and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose as the foam stabilising agent. The effects of firing temperature on the sintering behaviour of green samples as well as microstructures and properties of final porous mullite products were investigated. With increasing the temperature from 1300 to 1600°C, linear shrinkage and bulk density values of fired samples increased, whereas their porosity decreased. Mechanical strength and thermal conductivity values of fired samples decreased with increasing their porosities. Even at a porosity level as high as 79.4%, compressive and flexural strengths of fired samples (with average pore size of 314?μm) remained as high as 9.0 and 3.7?MPa, respectively, and their thermal conductivity (at 200°C) remained as low as 0.21?W?(m^?1?K^?1).     

Effect of pyrolysis temperature on the electric conductivity of polymer-derived silicoboron carbonitride

The electric conductivity of polymer-derived SiBCNs pyrolyzed at different temperatures was studied. We showed that the boron impeded the graphitization of the free-carbon phase in the SiBCN, leading to a higher characteristic temperature and activation energy as compared to the SiCN. Such an impeding effect is due to the interaction between h-BN and graphite phase. We also provided a credible evidence to show that the increase in the electric conductivity of the SiBCN with pyrolysis temperature is likely due to the increase in the conductivity of the free-carbon phase.     

The effects of hydrogen pressure and temperature on the methylcyclopentane conversion on Rh catalysts

The effect of hydrogen pressure (pH₂) and temperature (T) was investigated on the hydrogenolytic ring opening of methylcyclopentane (MCP) over silica and alumina supported rhodium catalysts. Strong dependence could be seen in the activity and in distribution of ring opening products as a function of reaction conditions. Temperature and hydrogen pressure did not affect the position of the first C–C bond rupture. However, the final ring opening product distribution was largely influenced by the reaction conditions due to the different ability of intermediates to undergo further hydrogenolysis.     

气源温度与解吸过程对变压吸附制氧效果的影响

研究了气源温度和解吸条件对制氧效果的影响,结果表明：细长解吸管路会导致吸附塔内氧浓度波前沿在吸附周期内极易穿透床层,在产氧期及间歇期都会有低浓度氧流入储氧罐,造成氧浓度和流量下降;较高的气源温度有利于分子筛解吸再生,在15～65 ℃内,平均每升高10 ℃,产氧体积分数可以提高1.2%。     

热解温度对竹粉炭理化结构及燃烧性能的影响

利用自行设计搭建的流化床-回转炉两级连续式热解装置对竹粉进行热解炭化,考察流化床一级热解温度（300～800℃）对竹粉热解炭理化结构及燃烧性能的影响规律。结果表明,由于回转炉二次热解过程的存在,使得流化床热解温度对竹粉炭元素组成的影响减弱,碳元素质量分数介于71.19%～78.41%间,随热解温度增加,竹粉炭中挥发分含量降低,灰分呈现增加趋势,固定碳含量相对稳定;扫描电镜结果显示热解温度在300～500℃时,热解炭呈现规则的孔隙结构,同时可保持原料的骨架结构,随着热解温度继续升高,竹粉炭骨架结构被破坏,产生断裂坍塌的现象,比表面积和总孔孔容在700℃热解温度时达到最大,分别为2.53m²/g和0.012cm³/g。利用拉曼光谱和X射线光电子能谱法对热解炭表面化学结构分析,表明较高的热解温度促进了小芳环体系聚合转变为大的芳环结构,有利于脱氢脱羧及芳构化进程。热重-红外联用分析表明竹粉热解过程中气体释放相对含量较多的三类物质分别是CO₂,烷烃、酚类、醇类,以及醛、酮、酸类等有机成分。热解炭样品的燃烧基本仅呈现出固定碳燃烧阶段,热解温度为600℃左右时,所得竹炭综合燃烧特性较好。     

Effect of pyrolysis temperature on the microstructure and capillary infiltration behavior of carbon/carbon composites

Carbon fiber fabric reinforced plastics were pyrolyzed at temperatures between 900?°C and 1600?°C to convert them into carbon/carbon (C/C) composites. The effects of pyrolysis temperatures on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and especially on the capillary infiltration behavior of C/C composites, suitable for liquid silicon infiltration (LSI), were investigated. The porosity of these C/C composites shows a decreasing trend with increasing pyrolysis temperature. The established model can explains the pyrolysis mechanism and the infiltration behaviors. Within the initial stage, the capillary infiltration rate of C/C composites with the model fluid water increases rapidly. In the second stage, where thermal imaging indicates that water has reached the top area of the plates at the initial stage. Capillary infiltration rate, based on water infiltration experiments mass increase, decreases because the shrinkage of micro-delamination take place at higher pyrolysis temperature. In combination with LSI results, a model for the capillary infiltration behavior of C/C is proposed.     

Effect of anionic substitution on the high temperature stability of polymer-derived SiOC glasses

In this study the high temperature stability (crystallization and decomposition) of two silicon oxycarbide glasses with a similar amount of free carbon (8.3 vs 9.6 wt%) but different content of Si-C bonds (SiC_0.22O_1.57 vs SiC_0.07O_1.86) is presented. The two SiOC glasses are obtained from the same precursor (2 µm methyl-silsesquioxane spheres) via pyrolysis at 1100°C in inert (Ar) or reactive (CO₂) atmospheres. Further annealing in Ar flow at temperatures above 1100°C and up to 1500°C is performed and the samples are characterized by Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). For comparison purposes the same precursor was annealed in air flow to obtain SiO₂ and its high temperature evolution is also studied. Results suggest that the onset for the carbothermal reduction is not dependent on the amount of Si-C bonds. Moreover, contrary to what is usually reported in the scientific literature, silica phase present in the SiOC glasses does not show, in the same experimental conditions, superior crystallization resistance compared to pure silica glass.     

Effect of the Y2O3 amount on the oxidation behavior of ZrB2-SiC-based coatings for carbon/carbon composites

In this paper, the effect of Y₂O₃ addition on the oxidation resistance of ZrB₂-SiC-Y₂O₃ coating for the SiC coated carbon/carbon composites was investigated. Results confirmed the great benefits of adding Y₂O₃ to the oxidation-resistant properties of the original coating from different aspects. The dense structure of surface and cross-section and formation of yttria stabilized zirconia, Y₂Si₂O₇, t-ZrO₂ phases were observed after adding Y₂O₃. Additionally, according to the TEM results, yttrium silicate existed in the form of nanoparticles, while yttria stabilized zirconia existed in the form of agglomeration within the SiO₂ liquid phase. This superior oxidation resistance was attributed to the following reasons: (i) the formed Zr-Si-Y-O glass barrier layer blocked the oxygen diffusion and healed the cracks; (ii) the reduced m-ZrO₂ content weakened the volume expansion of the coating and avoided spallation; (iii) Y₂Si₂O₇ served as a pinning phase which modified the stability of liquid SiO₂ at elevated temperatures.     

Influence of substrate temperature on the microstructure of YSZ films and their application as the insulating layer of thin film sensors for harsh temperature environments

Thin film sensors are employed to monitor the health of hot-section components of aeroengine intelligence (for instance, blades), and electrical insulating layers are needed between the metal components and thin film sensors. For this purpose, the electrical insulation characteristics of an yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ)/Al₂O₃ multilayer insulating structure were investigated. First, YSZ thin films were deposited by DC reactive sputtering at various substrate temperatures, and the microstructural features were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The results indicate that the micromorphology of the YSZ thin film gradually became denser with increasing substrate temperature, and no new phases appeared. The compact and uniform topography of the YSZ thin film improved the insulation properties of the multilayer insulating structure and enhanced the adhesion of the thin film sensors. In addition, the electrical insulation properties of the YSZ/Al₂O₃ multilayer insulating structure were evaluated via insulation resistance tests from 25 to 800 °C, in which the YSZ thin film was deposited at 550 °C. The results show that the insulation resistance of the multilayer structure increased by an order of magnitude compared with that of the conventional Al₂O₃ insulating layer, reaching 135 kΩ (5.1 × 10^?6 S/m) at 800 °C. Notably, the insulation resistance was still greater than 75 kΩ after annealing at 800 °C for 5 h. Finally, the shunt effect of the YSZ/Al₂O₃ multilayer insulating structure was estimated using a PdCr thin film strain gauge. The relative resistance error was 0.24%, which demonstrates that the YSZ/Al₂O₃ multilayer insulating structure is suitable for thin film sensors.     

振动时间、比压等参数对炭阳极质量影响的研究

通过采用动态过程优化程序,对预焙阳极成型参数(振动时间、振动频率、振动比压、激振力和振幅)进行优化,探索出一套适宜多品种预焙阳极均质生产的方法。     

Effect of synthesis temperature on hardness of carbon phases prepared from C60 and nanosized diamonds under pressure

Vicker’s hardness and Raman scattering spectra have been studied for carbon phases prepared from C₆₀ fullerene and nanosized diamonds at high temperatures and a pressure of 6 GPa. It was found that the hardness dependence on annealing temperature has a maximum near ∼1100 K for both fullerene and nanosized diamonds as initial materials. This temperature is only slightly higher than the temperature at which the C₆₀ cage collapses, and appears to correspond to the termination of intercluster bonding in the case of nanosized diamonds. The hardness maximum is interpreted as a result of competition between an increase in intercluster/intercage bonding and local instability for graphitic-like ordering.     

Effect of the pressure on the crystallization behavior of polyamide 66

The crystallization behavior of polyamide 66 under high pressure up to 2500 bar was investigated by the use of dilatometric and calorimetric techniques in nonisothermal and isothermal conditions. The solid–solid Brill transition is detected from the evolution of the specific volume in the PVT diagram. The variation of supercooling was examined under different pressures and temperatures. In nonisothermal conditions, when the same cooling rate is applied, the crystallization supercooling is not changed for different pressures. In isothermal conditions, for a given temperature, a pressure increase extends the crystallization supercooling. By the analysis of melting peaks of samples crystallized in different conditions of pressure and temperature, we can conclude that the increasing of the crystallization supercooling leads to a decrease of the lamellae thickness. Finally, the evolution of the thermodynamic equilibrium melting temperature according to pressure was examined. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 80: 1021–1029, 2001     

Effect of sintering temperature and Ho2O3 on the properties of TiO2-based varistors

In this study, a series of TiO₂-based ceramics doped with different contents of Ho₂O₃ in the range of 0–0.6?mol% are prepared by means of a conventional solid-state reaction method. Phase composition, microstructure and element distribution are studied by use of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) separately. The influence of sintering temperature and Ho₂O₃ on the properties of samples is explored. The results show that the breakdown voltage decreases continuously while both the nonlinear coefficient and the relative dielectric constant ascend firstly and then descend with the sintering temperature increasing. Meanwhile, the relative dielectric constant and nonlinear coefficient of samples firstly ascend and then descend with the increasing of Ho₂O₃. Although the minimum breakdown voltage (3.3?V/mm) is obtained when sample is sintered at 1450?°C, the sample doped with 0.45?mol% Ho₂O₃ sintered at 1400?°C exhibits high comprehensive electrical properties, with breakdown voltage of 6?V/mm, the nonlinear coefficient of 5.5 and the relative dielectric constant of 1.88?×?10⁵.