Assembly modes of dragonfly wings

The assembly modes of dragonfly wings are observed through FEG-ESEM. Different from airplane wings, dragonfly wings are found to be assembled through smooth transition mode and global package mode. First, at the vein/membrane conjunctive site, the membrane is divided into upper and lower portions from the center layer and transited smoothly to the vein. Then the two portions pack the vein around and form the outer surface of the vein. Second, at the vein/spike conjunctive site, the vein and spike are connected smoothly into a triplet. Last, at the vein/membrane/spike conjunctive site, the membrane (i.e., the outer layer of the vein) transits smoothly to the spike, packs it around, and forms its outer layer. In short, the membrane looks like a closed coat packing the wing as a whole. The smooth transition mode and the global package mode are universal assembly modes in dragonfly wings. They provide us the references for better understanding of the functions of dragonfly wings and the bionic manufactures of the wings of flights with mini sizes.     

Bioinspiration of the vein structure of dragonfly wings on its flight characteristics

Dragonflies have excellent flight characteristics, which are inextricably related to the characteristics of their wings. Their wings not only support a variety of loads during flight but also maintain high-efficiency flight characteristics. In this study, the forewing of a dragonfly (Pantala flavescens (Fabricius)) was used as a research object to explore the microstructure of the surface, cross section, and the vein distribution. Three-dimensional models of three different structures of the forewing vein, including an oval-shaped hollow tube, a circular hollow tube, and a circular solid tube, were established. Fluid dynamics analysis of these three forewing models under different angles of attack during gliding was carried out by FLUENT software, and subsequently, the influence of the dragonfly forewing vein structure on its flight characteristics was analyzed. The numerical simulation results indicated that the vein structure has a considerable influence on the lift, drag, and lift–drag ratio of the P. flavescens forewing. It was indicated that among the tested models, the forewing model with oval-shaped hollow tubular veins has better flight efficiency and aerodynamic characteristics. The results of this study may provide the basis for a novel bionic concept of flapping wing microaircraft design.     

Investigation of properties of electrochemically synthesizediron oxide nano‐powders

Nano‐sized powders of iron oxides have been synthesized electrochemically at temperatures in the range of 295–361 K, and current densities in the range of 200–1000 mA dm^?2. The structure and morphology of the powders were investigated by X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy techniques. Their infrared absorption spectra, specific heat C_p(T) and magnetic susceptibility χ(T) temperature dependences are also determined. The obtained powders consist of two phases, each possessing distinguished characteristics: the one formed of large plates and the other of whiskers. By appropriate adjustment of the synthesis conditions, it is possible to change features and relative abundances of the two phases, and that way to control morphology and other powder properties. Relaxation and transformation of the phases under external influences was also investigated, and the optimal procedure for preparation and stabilization of iron oxide nano‐sized powders with desired characteristics was established.     

青年与老年手指甲表面形貌、成分与力学性能的实验分析

应用红外光谱仪、场发射扫描电镜、差示扫描热量仪、原位纳米力学测试系统对青年(20~25岁)与老年(70~75岁)指甲的表面结构、形貌、水含量及力学性能进行了实验分析。结果表明:与青年组成员指甲相比,老年组成员指甲的PO 2、C-O、CH 2与CONH基团的峰位向高波数移动;老年组成员指甲表面比青年组成员指甲粗糙并表现出明显的纵向纹理;尽管其总含水量与青年组成员指甲相当,但老年组成员指甲结合水的含量比青年组成员指甲的低;老年组成员指甲的硬度与约化弹性模量均高于青年组成员指甲相应对比量,因此,老年组成员指甲在划痕实验中显示出更好的耐磨性,但在较大载荷时出现明显的裂纹。     

Effect of the type and concentration of lubricating additives on the antiwear and extreme pressure properties and rolling fatigue life of a four‐ball tribosystem

Tests were performed on two different four‐ball testers. The first was used to determine antiwear (AW) and extreme pressure (EP) properties at sliding friction. The second was used to assess the surface fatigue (pitting) life at rolling movement. Lubricating oils of various chemical compositions were tested. A base mineral oil was blended with two different commercial packages of lubricating additives of AW and EP types. The AW additives contained ZDDP and were blended with the base oil at 0.2 and 3wt %. The EP additives were organic compounds of sulphur and phosphorus, blended with the base oil at 1 and 10wt %. It is shown that AW additives not only improve AW and EP properties but also — at 0.2% — are beneficial for the fatigue life. An increase in the concentration of AW additives leads to an improvement of AW and EP properties but — for one of the packages — reduces the fatigue life. EP additives — at 1% concentration — significantly improve EP properties, and to a lesser extent AW properties. Such a concentration of EP additives has no influence on the fatigue life. An increase in the concentration of EP additives leads to a further improvement of EP and AW properties. However, this is accompanied by a considerable decrease in the fatigue life. By using a scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive spectrometer for analysis of the worn surface, mechanisms of action of various lubricating additives under different friction conditions were identified. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Functional morphology and structural characteristics of wings of the ladybird beetle,Coccinella septempunctata (L.)

In recent years, the surface morphology and microstructure of ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata) wings have been used to help design the flapping‐wing micro air vehicle (FWMAV). In this study, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to verify the functional roles of the ladybird forewing and hindwing. Surface morphology and the cross‐sectional microstructure of the wings are presented. Detailed morphology of ladybird forewings was observed using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and the composition of the wings was characterized using Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The ladybird forewing may possess different performance characteristics than the beetle, Allomyrina dichotoma. Additionally, the circular holes in the forewing might be important for decreasing the weight of the forewing and to satisfy requirements of mechanical behavior. Microsc. Res. Tech. 79:550–556, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

基于第一性原理的高压下TiAl结构、力学性能及热力学性质研究

采用第一性原理计算方法,研究了压力与温度对TiAl合金结构、力学性能与热力学性质的影响.结果显示,随着外加压力的增加,TiAl体积比降低. 计算了不同压力下TiAl的弹性常数Cij , 所有Cij均力学稳定性判据, 表明不同压力下的模拟结果均满足力学稳定性条件. 通过弹性常数, 计算了体模量与剪切模量, 发现在0 Gpa下的计算值与文献值相吻合,表明计算的准确性. 体模量与剪切模量可以用来反映材料抵抗变形能力, 随着压力的增加, 其数值增加, 表明材料抵抗变形能力得到提升. 由B/G发现, 当压力在10-20 Gpa之间时, TiAl由脆性材料转变为延性材料. 借助准谐德拜模型, 研究了当温度在0-1 000 K、 压力在0-50 Gpa下压力与温度对TiAl体模量、 德拜温度、 线膨胀系数以及热容的影响, 这有助于研究温度与压力对热力学参数的影响. 最后, 研究了不同压力下TiAl的电子结构, 随着压力的增加, 材料的态密度强度降低, Ti原子成键相互作用减弱, Al原子成键相互作用增强, 材料的延性得到提升.     

基于Cantor结构的一维光子晶体耦合腔的光学特性

在N=3的三分Cantor多层结构的基础上设计了一种光子晶体耦合腔结构,用传输矩阵法研究了这种耦合腔结构的光学特性。结果表明,新结构有更宽的带隙,并在宽带隙中出现了一个损耗非常小的超窄透射窗口;保持缺陷层的几何厚度不变,改变缺陷层介质的折射率,该透射窗口位置能在很大的范围内移动。这种新的耦合腔结构可用作超窄带光子晶体滤波器或波长可调谐滤波器,在光通信超密集波分复用和光学精密测量等领域中有应用价值。     

Structure and distribution of antennal sensilla in Pseudosymmachia flavescens (Brenske) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae)

Morphology, microstructure, and distribution of antennal sensilla were compared between female and male Pseudosymmachia flavescens (Brenske) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae). Lamellate antennae of P. flavescens were shown to have typical scape, pedicel, and flagellum segments. The flagellum consists of a four-segmented funicle and a three-segmented club. The lengths of their pedicel and funicle were found to be similar in females and males. Distinct sexual differences were observed in the length of lamellar segments. Nine types/subtypes of sensilla were identified on the antennae of both sexes, including Böhm sensilla, sensilla trichodea, sensilla basiconica (SB), and two subtypes for sensilla chaetica, sensilla coeloconica, and sensilla placodea each. Olfactory sensilla (e.g., SB and placodea) are mainly located on three lamellar segments of the antennal club. Variation was also seen in abundance of various types of antennal sensilla, with males possessing significantly more sensilla than females. Sensilla placodea were the most abundant, and their number in males was twice of that in females, showing a clear sexual dimorphism. The difference in the distribution of sensilla placodea might reflect their roles in sexual chemical communication.     

The structure and mechanical properties of amorphous and nanocrystalline Fe–Si–B alloys

This article describes the results of investigations of the microstructure of failure surfaces and the mechanism of deformation of an amorphous Fe₈₀Si₁₁B₉ alloy, nanocrystallized with the use of Nd:YAG pulsed laser heating. The research included ‘in situ’ tensile testing in a scanning electron microscope. Mechanical properties were also measured on an Instron‐type machine for the amorphous and nanocrystalline alloys. The mechanical tensile tests performed on the amorphous and nanocrystalline samples showed a ductile fracture surface with very high fracture stress. Detailed observations of the flow deformation and fractures revealed the relationship between the quenched‐in crystalline and mechanical behaviour.     

复合材料结构材料参数转换及在有限元分析中的应用

多层的纤维缠绕复合材料结构中,各个单层间具有不同的纤维铺设角,呈现各向异性的材料特性,在进行有限元分析时,必须对材料的材料特性进行处理变换。根据基本力学方程,对不同缠绕方向的纤维层材料,把不同材料坐标系下的特性参数等效变换到统一坐标系。并利用ANSYS软件对层合结构进行有限元分析,结果表明此转换是可行的。     

一种新的基于BOM的产品配置方法

为了得到一种更有效的产品配置设计方法,使其更好地与产品数据系统集成。本文分析了产品配置与物料清单(BOM)之间的关系,引入了抽象物料项的概念,提出了一种新的产品可配置物料项模型,设计了基于可配置物料项、用BOM形式描述的产品族基本结构。针对可配置物料项模型和基本结构,设计了一种基于知识的产品配置求解过程。应用实例证明该方法实现了配置模型的合理描述,配置过程的快速求解以及系统的无缝集成。     

Influence of deposition temperature and pressure on microstructure and tribological properties of arc ion plated Ag films

The films deposited at low temperature(LT-films) have increasingly attracted theoretical and technical interests since such films exhibit obvious difference in structure and performances compared to those deposited at room temperature.Studies on the tribological properties of LT-films are rarely reported in available literatures.In this paper,the structure,morphology and tribological properties of Ag films,deposited at LT(166 K) under various Ar pressures on AISI 440C steel substrates by arc ion plating(AIP),are studied by X-ray diffraction(XRD),atomic force microscopy(AFM) and a vacuum ball-on-disk tribometer,and compared with the Ag films deposited at RT(300 K).XRD results show that(200) preferred orientation of the films is promoted at LT and low Ar pressure.The Crystallite sizes are 70 nm-80 nm for LT-Ag films deposited at 0.2 Pa and 0.8 Pa and larger than 100 nm for LT-Ag films deposited at 0.4 Pa and 0.6 Pa,while they are 55 nm-60 nm for RT-Ag films deposited at 0.2 Pa-0.6 Pa and 37 nm for RT-Ag films deposited at 0.8 Pa.The surfaces of LT-Ag films are fibre-like at 0.6 Pa and 0.8 Pa,terrace-like at 0.4 Pa,and sphere-like at 0.2 Pa,while the surfaces of RT-Ag films are composed of sphere-like grains separated by voids.Wear tests reveal that,due to the compact microstructure LT-Ag films have better wear resistances than RT-Ag film.These results indicate that the microstructure and wear resistance of Ag films deposited by AIP can be improved by low temperature deposition.     

Effect of molecular structure of organic borates on their friction and wear properties

Six organic borates of different molecular chain length were synthesised, and the friction and wear properties of these borates as oil additives were evaluated using a Timken Tester. X-ray photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) was used to study the surface composition and valence state of boron on the rubbed surfaces. It was found that the antiwear and friction reduction effects of the borates are significantly influenced by the molecular chain length. The longer the chain length, the lower the friction coefficient and wear, and the higher the failure load. XPS analyses of rubbed surfaces revealed that the binding energy of B_IS increased after rubbing, but no pure B(OH)₃ and B₂O₃ was generated. the load-carrying capacity and the antiwear effect are probably related to the ratio of numbers of carbon atoms to numbers of boron atoms on the rubbed surfaces.     

Effects of sheet thickness and material on the mechanical properties of flat clinched joint

Frontiers of Mechanical Engineering - The flat clinching process is attracting a growing attention in the joining field of lightweight materials because it avoids the geometric protrusion that...     

Method of implementation of the positive gradient of mechanical properties of triboengineering materials

Modern methods of implementation of the rule of positive gradient of mechanical properties are considered; this rule was formulated by I.V. Kragelskii and its application serves to minimize the friction and wear of solids. The given methods include the application of coatings with the method of finishing antifricton abrasion-free treatment; application of new metal-cladding lubricating materials; and creation of a nanostructural state of the surface iron nitride layer by nitriding steel with a positive gradient of hardness normal to the surface.     

PDM应用系统产品配置管理方法的研究

针对现有PDM产品配置管理功能的不足，阐述了PDM应用系统产品配置标识方法，该方法面向CIMS信息集成，通过扩展配置标识功能，支持企业产品资源平台构建；提出了一个PDM应用系统产品配置评价模型，该模型面向产品开发全过程，满足产品结构配置设计要求。以空调产品结构配置为例，介绍了所述方法在KELON-PDMS中的应用。     

基于动态设计结构矩阵的复杂产品配置过程规划技术

为降低复杂产品配置任务间的耦合程度,减少配置过程的迭代次数,优化产品配置设计过程,以动态设计结构矩阵(Design structure matrix,DSM)为工具研究了产品配置过程的规划技术。研究基于数据流图的产品配置过程任务建模,在此基础上通过映射得到配置过程DSM,并将其拓展为三视图结构,通过视图间的双重映射获得配置过程动态DSM,使客户需求和最新配置知识在产品配置过程中得以动态反映。用矩阵的分解和撕裂算法对配置过程进行规划,重组配置任务,优化任务执行次序,为协同配置设计任务分配提供基础。以大型电除尘装备为例子分析配置设计过程规划技术的具体实现。     

氧化钇颗粒增强铜基复合材料的组织与性能研究

本文以添加0~20%体积分数的Y2O3颗粒增强铜基复合材料为研究对象,利用金相照片,扫描电镜、显微硬度、腐蚀试验等测试技术及实验手段,宏微观结合进行组织与性能分析。结果表明,Y2O3颗粒与基体结合得很致密,它们之间基本上无裂隙存在。随着Y2O3含量的增加,该系列铜基复合材料的多孔率下降,显微硬度值上升幅度较大,强化效果较好,耐腐蚀性也得到提高。     

Microstructure and material properties of hind wings of a bamboo weevil Cyrtotrachelus buqueti (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Wings of flying insects, as representative biomaterials, are composed of a flexible membrane and a stiff vein structure that are prone to bending and deformation under aerodynamic forces. Therefore, we must investigate the application value of insect wings in the field of engineering design from the perspective of bionics, which is a new challenge. In this study, we measured the mechanical properties of the hind wings of Cyrtotrachelus buqueti including “dried” and “fresh” samples. The wing membrane samples were prepared by carefully cutting the hind wings into 2.0 mm by 8.0 mm rectangular segments using a gauge. As the major wing veins are the main loading units under aerodynamic forces, we also separated them from the wings as a kind of investigative specimen. The wing membranes were adhered to a specially designed paper fixture and the mechanical properties of the wing veins and membranes were evaluated using a tensile testing machine. We observed the microstructure of the samples using a scanning electron microscope and accurately measured the thicknesses of desired the wing membranes and veins. The results show that there is a difference in the mechanical properties of the two samples. The elastic modulus and Poisson's ratios vary over the region in hind wing, so we can conclude that the wing membrane is an anisotropic and non‐uniform material.