Fullerene Production in Tons and More: From Science to Industry

In the last decade, application of fullerenes has been proposed actively in a wide range of areas, and recent developments suggest that many of those applications are to be practical technologies. However, there has been no large-scale production enterprise for commercial usage of fullerenes. High production cost and limited availability of fullerenes have been the main obstacle in the development of the Fullerene Market. Improved flame-based technology leads to the most feasible process for mass production of fullerenes, since it is a continuous process and uses inexpensive hydrocarbons as its starting materials. In May 2003, we started fullerene production in tons and more to supply fullerenes with reasonable price as practical materials for industries.     

New Approach in Synthesis of Carbon Allotropes in Large Quantities

This work proposes a new method for mass production of carbon allotropes synthesis by arc-plasma. In particular, carbon vapor is produced from graphite electrode by introducing a buffer gas into the electrode gap to generate an intense gas outflow and fast evacuation of the produced vapor from the hot plasma zone. Study of the influence of the gas flow dynamics differently supplied to the hot plasma zone during the fullerenes synthesis was studied and the relationships between different gas flow rates, applied power, diameters of used electrodes and fullerenes productivity and yield were established. The new proposed method allows a significant increase of fullerenes productivity.     

Synthesis of wafer-scale graphdiyne/graphene heterostructure for scalable neuromorphic computing and artificial visual systems

Graphdiyne (GDY) is emerging as a promising material for various applications owing to its unique structure and fascinating properties. However, the application of GDY in electronics and optoelectronics are still in its infancy, primarily owing to the huge challenge in the synthesis of large-area and uniform GDY film for scalable applications. Here a modified van der Waals epitaxy strategy is proposed to synthesize wafer-scale GDY film with high uniformity and controllable thickness directly on graphene (Gr) surface, providing an ideal platform to construct large-scale GDY/Gr-based optoelectronic synapse array. Essential synaptic behaviors have been realized, and the linear and symmetric conductance-update characteristics facilitate the implementation of neuromorphic computing for image recognition with high accuracy and strong fault tolerance. Logic functions including “NAND” and “NOR” are integrated into the synapse which can be executed in an optical pathway. Moreover, a visible information sensing-memory-processing system is constructed to execute real-time image acquisition, in situ image memorization and distinction tasks, avoiding the time latency and energy consumption caused by data conversion and transmission in conventional visual systems. These results highlight the potential of GDY in applications of neuromorphic computing and artificial visual systems.

     

人工神经网络建模在抗烧蚀炭/炭复合材料基体改性研究中的应用

基体改件是防止炭／炭复合材料氧化的主要手段。通过将人工神经网络引入炭／炭复合材料的基体改性研究，借助kvenberg-Marquardt算法对不同添加剂组成改性试样所具有的氧化烧蚀率学习，建立了炭／炭复合材料改性添加剂组成一氧化烧蚀率的BP网络模型?研究结果表明：所建模型可以较好地反映添加剂含量与试样氧化烧蚀率间的内在规律，网络模型的输出值和实验验证值间的误差＜0．5％，将模型筛选出的最优配方用于基体改性，试样的氧化烧蚀率下降了49．5％，说明将人工神经网络用于炭／炭复合材料基体改性是可行和有效的。     

VIS: An artificial immune network for multi-objective optimization

The aim of this work is to propose and validate a novel multi-objective optimization algorithm based on the emulation of the behaviour of the immune system. The rationale of this work is that the artificial immune system has, in its elementary structure, the main features required by other multi-objective evolutionary algorithms described in the literature, such as diversity preservation, memory, adaptivity, and elitism. The proposed approach is compared with three multi-objective evolutionary algorithms that are representative of the state of the art in multi-objective optimization. Algorithms are tested on six standard problems (both unconstrained and constrained) and comparisons are carried out using three different metrics. Results show that the proposed approach has very good performances and can become a valid alternative to standard algorithms for solving multi-objective optimization problems.     

铜绿微囊藻光合作用的昼夜节律变化

用氧电极对铜绿微囊藻Microcystis aeruginosa PCC7820的光合作用节律进行了研究,结果表明,在光照-黑暗(L/D)周期环境下该藻的光合作用速率呈现明显的昼高夜低近似24h的周期性变化,这种近似昼夜节律变化在连续光照的条件下至少能持续运行3个周期.L/D周期的改变能影响光合节律的相位,经反光周期处理后的藻液其光合放氧节律也随之发生反相变化.此外,光合节律相位还受到温度的影响,但节律周期在20～28℃范围内并不会发生显著改变,即具有温度补偿效应.因此,铜绿微囊藻的光合作用受到生物钟的调控,而温度和光照的改变能重置生物钟的时相.     

Optimization of synthesis condition for carbon nanotubes by chemical vapor deposition on Fe-Ni-Mo/MgO catalyst

Catalyst and reaction conditions are the main affecting factors for the yield and quality of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) produced by the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. In this paper a ternary component catalyst based on Fe-Ni-Mo/MgO was explored using methane as precursor. The influences of temperature and methane concentration were investigated, and the as-produced CNTs were characterized by SEM, HRTEM, XRD and TGA. The diameter of the CNTs is in the range of 20-30 nm and the maximum carbon yield can reach up to 80 times of the catalyst under the selected condition. The purity of the as-prepared CNTs is over 93%. Our results indicated that this novel tercomponent catalyst presented a good catalytic activity for manufacturing high quality and quantity of CNTs.     

Dimensions of artificial intelligence anxiety based on the integrated fear acquisition theory

With the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI), AI anxiety has emerged and is receiving widespread attention, but research on this topic is not comprehensive. Therefore, we investigated the dimensions of AI anxiety using the theoretical model of integrated fear acquisition and a questionnaire survey. A total of 494 valid questionnaires were recovered. Through a first-order confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), a factor model of AI anxiety was constructed, and eight factors of AI anxiety were verified. Then, a second-order CFA was applied to verify the adaptation of the factor structure of AI anxiety to fear acquisition. We identified four dimensions of AI anxiety and proposed a theory of AI anxiety acquisition that illustrates four pathways of AI anxiety acquisition. Each pathway includes two factors that cause AI anxiety. We conclude by analyzing the limitations of current AI anxiety research and proposing a broader research agenda for AI anxiety.     

Vertically aligned two-dimensional halide perovskites for reliably operable artificial synapses

Halide perovskites, fascinating memristive materials owing to mixed ionic-electronic conductivity, have been attracting great attention as artificial synapses recently. However, polycrystalline nature in thin film form and instability under ambient air hamper them to be implemented in demonstrating reliable neuromorphic devices. Here, we successfully fabricated vertically aligned 2D halide perovskite films (V-HPs) for active layers of artificial synapses, showing moisture stability for several months. Unlike random-oriented HPs, which exhibit negligible current hysteresis, the V-HPs possess multilevel analog memristive characteristics, programmable potentiation and depression with distinguished multi-states, long-short-term plasticity, paired-pulse facilitation, and even spike-timing-dependent plasticity. Furthermore, high classification accuracy is obtained with implementation in deep neural networks. These remarkable improvements are attributed to the vertically well-aligned lead iodide octahedra acting as the ion transport channel, confirmed by first-principles calculations. This study paves the way for understanding HPs nanophysics and demonstrating their potential utility in neuromorphic computing systems.     

Engineering materials for artificial cells

The grand challenge of engineering a minimal artificial cell provides a controllable framework for studying the biochemical principles of life. Artificial cells contribute to an increased understanding of complex synthetic systems with life-like properties and provide opportunities to create autonomous cell-like materials. Recent efforts to develop life-like artificial cells by bottom-up approaches involve mimicking the behavior of lipid membranes to recapitulate fundamental cellular processes. This review describes the recent progress in engineering biomimetic artificial minimal cells and recently developed chemical strategies to drive de novo membrane formation from simple synthetic precursors. In the end, we briefly point out the challenges and possible future directions in the development of artificial cells.     

A conceptual framework for combining artificial intelligence and optimization in engineering design

Research in artificial intelligence and optimization (OR) has had significant impact on the formulation and solution of computational methods in engineering design. This paper presents a conceptual framework for understanding a more powerful technology that is evolving from a combination of these approaches. The paper first proposes generalized representations of engineering design models that involve quantitative and qualitative aspects. Second, it presents a general classification of AI and OR models in terms of model attributes, in order to establish mappings with generic solution techniques. Third, the requirements of solution methods are discussed, as well as several schemes for the integration of AI and optimization to identify future research directions. Several specific approaches are included to illustrate various ways in which AI and optimization can be combined for tackling computational design models.     

Study on mechanical behaviors of pneumatic artificial muscle

Nowadays, Pneumatic Artificial Muscle (PAM) has become one of the most widely-used fluid-power actuators which yields remarkable muscle-like properties such as high force to weight ratio, soft and flexible structure, minimal compressed-air consumption and low cost. To obtain optimum design and usage, it is necessary to understand mechanical behaviors of the PAM. In this study, the proposed models are experimentally derived to describe mechanical behaviors of the PAMs. The experimental results show a non-linear relationship between contraction as well as air pressure within the PAMs and a pulling force of the PAMs. Three different sizes of PAMs available in industry are studied for empirical modeling and simulation. The case studies are presented to verify close agreement on the simulated results to the experimental results when the PAMs perform under various loads.     

Collective action on artificial intelligence: A primer and review

Progress on artificial intelligence (AI) requires collective action: the actions of two or more individuals or agents that in some way combine to achieve a result. Collective action is needed to increase the capabilities of AI systems and to make their impacts safer and more beneficial for the world. In recent years, a sizable but disparate literature has taken interest in AI collective action, though this literature is generally poorly grounded in the broader social science study of collective action. This paper presents a primer on fundamental concepts of collective action as they pertain to AI and a review of the AI collective action literature. The paper emphasizes (a) different types of collective action situations, such as when acting in the collective interest is or is not in individuals’ self-interest, (b) AI race scenarios, including near-term corporate and military competition and long-term races to develop advanced AI, and (c) solutions to collective action problems, including government regulations, private markets, and community self-organizing. The paper serves to bring an interdisciplinary readership up to speed on the important topic of AI collective action.     

Bioinspired phospholipid polymer biomaterials for making high performance artificial organs

Novel polymer biomaterials, which can be used in contact with blood, are prepared with strong inspiration from the surface structure of biomembrane. That is, the polymers with a phospholipid polar group in the side chain, 2-methacrylooyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) polymers were synthesized. The MPC polymers can inhibit surface-induced clot formation effectively, when they are in contact with blood even in the absence of an anticoagulant. This phenomenon was due to the reduction of plasma protein and suppression of denaturation of adsorbed proteins, that is the MPC polymers interact with blood components very mildly. As the molecular structure of the MPC polymer was easily designed by changing the monomer units and their composition, it could be applied to surface modification of artificial organs and biomedical devices for improving blood and tissue compatibility. Thus, the MPC polymers are useful polymer biomaterials for manufacturing high performance artificial organs and biomedical devices to provide safe medical treatments.     

Improved artificial bee colony algorithm based on escaped foraging strategy

This paper presents an improved artificial bee colony algorithm. Under the framework of the basic artificial bee colony algorithm, this paper redefines the artificial bee colony and introduces search strategies for group escape and foraging based on Levy flight. The proposed algorithm is named artificial bee colony algorithm based on escaped foraging strategy (EFSABC).There are different strategies for scout bees, onlookers, and free bees searching for honey sources in the EFSABC: all working bees relinquish old honey sources due to disturbance, and select different routines to seek new honey sources. Sixteen typical high-dimensional standard functions are used to verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. The EFSABC algorithm outperforms the traditional artificial bee colony algorithm in all aspects.     

Carbon nanotube reinforced metal binder for diamond cutting tools

The potential of carbon nanotube reinforcement of metallic binders for the improvement of quality and efficiency of diamond cutting wheels is studied. The effect of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) reinforcement on the mechanical properties i.e. hardness, Young modulus, strength and deformation behavior of copper and iron based binder for diamond cutting wheels is investigated experimentally and numerically. Computational micromechanical studies were carried out to clarify the mechanisms of the MWCNT material strengthening. It is demonstrated that the adding of MWCNTs leads to the decrease of grain size of the structural constituents of the binder, what in turn leads to the improved simultaneously hardness, Young modulus, plastic extension, bending strength and performances of the metallic binders. Comparing service properties of diamond end-cutting drill bits with and without MWCNT one observed the drastic increase of the cutting speed as a result of MWCNT reinforcement.     

TiO_2-Al_2O_3负载型催化剂的制备及其光催化性能

以钛酸四丁酯和氢氧化钠为反应物,采用两步水热法制备TiO2纳米线,并将其原位负载于Al2O3载体上,研究它们对甲基橙的光催化降解性能。结果表明,锐钛矿相TiO2主要呈纳米线和八面体状负载在Al2O3载体上,当TiO2负载质量分数为30%,焙烧温度为400℃,催化剂用量为1.332 0 g/L时,TiO2-Al2O3负载型催化剂光催化降解甲基橙的性能最佳,光照5 h后,甲基橙在紫外和太阳光下的降解率分别达到58.9%和55.6%。相同实验条件下,TiO2-Al2O3负载型催化剂对甲基橙的降解率比单纯TiO2提高了35.1%。     

Comparative study on the corrosion behavior of Ti-Nb and TMA alloys for dental application in various artificial solutions

The corrosion behavior of Ti-Nb dental alloy in artificial saliva with and without the addition of lactic acid and sodium fluoride was investigated by electrochemical techniques, with the commercial Titanium-molybdenum alloy (TMA) as a comparison. The chemical composition, microstructure and constitutional phase were characterized via energy dispersive spectrometry, optical microscope and X-ray diffraction, meanwhile the open circuit potential, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and potentiodynamic polarization measurements were carried out to study the corrosion resistance of experimental alloys, with the corroded surface being further characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It was found that the corrosion behavior of Ti-Nb alloy was similar to those TMA alloy samples in both artificial and acidified saliva solutions, whereas statistical analysis of the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and polarization parameters showed Ti-Nb alloy exhibited better corrosion resistance in fluoridated saliva and fluoridated acidified saliva. SEM observation indicated that TMA alloy corroded heavily than Ti-Nb alloy in fluoride containing saliva. XPS surface analysis suggested that Nb₂O₅ played an important role in anti-corrosion from the attack of fluoride ion. Based on the above finding, Ti-Nb alloy is believed to be suitable for the usage in certain fluoride treated dental works with excellent corrosion resistance in fluoride-containing oral media.     

A review on carbon/magnetic metal composites for microwave absorption

At present,developing high-efficiency microwave absorption materials with properties including light-weight,thin thickness,strong absorbing intensity and broad bandwidth is an urgent demand to solve the electromagnetic pollution issues.An ideal microwave absorber should have excellent dielectric and magnetic loss capabilities,thereby inducing attenuation and absorption of incident electromagnetic radiation.Recently,various carbon/magnetic metal composites have been developed and expected to become promising candidates for high-performance microwave absorbers.In this review,we introduce the mechanisms of microwave absorption and summarize the recent advances in carbon/magnetic metal composites.Preparation methods and microwave absorption properties of carbon/magnetic metal com-posites with different components,morphologies and microstructures are discussed in detail.Finally,the challenges and future prospects of carbon/magnetic metal absorbing materials are also proposed,which will be useful to develop high-performance microwave absorption materials.     

Effects of electrochemical synthetic conditions on surface property and photocatalytic performance of copper and iron-mixed p-type oxide electrodes

Earth-abundant copper and iron-mixed oxide(CuO/CuFeO_2; CFO) film electrodes are synthesized using an electrochemical deposition(ED) technique at two different ED potentials(-0.36 and-0.66 V vs saturated calomel electrode(SCE); denoted as ED-1 and ED-2, respectively). Then, their surface morphologies are compared, and the photo(electro)catalytic activities for the reduction of Cr(VI) are examined in aqueous solutions at pH 7 under simulated sunlight(AM 1.5 G; 100 mW cm~(-2)). The degree of the electrical potential applied to the ED process significantly affects the thickness of the synthesized electrode film and the intensity ratio of the diffraction peaks of CuO(111) and CuFeO_2(012). A 200 μm thick ED-2 sample with a distinct stacking of CuO on CuFeO_2 exhibits a larger broadband absorption spectrum than the 50-μm thick ED-1 with less separate stacking. Furthermore, the ED-2 sample has a higher intensity ratio of the diffraction peaks of CuO(111) and CuFe02(012) than ED-1. As-synthesized ED-2 samples produce larger photocurrents, leading to faster Cr(VI) reduction on the surface under given potential bias(-0.5 V vs SCE)or bias-free conditions. The energy levels(i.e., flatband potential) for the two samples are almost the same(only 10 mV difference), presumably supposing that the enhanced photoactivity of the ED-2 sample for Cr(VI) reduction is due to the facilitated charge transfer. The time-resolved photoluminescence emission spectra analysis reveal that the lifetime(r) of the charge carriers in the ED-1 sample is 0.103 ns, which decreases to 0.0876 ns in the ED-2. The ED-2 sample synthesized at a high negative potential is expected to contribute greatly to the application of other solar-to-fuel energy conversion fields as a highly efficient electrode material.