Thermal expansion coefficient and thermal fatigue of discontinuous carbon fiber-reinforced copper and aluminum matrix composites without interfacial chemical bond

Fully dense carbon fiber-reinforced copper and aluminum matrix (Cu–CF and Al–CF) composites were fabricated by hot press without the need for an interfacial chemical compound. With 30 vol% carbon fiber, the thermal expansion coefficients (TECs) of pure Cu and Al were decreased to 13.5 × 10^?6 and 15.5 × 10^?6/K, respectively. These improved TECs of Cu–CF and Al–CF composites were maintained after 16 thermal cycles; moreover, the TEC of the 30 vol% Cu–CF composite was stable after 2500 thermal cycles between ?40 and 150 °C. The thermal strain caused by the TEC mismatch between the matrix and the carbon fiber enables mechanical enhancement at the matrix/carbon fiber interface and allows conservation of the improved TECs of Cu–CF and Al–CF composites after thermal cycles.     

3D Graphene Frameworks/Co3O4 Composites Electrode for High‐Performance Supercapacitor and Enzymeless Glucose Detection

3D graphene frameworks/Co₃O₄ composites are produced by the thermal explosion method, in which the generation of Co₃O₄ nanoparticles, reduction of graphene oxide, and creation of 3D frameworks are simultaneously completed. The process prevents the agglomeration of Co₃O₄ particles effectively, resulting in monodispersed Co₃O₄ nanoparticles scattered on the 3D graphene frameworks evenly. The prepared 3D graphene frameworks/Co₃O₄ composites used as electrodes for supercapacitor display a definite improvement on electrochemical performance with high specific capacitance (≈1765 F g^?1 at a current density of 1 A g^?1), good rate performance (≈1266 F g^?1 at a current density of 20 A g^?1), and excellent stability (≈93% maintenance of specific capacitance at a constant current density of 10 A g^?1 after 5000 cycles). In addition, the composites are also employed as nonenzymatic sensors for the electrochemical detection of glucose, which exhibit high sensitivity (122.16 µA mM ^?1 cm^?2) and noteworthy lower detection limit (157 × 10^?9 M , S/N = 3). Therefore, the authors expect that the 3D graphene frameworks/Co₃O₄ composites described here would possess potential applications as the electrode materials in supercapacitors and nonenzymatic detection of glucose.     

A novel preparation of water-dispersed graphene and their application to electrochemical detection of dopamine

In the paper, water-dispersed graphene-GQDs composites were prepared by electrochemical exfoliation under alternating voltage combining ultrasonic treatment. The effects of alternating voltage, alternating frequency and the distance between electrodes were carefully explored. The results showed that the quality of composites prepared by alternating voltage was higher than that by direct voltage. The existence of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) hindered the agglomeration of graphene and facilitated dispersion of graphene in water. The sensor based on the obtained graphene-GQDs composites was used to detect dopamine (DA). The electrochemical investigation showed that the sensor had good selectivity and wide linear ranges for the detection of DA (0.1–100 µM). The detection limit could be down to 3 × 10^?8 M (S/N = 3) with a sensitivity of 14.25 µA µM^?1 cm^?2.     

The superplasticity and microstructure evolution of coarse-grained Ti40 alloy

The superplastic deformation characteristics of coarse-grained Ti40 alloy have been studied in the temperature and strain rate range of 760–880°C and 5?×?10^?4 to 1?×?10^?2?s^?1, respectively. The alloy exhibited good superplasticity in all test conditions except at 760°C and strain rate higher than 5?×?10^?3?s^?1, with the maximum elongation of 436% at 840°C, 1?×?10^?3?s^?1. The activation energy value was found to be close to the self-diffusion activation energy of Ti40 alloy, suggesting that the rate controlling mechanism was lattice diffusion. The coarse grain was elongated and refined which can be attributed to the occurrence of dynamic recovery and continuous dynamic recrystallisation. These processes were promoted by the subgrain formation and evolution, resulting in the good superplasticity of Ti40 alloy with coarse grains.     

The usefulness of diffusion-weighted imaging for differentiating portal vein thrombus from tumour embolus

To investigate the usefulness of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) for differentiating bland portal vein thrombus from tumour thrombus. Fifteen patients with clinical comprehensive diagnoses of portal vein thrombus were analysed retrospectively. The thrombus signal intensity on 21 DWI slices and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were analysed quantitatively. The portal vein thrombus was divided into four types (low/low, high/low, low/high, and high/high) based on the DWI/ADC ratios between the thrombus and liver parenchyma (rDWI and rADC, respectively). Twenty patients with portal vein tumour thrombi were used for comparison as controls. The average ADC value for the bland thrombus was 1.84?±?0.70?×?10^?3?mm²?s^?1 (range: 0.46–2.77?×?10^?3?mm²?s^?1), and was 2.18?±?0.51?×?10^?3?mm²?s^?1 (range: 1.39–2.82?×?10^?3?mm²?s^?1) for the liver parenchyma; the rADC was therefore 0.90?±?0.45 (range: 0.26–1.86). The tumour thrombi were high/low and high/high type. The average ADC for the tumour thrombus was 1.25?±?0.26?×?10^?3?mm²?s^?1 (range: 0.68–1.67?×?10^?3?mm²?s^?1), and 1.56?±?0.33?×?10^?3?mm²?s^?1 (range: 1.11–2.34?×?10^?3?mm²?s^?1) for the liver parenchyma; the rADC was therefore 0.82?±?0.16 (range: 0.39–1.08). There was no statistical difference in rADC values and rDWI/rADC classification performance between the bland and tumour thrombi. The ADC difference between portal vein bland and tumour thrombi was statistically significant, but the ADC values of bland thrombi have a wider range, which contains the ADC values of tumour thrombi with a narrower range. The elevated ADC values of the liver parenchyma adjacent to portal vein emboli may be helpful for the diagnosis of bland thrombi.     

Extruded PZT/polymer composites for electromechanical transducer applications

PZT/polymer composites having a 1–3 parallel connectivity were fabricated by impregnating a sintered, extruded honeycomb configuration of PZT with various polymers. The resultant composites were found to have densities less than 2900 kg/m³, a dielectric constant of ～500 and a piezoelectric d₃₃ of ～300×10^?12 C/N. The 1–3 connectivity increases the piezoelectric voltage coefficient (g₃₃) from 22×10^?3 Vm/N (solid PZT) to ～70×10^?3 Vm/N.The composites have thickness mode electromechanical coupling coefficients (k_t) which are ～25% greater than that of homogeneous PZT, and are readily adaptable for broad bandwidth operation. This combination of electromechanical properties makes these composites ideal for low voltage displacement and pulse echo applications.     

Canadian developments in superconducting Maglev and linear synchronous motors

Canadian developments in the application of superconducting magnets for levitation, synchronous propulsion, and guidance of high speed inter-city ground transport are described. At 480 km h^?1 a 100 passenger vehicle weighing 300 kN is levitated 15 cm clear of a flat guideway (minimizing ice and snow accumulation) by eight 3.85 × 10⁵ ampere-turns 100 × 30 cm magnets interacting with eddy currents induced in two 80 × 1 cm aluminium strips. The variable speed LSM uses fifty 5 × 10⁵ ampere-turns 40 × 150 cm magnets interacting with split three-phase windings energized in 5 km sections and phase angle controlled to give 72% efficiency and 0.82 power factor. A lateral restoring force of 10⁴ N cm^?1 is produced by the propulsion magnets interacting with the levitation strip edges and with flat null-flux loops overlying the LSM windings. A review of cryogenic systems indicates that isochoric dewar operation is best suited for Maglev vehicles. The test facility, using stationary full-scale superconducting magnets and guideway components mounted on a 100 km h^?1 vertical axis 7.6 m diameter wheel, is now fully operational and LSM tests are being performed.     

Solubility of mixed-valence U(IV–VI) and Np(IV–V) hydroxides in simulated groundwater and 0.1 M NaClO4 solutions

The kinetics of U(VI) accumulation in the phase of U(IV) hydroxide and of Np(V) in the phase of neptunium(IV) hydroxide, and also the solubility of the formed mixed-valence U(IV)-U(IV) and Np(IV)-Np(V) hydroxides in simulated groundwater (SGW, pH 8.5) and 0.1 M NaClO₄ (pH 6.9) solutions was studied. It was found that the structure of the mixed U(IV–VI) hydroxide obtained by both oxidation of U(IV) hydroxide with atmospheric oxygen and alkaline precipitation from aqueous solution containing simultaneously U(IV) and U(VI) did not affect its solubility at the U(VI) content in the system exceeding 16%. The solubility of mixed-valence U(IV–VI) hydroxides in SGW and 0.1 M NaClO₄ is (3.6±1.9) × 10^?4 and (4.3 ± 1.7) × 10^?4 M, respectively. The mixed Np(IV–V) hydroxide containing from 8 to 90% Np(V) has a peculiar structure controlling its properties. The solubility of the mixed-valence Np(IV–V) hydroxide in SGW [(6.5 ± 1.5) × 10^?6 M] and 0.1 M NaClO₄ [(6.1±2.4) × 10^?6 M] is virtually equal. Its solubility is about three orders of magnitude as high as that of pure Np(OH)₄ (10^?9–10^?8 M), but considerably smaller than that of NpO₂(OH) (～7 × 10^?4 M). The solubility is independent of the preparation procedure [oxidation of Np(OH)₄ with atmospheric oxygen or precipitation from Np(IV) + Np(V) solutions]. The solubility of the mixed-valence Np hydroxide does not increase and even somewhat decreases [to (1.4±0.7) × 10^?6 M] in the course of prolonged storage (for more than a year).     

Experimental research on residual carbon of Y211 inclusions in a melt-textured Y123/Y211 composite

The inherent doping of residual carbon during the preparation of Y₂BaCuO₅ (Y211) inclusions would degrade the physical and mechanical performance of the Y₁Ba₂Cu₃O_7-x (Y123) superconducting matrix. Y211 precursor powders were prepared by the oxalate coprecipitation process in this study. Residual carbon contents of Y211 powders under different heat treatment processes were studied by the high-frequency combustion infrared absorption method. The residual carbon content of Y211 reached the current best level ～0.012% when calcined in O₂ flow at 950°C for 20?h. Y211 powders with the lowest carbon content were used to prepare a small batch of melt-textured Y123/Y211 composites. All samples were single-domain crystals without macro defects, which were usually caused by the emission of CO₂. Among them, one sample (Ø27?mm?×?14?mm) has a maximum levitation force of 71?N (77?K, 0.5?T), with critical current density J_c of 3.2?×?10⁸ A/m² (77?K, 0?T).     

Properties of TiNxfilms reactively sputtered in an argon-nitrogen atmosphere

The dependence of the resistivity and temperature coefficient of resistivity (TCR) of TiN_x films on nitrogen pressure is described. The partial nitrogen pressure was varied from 10^?5 Torr to 2×10^?4 Torr. The maximum value of the resistivity (216 μΩ cm) and the lowest negative value of TCR (?33ppmK^?1) were obtained in the nitrogen pressure range (2?4)×10^?5 Torr. The minimum value of the resistivity (44 μΩ cm) and the highest positive value of the TCR (1160 ppm K^-1 were obtained in the nitrogen pressure range (4?10)×10^?5 Torr. The influence of aging temperature up to 573 K on the resistance changes are shown. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated the presence of oriented or non-oriented TiN in these films.     

Graphene–Ruthenium Complex Hybrid Photodetectors with Ultrahigh Photoresponsivity

The maximum responsivity of a pure monolayer graphene‐based photodetector is currently less than 10 mA W^?1 because of small optical absorption and short recombination lifetime. Here, a graphene hybrid photodetector functionalized with a photoactive ruthenium complex that shows an ultrahigh responsivity of ≈1 × 10⁵ A W^?1 and a photoconductive gain of ≈3 × 10⁶ under incident optical intensity of the order of sub‐milliwatts is reported. This responsivity is two orders of magnitude higher than the precedent best performance of graphene‐based photodetectors under a similar incident light intensity. Upon functionalization with a 4‐nm‐thick ruthenium complex, monolayer graphene‐based photodetectors exhibit pronounced n‐type doping effect due to electron transfer via the metal?ligand charge transfer (MLCT) from the ruthenium complex to graphene. The ultrahigh responsivity is attributed to the long lifetime and high mobility of the photoexcited charge carriers. This approach is highly promising for improving the responsivity of graphene‐based photodetectors.     

N,S co-doped lignin-based carbon microsphere functionalized graphene hydrogel with ‘‘sphere-in-layer” interconnection as electrode materials for supercapacitor and molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensors

This work reports a three-dimensional N, S co-doped lignin-based carbon microsphere/graphene composite hydrogel (GH-NSCMS) as an electrode material for supercapacitors and a signal enhancement material for tetracycline molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensors (MIECS). As a supercapacitor electrode, GH-NSCMS electrode has a specific capacitance of 434.6 F g^?1 at 0.5 A g^?1, which can still maintain 94.15% after 5,000 cycles. In addition, a highly sensitive MIP electrochemical sensor for tetracycline detection is prepared based on GH-NSCMS composite material due to the synergistic effects of the high recognition accuracy of the imprinting method, and excellent conductivity of the composite hydrogel material. The sensor has a wide linear range (0.1–50 μM) and a significant detection limit (5 × 10^?8 mol L^?1). Therefore, the 3D GH-NSCMS composites described herein have potential application prospects in supercapacitor electrode materials and tetracycline molecular imprinting detection.     

Solid-state stability studies of faropenem based on chromatography,spectroscopy and theoretical analysis

Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the stability of faropenem in solid state.

Results: The kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of degradation of faropenem were studied using an RP-HPLC method while the changes of spectral properties were investigated using derivative UV and FT-IR. Quantum-chemical calculations, based on the density functional theory, were carried out to support the estimation of the intra-ring stresses of faropenem and for theoretical interpretation of the spectra. The degradation of faropenem was a first-order reaction depending on the substrate concentration at an increased relative humidity and in dry air. The dependence ln k = f(1/T) became the ln k?=?(2.03?±?3.22)?×?10⁴–(9761?±?3052)(1/T) in dry air and ln k?=?(1.25?±?0.22)?×?10⁵–(9004?±?3479)(1/T?) at 90.0% RH. The thermodynamic parameters E_a, ΔH^≠a, and ΔS^≠a of the degradation of faropenem were calculated. The dependence ln k?=?f(RH%) assumed the form ln k?=?(7.58?±?1.88)?×?10^?2 (RH%) – (5.90?±?3.90)?×?10^?8.

Conclusions: Stability studies of faropenem showed that the fusion of β-lactam and thiazolidine rings reduces the intra-ring stress, leading to a lower susceptibility to degradation in dry air and at increased RH.     

Synthesis of conductive PPy/graphene/rare-earth ions composites and its application in the electrode materials

PPy/graphene/rare-earth ions composites were prepared by in-situ polymerization. The structure and morphology of the composites are characterized by transmission electron microscope and scanning electron microscope, the results revealed that the graphene nanosheets were distributed homogeneously within the PPy matrix. Cyclic voltammetry was used to study the electrochemical properties of composites in K₃Fe(CN)₆ (pH 7.4) at a scan rate of 10 mV s^?1 with a applied voltage range of ?0.2 to 0.6 V, indicating that composite has excellent cycling performance. These results demonstrate the viability of the use of this composites as electrode material for the capacitors.     

Superradiance and lasing properties of new two-photon absorption dye DEASPS

Pumped by picosecond pulses from a Nd:YAG laser, a new lasing dye, trans-4-[4′-(N,N-diethylamino)styryl]-N-methyl pyridinium methyl sulfate (abbreviated to DEASPS), shows both intense superradiance and strong lasing properties in benzyl alcohol solution. By using streak camera systems, the superradiance and lasing can be distinguished both spectrally and temporally. It has been found that the peak wavelength of lasing is at 620 nm with a red-shift of about 12 nm to the superradiance wavelength. The lasing pulse shows an oscillatory effect that it is not found in the superradiance pulse. The fluorescence lifetime is 529 ± 40 ps and the effective molecular two-photon absorption is (1.25 ± 0.1) × 10^?48 cm⁴ ·s·photon ^?1, measured using a nonlinear transmittance method. This dye shows effective optical limiting of the pumping wavelength.     

Reduction in sintering temperature and tunable microwave dielectric properties in NaCa4V5O17 via compositional engineering

Some Li⁺-substituted NaCa₄V₅O₁₇ ceramics were designed and fabricated by the solid-state reaction method. Effects of cation doping on the sintering behavior, crystal structure, microstructure, and dielectric properties were systematically studied. As expected, Li⁺ substitution effectively reduced the densification temperature of NaCa₄V₅O₁₇ ceramics and lower the relative permittivity (ε_r), but surprisingly increased the quality factor (Q×f). A composition with 20?mol% Li⁺ dopants exhibits the highest Q×f?=?66,000?±?124?GHz coupled with an ε_r of 10.4?±?0.1 and a τ_f of ? 81.3?±?1.4?ppm/°C. Such compositional dependence in dielectric properties was analyzed in terms of ionic polarization and packing fraction.

     

Two-layered dissolving microneedles for percutaneous delivery of sumatriptan in rats

A novel transdermal delivery of sumatriptan (ST) was attempted by application of dissolving microneedle (DM) technology. Dextran DM (d-DM) and hyaluronate DM (h-DM) were prepared by adding ST solution to dextran solution or hyaluronic acid solution. One DM chip, 1.0?×?1.0?cm, contains 100 microneedle arrays in a 10?×?10 matrix. The mean lengths of DMs were 496.6?±?2.9 μm for h-DM and 494.5?±?1.3 μm for d-DM. The diameters of the array basement were 295.9?±?3.9 μm (d-DM) and 291.7?±?3.0 μm (h-DM), where ST contents were 31.6?±?4.5?μg and 24.1?±?0.9?μg. These results suggest that ST was stable in h-DM. Each DM was administered to rat abdominal skin. The maximum plasma ST concentrations, C_max, and the areas under the plasma ST concentration versus time curves (AUC) were 44.6?±?4.9?ng/ml and 24.6?±?3.9?ng · h/ml for h-DM and 38.4?±?2.7?ng/ml and 14.1?±?1.5?ng · h/ml for d-DM. The bioavailabilities of ST from DMs were calculated as 100.7?±?18.8% for h-DM and 93.6?±?10.2% for d-DM. Good dose dependency was observed on C_max and AUC. The stability study of ST in DM was performed for 3 months under four different conditions, ?80, 4, 23, and 50°C. At the end of incubation period, they were, respectively, 100.0?±?0.3%, 97.8?±?0.2%, 98.8?±?0.2%, and 100.7?±?0.1%. These suggest the usefulness of DM as a noninvaisive transdermal delivery system of ST to migraine therapy.     

Magnetoelectric effect of the multilayered CoFe2O4/BaTiO3 composites fabricated by tape casting

This paper presents the structural, ferroelectric, ferromagnetic, resonance and magnetoelectric (ME) properties of multilayered ME composites fabricated using tape casting method. The compositions corresponding to CoFe₂O₄ (CFO) with particle size of ~150?nm and BaTiO₃ (BTO) with particle size of ~100?nm were chosen as ferromagnetic and ferroelectric phases, respectively. Delamination was found at the interface between CFO and BTO layers, which was related to the residual stress due to the difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the two layers. The largest direct magnetoelectric and converse magnetoelectric coefficients of the multilayered ME composite were, respectively, 36?μV/cm?Oe at a bias magnetic field of 2,800?Oe and 1.16?×?10^?3?G/V at a frequency of 30?kHz. In addition, the corresponding interfacial coupling coefficient was calculated to be 3.2?×?10^?5. For the multilayered ME composite, a resonance frequency of 4.96?MHz and a bandwidth of 40?kHz were obtained using capacitance-frequency spectrum method.     

Fabrication of controlled expansion Al-Si composites by pressureless and spark plasma sintering

A combination of low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and decent thermal conductivity (TC) is the reason for the Al-high vol% Si system to become popular for electronic packaging material. In the present work, two process routes, firstly conventional powder metallurgy and then spark plasma sintering (SPS) were utilized for the fabrication of Al-20-60 wt.% Si composites. In addition, effect of small fraction of CNT addition on the CTE of Al-20?wt% Si was studied. Effect of process parameters on the consolidation of the composites in terms of densification, microstructure evolution along with fractographic analysis and strength was studied. CTE and TC of the sintered composites were measured and correlated with the densification, percentage of Si and morphologies of the sintered products. Overall, better densification could be achieved in SPS and the Al-30%Si and Al-40%Si composites SPSed at 550?°C showed average CTE values of 14.52?×?10^?6/K and 13.36?×?10^?6/K, respectively, in the temperature range of 30–200?°C, which were better than some of the existing alloys with higher Si content. Simultaneously, TC values were 114.4?W/mK and 107.12?W/mK, respectively, for the above two SPSed composites.