Thermophysical Properties of ZrB2 and ZrB2–SiC Ceramics

Thermophysical properties were investigated for zirconium diboride (ZrB₂) and ZrB₂–30 vol% silicon carbide (SiC) ceramics. Thermal conductivities were calculated from measured thermal diffusivities, heat capacities, and densities. The thermal conductivity of ZrB₂ increased from 56 W (m K)⁻¹ at room temperature to 67 W (m K)⁻¹ at 1675 K, whereas the thermal conductivity of ZrB₂–SiC decreased from 62 to 56 W (m K)⁻¹ over the same temperature range. Electron and phonon contributions to thermal conductivity were determined using electrical resistivity measurements and were used, along with grain size models, to explain the observed trends. The results are compared with previously reported thermal conductivities for ZrB₂ and ZrB₂–SiC.     

Ta2O5/Nb2O5 and Y2O3 Co-doped Zirconias for Thermal Barrier Coatings

Zirconia doped with 3.2–4.2 mol% (6–8 wt%) yttria (3–4YSZ) is currently the material of choice for thermal barrier coating topcoats. The present study examines the ZrO₂-Y₂O₃-Ta₂O₅/Nb₂O₅ systems for potential alternative chemistries that would overcome the limitations of the 3–4YSZ. A rationale for choosing specific compositions based on the effect of defect chemistry on the thermal conductivity and phase stability in zirconia-based systems is presented. The results show that it is possible to produce stable (for up to 200 h at 1000°–1500°C), single (tetragonal) or dual (tetragonal + cubic) phase chemistries that have thermal conductivity that is as low (1.8–2.8W/m K) as the 3–4YSZ, a wide range of elastic moduli (150–232 GPa), and a similar mean coefficient of thermal expansion at 1000°C. The chemistries can be plasma sprayed without change in composition or deleterious effects to phase stability. Preliminary burner rig testing results on one of the compositions are also presented.     

Satisfying America's Fruit Gap: Summary of an Expert Roundtable on the Role of 100% Fruit Juice

The 2015 to 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs) recognize the role of 100% fruit juice in health and in helping people meet daily fruit recommendations and state that 100% fruit juice is a nutrient‐dense beverage that should be a primary choice, along with water and low‐fat/fat‐free milk. The DGAs note that children are consuming 100% fruit juice within recommendations (that is, 120 to 180 mL/d for children aged 1 to 6 y and 236 to 355 mL/d for children aged 7 to 18 y). Evidence shows that compared to nonconsumers, those who consume 100% fruit juice come closer to meeting daily fruit needs and have better diet quality. In children, 100% fruit juice is associated with increased intakes of nutrients such as vitamin C, folate, and potassium. When consumed within the DGA recommendations, 100% fruit juice is not associated with overweight/obesity or childhood dental caries and does not compromise fiber intake. Preliminary data suggest that polyphenols in some 100% fruit juices may inhibit absorption of naturally occurring sugars. Given its role in promoting health and in helping people meet fruit needs, experts participating in a roundtable discussion agreed that there is no science‐based reason to restrict access to 100% fruit juice in public health nutrition policy and programs such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Reducing or eliminating 100% fruit juice could lead to unintended consequences such as reduced daily fruit intake and increased consumption of less nutritious beverages (for example, sugar‐sweetened beverages).     

廉价光学监视卫星的可行性

英国防卫评价研究局（DERA）已就该国卫星的研究方向调整为廉价的光学遥感卫星进行了可行性研究,这项研究是由英国国防部（MoD)和大不列颠国家空间中心联合发起,并由DERA空间部,萨里卫星技术有限公司（SSTL）,卢瑟福－阿普顿实验室（RAL）和曼德拉－马科尼空间部等四个单位联合进行研究评价的。其主要目的是验证能否以接近实时成像的速度,迅速提供有用的信息,为了获得廉价卫星的这种设计能力,即它能从600km高空获得分辨率为2．5m的图像,因此,有人提出,他们将证明廉价卫星的图像分辨率能进展和提高到1m,通过卫星飞行的机动性控制而得到的时间延迟积分（TDI）可被用来增加停留时间和信噪比（SNR）,要求卫星在所有三个轴向都能作3维旋转。他们简要地提出了对望远镜的光学设计,一种改进而超前的微型卫星运载舱结构能够支持这种仪器,建造一颗实验卫星的财政预算大约是1000万英镑,亦即1600万美元,因为这些卫星的成本低廉,所以可以建立卫星群,以便非常及时地提供高分辨率的图像,通讯系统的设计是这项研究的一个组成部分,对于采用类似方法,建造图像分辨率为1m,成本较低的微小卫星来说,这种微型卫星应是其能力的标志。     

Locally Welded Silver Nano‐Network Transparent Electrodes with High Operational Stability by a Simple Alcohol‐Based Chemical Approach

As an indispensable aspect of emerging flexible optoelectronics, flexible transparent electrodes, especially those comprised of metal nanowires, have attracted great attentions recently. Welding the nanowire junctions is an effective strategy for reducing the sheet resistance and improving the operational stability of flexible nanowire electrode in practical applications. Herein, a simple alcohol‐based solution approach is proposed to weld crossed silver nanowires by chemically growing silver “solder” at the junctions of the nanowires, forming transparent silver nano‐network electrodes with improved electrical conductivity and operational stability. Remarkably, silver nano‐networks can be rapidly formed by this simple approach under ambient condition and room temperature, requiring no assistance from heat, light, electrical current, or mechanical pressure. Furthermore, our results show that the nano‐network electrode formed from large diameter nanowires offers a better operational stability, whose trend is opposite to that of the untreated electrodes. To demonstrate the potential application of the highly stable silver nano‐network from large diameter nanowires, organic solar cells fabricated on the nano‐network electrode incorporated with silicon dioxide nanoparticles achieve comparable performance to the ITO control device. Consequently, strategy demonstrated in this work can contribute to low‐cost and highly stable transparent electrodes in emerging flexible optoelectronics.     

Industrial speed control: are PM couplings an alternative to VFDs?

For industrial applications, the primary consideration of any component or system is reliability. In this aspect, the variable frequency drive (VFD) is now generally regarded as a mature technology of proven track record in a multitude of diverse applications. The adjustable speed coupling system (ASCS), as a newer technology, needs to develop a comparable reputation which, if the mechanical concepts are sound, should be possible as it has a much smaller parts count and is simpler. Maintenance requirements are also small-two bearings requiring periodic lubrication     

“Thank heavens for the lease”: histories of shared ownership

Drawing on and developing Kingdon’s multiple streams analysis, this article examines the development of one aspect of the UK’s low cost home ownership programme: shared ownership. We demonstrate how key human and non-human policy entrepreneurs were able to set the agenda from 1973–1983 in favour of shared ownership; they neutralized the alternatives, while retaining some of their instruments; and solved a number of early problems by bringing key players into the programme. Our data-sets include a range of archival material and elite interviews. The policy entrepreneurs included John Stanley (who was the housing minister in the First Thatcher government), the National Federation of Housing Associations, and the Building Societies Association. Our development of the multiple streams analysis is to argue that documents, including the lease, act as policy entrepreneurs in their own right. The lease was central to the development of shared ownership and its transformation into a model lease enrolled other organizations, most critically the building societies.     

Between the Local and the Global: History of Science in the European Periphery Meets Post‐Colonial Studies

The aim of this paper is to discuss two historiographical issues pertaining to the history of science in the European periphery. The first issue concerns the wide use of the centre‐periphery dichotomy in historical accounts discussing the diffusion and institutionalization of science across the world. The second issue concerns the use of appropriation (instead of transfer, or adaptation) as a means to overcome the diffusionist model in history of science. Recent work at the intersection of history of science with post‐colonial studies will provide the framework for reassessing these matters. As it will be shown, theoretical discussions about the history of science in post‐colonial context can help historians overcome the centre‐periphery dichotomy and turn European periphery into a privileged standpoint for showing the actual diversity of ‘European science.’ At the same time, the experience of post‐colonial studies can also help sharpen the historiographical tool of appropriation. The assumption that will be made is that by focusing on appropriation rather than on discovery and innovation (the favourite categories of much of mainstream historiography), or on transfer and adaptation (the favourite categories of the diffusionist model), historians of science can not only set aside the artificial distinctions of the diffusionist model, but also bring forward the re‐inventions, the conceptual shifts and the cultural adjustments, which are responsible for the emergence of science as a global phenomenon in the periphery. Especially concerning European periphery, the use of appropriation may bring forward the particular historical circumstances under which certain knowledge patterns gained universal epistemic authority as constitutive elements of an imagined European intellectual identity.