Development of thermal insulating material with low emissivity and high-temperature stability

In a previous study, we demonstrated that porous magnesium aluminate spinels, MgAl₂O₄, with two different pore size ranges (diameter = 0.05-1 μm and 1-5 μm) exhibited thermal conductivities of less than 0.3 W/(m K) in the high-temperature region of 1000°C-1500°C. In contrast, thermal insulating materials that are stable at even higher temperatures would offer further improved thermal efficiency and energy savings. Therefore, we investigated lanthanum hexaaluminate, LaAl₁₁O₁₈, with the expectation that its plate-like grain morphology would allow stable retention of its porosity at high temperatures. A process was developed for generating pores with the desired dimensions for use of the thermal insulating materials at high temperatures. The heat transfer behavior of these materials was evaluated via optical measurements. Herein, we report the structures and thermal properties of the obtained porous ceramics, including determination of the thermal emissivity measurements, to demonstrate their superior high-temperature thermal insulating properties.     

Changes in the expression of interleukin-1beta and lipopolysaccharide-induced TNF factor in the oviduct of laying hens in response to artificial insemination

The aim of this study was to determine the physiological significance of interleukin-1beta (IL1B) and lipopolysaccharide-induced TNF factor (LITAF) in the fate of sperm in the oviduct of laying hens after artificial insemination (AI). Laying hens were inseminated with fresh semen, PBS or seminal plasma and tissues from different oviductal segments were collected to observe the general histology, changes in the mRNA expression of IL1B and LITAF and the localization of positive cells expressing immunoreactive IL1B (irIL1B). Semi-quantitative RT-PCR was used to observe the changes in mRNA expression of these molecules in the infundibulum, uterus, utero-vaginal junction (UVJ), and vagina after insemination. Intact sperm in the lumen and between the primary or secondary folds of the vagina were found until 6 h after insemination but were degraded at 12 h. The mRNA expression of IL1B and LITAF was significantly increased in the vagina until 6 h after AI but remained unchanged in the other oviductal segments. In the tissue of the vagina and UVJ, irIL1B was localized in the mucosal stroma. The number of irIL1B-positive cells was increased in the vagina but almost unchanged in UVJ after insemination with semen. Significant changes were not observed in the mRNA expression and irIL1B-positive cells in the vagina after PBS or seminal plasma insemination. The increase of IL1B and LITAF in the vagina may lead to sperm degradation and elimination by cilia of surface epithelium, whereas their lower levels in UVJ may permit sperm to survive in sperm storage tubules.     

Continuous Flow Atmospheric Pressure Laser Desorption/Ionization Using a 6–7-μm-Band Mid-Infrared Tunable Laser for Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry

A continuous flow atmospheric pressure laser desorption/ionization technique using a porous stainless steel probe and a 6–7-µm-band mid-infrared tunable laser was developed. This ion source is capable of direct ionization from a continuous flow with a high temporal stability. The 6–7-µm wavelength region corresponds to the characteristic absorption bands of various molecular vibration modes, including O–H, C=O, CH₃ and C–N bonds. Consequently, many organic compounds and solvents, including water, have characteristic absorption peaks in this region. This ion source requires no additional matrix, and utilizes water or acetonitrile as the solvent matrix at several absorption peak wavelengths (6.05 and 7.27 µm, respectively). The distribution of multiply-charged peptide ions is extremely sensitive to the temperature of the heated capillary, which is the inlet of the mass spectrometer. This ionization technique has potential for the interface of liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS).     

Origin of Surface Coating Effect for MgO on LiCoO2 to Improve the Interfacial Reaction between Electrode and Electrolyte

Surface coating on lithium‐ion battery cathodes improves their durability at high potentials, which is a well‐known practical application. However, the mechanism is still unclear because the coating influences the electrode/electrolyte interface at a few nanometer‐scale and direct observation of the interface under real operating conditions of a battery is challenging. This study reveals the mechanism of the surface coating effect on lithium‐ion battery cathodes by using in operando X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) on well‐defined MgO‐coated LiCoO₂ thin‐film electrodes prepared via pulsed laser deposition. Total‐reflection in operando XAS measurements reveal that LiCoO₂ forms a reductive phase at the interface between the uncoated‐LiCoO₂ electrode and the electrolyte, while the MgO coating layer inhibits the redox process, leading to an improvement in the cycle performance of the battery. Depth‐resolved in operando XAS measurements indicate that a solid solution of the magnesium phase forms at the LiCoO₂ surface upon MgO coating. Magnesium ions function as pillars to stabilize the layered structure at the interface between the LiCoO₂ electrode and the electrolyte for delithiated states upon cycling at potentials.     

圆弧齿线圆柱齿轮的数控滚切机理与试验研究

提出了一种利用标准齿轮滚刀滚切圆弧齿线圆柱齿轮的数控加工方法。探讨了圆弧齿线圆柱齿轮的数控滚切成形机理，推导了数控插补计算式，介绍了共轭齿轮对的制造方法。在CNC滚齿机上的实切试验表明，该工艺可获得与直齿轮同等的齿形精度与加工效率。     

Structure and Characteristics of High‐Performance PMASynRM with Ferrite Magnets

Recently, the use of permanent magnet (PM) motors has risen markedly because of improvements in the performance of rare earth PM motors. However, the use of rare earth materials, which is an important aspect of the high‐performance PM motor, should be reduced because of the high cost and unpredictability associated with procuring such materials. The performance of motors that use rare earth materials has reached a very high level, one that will not be easy to match without such materials. In this paper, we propose a structure for a high‐power‐density PM‐assisted synchronous reluctance motor involving the use of a ferrite PM. The structure prevents irreversible demagnetization of the PM even in the presence of heavy flux‐weakening excitation or an inverter fault. It is shown that the proposed structure achieves high‐power and high‐efficiency performance. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 187(1): 42–50, 2014; Published online in Wiley Online Library ( wileyonlinelibrary.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.22362     

The PV Era is coming — the way to GENESIS

Solar cells can surely be considered a critical technology for overcoming global environmental problems and energy problems. This paper will review the development background of solar cells, their current status and application technologies of solar cells. It will conclude with a discussion of the prospects of a future global-scale energy supply system based on solar cells.