Solid-State Phase Relationships in the Calcia-Titania-Zirconia System at 1200°C

Phase relationships were investigated in the CaO–TiO₂–ZrO₂ system at 1200°C for compositions containing <50 mol% CaO using X-ray diffraction and electron probe microanalysis. The existence of two previously reported ternary phases, zirconolite (CaZrTi₂O₇) and calzirtite (Ca₂Zr₅Ti₂O₁₆), was confirmed. Each of these phases exhibited a significant range of homogeneity between TiO₂ and ZrO₂, while maintaining a nearly constant concentration of CaO. The ternary solubilities of the constituent binary phases were found to be small (typically <1 mol%), with the exceptions of the perovskites (CaTiO₃ and CaZrO₃). These latter phases displayed mutual solubilities of at least 22 mol% but exhibited significant variations in composition from grain to grain. Thermodynamic equilibrium was clearly not established in several samples, although most of the phase relationship information obtained was self-consistent.     

Hot plate welding of polypropylene. Part I: Crystallization kinetics

The crystalline structure formation in the heat affected zone during hot plate welding has a great influence on the performance of the welded semi-crystalline polymers. The quiescent and flow induced crystallization of polypropylene was investigated experimentally. A simplified, phenomenological crystallization model was developed, which can describe the crystal formation from completely melted and partially melted polymer. Predictions obtained from the model were compared with experimental results.     

An exact solution for in-plane vibrations of an arch having variable curvature and cross section

An exact solution for in-plane vibration of arches with variable curvature as well as cross section has been developed using the famous Frobenius method combined with the dynamic stiffness method. The effects of shear deformation and rotary inertia are taken into account. A convergent solution is always guaranteed without numerical difficulties. An important by-product of this series solution is that the first known dynamic stiffness matrix for an arch with variable curvature and variable cross section is also explicitly formulated. Some new numerical results are given for non-dimensional frequencies of parabolic arches with a certain type of variation of cross section along the arch that is often used in practical structures. Extensive and accurate (six significant figure ) non-dimensional frequency tables and graphic charts are presented for a series of parabolic arches showing the effects of rise to span length, slenderness ratio, and variation of cross section.     

MODELING OF SOLID FLOWS IN A FLUIDIZED BED WITH SECONDARY TANGENTIAL AIR INJECTION IN THE FREEBOARD

The Vortexing Fluidized-Bed Combustion (VFBC) technique was recently developed for small- and medium-scale coal-burning boiler applications. Experimental observations showed that the general solid flows in the freeboard of a vortexing fluidized bed consisted of three successive stages: (1) spirally ascending motion before colliding the freeboard wall, (2) bouncing on the wall, and (3) sliding on the wall and exiting the freeboard. This study attempts to model these three stages of solid flows. The dimensionless governing equations for particle motion in the swirling field were presented taking into account the interactions of particle inertia, centrifugal force, viscous fluid drag, and gravity. Numerical solutions of particle velocities and trajectories were pursued, and effects of particle momentum transfer number, Froude number, and particle-wall restitution coefficient were delineated. The experimental validation of solid flows in the swirling freeboard was furnished with an 18 cm ID laboratory fluidized bed.     

Research and development of maximum power transfer tracking system for solar cell unit by matching impedance

Employing the theorem that matching impedance produces maximum power transfer, the current study develops a low-cost and highly efficient “maximum power point tracker for a solar cell unit,” for the purpose of allowing a solar cell to achieve optimal power transfer under different solar intensities and temperatures. Circuit control takes a single-chip microprocessor as the core and the booster circuit design undergoes the solar cell charging operation even though the solar cell output voltage is lower than the rated storage battery voltage. Experiments conducted in this study prove that the tracker this study develops effectively enhances the utilization efficiency of a solar cell. When a solar cell is at an output voltage above 30% of the rated voltage, it can charge a storage battery. When it reaches above 80% of the rated voltage, its power conversion efficiency can reach above 85%. The charge and discharge management mechanism of the device also avoids excessive charge and discharge of the storage battery, and extends storage battery longevity.     

The Kock pouch urinary reservoir

The use of detubularized ileum for the Kock pouch produced a low pressure, high capacity system superior to large bowel segments that provided excellent continence and protection of the upper urinary tracts. The early enthusiasm was tempered, however, by the technically demanding aspects of the construction of the nipple valves, the early and late complications, and occasional catheterization problems. With simple modifications in the fixation of the intussuscepted nipples, limiting use of staples and mesh collars, and tapering of the stoma, much of those problems have been resolved. The nipple valve is reliable and superior to the tunneled implant for the dilated ureter. With more widespread indications for continent neobladders, the hemi-Kock reservoir remains one of the most dependable and stable neobladders.     

Solid-state diffusion bonding of tungsten-25 rhenium alloy

Nickel has successfully been used as an interleaf material to join W-25Re between 900 and 1400° C. The bond strength was found to depend on the temperature and stress at which the bonding process was conducted. It was also found that nickel reacts with the parent metal and forms a Ni-W-Re ternary alloy. The formation of the alloy causes significant embrittlement in the parent material. The alloy first nucleates at the grain boundary and then grows into the grain. Quantitative studies of the growth kinetics of the ternary alloy and its effect on the bond strength are discussed. Joining of W-25Re by self-diffusion bonding has also been successfully demonstrated at temperatures above 1500° C. The effect of surface conditions will be correlated with the quality of the joint.     

Small unilamellar vesicles: a platform technology for molecular imaging of brain tumors

Molecular imaging enables the non-invasive investigation of cellular and molecular processes. Although there are challenges to overcome, the development of targeted contrast agents to increase the sensitivity of molecular imaging techniques is essential for their clinical translation. In this study, spontaneously forming, small unilamellar vesicles (sULVs) (30 nm diameter) were used as a platform to build a bimodal (i.e., optical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)) targeted contrast agent for the molecular imaging of brain tumors. sULVs were loaded with a gadolinium (Gd) chelated lipid (Gd-DPTA-BOA), functionalized with targeting antibodies (anti-EGFR monoclonal and anti-IGFBP7 single domain), and incorporated a near infrared dye (Cy5.5). The resultant sULVs were characterized in vitro using small angle neutron scattering (SANS), phantom MRI and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Antibody targeted and nontargeted Gd loaded sULVs labeled with Cy5.5 were assessed in vivo in a brain tumor model in mice using time domain optical imaging and MRI. The results demonstrated that a spontaneously forming, nanosized ULVs loaded with a high payload of Gd can selectively target and image, using MR and optical imaging, brain tumor vessels when functionalized with anti-IGFBP7 single domain antibodies. The unique features of these targeted sULVs make them promising molecular MRI contrast agents.     

“电力电子技术”课程理论和实践同步教学法

为提高"电力电子技术"课程教学效果并培养学生主动学习能力,本文研究了理论和实践同步教学法,借助Matlab仿真和相应实验平台,让理论教学在实验室中完成。本文以三相桥式全控整流电路为例,建立了Matlab仿真模型,讨论了触发角和输出电压间的关系,给出了交流侧存在漏感、整流器故障的仿真分析。教学效果表明该教学方法对提高教学质量和加深学生对电力电子电路的理解有重要意义。