Effect of B2O3 on the structural and in vitro biological assessment of mesoporous bioactive glass nanospheres

In this paper, the boron-containing mesoporous bioactive glass (MBG) nanospheres have been successfully synthesized by modified sol-gel method assisted by surfactant, and the effect of boron substitution on structure and bioactivity was evaluated by combining experiments and ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations. All of the samples exhibit regularly uniform mesoporous spherical microstructure with an average size of about 60 nm, and the boron-containing MBGs show higher specific surface area with the value up to 416.20 m²/g. The simulated body fluid (SBF) immersion test confirms that the deposited hydroxyapatite (HA) evidently increases with the increasing of boron content, indicating that the biological behavior has been significantly improved resulting from incorporation of boron. Additionally, our results also reveal that B₂O₃ substitution has positive impact on cell proliferation of human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs) at lower extracted concentration. Furthermore, AIMD simulation is employed to understand the relationship between structural changes and in vitro bioactivity in terms of structural information, especially the boron coordination number. The results illustrate that the boron-containing MBG nanospheres with excellent bioactivity are great potential for biomedical applications.     

Preparation of ZrO2 beads by an improved micro-droplet spray forming process

Monodisperse ZrO₂ ceramic beads with size larger than 1 mm have been prepared by an improved micro-droplet spray forming process, through which a compressor and a dispenser were employed to produce droplets continuously. Furthermore, the slurry recipe and drying temperature have been optimized to enhance the sphericity and smoothness of the beads. The sintered ZrO₂ ceramic beads present promising mechanical performance, including a relative density of 84.6%, a crush strength of 256.2 ± 36.6 N as well as a Vickers hardness of 1344.4 ± 58.3 HV. Such procedure reveals great potential in mass production of ceramic beads.     

A novel spherical-ordered macroporous CuO nanocatalyst for the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide

Journal of Applied Electrochemistry - The electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 is a promising research direction in resource utilization and sustainable energy development. However, there is still a...     

Aramid fiber reinforced EPDM microcellular foams: Influence of the aramid fiber content on rheological behavior,mechanical properties,thermal properties,and cellular structure

In this paper, aramid fiber (AF)/ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) microcellular foams added with different content of AF are prepared by the supercritical foaming method. The effect of the AF content on the rheological behavior, mechanical properties, thermal properties and cellular structure of the AF/EPDM microcellular foams has been systematically studied. The research illustrates that compared with pure EPDM, the AF/EPDM matrix has greater viscosity and modulus, which is conducive to reduce the cell size and increase its density. And the thermal stability of EPDM foams is improved with the addition of aramid fiber. Meanwhile, when the content of AF is added to 1 wt%, the AF/EPDM microcellular foam exhibits a relatively low thermal diffusion coefficient and apparent density with the thermal conductivity to 0.06 W/mK. When the AF is added to 5 wt%, the tensile strength of the AF/EPDM microcellular foam increases to 1.95 MPa, which is improved by 47% compared with that of the pure EPDM foam. Furthermore, when the compressive strain reaches to 50%, the compressive strength of the AF/EPDM microcellular foam is 0.48 MPa, improved by 296% compared with that of the pure EPDM foam.     

Hydrophobically modified melamine-formaldehyde sponge used for conformance control and water shutoff during oil production

Polymer or polymer gels have been widely used to control excessive water during oil production by homogenizing injection profile and reducing water cut in the produced fluids. However, the gels used are generally unable to selectively minimize water production, and face the challenge of syneresis of gels under high temperature and high salinity environment. In this work, melamine-formaldehyde sponge was modified with AlCl₃ solution, rendering a transition from hydrophilic to hydrophobic state with a water contact angle of 130° on the surface of the modified product. Filtration results show that mineral oil and water can be selectively separated with the hydrophobically modified sponge powders. Simulated water shutoff experiments demonstrated the blockage efficiency against water was 30% higher than that against oil, and the oil production was increased 7.4% after blocking. The parallel profile control tests confirmed that the fraction flow of high permeable channel decreased about 75%, accompanied with 60% rise of oil recovery factor. These results indicated that such hydrophobic materials can significantly reduce excessive water production, and this work provided a new idea to offer a low-cost hydrophobic material for conformance control and water shutoff during oil production.     

考虑饱和效应的无刷双馈发电机功率模型预测控制

该文建立了无刷双馈发电机(BDFIG)考虑饱和效应的动态模型,详细分析了有功功率与无功功率分配,提出考虑饱和效应的功率模型预测控制策略.基于无刷双馈发电机的饱和特性进行励磁电感估算,实时修正每周期输入至控制器的电感参数,实现了功率的精确控制,保证控制侧电流的正弦度和较低的开关频率.通过对功率模型预测控制系统的仿真及实验研究,明确了影响饱和效应的运行因素,最后通过实验验证了所提控制策略的有效性.     

Compatibility of inconel 617R alloy with LIF-MGF2-kf thermal energy storage salts and vacuum at high temperature

Thermal energy storage capsules made of Inconel 617 alloy were filled with high- purity LiF- MgF2- KF salts and thermally cycled at 983 ± 100 K in vacuum for up to 5 years. The containment life performance characteristics with fluoride salts and in vacuum were examined. Metallographic study indicated that the inside surfaces of the post- test containers had a corrosion damage of 100 um in depth after 5 years of thermal cycling. The outer surface showed a vaporization damage of 120 μm after the same period. After 5 years of thermal cycling, the aluminum concentration at the capsule interior surface was reduced to 0.424 wt% from a nominal concentration of 1.34 wt% and chromium was reduced to 18.7 wt% from a nominal concentration of 21.8 wt%. A more significant depletion of aluminum and chromium was observed at the outer surfaces. Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) were used to reveal the alloying element dissolution and the changes in melting temperature and heat of fusion of fluoride salts during thermal cycling. A modified diffusion equation for a one-dimensional semi-infinite bar was applied to the depletion of aluminum on the interior surfaces of the containers. Good agreement was obtained between the analysis and the measured concentration profiles. Inconel 617 is a registered trademark of the Inco Alloys International, Inc.     

Self-Diffusion of Iron in Molten Fe-C Alloys

Self-diffusion coefficients of iron in molten Fe-C alloys have been measured by using the capillary method. In addition, the samples have been autoradiographed and sectioned to insure that no significant convection has occurred during the diffusion. The results can be represented by the equation D = 4.3×10^?3 exp (—12.200/RT) for carbon = 4.6 pct and T = 1513° to 1633°K; and D = 1.0×10^?2 exp (—15,700/RT) for carbon = 2.5 pct and T = 1613° to 1673°K. The D values are higher and the heat of activation for diffusion lower in alloys containing more carbon. Calculation based on the Einstein-Stokes equation indicates that the diffusing species is iron ion.     

Effect of ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> coating on<Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> formation of calcium phosphate

We prepared zirconia thin films on (100) Si wafer by using a chemical solution deposition with a zirconium naphthenate as a starting material. The films were pyrolyzed at 500°C for 10 min and finally annealed for 30 min in air at 500°C. Amorphous films after annealing had no distinct structure and were uniform along the cross section line.In vitro formation of the calcium phosphate was evaluated by the field emission-scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.     

Processing,deformation, and failure in superplastic aluminum alloys: Applications of orientation-imaging microscopy

The importance of grain size refinement in enabling superplasticity is reviewed, and the current understanding of grain boundary characteristics is summarized. The application of orientation-imaging microscopy (OIM) methods to the processing response and the deformation and failure modes in superplastic aluminum alloys are illustrated through microtexture analysis and determination of grain boundary characteristics in selected commercial materials. Continuous and discontinuous recrystallization reactions exhibit distinct microtextures and grain boundary characteristics. The application of OIM and microtexture analysis to the evaluation of both deformation and failure mechanisms during superplastic forming is illustrated. This paper was presented at the International Symposium on Superplasticity and Superplastic Forming, sponsored by the Manufacturing Critical Sector at the ASM International AeroMat 2004 Conference and Exposition, June 8–9, 2004, in Seattle, WA. The symposium was organized by Daniel G. Sanders, The Boeing Company.