Two-step sintering technique for enhancing mechanical and oxygen permeation properties of dual-phase oxygen transport membranes

The present work involved the application of a two-step sintering (TSS) technique for typical Ce_0.9Gd_0.1O_2?δ–La_0.6Sr_0.4Co_0.2Fe_0.8O_3–δ (GDC–LSCF) composites and its effect on the microstructure and resultantly mechanical and O₂-permeating properties. The samples obtained by conventional sintering (CS) performed at 1100, 1250, and 1400 °C for 3 h exhibited maximum flexural strength and hardness values of 142 MPa and 8.71 GPa, respectively. However, the application of a TSS procedure produced fine-grained microstructures with improved mechanical properties. In particular, with the use of a typical 1250/1200 TSS protocol, increases of approximately 31 % and 7% in the flexural strength and hardness values, respectively, were observed compared to those obtained using the CS method. Moreover, thick-film (～ 60 μm) GDC–LSCF membrane prepared by tape casting and the TSS technique showed remarkably 1.5–2 times higher oxygen permeation flux than membrane sintered by CS method. The results are discussed and explained in detail.     

Deep freezing to maintain the freshness of pork loin during long-term storage

Food Science and Biotechnology - As storage temperature impacts frozen meat quality, we evaluated the ideal freezing and storage temperatures for pork loin, and effects of long-term storage...     

Tribological performance of UV picosecond laser multi-scale composite textures for C/SiC mechanical seals: Theoretical analysis and experimental verification

The performance of mechanical seals can be improved by using multi-scale composite textures with spiral grooves and micro-dimples, but without a clear texture function mechanism, it is difficult to optimize the textures on the sealing surface. This research established a mathematical model based on the mass-conservative JFO cavitation boundary to analyze the mechanical seal performance of multi-scale composite micro-textures. We use the multi-grid method for numerical solutions, investigate the hydrodynamic lubrication characteristics of composite-textured mechanical seals, and inspect the coupling effect of micro-dimples and spiral grooves. We also analyzed the influence of the geometrical parameters of composite textures on the sealing performance and optimized the sealing surface textures using theoretical analysis. The numerical analysis showed that the multi-scale composite-textured mechanical seal produced a coupling effect between the micro-dimples and spiral grooves, which improved the lubrication of the sealing pair. Eventually, C/SiC mechanical seal bench tests confirmed the tribological improvement of composite textures compared with the un-textured seal under various sealing liquid pressures and rotation speeds. Through comparing the Stribeck curve, the multi-scale composite textured C/SiC mechanical seals have a lower and more stable friction torque than the un-textured.     

Selective Extraction of Li,Rb, and Cs and Precipitation of Lithium Carbonate Directly from Lithium Porcelain Stone

Russian Journal of Non-Ferrous Metals - The expected increase in demand for alkali metal raises a concern over the difficulty in extracting Li, Rb, and Cs from hard rock ores. A four-step process...     

Learning bipartite Bayesian networks under monotonicity restrictions

ABSTRACT

Learning parameters of a probabilistic model is a necessary step in machine learning tasks. We present a method to improve learning from small datasets by using monotonicity conditions. Monotonicity simplifies the learning and it is often required by users. We present an algorithm for Bayesian Networks parameter learning. The algorithm and monotonicity conditions are described, and it is shown that with the monotonicity conditions we can better fit underlying data. Our algorithm is tested on artificial and empiric datasets. We use different methods satisfying monotonicity conditions: the proposed gradient descent, isotonic regression EM, and non-linear optimization. We also provide results of unrestricted EM and gradient descent methods. Learned models are compared with respect to their ability to fit data in terms of log-likelihood and their fit of parameters of the generating model. Our proposed method outperforms other methods for small sets, and provides better or comparable results for larger sets.     

A novel 4D resolution imaging method for low and medium atomic number objects at the centimeter scale by coincidence detection technique of cosmic-ray muon and its secondary particles

The muon radiography imaging technique for high-atomic-number objects(Z) and large-volume objects via muon transmission imaging and muon multiple scattering imaging remains a popular topic in the field of radiation detection imaging. However, few imaging studies have been reported on low and medium Z objects at the centimeter scale. This paper presents an imaging system that consists of three layers of a position-sensitive detector and four plastic scintillation detectors. It acquires data by co...     

苏里格致密砂岩气藏未动用储量评价及开发对策

为落实苏里格气田强非均质致密砂岩气藏储量规模和动用程度、评价稳产潜力，基于储层地质知识库，通过细分计算单元采用"容积法"完成储量复算；结合储层静态参数、气井生产指标及内部收益率建立了储量分类评价标准，将储量分为富集区、致密区和富水区三类；优选"单井控制面积法"评价已动用储量和剩余未动用储量。评价结果表明，苏里格气田储量基础落实，各区块储量动用程度差异大，储量综合动用程度为40.1%，剩余未动用储量规模大，稳产潜力较好。目前经济技术条件下，气田稳产主要通过井网加密、侧钻水平井及查层补孔的方式来提高富集区和致密区储量动用程度，富水区剩余储量的有效动用仍须进一步攻关。