Covalent 2D and 3D networks from 1D nanostructures: designing new materials

We show extensive theoretical studies related to the generation and characterization of 2D and 3D ordered networks using 1D units that are connected covalently. We experimentally created multi-terminal junctions containing 1D carbon blocks in order to study the most common morphologies and branched structures that could be used in the theoretical design of network models. We found that the mechanical and electronic characteristics of ordered networks based on carbon nanotubes (ON-CNTs) are dominated by their specific super-architecture (hexagonal, cubic, square, and diamond-type). We show that charges follow specific paths through the nodes of the multi-terminal systems, which could result in complex integrated nanoelectronic circuits. The 3D architectures reveal their ability to support extremely high unidirectional stress when their mechanical properties are studied. In addition, these networks are shown to perform better than standard carbon aerogels because of their low mass densities, continuous porosities, and high surface areas.     

Cost minimization for a local utility through CHP,heat storage and load management

The energy-system optimization model MODEST is described, especially heat storage and electricity load management. Linear programming is used for minimization of capital and operation costs. MODEST may be used to find the optimal investments and when to make them. The period under study can be divided into several linked subperiods which may consist of an arbitrary number of years. MODEST is here applied to a municipal electricity and district-heating system during three five-year periods. Each year is divided into three seasons. Demand peaks, as well as weekly and diurnal variations of, for example, costs are considered. The electricity demand is divided into the three sectors households, industries, and service. The electricity demand may be reduced by energy conservation, replacement of electric heating and load management. The profitability of load management, as well as cogeneration with and without heat storage at different prices of purchased power is calculated. At traditional Swedish electricity prices, the local utility should build a woodchips-fired steam-cycle CHP (combined heat and power) plant. Consumers would find it beneficial to reduce their electricity use by conservation and switching from electric heating to oil and biofuel. If just marginal power production costs are paid, the utility should introduce biomass-fired heat-only boilers instead. Electricity conservation is smaller at these lower prices. Load management is mainly profitable at the first price scheme which includes output-power-related charges. The heat storage should be used threefold: to cover demand peaks, as well as to enable increased CHP output when it is limited by the heat demand or to run heat pumps at cheap night electricity instead of in the daytime. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Lab-size rechargeable metal hydride-air cells

Lab-size rechargeable metal hydride-air (MH-air) cells with a gas management device were designed in order to minimize the loss of electrolyte. An AB₅-type hydrogen storage alloy was used as anode materials of the MH-air. The thickness of the metal hydride electrodes was in the range of 3.0-3.4 mm. Porous carbon-based air electrodes with Ag₂O catalysts were used as bi-functional electrodes for oxygen reduction and generation. The electrodes were first examined in half-cells to evaluate their performance and then assembled into one MH-air cell. The results showed the good cycling stability of the rechargeable MH-air cell with a capacity of 1990 mAh. The discharge voltage was 0.69 V at 0.05-0.1 C. The charge efficiency was about 90%. The specific and volumetric energy densities were about 95Wh kg⁻¹ and 140 Wh L⁻¹, respectively.     

Inelastic fracture of adhesively bonded overlap joints

Adhesive bonding offers a simple and efficient way of joining structural components without weakening them by holes or welding.This article develops a new model to predict the fracture load of bonded overlap joints using a fracture mechanics approach. The bondline fracture resistance and effects of the nonlinear inelastic behaviour of structural adhesives are accounted for separately. For bonded single overlap joint configurations the model is expressed as simple explicit formulas.An experimental programme is presented where the design parameters that a designer can adjust to obtain the desired joint capacity are systematically varied. Comparison of test results with the predictions by current strength-of-materials capacity models highlights disparities between the theoretical predictions and experimental evidence. In contrast, the new model shows good agreement with the experimental results.It should be noted that the simple new formulas apply to a well-defined range of bonded overlap joint configurations and do not purport to apply in general to every other joint configuration.     

A refined tip correction based on decambering

A new tip correction for use in performance codes based on the blade element momentum (BEM) or the lifting‐line technique is presented. The correction modifies the circulation by taking into account the additional influence of the induction of the vortices in the wake, using the so‐called decambering effect and thin‐airfoil theory. A limitation of the standard Prandtl tip correction is that it represents the surface loading by a line distribution that does not take into account the actual shape of the rotor blade. Thus, the chord distribution does not appear as a parameter in the model, and the loading in the proximity of the tip is generally found to be overestimated. The new tip correction is implemented as an additional correction in order to represent the surface loading by a line distribution. Comparing computations using the new model with standard BEM results and computations using a 3D panel code show that the inclusion of the correction greatly improves the results. The new model also explains some of the discrepancies that earlier on have been observed when using a BEM technique based alone upon standard tip corrections. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Thermal effect on bending,buckling and free vibration of functionally graded rectangular micro-plates possessing a variable length scale parameter

Microsystem Technologies - Modified couple stress based model is presented to investigate statics, dynamics and stability of functionally graded micro-plates subjected to mechanical and thermal...     

Levels of antimony,arsenic, cadmium,copper, lead,mercury, selenium,silver, tin and zinc in bone tissue of industrially exposed workers

The contents of the elements antimony, arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, selenium, silver, tin and zinc in bone tissue from autopsy specimens of the femur of workers who had been exposed to a large number of metals in a smeltery and refinery in Northern Sweden as well as of a control group have been quantitatively assayed.The analytical techniques used were atomic absorption spectrophotometry, neutron activation analysis and particle induced X-ray emission analysis (PIXE) in a proton microprobe. Increased levels of lead in the bone tissue of exposed workers compared to a non-exposed control group were observed. The median level of lead in the group of exposed workers exceeded the corresponding value of the control group about 5 times.Using the proton microprobe in the PIXE-mode, concentration profiles of copper, lead and zinc were examined within the Haversian system of the bone samples.