Synthesis of Pt nanocrystals with different shapes using the same protocol to optimize their catalytic activity toward oxygen reduction

Engineering the shape and thus surface structure of Pt nanocrystals is an effective strategy for optimizing their catalytic activities toward various reactions. However, different protocols are typically used to produce Pt nanocrystals with distinctive shapes, making it difficult to directly compare their catalytic activities owing to the complication of surface contamination. Here we demonstrate that Pt nanocrystals with a variety of shapes, including those enclosed with low- or high-index facets, can be synthesized using the same protocol by simply adjusting the concentration of reducing agent and/or the reaction time. Specifically, when the reducing agent was used at a relatively low concentration, Pt truncated cubes, cuboctahedrons, truncated octahedrons, and octahedrons were produced sequentially upon the increase in reaction time. When 67% more reducing agent was used, Pt cubes and concave cubes were obtained consecutively as the reaction time was prolonged. Our quantitative analysis suggests that the diversity of shape and difference in size can be resulted from the difference in reduction kinetics. In evaluating their structure–activity relationship for oxygen reduction, it was established that the high-index facets on Pt concave cubes possessed a specific activity of 6.3 and 1.3 times greater than those of Pt cubes and octahedrons exposed by {1?0?0} and {1?1?1} facets, respectively. This work not only offers a general method for the synthesis of Pt nanocrystals having diverse shapes and thus different types of facets but also highlights the significance of reduction kinetics in controlling the structure evolution of other metal nanocrystals.     

Hydrophobicity, adhesion, and friction properties of nanopatterned polymers and scale dependence for micro- and nanoelectromechanical systems

Applications in micro/nanoelectromechanical systems generally require low adhesion and friction values between two materials of interest. By alteration of the material combinations and surface roughness, including nanopatterning, adhesion and friction can be tailored to meet a specific requirement. Surfaces found in nature, such as hydrophobic lotus leaves, provide a good example of this optimization. Recent models of hydrophobic leaf surfaces show a correlation between roughness and hydrophobicity, which can be mimicked by the presence of nanopatterned asperities on a polymer surface. In addition, by introducing nanopatterns on the polymer surface, the real area of contact decreases when another surface comes into contact with the patterned surface, which reduces adhesion and friction. This study explores the effect of nanopatterning on hydrophobicity, adhesion, and friction for two different hydrophilic polymers, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and polyurethane acrylate (MINS), with two types of patterned asperities, low aspect ratio and high aspect ratio, investigated by use of an atomic/friction force microscope (AFM/FFM). In addition to the polymers, a hydrophobic coating was deposited on the surface of the patterned PMMA to study the effect of roughness on the contact angle, along with adhesion and friction. Relative contribution due to change in contact angle and real area of contact are explored. Scale dependence on adhesion and friction was also studied using AFM tips of various radii. Since applications of these surfaces will require operation in varying environments, the effect of relative humidity is investigated.     

Built-in test factors in a life cycle cost model

A method is given for incorporating the effects of built-in test (BIT) into the life cycle cost of a given electronic system. A cost model is derived that captures the savings achieved by BIT through reducing the maintenance times, complexity of external test equipment, personnel skill levels, amount of spare parts, and the need for preventive maintenance. The model also includes such design considerations as false alarms, diagnostic errors, undetected faults, BIT hardware failures, and diagnostic ambiguity.     

包容性工程—借助工程技术发明为身体或精神障碍人士赋能

1. Background The use of engineering tools, design, research, and thinking to create environments and capabilities whereby individuals who are currently under-e...     

Constitutive modeling of the aging viscoelastic properties of portland cement paste

Analytical approaches for modeling aging viscoelastic behavior of concrete include the time–shift approach (analogous to time-temperature superposition), the solidification theory, and the dissolution–precipitation approach. The aging viscoelastic properties of concrete are generally attributed solely to the cement paste phase since the aggregates are typically linear elastic. In this study, the aging viscoelastic behavior of four different cement pastes has been measured and modeled according to both the time–shift approach and the solidification theory. The inability of each individual model to fully characterize the aging viscoelastic response of the materials provides insight into the mechanisms for aging of the viscoelastic properties of cement paste and concrete. A model that considers aging due to solidification in combination with inherent aging of the cement paste gel (modeled using the time–shift approach) more accurately predicted the aging viscoelastic behavior of portland cement paste than either the solidification or time–shift approaches independently. The results provide evidence that solidification and other intrinsic gel aging mechanisms are concurrently active in the aging process of cementitious materials.     

The Indiana silicon sphere 4π charged-particle detector array

A low threshold charged particle detector array for the study of fragmentation processes in light-ion-induced reactions has been constructed and successfully implemented at the IUCF and Saturne II accelerators. The array consists of 162-triple-element detector telescopes mounted in a spherical geometry and covering 74% of 4π in solid angle. Telescope elements are composed of (1) an axial-field gas ionization chamber operated with C₃F₈ gas; (2) a 0.5 mm thick passivated silicon detector, and (3) a 2.8 cm thick CsI(Tl) scintillation crystal with photodiode readout. Discrete element identification is obtained for ejectiles up to Z 16 over the dynamic range 0.7 ≤ E/A ≤ 95 MeV/nucleon. Isotopes are also distinguished for H, He, Li and Be ejectiles with 8 E/A 95 MeV. Custom-designed electronics are employed for bias supplies and linear signal processing. Data are acquired via a CAMAC/VME/Ethernet system.     

Quantitative use of Rayleigh waves to locate and size subsurface holes

An ultrasonic inspection method is used to obtain the circumference of a subsurface hole and the depth of the hole below the surface. A pitch-catch Rayleigh wave transducer set-up was used to launch a Rayleigh surface wave at the flaw and to capture and record the scattered waves. The frequency spectrum of the scattered waves can be used to obtain the depth of the hole. The ligament of material between the hole and the surface is sent into resonance, and this feature can be extracted from the scattered waves' frequency spectrum. The frequency is a function of the ligament length; thus the hole depth can be obtained. The circumference of the hole is found from a time of flight measurement. A Rayleigh wave is formed that travels around the hole's surface. The length of time required for the wave to travel around the hole is a measure of the circumference.     

In situ growth of silver nanoparticles in porous membranes for surface-enhanced raman scattering

We demonstrate the in situ growth of silver nanoparticles in porous alumina membranes (PAMs) for use as a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection substrate. This fabrication method is simple, cost-effective, and fast, while providing control over the size of silver nanoparticles through the entire length of the cylindrical nanopores with uniform particle density inside the pores unachievable by the traditional infiltration technique. The in situ growth of silver nanoparticles was conducted from electroless-deposited nanoscale seeds on the interior of the PAM and resulted in the formation of numerous hot spots, which facilitated significantly higher SERS enhancement for these substrates compared with previously reported porous substrates.     

Delamination detection with carbon nanotube thread in self-sensing composite materials

Laminated composite materials can reach high mechanical properties at low weight. Composite materials, however, are susceptible to damage due to their low interlaminar mechanical properties and poor heat and charge transport in the transverse direction to the laminate. Moreover, methods to inspect and ensure the reliability of composites are expensive and labor intensive. Recently carbon nanotube forests were spun into thread that is tough and electrically conductive. The thread was integrated into composite materials and used for the first time as a sensor to monitor strains and detect damage including delamination in the material. These self-sensing composites were found to be very sensitive to damage and will help to revolutionize the maintenance of composite structures, which will now be based on their condition and not their amount of use.     

Infrared-visible sum frequency generation investigation of Cu corrosion inhibition with benzotriazole

Infrared-visible sum frequency generation spectroscopy is used to investigate the corrosion inhibitor benzotriazole (BTAH) adsorbed on Cu(100) and Cu(111) in acidic solution. Potential-dependent in situ spectra indicate that the adsorbed molecule is the benzotriazole anion (BTA-) at all potentials investigated. The Cu(100) surface is shown to form an ordered adlayer at all potentials probed, while the Cu(111) face is shown to be disordered at negative potentials, but to order with applied positive potential. The ordered adlayer is shown to consist of the BTA- in two configurations, one coordinated to the surface and Cu+ ions in solution and the other coordinated only to the surface. The BTA- coordinated to Cu+ is shown to be more stable with respect to Cl- addition than BTA- coordinated to only the surface. This study demonstrates the viability of using sum frequency generation to study corrosion inhibition in situ.