A GIS-based management and publication framework for data handling of numerical model results

There has been an increasing awareness that large-scale datasets of earth-system model results would be produced and accumulated rapidly within the next few decades with extensive usage of numerical models. The successful exploration of these data for scientific research and engineering applications requires the capability of efficient storage, retrieval, integration and visualization of these large datasets. Robust publication methods are also needed to enable data exchange through the web to increase global research collaborations. In this study, a comprehensive GIS-based data management and publication framework (GMPF) was developed and applied to the use, representation, and analysis of hydrodynamic modeling results of Hamburg Port, Germany. Linking with GIS, a desktop- and a web-based model-results data atlas were developed to provide an interactive environment for various cartography and time series plots. The implementation of the framework was based on modular software design, open specifications and reuse of open source projects. The study results showed that the project life-cycle was shortened and development efforts were reduced through applying GMPF. The developed system could be integrated into commercial hydrodynamics software platforms to enhance the capability of model-results management and publication.     

Synthesis of Cu2O/T-ZnOW nanocompound and characterization of its photocatalytic activity and stability property under UV irradiation

Cu₂O/tetrapod-like ZnO whisker (T-ZnO_W) nanocompound was synthesized by a simple hydrothermal chemical method. The chemical composition, morphology, band gap and photocatalytic property of the Cu₂O/T-ZnO_W nanocompound were studied in detail. It was observed that the Cu₂O particles deposited on T-ZnO_W surface had a cubic structure and the crystallinity of T-ZnO_W did not change with the increase of Cu₂O crystals. The morphology and content of Cu₂O in the Cu₂O/T-ZnO_W nanocompound played an important role on the photocatalytic activity. In addition, the coexistence of Cu₂O and T-ZnO_W nanoparticles was propitious to the high photocatalytic activity owing to their hetero-junction effect. The Cu₂O/T-ZnO_W nanocompound prepared by 7.2% Cu/Zn MR exhibited the best photocatalytic activity on the degradation of MO solution under UV light irradiation. At the first 100 min of irradiation, the photodegradation efficiency of MO solution reached up to 99.16%, which still retained its high photocatalytic activity about 89.10% even at the end of the fourth cycle. Little change was found in their phase compositions after the photocatalytic reaction process, except partial oxidation of particles’ surface. The mechanism for UV light driven photocatalytic activity enhancement over Cu₂O/T-ZnO_W nanocompound was discussed.     

Hot roller embossing of multi-dimensional microstructures using elastomeric molds

Microsystem Technologies - In this work, we investigated how elastomeric mold properties could affect the final replication accuracy in hot roller embossing. Amorphous polyethylene terephthalate...     

Finding a Clear Path: Structuring Strategies for Visualization Sequences

Little is known about how people structure sets of visualizations to support sequential viewing. We contribute findings from several studies examining visualization sequencing and reception. In our first study, people made decisions between various possible structures as they ordered a set of related visualizations (consisting of either bar charts or thematic maps) into what they considered the clearest sequence for showing the data. We find that most people structure visualization sequences hierarchically: they create high level groupings based on shared data properties like time period, measure, level of aggregation, and spatial region, then order the views within these groupings. We also observe a tendency for certain types of similarities between views, like a common spatial region or aggregation level, to be seen as more appropriate categories for organizing views in a sequence than others, like a common time period or measure. In a second study, we find that viewers’ perceptions of the quality and intention of different sequences are largely consistent with the perceptions of the users who created them. The understanding of sequence preferences and perceptions that emerges from our studies has implications for the development of visualization authoring tools and sequence recommendations for guided analysis.     

The Microstructure Evolution of Dual-Phase Pipeline Steel with Plastic Deformation at Different Strain Rates

Tensile properties of the high-deformability dual-phase ferrite-bainite X70 pipeline steel have been investigated at room temperature under the strain rates of 2.5 × 10^?5, 1.25 × 10^?4, 2.5 × 10^?3, and 1.25 × 10^?2 s^?1. The microstructures at different amount of plastic deformation were examined by using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Generally, the ductility of typical body-centered cubic steels is reduced when its stain rate increases. However, we observed a different ductility dependence on strain rates in the dual-phase X70 pipeline steel. The uniform elongation (UEL%) and elongation to fracture (EL%) at the strain rate of 2.5 × 10^?3 s^?1 increase about 54 and 74%, respectively, compared to those at 2.5 × 10^?5 s^?1. The UEL% and EL% reach to their maximum at the strain rate of 2.5 × 10^?3 s^?1. This phenomenon was explained by the observed grain structures and dislocation configurations. Whether or not the ductility can be enhanced with increasing strain rates depends on the competition between the homogenization of plastic deformation among the microconstituents (ultra-fine ferrite grains, relatively coarse ferrite grains as well as bainite) and the progress of cracks formed as a consequence of localized inconsistent plastic deformation.     

Water permeation and corrosion resistance of single- and two-component hydrophobic polysiloxane barrier coatings

The degradation of corrosion preventative coatings contributes to the high cost and time requirements for maintaining structures in harsh environments. However, the development of new hydrophobic coatings holds the promise of extending the usable life of structures in marine environments. In this work, we quantify the barrier properties and corrosion resistance of two novel highly hydrophobic polysiloxane formulations and the legacy silicone alkyd topcoat used on the topside of Navy’s ships, all with haze gray pigmentation. Based on FTIR-ATR and EIS measurements of the pristine coatings, both the single- (1K) and the two-component (2K) polysiloxane provide significantly improved barrier characteristics (lower water diffusion coefficient and capacitance) than the silicone alkyd. These results were confirmed through a 3-month-long immersion corrosion test, which also showed that the 1K and 2K polysiloxane coatings had comparable degradation characteristic and remained highly hydrophobic.     

A new solvent‐free super high build epoxy coating evaluated by marine corrosion simulation apparatus

Coal tar epoxy and epoxy asphalt coating have been widely used to protect marine constructions conventionally. However, their use is being restricted for increasing environmental concerns. Therefore, solvent‐free coating, i.e., coating without volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or hazardous air pollutant has become a new focus. Meanwhile, super high build (SHB) coating, having good anti‐corrosion performance and environment‐friendly feature, has become an important area of development in heavy‐duty protection to marine constructions. Herein, we combine the virtues of solvent‐free and SHB coating to introduce a new solvent‐free SHB heavy‐duty epoxy coating with no organic solvent and extremely low VOC content. Results show that the new coating is environment‐friendly, and has excellent physical properties and anti‐corrosion performance. The SHB coating performed much better than other three widely used coatings, especially in splash zone, the most dynamic area. The new solvent‐free SHB coating provides an ideal substitute to coal tar epoxy and epoxy asphalt coating and is expected to be widely used for anti‐corrosion of steel structures in splash, tidal, and immersed zones.     

Observation of the semiconductor–metal transition behavior in monolayer graphene

We have observed that during temperature-dependent four-terminal resistance measurement of monolayer graphene, the resistance exhibits anomalous rising and falling behavior at different temperature regions. At lower temperature region (2–200 K) the resistance decreases gradually, but when the temperature rise further it turn to a sudden increase, and after 280 K it resumes gradual decrease. The rising and falling resistance behavior is characteristic of semiconductor or metal property. Consequently, the resistance transition follows a phase of semiconductor–metal–semiconductor. However, when a perpendicular magnetic field is applied, the resistance shows reverse transition behavior which follows a sequence of metal–semiconductor–metal. The novel transition property is attributed to the competition between the disorder of lattice defects as a short-range scattering in monolayer graphene and the Landau levels interaction. Magneto-transport measurement reveals that the excitonic gap induced by magnetic field in the monolayer graphene show an anomalous thermally activated property.