Focuses of material science development in recent years

Materials science is an interdisciplinary field applying the properties of matter to various areas of science and engineering. This scientific field investigates the relation-ship between the structure of materials at atomic or mo-     

Structure and magnetic properties of mechanically milled Nd2xFe100−3xBx (x = 2–6)

The effects of composition and heat treatment on the structure and magnetic properties of mechanically milled Nd_2xFe_100−3xB_x alloys (x = 2–6) have been studied. High remanences have been obtained in isotropic samples consisting of a nanocrystalline mixture of Nd₂Fe₁₄B and -Fe. For optimally heat treated samples, an increase in the volume fraction of -Fe from 14% to 73%, increased the reduced remanence (M_r/M_s) from 0.56 to 0.64. The corresponding coercivities decreased from about 8 kOe to only 1.6 kOe. The magnetic behaviour of these Nd₂Fe₁₄B--Fe alloys is associated with exchange coupling between the hard and soft magnetic phases.     

新型化学反应法制备SiC/Al2O3复相陶瓷涂层

陶瓷涂层材料以其高硬度、耐腐蚀、耐高温、抗氧化等一系列优点,在航空航天、武器装备、核工业、石油化工等领域具有广阔的应用前景.SiC/Al_2O_3复相陶瓷在常温和高温下都具有较好耐磨性和化学稳定性,是一种极具工程应用前景的复合陶瓷材料.本研究采用优质陶瓷先驱体聚合物PCS,添加惰性填料SiC纳米颗粒和活性填料金属Al粉共同作用,克服了先驱体法制备陶瓷材料中存在较大体积收缩的缺点,在金属基体上制备了单层厚度可达50 μm的致密SiC/Al_2O_3复相陶瓷涂层,复相陶瓷涂层中的SiC来自于先驱体PCS热解转化的SiC和添加的纳米SiC颗粒;其中的Al_2O_3来自于金属Al粉的氧化.该化学反应方法在金属基体上成功地制备出连续、致密的SiC/Al_2O_3复相陶瓷涂层,既简单又方便,表现出极大的应用潜力.     

减少供热系统失水是节能的重要措施

节约能源是我国的一项长期战略方针,建筑节能包括围护结构节能和供热采暖系统节能两个方面,而在采暖系统节能中。系统的失水能耗损失占很大比重,本文经过计算,每失1t热水需要多消耗16．38kgce。堵住失水的漏洞是供热企业应该关心的首要问题。不偷放热水,提高公民的法律意识,也是热力企业需要大力宣传的一个主题。     

Autonomy and the socialisation of architects

The socio-cultural production of architects' identities, and their professional personas, is a lively source of continuing debate. At one extreme, there is the claim to autonomy that highlights the distinctiveness of architecture and its cultural and disciplinary specificity. This view is challenged by those who emphasise architects' dependence, for acting and actions, on their embeddedness into collective, social, settings and relationships. In the paper, we consider what it may mean to be ‘autonomous of’ and ‘dependent on’ in relation to the actions of architects. There is limited specification in architectural writings about what autonomy and dependence are, and we suggest that there is a need not to discount such terms, but to reformulate them by recognising that the socially constructed self is an integral part of individual action. In this respect, we seek to amplify, and evaluate, the concept of relational autonomy that distances the notion of autonomy from individualistic, under-socialised, accounts of architects and their practices. Referring to three empirical examples of practice, we amplify this understanding by, first, outlining what a relational autonomous approach to architecture might entail, and, secondly, assessing how far it may enable a conception of the practices of architects in ways whereby, following Tony Fry's observations, they are conceived as much broader than ‘the specificity of any particular activity’ that expresses their existence.     

Hydrogenated amorphous semiconductors

Solar cells based on hydrogenated amorphous silicon are now made from a variety of materials including alloys and microcrystalline films. Research aimed at improving cell efficiency should emphasize studies of alloys and metastable defects. We discuss several research topics related to the growth, structure, and electronic properties of these materials, which should lead to improved photovoltaic devices.     

Tumor dormancy and cell signaling. V. Regrowth of the BCL1 tumor after dormancy is established

The majority of BALB/c mice immunized with the BCL1 lymphoma-derived idiotype (Id+) IgM and subsequently challenged with BCL1 tumor cells develop a state of tumor dormancy. The vast majority of dormant lymphoma cells are in cell cycle arrest, but there are also residual replicating cells. In the present studies, we attempted to define features of both the dormant lymphoma cells and the host that lead to escape from dormancy. Escape from dormancy occurs at a steady rate over a 2-year period, suggesting that it is a stochastic process. We found that, in the majority of mice, escape was due to the emergence of genetic variants that were no longer susceptible to the anti-Id-mediated induction of dormancy. Ten percent of these variants were Id-; the remainder were Id+ but could grow in the presence of anti-Id antibodies, suggesting that there were mutations in molecules involved in one or more mIg-mediated negative-signaling pathways. In two of five such escapees, alterations in either Syk, HS1, and/or Lyn were observed. In a small percentage of mice, a low titer of circulating anti-Id antibody before tumor challenge correlated with a subsequent, more rapid loss of dormancy.