Surface modification of austenitic stainless steel with plasma nitriding for biomedical applications

In the present study, plasma nitriding of AISI type 303 austenitic stainless steel (SS) specimens was performed using a microwave system. The nitrided layers were characterized by performing scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and a Vickers microhardness test. The antibacterial activities of the nitrided layers were evaluated. XRD and TEM showed that a single γ_N phase was formed by plasma nitriding at the plasma power of 700 W and 450 °C. The analytical results demonstrated that the hardness of type 303 specimens could be enhanced by plasma nitriding because of the formation of the γ_N phase. A bacterial test also demonstrated that the nitrided layer exhibited excellent antibacterial properties.     

Stability of tungsten oxide nanotubes film for improving photocatalytic oxidation reaction

Well-aligned anodic tungsten oxide (WO₃) nanotubes with lengths approaching 600 nm was successfully synthesised via electrochemical anodisation of tungsten (W) film at 40 V in a bath with electrolyte (pH 3) consisted of 1 M of sodium sulphate (Na₂SO₄) and 0.7 wt-% ammonium fluoride (NH₄F) for 15 min. It was found that the production of dense compact oxide layer on pure W film could be explained with high concentration of H⁺ ions accelerated the hydrolysis ability on the W surface to form thick WO₃ layer under acidic condition (pH: 3). The photocatalytic activity performance was increased by ≈15% for the dense WO₃ nanostructures film as compared to the thin and irregular WO₃ nanostructures film because of the high active surface area to absorb more photons from solar irradiation for triggering the charge carriers separation and then improvement of internal and external diffusion of the reactants.     

On the rule-of-mixtures of the hardening parameters in TWIP-cored three-layer steel sheet

Although twinning-induced plasticity (TWIP) steels have high tensile strength with high strain hardening and large uniform elongation due to the formation of deformation twins during plastic deformation, sheet formabilities of TWIP steels are relatively poor. In this study, to overcome this problem, TWIP-cored three-layer architectured steel sheets are produced using cladding with low carbon steel sheaths. For an optimum design of layer architectured materials, strain hardening exponent n and strain rate sensitivity m of the layer sheets are theoretically and experimentally investigated. The forced-based rule-of-mixtures well reproduces the experimental values of the equivalent n and m. Contrary to the conventional rule-of-mixtures, the equivalent n and m of the TWIP-cored mild steel-sheath layered sheets are governed not only by volume fractions and n and m of parent materials but also by the strength of strong layer.     

Finite element modeling of segmental chip formation in high-speed orthogonal cutting

An explicit, Lagrangian, elastic-plastic, finite element code has been modified to accommodate chip separation, segmentation, and interaction in modeling of continuous and segmented chip formation in highspeed orthogonal metal cutting process. A fracture algorithm has been implemented that simulates the separation of the chip from the workpiece and the simultaneous breakage of the chip into multiple segments. The path of chip separation and breakage is not assigned in advance but rather is controlled by the state of stress and strain induced by tool penetration. A special contact algorithm has been developed that automatically updates newly created surfaces as a result of chip separation and breakage and flags them as contact surfaces. This allows for simulation of contact between tool and newly created surfaces as well as contact between simulated chip segments. The work material is modeled as elastic/perfectly plastic, and the entire cutting process from initial tool workpiece contact to final separation of chip from workpiece is simulated. In this paper, the results of the numerical simulation of continuous and segmented chip formation in orthogonal metal cutting of material are presented in the form of chip geometry, stress, and strain contours in the critical regions.     

环境条件的改变对管簇结构腔体式吸收器热损的影响

分析了槽形抛物聚光集热器中管簇结构腔体式吸收器的热物理特性，依据其热阻网络、太阳能一般性控制方程对热损和所受边界条件的影响作了数值分析。     

Novel alkaline earth silicate sealing glass for SOFC: Part II. Sealing and interfacial microstructure

This is the second part of a study of a novel Sr–Ca–Ni–Y–B silicate sealing glass for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). Part I of the study addresses the effect of NiO on glass forming, thermal, and mechanical properties, and is presented in the preceding paper. In this paper (part II), candidate composite glass with 10 vol.% NiO was tested for sealing standard coupons of Ni/YSZ anode-supported YSZ electrolyte bilayer and metallic interconnect Crofer22APU at various temperatures. Samples sealed at the highest temperature (1050 °C) showed hermetic seal after fully reduction and 10 thermal cycles. The interfacial microstructure characterization showed no distinct reactions at the interfaces of glass/YSZ or glass/metal, though some segregation of Ni was found along the glass/metal interface. Possible reactions were discussed. Overall the composite glass with 10 vol.% NiO appeared to be a good candidate for SOFC sealing.     

Analytical and numerical studies on viscous energy dissipation in laterally driven microcomb structures

Numerical and analytical studies on viscous air damping in laterally oscillating microcomb structures are discussed in this work. Previous investigators modeled this type of flow field using Couette and Stokes flow models. The numerical simulation results demonstrate that the flow is much more complex and quite different from the Couette or Stokes flow. The pumping and sucking motions at the edges of the oscillating electrode create a fluid brake. This fluid brake retards the horizontal movement of the flow and generates a strong vortex in the region between the oscillating electrode and the base material, which has not been reported before. The deceleration of the fluid also increases the velocity gradient on the surfaces of the oscillating electrode, which gives rise to a higher damping. The numerically predicted damping is about 2.8 times larger than that predicted by the Stokes flow model.     

Management of High Groundwater Level Aquifer in the Taipei Basin

Groundwater pumpings have been prohibited by the government since 1970 due to the overexploitation and severe land subsidence in the Taipei Basin. Declining water levels were gradually recovered back. Nowadays, high groundwater levels are developed in the Taipei Basin. This may cause safety problems such as seepage of underground facility, and liquefaction by the strong earthquake jeopardizing millions of people’s lives and properties in the metropolitan area of Taipei. To reduce the associated risks, the study aims to formulate a management strategy to rationally reduce the groundwater level declining trend and sustainable utilization of groundwater resources in the Taipei Basin. A hydrogeologic model of Taipei Basin using MODFLOW-96 was setup to evaluate water budget and safe yield of the aquifer. The simulated water budget indicates that the groundwater annual storage increases about 17 million cubic meters in the main (Jingmei) aquifer. The average groundwater safe yield of the Taipei Basin estimated by the Hill method is about 54 million cubic meters per year. Moreover, with consideration of the reduction of liquefaction risks the revised average safe yield is about 126 million cubic meters per year. To effectively use and manage groundwater resources, restriction order on the use of groundwater resources in the Taipei Basin need to be revised. The implementation of groundwater management index coupled with an upper limit of the average groundwater level set as −7.5 m below the surface for avoiding earthquake caused liquefaction is suggested to manage the groundwater level for safe-use of groundwater resources in the Taipei Basin.     

密闭容器内蒸汽水下喷注噪声试验研究

蒸汽水下喷注加热在工业及民用领域有着广泛的应用。蒸汽水下喷注加热过程中,由于汽泡体积的急剧变化以及喷注过程中产生的扰流作用,如设计或运行不当,在水空间中会产生强烈的噪声并引起振动,严重时会危及设备运行的可靠性。试验研究了密闭容器内喷头结构及布置参数和设备运行参数对三喷头蒸汽水下喷注噪声的影响规律,并根据试验结果得到了蒸汽水下喷注噪声计算公式,结果表明:常压下蒸汽水下喷注噪声随着水温的升高先逐渐增大而后迅速减小;随着水温的进一步升高,筒体内压力逐渐升高,蒸汽水下喷注噪声缓慢减小,且明显低于水温较低时;蒸汽水下喷注噪声随着蒸汽流量的增加而增大,不过增大幅度逐渐减小,且喷注噪声峰值在较高水温时出现;喷头结构及其布置参数对蒸汽水下喷注噪声有一定影响,但影响程度较小。