Microstructure development of steel during severe plastic deformation

The microstructure development during plastic deformation was reviewed for iron and steel which were subjected to cold rolling or mechanical milling (MM) treatment, and the change in strengthening mechanism caused by the severe plastic deformation (SPD) was also discussed in terms of ultra grain refinement behavior. The microstructure of cold-rolled iron is characterized by a typical dislocation cell structure, where the strength can be explained by dislocation strengthening. It was confirmed that the increase in dislocation density by cold working is limited at 10¹⁶m⁻², which means the maximum hardness obtained by dislocation strengthening is HV3.7 GPa. However, the iron is abnormally work-hardened over the maximum dislocation strengthening by SPD of MM because of the ultra grain refinement caused by the SPD. In addition, impurity of carbon plays an important role in such grain refinement: the carbon addition leads to the formation of nano-crystallized structure in iron.     

Shape optimization for a link mechanism

This paper presents a numerical solution for shape optimization problems for link mechanisms, such as a piston-crank mechanism. The dynamic behavior of a link mechanism is described by a differential-algebraic equation (DAE) system consisting of motion equations for each single body and constraints of linkages and rigid motions. In a shape optimization problem, the objective function to maximize is constructed from the external work done by a given external force, which agrees with the kinetic energy of the link mechanism, for an assigned time interval, and the total volume of all the links forms the constraint function. The Fréchet derivatives of these cost functions with respect to the domain variation, which we call the shape derivatives of these cost functions, are evaluated theoretically. A scheme to solve the shape optimization problem is presented using the H ¹ gradient method (the traction method) proposed by the authors as a reshaping algorithm, since it retains the smoothness of the boundary. A numerical example shows that reasonable shapes for each link such that mobility of the link mechanism is improved are obtained by this approach.     

Chemical modification of group IV graphene analogs

Mono-elemental two-dimensional (2D) crystals (graphene, silicene, germanene, stanene, and so on), termed 2D-Xenes, have been brought to the forefront of scientific research. The stability and electronic properties of 2D-Xenes are main challenges in developing practical devices. Therefore, in this review, we focus on 2D free-standing group-IV graphene analogs (graphene quantum dots, silicane, and germanane) and the functionalization of these sheets with organic moieties, which could be handled under ambient conditions. We highlight the present results and future opportunities, functions and applications, and novel device concepts.     

New pixel driving circuit using self‐discharging compensation method for high‐resolution OLED micro displays on a silicon backplane

A new 4T2C pixel circuit formed on a silicon substrate is proposed to realize a high‐resolution 7.8‐μm pixel pitch AMOLED microdisplay. In order to achieve high luminance uniformity, the pixel circuit compensates its Vth variation of the MOSFET for the driving transistor internally by using self‐discharging method. Also presented are 0.5‐in Quad‐VGA and 1.25‐in wide Quad‐XGA microdisplays with the proposed pixel circuit.     

A high-resolution transmission electron microscope study of a zinc oxide varistor

Investigations were made of varistor microstructure, the morphology of Bi₂O₃ at multiple ZnO grain junctions, Bi₂O₃/ZnO grain boundaries and ZnO/ZnO grain boundaries (especially whether Bi₂O₃ is present or not at the ZnO/ZnO grain boundary) by means of high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis in the scanning transmission electron microscope. Bi₂O₃ at multiple ZnO grain junctions consists of small particles of 0.1m in diameter, and they are vitrified to some extent. It is suggested that bismuth ions dissolve into ZnO grains over a 30 nm range from a Bi₂O₃/ZnO grain boundary; however, there is no bismuth at ZnO/ZnO grain boundaries.     

Evaluation of Desulphurization Flux in CaO‐Al2O3‐BaO‐CeO2‐MgO System

The flux of the CaO‐Al₂0₃‐BaO‐CeO₂‐MgO system as a desulphurization flux containing no fluorine for the secondary metallurgy process was evaluated in this study. The flux composition was designed using the eutectic compositions of the binary systems. The melting and desulphurization abilities of the fluxes were evaluated by measuring their liquidus temperatures and the distribution ratios of sulphur between the fluxes and the carbon‐saturated iron or stainless steel. The lowest liquidus temperature of 1325°C was obtained by adding 5.7 mass% MgO to the 80mass%A‐20mass%B flux. (A: 12CaO‐7Al₂O₃, B: BaCeO₃+12mass%Al₂O₃). The distribution ratios of sulphur and sulphide capacities of the fluxes in this study were higher than those of the commercial product of calcium aluminate flux. This means that the CaO‐Al₂O₃‐BaO‐CeO₂‐MgO fluxes developed in this study have higher desulphurization and melting abilities compared with the commercial product of calcium aluminate flux.     

Fabrication of Bulk β-FeSi2 Crystal With ThreeDimensional Alignment by an Oscillating Magnetic Field

It has been reported that an anisotropic magnetic field could produce the three-dimensional alignment of fine single-crystal particles with the orthorhombic crystal structure.However,the three-dimensional alignment was achieved only in suspensions.Fabrication of bulk"single"materials that have the three-dimensional alignment of grains has been desired.This study proposes a procedure for the fabrication,which consists of slip casting under an oscillating magnetic field and sintering.Optimization of casting and sintering conditions achieved the three-dimensionally aligned bulkβ-FeSi₂.     

Pulverization mechanism of hydrogen storage alloys on microscale packing structure

In-situ and transient visualizations of the packing structure of a hydrogen storage alloy bed are carried out using an X-ray computed tomography (CT) system. The packing structure is clearly observed on the microscale using the CT system. When the alloy bed is subjected to hydrogen absorption–desorption cycles, the pulverization progresses from the lower to the upper regions of the bed. After several hydrogen absorption–desorption cycles, the packing structure in the lower region of the bed changes and the microstructural void decreases slightly. Based on these results, we propose a pulverization mechanism of the packed bed in which the friction between particles affects the pulverization process.     

Mammalian Cytochrome P450-Dependent Metabolism of Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-dioxins and Coplanar Polychlorinated Biphenyls

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) contribute to dioxin toxicity in humans and wildlife after bioaccumulation through the food chain from the environment. The authors examined human and rat cytochrome P450 (CYP)-dependent metabolism of PCDDs and PCBs. A number of human CYP isoforms belonging to the CYP1 and CYP2 families showed remarkable activities toward low-chlorinated PCDDs. In particular, human CYP1A1, CYP1A2, and CYP1B1 showed high activities toward monoCDDs, diCDDs, and triCDDs but no detectable activity toward 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,3,7,8-tetraCDD). Large amino acids located at putative substrate-recognition sites and the F-G loop in rat CYP1A1 contributed to the successful metabolism of 2,3,7,8-tetraCDD. Rat, but not human, CYP1A1 metabolized 3,3'',4,4'',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (CB126) to two hydroxylated metabolites. These metabolites are probably less toxic than is CB126, due to their higher solubility. Homology models of human and rat CYP1A1s and CB126 docking studies indicated that two amino acid differences in the CB126-binding cavity were important for CB126 metabolism. In this review, the importance of CYPs in the metabolism of dioxins and PCBs in mammals and the species-based differences between humans and rats are described. In addition, the authors reveal the molecular mechanism behind the binding modes of dioxins and PCBs in the heme pocket of CYPs.