A Laser-Induced Mo2CTx MXene Hybrid Anode for High-Performance Li-Ion Batteries

MXenes, a fast-growing family of two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides/nitrides, are promising for electronics and energy storage applications. Mo₂CT_x MXene, in particular, has demonstrated a higher capacity than other MXenes as an anode for Li-ion batteries. Yet, such enhanced capacity is accompanied by slow kinetics and poor cycling stability. Herein, it is revealed that the unstable cycling performance of Mo₂CT_x is attributed to the partial oxidation into MoO_x with structural degradation. A laser-induced Mo₂CT_x/Mo₂C (LS-Mo₂CT_x) hybrid anode has been developed, of which the Mo₂C nanodots boost redox kinetics, and the laser-reduced oxygen content prevents the structural degradation caused by oxidation. Meanwhile, the strong connections between the laser-induced Mo₂C nanodots and Mo₂CT_x nanosheets enhance conductivity and stabilize the structure during charge–discharge cycling. The as-prepared LS-Mo₂CT_x anode exhibits an enhanced capacity of 340 mAh g⁻¹ vs 83 mAh g⁻¹ (for pristine) and an improved cycling stability (capacity retention of 106.2% vs 80.6% for pristine) over 1000 cycles. The laser-induced synthesis approach underlines the potential of MXene-based hybrid materials for high-performance energy storage applications.     

Backstepping approach for design of PID controller with guaranteed performance for micro-air UAV

Flight controllers for micro-air UAVs are generally designed using proportional-integral-derivative (PID) methods, where the tuning of gains is difficult and time-consuming, and performance is not guaranteed. In this paper, we develop a rigorous method based on the sliding mode analysis and nonlinear backstepping to design a PID controller with guaranteed performance. This technique provides the structure and gains for the PID controller, such that a robust and fast response of the UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) for trajectory tracking is achieved. First, the second-order sliding variable errors are used in a rigorous nonlinear backstepping design to obtain guaranteed performance for the nonlinear UAV dynamics. Then, using a small angle approximation and rigorous geometric manipulations, this nonlinear design is converted into a PID controller whose structure is naturally determined through the backstepping procedure. PID gains that guarantee robust UAV performance are finally computed from the sliding mode gains and from stabilizing gains for tracking error dynamics. We prove that the desired Euler angles of the inner attitude controller loop are related to the dynamics of the outer backstepping tracker loop by inverse kinematics, which provides a seamless connection with existing built-in UAV attitude controllers. We implement the proposed method on actual UAV, and experimental flight tests prove the validity of these algorithms. It is seen that our PID design procedure yields tighter UAV performance than an existing popular PID control technique.     

Synthesis of a side chain liquid crystalline polycarbonate with a chiral backbone

We report the experimental demonstration of a novel and environmentally benign supercritical carbon dioxide (ScCO₂) technique that yields an optically active, side chain liquid crystalline polycarbonate in a single‐step reaction. The obtained polymer is worthwhile, since it is highly stereoregular and can find applications in an enlarged mesomorphic temperature range compared to its acrylic analogues. The synthesized materials were characterized by IR, ¹H‐NMR, and ¹³C‐NMR, while the thermal properties were measured by DSC. Polarized optical micrograph and wide angle X‐ray diffraction were used for the mesogenic property characterization of the copolymer. The transfer chirality from the backbone to the mesophase is demonstrated on the optical microscopy textures. Being consistent with the ¹³C‐NMR, X‐ray implies an ordered polymeric structure. The DSC analysis of the copolymer indicates that the T_i (the clearing point temperature) value does not change dramatically, whereas a pronounced decrease in T_g (the glass transition temperature) value is observed from that of its acrylic analogues. Hence, the obtained polymer exhibits another practical benefit by widening the mesomorphic temperature range. This study is the insightful combination of material processing and chemical design that elucidates the advantages of ScCO₂ application, in terms of liquid crystallinity and the tacticity of the obtained polymer. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 1915–1921, 2006     

Machinability of Elongated Coarse Grain Fe-Based Superalloys

□ In conventional metal cutting process, materials are assumed to be homogeneous and isotropic structure. However, some materials with a single crystal or coarse elongated polycrystalline demonstrate strong anisotropic behavior in physical and mechanical properties in machining of some superalloy materials. The anisotropic structure always leads to variation at machinability properties of the material. In this study, machinability properties of ferritic superalloy PM2000, which had elongated a few coarse grains, were investigated. These properties were determined by investigation of chip formation, cutting forces and surface roughness. Machinability was assessed by single-point turning on a CNC lathe and turning forces were measured by using a Kistler Lathe Dynamometer. The chip formation mechanisms in machining of PM2000 at various cutting speeds were determined by using a quick-stop device (QSD). Chip roots and machined surfaces were analyzed by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicated that the machinability properties of the PM2000 were changed by orientated coarse grain structure. Three types chip formation mechanism were determined at the same cutting conditions. Also, surface roughness on the machined each grain changed with changing the grain to be cut. Surface roughness and force fluctuations decreased with increasing the cutting speed; however, tool wearing increased.     

A hybrid CDAC-threshold configuring SAR ADC in 28nm FDSOI CMOS

In this paper, a 9-bit 1.3 GS/s single channel SAR ADC is presented. In conventional SAR ADCs, the capacitive DAC size grows exponentially with respect to converter resolution. This results in both signal bandwidth and conversion speed reduction. The proposed architecture implements binary search through a redundant capacitive DAC for the 5 first MSBs and through programmable comparator thresholds for the remaining 4 LSBs. The DAC capacitance at the front-end remains small enough to achieve high sampling rate with increased input bandwidth. Two asynchronously clocked alternate comparators are used additionally to improve conversion speed. The ADC is designed and simulated in 28 nm FD-SOI CMOS. It consumes 4.1 mW from a 1 V supply, while achieving a SNDR of 52.1 dB and a Figure-of-Merit of 11.4 fJ/conversion-step.     

An approach for real world data modelling with the 3D terrestrial laser scanner for built environment

Capturing and modelling 3D information of the built environment is a big challenge. A number of techniques and technologies are now in use. These include EDM, GPS, and photogrammetric application and also remote sensing applications. In this paper, we discussed 3D laser scanning technology, which can acquire high density point data in an accurate, fast way. Besides, the scanner can digitize all the 3D information concerned with a real world object such as buildings, trees and terrain down to millimetre detail Therefore, it can provide benefits for refurbishment process in regeneration in the Built Environment.

A series of scans externally and internally allows an accurate 3D model of the building to be produced. This model can be sliced through different planes to produce accurate 2D plans and elevations. This novel technology improves the efficiency and quality of construction projects such as maintenance of buildings or group of building that are going to be renovated for new services in the Built Environment. In addition, the laser scanner technology can be used in integration with differential GPS for terrain modelling for the analysis and inspection of terrain structure accurately.

In this paper, two case studies are introduced to demonstrate the use of laser scanner technology in Built Environment. These case studies are the Jactin House Building in East Manchester and the Peel building in the campus of University Salford. Through these case studies, while use of laser scanners are explained, the integration of it with various technologies and systems are also explored for professionals in both Built and Natural Environment.     

Free vibration of semi-rigid connected Reddy-Bickford piles embedded in elastic soil

The literature on free vibration analysis of Bernoulli-Euler and Timoshenko piles embedded in elastic soil is plenty, but that of Reddy-Bickford piles partially embedded in elastic soil with/without axial force effect is fewer. The soil that the pile partially embedded in is idealized by Winkler model and is assumed to be two-layered. The pile part above the soil is called the first region and the parts embedded in the soil are called the second and the third region, respectively. It is assumed that the behaviour of the material is linear-elastic, that axial force along the pile length to be constant and the upper end of the pile that is semi-rigid supported against rotation is modelled by an elastic spring. The governing differential equations of motion of the rectangular pile in free vibration are derived using Hamilton’s principle and Winkler hypothesis. The terms are found directly from the solutions of the differential equations that describe the deformations of the cross-section according to the high-order theory. The models have six degrees of freedom at the two ends, one transverse displacement and two rotations, and the end forces are a shear force and two end moments. Natural frequencies of the pile are calculated using transfer matrix and the secant method for non-trivial solution of linear homogeneous system of equations obtained due to values of axial forces acting on the pile, total and embedded lengths of the pile, the linear-elastic rotational restraining stiffness at the upper end of the pile and to the boundary conditions of the pile. Two different boundary conditions are considered in the study. For the first boundary condition, the pile’s end at the first region is semi-rigid connected and not restricted for horizontal displacement and the end at the third region is free and for the second boundary condition, the pile’s end at the first region is semi-rigid connected and restricted for horizontal displacement and the end at the third region is fixed supported. The calculated natural frequencies of semi-rigid connected Reddy-Bickford pile embedded in elastic soil are given in tables and compared with results of Timoshenko pile model.     

Uniform line integral representation of edge-diffracted fields

A uniform line integral representation is derived for edge-diffracted fields by using the modified theory of physical optics and uniform asymptotic evaluation methods. The method is applied to the problem of diffraction of plane waves by a semi-infinite edge, which creates tip-diffracted fields with edge-diffracted waves. The uniform diffracted fields are plotted and examined numerically.     

Alternative interpretation of the edge-diffraction phenomenon

An alternative interpretation of the phenomenon of edge diffraction is proposed according to a new separation of the Fresnel function. The subfields are investigated in the problem of diffraction of a plane wave by a perfectly conducting half-plane, and the results are compared numerically with other interpretations.