Transverse surface waves on a piezoelectric material carrying a functionally graded layer of finite thickness

The propagation behavior of transverse surface waves (Love waves) in a piezoelectric half space of polarized ceramics carrying a functionally graded material layer is studied from the three-dimensional equations of linear piezoelectricity. The Wentzel–Kramers–Brillouin (WKB) asymptotic technique is adopted for the theoretical derivations of analytical solutions in the functionally graded layer. The dispersion relations of Love wave in the structure are obtained for both electrically open and shorted cases. Firstly, these solutions are used to study effect of the gradient coefficients on the dispersive relations and phase velocities of Love wave propagation. Then influence of the gradient coefficients on the electromechanical coupling factor is discussed in detail. The results reported are meaningful for the design of surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices with high performance.     

Exponential parameter and tracking error convergence guarantees for adaptive controllers without persistency of excitation

In model reference adaptive control (MRAC) the modelling uncertainty is often assumed to be parameterised with time-invariant unknown ideal parameters. The convergence of parameters of the adaptive element to these ideal parameters is beneficial, as it guarantees exponential stability, and makes an online learned model of the system available. Most MRAC methods, however, require persistent excitation of the states to guarantee that the adaptive parameters converge to the ideal values. Enforcing PE may be resource intensive and often infeasible in practice. This paper presents theoretical analysis and illustrative examples of an adaptive control method that leverages the increasing ability to record and process data online by using specifically selected and online recorded data concurrently with instantaneous data for adaptation. It is shown that when the system uncertainty can be modelled as a combination of known nonlinear bases, simultaneous exponential tracking and parameter error convergence can be guaranteed if the system states are exciting over finite intervals such that rich data can be recorded online; PE is not required. Furthermore, the rate of convergence is directly proportional to the minimum singular value of the matrix containing online recorded data. Consequently, an online algorithm to record and forget data is presented and its effects on the resulting switched closed-loop dynamics are analysed. It is also shown that when radial basis function neural networks (NNs) are used as adaptive elements, the method guarantees exponential convergence of the NN parameters to a compact neighbourhood of their ideal values without requiring PE. Flight test results on a fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle demonstrate the effectiveness of the method.     

Alcohol-assisted rapid growth of vertically aligned carbon nanotube arrays

Millimeter-to-centimeter scale vertically aligned carbon nanotube (VACNT) arrays are widely studied because of their immense potential in a range of applications. Catalyst control during chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is key to maintain the sustained growth of VACNT arrays. Herein, we achieved ultrafast growth of VACNT arrays using Fe/Al₂O₃ catalysts by ethanol-assisted two-zone CVD. One zone was set at temperatures above 850 °C to pyrolyze the carbon source and the other zone was set at 760 °C for VACNT deposition. By tuning synthesis parameters, up to 7 mm long VACNT arrays could be grown within 45 min, with a maximal growth rate of ∼280 μm/min. Our study indicates that the introduction of alcohol vapor and separation of growth zones from the carbon decomposition zone help reduce catalyst particle deactivation and accelerate the carbon source pyrolysis, leading to the promotion of VACNT array growth. We also observed that the catalyst film thickness did not significantly affect the CNT growth rate and microstructures under the conditions of our study. Additionally, the ultralong CNTs showed better processability with less structural deformation when exposed to solvent and polymer solutions. Our results demonstrate significant progress towards commercial production and application of VACNT arrays.     

高超声速稀薄流场AUSM分裂式DSMC-IP方法研究

针对直接模拟蒙特卡洛(DSMC)方法统计耗散较大而传统的信息保存(DSMC-IP)方法难以有效模拟强激波的问题,采用对流迎风分裂(AUSM)通量计算格式对IP方法进行改造.以局部马赫数为标准重构控制方程中的关联项通量,使计算更加准确的符合激波两侧的流动特征,从而形成一种具有较高统计精度和高超声速流动模拟能力的新型DSM...     

Preparation of porous SiC ceramics skeleton with low-cost and controllable gradient based on liquid crystal display 3D printing

In recent years, the demand for gradient porous ceramics is increasing in engineering field. By traditional process, the disadvantage of prepared gradient porous ceramics is its low porosity and uncontrollable pore gradient, which limits the wide application of gradient porous ceramics. In this study, the gradient porous ceramic skeleton (GPCS) was prepared by combining liquid crystal display (LCD) 3D printer with liquid silicon infiltration (LSI). Experimental results showed that the mass of ceramic powder in the ceramic slurry with optimal printing performance accounts for 45% of the mass of photosensitive resin, and the thermal decomposition rate of photosensitive resin is faster in the range of 300–450 °C. Furthermore, the effect of LSI temperature on the composition, microstructure and mechanical properties of GPCS was investigated. The GPCS is expected to be applied in the fields of energy storage, heat transfer and biofouling, among others.     

Toward Flexible Embodied Energy: Scale-Inspired Overlapping Lithium-Ion Batteries with High-Energy-Density and Variable Stiffness

High performance flexible batteries are essential ingredients for flexible devices. However, general isolated flexible batteries face critical challenges in developing multifunctional embodied energy systems, owing to the lack of integrative design. Herein, inspired by scales in creatures, overlapping flexible lithium-ion batteries (FLIBs) consisting of energy storage scales and connections using LiNi_0.5Co_0.2Mn_0.3O₂ (NCM523) and graphite electrodes are presented. The scale-dermis structure ensures a high energy density of 374.4 Wh L⁻¹ as well as a high capacity retention of 93.2% after 200 charge/discharge cycles and 40 000 bending times. A variable stiffness property is revealed that can be controlled by battery configurations and deformation modes. Furthermore, the overlapping FLIBs can be housed directly into the architecture of several flexible devices, such as robots and grippers, allowing to create multifunctionalities that go far beyond energy storage and include load-bearing and variable flexibility. This study broadens the versatility of FLIBs toward energy storage structure engineering of flexible devices.     

高可靠重载升降装置技术研究

传统大型升降装置体积大,升降速度低,同步性差、启停冲击大,可靠性低,不满足大型贵重负载的升降需求.通过机械、电子、液压一体化设计,对大型贵重负载重载升降装置的设计方案进行了对比论证,并给出了综合最优解,为某重要产品的设计提供了技术支撑.     

Experimental studies on the effects of sheet resistance and wettability of catalyst layer on electro-catalytic activities for oxygen evolution reaction in proton exchange membrane electrolysis cells

As the most important part of electrochemical reaction in proton exchange membrane electrolysis cells (PEMECs) for water splitting, oxygen evolution reaction (OER) occurs at the anode catalyst layer (CL). The distribution of the OER site is affected by many factors, such as properties of CL, operation parameters, procedures, etc. To study the effects of properties of CLs on the distribution of OER site on the CL, and consequently affect the performance of PEMECs, CLs with different sheet resistances are tested under different operation conditions. The phenomena of OER on CLs are captured by a high-speed and micro-scale visualization system in-situ and analysed coupled with electrochemical results. The results show that both sheet resistance and wettability of CLs have significant impact on the distribution of the OER site, which can help optimize the design of membrane electrode assembly and improve the operating parameters for electrochemical devices.     

含裂纹悬臂梁的振动与疲劳耦合分析

基于Paris方程和同步分析方法考虑振动与疲劳裂纹扩展耦合之影响,提出一种含裂纹梁的振动疲劳寿命分析思路.振动分析过程中,利用线性弹簧等效裂纹段,复弹性模量引入阻尼损耗因子,得到考虑裂纹扩展、激励频率和阻尼等因素影响的动应力响应.结果表明:裂纹扩展、激励频率和阻尼等因素对疲劳寿命具有重要的影响.通过振动分析与疲劳裂纹扩展寿命估算同步进行,可进一步提高疲劳寿命估算精度.