Experimental investigation and thermodynamic modeling of the Mg–Sn–Sr ternary system

The isothermal sections of the Mg–Sn–Sr ternary system in the Mg-rich region at 415 and 350 °C have been determined using the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy dispersive X-Ray spectrometry (EDS). The existence of the MgSnSr ternary compound was confirmed in these two isothermal sections. Two new compounds, named Mg₅Sn₃Sr and Mg₂₅Sn₂₄Sr_14, were found in the present work based on the SEM/EDS results. Thermodynamic optimization of the Sn–Sr binary and Mg–Sn–Sr ternary systems were carried out using the CALPHAD (CALculation of PHAse Diagrams) technique. The Modified quasi-chemical model (MQM) was used for the liquid solution which exhibits a high degree of short-range ordering behavior. The solid phases were described with the Compound energy formalism (CEF). Finally, a self-consistent thermodynamic databases for the Mg–Sn–Sr ternary system has been constructed in the present work, which can be an efficient and convenient guidance to investigate and develop the Mg-based alloys.     

Feedback predictive control for constrained fuzzy systems with Markovian jumps

In this paper, a feedback model predictive control method is presented to tackle control problems with constrained multivariables for uncertain discrete‐time nonlinear Markovian jump systems. An uncertain Markovian jump fuzzy system (MJFS) is obtained by employing the Takagi‐Sugeno (T‐S) fuzzy model to represent a discrete‐time nonlinear system with norm bounded uncertainties and Markovain jump parameters. To achieve more generality, the transition probabilities of the Markov chain are assumed to be partly unknown and partly accessible. The predictive formulation adopts an on‐line optimization paradigm that utilizes the closed‐loop state feedback controller and is solved using the standard semi‐definite programming (SDP). To reduce the on‐line computational burden, a mode independent control move is calculated at every sampling time based on a stochastic fuzzy Lyapunov function (FLF) and a parallel distributed compensation (PDC) scheme. The robust mean square stability, performance minimization and constraint satisfaction properties are guaranteed under the control move for all admissible uncertainties. A numerical example is given to show the efficiency of the developed approach. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society     

DTA measurements of normal-incommensurate phase transition in (NH4)2ZnCl4 and K2ZnCl4 crystals

Differential thermal analysis (DTA) was applied to determine the changes in enthalpy and entropy of (NH₄)₂ZnCl₄ and K₂ZnCl₄ crystals at their phase transition from the orthorhombic normal phase to the incommensurate phase. The temperature of this transition, T _i , is 406 K for (NH₄)₂ZnCl₄ and 555 K for K₂ZnCl₄ and the entropy changes (S/R) are 0.053 and 0.035, respectively. The low value obtained for S/R is characteristic of incommensurate phase transitions. The results were compared with the data reported for other crystals of the A₂BX₄ family. Thermal properties of the crystals of the A₂ZnCl₄ subgroup were found to the correlated with the length of A-Cl bonds.     

High-temperature properties of the Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O system: Simultaneous occurrence of melting, oxygen desorption, and a metal-insulator transition

We have investigated the temperature dependence of the electrical transport and the thermogravimetric properties, from -200°C to +1000, of the Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O high-temperature superconductor. We conclude that this system has a cooperative, simultaneous-melting/oxygen desorption/metal-insulator transition that occurs near 900°C. We speculate on its nature and on its relationship to phenomena found in other high-T _c superconductors.     

On the use of the WLF model in polymers and foods.

The validity of the WLF model with fixed "universal" coefficients was tested against that of the model original form with variable coefficients using published coefficients of polymers and amorphous sugars crystallization and viscosity data. The disagreement between the two versions of the model is particularly large at temperature ranges starting about 20 to 30 degrees K above the glass transition or reference temperature, excluding the former from being a model of general applicability. Because the WLF model mathematical structure entails the existence of an almost linear region near the reference temperature, establishment of its validity as a kinetic model and meaningful determination of its constants requires data spread over an extended temperature range, especially when the experimental results have a scatter.     

Study of viscosity of mono-, di-, and trialkylamines

Viscosities of several mono-, di-, and trialkylamines have been measured in the temperature range 298 to 333 K. It is observed that viscosities are highly dependent on shape, size, and association through H-bond or through dipole. Following the transition state theory, energy, Gibbs free energy, and entropy of activation of viscous flow have been calculated. The values of expansion energy for these liquids have also been calculated using free volume theory, and subsequently amines have been classified as volume-restrained or energy-restrained liquids. The group contribution method of Van Velzen, Cardozo, and Langenkamp for estimating viscosity has been examined with the present and literature data, and the new group contribution increments N _i and B _i for amines have been evaluated.     

Thermal transport behavior of van der Waals solids and liquids in the neighborhood of the solid-liquid phase transition

The thermal conductivity, , is one of the few transport coefficients which shows a relatively small change at the solid-liquid phase transition, and hence it is a property that can be used in comparing dynamic properties of both ordered and disordered systems. Although the discontinuity in can be accounted for largely by the difference in density, , of solid and liquid at the phase transition, its volume dependence is examined more closely. The thermal diffusivity, which is known to dominate the dynamic structure factor of liquid argon, has been determined around the phase transition also; the sound velocity has been considered in addition. The results are discussed and a comparison is made with these properties in solid and liquid benzene and cyclohexane.Paper presented at the Ninth Symposium on Thermophysical Properties, June 24–27, 1985, Boulder, Colorado, U.S.A.     

石英砂的相变与换向器套筒铸件的变形

用呋喃树脂石英砂工艺生产牵引电机换向器套筒出现变形、裂纹等铸造缺陷,是由石英砂相变膨胀引起,后用高铬刚玉砂代替石英砂得到解决.     

GRAIN SHAPE EFFECT IN SUPERPLASTIC DEFORMATION

The method controlling grain shape in TMT processing and the effect of grain shape on char-acteristic parameters in superplastic deformation were discussed.The accommodation velocityof grahl boundary sliding,which is the dominant mechanism in superplastic deformation,andthe contribution of each mechanism to the total strain,as influenced by grain shape,were ana-lyzed.Grain shape has been shown to be an essential structural factor for superplasticity.Thenan analysis was made about the effect of grain shape on the region transition strain rate sothat a new concept,critical aspect for superplasticity,was worked out.These predictions werecompared with the measured results in an Al-Zn-Mg alloy.     

The dynamic evolution of aggregated lithium dendrites in lithium metal batteries

Lithium (Li) metal anodes promise an ultrahigh theoretical energy density and low redox potential,thus being the critical energy material for next-generation batteries.Unfortunately,the formation of Li den-drites in Li metal anodes remarkably hinders the practical applications of Li metal anodes.Herein,the dynamic evolution of discrete Li dendrites and aggregated Li dendrites with increasing current densities is visualized by in-situ optical microscopy in conjunction with ex-situ scanning electron microscopy.As revealed by the phase field simulations,the formation of aggregated Li dendrites under high current den-sity is attributed to the locally concentrated electric field rather than the depletion of Li ions.More specif-ically,the locally concentrated electric field stems from the spatial inhomogeneity on the Li metal surface and will be further enhanced with increasing current densities.Adjusting the above two factors with the help of the constructed phase field model is able to regulate the electrodeposited morphology from aggregated Li dendrites to discrete Li dendrites,and ultimately columnar Li morphology.The methodol-ogy and mechanistic understanding established herein give a significant step toward the practical appli-cations of Li metal anodes.