Metal chlorides-promoted ammonia absorption of deep eutectic solvent

Ammonia is considered as a promising hydrogen or energy carrier. Ammonia absorption or adsorption is an important aspect for both ammonia removal, storage and separation applications. To these ends, a wide range of solid and liquid sorbents have been investigated. Among these, the deep eutectic solvent (DES) is emerging as a promising class of ammonia absorbers. Herein, we report a novel type of DES, i.e., metal-containing DESs for ammonia absorption. Specifically, the NH₃ absorption capacity is enhanced by ca. 18.1–36.9% when a small amount of metal chlorides, such as MgCl₂, MnCl₂ etc., are added into a DES composed of resorcinol (Res) and ethylene glycol (EG). To our knowledge, the MgCl₂/Res/EG (0.1:1:2) DES outperforms most of the reported DESs. The excellent NH₃ absorption performances of metal–containing DESs have been attributed to the synergy of Lewis acid–base and hydrogen bonding interactions. Additionally, good reversibility and high NH₃/CO₂ selectivity are achieved over the MgCl₂/Res/EG (0.1:1:2) DES, which enables it to be a potential NH₃ absorber for further investigations.     

Hydrophobic Cross-Linked Poly(dimethylsiloxane)-Based Sorbents for Oil Spill Applications

With the increase of industrialization and urbanization, humankind faces massive oil-based pollution due to tanker accidents, human error, and natural disasters. For this, hydrophobic sorbents are fabricated and their applications for the removal of oil from polluted water sources are investigated. These hydrophobic sorbents are prepared by the condensation reaction of poly(dimethylsiloxane) and tris[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]isocyanurate cross-linker via bulk polymerization. The obtained sorbents exhibit high oil sorption capacity, fast absorption–desorption kinetics, and great reusability. Moreover, they can selectively absorb oil from the water surface, thus making them practical for water clean-up applications.     

New exact solutions of the Tzitzéica-type equations in non-linear optics using the expa function method

One specific class of non-linear evolution equations, known as the Tzitzéica-type equations, has received great attention from a group of researchers involved in non-linear science. In this article, new exact solutions of the Tzitzéica-type equations arising in non-linear optics, including the Tzitzéica, Dodd–Bullough–Mikhailov and Tzitzéica–Dodd–Bullough equations, are obtained using the exp_a function method. The integration technique actually suggests a useful and reliable method to extract new exact solutions of a wide range of non-linear evolution equations.     

基于改进D?Lite遗传算法路径规划研究

针对遗传算法在移动机器人路径规划中易产生早熟现象和收敛速度慢的问题,提出了改进的D~* Lite遗传算法。该算法将D~* Lite算法和遗传算法相结合,通过引入碰撞系数和可视检测技术以提高路径安全性,寻找最短路径。在遗传算法设计中加入动态调整交叉与变异概率,以解决算法在路径规划中因陷入局部最优值而不能到达目标点的问题。最后,通过实验仿真可知:与蚁群算法和免疫遗传算法相比,改进的D~* Lite遗传算法执行效率高,可以快速规划出全局最优路径。     

{X,Y}-Cyclacene Graphs with Next Nearest Neighbor Interactions

Eigensolutions of {X( = C,B,N),Y( = C,B,N)}-cyclacene graphs with next nearest neighbor (nnn) interactions have been obtained in analytical forms by adapting n-fold rotational symmetry followed by two-fold rotational symmetry (or a plane of symmetry). Expressions of eigensolution indicate the subspectral relationship among such cyclacenes with an even number of hexagonal rings e.g., eigenvalues of {X,Y}-di-cyclacene are found in the eigenspectra of all such even cyclacenes. Total π-electron energies and highest occupied molecular orbital and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (HOMO–LUMO) gaps are calculated using the analytical expressions obtained and are found to vary negligibly with the variation of nnn interactions in such cyclacenes. Total π-electron energy is found to increase due to increase in restriction intensity of nnn interactions, whereas the HOMO–LUMO gap of polyacenecs having the even number of hexagonal rings and with one electron at each site (atom) decreases with increase in the restriction intensity since such systems contain degenerate half-filled HOMO (bonding or nonbonding) that are much more vulnerable for perturbations imposed through nnn interactions.     

Revisiting rock classification to estimate rock mass properties

This paper presents the results of ongoing research carried out by the author exploring methods to provide a more robust estimate of rock mass properties specifically for use in tunnel design. Data from various large-scale rock mass failures are introduced, including coal pillars. The damage-initiation,spalling-limit approach is compared to the coal pillar database. New comparisons of estimating the geological strength index(GSI) and relationships to estimate the Hoeke Brown failure criterion parameters, mb, s and a, are presented.     

Stochastic free vibration analyses of composite shallow doubly curved shells – A Kriging model approach

This paper presents the Kriging model approach for stochastic free vibration analysis of composite shallow doubly curved shells. The finite element formulation is carried out considering rotary inertia and transverse shear deformation based on Mindlin’s theory. The stochastic natural frequencies are expressed in terms of Kriging surrogate models. The influence of random variation of different input parameters on the output natural frequencies is addressed. The sampling size and computational cost is reduced by employing the present method compared to direct Monte Carlo simulation. The convergence studies and error analysis are carried out to ensure the accuracy of present approach. The stochastic mode shapes and frequency response function are also depicted for a typical laminate configuration. Statistical analysis is presented to illustrate the results using Kriging model and its performance.     

Earliness–tardiness minimization on scheduling a batch processing machine with non-identical job sizes

This paper considers the scheduling problem of minimizing earliness–tardiness (E/T) on a single batch processing machine with a common due date. The problem is extended to the environment of non-identical job sizes. First, a mathematical model is formulated, which is tested effectively under IBM ILOG CPLEX using the constraint programming solver. Then several optimal properties are given to schedule batches effectively, and by introducing the concept of ARB (Attribute Ratio of Batch), it is proven that the ARB of each batch should be made as small as possible in order to minimize the objective, designed as the heuristic information for assigning jobs into batches. Based on these properties, a heuristic algorithm MARB (Minimum Attribute Ratio of Batch) for batch forming is proposed, and a hybrid genetic algorithm is developed for the problem under study by combining GA (genetic algorithm) with MARB. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm outperforms other algorithms in the literature, both for small and large problem instances.     

Microwave assisted-in situ synthesis of porous titanium/calcium phosphate composites and their in vitro apatite-forming capability

Microwave irradiation has been proven to be an effective heating source in synthetic chemistry, and can accelerate the reaction rate, provide more uniform heating and help in developing better synthetic routes for the fabrication of bone-grafting implant materials. In this study, a new technique, which comprises microwave heating and powder metallurgy for in situ synthesis of Ti/CaP composites by using Ti powders, calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) powders and dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (CaHPO₄·2H₂O) powders, has been developed. Three different compositions of Ti:CaCO₃:CaHPO₄·2H₂O powdered mixture were employed to investigate the effect of the starting atomic ratio of the CaCO₃ to CaHPO₄·2H₂O on the phase, microstructural formation and compressive properties of the microwave synthesized composites. When the starting atomic ratio reaches 1.67, composites containing mainly alpha-titanium (α-Ti), hydroxyapatite (HA), beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) and calcium titanate (CaTiO₃) with porosity of 26%, pore size up to 152 μm, compressive strength of 212 MPa and compressive modulus of 12 GPa were formed. The in vitro apatite-forming capability of the composite was evaluated by immersing the composite into a simulated body fluid (SBF) for up to 14 days. The results showed that biodissolution occurred, followed by apatite precipitation after immersion in the SBF, suggesting that the composites are suitable for bone implant applications as apatite is an essential intermediate layer for bone cells attachment. The quantity and size of the apatite globules increased over the immersion time. After 14 days of immersion, the composite surface was fully covered by an apatite layer with a Ca/P atomic ratio approximately of 1.68, which is similar to the bone-like apatite appearing in human hard tissue. The results suggested that the microwave assisted-in situ synthesis technique can be used as an alternative to traditional powder metallurgy for the fabrication of Ti/CaP biocomposites.     

基于三维胞元空间的MA双向并行路由算法

针对传统移动代理(MA)在监测无线传感器网络(WSNs)的感兴趣信息时产生的延迟较大和能耗较多问题,提出了基于三维胞元空间的MA双向并行(3D-BPMA)路由算法.3D-BPMA将MA与传统的客户/服务器(c/S)模式相结合,在胞元内利用C/S模式搜集信息,在单层胞元系统和路由器与路由器之间采用MA双向并行的策略进行传输.仿真结果表明:3D-BPMA与LCF,DSG-MIP算法相比减少了平均响应时间和网络平均能耗,提高了MA发送率.