Comparison of electric field-dependent property in BaTiO3-based piezoceramics between single and coexisting phases

The evolution of electrical properties with an electric field (E) was compared between single-phase BT ceramic and phase-coexistence BT-based (BTS–0.15BCT) ceramic. The dielectric, ferroelectric, piezoelectric, and strain properties are all found to be electric field-dependent, especially for BTS–0.15BCT ceramic with small domains and easy polarization rotation induced by phase coexistence. High ferroelectric and strain properties are obtained in this ceramic because sufficient domain switching can easily be achieved. The high dielectric constant can be further elevated after poling this ceramic due to the E-induced multiphase transitions. Dynamic piezoelectric measurement reveals that the dynamic piezoelectricity can reach to ∼740 pC/N, which is much higher than the static value (∼620 pC/N) of poled BTS–0.15BCT ceramic. However, the converse piezoelectric coefficient will decrease at high E, because of the quick decrease in dynamic dielectric response caused by clamped polarization at high E. All the results demonstrate that phase-coexistence BT-based ceramic shows electric field-related properties due to the soft structure, whereas it cannot be observed in BT ceramic with stable phase structure and large domains. This work reveals the evolution difference and structure origin of electrical properties in BT-based piezoceramics with different phase structures.     

Additive manufacturing of B4C-W-based composites via fused deposition molding using highly filled granular feedstocks

The miniaturization and mobility of nuclear reactors have become an important trend in the development of nuclear energy. In order to simplify the design of shielding materials with improved complexity and reduced weight, 3D B₄C-W-based composites were fabricated via fused deposition molding using highly-filled granular feedstocks containing 62 vol% B₄C-W powders (boron carbide accounted for 30 wt% and tungsten for 70 wt%) and 38 vol% polymer binders (60 wt% Carnauba wax, 22 wt% polypropylene, 13 wt% polystyrene, and 5 wt% stearic acid). The rheological properties and microstructure of the feedstock and extruded filaments were clarified. Roles of the printing parameters including extrusion temperature, platform temperature and deposited-layer height in the morphology of 3D composites were investigated in detail. Extruded filaments with good shape retention, dense fracture surface, and uniformly dispersed B₄C-W grains were achieved, benefiting from the smooth printing and shear thinning behaviour of the feedstock. Defects including warping, small pores or stacking pores could be formed under improper printing parameters, owing to the poor bonding strength between deposited layers induced by thermal internal stress or decomposition of wax. 3D composites with large size of 130 × 130 × 5 mm were fabricated, which showed a satisfactory compressive strength of 34.8 MPa. This work showed a facile route to fabricate 3D radiation shielding materials based on highly-filled polymers.     

microRNA及其靶基因多态与肿瘤易感性

microRNA及其靶基因的单核苷酸多态性（SNP）影响microRNA与靶mRNA的结合和对靶基因表达的调控,使个体对多种疾病的易感性、治疗及预后存在差异.文章介绍了microRNA形成以及作用机制、microRNA及其靶基因SNP对肿瘤易感性的研究进展.     

Viscoelastic and Nonlinear Adherend Effects in Bonded Composite Joints

An experimental and theoretical investigation is described on the effects of viscoelasticity and geometric and material nonlinearity in rubber-toughened graphite/epoxy adherends. Single-lap joints, with adherends of a matrix-dominated layup and a brittle epoxy adhesive layer, were tested under two constant loading rates to failure; axial strains were measured at several locations on the surface of the adherends. Aluminum and fiber-dominated laminate adherends were also studied for comparison. Finite element analyses of the adhesive joint were made using linear and nonlinear viscoelastic characterizations of the composite. The experimental work is discussed first. Then we describe the constitutive theory and its implementation in the finite element analysis, after which the theoretical ane experimental results are presented and compared.     

OPTIMALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF PI/PID CONTROLLERS: A COMBINED MIN-MAX/ISE INTERPRETATION

This communication addresses the tuning of PI and PID controllers on the basis of the IMC approach. The tuning is based upon a first order plus time delay (FOPTD) model and aims to achieve a step response specification. Through analysis it has been found that by using the IMC approach we get a PI or a PID depending on the rational approximation used for the time delay term. This article raises the question that the use of a PID instead of a PI controller should be based on another reason more related to the control objectives rather than the use of a better approximation for the time delay. An alternative tuning is presented here, from within the IMC formulation, based on a min-max optimization. From the tuning rule provided by this approach the optimum settings from an integral squared error criterion point of view are derived. The optimal controller results in being a PI controller. From this optimal controller as the starting point, the introduction of the derivative action can be seen as a detuning procedure that can increase the robustness of the controller. This approach provides further insight into the tuning of PI and PID controllers giving the (alternative) parameters a precise engineering meaning.     

Relationship Between Structure and Coordination Strength of N and N,O-Hybrid Donor Ligands with Trivalent Lanthanides

ABSTRACT

To effectively separate lanthanides (Ln(III)) from actinides (An(III)), symmetrical 2,2′-bipyridyl (Bpy), 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen), and unsymmetrical N-methyl-N-tolyl-1,10-phenanthroline-2-carboxamide (MeTol-PTA) were investigated. According to the crystal structures and EXAFS experiments, the decreasing ionic radius from light to heavy Ln led to decreases in the Ln–N (Bpy) and Ln–N (Phen) distances, while log β simply increased due to the electrostatic interaction and the order of Ln–O (MeTol-PTA) < Ln–N (Bpy, Phen) < Ln–N (MeTol-PTA) was obtained. This indicated that the bulky phenanthroline moiety of MeTol-PTA may not allow N (MeTol-PTA) to come close to Ln. Consequently, the log β of MeTol-PTA exhibited a local maximum (around Nd).     

MECHANISMS OF DRYING OF SKIN-FORMING MATERIALS.III. DROPLETS OF NATURAL PRODUCTS.

ABSTRACT

Drying studies were carried out on single droplets suspended from a rotating nozzle in a horizontal wind tunnel. Droplets were of solution of a third type of skin-forming material, namely the natural products skim milk or fructose. Droplet weight and temperature were measured during the drying process. Dried crusts were recovered and examined by Scanning Electron Microscopy.

With this type of material a skin first forms at any drying condition on the surface of the droplet at a cerlain stage of drying. A crust subsequently forms beneath the skin. The final dried panicle retains the structure and properties of the original powder, unless the material is dried at very high temperatures. e.g. >300 °C. which result in burning.

An increase in air temperature resulted in the formation of a smoother skin offering a higher resistance to vapour diffusion. At temperatures over 100 °C droplets exhibited puffing or ballooning phenomena; i.e. they inflated and deflated many times before forming the final dried particles.     

Volatiles Retention in the Drying of Skin Forming Materials PART 2: Natural Materials

ABSTRACT

The retention of ethanol as a simulated flavour was determined by drying single droplets in a horizontal wind tunnel, with fructose, reconstituted skim milk or coffee as the flavour encapaulant. Droplet temperature histories, ethanol content, and crust structure were evaluated for each encapsulant. No enhancement of volatile retention was obtained with the fructose eolutions irrespective of initial concentration, air velocity, or air temperature. Enhancement of the volatiles retention with the coffee and skim milk solutions correlated with an increase in initial solide concentration. resulting from selective diffusion phenomena and the formation of a resistant skin. In both cases air velocity had no significant effect upon volatiles retention. Skin forming materials with similar characteristics would be advantageous for flavour retention.     

SYNTHESIS AND THERMAL INTERCONVERSION OF 5-FLUOROACENAPHTHYLENE BY FLASH VACUUM THERMOLYSIS

Abstract

The utility of high-temperature gas-phase cyclisation reactions for the synthesis of fluorosubstituted cyclopenta-fused polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was illustrated by the synthesis of 5-fluoroacenaphthylene by flash vacuum thermolysis (FVT) of 1-ethynyl-5-fluoronaphthalene.

The experimental results suggest that monofluorinated PAHs can be used as model compounds to study thermal interconversion of their parent PAHs since, with fluorine as a label; ¹⁹ F-NMR is a valuable tool to characterize complex mixtures.