A review on ultrasonic spot welding of copper alloys

As a solid state joining process, ultrasonic spot welding has been proven to be a promising technique for joining copper alloys. However, challenges still remain in employing ultrasonic spot welding to join copper alloys. This article comprehensively reviews the current state of ultrasonic spot welding of copper alloys with a number of critical issues including materials flow, plastic deformation, temperature distribution, vibration, relative motion, vertical displacement, interface friction coefficient, online monitoring technique, coupled with the macrostructure and microstructure, the mechanical properties and electrical conductivity. In addition, the future trends in this field are provided.     

柠檬酸铋合成新工艺研究

针对现有柠檬酸铋制备工艺合成时间长、能耗高、产品纯度不高等不足,介绍了一种常温下制备柠檬酸铋的新工艺。新工艺制备时间短,制备的柠檬酸铋产品质量好,合成过程产生的废水可循环利用,废气经碱液循环吸收可生产硝酸钠副产品。     

Integrated circuit and system design for renewable energy inverters

This study proposes that a novel integrated circuit (IC) and system design for renewable energy inverters can harvest renewable energy to power direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) loads. In addition, an intelligent synthesis and management tool is developed to design the proposed system and to judge the system’s operational maintenance decisions. Finally, a renewable energy inverter’s information is posted to an online system. Users can obtain the proposed system’s information at any time and place. The accurate and superior performance of the proposed IC and system is confirmed by computer simulations and experimental results.     

Impact of shape representation schemes used in discrete element modelling of particle packing

In different computer models, shape is represented using different methodologies, to varying degrees of precision. This paper examines two approaches to shape representation, and their effects on accuracy in the context of cylindrical particle packing. Two discrete element method (DEM) based software packages are used. A X-ray CT scan of a packed bed provides the experimental measurements for comparison. Eight sphere-composite representations of the same cylindrical pellet were tested. Two of these gave results that quantitatively follow experimental measurements. A range of factors that in theory could affect accuracy of the simulation results are examined, including edge roundedness, surface roughness and restitutional behaviour as a function of sphere-composite representations. The conclusion is that, for packing at least, matching the object's overall shape and dimensions is not enough. Only when a high enough resolution is applied to corners and edges, could the sphere-composite approach possibly match the experimental data quantitatively.     

Annual and regional variations of aflatoxin B1 levels seen in grains and feed coming from Croatian dairy farms over a 5-year period

The aim of the study was to investigate annual and regional differences in the level of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) in grains and dairy cattle feed. Maize (n = 972), wheat (n = 201), barley (n = 147), oat (n = 136), grain mixtures (n = 168), and dairy cattle feed (n = 325) were sampled from 2009 to 2013 on different farms and in different farm factories situated in four Croatian regions. The samples were analysed for AFB₁ using the validated ELISA immunoassay. AFB₁ was determined in 16.4% of all investigated samples, among which maize was proven to be the most contaminated, with 21.7% of the samples recovered during 2013 harbouring AFB₁ in concentrations over the permissible ones. Levels higher than permitted were observed in 17.9% and 12.3% of grain mixtures and dairy cattle feed, respectively, whereas concentrations of AFB₁ determined in other crops throughout the investigated period met the stipulated requirements. The results revealed the AFB₁ occurrence to be significantly (p < 0.05) dependent on the cultivation region, with the highest levels generally found in maize harvested in 2013 and consequently in grain mixtures and cattle feed that can most likely be associated with climatic conditions as the most critical factor for mould formation, and thus also AFB₁ production.     

仙游抽水蓄能电站尾水系统充排水试验

为检查工程质量,查找输水系统可能存在的问题并消除隐患,保障电站安全运行,福建仙游抽水蓄能电站在投产发电前,要对输水发电系统进行充水试验与放空排水试验,在试验过程中监测输水系统的应力、应变与渗漏水情况。本文以尾水系统为例,介绍了试验所应具备的工程条件、工作程序及技术要求、试验成果分析和存在问题处理等。试验表明,仙游抽水蓄能电站尾水系统设计合理,施工质量优良,结构可靠,可供同类工程参考与借鉴。     

Recent progress of the gas diffusion layer in proton exchange membrane fuel cells: Material and structure designs of microporous layer

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have become the most attractive power supply units for stationary and mobile applications. The operation, design characteristics, as well as performance of PEMFCs, are closely related to the multiphase transport of mass, heat, and electricity in the cell, a critical of which is the gas diffusion layer (GDL). It is very important to guarantee the transmission of water and gasses under high current density, and which is the weakness of PEMFCs at present. Microporous layer (MPL) is considered to be the key variable for mass transfer, so varieties of works focus on modification of MPL materials and its structure design. However, there is still a lack of special review to summarize and prospect the progress of MPL in recent years. This review article therefore focuses on the insights and comprehensive understanding of four critical issues of the MPL, the porosity, pore size distribution, wettability, structural design and the durability of MPL. At last, the conclusion and recommendations section summarized the future prospects and recommendations for possible research opportunities.     

高温氢工质热物理性质计算分析

氢工质在新能源与动力、航天推进、化工材料等领域有着广泛应用。通过开展高温氢工质热力学与输运性质研究，建立了原子态氢、分子态氢、热解平衡态氢的热物理性质计算模型，开发了热物性计算程序Prop_H_H2，适用范围为温度100~3 500 K、压力104~5×107 Pa 。验证表明，Prop_H_H2在适用范围内计算氢工质的物性参数合理可靠，在温度200~3 000 K、压力104~107 Pa范围内，程序预测值更加准确，相对偏差在±5%左右。本研究可为氢工质相关的航天推进、应用物理学、能源动力等行业的科研和应用提供支持借鉴。