Thermal and mechanical properties of epoxy composites reinforced by a natural hydrophobic sand

If a low weight percentage of crude fine fillers can improve properties of polymer materials directly without complicated chemical treatment process involved, it will be significant for many industrial applications. Our previous study indicated that a kind of Cancun natural sand could be an effective filler material for polymer composites. In this current work, the epoxy composites reinforced by this kind of natural sand particles were prepared and thermal and mechanical properties of the composites containing up to 5 wt % of the sand particles were characterized. Results showed that the highest flexural strength appears in the epoxy composite containing 1 wt % sand particles. A damage model was used to interpret the flexural properties, which showed an acceptable agreement with the experimental results. The glass transition temperature, high temperature storage modulus, and dimensional stability of the sand/epoxy composites monotonically increased with the addition of the sand particles. The sand particle/epoxy composites also displayed a noticeable enhancement in thermal conductivity. Theoretical analysis showed that in addition to conduction, other heat transport mechanisms played roles in the improved heat transmission through the composites. As a natural porous micron-scale material, Cancun sand has the potential for applications in cost-effective composites with enhanced mechanical and thermal properties. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Accelerated wear testing with a microfabricated surface to evaluate the lubrication ability of biomolecules on polyethylene

Wear of ultrahigh‐molecular‐weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and wear‐particle‐induced osteolysis and bone resorption are the major factors causing the failure of total joint replacements. It is feasible to improve the lubrication and reduce the wear of artificial joints. We need further understanding of the lubrication mechanism of the synovial fluid. The objective of this study is to evaluate the lubricating ability of three major components in the synovial fluid: albumin, globulin, and phospholipids. An accelerated wear testing procedure in which UHMWPE is rubbed against a microfabricated surface with controlled asperities has been developed to evaluate the lubrication behavior. An analysis of the wear particle dimensions and wear amount of the tests has provided insights for comparing their lubrication performance. It is concluded that the presence of biomolecules at the articulating interface may reduce friction. A higher concentration of a biological lubricant leads to a decrease in the wear particle width. In addition, in combination with the wear results and mechanical analysis, the roles of individual biomolecules contributing to friction and wear at the articulating interface are discussed. These results can help us to identify the role of the biomolecules in the boundary lubrication of artificial joints, and further development of lubricating additives for artificial joints may be feasible. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Effect of plate aspect ratio on the recovery of deuterium from water-isotope mixture in flat-plate thermal diffusion columns with transverse sampling streams

The optimal plate aspect ratios for the best recovery of deuterium from water-isotope mixture in flat-plate thermal diffusion columns with transverse sampling streams have been determined. The maximum recovery and maximum production rate are achieved without changing the total expenditure, while the design with minimum plate surface area results in minimizing the total expense.     

The deposition morphology of Brownian/non-Brownian particles within a constricted tube

The deposition morphology of Brownian/non-Brownian particles within a constricted tube is investigated by applying the Brownian dynamics simulation method in the present paper. Two different geometric structures, the parabolic constricted tube (PCT) and the sinusoidal constricted tube (SCT), are adopted. The effect of various types of the total interaction energy curves of the Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) theory, and of the shadow area cast by those deposited particles, on the particles’ collection efficiencies are also examined. For the PCT structure, under the same interaction energy curve, it is found that the non-Brownian particles always own a higher collection efficiency than that of the Brownian particles. Since the deposition location moves closer to the constriction part of the tube, the collection efficiencies of the Brownian/non-Brownian particles increase with the decrease of flow velocity. The SCT behaves differently, it is found that the collection efficiencies of non-Brownian particles are only slightly higher than those of Brownian particles when SCT is adopted. The steep slope of the tube wall near the constriction part of SCT dominates the whole deposition process of Brownian/non-Brownian particles. In comparison with the available experimental data, it is found that the present method can give a good simulation result.     

变频调速器在桥式抓斗吊车中的应用

论文主要介绍了电机的调速方法、变频器的工作原理以及日本FRNIC500G7型变频器在桥式抓斗吊车上的应用，并分析了使用绕线式电机调速与鼠笼式电机变频调速之间的优缺点。     

单线循环客运索道设计参数研讨(续三)

论证客运索道设计中的几个重要参数,建立抱索器钳口夹紧力计算公式,第一次给出钳口夹紧力与钢索金属断面积的比值,并进行了钢索弯曲应力计算公式的推导.     

不连续增强镁基复合材料的界面行为

综述了近年来国内外关于Ａｌ２Ｏ３短纤维、ＳｉＣ晶须、ＳｉＣ颗粒、Ｂ４Ｃ颗粒增强镁基复合材料的界面结构及其对复合材料性能影响的研究进展，并对今后的研究提出了一些看法。     

Method of increasing the output signal-to-noise ratio in passive multi-element antenna arrays

A method of processing complex signals in passive multi-element antenna arrays based on an analysis of the natural values of the correlation matrix of the signal is considered. By means of the method it is possible to substantially increase the output signal-to-noise ratio. An iterational process by means of which optimal estimators of both the signal and the amplitude-phase distribution may be obtained, is proposed. Theoretical estimators of the efficiency of the method are given. It is proved that, in terms of the efficiency, the approach considered in the article comes close to the technique of matched filtration. Results of statistical modeling that confirm the statistical results are presented.     

Heat loss and thermoelectric generator design

With the object of evaluating its importance to thermoelectric generator design, heat loss is introduced into the standard thermoelectric generator design theory. The theory for both the constant hot and cold junction temperatures model and the constant heat input model are so modified. The modification is first order and, therefore, is limited to small leg heat-transfer coefficients. Numerical results using representative properties show that significant differences can exist between the optimum geometry and performance of a generator idealized as lossless and those of a generator designed by the modified theory. The largest differences occur with the constant heat input model.