Seismic response and stability of underground rock caverns: a case study of Baihetan underground cavern complex

The seismic stability of the underground cavern complex, which houses the Baihetan hydropower plant in Yunnan Province, China, currently the world’s 2nd largest underground rock cavern group, is studied in this article. A preliminary performance-based seismic assessment approach specified for underground rock caverns is firstly proposed. The seismic performance objectives are classified. Reference earthquake motions are specified with the determination of the seismic variables. Detailed dynamic response analyses (Method 2B) are conducted based on the parameters given by the cyclic dynamic loading tests with medium strain rate. The seismic response of acceleration, stress, displacement and failure zones are studied. In addition, the seismic spectrum characteristics are analysed with a newly introduced wavelet packet technique. The mechanism of the support measures for seismic stability is also discussed. The assessment for seismic performance of the underground cavern complex is obtained by integrating these results. Serviceability objective of the underground cavern complex under operating basis earthquake may be satisfied, and the safety objective be feasible but with the presence of the proposed reinforcement system. The seismic isolation design is preferred, yet not necessary. And if any seismic isolation design is to be adopted, the frequency absorption range of the isolation material is expected to be 1–4 Hz.     

Epinephrine doses delivered from auto-injectors stored at excessively high temperatures

Context: Prompt injection of epinephrine (adrenaline) from epinephrine auto-injectors (EAIs) is the primary treatment for anaphylaxis in out-of-hospital settings. Storage of EAIs at room temperature (25?°C) is advised; however, storage at excessively high temperatures sometimes occurs. To our knowledge, there are no previous publications on the doses of epinephrine ejected from EAIs after storage at such temperatures.

Objective: We examined the epinephrine doses delivered from activated EAIs stored constantly or cyclically at 70?°C.

Methods: Twenty-five in-date EAIs were stored constantly or cyclically at 70?°C (excessive heat) or 25?°C (controls) for 5?d or 10?d. EAIs were activated and the epinephrine doses in the ejected solutions were measured using HPLC-UV. The enantiomeric purity of epinephrine was also measured by HPLC-UV.

Results: Control EAIs ejected a volume of 0.300?±?0.006?mL containing 103.7?±?3.3% of labeled dose (LD). After 5?d or 10?d of constant storage at 70?°C and activation at 70?°C, EAIs ejected a volume of 0.367?±?0.008?mL containing 96.8?±?3.8% LD and 0.373?±?0.007?mL containing 77.7?±?3.3% LD, respectively. After 5?d of cyclic storage at 70?°C and cooling to 25?°C before activation, EAIs ejected a volume of 0.311?±?0.008?mL containing 87.2?±?1.9% LD. Under the experimental conditions of this study, the resultant chromatographic peaks of epinephrine solutions from all EAIs represented only the pure l-enantiomer of epinephrine.

Conclusion: EAIs should be stored under recommended conditions of the manufacturer. EAIs stored at excessively high temperatures cannot be used to treat humans while still hot, and when cooled, cannot be relied on to deliver the labeled epinephrine dose in anaphylaxis.     

Challenges in Liquid‐Phase Exfoliation,Processing, and Assembly of Pristine Graphene

Recent developments in the exfoliation, dispersion, and processing of pristine graphene (i.e., non‐oxidized graphene) are described. General metrics are outlined that can be used to assess the quality and processability of various “graphene” products, as well as metrics that determine the potential for industrial scale‐up. The pristine graphene production process is categorized from a chemical engineering point of view with three key steps: i) pretreatment, ii) exfoliation, and iii) separation. How pristine graphene colloidal stability is distinct from the exfoliation step and is dependent upon graphene interactions with solvents and dispersants are extensively reviewed. Finally, the challenges and opportunities of using pristine graphene as nanofillers in polymer composites, as well as as building blocks for macrostructure assemblies are summarized in the context of large‐scale production.     

膨胀型阻燃涂料对木材的阻燃性能

以脲醛树脂(UF)和硅丙乳液(SEA)树脂分别为基料,三聚氰胺磷酸盐(MP)-三聚氰胺(MEL)-季戊四醇(PER)为膨胀阻燃体系,制备膨胀型阻燃涂料。通过极限氧指数、热重分析、锥形量热、扫描电镜对涂料阻燃性能表征分析证明,与SEA相比,UF分解温度较低,残炭量提高了11.53%;与硅丙乳液基三聚氰胺磷酸盐涂料(SEA/MP)木材阻燃涂料相比,脲醛树脂基三聚氰胺磷酸盐涂料(UF/MP/MEL/PER)木材阻燃涂料具有良好的阻燃性能、热稳定性和抑烟性能,残炭量提高了5.05%,总放热量降低了17.0%,总烟气生成量降低了39.3%,在木材表面形成的炭层更加完整。     

聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯/二氧化硅复合材料的热性能

聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯/二氧化硅(PMMA/Si O_2)复合材料可以通过简便的单体浇铸、本体聚合方法制备,二氧化硅用硅烷偶联剂3-(异丁烯酰氧)丙基三甲氧基硅烷(γ-MPS)进行表面修饰,并用红外光谱表征其甲苯抽提后的组成。当加入量为11.76%时,PMMA/Si O_2复合材料的导热率达到0.23 W/(m·K),比基体PMMA提高了27.78%。用PMMA红外光谱的侧甲基弯曲振动峰(δCH3)与羰基(νC=O)的伸缩振动峰比值可以表示PMMA大分子的偶合终止与歧化终止的比例,随着二氧化硅含量的增加,歧化终止比例升高,从而使PMMA/Si O_2复合材料的热稳定性提高,与热重分析结果一致。     

聚砜酰胺基单聚合物复合材料的热性能及降解动力学

采用热重分析对作为耐高温材料使用的聚砜酰胺基单聚合物复合材料(PSA SPCs)进行热性能研究。通过计算积分程序分解温度(IPDT)和温度指数Ts分别评价材料的热稳定性和长期使用温度,通过计算温度指数Tzg来表征耐热性能。PSA SPCs的IPDT、Ts以及Tzg分别为1305℃,248℃和255℃,而PSA树脂材料相对应的参数值依次是1162℃,243℃和244℃,表明PSA SPCs的热性能优于PSA树脂材料。采用不同升温速率,分别用Flynn-Wall-Ozawa法和Kissenger法研究其热降解动力学,计算得到反应活化能(Ea)分别为152.26 k J/mol,146.85 k J/mol,优于PSA树脂材料的Ea值(133.54 k J/mol,127.88 k J/mol)。