A New NTRU-Type Public-Key Cryptosystem over the Binary Field

As the development of cloud computing and the convenience of wireless sensor netowrks, smart devices are widely used in daily life, but the security issues of the smart devices have not been well resolved. In this paper, we present a new NTRU-type public-key cryptosystem over the binary field. Specifically, the security of our scheme relies on the computational intractability of an unbalanced sparse polynomial ratio problem (DUSPR). Through theoretical analysis, we prove the correctness of our proposed cryptosystem. Furthermore, we implement our scheme using the NTL library, and conduct a group of experiments to evaluate the capabilities and consuming time of encryption and decryption. Our experiments result demonstrates that the NTRU-type public-key cryptosystem over the binary field is relatively practical and effective.     

A miniature triaxial apparatus for investigating the micromechanics of granular soils with in situ X-ray micro-tomography scanning

The development of a miniature triaxial apparatus is presented. In conjunction with an X-ray micro-tomography (termed as X-ray μCT hereafter) facility and advanced image processing techniques, this apparatus can be used for in situ investigation of the micro-scale mechanical behavior of granular soils under shear. The apparatus allows for triaxial testing of a miniature dry sample with a size of \mathrm{8}\hspace{0.17em}\mathrm{mm}\times \mathrm{16}\hspace{0.17em}\mathrm{mm} (diameter \times height). In situ triaxial testing of a 0.4–0.8 mm Leighton Buzzard sand (LBS) under a constant confining pressure of 500 kPa is presented. The evolutions of local porosities (i.e., the porosities of regions associated with individual particles), particle kinematics (i.e., particle translation and particle rotation) of the sample during the shear are quantitatively studied using image processing and analysis techniques. Meanwhile, a novel method is presented to quantify the volumetric strain distribution of the sample based on the results of local porosities and particle tracking. It is found that the sample, with nearly homogenous initial local porosities, starts to exhibit obvious inhomogeneity of local porosities and localization of particle kinematics and volumetric strain around the peak of deviatoric stress. In the post-peak shear stage, large local porosities and volumetric dilation mainly occur in a localized band. The developed triaxial apparatus, in its combined use of X-ray μCT imaging techniques, is a powerful tool to investigate the micro-scale mechanical behavior of granular soils.     

Two-step method to deposit ZrO2 coating on carbon fiber: Preparation,characterization, and performance in SiC composites

Recently, ceramic matrix composites reinforced by short carbon fibers (CFs) attracted increasing attentions. To further improve mechanical properties and oxidation resistances, CFs were subjected to oxidation and acidification followed by sol-gel dip-coating to deposit ZrO₂ on their surfaces. ZrO₂-C_f/SiC composites were fabricated by joint hot compression molding and sintering, compared to C_f/SiC and SiC prepared by the same method. Microstructural analyses indicated that ZrO₂ coatings were successfully deposited on CF surfaces, formed strong bonding and interfaces between CF and the matrix. Meanwhile, CFs were found uniformly distributed in SiC matrix with random orientations. Flexural curves of ZrO₂-C_f/SiC and C_f/SiC revealed the presence of “false plasticity” regions after sharp drops, which were quite different from brittle flexural behavior of SiC ceramic. Compression strength of the three samples showed step-up growth. ZrO₂-C_f/SiC exhibited the highest value, indicating the introduction of CFs and ZrO₂ coatings do have great influence on mechanical performances. After heat treatment, ZrO₂-C_f/SiC exhibited better oxidation resistance than C_f/SiC, with weight loss ratios estimated to ??3.76% and ??6.43%, respectively. These improved properties indicated that ZrO₂-C_f/SiC would be excellent alternatives to other existence materials under ultra-high temperature environments.     

Synergistic flame retardant effects of activated carbon and molybdenum oxide in poly(vinyl chloride)

The synergistic effects of activated carbon (AC) and molybdenum oxide (MoO₃) in improving the flame retardancy of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) were investigated. The effects of AC, MoO₃ and their mixture with a mass ratio of 1:1 on the flame retardancy and smoke suppression properties of PVC were studied using the limiting oxygen index and cone calorimeter tests. It was found that the flame retardancy of the relatively cheaper AC was slightly weaker than that of MoO₃. In addition, the incorporation of AC and MoO₃ greatly reduced the total heat release and improved smoke suppressant property of PVC composites. When the total content of AC and MoO₃ was 10 phr, PVC/AC/MoO₃ had the lowest peak heat release rate and peak smoke production rate values of 173.80 kW m^?2 and 0.1472 m² s^?1, which represented reductions of 47.3 and 59.9%, respectively, compared with those of PVC. Furthermore, thermogravimetric analysis and gel content tests were used to analyze the flame retardant mechanism of AC and MoO₃, with results showing that AC could promote early crosslinking in PVC. Char residue left after heating at 500 °C was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy, and the results showed that MoO₃ produced the most compact char, with the smallest and most organized carbonaceous microstructures. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry     

Carbon supported bimetallic Ru‐Co catalysts for H2 production through NaBH4 and NH3BH3 hydrolysis

This work investigates the effect of the addition of small amounts of Ru (0.5‐1 wt%) to carbon supported Co (10 wt%) catalysts towards both NaBH₄ and NH₃BH₃ hydrolysis for H₂ production. In the sodium borohydride hydrolysis, the activity of Ru‐Co/carbon catalysts was sensibly higher than the sum of the activities of corresponding monometallic samples, whereas for the ammonia borane hydrolysis, the positive effect of Ru‐Co systems with regard to catalytic activity was less evident. The performances of Ru‐Co bimetallic catalysts correlated with the occurrence of an interaction between Ru and Co species resulting in the formation of smaller ruthenium and cobalt oxide particles with a more homogeneous dispersion on the carbon support. It was proposed that Ru^°, formed during the reduction step of the Ru‐Co catalysts, favors the H₂ activation, thus enhancing the reduction degree of the cobalt precursor and the number of Co nucleation centers. A subsequent reduction of cobalt and ruthenium species also occurs in the hydride reaction medium, and therefore the state of the catalyst before the catalytic experiment determines the state of the active phase formed in situ. The different relative reactivity of the Ru and Co active species towards the two investigated reactions accounted for the different behavior towards NaBH₄ and NH₃BH₃ hydrolysis.     

New anti-ablation candidate for carbon/carbon composites: Preparation,composition and ablation behavior of Y2Hf2O7 coating under an oxyacetylene torch

Y₂Hf₂O₇ possesses low thermal conductivity and high melting point, which make it promising for a new anti-ablation material. For evaluating the thermal stability and the potential applications of Y₂Hf₂O₇ on anti-ablation protection of C/C composites, Y₂Hf₂O₇ ceramic powder was synthesized by solution combustion method and Y₂Hf₂O₇ coating was prepared on the surface of SiC coated C/C composites using SAPS. Results shown that the coating exhibits good ablation resistance under the heat flux of 2.4?MW/m² with the linear and mass ablation rates are 0.16?μm?s^?1 and ?0.028?mg?s^?1, respectively, after ablation for 40?s. With the prolonging of the ablation time, the increasing thermal stress causes the increase of cracks. Moreover, the chemical erosion from SiO₂ and the physical volatilization of low temperature molten products aggravate failure of the Y₂Hf₂O₇ coating.     

Third order optical nonlinearities characteristics of Disperse Red1 organic dye molecules inside of polymeric nanocapsules

Measuring nonlinear optical response of a specific material in a mixture, not only leads to investigate the behavior of a particular component in various circumstances, but also can be a way to select suitable combination and optimum concentration of additives and therefore obtaining the maximum nonlinear optical signals. In this work, by using dual-arm Z-scan technique, the nonlinear refractive index of Disperse Red1 (DR1) organic dye molecules inside the core of prepared polymeric nanocapsules was measured among various materials which prepared nanocapsules were made of them. Then the measured value was compared with nonlinear refractive index of DR1 solved in dichloromethane.     

Modelling of black carbon statistical distribution and return periods of extreme concentrations

Eight datasets of 1-h black carbon (BC) concentrations measured in Warsaw agglomeration (Poland), at urban background and sub-urban sites, and in Racibórz, a small town in Upper Silesia district (regional background site) were analyzed to evaluate BC levels, daily profiles and statistical distributions of concentrations in Central-Eastern European region. The observed mean levels ranged from 1483 ng m⁻³ in suburban site during summer to 3358 ng m⁻³ in regional background site in winter. Observed diurnal patterns were bimodal in the locations dominated by traffic emissions, but unimodal, with elevated evening peak in individually heated residential area. Three theoretical frequency distributions were applied to fit analyzed datasets separately. The lognormal distribution was the most appropriate to represent the middle-range values, while the high concentrations were satisfactorily predicted by the type I two-parameter exponential distribution which was used to estimate the return periods of extreme concentrations for winter months.