Improve the signal to noise ratio and installation convenience of the inductive coil for wire rope nondestructive testing

Inductive coil is used as the nondestructive testing sensor of a wire rope or a pipe, because of its low cost and high durability. However, the winding structure is complex and difficult to design during the field test. Hundreds or even thousands of turns are needed to improve the signal to noise ratio (SNR) and the data processing is cumbersome. In this paper, based on the theoretical analysis and 3D transient magnetic field simulation, a kind of iron core is presented as coil winding skeleton for the wire rope nondestructive testing. Additional iron core plays a role of magnetism concentration, where the magnetic flux leakage (MFL) path is changed and the MFL of the defect is converged to the core. Therefore, the SNR of the coil which is wound on the iron core is improved, and the coil winding skeleton is simplified with the iron core structure optimization. Meanwhile, the influence of the coil cross-section area on the test result analysis is eliminated, and the influence of the lift-off distance between coil and wire rope on the detection result is also reduced. Finally, it is proved by experiment that the SNR of coil with the iron core proposed in this paper is increased almost six times, which makes it easier for defect analysis.     

Inverted organic photovoltaic device with a new electron transport layer

We demonstrate that there is a new solution-processed electron transport layer, lithium-doped zinc oxide (LZO), with high-performance inverted organic photovoltaic device. The device exhibits a fill factor of 68.58%, an open circuit voltage of 0.86 V, a short-circuit current density of −9.35 cm/mA² along with 5.49% power conversion efficiency. In addition, we studied the performance of blend ratio dependence on inverted organic photovoltaics. Our device also demonstrates a long stability shelf life over 4 weeks in air.     

Combined Effects of Different Overload Ratios and Nitriding Process on Fatigue Crack Growth of AISI 4140 Steel

The combined effects of different overload ratios(OLRs)and nitriding process on fatigue crack growth(FCG)were analyzed.Steel compact tension specimens made of AISI 4140 steel were subjected to the plasma nitrification process using agas mixture of 50% N2 and 50% H2 at 500℃for 2h.Structural properties of the samples were studied by scanning electron microscopy,optical microscopy,microhardness testing and digital imaging.Plasma nitriding slowed down FCG,but the crack growth retardation caused by the overload was reduced when the OLR was 2.0and 2.5.Nitriding did not take effect when the OLR was 1.5and 3.0.     

Effect of some operating variables on the microstructure and physical properties of a novel Kefir formulation

In this work, the rheological and textural properties, water-holding capacity (WHC), syneresis, and microstructure of a novel formulation of Kefir were studied by varying the incubation time and temperature, as well as the ratio of peanut-milk and skimmed-milk. Generally, all the experimental responses resulted to be significantly affected (p < 0.05) by all dependent variables examined. Kefir WHC was not significantly influenced (p > 0.05) by the fermentation temperature.     

空燃比在燃气抽屉窑的应用

结合自身技术优势和在窑炉行业的研究,在原来开度控制燃烧技术的基础上,研发了空燃比燃烧控制模式。该项技术在窑炉行业推广使用后,在满足产品烧成工艺的条件下,可以更好的控制燃料的使用,达到节能的效果。     

Bubble Volume and Aspect Ratio Generated in Non‐Newtonian Fluids

Bubble formation from an orifice submerged in quiescent polyacrylamide aqueous solution was investigated numerically with a sharp‐interface coupled level‐set/volume‐of‐fluid method based on the rheological characteristics of the fluid. In both non‐Newtonian fluids and Newtonian fluids, the numerical approach was able to capture accurately the deformation of the bubble surface, validated by comparison with experimental results. The effects of orifice diameter, solution mass concentration, and gas flow rate on bubble volume and aspect ratio were evaluated. Both the instantaneous and detached volume decrease with the orifice diameter but increase with mass concentration and gas flow rate. The aspect ratio at the departing point tends to rise with the orifice diameter and mass concentration and falls with the gas flow rate.     

Application of a random effects negative binomial model to examine tram-involved crash frequency on route sections in Melbourne,Australia

Safety is a key concern in the design, operation and development of light rail systems including trams or streetcars as they impose crash risks on road users in terms of crash frequency and severity. The aim of this study is to identify key traffic, transit and route factors that influence tram-involved crash frequencies along tram route sections in Melbourne. A random effects negative binomial (RENB) regression model was developed to analyze crash frequency data obtained from Yarra Trams, the tram operator in Melbourne. The RENB modelling approach can account for spatial and temporal variations within observation groups in panel count data structures by assuming that group specific effects are randomly distributed across locations. The results identify many significant factors effecting tram-involved crash frequency including tram service frequency (2.71), tram stop spacing (−0.42), tram route section length (0.31), tram signal priority (−0.25), general traffic volume (0.18), tram lane priority (−0.15) and ratio of platform tram stops (−0.09). Findings provide useful insights on route section level tram-involved crashes in an urban tram or streetcar operating environment. The method described represents a useful planning tool for transit agencies hoping to improve safety performance.     

Likelihood ratio tests for the structural change of an AR(p) model to a Threshold AR(p) model

This article considers the likelihood ratio (LR) test for the structural change of an AR model to a threshold AR model. Under the null hypothesis, it is shown that the LR test converges weakly to the maxima of a two‐parameter vector Gaussian process. Using the approach in Chan and Tong (1990)and Chan (1991), we obtain a parameter‐free limiting distribution when the errors are normal. This distribution is novel and its percentage points are tabulated via a Monte Carlo method. Simulation studies are carried out to assess the performance of the LR test in the finite sample and a real example is given.     

Use of tree pruning wastes for manufacturing of wood reinforced cement composites

Tree pruning wastes from six woody species, namely Acacia salicina, Conocarpus erectus, Ficus altissima, Leucaena glauca, Pithecellobium dulce and Tamarix aphylla, were used to manufacture high-quality wood reinforced cement composites (WRCCs). Hydrations experiments were conducted to screen the compatibility of the selected tree pruning wastes with cement. Additionally, various particle pretreatments and chemical additives were applied to enhance the compatibility of wood with cement. The best treatment for each species was selected and used to manufacture the WRCCs. The panels were produced under specific manufacturing variables and the mechanical properties and dimensional stability of the panels were determined. The results indicated that both board density and wood/cement (W/C) ratio had significant effects on the properties of WRCCs. With few exceptions, a W/C ratio of 1/2 and either 1200 kg m⁻³ or 1300 kg m⁻³ produced the optimal strength properties. The tree pruning wastes are suitable for use as raw materials in the manufacturing of WRCCs after pre-treatment of the wood particles with either cold or hot water and with addition 3% of CaCl₂, Al₂(SO₄)₃ or MgCl₂. Therefore, these wastes could be used as an alternative wood source for WRCCs.     

One‐dimensional low‐profile slot‐loaded epsilon‐negative zeroth‐order antenna with improved radiation efficiency

A novel low‐profile slot‐loaded epsilon‐negative (ENG) transmission line (TL) is proposed for efficiency‐improved zeroth‐order resonant antennas. It is demonstrated that the quality factor of the ENG TL‐based zeroth‐order resonator can be remarkably reduced by enlarging the slot size, therefore, a highly efficient radiating resonator can be designed with higher gain at the zeroth‐order frequency. Two one‐dimensional zeroth‐order resonant antennas with identical unit cell size but different unit cell number are fabricated and measured, each of which can realize a monopole‐like radiation pattern at nearly the same frequency. A maximum gain of 1.96 dBi is generated for the electrically small two‐unit‐cell configuration together with an improved efficiency from 57.0% to 69.1%, while the compact four‐unit‐cell antenna can realize a maximum gain of 3.86 dBi with an improved efficiency from 71.0% to 82.4%. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE, 2013.