Microstructure and mechanical properties of Cr3C2 particulate reinforced Al2O3 matrix composites

Al₂O₃ matrix with three grades of Cr₃C₂ particle size (0.5, 1.5 and 7.5 m) composites were fabricated by a hot-pressing technique. Fully dense compacts with Cr₃C₂ content up to 40 vol % can be acquired at 1400 °C under 30 MPa pressure for 1 h. The flexural strength increases from 595 to 785 Mpa for fine Cr₃C₂ particle (0.5 m) reinforced Al₂O₃ matrix composites. The fracture strength is significantly dependent on the fracture modes of matrix (intergranular or transgranular). The transgranular fracture with a compressive residual stress gives a high fracture strength of composites. At the same time, the fracture toughness increases from 5.2 MPa m^1/2 (10 vol % Cr₃C₂) to 8.0 MPa m^1/2 (30 vol % Cr₃C₂) for the coarse Cr₃C₂ particle (7.5 n) reinforced Al₂O₃ matrix composites. The toughening effects of incorporating Cr₃C₂ particles into Al₂O₃ matrix originate from crack bridging and deflection. The electrical conductivity and the possibility of electrical discharge machining of these composites were also investigated.     

Development of a web-based insulin decision aid for the elderly: usability barriers and guidelines

Universal Access in the Information Society - In recent years, researchers have attempted to shift patient decision aids (PDAs) from paper-based to web-based to increase its accessibility. Insulin...     

Geometrical effect on laminar mixed convection in the entrance region of shrouded arrays of heated rectangular blocks

Abstract

The effect of geometric parameter on laminar mixed convection in the entrance region of shrouded arrays of heated rectangular blocks is approached numerically for large Prandtl number fluid. The problem considered is related to convective cooling of electronic components mounted on horizontal circuit boards. Typical development of streamline and isotherm, block wall temperature distribution, and local Nusselt number are presented. It is found that the secondary flow leads to a significant enhancement in heat transfer. The multiple eddies above the block, induced by the combined geometric and buoyancy effect, lead to a more uniform block wall temperature distribution and then reduce the magnitude of the highest wall temperature.     

Carboxymethyl sago pulp/chitosan hydrogel as an immobilization medium for activated sludge for p-nitrophenol biodegradation

In this study, carboxymethyl sago pulp (CMSP) derived from sago waste was successfully crosslinked with ferric ions in the presence of chitosan forming a novel immobilization matrix for p-nitrophenol (PNP)-acclimated activated sludge. On the basis of the shortest biodegradation time of PNP, the optimized operational conditions of immobilization were found to be: 7 w/v% CMSP, 9 g L⁻¹ of activated sludge, 0.1 M ferric ion, and 15 min of crosslinking time. Observable inhibited PNP biodegradation was exhibited by the suspended activated sludge at the initial PNP concentration of 400 mg L⁻¹. In contrast, complete mineralization was achieved by the CMSP/chitosan-immobilized activated sludge (CMSP/Ch-AS) beads. The results revealed the important role of CMSP/Ch hydrogel in protecting activated sludge from the toxicity of PNP. The CMSP/Ch-AS beads could be reused consecutively up to three and two cycles, respectively, for the biodegradation of PNP at 200 and 400 mg L⁻¹, with the attainment of more than 99% of PNP removal at each cycle. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47531.     

Performance analysis of a k‐nearest neighbor searching technique

Abstract

A transfer admittance is treated as a two‐terminal network driven by cascaded dependent sources. By complex‐curve fitting, each of the four admittances of a conventional two‐port model can be approximated over a wideband with a rational function of frequency. A SPICE2‐acceptable R‐L‐C two‐port model can then be derived by applying continued fractions to the rational functions. Examples are included to demonstrate the applications of this method.     

A review of fracturing fluid systems used for hydraulic fracturing of oil and gas wells

Hydraulic fracturing has been used by the oil and gas industry as a way to boost hydrocarbon production since 1947. Recent advances in fracturing technologies, such as multistage fracturing in horizontal wells, are responsible for the latest hydrocarbon production boom in the US. Linear or crosslinked guars are the most commonly used fluids in traditional fracturing operations. The main functions of these fluids are to open/propagate the fractures and transport proppants into the fractures. Proppants are usually applied to form a thin layer between fracture faces to prop the fractures open at the end of the fracturing process. Chemical breakers are used to break the polymers at the end of the fracturing process so as to provide highly conductive fractures. Concerns over fracture conductivity damage by viscous fluids in ultra‐tight formations found in unconventional reservoirs prompted the industry to develop an alternative fracturing fluid called “slickwater”. It consists mainly of water with a very low concentration of linear polymer. The low concentration polymer serves primarily to reduce the friction loss along the flow lines. Proppant‐carrying capability of this type of fluids is still a subject of debate among industry experts. Constraints on local water availability and the potential for damage to formations have led the industry to develop other types of fracturing fluids such as viscoelastic surfactants and energized fluids. This article reviews both the traditional viscous fluids used in conventional hydraulic fracturing operations as well as the new family of fluids being developed for both traditional and unconventional reservoirs. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40735.     

Optimization of the dye-sensitized solar cell performance by mechanical compression

In this study, the P25 titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticle (NP) thin film was coated on the fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass substrate by a doctor blade method. The film then compressed mechanically to be the photoanode of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Various compression pressures on TiO₂ NP film were tested to optimize the performance of DSSCs. The mechanical compression reduces TiO₂ inter-particle distance improving the electron transport efficiency. The UV–vis spectrophotometer and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were employed to quantify the light-harvesting efficiency and the charge transport impedance at various interfaces in DSSC, respectively. The incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency was also monitored. The results show that when the DSSC fabricated by the TiO₂ NP thin film compressed at pressure of 279 kg/cm², the minimum resistance of 9.38 Ω at dye/TiO₂ NP/electrolyte interfaces, the maximum short-circuit photocurrent density of 15.11 mA/cm², and the photoelectric conversion efficiency of 5.94% were observed. Compared to the DSSC fabricated by the non-compression of TiO₂ NP thin film, the overall conversion efficiency is improved over 19.5%. The study proves that under suitable compression pressure the performance of DSSC can be optimized.     

Using ontology and RFID to develop a new Chinese Braille learning platform for blind students

Blind people must often rely on various types of Braille aids for reading. For blind students with little or no Braille-related knowledge, the use of an informational learning platform can effectively relieve the burden currently borne by their teachers or instructor. The OntoBraille@RFID (OBR) platform adopts ontological theory to retrieve Braille knowledge to facilitate learning, and a low-cost RFID for Braille character identification. This system is equipped with a voice device so students can learn independently. OBR is also equipped with administrative functions so parents can monitor the students’ learning progress. In contrast to currently available Braille learning devices, this new system can automatically expand the Braille database. Results from trials suggest that OBR can significantly improve the learning outcome for blind students. ORB has also obtained Chinese patent certification.     

A resistive sheet approximation for mesh reflector antennas

A simplified method of estimating the equivalent surface resistance of a reflecting mesh is presented. The equivalent resistance is obtained from the approximate mesh reflection coefficients, which are based on averaged boundary conditions. This resistance approximation allows an integral equation solution for the mesh reflector that is a simple extension of that for the perfectly conducting reflector. Paraboloid radiation patterns using physical optics in conjunction with the reflection coefficients are compared to an E-field integral equation solution for a resistive surface. The agreement is excellent for low to moderate resistance values, even in the sidelobe regions     

Determination of r‐curves of steel fiber reinforced concrete from size effect tests

Abstract

A developed size effect law for blunt fracture is used to determine the R‐Curves and related parameters of steel fiber reinforced concrete. Geometrically similar single‐edge notched beams of different sizes made of cementitious mixes at various fiber volume fractions and different maximum aggregate sizes were used for the tests. Fracture energy of concrete is identified by linear regression using the size effect law. From the experimentally calibrated size effect law, the R‐curve is obtained as the envelope of the family of fracture equilibrium curves for different specimen sizes.