Mathematical law of size effect on the flexural property of ceramics

Brittle materials generally exhibit size effects, and the mechanical properties of these materials degrade significantly with an increase in size. However, the mathematical law governing the attenuation degree of mechanical properties with the increase in size is still unknown. In this study, maximum loads of differently sized ceramic test strips were subjected to three point bending tests under two working conditions of equal spans and span amplifications, respectively. Subsequently, the theoretical maximum loads of materials were calculated using the finite element method (FEM). By calculating the difference between the calculated values and the actual maximum loads, the attenuation of mechanical properties of ceramic samples were observed. The results show that the theoretical mechanical properties and the performance attenuation caused by the size effect tend to increase according to the following equation: y=ax³+bx²+cx+d. Therefore, mechanical properties and performance attenuation of any sample exhibiting a size within the experimental range can be predicted by a mathematical law, which was obtained through mechanical tests results of four samples with different sizes. The obtained mathematical law holds great significance for predicting the mechanical properties of materials under size effects.     

Nanocrystallization and optical properties of CsPbBr3−xIx perovskites in chalcogenide glasses

The confinement of CsPbX₃ (X = Cl, Br, and I) perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) in a stabilized inorganic glass matrix is a new strategy for improving their long-term stability and promoting their applications in the optoelectronic field. Here, in situ nanocrystallization strategy is developed to precipitate CsPbBr_3?xI_x NCs with arbitrary I/Br ratio among an elaborately designed GeS₂–Sb₂S₃-based chalcogenide glass matrix. Spherical CsPbBr_3?xI_x NCs are homogeneously distributed in the glass matrix after thermal treatment. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra show that the emission peaks of CsPbBr_3?xI_x NCs can be tuned from 570 nm to 722 nm with the replacement of Br by I. The fs transient absorption (TA) spectra reveal that there exists some structural defects in the NCs, leading to short PL decay life. This work would shed light on confining CsPbX₃ NCs into glassy matrices, facilitating their future applications in photoelectronic fields.     

Effect of utilization of hydrogen-rich reformed biogas on the performance and emission characteristics of common rail diesel engine

The utilization of renewable gaseous fuels in the diesel engine has gained significant interest in recent years due to its clean-burning nature and higher availability. In this study, hydrogen-rich reformed biogas was used as a gaseous fuel in a common rail diesel engine with diesel as pilot fuel. The hydrogen-rich reformed gas was synthesized through dry-oxidative reforming. The experimentations were performed in the load range from 6 to 24 N m with two different flow rates of gaseous fuel (0.5 and 1.5 kg/h) at a constant speed of 1800 RPM. The effects on engine performance parameters (brake thermal efficiency, brake specific energy consumption, and brake specific diesel consumption), combustion parameters (rate of pressure rise and maximum heat release rate) and emission parameters (Unburnt hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide) were assessed. The induction of gaseous fuel led to an increase in brake thermal efficiency by 10.5%, reduction in brake specific energy consumption by 13.6%, and a reduction of 26.4% in brake specific diesel consumption with a flow rate of 0.5 kg/h when compared to diesel-only mode at 24 N m load. The HC, NO_X and CO₂ emissions were reduced by 18.2%, 7.4% and 1.4% with a flow rate of 0.5 kg/h when compared to diesel-only mode at 24 N m load due to lower availability of carbon content in the combustible mixture. The utilization of renewable fuel like hydrogen-rich reformed biogas has great potential for overcoming the issue related to both biogas and hydrogen in diesel engines. Moreover, the higher diesel substitution also demonstrates the potential for cost-saving and fossil fuel conservation.     

An experimental study of adaptive control for evolutionary algorithms

In this paper, we investigate how adaptive operator selection techniques are able to efficiently manage the balance between exploration and exploitation in an evolutionary algorithm, when solving combinatorial optimization problems. We introduce new high level reactive search strategies based on a generic algorithm's controller that is able to schedule the basic variation operators of the evolutionary algorithm, according to the observed state of the search. Our experiments on SAT instances show that reactive search strategies improve the performance of the solving algorithm.     

Optimized PI+ load–frequency controller using BWNN approach for an interconnected reheat power system with RFB and hydrogen electrolyser units

This paper investigates a renewable energy resource’s application to the Load–Frequency Control of interconnected power system. The Proportional-Integral (PI) controllers are replaced with Proportional-Integral Plus (PI+) controllers in a two area interconnected thermal power system without/with the fast acting energy storage devices and are designed based on Control Performance Standards (CPS) using conventional/Beta Wavelet Neural Network (BWNN) approaches. The energy storing devices Hydrogen generative Aqua Electroliser (HAE) with Fuel cell and Redox Flow Battery (RFB) are incorporated to the two area interconnected thermal power system to efficiently damp out the electromechanical oscillations in the power system because of their inherent efficient storage capacity in addition to the kinetic energy of the generator rotor, which can share the sudden changes in power requirements. The system was simulated and the frequency deviations in area 1 and area 2 and tie-line power deviations for 5% step- load disturbance in area 1 are obtained. The comparison of frequency deviations and tie-line power deviations of the two area interconnected thermal power system with HAE and RFB designed with BWNN controller reveals that the PI+ controller designed using BWNN approach is found to be superior than that of output response obtained using PI+ controller. Moreover the BWNN based PI+ controller exhibits a better transient and steady state response for the interconnected power system with Hydrogen generative Aqua Electroliser (AE) unit than that of the system with Redox Flow Battery (RFB) unit.     

Crystallization and spectroscopic properties in Er3+ doped oxyfluorogermanate glass ceramics containing Na

The Er³⁺ doped oxyfluorogermanate glasses, with a composition containing Na element, were synthesized by the conventional melting–quenching technique. When Na element was introduced into the composition of oxyfluorogermanate glass, the crystals behavior was investigated in details. Depending on the annealing procedure supplied, thermal annealing of precursor glasses in the system GeO₂/BaF₂/AlF₃/Na₂O/NaF/ZnO/GdF₃/ErF₃ led to the precipitation of different crystal phase nanocrystals. It was confirmed the nanocrystals in GC600 is orthorhombic NaBaAlF₆ which led to enhance obviously in the UC luminescence of Er³⁺. However, the nanocrystals in G585 led to decrease in the UC luminescence, which indicated few Er ions enter into the lattice of this nanocrystal phase. The reason of the decrease in UC emission intensity of GC585 was analyzed.     

Effect of Li2O on the crystallization behavior of CaO-Al2O3-SiO2-Li2O-Ce2O3 mold slags

The effect of Li₂O on the crystallization properties of CaO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂-Li₂O-Ce₂O₃ slags was investigated. With increasing the Li₂O content, LiAlO₂ and CaCeAlO₄ were the main crystalline phases. LiAlO₂ formed for the charge compensating of Li⁺ ions to [AlO₄^5?]-tetrahedrons, and CaCeAlO₄ formed as a result of the charge balance of Ce³⁺ ions, Ca²⁺ ions, and [AlO₆^9?]-octahedrons. Increasing the content of Li₂O to 10%, the crystallization temperature was the highest, and the incubation time was the shortest. The crystallization ability was strong due to the three factors of strengthening the interaction between ions and ion groups, decreasing the polymerization degree, and increasing the melting temperature. Further increasing the content of Li₂O, the crystallization performance was obviously suppressed, because the melting temperature and the force between the cations and the anion groups decreased.     

道路用聚氨酯改性沥青的制备工艺探讨

结合不同改性剂掺量单因素试验,确定了采用88mm叶轮、115mm容器、圆盘锯齿式搅拌器(转速1400r/min)、175℃共混温度、改性剂掺量4.27%、单次搅拌300g的制备工艺参数。在此条件下制备的聚氨酯改性沥青具有优异的水稳定性、储存稳定性且耐老化、耐高温,拥有比普通聚合物改性沥青更高的车辙因子G*/sinδ和15℃动态模量,基本满足高模量沥青要求。     

Structural,optical and electrical properties of indium doped Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 thin films synthesized by the DC and RF reactive magnetron cosputtering

Element doping into the Cu₂ZnSn(S,Se)₄ (CZTSSe) absorber is an effective method to optimize the performance of thin film solar cells. In this study, the Cu₂In_xZn_1-xSn(S,Se)₄ (CIZTSSe) precursor film was deposited by magnetron cosputtering technique using indium (In) and quaternary Cu₂ZnSnS₄ (CZTS) as targets. Meanwhile, the In content was controlled using the direct current (DC) power on In target (P_In). A single kesterite CIZTSSe alloy was formed by successfully doping a small number of In³⁺ into the main lattice of CZTSSe. The partial Zn²⁺ cations were substituted by In³⁺ ions, resulting in improving properties of CZTSSe films. Morphological analysis showed that large grain CIZTSSe films could be obtained by doping In. The well-distributed, smooth, and dense film was obtained when the P_In was 30 W. The band gap of CIZTSSe could be continuously adjusted from 1.27 to 1.05 eV as P_In increased from 0 to 40 W. In addition, the CIZTSSe alloy thin film at P_In = 30 W exhibited the best p-type conductivity with Hall mobility of 6.87 cm²V^?1s^?1, which is a potential material as the absorption layer of high-performance solar cells.     

Precipitating spinel into precursor glass and its assistance in crystallization

The crystallization phenomena of spinel in CaO-MgO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂-Fe₂O₃ glass have received much attention due to the particular role in preparation of glass-ceramic materials, which represent an effective option to manage hazardous waste. In this study, both preliminary spinel and secondary spinel were precipitated in the precursor glass. The formation of these spinel was meticulously assessed by a combination of X-ray diffractometry and scanning electron microscopy. The structure of the microenvironment in the precursor glass was characterized by Raman spectrums. These advanced techniques highlight the potential for one-step crystallization of the glass. The investigation, which focused on one-step crystallization, demonstrated the growth of pyroxene on spinel accompanying a migration of chromium. The results also show the microstructure of the obtained glass-ceramic was very dependent on the heat-treat temperature. This study not only unambiguously reveals the precipitation mechanisms of spinel but also provides more documentation for one-step crystallization in the glass-ceramics field.