Phase and microstructure evolution of Sc2O3–CeO2 –ZrO2ceramics in Na2SO4 + V2O5 molten salts

In this study, the destabilization resistance of Sc₂O₃ and CeO₂ co-stabilized ZrO₂ (SCZ) ceramics was tested in Na₂SO₄ + V₂O₅ molten salts at 750°C–1100 °C. The phase structure and microstructure evolution of the samples during the hot corrosion testing were analyzed with X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectra, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Results showed that the destabilization of SCZ ceramics at 750 °C was the result of the chemical reaction with V₂O₅ to produce m-ZrO₂ and CeVO₄, and little ScVO₄ was detected in the Sc₂O₃-rich SCZ ceramics. The primary corrosion products at 900 °C and 1100 °C were CeO₂ and m-ZrO₂ due to the mineralization effect. The Sc₂O₃-rich SCZ ceramics exhibited excellent degradation resistance and phase stability owing to the enhanced bond strength and the decreased size misfit between Zr⁴⁺ and Sc³⁺. The destabilization mechanism of SCZ ceramic under hot corrosion was also discussed.     

Fabrication and laser performances of Yb:Sc2O3 transparent ceramics from different combination of vacuum sintering and hot isostatic pressing conditions

In this paper we report on the preparation and laser performance of transparent 3at.% Yb:Sc₂O₃ ceramics by reactive sintering of commercially available powders under vacuum followed by hot isostatic pressing (HIP). Combinations of different vacuum sintering temperatures (1650 °C and 1750 °C) and different HIP treatments (1700 °C and 1800 °C at 200 MPa) were tested in order to understand how these steps influence the microstructure and thus the optical and lasing properties of the ceramic samples. All the samples showed a good optical quality. The microstructure analysis and the laser tests showed that the vacuum pre-sintering temperature is the key factor determining the quality of the samples and the laser performances. The best values of slope efficiency i.e. η_L = 50 % and output power i.e. P_out = 6.62 W were obtained for the sample pre-sintered under vacuum at 1650 °C and hot isostatically pressed at 1800 °C.     

Cognitive abilities,digital games and arithmetic performance enhancement: A study comparing the effects of a math game and paper exercises

Besides entertainment, games have shown to have the potential to impact a broader variety of cognitive abilities. Research has consistently shown that several aspects in cognition such as visual short-memory, multitasking and spatial skills can be enhanced by game play. In a previous study, it was found that playing Monkey Tales, a game aimed at training arithmetic skills, helped second grade pupils to increase their accuracy in mental calculation as compared to paper exercises. In this follow up study we explore whether traditional methods and game training differ in terms of the cognitive processes that both are able to impact. We incorporated standardized measures of working memory and visuo-motor skills. Additionally, the mathematics game was modified and its contents extracted to allow precise comparison between the gaming and paper exercises condition. Thus each single math exercise, type of question (e.g., multiple choice), quantity and order was perfectly matched in the game training and the traditional training conditions. Gains in arithmetical performance, and self-reported measures of enjoyment were also investigated. We found some evidence suggesting that arithmetic performance enhancement induced by game play and paper exercises differ not only in terms of enjoyment but also of working memory capacity improvements.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of hot-pressed SiC nanofiber reinforced SiC composites

This study reports on the preparation and mechanical properties of a novel SiC_nf/SiC composite. The single crystal SiC nanofiber(SiC_nf) reinforced SiC ceramic matrix composites (CMC) were successfully fabricated by hot pressing the mixture of β-SiC powders, SiC_nf and Al–B–C powder. The effects of SiC_nf mass fraction as well as the hot-pressing temperature on the microstructure and mechanical properties of SiC_nf/SiC CMC were systematically investigated. The results demonstrated that the 15 wt% SiC_nf/SiC CMC obtained by hot pressing (HP) at 1850 °C with 30 MPa for 60 min possessed the maximum flexural strength and fracture toughness of 678.2 MPa and 8.33 MPa m^1/2, respectively. The nanofibers pull out, nanofibers bridging and cracks deflection were found by scanning electron microscopy, which are believed can strengthen and toughen the SiC_nf/SiC CMC via consuming plenty of the fracture energy. Besides, although the relative density of the prepared SiC_nf/SiC CMC further increased with the sintering temperature rose to 1900 °C, the further coarsend composites grains results in the deterioration of the mechanical properties for the obtained composites compared to 1850 °C.     

Microstructures and mechanical properties of B4C-TiB2-SiC composites fabricated by ball milling and hot pressing

B₄C-TiB₂-SiC composites were fabricated via hot pressing using ball milled B₄C, TiB₂, and SiC powder mixtures as the starting materials. The impact of ball milling on the densification behaviors, mechanical properties, and microstructures of the ceramic composites were investigated. The results showed that the refinement of the powder mixtures and the removal of the oxide impurities played an important role in the improvement of densification and properties. Moreover, the formation of the liquid phases during the sintering was deemed beneficial for densification. The typical values of relative density, hardness, bending strength, and fracture toughness of the composites reached 99.20%, 32.84?GPa, 858?MPa and 8.21?MPa?m^1/2, respectively. Crack deflection, crack bridging, crack branching, and microcracking were considered to be the potential toughening mechanisms in the composites. Furthermore, numerous nano-sized intergranular/intragranular phases and twin structures were observed in the B₄C-TiB₂-SiC composite.     

Cost-minimization analysis of a working vacation queue with N-policy and server breakdowns

This paper investigates the N-policy M/M/1 queueing system with working vacation and server breakdowns. As soon as the system becomes empty, the server begins a working vacation. The server works at a lower service rate rather than completely stopping service during a vacation period. The server may break down with different breakdown rates during the idle, working vacation, and normal busy periods. It is assumed that service times, vacation times, and repair times are all exponentially distributed. We analyze this queueing model as a quasi-birth–death process. Furthermore, the equilibrium condition of the system is derived for the steady state. Using the matrix-geometric method, we find the matrix-form expressions for the stationary probability distribution of the number of customers in the system and system performance measures. The expected cost function per unit time is constructed to determine the optimal values of the system decision variables, including the threshold N and mean service rates. We employ the particle swarm optimization algorithm to solve the optimization problem. Finally, numerical results are provided, and an application example is given to demonstrate the applicability of the queueing model.     

The hot compaction behaviour of woven oriented polypropylene fibres and tapes. I. Mechanical properties

The aim of this work was to establish the important parameters that control the hot compaction behaviour of woven oriented polypropylene. Five commercial woven cloths, based on four different polypropylene polymers, were selected so that the perceived important variables could be studied. These include the mechanical properties of the original oriented tapes or fibres, the geometry of the oriented reinforcement (fibres or tapes), the mechanical properties of the base polymer (which are crucially dependant on the molecular weight and morphology), and the weave style. The five cloths were chosen so as to explore the boundaries of these various parameters, i.e. low and high molecular weight: circular or rectangular reinforcement (fibres or tapes): low or high tape initial orientation: coarse or fine weave.A vital aspect of this study was the realisation that hot compacted polypropylene could be envisaged as a composite, comprising an oriented ‘reinforcement’ bound together by a matrix phase, formed by melting and recrystallisation of the original oriented material. We have established the crucial importance of the properties of the melted and recrystallised matrix phase, especially the level of ductility, in controlling the properties of the hot compacted composite.     

深亚微米MOSFET衬底电流的模拟与分析

利用器件模拟手段对深亚微米ＭＯＳＦＥＴ的衬底电流进行了研究和分析，给出了有效的道长度，栅氧厚度，源漏结深，衬底掺杂浓度以及电源电压对深亚微米ＭＯＳＦＥＴ衬底电流的影响，发现电源电压对深亚微米ＭＯＳＦＥＴ的衬底电流有着强烈的影响，热载流子效应随电源电压的降低而迅速减小，当电源电压降低到一定程度时，热载流子效应不再成为影响深亚微米ＭＯＳ电路可靠性的主要问题。     

攀钢1450热轧带钢厂精轧机组电动压下机构带钢压下时的动特性计算和探讨

从理论上和实践上对武钢１７００、鞍钢１７００改造前后、本钢１７００改造前后和攀钢１４５０精轧机组的电动压下机构在带钢压下时的动特性进行计算和探讨，得出有说服力的结论。主题词：     

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我国是煤资源大国，长期来在采煤的同时，抽放排空大量煤层瓦斯，不仅浪费大量资源，还严重污染大气。利用煤层瓦斯发电是解决煤层瓦斯放空的重要途径 。文章介绍一种全新的有别于传统 发动机的瓦斯内燃机空燃自动混合控制装置，其中包括：煤层瓦斯的理化特性、装置的结构、工作原理及工作过程，阐述了结构参数对发动机性能的影响。经过在中心瓦斯工区内燃发动机组群上安装试运行，结果表明：该装置可以适用于高、中、低不同浓度的煤层瓦斯，性能稳定、可靠，达到了设计性能指标，完全满足燃气,内燃机组的使用要求，并取得了很好的经济效益、生态效益和环保效益。