Infrared radiation method for measuring ice segregation temperature of artificially frozen soils

In order to study the evolution of the freezing fringe and final lenses of frost susceptible soils and advance the understanding of frost heave and mechanism of frost heave control, we used an open one-dimensional frost heave test system of infrared radiation technology, instead of a traditional thermistor method. Temperatures of the freezing fringe and segregated ice were measured in a non-contact mode. The results show that accurate and precise temperatures of ice segregation can be obtained by infrared thermal imaging systems. A self-developed inversion program inverted the temperature field of frozen soils. Based on our analysis of temperature variation in segregated ice and our study of the relationship between temperature and rate of ice segregation in cooling and warming processes during intermittent freezing, the mechanism of decreasing frost heave of frozen soils by controlling the growth of final lenses with an intermittent freezing mode, can be explained properly.

Noise reduction methods in the analysis of near infrared lunar occultation light curves for high angular resolution measurements

A lunar occultation （LO） technique in the near-infrared （NIR） provides angular resolution down to milliarcseconds for an occulted source, even with ground- based 1 m class telescopes. LO observations are limited to brighter objects because they require a high signal-to-noise ratio （S/N ~40） for proper extraction of angular diameter values. Hence, methods to improve the S/N ratio by reducing noise using Fourier and wavelet transforms have been explored in this study. A sample of 54 NIR LO light curves observed with the IR camera at Mt Abu Observatory has been used. It is seen that both Fourier and wavelet methods have shown an improvement in S/N compared to the original data. However, the application of wavelet transforms causes a slight smoothing of the fringes and results in a higher value for angular diameter. Fourier transforms which reduce discrete noise frequencies do not distort the fringe. The Fourier transform method seems to be effective in improving the S/N, as well as improving the model fit, particularly in the fainter regime of our sample. These methods also provide a better model fit for brighter sources in some cases, though there may not be a significant imorovement in S/N.

A comparison of soft magnetic composites designed from different ferromagnetic powders and phenolic resins

Soft magnetic composites （SMCs） were prepared from three different ferromagnetic powder particles： iron powder ASC 100.29, spherical FeSi particles and vitroperm （Fe73CulNb3Si16B7） flakes. Two types of hybrid organic-inorganic phenolic resins modified with either silica nanoparticles or boron were used to design a thin insulating layer perfect- ly covering the ferromagnetic particles. Fourier transform infrared （FTIR） spectrometry confirmed an incorporation of silica or boron into the polymer matrix, which manifested itself through an improved thermal stability of the hybrid resins verified by thermogravimetric-differential scanning calorimetry （TG-DSC） analysis. The core-shell particles prepared from the ferromagnetic powder particles and the modified hybrid resins were further compacted to the cylindrical and toroidal shapes for the mechanical, electrical and magnetic testing. A uniform distribution of the resin between the ferromagnetic particles was evidenced by scanning electron microscope （SEM） analysis, which was also reflected in a rather high value of the electrical resistivity. A low porosity and extraordinary high values of mechanical hardness and flexural strength were found in SMC consisting of the iron powder and phenolic resin modified with boron. The coercive fields of the prepared samples were comparable with the commercial SMCs.

Nondestructive testing and assessment of consolidation effects of earthen sites

Earthen sites are widely distributed throughout China, and most of them belong to archaeological sites with significant values, which not only directly witness the origin, formation and development of Chinese civilization, but also possess important values for conservation and exhibition. Many researches and practices on their conservation and consolidation have been carried out; however, the consolidation effect is mainly judged by visual observation and expert evaluation. Scientific assessment of conservation and consolidation effects is a challenging issue. Many instruments in other fields cannot be directly applied to the conservation of cultural relics due to their peculiarity. In order to assess the effects of field conservation experiments, this paper tries to understand the consolidation effects at Liangzhu site using nondestructive or micro-damage methods, including thermo-physical parameters testing, infrared thermal imaging, high-density microelectrode resistivity testing, portable microscope observation, and hydrophilic and hydrophobic testing, and thereby explores the practicable methods for evaluating the properties of consolidation materials for earthen sites treatment.