Some Problems in Nonlinear Dynamic Instability and Bifurcation Theory for Engineering Structures

In civil engineering, the nonlinear dynamic instability of structures occurs at a bifurcation point or a limit point. The instability at a bifurcation point can be analyzed with the theory of nonlinear dynamics, and that at a limit point can be discussed with the theory of elastoplasticity. In this paper, the nonlinear dynamic instability of structures was treated with mathematical and mechanical theories. The research methods for the problems of structural nonlinear dynamic stability were discussed first, and then the criterion of stability or instability of structures, the method to obtain the bifurcation point and the limit point, and the formulae of the directions of the branch solutions at a bifurcation point were elucidated. These methods can be applied to the problems of nonlinear dynamic instability of structures such as reticulated shells, space grid structures, and so on. Key words nonlinear dynamic instability - engineering structures - non-stationary nonlinear system - bifurcation point - instability at a bifurcation point - limit point MSC 2000 74K25 Project supported by the Science Foundation of Shanghai Municipal Commission of Education (Grant No. 02AK04), the Science Foundation of Shanghai Municipal Commission of Science and Technology (Grant No. 02ZA14034)

From VIB‑to VB‑Group Transition Metal Disulfides:Structure Engineering Modulation for Superior Electromagnetic Wave Absorption

The laminated transition metal disulfides(TMDs),which are well known as typical two-dimensional(2D)semiconductive materials,possess a unique layered structure,leading to their wide-spread applications in various fields,such as catalysis,energy storage,sensing,etc.In recent years,a lot of research work on TMDs based functional materials in the fields of electromagnetic wave absorption(EMA)has been carried out.Therefore,it is of great significance to elaborate the influence of TMDs on EMA in time to speed up the application.In this review,recent advances in the development of electromagnetic wave(EMW)absorbers based on TMDs,ranging from the VIB group to the VB group are summarized.Their compositions,microstructures,electronic properties,and synthesis methods are presented in detail.Particularly,the modulation of structure engineering from the aspects of heterostructures,defects,morphologies and phases are systematically summarized,focusing on optimizing impedance matching and increasing dielectric and magnetic losses in the EMA materials with tunable EMW absorption performance.Milestones as well as the challenges are also identified to guide the design of new TMDs based dielectric EMA materials with high performance.

Tuning electronic structure of RuO_(2)by single atom Zn and oxygen vacancies to boost oxygen evolution reaction in acidic medium

The poor stability of RuO_(2)electrocatalysts has been the primary obstacles for their practical application in polymer electrolyte membrane electrolyzers.To dramatically enhance the durability of RuO_(2)to construct activity-stability trade-off model is full of significance but challenging.Herein,a single atom Zn stabilized RuO_(2)with enriched oxygen vacancies(SA Zn-RuO_(2))is developed as a promising alternative to iridium oxide for acidic oxygen evolution reaction(OER).Compared with commercial RuO_(2),the enhanced Ru–O bond strength of SA Zn-RuO_(2)by forming Zn-O-Ru local structure motif is favorable to stabilize surface Ru,while the electrons transferred from Zn single atoms to adjacent Ru atoms protects the Ru active sites from overoxidation.Simultaneously,the optimized surrounding electronic structure of Ru sites in SA ZnRuO_(2)decreases the adsorption energies of OER intermediates to reduce the reaction barrier.As a result,the representative SA Zn-RuO_(2)exhibits a low overpotential of 210 mV to achieve 10 mA cm^(-2)and a greatly enhanced durability than commercial RuO_(2).This work provides a promising dual-engineering strategy by coupling single atom doping and vacancy for the tradeoff of high activity and catalytic stability toward acidic OER.

Band structures of strained kagome lattices

Materials with kagome lattices have attracted significant research attention due to their nontrivial features in energy bands.We theoretically investigate the evolution of electronic band structures of kagome lattices in response to uniaxial strain using both a tight-binding model and an antidot model based on a periodic muffin-tin potential.It is found that the Dirac points move with applied strain.Furthermore,the flat band of unstrained kagome lattices is found to develop into a highly anisotropic shape under a stretching strain along y direction,forming a partially flat band with a region dispersionless along ky direction while dispersive along kx direction.Our results shed light on the possibility of engineering the electronic band structures of kagome materials by mechanical strain.

Band structure engineering in metal halide perovskite nanostructures for optoelectronic applications

Metal halide perovskite nanostructures have emerged as low-dimensional semiconductors of great significance in many fields such as photovoltaics,photonics,and optoelectronics.Extensive efforts on the controlled synthesis of perovskite nanostructures have been made towards potential device applications.The engineering of their band structures holds great promise in the rational tuning of the electronic and optical properties of perovskite nanostructures,which is one of the keys to achieving efficient and multifunctional optoelectronic devices.In this article,we summarize recent advances in band structure engineering of perovskite nanostructures.A survey of bandgap engineering of nanostructured perovskites is firstly presented from the aspects of dimensionality tailoring,compositional substitution,phase segregation and transition,as well as strain and pressure stimuli.The strategies of electronic doping are then reviewed,including defect-induced self-doping,inorganic or organic molecules-based chemical doping,and modification by metal ions or nanostructures.Based on the bandgap engineering and electronic doping,discussions on engineering energy band alignments in perovskite nanostructures are provided for building high-performance perovskite p-n junctions and heterostructures.At last,we provide our perspectives in engineering band structures of perovskite nanostructures towards future low-energy optoelectronics technologies.

Progress on band structure engineering of twisted bilayer and two-dimensional moiré heterostructures

Artificially constructed van der Waals heterostructures(vdWHs)provide an ideal platform for realizing emerging quantum phenomena in condensed matter physics.Two methods for building vdWHs have been developed:stacking two-dimensional(2D)materials into a bilayer structure with different lattice constants,or with different orientations.The interlayer coupling stemming from commensurate or incommensurate superlattice pattern plays an important role in vdWHs for modulating the band structures and generating new electronic states.In this article,we review a series of novel quantum states discovered in two model vdWH systems—graphene/hexagonal boron nitride(hBN)hetero-bilayer and twisted bilayer graphene(tBLG),and discuss how the electronic structures are modified by such stacking and twisting.We also provide perspectives for future studies on hetero-bilayer materials,from which an expansion of 2D material phase library is expected.

Application of 2-D and 3-D Geo-electrical Resistivity Tomography and Geotechnical Soil Evaluation for Engineering Site Investigation:A Case Study of Okerenkoko Primary School,Warri-Southwest,Delta State,Nigeria

In the design of building structures,joint efforts must be decided to resolve the depth of competent layers across the intended site to safeguard the durability of civil engineering structures and to avert the disastrous consequences of structural failure and collapse.In this study,an integrated methodology that employed DC resistivity tomography involving 2-D and 3-D techniques and geotechnical-soil analysis was used to evaluate subsoil conditions for engineering site investigation at Okerenkoko primary school,in the Warri-southwest area of Delta State,to adduce the phenomena responsible for the visible cracks/structural failure observed in the buildings.The results obtained brought to light the geological structure beneath the subsurface,which consists of four geoelectric layers identified as topsoil,dry/lithified upper sandy layer,wet sand(water-saturated)and peat/clay/sandy clayey soil(highly water-saturated).The deeply-seated peat/clay materials(ρ≤20Ωm)were delineated in the study area to the depths of 17.1 m and 19.8 m from 2-D and 3-D tomography respectively.3-D images presented as horizontal depth slices revealed the dominance of very low resistivity materials i.e.peat/clay/sandy clay within the fourth,fifth and sixth layers at depths ranging from 8.68-12.5 m,12.5-16.9 m and 16.9-21.9 m respectively.The dominance of mechanically unstable peat/clay/sandy clay layers beneath the subsurface,which are highly mobile in response to volumetric changes,is responsible for the noticeable cracks/failure detected on structures within the study site.These observations were validated by a geotechnical test of soil samples in the study area.Atterberg’s limits of the samples revealed plasticity indices of zero.Thus,the soil samples within the depth analyzed were representatives of sandy soil that does not possess any plasticity.The methods justifiably provided relevant information on the subsurface geology beneath the study site and should be appropriated as major tools for engineering site assessment/geotechnical projects.

Dynamic response of mountain tunnel,bridge,and embankment along the Sichuan-Tibet transportation corridor to active fault based on model tests

The Sichuan-Tibet transportation corridor is prone to numerous active faults and frequent strong earthquakes.While extensive studies have individually explored the effect of active faults and strong earthquakes on different engineering structures,their combined effect remains unclear.This research employed multiple physical model tests to investigate the dynamic response of various engineering structures,including tunnels,bridges,and embankments,under the simultaneous influence of cumulative earthquakes and stick-slip misalignment of an active fault.The prototype selected for this study was the Kanding No.2 tunnel,which crosses the Yunongxi fault zone within the Sichuan-Tibet transportation corridor.The results demonstrated that the tunnel,bridge,and embankment exhibited amplification in response to the input seismic wave,with the amplification effect gradually decreasing as the input peak ground acceleration(PGA)increased.The PGAs of different engineering structures were weakened by the fault rupture zone.Nevertheless,the misalignment of the active fault may decrease the overall stiffness of the engineering structure,leading to more severe damage,with a small contribution from seismic vibration.Additionally,the seismic vibration effect might be enlarged with the height of the engineering structure,and the tunnel is supposed to have a smaller PGA and lower dynamic earth pressure compared to bridges and embankments in strong earthquake zones crossing active faults.The findings contribute valuable insights for evaluating the dynamic response of various engineering structures crossing an active fault and provide an experimental reference for secure engineering design in the challenging conditions of the Sichuan-Tibet transportation corridor.

Analysis of Bridge-Bearing Capacity Detection and Evaluation Technology

A bridge project is taken as an example to analyze the application of bearing capacity detection and evaluation.This article provides a basic overview of the project,the application of bearing capacity detection technology,and the bearing capacity assessment analysis.It is hoped that this analysis can provide a scientific reference for the load-bearing capacity detection and evaluation work in bridge engineering projects,thereby achieving a scientific assessment of the overall load-bearing capacity of the bridge engineering structure.

Experimental and computational optimization of Prussian blue analogues as high-performance cathodes for sodium-ion batteries:A review

In this review,we discuss the electrochemical properties of Prussian blue(PB)for Na^(+)storage by combining structural engineering and electrolyte modifications.We integrated experimental data and density functional theory(DFT)in sodium-ion battery(SIB)research to refine the atomic arrangements and crystal lattices and introduce substitutions and dopants.These changes affect the lattice stability,intercalation,electronic and ionic conductivities,and electrochemical performance.We unraveled the intricate structure-electrochemical behavior relationship by combining experimental data with computational models,including first-principles calculations.This holistic approach identified techniques for optimizing PB and Prussian blue analog(PBA)structu ral properties for SIBs.We also discuss the tuning of electrolytes by systematically adjusting their composition,concentration,and additives using a combination of molecular dynamics(MD)simulations and DFT computations.Our review offers a comprehensive assessment of strategies for enhancing the electrochemical properties of PB and PBAs through structural engineering and electrolyte modifications,combining experimental insights with advanced computational simulations,and paving the way for next-generation energy storage systems.

Multi-scale structure engineering of covalent organic framework for electrochemical charge storage

Covalent organic frameworks(COFs),which are constructed by linking organic building blocks via dynamic covalent bonds,are newly emerged and burgeoning crystalline porous copolymers with features including programmable topological architecture,pre-designable periodic skeleton,well-defined micro-/meso-pore,large specific surface area,and customizable electroactive functionality.Those benefits make COFs as promising candidates for advanced electrochemical energy storage.Especially,for now,structure engineering of COFs from multiscale aspects has been conducted to enable optimal overall electrochemical performance in terms of structure durability,electrical conductivity,redox activity,and charge storage.In this review,we give a fundamental and insightful study on the correlations between multi-scale structure engineering and eventual electrochemical properties of COFs,started with introducing their basic chemistries and charge storage principles.The careful discussion on the significant achievements in structure engineering of COFs from linkages,redox sites,polygon skeleton,crystal nanostructures,and composite microstructures,and further their effects on the electrochemical behavior of COFs are presented.Finally,the timely cutting-edge perspectives and in-depth insights into COFbased electrodematerials to rationally screen their electrochemical behaviors for addressing future challenges and implementing electrochemical energy storage applications are proposed.

Unleashing the Potential of Unidirectional Mechanical Materials: Breakthroughs and Promising Applications

The emergence of mechanically one-way materials presents an exciting opportunity for materials science and engineering. These substances exhibit unique nonreciprocal mechanical responses, enabling them to selectively channel mechanical energy and facilitate directed sound propagation, controlled mass transport, and concentration of mechanical energy amidst random motion. This article explores the fundamentals of mechanically one-way materials, their potential applications across various industries, and the economic and environmental considerations related to their production and use.

Safety of engineered structures against blast vibrations： A case study

Blasting used for rock excavation is associated with ground vibrations having potential damage to surrounding structures.The extent of damage produced in a structure depends largely on ground motion characteristics,dynamic characteristics of structure and the type of geological strata on which it is founded.The safety of surrounding structures against blast vibrations is a cause of concern.However,use of a systematic approach to rock blasting helps to complete the excavation safely in time without endangering the safety of surrounding structures.Various steps are commonly adopted at construction sites to ensure safety of engineered structures against blast vibrations,e.g.adopting a suitable safe vibration level,developing site-specific attenuation relation,estimating safe charges for different distances,designing blasting pattern,and monitoring vibrations during actual blasting.The paper describes the details of studies conducted for ensuring safety of an 85 years old masonry dam and green concrete of varying ages during excavation of about 30,000 m;of hard rock in Maharashtra,India.The studies helped to complete the rock excavation safely in time and the safety of the dam was ensured by monitoring blast vibrations during actual rock excavation.

Tailoring the Meso-Structure of Gold Nanoparticles in Keratin-Based Activated Carbon Toward High-Performance Flexible Sensor

Flexible biosensors with high accuracy and reliable operation in detecting pH and uric acid levels in body fluids are fabricated using well-engineered metaldoped porous carbon as electrode material.The gold nanoparticles@N-doped carbon in situ are prepared using wool keratin as both a novel carbon precursor and a stabilizer.The conducting electrode material is fabricated at 500℃ under customized parameters,which mimics A-B type(two different repeating units) polymeric material and displays excellent deprotonation performance(pH sensitivity).The obtained pH sensor exhibits high pH sensitivity of 57 mV/pH unit and insignificant relative standard deviation of 0.088%.Conversely,the composite carbon material with sp^2 structure prepared at 700℃ is doped with nitrogen and gold nanoparticles,which exhibits good conductivity and electrocatalytic activity for uric acid oxidation.The uric acid sensor has linear response over a range of 1-150 μM and a limit of detection 0.1 μM.These results will provide new avenues where biological material will be the best start,which can be useful to target contradictory applications through molecular engineering at mesoscale.

NANO-BEARING:THE DESIGN OF A NEW TYPE OF AIR BEARING WITH FLEXURE STRUCTURE

A new type of air bearing with flexure structure is introduced. The new bearing is designed for precision mechanical engineering devices such as mechanical watch movement. The new design uses the flexure structure to provide 3D damping to absorb shocks from all directions. Two designs are presented： one has 12 T-shape slots in the radian direction while the other has 8 spiral slots in the radian direction. Both designs have flexure mountings on the axial directions. Based on the finite element analysis （FEA）, the new bearing can reduce the vibration （displacement） by as much as 8.37% and hence, can better protect the shafts.

Magnesium-based energy materials: Progress, challenges, and perspectives

Magnesium-based energy materials, which combine promising energy-related functional properties with low cost, environmental compatibility and high availability, have been regarded as fascinating candidates for sustainable energy conversion and storage. In this review,we provide a timely summary on the recent progress in three types of important Mg-based energy materials, based on the fundamental strategies of composition and structure engineering. With regard to Mg-based materials for batteries, we systematically review and analyze different material systems, structure regulation strategies as well as the relevant performance in Mg-ion batteries(MIBs) and Mg-air batteries(MABs), covering cathodes, electrolytes, anodes for MIBs, and anodes for MABs;as to Mg-based hydrogen storage materials, we discuss how catalyst adding, composite, alloying and nanostructuring improve the kinetic and thermodynamic properties of de/hydrogenation reactions, and in particular, the impacts of composition and structure modification on hydrogen absorption/dissociation processes and free energy modification mechanism are focused;regarding Mg-based thermoelectric materials, the relations between composition/structure and electrical/thermal transport properties of Mg_(3)X_(2)(X = Sb, Bi), Mg_(2)X(X = Si, Ge, Sn) and Mg Ag Sb-based materials, together with the representative research progress of each material system, are summarized and discussed. Finally, by pointing out remaining challenges and providing possible solutions, this review aims to shed light on the directions and perspectives for practical applications of magnesium-based energy materials in the future.

Carbon materials toward efficient potassium storage:Rational design,performance evaluation and potassium storage mechanism

Potassium-ion batteries(PIBs)are potential“Beyond Li-ion Batteries”candidates for their resource advantage and low standard electrode potential.To date,the research on PIBs is in its early stages,the most urgent task is to develop high-performance electrode materials and reveal their potassium storage mechanism.For PIBs anode materials,carbon with tunable microstructure,excellent electrochemical activity,nontoxicity and low price is considered as one of the most promising anode materials for commercialization.Although some breakthrough works have emerged,the overall electrochemical performance of the reported carbon anode is still far away from practical application.Herein,we carry out a comprehensive overview of PIBs carbon anode in terms of three aspects of rational design of structure,performance evaluation criteria and characterization of potassium storage mechanism.First,the regulation mechanism of key structural features of carbon anode on its potassium storage performance and the representative structural regulation strategies are introduced.Then,in view of the undefined performance evaluation criteria of PIBs carbon anode,a reference principle for evaluating the potassium storage performance of carbon anode is proposed.Finally,the advanced characterization techniques for the potassium storage mechanism of carbon anode are summarize.This review aims to provide guidance for the development of practical PIBs anode.

Heteroatom Structural Engineering Enables Ethenylene-Bridged Bisisoindigo-Based Copolymers to Exhibit Unique n-Type Transistor Performance

Herein,we report three novel electron-deficient aromatics,ethenylene-bridged bisisoindigos 3,3′-((3E,3′E)-((E)-ethene-1,2-diyl)bis(1-(4-decyltetradecyl)-2-oxoind-oline-6-yl-3-ylidene))bis(1-(4-decyltetradecyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-2-one)(NCCN),3,3′-((3E,3′E)-((E)-ethene-1,2-diyl)bis(1-(4-decyltetradecyl)-7-fluoro-2-oxoindoline-6-yl-3-ylidene))bis(1-(4-decyltetradecyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-2-one)(NFFN),and(3E,3″E)-6,6″-((E)-ethene-1,2-diyl)bis(1,1′-bis(4-decyltetradecyl)-[3,3′-bipyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridinylidene]-2,2′(1H,1′H)-dione)(NNNN),and their derived donor–acceptor(D–A)copolymers,namely poly[3,3′-((3E,3′E)-((E)-ethene-1,2-diyl)bis(1-(4-decyltetradecyl)-2-oxoindoline-6-yl-3-ylidene))bis(1-(4-decyltetradecyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-2-one-6-yl)]-alt-[5,6-difluoro-4,7-di[(thiophen-2-yl)-5-yl)]benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole](PNCCN-FBT),poly[3,3′-((3E,3′E)-((E)-ethene-1,2-diyl)bis(1-(4-decyltetradecyl)-7-fluoro-2-oxoindoline-6-yl-3-ylidene))bis(1-(4-decyltetradecyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-2-one-6-yl)]-alt-[5,6-difluoro-4,7-di[(thiophen-2-yl)-5-yl)]benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole](PNFFNFBT),and poly[(3E,3″E)-6′,6‴-((E)-ethene-1,2-diyl)bis(1,1′-bis(4-decyltetradecyl)-[3,3′-bipyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridinylidene]-2,2′(1H,1′H)-dione-6-yl)]-alt-[5,6-difluoro-4,7-di[(thiophen-2-yl)-5-yl)]benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole](PNNNN-FBT),in which 5,6-difluoro-4,7-di(thiophen-2-yl)benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole(FBT)acts as the electron-donating units.The ethenylene-bridging unit reduces the steric hindrance of the three bisisoindigos.Incorporation of heteroatoms,such as fluorine and sp2-nitrogen atoms,endows them with multiple CH···F,CH···N,and N···S intramolecular hydrogen bonds/nonbinding interactions,resulting in increasing backbone planarity from NCCN,NFFN,to NNNN,and thus from PNCCN-FBT,PNFFN-FBT,to PNNNN-FBT.We found that all copolymers formed an improved molecular packing in the 1-chloronaphthalene(CN)-processed thin film compared with the 1,2-dichlorobenzene-processed one.The CN-processed PNCCN-FBT-based polymer field-effect transistors showed ambipolar transport characteristics with the electron mobility(μe)and hole mobility of 1.20 and 0.46 cm^(2)V^(−1)^s(−1),respectively,while the PNFFN-FBT-and PNNNN-FBT-based ones afforded unique n-type transport characteristics with impressively highμe up to 3.28 cm^(2)V^(−1)^s(−1).The lower frontier molecular orbital energy levels of PNFFN-FBT are the key reason for its higherμe.This study demonstrated that heteroatom structural engineering on ethenylene-bridged bisisoindigos is an effective way to construct high-performance n-type polymer semiconductors.

Targeted bottom-up synthesis of 1T-phase MoS2 arrays with high electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity by simultaneous structure and morphology engineering

The incorporation of small guest molecules or ions by bottom-up hydrothermal synthesis has recently emerged as a promising new way to engineer 1T-phase MoS2 with high hydrogen evolution reaction （HER） activity. However, the mechanism of the associated structural evolution remains elusive and controversial, leading to a lack of effective routes to prepare 1T-phase MoS2 with controlled structure and morphology, along with high purity and stability. Herein, urea is chosen as precursor of small molecules or ions to simultaneously engineer the phase （16.4%, - 69.4%, and -90.2% of 1T phase） and size （98.8, - 151.6, and - 251.8 nm for the 90.2% 1T phase） of MoS2 nanosheets, which represent an ideal model system for investigating the structural evolution in these materials, as well as developing a new type of 1T-phase MoS2 arrays. Using reaction intermediate monitoring and theoretical calculations, we show that the oriented growth of 1T-phase MoS2 is controlled by ammonia-assisted assembly recrystallization, and stabilization processes. A superior HER performance in acidic media is obtained, with an overpotential of only 76 mV required to achieve a stable current density of 10 mA.cm-2 for 15 h. This excellent performance is attributed to the unique array structure, involving well-dispersed, edge-terminated, and high-purity 1T-phase MoS2 nanosheets.

Structural engineering of sulfur-doped carbon encapsulated bismuth sulfide core-shell structure for enhanced potassium storage performance

Owing to the high theoretical capacity,metal sulfides have emerged as promising anode materials for potassium-ion batteries(PIBs).However,sluggish kinetics,drastic volume expansion,and polysulfide dissolution during charge/discharge result in unsatisfactory electrochemical performance.Herein,we design a core-shell structure consisting of an active bismuth sulfide core and a highly conductive sulfur-doped carbon shell(Bi2S3@SC)as a novel anode material for PIBs.Benefiting from its unique core-shell structure,this Bi2S3@SC is endowed with outstanding potassium storage performance with high specific capacity(626 mAh·g^(-1)under 50 mA·g^(-1))and excellent rate capability(268.9 mAh·g^(-1)at 1 A·g^(-1)).More importantly,a Bi2S3@SC//KFe[Fe(CN)6]full cell is successfully fabricated,which achieves a high reversible capacity of 257 mAh·g^(-1)at 50 mA·g^(-1)over 50 cycles,holding great potentials in practical applications.Density functional theory(DFT)calculations reveal that potassium ions have a low diffusion barrier of 0.54 eV in Bi2S3 due to the weak van der Waals interactions between layers.This work heralds a promising strategy in the structural design of high-performance anode materials for PIBs.