Design,preparation,application of advanced array structured materials and their action mechanism analyses for high performance lithium-sulfur batteries

Lithium-sulfur battery(LSB)has brought much attention and concern because of high theoretical specific capacity and energy density as one of main competitors for next-generation energy storage systems.The widely commercial application and development of LSB is mainly hindered by serious“shuttle effect”of lithium polysulfides(Li PSs),slow reaction kinetics,notorious lithium dendrites,etc.In various structures of LSB materials,array structured materials,possessing the composition of ordered micro units with the same or similar characteristics of each unit,present excellent application potential for various secondary cells due to some merits such as immobilization of active substances,high specific surface area,appropriate pore sizes,easy modification of functional material surface,accommodated huge volume change,enough facilitated transportation for electrons/lithium ions,and special functional groups strongly adsorbing Li PSs.Thus many novel array structured materials are applied to battery for tackling thorny problems mentioned above.In this review,recent progresses and developments on array structured materials applied in LSBs including preparation ways,collaborative structural designs based on array structures,and action mechanism analyses in improving electrochemical performance and safety are summarized.Meanwhile,we also have detailed discussion for array structured materials in LSBs and constructed the structure-function relationships between array structured materials and battery performances.Lastly,some directions and prospects about preparation ways,functional modifications,and practical applications of array structured materials in LSBs are generalized.We hope the review can attract more researchers'attention and bring more studying on array structured materials for other secondary batteries including LSB.

A comparison study on structure-function relationship of polysaccharides obtained from sea buckthorn berries using different methods:antioxidant and bile acid-binding capacity

In this study,the structural characters,antioxidant activities and bile acid-binding ability of sea buckthorn polysaccharides(HRPs)obtained by the commonly used hot water(HRP-W),pressurized hot water(HRP-H),ultrasonic(HRP-U),acid(HRP-C)and alkali(HRP-A)assisted extraction methods were investigated.The results demonstrated that extraction methods had significant effects on extraction yield,monosaccharide composition,molecular weight,particle size,triple-helical structure,and surface morphology of HRPs except for the major linkage bands.Thermogravimetric analysis showed that HRP-U with filamentous reticular microstructure exhibited better thermal stability.The HRP-A with the lowest molecular weight and highest arabinose content possessed the best antioxidant activities.Moreover,the rheological analysis indicated that HRPs with higher galacturonic acid content and molecular weight showed higher viscosity and stronger crosslinking network(HRP-C,HRP-W and HRP-U),which exhibited stronger bile acid binding capacity.The present findings provide scientific evidence in the preparation technology of sea buckthorn polysaccharides with good antioxidant and bile acid binding capacity which are related to the structure affected by the extraction methods.

Experimental investigation of closed-loop active control to modulate coherent structures by mu-level method

The experimental research on zero-net-mass-flux jet closed-loop active control was conducted in the wind tunnel.The mu-level method successfully detected burst events of the coherent structures. The streamwise velocity signals in the turbulent boundary layer were measured by HWA. The drag reduction rate of 16.7% is obtained comparable to that of the open-loop control and saves 75% of the input energy at the asynchronous 100 V/160 Hz control case, which reflects the advantages of the closed-loop control. The experimental findings indicate that the intensity increases in the near-wall region.The perturbation of the PZT vibrators on the skewness factor is concentrated in the region y+< 60. The generation of highspeed fluids is depressed and the downward effect of high-speed fluids weakens. The alteration of energy distribution and the discernible impact of modulation between structures of varying scales are observed. The correlation coefficient exhibits a strong positive correlation, which indicates that the large-scale structures produce modulation effect on small-scale ones.The occurrence of burst events is effectively suppressed. The disturbance has the characteristics of stable periodicity,positive and negative symmetry, low intermittency, and high pulsation strength. The conditional phase waveform shows that the fluctuation amplitude increases, indicating amplitude modulation effects on coherent structures.

A Hybrid Level Set Optimization Design Method of Functionally Graded Cellular Structures Considering Connectivity

With the continuous advancement in topology optimization and additive manufacturing(AM)technology,the capability to fabricate functionally graded materials and intricate cellular structures with spatially varying microstructures has grown significantly.However,a critical challenge is encountered in the design of these structures–the absence of robust interface connections between adjacent microstructures,potentially resulting in diminished efficiency or macroscopic failure.A Hybrid Level Set Method(HLSM)is proposed,specifically designed to enhance connectivity among non-uniform microstructures,contributing to the design of functionally graded cellular structures.The HLSM introduces a pioneering algorithm for effectively blending heterogeneous microstructure interfaces.Initially,an interpolation algorithm is presented to construct transition microstructures seamlessly connected on both sides.Subsequently,the algorithm enables the morphing of non-uniform unit cells to seamlessly adapt to interconnected adjacent microstructures.The method,seamlessly integrated into a multi-scale topology optimization framework using the level set method,exhibits its efficacy through numerical examples,showcasing its prowess in optimizing 2D and 3D functionally graded materials(FGM)and multi-scale topology optimization.In essence,the pressing issue of interface connections in complex structure design is not only addressed but also a robust methodology is introduced,substantiated by numerical evidence,advancing optimization capabilities in the realm of functionally graded materials and cellular structures.

Synthesis of Reviews on Auscultation, Approaches, and Methods for Engineering Structures

Topometric auscultation is used to monitor the durability of structures, measure deformations linked to the structure of a structure or to the movement of the ground over a part of the globe, set up warning systems, etc. It first appeared as a visual method and rapidly evolved through the various techniques used. Some of these techniques using topography are used in several fields (civil engineering, geodesy, topography, mechanics, nuclear engineering, hydraulics, physics, etc.). These topometric techniques have undergone major changes as a result of technological advances, growing needs in the monitoring of movements or deformations, increased requirements and new challenges. The methodology adopted depends on the measuring instrument used, the parameters to be estimated and access to the area to be measured. There are two types of methods: destructive and non-destructive. In addition to the visual method, they can also be classified as mechanical, physico-chemical, dynamometric, electrophysical and geometric. The estimated parameter varies according to the methodology adopted. It can be defined by coordinates, distances, potential, electrical resistance, etc.

A symmetric substructuring method for analyzing the natural frequencies of conical origami structures

Conical origami structures are characterized by their substantial out-of-plane stiffness and energy-absorptioncapacity.Previous investigations have commonly focused on the static characteristics of these lightweight struc-tures.However,the efficient analysis of the natural vibrations of these structures is pivotal for designing conicalorigami structures with programmable stiffness and mass.In this paper,we propose a novel method to analyzethe natural vibrations of such structures by combining a symmetric substructuring method(SSM)and a gener-alized eigenvalue analysis.SSM exploits the inherent symmetry of the structure to decompose it into a finiteset of repetitive substructures.In doing so,we reduce the dimensions of matrices and improve computationalefficiency by adopting the stiffness and mass matrices of the substructures in the generalized eigenvalue analysis.Finite element simulations of pin-jointed models are used to validate the computational results of the proposedapproach.Moreover,the parametric analysis of the structures demonstrates the influences of the number of seg-ments along the circumference and the radius of the cone on the structural mass and natural frequencies of thestructures.Furthermore,we present a comparison between six-fold and four-fold conical origami structures anddiscuss the influence of various geometric parameters on their natural frequencies.This study provides a strategyfor efficiently analyzing the natural vibration of symmetric origami structures and has the potential to contributeto the efficient design and customization of origami metastructures with programmable stiffness.

Electrical structure identification of deep shale gas reservoir in complex structural area using wide field electromagnetic method

To fully exploit the technical advantages of the large-depth and high-precision artificial source electromagnetic method in the complex structure area of southern Sichuan and compensate for the shortcomings of the conventional electromagnetic method in exploration depth,precision,and accuracy,the large-depth and high-precision wide field electromagnetic method is applied to the complex structure test area of the Luochang syncline and Yuhe nose anticline in the southern Sichuan.The advantages of the wide field electromagnetic method in detecting deep,low-resistivity thin layers are demonstrated.First,on the basis of the analysis of physical property data,a geological–geoelectric model is established in the test area,and the wide field electromagnetic method is numerically simulated to analyze and evaluate the response characteristics of deep thin shale gas layers on wide field electromagnetic curves.Second,a wide field electromagnetic test is conducted in the complex structure area of southern Sichuan.After data processing and inversion imaging,apparent resistivity logging data are used for calibration to develop an apparent resistivity interpretation model suitable for the test area.On the basis of the results,the characteristics of the electrical structure change in the shallow longitudinal formation of 6 km are implemented,and the transverse electrical distribution characteristics of the deep shale gas layer are delineated.In the prediction area near the well,the subsequent data verification shows that the apparent resistivity obtained using the inversion of the wide field electromagnetic method is consistent with the trend of apparent resistivity revealed by logging,which proves that this method can effectively identify the weak response characteristics of deep shale gas formations in complex structural areas.This experiment,it is shown shows that the wide field electromagnetic method with a large depth and high precision can effectively characterize the electrical characteristics of deep,low-resistivity thin layers in complex structural areas,and a new set of low-cost evaluation technologies for shale gas target layers based on the wide field electromagnetic method is explored.

Preparation of Chiral Silica Nanostructures with Radial Pores through Single-templating Approach

A chiral low-molecular-weight gelator(LMWG) L-16Ala5PyPF6 was synthesized from L-alanine, which can cause physical gel in n-propanol, ethyl acetate, butylene oxide, water, benzene, 1,4-dioxane and chloroform. The sol-gel reactions were carried out in a mixture of stronger ammonia water and n-propanol at the volume ratio of 2:8. Single-handed twisted silica nanostructures with pore channels vertical to the wall surfaces were first prepared through a single-templating approach comparing with the reported double template method. The formation mechanism of radial pore structure was studied by transmission electron microscopy at different reaction time intervals, which indicated that the radial pore structure was formed via a structural transition in the sol-gel transcription process.

Effect of preparation methods on the structure and catalytic performance of Fe–Zn/K catalysts for CO2 hydrogenation to light olefins

Potassium promoted iron–zinc catalysts prepared by co-precipitation method(C–Fe–Zn/K),solvothermal method(S–Fe–Zn/K)and hydrothermal method(H–Fe–Zn/K)could selectively convert CO_2to light olefins,respectively.The physicochemical properties of the obtained catalysts were determined by SEM,N_2physisorption,XRD,H_2-TPR,CO_2-TPD and XPS measurements.The results demonstrated that preparation methods had great influences on the morphology,phase structures,reduction and adsorption behavior,and hence the catalytic performance of the catalysts.The samples prepared by hydrothermal and co-precipitation method generated small uniform particles and led to lower specific surface area.In contrast,microspheres with larger specific surface area were formed by self-assembly of nanosheets using solvothermal method.ZnFe_2O_4was the only detectable phase in the fresh C–2Fe–1Zn/K,S–3Fe–1Zn/K and S–2Fe–1Zn/K samples.ZnFe_2O_4and ZnO co-existed with increasing Zncontent in S–1Fe–1Zn/K sample,while ZnO and Fe_2O_3could be observed over H–2Fe–1Zn/K sample.All the used samples contained Fe_3O_4,ZnO and Fe_5C_2.The peak intensity of ZnO was strong in the AR-H–2Fe–1Zn/K sample while it was the lowest in the AR-C–2Fe–1Zn/K sample after reaction.The formation of ZnFe_2O_4increased the interaction between iron and zinc for C–2Fe–1Zn/K and S–Fe–Zn/K samples,causing easier reduction of Fe_2O_3to Fe_3O_4.The surface basicity of the sample prepared by co-precipitation method was much more than that of the other two methods.During CO_2hydrogenation,all the catalysts showed good activity and olefin selectivity.The CO selectivity was increased with increasing Zncontent over S–Fe–Zn/K samples.H–2Fe–1Zn/K catalyst preferred to the production of C_5^+hydrocarbons.CO_2conversion of 54.76%and C_2~=–C_4~=contents of 57.38%were obtained on C–2Fe–1Zn/K sample,respectively.

The preparation and properties of N-doped carbon materials and their use for sodium storage

Defect engineering by heteroatom doping gives carbon materials some new characteristics such as a different electronic structure and a high electrochemical activity,making them suitable for high-performance applications.N-doping has been widely investigated because of its similar atom radius to carbon,high electronegativity as well as many different configurations.We summarize the preparation methods and properties of N-doped carbon materials,and discuss their possible use in sodium ion storage.The relationships between N content/configuration and crystallinity,electronic conductivity,wettability,chemical reactivity as well as sodium ion storage performance are discussed.

Advanced 3D ordered electrodes for PEMFC applications: From structural features and fabrication methods to the controllable design of catalyst layers

The catalyst layers(CLs) electrode is the key component of the membrane electrode assembly(MEA) in proton exchange membrane fuel cells(PEMFCs). Conventional electrodes for PEMFCs are composed of carbon-supported, ionomer, and Pt nanoparticles, all immersed together and sprayed with a micron-level thickness of CLs. They have a performance trade-off where increasing the Pt loading leads to higher performance of abundant triple-phase boundary areas but increases the electrode cost. Major challenges must be overcome before realizing its wide commercialization. Literature research revealed that it is impossible to achieve performance and durability targets with only high-performance catalysts, so the controllable design of CLs architecture in MEAs for PEMFCs must now be the top priority to meet industry goals. From this perspective, a 3D ordered electrode circumvents this issue with a support-free architecture and ultrathin thickness while reducing noble metal Pt loadings. Herein, we discuss the motivation in-depth and summarize the necessary CLs structural features for designing ultralow Pt loading electrodes. Critical issues that remain in progress for 3D ordered CLs must be studied and characterized. Furthermore, approaches for 3D ordered CLs architecture electrode development, involving material design, structure optimization, preparation technology, and characterization techniques, are summarized and are expected to be next-generation CLs for PEMFCs. Finally, the review concludes with perspectives on possible research directions of CL architecture to address the significant challenges in the future.

Novel wood-plastic composite fabricated via modified steel slag:Preparation,mechanical and flammability properties

A novel method was developed to enhance the utilization rate of steel slag(SS).Through treatment of SS with phosphoric acid and aminopropyl triethoxysilane(KH550),we obtained modified SS(MSS),which was used to prepare MSS/wood-plastic composites(MSS/WPCs)by replacing talcum powder(TP).The composites were fabricated through melting blending and hot pressing.Their mechanical and combustion properties,which comprise heat release,smoke release,and thermal stability,were systematically investigated.MSS can improve the mechanical strength of the composites through grafting reactions between wood powder and thermoplastics.Notably,MSS/WPC#50(16wt%MSS)with an MSS-to-TP mass ratio of 1:1 exhibited optimal comprehensive performance.Compared with those of WPC#0 without MSS,the tensile,flexural,and impact strengths of MSS/WPC#50 were increased by 18.5%,12.8%,and 18.0%,respectively.Moreover,the MSS/WPC#50 sample achieved the highest limited oxygen index of 22.5%,the highest vertical burning rating at the V-1 level,and the lowest horizontal burning rate at 44.2 mm/min.The formation of a dense and stable char layer led to improved thermal stability and a considerable reduction in heat and smoke releases of MSS/WPC#50.However,the partial replacement of TP with MSS slightly compromised the mechanical and flame-retardant properties,possibly due to the weak grafting caused by SS powder agglomeration.These findings suggest the suitability of MSS/WPCs for high-value-added applications as decorative panels indoors or outdoors.

Preparation methods,biological activities,and potential applications of marine algae oligosaccharides:a review

Marine algae are valuable sources of health-promoting molecules that have been consumed by Asians for decades.Among aquatic flora,marine algae stand out in terms of high content of marine algae polysaccharides(MAP)such as carrageenan,alginate,fucoidan,laminaran,agarose,rhamnan,and ulvan.When hydrolyzed,MAP generate marine algae oligosaccharides(MAO),which have attracted interest in recent years due to their superior solubility compared with MAP.Besides,MAO have been demonstrated numerous biological activities including antioxidant,antidiabetic,anti-inflammatory,antimicrobial,and prebiotic activities.Thus,this review summarizes the main chemical classes of MAO,their sources,and the main processes used for their production(i.e.,physical,chemical,and biological methods),coupled with a discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of these methods.Highlights of the biological activities of MAO and their potential applications in food,nutraceutical,and pharmaceuticals would also be discussed and summarized.

Testing method of rock structural plane using digital drilling

The rock mass consists of rock blocks and structural planes,which can reduce its integrity and strength.Therefore,accurately obtaining the characteristics of the rock mass structural plane is a prerequisite for evaluating stability and designing supports in underground engineering.Currently,there are no effective testing methods for the characteristic parameters of the rock mass structural plane in underground engineering.The paper presents the digital drilling technology as a new testing method of rock mass structural planes.Flawed rock specimens with cracks of varying widths and angles were used to simulate the rock mass structural planes,and the multifunctional rock mass digital drilling test system was employed to carry out the digital drilling tests.The analysis focuses on the variation laws of drilling parameters,such as drilling pressure and drilling torque,affected by the characteristics of prefabricated cracks,and clarifies the degradation mechanism of rock equivalent compressive strength.Additionally,an identification model for the characteristic parameters of rock mass structural planes during drilling is established.The test results indicate that the average difference of the characteristics of prefabricated cracks identified by the equivalent compressive strength is 2.45°and 0.82 mm,respectively.The identification model while drilling is verified to be correct due to the high identification accuracy.Based on this,a method for testing the characteristic parameters of the surrounding rock structural plane while drilling is proposed.The research offers a theoretical and methodological foundation for precise in situ identification of structural planes of the surrounding rock in underground engineering.

The effects of population aging on industrial structure upgrading:Empirical analysis of provincial and threshold characteristics in China

Global population aging trends are intensifying,presenting multifaceted economic and social challenges for countries worldwide.As the world’s largest developing country,China has entered a phase of extreme demographic aging,posing significant questions about its impact on the ongoing upgrading of industrial structures.How does this demographic shift influence the upgrading of industrial structures,and does technological innovation mitigate or exacerbate this impact?The empirical results indicate that population aging impedes upgrading the industrial structure,while technological innovation positively affects the relationship between the two.Moreover,using technological innovation as a threshold variable,the impact of population aging on industrial structure upgrading evolves in a“gradient”manner from“impediment”to“insignificant”to“promotion”as the technological innovation levels increase.These findings offer practical guidance for tailoring industrial policies to different stages of technological advancement.

Structural Modal Parameter Recognition and Related Damage Identification Methods under Environmental Excitations: A Review

Modal parameters can accurately characterize the structural dynamic properties and assess the physical state of the structure.Therefore,it is particularly significant to identify the structural modal parameters according to the monitoring data information in the structural health monitoring(SHM)system,so as to provide a scientific basis for structural damage identification and dynamic model modification.In view of this,this paper reviews methods for identifying structural modal parameters under environmental excitation and briefly describes how to identify structural damages based on the derived modal parameters.The paper primarily introduces data-driven modal parameter recognition methods(e.g.,time-domain,frequency-domain,and time-frequency-domain methods,etc.),briefly describes damage identification methods based on the variations of modal parameters(e.g.,natural frequency,modal shapes,and curvature modal shapes,etc.)and modal validation methods(e.g.,Stability Diagram and Modal Assurance Criterion,etc.).The current status of the application of artificial intelligence(AI)methods in the direction of modal parameter recognition and damage identification is further discussed.Based on the pre-vious analysis,the main development trends of structural modal parameter recognition and damage identification methods are given to provide scientific references for the optimized design and functional upgrading of SHM systems.

Designing Symmetric Gradient Honeycomb Structures with Carbon‑Coated Iron‑Based Composites for High‑Efficiency Microwave Absorption

The impedance matching of absorbers is a vital factor affecting their microwave absorption(MA)properties.In this work,we controllably synthesized Material of Institute Lavoisier 88C(MIL-88C)with varying aspect ratios(AR)as a precursor by regulating oil bath conditions,followed by one-step thermal decomposition to obtain carbon-coated iron-based composites.Modifying the precursor MIL-88C(Fe)preparation conditions,such as the molar ratio between metal ions and organic ligands(M/O),oil bath temperature,and oil bath time,influenced the phases,graphitization degree,and AR of the derivatives,enabling low filler loading,achieving well-matched impedance,and ensuring outstanding MA properties.The MOF-derivatives 2(MD_(2))/polyvinylidene Difluoride(PVDF),MD_(3)/PVDF,and MD4/PVDF absorbers all exhibited excellent MA properties with optimal filler loadings below 20 wt%and as low as 5 wt%.The MD_(2)/PVDF(5 wt%)achieved a maximum effective absorption bandwidth(EAB)of 5.52 GHz(1.90 mm).The MD_(3)/PVDF(10 wt%)possessed a minimum reflection loss(RL_(min))value of−67.4 at 12.56 GHz(2.13 mm).A symmetric gradient honeycomb structure(SGHS)was constructed utilizing the high-frequency structure simulator(HFSS)to further extend the EAB,achieving an EAB of 14.6 GHz and a RL_(min) of−59.0 dB.This research offers a viable inspiration to creating structures or materials with high-efficiency MA properties.

Spatial structural characteristics of the Deda ancient landslide in the eastern Tibetan Plateau:Insights from Audio-frequency Magnetotellurics and the Microtremor Survey Method

It is of crucial importance to investigate the spatial structures of ancient landslides in the eastern Tibetan Plateau’s alpine canyons as they could provide valuable insights into the evolutionary history of the landslides and indicate the potential for future reactivation.This study examines the Deda ancient landslide,situated in the Chalong-ranbu fault zone,where creep deformation suggests a complex underground structure.By integrating remote sensing,field surveys,Audio-frequency Magnetotellurics(AMT),and Microtremor Survey Method(MSM)techniques,along with engineering geological drilling for validation,to uncover the landslide’s spatial feature s.The research indicates that a fault is developed in the upper part of the Deda ancient landslide,and the gully divides it into Deda landslide accumulation zoneⅠand Deda landslide accumulation zoneⅡin space.The distinctive geological characteristics detectable by MSM in the shallow subsurface and by AMT in deeper layers.The findings include the identification of two sliding zones in the Deda I landslide,the shallow sliding zone(DD-I-S1)depth is approximately 20 m,and the deep sliding zone(DD-I-S2)depth is 36.2-49.9 m.The sliding zone(DD-Ⅱ-S1)depth of the DedaⅡlandslide is 37.6-43.1 m.A novel MSM-based method for sliding zone identification is proposed,achieving less than 5%discrepancy in depth determination when compared with drilling data.These results provide a valuable reference for the spatial structural analysis of large-deepseated landslides in geologically complex regions like the eastern Tibetan Plateau.

Big Model Strategy for Bridge Structural Health Monitoring Based on Data-Driven, Adaptive Method and Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) Group

This study introduces an innovative“Big Model”strategy to enhance Bridge Structural Health Monitoring(SHM)using a Convolutional Neural Network(CNN),time-frequency analysis,and fine element analysis.Leveraging ensemble methods,collaborative learning,and distributed computing,the approach effectively manages the complexity and scale of large-scale bridge data.The CNN employs transfer learning,fine-tuning,and continuous monitoring to optimize models for adaptive and accurate structural health assessments,focusing on extracting meaningful features through time-frequency analysis.By integrating Finite Element Analysis,time-frequency analysis,and CNNs,the strategy provides a comprehensive understanding of bridge health.Utilizing diverse sensor data,sophisticated feature extraction,and advanced CNN architecture,the model is optimized through rigorous preprocessing and hyperparameter tuning.This approach significantly enhances the ability to make accurate predictions,monitor structural health,and support proactive maintenance practices,thereby ensuring the safety and longevity of critical infrastructure.

Technical Analysis of Safety Monitoring and Evaluation of Existing Bridge Structures

Bridge structure safety monitoring and assessment has been a great concern for the government and the public,and bridge structure safety monitoring and assessment technology has also developed rapidly over the years.Its goal is to equip relevant organizations and professionals with a deep understanding of the principles and practical applications of these technologies.By doing so,it seeks to facilitate the effective implementation of safety monitoring and assessment practices in bridge management.Ultimately,the aim is to foster the constructive development of road and bridge construction and operational management at a broader level.