Advanced rechargeable lithium-ion batteries based on bendable ZnCo2O4-urchins-on-carbon-fibers electrodes

A novel class of ZnCo2O4-urchins-on-carbon-fibers matrix has been designed, characterized, and used to fabricate high-performance energy storage devices. We obtained a reversible lithium storage capacity of 1180 mA＇h/g even after 100 cycles, demonstrating the highreversible capacity and excellent cycle life of the as-prepared samples. Tested as fast-charging batteries, these electrodes exhibited a considerable capacity of 750 mA＇h/g at an exceptionally high rate of 20 C （18 A/g）, with an excellent cycle life （as long as 100 cycles）, which are the best high-rate results reported at such a high charge^discharge current density for ZnCo2O4-based anode materials in lithium rechargeable batteries. Such attractive properties may be attributed to the unique structure of the binder-free ZnCo2O4-urchins-on-carbon-fibers matrix. Full batteries were also developed by combining the ZnCo2O4 anodes with commercial LiCoO2 cathodes, which showed flexible/wearable and stable features for use as very promising future energy storage units.

One-pot In-situ Synthesis of Sn/Carbon-fibers Nanocomposite by Chemical Vapor Deposition and Its Li-storage Properties

Sn/carbon-fibers（CFs） nanocomposite has been prepared by chemical vapor deposition with in-situ catalytic growth of CFs.The nanocomposite has been characterized by X-ray diffraction（XRD）,field emission scanning electron microscopy（FE-SEM）,transmission electron microscopy（TEM） and Raman spectrum.The electrochemical performance of the nanocomposite has been investigated by galvanostatic cycling and cyclic voltammetry（CV）.It has been found that a three-dimensional conductive network forms by the interconnected CFs,which offers conductive channels for the Sn nanoparticles.The nanocomposite gives a first charge capacity of 385 mAh.g-1 and exhibits an improved cycling stability than bare Sn.

A distributed measurement method for in-situ soil moisture content by using carbon-fiber heated cable

Moisture content is a fundamental physical index that quantifies soil property and is closely associatedwith the hydrological, ecological and engineering behaviors of soil. To measure in-situ soil moisturecontents, a distributed measurement system for in-situ soil moisture content （SM-DTS） is introduced.The system is based on carbon-fiber heated cable （CFHC） technology that has been developed to enhancethe measuring accuracy of in-situ soil moisture content. Using CFHC technique, a temperature characteristicvalue （Tt） can be defined from temperatureetime curves. A relationship among Tt, soil thermalimpedance coefficient and soil moisture content is then established in laboratory. The feasibility of theSM-DTS technology to provide distributed measurements of in-situ soil moisture content is verifiedthrough field tests. The research reported herein indicates that the proposed SM-DTS is capable ofmeasuring in-situ soil moisture content over long distances and large areas.

Performance evaluation of two types of heated cables for distributedtemperature sensing-based measurement of soil moisture content

Distributed temperature sensing(DTS)using heated cables has been recently developed for distributed monitoring of in-situ soil moisture content.In this method,the thermal and electrical properties of heated cables have a significant influence on the measurement accuracy of soil moisture content.In this paper,the performances of two heated cables,i.e.the carbon-fiber heated cable(CFHC)and the metalnet heated cable(MNHC),are studied in the laboratory.Their structures,uniformity in the axial direction,measurement accuracy and suitability are evaluated.The test results indicate that the MNHC has a better uniformity in the axial direction than CFHC.Both CFHC and MNHC have high measurement accuracy.The CFHC is more suitable for short-distance measurement(500 m),while the MNHC can be used for longdistance measurement(>500 m).

SURGICAL TREATMENT OF HALLUX VALGLUS BY RECONSTRUCTION OF METATARSAL ARCH AND MODIFIED MCBRIDE OPERATION（40 CASES REPORT）

feet with hallux valgus among 40 patients treated by reconstruction of metatarsal arch and modified McBride operation are reported in this paper. After an average of 4. 5 years of postoperative follow-up, the results showed an overll 9° and 3° correction of the hallux abductus angle and the intermetatarsal angle, respectively. 95% of the cases of bunions disappeared, 66% calli under the heads of the first and second metatarsal disappeared, and 9l% patients were satisfied with the changes of their feet appearance.

Direct joining of oxygen-free copper and carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic by friction lap joining

Oxygen-flee copper （Cu） was successfully joined to carbon-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic （CFRTP, polyamide 6 with 20wt% carbon fiber addition） by friction lap joining （FLJ） at joining speeds of 200-1600 mm/min with a constant rotation rate of 1500 rpm and a nominal plunge depth of 0.9 ram. It is the first time to report the joining of CFRTP to Cu by FLJ. As the joining speed increased, the tensile shear force （TSF） of joints increased first, and decreased thereafter. The maximum TSF could reach 2.3 kN （ 15 mm in width）. Hydrogen bonding formed between the amide group of CFRTP and the thin Cu20 layer on the Cu surface, which mainly contributed to the joint bonding. The influence factors of the TSF of the joints at different joining speeds were discussed. The TSF was mainly affected by the joining area, the degradation of the plastic matrix and the number and the size of bubbles. As the joining speed increased, the influence factors varied as follows： the joining area increased first and then decreased; the degra- dation of the plastic matrix and the number and the size of bubbles decreased. The maximum TSF was the comprehensive result of the relatively large joining area, small degradation of the plastic matrix and small number and sizes of bubbles.

Experimental study of shear properties of 3D woven composite using digital image correlation and acoustic emission

This work is dedicated to the experimental study of the shear properties of three-dimensional reinforced composites taking into account their structural features,in Iosipescu tests.Shear strains have been determined using Vic-3D non-contact three-dimensional digital optical system.The evolution of inhomogeneous strain fields on the surface of composite specimens of the structure under study has been analyzed.The variants of strain averaging in the specimen working area have been analyzed using Vic-3D tools.AMSY-6 acoustic emission system has been used to assess the structural integrity of composite materials under loading.

Shape memory composite structures for self-deployable solar sails

Shape memory composites(SMCs)combine mechanical performances of composite materials with functional behavior of shape memory polymers.They can be used to produce the external frame of self-deployable solar sails with very low weight in comparison with traditional composite booms.Furthermore,heat activation is necessary for deploying instead of complex mechanical devices.In this study,the mechanical behavior of a solar sail with SMC frame is simulated by means of finite element modeling.Design considerations are made on sail deployment configuration,size/weight ratio of solar sails,and SMC properties.An experimental activity has been also performed to provide suitable candidates for the composite laminates of the SMC structure.Mechanical and instrumented recovery tests have been carried out on 2-plies carbon-fiber laminates with a shape memory interlayer.