STUDIES ON THE PORE FORMATION MECHANISM OF β-CRYSTALLINE POLYPROPYLENE UNDER STRETCHING

The pore formation mechanism of β-crystalline polypropylene under stretching was investigated. The porosity of the samples increases rapidly with stretching, having a maximum at draw ratios around 2 and then decreases monotonically. An abrupt formation process of initial micropores at very low draw ratios was evidenced by in situ SAXS measurements. At the same time the phase transition from β-crystal to α-crystal proceeds slowly in the whole deformation process up to large draw ratios around 5. Comparative studies of α-and β-crystalline polypropylene samples before stretching indicate that in addition to difference in crystal forms the α-and β-crystalline polypropylene samples exhibit quite different morphological features. There are a lot of interfaces in β-crystalline polypropylene samples, which may have a lower density value and can be easily etched by argon ions and penetrated by small molecules. It was concluded from these experimental facts that the pore formation and crystal transition are two independent phenomena during the deformation of β-crystalline polypropylene samples, and phase transition from β-crystal to α-crystal could hardly be the origin of pore formation. A defect initiation mechanism was proposed to understand the pore formation behavior of β-crystalline polypropylenes.

Mechanics of water pore formation in lipid membrane under electric field

Transmembrane water pores are crucial for substance transport through cell membranes via membrane fusion, such as in neural communication. However, the molecular mechanism of water pore formation is not clear. In this study, we apply all-atom molecular dynamics and bias-exchange metadynamics simulations to study the process of water pore formation under an electric field. We show that water molecules can enter a membrane under an electric field and form a water pore of a few nanometers in diameter. These water molecules disturb the interactions between lipid head groups and the ordered arrangement of lipids. Following the movement of water molecules, the lipid head groups are rotated and driven into the hydrophobic region of the membrane. The reorientated lipid head groups inside the membrane form a hydrophilic surface of the water pore. This study reveals the atomic details of how an electric field influences the movement of water molecules and lipid head groups, resulting in water pore formation.

Comparative Analysis of Cry1Ac Toxin Oligomerization and Pore Formation Between Bt-Susceptible and Bt-Resistant Helicoverpa armigera Larvae

With the long-term use of Bacillus thuringiensis （Bt） insecticide and expansion of CrylA-expressing transgenic plants, some insect pests have developed resistance to Bt in open fields, greenhouses, and in the laboratory. Bt resistance is complex and there appear to be different ways for resistance development. Understanding the Bt resistance mechanisms is critical to prolong its usefulness. In this article, Bt receptors, the cadherin and aminopeptidase N （APN）, in brush border membrane vesicles （/3BMV） of Helicoverpa armigera were examined in both CrylAc-susceptible （96S） and CrylAc- resistant （LF120） strains, to compare CrylAc toxin oligomerization and pore formation in these two strains. CrylAc toxin oligomerization and pore formation in these two strains were compared. Results showed that cadherin and aminopeptidase N proteins could express normally in both susceptible and resistant 11. armigera strains. The ability to form CrylAc oligomers and ion channels on BBMVs was also not significantly different between these two strains.

Pore structure formation and hydration characteristics of cement paste with temperature rising inhibitor

The early-age thermal cracking easily generates and severely impairs the durability of concrete.The temperature rising inhibitor(TRI)was utilized to regulate the temperature evolution by controlling the cement hydration process.This paper aimed to investigate the pore structure formation and hydration characteristics of cement paste containing TRI by low-field nuclear magnetic resonance.The experiment showed that the T_(2) peak of cement paste shifted from 7.32 ms to 0.23 ms regardless of TRI addition.But the pattern of pore structure formation was changed with TRI addition,that is,the pore structure formation was delayed,and the pore successively shifted to left in two parts.In addition,TRI addition significantly prolonged the duration of gel pore formation and greatly decreased the increase rate of gel water,which implied that TRI introduction hindered the growth of C-S-H,and subsequently decreased the hydration rates and delayed the main hydration peak.Meanwhile,TRI dissolved and diffused rapidly at 40℃,delaying the hydration of cement paste seriously.Moreover,TRI brought about the C-S-H nucleation homogeneous and the ion concentration uniform,which might reduce the localized curvature occurring on the sheet of C-S-H,and then decreased the T_(2) intensity of capillary water and gel water.

Effect of Sr content on porosity formation in directionally solidified Al-12.3wt.%Si alloy

The influence of Sr addition on pore formation in directionally solidified Al-12.3wt.% alloy was investigated using X-ray detection, optical microscope, and SEM-EDX. Results indicate that addition of Sr significantly increases the number density and volume fraction of porosity. The considerable rise in volume fraction of porosity is attributed to the remarkable increase in the numbers of pores formed. It is found that Sr solute in liquid Al-Si al oy can diffuse into the oxide inclusions to form loose oxide aggregations which have more activity as the nucleation sites for porosity. Adding more Sr considerably increases the numbers of active nucleation sites. There is an obvious fluctuation of pore number density during steady state solidification, which is believed to be related to a fluctuation of local hydrogen supersaturation induced by the competition of pore nucleation and growth for hydrogen solute supplement.

Successive formation of secondary pores via feldspar dissolution in deeply buried feldspar-rich clastic reservoirs in typical petroliferous basins and its petroleum geological significance

Clastic rock reservoirs in petroliferous basins are generally rich in feldspars. Feldspar dissolution has developed widely in clastic reservoirs, and the resulting secondary pores are crucial in deeply buried reservoirs. Based on a study of the diagenesis of clastic reservoirs in the Bohai Bay Basin, Tarim Basin, and Pearl River Mouth Basin and physical and numerical simulation experiments of fluid-rock interactions, this paper proposed a successive formation model of secondary pores via feldspar dissolution in deeply buried clastic reservoirs, considering the global research progresses in feldspar dissolution in clastic rocks. Feldspar dissolution can occur from shallow open systems to deep-ultra deep closed systems in petroliferous basins, resulting in the successive formation of secondary pores at different diagenetic stages. The successive mechanism includes three aspects. The first aspect is the succession of corrosive fluids that dissolve minerals. Meteoric freshwater dominates at the Earth’s surface and the early diagenetic A stage. Subsequently, organic acids and COformed via kerogen maturation dominate at the early diagenetic B stage to the middle diagenetic stage. COand organic acids formed via hydrocarbon oxidation in hydrocarbon reservoirs dominate at the middle diagenetic B stage to the late diagenetic stage. The second aspect is the successive formation processes of secondary pores via feldspar dissolution. Large-scale feldspar secondary pores identified in deep reservoirs include secondary pores formed at shallow-medium depths that are subsequently preserved into deep layers, as well as secondary pores formed at deep depths. Existing secondary pores in deeply buried reservoirs are the superposition of successively feldspar dissolution caused by different acids at different stages. The third aspect is a successive change in the feldspar alteration pathways and porosity enhancement/preservation effect. Open to semi-open diagenetic systems are developed from the Earth’s surface to the early diagenetic stage, and feldspar dissolution forms enhanced secondary pores. Nearly closed to closed diagenetic systems develop in the middle to late diagenetic stages, and feldspar dissolution forms redistributional secondary pores. The associated cementation causes compression resistance of the rock, which is favorable for the preservation of secondary pores in deep layers. These new insights extend the formation window of secondary pores in petroliferous basins from the traditional acid-oil generation window to a high-temperature gas generation window after hydrocarbon charging. The proposed model explains the genesis of deep-ultra deep high-quality reservoirs with low-permeability, medium-porosity and dominating feldspar secondary pores, which is significant for hydrocarbon exploration in deep to ultra-deep layers.

Shale oil enrichment evaluation and production law in Gulong Sag,Songliao Basin,NE China

Based on the results of drilling,tests and simulation experiments,the shales of the Cretaceous Qingshankou Formation in the Gulong Sag of the Songliao Basin are discussed with respect to hydrocarbon generation evolution,shale oil occurrence,and pore/fracture evolution mechanism.In conjunction with a substantial amount of oil testing and production data,the Gulong shale oil enrichment layers are evaluated and the production behaviors and decline law are analyzed.The results are drawn in four aspects.First,the Gulong shales are in the stage of extensive hydrocarbon expulsion when R_(0) is 1.0%-1.2%,with the peak hydrocarbon expulsion efficiency of 49.5%approximately.In the low-medium maturity stage,shale oil migrates from kerogen to rocks and organic pores/fractures.In the medium-high maturity stage,shale oil transforms from adsorbed state to free state.Second,the clay mineral intergranular pores/fractures,dissolution pores,and organic pores make up the majority of the pore structure.During the transformation,clay minerals undergo significant intergranular pore/fracture development between the minerals such as illite and illite/smectite mixed layer.A network of pores/fractures is formed by organic matter cracking.Third,free hydrocarbon content,effective porosity,total porosity,and brittle mineral content are the core indicators for the evaluation of shale oil enrichment layers.Class-I layers are defined as free hydrocarbon content equal or greater than 6.0 mg/g,effective porosity equal or greater than 3.5%,total porosity equal or greater than 8.0%,and brittle mineral content equal or greater than 50%.It is believed that the favourable oil layers are Q2-Q3 and Q8-Q9.Fourth,the horizontal wells in the core area of the light oil zone exhibit a high cumulative production in the first year,and present a hyperbolic production decline pattern,with the decline index of 0.85-0.95,the first-year decline rate of 14.5%-26.5%,and the single-well estimated ultimate recovery(EUR)greater than 2.0×10^(4)t.In practical exploration and production,more efforts will be devoted to the clarification of hydrocarbon generation and expulsion mechanisms,accurate testing of porosity and hydrocarbon content/phase of shale under formation conditions,precise delineation of the boundary of enrichment area,relationship between mechanical properties and stimulated reservoir volume,and enhanced oil recovery,in order to improve the EUR and achieve a large-scale,efficient development of shale oil.

Fractal characteristic of microscopic pore structure of tight sandstone reservoirs in Kalpintag Formation in Shuntuoguole area,Tarim Basin

Using the fractal geometry method,the microscopic pore structures of tight sandstone reservoirs in Kalpintag Formation of Shuntuoguole area in Tarim Basin were conducted fractal characterization on the base of test analysis data such as physical property,cast thin section,scanning electron microscope and mercury injection,and the genetic mechanism of pore structure heterogeneity was investigated.The storage spaces are dominated by intergranular dissolved pore,intragranular dissolved pore and residual intergranular pore,and the throat type consists of the necking throat,lamellar throat,curved lamellar throat and tube-shaped throat.The microscopic structure type includes Type Ⅰ(fractal dimension≤2.350),Type Ⅱ(2.350<fractal dimension<2.580),Type Ⅲ(fractal dimension>2.580)and fracture type.The most favorable reservoirs with Type-Ⅰ microscopic pore structure are mainly distributed in the Upper Member of Kalpintag Formation,while the reservoirs with Type-Ⅱ and Type-Ⅲ microscopic pore structures are mainly in the Lower Member of Kalpintag Formation.The sedimentation controls the heterogeneity of microscopic pore structure,and the differences on composition and particle size of sandstone lead to differentiation of microscopic pore structures.The Lower Member of the Kalpintag Formation experiences stronger compaction and cementation but weaker dissolution than the Upper Member of the Kalpingtag Formation,and thus the microscopic pore structure of Upper Member of the Kalpintag Formation is significantly worse that of the Lower Member o the Kalpingtag Formation.The Upper Member of the Kalpintag Formation with high content of brittle mineral develops microscopic fractures due to tectonic rupture,thus the permeability is improved and the heterogeneity of microscopic pore structures is enhanced;but the Lower Member of Kalpintag Formation is characterized by attrition crushing of particles and strong compaction.

Visualization of perforin/gasdermin/complement-formed pores in real cell membranes using atomic force microscopy

Different types of pores ubiquitously form in cell membranes,leading to various types of cell death that profoundly influence the fate of inflammation and the disease status.However,these pores have never truly been visualized to date.Atomic force microscopy(AFM),which is emerging as a powerful tool to analyze the mechanical properties of biomolecules and cells,is actually an excellent imaging platform that allows biological samples to be visualized by probing surface roughness at the level of atomic resolution.Here,membrane pore structures were clearly visualized using AFM.This visualization not only describes the aperture and depth of the pore complexes but also highlights differences among the pores formed by perforin and gasdermins in tumor cell membranes and by complement in immune cell membranes.Additionally,this type of visualization also reveals the dynamic process of pore formation,fusion,and repair.

A mini-review of MXene porous films:Preparation,mechanism and application

MXene presents excellent electrical conductivity,abundant surface functional groups and wonderful filmforming performance,but the lamellar layers are prone to self-stacking during film formation,which will reduce the loss of electromagnetic waves,hinder ion transmission,and limit the effective load of other functional materials.The construction of the porous structure can effectively solve the self-stacking problem of MXene sheets.This article reviews the research progress of MXene porous films for electromagnetic interference(EMI)shielding,lithium/sodium ion batteries,pseudocapacitors,and biomedical science applications.It focuses on the preparation methods of MXene porous films,and discusses the pore-forming mechanism of the porous structure formed by different preparation methods and the internal relationship between the“microstructure-macroscopic performance”of the MXene porous films,points out the key scientific and technical bottlenecks that need to be solved urgently in the preparation and application of the MXene porous films.It is hoped to provide certain guidance for the design,preparation,optimization,industrial application,and development of MXene porous films.

Preparation and properties of SiC honeycomb ceramics by pressureless sintering technology

SiC honeycomb ceramics with parallel channels and macroporous walls were prepared by combining extrusion molding with pressureless sintering technology in the presence of starch.The extrusion molding constructed honeycomb structure with parallel channels,while the starch formed spherical macropores on the channel walls.The density and bending strength of SiC honeycomb ceramics decreased with the increase of starch content,while the phase compositions did not vary with the starch content.The control in starch addition could adjust the pore structures on the channel walls of SiC honeycomb ceramics.

Applications of atomic force microscopy in immunology

Cellular mechanics,a major regulating factor of cellular architecture and biological functions,responds to intrinsic stresses and extrinsic forces exerted by other cells and the extracellular matrix in the microenvironment.Cellular mechanics also acts as a fundamental mediator in complicated immune responses,such as cell migration,immune cell activation,and pathogen clearance.The principle of atomic force microscopy(AFM)and its three running modes are introduced for the mechanical characterization of living cells.The peak force tapping mode provides the most delicate and desirable virtues to collect high-resolution images of morphology and force curves.For a concrete description of AFM capabilities,three AFM applications are discussed.These applications include the dynamic progress of a neutrophil-extracellular-trap release by neutrophils,the immunological functions of macrophages,and the membrane pore formation mediated by perforin,streptolysin O,gasdermin D,or membrane attack complex.