Stability Performance of Buckling-Restrained Brace with Brace Joints

The stability and ductility of four buckling-restrained braces (BRBs) with brace joints were studied. The load-carrying element of BRB was fabricated with steel (Chinese Q235), and a layer of colloidal silica sheet (0.5 mm in thickness) or four layers of plastic film (0.2 mm in thickness) were used as unbonding materials to provide space to prevent the buckling of inner core in higher modes and facilitate its lateral expansion in case of compression. Based on the equation of BRBs with brace joints of different restrained stiffnesses, the buckling load is calculated considering the initial geometric imperfections and residual stress, and the theoretical values agree well with the experiment results. It is concluded that the buckling load and ductility of BRBs are influenced greatly by the restrained stiffness of brace joints. If the restrained stiffness is deficient, the unstrained segment of BRBs with less stiffness will buckle firstly. As a result, the ultimate load of BRBs decreases, and the maximum compression load is reduced to about 65% of the maximum tension load; the stiffness also degenerates, and there is a long decreasing stage on the back-bone curve in compression phase; the ductility decreases, i.e., the ultimate tension ductility and ultimate compression ductility are approximately 15 and 1.3 respectively, and the cumulative plastic ductility is only approximately 200. If the restrained stiffness of joint is large enough, the stability will be improved as follows: the yielding strength and ultimate strength of BRBs are nearly the same, and there is an obvious strain intensification in both tension and compression phases; the ductility of brace also increases obviously, i.e., the ultimate tension ductility and ultimate compression ductility are both approximately 14, and the cumulative plastic ductility reaches 782.

Stability and performance analysis of a jump linear control system subject to digital upsets

This paper focuses on the methodology analysis for the stability and the corresponding tracking performance of a closed-loop digital jump linear control system with a stochastic switching signal. The method is applied to a flight control system. A distributed recoverable platform is implemented on the flight control system and subject to independent digital upsets. The upset processes are used to stimulate electromagnetic environments. Specifically, the paper presents the scenarios that the upset process is directly injected into the distributed flight control system, which is modeled by independent Markov upset processes and independent and identically distributed （IID） processes. A theoretical performance analysis and simulation modelling are both presented in detail for a more complete independent digital upset injection. The specific examples are proposed to verify the methodology of tracking performance analysis. The general analyses for different configurations are also proposed. Comparisons among different configurations are conducted to demonstrate the availability and the characteristics of the design.

Performance and Stability of Polymer Solar Cells Based on the Blends of Poly(3-Hexylthiophene) and Indene-C_(60) Bis-Adduct

The performance and morphology stability of polymer bulk heterojunetion solar cells based on poly（3-hexylthiophene） （P3HT） as the donor and indene-C6o bisadduct （ICBA） or methanofullerene [6,6]-phenyl C61-butyric acid methyl ester （PCBM） as the aeceptor are compared. Effect of the different donor and aeeeptor weight ratios on photo- voltaic performance of the P3HT：ICBA device is studied. The optimal device achieved power conversion emeiency of 5.51~o with dso of l0.86mA/cm2, Voc of 0.83 V, and fill factor （FF） of 61.1 % under AM 1.5G （lOOmW/cm2） simulated solar illumination. However, the stability measurement shows that cells based on P3HT：ICBA are less stable than those of the device based on P3HT：PCBM. Atomic force microscope results reveal that the morphol- ogy of the P3HT：ICBA film changed considerably during the storage periods due to unstable interpenetrating D-A network. This observation can be explained by the fact that there is lack of intermolecular hydrogen bonds in the P3HT：ICBA system. However, in the P3HT：PCBM system the molecules in the blend film are firmly held together in the solid state by means of intermoleeular hydrogen bonds originating from C-H. ~. Os bonds （where Os comes from the singly-bonded 0 atom of PCBM）, forming a stable three-dimensional network. The measured PL decay lifetimes for P3HT：PCBM and P3HT：ICBA systems are 33.66 ns and 35.34 ns, respectively, indicating that the P3HT：ICBA system has a less efficient exciton separation eftleiency than that of P3HT：PCBM, which may result in the interracial photogenerated charges accumulated on the D： A interface. Such progressive phase segregation between P3HT and ICBA eventually leads to the degradation in performance and deteriorates the stability of the device. We also present an approach to enhance the stability of P3HT：ICBA systems by adding PCBM as the second acceptor. Our results show that by carefully tuning the contents of PCBM as the second acceptor, more stable polymer solar cells can be obtained.

Numerical Analysis of Static Performance Comparison of Friction Stir Welded versus Riveted 2024-T3 Aluminum Alloy Stiffened Panels

Most researches on the static performance of stiffened panel joined by friction stir welding（FSW） mainly focus on the compression stability rather than shear stability. To evaluate the potential of FSW as a replacement for traditional rivet fastening for stiffened panel assembly in aviation application, finite element method（FEM） is applied to compare compression and shear stability performances of FSW stiffened panels with stability performances of riveted stiffened panels. FEMs of 2024-T3 aluminum alloy FSW and riveted stiffened panels are developed and nonlinear static analysis method is applied to obtain buckling pattern, buckling load and load carrying capability of each panel model. The accuracy of each FEM of FSW stiffened panel is evaluated by stability experiment of FSW stiffened panel specimens with identical geometry and boundary condition and the accuracy of each FEM of riveted stiffened panel is evaluated by semi-empirical calculation formulas. It is found that FEMs without considering weld-induced initial imperfections notably overestimate the static strengths of FSW stiffened panels. FEM results show that, buckling patterns of both FSW and riveted compression stiffened panels represent local buckling of plate between stiffeners. The initial buckling waves of FSW stiffened panel emerge uniformly in each plate between stiffeners while those of riveted panel mainly emerge in the mid-plate. Buckling patterns of both FSW and riveted shear stiffened panels represent local buckling of plate close to the loading corner. FEM results indicate that, shear buckling of FSW stiffened panel is less sensitive to the initial imperfections than compression buckling. Load carrying capability of FSW stiffened panel is less sensitive to the initial imperfections than initial buckling. It can be concluded that buckling loads of FSW panels are a bit lower than those of riveted panels whereas carrying capabilities of FSW panels are almost equivalent to those of riveted panels with identical geometries. Finite element method for simulating static performances of FSW and riveted stiffened panels is proposed and evaluated and some beneficial conclusions are obtained, which offer useful references for analysis and application of FSW to replace rivet fastening in aviation stiffened panel assembly.

Hole‑Transport Management Enables 23%‑Efficient and Stable Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells with 84%Fill Factor

NiO_(x)-based inverted perovskite solar cells(PSCs)havepresented great potential toward low-cost,highly efficient and stablenext-generation photovoltaics.However,the presence of energy-levelmismatch and contact-interface defects between hole-selective contacts(HSCs)and perovskite-active layer(PAL)still limits device efficiencyimprovement.Here,we report a graded configuration based on bothinterface-cascaded structures and p-type molecule-doped compositeswith two-/three-dimensional formamidinium-based triple-halideperovskites.We find that the interface defects-induced non-radiativerecombination presented at HSCs/PAL interfaces is remarkably suppressedbecause of efficient hole extraction and transport.Moreover,astrong chemical interaction,halogen bonding and coordination bondingare found in the molecule-doped perovskite composites,whichsignificantly suppress the formation of halide vacancy and parasitic metallic lead.As a result,NiO_(x)-based inverted PSCs present a power-conversion-efficiency over 23%with a high fill factor of 0.84 and open-circuit voltage of 1.162 V,which are comparable to the best reported around 1.56-electron volt bandgap perovskites.Furthermore,devices with encapsulation present high operational stability over 1,200 h during T_(90) lifetime measurement(the time as a function of PCE decreases to 90%of its initial value)under 1-sun illumination in ambient-air conditions.

3D core-shell nanofibers framework and functional ceramic nanoparticles synergistically reinforced composite polymer electrolytes for high-performance all-solid-state lithium metal battery

Satisfactory ionic conductivity,excellent mechanical stability,and high-temperature resistance are the prerequisites for the safe application of solid polymer electrolytes(SPEs)in all-solid-state lithium metal batteries(ASSLMBs).In this study,a novel poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide)(PMIA)-core/poly(ethylene oxide)(PEO)-shell nanofiber membrane and the functional Li_(6.4)La_(3)Zr_(1.4)Ta_(0.6)O_(12)(LLZTO)ceramic nanopar-ticle are simultaneously introduced into the PEO-based SPEs to prepare composite polymer electrolytes(CPEs).The core PMIA layer of composite nanofibers can greatly improve the mechanical strength and thermal stability of the CPEs,while the shell PEO layer can provide the 3D continuous transport channels for lithium ions.In addition,the introduction of functional LLZTO nanoparticle not only reduces the crys-tallinity of PEO,but also promotes the dissociation of lithium salts and releases more Li^(+)ions through its interaction with the Lewis acid-base of anions,thereby overall improving the transport of lithium ions.Consequently,the optimized CPEs present high ionic conductivity of 1.38×10^(−4)S/cm at 30℃,signifi-cantly improved mechanical strength(8.5 MPa),remarkable thermal stability(without obvious shrinkage at 150℃),and conspicuous Li dendrites blocking ability(>1800 h).The CPEs also both have good com-patibility and cyclic stability with LiFePO_(4)(>2000 cycles)and high-voltage LiNi_(0.8)Mn_(0.1)Co_(0.1)O_(2)(NMC811)(>500 cycles)cathodes.In addition,even at low temperature(40℃),the assembled LiFePO4/CPEs/Li bat-tery still can cycle stably.The novel design can provide an effective way to exploit high-performance solid-state electrolytes.

A Mini Review: Can Graphene Be a Novel Material for Perovskite Solar Cell Applications?

Perovskite solar cells(PSCs) have raised research interest in scientific community because their power conversion efficiency is comparable to that of traditional commercial solar cells(i.e., amorphous Si, GaAs,and CdTe). Apart from that, PSCs are lightweight, are flexible, and have low production costs. Recently, graphene has been used as a novel material for PSC applications due to its excellent optical, electrical, and mechanical properties. The hydrophobic nature of graphene surface can provide protection against air moisture from the surrounding medium, which can improve the lifetime of devices. Herein, we review recent developments in the use of graphene for PSC applications as a conductive electrode,carrier transporting material, and stabilizer material. By exploring the application of graphene in PSCs, a new class of strategies can be developed to improve the device performance and stability before it can be commercialized in the photovoltaic market in the near future.

A novel AH-D-A-type phase junction material to improve photovoltaic performance and device stability in fullerene OSCs

In order to boost power conversion efficiency(PCE) and operation stability of organic solar cells(OSCs),we propose a new idea of phase junction materials(PJMs) used as a photoactive layer component to improve device performance and stability.For this purpose,a novel PJM of H-TRC8 based on rhodanine unit was designed with a conjugated AH-D-A framework.Here,AH is a hydrogen-donating electron acceptor unit,D-A is an electron donor-acceptor unit.It is found that H-TRC8 has a good carriertransporting ability,as well as definite hydrogen-bond and D-A interaction with donor/acceptor materials.While H-TRC8 is added into the PBDB-T/PC60BM blend film with 1.0 vol% DIO(1,8-diiodooctane),the resulting blend film exhibited an enhanced absorption and improved morphology.The intermolecular hydrogen bond between H-TRC8 and PBDB-T plays an important role for them,which is confirmed via FT-IR spectra and 2D 1H NMR.As a result,the PBDB-T/PC60BM-based devices with 1.25 wt%H-TRC8 and 1.0 vol% DIO exhibit a significantly improved PCE of 8.06%,which is increased by 20.6% in comparison to that in the binary devices with 1.0 vol% DIO only(PCE=6.68%).Furthermore,the device stability is significantly enhanced with only 43% PCE roll-off at 150℃ for 120 h.This work indicates that AH-D-A-type PJMs are promising photovoltaic materials used as photoactive-layer components to achieve high-performance fullerene OSCs with high device stability.

Photocrosslinkable Polynorbornene-based Block Copolymers with Enhanced Dielectric and Thermal Properties

Block copolymers poly（endo-N-3,5-bis（trifluoromethyl）biphenyl-norbornene-pyrrolidine）-block-poly（exo-N-（cinnamoyloxyethyl）-7-oxanorborn-5-ene-2,3-dicarboximide）（endo-PTNP-b-exo-PCONBI） and poly（exo-N-3,5-bis（trifluoromethyl）biphenyl-norbornene-pyrrolidine）-block-poly（exo-N-（cinnamoyloxyethyl）-7-oxanorborn-5-ene-2,3-dicarboximide）（exo-PTNP-b-exo-PCONBI） were synthesized by ring-opening metathesis polymerization. The endo- or exoPTNP served as the high dielectric functional chain, and exo-PCONBI acted as the crosslinking segment. The endo-PTNPb-exo-PCONBI, in which endo-PTNP has a high content of trans double bond and adopts isotactic configuration, shows a dielectric constant（？） of 15.5, whereas exo-PTNP-b-exo-PCONBI, in which exo-PTNP has 67% trans double bonds and atactic microstructure, displays relatively low ？ of 7.1. The cinnamate groups in exo-PCONBI were crosslinked to form three-dimensional network by cycloaddition reaction under UV irradiation. Exposed to UV-light for 10 min, the cinnamate group in polymer films has a crosslinking conversion of 36%, as determined by UV-Vis absorption measurements. By photocrosslinking, the polymer film has an increased ？ of 16.6, a dielectric loss of 0.03, an elevated glass-transition temperature of 137 ？C, and an enhanced decomposition temperature of 405 ？C, compared to those of polymer films without irradiation.