Thermomechanical coupling simulation and experimental study in the isothermal ECAP processing of Ti-6Al-4V alloy

The thermomechanical coupling simulation of the isothermal equal channel angular pressing（ECAP） of Ti-6Al-4V alloy was conducted.The effect of processing parameters,ECAP pass number and the residual billet on the effective strain,stress and temperature distribution was investigated.Based on the coupling simulation results,it is found that the shear factor,ram speed,deformation temperature,channel intersection angle and residual billet significantly affect the ECAP deformation behaviors.Meanwhile,the experimental study of the isothermal ECAP process of Ti-6Al-4V alloy using route C,in which the repeated rotation angle around the longitudinal billet axis before reinsertion in the die was 180°,were conducted at a deformation temperature of 750°C,a ram speed of 0.3 mm·s-1,an outer arc of curvature of 60° and a channel intersection angle of 120°.Furthermore,a large amount of recrystallization occurs and some prior α phase grains grow in the post-ECAP process of Ti-6Al-4V alloy.The yield strength of post-ECAP Ti-6Al-4V alloy increases compared with that of as-received Ti-6Al-4V alloy.

Assessment of COVID-19 aerosol transmission in a university campus food environment using a numerical method

With the prevalence of COVID-19,the phenomenon of viruses spreading through aerosols has become a focus of attention.Diners in university dining halls have a high risk of exposure to respiratory droplets from others without the protection of face masks,which greatly increases the risk of COVID-19 transmission.Therefore,the transmission mechanism of respiratory droplets in extremely crowded dining environments should be investigated.In this study,a numerical simulation of coughing at dining tables under two conditions was performed,namely the presence and absence of protective partitions,and the evaporation and condensation of aerosol droplets in the air were examined.By using the numerical method,we analyzed and verified the isolation effect of dining table partitions in the propagation of aerosol droplets.The effect of changes in room temperature on the diffusion of coughed aerosols when partitions were present was analyzed.We demonstrated how respiratory droplets spread through coughing and how these droplets affect others.Finally,we proposed a design for a dining table partition that minimizes the transmission of COVID-19.

Effect of ball milling time on microstructure and properties of Laves phase NbCr_2 alloys synthesized by hot pressing

Laves phase NbCr2 alloys with a composition of Nb-66.7Cr (molar fraction, %) were prepared by mechanical alloying and hot pressing. The microstructures and properties of the Laves phase NbCr2 alloys, prepared from elemental niobium and chromium powders under various ball milling time by hot pressing at 1 250 ℃ for 0.5 h, were investigated. The results indicate that if the ball milling time is longer than 40 h, the synthesizing reaction of Laves phase NbCr2 can be accomplished much sufficiently. Then the nearly full-dense Laves phase NbCr2 alloys can be prepared by hot pressing from ball milled powders with more than 40 h. The hot pressing sample with homogeneous and fine microstructure made from 40 h ball milled powders has the optimum microstructure and properties. It has a relative density of 98.1%, Vickers hardness of 11.4 GPa, compress strength of 1 981 MPa and fracture toughness of 4.82 MPa·m1/2. The effect of fine grain toughening is fully realized.

Asymmetry of the water flux induced by the deformation of a nanotube

The behavior of nano-confined water is expected to be fundamentally different from the behavior of bulk water.At the nanoscale,it is still unclear whether water flows more easily along the convergent direction or the divergent one,and whether a hourglass shape is more convenient than a funnel shape for water molecules to pass through a nanotube.Here,we present an approach to explore these questions by changing the deformation position of a carbon nanotube.The results of our molecular dynamics simulation indicate that the water flux through the nanotube changes significantly when the deformation position moves away from the middle region of the tube.Different from the macroscopic level,we find water flux asymmetry（water flows more easily along the convergent direction than along the divergent one）,which plays a key role in a nano water pump driven by a ratchet-like mechanism.We explore the mechanism and calculate the water flux by means of the Fokker-Planck equation and find that our theoretical results are well consistent with the simulation results.Furthermore,the simulation results demonstrate that the effect of deformation location on the water flux will be reduced when the diameter of the nanochannel increases.These findings are helpful for devising water transporters or filters based on carbon nanotubes and understanding the molecular mechanism of biological channels.

A study on wrinkling characteristics and dynamic mechanical behavior of membrane

An eigenvalue method considering the membrane vibration of wrinkling out-of-plane deformation is introduced, and the stress distributing rule in membrane wrinkled area is analyzed. A dynamic analytical model of rectangular shear wrinkled membrane and its numerical analysis approach are also developed. Results indicate that the stress in wrinkled area is not uniform, i.e. it is larger in wrinkling wave peaks along wrinkles and two ends of wrinkle in vertical direction. Vibration modes of wrinkled membrane are strongly correlated with the wrinkling configurations. The rigidity is larger due to the heavier stress in the part of wrinkling wave peaks. Therefore, wave peaks are always located at the node lines of vibration mode. The vibration frequency obviously increases with the vibration of wave peaks.

Kinematic-mapping-model-guided analysis and optimization of 2-PSS&1-RR circular-rail parallel mechanism for fully steerable phased array antennas

This paper presents a systematic methodology for analyzing and optimizing an innovative antenna mount designed for phased array antennas, implemented through a novel 2-PSS&1-RR circular-rail parallel mechanism. Initially, a comparative motion analysis between the 3D model of the mount and its full-scale prototype is conducted to validate effectiveness. Given the inherent complexity, a kinematic mapping model is established between the mount and the crank-slider linkage, providing a guiding framework for subsequent analysis and optimization. Guided by this model, feasible inverse and forward solutions are derived, enabling precise identification of stiffness singularities. The concept of singularity distance is thus introduced to reflect the structural stiffness of the mount. Subsequently, also guided by the mapping model, a heuristic algorithm incorporating two backtracking procedures is developed to reduce the mount's mass. Additionally, a parametric finite-element model is employed to explore the relation between singularity distance and structural stiffness. The results indicate a significant reduction(about 16%) in the antenna mount's mass through the developed algorithm, while highlighting the singularity distance as an effective stiffness indicator for this type of antenna mount.

Corrigendum to“Toward stable and highly reversible zinc anodes for aqueous batteries via electrolyte engineering”[J.Energy Chem.83(2023)209–228]

It is regretful that the Acknowledgments part was lost in the final process of publication.The Acknowledgments part should be added as follow.The work described in this paper was supported by the grants from the Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region,China(Project No.16205721).

Lattice Boltzmann Simulation of the Cross Flow Over a Cantilevered and Longitudinally Vibrating Circular Cylinder

The multiple-relaxation-time lattice Boltzmann method （MRT-LBM） is implemented to numerically simulate the cross flow over a longitudinal vibrating circular cylinder. This research is carried out on a three-dimensional （3D） finite cantilevered cylinder to investigate the effect of forced vibration on the wake characteristics and the 3D effect of a cantilevered cylinder. To meet the accuracy of this method, the present calculation is carried out at a low Reynolds number Re =100, as well as to make the vibration obvious, we make the vibration strong enough. The calculation results indicate that the vibration has significant influence on the wake characteristics. When the vibrating is big enough, our early works show that the 2D vortex shedding would be locked up by vibration. Contrarily, this phenomenon would not appear in the present 3D case because of the end effect of the cantilevered cylinder.

Catalyst–Support Interaction in Polyaniline‑Supported Ni_(3)Fe Oxide to Boost Oxygen Evolution Activities for Rechargeable Zn‑Air Batteries

Catalyst–support interaction plays a crucial role in improving the catalytic activity of oxygen evolution reaction(OER).Here we modulate the catalyst–support interaction in polyaniline-supported Ni_(3)Fe oxide(Ni_(3)Fe oxide/PANI)with a robust hetero-interface,which significantly improves oxygen evolution activities with an overpotential of 270 mV at 10 mA cm^(-2)and specific activity of 2.08 mA cm_(ECSA)^(-2)at overpotential of 300 mV,3.84-fold that of Ni_(3)Fe oxide.It is revealed that the catalyst–support interaction between Ni_(3)Fe oxide and PANI support enhances the Ni–O covalency via the interfacial Ni–N bond,thus promoting the charge and mass transfer on Ni_(3)Fe oxide.Considering the excellent activity and stability,rechargeable Zn-air batteries with optimum Ni_(3)Fe oxide/PANI are assembled,delivering a low charge voltage of 1.95 V to cycle for 400 h at 10 mA cm^(-2).The regulation of the effect of catalyst–support interaction on catalytic activity provides new possibilities for the future design of highly efficient OER catalysts.

Large eddy simulation of a planar jet flow with nanoparticle coagulation

Coagulation and growth of nanoparticles subject to large coherent structures in a planar jet has been explored by using large eddy simulation. The particle field is obtained by employing a moment method to approximate the nanoparticle general dynamic equa- tion. An incompressible fluid containing particles of 1 nm in diameter is projected into a particle-free ambient. The results show that the coherent structures dominate the evolution of the nanoparticle number intensity, diameter and polydispersity distributions as the jet develops. In addition, the coherent structures act to increase the diffusion of particles, and the vortex rolling-up makes the particles distributing more irregularly while the vortex pairing causes particle distributions to become uniform. As the jet travels downstream, the time-averaged particle number concentration becomes lower in the jet core and higher in the outskirts, whereas the time- averaged particle mass over the entire flow field maintains unaltered, and the time-averaged particle diameter and geometric standard deviations grow and reach their maximum on the interface of the jet region and the ambient.

Status and prospect of garnet/polymer solid composite electrolytes for all-solid-state lithium batteries

Solid polymer electrolytes(SPEs), such as polyethylene oxide(PEO), are characteristic of good flexibility and excellent processability, but they suffer from low ionic conductivity and small Li+transference number at ambient temperature. Inorganic solid electrolytes(ISEs), garnet-type Li7La3Zr2O12 and its derivatives(LLZO-based) in particular, possess high ionic conductivity at room temperature, wide electrochemical stability window, large Li+transference number as well as good stability against Li metal anode.Nevertheless, lithium dendrites growth, interfacial contact issue and brittle nature of LLZO-based ceramic electrolytes prevent their practical applications. In response to these shortcomings, LLZO-based/polymer solid composite electrolytes(SCEs), taking complementary advantages of two kinds of electrolytes, and thus simultaneously improving the electrode wettability, ionic conductivity and mechanical strength, have been made to develop high-performance SCEs in recent years. Herein, the intrinsic properties and research progress of LLZO-based/polymer SCEs, including LLZO-based/PEO SCEs(LLZO-based/PEO SCEs with uniform dispersion of LLZO-based fillers and LLZO-based/PEO layered SCEs) and LLZO-based/novel polymers SCEs, are summarized. Besides, comprehensive updates on their applications in solid-state batteries are also presented. Finally, challenges and perspectives of LLZO-based/polymer SCEs for advanced allsolid-state lithium batteries(ASSLBs) are suggested. This review paper aims to provide systematic research progress of LLZO-based/polymer SCEs, to allow for more efficient and target-oriented research on improving LLZO-based/polymer SCEs.

Adaptive Robust Motion Trajectory Tracking Control of Pneumatic Cylinders with LuGre Model-based Friction Compensation

Friction compensation is particularly important for motion trajectory tracking control of pneumatic cylinders at low speed movement. However, most of the existing model-based friction compensation schemes use simple classical models, which are not enough to address applications with high-accuracy position requirements. Furthermore, the friction force in the cylinder is time-varying, and there exist rather severe unmodelled dynamics and unknown disturbances in the pneumatic system. To deal with these problems effectively, an adaptive robust controller with LuGre model-based dynamic friction compensation is constructed. The proposed controller employs on-line recursive least squares estimation（RLSE） to reduce the extent of parametric uncertainties, and utilizes the sliding mode control method to attenuate the effects of parameter estimation errors, unmodelled dynamics and disturbances. In addition, in order to realize LuGre model-based friction compensation, the modified dual-observer structure for estimating immeasurable friction internal state is developed. Therefore, a prescribed motion tracking transient performance and final tracking accuracy can be guaranteed. Since the system model uncertainties are unmatched, the recursive backstepping design technology is applied. In order to solve the conflicts between the sliding mode control design and the adaptive control design, the projection mapping is used to condition the RLSE algorithm so that the parameter estimates are kept within a known bounded convex set. Finally, the proposed controller is tested for tracking sinusoidal trajectories and smooth square trajectory under different loads and sudden disturbance. The testing results demonstrate that the achievable performance of the proposed controller is excellent and is much better than most other studies in literature. Especially when a 0.5 Hz sinusoidal trajectory is tracked, the maximum tracking error is 0.96 mm and the average tracking error is 0.45 mm. This paper constructs an adaptive robust controller which can compensate the friction force in the cylinder.

INTERFACIAL DEBONDING OF COATED-FIBER-REINFORCED COMPOSITES UNDER TENSION-TENSION CYCLIC LOADING

A new degradation function of the friction coefficient is used.Based on the double shear-lag model and Paris formula,the interracial damage of coated- fiber-reinforced composites under tension-tension cyclic loading is studied.The effects of strength and thickness of the coating materials on the debond stress,debond rate as well as debond length are simulated.

Adaptive robust motion trajectory tracking control of pneumatic cylinders

High-accuracy motion trajectory tracking control of a pneumatic cylinder driven by a proportional directional control valve was considered. A mathematical model of the system was developed firstly. Due to the time-varying friction force in the cylinder, unmodeled dynamics, and unknown disturbances, there exist large extent of parametric uncertainties and rather severe uncertain nonlinearities in the pneumatic system. To deal with these uncertainties effectively, an adaptive robust controller was constructed in this work. The proposed controller employs on-line recursive least squares estimation(RLSE) to reduce the extent of parametric uncertainties, and utilizes the sliding mode control method to attenuate the effects of parameter estimation errors, unmodeled dynamics and disturbances. Therefore, a prescribed motion tracking transient performance and final tracking accuracy can be guaranteed. Since the system model uncertainties are unmatched, the recursive backstepping design technology was applied. In order to solve the conflicts between the sliding mode control design and the adaptive control design, the projection mapping was used to condition the RLSE algorithm so that the parameter estimates are kept within a known bounded convex set. Extensive experimental results were presented to illustrate the excellent achievable performance of the proposed controller and performance robustness to the load variation and sudden disturbance.

Diverse Structural Design Strategies of MXene‑Based Macrostructure for High‑Performance Electromagnetic Interference Shielding

There is an urgent demand for flexible,lightweight,mechanically robust,excellent electromagnetic interference(EMI)shielding materials.Two-dimensional(2D)transition metal carbides/nitrides(MXenes)have been potential candidates for the construction of excellent EMI shielding materials due to their great electrical electroconductibility,favorable mechanical nature such as flexibility,large aspect ratios,and simple processability in aqueous media.The applicability of MXenes for EMI shielding has been intensively explored;thus,reviewing the relevant research is beneficial for advancing the design of high-performance MXene-based EMI shields.Herein,recent progress in MXene-based macrostructure development is reviewed,including the associated EMI shielding mechanisms.In particular,various structural design strategies for MXene-based EMI shielding materials are highlighted and explored.In the end,the difficulties and views for the future growth of MXene-based EMI shields are proposed.This review aims to drive the growth of high-performance MXene-based EMI shielding macrostructures on basis of rational structural design and the future high-efficiency utilization of MXene.

Wear and corrosion resistance of laser remelted and plasma sprayed Ni and Cr coatings on copper

Nickel and chromium coatings were produced on the copper sheet using plasma spraying and laser remelting. The sliding wear test was achieved on a block-on-ring tester and the corrosion test was carried out in an acidic atmosphere. The corrosive behaviors of both coatings and original copper samples were investigated by using an impedance comparison method. The experimental results show that the nickel and chromium coatings display better wear resistance and corrosion resistance relative to the original pure copper sample. The wear resistance of the coatings is 812 times as large as original samples, and the wear resistance of laser remelted samples is better than that of plasma sprayed ones. The corrosion resistance of laser remelted nickel and chromium samples is better than that of plasma sprayed samples respectively. The corrosion rate of chromium coatings is less than that of nickel coatings, and the laser remelted Cr coating exhibits the least corrosion rate.

The aerosol penetration through an electret fibrous filter

The aim of this paper is to present a theoretical study of the aerosol penetration through an electret fibrous filter, using a numerical approach. The aerosol sizes considered in this study were in the submicron range, and in the numerical model, the conventional mechanical mechanisms （impaction, interception, diffusion and gravitationally settling） were taken into consideration along with the electrostatic mechanisms, including the Coulombic and dielectrophoretic effects. The aerosol penetration through an electret fibrous filter is heavily dependent on the aerosol penetration of a single fibre. The aerosol penetration through a single electret fibre under various filtration conditions was calculated. The effects of aerosol diameter, aerosol and fibre charge state, face velocity, packing density and aerosol dielectric constant on the aerosol penetration were investigated.

Toward stable and highly reversible zinc anodes for aqueous batteries via electrolyte engineering

Featuring low cost, high abundance, low electrochemical potential, and large specific capacity, zinc(Zn)metal holds great potential as an anode material for next-generation rechargeable aqueous batteries.However, the poor reversibility resulting from dendrite formation and side reactions poses a major obstacle for its practical application. Electrolyte, which is regarded as the “blood” of batteries, has a direct impact on reaction kinetics, mass transport, and side reactions and thus plays a key role in determining the electrochemical performance of Zn electrodes. Therefore, considerable efforts have been devoted to modulating the electrolytes to improve the performance of Zn electrodes. Although significant progress has been made, achieving stable and highly reversible Zn electrodes remains a critical challenge. This review aims to provide a systematic summary and discussion on electrolyte strategies for highperformance aqueous Zn batteries. The(electro)-chemical behavior and fundamental challenges of Zn electrodes in aqueous electrolytes are first discussed. Electrolyte modulation strategies developed to address these issues are then classified and elaborated according to the underlying mechanisms.Finally, remaining challenges and promising future research directions on aqueous electrolyte engineering are highlighted. This review offers insights into the design of highly efficient electrolytes for new generation of rechargeable Zn batteries.

Nanoparticle Migration in a Fully Developed Turbulent Pipe Flow Considering the Particle Coagulation

Numerical simulations of nanoparticle migration in a fully developed turbulent pipe flow are performed.The evolution of particle number concentration,total particle mass,polydispersity,particle diameter and geometric standard deviation is obtained by using a moment method to approximate the particle general dynamic equation.The effects of Schmidt number and Damkhler number on the evolution of the particle parameters are analyzed.The results show that nanoparticles move to the pipe center.The particle number concentration and total particle mass are distributed non-uniformly along the radial direction.In an initially monodisperse particle field,the particle clusters with various sizes will be produced because of coagulation.As time progresses,the particle cluster diameter grows from an initial value at different rates depending on the radial position.The largest particle clusters are found in the pipe center.The particle cluster number concentration and total particle mass decrease with the increase of Schmidt number in the region near the pipe center,and the particles with lower Schmidt number are of many dif-ferent sizes,i.e.more polydispersity.The particle cluster diameter and geometric standard deviation increase with the increase of Damkhler number at the same radial position.The migration properties for nano-sized particles are different from that for micro-sized particles.

Numerical Simulation of Two-Dimensional Flow over Three Cylinders by Lattice Boltzmann Method

The numerical simulation using the multiple relaxation time lattice Boltzmann method （MRT-LBM） is carried out for the purpose of investigating the two-dimensional flow around three circular cylinders. Among these three circular cylinders, one of the three cylinders on which a forced in-line vibrating is used to do this research and attempt to find out the effects of the moving cylinder and the other two rigid cylinders on the wake characteristics and vortex formation. As a benchmark problem to discuss the problem of lift coefficient r.m.s for these cylinders with spacing ratios T/ D between other rigid side-by-side cylinders, and the calculation is carried out with two compared cases at Reynolds number of 100, two of the cylinders are rigid and the other one is an in-line vibrated cylinder lying downstream, in addition, forced vibrating amplitude and frequency are A/D = 0.5 and fv= 0.4 （where A is the forced amplitude, D is the cylinder diameter, and fv stands for the vibrating frequency, respectively）. The calculated results not only indicate that the spacing ratios T/D （T is the center-to-center spacing between the two upstream cylinders） have influence on the wake patterns and the formation of vortex shedding, but also analyze the lift coefficient r.m.s for the three cylinders with the spacing ratios S/D （where S is the center-to-center spacing between the center of upstream two side-by-side cylinders and downstream cylinder）.