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Abstract The advent of Industry 4.0 has significantly promoted the field of intelligent manufacturing, which is facilitated by the development of new technologies are emerging. Robot technology and robot intelligence methods have rapidly developed and been widely applied. Manipulators are widely used in industry, and their control is a crucial research topic. The inverse kinematics solution of manipulators is an important part of manipulator control, which calculates the joint angles required for the end effector to reach a desired position and posture. Traditional inverse kinematics solution algorithms often face the problem of insufficient generalization, and iterative methods have challenges such as large computation and long solution time. This paper proposes a reinforcement learning-based inverse kinematics solution algorithm, called the MAPPO-IK algorithm. The algorithm trains the manipulator agent using the MAPPO algorithm and calculates the difference between the end effector state of the manipulator and the target posture in real-time by designing a reward mechanism, while considering Gaussian distance and cosine distance. Through experimental comparative analysis, the feasibility, computational efficiency, and superiority of this reinforcement learning algorithm are verified. Compared with traditional inverse kinematics solution algorithms, this method has good generalization and supports real-time computation, and the obtained result is a unique solution. Reinforcement learning algorithms have better adaptability to complex environments and can handle different sudden situations in different environments. This algorithm also has the advantages of path planning, intelligent obstacle avoidance, and other advantages in dynamically processing complex environmental scenes.

The 3D printing method based on digital light processing (DLP) technology can transform liquid resin materials into complex 3D models. However, due to the limitations of digital micromirror device (DMD) specifications, the normal DLP 3D printing method (NDPM) cannot simultaneously process large-size and small-feature parts. Therefore, a scalable DLP 3D printing method (SDPM) was proposed. Different printing resolutions for a part were designed by changing the distance between the projector and the molding liquid level. A scalable DLP printer was built to realize the printing resolution requirements at different sizes. A series of experiments were performed. Firstly, the orthogonal experimental method was used, and the minimum and maximum projection distances were obtained as 20.5 cm and 30.5 cm, respectively. Accordingly, the layer thickness, exposure time, and waiting leveling time were 0.08 mm, 3 s, and 6 s and 0.08 mm, 7 s, and 10 s. Secondly, single-layer column feature printing was finished, which was shown to have two minimum printing resolutions of 101 μm and 157 μm at a projection distance of 20.5 cm and 30.5 cm. Thirdly, a shape accuracy test was conducted by using the SDPM. Compared with the NDPM, the shape accuracy of the small-feature round, diamond, and square parts was improved by 49%, 42%, and 2%, respectively. This study verified that the SDPM can build models with features demonstrating high local shape accuracy.

In this paper, hierarchical micro/nano structures composed of periodic microstructures, laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS), and nanoparticles were fabricated by femtosecond laser processing (LP). A layer of hydrophobic species was formed on the micro/nano structures through perfluorosilane modification (PM). The reflectivity and hydrophobicity’s influence mechanisms of structural height, duty cycle, and size are experimentally elucidated. The average reflectivity of the silicon surface in the visible light band is reduced to 3.0% under the optimal parameters, and the surface exhibits a large contact angle of 172.3 ± 0.8° and a low sliding angle of 4.2 ± 1.4°. Finally, the durability of the anti-reflection and superhydrophobicity is also confirmed. This study deepens our understanding of the principles of anti-reflection and superhydrophobicity and expands the design and preparation methods for self-cleaning and anti-reflective surfaces.

Polycrystalline ZnS is a typical infrared optical material. It is widely used in advanced optical systems due to its excellent optical properties. The machining accuracy of polycrystalline ZnS optical elements must satisfy the requirements of high-performance system development. However, the soft and brittle nature of the material poses a challenge for high-quality and efficient machining. In recent years, in situ laser-assisted diamond cutting has been proven to be an effective method for ultra-precision cutting of brittle materials. In this study, the mechanism of in situ laser-assisted cutting on ultra-precision cutting machinability enhancement of ZnS was investigated. Firstly, the physical properties of ZnS were characterized by high-temperature nanoindentation experiments. The result revealed an increase in ductile machinability of ZnS due to plastic deformation and a decrease in microhardness and Young’s modulus at high temperatures. It provided a fundamental theory for the ductile–brittle transition of ZnS. Subsequently, a series of diamond-cutting experiments were carried out to study the removal mechanism of ZnS during in situ laser-assisted cutting. It was found that the mass damage initiation depth groove generated by in situ laser-assisted cutting increased by 57.99% compared to the groove generated by ordinary cutting. It was found that micron-sized pits were suppressed under in situ laser-assisted cutting. The main damage form of HIP-ZnS was changed from flake spalling and pits to radial cleavage cracks. Additionally, the laser can suppress the removal mode difference of different grain crystallographic and ensure the ductile region processing. Finally, planning cutting experiments were carried out to verify that a smooth and uniform surface with Sa of 3.607 nm was achieved at a laser power of 20 W, which was 73.58% better than normal cutting. The main components of roughness were grain boundary steps and submicron pit. This study provides a promising method for ultra-precision cutting of ZnS.

This study was conducted to explore the effects of resveratrol on production performance of Chinese indigenous broilers. A total of 432 female broilers (1-day-old) with similar BW were selected and randomly allotted to 4 groups with 6 replicated of 18 birds each. These four groups were fed on a 0, 250, 500, or 1000 mg/kg resveratrol supplemented basic diet for 51 days. The results demonstrated that birds in the resveratrol treated groups exhibited higher final BW and ADG, and lower F/G ratio. The resveratrol treatments also resulted a higher breast and drumstick muscle rates, relative jejunum weight, relative jejunum length, and lower abdominal fat rate. The serum biochemical parameters were positively affected by each resveratrol treatment, including TP, GLB, TC, LDL, and ALP. The L*45min and shear force values of both breast and drumstick muscle tissues were significantly reduced in the resveratrol treatments, whilst resveratrol treatments induced higher a*45min in breast muscle tissue and lower b*45min in drumstick muscle tissue compared the basic diet treatment. In addition, dietary resveratrol supplementation significant reduced the MDA content and elevated the activity of anti-oxidative enzymes in serum and liver tissue, as well as up-regulated the mRNA expression of Nrf2 gene and antioxidant genes (HO-1, GPX, and CAT) in drumstick muscle tissues. Collectively, this study determined that dietary supplementation with 250 and 500 mg/kg resveratrol improved the growth performances, carcass characters, and meat quality of Chinese indigenous broiler chickens.

Elliptical vibration cutting (EVC) is a promising technique for the fabrication of micro-structures on brittle materials. In this work, the surface quality and material removal energy in ultra-precision machining of micro-structures on brittle materials by EVC were investigated. Theoretical models were first established for predicting subsurface damage and specific cutting energy (SCE) based on the intermittent material removal characteristics of EVC. The models correlated cutting parameters with the tool vibration trajectory parameters, target surface geometry parameters, and material removal modes. Furthermore, the material removal behaviors in the nominal cutting direction and the feeding direction were comprehensively considered. To verify the model, the experiments of EVC and ordinary cutting (OC) were performed on single crystal silicon, and the surface morphology and cutting force were characterized. The results indicated that, compared with OC, the maximum subsurface damage depth is reduced by 61.82% and the SCE stability value is reduced to 45.87% by applying EVC to fabricate micro-structures. EVC could significantly improve the machining quality and reduce energy consumption. In addition, increasing the vibration amplitude in the depth of cut direction could further save energy, but a larger amplitude would increase subsurface damage. This work not only promotes the recognition of the material removal mechanism of EVC, but also presents effective guidance for achieving high-quality and sustainable machining of micro-structured surfaces.

Commercial complexes integrate various business formats, and a fire outbreak can lead to widespread, continuous, and chain-reaction social disturbances, including severe casualties, economic losses, and social impacts. To deeply explore the characteristics and influencing factors of fire accidents in urban commercial complexes in China, this study first analyzed fire accident cases in commercial complexes that occurred from 2002 to 2022. Using mathematical statistics, the analysis examined the year and month of the accidents, their severity, and their causes to identify key risk factors associated with fire hazards in urban commercial complexes. Subsequently, based on the WSR methodology, an index system for assessing the influencing factors of fire accidents in commercial complexes was constructed, encompassing four aspects: personnel, equipment, environment, and management, including 11 cause indicators and 9 outcome indicators. Then, the Decision Experiment and Evaluation Laboratory Method (DEMATEL) was used to quantitatively analyze the relationships among influencing factors, combined with Interpretative Structural Modeling (ISM) to perform a hierarchical categorization of the factors and identify those critically influencing commercial complex fires. This research indicates that critical influencing factors include inadequate regulations, insufficient fire safety inspections, inadequate safety training, careless use of fire during operations, inadequate government supervision, illegal renovations, unimplemented corporate fire safety responsibilities, and poor routine maintenance and management. These results provide a theoretical reference for effectively preventing and controlling fires in commercial complexes.

Enzyme-based biosensors commonly utilize the drop-casting method for their surface modification. However, the drawbacks of this technique, such as low reproducibility, coffee ring effects, and challenges in mass production, hinder its application. To overcome these limitations, we propose a novel surface functionalization strategy of enzyme crosslinking via inkjet printing for reagentless enzyme-based biosensors. This method includes printing three functional layers onto a screen-printed electrode: the enzyme layer, crosslinking layer, and protective layer. Nanomaterials and substrates are preloaded together during our inkjet printing. Inkjet-printed electrodes feature a uniform enzyme deposition, ensuring high reproducibility and superior electrochemical performance compared to traditional drop-casted ones. The resultant biosensors display high sensitivity, as well as a broad linear response in the physiological range of the serum phosphate. This enzyme crosslinking method has the potential to extend into various enzyme-based biosensors through altering functional layer components.

In this paper, we proposed an efficient and high-precision process for fabricating large-area microlens arrays using thermal reflow combined with ICP etching. When the temperature rises above the glass transition temperature, the polymer cylinder will reflow into a smooth hemisphere due to the surface tension effect. The dimensional differences generated after reflow can be corrected using etching selectivity in the following ICP etching process, which transfers the microstructure on the photoresist to the substrate. The volume variation before and after reflow, as well as the effect of etching selectivity using process parameters, such as RF power and gas flow, were explored. Due to the surface tension effect and the simultaneous molding of all microlens units, machining a 3.84 × 3.84 mm2 silicon microlens array required only 3 min of reflow and 15 min of ICP etching with an extremely low average surface roughness Sa of 1.2 nm.

Difficult-to-machine materials (DMMs) are extensively applied in critical fields such as aviation, semiconductor, biomedicine, and other key fields due to their excellent material properties. However, traditional machining technologies often struggle to achieve ultra-precision with DMMs resulting from poor surface quality and low processing efficiency. In recent years, field-assisted machining (FAM) technology has emerged as a new generation of machining technology based on innovative principles such as laser heating, tool vibration, magnetic magnetization, and plasma modification, providing a new solution for improving the machinability of DMMs. This technology not only addresses these limitations of traditional machining methods, but also has become a hot topic of research in the domain of ultra-precision machining of DMMs. Many new methods and principles have been introduced and investigated one after another, yet few studies have presented a comprehensive analysis and summarization. To fill this gap and understand the development trend of FAM, this study provides an important overview of FAM, covering different assisted machining methods, application effects, mechanism analysis, and equipment design. The current deficiencies and future challenges of FAM are summarized to lay the foundation for the further development of multi-field hybrid assisted and intelligent FAM technologies.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing allows for the creation of complex, layered structures with precise micro and macro architectures that are not achievable through traditional methods. By designing 3D structures with geometric precision, it is possible to achieve selective regulation of mechanical properties, enabling efficient dissipation of mechanical energy. In this study, a series of modular samples inspired by the Bouligand structure were designed and produced using a direct ink writing system, along with a classical printable polydimethylsiloxane ink. By altering the angles of filaments in adjacent layers (from 30° to 90°) and the filament spacing during printing (from 0.8 mm to 2.4 mm), the mechanical properties of these modular samples can be adjusted. Compression mechanical testing revealed that the 3D printed modular Bouligand structures exhibit stress-strain responses that enable multiple adjustments of the elastic modulus from 0.06 MPa to over 0.8 MPa. The mechanical properties were adjusted more than 10 times in printed samples prepared using uniform materials. The gradient control mechanism of mechanical properties during this process was analyzed using finite element analysis. Finally, 3D printed customized modular Bouligand structures can be assembled to create an array with Bouligand structures displaying various orientations and interlayer details tailored to specific requirements. By decomposing the original Bouligand structure and then assembling the modular samples into a specialized array, this research aims to provide parameters for achieving gradient energy absorption structures through modular 3D printing.

After 3D printing technology has been advancing for several years, it still faces a huge challenge to fabricate 3D metal structures with high-resolution. In this study, a facile strategy of making high-resolution metallic structures based on the bioinspired 3D printing method was proposed. A bioinspired initiator, dopamine, was mixed into a 3D printing photopolymer, which could be conducive to fabricating metallic structures after direct surface-initiated electroless plating (ELP). Because of the intrinsic high resolution of the structures printed with the digital light processing (DLP) technology, complex objects with a feature resolution on the order of 137 μm were fabricated. Moreover, Cu- and Ni-parts of complex structures with a high resolution were demonstrated. By combining the advantages of 3D printing in structure design with those of surface modification assisted by catechol groups, the proposed method was confirmed as a cost-effective method to significantly enhance the capability of 3D printing, and it could endow the 3D printing technology with more practical applications in electronics, acoustic absorption, catalyst supports and other fields.

The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effect of Laminaria japonica polysaccharide (LJP) supplementation at levels of 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg on the growth performance, faecal digestive enzyme activity, and serum biochemistry and amino acids of weaned piglets. One hundred and twenty weaned piglets (Barkshire × Licha Black, 21 days old, 6.13 ± 0.16 kg) were randomly divided into four groups with five replicates of six piglets in each group based on body weight. Piglets were fed with different levels (0, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) of LJP for a 21-day trial. On day 21, faecal and blood samples were collected from one piglet per pen. The results showed that the supplementation of the 200 and 400 mg/kg LJP significantly increased average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) compared to the control group (p = 0.007; p = 0.002), and dietary LJP linearly increased ADG and ADFI (p = 0.002; p < 0.001). In addition, the supplementation of the 200 and 400 mg/kg LJP significantly increased faecal amylase activity (p < 0.001) compared to the control group, and dietary LJP linearly increased faecal amylase and lipase activities (p = 0.001; p = 0.037). Moreover, dietary LJP at 400 mg/kg increased serum histidine content compared to the other groups (p = 0.002), and dietary LJP linearly increased the contents of serum histidine and asparagine in piglets (p < 0.001; p = 0.046). In conclusion, supplementation of 200 and 400 mg/kg LJP could enhance growth performance and faecal digestive enzyme activity and modulate the serum amino acid content of weaned piglets, potentially contributing to the health of weaned piglets.

Abstract Aerogels have been attracting wide attentions in flexible/wearable electronics because of their light weight, excellent flexibility, and electrical conductivity. However, multifunctional aerogel‐based flexible/wearable electronics for human physiological/motion monitoring, and energy harvest/supply for mobile electronics, have been seldom reported yet. In this study, a kind of hybrid aerogel (GO/CNT HA) based on graphene oxide (GO) and carboxylated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CMWCNTs) is prepared which can not only used as piezoresistive sensors for human motion and physiological signal detections, but also as high performance triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) coupled with both solid–solid and gas–solid contact electrifications (CE). The repeatedly loading–unloading tests with 20 000 cycles exhibit its high and ultrastable piezoresistive sensor performances. Moreover, when the obtained aerogel is used as the electrode of a TENG, high electric output performance is produced due to the synergistic effect of solid–solid, and gas–solid interface CEs (3D electrification: solid–solid interface CE between the two solid electrification layers; gas–solid interface CE between the inner surface of GO/CNT HA and the air filled in the aerogel pores). This kind of aerogel promises good applications for human physiological/motion monitoring and energy harvest/supply in flexible/wearable electronics such as piezoresistive sensors and flexible TENG.

Phosphomolybdic acid (PMA) as a synergist was added into polyurethane (PU) rigid foam with ammonium polyphosphate (APP) to improve its flame retardancy and thermal stability. The combustion performance of PU was studied by limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL-94, and a cone calorimeter. The thermal degradation behavior of PU was determined by thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and thermogravimetric infrared spectroscopy (TG-IR). Experimental results showed that the introduction of PMA could further improve the flame retardant performance of PU/APP composites and significantly increase the amount of carbon residue at high temperatures. Adding 3wt% PMA to PU containing 12wt% APP could make the foam pass UL-94 V-0, increase the carbon residue at 800°C by 69.16% in the air atmosphere, and decrease the THR by 24.62% compared to those of PU/15APP. TG-IR results showed that the presence of PMA reduced the production of small-molecule gas-phase products. As for the mechanical properties of PU composites, the addition of PMA influences their density and compressive strength obviously. The results suggest that PMA and APP have good synergistic flame retardancy on PU and can reduce its fire risk.

Abstract In this paper, molecular dynamics simulations are carried out to investigate the cutting mechanism during the hybrid machining process combined the thermal and vibration assistants. A modified cutting model is applied to study the material removal behavior and subsurface damage formation in one vibration cycle. The results indicate that during the hybrid machining process, the dominant material removal mechanism could transform from extrusion to shearing in a single vibration cycle. With an increase of the cutting temperature, the generation and propagation of cracks are effectively suppressed while the swelling appears when the dominant material removal mechanism becomes shearing. The formation mechanism of the subsurface damage in one vibration cycle can be distinct according to the stress distribution. Moreover, the generation of the vacancies in workpiece becomes apparent with increasing temperature, which is an important phenomenon in hybrid machining process.

Micro-optical gyroscopes (MOGs) place a range of components of the fiber-optic gyroscope (FOG) onto a silicon substrate, enabling miniaturization, low cost, and batch processing. MOGs require high-precision waveguide trenches fabricated on silicon instead of the ultra-long interference ring of conventional F OGs. In our study, the Bosch process, pseudo-Bosch process, and cryogenic etching process were investigated to fabricate silicon deep trenches with vertical and smooth sidewalls. Different process parameters and mask layer materials were explored for their effect on etching. The effect of charges in the Al mask layer was found to cause undercut below the mask, which can be suppressed by selecting proper mask materials such as SiO2. Finally, ultra-long spiral trenches with a depth of 18.1 μm, a verticality of 89.23°, and an average roughness of trench sidewalls less than 3 nm were obtained using a cryogenic process at −100 °C.

Isothermal tensile tests have been performed to study the mechanical evolution of Ti-6Al-2Zr-1Mo-1V titanium alloy under a wide temperature range from −60 ℃ to 900 ℃ and a strain rate of 10−3 s-1. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) tests were used to analyze the evolution of microstructure and deformation mechanisms under different temperatures. The results indicate that deformation mechanisms vary with the deformation conditions. At relatively low temperatures, −60 ℃, 23 ℃, and 400 ℃, dislocation slips mechanism dominates the deformation, even though tensile twinning is detected. While globularization of α laths and dynamic recrystallization (DRX) are dominant at high temperatures, 600 ℃ and 800 ℃, resulting in the flow softening. During the deformation under different temperatures, the β phase plays a crucial role in accommodating deformation between α and β phase by migration of grain boundaries and rotation of grain, leading to a dramatically change in texture of β phase.

In this work, the finite element model of the hydrogen absorption process in the thin double-layered metal hydride bed (MHB) has been established. The Johnson–Cook constitutive model, considering the temperature softening and strain rate hardening effect, was used to simulate the mechanical behavior of 316L stainless steel during the hydrogen absorption and desorption processes. The simulation results agree well with the experimental results, which verifies the effectiveness of the numerical model. The equivalent stress distribution of the stainless steel bed in the process of hydrogen absorption and desorption has been calculated by the aforementioned model. The influence of the defect depth and opening angle on tank safety has been calculated and analyzed considering the possible defects in the welding process and service life. Finally, according to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers boiler and pressure vessel code criterion, the fatigue–creep interaction condition of the MHB was predicted and analyzed. This work can provide an effective reference for the design of a hydrogen storage bed.

For 3D printing based on Digital Light Processing (DLP) technology, the tradeoff of size and resolution remains challenging due to the limitations of the existing techniques. Therefore, we propose an approach to improve the feature resolution without sacrificing the part size. It is achieved by changing the projection distance and then adjusting the projection resolution and format, which is different from the previous printing principle of fixed resolution. To achieve this process, the tripteron 3-Degree-of-Freedom (3-DoF) parallel mechanism is innovatively applied to the DLP 3D printing structure, which simplifies the control process. Since the projection is fixed on the motion platform, the projection distance changes as the platform moves in space. Then the PLC-based program is developed according to the motion process, which successfully runs on the established prototype. Finally, the experiments are designed through the orthogonal method to optimize the molding process parameters. The effectiveness of the approach is verified by the feature forming comparison experiment. The results show that it can reduce the size of features by about 1.3 times through adjusting the projection resolution under the same size parts. Our method provides a new way for solving the contradiction, but more research needs to be done.

ABSTRACT Nonstructural protein 1 (Nsp1) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronaviruses (SARS-CoVs) is an important pathogenic factor that inhibits host protein translation by means of its C terminus. However, its N-terminal function remains elusive. Here, we determined the crystal structure of the N terminus (amino acids [aa] 11 to 125) of SARS-CoV-2 Nsp1 at a 1.25-Å resolution. Further functional assays showed that the N terminus of SARS-CoVs Nsp1 alone loses the ability to colocalize with ribosomes and inhibit protein translation. The C terminus of Nsp1 can colocalize with ribosomes, but its protein translation inhibition ability is significantly weakened. Interestingly, fusing the C terminus of Nsp1 with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) or other proteins in place of its N terminus restored the protein translation inhibitory ability to a level equivalent to that of full-length Nsp1. Thus, our results suggest that the N terminus of Nsp1 is able to stabilize the binding of the Nsp1 C terminus to ribosomes and act as a nonspecific barrier to block the mRNA channel, thus abrogating host mRNA translation.

Efficient acoustic communication across the water-air interface remains a great challenge owing to the extreme acoustic impedance mismatch. Few present acoustic metamaterials can be constructed on the free air-water interface for enhancing the acoustic transmission because of the interface instability. Previous strategies overcoming this difficulty were limited in practical usage, as well as the wide-angle and multifrequency acoustic transmission. Here, we report a simple and practical way to obtain the wide-angle and multifrequency water-air acoustic transmission with a tunable fluid-type acoustic metasurface (FAM). The FAM has a transmission enhancement of acoustic energy over 200 times, with a thickness less than the wavelength in water by three orders of magnitude. The FAM can work at an almost arbitrary water-to-air incident angle, and the operating frequencies can be flexibly adjusted. Multifrequency transmissions can be obtained with multilayer FAMs. In experiments, the FAM is demonstrated to be stable enough for practical applications and has the transmission enhancement of over 20 dB for wide frequencies. The transmission enhancement of music signal across the water-air interface was performed to demonstrate the applications in acoustic communications. The FAM will benefit various applications in hydroacoustics and oceanography.

In this paper, a high-precision, low-cost, batch processing nanoimprint method is proposed to process a spherical microlens array (MLA). The nanoimprint mold with high surface precision and low surface roughness was fabricated by single-point diamond turning. The anti-sticking treatment of the mold was carried out by perfluorooctyl phosphoric acid (PFOPA) liquid deposition. Through the orthogonal experiment of hot embossing with the treated mold and subsequent inductively coupled plasma (ICP) etching, the microstructure of MLA was transferred to the silicon substrate, with a root mean square error of 17.7 nm and a roughness of 12.1 nm Sa. The average fitted radius of the microlens array units is 406.145 µm, which is 1.54% different from the design radius.

Tool wear is one of the bottlenecks that decrease the machinability of hard and brittle materials in single point diamond turning (SPDT). Specifically, a microgroove generated on the cutting edge is an important character of tool wear, which leads to the formation of subcutting edges and facilitates the ductile to brittle transition in machining. However, the mechanism of the groove wear influence on the machined workpiece, especially the subsurface damage, is not clear just by the experimental investigations. In this paper, molecular dynamic simulations were carried out to explore the influence of groove wear on workpiece subsurface damage in SPDT of single crystal silicon. The propagation of grooves was also investigated by discussion of the stress and temperature distribution on the cutting edge. The Weierstrass-Mandelbrot function was adopted to set up groove wear on the tool flank face. It is concluded that grooves improve the atomic flowing ability and the plastic deformation in the workpiece. Moreover, the grooves can also cause polycrystal transition in the workpiece subsurface. The thickness of the subsurface damaged region is increased when groove wear becomes severe. This study contributes to the understanding of the details involved in the interaction between tool groove wear and workpiece, which is advantageous to improve the machined surface quality.

In this work, to describe the cycle behavior considering fatigue-creep interaction, a non-unified viscoplastic constitutive model for 316 stainless steel is derived within the irreversible thermodynamic framework. The internal variables considering kinematic and isotropic hardening properties are selected to construct the evolution equation of visco-plastic and creep terms. The proposed constitutive model was validated by the comparison with the existing literature. It was manifested that this constitutive model could successfully predict the hardening behavior and stress relaxation process under the cyclic loading. During the dwell period, the increment of the inelastic strain is decomposed into the viscoplastic and creep term. The viscoplastic deformation dominates first stage of the stress relaxation, while the stable stage is controlled by the creep term. Finally, the predicted values of mean stress are taken into the Manson-Coffin law, the low cycle fatigue life prediction are carried out based on the numerical model, which showed robust correlation with experimental results.

Designed micro-nano structures on the surface of aluminum alloy provide excellent light trapping properties that can be used extensively in thermal photovoltaics, sensors, etc. However, the fabrication of high-performance antireflective micro-nano structures on aluminum alloy is challenging because aluminum has shallow intrinsic losses and weak absorption. A two-step strategy is proposed for fabricating broadband antireflection structures by superimposing nanostructures onto microscale structures. By optimizing the processing parameters of femtosecond laser, the average reflectances of 2.6% within the visible spectral region (400–800 nm) and 5.14% within the Vis-NIR spectral region (400–2500 nm) are obtained.

The female/male screw rotor profile design for a twin screw compressor poses challenges such as frequent parameter modification and a difficult-to-build performance test platform, which affect the efficiency of a rotor profile design. To address these problems, a new idea of applying a B-spline curve to a twin screw compressor rotor profile design is proposed in this article. In addition, the design result underwent fluid simulation based on fluid dynamics technology. This method overcomes the aforementioned challenges. As a meshing line has one-to-one mapping relationship with the rotor profile and reflects important performance parameters of the rotor profile, the method of deducing female and male rotor profiles for a twin screw compressor from a meshing line is proposed. Furthermore, the B-spline curve is used as a composition curve of the meshing line to achieve fast local adjustment of the rotor tooth profile. Based on existing rotor profiles, a meshing line is designed via the B-spline curve, and female and male rotor profiles are derived in reverse. The final rotor profile underwent fluid simulation via computational fluid dynamics analysis under various conditions to analyze the pattern of the internal flow field, which is compared with the results from conventional design.

In this article, a new particle tracking model is established through high temperature erosion modeling test. Based on the model, steam-particle flows in the governing stage cascade of a supercritical steam turbine are systematically investigated and the influence of oblique stator on the aerodynamic performance and erosion characteristics of governing stage blades is carefully studied. Results show that with the increase of nozzle oblique angle, the maximum load position gradually moves toward nozzle trailing edge. Consequently, secondary flow loss of nozzle cascade gradually decreases. Compared with the prototype structure of governing stage, stage efficiency increases by 0.8%, 0.35%, and 0.44%, respectively, when nozzle oblique angle increases to 15°, 30°, and 45°. Meanwhile, erosion at the trailing edge of nozzle pressure side and leading edge of rotor suction side gradually decreases, while erosion of rotor pressure surface increases. The maximum erosion position of nozzle pressure surface and rotor suction surface keeps constant, but the maximum erosion position of rotor pressure surface gradually moves forward. Comprehensive analysis shows that when nozzle oblique angle reaches 30°, erosion of nozzle trailing edge reduces by 14%, and stage efficiency increases by 0.35%; erosion resistance and aerodynamic performance of governing stage can be both well considered.

Pneumatic actuators (referred to as pneu-nets) are drawing increasing attention due to their high customisability, ease of fabrication and innate softness. The actuator's ability to bend is one of the important parameters characterising its performance and related to its structure. Some structures are developed. In this work, a new structure (NS) pneu-nets is developed, and its bending ability is compared with the currently common Mosadegh pneu-nets structure (developed by Mosadegh). These two are analysed in two aspects: the trajectories of the pneu-nets actuator's tip, and the defined angle of bending. The results indicate that the NS pneu-nets actuators are able to achieve greater bending at higher pressures and can be lightweight. These pneumatic actuators provide improved structure for soft robotics.

An ejection aperture nozzle is the essential part for all microdrop generation techniques. The diameter size, the flow channel geometry, and fluid impedance are the key factors affecting the ejection capacity. A novel low-cost fabrication method of microglass nozzle involving four steps is developed in this work. In the first heating step, the glass pipette is melted and pulled. Then, the second heating step is to determine the tip cone angle and modify the flow channel geometry. The desired included angle is usually of 30~45 degrees. Fine grind can determine the exact diameter of the hole. Postheating step is the final process and it can reduce the sharpness of the edges of the hole. Micronozzles with hole diameters varying from 30 to 100 µm are fabricated by the homemade inexpensive and easy-to-operate setup. Hydrophobic treating method of microglass nozzle to ensure stable and accurate injection is also introduced in this work. According to the jetting results of aqueous solution, UV curing adhesive, and solder, the fabricated microglass nozzle can satisfy the need of microdroplet jetting of multimaterials.

In this study, to comprehensively reveal the damage mechanisms of NiTi alloys, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were applied to examine the void evolution process under uniaxial and triaxial intensive dynamic loading. A single-crystal model was first used in the MD simulations. The calculation results revealed that the single-crystal NiTi model exhibited a similar damage response to brittle fracture. The corresponding damage mechanism was the rapid growth and coalescence of voids inside the material. Meanwhile, the defect influence was also examined for the single-crystal model, and the reduction effect of the ultimate stress value due to the stress concentration was analyzed quantitatively by the MD simulations. In addition, a polycrystalline model of NiTi was used in the MD simulations. Compared with the single-crystal model, the polycrystalline model showed an evident plastic stage under uniaxial loading due to dislocation slip. The MD simulation proved that the dislocations accumulated on the grain boundaries, which led to a stress concentration effect on the grain boundaries and sequentially resulted in void generation. However, the propagation and coalescence of voids were hindered by the grain interactions, which resulted in a ductile damage behavior inside the material. Based on this mechanism, the grain size influence was also studied in the MD simulations. It was discovered that the grain size effect in the damage stage resulted in a damage ductility enhancement with the decrease in the average grain size value. Finally, based on the relationships between the stress-strain curve, void fraction, and damage behavior, novel constitutive and state equations were proposed with damage terms to consider the void evolution process during the damage stage. The prediction results showed good agreement with the MD simulation data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]