Search

The value of two-dimensional (2D) materials in printed electronics has been gradually explored, and the rheological properties of 2D material dispersions are very different for various printing technologies. Understanding the rheological properties of 2D material dispersions plays a vital role in selecting the optimal manufacturing technology. Inkjet printing is suitable for small nanosheet sizes and low solution viscosity, and it has a significant advantage in developing nanosheet inks because of its masklessness, high efficiency, and high precision. In this work, we selected 2D Ti0.8Co0.2O2 nanosheets, which can be synthesized in large quantities by the liquid phase exfoliation technique; investigated the effects of nanosheet particle size, solution concentration on the rheological properties of the dispersion; and obtained the optimal printing processing method of the dispersion as inkjet printing. The ultrathin Ti0.8Co0.2O2 nanosheet films were prepared by inkjet printing, and their magnetic characteristics were compared with those of Ti0.8Co0.2O2 powder. The films prepared by inkjet printing exhibited long-range ordering, maintaining the nanosheet powders' paramagnetic characteristics. Our work underscored the potential of inkjet printing as a promising method for fabricating precisely controlled thin films using 2D materials, with applications spanning electronics, sensors, and catalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Expanding the application scenarios of wood-derived biochar guided by the conversion of traditional energy to new energy shows great promise as a field. As thrilling energy conversion apparatus, zinc-air batteries (ZABs) require cathode catalysts with high oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activities and stability. Herein, two-dimensional nickel-iron hydroxide nanosheets were creatively assembled in N-doped wood-derived biochar (NiFe-LDH@NC) by an in-situ growth method. The categorized porous organization in wood-derived biochar facilitates the rapid seepage of electrolytes and rapid diffusion of reaction gases. The unique interfacial structure of biochar and NiFe-LDH accelerates electron transfer during oxygen electrocatalysis, and endows NiFe-LDH@NC with first-class catalytic activity and durability for ORR and OER. The ZAB derived from NiFe-LDH@NC showed elevated discharge productivity and cycle endurance, making it promising for viable applications. This work provided a convenient way for the conversion of wood-derived biochar to high-value added electrocatalysts. Article Highlights: Heteroatom-doped wood-derived biochar was assisted in situ growth of NiFe-LDH. NiFe-LDH@NC exhibited excellent bifunctional activity and stability toward ORR/OER. The ZAB achieved a peak power density of 123 mW cm−2 and a cycling stability of 270 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tens of thousands of long non-coding RNAs have been uncovered in plants, but few of them have been comprehensively studied for their biological function and molecular mechanism of their mode of action. Here, we show that the Arabidopsis long non-coding RNA DANA2 interacts with an AP2/ERF transcription factor ERF84 in the cell nucleus and then affects the transcription of JMJ29 that encodes a Jumonji C domain-containing histone H3K9 demethylase. Both RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and genetic analyses demonstrate that DANA2 positively regulates drought stress responses through JMJ29. JMJ29 positively regulates the expression of ERF15 and GOLS2 by modulation of H3K9me2 demethylation. Accordingly, mutation of JMJ29 causes decreased ERF15 and GOLS2 expression, resulting in impaired drought tolerance, in agreement with drought-sensitive phenotypes of dana2 and erf84 mutants. Taken together, these results demonstrate that DANA2 is a positive regulator of drought response and works jointly with the transcriptional activator ERF84 to modulate JMJ29 expression in plant response to drought. This study identifies a long non-coding RNA, DANA2 , that positively regulates drought tolerance in Arabidopsis. DANA2 works jointly with the transcriptional activator ERF84 to regulate JMJ29 expression, thereby modulating JMJ29 chromatin enrichment at the ERF15 and GOLS2 loci and altering their expression during drought response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All-printed microcapacitors made of high- k perovskite nanosheets (i.e., Ca 2 Nb 3 O 10 and Ca 2 NaNb 4 O 13) with different electrodes are prepared by inkjet printing. The dielectric constant of the microcapacirors with graphene electrode is nearly-four times higher than those with silver electrodes. These inkjet-printed microcapacitors exhibited large capacitance density of 150 nF/cm2, high dielectric constant up to 200, excellent flexibility, and thermal stability up to 200 ℃. [Display omitted] Chemically exfoliated nanosheets have exhibited great potential for applications in various electronic devices. Solution-based processing strategies such as inkjet printing provide a low-cost, environmentally friendly, and scalable route for the fabrication of flexible devices based on functional inks of two-dimensional nanosheets. In this study, chemically exfoliated high- k perovskite nanosheets (i.e., Ca 2 Nb 3 O 10 and Ca 2 NaNb 4 O 13) are well dispersed in appropriate solvents to prepare printable inks, and then, a series of microcapacitors with Ag and graphene electrodes are printed. The resulting microcapacitors, Ag/Ca 2 Nb 3 O 10 /Ag, graphene/Ca 2 Nb 3 O 10 /graphene, and graphene/Ca 2 NaNb 4 O 13 /graphene, demonstrate high capacitance densities of 20, 80, and 150 nF/cm2 and high dielectric constants of 26, 110, and 200, respectively. Such dielectric enhancement in the microcapacitors with graphene electrodes is possibly attributed to the dielectric/graphene interface. In addition, these microcapacitors also exhibit good insulating performance with a moderate electrical breakdown strength of approximately 1 MV/cm, excellent flexibility, and thermal stability up to 200 ℃. This work demonstrates the potential of high- k perovskite nanosheets for additive manufacturing of flexible high-performance dielectric capacitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electronic doping is applied to tailor the electrical and optoelectronic properties of semiconductors, which have been widely adopted in information and clean energy technologies, like integrated circuit fabrication and PVs. Though this concept has prevailed in conventional PVs, it has achieved limited success in the new-generation PV materials, particularly in halide perovskites, owing to their soft lattice nature and self-compensation by intrinsic defects. In this review, we summarize the evolution of the theoretical understanding and strategies of electronic doping from Si-based photovoltaics to thin-film technologies, e.g., GaAs, CdTe and Cu(In,Ga)Se2, and also cover the emerging PVs including halide perovskites and organic solar cells. We focus on the chemical approaches to electronic doping, emphasizing various chemical interactions/bonding throughout materials synthesis/modification to device fabrication/operation. Furthermore, we propose new classifications and models of electronic doping based on the physical and chemical properties of dopants, in the context of solid-state chemistry, which inspires further development of optoelectronics based on perovskites and other hybrid materials. Finally, we outline the effects of electronic doping in semiconducting materials and highlight the challenges that need to be overcome for reliable and controllable doping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The synthesis time of T-type zeolite was shortened to 24 h by hydrothermal method, and the feasibility of T-type zeolite in the field of industrial denitrification was discussed. • Copper modified T-type molecular sieve has good low temperature activity, and iron modified T-type molecular sieve has high temperature activity. • It was found that the effect of Cu2+ on the skeleton was greater than that of Fe3+ skeleton, and the hydrothermal stability of Cu-T catalyst was weaker than that of Fe-T catalyst. In this experiment, a highly crystalline T-type zeolite was rapidly synthesized by hydrothermal method within 24 h and its NH 3 -SCR catalytic performance after Cu2+or Fe3+modification was studied. The experimental results show that T-type molecular sieve is workable in industrial tail gas denitrification. The F-Fe-T series samples can maintain more than 80 % of the nitrogen oxide conversion rate in the range of 280–600 °C and the F-Cu-T catalyst could achieve more than 80 % at about 170 °C. At the same time, it was found that the zeolites modified by two metal ions had obvious differences in hydrothermal stability. The results suggested that the Fe-T catalyst can maintain excellent crystal structure and NH 3 -SCR catalytic activity even after hydrothermal aging at 800 °C for 6 h, but the skeleton structure of the Cu-T catalyst is completely destroyed. The main reason may be that a small amount of FeO x species with a low degree of agglomeration formed in the fresh Fe-T series catalysts, which interacted with the framework Al to form Fe-O-Al species and FeOx species were re-dispersed into isolated Fe3+species during hydrothermal aging, thus avoiding a large amount of hydrolysis of the framework Al. The framework Al of Cu-T series catalysts are hydrolysed during hydrothermal aging, which leads to the deactivation of the catalyst. In summary, T-type zeolites exhibit excellent catalytic activity after copper or iron ion exchange, but the Fe-T series catalysts have better hydrothermal stability. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An urgent challenge to the development of rechargeable Zn–air batteries (RZABs) is the highly active, durable, and low‐cost catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction and oxygen evolution reaction (ORR and OER). Herein, a carbon‐based monolithic catalyst is designed via anchoring P‐modified MnCo2O4 inverse spinel nanoparticles on biomass‐derived carbon (P‐MnCo2O4@PWC). The introduction of surface P atoms regulates the electronic structures and valences of metal atoms by adjusting the coordination fields by (P‐O)δ– and Metal‐P. The optimization of the adsorption behavior of key intermediates facilitates the activation and conversion of reaction species. The monolithic structure is beneficial to the construction of a three‐phase interface for efficient mass transfer and high electrical conductivity. The P‐MnCo2O4@PWC catalyst displays outstanding bifunctional catalytic properties with a thin ΔE (the difference between the OER potential at 10 mA cm–2 and the ORR halfwave potential) of 0.66 V. The RZAB with P‐MnCo2O4@PWC as cathode delivers an exceptional peak power density (160 mW cm–2) and remarkable cycle life (over 1200 cycles), overcoming those with noble metal counterparts. This research provides a promising general surface‐phosphorization way to the design of carbon electrocatalysts and the high‐value utilization of biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are potential biomarkers for cardiovascular diseases. Our study aimed to determine whether miR-22-5p, miR-132-5p, and miR-150-3p represent novel biomarkers for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Plasma samples were isolated from 35 AMI patients and 55 matched controls. Total RNA was extracted, and quantitative real-time PCR and ELISA were performed to investigate the expressions of miRNAs and cardiac troponin I (cTnI), respectively. We found that plasma levels of miR-22-5p and miR-150-3p were significantly higher during the early stage of AMI and their expression levels peaked earlier than cTnI. Conversely, circulating miR-132-5p was sustained at a low level during the early phase of AMI. All three circulating miRNAs were correlated with plasma cTnI levels. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis suggested that each single miRNA had considerable diagnostic efficacy for AMI. Moreover, combining the three miRNAs improved their diagnostic efficacy. Furthermore, neither heparin nor medications for coronary heart disease (CHD) affected plasma levels of miR-22-5p and miR-132-5p, but circulating miR-150-3p was downregulated by medications for CHD. We concluded that plasma miR-22-5p, miR-132-5p, and miR-150-3p may serve as candidate diagnostic biomarkers for early diagnosis of AMI. Moreover, a panel consisting of these three miRNAs may achieve a higher diagnostic value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new type of axially chiral cyclo-[1,1′-biphenyl]-2,2′-diol (CYCNOL) ligands with adjustable dihedral angles have been developed by varying the bridge chain length. Eight-, nine- and ten-membered cyclo-ligands were prepared and evaluated by using two representative examples: enantioselective additions of diethylzinc to aldehydes and organometallic reagents to enones. The results revealed that the fine regulation of dihedral angles through variation of the bridge chain length was effective in the asymmetric synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanism of the oxygen evolution reaction over NiFe-layered double hydroxides is investigated using first-principles DFT + U calculations. We consider three possible reaction pathways for O evolution. Our calculations show that O evolution from the OH*-OH* species has high energy barrier and from OOH* species have a little high energy barrier. Finally, we discover that O can easily release from OO* species. Graphical Abstract: The mechanism of oxygen evolution reaction (OER) over NiFe-layered double hydroxides was investigated using DFT + U method by First-principle. The present work considered two possible reaction pathways for O evolution. Our calculation suggested that O evolution from the OOH* species may be more favorable because of advantages in energy profile, oxygen adsorption, and overall energy barrier. In addition, density of states (DOS) and partial density of states (PDOSs) of NiFe-LDH and Ni(OH) showed that NiFe-LDH had a more stronger capability for electron transportation and higher activity than Ni(OH). Additionally, it was found that Bader charge of Ni had a large fluctuation in the former elementary steps, while in the later that of Fe had. The research suggested that the transitional metal Fe/Ni-based hydrotalcite was a suitable material for OER, for not only they had great activity and stability, but also they were widely used and comparatively cheap.[Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first-principles calculations were used to investigate the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) on the (100) surface of the spinel CoO, a high-performance oxidation catalyst. We compared the OER activities by the free-energy changes on three different covered surfaces including (i) clean, (ii) 0.5 monolayer O covered, and (iii) 0.5 monolayer OH covered surfaces, and the computed overpotential ( η) for the three surfaces followed the order: O covered ( η = 0.45 V)

Abstract: Two series of 2-phenylpyrroles: 3-bromo-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-cyanopyrrole-2-carboxamide (5a–5d) and 3-bromo-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-cyanopyrrole-2-carboxylate (6a–6c) were synthesized by a novel trifluoromethyl transformation. The result of insecticidal bioassays indicated that 6a–6c had moderate larvicidal activity against oriental armyworm and 6b also had good acaricidal activity, so 3-bromo-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-cyanopyrrole-2-carboxylate derivatives were expected to become lead compounds for new pesticides. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Silver, titanium, nickel, and aluminum nanowire arrays with diameters from 90 to 110 nm were prepared on AAO templates by laser molecular beam epitaxy. On the several kinds of nanowire arrays, high-quality surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of probe molecules of the red dye Sudan II (C18H16N2O) were obtained. In particular, the SERS spectrum of Sudan II on an aluminum nanowire array is reported for the first time. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A high quality anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template with ordered apertures about 50–80nm was fabricated by anodizing aluminum in electrolytes through a two-step method, and silver nanowires with diameters from 40nm to 70nm were prepared on this AAO template by magnetron sputtering. On the glass covered with silver nanowires, high quality surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of sudan II (C18H16N2O) with enhancement factors of 105 were obtained. And comparison of SERS spectra on silver nanowires with the SERS spectra of silver colloids indicates that main enhanced mode is lightning rod effect of nanorods on the Sudan II/silver nanowires system. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A series of CZ-xS catalysts for deNO(x) were prepared by sol–gel method. The effects of preparation methods and the amount of sulfuric acid in the sol–gel preparation process on the performance of catalyst were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), N2 adsorption–desorption, NH3-temperature programmed desorption (NH3-TPD), H2-temperature-programmed (H2-TPR) and Scanning electron microscope/Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (SEM/EDS). The results showed that when the mass ratio of SO42−/ZrO2 (CZ-0.4S catalyst) was 0.4, the catalytic performance of the catalyst prepared by sol–gel method was greatly improved compared with the sample prepared by coprecipitation + impregnation method. When the space velocity was 220,000 h−1 and the reaction temperature was in range of 290–500 °C, the NO conversion was higher than 90% on CZ-0.4S catalyst. Its excellent denitrification performance was attributed to its larger acidity, higher Ce3+ content, more surface adsorbed oxygen and larger specific surface area.Graphical Abstract: A series of CZ-xS catalysts for deNO(x) were prepared by sol–gel method. The effects of preparation methods and the amount of sulfuric acid in the sol–gel preparation process on the performance of catalyst were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), N2 adsorption–desorption, NH3-temperature programmed desorption (NH3-TPD), H2-temperature-programmed (H2-TPR) and Scanning electron microscope/Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (SEM/EDS). The results showed that when the mass ratio of SO42−/ZrO2 (CZ-0.4S catalyst) was 0.4, the catalytic performance of the catalyst prepared by sol–gel method was greatly improved compared with the sample prepared by coprecipitation + impregnation method. When the space velocity was 220,000 h−1 and the reaction temperature was in range of 290–500 °C, the NO conversion was higher than 90% on CZ-0.4S catalyst. Its excellent denitrification performance was attributed to its larger acidity, higher Ce3+ content, more surface adsorbed oxygen and larger specific surface area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Paper estimates a CMF for high friction surface treatment (HFST) applied to horizontal curves on undivided two-lane roads. • Propensity score matching is incorporated into EB before-after methodology to select more appropriate reference group. • Results indicate significant reductions in crash frequency (of all types considered) when applying HFST. Horizontal curves are locations that, as a result of the changing alignment, may be a contributing factor in roadway departure crashes. One low-cost countermeasure to mitigate crashes at these locations is the installation of the high friction surface treatment (HFST), which increases roadway friction and is intended to help keep drivers on the roadway when traversing a horizontal curve. This treatment has been implemented at numerous curves in Pennsylvania, but the overall safety effectiveness is not known. The purpose of this study is to estimate a suite of Crash Modification Factors (CMFs) for HFST applied to curve sections of undivided two-lane roadways. A novel combination of the empirical Bayes observational before-after study design and propensity score matching was used to estimate CMFs for multiple crash types, crash severities, and roadway settings (urban and rural). Propensity score matching was implemented to identify the most appropriate reference group to use within the empirical Bayes methodology. The results indicate that the installation of HFST is associated with a statistically significant decrease in all crash types and severities considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As promising energy-storage devices, zinc–air batteries (ZABs) exhibit slow reaction kinetics for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) occurring at their electrodes. High-performance bifunctional catalysts must thus be synthesized to accelerate the reversible conversion of oxygen and improve the rate and overall performance of ZABs. Herein, we reported the promising prospects of self-supported composite electrodes composed of wood-derived carbon (WDC) and bimetallic cobalt-iron alloys/oxides (CoFe-CoFe2O4@WDC) as efficient electrocatalysts for alkaline ORR/OER. WDC provided a favorable three-phase interface for heterogeneous reactions owing to its layered porous structure and genetic stability, thereby enabling mass diffusion and improving reaction kinetics. The CoFe2O4 spinel surface was reduced to bimetallic CoFe alloy to form abundant heterostructure interfaces that promote electron transfer. Under alkaline conditions, the optimized composite electrode exhibited a remarkable high half-wave potential of 0.85 V and an exceptionally low overpotential of 1.49 V. It also exhibited stable performance over an impressive 2340 cycles in a ZAB. Theoretical calculations also confirmed that the heterointerface addresses the issue of proton scarcity throughout the reaction and actively facilitates the creation of O–O bonds during the reversible transformation of oxygen. This study introduces a new concept for developing bifunctional and efficient electrocatalysts based on charcoal and encourages the sustainable and high-value use of forest biomass resources. Highlights: Water dissociation was regulated to provide proton for smooth response under alkaline conditions and accelerate the conversion of *O2 to *OOH. The alloy surface formed CoFe oxyhydroxide in the OER voltage range, and the adsorption capacity of intermediates was adjusted to facilitate O–O bond formation. The d-band center moved downward due to interface electron interaction, modifying the binding ability of intermediates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A promising way to address modern environmental and energy supply challenges is via rapid implementation of decarbonization and hydrogen production technologies. Development of gas separation membranes with high selectivity and permeability is essential for these processes but is still a bottleneck. Our research focuses on achieving precise control of gas diffusion pathways through on-demand regulation of material interactions in thin composite membranes. We combine 2D covalent organic frameworks (COFs) and graphene oxide (GO) to create COF-GO composite membranes with desirable nanosheet stacking, controllable thicknesses and pathways for gases. By pH-assisted self-assembly, we fine-tune material interactions and achieve simultaneous enhancement of permeability and selectivity by increasing membrane thickness and regulating the interactions between COF and GO nanosheets by pH. At a thickness of 1.3 μm, the COF-GO membrane, assembled under pH 4, demonstrates good working characteristics for H 2 /CO 2 equimolar mixture (at room temperature and 1 bar), with a H 2 permeability of 366 Barrer, selectivity of 15.6, and long-term stability exceeding 200 h. This work paves the way for tailored, performing gas separation with long-term stability. It guides the unique 2D transport mechanism to be utilized under practical conditions. Our research offers a novel strategy for the design of composite membranes from two-dimensional (2D) materials for gas separation technologies. It contributes to sustainable decarbonization and hydrogen production solutions, bringing us closer to a greener, more environmentally friendly future. [Display omitted] • Sustainable, highly controllable, water-based self-assembly of COF-GO membranes. • Self-assembly regulated by COF/GO ratio and pH to form membranes with structure and gas diffusion pathway on demand. • Our strategy overcomes traditional permeability-selectivity trade-off commonly observed in gas separation membranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gel electrolyte (GE) gains intensive attentions for lithium metal battery, especially those targeting to use at low temperatures. The liquid medium, as the core component, of most gel electrolytes (GEs) is organic liquid or ionic liquid, always suffering from serious safety issue and low transference number (t +). The low t + aggravates concentration polarization and thus leads to the increase of overpotential and undesirable side reactions. Herein, zwitterionic liquid (ZIL) with high stability and safety is prepared by mixing zwitterion (ZI) and lithium salt. The ZIL is then encapsulated into a SiO 2 matrix to fabricate novel gel electrolyte (SiGE-ZIL). The low freezing point and strong mobility of ZIL confer SiGE-ZIL a high conductivity of 3.36 × 10−4 S cm−1 at −40 °C. Importantly, the large dipole moment of ZI effectively accelerates the dissociation of lithium salt, permitting a high t + of 0.553 at −40 °C, which is 2.3 times of that of the analogous ionic liquid. The assembled LiFePO 4 /Li battery exhibits an excellent cycling stability with a capacity of 91.6 mAh g−1 at 600th cycle at 0.5C and 0 °C. Especially at −20 °C, the capacity can reach 67.1 mAh g−1 at 600th cycle under 0.5C, surpassing most of GE-based batteries. Zwitterionic liquid with superior low-temperature Li+ conduction property and high transference number is prepared by directly mixing zwitterion and lithium salt, which is utilized as a novel liquid medium for gel electrolyte and imparts excellent low-temperature lithium battery performances. [Display omitted] • Zwitterionic liquid (ZIL) is prepared by mixing zwitterion (ZI) and lithium salt. • ZIL is used as liquid medium for fabricating SiO 2 -based gel electrolyte (SiGE-ZIL). • SiGE-ZIL obtains high ionic conductivity of 3.36 × 10−4 S cm−1 at −40 °C. • The large dipole moment of ZI imparts SiGE-ZIL high t Li+ of 0.553 at −40 °C. • LFP/Li cell shows high discharge capacity of 67.1 mAh g−1 after 600 cycles at −20 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wettability plays a decisive role in the mechanical performances of the aluminum matrix composites reinforced with carbon nanotubes (CNTs). In this paper, novel Cu nanoparticles-coated CNTs (Cu@CNTs) were prepared successfully by the liquid phase reduction method to enhance the wettability of CNTs in aluminum melt. The microstructure, contact angle, and interfacial structure of aluminum liquid on Cu@CNTs substrate at high temperature were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and sessile drop method in detail. By incorporating Cu nanoparticles on the surface of CNTs, the contact angle was reduced from 133° to 91°, indicating a significant improvement in the wettability of CNTs in aluminum melt. The atomic diffusion of Cu and Al elements leads to a remarkable improvement of wettability for Al-Cu@CNTs model. The coating of CNTs provides a new insight for strong wettability in high-performance aluminum matrix composites. [Display omitted] • Cu-coated CNTs were successfully synthesized via compound reduction method with ethylene glycol and N 2 H 4· H 2 O reductant. • With the contact angle reducing from 133° to 91°, the wettability of CNTs to aluminum melt was improved by coating Cu nanoparticles. • The better wettability of Cu@CNTs to aluminum melt attributes to small amount of element Al can react with Cu on Al-Cu@CNTs interface to form AlCu or Al 2 Cu, which can greatly enhance the bonding strength of composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semimetallic iridate compound SrIrO3 epitaxial films have been deposited by off-axis sputtering, exhibiting excellent crystalline quality as well as smooth surfaces. By performing second-harmonic Hall measurements on a series of SrIrO3/Co1−xTbx bilayers, we quantitatively determined the spin-to-charge interconversion efficiency θ SH of SrIrO3 and discovered a systematic temperature and film thickness dependent evolution behavior. Notably, the measured θ SH reaches a remarkably large number of ∼1.1 at room temperature, which is significantly larger than the value of 5d transition metals and comparable to the values reported in some topological material systems. Our findings are further corroborated by ferromagnetic resonance-driven spin pumping studies in SrIrO3/Py bilayers, highlighting the significant opportunities offered by the iridate compounds in designing next-generation energy-efficient multifunctional spin Hall devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Density functional theory calculations were employed to investigate the electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction on the (111) and (100) surfaces of cobalt(II) oxide. Different mechanisms were applied to evaluate the oxygen reduction reaction performance of cobalt(II) oxide structures in terms of the Gibbs free energy and density of states. A variety of intermediate structures based on associative and dissociative mechanisms were constructed and optimized. As a result, we estimated the catalytic activity by calculating the free energy of the intermediates and constructing free energy diagrams, which suggested that the oxygen reduction reaction Gibbs free energy on cobalt(II) oxide (111) and (100) surfaces based on the associative mechanism is smaller than that based on the dissociative mechanism, demonstrating that the associative mechanism should be more likely to be the oxygen reduction reaction pathway. Moreover, the theoretical oxygen reduction reaction activity on the cobalt(II) oxide (111) surface was found to be higher than that on the cobalt(II) oxide (100) surface. These results shed light on the rational design of high-performance cobalt(II) oxide oxygen reduction reaction catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • Hierarchical BiOI x Br (1−x) solid solution flower-like spheres were synthesized. • Morphology- and composition-dependent visible-light photocatalytic activities. • Hierarchical BiOI x Br (1−x) spheres possesses high visible-light absorption capacity. • Hierarchical BiOI x Br (1−x) spheres can photocatalytic degrade MO and BPA efficiently. • Hierarchical structure, high visible-light absorption, and large S BET result in high activity. Abstract A series of hierarchical BiOI x Br (1−x) (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) solid solution architectures assembled from nanosheets were fabricated by a facile polyvinylpyrrolidone K30 (PVP) assisted solvothermal strategy using ethylene glycol (EG) as solvent. To examine the photocatalytic performances of the as-prepared samples, photocatalytic degradation experiments were carried out under visible-light using methyl orange (MO) as objective pollutant. The experimental results reveal that the as-synthesized BiOI x Br (1−x) solid solution samples are of tetragonal crystal phase and exhibit morphology- and composition-dependent visible-light photocatalytic activities. The difference in the photocatalytic performance of all the BiOI x Br (1−x) samples was discussed in depth based on the experimental results. It was found that BiOI x Br (1−x) solid solutions with hierarchically spherical structure (the sample R75) possess the highest photocatalytic activity on account of its hierarchical nanostructure, large specific surface area, strong absorption of visible-light, as well as the enhanced separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers. Furthermore, the hierarchical flower-like BiOI x Br (1−x) solid solution spheres (the sample R75) also has high activity for photocatalytic decomposition of colorless bisphenol A (BPA) under visible-light. This work may provide a new perspective for the development of efficient visible-light photocatalysts for environmental pollution treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphene oxide (GO) based multi-layered membranes have shown outstanding molecular-sieving properties for gas separation, surpassing the upper bound for polymeric membranes especially for hydrogen decarbonization. At the same time, the mechanism of gas permeation through such 2D GO membranes is very different in comparison to the traditional polymeric membranes due to multilayer, laminated nature of the former. For strategical design of novel membranes based on two-dimensional materials, it is important to understand the mechanism and to be able to measure two key parameters for gas transport: diffusivity and solubility. Such measurements are well established for the characterization of transport properties of bulk polymeric membranes. However, it is still a challenge to measure gas diffusion coefficients directly and accurately in ultra-thin multi-layered membranes. The lack of characterization limits our understanding of the mechanisms of gas transport though such membranes. In this work, we applied a time-lag method to determine the diffusivities for He, H 2 , O 2 , N 2 , CH 4 , CO 2 and H 2 /CO 2 equimolar mixture by on-line mass spectrometry. In contrast to polymeric membranes, the diffusivity and diffusion activation energy for all gases in 2D membranes are exponentially dependent on pathway length. Thus, in 2D membrane we can use an easy strategy to precisely regulate permeability and selectivity by the adjustment of the number of nanolayers and the size of 2D flakes, which is not possible using traditional polymeric membranes. This study is important for both the characterization and the standardization of gas transport properties of multi-layered membranes, and the design of novel membranes based on 2D materials. [Display omitted] • Time-lag method is applied for gas diffusion measurements in self-assembled 2D GO membranes. • Experimental gas diffusion coefficients are reported for 33–160 nm thin GO membranes. • Exponential dependence of diffusivity and diffusion activation energy on membrane thickness. • Gas diffusion coefficients are orders of magnitude lower than simulated values. • Length-dependent GO-gas interaction transport mechanism is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface roughness is an important indicator for shaft grinding, and its prediction is always a core issue in practice. The surface roughness of each part for a large shaft would be different with same processing parameters, which leads to traditional processing parameter-based prediction being ineffective; thus, the surface roughness prediction of large shaft grinding is more difficult. This paper proposes a surface roughness prediction method for large shaft grinding based on deep learning, and three kinds of process signals are selected as the inputs, including spindle current, vibration, and acoustic emission. An experiment considering the contribution degree of each processing parameter is designed to generate the dataset on a large shaft grinding platform, and the appropriate surface roughness intervals are divided. The multiple process signals are fused through an attentional CNN-LSTM architecture, in which the CNN is used to extract the features of the process signals, the LSTM deals with the sequential output of CNN, and the self-attention mechanism is utilized to realize the automatic weight allocation. Moreover, the model degradation problem after long-term use of the grinding platform is solved by the parameters fine-tuning approach. The experimental results show that the proposed method achieves the best accuracy than all comparative items, and the model performance can be recovered through parameters fine-tuning; thus, the proposed method is effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Controlling the interfacial interaction is a prerequisite for the preparation of aluminum matrix composites reinforced by carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with high performance. In this paper, Cu-coated CNTs fabricated by the compound reduction method were applied to control the interfacial interaction between carbon nanotubes and aluminum matrix for improving the interfacial bonding and mechanical properties of aluminum matrix composites. The microstructure, interfacial structure, interfacial interaction, and mechanical properties of Cu-coated composite were studied in detail. The in-depth study results show that Cu nanoparticles act as a bridge connecting the carbon nanotubes and matrix and forming Al 2 Cu intermetallic, which is in favour for better dispersion of carbon nanotubes and interfacial bonding. In addition, Cu nanoparticles are preferentially deposited at the defects of carbon nanotubes to repair the defects and inhibit the formation of brittle Al 4 C 3 phases. As a result, Cu-coated composite displays the superior strength with yield strength and ultimate tensile strength of 203 MPa and 287 MPa, which are 45% and 38% higher than those of matrix (140 MPa and 207 MPa) and 8% and 12% higher than those of uncoated composite (188 MPa and 256 MPa), respectively. The introduction of Cu nanoparticles can significantly improve the interfacial bonding strength of Cu-coated composite, ensuring the effective transfer of load from the matrix to carbon nanotubes and exerting its strengthening and toughening effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel CNTs modified with ZrO 2 nanoparticles (ZrO 2 @CNTs) were selected as the reinforcement to prepare ZrO 2 @CNTs/2A70 via high-intensity ultrasonic assisted casting. The microstructure, wettability, interfacial bonding, and mechanical properties of ZrO 2 @CNTs/2A70 composites were researched. After modifying ZrO 2 on the surface of CNTs, the contact angle of CNTs to 2A70 melt reduced from 140.70° to 116.85°. Thermodynamic calculation indicated that the wetting processes of ZrO 2 nanoparticles were spontaneous in initial stage, and then required additional energy from external environment. TEM analysis demonstrated that ZrO 2 nanoparticles were uniformly distributed on the surface of CNTs, and could lock the CNTs in matrix, enhancing the interfacial bonding of CNTs-Al. The (010)ZrO 2 //(010)Al, (010)ZrO 2 //(100)Al, (010)ZrO 2 //(100)Al can form semi-coherent interface, indicating a good lattice space matching between ZrO 2 and Al matrix. The 1.5 wt% ZrO 2 @CNTs/2A70 composites manifested excellent mechanical properties and the ultimate tensile strength reached 256.2 MPa, which were 21.47 % higher than that of the matrix (210.9 MPa). The improved mechanical properties may be attributed to the efficient load transfer of ZrO 2 @CNTs. [Display omitted] • A novel CNTs modified with ZrO 2 nanoparticles are successfully prepared. The contact angle of CNTs to Al reduced from 140.70° to 116.85°. • The (010)ZrO 2 //(010)Al, (010)ZrO 2 //(100)Al, (010)ZrO 2 //(100)Al form semi-coherent interface, indicating a good lattice space matching between ZrO 2 and Al. • 1.5 wt% ZrO 2 @CNTs/2A70 composites exhibited excellent mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Realizing high‐temperature thermal stability in thermoelectric (TE) generators is a critical challenge. In this study, a synergistic interface and surface optimization strategy is implemented to enhance Mg3Sb1.5Bi0.5 TE generator performance by employing FeCrTiMnMg thermoelectric interface materials and the MgMn‐based alloy protective coating. The competitive output power density (ω) of 1.7 W cm−2 and a conversion efficiency (η) of 13% for the single‐leg device are achieved at hot‐side temperature (Th) and cold‐side temperature (Tc) of 500 and 5 °C, respectively. An ω of 0.8 W cm−2 and η of 6% for the two‐couple TE devices with p‐type commercial Bi2Te3 are also realized, values that are competitive with the commercial Bi2Te3 device. Additionally, the single‐leg device shows a high stable η for over 100 h when the Th and Tc are 400 and 5 °C, respectively, with an change rate (Δηmax/ηmax,o) of <3%. In situ transmission electron microscopy analysis further reveals that the high stability results from the effectively sluggish interdiffusion and reduced Mg evaporation that decrease the chemical potential gradient, reduce the saturated vapor pressure, and increase the diffusion activation energy barrier. This study provides a general technique route for boosting the high‐temperature thermal stability of TE generator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ablation and wear of the four-rail electromagnetic launcher during the working process will aggravate the damage of the armature and rail, and greatly affect the service life of the launcher. To effectively alleviate rail damage, this paper applies the copper-steel composite rail to the four-rail electromagnetic launcher and proposes a new four-rail electromagnetic launcher. Based on the quadrupole magnetic field theory, the physical model of the new four-rail electromagnetic launcher is established, and the electromagnetic characteristics of the ordinary and new launchers are compared and analyzed using the finite element method. On this basis, the influence of composite layer parameters on the electromagnetic characteristics of copper-steel composite quadrupole rail is explored. The study found that the new four-rail electromagnetic launcher can provide a better launch magnetic field environment for smart loads, and the current distribution of the armature and the rail contact surface is more uniform, which can effectively improve the contact condition between the armature and the rail. The composite layer parameters of copper-based composite rail will have a certain impact on electromagnetic characteristics, and copper-steel composite rail of appropriate proportions can be selected according to different needs. The model proposed in this paper has a certain degree of scientificity and rationality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymer dielectric films have been widely used in electronic and power systems due to their unique dielectric properties, processing properties, and excellent cost performance. Although the dielectric constant of dielectric polymers can be improved by adding high contents of ceramic fillers, this approach comes at the expense of the breakdown strength (Eb). This work is inspired by the idea that high-aspect-ratio fibers can induce a larger electric dipole moment without sacrificing too much Eb compared to zero-dimensional nanoparticles, thereby effectively improving the energy storage performance of the composites. We synthesized antiferroelectric AgNbO3 (ANO) fibers by using an in situ topotactic transition reaction which were then introduced into the polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) matrix for energy storage applications. The results show that the nanocomposite film with an ultralow loading of 0.4 wt. % ANO fibers achieves a high discharge energy density of 12.97 J cm−3 at 490 MV m−1. Nanocomposites based on ultralow content ANO fibers show great promise as one-dimensional antiferroelectric fillers for high energy density capacitor applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the alkyl analog of insecticide chlorfenapyr, two series of 2-alkyl-4-bromo-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyrrole-3-carbonitriles were synthesized with a as the key step. The target products were characterized by 1H-NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, or HRMS. The insecticidal, herbicidal, and antifungal activities of the target compounds were evaluated and found that these compounds did not show much insecticidal activity, but compounds 4, 10, and 11 had very good fungicidal activities against Alternaria solani and Fusarium oxysporum. Moreover, compound 4 had an outstanding inhibition effect against pigweed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultrafast transverse thermoelectric voltage response has been observed in c-axis inclined epitaxial La0.5Sr0.5CoO3thin films. Voltage signals with the rise time of 7 ns have been detected under the irradiation of pulse laser with duration of 28 ns. A concept, named response rate ratio, has been proposed to evaluate the intrinsic response rate, and this ratio in La0.5Sr0.5CoO3is smaller than that in other reported materials. The low resistivity is thought to be responsible for the ultrafast response, as low resistivity induces small optical penetration depth, and response time has a monotonous increasing relationship with this depth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Formation mechanism of Si(100) surface morphology in alkaline fluoride solutions was investigated both theoretically and experimentally. By analysis of Raman spectra of silicon wafer surfaces and three kinds of etching solutions (NaOH, NaOH/NH4F, and NaOH/NH4F/Na2CO3) with and without addition of Na2SiO3·9H2O, no Si–F bond is formed, F− and CO3 2− ions accelerate the condensation of Si–OH groups. Based on experimental results, it is proposed that bare silicon and silicon oxide coexist at the wafer surface during etching process and silicon oxide of different structure, size, and site at the surface manufacture different surface morphology in alkaline fluoride solution. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: It was found that the pearlite transformation (PT) in Fe–0.47C–2.31Si–3.15Mn (wt%) alloys could be induced by magnetic field at temperatures above the eutectoid temperature. The mechanism of magnetic-induced pearlite transformation (MIPT) has been discussed. It was found that the ferromagnetic ferrite phase has lower free energy compared with other phases under the applied magnetic field. Therefore, its formation is responsible for the nucleation and growth of pearlite at temperatures above the eutectoid point. The driving force for the MIPT is the magnetostatic energy difference between the austenite and ferrite due to the different saturation magnetization in the presence of magnetic field. The preceding phase in the formation of pearlite is the ferromagnetic ferrite phase. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Gold nanowires array with diameter from 90 to 110nm was prepared on AAO template by laser molecular beam epitaxy (LMBE), and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectrum of probe molecules nicotinic acid (NA) were recorded on the gold nanowires array. The Raman and SERS spectrum of NA using DFT-B3PW91 with lanl2dz based on two models were calculated, and compared with the experimental results. It was found the calculated frequencies were in good agreement with experimental values, which indicates that there are two enhanced mechanism which electromagnetic enhancement and charge transfer enhancement, on the gold nanowires array regarding SERS effect. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The highly ordered anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template was fabricated using aluminum anodizing in electrolytes with two-step method, which apertures were about 50–80nm. The nickel nanowires with about 40–70nm in diameter was prepared on the AAO template by laser-MBE (molecular beam epitaxy). And high quality Raman spectra of SudanII were obtained on the glass covered with the nickel nanowires. On the nickel nanowires there are both surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and tip enhanced Raman scattering (TERS). The new observations not only enlarge the range of SERS applications, but also imply a possible new enhancement mechanism. Otherwise the Raman and SERS frequencies of SudanII molecule were calculated using, respectively, DFT and B3PW91. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

One challenge facing the development of air electrodes for Zn–air batteries (ZABs) is the embedment of active sites into carbon, which requires cracks and blends between powder and membrane and results in low energy efficiency during manufacturing and utilization. Herein, a surface phosphorization‐monolithic strategy is proposed to embed CoO nanoparticles into paulownia carbon plate (P–CoO@PWC) as monolithic electrodes. Benefiting from the retention of natural transport channels, P–CoO@PWC‐2 is conducive to the construction of three‐phase interface structure for efficient mass transfer and high electrical conductivity. The electrode exhibits remarkable catalytic activities for both oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) with a small overpotential gap (EOER − EORR = 0.68 V). Density functional theory calculations reveal that the incorporation of P on P–CoO@PWC‐2 surface adjusts the electronic structure to promote the dissociation of water and the activation of oxygen, thus inducing catalytic activity. The monolithic P–CoO@PWC‐2 electrode for quasi‐solid‐state or aqueous ZABs has excellent specific power, low charge–discharge voltage gap (0.83 V), and long‐term cycling stability (over 700 cycles). This work serves as a new avenue for transforming abundant biomass into high‐value energy‐related engineering products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The on-board power supply system provides power for the launch vehicle. The power transmission and transformation system plays an irreplaceable role to ensure that the on-board power supply system receives the normal working voltage of the launch vehicle. There are many types of faults in power transmission and transformation systems. The traditional faulty diagnosis method of power transmission and transformation equipment has the disadvantages of being susceptible to experts' subjectivity and model's ossification. In this paper, a new method of equipment fault diagnosis based on big data is proposed. On the basis of big data, this paper introduces the failure mode clustering algorithm, the state parameter correlation analysis algorithm, the fault diagnosis method based on the correlation matrix, and other key fault diagnosis technologies. The fault record data of the 400 kV voltage grade oil-immersed transformer bushing in the past ten years by a Chinese combat unit is used as a case for demonstration. The results show that the accuracy rate of SC-LSTM-K-means clustering model exceeds 95%. And the fault classification mode can be accurately obtained. A priori correlation algorithm with TA coefficient can be used to evaluate the strong and weak relationship between the state parameters; the fault diagnosis matrix based on Pearson's correlation coefficient can accurately determine the fault mode consistent with the actual operation and maintenance test results. Therefore, the fault diagnosis method of power transmission and transformation system based on big data can both effectively obtain the inherent laws of historical data and realize more accurate fault diagnosis with data adaptability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inherently small temperature difference in air environment restricts the applications of thermoelectric generation in the field of Internet of Things and wearable electronics. Here, a leaf‐inspired flexible thermoelectric generator (leaf‐TEG) that makes maximum use of temperature difference by vertically aligning poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate and constantan thin films is demonstrated. Analytical formulae of the performance scales, i.e., temperature difference utilization ratio (φth) and maximum output power (Pmax), are derived to optimize the leaf‐TEG dimensions. In an air duct (substrate: 36 °C, air: 6 °C, air flowing: 1 m s−1), the 10‐leaf‐TEG shows a φth of 73% and Pmax of 0.38 µW per leaf. A proof‐of‐concept wearable 100‐leaf‐TEG (60 cm2) generates 11 µW on an arm at room temperature. Furthermore, the leaf‐TEG is flexible and durable that is confirmed by bending and brushing over 1000 times. The proposed leaf‐TEG is very appropriate for air convection scenarios with limited temperature differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon fiber-SiC nanowire-hydroxyapatite-pyrolytic carbon composites (CHS) composed of carbon fiber, hydroxyapatite (HA), SiC nanowires (SiCnws) and pyrolytic carbon (PyC) were prepared by sol-gel, heat treating, electrochemical deposition (ECD) and isothermal chemical vapor infiltration (ICVI) for bone implant application. The morphology, microstructure and the composition of CHS were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The mechanical properties of CHS were tested and compared with the traditional bone implant materials. The in-vitro bioactivity was evaluated by testing the cell morphology, cell proliferation and cell differentiation. The results show that SiCnws and HA are distributed uniformly inside the CHS. SiCnws are attached on the carbon fibers. The diameter of the SiCnws is around 250 nm and the length is more than 100 μm. HA could grow on the surface of both SiCnws and carbon fibers, forming a brush shape. The flexural strength, shear strength, out-of-plane and in-of-plane compressive strength of CHS are 127 MPa, 90 MPa, 169 MPa and 213 MPa, respectively. The elastic modulus of CHS is 7.2 GPa. The mechanical properties of CHS are similar to those of cortical bone. In-vitro cell test shows that CHS has excellent cell proliferation and cell differentiation. CHS possessing good mechanical and biological performances may have potential to be applied for bone implant materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A new SERS substrate was prepared using electro-polishing aluminum foils. Based on these high active SERS systems, surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) of Azo Dye Sudan were performed and carefully studied based on this highly active SERS substrate. High quality SERS spectra were obtained, which indicates that this kind of coarse aluminum foils is an active SERS substrate. Numbers of additional modes were presented, as well as some split peaks, which may be a consequence of symmetry lowering. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this work, carbon-coated manganese silicate (MnSiO 3 /C) nanocomposite with excellent cycling stability was fabricated via a cost-effective process. The carbon coating followed with a CO 2 heat treatment process on the manganese silicate results in mixed-valent hierarchically-porous nanoparticles, which tightly connects with an ultrathin (∼1.5 nm) and ordered carbon coating layer. This composite features rectangular-like cyclic voltammetry curve with two couples of redox peaks, suppressing the irreversible reactions and thus providing a broad and stable working voltage. By fitting the CV curves, the MnSiO 3 /C demonstrates a capacitive energy-storage behavior. The as-assembled activated carbon//MnSiO 3 /C asymmetric supercapacitor in 1 M Na 2 SO 4 aqueous electrolyte is found to have excellent cycling stability, with 95.5% retention of initial after 10,000 cycles. This device could deliver 25.8 W h kg−1 energy density at the power density of 1 kW kg−1 with ∼10 mg cm−2 high mass loading, suggesting a bright prospect in practical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anodic aluminum oxide template has a unique advantage in the preparation of nanostructure of array structure. The pore size and film thickness can be controlled by changing the electrolyte, voltage and temperature in the synthesis process. In this article, through the analysis of current production curve in the process of comparison of the anodic alumina template system and realize the current common microscope to control and monitor the size of the template. The relationship between current and voltage and pore size is studied, so as to realize the precise preparation of anodic aluminum oxide template based on current-controlled method. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Using anodic aluminum oxide template to synthesize nanometer array materials has been one of the most crucial technologies in the field of nano-copy. In this paper, we report a method to fabricate well-aligned and highly ordered homogeneous Ti-Pd alloy template and nanowires array from original template with the cylindrical pores by pulsed laser deposition. Scanning electron microscope, atomic force microscope and energy dispersive X-ray measurements show excellent similarity between the original template, the copied Ti-Pd alloy template and nanowires array. Several potential modifications of the metal make the application in producing quantum structures can be followed due to this technique. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

It is a puzzling issue found in the field of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) to read automatically the indication of analog measuring instruments, which collects many states of power system equipment. To address this problem, a lot of approaches based on computer vision have been proposed for the automatic reading of the analog measuring instruments indication. However, most the proposed systems are sensitive to brightness. Moreover, since the camera angle must be vertical, the robustness of the approaches cannot meet application requirements. In this paper, the proposed recognition system uses a novel automatic reading approach, which can automatically read the indication of analog measuring instruments at various brightness levels and camera angles. It is an integrated application of Multi-Scale Retinex with color restoration at different brightness levels, Perspective Transform to get the front view of image taken from arbitrary camera angle, and Hough Transform to determine the pointer position. The test results verify the good robustness of the recognition system to the brightness and camera angle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a newly discovered muscle factor secreted by skeletal muscle cells, irisin is a polypeptide fragment formed from hydrolysis of fibronectin type Ⅲ domain-containing protein 5 (FNDC5). Irisin can promote beigeing of white adipose tissue (WAT) and regulate glucose and lipid metabolisms. However, the functions of irisin in skeletal muscle development remain largely unknown. In order to characterize the expression of irisin, this study investigated the expression of irisin precursor FNDC5 in myoblasts and skeletal muscles during different developmental stages of SPF mice. The Western blot, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), and immunofluorescence assay results showed that FNDC5 was expressed in all the developmental stages of myoblasts and gastrocnemius, but its expression differed at different stages. FNDC5 protein exhibited the highest expression in gastrocnemius of sexually mature mice, followed by elderly mice and adolescent mice, and it displayed the lowest expression in pups. Additionally, FNDC5 protein was mainly expressed in cytoplasm, and it had the highest expression in primary myoblasts, followed by the myotubes with the lowest expression in C2C12 myogenic cells. Overall, FNDC5 was mainly expressed in cytoplasm and extracellular matrix with different expression levels at different developmental stages of skeletal muscle cells and tissues in mice. This study will provide new strategies for promoting skeletal muscle development and treating muscle- and metabolism-related disease by using irisin. • High expression of FNDC5 in skeletal muscle of sexually mature mice. • FNDC5 is differentially expressed at different stages of myoblast differentiation. • FNDC5 is localized in the cytoplasm and extracellular matrix of skeletal muscle cells and not in the nucleus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The failure mechanism of centrifugal pump diffuser weld joint was analyzed by means of SEM, EDS and EBSD. • The strength and toughness of weld joint, HAZ and matrix were quantitatively compared by geometrically necessary dislocation density. • Welding defects such as slag inclusion and residual austenite reduce the corrosion resistance of diffuser weld joint. • Some suggestions for improving the performance of diffuser and prolonging its service life are put forward. The failure mechanism of weld joint in centrifugal pump diffuser was analyzed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and electron back-scattering diffraction (EBSD). Meanwhile, the strength and toughness of weld joint, heat-affected zone (HAZ), and matrix are quantitatively compared by geometrically necessary dislocation density (ρ GND ). The result indicated that the strength and toughness of HAZ are the highest, followed by matrix, and weld joint is the lowest. Defects such as slag inclusion and residual austenite create initial conditions for the corrosion of weld joint. Severe chloride ion corrosion resulted in micro-cracks on the weld surface. Meanwhile, corrosion reduces the surface energy of the micro-cracks. Therefore, the concentrated driving force makes the micro-cracks with reduced surface energy spread rapidly, eventually causing the rapid failure of diffuser weld joint. This study may provide a reference for petroleum engineers and centrifugal pump manufacturers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Lead magnesium niobate–lead titanate ((1−x)Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–xPbTiO3 (x=0.20,0.33,0.50), PMN–PT) thin films have been successfully deposited on SrTiO3(100) substrates by pulsed laser deposition (PLD). The result of X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed that the PMN–PT thin films were c-orientated. The effects of deposition conditions, such as deposition temperature, deposition oxygen pressure, pulsed laser repeated frequency, cooling rate, pulsed laser energy and post annealing, were studied first on thin-film quality. It was found that the deposition temperature was very different for the different mole fractions of the thin films. The range of the deposition temperature of high-qualitied thin films is very narrow, about ±2°C. Such harsh conditions are rare in other thin films, which is also the main reason why PMN–PT thin films are very difficult to prepare. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: High quality ZnO epilayers (χ min ∼10%) were prepared on Al2O3 (0001) substrates at a temperature of 750°C by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) with oxygen pressure of 0.015, 0.15, 1.5, and 15Pa. The best crystalline quality and strongest intensity of UV photoluminescence were observed on ZnO layer with oxygen pressure of 15Pa. It is probable due to the higher oxygen pressure lessens oxygen deficiency in the film. The tetragonal distortion e T, which is caused by elastic strain in the epilayer, was determined by Rutherford backscattering/channeling. It reduces as a whole (from 0.93 to 0.65%) with the increase of oxygen pressure from 0.015 to 15Pa and the excitonic transition energy simultaneously shows a weak blue shift. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]