Martensitic transformation and magnetic properties of aged Ni-Fe-Ga-Ti shape memory alloy

This article reports the effect of ageing on the microstructure, martensitic transformation, magnetic properties, and mechanical properties of Ni51FelsGa27Ti4 shape memory alloy. There are five specimens of this alloy aged at 573 up to 973 K for 3 h per each. This range of ageing temperature greatly affects the microstructure of the alloy. As the ageing temperature increased from 573 up to 973 K, the microstructure of Ni51FelsGa27Ti4 alloy gradually changed from the entirely martensitic matrix at 573 K to the fully austenitic microstructure at 973 K. The volume fraction of precipi- tated Ni3Ti particles increased with the ageing temperature increasing from 573 to 773 K. Further increasing the ageing temperature to 973 K decreased the content of Ni3Ti in the microstructure. The martensitic transformation tempera- ture was decreased steadily by increasing the ageing temperature. The magnetization saturation, remnant magnetization, and coercivity increased with the ageing temperature increasing up to 773 K. A further increase in ageing temperature decreased these raagnetic properties. Moreover, the hardness values were gradually increased at first by increasing the ageing temperature to 773 K, and then dramatically decreased to the lowest value at 973 K.     

Preparation and visible-light photocatalytic property of nanostructu- red Fe-doped TiO2 from titanium containing electric furnace molten slag

Nanostructured Fe-doped titanium dioxide was synthesized from titanium containing electric furnace molten slag （TCEFMS） by using an alkali fusion, followed by a hydrolyzation-acidolysis-cMcination route. The effects of Mkali/slag mass ratio, calcinating temperature, calcinating time, and water/slag mass ratio on the extraction efficiency and purity of products were systematically studied in this paper. It is indicated that the best extraction efficiency of nanostructured Fe- doped titanium dioxide is 99.35%, when the molten slag is calcinated at 700℃ for 1 h with the mass ratio of alkali/molten slag of 1.5：1. The influence of alkali/slag mass ratio on the photocatalytic activity of final products was evaluated by the photodegradation of methyl blue under visible light irradiation. A maximum photodegradation efficiency of 88.12% over 30 min was achieved under the optimum conditions.     

Microstructural and mechanical properties of A1-4.5wt% Cu rein- forced with alumina nanoparticles by stir casting method

The microstructure and mechanical properties of A1-4.5wt% Cu Mloy reinforced with different volume fractions （1.5vo1%, 3vo1%, and 5vo1%） of alumina nanoparticles, fabricated using stir casting method, were investigated. CMculated amounts of alumina nanoparticles （about ~50 nm in size） were ball-milled with aluminum powders in a planetary ball mill for 5 h, and then the packets of milled powders were incorporated into molten Al-4.5wt% Cu alloy. Microstructural studies of the nanocomposites reveal a uniform distribution of alumina nanoparticles in the A1-4.5wt% Cu matrix. The results indicate an outstanding improvement in compression strength and hardness due to the effect of nanoparticle addition. The aging behavior of the composite is also evaluated, indicating that the addition of alumina nanoparticles can accelerate the aging process of the Mloy, resulting in higher peak hardness values.     

Integrated evaluation system under randomness and fuzziness for groundwater contamination risk assessment in a little town,Central China简

An integrated evaluation system under randomness and fuzziness was developed in this work to systematically assess the risk of groundwater contamination in a little town, Central China. In this system, randomness of the parameters and the fuzziness of the risk were considered simultaneously, and the exceeding standard probability of contamination and human health risk due to the contamination were integrated. The contamination risk was defined as a combination of ＂vulnerability＂ and ＂hazard＂. To calculate the value of ＂vulnerability＂, pollutant concentration was simulated by MODFLOW with random input variables and a new modified health risk assessment （MRA） model was established to analyze the level of ＂hazard＂. The limit concentration based on environmental-guideline and health risk due to manganese were systematically examined to obtain the general risk levels through a fuzzy rule base. The ＂vulnerability＂ and ＂hazard＂ were divided into five categories of ＂high＂, ＂medium-high＂, ＂medium＂, ＂low-medium＂ and ＂low＂, respectively. Then, ＂vulnerability＂ and ＂hazard＂ were firstly combined by integrated evaluation. Compared with the other two scenarios under deterministic methods, the risk obtained in the proposed system is higher. This research illustrated that ignoring of uncertainties in evaluation process might underestimate the risk level.     

Effect of some operational variables on bubble size in a pilot-scale mechanical flotation machine简

This work aims to provide a relationship of how the key operational variables of frother type and impeller speed affect the size of bubble （D32）. The study was performed using pilot-scale equipment （0.8 m^3） that is up to two orders of magnitude larger than equipment used for studies performed to date by others, and incorporated the key process variables of frother type and impeller speed. The results show that each frother family exhibits a unique CCC95-HLB relationship dependent on n （number of C-atoms in alkyl group） and m （number of propylene oxide group）. Empirical models were developed to predict CCC95 from HLB associated with other two parameters a and ft. The impeller speed-bubble size tests show that D32 is unaffected by increased impeller tip speed across the range of 4.6 to 9.2 m/s （representing the industrial operating range）, although D32 starts to increase below 4.6 m/s. The finding is valid for both coalescing and non-coalescing conditions. The results suggest that the bubble size and bubble size distribution （BSD） being created do not change with increasing impeller speed in the quiescent zone of the flotation.     

Feasibility of developing composite action between concrete and cold-formed steel beam

Cold-formed steel structures are steel structure products constructed from sheets or coils using cold rolling, press brake or bending brake method. These structures are extensively employed in building construction industry due to their light mass, ductility by economic cold forming operations, favorable strength-to-mass ratio and other factors. The utilization of cold formed steel sections with concrete as composite can hugely reduce the construction cost. However, the use of cold formed steel members in composite concrete beams has been very limited. A comprehensive review of developments in composite beam with cold formed steel sections was introduced. It was revealed that employing cold-formed steel channel section to replace reinforcement bars in conventional reinforced concrete beam results in a significant cost reduction without reducing strength capacity. The use of composite beam consisting of cold-formed steel open or close box and filled concrete could also reduce construction cost. Lighter composite girder for bridges with cold-formed steel of U section was introduced. Moreover, types of shear connectors to provide composite action between cold-formed steel beam and concrete slab were presented. However, further studies to investigate the effects of metal decking on the behavior of composite beam with cold-formed steel section and introduction of ductile shear connectors were recommended.     

Effect of different forms of silica on sintering,microstructure and properties of borosilicate glass/Al2O3 composites

The effects of the introduction of silica glass and silica ceramic into Ca-Al-B-Si-O glass/ Al2O3 composites on decreasing the shrinkage and the dielectric constant of samples were investigated by FTIR, DSC, XRD and SEM. The results show that silica ceramic filler can better improve the formation of Si– O–Si network in the composites under high temperature, which leads to increased continuity of glass network at high temperature, and deduces the increase of viscosity of composites and further results in the decrease in the shrinkage of samples. Densification, three-point strength, and dielectric constant of samples decrease with the increase of silica glass or silica ceramic content. By contrast, Ca-Al-B-Si-O glass/Al2O3 composites with 4 wt% silica ceramic exhibit better properties of a bulk density of 2.81 g cm-3, a porosity of 0.3%, a 3dp value of 202 MPa, a ε r value of 7.41, a tan δ value of 8.3×10-4at 10 MHz and a well matching with Ag electrodes. This material is suitable to be used as the LTCC material for the application in wireless communications.     

Preparation of CaO-Al2O3-SiO2 system glass from molten blast furnace slag

To use the potential heat of molten blast furnace slag completely, a CaO-Al2O3-SiO2 system glass （MSG） was prepared from the molten industrial slag. The corresponding method proposed in this study utilized both slag and its potential heat, improving the production rate and avoiding the environmental pollution. Using appropriate techniques, an MSG with uniform color and superior performances was produced. Based on the experimental results and phase diagram, the chemical composition of MSG by mass is obtained as follows：CaO 27%-33%, SiO2 42%-51%, Al2O3 11%-14%, MgO 6%-8%, and Na2O＋K2O 1%-4%. Thermodynamic processes of MSG preparation were analyzed, and the phases and microstructures of MSG were investigated by X-ray diffraction （XRD） and scanning electron microscopy （SEM）. The results show that alkali metal oxides serve as the fluxes, calcium oxide serves as the stabilizer, and alumina reinforces the Si-O network. XRD and SEM analyses show that, the prepared MSG displays the glass-feature patterns, the melting process is more complete, and the melt viscosity is lowered with an increase in calcium oxide content;however, a continuous increase in slag content induces the crystalli-zation of glass, leading to the formation of glass subphase. The optimum content of molten slag in MSG is 67.37wt%. With respect to bend-ing strength and acid/alkali resistance, the performance of MSG is better than that of ordinary marble.     

Pyrolysis characteristics of rubber compositions in medical waste

Thermogravimetric study of rubber compositions （operating glove and catheter） in medical waste was carried out using the thermogravimetric analyser （TGA）,at the heating rate of 20 ℃/min in a stream of N2.The results indicate that the decomposition process of operating glove appears an obvious mass loss stage at 250-485 ℃,while catheter has two obvious stages at 240-510 ℃ and 655-800 ℃,respectively; both samples present endothermic pyrolysis reaction; the decomposition of operating glove and the first mass loss stage of catheter are in agreement with natural rubber pyrolysis; the second mass loss stage of catheter corresponds to CaCO3 decomposition.Based on the experimental results,a novel two-step four-reaction model was established to simulate the whole continuous processes,which could more satisfactorily describe and predict the pyrolysis processes of rubber compositions,being more mechanistic and conveniently serving for the engineering.     

Strength failure and crack coalescence behavior of sandstone containing single pre-cut fissure under coupled stress,fluid flowand changing chemical environment简

In order to study the strength failure and crack coalescence characteristics of cracked rocks, uniaxial compression experiments were conducted on cylindrical sandstone specimens, sampled from Longyou Grottoes of Zhejiang Province, China, with a single pre-cut crack soaking in different chemical solutions. Based on the results of uniaxial compressive test under different chemical solutions and velocities of flow, the effect of strength and deformation characteristics and main modes of crack coalescence for cracked rocks under chemical corrosion were analyzed. The results show that the pH value and velocity of the chemical solutions both have great influence on the sandstone sample＇s uniaxial compressive strength and deformation characteristics. Cracked sandstone samples are tension-destructed under uniaxial compression, and the crack propagation directions are consistent with the loading direction. The phenomena of crack initiation, propagation and coalescence of sandstone are well observed. Four different crack types are identified based on the crack propagation mechanism by analyzing the ultimate failure modes of sandstone containing a single pre-cut fissure. The failure process of specimen in air is similar with the specimen under chemical solutions, however, the initial time of crack occuring in specimen under chemical solutions is generally earlier than that in the natural specimen, and the crack propagation and coalescence process of specimen under chemical solutions are longer than those of the natural specimen due to softening of structure of rock caused by hydro-chemical action. Immersion velocity of flow and chemical solutions does not have influence on the ultimate modes of crack coalescence.     

Interfacial intermetallic compound growth and shear strength of low-silver SnAgCuBiNi//Cu lead-free solder joints

The growth rule of the interfacial intermetallic compound （IMC） and the degradation of shear strength of Sn-0.SAg-0.5Cu-2.0Bi-0.05Ni （SACBN）/Cu solder joints were investigated in comparison with Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu （SAC305）/ Cu solder joints aging at 373, 403, and 438 K. The results show that （Cul-x,Nix）6Sn5 phase forms between the SACBN solder and Cu substrate during soldering. The interracial IMC thickens constantly with the aging time increasing, and the higher the aging temperature, the faster the IMC layer grows. Compared with the SAC305/Cu couple, the SACBN/Cu couple exhibits a lower layer growth coefficient. The activation energies of IMC growth for SACBN/Cu and SAC305/Cu couples are 111.70 and 82.35 kJ/mol, respectively. In general, the shear strength of aged solder joints declines continuously. However, SACBN/Cu solder joints exhibit a better shear strength than SAC305/Cu solder joints.     

Matched glass-to-Kovar seals in N2 and Ar atmospheres

The oxidation of Kovar alloy was investigated, the wetting and spreading behavior of hard and soft glasses on Kovar alloy were studed by using the sessile drop method, and the quality and the seal strength of glass-Kovar seals were tested. The experimental results indicated that the preoxidation of Kovar alloy for approximately 10 min at 700℃ in air resulted in excellent adherence in glass-Kovar seals. The wetting and spreading behavior of glass on preoxidized Kovar alloy were superior to that on nonoxidized Kovar alloy. The wetting ability of ASF110 glass, at 950℃ and 980℃ in Ar and N2 atmospheres, was significantly superior to that of ASF200R and ASF700 glasses. The seal quality of the glass-preoxidized Kovar seal was superior to that of the glass-nonoxidized Kovar seal. The shear strength of the ASFll0 glass-preoxidized Kovar seal, which was prepared at 980℃ for 20 min in an Ar atmosphere, was approximately 3.9 MPa.     

Low temperature sintering and dielectric properties of Ca-Ba-Al-B-Si-O glass/Al2O3 composites for LTCC applications

The effects of various SiO2 contents on both the microstructures and properties of Ca-Ba- A1-B-Si-O glass/Al2O3 cotrtposites were investigated by FTIR, DSC, XRD and SEM. The experimental results show that increasing SiO2 content in the glass leads to the increase of [SIO4] units, increases the continuity of glass network, and decreases the trend to crystallization of composites. The shrinkage of samples rises rapid around the glass softening temperature and the final shrinkage of samples decreases with increasing SiO2 content in the glass. Borosilicate glass/Al2O3 composites with 60wt% SiO2 sintered at 875 ℃ for 15 min show better properties： a bulk density of 3.10 g,cm-3, a porosity of 0.23 %, a er value of 7.55 and a tan 8 value of 0.00053 （measured at 10 MHz） and a well matching with Ag electrodes.     

Modeling,identification and compensation for geometric errors of laser annealing table简

In order to improve the process precision of an XY laser annealing table, a geometric error modeling, and an identification and compensation method were proposed. Based on multi-body system theory, a geometric error model for the laser annealing table was established. It supports the identification of 7 geometric errors affecting the annealing accuracy. An original identification method was presented to recognize these geometric errors. Positioning errors of 5 lines in the workspace were measured by a laser interferometer, and the 7 geometric errors were identified by the proposed algorithm. Finally, a software-based error compensation method was adopted, and a compensation mechanism was developed in a postprocessor based on LabVIEW. The identified geometric errors can be compensated by converting ideal NC codes to actual NC codes. A validation experiment has been conducted on the laser annealing table, and the results indicate that positioning errors of two validation lines decreased from ±37 μm and ±33 μm to±5 μm and ±4.5 μm, respectively. The geometric error modeling, identification and compensation method presented in this work can be straightforwardly extended to any configurations of 2-dimensional worktable.     

Effects of Sr2＋ substitution on the structural,dielectric, and piezoelectric properties of PZT-PMN ceramics

This study described the structural, dielectric, and piezoelectric behavior of Pb1-xSrx[（Zr0.52Ti0.48）0.95（Mn1/3Nb2/3）0.05]O3 ceramics （PSZT-PMN, x=0, 0.025, 0.050, and 0.075）, prepared by a semi-wet route. X-ray diffraction, dielectric, and piezoelectric investigations were carried out to analyze the crystal structure. The relative dielectric constant and dielectric loss were both calculated as the functions of temperature. The room-temperature dielectric constant reaches a maximum for a Sr2＋-modified PZT-PMN ceramic with an x value of 0.050, which corresponds to the morphotropic phase boundary （MPB）. Raman spectroscopy studies also confirm the existence of this MPB for x=0.050. The piezoelectric strain coefficients （d33） value shows a maximum response for this composition. In addition, the phase transition temperature decreases significantly when the Sr2＋concentration increases in the PZT-PMN ceramics.     

Thermodynamics and kinetics of alumina extraction from fly ash using an ammonium hydrogen sulfate roasting method

A novel method was developed for extracting alumina （Al2O3） from fly ash using an ammonium hydrogen sulfate （NH4HSO4） roasting process, and the thermodynamics and kinetics of this method were investigated. The thermodynamic results were verified experi-mentally. Thermodynamic calculations show that mullite present in the fly ash can react with NH4HSO4 in the 298-723 K range. Process op-timization reveals that the extraction rate can reach up to 90.95% when the fly ash reacts with NH4HSO4 at a 1：8 mole ratio of Al2O3/NH4HSO4 at 673 K for 60 min. Kinetic analysis indicates that the NH4HSO4 roasting process follows the shrinking unreacted core model, and inner diffusion through the product layer is the rate-controlling step. The activation energy is calculated to be 16.627 kJ/mol;and the kinetic equation can be expressed as 1-（2/3）α-（1-α）2/3=0.0374t exp[-16627/（RT）], whereαis the extraction rate and t is the roasting temperature.     

Recent developments on applications of sequential loop closing and diagonal dominance control schemes to industrial multivariable system

With a focus on an industrial multivariable system, two subsystems including the flow and the level outputs are analysed and controlled, which have applicability in both real and academic environments. In such a case, at first, each subsystem is distinctively represented by its model, since the outcomes point out that the chosen models have the same behavior as corresponding ones. Then, the industrial multivariable system and its presentation are achieved in line with the integration of these subsystems, since the interaction between them can not actually be ignored. To analyze the interaction presented, the Gershgorin bands need to be acquired, where the results are used to modify the system parameters to appropriate values. Subsequently, in the view of modeling results, the control concept in two different techniques including sequential loop closing control （SLCC） scheme and diagonal dominance control （DDC） schemes is proposed to implement on the system through the Profibus network, as long as the OPC （OLE for process control） server is utilized to communicate between the control schemes presented and the multivariable system. The real test scenarios are carried out and the corresponding outcomes in their present forms are acquired. In the same way, the proposed control schemes results are compared with each other, where the real consequences verify the validity of them in the field of the presented industrial multivariable system control.     

Biodesulfurization of vanadium-bearing titanomagnetite concentrates and pH control of bioleaching solution

Vanadium-bearing titanomagnetite concentrates were desulfurized with Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans （A. ferrooxidans）. The sulfur content of the concentrates was reduced from 0.69wt% to 0.14wt% after bioleaching for 15 d with a 10% pulp density at 30℃. Maintaining a stable pH value during biodesulfurization was critical because of high acid consumption, resulting from a combination of nonoxidative and oxidative dissolution of pyrrhotite in acid solution. It is discovered that the citric acid-disodium hydrogen phosphate buffer of pH 2.0 can control the solution pH value smoothly in the optimal range of 2.0-3.0 for A. ferrooxidans growth. Using the buffer in the volume fraction range of 5.0%-15.0% stimulates A. ferooxidans growth and improves the biodesulfurization efficiency. Compared with the buffer-free control case, the maximum increase of biodesulfurization rate is 29.7% using a 10.0vol% buffer. Bioleaching provides an alternative process for desulfurization of vanadium-bearing titanomagnetite ores.     

Formability improvement and blank shape definition for deep drawing of cylindrical cup with complex curve profile from SPCC sheets using FEM简

In the current work, to predict and improve the formability of deep drawing process for steel plate cold rolled commercial grade （SPCC） sheets, three parameters including the blanking force, the die and punch comer radius were considered. The experimental plan according to Taguchi＇s orthogonal array was coupled with the finite element method （FEM） simulations. Firstly, the data from the test of stress-strain and forming limit curves were used as input into ABAQUS/Explicit finite element code to predict the failure occurrence of deep drawing process. The three parameters were then validated to establish their effects on the press formability. The optimum case found via simulation was finally confirmed through an experiment. In order to obtain the complex curve profile of cup shape after deep drawing, the anisotropic behavior of earring phenomenon was modeled and implemented into FEM. After such phenomenon was correctly predicted, an error metric compared with design curve was then measured.     

Automatic detection of respiratory rate from electrocardiogram, respiration induced plethysmography and 3D acceleration signals

Respiratory monitoring is increasingly used in clinical and healthcare practices to diagnose chronic cardio-pulmonary functional diseases during various routine activities.Wearable medical devices have realized the possibilities of ubiquitous respiratory monitoring,however,relatively little attention is paid to accuracy and reliability.In previous study,a wearable respiration biofeedback system was designed.In this work,three kinds of signals were mixed to extract respiratory rate,i.e.,respiration inductive plethysmography （RIP）,3D-acceleration and ECG.In-situ experiments with twelve subjects indicate that the method significantly improves the accuracy and reliability over a dynamic range of respiration rate.It is possible to derive respiration rate from three signals within mean absolute percentage error 4.37％ of a reference gold standard.Similarly studies derive respiratory rate from single-lead ECG within mean absolute percentage error 17％ of a reference gold standard.