Low-temperature synthesis of SiC nanowires with Ni catalyst

SiC nano wires were fabricated on the silicon substrate dipped with a layer of Ni catalyst at 900 ℃ by gas pressure annealing processing. The morphologies and crystal structures were determined by scanning electron microscopy(SEM), transmission electron microscopy(TEM)and X-ray diffraction(XRD). The results show that the assynthesized nanowires are β-SiC single crystalline with diameter range of 50-100 nm, and length of tens of micron by directly annealing at 900 ℃. The SiC nano wires grow along the [111] direction with highly uniform morphology. And the possible growth mechanism of SiC nano wires is proposed.The present work provides an efficient strategy for the production of high-quality SiC nano wires.     

Beam and image experiment of beam deflection electron gun for distributed X-ray sources

Distributed X-ray sources comprise a single vacuum chamber containing multiple X-ray sources that are triggered and emit X-rays at a specific time and location. This process facilitates an application for innovative system concepts in X-ray and computer tomography. This paper proposes a novel electron beam focusing, shaping,and deflection electron gun for distributed X-ray sources.The electron gun uses a dispenser cathode as an electron emitter, a mesh grid to control emission current, and two electrostatic lenses for beam shaping, focusing, and deflection. Novel focusing and deflecting electrodes were designed to increase the number of focal spots in the distributed source. Two identical half-rectangle opening electrodes are controlled by adjusting the potential of the two electrodes to control the electron beam trajectory, and then, multifocal spots are obtained on the anode target. The electron gun can increase the spatial density of the distributed X-ray sources, thereby improving the image quality. The beam experimental results show that the focal spot sizes of the deflected(deflected amplitude 10.5 mm)and non-deflected electron beams at full width at half maximum are 0.80 mm 90.50 mm and 0.55 mm 90.40 mm, respectively(anode voltage 160 kV; beam current 30 mA). The imaging experimental results demonstrate the excellent spatial resolution and time resolution of an imaging system built with the sources, which has an excellent imaging effect on a field-programmable gate array chip and a rotating metal disk.     

Fabrication strategies and application fields of novel 2D Ti3C2Tx (MXene) composite hydrogels: A mini-review

Ti₃C₂T_x (MXene), a new kind of 2D ceramic nanosheets, is receiving more and more attention in the fields of medicine, biology, energy, electronics, etc. However, the preparation and application of MXene in hydrogel is still in its infancy period. Here, we review the latest progress (after 2018) related to MXene hydrogels in time. Aiming at the key issue of the dispersion stability of MXene in hydrogel systems, the preparation strategy, mechanism, advantages and disadvantages of MXene hydrogels are sorted out in detail, and the potential application prospects of MXene composite hydrogel are introduced. Finally, future viewpoints are put forward for the dispersion stability challenges that need solving in the design of MXene hydrogel.     

Study of haze emission efficiency based on new co-opetition data envelopment analysis

As haze intensifies in China, controlling haze emission has become the country's top priority for environmental protection. Because haze moves across different regions, it is necessary to develop a data envelopment analysis (DEA) model underpinned by both competition and cooperation to evaluate the haze emission efficiency in different provinces. This study innovatively adopts the spatial econometrics to construct the co-opetition matrices of Chinese provinces, then builds the co-opetition DEA model to evaluate the haze emission efficiency of them, and finally uses the haze data of 2015 as an example to assess the applicability of the model. The results of the study include the following: First, compared with the traditional CCR (A. Charnes & W. W. Cooper & E. Rhodes) model, this study constructs the co-opetition DEA cross-efficiency model that integrates haze's feature of cross-border moving; thus, it is more in line with the reality of haze emission and movement. Second, compared with the efficiency value gained from the CCR model, the haze emission efficiency values for Tianjin and Guangdong, two decision-making units, register greater variance when using the DEA model. The reason might lie in that they have a different spatial transportation relationship with their surrounding provinces. Third, the haze emission efficiency of provinces, according to the evaluation based on the co-opetition DEA method, varies greatly: Those with high efficiency are mostly inland provinces with slow economic growth and adverse climatic conditions, whereas many of the provinces with low efficiency are located in the relatively prosperous East China. The specific co-opetition DEA model constructed in this study enriches the research on the DEA model, which can be applied to the emission efficiency evaluation of similar pollutants around the world and can contribute empirical support to the haze reducing efforts of the government with its empirical results.     

Wear mechanism of a novel AlSiMgAl2O4Al2O3 composite used in the low vessel of an RH secondary refining furnace

A novel AlSiMgAl₂O₄Al₂O₃ composite brick was prepared and evaluated in the low vessel of an RH (the initials of Ruhrstahl and Hereaeus) secondary refining furnace; it was characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. The results show that after use, the AlSiMgAl₂O₄Al₂O₃ composite has a functional gradient with an erosion zone–reinforced zone–original zone phase distribution, in which the phases in the erosion zone (0–1.8?cm) are a Mg-hercynite spinel solid solution, α-Al₂O₃, and minor amount of Al₃Fe₅O₁₂. Furthermore, the phases in the reinforced zone (1.8–5.0?cm) are γ-AlON, 21RSiAlON, SiC, Mg_0.388Al_2.408O₄, and α-Al₂O₃; i.e., the Al and Si in the composite are completely converted into non-oxide reinforced phases. Finally, the phases in the original zone (>5.0?cm) show no change. The reaction mechanism is as follows. During operation, a Mg-hercynite spinel solid solution is formed in the erosion zone due to a reaction between MgAl₂O₄ and FeO from a refinery operation. Therefore, the slag erosion of the material is improved. The Al and Si metals undergo active oxidation, and 21RSiAlON flakes are subsequently formed from the products of the metastable Al₂O(g), SiO(g), and N₂(g) in the ambient. The γ-AlON is formed by a carbothermal reduction nitridation of the α-Al₂O₃ and residual active carbon from the resin binder. The 21RSiAlON and γ-AlON reinforce the composite brick and improve its high temperature performance accordingly. Its service life is 110% that of the magnesia-chrome bricks used in the same period. The reaction model was also established.     

Lead-free sodium niobate nanowires with strong piezo-catalysis for dye wastewater degradation

In this work, the hydrothermally-synthesized sodium niobate nanowires were used to decompose Rhodamine B dye solution through the piezo-catalytic effect. With the sodium niobate catalyst, a high piezo-catalytic degradation ratio of ～80% was achieved under the excitation of vibration for the Rhodamine B dye solution (～5?mg/l). These active species in the catalytic process, hydroxyl radicals and superoxide radicals with the strong oxidation ability, were also observed, which confirmed the key role of piezoelectric effect for piezo-catalysis. The piezo-catalysis of sodium niobate nanowires provides a high-efficiency and reusable tool in application in depredating the dye wastewater.     

A Dual Inhibitor of DYRK1A and GSK3β for β-Cell Proliferation: Aminopyrazine Derivative GNF4877

Loss of β-cell mass and function can lead to insufficient insulin levels and ultimately to hyperglycemia and diabetes mellitus. The mainstream treatment approach involves regulation of insulin levels; however, approaches intended to increase β-cell mass are less developed. Promoting β-cell proliferation with low-molecular-weight inhibitors of dual-specificity tyrosine-regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A) offers the potential to treat diabetes with oral therapies by restoring β-cell mass, insulin content and glycemic control. GNF4877, a potent dual inhibitor of DYRK1A and glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) was previously reported to induce primary human β-cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Herein, we describe the lead optimization that lead to the identification of GNF4877 from an aminopyrazine hit identified in a phenotypic high-throughput screening campaign measuring β-cell proliferation.