Re-examination of phase relations between solid solutions in R4Al2O9-R4Si2N2O7-R4Si2O10 (R=Y,Gd, Yb) systems

Samples in Si–Al-R-O-N (R = Y, Gd, Yb) systems were prepared by solid-state reactions using R₂O₃, Al₂O₃, SiO₂ and Si₃N₄ powders as starting materials. X-ray diffraction was done to investigate RAM-J(R) solid solutions [RAM = R₄Al₂O₉, J(R) = R₄Si₂N₂O₇] formation and their equilibrium with RSO (R₄Si₂O₁₀). Phase relations between RAM, J(R) and RSO at 1700 °C were summarized in a phase diagram. It was determined that a limited solid solution of RAM and RSO could be formed along RAM-RSO tie-line, while RAM and J(R) form a continuous solid solution along RAM-J(R) tie-line. In RAM-J(R)-RSO ternary systems, the RAM-J(R) tie-lines were extended towards the RSO corner to form a continuous solid solution area of JRAMss (R = Y, Gd, Yb). The established phase relations in the Si–Al-R-O-N (R = Y, Gd, Yb) systems may facilitate compositional selections for developing JRAMss as monolithic ceramics or for SiC/Si₃N₄ based composites using the solid-solutions as a second refractory phase.     

Pseudocapacitive contributions to electrochemical kinetics in NiOx electrochromic anodes

Because of its ability to change optical absorption dynamically by applied electric field, nickel oxide (NiO) is a promising anodic material in smart windows, which can improve energy conversion efficiency in construction buildings. Although many works have achieved high electrochromic performance with different method. The underlying mechanism is still not fully investigated. In this article, we prepared the NiO films with large specific surface area and high stability by electron beam evaporation. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were employed to figure out the surface morphology and composition of as-deposited films. Afterwards, the electrochemical properties and optical performance of the prepared NiO films were investigated. On this basis, the origin of surface charge was fully analyzed by cyclic voltammetry and diffusion coefficient test. These experimental and theoretical results firmly confirm that both the surface reaction and capacitive effect bring about the excellent EC performance in NiO films. These results not only provide clear evidence about electrochemical kinetics in NiO films, but also offer some useful guidelines for the design of EC materials with higher performance and longer stability.     

形状记忆合金驱动的连续跳跃柔性机器人

针对在复杂、狭窄的非结构化地形下跳跃机器人存在的着陆稳定性和运动连续性的问题,提出了一种形状记忆合金(shape memory alloy,简称SMA)智能材料驱动的柔性跳跃机器人,它具有轻质小型、结构简单及连续运动的优点。利用对称的折纸柔性身体减少着陆振动,保证着陆稳定;利用对称的双SMA弹簧拮抗系统实现弹性元件交替变形和储能释能的功能;建立了柔性机器人跳跃运动的理论模型,研究了关键结构尺寸对能量储存和跳跃性能的影响机制,并研制了一款尺寸为6 cm×4 cm×2.5 cm、质量为3.8 g的原理样机。实验结果表明:柔性机器人依靠SMA驱动能够实现跳跃触发和形态恢复,最大跳跃高度和远度分别为8.67 cm和18 cm,并且可以适应不同工作面。该机器人跳跃性能优越,控制顺序简单,可为非结构化地形下完成侦察探测工作奠定基础。     

增材制造设计(DfAM)下的金刚石晶格结构研究

基于机械零件的增材制造设计,用仿自然式方法设计了一种金刚石晶格结构,对晶胞相对密度和等效弹性模量建立了数学模型,并拟合得到二者关系式,一系列的仿真验证结果显示理论研究所得关系式具有一定的正确性;对金刚石晶格填充结构提出变密度假设,并用仿真和压缩试验的方法进行了验证,结果显示,填充单元密度以受力点为中心渐渐减小的变密度结构拥有更好的抗压性能,同时验证了本文得出的等效弹性模量数学模型具有一定的正确性和适用性.本研究结果可应用于承压机械零件的实体夹层填充,对机械零件进行应力匹配变密度设计,以达到机械结构轻量化的目标.     

Densification mechanism and microstructure characteristics of nano- and micro- crystalline alumina by high-pressure and low temperature sintering

Fully dense ceramics with retarded grain growth can be attained effectively at relatively low temperatures using a high-pressure sintering method. However, there is a paucity of in-depth research on the densification mechanism, grain growth process, grain boundary characterization, and residual stress. Using a strong, reliable die made from a carbon-fiber-reinforced carbon (C_f/C) composite for spark plasma sintering, two kinds of commercially pure α-Al₂O₃ powders, with average particle sizes of 220 nm and 3 μm, were sintered at relatively low temperatures and under high pressures of up to 200 MPa. The sintering densification temperature and the starting threshold temperature of grain growth (T_sg) were determined by the applied pressure and the surface energy relative to grain size, as they were both observed to increase with grain size and to decrease with applied pressure. Densification with limited grain coarsening occurred under an applied pressure of 200 MPa at 1050 °C for the 220 nm Al₂O₃ powder and 1400 °C for the 3 μm Al₂O₃ powder. The grain boundary energy, residual stress, and dislocation density of the ceramics sintered under high pressure and low temperature were higher than those of the samples sintered without additional pressure. Plastic deformation occurring at the contact area of the adjacent particles was proved to be the dominant mechanism for sintering under high pressure, and a mathematical model based on the plasticity mechanics and close packing of equal spheres was established. Based on the mathematical model, the predicted relative density of an Al₂O₃ compact can reach ～80 % via the plastic deformation mechanism, which fits well with experimental observations. The densification kinetics were investigated from the sintering parameters, i.e., the holding temperature, dwell time, and applied pressure. Diffusion, grain boundary sliding, and dislocation motion were assistant mechanisms in the final stage of sintering, as indicated by the stress exponent and the microstructural evolution. During the sintering of the 220 nm alumina at 1125 °C and 100 MPa, the deformation tends to increase defects and vacancies generation, both of which accelerate lattice diffusion and thus enhance grain growth.     

Matrix Manipulation of Directly-Synthesized PbS Quantum Dot Inks Enabled by Coordination Engineering

The direct-synthesis of conductive PbS quantum dot (QD) ink is facile, scalable, and low-cost, boosting the future commercialization of optoelectronics based on colloidal QDs. However, manipulating the QD matrix structures still is a challenge, which limits the corresponding QD solar cell performance. Here, for the first time a coordination-engineering strategy to finely adjust the matrix thickness around the QDs is presented, in which halogen salts are introduced into the reaction to convert the excessive insulating lead iodide into soluble iodoplumbate species. As a result, the obtained QD film exhibits shrunk insulating shells, leading to higher charge carrier transport and superior surface passivation compared to the control devices. A significantly improved power-conversion efficiency from 10.52% to 12.12% can be achieved after the matrix engineering. Therefore, the work shows high significance in promoting the practical application of directly synthesized PbS QD inks in large-area low-cost optoelectronic devices.     

基于度量学习的意图识别和槽填充方法

人机对话中小样本学习场景下的意图识别和槽填充,是自然语言处理的一个重要课题.本文采用基于度量学习的方法,通过计算query set中的样本与support set中样本的距离,寻找距离最近的类别样本作为分类标签,同时将两个任务联合进行训练,用以提升模型的效果.从实验结果中可以得出,本文提出的Fine-tune方法,对意图识别和槽填充任务都有一定的帮助和提升.胶囊网络在意图识别中也起到了一定的效果,可以帮助去除一部分无关信息,但对槽填充任务的帮助不明显;而任务自适应的投影网络,可以更好地将不同类的向量分开,提升了两个任务的性能.     

Toughness and R-curve behaviour of laminated Si3N4/SiCw ceramics

Laminated Si₃N₄/SiC_w ceramics were successfully prepared by tape casting and hot-pressing. Its mechanical properties were measured and the impact resistance was discussed. The toughness of the laminated Si₃N₄/SiC_w ceramics was 13.5 MPa m^1/2, which was almost 1.6 times that of Si₃N₄/SiC_w composite ceramics, namely 8.5 MPa m^1/2. Moreover, the indentation strength of laminated Si₃N₄/SiC_w ceramics was not sensitive to increasing indentation loads and exhibited a rising R-curve behaviour, indicating that the laminated Si₃N₄/SiC_w ceramics had excellent impact resistance. The improved toughness and impact resistance of laminated Si₃N₄/SiC_w ceramics was attributed to the residual stress caused by a thermal expansion coefficient mismatch between the different layers, resulting in crack deflection and bridging of SiC whiskers in the interface layer, thus consuming a large amount of fracture work.     

Dynamic analysis of traction motor in a locomotive considering surface waviness on races of a motor bearing

The traction motor is the power source of the locomotive. If the surface waviness occurs on the races of the motor bearing, it will cause abnormal vibration and noise, accelerate fatigue and wear, and seriously affect the stability and safety of the traction power transmission. In this paper, an excitation model coupling the time-varying displacement and contact stiffness excitations is adopted to investigate the effect of the surface waviness of the motor bearing on the traction motor under the excitation from the locomotive-track coupled system. The detailed mechanical power transmission path and the internal/external excitations (e.g., wheel–rail interaction, gear mesh, and internal interactions of the rolling bearing) of the locomotive are comprehensively considered to provide accurate dynamic loads for the traction motor. Effects of the wavenumber and amplitude of the surface waviness on the traction motor and its neighbor components of the locomotive are investigated. The results indicate that controlling the amplitude of the waviness and avoiding the wavenumber being an integer multiple of the number of the rollers are helpful for reducing the abnormal vibration and noise of the traction motor.