Flexible and Conductive 3D Printable Polyvinylidene Fluoride and Poly(N,N‐dimethylacrylamide) Based Gel Polymer Electrolytes

In this work, 3D printable gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) based on N,N‐dimethylacrylamide (DMAAm) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) in lithium chloride containing ethylene glycol solution are synthesized and their physicochemical properties are investigated. 3D printing is carried out with a customized stereolithography type 3D gel printer named “Soft and Wet Intelligent Matter‐Easy Realizer” and free forming GPE samples having variable shapes and sizes are obtained. Printed PVDF/PDMAAm‐based GPEs exhibit tunable mechanical properties and favorable thermal stability. Electrochemical proprieties of the printed GPEs are carried out via impedance spectroscopy in the temperature range of 25–90 °C by varying PVDF content. Ionic conductivity as high as 6.5 × 10^?4 S cm^?1 is achieved at room temperature for GPE containing low PVDF content (5 wt%) and conductivity of the GPEs is increased as temperature rises.     

Frequency of Upward Lightning Hits to Wind Turbines in Winter

In recent years, frequent damage to wind turbines by winter lightning has been reported in the region along the Sea of Japan. It is a serious finding that lightning hits concentrate on wind turbines in this region. The authors investigated the increase rate of the frequency of lightning hits on wind turbines due to wind turbine construction by using LLS (lightning location system) data. As a result, an experimental formula to estimate the increase rate of the frequency of lightning hits on wind turbines as a function of parameters related to the construction conditions, namely the height of wind turbines, the height above sea level, and the latitude, is proposed.     

A Moment Method of the Log-Normal Size Distribution with the Critical Size Limit in the Free-Molecular Regime

The present work proposes new formulations of the moment in the free-molecular size regime involving (1) boundary equations at the critical size for evaporation, condensation, and nucleation, and (2) b coefficient functions for coagulation that are improved by two parameters (standard deviation and nondimensional critical size). Using these formulations based on the error function, the critical particle size is readily introduced into the log-normal moment method for applications in general aerosol dynamics. In the situation that the particle size distribution is located near the critical size, the proposed moment method (which considers the critical size limit) improves predictions of total particle number and particle volume concentrations as compared with previously well-used log-normal moment methods for sizes ranging from 0 to ∞. However, as the size distribution approaches to the continuum size regime, the influence of the critical size becomes smaller. Thus, the new formulations are expected to improve microphysical parameterization in the free-molecular regime in aerosol-transport models.

Copyright 2014 American Association for Aerosol Research     

利用煤灰进行土质改良的可行性研究

论述了煤灰作为土质改良材料的可行性。围绕软弱土经改良后的压缩性和剪切强度的变化,采用不同混合比的土样品进行了一系列的压缩试验和三轴剪切试验。试验结果表明,随着灰土比例的增加,样品的最大干燥密度芽剪切强度增加,固结系数及次固结系数减小。     

粘性土的弹粘塑性本构方程及其应用

从常规试验成果出发，用弹粘塑性应力－应变－时间本构方程来描述粘性土的剪胀特性和时间效应。并采用Ｐｅｒｚｙｎａ的粘塑性方程，结合关联和不相关联流动法则，建立应力－应变－时间关系，对粘性土的有效应力路径特别是塑性区的剪胀特性和应力－应变关系的时间依存性进行了数值模拟计算，得出了与试验相近的结果。通过计算结果和试验结果的对比分析，探讨了该计算模型的合理性和可行性。     

Hydrogen and carbon dioxide adsorption with tetra‐n‐butyl ammonium semi‐clathrate hydrates for gas separations

Gas adsorption rates of H₂, CO₂, and H₂‐CO₂ gas mixture (H₂/CO₂ = 3.4) with tetra‐n‐butyl ammonium salt (bromide, chloride, and fluoride) semi‐clathrate hydrate particles were measured at 269 K to assess their properties for gas separation. Equilibrium gas occupancies in the S‐cages of the particles were in order of (high to low) for hexagonal structure‐I, tetragonal structure‐I, and superlattice of cubic structure‐I structures with the maximum fractional occupancy by CO₂ being about 40%. The CO₂ diffusion rate depended on the anion size of the salt, which is attributed to distortion of the S‐cage that is close to the molecular size of CO₂. Simulations of semi‐clathrate hydrate particles with theory showed that H₂/CO₂ selectivities could be as high as 36 (3.0 mol% TBAF) and that selectivities for an ideal membrane (3.3 mol% TBAF) could be >100 (269 K, 0.3–4.5 MPa). Semi‐clathrate hydrates have wide application as separation media for gas mixtures. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 992–1003, 2015     

Structural Analysis of the Complex between Penta-EF-Hand ALG-2 Protein and Sec31A Peptide Reveals a Novel Target Recognition Mechanism of ALG-2

ALG-2, a 22-kDa penta-EF-hand protein, is involved in cell death, signal transduction, membrane trafficking, etc., by interacting with various proteins in mammalian cells in a Ca²⁺-dependent manner. Most known ALG-2-interacting proteins contain proline-rich regions in which either PPYPXnYP (type 1 motif) or PXPGF (type 2 motif) is commonly found. Previous X-ray crystal structural analysis of the complex between ALG-2 and an ALIX peptide revealed that the peptide binds to the two hydrophobic pockets. In the present study, we resolved the crystal structure of the complex between ALG-2 and a peptide of Sec31A (outer shell component of coat complex II, COPII; containing the type 2 motif) and found that the peptide binds to the third hydrophobic pocket (Pocket 3). While amino acid substitution of Phe⁸⁵, a Pocket 3 residue, with Ala abrogated the interaction with Sec31A, it did not affect the interaction with ALIX. On the other hand, amino acid substitution of Tyr¹⁸⁰, a Pocket 1 residue, with Ala caused loss of binding to ALIX, but maintained binding to Sec31A. We conclude that ALG-2 recognizes two types of motifs at different hydrophobic surfaces. Furthermore, based on the results of serial mutational analysis of the ALG-2-binding sites in Sec31A, the type 2 motif was newly defined.     

Study on new GMA welding process with duplex current feeding

Gas metal arc welding (GMAW) under pure argon shielding gas atmosphere (pure argon-GMAW) is suitable to obtain a high-strength and high toughness welded joint. However, it is difficult that pure argon-GMA welding is applied practically welding structure because of arc instability. In order to perform stable pure argon-GMA welding, duplex current feeding GMAW (DCF-GMAW) has been developed. The DCF-GMAW consists of primary GMA welding current and secondary welding current by constant-current power resource. DFC-GMAW can feed larger current near wire tip. This effect makes that weld penetration depth is deeper, weld bead shape is improved using DCF-GMAW.     

Practical Application of ±250‐kV DC‐XLPE Cable for Hokkaido–Honshu HVDC Link

The long‐term dc properties of DC‐XLPE insulation materials, which have been developed for dc use, were investigated. It was found that the lifetime of DC‐XLPE under dc voltage application is extended by the addition of nano‐sized filler. The time dependence of the space charge distribution at 50 kV/mm was observed for 7 days. Almost no accumulation of space charge in DC‐XLPE was found. The 250‐kV DC‐XLPE cables and accessories were manufactured and subjected to a type test and PQ test for use in the Hokkaido–Honshu dc link facility owned by the Electric Power Development Co., Ltd. These tests were performed under conditions that included a polarity reversal test for line commutated converter (LCC) systems as recommended in CIGRE TB 219. The test temperature was 90 °C. The type test and PQ test were successfully completed. The DC‐XLPE cable and accessories were installed in summer 2012 for the Hokkaido–Honshu dc link. After the installation of the dc extruded cable system, a dc high‐voltage test at 362.5 kV (=1.45 PU) for 15 min was successfully completed in accordance with CIGRE TB 219. This dc extruded cable system was put into operation in December 2012 as the world's highest‐voltage extruded dc cable in service and the world's first dc extruded cable for a LCC system including polarity reversal operation.