Three-dimensional and anisotropic numerical analysis of a PEM fuel cell

In this study, the effects of cell temperature and relative humidity on charge transport parameters are numerically analyzed. In order to perform this analysis, three-dimensional and anisotropic numerical models are developed. The numerical models are integrated into the experimental values for anisotropic electrical conductivities, as depending on cell temperature and relative humidity, that were obtained from our previous study. The achieved results indicate that the values of current densities in the in-plane direction increase with increasing cell temperature and relative humidity, while the current densities reach a maximum in the rib regions for both the numerical model at the through-plane direction. The behaviors of electrolyte potentials are similar with changes in the cell temperature and relative humidity. In addition, the cathode electrical potentials in both the in-plane direction and through-plane direction do not change to a considerable amount with increasing cell temperature and relative humidity.     

From modification to mechanism: Supercritical hydrothermal synthesis of nano-zirconia

Nano-zirconia has been widely applied due to its excellent physical and chemical properties (e.g., high strength, corrosion resistance, oxygen ion conductivity). Existing preparation methods of nano-zirconia tend to require long reaction time, and the sizes of final particles are large with uneven distributions. Sub-/supercritical hydrothermal synthesis of nanoparticles is favored by researchers owing to controllable reaction process, uniform particle size distribution, good reproducibility, short reaction time, high conversion rate and harmlessness to environment. In this paper, the characteristics and mechanisms of dissolution, crystallization and growth of nano-zirconia during sub-/supercritical hydrothermal synthesis are systematically reviewed. The influences of process and material parameters on the size and purity of particles are analyzed. Then, the reaction mechanism and product phase transition mechanism during hydrothermal synthesis of zirconia are summarized to provide a theoretical reference for the oriented preparation. Finally, the improvement and commercialization of sub-/supercritical hydrothermal synthesis technology are evaluated, and the future research topics are proposed.     

Structural silicone sealants after exposure to laboratory test for durability assessment

During the service life of structural sealant glazing (SSG) facades, the load-bearing capacity of the silicone bonds needs to be guaranteed. Laboratory tests can assess the durability of SSG-systems based on mechanical characteristics of the bond after simultaneous exposure to both climatic and mechanical loads. This article studies how the material characteristics of two common structural sealants are affected by laboratory and field exposure. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) confirms a reduction in the dynamic modulus of exposed silicone samples. Results from thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and small-angle X-ray scattering/wide-angle X-ray scattering show differences between the two sealants and indicate no/minor changes in the composition and morphology of the laboratory and field exposed sealants. Mechanical characterization methods, such as DMA, and tensile and shear testing of the structural bond, are shown to be sensitive toward the combined climatic and mechanical loadings, and are hence suitable for studying degradation mechanisms of structural sealants.     

Influence of temperature on acoustic emission source location accuracy in underground structure

An acoustic emission (AE) experiment was carried out to explore the AE location accuracy influenced by temperature. A hollow hemispherical specimen was used to simulate common underground structures. In the process of heating with the flame, the pulse signal of constant frequency was stimulated as an AE source. Then AE signals received by each sensor were collected and used for comparing localization accuracy at different temperatures. Results show that location errors of AE keep the same phenomenon in the early and middle heating stages. In the later stage of heating, location errors of AE increase sharply due to the appearance of cracks. This provides some beneficial suggestions on decreasing location errors of structural cracks caused by temperature and improves the ability of underground structure disaster prevention and control.     

Structural analysis and optimization of a tethered swept wing for airborne wind energy generation

In this paper, we present an aero‐structural model of a tethered swept wing for airborne wind energy generation. The carbon composite wing has neither fuselage nor actuated aerodynamic control surfaces and is controlled entirely from the ground using three separate tethers. The computational model is efficient enough to be used for weight optimisation at the initial design stage. The main load‐bearing wing component is a nontypical “D”‐shaped wing‐box, which is represented as a slender carbon composite shell and further idealised as a stack of two‐dimensional cross section models arranged along an anisotropic one‐dimensional beam model. This reduced 2+1D finite element model is then combined with a nonlinear vortex step method that determines the aerodynamic load. A bridle model is utilised to calculate the individual forces as a function of the aerodynamic load in the bridle lines that connect the main tether to the wing. The entire computational model is used to explore the influence of the bride on the D‐box structure. Considering a reference D‐box design along with a reference aerodynamic load case, the structural response is analysed for typical bridle configurations. Subsequently, an optimisation of the internal geometry and laminate fibre orientations is carried out using the structural computation models, for a fixed aerodynamic and bridle configuration. Aiming at a minimal weight of the wing structure, we find that for the typical load case of the system, an overall weight savings of approximately 20% can be achieved compared with the initial reference design.     

A PV installation framework concerning electricity variable rates

This paper assesses building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) installation parameters based on the profit generated by a photovoltaic system. It takes into consideration a home building case study and it investigates its monthly energy demand based on a specific location and a typical occupancy. The capability of a photovoltaic (PV) system to generate more profit occurs when solar intensity is maximum while the electric energy price is at its highest rate. The paper traces a framework that encompasses different aspects such as energy demand, energy price, and solar intensity. This framework identifies profit alternatives according to different installation parameters. A tool that predicts a PV installation hourly electric energy production is developed. The profit generated is simulated for home buildings located in Beirut (Lebanon) and Xihua (China), both at 33.8° latitude north. The paper highlights a new approach for BIPV installations, taking into account weather conditions, energy demand, and electric energy utility rates.     

Physicochemical and technological properties of beef burger as influenced by the addition of pea fibre

This study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics and sensory attributes of beef burgers with the addition of pea fibre as a partial substitute of meat or fat. Three formulations were prepared: control (CON) – similar to the commercial formulation; fibre/less meat (FLM)—5% meat reduction and addition of 1% pea fibre; fibre/less fat (FLF)—7% fat reduction and addition of 1% pea fibre. Non-significant differences were obtained for pH, colour parameters (L* and b*), texture profile, cooking loss and size reduction among formulations. Moreover, sensory analysis with consumers of beef burgers did not indicate differences among the formulations for all the analysed attributes. Therefore, pea fibre is a promising partial replacer for meat and fat in beef burgers due to the preservation of technological parameters and sensory acceptance.     

Boosting the photoconversion efficiency of TiO2 nanotubes using UV radiation-assisted anodization as a prospective method: An efficient photocatalyst for eliminating resistant organic pollutants

1D TiO₂ nanotube arrays (TNTs), as versatile nanostructures, have attracted a considerable amount of scientific attention, particularly in photocatalytic applications. In the present study, UV radiation-assisted anodization method with various irradiation times (30–120 min) was employed as a preferable approach to fabricating TNTs with remarkable optical property and photocatalytic activity. The results revealed that in situ irradiation not only improved the surface area (from 30.10 to 48.5 m²), but also increased the roughness factor (from 77.27 to 124.73). Furthermore, UV radiation had a significant impact on optical property and by altering elemental composition, led to a red shift in absorption edge (from 3.2 to 1.4eV). Meanwhile, voltammetric experiments showed that 120 min UV radiation during anodization was able to substantially cause a surge of the photocurrent density and the photoconversion efficiency of TNTs from 0.15 to 0.55 mA cm⁻² and from 13% to 40%, respectively. As a consequence of the improvement in optical property and photochemical features, anodic TNTs fabricated under 120 min UV radiation could increase the photocatalytic degradation of 2,4-DCP from 75% to 100%. Moreover, the kinetics study showed that all photocatalytic reactions followed zero-order kinetics which rate constant over the synthesized TNTs under 120 min UV radiation was about 5.1 times greater than that of conventionally fabricated TNTs. Likewise, the pathway of photocatalytic degradation and the proportion of reactive species in this process were assessed by scavenging tests. The results confirmed that holes (h⁺) play the main role that 53% of photocatalytic degradation occurred via both direct and indirect reactions with h⁺ species. The rest of the degradation pathways were also allocated to e⁻ and ^•O₂⁻ species by accounting for 37% and 10%, respectively.     

开关磁阻电机结构性转矩脉动抑制方法

开关磁阻电机具有结构简单、成本低和调速范围广等优势,但其双凸极结构和控制器的开关特性,导致存在转矩脉动现象,使得抑制转矩脉动成为焦点问题。首先从开关磁阻电机的结构和运行机理出发,针对线性解析方法难以分析转矩特征的问题,建立电机有限元模型求解出转矩特征并进行样机验证试验。分析样机结构参数对转矩脉动的影响,针对结构参数耦合问题,选择NSGA-Ⅱ算法在参数优化平台上对样机结构参数进行多目标寻优,在保证优化后样机的转矩脉动系数和平均转矩均优于初始电机的条件下,最终获得样机最优化结果。结果表明,不同结构参数对电机转矩的影响有较大的差异,对结构参数的优化能有效地抑制转矩脉动,该参数优化方法可以为开关磁阻电机结构性转矩脉动抑制提供参考。