Microbial fuel cell (MFC)-based biosensor for combined heavy metals monitoring and associated bioelectrochemical process

To explore the feasibility and related mechanism of MFC biosensor for wastewater detection under the action of combined heavy metals. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and scanning electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used to explore the related bioelectrochemical process. The response of the reactor to single/combined heavy metals, low/high heavy metal concentrations, and the differences in ohmic resistance (Rs) and charge transfer resistance (Rct) were investigated using Ni as the core heavy metal and the combined action of Cd, Cu and Zn. The results indicated that there was a linear relationship between the concentration and output voltage of the MFC biosensor under the action of combined heavy metals (R² = 0.8803–0.973). However, the internal resistance (Rint) of the MFC biosensor under the action of single heavy metal was far less than that of the combined heavy metal group, and the power density (19.849 W m^?3) was 4 times that of the combined heavy metal group (3.109–4.589 W m^?3). The Rs of the biosensors in the combined heavy metal group were 0.868Ω and 0.860, which were higher than 0.768Ω of the single heavy metal sensor. With the increase of the concentration of heavy metals in the influent, the increase of Rct was more obvious in the combined group, while the Rs in the single group significantly increased (P < 0.05). The results imply that it is possible for MFC biosensors to be used in the detection of actual water polluted by various heavy metals, but the biosensor performance is mainly limited by Rct, which needs to be further improved.     

Good dielectric performance and broadband dielectric polarization in Ag,Nb co-doped TiO2

Due to the demand of miniaturization and integration for ceramic capacitors in electronic components market, TiO₂-based ceramics with colossal permittivity has become a research hotspot in recent years. In this work, we report that Ag⁺/Nb⁵⁺ co-doped (Ag_1/4Nb_3/4)_xTi_1−xO₂ (ANTOx) ceramics with colossal permittivity over a wide frequency and temperature range were successfully prepared by a traditional solid–state method. Notably, compositions of ANTO0.005 and ANTO0.01 respectively exhibit both low dielectric loss (0.040 and 0.050 at 1 kHz), high dielectric permittivity (9.2 × 10³ and 1.6 × 10⁴ at 1 kHz), and good thermal stability, which satisfy the requirements for the temperature range of application of X9R and X8R ceramic capacitors, respectively. The origin of the dielectric behavior was attributed to five dielectric relaxation phenomena, i.e., localized carriers' hopping, electron–pinned defect–dipoles, interfacial polarization, and oxygen vacancies ionization and diffusion, as suggested by dielectric temperature spectra and valence state analysis via XPS; wherein, electron-pinned defect–dipoles and internal barrier layer capacitance are believed to be the main causes for the giant dielectric permittivity in ANTOx ceramics.     

Reconstructed Water Oxidation Electrocatalysts: The Impact of Surface Dynamics on Intrinsic Activities

Electroreduction of small molecules such as H₂O, CO₂, and N₂ for producing clean fuels or valuable chemicals provides a sustainable approach to meet the increasing global energy demands and to alleviate the concern on climate change resulting from fossil fuel consumption. On the path to implement this purpose, however, several scientific hurdles remain, one of which is the low energy efficiency due to the sluggish kinetics of the paired oxygen evolution reaction (OER). In response, it is highly desirable to synthesize high-performance and cost-effective OER electrocatalysts. Recent advances have witnessed surface reconstruction engineering as a salient tool to significantly improve the catalytic performance of OER electrocatalysts. In this review, recent progress on the reconstructed OER electrocatalysts and future opportunities are discussed. A brief introduction of the fundamentals of OER and the experimental approaches for generating and characterizing the reconstructed active sites in OER nanocatalysts are given first, followed by an expanded discussion of recent advances on the reconstructed OER electrocatalysts with improved activities, with a particular emphasis on understanding the correlation between surface dynamics and activities. Finally, a prospect for clean future energy communities harnessing surface reconstruction-promoted electrochemical water oxidation will be provided.     

Up-pulling force analysis for ESC hollow cylindrical casting

Electroslag casting(ESC)is an important method to produce high quality castings.In this study,the ESC up-pulling inner mold method(EUPIM)was used to produce hollow cylindrical castings with the multiple consumable electrodes.The radial deformation,the axial and radial internal stress of the inner mold,and the axial internal stress of the slag shell were analyzed using the finite element method(FEM)with the aid of ANSYS software.The ProCAST software was used to calculate the specific heat,heat conductivity and density curve of Cu.Simulation results show that the radial deformation,the axial and radial internal stress of the inner mold,and the axial internal stress of the slag shell near the slag-metal interface of hollow cylndrical casting gradually increase from 0 s to 360 s after the ESC starting(slagging)process but before applying the up-pulling force.The suitable initial up-pulling moment of the inner mold is at around 180-198 s after the starting process.     

微间隙共形圆柱接触力模型的适用性分析

针对目前间隙铰接副接触力模型无法有效表述不同材料耗散阻尼效应,以及不适用于微间隙共形接触的问题,分析各种接触力模型中弹性接触力和耗散阻尼力计算方法的优缺点,提出一种普适性的圆柱内接触力分析模型。该模型将接触力描述为接触深度的显式函数,并将其适用范围有效地扩展至微间隙和低恢复系数工况。采用含间隙铰接副的曲柄-滑块机构进行动力学分析,对所提出接触力进行验证,计算结果表明:所提出的普适性接触力模型体现了微间隙时更高的接触刚度和低恢复系数时显著的阻尼效应,从而可为不同材料和间隙尺寸的间隙铰接副力学分析提供更为完备的计算模型。     

Propagation and termination of an internal crack in continuously cast austenitic stainless steel analyzed by ∑ values and the Schmid factor

The formation mechanism of an internal crack was clarified from the viewpoint of the crystallography and thermal expansion. An inverse pole figure map obtained by EBSD pattern showed that the crack propagated along the grain boundaries having high ∑ values within the columnar zone. After the crack initiation, these positions were considered to undergo cracking followed by propagation toward the equiaxed side. Near the termination position, the grains ahead of crack propagation had a Schmid factor higher than 0.45 consuming elastic strain energy. Thermal expansion measurements showed that the grain with (0 0 1) orientation had the largest expansion while that with (0 1 1) the smallest. The grain boundaries neighboring the combination of (0 0 1) and (0 1 1) grains had the largest thermal stress. Therefore, thermal stress contributed to the initiation of cracking. It was thus proposed to enlarge the equiaxed zone to prevent cracking by discontinuing the crack propagation.     

Comparison between the use of thermoplasticized gutta‐percha and a polydimethyl siloxane‐based material in filling internal resorptive cavities using spiral computed tomography

To evaluate the fill of internal resorption cavities obturated with thermoplasticized gutta‐percha and GuttaFlow2 using CT scan. Twenty human maxillary anterior teeth were selected and root canals were prepared using ProTaper system to size F3. Irrigation was performed with 5 ml of 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and 5 ml of 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Each root was then sectioned horizontally into two halves and semicircular cavities were prepared around the periphery of the root canal opening of each root half, using a round bur. Both the root halves were then fixed using cyanoacrylate glue. All the specimens were subjected to preoperative CT scan analysis to determine the volume of internal cavities. The samples were then randomly divided into two groups. In Group 1, the specimens were obturated with thermoplasticized gutta‐percha (E&Q system) and specimens in Group 2 were obturated using GuttaFlow2. All specimens were then subjected to postoperative CT scan analysis. The volume of voids in internal resorptive cavities were calculated, which was then used to estimate the amount of gutta‐percha filled. There was no significant difference in volume of internal resorptive cavities between thermoplasticized gutta‐percha and GuttaFlow2 groups before obturation (p = 0.466). However, after obturation there was a significant difference between both the groups, in which GuttaFlow2 demonstrated better fill (p = .014). Thermoplasticized gutta‐percha filled 81% of internal resorptive cavity while GuttaFlow2 filled 91%, respectively. GuttaFlow2 showed better fill than thermoplasticized gutta‐percha in the filling of internal resorptive cavities.     

电磁搅拌对大圆坯结晶器冶金行为影响的探讨

 为了探究结晶器电磁搅拌(M EMS)对大圆坯结晶器内综合冶金行为的影响。以大断面圆坯连铸结晶器冶金行为为研究对象，基于电磁热流体与凝固传输理论建立三维耦合数值模型。揭示大圆坯连铸常用五孔水口浇注条件下结晶器内电磁场、流场、传热与凝固等综合冶金行为，提出电磁搅拌对结晶器冶金性能影响的多参量评价方法。以中碳铬钼齿轮钢650 mm大圆坯连铸为例，指出结晶器电磁搅拌存在最佳搅拌电流，可获得相对较好的综合冶金效果。具体表现为弯月面保持一定的切向速度和过热度，有利于保护渣的熔化和夹杂物的上浮去除；液面波动幅度在控制范围内，可避免卷渣、改善表面质量；结晶器内钢液过热得到有效耗散，有利于等轴晶形核改善铸坯内部质量；侧孔出流钢液速度得到有效控制，可抑制注流对初凝坯壳的冲刷，提高了初生坯壳生长的均匀性。此外，电磁搅拌产生的水平旋流强度也可得到有效控制，有利于避免常见的皮下白亮带现象。     

Simplification and applicability studies of a hydrogen-air detailed reaction mechanism

The research of hydrogen fuel internal combustion engine (HICE) had great significance facing the challenges of energy and environmental problems. Based on the detailed hydrogen-air reaction mechanism, the pre-mix model of CHEMKIN-Pro software was selected to simplify the detailed mechanism GRI-3.0. The most important elements and reactions was chose to construct framework mechanism firstly based on the sensitivity coefficient for H₂O and NO formation, and additional elements and reactions were added to framework mechanism for complementing the oxidation path of N2 and H₂. A simplified mechanism including 24-step elementary reaction was obtained and the laminar burning velocity calculated by this simplified mechanism matches well with the detailed mechanism in a wide range. This simplified mechanism was also applied in a CFD model which predicted the cylinder instantaneous pressure and NOx emission accurately within a large range of fuel air equivalent ratio. Showing that this mechanism has good applicability.