Microstructure and mechanical properties of α/β-Si3N4 composite ceramics with novel ternary additives prepared via spark plasma sintering

In this study, α/β-Si₃N₄ composite ceramics with high hardness and toughness were fabricated by adopting two different novel ternary additives, ZrN–AlN–Al₂O₃/Y₂O₃, and spark plasma sintering at 1550 °C under 40 MPa. The phase composition, microstructure, grain distribution, crack propagation process and mechanical properties of sintered bulk were investigated. Results demonstrated that the sintered α/β-Si₃N₄ composite ceramics with ZrN–AlN–Al₂O₃ contained the most α phase, which resulted in a maximum Vickers hardness of 18.41 ± 0.31 GPa. In the α/β-Si₃N₄ composite ceramics with ZrN–AlN–Y₂O₃ additives, Zr₃AlN MAX-phase and ZrO phase were found and their formation mechanisms were explained. The fracture appearance presented coarser elongated β-Si₃N₄ grains and denser microstructure when 20 wt% TiC particles were mixed into Si₃N₄ matrix, meanwhile, exhibited maximum mean grain diameter of 0.98 ± 0.24 μm. As a result, the compact α/β-Si₃N₄ composite ceramics containing ZrN–AlN–Y₂O₃ additives and TiC particles displayed the optimal bending strength and fracture toughness of 822.63 ± 28.75 MPa and 8.53 ± 0.21 MPa?m^1/2, respectively. Moreover, the synergistic toughening of rod-like β-Si₃N₄ grains and TiC reinforced particles revealed the beneficial effect on the enhanced fracture toughness of Si₃N₄ ceramic matrix.     

Influence of Al3+ doping for V5+ on the structural,optical, thermal and electrical properties of V2-xAlxO5-δ (x=0–0.20) ceramics

This paper reports an investigation on the structure-properties correlation of trivalent metal oxide (Al₂O₃)-doped V₂O₅ ceramics synthesized by the melt-quench technique. XRD patterns confirmed a single orthorhombic V₂O₅ phase formation with increasing strain on the doping of Al₂O₃ in place of V₂O₅ in the samples estimated by Williamson-Hall analysis. FTIR and Raman investigations revealed a structural change as [VO₅] polyhedra converts into [VO₄] polyhedra on the doping of Al₂O₃ into V₂O₅. The optical band gap was found in a wide semiconductor range as confirmed by UV–visible spectroscopy analysis. The thermal and conductivity behavior of the prepared samples were studied using thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and impedance analyzer, respectively. All the prepared ceramics exhibit good DC conductivity (0.22–0.36 Sm^-1) at 400 ?C. These materials can be considered for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell (IT-SOFC)/battery applications due to their good conductivity and good thermal stability.     

爆破工程费用计算方法探讨

爆破工程具有周期短、自成完整体系、技术管理严格的特点,但在费用管理上需进一步规范与整顿。本文阐述了工程费用的构成、调整及爆破工程费用的计算方法。     

{X,Y}-Cyclacene Graphs with Next Nearest Neighbor Interactions

Eigensolutions of {X( = C,B,N),Y( = C,B,N)}-cyclacene graphs with next nearest neighbor (nnn) interactions have been obtained in analytical forms by adapting n-fold rotational symmetry followed by two-fold rotational symmetry (or a plane of symmetry). Expressions of eigensolution indicate the subspectral relationship among such cyclacenes with an even number of hexagonal rings e.g., eigenvalues of {X,Y}-di-cyclacene are found in the eigenspectra of all such even cyclacenes. Total π-electron energies and highest occupied molecular orbital and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (HOMO–LUMO) gaps are calculated using the analytical expressions obtained and are found to vary negligibly with the variation of nnn interactions in such cyclacenes. Total π-electron energy is found to increase due to increase in restriction intensity of nnn interactions, whereas the HOMO–LUMO gap of polyacenecs having the even number of hexagonal rings and with one electron at each site (atom) decreases with increase in the restriction intensity since such systems contain degenerate half-filled HOMO (bonding or nonbonding) that are much more vulnerable for perturbations imposed through nnn interactions.     

How Cells Communicate with Each Other in the Tumor Microenvironment: Suggestions to Design Novel Therapeutic Strategies in Cancer Disease

Connexin- and pannexin (Panx)-formed hemichannels (HCs) and gap junctions (GJs) operate an interaction with the extracellular matrix and GJ intercellular communication (GJIC), and on account of this they are involved in cancer onset and progression towards invasiveness and metastatization. When we deal with cancer, it is not correct to omit the immune system, as well as neglecting its role in resisting or succumbing to formation and progression of incipient neoplasia until the formation of micrometastasis, nevertheless what really occurs in the tumor microenvironment (TME), which are the main players and which are the tumor or body allies, is still unclear. The goal of this article is to discuss how the pivotal players act, which can enhance or contrast cancer progression during two important process: “Activating Invasion and Metastasis” and the “Avoiding Immune Destruction”, with a particular emphasis on the interplay among GJIC, Panx-HCs, and the purinergic system in the TME without disregarding the inflammasome and cytokines thereof derived. In particular, the complex and contrasting roles of Panx1/P2X7R signalosome in tumor facilitation and/or inhibition is discussed in regard to the early/late phases of the carcinogenesis. Finally, considering this complex interplay in the TME between cancer cells, stromal cells, immune cells, and focusing on their means of communication, we should be capable of revealing harmful messages that help the cancer growth and transform them in body allies, thus designing novel therapeutic strategies to fight cancer in a personalized manner.     

Hydroxyapatite/bioactive glass functionally graded materials (FGM) for bone tissue engineering

In this work, HA/bioactive glass Functionally Graded Materials (FGMs) are obtained for the first time by means of Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS). Two series of highly dense 5 layered products, namely FGMS1 and FGMS2, are prepared under optimized SPS conditions, i.e. 1000 °C/2 min/16 MPa and 800 °C/2 min/50 MPa, respectively, using a die with varying cross section.Results arising from XRD, SEM, mechanical and biological characterization in SBF, evidence that lower temperature and higher-pressure levels used for FGMS2 samples provide better materials in terms of microstructure, compactness, hardness, elastic modulus and in vitro bioactivity. Indeed, a fully sintered and crack-free microstructure with no crystallisation at the top layer (100% bioactive glass) is correspondingly produced.The obtainment of such FGMs is quite promising, since it permits to vary the relative volume fractions of the two constituents and, consequently, tailor the biological response for specific clinical applications.     

基于粒子群优化和支持向量机的花粉浓度预测模型

为了提高花粉浓度预报的准确率，解决现有花粉浓度预报准确率不高的问题，提出了一种基于粒子群优化（PSO）算法和支持向量机（SVM）的花粉浓度预报模型。首先，综合考虑气温、气温日较差、相对湿度、降水量、风力、日照时数等多种气象要素，选择与花粉浓度相关性较强的气象要素构成特征向量；其次，利用特征向量与花粉浓度数据建立SVM预测模型，并使用PSO算法找出最优参数；然后利用最优参数优化花粉浓度预测模型；最后，使用优化后的模型对花粉未来24 h浓度进行预测，并与未优化的SVM、多元线性回归法（MLR）、反向神经网络（BPNN）作对比。此外使用优化后的模型对某市南郊观象台和密云两个站点进行逐日花粉浓度预测。实验结果表明，相比其他预报方法，所提方法能有效提高花粉浓度未来24 h预测精度，并具有较高的泛化能力。     

计及Spark和属性权重的售电套餐推荐方法

针对电力市场用户群庞大，交易过程中售电套餐选择困难的问题，在Spark环境下设计了一种售电套餐推荐方法，同时也解决了售电套餐推荐过程中在大数据环境下的可扩展性及实时性问题。首先，计算出每个套餐属性的权重值，从而计算得到售电套餐综合相似度。然后，计及用户和套餐两方面提出一种售电套餐推荐方法，实现售电套餐的精准推荐。实验表明，提出的推荐方法能够明显提高推荐的准确度，并且在分布式环境下具有良好的推荐效率和可扩展性。     

Role of MgO on densification and mechanical properties in spark plasma sintered Os0.9Re0.1B2 ceramic

To promote the densification and therefore the mechanical properties of boride-based ceramics, MgO was added as sintering aid into Os_0.9Re_0.1B₂ powders for densification by using spark plasma sintering (SPS). The Os_0.9Re_0.1B₂ powders were synthesized by mechanochemical method from powder mixture of Os, Re and amorphous B. The role of MgO on densification, phase composition, microstructure and mechanical properties (hardness, fracture toughness and wear behavior) were studied by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), micro indentation and ball-on-disk tribometer. The results show that, with the introduction of MgO as sintering aid, the relative density of the Os_0.9Re_0.1B₂ ceramic samples increased. When the MgO content reached 9 wt%, the as-sintered sample is almost fully dense. No obvious regularity was found from the samples with the addition of different content of MgO. Vickers hardness values of the samples with 0, 3 wt% and 9 wt% MgO are found to be very close with each other within the experimental error (~30 GPa), while the sample with the addition of 6 wt% MgO exhibits the highest hardness of ~35 GPa. The fracture toughness of the samples is decreased slightly with the addition of MgO. The friction coefficient and wear rate of the sample with the addition of 6 wt% MgO was also found to be the lowest among all samples, which indicate best wear resistance. As a whole, with the addition content of 6 wt% MgO, the Os_0.9Re_0.1B₂ ceramic sample performs relatively excellent mechanical properties among four groups of samples.     

Investigation on the effect of EDM process variables and environments on acoustic emission signals

Abstract

The performance of electrical discharge machining (EDM) primarily depends on the spark quality generated in the inter-electrode gap (IEG) between the tool and workpiece. A method for obtaining accurate information about the spark gap is required to effectively monitor the EDM process. The rise and fall of thermal energy in the discharge zone at a rapid rate during the dielectric breakdown produces high-pressure shock waves. This work explores the suitability of using acoustic emission (AE) generated from these shock waves and the elastic AE waves released on the workpiece due to the induced stress to monitor the performance and spark gap in EDM. The information content of the AE signals acquired at various machining conditions was extracted using AE RMS, spectral energy and peak amplitude. These features were able to well discriminate the machining condition, tool material, workpiece material, flushing pressure, current density, the initial surface roughness of the tool. Additionally, the AE signal features had a good and consistent correlation with the performance parameters, including material removal rate, surface roughness (Ra and Rq) and tool wear. The findings lay the groundwork to develop an effective, non-intrusive in-situ AE-monitoring system for performance and IEG condition in EDM.