Optimised phase compositions and improved microwave dielectric properties based on calcium tin silicates

The Ca_(1+2y)Sn_(1-x)Si_(1+y)O_(5-2x+4y) low-permittivity microwave dielectric ceramics were prepared through solid-state reaction at 1350–1450 °C for 5 h. The relations between microwave dielectric properties and phase compositions for non-stoichiometric Ca_(1+2y)Sn_(1-x)Si_(1+y)O_(5-2x+4y) ceramics have been investigated. A single CaSnSiO₅ phase with abnormally positive temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τ_f = + 62.5 ppm/°C) was synthesised at 1450 °C. This composition was an effective τ_f compensator of CaSiO₃ and Ca₃SnSi₂O₉ phases with typically negative τ_f value. The CaSiO₃ second phase was related to the Sn deficiency in the CaSn_(1-x)SiO_(5-2x) (0 < x < 1.0) composition, whereas the Ca₃SnSi₂O₉ second phase was obtained by controlling the Ca:Sn:Si ratios on the basis of the Ca_(1+2y)SnSi_(1+y)O_(5+4y) (0 < y < 1.0) composition. A promising low-permittivity millimetre-wave ceramic with most excellent microwave dielectric properties (ε_r = 10.2, Q×f = 81,000 GHz and τ_f = −4.8 ppm/°C) was produced from the Ca_(1+2y)SnSi_(1+y)O_(5+4y) (y = 0.4) ceramic.     

MEMS移相器及其在微型通信系统中的应用

从传统移相器的构造和原理出发，进一步分析了MEMS移相器的结构、特性。结果表明，MEMS移相器具有传统移相器所无法比拟的体积小、损耗小、成本低、频带宽、易于集成等突出优点。随着高阻硅衬底在微波领域应用的扩展，MEMS移相器介质损耗大幅度降低，将能与信号处理电路一同集成于硅衬底上，便于相控阵雷达等通信系统实现微小型化。     

Specification methods for material-handling control algorithms in flexible manufacturing systems

Good methods are needed to specify, test, and debug material-handling control logic. This article surveys a number of representative methods for defining and describing control algorithms for programmable material-handling equipment used in flexible manufacturing systems. The methods are evaluated with regard to their suitability for communication between people and as bases for interfaces to automatic program generators. It is concluded that no single method is entirely satisfactory. Three methods (position diagrams, function block diagrams, and operation networks) have potential to be combined into an effective hybrid approach that minimizes the need for the user to switch between various conceptual models.     

Effect of calcination conditions on phase formation and particle size of nickel niobate powders synthesized by solid-state reaction

The solid-state mixed oxide method via a rapid vibro-milling technique is explored in the preparation of single-phase nickel niobate (NiNb₂O₆) powders. The formation of the NiNb₂O₆ phase in the calcined powders has been investigated as a function of calcination conditions by TG-DTA and XRD techniques. Morphology, particle size and chemical composition have been determined via a combination of SEM and EDX techniques. It has been found that the minor phases of unreacted NiO and Nb₂O₅ precursors and the Ni₄Nb₂O₉ phase tend to form together with the columbite NiNb₂O₆ phase, depending on calcination conditions. More importantly, it is seen that optimization of calcination conditions can lead to a single-phase NiNb₂O₆ in an orthorhombic phase.     

Phase transition of LCP fluids confined in nanochannels through MD simulation

Manipulation of molecular orientation alignment in MCTLCPs (main-chain thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers) by pure shear at nano scale has been investigated for the first time using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Results indicate that high planar shear induces long-range uniform orientation ordering (liquid crystalline phase) of initially randomly orientated molecules of MCTLCP fluid confined in a nanochannel, which is confirmed by analyzing the orientation order parameter and the snapshots of MCTLCP liquid in a nanochannel under different shear rates. Insights into the origin of the phase transition phenomena are given at molecular level through investigating the thermodynamic density distribution of MCTLCP molecules in the nanochannel, suggesting that the energy shift due to a radical jump of system density affects both the magnitude and the orientation of the molecular ordering. Simulation results also show that there is a critical shear rate for transforming isotropic phase into liquid crystalline phase. The critical shear rate is dependent on the temperature of the MCTLCP system. Findings in this paper may present useful information for processing TLCP molecules at nano scale and the understanding of nanoflow.     

Total simulation model of the thermo-mechanical process in shape rolling of steel rods

The production of steel reinforcing bars for civil engineering is investigated by means of FEM-simulation. An integrated system for computing appropriate thermo-mechanical parameters of the rolling process is proposed. Generalized plane strain approach and coupled thermal-mechanical solution are applied. The microstructural model combines both the effect of the recrystallization mechanisms (static, dynamic and metadynamic) upon the austenite grain forming in hot rolling and that of phase transformation upon the final microstructure. The phases are created during interrupted below the temperature of martensite transition cooling. Thus a typical industrial process for thermo-mechanical strengthening of reinforcing bars, known as Tempcor-process is considered. Computational results are validated to experimental measured mechanical properties of the steel. By means of computer simulation the system can perform different solutions, giving the possibility to obtain a reasonable choice of different thermo-mechanical rolling conditions.     

Numerical analysis of two-dimensional steady-state and transient heat transfer in a parallel duct filled with pressurized He II

Analysis on steady-state and transient heat transfer on a flat plate at the middle of a parallel duct immersed in He II was performed for bath temperatures from 1.8 to 2.1 K at 101.3 kPa. Two-dimensional computer code named SUPER-2D developed by the authors based on the two-fluid model and the theory of mutual friction was used. Steady-state critical heat flux (CHF) and the time lag from the application of a step heat input to λ transition, that is called a lifetime, were obtained numerically for various step heat fluxes and for the channel gaps from 2 to 20 mm. Effect of the gap restriction on the CHF and the lifetime were clarified. The solutions were compared with the experimental data for the ducts with the same structures and the corresponding conditions. They agreed well with the experimental data. The heat transport mechanism in the parallel duct was clarified.     

中子辐照金刚石生成卡宾碳

金刚石在中子辐照下发生相转变,得到了线性结构的卡宾碳。所得产物为覆盖金刚石表面的黑色薄膜状物质,其拉曼光谱在2191cm-1处有强峰,归属于C≡C伸缩振动;同时,其俄歇电子谱的峰位与金刚石相比有5eV的位移,证实了卡宾碳的存在。在中子辐照条件下,金刚石向卡宾碳的转化可能是通过碳原子堆垛形式发生变化而实现的。