Incremental dynamic mode decomposition: A reduced-model learner operating at the low-data limit

The present work aims at proposing a new methodology for learning reduced models from a small amount of data. It is based on the fact that discrete models, or their transfer function counterparts, have a low rank and then they can be expressed very efficiently using few terms of a tensor decomposition. An efficient procedure is proposed as well as a way for extending it to nonlinear settings while keeping limited the impact of data noise. The proposed methodology is then validated by considering a nonlinear elastic problem and constructing the model relating tractions and displacements at the observation points.     

Enhancement of azo dyes removal efficiency by using LDH/Tris/Pd catalyst: Kinetic studies

LDH/Tris/Pd (CaAl‐layered double hydroxide/tris (hydroxymethyl)aminomethane/palladium) was synthesized and appraised for its catalytic activity towards the degradation of two selected azo dyes. The decolorization of azo dyes, acid red 18 (AR 18) and reactive yellow 15 (RY 15), requires considerably small amounts of synthesized catalyst. Kinetic studies show that the catalytic decolorization of these azo dyes follows the first order kinetic model. The reported method is simple and applicable; in addition, the stable catalyst can efficiently decolorize model azo dyes with good recyclability. Therefore, LDH/Tris/Pd can be accepted as the possible component for the utilization in wastewater treatment.     

Nb(iPrNPMe2)3Fe–PMe3: A potential high reactivity heterobimetallic catalyst for acetylene cycloadditions

Alkynes cycloaddition reactions are powerful tools for constructing cyclic molecules with optimal atom efficiency, but these reactions cannot proceed at ambient temperature without transition-metal catalysts. In this work, a heterobimetallic complex featuring an Nb–Fe triple bond, Nb(ⁱPrNPMe₂)₃Fe–PMe₃, has been evaluated as the potential catalyst for acetylene cycloaddition, using density functional theory. The calculated results show that the singlet-state (i.e. ground-state) Nb(ⁱPrNPMe₂)₃Fe–PMe₃ can be applied to benzene synthesis, but is not suitable for cyclobutadiene. Benzene can be obtained easily at room temperature and is the unique product on the singlet potential surface. The irradiation of infrared-red light can drive the excitation of singlet Nb(ⁱPrNPMe₂)₃Fe–PMe₃ to its triplet state. Both benzene and cyclobutadiene can be formed on the triplet reaction potential surface due to their low energy barriers. Therefore, Nb(ⁱPrNPMe₂)₃Fe–PMe₃ is a potential high reactivity heterobimetallic catalyst for the cyclotrimerization of alkynes. In the reaction process, the catalytic active site of Nb(ⁱPrNPMe₂)₃Fe–PMe₃ moves from niobium to iron.     

Enhanced thermal conductivity and mechanical properties of polymeric composites through formation of covalent bonds between boron nitride and rubber chains

Hexagonal boron nitride (BN) platelets, also known as white graphite, are often used to improve the thermal conductivities of polymeric matrices. Due to the poor interfacial compatibility between BN platelets and polymeric matrices, in this study, polyrhodanine (PRd) was used to modify BN platelets and prepared functionalized BN-PRd platelets, thereby enhancing the interfacial interaction between the thermal conductive filler and polymeric matrix. Then, BN-PRd platelets were dispersed into the nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) matrix to yield high thermally conductive composites. The presence of N? C═S groups in PRd allowed the combination of PRd and NBR chains containing stable covalent bonds via vulcanization reaction. The thermal conductivity of the as-prepared 30 vol% BN-PRd/NBR composite reached 0.40 W/mK, representing an increment of 135% over pure NBR (0.17 W/mK). In addition, the largest tensile strength of NBR composite containing 30 vol% BN-PRd platelets was 880% times of pure NBR. The 30 vol% BN-PRd/NBR composite also displayed a relatively high dielectric constant (9.35 at 100 Hz) and a low dielectric loss tangent value (0.07 at 100 Hz), indicating their usefulness as dielectric flexible materials of microelectronics. In sum, the simplicity and good efficiency of formation of covalent bonds between boron nitride and rubber chains look very promising for large-scale industrial production of high thermally conductive composites.     

Domain decomposition methods in a geometrical multiscale domain using finite volume schemes

The heat equation is solved by using a finite volume discretization in a domain that consists of a two-dimensional central node and several one-dimensional outgoing branches. Several interface connection options to match the submodels set on the node and on the branches, with or without continuity, are looked at. For each of them, a monolithic scheme is defined, and existence and uniqueness of the solution is proved. New schemes are deduced, which are obtained through domain decomposition methods in the form of interface systems, with one or two unknowns per interface. A comparative systematic study is carried out from an algebraic and numerical point of view according to the interface conditions: Dirichlet, Neumann, or Robin. An efficient diagonal preconditioning is proposed.     

Effect of nitrogen plasma treatment on the crystallinity and self‐bonding of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) for biomedical applications

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a thermoplastic material with outstanding properties and high potential for biomedical applications, including hermetic encapsulation of active implantable devices. Different biomedical grade PEEK films with initial degree of crystallinity ranging from 8% to 32% (with or without mineral filling) were inspected. PEEK surfaces were treated with nitrogen RF plasma and the effects on materials crystallinity and self‐bonding were evaluated. In particular, the relationship between auto‐adhesive properties and crystalline content of PEEK before and after plasma treatment was examined. PEEK samples showed different bonding strength depending on their degree of crystallinity, with higher self‐bonding performance of mineral‐filled semi‐crystalline films. XRD did not show any modification of the PEEK microstructure as a result of plasma treatment, excluding a significant influence of crystallinity on the self‐bonding mechanisms. Nevertheless, plasma surface treatment successfully improved the self‐bonding strength of all the PEEK films tested, with larger increase in the case of semi‐crystalline unfilled materials. This could be interpreted to the increase in chain mobility that led to interfacial interpenetration of the amorphous phase.     

基于特征正交分解的一类瞬态非线性热传导问题的新型快速分析方法

提出了一种基于特征正交分解(POD)和有限元法的瞬态非线性热传导问题的模型降阶快速分析方法, 建立了导热系数随温度变化的一类瞬态非线性热传导问题有限元格式的POD降阶模型. 在隐式时间推进方法的基础上有效结合单元预转换方法和多级线性化方法发展了一种加速求解瞬态非线性热传导降阶模型的新型计算方法,并通过二维和三维算例验证了该方法的准确性和高效性. 研究结果表明: (1)降阶模型解的均方根误差在经过初始时段轻微的脉动后稳定于0.01%以下, 而其计算效率比有限元全阶模型提高2$\sim $3个数量级, 并且自由度数量(DOFs)愈大提高的幅度也愈加显著; (2)新型算法解决了常规算法在计算非线性降阶模型时加速性能差的问题, 即使是在DOFs比较小的时候也能够明显提高计算效率; (3)常数边界条件下得到的POD模态可以用来建立相同求解域在各种复杂时变边界条件下的瞬态非线性热传导降阶模型, 并对其传热过程和温度场进行快速准确的分析与预测, 具有很好的工程应用价值.      

(4R,5R)-1,3-二氧戊环-2,2-二苯基-4,5-二-[亚甲基-N,N'-(1-甲基-4-羟基苯甲醛)]的合成及其催化性能

以L-酒石酸和二苯甲酮为原料,经酯化、缩酮、加成、消除、还原和缩合等反应合成了一种新型席夫碱类化合物——(4R,5R)-1,3-二氧戊环-2,2-二苯基-4,5-二-[亚甲基-N,N'-(1-甲基-4-羟基苯甲醛)](4),其结构经1H NMR,13C NMR和LC-MS表征。以二烷基锌对苯甲醛的不对称加成为模板反应,考察了4的不对称催化性能。实验结果表明,4对该反应具有一定的催化效果(ee值52%)。     

Synthesis of thermally stable aromatic poly(spiroorthocarbonate)s having a Cardo or bent structure

Novel poly(spiroorthocarbonate)s [poly(SOC)]s having a Cardo or bent structure were synthesized by polycondensation of several bis‐catechols having fluorene (BCFL), spirobisindane (BCSPI), or spirobischromane (BCSPC) in the structure with 2,2,6,6‐tetrachlorobenzo[1,2‐d:4,5‐d’]bis[1,3]dioxole (4ClBD). Synthesis of poly(SOC)s was confirmed by NMR and IR spectrometry. The poly(SOC)s obtained from BCFL or BCSPC were soluble in common organic solvents. The glass transition temperature of the poly(SOC)s was not detected by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in the range of 50–300 °C. The 10 wt % decomposition temperature of the poly(SOC)s was found to be above 400 °C. These results indicated the high thermal stability of the poly(SOC)s. Soluble poly(SOC)s could be possessed to form a film on a glass plate by the spin coat method. The obtained polymer films were 0.2 μm in thickness with 95% light transmission in the optical wavelength range. These results suggested that the Cardo or bent structure may block the packing of the main‐chain of the structure, which improves the solubility of the polymers, increases transparency, and enhances the thermal stability of SOCs. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 1409‐1416     

Organic–inorganic bonding in chitosan–silica hybrid networks: Physical properties

Novel biomaterials are needed for bone tissue repair with improved mechanical performance compared to classical bioceramics. The objective of this work was to characterize a hybrid filler material, which is capable to coat as a thin film porous scaffolds improving their mechanical properties for bone tissue engineering. The hybrid filler material is a blend of chitosan and silica network formed through in situ sol–gel using tetraethylortosilicate and 3‐glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS) as silica precursors. The hypothesis was that the epoxy ring of GPTMS could react with the amino groups of chitosan in acidic media while it is also reacting the siloxane groups of hydrolyzed silica precursors. The formation of the hybrid organic–inorganic network was assessed by different physical techniques revealing changes in molecular mobility and hydrophilicity upon chemical reaction. Finally, the cytotoxicity of the samples was also evaluated by MTT assay. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2015 , 53, 1391–1400