Structural damage detection using convolutional neural networks combining strain energy and dynamic response

Meccanica - Based on the classification ability of a convolutional neural network (CNN), this paper proposes a structural damage detection method in which a CNN is used to classify the location and...     

Continuous Transport of Zn(II) by Ammonium Chloride Media via Supported Liquid Membrane System

With the gradual depletion of traditional zinc resources, the full use of various non-traditional zinc-containing resources has received intensive attention. However, the efficient recovery of zinc ions with low concentrations remains challenging. Here efficient and continuous recovery of zinc ions in ammoniacal chloride media by a flat supported liquid membrane system is achieved, using Cyanex923 and TBP mixed extractant as the membrane phase. This article discusses the synergistic effect between Aliquat336, Cyanex923 and TBP, the effects of feed pH, total ammonia concentration, Cl⁻ concentration and temperature on Zn(II) transport.     

Triple-function Hydrated Eutectic Electrolyte for Enhanced Aqueous Zinc Batteries

Aqueous rechargeable zinc-ion batteries (ARZBs) are impeded by the mutual problems of unstable cathode, electrolyte parasitic reactions, and dendritic growth of zinc (Zn) anode. Herein, a triple-functional strategy by introducing the tetramethylene sulfone (TMS) to form a hydrated eutectic electrolyte is reported to ameliorate these issues. The activity of H₂O is inhibited by reconstructing hydrogen bonds due to the strong interaction between TMS and H₂O. Meanwhile, the preferentially adsorbed TMS on the Zn surface increases the thickness of double electric layer (EDL) structure, which provides a shielding buffer layer to suppress dendrite growth. Interestingly, TMS modulates the primary solvation shell of Zn²⁺ ultimately to achieve a novel solvent co-intercalation ((Zn-TMS)²⁺) mechanism, and the intercalated TMS works as a “pillar” that provides more zincophilic sites and stabilizes the structure of cathode (NH₄V₄O₁₀, (NVO)). Consequently, the Zn||NVO battery exhibits a remarkably high specific capacity of 515.6 mAh g⁻¹ at a low current density of 0.2 A g⁻¹ for over 40 days. This multi-functional electrolytes and solvent co-intercalation mechanism will significantly propel the practical development of aqueous batteries.     

CO2 Hydroboration: Impact of the Boryl Moieties on the Reactivity of Four Bis(boryl)acetal Compounds toward 2,6-Diisopropylaniline

The hydroboration of CO₂ into bis(boryl)acetal (BBA) compounds is an important transformation, since it enabled to selectively reduce CO₂ by 4e^- and to subsequently use the BBA compounds as C₁ and C_n sources. However, the influence of the nature of the boryl moieties on the reactivity of BBA compounds has not been evaluated so far. In the present study, four BBA compounds – including two new ones – were reacted with 2,6-diisopropylaniline to afford the expected imine. Significant differences in the rate of the reaction from minutes to weeks have been observed depending on the BBA used, showing the importance of the nature of the boryl moieties. Theoretical investigations enabled to propose a mechanism involving the addition of the aniline to the BBA as the rate-determining step and to determine that the steric hindrance of the BBA compounds is the main factor driving the rate of this condensation reaction.     

调控碳材料的功函数以大幅度提升其电催化氧还原性能

氧的电催化还原反应是燃料电池装置与金属空气电池的阴极反应,具有重大的研究意义.在众多的非铂催化剂中,碳材料因其低廉的价格以及独特的物理化学性质受到了广泛的关注.自从发现氮掺杂的碳纳米阵列具有优异的氧还原活性后,不同类型的氮掺杂的碳也得到了深入研究.例如近年来兴起的由金属有机框架衍生的氮掺杂的碳材料,兼具丰富的氮位点及良好的三维结构.氮的掺杂对碳原子具有电子调控的作用,是其高氧还原活性的根本原因.本文对金属有机框架衍生的氮掺杂的碳材料进行进一步的电子结构的优化,以提升催化性能.功函是电子逸出表面所需的最少的能量,是材料的电子结构性质之一,其对氧还原反应的影响也有报道,早期以理论计算为基础,探究氧气分子在碳材料表面的解离能与氮掺杂的碳的表面功函的关系,后续则采用开尔文探针显微镜,直接测量了不同元素掺杂的碳表面功函,并建立起功函与氧还原动力学的线性关系.本文通过控制碳材料的功函来调节其电子结构.铯是一种经典的给电子物质,通过将电子注入到掺杂材料表面来降低其功函.因此,本文通过CsCO₃与2-甲基咪唑、Zn(NO₃)₂煅烧形成铯修饰的氮掺杂碳.电镜及XRD均观察不到所得材料中铯的存在,证明碳层中无大颗粒团聚的铯物种.EDS元素分布图表明,铯在碳层中呈原子级均匀分布.Raman谱结果表明,碳的G带发生明显的位置偏移,证明其面内电子结构发生了明显的改变.XPS结果证明铯成功与氮原子配位,通过铯氮键将电子注入到碳骨架.UPS则最终显示,经过铯的修饰,碳表面功函从4.25 eV下降到3.6 eV.表面功函的降低有利于氧气分子的解离,也调节OOH^*中间体的吸附,使其吸附的自由能更接近最优值.材料改性后氧还原性能明显提升,起始电位达到0.91 V vs RHE,半波电位达到0.83 V vs RHE,均接近商业Pt/C催化剂.氧还原反应的动力学电流密度随功函的降低而增大,验证了前人的结论.本文提供了一个较为新颖的电子结构调控策略,为设计新的氧还原催化剂提供了新的思路.     

海水电解面临的挑战与机遇：含氯电化学中先进材料研究进展

氢气是一种清洁高效的能源载体,通过海水电解规模化制备氢气能够为应对全球能源挑战提供新的机遇。然而,缺乏高活性、高选择性和高稳定性的理想电极材料是在腐蚀性海水中连续电解过程的一个巨大挑战。为了缓解这一困境,需要从基础理论和实际应用两方面对材料进行深入研究。近年来,人们围绕电极材料的催化活性、选择性和耐腐蚀性进行了大量的探索。本文重点总结了高选择性和强耐腐蚀性材料的设计合成与作用机制。其中详细介绍了多种电极材料(如多金属氧化物、Ni/Fe/Co基复合材料、氧化锰包覆异质结构等)对氧气生成选择性的研究进展;系统论述了各种材料的抗腐蚀工程研究成果,主要讨论了本征抗腐蚀材料、外防护涂层和原位产生抗腐蚀物种三种情况。此外,提出了海水电解过程中存在的挑战和潜在的机遇。先进纳米材料的设计有望为解决海水电解中的氯化学问题提供新思路。     

Complete Asymptotic Expansions of Solutions of the System of Elastostatics in the Presence of an Inclusion of Small Diameter and Detection of an Inclusion

We consider the system of elastostatics for an elastic medium consisting of an imperfection of small diameter, embedded in a homogeneous reference medium. The Lamé constants of the imperfection are different from those of the background medium. We establish a complete asymptotic formula for the displacement vector in terms of the reference Lamé constants, the location of the imperfection and its geometry. Our derivation is rigorous, and based on layer potential techniques. The asymptotic expansions in this paper are valid for an elastic imperfection with Lipschitz boundaries. In the course of derivation of the asymptotic formula, we introduce the concept of (generalized) elastic moment tensors (Pólya–Szegö tensor) and prove that the first order elastic moment tensor is symmetric and positive (negative)-definite. We also obtain estimation of its eigenvalue. We then apply these asymptotic formulas for the purpose of identifying with high precision the order of magnitude of the diameter of the elastic inclusion, its location, and its elastic moment tensors.     

New designed DNA light switch Ruthenium complexes as DNA photocleavers and Topoisomerase I inhibitors

Two ruthenium complexes containing a new ligand phipz (phipz = 2‐(1,10‐phenanthroline)‐1H‐imidazo[4,5‐b]phenazine) were designed and synthesized. These complexes were found to inhibit the DNA supercoiled relaxation mediated by topoisomerase I (topo I), cleave DNA under irradiation and bind to calf thymus DNA through intercalative mode. Furthermore, complex 2 shows higher photocleavage activity, topo I inhibition activity and DNA affinity than complex 1 . Additionally, introduction of phenazine unit may be the reason that two complexes exhibit DNA ‘light switch’ behavior. The present work shows that two complexes might be potential as new DNA ‘light switches’, DNA photocleavers and topo I inhibitors.