The MAP/PH/N retrial queue in a random environment

We consider the MAP/PH/N retrial queue with a finite number of sources operating in a finite state Markovian random environment. Two different types of multi-dimensional Markov chains are investigated describing the behavior of the system based on state space arrangements. The special features of the two formulations are discussed. The algorithms for calculating the stationary state probabilities are elaborated, based on which the main performance measures are obtained, and numerical examples are presented as well.     

A cation trap for anodic stripping voltammetry: NH3–plasma treated carbon nanotubes for adsorption and detection of metal ions

NH₃–plasma treated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (pn-MWCNTs) with cation traps for the detection of ultratrace quantities of Zn(II), Cd(II), Cu(II), and Hg(II) using square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV) is described. The pn-MWCNTs use their adsorption performance to enhance the sensitivity. It is found that under optimized conditions Zn(II), Cd(II), Cu(II) and Hg(II) were individually detected at potentials of −1.16, −0.78, −0.268 and 0.108 V, respectively. The detection limit (3σ method) of 0.314, 0.0272, 0.2263, and 0.1439 nM toward Zn(II), Cd(II), Cu(II), and Hg(II) is achievable, respectively. No interference could be seen during the simultaneous detection of Zn(II), Cd(II), Cu(II), and Hg(II). The pn-MWCNTs exhibit excellent selectivity owing to the different ability of adsorption. A study of the ability of pn-MWCNTs in practical application is carried out using a sample of water collected from Dongpu Reservoir in Hefei City, Anhui, China. It is found that the results were favorable when compared against inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) analysis.     

Filling the Charge–Discharge Voltage Gap in Flexible Hybrid Zinc-Based Batteries by Utilizing a Pseudocapacitive Material

The high charge–discharge voltage gap is one of the main bottlenecks of zinc–air batteries (ZABs) because of the kinetically sluggish oxygen reduction/evolution reactions (ORR/OER) on the oxygen electrode side. Thus, an efficient bifunctional catalyst for ORR and OER is highly desired. Herein, honeycomb-like MnCo₂O_4.5 spheres were used as an efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst. It was demonstrated that both ORR and OER catalytic activity are promoted by Mn^IV-induced oxygen vacancy defects and multiple active sites. Importantly, the multivalent ions present in the material and its defect structure endow stable pseudocapacitance within the inactive region of ORR and OER; as a result, a low charge–discharge voltage gap (0.43 V at 10 mA cm⁻²) was achieved when it was employed in a flexible hybrid Zn-based battery. This mechanism provides unprecedented and valuable insights for the development of next-generation metal–air batteries.     

Functional molecular materials

正Molecular materials,together with metals,ceramics,and polymer materials,are among the most important materials.The research efforts on molecular materials are targeting three main aspects,namely the assembly technique,multi-functionality,and their diverse application.In this regard,the main attention from the community is focused on the identification and     

Structural,magnetic and optical properties of vanadium doped zinc oxide: Systematic first-principles investigations

The electronic structural, magnetic and optical properties of pure and V-doped ZnO are investigated by first-principles calculations based on the density functional theory. With the introduction of V atoms, the spin-splitting near the Fermi level leads to a net magnetic moment of the system. A significant possibility of room temperature ferromagnetism (RTFM) originated from the Ruderman–Kittel–Kassuya–Yosida (RKKY) exchange is predicted. Oxygen vacancy is positive to enhance the ferromagnetism while zinc vacancy is negative. With respect to the optical properties, the presence of V atoms was found to have an obvious influence on the transmittivity, especially in the low energy region. A slight V-doping can keep a high optical transmission and smoothly modulate the optical bandgap.     

Design of a small-sized expanded coaxial line antenna at L-band

为了减小常规L波段高功率微波测量接收天线的结构尺寸及增益,设计了一种基于轴向缝隙馈电的小型化同轴扩张型天线.通过理论分析和数值模拟,选择了较优的结构尺寸,得到天线的增益及方向图特性:在1.3～1.6 GHz范围内,增益从-2.0 dBi变化至0.8 dBi；天线最大辐射方向在物理结构轴向.基于矢量网络分析仪E8362B的天线特性测量结果与数值计算结果基本一致:工作频率从1 3～1 6GHz变化时,增益从-2.3 dBi变化至1.2 dBi；E面方向图主瓣宽度大于 60°,轴向轴比大于35dB,结果表明设计的天线能够满足L波段高功率微波渊量天线低增益小型化要求.