Research on a Rice Counting Algorithm Based on an Improved MCNN and a Density Map

The thousand grain weight is an index of size, fullness and quality in crop seed detection and is an important basis for field yield prediction. To detect the thousand grain weight of rice requires the accurate counting of rice. We collected a total of 5670 images of three different types of rice seeds with different qualities to construct a model. Considering the different shapes of different types of rice, this study used an adaptive Gaussian kernel to convolve with the rice coordinate function to obtain a more accurate density map, which was used as an important basis for determining the results of subsequent experiments. A Multi-Column Convolutional Neural Network was used to extract the features of different sizes of rice, and the features were fused by the fusion network to learn the mapping relationship from the original map features to the density map features. An advanced prior step was added to the original algorithm to estimate the density level of the image, which weakened the effect of the rice adhesion condition on the counting results. Extensive comparison experiments show that the proposed method is more accurate than the original MCNN algorithm.     

Synthesis and characterization of 2D transition metal dichalcogenides: Recent progress from a vacuum surface science perspective

Layered transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are a diverse group of materials whose properties vary from semiconducting to metallic with a variety of many body phenomena, ranging from charge density wave (CDW), superconductivity, to Mott-insulators. Recent interest in topologically protected states revealed also that some TMDs host bulk Dirac- or Wyle-semimetallic states and their corresponding surface states. In this review, we focus on the synthesis of TMDs by vacuum processes, such as molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). After an introduction of these preparation methods and categorize the basic electronic properties of TMDs, we address the characterization of vacuum synthesized materials in their ultrathin limit-mainly as a single monolayer material. Scanning tunneling microscopy and angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy has revealed detailed information on how monolayers differ in their properties from multi-layer and bulk materials. The status of monolayer properties is given for the TMDs, where data are available. Distinct modifications of monolayer properties compared to their bulk counterparts are highlighted. This includes the well-known transition from indirect to direct band gap in semiconducting group VI-B TMDs as the material-thickness is reduced to a single molecular layer. In addition, we discuss the new or modified CDW states in monolayer VSe₂ and TiTe₂, a Mott-insulating state in monolayer 1T-TaSe₂, and the monolayer specific 2D topological insulator 1T′-WTe₂, which gives rise to a quantum spin Hall insulator. New structural phases, that do not exist in the bulk, may be synthesized in the monolayer by MBE. These phases have special properties, including the Mott insulator 1T-NbSe₂, the 2D topological insulators of 1T′-MoTe₂, and the CDW material 1T-VTe₂. After discussing the pure TMDs, we report the properties of nanostructured or modified TMDs. Edges and mirror twin grain boundaries (MTBs) in 2D materials are 1D structures. In group VI-B semiconductors, these 1D structures may be metallic and their properties obey Tomonaga Luttinger quantum liquid behavior. Formation of Mo-rich MTBs in Mo-dichalcogenides and self-intercalation in between TMD-layers are discussed as potential compositional variants that may occur during MBE synthesis of TMDs or may be induced intentionally during post-growth modifications. In addition to compositional modifications, phase switching and control, in particular between the 1H and 1T (or 1T′) phases, is a recurring theme in TMDs. Methods of phase control by tuning growth conditions or by post-growth modifications, e.g. by electron doping, are discussed. The properties of heterostructures of TMD monolayers are also introduced, with a focus on lateral electronic modifications in the moiré-structures of group VI-B TMDs. The lateral potential induced in the moiré structures forms the basis of the currently debated moiré-excitons. Finally, we review a few cases of molecular adsorption on nanostructured monolayer TMDs. This review is intended to present a comprehensive overview of vacuum studies of fundamental materials' properties of TMDs and should complement the investigations on TMDs prepared by exfoliation or chemical vapor deposition and their applications.     

Thermally Evaporated Ag–Au Bimetallic Catalysts for Efficient Electrochemical CO2 Reduction

CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR) has indispensable significance for carbon recycling and renewable energy production. As typical electrochemical catalysts, Au and Ag show relatively high reaction activity and selectivity in CO₂RR. In this study, a series of Ag–Au bimetallic catalysts are designed and synthesized through the thermal evaporation method for efficient yet massive production of electrochemical catalysts. The Ag–Au catalysts show significantly enhanced activity and selectivity in CO₂RR, which is mainly attributed to the increased grain boundaries with well-dispersed single Ag atoms. After the optimization, Au20Ag10 exhibits the best performance with a CO Faraday efficiency of 89% at −0.9 V (vs the reversible hydrogen electrode) with good stability.     

Ultrafine grain formation and coating mechanism arising from a blast coating process: A transmission electron microscopy analysis

This article examines the substrate/coating interface of a coating deposited onto mild steel and stainless steel substrates using an ambient temperature blast coating technique known as CoBlast. The process uses a coincident stream of an abrasive blast medium and coating medium particles to modify the substrate surface. The hypothesis for the high bond strength is that the abrasive medium roughens the surface while simultaneously disrupting the passivating oxide layer of the substrate, thereby exposing the reactive metal that then reacts with the coating medium. The aim of this study is to provide greater insight into the coating/substrate bonding mechanism by analysing the interface between a hydroxyapatite coating on both mild and stainless steel substrates. The coating adhesion was measured via a tensile test, and bond strengths of approximately 45 MPa were measured. The substrate/coating interface was examined using transmission electron microscopy and selected area diffraction. The analysis of the substrate/coating interface revealed the presence of ultrafine grains in both the coating and substrate at interface associated with deformation at the interface caused by particle impaction during deposition. The chemical reactivity resulting from the creation of these ultrafine grains is proposed to explain the high adhesive strength of CoBlast coatings.     

Influence of peripheral alkyl chain length on the mesomorphic behaviours of hexasubstituted triphenylene 2,3-dicarboxylic esters

A comparative study of our established synthetic approaches to hexasubsituted triphenylenes 2,3-dicarboxylic esters containing four identical β-alkoxy and two adjacent β-alkoxycarbonyl side chains shows that the phase behaviours of small-sized discotic liquid crystals can be tailored over a wide range by simply varying the length of the peripheral alkyl chains. All the prepared esters in two series were observed to form a single hexagonal columnar phase, except for Tp4-1 having four β-butyloxy and two adjacent β-methoxycarbonyl chains which displays two columnar mesophase behaviours with a transition from the columnar plastic phase to hexagonal columnar phase. A significant difference between the two mesophase was observed in the variable temperature X-ray diffraction studies, and the mesophase assignment was also confirmed by polarising optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. Moreover, the prepared esters in each series display the general trend of decreasing clearing temperature upon increasing alkoxy or alkoxycarbonyl chains length. The intermediate triphenylene 2,3-dicarboxylic acids were also found not only to exhibit columnar hexagonal mesophase over a narrower temperature range by maintaining high melting and clearing points but also to form organogel on mixing with toluene or dichloromethane with the assistance of hydrogen bonding.     

Corrosion behaviour of mechanically polished AA7075‐T6 aluminium alloy

In the present study, the effects of mechanical polishing on the microstructure and corrosion behaviour of AA7075 aluminium alloy are investigated. It was found that a nano‐grained, near‐surface deformed layer, up to 400 nm thickness, is developed due to significant surface shear stress during mechanically polishing. Within the near‐surface deformed layer, the alloying elements have been redistributed and the microstructure of the alloy is modified; in particular, the normal MgZn₂ particles for T6 are absent. However, segregation bands, approximately 10‐nm thick, containing mainly zinc, are found at the grain boundaries within the near‐surface deformed layer. The presence of such segregation bands promoted localised corrosion along the grain boundaries within the near‐surface deformed layer due to microgalvanic action. During anodic polarisation of mechanically polished alloy in sodium chloride solution, two breakdown potentials were observed at ?750 mV and ?700 mV, respectively. The first breakdown potential is associated with an increased electrochemical activity of the near‐surface deformed layer, and the second breakdown potential is associated with typical pitting of the bulk alloy. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Atomistic in situ investigation of the morphogenesis of grains during pressure-induced phase transitions: molecular dynamics simulations of the B1-B2 transformation of RbCl

The mechanistic details of the pressure-induced B1-B2 phase transition of rubidium chloride are investigated in a series of transition path sampling molecular dynamics simulations. The B2→B1 transformation proceeds by nucleation and growth involving several, initially separated, nucleation centers. We show how independent and partially correlated nucleation events can function within a global mechanism and explore the evolution of phase domains during the transition. From this, the mechanisms of grain boundary formation are elaborated. The atomic structure of the domain-domain interfaces fully support the concept of Bernal polyhedra. Indeed, the manifold of different grain morphologies obtained from our simulations may be rationalized on the basis of essentially only two different kinds of Bernal polyhedra. The latter also play a crucial role for the B1→B2 transformation and specific grain boundary motifs are identified as preferred nucleation centers for this transition.     

透明激光陶瓷散射损耗分析

 为了定量分析激光陶瓷中散射损耗对其透过率的影响,通过建立气孔尺寸分布模型,引入第二相体积比概念,并结合Mie散射、瑞利散射和全散射积分等理论,讨论了激光陶瓷中气孔、晶界第二相和表面粗糙度等引起的散射损耗对激光陶瓷透光性能的影响。研究结果表明：气孔率的大小将明显影响陶瓷透过率,且气孔尺寸分布决定了透过率包络的变化趋势;晶界和表面散射对透过率的影响主要集中在短波长处;在气孔率较低情况下,晶界第二相的存在是导致短波长处透过率急剧降低的主要因素。     

A deep level transient spectroscopy study on the interface states across grain boundaries in multicrystalline silicon

Degrading the recombination activities of grain boundaries (GBs) is essential to improve the efficiency of multi‐crystalline silicon (mc‐Si) based solar cells. We apply the deep level transient spectroscopy technique to detect interface states at Σ3 and Σ9 GBs in mc‐Si. The density of interface states close to midgap is found comparable for both as‐grown GBs. Gettering or hydrogenation leads to shallower states with a smaller capture cross section and lower density. Recombination activity reduction for Σ3 GBs is stronger than for Σ9 GBs especially after hydrogenation. Both the analysis approach and experimental results could be applied for a specific GB engineering of mc‐Si based solar cells. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

纳米晶粒在高压下的相转变

本文报道了晶粒尺寸对压力诱导相转变的最新进展。用热力学理论分析了造成纳米晶体材料 (纳米晶 )的相转变压力与同种大块材料不同的主要因素是体积变化比 ,表面能差和内能差。通过估算这三个因素的具体大小 ,可解释文献报道的实验结果 ,并可确定大块材料和纳米晶之间相转变压力发生差异的控制因素。在纳米晶中 ,晶粒尺寸对结构稳定性和相转变压力的影响与体系本身有关