Fluidization characteristics of sawdust in a cold flow fluidized bed

India has abundance of biomass such as rice husk, bagasse, wheat straw, sawdust etc. which is used as a main or auxiliary fuel in the fluidized bed combustor, gasifier and pyrolizer. Design of such fluidized bed equipments require the knowledge of minimum fluidization velocity (U_mf), complete fluidization velocity (U_cf) and transport disengagement height (TDH). The present work reports the fluidization characteristic, U_mf, U_cf and TDH of the individual size groups of sawdust and mixture thereof. The results indicate that the U_mf and U_cf have a tendency to increase with increase in particle diameter, however the TDH shows the reverse trend. The sawdust particle size of 925 and 1200 ​μm showed significant difference between their U_mf and U_cf, an essential parameter for controlled fluidization. Based on the experimental work new correlations for the prediction of U_mf, U_cf and TDH for sawdust sample are proposed. The proposed correlations of U_mf, U_cf and TDH are in good agreement with experimental values and the deviations found within the range of nearly ±10% for all the samples.     

一种改进的AUVs变结构滑模控制策略研究

针对现有的变结构滑模控制切换面单一性会导致系统状态在原点处收敛缓慢的缺陷,对自主式水下机器人(AUVs)变结构滑模控制设计了折线型的切换面,并且进一步改进实现了速度控制和定点定速控制。改进的切换面由斜率不同的自线段构成,并在拐点处通过S型函数光滑过渡。将切换面的斜率减小到0时,则可以实现速度控制,同时为了消除速度控制的稳态误差,引进了采用能智积分方法的积分项。最后在某AUV上进行仿真实验,结果证实了应用折线型切换面可以减少控制系统的上升时间,提高反应速度;速度控制的稳态误差接近0,并很好地实现定点定速的控制效果。该方法可以有效用于AUVs的控制。     

双原子正方晶格光子晶体边界模式的光传输特性

利用平面波展开法,发现双原子正方晶格光子晶体中ΓM方向边界面存在着快慢两类边界模式,并且通过计算色散关系和电场分布研究了边界参量对这两类边界模式传输特性的影响.依据两种模式的色散关系,计算了群指数和群速度色散参量,结果表明边界参量的变化对第一类边界模式传输特性的影响较小,该模式的平均群指数始终维持在5.0左右;第二类边界模式与第一类模式明显不同,边界参量的变化能够有效地影响到这种模式的传输特性,该模式的最大平均群指数可达178左右.利用时域有限差分法记录了不同时刻电场强度在边界附近的分布及监测点处的电场幅度变化情况,结果表明,两类模式都能够被限制在边界附近并向前传播,时域有限差分法得到的群速度与平面波展开法的结果完全吻合.     

Light-Driven Crawling of Molecular Crystals by Phase-Dependent Transient Elastic Lattice Deformation

The light-driven crawling of a molecular crystal that can form three phases, (α, β, and γ) is presented. Laser irradiation of the molecular crystal can generate phase-dependent transient elastic lattice deformation. The resulting elastic lattice deformation that follows scanning irradiation of a laser can actuate the different phases of molecular crystal to move with different velocity and direction. Because the γ phase has a large Young's modulus (ca. 26 GPa), a force of 0.1 μN can be generated under one laser spot. The generated force is sufficient to actuate the γ-formed molecular crystals in a wide dimensional range to move longitudinally at a velocity of about 60 μm min⁻¹, which is two orders of magnitude faster than the α and β phases.     

Investigation of flexural properties and failure behaviour of biaxial braided CFRP

In this research, the experimental tests of quasi-static three-point bending and three-point bending fatigue were carried out for a ±25° biaxial braided carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) manufactured using vacuum assisted resin transfer moulding (VARTM). A finite element (FE) model was also set up for quasi-static testing and the prediction results revealed that local fibre volume fraction (FVF) is a primary source affecting the mechanical properties of braided CFRP. The fatigue of the braided CFRP was defined as three different stages according to the flexural modulus results. The damage modes of the test specimens were observed via a digital microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the process-induced defects were summarised. With compiled results and observations, this study provides a better understanding of failure and fatigue behaviour of biaxial braided composites and their flexural properties which offers a good basis for any further research in fibre volume fractions, structure design and manufacturing for braided CFRP.     

Dynamic fracture testing of polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA) single-edge notched beam

Dynamic fracture in single-edge notched polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA) beams have been investigated by three-point-bending impact testing with a drop-weight machine. A high-speed camera combined with the digital image correlation (DIC) method is used to capture the impact-induced crack initiation and propagation, as well as the beam deformation fields and the open mode strain at the original notch tip. The crack propagation length is recorded and the instantaneous crack velocity is calculated. Furthermore, the dynamic fracture toughness K_Id is quantified from the loading-displacement relations at different impact velocities. The effects of the impact velocity and impact energy on dynamic fracture toughness, fracture initiation strain, as well as the corresponding influences on the fracture propagation velocity, are discussed.     

不同色浆质量分数的水性聚氨酯涂料对聚氯乙烯表皮低温爆破性能的影响

本文制备了一系列不同色浆质量分数的水性聚氨酯涂料,并将其喷涂在汽车仪表板聚氯乙烯(PVC)表皮的背面形成复合材料。 用旋转流变仪表征了涂料的粘度以评价其喷涂性能;用差示扫描量热仪表征了材料的玻璃化转变温度(T_g);利用万能材料试验机表征了材料在-30 ℃条件下的拉伸性能及抗撕裂性能;用动态热机械分析仪表征了材料的损耗比随温度的变化。 结果表明:不同色浆质量分数的涂料都能喷涂,含有涂层材料PVC表皮在-30 ℃低温爆破性能与涂层材料的T_g、低温拉伸性能、抗撕裂性能的关系并不大,而与涂层材料的阻尼性能直接相关。 材料的阻尼性能越好,其低温爆破性能越好。     

Saffron: Chemical Composition and Neuroprotective Activity

Crocus sativus L. belongs to the Iridaceae family and it is commonly known as saffron. The different cultures together with the geoclimatic characteristics of the territory determine a different chemical composition that characterizes the final product. This is why a complete knowledge of this product is fundamental, from which more than 150 chemical compounds have been extracted from, but only about one third of them have been identified. The chemical composition of saffron has been studied in relation to its efficacy in coping with neurodegenerative retinal diseases. Accordingly, experimental results provide evidence of a strict correlation between chemical composition and neuroprotective capacity. We found that saffron’s ability to cope with retinal neurodegeneration is related to: (1) the presence of specific crocins and (2) the contribution of other saffron components. We summarize previous evidence and provide original data showing that results obtained both “in vivo” and “in vitro” lead to the same conclusion.