A closed-form expanded autocorrelation method for frequency estimation of a sinusoid

A closed-form expanded autocorrelation method for real single-tone frequency estimation is proposed. Firstly, the modified covariance (MC) method based on multiple autocorrelation lags is applied to provide a coarse frequency estimate. Then, a closed-form adjustment term based on a least square cost function is derived to get the fine frequency estimate. Simulation results show that the performance of the proposed algorithm, when compared with several existing closed-form time-domain estimators, is closer to the Cramer-Rao bound (CRB). Moreover, the proposed method has lower computation complexity than other autocorrelation-based approaches, which also use multiple autocorrelation lags.     

First mushroom-shaped adhesive microstructure: A review

This letter reviews the adhesive and frictional properties of the first mushroom-shaped adhesive microstructure (MSAMS), which has come a long way from inspiration by the attachment devices evolved in beetles to a large-scale industrial production. It was shown to have an that about twice higher pull-off force compared to a smooth control made from the same material measured on smooth substrates. Pull-off forces measured underwater are even higher than those in air. Moreover, it retained adhesive performance over thousands of attachment cycles and initial adhesive capability could be recovered by washing after being contaminated. In shearing, MSAMS exhibits reduced and stabilized friction in comparison with a smooth control, which demonstrated pronounced stick-slip motion, and shows zero pull-off force in a sheared state, allowing the adhesion to be switched on and off. The presence of a fluid in the contact zone showed adhesion enhancement on both smooth and rough substrates. All these features lead us to conclude that MSAMS may have practical potential in a variety of applications.     

Copper immobilized onto polymer‐coated magnetic nanoparticles as recoverable catalyst for ‘click’ reaction

Copper supported on polymer‐coated magnetic nanoparticles was designed and synthesized as a separable heterogeneous catalyst. The catalyst was fully characterized using several techniques such as Fourier transform infrared and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopies, scanning and transmission electron microscopies, X‐ray diffraction, vibrating sample magnetometry, thermogravimetric analysis and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. All results showed that copper was successfully supported on the polymer‐coated magnetic nanoparticles. Also, results showed that the synthesized material can be used as an efficient catalyst for the preparation of a series of 1,4‐disubstituted 1,2,3‐triazoles from corresponding halides, alkynes and sodium azide. The catalyst can be easily isolated from the reaction solution by applying an external magnet and reused for nine runs without any significant loss of catalytic activity.     

Effect of nematic ordering on the elasticity and yielding in disordered polymeric solids

The relation between elasticity and yielding is investigated in a model polymer solid by Molecular‐Dynamics simulations. By changing the bending stiffness of the chain and the bond length, semicrystalline and disordered glassy polymers — both with bond disorder — as well as nematic glassy polymers with bond ordering are obtained. It is found that in systems with bond disorder the ratio τ_Y/G between the shear yield strength τ_Y and the shear modulus G is close to the universal value of the atomic metallic glasses. The increase of the local nematic order in glasses leads to the increase of the shear modulus and the decrease of the shear yield strength, as observed in experiments on nematic thermosets. A tentative explanation of the subsequent reduction of the ratio τ_Y/G in terms of the distributions of the per‐monomer stress is offered. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. Part B: Polym. Phys. 2017 , 55, 1760–1769     

Novel conjugated nanoporous alkynyl metalloporphyrin framework as effective catalyst for oxidation of toluene with molecular oxygen

A porous alkynylporphyrin conjugated organic polymer (MnE‐TPP) was synthesized by Sonogashira coupling reaction with Mn(II) 5,10,15,20‐tetrakis(4′‐ethynylphenyl)porphyrin and Mn(II) 5,10,15,20‐tetrakis(4′‐bromophenyl)porphyrin as building blocks. The polymer was characterized using nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms, field‐emission scanning electron microscopy, high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared and UV–visible spectroscopies, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetry and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. The electrochemical behaviors of MnE‐TPP were investigated by cyclic voltammetry. MnE‐TPP was developed as a heterogeneous catalyst for the activation of molecular oxygen to oxidize toluene under mild conditions. The selectivity of total benzaldehyde and benzyl alcohol remained above 70.0% with a conversion of toluene up to 10.2%. The turnover number was as high as 13 653. Also, MnE‐TPP remained structurally stable and the toluene conversion rate hardly decreased after 5 h of reaction and five cycles of reuse.     

A new polymer acceptor containing naphthalene diimide and 1,3,4‐thiadiazole for all‐polymer solar cells

A n‐type conjugated polymer containing naphthalene diimide (NDI) and 1,3,4‐thiadiazole (TZ) moieties, named PNTZ, has been synthesized and applied for all‐polymer solar cells (all‐PSCs). By the incorporation of TZ unit into the polymer main chains, the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital level of this polymer has been adjusted effectively. In addition, the electron‐acceptor PNTZ shows a broad absorption spectrum in the range of 300–700 nm, and possesses complementary absorption spectrum with the electron‐donor PTB7‐Th. On the basis of PNTZ as the acceptor and PTB7‐Th as the donor, the all‐PSCs are fabricated. After optimization, the well blend morphologies with a continuous D/A interpenetrating network are observed and the best all‐PSC device exhibits a power conversion efficiency of 4.35% with a high short‐circuit current density of 13.26 mA cm^?2. This research demonstrates that the TZ‐containing polymer PNTZ is a promising non‐fullerene acceptor for high efficiency all‐PSCs. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2017 , 55 , 990–996     

基于模式识别轮轴识别器的改良与应用

轮轴识别器模式识别的改良与应用，适用于高速公路计重收费中，采用模式识别技术，在统计分析大量货车计重数据的基础上，结合现有车型建立模型数据库，根据计重仪表提供的货车轴间距、轴重、车长等数据，分析判断得出货车轴型。克服了传统的轮轴识别器在使用过程中由于外界的泥沙、油污、冻冰现象导致的识别率下降，维修率逐年提高，通过软件技术和单片机电子技术成功解决了这一难题。     

Developments in antimicrobial polymers

Effective antimicrobial polymers have been attracting more interests because of the low propensity to cause drug-resistant microorganisms. The recent progresses in antimicrobial polymers are updated according to the action approaches, that is, antimicrobial polymers with free mobility or fixed on surfaces, respectively. Free antimicrobial polymers kill pathogens majorly via electrostatic interaction followed by disruption of the cell membranes; strong antimicrobial activity of primary/secondary amines, new chemical units, and peptides without facial amphiphilicity are highlighted; and the dependences on amphiphilicity, topology, and self-assembly profiles are summarized. Antimicrobial polymers fixed on surfaces kill pathogens via interaction with the cell membranes of pathogens via electrostatic or hydrophobic interaction; approaches to antimicrobial surfaces based on covalently grafting, anchoring, and bulk-mixing of polymers are summarized; and new designs of sustainable antimicrobial surfaces and hydrogels are highlighted. Deep biology understanding and development strategies of materials are suggested for the future. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 632–639     

Molecularly imprinted polymer-sol-gel tablet toward micro-solid phase extraction: I. Determination of methadone in human plasma utilizing liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

In the present work molecularly imprinted sol-gel tablet (MIP-Tablet) was prepared. The MIP-sol-gel was prepared as a thin layer on polyethylene material in a tablet form. Methadone-d₉ was selected as the template and 3-(propylmethacrylate)-trimethoxysilane was used as precursor. MIP-Tablet was applied for micro-solid phase extraction (μ-SPE). The MIP-Tablet was used for the determination of methadone in human plasma samples utilizing liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry; and each tablet could be used twenty times. The extraction time was 10 min while desorption time was 6 min. Factors affecting the extraction efficiency such as desorption solvents, sample pH, salt addition, extraction time, desorption time and adsorption capacity were investigated. The calibration curves were obtained within the range of 5–5000 ng/mL using methadone in human plasma samples. The coefficients of determination (r²) values were ≥0.999 for all runs and the extraction recovery was >80%. The accuracy values for quality control samples varied from +3.6 to +9.7% and the inter-day precision (RSD %) values were ranged from 5.0 to 8.0%. The limit of detection was 1.0 ng/mL and the lower limit of quantification was 5 ng/mL utilizing methadone in human plasma samples.     

Ultrasonic-assisted synthesis of polyvinyl alcohol/phytic acid polymer film and its thermal stability,mechanical properties and surface resistivity

In this paper, polyvinyl alcohol/phytic acid polymer (PVA/PA polymer) was synthesized through esterification reaction of PVA and PA in the case of acidity and ultrasound irradiation and characterized, and PVA/PA polymer film was prepared by PVA/PA polymer and characterized, and the influence of dosage of PA on the thermal stability, mechanical properties and surface resistivity of PVA/PA polymer film were researched, and the influence of sonication time on the mechanical properties of PVA/PA polymer film was investigated. Based on those, it was concluded that the hydroxyl group on the chain of PVA and the phosphonic group on PA were connected together in the form of phosphonate bond, and the hydroxyl group on the chain of PVA were connected together in the form of ether bond after the intermolecular dehydration; in the meantime, it was also confirmed that PVA/PA polymer film prepared from 1.20 mL of PA not only had the high thermal stability and favorable ductility but also the low surface resistivity in comparison with PVA/PA polymer film with 0.00 mL of PA, and the ductility of PVA/PA polymer film was very sensitive to the sonication time.