Shale gas exploitation with supercritical CO2 technology

This paper analyzes the physicochemical properties of supercritical CO2, the characteristic of shale gas and shale gas reservoirs. The technologies of drilling, production, fracturing using the supercritical CO2 in shale gas exploration are proposed, to increase the penetration rate, decrease the damage to formation while fracturing, and enhance the recovery of shale gas. It is believed that the huge economic benefits of shale gas exploration with the supercritical CO2 fluid will be obtained, and it also can initiate a new technology field of CO2 in the petroleum engineering.     

Fabricating polymer/HEA-hybrid topological lattice structure for enhanced mechanical properties

Metamaterials such as architected lattice structures have aroused broad interest in being applied as mechanical supports for their lightweight and custom-shaped capabilities.Although various prior efforts have been devoted,a multiscale fabrication of micro-nano lattice structures without penalizing the mechanical properties is still a challenging but highly desirable task.Here we put forward a strategy to produce a mechanically enhanced micro-nano lattice structure by conformally depositing a Co...     

Processing and characterization of Cf/SiC composites

Carbon fiber-reinforced SiC composites were prepared by precursor pyrolysis-hot pressing (PP-HP) and precursor impregnation-pyrolysis (PIP), respectively. The effect of fabrication methods on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the composites was investigated. It was found that the composite prepared by PP-HP exhibits a brittle fracture behavior, which is mainly ascribed to a strongly bonded fiber/matrix interface and the degradation of the fibers caused by a higher processing temperature. On the contrary, the composite prepared by PIP shows a tough fracture behavior, which could be rationalized on the basis of a weakly bonded fiber/matrix interface as well as a higher strength retention of the fibers. As a result, in comparison with the composite prepared by PP-HP, the composite prepared by PIP achieves better mechanical properties with a flexural strength of 573.4 MPa and a fracture toughness of 17.2 MPa·m1/2.     

Left-handed properties of a composite structure with metallic wires in a homogeneous Lorentz medium

The electromagnetic properties of a composite structure with metallic wires in a Lorentz medium were studied. The results show that the electromagnetic properties of the medium host influence the plasma resonance of metallic wires and the left-handed character of the composite. The plasma frequency of metallic wires reduces with the rise of permittivity or permeability of the medium host. Also, the negative permeability of the medium can destroy the wires' plasma resonance and prevent the realization of left-handed properties. The high loss of medium permittivity or permeability also inhibits the metallic plasma resonance. The negative influence of the media host on the left-handed properties of the composite structure can be effectively reduced by proper structure design, such as introducing a nonmagnetic medium in the host or using an anisotropic medium.     

Polyaniline nanostructures tuning with oxidants in interfacial polymerization system

Three kinds of nanostructured polyanilines (PANIs) were prepared through interfacial polymerization by using ammonium persulfate (APS) as a single oxidant, and APS/FeCl3, APS/K2Cr2O7 as composite oxidants, respectively. It is observed that faster formation process and higher yield of nanostructured PANIs could be achieved in the presence of FeCl3 and K2Cr2O7. The as-prepared PANIs were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy, ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis and electrochemical measurements including cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge/discharge measurement. The influence of composite oxidants on the morphology, microstructure, and electrical and electrochemical properties of PANIs was discussed. Interestingly, when APS/K2Cr2O7 was used as the composite oxidants, PANI exhibited petal-like structure with high yield of 57.35% instead of general nanofibrous morphology formed in interfacial polymerization. Compared with those nanofibrous PANIs obtained by using APS as a single oxidant or APS/FeCl3 as composite oxidants, petal-like PANIs exhibited the largest specific capacitance (692.4 F/g at scan rate of 5 mV/s) and highest cycle stability among them. It provides a new insight into the control of PANI nanostructures with high yield and energy storage ability by simply selecting suitable composite oxidants in interfacial polymerization.     

Low-frequency damping behavior of closed-cell Mg alloy foams reinforced with SiC particles

The damping properties of an Mg alloy foam and its composite foams were investigated using a dynamic mechanical thermal analyzer. The results show that the loss factors of both the Mg alloy and its composite foams are insensitive to temperature and loading frequency when the temperature is less than a critical temperature T_crit. However, it increases when the temperature exceeds the T_crit values, which are 200 and 250℃ for the Mg alloy foam and the Mg alloy/SiC_p composite foams, respectively. The Mg alloy/SiC_p composite foams exhibit a higher damping capacity than the Mg alloy foam when the temperature is below 200℃. By contrast, the Mg alloy foam exhibits a better damping capacity when the temperature exceeds 250℃. The variation in the damping capacity is attributed to differences in the internal friction sources, such as the characteristics of the matrix material, abundant interfaces, and interfacial slipping caused by SiC particles, as well as to macrodefects in the Mg alloy and its composite foams.     

Sintering behavior,microstructure and properties of TiC-FeCr hard alloy

TiC based cermets were produced with FeCr, as a binder, by conventional P/M (powder metallurgy) to near 〉97% of the theoretical density. Sintering temperature significantly affects the mechanical properties of the composite. The sintering temperature of 〉1360℃ caused severe chemical reaction between TiC particles and the binder phase. In the TiC-FeCr cermets, the mechanical properties did not vary linearly with the carbide content. Optimum mechanical properties were found in the composite containing 57wt% TiC reinforcement, when sintered at 1360℃ for 1 h. Use of carbon as an additive enhanced the mechanical properties of the composites. Cermets containing carbon as an additive with 49wt% TiC exhibited attractive mechanical properties. The microstructure of the developed composite contained less or no debonding, representing good wettabifity of the binder with TiC particles. Homogeneous distribution of the TiC particles ensured the presence of isotropic mechanical properties and homogeneous distribution of stresses in the composite. Preliminary experiments for evaluation of the oxidation resistance of FeCr bonded TiC cermets indicate that they are more resistant than WC-Co hardmetals.     

ANISOTROPY OF THE KERATIN FIBRE COMPOSITE

This paper presents a composite model of the natural keratin fibres (wool and hair) whichconsists essentially of isotropic viscoelastic filaments, oriented parallel to each other in the fibreaxial direction, embedded in an isotropic viscoelastic matrix. The model accurately fits the exper-imental data on the fibre axial stress relaxation moduli and provides upper and lower bounds forthe initial/final values for the fibre transverse tensile and shear stress relaxation moduli andtransverse Poisson's ratio. The partially water penertrable filament phase of the composite modelis identified as the microfibrils in the fine structure of keratin. The strong anisotropy of keratinsin mechanical properties and hygral/thermal expansion is analyzed in terms of composite struc-ture and mechanical as well as the thermal/hygral properties of the two constituent phases.     

Enhanced dielectric properties of polypropylene based composite using Bi2S3 nanorod filler

A novel two-phase composite system using polypropylene(PP) as matrix and semiconductor bismuth sulfide(Bi_2S_3) as filler,was prepared by a simple process.Surfactant KH550 was chosen to modify the interface between inorganic fillers and organic PP matrix.The variations of dielectric properties of the Bi_2S_3/PP composites with the volume fraction of Bi_2S_3,frequency and temperature were discussed.The results reveal a percolative behavior of the composites with the threshold of 0.08.The composite is demo...     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of SiC-particle-strengthening tri-metal Al/Cu/Ni composite produced by accumulative roll bonding process

In this study, a multilayer Al/Ni/Cu composite reinforced with SiC particles was produced using an accumulative roll bonding (ARB) process with different cycles. The microstructure and mechanical properties of this composite were investigated using optical and scanning microscopy and hardness and tensile testing. The results show that by increasing the applied strain, the Al/Ni/Cu multilayer composite converted from layer features to near a particle-strengthening characteristic. After the fifth ARB cycle, a composite with a uniform distribution of reinforcements (Cu, Ni, and SiC) was fabricated. The tensile strength of the composite increased from the initial sandwich structure to the first ARB cycle and then decreased from the first to the third ARB cycle. Upon reaching five ARB cycles, the tensile strength of the composite increased again. The variation in the elongation of the composite exhibited a tendency similar to that of its tensile strength. It is observed that with increasing strain, the microhardness values of the Al, Cu, and Ni layers increased, and that the dominant fracture mechanisms of Al and Cu were dimple formation and ductile fracture. In contrast, brittle fracture in specific plains was the main characteristic of Ni fractures.     

Instrumented borehole drilling for interface identification in intricate weathered granite ground engineering

The successful application in drilling for HK simple weathered granite foundation has revealed its further use in instrumented drilling system as a ground investigation tool in the detection of other lithology formations, geohazards, underground water, and boundary of orebody. To expand the further use and test the accuracy in identification of formation, an R-20 rotary-hydraulic drill rig was instrumented with a digital drilling process monitoring system (DPM) for drilling in an intricate decomposed granite site. In this test ground, the boreholes revealed that the weathered granite alternately changes between moderate and strong. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of the penetrating parameters, indicates the effective thrust force, rotary speed, flushing pressure, penetrating rate, and displacement of the bit fluctuate at ground interfaces. It shows that the parameters get a good response with the change of rock strength at the interfaces, which can reveal the change of the intricate granite formation. Besides, a variable-slope method has been established, for identification of dominative and subsidiary interfaces in the granite site. The result from a t-test shows that the confidence of the instrumented drilling system in identification of the geotechnical interfaces is up to 99%.     

Influence of nano-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-reinforced oxide-dispersion-strengthened Cu on the mechanical and tribological properties of Cu-based composites

The mechanical and tribological properties of Cu-based powder metallurgy (P/M) friction composites containing 10wt%–50wt% oxide-dispersion-strengthened (ODS) Cu reinforced with nano-Al₂O₃ were investigated. Additionally, the friction and wear behaviors as well as the wear mechanism of the Cu-based composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in conjunction with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) elemental mapping. The results indicated that the Cu-based friction composite containing 30wt% ODS Cu exhibited the highest hardness and shear strength. The average and instantaneous friction coefficient curves of this sample, when operated in a high-speed train at a speed of 300 km/h, were similar to those of a commercial disc brake pad produced by Knorr-Bremse AG (Germany). Additionally, the lowest linear wear loss of the obtained samples was (0.008 ± 0.001) mm per time per face, which is much lower than that of the Knorr-Bremse pad ((0.01 ± 0.001) mm). The excellent performance of the developed pad is a consequence of the formation of a dense oxide composite layer and its close combination with the pad body.     

Sound Absorption Properties of Discarded Feathers/Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Copolymer Thermoplastic Composite Materials

The discarded feathers / ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer( EVA) thermoplastic composite materials was obtained with discarded feathers as reinforced material and EVA powders as matrix material by hot pressing method. Sound absorption properties were studied by changing mass ratio of discarded feathers and EVA,thickness of composite materials,hot pressing pressure and hot pressing temperature. It was found that the sound absorption properties of composite materials were good when the mass ratio of discarded feathers and EVA was 1: 1,thickness of composite materials was 30 mm,hot pressing pressure was 8 MPa,and hot pressing temperature was 80 ℃. Under the optimum conditions,the effect of composite density on sound absorption property was analyzed. In a certain range,the sound absorption property was enhanced with the decrease of the composite density.When the composite density was 0. 1g /cm~3, the maximum absorption coefficient was 0.96. Finally,the capillary theory was used to calculate the maximum sound absorption coefficient of discarded feathers / EVA thermoplastic composite materials. The good agreements of experimental results and calculated results proved the validity of the theoretical models.     

Properties of a reaction-bonded β-SiAlON ceramic doped with an FeMo alloy for application to molten aluminum environments

An FeMo-alloy-doped β-SiAlON (FeMo/β-SiAlON) composite was fabricated via a reaction-bonding method using raw materials of Si, Al₂O₃, AlN, FeMo, and Sm₂O₃. The effects of FeMo on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the composite were investigated. Some properties of the composite, including its bending strength at 700℃ and after oxidization at 700℃ for 24 h in air, thermal shock resistance and corrosion resistance to molten aluminum, were also evaluated. The results show that the density, toughness, bending strength, and thermal shock resistance of the composite are obviously improved with the addition of an FeMo alloy. In addition, other properties of the composite such as its high-temperature strength and oxidized strength are also improved by the addition of FeMo alloy, and its corrosion resistance to molten aluminum is maintained. These findings indicate that the developed FeMo/β-SiAlON composite exhibits strong potential for application to molten aluminum environments.     

Fabrication and characterization of electrospun TiO2/CuS micro-nano-scaled composite fibers

A process to fabricate a kind of novel micro-nano scaled TiO2/CuS composite fibers by electrospinning technique and chemical precipitation method was developed in the present study.The microstructures ...     

Pseudo-capacitance of ruthenium oxide/carbon black composites for electrochemical capacitors

Hydrous ruthenium oxide was formed by a new process. The precursor was obtained by mixing the aqueous solutions of RuCl₃·xH₂O and NaHCO₃. The addition of NaHCO₃ led to the formation of an oxide with extremely fine RuO₂ particles forming a porous network structure in the oxide electrode. Polyethylene glycol was added as a controller to partly inhibit the sol-gel reaction. The rate capacitance of 530 F·g-1 was measured for the powder formed at an optimal annealing temperature of 210℃. Several details concerning this new material, including crystal structure, particle size as a function of temperature, and electrochemical properties, were also reported. In addition, the rate capacitance of the composite electrode reached 800 F·g-1 after carbon black was added. By using the modified electrode of a RuO₂/carbon black composite electrode, the electrochemical capacitor exhibits high energy density and stable power characteristics. The values of specific energy and maximum specific power of 24 Wh·kg-1 and 4 kW·kg-1, respectively, are demonstrated for a cell voltage between 0 and 1 V.     

Fabrication and character ization of electrospun TiO2/CuS micro–nano-scaled composite fibers

A process to fabricate a kind of novel micro–nano scaled TiO2/CuS composite fibers by electrospinning technique and chemical precipitation method was developed in the present study. The microstructures and photoelectronic properties of the fibers were characterize d using SEM, FT-IR, UV–vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. The results revealed that the TiO2 portion in the composite fibers was a mixture rutile and anatase phases while TiO2 and CuS had been fully composite. The fibers had smooth surface with a diameter of 50–300 nm. Comparing with pure TiO2 fiber, the TiO2/CuS micro–nano-scaled composite fibers exhibited a strong absorption in the visible light region and the efficiency of photo-induced charge separation were enhanced. This composite system is of widely potential applications in the areas such as solar cells, supercapacity, photocatalysis, etc.     

Synthesis of urchin-like Sn–ZnO–C composite and its enhanced electrochemical performance for lithium-ion batteries

Urchin-like Sn–ZnO–C composite have been successfully prepared by thermal annealing of ZnSn(OH)6precursor in acetylene/argon gas(1/9;v/v).The phase of the urchin-like Sn–ZnO–C has been characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD)and Raman spectrum.The images of scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and transmission electron microscope(TEM)demonstrate that the Sn–ZnO–C composite with an average of 3 lm in diameter is composed of many core–shell nanowires and carbon nanotubes emanated from the center.The thermal annealing temperature and time have crucial effects on the formation of urchin-like structure and carbon content of the Sn–ZnO–C composites.As an anode for lithium-ion batteries,the urchin-like Sn–ZnO–C composite delivers a discharge capacity of 1,034.5 mAh/g in initial cycle and 571.9 mAh/g reversible discharge capacity after 25 cycles at a current density of 50 mA/g.The superior energy storage properties highlight the urchin-like Sn–ZnO–C composite as a potential alternative anode material in lithium-ion batteries.     

Some effects of interface on fluid flow and heat transfer on micro- and nanoscale

The interfacial effects on flow and heat transfer on micro/nano scale are discussed in this paper. Different from bulk cases where interfaces can be simply treated as a boundary, the interfacial effects are not limited to the interface on a microscale but could extend into a significant, even the whole domain of the flow and heat transfer field when the characteristic size of the domain is close to the mean free path （MFP） of the carriers inside an object. Most of microscale thermal phenomena result from interfacial interactions. Any changes in the interactions between the object and boundary particles, such as the force between fluid and solid wall particles, microstructure of interfaces, could affect thermal properties, flow and heat transfer characteristics and hence change thermal conductivity, velocity and temperature profiles, friction coefficient and thermal radiative properties, etc. The properties of nanostructure or flow and heat transfer features of fluid in micro/nanostructures not only depend on themselves, but also on the interaction with the interface because the interface impact can go deep inside the flow. The same fluid, same channel geometry but different wall materials could have different flow and heat transport characteristics on microscale.     

Preparation and anisotropic thermophysical properties of SiC honeycomb/Al-Mg-Si composite via spontaneous infiltration

The SiC honeycomb/Al-Mg-Si composite with interpenetrated microstructure was prepared by spontaneous infiltration of Al-8 wt%Mg-7 wt%Si alloy into directional porous SiC honeycomb served as reinforcement. The microstructure and anisotropic thermophysical properties of this composite were also examined. The results showed that the initial microstructure of the SiC honeycomb can be retained and the as-prepared SiC honeycomb/Al-Mg-Si composite exhibited significantly anisotropic characteristics. Meanwhile, the alloying treatment on the Al matrix can avoid the generation of Al_4C_3 and promote the wettability between Al and SiC.Particularly,the directional porous SiC honeycomb with such a low ceramic content(19 vol.%) made it possible for the composite to have a higher thermal conductivity(138.3 W/(m?K)) in the axial direction and a lower coefficient of thermal expansion(11.40 × 10~(-6)/K) in the radial direction.The influences of the SiC honeycomb reinforcement on the anisotropic thermophysical properties were also studied by the theoretical models in comparing with the experimental results.