Gd–La codoped TiO_2 nanoparticles as solar photocatalysts

Gd–La codoped Ti O2 nanoparticles with diameter of 10 nm were successfully synthesized via a sol–gel method. The photocatalytic activity of the Gd–La codoped Ti O2 nanoparticles evaluated by photodegrading methyl orange was significantly enhanced compared to that of undoped or Gd or La mono-doped Ti O2. Ti4+tmay substitute for La3+tand Gd3+tin the lattices of rare earth oxides to create abundant oxygen vacancies and surface defects for electron trapping and dye adsorption, accelerating the separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs and methyl orange photodegradation. It is believed that the formation of an excitation energy level below the conduction band of Ti O2 from the binding of electrons and oxygen vacancies decreases the excitation energy of Gd–La codoped Ti O2, resulting in versatile solar photocatalysts. The results suggest that Gd–La codoped Ti O2 nanoparticles are promising for future solar photocatalysts.     

Research progress of voltage delay in magnesium battery

Research on magnesium battery has three pri- mary fields as follows： changing the metallurgical factors of the magnesium electrode material to improve discharge performance, identifying inhibitors to form a protective film to reduce self-corrosion of magnesium alloys, and improving the electrochemical properties of the electrolyte to improve discharge continuity. During the research and development of the magnesium battery, the voltage delay that occurs in the discharge process is a critical issue because it limits the application of Mg/MnO2 cells. This paper provides an overview of the relationship between the voltage delay of magnesium primary battery and magne- sium anode corrosion. Furthermore, the factors affecting the voltage delay were analyzed, and the existing problems in the study of the voltage delay of magnesium battery were identified.     

Nano Cr Interlayered CrN Coatings on Steels

CrN coated steels assisted with a nano Cr interlayer were investigated. The Cr nano-interlayers were prepared by sputter deposition with a thickness about 70-100 nm. CrN coatings were also prepared by sputter deposition on the Cr nano-interlayers. The crystal structures, microhardness, and scratch resistance of CrN/Cr coatings were determined. Results show that the Cr nano-interlayers improve scratch resistance and the microhardness of CrN coated steels. A rapid heat treatment with infrared （IR） was performed for coated specimens in the attempt to improve bonding, With IR heat treatments, the beneficial effect of the Cr nano-interlayers was clearly observed. Without the Cr nano-interlayers, severe cracks on the surface of coatings were observed after IR heat treatment. However, with a Cr interlayer, no cracks on the surface of CrN coatings were observed after the heat treatment. The scratch resistance of coatings was also affected by the Cr nano-interlayers. The scratch track was clean and showed significantly smaller amount of scratch debris for CrN coatings with Cr interlayers than those without the Cr nano-interlayers. The microhardness of coatings with the Cr nano-interlayers is higher than those without the Cr nano-interlayers after IR heat treatment. The Cr and CrN phase have been identified with X-ray diffraction analysis, and the results show that the higher the nitrogen content in the sputtering gas, the stronger the CrN peaks observed in the diffraction patterns are.     

MOF-derived porous graphitic carbon with optimized plateau capacity and rate capability for high performance lithium-ion capacitors

The development of anode materials with high rate capability and long charge–discharge plateau is the key to improve performance of lithium-ion capacitors(LICs). Herein, the porous graphitic carbon(PGC-1300) derived from a new triply interpenetrated cobalt metal-organic framework(Co-MOF) was prepared through the facile and robust carbonization at 1300°C and washing by HCl solution. The as-prepared PGC-1300 featured an optimized graphitization degree and porous framework, which not only contribut...     

New method for the preparation of semi-solid AlSi7Mg alloy slurry

The effects of pouring temperature and short electromagnetic stirring with low strength on the microstructures of AlSi7Mg alloy were investigated. The results show that if liquid AlSi7Mg alloy is poured at 630 or 650℃, many primary α-Al grains in the solidified melt are rosette-like, and only a small number of them are spherical. However, if liquid AlSi7Mg alloy is poured at a lower superheat and meanwhile is stirred by an electromagnetic field at a low power for a short time, then most primary α-Al grains in the solidified melt become spherical, and only a few are rosette-like. The theoretical analysis indicates that the strengthened melt flow motion induced by the short electromagnetic stirring makes the temperature field more homogeneous in the melt, which is poured at a lower superheat, and makes the primary α-Al grains deposit in a larger region at the same time, so this new solidification kinetic condition leads to the microstructure of spherical primary α-Al grains. The experiments also demonstrate that pouring at an appropriate superheat and stirring by an electromagnetic field at a low power for a short time is a good new method for preparing the semi-solid slurry or billet of AlSi7Mg alloy.     

Study on rolling process optimization of high carbon steel wire

The existing problems in the manufacture of SWRH82B high carbon steel wire were discussed by sampling and testing the microstructure and properties of the steel from the workshop. To solve the problems, the experimental parameters for thermal simulation were optimized, and the thermal simulating experiments were carded out on a Gleeblel500 thermal simulator. The process parameters for the manufacture were optimized after analysis of the data, and the productive experiments were performed after the water box in front of the no-twist blocks was reconstructed, to control the temperature of the loop layer. The results from the productive experiments showed that the cooling rate of 10-15℃/s was reasonable before phase transformation, about 5℃/s during phase transformation, and 600-620℃ was the suitable starting temperature for phase transformation. The ultimate strength of the Ф11.0 mm wire was increased to 1150-1170 MPa with an increase of 20-30 MPa, the percentage reduction of section was to 34%-36% with an increase of 1%-3% by testing the finished products after reconstruction.     

Synthesis and mesomorphic properties of fluorinated Schiff's base liquid crystals containing vinyl end groups

Three kinds of fluorinated Schiff's base esters, 4-allyloxy-2-X-6-X-benzoic acid 4-[(2, 3, 4-trifluorophenylimino)methyl]phenyl ester, where X=H or F, were synthesized and characterized. Their chemical structures were identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR). Their mesomorphic properties were studied by polarized optical microscopy (POM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). It was found that all the three compounds exhibited enantiotropic nematic phases only. And their cleating point temperature and thermal range of mesophase decreased with the number of fluorine atoms on the rigid core of the compounds; while their melting point temperature showed no distinct regularity.     

Study of neural network disturbance learning and application in RoboCup

To solve the problem of convergence to a local optimum in the multi-layer feedforward neural network, a new disturbance gradient algorithm is proposed. Through introducing random disturbance into the training process, the algorithm can avoid being trapped into the local optimum. The random disturbance obeys the Boltzmann distribution. The convergence of the algorithm to the global optimum is statistically guaranteed. The application of the algorithm in RoboCup, which is a complex multi-agent system, is discussed. Experiment results illustrate the learning efficiency and generalization ability of the proposed algorithm.     

Robust stabilization of the system family

The problem of robust stabilization of a system family is studied here. A sufficient condition for the existence of a robust controller is presented under the assumption that there are perturbations both in the numerator and in the denominator of the nominal system. This condition can be given by an inequality that is satisfied by the coefficient vectors of the perturbed polynomials. Based on this, the robust controller family stabilizing the system family can be obtained. Therefore, the condition has the advantages of easy computing and further satisfying other required properties.     

Common variants in P2RY11 are associated with narcolepsy

Growing evidence supports the hypothesis that narcolepsy with cataplexy is an autoimmune disease. We here report genome-wide association analyses for narcolepsy with replication and fine mapping across three ethnic groups (3,406 individuals of European ancestry, 2,414 Asians and 302 African Americans). We identify a SNP in the 3' untranslated region of P2RY11, the purinergic receptor subtype P2Y?? gene, which is associated with narcolepsy (rs2305795, combined P = 6.1 × 10?1?, odds ratio = 1.28, 95% CI 1.19-1.39, n = 5689). The disease-associated allele is correlated with reduced expression of P2RY11 in CD8(+) T lymphocytes (339% reduced, P = 0.003) and natural killer (NK) cells (P = 0.031), but not in other peripheral blood mononuclear cell types. The low expression variant is also associated with reduced P2RY11-mediated resistance to ATP-induced cell death in T lymphocytes (P = 0.0007) and natural killer cells (P = 0.001). These results identify P2RY11 as an important regulator of immune-cell survival, with possible implications in narcolepsy and other autoimmune diseases.