Direction Parallel Research Articles

Selective growth and unveiling semiconductor nanostructured based La,Mo and O elements: Structural, morphological, and optical investigations

La2Mo2O9 ternary compound thin film has been prepared by the chemical spray pyrolysis technique on glass substrates at 460°C. Characterization via X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray, X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS) and spectrophotometry through reflectance and transmittance measurements were performed. X-ray analysis shows that La2Mo2O9 material crystallizes in cubic structure belonging to the P 213 space group with a preferred orientation of the crystallites along (210) direction parallel to the substrate plane. Raman spectroscopy witnesses the presence of bonds like La-O and Mo-O. SEM observation shows that the prepared film exhibits a uniform grain of regular sizes in the range of 70–120 nm and some chains. EDX spectroscopy highlights the presence of La, Mo and O elements with a slight non-stoichiometry reflecting the oxygen deficiency. XPS measurements reveal the well defined states O 1s, Mo 3d5/2, Mo 3d3/2, La 3d5/2 and La 3d3/2 of oxygen, molybdenum and lanthanum elements. Optical measurements show a high transparency in the visible range. These measurements were used to deduce the optical band gap and Urbach energy.

Optical coherence elastography under homolateral parallel acoustic radiation force excitation for ocular elasticity quantification.

Alteration in the elastic properties of biological tissues may indicate changes in the structure and components. Acoustic radiation force optical coherence elastography (ARF-OCE) can assess the elastic properties of the ocular tissues non-invasively. However, coupling the ultrasound beam and the optical beam remains challenging. In this Letter, we proposed an OCE method incorporating homolateral parallel ARF excitation for measuring the elasticity of the ocular tissues. An acoustic-optic coupling unit was established to reflect the ultrasound beam while transmitting the light beam. The ARF excited the ocular tissue in the direction parallel to the light beam from the same side of the light beam. We demonstrated the method on the agar phantoms, the porcine cornea, and the porcine retina. The results show that the ARF-OCE method can measure the elasticity of the cornea and the retina, resulting in higher detection sensitivity and a more extensive scanning range.

Grain boundary diffusion behaviors of hot-deformed magnets in different directions with additional pressure

The diffusion behaviors of hot-deformed magnets were investigated in two different directions with additional pressure. For magnets diffusion along the direction parallel to the C-axis (∥C magnets) and magnets diffused perpendicular to the C-axis (⊥C magnets), the coercivity increased by 3.66 kOe and 4.94 kOe, while the remanence decreased by 1.39 kGs and 1.04 kGs, respectively. The coercivity and remanence are both higher in ⊥C magnets as compared to ∥C magnets. SEM indicates that the orientation in ⊥C magnets is better than in ∥C magnets, which contributes to the more excellent remanence. The SEM also suggests the distribution of the rare-earth-rich phase was more uniform in ⊥C magnets. EPMA shows that the diffusion depth of ⊥C magnets reaches around 1500 μm, while ∥C magnets is less than 1250 μm. Both the homogeneous distribution of the rare-earth-rich phase and deeper diffusion depth are responsible for the improved coercivity of ⊥C magnets. EDS shows that the Nd70Cu30 preferentially entered the interior of the magnets through the interface formed by the fine grains of melt-spun ribbon edges for ∥C magnet during grain boundary diffusion process. But the ⊥C magnet did not show this preference during diffusion. The grain morphology and diffusion resistance of magnets in different directions is the fundamental cause for the difference of Cu distribution in ∥C magnet and ⊥C magnet. The initial magnetization curves suggests that the coercivity mechanism of the initial magnets combines nucleation and domain wall pinning, while the domain wall pinning is enhanced for the diffused magnets. The optimum performances with Br = 13.21 kGs, Hcj = 18.23 kOe, and (BH)max = 43.01 MGOe were achieved in ⊥C magnets.

Comparative Study on Flow Characteristics in Deep Marine and Marine-Continental Transitional Shale in the Southeastern Sichuan Basin, China.

Permeability is a significant characteristic of porous media and a crucial parameter for shale gas development. This study focuses on deep marine and marine-continental transitional shale in the southeastern Sichuan area using the gas pulse decay testing method to systematically analyze the gas permeability, stress sensitivity, and gas transport mechanisms of shale under different pressure conditions and directions. The results show that the porosity and gas permeability of the deep marine shale are greater compared to those of the marine-continental transitional shale. The elevated fluid pressure in the deep marine shale offers superior conditions for the preservation of nanopores, while the high quartz content provides advantageous conditions for fluid transport in nanopore channels. The permeability and stress sensitivity of the deep marine shale are greater than those of the marine-continental transitional shale, and the stress sensitivity is greater in the perpendicular bedding direction than in the parallel bedding direction, possibly related to the mineral composition of shale and the compaction it has undergone. The flow mechanism of the deep marine shale is transition flow and Knudsen flow, while that of the marine-continental transitional shale is transition flow. The deep marine shale possesses smaller nanopore sizes and a higher quantity of micropores, which create advantageous conditions for gas transport within nanopores. During the process of extracting shale gas, the extraction of gas causes a decrease in pore pressure and an increase in effective stress, resulting in a reduction in permeability. However, when the pore pressure reaches a specific value, the enhanced slippage effect leads to an increase in permeability, which is advantageous for gas extraction. In the later stage of shale gas well production, intermittent production plans can be developed considering the strength of the slippage effect, leading to a significant improvement in production efficiency.

Surface acoustic waves in laterally periodic superlattices

The existence of surface acoustic waves (SAWs) is studied in laterally periodic superlattices, modelled as an anisotropic elastic half-space with an arbitrary periodic variation of its material properties along the stratification direction (call it X) parallel to the surface. Unlike a homogeneous half-space, such a structure allows for more than one (dispersive) SAW. Specifically, it is shown that any superlattice with a generic shape of periodicity profile admits at most three SAW dispersion branches ω(Kx), i.e., at most three different SAW frequencies at any fixed Bloch wavenumber Kx. Moreover, the total number of SAWs at fixed Kx in a pair of superlattices with periodicity profiles obtained from one another by the inversion of the axis X cannot exceed three either. At least one SAW branch must exist in one of these two superlattices unless the bulk-wave threshold is the so-called exceptional (i.e., admits surface skimming wave). The SAW branch is unique in the particular case of a superlattice invariant to the inversion X→−X. The above general results are illustrated by the perturbation theory derivations for the weakly modulated superlattices. Explicit leading-order formulas are obtained for the quasi-Rayleigh wave branch evolving from the Rayleigh wave in each of the mutually ”inverse” superlattices and for the quasibulk wave branch evolving from the exceptional bulk-wave threshold in one of the superlattices.

Investigating Load Arches and the Uplift Capacity of Rock Anchors: A Numerical Approach

Rock anchors, which can withstand substantial forces and are essential for securing the foundations of the built environment, can fail due to steel tensile failure, bond detachment, or rock mass fracturing through uplift. In this study, uplift failure of the rock mass surrounding rock anchors was simulated using both physical and numerical models. The physical models used a specially designed testing rig with predefined sizes and different joint layouts to simulate rock mass uplift failure. The numerical models were calibrated using the physical models and used to investigate scenarios involving increased complexity and greater depths. This paper presents the load distribution within rock masses with orthogonal joints when exposed to an anchor load. Extensive analysis of the numerical models revealed that symmetrical load arches were induced in rock masses that contained a joint set oriented parallel to the loading direction. However, joints that were obliquely oriented relative to the anchor axis induced asymmetrical load arching. The greatest displacement occurred in the direction parallel to the joint set with the smallest angle to the anchor loading axis. Large-scale models with zero or near-zero in situ horizontal stress revealed that the load capacity in a rock mass with continuous vertical joints was relatively low, especially when compared to rock masses with discontinuous vertical joints. It was observed that the uplift capacity of the rock mass around an anchor decreased if the load arches of adjacent anchors overlapped; consequently, a decrease in anchor spacing was found to correspond to a decrease in uplift capacity.

Thermal conductivity of MX80 powders-granules mixture and its prediction for high-level radioactive waste repository

Bentonite granules and their mixtures with powders are considered to be a preferred sealing material for filling gaps between buffer layer and surrounding rock in high-level radioactive waste (HLW) repository. Due to continuous release of decay heat from nuclides, thermal conductivity of bentonite granules must be assessed. In this study, the effects of water content, dry density, temperature on the thermal conductivity in the directions parallel (λpar) and perpendicular (λperp) to the bedding plane of MX80 powders-granules mixture (PGM) were investigated by thermal probe technique. Test results showed that the thermal conductivity of powdered bentonite (PB) was higher than that of PGM and λpar was higher than λperp. With increasing water content, the difference rate (δPSD) in thermal conductivity between PB and PGM increased, and anisotropy coefficient α (a ratio of λpar to λperp) decreased, while the effects of dry density and temperature on δPSD and α were not obvious. The factor importance was analyzed, and results showed that the effects of water content, dry density, temperature, and particle size distribution decreased successively. A modified geometric mean (MGM) model for predicting thermal conductivity of PGM with temperature is proposed and it predicted thermal conductivity of MX80 PGM well.

Investigation of the Corrosion and Tribological Properties of WC-Co Tools Hardened with PVD Coatings in Solid Oak Wood Processing

Corrosion and friction coefficient tests were performed on solid oak wood machined with hard-metal woodworking tools coated with PVD coatings (AlCrN, AlTiN, TiAlN, TiCN and CrN). The tannic acid attacks the carbide more intensively than the PVD coatings. During cutting, corrosion spreads on the cutting edge of the cutter due to mechanical action, which dissolves the cobalt binder of the hard-metal and causes the carbide grains to flake off. After 80 min of contact with the wood, the cobalt content decreases from 3.53 to 1.74%. Depending on the PVD coating material, cracks of 4 to 40 µm in width appear after 120 min (9000 m cutting path). After 120 min of machining, wear, corrosion effects and the influence of corrosion on the coefficients of friction were evaluated for tools with and without PVD coatings. TiCN is the most sensitive to corrosion, while AlCrN and CrN coatings are the least sensitive, with the AlTiN coating being the most affected under real cutting conditions (with mechanical + thermal + corrosion effects) and the tools with CrN and AlCrN coatings being the least affected. Corrosion affects the hard-metal and PVD coatings and reduces the coefficient of friction. The angle between the directions of sliding and sharpening of the cutting edge sharpening significantly influences this parameter. The coefficient of friction of hard-metal WC-Co and PVD coatings is higher in the parallel machining direction than in the perpendicular machining direction and ranges from 16.03% (WC-Co) to 44.8% (AlTiN). The coefficient of friction of hard-metal WC-Co decreases by 5.13% before and after exposure to tannic acid, while the corrosion of PVD coatings reduces it by 4.13% (CrN) to 26.7% (TiAlN).

A numerical study of electron-magnetohydrodynamics tearing modes in parameter ranges of experimental interest

We perform a numerical study of the linear dynamics of tearing modes in slab incompressible electron-magnetohydrodynamics (EMHD) by considering some parameter ranges, which can be of interest for laboratory plasmas (e.g., helicon devices) or for astrophysics (e.g., solar-wind turbulence). To this purpose, several non-ideal effects are simultaneously retained (finite electron inertia, resistivity, and electron viscosity), and we make distinction between the dissipation coefficients in the direction parallel and perpendicular to the guide field. We thus identify some new reconnection regimes, characterized by a departure from the customary monotonic power-law scalings of the growth rates with respect to the non-ideal parameters. The results here presented can provide a useful indication for future studies of EMHD regimes relevant to experiments and for extensions of the EMHD tearing mode modeling to more complete regimes including kinetic effects (e.g., “electron-only” reconnection in kinetic regimes).

Quasi-in-situ observing unusual grain orientation rotation during the process of static recrystallization grain growth in Mg–Zn-Gd alloy

The orientation (including the c axis orientation and crystal direction parallel to rolling direction) evolution of grown recrystallization grains during annealing at 250 °C for 45–180 min in Mg–Zn-Gd alloy was characterized by quasi-in-situ electron backscatter diffraction method. An unusual grain orientation rotation during the process of static recrystallization grain growth, rather than common plastic deformation or recrystallization nucleation process, was observed. Due to the higher storage energy, the growth size in the early stage of annealing (1.41 μm) is larger than that in the late stage of annealing (0.73 μm) for most (∼76%) grains, and corresponding average c-axis rotation angles are 3.65° and 1.39°, respectively, indicating that the larger the increase in grain size, the greater the changing degree in grain orientation. It is speculated that the orientation rotation during grain growth process is mediated by the interaction between dislocations and grain boundaries. The results reported in the current paper can provide a new insight into the study on the relationship between preferential grain growth and non-basal texture formation in rare earth contained Mg alloys.

Formation mechanism and mechanical behavior of gradient nanograin structure in directional solidified Ti3Al alloy: Atomic-scale study

The formation mechanism of Ti3Al alloy during a directional solidification process was systemically investigated by means of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and its mechanical behavior was explored by comparing with its nanograined (NG), coarse-grained (CG) and gradient nanograined (GNG) counterparts. It is found that the solidified front forms equiaxed crystals first, then they transform into columnar crystals, and the GNG structure is formed finally. Noticeably, the grains will grow preferentially in the direction parallel to the solidification direction. Besides, it is also found that the directional solidified alloy with the GNG structure has higher tensile strength and better ductility than its NG and CG counterparts. The GNG structure not only suppresses strain localization and grain growth in its small grain regions, but also promotes more cross dislocations in the large grain regions, resulting in a better mechanical performance.

Microstructure of corrosion product film formed on aged WE43 alloy

A dense three-layer corrosion product film was formed on aged WE43 alloy in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution. The microstructure of the film was analyzed in detail by TEM. The three-layer corrosion product film is composed of RE2O3, MgO layer doped with RE2O3 and Mg(OH)2 layer doped with RE2O3 from the inside to the outside. A large amount of rare earth oxide particles formed both by the outward oxidation of rare earth precipitates and rare earth elements, are the main reason for the formation of the corrosion film. The RE2O3 has the preferential orientation with ( 2-11) plane and [231] direction parallel to (002) plane and [ 1-1-0] direction of MgO, respectively. Thus, the rare earth oxide particles can fill the gap of porous MgO layer, and improve the compactness of the film. The inner RE2O3 layer and mixed layer of MgO and RE2O3 play an important role in the formation of the film. The compact inner film can prevent the corrosion medium from reacting with the Mg matrix.

Improvement of physical and mechanical properties of belangke bamboo (Gigantochloa pruriens) laminated boards using boric acid immersion

A laminate board is a composite board formed from a combination of several laminates and glued together using adhesives in the parallel direction of the fibers. Belangke bamboo, as a substitute for wood, can be used as raw material for making laminated boards. Belangke bamboo has fairly good strength but has a weakness, namely, being vulnerable to attacks by destructive agents. Adding boric acid immersion treatment is one of the modifications to laminated boards to increase their strength and durability against attacks by destructive organisms. This study aims to analyze the physical and mechanical properties of laminated boards from striped bamboo with the effect of immersion treatment from 0 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours and 24 hours. The laminated board consists of 3 layers measuring 30 cm long, 15 cm wide, and 0.5 cm thick, which are glued using 280 g/m2 isocyanate adhesive and cold pressed for 24 hours with conditioning for ten days. The results of the physical properties test of this study obtained the average value in the weight percent gain (WPG) test ranged from 2.66-3.33%, density ranged from 0.79-0.97 g/cm3, moisture content ranged from 12.67%-13.40%, and delamination ranged from 2.37-7.77%. The results of mechanical properties testing showed the average value of modulus of elasticity (MOE) testing of 112383.20-127377.74 kg/cm2, modulus of rupture (MOR) of 371.69-578.95 kg/cm2, and shear strength ranged from 14.61–27.73 kg/cm2. From the analysis of variance, the best-laminated board is found in the 6-hour boric acid immersion time.

Leaf unfolding and lamina biomechanics in Syngonium podophyllum and Pilea peperomioides

In nature, leaves and their laminae vary in shape, appearance and unfolding behaviour. We investigated peltate leaves of two model species with peltate leaves and highly different morphology (Syngonium podophyllum and Pilea peperomioides) and two distinct unfolding patterns via time-lapse recordings: we observed successive unfolding of leaf halves in S. podophyllum and simultaneous unfolding in P. peperomioides. Furthermore, we gathered relevant morphological and biomechanical data in juvenile (unfolding) and adult (fully unfolded) leaves of both species by measuring the thickness and the tensile modulus of both lamina and veins as a measure of their stiffness. In S. podophyllum, lamina and veins stiffen after unfolding, which may facilitate unfolding in the less stiff juvenile lamina. Secondary venation highly contributes to stiffness in the adult lamina of S. podophyllum, while the lamina itself withstands tensile loads best in direction parallel to secondary veins. In contrast, the leaf of P. peperomioides has a higher lamina thickness and small, non-prominent venation and is equally stiff in every region and direction, although, as is the case in S. podophyllum, thickness and stiffness increase during ontogeny of leaves from juvenile to adult. It could be shown that (changes in) lamina thickness and stiffness can be well correlated with the unfolding processes of both model plants, so that we conclude that functional lamina morphology in juvenile and adult leaf stages and the ontogenetic transition while unfolding is highly dependent on biomechanical characteristics, though other factors are also taken into consideration and discussed.

Magnetic Susceptibility Reveals Differential Retrogression in Meta-Mafic Enclave Consistent with Metamorphic P–T Estimation and Petrography

Magnetic susceptibility is widely applied in geology, but its use in the study of metamorphic rocks has been limited due to the complex nature of metamorphism. In this study, analyzing a partially retrogressed mafic enclave within Archean TTG gneiss from the Jiaobei Terrane, North China craton, we incorporate magnetic susceptibility with conventional metamorphic (petrographic and major element) proxies in order to investigate profiles of metamorphic retrogression. The magnetic susceptibility results show more complete retrogression in the direction parallel to the tectonic fabric and partial retrogression perpendicular to it. This geophysical observation, which is broadly consistent with the petrological observations and P–T estimates, suggests that the availability of fluids and perhaps even non-lithostatic pressure play roles in the preservation of such differential retrogression. This study thus introduces magnetic susceptibility as a novel proxy in this context, revealing its utility in rapidly and quantitatively identifying variable retrogression gradients consistent with, but with more precision than, measured metamorphic pressures.

Compressive Fracture Behavior of Zirconia/Resin Composites Prepared by Fused Deposition Modeling Combined with Vacuum Infiltration.

Although bioceramic materials exhibit good biocompatibilities and bone conductivities, their high brittleness and low toughness properties limit their applications. Zirconia (ZrO2)/resin composites with idealized structures and properties were prepared by fused deposition modeling (FDM) combined with a vacuum infiltration process. The porous structure was prepared using the FDM three-dimensional printing technology, with granular zirconia as the raw material, and the relationship between the pore shape, pore size, and deformation was discussed. The results showed that square pores were more suitable than honeycomb pores for printing small pore sizes, and the resolution was high. Scanning electron microscopy observations showed that the superposition of multiple printing paths promoted the emergence of hole defects. The effects of the resin and the pore shape on the compressive strengths of the composites were studied. It was found that the compressive strengths of the honeycomb pore ZrO2/resin composites and porous ceramics were superior to those of the square pore samples. The introduction of the resin had a significant effect on the compressive strengths of the composites. The compressive strength increased in the direction perpendicular to the pores, while it decreased in the direction parallel to the pores.

Unmasking quantum effects in the surface thermodynamics of fluid nanodrops.

The focus of our study is an in-depth investigation of the quantum effects associated with the surface tension and other thermodynamic properties of nanoscopic liquid drops. The behavior of drops of quantum Lennard-Jones fluids is investigated with path-integral Monte Carlo simulations, and the test-area method is used to determine the surface tension of the spherical vapor-liquid interface. As the thermal de Broglie wavelength, λB, becomes more significant, the average density of the liquid drop decreases, with the drop becoming mechanically unstable at large wavelengths. As a consequence, the surface tension is found to decrease monotonically with λB, vanishing altogether for dominant quantum interactions. Quantum effects can be significant, leading to values that are notably lower than the classical thermodynamic limit, particularly for smaller drops. For planar interfaces (with infinite periodicity in the direction parallel to the interface), quantum effects are much less significant with the same values of λB but are, nevertheless, consequential for values representative of hydrogen or helium-4 at low temperatures corresponding to vapor-liquid coexistence. Large quantum effects are found for small drops of molecules with quantum interactions corresponding to water, ethane, methanol, and carbon dioxide, even at ambient conditions. The notable decrease in the density and tension has important consequences in reducing the Gibbs free-energy barrier of a nucleating cluster, enhancing the nucleation kinetics of liquid drops and of bubble formation. This implies that drops would form at a much greater rate than is predicted by classical nucleation theory.

Formation of a two-dimensional helical square tube ice in hydrophobic nanoslit using the TIP5P water model.

In extreme and nanoconfinement conditions, the tetrahedral arrangement of water molecules is challenged, resulting in a rich and new phase behavior unseen in bulk phases. The unique phase behavior of water confined in hydrophobic nanoslits has been previously observed, such as the formation of a variety of two-dimensional (2D) ices below the freezing temperature. The primary identified 2D ice phase, termed square tube ice (STI), represents a unique arrangement of water molecules in 2D ice, which can be viewed as an array of 1D ice nanotubes stacked in the direction parallel to the confinement plane. In this study, we report the molecular dynamics (MD) simulations evidence of a novel 2D ice phase, namely, helical square tube ice (H-STI). H-STI is characterized by the stacking of helical ice nanotubes in the direction parallel to the confinement plane. Its structural specificity is evident in the presence of helical square ice nanotubes, a configuration unseen in both STI and single-walled ice nanotubes. A detailed analysis of the hydrogen bonding strength showed that H-STI is a 2D ice phase diverging from the Bernal-Fowler-Pauling ice rules by forming only two strong hydrogen bonds between adjacent molecules along its helical ice chain. This arrangement of strong hydrogen bonds along ice nanotube and weak bonds between the ice nanotube shows a similarity to quasi-one-dimensional van der Waals materials. Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations (over a 30ps) were employed to further verify H-STI's stability at 1GPa and temperature up to 200K.

Energy efficient coverage path planning for USV-assisted inland bathymetry under current effects: An analysis on sweep direction

Effective coverage path planning for USVs is essential to optimize the performance of bathymetric surveys. Traditionally, it is well recognized that the best sweep direction for coverage path planning is the parallel direction that finds the minimum span of the region of interest (ROI). However, the results in this paper first reveals that it is not always the case when the water current is involved. In this paper, we first formulate an energy consumption estimation model for USV and introduce a novel coverage path planning strategy. Then, we investigate the relationship between sweep direction and USV energy consumption under the influence of water currents, referred to as the E-β curve. We then systematically analyze the variations of the E-β curve under different shapes of ROIs, various water current attacking angles, and different coverage strategies. Finally, the model is extended to more realistic scenarios involving non-convex ROIs. The practicality of the model is validated USV semi-physical model. The results indicate that, under water currents, our proposed model allows for an optimal sweep direction that minimizes the energy consumption of USVs. This contrasts with traditional methods, which fail to achieve the optimal energy cost. The results hold significant implications for the design of USV mapping strategies in inland river.

Fabricating periodic sandwich SERS structure in detecting SARS-CoV-2 S protein with high-performance

This study reported a sandwich SERS structure in detecting SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (SARS-CoV-2 S protein) with high performance. The periodic Ag nanoarrays (AgNAs) functionalized with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) were utilized as the bottom structure to specifically bound to the SARS-CoV-2 S protein. A complex of SARS-CoV-2 S protein antibody and 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (4-Mba) modified Au nanoparticles (AuNPs@4-Mba@Antibody) were used as nanotags and top SERS enhancing structures. By utilized the “hot spots” in parallel and perpendicular directions, the SERS signals of the 4-Mba as reporters were largely enhanced. By modulated the diameters and the heights of the AgNAs, the SERS performance of the sandwich structures was optimized by using R6G as a stand analyst with limits of detection (LOD) of 1 × 10−9 M. By applied the optimized sandwich structures in detecting SARS-CoV-2 S protein in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and pharyngeal swabs solution (PSS), the proposed sandwich structure illustrates a high performance, and the LODs were 0.1 fg mL−1 and 1 fg mL−1, respectively. This study presented an efficient way to construct a sandwich SERS structure in directly detecting SARS-CoV-2 S protein and this method illustrates a good potential in viral detection.