Simplified Structure Research Articles

A new method for obtaining the in situ interfacial shear strength of the 3D woven composite

The interfacial strengths have significant effects on the accuracy of numerical simulations for the 3D woven composite (3DWC). However, obtaining the in situ interfacial strengths of the 3DWC currently presents substantial challenges. Furthermore, it remains questionable whether the interlaminar strength of laminate composites can represent the interfacial strength of the 3DWC. This paper proposes an in situ experiment-simulation (ISES) method to determine the shear strength of the interface within the 3DWC. For this purpose, several novel off-axis tensile specimens were designed with a simplified and continuous interface structure. A corresponding full-scale finite element (FE) model based on the mesoscale structure of the specimen was established, employing the cohesive zone model to describe the interface mechanical behavior. The in situ interfacial shear strength of the 3DWC was then obtained using the proposed ISES method.

Multifractal characteristics of soil particle size distribution of abandoned homestead reclamation under different forest management modes

In this study, fast-growing poplar reclaimed from abandoned homestead in Xixian New District, Xi’an City, Shaanxi Province, was used as the research object to explore the multi-fractal characteristics of soil particle size distribution under different management modes of abandoned land (control), irrigation, fertilizer irrigation and mixed fertilizer irrigation. The results showed that the mean values of soil clay, silt and sand in abandoned land were 14.58%, 81.21% and 4.22% respectively, 14.08%, 79.92% and 5.99% under irrigation, 15.17%, 81.19% and 3.64% under fertilizer irrigation, and 16.75%, 80.20% and 3.05% in mixed fertilizer treatment. From 40 cm, with increasing soil depth, soil clay particles increase under irrigation, fertilizer irrigation, and mixed fertilizer irrigation modes. The single fractal dimension of soil particle size distribution (D) in each treatment ranges from 2.721 to 2.808. At 60–100 cm, D shows fertilizer irrigation > mixed fertilizer irrigation > irrigation > abandoned land, indicating that fertilization and irrigation can increase the fine-grained matter of deep soil particles and reduce soil roughness. Compared with abandoned land, under irrigation, fertilizer irrigation and mixed fertilizer modes the capacity dimension (D0), entropy dimension (D1), correlation dimension(D2), shape characteristics of the multifractal spectrum (Δf) and overall inhomogeneity of the soil particle size distribution (D0–D10) indicate an uneven distribution of soil particle size; fractal structure characteristics of soil (D−10–D0) indicate a simplified soil structure, and degree of dispersion of soil particle size distribution (D1/D0) indicates that soil particle size is distributed in dense areas. Pearson correlation analysis showed that D was significantly correlated with clay, sand, D0–D10, soil organic matter (SOM) and soil available phosphorus (SAP) (P < 0.05). Stepwise regression analysis showed that clay was the main controlling factor of D and D0–D10 changes. The research results can provide some potential indicators for the quality evaluation of abandoned homestead reclamation.

Self-adaptive piezoelectric vibration absorber with semi-passive tunable resonant shunts

This paper proposes a novel self-adaptive strategy to control piezoelectric vibration absorbers (PVA) using a semi-passive resonant shunt with tunable inductance for vibration attenuation of harmonically excited structures. The tunable inductor is realized using ferrite cores and its inductance is controlled by means of the air gap effect between the cores using piezoelectric stack actuators. This device allows the control of the resonance frequency of the shunt circuit. The adaptive resonant shunt leverages the effect of antiresonance resulting from the electromechanical coupling of the structure with a resonant shunt with low electrical damping to attenuate the vibration of the harmonically excited structure. A machine learning control method based on a Gaussian process regression model is used to drive the tunable inductance based on minimizing the time-averaged RMS response of the structure. The experimental application of the proposed strategy is illustrated in an application to attenuate a single-mode of a simplified aircraft fuselage structure. A reduction of about 30% in the maximum vibration amplitude is observed by comparing the self-adaptive resonant circuit and a traditional resonant circuit designed based on the equal-peaks method.

A numerical approach to optimize the performance of HTL-free carbon electrode-based perovskite solar cells using organic ETLs

Carbon electrode-based perovskite solar cells (c-PSCs) without a hole transport layer (HTL) have obtained a significant interest owing to their cost-effective, stable, and simplified structure. However, their application is limited by low efficiency and the prevalence of high-temperature processed electron transport layer (ETL), e.g. TiO2, which also has poor optoelectronic properties, including low conductivity and mobility. In this study, a series of organic materials, namely PCBM ((Park et al., 2023; Park et al., 2023) [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester, C72H14O2), Alq3 (Al(C9H6NO)3), BCP (2,9-Dimethyl-4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline, C26H20N2), C60, ICBA (indene-C60 bisadduct, C78H16) and PEIE (poly (ethylenimine) ethoxylated, (C37H24O6N2)n) have been numerically analyzed in SCAPS-1D solar simulator to explore alternative potential ETL materials for HTL-free c-PSCs. The presented device has FTO/ETL/CH3NH3PbI3/carbon structure, and its performance is optimized based on significant design parameters. The highest achieved PCEs for PCBM, Alq3, BCP, C60, ICBA, and PEIE-based devices are 22.85%, 19.08%, 20.99%, 25.51%, 23.91%, and 22.53%, respectively. These PCEs are obtained for optimum absorber thickness for each case, with an acceptor concentration of 1.0 × 1017 cm−3 and defect density of 2.5 × 1013 cm−3. The C60-based cell has been found to outperform with device parameters as Voc of 1.29 V, Jsc of 23.76 mA/cm2, and FF of 82.67%. As the design lacks stability when only organic materials are employed, each of the presented devices have been analyzed by applying BiI3, LiF, and ZnO as protective layers with the performances not compromised. We believe that our obtained results will be of great interest in developing stable and efficient HTL-free c-PSCs.

A Comprehensive Seismic Monitoring of the Pillar Threatening the World Cultural Heritage Site Chauvet‐Pont d'Arc Cave, Toward Rock Damage Assessment

AbstractFragile geological features must undergo frequent structural health assessments to prevent catastrophic failure events. The mechanical behavior of natural sites is largely guided by vibrations of the earth and environmental exposure, but damage is rarely assessed, except empirically. The Chauvet‐Pont d’Arc cave, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, represents a shining example of fragility that would benefit from monitoring. It is overhung by a rock column known as Abraham's pillar that extends out from the cliff like a natural tuning fork. For this study, we monitored dancing movements of this pillar for over 2 years to analyze its elastic response to weather conditions. Using ambient‐seismic‐noise‐based methods, we identified the pillar's first two natural resonance modes. Through extensive monitoring of the site, we observed the striking temporal evolution of these two resonance frequencies on hourly, daily, seasonal, and pluriannual scales in response to changes in air temperature and insolation. Based on thermo‐acousto‐elastic modeling with a simplified 3D geometric structure, we determined how thermally‐induced stress stiffening affects the rock material, by applying convective and radiative heat fluxes to the model. From the results obtained, we suggest a novel quantitative method based on daily observations that can estimate the level of damage within the rock material. Our work provides a foundation for distinguishing between reversible processes and damage for hazard studies in the frame of climate change. Such knowledge is crucial not only for the preservation of heritage sites but also for enhancing risk assessment protocols and informing conservation efforts worldwide.

Design of a Circularly Polarized Planar Monopole Antenna with a Simplified Radiator Structure for UWB Applications

The demand for wideband circularly polarized (CP) antennas in wireless communication applications has been increasing, given that it offers reliable signals with reduced interference. In particular, planar monopole antennas are a popular choice for use in CP applications due to their compact size and ease of integration. However, achieving CP characteristics often requires complex modifications, an increased antenna size, and design complexity. To address these challenges, this study proposes a simplified radiator structure modification for CP planar monopole antennas and validates the performance of the proposed antenna for ultra-wideband (UWB) applications by conducting both frequency-domain and time-domain analyses. The size of the proposed antenna is 34 mm × 41 mm × 1.6 mm, with FR-4 as the substrate. Both the -10 dB &lt;i&gt;S&lt;/i&gt;&lt;sub&gt;11&lt;/sub&gt; bandwidth and 6 dB axial ratio axial ratio is 3.46–5.5 GHz, with the radiation patterns in the frequency range of interest being omni-directional. The proposed UWB CP antenna also yields decent antenna performance in time-domain analyses, such as the antenna fidelity factor and the system fidelity factor.

Broadband Dual-frequency High Isolation Base Station Antenna with Low RCS Structure Loaded

A novel dual-band dual-polarization shared aperture antenna is proposed, which covers frequencies 1.7–2.6 GHz and 3.3–3.8 GHz. The structure, with low radar cross section (RCS), is designed to reduce the radiation interference on the high band (HB) antenna. Additionally, by introducing U-shaped slots on the arms of the low band (LB) antenna, polarization isolation between the HB elements is significantly enhanced, which can reach up to 25 dB across the whole band. Moreover, to restore the radiation pattern of the LB antenna, the dielectric substrate is employed beneath the HB antenna as a substitute for the ground plane. The antenna proposed in this paper possesses attributes of broadband, compact size, and simplified structure.

Ground Cover Vegetation in Differently Managed Hemiboreal Norway Spruce Stands: Plantation vs. Natural Regeneration

Forest plantations, which have a simplified structure and composition, are becoming more frequent, raising concerns regarding their contribution to biological diversity in highly managed landscapes. The biological value of a stand has been related to stand age, although stand properties, which are often intercorrelated with it, yet are manageable, might be of primary importance. The relationships between stand properties (age, structure and composition) and ground cover vegetation, as a proxy for biological value, were assessed in Norway spruce stands with contrasting land use history (low-density plantations on former agricultural land, unmanaged and old-growth stands) in Latvia. The ground flora differed according to land use history of the stands. The principal gradients of ground cover vegetation were related to the degree of deciduous admixture in the tree stand, stand vertical heterogeneity (multi-layer; density and height of the understorey), light, age and site fertility. However, the plantations were more species-rich and diverse, appearing as promising in terms of biological diversity in intensively managed sites (especially periurban forests). The observed relationships between ground cover vegetation and stand characteristics suggest that diversification of the stand structures in plantations might reduce the recovery time of ground cover vegetation, contributing to the ecosystem services provided under intensifying management and disturbances.

Experimental study on flow kinematics of breaking wave impinging and overtopping on a deck structure

The present study experimentally investigates the flow kinematics due to breaking waves impinging and overtopping on a simplified deck structure. Several breaking-wave impinging scenarios in relation to the model deck are conducted. The resulting flow velocities in the aerated regions are measured using bubble image velocimetry (BIV). A wave focusing method is employed to generate plunging breakers. Repeated measurements are performed to obtain mean flow and turbulence characteristics. Two distinguished flow behaviors are observed among all seven scenarios. For the cases of a fully developed plunging breaker interacting with the deck structure, the maximum horizontal velocities above and below the structure are both around 1.2C, with C being the phase speed of the breaking wave; for the cases of a non-fully-developed plunging breaker impingement, the flow velocity below the deck is surprisingly large, with a value of 1.8C below the deck against 1.2C above the deck. Furthermore, the use of a dam-break flow to model the overtopping horizontal velocities on the deck is performed with satisfactory agreements for all the impinging scenarios. Moreover, the temporal and spatial varying prediction equation proposed by Ryu et al. (2007b) is used to model overtopping flow velocities, showing the applicability of this simplified methodology.

Physical Insights into THz Rectification in Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor Transistors

Metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) have proven to be effective devices for rectifying electromagnetic radiation at extremely high frequencies, approximately 1 THz. This paper presents a new interpretation of the THz rectification process in the structure of an MOS transistor. The rectification depends on the nonlinear effect of the carrier dynamics. The paper shows that the so-called self-mixing effect occurs within the interface region between the source and the channel. The basic tool used numerical TCAD simulations, which offer a direct interpretation of different aspects of this interaction. The complex, 2D effect is examined in terms of its basic aspects by comparing the MOS structure with a simplified case study structure. We demonstrate that a contribution to the output-rectified voltage detectable at the drain arises from the charging of the drain well capacitance due to the diffusion of excess electrons from the self-mixing interaction occurring at the source barrier. In addition, the paper provides a quantitative description of the rectification process through the definition of the output equivalent circuit, offering a new perspective for the design of detection systems.

Digital twin-driven assembly accuracy prediction method for high performance precision assembly of complex products

The high performance precision assembly (HPPA) of complex products such as aerospace, aircraft and high-end machine tool has demanding requirements for assembly accuracy. Achieving the accurate prediction of assembly accuracy for these complex products before assembling is the premise of improving the assembly quality and performance, and also has always been a challenge. Existing assembly accuracy prediction methods focus on acquiring the assembly deviation based on CAD model and manufacturing errors of parts, but rarely involve the multidimensional error coupling of parts and the influencing factors in the assembly process, which inevitably cause a certain gap between the prediction result and the actual condition, affecting the reliability of the prediction result. To address the above problems, this paper presents a digital twin (DT)-driven assembly accuracy prediction method for the HPPA of complex products. Firstly, this paper introduces the methodology overview and proposes an overall framework for DT-driven assembly accuracy prediction. Secondly, three key enabling technologies realizing the DT-driven assembly accuracy prediction, including the construction of part digital twin model, the generation of DT-based assembly process model, and assembly deviation propagation and accuracy analysis are introduced in detail. Finally, an application implementation of a prototype system and a case study involving a simplified satellite structure panel assembly process are used to verify the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed method.

Analysis of Structure and Function of Ladybird Leg and Subsequent Design and Fabrication of a Simplified Leg Structure for Robotic Applications.

Many insects are able to walk vertically or upside down on both hard and soft surfaces. In beetles such as the ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata), intermolecular forces between tarsal setae on the footpads of the insects make this movement possible. In prior work, adhesion structures made from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) that mimic the action of the tarsal setae have been developed. It is proposed that these adhesion structures could be attached to a simplified version of the leg of a ladybird and used in practical applications. For example, the leg structures could potentially be employed in small surveillance drones to enable attachment to surfaces during flights, in order to preserve battery power. Alternatively, the structures could be used in small robotic devices to enable walking on steeply inclined surfaces. In this program of work, the morphology and movement of the leg of a ladybird were closely studied using a 3D X-ray microscope and a high-speed microscope. The positions of the tendons that facilitated movement were identified. From this knowledge, a simplified leg structure using pin-joints was designed and then fabricated using 3-D printing. The PDMS adhesion structures were then attached to the leg structure. The tendons in the actual insect leg were replicated using thread. Typical detachment forces of about 4 N indicated that the simplified leg structure was, in principle, more than capable of supporting the weight of a small device and then detach successfully. Attachment/detachment movement operations were performed using a linear actuator and controlled remotely. Therefore, proof of concept has been demonstrated for the use of such a simplified ladybird leg structure for the attachment/detachment of small robotic devices to horizontal, inclined, or vertical surfaces.

Socio-Ecological Effect of Transition Landscape Dynamics from Agroforests to Monoculture Plantation in Upper Citarum Watershed

Agroforests in many tropical countries have long been acknowledged as substantially necessary to contribute to biodiversity conservation and community livelihood. The importance of agroforest biodiversification is now overlooked and replaced by a simplified structure due to the impact of agricultural commercialization. Land use changes have occurred in the Upper Citarum Watershed over time, converting traditional agroforests into monoculture plantations at the expense of their socio-ecological function. This paper aimed to analyze land use change dynamics and the effect of biodiversity loss on the socio-economy aspect of the rural agricultural landscape in the Upper Citarum Watershed. We conducted a survey of 95 respondents of community farmers in the agricultural landscape in Sukapura and Resmi Tingal Village using questionnaire guidelines and direct interviews to gather information. There was a significant decrease in plant diversity in some plot agroforests, which, in the previous study, was dominant to be reduced even to local extinctions. The results also show that the farmer poverty index according to BPS criteria is 12.63% of respondents who are below the poverty line. Our results imply that preserving mixed-garden (talun) patches in a landscape dominated by cash-crop gardens is one of the strategies that could conserve landscape biodiversity and increasingly a sustainable livelihood. Keywords: agriculture commercialization, agroforestry, land use change, poverty index, rural development

A model of erosion rate prediction for component with complex geometry based on numerical simulation

The structural components prone to erosion damage often exhibit irregular and complex shapes. Predicting erosion rates for such irregular geometries is a field that needs more attention, since it can be used to evaluate the performance of the component. This study aims to develop an evaluation method for predicting erosion rates of components with complex geometry. Standard erosion tests were performed on small plates to investigate the effects of different impact angles and particle velocities on the erosion rate of the target material. Based on these test results, the Newton iteration method was employed to determine the parameters of the Tabakoff and Grant erosion model. Moreover, these parameters were used in computational fluid dynamics simulation of components with complex geometries. Besides, a model was developed to convert the erosion rate density into erosion rate in numerical simulation, allowing quantitative comparison of simulation results with experimental data. The calibration of the erosion model parameters was conducted by using 1060 aluminum alloy specimens. The predicted erosion rate changes with impact angle showed consistency good agreement with the testing data. Subsequently, the erosion rate of a simplified similar structure for aircraft engine blade made of 1060 aluminum alloy was predicted and verified.

ABC2A: A Straightforward and Fast Method for the Accurate Backmapping of RNA Coarse-Grained Models to All-Atom Structures.

RNAs play crucial roles in various essential biological functions, including catalysis and gene regulation. Despite the widespread use of coarse-grained (CG) models/simulations to study RNA 3D structures and dynamics, their direct application is challenging due to the lack of atomic detail. Therefore, the reconstruction of full atomic structures is desirable. In this study, we introduced a straightforward method called ABC2A for reconstructing all-atom structures from RNA CG models. ABC2A utilizes diverse nucleotide fragments from known structures to assemble full atomic structures based on the CG atoms. The diversification of assembly fragments beyond standard A-form ones, commonly used in other programs, combined with a highly simplified structure refinement process, ensures that ABC2A achieves both high accuracy and rapid speed. Tests on a recent large dataset of 361 RNA experimental structures (30-692 nt) indicate that ABC2A can reconstruct full atomic structures from three-bead CG models with a mean RMSD of ~0.34 Å from experimental structures and an average runtime of ~0.5 s (maximum runtime < 2.5 s). Compared to the state-of-the-art Arena, ABC2A achieves a ~25% improvement in accuracy and is five times faster in speed.

A 3-D GaAs-based Hall sensor design with dual active layers structure

A fully integrated 3-D Hall magnetic sensor with dual active structure was proposed. Results by technology computer-aided design simulation show that the proposed sensor provides a doubled magnitude improvement in sensitivity of vertical magnetic field direction and maintains a good level sensing of horizontal magnetic field direction compared with the sensor with single active layer. The designed sensor was fabricated by wet etching process and a method of preparing Ohmic contacts on the "pseudo-sidewalls" is proposed. The measurements show that the non-linearity does not exceed 0.5% and a voltage sensitivity of up to 0.046 T−1, which matches the simulation results. The proposed sensor boasts a simplified structure that allows for fabrication using different layers only through a planar process, which makes it more conducive to the integration of devices and systems.

Numerical analysis of thermal and mechanical characteristics with property maps in complex semiconductor package designs

As semiconductor performance improves through advanced package designs, it becomes important to consider both thermal and mechanical properties. Better understanding their relationship enhances system design and optimization. This study has introduced a numerical method that takes into account both thermal and mechanical fluxes to construct thermal and mechanical property maps for practical application in semiconductor engineering. Furthermore, this paper investigated the relationship between the two properties using the constructed property maps in commercially available semiconductor packages. Owing to the complexity of packaging design patterns, a coupled isoparametric mapping and machine learning (ML) method was introduced to investigate their effects. The model then determines and investigates the anisotropic equivalent thermal and mechanical properties of the commercialized semiconductor packages with complex pattern designs, according to the package materials, volume fractions of each material, and design patterns. This approach pursues more sophistication and practicality compared to simplified composite structure property evaluation models. Additionally, all processes in the algorithm are automated based on ML methods, making them practically applicable in the semiconductor industry. The study shows that there is a strong correlation between the thermal and mechanical characteristics in the complex package patterns. This relationship was able to form a fairly clear category based on the shape of the dielectric band because the dielectric band had significantly different effects on the thermal and mechanical fluxes. The study discussed the physical implications of the similarities and differences between the two behaviors and validated the results of the equivalent properties through finite element (FE) analysis. Finally, the study cross-validates the relationship by showing that information from one flux behavior can be used to predict the other based on the ML method. Based on the results, this paper can provide a better understanding of thermal and mechanical fluxes in semiconductor package patterns for package design and optimization.

Slow dynamics and the role of moisture

The elastic behavior of rocks and other composite materials cannot be entirely captured by the traditional theory of nonlinear elasticity, where the stress field is related to powers of the strain field. Rather, these materials display non-classical nonlinear elastic behavior, such as hysteresis, end-point memory, fast dynamics, and slow dynamics. Slow dynamics (SD) is characterized by a drop in material stiffness due to a minor mechanical conditioning, followed by a slow recovery back to the original macroscopic elastic state. SD has drawn particular attention because the recovery, often logarithmic in time, has been observed in a wide variety of materials, on lengths scales from the laboratory to the seismic, and on time scales from milliseconds to years. The universal character suggests a simple, fundamental mechanism for the SD recovery. This talk will present recent experiments that seek to test proposed SD mechanisms. In particular, the role of moisture will be investigated. The main experimental venue is the simplified structure introduced in previous work—a single bead confined between two slabs of a similar material. The main benefit of this structure over more commonly studied SD materials (sandstones and concrete) is the ability to control the environment around the contact points.

Food web structure of fish communities of Doce River, 5years after the Fundão dam failure.

The rupture of the Fundão dam is considered the largest mining failure in history, which had a particularly detrimental impact on fish populations, as the mud from the ore tailings significantly altered the water quality and habitat of Doce River basin. This study aimed to assess the trophic structure of fish communities in areas impacted and not impacted by the dam rupture in the Doce River basin. To evaluate the food web structure, community-wide trophic niche, and trophic positions of fish, stable isotopes of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) were utilized across ten sites (seven impacted and three control). In general, fish appeared to assimilate resources such as invertebrates, algae, and periphyton, although the importance of each resource varied among sites. The site closest to the dam rupture exhibited a more simplified trophic structure compared to the control sites and those nearer the river mouth. In this site, most fish species occupied a similar trophic position. Trophic niches also exhibited the greatest dissimilarity between the site closest to the dam failure and those farther away from it, with an expansion of trophic niche breadth observed with an increase in the distance from the dam rupture. Our study provided valuable insights into the trophic structure of fish communities within the Doce River basin, shedding light on the trophic ecology of the 59 fish species investigated. We also emphasize the importance of our study for future assessments of ore tailings dam failure disasters and evaluating the effectiveness of mitigation measures for Doce River basin recovery.

A Reversible Light‐Driven Biomimetic K+/Na+‐Exchanger Controls Cancer Cell Apoptosis

AbstractAlthough natural dual‐ion exchangers are indispensable for bio‐organic functions, developing their artificial counterparts remains nearly unexplored. Herein, this work proposes a novel light‐controlled K+/Na+‐transport‐exchanger TE12, realizing an unprecedented reversible switch between K+‐ and Na+‐transmembrane transport by changing its transport mechanism (channel and carrier). The conformational transformation of the azobenzene moiety in TE12 essentially induces this. The K+/Na+ selectivity of K+‐channel Trans‐TE12 is as high as 20.3, making it one of the most selective artificial K+‐transporters. Moreover, considering the scarcity of artificial Na+‐transporters, the Na+‐carrier Cis‐TE12 with high Na+/K+ selectivity (9.25) represents a breakthrough. Cis‐TE12 significantly triggers cell apoptosis by igniting fascinating “Na+ sparks” first observed on cancer cells treated with synthetic channels, while K+‐channel Trans‐TE12 exhibits low toxicity. Importantly, TE12 can function as a spatiotemporally controllable ion interference therapy, enabling in situ 365 nm light‐triggered and 450 nm light‐inhibited cell death. This work realizes sophisticated functions in a simplified structure by the “Less is More” design concept. It opens a shortcut toward the future iterative updating of artificial ion transporters to make them better biological analogs and therapeutic agents.