Synthesis and Characterization of MnInS/Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Composites as an Anode Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

In this study, we synthesized a transition metal sulfide (TMS) with a spinel structure, i.e., MnInS (MIS), using a two-step hydrothermal and sintering process.

Influence of Plasma Treatment on Surface Characteristics of Aluminum Alloy Sheets and Bonding Performance of Glass Fiber-Reinforced Thermoplastic/Al Composites.

This study focuses on modifying the surface of an AA 5052-H32 aluminum alloy using plasma treatment. Discharge power, exposure time, and working gas were adjusted as process parameters to improve the adhesion between the aluminum alloy and glass fiber-reinforced thermoplastic (GFRTP) polycarbonate composite. The surface composition and morphology of the aluminum alloy sheet were analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, and surface roughness and wettability were evaluated using a surface roughness-measuring instrument and contact angle goniometry, respectively.

The Process Parameters of Micro Particle Bombarding (MPB) for Surface Integrity Enhancement of Cermet Material and Tool Steel.

In order to increase the performance of tool or mold/die, there are a lot of micro features on the surface to provide special functions, such as anti-adhesion or lubrication. The MPB (Micro Particle Bombarding) process provides a powerful technology to enhance the surface quality without damaging the micro features. The effect of MPB parameters were investigated by bombarding the surface with extremely small particles (20~200 µm in diameter) at a high velocity and pressure to obtain a better surface integrity.

Evaluation of Laminated Composite Beam Theory Accuracy.

Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) has been widely implemented in electric vehicle bodies and aircraft fuselage structures. The purpose of CFRP is to reduce the weight and impart rigidity in the final product. A beam structure is typically used to bear the structural load, and the rigidity of the beam can be changed by arranging the laminated fibers at different angles.

Co/ZnO/Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Composite Anode Derived from Metal Organic Frameworks for Lithium Ion Batteries.

Through high-temperature sintering and carbonization, two Co/ZnO nitrogen-doped porous carbon (NC) composites derived from ZIF-8 and ZIF-67 were manufactured for use as anodes for Li ion batteries: composite-type Co/ZnO-NC and core-shell-type Co@ZnO-NC. X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method were performed to identify the pore distribution and surface morphology of these composites. The findings of the BET method indicated that the specific surface area of Co/ZnO-NC was 350 m/g, which was twice that of Co@ZnO-NC.

Novel design of cryptosystems for video/audio streaming via dynamic synchronized chaos-based random keys.

In this paper, a novel chaos-based cryptosystem is proposed to ensure the communication security of video/audio streaming in the network environment. Firstly, by the proposed synchronization controller for the master and slave chaotic systems, respectively, embedded in the transmitter and receiver, the cryptosystem can generate the synchronized and dynamic chaotic random numbers at the transmitter and receiver simultaneously. Then integrating the chaotic random numbers with SHA3-256 (Secure hash algorithm 3), the design of synchronized dynamic key generators (SDKGs) is completed.

Facile and Green Process to Synthesize a Three-Dimensional Network Few-Layer Graphene/Carbon Nanotube Composite for Electromagnetic Interference Shielding.

We propose an environmentally friendly liquid exfoliation approach and subsequent freeze-drying process for constructing a three-dimensional (3D) carbon-based network by using few-layer graphene (FLG) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding applications. Systematic characterizations-such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy-as well as Raman characterization and EMI shielding tests were performed. The results indicated that the as-synthesized 3D-FLG/CNT composite obtained through the freeze-drying process exhibited excellent electromagnetic interference shielding.

Industrial Silicon-Wafer-Wastage-Derived Carbon-Enfolded Si/Si-C/C Nanocomposite Anode Material through Plasma-Assisted Discharge Process for Rechargeable Li-Ion Storage.

Silicon is a promising anode material for high-performance Li-ion batteries as a result of its high theoretical specific capacity and elemental abundance. Currently, the commercial application of the Si-based anode is still restricted by its large volume changes during the lithiation cycles and low electrical conductivity. To address these issues, we demonstrate a facile plasma-assisted discharge process to anchor nano-sized Si particles into methanol with quick quenching.

Finite Element Analysis on Initial Crack Site of Porous Structure Fabricated by Electron Beam Additive Manufacturing.

Ti6Al4V specimens with porous structures can be fabricated by additive manufacturing to obtain the desired Young's modulus. Their mechanical strength and deformation behavior can be evaluated using finite element analysis (FEA), with various models and simulation methodologies described in the existing literature. Most studies focused on the evaluation accuracy of the mechanical strength and deformation behavior using complex models.

Ergostatrien-3β-ol (EK100) from Attenuates Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Liver Injury and .

Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury is a complication that occurs during liver surgery, whereby hepatic tissue is injured by oxygen deficiency during ischemia, then further damaged by a cascade of inflammatory and oxidative insults when blood is resupplied during reperfusion. is an indigenous fungus in Taiwan and an esteemed Chinese herbal medicine with various bioactivities. This study examined the effect of ergostatrien-3β-ol (EK100), an active compound found in both the fruiting body and mycelia of , on IR injury pathologies in rats and cell models of oxidative and inflammatory stress.

Temperature prediction of ultrasonic vibration-assisted milling.

Machining temperature is a key factor in ultrasonic vibration-assisted milling as it can significantly influence tool wear rate and residual thermal stresses. In current study, a physics-based analytical predictive model on machining temperature in ultrasonic vibration-assisted milling is proposed, without resorting to iterative numerical simulations. As the tool periodically loses contact with the workpiece under vibration, three types of tool-workpiece separation criteria are first examined based on the tool trajectory under ultrasonic vibration.

Implementation and Optimization of a Dual-confocal Autofocusing System.

This paper describes the implementation and optimization of a dual-confocal autofocusing system that can easily describe a real-time position by measuring the response signal (i.e., intensity) of the front and the rear focal points of the system.

Effect of Polyaniline on Sulfur/Sepiolite Composite Cathode for Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

Composite materials with a stable network structure consisting of natural sepiolite (Sp) powders (both sieved sepiolite and post-treated sepiolite), sulfur(S), and conductive polymer Polyaniline (PAni) have been successfully synthesized using a simple heat treatment. The morphology of composites illustrates that the sepiolite is composed of many needle-like fibrous clusters. The initial discharge capacity of the post-treated sepiolite/sulfur/PAni composite is about 1230 mA h g at 0.

High Capacity Prismatic Type Layered Electrode with Anionic Redox Activity as an Efficient Cathode Material and PVdF/SiO Composite Membrane for a Sodium Ion Battery.

A prismatic type layered NaNiMnO cathode material for a sodium ion battery is prepared via two different methods viz., the solid state and sol-gel method with dissimilar surface morphology and a single phase crystal structure. It shows tremendous electrochemical chattels when studied as a cathode for a sodium-ion battery of an initial specific discharge capacity of 244 mAh g with decent columbic efficiency of 98% up to 250 cycles, between the voltage range from 1.

Food Security Sensing System Using a Waveguide Antenna Microwave Imaging through an Example of an Egg.

In this paper, we present a form of food security sensing using a waveguide antenna microwave imaging system through an example of an egg. A waveguide antenna system with a frequency range of 7-13 GHz and a maximum gain of 17.37 dBi was proposed.

Disruption of thin- and thick-wall microalgae using high pressure gases: Effects of gas species, pressure and treatment duration on the extraction of proteins and carotenoids.

Industrial scale microalgal cell disruption requires low cost, high efficiency and structural conservation of biomolecules for biorefinery. Many cultivated microalgae have thick walls and these walls are barriers for efficient cell disruption. Until recently, despite the high biodiversity of microalgae, little attention has been paid to thin-wall microalgal species in the natural environment for the production and recovery of valuable biomolecules.

Structural Design of Three-Dimensional Graphene/Nano Filler (AlO, BN, or TiO) Resins and Their Application to Electrically Conductive Adhesives.

In this study, we designed a three-dimensional structure of electrically conductive adhesives (ECAs) by adding three different kinds of nano filler, including BN, TiO, and AlO particles, into a few-layered graphene (FLG)/polymer composite to avoid FLG aggregation. Three different lateral sizes of FLG (FLG3, FLG8, and FLG20) were obtained from graphite (G3, G8, and G20) by a green, facile, low-cost, and scalable jet cavitation process. The corresponding characterizations, such as Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), verified the successful preparation of graphene flakes.

Carbon Loaded Nano-Designed Spherically High Symmetric Lithium Iron Orthosilicate Cathode Materials for Lithium Secondary Batteries.

In the present study, LiFeSiO (LFS) cathode material has been prepared via a modified polyol method. The stabilizing nature of polyol solvent was greatly influenced to reduce the particle size (~50 nm) and for coating the carbon on the surface of the as-mentioned materials (~10 nm). As-prepared nano-sized LiFeSiO material deliver initial discharge capacity of 186 mAh·g at 1C with the coulombic efficiency of 99% and sustain up to 100 cycles with only 7 mAh·g is the difference of discharge capacity from its 1st cycle to 100th cycle.

A Misalignment Optical Guiding Module for Power Generation Enhancement of Fixed-Type Photovoltaic Systems.

This study presents a misalignment light-guiding module to increase the effectiveness of absorbing light. For a general fixed-type photovoltaic (PV) panel, the misalignment light decreases the efficiency of the system. A solar tracking system was installed for obtaining higher power generation.

Tris(8-Hydroxyquinoline)iron induces apoptotic cell death via oxidative stress and by activating death receptor signaling pathway in human head and neck carcinoma cells.

Background: 8-Hydroxyquinoline derivatives have highly sensitive fluorescent chemosensors for metal ions, which are associated with anti-oxidant, anti-tumor and anti-HIV-1 properties. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is associated with a high rate of mortality and novel anti-HNSCC drugs must be developed. Therefore, effective chemotherapy agents are required to address this public health issue.

Facile and Green Synthesis of Graphene-Based Conductive Adhesives via Liquid Exfoliation Process.

In this study, we report a facile and green process to synthesize high-quality and few-layer graphene (FLG) derived from graphite via a liquid exfoliation process. The corresponding characterizations of FLG, such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Raman spectroscopy, were carried out. The results of SEM show that the lateral size of as-synthesized FLG is 1⁻5 μm.

Modelling of the material flow of Nd-Fe-B magnets under high temperature deformation via finite element simulation method.

Hot deformation of Nd-Fe-B magnets has been studied for more than three decades. With a good combination of forming processing parameters, the remanence and (BH) values of Nd-Fe-B magnets could be greatly increased due to the formation of anisotropic microstructures during hot deformation. In this work, a methodology is proposed for visualizing the material flow in hot-deformed Nd-Fe-B magnets via finite element simulation.

Solidification/stabilization of fly ash from city refuse incinerator facility and heavy metal sludge with cement additives.

Solidification and stabilization are well-known technologies used for treating hazardous waste. These technologies that use cementitious binder have been applied for decades as a final treatment procedure prior to the hazardous waste disposal. In the present work, hazardous waste like fly ash containing high concentrations of heavy metals such Zn (4715.