Advanced Materials Research Vol. 486

Abstract: Recently, dye-sensitized solar cell has become one of the hottest studies of solar cell due to it's higher efficiency on photoelectric transformation and lower cost. This article has introduced the preparation methods of dye-sensitized solar cell and other factors that can influence it's function, which has described the way of improving the performance of film electrode and increasing the efficiency on photoelectric transformation.

Abstract: The Cu-40wt%Zn-1.0wt%Bi-1.0wt%Mn bismuth-brass was prepared by casting and annealing. The microstructure was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the phase composition was analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the properties of mechanics and cutting were tested, too. The results show that the bismuth-rich phase is mainly distributed in the grain boundary as the shape of granules, which lead to the mechanics property and cutting property of bismuth-brass can basically reach the requirements of replace the traditional cutting-free brasses.

Abstract: Electrospinning offers a versatile way to produce micrometer or nanometer fibers; however, electrospun fibers are typically collected in a random orientation limiting their applications. In the present study, we used the high speed rotational roller fixed with parallel sticks and an auxiliary electrode at the splitting zone of jet flows to control the fiber orientation. Because of the electrostatic forces acting on the charged fibers spanning the gap between two sticks and tangential force of the rolling collector stretching fibers, together with the electrostatic force imposed by the auxiliary electrodes, the higher aligned fibers could be produced. The simultaneous application of a rotating drum and an auxiliary electrode in the spinning zone may provide a viable method of controlling the alignment of electrospun fibers.

Abstract: The scope of this study was to investigate the carbonation of waste disposal facility concrete. The effects of the silo concrete mixture on the physical properties of concrete and the alteration of the microstructure of the cement paste due to exposure to carbon dioxide were included in this investigation.

Abstract: The concrete life was shown very differently according to the conditions surrounding the structure. Because the silo concrete structure (waste disposal facility) is geomorphologically located to underground-130m below at coast, the chloride injury rather than freezing and thawing as the more important factor for the service life evaluation. In this study, the service life of silo concrete was evaluated based on the results of chloride attack

Abstract: Antibacterial copper-rich phases such as ε-Cu were precipitated in copper-bearing antibacterial duplex stainless steels after antibacterial treatment. In this paper, the effects of antibacterial treatment on the corrosion resistance properties of copper-bearing antibacterial duplex stainless steels were investigated by electrochemical methods. The film-cover method was used to antibacterial tests.The results showed that as the antibacterial treatment temperature increased in the rang of 540~580 , the copper-rich precipitates grew faster and evolved from granular into rod-like. With the proportion of rod-like copper-rich phases in matrix increased, the resistant to pitting corrosion decreased and the positions of copper-rich phase precipitated were apt to become pitting nucleation source.The presence of ε-Cu and other copper-rich phases in passive film reduced the overall potential and passive film resistance, decreasing the stability of passive film. Antibacterial test showed that with the treatment temperature increased, the volume fraction and the uniformity of the distribution of copper-rich precipitates in the matrix first increased, then decreased, resulting in the changes in antibacterial properties of the steels, and 560 obtained the best antibacterial effect.

Abstract: The article is dedicated to the experiments and tests on the phenomena of precipitation and dissolution of alloy iron carbides in vacuum carburization processes. This researches was done in order to evaluate to the possibility of using artificial neural networks to predict the speed of the processes examined (it is described in the part II). In the section below, we are presenting the precipitation phenomena taking place in vacuum carburization processes and the experiments that were conducted.

Abstract: The article is dedicated to the experiments and tests on the phenomena of precipitation and dissolution of alloy iron carbides in vacuum carburization processes. Special attention has been paid to the possibility of using artificial neural networks to predict the speed of the processes examined. In the section below, we are presenting the precipitation phenomena taking place in vacuum carburization processes and the experiments that were conducted. Moreover, a qualitative and metallographic analysis of carbide phenomena was described together with the method of numerical modelling and predicting the processes with the use of artificial neural networks.

Abstract: Mixed solvent of ethylenediamine (EDA) and ethylene glycol (EG) using MnCl4H₂O, and (NH₂)₂CS as precursors was used to synthesize α-MnS micronsized architectures. Optimal α-MnS crystals were successfully grown from a mixed solvent of EDA:EG with a volume ratio of 1:1, reaction temperature of 140-180 °C and maintained for 6h. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to characterize the structure and morphology of the product. The results show that the morphologies of α-MnS are found to be temperature dependent.

Abstract: Accumulation of microdamage can result in increased bone fragility and osteoporotic fracture in human bone.Microcracks in bone have been implicated in the development of stress fractures.The goal of this study was to investigate the human femur cortical bone microdamage during radial fretting and its stress and strain distribution. Modeling and analysis were taken for Haversian system using FEM soft. Analytical results indicated that stress concentration which occurred in the haversian canal and around circumferential lamellas and through the circumferential lamellas and the interstitial tissues could lead to microcrack initiation of multi-areas. In addition, microcrack could occur as a result of a rather large plastic area which crossed interstitial bone and connected adjacent osteon under high load condition. In the meantime, radial fretting behaviors of the fresh human axial femur compact bone were investigated under a flat-on-ball configuration in high accuracy hydraulic servo fretting experimental machine. The kinetics behaviors of the compact bone were revealed by the F-D curves. The surface damage was analyzed combined with the examinations by laser confocal scanning microscopy (LCSM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) . The morphologies showed that the microcracks were the primary damage form.The results showed that three typical types of cracks-radial microcrackannular microcrack and linking microcrack were observed. The test results and the FEM analysis results were of good consistency, and brought forth that most of microcracks run between the surrounding interstitial bone and the cement line.