Structural behaviour of beam with HDPE plastic balls subjected to flexure load

This paper presents the structural behavior of reinforced concrete beam embedded with high density polyethylene balls (HDPE) subjected to flexural load. The HDPE balls with 180 mm diameter were embedded to create the spherical voids in the beam which lead to reduction in its self-weight. Two beam specimens with HDPE balls (RC-HDPE) and one solid beam (RC-S) with dimension 250 mm x 300 mm x 1100 mm were cast and tested until failure. The results are analysed in the context of its ultimate load, load-deflection profile, and crack pattern and failure mode. It was found that the ultimate load of RC-HDPE was reduced by 32% compared to RC-S beam while the maximum deflection at its mid span was increased by 4%. However, RC-HDPE is noticed to be more ductile compared to RC-S beam. Both types of beams experienced flexure cracks and diagonal tension cracks before failur

Numerical Analysis of Battery Thermal Management System of Electric Vehicle

This study is modelling the direct liquid cooling system of battery used in Electric Vehicle. The purpose of the study is to investigate the performance of the Li-ion battery model under different input of parameters and to evaluate the optimum parameters for the battery thermal management system model to maintain at its peak performance. SolidWorks and ANSYS are used to model and simulate the battery whereas MINITAB software is selected for conducting the statistical analysis. Heat flux, mass flow rate at the inlet and the thickness of the battery model has been selected as input of the simulation. The obtained results show that the heat transfer coefficient is increasing with the higher heat flux and mass flowrate but decreasing with the thickness of the battery model. Pressure drop remains constant when heat flux varies but increasing with mass flow rate and inversely proportional with the thickness of battery. For statistical analysis, an optimum value for the parameters is proposed to maintain the battery to operate with a highest heat transfer coefficient but lowest in pressure difference. Overall, the study has been conducted successfully and fulfilled the objectives stated

Balancing charge carriertransport in a quantum dot P-N junction toward hysteresis-free high-performance solar cells

In a quantum dot solar cell (QDSC) that has an inverted structure, the QD layers form two different junctions between the electron transport layer (ETL) and the other semiconducting QD layer. Recent work on an inverted-structure QDSC has revealed that the junction between the QD layers is the dominant junction, rather than the junction between the ETL and the QD layers, which is in contrast to the conventional wisdom. However, to date, there have been a lack of systematic studies on the role and importance of the QD heterojunction structure on the behavior of the solar cell and the resulting device performance. In this study, we have systematically controlled the structure of the QD junction to balance charge transport, which demonstrates that the position of the junction has a significant effect on the hysteresis effect, fill factor, and solar cell performance and is attributed to balanced charge transport

Balancing Charge Carrier Transport in a Quantum Dot P-N Junction toward Hysteresis-Free High-Performance Solar Cells.

In a quantum dot solar cell (QDSC) that has an inverted structure, the QD layers form two different junctions between the electron transport layer (ETL) and the other semiconducting QD layer. Recent work on an inverted-structure QDSC has revealed that the junction between the QD layers is the dominant junction, rather than the junction between the ETL and the QD layers, which is in contrast to the conventional wisdom. However, to date, there have been a lack of systematic studies on the role and importance of the QD heterojunction structure on the behavior of the solar cell and the resulting device performance. In this study, we have systematically controlled the structure of the QD junction to balance charge transport, which demonstrates that the position of the junction has a significant effect on the hysteresis effect, fill factor, and solar cell performance and is attributed to balanced charge transport

Strain-Mediated Interlayer Coupling Effects on the Excitonic Behaviors in an Epitaxially Grown MoS2/WS2 van der Waals Heterobilayer.

van der Waals heterostructures composed of two different monolayer crystals have recently attracted attention as a powerful and versatile platform for studying fundamental physics, as well as having great potential in future functional devices because of the diversity in the band alignments and the unique interlayer coupling that occurs at the heterojunction interface. However, despite these attractive features, a fundamental understanding of the underlying physics accounting for the effect of interlayer coupling on the interactions between electrons, photons, and phonons in the stacked heterobilayer is still lacking. Here, we demonstrate a detailed analysis of the strain-dependent excitonic behavior of an epitaxially grown MoS2/WS2 vertical heterostructure under uniaxial tensile and compressive strain that enables the interlayer interactions to be modulated along with the electronic band structure. We find that the strain-modulated interlayer coupling directly affects the characteristic combined vibrational and excitonic properties of each monolayer in the heterobilayer. It is further revealed that the relative photoluminescence intensity ratio of WS2 to MoS2 in our heterobilayer increases monotonically with tensile strain and decreases with compressive strain. We attribute the strain-dependent emission behavior of the heterobilayer to the modulation of the band structure for each monolayer, which is dictated by the alterations in the band gap transitions. These findings present an important pathway toward designing heterostructures and flexible devices

Second interlaboratory comparison study for the analysis of 239Pu in synthetic urine at the microBq (-100 aCi) level by mass spectrometry

As a follow up to the initial 1998 intercomparison study, a second study was initiated in 2001 as part of the ongoing evaluation of the capabilities of various ultra-sensitive methods to analyze {sup 239}Pu in urine samples. The initial study was sponsored by the Department of Energy, Office of International Health Programs to evaluate and validate new technologies that may supersede the existing fission tract analysis (FTA) method for the analysis of {sup 239}Pu in urine at the {micro}Bq/l level. The ultra-sensitive techniques evaluated in the second study included accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) by LLNL, thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) by LANL and FTA by the University of Utah. Only the results for the mass spectrometric methods will be presented. For the second study, the testing levels were approximately 4, 9, 29 and 56 {micro}Bq of {sup 239}Pu per liter of synthetic urine. Each test sample also contained {sup 240}Pu at a {sup 240}Pu/{sup 239}Pu atom ratio of {approx}0.15 and natural uranium at a concentration of 50 {micro}Bq/ml. From the results of the two studies, it can be inferred that the best performance at the {micro}Bq level is more laboratory specific than method specific. The second study demonstrated that LANL-TIMS and LLNL-AMS had essentially the same quantification level for both isotopes. Study results for bias and precision and acceptable performance compared to ANSI N13.30 and ANSI N42.22 have been compiled

Ecological Survey and Conservation of Legume-Symbiotic Rhizobia Genetic Diversity in Southern China and Northern Laos, 2004

A field survey was conducted in southern China (Wenshan district of Yunnan province) from October 10 to 22, 2004 and in northern Laos (Udom Xai, Luang Nam Tha and Phongsali provinces) from November 6 to 22, 2004. In Yunnan, Vigna umbellata, V. angularis, V. unguiculata, V. hirtella, Lablab purpureus, Glycine max, and Phaseolus vulgaris were collected. In northern Laos, Vigna reflexo-pilosa, V. unguiculata, V. minima, V. umbellata, V. hirtella, V. tenuicaulis, Psophocarpus tetragonolobus, Lablab purpureus, and Glycine max were collected. In both areas, the most important traditional leguminous crop among minor ethnic groups was found to be the rice bean (V. umbellata). A high level of seed color variation in rice bean landraces was observed in northern Laos, while creamy tan seed color rice bean was predominant in Yunnan. Rice bean had already been harvested in mid-October in Yunnan, while most of the rice bean plants were still in the shifting cultivation fields when we visited (mid-November) in northern Laos. Seed samples as well as root nodules were collected when they are available and were deposited in each country of origin.中国雲南省から東南アジア大陸部北部山岳地帯は, 照葉樹林文化の中核に当たる地帯であり, 古くから焼畑農耕を生産基盤にした多様な民族が暮らしてきた場所である. 農耕の長い歴史のもとに, 多様な民族がそれぞれに独自の栽培品種を成立させてきたものと考えられるため, 在来作物の高い遺伝的多様性が期待できる. 本調査では, 中国雲南省文山壮族苗族自治州およびラオス北部の Luang Prabang 県, Udomxai 県, Luang Nam Tha 県, Phongsali 県を探索し, 伝統的マメ科作物, その近縁野生種および共生している根粒菌の収集保全を行った

In vivo selectivity and localization of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induction by osmium anticancer complexes that circumvent platinum resistance

YesPlatinum drugs are widely used for cancer treatment. Other precious metals are promising, but their clinical progress depends on achieving different mechanisms of action to overcome Pt-resistance. Here, we evaluate 13 organo-Os complexes: 16-electron sulfonyl-diamine catalysts [(η6-arene)Os(N,N′)], and 18-electron phenylazopyridine complexes [(η6-arene)Os(N,N’)Cl/I]+ (arene = p-cymene, biphenyl, or terphenyl). Their antiproliferative activity does not depend on p21 or p53 status, unlike cisplatin, and their selective potency toward cancer cells involves the generation of reactive oxygen species. Evidence of such a mechanism of action has been found both in vitro and in vivo. This work appears to provide the first study of osmium complexes in the zebrafish model, which has been shown to closely model toxicity in humans. A fluorescent osmium complex, derived from a lead compound, was employed to confirm internalization of the complex, visualize in vivo distribution, and confirm colocalization with reactive oxygen species generated in zebrafish.Wellcome Trust (grant no. 107691/Z/15/Z), ERC (grant nos. 247450, 324594), Science City (AWM and ERDF), WCPRS and Bruker Daltonics (Studentship for JPCC), Mike and Enfys Bagguley, and EPSRC (Studentship for HEB, and grant no. EP/F034210/1)

Liver X receptor is a therapeutic target for photoaging and chronological skin aging

Liver X receptors (LXRalpha and -beta) are liposensors that exert their metabolic effects by orchestrating the expression of macrophage genes involved in lipid metabolism and inflammation. LXRs are also expressed in other tissues, including skin, where their natural oxysterol ligands induce keratinocyte differentiation and improve epidermal barrier function. To extend the potential use of LXR ligands to dermatological indications, we explored the possibility of using LXR as a target for skin aging. We demonstrate that LXR signaling is down-regulated in cell-based models of photoaging, i.e. UV-activated keratinocytes and TNFalpha-activated dermal fibroblasts. We show that a synthetic LXR ligand inhibits the expression of cytokines and metalloproteinases in these in vitro models, thus indicating its potential in decreasing cutaneous inflammation associated with the etiology of photoaging. Furthermore, a synthetic LXR ligand induces the expression of differentiation markers, ceramide biosynthesis enzymes, and lipid synthesis and transport genes in keratinocytes. Remarkably, LXRbeta-null mouse skin showed some of the molecular defects that are observed in chronologically aged human skin. Finally, we demonstrate that a synthetic LXR agonist inhibits UV-induced photodamage and skin wrinkle formation in a murine model of photoaging. Therefore, the ability of an LXR ligand to modulate multiple pathways underlying the etiology of skin aging suggests that LXR is a novel target for developing potential therapeutics for photoaging and chronological skin aging indications