Fibers and sol-gel matrix based thermal barrier coating systems for outstanding durability

Thermal barrier coatings (TBC) are critical elements of the turbomachines. On turbine blades for aircraft engines, their preparation is based on EB-PVD industrial process. Such TBCs on first generation AM1 superalloy with a beta-NiPtAl bond coating exhibit 20% of surface spallation after about 600 1h oxidation cycles at 1100°C. In this work, a new method of TBC preparation was proposed and high durability of such structures was obtained with more than 1000 1h cycles at 1100°C before 20% of spallation. More than 1400 1h cycles was even obtained with the most performing formulations. A key point was that the surface spallation was lower than 10 % after 1000 cycles for TBCs made with the 70% and 80% fiber mix (Figure 1a). In the same conditions, EB-PVD TBCs exhibit 50-80% of spallation. The preparation process relied on the addition of a high temperature binder, namely a zirconia sol, to a mix of zirconia powder and fibers. TBCs with equiaxed porosity were obtained (Figure 1b). After thermal treatments, ceramic sintering bridges between the powder, the fibers and the ceramic derived from the sol transformation formed (Figure 1c). Another benefit was obtained from the anchoring of the fibers in the thermally grown oxide (TGO), inducing a tougher TGO layer. The outstanding durability of these fibers and sol-gel matrix based thermal barrier coatings is believed to be the consequence of higher toughness of both the TBC coating and modified TGO. Indeed, crack deviations were observed in these two elements. Moreover, contrary to EB-PVD TBCs, the porosity is isotropically distributed, limiting heat diffusion towards the superalloys. Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract

Transient and steady states of Gd2Zr2O7 and 2ZrO2∙Y2O3 (ss) interactions with calcium magnesium aluminium silicates

Reactions between calcium magnesium aluminium silicates (CMAS) and Gd2Zr2O7 or 2ZrO2∙Y2O3 (ss) are investigated within a temperature range of 1200–1300 °C and for durations of 1 h–100 h. The evolution of CMAS penetration depth in Gd2Zr2O7 and 2ZrO2∙Y2O3 (ss) pellets varies considerably depending on the interaction time. A quantitative analysis of the nature and composition of phases observed in stationary conditions (powder/powder interaction) is performed by SEM-FEG coupled with WDS analyses using micro-agglomerated nanoparticles of Gd2Zr2O7 and 2ZrO2∙Y2O3. Faster kinetics of the gadolinium-based system are illustrated through an analysis of the morphology of the reaction area and of the resulting CMAS tightness of reaction products. The compositions and quantities of reaction products observed at equilibrium are very similar for the two systems, but transient states are significantly different

Outstanding durability of sol-gel thermal barrier coatings reinforced by YSZ-fibers

Thermal barrier coatings (TBC) were fabricated with commercial powders of yttria stabilized zirconia with spherical and fiber-like morphologies. The influence of fiber percentage and sintering temperature on the thermomechanical behavior was studied. TBCs with 60%–80% fibers content had the best lifetime in cyclic oxidation with less than 10% of coating spallation after 1000 cycles, with very good reproducibility. They reached lifetimes higher than industrial TBCs made by EB-PVD. The enhancement of durability is believed to be due to an increase in the thermomechanical constraints accommodation thanks to higher porosity and higher tenacity due to the presence of well anchored fibers, indeed deviation of the cracks were observed. Moreover, the morphology of the thermally grown oxide (TGO) layer is also favorable as it includes anchorage points of the TGO with fibers. This increased the adherence at the substrate interface and improved lifetime

Le musée, un lieu éducatif

This anthology contains essays on various aspects of museum education, by 35 members of the Special Interest Group on Education and Museums (SIGEM). Originally presented at a conference held in Montreal in 1995, the essays in this book address a wide range of issues related to the educational function of museums. Topics discussed include: educational, scientific and museological research; the value of guided tours and visual arts workshops; the question of evaluation; and relationships between museums and schools. 21 diagrams and 19 charts. 4 texts in English 31 texts in French. Circa 480 bibl. ref

COVID-19 symptoms at hospital admission vary with age and sex: results from the ISARIC prospective multinational observational study

Background: The ISARIC prospective multinational observational study is the largest cohort of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. We present relationships of age, sex, and nationality to presenting symptoms. Methods: International, prospective observational study of 60 109 hospitalized symptomatic patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 recruited from 43 countries between 30 January and 3 August 2020. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate relationships of age and sex to published COVID-19 case definitions and the most commonly reported symptoms. Results: ‘Typical’ symptoms of fever (69%), cough (68%) and shortness of breath (66%) were the most commonly reported. 92% of patients experienced at least one of these. Prevalence of typical symptoms was greatest in 30- to 60-year-olds (respectively 80, 79, 69%; at least one 95%). They were reported less frequently in children (≤ 18 years: 69, 48, 23; 85%), older adults (≥ 70 years: 61, 62, 65; 90%), and women (66, 66, 64; 90%; vs. men 71, 70, 67; 93%, each P < 0.001). The most common atypical presentations under 60 years of age were nausea and vomiting and abdominal pain, and over 60 years was confusion. Regression models showed significant differences in symptoms with sex, age and country. Interpretation: This international collaboration has allowed us to report reliable symptom data from the largest cohort of patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Adults over 60 and children admitted to hospital with COVID-19 are less likely to present with typical symptoms. Nausea and vomiting are common atypical presentations under 30 years. Confusion is a frequent atypical presentation of COVID-19 in adults over 60 years. Women are less likely to experience typical symptoms than men

Brachy (Seine-Maritime). Fleuve Saâne

À Brachy, nous avons retrouvé, sous une couche de 20 cm de gravats déposés lors des fortes précipitations de 2002, le pieu repéré lors de la prospection de 2001. Ce dernier est la termi­naison de ce qui semblerait être une structure, large d’une vingtaine de centimètres, de type « Fondation » en silex, partant de la berge du côté droit de la rivière jusqu’à la moitié du lit du fleuve. Une triangulation a été effectuée

Longueil (Seine-Maritime). Fleuve Saâne

À Longueil, nous avons continué le sondage commencé en 2002 (E1) en effectuant une saignée large d’une trentaine de centimètres, sur la totalité de la largeur du fleuve, en descendant jusqu’à la couche stérile en craie. Nous avons également sondé deux carrés (C1 et D1) sur tout leur volume (2 x 2 m, profondeur 0,30 m depuis le lit) et observé la présence de nombreux tessons, de cols de poterie, d’une lampe à huile (?), d’une pièce de monnaie portant des inscriptions « Romaines » et deux clous..

Hepatosplenic bartonellosis in immunocompetent adults: a case series and literature review

International audienc

Outils, références et méthodes pour la construction d’un simulateur pour la prévision du rendement et de la qualité du tournesol à l’échelle territoriale mobilisant la télédétection satellitaire

L’objectif du projet est de proposer des méthodes permettant à terme de construire un outil de prévision du rendement et de la qualité (teneur en huile et teneur en acide oléique) du tournesol quelques semaines avant sa récolte, à l’échelle d’un bassin de collecte, à l’aide de modèles plus ou moins complexes associés à des observations d’états de culture (GAI: green area index) acquises par voie satellitaire et supposées améliorer la qualité de prédiction des modèles. Il s’agit donc d’identifier les types de modèles les mieux adaptés à la prévision à l’échelle territoriale parmi une gamme de modèles allant des modèles corrélatifs les plus simples (à une ou deux variables explicatives) aux modèles de cultures dynamiques plus ou moins spécifiques (SUNFLO, SAFY). L’intérêt des techniques d’assimilation de données de GAI acquises par télédétection dans les modèles dynamiques de culture pour en améliorer la qualité de prédiction est également évalué. Des sujets périphériques à ces problématiques, mais incontournables dans l’objectif d’élaborer les modèles et de construire un outil de prévision opérationnel, sont étudiés: (i) détermination de méthodes simples et rapides d’estimation du GAI au sol afin de faciliter la constitution de réseaux de dispositifs de «vérité terrain» nécessaires à la calibration des modèles biophysiques, (ii) constitution d’une base de données d’itinéraires techniques, de contextes de culture (données d’entrée des modèles de culture), de production (rendement, teneurs en huile et en acide oléique: données indispensables pour construire et évaluer les modèles de prédiction) et d’images satellitaires sur plusieurs centaines de parcelles agricoles, (iii) estimation de la date de levée de la culture (rarement disponible, mais indispensable pour certains modèles de culture) par voie satellitaire et (iv) localisation de toutes les parcelles de tournesol d’un territoire en cours de campagne, à l’aide de la télédétection.Le principal résultat est que les modèles corrélatifs simples à une ou deux variables explicatives (GAI maximal au cours du cycle et persistance du GAI pendant la phase reproductive du cycle) paraissent les plus pertinents pour prédire le rendement à l’échelle de parcelles au sein d’un territoire