Siamese Basis Function Networks for Data-Efficient Defect Classification in Technical Domains

Training deep learning models in technical domains is often accompanied by the challenge that although the task is clear, insufficient data for training is available. In this work, we propose a novel approach based on the combination of Siamese networks and radial basis function networks to perform data-efficient classification without pretraining by measuring the distance between images in semantic space in a data-efficient manner. We develop the models using three technical datasets, the NEU dataset, the BSD dataset, and the TEX dataset. In addition to the technical domain, we show the general applicability to classical datasets (cifar10 and MNIST) as well. The approach is tested against state-of-the-art models (Resnet50 and Resnet101) by stepwise reduction of the number of samples available for training. The authors show that the proposed approach outperforms the state-of-the-art models in the low data regime

Low temperature fatigue crack propagation in toughened epoxy resins aimed for filament winding of type V composite pressure vessels

In this study, application relevant toughened epoxy-amine formulations were investigated regarding their mechanical behavior at low temperatures and compared to a non-toughened reference. The application-oriented resins are based on reactive diluent-modified diglycidylether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) which were tested at 22 °C and −50 °C in regard to their fracture toughness (KIC) and fatigue crack propagation (da/dN) behavior. The E′ and E’’ moduli and the corresponding glass transition temperatures Tg were determined via dynamic mechanical thermal analyses (DMTA) which also described the influence of the block copolymeric toughener on the epoxy resin network. The plastic zone size, calculated during crack propagation, reveals the temperature dependent toughener-matrix interaction. The prevailing energy dissipation mechanisms were correlated with the changes of E’. SEM micrographs confirm the superior performance of the toughened system at −50 °C by the decrease of the fatigue cack propagation slopes and highlight the trends of the materials low temperature behavior

Glutathione reductase-catalyzed cascade of redox reactions to bioactivate potent antimalarial 1,4-naphthoquinones--a new strategy to combat malarial parasites.

Our work on targeting redox equilibria of malarial parasites propagating in red blood cells has led to the selection of six 1,4-naphthoquinones, which are active at nanomolar concentrations against the human pathogen Plasmodium falciparum in culture and against Plasmodium berghei in infected mice. With respect to safety, the compounds do not trigger hemolysis or other signs of toxicity in mice. Concerning the antimalarial mode of action, we propose that the lead benzyl naphthoquinones are initially oxidized at the benzylic chain to benzoyl naphthoquinones in a heme-catalyzed reaction within the digestive acidic vesicles of the parasite. The major putative benzoyl metabolites were then found to function as redox cyclers: (i) in their oxidized form, the benzoyl metabolites are reduced by NADPH in glutathione reductase-catalyzed reactions within the cytosols of infected red blood cells; (ii) in their reduced forms, these benzoyl metabolites can convert methemoglobin, the major nutrient of the parasite, to indigestible hemoglobin. Studies on a fluorinated suicide-substrate indicate as well that the glutathione reductase-catalyzed bioactivation of naphthoquinones is essential for the observed antimalarial activity. In conclusion, the antimalarial naphthoquinones are suggested to perturb the major redox equilibria of the targeted infected red blood cells, which might be removed by macrophages. This results in development arrest and death of the malaria parasite at the trophozoite stage

Highly colored boron-doped thiazolothiazoles from the reductive dimerization of boron isothiocyanates

Reduction of (CAAC)BBr2(NCS) (CAAC=cyclic alkyl(amino)carbene) in the presence of a Lewis base L yields tricoordinate (CAAC)LB(NCS) borylenes which undergo reversible E/Z‐isomerization. The same reduction in the absence of L yields deep blue, bis(CAAC)‐stabilized, boron‐doped, aromatic thiazolothiazoles resulting from the dimerization of dicoordinate (CAAC)B(NCS) borylene intermediates

Isolierung neutraler, mono- und dikationischer B2P2-Ringe durch Addition eines Diphosphans an eine Bor-Bor-Dreifachbindung

Das NHC-stabilisierte Diborin B2(SIDep)2 (SIDep=1,3-Bis(2,6-diethylphenyl)imidazolin-2-yliden) unterzieht sich bei Raumtemperatur einer P-P-Bindungsaktivierung mit Tetraethyldiphosphan, wobei mittels 1,2-Diphosphinierung über ein Diphosphoryldiboren in hohen Ausbeuten B2P2-Heterocyclen gebildet werden. In Abhängigkeit vom verwendeten Oxidationsmittel und Gegenion kann dieser Heterocyclus zu einem Radikalkation beziehungsweise Dikation oxidiert werden. Beginnend mit dem planaren, neutralen 1,3-Bis(alkyliden)-1,3-diborata-2,4-diphosphoniocyclobutan führt jeder Oxidationsschritt zu einer verminderten B-B-Bindungslänge und dem Verlust der Planarität durch die Kationisierung. Röntgenstrukturanalysen in Kombination mit DFT- und CASSCF/NEVPT2-Rechnungen offenbaren für die NHC-stabilisierten dikationischen B2P2-Ringe geschlossenschalige, schmetterlingsartige Strukturen, wovon die diradikaloiden Isomere mit planarem Ring in energetischer Nähe liegen

Metal-Free Intermolecular C–H Borylation of N-Heterocycles at B–B Multiple Bonds

Carbene-stabilized diborynes of the form LBBL (L = NHC or CAAC) induce rapid, high yielding, intermolecular ortho-C–H borylation at N-heterocycles at room temperature. A simple pyridyldiborene is formed when an NHC-stabilized diboryne is combined with pyridine, while a CAAC-stabilized diboryne leads to activation of two pyridine molecules to give a tricyclic alkylideneborane, which can be forced to undergo a further H-shift resulting in a zwitterionic, doubly benzo-fused 1,3,2,5-diazadiborinine by heating. Use of the extended N-heteroaromatic quinoline leads to a borylmethyleneborane under mild conditions via an unprecedented boron-carbon exchange process

Industrial recycling of lithium-ion batteries: a critical review of metallurgical process routes

Research for the recycling of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) started about 15 years ago. In recent years, several processes have been realized in small-scale industrial plants in Europe, which can be classified into two major process routes. The first one combines pyrometallurgy with subsequent hydrometallurgy, while the second one combines mechanical processing, often after thermal pre-treatment, with metallurgical processing. Both process routes have a series of advantages and disadvantages with respect to legislative and health, safety and environmental requirements, possible recovery rates of the components, process robustness, and economic factors. This review critically discusses the current status of development, focusing on the metallurgical processing of LIB modules and cells. Although the main metallurgical process routes are defined, some issues remain unsolved. Most process routes achieve high yields for the valuable metals cobalt, copper, and nickel. In comparison, lithium is only recovered in few processes and with a lower yield, albeit a high economic value. The recovery of the low value components graphite, manganese, and electrolyte solvents is technically feasible but economically challenging. The handling of organic and halogenic components causes technical difficulties and high costs in all process routes. Therefore, further improvements need to be achieved to close the LIB loop before high amounts of LIB scrap return

Extraction of rare earth elements from phospho-gypsum: concentrate digestion, leaching, and purification

Rare earth-bearing gypsum tailings from the fertilizer industry are a potential source for an economically viable and sustainable production of rare earth elements. Large quantities are generated inter alia in Catalão, Brazil, as a by-product in a fertilizer production plant. Hitherto, the gypsum has been used as soil conditioner in agriculture or was dumped. The cooperative project, “Catalão Monazite: Economical exploitation of rare earth elements from monazite-bearing secondary raw materials,” intends to extract rare earth elements from these gypsum tailings. In this paper, a chemical process route to obtain a mixed rare earth carbonate from a monazite concentrate, was investigated. The results of the digestion, leaching, and precipitation experiments are presented and discussed herein. This includes reagent choice, process parameter optimization through experimental design, mineralogical characterization of the feed material and residues, purification of the leach solution, and precipitation of the rare earth as carbonates. The results showed that a rare earth extraction of about 90% without the mobilization of key impurities is possible during a sulfuric acid digestion with two heating stages and subsequent leaching with water. In the following purification step, the remaining impurities were precipitated with ammonium solution and the rare earth elements were successfully recovered as carbonates with a mixture of ammonium solution and ammonium bicarbonate