An investigation of using pyrolysis bio-oil as part of the binder system for wood-based composites

he objective of this research was to investigate the feasibility of using the pyrolysis bio-oil as part of a binder system for wood-based composites. Liquid products obtained from pyrolysis process of pine wood were mixed with reactants, such as isocyanate. The adhesive binder system was blended with flakes to fabricate flakeboard. The effect of the resin content and the mix ratio of the adhesive on the physical and mechanical properties of the flakeboard were examined. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) was also employed to investigate the thermal properties of the adhesives. The results indicated that a bio-oil content of 25% showed comparable properties to those produced by pure pMDI adhesive. A good correlation between the DMA results and the mechanical properties of the flakeboard was also obtained. The increase of bio-oil content in the adhesive system improved the curing speed but reduced the adhesive stiffness

An investigation of using pyrolysis bio-oil as part of the binder system for wood-based composites

he objective of this research was to investigate the feasibility of using the pyrolysis bio-oil as part of a binder system for wood-based composites. Liquid products obtained from pyrolysis process of pine wood were mixed with reactants, such as isocyanate. The adhesive binder system was blended with flakes to fabricate flakeboard. The effect of the resin content and the mix ratio of the adhesive on the physical and mechanical properties of the flakeboard were examined. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) was also employed to investigate the thermal properties of the adhesives. The results indicated that a bio-oil content of 25% showed comparable properties to those produced by pure pMDI adhesive. A good correlation between the DMA results and the mechanical properties of the flakeboard was also obtained. The increase of bio-oil content in the adhesive system improved the curing speed but reduced the adhesive stiffness

Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment. OGLE-1999-BUL-19: The First Multi-Peak Parallax Event

We describe a highly unusual microlensing event, OGLE-1999-BUL-19, which exhibits multiple peaks in its light curve. The Einstein radius crossing time for this event is approximately one year, which is unusually long. We show that the motion of the Earth induces these multiple peaks in the light curve, since the relative transverse velocity of the lens projected into the observer plane is very small (v = 12.5 km/s). This is the lowest velocity so far published and we believe that this is the first multiple-peak parallax event ever observed. We also believe that this event may be exhibiting slight binary-source signatures in addition to these parallax-induced multiple peaks. With spectroscopic observations it is possible to test this `parallax plus binary-source' hypothesis and (if this hypothesis turns out to be correct) to simultaneously fit both models and obtain a measurement of the lens mass. Furthermore, spectroscopic observations could also supply information regarding the lens properties, possibly providing another avenue for determining the lens mass. We found that most of the I-band blending is probably caused by light from the lens or a binary companion to the source. However, in the V-band, there appears to be a second blended source 0.35" away from the lensed source. HST observations will be very useful for understanding the nature of the blends. We also suggest that a radial velocity survey of all parallax events will be very useful for further constraining the lensing kinematics and understanding the origins of these events and the excess of long events toward the bulge.Comment: 36 pages, 7 figures. Accepted for publication in MNRA

Electronic structure and Magnetism in BaMn2_2As2_2 and BaMn2_2Sb2_2

We study the properties of ThCr$_2$Si$_2$ structure BaMn$_2$As$_2$ and BaMn$_2$Sb$_2$ using density functional calculations of the electronic and magnetic as well experimental measurements on single crystal samples of BaMn$_2$As$_2$. These materials are local moment magnets with moderate band gap antiferromagnetic semiconducting ground states. The electronic structures show substantial Mn - pnictogen hybridization, which stabilizes an intermediate spin configuration for the nominally $d^5$ Mn. The results are discussed in the context of possible thermoelectric applications and the relationship with the corresponding iron / cobalt / nickel compounds Ba(Fe,Co,Ni)$_2$As$_2$

Economic Complexity Index and Economic Development Level under Globalization : An Empirical Study

Abstract: Purpose – This paper empirically investigates the relationship between the Economic Complexity Index (ECI) and the level of development. Moreover, this research attempts to discover the determinants of ECI in the globalization wave. Design/methodology – Our empirical model considers the relationship between ECI and the level of development in middle- and high-income economies from 1995 to 2010 by using systemic qualitative analysis, including OLS, fixed-effects, and system GMM. Next, this research used OLS regression to find the determinants of ECI. In particular, we compared the effects of different factors on ECI in the different development stages. Findings – Our main findings can be summarized as follows: 1. If the ECI increases by 1, it could lead to an increase of about 30% in the level of development in middle- and high-income economies. 2. Human capital plays an important role in the development of and increase in ECI. 3. GVC participation and outflow FDI enhance an increase in ECI, in particular in middle-income economies. 4. The development of manufacturing industries is helpful to increase ECI; however, middle-income economies should pay more attention to their comparative advantage industries. 5. R&D has positive effects on the ECI. Originality/value – To the best of our knowledge, this is the first paper that uses systemic qualitative analysis to investigate the relationship between ECI and the level of development. The paper provides suggestions for policy makers to increase ECI under the current wave of globalization, in particular in middle-income economies

Finite element analysis of interaction of laser beam with material in laser metal powder bed fusion process

This is the final version of the article. Available from MDPI via the DOI in this record.A deep understanding of the laser-material interaction mechanism, characterized by laser absorption, is very important in simulating the laser metal powder bed fusion (PBF) process. This is because the laser absorption of material affects the temperature distribution, which influences the thermal stress development and the final quality of parts. In this paper, a three-dimensional finite element analysis model of heat transfer taking into account the effect of material state and phase changes on laser absorption is presented to gain insight into the absorption mechanism, and the evolution of instantaneous absorptance in the laser metal PBF process. The results showed that the instantaneous absorptance was significantly affected by the time of laser radiation, as well as process parameters, such as hatch space, scanning velocity, and laser power, which were consistent with the experiment-based findings. The applicability of this model to temperature simulation was demonstrated by a comparative study, wherein the peak temperature in fusion process was simulated in two scenarios, with and without considering the effect of material state and phase changes on laser absorption, and the simulated results in the two scenarios were then compared with experimental data respectively.This research was funded by the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China [863 Program: 2015AA042501]