Compressive performance of 50 MPa strength concrete-filled square and circular tube (CFT) columns using recycled aggregate

[EN] Recycled aggregate is an environmentally self-sustainable solution that can reduce construction waste and replace natural aggregates. However, there is a disadvantage in concrete such as initial strength drop and long-term strength development. Therefore, the interaction effect of the two materials can be expected by filling the cyclic aggregate concrete in the CFT column. In order to develop a concrete with compressive strength of 50 MPa as a recycled aggregate, we carried out a mixing experiment and fabricated 18 specimens to confirm the compressive behavior of a RCFT (Recycled Concrete Filled Tube) column that can be applied to actual buildings. Variable is the shape and thickness of steel pipe, concrete strength and mixing ratio, and coarse aggregate and fine aggregate are all used as recycled aggregate. The optimum mixing ratio for recycled aggregate concrete to be filled in the CFT filled steel pipe was found through three concrete preliminary mixing experiments. In addition, the compression test of the RCFT column was carried out to observe and analyze the buckling shape of the CFT column. Based on the analysis of the buckling configuration and the experimental data, the load-displacement curves of the specimens were drawn and the compressive behavior was analyzed.Choi, S.; Choi, WH.; Lee, K.; Ryoo, J.; Kim, S.; Park, Y. (2018). Compressive performance of 50 MPa strength concrete-filled square and circular tube (CFT) columns using recycled aggregate. En Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Advances in Steel-Concrete Composite Structures. ASCCS 2018. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 305-313. https://doi.org/10.4995/ASCCS2018.2018.7021OCS30531

Analysis of Laser ARPES from Bi2_2Sr2_2CaCu2_2O8+δ_{8+\delta} in superconductive state: angle resolved self-energy and fluctuation spectrum

We analyze the ultra high resolution laser angle resolved photo-emission spectroscopy (ARPES) intensity from the slightly underdoped Bi$_2$Sr$_2$CaCu$_2$O$_{8+\delta}$ in the superconductive (SC) state. The momentum distribution curves (MDC) were fitted at each energy \w employing the SC Green's function along several cuts perpendicular to the Fermi surface with the tilt angle $\theta$ with respect to the nodal cut. The clear observation of particle-hole mixing was utilized such that the complex self-energy as a function of $\omega$ is directly obtained from the fitting. The obtained angle resolved self-energy is then used to deduce the Eliashberg function \alpha^2 F^{(+)}(\th,\w) in the diagonal channel by inverting the d-wave Eliashberg equation using the maximum entropy method. Besides a broad featureless spectrum up to the cutoff energy $\omega_c$, the deduced $\alpha^2 F$ exhibits two peaks around 0.05 eV and 0.015 eV. The former and the broad feature are already present in the normal state, while the latter emerges only below $T_c$. Both peaks become enhanced as $T$ is lowered or the angle $\th$ moves away from the nodal direction. The implication of these findings are discussed.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures, summited to PR

Silicon@porous nitrogen-doped carbon spheres through a bottom-up approach are highly robust lithium-ion battery anodes

Due to its excellent capacity, around 4000 mA h g(-1), silicon has been recognized as one of the most promising lithium-ion battery anodes, especially for future large-scale applications including electrical vehicles and utility power grids. Nevertheless, Si suffers from a short cycle life as well as limitations for scalable electrode fabrication. Herein, we report a novel design for highly robust and scalable Si anodes: Si nanoparticles embedded in porous nitrogen-doped carbon spheres (NCSs). The porous nature of NCSs buffers the volume changes of Si nanoparticles and thus resolves critical issues of Si anode operations, such as pulverization, vulnerable contacts between Si and carbon conductors, and an unstable solid-electrolyte interphase. The unique electrode structure exhibits outstanding performance with a gravimetric capacity as high as 1579 mA h g(-1) at a C/10 rate based on the mass of both Si and C, a cycle life of 300 cycles with 94% capacity retention, as well as a discharge rate capability of 6 min while retaining a capacity of 702 mA h g(-1). Significantly, the coulombic efficiencies of this structure reach 99.99%. The assembled structure suggests a design principle for high capacity alloying electrodes that suffer from volume changes during battery operations.