Engineering topics
Yang, Fan
Publications and source records attributed to Yang, Fan.
Evolution Pathway from Iron Compunds to Fe 1 (II)-N 4 Sites through Gas-Phase Iron during Pyrolysis
Pyrolysis is indispensable for synthesizing highly active Fe–N–C catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in acid, but how Fe, N, and C precursors transform to ORR-active sites during pyrolysis remains unclear. This knowledge gap obscures the connections between the input precursors and the output products, clouding the pathway toward Fe–N–C catalyst improvement. Here, we unravel the evolution pathway of precursors to ORR-active catalyst comprised exclusively of single-atom Fe 1 (II)–N 4 sites via in-temperature X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The Fe precursor transforms to Fe oxides below 300 °C and then to tetrahedral Fe 1 (II)–O 4 via a crystal-to-melt-like transformation below 600 °C. The Fe 1 (II)–O 4 releases a single Fe atom that diffuses into the N-doped carbon defect forming Fe 1 (II)–N 4 above 600 °C. This vapor-phase single Fe atom transport mechanism is verified by synthesizing Fe 1 (II)–N 4 sites via “noncontact pyrolysis” wherein the Fe precursor is not in physical contact with the N and C precursors during pyrolysis.
Droplet size distributions in turbulent clouds: experimental evaluation of theoretical distributions
Precipitation efficiency and optical properties of clouds, both central to determining Earth's weather and climate, depend on the size distribution of cloud particles. Here in this paper, theoretical expressions for cloud droplet size distribution shape are evaluated using measurements from controlled experiments in a convective-cloud chamber. The experiments are a unique opportunity to constrain theory because they are in steady-state and because the initial and boundary conditions are well characterized compared to typical atmospheric measurements. Three theoretical distributions obtained from a Langevin drift-diffusion approach to cloud formation via stochastic condensation are tested: (a) stochastic condensation with a constant removal time-scale; (b) stochastic condensation with a size-dependent removal time-scale; (c) droplet growth in a fixed supersaturation condition and with size-dependent removal. In addition, a similar Weibull distribution that can be obtained from the drift-diffusion approach, as well as from mechanism-independent probabilistic arguments (e.g., maximum entropy), is tested as a fourth hypothesis. Statistical techniques such as the χ2 test, sum of squared errors of prediction, and residual analysis are employed to judge relative success or failure of the theoretical distributions to describe the experimental data. An extensive set of cloud droplet size distributions are measured under different aerosol injection rates. Five different aerosol injection rates are run both for size-selected aerosol particles, and six aerosol injection rates are run for broad-distribution, polydisperse aerosol particles. In relative comparison, the most favourable comparison to the measurements is the expression for stochastic condensation with size-dependent droplet removal rate. However, even this optimal distribution breaks down for broad aerosol size distributions, primarily due to deviations from the measured large-droplet tail. Lastly, a possible explanation for the deviation is the Ostwald ripening effect coupled with deactivation/activation in polluted cloud conditions.
Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Ni-based Superalloy K418 Produced by the Continuous Unidirectional Solidification Process
Adopting effective strategies to control the solidification structure of Ni-based superalloys is a very interesting subject for metallurgists. Despite the achievement of developing and applying the continuous unidirectional solidification process in simple alloys, the utilization of this process for K418 alloys has been ignored. The microstructure and mechanical properties of a K418 alloy ingot produced by the continuous unidirectional solidification process were investigated. We found that the γ dendrites were typically cross-shaped in the transverse section. The orientation of surviving grains along the casting direction was <001> during competitive growth. The secondary dendrite arm spacing was 32.3 ± 2.5 μm at a cooling rate of 1.75 ± 0.35 °C/s from the surface to the center of the K418 alloy ingot. Due to the higher cooling rate than that of the conventional casting process, a more uniform microstructure and finer γ′ precipitation were obtained in the ingot. Thus, compared with the conventional casting, the tensile strength and the elongation are increased by 8.4 and 21.3%, respectively, at 25 °C. The tensile strength and elongation increased by 15.2 and 49.3%, respectively, at 800 °C. In addition, the fracture surfaces exhibited numerous typical dimples and dendritic fracture characteristics.
Incomplete tumor capsule on preoperative imaging reveals microvascular invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose: Microvascular invasion (MVI), which is difficult to diagnose before surgery, is a major factor affecting postoperative recurrence in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The relationship between the radiological tumor capsule and MVI is controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the association between the tumor capsule and MVI. Methods: We searched Medline (by PubMed) and Embase (by OvidSP). Two review authors independently screened titles and abstracts, selected studies about MVI prediction with radiologic tumor capsule and studies with enough data for extracted, assessed the methodological quality and collected data. Summary results were presented as the diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), sensitivity, specificity, and 95% confidence interval. Results: Fifteen studies with 2038 patients were included; fourteen studies, including 1331 patients, with no significant heterogeneity indicated no relationship between absent tumor capsule and MVI [DOR = 0.90 (0.64, 1.26)]. Six studies, including 541 patients, with no significant heterogeneity showed incomplete capsule could be used to predict MVI of HCC preoperatively [DOR = 1.85 (1.13, 3.04)]. The overall sensitivity and specificity estimate were 0.50 (0.37, 0.64) and 0.64 (0.53, 0.74), respectively. Eight studies, including 1349 patients, with highly significant heterogeneity revealed that complete capsule could be a protective factor for MVI [DOR = 1.97 (1.01, 3.86)]. Conclusions: For MVI of HCC, incomplete tumor capsule is a risk factor, while a complete tumor capsule might be a protective factor. However, absent capsule doesn’t show significant relationship with MVI. This might be due to combination of the risk and protective effects of present capsule in MVI.
Surface-bound sacrificial electron donors in promoting photocatalytic reduction on titania nanocrystals
Titania nanocrystals have been investigated for fast color switching through photocatalytic reduction of dyes and hexacyanometalate pigments. Here we reveal that direct binding of sacrificial electron donors (SEDs) to the surface of titania nanocrystals can significantly promote the charge transfer rate by more efficiently scavenging photogenerated holes and releasing more photogenerated electrons for reduction reactions. Using diethylene glycol (DEG) as an example, we show that its binding to the nanoparticle surface, which can be achieved either during or after the nanoparticle formation, greatly enhances the photocatalytic reduction in comparison with the case where free DEG molecules are simply added as external SEDs.
Comparison of Antarctic and Arctic Single-Layer Stratiform Mixed-Phase Cloud Properties Using Ground-Based Remote Sensing Measurements
Ground-based remote sensing measurements from the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program (ARM) West Antarctic Radiation Experiment (AWARE) campaign at the McMurdo station and the ARM North Slope of Alaska (NSA) $Utqia\dot{g}vik$ site are used to retrieve and analyze single-layer stratiform mixed-phase cloud macro- and microphysical properties for these different polar environments. Single-layer stratiform mixed-phase clouds have annual frequencies of occurrence of ~14.7% at $Utqia\dot{g}vik$ and ~7.3% at McMurdo, with the highest occurrences in early autumn. Compared to $Utqia\dot{g}vik$, stratiform mixed-phase clouds at McMurdo have overall higher and colder cloud-tops, thicker ice layer depth, thinner liquid- dominated layer depth, and smaller liquid water path. These properties reflect clear seasonal variations. Supercooled liquid fraction at McMurdo is greater than at $Utqia\dot{g}vik$ because, at a given temperature, McMurdo clouds have comparable liquid water paths but smaller ice water paths. Assessment of retrieved cloud microphysical properties show that, compared to $Utqia\dot{g}vik$, stratiform mixed-phase clouds at McMurdo have greater liquid droplet number concentration, smaller layer-mean effective radius, and smaller ice water content and ice number concentration at a given cloud-top temperature. These relationships may be related to different aerosol loading and chemical composition, and environment dynamics. Findings introduced in this report can be used as observational constraints for model representations of stratiform mixed-phase clouds.
Quantifying inactive lithium in lithium metal batteries
Lithium metal anodes offer high theoretical capacities (3,860 milliampere-hours per gram)1, but rechargeable batteries built with such anodes suffer from dendrite growth and low Coulombic efficiency (the ratio of charge output to charge input), preventing their commercial adoption. The formation of inactive (‘dead’) lithium— which consists of both (electro)chemically formed Li + compounds in the solid electrolyte interphase and electrically isolated unreacted metallic Li 0 —causes capacity loss and safety hazards. Quantitatively distinguishing between Li + in components of the solid electrolyte interphase and unreacted metallic Li 0 has not been possible, owing to the lack of effective diagnostic tools. Optical microscopy, in situ environmental transmission electron microscopy, X-ray microtomography and magnetic resonance imaging provide a morphological perspective with little chemical information. Nuclear magnetic resonance, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy can distinguish between Li + in the solid electrolyte interphase and metallic Li 0 , but their detection ranges are limited to surfaces or local regions. Here we establish the analytical method of titration gas chromatography to quantify the contribution of unreacted metallic Li 0 to the total amount of inactive lithium. We identify the unreacted metallic Li 0 , not the (electro)chemically formed Li + in the solid electrolyte interphase, as the dominant source of inactive lithium and capacity loss. By coupling the unreacted metallic Li 0 content to observations of its local microstructure and nanostructure by cryogenic electron microscopy (both scanning and transmission), we also establish the formation mechanism of inactive lithium in different types of electrolytes and determine the underlying cause of low Coulombic efficiency in plating and stripping (the charge and discharge processes, respectively, in a full cell) of lithium metal anodes. Here we propose strategies for making lithium plating and stripping more efficient so that lithium metal anodes can be used for next-generation high-energy batteries.
A meta-analysis of 1,119 manipulative experiments on terrestrial carbon-cycling responses to global change
Direct quantification of terrestrial biosphere responses to global change is crucial for projections of future climate change in Earth system models. Here, we synthesized ecosystem carbon-cycling data from 1,119 experiments performed over the past four decades concerning changes in temperature, precipitation, CO2 and nitrogen across major terrestrial vegetation types of the world. Most experiments manipulated single rather than multiple global change drivers in temperate ecosystems of the USA, Europe and China. The magnitudes of warming and elevated CO2 treatments were consistent with the ranges of future projections, whereas those of precipitation changes and nitrogen inputs often exceeded the projected ranges. Increases in global change drivers consistently accelerated, but decreased precipitation slowed down carbon-cycle processes. Nonlinear (including synergistic and antagonistic) effects among global change drivers were rare. Belowground carbon allocation responded negatively to increased precipitation and nitrogen addition and positively to decreased precipitation and elevated CO2. The sensitivities of carbon variables to multiple global change drivers depended on the background climate and ecosystem condition, suggesting that Earth system models should be evaluated using site-specific conditions for best uses of this large dataset. Together, this synthesis underscores an urgent need to explore the interactions among multiple global change drivers in underrepresented regions such as semi-arid ecosystems, forests in the tropics and subtropics, and Arctic tundra when forecasting future terrestrial carbon-climate feedback.
Scaling of an Atmospheric Model to Simulate Turbulence and Cloud Microphysics in the Pi Chamber
Abstract The Pi Cloud Chamber offers a unique opportunity to study aerosol‐cloud microphysics interactions in a steady‐state, turbulent environment. In this work, an atmospheric large‐eddy simulation (LES) model with spectral bin microphysics is scaled down to simulate these interactions, allowing comparison with experimental results. A simple scalar flux budget model is developed and used to explore the effect of sidewalls on the bulk mixing temperature, water vapor mixing ratio, and supersaturation. The scaled simulation and the simple scalar flux budget model produce comparable bulk mixing scalar values. The LES dynamics results are compared with particle image velocimetry measurements of turbulent kinetic energy, energy dissipation rates, and large‐scale oscillation frequencies from the cloud chamber. These simulated results match quantitatively to experimental results. Finally, with the bin microphysics included the LES is able to simulate steady‐state cloud conditions and broadening of the cloud droplet size distributions with decreasing droplet number concentration, as observed in the experiments. The results further suggest that collision‐coalescence does not contribute significantly to this broadening. This opens a path for further detailed intercomparison of laboratory and simulation results for model validation and exploration of specific physical processes.
High Genetic Potential for Proteolytic Decomposition in Northern Peatland Ecosystems
Nitrogen (N) is a common limitation on primary productivity, and its source remains unresolved in northern peatlands that are vulnerable to environmental change. Decomposition of complex organic matter into free amino acids has been proposed as an important N source, but the genetic potential of microorganisms mediating this process has not been examined. Such information can inform possible responses of northern peatlands to environmental change. We show high genetic potential for microbial production of free amino acids across a range of microbial guilds in northern peatlands. In particular, the abundance and diversity of bacterial genes encoding proteolytic activity suggest a predominant role for bacteria in regulating productivity and contrasts with a paradigm of fungal dominance of organic N decomposition. Our results expand our current understanding of coupled carbon and nitrogen cycles in northern peatlands and indicate that understudied bacterial and archaeal lineages may be central in this ecosystem’s response to environmental change.
Predictive value of {sup 18}F-FDG PET/CT in patients with acute type B aortic intramural hematoma
Background: The clinical course and predictors of adverse aortic events (AAE) in patients with acute Stanford type B intramural hematoma (IMH) remain controversial. This study aimed to investigate whether {sup 18}F-FDG PET/CT can predict risk in patients with acute type B IMH. Methods and Results: This study included 34 patients with acute type B IMH who underwent PET/CT within 14 days from the onset of symptoms. The maximal standardized uptake values (SUVmax) of {sup 18}F-FDG uptake was significantly different between patients with or without AAE (4.3 ± 0.6 vs 3.7 ± 1.0, P = 0.020), but not the target to blood ratio (TBR, SUVmax divided by SUV in the superior vena cava) (1.6 ± 0.2 vs 1.5 ± 0.5, P = 0.064). In patients with initial ulcer-like projection (ULP), a blood-filled pouch protruding into the IMH, which was seen in 25 patients(74%), both the SUVmax and TBR were significantly higher in patients who developed AAE, (4.3 ± 0.6 vs 3.3 ± 0.5, P = 0.001; 1.6 ± 0.2 vs 1.4 ± 0.2, P = 0.01); the TBR >1.5, which is determined from receiver-operating-characteristic curve, had a sensitivity of 73% and a specificity of 80% in predicting AAE. Conclusion: Patients with ULP and high {sup 18}F-FDG uptake were more likely to develop AAE and may require closer surveillance with serial imaging.
Surface doping of nanostructures
This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to surface doping of nanostructures. In one aspect a plurality of nanostructures is fabricated with a solution-based process using a solvent. The plurality of nanostructures comprises a semiconductor. Each of the plurality of nanostructures has a surface with capping species attached to the surface. The plurality of nanostructures is mixed in the solvent with a dopant compound that includes doping species. During the mixing the capping species on the surfaces of the plurality of nanostructures are replaced by the doping species. Charge carriers are transferred between the doping species and the plurality of nanostructures.
Dual Protection Layer Strategy to Increase Photoelectrode–Catalyst Interfacial Stability: A Case Study on Black Silicon Photoelectrodes
Abstract Photoelectrode degradation under harsh solution conditions continues to be a major hurdle for long‐term operation and large‐scale implementation of solar fuel conversion. In this study, a dual‐layer TiO 2 protection strategy is presented to improve the interfacial durability between nanoporous black silicon and photocatalysts. Nanoporous silicon photocathodes decorated with catalysts are passivated twice, providing an intermediate TiO 2 layer between the substrate and catalyst and an additional TiO 2 layer on top of the catalysts. Atomic layer deposition of TiO 2 ensures uniform coverage of both the nanoporous silicon substrate and the catalysts. After 24 h of electrolysis at pH = 0.3, unprotected photocathodes layered with platinum and molybdenum sulfide retain only 30% and 20% of their photocurrent, respectively. At the same pH, photocathodes layered with TiO 2 experience an increase in photocurrent retention: 85% for platinum‐coated photocathodes and 91% for molybdenum sulfide–coated photocathodes. Under alkaline conditions, unprotected photocathodes experience a 95% loss in photocurrent within the first 4 h of electrolysis. In contrast, TiO 2 ‐protected photocathodes maintain 70% of their photocurrent during 12 h of electrolysis. This approach is quite general and may be employed as a protection strategy for a variety of photoabsorber–catalyst interfaces under both acidic and basic electrolyte conditions.
Unbiased solar H 2 production with current density up to 23 mA cm -2 by Swiss-cheese black Si coupled with wastewater bioanode
Unbiased photoelectrochemical hydrogen production with high efficiency and durability is highly desired for solar energy storage. Here, we report a microbial photoelectrochemical (MPEC) system that demonstrated superior performance when equipped with bioanodes and black silicon photocathode with a unique “Swiss-cheese” interface. The MPEC utilizes the chemical energy embedded in wastewater organics to boost solar H 2 production, which overcomes barriers on anode H 2 O oxidation. Without any bias, the MPEC generates a record photocurrent (up to 23 mA cm -2 ) and retains prolonged stability for over 90 hours with high Faradaic efficiency (96–99%). The calculated turnover number for MoS x catalyst during a 90 h period is 495 471 with an average frequency of 1.53 s -1 . The system replaced pure water on the anode with actual wastewater and achieved waste organic removal up to 16 kg COD m -2 photocathode per day. Cost credits from concurrent wastewater treatment and low-cost design make photoelectrochemical H 2 production practical for the first time.
Hot Deformation Mechanisms of Ti22Al25Nb Orthorhombic Alloy
In this paper, the hot deformation behavior of Ti22Al25Nb was investigated by hot compression over a range of temperatures (950-1050 °C) and strain rates (0.001-1 s{sup −1}). Considering the adiabatic heating and friction, the original curves were corrected. The friction-corrected data were lower than the measured flow stress data. The flow stress data increased after the temperature correction owing to the elimination of the softening effect. In addition, the work hardening effects on the hot deformation of the normal and multi-peak flow stress curves were compared. A critical dislocation density was proposed to analyze the multi-peak phenomenon. When the dislocation density decreased to a critical value, the work hardening and dynamic recrystallization mechanisms reached a balance. Then, a new work hardening mechanism became dominant, and the flow stress increased. The effect of second-phase particles on the hot deformation mechanisms was investigated. The result showed that second-phase particles led to a high nucleation rate and a low growth rate of new recrystallization grains during the rapid hot deformation.
Influence of weld details on fracture behavior of connections using high-strength steel
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