Engineering topics

Zhou, Qi

Publications and source records attributed to Zhou, Qi.

22 records · Page 2

DOE OSTI2020

Precipitation of calcium–alumino–silicate–hydrate gels: The role of the internal stress

Concrete gains its strength from the precipitation of a calcium–alumino–silicate–hydrate (C–A–S–H) colloidal gel, which acts as its binding phase. However, despite concrete’s ubiquity in the building environment, the atomic-scale mechanism of C–A–S–H precipitation is still unclear. Here, we use reactive molecular dynamics simulations to model the early-age precipitation of a C–A–S–H gel. We find that, upon gelation, silicate and aluminate precursors condensate and polymerize to form an aluminosilicate gel network. Notably, we demonstrate that the gelation reaction is driven by the existence of a mismatch of atomic-level internal stress between Si and Al polytopes, which are initially experiencing some local tension and compression, respectively. The polymerization of Si and Al polytopes enables the release of these competitive stresses.

Zhao, Cheng↗

DOE OSTI2020

Dynamical quantum phase transitions in interacting atomic interferometers

Particle-wave duality has allowed physicists to establish atomic interferometers as celebrated complements to their optical counterparts in a broad range of quantum devices. In particular, interactions give rise to multiparticle correlations unavailable in linear interferometers. Here, we show that interactions lead to dynamical quantum phase transitions (DQPTs) between NOON states in an atomic interferometer. These transition points result from zeros of the Loschmidt echo, which approach the real axis of the complex time plane in the large-particle-number limit, and signify pair condensates, another type of exotic quantum states featured with prevailing two-body correlations. Such DQPTs thus provide us with a new angle to understand many-body states emergent from quantum nonequilibrium dynamics. Further, our work also suggests interacting atomic interferometers as a new tool for creating highly entangled states to beat the standard quantum limit.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2019

Softening Behavior of Electron Beam Welded 22SiMn2TiB Steel

Softening behavior occurs in heat-affected zone of many types of high strength steels causing the deterioration of mechanical properties. In this study, the softening behavior of 22SiMn2TiB joint was revealed by experimental and numerical analysis. The microstructure and hardness of the joint were tested and analyzed. The numerical simulations of the temperature field were carried out to obtain the thermal cycle. Based on the continuous cooling transformation diagram, the phase transformation was investigated. The results indicated that the microhardness in the HAZ was significantly decreased, and its minimum value was 273 HV which was 63.5% of base metal. The softening behavior occurs in intermediate critical heat-affected zone and the subcritical heat-affected zone, and its peak temperature is between 853.7 °C (Ac{sub 3}) and 450 °C. When 22SiMn2TiB steel was heated above 732.3 °C (Ac{sub 1}), martensite begins to transform into austenite. With different cooling rates, austenite may transform into martensite, bainite and ferrite, and the volume fraction of soft phases could increase resulting in the softening. When the peak temperature is between 732.3 and 450 °C, the recovery phenomenon and the decomposition of martensite caused softening with the decrease in the dislocation density and martensite.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2019

Synthesis of Carboxyl-Rich Biosorbent by UV-Induced Graft Polymerization Method for High Efficiency Adsorption of Ce{sup 3+} from Aqueous Solution: Activation and Adsorption Mechanism

Developing a cost-effective and highly efficient sorbent for the recovery of rare-earth elements from aqueous solution is still an urgent need. In this study, a novel biosorbent, carboxyl-rich pine bark (CPB), was modified by UV-induced graft polymerization method to increase the carboxyl-containing functional groups and facilitate the adsorption of Ce{sup 3+}. The grafting process was examined by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), indicating that high-density carboxyl functional groups are present on the surface of pine bark and the grafting yield of surface polymer brushes reaches up to 128%. Interestingly, the maximum adsorption capacity of Ce{sup 3+} on CPB could reach up to 256.5 mg/g. The adsorption mechanism of Ce{sup 3+} by CPB has been determined by the adsorption models and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), which can be inferred from these results that the high performance of CPB is attributed to the surface coordination between Ce{sup 3+} and hydroxyl or carbonyl groups. This work suggests that engineered surface functional groups of biomass could have an opportunity for the development of high performance rare-earth element adsorbents.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗