Article
Agricultural Engineering
Zhaohui Zheng, Liuyang Ren, Shuo Wei, Weijun Xie, Ben Fan, Hanyu Fu, Deyong Yang
Summary: The change of temperature and moisture content during maize kernel drying can lead to glass transition and crack formation. This study investigated the effect of form and process of glass transition on crack formation. The results showed that glass transition began at the corner of the kernel and extended to the center, and the transition form, rate, and duration were influenced by drying stage and temperature. This study provides insights into the mechanism of crack formation and optimization of operating conditions in maize drying.
BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Zhaohui Zheng, Liuyang Ren, Hanyu Fu, Pei Yang, Lanlan Lv, Jingshen Xu, Deyong Yang
Summary: This study investigates the effect of glass transition on crack formation in different components of maize during drying. The findings suggest that the differences in moisture content, temperature distribution, and glass transition temperature of the components can lead to different glass transition processes and the formation of cracks. Cracks primarily occur in the hard endosperm and extend to the soft endosperm, in line with the glass transition of the endosperm. The formation of cracks is mainly observed during the main drying and cooling stages, with more cracks formed during the cooling stage.
BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Qixiang Zhu, Xiaofeng Sun, Shifu Ge, Yang Yu
Summary: Vacuum drying is an effective method for sludge treatment, but it has not been industrialized yet. This study aimed to investigate the vacuum drying characteristics of static sludge and the mechanism of crack initiation. The results showed that crusting on the sludge surface hindered drying under high vacuum, especially at thicker sludge thicknesses. The drying rate decreased with increasing vacuum degree, which could be attributed to rapid evaporation and crusting. The study also provided valuable information for improving sludge treatment methods.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Cheng Cheng, Mingqiang Gao, Zhenyong Miao, Keji Wan, Qiongqiong He
Summary: The structure of lignite is affected by fragmentation and pulverization during drying, reducing the safety and continuity of the drying and coal quality improvement processes. This study accurately quantified the shrinkage process and crack development of a two-dimensional lignite plate using image-processing techniques, and analyzed the full-scale pore characteristics of lignite. Relationship between macro volumetric shrinkage and micropore structure damage was proposed. Moisture diffusion coefficients were determined for normal temperature drying, hot air drying, and freeze drying. Hot air drying caused the most severe damage to macro/mesopores, while the collapse of macropores influenced the shrinkage the most.
Article
Engineering, Geological
Hongri Zhang, Jiming Yang, Lei Wang, Yongfu Xu
Summary: This paper explored the dynamic characteristics of crack formation in expansive soil slopes through indoor model testing. The study found that the formation of cracks was closely related to the number of alternate drying and wetting cycles. The cracks showed a trend of growth, stabilization, and continued growth, indicating accumulated damage. The formation of primary cracks was highly repetitive, while the location and orientation of secondary cracks varied with the alternation of drying and wetting, intensifying the anisotropy of the crack network.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Michael. J. Hertaeg, Rico F. Tabor, Alexander F. Routh, Gil Garnier
Summary: Research shows that patterns left in dried droplets can be used for a new generation of low-cost blood diagnostics, but the underlying mechanistic variables must be understood before widespread application. Red blood cell concentration and non-volatile component concentration are key factors affecting pattern formation.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY A-MATHEMATICAL PHYSICAL AND ENGINEERING SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Tong Zhang, Chenfei Lou, Daoguang Teng, Guosheng Li, Peng Li, Qinghang Yun, Guoli Zhou
Summary: This study investigated the dehydration, surface damage, and pulverization behaviors of lignite under hot-air drying conditions. The cracking behavior was influenced by the drying temperature and moisture content. The crack rate and shrinkage percentage increased significantly with drying temperature, while the moisture content had a greater influence on the crack rate and shrinkage percentage. The main factor affecting the shrinkage and cracking of lignite was the moisture content.
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Jun Xu, Lu Ma, Xiaochun Xiao, Di Wu
Summary: In order to study the mechanism and behavior of spalling in rocks, compression tests were conducted, revealing two types of spalling that can occur. The formation process of spalling can be influenced by the inclination angle and the number of flaws present in the rock. Spalling is considered an indication of specimen failure, leading to a quick end of failure once it occurs. Additionally, a proposed ratio (k) has great significance for determining when a material or structure completely loses its support or bearing capacity.
ENGINEERING FAILURE ANALYSIS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jianwei Yue, Peng Li, Limin Zhao, Xuanjia Huang, Xiangchun Xu, Zifa Wang
Summary: This study investigates the crack development law of silty clay samples under different humidity and aspect ratios through drying shrinkage tests. The results indicate that the crack propagation speed and severity are influenced by the water content and sample moisture content under the influence of temperature changes.
Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Yan-Wen Zhao, Mao-Zhang Tian, Pei Huang
Summary: By introducing cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) into the starch/clay system, crack-free and thermally insulative aerogels were successfully fabricated, resulting in a significant decrease in both density and thermal conductivity of the aerogel.
Article
Polymer Science
Marcos Blanco-Lopez, Alvaro Gonzalez-Garcinuno, Antonio Tabernero, Eva M. Martin del Valle
Summary: Studied the rheological behavior of Laponite(R) with different polysaccharides in salt-free solutions, showing that higher polymer concentration affects viscosity, strain rate, elastic and viscous moduli, indicating a significant impact of Laponite(R) on shear flow behavior.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Junying Liu, Sanjay Jatav, Marcel Herber, Eric H. Hill
Summary: Designing nanostructures with extended light absorption via defect engineering is an effective approach for synthesizing efficient photocatalysts. In this study, ZnIn2S4 was grown hydrothermally in the modified interlayer space of Laponite, resulting in lamellae consisting of Zn-defective ZnIn2S4 several unit cells thick. The leaching of Mg2+ from Laponite during synthesis led to the formation of Zn defects in ZnIn2S4, resulting in nanohybrids with extended light absorption and improved charge transfer.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Huisheng Cai, Zhenzhu Wang, Liang Liu, Yuguang Li, Fangjing Xing, Feng Guo
Summary: The composition and fracture mechanism of an AZ91-0.9Ce alloy with a thickness of 8 mm were studied. Results showed that the main compounds in the alloy were alpha-Mg matrix, Mg17Al12 compound, Al4Ce compound, and Al-Mn-Ce ternary compound. During the fracture process, Mg17Al12 and Al4Ce compounds acted as the main crack sources, with cracks primarily occurring at grain boundaries, phase boundaries, and these two compounds.
ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Prakash Oli, Mark Talbot, Peter Snell
Summary: Rice is consumed as whole grains, with any broken grains discounted. The cracks in rice mainly result from stress gradients caused by moisture absorption or desorption. Research has mostly focused on minimizing breakage during milling, with little knowledge on post-milling cracking and its effects on rice quality.
TRANSACTIONS OF THE ASABE
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Mingqiang Gao, Keji Wan, Zhenyong Miao, Qiongqiong He, Shuwen Xue, Xiuyong Dong
Summary: Volume shrinkage is the main cause of lignite fragmentation during low-temperature drying. This study analyzed the shrinkage characteristics and surface crack development of a two-dimensional lignite plate, revealing the mechanism of more severe shrinkage and cracking during high-temperature drying.