Article
Mechanics
Tianyu Kang, Qingbo Yu, Zhongyuan Liu, Shengkai Tao
Summary: This paper focuses on the impact of velocity and radius distribution on jet breakup. A theoretical model is established to analyze and predict the velocity distribution along the jet. The simplified forms of breakup time, disturbance growth rate, and disturbance level considering velocity and radius distribution are presented.
Review
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Erjun Liang, Qiang Sun, Huanli Yuan, Jiaqi Wang, Gaojie Zeng, Qilong Gao
Summary: The article reviews recent understandings on the underlying mechanisms of negative thermal expansion (NTE) and the development of NTE materials, highlighting NTE driven by phonons and the interplay between anisotropic elasticity and phonons. It also discusses issues affecting applications of NTE materials and strategies for discovering novel NTE materials with framework structures.
FRONTIERS OF PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Matthew J. Maille, Kyle Sala, David M. Scott, Hannah Zukswert
Summary: The study examined the swelling of roast and ground coffee particles during immersion in water using laser diffraction and digital microscopy. Results indicated that individual coffee particles do not significantly swell during the time scale of typical brew methods, which could affect the dynamics of coffee extraction.
JOURNAL OF FOOD ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zheng-Chun Yin, Mingjie Li, Chuang Niu, Wei-Feng Wang, Wen-Rui Liu, Qian-Wen Zhang, Guan-Wu Wang
Summary: This study achieves the reductive electrosynthesis of heterocycle-fused fulleroids from fullerotetrahydropyridazines and electrophiles in the presence of a trace amount of oxygen, with concurrent ring contraction and expansion reactions. Depending on the electrophiles used, different regioselective formations of heterocycle-fused fulleroids are achieved. The reaction proceeds through multiple steps, and the structures of the synthesized fulleroids have been determined and their high regioselectivities rationalized by theoretical calculations.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Guilherme Jose Ramos de Oliveira, Luciano Andrey Montoro, Ingo Manke, Nikolay Kardjilov, Augusta Isaac
Summary: Understanding micrometer-scale wetting layers and microporosity in rocks is crucial for immiscible fluid displacement, particularly capillary trapping. Neutron tomography revealed a non-uniform distribution of wetting layers and water-filled micropores in carbonate rock, showing an increase in micropores and swelling of wetting layers during imbibition at low capillary numbers. This technique can be valuable for studying a wide range of interfacial phenomena such as enhanced oil recovery and CO2 storage.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES A-PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING ASPECTS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Niu Zhang, Jinghua Li, Xiaoshuai Kong, Mengting She, Peng Guo, Jingjing Sun, Peiling Yuan, Shuaipu Zang, Mingju Chao, Erjun Liang
Summary: Nb14W3O44, prepared using a solid-state method, exhibits a tetragonal structure and intriguing linear negative thermal expansion (NTE) properties. The NTE phenomenon is attributed to the vibrations of the bridge-site atoms, while lattice distortion and pores could also affect the thermal expansion performance in the bulk materials.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY-JMR&T
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Ben -Gang Tian, Qing Cheng, Chao-Sheng Tang, Bin Shi
Summary: This paper investigates the crack pattern evolution and healing behavior of cracked soils under different wetting rates. The results show that secondary and tertiary cracks heal earlier than primary cracks during wetting, and the surface crack ratio and average crack width decrease gradually and then stabilize with elapsed wetting time. The healing of desiccation cracks is mainly attributed to wetting-induced swelling and disintegration, and the degree of healing increases with increasing wetting rate.
ENGINEERING GEOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Zi-Kui Liu, Yi Wang, Shun-Li Shang
Summary: The study introduces a general theory based on multiscale entropy to explain why volume sometimes decreases with increasing temperature. It is found that a phase at high temperatures is a statistical representation of the ground-state stable and multiple nonground-state metastable configurations. The theory provides a new understanding of the behavior of phase volume changes with temperature.
JOURNAL OF PHASE EQUILIBRIA AND DIFFUSION
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Alessandro F. Rotta Loria, Jibril B. Coulibaly
Summary: Soils subjected to thermal loads experience temperature variations, which can affect their properties and behavior. Dealing with the response of soils to thermal loads, especially thermally induced deformation, presents both challenges and opportunities for scientific investigations and engineering applications.
GEOMECHANICS FOR ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yu Yao, Ling Hui He, Jian Hai Jin, Jun Ding
Summary: A novel metamaterial combining negative Poisson's ratio, negative compressibility, and negative thermal expansion or swelling was proposed. The unit cell was designed by simulating the bond structure of lead monoxide crystals using elastic beams. The metamaterial exhibited negative linear and area compressibilities, as well as negative linear, area, and volume thermal expansions when geometric parameters were properly adjusted. Experimental results also showed that negative linearity and area swelling could be achieved by replacing thermal expansion with water absorption in a hydrogel material. These metamaterials with multiple negative indexes are expected to enable the development of advanced multifunctional devices with mechanical, pressure, temperature, and moisture sensitivities.
MATERIALS RESEARCH EXPRESS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fan Yang, Jianping Huang, Xinqian Zheng, Wen Huo, Chenglong Zhou, Yu Wang, Dongliang Han, Jiacheng Gao, Ali Mamtimin, Xinghua Yang, Yingwei Sun
Summary: Through experiments in the Taklimakan Desert, it was found that the carbon sequestration in deserts may have been overestimated due to the contradiction between different observation methods. The results show that shifting sand in the desert releases CO2 during the day and absorbs CO2 at night, contributing to the global carbon cycle and mitigating climate change.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yuzhu Song, Naike Shi, Shiqing Deng, Xianran Xing, Jun Chen
Summary: The review summarizes the progress in magnetic NTE materials from Invar alloys to newly discovered materials like Mn-based antiperovskites, Laves phases, La(Fe, Si)13, Mn3Ge, R2Fe17, R(Fe,V)12, and R2Fe14B (R = rare earth elements). The NTE properties of magnetic materials can be controlled by adjusting magnetic exchange interaction through methods like chemical substitution, nanocrystallization, external field, and interstitial atoms. The main mechanisms of NTE of magnetic materials, including order-to-disorder transition, change of local moment, metamagnetic transition, short-range magnetic ordering, structural phase transition, and coexistence of magnetic phases, are summarized.
PROGRESS IN MATERIALS SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Martin A. Briggs, Phillip Goodling, Zachary C. Johnson, Karli M. Rogers, Nathaniel P. Hitt, Jennifer B. Fair, Craig D. Snyder
Summary: This study provides empirical support for the existing conceptual models of headwater stream disconnection by investigating the influence of local bedrock depth and sediment thickness on summer stream temperature and channel disconnection patterns.
HYDROLOGY AND EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Lian-hua Ma, Tianyong Wei, Wei Rao, Kun Zhang, Hong Gao, Xuejin Chen, Xin-chun Zhang
Summary: In this work, a water-driven mechanical metamaterial with negative swelling was designed and fabricated. The metamaterial utilizes the swelling deformation of hydrogels and deformation characteristics of chiral metamaterials to achieve a volume reduction. The customized metamaterials can produce the desired negative swelling deformation by adjusting the lattice geometry and microstructural parameters.
SMART MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Levent Selcuk
Summary: Experimental investigations on the expansion behavior of clayey soils are crucial to understand the soil-foundation response. Existing methods for estimating swelling characteristics of expansive soils are unsatisfactory, and this study proposes a more reliable and accurate method.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Yuntao Liu, Weimin Huang, Changyi Zhang, Cheng Li, Zhengfeng Fang, Zhen Zeng, Bin Hu, Hong Chen, Wenjuan Wu, Tiqiang Wang, Xiguo Lan
Summary: This study evaluated the metabolic profiles and biological activity of four Tibetan teas and found significant differences in their metabolic profiles, providing important data for quality detection of Tibetan tea.
Article
Engineering, Manufacturing
Abhijit Vijay Salvekar, Faqrul Hasif Bin Abdul Nasir, Ya Hui Chen, Sharanya Maiti, Vivek Damodar Ranjan, Hong Mei Chen, Han Wang, Wei Min Huang
Summary: This study demonstrates the feasibility of rapid volumetric additive manufacturing in the solid state. This technology is particularly useful for missions in outer space or in harsh environments. By using a special thermal gel, the concept of solid-state ultraviolet crosslinking is demonstrated, and the water-content-dependent heating/cooling/water-responsive shape memory effect of hydrogels is revealed. The shape memory feature is important for eliminating deformation during the last step of the additive manufacturing process when removing the uncrosslinked part.
3D PRINTING AND ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ayush Prasad, Wei Min Huang
Summary: This study analyzes the surface patterns created on a shape memory polymer after indentation, polishing, and recovery through the shape memory effect. Different patterns, including lens-type protrusion, flat-top protrusion, and groove, are determined by the polishing depth and friction coefficient. The findings can be scaled and applied to other shape memory polymers.
SURFACE REVIEW AND LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Changchun Wang, Jia Xi Pek, Hong Mei Chen, Wei Min Huang
Summary: This study investigates the influence of temperature and strain on the toughness of dog-bone shaped poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) samples through pre-stretching, and reveals the impact of aging on the sample properties.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Guoqiang Cao, Yue Xiao, Wei-Min Huang, Chien-Hua Chen, Jonas Baltrusaitis
Summary: This study investigates the production of hydrogen (H2) through ethanol steam reforming (ESR) in a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma reactor. A response surface methodology (RSM) was used to evaluate the effects of discharge power, total flow rate, and ethanol-to-water (EtOH/H2O) molar ratio on the plasma-assisted ESR reaction. The results showed that the EtOH/H2O molar ratio had the most significant effect on EtOH conversion and H2 selectivity, while the total flow rate determined the specific energy requirement (SER) for H2 production. Process optimization resulted in the identification of the optimal conditions for the ESR reaction.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Xuelian Wu, Jiaxing Zou, Jian Yang, Jiang Jiang, Qin Feng, Zihao Ye, Weimin Huang
Summary: Electrically conductive IPN composed of PVC and PANI is achieved with slightly different mechanical and shape memory properties compared to PVC alone. Non-uniform distribution of PANI in the thickness direction is observed. Heating and programming lead to a reduction in electrical conductivity, with further decrease during shape recovery.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Zhenyu Zhao, Weimin Huang, Hua Qin, La Li
Summary: This work experimentally investigates and compares the terahertz electromagnetic shielding effect of micrometer-thick Ti3C2Tx MXene films on polyimide prepared by two different etching methods. The process using HCl/HF as the etchant shows higher absorption coefficient and electrical conductivity. Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy are used to study the structure and termination of the Ti3C2Tx MXene layer. The degree of oxygen termination plays a significant role in bridging nearby titanium atoms, resulting in increased surface continuity and enhanced terahertz radiation shielding.
APPLIED PHYSICS A-MATERIALS SCIENCE & PROCESSING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Xin Wang, Qiong Tian, Mingxing Zhu, Yingying Wang, Boya Wang, Xiaobei Jing, Hiroshi Yokoi, Lin Li, Zhenzhen Liu, Weimin Huang, Shixiong Chen, Zhiyuan Liu, Guanglin Li
Summary: Long-term physiological signal monitoring is crucial for diagnosing health conditions that occur randomly and are not easily detected during short hospital visits. However, the quality of signals obtained by conventional wet electrodes degrades over time due to gradual dehydration. This study proposes the use of an anhydrous carbon paste electrode (CPE) composed of carbon black and polydimethylsiloxane to enable long-term monitoring without signal quality degradation. Compared to wet electrodes, the CPE showed more stable skin-electrode impedance and higher signal qualities for ECG, EMG, EEG, and ABR measurements over a period of 48 days.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Chunjian Su, Xuemeng Li, Zhengyang Feng, Xinxin Li, Balasundaram Selvan Naveen, Luhua Zhao, Weimin Huang
Summary: In this paper, a bending angle distribution function with optimized segmented boundary combination is proposed to improve the forming quality and reduce rebound defects in multi-pass roll forming. The stress and strain distributions in the sheets after each forming pass are analyzed using finite element simulation, and the influence of different bending angle parameters on sheet quality is obtained. The finite element simulation is verified by comparing experimental results.
MATERIALS & DESIGN
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Textiles
Durai Aadithiya, Fei Yu Fang, Han Wang, Wei Min Huang
Summary: In this paper, finite element simulation (via ANSYS) is used to investigate the effect of shell thickness and prestrain on stimulus-induced shrinkage in electrospun polymeric fibres. The results show that the maximum shrinkage is determined by the prestrain in the shell. Young's modulus, fibre length, and boundary conditions have little influence on the final relative axial shrinkage. The diameter of the electrospun fibres strongly affects the final relative axial shrinkage, suggesting its potential for determining shell thickness and prestrain experimentally.
FIBERS AND POLYMERS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Meiwen Ding, Zhiping Lin, Chau Hung Lee, Cher Heng Tan, Weimin Huang
Summary: Prostate cancer is a common malignant tumor in men, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an important tool for its diagnosis. Accurate diagnosis requires targeted biopsy, often aided by MRI-ultrasound (MRI-US) fusion. However, automatic prostate segmentation on MRI is challenging due to variations in shape, appearance, and size. In this study, we propose a method called UCAnet that incorporates multi-scale and Channel-wise Self-Attention (CSA) to improve prostate segmentation accuracy. Experimental results on a public dataset demonstrate that UCAnet outperforms state-of-the-art methods for prostate segmentation.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON CIRCUITS AND SYSTEMS II-EXPRESS BRIEFS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dandan Wang, ZiZhang Li, Weimin Huang, Shengnan Cao, Liangyu Xie, Yuanzhen Chen, Huazhong Li, Lei Wang, Xiaoshu Chen, Jian-Rong Yang
Summary: Using single-cell RNA sequencing, the microenvironment and mechanisms of intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) in humans were explored. Functional subgroups were identified in the nucleus pulposus (NP) and annulus fibrosus (AF) at different stages of degeneration. Additionally, an increase in monocyte/macrophage population was found in degenerated discs, and specific interactions between cell populations were revealed.
Article
Automation & Control Systems
Chunjian Su, Xinxin Li, Xuemeng Li, Zhengyang Feng, Balasundaram Selvan Naveen, Rui Wang, Wei Min Huang
Summary: In the sheet forming process, the final bending angle is often determined based on experience and it is difficult to control the quality of the final products due to the decrease in thickness in the local bent areas. This study developed an optimized bending angle function by combining segment boundaries to improve the sheet forming quality and reduce local thinning defects. The finite element submodel method accurately simulated the thickness variation law of the bending area and analyzed the process parameters for local thinning. Experimental results showed that the proposed approach achieved better forming quality with smaller thinning defects compared to previously reported methods, and the thickness of the thinning defect was influenced by the process parameters and plate thickness.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Jia Wang, Cheng Li, Wei Zhang, Weimin Huang, Zhiqiang Liu, Rui Shi, Shiyuan Wang, Shan Liu, Weiguo Shi, Yunlan Li, Liang Xu
Summary: This paper proposes a new hemostatic powder based on poly(ethylene glycol)-di(cyanoacrylate) (CA-PEG-CA), which has tissue-contact-triggered strong adhesion and controlled fast degradation. The powder quickly forms an in situ gel on the wound through crosslinking polymerization when in contact with tissue or blood, demonstrating excellent hemostatic effects both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the gel can be rapidly biodegraded by ester bond hydrolysis with the addition of a cysteamine (CS)-containing solution, allowing for on-demand removal.
BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Xuelian Wu, Vishwa Mohan Tiwari, Kimaya Prasad Suryarao, Richard Tan, Rui Xiao, Haibao Lv, Yilei Zhang, Zhifeng Wang, Wei Min Huang
Summary: We present a cost-effective, highly reliable, and environmentally friendly method for patterned coloring of transparent PET. By varying the stretching speed, different color patterns can be achieved, including transparent, white/translucent, complete white/silver, and various combinations of these colors in PET strips. We investigate the conditions for obtaining high-quality color patterns and the length of the transient region during speed changes.
