To protect carbon/carbon (C/C) composites from oxidation, a SiC coating modified with SiO₂ was prepared by a complex technology. The inner SiC coating with thickness varying from 150 to 300 µm was initially coated by chemical vapor reaction (CVR): a simple and cheap technique to prepare the SiC coating via siliconizing the substrate that was exposed to the mixed vapor (Si and SiO₂) at high temperatures (1 923–2 273 K). Then the as-prepared coating was processed by a dipping and drying procedure with tetraethoxysilane as source materials to form SiO₂ to fill the cracks and holes. Oxidation tests show that, after oxidation in air at 1 623 K for 10 h and thermal cycling between 1 623 K and room temperature 5 times, the mass loss of the CVR coated sample is up to 18.21%, while the sample coated with modified coating is only 5.96%, exhibiting an obvious improvement of oxidation and thermal shock resistance of the coating. The mass loss of the modified sample is mainly contributed to the reaction of C/C substrate with oxygen diffusing through the penetrating cracks formed in thermal shock tests.

The plastic deformation simulation of AZ31 magnesium alloy at different elevated temperatures (from 473 to 723 K) was performed on Gleeble-1500 thermal mechanical simulator at the strain rates of 0.01, 0.1, 1, 5 and 10 s⁻¹ and the maximum deformation degree of 80%. The relationship between the flow stress and deformation temperature as well as strain rate was analyzed. The materials parameters and the apparent activation energy were calculated. The constitutive relationship was established with a Zener-Hollomon (Z) parameter. The results show that the flow stress increases with the increase of strain rate at a constant temperature, but it decreases with the increase of deformation temperature at a constant strain rate. The apparent activation energy is estimated to be 129–153 kJ/mol, which is close to that for self-diffusion of magnesium. The established constitutive relationship can reflect the change of flow stress during hot deformation.

The fatigue pre-cracking 304 stainless steel (SS) specimens with lengths of 1.002 mm (L-crack) and 0.575 mm (S-crack) were prepared. Their corrosion behavior was studied by electrochemical noise (EN) in 4 mol/L NaCl + 0.01 mol/L Na₂S₂O₃ solution under slow-strain-rate-testing (SSRT) conditions. Moreover, the characteristics of L-crack’s surface morphology and potential distribution with scanning Kelvin probe (SKP) before and after SSRT were also discussed. Compared with S-crack, L-crack is propagated and the features of crack propagation can be obtained. After propagation, the noise amplitudes increase with increasing stress and accelerating corrosion, the white noises at low and high frequencies (W_L and W_H) of the later stage are one order of magnitude larger than that at early stage in the current power spectral densities (PSDs). The potential PSDs also increase, but W_H disappears. In addition, the crack propagation can be demonstrated according to variation of probability distribution, surface morphology and potential distribution.

In order to investigate the existing form and action mechanism of minor scandium (Sc) and zirconium (Zr) in Al-Cu-Mg alloy, microstructures of Al-4Cu-1Mg-Sc-Zr alloy under different conditions, including states of as-cast, homogenized, hot-rolled, as-solution and natural aged, were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It is revealed that Sc and Zr are completely dissolved into the supersaturated solid solution in as-cast ingot, but grain refinement is not observed. Coffee-bean-like Al₃(Sc, Zr) particles deposit during homogenization of ingot induce an increase in hardness. Al₃(Sc, Zr) particles are slightly coarsened in as-solution samples, but they still maintain coherent to matrix, which indicates a high thermal stability of these particles. Good coherency of Al₃(Sc, Zr) particles makes some benefits for inhibiting recrystallization and reserving work-hardening.

The microstructures and mechanical properties of A1-6Zn-2Mg-1.5Cu-0.4Er alloy under different treatment conditions were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observation, and tensile properties and hardness test, respectively. The relationship between mechanical properties and microstructures of the alloys was discussed. With trace Er addition to A1-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy, Er and Al interact to form Al₃Er phase, which is coherent with a(Al) matrix. The results show that A1-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy after retrogression and re-ageing (RRA) heat treatment exhibits higher tensile strength, ductility and conductivity.

The ignition-proof mechanism of ZM5 magnesium alloy added with 0.1% (mass fraction) rare earth (RE) was investigated. The oxide scales and substrates were characterized by scanning electronic microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) and tensile test. And an oxidation model of ZM5 alloy with RE was established. The results show that the ignition temperature of ZM5 alloy is particularly elevated from 654 to 823 °C, the microstructure is refined, and the tensile strength is slightly improved from 168.2 to 174.6 MPa by adding 0.1% RE. A double-layer oxidation film formed on the alloy surface under high temperature mainly consists of MgO, RE₂O₃ and Al₂O₃, which is 2.5–3.5 μm in thickness. It is found that the forming of protective oxidation film on the thermodynamics is attributed to RE elements congregating on the surface of molten Mg alloy.

The inhibition ability of 4-amino-5-phenyl-4H-1, 2, 4-trizole-3-thiol (APTT), ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid (EDTA) and thiourea (TU) for mild steel corrosion in 1.0 mol/L HCl solution at 30 °C was investigated. Tafel polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used to investigate the influence of these organic compounds as corrosion inhibitors of mild steel in 1.0 mol/L HCl solution at 30 °C. The inhibition mechanism was discussed in terms of Langmuir isotherm model. Results obtained from Tafel polarization and impedance measurements are in a good agreement. The inhibition efficiency increases with the increase of the inhibitor concentration. The adsorption of the inhibitors on the mild steel surface follows Langmuir adsorption isotherm and the free energy of adsorption ΔG_ads indicates that the adsorption of APTT, EDTA, and TU molecules is a spontaneous process and a typical chemisorption.

Ni nanoparticles plating was prepared in reverse microemulsion. The deposition was carried out through the Brownian motion of water pools in the reverse microemulsion and the adsorption of water pools on the electrode surface. Effects of electrolytic parameters on the size of Ni particles were studied. The performances of hydrogen evolution and hydrogen storage of the Ni nanoparticles plating electrode were also investigated. The results indicate that the size of Ni nanoparticles decreases with the increase of Ni²⁺ concentration and the decrease of current density. The electrochemical activity of Ni nanoparticles plating electrode is much higher than that of bulk Ni electrode.

A new reaction system was designed to economically convert glucose to lactic acid environment-friendly. Hydrophobic ionic liquids were chosen as solvent that can promote the decomposition reaction of glucose, and the catalytic performance of the solid bases was evaluated. Both the reaction temperature and time can affect the yield of lactic acid. A high yield (97%) of lactic acid was achieved under the optimal reaction condition. The ¹H NMR spectra and HPLC-MS were used to identify the formation of the lactic acid and variations of ionic liquid. It is found that ionic-liquids have a unique solvent effect for glucose and bases. Water can be used as solvent to extract calcium lactate. This shows a great potential of hydrophobic ionic liquids in the solid bases catalyzed reaction that is limited by the weak solubility of solid bases in organic and water solution.

One bioleaching bacterium, named as strain DXS, was isolated from acid mine drainages (AMDs) of Dongxiangshan Mine of Hami, Xinjiang Province, China. The strain DXS is gram-negative and rod-shaped with a size of (0.40±0.05) μm×(1.3±0.5) μm. The optimal temperature and pH for growth are 30 °C and pH 2.0, respectively. It can grow autotrophically by using ferrous iron, elemental sulfur and NaS₂O₃ as sole energy sources. In the phylogenetic tree, strain DXS has similarity with Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans type strain ATCC 23270 with 99.57% sequence similarity. The cloning and sequencing of Iro protein gene (iro) and tetrathionate hydrolase gene (tth) reveal that strain DXS is completely identical in iro gene sequence to A. ferrooxidans LY (DQ166841), and almost identical in tth gene sequene to A. ferrooxidans (AB259312) (only two nucleotides change). The bioleaching experiments of marmatite and pyrite reveal that the leached zinc and iron concentrations reach 3.01 g/L and 2.75 g/L, respectively. The strain has a well potential application in industry bioleaching.

The mechanism of leaching chalcopyrite by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans (A. ferrooxidans) in agar-simulated extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) media was investigated. The results indicate that bacterial EPS can release H⁺ and concentrate Fe³⁺; Fe²⁺ is movable between agar-simulated EPS phase and bulk solution phase, but it is difficult for Fe³⁺ to move due to its hydroxylation and EPS complex action; A. ferrooxidans first prefer Fe²⁺ as energy to metabolize compared with chalcopyrite, and a suitable simulated EPS environment for bacterial living is at about pH 1.8; the iron precipitates and jarosites formed by a lot of biologically oxidized Fe³⁺ cover the simulated EPS easily and form an impermeable deposit acting as a limited barrier of ion transport that attenuates the aggressiveness of the bioleaching attack. The EPS layer blocked by iron precipitates or jarosites is responsible for the chalcopyrite passivation.

Current distribution in a drained aluminum reduction cell is critical due to its influence on the current efficiency, electrolysis stability, anodes and cathodes integrity. A finite element model was developed to simulate the electric field in a 75 kA drained aluminum reduction cell. The current distribution and influences of the cathode inclination angle and anode-cathode distance (ACD) were studied. The results show that relatively large horizontal current density appears in the aluminum film, and the maximum value reaches 600 kA/m². As the cathode inclination angle increases from 2° to 15°, the maximum current density of the metal pad increases by 15%, while the maximum current density of the aluminum-wettable coating layer decreases by 27%. The influence of the ACD on the current distribution is not obvious.

The contamination and environmental risk assessment of the toxic elements in sediments from the middle-downstream (Zhuzhou—Changsha section) of the Xiangjiang River in Hunan Province of China were studied. The results show that As, Cd, Pb and Zn are major contaminants in sediments, and average concentrations of these elements significantly exceed both the Control Standards for Pollutants in Sludge of China (GB4284-84) for agricultural use in acidic soils and the effect range median (ERM) values. The average concentrations of As, Cd and Pb in the river water slightly exceed the limit of Surface Water Environment Quality Standard (GB3838—2002). The concentrations of As and Cr in depth profiles extensively change, but slight changes are observed in Pb and Zn. Cd and Zn in most sediment samples can easily enter the food-chain and bring possible ecotoxicological risk to organisms living in sediments according to the risk assessment code.

Ammonium and nitrite are two substrates of anammox bacteria, but they are also inhibitors under high concentrations. The performance of two anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing (anammox) upflow biofilm (UBF) reactors was investigated. The results show that anammox UBFs become unstable under nitrogen loading rate (NLR) applied higher than 1.0 g/(L·d). The consumptions of acidity in the anammox reaction lead to the increase of pH, which is as high as 8.70–9.05. Free nitrous acid concentration is accompanied to be lower than the affinity constant of anammox bacteria, and then starvation effect appears. Moreover, free ammonia concentration increases to 57–178 mg/L, resulting in inhibitory effect on the anammox bacteria. Both negative effects contribute to the instability of the anammox bioreactors.

An online dynamic method based on electrical conductivity probe, tensiometer and datataker was presented to measure saturation-capillary pressure (S-p) relation in water-light nonaqueous phase liquid (LNAPL) two-phase sandy medium under water level fluctuation. Three-electrode electrical conductivity probe (ECP) was used to measure water saturation. Hydrophobic tensiometer was obtained by spraying waterproof material to the ceramic cup of commercially available hydrophilic tensiometer. A couple of hydrophilic tensiometer and hydrophobic tensiometer were used to measure pore water pressure and pore LNAPL pressure of the sandy medium, respectively. All the signals from ECP and tensiometer were collected by a data taker connected with a computer. The results show that this method can finish the measurement of S-p relation of a complete drainage or imbibition process in less than 60 min. It is much more timesaving compared with 10–40 d of traditional methods. Two cycles of water level fluctuation were produced, and four saturation-capillary pressure relations including two stable residual LNAPL saturations of the sandy medium were obtained during in 350 h. The results show that this method has a good durable performance and feasibility in the porous medium with complicated multiphase flow. Although further studies are needed on the signal stability and accuracy drift of the ECP, this online dynamic method can be used successfully in the rapid characterization of a LNAPL migration in porous media.

Fault detection of an induction motor was carried out using the information of the stator current. After synchronizing the actual data, Fourier and wavelet transformations were adopted in order to obtain the sideband or detail value characteristics under healthy and various faulty operating conditions. The most reliable phase current among the three phase currents was selected using an approach that employs the fuzzy entropy measure. Data were trained with a neural network system, and the fault detection algorithm was verified using the unknown data. Results of the proposed approach based on Fourier and wavelet transformations indicate that the faults can be properly classified into six categories. The training error is 5.3×10⁻⁷, and the average test error is 0.103.

In order to study reasonable sintering technological parameters and appropriate copper powder size range of micro heat pipe (MHP) with the sintered wick, the forming principle of copper powders in wicks and MHP’s heat transfer capabilities were first analyzed, then copper powders with different cell sizes and dispersions were sintered in RXL-12-11 resistance furnace under the protection of the hydrogen at different sintering temperatures for different durations of sintering time, and finally the sintered wicks’ scanning electron microscope (SEM) images and their heat transfer capabilities were analyzed. The results indicate that the wick sintered with copper powders of larger cell size or smaller size range has better sintering properties and larger heat transfer capabilities; and that the increase of either sintering temperatures or sintering time also helps to improve the wick’s sintering properties and heat transfer capabilities, and the former affects more obviously than the latter. Considering both its manufacturing cost and performance requirements, it is recommended that copper powders with the size range of 140–170 μm are sintered at 900–950°C for 30–60 min in practical manufacturing. In addition, two approaches to improve wick’s porosity are also proposed through theoretical analysis, which suggests that the larger the wick’s porosity, the better the heat transfer capabilities of the MHP.

To address the issue of resource scarcity in wireless communication, a novel dynamic call admission control scheme for wireless mobile network was proposed. The scheme established a reward computing model of call admission of wireless cell based on Markov decision process, dynamically optimized call admission process according to the principle of maximizing the average system rewards. Extensive simulations were conducted to examine the performance of the model by comparing with other policies in terms of new call blocking probability, handoff call dropping probability and resource utilization rate. Experimental results show that the proposed scheme can achieve better adaptability to changes in traffic conditions than existing protocols. Under high call traffic load, handoff call dropping probability and new call blocking probability can be reduced by about 8%, and resource utilization rate can be improved by 2%–6%. The proposed scheme can achieve high source utilization rate of about 85%.

A new structure of next generation integrated communication system was proposed, which is composed of space segment based on satellites and terrestrial segment. Moreover, the characteristics of enhanced multiple access schemes based on orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) technique were analyzed for satellite links. However, OFDM is a doubtful candidate as its higher peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) that causes the distortion of high power amplifier (HPA). Furthermore, different schemes were evaluated and compared in terms of the HPA nonlinearity and the link level performance in detail. And the pilot-aided channel estimation and equalization techniques were also considered for analyzing the problem. Simulation results show that the bit error rate (BER) and block error rate (BLER) performance of orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) outperforms that of single carrier-frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) for the satellite links in the proposed structure, though discrete Fourier transform-spread OFDM DFT-S OFDM has low PAPR, especially the BER performance of OFDMA is 3.6 dB larger than that of SC-FDMA at the target BER.

There are defects such as the low convergence rate and premature phenomenon on the performance of simple genetic algorithms (SGA) as the values of crossover probability (P_c) and mutation probability (P_m) are fixed. To solve the problems, the fuzzy control method and the genetic algorithms were systematically integrated to create a kind of improved fuzzy adaptive genetic algorithm (FAGA) based on the auto-regulating fuzzy rules (ARFR-FAGA). By using the fuzzy control method, the values of P_c and P_m were adjusted according to the evolutional process, and the fuzzy rules were optimized by another genetic algorithm. Experimental results in solving the function optimization problems demonstrate that the convergence rate and solution quality of ARFR-FAGA exceed those of SGA, AGA and fuzzy adaptive genetic algorithm based on expertise (EFAGA) obviously in the global search.

In order to investigate wheel slip-sinkage problem, which is important for the design, control and simulation of lunar rovers, experiments were carried out with a wheel-soil interaction test system to measure the sinkage of three types of wheels in dimension with wheel lugs of different heights and numbers under a series of slip ratios (0–0.6). The curves of wheel sinkage versus slip ratio were obtained and it was found that the sinkage with slip ratio of 0.6 is 3–7 times of the static sinkage. Based on the experimental results, the slip-sinkage principle of lunar’s rover lugged wheels (including the sinkage caused by longitudinal flow and side flow of soil, and soil digging of wheel lugs) was analyzed, and corresponding calculation equations were derived. All the factors that can cause slip sinkage were considered to improve the conventional wheel-soil interaction model, and a formula of changing the sinkage exponent with the slip ratio was established. Mathematical model for calculating the sinkage of wheel according to vertical load and slip ratio was developed. Calculation results show that this model can predict the slip-sinkage of wheel with high precision, making up the deficiency of Wong-Reece model that mainly reflects longitudinal slip-sinkage.

Prestressed high-strength-concrete (PHC) tube-shaped pile is one of the recently used foundations for soft soil. The research on uplift resistance of PHC pile is helpful to the design of pile foundations. A field-scale test program was conducted to study the uplift behavior and load transfer mechanism of PHC piles in soft soil. The pullout load tests were divided into two groups with different diameters, and there were three piles in each group. A detailed discussion of the axial load transfer and pile skin resistance distribution was also included. It is found from the tests that the uplift capacity increases with increasing the diameter of pile. When the diameter of piles increases from 500 to 600 mm, the uplift load is increased by 51.2%. According to the load-displacement (Q-S) curves, all the piles do not reach the ultimate state at the maximum load. The experimental results show that the piles still have uplift bearing capacity.

The special reinforced concrete composite beam consists of a steel fiber reinforced self-stressing concrete composite layer and a reinforced concrete T-beam, and constructional bars are set up at their bonding interface. Fatigue properties of the composite beam under the action of negative moment were experimentally studied. Through inverted loading mode the load-bearing state of a composite beam was simulated under the action of negative moment. With the ratios of constructional bars being 0, 0.082% and 0.164% respectively as parameters, the effects of constructional bars on the properties of composite beam, such as fatigue life, crack propagation, rigidity loss as well as damage behavior of bonding interface, were studied. The mechanism of the constructional bars on the fatigue properties of the composite beams and the restriction mechanism of crack widths and rigidity loss were analyzed. The test results show that the constructional bars can enhance the shear resistance of the bonding interface between composite layer and old concrete beam and restrict expanding of steel fiber reinforced self-stressing concrete, which are beneficial to synergistic action of composite layer and old concrete beam, to reducing the stress amplitude of bars and the crack width of composite layer, and to increasing the durability and fatigue life of the composite beam.

The three-point bending experiments were applied to investigating effects of loading rates on fracture toughness of Huanglong limestone. The fracture toughness of Huanglong limestone was measured over a wide range of loading rates from 9×10⁻⁴ to 1.537 MPa·m^1/2/s. According to the approximate relationship between static and dynamic fracture toughness of Huanglong limestone, relationship between the growth velocity of crack and dynamic fracture toughness was obtained. The main conclusions are summarized as follows. (1) When the loading rate is higher than 0.027 MPa·m^1/2/s, the fracture toughness of Huanglong limestone increases markedly with increasing loading rate. However, when loading rate is lower than 0.027 MPa·m^1/2/s, fracture toughness slightly increases with an increase in loading rate. (2) It is found from experimental results that fracture toughness is linearly proportional to the logarithmic expression of loading rate. (3) For Huanglong limestone, when the growth velocity of crack is lower than 100 m/s, the energy release rate slightly decreases with increasing the growth velocity of crack. However, when the growth velocity of crack is higher than 1 000 m/s, the energy release rate dramatically decreases with an increase in the crack growth velocity.

Buckling could be induced when shallow arches were subjected to vertical step loads. In-plane static and dynamic buckling of shallow pin-ended parabolic arches with a horizontal cable was investigated. Based on the equations of motion derived from Hamilton’s principle, nonlinear equilibrium equations and static buckling equilibrium equations were deduced. Through the pseudo-static analysis, approximate solutions to the lower and upper dynamic buckling loads under step loads were obtained, for shallow parabolic arches. The results show that dynamic buckling and snap-through buckling are impossible when modified slenderness ratio λ<λ_c and λ>λ_s, where λ_c and λ_s denote critical slenderness ratios of bucking and snap-through buckling, respectively; effects of the stiffness of the horizontal cable on the dynamic buckling are significant; and the dynamic buckling loads under a equivalent central concentrated step load are lower than the loads under a distributed load appreciably.

To investigate the frost-heave properties of silty clay under the combination action of seasonal freezing and artificial freezing, and verify the feasibility of combined freezing, eight combined freezing experiments were performed on silty clay with water content (mass fraction) of 23.5% and 28.0%, through developed frost-heave test apparatus, in closed or open system. Two sorts of freezing temperature models, namely, constant and sine models, were applied to artificial freezing. The experimental results indicate that the frost-heave degree in seasonal freezing stage accounts for over 90% of the total in open system and it is up to 95% in closed system; the change of artificial sine-freezing temperature has no influence on the frost-heave degree in closed system, however, slight influence in open system. It is found that the variation of temperature gradient of sine-freezing specimen lags behind that of sine-freezing temperature with half phase; sine-freezing temperature model can reduce frost-heave degree of soil. Brand new technology is proposed for the application of artificial ground freezing and new study field of artificial freezing is created.

Petrographic analysis combined with various techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, was used to assess the timing of growth and original mineral cements, the controls on reservoir and reservoir quality of the fourth member sandstones of Shahejie formation (Es4). The Es4 sandstones are mostly arkose and lithic arkose, rarely feldspathic litharenite, with an average mass fraction of quartz 51.6%, feldspar 33.8% and rock fragments 14.6% (Q_51.6F_33.8R_14.6). They have an average framework composition (mass fraction) of quartz 57.10%, K-feldspar 5.76%, sodium-calcium feldspar 13.00%, calcite 5.77%, dolomite 5.63%, siderite 0.95%, pyrite 0.30%, anhydrite 0.04%, and clay mineral 11.46%. The diagenentic minerals typically include kaolinite, illite-smectite (I/S), illite, chlorite, authigenetic quartz and feldspar, and carbonate and pyrite. Es4 sandstone has undergone stages A and B of eodiagenesis, and now, it is experiencing stage A of mesodiagenesis. Reservoir quality is predominantly controlled by the mechanical compaction, for example, 45.65% of the original porosity loss is related to compaction. The original porosity loss related with cementation is only 26.00%. The reservoir quality is improved as a result of dissolution of feldspar, rock fragment and so forth. The porosity evolved from dissolution varies from 3% to 4%.

In order to investigate the temperature distribution, a three-dimensional finite element model (FEM) was developed to simulate the temperature regime in the channels of double-loop inductor, and the simulated results were compared with experimental data from low load trials of a 400 kW inductor. The results of numerical simulations, such as the temperature and Joule heating rate, show reasonable correlation with experimental data. The results indicate that Joule heating rate and the temperature reach the maximum at the corners and the minimum at the centre of the cross-section area. The temperature difference between the inlet and outlet is in an inverse proportion to mass transport. Joule heating rate and the temperature are directly proportional to power frequency. It is concluded that mass transport and power frequency play a critical role in determining the temperature regime and Joule heating rate, the relative permeability of the magnetic core shows no significant influence on temperature regime and Joule heating rate, when the relative permeability varies from 5 000 to 10 000.

For intelligent transportation surveillance, a novel background model based on Marr wavelet kernel and a background subtraction technique based on binary discrete wavelet transforms were introduced. The background model kept a sample of intensity values for each pixel in the image and used this sample to estimate the probability density function of the pixel intensity. The density function was estimated using a new Marr wavelet kernel density estimation technique. Since this approach was quite general, the model could approximate any distribution for the pixel intensity without any assumptions about the underlying distribution shape. The background and current frame were transformed in the binary discrete wavelet domain, and background subtraction was performed in each sub-band. After obtaining the foreground, shadow was eliminated by an edge detection method. Experimental results show that the proposed method produces good results with much lower computational complexity and effectively extracts the moving objects with accuracy ratio higher than 90%, indicating that the proposed method is an effective algorithm for intelligent transportation system.