Influence of Defect Number, Distribution Continuity and Orientation on Tensile Strengths of the CNT-Based Networks: A Molecular Dynamics Study

Networks based on carbon nanotube (CNT) have been widely utilized to fabricate flexible electronic devices, but defects inevitably exist in these structures. In this study, we investigate the influence of the CNT-unit defects on the mechanical properties of a honeycomb CNT-based network, super carbon nanotube (SCNT), through molecular dynamics simulations. Results show that tensile strengths of the defective SCNTs are affected by the defect number, distribution continuity and orientation. Single-defect brings 0 ~ 25% reduction of the tensile strength with the dependency on defect position and the reduction is over 50% when the defect number increases to three. The distribution continuity induces up to 20% differences of tensile strengths for SCNTs with the same defect number. A smaller arranging angle of defects to the tensile direction leads to a higher tensile strength. Defective SCNTs possess various modes of stress concentration with different concentration degrees under the combined effect of defect number, arranging direction and continuity, for which the underlying mechanism can be explained by the effective crack length of the fracture mechanics. Fundamentally, the force transmission mode of the SCNT controls the influence of defects and the cases that breaking more force transmission paths cause larger decreases of tensile strengths. Defects are non-negligible factors of the mechanical properties of CNT-based networks and understanding the influence of defects on CNT-based networks is valuable to achieve the proper design of CNT-based electronic devices with better performances. Graphical Abstract

Experimental study on the permeability of crushed coal medium based on the Ergun equation

Accurate determination of the permeability of crushed coal medium is the basis for the study of their permeability characteristics. To investigate the permeability characteristics of this special porous medium composed of crushed coal particles, the permeability parameters of crushed coal specimens of different initial porosities were measured by designing a lateral-limit compression seepage test system. Parameters were determined separately for specimens of different initial porosities. (1) the Reynolds number distribution region characterising the seepage state was determined and obtained. Specimens with initial porosity distribution between 0.02 and 0.08, and seepage Reynolds number distribution in the low-permeability zone, under Darcy flow; (2) the intrinsic permeability of the crushed coal medium was obtained by using the Ergun equation. The complex inverse proportional relationship between the drag coefficient and Reynolds number was derived; (3) Through the determination of the permeability of the crushed coal medium, the mean value of βK value was obtained to be about 45.7, and the analysis of the permeability of porous medium can determine its critical permeability. The relationship between the Forchheimer number Fo and critical Reynolds number was measured. The results indicate that it conforms to a linear distribution. In-depth analysis of these two parameters can be used to explore the flow transition process between laminar, transition, and turbulent flow. This study provides insight into the permeability characteristics of the media in fractured coal bodies.

Separation and Disinfection of Contagious Aerosols from the Perspective of SARS-CoV-2

An assessment was performed on methods of separating and disinfecting airborne droplet nuclei containing viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2. The droplet nuclei originate from evaporating aerosols emitted by the coughing, singing, sneezing, etc. of infected humans. Based on empirical data and theoretical analysis, we successively determined: (i) the particle number distribution of nuclei versus the nucleus diameter, (ii) the statistical distribution of the viral content in the droplet nuclei starting from a uniform random distribution of viruses in the mucus, (iii) the particle number distribution of droplet nuclei containing at least one virus particle, and (iv) the effectiveness of methods for removing and disinfecting nuclei containing one or more virus particles from indoor air; viz., ventilation with fresh air, filtering with porous media, such as HEPA, and centrifugal separation and simultaneous disinfection, particularly with a rotational particle separator (RPS). Indoor aerosol removal with RPS supplemented with HEPA to arrest tiny volumes of very small particles was found to be the most effective. It is as good as particle removal through ventilation with clean air over long periods of time. An RPS facilitates direct elimination of viruses in the collected nuclei by flushing with a disinfection liquid. The components of an RPS are recyclable. Combining HEPA with an RPS extends the service time of HEPA by almost two orders of magnitude compared to the relatively short service time of stand-alone HEPA filters.

CHANGES IN THE MAMMALIAN COMPLEX (MAMMALIA) ON THE TERRITORY OF THE ROSTOV NATURE RESERVE SINCE THE MID-TWENTIETH CENTURY

The complex of mammals on the territory of the Rostov Nature Reserve located in the arid steppes in the 20th-21st centuries was studied and the reasons for the changes that occurred in it were determined. We used the authors' observations since 1959, data from the staff of the Rostov Nature Reserve and publications on mammals. A total of 46 species of mammals were recorded. Under the influence of human activity steppe ecosystems underwent profound transformations, which led to changes in the number, distribution and importance of many mammals and to the disappearance of some and the penetration of other species here. The creation of the Rostov Nature Reserve has had a positive impact on the restoration of biocenoses. However, their composition differs from that of the mid-twentieth century. In the 21st century steppe ecosystems, including mammals, are affected by increased economic activity and climate change.

A preliminary study on static pressure probe mobile measurement method for flow field in transonic wind tunnel

The axial Mach number distribution of the core flow for model in a transonic wind tunnel is an important index to evaluate the performance of the flow field, which is usually measured by the centerline probe. In order to simulate the incoming flow characteristics without interference, the probe will extend from the support section to the shrinkage section, so the probe usually must has longer inches, more static pressure measuring points and smaller blockage requirements. In order to study the influence of the points of the centerline probe on the uniformity distribution of flow field, a new static pressure probe is designed, which is smaller and shorter than the centerline probe. On the basis of the stability of the flow field, the Mach number distribution of the flow field measured by the static pressure probe which is driven by the moving measuring mechanism. The characteristics of the measured values are studied by wind tunnel test. The results show that: when Ma ≤ 0.95, the overall distribution and value of Mach number obtained by the static pressure probe is basically the same as those obtained by the centerline probe, but some flow field details, which mainly shows that Mach number of the static pressure probe has smaller fluctuation, higher accuracy and better uniformity index.