Selective C2+ Alcohol Synthesis from CO2 Hydrogenation via Reaction-Coupling Strategy

Higher alcohol synthesis (HAS) from non-petroleum carbon resources (a mixture of H2 and CO2) is an attractive but challenging research target. This reaction still suffers from poor higher alcohol (HA)...

Aero-Structural Coupling Strategy for a Morphing Blade Cascade Study

The coupling of aerodynamics and structural mechanics is an important step in the design process of aeronautical devices with morphing parts. In this paper, a 2D-3D coupling approach is developed to study a morphing blade cascade. Two shape memory alloy actuators are placed on the upper and lower sides of the blade to make possible the change in shape of the leading-edge. In the present work, a preliminary design study is conducted by considering a two-dimensional CFD analysis of an airfoil cascade coupled with a three-dimensional structural analysis of the whole 3D blade. A methodology is developed to match 2D and 3D meshes such that the aerodynamic loads can be easily transferred to the structural analysis. From there, the deformed blade geometry due to both aerodynamic loads and actuator work can be transferred back to the CFD solver, and the iterative aero-structural coupling loop can be repeated until convergence. The aero-structural coupling strategy developed in this work is also applied to a blade cascade study aiming to improve its performance by morphing the leading-edge of the blade. The results of this application show that by morphing the leading-edge blade of only few millimeters (less than 2 mm), it is possible to achieve a relevant performance improvement in terms of total pressure loss coefficient decrease of about 53%.

Synthesis of a novel aminobenzene-containing hemicucurbituril and its fluorescence spectral properties with ions

A novel hemicucurbituril-based macrocycle, alternately consisting of amidobenzene and 2-imidazolidione moieties was designed and synthesized. Based on the fragment coupling strategy, nitrobenzene-containing hemicucurbituril was firstly prepared facilely under alkaline environment, and reduction of the nitro groups produced the desired amidobenzene-containing hemicucurbituril. As an original fluorescent chemosensor, it exhibited strong interactions with Fe3+ over other metal cations. The experimental evidence of fluorescence spectra suggested that a 1:1 complex was formed between this macrocycle and Fe3+ with an association constant up to (2.1 ± 0.3) × 104 M−1. Meanwhile, this macrocycle showed no obvious or only slight enhancement of the fluorescence intensity with selected anions.

The EAEU and the OPOP – How Can the Superpowers of Eurasia Interact Within the Framework of Integration Projects

Introduction: Russia and China are two extremely powerful countries on the Eurasian continent. The interaction of these superpowers is fraught with risks and difficulties, especially in those conditions when both sides are pursuing their own goals. For the People’s Republic of China, the basis of foreign economic policy is the OPOP project, which combines logistics, trade, and investment components. China’s main goal is to promote it and create conditions for its most effective implementation in Eurasia. For Russia, the most important is a less ambitious institution – the EAEU, which serves to promote the interests of the Russian Federation in the countries closest to Russia’s partners. Purpose: to identify the benefits and risks of interaction between the EAEU and the OPOP and offer the cooperation tools that minimize risks. Methods: the research is based on general scientific methods, in particular, deduction; the statistical method of linear regression and the analysis of the synergetic results of economic development are also used. Results: the interaction of the two projects of the Eurasian superpowers is inevitable, and therefore it is extremely important for Russia and the EAEU to properly develop a partnership with the PRC, as well as to soberly assess the existing risks. The EAEU needs the growth drivers today. Such a driver can be a partnership with the PRC and active participation in the OPOP. The proposed coupling strategy takes into account the risks of sinoization; respectively, to reduce them, it is proposed to strengthen the centripetal trends in the EAEU by the economic methods. Conclusions: the coupling of the EAEU and the OPOP is inevitable. It is accompanied by risks; at the same time, the risks of coupling do not outweigh its benefits. For the further development of the integration initiatives in Eurasia, it is necessary to strengthen the attractiveness of the Russian economy model for the EAEU countries.

Intermetallic PdZn nanoparticles catalyze the continuous-flow hydrogenation of alkynols to cis-enols

Designing highly active and stable lead-free palladium-based catalysts without introducing surfactants and stabilizers is vital for large-scale and high-efficiency manufacturing of cis-enols via continuous-flow semi-hydrogenation of alkynols. Herein, we report an intermetallic PdZn/ZnO catalyst, designed by using the coupling strategy of strong electrostatic adsorption and reactive metal-support interaction, which can be used as a credible alternative to the commercial PdAg/Al2O3 and Lindlar catalysts. Intermetallic PdZn nanoparticles with electron-poor active sites on a Pd/ZnO catalyst significantly boost the thermodynamic selectivity with respect to the mechanistic selectivity and therefore enhance the selectivity towards cis-enols. Based on in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier-transform spectra as well as simulations, we identify that the preferential adsorption of alkynol over enol on PdZn nanoparticles suppresses the over-hydrogenation of enols. These results suggest the application of fine surface engineering technology in oxide-supported metal (particles) could tune the ensemble and ligand effects of metallic active sites and achieve directional hydrogenation in fine chemical synthesis.

Multi-physics coupling simulation of electrode induction melting gas atomization for advanced titanium alloys powder preparation

A numerical modeling method is proposed for the melting process of Titanium metals of Titanium alloys powder preparation used for 3D printing. The melting process simulation, which involves the tight coupling between electromagnetic field, thermal field and fluid flow as well as deformation associated during the melting process, is conducted by adopting the finite element method. A two-way coupling strategy is used to include the interactions between these fields by incorporating the material properties dependent on temperature and the coupling terms. In addition, heat radiation and phase change are also considered in this paper. The arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian formulation is exploited to model the deformation of Titanium metal during the melting process. The distribution of electromagnetic flux density, eddy current density, temperature, and fluid flow velocity at different time can be determined by utilizing this numerical method. In a word, the method proposed in this paper provides a general way to predict the melting process of electrode induction melting gas atomization (EIGA) dynamically, and it also could be used as a reference for the design and optimization of EIGA.