Concomitant induction to few-layer and 1T-rich two-dimensional MoS2 by rigid segment-containing polysulfide as a sulfur source and in situ intercalator

A rigid segment-containing polysulfide was used as a sulfur source and in situ intercalator to induce the formation of few-layer and 1T-rich MoS2.

Biodegradable thermoplastic copolyester elastomers: Methyl branched PBAmT

A series of novel biodegradable copolyesters named poly(butylene 3-methyl adipate co-terephthalate) (PBAmT) were synthesized from the monomers of 3-methyl adipic acid (AAm), 1,4-butanediol (BDO), and terephthalic acid (TPA) through a process of esterification and polycondensation. 1H NMR analysis shows that they are random copolymers whose composition can be well controlled by the feed ratio of monomers. From the results of DSC and XRD, the introduction of methyl group successfully destroys the crystallizability of the PBAm chains, thus making it become a relative soft segment compared to PBA, while these random PBAmT copolymers constructed by soft segment PBAm and rigid segment PBT change from semi-crystalline polymers to nearly amorphous polymers as the feed ratio of Am increases. Especially, mechanical tests reveal that the copolymers show outstanding elasticity and rebound resilience with excellent strength. These thermoplastic copolyester elastomers with good performance by simply introduction of branched methyl group on polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) copolymer chains may well explore the potential application of biodegradable PBAT-based material.

Role of Aliphatic Chain Characteristics on the Anti-Cracking Properties of Polymer-Modified Asphalt at Low Temperatures

The anti-cracking properties of polymer-modified asphalt depend largely on the molecular structure of the polymer modifier. However, the mysterious structure-performance relationship is still elusive. In this paper, three kinds of polymers with different chain structures were selected to address this issue. The indices of styrene, trans-butadiene, aliphatic branched-chain, and aliphatic long-chain from the infrared spectrum were used to quantify the functional group compositions of polymer modifiers. Viscoelastic parameters, including relaxation time, dissipation energy ratios, and stiffness were assessed to illustrate the anti-cracking properties of polymer-modified asphalt. Results showed that relaxation time and dissipation energy ratios were mainly determined by the polymer network strength, molecular size, aliphatic chain feature, and the orientations speed of aliphatic chains. The short relaxation time and high dissipation ratio lead to the low stiffness and favorable low-temperature performance of asphalt. The improvement of these performances requires a polymer with high indices of an aliphatic long-chain, styrene, aliphatic branched-chain, and trans-butadiene, respectively. An aliphatic-long chain, aliphatic branched-chain, and trans-butadiene were soft segments in asphalt while styrene was the rigid segment. The soft segments affect the intramolecular friction, orientation, and thermal motion at low temperatures, whereas the rigid segment enhances the strength of polymer networks. Thus, the anti-cracking property of polymer-modified asphalt can be improved by adjusting the ratio of soft and rigid segments in the polymer modifier.

Sound from aeroelastic vortex–fibre interactions

The motion of a line vortex moving past a one-dimensional flexible fibre is examined theoretically. A Schwarz–Christoffel conformal mapping enables the analytical solution of the potential flow field and its hydrodynamic moment on the flexible fibre, which is composed of a rigid segment constrained to angular motions on a wedge. The hydroelastic coupling of the vortex path and fibre motion affects the noise signature, which is evaluated for the special case of acoustically compact fibres embedded in a half plane. Results from this analysis attempt to address how the coupled interactions between vortical sources and flexible barbules on the upper surface of owl wings may contribute to their acoustic stealth. The analytical formulation is also amenable to application to vortex sound prediction from flexible trailing edges provided that an appropriate acoustic Green's function can be determined. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Frontiers of aeroacoustics research: theory, computation and experiment’.

Microstructural Changes of Aramid Fiber Due to Reaction with Toluene 2,4-diisocyanate under Tension in scCO2

High modulus aramid fiber, such as Kevlar 49, is conventionally prepared by the heat annealing of high strength aramid fiber under a suitable tension at high temperature, especially higher than 500 °C. This enables the mobility of a rigid molecule chain to be rearranged into a more perfect crystalline or orientation structure under tension. However, annealing decreases the tensile strength, since the thermal degradation of the molecular chain at high temperature cannot be avoided. Kevlar 49 fibers treated in supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) under tension could improve their mechanical properties at a low temperature. The effects of the tension on the mechanical properties and structure of the Kevlar 49 fibers were studied by mechanical testing, wide-angle and small-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS, SAXS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that the mechanical properties, crystallinity and orientation of the fiber can be improved when the tension is less than 0.6 cN/dtex, which may be due to the increasing of the mobility of a rigid segment with the help of the plasticization of scCO2 and re-arrangement of macromolecular chain into crystalline and orientation structure under tension. What’s more, the amorphous region also was enhanced by crosslinking reaction of toluene 2,4-diisocyanate (TDI) with the chain end groups of the macromolecules in the amorphous regions. However, a decrease of tenacity was found when the tension was higher than 0.6 cN/dtex, which is because the tension was so high that the microfibril was broken. The results indicated that treating the Kevlar 49 fiber in scCO2 under a suitable tension with TDI as a crosslink agent can simultaneously improve both the tenacity and modulus of the fiber.

Feasibility of using a fully immersive virtual reality system for kinematic data collection

Commercially-available Virtual Reality (VR) systems have the potential to be effective tools for simultaneous visual manipulation and kinematic data collection. Previously, these systems have been integrated with research-grade motion capture systems to provide both functionalities; however, they are yet to be used as stand-alone systems for kinematic data collection. This study aimed to validate the HTC VIVE VR system for kinematic data collection by evaluating the accuracy of its position and orientation signals. The VIVE controller and tracker were each compared to a Polhemus Liberty magnetic tracking system sensor for angular and translational measurement error and signal drift. A sensor from each system was mounted to opposite ends of a rigid segment which was driven through fifty rotations and fifty translations. Mean angular errors for both the VIVE tracker and controller were below 0.4°. Mean translational error for both sensors was below 3 mm. Drift in the Liberty signal components was consistently lower than drift in VIVE components. However, all mean rotational drift measures were below 0.1° and all mean translational measures were below 0.35 mm. These data indicate that the HTC VIVE system may be a valid and reliable means of kinematic data collection. However, further investigation is necessary to determine the VIVE’s suitability for capturing extremely minute or high-volume movements.

Evaluation of Variable Pitot Inlet Concepts for Transonic and Supersonic Civil Aviation

This paper describes the selection of the ideal variable inlet concept group by utilising results of aerodynamic investigations, system safety analyses and integration studies. Aerodynamic and functional inlet requirements are explained, and variable inlet concept groups are introduced. The concept evaluation by means of a weighted point rating is presented. The respective concept groups are analysed and evaluated regarding economic, functional and safety requirements. By means of this evaluation, the concept group that adjusts the inlet geometry by rigid segment repositioning is identified as most suitable concept group. The early selection of the most suitable concept group enables more detailed subsequent concept investigations, potentially enabling the technology of variable inlets for future commercial aircraft.