• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.198-206
• /
• 2024

Given the high theoretical capacity (1,675 mAh g^-1) and the inherent affordability and ubiquity of elemental sulfur, it stands out as a prominent cathode material for advanced lithium metal batteries. Traditionally, sulfur was sequestered within conductive porous carbons, rooted in the understanding that their inherent conductivity could offset sulfur's non-conductive nature. This study, however, pivots toward a transformative approach by utilizing diatom shell (DS, diatomite)-a naturally abundant and economically viable siliceous mineral-as a sulfur host. This approach enabled the development of a sulfurlayered diatomite/S composite (DS/S) for cathodic applications. Even in the face of the insulating nature of both diatomite and sulfur, the DS/S composite displayed vigorous participation in the electrochemical conversion process. Furthermore, this composite substantially curbed the loss of soluble polysulfides and minimized structural wear during cycling. As a testament to its efficacy, our Li-S battery, integrating this composite, exhibited an excellent cycling performance: a specific capacity of 732 mAh g^-1 after 100 cycles and a robust 77% capacity retention. These findings challenge the erstwhile conviction of requiring a conductive host for sulfur. Owing to diatomite's hierarchical porous architecture, eco-friendliness, and accessibility, the DS/S electrode boasts optimal sulfur utilization, elevated specific capacity, enhanced rate capabilities at intensified C rates, and steadfast cycling stability that underscore its vast commercial promise.

• Composites Research
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.190-196
• /
• 2024

The bipolar plate is a crucial element of the vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) as it serves as both the electrical conduit and the structural support for the cell within the VRFB stack. Although, the graphite material is primarily used for the bipolar plate due to its excellent electrical conductivity, a significant limitation of performance of the VRFB is present due to high interfacial contact resistance (ICR) arises between the electrode and bipolar plate in the cell stack. This study aims to develop an integrated electrode-bipolar plate assembly that will address the limitations of the ICR. The integrated assembly was constructed using a single carbon felt with thermoplastic and thermoset polymers utilizing hot press method. Experimental results verify that the bipolar plate assembly exhibits reduced area specific resistance (ASR) due to the continuous electrical path. Additionally, from the charge/discharge cell test results, the integrated assembly shows improved cell performance. Therefore, the developed integrated electrode-bipolar plate assembly can serve as a substitute for the conventional bipolar plate and electrode assembly.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.90 no.6
• /
• pp.543-549
• /
• 2024

The utilization of the fabric materials for lightweight building structures has attracted considerable attention due to the multiple functions and high strength-to-weight ratio. The mechanical properties of the fabric materials evolve with the loading cycle, especially for the Poisson's ratio that requires the full cyclic strain to determine the accurate values. The digital image correlation method has been justified but needs to meet the flexibility and complexity requirements of the fabric materials. This paper thus proposes a modified digital image correlation method to quantify the Poisson's ratio of fabric materials. To obtain the accurate Poisson's ratio of fabric materials in the cyclic experiments using non-contact measuring method, a speckle generation of the digital image correlation method is implemented to obtain the strain distribution and strain characteristics. The uniaxial cyclic experiments for the fabric materials are carried out in the warp, weft and 45° directions. The digital image correlation photos are taken when the material properties become stable in the cyclic loading. The results show that the strain distributions are non-uniform and dependent on the specimen directions. The reliable Poisson's ratios of the fabric materials in the warp, weft and 45° directions are 0.016, 1.2 and 2.6. The strain asymmetry at the maximum strain position is related with the weaving architecture. These observations and results are indispensable to understand the Poisson's ratios of fabric materials and to guide the proper analysis of the large-span membrane structures.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.90 no.1
• /
• pp.83-96
• /
• 2024

This paper suggests an analytical approach to investigate the free vibration and stability of functionally graded (FG) beams with both perfect and imperfect characteristics using a quasi-3D higher-order shear deformation theory (HSDT) with stretching effect. The study specifically focuses on FG beams resting on variable elastic foundations. In contrast to other shear deformation theories, this particular theory employs only four unknown functions instead of five. Moreover, this theory satisfies the boundary conditions of zero tension on the beam surfaces and facilitates hyperbolic distributions of transverse shear stresses without the necessity of shear correction factors. The elastic medium in consideration assumes the presence of two parameters, specifically Winkler-Pasternak foundations. The Winkler parameter exhibits variable variations in the longitudinal direction, including linear, parabolic, sinusoidal, cosine, exponential, and uniform, while the Pasternak parameter remains constant. The effective material characteristics of the functionally graded (FG) beam are assumed to follow a straightforward power-law distribution along the thickness direction. Additionally, the investigation of porosity includes the consideration of four different types of porosity distribution patterns, allowing for a comprehensive examination of its influence on the behavior of the beam. Using the virtual work principle, equations of motion are derived and solved analytically using Navier's method for simply supported FG beams. The accuracy is verified through comparisons with literature results. Parametric studies explore the impact of different parameters on free vibration and buckling behavior, demonstrating the theory's correctness and simplicity.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.183-204
• /
• 2024

In current investigation, a novel beam finite element model is formulated to analyze the buckling and free vibration responses of functionally graded porous beams resting on Winkler-Pasternak elastic foundations. The novelty lies in the formulation of a simplified finite element model with only three degrees of freedom per node, integrating both C⁰ and C¹ continuity requirements according to Lagrange and Hermite interpolations, respectively, in isoparametric coordinate while emphasizing the impact of z-coordinate-dependent porosity on vibration and buckling responses. The proposed model has been validated and demonstrating high accuracy when compared to previously published solutions. A detailed parametric examination is performed, highlighting the influence of porosity distribution, foundation parameters, slenderness ratio, and boundary conditions. Unlike existing numerical techniques, the proposed element achieves a high rate of convergence with reduced computational complexity. Additionally, the model's adaptability to various mechanical problems and structural geometries is showcased through the numerical evaluation of elastic foundations, with results in strong agreement with the theoretical formulation. In light of the findings, porosity significantly affects the mechanical integrity of FGP beams on elastic foundations, with the advanced beam element offering a stable, efficient model for future research and this in-depth investigation enriches porous structure simulations in a field with limited current research, necessitating additional exploration and investigation.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.36 no.3
• /
• pp.231-245
• /
• 2024

In recent decades, the protection and vulnerability of civil structures under explosion loads became a critical issue in terms of security, which may cause loss of lives and structural damage. Concrete retaining walls also restrict soils and slopes from displacements; meanwhile, intensive temporary loading may cause massive damage. In the current study, the modified Johnson-Holmquist (also known as J-H2) material model is implemented for concrete materials to model damages into the ABAQUS through user-subroutines to predict the blasting-induced concrete damages and volume strains. For this purpose, a 3D finite-element model of the concrete retaining wall was conducted in coupled Eulerian-Lagrangian simulation. Subsequently, a blast load equal to 500 kg of TNT was considered in three different positions due to UFC 3-340-02. Influences of the critical parameters in smooth blastings, such as distance from a free face, position, and effective blasting time, on concrete damage rate and destroy patterns, are explored. According to the simulation results, the concrete penetration pattern at the same distance is significantly influenced by the density of the progress environment. The result reveals that the progress of waves and the intensity of damages in free-air blasting is entirely different from those that progress in a dense surrounding atmosphere such as soil. Half-damaged elements in air blasts are more than those of embedded explosions, but dense environments such as soil impose much more pressure in a limited zone and cause more destruction in retaining walls.

• Advances in nano research
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.217-229
• /
• 2024

This paper presents results of visual analysis of cracks formation and propagation of concretes made of quaternary binders (QBC). A composition of the two most commonly used mineral additives, i.e. fly ash (FA) and silica fume (SF) in combination with nanosilica (nS), has been proposed as a partial replacement of the cement. The principal objective of the present study is to achieve information about the effect of simultaneous incorporation of three pozzolans as partial replacement to the OPC on the fracture processes in concretes made from quaternary binders (QBC). The modern and precise non-contact measurement method (NCMM) via digital image correlation (DIC) technique was used, during the studies. In the course of experiments it was established that the substitution of OPC with three pozzolans including the nanoadditive in FA+SF+nS FA+SF+nS combination causes a clear change of brittleness and behavior during fractures in QBCs. It was found that the shape of cracks in unmodified concrete was quasi-linear. Substitution of the binder by SCMs resulted in a slight heterogeneity of the structure of the QBC, including only SF and nS, and clear heterogeneity for concretes with the FA additive. In addition, as content of FA rises throughout each of QBC series, material becomes more ductile and shows less brittle failure. It means that an increase in the FA content in the concrete mix causes a significant change in fracture process in this composite in comparison to concrete with the addition of silica modifiers only.

• Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.17-25
• /
• 2024

The Voids in the Mineral Aggregate (VMA) within asphalt mixtures play a crucial role in defining the mixture's structural integrity, durability, and resistance to environmental factors. Accurate prediction and optimization of VMA are essential for enhancing the performance and longevity of asphalt pavements, particularly in varying climatic and environmental conditions. This study introduces a novel machine learning framework leveraging ensemble machine learning model for predicting VMA in asphalt mixtures. By analyzing a comprehensive set of variables, including aggregate size distribution, binder content, and compaction levels, our framework offers a more precise prediction of VMA than traditional single-model approaches. The use of advanced machine learning techniques not only surpasses the accuracy of conventional empirical methods but also significantly reduces the reliance on extensive laboratory testing. Our findings highlight the effectiveness of a data-driven approach in the field of asphalt mixture design, showcasing a path toward more efficient and sustainable pavement engineering practices. This research contributes to the advancement of predictive modeling in construction materials, offering valuable insights for the design and optimization of asphalt mixtures with optimal void characteristics.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.89 no.6
• /
• pp.557-570
• /
• 2024

Due to interfacial ageing, chemical action and interfacial damage, the interface debonding may appear in the interfaces of composite laminates. Particularly, the laminates display a side-dependent effect at small scale. In this work, a three-dimensional (3D) and anisotropic thick nanoplate model is proposed to investigate the effects of imperfect interface and nonlocal parameter on the bending deformation, vibrational response and buckling stability of one-dimensional (1D) hexagonal quasicrystal (QC) layered nanoplates. By combining the linear spring model with the transferring matrix method, exact solutions of phonon and phason displacements, phonon and phason stresses of bending deformation, the natural frequencies of vibration and the critical buckling loads of 1D hexagonal QC layered nanoplates are derived with imperfect interfaces and nonlocal effects. Numerical examples are illustrated to demonstrate the effects of the imperfect interface parameter, aspect ratio, thickness, nonlocal parameter, and stacking sequence on the bending deformation, the vibrational response and the critical buckling load of 1D hexagonal QC layered nanoplate. The results indicate that both the interface debonding and nonlocal effect can reduce the stiffness and stability of layered nanoplates. Increasing thickness of QC coatings can enhance the stability of sandwich nanoplates with the perfect interfaces, while it can reduce first and then enhance the stability of sandwich nanoplates with the imperfect interfaces. The biaxial compression easily results in an instability of the QC layered nanoplates compared to uniaxial compression. QC material is suitable for surface layers in layered structures. The mechanical behavior of QC layered nanoplates can be optimized by imposing imperfect interfaces and controlling the stacking sequence artificially. The present solutions are helpful for the various numerical methods, thin nanoplate theories and the optimal design of QC nano-composites in engineering practice with interfacial debonding.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
• /
• v.44 no.3
• /
• pp.723-737
• /
• 2024

Yeast protein can be a nutritionally suitable auxiliary protein source in livestock food. The breakdown of proteins and thereby generating high-quality peptide, typically provides nutritional benefits. Enzyme hydrolysis has been effectively uesed to generate peptides; however, studies on the potential applications of different types of enzymes to produce yeast protein hydrolysates remain limited. This study investigated the effects of endo- (alcalase and neutrase) and exotype (flavourzyme and prozyme 2000P) enzyme treatments on yeast protein. Endotype enzymes facilitate a higher hydrolysis efficiency in yeast proteins than exotype enzymes. The highest degree of hydrolysis was observed for the protein treated with neutrase, which was followed by alcalase, prozyme 2000P, and flavourzyme. Furthermore, endotype enzyme treated proteins exhibited higher solubility than their exotype counterparts. Notably, the more uniform particle size distribution was observed in endotype treated yeast protein. Moreover, compared with the original yeast protein, the enzymatic protein hydrolysates possessed a higher content of β-sheets structures, indicating their higher structural stability. Regardless of enzyme type, enzyme treated protein possessed a higher total free amino acid content including essential amino acids. Therefore, this study provides significant insights into the production of protein hydrolysates as an alternative protein material.