MSSCORPS (Taiwan)

Sound transmission loss (STL) through panels is an important metric that is used in design and material selection. This becomes paramount when the panels separate the noise sources (like engines, motors, tires, ...) from the occupants . An automotive fire-wall, floor and wheel-well are common examples. In real world these panels are fitted in a window that separates two acoustic rooms. Sound is impinged on the panel from one room and measured in the other room. The difference in the sound power between the two sides of the panel is the transmission loss. For the past two decades, this vibro-acoustic process is being simulated using finite element techniques. These methods have evolved enough and correlate well with measurement. The turn-around computation time has improved significantly due to the availability of cloud computing. However, the model build time being manual takes 4-8 hours depending on the complexity and quality of geometry. In this paper, the authors show the best practices to predict the STL correctly and also show the power of automation in reducing this model build time, while capturing these practices.

Cholesteric liquid crystals (CLCs) exhibit Bragg reflection due to their spontaneous self-assembly into a one-dimensional photonic structure. Retaining this cholesteric order in a polymer network requires functionalizing liquid crystals with reactive end groups. However, conventional chemistries for synthesizing cholesteric liquid crystalline polymers often result in poor surface alignment and reduced optical quality. In this work, we investigate a thiol–ene step-growth polymerization approach to fabricate cholesteric liquid crystalline elastomers (CLCEs) with tunable mechanical properties and improved optical quality. By varying the cross-link density, we systematically study the effects on haze, cross-linking degree, and mechanical response. Compared to existing cholesteric liquid crystalline polymers, the thiol–ene-based CLCEs exhibit enhanced surface alignment, reduced haze, and greater mechanical tunability. These materials are further benchmarked against CLCEs synthesized via thiol–acrylate chain transfer polymerization, highlighting the advantages of the thiol–ene reaction for achieving precisely controlled properties in cholesteric polymer networks.

Protective Polymer Coatings (PPCs) have been proposed to protect lithium metal anodes in rechargeable batteries to stabilize the Li/electrolyte interface and to extend the cycle life by reducing parasitic reactions and improving the lithium deposition morphology. However, the ion transport mechanism in PPCs remains unclear. Specifically, the degree of polymer swelling in the electrolyte and the influence of polymer/solvent/ion interactions are never quantified. Here we use poly(acrylonitrile-co-butadiene) (PAN–PBD) with controlled cross-link densities to quantify how the swelling ratio of the PPC affects conductivity, Li+ ion selectivity, activation energy, and rheological properties. The large difference in polarities between PAN (polar) and PBD (non-polar) segments allows the comparison of PPC properties when swollen in carbonate (high polarity) and ether (low polarity) electrolytes, which are the two most common classes of electrolytes. We find that a low swelling ratio of the PPC increases the transference number of Li+ ions while decreasing the conductivity. The activation energy only increases when the PPC is swollen in the carbonate electrolyte because of the strong ion–dipole interaction in the PAN phase, which is absent in the non-polar PBD phase. Theoretical models using Hansen solubility parameters and a percolation model have been shown to be effective in predicting the swelling behavior of PPCs in organic solvents and to estimate the conductivity. The trade-off between conductivity and the transference number is the primary challenge for PPCs. Our study provides general guidelines for PPC design, which favors the use of non-polar polymers with low polarity organic electrolytes.

Application of an alliin-based precursor for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) which is an emerging, reliable and rapid sensor of heavy metal ion contaminants in water is reported here. The Ag NPs were characterized by using UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy analysis techniques. The Ag NPs simultaneously and selectively detect Hg2+ and Sn2+ ions from aqueous solution. The sensitivity and selectivity of the prepared Ag NPs towards other representative transition-metal ions, alkali metal ions and alkaline earth metal ions were also studied. For more precise evidence, a density functional theory study was carried out to understand the possible mechanism and interaction in the detection of Hg2+ and Sn2+ by Ag NPs. The limits of detection for Hg2+ and Sn2+ ions were found as 15.7 nM and 11.25 nM, respectively. This assay indicates the possible use of garlic extract-synthesized Ag NPs for sensing Hg2+ and Sn2+ in aqueous solution very significantly. So, the simple, green, eco-friendly and easy method to detect the dual metal ions may further lead to a potential sensor of heavy metal ion contaminants in water of industrial importance.

Nanocomposite insulation materials for HVDC cables are demonstrated to dominantly rely on the inorganic particle terminations.

The development of high-performance catalysts for oxygen-evolution reaction (OER) is paramount for cost-effective conversion of renewable electricity to fuels and chemicals. Here we report, highly efficient, ultra-durable and earth-abundant Ni@Fe-NP electrocatalysts developed by solvothermal method for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The newly developed oxygen electrode show prolonged stability and high catalytic-activity in line with water oxidation keeping alkaline condition which requires overpotential of only 211 mV at current density of 10 mA cm−2. Collectively, the as-prepared amorphous Ni@Fe-NP rippled nanostructured electrode is the most effective oxygen evolution electrode in alkaline solution. Therefore, this study will offer exciting new avenues for designing self-supported electrode materials towards water splitting and other applications.

The amelioration of antibacterial efficacy along with the reduced minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of sanguinarine (SGR) drug have been demonstrated through the uptake of SGR by p-sulfonatocalix[6]arene functionalized silver nanoparticles. The large upward pKa shift and enhanced stability of SGR resulting from the favorable supra-nanomolecular strategy are deciphered into an improved antibacterial drug against different pathogenic micro-organisms including multi drug resistant bacteria.

In this paper, material analysis on two CPUs with 10 nm technology node from most advanced mobile phones (iPhone and Samsung) in the market has been delivered. With the help of high spatial resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), details of processes can be clearly unveiled and analyzed. For Samsung, Exynos8895 has a higher fin height and broader fin width, tsmc, A11, on the other hand, has shorter fin pitch and thinner interconnection thickness. More detailed differences between these two chips will be presented.

To find the optimal structure of the converging–diverging tube and develop a high-efficiency falling-film evaporator, the heat and mass transfer performances of falling-film evaporation with converging–diverging tubes of different dimensions were studied. The optimal converging–diverging tube was used in falling-film evaporation desorption of the basic aluminum sulfate desulphurization–regeneration solution, and different influential factors on the desorption effect were analyzed. It was found that converging–diverging tubes with large falling-film flow rate performed well in the heat and mass transfer of falling-film evaporation, and their rib height largely affected the heat and mass transfer performances. At the same rib height and rib pitch, the longer the converging segment of the converging–diverging tube was, the better the heat transfer performance was. The evaporation heat transfer coefficient and evaporation mass transfer rate in the optimal converging–diverging tube were 1.6 and 1.38 times larger than the smooth tube, respectively. The optimal converging–diverging tube was used in falling-film evaporation desorption of basic aluminum sulfate desulphurization–regeneration solution, at a perimeter flow rate of 0.114–0.222 kg m−1 s−1, the desorption efficiency inside the tube was up to 94.2%, which was 10.3–10.5% higher than that of the smooth tube. At the inlet sulfur concentration of 0.02–0.1 kmol m−3, the desorption efficiency was up to 94.1%, which was 12.0–16.3% larger than that of the smooth tube. At the heating temperature of 371.15–386.15 K, the desorption efficiency was up to 93.4%, which was 6.7–11.5% larger than that of the smooth tube. Smaller falling-film flow rate, higher sulfur concentration, or higher heating temperature was more constructive to SO2 desorption. Correlations were obtained to predict the mass transfer coefficient and SO2 desorption efficiency. This study develops a new type of falling-film evaporator for SO2 desorption from basic aluminum sulfate desulphurization–regeneration solution and provides a basis for process design and industrial application.