A required finite element method(FEM) model applicable for narrow gap CMT and CMT+P MIX welding was established based on the interactions between arc,base metal and filler metal.A novel method of simplifying wire f...A required finite element method(FEM) model applicable for narrow gap CMT and CMT+P MIX welding was established based on the interactions between arc,base metal and filler metal.A novel method of simplifying wire feeding pulses and heat input pulses was supposed under the conduction of equivalent input.The method together with composed double-ellipse heat sources was included in the model.The model was employed in the investigation of thermal cycling and the identification of the softened zone of AA7A52 base plates.Low-frequency behavior emerged in the form of low-cooling rate sects,which were not expected under experimental conditions.The softened zone including the quenched zone and averaging zone of the base plate was much wider internal the base plate than that close to the surfaces.The reliability of the predictions in thermal cycling was supported by infrared imaging test results of the thermal cycle process.展开更多
Using the Gleeble 3500 thermal-mechanical system to simulate thermal cycles with different peak temperatures, the hardness and microstructure in the heat-affected zones of two kinds of 100 kg class hot-rolled extra-hi...Using the Gleeble 3500 thermal-mechanical system to simulate thermal cycles with different peak temperatures, the hardness and microstructure in the heat-affected zones of two kinds of 100 kg class hot-rolled extra-high-strength steel were compared. When the peak temperature of the thermal cycle was 800℃ ,incomplete transformation occurred during quenching in both steels, and massive martensite and bainite grains were formed. The hardness was determined by the composition and distribution of the microstructure. The concentration of massive martensite was low, and hence the hardness was low,in steel #1. Conversely,the massive martensite content in steel #2 was high and uniformly distributed,resulting in a high hardness. These findings can provide a reference for improving the mechanical properties in the softened zone.展开更多
Mouthguard thickness is affected by the softened state of the sheet during thermoforming. The aim of this study is to establish an effective method for controlling the softened state of the sheet to prevent the mouthg...Mouthguard thickness is affected by the softened state of the sheet during thermoforming. The aim of this study is to establish an effective method for controlling the softened state of the sheet to prevent the mouthguard thickness from decreasing during mouthguard fabrication using a vacuum-forming machine. Mouthguards were thermoformed using an ethylene-vinyl acetate sheet (thickness: 4.0 mm) and a vacuum-forming machine. The working model was trimmed to the anterior height of 25 mm and the posterior height of 20 mm. The following two heating methods were compared: 1) the sheet was formed when it sagged 15 mm below the level of the sheet frame at the top of the post (condition T);and 2) the sheet frame was lowered to and heated at 50 mm below its usual height and the sheet was formed when it sagged 15 mm below the level of the sheet frame (condition L). For each heating method, the vacuum was applied immediately (T0, L0) or 5 s (T5, L5) after the sheet frame was lowered to the forming unit. The sheet surface temperature immediately before the vacuum was applied under each condition was measured. The differences in mouthguard thickness due to forming conditions were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni’s multiple comparison tests. The temperature difference between the center and the posterior depending on the condition decreased in the order T0 > T5 > L0 > L5, and that was 20<span style="white-space:nowrap;">°</span>C or higher for T0 and T5, and 10<span style="white-space:nowrap;">°</span>C or less for L0 and L5. At the incisal edge and the cusp, L0 and L5 were significantly thicker than T0. No significant differences were observed between conditions L0 and L5 at any measurement points. For the labial and buccal surfaces, significant differences in thicknesses among all conditions, except L0 and L5, were observed and were in the order T0 < T5 < L0 and L5. This study was suggested that the lowering the sheet frame and heating was more effective than adjusting the vacuum timing for uniform softening of the sheet.展开更多
To obtain the Ti_(p)with different aspect ratios,the Ti_(p)/Mg-5Zn-0.3Ca composite prepared by semi-solid stir casting was subjected to extrusion at 220℃,180℃,and 140℃,respectively.Then,the effect of the Ti_(p)’s ...To obtain the Ti_(p)with different aspect ratios,the Ti_(p)/Mg-5Zn-0.3Ca composite prepared by semi-solid stir casting was subjected to extrusion at 220℃,180℃,and 140℃,respectively.Then,the effect of the Ti_(p)’s aspect ratio on the microstructure,mechanical properties,work hardening and softening behaviors of Ti_(p)/Mg-5Zn-0.3Ca composites was investigated.The results indicated that the Ti_(p)could be elongated obviously after low-temperature extrusion,and the aspect ratio of which would reach to 13.7:1 as the extrusion temperature deceased to 140℃.Then the“Ti/Mg”layer-like structure was formed in the Ti_(p)/Mg-5Zn-0.3Ca composite.Accompanied with the elongation of Ti_(p),the dynamic recrystallized grains and dynamic precipitates were both refined significantly,however,the dynamic recrystallization rate changed a little.The elongated Ti_(p)endowed the Ti_(p)/Mg-5Zn-0.3Ca composites with better matching of strength and toughness without the sacrifice of elongation and bending strain.Both the work hardening rate and softening rate of Ti_(p)/Mg-5Zn-0.3Ca composites increased with the increasing aspect ratio of Ti_(p).The formation of“Ti/Mg”layer-like structure contributed to the redistribution of strain from large aggregations to a network-like distribution,which effectively suppresses the initiation and propagation of micro-cracks,thus enhancing the plasticity of the Ti_(p)/Mg-5Zn-0.3Ca composites.展开更多
In order to obtain a lower frequency band gap,this paper proposes a novel locally resonant meta-beam incorporating a softening nonlinear factor.An improved camroller structure is designed in this meta-beam to achieve ...In order to obtain a lower frequency band gap,this paper proposes a novel locally resonant meta-beam incorporating a softening nonlinear factor.An improved camroller structure is designed in this meta-beam to achieve the softening nonlinear stiffness of the local oscillators.Firstly,based on Hamilton's principle and the Galerkin method,the control equations for the coupled system are established.The theoretical band gap boundary is then derived with the modal analysis method.The theoretical results reveal that the band gap of the meta-beam shifts towards lower frequencies due to the presence of a softening nonlinear factor,distinguishing it from both linear metamaterials and those with hardening nonlinear characteristics.Then,the vibration attenuation characteristics of a finite size meta-beam are investigated through numerical calculation,and are verified by the theoretical results.Furthermore,parameter studies indicate that the reasonable design of the local oscillator parameters based on lightweight principles helps to achieve further broadband and efficient vibration reduction in the low-frequency region.Finally,a prototype of the meta-beam is fabricated and assembled,and the formations of the low-frequency band gap and the amplitude-induced band gap phenomenon are verified through experiments.展开更多
Rubbery waste at the end of the cycle often constitutes a threat for the environment because of their encumbrance and low biodeterioration.The purpose of the research presented is to develop the rubber fine powder as ...Rubbery waste at the end of the cycle often constitutes a threat for the environment because of their encumbrance and low biodeterioration.The purpose of the research presented is to develop the rubber fine powder as a pavement.It is interested primarily in the behavior of two types of bitumen 40/50 modified by the addition of two varieties of rubber fine powders of different grading,resulting from the crushing of the rubbery products intended for the clothes industry of soles of shoes.The objective of the experimentation is to study the influence of the added polymer on the physical properties of the ordinary road bitumen with the incorporation of the fine powder.The experimental approach is carried out using the two tests of characterization of the bitumen i.e.the softening point test and the penetration test which remain the most used to define and classify the road bitumen.It will be noted however,that the experimental investigation which is based on several tests according to the type and the content of fine powders,leads on a whole of interesting correlations.展开更多
While the deformation behavior of rare-earth magnesium alloys at high temperatures has been extensively studied,the deformation mechanisms under moderate-to-low temperatures and high strain rates remain insufficiently...While the deformation behavior of rare-earth magnesium alloys at high temperatures has been extensively studied,the deformation mechanisms under moderate-to-low temperatures and high strain rates remain insufficiently understood.To address this gap,hot compression tests were conducted on a Mg-11Gd-3Y-0.5Zr(wt.%)alloy over a temperature range of 150℃–450℃under strain rates of 10^(-3) s^(-1)(low strain rate(LSR))and 10 s^(-1)(high strain rate(HSR))to explore the strain rate-temperature coupling effects during hot deformation.The results revealed an anomalous increase in peak stress at 150℃–250℃as the strain rate decreased,attributed to the combined effects of nano-precipitates,dislocation cell structures,and serrated flow induced by dynamic strain aging.At higher temperatures,strain rate influences softening pathways:under HSR at 450℃,the effect of twinning shifts from strengthening to facilitating dynamic recrystallization(DRX),resulting in substantial grain refinement(-4 μm,81%area fraction at a strain of 0.6).In contrast,at LSR,softening is dominated by dynamic recovery at 350℃,with limited DRX(-4 μm grains,10%area fraction at a strain of 0.6)occurs at 400℃.These findings clarify the dual role of twinning and its interaction with rate-temperature conditions,providing valuable insights into optimizing the hot processing of rare-earth magnesium alloys.展开更多
Multimodal ultrasonic vibration(UV)assisted micro-forming has been widely investigated for its advantages of further reducing forming loads and improving forming quality.However,the influence mechanism of different UV...Multimodal ultrasonic vibration(UV)assisted micro-forming has been widely investigated for its advantages of further reducing forming loads and improving forming quality.However,the influence mechanism of different UV modes on microstructure evolution and mechanical properties was still unclear.Mul-timodal UV assisted micro-compression tests on T2 copper with different grains and sample sizes were conducted in this study.The microstructure evolution for different UV modes was observed by EBSD.The results showed that the true stress reduction caused by UV was increased sequentially with tool ultrasonic vibration(TV),mold ultrasonic vibration(MV)and compound ultrasonic vibration(CV).The region of grain deformation was shifted along the direction of UV,and the MV promoted the uniform distribution of deformation stress.The grain refinement,fiber streamline density,grain deformation and rotation degree were further enhanced under CV,due to the synergistic effect of TV and MV.Additionally,a coupled theoretical model considering both acoustic softening effect and size effect was proposed for describing the mechanical properties.And a physical model of dislocation motion in different UV modes was developed for describing the microstructure evolution.The maximum error between the theoretical and experimental results was only 2.39%.This study provides a theoretical basis for the optimization of UV assisted micro-forming process.展开更多
This study proposed a new and more flexible S-shaped rock damage evolution model from a phenomenological perspective based on an improved Logistic function to describe the characteristics of the rock strain softening ...This study proposed a new and more flexible S-shaped rock damage evolution model from a phenomenological perspective based on an improved Logistic function to describe the characteristics of the rock strain softening and damage process.Simultaneously,it established a constitutive model capable of describing the entire process of rock pre-peak compaction and post-peak strain softening deformation,considering the nonlinear effects of the initial compaction stage of rocks,combined with damage mechanics theory and effective medium theory.In addition,this research verified the rationality of the constructed damage constitutive model using results from uniaxial and conventional triaxial compression tests on Miluo granite,yellow sandstone,mudstone,and glutenite.The results indicate that based on the improved Logistic function,the theoretical damage model accurately describes the entire evolution of damage characteristics during rock compression deformation,from maintenance through gradual onset,accelerated development to deceleration and termination,in a simple and unified expression.At the same time,the constructed constitutive model can accurately simulate the stress-strain process of different rock types under uniaxial and conventional triaxial compression,and the theoretical model curve closely aligns with experimental data.Compared to existing constitutive models,the proposed model has significant advantages.The damage model parameters a,r and β have clear physical meanings and interact competitively,where the three parameters collectively determine the shape of the theoretical stress−strain curve.展开更多
When tunnelling through low-permeability saturated ground,the pore pressure decreases in the vicinity of the cavity.In certain instances of deep tunnels crossing weak rocks,the pore pressure may even become negative.A...When tunnelling through low-permeability saturated ground,the pore pressure decreases in the vicinity of the cavity.In certain instances of deep tunnels crossing weak rocks,the pore pressure may even become negative.All existing analytical solutions for the undrained ground response curve(GRC)in the literature assume that the ground fully retains its saturation,in which case the development of negative pore pressures has a stabilising effect e it results in increased effective stresses,and thus shearing resistance,which in turn leads to reduced deformations and plastification.In practice,however,negative pore pressures can induce partial or complete ground desaturation,which may even invalidate the premise of undrained conditions and lead to considerably increased deformations and plastification.In such cases,existing solutions are unsafe for design.The present paper aims to address this shortcoming,by presenting a novel analytical solution for the undrained GRC which incorporates the effect of the excavation-induced desaturation.The solution is derived under the assumption that the ground desaturates completely and immediately under negative pore pressures,which provides the upper bound of deformations and plastification for cases of partial desaturation.The rock is considered to be a linear elastic,brittle-plastic material,obeying a non-associated Mohr-Coulomb(MC)yield criterion.Nevertheless,the solution is also applicable to perfectly plastic rocks via a simple modification of the input parameters.Although the solution is in general semi-analytical,simple closed-form expressions are obtained in the special case of non-dilatant rocks.These expressions are also applicable to rocks exhibiting limited dilatancy,which is usually the case.An application example,based on the planned deep geological repository for radioactive waste in Switzerland,demonstrates the significant practical value and usefulness of the novel solution and underscores its necessity in cases where existing solutions that disregard desaturation are rendered thoroughly unsafe for design.展开更多
In the framework of elastoplastic theory,by introducing dissipative plastic energy(instead of cumulative plastic strain)and dissipative plastic energy rate(instead of cumulative plastic strain rate)into the ratchettin...In the framework of elastoplastic theory,by introducing dissipative plastic energy(instead of cumulative plastic strain)and dissipative plastic energy rate(instead of cumulative plastic strain rate)into the ratchetting parameter evolution equation and isotropic evolution rules respectively,a cyclic elastoplastic constitutive model based on dissipative plastic energy is established.This model,termed the WDP model,describes the physical meaning and evolution rule of the unclosed stress–strain hysteresis loop using an energy method.A comparison of numerical implementation results with experimental data demonstrates the capability of the WDP model to predict the cyclic deformation of EA4T steel,effectively capturing the cyclic softening characteristics and ratchetting behaviors of axle steel EA4T.展开更多
Existing creep constitutive models rarely incorporate studies on the coupling mechanism between creep damage and rock strain softening/hardening.This study analyzed the strain softening and hardening behaviors of argi...Existing creep constitutive models rarely incorporate studies on the coupling mechanism between creep damage and rock strain softening/hardening.This study analyzed the strain softening and hardening behaviors of argillaceous sandstone and sandy mudstone during load-induced failure based on the plastic increment theory.These behaviors were then coupled with an improved Burgers creep model to establish a coupled creep-damage and plastic softening/hardening model.Finally,the validity and engineering applicability of the proposed model were verified through FLAC~(3D)numerical simulations.The numerical simulation results of standard cylindrical specimens show that the established coupling model can effectively reflect the unloading creep deformation law and failure characteristics of argillaceous sandstone and sandy mudstone.Taking the diversion tunnel of a hydropower station in Northwest China as an example for engineering application,the coupled creep-damage and plastic softening/hardening model is introduced into FLAC~(3D)to carry out numerical simulation calculation of the tunnel under excavation and unsupported creep conditions.The results show that the uncoordinated deformation of the upper and lower walls of the surrounding rock of the tunnel is more prominent.When the buried depth of the tunnel increases to 80 m,the monitoring point C in the sandy mudstone area of the upper wall shows nonlinear accelerated deformation under unsupported creep conditions,and the maximum displacement in the horizontal direction reaches 44.5 mm,and the maximum displacement in the vertical direction reaches 53.5 mm.The coupled creep-damage and plastic softening/hardening model established in the research results can well describe the whole process of uncoordinated deformation and failure in the unloading creep process of soft-hard interbedded rock mass.展开更多
Multi-pass hot processing methods are commonly used in magnesium(Mg)alloys to overcome the poor workability due to limited slip systems,which generally involve complicated post-deformation softening and hardening beha...Multi-pass hot processing methods are commonly used in magnesium(Mg)alloys to overcome the poor workability due to limited slip systems,which generally involve complicated post-deformation softening and hardening behaviors.In this work,to reveal post-deformation softening and hardening mechanisms of a Mg-2Y-1Zn alloy,double-stage hot compression tests and microstructural observations were conducted.The results showed that the softening fraction of Mg-2Y-1Zn alloy showed a non-linear dependence on deformation conditions and could be general coupled by Z parameter.Due to the formation and cross-overlapping of twins and kinks,only static recovery(SRV)occurred during holding process at 300℃/0.001 s^(-1) which led to the least static softening:5.52% after 10 s of holding.For samples at 400℃/0.001s^(-1),the enhanced post-deformation softening,which is 11.93% after 10 s of holding,was attributed to static recrystallization(SRX)followed continuous dynamic recrystallization(CDRX)happened during first deformation stage as well as SRV influenced by the LPSO phases.Under deformation condition of 400℃/0.1 s^(-1),the coupled meta-dynamic recrystallization(MDRX)and SRX resulted in serious stress relaxation,which is 42.83% after 10 s of holding,and caused hardening phenomenon at reloading stage.The 18R-LPSO and 14H-LPSO phases synchronously worked on deformation behaviors and limited the growth of recrystallized grains.Further,a simplified static softening kinetics model was established based on Johnson-Mehl-Avrami-Kolmogorov equation and employed to rationalize experimental data.展开更多
In this paper,the work hardening and softening behavior of AZ31 magnesium alloy sheets by hard plate accumulative roll bonding(HP-ARB)process in a specific temperature range was studied for the first time,and the cycl...In this paper,the work hardening and softening behavior of AZ31 magnesium alloy sheets by hard plate accumulative roll bonding(HP-ARB)process in a specific temperature range was studied for the first time,and the cyclic stress relaxation test,EBSD,TEM and other characterization methods were used.When the rolling temperature is 350℃,the grain size of magnesium sheets is refined to 4.32(±0.36)μm on average,and it shows an excellent combination of strength and plasticity.The tensile strength reaches 307(±8.52)MPa and the elongation is 12.73(±0.84)%.At this time,the curve of work hardening rate decreases smoothly and the degree of hardening is the lowest,and the amplitude of stress drop △σ_(p) in work softening test is the smallest with the increase of cycle times,which shows that the well coordination between work hardening and softening behavior has been achieved.Research has found that the combined effect of grain boundary strengthening and fine grain strengthening enhances the yield and tensile strength of magnesium sheets after three passes HP-ARB process at 350℃.This is attributed to the high degree of dislocation slip opening in the pyramidal surfaceand<c+a>,which not only coordinates the c-axis strain of the entire grain,but also promotes the slip transfer of dislocations in the fine-grained region,significantly improving the elongation of the sheets.This study provides a new idea for the forming and manufacturing of high performance magnesium alloy sheets.展开更多
Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of the method of softening the liver,harmonizing the spleen,and unblocking the orifices in the treatment of Xiaoke Neizhang with Qi and Yin deficiency type.Methods:Seventy-tw...Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of the method of softening the liver,harmonizing the spleen,and unblocking the orifices in the treatment of Xiaoke Neizhang with Qi and Yin deficiency type.Methods:Seventy-two patients with Xiaoke Neizhang of qi and yin deficiency type were selected from March 2024 to May 2025 and divided into a treatment group and a control group with 36 cases each according to the random number table method.The treatment group was treated with the method of softening the liver,harmonizing the spleen,and unblocking the orifices,which included oral administration of Softening the Liver and Harmonizing the Spleen Pills combined with iontophoresis of Xuesaitong Injection.The control group was treated with oral administration of calcium dobesilate capsules.Both groups were treated for 2 courses,and multiple indicators such as visual acuity,fundus condition,and TCM syndrome scores were compared between the two groups.Results:The total effective rate of the treatment group was higher than that of the control group.There were significant differences in visual acuity,fundus condition,and TCM syndrome scores between and within the groups(P<0.05).Conclusion:The method of softening the liver,harmonizing the spleen,and unblocking the orifices has a definite clinical effect in the treatment of Xiaoke Neizhang with Qi and Yin deficiency type.It has a direct effect,is painless,easy for patients to accept,and has high clinical application value.展开更多
Large interfacial strains in particles are crucial for promoting bonding in cold spraying(CS),initiated either by adiabatic shear instability(ASI)due to softening prevailing over strain hardening or by hydrostatic pla...Large interfacial strains in particles are crucial for promoting bonding in cold spraying(CS),initiated either by adiabatic shear instability(ASI)due to softening prevailing over strain hardening or by hydrostatic plasticity,which is claimed to promote bonding even without ASI.A thorough microstructural analysis is vital to fully understand the bonding mechanisms at play during microparticle impacts and throughout the CS process.In this study,the HEA CoCrFeMnNi,known for its relatively high strain hardening and resistance to softening,was selected to investigate the microstructure characteristics and bonding mech-anisms in CS.This study used characterization techniques covering a range of length scales,including electron channeling contrast imaging(ECCI),electron backscatter diffraction(EBSD),and high-resolution transmission microscopy(HR-TEM),to explore the microstructure characteristics of bonding and overall structure development of CoCrFeMnNi microparticles after impact in CS.HR-TEM lamellae were prepared using focused ion beam milling.Additionally,the effects of deformation field variables on microstructure development were determined through finite element modeling(FEM)of microparticle impacts.The ECCI,EBSD,and HR-TEM analyses revealed an interplay between dislocation-driven processes and twinning,leading to the development of four distinct deformation microstructures.Significant grain refinement occurs at the interface through continuous dynamic recrystallization(CDRX)due to high strain and temperature rise from adiabatic deformation,signs of softening,and ASI.Near the interface,a necklace-like structure of refined grains forms around grain boundaries,along with elongated grains,resulting from the coexistence of dynamic recovery and discontinuous dynamic recrystallization(DDRX)due to lower temperature rise and strain.Towards the particle or substrate interior,concurrent twinning and dislocation-mediated mechanisms refine the structure,forming straight,curved,and intersected twins.At the top of the particles,only deformed grains with a low dislocation density are observed.Our results showed that DRX induces microstructure softening in highly strained interface areas,facilitating atomic bonding in CoCrFeMnNi.HR-TEM investigation confirms the formation of atomic bonds between particles and substrate,with a gradual change in crystal lattice orientation from the particle to the substrate and the occurrence of some misfit dislocations and vacancies at the interface.Finally,the findings of this research suggest that softening and ASI,even in materials resistant to softening,are required to establish bonding in CS.展开更多
The high-pressure phase diagram of the Nb-Ti binary system at 0 K is explored by systematic crystal structure prediction.The results highlight a novel niobium-rich bcc phase,Nb_(7)Ti,which is the only dynamically stab...The high-pressure phase diagram of the Nb-Ti binary system at 0 K is explored by systematic crystal structure prediction.The results highlight a novel niobium-rich bcc phase,Nb_(7)Ti,which is the only dynamically stable ordered Nb-Ti compound under ambient pressure.Extensive first-principles calculations have provided insights into the electronic structure,bonding and superconducting properties of Nb_(7)Ti.The superconducting transition temperature(T_(c))for Nb_(7)Ti at ambient pressure is estimated within the framework of BCS theory to be about 17.5 K,which is significantly higher—nearly double—that of the widely utilized NbTi alloy.Furthermore,the results unveil that the high T_(c) is mainly attributed to the unique ordered lattice along with the strong electron-phonon coupling driven by interatomic interactions at mid-frequency and phonon softening induced by low-frequency Fermi surface nesting.Valuable insights are provided for the subsequent synthesis of application-oriented superconductors at low pressure.展开更多
It has long been hypothesized that an increase in the extracellular matrix(ECM)stiffness mechanoactivates malignant phenotypes of breast tumor cells by regulating an array of processes underlying cancer biology.Althou...It has long been hypothesized that an increase in the extracellular matrix(ECM)stiffness mechanoactivates malignant phenotypes of breast tumor cells by regulating an array of processes underlying cancer biology.Although the contribution of substrate stiffening to drive malignant phenotype traits and other biological functions of a tumor is increasingly understood,the functional role of substrate softening on breast cancer cellular responses has rarely been investigated.Herein,we employed matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)-sensitive film to perform assays to explore the consequences of lowering stiffness on the biological behaviors of breast cancer cell MDA-MB-231.We demonstrated that cells underwent dramatic changes in migration,cellular conjunction,and expression of malignance-associated proteins and genes when the substrate stiffness decreased.Based on RNA sequencing and analysis,we found that hub genes including TP53,CCND1,MYC,CTNNB1,and YAP were validated to play central parts in regulating stiffness-dependent cellular manner change.Moreover,through visualization of differentially expressed genes(DEGs),cells on dynamically softened substrate appeared less influenced by transfer to tissue culture polystyrene(TCPS).These results suggest substrates with decreasing stiffness could normalize breast tumor malignant phenotype and help cells store the mechanical memory of the consequential weaker malignance.展开更多
An Al2O3 dispersion strengthened(ADS)alloy with an ultra-high softening temperature of∼1200 K was fabricated by the in-situ internal oxidation and reduction methods.The evolution of the nanometer Al2O3 particles,grai...An Al2O3 dispersion strengthened(ADS)alloy with an ultra-high softening temperature of∼1200 K was fabricated by the in-situ internal oxidation and reduction methods.The evolution of the nanometer Al2O3 particles,grain size,and consequently the softening behavior of this ADS alloy,were investigated by conducting the annealing treatments in the range from 673 K to 1273 K for 60 min.These refined nanometer Al2O3 particles were found to be highly stable at elevated temperatures,leading to the high dislocation density and grain boundary stability of the matrix.The average grain size was found to increase extremely slowly from∼0.60μm to∼0.74μm with increasing annealing temperatures from 773 K to 1273 K.A criterion for grain boundaries migration and softening was established based on the competition between grain growth and pinning effect of Al2O3 particles.The strong pinning effect of Al2O3 particles was found when the grain size was between the lower limit(about 0.4-0.5μm)and upper limit(2.18μm).The occurrence of softening behavior was attributed to the rapid increase of the proportion of grains larger than the upper limit.A modified Hall-Petch relationship was established by introducing the integration of the grain size distribution,which can describe this correlation between softening behavior and the pinning effect of Al2O3 particles.The current study not only sheds light on the further understanding of the softening mechanism of ADS copper alloy but also provides a useful route for designing copper alloy with high softening resistance.展开更多
The rhombohedralα-GeTe can be approximated as a slightly distorted rock-salt structure along its[111]direction and possesses superb thermoelectric performance.However,the role of such a ferroelectric-like structural ...The rhombohedralα-GeTe can be approximated as a slightly distorted rock-salt structure along its[111]direction and possesses superb thermoelectric performance.However,the role of such a ferroelectric-like structural distortion on its transport properties remains unclear.Herein,we performed a systematic study on the crystal structure and electronic band structure evolutions of Ge_(1-x)Sn_(x)Te alloys where the degree of ferroelectric distortion is continuously tuned.It is revealed that the band gap is maximized while multiple valence bands are converged at x=0.6,where the ferroelectric distortion is the least but still works.Once undistorted,the band gap is considerably reduced,and the valence bands are largely separated again.Moreover,near the ferro-to-paraelectric phase transition Curie temperature,the lattice thermal conductivity reaches its minima because of significant lattice softening enabled by ferroelectric instability.We predict a peak ZT value of 2.6 at 673 K inα-GeTe by use of proper dopants which are powerful in suppressing the excess hole concentrations but meanwhile exert little influence on the ferroelectric distortion.展开更多
基金Project (9140C850205120C8501) supported by the Major Program of National Key Laboratory of Remanufacturing and the Army Foundation Project of China
文摘A required finite element method(FEM) model applicable for narrow gap CMT and CMT+P MIX welding was established based on the interactions between arc,base metal and filler metal.A novel method of simplifying wire feeding pulses and heat input pulses was supposed under the conduction of equivalent input.The method together with composed double-ellipse heat sources was included in the model.The model was employed in the investigation of thermal cycling and the identification of the softened zone of AA7A52 base plates.Low-frequency behavior emerged in the form of low-cooling rate sects,which were not expected under experimental conditions.The softened zone including the quenched zone and averaging zone of the base plate was much wider internal the base plate than that close to the surfaces.The reliability of the predictions in thermal cycling was supported by infrared imaging test results of the thermal cycle process.
文摘Using the Gleeble 3500 thermal-mechanical system to simulate thermal cycles with different peak temperatures, the hardness and microstructure in the heat-affected zones of two kinds of 100 kg class hot-rolled extra-high-strength steel were compared. When the peak temperature of the thermal cycle was 800℃ ,incomplete transformation occurred during quenching in both steels, and massive martensite and bainite grains were formed. The hardness was determined by the composition and distribution of the microstructure. The concentration of massive martensite was low, and hence the hardness was low,in steel #1. Conversely,the massive martensite content in steel #2 was high and uniformly distributed,resulting in a high hardness. These findings can provide a reference for improving the mechanical properties in the softened zone.
文摘Mouthguard thickness is affected by the softened state of the sheet during thermoforming. The aim of this study is to establish an effective method for controlling the softened state of the sheet to prevent the mouthguard thickness from decreasing during mouthguard fabrication using a vacuum-forming machine. Mouthguards were thermoformed using an ethylene-vinyl acetate sheet (thickness: 4.0 mm) and a vacuum-forming machine. The working model was trimmed to the anterior height of 25 mm and the posterior height of 20 mm. The following two heating methods were compared: 1) the sheet was formed when it sagged 15 mm below the level of the sheet frame at the top of the post (condition T);and 2) the sheet frame was lowered to and heated at 50 mm below its usual height and the sheet was formed when it sagged 15 mm below the level of the sheet frame (condition L). For each heating method, the vacuum was applied immediately (T0, L0) or 5 s (T5, L5) after the sheet frame was lowered to the forming unit. The sheet surface temperature immediately before the vacuum was applied under each condition was measured. The differences in mouthguard thickness due to forming conditions were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni’s multiple comparison tests. The temperature difference between the center and the posterior depending on the condition decreased in the order T0 > T5 > L0 > L5, and that was 20<span style="white-space:nowrap;">°</span>C or higher for T0 and T5, and 10<span style="white-space:nowrap;">°</span>C or less for L0 and L5. At the incisal edge and the cusp, L0 and L5 were significantly thicker than T0. No significant differences were observed between conditions L0 and L5 at any measurement points. For the labial and buccal surfaces, significant differences in thicknesses among all conditions, except L0 and L5, were observed and were in the order T0 < T5 < L0 and L5. This study was suggested that the lowering the sheet frame and heating was more effective than adjusting the vacuum timing for uniform softening of the sheet.
基金supported by the“National Natural Science Foundation of China”(Grants.52271109 and 52001223)Support from the“National Key Research and Development Program for Young Scientists”(Grant.2021YFB3703300)+1 种基金the Major Special Plan for Science and Technology in Shanxi Province(202201050201012)the Special Fund Project for Guiding Local Science and Technology Development by the Central Government(Grant.YDZJSX2021B019)。
文摘To obtain the Ti_(p)with different aspect ratios,the Ti_(p)/Mg-5Zn-0.3Ca composite prepared by semi-solid stir casting was subjected to extrusion at 220℃,180℃,and 140℃,respectively.Then,the effect of the Ti_(p)’s aspect ratio on the microstructure,mechanical properties,work hardening and softening behaviors of Ti_(p)/Mg-5Zn-0.3Ca composites was investigated.The results indicated that the Ti_(p)could be elongated obviously after low-temperature extrusion,and the aspect ratio of which would reach to 13.7:1 as the extrusion temperature deceased to 140℃.Then the“Ti/Mg”layer-like structure was formed in the Ti_(p)/Mg-5Zn-0.3Ca composite.Accompanied with the elongation of Ti_(p),the dynamic recrystallized grains and dynamic precipitates were both refined significantly,however,the dynamic recrystallization rate changed a little.The elongated Ti_(p)endowed the Ti_(p)/Mg-5Zn-0.3Ca composites with better matching of strength and toughness without the sacrifice of elongation and bending strain.Both the work hardening rate and softening rate of Ti_(p)/Mg-5Zn-0.3Ca composites increased with the increasing aspect ratio of Ti_(p).The formation of“Ti/Mg”layer-like structure contributed to the redistribution of strain from large aggregations to a network-like distribution,which effectively suppresses the initiation and propagation of micro-cracks,thus enhancing the plasticity of the Ti_(p)/Mg-5Zn-0.3Ca composites.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.12172014,U224126412332001)。
文摘In order to obtain a lower frequency band gap,this paper proposes a novel locally resonant meta-beam incorporating a softening nonlinear factor.An improved camroller structure is designed in this meta-beam to achieve the softening nonlinear stiffness of the local oscillators.Firstly,based on Hamilton's principle and the Galerkin method,the control equations for the coupled system are established.The theoretical band gap boundary is then derived with the modal analysis method.The theoretical results reveal that the band gap of the meta-beam shifts towards lower frequencies due to the presence of a softening nonlinear factor,distinguishing it from both linear metamaterials and those with hardening nonlinear characteristics.Then,the vibration attenuation characteristics of a finite size meta-beam are investigated through numerical calculation,and are verified by the theoretical results.Furthermore,parameter studies indicate that the reasonable design of the local oscillator parameters based on lightweight principles helps to achieve further broadband and efficient vibration reduction in the low-frequency region.Finally,a prototype of the meta-beam is fabricated and assembled,and the formations of the low-frequency band gap and the amplitude-induced band gap phenomenon are verified through experiments.
文摘Rubbery waste at the end of the cycle often constitutes a threat for the environment because of their encumbrance and low biodeterioration.The purpose of the research presented is to develop the rubber fine powder as a pavement.It is interested primarily in the behavior of two types of bitumen 40/50 modified by the addition of two varieties of rubber fine powders of different grading,resulting from the crushing of the rubbery products intended for the clothes industry of soles of shoes.The objective of the experimentation is to study the influence of the added polymer on the physical properties of the ordinary road bitumen with the incorporation of the fine powder.The experimental approach is carried out using the two tests of characterization of the bitumen i.e.the softening point test and the penetration test which remain the most used to define and classify the road bitumen.It will be noted however,that the experimental investigation which is based on several tests according to the type and the content of fine powders,leads on a whole of interesting correlations.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grants 52301146 and 52275308)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (grant 2023JG007)China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (grant 8206300226)。
文摘While the deformation behavior of rare-earth magnesium alloys at high temperatures has been extensively studied,the deformation mechanisms under moderate-to-low temperatures and high strain rates remain insufficiently understood.To address this gap,hot compression tests were conducted on a Mg-11Gd-3Y-0.5Zr(wt.%)alloy over a temperature range of 150℃–450℃under strain rates of 10^(-3) s^(-1)(low strain rate(LSR))and 10 s^(-1)(high strain rate(HSR))to explore the strain rate-temperature coupling effects during hot deformation.The results revealed an anomalous increase in peak stress at 150℃–250℃as the strain rate decreased,attributed to the combined effects of nano-precipitates,dislocation cell structures,and serrated flow induced by dynamic strain aging.At higher temperatures,strain rate influences softening pathways:under HSR at 450℃,the effect of twinning shifts from strengthening to facilitating dynamic recrystallization(DRX),resulting in substantial grain refinement(-4 μm,81%area fraction at a strain of 0.6).In contrast,at LSR,softening is dominated by dynamic recovery at 350℃,with limited DRX(-4 μm grains,10%area fraction at a strain of 0.6)occurs at 400℃.These findings clarify the dual role of twinning and its interaction with rate-temperature conditions,providing valuable insights into optimizing the hot processing of rare-earth magnesium alloys.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program(No.2022YFB4602502)the Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation(No.2021A1515011991)+2 种基金the Key Research and Development Program Fund of Hubei Province(No.2022BAA057)the state Key Lab-oratory of Solidification Processing in NPU(No.SKLSP202325)the China Scholarship Council Visiting PhD Program(No.202306410136).
文摘Multimodal ultrasonic vibration(UV)assisted micro-forming has been widely investigated for its advantages of further reducing forming loads and improving forming quality.However,the influence mechanism of different UV modes on microstructure evolution and mechanical properties was still unclear.Mul-timodal UV assisted micro-compression tests on T2 copper with different grains and sample sizes were conducted in this study.The microstructure evolution for different UV modes was observed by EBSD.The results showed that the true stress reduction caused by UV was increased sequentially with tool ultrasonic vibration(TV),mold ultrasonic vibration(MV)and compound ultrasonic vibration(CV).The region of grain deformation was shifted along the direction of UV,and the MV promoted the uniform distribution of deformation stress.The grain refinement,fiber streamline density,grain deformation and rotation degree were further enhanced under CV,due to the synergistic effect of TV and MV.Additionally,a coupled theoretical model considering both acoustic softening effect and size effect was proposed for describing the mechanical properties.And a physical model of dislocation motion in different UV modes was developed for describing the microstructure evolution.The maximum error between the theoretical and experimental results was only 2.39%.This study provides a theoretical basis for the optimization of UV assisted micro-forming process.
基金Project(52074299)supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of ChinaProjects(2023JCCXSB02,BBJ2024083)supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities,China。
文摘This study proposed a new and more flexible S-shaped rock damage evolution model from a phenomenological perspective based on an improved Logistic function to describe the characteristics of the rock strain softening and damage process.Simultaneously,it established a constitutive model capable of describing the entire process of rock pre-peak compaction and post-peak strain softening deformation,considering the nonlinear effects of the initial compaction stage of rocks,combined with damage mechanics theory and effective medium theory.In addition,this research verified the rationality of the constructed damage constitutive model using results from uniaxial and conventional triaxial compression tests on Miluo granite,yellow sandstone,mudstone,and glutenite.The results indicate that based on the improved Logistic function,the theoretical damage model accurately describes the entire evolution of damage characteristics during rock compression deformation,from maintenance through gradual onset,accelerated development to deceleration and termination,in a simple and unified expression.At the same time,the constructed constitutive model can accurately simulate the stress-strain process of different rock types under uniaxial and conventional triaxial compression,and the theoretical model curve closely aligns with experimental data.Compared to existing constitutive models,the proposed model has significant advantages.The damage model parameters a,r and β have clear physical meanings and interact competitively,where the three parameters collectively determine the shape of the theoretical stress−strain curve.
文摘When tunnelling through low-permeability saturated ground,the pore pressure decreases in the vicinity of the cavity.In certain instances of deep tunnels crossing weak rocks,the pore pressure may even become negative.All existing analytical solutions for the undrained ground response curve(GRC)in the literature assume that the ground fully retains its saturation,in which case the development of negative pore pressures has a stabilising effect e it results in increased effective stresses,and thus shearing resistance,which in turn leads to reduced deformations and plastification.In practice,however,negative pore pressures can induce partial or complete ground desaturation,which may even invalidate the premise of undrained conditions and lead to considerably increased deformations and plastification.In such cases,existing solutions are unsafe for design.The present paper aims to address this shortcoming,by presenting a novel analytical solution for the undrained GRC which incorporates the effect of the excavation-induced desaturation.The solution is derived under the assumption that the ground desaturates completely and immediately under negative pore pressures,which provides the upper bound of deformations and plastification for cases of partial desaturation.The rock is considered to be a linear elastic,brittle-plastic material,obeying a non-associated Mohr-Coulomb(MC)yield criterion.Nevertheless,the solution is also applicable to perfectly plastic rocks via a simple modification of the input parameters.Although the solution is in general semi-analytical,simple closed-form expressions are obtained in the special case of non-dilatant rocks.These expressions are also applicable to rocks exhibiting limited dilatancy,which is usually the case.An application example,based on the planned deep geological repository for radioactive waste in Switzerland,demonstrates the significant practical value and usefulness of the novel solution and underscores its necessity in cases where existing solutions that disregard desaturation are rendered thoroughly unsafe for design.
基金supported by the Science&Technology Development Fund of Tianjin Education Commission for Higher Education(No.2023KJ250).
文摘In the framework of elastoplastic theory,by introducing dissipative plastic energy(instead of cumulative plastic strain)and dissipative plastic energy rate(instead of cumulative plastic strain rate)into the ratchetting parameter evolution equation and isotropic evolution rules respectively,a cyclic elastoplastic constitutive model based on dissipative plastic energy is established.This model,termed the WDP model,describes the physical meaning and evolution rule of the unclosed stress–strain hysteresis loop using an energy method.A comparison of numerical implementation results with experimental data demonstrates the capability of the WDP model to predict the cyclic deformation of EA4T steel,effectively capturing the cyclic softening characteristics and ratchetting behaviors of axle steel EA4T.
基金funded by the Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.U22A20600)。
文摘Existing creep constitutive models rarely incorporate studies on the coupling mechanism between creep damage and rock strain softening/hardening.This study analyzed the strain softening and hardening behaviors of argillaceous sandstone and sandy mudstone during load-induced failure based on the plastic increment theory.These behaviors were then coupled with an improved Burgers creep model to establish a coupled creep-damage and plastic softening/hardening model.Finally,the validity and engineering applicability of the proposed model were verified through FLAC~(3D)numerical simulations.The numerical simulation results of standard cylindrical specimens show that the established coupling model can effectively reflect the unloading creep deformation law and failure characteristics of argillaceous sandstone and sandy mudstone.Taking the diversion tunnel of a hydropower station in Northwest China as an example for engineering application,the coupled creep-damage and plastic softening/hardening model is introduced into FLAC~(3D)to carry out numerical simulation calculation of the tunnel under excavation and unsupported creep conditions.The results show that the uncoordinated deformation of the upper and lower walls of the surrounding rock of the tunnel is more prominent.When the buried depth of the tunnel increases to 80 m,the monitoring point C in the sandy mudstone area of the upper wall shows nonlinear accelerated deformation under unsupported creep conditions,and the maximum displacement in the horizontal direction reaches 44.5 mm,and the maximum displacement in the vertical direction reaches 53.5 mm.The coupled creep-damage and plastic softening/hardening model established in the research results can well describe the whole process of uncoordinated deformation and failure in the unloading creep process of soft-hard interbedded rock mass.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(52174361,52074114)Science and Technology Innovation Program of Hunan Province(2023RC3106)+2 种基金Open Fund of the China Spallation Neutron Source Songshan Lake Science City(KFKT2023B13)Graduate Training and Innovation Practice Base of Hunan Province,China Scholarship Council(202106130051)Postgraduate Scientific Research Innovation Project of Hunan Province(QL20220100,QL20230094).
文摘Multi-pass hot processing methods are commonly used in magnesium(Mg)alloys to overcome the poor workability due to limited slip systems,which generally involve complicated post-deformation softening and hardening behaviors.In this work,to reveal post-deformation softening and hardening mechanisms of a Mg-2Y-1Zn alloy,double-stage hot compression tests and microstructural observations were conducted.The results showed that the softening fraction of Mg-2Y-1Zn alloy showed a non-linear dependence on deformation conditions and could be general coupled by Z parameter.Due to the formation and cross-overlapping of twins and kinks,only static recovery(SRV)occurred during holding process at 300℃/0.001 s^(-1) which led to the least static softening:5.52% after 10 s of holding.For samples at 400℃/0.001s^(-1),the enhanced post-deformation softening,which is 11.93% after 10 s of holding,was attributed to static recrystallization(SRX)followed continuous dynamic recrystallization(CDRX)happened during first deformation stage as well as SRV influenced by the LPSO phases.Under deformation condition of 400℃/0.1 s^(-1),the coupled meta-dynamic recrystallization(MDRX)and SRX resulted in serious stress relaxation,which is 42.83% after 10 s of holding,and caused hardening phenomenon at reloading stage.The 18R-LPSO and 14H-LPSO phases synchronously worked on deformation behaviors and limited the growth of recrystallized grains.Further,a simplified static softening kinetics model was established based on Johnson-Mehl-Avrami-Kolmogorov equation and employed to rationalize experimental data.
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Heilongjiang Province(No.JQ2022E004).
文摘In this paper,the work hardening and softening behavior of AZ31 magnesium alloy sheets by hard plate accumulative roll bonding(HP-ARB)process in a specific temperature range was studied for the first time,and the cyclic stress relaxation test,EBSD,TEM and other characterization methods were used.When the rolling temperature is 350℃,the grain size of magnesium sheets is refined to 4.32(±0.36)μm on average,and it shows an excellent combination of strength and plasticity.The tensile strength reaches 307(±8.52)MPa and the elongation is 12.73(±0.84)%.At this time,the curve of work hardening rate decreases smoothly and the degree of hardening is the lowest,and the amplitude of stress drop △σ_(p) in work softening test is the smallest with the increase of cycle times,which shows that the well coordination between work hardening and softening behavior has been achieved.Research has found that the combined effect of grain boundary strengthening and fine grain strengthening enhances the yield and tensile strength of magnesium sheets after three passes HP-ARB process at 350℃.This is attributed to the high degree of dislocation slip opening in the pyramidal surfaceand<c+a>,which not only coordinates the c-axis strain of the entire grain,but also promotes the slip transfer of dislocations in the fine-grained region,significantly improving the elongation of the sheets.This study provides a new idea for the forming and manufacturing of high performance magnesium alloy sheets.
基金2024 Scientific Research Project of Jilin Provincial Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine(Project No.:2024139)。
文摘Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of the method of softening the liver,harmonizing the spleen,and unblocking the orifices in the treatment of Xiaoke Neizhang with Qi and Yin deficiency type.Methods:Seventy-two patients with Xiaoke Neizhang of qi and yin deficiency type were selected from March 2024 to May 2025 and divided into a treatment group and a control group with 36 cases each according to the random number table method.The treatment group was treated with the method of softening the liver,harmonizing the spleen,and unblocking the orifices,which included oral administration of Softening the Liver and Harmonizing the Spleen Pills combined with iontophoresis of Xuesaitong Injection.The control group was treated with oral administration of calcium dobesilate capsules.Both groups were treated for 2 courses,and multiple indicators such as visual acuity,fundus condition,and TCM syndrome scores were compared between the two groups.Results:The total effective rate of the treatment group was higher than that of the control group.There were significant differences in visual acuity,fundus condition,and TCM syndrome scores between and within the groups(P<0.05).Conclusion:The method of softening the liver,harmonizing the spleen,and unblocking the orifices has a definite clinical effect in the treatment of Xiaoke Neizhang with Qi and Yin deficiency type.It has a direct effect,is painless,easy for patients to accept,and has high clinical application value.
文摘Large interfacial strains in particles are crucial for promoting bonding in cold spraying(CS),initiated either by adiabatic shear instability(ASI)due to softening prevailing over strain hardening or by hydrostatic plasticity,which is claimed to promote bonding even without ASI.A thorough microstructural analysis is vital to fully understand the bonding mechanisms at play during microparticle impacts and throughout the CS process.In this study,the HEA CoCrFeMnNi,known for its relatively high strain hardening and resistance to softening,was selected to investigate the microstructure characteristics and bonding mech-anisms in CS.This study used characterization techniques covering a range of length scales,including electron channeling contrast imaging(ECCI),electron backscatter diffraction(EBSD),and high-resolution transmission microscopy(HR-TEM),to explore the microstructure characteristics of bonding and overall structure development of CoCrFeMnNi microparticles after impact in CS.HR-TEM lamellae were prepared using focused ion beam milling.Additionally,the effects of deformation field variables on microstructure development were determined through finite element modeling(FEM)of microparticle impacts.The ECCI,EBSD,and HR-TEM analyses revealed an interplay between dislocation-driven processes and twinning,leading to the development of four distinct deformation microstructures.Significant grain refinement occurs at the interface through continuous dynamic recrystallization(CDRX)due to high strain and temperature rise from adiabatic deformation,signs of softening,and ASI.Near the interface,a necklace-like structure of refined grains forms around grain boundaries,along with elongated grains,resulting from the coexistence of dynamic recovery and discontinuous dynamic recrystallization(DDRX)due to lower temperature rise and strain.Towards the particle or substrate interior,concurrent twinning and dislocation-mediated mechanisms refine the structure,forming straight,curved,and intersected twins.At the top of the particles,only deformed grains with a low dislocation density are observed.Our results showed that DRX induces microstructure softening in highly strained interface areas,facilitating atomic bonding in CoCrFeMnNi.HR-TEM investigation confirms the formation of atomic bonds between particles and substrate,with a gradual change in crystal lattice orientation from the particle to the substrate and the occurrence of some misfit dislocations and vacancies at the interface.Finally,the findings of this research suggest that softening and ASI,even in materials resistant to softening,are required to establish bonding in CS.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.12122405,12274169,and 11574109)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities。
文摘The high-pressure phase diagram of the Nb-Ti binary system at 0 K is explored by systematic crystal structure prediction.The results highlight a novel niobium-rich bcc phase,Nb_(7)Ti,which is the only dynamically stable ordered Nb-Ti compound under ambient pressure.Extensive first-principles calculations have provided insights into the electronic structure,bonding and superconducting properties of Nb_(7)Ti.The superconducting transition temperature(T_(c))for Nb_(7)Ti at ambient pressure is estimated within the framework of BCS theory to be about 17.5 K,which is significantly higher—nearly double—that of the widely utilized NbTi alloy.Furthermore,the results unveil that the high T_(c) is mainly attributed to the unique ordered lattice along with the strong electron-phonon coupling driven by interatomic interactions at mid-frequency and phonon softening induced by low-frequency Fermi surface nesting.Valuable insights are provided for the subsequent synthesis of application-oriented superconductors at low pressure.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(21875210)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2016YFC1102203)+3 种基金the Natural Key Research and Development Project of Zhejiang Province(2018C03015)Zhejiang Provincial Ten Thousand Talents Program(2018R52001)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(2020FZZX003-01-03)the Higher Education Discipline Innovation Project(111 Project)(B16042)。
文摘It has long been hypothesized that an increase in the extracellular matrix(ECM)stiffness mechanoactivates malignant phenotypes of breast tumor cells by regulating an array of processes underlying cancer biology.Although the contribution of substrate stiffening to drive malignant phenotype traits and other biological functions of a tumor is increasingly understood,the functional role of substrate softening on breast cancer cellular responses has rarely been investigated.Herein,we employed matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)-sensitive film to perform assays to explore the consequences of lowering stiffness on the biological behaviors of breast cancer cell MDA-MB-231.We demonstrated that cells underwent dramatic changes in migration,cellular conjunction,and expression of malignance-associated proteins and genes when the substrate stiffness decreased.Based on RNA sequencing and analysis,we found that hub genes including TP53,CCND1,MYC,CTNNB1,and YAP were validated to play central parts in regulating stiffness-dependent cellular manner change.Moreover,through visualization of differentially expressed genes(DEGs),cells on dynamically softened substrate appeared less influenced by transfer to tissue culture polystyrene(TCPS).These results suggest substrates with decreasing stiffness could normalize breast tumor malignant phenotype and help cells store the mechanical memory of the consequential weaker malignance.
基金financially supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2020YFB0311101)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.92066205 and 92266301)+1 种基金the Natural Science Foundation for Distinguished Young Scholars of China(No.51925401)the Youth Foundation of National Natural Science Foundation China(No.52001020).
文摘An Al2O3 dispersion strengthened(ADS)alloy with an ultra-high softening temperature of∼1200 K was fabricated by the in-situ internal oxidation and reduction methods.The evolution of the nanometer Al2O3 particles,grain size,and consequently the softening behavior of this ADS alloy,were investigated by conducting the annealing treatments in the range from 673 K to 1273 K for 60 min.These refined nanometer Al2O3 particles were found to be highly stable at elevated temperatures,leading to the high dislocation density and grain boundary stability of the matrix.The average grain size was found to increase extremely slowly from∼0.60μm to∼0.74μm with increasing annealing temperatures from 773 K to 1273 K.A criterion for grain boundaries migration and softening was established based on the competition between grain growth and pinning effect of Al2O3 particles.The strong pinning effect of Al2O3 particles was found when the grain size was between the lower limit(about 0.4-0.5μm)and upper limit(2.18μm).The occurrence of softening behavior was attributed to the rapid increase of the proportion of grains larger than the upper limit.A modified Hall-Petch relationship was established by introducing the integration of the grain size distribution,which can describe this correlation between softening behavior and the pinning effect of Al2O3 particles.The current study not only sheds light on the further understanding of the softening mechanism of ADS copper alloy but also provides a useful route for designing copper alloy with high softening resistance.
基金the financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.52171221)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(Grant No.2019YFA0704900)the support from the Core Facility of Wuhan University for their assistance with EPMA analysis
文摘The rhombohedralα-GeTe can be approximated as a slightly distorted rock-salt structure along its[111]direction and possesses superb thermoelectric performance.However,the role of such a ferroelectric-like structural distortion on its transport properties remains unclear.Herein,we performed a systematic study on the crystal structure and electronic band structure evolutions of Ge_(1-x)Sn_(x)Te alloys where the degree of ferroelectric distortion is continuously tuned.It is revealed that the band gap is maximized while multiple valence bands are converged at x=0.6,where the ferroelectric distortion is the least but still works.Once undistorted,the band gap is considerably reduced,and the valence bands are largely separated again.Moreover,near the ferro-to-paraelectric phase transition Curie temperature,the lattice thermal conductivity reaches its minima because of significant lattice softening enabled by ferroelectric instability.We predict a peak ZT value of 2.6 at 673 K inα-GeTe by use of proper dopants which are powerful in suppressing the excess hole concentrations but meanwhile exert little influence on the ferroelectric distortion.