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Investigating the electric power generated by wave energy converters (WECs) has attracted increasing attention along with the developments of wave energy converting technologies in recent years. Electric power estimation currently depends on wave-to-wire model-based numerical analysis and experimental studies of scale-down prototypes. However, traditional numerical simulations are time-consuming and expensive for power orediction of a full-scale WECs operated in real sea. More importantly, they cannot accurately predict WECs' power performance in real time, thereby cannot be used for prediction-based real-time control. To address those problems, four machine learning techniques are employed as an alternative to traditional, complex physical modelling processes to evaluate and predict the generated electric power, based on historical experimental data of a two-body hinge-barge WEC. Comparative results of a Backpropagation (BP) Neural Network algorithm, a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) algorithm, a Support Vector Machine (SVM) algorithm and a Radial Basis Neural Network (RBFF) algorithm indicate that machine-learning-based approaches can accurately predict the electric performance of this complex multi-degree-of-freedom WEC, where the coefficient of determination (R 2) of the BP Neural Network on the test dataset is up to 0.9987. • Four machine learning techniques are employed to evaluate and predict the electric power. • The machine learning techniques can be used to predict WECs' power performance under new sea state. • The coefficient of determination (R2) of the BP Neural Network is up to 0.9987. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wave energy is a practical option for the sustainable powering of the drifting buoy beyond solar energy. However, efficient harvesting of wave energy from a complex and dynamic ocean environment for a drifting buoy is significantly challenging, since the buoy's global location and orientation are always in spatiotemporal variation. Herein, we propose a novel multi-DOF wave energy harvesting mechanism that integrates three sets of frequency-tunable harvesting systems into an enclosed drifting buoy, which can greatly enhance the energy harvesting ability of a long-term working drifting buoy that encounters direction-varying and frequency-varying waves. A time-averaged electric power up to 9.18 mW was achieved by a prototype that has a diameter of 45 cm, which is 32.76 % higher than the single-DOF case in sea trials. Additionally, laboratory dry test results show that the prototype provided a power up to 288.76 mW in one direction. This work provides an effective strategy for sustainably generating electricity in the offshore environment for drifting buoys. • A built-in multi-DOF wave energy harvester for a drifting buoy was presented. • Two different-sized prototypes were designed, assembled and tested in the open sea. • A time-averaged electric power of up to 9.18 mW was achieved in real sea tests. • The prototype generated a power of up to 288.76 mW in one direction in laboratory dry test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Cryogenic throttle valves for superfluid helium system were developed and numerically simulated. • Influences of cone angle, unilateral minimum clearance, structure type and working medium type on flow field distribution and flow characteristics of valve are studied. • Increasing the cone angle and unilateral minimum clearance enhances valve flow capacity, with the cone angle having a more pronounced impact. • Altering the spool type significantly alters the flow characteristics, whereas changing the working fluid type only affects the velocity and pressure within the valve. As one of the important methods to obtain superfluid helium, throttling has been widely used due to its simple equipment. The cryogenic throttle valve, serving as a vital component in the throttling process, directly impacts the performance of the superfluid helium system. In this study, velocity and pressure field inside valve is numerically simulated by using computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and the flow characteristics of the valve are analyzed by theoretical calculations and experiments. Moreover, influences of cone angle, unilateral minimum clearance, structure type and working medium type on flow field distribution and flow characteristics of valve are studied by altering structural parameters of spool and working medium. The results demonstrate that increasing cone angle and unilateral minimum clearance can enhance flow capacity of valves, but influence of cone angle is more obvious. Changing the spool type will significantly alter the flow characteristics of the valve, while changing the working fluid type will only affect the velocity and pressure inside the valve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the growing worldwide attention to marine environment protection, marine resource exploration, and so on, unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) have become one of the critical mobile marine observation equipment. However, USVs generally rely on limited onboard batteries to provide electricity, and thus, they have low endurance and poor load capacity. The lack of a long-term power supply is currently a great challenge for the further application and development of USVs. Harvesting energy from the working environment of USVs is a promising solution to address that problem. To demonstrate the possibility of this scheme, a physical prototype of a novel USV with a built-in vibration energy harvester has been fabricated and tested in an open sea for the first time. Moreover, a full-coupled mathematical model is developed to further optimize the power performance of the USV based on the Taguchi method. Experimental results show that this prototype can generate a maximum instantaneous electric power of 277.71 mW , 112.95 mW and 101.27 mW when the USV is in a status of towage, propulsive and free-floating, respectively. Simulation results present that the optimized USV can achieve a mean electric power of 246.14 mW , which is improved by 49. 88 % compared with the unoptimized results of the developed prototype. • A novel USV with a built-in vibration energy harvester is developed. • A physical prototype is designed, fabricated and tested in an open sea. • A maximum instantaneous electric power of 277.71 mW is achieved in open sea tests. • The vibration energy harvester is numerically optimized based on the Taguchi method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) are playing a significant role in the marine science and engineering field, e.g., they have been widely used in measuring ocean waves and currents. However, their operation time and range are limited by the energy carried by internal batteries, and this challenge needs to be urgently addressed. In this study, a novel USV concept that can harvest vibration energy excited by ocean waves in the heaving and pitching direction is presented, which provides a sustainable and continuous power supply. A fully coupled wave-to-wire model that considers the viscous damping force is developed to investigate the dynamics and electric power performance of this novel device under site-specific realistic wave climates, with the external electric load optimally tuned for each sea state. Besides, the influence of the forward speed, geometric size, mass ratio and end-stop spring is studied. Numerical results show that the proposed USV in a freely floating situation can efficiently capture and convert harvested energy into electricity with a wave-to-wire efficiency of up to 20. 21 %. Additionally, it can generate an annual mean electric power of 29.73 W, under the wave climates of the national wave energy test site in China. • A novel wave-powered unmanned surface vehicle is designed. • A fully coupled wave-to-wire model is developed. • A high wave-to-wire efficiency up to 20.21% is obtained. • An annual mean electric power of 29.73 W is achieved by the USV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) have been widely used in various fields credited for their high flexibility and excellent manoeuvrability. However, the limited onboard electricity of USVs restricts their applications in long-term working tasks. A promising option to address that problem is employing a wave-powered USV, where a wave energy converter is integrated into the USV. For a wave-powered USV, it is challenging to achieve a precise estimation of its power generation under complex marine environments. Although there are physics-based models of WECs used for the estimation and prediction of power generation of USVs, they cannot achieve satisfactory accuracy in practice because of the linearization and simplification of those mathematical modelling. To fill up this gap, this paper proposes a data-driven modelling method utilizing feature engineering and ensemble learning to estimate the mean power generation of a wave-powered USV, relying on time-serial measurements obtained from real physical wave-flume experiments under regular waves. Results show that the estimation achieves promising performance, where the minimum RMSEs are 3.359 mW and 6.148 mW for a harvester-to-wire model and a wave-to-wire model, respectively. Additionally, the proposed method shows great potential for real-sea applications, such as online power prediction and control. • A data-driven method for power estimation of a wave-powered USV is proposed. • The robustness of the proposed method is verified with the presence of noise. • The proposed method possesses practical significance, such as data-driven control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) exhibit excellent performance in hyperspectral image classification (HSIC) and have attracted significant interest. Nevertheless, the common CNN-based classification techniques still suffer from the following drawbacks. 1) Although deep CNNs can effectively extract features from hyperspectral images, a network that is too deep often leads to negative effects such as overfitting, vanishing gradients, and decreased accuracy. 2) Most of these models for HSIC do not fully consider the strong complementarity and correlation between features at different levels. To address these issues, firstly, a self-regularization parameter correction non-monotonic activation function, called Lush, was first proposed. Then, this study proposes a novel bias update method that can update network bias parameters more efficiently. On the basis of the above, a Lush multi-layer feature fusion polarization network (LMFFBNet) for hyperspectral image classification was proposed in this study. It designs a new after-melting technology to fuse deep and shallow features in multiple stages and layers, which can obtain more discriminative features, thereby improving the classification performance of hyperspectral images. Extensive experiments on five challenging datasets (Indian Pines, Pavia University, Kennedy Space Center, Salinas Valley, and Houston) have demonstrated that compared to some state-of-the-art methods, the proposed LMFFBNet method can provide better classification performance for hyperspectral images and has strong robustness. This fully proves the effectiveness of the LMFFBNet method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hydration process of blended cementitious materials is primarily affected by the effect mechanism of supplementary cementitious materials. This study utilizes electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) method to investigate the hydration kinetics of cementitious materials incorporating metakaolin (MK), quartz (Q) and limestone powder (LS). The experimental results reveal the influence of MK+Q+LS on the hydration kinetics, phase assemblage, and microstructure of the blended systems. Besides, the electrochemical impedance response of blended cement materials exhibits variation based on the MK contents and the curing age. Furthermore, the resistance of the continuously connected micro-pores (R ccp) in the blended cementitious material progressively increases throughout the hydration process. The inclusion of MK reduces the R ccp values at early ages, while contributes to an increase in R ccp values from 7 days onward. Additionally, positive correlations are established between the R ccp value and compressive strength/heat release across different MK contents and curing ages. The combination of R ccp values and other characterization method can effectively reveal the microstructure evolution process. Therefore, as a nondestructive method, EIS can be effectively applied to predict the hydration of cementitious materials and the mechanical properties. • System with 40 % MK and 60 % quartz, simulated as low-grade calcined clay, exhibit comparable compressive strength to OPC. • The R ccp value, associated with the connected pores, exhibits a correlation with compressive strength and heat release. • R ccp values is related with the filler effect, carboaluminate formation effect and the pozzolanic reaction effect of MK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Finite element model predicts HSR concrete fatigue life. • Model assesses impact of load frequency, stress ratio, and level. • Fatigue life of environmentally damaged concrete analyzed. High-speed railways have become a critical component of modern transportation, and ensuring the stability and durability of high-speed railway concrete under environmental and train fatigue loads is essential for ensuring project safety. This paper employs a numerical simulation method to predict the performance and lifespan of high-speed railroad concrete under fatigue loading with environmental damage. The study analyzes the effects of stress level (0.5–0.8), stress ratio (0.1–0.9), and load frequency (5 Hz–40 Hz) on the fatigue performance and lifespan of railway concrete during bending fatigue loading. A four-point bending numerical model of concrete is developed in this paper, which considers elastic modulus decay and surface cracking, in order to quantify the degradation of concrete properties in response to environmental and load-induced cracks. The numerical model is well-validated with experimental results, and the study establishes a correlation between concrete degradation and environmental and load-induced cracks, as well as the fatigue resistance of high-speed railroad concrete. The bending fatigue frequency of concrete should not exceed 25 Hz at high stress levels of 0.7. This study also shows that environment-induced initial damage will greatly reduce the fatigue resistance of concrete, and fatigue life degradation and elastic modulus decay have a nearly linear relationship. This research provides a crucial foundation for the fatigue design of concrete materials for high-speed railroads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integration of phase change materials (PCMs) into buildings contributes to mitigating indoor temperature fluctuations, offering opportunities for alleviating energy crisis. However, prevalent PCM integration methods commonly suffer from shortcomings in mechanical properties, compatibility, and environmental sustainability, restricting their applications. This study developed a novel shape-stabilized PCM (SSPCM) using cenospheres from coal-fired power waste and bio-based PCMs from vegetable oil by-products, subsequently sealed with silica coatings to inhibit PCM leakage and improve thermal stability, termed as SCS@PCM, exhibiting melting enthalpy up to 103.9 J/g. SCS@PCM was then integrated into cement mortars by replacing fine sand to fabricate thermal storage cement-based materials (TSCM), followed by assessments of their microstructural, mechanical, and thermal properties. The results showed that the silica coating helps to lowrer adverse impact of SCS@PCM on the compressive strength and thermal conductivity of TSCM. TSCM containing 30.0 vol% SCS@PCM reached a 28-day compressive strength of 45.3 MPa, exhibiting only a 17.4 % reduction compared to the control group, notably less than reductions observed for other SSPCMs reported in literature. Moreover, integration of SCS@PCM improved thermal storage capacities and decreased thermal fluctuation rates of TSCM, evidenced by a 4.7 ℃ decrease in peak temperature at dosage of 30.0 vol%. This study endeavors to develop an eco-friendly TSCM with excellent thermal and mechanical properties, providing insights for applications in improving the thermal regulation and energy efficiency in building roofs. • An eco-friendly, compatible, and robust shape-stabilized PCM was developed using cenospheres and bio-based PCMs. • Effective inhibition of PCM leakage and improved thermal stability of SCS@PCM was achieved by the SiO 2 coating. • SCS@PCM replaced up to 30 % by volume of fine sand without noticeable reduction in the mechanical strength of cement mortar. • SCS@PCM significantly improved the heat storage and temperature regulation capabilities of cement mortar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concrete structures are prone to damage from various factors, particularly chloride ion penetration, which can lead to premature deterioration. Although self-repairing materials can mitigate damage and erosion, methods for evaluating their efficacy are lacking. This study explores concrete damage development, chloride and water transport in damaged concrete, and post-repair transport behavior. A comprehensive mechanical-transport-healing model for concrete was established to investigate the influence of damage and self-healing rates on chloride distribution. Results show that tensile loads under 5 μm have minimal impact on concrete transport, whereas larger displacements significantly accelerate water and chloride migration. This acceleration resulted in a 66 % increase in the chloride concentration at a depth of 15 mm with a displacement of 10 mm. Higher self-healing rates effectively reduced the chloride concentration within the 10–30 mm range. Increasing the healing rate from 70 % to 90 % led to 75 % and 35 % decreases in the chloride concentration at a depth of 30 mm after 100 years, respectively. These findings provide valuable insights into the relationship between the mechanical damage and chloride transport in concrete, which can inform the development of strategies for enhancing the durability of concrete structures exposed to chloride-rich environments. • A coupled mechanical-transport-healing numerical model is developed. • The relationship between damage on the acceleration of concrete erosion medium transport was quantified. • The effect of self-healing rate on the transport properties of damaged concrete was calculated, and the self-healing rate requirement for damaged concrete was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Experiments have been conducted to investigate the cryogenic adsorption characteristics of helium on activated carbon within the temperature–pressure range of 15–300 K and 0–1.5 MPa, utilizing volumetric method. • A comprehensive analysis have been investigated for installation design, adsorption equilibrium, adsorption isotherms, the isosteric heats of adsorption, heat leak calculation and the uncertainty. • This device can serve for selecting the suitable adsorbents which can be used in the system of helium isotope extraction and purification project in the future. To study the separation of helium isotopes by cryogenic adsorption, figuring out the adsorption characteristics of helium isotopes at low temperature is necessary. In this paper, a cryogenic adsorption measurement device has been established. It consists of a cryostat with a GM Cryocooler as cold source, a Setaram gas sorption instrument and a temperature controller. The helium-4 adsorption isotherms were studied under different temperatures and pressures (15–300 K, 0–1.5 MPa) by volumetric method. The results showed that a little helium was adsorbed by activated carbon at 300 K and 77 K. The amount of adsorbed helium increased with the temperature decreased from 20 K to 15 K. At pressures lower than 0.2 bar, the adsorption capacity increased rapidly as the pressure increased. Besides, the isosteric heats of adsorption were obtained, which was around 515 J/mol and changed little. Moreover, the cryogenic adsorption results were analyzed by Langmuir model and Toth model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Massive concrete structures are susceptible to thermal cracking due to the large surface-to-internal temperature gradients induced by the exothermic cement hydration, threatening their durability and safety. This study explored a novel thermal-tailored strategy to mitigate thermal cracking of cement-based materials by incorporating carbon fibers (CF) and liquid-metal-based microencapsulated phase change materials (MEPCM). Specifically, spherical MEPCM composed of In-Bi-Sn alloy cores coated by polyvinyl alcohol shells was prepared through a high-speed liquid-phase dispersion method, with average diameters of 36.26 μm and a high volumetric latent heat of 214 MJ/m3. The synergistic effect of CF and MEPCM on the microstructure, mechanical and thermal properties of cement mortars was further investigated. Upon adding 0.3 wt% of CF and 3.2 vol.% of MEPCM, the flexural strength of cement mortars exhibited a significant increase of 30.3 %. Microanalysis revealed that the molten MEPCM could flow to fill the pores and microcracks within its surrounding matrix and form a network skeleton with well-dispersed CF, imparting flexibility to the typically rigid cement hydrates. By this way, the thermal conductivity of cement mortars was increased by 21.7 % and internal temperature rise was decreased by 12 ℃ by adding 4.8 vol.% of MEPCM, contributing to the mitigation of risks associated with thermal cracking. The research outcomes will provide valuable insights into the development of thermal cracking-resistant cement-based materials in a highly efficient way. • Fabrication of microencapsulated phase change materials (MEPCM) based on In-Bi-Sn alloy was achieved. • The synergistic effects of carbon fiber (CF) and MEPCM on the performance of cement mortars was evaluated. • Incorporation of CF and MEPCM significantly enhanced the flexural strength and thermal conductivity of cement mortars. • Cement mortars containing 0.3 wt% CF and 4.8 vol.% of MEPCM exhibited a maximum internal temperature reduction of 12 ℃. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transport of chloride in cement-based materials is influenced by various factors, and the chloride diffusion coefficient in numerical models should be the steady-state value under specific conditions, which is difficult to obtain through traditional experiments. In this article, based on an improved non-contact resistivity instrument, the steady-state chloride diffusion coefficient and porosity of cement-based materials are characterized. Considering the acceleration effect of moisture convection and electric field on chloride transport, a numerical model for moisture and chloride transport coupling diffusion, convection, and electromigration is established. Based on the measured steady-state chloride diffusion coefficient and porosity values, the influence of interface transition zone (ITZ), electric field type, chloride binding effect, initial conditions, and boundary conditions on moisture and chloride transport is numerically analyzed. It is found that the increase of ITZ thickness, electric field strength, boundary concentration, and initial concentration can accelerate chloride transport. The chloride concentration distribution curve exhibits a "shoulder peak" caused by chloride binding effect, and its peak height and width are positively correlated with the chloride binding coefficient. In conclusion, this study aims to better understand the ion transport behavior inside cement-based materials under coupling of convection, diffusion, and electromigration, and identify the key factors influencing this behavior, which provide a feasible scheme for durable design of concrete construction in environments rich in erosive media. [Display omitted] • The chloride diffusion coefficient and porosity of cement-based materials were measured using the improved NC-ERM method. • A numerical model was established for cement-based materials, incorporating convection, diffusion, and electromigration. • Accelerated chloride transport was observed with ITZ thickness, electric potential difference, and concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Introducing a novel floating dual-chamber BBDB-OWC WEC with an enhancement plate. • The WEC exhibits smoother output power, greater capture width ratio, and broader respond bandwidth. • Difference in response phase between the front and rear chambers yields a smoother output power. • The dual chambers demonstrate commendable performance in different wave period ranges. In this study, a novel floating dual-chamber backward bent duct buoy oscillating water column (BBDB-OWC) wave energy converter (WEC) is introduced, featuring a horizontal plate at the bottom of the front chamber to act as an enhancement plate. A three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model is developed and validated by comparing its results with existing experimental measurements. The validated model is employed to investigate the hydrodynamic performance and power generation characteristics of the dual-chamber BBDB-OWC WEC under various conditions, including variations in the length of the horizontal plate (l p / l f) and different regular wave conditions. Key performance metrics, including peak to average ratio of power (PTARP), wave energy capture width ratio (ξ total), and its wave period respond bandwidth (indicated by P ξ total > 0.5 and P ξ total > 0.7), are analyzed and compared with those of a traditional single-chamber BBDB-OWC WEC. The results reveal that, compared to the single-chamber WEC, the dual-chamber WEC with a specific horizontal plate length reduces the average PTARP from 2.88 to a minimum value of 1.82 for l p / l f = 0.5, improves the average ξ total from 0.55 to a maximum value of 0.64 for l p / l f = 2.5, and increases P ξ total > 0.5 and P ξ total > 0.7 from 71 % and 14 % to maximum values of 86 % and 43 % for l p / l f = 2.5, respectively. An explanation for these observations is also provided in the context of structure motion and flow fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To build a suitable corrosion environment for testing the degradation behavior of magnesium alloy in vitro, the medium and test environment are constantly optimized. However, the applicability of medium renewal mode is still vague. In this study, based on three representative test protocols, the influence of the specific ratio of media volume to surface area and the disposable medium real-time renewal mode (flow-through) on Mg corrosion were investigated. It is found that in flow-through medium renewal mode, the composition of the medium is maintained quasi-constant which is essential for corrosion tests. The selection suggestion on medium renewal mode was also proposed. This work is beneficial for ultimately establishing the representative in vitro testing protocols for Mg bioabsorbable materials. • The ratio of medium volume to surface area affects Mg corrosion. • The disposable medium real-time renewal mode maintains the medium stability. • Different media and materials have distinct sensitivity to medium renewal modes. • Medium renewal modes of corrosion test should be prudently selected based on actual needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluating the hydrodynamic response, the electric power generation and the wave-to-wire efficiency of scale-down prototypes are critically crucial for developing wave energy converters (WECs). Experimental evaluation through dry and wet tests are commonly employed approaches, besides the numerical analysis. However, the current study heavily relies on expensive test platforms and lacks physical verification of control strategies. This study aims to comprehensively evaluate a scale-down oscillating-body-type WEC through newly developed cost-effectively experimental techniques and test rigs, where the influence of the electric load and the implementation of a control strategy are investigated. The newly-designed dry test rig provides a low-cost and generic approach to evaluate the mechano-electric conversion performance of the power take-off system, and an advanced real-time measurement and control system is assembled and employed to test the wave-excited performance of a WEC through flume experiments. More importantly, this real-time control system is used to physically implement a well-established control strategy under regular and irregular waves, to approach the required stable output power. • Propose a low-cost test rig to assess the mechano-electric conversion performance. • The system-wide performance is efficiently obtained by a high-integrated DAQ system. • The real-time control strategy implementation example of look-up table is shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Mechanical properties of superconducting magnet insulation materials after reheat. • Strain responses during second Vacuum Pressure Impregnation process. • Monitoring by Fiber Bragg Grating sensors embedded in the insulation layers. • Additional strain introduced by the new added epoxy resin. In large-scale, high-field superconducting magnets used for magnetic confinement fusion, high energy accelerators, and magnetic resonance imaging, the insulating system made from glass fiber reinforced resin-based composites is the key component, which mainly plays the role of mechanical support, fixing and protecting superconducting conductors, as well as electrical insulation. Vacuum Pressure Impregnation (VPI) approach is widely used in the manufacturing of the insulation system. The second curing cycle is generally required after the first VPI and curing process. For example, after the superconducting coil is cured in the mold, the de-molding process requires the superconducting coil to be reheated according the curing temperature. Moreover, for large-scale superconducting magnets, the superconducting coil needs to undergo a second VPI process after the first VPI process to fix the coil in the coil case. In this work, the tensile and shear properties of pure epoxy resin and the glass fiber reinforced resin-based composite, were investigated at both room and cryogenic temperatures and the effect of the second curing cycle on the mechanical properties was analyzed. Additionally, the strain evolution of the Nb-Ti superconducting coil during the second curing cycle was measured using the Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors embedded in the composite. The results indicate that the second curing cycle will not introduce additional strain to the previously cured resin matrix, but the defective or weak parts of the resin matrix may be affected by the new added epoxy resin and a little extra strain has been observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Steady-state simulation for cryogenic distillation of helium isotope separation is conducted. • The profiles of 3He and 4He contents, temperature, vapor–liquid flow rates within column and duties of condenser and reboiler is simulated. • A sensitivity analysis is investigated with respect to the feed concentration of 3He and reflux ratio. Helium-3 (3He) is an invaluable and scarce resource with applications in various scientific and industrial fields. It is typically found mixed with helium- 4(4He) in natural gas and nuclear off-gas, which is industrial source of helium. Therefore, separation of the helium isotope is necessary. Cryogenic distillation is a preferred method of separation due to its higher separation coefficient and processing capacity. In this study, a numerical steady-state simulation of cryogenic distillation column for helium isotope has been conducted using programming. The mathematical model for the equilibrium-state cryogenic distillation process was established and solutions of the thermodynamic formulation was proposed. The simulation provided the distribution of 3He and 4He along each distillation column as well as the profiles of temperature and flow rates along the column, based on the designed specifications including the composition of the feeding mixture, feed flow rate and pressure. The required heat duty of the condenser and reboiler was also calculated, and the column dimensions were estimated. Besides, we have studied the effects of the reflux ratio and feed concentration of 3He on the final isotopic contents of the top and bottom products. The results demonstrated that the distillation simulation could provide crucial theoretical support for the smooth execution of future laboratory experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A pile-restrained floating wave energy converter (WEC) array is proposed as an alternative to a single floater of the size of the array for use as a floating breakwater. The hydrodynamics of the WEC are modelled based on the Navier-Stokes equations and the model is verified by comparing its results with existing experimental data. The model then is used to characterize the array composed by a line of three WECs in terms of floater heaving, wave energy conversion, wave reflection, transmission and dissipation, for different layouts. In the examined array configuration, the aligned arrays exhibit superior performance compared to the staggered arrays, comprehensively considering both wave energy conversion and wave transmission. Specifically, when kh i > 1.73, the wave energy conversion efficiency of the aligned array with a spacing of 0.1 times the WEC width ranges from 0.141 to 0.330, while the wave transmission coefficient ranges from 0.187 to 0.472, indicating the effectiveness of the arrays in simultaneously reducing wave transmission and converting wave energy under shorter-wavelength conditions. Compared to a single WEC of the same dimensions, the array exhibits a remarkable increase in wave energy conversion efficiency and effectively reduce wave reflection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research about magnesium corrosion inhibitors focuses on their influence on corrosion rate, but little attention is paid to whether the service reliability of alloys is improved by the inhibitors. In this work, the effects of selected corrosion inhibitors on the corrosion rate and localized corrosion behavior of magnesium alloy were compared. It is found that some corrosion inhibitors fail to inhibit the localized corrosion of magnesium, resulting in the inability to effectively maintain the mechanical bearing capacity of the corroded magnesium alloy. This study is of great significance for establishing reasonable screening and evaluation criteria for magnesium alloy corrosion inhibitors. • SDBS and PDCA effectively slows down the corrosion rate of Mg alloy but cannot completely inhibit localized corrosion. • SA slightly accelerates Mg corrosion but delays the decline of mechanical properties of alloy. • PCCys significantly slows down the corrosion rate and inhibit the localized corrosion of Mg alloy. • Inhibition efficiency of corrosion inhibitor has no direct link to its effect on the mechanical bearing capacity of Mg alloy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]