In this study, the influence of bimodal WC particle size design on the microstructure and mechanical properties of WC–27 wt.% Mo₂C–10 wt.% Co cemented carbides was systematically investigated. Bimodal hard-phase designs were realized by combining ultrafine WC (300 nm) and coarse WC (1.8 μm) at various ratios, followed by consolidation via spark plasma sintering (SPS). During sintering, Mo₂C preferentially dissolved into the Co-rich liquid phase due to its higher solubility than WC, forming a Co–Mo–C liquid. As sintering progressed, ultrafine WC selectively dissolved owing to its high interfacial energy, gradually transforming the liquid composition into a Co–Mo–W–C system. Owing to the short holding time and rapid cooling rate of SPS, the η-phase (M₆C) formed during sintering remained metastable. Meanwhile, selective dissolution–reprecipitation resulted in the formation of Mo₂C-based core–rim structures with W enrichment in the rim region as (Mo, W)₂C. As the fraction of ultrafine WC increased, the hardness increased from 1769 to 1997 kgf/mm2, whereas the fracture toughness exhibited an insignificant difference from 6.56 to 6.65 MPa·m¹/². Fracture behavior analysis revealed that crack deflection and crack bridging occurred at the Mo₂C core–rim interfaces, effectively suppressing straight crack propagation. These results demonstrate that the introduction of ultrafine WC plays a dominant role in enhancing mechanical performance, and that bimodal WC design combined with Mo₂C addition is a highly effective strategy for developing high-performance cemented carbides for machining

영구자석 선형 전동기인 VCM(Voice coil motor)은 직접 구동 방식의 액츄에이터로 기어나 변속장치가 필요 없어 높은 정밀도 를 가지고 구조적인 특성상 기계적 마찰이 적어 소음이 발생하지 않는 장점을 가지고 있다. 아울러 회전운동을 직선 운동으로 변환하기 위한 별도의 장치가 필요하지 않고, 구동부가 가벼워 응답속도가 빠른 특징이 있다. 본 연구에서는 이러한 VCM을 다양한 산업 분야에 적용하기 위한 기초연구로 VCM의 속도제어를 위해 PSO(Pariticle swarm optimization) 기법을 적용하여 제어기의 유용성 평가를 위한 수 치 시뮬레이션을 수행하였다. 제어계는 전류와 속도 제어를 위한 이중 루프로 구성하였고, 각각의 제어 루프에는 PI 제어기를 적용하여 속도 목표치에 추종하는 출력값을 얻기 위한 제어기를 설계하였다. 제어기 파라미터 추정에는 PSO기법을 적용하였고, 제어기의 유용성 을 검증하기 위해 주파수 영역에서의 모델매칭기법을 적용한 제어 기법과의 제어 결과를 비교하였다. 두 가지 제어 기법은 MATLAB을 이용하여 수치 시뮬레이션을 수행했고, 제어 결과는 IAEU(Integral of absolute error units) 평가 지수를 이용하여 비교하였다. 수치 시뮬레 이션 결과 제안한 제어 기법의 유용성을 확인할 수 있었다.

In this study, a particle shape control process was developed to fabricate flake-like SUS316L powders about 20 μm for application in semiconductor gas filters. The Flake powder was produced through a wet milling process using a Planetary Mill by varying the rotation speed, milling time, solvent, and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) dispersant conditions. The fabricated powders were then characterized to evaluate their morphological and phase transformation behaviors. In the ethanol-based Planetary Milling process, as the rotation speed increased from 300, 400, 500 rpm, the powder morphology was observed to gradually change from spherical to flake-like due to the increase in milling energy. According to the XRD, as the rotation speed increased, a phase transformation from austenite to martensite occurred due to the increase in heat generation and collisions between the powder and balls. In addition, an increase in Full Width at Half Maximum (FWHM) was observed, indicating a decrease in crystallinity. Under different solvent and dispersant conditions, the addition of 5 wt% PVP to the deionized water (DI Water) solvent suppressed particle fracture and produced more uniform flake-like particles compared with the DI Water process without PVP. In addition, a smaller FWHM and reduced oxygen content were observed.

This study investigated the effects of oxidative firing parameters and raw material characteristics on the pelletization of Australian and Minh Son (Vietnam) iron ore concentrates. The influence of firing temperature (1050°C–1150°C) and holding time (15–120 min) on pellet compressive strength was examined, focusing on microstructural changes during consolidation. Green pellets were prepared using controlled particle size distributions and bentonite as a binder. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analyses revealed that grain boundary diffusion, liquid phase formation, and densification significantly improved mechanical strength. X-ray diffraction confirmed the complete oxidation of magnetite to hematite at elevated temperatures, a critical transformation for metallurgical performance. Optimal firing conditions for both single and blended ore compositions yielded compressive strengths above 250 kgf/pellet, satisfying the requirements for blast furnace applications. These results provide valuable guidance for improving pellet production, promoting the efficient utilization of diverse ore types, and enhancing the overall performance of ironmaking operations.

페어리드 체인 스토퍼(Fairlead Chain Stopper, FCS)는 10MW급 부유식 해상풍력 발전기에 설치하기 위해 새롭게 개발된 탈착형 계류 시스템이다. 본 연구에서는 다양한 메타모델과 입자군집최적화 알고리즘을 이용하여 FCS의 구조설계에 대한 최적설계안을 탐색하 였다. FCS의 구조설계는 선급규정 설계하중조건을 산정하여 유한요소해석을 통해 수치해석적으로 평가하였고, 수치해석모델을 최적설계 에 연계하여 적용하였다. 최적설계의 수렴 효율성을 향상시키기 위해 반응표면모델, 크리깅, 체비쇼프직교다항식, 그리고 신경망과 같은 다양한 메타모델이 사용되었다. 최적설계에서 제한조건은 설계하중조건 별 응력을 고려하였고, 주요 구조부품의 두께 치수를 이산설계변 수와 연속설계변수로 각각 적용하여 목적함수인 최소중량설계를 달성할 수 있는 최적해의 특성을 비교하였다. 최적설계 알고리즘은 이산 설계변수의 최적해 탐색이 가능한 입자군집최적화가 적용되었다. FCS의 구조설계에 대해 신경망 기반의 메타모델이 적용된 경우에 4.72% 이하의 오차율로 최적해의 결정이 가능한 것으로 확인되었다.

The recent development of small modular reactors (SMRs) and the adoption of higher-enrichment fuels have intensified the need for advanced burnable absorbers to ensure effective reactivity control and extended fuel cycles. Among various designs, UO2 fuels with high Gd2O3 (gadolinium oxide) content provide notable benefits; in particular, they are compatible with established fabrication methods for burnable absorber fuels. However, achieving a homogeneous dispersion of Gd2O3 at high loading levels remains challenging, and the frequent occurrence of phase segregation and non-uniform microstructures can limit fuel reliability and performance. Overcoming these limitations requires an understanding of the powder characteristics and mixing behaviors during fabrication. In this study, we investigate the effects of the initial particle size and mixing method of UO2 and Gd2O3 powders on the microstructure and mixing homogeneity of high-Gd2O3-content fuels. The findings indicate that both the mixing method and the preparation state of the starting powders significantly affect the resulting microstructure and mixing uniformity.

Solar energetic particle (SEP) events, driven by solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs), are occasionally accompanied by ground level enhancements (GLEs), detected by neutron monitors. While GLEs represent only a subset of SEP events, their occurrence may provide insight into the acceleration and propagation mechanisms of SEPs. In this study, we conducted a statistical analysis of 122 SEP events from 1997 to 2023, including 16 events associated with GLE and 106 without, using elemental composition data from the ACE/SIS instrument and X-ray fluence data from GOES/XRS. The results show that SEP events with GLE exhibit significantly higher fluences of SIS elements (He, C, N, O, Ne, Mg, Si) than those without, particularly at high energy channels. Notably, the fluences of carbon and oxygen were particularly enhanced in SEP events associated with GLE, suggesting a potential role for these elements in the generation of GLEs. A strong correlation (average r ≈ 0.75) was observed between the X-ray fluence of associated solar flares and the elemental fluences in SEP events with GLE, whereas a weaker correlation (average r ≈ 0.32–0.40) was found for SEP events without GLE. These findings imply that the presence of a GLE is linked to distinct acceleration conditions and enhanced ion production, particularly of light ions with large charge-to-mass ratios. This study contributes to a better understanding of SEP composition, GLE-associated mechanisms, and their relevance to space weather forecasting and radiation hazard assessments.

To address the issues of slow magnetization current tracking speed, prolonged magnetization time, and low accuracy during magnetic particle testing of ship castings, forgings, and welded components, this study designed a high-precision rapid current tracking control system. By integrating the predictive characteristics of the Newton interpolation algorithm with the robustness of PID control, a compound control algorithm with a pre-judgment mechanism was developed. An innovative three-phase zero-crossing detection circuit architecture was also implemented, combining high-speed A/D converters and CS5460 chips to optimize current tracking methods, resolving the conflict between initial tracking phase deviation and dynamic process overshoot in conventional approaches. Experimental results demonstrated that this method significantly improves magnetization speed, achieving target current tracking within 0.5 seconds with errors below 2%, meeting the design requirements for non-destructive testing in ship welding applications.

Due to cognitive differences, traditional perceptual engineering (KE) frequently relies too heavily on designers' experience in analyzing customers' emotional demands, which can result in product designs that deviate from users' expectations. This work suggests a thorough evaluation approach that combines the particle swarm optimization-support vector regression (PSO-SVR) model and perceptual engineering to increase the scientificity and precision of design choices. The approach first determines the subjective weights of users' emotional needs using spherical fuzzy hierarchical analysis (SFAHP). Next, it uses the entropy weighting method to determine the objective weights. Finally, it combines the subjective and objective data using game theory to produce a more rational evaluation system. Finally, the emotional prediction model based on PSO-SVR is constructed to realize the accurate mapping between emotional needs and design features. The empirical study shows that“speed”, “dynamic”and“luxury” are the core emotional demands of users, and the algorithm's prediction results are highly consistent with users' actual evaluations, which strongly verifies the accuracy of the model. Compared with the traditional KE method, the model better integrates subjective experience and objective data and provides more practical support for the design of flybridge yachts.

본 논문에서는 진동대 실험 데이터를 활용하여 기존 지진취약도 곡선을 업데이트하기 위해 파티클 필터링(Particle Filtering, PF)의 적용 타당성을 분석하였다. PF는 비선형적이며, 비가우시안적인 문제를 다루는 데 적합하며, 기존 베이지안 업데이트 기법인 분산점 변환(Unscented Transformation, UT)과 마르코프 연쇄 몬테카를로(Markov Chain Monte Carlo, MCMC)에 비해 지진취약도 곡선 업데 이트 과정에서 더 높은 정확성과 안정성을 제공하였다. 연구 결과, PF는 HAZUS, HRC, 변형률 기반(Strain-based) 손상 상태에서 기존 기법보다 더 보수적인 지진취약도 곡선을 도출하였으며, 불확실성이 큰 상황에서도 안정적인 결과를 제공하였다. 특히, PF는 재추출 (Resampling) 과정을 통해 불확실성을 효과적으로 감소시켜 더 신뢰할 수 있는 지진취약도 평가 결과를 제공하였다. 본 연구는 PF가 지진공학 분야에서 지진취약도의 정확성과 안정성을 높이는 데 유용한 도구임을 시사한다.

Ceramic materials have become essential due to their high durability, chemical stability, and excellent thermal stability in various advanced industries such as aerospace, automotive, and semiconductor. However, high-performance ceramic materials face limitations in commercialization due to the high cost of raw materials and complex manufacturing processes. Aluminum borate (Al₁₈B₄O₃₃) has emerged as a promising alternative due to its superior mechanical strength and thermal stability, despite its simple manufacturing process and low production cost. In this study, we propose a method for producing Al₁₈B₄O₃₃ spherical powder with increased uniformity and high flowability by controlling the particle size of B₂O₃. The content ratio of the manufactured Al18B4O33 spherical powder was Al2O3: B2O3 = 87:13, and it exhibited a 17% reduction in the Hausner ratio (1.04) and a 29% decrease in the angle of repose (23.9°) compared to pre-milling conditions, demonstrating excellent flowability.

A study was conducted to evaluate the proper particle cleaned air changes per hour (PCH) in apartment buildings and school classrooms. The concept of PCH was newly introduced. The PCH can be expressed as the clean air delivery rate (CADR) per space volume. The PCH includes the filtering effect with air changes per hour (ACH). A method for calculating the proper PCH was theoretically proposed and experimentally verified. The proper PCH to effectively control ultrafine particles in apartments and school classrooms was found to be 4.0/h and 4.2/h, respectively. In general, air cleaners and mechanical ventilation devices are often used together in apartments and school classrooms. In such cases, it is important to consider the proper PCH of each device and control it for energy-efficient operation. In addition, in times of concern for infection such as COVID-19, it will be necessary to operate the PCH at 6.0/h or more to minimize the probability of infection.

Activated carbon has broad application prospects for treating pollutants due to its easy availability, low cost and good adsorption. In our work, nano-activated carbons (NAC) with abundant functional groups are obtained by the oxidation modification of HNO3, ( NH4)2S2O8, and KMnO4, which are used to construct the particle electrodes to degrade NDEA in a continuous flow electrochemical reactor, and the influence of relevant factors on the performance of NDEA removal is discussed. The experimental data show that the optimal degradation efficiency is 42.55% at the conditions of 3 mL/min influent water flow, 0.21 M electrolyte concentration, 10 mA/cm2 current density, and 10 μg/mL initial NDEA concentration. The degradation of NDEA conforms to a quasi second order kinetic equation. The electrocatalytic mechanism of NAC electrodes for removing NDEA is firstly discussed. The effects of different free radicals on the degradation of NDEA are also demonstrated through free radical quenching experiments, indicating that the degradation of NDEA is dominated by ⋅OH. The degradation pathway of NDEA and final products are obtained using GC–MS. NAC particle electrodes as the cheap and efficient electrocatalyst in continuous flow electrochemical reactor system provide a greener solution for the removal of disinfection by-products from drinking water.

In this study, we report significant improvements in lithium-ion battery anodes cost and performance, by fabricating nano porous silicon (Si) particles from Si wafer sludge using the metal-assisted chemical etching (MACE) process. To solve the problem of volume expansion of Si during alloying/de-alloying with lithium ions, a layer was formed through nitric acid treatment, and Ag particles were removed at the same time. This layer acts as a core-shell structure that suppresses Si volume expansion. Additionally, the specific surface area of Si increased by controlling the etching time, which corresponds to the volume expansion of Si, showing a synergistic effect with the core-shell. This development not only contributes to the development of high-capacity anode materials, but also highlights the possibility of reducing manufacturing costs by utilizing waste Si wafer sludge. In addition, this method enhances the capacity retention rate of lithium-ion batteries by up to 38 %, marking a significant step forward in performance improvements.

The Earth’s radiation belts, which extend from near the Earth to approximately geosynchronous orbit, contain highly energetic particles that actively interact with various plasma waves. This study reviews two numerical approaches to studying waveparticle interactions in the Earth’s radiation belts and discusses their respective advantages and limitations. The first approach involves diffusion simulations based on quasi-linear theory, which is well-suited for describing the collective dynamics of many particles from a statistical perspective. The second approach, test particle simulation, focuses on the detailed motion of individual particles, revealing nonlinear phenomena such as phase trapping and bunching. Both methods allow for the derivation of diffusion coefficients, which quantify the timescale of wave-particle interactions and help explain how particles either precipitate into the atmosphere or accelerate to higher energies in the Earth’s radiation belts. Additionally, these methodologies can be adapted to study the dynamics of planetary radiation belts, such as those around Jupiter and Saturn, by adjusting for the specific environmental parameters of each planet.