Comprehensive properties assessment of asphalt binder under aqueous solutions with different pH values and its gradient damage behaviors

This study characterized the morphology, high-temperature property, rheological property, adhesion, cohesion, and chemical component of asphalt binder under aqueous solutions of different pH values. Then the physicochemical properties of asphalt binder were comprehensively evaluated by the improved radar chart. The properties of asphalt...

A Thermoelectric Energy Harvesting System Assisted by A Piezoelectric Transducer Achieving 10-mV Cold-Startup and 82.7% Peak Efficiency

This article presents a 10mV-startup-voltage thermoelectric energy harvesting system, assisted by a piezoelectric generator (PEG) as a cold starter. It exploits the fact that when a thermoelectric energy harvesting system is implemented in a place where kinetic energy is also present, the PEG starter can provide a clock signal to start the...

A Single-Stage Three-Mode Reconfigurable Regulating Rectifier for Wireless Power Transfer

In this article, we propose a reconfigurable regulating rectifier with a wide operational range for wireless power transfer. The proposed three-mode rectifier achieves a broad range voltage regulation without global loop control to minimize the chip area occupation. Compared with previous work, more working modes and greater voltage gain...

Experimental and numerical study on the mitigation of autogenous shrinkage of cementitious material

This study experimentally investigated the effects of surfactants and water-repelling agents on the hydration process, relative humidity, and mechanical properties of Portland cement pastes. Based on the measurement results, the degree of hydration, degree of saturation, capillary tension of autogenous shrinkage, and magnitude of autogenous...

Effect of ethanol concentration on methane hydrate decomposition: MD simulation insights

The controllability of mining is a key factor affecting the commercial application of methane hydrates, and the addition of chemical additives can significantly accelerate the mining process. However, the effect of additive concentration on hydrate decomposition is not yet well understood. In this study, we systematically investigate the...

New innovations in pavement materials and engineering: A review on pavement engineering research 2021

Sustainable and resilient pavement infrastructure is critical for current economic and environmental challenges. In the past 10 years, the pavement infrastructure strongly supports the rapid development of the global social economy. New theories, new methods, new technologies and new materials related to pavement engineering are emerging....

Revealing an Interconnected Interfacial Layer in Solid-State Polymer Sodium Batteries

Replacing the commonly used nonaqueous liquid electrolytes in rechargeable sodium batteries with polymer solid electrolytes is expected to provide new opportunities to develop safer batteries with higher energy densities. However, this poses challenges related to the interface between the Na-metal anode and polymer electrolytes. Driven by...