Response and adaptation of bone cells to simulated microgravity

Bone loss induced by microgravity during space flight is one of the most deleterious factors on astronaut’s health and is mainly attributed to an unbalance in the process of bone remodeling. Studies from the space microgravity have demonstrated that the disruption of bone remodeling is associated with the changes of four main functional bone cells, including osteoblast, osteoclast, osteocyte, and mesenchymal stem cells. For the limited availability, expensive costs and confined experiment conditions for conducting space microgravity studies, the mechanism of bone cells response and adaptation to microgravity is still unclear. Therefore, some ground-based simulated microgravity methods have been developed to investigate the bioeffects of microgravity and the mechanisms. Here, based on our studies and others, we review how bone cells (osteoblasts, osteoclasts, osteocytes and mesenchymal stem cells) respond and adapt to simulated microgravity.     

Effects of traverse speed on weld formation,microstructure and mechanical properties of ZK60 Mg alloy joint by bobbin tool friction stir welding

ZK60B (Mg-6% Zn-0.6% Zr) alloy joints fabricated by bobbin tool friction stir welding (BTFSW) with various traverse speeds were investigated. The sound joint fabricated by the BTFSW was possible under the appropriate welding parameters. The severe plastic deformation during BTFSW resulted in dispersion and segregation of the Zr-rich particles within the stirred zone (SZ) followed by evolution of a bimodal grain structure with distributed bands of 0.8–1.7 μm ultrafine grains and 4.1–7.1 μm equiaxed grains. Micro-hardness of SZ is substantially reduced in contrast to that of parent metal (PM) in spite of the finer grain size owing to dissolution of Mg-Zn based precipitates having hardening effects on alpha-Mg matrix. With the decrease in traverse speed, randomization degree of the plasticized metal flow increases, which is evidenced by the randomized arc line pattern at the low traverse speed. Among all defect-free joints, the 200 mm/min joint exhibits the weakest isotropy of texture within SZ and the best tensile properties, which has reduced ultimate tensile strength and yield strength by 5.4% and by 22.2%, respectively, as compared to the PM. The randomized texture hinders the joint fracturing within SZ at low elongation. Therefore, a relatively high elongation of 10.8% was achieved, which corresponded to 72% of the PM value.     

Effect of beam current on microstructures and mechanical properties of joints of TZM/30CrMnSiA by electron beam welding

Electron beam welding experiments of TZM alloy and 30CrMnSiA steel butt joints were carried out with different beam currents. Microstructures and chemical compositions of typical zones were analyzed by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The mechanical properties of the joints were evaluated by tensile strength tests. Besides, nanoindentation tests were carried out to compare the brittleness of the reaction layer and other typical microstructures. The results illustrated that the reaction layer at the interface between fusion zone (FZ) and TZM alloy was the weak position of the joint, which was divided into Fe₂Mo layer and a mixture layer of Fe₂Mo and α-Fe phases. As the beam current increased, the thickness of the Fe₂Mo layer decreased, which resulted in the increasing of the tensile strength of the joints. When the beam current exceeded 24 mA, the formation of the joint was poor with a low tensile strength. When the beam current was 24 mA, the joint presented the highest strength of 191.3 MPa and the joint fractured along the Fe₂Mo layer near the TZM alloy side with a brittle fracture mode.     

Multiscale modeling of mechanical behavior and failure mechanism of 3D angle-interlock woven aluminum composites subjected to warp/weft directional tension loading

The mechanical behavior and progressive damage mechanism of novel aluminum matrix composites reinforced with 3D angle-interlock woven carbon fibers were investigated using a multiscale modeling approach. The mechanical properties and failure of yarns were evaluated using a microscale model under different loading scenarios. On this basis, a mesoscale model was developed to analyze the tensile behavior and failure mechanism of the composites. The interfacial decohesion, matrix damage, and failure of fibers and yarns were incorporated into the microscopic and mesoscopic models. The stress–strain curves and fracture modes from simulation show good agreement with the experimental curves and fracture morphology. Local interface and matrix damage initiate first under warp directional tension. Thereafter, interfacial failure, weft yarn cracking, and matrix failure occur successively. Axial fracture of warp yarn, which displays a quasi-ductile fracture characteristic, dominates the ultimate composites failure. Under weft directional tension, interfacial failure and warp yarn rupture occur at the early and middle stages. Matrix failure and weft yarn fracture emerge simultaneously at the final stage, leading to the cata-strophic failure of composites. The weft directional strength and fracture strain are lower than the warp directional ones because of the lower weft density and the more serious brittle fracture of weft yarns.     

Medium Earth Orbit dynamical survey and its use in passive debris removal

The Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) region hosts satellites for navigation, communication, and geodetic/space environmental science, among which are the Global Navigation Satellites Systems (GNSS). Safe and efficient removal of debris from MEO is problematic due to the high cost for maneuvers needed to directly reach the Earth (reentry orbits) and the relatively crowded GNSS neighborhood (graveyard orbits). Recent studies have highlighted the complicated secular dynamics in the MEO region, but also the possibility of exploiting these dynamics, for designing removal strategies. In this paper, we present our numerical exploration of the long-term dynamics in MEO, performed with the purpose of unveiling the set of reentry and graveyard solutions that could be reached with maneuvers of reasonable $\mathrm{\Delta }V$ cost. We simulated the dynamics over 120–200?years for an extended grid of millions of fictitious MEO satellites that covered all inclinations from 0 to 90°, using non-averaged equations of motion and a suitable dynamical model that accounted for the principal geopotential terms, 3rd-body perturbations and solar radiation pressure (SRP). We found a sizeable set of usable solutions with reentry times that exceed $～40$ years, mainly around three specific inclination values: 46°, 56°, and 68°; a result compatible with our understanding of MEO secular dynamics. For $\mathrm{\Delta }V?300$ m/s (i.e., achieved if you start from a typical GNSS orbit and target a disposal orbit with $e<0.3$), reentry times from GNSS altitudes exceed $～70$ years, while low-cost ($\mathrm{\Delta }V?5–35$ m/s) graveyard orbits, stable for at lest 200?years, are found for eccentricities up to $e\approx 0.018$. This investigation was carried out in the framework of the EC-funded “ReDSHIFT” project.     

原位自生TiB2/Al基复合材料的制备及性能

在合金的基础上进一步引入纳米陶瓷颗粒,从而制备出颗粒增强金属基复合材料,是提高金属材料综合性能的重要手段。本文从原位自生TiB_2/Al基复合材料的制备方法、不同加工工艺下复合材料的微观组织、复合材料的力学性能三个方面总结了其研究现状,同时展望了原位自生TiB_2/Al基复合材料的发展方向。通过原位自生方法制备出的TiB_2颗粒增强铝基复合材料具有颗粒尺寸小、与基体界面结合良好等优点。通过合金化设计、热加工塑性变形、快速凝固工艺可进一步改善纳米陶瓷颗粒的分散性。相对于外加法制备的金属基复合材料,原位自生TiB_2/Al基复合材料具有更加优异的力学性能,如弹性模量、强度、抗疲劳性能、抗蠕变性能等。     

浅谈工程力学课程教学改革

本文针对工程力学课程教学存在的一些问题,提出了一些改革设想.     

EPR实验结果解释述评

许多论文给出了EPR实验结果的解释。本文作者指出,EPR实验结果迫使我们修改物理学基础,并阐明这些结果蕴含着统一狭义相对论和量子力学的两条基本原理,他们是扩充的因果性原理和不可分离性原理。第一原理是狭义相对论和量子力学的共同立足点,他把因果性从类时和类光区域扩充到类空区域,第二原理是量子力学的独特性质。     

东方红三号卫星的机械太阳阵和通信天线

介绍了中德合作研制、生产东方红三号机械太阳阵和通信天线的有关技术和项目的进展情况。机械太阳阵的设计是在经过自行验证的技术基础上进行的,有了这些经验,加上计算机设计优化,能够满足苛刻的质量和刚度要求。通信天线的主要特点是收发共用和全极化复用。它是通过两套7喇叭馈源阵照射极化敏感反射器实现的。天线电性能和结构性能均满足技术要求。