A three-dimensional （3-D） modified cellular automaton （MCA） method was developed for simulating the dendrite morphology of cubic system alloys. Two-dimensional （2-D） equations of growth velocities of the dendrit...A three-dimensional （3-D） modified cellular automaton （MCA） method was developed for simulating the dendrite morphology of cubic system alloys. Two-dimensional （2-D） equations of growth velocities of the dendrite tip, interface curvature and anisotropy of the surface energy were extended to 3-D system in the model. Therefore, the model was able to describe the morphology evolution of 3-D dendrites. Then, the model was applied to simulate the mechanism of spacing adjustment for 3-D columnar dendrite growth, and the competitive growth of columnar dendrites with different preferred growth orientations under constant temperature gradient and pulling velocity. Directional solidification experiments of NH4Cl-H2O transparent alloy were performed. It was found that the simulated results compared well with the experimental results. Therefore, the model was reliable for simulating the 3-D dendrite growth of cubic system alloys.展开更多
The normal vector of migration direction in the solid-liquid interface of dendrites was used to describe the phase-field governing equation. By using the three angles formed by the normal vector for the migration dire...The normal vector of migration direction in the solid-liquid interface of dendrites was used to describe the phase-field governing equation. By using the three angles formed by the normal vector for the migration direction of the dendritic growth interface and the coordinate axes of the simulation region, the authors expressed the interfacial anisotropy equation, and built a phase-field model for the competitive growth of multiple grains. Taking a Al-2%mole-Cu binary alloy as an example, the competitive growth of multiple grains during isothermal solidification was simulated by applying parallel computing techniques. In addition, the phase field simulation results were verified by the experimental method. The simulation results show that the competitive growth of equiaxed dendrite is divided into two types: the first occurs during the process of competitive growth, the tips of primary dendrite on different grains taking part in the competition stop growing in their optimal growth direction; the second also occurs during competitive growth, the tips of primary dendrite which participate in the competition on different grains never stop growing in their optimal growth direction. The dendritic morphologies of the first competition growth type are divided into two types. Primary dendrites of grains taking part in the competition stop growing in their optimal growth direction and the competition plane enlarges when neither one wins the competition. However, when one wins the competition, the primary dendrites of grains with superiority go through the blocking grains and continue to grow in their optimal growth direction. The primary dendrites of inferior grains stop growing in their optimal growth direction and then instead grow in those areas without obstacles. The dendritic morphology of the second competition-growth type is shown to be the deformation of primary dendrites, which are mainly represented as the deflection and bending observed from different views. Compared with the metallographic picture, the simulation results can show the morphology of the competitive growth in all directions, so this simulation method can better characterize the competitive growth process.展开更多
The influence of periodic pressure with low and high frequencies on microstructure and dendritic sidebranching was studied by using 3-D phase field method. In both low and high frequency cases, the variation trend of ...The influence of periodic pressure with low and high frequencies on microstructure and dendritic sidebranching was studied by using 3-D phase field method. In both low and high frequency cases, the variation trend of SDAS (secondary dendritic arm spacing) with increasing pressure frequency is opposite to that of sidebranching frequency, while the variation trend of the average length of secondary arms is consistent with that of sidebranching frequency. The high sidebranching frequency indicates that more secondary arms share the whole driving force of dendrite growth, resulting in lower driving force for each one and leading to less developed secondary arms. The smallest SDAS is obtained when perturbed by the periodic pressure with the frequency of 0.157/τ0 (τ0 is the physical unit of time in the dimensionless phase field model) and 2.200/τ0 in low and high frequency cases, respectively. Comparisons of dendritic morphology and secondary arms are made between the low and high frequency cases. Firstly, in the low frequency case, secondary arms are luxuriant especially when pressure frequency is low, with many high-order side branches stretching out. Secondly, the average length of secondary arms in primary dendrite is longer in the low frequency case than that without pressure, and much longer than that in the high frequency case. Thirdly, the dendrite tip without side branches in the high frequency case is much longer than that in the low frequency case. All of the differences in dendritic morphology and sidebranching in the two cases can be attributed to the different modulation mechanism. In the low frequency case, periodic pressure determines tip velocity and then modulates sidebranching directly. While in the high frequency case, periodic pressure cannot determine sidebranching directly, but via modulating tiny protuberances in dendrite tip, part of which evolves into side branch. In this case, the tiny protuberances take part of the whole driving force, leading to less developed secondary arms.展开更多
Injuries to spinal motoneurons manifest in a variety of forms,including damage to peripheral axons,neurodegenerative disease,or direct insult centrally.Such injuries produce a variety of negative structural and functi...Injuries to spinal motoneurons manifest in a variety of forms,including damage to peripheral axons,neurodegenerative disease,or direct insult centrally.Such injuries produce a variety of negative structural and functional changes in both the directly affected and neighboring motoneurons.Exercise is a relatively simple behavioral intervention that has been demonstrated to protect against,and accelerate recovery from,these negative changes.In this article,we describe how exercise is neuroprotective for motoneurons,accelerating axon regeneration following axotomy and attenuating dendritic atrophy following the death of neighboring motoneurons.In both of these injury models,the positive effects of exercise have been found to be dependent on gonadal hormone action.Here we describe a model in which exercise,hormones,and brain-derived neurotrophic factor might all interact to produce neuroprotective effects on motoneuron structure following neural injury.展开更多
Catalytic powders with fine microstructures can be produced from a rapidly solidified gas atomized Al-Ni alloy.The solidification microstructure of the droplets is closely linked with heat flow conditions.Thus,the hea...Catalytic powders with fine microstructures can be produced from a rapidly solidified gas atomized Al-Ni alloy.The solidification microstructure of the droplets is closely linked with heat flow conditions.Thus,the heat transfer conditions between the gas and droplet are essential to microstructural evolution.In this study,a phase field model for simulating single and multiple dendrite growth in a binary Al-Ni alloy was constructed and the microstructural evolutions occurring during a gas atomization process were evaluated.Temporal variations in the heat transfer coefficient and the boundary heat flux were taken into account.The results revealed that the heat transfer coefficient of the atomized droplet in flight is correlated with the droplet size and the relative velocity between the droplet and the atomizing gas.During the simulation,the competition between boundary heat flux extraction and latent heat release from phase transition causes a recalescence process in thermal history,thereby affecting the gradient temperature distribution and,consequently,the dendrite morphology.Dendrite growth under the effects of the heat transfer coefficient is restrained continuously because of the decreasing amount of extraction.The computational results confirmed the fine homogeneous microstructure and low microsegregation levels of gas atomized powders.展开更多
A cellular automaton （CA）-based model for the precise two-dimensional simulation of the dendritic morphology of cast aluminum alloys was developed. Compared with previous CA models, the new model considers the solid...A cellular automaton （CA）-based model for the precise two-dimensional simulation of the dendritic morphology of cast aluminum alloys was developed. Compared with previous CA models, the new model considers the solidification process in more detail, solving the solute and heat conservation equations in the modeling domain, including calculation of the solid fraction, the tip velocity, and the solute diffusion process, all of which have significant influence on the dendrite evolution. The rotating grids technique was used in the simulation to avoid anisotropy introduced by the square grid. Dendritic grain profiles for different crystallographic orientations show the existence of a great number of regular and parallel secondary and tertiary arms. The simulation results for the secondary arm spacing and grain size were compared with experimental data and with results reported in the literature. A good agreement was found between the simulated results and the experimental data. It can be concluded that the model can be used to predict the dendritic microstructure of aluminum alloy in a quantitative manner.展开更多
In this paper,the diversity of complicated dendrite microstructure and its evolution behavior during solidification in different magnesium alloys under various processing conditions were illustrated using synchrotron ...In this paper,the diversity of complicated dendrite microstructure and its evolution behavior during solidification in different magnesium alloys under various processing conditions were illustrated using synchrotron X-ray imaging technique.A variety of dendritic morphologies and branching structures were revealed,i.e.,sixfold plate-like symmetric structure in Mg-Al-based structure,12-branch structure in Mg-Zn-based alloys and 18-branch structure in Mg-Sn-and Mg-Ca-based alloys as well as seaweed like hyper-branched structure in Mg-38wt%Zn alloy.In addition,a dendrite morphology and orientation transition with increasing addition of Zn content were also observed in Mg-Zn alloy,with dendrite growth pattern transform from anisotropy(low Zn addition)with sixfold symmetric snow-flake structure to relative isotropy(intermediate Zn addition)where seaweed morphology presented and then back to anisotropy(high Zn addition)when only 12 branches with preferred<11 2 1>orientations were observed.The phase-field model representing the typical dendritic morphologies and branching structures under various conditions was also depicted and discussed.Further,the two-dimensional(2D)real-time dendrite growth dynamics in different Mg-based alloys captured using synchrotron X-ray radiography for unveiling the originate of theα-Mg dendrite was reviewed.Following this,the four-dimensional(3D+time)synchrotron X-ray tomographic in situ observation of dendritic morphology evolution indicating the formation mechanism of the diverse dendritic morphology during Mg-Sn-and Mg-Zn-based alloys was also summarized.Finally,the future study on exploring the complicated dendritic morphologies and their origination during solidification of Mg-based alloys is prospected.展开更多
The effect of A1 content on the microstructure and solidification characteristics of Ti-A1-Nb-V-Cr alloys in as-cast and isothermally treated states was investigated using X-ray diffraction （XRD）, scanning electron ...The effect of A1 content on the microstructure and solidification characteristics of Ti-A1-Nb-V-Cr alloys in as-cast and isothermally treated states was investigated using X-ray diffraction （XRD）, scanning electron microscopy （SEM） equipped with energy dispersive spectroscope （EDS）, and transmission electron microscopy （TEM）. The typical solidification characteristics are due to the joint influence of both the crystal temperature range and the solidification path. The wide crystallization temperature range contributes to obtaining coarse dendrites in the as-cast Ti47A17Nb2.5V1.0Cr （at%） alloy solidifying through the peritectic reaction. The β-solidifying Ti46A17Nb2.5V1.0Cr （at%） alloy with the narrow crystallization temperature range is attributed to the formation of a homogeneous finegrained microstructure. However, the crystallization temperature range of Ti48A17Nb2.5V1.0Cr （at%） alloy is equivalent to that of Ti46A17Nb2.5V1.0Cr alloy, but it is solidified by peritectic reaction, leading to the formation of finer dendrites.展开更多
MicroRNAs （miRNAs） are critical for both development and function of the central nervous system. Significant evidence suggests that abnormal expression of miRNAs is associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. MeCP...MicroRNAs （miRNAs） are critical for both development and function of the central nervous system. Significant evidence suggests that abnormal expression of miRNAs is associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. MeCP2 protein is an epigenetic regulator repressing or activating gene transcription by binding to methylated DNA. Both loss-of-function and gain-of-function muta- tions in the MECP2 gene lead to neurodevelopmental disorders such as Rett syndrome, autism and MECP2 duplication syndrome. In this study, we demonstrate that miR-130a inhibits neurite outgrowth and reduces dendritic spine density as well as dendritic complexity. Bioinformatics analyses, cell cultures and biochemical experiments indicate that miR-130a targets MECP2 and down-regulates MeCP2 protein expression. Further- more, expression of the wild-type MeCP2, but not a loss- of-function mutant, rescues the miR-130a-induced phe- notype. Our study uncovers the MECP2 gene as a pre- vious unknown target for miR-130a, supporting that miR-130a may play a role in neurodevelopment by reg- ulating MeCP2. Together with data from other groups,our work suggests that a feedback regulatory mecha- nism involving both miR-130a and MeCP2 may serve to ensure their appropriate expression and function in neural development.展开更多
基金Projects (2005CB724105, 2011CB706801) supported by the National Basic Research Program of ChinaProjects (10477010, 51171089) supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China+1 种基金Project (2007AA04Z141) supported by the High-Tech Research and Development Program of ChinaProjects (2009ZX04006-041-04, 2011ZX04014-052) supported by the Important National Science & Technology Specific
文摘A three-dimensional （3-D） modified cellular automaton （MCA） method was developed for simulating the dendrite morphology of cubic system alloys. Two-dimensional （2-D） equations of growth velocities of the dendrite tip, interface curvature and anisotropy of the surface energy were extended to 3-D system in the model. Therefore, the model was able to describe the morphology evolution of 3-D dendrites. Then, the model was applied to simulate the mechanism of spacing adjustment for 3-D columnar dendrite growth, and the competitive growth of columnar dendrites with different preferred growth orientations under constant temperature gradient and pulling velocity. Directional solidification experiments of NH4Cl-H2O transparent alloy were performed. It was found that the simulated results compared well with the experimental results. Therefore, the model was reliable for simulating the 3-D dendrite growth of cubic system alloys.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Numbers:11504149,11364024,51661020)
文摘The normal vector of migration direction in the solid-liquid interface of dendrites was used to describe the phase-field governing equation. By using the three angles formed by the normal vector for the migration direction of the dendritic growth interface and the coordinate axes of the simulation region, the authors expressed the interfacial anisotropy equation, and built a phase-field model for the competitive growth of multiple grains. Taking a Al-2%mole-Cu binary alloy as an example, the competitive growth of multiple grains during isothermal solidification was simulated by applying parallel computing techniques. In addition, the phase field simulation results were verified by the experimental method. The simulation results show that the competitive growth of equiaxed dendrite is divided into two types: the first occurs during the process of competitive growth, the tips of primary dendrite on different grains taking part in the competition stop growing in their optimal growth direction; the second also occurs during competitive growth, the tips of primary dendrite which participate in the competition on different grains never stop growing in their optimal growth direction. The dendritic morphologies of the first competition growth type are divided into two types. Primary dendrites of grains taking part in the competition stop growing in their optimal growth direction and the competition plane enlarges when neither one wins the competition. However, when one wins the competition, the primary dendrites of grains with superiority go through the blocking grains and continue to grow in their optimal growth direction. The primary dendrites of inferior grains stop growing in their optimal growth direction and then instead grow in those areas without obstacles. The dendritic morphology of the second competition-growth type is shown to be the deformation of primary dendrites, which are mainly represented as the deflection and bending observed from different views. Compared with the metallographic picture, the simulation results can show the morphology of the competitive growth in all directions, so this simulation method can better characterize the competitive growth process.
基金This wurk was supputed by lhe Nativual Higl Teeltwlugy Research and Development Program of China(Grant No.2018YF E0204300)Institute Guo Qiang,Tsinghua University(Grant No.2019GQG1010).
文摘The influence of periodic pressure with low and high frequencies on microstructure and dendritic sidebranching was studied by using 3-D phase field method. In both low and high frequency cases, the variation trend of SDAS (secondary dendritic arm spacing) with increasing pressure frequency is opposite to that of sidebranching frequency, while the variation trend of the average length of secondary arms is consistent with that of sidebranching frequency. The high sidebranching frequency indicates that more secondary arms share the whole driving force of dendrite growth, resulting in lower driving force for each one and leading to less developed secondary arms. The smallest SDAS is obtained when perturbed by the periodic pressure with the frequency of 0.157/τ0 (τ0 is the physical unit of time in the dimensionless phase field model) and 2.200/τ0 in low and high frequency cases, respectively. Comparisons of dendritic morphology and secondary arms are made between the low and high frequency cases. Firstly, in the low frequency case, secondary arms are luxuriant especially when pressure frequency is low, with many high-order side branches stretching out. Secondly, the average length of secondary arms in primary dendrite is longer in the low frequency case than that without pressure, and much longer than that in the high frequency case. Thirdly, the dendrite tip without side branches in the high frequency case is much longer than that in the low frequency case. All of the differences in dendritic morphology and sidebranching in the two cases can be attributed to the different modulation mechanism. In the low frequency case, periodic pressure determines tip velocity and then modulates sidebranching directly. While in the high frequency case, periodic pressure cannot determine sidebranching directly, but via modulating tiny protuberances in dendrite tip, part of which evolves into side branch. In this case, the tiny protuberances take part of the whole driving force, leading to less developed secondary arms.
文摘Injuries to spinal motoneurons manifest in a variety of forms,including damage to peripheral axons,neurodegenerative disease,or direct insult centrally.Such injuries produce a variety of negative structural and functional changes in both the directly affected and neighboring motoneurons.Exercise is a relatively simple behavioral intervention that has been demonstrated to protect against,and accelerate recovery from,these negative changes.In this article,we describe how exercise is neuroprotective for motoneurons,accelerating axon regeneration following axotomy and attenuating dendritic atrophy following the death of neighboring motoneurons.In both of these injury models,the positive effects of exercise have been found to be dependent on gonadal hormone action.Here we describe a model in which exercise,hormones,and brain-derived neurotrophic factor might all interact to produce neuroprotective effects on motoneuron structure following neural injury.
基金the National Key Project of Research and Development Program of China(2016YFB1100202).
文摘Catalytic powders with fine microstructures can be produced from a rapidly solidified gas atomized Al-Ni alloy.The solidification microstructure of the droplets is closely linked with heat flow conditions.Thus,the heat transfer conditions between the gas and droplet are essential to microstructural evolution.In this study,a phase field model for simulating single and multiple dendrite growth in a binary Al-Ni alloy was constructed and the microstructural evolutions occurring during a gas atomization process were evaluated.Temporal variations in the heat transfer coefficient and the boundary heat flux were taken into account.The results revealed that the heat transfer coefficient of the atomized droplet in flight is correlated with the droplet size and the relative velocity between the droplet and the atomizing gas.During the simulation,the competition between boundary heat flux extraction and latent heat release from phase transition causes a recalescence process in thermal history,thereby affecting the gradient temperature distribution and,consequently,the dendrite morphology.Dendrite growth under the effects of the heat transfer coefficient is restrained continuously because of the decreasing amount of extraction.The computational results confirmed the fine homogeneous microstructure and low microsegregation levels of gas atomized powders.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 10477010) and the National Key Basic Research and Devel-opment (973) Program of China (No. G2000067208-3)
文摘A cellular automaton （CA）-based model for the precise two-dimensional simulation of the dendritic morphology of cast aluminum alloys was developed. Compared with previous CA models, the new model considers the solidification process in more detail, solving the solute and heat conservation equations in the modeling domain, including calculation of the solid fraction, the tip velocity, and the solute diffusion process, all of which have significant influence on the dendrite evolution. The rotating grids technique was used in the simulation to avoid anisotropy introduced by the square grid. Dendritic grain profiles for different crystallographic orientations show the existence of a great number of regular and parallel secondary and tertiary arms. The simulation results for the secondary arm spacing and grain size were compared with experimental data and with results reported in the literature. A good agreement was found between the simulated results and the experimental data. It can be concluded that the model can be used to predict the dendritic microstructure of aluminum alloy in a quantitative manner.
基金supported by National Nature Science Foundation of China(No.51701112 and No.51690162)National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2019YFA0705300)+1 种基金Shanghai Rising-Star Program(20QA1403800 and 21QC1401500)open fund of State Key Laboratory of Solidifi cation Processing in NWPU(Grant No.SKLSP202107)。
文摘In this paper,the diversity of complicated dendrite microstructure and its evolution behavior during solidification in different magnesium alloys under various processing conditions were illustrated using synchrotron X-ray imaging technique.A variety of dendritic morphologies and branching structures were revealed,i.e.,sixfold plate-like symmetric structure in Mg-Al-based structure,12-branch structure in Mg-Zn-based alloys and 18-branch structure in Mg-Sn-and Mg-Ca-based alloys as well as seaweed like hyper-branched structure in Mg-38wt%Zn alloy.In addition,a dendrite morphology and orientation transition with increasing addition of Zn content were also observed in Mg-Zn alloy,with dendrite growth pattern transform from anisotropy(low Zn addition)with sixfold symmetric snow-flake structure to relative isotropy(intermediate Zn addition)where seaweed morphology presented and then back to anisotropy(high Zn addition)when only 12 branches with preferred<11 2 1>orientations were observed.The phase-field model representing the typical dendritic morphologies and branching structures under various conditions was also depicted and discussed.Further,the two-dimensional(2D)real-time dendrite growth dynamics in different Mg-based alloys captured using synchrotron X-ray radiography for unveiling the originate of theα-Mg dendrite was reviewed.Following this,the four-dimensional(3D+time)synchrotron X-ray tomographic in situ observation of dendritic morphology evolution indicating the formation mechanism of the diverse dendritic morphology during Mg-Sn-and Mg-Zn-based alloys was also summarized.Finally,the future study on exploring the complicated dendritic morphologies and their origination during solidification of Mg-based alloys is prospected.
基金financially supported by the National Basic Research Program of China(No.2011CB605503)the Program of Introducing Talents of Discipline to Universities(No.B08040)
文摘The effect of A1 content on the microstructure and solidification characteristics of Ti-A1-Nb-V-Cr alloys in as-cast and isothermally treated states was investigated using X-ray diffraction （XRD）, scanning electron microscopy （SEM） equipped with energy dispersive spectroscope （EDS）, and transmission electron microscopy （TEM）. The typical solidification characteristics are due to the joint influence of both the crystal temperature range and the solidification path. The wide crystallization temperature range contributes to obtaining coarse dendrites in the as-cast Ti47A17Nb2.5V1.0Cr （at%） alloy solidifying through the peritectic reaction. The β-solidifying Ti46A17Nb2.5V1.0Cr （at%） alloy with the narrow crystallization temperature range is attributed to the formation of a homogeneous finegrained microstructure. However, the crystallization temperature range of Ti48A17Nb2.5V1.0Cr （at%） alloy is equivalent to that of Ti46A17Nb2.5V1.0Cr alloy, but it is solidified by peritectic reaction, leading to the formation of finer dendrites.
基金the National Basic Research Program （973 Program） （No. 2013CB917803） and the National Natural Science Foundation of China （Grant No. 91132710）. ZQ is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China （Grant Nos. 91432111 and 81527901）. KH is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China （Grant Nos. 81070907 and 81271255）. WM is supported by NIH （F30 NS090893）. JYW is supported by NIH （RO1AG033004）.
文摘MicroRNAs （miRNAs） are critical for both development and function of the central nervous system. Significant evidence suggests that abnormal expression of miRNAs is associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. MeCP2 protein is an epigenetic regulator repressing or activating gene transcription by binding to methylated DNA. Both loss-of-function and gain-of-function muta- tions in the MECP2 gene lead to neurodevelopmental disorders such as Rett syndrome, autism and MECP2 duplication syndrome. In this study, we demonstrate that miR-130a inhibits neurite outgrowth and reduces dendritic spine density as well as dendritic complexity. Bioinformatics analyses, cell cultures and biochemical experiments indicate that miR-130a targets MECP2 and down-regulates MeCP2 protein expression. Further- more, expression of the wild-type MeCP2, but not a loss- of-function mutant, rescues the miR-130a-induced phe- notype. Our study uncovers the MECP2 gene as a pre- vious unknown target for miR-130a, supporting that miR-130a may play a role in neurodevelopment by reg- ulating MeCP2. Together with data from other groups,our work suggests that a feedback regulatory mecha- nism involving both miR-130a and MeCP2 may serve to ensure their appropriate expression and function in neural development.
