While price schedules can help improve the economic efficiency of renewable energy-powered microgrids,timeof-use(TOU)pricing has been identified as an effective way for microgrid development,which is presently limited...While price schedules can help improve the economic efficiency of renewable energy-powered microgrids,timeof-use(TOU)pricing has been identified as an effective way for microgrid development,which is presently limited by its high costs.In this study,we propose an evolutionary game theoretic model to explore optimal TOU pricing for development of renewable energy-powered microgrids by applying a multi-agent system,that comprises a government agent,local utility company agent,and different types of consumer agents.In the proposed model,we design objective functions for the company and the consumers and obtain a Nash equilibrium using backward induction.Two pricing strategies,namely,the TOU seasonal pricing and TOU monthly pricing,are evaluated and compared with traditional fixed pricing.The numerical results demonstrate that TOU schedules have significant potential for development of renewable energy-powered microgrids and are recommended for an electric company to replace traditional fixed pricing.Additionally,TOU monthly pricing is more suitable than TOU seasonal pricing for microgrid development.展开更多
Deformable catalytic material with excellent flexible structure is a new type of catalyst that has been applied in various chemical reactions,especially electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction(HER).In recent year...Deformable catalytic material with excellent flexible structure is a new type of catalyst that has been applied in various chemical reactions,especially electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction(HER).In recent years,deformable catalysts for HER have made great progress and would become a research hotspot.The catalytic activities of deformable catalysts could be adjustable by the strain engineering and surface reconfiguration.The surface curvature of flexible catalytic materials is closely related to the electrocatalytic HER properties.Here,firstly,we systematically summarized self-adaptive catalytic performance of deformable catalysts and various micro–nanostructures evolution in catalytic HER process.Secondly,a series of strategies to design highly active catalysts based on the mechanical flexibility of lowdimensional nanomaterials were summarized.Last but not least,we presented the challenges and prospects of the study of flexible and deformable micro–nanostructures of electrocatalysts,which would further deepen the understanding of catalytic mechanisms of deformable HER catalyst.展开更多
Avatars, as promising digital representations and service assistants of users in Metaverses, can enable drivers and passengers to immerse themselves in 3D virtual services and spaces of UAV-assisted vehicular Metavers...Avatars, as promising digital representations and service assistants of users in Metaverses, can enable drivers and passengers to immerse themselves in 3D virtual services and spaces of UAV-assisted vehicular Metaverses. However, avatar tasks include a multitude of human-to-avatar and avatar-to-avatar interactive applications, e.g., augmented reality navigation,which consumes intensive computing resources. It is inefficient and impractical for vehicles to process avatar tasks locally. Fortunately, migrating avatar tasks to the nearest roadside units(RSU)or unmanned aerial vehicles(UAV) for execution is a promising solution to decrease computation overhead and reduce task processing latency, while the high mobility of vehicles brings challenges for vehicles to independently perform avatar migration decisions depending on current and future vehicle status. To address these challenges, in this paper, we propose a novel avatar task migration system based on multi-agent deep reinforcement learning(MADRL) to execute immersive vehicular avatar tasks dynamically. Specifically, we first formulate the problem of avatar task migration from vehicles to RSUs/UAVs as a partially observable Markov decision process that can be solved by MADRL algorithms. We then design the multi-agent proximal policy optimization(MAPPO) approach as the MADRL algorithm for the avatar task migration problem. To overcome slow convergence resulting from the curse of dimensionality and non-stationary issues caused by shared parameters in MAPPO, we further propose a transformer-based MAPPO approach via sequential decision-making models for the efficient representation of relationships among agents. Finally, to motivate terrestrial or non-terrestrial edge servers(e.g., RSUs or UAVs) to share computation resources and ensure traceability of the sharing records, we apply smart contracts and blockchain technologies to achieve secure sharing management. Numerical results demonstrate that the proposed approach outperforms the MAPPO approach by around 2% and effectively reduces approximately 20% of the latency of avatar task execution in UAV-assisted vehicular Metaverses.展开更多
This paper studies the problem of time-varying formation control with finite-time prescribed performance for nonstrict feedback second-order multi-agent systems with unmeasured states and unknown nonlinearities.To eli...This paper studies the problem of time-varying formation control with finite-time prescribed performance for nonstrict feedback second-order multi-agent systems with unmeasured states and unknown nonlinearities.To eliminate nonlinearities,neural networks are applied to approximate the inherent dynamics of the system.In addition,due to the limitations of the actual working conditions,each follower agent can only obtain the locally measurable partial state information of the leader agent.To address this problem,a neural network state observer based on the leader state information is designed.Then,a finite-time prescribed performance adaptive output feedback control strategy is proposed by restricting the sliding mode surface to a prescribed region,which ensures that the closed-loop system has practical finite-time stability and that formation errors of the multi-agent systems converge to the prescribed performance bound in finite time.Finally,a numerical simulation is provided to demonstrate the practicality and effectiveness of the developed algorithm.展开更多
The corrosion rates of additive-manufactured Mg alloys are higher than their as-cast counterparts,possibly due to increased kinetics for the hydrogen evolution reaction on secondary phases,which may include oxide incl...The corrosion rates of additive-manufactured Mg alloys are higher than their as-cast counterparts,possibly due to increased kinetics for the hydrogen evolution reaction on secondary phases,which may include oxide inclusions.Scanning Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy demonstrated that MgO inclusions could act as cathodes for Mg corrosion,but their low conductivity likely precludes this.However,the density of state calculations through density functional theory using hybrid HSE06 functional revealed overlapping electronic states at the Mg/MgO interface,which facilitates electron transfers and participates in redox reactions.Subsequent determination of the hydrogen absorption energy at the Mg/MgO interface reveals it to be an excellent catalytic site,with HER being found to be a factor of 23x more efficient at the interface than on metallic Mg.The results not only support the plausibility of the Mg/MgO interface being an effective cathode to the adjacent anodic Mg matrix during corrosion but also contribute to the understanding of the enhanced cathodic activities observed during the anodic dissolution of magnesium.展开更多
Ef fective and robust catalyst is the core of water splitting to produce hydrogen.Here, we report an anionic etching method to tailor the sulfur vacancy(VS) of NiS_(2) to further enhance the electrocatalytic performan...Ef fective and robust catalyst is the core of water splitting to produce hydrogen.Here, we report an anionic etching method to tailor the sulfur vacancy(VS) of NiS_(2) to further enhance the electrocatalytic performance for hydrogen evolution reaction(HER). With the VS concentration change from 2.4% to 8.5%, the H* adsorption strength on S sites changed and NiS_(2)-VS 5.9% shows the most optimized H* adsorption for HER with an ultralow onset potential(68 m V) and has long-term stability for 100 h in 1 M KOH media. In situ attenuated-total-reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(ATR-FTIRS) measurements are usually used to monitor the adsorption of intermediates. The S-H* peak of the Ni S_(2)-VS 5.9% appears at a very low voltage, which is favorable for the HER in alkaline media. Density functional theory calculations also demonstrate the Ni S_(2)-VS 5.9% has the optimal |ΔG^(H*)| of 0.17 e V. This work offers a simple and promising pathway to enhance catalytic activity via precise vacancies strategy.展开更多
Tackling the problem of poor conductivity and catalytic stability of pristine metal-organic frameworks(MOFs) is crucial to improve their oxygen evolution reaction(OER) performance.Herein,we introduce a novel strategy ...Tackling the problem of poor conductivity and catalytic stability of pristine metal-organic frameworks(MOFs) is crucial to improve their oxygen evolution reaction(OER) performance.Herein,we introduce a novel strategy of dysprosium(Dy) doping,using the unique 4f orbitals of this rare earth element to enhance electrocatalytic activity of MOFs.Our method involves constructing Dy-doped Ni-MOF(Dy@Ni-MOF) nanoneedles on carbon cloth via a Dy-induced valence electronic perturbation approach.Experiments and density functional theory(DFT) calculations reveal that Dy doping can effectively modify the electronic structure of the Ni active centers and foster a strong electronic interaction between Ni and Dy.The resulting benefits include a reduced work function and a closer proximity of the d-band center to the Fermi level,which is conducive to improving electrical conductivity and promoting the adsorption of oxygen-containing intermediates.Furthermore,the Dy@Ni-MOF achieves superhydrophilicity,ensuring effective electrolyte contact and thus accelerating reaction kinetics,Ex-situ and in-situ analysis results manifest Dy_(2)O_(3)/NiOOH as the actual active species.Therefore,Dy@Ni-MOF shows impressive OER performance,significantly surpassing Ni-MOF.Besides,the overall water splitting device with Dy@NiMOF as an anode delivers a low cell voltage of 1.51 V at 10 mA cm^(-2) and demonstrates long-term stability for 100 h,positioning it as a promising substitute for precious metal catalysts.展开更多
The incorporation of partial A-site substitution in perovskite oxides represents a promising strategy for precisely controlling the electronic configuration and enhancing its intrinsic catalytic activity.Conventional ...The incorporation of partial A-site substitution in perovskite oxides represents a promising strategy for precisely controlling the electronic configuration and enhancing its intrinsic catalytic activity.Conventional methods for A-site substitution typically involve prolonged high-temperature processes.While these processes promote the development of unique nanostructures with highly exposed active sites,they often result in the uncontrolled configuration of introduced elements.Herein,we present a novel approach for synthesizing two-dimensional(2D)porous GdFeO_(3) perovskite with A-site strontium(Sr)substitution utilizing microwave shock method.This technique enables precise control of the Sr content and simultaneous construction of 2D porous structures in one step,capitalizing on the advantages of rapid heating and cooling(temperature~1100 K,rate~70 K s^(-1)).The active sites of this oxygen-rich defect structure can be clearly revealed through the simulation of the electronic configuration and the comprehensive analysis of the crystal structure.For electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction application,the synthesized 2D porous Gd_(0.8)Sr_(0.2)FeO_(3) electrocatalyst exhibits an exceptional overpotential of 294 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm^(-2)and a small Tafel slope of 55.85 mV dec^(-1)in alkaline electrolytes.This study offers a fresh perspective on designing crystal configurations and the construction of nanostructures in perovskite.展开更多
Transition-metal oxyhydroxides are attractive catalysts for oxygen evolution reactions(OERs).Further studies for developing transition-metal oxyhydroxide catalysts and understanding their catalytic mechanisms will ben...Transition-metal oxyhydroxides are attractive catalysts for oxygen evolution reactions(OERs).Further studies for developing transition-metal oxyhydroxide catalysts and understanding their catalytic mechanisms will benefit their quick transition to the next catalysts.Herein,Mo-doped CoOOH was designed as a high-performance model electrocatalyst with durability for 20 h at 10 mAcm−2.Additionally,it had an overpotential of 260 mV(glassy carbon)or 215 mV(nickel foam),which was 78 mV lower than that of IrO_(2)(338 mV).In situ,Raman spectroscopy revealed the transformation process of CoOOH.Calculations using the density functional theory showed that during OER,doped Mo increased the spin-up density of states and shrank the spin-down bandgap of the 3d orbits in the reconstructed CoOOH under the electrochemical activation process,which simultaneously optimized the adsorption and electron conduction of oxygen-related intermediates on Co sites and lowered the OER overpotentials.Our research provides new insights into the methodical planning of the creation of transition-metal oxyhydroxide OER catalysts.展开更多
The majority of the projectiles used in the hypersonic penetration study are solid flat-nosed cylindrical projectiles with a diameter of less than 20 mm.This study aims to fill the gap in the experimental and analytic...The majority of the projectiles used in the hypersonic penetration study are solid flat-nosed cylindrical projectiles with a diameter of less than 20 mm.This study aims to fill the gap in the experimental and analytical study of the evolution of the nose shape of larger hollow projectiles under hypersonic penetration.In the hypersonic penetration test,eight ogive-nose AerMet100 steel projectiles with a diameter of 40 mm were launched to hit concrete targets with impact velocities that ranged from 1351 to 1877 m/s.Severe erosion of the projectiles was observed during high-speed penetration of heterogeneous targets,and apparent localized mushrooming occurred in the front nose of recovered projectiles.By examining the damage to projectiles,a linear relationship was found between the relative length reduction rate and the initial kinetic energy of projectiles in different penetration tests.Furthermore,microscopic analysis revealed the forming mechanism of the localized mushrooming phenomenon for eroding penetration,i.e.,material spall erosion abrasion mechanism,material flow and redistribution abrasion mechanism and localized radial upsetting deformation mechanism.Finally,a model of highspeed penetration that included erosion was established on the basis of a model of the evolution of the projectile nose that considers radial upsetting;the model was validated by test data from the literature and the present study.Depending upon the impact velocity,v0,the projectile nose may behave as undistorted,radially distorted or hemispherical.Due to the effects of abrasion of the projectile and enhancement of radial upsetting on the duration and amplitude of the secondary rising segment in the pulse shape of projectile deceleration,the predicted DOP had an upper limit.展开更多
The valence states and coordination structures of doped heterometal atoms in two-dimensional(2D)nanomaterials lack predictable regulation strategies.Hence,a robust method is proposed to form unsaturated heteroatom clu...The valence states and coordination structures of doped heterometal atoms in two-dimensional(2D)nanomaterials lack predictable regulation strategies.Hence,a robust method is proposed to form unsaturated heteroatom clusters via the metal-vacancy restraint mechanism,which can precisely regulate the bonding and valence state of heterometal atoms doped in 2D molybdenum disulfide.The unsaturated valence state of heterometal Pt and Ru cluster atoms form a spatial coordination structure with Pt–S and Ru–O–S as catalytically active sites.Among them,the strong binding energy of negatively charged suspended S and O sites for H+,as well as the weak adsorption of positively charged unsaturated heterometal atoms for H*,reduces the energy barrier of the hydrogen evolution reaction proved by theoretical calculation.Whereupon,the electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution performance is markedly improved by the ensemble effect of unsaturated heterometal atoms and highlighted with an overpotential of 84 mV and Tafel slope of 68.5 mV dec^(−1).In brief,this metal vacancy-induced valence state regulation of heterometal can manipulate the coordination structure and catalytic activity of heterometal atoms doped in the 2D atomic lattice but not limited to 2D nanomaterials.展开更多
Exploring carbon emission effects based on the evolution of residents’ dietary structure to achieve the carbon neutrality goal and mitigate climate change is an important task.This study took China as the research ob...Exploring carbon emission effects based on the evolution of residents’ dietary structure to achieve the carbon neutrality goal and mitigate climate change is an important task.This study took China as the research object(data excluding Hong Kong,Macao and Taiwan) and used the carbon emission coefficient method to quantitatively measure the food carbon emissions from 1987–2020,then analyzed the carbon emission effects under the evolution of dietary structure.The results showed that during the study period,the Chinese dietary structure gradually changed to a high-carbon consumption pattern.The dietary structure of urban residents developed to a balanced one,while that of rural residents developed to a high-quality one.During the study period,the per capita food carbon emissions and total food consumption of Chinese showed an increasing trend.The per capita food carbon emissions of residents in urban and rural showed an overall upward trend.The total food carbon emissions in urban increased significantly,while that in rural increased first and then decreased.The influence of beef and mutton on carbon emissions is the highest in dietary structure.Compared with the balanced dietary pattern,the food carbon emissions of Chinese residents had not yet reached the peak,but were evolving to a high-carbon consumption pattern.展开更多
The poor stability of RuO_(2)electrocatalysts has been the primary obstacles for their practical application in polymer electrolyte membrane electrolyzers.To dramatically enhance the durability of RuO_(2)to construct ...The poor stability of RuO_(2)electrocatalysts has been the primary obstacles for their practical application in polymer electrolyte membrane electrolyzers.To dramatically enhance the durability of RuO_(2)to construct activity-stability trade-off model is full of significance but challenging.Herein,a single atom Zn stabilized RuO_(2)with enriched oxygen vacancies(SA Zn-RuO_(2))is developed as a promising alternative to iridium oxide for acidic oxygen evolution reaction(OER).Compared with commercial RuO_(2),the enhanced Ru–O bond strength of SA Zn-RuO_(2)by forming Zn-O-Ru local structure motif is favorable to stabilize surface Ru,while the electrons transferred from Zn single atoms to adjacent Ru atoms protects the Ru active sites from overoxidation.Simultaneously,the optimized surrounding electronic structure of Ru sites in SA ZnRuO_(2)decreases the adsorption energies of OER intermediates to reduce the reaction barrier.As a result,the representative SA Zn-RuO_(2)exhibits a low overpotential of 210 mV to achieve 10 mA cm^(-2)and a greatly enhanced durability than commercial RuO_(2).This work provides a promising dual-engineering strategy by coupling single atom doping and vacancy for the tradeoff of high activity and catalytic stability toward acidic OER.展开更多
Ruthenium(Ru)has been regarded as one of the most promising alternatives to substitute Pt for catalyzing alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction(HER),owing to its inherent high activity and being the cheapest platinum-gr...Ruthenium(Ru)has been regarded as one of the most promising alternatives to substitute Pt for catalyzing alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction(HER),owing to its inherent high activity and being the cheapest platinum-group metal.Herein,based on the idea of strong metal–support interaction(SMSI)regulation,Ru/TiN catalysts with different degrees of TiN overlayer over Ru nanoparticles were fabricated,which were applied to the alkaline electrolytic water.Characterizations reveal that the TiN overlayer would gradually encapsulate the Ru nanoparticles and induce more electron transfer from Ru nanoparticles to TiN support by the Ru–N–Ti bond as the SMSI degree increased.Further study shows that the exposed Ru–TiN interfaces greatly promote the H_(2) desorption capacity.Thus,the Ru/TiN-300 with a moderate SMSI degree exhibits excellent HER performance,with an overpotential of 38 mV at 10 mA cm^(−2).Also,due to the encapsulation role of TiN overlayer on Ru nanoparticles,it displays super long-term stability with a very slight potential change after 24 h.This study provides a deep insight into the influence of the SMSI effect between Ru and TiN on HER and offers a novel approach for preparing efficient and stable HER electrocatalysts through SMSI engineering.展开更多
We discussed the decrease in residual stress,precipitation evolution,and mechanical properties of GH4151 alloy in different annealing temperatures,which were studied by the scanning electron microscope(SEM),high-resol...We discussed the decrease in residual stress,precipitation evolution,and mechanical properties of GH4151 alloy in different annealing temperatures,which were studied by the scanning electron microscope(SEM),high-resolution transmission electron microscopy(HRTEM),and electron backscatter diffraction(EBSD).The findings reveal that annealing processing has a significant impact on diminishing residual stresses.As the annealing temperature rose from 950 to 1150℃,the majority of the residual stresses were relieved from 60.1 MPa down to 10.9 MPa.Moreover,the stress relaxation mechanism transitioned from being mainly controlled by dislocation slip to a combination of dislocation slip and grain boundary migration.Meanwhile,the annealing treatment promotes the decomposition of the Laves,accompanied by the precipitation ofμ-(Mo_(6)Co_(7))starting at 950℃ and reaching a maximum value at 1050℃.The tensile strength and plasticity of the annealing alloy at 1150℃ reached the maximum(1394 MPa,56.1%)which was 131%,200%fold than those of the as-cast alloy(1060 MPa,26.6%),but the oxidation process in the alloy was accelerated at 1150℃.The enhancement in durability and flexibility is primarily due to the dissolution of the brittle phase,along with the shape and dispersal of theγ′phase.展开更多
The influence of thermal damage on macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of different rocks has received much attention in the field of rock engineering.When the rocks are subjected to thermal treatment,the chan...The influence of thermal damage on macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of different rocks has received much attention in the field of rock engineering.When the rocks are subjected to thermal treatment,the change of macroscopic characteristics and evolution of micro-structure would be induced,ultimately resulting in different degrees of thermal damage in rocks.To better understand the thermal damage mechanism of different rocks and its effect on the rock performance,this study reviews a large number of test results of rock specimens experiencing heating and cooling treatment in the laboratory.Firstly,the variations of macroscopic behaviors,including physical parameters,mechanical parameters,thermal conductivity and permeability,are examined.The variations of mechanical parameters with thermal treatment variables(i.e.temperature or the number of thermal cycles)are divided into four types.Secondly,several measuring methods for microstructure,such as polarizing microscopy,fluorescent method,scanning electron microscopy(SEM),X-ray computerized tomography(CT),acoustic emission(AE)and ultrasonic technique,are introduced.Furthermore,the effect of thermal damage on the mechanical parameters of rocks in response to different thermal treatments,involving temperature magnitude,cooling method and thermal cycle,are discussed.Finally,the limitations and prospects for the research of rock thermal damage are proposed.展开更多
High efficiency,cost-effective and durable electrocatalysts are of pivotal importance in energy conversion and storage systems.The electro-oxidation of water to oxygen plays a crucial role in such energy conversion te...High efficiency,cost-effective and durable electrocatalysts are of pivotal importance in energy conversion and storage systems.The electro-oxidation of water to oxygen plays a crucial role in such energy conversion technologies.Herein,we report a robust method for the synthesis of a bimetallic alkoxide for efficient oxygen evolution reaction(OER)for alkaline electrolysis,which yields current density of 10 mA cm^(-2)at an overpotential of 215 mV in 0.1 M KOH electrolyte.The catalyst demonstrates an excellent durability for more than 540 h operation with negligible degradation in activity.Raman spectra revealed that the catalyst underwent structure reconstruction during OER,evolving into oxyhydroxide,which was the active site proceeding OER in alkaline electrolyte.In-situ synchrotron X-ray absorption experiment combined with density functional theory calculation suggests a lattice oxygen involved electrocatalytic reaction mechanism for the in-situ generated nickel–iron bimetal-oxyhydroxide catalyst.This mechanism together with the synergy between nickel and iron are responsible for the enhanced catalytic activity and durability.These findings provide promising strategies for the rational design of nonnoble metal OER catalysts.展开更多
Rock-encased-backfill(RB)structures are common in underground mining,for example in the cut-andfill and stoping methods.To understand the effects of cyclic excavation and blasting activities on the damage of these RB ...Rock-encased-backfill(RB)structures are common in underground mining,for example in the cut-andfill and stoping methods.To understand the effects of cyclic excavation and blasting activities on the damage of these RB structures,a series of triaxial stepwise-increasing-amplitude cyclic loading experiments was conducted with cylindrical RB specimens(rock on outside,backfill on inside)with different volume fractions of rock(VF=0.48,0.61,0.73,and 0.84),confining pressures(0,6,9,and 12 MPa),and cyclic loading rates(200,300,400,and 500 N/s).The damage evolution and meso-crack formation during the cyclic tests were analyzed with results from stress-strain hysteresis loops,acoustic emission events,and post-failure X-ray 3D fracture morphology.The results showed significant differences between cyclic and monotonic loadings of RB specimens,particularly with regard to the generation of shear microcracks,the development of stress memory and strain hardening,and the contact forces and associated friction that develops along the rock-backfill interface.One important finding is that as a function of the number of cycles,the elastic strain increases linearly and the dissipated energy increases exponentially.Also,compared with monotonic loading,the cyclic strain hardening characteristics are more sensitive to rising confining pressures during the initial compaction stage.Another finding is that compared with monotonic loading,more shear microcracks are generated during every reloading stage,but these microcracks tend to be dispersed and lessen the likelihood of large shear fracture formation.The transition from elastic to plastic behavior varies depending on the parameters of each test(confinement,volume fraction,and cyclic rate),and an interesting finding was that the transformation to plastic behavior is significantly lower under the conditions of 0.73 rock volume fraction,400 N/s cyclic loading rate,and 9 MPa confinement.All the findings have important practical implications on the ability of backfill to support underground excavations.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(52277107,51977115)Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Program(WDZC20220808143010001).
文摘While price schedules can help improve the economic efficiency of renewable energy-powered microgrids,timeof-use(TOU)pricing has been identified as an effective way for microgrid development,which is presently limited by its high costs.In this study,we propose an evolutionary game theoretic model to explore optimal TOU pricing for development of renewable energy-powered microgrids by applying a multi-agent system,that comprises a government agent,local utility company agent,and different types of consumer agents.In the proposed model,we design objective functions for the company and the consumers and obtain a Nash equilibrium using backward induction.Two pricing strategies,namely,the TOU seasonal pricing and TOU monthly pricing,are evaluated and compared with traditional fixed pricing.The numerical results demonstrate that TOU schedules have significant potential for development of renewable energy-powered microgrids and are recommended for an electric company to replace traditional fixed pricing.Additionally,TOU monthly pricing is more suitable than TOU seasonal pricing for microgrid development.
基金This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.51902101 and 21875203)the Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province(Nos.2021JJ40044 and 2023JJ50287)Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province(No.BK20201381).
文摘Deformable catalytic material with excellent flexible structure is a new type of catalyst that has been applied in various chemical reactions,especially electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction(HER).In recent years,deformable catalysts for HER have made great progress and would become a research hotspot.The catalytic activities of deformable catalysts could be adjustable by the strain engineering and surface reconfiguration.The surface curvature of flexible catalytic materials is closely related to the electrocatalytic HER properties.Here,firstly,we systematically summarized self-adaptive catalytic performance of deformable catalysts and various micro–nanostructures evolution in catalytic HER process.Secondly,a series of strategies to design highly active catalysts based on the mechanical flexibility of lowdimensional nanomaterials were summarized.Last but not least,we presented the challenges and prospects of the study of flexible and deformable micro–nanostructures of electrocatalysts,which would further deepen the understanding of catalytic mechanisms of deformable HER catalyst.
基金supported in part by NSFC (62102099, U22A2054, 62101594)in part by the Pearl River Talent Recruitment Program (2021QN02S643)+9 种基金Guangzhou Basic Research Program (2023A04J1699)in part by the National Research Foundation, SingaporeInfocomm Media Development Authority under its Future Communications Research Development ProgrammeDSO National Laboratories under the AI Singapore Programme under AISG Award No AISG2-RP-2020-019Energy Research Test-Bed and Industry Partnership Funding Initiative, Energy Grid (EG) 2.0 programmeDesCartes and the Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE) programmeMOE Tier 1 under Grant RG87/22in part by the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) (SRG-ISTD-2021- 165)in part by the SUTD-ZJU IDEA Grant SUTD-ZJU (VP) 202102in part by the Ministry of Education, Singapore, through its SUTD Kickstarter Initiative (SKI 20210204)。
文摘Avatars, as promising digital representations and service assistants of users in Metaverses, can enable drivers and passengers to immerse themselves in 3D virtual services and spaces of UAV-assisted vehicular Metaverses. However, avatar tasks include a multitude of human-to-avatar and avatar-to-avatar interactive applications, e.g., augmented reality navigation,which consumes intensive computing resources. It is inefficient and impractical for vehicles to process avatar tasks locally. Fortunately, migrating avatar tasks to the nearest roadside units(RSU)or unmanned aerial vehicles(UAV) for execution is a promising solution to decrease computation overhead and reduce task processing latency, while the high mobility of vehicles brings challenges for vehicles to independently perform avatar migration decisions depending on current and future vehicle status. To address these challenges, in this paper, we propose a novel avatar task migration system based on multi-agent deep reinforcement learning(MADRL) to execute immersive vehicular avatar tasks dynamically. Specifically, we first formulate the problem of avatar task migration from vehicles to RSUs/UAVs as a partially observable Markov decision process that can be solved by MADRL algorithms. We then design the multi-agent proximal policy optimization(MAPPO) approach as the MADRL algorithm for the avatar task migration problem. To overcome slow convergence resulting from the curse of dimensionality and non-stationary issues caused by shared parameters in MAPPO, we further propose a transformer-based MAPPO approach via sequential decision-making models for the efficient representation of relationships among agents. Finally, to motivate terrestrial or non-terrestrial edge servers(e.g., RSUs or UAVs) to share computation resources and ensure traceability of the sharing records, we apply smart contracts and blockchain technologies to achieve secure sharing management. Numerical results demonstrate that the proposed approach outperforms the MAPPO approach by around 2% and effectively reduces approximately 20% of the latency of avatar task execution in UAV-assisted vehicular Metaverses.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(62203356)Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China(31020210502002)。
文摘This paper studies the problem of time-varying formation control with finite-time prescribed performance for nonstrict feedback second-order multi-agent systems with unmeasured states and unknown nonlinearities.To eliminate nonlinearities,neural networks are applied to approximate the inherent dynamics of the system.In addition,due to the limitations of the actual working conditions,each follower agent can only obtain the locally measurable partial state information of the leader agent.To address this problem,a neural network state observer based on the leader state information is designed.Then,a finite-time prescribed performance adaptive output feedback control strategy is proposed by restricting the sliding mode surface to a prescribed region,which ensures that the closed-loop system has practical finite-time stability and that formation errors of the multi-agent systems converge to the prescribed performance bound in finite time.Finally,a numerical simulation is provided to demonstrate the practicality and effectiveness of the developed algorithm.
基金Agency for Science,Technology and Research(A*STAR),under the RIE2020 Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering(AME)Programmatic Grant(Grant no.A18B1b0061)。
文摘The corrosion rates of additive-manufactured Mg alloys are higher than their as-cast counterparts,possibly due to increased kinetics for the hydrogen evolution reaction on secondary phases,which may include oxide inclusions.Scanning Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy demonstrated that MgO inclusions could act as cathodes for Mg corrosion,but their low conductivity likely precludes this.However,the density of state calculations through density functional theory using hybrid HSE06 functional revealed overlapping electronic states at the Mg/MgO interface,which facilitates electron transfers and participates in redox reactions.Subsequent determination of the hydrogen absorption energy at the Mg/MgO interface reveals it to be an excellent catalytic site,with HER being found to be a factor of 23x more efficient at the interface than on metallic Mg.The results not only support the plausibility of the Mg/MgO interface being an effective cathode to the adjacent anodic Mg matrix during corrosion but also contribute to the understanding of the enhanced cathodic activities observed during the anodic dissolution of magnesium.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (Nos. 22221001, 22201115, 21931001, and 21922105)the Special Fund Project of Guiding Scientific and Technological Innovation Development of Gansu Province (2019ZX–04)+3 种基金the 111 Project (B20027)by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (lzujbky-2023-eyt03)support Natural Science Foundation of Gansu Providence (22JR5RA540)Gansu Province Youth Science and Technology Talent Promotion Project (GXH202220530-02)。
文摘Ef fective and robust catalyst is the core of water splitting to produce hydrogen.Here, we report an anionic etching method to tailor the sulfur vacancy(VS) of NiS_(2) to further enhance the electrocatalytic performance for hydrogen evolution reaction(HER). With the VS concentration change from 2.4% to 8.5%, the H* adsorption strength on S sites changed and NiS_(2)-VS 5.9% shows the most optimized H* adsorption for HER with an ultralow onset potential(68 m V) and has long-term stability for 100 h in 1 M KOH media. In situ attenuated-total-reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(ATR-FTIRS) measurements are usually used to monitor the adsorption of intermediates. The S-H* peak of the Ni S_(2)-VS 5.9% appears at a very low voltage, which is favorable for the HER in alkaline media. Density functional theory calculations also demonstrate the Ni S_(2)-VS 5.9% has the optimal |ΔG^(H*)| of 0.17 e V. This work offers a simple and promising pathway to enhance catalytic activity via precise vacancies strategy.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(52363028,21965005)the Natural Science Foundation of Guangxi Province(2021GXNSFAA076001)the Guangxi Technology Base and Talent Subject(GUIKE AD18126001,GUIKE AD20297039)。
文摘Tackling the problem of poor conductivity and catalytic stability of pristine metal-organic frameworks(MOFs) is crucial to improve their oxygen evolution reaction(OER) performance.Herein,we introduce a novel strategy of dysprosium(Dy) doping,using the unique 4f orbitals of this rare earth element to enhance electrocatalytic activity of MOFs.Our method involves constructing Dy-doped Ni-MOF(Dy@Ni-MOF) nanoneedles on carbon cloth via a Dy-induced valence electronic perturbation approach.Experiments and density functional theory(DFT) calculations reveal that Dy doping can effectively modify the electronic structure of the Ni active centers and foster a strong electronic interaction between Ni and Dy.The resulting benefits include a reduced work function and a closer proximity of the d-band center to the Fermi level,which is conducive to improving electrical conductivity and promoting the adsorption of oxygen-containing intermediates.Furthermore,the Dy@Ni-MOF achieves superhydrophilicity,ensuring effective electrolyte contact and thus accelerating reaction kinetics,Ex-situ and in-situ analysis results manifest Dy_(2)O_(3)/NiOOH as the actual active species.Therefore,Dy@Ni-MOF shows impressive OER performance,significantly surpassing Ni-MOF.Besides,the overall water splitting device with Dy@NiMOF as an anode delivers a low cell voltage of 1.51 V at 10 mA cm^(-2) and demonstrates long-term stability for 100 h,positioning it as a promising substitute for precious metal catalysts.
基金financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (52203070)the Open Fund of State Key Laboratory of New Textile Materials and Advanced Processing Technologies (FZ2022005)+2 种基金the Open Fund of Hubei Key Laboratory of Biomass Fiber and Ecological Dyeing and Finishing (STRZ202203)the financial support provided by the China Scholarship Council (CSC)Visiting Scholar Programfinancial support from Institute for Sustainability,Energy and Resources,The University of Adelaide,Future Making Fellowship,Australia。
文摘The incorporation of partial A-site substitution in perovskite oxides represents a promising strategy for precisely controlling the electronic configuration and enhancing its intrinsic catalytic activity.Conventional methods for A-site substitution typically involve prolonged high-temperature processes.While these processes promote the development of unique nanostructures with highly exposed active sites,they often result in the uncontrolled configuration of introduced elements.Herein,we present a novel approach for synthesizing two-dimensional(2D)porous GdFeO_(3) perovskite with A-site strontium(Sr)substitution utilizing microwave shock method.This technique enables precise control of the Sr content and simultaneous construction of 2D porous structures in one step,capitalizing on the advantages of rapid heating and cooling(temperature~1100 K,rate~70 K s^(-1)).The active sites of this oxygen-rich defect structure can be clearly revealed through the simulation of the electronic configuration and the comprehensive analysis of the crystal structure.For electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction application,the synthesized 2D porous Gd_(0.8)Sr_(0.2)FeO_(3) electrocatalyst exhibits an exceptional overpotential of 294 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm^(-2)and a small Tafel slope of 55.85 mV dec^(-1)in alkaline electrolytes.This study offers a fresh perspective on designing crystal configurations and the construction of nanostructures in perovskite.
基金The National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.52072114 and 51922008)the 111 Project(Grant No.D17007),the Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists(Grant No.GZS2018003)+2 种基金Xinxiang Major Science and Technology Projects(Grant No.21ZD001)Guangdong Innovative and Entrepreneurial Research Team Program(2016ZT06N500)Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Energy Materials for Electric Power(2018B030322001)all provided financial support for this work.
文摘Transition-metal oxyhydroxides are attractive catalysts for oxygen evolution reactions(OERs).Further studies for developing transition-metal oxyhydroxide catalysts and understanding their catalytic mechanisms will benefit their quick transition to the next catalysts.Herein,Mo-doped CoOOH was designed as a high-performance model electrocatalyst with durability for 20 h at 10 mAcm−2.Additionally,it had an overpotential of 260 mV(glassy carbon)or 215 mV(nickel foam),which was 78 mV lower than that of IrO_(2)(338 mV).In situ,Raman spectroscopy revealed the transformation process of CoOOH.Calculations using the density functional theory showed that during OER,doped Mo increased the spin-up density of states and shrank the spin-down bandgap of the 3d orbits in the reconstructed CoOOH under the electrochemical activation process,which simultaneously optimized the adsorption and electron conduction of oxygen-related intermediates on Co sites and lowered the OER overpotentials.Our research provides new insights into the methodical planning of the creation of transition-metal oxyhydroxide OER catalysts.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.12102050)the Open Fund of State Key Laboratory of Explosion Science and Technology(Grant No.SKLEST-ZZ-21-18).
文摘The majority of the projectiles used in the hypersonic penetration study are solid flat-nosed cylindrical projectiles with a diameter of less than 20 mm.This study aims to fill the gap in the experimental and analytical study of the evolution of the nose shape of larger hollow projectiles under hypersonic penetration.In the hypersonic penetration test,eight ogive-nose AerMet100 steel projectiles with a diameter of 40 mm were launched to hit concrete targets with impact velocities that ranged from 1351 to 1877 m/s.Severe erosion of the projectiles was observed during high-speed penetration of heterogeneous targets,and apparent localized mushrooming occurred in the front nose of recovered projectiles.By examining the damage to projectiles,a linear relationship was found between the relative length reduction rate and the initial kinetic energy of projectiles in different penetration tests.Furthermore,microscopic analysis revealed the forming mechanism of the localized mushrooming phenomenon for eroding penetration,i.e.,material spall erosion abrasion mechanism,material flow and redistribution abrasion mechanism and localized radial upsetting deformation mechanism.Finally,a model of highspeed penetration that included erosion was established on the basis of a model of the evolution of the projectile nose that considers radial upsetting;the model was validated by test data from the literature and the present study.Depending upon the impact velocity,v0,the projectile nose may behave as undistorted,radially distorted or hemispherical.Due to the effects of abrasion of the projectile and enhancement of radial upsetting on the duration and amplitude of the secondary rising segment in the pulse shape of projectile deceleration,the predicted DOP had an upper limit.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(22205209,52202373 and U21A200972)China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(2022M722867)Key Research Project of Higher Education Institutions in Henan Province(23A530001)。
文摘The valence states and coordination structures of doped heterometal atoms in two-dimensional(2D)nanomaterials lack predictable regulation strategies.Hence,a robust method is proposed to form unsaturated heteroatom clusters via the metal-vacancy restraint mechanism,which can precisely regulate the bonding and valence state of heterometal atoms doped in 2D molybdenum disulfide.The unsaturated valence state of heterometal Pt and Ru cluster atoms form a spatial coordination structure with Pt–S and Ru–O–S as catalytically active sites.Among them,the strong binding energy of negatively charged suspended S and O sites for H+,as well as the weak adsorption of positively charged unsaturated heterometal atoms for H*,reduces the energy barrier of the hydrogen evolution reaction proved by theoretical calculation.Whereupon,the electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution performance is markedly improved by the ensemble effect of unsaturated heterometal atoms and highlighted with an overpotential of 84 mV and Tafel slope of 68.5 mV dec^(−1).In brief,this metal vacancy-induced valence state regulation of heterometal can manipulate the coordination structure and catalytic activity of heterometal atoms doped in the 2D atomic lattice but not limited to 2D nanomaterials.
基金Under the auspices of National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.42171230)。
文摘Exploring carbon emission effects based on the evolution of residents’ dietary structure to achieve the carbon neutrality goal and mitigate climate change is an important task.This study took China as the research object(data excluding Hong Kong,Macao and Taiwan) and used the carbon emission coefficient method to quantitatively measure the food carbon emissions from 1987–2020,then analyzed the carbon emission effects under the evolution of dietary structure.The results showed that during the study period,the Chinese dietary structure gradually changed to a high-carbon consumption pattern.The dietary structure of urban residents developed to a balanced one,while that of rural residents developed to a high-quality one.During the study period,the per capita food carbon emissions and total food consumption of Chinese showed an increasing trend.The per capita food carbon emissions of residents in urban and rural showed an overall upward trend.The total food carbon emissions in urban increased significantly,while that in rural increased first and then decreased.The influence of beef and mutton on carbon emissions is the highest in dietary structure.Compared with the balanced dietary pattern,the food carbon emissions of Chinese residents had not yet reached the peak,but were evolving to a high-carbon consumption pattern.
基金supported by the Taishan Scholar Program of Shandong Province,China (tsqn202211162)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (22102079)the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province of China (ZR2021YQ10,ZR2022QB163)。
文摘The poor stability of RuO_(2)electrocatalysts has been the primary obstacles for their practical application in polymer electrolyte membrane electrolyzers.To dramatically enhance the durability of RuO_(2)to construct activity-stability trade-off model is full of significance but challenging.Herein,a single atom Zn stabilized RuO_(2)with enriched oxygen vacancies(SA Zn-RuO_(2))is developed as a promising alternative to iridium oxide for acidic oxygen evolution reaction(OER).Compared with commercial RuO_(2),the enhanced Ru–O bond strength of SA Zn-RuO_(2)by forming Zn-O-Ru local structure motif is favorable to stabilize surface Ru,while the electrons transferred from Zn single atoms to adjacent Ru atoms protects the Ru active sites from overoxidation.Simultaneously,the optimized surrounding electronic structure of Ru sites in SA ZnRuO_(2)decreases the adsorption energies of OER intermediates to reduce the reaction barrier.As a result,the representative SA Zn-RuO_(2)exhibits a low overpotential of 210 mV to achieve 10 mA cm^(-2)and a greatly enhanced durability than commercial RuO_(2).This work provides a promising dual-engineering strategy by coupling single atom doping and vacancy for the tradeoff of high activity and catalytic stability toward acidic OER.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.22075159,22002066)Shandong Taishan Scholars Project(Grant Nos.ts20190932,tsqn202103058)+1 种基金Open Fund of Hubei Key Laboratory of Processing and Application of Catalytic Materials(Grant No.202203404)Postdoctoral Applied Research Project in Qingdao,and the Youth Innovation Team Project of Shandong Provincial Education Department(Grant No.2019KJC023).
文摘Ruthenium(Ru)has been regarded as one of the most promising alternatives to substitute Pt for catalyzing alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction(HER),owing to its inherent high activity and being the cheapest platinum-group metal.Herein,based on the idea of strong metal–support interaction(SMSI)regulation,Ru/TiN catalysts with different degrees of TiN overlayer over Ru nanoparticles were fabricated,which were applied to the alkaline electrolytic water.Characterizations reveal that the TiN overlayer would gradually encapsulate the Ru nanoparticles and induce more electron transfer from Ru nanoparticles to TiN support by the Ru–N–Ti bond as the SMSI degree increased.Further study shows that the exposed Ru–TiN interfaces greatly promote the H_(2) desorption capacity.Thus,the Ru/TiN-300 with a moderate SMSI degree exhibits excellent HER performance,with an overpotential of 38 mV at 10 mA cm^(−2).Also,due to the encapsulation role of TiN overlayer on Ru nanoparticles,it displays super long-term stability with a very slight potential change after 24 h.This study provides a deep insight into the influence of the SMSI effect between Ru and TiN on HER and offers a novel approach for preparing efficient and stable HER electrocatalysts through SMSI engineering.
基金This work was financially supported by the National Science and Technology Major Project of China(No.J2019-VI-0006-0120)the National Key R&D Program of China(No.2021YFB3700402)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52074092 and 52274330).
文摘We discussed the decrease in residual stress,precipitation evolution,and mechanical properties of GH4151 alloy in different annealing temperatures,which were studied by the scanning electron microscope(SEM),high-resolution transmission electron microscopy(HRTEM),and electron backscatter diffraction(EBSD).The findings reveal that annealing processing has a significant impact on diminishing residual stresses.As the annealing temperature rose from 950 to 1150℃,the majority of the residual stresses were relieved from 60.1 MPa down to 10.9 MPa.Moreover,the stress relaxation mechanism transitioned from being mainly controlled by dislocation slip to a combination of dislocation slip and grain boundary migration.Meanwhile,the annealing treatment promotes the decomposition of the Laves,accompanied by the precipitation ofμ-(Mo_(6)Co_(7))starting at 950℃ and reaching a maximum value at 1050℃.The tensile strength and plasticity of the annealing alloy at 1150℃ reached the maximum(1394 MPa,56.1%)which was 131%,200%fold than those of the as-cast alloy(1060 MPa,26.6%),but the oxidation process in the alloy was accelerated at 1150℃.The enhancement in durability and flexibility is primarily due to the dissolution of the brittle phase,along with the shape and dispersal of theγ′phase.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Plan(Grant No.2022YFC2905700)Natural Science Foundation of Anhui Province(Grant No.2208085ME120)Key Research and Development Plan of Anhui Province(Grant No.2022m07020001).
文摘The influence of thermal damage on macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of different rocks has received much attention in the field of rock engineering.When the rocks are subjected to thermal treatment,the change of macroscopic characteristics and evolution of micro-structure would be induced,ultimately resulting in different degrees of thermal damage in rocks.To better understand the thermal damage mechanism of different rocks and its effect on the rock performance,this study reviews a large number of test results of rock specimens experiencing heating and cooling treatment in the laboratory.Firstly,the variations of macroscopic behaviors,including physical parameters,mechanical parameters,thermal conductivity and permeability,are examined.The variations of mechanical parameters with thermal treatment variables(i.e.temperature or the number of thermal cycles)are divided into four types.Secondly,several measuring methods for microstructure,such as polarizing microscopy,fluorescent method,scanning electron microscopy(SEM),X-ray computerized tomography(CT),acoustic emission(AE)and ultrasonic technique,are introduced.Furthermore,the effect of thermal damage on the mechanical parameters of rocks in response to different thermal treatments,involving temperature magnitude,cooling method and thermal cycle,are discussed.Finally,the limitations and prospects for the research of rock thermal damage are proposed.
基金the staff at Beamline (BL08U1-A and BL11B)of the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF)the support from the National Key Research&Development Program of China (2022YFB3803700)+2 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China (52171186)the support through the Overseas Outstanding Youth Fund and Shanghai Pujiang Talent Project (21PJ1408500)the financial support from the Center of Hydrogen Science,Shanghai Jiao Tong University。
文摘High efficiency,cost-effective and durable electrocatalysts are of pivotal importance in energy conversion and storage systems.The electro-oxidation of water to oxygen plays a crucial role in such energy conversion technologies.Herein,we report a robust method for the synthesis of a bimetallic alkoxide for efficient oxygen evolution reaction(OER)for alkaline electrolysis,which yields current density of 10 mA cm^(-2)at an overpotential of 215 mV in 0.1 M KOH electrolyte.The catalyst demonstrates an excellent durability for more than 540 h operation with negligible degradation in activity.Raman spectra revealed that the catalyst underwent structure reconstruction during OER,evolving into oxyhydroxide,which was the active site proceeding OER in alkaline electrolyte.In-situ synchrotron X-ray absorption experiment combined with density functional theory calculation suggests a lattice oxygen involved electrocatalytic reaction mechanism for the in-situ generated nickel–iron bimetal-oxyhydroxide catalyst.This mechanism together with the synergy between nickel and iron are responsible for the enhanced catalytic activity and durability.These findings provide promising strategies for the rational design of nonnoble metal OER catalysts.
基金We acknowledge the funding support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China Youth Fund(Grant No.52004019)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.41825018)China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(Grant No.2023M733481).
文摘Rock-encased-backfill(RB)structures are common in underground mining,for example in the cut-andfill and stoping methods.To understand the effects of cyclic excavation and blasting activities on the damage of these RB structures,a series of triaxial stepwise-increasing-amplitude cyclic loading experiments was conducted with cylindrical RB specimens(rock on outside,backfill on inside)with different volume fractions of rock(VF=0.48,0.61,0.73,and 0.84),confining pressures(0,6,9,and 12 MPa),and cyclic loading rates(200,300,400,and 500 N/s).The damage evolution and meso-crack formation during the cyclic tests were analyzed with results from stress-strain hysteresis loops,acoustic emission events,and post-failure X-ray 3D fracture morphology.The results showed significant differences between cyclic and monotonic loadings of RB specimens,particularly with regard to the generation of shear microcracks,the development of stress memory and strain hardening,and the contact forces and associated friction that develops along the rock-backfill interface.One important finding is that as a function of the number of cycles,the elastic strain increases linearly and the dissipated energy increases exponentially.Also,compared with monotonic loading,the cyclic strain hardening characteristics are more sensitive to rising confining pressures during the initial compaction stage.Another finding is that compared with monotonic loading,more shear microcracks are generated during every reloading stage,but these microcracks tend to be dispersed and lessen the likelihood of large shear fracture formation.The transition from elastic to plastic behavior varies depending on the parameters of each test(confinement,volume fraction,and cyclic rate),and an interesting finding was that the transformation to plastic behavior is significantly lower under the conditions of 0.73 rock volume fraction,400 N/s cyclic loading rate,and 9 MPa confinement.All the findings have important practical implications on the ability of backfill to support underground excavations.