Diamond-like carbon (DLC) films with excellent anti-friction and wear resistance, can effectively reduce the energy loss of tribosystems and the wear failure of parts, but the high residual stress limits their application and service life. Researchers found that doping heterogeneous elements in the carbon matrix can alleviate the defects in the microstructure and properties of DLC films (reduce the residual stress; enhance adhesion strength; improve tribological, corrosion resistance, hydrophobic, biocompatibility, and optical properties), and doping elements with different properties will have different effects on the structure and properties of DLC films. In addition, the comprehensive properties of DLC films can be coordinated by controlling the doping elements and their contents. In this paper, the effects of single element and co-doping of carbide-forming elements (Nb, W, Mo, Cr, Ti, Si) and non-carbide-forming elements (Cu, Al, Ag, Ni) on the properties of microstructure, mechanical, tribological, optical, hydrophobic, corrosion resistance, etc. of DLC films are reviewed. The mechanisms of the effects of doping elements on the different properties of DLC films are summarized and analyzed.

Male‐sterile plants are used in hybrid breeding to improve yield in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.). Developing the capability to alter fertility under different environmental conditions could broaden germplasm resources and simplify hybrid production. However, molecular mechanisms potentially underlying such a system in soybean were unclear. Here, using positional cloning, we identified a gene, MALE STERILITY 3 (MS3), which encodes a nuclear‐localized protein containing a plant homeodomain (PHD)‐finger domain. A spontaneous mutation in ms3 causing premature termination of MS3 translation and partial loss of the PHD‐finger. Transgenetic analysis indicated that MS3 knockout resulted in nonfunctional pollen and no self‐pollinated pods, and RNA‐seq analysis revealed that MS3 affects the expression of genes associated with carbohydrate metabolism. Strikingly, the fertility of mutant ms3 can restore under long‐d conditions. The mutant could thus be used to create a new, more stable photoperiod‐sensitive genic male sterility line for two‐line hybrid seed production, with significant impact on hybrid breeding and production.

Particles in the vertical shaft impact crusher absorb and dissipate collision energy in the impact breakage. The distribution of the collision energy determines the breakage rate of materials and breakage energy consumption of the entire system. In this paper, the gas-solid coupling method is used to explore the regional distribution of collision energy, collision frequency, and collision energy spectrum of the material particle groups. Hence, a theoretical basis is provided for the efficient and energy-saving design of the crusher. First, a coupling mathematical model of the computational fluid dynamics and discrete element method is established to describe the interaction between material and fluid in the crushing chamber. Moreover, the experiment is carried out using a PL8500 VSI crusher and compared with the simulation results to verify the model's reliability. Finally, the effects of different working conditions on the energy dissipation distribution and energy spectrum are explored. The results show that the collision energy within the crushing chamber can be accurately predicted by using the fluid-solid coupling model. Moreover, increasing the rotational speed can effectively transform low-energy collision events into high-energy collisions and increase the collision frequency with energy dissipation above the threshold energy. Thus, the probability of material breakage is increased. Last, increasing the feed rate minorly affects the material breakage rate, while the specific energy of the entire system is reduced.

In a vertical shaft impact crusher, the particle crushing process is extraordinarily complex, and the particle shape significantly influences the size distribution of the crushed product. To quantify the crushing behavior of particles more accurately and thus reveal the crushing mechanism of the crusher, an analytical approach is suggested for characterizing the crushing distribution of particles subjected to rotational impact. First, according to the working principle of vertical shaft impact crusher, a rotary impact tester was designed, and the cumulative damage model of particles under repetitive impact was established based on the theory of fracture mechanics, based on which the simulation model of single-particle rotary impact tester was constructed. Then, seven distinct particle shapes were established based on the particle shapes observed during the crusher's actual production. Finally, an investigation was conducted using the simulation model to examine the impact of various rotor velocities and particle shapes on the macroscopic mechanical properties and crushing distribution attributes of single-particle crushing. In the single-particle rotary impact crushing experiments, the findings indicated that the particle crushing transpired at the site of contact with the anvil. The particle size distribution of subparticles generated through the crushing with distinct particle shapes all exhibit single-peak characteristics as rotor speed increases. The magnitude of the peak value progressively escalates in tandem with the rotor speed increase. Furthermore, as the rotor speed increases, so do the cumulative mass distribution and the maximum continuous crushing cumulative mass. When the horizontal aspect ratio of the particles is V < 1 and V > 1, the crushing effect of the particles is poor at the same rotational speed; the curve of the maximum continuous crushing degree has an inverted "V″ shape. The crushing effect of the particles improves as their edges become progressively sharper, and the maximum continuous crushing degree of the particles increases as the edge sharpness of the particles advances.

This study centered around the practical problem that there is no machine available for deep planting with large holes in hilly and mountainous areas of China. According to the principle of spiral lifting, a conical, double-spiral hole-forming machine was innovatively designed. The structural design and parameter calculation were completed. By discrete-element-method (DEM) simulation, the optimal lead and rotation speed of the hole former were obtained, and the hole-forming mechanisms of soil cutting, soil lifting, soil discharging, soil extruding, and soil returning were further revealed. The field test results indicated that the prototype had the advantages of convenient operation and good performance, and the formed holes met the agronomic requirements, with a qualification rate of 88.5%. In addition, it was found that the soil moisture content has a great influence on the formation of holes. Under the condition of low moisture content, the residence time at the bottom of a hole should be appropriately increased to improve the qualification rate of the holes formed. Our research results provided theoretical guidance and technical support for the design, optimization, popularization, and application of a hole-forming machine for deep planting with large holes (DPLH).

In a vertical impact crusher, material particles undergo multiple impact collisions and eventually break due to accumulated damage. In order to further study the crushing mechanism of the crusher, a cumulative damage model of material particles under repeated impact was established. Firstly, a crushing model is established based on the specific fracture energy, reflecting material particles' cumulative damage and crushing process. Then, the simulation model of the crushing system of the vertical shaft impact crusher is established. And by simulating the crushing process of limestone particles in a crusher, it reveals that the crushing of particles is essentially due to the crushing that occurs as a result of multiple cumulative impacts. Next, the simulation model is used to simulate and analyze the rotor's power and particle size distribution of crushed products of limestone, iron ore, and copper ore during crushing. The reliability of the simulation model is experimentally validated. Finally, the simulation analyzed the influence of the diameter and speed of the crusher rotor, as well as the mixed feeding of various materials, on the rotor power and material crushing effect. The results show that the particle size distribution curves of three types of crushed products, including limestone, have a high degree of agreement between simulation and experiment. Furthermore, the simulation values of rotor power and specific power consumption fit well with the experimental values, verifying the reliability of the simulation model. As the rotor diameter and rotor speed increase, the rotor power and sand production rate gradually increase. And the increase in rotor power is much greater than the increase in sand production rate. When the feed is a mixture of multiple materials, the rotor power increases approximately linearly with the increase of the proportion of high hardness materials in the feed, while the yield of fine particles in the crushed product decreases with the increase of the proportion of high hardness materials in the feed.