The optimal sintering trajectories of three-dimensional (3D) yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) tapes were prepared using a dynamic optimization method under the controlled sintering strain. The sintering process model was carried out by the combination of both the heat transport equation and the dynamic equation of the sintering strain rate, constructed by thermal−mechanical analyzer (TMA) data. The heating pathway of a constrained strain rate case was determined numerically and was further experimentally carried out by the TMA test. Results show that the distribution of the strain rate in the ceramic tape was influenced by the sample size and heating conditions. The optimally sintered YSZ electrolyte showed better electronic performance than those with constant heating rates based on the conductivity tests. Therefore, the formation of the strain rate can be one of the factors that influenced the quality of the YSZ electrolyte in the sintering process.
Photolithography of a pattern-forming process was developed with ultraviolet (UV) exposure and lithography
methods, using poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB) with a nano-TiO2 composite as a photoresist. The PVB/TiO2
photoresist with high mechanical strength can be photodegraded because of the photocatalytic reaction during
UV irradiation. After the PVB was removed from the exposed region, the TiO2 particles left after the
photoreaction were easily removed by solvent, because of the low mechanical strength in this region. Results
show that a pattern was able to be formed on substrates using this photolithography technique. The surface
morphology of the PVB/TiO2 films associated with different exposure times was demonstrated. The dynamic
intensities of functional groups for the residues (solid phase) and the volatile products (gas phase) during
PVB/TiO2 photodegradation were analyzed. In addition, design of a photoreactor to shorten the UV-exposure
time and improve the quality of the pattern-forming requirement was discussed.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.