Volume-12, Issue-4, April 2026
1. Transplanting Machinery and Key Components: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Herui Dong; Guibin Wang; Jijia He; Tingbo Xu; Maile Zhou
Keywords: Transplanting machine, transplanting mechanism, intelligent, fully automated, eco-friendly and low-carbo.
Page No: 01-21
Abstract
As demand for agricultural products continues to grow, mechanized transplanting technologies and equipment are constantly evolving. Transplanting is one of the primary cultivation methods for crops such as grains, oilseeds, and vegetables, and it represents a critical technical step in crop production, playing a significant role in increasing crop yields. This paper outlines the current state of research on transplanters and their key components. It categorizes and summarizes the research and development of existing transplanters based on their driving modes, classifies transplanting mechanisms according to different seedling retrieval methods and analyzes their working principles, and analyzes and summarizes the existing issues with current transplanters and transplanting mechanisms. Based on these issues, the paper proposes recommendations for future development. High-efficiency, low-damage transplanting technology is key to increasing crop yields, and strengthening the integration of agricultural machinery and agronomy is an important method for reducing crop production costs. Intelligence, full automation, and green, low-carbon operations represent important future research directions for transplanters.
Keywords: Transplanting machine, transplanting mechanism, intelligent, fully automated, eco-friendly and low-carbo.
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2. Effect of Rare-Earth Site Composition Complexity on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of High-Entropy RE3NbO7 Ceramics
Authors: Zongjian Yang; Xiaojun Yang; Hui Li; Peng Zhang
Keywords: High Entropy, Rare-earth Niobates, Composition Complexity, Densification, Mechanical Properties.
Page No: 22-30
Abstract
High-entropy strategies provide a robust approach for tailoring the microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of ceramics. This study investigates the kinetic influence of rare-earth (RE) site compositional complexity on the phase stability, densification, and grain growth of RE3NbO7 ceramics. A series of compositions, from single-component Sm3NbO7 to a five-component (5RE) high-entropy system, were synthesized via solid-state reaction. X-ray diffraction confirms the formation of pure orthorhombic phases, characterized by distinct lattice distortions. Despite all compositions achieving high relative densities (>98%) at 1600°C, the increase in RE-site complexity profoundly suppressed grain growth. Notably, the 4RE composition exhibited the most pronounced grain refinement, reaching a minimum average grain size of 3.37μm (a 71% reduction compared to Sm3NbO7). This suppression is governed by a competitive mechanism between entropy-driven sluggish diffusion and the intrinsic physicochemical properties of the constituent elements. Mechanical evaluations reveal that the 4RE, 3RE, and 2RE compositions exhibit peak Vickers hardness (7.67GPa), fracture toughness (2.25 MPa·m1/2), and flexural strength (180MPa), respectively. These findings demonstrate that entropy-mediated design effectively decouples densification from grain coarsening and enables the systematic modulation of mechanical performance in niobate ceramics.
Keywords: High Entropy, Rare-earth Niobates, Composition Complexity, Densification, Mechanical Properties.
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