On plasma radiative properties in stellar conditions

The knowledge of stellar evolution is evolving quickly thanks to an increased number of opportunities to scrutinize the stellar internal plasma properties by stellar seismology and by 1D and 3D simulations. These new tools help us to introduce the internal dynamical phenomena in stellar modeling. A proper inclusion of these processes supposes a real confidence in the microscopic physics used, partly checked by solar or stellar acoustic modes. In the present paper we first recall which fundamental physics has been recently verified by helioseismology. Then we recall that opacity is an important ingredient of the secular evolution of stars and we point out why it is necessary to measure absorption coefficients and degrees of ionization in the laboratory for some well identified astrophysical conditions. We examine two specific experimental conditions which are accessible to large laser facilities and are suitable to solve some interesting questions of the stellar community: are the solar internal radiative interactions properly estimated and what is the proper role of the opacity in the excitation of the non-radial modes in the envelop of the β Cepheids and the Be stars? At the end of the paper we point out the difficulties of the experimental approach that we need to overcome.     

Coseismic stress variation and numerical analysis of 2011 Japan–Honshu 9.0 earthquake

Using hybrid hypersingular integral equation-Lattice Boltzmann method [1], [2] and [3], the 2011 Japan–Honshu 9.0 earthquake coseismic stress tensor has been explored. A hypothesis based on slip elastic bound back and transient elastic–dynamic ultra low frequency shock plates assumes has been proposed and chaos phenomena in the results has been explained by using this hypothesis.     

New insights into astrophysical jets with the atacama large millimeter array and the Karl G. Jansky very large array

Observations using the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) and the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) will address gaps in our understanding of astrophysical disks, jets and outflows from young stellar objects, evolved stars and black holes. ALMA & the VLA will achieve high resolution to map small-scale structure in jets and accretion disks allowing us to explore how material is lifted off the disk and collimated into ionized jets. ALMA will also recover even the most extended emission in large-scale out-flowing molecular material, allowing a detailed study of hydrodynamic mixing and dust formation. This paper highlights those features of the ALMA & VLA telescopes that will contribute to our understanding of astrophysical jets and disks and presents new observations that demonstrate the power of these instruments.     

The influence of model parameters and of the thermomechanical coupling on the behavior of shape memory devices

Shape memory materials (SMM) are receiving increasing attention for their use in applications that exploit their dynamic behavior. A thermomechanical model for devices with pseudoelastic behavior has been proposed in previous works [11] (Bernardini and Pence, 2005) [15] (Bernardini and Rega, 2005). The model takes into account several aspects of SMM behavior by means of seven model parameters.In this paper the effect of each parameter on the non-isothermal rate-dependent behavior of the device is studied, by paying particular attention to the effect of the thermomechanical coupling. Some overall synthetic indicators of the behavior of the shape memory device are defined in terms of the model parameters. By evaluating such indicators, a lot of information about the mechanical, thermal and thermomechanical effects on the device behavior can be gained before computing explicitly the response of the shape memory oscillator.The present work may provide a guide for the proper utilization of the model for the investigation of the dynamic response.     

Uncertainty quantification of a graphite nitridation experiment using a Bayesian approach

In this paper, a stochastic system based Bayesian approach is applied to estimate different model parameters and hence quantify the uncertainty of a graphite nitridation experiment. The Bayesian approach is robust due to its ability to characterize modeling uncertainties associated with the underlying system and is rigorous due to its exclusive foundation on the axioms of probability theory. We choose an experiment by Zhang et al. [1] whose main objective is to measure the reaction efficiency for the active nitridation of graphite by atomic nitrogen. To obtain the primary physical quantity of interest, we need to model and estimate the uncertainty of a number of other physical processes associated with the experimental setup. We use the Bayesian method to obtain posterior probability distributions of all the parameters relevant to the experiment while taking into account uncertainties in the inputs and the modeling errors. We use a recently developed stochastic simulation algorithm which allows for efficient sampling in the high-dimensional parameter space. We show that the predicted reaction efficiency of the graphite nitridation and its uncertainty is ∼3.1 ± 1.0 × 10⁻³ that is slightly larger than the ones deterministically obtained by Zhang et al. [1].     

Comment on “A note on generalized radial mesh generation for plasma electronic structure”

In a recent note, B.G. Wilson and V. Sonnad [1] proposed a very useful closed form expression for the efficient generation of analytic log-linear radial meshes. The central point of the note is an implicit equation for the parameter h, involving Lambert’s function W[x]. The authors mention that they are unaware of any direct proof of this equation (they obtained it by re-summing the Taylor expansion of h[α] using high-order coefficients obtained by analytic differentiation of the implicit definition using symbolic manipulation). In the present comment, we propose a direct proof of that equation.     

Measurements of emission spectra from hot,dense germanium plasma in short pulse laser experiments

Heating of thin foil targets by an high power laser at intensities of 10¹⁷–10¹⁹ W/cm² has been studied as a method for producing high temperature, high density samples to investigate X-ray opacity and equation of state. The targets were plastic (parylene-N) foils with a microdot made of a mixture of germanium and titanium buried at depth of 1.5 μm. The L-shell spectra from the germanium and the K-shell spectra from the titanium were taken using crystal spectrometers recording onto film and an ultra fast X-ray streak camera coupled to a conical focussing crystal with a time resolution of 1 ps. The conditions in the microdot were inferred by comparing the measured spectra to synthetic spectra produced by the time-dependent collisional–radiative (CR) models FLY and FLYCHK. The data were also compared to simulated spectra from a number of opacity codes assuming local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE). Temperature and density gradients were taken into account in the comparisons. The sample conditions were inferred from the CR modelling using FLYCHK to be 800 ± 100 eV and 1.5 ± 0.5 g/cc. The best fit to the LTE models was at a temperature 20% lower than with the CR model. Though the sample departs from LTE significantly useful spectral comparisons can still be made. The results and comparisons are discussed along with improvements to the experimental technique to achieve conditions closer to LTE.     

Lattice orientation effects on void growth and coalescence in fcc single crystals

Void growth and coalescence in fcc single crystals were studied using crystal plasticity under uniaxial and biaxial loading conditions and various orientations of the crystalline lattice. A 2D plane strain unit cell with one and two cylindrical voids was employed using three-dimensional 12 potentially active slip systems. The results were compared to five representative orientations of the tensile axis on the stereographic triangle. For uniaxial tension conditions, the void volume fraction increase under the applied load is strongly dependent on the crystallographic orientation with respect to the tensile axis. For some orientations of the tensile axis, such as [1 0 0] or [1 1 0], the voids exhibited a growth rate twice as fast compared with other orientations ([1 0 0], [2 1 1]). Void growth and coalescence simulations under uniaxial loading indicated that during deformation along some orientations with asymmetry of the slip systems, the voids experienced rotation and shape distortion, due mainly to lattice reorientation. Coalescence effects are shown to diminish the influence of lattice orientation on the void volume fraction increase, but noteworthy differences are still present. Under biaxial loading conditions, practically all differences in the void volume fraction for different orientations of the tensile axes during void growth vanish. These results lead to the conclusion that at microstructural length scales in regions under intense biaxiality/triaxiality conditions, such as crack tip or notched regions, the plastic anisotropy due to the initial lattice orientation has only a minor role in influencing the void growth rate. In such situations, void growth and coalescence are mainly determined by the stress triaxiality, the magnitude of accumulated strain, and the spatial localization of such plastic strains.     

Fixed pansystems theorems and pansystems logic conservation of chaos

The study of nonlinear problems was developed in works ^[1,2] by means of the pansystems methodology (PM) which does not need the condition related to differential manifolds and linear space. In work [2], within the framework of PM, we proved that study of panchaos, panattractor and strange panattractor can be transformed conditionally into some forms of fixed subsets. As a continuation of work [2], we now research the pansystems logic conservation of panchaos, panattractor, strange panattractor and some other fixed subsets.     

Measurements of opacity and temperature of warm dense matter heated by focused soft X-ray laser irradiation

The transmission of plasma-based soft X-ray lasers through thin targets can be used to measure the target opacity. Measurements of warm dense matter transmission obtained using a focused 59 eV photon energy laser irradiation on thin targets of polyimide (C₂₂H₁₀N₂O₅) and aluminum are shown to produce simultaneous heating and probing enabling opacity and temperature measurements of warm dense matter. It is shown that the opacity of the warm dense matter considered in the experiments follows closely tabulated cold ‘room temperature’ opacities at temperatures below ～10 eV. Transmission measurements of thin iron targets which are highly opaque to the X-ray laser radiation are also presented.     

Evaluation of flow patterns and elongated bubble characteristics during the flow boiling of halocarbon refrigerants in a micro-scale channel

In the present study, quasi-diabatic two-phase flow pattern visualizations and measurements of elongated bubble velocity, frequency and length were performed. The tests were run for R134a and R245fa evaporating in a stainless steel tube with diameter of 2.32 mm, mass velocities ranging from 50 to 600 kg/m² s and saturation temperatures of 22 °C, 31 °C and 41 °C. The tube was heated by applying a direct DC current to its surface. Images from a high-speed video-camera (8000 frames/s) obtained through a transparent tube just downstream the heated sections were used to identify the following flow patterns: bubbly, elongated bubbles, churn and annular flows. The visualized flow patterns were compared against the predictions provided by Barnea et al. (1983) [1], Felcar et al. (2007) [10], Revellin and Thome (2007) [3] and Ong and Thome (2009) [11]. From this comparison, it was found that the methods proposed by Felcar et al. (2007) [10] and Ong and Thome (2009) [1] predicted relatively well the present database. Additionally, elongated bubble velocities, frequencies and lengths were determined based on the analysis of high-speed videos. Results suggested that the elongated bubble velocity depends on mass velocity, vapor quality and saturation temperature. The bubble velocity increases with increasing mass velocity and vapor quality and decreases with increasing saturation temperature. Additionally, bubble velocity was correlated as linear functions of the two-phase superficial velocity.     

Buckling behavior of Kelvin open-cell foams under [0 0 1], [0 1 1] and [1 1 1] compressive loads

This paper describes buckling modes and stresses of elastic Kelvin open-cell foams subjected to [0 0 1], [0 1 1] and [1 1 1] uniaxial compressions. Cubic unit cells and cell aggregates in model foams are analyzed using a homogenization theory of the updated Lagrangian type. The analysis is performed on the assumption that the struts in foams have a non-uniform distribution of cross-sectional areas as observed experimentally. The relative density is changed to range from 0.005 to 0.05. It is thus found that long wavelength buckling and macroscopic instability primarily occur under [0 0 1] and [0 1 1] compressions, with only short wavelength buckling under [1 1 1] compression. The primary buckling stresses under the three compressions are fairly close to one another and almost satisfy the Gibson–Ashby relation established to fit experiments. By also performing the analysis based on the uniformity of strut cross-sectional areas, it is shown that the non-uniformity of cross-sectional areas is an important factor for the buckling behavior of open-cell foams.     

A variational principle for the dynamic problem of linear coupled thermoelasticity

Summary A functional is constructed by whose stationarity the mixed problem for linear and dynamic thermoelasticity is obtained. In contrast with previous results[2], [4], [8], neither constrained variations nor previous transformations upon the equations of the problem are used. The unrestricted variational formulation is made possible by means of a convolutive bilinear form.

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Sommario Si costruisce un funzionale dalla cui stazionarietà si ricava il problema misto della termoelasticità lineare accoppiata. A differenza di precedenti risultati[2], [4], [8] non si ricorre né a variazioni bloccate né a preliminari trasformazioni del problema. La formulazione variazionale non ristretta è resa possibile dall'uso di una forma bilineare convolutiva.

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Work done in the sphere of activity of the Group for Mathematical Research of the (Italian) C.N.R.     

On refined analysis of bifurcation buckling for the axially compressed circular cylinder

We present extensive numerical results of bifurcation buckling analysis of the axially compressed circular cylinder. The analysis is based on the modified displacement version of the non-linear theory of thin elastic shells developed by Opoka and Pietraszkiewicz [Opoka, S., Pietraszkiewicz, W., 2009. On modified displacement version of the non-linear theory of thin shells. International Journal of Solids and Structures, 46, 3103–3110.]. To solve the buckling problem we apply the separation of variables and expansion of all fields into Fourier series in circumferential direction, with subsequent accurate calculations of eigenvalues of determinants of corresponding 8 × 8 complicated matrices. The numerical analysis of the buckling load is performed for the cylinders with length-to-diameter ratio in the range (0.05, 60), with eight sets of incremental work-conjugate boundary conditions analogous to those used in the literature and partly summarized in the book by Yamaki [Yamaki, N., 1984. Elastic Stability of Circular Cylindrical Shells. Elsevier, Amsterdam], and additionally with six sets of boundary conditions not discussed in the literature yet. The results allow us to formulate several important conclusions, such as: (a) omission in the non-linear BVP small terms of the order of error introduced by the error of constitutive equations leads to overestimated buckling loads for long cylinders with clamped boundaries; (b) for some relaxed boundary conditions the buckling load decreases for short cylinders with decrease of the cylinder length; (c) the results for additional six sets of boundary conditions reveal existence of several new cases, in which by relaxing geometric boundary conditions the buckling load falls down to about one half of the classical value in a wide range of the cylinder length-to-diameter ratios.     

On the elastic problem of the non-homogeneous anisotropic reticulated body resting on a lattice

Summary A reticulated body is examined, which is constituted by pin-jointed members; the joints coincide with the points of a lattice; the members can be arbitrarily distributed.The problem of the elastic equilibrium of such a body is studied, proposing a method of solution based on the interpretation of the reticulated body as a continuum.In particular, we assume as model a body constituted by molecules, placed in the joints and centrally attracting or repelling one another.The elastic properties of such a model are defined according to Cauchy-Poisson theory, as functions of the rigidities of the members of the reticulated body; in general, the resultant model is anisotropic and non-homogeneous.The method suggested is different from the similar ones[1], [2], [3], by being based on the rigorous definition of the model of the reticulated body.This method is a generalization of a more restricted method applied to the study of the cubic homogeneous reticulated bodies[4], [5]; it attributes to the joints of the reticulated body the displacements of the corresponding points of the continuum model and consequently determines the stresses in the members.The errors made with the explained method are deduced by comparing the equations of the continuum model with those of the reticulated body; by reiterating the method, we can reduce these errors to as small as we want.

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Sommario Si esamina un corpo a struttura reticolare, costituito da aste articolate a cerniera: i nodi coincidono con i punti di un sistema regolare nello spazio, le aste possono essere comunque distribuite.Si affronta il problema dell'equilibrio elastico di un tale corpo proponendo un metodo di soluzione fondato sulla interpretazione del reticolo come un continuo.In particolare si assume come modello un corpo costituito da molecole poste in corrispondenza dei nodi e soggette ad azioni mutue dirette secondo le congiungenti i loro centri.Le costanti elastiche del modello sono fissate, seguendo il modello di Cauchy-Poisson, in funzione delle rigidezze delle aste del reticolo; nel caso più generale il modello che ne consegue sarà anisotropo ed eterogeneo.Il procedimento che si propone si differenzia dai procedimenti similari[1], [2], [3], in quanto è fondato sulla definizione rigorosa del modello del reticolo.Esso è la generalizzazione di quello applicato allo studio dei reticoli omogenei cubici[4], [5] e consiste nell'assegnare ai nodi del reticolo gli spostamenti dei corrispondenti punti del modello continuo e nella conseguente determinazione degli sforzi nelle singole aste.Gli errori che si commettono con tale procedimento vengono dedotti dal confronto fra le equazioni del modello e quelle del reticolo; essi possono rendersi piccoli a piacere mediante opportune iterazioni.

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Unidimensional SPH simulations of reactive shock tubes in an astrophysical perspective

Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) is a Lagrangian method widely used for the modelling of a large variety of astrophysical fluid flows in more than one dimension. Simulations of thermonuclear explosions in stars require, besides the hydrodynamic equations, a realistic equation of state, an energy source term, and a set of nuclear kinetic equations to follow the composition changes of the gas during the explosion. The implementation of a realistic stellar equation of state, and the coupling of hydrodynamics and nuclear burning are investigated in the framework of the simple shock tube geometry. We present and discuss the results of a series of SPH simulations of a detonation in the presence of (1) a single exothermic nuclear reaction, and (2) a restricted network of nuclear reactions. Our results are compared to those of identical simulations performed by other authors using a different hydrodynamic method.     

Interfacial propulsion by directional adhesion

The rough integument of water-walking arthropods is well-known to be responsible for their water-repellency [1], [2], [3] and [4]; however, water-repellent surfaces generally experience reduced traction at an air-water interface [5], [6], [7] and [8]. A conundrum then arises as to how such creatures generate significant propulsive forces while retaining their water-repellency. We here demonstrate through a series of experiments that they do so by virtue of the detailed form of their integument; specifically, their tilted, flexible hairs interact with the free surface to generate directionally anisotropic adhesive forces that facilitate locomotion. We thus provide new rationale for the fundamental topological difference in the roughness on plants and water-walking arthropods, and suggest new directions for the design and fabrication of unidirectional superhydrophobic surfaces.     

The finite rotation parameter of a deformable body and gyromagnetic effect

The derivation of Synge for the finite rotation formula in terms of Euler parameter is put into tensor form.Hence a further clarification of the geometric meaning of the orthogonal transformation obtained in the author’s paper[7] is made. The tensor properties of rotation axis vector are also discussed. By means of the method of co-moving coordinate system established in[8],[9], we explain the gyromagnetic effect,and derive a simple formula for calculating body couple which is induced by magnetization.     

On the constraint and scaling methods to derive the equations of linearly elastic rods

The theory of linearly elastic rods may be obtained from three-dimensional elasticity either by the method of internal constraints or by the scaling method. Both methods have been applied to obtain linear plate and shell equations ([1], [2]–[5]); the relationships between the two methods are discussed in [6]. For rods, a version of the constraint method has been developed in [7], whereas a scaling method has been presented in [12]. In this paper a direct comparison is made between the mechanical basis and analytical results of the constraint and the scaling methods, and it is shown how the scaling method yields the same Kirchhoff hypothesis that forms the starting point of the constraint method.

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Sommario La teoria delle travi elastiche lineari puó essere ottenuta a partire dalla teoria tridimensionale dell'elasticitá tanto con il metodo dei vincoli interni che con il metodo di riscalamento. Entrambi i metodi sono giá stati utilizzati per ottenere le equazioni delle piastre e dei gusci lineari ([1], [2]–[5]); in quel contesto, le relazioni tra i due metodi sono state discusse in [6]. Una versione del metodo dei vincoli appropriata al caso delle travi é stata sviluppata in [7], mentre i metodi di riscalamento per le travi si trovano esposti in [12]. Scopo di questo lavoro é compiere un paragone diretto tra i fondamenti meccanici e le risultanze analitiche, rispettivamente, del metodo dei vincoli e di quello di riscalamento, mostrando come il metodo di riscalamento imponga di accogliere proprio quelle ipotesi all aKirchhoff sulle quali si basa il metodo dei vincoli interni.