The Pathwise Numerical Approximation of Stationary Solutions of Semilinear Stochastic Evolution Equations

Under a one-sided dissipative Lipschitz condition on its drift, a stochastic evolution equation with additive noise of the reaction-diffusion type is shown to have a unique stochastic stationary solution which pathwise attracts all other solutions. A similar situation holds for each Galerkin approximation and each implicit Euler scheme applied to these Galerkin approximations. Moreover, the stationary solution of the Euler scheme converges pathwise to that of the Galerkin system as the stepsize tends to zero and the stationary solutions of the Galerkin systems converge pathwise to that of the evolution equation as the dimension increases. The analysis is carried out on random partial and ordinary differential equations obtained from their stochastic counterparts by subtraction of appropriate Ornstein-Uhlenbeck stationary solutions.     

Two-fluid and population balance models for subcooled boiling flow

Population balance equations combined with a three-dimensional two-fluid model are employed to predict subcooled boiling flow at low pressure in a vertical annular channel. The MUSIG (MUltiple-SIze-Group) model implemented in the computer code CFX4.4 is further developed to accommodate the wall nucleation at the heated wall and condensation in the subcooled boiling regime. Comparison of model predictions against local measurements is made for the void fraction, bubble Sauter mean diameter and gas and liquid velocities covering a range of different mass and heat fluxes and inlet subcooling temperatures. Additional comparison using empirical relationships for the active nucelation site density and local bubble diameter is also investigated. Good agreement is achieved with the local radial void fraction, bubble Sauter diameter and liquid velocity profiles against measurements. However, significant weakness of the model is evidenced in the prediction of the vapour velocity. Work is in progress to circumvent the deficiency through the consideration of additional momentum equations or developing an algebraic slip model to account for bubble separation.     

Connections Between Pedagogical and Epistemological Constructivism: Questions for Teaching and Research in Chemistry

The rich and ongoing debate about constructivism in chemistry education includes questions about the relationship, for better or worse, between applications of the theory in pedagogy and in epistemology. This paper presents an examination of the potential to use connections of epistemological and pedagogical constructivism to one another. It examines connections linked to the content, processes, and premises of science with a goal of prompting further research in these areas.     

Heat-resistant foamed organoplastics based on a combination of polyimide felt, polyimide binders, and montmorillonite nanoparticles

A series of foamed organoplastics based on a combination of foamed fully aromatic polyimide binders and Arimid T polyimide felt were prepared. New composite foamed organoplastics reinforced with montmorillonite nanoparticles were prepared using commercially available aromatic monomers.     

The flow of a variable viscosity fluid between parallel plates with shear heating

A model for the flow of a fluid through a channel with parallel plates is investigated. The channel is narrow, so that the lubrication approximation may be applied. The channel walls are maintained at a constant temperature. Shear heating effects are included and the fluid viscosity decreases exponentially with temperature. When the flow is driven solely by shear stress or imposed velocity at the top, analytical progress is possible. When pressure gradient also drives the flow the problem is solved numerically.     

An improved approach for hydrogen analysis in metal samples using single laser-induced gas plasma and target plasma at helium atmospheric pressure

We report in this paper the results of an experimental study on hydrogen analysis of solid samples in high pressure helium ambient gas employing the basic scheme of laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). It is shown that the metastable excited state of helium atom can be utilized to induce delayed excitation of the ablated hydrogen atoms, and thereby avoid the Stark broadening effect as well as overcoming the undesirable mismatch effect, which are responsible for inefficient excitation respectively. It is further demonstrated that for samples of high boiling-point materials such as zircaloy, successful hydrogen analysis can be achieved by a newly introduced double excitation technique employing single laser realized in a modified configuration of the conventional LIBS method. PACS 51-52     

Au-analyte adducts resulting from single massive gold cluster impacts

Utilizing Au₄₀₀⁴⁺ primary ions produces large molecular ion yields, some in excess of unity, with minimal surface damage. A surprising observation is the occurrence of Au-analyte adducts as part of the ejecta desorbed by a single Au-cluster impact. We present data that demonstrate that Au and Au-adducts as secondary ions (e.g., AuCN⁻, AuGly⁻ and AuCsI⁻) are the result of the interaction between a single primary ion, Au₄₀₀⁴⁺ and the target atoms.     

High-density plasma etching of indium-zinc oxide films in Ar/Cl2 and Ar/CH4/H2 chemistries

The dry etching characteristics of transparent and conductive indium-zinc oxide (IZO) films have been investigated using an inductively coupled high-density plasma. While the Cl₂-based plasma mixture showed little enhancement over physical sputtering in a pure argon atmosphere, the CH₄/H₂/Ar chemistry produced an increase of the IZO etch rate. On the other hand, the surface morphology of IZO films after etching in Ar and Ar/Cl₂ discharges is smooth, whereas that after etching in CH₄/H₂/Ar presents particle-like features resulting from the preferential desorption of In- and O-containing products. Etching in CH₄/H₂/Ar also produces formation of a Zn-rich surface layer, whose thickness (∼40 nm) is well-above the expected range of incident ions in the material (∼1 nm). Such alteration of the IZO layer after etching in CH₄/H₂/Ar plasmas is expected to have a significant impact on the transparent electrode properties in optoelectronic device fabrication.