Multi-scale finite element analyses of sheet metals by using SEM-EBSD measured crystallographic RVE models

In this study, two multi-scale analyses codes are newly developed by combining a homogenization algorithm and an elastic/crystalline viscoplastic finite element (FE) method (Nakamachi, E., 1988. A finite element simulation of the sheet metal forming process. Int. J. Numer. Meth. Eng. 25, 283–292; Nakamachi, E., Dong, X., 1996. Elastic/crystalline viscoplastic finite element analysis of dynamic deformation of sheet metal. Int. J. Computer-Aided Eng. Software 13, 308–326; Nakamachi, E., Dong, X., 1997. Study of texture effect on sheet failure in a limit dome height test by using elastic/crystalline viscoplastic finite element analysis. J. Appl. Mech. Trans. ASME(E) 64, 519–524; Nakamachi, E., 1998. Elastic/crystalline viscoplastic finite element modeling based on hardening–softening evaluation equation. In: Proc. of the 6th NUMIFORM, pp. 315–321; Nakamachi, E., Hiraiwa, K., Morimoto, H., Harimoto, M., 2000a. Elastic/crystalline viscoplastic finite element analyses of single- and poly-crystal sheet deformations and their experimental verification. Int. J. Plasticity 16, 1419–1441; Nakamachi, E., Xie, C.L., Harimoto, M., 2000b. Drawability assessment of BCC steel sheet by using elastic/crystalline viscoplastic finite element analyses. Int. J. Mech. Sci. 43, 631–652); (1) a “semi-implicit” finite element (FE) code and (2) a “dynamic explicit” FE code. These were applied to predict the plastic strain induced yield loci and the formability of sheet metal in the macro scale, and simultaneously the crystal texture and hardening evolutions in the micro scale. The isotropic and kinematical hardening laws are employed in the crystalline plasticity constitutive equation. For the multi-scale structure, two-scales are considered. One is a microscopic polycrystal structure and the other a macroscopic elastic plastic continuum. We measure crystal morphologies by using the SEM-EBSD apparatus with a unit of about 3.8 μm voxel, and define a three dimensional (3D) representative volume element (RVE) for the micro polycrystal structure, which satisfy the periodicity condition of crystal orientation distribution. A “micro” finite element modeling technique is newly established to minimize the total number of finite elements in the micro scale. Next, the “semi-implicit” crystallographic homogenization FE code, which employs the SEM-EBSD measured RVE, is applied to the 99.9% pure-iron uni-axial tensile problem to predict the texture evolution and the subsequent yield loci in the various strain paths. These “semi implicit” results reveal that the plastic strain induced anisotropy in the micro and macro levels can be predicted by our FE analyses. The kinematical hardening law leads a distinct plastic strain induced anisotropy. Our “dynamic-explicit” FE code is applied to simulate the limit dome height (LDH) test problem of the mild steel DQSK, the high strength steel HSLA and the aluminum alloy AL6022 sheet metals, which were adopted as the NUMISHEET2005 Benchmark sheet metals (Smith, L.M., Pourboghrat, F., Yoon, J.-W., Stoughton, T.B., 2005. NUMISHEET2005. In: Proc. of 6th Int. Conf. Numerical Simulation of 3D Sheet Metal Forming Processes, PART A and B(Benchmark), pp. 409–451) to estimate formability. The “dynamic explicit” results reveal that the initial crystal orientation distribution has a large affects to a plastic strain induced texture and anisotropic hardening evolutions and sheet formability.     

Beyond labels: A review of the application of quantum dots as integrated components of assays, bioprobes, and biosensors utilizing optical transduction

A comprehensive review of the development of assays, bioprobes, and biosensors using quantum dots (QDs) as integrated components is presented. In contrast to a QD that is selectively introduced as a label, an integrated QD is one that is present in a system throughout a bioanalysis, and simultaneously has a role in transduction and as a scaffold for biorecognition. Through a diverse array of coatings and bioconjugation strategies, it is possible to use QDs as a scaffold for biorecognition events. The modulation of QD luminescence provides the opportunity for the transduction of these events via fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET), charge transfer quenching, and electrochemiluminescence (ECL). An overview of the basic concepts and principles underlying the use of QDs with each of these transduction methods is provided, along with many examples of their application in biological sensing. The latter include: the detection of small molecules using enzyme-linked methods, or using aptamers as affinity probes; the detection of proteins via immunoassays or aptamers; nucleic acid hybridization assays; and assays for protease or nuclease activity. Strategies for multiplexed detection are highlighted among these examples. Although the majority of developments to date have been in vitro, QD-based methods for ex vivo biological sensing are emerging. Some special attention is given to the development of solid-phase assays, which offer certain advantages over their solution-phase counterparts.     

Studies of wall painting fragments from Kaiping Diaolou by SEM/EDX, micro Raman and FT-IR spectroscopy

The multi-technique analytical approach has proved to be a very effective tool for the analysis of artwork, as demonstrated by various studies. In this work, four micro-analysis methods were used to analyze the wall painting fragments in Kaiping Diaolou, a world cultural heritage enlisted in 2007. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy dispersive X-ray micro-analysis (EDX), combined with micro Raman and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, provided a vast amount of information concerning the raw materials present in the pigments, organic binder, plasters and mortars of the wall painting. Four types of pigments (goethite, lazurite, chromium green and calcite) were identified on the surface layer of the wall paintings. The substrate under the pigment layer was found to be composed of cubic-like calcite (CaCO₃), micro-rod bundle-shaped syngenite (K₂Ca(SO₄)₂·H₂O), gypsum (CaSO₄·2H₂O) and silica (SiO₂). The organic binder can be attributed to animal glue (such as egg) and drying oil by micro FT-IR spectroscopy. These analysis results can provide important information for the conservation and restoration of the Kaiping Diaolou.     

一种微型FAIMS传感器芯片的研制

基于微机电系统(MEMS)技术,研制了一种微型高场非对称波形离子迁移谱(FAIMS)传感器芯片.芯片尺寸为18.8mm×12.4mm×1.2mm,由离子化区、迁移区、离子检测区组成.采用真空紫外灯离子源在大气压环境下对样品进行离子化,经过离子化区中聚焦电极的电场作用,实现离子在进入迁移区之前的聚焦,提高离子信号的强度.通过在上下玻璃上溅射Au/Cr(300nm/30nm)金属,并与厚度为200μm、采用感应耦合等离子体(ICP)工艺刻蚀的硅片键合,形成迁移区的矩形通道,尺寸为10mm×5mm×0.2mm.离子检测区为三排直径200μm、间距100μm交错排列的圆柱阵列式微法拉第筒,能同时检测正负离子.采用频率为2MHz,最大电压为364V,占空比为30%的高场非对称方波电压进行FAIMS芯片实验.以丙酮和甲苯为实验样品,载气流速80L·h-1,补偿电压从-10V到3V以0.1V的步长进行扫描,得到了丙酮和甲苯的FAIMS谱图,验证了FAIMS芯片的性能.丙酮和甲苯的FAIMS-MS实验进一步表明FAIMS系统实现了离子分离和过滤功能.     

用于生物单分子操纵的磁镊技术

镊是近年发展起来的一种用于生命科学研究领域的微操纵技术.简要介绍了所搭建的磁镊装置及利用2.8μm直径的磁珠进行的操纵实验;利用一种搜索算法分析所记录的磁珠运动视频,得出磁珠的运动轨迹和运动速度,并与理论分析相验证.研究结果表明该磁镊装置具有一定的实用性.     

MCNP Dose Calculations in a CT Phantom for Therapeutic External Photon Beam

In this paper, we have addressed the problem of the radiation transport with the Monte Carlo N particle(MCNP) code. This is a general purpose Monte Carlo tool designed to transport neutron, photon and electron in three dimensional geometries. To examine the performance of MCNP5 code in the field of external radiotherapy, we performed the modeling of an Electron Density phantom (EDP) irradiated by photons from 60Co source. The model was used to calculate the Percent Depth Dose (PDD) at different depths in an EDP. One field size for PDD has been examined. A 60Co photons source placed at 80 cm source to surface distance (SSD). The results of calculations were compared to TPS data obtained at National Institute of Oncology of Rabat.     

螺旋锥束CT中两种解析重建算法的研究

 研究了锥束螺旋Katsevich和FDK重建算法,并对这两种算法进行比较。实验结果表明：当投影数据没有噪声的时候,FDK算法和Katsevich算法均能取得较好的效果,当对实际物体进行重建的时候,投影数据含有噪声, Katsevich算法需要对投影数据求导,而它对投影数据的噪声较敏感,重建质量有所下降。     

The output torque estimation of MCMG for agile satellites

Studied in this paper are the attitude control law design and the output torque estimation problem of micro control moment gyros （MCMGs） for the agile satellites executing rapid attitude maneuver mission. An algorithm is proposed for estimating the output torques and the gimbal angular rates of MCMGs, which can help engineers to choose reasonable size for actuators so that the cost of satellite can be decreased. According to some special maneuver missions, a numerical example of attitude control system for a small satellite with MCMGs in pyramid configuration is studied, and the simulation results validate the proposed estimation algorithm.     

Effect of hydrogen doping in ZnO thin films by pulsed DC magnetron sputtering

This study examined the role of hydrogen impurities in highly oriented ZnO thin films. Hydrogen intentionally incorporated was found to play an important role as a donor in n-type conduction, improving the free carrier concentration. The increase in the conductivity of ZnO thin films was attributed to the two centers assigned to isolated hydrogen atoms in the anti-bonding sites as well as bond-centered interstitial hydrogen located between the Zn–O bonds and Zn vacancy passivated by one or two hydrogen atoms. Micro Raman spectroscopy showed two additional modes at approximately 501 and 573 cm⁻¹. These two peaks were attributed to damage to the crystal lattice, which could be explained by the optical-phonon branch at the zone boundary and host lattice defects, such as vacancy clusters, respectively.     

Thermal oxidation of clay-nanoreinforced polypropylene

The thermo-oxidation process at low temperatures for a montmorillonite-nanoreinforced polypropylene (PP) was studied. Experimental aging kinetic data at 100, 80 and 60 °C have been obtained and compared with a computational simulation in which a kinetic model based on the closed loop approach was used. As a result, it has been found that the montmorillonite role is not limited to a role of inert filler in the polymer matrix but induces a slight catalytic effect leading to induction period reduction. This effect has been well simulated by increasing initial hydroperoxyde concentration. The consequences of kinetic control by oxygen diffusion have also been investigated by using micro ATR-FTIR mapping to assess concentration profiles of the oxidation products across the sample thickness. It has been found that the oxidized layer thickness is close to 17 μm for the pure polypropylene whereas it is around 10 μm for the nanocomposite at 100 °C. These profile variations have been attributed to differences in oxygen diffusion coefficient values. Simulations based on the kinetic model including diffusion-reaction coupling describe these profiles well.