Different choices of scaling in homogenization of diffusion and interfacial exchange in a porous medium

Several choices of scaling are investigated for a coupled system of parabolic partial differential equations in a two‐phase medium at the microscopic scale. This system may be regarded as modelling a reaction–diffusion problem, the Stokes problem of single‐phase flow of a slightly compressible fluid or as a heat conduction problem (with or without interfacial resistance), for example. It is shown that, starting with the same problem on the microscopic scale, different choices of scaling of the diffusion coefficients (resp. permeability or conductivity) and the interfacial‐exchange coefficient lead to different types of macroscopic systems of equations. The characterization of the limit problems in terms of the scaling parameters constitutes a modelling tool because it allows to determine the right type of limit problem. New macroscopic models, not previously dealt with, arise and, for some scalings, classical macroscopic models are recovered. Using the method of two‐scale convergence, a unified approach yielding rigorous proofs is given covering a very broad class of different scalings. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Parameter Estimation for Multiscale Diffusions

We study the problem of parameter estimation for time-series possessing two, widely separated, characteristic time scales. The aim is to understand situations where it is desirable to fit a homogenized single-scale model to such multiscale data. We demonstrate, numerically and analytically, that if the data is sampled too finely then the parameter fit will fail, in that the correct parameters in the homogenized model are not identified. We also show, numerically and analytically, that if the data is subsampled at an appropriate rate then it is possible to estimate the coefficients of the homogenized model correctly. The ideas are studied in the context of thermally activated motion in a two-scale potential. However the ideas may be expected to transfer to other situations where it is desirable to fit an averaged or homogenized equation to multiscale data.     

Analysis of the heterogeneous multiscale method for parabolic homogenization problems

The heterogeneous multiscale method (HMM) is applied to various parabolic problems with multiscale coefficients. These problems can be either linear or nonlinear. Optimal estimates are proved for the error between the HMM solution and the homogenized solution.

     

Experimental determination of cohesive failure properties of a photodegradable copolymer

In this paper we present a methodology to measure the material traction-separation relation for a poly(ethylene carbon monoxide) copolymer, ECO. This material exhibits a ductile-to-brittle transition when subjected to ultraviolet irradiation and undergoes a change of failure mechanism, from shear yielding to crazing, in the process. Single edge notched tension specimens of ECO irradiated for 50 h were used to generate slow-speed stable crack growth, predominantly from material crazing. Full-field measurements of the in-plane deformation around the growing crack tip were performed using the optical technique of digital image correlation. A multicamera setup was used in which simultaneous measurement of both the far-field displacement and that directly surrounding the craze was performed. The far-field results were used to obtain a value of the energy release rate supplied to the crack tip region. The near-tip results were used to extract a material traction-separation law in the regime of steady-state crack growth. A softening traction-separation relation was measured. The area under the traction-separation curve was then compared with the simultaneous far-field measurements and the agreement was very good (within 6.5%) validating the experimental methodology used.     

Bridging the scales in nano engineering and science

This review article describes various multiscale approaches, development of which was spurred by the emergence of nanotechnology. The multiscale approaches are grouped into two main categories: information-passing and concurrent. In the concurrent multiscale methods both, the discrete and continuum scales are simultaneously resolved, whereas in the information-passing schemes, the discrete scale is modelled and its gross response is infused into the continuum scale. Most of the information-passing approaches provide sublinear computational complexity, (i.e., scales sublinearly with the cost of solving a fine scale problem), but the quantities of interest are limited to or defined only on the coarse scale. The issues of appropriate scale selection and uncertainty quantification are also reviewed.     

Multiscale variety in complex systems

The Law of Requisite Variety is a mathematical theorem relating the number of control states of a system to the number of variations in control that is necessary for effective response. The Law of Requisite Variety does not consider the components of a system and how they must act together to respond effectively. Here we consider the additional requirement of scale of response and the effect of coordinated versus uncoordinated response as a key attribute of complex systems. The components of a system perform a task, with a number of such components needed to act in concert to perform subtasks. We apply the resulting generalization—a Multiscale Law of Requisite Variety—to understanding effective function of complex biological and social systems. This allows us to formalize an understanding of the limitations of hierarchical control structures and the inadequacy of central control and planning in the solution of many complex social problems and the functioning of complex social organizations, e.g., the military, healthcare, and education systems. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 9: 37–45, 2004     

The Nanoparticle Size Effect in Graphene Cutting: A “Pac‐Man” Mechanism

Metal‐nanoparticle‐catalyzed cutting is a promising way to produce graphene nanostructures with smooth and well‐aligned edges. Using a multiscale simulation approach, we unambiguously identified a “Pac‐Man” cutting mechanism, characterized by the metal nanoparticle “biting off” edge carbon atoms through a synergetic effect of multiple metal atoms. By comparing the reaction rates at different types of edge sites, we found that etching of an entire edge carbon row could be triggered by a single zigzag‐site etching event, which explains the puzzling linear dependence of the overall carbon‐atom etching rate on the nanoparticle surface area observed experimentally. With incorporation of the nanoparticle size effect, the mechanisms revealed herein open a new avenue to improve controllability in graphene cutting.     

A multiscale gradient-dependent plasticity model for size effects

The mechanical behaviour of polycrystalline material is closely correlated to grain size. In this study, we investigate the size-dependent phenomenon in multi-phase steels using a continuum dislocation dynamic model coupled with viscoplastic self-consistent model. We developed a dislocation-based strain gradient plasticity model and a stress gradient plasticity model, as well as a combined model, resulting in a theory that can predict size effect over a wide range of length scales. Results show that strain gradient plasticity and stress gradient plasticity are complementary rather than competing theories. The stress gradient model is dominant at the initial strain stage, and is much more effective for predicting yield strength than the strain gradient model. For larger deformations, the strain gradient model is dominant and more effective for predicting size-dependent hardening. The numerical results are compared with experimental data and it is found that they have the same trend for the yield stress. Furthermore, the effect of dislocation density at different strain stages is investigated, and the findings show that the Hall–Petch relation holds for the initial strain stage and breaks down for higher strain levels. Finally, a power law to describe the size effect and the transition zone between the strain gradient and stress gradient dominated regions is developed.     

粘弹性介质中波场重建方法

传统的波动方程波场重建基于完全弹性介质，不能获得满意的地震资料分辨率，本基于能描述大地吸收弹性介质中地震波传播的斯托克斯波动方程．提出了一种新的多尺度粘弹性波动方程波场重建的方法，根据地震波传播核函数的物理特性，研究了一种新的物理小波，提出了小波多尺度波场重建方法。达到对吸收信息的补偿，提高地震资料的分辨率。     

一类非线性方程解的存在和唯一性及在图像中的应用

本文我们给出一个修正的非线性扩散方程模型，与Cotte Lions和Morel的模型相比该模型有许多实质上的优点。主要的想法是把原来去噪声部分：卷积Gauss过程替代为解一个有界区域上的线性抛物方程问题，因此避开了对初始数值如何全平面延拓的问题。我们从数学上的证明该问题解的存在性和适定性，同时给出对矩形域情况的解的级数形式。最后我们给基于本模型的数值计算差分模型，并且给出几个具体图像在该模型下处理结果。