Ergodicity for a class of semilinear stochastic partial differential equations

In this paper, we establish the existence and uniqueness of invariant measures for a class of semilinear stochastic partial differential equations driven by multiplicative noise on a bounded domain. The main results can be applied to SPDEs of various types such as the stochastic Burgers equation and the reaction-diffusion equations perturbed by space-time white noise.     

An improved AUSM-family scheme with robustness and accuracy for all Mach number flows

With the increasing popularity of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), the reliability of numerical scheme becomes prominent. The work presents a newly improved scheme more reliable in all Mach number regimes to circumvent some typical symptoms of the previous AUSM-family schemes observed in hypersonic and very low speeds. This scheme is facilitated by reconstructing pressure diffusion term in mass flux, velocity diffusion term in pressure flux and numerical sound speed. Then, a variety of benchmark test cases are selected to systematically assess the effects of these key ingredients and investigate the additional features in terms of robustness and accuracy. The proposed scheme attains stronger shock robustness against carbuncle instability, better low-speed accuracy and higher resolution of oblique shocks compared with many existing upwind schemes. Moreover, it can exactly resolve contact discontinuity, preserve positivity, damp numerical overshoots and avert the global cut-off strategy. Numerical results for a wide spectrum of Mach numbers indicate its potential and reliable application to all Mach number flows.     

Stochastic representation of solution to nonlocal-in-time diffusion

The aim of this paper is to derive a stochastic representation of the solution to a nonlocal-in-time evolution equation (with a historical initial condition), which serves a bridge between normal diffusion and anomalous diffusion. We first derive the Feynman–Kac formula by reformulating the original model into an auxiliary Caputo-type evolution equation with a specific forcing term subject to certain smoothness and compatibility conditions. After that, we confirm that the stochastic formula also provides the solution in the weak sense even though the problem data is nonsmooth. Finally, numerical experiments are presented to illustrate the theoretical results and the application of the stochastic formula.     

A two-stage hybrid optimization for honeycomb-type cellular structures under out-of-plane dynamic impact

Honeycomb structures with better balance between lightweight and crashworthiness have aroused growing attentions. However, structural parameters design by traditional optimization algorithm in small design space is not sufficient to significantly enhance the specific energy absorption (SEA) with the lower peak acceleration (a_max). In this paper, a two-stage hybrid optimization for honeycomb-type cellular parameters is proposed to achieve rapid positioning of design space and significantly increase crashworthiness in a larger variable domain under out-of-plane dynamic impact. In stage I, a Taguchi-based grey correlation discrete optimization, combining Taguchi analysis, grey relational analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA) with grey entropy measurement, is performed to determine the initial optimal value with a higher robustness and the significant influence variables. In stage II, a multi-objective design technique, namely non-nominated sorting genetic algorithm II based on surrogated model, is adopted to maximize the SEA and minimize the a_max in a relatively small design domain. And it is found that the proposed two-stage hybrid method can broaden the optimal design space compared to that of traditional method attributable to its center point positioned by stage I. And the final optimization based on the proposed strategy is superior to the original structure, i.e., the SEA is increased by 47.55% and the a_max is decreased by 80.8%. Therefore, the proposed algorithm can also be used to solve other more complicated engineering problems in a large design space with insightful design data.     

Update to the MUSIG model in ANSYS CFX for reliable modelling of bubble coalescence and breakup

The MUSIG (Multiple Size Group) model in the commercial CFD code ANSYS CFX is a population balance approach for describing binary bubble coalescence and breakup events. It is widely used in the simulation of poly-dispersed bubbly flows. The purpose of this work is to identify the internal inconsistencies in the discrete method that is applied for the solution of the population balance equation in MUSIG, and to propose an internally consistent one for discretising the source and sink terms that result from bubble coalescence and breakup. The new formulation is superior to the existing ones in preserving both mass and number density of bubbles, allowing arbitrary discretisation schemes and is free of costly numerical integrations. The numerical results on the evolution of bubble size distributions in bubbly flows reveal that the inconsistency in the original MUSIG regarding bubble breakup is non-negligible for both academic and practical cases. The discussion on the effect of internal inconsistency as well as updates to the model presented in this work are necessary and important for calibration of bubble coalescence and breakup models using the MUSIG approach.     

Hamel’s Formalism for Classical Field Theories

This paper introduces Hamel’s formalism for classical field theories with the goal of analyzing the dynamics of continuum mechanical systems with velocity constraints. The developed formalism is utilized to prove the existence and uniqueness of motions of an infinite-dimensional generalization of the Chaplygin sleigh, a canonical example of nonholonomic dynamics. The formalism is very flexible and, for mechanical field theories, includes the Eulerian and Lagrangian representations of continuum mechanics as special cases. It also provides a useful approach to analyzing symmetry reduction.

     

A Variational Integrator for the Chaplygin–Timoshenko Sleigh

The paper introduces a mechanically inspired nonholonomic integrator for numerical simulation of the dynamics of a constrained geometrically exact beam that is a field-theoretic analogue of the Chaplygin sleigh. The integrator features an exact constraint preservation, an excellent numerical energy conservation throughout a large number of iterations, while avoiding the use of unnecessary Lagrange multipliers. Simulations of the dynamics of the constrained beam reveal typical for nonholonomic system’s behavior, such as motion reversals and locomotion generation.

     

Large Deviations for Quasilinear Parabolic Stochastic Partial Differential Equations

Potential Analysis - In this paper, we establish the Freidlin-Wentzell’s large deviations for quasilinear parabolic stochastic partial differential equations with multiplicative noise, which...     

Improved performance of TiO2 electrodes coated with NiO by magnetron sputtering for dye-sensitized solar cells

TiO₂ electrodes are coated with NiO by DC magnetron sputtering, and their structural, optical and electrochemical performance has been investigated. X-ray diffractometry (XRD), UV-vis spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), AC impedance, and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) are used to characterize the TiO₂/NiO electrodes. Their performance is evaluated with a computer controlled electrochemical workstation in combination with three conventional electrodes. The experimental results indicate that the surface modification of TiO₂ electrodes with sputtered NiO reduces trap sites on TiO₂ and improves the electrochemical performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Sputtering NiO for 7 min, which is about 21 nm thick, on 6.5 μm thick TiO₂ greatly improves the DSSC parameters, and the conversion efficiency increases from 3.21 to 4.16%. Mechanisms of the influence of the NiO coating on electrochemical performance are discussed.     

Mechanical Reinforcement and Piezoelectric Properties of PZT Ceramics Embedded with Nano-Crystalline

The double-scale lead zirconate titanate （PZT） piezoelectric ceramics were prepared by the solid state processing with PZT nano-crystalline and micro-powder. The microstructures, electrical and mechanical properties of the double-scale PZT are investigated. All the sintered ceramics exhibit a single perovskite structure and the grain size of the dou ble-scale PZT reduces due to the incorporation of PZT nano-crystalline. Compared to normal PZT, the mechanical properties increase significantly and the piezoelectric properties decrease slightly. Mechanisms responsible for the reinforcement of the double-scale PZT are discussed.