Dynamic mechanical relaxation and thermal creep of high-entropy La30Ce30Ni10Al20Co10 bulk metallic glass

Spatial frequency shift(SFS) microscopy with evanescent wave illumination shows intriguing advantages, including large field of view(FOV), high speed, and good modularity. However, a missing band in the spatial frequency domain hampers the SFS superresolution microscopy from achieving resolution better than 3 folds of the Abbe diffraction limit. Here, we propose a novel tunable large-SFS microscopy, making the resolution improvement of a linear system no longer restricted by the detection numerical aperture(NA). The complete wide-range detection in the spatial frequency domain is realized by tuning the illumination spatial frequency actively and broadly through an angle modulation between the azimuthal propagating directions of two evanescent waves. The vertical spatial frequency is tuned via a sectional saturation effect, and the reconstructed depth information can be added to the lateral superresolution mask for 3D imaging. A lateral resolution of λ/9, and a vertical localization precision of ~λ/200(detection objective NA = 0.9) are realized with a gallium phosphide(GaP) waveguide. Its unlimited resolution enhancing capability is demonstrated by introducing a designed metamaterial chip with an unusual large refractive index. Besides the great resolution enhancement, this method shows better anti-noise capability than classical structured illumination microscopy without SFS tunability. This method is chip-compatible and can potentially provide a massproducible illumination chip module achieving the fast, large-FOV, and deep-subwavelength 3D nanoscopy.     

Characterization at a local scale of a laser-shock peened aluminum alloy surface

The influence of a laser shock peening mechanical surface treatment on 2050-T8 aluminum alloy has been investigated, mostly using Scanning Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy. Volta potential difference maps around Al(CuFeMn) precipitates were performed before and after laser-shock peening to determine the influence of laser treatment versus galvanic coupling near precipitates, and resulting pit initiations. It has been shown that laser shock peening either preserves or reduces precipitate-matrix Volta potentials gradients, which in this later case, and correlated to recent corrosion electrochemical investigations, could explain corrosion improvement obtained after laser-shock peening treatments of aluminum alloys. The influence of crystal orientation and plastic deformation, and more specifically the effect of laser-induced compressive residual stresses or work-hardening, on the Volta potential values and on the pitting corrosion behavior was also addressed.     

Finite element and sensitivity analysis of thermally induced flow instabilities

This paper presents a finite element algorithm for the simulation of thermo‐hydrodynamic instabilities causing manufacturing defects in injection molding of plastic and metal powder. Mold‐filling parameters determine the flow pattern during filling, which in turn influences the quality of the final part. Insufficiently, well‐controlled operating conditions may generate inhomogeneities, empty spaces or unusable parts. An understanding of the flow behavior will enable manufacturers to reduce or even eliminate defects and improve their competitiveness. This work presents a rigorous study using numerical simulation and sensitivity analysis. The problem is modeled by the Navier–Stokes equations, the energy equation and a generalized Newtonian viscosity model. The solution algorithm is applied to a simple flow in a symmetrical gate geometry. This problem exhibits both symmetrical and non‐symmetrical solutions depending on the values taken by flow parameters. Under particular combinations of operating conditions, the flow was stable and symmetric, while some other combinations leading to large thermally induced viscosity gradients produce unstable and asymmetric flow. Based on the numerical results, a stability chart of the flow was established, identifying the boundaries between regions of stable and unstable flow in terms of the Graetz number (ratio of thermal conduction time to the convection time scale) and B, a dimensionless ratio indicating the sensitivity of viscosity to temperature changes. Sensitivities with respect to flow parameters are then computed using the continuous sensitivity equations method. We demonstrate that sensitivities are able to detect the transition between the stable and unstable flow regimes and correctly indicate how parameters should change in order to increase the stability of the flow. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Investigations on the geometrical isomers of astaxanthin: Raman spectroscopy of conjugated polyene chain with electronic and mechanical confinement

Recent research interests in geometrical isomers of astaxanthin (AST) are motivated by their metabolic activities in aquatic animals and human. It has been established that cis‐isomers of AST are selectively absorbed in human plasma during the metabolic process; however, exact absorption mechanism is still unclear. Hence, a detailed investigation of the structural and optical properties of geometrical isomers of AST is required. Among the techniques available for the study of AST and other carotenoids, Raman spectroscopy has been much acclaimed. Raman spectra have been shown to be influenced by the electronic and mechanical confinement effects arising from the conjugated polyene chain of carotenoids. In this work, we present Raman studies of geometrical isomers of AST, along with their optical absorption characteristics. Geometrical isomers of AST were prepared by heating all trans‐AST in solution form, and the isomers were separated using high performance liquid chromatography. Optical absorption spectra of cis‐isomers of AST showed hypsochromic shifts in the main absorption band and formation of new bands at lower wavelengths. A detailed Raman spectral analysis performed on the cis‐isomers of AST showed new modes which have not been observed and accounted for so far. In addition, we demonstrate that the electronic and mechanical confinement effects in the polyene chain of AST play an important role in the Raman spectra of geometrical isomers of AST. It is anticipated that this work will demonstrate that Raman spectroscopy is an important diagnostic tool in distinguishing and identifying the geometrical isomers of AST. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Characterisation of the anodic layers formed on 2024 aluminium alloy, in tetraborate electrolyte containing molybdate ions

Anodic layer growth on 2024 aluminium alloy at 70 °C, under 40 V, during 60 min, in 50 g L⁻¹ di-sodium tetraborate solution containing di-sodium molybdate from 0.1 to 0.5 M (pH 10) is examined. Anodising behaviours strongly depend on additive concentration. Development of anodic films is favoured with weak molybdate additions (<0.3-0.4 M). The film thicknesses increase and the porosity of anodic layers decreases. Molybdenum (+VI), detected by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis, is present in the anodic films and the Mo incorporation, studied by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis, increases with molybdate concentration. However, for high molybdate concentrations (>0.4 M), anodising behaviour becomes complex with the formation of a blue molybdenum oxide at the cathode. The growth of aluminium oxide is hindered. As the anodic layers are thinner, the Mo(+VI) incorporation significantly decreases. These two configurations implicate different corrosion performances in 5% sodium chloride solution at 35 °C. As the alkaline anodic layer formed with 0.3 M molybdate species is the thickest and the Mo incorporation is the more pronounced, its corrosion resistance is the highest. The effect of morphology and composition of anodic films on pitting corrosion is also discussed.     

On accurate boundary conditions for a shape sensitivity equation method

This paper studies the application of the continuous sensitivity equation method (CSEM) for the Navier–Stokes equations in the particular case of shape parameters. Boundary conditions for shape parameters involve flow derivatives at the boundary. Thus, accurate flow gradients are critical to the success of the CSEM. A new approach is presented to extract accurate flow derivatives at the boundary. High order Taylor series expansions are used on layered patches in conjunction with a constrained least‐squares procedure to evaluate accurate first and second derivatives of the flow variables at the boundary, required for Dirichlet and Neumann sensitivity boundary conditions. The flow and sensitivity fields are solved using an adaptive finite‐element method. The proposed methodology is first verified on a problem with a closed form solution obtained by the Method of Manufactured Solutions. The ability of the proposed method to provide accurate sensitivity fields for realistic problems is then demonstrated. The flow and sensitivity fields for a NACA 0012 airfoil are used for fast evaluation of the nearby flow over an airfoil of different thickness (NACA 0015). Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A framework for predicting gross institutional long-term care cost arising from known commitments at local authority level

As the UK population ages, it is forecasted that there will be an unsustainable increase in the need for, and therefore in the costs of long-term care. Although several studies have been performed to estimate these costs, they do not take into account the impact of survival patterns on costs. Focussing only on residents already in care (known commitments), we have developed, in association with an English local authority, a framework for estimating the future gross cost incurred by this group, built around a survival model. We apply this framework to forecast the cost over a given period of time, of maintaining a group of individuals in residential and nursing care, funded by the local authority. One of the novelties in the model is that it translates survival inputs and unit fees for care into cost in a manner, which was useful and meaningful to decision makers.