Shape morphing and topology optimization of fluid channels by explicit boundary tracking

An integrated shape morphing and topology optimization approach based on the deformable simplicial complex methodology is developed to address Stokes and Navier‐Stokes flow problems. The optimized geometry is interpreted by a set of piecewise linear curves embedded in a well‐formed triangular mesh, resulting in a physically well‐defined interface between fluid and impermeable regions. The shape evolution is realized by deforming the curves while maintaining a high‐quality mesh through adaption of the mesh near the structural boundary, rather than performing global remeshing. Topological changes are allowed through hole merging or splitting of islands. The finite element discretization used provides smooth and stable optimized boundaries for simple energy dissipation objectives. However, for more advanced problems, boundary oscillations are observed due to conflicts between the objective function and the minimum length scale imposed by the meshing algorithm. A surface regularization scheme is introduced to circumvent this issue, which is specifically tailored for the deformable simplicial complex approach. In contrast to other filter‐based regularization techniques, the scheme does not introduce additional control variables, and at the same time, it is based on a rigorous sensitivity analysis. Several numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the applicability of the approach.     

Hydrodynamics of a flexible cylinder under modulated vortex-induced vibrations

Both amplitude modulation and frequency modulation of Vortex-induced Vibration (VIV) are observed in a recent model test of a flexible cylinder under oscillatory flow, but its hydrodynamics has not yet been broached in detail. This paper employs the Forgetting Factor Least Squares (FF-LS) method for identification of time-varying hydrodynamics of a flexible cylinder under modulated VIV. The FF-LS method’s applicability to accurately identify time-varying hydrodynamic coefficients is demonstrated through an elastically mounted rigid cylinder under flow with a given modulated motion. Furthermore, we propose a framework to predict instantaneous amplitude (envelope) and frequency using time-varying hydrodynamic coefficients to establish their analytical relationship. This prediction method is further extended to a highly tensioned flexible cylinder through Fourier series expansion in the spatial domain. By performing the identification procedure for all sampled data of a flexible cylinder undergoing oscillatory flow, we obtain the corresponding time-varying hydrodynamics in the cross-flow direction considering the amplitude and frequency modulation. The results show that, under modulated VIV, hydrodynamic coefficients of the flexible cylinder also show time-varying characteristics. We further investigate differences between identified hydrodynamic coefficients and those obtained from the database of a cylinder with modulated motion under flow. Prediction results using these identified time-varying coefficients reveal that the time-varying excitation coefficients mainly influence the amplitude modulation, and the time-varying added-mass coefficients contain the major information of frequency modulation. These results further suggest including the temporal derivative of the instantaneous amplitude as one determining parameter in building databases to improve the prediction of modulated VIV.     

湍流大气传输中跟踪抖动对远场影响的仿真研究

分析了跟踪抖动对湍流大气传输远场光斑的影响。基于麦克斯韦电磁场理论,采用大气相干长度对大气湍流进行描述,推导了发射光束因跟踪抖动导致光轴偏离的远场表达式。在此基础上,利用相位屏法模拟抖动引起的倾斜相位和大气折射率起伏引起的相位调制,并采用低频补偿的功率谱反演法对传输过程进行了数值仿真。分析了不同跟踪抖动、湍流强度条件下远场光斑质心脱靶量的变化,以及不同尺寸模拟目标的回波概率。分析结果表明,在传输距离为10 km时,强湍流造成的远场光斑脱靶量可达几十μrad;当跟踪抖动较大时,湍流强弱对脱靶量影响差别很小。最后,对一定尺寸的模拟目标,从探测回波概率的角度给出了发射系统跟踪抖动量的控制范围。     

A three-dimensional frequency selective structure based on the modes coupling of spoof surface plasmon and waveguide transmission

A three-dimensional frequency selective structure (3D FSS) was proposed by applying the spoof surface plasmon (SSP) structures into periodic waveguides, which realizes an enhanced broadband transmission in low frequencies, below the cut-off frequency of periodic waveguides. The transmission characteristics of SSP structures and periodic waveguides as well as their coupling modes are investigated by simulation and experiment method. According to our analysis, the pass-band of this 3D FSS can be customized through changing the values of structure parameters and it also has a good angular stability. In addition, this paper also provides a simple assembly plan for sample preparation. This proposal may be useful for improving filtering performances and gives an effective approach for designing 3D FSSs.     

Experimental and numerical study of the propagation of focused wave groups in the nearshore zone

The propagation of focused wave groups in intermediate water depth and the shoaling zone is experimentally and numerically considered in this paper. The experiments are carried out in a two-dimensional wave flume and wave trains derived from Pierson-Moskowitz and JONSWAP spectrum are generated. The peak frequency does not change during the wave train propagation for Pierson-Moskowitz waves; however, a downshift of this peak is observed for JONSWAP waves. An energy partitioning is performed in order to track the spatial evolution of energy. Four energy regions are defined for each spectrum type. A nonlinear energy transfer between different spectral regions as the wave train propagates is demonstrated and quantified. Numerical simulations are conducted using a modified Boussinesq model for long waves in shallow waters of varying depth. Experimental results are in satisfactory agreement with numerical predictions, especially in the case of wave trains derived from JONSWAP spectrum.     

Capturing the experimental behaviour of a point-absorber WEC by simplified numerical models

The paper presents a wave basin experiment of a direct-driven point-absorber wave energy converter moving in six degrees of freedom. The goal of the work is to study the dynamics and energy absorption of the wave energy converter, and to verify under which conditions numerical models restricted to heave can capture the behaviour of a point-absorber moving in six degrees of freedom. Several regular and irregular long-crested waves and different damping values of the power take-off system have been tested. We collected data in terms of power output, device motion in six degrees of freedom and wave elevation at different points of the wave basin. A single-body numerical model in the frequency domain and a two-body model in the time domain are used in the study. Motion instabilities due to parametric resonance observed during the experiments are discussed and analysis of the buoy motion in terms of the Mathieu instability is also presented. Our results show that the simplified models can reproduce the body dynamics of the studied converter as long as the transverse non-linear instabilities are not excited, which typically is the case in irregular waves. The performance of the more complex time domain model is able to reproduce both the buoy and PTO dynamics, while the simpler frequency domain model can only reproduce the PTO dynamics for specific cases. Finally, we show that the two-body dynamics of the studied wave energy converter affects the power absorption significantly, and that common assumptions in the numerical models, such as stiff mooring line or that the float moves only in heave, may lead to incorrect predictions for certain sea states.     

A rapid,spatially dispersive frequency comb spectrograph aimed at gas phase chemical reaction kinetics

This New Views article will highlight some recent advances in high sensitivity gas detection using direct infrared absorption frequency comb laser spectroscopy, with a focus on frequency comb use in chemical reaction kinetics and our own contribution to this field. Our recently implemented detection technique uses a combination of a 12.9?GHz free spectral range virtually imaged phased array and diffraction grating to spatially disperse the mid-infrared frequency comb onto a camera. Individual frequencies or ‘comb teeth’ of a 250?MHz repetition-rate frequency comb are able to be resolved. High molecular sensitivity is achieved by increasing the interaction path length using a Herriott multipass cell. High spectral resolution, broadband spectral coverage, and high molecular sensitivity are all achieved on an adjustable 1–50 µs timescale, making this frequency comb apparatus ideal for measuring chemical reaction kinetics where multiple absorbing species can be monitored simultaneously. This New Views article will also discuss some of the challenges and decisions that chemists might face in implementing this advanced physics technology in their own laboratory.

Spatially dispersed 250 MHz mid-infrared frequency comb laser, with absorption of some frequencies by a dilute sample of methane.     

A velocity program using the Kanade–Lucas–Tomasi feature-tracking algorithm with demonstration for pressure and electroosmosis conditions

Investigating microfluidic flow profiles is of interest in the microfluidics field for the determination of various characteristics of a lab-on-a-chip system. Microparticle tracking velocimetry uses computational methods upon recording video footage of microfluidic flow to ultimately visualize motion within a microfluidic system across all frames of a video. Current methods are computationally expensive or require extensive instrumentation. A computational method suited to microparticle tracking applications is the robust Kanade–Lucas–Tomasi (KLT) feature-tracking algorithm. This work explores a microparticle tracking velocimetry program using the KLT feature-tracking algorithm. The developed program is demonstrated using pressure-driven and EOF and compared with the respective mathematical fluid flow models. An electrostatics analysis of EOF conditions is performed in the development of the mathematical using a Poisson's Equation solver. This analysis is used to quantify the zeta potential of the electroosmotic system. Overall, the KLT feature-tracking algorithm presented in this work proved to be highly reliable and computationally efficient for investigations of pressure-driven and EOF in a microfluidic system.     

Boosting Charge Transport in a 2D/3D Perovskite Heterostructure by Selecting an Ordered 2D Perovskite as the Passivator

We demonstrate that an ordered 2D perovskite can significantly boost the photoelectric performance of 2D/3D perovskite heterostructures. Using selective fluorination of phenyl-ethyl ammonium (PEA) lead iodide to passivate 3D FA_0.8Cs_0.2PbI₃, we find that the 2D/3D perovskite heterostructures passivated by a higher ordered 2D perovskite have lower Urbach energy, yielding a remarkable increase in photoluminescence (PL) intensity, PL lifetime, charge-carrier mobilities (ϕμ), and carrier diffusion length (L_D) for a certain 2D perovskite content. High performance with an ultralong PL lifetime of ≈1.3 μs, high ϕμ of ≈18.56 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹, and long L_D of ≈7.85 μm is achieved in the 2D/3D films when passivated by 16.67 % para-fluoro-PEA₂PbI₄. This carrier diffusion length is comparable to that of some perovskite single crystals (>5 μm). These findings provide key missing information on how the organic cations of 2D perovskites influence the performance of 2D/3D perovskite heterostructures.