Smectic Liquid Crystals with Compressible Elastic Layers

Smectic liquid crystals partake some of the essential properties of both solids and fluids, in that they possess microstructure both of the material and local type (the nematic microstructure and the lamellae). Balance equations for smectics are derived from the general theory of continua with microstructure and tested against a very simple mode of movement: Couette type displacement of a cell confined between two parallel planes with strong planar anchoring conditions at the boundary. Sommario. I cristalli liquidi smettici mostrano alcune delle proprietà essenziali sia dei solidi che dei fluidi, in quanto posseggono sia una microstruttura di tipo materiale che una di tipo locale (la microstruttura nematica e le lamelle). Le equazioni di bilancio per gli smettici sono qui derivate dalla teoria generale dei continui con microstruttura e testate su un semplice tipo di moto: lo spostamento alla Couette di una cella confinata tra due piani paralleli con ancoraggio al contorno di tipo planare.     

Inertial and self interactions in structured continua: Liquid crystals and magnetostrictive solids

Evolution equations for liquid crystals and for magnetostrictive solids are discussed within the framework of a theory of continua with microstructure that allows for mechanical self-interactions and non-standard inertial terms.

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Sommario Si discutono equazioni di evoluzione per cristalli liquidi e per solidi magnetostrittivi nell'ambito di una teoria dei continui con microstruttura che contempla la possibilità sia di autointerazioni meccaniche che di termini inerziali non standard.

     

On the internal work in generalized hyperelastic materials

We propose a notion of internal work for a generalized hyperelastic material, taking into account the topological structure of its singular locus via the Maslov class. This is based on the interpretation of the crossing of the singular locus as a phase transition.

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Sommario In questa nota proponiamo una nozione di lavoro delle forze interne per un materiale iperelastico generalizzato che tiene conto della struttura topologica del suo insieme singolare per mezzo della classe di Maslov. Questa si ottiene interpretando l'attraversamento di tale insieme singolare come una transizione di fase.

     

Traffic Flow Models with Phase Transitions

The theory of hyperbolic conservation laws has been successfully applied to the study of vehicular traffic flows. We present here some models showing phase transitions, that in terms of traffic flows correspond to two distinct behaviors, free or congested.     

Some examples of electron microscopy studies of microstructures and phase transitions in solids

In this contribution the results of some electron microscopy studies on microstructures related with phase transitions in a variety of materials will be presented. The materials include binary and ternary alloys, high T_C superconductors as well as C₆₀ and C₇₀ fullerenes, while the transitions can be diffusional, displacive or both.

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Sommario Si presentano i risultati di alcuni studi fatti attraverso la microscopia elettronica sulle microstrutture relative a transizioni di fase in una varietà di materiali. I casi comprendono leghe binarie e ternarie, superconduttori T_C e materiali C₆₀ e C₇₀; le transizioni esaminate sono diffusionali, displacive o di entrambi i tipi.

     

A one-dimensional model for incoherent phase changes

We present here a simplified version of the model of incoherent solid-solid transitions with mass diffusion developed by Gurtin and Cermelli in [3]. An incoherent phase change is always associated with some kind of defect production at the interface: we consider here a one-dimensional continuum, so that the resulting equations allow study to be made of the influence of volume (vacancy) production on the evolution of the system.

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Sommario In questo lavoro viene presentato un adattamento del modello di transizione di fase incoerente sviluppato da Gurtin e Cermelli in [3]. Una transizione incoerente è sempre associata alla produzione di un qualche tipo di difetto all'interfaccia: consideriamo qui un modello semplificato di continuo unidimensionale, in modo da poter studiare l'effetto dei difetti di volume (lacune) sull'evoluzione del sistema.

     

A new form of the coherency energy in pseudoelasticity

In some previous papers [1], [2] pseudoelasticity in tensile experiments has been treated thermodynamically under the assumption that the relevant constitutive ingredients are

A Classification of thermodynamical potentials for two-variable transition systems

We suggest here a possible classification of the thermodynamical potentials for phase transition systems with two state variables. Within each of the single-typed classes, the characters and typical diagrams of the internal energy, enthalpy, Helmholtz and Gibbs free energy are shown. Multivalued potentials appear to be the rules rather than the exceptions. Several known examples of phase transitions, e.g. van der Waals gas, Landau-Devonshire model, are studied within the framework of the present classification.

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Sommario II lavoro suggerisce una possibile classificazione dei potenziali termodinamici per sistemi con due variabili di stato soggetti a transizioni di fase e, per ogni classe individuata, mostra le caratteristiche e i diagrammi tipici dell'energia interna, l'entalpia, le energie libere di Helmholtz e Gibbs. Potenziali termodinamici a più valori appaiono essere la regola più che l'eccezione. Nell'ambito della classificazione trovata sono studiati vari esempi noti, come il gas di van der Waals e il modello di Landau-Devonshire.

     

Beyond young measures

Young measures and their limitations are discussed. Some relations between Young measures and H-measures are described and used to analyze an example from micromagnetics. The need to improve H-measures and semi-classical measures is stressed.

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Sommario Si discutono le misure di Young e le loro limitazioni. Alcune relazioni che intercorrono tra le misure di Young e le H-misure sono descritte ed utilizzate nello studio di un esempio tratto dalla meccanica di mezzi micromagnetici. Si evidenzia in particolare la necessità di migliorare la teoria delle H-misure e di altre misure semi-classiche.

     

Phase transitions and hysteresis in nonlocal and order-parameter models

The paper describes two types of regularization to the basic quasistatic double-well potential problem in one space dimension. One model features a spatially nonlocal term while the other incorporates the use of an order parameter. Some basic existence and regularity results for these modified models are derived and some numerical calculations that show hysteresis and motion of phase boundaries are presented.

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Sommario Il lavoro descrive due tipi di regolarizzazione del problema quasistatico per un potenziale con due minimi in una dimensione. Un modello evidenzia caratteri di non località spaziale, mentre l'altro conduce ad una teoria con parametro d'ordine. Si derivano alcuni risultati di esistenza e regolarità e si presentano alcuni studi numerici che mostrano l'isteresi e il moto delle frontiere tra le fasi.

     

Martensitic transformation and phonon localization in Ni-Al alloys by atomistic simulations

We discuss an atomistic model for the potential energy of Ni-Al alloys based on the Embedded Atom Method. The potential is applied in a Molecular Dynamics and Quasi Harmonic investigation of the Martensitic Transformation (MT) that occurs in Ni _x Al_1– x for compositions 0.61<x<0.64 at a temperatureT _M ranging from ~ 0 K atx=0.61 to ~ 400 K atx=0.64. We determine the transition temperature as a function of composition and pressure and we show that our potential reliably reproduces the known properties of the alloy.We exploit the model to investigate the microscopic dynamical properties underlying the transition. Our computation shows that in the austenite the compositional disorder induces several bands of localized phonons, that discontinuously de-localize at the MT. We show that specific localized modes associated with Ni-rich clusters identify regions of incipient lattice instability, and provide favourable sites for the nucleation.

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Sommario L'articolo discute un modello Embedded Atom per l'energia potenziale di leghe Ni-Al. Il potenziale viene utilizzato in uno studio di Dinamica Molecolare e nell'approssimazione Quasi Armonica della Transformazione Martensitica (MT) che ha luogo in Ni _x Al_1–x per 0.61<x<0.64 a una temperatutaT _M compresa tra ~ 0 K perx=0.61 e ~ 400 K perx=0.64. La temperature di transizione è determinata in funzione della composizione e della pressione. I risultati dimostrano la validità del potenziale nel riprodurre le proprietà note della lega.Il modello viene utilizzato per studiare la dinamica microscopica alla base della trasformazione. Lo studio mostra che nella austenite il disordine chimico legato alla non-stechiometria induce bande di fononi localizzati che si delocalizzano in modo discontinue allaMT. Viene mostrato che i modi localizzati sono associati a regioni rieche di Ni ed individuano siti di incipiente instabilità reticolare. Tali siti forniscono centri preferenziali per la nucleazione.

     

Finite-scale microstructures and metastability in one-dimensional elasticity

This paper addresses the non-uniqueness pointed out by Ericksen in his classical analysis of the equilibrium of a one-dimensional elastic bar with non-convex energy [1]. Following some previous work in this area, we suitably regularize the problem in order to investigate this degenerancy. Our approach gives an explicit framework for the the study of the rich variety offinite-scale equilibrium microstructures for the bar in a hard loading device, and their stability properties. In this way we clarify the role of interfacial energy in creating finitescale microstructures, by considering the combined effect of the oscillation-inducing and oscillation-inhibiting terms in the energy functional.

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Sommario Il lavoro riguarda la non unicità messa in luce da J.L. Ericksen nella sua analisi dell'equilibrio di barre elastiche con energia non convessa. Seguendo le linee di precedenti lavori, per investigare questa degenerazione si ricorre ad una regolarizzazione del problema e si dà un esplicito quadro di riferimento per lo studio della ricca varietà delle microstrutture di scala finita e della loro stabilità. Si chiarisce in particolare il ruolo dell'energia di interfaccia nella creazione di microstrutture di scala finita considerando l'effetto combinato di termini inibitori e favorevoli all'insorgere di oscillazioni nel funzionale energia.

     

Shear response of monodomains of flow-aligning nematic liquid crystals: TIF model comparisons and effect of pre-tilt

This work is the continuation of a previous study [Van Horn BL, Winter HH (2000) Dynamics of shear aligning nematic liquid crystal monodomains. Rheol Acta 39:294–300] on the shear dynamics of monodomains of shear aligning nematic liquid crystals [NLC]. The strain dependence of director orientation has been experimentally investigated for monodomains of a NLC with various initial orientations. Comparison of experimental results to predictions using Ericksen's transversly isotropic fluid [TIF] model supports the validity of the TIF model for systems of low molecular weight NLCs. The TIF model has been used to examine the effect of pre-tilt on the dynamics of flow-aligning NLC monodomains. It is shown that small deviations from planar alignment (no pre-tilt) have a large effect on orientation dynamics.     

Internal loops in pseudoelastic behaviour of Ti-Ni shape memory alloys: Experiment and modelling

The stress-strain isothermal hysteresis loops due to the incomplete martensitic transformation are analysed for Ti-Ni shape memory alloys. Experiments show the existence of two distinct yield lines for phase transition; one for the forward transformation austenitemartensite (AM), the other for the reverse transformation MA. The tensile behaviour of single crystals with only one yield line (AM) [1] can be considered as an ideal case. An extension of a thermodynamic model for pseudoelasticity [2] allows these two yield lines to be taken into account.

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Sommario Per leghe Ti-Ni con memoria di forma vengono analizzati i cicli di isteresi isotermici tensione-deformazione prodotti da una incompleta trasformazione martensitica. Gli esperimenti mostrano l'esistenza di due distinte linee di snervamento per la transizione di fase, una verso la trasformazione austenitemartensite (AM), l'altra per la trasformazione inversa MA. Il comportamento a trazione di un singolo cristallo con una sola linea di snervamento (AM) [1], può essere considerato un caso ideale. L'estensione ad un modello termodinamico pseudo-elastico [2] consente di analizzare queste due linee di snervamento.

     

Lamb waves in micropolar thermoelastic solid plates immersed in liquid with varying temperature

In the present paper the theory of micropolar generalized thermoelastic continua has been employed to study the propagation of plane waves in micropolar thermoelastic plates bordered with inviscid liquid layers (or half-spaces) with varying temperature on both sides. The secular equations in closed form and isolated mathematical conditions are derived and discussed. Thin plate and short wave length results have also been deduced under different cases and situations and discussed as special cases of this work. The results in case of conventional coupled and uncoupled theories of thermoelasticity can be obtained both in case of micropolar elastic and elastokinetics from the present analysis by appropriate choice of relevant parameters. The various secular equations and relevant relations have been solved numerically by using functional iteration method in order to illustrate the analytical developments. Effect of characteristic length and coupling factors have also been studied on phase velocity. The computer simulated results in case of phase velocity, attenuation coefficient and specific loss of symmetric and skew symmetric are presented graphically.     

Landau theory for biaxial nematic liquid crystals with two order parameter tensors

We present a phenomenological theory for the homogeneous phases of nematic liquid crystals constituted by biaxial molecules. We propose a general polynomial potential in two macroscopic order parameter tensors that reproduces the mean-field phase diagram confirmed by Monte Carlo simulations [De Matteis et al. in Phys Rev E 72:041706 (2005)] and recently recognized to be universal [Bisi et al. in Phys Rev E 73:051709 (2006)] for dispersion force molecular pair-potentials enjoying the D _2h symmetry. The requirement that the phenomenological theory comply uniquely with this phase diagram reduces considerably the admissible phenomenological coefficients, both in their number and in the ranges where they can vary.      

Experimental investigation and theoretical modeling of liquid entrainment in a horizontal tee with a vertical-up branch

This article describes a comprehensive literature review of liquid entrainment in horizontal pipes with vertical-up branches. Deficiencies in the available data and correlations were identified. The Air–water Test Loop for Advanced Thermal–hydraulic Studies (ATLATS) was constructed and entrainment onset and steady-state data were collected for a wide range of flow conditions. Using new insights gained from experimental testing, the authors developed a model for predicting the onset of entrainment and steady-state entrainment rate. Previously published correlations, along with the new model, are compared against all available data. The new model shows very good agreement with the onset data, but is not very good at predicting branch quality at high liquid flow rates.