Directional wave separation in tubular acoustic systems – The development and evaluation of two industrially applicable techniques

An acoustic device is used to evaluate internal features and defects within tubes by determination of the acoustic impulse response. This paper concerns methods of separating the total pressure wave measured in the device into its forward and backward travelling components, which facilitates computation of the acoustic impulse response. The device comprises a tube that has a speaker at one end and is axially instrumented with microphones. Unlike similar works, the methods presented in this paper were designed to be applied in an industrial context, they allow simple calibration and implementation using readily transportable equipment. Two wave separation algorithms are presented; the first is a known method that has been improved to provide simplified calibration and the second is a computationally inexpensive technique that has been adapted to improve its operational bandwidth. The techniques are critically evaluated using a custom built test rig, designed to simulate realistic tube features and defects such as constrictions, holes and corrosion. It is demonstrated that, although inter-microphone attenuation is not accounted for in the second algorithm, both algorithms function well and give similar results. It is concluded that the added sophistication of the first method means that it is less affected by low frequency interference and is capable of yielding more accurate results. However, in practical use as an evaluation tool, the benefits of including inter-microphone attenuation are outweighed by the additional calibration and computational requirements. Finally the output of the wave separation techniques is validated by showing agreement between experimental impulse response measurements and those obtained from a theoretically derived acoustic tube simulator.     

K − absorption in nuclei by two and three nucleons

It will be shown that the peaks in the (Λp) and (Λd) invariant mass distributions, observed in recent FINUDA experiments and claimed to be signals of deeply bound kaonic states, are naturally explained in terms of K ^? absorption by two or three nucleons leaving the rest of the original nuclei as spectator. For reactions on heavy nuclei, the subsequent interactions of the particles produced in the primary absorption process with the residual nucleus play an important role. Our analyses leads to the conclusion that at present there is no experimental evidence of deeply bound K ^? state in nuclei. Although the FINUDA experiments have been done for reasons which are not supported a posteriori, some new physics can be extracted from the data.     

New methods for the measurement of NHCαH coupling constants in 15N-labeled proteins

Several new techniques, requiring ¹⁵N incorporation, are described for measuring NHCαH J couplings in proteins. ¹H-detected heteronuclear ¹H¹⁵N multiple-quantum correlation spectra retain the homonuclear J coupling information. Because of the favorable relaxation properties of ¹⁵N¹H zero- and double-quantum coherences, significant line narrowing occurs in the F₁, dimension compared to the regular NH ¹H linewidth, permitting high accuracy measurements of J splittings, even for medium sized proteins. Methods for convenient analysis of such coupling information are described, correcting for linewidth and dispersion mode contributions. The new approach is demonstrated for the protein staphylococcal nuclease (18 kDa), complexed with pdTp and calcium.     

Stress relaxation through ageing heat treatment – a comparison between in situ and ex situ neutron diffraction techniques

The effect of ageing heat treatment on the relaxation of residual stress in a water quenched polycrystalline nickel-base superalloy has been measured using neutron diffraction. Two separate experiments have been conducted; the first experiment was an ex situ study in which samples were individually processed with varying degrees of age time before measurement. The second experiment was an in situ heat treatment, which required heating and then holding the sample at ageing temperature while measuring strain using neutron diffraction. The in situ experiment was carried out twice using the same setup to assess the repeatability of the technique and found to be repeatable within experimental error. The agreement between in situ and ex situ experiments was found to be reasonable, particularly the manner in which the stresses relaxed with time. In both studies it was found that initial stress relaxation was rapid, approximately 200 MPa in 15–30 min, after this a slower linear relaxation remained for the rest of the ageing heat treatment. This behaviour suggests creep may be the means by which stress relaxation takes place in this material during ageing.     

Skeleton inequalities and the asymptotic nature of perturbation theory for Φ4-theories in two and three dimensions

We use the polymer representation of ⁴-quantum field theories to prove an infinite family of correlation inequalities, called skeleton inequalities, for the 2n-point Green's functions. As an application, we show that they imply that Feynman perturbation theory is asymptotic in less than four dimensions.     

A comparison of n-γ discrimination by the rise-time and zero-crossing methods

The n-γ discrimination performance of two experimental arrangements based on the rise-time method and the zero-crossing method was compared for a 50.8 mm-diametered and 50.8 mm-high BC501A liquid scintillator coupled to a 50.8 mm-diametered 9807B photomultiplier in this work. The low energy limitation of the detected neutron with different detector high voltages and the figure of merit of the n-γ discrimination in four neutron energy regions (1–2 MeV, 0.75–1 MeV, 0.5–0.75 MeV and below 0.5 MeV) were studied by using the Am-Be neutron source. Under a time statistical model of the photoelectron emission process in scintillation counters, the intrinsic capability of the n-γ discrimination performance under the optimal condition was evaluated. The experimental results of the zero-crossing method demonstrate a better n-γ. discrimination performance than those of the rise-time method, which is consistent with the calculated results.     

Measuring sound scattering coefficients of uneven surfaces in a reverberant workplace – Principle and validation of the method

In workplaces, wall facings are often based on periodic or aperiodic sound scattering surfaces. It is necessary to develop acoustic characterization methods for these kinds of walls to predict the acoustic pressure cartography in the room in order to improve the acoustical treatment. However, this characterization is quite difficult because of the partially reverberant conditions. We developed a measurement system which determines in situ the sound scattering coefficients of relief surfaces. The measurement method, originally operating in free-field conditions, was adapted for indoor use. To overcome problems of parasite echoes coming from reverberation and from noisy sources present on the site, we developed a dedicated emission/reception system. An acoustic antenna with constant directivity over the full frequency range allows spatial filtering of the parasite echoes and an impulsive sound source enables the use of a broad temporal window, resulting in adequate time separation of the different signals received by the antenna. Measurements of the sound scattering coefficient of a corrugated panel were carried out for several incidence angles in free-field and in a noisy workshop and allowed the in situ validation of this system.     

On contour crossings in contour-advective simulations – part 2 – analysis of crossing errors and methods for their prevention

This is the second of two papers devoted to the analysis of contour crossing errors that occur in contour-advective simulations of fluid motion, where either vorticity or potential vorticity is represented by contours. We begin with a detailed discussion on some of the potential mechanisms for contour crossing. Past work has suggested that the formation of contour crossings is due to inadequate spatial resolution of contours [1]. The implementation of two schemes for preventing contour crossings within the framework of the Contour-Advective Semi-Lagrangian (CASL) algorithm is detailed here. We then present an analysis of contour crossing errors in simulations of quasigeostrophic turbulence on the f-plane and the quasigeostrophic motion of an initially circular vortex patch on the β-plane using the algorithm detailed in Part 1. We find that in general individual crossings occur at scales smaller than the inversion grid scale on which velocity is calculated, but at scales larger than that of the surgical scale that defines the smallest resolved features (vorticity) of a flow. If the resolution of a quasigeostrophic turbulence simulation on the f-plane is increased by doubling the number of grid points in each coordinate direction used in the calculation of the velocity field, then the total area in error due to contour crossings remains unchanged; a smaller number of crossings introducing larger scale area errors is replaced by a greater number of smaller local errors. Uniformly increasing the density of nodes along all contours and placement of nodes at points of close approach on contours are both effective methods for limiting contour crossings.     

Determination of electron energy probability function in low-temperature plasmas from current – Voltage characteristics of two Langmuir probes filtered by Savitzky–Golay and Blackman window methods

Acceptable data for electron energy probability function (EEPF) measurement in low-pressure plasmas require a small depletion in near-zero electron energy and a large dynamic range in the high-energy regime. The voltage drop across internal resistance and noise from the data acquisition system cause a rounding of the EEPF near the zero electron energy and a reduction in the dynamic range due to a low signal-to-noise ratio of the high-energy regime, respectively, leading to erroneous interpretation in the EEPF measurement. A digital smoothing filter can be employed to reduce the noise signal, but it can also cause additional depletion near the zero energy. In order to obtain reliable EEPF data, a novel technique is proposed using two Langmuir probes with differing collecting areas and the Savitzky–Golay and Blackman window methods. The technique enables the internal resistance effect to be removed using a slope of the current – voltage characteristic taken from the probes. In addition, the Savitzky–Golay and Blackman window methods in the technique apply separately to two regimes of the EEPF, i.e., the near-zero energy regime and the inelastic energy regime, because appropriate smoothing methods that minimize loss and distortion of information differ for the two regimes. This allows one to decrease the noise signal, minimizing the additional depletion near the zero energy. This technique improves the dynamic range of the EEPF from 30 to 55 dB to 65–105 dB and provides more accurate electron density and effective electron temperature from the EEPF, compared to those of the conventional technique.     

Technological and geochemical study of two red-figured vases of unknown provenance by various analytical techniques

Two red-figured vases, kindly provided by the Carabinieri Corps for Protection of Cultural Heritage, Cosenza Unit (Calabria, Italy), were characterised from petrographical, morphological, mineralogical, and chemical viewpoints with the aim of establishing the definite origin and source area of archaeological artefacts. It was obvious that one of the vases had undergone restoration, which is not documented.     

Magnetic Faraday modulation spectroscopy of the 1–0 band of 14NO and 15NO

Magnetic rotation spectroscopy signals of the nitric oxide (NO) fundamental band near 5 μm have been observed and compared with calculated signals. This spectroscopic approach exploits magnetic field modulation in the Faraday configuration for very sensitive detection of NO. Line shapes and strengths of the Faraday signals depend on molecular parameters, like J and Ω quantum numbers of the transitions involved, and on experimental parameters, like pressure of the gas sample and applied external magnetic field strength. In this study we implemented a software model which provides a simulation of the complete v=1–0 Faraday spectrum of NO. The algorithm considers the magnetic field modulation, the collisional and Doppler broadening of the line shapes, and the line intensities of ¹⁴NO and ¹⁵NO fundamental band lines. Optimum values for pressure and magnetic field modulation for maximum sensitivity are given. Suitable spectral windows for simultaneous detection of ¹⁴NO and ¹⁵NO are discussed. Experimental data were obtained in the wavenumber region from 1840 to 1900 cm^?1 by means of a CO sideband laser and a quantum cascade laser. Comparison between calculated and observed signals shows excellent agreement.     

Dynamic modelling and simulation of 15N separation by chemical exchange in NO,NO2–HNO3 system

The dynamic behaviour of a ¹⁵N separation process by chemical exchange in a NO, NO₂–HNO₃ system has been analysed based on an accurate mathematical model. A nonlinear system of first-order partial differential equations was determined by considering the multiple exchange reactions between the components of the gaseous mixture and the liquid phase constituents. The mathematical model of the process describes the space–time variation of the ¹⁵N mole fraction in gas and liquid phases and provides a better understanding of operating limits and decision support in process design and optimisation.     

Thermal assistance in TA – OSL signals of feldspar and polymineral samples; comparison with the case of pure quartz

Thermally assisted optically stimulated luminescence (TA – OSL) is studied for the cases of polymineral, rich in K-feldspar sample as well as one pure sample of K-feldspar. For both cases, the shape of the TA – OSL signal indicates an initial, fast decaying part which is followed by a flat, very slowly decaying part with intensity much larger than the ordinary background noise signal. Thermal assistance characteristics indicate that for the case of pure K-feldspar, the signal originates from a unique very deep trap. The experimental features of the TA – OSL signal in the case of polymineral sample resemble much the corresponding TA – OSL features of pure quartz, in terms of both glow curve shape, especially at high stimulation temperatures, as well as signal intensity and its dependence on the stimulation temperature. Nevertheless, TA – OSL stimulation at low, ambient temperatures provide strong hints towards the contribution of K – feldspars to this signal. Proper selection of the stimulation temperature could possibly discriminate the TA – OSL signal originating from quartz and feldspars.     

Application of liquid scintillation inclusion techniques for the simultaneous determination of alpha and beta activities in composite samples – A preliminary study

Present work highlights liquid scintillation inclusion techniques as a tool for simultaneous determination of gross α and β activities in composite samples. This preliminary study comprises a preamble exercise to check whether Automatic Efficiency Control (AEC) and knee point inclusion techniques which are conventionally used for analysis of two β-emitting radio-nuclides in a mixture, can be implemented for quantification of gross α and β activities in composite samples. In inclusion techniques, two counting regions are set such that there are spill-up and spill-down of pulse events in each region from both types of radio-nuclides. AEC which is built-in feature in Packard Tri-Carb 2900 TR Liquid Scintillation Counter (LSC) provides automatic counting region adjustments for single and dual label samples according to the degree of quench present in sample. While knee point inclusion technique requires manual Lower Level (LL) and Upper Level (UL) discriminator setting to define two counting regions. In the present study, α/β spiked composite samples were treated as dual label samples with α and β radio-nuclides as two distinct entities contributing to the gross activities and analyzed employing AEC and knee point inclusion techniques. Instrument discriminator settings and regions of interest (ROI) were evaluated to determine optimum counting conditions for both the techniques. Three sets of pure alpha and pure beta standards simulating the activity concentrations of real samples in terms of α/β activity ratios were used to calibrate LSC. Calibration methodology for Packard Tri-Carb 2900 TR LSC with respect to the above measurements using ²⁴¹Am, ³⁶Cl and ⁹⁰Sr/⁹⁰Y calibration standards is explained in detail. The practicability and working performance of these techniques was checked by the validation trials with spiked synthetic samples covering range of α/β activity ratios from 1:1 to 1:50 and 50:1. Procedures have been tested by comparison with, established PSA technique and repeatability has been evaluated.     

The art and science of flow control – case studies using flow visualization methods

Active flow control (AFC) has been the focus of significant research in the last decade. This is mainly due to the potentially substantial benefits it affords. AFC applications range from the subsonic to the supersonic (and beyond) regime for both internal and external flows. These applications are wide and varied, such as controlling flow transition and separation over various external components of the aircraft to active management of separation and flow distortion in engine components and over turbine and compressor blades. High-speed AFC applications include control of flow oscillations in cavity flows, supersonic jet screech, impinging jets, and jet-noise control. In this paper we review some of our recent applications of AFC through a number of case studies that illustrate the typical benefits as well as limitations of present AFC methods. The case studies include subsonic and supersonic canonical flowfields such as separation control over airfoils, control of supersonic cavity flows and impinging jets. In addition, properties of zero-net mass-flux (ZNMF) actuators are also discussed as they represent one of the most widely studied actuators used for AFC. In keeping with the theme of this special issue, the flowfield properties and their response to actuation are examined through the use of various qualitative and quantitative flow visualization methods, such as smoke, shadowgraph, schlieren, planar-laser scattering, and Particle image velocimetry (PIV). The results presented here clearly illustrate the merits of using flow visualization to gain significant insight into the flow and its response to AFC.     

Photoacoustic measurement of thermal properties and thickness of buried layers in a multilayer film

The photoacoustic model of multilayer with a strong-absorbing surface layer is developed. The phase of ph0toacoustie signal is measured as a function of modulated frequency using apparatus totally controlled by a computer system. The thermal diffusivity, effusivity as well as thickness of several buried layers are obtained independently through the best fit of experimental data according to the theoretical model. The multilayers of thin metal and alloy film are investigated. This method is proved to be valuable particularly in nondestructive examination of subsurface physical properties.     

Fully printed organic solar cells – a review of techniques,challenges and their solutions

The emergence of solar cells on flexible and bendable substrates has made the printing process a ubiquitous tool for the fabrication of these devices. The various printing techniques available now such as inkjet, screen and flexography offer cost- effectiveness, user-friendliness and suitability for mass production. While downscaling the fill factor and efficiency of organic solar cells. A multilayered structure, the combination of different printing techniques avails the variety of thickness and resolution required for each layer in the production of an organic solar cell. In this review article, we discuss the suitability of the inkjet and screen printing processes to produce organic solar cells. We also discuss various challenges involved in the fabrication of organic solar cells using these two techniques and the possible solutions for the same. We also provide an analogy that both processes share. Further, we consider future possibilities of combining these printing technologies to produce organic solar cells to improve device performance.     

MIE experiments and simultaneous measurement of the transferred charge – A verification of the ignition threshold limits

Using the apparatus for the determination of the MIE a wide series of experiments have been carried out in hydrogen/air, ethene/air, propane/air and acetone/air mixtures. The transferred charge as a criterion to judge the ignition potential is determined to verify the thresholds of transferred charge given in the standards. The stored charge in the capacitance before the discharge is compared to the transferred charge in the spark. The correlation of ignition energy and transferred charge is examined and the thresholds of the transferred charge are discussed. The MIE of the above-mentioned mixtures are reviewed taking into account the measurement uncertainty.