The high strain mechanical response of the wet Kelvin model for open-cell foams

Surface Evolver software was used to create the three-dimensional geometry of a Kelvin open-cell foam, to simulate that of polyurethane flexible foams. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) with 3D elements was used to model large compressive deformation in the [0 0 1] and [1 1 1] directions, using cyclic boundary conditions when necessary, treating the polyurethane as an elastic or elastic–plastic material. The predicted foam Young’s moduli in the [0 0 1] direction are double those of foams with uniform Plateau border cross-section edges, for the same foam density and material properties. For compression in the [1 1 1] direction, the normalized Young’s modulus increases from 0.9 to 1.1 with foam relative density, and the predicted stress–strain relationship can have a plateau, even for a linearly-elastic polymer. As the foam density increases, the predicted effects of material plasticity become larger. For foam of relative density 0.028, edge-to-edge contact is predicted to occur at a 66% strain for [1 1 1] direction compression. The foam is predicted to contract laterally when the [1 1 1] direction compressive strain exceeds 25%.     

Soft X-ray scattering using FEL radiation for probing near-solid density plasmas at few electron volt temperatures

We report on soft X-ray scattering experiments on cryogenic hydrogen and simple metal samples. As a source of intense, ultrashort soft X-ray pulses we have used free-electron laser radiation at 92 eV photon energy from FLASH at DESY, Hamburg. X-ray pulses with energies up to 150 μJ and durations 15–50 fs provide interaction with the sample leading simultaneously to plasma formation and scattering. Experiments exploiting both of these interactions have been carried out, using the same experimental setup. Firstly, recording of soft X-ray inelastic scattering from near-solid density hydrogen plasmas at few electron volt temperatures confirms the feasibility of this diagnostics technique. Secondly, the soft X-ray excitation of few electron volt solid-density plasmas in bulk metal samples could be studied by recording soft X-ray line and continuum emission integrated over emission times from fs to ns.     

A review of new wire arrays with open and closed magnetic configurations at the 1.6 MA Zebra generator for radiative properties and opacity effects

The studies emphasize investigation of plasma formation, implosion, and radiation features as a function of two load configurations: compact multi-planar and cylindrical wire arrays. Experiments with different Z-pinch loads were performed on 1.6 MA, 100 ns, Zebra generator at University of Nevada, Reno. The multi-planar wire arrays (PWAs) were studied in open and closed configurations with Al, Cu, brass, Mo and W wires. In the open magnetic configurations (single, double, triple PWAs) magnetic fields are present inside the arrays from the beginning of discharge, while in closed configurations (prism-like PWA) the global magnetic field is excluded inside before plasma flow occurs. The new prism-like PWA allows high flexibility in control of implosion dynamics and precursor formation. The spectral modeling, magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) and wire ablation dynamic model (WADM) codes were used to describe the plasma evolution and plasma parameters. Experimentally observed electron temperature and density in multiple bright spots reached 1.4 keV and 5 × 10²¹ cm^?3, respectively. Two types of bright spots were observed. With peak currents up to 1.3 MA opacity effects became more pronounced and led to a limiting of the X-ray yields from compact cylindrical arrays. Despite different magnetic energy to plasma coupling mechanisms early in the implosion a comparison of compact double PWA and cylindrical WA results indicates that during the stagnation stage the same plasma heating mechanism may occur. The double PWA was found to be the best radiator tested at University scale 1 MA generator. It is characterized by a combination of larger yield and power, mm-scale size, and provides the possibility of radiation pulse shaping. Further, the newer configuration, the double PWA with skewed wires, was tested and showed the possibility of a more effective X-ray generation.     

X-ray spectral measurements and collisional-radiative modeling of hot,gold plasmas at the omega laser

M-Band and L-Band Gold spectra between 3 and 5 keV and 8 and 13 keV, respectively, have been recorded by a photometrically calibrated crystal spectrometer. The spectra were emitted from the plasma in the laser deposition region of a ‘hot hohlraum’. This is a reduced-scale hohlraum heated with ≈9 kJ of 351 nm light in a 1 ns square pulse at the OMEGA laser. The space- and time-integrated spectra included L-Band line emission from Co-like to Ne-like gold. The three L-Band line features were identified to be the 3s → 2p, 3d_5/2 → 2p_3/2 and 3d_3/2 → 2p_1/2 transitions at ≈9 keV, ≈10 keV and ≈13 keV, respectively. M-Band 5f → 3d, 4d → 3p, and 4p → 3s transition features from Fe-like to P-like gold were also recorded between 3 and 5 keV. Modeling from the radiation–hydrodynamics code LASNEX, the collisional-radiative codes FLYCHK and SCRAM, and the atomic structure code FAC were used to model the plasma and generate simulated spectra for comparison with the recorded spectra. Through these comparisons, we have determined the average electron temperature of the emitting plasma to be between 6.0 and 6.5 keV. The electron temperatures predicted by LASNEX appear to be too large by a factor of about 1.5.     

Capuli cherry-mediated green synthesis of silver nanoparticles under white solar and blue LED light

In this article, the Capuli (Prunus serotina Ehrh. var. Capuli) cherry extract was used for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in the presence of white/visible solar and blue light-emitting diode (LED) light. For the characterization of the extract and the AgNPs, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy were employed, along with hydrodynamic particle size analysis, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The Ag nanospheres obtained using white light were 40–100 nm in diameter and exhibited an absorption peak at λ_max = 445 nm, whereas those obtained using blue LED light were 20–80 nm in diameter with an absorption peak at λ_max = 425 nm. Thermal analysis revealed that the content of biomolecules surrounding the AgNPs was about 55–65%, and it was also found that blue LED light AgNPs (56.28%, 0.05 mM) had a higher antioxidant efficacy than the white solar light AgNPs (33.42%, 0.05 mM) against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl. The results indicate that obtaining AgNPs using a blue LED light may prove to be a simple, cost-effective and easily reproducible method for creating future nanopharmaceuticals.     

Hard X-ray spectroscopy of inner-shell K transitions generated by MeV electron propagation from intense picosecond laser focal spots

The propagation of energetic electrons from the focal spots of intense picosecond laser pulses was studied using targets consisting of planar foils and fine metal wires. High-resolution K-shell spectra of elements with atomic numbers in the range 46–74 (Pd to W) and with energies from 21 keV to 69 keV were recorded by a Cauchois-type spectrometer using a curved transmission crystal. The K-shell spectra resulted from the collisional ionization of 1 s electrons by energetic electrons that were generated in the laser focal spot and propagated into the planar foil region beyond the focal spot or into the metal wires adjacent to an irradiated wire. The lateral spread of the energetic electrons from the focal spot was determined from the source broadening of the K spectral lines and from the relative intensities of the K spectra from an irradiated wire and neighboring wires of different metals. The propagation distances up to 1 mm in a variety of materials indicated electron energies up to 1 MeV were generated in the laser focal spot. Inhibited propagation in an electrically insulating material was observed that results from a weak return current and incomplete space charge neutralization.     

Temporal and spectral behavior of sub-picosecond laser-created X-ray sources from low- to moderate-Z elements

We report on a set of experiments in which solid targets of different atomic numbers (Z) were irradiated with laser pulses of time durations ranging from 300 fs to 33 ps, and energies up to 26 J. The time-resolved X-ray emission in the 7.6–8.1 Å spectral range was measured using an ultra-fast X-ray streak camera coupled with a conical Bragg crystal. In this way we were able to follow the dramatic modification of the spectral features as a function of the laser duration. The features evolve from a “ns-type” emission, characterized by narrow and well-defined spectral lines, to very broad spectral features, due not only to the Stark broadening but also to the proliferation of satellites lines. The measured spectra also show strong time dependence, which allows us to follow the time evolution of the hydrodynamic parameters. We then compare the derived parameter with the CHIVAS hydro-radiative simulations. The experimental results are also compared with the AVERROES/TRANSPEC collisional-radiative code, and with precise spectral line shape calculations (PPP and PrismSPECT). The results seem to indicate regimes of interaction where hot electrons play an important role on spectral line formation.     

Computational homogenization of periodic beam-like structures

This paper is concerned with the computation of the effective elastic properties of periodic beam-like structures. The homogenization theory is used and leads to an equivalent anisotropic Navier–Bernoulli–Saint-Venant beam. The overall behavior is obtained from the solution of basic cell problems posed on the three-dimensional period of the structure and solved using three-dimensional finite element implementation.This procedure is first applied to two corrugated zigzag and sinus beams subjected to in-plane loading. Next, the axial elastic properties of a stranded ‘6 + 1’ wire-cable are computed. The effective properties values obtained appear to be very close to analytical reference results showing the efficiency of the approach.     

Observation and analysis of near-surface atmospheric aerosol optical properties in urban Beijing

Year-round measurements of the mass concentration and optical properties of fine aerosols (PM_2.5) from June 2009 to May 2010 at an urban site in Beijing were analyzed. The annual mean values of the PM_2.5 mass concentration, absorption coefficient (Ab), scattering coefficient (Sc) and single scattering albedo (SSA) at 525 nm were 67 ± 66 μg/m³, 64 ± 62 Mm⁻¹, 360 ± 405 Mm⁻¹ and 0.82 ± 0.09, respectively. The bulk mass absorption efficiency and scattering efficiency of the PM_2.5 at 525 nm were 0.78 m²/g and 5.55 m²/g, respectively. The Ab and Sc showed a similar diurnal variation with a maximum at night and a minimum in the afternoon, whereas SSA displayed an opposite diurnal pattern. Significant increases in the Ab and Sc were observed in pollution episodes caused by the accumulation of pollutants from both local and regional sources under unfavorable weather conditions. Aerosol loadings in dust events increased by several times in the spring, which had limited effects on the Ab and Sc due to the low absorption and scattering efficiency of dust particles. The frequency of haze days was the highest in autumn because of the high aerosol absorption and scattering under unfavorable weather conditions. The daily PM_2.5 concentration should be controlled to a level lower than 64 μg/m³ to prevent the occurrence of haze days according to its exponentially decreased relationship with visibility.     

On Euler–Bernoulli discontinuous beam solutions via uniform-beam Green’s functions

The bending problem of Euler–Bernoulli discontinuous beams is dealt with. The purpose is to show that uniform-beam Green’s functions can be used to build efficient solutions for beams with internal discontinuities due to along-axis constraints and flexural-stiffness jumps. Specifically, upon deriving the equilibrium equation in the space of generalized functions, first it is seen that the original bending problem may be recast as linear superposition of a principal and an auxiliary bending problem, both involving a uniform reference beam and homogeneous boundary conditions. Then, based on the Green’s functions of the reference beam, closed-form solutions are developed for the principal beam response, while the auxiliary beam response is obtained by solving, in general, (r + 2s) algebraic equations written at the discontinuity locations, being r the number of discontinuities due to along-axis constraints, and s the number of flexural-stiffness jumps. In this manner, an appreciable reduction of computational effort is achieved as compared to alternative analytical solutions in the literature.     

A novel method for fast and continuous preparation of superfine titanium dioxide nanoparticles in microfluidic system

Previously we had developed a microfluidic system that can be easily fabricated by bending a stainless-steel tube into large circular loops. In this study, a fast and continuous preparation method for superfine TiO₂ nanoparticles (TiO₂-NPs) was developed for the aforementioned microfluidic system. The proposed method can yield anatase TiO₂ in 3.5 min, in contrast to the traditional hydrothermal reaction method, which requires hours or even days. Different reaction conditions, such as reaction temperature (120–200 °C), urea concentration (20–100 g/L), and tube length (5–20 m) were investigated. X-ray diffraction and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis indicate that the as-prepared TiO₂-NPs have crystalline sizes of 4.1–5.8 nm and specific surface areas of 250.7–330.7 m²/g. Transmission electron microscopy images show that these TiO₂-NPs have an even diameter of approximately 5 nm. Moreover, because of their small crystalline sizes and large specific surface areas, most of these as-prepared TiO₂-NPs exhibit considerably better absorption and photocatalytic performance with methylene blue than commercial P5 TiO₂ does.     

Capture of phosphates in surface water by TiO2 nanoparticles under UV irradiation

The capture of orthophosphates and total phosphorus from the Pudong Canal river in the Pudong District of Shanghai by TiO₂ nanoparticles is studied using a rotating photoreactor and the nano-TiO₂ photocatalyst Degussa P25. The effects of UV irradiation intensity in a range of 20–74 mW/cm², the loading of the TiO₂ nanoparticles in a range of 0.05–0.1 g/L, irradiation time up to 4 h, and pH values in a range of 2–10.5 on the capture efficiency are investigated. The results show that the capture of orthophosphates and total P are significantly enhanced by UV irradiation; at a loading of 0.1 g/L and an irradiation intensity above 36 mW/cm², orthophosphates and total phosphorus are rapidly captured by TiO₂ nanoparticles, causing an observed reduction from 0.4 mg/L down to 0.02 mg/L. pH values in a range of 2–10.5 have little effect on the capture efficiency of orthophosphates and total phosphorus.     

Experimental pool boiling investigations of FC-72 on silicon with artificial cavities and integrated temperature microsensors

In this experimental study, fluorinert FC-72 is boiled on a silicon chip with artificial cavities and integrated microsensors. The horizontal silicon chip with dimensions of 39.5 × 19 × 0.38 mm is completely immersed in FC-72. The integrated nickel–titanium temperature microsensors on the back of the chip are calibrated individually and exhibit a near-linear increase of electrical resistance with temperature. The applied heat fluxes and the resulting wall superheat at the boiling surface are varied by means of an integral thin-film resistance heater (95% Al, 4% Cu and 1% Si), also on the back of the silicon chip. Artificial cylindrical cavities with a mouth diameter of 10 μm and depths of 40, 80 or 100 μm situated above the microthermometers serve as artificial nucleation sites, due to trapped vapour. Bubble growth rates, frequencies, departure diameters of bubbles and waiting times between bubbles from an isolated cavity for different wall superheats and pressures were obtained by analysing high-speed video images and the simultaneously measured temperature below the artificial cavity.     

Finite element micromechanics model of impact compression of closed-cell polymer foams

Finite element analysis, of regular Kelvin foam models with all the material in uniform-thickness faces, was used to predict the compressive impact response of low-density closed-cell polyethylene and polystyrene foams. Cell air compression was analysed, treating cells as surface-based fluid cavities. For a typical 1 mm cell size and 50 s^?1 impact strain rate, the elastic buckling of cell faces, and pop-in shape inversion of some buckled square faces, caused a non-linear stress strain response before yield. Pairs of plastic hinges formed across hexagonal faces, then yield occurred when trios of faces concertinaed. The predicted compressive yield stresses were close to experimental data, for a range of foam densities. Air compression was the hardening mechanism for engineering strains <0.6, with face-to-face contact also contributing for strains >0.7. Predictions of lateral expansion and residual strains after impact were reasonable. There were no significant changes in the predicted behavior at a compressive strain rate of 500 s^?1.     

Aerosol optical absorption by dust and black carbon in Taklimakan Desert,during no-dust and dust-storm conditions

Aerosol absorption coefficient σ_ap involves the additive contribution of both black carbon aerosol (BC) and dust aerosol. The linear statistical regression analysis approach introduced by Fialho et al. (2005) is used to estimate the absorption exponents of BC and dust aerosol absorption coefficients, and further to separate the contributions of these two types of aerosols from the total light absorption coefficient measured in the hinterland of Taklimakan Desert in the spring of 2006. Absorption coefficients are measured by means of a 7-wavelength Aethalometer from 1 March to 31 May and from 1 November to 28 December, 2006. The absorption exponent of BC absorption coefficient α is estimated as (?0.95 ± 0.002) under background weather (supposing the observed absorption coefficient is due only to BC); the estimated absorption exponent of dust aerosol absorption coefficient β during the 6 dust storm periods (strong dust storm) is (?2.55 ± 0.009). Decoupling analysis of the measured light absorption coefficients demonstrates that, on average, the light absorptions caused by dust aerosol and BC make up about 50.5% and 49.5% respectively of the total light absorption at 520 nm; during dust weather process periods (dust storm, floating dust, blowing dust), the contribution of dust aerosol to absorption extinction is 60.6% on average; in the hinterland of desert in spring, dust aerosol is also the major contributor to the total aerosol light absorption, more than that of black carbon aerosol.     

Measurements of emission spectra from hot,dense germanium plasma in short pulse laser experiments

Heating of thin foil targets by an high power laser at intensities of 10¹⁷–10¹⁹ W/cm² has been studied as a method for producing high temperature, high density samples to investigate X-ray opacity and equation of state. The targets were plastic (parylene-N) foils with a microdot made of a mixture of germanium and titanium buried at depth of 1.5 μm. The L-shell spectra from the germanium and the K-shell spectra from the titanium were taken using crystal spectrometers recording onto film and an ultra fast X-ray streak camera coupled to a conical focussing crystal with a time resolution of 1 ps. The conditions in the microdot were inferred by comparing the measured spectra to synthetic spectra produced by the time-dependent collisional–radiative (CR) models FLY and FLYCHK. The data were also compared to simulated spectra from a number of opacity codes assuming local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE). Temperature and density gradients were taken into account in the comparisons. The sample conditions were inferred from the CR modelling using FLYCHK to be 800 ± 100 eV and 1.5 ± 0.5 g/cc. The best fit to the LTE models was at a temperature 20% lower than with the CR model. Though the sample departs from LTE significantly useful spectral comparisons can still be made. The results and comparisons are discussed along with improvements to the experimental technique to achieve conditions closer to LTE.     

Wavelet decomposition method decoupled boiling/evaporation oscillation mechanisms over two to three timescales: A study for a microchannel with pin fin structure

Boiling/evaporation heat transfer in a microchannel with pin fin structure was performed with water as the working fluid. Simultaneous measurements of various parameters were performed. The chip wall temperatures were measured by a high spatial-time resolution IR image system, having a sensitivity of 0.02 °C. The flow pattern variations synchronously changed wall temperatures due to ultra-small Bi number. The wavelet decomposition method successfully identified the noise signal and decoupled various temperature oscillations with different amplitudes and frequencies. Three types of temperature oscillations were identified according to heat flux q and mass flux G. The first type of oscillation occurred at q/G < 0.62 kJ/kg. The approximation coefficient of wavelet decomposition decided the dominant cycle period which was ∼3 times of the fluid residence time in the microchannel, behaving the density wave oscillation characteristic. The detail coefficients of wavelet decomposition decided the dominant cycle period, which matched the flow pattern transition determined value well, representing the flow pattern transition induced oscillation. For the second type of oscillation, the wavelet decomposition decoupled the three oscillation mechanisms. The pressure drop oscillation caused the temperature oscillation amplitudes of 5–10 °C and cycle periods of 10–15 s. The density wave oscillation and flow pattern transition induced oscillation are embedded with both the pressure rise and decrease stages of the pressure drop oscillation. The third type of oscillation happened at q/G > 1.13 kJ/kg, having the density wave oscillation coupled with the varied liquid film evaporation induced oscillation. The liquid island, retention bubble induced nucleation sites and cone-shape two-phase developing region are unique features of microchannel boiling with pin fin structure. This study illustrated that pressure drop oscillation and density wave oscillation, usually happened in large size channels, also take place in microchannels. The flow pattern transition and varied liquid film evaporation induced oscillations are specific to microchannel boiling/evaporation flow.     

Evaluation of X-ray sources for quantitative two- and three-dimensional imaging of liquid mass distribution in atomizing sprays

Quantitative measurement of liquid mass distribution is demonstrated in an impinging-jet atomizing spray using a broadband, ∼80 keV X-ray tube source for 2-D radiography and 3-D computed tomography (CT). The accuracy, precision, and sensitivity of these data are evaluated using narrowband, ∼10 keV, synchrotron radiation from the Argonne National Laboratory Advanced Photon Source (APS) at the same flow conditions. It is found that the broadband X-ray tube source can be used for 2-D measurement of the equivalent path length (EPL) and 3-D CT imaging of liquid mass distribution with typical error of 5–10%. Data are compared for cases with and without the use of potassium iodide (KI), which at 15% concentration by mass increases the attenuation coefficient eightfold and enables 2-D and 3-D measurement of EPL with a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 5:1 down to 15 μm. At this concentration, the effects of energy-dependent attenuation (i.e., spectral beam hardening) are negligible for EPL up to 5 mm. Hence, the use of broadband X-ray tube sources is feasible for many practical engineering sprays with a dynamic range in EPL of ∼330:1. The advantages and limitations of using broadband and narrowband X-ray sources are discussed, and recommendations for improving performance are presented.     

Ductility of selected metals under electromagnetic ring test loading conditions

Experimental studies on ductility of selected metals differing mechanical properties under strain rates between 4 × 10³ and 2 × 10⁴ s^?1 are presented in this work. The electromagnetic expanding ring experiment was used as the primary tool for examining the ductility behaviour of metals. Through a use of the Phantom v12 digital high-speed camera and specialised TEMA Automotive software, rings expansion velocities were determined with satisfactory accuracy for all ring tests. In this paper, the experimental observations on cold-rolled copper Cu-ETP, aluminium alloy Al 7075, barrel steel and tungsten heavy alloy are reported. Ductility of studied materials was estimated by measuring changes in cross-sectional areas in the uniform strain portions of the recovered ring fragments. In a similar way the metals ductility was defined at the conventional tensile test condition. Moreover, results of analogue investigation for static and dynamic loading at the temperature of about ?40 °C were described. The experimental observations mainly revealed the different ductility behaviour of metals tested at applied dynamic loadings; Cu-ETP and barrel steel demonstrated an increase in ductility, whereas aluminium alloy Al 7075 and tungsten heavy alloy were characterised by lower ductility in comparison to static loading. These results appear to be partially in contrast with the observations reported recently by some other investigators.     

Mixed-solvent thermal synthesis and magnetic properties of flower-like microstructured nickel

Flower-like microstructured nickel was synthesized by a facile mixed-solvent thermal process. The structure, morphology, and magnetic properties of the reaction products were investigated, respectively, by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). The results showed that the products consisted of a face-centered cubic (fcc) structure with lattice constant of α = 3.524 Å. The average diameter of flower-like microstructured nickel was about 5 μm and the thickness of a single flake was about 100 nm. Magnetic measurement showed that these powders exhibited ferromagnetic characteristics.