Fading memory of deformation history in carbon black-filled thermoplastic elastomers

Observations are reported on a carbon black–reinforced thermoplastic elastomer in multistep uniaxial tensile cyclic tests with a mixed deformation program (oscillations between maximum elongation ratios k_max and various minimum stresses σ_min with k_max monotonically increasing with number of cycles n). Fading memory of deformation history is demonstrated: when specimens are subjected to two loading programs that differ along the first n −1 cycles of deformation and coincide afterwards, their stress–strain diagrams become identical starting from the nth cycle. A constitutive model is developed in cyclic viscoplasticity with finite deformations, and its adjustable parameters are found by fitting the observations. Ability of the stress–strain relations to describe the fading memory phenomenon and to predict the mechanical response of polymer composites in multi-step cyclic tests with large strains is confirmed by numerical simulation.     

Focusing surface acoustic waves assisted electrochemical detector in microfluidics

This article demonstrates a novel electrochemical detection device. The device is composed by two focusing interdigital transducers for exciting focused surface acoustic waves by applying an AC signal, a three-electrode system for electrochemical measurement, and a liquid pool for holding liquid on a LiNbO₃ wafer. The amperometry current of ferrocenecarboxylic acid and potassium phosphate buffer solution is used to characterize the detection sensitivity. Two experiments are carried out to optimize the device design. The result shows that the two focusing interdigital transducers with arc degree 30° and distance 5 mm can remarkably enhance the liquid mixing rate. Under this condition, the oxidation current is about 27 times larger than that without surface acoustic wave stirring.     

Transition from traveling to standing waves as a function of frequency in a reaction-diffusion system

The addition of polyethylene glycol to the Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction increases the frequency of oscillations, which in an extended system causes a transition from traveling to standing waves. A further increase in frequency causes another transition to bulk oscillations. The standing waves are composed of two domains, which oscillate out of phase with a small delay between them, the delay being smaller as the frequency of oscillations is increased.     

Combustion waves in a model with chain branching reaction

In this paper the steady planar travelling waves in the adiabatic model with two-step chain branching reaction mechanism are investigated numerically. The properties of these solutions are demonstrated to have similarities with the properties of non-adiabatic combustion waves that is, there is a residual amount of fuel left behind the travelling waves and the solutions can exhibit extinction. It is also shown that the model possesses a new type multiple travelling wave solutions (which we call wave trains) with complex structure of the profiles and varying speeds     

Direct time-resolved and spatially resolved monitoring of molecular transport in a crystalline nanochannel system

Confocal Raman microspectrometry has been applied successfully as an in situ probe of the transport of guest molecules through the one-dimensional channel system in a crystalline inclusion compound, yielding insights into the spatial distribution of guest molecules and, in particular, the variation in the spatial distribution of the guest molecules as a function of time during the transport process.     

The effect of Lewis number variation on combustion waves in a model with chain-branching reaction

In this paper we investigate the linear stability and properties of the travelling premixed combustion waves in a model with two-step chain-branching reaction mechanism in the adiabatic limit in one spatial dimension. It is shown that the Lewis number for fuel has a significant effect on the properties and stability of premixed flames, whereas the Lewis number for the radicals has only quantitative (but not qualitative) effect on the combustion waves. We demonstrate that when the Lewis number for fuel is less than unity the flame speed is unique and is a monotonically decreasing function of the dimensionless activation energy. The combustion wave is stable and exhibits extinction for finite values of activation energy as the flame speed decreases to zero. For fuel Lewis number greater than unity the flame speed is a double-valued function. The slow solution branch is shown to be unstable whereas the fast solution branch is either stable or exhibits the onset of pulsating instabilities via the Hopf bifurcation. The evolution of these instabilities leads to flame extinction.     

Optimization of the shape memory effect in shape memory polymers

In this article, we show that given a thermoresponsive shape memory polymer, it is possible to alter a number of its properties, such as the recovery temperature, shape fixity ratio, maximum recovery stress, and final recovery stress (and even a right combination of some of them, e.g., the maximum recovery stress and final recovery stress), simply by means of selecting the programming temperature to achieve optimized performance. Some concerns for the implementation in real engineering practice are also discussed. Although the focus is on the case of a fixed maximum strain in programming, alternative programming approaches can be investigated in a similar way for optimized performance as well. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Numerical studies of vertically propagating acoustic and magnetoacoustic waves in an isothermal atmosphere (III)

In this paper we investigate, numerically, the generation and propagation of acoustic and magnetoacoustic waves and their roles in the heating process of the chromosphere. The combined effects of viscosity, thermal conduction and a uniform horizontal magnetic field on an upward and a downward propagating wave in an isothermal atmosphere are considered. It is shown that when the heating mechanisms are dominated by the effects of thermal conduction.

The chromosphere atmosphere can be divided into three distinct regions, low, middle and high. The middle region acts like a semitransparent transition layer and it is produced by thermal conduction and connects middle and high chromosphere. In the transition region part of the energy transmitted upward, part is dissipated and the other part is reflected downward. Moreover, viscosity creates an absorbing and reflecting layer and the magnetic field forms a totally reflecting barrier because of its dissipationless nature. When the combined effects of the viscosity and magnetic field dominated the oscillatory process, thermal conduction can be eliminated because the solution decays exponentially with altitude before the effects of thermal conduction take place.

The formulation of the model leads to a system of differential equations of the velocity and temperature and it will be used for the numerical solutions, and for the analytical solutions we have a fourth order differential equation. The differential equations in both cases are linear but with exponential coefficients. Approximate and exact solutions of the mathematical model are studied, in low, middle, and high chromospheres, both numerically and analytically. The analysis of both studies is in complete agreement with previously observed and reported results and conclusions about the heating process of the chromosphere. The results of the numerical solutions are discussed in connection with the heating mechanisms of the three regions of the chromosphere. Finally, the case where the values of thermal conduction, viscosity and magnetic field are arbitrary is considered.     

Temperature waves in chemical reaction-diffusion-heat conduction systems with two ends respectively subject to Dirichlet and no-flux conditions

Taking the Lindemann model as a sample system in which there exist chemical reactions,diffusion and heat conduction,we found the theoretical framework of linear stability analysis for a unidimensional nonhomogeneous two-variable system with one end subject to Dirichlet conditions,while the other end no-flux conditions.Furthermore,the conditions for the emergence of temperature waves are found out by the linear stabilily analysis and verified by a diagram for successive steps of evolution of spatial profile of temperature during a period that is plotted by numerical simulations on a computer.Without doubt,these results are in favor of the heat balance in chemical reactor designs.     

Accumulation and filtering of nanoparticles in microchannels using electrohydrodynamically induced vortical flows

We present an approach for the accumulation and filtering of nano- and microparticles in microfluidic devices that is based on the generation of electric traveling waves in the radio-frequency range. Upon application of the electric field via a microelectrode array, complex particle trajectories and particle accumulation are observed in well-defined regions in a microchannel. Through the quantitative mapping of the 3-D flow pattern using two-focus fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy, two vortices could be identified as one of the sources of the force field that induces the formation of particle clouds. Dielectrophoretic forces that directly act on the particles are the second source of the force field. A thorough 2-D finite element analysis identifies the electric traveling wave mechanism as the cause for the unexpected flow behavior observed. Based on these findings, strategies are discussed, first, for avoiding the vortices to optimize electrohydrodynamic micropumps and, secondly, for utilizing the vortices in the development of microdevices for efficient particle accumulation, separation, and filtering. Such devices may find numerous biomedical applications when highly diluted nano- and microsuspensions have to be processed.     

DSC calibration in the study of shape memory alloys

The unusual mechanical properties (i.e. shape memory effect and superelasticity) of shape memory alloys (SMA) rely on the thermoelastic martensitic transformation (TMT) which is a first-order solid-solid, non-diffusive phase transition, athermal in character. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is often used as a convenient method of investigating the thermal properties ofSMAs. The common practice of standard temperature calibration, required for a correct instrument performance, is here critically discussed in relation to the study of both the direct exothermic transformation on cooling, and the reverse endothermic transformation on heating in a NiTiSMA. The DSC results show that, with the standard temperature calibration, the instrument is calibrated on heating but un-calibrated on cooling. A general method is advanced to overcome this problem, intrinsically related to the dynamic character of DSC.     

Phase transition behavior of a poly(oxyethylene-b-butylene adipate) ionomer with shape memory properties

A series of biodegradable poly(oxyethylene-b-butylene adipate) ionomers (POBAi) were prepared by two-step in situ polymerization using adipic acid, 1,4-butanediol and mixed monomers of bis(poly(oxyethylene)) sulfonated dimethyl fumarate. The chemical composition of these POBAi was ascertained by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The objective of this study was to investigate the shape memory effect of POBAi containing ionomer compared to non ionic POBA. It was observed that POBA5.0i showed a good shape memory effect than that of POBA 2.5 mol% or none of ionic group due to much physical cross-linking point by rich ionic group. Stress-induced phase transition was investigated during the shape deformation and recovery process using a wide-angle X-ray diffractometer (WAXD). The POBA crystal phase transition from β- to α-form was observed in all POBA samples by either thermal treatment or physical drawing. The α-form crystal did not recover to the initial β-form during the recovery process because the monoclinic α-form crystal is structurally more stable than the orthorhombic β-form crystal.     

Water vapor permeability of shape memory polyurethane with amorphous reversible phase

Shape memory thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs), based on amorphous soft segment from the reaction of hexamethylene diisocyanate and 1,2‐butane diol, and the crystalline hard segment from 4,4′‐methylenediphenyl diisocyanate and 1,6‐hexanediol, were modified by hydrophilic segments, diol‐terminated poly(ethylene oxide) or dimethylol propionic acid (DMPA). Differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical testing, tensile testing, and the measurement of shape memory effect, water swell, and water vapor permeability were carried out to examine these TPUs. The hydrophilic segment increased the hysterisis in shape memory effect by reducing the crystallinity of the hard segment. The neutralized DMPA unit enhanced the sensitivity of the thermoresponsive water vapor permeability (WVP) by amplifying the increase of WVP at the temperature range above the glass transition temperature. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 38: 3009–3017, 2000     

Modeling the effect of ion-induced shock waves and DNA breakage with the reactive CHARMM force field

Ion-induced DNA damage is an important effect underlying ion beam cancer therapy. This article introduces the methodology of modeling DNA damage induced by a shock wave caused by a projectile ion. Specifically it is demonstrated how single- and double strand breaks in a DNA molecule could be described by the reactive CHARMM (rCHARMM) force field implemented in the program MBN Explorer. The entire workflow of performing the shock wave simulations, including obtaining the crucial simulation parameters, is described in seven steps. Two exemplary analyses are provided for a case study simulation serving to: (a) quantify the shock wave propagation and (b) describe the dynamics of formation of DNA breaks. The article concludes by discussing the computational cost of the simulations and revealing the possible maximal computational time for different simulation set-ups.     

Influence of chain length of prepolymers in permanent memory effect of PDLC assessed by solid-state NMR

ABSTRACT

The relationship between linear chain (ethylene oxide units) length of polymerisable monomers with morphology, electro-optical properties and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy of the corresponding polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) films was investigated. The preferred liquid crystal molecule alignment and permanent memory effect of PDLC were greatly influenced by the length of the molecular chain of prepolymers to be incorporated as a polymer matrix. By increasing the number of ethylene oxide in prepolymer chain and maintaining the number of functionalities (polymerisable groups in each monomer molecule), the permanent memory effect of PDLC increased, as proved by solid-state ¹³C NMR spectroscopy.     

Elimination of Anti-spiral Waves by Local Inhomogeneity in Oscillatory Systems

Anti-spiral waves are controlled in an oscillatory system by using a local inhomogeneity. The inhomogeneity acts as a wave source, and gives rise to the propagating plane waves. It is found that there is a critical pacemaking domain size below which no wave will be created at all. Two types of ordered waves (target waves and traveling waves) are created depending on the geometry of the local inhomogeneity. The competition between the anti-spiral waves and the ordered waves is discussed. Two different competition mechanisms were observed, which are related to the ordered waves obtained from different local inhomogeneities. It is found that traveling waves with either lower frequency or higher frequency can both eliminate the anti-spiral waves, while only the target waves with lower absolute value of frequency can eliminate the anti-spiral waves.This method also applies to outwardly rotating spiral waves. The control mechanism is intuitively explained and the control method is easily operative.     

Simulation of Viscoelastic Fluid Flows in Expansion Geometry Using Finite Volume Approach简

The simulation results on viscoelastic fluid flows in sudden expansion geometry with different expansion ratios are presented. Oldroyd-B, linear Phan-Thien-Tanner （L-PTT） and Finitely Extensible Nonlinear Elastic （FENE-P） based constitutive equations were applied in two-dimensional Cartesian coordinates. The governing equations in transient and fully developed regions were solved using open source software called OpenFOAM. The flow patterns, including velocity profiles, shear stresses and first normal stress differences in some horizontal and vertical sections are illustrated. In addition, effects of the fluid type, flow dynamics and expansion ratio on the flow and vortex patterns in transient and fully developed regions are presented and discussed. The presented results show that existences of vortices cause the inverse velocity and negative stresses in expansion regions of the channel which increase with increment of expansion ratio and Weissenberg number （We）. Furthermore, some dead spaces can be observed at channel expansion regions close to the wall which are also increased. The results also show that at low We numbers all fluids show close behavior while at high We numbers the FENE-P fluid behavior shows high divergence from that of the two other fluids.     

Study of an interesting physical mechanism of memory effect in nematic liquid crystal dispersed with quantum dots

The present study is based on effect of dispersing Cd₁?_xZn_xS/ZnS core/shell quantum dots (QDs) on the memory behaviour of nematic liquid crystal 2020 with the variation of dopant concentration and applied voltage. Around 26% and 45% memory storage in QDs dispersed nematic matrix (MIX 1 and MIX 2) has been the core finding. The presence of ionic charges at low-frequency regime along with their reduction in QDs dispersed nematic matrix has been confirmed from tan δ curve. Pure nematic LC as well as nematic/QD mixtures depict volatile memory effect that depends upon concentration of QDs. The existence of memory due to storage of charge on QDs has been further confirmed from the dielectric, polarising optical micrographs and electro optical study under the influence of bias voltage. The observation of memory effect is attributed to the ion capturing and ion releasing phenomenon. The dispersion of QDs in nematic material plays an important role to enhance memory parameter by capturing and releasing the ionic charges under the application of bias voltage which has been confirmed from capacitance-voltage curve.     

Synthesis and memory characteristics of highly organo‐soluble hyperbranched polyimides with various electron acceptors

A series of hyperbranched polyimides (HBPIs) were synthesized by reacting a triamine monomer N ,N ′,N ″‐tris(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐N ,N ′,N ″‐tris(4‐phenylamino)?1,3,5‐benzenetriamine with various dianhydrides such as oxydiphthalic dianhydride (ODPA), 3,3′,4,4′‐diphenylsulfonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (DSDA), 3,3′,4,4′‐benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA), and pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA). The hyperbranched polyimide (6FHBPI) using 4,4′‐(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphthalic anhydride (6FDA) as dianhydride monomer was also added into the discussion. All the hyperbranched polyimides exhibited excellent organo‐solubility and high thermal stability. Memory devices with a sandwiched structure of indium tin oxide (ITO)/HBPI/Al were constructed by using these HBPIs as the active layers. All these HBPIs based memory devices exhibited favorable memory performances, with switching voltages between ?1.3 V and ?2.5 V, ON/OFF current ratios up to 10⁷ and retention times long to 10⁴ s. Tunable memory characteristics from electrical insulator to volatile memory, and then to nonvolatile memory were obtained by adjusting the electron acceptors of these HBPIs. Molecular simulation results suggested that the electron affinity and the dipole moment of these HBPIs were responsible for the conversion of the memory characteristics. With the electron affinity and dipole moment of these HBPIs increasing, the memory characteristics turned from volatile to nonvolatile. The present study suggested that tunable memory performance could be achieved through adjusting the acceptor moieties of the hyperbranched polyimides. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55 , 2281–2288     

Random styrenic copolymers with pendant pyrene moieties: Synthesis and applications in organic field‐effect transistor memory

Three random copolymers comprised pendant styrene and 4‐(1‐pyrenyl)‐styrene (PyS) moieties in different molar ratios (21.4:1 ( P1 ), 3.9:1 ( P2 ), and 1.4:1 ( P3 )) were synthesized and employed as charge storage polymeric electret for nonvolatile organic field‐effect transistor (OFET) memory application. The impact of varying the molar ratio in side‐chain electron‐donating pyrene moieties on the thermal, optical, photophysical, electrochemical, and electrical properties of the resulting pendant copolymers was evaluated to establish structure–property relationship. The OFET memory with P3 electret layer exhibits a largest memory window of 41.8 V, long retention time of 10⁴ s with memory ratio of 10⁵, and stable reversibility of at least 100 cycles due to enhanced field‐induced holes trapping ability from higher PyS composition ratio. Therefore, polymer electret with pendant functional moieties shows potential for use as trapping layer in OFET memory devices. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 910–917