Progress in the Investigations of Grain Boundary Relaxation

Internal friction (or damping) is a measure of energy dissipation during mechanical vibration. The internal friction peak induced by grain boundary (GB) relaxation was discovered by Kê in polycrystals in 1947. The GB internal friction and related anelastic effects have been successfully interpreted by Zener's anelastic theory and viscous sliding model. Since then, the GB internal friction peak has been widely used to study the dynamic process of GBs, impurity segregation at GBs and relevant processes in materials science.

Previously, the GB internal friction was mostly studied with polycrystalline materials, in which mixed contributions of different types of GBs are involved. Since the microstructures and behaviors for different types of GBs are different, the detailed mechanism of the GB peak in polycryatals has not been clearly clarified.

From the beginning of the 21th century, the internal friction in bicrystals (each has a single boundary) with different misorientations and rotation axes has been systematically investigated. The results indicate that the internal friction can be used to distinguish the individual behavior of different types of GBs and applied to the practice of “GB engineering.”

Moreover, the coupling effect and compensation effect involved in GB relaxation has been recently observed and explained. The coupling effect means a correlated atomic motion occurred in GB relaxation. The compensation effect indicates that the apparent activation enthalpy is linearly related to the activation entropy in GB relaxation. These findings improve the understanding of the mechanism of GB internal friction.

This article attempts to give a comprehensive review to the investigations of GB internal friction in polycrystals, bamboo-crystals, and bicrystals. The microscopic mechanisms and the further applications of GB internal friction are discussed and prospected.     

Surface Texture Manufacturing Techniques and Tribological Effect of Surface Texturing on Cutting Tool Performance: A Review

The tribological characteristics of sliding surfaces have been remarkably improved by surface texturing. Surface texturing can be beneficial in many ways; for example, it can reduce friction and wear, increase load carrying capacity, and increase fluid film stiffness. The design process for surface texturing is highly correlated to the particular functions of any application for which texturing is required. Texture quality is greatly affected by manufacturing methods, therefore, it is important to have a detailed understanding of the related parameters of any technique.

The use of surface texturing to improve the cutting performance of tools is a relatively new application. These textures improve cutting performance by enhancing lubricant availability at the contact point, reducing the tool-chip contact area, and trapping wear debris. Reductions in crater and flank wear, friction force, cutting forces, and cutting temperature are the main benefits obtained by this technique. To date, surface texturing has been successfully used in drilling, milling, and turning operations.

This article provides an overview of the techniques that have been used in industry and research platforms to manufacture micro-/nano-textures for tribological applications, and it examines the effects of surface textures on cutting tool performance.     

Orbital stability of the smooth solitary wave with nonzero asymptotic value for the mCH equation

This paper is concerned with orbital stability of the smooth solitary wave with nonzero asymptotic value for the mCH equation

Under the parametric conditions a > 0 and , an interesting phenomenon is discovered, that is, for the stability there exist three bifurcation wave speeds

such that the following conclusions hold.

1. When wave speed belongs to the interval (c₁, c₂) for , the smooth solitary wave is orbitally stable.

2. When wave speed belongs to the interval (c₂, c₃) for , the smooth solitary wave is orbitally unstable.

3. When wave speed belongs to the interval (c₁, c₃) for , the smooth solitary wave is orbitally unstable.

     

Effect of time dependent morphological parameters of nanoclusters on perikinetic heat conduction and induced micro-convection mechanisms of oxide based nanofluids

The article represents an experimentally supported quantitative analysis to observe the effect of time, temperature, nanoclusters’ morphology, and instantaneous volume fractions on perikinetic heat conduction and Brownian motion-based induced convection mechanisms of oxide (Al₂O₃ and TiO₂, size 25–30 nm) based nanofluids. The appropriate models of thermal conductivity have been introduced to study the effect of various parameters such as; varying volume fractions, suspensions’ stabilities, nanoclusters’ growth, temperature, and the liquid layering. The developed model could predict the thermal conductivity enhancements of nanofluids within the accuracy of ± 0.5% to ± 4.5.0% in the temperature range from 20°C to 50°C.

Abbreviations: DI: De-ionized water; DLS: Dynamic light scattering; XRD: X-rays diffraction; TEM: Transmission electronic microscope; SDBS:Sodium dodecyl benzene sulphonate.

Figure Effect of temperature on the Brownian Reynold number for Al₂O₃-H₂O and TiO₂-H₂O nanofluids.     

Free-field realizations of the W,N-algebra

In this paper, we will construct free-field realizations of the W_,N algebra associated to an -valued differential operator

where is a Frobenius algebra with the uint I_n.     

The Amplified Resonance Light Scattering Signal Detection of DNA Hybridization Using Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons as a Probe

A simple and rapid method has been developed to detect the nucleic acid–based polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as a probe by the amplified resonance light scattering signals of DNA hybridization. Five polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons including naphthalene, pyrene, fluoranthene, anthracene, and phenanthrene, particularly naphthalene, with double-stranded DNA and single-stranded DNA in aqueous solution were investigated. Through amplified resonance light scattering signals, the complementary and mismatched sequences of DNA can be both detected and identified easily. Mechanism investigations by multiple spectra have shown that groove binding occurs between PAHs and double-stranded DNA.

Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Spectroscopy Letters to view the supplemental file.     

Heat transfer from a hot moving steel plate by using Cu-Al layered double hydroxide nanofluid based air atomized spray

The current research is focused on the cooling of a hot moving steel plate by using air atomized spray cooling technique. A new type of coolant, Cu-Al LDH nanofluid, has been prepared and used for heat flux removal. Preparation method of nanofluid and its characteristics has been reported. The cooling effectiveness is reported in terms of cooling rate by varying the concentration of nanofluid in five levels. The results indicate that the cooling rate increases at very low concentration of LDH with respect to base fluid. However, beyond a certain concentration a decreasing trend of cooling rate has been observed.

Abbreviations: CHF: Critical heat flux; HTC: Heat transfer coefficients; LDH:Layered double hydroxide; TEM: Transmission electron microscopy.     

Detailed heat transfer and friction factor characteristics in a rectangular duct with alternate solid and converging-slit ribs

Liquid crystal thermography and pressure drop measurements have been carried out to study the heat transfer and frictional characteristics in a rectangular duct with solid ribs (C1), converging slit-ribs (C2), and alternate solid-slit ribs (C3) mounted transversely on the bottom wall, where C2 carries a continuous converging-slit in the flow direction. Effect of rib configurations, and rib pitch to height ratios (6, 8, 10, and 12) has been investigated at Re of 9400, 26160, 42500, and 58850. Results show that converging-slit considerably enhances the heat transfer rate in the downstream vicinity, and help in obviating the local hot spot formation.

Abbreviations: LCT: Liquid crystal thermography; HTC: Heat transfer coefficient; LHI: Laser holographic interferometry; NST: Naphthalene sublimation technique; IR: Infrared; TPF: Thermo-hydraulic performance; PIV: Particle image velocimetry.     

A dislocation-based stress-strain gradient plasticity model for strength and ductility in materials with gradient microstructures

Although metallic materials with gradient microstructure exhibit notable performance in harsh environmental conditions, they can also exhibit unusual mechanical behaviour. This is attributed to both grain size and the gradient of grain size distribution in the structure. Metallic materials with a homogenous distribution of grain size follow the traditional Hall-Petch relationship, in which strength increases with decreasing grain size at the expense of ductility. However, studies show that materials with a gradient of grain size microstructure do not follow the Hall-Petch relationship, and thus have improved strength and ductility. This suggests that with creative design and engineering of microstructure, the strength-ductility trade-off can be reduced or prevented.

In this study, we developed and implemented a dislocation density based model to investigate the mechanical behaviour of nano-microstructure. We designed a multi-scale modelling framework, coupling VPSC (Viscoplastic Self Consistent model) with CDD (Continuum Dislocation Dynamics), applying crystal plasticity equations to simulate dislocation interaction in polycrystalline metallic materials. We also developed design parameters and a model to predict the strength and ductility of materials with gradient microstructure.     

SiC Nanostructures Toward Biomedical Applications and Its Future Challenges

The present work reviews current research activities for possible applications of silicon carbide (SiC) nanostructures. The main attention is devoted to emerging biomedical applications which can bring a boon for a healthy society. Highlights toward the widespread of SiC nanostructures in new fields of applications are reviewed and explained. This article surveys some of the recent work using SiC nanostructures in biomedical field, sensing, and energy harvesting including a review on nanostructure biocompatibility research to date.

The review article begins with an overview of the state of art of silicon carbide along with their behavior, properties, and applications of SiC in bulk, thin films, and nanoscale forms, respectively. The multidisciplinary applications of SiC nanostructures are also highlighted. Different applications elaborated are as follows: (1) biomedical/nanomedical applications, (2) nanoelectronics, (3) sensing applications, (4) energy harvesting, and (5) other emerging areas. The possibility for employing SiC nanostructures to be accomplished in upgrading the existing devices is suggested based on their properties. This article is concluded with some challenges for future applications.     

Identifying local and regional groundwater in basins: chemical and stable isotopic attributes of multivariate classification of hydrochemical data,the Lower Virgin River Basin,Nevada, Arizona and Utah,U.S.A

In the Basin and Range Province of the Southwestern U.S.A., deep carbonate groundwater has been suggested as a significant source to many overlying basin-fill alluvial aquifer systems. Notwithstanding, testing this hypothesis is limited by obtaining data from such considerable depths and complex geology.

This study uses δ²H and δ¹⁸O data from springs, rivers, and wells tapping shallow basin-fill groundwater to test the hydrochemical interpretation of deep regional carbonate groundwater flow into the basin-fill aquifers. Stable isotopic and major ion attributes of hydrochemical facies suggest basin-fill alluvial groundwater of the Lower Virgin River Basin is a mixture of precipitation recharge within the Lower Virgin River Basin or the Clover and Escalante Desert Basin northwards, and the deep carbonate flow. The data support the conclusions that in the Lower Virgin River Basin, deep carbonate groundwater is an important source to the alluvial aquifer system and likely accounts for approximately 50% of the alluvial aquifer groundwater. Na⁺, K⁺, and SO₄^2– increase in the basin-fill alluvial groundwaters outside the Virgin River floodplain appears to be related with upwelling of deep regional groundwater, and indicating that the chemical character of the basin-fill alluvial groundwaters are related to the deeper flow systems.     

Estimating the spatial distribution of artificial groundwater recharge using multiple tracers

Stable isotopes of water, organic micropollutants and hydrochemistry data are powerful tools for identifying different water types in areas where knowledge of the spatial distribution of different groundwater is critical for water resource management. An important question is how the assessments change if only one or a subset of these tracers is used. In this study, we estimate spatial artificial infiltration along an infiltration system with stage–discharge relationships and classify different water types based on the mentioned hydrochemistry data for a drinking water production area in Switzerland. Managed aquifer recharge via surface water that feeds into the aquifer creates a hydraulic barrier between contaminated groundwater and drinking water wells. We systematically compare the information from the aforementioned tracers and illustrate differences in distribution and mixing ratios. Despite uncertainties in the mixing ratios, we found that the overall spatial distribution of artificial infiltration is very similar for all the tracers. The highest infiltration occurred in the eastern part of the infiltration system, whereas infiltration in the western part was the lowest. More balanced infiltration within the infiltration system could cause the elevated groundwater mound to be distributed more evenly, preventing the natural inflow of contaminated groundwater.

Dedicated to Professor Peter Fritz on the occasion of his 80th birthday     

Comparison of δ81Br and δ37Cl composition of volatiles,salt precipitates,and associated water in terrestrial evaporative saline lake systems

This study provides the first characterization of the variability of bromine and chlorine stable isotopic composition in evaporites, associated residual brines, and shoreline gases in terrestrial evaporative saline lakes. The lakes investigated here are groundwater discharge locations, and include both potash-rich alkaline lakes and sodic-dominated neutral pH lakes at a variety of salinities and evaporative stages. The chlorine and bromine isotope systems behave consistently different during evaporative salt precipitation, with ³⁷Cl more enriched in the salt than in the fluid, but ⁸¹Br more enriched in the fluid compared with the precipitated salt. The ⁸¹Br concentration of shore off-gassing was even smaller than mineral precipitate compositions. The trends observed for bromine isotopes are surprising compared with published laboratory studies, indicating that a process besides inorganic mineral precipitation is affecting δ⁸¹Br. Additional processes explored include diffusion, salt deflation, microbial and photolytic conversion to the gas phase, and oxidative bromination of organic matter.

Dedicated to Professor Peter Fritz on the occasion of his 80th birthday     

Recent Progress on the Dispersion and the Strengthening Effect of Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene-Reinforced Metal Nanocomposites: A Review

This article reviews the available literature published to date on the reinforcement of metals with carbon-nanofillers (CNTs and graphene), and also offers a specific focus on issues related to the mechanical and tribological properties of nanocomposites. Carbon-nanofillers (later denoted by C-nanofillers) are known to have extraordinary mechanical properties and multifaceted characteristics and are ideal candidates for the reinforcement of metals for numerous applications. However, their incorporation for practical applications has been challenging researchers for decades. The most important issue is uniform dispersion due to sizeable surface differences between carbon-nanofillers and metals. Other concerns are structural integrity, wetting with metals, and interfacial connections. Nanocomposite applications can only be effective when these challenges are properly addressed and overcome.

Section 1 assesses the importance of C-nanofillers and expressly highlights current research efforts to optimize dispersion in different metals along with processing techniques in section 2. The authors give special attention on C-nanofillers reinforcement contribution to enhanced mechanical strength of metals presented in section 3. C-nanofillers dispersion evaluation tools are highlighted in section 4. Authors also focuses on C-nanofillers role and factors directly associated with metal nanocomposite strength, as reported in the literature. Particular consideration is also given to knowledge sharing of attendant strengthening mechanisms along with contribution reported for empirically derived models used to predict strength. Section 6 solely dedicated to the tribological aspects of C-nanofillers reinforced metallic nanocomposites. Lastly, future recommendations and works need attention is summarized.     

Dynamic nuclear polarisation via the integrated solid effect I: theory

In the hyperpolarisation method known as dynamic nuclear polarisation (DNP), a small amount of unpaired electron spins is added to the sample containing the nuclear spins and the polarisation of these unpaired electron spins is transferred to the nuclear spins by means of a microwave field. Traditional DNP uses weak continuous wave (CW) microwave fields, so perturbation methods can be used to calculate the polarisation transfer. A much faster transfer of the electron spin polarisation is obtained with the integrated solid effect (ISE) which uses strong pulsed microwave fields. As in nuclear orientation via electron spin locking, the polarisation transfer is coherent, similar to the coherence transfer between nuclear spins. This paper presents a theoretical approach to calculate this polarisation transfer.

ISE is successfully used for a fast polarisation transfer from short-lived photo-excited triplet states to the surrounding nuclear spins in molecular crystals. These triplet states are strongly aligned in the photo-excitation process and do not require the low temperatures and strong magnetic fields needed to polarise the electron spins in traditional DNP. In the following paper, the theory is applied to the system naphthalene-h₈ doped with pentacene-d₁₄ which provides the photo-excited triplet states, and compared with experimental results.     

Fundamentals of Multiferroic Materials and Their Possible Applications

Materials science is recognized as one of the main factors driving development and economic growth. Since the silicon industrial revolution of the 1950s, research and developments in materials and solid state science have radically impacted and transformed our society by enabling the emergence of the computer technologies, wireless communications, Internet, digital data storage, and widespread consumer electronics. Today's emergent topics in solid state physics, such as nano-materials, graphene and carbon nano-tubes, smart and advanced functional materials, spintronic materials, bio-materials, and multiferroic materials, promise to deliver a new wave of technological advances and economic impact, comparable to the silicon industrial revolution of the 1950s.

The surge of interest in multiferroic materials over the past 15 years has been driven by their fascinating physical properties and huge potential for technological applications. This article addresses some of the fundamental aspects of solid-state multiferroic materials, followed by the detailed presentation of the latest and most interesting proposed applications of these multifunctional solid-state compounds. The applications presented here are critically discussed in the context of the state-of-the-art and current scientific challenges. They are highly interdisciplinary covering a wide range of topics and technologies including sensors, microwave devices, energy harvesting, photo-voltaic technologies, solid-state refrigeration, data storage recording technologies, and random access multi-state memories. According to their potential and expected impact, it is estimated that multiferroic technologies could soon reach multibillion US dollar market value.