Can extensional viscosity be measured with opposed-nozzle devices?

Opposed-nozzle devices are widely used to try to measure the extensional viscosity of low-viscosity liquids. A thorough literature survey shows that there are still several unanswered questions on the relationship between the quantity measured in opposed-nozzle devices and the true extensional viscosity of the liquids. In addition to extensional stresses, opposed nozzle measurements are influenced by dynamic pressure, shear on the nozzles, and liquid inertia. Therefore the ratio of the apparent extensional viscosity that is measured to the shear viscosity that is independently measured is greater than three even for Newtonian liquids. The effect of inertia on the extensional measurements is analyzed by computer-aided solution of the Navier-Stokes system, and by experiments on low-viscosity Newtonian liquids(1 mPa sS 800 mPa s). The effect of nozzle separation-to-diameter ratio on the average residence time of the liquid is analyzed under the assumption of simple extensional flow kinematics. The average residence time of the liquid is independent of this ratio unless the radial inflow section of the extensional flow volume is related to the nozzle separation. Experiments indicate that in some cases widening the gap lowers the apparent extensional viscosity that is measured, whereas in other cases the opposite is true. In the light of these theoretical considerations and experimental observations, the use of systematic corrections to extensional viscosity measurements on non-Newtonian liquids is not recommended. Thus opposed nozzle devices should be considered as useful indexers rather than rheometers. Finally, measurements on a series of semi-dilute solutions of high molecular weight poly(ethylene oxide) in. water are also reported.Dedicated to the memory of Anastasios C. Papanastasiou     

Can a monkey with a computer create art?

A computer can be programmed to search through the solution of millions of equations to find a few hundred whose graphical display is aesthetically pleasing to humans. This paper describes some methods for performing such an exhaustive search, criteria for automatically judging aesthetic appeal, and examples of the results.     

Global dynamics and integrity of a two-dof model of?a?parametrically excited cylindrical shell

In this paper the global dynamics and topological integrity of the basins of attraction of a parametrically excited cylindrical shell are investigated through a two-degree-of-freedom reduced order model. This model, as shown in previous authors?? works, is capable of describing qualitatively the complex nonlinear static and dynamic buckling behavior of the shell. The discretized model is obtained by employing Donnell shallow shell theory and the Galerkin method. The shell is subjected to an axial static pre-loading and then to a harmonic axial load. When the static load is between the buckling load and the minimum post-critical load, a three potential well is obtained. Under these circumstances the shell may exhibit pre- and post-buckling solutions confined to each of the potential wells as well as large cross-well motions. The aim of the paper is to analyze in a systematic way the bifurcation sequences arising from each of the three stable static solutions, obtaining in this way the parametric instability and escape boundaries. The global dynamics of the system is analyzed through the evolution of the various basins of attraction in the four-dimensional phase space. The concepts of safe basin and integrity measures quantifying its magnitude are used to obtain the erosion profile of the various solutions. A detailed parametric analysis shows how the basins of the various solutions interfere with each other and how this influences the integrity measures. Special attention is dedicated to the topological integrity of the various solutions confined to the pre-buckling well. This allows one to evaluate the safety and dynamic integrity of the mechanical system. Two characteristic cases, one associated with a sub-critical parametric bifurcation and another with a super-critical parametric bifurcation, are considered in the analysis.     

Can one measure the temperature of a curve?

The entropy of a plane curve is defined in terms of the number of intersection points with a random line. The Gibbs distribution which maximizes the entropy enables one to define the temperature of the curve. At 0 temperature, the curve reduces to a straight segment. At high temperature, the curve is somewhat chaotic and behaves like a perfect gas. We attempt to show that thermodynamic formalism can be used for the study of plane curves. The curves we discuss have finite length, unlike Mandelbrot's fractal curves [1], yet we feel our approach to the mathematics is not far from his.     

Bifurcation boundary analysis as a nonlinear damage detection feature: does it work?

Many systems in engineering and science are inherently nonlinear and require damage detection. For such systems, nonlinear damage detection methods may be useful. A bifurcation boundary analysis method as a new nonlinear damage detection tool was previously introduced in the literature to track bifurcation boundary changes due to damages over a small region of an aeroelastic panel model. Results of this method based upon a finite difference solution showed higher sensitivities to the small amount of damage than methods based upon linear models. In this paper, four methods including Finite Difference, Finite Element (FEM), Rayleigh-Ritz and Galerkin Approach are used to further investigate the sensitivity of the bifurcation boundary for damage detection. Results of the FEM and Rayleigh-Ritz method agree with each other and also show that the sensitivity of the bifurcation boundary to damage is much less than what previously reported when using a finite difference solution method.     

Can Moderately Rarefied Gas Transport Through Round and Flat Tight Channels of Fractured Porous Media be Described Accurately?

We study the generation and flow of foam through rough-walled, fractured marble rocks that mimic natural fracture systems in carbonate reservoirs. Flow was isolated to the fracture network because of the very low rock permeability of the marble samples and foam generated in situ during co-injection of surfactant solution and gas. The foam apparent viscosities were calculated at steady pressure gradients for a range of gas fractions, and similar to foam flow in porous media, we identified two flow regimes for foam flow in fractures: a high-quality flow regime only dependent on liquid velocity and a low-quality flow regime determined by the gas and liquid velocities. Variations in local fluid saturation during co-injection were visualized and quantified using positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography.

     

Public engagement as a means of restoring public trust in science--hitting the notes, but missing the music?

This paper analyses the recent widespread moves to 'restore' public trust in science by developing an avowedly two-way, public dialogue with science initiatives. Noting how previously discredited and supposedly abandoned public deficit explanations of 'mistrust' have actually been continually reinvented, it argues that this is a symptom of a continuing failure of scientific and policy institutions to place their own science-policy institutional culture into the frame of dialogue, as possible contributory cause of the public mistrust problem.