Failure of heterogeneous materials: A dynamic phase transition?

While there exists a unified theoretical framework–Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics–to describe the failure of homogeneous materials, understanding and modeling the mechanical properties of heterogeneous media continue to raise significant fundamental challenges. Stress enhancement in the vicinity of cracks indeed makes classical homogenization methods irrelevant to predict the toughness and lifetime of heterogeneous materials. “Mean field” approaches have been proposed to estimate these quantities, but they remain limited to dilute damage.     

Chemical modification of silica-gel with diethylenetriamine via an end-group protection approach for adsorption to Hg(II)

Four kinds of silica-gel supported diethylenetriamine adsorbents with different structures, were prepared by so-called “heterogeneous-direct-amination” (hetero-DA), “homogeneous-direct-amination” (homo-DA), “heterogeneous end-group protection” (hetero-EGP), and “homogeneous end-group protection” (homo-EGP) methods, respectively. The obtained products were named SG-HE-dD, SG-HO-dD, SG-HE-pD and SG-HO-pD, respectively (where SG means silica-gel; HE means heterogeneous, HO means homogeneous, d means direct, p means protected and D means diethylenetriamine). Their structures were characterized by FT-IR, elemental analysis, porous structure analysis and thermogravimetric analysis. The adsorption capabilities of such adsorbents towards Hg(II) were studied and evaluated by static method. SG-HE-pD and SG-HO-pD showed higher performance towards Hg(II) adsorption than corresponding counterparts SG-HE-dD and SG-HO-dD, even though the former two possessed lower contents of diethylenetriamine (DETA). The kinetics data indicated that the adsorption process was governed by the film diffusion and followed pseudo-first-order rate model for SG-HE-dD, SG-HO-dD and SG-HE-pD and pseudo-second-order model for SG-HO-pD. The Langmuir model was applied to fit the experimental equilibrium data for all adsorbents. The end-group protection method exhibited its advantage in preparation of effective adsorbent for metal ions uptake compared to the direct-amination method.     

Chatter resistance of non-uniform turning bars with attached dynamic absorbers—Analytical approach

Forced harmonic vibration of a non-uniform elastic beam with attached dynamic vibration absorbers (DVA) is studied. Analytical approximation of the solution is obtained by the functional perturbation method (FPM). The problem has application to cutting tools operations where the resistance of the tool holder against regenerative chatter can be enhanced by optimizing the real part of the frequency response function (FRF). A test case of a beam with step-like heterogeneity and single DVA at the tip shows that the FPM solution is very accurate for up to ∼40 percent deviation in both stiffness and mass density. Using the analytical results and Sims approach, optimal DVA tuning is found for each set of beam heterogeneity parameters by solving a set of nonlinear algebraic equations numerically. It is found that the optimum can be further improved by searching for the best step location. The system optimization is then expanded to a general heterogeneous beam with a DVA at its tip. The mass and stiffness distribution is optimized by applying the Lagrange variation method on the FPM solution yielding Fredholm integral equations. The optimized morphology is found to be approximately linear and far from the “intuitive” step-like one (Rivin and Kang, 1992) and yields better chatter-resistance.     

EFFECTS OF POSTURE AND VIBRATION MAGNITUDE ON APPARENT MASS AND PELVIS ROTATION DURING EXPOSURE TO WHOLE-BODY VERTICAL VIBRATION

The effect of variations in posture and vibration magnitude on apparent mass and seat-to-pelvis pitch transmissibility have been studied with vertical random vibration over the frequency range 1·0-20 Hz. Each of 12 subjects was exposed to 27 combinations of three vibration magnitudes (0·2, 1·0 and 2·0m/s² r.m.s.) and nine sitting postures (“upright”, “anterior lean”, “posterior lean”, “kyphotic”, “back-on”, “pelvis support”, “inverted SIT-BAR” (increased pressure beneath ischial tuberosities), “bead cushion” (decreased pressure beneath ischial tuberosities) and “belt” (wearing an elasticated belt)).Peaks in the apparent masses were observed at about 5 and 10 Hz, and in the seat-to-pelvis pitch transmissibilities at about 12 Hz. In all postures, the resonance frequencies in the apparent mass and transmissibility decreased with increased vibration magnitude, indicating a non-linear softening system. There were only small changes in apparent mass or transmissibility with posture, although peaks were lower for the apparent mass in the “kyphotic” posture and were lower for the transmissibility in the “belt” posture. The changes in apparent mass and transmissibility caused by changes in vibration magnitude were greater than the changes caused by variation in posture.     

Identification of structural systems with full characteristic matrices under single point excitation

The aim of “System Identification” is to determine modal and system properties of structural systems. This is while in “Damage Detection”, the identification of system characteristic matrices is as important as or even more important than the identification of frequency characteristics. Because of various constraints – i.e. difficulties in force excitation of structures due to their large size, geometry, and location – in practice only single excitation and partial measurement, at selected degrees of freedom, is possible. In this paper, a single dynamic load was applied to identify a structural system only along one of the degrees of freedom of the structure. Further, responses corresponding to a few degrees of freedom were also measured. To identify a system with this sort of restricted information, a new approach was introduced enabling identification of the structure?s parameters of mass, damping and stiffness. Taking into account the significant effect of noise reduction in improving system identification accuracy levels, a noise reduction technique was also proposed. The accuracy of the method was also assessed against noise level and location of single excitation. It was shown that as noise level increases, identification errors will also increase (less than 3.5 percent). It was further observed that applying single force at the first storey of the flexural structure would yield the lowest error levels in the identification results. Later, the method?s efficiency and precision were examined through the application of a “closed loop solution” to a six-storey flexural structure, and a four-span Pratt truss. The obtained results showed that the proposed method could act as an effective model in identification of system properties.     

Signals of CPT violation and non-locality in future neutrino oscillation experiments

We investigate the sensitivities of future neutrino oscillation experiments for measuring the neutrino mass squared differences and leptonic mixing angles independently with neutrinos and anti-neutrinos. We update the expected sensitivities of Neutrino Factories to the “atmospheric” (anti-)neutrino parameters using an optimized setup. A dedicated β-Beam facility, in combination with a SPMIN reactor experiment, could give excellent sensitivities also to the “solar” parameters, for neutrinos and anti-neutrinos respectively. A signal of a different mass matrix for neutrinos and anti-neutrinos would imply CPT violation and non-locality of the underlying particle theory.     

Numerical investigation of the partial oxidation process in porous media based reformer

Numerical investigation of the thermal partial oxidation process of Methane in porous media based reformer is performed. A finite volume based CFD code, including radiation modeling, in combination with a detailed chemical kinetics scheme is used to perform the numerical simulation. A heterogeneous approach for the heat transport modeling in porous media (separate coupled energy equations for the gas and solid phases) was used. Validation of the model with experimental data is also performed. The model was able to predict the temperature behavior in the reformer reasonably well. However, the concentrations of H₂ and CO were under predicted while the H₂O concentration was over predicted.     

Emergent gravity in two dimensions

We explore models with emergent gravity and metric by means of numerical simulations. A particular type of two-dimensional non-linear sigma-model is regularized and discretized on a quadratic lattice. It is characterized by lattice diffeomorphism invariance which ensures in the continuum limit the symmetry of general coordinate transformations. We observe a collective order parameter with properties of a metric, showing Minkowski or Euclidean signature. The correlation functions of the metric reveal an interesting long-distance behavior with power-like decay. This universal critical behavior occurs without tuning of parameters and thus constitutes an example of “self-tuned criticality” for this type of sigma-models. We also find a non-vanishing expectation value of a “zweibein” related to the “internal” degrees of freedom of the scalar field, again with long-range correlations. The metric is well described as a composite of the zweibein. A scalar condensate breaks Euclidean rotation symmetry.     

Fractional hydrodynamic equations for fractal media

We use the fractional integrals in order to describe dynamical processes in the fractal medium. We consider the “fractional” continuous medium model for the fractal media and derive the fractional generalization of the equations of balance of mass density, momentum density, and internal energy. The fractional generalization of Navier-Stokes and Euler equations are considered. We derive the equilibrium equation for fractal media. The sound waves in the continuous medium model for fractional media are considered.     

基于格子Boltzmann大密度比模型的多孔介质内气泡动力学行为数值模拟

基于格子Boltzmann两相流大密度模型,研究气泡穿过多孔介质的动力学行为.研究发现:当孔隙率较大时,气泡只变形不破裂,能完整地通过多孔介质;而孔隙率较小时,气泡变形更加剧烈且发生破裂,穿过多孔介质所需的时间更长.另外,当障碍物表面接触角(θ)较小时,气泡均能完整地通过多孔介质,随着接触角的增大,气泡开始发生破裂,且...     

Modelling and characterization of a piezoceramic inertial actuator

An inertial actuator (also known as a proof mass actuator) applies forces to a structure by reacting them against an “external” mass. This approach to actuation may provide some practical benefits in the active control of vibration and structure-borne noise: system reliability may be improved by removing the actuator from a structural load path; effective discrete point-force actuation permits ready attachment to curved surfaces, and an inherent passive vibration absorber effect can reduce power requirements.This paper describes a class of recently developed inertial actuators that is based on mechanical amplification of displacements of an active piezoceramic element. Important actuator characteristics include resonance frequencies, clamped force, and the drive voltage to output the force frequency response function.The paper addresses one particular approach to motion amplification, the “dual unimorph,” in detail. A model of actuator dynamic behavior is developed using an assumed-modes method, treating the piezoelectrically induced stresses as external forces. Predicted actuator characteristics agree well with experimental data obtained for a prototype actuator. The validated actuator dynamic model provides a tool for design improvement.     

Studies of the performance of particle dampers under dynamic loads

This paper presents a systematic investigation of the performance of particle dampers (vertical and horizontal) attached to a primary system (single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) and multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF)) under different dynamic loads (free vibration, stationary random excitation as well as nonstationary random excitation, with single component or multi-component), and the optimum operating regions are all determined. The amount of dissipated energy due to impact and friction, and the concept of “Effective Momentum Exchange” are shown to be suitable “global” measures to interpret the physics involved in the behavior of particle dampers. Using the well-established discrete element method, the motion of vertical particle dampers can be analyzed and classified into three different regions, and the associated damping characteristics can be interpreted. The first mode of a MDOF primary system can be effectively controlled by a properly designed particle damper; however, the higher modes are more affected by other parameters. Consequently, extensive parametric studies are presented to evaluate the effects of various system parameters, such as: mass ratio, primary system damping, coefficient of restitution, container dimensions, excitation amplitude and components, input locations and damper locations.     

A preferred pulse in self-induced transparency

We show that a careful treatment of the propagation of optical pulses in inhomogeneously broadened dielectric media, within the framework of the McCall-Hahn theory, leads to some qualitative deviations from the predictions of McCall and Hahn. These new predictions are in strong conflict with experimental results, and may have interesting implications for theoretical work on “soliton” behavior.     

Identification of dynamic characteristics of nonlinear joint based on the optimum equivalent linear frequency response function

Identification of dynamic characteristics of local nonlinearities has been aimed in this paper. The spirit of the identification method is established on Optimum Equivalent Linear Frequency response function (OELF). Dynamic behavior of nonlinear elements in system is extracted from OELF using two different techniques. The first technique is “Direct Identification Method” (DIM) in which no pre-assumed model is considered for the nonlinearity's behavior and the second technique is “Model based Identification Method” (MIM). The second technique is introduced with two different formulations, in order to take into account the practical limits due to the inaccessibility of nonlinearity location and/or indeterminability of degree of freedom. Dynamic characteristics of common nonlinearity mechanisms like cubic stiffness, pure slip, and stick-slip have been identified using the proposed technique and it has been shown that, although the proposed identification technique is simple, it does not require any sophisticated measurement hardwares and techniques, as required by most of the identification methods proposed so far. Also, the relation of this technique to harmonic balance method is discussed.     

Molecular Diffusion and DNP Enhancement in Aqueous Char Suspensions

The heterogeneous¹H dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) effect is studied at low magnetic fields for a system consisting of several newly synthesized carbon chars suspended in water. By using Fourier Transform pulsed-field-gradient spin–echo NMR spectroscopy, several different self-diffusion coefficients have been observed in aqueous char suspensions, corresponding to regions of differing water mobility in the porous structure. Proton spin–lattice relaxation data generally confirm the results of molecular diffusion measurements. Through utilization of the Torrey model, the influence of “cage effects” on DNP enhancement in porous media is discussed. Results suggest that short-range nuclear–electronic interactions in pores have a dominant effect on DNP enhancement in char suspensions.     

Advanced Study of Unsteady Heat and Chemical Reaction with Ramped Wall and Slip Effect on a Viscous Fluid

This paper investigate the effect of slip boundary condition, thermal radiation, heat source, Dufour number,chemical reaction and viscous dissipation on heat and mass transfer of unsteady free convective MHD flow of a viscous fluid past through a vertical plate embedded in a porous media. Numerical results are obtained for solving the nonlinear governing momentum, energy and concentration equations with slip boundary condition, ramped wall temperature and ramped wall concentration on the surface of the vertical plate. The influence of emerging parameters on velocity,temperature and concentration fields are shown graphically.     

Dixon's extended bodies and impulsive gravitational waves

The “reaction” of an extended body to the passage of an exact plane gravitational wave is discussed following Dixon's model. The analysis performed shows several general features, e.g. even if initially absent, the body acquires a spin induced by the quadrupole structure, the center of mass moves from its initial position, as well as certain “spin-flip” or “spin-glitch” effects which are being observed.     

CrAs(0 0 1)/AlAs(0 0 1) heterogeneous junction as a spin current diode predicted by first-principles calculations

We report on first-principles calculations of spin-dependent quantum transport in a CrAs(0 0 1)/AlAs(0 0 1) heterogeneous junction and predict a strong diode effect of charge and spin current. The minority spin current is absolutely inhibited when the bias voltage is applied to the terminals of both CrAs and AlAs. The majority spin current is inhibited when the bias voltage is applied to the terminal of CrAs and “relaxed” when the bias voltage is applied to the terminal of AlAs. The charge and spin current diode are promising for reprogrammable logic applications in the field of spintronics.     

Propagation of Gaussian beam in an absorbing waveguide

Propagation of a Gaussian beam in an absorbing waveguide is analyzed for cubic-quintic and saturable media taking into account both linear and nonlinear absorption. A “collective variable approach” technique, based on trial functions, is used to solve the general nonlinear Schrodinger equation. In the absence of losses, we construct a diagram which defines regions of oscillatory and diffractive beam propagation for both types of media, and also a diagram that compares bistable behavior in such media. We show that if the linear and nonlinear absorption coefficients are small, the behavior of the oscillations of the beam width on propagation allows one to distinguish between cubic-quintic and saturable media. By reversing the sign of the linear absorption, we analyze the behavior of the beam propagation in media with gain and nonlinear absorption. In cubic-quintic media, the energy reaches a plateau for certain ratios of gain to losses, whereas for saturable media, the energy increases throughout the beam propagation.