Microscopic Origin of Universality in Casimir Forces

The microscopic mechanisms for universality of Casimir forces between macroscopic conductors are displayed in a model of classical charged fluids. The model consists of two slabs in empty space at distance d containing classical charged particles in thermal equilibrium (plasma, electrolyte). A direct computation of the average force per unit surface yields, at large distance, the usual form of the Casimir force in the classical limit (up to a factor 2 due to the fact that the model does not incorporate the magnetic part of the force). Universality originates from perfect screening sum rules obeyed by the microscopic charge correlations in conductors. If one of the slabs is replaced by a macroscopic dielectric medium, the result of Lifshitz theory for the force is retrieved. The techniques used are Mayer expansions and integral equations for charged fluids.     

Magnetic force probe for nanoscale biomolecules

We present a new technique to measure the mechanical properties of small biomolecules. This technique uses long range repulsive colloidal forces together with magnetic attraction as a force probing tool. The biomolecules are grafted between superparamagnetic particles, which are regularly spaced within long chains maintained by an external magnetic field. Varying the magnetic field results in compression or extension of the molecules between the particles. In order to demonstrate this technique we use, as a size controlled model molecule, a short double stranded DNA (151 base pairs) for which the force-extension law is determined and found in agreement with existing predictions.     

Magnetic forces between arrays of cylindrical permanent magnets

Permanent magnet arrays are often employed in a broad range of applications: actuators, sensors, drug targeting and delivery systems, fabrication of self-assembled particles, just to name a few. An estimate of the magnetic forces in play between arrays is required to control devices and fabrication procedures. Here, we introduce analytical expressions for calculating the attraction force between two arrays of cylindrical permanent magnets and compare the predictions with experimental data obtained from force measurements with NdFeB magnets. We show that the difference between predicted and measured force values is less than 10%.     

Interaction of two macroparticles in a nonequilibrium plasma

The interaction of two macroparticles in a nonequilibrium plasma at elevated pressures has been investigated. An asymptotic theory of screening, which leads to a two-exponential dependence of the macroparticle potential on distance with different screening constants, is used to determine the electrostatic energy of the system of charges associated with the two macroparticles. The dependence of the electrostatic energy on interparticle distance has been found to have a minimum, as in an equilibrium plasma. The interaction force between the macroparticles has been determined; it turned out to be asymmetric—for different charges, the forces acting on the first and second macroparticles are not equal. This is the result of an asymmetric charge separation near macroparticles with differing charges and indicates that the interaction force in a nonequilibrium plasma is nonpotential. The forces are equal for identical macroparticles or in an equilibrium plasma and the potential energy of the interaction between the macroparticles has been determined for these cases. Attraction between likely charged particles with different (in magnitude) charges has been found to be possible when they come very close together. Relations to determine the modified coupling parameter for an interaction potential that consists of two exponential terms with different screening constants have been derived.     

Discrete Boltzmann equation for microfluidics

We propose a discrete Boltzmann model for microfluidics based on the Boltzmann equation with external forces using a single relaxation time collision model. Considering the electrostatic interactions in microfluidics systems, we introduce an equilibrium distribution function that differs from the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution by an exponential factor to represent the action of an external force field. A statistical mechanical approach is applied to derive the equivalent external acceleration force exerting on the lattice particles based on a mean-field approximation, resulting from the electro-static potential energy and intermolecular potential energy between fluid-fluid and fluid-substrate interactions.     

Fluctuation-induced couplings between defect lines or particle chains

One-dimensional structures such as defect lines or chains of dipolar particles are generally subject to strong Landau-Peierls thermal fluctuations. Coupling between these fluctuations in parallel lines may lead to an attractive force, analogous to the London force, or to a repulsive force of entropic origin. We analyze these forces for chains of electric dipoles and for flux lines in isotropic superconductors. In the first case the force is attractive, and can significantly change the Hamaker constant, which governs the attraction between colloidal particles. In the second case, over much of the magnetic field-temperature phase diagram the force is repulsive, and dominates over the direct repulsive interaction between flux lines.     

Contact forces in a granular packing

We present the results of a systematic numerical investigation of force distributions in granular packings. We find that all the main features of force transmission previously established for two-dimensional systems of hard particles hold in three-dimensional systems and for soft particles, too. In particular, the probability distribution of normal forces falls off exponentially for forces above the mean force. For forces below the mean, this distribution is either a decreasing power law when the system is far from static equilibrium, or nearly uniform at static equilibrium, in agreement with recent experiments. Moreover, we show that the forces below the mean do not contribute to the shear stress. The subnetwork of the contacts carrying a force below the mean thus plays a role similar to a fluid surrounding the solid backbone composed of the contacts carrying a force above the mean. We address the issue of the computation of contact forces in a packing at static equilibrium. We introduce a model with no local simplifying force rules, that allows for an exact computation of contact forces for given granular texture and boundary conditions. (c) 1999 American Institute of Physics.     

磁流体中Helmholtz和Kelvin力的界定

磁流体磁彻体力的两种简化形式Helmholtz力和Kelvin力具有一定的适用范围.在推导磁流体中的磁彻体力表达式基础上,分析Helmholtz力和Kelvin力在磁流体中的起源,得出两种形式的成立条件.计算结果表明:当磁流体磁导率与外磁场强度无关时,磁流体磁彻体力可由Helmholtz力表示;当磁流体中磁性颗粒的平均磁矩与磁流体比体积无关时,Kelvin力为磁彻体力的简化形式;在磁流体磁化系数与其密度成正比情况下,Helmholtz力可转换为Kelvin力. 关键词： 磁流体 磁彻体力 Helmholtz力 Kelvin力     

Magnetic properties of BiFe<Subscript>0.93</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>0.07</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> powders obtained by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis

Samples of BiFe_0.93Mn_0.07O₃ with different specific surface area were synthesized for the first time by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis. The resulting powders consist of porous particles of a spherical shape of medium size ~0.5 μm and have record values of residual magnetization and coercive force. It is found that the magnetic properties of the porous powder particles are determined by the distortion of the crystal lattice and the presence of uncompensated magnetic moments of iron ions on the surface.     

The influence of surface forces on shear-induced tracer diffusion in mono and bidisperse suspensions

The shear-induced self-diffusivity of tracer particles of radius a _t = λa in a suspension of particles having a radius, a , is calculated by Stokesian dynamics for different values of the size ratio, λ , both in 2 and 3 dimensions in the binary-collision regime. The self-diffusion is found to decrease strongly when the size ratio becomes quite different from unity. On the other hand, for the same average distance of contact between two spheres, the presence of a soft force always increases greatly the diffusion compared to the effect of a hard shell which is used to model the roughness. This is particularly true for tracer particles smaller than the bath particles, where the shear-induced diffusion can be increased by many order of magnitudes in the presence of a soft force. For suspensions of monodisperse particles we show that, for low volume fraction, the diffusion coefficient is much smaller than the one predicted by the binary collision model, due to the existence of a layered structure. On the contrary at higher volume fraction, many-body collisions strongly enhance the diffusion and it appears that the value of the diffusion is quite sensitive to the presence of clusters of particles which are themselves determined by the range of interparticle forces.     

利用激光光梯度力消除气溶胶雾霾粒子的机理研究

针对气溶胶雾霾粒子在大气流中所受力的平衡体系(旋转升力平衡重力, 粒子与粒子之间依靠斥力形成稳定的网状的力平衡体系)的问题, 提出了用激光光梯度力破坏力平衡进而消除雾霾的新机理. 首先, 根据牛顿第二定理, 得到了粒子所受力的非线性方程组, 应用Runge-Kutta 法积分求解了雾霾颗粒在大气流中所受的主要力(空气曳引阻力、范德瓦耳斯斥力、旋转升力)的数值, 成功验证了西安市2013年12月17-25日、2014年2月20-26日两次雾霾检测试验结论: 在雾霾过程中, 粒径在0.5-0.835 μm径段的粒子数浓度增加最明显. 其次, 在雾霾粒子形成的均匀介质中, 计算了激光光梯度力的大小. 研究发现, 激光光梯度力的数量级恒大于雾霾颗粒所受主要力的数量级, 激光光梯度力完全可以破坏雾霾颗粒所受力的平衡体系. 因此, 用激光光梯度力消除雾霾是可行的, 这种新的解决雾霾的方法对人们的实际生活、环保及创建美丽的蓝天具有非常重要的意义.     

Relationship between electric current and matrix modulus in electrorheological elastomers

We have carried out a series of tests on electrorheological elastomers, which consist of semi-conducting solid particles dispersed in a low-conductivity silicone-based elastomer, with the investigations focussing on the dependence of the DC electric current on the elastomer modulus. We find that when other conditions are held constant, the electric current under a particular electric field shows a significant decrease when an elastomer of higher modulus is used. This behaviour is explained qualitatively using a simple model based on the mechanical equilibrium of two competing forces: the electrostatic attraction force between the two adjacent particles in the field direction, and the elastic squeezing force due to the elastomer between the particles which resists their approach.     

Stable optical trapping based on optical binding forces

Various trapping configurations have been realized so far, either based on the scattering force or the gradient force. In this Letter, we propose a new trapping regime based on the equilibrium between a scattering force and optical binding forces only. The trap is realized from the interaction between a single plane wave and a series of fixed small particles, and is efficient at trapping multiple free particles. The effects are demonstrated analytically upon computing the exact scattering from a collection of cylindrical particles and calculating the Lorentz force on each free particle via the Maxwell stress tensor.     

Drift velocity in the necklace model for reptation in a two-dimensional square lattice

We report the chain dynamics in the necklace model that mimics the reptation of a chain of N particles in a two-dimensional square lattice. We focus on the drift velocity under an applied static field. The characteristics of the model allow us to determine the effects of the forces on the chains and the resulting mechanisms that affect the drift velocity. Results obtained through Monte Carlo simulations were analyzed and discussed and distinct regimes as a function of the force strength and N were identified. We found that for small total applied forces, the drift velocity scales as 1/N. When the applied force to every particle is small but the total applied force is not, the tube deforms in such a way that the drift velocity does not depend on N. Large forces, applied to every particle, can straight chains such that the distance between the chain ends increases faster than the number of particles. Also, large forces can deform the chain within the tube what is directly related to a decrease of the drift velocity.     

Grain boundary pinning in two-phase materials

The calculation of the Zener stress involves two parts (1) the determination of the force between a particle and a grain boundary, and the shape of the resulting dimple on the grain boundary and (2) the statistical problem of summing the forces over the boundary. Calculations of the forces from spherical, needle-shaped and plate shaped particles are used to estimate the Zener stress by means of a point obstacle model and statistical dimple model. The results are compared with experimental determinations of stable grain sizes, with a computer simulation growth and with experimental measurements of retarded primary recrystallisation. When the particles are non-spherical or inhomogeneously distributed the Zener stress is anisotropic; this effect has been observed experimentally.     

Magnetic stray fields of patterned permalloy structures investigated by photoemission electron microscopy

Using a photoemission electron microscope we determined magnetic stray fields at the edges of permalloy (Ni₈₀Fe₂₀) particles. X-ray magnetic dichroism was used for visualization of magnetic domains. The values of the stray fields were deduced from the deflection of electrons in the image due to the Lorentz force. The stray fields are responsible for the magnetic interaction of adjacent particles with distances much larger than the thickness. The measured magnetic stray field is about 0.023 T for rectangular particles with a thickness of 30 nm and lateral sizes of tens of microns. PACS 68.37.Xy; 75.40.Cx; 75.75.+a     

A theory of the magnetic susceptibility of composites

The absorption of ac magnetic field energy by nonconducting composites made with fillers consisting of microscopic magnetic inclusions with various shapes is investigated over a wide range of frequencies and temperatures. It is predicted that the temperature dependence of the susceptibility χ(ω,T) of these structures is nonstandard only when the interaction between particles of the finely dispersed phase is included. The effect of the magnetic particles is taken into account by introducing a stochastic force into the Boltzmann equation, and using the resulting equation to calculate the susceptibility χ, which is a complicated function of the concentration p of the added dispersed phase. It is shown that the susceptibility should have a singularity near the point p=p _cr. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 39, 1622–1627 (September 1997)     

Correlation effects of two interacting particles in a circular billiard

The maximal Lyapunov exponent is determined numerically for two classical unequal-mass interacting particles inside a circular billiard and subjected to a static magnetic field. A Yukawa potential is used for the interaction between the particles. Transitions from short to long interaction ranges and from equal to infinite mass ratio between particles are discussed. Correlations effects between particles strongly determine the dynamics inside the billiard. A qualitative change in the Lyapunov exponent dependence on the interaction range between particles is observed by the transition from weak to strong couplings. Poincaré surfaces of section are also used to describe the dynamics in the limit of infinite mass ratio.     

Modeling of the rough spherical nanoparticles manipulation on a substrate based on the AFM nanorobot

In this paper, dynamic behavior of the rough spherical micro/nanoparticles during pulling/pushing on the flat substrate has been investigated and analyzed. For this purpose, at first, two hexagonal roughness models (George and Cooper) were studied and then evaluations for adhesion force were determined for rough particle manipulation on flat substrate. These two models were then changed by using of the Rabinovich theory. Evaluations were determined for contact adhesion force between rough particle and flat substrate; depth of penetration evaluations were determined by the Johnson–Kendall–Roberts contact mechanic theory and the Schwartz method and according to Cooper and George roughness models. Then, the novel contact theory was used to determine a dynamic model for rough micro/nanoparticle manipulation on flat substrate. Finally, simulation of particle dynamic behavior was implemented during pushing of rough spherical gold particles with radii of 50, 150, 400, 600, and 1,000 nm. Results derived from simulations of particles with several rates of roughness on flat substrate indicated that compared to results for flat particles, inherent roughness on particles might reduce the rate of critical force needed for sliding and rolling given particles. Given a fixed radius for roughness value and increased roughness height, evaluations for sliding and rolling critical forces showed greater reduction. Alternately, the rate of critical force was shown to reduce relative to an increased roughness radius. With respect to both models, based on the George roughness model, the predicted rate of adhesion force was greater than that determined in the Cooper roughness model, and as a result, the predicted rate of critical force based on the George roughness model was closer to the critical force value of flat particle.     

自驱动颗粒体系中的熵力

在许多纳米复合材料体系中熵力(entropy force)是普遍存在的,但由于熵力的存在会导致纳米颗粒的凝聚从而降低其许多性能,因此在大多数情况下熵力的存在对体系并无益处,所以研究如何减小熵力对体系的影响是非常重要的.不带角速度的自驱动粒子在熵力作用下会集聚在纳米颗粒(或者纳米棒)周围,这会对纳米颗粒(或者纳米棒)产生很大的相互作用力.对于纳米颗粒,在不带角速度的自驱动粒子体系中存在着非常大的排斥力.而对于纳米棒,由于纳米棒内外的不对称性,使得两个纳米棒之间会产生吸引-排斥转变,同时这个吸引-排斥转变与纳米棒之间的距离有关.当自驱动粒子加上一个自转角速度ω之后,熵力的作用就大大减弱,纳米颗粒不再集聚.研究结果有助于对非平衡态下纳米颗粒(或纳米棒)之间熵相互作用力的认识.