Numerical modelling of twin helical spring under tensile loading

This paper presents a 3D geometric modelling of a twin helical spring and its finite element analysis to study the spring mechanical behaviour under tensile axial loading. The spiralled shape graphic design is achieved through the use of Computer Aided Design (CAD) tools, of which a finite element model is generated. Thus, a 3D 18-dof pentaedric elements are employed to discretise the complex “wired-shape” of the spring, allowing the analysis of the mechanical response of the twin spiralled helical spring under an axial load. The study provides a clear match between the evolution of the theoretical and the numerical tensile and compression normal stresses, being of sinusoidal behaviour. The overall equivalent stress isovalues increases radially from 0° to 180°, being maximal on the internal radial zone at the section 180°. On the other hand, the minimum stress level is located in the centre of the filament cross section.     

The crossover from collective motion to periphery diffusion for two-dimensional adatom-islands on Cu(111)

The diffusion of two-dimensional adatom-islands (up to 100 atoms) on Cu(111) has been studied, using the self-learning kinetic Monte Carlo method (Trushin et?al 2005 Phys. Rev. B 72 115401). A variety of multiple-?and single-atom processes are revealed in the simulations, and the size dependences of the diffusion coefficients and effective diffusion barriers are calculated for each. From the tabulated frequencies of events found in the simulation, we show a crossover from diffusion due to the collective motion of the island to a regime in which the island diffuses through periphery-dominated mass transport. This crossover occurs for island sizes between 13 and 19 atoms. For islands containing 19-100 atoms the scaling exponent is 1.5, which is in good agreement with previous work. The diffusion of islands containing 2-13 atoms can be explained primarily on the basis of a linear increase of the barrier for the collective motion with the size of the island.     

Nanostructured layered double hydroxide aerogels with enhanced adsorption properties

Aerogels of layered double hydroxides were prepared by a simple and eco-friendly method involving a quick coprecipitation followed by supercritical CO(2) drying. Such aerogels display high surface areas and enhanced adsorption behavior.     

Experimental and theoretical study of AC electrical conduction mechanisms of semicrystalline parylene C thin films

The electrical conduction mechanisms of semicrystalline thermoplastic parylene C (-H(2)C-C(6)H(3)Cl-CH(2)-)(n) thin films were studied in large temperature and frequency regions. The alternative current (AC) electrical conduction in parylene C is governed by two processes which can be ascribed to a hopping transport mechanism: correlated barrier hopping (CBH) model at low [77-155 K] and high [473-533 K] temperature and the small polaron tunneling mechanism (SPTM) from 193 to 413 K within the framework of the universal law of dielectric response. The conduction mechanism is explained with the help of Elliot's theory, and the Elliot's parameters are determined. From frequency- and temperature-conductivity characteristics, the activation energy is found to be 1.27 eV for direct current (DC) conduction interpreted in terms of ionic conduction mechanism. The power law dependence of AC conductivity is interpreted in terms of electron hopping with a density N(E(F)) (~10(18) eV cm(-3)) over a 0.023-0.03 eV high barrier across a distance of 1.46-1.54 ?.     

Purification and Biochemical Characterization of a Highly Thermostable Xylanase from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Actinomadura</Emphasis> sp. Strain Cpt20 Isolated from Poultry Compost

An extracellular thermostable xylanase from a newly isolated thermophilic Actinomadura sp. strain Cpt20 was purified and characterized. Based on matrix-assisted laser desorption–ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis, the purified enzyme is a monomer with a molecular mass of 20,110.13 Da. The 19 residue N-terminal sequence of the enzyme showed 84% homology with those of actinomycete endoxylanases. The optimum pH and temperature values for xylanase activity were pH 10 and 80 °C, respectively. This xylanase was stable within a pH range of 5–10 and up to a temperature of 90 °C. It showed high thermostability at 60 °C for 5 days and half-life times at 90 °C and 100 °C were 2 and 1 h, respectively. The xylanase was specific for xylans, showing higher specific activity on soluble oat-spelt xylan followed by beechwood xylan. This enzyme obeyed the Michaelis–Menten kinetics, with the K _m and k _cat values being 1.55 mg soluble oat-spelt xylan/ml and 388 min⁻¹, respectively. While the xylanase from Actinomadura sp. Cpt20 was activated by Mn²⁺, Ca²⁺, and Cu²⁺, it was, strongly inhibited by Hg²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Ba²⁺. These properties make this enzyme a potential candidate for future use in biotechnological applications particularly in the pulp and paper industry.     

Extended pattern recognition scheme for self-learning kinetic Monte Carlo simulations

We report the development of a pattern recognition scheme that takes into account both fcc and hcp adsorption sites in performing self-learning kinetic Monte Carlo (SLKMC-II) simulations on the fcc(111) surface. In this scheme, the local environment of every under-coordinated atom in an island is uniquely identified by grouping fcc sites, hcp sites and top-layer substrate atoms around it into hexagonal rings. As the simulation progresses, all possible processes, including those such as shearing, reptation and concerted gliding, which may involve fcc-fcc, hcp-hcp and fcc-hcp moves are automatically found, and their energetics calculated on the fly. In this article we present the results of applying this new pattern recognition scheme to the self-diffusion of 9-atom islands (M(9)) on M(111), where M = Cu, Ag or Ni.     

Electrical and dielectric properties of Sb2O3–V2O5–K2O glasses

Electric measurements, including temperature dependencies of direct electrical conductivity and temperature dependencies of complex electrical modulus, have been implemented using Sb₂O₃–V₂O₅–K₂O glass samples. These glasses absorb ambient humidity but their resistance to water attack depends on composition. The significant decrease of conductivity up to 100 °C can arise from water desorption. Cycling measurements of direct electrical conductivity versus temperature were also implemented. They show that the 30Sb₂O₃–30V₂O₅–40K₂O and 70Sb₂O₃–30K₂O glasses are irreversibly damaged with the formation of the hydrated layer. In addition, it was observed that the evolution of DC conductivity is ruled by Arrhenius relation, while activation energy decreases as Sb₂O₃ concentration increases.     

Magnetic structure and phase diagram of the frustrated spinel Cd1−xZnxCr2Se4

In attempt to characterise the magnetic ordering in the whole composition range of the Cd_1−xZn_xCr₂Se₄ system, various magnetic measurements were performed on both crystalline and polycrystalline samples with 0?x?1. The magnetic properties of the system are typical of a ferromagnet below x=0.4 and of a complex antiferromagnet one above x=0.6. In this work the intermediate region was carefully studied. The variations of both M(T) and χ_ac at low fields suggest that transitions from ferromagnetic to Gabay–Toulouse ferromagnetic-spin-glass mixed phase at low temperature occur in the range 0.41?x?0.58. The high-temperature susceptibility measurements show that for the whole concentration range the system obeys Curie–Weiss laws. The results can be explained by the coexistence of competing interactions (ferromagnetic between nearest neighbours and antiferromagnetic between higher order neighbours) and disorder due to the random substitution between zinc and cadmium ions in the tetrahedral sites of the spinel lattice. An experimental magnetic phase diagram of the system is established.