A computational study on mixed convection with surface radiation in a channel in presence of discrete heat sources and vortex generator based on RSM

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - Numerical simulation of mixed convection and surface radiation in a horizontal rectangular channel with five discrete heat sources protruded from the...     

Percolation in a network with long-range connections: Implications for cytoskeletal structure and function

Cell shape, signaling, and integrity depend on cytoskeletal organization. In this study we describe the cytoskeleton as a simple network of filamentary proteins (links) anchored by complex protein structures (nodes). The structure of this network is regulated by a distance-dependent probability of link formation as P=p/d^s, where p regulates the network density and s controls how fast the probability for link formation decays with node distance (d). It was previously shown that the regulation of the link lengths is crucial for the mechanical behavior of the cells. Here we examined the ability of the two-dimensional network to percolate (i.e. to have end-to-end connectivity), and found that the percolation threshold depends strongly on s. The system undergoes a transition around s=2. The percolation threshold of networks with s<2 decreases with increasing system size L, while the percolation threshold for networks with s>2 converges to a finite value. We speculate that s<2 may represent a condition in which cells can accommodate deformation while still preserving their mechanical integrity. Additionally, we measured the length distribution of F-actin filaments from publicly available images of a variety of cell types. In agreement with model predictions, cells originating from more deformable tissues show longer F-actin cytoskeletal filaments.     

Dominance of rare events in some problems in statistical physics

We show how the theory of large deviations in the coin toss experiment can give some insight into nonequilibrium fluctuation theorems and intermittency in turbulence.      

Formation of silver nanoparticles in deoxyribonucleic acid-poly(o-methoxyaniline) hybrid: a novel nano-biocomposite

A novel nano-biocomposite of silver and poly(o-methoxy aniline) (POMA)/DNA hybrid has been prepared by adding DNA solution to an aqueous solution of POMA (emeraldine base, EB) and AgNO(3) mixture. The mixture was aged for 10 days and was freeze-dried to form the hybrid nanocomposite (weight fraction of DNA = 0.75). FESEM pictures show a fibrillar network morphology of the biomolecular hybrid with silver nanoparticles on its surface. The TEM picture also corroborates silver nanoparticle formation in the biomolecular hybrid, and the denser population of nanoparticles in the TEM micrograph as compared to that in the SEM micrograph indicates that the nanoparticles are present inside the fibrils in greater proportion. The dc conductivity value of the hybrid indicates that POMA (EB) is doped by silver ion and the doped POMA form complexes with DNA through electrostatic interaction of the radical cation of POMA (emeraldine salt form, ES) and the DNA anion. During the doping process and Ag nanoparticle formation, a fluctuation of the pi band to polaron band transition peak occurs together with a complementary fluctuation of the polaron band to pi* band transition peak. After 53 h of aging, the former shows a slow but continuous red shift with aging time. This has been attributed to the slow uncoiling of POMA on the DNA surface. The conformation and crystal structure of DNA remain intact during the nano-biocomposite formation. The dc conductivity value of the nano-biocomposite is almost the same as that of the pure POMA-DNA hybrid at the same composition, but the I-V characteristic curve of the nano-biocomposite is somewhat different showing an insulating region on low applied voltage. At higher applied voltage, it shows a semiconducting property characterizing the large band gap semiconducting behavior of the nano-biocomposite.     

Raman studies on nanocomposite silicon carbonitride thin film deposited by r.f. magnetron sputtering at different substrate temperatures

Raman studies of nanocomposite SiCN thin film by sputtering showed that with increase of substrate temperature from room temperature to 500 °C, a transition from mostly sp² graphitic phase to sp³ carbon took place, which was observed from the variation of I_D/I_G ratio and the peak shifts. This process resulted in the growth of C₃N₄ and Si₃N₄ crystallites in the amorphous matrix, which led to increase in hardness (H) and modulus (E) obtained through nanoindentation. However, at a higher temperature of 600 °C, again an increase of sp² C concentration in the film was observed but the H and E values showed a decrease due to increased growth of the graphitic carbon phase. The whole process got reflected in a modified four‐stage Ferrari–Robertson model of Raman spectroscopy. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Radiated signal characteristics of marine vessels in the cepstral domain for shallow underwater channel

This work examines the distribution of cepstral energy of the radiated signal of a marine vessel and the underwater channel modeled as a block-adaptive linear system. Detailed simulation analysis of the signal at the receiver of a passive sonar has led to the observation that, in the cepstral domain the radiated signal of a marine vessel largely occupies the lower cepstral indices while the underwater channel occupies the higher indices, such that for several range and depth conditions, the two can be separated out. This finding can facilitate the design of filters in the cepstral domain for reducing distortions due to the underwater channel. The work presents analytical justification and simulation studies in this regard.     

The fate of self-aligned rolls in gravity modulated magnetoconvection

We explore the modifications brought about by gravity modulation in self-aligned two-dimensional (2D) stationary rolls and higher-order convective instabilities with horizontal magnetic field. The Chandrasekhar number plays no role in determining critical values of the forcing parameters for convection to begin. The onset is in the form of 2D rolls with periodically varying intensity. The external magnetic field is solely responsible for aligning the rolls while the induced magnetic field comes into play after three-dimensional convection sets in. Gravity modulation destabilizes the system and results in chaotic flow much earlier above onset.     

Motional Dynamics of Halogen‐Bonded Complexes Probed by Low‐Field NMR Relaxometry and Overhauser Dynamic Nuclear Polarization

Halogen bonding is a subject of considerable interest owing to wide‐ranging chemical, materials and biological applications. The motional dynamics of halogen‐bonded complexes play a pivotal role in comprehending the nature of the halogen‐bonding interaction. However, not many attempts appear to have been made to shed light on the dynamical characteristics of halogen‐bonded species. For the first time, we demonstrate here that the combination of low‐field NMR relaxometry and Overhauser dynamic nuclear polarization (ODNP) makes it possible to obtain a cogent picture of the motional dynamics of halogen‐bonded species. We discuss here the advantages of this combined approach. Low‐field relaxometry allows us to infer the hydrodynamic radius and rotational correlation time, whereas ODNP probes the molecular translational correlation times (involving the substrate as well as the organic radical) with high sensitivity at low field.     

Electronic Transport and Thermopower in 2D and 3D Heterostructures—A Theory Perspective

The impact of interfaces and heterojuctions on the electronic and thermoelectric transport properties of materials is discussed herein. Recent progress in understanding electronic transport in heterostructures of 2D materials ranging from graphene to transition metal dichalcogenides, their homojunctions (grain boundaries), lateral heterojunctions (such as graphene/MoS₂ lateral interfaces), and vertical van der Waals heterostructures is reviewed. Work on thermopower in 2D heterojunctions, as well as their applications in creating devices such as resonant tunneling diodes (RTDs), is also discussed. Last, the focus turns to work in 3D heterostructures. While transport in 3D heterostructures has been researched for several decades, here recent progress in theory and simulation of quantum effects on transport via the Wigner and non‐equilibrium Green's functions approaches is reviewed. These simulation techniques have been successfully applied toward understanding the impact of heterojunctions on transport properties and thermopower, which finds applications in energy harvesting, and electron resonant tunneling, with applications in RTDs. In conclusion, tremendous progress has been made in both simulation and experiments toward the goal of understanding transport in heterostructures and this progress will soon be parlayed into improved energy converters and quantum nanoelectronic devices.     

Stability analysis of a thin-walled cylinder in turning operation using the semi-discretization method

In this work, the stability of a flexible thin cylindrical workpiece in turning is analyzed. A process model is derived based on a finite element representation of the workpiece flexibility and a nonlinear cutting force law. Repeated cutting of the same surface due to overlapping cuts is modeled with the help of a time delay. The stability of the so obtained system of periodic delay differential equations is then determined using an approximation as a time-discrete system and Floquet theory. The time-discrete system is obtained using the semi-discretization method. The method is implemented to analyze the stability of two different workpiece models of different thicknesses for different tool positions with respect to the jaw end. It is shown that the stability chart depends on the tool position as well as on the thickness.