Hydrogen atom and its energy level shifts in de Sitter universe

We investigate the influence of a cosmological constant on the energy levels of a one-electron atom in Fermi normal coordinates. The non-relativistic nS, nP energy levels and the relativistic 1S _1/2, 2S _1/2, 2P _1/2, 2P _3/2 energy levels are calculated in terms of the Riemann tensor. These energy level shifts are non-zero which indicate that the first order gravitational perturbations can partly remove the degeneracy of the studied states in de Sitter space. We show that it is not possible to use the hydrogen atom as a probe of background curvature of the universe. In the second order of perturbation, for 1S state, an upper limit for the energy shifts is obtained.     

Nonlinear vibration of micromachined asymmetric resonators

In this paper, the nonlinear dynamics of a beam-type resonant structure due to stretching of the beam is addressed. The resonant beam is excited by attached electrostatic comb-drive actuators. This structure is modeled as a thin beam-lumped mass system, in which an initial axial force is exerted to the beam. This axial force may have different origins, e.g., residual stress due to micro-machining. The governing equations of motion are derived using the mode summation method, generalized orthogonality condition, and multiple scales method for both free and forced vibrations. The effects of the initial axial force, modal damping of the beam, the location, mass, and rotary inertia of the lumped mass on the free and forced vibration of the resonator are investigated. For the case of the forced vibration, the primary resonance of the first mode is investigated. It has been shown that there are certain combinations of the model parameters depicting a remarkable dynamic behavior, in which the second to first resonance frequencies ratio is close to three. These particular cases result in the internal resonance between the first and second modes. This phenomenon is investigated in detail.     

Nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes for heat transfer applications

In this research, it is aimed to enhance the heat transfer properties of the carbon nanotubes through nitrogen doping. To this end, nitrogen-doped multiwall carbon nanotubes (N-CNTs) were synthesized via chemical vapor deposition method. For supplying carbon and nitrogen during the synthesis of N-CNTs, camphor and urea were used, respectively, at 1000 °C over Co–Mo/MgO nanocatalyst in a hydrogen atmosphere. N-CNTs with three different nitrogen loadings of 0.56, 0.98, and 1.38 mass% were synthesized, after which, water/N-CNT nanofluids of these three samples with concentrations of 0.1, 0.2, and 0.5 mass% were prepared. To obtain a stable nanofluid, N-CNTs were functionalized by nitric acid followed by stabilizing in water by employing the ultrasonic bath. Investigation on the stability of the samples showed a high stability level for the prepared water/N-CNT nanofluids in which the zeta potential of ??43.5 mV was obtained for the best sample. Also for studying the heat transfer properties, the thermal conductivity in the range of 0.1–0.5 mass% and convection heat transfer coefficients of nanofluids in the range of 0.1–0.5 mass%, and Reynolds number in the range of 4000–9000 were evaluated. The results showed 32.7% enhancement of the convection heat transfer coefficients at Reynolds number of 8676 and 27% increase in the thermal conductivity at 0.5 mass% and 30 °C.

     

Introducing the theory of successful settling in order to evaluate and optimize the sedimentation tanks

A rectangular settling tank in full scale is investigated using the Fluent software to increase its efficiency. First, the pure water is simulated in the absence of particles. Then particles are injected into the flow field and tracked by means of the discrete phase model. Three methods are presented to optimize the settling tank: (1) adding a baffle which is mounted in the bottom and is extended up to the near of free surface, (2) adding a baffle which is mounted in the free surface and is extended up to the near of the tank bottom and (3) install a bi-directional baffle which is mounted in the free surface and is extended up to the near of the bottom. These three suggestions are checked using the short-circuiting phenomenon and the successful settling theory. The successful settling theory states that a particle can be accounted as a “trapped” particle if (1) settled particle stays static and stable in the tank bottom and (2) settled particle doesn’t return to purified sewage. Although the second method provided higher efficiency, the third method was selected as the most appropriate method in order to optimize the settling tank.     

Isolation of PHA–Producing Bacteria from Date Syrup Waste

Since the major problem associated with the industrial production of Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) is their high production cost, this study was carried out using date syrup as the major carbon source to decrease the production cost and also help to supply other nutrient requirements. To isolate PHA–producing bacteria for this purpose, microorganisms were isolated from the syrup waste of a local date factory. These purified colonies were screened for intracellular granules by staining with Sudan Black. The positive-staining strains were grown for production of PHAs in 5% date syrup as carbon source supplemented with mineral salt medium. The culture was incubated at 30 °C with shaking at 140 rpm for 60 h. Among positively stained bacteria, the best PHA producers were selected on the basis of cell growth, cell dry weight, PHA content and the monomer composition of PHA. One of them could utilize date syrup for growth and produce the homopolymer of Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) with a cell density of about 5.1 g/L and maximum concentration of PHB equal to 3.6 g/L which is 71% of cell dry weight. Another one produces copolymer of Poly (hydroxybutyrate-hydroxyvalerate) in date syrup media with a maximum concentration of 2.2 g/L containing 10 wt % valerate in shake flask cultivation.     

Influence of acid catalysts on the structural and magnetic properties of nanocrystalline barium ferrite prepared by sol–gel method

BaFe₁₂O₁₉ powders with nanocrystalline size were prepared by sol–gel techniques. Nitric, hydrochloric, acetic and stearic acid were used to improve the magnetic properties. Amorphous gels were formed with Fe/Ba molar ratio of 10.5. Then powders were obtained by subsequent heat treatment at 800–1000 °C for 1 h. Barium ferrite powder was also synthesized by solid state reaction at 1210 °C. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) experiments were conducted to evaluate structural properties of the samples. The value of the effective magnetic susceptibility was measured. The results show that the magnetoplumbite structure was formed in all of the powders. The TEM observation showed that the minimum particle size (20 nm) was produced with the stearic acid catalyst. The highest value of the effective magnetic susceptibility was achieved also using stearic acid.     

Preparation and application of carbon nanotubes/poly(o‐toluidine) composite fibers for the headspace solid‐phase microextraction of benzene,toluene, ethylbenzene,and xylenes

A novel nanocomposite coating of poly(o‐toluidine) and oxidized multiwalled CNTs (MWCNTs, where CNTs is carbon nanotubes) was electrochemically prepared on a stainless‐steel wire. The applicability of the fiber was assessed for the headspace solid‐phase microextraction of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes in aqueous samples followed by GC with flame ionization detection. In order to obtain an adherent and stable composite coating, several experimental parameters related to the coating process, such as polymerization potential and time, and the concentration of o‐toluidine and oxidized MWCNTs were optimized. The combination of MWCNTs and polymer in a nanocomposite form presents desirable opportunities to produce materials for new applications. The effects of various parameters on the efficiency of the headspace solid‐phase microextraction process, such as desorption temperature and time, extraction temperature and time, and ionic strength were also investigated. At the optimum conditions, LODs were 0.03–0.06 μg/L. The method showed linearity in the range of 0.5–300 μg/L with coefficients of determination >0.99. The intraday and interday RSDs obtained at a 5 μg/L concentration level (n = 5) using a single fiber were 1.2–5.2 and 3.2–7.5%, respectively. The fiber‐to‐fiber RSD (%; n = 3) at 5 μg/L was 6.1–9.2%.     

Dynamic stability of functionally graded cantilever cylindrical shells under distributed axial follower forces

In this paper, flutter of functionally graded material (FGM) cylindrical shells under distributed axial follower forces is addressed. The first-order shear deformation theory is used to model the shell, and the material properties are assumed to be graded in the thickness direction according to a power law distribution using the properties of two base material phases. The solution is obtained by using the extended Galerkin's method, which accounts for the natural boundary conditions that are not satisfied by the assumed displacement functions. The effect of changing the concentrated (Beck's) follower force into the uniform (Leipholz's) and linear (Hauger's) distributed follower loads on the critical circumferential mode number and the minimum flutter load is investigated. As expected, the flutter load increases as the follower force changes from the so-called Beck's load into the so-called Leipholz's and Hauger's loadings. The increased flutter load was calculated for homogeneous shell with different mechanical properties, and it was found that the difference in elasticity moduli bears the most significant effect on the flutter load increase in short, thick shells. Also, for an FGM shell, the increase in the flutter load was calculated directly, and it was found that it can be derived from the simple power law when the corresponding increase for the two base phases are known.     

Gelation Rheology and Water Absorption Behavior of Semi-Interpenetrating Polymer Networks of Polyacrylamide and Carboxymethyl Cellulose

Gelation rheology and swelling behavior of novel semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) hydrogels based on polyacrylamide are described. These hydrogels were prepared by solution cross-linking of partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), using chromium triacetate. Effects of CMC content on the gelation process and swelling behavior in tap water and different electrolyte solutions were investigated. Study of the gelation behavior using dynamic rheometery showed that the limiting storage modulus of the semi-IPN gels increased with increasing CMC content. Enhancement of storage modulus was more than two times for the semi-IPN gels containing 50 wt% CMC. It was also found that increasing the CMC content decreased the loss factor, indicating that the elastic properties of this gelling system increase more strongly than the viscous properties. The swelling ratio of the semi-IPN gels in tap water, NaCl and CaCl₂ solutions, and synthetic oil reservoir water slightly decreased as the concentration of the CMC increased. The improved storage modulus and slightly decreased swelling capacity in oil reservoir water make these semi-IPN hydrogels potentially good candidates for excess water treatment in oil recovery applications.     

Spin-to-orbital angular momentum conversion and spin-polarization filtering in electron beams

We propose the design of a space-variant Wien filter for electron beams that induces a spin half-turn and converts the corresponding spin angular momentum variation into orbital angular momentum of the beam itself by exploiting a geometrical phase arising in the spin manipulation. When applied to a spatially coherent input spin-polarized electron beam, such a device can generate an electron vortex beam, carrying orbital angular momentum. When applied to an unpolarized input beam, the proposed device, in combination with a suitable diffraction element, can act as a very effective spin-polarization filter. The same approach can also be applied to neutron or atom beams.