A variational multiscale constitutive model for nanocrystalline materials

This paper presents a variational multi-scale constitutive model in the finite deformation regime capable of capturing the mechanical behavior of nanocrystalline (nc) fcc metals. The nc-material is modeled as a two-phase material consisting of a grain interior phase and a grain boundary effected zone (GBAZ). A rate-independent isotropic porous plasticity model is employed to describe the GBAZ, whereas a crystal-plasticity model which accounts for the transition from partial dislocation to full dislocation mediated plasticity is employed for the grain interior. The constitutive models of both phases are formulated in a small strain framework and extended to finite deformation by use of logarithmic and exponential mappings. Assuming the rule of mixtures, the overall behavior of a given grain is obtained via volume averaging. The scale transition from a single grain to a polycrystal is achieved by Taylor-type homogenization where a log-normal grain size distribution is assumed. It is shown that the proposed model is able to capture the inverse Hall-Petch effect, i.e., loss of strength with grain size refinement. Finally, the predictive capability of the model is validated against experimental results on nanocrystalline copper and nickel.     

Improving the thermoelectric performance and thermal stability of Ca3Co4O9 + δ ceramics by sintering in oxygen atmosphere

Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology - We report on the influence of sintering gas atmosphere on the thermoelectric (TE) performance of Ca3Co4O9?+?δ ceramics made from...     

Structural and spectral studies of N-trans-cinnamylidene-m-toluidine and N-trans-cinnamylidene-m-chloroaniline

N-trans-cinnamylidene-m-toluidine (1) C₁₆H₁₅N, and N-trans-cinnamylidene-m-chloroaniline (2) C₁₅H₁₂NCl form isomorphous crystals which are monoclinic, space group P2_l/c, with unit cell dimensionsa=5.967(2),b=13.793(3),c=15.048(5) Å, =91.97(3)° anda=5.868(2),b=13.788(4),c=15.191(4) Å, =91.87(3)°, respectively. The single-crystal X-ray structure determinations of the title compounds revealtrans structures. Ring (A) C_10–15 and ring (B) C_1–6, are practically planar in both structures with dihedral angels of 61.3(3) and 63.6(2)°, respectively.¹H nmr, u.v. and i.r. spectra are also reported.     

Multiscale Modeling of Nanocrystalline Materials: A Variational Approach

This paper presents a variational multi-scale constitutive model in the finite deformation regime capable of capturing the mechanical behavior of nanocrystalline (nc) fcc metals. The nc-material is modeled as a two-phase material consisting of a grain interior (GI) phase and a grain boundary (GB) phase. A rate-independent isotropic porous plasticity model is employed to describe the GB phase, whereas a crystal-plasticity model which accounts for the transition from partial dislocation to full dislocation mediated plasticity is employed for the GI phase. Assuming the rule of mixtures, the overall behavior of a given grain is obtained via volume averaging. The scale transition from a single grain to a polycrystal is achieved by Taylor-type homogenization. It is shown that the proposed model is able to capture the inverse Hall-Petch effect. (© 2011 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Application of computer algebra-techniques to metabolic control analysis

For practical purposes the calculation of rate constants is not particularly valuable, since their physical significance is not clear. Of greater practical use are metabolic control coefficients and elasticities. Given the definition of the flux control coefficients C(E)(J), concentration control coefficient C(E)(X) and elasticity epsilon (X)(v(1)). We can calculate symbolic formulae for these using computer algebra-techniques. These are then functions of V(max), K(m), K(i) enzyme and concentrations. Having derived estimates of V(max), K(m), K(i) using the fitting method we can then calculate values of the control coefficients and elasticities. Furthermore we can calculate the metabolic control parameters using symbolic values for the conventional kinetic parameters. Using these we have verified the summation and connectivity theorems. This is a useful cross check on the reliability of the calculations.     

Effects of gamma irradiation on the single crystal ergosterol: An EPR study

Single crystals of ergosterol were investigated by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) technique, with γ irradiation of the crystals at different orientations in the magnetic field between temperatures of 120 and 380 K, and the spectra were found to be slightly dependent on temperature. Because of the importance of ergosterol it is important to determine the irradiation effects on this molecule.Taking into consideration the chemical structure and the experimental spectra of the irradiated single crystal ergosterol, we found that two paramagnetic species which were labeled as radical A, CH_2αH_β, and radical B, CH_αH_βH_γH_σ, were produced in the host crystal. The EPR parameters; spectroscopic splitting factor, g, and hyperfine coupling constant, a, were determined for each radical.