Stability analysis of thermodynamic lubrication problems in journal bearings

A new numerical scheme (which combines FEM, FVM and BEM methods) for solving thermohydrodynamic lubrication transient problems with cavitation is described. The algorithm is then applied to study the stability of a journal-bearing system. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A simplified second gradient model for dilatant materials: Theory and numerical implementation

This paper deals with the development of a new second gradient model, its numerical implementation and its validation. In order to remedy to the spurious mesh dependency of the post localized computation enhanced models incorporating some internal length are necessary. These models are very time consuming. In this paper we present a simplified theory within the framework of constrained micromorphic models involving only the micro volumetric strain. Provided the use of an additional penalty term in the numerical treatment, this model is quite efficient to regularize problems modelling behaviors exhibiting plastic volumetric strain such as the ones of geomaterials. More over this model is notably less time consuming than the more general ones.     

Optimization of high pressure bioactive compounds extraction from pansies (Viola × wittrockiana) by response surface methodology

Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed for the first time to optimize high pressure extraction (HPE) conditions of bioactive compounds from pansies, namely: pressure (X₁: 0–500?MPa), time (X₂: 5–15?min) and ethanol concentration (X₃: 0–100%). Consistent fittings using second-order polynomial models were obtained for flavonoids, tannins, anthocyanins, total reducing capacity (TRC) and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity. The optimum extraction conditions based on combination responses for TRC, tannins and anthocyanins were: X₁?=?384?MPa, X₂?=?15?min and X₃?=?35% (v/v) ethanol, shortening the extraction time when compared to the classic method of stirring (approx. 24?h). When the optimum extraction conditions were applied, 65.1?mg of TRC, 42.8?mg of tannins and 56.15?mg of anthocyanins/g dried flower were obtained. Thus, HPE has shown to be a promising technique to extract bioactive compounds from pansies, by reducing the extraction time and by using green solvents (ethanol and water), for application in diverse industrial fields.     

Optical studies of ZnO nanocrystals doped with Eu3+ ions

Synthetic ZnO nanocrystals have been intentionally doped with Eu³⁺ ions. Structural analysis performed on the nanocrystals showed wurtzite-ZnO as the only phase present in the samples. Photoluminescence in emission and excitation modes allows the assignment of the intra-4f⁶ transitions for the Eu³⁺ ions. From the analysis of the optical data we are able to demonstrate that multiple Eu-related optical centres are present in the studied samples. Oxygen vacancies are likely candidates to be responsible for the ion accommodation in the ZnO lattice and from the photoluminescence excitation data we tentatively assign a trap level at ∼200 meV below the conduction band to this intrinsic defect. PACS 78.66.Hf; 78.67.-n; 82.80.Yc     

Double exchange model for magnetic hexaborides

A microscopic theory for rare-earth ferromagnetic hexaborides, such as Eu1-xCaxB6, is proposed on the basis of the double-exchange Hamiltonian. In these systems, the reduced carrier concentrations place the Fermi level near the mobility edge, introduced in the spectral density by the disordered spin background. We show that the transport properties such as the Hall effect, magnetoresistance, frequency dependent conductivity, and dc resistivity can be quantitatively described within the model. We also make specific predictions for the behavior of the Curie temperature T(C) as a function of the plasma frequency omega(p).     

Comparison of Digital Imaging Systems for Neutron Radiography

The characteristics of three digital imaging systems for neutron radiography purposes have been compared. Two of them make use of films, CR-39 and Kodak AA, and the third makes use of a LiF scintillator, for image registration. The irradiations were performed in the neutron radiography facility installed at the IEA-R1 nuclear research reactor of IPEN-CNEN/SP. According to the obtained results, the system based on CR-39 is the slowest to obtain an image, and the best in terms of resolution but the worse in terms of contrast. The system based on Kodak AA is faster than the prior, exhibits good resolution and contrast. The system based on the scintillator is the fastest to obtain an image, and best in terms of contrast but the worse in terms of resolution.     

Langmuir-Blodgett films of diazobenzene molecules

Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films from diazobenzene Sudan III have been investigated using surface potential measurements as a function of number of layers and deposition pressures, with the surface potential data being related to molecular dipole moments obtained from theoretical electronic structure calculations. The surface potential increased with the number of layers for SIII LB films, and then tended to saturate. Results from density functional theory (DFT) and UV-vis spectroscopy indicated that the increase is due to addition of layers with oriented molecular dipoles, with the saturation tendency being attributed to a decrease in the amount of material deposited in each layer. The surface potential increased with the surface pressure used for deposition, probably owing to a higher contribution from the vertical component of the dipole moment as a closer molecular packing, which is associated with decreasing conformational entropy, was reached.