A mesh-free numerical method for solution of the family of Kuramoto-Sivashinsky equations

In this paper, radial basis function (RBFs) based mesh-free method is implemented to find numerical solution of the Kuramoto-Sivashinsky equations. This approach has an edge over traditional methods such as finite-difference and finite element methods because it does not require a mesh to discretize the problem domain, and a set of scattered nodes in the domain of influence provided by initial data is required for the realization of the method. The accuracy of the method is assessed in terms of the error norms L₂,L_∞, number of nodes in the domain of influence, free parameter, dependent parameter RBFs and time step length. Numerical experiments demonstrate accuracy and robustness of the method for solving a class of nonlinear partial differential equations.     

An in vitro controlled release study of valproic acid encapsulated in a titania ceramic matrix

Despite the therapeutic efficacy of valproic acid towards numerous diseases, its poor bioavailability and systemic side effects pose significant barriers to long term treatment. In order to take advantage of controlled release implants of valproic acid, the drug was encapsulated into titania ceramic matrices via a sol-gel process. The integrity and structure of valproic acid-containing matrices were characterized through the use of FESEM, TEM, and BET analyses. In vitro controlled release studies and kinetic analyses were performed under ambient conditions (25 °C, atmospheric pressure) and controlled release behaviors were studied using a GC-MS method. Results showed first order dependence in the rate of valproic acid release as a function of drug concentrations in the titania ceramic device. A marked dependence on the surface area and pore size distribution with drug loading was also observed. This research opens new possibilities for the design of novel time-delayed controlled release systems for valproic acid encapsulates.     

On the selection of a good value of shape parameter in solving time-dependent partial differential equations using RBF approximation method

Radial basis function method is an effective tool for solving differential equations in engineering and sciences. Many radial basis functions contain a shape parameter c which is directly connected to the accuracy of the method. Rippa [1] proposed an algorithm for selecting good value of shape parameter c in RBF-interpolation. Based on this idea, we extended the proposed algorithm for selecting a good value of shape parameter c in solving time-dependent partial differential equations.     

Temperature dependence of interband transition energy in InGaAsN strain-compensated quantum-well and ridge-waveguide lasers fabricated with pulsed anodic oxidation

Ridge-waveguide InGaAsN triple-quantum-well strain-compensated lasers grown by metal organic chemical vapor deposition were fabricated with pulsed anodic oxidation. The laser’s output power reached 145 mW in continuous-wave mode at room temperature for a 4-?m -stripe-width laser. Continuous-wave single longitudinal mode operation was maintained at a high injection current level with a wavelength of 1287.3 nm at room temperature. Single longitudinal mode operation at 1317.2 nm was achieved at twice the threshold current at 100 °C. The band gap of InGaAsN in the quantum wells at different temperatures was calculated and compared to the measured temperature-dependent laser wavelength.     

Multi-layer film flow down an inclined plane: experimental investigation

We report the results from an experimental study of the flow of a film down an inclined plane where the film itself is comprised of up to three layers of different liquids. By measuring the total film thickness for a broad range of parameters including flow rates and liquid physical properties, we provide a thorough and systematic test of the single-layer approximation for multi-layer films for Reynolds numbers \(Re = \rho Q/\mu \approx 0.03 - 60\) . In addition, we also measure the change in film thickness of individual layers as a function of flow rates for a variety of experimental configurations. With the aid of high-speed particle tracking, we derive the velocity fields and free-surface velocities to compare to the single-layer approximation. Furthermore, we provide experimental evidence of small capillary ridge formations close to the point where two layers merge and compare our experimental parameter range for the occurrence of this phenomenon to those previously reported.     

Free Convection Boundary Layer Flow from a Heated Upward Facing Horizontal Flat Plate Embedded in a Porous Medium Filled by a Nanofluid with Convective Boundary Condition

The steady laminar incompressible free convective flow of a nanofluid over a permeable upward facing horizontal plate located in porous medium taking into account the thermal convective boundary condition is studied numerically. The nanofluid model used involves the effect of Brownian motion and the thermophoresis. Using similarity transformations the continuity, the momentum, the energy, and the nanoparticle volume fraction equations are transformed into a set of coupled similarity equations, before being solved numerically, by an implicit finite difference numerical method. Our analysis reveals that for a true similarity solution, the convective heat transfer coefficient related with the hot fluid and the mass transfer velocity must be proportional to x ^−2/3, where x is the horizontal distance along the plate from the origin. Effects of the various parameters on the dimensionless longitudinal velocity, the temperature, the nanoparticle volume fraction, as well as on the rate of heat transfer and the rate of nanoparticle volume fraction have been presented graphically and discussed. It is found that Lewis number, the Brownian motion, and the convective heat transfer parameters increase the heat transfer rate whilst the thermophoresis decreases the heat transfer rate. It is also found that Lewis number and the convective heat transfer parameter enhance the nanoparticle volume fraction rate whilst the thermophoresis parameter decreases nanoparticle volume fraction rate. A very good agreement is found between numerical results of the present article for special case and published results. This close agreement supports the validity of our analysis and the accuracy of the numerical computations.     

Equation of state of finite-size hadrons: thermodynamical consistency

A method is presented to derive hadronic gas equation of state incorporating the effect of finite size of baryons in a thermodynamically consistent way. The model contains a more realistic picture of incorporating the effect of excluded volume unlike earlier methods. The results obtained by our calculation and those by the thermodynamically inconsistent methods used in many earlier works are compared.     

Experimental and computational studies of the thermal decomposition of halon 1211

Thermal pyrolysis of halon 1211 (CBrClF₂), diluted in nitrogen, in a tubular alumina reactor, has been studied over the temperature range of 773–1073 K at residence times from 0.3 to 2 s. At temperatures below 973 K, the major products were CCl₂F₂, CBr₂F₂, C₂Cl₂F₄, C₂BrClF₄, C₂F₄, and C₂Br₂F₄. Further increasing temperature resulted in the formation of CBrF₃, CClF₃, and many other species whose formation necessitated the rupture of C? F bonds. Coke formation was also observed on the surface of the reactor at high temperatures. A kinetic reaction scheme involving 16 species and 25 reaction steps was developed and applied to model the thermal pyrolysis of halon 1211 over the temperature range of 773–973 K. Sensitivity analysis suggests that the reaction CBrClF₂ + CClF₂→CCl₂F₂ + CBrF₂ constitutes the major pathway for the decomposition of halon 1211 under the conditions investigated. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 37: 134–146, 2005