Modelling pH-Dependent and Microstructure-Dependent Streaming Potential Coefficient and Zeta Potential of Porous Sandstones

In this paper, we have significantly modified an existing model for calculating the zeta potential and streaming potential coefficient of porous media and tested it with a large, recently published, high-quality experimental dataset. The newly modified model does not require the imposition of a zeta potential offset but derives its high salinity zeta potential behaviour from Stern plane saturation considerations. The newly modified model has been implemented as a function of temperature, salinity, pH, and rock microstructure both for facies-specific aggregations of the new data and for individual samples. Since the experimental data include measurements on samples of both detrital and authigenic overgrowth sandstones, it was possible to model and test the effect of widely varying microstructural properties while keeping lithology constant. The results show that the theoretical model represents the experimental data very well when applied to model data for a particular lithofacies over the whole salinity, from 10^?5 to 6.3 mol/dm³, and extremely well when modelling individual samples and taking individual sample microstructure into account. The new model reproduces and explains the extreme sensitivity of zeta and streaming potential coefficient to pore fluid pH. The low salinity control of streaming potential coefficient by rock microstructure is described well by the modified model. The model also behaves at high salinities, showing that the constant zeta potential observed at high salinities arises from the development of a maximum charge density in the diffuse layer as it is compressed to the thickness of one hydrated metal ion.     

Study of the effect of properties of material on vacuum breakdown initiated by laser radiation

In this work, the effect of various properties of materials on vacuum breakdown initiated by laser radiation is considered. Estimating calculations are performed which show that the material of the target electrode distinctly affects the minimum energy of laser radiation needed for igniting a vacuum spark. The experimental studies carried out confirm the estimating calculations, and a number of materials are revealed which can be arranged in order of increase in the energy needed for the formation of breakdown in vacuum by the impact of a laser pulse.     

Force Chain Characteristics and Effects of a Dense Granular Flow System in a Third Body Interface During the Shear Dilatancy Process

In order to investigate the characteristics of force chains in a granular flow system, a parallel plate shear cell is constructed to simulate the shear movement of an infinite parallel plate and observe variations in relevant parameters. The shear dilatancy process is divided into three stages, namely, plastic strain, macroscopic failure, and granular recombination. The stickslip phenomenon is highly connected with the evolution of force chains during the shear dilatancy process. The load–distribution rate curves and patterns of the force chains are utilized to describe the load-carrying behaviors and morphologic changes of force chains separately. Force chains, namely, “diagonal gridding,” “tadpole-shaped,” and “pinnate” are defined according to the form of the force chains in the corresponding three stages.     

Combustion properties of H2/N2/O2/steam mixtures

The present work reports new experimental and numerical results of the combustion properties of hydrogen based mixtures diluted by nitrogen and steam. Spherical expanding flames have been studied in a spherical bomb over a large domain of equivalence ratios, initial temperatures and dilutions at an initial pressure of 100 kPa (T_ini = 296, 363, 413 K; N₂/O₂ = 3.76, 5.67, 9; %Steam = 0, 20, 30). From these experiments, the laminar flame speed $S_L^0$, the Markstein length L’, the activation energy Ea and the Zel'dovich β number have been determined. These parameters were also simulated using COSILAB^® in order to verify the validity of the Mével et al. [1] detailed kinetic mechanism. Other parameters as the laminar flame thickness δ and the effective Lewis number Le_eff were also simulated. These new results aim at providing an extended database that will be very useful in the hydrogen combustion hazard assessment for nuclear reactor power plant new design.     

The evolution and future of influenza pandemic preparedness

The influenza virus is a global threat to human health causing unpredictable yet recurring pandemics, the last four emerging over the course of a hundred years. As our knowledge of influenza virus evolution, distribution, and transmission has increased, paths to pandemic preparedness have become apparent. In the 1950s, the World Health Organization (WHO) established a global influenza surveillance network that is now composed of institutions in 122 member states. This and other surveillance networks monitor circulating influenza strains in humans and animal reservoirs and are primed to detect influenza strains with pandemic potential. Both the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the WHO have also developed pandemic risk assessment tools that evaluate specific aspects of emerging influenza strains to develop a systematic process of determining research and funding priorities according to the risk of emergence and potential impact. Here, we review the history of influenza pandemic preparedness and the current state of preparedness, and we propose additional measures for improvement. We also comment on the intersection between the influenza pandemic preparedness network and the current SARS-CoV-2 crisis. We must continually evaluate and revise our risk assessment and pandemic preparedness plans and incorporate new information gathered from research and global crises.Subject terms: Influenza virus, Infectious diseases