New (3+1)‐dimensional nonlinear equations with KdV equation constituting its main part: multiple soliton solutions

In thiswork,we present two new(3+1)‐dimensional nonlinear equationswith Korteweg‐de Vries equation constituting its main part. We show that the dispersive relation is distinct for each model, whereas the phase shift remains the same. We determine multiple solitons solutions, with distinct physical structures, for each established equation. The architectures of the simplified Hirota's method is implemented in this paper. The constraint conditions that fall out which must remain valid in order for themultiple solitons to exist are derived.Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effective synthesis of carbon nanotubes via catalytic decomposition of methane: Influence of calcination temperature on metal–support interaction of Co–Mo/MgO catalyst

The present work investigated the influence of calcination temperature for bimetallic Co–Mo/MgO catalyst on the synthesis of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) via catalytic chemical vapor deposition (CCVD) of methane. The experimental results showed that variation in the catalyst calcination temperature affected carbon yield, diameter distribution and quality of the CNTs. Increasing the catalyst calcination temperature enabled Co–Mo/MgO catalysts in growing CNTs at higher yield, narrower diameter distribution and better degree of graphitization, credited to the strong metal–support interaction (MSI) formed between CoO species and MgO support. We also discovered that the catalysts of weak MSI were beneficial to the nucleation and growth of CNTs, meanwhile the catalysts with strong MSI provoked the growth of CNTs with narrow diameter distribution. The catalyst calcined at 700 °C, possessing moderate MSI, was found to be the most suitable catalyst for the growth of high quality CNTs with the diameter of 7.70±0.77 nm and the carbon yield of as high as 647.4%.     

Aggregation and microenvironmental properties of gemini and conventional mixed surfactants systems: A fluorometric study

Aggregation behavior of cationic gemini (hexanediyl-1,5-bis(dimethylcettylammonium bromide) (16-5-16)) surfactant with conventional single chain surfactants cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide (TTAB) were studied with the help of fluorescence measurements. Fluorescence probe is a proficient technique for examining the surfactant-surfactant interaction and aggregation. The micelle aggregation number (N _agg) was measured using steady-state fluorescence quenching method. The micelle aggregation numbers of binary combinations fall between those of constituent surfactants. The micropolarity (I ₁/I ₃), binding constant (K _sv) and dielectric constant (D _exp) of mixed systems were determined from the ratio of peaks intensity in the pyrene fluorescence spectrum. The I ₁/I ₃ values were found to be more than >1, showing more polar environment around pyrene in the mixed micelle as compared to the pure micelles.     

Nanotextured multicrystalline Al‐BSF solar cells reaching 18% conversion efficiency using industrially viable solar cell processes

We report recent achievements in adapting industrially used solar cell processes on nanotextured surfaces. Nanostructures were etched into c‐Si surfaces by dry exothermic plasma‐less reaction of F species with Si in atmospheric pressure conditions and then modified using a short post‐etching process. Nanotextured multicrystalline wafers are used to prepare Al‐BSF solar cells using industrially feasible solar cell proc‐ essing steps. In comparison to the reference acidic textured solar cells, the nanostructured cells showed gain in short circuit current (J_sc) of up to 0.8 mA/cm² and absolute gain in conversion efficiency of up to 0.3%. The best nanotextured solar cell was independently certified to reach the conversion efficiency of 18.0%. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Laser bending of AISI 304 steel sheets: Thermal stress analysis

Laser induced bending of steel sheet is carried out and thermal stress developed in the heated region is examined. Temperature and stress fields are predicted using the finite element model. The microstructural changes in the melted region are investigated through scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The residual stress developed at the surface vicinity of the laser treated region is measured using the X-ray diffraction technique, which is then compared with its counterpart predicted from the simulations. It is found that the residual stress at the surface vicinity is compressive and the prediction of the residual stress agrees well with that obtained from the X-ray diffraction technique. In addition, surface temperature predictions are in good agreement with the thermocouple data. The laser treated region is free from major cracks and large cavities.     

Fluctuations in apparent mass at the bottom of granular columns due to different arrangements

We report the fluctuations in apparent mass at the bottom of granular columns due to various configurations. It is found that the fluctuations decrease with the increase in the ratio of diameters of silo to grain. For the arrangement of different grain layers in a column, the higher fluctuations appear when the larger grains are stacked at the bottom layer while reversing the order of grain-layers leads to smaller fluctuations. We attribute this behavior to the randomness in the direction of frictional forces between the grains and the confining wall. Moreover, due to polydisperse media, the development of inhomogeneous force transmission in grains may cause this to happen.     

Creeping flow analysis of slightly non-Newtonian fluid in a uniformly porous slit

This paper provides the analysis of the steady, creeping flow of a special class of slightly viscoelastic, incompressible fluid through a slit having porous walls with uniform porosity. The governing two dimensional flow equations along with non-homogeneous boundary conditions are non-dimensionalized. Recursive approach is used to solve the resulting equations. Expressions for stream function, velocity components, volumetric flow rate, pressure distribution, shear and normal stresses in general and on the walls of the slit, fractional absorption and leakage flux are derived. Points of maximum velocity components are also identified. A graphical study is carried out to show the effect of porosity and non-Newtonian parameter on above mentioned resulting expressions. It is observed that axial velocity of the fluid decreases with the increase in porosity and non-Newtonian parameter. The outcome of this theoretical study has significant importance both in industry and biosciences.     

Efficient coupling and relaxed alignment tolerances in pigtailing of a laser diode using dual ball lenses

In this paper, we report an efficient coupling scheme with relaxed misalignment tolerances. The proposed coupling scheme consists of two ball lenses of same diameter (1 mm) and different refractive indices. The second ball lens which is facing the fiber tip has a higher refractive index (1.833), whereas the first one which faces the laser diode has a refractive index of 1.5. Employing Gaussian and ABCD ray tracing optics, the theoretically obtained coupling efficiency can reach a unity with relaxed working distance (separation of the coupling system from the fiber tip) in the range between 1 and 4 mm at some optimum positions of the coupling lenses with regard to each other and to the facet of the laser diode. It has been found that if the distance between the first ball lens and the laser diode (d₁) is fixed at 1.1 mm, which is twice its focal length, the coupling efficiency and the working distance as well as the misalignment tolerances are greatly affected by variation of the separation between the two ball lenses (s), and for this proposed coupling scheme the highest coupling efficiency and largest working distance are obtained when s is in the range of 0.3-0.35 mm. Above and below this range there is a significant reduction in the values of the above-mentioned parameters. Experimentally, the Nd:YAG laser welding system has been used for the alignment and welding of the coupling components in a butterfly configuration; the experimentally obtained coupling efficiency of the proposed coupling system was around 75% with relaxed working distance. From the effect of lateral and angular offsets on coupling efficiency, it is clearly noticed that the mode field of laser diode is transformed from elliptical into circular and hence effectively matched with that of the single-mode fiber.