Combined forced and natural convection in laminar film flow

A mathematical model for the flow and heat transfer in a gravity-driven liquid film is presented, in which the strict Boussinesq approximation is adopted to account for buoyancy. A similarity transformation reduces the governing equations to a coupled set of ordinary differential equations. The resulting two-parameter problem is solved numerically for Prandtl numbers ranging from 1 to 1000. Favourable buoyancy arises when the temperatureT _w of the isothermal surface is lower than the temperatureT ₀ of the incoming fluid, and the principal effects of the aiding buoyancy are to increase the wall shear and heat transfer rate. For unfavourable buoyancy (T _w>T ₀), the buoyancy force and gravity act in opposite directions and the flow in the film boundary layer decelerates, whereas the friction and heat transfer are reduced. The observed effects of buoyancy diminish appreciably for higher Prandtl numbers.     

An isoindigo-based low band gap polymer for efficient polymer solar cells with high photo-voltage

A new low band gap polymer (E(g) = 1.6 eV) with alternating thiophene and isoindigo units was synthesized and characterized. A PCE of 3.0% and high open-circuit voltage of 0.89 V were realized in polymer solar cells, which demonstrated the promise of isoindigo as an electron deficient unit in the design of donor-acceptor conjugated polymers for polymer solar cells.     

Pyranoside phosphite-oxazoline ligands for the highly versatile and enantioselective ir-catalyzed hydrogenation of minimally functionalized olefins. A combined theoretical and experimental study

A modular set of phosphite-oxazoline (P,N) ligands has been applied to the title reaction. Excellent ligands have been identified for a range of substrates, including previously challenging terminally disubstituted olefins, where we now have reached enantioselectivities of 99% for a range of substrates. The selectivity is best for minimally functionalized substrates with at least a moderate size difference between geminal groups. A DFT study has allowed identification of the preferred pathway. Computational prediction of enantioselectivities gave very good accuracy.     

Investigation of Artefact Formation During Analysis of Volatile Sulphur Compounds Using Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME)

The occurrence and origin of artefact formation during the analysis of volatile sulphur compounds in air by PDMS/Carboxen fibre were investigated. Among the studied compounds (hydrogen sulphide, carbon disulphide, diethyl sulphide, methyl ethyl sulphide, isopropanethiol, methanethiol, dimethyl sulphide, dimethyl disulphide, carbonyl sulphide), essentially mercaptans were shown to react to form the corresponding dimers. However, in the presence of several oxygenated and amines compounds which are common components of industrial effluents, no further artefact formation or reaction was noticed. Artefact formation was therefore considered to be independent of the sample matrix. Thermal oxidation occurring during the desorption step in the GC injection port was assessed. As metallic elements were previously suspected to catalyse the reaction, a specially deactivated SPME needle was tested, but no significant difference was noticed compared to the original needle. It was therefore assumed that metallic elements naturally present on Carboxen may act as catalysts. Similar results were obtained by using Carboxen in adsorbent tubes, as artefacts were increased by comparison with Tenax TA and molecular sieve 5A.     

On the orientation of ellipsoidal particles in a turbulent shear flow

Direct numerical simulation (DNS) of small prolate ellipsoidal particles suspended in a turbulent channel flow is reported. The coupling between the fluid and the particles is one-way. The particles are subjected to the hydrodynamic drag force and torque valid for creeping flow conditions. Six different particle cases with varying particle aspect ratios and equivalent response times are investigated. Results show that, in the near-wall region, ellipsoidal particles tend to align with the mean flow direction, and the alignment increases with increasing particle aspect ratio. When the particle inertia increases, the particles are less oriented in the spanwise direction and more oriented in the wall-normal direction. In the core region of the channel, the orientation becomes isotropic.     

DNS of backward‐facing step flow with fully turbulent inflow

Direct numerical simulation (DNS) has been performed to study the channel flow over a backward‐facing step at a Reynolds number Re_b=5600 based on the step height h and the inflow bulk velocity U_b. A dynamic method has been used in order to generate realistic turbulent inflow conditions. The results upstream of the step compared well with the fully developed channel flow. Downstream of the step our results show excellent agreement with experimental data. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Optimal bond portfolios with fixed time to maturity

We study interest rate models where the term structure is given by an affine relation and in particular where the driving stochastic processes are so-called generalized Ornstein–Uhlenbeck processes.     

Decision support tools for ambulance dispatch and relocation

In this paper, the development of decision support tools for dynamic ambulance relocation and automatic ambulance dispatching is described. The ambulance dispatch problem is to choose which ambulance to send to a patient. The dynamic ambulance relocation problem occurs in the operational control of ambulances. The objective is to find new locations for some of the ambulances, to increase the preparedness in the area of responsibility. Preparedness is a way of evaluating the ability to serve potential patients with ambulances now and in the future. Computational tests using a simulation model show that the tools are beneficial in reducing the waiting periods for the patients.