Nonlinear propagation of spark-generated N-waves in air: modeling and measurements using acoustical and optical methods

The propagation of nonlinear spherically diverging N-waves in homogeneous air is studied experimentally and theoretically. A spark source is used to generate high amplitude (1.4 kPa) short duration (40 μs) N-waves; acoustic measurements are performed using microphones (3 mm diameter, 150 kHz bandwidth). Numerical modeling with the generalized Burgers equation is used to reveal the relative effects of acoustic nonlinearity, thermoviscous absorption, and oxygen and nitrogen relaxation on the wave propagation. The results of modeling are in a good agreement with the measurements in respect to the wave amplitude and duration. However, the measured rise time of the front shock is ten times longer than the calculated one, which is attributed to the limited bandwidth of the microphone. To better resolve the shock thickness, a focused shadowgraphy technique is used. The recorded optical shadowgrams are compared with shadow patterns predicted by geometrical optics and scalar diffraction model of light propagation. It is shown that the geometrical optics approximation results in overestimation of the shock rise time, while the diffraction model allows to correctly resolve the shock width. A combination of microphone measurements and focused optical shadowgraphy is therefore a reliable way of studying evolution of spark-generated shock waves in air.     

Mechanisms for saturation of nonlinear pulsed and periodic signals in focused acoustic beams

Acoustic fields of powerful ultrasound sources with Gaussian spatial apodization and initial excitation in the form of a periodic wave or single pulse are examined based on the numerical solution of the Khokhlov-Zabolotskaya-Kuznetsov equation. The influence of nonlinear effects on the spatial structure of focused beams, as well as on the limiting values of the acoustic field parameters is compared. It is demonstrated that pressure saturation in periodic fields is mainly due to the effect of nonlinear absorption at a shock front, while in pulsed fields is due to the effect of nonlinear refraction. The limiting attainable values for the peak positive pressure in periodic fields turned out to be higher than the analogous values in pulsed acoustic fields. The total energy in a beam of periodic waves decreases with the distance from the source faster than in the case of a pulsed field, but it becomes concentrated within much smaller spatial region in the vicinity of the focus. These special features of nonlinear effect manifestation provide an opportunity to use pulsed beams for more efficient delivery of wave energy to the focus and to use periodic beams for attaining higher values of pressure in the focal region.     

Adsorption of hydrocarbons from solutions and gas phase on silica and alumina modified with silver and gold ions

The paper reports the immobilization of Ag⁺ cations on alumina and silica and AuCl ₄ ^? anions on amino silica and alumina. The method of inverse gas chromatography have demonstrated that Ag(I)-silica is selective for the separation of alkanes, alkenes, alkines, and arenes. The dependence of the capacitance of Ag(I) and Au(III) composites with regard to phenylacetylene (PHA) on the nature of the carriers, surface concentration, and technique of immobilizing ion metals has been considered. The isotherms of the adsorption of PHA from solutions in octane have been measured. It has been revealed that the capacitance of composites with regard to toward PHA prepared by the immobilization of ammoniates of silver nitrate on silicon dioxide is several times higher than for composites based on alumina with the same silver concentration and composites prepared by the immobilization of silver nitrate on silicon dioxide. The capacitance of the Au(III) composite based on alumina for PHA is significantly higher than for that based on aluminum oxide. The highest capacitance for PHA (0.83 and 0.88 molecules per metal ion) is observed for Ag(I) silica and the Au(III) alumina composite. In the visible region, the diffuse reflection spectra of amino silica Au(III) composites have a significant shift of the maximum of adsorption band along with the decrease in the concentration of immobilized anions of AuCl ₄ ^? , which evinces the formation of coordination bonds between free amin?propyl groups of the silica carrier and gold atom. The formation of these bonds prevents the adsorption of PHA on amino silica Au(III) composites with low gold concentrations.     

The nonexchange sorption of histidine by low-basicity anion exchangers

The experimental data showed that the nonexchange absorption of histidine by AN-221, AN-251, AN-31, and EDE-10P anion exchangers in the HCl form depended on the structure of the anion exchanger. The activity coefficients of the components of the sorbent phase, thermodynamic equilibrium constants, and standard Gibbs energies of nonexchange sorption of histidine by the low-basicity anion exchangers were calculated and discussed.     

Fullerene-C60, A New Effective Inhibitor of High-Temperature Thermooxidative Degradation of Methyl Methacrylate Copolymers

Fullerene-C₆₀ inhibits thermal and thermooxidative degradation of copolymers of methyl methacrylate with styrene, butyl acrylate, glycidyl methacrylate, and hydroxyethyl methacrylate.     

Kinetics of Reaction between Magnesium Hydroxide and Dimethyl Phosphite

The kinetic of the reaction between magnesium hydroxide and dimethyl phosphite in nitrobenzene was studied.     

Designing Fully Populated Phased Arrays for Noninvasive Ultrasound Surgery with Controlled Degree of Irregularity in the Arrangement of Elements

Acoustical Physics - When designing phased antenna arrays for use in noninvasive ultrasound surgery, it is desirable to provide the highest possible power for a given array dimensions. At the same...     

Monitoring of temperature variation in the focal region of an ultrasonic transducer

A method for remote monitoring of temperature in the focal region of a high-intensity ultrasonic transducer is described. Results of measurements and theoretical simulation are presented. The measurements were conducted on a polymer sample with thermophysical and acoustic parameters close to the properties of a soft biological tissue. The sample was heated by a focused piezoelectric transducer with different values of radiation power. The delay of a probe pulse transmitted through the heated region perpendicularly to the axis of the intense ultrasonic beam was detected. The local character of temperature measurements was provided by focusing the probe pulse at the heated region. The application of an additional transducer installed confocally with the probing one provided an opportunity to enhance the precision of measurements. An analysis was conducted on the basis of a numerical solution of the heat conduction equation. The function of thermal sources in the heat conduction equation was calculated according to the results of measuring the pressure distribution in the focal region of the heating transducer. The experimental data obtained agree well with the results of simulation and demonstrate a fundamental possibility of using the proposed ultrasonic technique for remote temperature measurements.     

Nanostructures of surfaces of silica films obtained by sol—gel method in the presence of organic additives

The dependence of the antireflection properties of film coatings deposited on the silicate glass obtained by sol—gel method in the presence of organic additives on the dimensions of nanostructures of the silica films was studied.