Optimal poroelastic layer sequencing for sound transmission loss maximization by topology optimization method

Optimal layer sequencing of a multilayered acoustical foam is solved to maximize its sound transmission loss. A foam consisting of air and poroelastic layers can be optimized when a limited amount of a poroelastic material is allowed. By formulating the sound transmission loss maximization problem as a one-dimensional topology optimization problem, optimal layer sequencing and thickness were systematically found for several single and ranges of frequencies. For optimization, the transmission losses of air and poroelastic layers were calculated by the transfer matrix derived from Biot's theory. By interpolating five intrinsic parameters among several poroelastic material parameters, distinct air-poroelastic layer distributions were obtained; no filtering or postprocessing was necessary. The optimized foam layouts by the proposed method were shown to differ depending on the frequency bands of interest.     

Recrystallization inhibition assessed by splat cooling and optical recrystallometry

Levels of recrystallization have been measured by two distinct techniques; a splat cooling assay and a new device, an optical recrystallometer, which measures the change in light transmittance through a frozen sample. Both techniques indicate the presence of recrystallization inhibitors in a grass extract and in other samples. The advantages of each method of measuring recrystallization are discussed.     

Effect of intra- and extra-liposomal distribution of sodium chloride on the stability of large unilamellar vesicles

Three groups of 1,2-dipalmitoyl-rac-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) large unilamellar vesicle (LUV) dispersions were studied: LUV (A) dispersions with only extraliposomal sodium chloride (NaCl), LUV (B) dispersions with intra- and extraliposomal NaCl, and LUV (C) dispersions with only intraliposomal NaCl. The NaCl concentrations ranged from 0 to 150 mM. An abrupt increase in leakage was observed around -10 degree C for all the three groups of LUV, which coincided with the temperature of extraliposomal ice formation. Within the three groups, leakage of LUV (C) was significantly higher than the other groups. Extraliposomal ice formation and the resulting freeze-concentration of LUV may be the major cause of the leakage. Intraliposomal ice formation observed at -43 degree C seemed to stop leakage of LUV when LUV were frozen below -43 degree C. An exotherm of eutectic crystallization of NaCl was occasionally observed at -37 degree C, with a higher probability of formation at 150 mM extraliposomal NaCl than at 50 mM. The eutectic crystals were thought to cause additional leakage from the LUV (B).     

Ordered arrangement of 9-aminoanthracene on Au(1 1 1) surfaces: A scanning tunneling microscopy study

We present a scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) investigation of 9-aminoanthracene (AA) on the reconstructed Au(1 1 1) surface. The bare Au(1 1 1) surface shows the herringbone reconstruction which is conserved upon deposition of the organic molecules. Most of the AA molecules are found to decorate the regions of fcc-stacking of the gold surface where a periodic linear arrangement is observed. The orientation of the long molecule axis of individual molecules is along the -directions of the Au substrate. In addition, for individual domains of the surface reconstruction, one of the three possible orientations is preferred. On substrate areas which exhibit a high step density, the steps are completely decorated by AA molecules. A detailed analysis of the STM images reveals that the molecules are located on top terrace levels. The fine structure of individual molecules on the terrace shows a clear dependence on the tunneling voltage and resembles the molecular orbitals of the free AA molecule.     

Mimicking optical activity for generating radially polarized light

We propose a new scheme for generating radially polarized light by mimicking optical activity using linear birefringence. It involves a birefringent spirally varying retarder sandwiched between two orthogonally oriented quarter-wave plates. Using Poincaré sphere representation, we show that the polarization transformation of such a scheme is equivalent to that of a spirally varying optical activity and is capable of generating radially polarized light. We demonstrate the proof-of-concept using y-cut crystalline quartz.     

The evolution of initially uniform shear flow through a nearly two-dimensional 90° curved duct

An experimental study has been made in a nearly two-dimensional 90° curved duct to investigate the effects of interaction between streamline curvature and mean strain on the evolution of turbulence. The initial uniform shear at the entrance to the curved duct was varied by an upstream shear generator to produce five different shear conditions; a uniform flow (UF), a positive weak shear (PW), a positive strong shear (PS), a negative weak shear (NW) and a negative strong shear (NS). The variations of surface pressure and the mean velocity profiles along the downstream direction under different initial shears are carefully measured. The responses of turbulent Reynolds stresses and triple velocity products to the curvature and the mean strain are also investigated. The evolution of turbulence under the curvature with the different shear conditions is described in terms of the turbulent kinetic energy and the various length scales vs the angular distance θ or a curvature parameters S _c which is defined by S _c = (U/R)/(dU/dy- U/R). The results show that the turbulent kinetic energy and the integral length scale are augmented when S _c < 0.054 whereas they are suppressed when S _c > 0.054. It is also observed that the micro-length scales of Taylor and Kolmogoroff are relatively insensitive to the curvature.     

EFFECT OF VERTICAL BAFFLES ON PARTICLE MIXING AND DRYING IN FLUIDIZED BEDS OF GROUP D PARTICLES

This study reports the effect of vertical baffles on the group D powder mixing and drying characteristics in a batch fluidized bed dryer. Results obtained in this study showed that operating the fluidized bed dryer with vertical baffles gave better particle mixing. This is due to the fact that the vertical baffles acted to limit the growth of small bubbles into large bubbles and the small bubbles caused more vigorous mixing in the bed of particles before finally erupting at the bed surface. Thus, insertion of vertical baffles is a useful way to process group D particles in a fluidized bed, especially when the fluidized bed is large.     

Theoretical Investigation of the Reaction Mechanism of the Photoisomerization of 1,2‐Dihydro‐1,2‐azaborine

The photoisomerization of 1,2‐dihydro‐1,2‐azaborine was investigated by high‐level multireference ab initio and density functional theory calculations. The intermediates (IMs) and transition states (TSs) on the S₀ and S₁ states were optimized using the state‐averaged complete active space self‐consistent field method. The multireference configuration interaction method with the Davidson correction was used to obtain accurate energetics. Moreover, the conical intersections (CIs), which play a crucial role in photoisomerization, were also optimized. On the basis of the calculation results, the most favorable proposed reaction pathway is as follows: reactant→Franck‐Condon region→TS₁→CI→IM₀→TS_0P→product. The product was not directly formed through the CI, and the IM₀ existed on the S₀ state. These results show that the isomerization of 1,2‐dihydro‐1,2‐azaborine involves both photoreactions and thermal reactions. The calculated results clarify recent experimental observations.