Finite element acoustic simulation based shape optimization of a muffler

This paper describes a methodology which combines finite element analysis and Zoutendijk’s feasible directions method for mufflers shape design. The main goal is to obtain the dimensions of the acoustic muffler with the transmission loss (TL), being maximized in the frequency range of interest. The improved four parameters method is used for TL evaluations and the Helmholtz’s equation is solved numerically with the finite element method (FEM). The quadratic triangular finite element meshes are adequately constructed to control the pollution error and the optimization problem is solved using the Zoutendijk’s feasible directions method due to robustness and efficiency for problems with nonlinear constraints. Numeric experiments performed with circular expansion chambers with extended inlet and outlet show results for constrained and unconstrained shape optimization.     

Thiolated poly(ε-caprolactone) macroligand with vacant coordination sites on gold substrate: Synthesis and surface characterization

Surface-confined telechelic poly(ε-caprolactone) macroligand with two distinct functional groups per polymeric chain has been synthesized and characterized. The molecular microstructure of the macroligand with regard to the properties of the end-capped functionalities and with those on surface substrate has been studied by solution and surface analytical methods (i.e., X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), grazing angle reflectance-Fourier transform IR spectroscopy (GA-FTIR), water contact angle measurements, and atomic force microscopy (AFM)) to elucidate the structure and properties of such multifunctional polymer on gold (1 1 1) substrate.     

Multiple mobility edges in a 1D Aubry chain with Hubbard interaction in presence of electric field: Controlled electron transport

Electronic behavior of a 1D Aubry chain with Hubbard interaction is critically analyzed in presence of electric field. Multiple energy bands are generated as a result of Hubbard correlation and Aubry potential, and, within these bands localized states are developed under the application of electric field. Within a tight-binding framework we compute electronic transmission probability and average density of states using Green's function approach where the interaction parameter is treated under Hartree–Fock mean field scheme. From our analysis we find that selective transmission can be obtained by tuning injecting electron energy, and thus, the present model can be utilized as a controlled switching device.     

Toughening poly(lactic acid) (PLA) through in situ reactive blending with liquid polybutadiene rubber (LPB)

Abstract

Liquid polybutadiene rubber (LPB) was blended with poly(lactic acid) (PLA) through reactive and non-reactive routes to enhance the toughness of the PLA. The reactively blended PLA (PBR10) was prepared by melt blending the PLA with the LPB in the presence of dicumyl peroxide (DCP), a radical initiator, while the PB10 was just melt blended without the DCP. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) patterns were used to study the molecular structure of the blends. Properties were investigated through universal testing machine (UTM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis, and rheological measurements. The results indicated that the radical crosslinking by the DCP could increase the compatibility between the PLA and LPB and disperse the rubber particles at the nanoscale in the PLA matrix. As a result, the toughness and melt viscosity of the PLA was significantly enhanced through the reactive blending, which is promising for the practical application of the modified PLA in the area of packaging.     

Externally applied stress sign and film elastic properties effects on brittle film fracture

Rectangular stainless steel samples with TiN film deposited on the front lateral surface were loaded in three-point bending to the maximum normal strain of 6%. Scanning electron microscopy showed that vertical cracks appeared in the tension zone when the tensile strain exceeded 1.5%, while horizontal cracks appeared in the compression zone when the compressive strain exceeded –2.9%. Film cracks in the compressive zone originate from the tensile stress imposed by the plastically deformed substrate due to the Poisson’s expansion. Taking plastic deformation and Poisson’s expansion of the substrate in compression into account, theoretical analysis of normal stress distribution along the cracked film segment in compression is presented. Substrate strain and film elastic properties affect film cracking in the compressive zone. At larger compressive strain, some transverse cracks along with buckling cause the film spallation. The presented method is useful for studying brittle film fracture with variable strain levels in a single sample.     

Integrating neighborhoods in the evaluation of fitness promotes cooperation in the spatial prisoner’s dilemma game

A fundamental question of human society is the evolution of cooperation. Many previous studies explored this question via setting spatial background, where players obtain their payoffs by playing game with their nearest neighbors. Another undoubted fact is that the environment plays an important role in the individual development. Inspired by these phenomena, we reconsider the definition of individual fitness which integrates the environment, denoted by the average payoff of all individual neighbors, with the traditional individual payoffs by introducing a selection parameter u. Tuning u equal to zero returns the traditional version, while increasing u bears the influence of environment. We find that considering the environment, i.e., integrating neighborhoods in the evaluation of fitness, promotes cooperation. If we enhance the value of u, the invasion of defection could be resisted better. We also provide quantitative explanations and complete phase diagrams presenting the influence of the environment on the evolution of cooperation. Finally, the universality of this mechanism is testified for different neighborhood sizes, different topology structures and different game models. Our work may shed light on the emergence and persistence of cooperation in our life.     

Transmission Electron Microscopic Investigation of the Morphology of High-Speed Spun Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) Fibers

Permanganic etching was performed on high-speed spun (HSS) and regular fibers of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), and their surface morphologies were investigated via the two-stage carbon replica method using a transmission electron microscope (TEM). The HSS PET fibers, with disordered amorphous regions, showed peculiar surface morphology; many small warts corresponding to the pits of etched disordered amorphous regions were observed. Such unevenness, however, was hardly observed on the surface of the permanganic-etched regular PET fibers, with well-oriented amorphous regions, or on the surface of alkali-etched HSS PET fibers. The permanganic etchant removed the disordered amorphous regions more preferentially compared with the alkali etchant.     

Bonding at Compatible and Incompatible Amorphous Interfaces of Polystyrene and Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Below the Glass Transition Temperature

Abstract

Films of high‐molecular‐weight amorphous polystyrene (PS, M _w = 225 kg/mol, M _w/M _n = 3, T _g‐bulk = 97°C, where T _g‐bulk is the glass transition temperature of the bulk sample) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA, M _w = 87 kg/mol, M _w/M _n = 2, T _g‐bulk = 109°C) were brought into contact in a lap‐shear joint geometry at a constant healing temperature T _h, between 44°C and 114°C, for 1 or 24 hr and submitted to tensile loading on an Instron tester at ambient temperature. The development of the lap‐shear strength σ at an incompatible PS–PMMA interface has been followed in regard to those at compatible PS–PS and PMMA–PMMA interfaces. The values of strength for the incompatible PS–PMMA and compatible PMMA–PMMA interfaces were found to be close, both being smaller by a factor of 2 to 3 than the values of σ for the PS–PS interface developed after healing at the same conditions. This observation suggests that the development of the interfacial structure at the PS–PMMA interface is controlled by the slow component, i.e., PMMA. Bonding at the three interfaces investigated was mechanically detected after healing for 24 hr at T _h = 44°C, i.e., well below T _g‐bulks of PS and PMMA, with the observation of very close values of the lap‐shear strength for the three interfaces considered, 0.11–0.13 MPa. This result indicates that the incompatibility between the chain segments of PS and PMMA plays a negligible negative role in the interfacial bonding well below T _g‐bulk.