Kinematical synthesis of 1-dof mechanisms using finite elements and genetic algorithms

The use of finite elements in both kinematic analysis and synthesis of mechanisms has shown good performance. Its only drawback is the need for an initial reasonable quality solution.

To address this topic, the use of genetic algorithms with a finite-element-based error function is proposed in this paper. This approach has not only shown good behaviour with simple mechanisms, but also with complex kinematic chains.

The energy-based error function, which has demonstrated such good behaviour in the optimization via second-order Newton–Raphson methods, presented some limitations. To solve them, a new distance-based error function has been developed. Simultaneously, new finite elements have been created to represent some joints and kinematic elements. The need to address some specific configuration problems has led to the development of a correction algorithm.     

Computational investigation into the mechanisms of UV ablation of poly(methyl methacrylate)

Molecular dynamics simulations with an embedded Monte Carlo based reaction scheme were used to study UV ablation of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) at 157 nm. We discuss the onset of ablation, the formation and distribution of products in the plume and stress relaxation of the polymer matrix. Laser induced heating and bond-breaks are considered as ablation pathways. We show here that depending on the nature of energy deposition the evolution of ablation plume and yield composition can be quite different. If all of photon energy is converted to heat it can set off ablation via mechanical failure of the material in the heated region. Alternatively, if the photon energy goes towards breaking bonds first, it initiates chemical reactions, polymer unzipping and formation of gaseous products inside the substrate. The ejection of these molecules has a hollowing out effect on the substrate which can lead to ejection of larger chunks. No excessive pressure buildup due to creation of gaseous molecules or entrainment of larger polymer chunks is observed in this case.     

Chain elongation during thermolysis of tetrafluoroethylene and hexafluoropropylene: Modeling of mechanistic hypotheses and elucidation of data needs

Thermolysis of tetrafluoroethylene at ≤500 °C is well-known to lead to equilibration with octafluorocyclobutane; at ≈600 °C this mixture forms hexafluoropropylene; and at slightly more forcing conditions the latter is converted to octafluoroisobutylene (and/or octafluoro-2-butene). This chain-elongation behavior contrasts with the familiar cracking of non-fluorinated olefins and the thermodynamic rationale is provided herein. Several mechanisms have been proposed in the literature without a clear choice. Kinetic modeling herein of available product/kinetic data with use of current thermochemical and kinetic parameters supports a key role for difluorocarbene formed from dissociation of tetrafluoroethylene. Arbitrary selection between unfortunately inconsistent available measurements and/or computations of elementary rate constants, with modest adjustments, allowed data matches with either a direct insertion into an olefinic C-F bond or an addition to the olefin to give a 1,3-biradical followed by a 1,2-fluorine shift. In contrast, a 1,2-fluorine shift in the starting olefin to generate a carbene, followed by carbene combination, seems unlikely. However, the modeling was only partially successful, especially for hexafluoropropylene as feed which seems a comparatively inefficient source of difluorocarbene. This highlights the need for improved experimental thermolysis data at low conversion, independent elementary rate constants for key steps, and enthalpies of formation of fluorocarbons and their reactive intermediates, especially C₃F₆.     

Ab initio/DFT theory and multichannel RRKM study on the mechanisms and kinetics for the CH3S + CO reaction

The potential energy surface for the reaction of CH₃S with CO was calculated at the G3MP2//B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level. The rate constants for feasible channels leading to several products were calculated by TST and multichannel-RRKM theory. The results show that addition–elimination mechanism is dominant, while hydrogen abstraction mechanism is uncompetitive. The major channel is the addition of CO to CH₃S leading to an intermediate CH₃SCO which then decomposes to CH₃ + OCS. In the temperature range of 200–3000 K, the overall rate constants are positive temperature dependence and pressure independence, and it can be described by the expression as k = 1.10 × 10⁻¹⁶T^1.57exp(−3359/T) cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. At temperature between 208 and 295 K, the calculated rate constants are in good agreement with the experimental upper limit data. At T = 1000 and 2000 K, the major product is CH₃ + OCS at lower pressure; while at higher pressure, the stabilization of IM1 is dominant channel.     

Spiroluchuene A Synthase: A Cyclase from Aspergillus luchuensis Forming a Spirotetracyclic Diterpene

The diterpene synthase AlTS was identified from Aspergillus luchuensis. AlTS catalyses the formation of the diterpene hydrocarbon spiroluchuene A, which exhibits a novel skeleton characterised by a spirocyclic ring system. The cyclisation mechanism towards this compound was elucidated through isotopic labelling experiments in conjunction with DFT calculations and metadynamic simulations. The biosynthetic intermediate luchudiene, besides the derivative spiroluchuene B, was captured from an enzyme variant obtained through site-directed mutagenesis. With its 10-membered ring luchudiene is structurally related to germacrenes and can undergo a Cope rearrangement to luchuelemene.