Asymptotic Convergences in a One-Phase Continuous-Casting Stefan Problem with High Extraction Velocity

Asymptotic convergence for variational solutions and for thefree boundaries in a one-phase continuous-casting problem ofthe Stefan type are derived when the Péclet number ß+. This corresponds, in particular, to a model with high extractionvelocity, where an ultraparabolic problem is obtained from aparabolic one and, in the stabilized case (i.e. when t +), aparabolic problem results from an elliptic one. The asymptoticstabilization in time as t + is also discussed in the limitß = +.     

Virial coefficients and equations of state for mixtures of hard discs,hard spheres and hard hyperspheres

The composition-independent virial coefficients of a d-dimensional binary mixture of (additive) hard hyperspheres following from a recent proposal for the equation of state of the mixture (Santos, A., Yuste, S. B., and López de Haro, M., 1999, Molec. Phys., 96, 1) are examined. Good agreement between theoretical estimates and available exact or numerical results is found for d = 2, 3, 4 and 5, except for mixtures whose components are very disparate in size. A slight modification that remedies this deficiency is introduced and the resummation of the associated virial series is carried out, leading to a new proposal for the equation of state. The case of binary hard sphere mixtures (d = 3) is analysed in some detail.     

Optical Fiber Sensor Technology in Portugal

Abstract

A general overview of the R&D activity in fiber optic sensing developed over the last fifteen years in Portugal is given. Different topics are addressed, including interferometric, intensity and Bragg grating based fiber optic sensors, signal processing and multiplexing techniques, optical current sensors, together with some references to field trials and applications. Possible guidelines for present and future national R&D activity on this subject are outlined.     

Direct correlation functions and bridge functions in additive hard-sphere mixtures

A method to obtain (approximate) analytical expressions for the radial distribution functions in a multicomponent mixture of additive hard spheres that was recently introduced is used to obtain the direct correlation functions and bridge functions in these systems. This method, which yields results practically equivalent to the generalized mean spherical approximation and includes thermodynamic consistency, is an alternative to the usual integral equation approaches and requires as input only the contact values of the radial distribution functions and the isothermal compressibility. Calculations of the bridge functions for a binary mixture using the Boublik-Mansoori-Carnahan-Starling-Leland equation of state are compared to parallel results obtained from the solution of the Percus-Yevick equation. We find that the conjecture recently proposed by Guzman and del Rio (1998, 98, Molec. Phys., 95, 645), stating that the zeros of the bridge functions occur approximately at the same value of the shifted distance for all pairs of interactions, is at odds with our results. Moreover, in the case of disparate sizes, even the Percus-Yevick bridge functions do not have this property. It is also found that the bridge functions are not necessarily non-positive.     

Is it possible to infer the equation of state of a mixture of hard discs from that of the one-component system?

Based on exact asymptotic properties of the composition-independent virial coefficients of a binary mixture of hard discs in the limits α = σ₂/σ₁ → 0, α → 1 and α → ∞, R. J. Wheatley (1998, Molec. Phys., 93, 965) has recently proposed an approximate interpolation equation for these coefficients. In this note, the equation of state equivalent to this interpolation is obtained, expressing the compressibility factor of the mixture in terms of that of the pure system. An extension to an arbitrary number of components is also given. The equation of state derived here is compared with another one recently proposed by following a different route (Santos, A., Yuste, S. B., and López de Haro, M., 1999, Molec. Phys., 96, 1) and with Monte Carlo simulation results. It is shown that the latter equation is more accurate than the former one, at least for not too disparate mixtures (0.7 < α < 1).     

Heat capacity of square-well fluids of variable width

We have obtained by Monte Carlo NVT simulations the constant-volume excess heat capacity of square-well fluids for several temperatures, densities and potential widths. Heat capacity is a thermodynamic property much more sensitive to the accuracy of a theory than other thermodynamic quantities, such as the compressibility factor. This is illustrated by comparing the reported simulation data for the heat capacity with the theoretical predictions given by the Barker-Henderson perturbation theory as well as with those given by a non-perturbative theoretical model based on Baxter's solution of the Percus-Yevick integral equation for sticky hard spheres. Both theories give accurate predictions for the equation of state. By contrast, it is found that the Barker-Henderson theory strongly underestimates the excess heat capacity for low to moderate temperatures, whereas a much better agreement between theory and simulation is achieved with the non-perturbative theoretical model, particularly for small well widths, although the accuracy of the latter worsens for high densities and low temperatures, as the well width increases.     

Luminescence-Based Optical Fiber Chemical Sensors

Abstract

A scheme for the simultaneous determination of temperature and analyte concentration for application in luminescence-based chemical sensors is proposed. This scheme is applied to an optical oxygen sensor, which is based on the quenching of the fluorescence of a ruthenium complex. Temperature measurement is performed using the excitation radiation and an absorption long-pass filter. Preliminary results are presented that show the viability of an oxygen measurement that is independent of temperature and optical power level. The possibility of self-referenced temperature measurements with semiconductor nanoparticles is also investigated. In order to optimize the sensor design, several different optical fiber probe geometries for oxygen sensing are tested and compared, including different methods of coupling radiation into the optical fiber system. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyacrylamide membranes are tested as supports for sensor immobilization in fiber-optical pH sensing devices in aqueous solution. Some results are presented that show the feasibility of using fiber-optical pH indicators for remote monitoring.     

Applications of Fiber Optic Grating Technology to Multi-Parameter Measurement

Abstract

In this article, approaches reported in the literature for multi-parameter measurement relying on fiber grating technology are reviewed. Due to its importance, the particular case of temperature/strain simultaneous measurement is addressed in further detail, as well as the techniques and sensing heads for temperature-independent strain measurement. Specific criteria are also proposed for sensing head classification in the context of multi-parameter measurement.     

Abelianization of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">F</Emphasis>-divided fundamental group scheme

Let (X , x ₀) be a pointed smooth proper variety defined over an algebraically closed field. The Albanese morphism for (X , x ₀) produces a homomorphism from the abelianization of the F-divided fundamental group scheme of X to the F-divided fundamental group of the Albanese variety of X. We prove that this homomorphism is surjective with finite kernel. The kernel is also described.