Flows with Inertia in a Three-Dimensional Random Fiber Network

A fiber web is modeled as a three-dimensional random cylindrical fiber network. Nonlinear behavior of fluid flowing through the fiber network is numerically simulated by using the lattice Boltzmann (LB) method. A nonlinear relationship between the friction factor and the modified Reynolds number is clearly observed and analyzed by using the Fochheimer equation, which includes the quadratic term of velocity. We obtain a transition from linear to nonlinear region when the Reynolds numbers are sufficiently high, reflecting the inertial effect of the flows. The simulated permeability of such fiber network has relatively good agreement with the experimental results and finite element simulations.

Rashba spin-orbit coupling in InSb nanowires under transverse electric field

We investigate the Rashba spin-orbit coupling brought by transverse electric field in InSb nanowires. In small k(z) (k(z) is the wave vector along the wire direction) range, the Rashba spin-orbit splitting energy has a linear relationship with k(z), so we can define a Rashba coefficient similarly to the quantum well case. We deduce some empirical formulas of the spin-orbit splitting energy and Rashba coefficient, and compare them with the effective-mass calculating results. It is interesting to find that the Rashba spin-orbit splitting energy decreases as k(z) increases when k(z) is large due to the k(z)-quadratic term in the band energy. The Rashba coefficient increases with increasing electric field, and shows a saturating trend when the electric field is large. As the radius increases, the Rashba coefficient increases at first, then decreases. The effects of magnetic fields along different directions are discussed. The case where the magnetic field is along the wire direction or the electric field direction are similar. The spin state in an energy band changes smoothly as k(z) changes. The case where the magnetic field is perpendicular to the wire direction and the electric field direction is quite different from the above two cases, the k(z)-positive and negative parts of the energy bands are not symmetrical, and the energy bands with different spins cross at a k(z)-nonzero point, where the spin splitting energy and the effective g factor are zero.

Two-Phase Flow In Fuel Cells In Short-Term Microgravity Condition

A visual observation of liquid-gas two-phase flow in anode channels of a direct methanol proton exchange membrane fuel cells in microgravity has been carried out in a drop tower. The anode flow bed consisted of 2 manifolds and 11 parallel straight channels. The length, width and depth of single channel with rectangular cross section was 48.0 mm, 2.5 mm and 2.0 mm, respectively. The experimental results indicated that the size of bubbles in microgravity condition is bigger than that in normal gravity. The longer the time, the bigger the bubbles. The velocity of bubbles rising is slower than that in normal gravity because buoyancy lift is very weak in microgravity. The flow pattern in anode channels could change from bubbly flow in normal gravity to slug flow in microgravity. The gas slugs blocked supply of reactants from channels to anode catalyst layer through gas diffusion layer. When the weakened mass transfer causes concentration polarization, the output performance of fuel cells declines.

Short-Term Nonlinear Response of Tension Leg Platform in Random Sea Waves

Most of the existing mathematical models for analyzing the dynamic response of TLP are based on explicit or implicit assumptions that motions (translations and rotations) are small magnitude. However, when TLP works in severe adverse conditions, the a priori assumption on small displacements may be inadequate. In such situation, the motions should be regarded as finite magnitude. This paper will study stochastic nonlinear dynamic responses of TLP with finite displacements in random waves. The nonlinearities considered are: large amplitude motions, coupling the six degrees-of-freedom, instantaneous position, instantaneous wet surface, free surface effects and viscous drag force. The nonlinear dynamic responses are calculated by using numerical integration procedure in the time domain. After the time histories of the dynamic responses are obtained, we carry out cycle counting of the stress histories of the tethers with rain-flow counting method to get the stress range distribution.

Two-phase Flow in Fuel Cells in Short-term Microgravity Condition

A visual observation of liquid-gas two-phase flow in anode channels of a direct methanol proton exchange membrane fuel cells in microgravity has been carried out in a drop tower. The anode flow bed consisted of 2 manifolds and 11 parallel straight channels. The length, width and depth of single channel with rectangular cross section was 48.0 mm, 2.5 mm and 2.0 mm, respectively. The experimental results indicated that the size of bubbles in microgravity condition is bigger than that in normal gravity. The longer the time, the bigger the bubbles. The velocity of bubbles rising is slower than that in normal gravity because buoyancy lift is very weak in microgravity. The flow pattern in anode channels could change from bubbly flow in normal gravity to slug flow in microgravity. The gas slugs blocked supply of reactants from channels to anode catalyst layer through gas diffusion layer. When the weakened mass transfer causes concentration polarization, the output performance of fuel cells declines.

Long-Term Evolution Of Delayed Ettringite And Gypsum In Portland Cement Mortars Under Sulfate Erosion

The magnitude evolution of ettringite and gypsum in hydrated Portland cement mortars due to sulfate attack was detected by X-ray powder diffraction. The influences of sulfate concentration and water-to-cement ratio on the evolution of ettringite and gypsum were investigated. Experimental results show that the magnitude of ettringite formation in sodium sulfate solution follows a three-stage process, namely, the 'penetration period', 'enhance period of strength', and 'macro-crack period'. The cracking of concrete materials is mainly attributed to the effect of ettringite. The gypsum formations occurred in two stages, the 'latent period' and the 'accelerated period'. The gypsum formation including ettringite formation was relative to the linear expansion of mortars to some extend. Both water-to-cement ratio and sulfate concentration play important roles in the evolution of ettringite and gypsum. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Compensation for self-focusing by use of cascade quadratic nonlinearity

We demonstrate theoretically and experimentally compensation for positive Kerr phase shifts with negative phases generated by cascade quadratic processes. Experiments show correction of small-scale self-focusing and whole-beam self-focusing in the spatial domain and self-phase modulation in the temporal domain. (C) 2001 Optical Society of America.

Quadratic nonlinear technologies for femtosecond lasers

Quadratic optical nonlinearity chi((2)) can be exploited in femtosecond lasers and regarded as a significant new degree of freedom for the design of short-pulse sources. We will review our recent progress on developing nonlinear quadratic technologies for femtosecond lasers. Our nonlinear laser technology offers new properties for femtosecond lasers, including optical parametric amplifier with novel working regime, efficient second harmonic generation, and time telescope.