An eigenfunction expansion-variational method in prediction of the transverse thermal conductivity of fiber reinforced composites considering interfacial characteristics

An eigenfunction expansion-variational method based on a unit cell is developed to deal with the steady-state heat conduction problem of doubly-periodic fiber reinforced composites with interfacial thermal contact resistance or coating. The numerical results show a rapid convergence of the present method. The present solution provides a unified first-order approximation formula of the effective thermal conductivity for different interfacial characteristics and fiber distributions. A comparison with the present high-order results, available experimental data and micromechanical estimations demonstrates that the first-order approximation formula is a good engineering closed-form formula. An engineering equivalent parameter reflecting the overall influence of the thermal conductivities of the matrix and fibers and the interfacial characteristic on the effective thermal conductivity, is found. The equivalent parameter can greatly simplify the complicated relation of the effective thermal conductivity to the internal structure of a composite. (c) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Estimation of Transverse Thermal Conductivity of Doubly-periodic Fiber Reinforced Composites

For steady-state heat conduction a new variational functional for a unit cell of composites with periodic microstructures is constructed by considering the quasi-periodicity of the temperature field and in the periodicity of the heat flux fields. Then by combining with the eigenfunction expansion of complex potential which satisfies the fiber-matrix interface conditions, an eigenfunction expansion-variational method (EEVM) based on a unit cell is developed. The effective transverse thermal conductivities of doubly-periodic fiber reinforced composites are calculated, and the first-order approximation formula for the square and hexagonal arrays is presented,which is convenient for engineering application. The numerical results show a good convergency of the presented method, even through the fiber volume fraction is relatively high. Comparisons with the existing analytical and experimental results are made to demonstrate the accuracy and validity of the first-order approximation formula for the hexagonal array.

First principles based predictions of the toughness of a metal/oxide interface

We describe a first-principles-based strategy to predict the macroscopic toughness of a gamma-Ni(Al)/alpha-Al2O3 interface. Density functional theory calculations are used to ascertain energy changes upon displacing the two materials adjacent to the interface, with relaxation conducted over all atoms located within adjoining rows. Traction/displacernent curves are obtained from derivatives of the energy. Calculations are performed in mode I (opening), mode II (shear) and at a phase angle of 45 degrees. The shear calculations are conducted for displacements along < 110 > and < 112 > of the Ni lattice. A generalized interface potential function is used to characterize the results. Initial fitting to both the shear and normal stress results is required to calibrate the unknowns. Thereafter, consistency is established by using the potential to predict other traction quantities. The potential is incorporated as a traction/displacement function within a cohesive zone model and used to predict the steady-state toughness of the interface. For this purpose, the plasticity of the Ni alloy must be known, including the plasticity length scale. Measurements obtained for a gamma-Ni superalloy are used and the toughness predicted over the full range of mode mixity. Additional results for a range of alloys are used to demonstrate the influences of yield strength and length scale.

First principles based predictions of the toughness of a metal/oxide interface

We describe a first-principles-based strategy to predict the macroscopic toughness of a gamma-Ni(Al)/alpha-Al2O3 interface. Density functional theory calculations are used to ascertain energy changes upon displacing the two materials adjacent to the interface, with relaxation conducted over all atoms located within adjoining rows. Traction/displacernent curves are obtained from derivatives of the energy. Calculations are performed in mode I (opening), mode II (shear) and at a phase angle of 45 degrees. The shear calculations are conducted for displacements along < 110 > and < 112 > of the Ni lattice. A generalized interface potential function is used to characterize the results. Initial fitting to both the shear and normal stress results is required to calibrate the unknowns. Thereafter, consistency is established by using the potential to predict other traction quantities. The potential is incorporated as a traction/displacement function within a cohesive zone model and used to predict the steady-state toughness of the interface. For this purpose, the plasticity of the Ni alloy must be known, including the plasticity length scale. Measurements obtained for a gamma-Ni superalloy are used and the toughness predicted over the full range of mode mixity. Additional results for a range of alloys are used to demonstrate the influences of yield strength and length scale.

Thermocapillary Migration of Deformable Bubbles at Moderate to Large Marangoni Number in Microgravity

Using the level-set method and the continuum interface model, the axisymmetric thermocapillary migration of gas bubbles in an immiscible bulk liquid with a temperature gradient at moderate to large Marangoni number is simulated numerically. Constant material properties of the two phases are assumed. Steady state of the motion can always be reached. The terminal migration velocity decreases monotonously with the increase of the Marangoni number due to the wrapping of isotherms around the front surface of the bubble. Good agreements with space experimental data and previous theoretical and numerical studies in the literature are evident. Slight deformation of bubble is observed, but no distinct influence on the motion occurs. It is also found that the influence of the convective transport of heat inside bubbles cannot be neglected at finite Marangoni number, while the influence of the convective transport of momentum inside bubbles may be actually negligible.

Droplet Image Feedback Control System in Evaporation Experiment

In order to realize the steady-state droplet evaporation, image feedback control system is designed based on DSP. The system has three main functions: to capture and store droplet images during the experiment; to calculate droplet geometrical and physical parameters such as volume, surface area, surface tension and evaporation velocity at a high-precision level; to keep the droplet volume constant. The DSP can drive an injection controller with the PID control to inject liquid so as to keep the droplet volume constant. The evaporation velocity of droplet can be calculated by measuring the injected volume during the evaporation. The structure of hardware and software of the control system, key processing methods such as contour fitting and experimental results are described.

A finite-element algorithm for modeling variably saturated flows

A general numerical algorithm in the context of finite element scheme is developed to solve Richards’ equation, in which a mass-conservative, modified head based scheme (MHB) is proposed to approximate the governing equation, and mass-lumping techniques are used to keep the numerical simulation stable. The MHB scheme is compared with the modified Picard iteration scheme (MPI) in a ponding infiltration example. Although the MHB scheme is a little inferior to the MPI scheme in respect of mass balance, it is superior in convergence character and simplicity. Fully implicit, explicit and geometric average conductivity methods are performed and compared, the first one is superior in simulation accuracy and can use large time-step size, but the others are superior in iteration efficiency. The algorithm works well over a wide variety of problems, such as infiltration fronts, steady-state and transient water tables, and transient seepage faces, as demonstrated by its performance against published experimental data. The algorithm is presented in sufficient detail to facilitate its implementation.

Analysis of the xuv photoabsorption spectrum of Au2+, Au3+, and Au4+

The photoabsorption processes of Au2+, Au3+, and Au4+ have been investigated experimentally and theoretically in the 70-127 eV region. Using the dual laser-produced plasma technique, the 4f and 5p photoabsorption spectrum has been recorded at 50 ns time delay and was found to be dominated by a great number of lines from 4f-5d, 6d and 5p-5d, 6s transitions, which have been identified by comparison with the aid of Hartree-Fock with configuration interaction calculations. The characteristic feature of the spectrum is that satellite lines from excited configurations containing one or two 6s electrons are more important than resonance lines, and with increasing ionization, satellite contributions from states with one 6s spectator electron gradually become more important than those with two 6s spectator electrons. Based on the assumption of a normalized Boltzmann distribution among the excited states and a steady-state collisional-radiative model, we succeeded in reproducing a spectrum which is in good agreement with experiment.

Theoretical analysis of xuv photoabsorption spectra of laser-produced iodine plasmas

The 4d photoabsorption spectra of I2+, I3+, and I4+ have been obtained in the 70-127 eV region with the dual laser-produced plasma technique at time delays ranging from 400 to 520 ns. With decreasing time delay, the dominant contribution to the spectra evolves from the I2+ to the I4+ ions, and each spectrum contains discrete 4d-nf transitions and a broad 4d-epsilon f shape resonance, which are identified with the aid of multiconfiguration Hartree-Fock calculations. The excited states decay by direct autoionization involving 5s or 5p electrons, and rates for the different processes and resulting linewidths were calculated. With increasing ionization, the 4d-epsilon f shape resonance become intense and broader in going from I2+ to I3+, and then vanishes at I5+. In addition, the discrete structure of the calculated spectrum of each ion gradually approaches the corresponding shape resonance position. Based on the assumption of a normalized Boltzmann distribution among the excited states and a steady-state collisional-radiative model, we reproduced spectra which are in good agreement with experiment.

Asymmetric heat conduction through a weak link

We study the heat conduction of two nonlinear lattices joined by a weak harmonic link. When the system reaches a steady state, the heat conduction of the system is decided by the tunneling heat flow through the weak link. We present an analytical analysis by the combination of the self-consistent phonon theory and the heat tunneling transport formalism, and then the tunneling heat flow can be obtained. Moreover, the nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulations are performed and the simulations results are consistent with the analytical predictions.

Propulsive performance of a hypergolic H2O2/kerosene bipropellant

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)/kerosene is a prospective bipropellant due to its high-energy content, high storage density, and environmentally benign properties. The possibility of making it hypergolic renders this option even more attracting. Self-ignitable H2O2/kerosene bipropellants were prepared by combining different candidate catalysts and promoters. Preliminary screening evaluations were conducted by using a dropping-test method. Propulsive performances of the combinations having passed satisfying dropping-test requirements were then investigated on a specially designed thrust engine. The results revealed that short ignition delay and reliable propulsion performances could be acquired in both steady-state and pulse-mode operations, and the combination of kerosene with additives and H2O2 of 90% concentration could still have good performances after 3 months storage time. It is expected that the combination of H2O2 and kerosene can be an efficacious alternative for storable toxic propellants used currently.

Gas permeability of a novel cellulose membrane

A novel cellulose membrane was prepared by using amine oxides as the solvent and its mechanical performance was measured. Steady-state permeation rates of carbon dioxide, hydrogen, methane, nitrogen, oxygen, argon and helium in the homogeneous dense cellulose membrane were measured in the temperature range of 298-353 K and under gas pressures up to 1 MPa. The effect of swelling on hydrophilic membrane permeability was studied in some detail on the cellulose membrane. The difference in gas permeability between the "dry" cellulose membrane and the "water-swollen" cellulose membrane was investigated, and the gas permeability between the cellulose membrane and the Cellophane was compared. In this paper, the separation performance Of CO2 over H-2 in a "water-swollen" cellulose membrane is reported for the first time and the separation factor Of CO2/H-2 can be up to 15. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Determination of photochemically produced hydroxyl radicals in seawater and freshwater

A variety of short-lived, reactive chemical species (i.e. free radicals and excited state species) are known to be photochemically produced in natural waters. Some of these transients may strongly affect chemical and biological processes, and they have been implicated in the degradation of organic pollutants and natural organic compounds in aqueous environments. Previous studies demonstrated that the highly reactive hydroxyl radical (OH) is photochemically formed in seawater. However, the quantitative importance of this key species in the sea has not been previously studied because of past analytical limitations. By using a highly sensitive probe based on α-H atom abstraction from methanol, we were able to measure production rates and steady-state concentrations of photochemically produced OH radicals in coastal and open ocean seawater and freshwaters. The validity of the method was tested by intercalibrating with an independent, OH-specific reaction, hydroxylation of benzoic acid, and also by competition kinetics experiments. Our OH production rates and steady-state concentrations for freshwaters are in excellent agreement with those measured by previous investigators for similar waters. In contrast, for seawater, the values we measured are 1–3 orders of magnitude higher than previously predicted by models, indicating that there is a major unknown photochemical OH source (s) in seawater.

A mathematical model of crevice and pitting corrosion—I. The physical model

A predictive and self-consistent mathematical model incorporating the electrochemical, chemical and ionic migration processes characterizing the propagation stage of crevice and pitting corrosion in metals is described. The model predicts the steady-state solution chemistry and electrode kinetics (and hence metal penetration rates) within an active corrosion cavity as a function of the many parameters on which these depend, such as external electrode potential and crevice dimensions. The crevice is modelled as a parallel-sided slot filled with a dilute sodium chloride solution. The cavity propagation rates are found to be faster in the case of a crevice with passive walls than one with active walls. The distribution of current over the internal surface of a crevice with corroding walls can be assessed using this model, giving an indication of the future shape of the cavity. The model is extended to include a solid hydroxide precipitation reaction and considers the effect of consequent changes in the chemical and physical environment within the crevice on the predicted corrosion rates. In this paper, the model is applied to crevice and pitting corrosion in carbon steel.

Studies on interaction of bovine serum albumin with indo-1 by fluorescence spectroscopic method

The binding-site number was calculated by using fluorescence spectroscopic method with bovine serum albumin(BSA) and Indo-1 as protein and ligand models, respectively. The method for calculating binding-site number in BSA for Indo-1 was developed based on the relationships between the changes of Indo-1 fluorescence intensity and the analytical concentration of BSA. And the interaction of BSA with Indo-1 was investigated comprehensively by using fluorescence techniques as well as fluorescence resonance energy transfer, and the thermodynamic parameters were calculated according to the changes of enthalpy on temperature.,