Nonaxisymmetric convection in stationary Gas Tungsten Arc Weld Pools

Observations of surface flow patterns of steel and aluminum GTAW pools have been made using a pulsed laser visualization system. The weld pool convection is found to be three-dimensional with the azimuthal circulation depending on the location of the clamp with respect to the torch. Oscillation of steel pools and undulating motion in aluminum weld pools are also observed even with steady process parameters. Current axisymmetric numerical models are unable to explain such phenomena. A three-dimensional computational study is carried out in this study to explain the rotational flow in aluminum weld pools.

A dynamical model for the Portevin-le Chatelier bands

We show that an extension of Ananthakrishna's model to include spatial degrees of freedom produces spatially uncorrelated bands, hopping type and the continuously propagating type with increasing applied strain rate. The velocity of the continuously propagating bands is found to vary linearly with applied strain rate. (C) 2003 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

An improved sapce phasor based current hysteresis controller with reduced switching frequency variations using variable parabolic bands

A current error space phasor based simple hysteresis controller is proposed in this paper to control the switching frequency variation in two-level pulsewidth-modulation (PWM) inverter-fed induction motor (IM) drives. A parabolic boundary for the current error space phasor is suggested for the first time to obtain the switching frequency spectrum for output voltage with hysteresis controller similar to the constant switching frequency voltage-controlled space vector PWM-based IM drive. A novel concept of online variation of this parabolic boundary, which depends on the operating speed of motor, is presented. A generalized technique that determines the set of unique parabolic boundaries for a two-level inverter feeding any given induction motor is described. The sector change logic is self-adaptive and is capable of taking the drive up to the six-step mode if needed. Steady-state and transient performance of proposed controller is experimentally verified on a 3.7-kW IM drive in the entire speed range. Close resemblance of the simulation and experimental results is shown.

A family of Runge-Kutta based explicit methods for rotational dynamics

The present paper develops a family of explicit algorithms for rotational dynamics and presents their comparison with several existing methods. For rotational motion the configuration space is a non-linear manifold, not a Euclidean vector space. As a consequence the rotation vector and its time derivatives correspond to different tangent spaces of rotation manifold at different time instants. This renders the usual integration algorithms for Euclidean space inapplicable for rotation. In the present algorithms this problem is circumvented by relating the equation of motion to a particular tangent space. It has been accomplished with the help of already existing relation between rotation increments which belongs to two different tangent spaces. The suggested method could in principle make any integration algorithm on Euclidean space, applicable to rotation. However, the present paper is restricted only within explicit Runge-Kutta enabled to handle rotation. The algorithms developed here are explicit and hence computationally cheaper than implicit methods. Moreover, they appear to have much higher local accuracy and hence accurate in predicting any constants of motion for reasonably longer time. The numerical results for solutions as well as constants of motion, indicate superior performance by most of our algorithms, when compared to some of the currently known algorithms, namely ALGO-C1, STW, LIEMID[EA], MCG, SUBCYC-M.

Decoupling of diffusion from viscosity: Difference scenario for translational and rotational motions

Recent experiments have indicated a dramatically different viscosity dependence of the translational and the rotational diffusion coefficients in a supercooled liquid as the glass transition temperature is approached from above. While the translational motion seems to be decoupled from the rising viscosity (eta), the rotational motion seems to remain firmly coupled to eta. In order to understand the microscopic origin of this behavior, we have carried nut detailed theoretical calculations of both the quantities by using a self-consistent mode-coupling theory (MCT). it is found that when the size of the solute is same as that of the solvent molecules, the conventional MCT fails to predict the observed decoupling. The solvent inhomogeneity is found to play a decisive role in determining the decoupling. The difference in the viscosity dependence between rotation and translational diffusion coefficient is discussed.

Quasi-static crack tip fields in rate-sensitive FCC single crystals

In this work, the effects of loading rate, material rate sensitivity and constraint level on quasi-static crack tip fields in a FCC single crystal are studied. Finite element simulations are performed within a mode I, plane strain modified boundary layer framework by prescribing the two term (K-T) elastic crack tip field as remote boundary conditions. The material is assumed to obey a rate-dependent crystal plasticity theory. The orientation of the single crystal is chosen so that the crack surface coincides with the crystallographic (010) plane and the crack front lies along 101] direction. Solutions corresponding to different stress intensity rates K., T-stress values and strain rate exponents m are obtained. The results show that the stress levels ahead of the crack tip increase with K. which is accompanied by gradual shrinking of the plastic zone size. However, the nature of the shear band patterns around the crack tip is not affected by the loading rate. Further, it is found that while positive T-stress enhances the opening and hydrostatic stress levels ahead of crack tip, they are considerably reduced with imposition of negative T-stress. Also, negative T-stress promotes formation of shear bands in the forward sector ahead of the crack tip and suppresses them behind the tip.

Infrared Spectra of Dimethylphenanthrenes in the Gas phase

Infrared spectra of atmospherically and astronomically important dimethylphenanthrenes (DMPs), namely 1,9-DMP, 2,4-DMP, and 3,9-DMP, were recorded in the gas phase from 400 to 4000 cm(-1) with a resolution of 0.5 cm(-1) at 110 degrees C using a 7.2 m gas cell. DFT calculations at the B3LYP/6-311G** level were carried out to get the harmonic and anharmonic frequencies and their corresponding intensities for the assignment of the observed bands. However, spectral assignments could not be made unambiguously using anharmonic or selectively scaled harmonic frequencies. Therefore, the scaled quantum mechanical (SQM) force field analysis method was adopted to achieve more accurate assignments. In this method force fields instead of frequencies were scaled. The Cartesian force field matrix obtained from the Gaussian calculations was converted to a nonredundant local coordinate force field matrix and then the force fields were scaled to match experimental frequencies in a consistent manner using a modified version of the UMAT program of the QCPE package. Potential energy distributions (PEDs) of the normal modes in terms of nonredundant local coordinates obtained from these calculations helped us derive the nature of the vibration at each frequency. The intensity of observed bands in the experimental spectra was calculated using estimated vapor pressures of the DMPs. An error analysis of the mean deviation between experimental and calculated intensities reveal that the observed methyl C-H stretching intensity deviates more compared to the aromatic C-H and non C-H stretching bands.

Temperature Dependent Photoluminescence Studies in Hg0.2Cd0.8Te Nanorods Synthesized by Solvothermal Method

Hg0.2Cd0.8Te nanorods were synthesized via solvothermal route using an air-stable Na2Te-O-3. The structural and morphological studies were done by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The diameters of the nanorods were found to be 20-50 nm. The growth of the nanorods were facilitated due to the use of CTAB as surfactant. The temperature dependent photoluminescence (PL) studies between 10-300 K show three prominent PL bands in 0.5-0.7 eV and are attributed to defect centers. The features like temperature independent peak energy and quite sensitive PL intensity which shows a thermal quenching behavior indicate that the defects are related to the compositional disorder.

Yanai waves in the western equatorial Indian Ocean

Observations and models have shown the presence of intraseasonal fluctuations in 20-30-day and 10-20-day bands in the equatorial Indian Ocean west of 60 degrees E (WEIO). Their spatial and temporal structures characterize them as Yanai waves, which we label low-frequency (LFYW) and high-frequency (HFYW) Yanai waves, respectively. We explore the dynamics of these intraseasonal signals, using an ocean general circulation model (Modular Ocean Model) and a linear, continuously stratified model. Yanai waves are forced by the meridional wind tau(y) everywhere in the WEIO most strongly during the monsoon seasons. They are forced both directly in the interior ocean and by reflection of the interior response from the western boundary; interference between the interior and boundary responses results in a complex surface pattern that propagates eastward and has nodes. Yanai waves are also forced by instabilities primarily during June/July in a region offshore from the western boundary (52-55 degrees E). At that time, eddies, generated by barotropic instability of the Southern Gyre, are advected southward to the equator. There, they generate a westward-propagating, cross-equatorial flow field, v(eq), with a wave number/frequency spectrum that fits the dispersion relation of a number of Yanai waves, and these waves are efficiently excited. Typically, Yanai waves associated with several baroclinic modes are excited by both wind and eddy forcing; and typically, they superpose to create beams that carry energy vertically and eastward along ray paths. The same processes generate LFYWs and HFYWs, and hence, their responses are similar; differences are traceable to the property that HFYWs have longer wavelengths than LFYWs for each baroclinic mode.

New insights into the development of microstructure and deformation texture in nickel-60 wt.% cobalt alloy

The present study investigates the critical role of deformation twinning and Bs-type shear bands in the evolution of deformation texture in a low stacking fault energy Ni-60Co alloy up to very large rolling strain (epsilon(t) approximate to 4). The alloy develops a strong brass-type rolling texture, and its formation is initiated at the early stages of deformation. Extensive twinning is observed at the intermediate stages of deformation, which causes significant texture reorientation towards alpha-fiber. A pseudo-in-situ electron back-scattered diffraction technique adopted to capture orientation changes within individual grains during the early stages suggests that twinning should be subsequently aided by crystallographic slip to attain alpha-fiber (< 1 1 0 >parallel to ND) orientations. Beyond 40% reduction, deformation is dominated by Bs-type shear bands, and the banding coincides with the evolution of < 1 1 1 >parallel to ND components. The volume fraction of shear bands is significant at higher strains, and crystallites within the bands preferentially show < 1 1 0 >parallel to ND components. The absence of the Cu {1 1 2}< 1 1 1 > component in the initial texture, and subsequently during rolling, indicates that, for the evolution of a brass-type texture, the presence of the Cu component is not a necessary condition. The final rolling texture is a synergistic effect of deformation twinning and shear banding. (C) 2014 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dissimilar friction stir welding between aluminum alloy and magnesium alloy at a low rotational speed

A sound weld was obtained between 2024-T3 Al alloy and AZ31B-O Mg alloy dissimilar metal plates of 5 mm thickness, at a rotational speed of 300 rev min(-1) and at a welding speed of 50 mm min(-1). One of the parameter studied was, the effect of interface offset variation, on the quality and properties of the welded samples and on the thickness of intermetallic layer formed in the welded samples. The intermetallic layer at the midst of the weld volume contains intermetallic compounds Al12Mg17 and Al3Mg2. Highest tensile strength of 106.86 MPa, corresponding tensile joint efficiency of 44.52% and corresponding elongation 1.33% were obtained for the tensile sample, with interface offset of 0.66 mm from zero interface offset in retreating side and with approximate least intermetallic thickness of 1.2 mu m. Dissimilar friction stir welded joint samples had failed completely in brittle fracture mode; the position of tensile fracture was located at the midst of intermetallic layer, which had maximum hardness and minimum ductility. The nano hardness values fluctuate in the weld nugget owing to dynamic recrystallization of alloy materials and formation of brittle intermetallic compounds of alloy materials in the weld nugget; maximum hardness of 10.74 GPa occurred for the sample with least intermetallic thickness of 1.2 mu m. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Importance of intraspecifically gregarious species in a tropical bird community

In both single- and mixed-species social groups, certain participants are known to play important roles in providing benefits. Identifying these participants is critical for understanding group dynamics, but is often difficult with large roving social groups in the wild. Here, we develop a new approach to characterize roles in social groups and apply it to mixed-species bird flocks (flocks hereafter) in an Indian tropical evergreen forest. Two types of species, namely intraspecifically gregarious and sallying species, are thought to play important roles in flocks because studies have shown they attract other flock participants. However, it is unclear why these types are attractive and whether they are essential for flock formation. We address these questions by focusing on the composition of the subset of flocks containing only two species each. In two-species flocks, it is reasonable to assume that at least one species obtains some kind of benefit. Therefore, only those species combinations that result in benefit to at least one species should occur as two-species flocks. Using data from 540 flocks overall, of which 158 were two-species flocks, we find that intraspecifically gregarious species are disproportionately represented in two-species flocks and always lead flocks when present, and that flocks containing them are joined significantly more by other species. Our results suggest that intraspecifically gregarious species are likely to be the primary benefit providers in flocks and are important for tropical flock formation. Our study also provides a new approach to understanding importance in other mixed-species and single-species social groups.

Surface oxidation of cadmium, indium, tin and antimony by photoelectron and Auger spectroscopy

Surface oxidation of Cd, In, Sn and Sb has been investigated by employing valence bands, metal 4d levels and plasmon bands in X-ray photoelectron spectra. O(KLL), metal M4N45N45, and plasmon transitions in electron-induced Auger spectra as well as Auger transitions due to the metal (metal oxide) and plasmons in X-ray-induced Auger spectra. The surface oxides are In2O4, CdO and a mixture of SnO and SnO2 in the case of In. Cd and Sn respectively. The facility of surface oxidation is found to vary as In>Cd>Sn>Sb. Inter-atomic Auger transitions involving oxygen valence bands have been identified on oxidized surfaces of Cd and In.

Infrared spectra of some oxides of K2NiF4 and related structures

The i.r. spectra of some Ln2BO4 and LnSrBO4 compounds (Ln = La, Pr, Nd, Sm or Gd;B = Fe, Al, Co or Cu) with K2NiF4 or related structures have been studied in the range 800-300 cm−1. The BO6 octahedra in compounds with K2NiF4 structure are elongated. The assignment of the bands in terms of internal modes of sheets of bridged BO6 octahedra or square-planar BO4 sheets has been considered. The observed spectra are correlated with those of solid solutions of these oxides and of LnBO3 perovskites. Unusually high stretching frequencies found in some of the oxides are discussed in terms of the short B---O bonds in the basal plane and the Ln---O bonds along the c axis.