A finite element analysis of quasistatic crack growth in a pressure sensitive constrained ductile layer

Polymeric adhesive layers are employed for bonding two components in a wide variety of technological applications, It has been observed that, unlike in metals, the yield behavior of polymers is affected by the state of hydrostatic stress. In this work, the effect of pressure sensitivity of yielding and layer thickness on quasistatic interfacial crack growth in a ductile adhesive layer is investigated. To this end, finite deformation, finite element analyses of a cracked sandwiched layer are carried out under plane strain, small-scale yielding conditions for a wide range of mode mixities. The Drucker-Prager constitutive equations are employed to represent the behavior of the layer. Crack propagation is simulated through a cohesive zone model, in which the interface is assumed to follow a prescribed traction-separation law. The results show that for a given mode mixity, the steady state Fracture toughness [K](ss) is enhanced as the degree of pressure sensitivity increases. Further, for a given level of pressure sensitivity, [K](ss) increases steeply as mode Il loading is approached. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Growth and characterization of germanium nanowires by electron beam evaporation

Germanium nanowires were grown on Au coated Si substrates at 380 degrees C in a high vacuum (5 x 10(-5) Torr) by e-beam evaporation of Germanium (Ge). The morphology observation by a field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) shows that the grown nanowires are randomly oriented with an average length and diameter of 600 nm and 120 nm respectively for a deposition time of 60 min. The nanowire growth ratewas measured to be similar to 10 nm/min. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) studies revealed that the Ge nanowires were single crystalline in nature and further energy dispersive X-ray analysis(EDAX) has shown that the tip of the grown nanowires was capped with Au nanoparticles, this shows that the growth of the Ge nanowires occurs by the vapour liquid solid (VLS) mechanism. HRTEM studies on the grown Ge nanowire show that they are single crystalline in nature and the growth direction was identified to be along [110]. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Growth of and trehalase activity in the thermophilic fungusThermomyces lanuginosus

The thermophilic fungus,Thermomyces lanuginosus, was grown in a glucose-asparagine liquid medium. Optimal mycelial growth occurred at 50°C. The conditions for sporulation were different from those required for vegetative growth. the former being favoured by lower nitrogen level and temperature. Trehalase (α, α-glu coside-l-glucohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.28) was one of the most active glycosidases at 50°C. Non-sporulating mycelium had higher levels of this enzyme than the sporulating mycelium. Trehalase was synthesized constitutively and its activity appears to be controlled by catabolite repression.

Natural Convection on a Horizontal Cone in a Porous Medium with Non-Uniform Wall Temperature/Concentration or Heat/Mass Flux and Suction/Injection

The steady natural convection flow on a horizontal cone embedded in a saturated porous medium with non-uniform wall temperature/concentration or heat/mass flux and suction/injection has been investigated. Non-similar solutions have been obtained. The nonlinear couple differential equations under boundary layer approximations governing the flow have been numerically solved. The Nusselt and Sherwood numbers are found to depend on the buoyancy forces, suction/injection rates, variation of wall temperature/concentration or heat/mass flux, Lewis number and the non-Darcy parameter.