Study of terahertz wave propagation properties in nanoplates with surface and small-scale effects

In macroscopic and even microscopic structural elements, surface effects can be neglected and classical theories are sufficient. As the structural size decreases towards the nanoscale regime, the surface-to-bulk energy ratio increases and surface effects must be taken into account. In the present work, the terahertz wave dispersion characteristics of a nanoplate are studied with consideration of the surface effects as well as the nonlocal small-scale effects. Nonlocal elasticity theory of plate is used to derive the general differential equation based on equilibrium approach to include those scale effects. Scale and surface property dependent wave characteristic equations are obtained via spectral analysis. For the present study the material properties of an anodic alumina with crystallographic of < 111 > direction are considered. The present analysis shows that the effect of surface properties on the flexural waves of nanoplates is more significant. It can be found that the flexural wavenumbers with surface effects are high as compared to that without surface effects. The scale effects show that the wavenumbers of the flexural wave become highly non-linear and tend to infinite at certain frequency. After that frequency the wave will not propagate and the corresponding wave velocities tend to zero at that frequency (escape frequency). The effects of surface stresses on the wave propagation properties of nanoplate are also captured in the present work. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Strong nonlocalization induced by small scale parameter on terahertz flexural wave dispersion characteristics of a monolayer graphene

This paper presents the strong nonlocal scale effect on the flexural wave propagation in a monolayer graphene sheet. The graphene is modeled as an isotropic plate of one atom thick. Nonlocal governing equation of motion is derived and wave propagation analysis is performed using spectral analysis. The present analysis shows that the flexural wave dispersion in graphene obtained by local and nonlocal elasticity theories is quite different. The nonlocal elasticity calculation shows that the wavenumber escapes to infinite at certain frequency and the corresponding wave velocity tends to zero at that frequency indicating localization and stationary behavior. This behavior is captured in the spectrum and dispersion curves. The cut-off frequency of flexural wave not only depend on the axial wavenumber but also on the nonlocal scaling parameter. The effect of axial wavenumber on the wave behavior in graphene is also discussed in the present manuscript. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Axial wave propagation in coupled nanorod system with nonlocal small scale effects

This article deals with the axial wave propagation properties of a coupled nanorod system with consideration of small scale effects. The nonlocal elasticity theory has been incorporated into classical rod/bar model to capture unique features of the coupled nanorods under the umbrella of continuum mechanics theory. Nonlocal rod model is developed for coupled nanorods. The strong effect of the nonlocal scale has been obtained which leads to substantially different wave behavior of nanorods from those of macroscopic rods. Explicit expressions are derived for wavenumber, cut-off frequency and escape frequency of nanorods. The analysis shows that the wave characteristics of nanorods are highly over estimated by the classical rod model, which ignores the effect of small-length scale. The studies also shows that the nonlocal scale parameter introduces certain band gap region in axial or longitudinal wave mode, where no wave propagation occurs. This is manifested in the spectrum cures as the region, where the wavenumber tends to infinite or wave speed tends to zero. The effect of the coupled spring stiffness is also capture in the present analysis. It has been also shown that the cut-off frequency increases as the stiffness of the coupled spring increases and also the coupled spring stiffness has no effect on escape frequency of the axial wave mode in the nanorod. This cut-off frequency is also independent of the nonlocal small scale parameter. The present study may bring in helpful insights while investigating multiple-nanorod-system-models for future nano-optomechanical systems applications. The results can also provide useful guidance for the study and design of the next generation of nanodevices that make use of the wave propagation properties of coupled single-walled carbon nanotubes or coupled nanorods. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Wheeler-Feynman absorber revisited: a useful technique to calculate decay rates and lifetimes in small scale optical systems

The Wheeler-Feynman (WF) absorber theory of radiation though no more of interest in explaining self interaction of an electron, can be very useful in today's research in small scale optical systems. The significance of the WF absorber is the use of time-symmetrical solution of Maxwell's equations as opposed to only the retarded solution. The radiative coupling of emitters to nano wires in the near field and change in their lifetimes due to small mode volume enclosures have been elucidated with the retarded solutions before. These solutions have also been shown to agree with quantum electrodynamics, thus allowing for classical electromagnetic approaches in such problems. It is here assumed that the radiative coupling of the emitter with a body is in proportion to its contribution to the classical force of radiative reaction as derived in the WF absorber theory. Representing such nano structures as a partial WF absorber acting on the emitter makes the computations considerably easier than conventional electromagnetic solutions for full boundary conditions.

Small-scale mechanical testing of materials

Small-scale mechanical testing of materials has gained prominence in the last decade or so due to the continuous miniaturization of components and devices in everyday application. This review describes the various micro-fabrication processes associated with the preparation of miniaturized specimens, geometries of test specimens and the small scale testing techniques used to determine the mechanical behaviour of materials at the length scales of a few hundred micro-meters and below. This is followed by illustrative examples in a selected class of materials. The choice of the case studies is based on the relevance of the materials used in today's world: evaluation of mechanical properties of thermal barrier coatings (TBCs), applied for enhanced high temperature protection of advanced gas turbine engine components, is essential since its failure by fracture leads to the collapse of the engine system. Si-based substrates, though brittle, are indispensible for MEMS/NEMS applications. Biological specimens, whose response to mechanical loads is important to ascertain their role in diseases and to mimic their structure for attaining high fracture toughness and impact resistance. An insight into the mechanisms behind the observed size effects in metallic systems can be exploited to achieve excellent strength at the nano-scale. A future outlook of where all this is heading is also presented.

Structural and magnetic properties of ultra-small scale eutectic CoFeZr alloys

Aiming to develop high mechanical strength and toughness by tuning ultrafine lamellar spacing of magnetic eutectic alloys, we report the mechanical and magnetic properties of the binary eutectic alloys Co90.5Zr9.5 and Fe90.2Zr9.8, as well as the pseudo-binary eutectic alloys Co82.4Fe8Zr9.6, Co78Fe12.4Zr9.6 and Co49.2Fe49.2Zr9.6 developed by suction-casting. The lower lamellar spacing around 100 nm of the eutectics Co49.2Fe49.2Zr9.6 yields a high hardness of 713(+/- 20) VHN. Magnetic measurements reveal high magnetic moment of 1.92 mu B (at 5 K) and 1.82 mu B (at 300 K) per formula unit for this composition. The magnetization vs. applied field data at 5 K show a directional preference to some extent and therefore smaller non-collinear magnetization behavior compared to Co11Zr2 reported in the literature due to exchange frustration and transverse spin freezing owing to the presence of smaller Zr content. The decay of magnetization as a function of temperature along the easy axis of magnetization of all the eutectic compositions can be described fairly well by the spin wave excitation equation Delta M/M(0) = BT3/2 + CT5/2. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Interference of Two Closely Spaced Strip Footings on Sand Using Model Tests

By using small scale model tests, the interference effect on the ultimate bearing capacity of two closely spaced strip footings, placed on the surface of dry sand, was investigated. At any time, the footings were assumed to (1) carry exactly the same magnitude of load; and (2) settle to the same extent. No tilt of the footing was allowed. The effect of clear spacing (s) between two footings was explicitly studied. An interference of footings leads to a significant increase in their bearing capacity; the interference effect becomes even more substantial with an increase in the relative density of sand. The bearing capacity attains a peak magnitude at a certain (critical) spacing between two footings. The experimental observations presented in this technical note were similar to those given by different available theories. However, in a quantitative sense, the difference between the experiments and theories was seen to be still significant and it emphasizes the need of doing a further rigorous analysis in which the effect of stress level on the shear strength parameters of soil mass can be incorporated properly.

Investigation of the effect of nonlocal scale on ultrasonic wave dispersion characteristics of a monolayer graphene

In this article, an ultrasonic wave propagation in graphene sheet is studied using nonlocal elasticity theory incorporating small scale effects. The graphene sheet is modeled as an isotropic plate of one-atom thick. For this model, the nonlocal governing differential equations of motion are derived from the minimization of the total potential energy of the entire system. An ultrasonic type of wave propagation model is also derived for the graphene sheet. The nonlocal scale parameter introduces certain band gap region in in-plane and flexural wave modes where no wave propagation occurs. This is manifested in the wavenumber plots as the region where the wavenumber tends to infinite or wave speed tends to zero. The frequency at which this phenomenon occurs is called the escape frequency. The explicit expressions for cutoff frequencies and escape frequencies are derived. The escape frequencies are mainly introduced because of the nonlocal elasticity. Obviously these frequencies are function of nonlocal scaling parameter. It has also been obtained that these frequencies are independent of y-directional wavenumber. It means that for any type of nanostructure, the escape frequencies are purely a function of nonlocal scaling parameter only. It is also independent of the geometry of the structure. It has been found that the cutoff frequencies are function of nonlocal scaling parameter (e(0)a) and the y-directional wavenumber (k(y)). For a given nanostructure, nonlocal small scale coefficient can be obtained by matching the results from molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and the nonlocal elasticity calculations. At that value of the nonlocal scale coefficient, the waves will propagate in the nanostructure at that cut-off frequency. In the present paper, different values of e(o)a are used. One can get the exact e(0)a for a given graphene sheet by matching the MD simulation results of graphene with the results presented in this paper. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

SCALE EFFECTS ON ULTRASONIC WAVE DISPERSION CHARACTERISTICS OF MONOLAYER GRAPHENE EMBEDDED IN AN ELASTIC MEDIUM

Ultrasonic wave propagation in a graphene sheet, which is embedded in an elastic medium, is studied using nonlocal elasticity theory incorporating small-scale effects. The graphene sheet is modeled as an one-atom thick isotropic plate and the elastic medium/substrate is modeled as distributed springs. For this model, the nonlocal governing differential equations of motion are derived from the minimization of the total potential energy of the entire system. After that, an ultrasonic type of wave propagation model is also derived. The explicit expressions for the cut-off frequencies are also obtained as functions of the nonlocal scaling parameter and the y-directional wavenumber. Local elasticity shows that the wave will propagate even at higher frequencies. But nonlocal elasticity predicts that the waves can propagate only up to certain frequencies (called escape frequencies), after which the wave velocity becomes zero. The results also show that the escape frequencies are purely a function of the nonlocal scaling parameter. The effect of the elastic medium is captured in the wave dispersion analysis and this analysis is explained with respect to both local and nonlocal elasticity. The simulations show that the elastic medium affects only the flexural wave mode in the graphene sheet. The presence of the elastic matrix increases the band gap of the flexural mode. The present results can provide useful guidance for the design of next-generation nanodevices in which graphene-based composites act as a major element.

Experimental investigation of die wear in small-batch hammer-forging under unlubricated conditions

Wear of dies is a serious problem in the forging industry. The materials used for the dies are generally expensive steel alloys and the dies require costly heat treatment and surface finishing operations. Degeneration of the die profile implies rejection of forged components and necessitates resinking or replacement of the die. Measures which reduce wear of the die can therefore aid in the reduction of production costs. The work reported here is the first phase of a study of the causes of die wear in forging production where the batch size is small and the machine employed is a light hammer. This is a problem characteristic of the medium and small scale area of the forging industry where the cost of dies is a significant proportion of the total capital investment. For the same energy input and under unlubricated conditions, die wear has been found to be sensitive to forging temperature; in cold forging the yield strength of the die material is the prime factor governing the degeneration of the die profile, whilst in hot forging the wear resistance of the die material is the main factor which determines the rate of die wear. At an intermediate temperature, such as that characteristic of warm forging, the die wear is found to be less than that in both cold and hot forging. This preliminary study therefore points to the fact that the forging temperature must be taken into account in the selection of die material. Further, the forging industry must take serious note of the warm forging process, as it not only provides good surface finish, as claimed by many authors, but also has an inherent tendency to minimize die wear.

Scale effects on buckling analysis of orthotropic nanoplates based on nonlocal two-variable refined plate theory

This article presents the buckling analysis of orthotropic nanoplates such as graphene using the two-variable refined plate theory and nonlocal small-scale effects. The two-variable refined plate theory takes account of transverse shear effects and parabolic distribution of the transverse shear strains through the thickness of the plate, hence it is unnecessary to use shear correction factors. Nonlocal governing equations of motion for the monolayer graphene are derived from the principle of virtual displacements. The closed-form solution for buckling load of a simply supported rectangular orthotropic nanoplate subjected to in-plane loading has been obtained by using the Navier's method. Numerical results obtained by the present theory are compared with first-order shear deformation theory for various shear correction factors. It has been proven that the nondimensional buckling load of the orthotropic nanoplate is always smaller than that of the isotropic nanoplate. It is also shown that small-scale effects contribute significantly to the mechanical behavior of orthotropic graphene sheets and cannot be neglected. Further, buckling load decreases with the increase of the nonlocal scale parameter value. The effects of the mode number, compression ratio and aspect ratio on the buckling load of the orthotropic nanoplate are also captured and discussed in detail. The results presented in this work may provide useful guidance for design and development of orthotropic graphene based nanodevices that make use of the buckling properties of orthotropic nanoplates.