Numerical modelling of the propagation of fast landslides using the finite element method

This paper proposes a two‐dimensional (2D) model for the analysis of the propagation of fast landslides involving a fluidized material such as debris and mud flows, flowslides and avalanching flows. The model is based on the Navier–Stokes depth‐integrated equations. To incorporate the effect of steep slopes and centrifugal forces due to the high velocities characterizing the flowslides and the bed curvature, a curvilinear system of reference is used. The corresponding equations of motion are complemented by depth‐averaged constitutive equations and bed friction laws. The resulting set of differential equations are solved using the two‐step Taylor–Galerkin algorithm. This algorithm has been used by the authors to solve hydraulic and dam‐break problems using the finite element method. Owing to the importance of the source term compared to the advection component, the proposed algorithm follows a splitting scheme using a fourth‐order Runge–Kutta method for integrating the friction and slope components. The performance of the overall approach has been checked in a number of examples. The analysis of the results provides insights into the key elements of the model and shows the adequacy of the method to solve real problems where merging and splitting of the flow occur. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Electrical conductivity and gas sensitivity of Zn-Sb-O thick films

The thick film of Zn-Sb-O was prepared by coating the paste of nanoparticles mixture (Sb₂O₃:ZnO=1:3) on the alumina substrate, followed by sintering at 500-900 °C for 2 h in air. The electrical resistance and gas-sensing properties to benzene, alcohol and acetone of Zn-Sb-O films were found to be dependent on the change of phase structure caused by sintering temperature.     

On the role of high-energy electrons in the formation of a plasma-beam discharge structure in a diode with a slit cathode

The spatial structure of visible emission from plasma of a transverse nanosecond pulsed electric discharge in a gas-filled diode with a hollow (slit) cathode has been experimentally studied. A relation is established between the regime of electron energy relaxation and the plasma-beam discharge structure formation. High values of the electron emission coefficient are observed in the experiment, which cannot be explained using the notion of electron emission from a cathode bombarded by fast heavy particles.     

High-strain-rate superplasticity of nanocrystalline aluminum alloy 1570

The structure and mechanical properties of nanocrystalline aluminum alloy 1570 obtained by means of severe plastic deformation have been studied. Being tested in a temperature range from 300 to 400°C, the alloy exhibits high-strain-rate superplasticity. At 400°C, the superplasticity is manifested in a very broad range of strain rates, extending from 5 × 10^?3 to 1 s^?1.     

Studying chaotic microwave oscillations in a TWO with depressed collector

Broadband chaotic oscillations were monitored in a depressed potential collector of a traveling-wave oscillator (TWO). This signal appears due to the oscillations of a virtual cathode, which is formed in the spent electron beam under the action of retarding fields existing in the multistage depressed collector.     

Optical properties of strain-compensated InAs/InGaAsN/GaAsN superlattices

The optical properties of heterostructures comprising InAs/InGaAsN quantum wells in strain-compensated GaAsN/InGaAsN superlattices have been studied. It is demonstrated that, using such superlattices of various design and thickness and with additional InAs monolayer spacers, it is possible to control the wavelength of room-temperature emission from InGaAsN quantum wells within 1.3–1.6 μm without deteriorating the output radiation characteristics, which opens additional prospects for the development of lasers on GaAs substrates for telecommunication applications.     

Increasing the efficiency of metal-air current sources operating in a pulse-train mode

A considerable (～1.4-fold) increase in the average output power of a chemical current source has been achieved by means of a periodic pulsed manipulation of the load. A scheme used for the pulse-train loading is presented and mechanisms ensuring an increase in the average output power of the current source are considered.     

Piezoresistive Behavior Study on Finger‐Sensing Silicone Rubber/Graphite Nanosheet Nanocomposites

A novel finger‐sensing nanocomposite with remarkable and reversible piezoresistivity is successfully fabricated by dispersing homogeneously conductive graphite nanosheets (GNs) in a silicone rubber (SR) matrix. Because of the high aspect ratio of the graphite nanosheets, the nanocomposite displays a very low percolation threshold. The SR/GN nanocomposite with a volume fraction of conductive nanosheets closest to that for the percolation threshold presents a sharp positive‐pressure coefficient effect of the resistivity under very low pressure, namely, in the finger‐pressure range (0.3–0.7 MPa), whereby the abrupt transition could be attributed to compressive‐stress‐induced deformation of the conducting network. The super‐sensitive piezoresistive behavior of the nanocomposite is accounted for by an extension of the tunneling conduction theory which provides a good approximation to the piezoresistive effect.     

Properties of gasars-metallic materials with pores formed by released hydrogen

We developed a new type of porous materials with anisotropic structure based on a large number of metals. It is shown that these material, called gasars, have properties different from the properties of the other porous materials. Thus, the strength of gasars is much higher than the strength of powder materials with the same porosity and their impact toughness is readily regulated by the sizes of the pores. The internal structures of gasars and possible versions of the types of pores in these materials are strongly diversified, which makes the spectrum of their possible applications very wide. We discuss some specific directions of the potential applications of gasars. The results of measurements of the thermal conductivity of gasars and monolithic specimens are presented. It is shown that, for a certain level of porosity, the specific thermal conductivity of gasars is higher than for monolithic materials. We also make some basic conclusions concerning the characteristics of new porous materials. __________ Translated from Fizyko-Khimichna Mekhanika Materialiv, Vol. 43, No. 5, pp. 125–127, September–October, 2007.