Stability and electronic properties of armchair boron nitride/carbon nanotubes

In this work are studied the electronic and structural properties of armchair boron nitride/carbon nanotubes using first principles calculations. The density functional within the generalized gradient approximation (HSEh1PBE-GGA) is used. For each composition, different bonding schemes for the construction of the hybrid systems were employed. Among them, structural stability with neutral charge was determined for the following compositions: T1: B₄₀N₃₅C₇₅H₂₀, T2: B₃₅N₄₀C₇₅H₂₀, T3: B₃₇N₃₈C₇₅H₂₀, T4 : B₃₇N₃₇C₇₆H₂₀, and T7: B₃₅N₃₅C₈₀H₂₀. All these hybrid nanotubes have high polarity; the T3, T4 and T7 are semiconductors: whereas T1 and T2 are conductor in character. The formers also have magnetic behavior. These properties together with a low-chemical potential suggest applications as nano-vehicle for drug delivery. These mixed nanotubes also have potential applications in the electronic devices based on the small work function.     

Deformation due to expanding ring load in modified couple stress thermoelastic diffusion in time and frequency domain

The two-dimensional problem of expanding ring load in a modified couple stress theory of thermoelastic diffusion with heat sources in time and frequency domains is investigated. The mathematical formulation prepared for thermoelastic diffusion solids with one and two relaxation times using Laplace and Hankel transforms. The displacements, stress components, temperature change, and chemical potential are obtained in a transformed domain. Numerical computation is performed for these quantities and the resulting quantities are shown graphically for the time and frequency domains. Comparisons are made with the results predicted by the two theories and different values of time and frequency. Particular cases of interest are also deduced.     

The transient response of a functionally graded piezoelectric rod subjected to a moving heat source under fractional order theory of thermoelasticity

The transient thermo-piezoelectric response of a functionally graded piezoelectric rod subjected to a moving heat source is investigated in the context of fractional order theory of thermoelasticity proposed by Sherief. The material properties of the functionally graded piezoelectric rod are assumed to vary exponentially along the length, except for the thermal relaxation time and the specific heat, which are taken to be constant. To solve the governing equations of the problem, Laplace transform is applied, eliminating the time effect; the analytical solutions of the displacement, stress, temperature, and electric field in Laplace domain are obtained. Subsequently, the solutions of the considered variables in time domain are obtained by numerical Laplace inversion and illustrated graphically. In calculation, the effect of the fractional order parameter on the variations of the considered variables is presented.     

Wave propagation in functionally graded nanocomposites reinforced with carbon nanotubes based on second-order shear deformation theory

In the present article, as a first endeavor, the wave propagation in functionally graded nanocomposites reinforced with carbon nanotubes is investigated on the basis of second-order shear deformation theory. Four different types of functionally graded nanocomposites are presented. An analytical method is used to find the circular frequencies and phase velocities. To show the accuracy of the present methodology, our results for the free vibration are compared with the results of functionally graded plates available in the literature. The influences of different parameters are also investigated on the circular frequencies and phase velocities.     

An analytical procedure for dynamic response determination of a viscoelastic beam with moderately large deflection using first-order shear deformation theory

In this article, the dynamic response of a viscoelastic beam with moderately large deflection subjected to transverse and axial loads is studied using the first-order shear deformation theory. The von-Karman strain displacement relations and Hooke's law are used for formulation. The solution of the equations, which are a system of nonlinear partial differential equations, are obtained analytically using the perturbation technique in conjunction with the eigenfunction expansion method. The results are compared with the finite elements method. Also, a sensitivity analysis is performed, and the effects of geometrical and material properties are investigated on the response.     

Bending-stretching analysis of thick functionally graded micro-plates using higher-order shear and normal deformable plate theory

In the present article, higher-order shear and normal deformable plate theory together with modified couple stress theory are developed to study the bending analysis of thick functionally graded rectangular micro-plates. One material length scale parameter is used for capturing the size effects. Utilizing the variational approach and also a principle of virtual displacement, a new form of equilibrium equations and the corresponding boundary conditions are derived. It is assumed that material properties vary through the thickness according to the power law function. Finally, an analytical solution for the bending problem of a simply supported FG rectangular micro-plate is presented.     

Dynamic stability of modified strain gradient theory sinusoidal viscoelastic piezoelectric polymeric functionally graded single-walled carbon nanotubes reinforced nanocomposite plate considering surface stress and agglomeration effects under hydro-thermo-electro-magneto-mechanical loadings

In this article, dynamic stability analysis of the viscoelastic piezoelectric polymeric nanocomposite plate reinforced by functionally graded single-walled carbon nanotubes (FG-SWCNTs) based on modified strain gradient theory (MSGT) is explored. The viscoelastic piezoelectric polymeric nanocomposite plate reinforced is subjected to hydrothermal and electro-magneto-mechanical loadings. The viscoelastic piezoelectric polymeric nanocomposite plate is rested on viscoelastic foundation. Uniform distribution (UD), various functionally graded (FG) distribution types such as FG-V, FG-X, and FG-O are considered for single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). The extended mixture approach is applied to estimation of the elastic properties. The equations of motion are derived by Hamilton's principle. The resonance frequency or the parametric resonance is obtained then dynamic stability region is specified. There is a good agreement between the present work and the literature result. Various parametric investigations are performed for the influences of the small scale parameters, direct and alternating applied voltage, magnetic field, viscoelastic foundation coefficients, and aspect ratios on the dynamic stability region of the viscoelastic piezoelectric polymeric nanocomposite plate. The results indicated that SWCNT agglomeration and surface stress have significant effects on the dynamic stability region and the parametric resonance. Dynamic stability region increases with increasing of thickness to width ratio, magnetic field, applied voltage, static load factor, viscoelastic foundation parameters, and surface density constant, and decreasing of length to width ratio and residual surface stress constant. Also, the dynamic stability region shifts to lower parameter resonance with increasing of temperature and moisture changes. The results can be employed for design of micro-electro-mechanical systems and nano-electro-mechanical systems.     

Designing Metallic and Insulating Nanocrystal Heterostructures to Fabricate Highly Sensitive and Solution Processed Strain Gauges for Wearable Sensors

All‐solution processed, high‐performance wearable strain sensors are demonstrated using heterostructure nanocrystal (NC) solids. By incorporating insulating artificial atoms of CdSe quantum dot NCs into metallic artificial atoms of Au NC thin film matrix, metal–insulator heterostructures are designed. This hybrid structure results in a shift close to the percolation threshold, modifying the charge transport mechanism and enhancing sensitivity in accordance with the site percolation theory. The number of electrical pathways is also manipulated by creating nanocracks to further increase its sensitivity, inspired from the bond percolation theory. The combination of the two strategies achieves gauge factor up to 5045, the highest sensitivity recorded among NC‐based strain gauges. These strain sensors show high reliability, durability, frequency stability, and negligible hysteresis. The fundamental charge transport behavior of these NC solids is investigated and the combined site and bond percolation theory is developed to illuminate the origin of their enhanced sensitivity. Finally, all NC‐based and solution‐processed strain gauge sensor arrays are fabricated, which effectively measure the motion of each finger joint, the pulse of heart rate, and the movement of vocal cords of human. This work provides a pathway for designing low‐cost and high‐performance electronic skin or wearable devices.     

Deriving phosphorus atomic chains from few-layer black phosphorus

Phosphorus atomic chains,the narrowest nanostructures of black phosphorus (BP),are highly relevant to the in-depth development of BP-based one-dimensional (1D) nano-electronics components.In this study,we report a top-down route for the preparation of phosphorus atomic chains via electron beam sculpturing inside a transmission electron microscope (TEM).The growth and dynamics (i.e.,rupture and edge migration) of 1D phosphorus chains are experimentally captured for the first time.Furthermore,the dynamic behavior and associated energetics of the as-formed phosphorus chains are further investigated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations.It is hoped that these 1D BP structures will serve as a novel platform and inspire further exploration of the versatile properties of BP.     

A primary influence vertex approach to identify driving factors in complex integrated agri-industrial systems – an example from sugarcane supply and processing systems

Integrated agri-industrial systems (IAISs), such as sugarcane supply and processing systems, are complex systems and hence generally difficult to understand and manage. The large number factors in IAISs coupled with the complex interrelationships among the factors make it challenging to identify the points of intervention for improving their overall performance. Several approaches, such as the network theory and the Theory of Constraints have been used to identify important factors in systems with variations in success. This paper demonstrates a primary influence vertex approach for identifying and ranking the factors that drive the performance of IAISs. The approach is based on comprehensive causal network analyses and was tested in four relatively diverse large-scale sugarcane milling operations in South Africa. Results from the analyses were found to be consistent with the literature and external knowledge of the milling areas as at the time of the study. It is concluded that the approach can proffer a sound basis from which deeper rooted problems in systems can be identified on an ongoing basis. It is, however, recommended that the approach should be systematically compared with other relevant methods that are used to analyse complex systems.