Simulation of nanochannel membrane formation

Monte Carlo simulations of atomic processes on the surface of silicon nanochannel membranes during molecular-beam epitaxy and subsequent thermal oxidation are performed. It is demonstrated that silicon deposition on Si(001) wafers with 1–100 nm cylindrical pores results in constriction of channel inlets. The rates of reduction of the nanochannel diameter are estimated as functions of the wafer temperature, silicon deposition rate, and initial nanochannel diameter. Optimal conditions of silicon deposition on nanochannel membranes are determined: the wafer temperature of 250–450°C and silicon flux intensity of 10⁻² to 10 monolayers (ML) per second. Under these conditions, the rate of reduction of the nanochannel inlet diameter is 0.13–0.15 nm/ML, which allows membrane channel modifications over a wide range down to several nanometers. Simulations of nanochannel membrane oxidation in an oxygen flux shows that precise reduction of nanochannel inlet diameters down to complete sealing of the channel due to oxide growth is only possible for small diameters of the initial pores. For channels with large lateral sizes, the effect of reduction of the channel inlet diameter due to oxidation is insignificant. Oxidation of pores enhances their stability to subsequent high-temperature treatment.     

Film height optimization of dynamically loaded hydrodynamic slider bearings

A method is presented to determine the optimal surface shape distribution for a hydrodynamic slider bearing. This is the surface shape distribution that is able to carry a prescribed load while maintaining a maximum separation between the surfaces. This method is first derived for a bearing with constant load and sliding speed. It is subsequently extended for a bearing with periodic load and sliding speed. Results for slider bearings with different shapes, loads and speeds are presented. It is shown that the numerical procedure developed in this paper is numerically more efficient than a reference optimization method.     

Texture Shape Optimization for Seal-Like Parallel Surfaces: Theory and Experiment

The geometric shape of surface textures has a major influence on the tribological performance of textured surfaces. This study aims to improve the tribological performance of seal-like specimens with a circular ring configuration by introducing novel texture geometries that generate the highest load-carrying capacity (LCC). A numerical optimization approach is presented to determine the optimum texture shapes for a ring geometry with different constraints on the textured area. The results show that the optimum textures of different area ratios (ARs) have similar chevron shapes with flat fronts. Also presented are the tribological test results of the optimum texture shape (AR = 20%) and their comparison with three regular shapes. It is found that the optimum texture shape provides the lowest friction coefficient under different test conditions.     

Crack detection in a beam with an arbitrary number of transverse cracks using genetic algorithms

In this paper, a crack detection approach is presented for detecting depth and location of cracks in beam-like structures. For this purpose, a new beam element with an arbitrary number of embedded transverse edge cracks, in arbitrary positions of beam element with any depth, is derived. The components of the stiffness matrix for the cracked element are computed using the conjugate beam concept and Betti’s theorem, and finally represented in closed-form expressions. The proposed beam element is efficiently employed for solving forward problem (i.e., to gain precise natural frequencies and mode shapes of the beam knowing the cracks’ characteristics). To validate the proposed element, results obtained by new element are compared with two-dimensional (2D) finite element results and available experimental measurements. Moreover, by knowing the natural frequencies and mode shapes, an inverse problem is established in which the location and depth of cracks are determined. In the inverse approach, an optimization problem based on the new finite element and genetic algorithms (GAs) is solved to search the solution. It is shown that the present algorithm is able to identify various crack configurations in a cracked beam. The proposed approach is verified through a cracked beam containing various cracks with different depths.     

A technique for preparing samples of metal nanowires for electron and atomic-force microscopy

Methods for preparing nanowire samples for experiments with transmission electron and atomic-force microscopes are described. In the method used for transmission electron microscopy investigations, metal is electrochemically deposited into etched channels of a track membrane kept close against the end surface of a thin metal foil. A method for forming nanowires in a slit of a thin epoxy film is proposed for atomic-force microscopy examinations. Original Russian Text ￠ V.F. Reutov, M.F. Miklyaev, B.V. Mchedlishvili, 2007, published in Pribory i Tekhnika Eksperimenta, 2007, No. 3, pp. 144–147.     

不同形状微孔搭配对机械密封性能的影响

为探讨不同形状微孔搭配排布对机械密封性能的影响,基于Reynolds方程和JFO空化边界条件,采用有限体积法建立密封间隙流体的数值计算模型;选用圆形孔、椭圆形孔和等腰三角形孔任意搭配,得到27个模型,并计算不同压差、转速下各模型的开启力和泄漏率;对数据做归一化处理后绘制密封性能参数分布图。结果表明:模型中圆形孔数目越少,越靠近外径边界,模型的泄漏率越低,开启力越大;当压差为0时,密封性能参数呈现为区域性集中分布,此现象受动压效应和静压二者共同影响,压差越小,转速越大,越易产生。     

Investigation on the properties of gamma irradiated of polytetrafluoroethylene fibers

The physical, thermal, and chemical properties of gamma‐irradiated polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) fibers were investigated using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was also used to analyze the surface morphology of irradiated fiber samples. PTFE fiber samples were irradiated by gamma radiation doses ranging from 3 kGy to 40 kGy. The XRD analyses and DSC measurements showed the improvement of crystallinity by gamma irradiation with dose up to 25 kGy reflecting the induced crosslinking with irradiation for PTFE fibers. The crystallinity was found to decrease with higher dose of 40 kGy, reflecting induced amorphization of the polymer sample at the high radiation dose. The calculated crystallite size and XRD parameters showed obvious variations with sample irradiation. The FTIR results showed the liberation of CF₂ groups and the formation of some new chemical bonding with crosslinking‐induced irradiation. The SEM micrographs revealed no variation in the surface morphology of the irradiated fiber samples than the pristine fiber.     

Pulsed field evaporation of ions from polar solutions

An implementation of a technique for studying the release of ions from polar solutions under the action of electric field pulses is presented. A track membrane with nanoscale channels is used in this technique to stabilize the solution surface. The dependences of the ion yield on the parameters of extracting voltage pulses, as well as on the KI salt concentration in water?glycerol solutions have been obtained. The main advantage of the use of short pulses over a constant voltage technique is the possibility of expanding the range of the field strengths extracting ions from a solution without the risk that the solution leaks to the vacuum side of the membrane. In addition, a high stability of the extraction process is provided and the continuous operating time without membrane replacement is increased. The formation of the extraction field at the end of the channel due to the tip effect provides a fast start of the extraction process immediately after applying a voltage pulse, which also simplifies work with the membrane interface.     

Torsion and transverse sensing of conical shells

Conical shells are widely used as payload/rocket adapters in rocket fairing systems. Generally, the conical shells are clamped at the major end and free at the minor end, where the payload is mounted. This study focuses on the dynamic sensing of conical shells with fix-free boundary conditions (BCs) by using distributed piezoelectric helical sensors. Two types of motion are studied, i.e., the transverse modes and the torsion modes. The shear-type sensors for shells sensing are presented first. Formulations of sensing signals of a general shell of revolution are presented, and then simplified to conical shells. For sensing of transverse vibrations, thin piezoelectric sensors are laminated on the top surface. Two types of sensor distribution are considered: a fully distributed and a helical or diagonal laminated. The total signal consists of four components resulting from the four strain components, and each of them is evaluated in detail. For sensing of torsion vibrations, a meridional polarized shear-type sensor with side electrodes is layered on the top surface of the shell structure. Sensing signals of natural shell modes are also evaluated. Analyses show that, in low order modes, the sensing signals induced by the circumferential membrane strains are the primary components of the total signal generations. The numerical results indicate the optimal location of the sensors. The proposed method is capable of determining the modal participation factors, while the testing signal is available; it is also capable of determining the mode shapes by using several distributed sensor segments.     

Improvement of overlapping nuclear track densitometry

Detection of tracks produced by α particles, protons or nuclear fission fragments in plastic detectors, viz., solid‐state nuclear track detectors, constitutes a very important tool in various areas. It is not easy for humans to count CR‐39 nuclear tracks manually, especially when the track density is very high. An automated computer program called KTTMS2, written in C++ and running with a user friendly interface, has been developed for recognition and parametric measurements of etched tracks in images captured from the surface of solid‐state nuclear track detectors. Well‐known edge detection methods were applied to estimate the precision and accuracy of nuclear track densitometry using the CR‐39 detector. Among the various routine edge detection methods, the Canny method was chosen because it was the most accurate technique. Because accuracy becomes more important as the track density increases, this allows more overlapping tracks to be detected. KTTMS2 (the proposed system) has an efficiency of 95% and can identify the noise as a background track (5%). Experimental results showed that the error percentage was reduced from 7.63% to 3.23% for high‐density tracks when the count was adjusted by the estimated overlapping tracks.     

Variable-angle total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (VA-TIRFM): realization and application of a compact illumination device

A novel compact illumination device in variable‐angle total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (VA‐TIRFM) is described. This device replaces the standard condensor of an upright microscope. Light from different laser sources is delivered via a monomode fibre and focused onto identical parts of a sample under variable angles of total internal reflection. Thus, fluorophores in close proximity to a cell–substrate interface are excited by an evanescent wave with variable penetration depth, and localized with high (nanometre) axial resolution. In addition to quantitative measurements in solution, fluorescence markers of the cytoplasm and the plasma membrane, i.e. calcein and laurdan, were examined using cultivated endothelial cells. Distances between the glass substrate and the plasma membrane were determined using the mathematical algorithm of a four‐layer model, as well as a Gaussian‐shaped intensity profile of the illumination spot on the samples. Distances between 0 and 30 nm in focal contacts and between 100 and 300 nm in other parts of the cell were thus determined. In addition to measurements of cell–substrate topology, the illumination device appears appropriate for numerous applications in which high axial resolution is required, e.g. experiments on endocytosis or exocytosis, as well as measurements of ion concentrations proximal to the plasma membrane. The compact illumination device is also suitable for combining TIRFM with further innovative techniques, e.g. time‐resolved fluorescence spectroscopy, fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) or fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET).     

Determination of the energy of a relativistic electron beam by measuring the thickness of the colored layer in glass

A method for determining the energy of relativistic electrons, which was used in the investigation of electromagnetic fields in plasma and dielectric structures, is described. The electron energy was determined by the extrapolated track of electrons in glass, which was estimated by the thickness of the colored (darkened) layer formed by electrons. The density distribution of the colored layer along the direction of electron motion makes it possible to record the width of the beam energy spectrum and the beam position relative to the axis of the transit channel. A stack of glass plates on which the beam is incident can be installed in the transit channel of the dielectric structure or in plasma. Each plate in the stack is placed in parallel to the beam axis. After irradiation of the plates with relativistic electrons, the colored layer depth and the density distribution are determined. Examples of determining the electron energy of a pulsed relativistic electron beam are presented. The method is insensitive to electromagnetic noise, is inexpensive, simple, and easy to use.     

Comparative SEM and LM foliar epidermal and palyno‐morphological studies of Amaranthaceae and its taxonomic implications

Palynological features as well as comparative foliar epidermal using light and scanning electron microscope (SEM) of 17 species (10genera) of Amaranthaceae have been studied for its taxonomic significance. Different foliar and palynological micro‐morphological characters were examined to explain their value in resolving the difficulty in identification. All species were amphistomatic but stomata on abaxial surface were more abundant. Taxonomically significant epidermal character including stomata type, trichomes (unicellular, multicellular, and capitate) and epidermal cells shapes (polygonal and irregular) were also observed. Pollens of this family are Polypantoporate, pores large, spheroidal, mesoporous region is sparsely to scabrate, densely psilate, and spinulose. All these characters can be active at species level for identification purpose. This study indicates that at different taxonomic levels, LM and SEM pollen and epidermal morphology is explanatory and significant to identify species and genera.     

Effect of nanoclay concentration level on the electrical properties of polypropylene under electron irradiation in a SEM

For studying the electrical properties (charge trapping, transport and secondary electron emission) of the polypropylene‐based nanocomposites with different contents of natural clay, the specimens were submitted to electron irradiation of a scanning electron microscope. A device, suitably mounted on the sample holder of the scanning electron microscope, was used to measure two currents (i.e. leakage and displacement currents) induced in the polypropylene‐based nanocomposites (polymer nanocomposites) under electron irradiation. The evolution of trapped charge during irradiation for each type of studied polymer nanocomposites is deduced. The amount of trapped charge at the steady state is also determined by measuring the change of secondary electron image size associated to the electron trajectory simulation. It is found, surprisingly, that not only the leakage current increases as a function of clay loading level but also trapped charge. However, this could be related to the increase of conductivity in one hand and to proliferation of interfaces between nanoparticles and neighbouring materials on the other hand. These two processes play crucial role in controlling the carrier transport (through polymer nanocomposites or/and along its surface) closely related to the charge storage and leakage current. Additional experiment using dielectric spectroscopy were performed to show the effect of clay concentration in changing the dielectric relaxation behaviour and to evidence the existence of interfaces between nanoparticles and polymer. The secondary electron emission during electron irradiation is also studied through the total electron yield that is deduced by correlating the measured leakage and displacement currents.     

Novel techniques of preparing TEM samples for characterization of irradiation damage

Focus ion beam preparation of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) samples has become increasingly popular due to the relative ease of extraction of TEM foils from specific locations within a larger sample. However the sputtering damage induced by Ga ion bombardment in focus ion beam means that traditional electropolishing may be a preferable method. First, we describe a special electropolishing method for the preparation of irregular TEM samples from ex‐service nuclear reactor components, spring‐shaped spacers. This method has also been used to prepare samples from a nonirradiated component for a TEM in situ heavy ion irradiation study. Because the specimen size is small (0.7 × 0.7 × 3 mm), a sandwich installation is adopted to obtain high quality polishing. Second, we describe some modifications to a conventional TEM cross‐section sample preparation method that employs Ni electroplating. There are limitations to this method when preparing cross‐section samples from either (1) metals which are difficult to activate for electroplating, or (2) a heavy ion irradiated foil with a very shallow damage layer close to the surface, which may be affected by the electroplating process. As a consequence, a novel technique for preparing cross‐section samples was developed and is described.     

Optimization for an active fountain pen nanolithography device fabrication

In this paper, a comprehensive consideration for the optimization of the Active Fountain Pen Nanolithography (AFPN) device is presented. The material and the dimensions of the device are chosen for the final fabrication. First, the effect of the capillary pressure is analyzed. In this device, the ink is directed into a channel by capillary pressure which is inversely proportional to the size of the channel. When the size of channel is very small, the capping layer of the channel will deflect and cavitations will probably occur in the chamber due to the capillary pressure. However, with the correct structural design and an adequate channel material, the cavitations and the deflection of the channel can be greatly reduced. With this in mind, we increased the size of the device for ease of the fabrication and to avoid cavitations. The pumping performance is simulated under the actual deflection of the membrane by FLUENT. The results show that the mass flow rate at the outlet is dependent on the amount of membrane deformation. As a final step, the state of the ink at the tip after it fills the device is simulated, with SiN showing the best performance in decreasing the amount of ink on the tip.     

Construction of saliency map and hybrid set of features for efficient segmentation and classification of skin lesion

Skin cancer is being a most deadly type of cancers which have grown extensively worldwide from the last decade. For an accurate detection and classification of melanoma, several measures should be considered which include, contrast stretching, irregularity measurement, selection of most optimal features, and so forth. A poor contrast of lesion affects the segmentation accuracy and also increases classification error. To overcome this problem, an efficient model for accurate border detection and classification is presented. The proposed model improves the segmentation accuracy in its preprocessing phase, utilizing contrast enhancement of lesion area compared to the background. The enhanced 2D blue channel is selected for the construction of saliency map, at the end of which threshold function produces the binary image. In addition, particle swarm optimization (PSO) based segmentation is also utilized for accurate border detection and refinement. Few selected features including shape, texture, local, and global are also extracted which are later selected based on genetic algorithm with an advantage of identifying the fittest chromosome. Finally, optimized features are later fed into the support vector machine (SVM) for classification. Comprehensive experiments have been carried out on three datasets named as PH2, ISBI2016, and ISIC (i.e., ISIC MSK‐1, ISIC MSK‐2, and ISIC UDA). The improved accuracy of 97.9, 99.1, 98.4, and 93.8%, respectively obtained for each dataset. The SVM outperforms on the selected dataset in terms of sensitivity, precision rate, accuracy, and FNR. Furthermore, the selection method outperforms and successfully removed the redundant features.     

Effect of Pore Shape and Pore Orientation on Internal Demagnetization Factor of Porous Ferromagnetic Materials

Taking as examples toroidal model samples with equal values of porosity, but with pores of different shapes, we studied the effect of porosity, pore shapes, and applied magnetic field on the internal demagnetization factor for porous magnetic materials. An empirical formula has been obtained for estimating the internal demagnetization factor of porous magnetics.     

Confocal microscopy in the analysis of the etched nuclear particle tracks in polymers

The possibility of the morphometric analysis of etched tracks, induced by protons and alpha particles in the organic polymer allyl diglycol carbonate (CR-39), using the confocal scanning laser microscope (CSLM), was studied. The detectors were investigated in two groups of irradiation experiments, namely: (a) irradiated with mono-energetic neutrons of energy 1–2 MeV, (b) exposed to the alpha radiation from ²²²Rn and its progeny. Both groups were irradiated at normal incidence. Radiation-induced latent tracks were electrochemically etched, and their morphometric parameters were investigated in the reflection mode by using the 488-nm spectral line of an argon ion laser. A constant number of up to 200 optical sections in Z-scan mode was taken through each selected etched track at vertical spacings of 0·642 μm. Successive reconstructions of Z-sections were used to determine the following parameters: the mean radius of the opening channel, the maximum diameter and the length of the track, and the angle of the track wall to the surface of the sample. The results show that tracks produced by alpha particles differ from those induced by protons. The radius of the opening channel of alpha-particle-induced tracks ranges from 7·9 to 11 μm, whereas for protons the same parameter ranges between 2·0 and 3·8 μm for a specific electrochemical etch procedure.