Optical constants of magnetron-sputtered boron carbide thin films from photoabsorption data in the range 30 to 770 eV

This work discusses the experimental determination of the optical constants (refractive index) of DC-magnetron-sputtered boron carbide films in the 30-770 eV photon energy range. Transmittance measurements of three boron carbide films with thicknesses of 54.2, 79.0, and 112.5 nm were performed for this purpose. These are believed to be the first published experimental data for the refractive index of boron carbide films in the photon energy range above 160 eV and for the near-edge x-ray absorption fine structure regions around the boron K (188 eV), carbon K (284.2 eV), and oxygen K (543.1 eV) absorption edges. The density, composition, surface chemistry, and morphology of the films were also investigated using Rutherford backscattering, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and extreme ultraviolet reflectance measurements.     

Structure,properties and corrosion resistivity of polymeric nanocomposite coatings based on layered silicates

This paper reviews the recent research and development of polymeric nanocomposite coatings based on layered silicates. In the past few decades, extensive research activities have been conducted on clay minerals due to their unique layered structure, rich intercalation chemistry and availability at low cost, environmental stability, and good processability. One of the most important categories of layered silicates is nanoclays. The nanoclay is considered as reinforcement for polymers in the manufacture of low-cost, lightweight and high performance nanocomposite coatings. In this paper, we try to introduce the structure, properties, and surface modification of clay minerals. Different properties of polymer clay nanocomposite coatings consisting of different polymers are also reviewed. These coatings may consist of conductive and nonconductive polymers. The corrosion resistance of each type is discussed separately. Some novel properties can be observed from the interaction of two dissimilar chemical components at the molecular level that posses enhancements in corrosion inhibition on metallic substrates. Finally, the prospective problems of industrial usage of these materials are mentioned.     

AN ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORK APPROACH TO CAPILLARY RISE IN POROUS MEDIA

An artificial neural network (ANN) was used to analyze the capillary rise in porous media. Wetting experiments were performed with 15 liquids and 15 different powders. The liquids covered a wide range of surface tension (15.45-71.99 mJ/m²) and viscosity (0.25-21 mPa.s). The powders also provided an acceptable range of particle size (0.012-45 μm) and surface free energy (25.5-62.2 mJ/m²). An artificial neural network was employed to predict the time of capillary rise for a known given height. The network's inputs were density, surface tension, and viscosity for the liquids and particle size, bulk density, packing density, and surface free energy for the powders. Two statistical parameters, the product moment correlation coefficient (r²) and the performance factor (PF/3), were used to correlate the actual experimentally obtained times of capillary rise to: (i) their equivalent values as predicted by a designed and trained artificial neural network; and (ii) their corresponding values as calculated by the Lucas-Washburn equation as well as the equivalent values as calculated by its various other modified versions. It must be noted that for a perfect correlation r² = 1 and PF/3 = 0. The results showed that only the present ANN approach was able to predict with superior accuracy (i.e., r² = 0.92, PF/3 = 51) the time of capillary rise. The Lucas-Washburn calculations gave the worst correlations (r² = 0.15, PF/3 = 1002). Furthermore, some of the modifications of this equation as proposed by different workers did not seem to conspicuously improve the relationships, giving a range of inferior correlations between the calculated and experimentally determined times of capillary rise (i.e., r² = 0.27 to 0.48, PF/3 = 112 to 285).     

Using computational fluid dynamics modeling to study the mixing of pseudoplastic fluids with a Scaba 6SRGT impeller

The 3D flow field generated by a Scaba 6SRGT impeller in the agitation of xanthan gum, a pseudoplastic fluid with yield stress, was simulated using the commercial CFD package. The flow was modeled as laminar and a multiple reference frame (MRF) approach was used to solve the discretized equations of motion. The velocity profiles predicted by the simulation agreed well with those measured using ultrasonic Doppler velocimetry, a non-invasive fluid flow measurement technique for opaque systems. Using computed velocity profiles across the impeller, the effect of fluid rheology on the impeller flow number was investigated. The validated CFD model provided useful information regarding the formation of cavern around the impeller in the mixing of yield stress fluids and the size of cavern predicted by the CFD model was in good agreement with that calculated using Elson's model.     

Biological and chemical redox transformations of mercury in fresh and salt waters of the high arctic during spring and summer

It is well-established that atmospheric deposition transports Hg to Arctic regions, but the postdepositional dynamics of Hg that can alter its impact on Arctic food chains are less understood. Through a series of in situ experiments, we investigated the redox transformations of Hg in coastal and inland aquatic systems. During spring and summer, Hg reduction in streams and pond waters decreased across a 4-fold increase in salinity. This alteration of Hg reduction due to chloride was counterbalanced by the presence of particles, which favored the conversion of oxidized Hg to its elemental form. In saline waters, biogenic organic materials, produced by algae, were able to promote oxidation of Hg(O) even under dark conditions. Overall these results point to the vulnerability of marine/ coastal Arctic systems to Hg, compared to inland systems, with oxidation processes enhancing Hg residence times and thus increasing its potential to enter the food chain.     

Application of global optimization strategies to refinery hydrogen network

In this paper, a new method is presented in optimization of hydrogen network. The mixed integer non-linear programming (MINLP) and non-linear programming (NLP) problems have been solved with two methods, simultaneously. The linearization technique for non-linear programming models which proposed by McCormick (1976) and also a new method proposed by Faria and Bagajewicz (2011) have been used to solve these problems. Application of this new method is presented in global optimization of MINLP/NLP, and hydrogen network problem.     

Multiple damage detection in complex bridges based on strain energy extracted from single point measurement

Strain Energy of the structure can be changed with the damage at the damage location. The accurate detection of the damage location using this index in a force system is dependent on the degree of accuracy in determining the structure deformation function before and after damage. The use of modal-based methods to identify damage in complex bridges is always associated with problems due to the need to consider the effects of higher modes and the adverse effect of operational conditions on the extraction of structural modal parameters. In this paper, the deformation of the structure was determined by the concept of influence line using the Betti-Maxwell theory. Then two damage detection indicators were developed based on strain energy variations. These indices were presented separately for bending and torsion changes. Finite element analysis of a five-span concrete curved bridge was done to validate the stated methods. Damage was simulated by decreasing stiffness at different sections of the deck. The response regarding displacement of a point on the deck was measured along each span by passing a moving load on the bridge at very low speeds. Indicators of the strain energy extracted from displacement influence line and the strain energy extracted from the rotational displacement influence line (SERIL) were calculated for the studied bridge. The results show that the proposed methods have well identified the location of the damage by significantly reducing the number of sensors required to record the response. Also, the location of symmetric damages is detected with high resolution using SERIL.     

Spin-on-glass coatings for the generation of superpolished substrates for use in the extreme-ultraviolet region

Substrates intended for use as extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) optics have extremely stringent requirements in terms of finish. These requirements can dramatically increase the cost and fabrication time, especially when nonconventional shapes, such as toroids, are required. Here we present a spin-on-glass resist process capable of generating superpolished parts from inexpensive substrates. The method has been used to render diamond-turned substrates compatible for use as EUV optics. Toroidal diamond-turned optics with starting rms roughness in the 3.3-3.7 nm range have been smoothed to the 0.4-0.6 nm range. EUV reflectometry characterization of these optics has demonstrated reflectivities of approximately 65%.