Asymmetric Dynamic Green’s Functions in a Two-Layered Transversely Isotropic Half-Space

By virtue of a complete representation using two displacement potentials, an analytical derivation of the elastodynamic Green’s functions for a transversely isotropic layer underlain by a transversely isotropic half-space is presented. Three-dimensional point-load and patch-load Green’s functions for stresses and displacements are given in the complex-plane line-integral representations. The formulation includes a complete set of transformed stress-potential and displacement-potential relations in the framework of Fourier expansions and Hankel integral transforms, that is useful in a variety of elastodynamic as well as elastostatic problems. For the numerical computation of the integrals, a robust and effective methodology is laid out. Comparisons with the existing numerical solutions for a two-layered transversely isotropic half-space under static surface load, and a homogeneous transversely isotropic half-space subjected to buried time-harmonic load are made to confirm the accuracy of the present solutions. Selected numerical results for displacement and stress Green’s functions are presented to portray the dependence of the response of the two-layered half-space on the frequency of excitation and the role of the upper layer.     

Uncertain Method for Optimal Control Problems With Uncertainties Using Chebyshev Inclusion Functions

In this paper, a new uncertain analysis method is developed for optimal control problems, including interval variables (uncertainties) based on truncated Chebyshev polynomials. The interval arithmetic in this research is employed for analyzing the uncertainties in optimal control problems comprising uncertain‐but‐bounded parameters with only lower and upper bounds of uncertain parameters. In this research, the Chebyshev method is utilized because it generates sharper bounds for meaningful solutions of interval functions, rather than the Taylor inclusion function, which is efficient in handling the overestimation derived from the wrapping effect due to interval computations. For utilizing the proposed interval method on the optimal control problems with uncertainties, the Lagrange multiplier method is first applied to achieve the necessary conditions and then, by using some algebraic manipulations, they are converted into the ordinary differential equation. Afterwards, the Chebyshev inclusion method is employed to achieve the solution of the system. The final results of the Chebyshev inclusion method are compared with the interval Taylor method. The results show that the proposed Chebyshev inclusion function based method better handle the wrapping effect than the interval Taylor method.     

A new adaptation of mapping method to study mixing of multiphase flows in mixers with complex geometries

The main objective of the present work is to modify the traditional mapping method for the simulation of distributive mixing of multiphase flows in geometries involving moving parts such as, internal mixers or twin-screw extruders without a limitation on their geometrical periodicity. The periodicity condition, limits the results of traditional mapping method to tracking mapping mesh between specific discrete time intervals or distances for that geometry is repeated, hence, result is only for fixed orientation of rotors. Imaginary domain method is introduced to track mapping mesh from one state to the next free of geometrical periodicity limitations. In this work the method is introduced and its applicability and accuracy is discussed in details. A two-dimensional (2D) simulation of mixing of two Newtonian fluids with different viscosities in an intermeshing internal mixer is used as a test case study. In this example the key issues of ability to predict mixing state in details for all orientations of rotors is presented. To reduce diffusion errors of mapping method in the boundaries of the rotors, mapping mesh refinement technique that relies upon one single reference mesh is also presented.     

Optimization of Sputtering Parameters for the Deposition of Low Resistivity Indium Tin Oxide Thin Films

Indium tin oxide(ITO) thin films have been deposited using RF sputtering technique at different pressures,RF powers,and substrate temperatures.Variations in surface morphology,optical properties,and film resistances were measured and analyzed.It is shown that a very low value of sheet resistance(1.96 Ω/sq.) can be achieved with suitable arrangement of the deposition experiments.First,at constant RF power,deposition at different pressure values is done,and the condition for achieving minimum sheet resistance(26.43 Ω/sq.) is found.In the next step,different values of RF powers are tried,while keeping the pressure fixed on the previously found minimum point(1–2 Pa).Finally,the minimum resistivity is obtained by sweeping the substrate temperatures,while keeping RF power and the working pressure at their optimum values.Furthermore,the effects of process parameters on properties,such as the surface morphology and the optical transmission,are discussed.Although the point of minimum resistivity does not coincide with that of the maximum transparency of ITO film,relatively acceptable values of transmittance(approximately 75% on a glass substrate with intrinsic transparency of 89%) can be obtained.     

Effect of Annealing Treatments on the Microstructure and Texture Development in API 5L X60 Microalloyed Pipeline Steel

Effect of annealing treatments at 600, 800, 1000 and 1200 °C on the microstructure, texture, grain boundary characteristic and recrystallization fraction of Nb-microalloyed X60 steel is evaluated by using x-ray diffraction and EBSD techniques. The results indicate that bimodal as-received microstructure is changed to a homogeneous equiaxed grain structure above annealing at 1000 °C. Macro-texture investigations depict that increasing annealing temperature results in considerable variation of texture intensity, especially at 1200 °C. Maximum intensity corresponds to {001}〈310〉, Goss, copper texture components as well as near γ-fiber at 1200 °C. Recrystallization analysis shows that volume fraction of recrystallization noticeably is increased by annealing temperature at 1200 °C. Recrystallized grains are mainly oriented along γ-fiber, especially close to {111}〈112〉 texture component. Moreover, coincidence site lattice (CSL) analysis shows that the effect of annealing temperature on the volume fraction of Σ3 boundary is negligible.     

Photoactivation of Cell-Free Expressed Archaerhodopsin-3 in a Model Cell Membrane

Transmembrane receptor proteins are located in the plasma membranes of biological cells where they exert important functions. Archaerhodopsin (Arch) proteins belong to a class of transmembrane receptor proteins called photoreceptors that react to light. Although the light sensitivity of proteins has been intensely investigated in recent decades, the electrophysiological properties of pore-forming Archaerhodopsin (Arch), as studied in vitro, have remained largely unknown. Here, we formed unsupported bilayers between two channels of a microfluidic chip which enabled the simultaneous optical and electrical assessment of the bilayer in real time. Using a cell-free expression system, we recombinantly produced a GFP (green fluorescent protein) labelled as a variant of Arch-3. The label enabled us to follow the synthesis of Arch-3 and its incorporation into the bilayer by fluorescence microscopy when excited by blue light. Applying a green laser for excitation, we studied the electrophysiological properties of Arch-3 in the bilayer. The current signal obtained during excitation revealed distinct steps upwards and downwards, which we interpreted as the opening or closing of Arch-3 pores. From these steps, we estimated the pore radius to be 0.3 nm. In the cell-free extract, proteins can be modified simply by changing the DNA. In the future, this will enable us to study the photoelectrical properties of modified transmembrane protein constructs with ease. Our work, thus, represents a first step in studying signaling cascades in conjunction with coupled receptor proteins.     

Hydrogen-Induced Cracking Assessment in Pipeline Steels Through Permeation and Crystallographic Texture Measurements

Electrochemical hydrogen charging and permeation techniques were used to characterize hydrogen distribution, trapping, and diffusion in X60 and X60 sour service (X60SS) pipeline steels. The results obtained contribute to better understanding of hydrogen-induced cracking (HIC). SEM observations illustrated that all HIC cracks were formed at the center of cross section in the X60 steel after 3-h hydrogen charging and length of cracks increased with charging time. No HIC cracks were recorded at the cross section of X60SS steel after the same charging for different durations. Hydrogen permeation tests showed that the density of reversible hydrogen traps was lower at the center of cross section in the X60SS steel compared to the X60 one, and this is considered as one of the main reasons for high resistance of X60SS steel to HIC. EBSD orientation imaging results proved that the accumulation of <111>||ND-oriented grains at the center of the cross section in the X60SS steel was high. This is also considered as another reason for higher resistance of this steel to HIC. Finally, the center segregation zone with higher hardness value in the X60 steel was more pronounced than in the X60SS steel which made the X60 steel susceptible to HIC cracking.     

Coalescence efficiency of bubbles in bubble columns

Bubble size distribution was modelled by employing the population balance equation (PBE). All three bubble coalescence mechanisms (turbulence, buoyancy and laminar shear) and the main bubble breakup mechanism (breakup due to turbulent eddies) were considered in the model. Local bubble size distributions at the top and bottom of the column were obtained by solving this PBE. The results were compared with the experimental data for seven independent multiphase systems (water/air, isomax diesel/air, kerosene/air and four other liquid mixture/air) at two diverse gas velocities. The experimental adjustable constant in the coalescence efficiency function was determined by fitting the population balance to the experimental bubble size distributions. An empirical correlation was proposed for the coalescence efficiency by the dimensional analysis, which includes Reynolds and Weber numbers. © 2011 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering     

Regioselective synthesis of new 5-methyl-5H-pyrimido[4′,5′:4,5][1,3]thiazino [3,2-a]perimidines

A convenient and efficient regioselective synthesis of new pyrimido[4′,5′:4,5] [1,3]thiazino[3,2-a]perimidines is described through intermolecular heterocyclization of 2,4-dichloro-5-(chloromethyl)-6-methylpyrimidine and 1H-perimidine-2(3H)-thione in short reaction times under mild conditions.     

Superhydrophobic Surface of AZ31 Alloy Fabricated by Chemical Treatment in the NiSO<Subscript>4</Subscript> Solution

In the present study, the formation of superhydrophobic (SHP) structure on the surface of Mg alloy was investigated by immersion in the CuCl₂ and NiSO₄ solutions following by soaking in the stearic acid (SA) solution. The results revealed the presence of some stearic acid bonds on the surface of Mg alloy. The contact angle of the surface after the process measured about 151.5°, which could be due to the presence of flake-like morphology and the adsorption of hydrophobic substances of SA. X-ray diffraction pattern showed the presence of NiO as the resistant phase against the diffusion of species. Besides, the values of noise and corrosion resistance regarding SHP Mg were at least three orders of magnitude higher than that of bare Mg alloy due to the formation of SHP structure.