Study on dominant mechanism of high-cycle fatigue life in 6061-T6 aluminum alloy through microanalyses of microstructurally small cracks

The mechanism controlling the fatigue life of a precipitation-hardened Al–Mg–Si alloy (6061-T6) at a high-cycle fatigue (HCF) regime of over 10⁷ cycles was investigated in detail. It was found that over 90% of the total fatigue life was occupied by the growth process of a microstructurally small crack at relatively low stress amplitude. The small crack was often found to be arrested and halted for a long period (more than 10⁶ cycles) before it began to grow again, which resulted in a significantly slow growth process. The small crack was then analyzed not only by the conventional fractography but also by the cross-sectional observation of the crack tip region using a focused ion beam and transmission electron microscopy. These observations, supplemented also by a grain orientation analysis using electron backscattered diffraction, explicitly revealed the following points: (i) the small crack growth observed on the specimen surface is primarily related to facet-type cracking that occurs exclusively at the specimen surface; (ii) the growth direction of the small crack has strong anisotropy (i.e. surface-induced growth); (iii) the facet-type cracking is related to the formation of persistent fine slip bands that accompany no structural change of the matrix. On the basis of these results, the micromechanism of small crack growth and its relation to the concept of fatigue limit at the HCF regime is discussed in detail.     

Detection of back-side pit on a ferrous plate by magnetic flux leakage method with analyzing magnetic field vector

We have developed a magnetic flux leakage (MFL) system using magnetic resistive (MR) sensors for detecting two dimensional magnetic field components, and an induction coil that generates low magnetic field strengths and extremely low frequencies. The signal at each scanned measurement point (i) was divided by the signal strength M_mes,i and phase α_i by a lock-in amplifier. Using the strength M_mes,i and phase α_i, we calculated the imaginary part of the signal using the common phase β. By optimization of the common phase β to the imaginary part, the analyzed scanning data curve was shown to be effective in estimating the size (depth and diameter) of back-side pits on a ferrous plate. Comparing the two dimensional magnetic field components of leakage, the imaginary part of the y-component parallel to the induced magnetic field was found to be suitable for detecting the back-side pits.     

Radiation grafting of α,β,β-trifluorostyrene onto poly(ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene) film by preirradiation method. II. Properties of cation-exchange membrane obtained by sulfonation and hydrolysis of the grafted film

A Study was made on certain properties of the cation-exchange membranes obtained by the preirradiation grafting of α,β,β-trifluorostyrene (TFS) noto poly(ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene) (ETFE), followed by sulfonation and hydrolysis of the grafted film. Swelling, water uptake, electric conductivity, and transport number of the membranes were measured as a function of ino-exchange capacity. Thermal and chemical stability were also investigated. These properties were found to be mainly dependent on ion-exchange capacity. The stable membrane properties were established due to a homogeneous ion-exchange group distribution in the membrane, as confirmed by x-ray imcroscopy analysis of the membrane cross sections. In addition, the membranes showed good electrochemical, thermal, and chemical properties, and were found to be scceptable for practical use as cation-exchange membranes.     

Pressure drop characteristics of flow in a symmetric channel with periodically expanded grooves

Pressure drop characteristics of flow in a periodically grooved channel are investigated experimentally. It is well known that a self-sustained oscillatory flow occurs from a steady-state flow at a certain critical Reynolds number in such grooved channels. The oscillatory flow enhances fluid mixing and leads to an increase in pressure drop. We measure the pressure drop with a pressure transducer. It is found that the pressure drop increases near the critical Reynolds numbers where the two- and three-dimensional oscillatory flows occur. In addition, the three-dimensional flow is confirmed by flow visualization.     

Ethanol Conversion on MCM-41 and FSM-16, and on Ni-Doped MCM-41 and FSM-16 Prepared without Hydrothermal Conditions

MCM-41 and FSM-16 were both prepared using no hydrothermal conditions, and nickel was doped into these catalysts (Ni-MCM-41 and Ni-FSM-16) using a template ion exchange method. FSM-16 and Ni-FSM-16 had greater catalytic activity for the conversion of ethanol than MCM-41 and Ni-MCM-41, indicating that FSM-16 has potential as a catalyst for the conversion of ethanol to propylene.     

Effect of Support Materials on the Selective Methanation of CO over Ru Catalysts

Selective methanation of CO in the reformate gas (CO/CO₂/H₂/H₂O = 0.175/17.9/70.9/11.1) proceeded over Ru catalysts supported on metal oxides and zeolites. CO was selectively methanated at wide temperature ranges (200–275 °C) over Ru/γ-Al₂O₃, Ru/TiO₂ Ru/H-Y and Ru/H-beta catalysts. Higher Ru contents in Ru/γ-Al₂O₃ improved the selective CO methanation rate.     

Biomarkers for colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common epithelial malignancy in the world. Since CRC develops slowly from removable precancerous lesions, detection of the lesion at an early stage by regular health examinations can reduce the incidence and mortality of this malignancy. Colonoscopy significantly improves the detection rate of CRC, but the examination is expensive and inconvenient. Therefore, we need novel biomarkers that are non-invasive to enable us to detect CRC quite early. A number of validation studies have been conducted to evaluate genetic, epigenetic or protein markers for identification in the stool and/or serum. Currently, the fecal occult blood test is the most widely used method of screening for CRC. However, advances in genomics and proteomics will lead to the discovery of novel non-invasive biomarkers.     

Synthesis and photoinduced surface relief grating formation of novel photo-responsive amorphous molecular materials, 4-[bis(9,9-dimethylfluoren-2-yl)amino]-4′-cyanoazobenzene and 4-[bis(9,9-dimethylfluoren-2-yl)-amino]-4′-nitroazobenzene

Novel azobenzene-based photo-responsive amorphous molecular materials, 4-[bis(9,9-dimethylfluoren-2-yl)amino]-4′-cyanoazobenzene and 4-[bis(9,9-dimethylfluoren-2-yl)amino]-4′-nitroazobenzene, have been synthesized and the formation of surface relief grating on their amorphous films has been investigated. It was found that a relatively large surface relief grating could be inscribed on both amorphous films upon interference exposure to the writing laser beams. The modulation depth of the surface relief grating inscribed on the amorphous film of the cyano-substituted material was found to be larger than that inscribed on the film of the nitro-substituted one and seemed to be comparable to that inscribed on the amorphous film of the parent material, 4-[bis(9,9-dimethylfluoren-2-yl)amino]azobenzene. These results were discussed from the viewpoint of their trans–cis photoisomerizations as amorphous films and glass-transition temperatures.     

Cu behaviors and effects of mine drainage in Kosaka River,Hokuroku mining district,Northeast Japan

Focusing on the origin of the heavy metal, this study aims to build an imputed method to estimate the heavy metal content in river water by making a distinction between the heavy metal of natural origins and that caused by human activities. Supported by GIS, Kosaka watershed within the Hokuroku basin was divided into several sub-watershed polygons and the outflows of water and Cu were calculated for each polygon. Compared with the natural origin, the dominant Cu emissions affected the river water more significantly in local. Based on the mass balance closure, the heavy metal content of Cu in the Kosaka River was estimated by the conflux accumulation of tributaries and mine drainages. The estimated Cu concentrations were checked by comparing with the actually measured values at monitoring points along the Kosaka River and the results are coincidence with each other in general. It is revealed that the mainstream water quality could be estimated by seizing the water quality of upstream tributaries and human drainages.