Derivation of optimal design of cockpit module considering vibration and heat-resistance characteristics

Elimination of noise caused by the permanent deformation of interior plastic parts has been one of the major factors driving the design of automotive interior assemblies. Noise, indeed, is one of the main criteria affecting the perception of vehicle quality. Traditionally, noise issues have been identified and rectified through extensive hardware testing. However, to shorten the product development cycle and minimize the amount of costly hardware manufactured, hardware testing must rely on engineering analysis and upfront simulation in the design cycle. In this paper, an analytical study conducted to reduce permanent deformation in a cockpit module is discussed. The analytical investigation utilized a novel and practical methodology, implemented through the software tools ABAQUS and iSight, for the identification and minimization of permanent deformation. Here, the emphasis was placed on evaluating the software for issues relating to the prediction of permanent deformation. The analytical results were compared with the experimental findings for two types of deformation location, and the qualitative correlation was found to be very good. We also developed a methodology for the determination of the optimal guide and mount locations of the cockpit module that minimizes permanent deformation. To this end, the methodology implements and integrates nonlinear finite element analysis with sensitivity-analysis techniques.     

Molecular dynamics study on the effect of solution-wall interaction potential on the properties of solution in uniformly charged hydrophobic channel

We numerically investigate the effect of the solution-wall (i.e., water-wall and ion-wall) interaction potential on the properties of confined aqueous solution by using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The effect is determined by comparing results obtained from the MD simulation using the Lennard-Jones (L-J) potential for the water-wall and ion-wall interactions and those using a purely repulsive potential, i.e., the Weeks-Chandler-Andersen-like potential. In the MD simulations, 680 water molecules and 20 chloride ions are included between uniformly charged plates that are separated by 2.6 nm. The results show that the properties of solution are influenced only in the region close to the wall: The water molecules are more densely packed for the case of the L-J potential. Comparison of the results of the MD simulations in the case of the L-J potential with those provided by solving the Poisson-Boltzmann equation, we found that classical continuum theory fails to predict the ion density and electrostatic potential distributions in the region near to the wall, but far way from the wall, the prediction from the continuum theory is in line with the MD simulation.     

Loosening mechanism of threaded fastener for complex structures

Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology - Threaded fasteners are widely used in mechanical structures primarily owing to their easy disassembly for maintenance and low cost. However, the...     

Magnesium interlayered diamond coating on silicon

Diamond thin films have been deposited using hot filament chemical vapour deposition technique on manually scratched p-Si(1 0 0) substrate, with and without magnesium interlayer. In spite of magnesium melting point being lower (T_m = 649 °C) than the growth temperature of the substrate (T_s  750 °C) used in these experiments, it was found that high quality diamond films could be grown on Mg covered substrate. A liquid substrate is probably generated during the diamond film growth. Raman spectroscopy analysis exhibited only the triply degenerate, zone centre optical phonon peak at 1333 cm⁻¹ indicating that nearly stress free crystallites were present. Broadening of the Raman peak (11.76 cm⁻¹) indicates that some small crystallites also are present. Scanning electron and atomic force microscopy accompanied by X-ray diffraction analysis where used to compare the details of diamond film growth directly on scratched Si(1 0 0) and Mg interlayered scratched Si(1 0 0) substrates.     

A synchrotron radiation x-ray microdiffraction study on orientation relationships between a Cu6 Sn5 and Cu substrate in solder joints

The orientation distribution of Cu₆Sn₅ scallops and its relationship with the orientation of copper substrate was studied using synchrotron-radiation-based micro-x-ray diffraction. Laue spots were obtained both from the Cu₆Sn₅ and copper at the same time. From the Laue patterns, orientation distribution maps of the Cu₆Sn₅ and copper were obtained. The orientation of the Cu₆Sn₅ scallops had a strong dependence on that of copper. The [001] direction of Cu₆Sn₅ is always parallel to the [110] of copper, and either the (110) or the (010) plane of Cu₆Sn₅ is parallel to the (001) plane of copper. It was also found that the scallops of Cu₆Sn₅ gradually gain texture in the early stage of reflow, but lose the texture after a long reflow.     

Ultrasonic spray pyrolysis of nano crystalline spinel LiMn2O4 showing good cycling performance in the 3 V range

Spherical lithium manganese oxide spinel was synthesized by an ultrasonic spray pyrolysis method, and has been characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transimission electron microscopy and electrochemical cycling at 3 V regions. The LiMn₂O₄ powders were composed of about 10 nm-sized primary particles. The delivered discharge capacity of the synthesized nano-material was 125 mAh g⁻¹ between 2.4 and 3.5 V and its retention was about 96% upon 50 cycling. From the high resolution transmission electron microscopic study, it was found that structural transition of the parent material did not occur even after the 50th electrochemical cycling on the 3 V region. It seems that the reversible structural change is possible for nanocrystalline LiMn₂O₄ as observed by the X-ray diffraction and transition electron microscopic observations.     

Synthesis of monodisperse nickel‐coated polymer particles by electroless plating method utilizing functional polymeric ligands

In the electroless plating process, to omit a sensitizing process with SnCl₂, we utilized amino‐functional groups on polymer particles. At first, highly monodisperse functional polymer particles could be prepared by a two‐step seeded polymerization of styrene, divinylbenzene, and glycidyl methacrylate. Then, surface epoxy‐functional groups were converted to amino‐functional groups by treating the particles with a diamine. By using these surface amino functionalities, we tried to prepare uniformly metal‐coated monodisperse polymer particles by electroless plating method. The constituents of an electroless nickel solution bath are nickel salt, a reducing agent, suitable complexing agents, and stabilizers. And the metal thickness was simply controlled by changing the loading amount of substrate polymer particles. Morphological observation of nickel‐plated polymer particles was conducted by using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The structural composition of plated nickel was also investigated. Most of all, the function and the efficiency of the amino‐functional group of polymer particles as a polymeric ligand for metal binding was elucidated. From all observations, it was evident that in the electroless metal plating process without any sensitization step, the deposition of metal clusters on substrate particles is largely dependent upon the particle surface functionality. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 3801–3808, 2006     

Preparation and photophysical properties of organic fluorescent polymers and their nanoparticles

New classes of stable organic florescent polymer nanoparticles were prepared from the corresponding tetrahydrofuran (THF) solutions, upon slow evaporation of solvent under a mild vacuum. Uniform spherical nanospheres having mean diameter of ? 500–700 nm, showed enhanced fluorescence emission in solution, but it diminished when it is destroyed using an organic base. These end‐capped fluorescent polymers are highly stabilized in the excited states at higher concentration in solution, leads no more intra‐ and intermolecular interactions among the excited molecules, because of the absence of free functional groups. The significant enhancement in fluorescence emission was attributed to the high level of molecular stacking in the fluorescent nanoparticles, when compared with micron‐sized isolated powder sample. In addition, these fluorescent polymers exhibited significant thermal properties, along with better solubility in most of common organic solvents for their future application. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 5344–5350, 2006     

Hexafunctional poly(propylene glycol) based hydrogels for the removal of heavy metal ions

Two types of degradable poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) hydrogels that are suitable for the absorption of heavy metals have been presented. The PPG‐O‐P(O)Cl₂ fragments obtained by treating hexafunctional PPG with phosphorous oxychloride (POCl₃) react with 1,3‐propanediamine (PDA; Gel‐1 ) or PDA together with 1,2‐ethanedithiol ( Gel‐2 ), to yield cross‐linked and water‐swellable hydrogels in a one‐pot method. This protocol for the fabrication of PPG hydrogels exhibits promising advantages over prior methods including a short reaction time, mass‐production, easy separation, and high yield. A series of heavy metal ions were employed to test the adsorptive properties of the hydrogels. Gel‐2 shows better adsorption capacity than Gel‐1 for all the metal ions and the metal ions adsorption efficiency of the two types of hydrogels is in the order of Fe(III) > Pb(II) > Cd(II) > Zn(II) > Cu(II) > Ni(II) > Co(II) > Hg(II). The amounts of metal ions adsorbed increases with metal ion concentration and hydrogel dosage, but decreases with temperature. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40610.     

Simvastatin Attenuates the Oxidative Stress,Endothelial Thrombogenicity and the Inducibility of Atrial Fibrillation in a Rat Model of Ischemic Heart Failure

Increased atrial oxidative stress has an important role in inducing and maintaining atrial fibrillation (AF), and the activation of the small GTPase Rac1 contributes to the oxidative stress. We investigated the relationship of Rac1, atrial endothelial thromboprotective markers and AF inducibility and if simvastatin has a potential beneficial effect on a myocardial infarction (MI)-induced heart failure (HF) rat model. Rats were randomized into three groups (shams, MI group and simvastatin treatment group) and underwent echocardiography, AF induction studies and left atrial (LA) fibrosis analysis. Atrial Rac 1, sodium calcium exchanger (I_NCX), sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase (SERCA), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were measured. AF inducibility, AF duration and LA fibrosis were significantly higher in the MI group (p < 0.001 vs. sham), which were significantly reduced by simvastatin (p < 0.05 vs. MI). The reduced expressions of atrial eNOS, SERCA, thrombomodulin, tissue factor pathway inhibitor and tissue plasminogen activator in the MI group were significantly improved by simvastatin. Furthermore, the increased expression of atrial iNOS, I_NCX and Rac1 activity were significantly decreased by the simvastatin. Oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction and thrombogenicity are associated with the promotion of AF in a rat model of ischemic HF. These were associated with increased Rac1 activity, and simvastatin treatment prevents these changes.