Dispersion and thermal conductivity of carbon nanotube composites

A mechanical method was used to shorten carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for improving dispersion without reducing their thermal conductivity. Single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were mechanically cut to produce short and open-ended fullerene pipes. These shortened SWCNTs were then used in polymer composites. Both atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy characterizations suggested that nanotube shortening significantly improved CNT dispersion. Thermal conductivity of composites containing short CNTs were found to be much better than those containing pristine CNTs.     

Modeling and analysis of thickness gradient and variations in vacuum‐assisted resin transfer molding process

As vacuum‐assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) is being increasingly used in aerospace applications, the thickness gradient and variation issues are gaining more attention. Typically, thickness gradient and variations result from the infusion pressure gradient during the process and material variations. Pressure gradient is the driving force for resin flow and the main source of thickness variation. After infusion, an amount of pressure gradient is frozen into the preform, which primarily contributes to the thickness variation. This study investigates the mechanism of the thickness variation dynamic change during the infusion and relaxing/curing processes. A numerical model was developed to track the thickness change of the bagging film free surface. A time‐dependent permeability model as a function of compaction pressure was incorporated into an existing resin transfer molding (RTM) code for obtaining the initial conditions for relaxing/curing process. Control volume (CV) and volume of fluid (VOF) methods were combined to solve the free surface problem. Experiments were conducted to verify the simulation results. The proposed model was illustrated with a relatively complex part. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers     

The high current-carrying capacity of various carbon nanotube-based buckypapers

Buckypapers (BPs) are thin films made up of carbon nanomaterials, such as single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) or mixtures of SWCNTs with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) or vapor-grown carbon nanofibers (VGCNFs). In this research, BPs were exposed to high electrical current densities under different environments, and the effects on nanotube and BP breakdown were observed. In ambient conditions, SWCNT BP breakdown happened at around 430?°C with a flash of light. Mixed BPs of SWCNTs/MWCNTs and SWCNTs/VGCNFs showed higher ignition temperatures of over 500?°C. The results were compared to those from thermogravimetric analysis. In a vacuum, current-driven thermal heating from the samples can generate temperatures greater than 2000?°C. The breakdown current density increased to more than three times that in open air. The breakdown current density of a BP sample increased proportionally to its conductivity. A finite-element model based on Joule heating and heat convection was used to explain this relationship. Further experiments also proved that the high current-carrying capacity of microscale nanotube array samples improved to 10(6)?A?cm(-2) due to increased heat dissipation through the substrate.     

BAX regulates follicular endowment in mice

It is believed that the endowment of primordial follicles in mammalian ovaries is finite. Once follicles are depleted, infertility ensues. Thus, the size of the initial endowment has consequences for fertility and reproductive longevity. Follicular endowment is comprised of various processes that culminate with the incorporation of meiosis-arrested oocytes into primordial follicles. Apoptosis is prominent during follicular endowment, and apoptosis regulatory genes are involved in its regulation. Conflicting data exist with regard to the role of the proapoptotic Bcl-2 associated X protein (BAX) in follicular endowment. Therefore, we investigated the role of BAX during follicular endowment in embryonic and neonatal ovaries. We found that BAX is involved in regulating follicular endowment in mice. Deletion of Bax yields increased oocyte numbers in embryonic ovaries and increased follicle numbers in neonatal ovaries when compared with wild-type ovaries. Increased follicular endowment in Bax -/- ovaries is not due to enhanced germ cell viability. Further, it is not due to an increased primordial germ cell (PGC) allotment, a delay in the onset of meiosis, or altered proliferative activity of oogonia. Instead, our data suggest that the regulatory activity of BAX in follicular endowment likely occurs during PGC migration, prior to PGC colonization of the gonad.     

A process performance index and its application to optimization of the rtm process

Resin transfer molding (RTM) is a promising manufacturing process for hig formance composite materials. However, the fact that RTM process design has traditionally been an expensive, time‐consuming trial‐and‐error procedure has p ited its wide application base. This paper proposes a solution to that problem—a simulation‐based optimum process design scheme for RTM. This scheme ei engineers to determine the optimum locations of injection gates and vents so both process efficiency and high part quality can be ensured. Essential to this mum process design scheme is a process performance index, which is defined respect to the major factors influencing RTM process efficiency and part quality This index is then used as the objective function for the RTM process design optimization model. Gate and vent locations are the process design parameters optimized. All data is obtained by running an RTM simulation program, and th netic algorithm (GA) is employed to carry out the optimization procedure for design parameters. It is found that constant pressure optimization will yi process with a short flow path, whereas constant flow optimization will yield process with smooth and vent‐oriented flow pattern. Although there is no dry factor in the objective function, it is interesting to note that both constant pres and constant flow optimization procedures result in process designs with a mil mum probability of dry spot formation. This study finds that, in general, cons flow optimization should be employed if injection pressure is not a major cone otherwise, constant pressure optimization should be used. Two case studies presented to illustrate the efficacy of this approach.     

Distributed control parallelism in multidisciplinary aircraft design

Multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) for large-scale engineering problems poses many challenges (e.g. the design of an efficient concurrent paradigm for global optimization based on disciplinary analyses, expensive computations over vast data sets, etc.). This work focuses on the application of distributed schemes for massively parallel architectures to MDO problems, as a tool for reducing computation time and solving larger problems. The specific problem considered here is configuration optimization of a high speed civil transport (HSCT), and the efficient parallelization of the embedded paradigm for reasonable design space identification. Two distributed dynamic load balancing techniques (random polling and global round robin with message combining) and two necessary termination detection schemes (global task count and token passing) were implemented and evaluated in terms of effectiveness and scalability to large problem sizes and a thousand processors. The effect of certain parameters on execution time was also inspected. Empirical results demonstrated stable performance and effectiveness for all schemes, and the parametric study showed that the selected algorithmic parameters have a negligible effect on performance. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Automated Assessment of Early Concept Designs

Building information modelling (BIM) is a powerful tool for clients and architects alike, particularly when clients have ongoing complex programmatic requirements. Chuck Eastman describes how with his team* at the AEC Integration Laboratory at the College of Architecture at the Georgia Institute of Technology he was commissioned by the US federal government's General Service Administration (GSA) to automate the design guidelines for all US courthouses in such a way that preliminary designs by architects could be assessed and checked against specific criteria. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A review of nondestructive examination technology for polyethylene pipe in nuclear power plant

Polyethylene (PE) pipe, particularly high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe, has been successfully utilized to transport cooling water for both non-safety- and safety-related applications in nuclear power plant (NPP). Though ASME Code Case N755, which is the first code case related to NPP HDPE pipe, requires a thorough nondestructive examination (NDE) of HDPE joints. However, no executable regulations presently exist because of the lack of a feasible NDE technique for HDPE pipe in NPP. This work presents a review of current developments in NDE technology for both HDPE pipe in NPP with a diameter of less than 400 mm and that of a larger size. For the former category, phased array ultrasonic technique is proven effective for inspecting typical defects in HDPE pipe, and is thus used in Chinese national standards GB/T 29460 and GB/T 29461. A defect-recognition technique is developed based on pattern recognition, and a safety assessment principle is summarized from the database of destructive testing. On the other hand, recent research and practical studies reveal that in current ultrasonic-inspection technology, the absence of effective ultrasonic inspection for large size was lack of consideration of the viscoelasticity effect of PE on acoustic wave propagation in current ultrasonic inspection technology. Furthermore, main technical problems were analyzed in the paper to achieve an effective ultrasonic test method in accordance to the safety and efficiency requirements of related regulations and standards. Finally, the development trend and challenges of NDE test technology for HDPE in NPP are discussed.     

Covalent addition of diethyltoluenediamines onto carbon nanotubes for composite application

Diethyltoluenediamines (DETDA) was grafted to single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) through diazonium‐based addition for improving dispersion and interfacial bonding in SWNT/epoxy nanocomposites. Characterization results of Fourier Transformed Infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy validated covalent bonding between DETDA and carbon nanotubes. The degree of functionalization was about 4% based on thermo‐gravimetric analysis. Interfacial bonding strength was computed in the presence of chemical bonding and the computation results indicated that the interfacial shear strength in the presence of functionalized carbon nanotubes was significantly enhanced. The experimental test revealed that the tensile strength of nanocomposites was enhanced about 23% and Young's modulus about 25%, with 0.5 wt% loading of functionalized‐nanotubes. These considerable improvements further verified the load‐transfer enhancement in the functionalized‐SWNTs/epoxy nanocomposites. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Specialized I/O and High-Speed CPU Yields Efficient Microcontroller for Automotive Applications

Due to increasing governmental demands for tighter exhaust emission standards, a greater fuel economy, and the contrasting consumer desire for higher performance and efficiency from smaller displacement power plants, the automotive industry is turning to electronics for a wider range of applications. Electronics, specifically in the form of the microcontroller, has evolved specialized on-chip peripheral functions to meet this need. Higher resolution analog-to-digital converters, high-speed inputs and outputs, timer/counters, and watchdog timers have been added on-board to augment standard digital I/O ports, make a more cost-effective solution, and to unburden the CPU.