The growth of the loosening zone

The problem of fracture of rocks will be considered on the base of the kinetic mechanism. Namely, the method proposed will be based on statistical consideration of the accumulation of microfractures. In this paper, based on this concept, we will model massive fractures in rock mass around the borehole as the result of pumping the viscous fluid through this borehole into rock. The experiments have shown that, as the result of the pumping and depending on the properties of rocks, either a hydraulic fracture or a loosening zone spreads in rocks surrounding the borehole. We propose a simple qualitative model to describe how a loosening zone grows with time and to evaluate the parameters controlling this growth. We expect that the model proposed will help to predict the external parameters and rock properties for which one or another mechanism of hydraulic fracturing occurs (the hydraulic fracture or the loosening zone).     

Enhancement of biohydrogen production from sustainable orange peel wastes using Enterobacter species isolated from domestic wastewater

Five facultative anaerobic bacterial isolates were recovered from domestic wastewater. These isolates were identified based on the 16S rRNA as Enterobacter aerogenes (one isolate), Enterobacter cloacae (two isolates), and Cronobacter sakazakii (three isolates). These isolates were examined for their potential to evolve hydrogen on a glucose medium. The most potent hydrogen‐producing isolates, E aerogenes (KY549389) and E cloacae (KY524293), were examined for their capacity to generate hydrogen, acetone, butanol, and ethanol using orange peel (OP) hydrolysate. OP powder was pretreated with n‐hexane to remove the toxicity of d ‐limonene. Different concentrations (4%, 6%, and 8% w/v) of limonene‐free OP were subjected to the boiling water (temperature of 100°C) or acid (HCl) treatments. The maximum fermentative H₂ production of 1700 and 1620 mL/L was obtained from 6% OP hydrolysate extracted with boiling water using facultative anaerobic E aerogenes (KY549389) and E cloacae (KY524293), respectively. Hydrogen production efficiency was 0.99 and 1.19 mol H₂/mol glucose for E aerogenes and E cloacae, respectively. The total fermentative acetone, butanol, and ethanol (ABE) generated by E aerogenes and E cloacae were 0.78 and 0.38 g/L including acetone (0.05 and 0.04 g/L), butanol (0.011 and 0.013 g/L), and ethanol (0.71 and 0.32 g/L), respectively. The maximum ABE productivity was 0.01 and 0.005 g/L/h generated at 60 g/L OP hydrolysate by E aerogenes and E cloacae, respectively. These strains were positive for nitrogen fixation (nitrogenase) capability estimated by the acetylene reduction assay. Application of OP hydrolysate without the addition of any nutritional components or reducing agent is considered an eco‐friendly, economical, and commercial substrate for desired biofuel production.     

Preparation of scratch resistant superhydrophobic hybrid coatings by sol–gel process

Organic–inorganic hybrid coatings on glass substrates with superhydrophobic properties and with improved scratch resistance were obtained by means of applying a multilayer approach including multiple sol–gel processes. The coatings exhibited a water contact angle (WCA) higher than 150°. Ultraviolet (UV)-curable vinyl ester resins and vinyltriethoxysilane (VTEOS) as coupling agent were employed to increase the adhesion between substrate and the inorganic layers. The surfaces were characterized by means of dynamic contact angle and roughness measurements. Indeed, the occurrence of superhydrophobic behavior was observed. The scratch resistance of the hybrid coatings was tested to evaluate the adhesion of the coatings to the glass substrate. The proposed preparation method for scratch resistant, mechanically stable, superhydrophobic coatings is simple and can be applied on large areas of different kinds of substrates.     

Pulsed laser reshaping and fragmentation of upconversion nanoparticles — from hexagonal prisms to 1D nanorods through “Medusa”-like structures

One dimensional (1D) nanostructures attract considerable attention, enabling a broad application owing to their unique properties. However, the precise mechanism of 1D morphology attainment remains a matter of debate. In this study, ultrafast picosecond (ps) laser-induced treatment on upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) is offered as a tool for 1D-nanostructures formation. Fragmentation, reshaping through recrystallization process and bioadaptation of initially hydrophobic (β-Na_1.5Y_1.5F₆: Yb³⁺, Tm³⁺/β-Na_1.5Y_1.5F₆) core/shell nanoparticles by means of one-step laser treatment in water are demonstrated. “True” 1D nanostructures through “Medusa”-like structures can be obtained, maintaining anti-Stokes luminescence functionalities. A matter of the one-dimensional UCNPs based on direction of energy migration processes is debated. The proposed laser treatment approach is suitable for fast UCNP surface modification and nano-to-nano transformation, that open unique opportunities to expand UCNP applications in industry and biomedicine.

     

Hierarchical Asymptotic Methods in the Theory of Cluster Free Electron Lasers

We describe an algorithm for the hierarchic method of averaged characteristics and discuss a practical application of this concept. The application of this method opens new prospects for the solutions of many difficult electrodynamic problems, which, until recently, were considered “unsolved”. We illustrate this method with the example of the effect of plural multi-harmonic parametric resonance of electron-beam waves. This effect can take place within high-current electron beams in the case of the realization of two-stream instability. The considered relativistic beam-model is treated as a model for the transit section of relevant klystron Cluster Two-stream Free Electron Laser (CTSFEL).     

Study on phenol adsorption from aqueous solutions on exfoliated graphitic nanoplatelets

In this study we report first data on exfoliated graphitic nanoplatelets (xGnPs) as a sorbent for phenol removal and preliminary evaluated the ability of different type of natural organic matter (NOM) to effectively disperse exfoliated graphitic nanoplatelets.     

Structure and Wear Resistance of Coatings on Titanium Alloy and Steels Obtained by Electrospark Alloying with AlN ― ZrB2 Material

We have studied the process of electrospark alloying of titanium alloy VT6 and steels with a composite material based on AlN ZrB₂ with ZrSi₂ additive. We have established that Al₂SiO₅ and ZrSiO₄ forming in the coating directly during its formation play the role of a solid lubricant. Under optimal conditions for electrospark alloying of the titanium alloy, the coefficient of friction is 0.13, the wear is 6 m/km for a sliding velocity of 14 m/sec and a load of 2.56 MPa. Ceramics based on AlN ZrB₂ can be recommended for use as wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant coatings.     

Corrosion of Titanium-Aluminum Intermetallides. Part 2. Electrolytic Oxidation of γ‐TiAl,TiAl3, and α2‐Ti3Al in Sea Water

Potentiodynamic polarization, XRD, Auger electron spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy have been applied to determine the mechanisms of electrolytic corrosion of the intermetallides TiAl, TiAl₃, and ₂Ti₃Al in 3% NaCl solution with the addition of MgSO₄ in comparison with the corrosion of the pure metals (Al and Ti). There is comparatively high corrosion resistance in TiAl and Ti₃Al because of the protective action from thin films of rutile TiO₂. Evidence is obtained for the differences between these intermetallides from the appearance of pure titanium on deep anodic polarization (above +0.15 V for TiAl and +0.7 V for Ti₃Al): the aluminum and titanium enter the solution in the forms of Al³⁺ and TiO²⁺ and intermetallides dissolve rapidly. The final solid-state products from anodic oxidation in that case are rutile, magnesium aluminate, and also magnesium and sodium titanates. In addition to pure titanium, TiAl and ₂Ti₃Al as constructional materials may be recommended for use in sea water.     

Oxidation of ZrB2–SiC–ZrSi2 ceramics in oxygen

The oxidation of ZrB₂–SiC and ZrB₂–SiC–ZrSi₂ ceramics of different composition has been studied experimentally at 1500 °C in pure oxygen for up to 50 h. ZrB₂–SiC–ZrSi₂ ceramics proved to be the most oxidation-resistant at ZrSi₂ contents of less then 4 wt%. These ceramics were more oxidation-resistant than ZrB₂–SiC ceramics. An analytical model of growth kinetics for a multilayered scale based on an oxidation–diffusion balance was developed and tested.