Numerical Investigation of the Inlet Baffle,Header Geometry,and Triangular Fins Effects on Plate-Fin Heat Exchangers Performance

In this study, the optimal location of baffle in the header of air-to-air plate heat exchangers and the geometry of the header and the effects of triangular fins arrays on the effectiveness were numerically investigated for different flow rates and Reynolds numbers on different models. The main purpose of inlet baffle and geometry changes is to improve the pattern of flow distribution and assist flow uniformity. The investigations show that the optimal location of the inlet baffle with high Reynolds numbers has an insignificant effect on effectiveness, while with Reynolds numbers 250–3000, the effectiveness is affected significantly by baffle location. On the other hand, the reduction in flow gradients by changes in geometry can improve flow distribution. Moreover, investigations show that the increase in fin density (fins/mm) up to a specific value can enhance the effectiveness. In the present study, the Colburn j-factor behavior versus different Reynolds numbers, velocity distributions, pressure drops, and velocity vectors is examined.     

Development of a novel flexure-based microgripper for high precision micro-object manipulation

Micro-scaled parts with dimension below 1 mm need to be manipulated with high precision and consistency in order to guarantee successful microassembly process. Often these requirements are difficult to be achieved particularly due to the problems associated with the structural integrity of the grasping mechanism which will affect the accuracy of the manipulation. Furthermore, the object's texture and fragility imply that small perturbation by the grasping mechanism can result in substantial damage to the object and leads to the degradation of its geometry, shape, and quality. This paper focuses on the unification of two designing approaches to develop a compliant-based microgripper for performing high precision manipulation of micro-objects. A combination of Pseudo Rigid Body Model (PRBM) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) technique has proven to improve the design efficiency by providing the essential guideline to expedite the prototyping procedure which effectively reduces the cost and modeling time. An Electro Discharge Machining (EDM) technique was utilized for the fabrication of the device. Series of experimental studies were conducted for performance verification and the results are compared with the computational analysis results. A high displacement amplification and maximum stroke of 100 μm can be achieved.     

A lumped parameter element for the analysis of hyperbolic paraboloid shells

This paper presents the derivation of the stiffness matrix for a lumped parameter hyperbolic paraboloid shell element. This element is used to obtain solutions to hyperbolic paraboloid shells with various edge conditions. Numerical example for three types of support conditions (a simple support, a clamped edge and a shell supported by concentric edge beams) are presented. To illustrate the applicability of the method, the results obtained by the lumped parameter element are compared with those obtained by well-known methods of analysis such as the variational procedure, the finite difference and the finite element method.     

On intuitionistic fuzzy sub-hyperquasigroups of hyperquasigroups

The notion of intuitionistic fuzzy sets was introduced by Atanassov as a generalization of the notion of fuzzy sets. In this paper, we consider the intuitionistic fuzzification of the concept of sub-hyperquasigroups in a hyperquasigroup and investigate some properties of such sub-hyperquasigroups. In particular, we investigate some natural equivalence relations on the set of all intuitionistic fuzzy sub-hyperquasigroups of a hyperquasigroup.     

Theoretical and experimental investigations of a variable- impedance hydrodynamic bearing

The aim of the work described in this paper is to develop a hydrodynamic bearing whose oil film dynamic stiffness and damping coefficients could be tuned to take on low values, without upsetting the bearing steady load carrying capacity, in order to obtain an improved dynamic response for machines running in such bearings. It was required that this tuning of the bearing dynamic characteristics could be carried out after assembly of the machine in question, and if necessary while the machine was in operation.A theoretical analysis of the new design of bearing was carried out, based on a finite-difference model of the bearing oil film. This analysis enabled the steady-state load carrying capacity of the bearing to be calculated for any particular running conditions. The oil film stiffness and damping characteristics were then calculated using the finite-displacement technique; these were then used to calculate the unbalance response of a flexible rotor running in such bearings. Experimental measurements of the unbalance response of a model rotor running in the new bearing design were also recorded, and compared with similar measurements obtained when conventional bearings were used.Both theoretical and experimental results show that the proposed new bearing design has a similar steady load carrying capacity to that of conventional hydrodynamic bearings, but that the unbalanced response and force transmissibility of machines running in the new design of bearing are substantially superior to that obtained with conventional bearings.     

Swoop: A Web Ontology Editing Browser

In this paper, we describe Swoop, a hypermedia inspired Ontology Browser and Editor based on OWL, the recently standardized Web-oriented ontology language. After discussing the design rationale and architecture of Swoop, we focus mainly on its features, using illustrative examples to highlight its use. We demonstrate that with its Web-metaphor, adherence to OWL recommendations and key unique features, such as Collaborative Annotation using Annotea, Swoop acts as a useful and efficient Web Ontology development tool. We conclude with a list of future plans for Swoop, that should further increase its overall appeal and accessibility.     

Biodegradation of natural and synthetic estrogens in moving bed bioreactor

Estrogen hormones as a group of endocrine disruptive compounds(EDC) can interfere with endocrine system in humans and animals. The goal of this study was to investigate the elimination rate of Estrone(El), 17β-estradiol(E2) and 17α-ethinyl estradiol(EE2) in Moving Bed Bioreactor(MBBR). These analytes extracted by Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction(DLLME) technique, followed by derivatization, and detected by GC/MS. Estrogen removal efficiency in MBBR improved at high solid retention times(SRTs), which notion is owing to development of nitrification. Estrogen specific removal rate was between 0.22-1.45 μg·(g VSS)~(-1)·d~(-1) for natural and synthetic hormones. The adsorption rate was 0.9%-3.2%, 0-1.3%, and 0.7%-5.7% for El, E2, and EE2, respectively. In addition, the biodegradation rates were more than 95% for these compounds. These results illustrated that in MBBR,the biodegradation and the adsorption to biomass are considered as two significant routes for elimination of estrogenic compounds. As a whole, the deterioration rate of estrogens enhanced by MBBR compared to other biological wastewater treatment processes such as conventional activated sludge.     

Nanogrooved carbon microtubes for wet three‐dimensional printing of conductive composite structures

Recent advances in three‐dimensional (3D) printing have enabled the fabrication of interesting structures which are not achievable using traditional fabrication approaches. The 3D printing of carbon microtube composite inks allows fabrication of conductive structures for practical applications in soft robotics and tissue engineering. However, it is challenging to achieve 3D printed structures from solution‐based composite inks, which requires an additional process to solidify the ink. Here, we introduce a wet 3D printing technique which uses a coagulation bath to fabricate carbon microtube composite structures. We show that through a facile nanogrooving approach which introduces cavitation and channels on carbon microtubes, enhanced interfacial interactions with a chitosan polymer matrix are achieved. Consequently, the mechanical properties of the 3D printed composites improve when nanogrooved carbon microtubes are used, compared to untreated microtubes. We show that by carefully controlling the coagulation bath, extrusion pressure, printing distance and printed line distance, we can 3D print composite lattices which are composed of well‐defined and separated printed lines. The conductive composite 3D structures with highly customised design presented in this work provide a suitable platform for applications ranging from soft robotics to smart tissue engineering scaffolds. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry     

Optimization of nitrilase production from a new thermophilic isolate

A new thermostable nitrilase‐producing isolate identified as Streptomyces sp. MTCC 7546 has been studied extensively for the optimization of enzyme production operating in batch mode. The benzonitrile was observed as inducer of nitrilase production. The isolate showed maximum nitrilase production after 24 h of incubation at optimal conditions. The strain grows well on a variety of carbon sources and produces the nitrilase that catalyses the hydrolysis of nitriles to acids without formation of amides. The enzyme is mostly active against mono‐ and di‐aliphatic nitriles (10 mmol L^?1) at pH of 7.4 and at a temperature of 50 °C. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synergistic effect of micro- and nano-TiO2 on hydrophobic,mechanical, and electrical properties of hybrid polyurethane composites

Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics - One of the ways to improve the performance of ceramic insulators in polluted climates is to use polymer coatings reinforced with ceramic...