Hydrodynamic drainage force in a highly confined geometry: role of surface roughness on different length scales

We measured the hydrodynamic drainage force of an aqueous, Newtonian liquid squeezed between two hydrophobic or two hydrophilic surfaces by means of the colloidal probe technique. We controlled the wettability, the roughness, the topology, and also the approaching velocity of the surfaces. We found that asperities on the surfaces caused an artificial decrease of the measured drainage force that must be considered by the interpretation of the force curves. Even considering the effect of asperities, our experimental results could be interpreted only with the aid of a partial slip model. Or else, interpreted assuming that the viscosity close to the surfaces is different from bulk. On patterned hydrophilic surfaces, we demonstrated that the drainage force depends not only on the overall surface roughness or micro structuring but also on the specific length scale of the surface nanostructures.     

Minimum Normal Force Principle Based Quantitive Optimizationof Clamping Forces for Thin Walled Part

Based on the stability criteria of workpiece-fixture system, quantitative optimization of clamping forces during precise machining process for thin walled part is studied considering the contact condition between wokpiece and locator, the contact mechanical model is achieved ,which is further been used to calculate the entire passive forces acting on the statically undetermined workpiece by means of the force screw theory as well as minimum norm force principle. Furthermore, a new methodology to optimize clamping forces is put forward, on the criteria of keeping the stability of workpiece during cutting process. By this way, the intensity of clamping forces is decreased dramatically, which will be most beneficial for improving the machining quality of thin-walled parts. Finally, a case study is used to support and validate the proposed model.     

Failure analysis of heat exchanger fluid vapor phase vent lines in a Polyester plant

A Polyester plant is using Proprietary heat exchange fluids (26.5% biphenyl, 73.5% diphenyloxide). The plant hot condensate tank, condensate feed tank, and heat exchanger vapor phase dead end and ventable lines (ASTM 106 Grade B) with isolation valves were suffering frequent leakages with severe gouging and pitting corrosion. Lustrous (shiny) coke deposit was prominent inside the cut sections due to coke formation by low boiler products. Some adhered brown iron oxide (rust) deposits were also visible. A sludge sample was analyzed by XRD which revealed that carbon was the major constituent with γ-Maghemite-C (an iron oxide) as second mineral in order of abundance. The failure was diagnosed as severe localized corrosion and gouging at temperatures of about 200 °C and 53 psi by non-condensable low boilers decomposed corrosive products. The remedy was suggested which has been validated over the 2 years trouble free performance.     

Current scenario and potential of biodiesel production from waste cooking oil in Pakistan: An overview

Biodiesel utilization has been rapidly growing worldwide as the prime alternative to petrodiesel due to a global rise in diesel fuel demand along with hazardous emissions during its thermochemical conversion. Although, several debatable issues including feedstock availability and price, fuel and food competition, changes in land use and greenhouse gas emission have been raised by using edible as well as inedible feedstocks for the production of biodiesel. However, non-crop feedstocks could be a promising alternative. In this article, waste cooking oils have been recommended as a suitable option for biodiesel production bearing in mind the current national situation. The important factors such as the quantity of waste cooking oil produced, crude oil and vegetable oil import expenses, high-speed diesel imports, waste management issues and environmental hazards are considered. Moreover, process simulation and operating cost evaluation of an acid catalyzed biodiesel production unit are also conducted. The simulation results show that the production cost of waste cooking oil-based biodiesel is about 0.66USD·L^-1. We believe that the present overview would open new pathways and ideas for the development of biofuels from waste to energy approach in Pakistan.     

Effects of the ground surface on polarimetric features of broadbandradar scattering from subsurface metallic objects

Throughout the world, the problem of buried unexploded ordnance (UXO) poses an enormous, persistent, and expensive problem. While UXO generally consists of sizable bodies of ferrous metal and can therefore be detected, with current technology it is extremely difficult to distinguish them reliably from typically widespread pieces of clutter. Thus the problem is one of subsurface discrimination. The authors previous modeling work on scattering of ground penetrating radar (GPR) from metallic objects surrounded by an infinite soil-like medium has suggested the utility of a number of key discriminants in broadband fully polarimetric sensing. In particular, resonance structure, induced field rotation and ellipticity, and bistatic observation of scattered signals were shown to offer key information about target shape and size. The authors investigate the effects on signature features of the proximity of a ground surface to the target, for the common case of shallow burial (<1 m). Overall, their analyses suggest that the key discriminants seen in scattering in an infinite medium survive the complex interactions with the ground surface. In some instances, these revealing signatures appear to be strengthened by the presence of a nearby surface. Multiposition backscatter also allows fundamental inferences about target elongation and symmetry when those cannot be obtained from single position viewing     

Filtered dark-field and pure Z-contrast: two novel imaging modes in a Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope

For the investigation of biological objects with a Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope (STEM) the dark-field imaging mode is the one used most often. We will show, regarding calculations that we have done which took into account the finite angle of the illumination and multiple scattering processes, that the collected amount of inelastically scattered electrons with an annular dark-field detector is higher then normally expected. According to the above calculations, we designed a new detection system to enable us to acquire three different images (inelastic, filtered dark-field and filtered bright-field) simultaneously.     

Preparatory processes in the task-switching paradigm: Evidence from the use of probability cues.

The purpose of the investigations was to dissociate processes of task preparation from task execution in the task-switching paradigm. The basic assumption was that task repetitions have 2 advantages over task shifts: an activation advantage as a result of the execution of the same task type in the pretrial, and an expectation advantage, because participants, in general, implicitly expect a repetition. In Experiments 1-3, the authors explicitly manipulated expectancies by presenting cues that announced a shift and/or a repetition with probabilities of 1.00, .75, .50, or .25. Increasing latencies with decreasing probability for shifts and repetitions show that the expectation advantage can be equalized by preparation. However, the activation advantage represented by constant shift costs between tasks of the same probability is not penetrable by preparation. In Experiments 4 and 5, the authors found evidence that preparation involves activation of the expected task and inhibition of distracting tasks. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)