Unsteady extinction mechanism of nonpremixed flame interacting with a vortex

The extinction mechanism of a CH₄/N₂-air counterflow nonpremixed flame interacting with a single vortex was numerically studied. An augmented reduced mechanism was used to treat the CH₄ oxidation reactions. The contribution of each term in the energy and the OH species equations were evaluated to investigate the unsteady extinction mechanism of nonpremixed flame. The flame temperature began to decrease due to the convection heat loss when the flame interacted with a vortex. The investigation of the radical behavior during the flame-vortex interaction process also provided useful information on the unsteady extinction mechanism. The OH radical concentration could be used as a good tracer of the state of the unsteady extinction of nonpremixed flame. The reduction mechanism of OH concentration was confirmed by analyzing the contribution of each term in the OH species equation. At initial stage of flame-vortex interaction, the OH production and consumption rates increased gradually, while the OH concentration was kept nearly constant. Near the extinction limit, the OH production rate decreased rapidly due to the low flame temperature, and the balance between the OH production and OH consumption by diffusion could not be maintained. The unsteady nonpremixed flame interacting with a vortex under the conditions of regime (V) shown in the spectral combustion diagram [Thévenin, D., Renard, P.H., Fiechtner, G.J., Gord, J.R., Rolon, J.C., 2000. Regimes of non-premixed flame-vortex interactions. Proceedings of the Combustion Institute 28, 2101-2108.] was finally extinguished due to low reactivity, which was induced by the low flame temperature.     

Control of NO x emissions from diesel engine by selective catalytic reduction (SCR) with urea

Topics in Catalysis - Among the catalysts screened, Cu-ion exchanged ZSM5 zeolite exhibited the highest NO removal activity, particularly at low reaction temperatures below 200 °C,...     

A novel microneedle array for the treatment of hydrocephalus

We present a microfabricated 10 by 10 array of microneedles for the treatment of a neurological disease called communicating hydrocephalus. Together with the previously reported microvalve array, the current implantable microneedle array completes the microfabricated arachnoid granulations (MAGs) that mimic the function of normal arachnoid granulations. The microneedle array was designed to enable the fixation of the MAGs through dura mater membrane in the brain and thus provide a conduit for the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. Cone-shaped microneedles with hollow channels were fabricated using a series of microfabrication techniques: SU-8 photolithography for tapered geometry, reactive ion etching for sharpening the microneedles, 248 nm deep UV excimer laser machining for creating through-hole inside the microneedles, and metal sputtering for improved rigidity. Puncture tests were conducted using porcine dura mater and the results showed that the fabricated microneedle array is strong enough to pierce the dura mater. The in vitro biocompatibility test result showed that none of the 100 outlets of the microneedles exposed to the bloodstream were clogged significantly by blood cells. We believe that these test results demonstrate the potential use of the microneedle array as a new treatment of hydrocephalus.     

Design and Control of a Hyper-Redundant Manipulator for Mobile Manipulating Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Manipulating objects using arms mounted to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is attractive because UAVs may access many locations that are otherwise inaccessible to other mobile manipulation platforms such as ground vehicles. Despite recent work, several major challenges remain to be overcome before it will be practical to manipulate objects from UAVs. Among these challenges are: (a) The constantly moving UAV platform and compliance of manipulator arms make it difficult to position the UAV and end-effector relative to an object of interest precisely enough for manipulation, and (b) The motions of the manipulator impact the stability of the host UAV, further complicating positioning. Solving these challenges will bring UAVs one step closer to being able to perform meaningful tasks such as infrastructure repair, disaster response, casualty extraction, and cargo resupply. Toward solutions to these challenges, this paper describes a hyper-redundant manipulator, manipulator control approaches and system design considerations to position the manipulator relative to objects of interest in such a way that impacts on platform stability are minimized.     

Synthesis and characterization of new aromatic polyimides containing well‐defined conjugation units

A series of aromatic polyimides composed of well‐defined conjugation units were synthesized form 5,5′‐bis(4‐aminophenyl)‐2,2′‐bifuryl (PFDA) and 2,2′‐bis(furyl) benzidine (FurylBZ) with various dianhydrides. The synthesized polyimides emit blue to green light with a quantum yield of 7.3–14.9%, depending on the polymer backbone. In particular, PFDA‐based polymers exhibit extremely narrow photo‐luminescence. The structure, thermal stability, refractive index and dielectric properties of the polymer films were also determined.     

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.     

Rheological characteristics of mesophase pitch

Rheological characteristics of two pretreated petroleum pitches, during their transformation to mesophase, have been studied by using rotalional viscometer. Simultaneously, the formation, growth, coalescence of mesuphase spheres, and the alignment of coalesced mesophase were observed by Hot-Stage-Cinema-Microscope, discussed with the results of viscosity change and the Q.I. content. It is found that both pretreated pitches were Newtonian fluids at low temperature, but behaved pseudoplastics as increase of mesophase content above 390C. Shear thinning behaviour was also apparent in the shear rate range of 1.9–20 sec⁻¹ at temperature above 390C. The apparent viscosity-temperature curves of this pyrolysed pitches were much affected by the pretreatment conditions.     

Catalytic reduction of no over perovskite-type catalysts

In the present work, we have investigated the reduction of NO by propane over perovskite-type oxides prepared by malic acid method. The catalysts were modified to enhance the activity by substitution of metal into A or B site of perovskite oxides. In addition, the reaction conditions, such as temperature, O₂ concentration, and space velocity have been varied to understand their effects on the catalytic performance. In the LaCoO₃ type catalyst, the partial substitution of Ba and Sr into A site enhanced the catalytic activity in the reduction of NO. For the La_0.6Ba (Sr)_o.4 Co_1−x Fe_xO₃ (x=0-1.0) catalyst, the partial substitution of Fe into B site enhanced the conversion of NO, but excess amount of Fe decreased the conversion of NO. The surface area and catalytic activity of perovskite catalysts prepared by malic acid method showed higher values than those of solid reaction method. The conversion of NO increased with increasing O₂ concentration and contact time. The introduction of water into reactant feed decreased the catalytic activity but the deactivation was shown to be reversible over La_0.6Ba_0.4Co_1−x ,Fe_xO₃ catalyst.     

Characteristics of membrane humidifiers for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

Water management plays an important role in obtaining high performance from a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). To reduce the volume and energy consumption of widely-used bubble humidifiers, membrane humidifiers were fabricated by using an ultrafiltration (UF) membrane and Nafion membranes. The performance of the membrane humidifiers was examined as a function of gas flow rate and operating temperature. A single cell was operated using the UF membrane humidifiers exhibiting almost the same performance with that employing bubble humidifiers.     

The permeation resistance of interface and the directional dependence of permeation in plasma-grafted composite membranes

Composite membranes were prepared by grafting plasma-polymerized films onto the surface of nonporous poly (dimethylsiloxane) films. Gas permeabilities of the composite membranes were measured at 35°C, 1 atm for N₂, 0₂, CO₂ and CH₄. The permeation properties of the composite membrane was analyzed using the series resistance model. There was a great interfacial resistance to CH₄ permeation through the composite membrane. The interfacial resistance was negligible for the other gases. The interfacial resistance seems to be a result of an interfacial layer caused by the interaction between the bulk two layers. For CH₄ gas, the permeation rate through the composite membrane was affected by the direction of flow. The directional dependence was negligible for the other gases.