An implicit potential method for incompressible flows

In this paper, we consider a novel numerical scheme for solving incompressible flows on collocated grids. The implicit potential method utilizes an implicit potential velocity obtained from a Helmholtz decomposition for the mass conservation and employs a modified form of Bernoulli's law for the coupling of the velocity–pressure corrections. It requires the solution only of the momentum equations, does not involve the solution of additional partial differential equations for the pressure, and is applied on a collocated grid. The accuracy of the method is tested through comparison with analytical, experimental, and numerical data from the literature, and its efficiency and robustness are evaluated by solving several benchmark problems such as flow around a circular cylinder and in curved square and circular ducts.Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Modeling and simulation of liquid diffusion through a porous finitely elastic solid

A new theory is proposed for the continuum modeling of liquid flow through a porous elastic solid. The solid and the voids are assumed to jointly constitute the macroscopic solid phase, while the liquid volume fraction is included as a separate state variable. A finite element implementation is employed to assess the predictive capacity of the proposed theory, with particular emphasis on the mechanical response of $\text{ Nafion}^{\textregistered }$ membranes to the flow of water.     

Hydrogen production from allothermal biomass gasification by means of palladium membranes

One of the most promising technologies for the production of hydrogen is the use of a Palladium Membrane in order to separate hydrogen from a gas mixture coming from the allothermal biomass gasification process. At the TU München, an innovative allothermal gasifier called Biomass Heat Pipe Reformer (BioHPR) has been developed. This gasifier produces a hydrogen rich gas which can be further used for energy production. A Palladium Membrane can be installed in the gasifier in order to gain pure hydrogen from this gas mixture. This gas can be then used in applications which demand high purified hydrogen like for example Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC). The present paper describes the aforementioned gasification technology combined with a palladium filter and investigates the results from the simulation of these systems.     

The role of nanofillers on the degradation behavior of polylactic acid

This study examines the effect of type and content of various nanofillers on the aging behavior of polylactic acid (PLA)/nanocomposites compared with that of pristine PLA, under specific environmental conditions, namely 80% relative humidity, 40°C temperature, and exposure time up to 6 months. Two different types of nanosized fillers (silica and montmorillonite, MMT) at three different weight fractions as well their mixtures were used for this purpose. The role of the various nanofillers on the aging of pristine PLA and its nanocomposites was investigated in terms of several experimental techniques including Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA), and tensile testing. All studied samples, except those of PLA/MMT/Si nanocomposites, exhibited the same trend in properties during aging. In particular, no significant changes are noted after 1 month of aging. The materials after 3 months of aging experienced a dramatic lowering of the stress–strain curve, whereas at 6 months a reverse effect was observed. Comparing the effect of nanofiller types on the degradation, one could conclude that PLA/MMT nanocomposites exhibit a more homogeneous degradation effect, having a higher impact on yield stress in comparison with silica. In contrast, silica has a greater effect in Young's modulus and strain at break, compared with MMT. The peculiar behavior of the PLA/MMT/Si nanocomposites during aging is explained by the hindering action of the mixture of the two nanofillers on the molecular reordering of the PLA chains in the amorphous region. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Meat quality of lambs of indigenous dairy Greek breeds as influenced by dietary protein and gastrointestinal nematode challenge

The effect of dietary protein and gastrointestinal (GI) parasitism on growth and meat quality of lambs was assessed using 60 animals. The lambs were randomly allocated to one of three treatment groups (n = 20): group A, which served as control, group B that was regularly treated with albendazole and group C, which was given supplementary feeding with dietary protein. The three groups of lambs grazed into a pasture (Lolium perenne), which was contaminated with L₃ larvae of GI nematodes. Lamb growth and condition score were assessed at 21-day intervals. After 126 days grazing all lambs were slaughtered and their carcasses were assessed for conformation and fatness and their ultimate pH was measured. Four carcasses from each group were randomly selected for meat quality measurements including physical analysis as well as colour, moisture, total fat, protein content and fatty acid composition. Parasitic challenge was assessed by means of faecal egg counts of lambs, pasture larvae and numbers of adult nematodes in the GI tract of lambs at slaughter. Growth rate of group B was higher (P < 0.01) than that of group A and resulted in significantly (P < 0.01) heavier carcasses. The produced carcasses had similar fatness, but differed significantly (P < 0.05), in their conformation; carcasses of group C scored higher than either those of group B or group A, respectively. There was a significant difference in the colour attributes (L^*) with group A being significantly lighter (P < 0.05) and in pH (P < 0.01); Group B had the highest values. Carcasses of group C had the highest (P < 0.05) amounts of intermuscular fat compared to those of group B and A, respectively. The proportion of C16:1n-7 and C18:2n-6 was higher (P < 0.05) in subcutaneous fat tissue whereas the proportion of C18:0 was higher (P < 0.05) in muscle tissue. In conclusion, the present results showed that the increased protein content in the diet of growing lambs, grazing on a pasture infected with GI nematode larvae, resulted in the production of acceptable carcasses.     

A general formula for the transmission coefficient through a barrier and application to I–V characteristic

A general formula providing the transmission coefficient through a given barrier, sandwiched by semiconductor reservoirs under bias is presented in terms of the incoming carrier energy and the logarithmic wave function derivative at the start of the barrier. Furthermore, the formula involves the carrier effective masses in the barrier and reservoir regions. The procedure employed is based on solving an appropriate Riccati equation governing the logarithmic derivative along the barrier width at the end of which it is known in terms of the carrier energy and applied bias. On account of the facility provided for obtaining the transmission coefficient we obtained the I–V characteristic of a quantum dot carved barrier, which exhibits a region of quite a large negative differential resistance together with a high peak to valley ratio. Under the circumstances, the possibility of developing a nanostructure switch utilizing a small variation in the applied bias exists.     

An investigation of the cell wall ultrastructure of the sapwood of ten Greek wood species by means of chemical modification

The aim of this study was to investigate the cell wall ultrastructure of the sapwood of ten Greek wood species using chemical modification. Reactions with different sized anhydride molecules were performed on oven-dry samples in the presence of water-free xylene, which does not swell the cell wall. Reactions were also performed under identical conditions, but on wood samples that had been dried under solvent exchange conditions, thereby retaining the swollen cell wall pore structure. The results indicated that the diameters of the micropores in the cell wall of oven dried ash and elm are smaller than 0.80 nm and larger than 0.74 nm, those of beech, fir, Douglas fir, hornbeam and pine (Pinus nigra) smaller than 0.74 nm and larger than 0.66 nm, whereas those of maple, poplar, pine (Pinus sylvestris) are smaller than 0.66 nm.     

Evaluation of cotton seed cake as a feed ingredient for fattening sheep

The value of cotton seed cake as a source of crude protein in sheep diets was studied. The cotton seed cake was incorporated into diets at levels of 0, 15 and 30% after replacement of soya bean meal and was fed ad libitum to growing lambs. The diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric. Sixteen lambs (8 male and 8 female) having an average liveweight of approximately 13.6 kg were used in each treatment. After being fed for 62 days and having reached a liveweight of approximately 26.7 kg, five male lambs from each treatment were slaughtered and carcass data were collected. Results of the growth trial showed that there were no significant differences in feedlot performance or carcass analysis among the lambs fed these diets. The dressing percentage was slightly higher (P > 0.05) for lambs fed the 15% cotton seed cake compared with the 30% cotton seed cake and control diets. However, the final weights were substantially higher (P < 0.001) and live average daily gains and feed intakes were all higher (P < 0.10) for male animals. It was concluded that cotton seed cake is an acceptable feed ingredient for growing sheep and can satisfactorily replace soya bean meal as a source of protein in ruminant diets, a feedstuff locally produced in Greece and substantially cheaper than the imported soya bean meal.     

Comparative study of PLA nanocomposites reinforced with clay and silica nanofillers and their mixtures

This study compares the effects of two different types of nanosized fillers (silica and montmorillonite) at three different weight fractions as well their mixtures on the thermomechanical properties of polylactide (PLA). The role of aggregation and interphase was investigated in terms of several experimental techniques, including scanning electron microscopy, wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (WAXS), thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and tensile measurements. The experimental results clearly suggest that silica and montmorillonite have different reinforcing and toughening effects on PLA, while the combination of the two different nanofillers has a detrimental effect on the tensile properties of the material. Four micromechanics models describing the Young's modulus of the nanocomposites were used to study the different matrix–nanofiller interactions. The best fit of the experimental results was obtained with a model that assumes the presence of an interphase surrounding each nanoparticle. The increase of the nanofiller content above a certain amount was not accompanied by a corresponding increase of the interphase, because the total nanofiller surface area was counterbalanced by the creation of aggregates. It is postulated that the aggregation effect acts antagonistically to the interphase effect. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011