Room temperature ferromagnetic behavior,linear and nonlinear optical properties of KNbO3 microrods

Microrods of potassium niobate (KNbO₃) were synthesized at 700, 800 and 900 °C by solid state reaction method and their structural, morphological, linear optical, nonlinear optical and magnetic properties were studied. X-ray diffraction and Rietveld refinement reveal that all the prepared KNbO₃ samples belong to single phase orthorhombic structure with space group of Cm2m. Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectral analyses confirmed the Nb-O symmetric stretching vibrational modes of NbO₆ octahedron. The grain growth direction (001) and inter planar spacing (0.38 nm) of KNbO₃ were determined by high resolution transmission electron microscopy. Field emission scanning electron microscopy images revealed that KNbO₃ are formed with nearly rod shape morphology with average diameter varying from 471 to 678 nm and length lies between 1.2 and 2.3 µm. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy studies confirmed the presence of K, Nb and O elements in the KNbO₃ matrix. UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectra showed that the band gap of KNbO₃ microrods varies between 3.18 and 3.22 eV. The existence of blue (492 nm) and green (521 nm) emissions evidently showed the presence of oxygen vacancy in the samples. All the synthesized KNbO₃ microrods exhibited relatively high SHG efficiency as compared with that of the standard KDP. Vibrating sample magnetometer analysis showed the existence of ferromagnetic behavior at room temperature. The saturation magnetization (M_s) of KNbO₃ microrods lies between 0.015 and 0.012 emu g^?1 and coercive field (H_c) varies in the range from 489 to 420 Oe.     

Microfluidic bolus induced gradient generator for live cell signalling

Major events in cell biology are initiated by the binding of ligands to cell surface receptors and/or their transport into cells. We present a study of a simple microchannel system that integrates a bolus generator and surface-adhered cell culture domains. Our system allows the delivery of small packets or boluses of biomolecules to a cell population. Owing to pressure driven microfluidic flow of the bolus, a gradient of cell surface bound ligands is established along the length of the microchannel. Experimental data for the epidermal growth factor (EGF) binding to its receptor on A431 cells are presented. We highlight the effect of changing Peclet number (or flowrate), bolus shape, bolus volume and ligand concentration on the gradient formed longitudinally in the microchannel. A mathematical model describing the transient convection, diffusion, dispersion and binding of ligands to cell surface receptors is developed. The model provides essential design guidelines for our system with good qualitative agreement with experimental data. The results suggest ways to modulate the amount of bound ligand and the gradient independently. This simple microsystem is suitable for generating longer range gradients involving larger cell populations as compared to existing microfluidic systems.     

Modeling of white layer formation under thermally dominant conditions in orthogonal machining of hardened AISI 52100 steel

This paper presents a finite element model for white layer formation in orthogonal machining of hardened AISI 52100 steel under thermally dominant cutting conditions that promote martensitic phase transformations. The model explicitly accounts for the effects of stress and strain, transformation plasticity and the effect of volume expansion accompanying phase transformation on the transformation temperature. Model predictions of white layer depth are found to be in agreement with experimental values. The paper also analyzes the effect of white layer formation on residual stress evolution in orthogonal cutting of AISI 52100 hardened steel. Model simulations show that white layer formation does have a significant impact on the magnitude of surface residual stress and on the location of the peak compressive residual stress.     

Effect of Silane-Treated Rice Husk Derived Biosilica on Visco-Elastic,Thermal Conductivity and Hydrophobicity Behavior of Epoxy Biocomposite Coating for Air-Duct Application

Silicon - High performance epoxy biocomposite coating material was prepared using agricultural waste (rice husk) derived biosilica and characterized for visco-elastic, thermal conductivity and...     

Fiber bundle push-out test and image-based finite element simulation for 3D carbon/carbon composites

The interfacial properties such as debond strength, fracture energy release rate in Mode-II and coefficient of friction play important roles in determining the mechanical properties and strength of carbon/carbon (C/C) composites. Push-out tests were conducted on 3D C/C composites and the experimental results were fitted to the shear lag model to determine these interfacial properties. X-ray tomography was used to explore the internal material structure of the composite. The fiber bundle and matrix interfaces were observed as being partially damaged in the tomographic images and the crack network was explored in detail. The tomographic images were also used to reconstruct a finite element (FE) mesh for simulating push-out tests. The interface of the fiber bundle and matrix in the FE mesh was represented by cohesive surfaces with frictional contact. The cohesive surface properties were obtained by matching FE results with the experimental results. The simulations had a good agreement with experiments and values of 0.75 for coefficient of friction, 2–5 N/mm² for debond stress, 1–4 N/mm² for clamping stress and 3–6 N/m for fracture energy release rate were obtained as interfacial parameters for the composite.