Ablation behavior and mechanism of boron nitride - magnesium aluminum silicate ceramic composites in an oxyacetylene combustion flame

In the present study, ablation behavior and properties of BN-MAS (magnesium aluminum silicate) composites impinged with an oxyacetylene flame at temperatures up to 3100 °C were investigated. As ablation time ranged from 5 to 30 s, the mass and linear ablation rates increased from 0.0027 g/s and 0.001 mm/s to 0.0254 g/s and 0.087 mm/s, respectively. A SiO₂-rich protective oxide layer formed during the ablation process, which contributed to the oxidation resistance of the composites. Ablation products mainly consisted of magnesium-aluminum borosilicate glass, mullite, spinel and indialite. The thermal oxidation of h-BN during flame ablation and scouring of MAS by high-speed gas flow were the main ablation mechanisms.     

A two-level approach to implicit surface modeling with compactly supported radial basis functions

We describe a two-level method for computing a function whose zero-level set is the surface reconstructed from given points scattered over the surface and associated with surface normal vectors. The function is defined as a linear combination of compactly supported radial basis functions (CSRBFs). The method preserves the simplicity and efficiency of implicit surface interpolation with CSRBFs and the reconstructed implicit surface owns the attributes, which are previously only associated with globally supported or globally regularized radial basis functions, such as exhibiting less extra zero-level sets, suitable for inside and outside tests. First, in the coarse scale approximation, we choose basis function centers on a grid that covers the enlarged bounding box of the given point set and compute their signed distances to the underlying surface using local quadratic approximations of the nearest surface points. Then a fitting to the residual errors on the surface points and additional off-surface points is performed with fine scale basis functions. The final function is the sum of the two intermediate functions and is a good approximation of the signed distance field to the surface in the bounding box. Examples of surface reconstruction and set operations between shapes are provided.     

Novel inorganic precursors [Co4.32Zn1.68(HCO2)18(C2H8N)6]/SiO2 and Co4.32Zn1.68(HCO2)18(C2H8N)6]/Al2O3 for Fischer–Tropsch synthesis

The silica- and alumina-supported Co–Zn catalysts were synthesized by thermal decomposition of new inorganic precursors [Co_4.32Zn_1.68(HCO₂)₁₈(C₂H₈N)₆]/SiO₂ or Al₂O₃. A novel coordination polymer formulated as [Co_4.32Zn_1.68(HCO₂)₁₈(C₂H₈N)₆] (1) was prepared using the solvothermal technique and characterized by elemental analysis, FT-infrared spectroscopy. Thermal stability of the complex 1 was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry, and its structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Characterization of catalysts was carried out using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and BET specific surface area. The catalysts were evaluated for Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) in the temperature range 200–300 °C. The results revealed that the synthesized catalysts have higher selectivity to the desired products at 260 °C. The performance of the catalysts was compared to those of catalysts constructed via impregnation method and the fabricated catalysts show higher activity and selectivity than the reference catalysts.     

Genetic evaluation of dairy cattle using a simple heritable genetic ground

The evaluation of an animal is based on production records, adjusted for environmental effects, which gives a reliable estimation of its breeding value. Highly reliable daughter yield deviations are used as inputs for genetic marker evaluation. Genetic variability is explained by particular loci and background polygenes, both of which are described by the genomic breeding value selection index. Automated genotyping enables the determination of many single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and can increase the reliability of evaluation of young animals (from 0.30 if only the pedigree value is used to 0.60 when the genomic breeding value is applied). However, the introduction of SNPs requires a mixed model with a large number of regressors, in turn requiring new algorithms for the best linear unbiased prediction and BayesB. Here, we discuss a method that uses a genomic relationship matrix to estimate the genomic breeding value of animals directly, without regressors. A one‐step procedure evaluates both genotyped and ungenotyped animals at the same time, and produces one common ranking of all animals in a whole population. An augmented pedigree–genomic relationship matrix and the removal of prerequisites produce more accurate evaluations of all connected animals. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

On a “central inequality” in the theory of input-output systems

In the stability and sensitivity theory of general, nonlinear input-output systems we encounter a certain inequality concerning solely the nominal system that plays a central role in the whole theory. In particular, this central inequality, combined with other assumptions, implies (a) stability of the nominal system, (b) robustness, and (c) insensitivity of the input-output system. This paper presents conditions equivalent to this central inequality, and a further result on the stability-robustness problem.     

Preparation of periodic surface structures on doped poly(methyl metacrylate) films by irradiation with KrF excimer laser

In this work, we describe laser modification of poly(methyl methacrylate) films doped with Fast Red ITR, followed by dopant exclusion from the bulk polymer. By this procedure, the polymer can be modified under extremely mild conditions. Creation of surface ordered structure was observed already after application of 15 pulses and 12 mJ cm⁻² fluence. Formation of grating begins in the hottest places and tends to form concentric semi-circles around them. The mechanism of surface ordered structure formation is attributed to polymer ablation, which is more pronounced in the place of higher light intensity. The smoothness of the underlying substrate plays a key role in the quality of surface ordered structure. Most regular grating structures were obtained on polymer films deposited on atomically ‘flat’ Si substrates. After laser patterning, the dopant was removed from the polymer by soaking the film in methanol.     

An experimental technique for the measurement of temperature fields for the orthogonal cutting in high speed machining

Cutting temperature and heat generated at the tool-chip interface during high speed machining operations have been recognized as major factors that influence tool performance and workpiece geometry or properties. This paper presents an experimental setup able to determine the temperature field in the cutting zone, during an orthogonal machining operation with 42 CrMo 4 steel. The machining was performed with a gas gun, using standard carbide tools TiCN coated and for cutting speeds up to 50 ms^-1. The technique of temperature measurement was developed on the principle of pyrometry in the visible spectral range by using an intensified CCD camera with very short exposure time and interference filter at 0.8 μm. Temperature gradients were obtained in an area close to the cutting edge of the tool, along the secondary shear zone. Effects of the cutting speed and the chip thickness on the temperature profile in the chip were determined. Maximum chip temperature of about 825 °C was found, for cutting speed close to 20 ms^-1, located at a distance of 300 μm of the tool tip. It was established that this experimental arrangement is quite efficient and can provide fundamental data on the temperature field in materials during orthogonal high speed machining.     

Modeling laser drilling in percussion regime using constraint natural element method

The laser drilling process is the main process used in machining procedures on aeronautic engines, especially in the cooling parts. The industrial problematic is to reduce geometrical deviations of the holes and defects during manufacturing. The interaction between a laser beam and an absorbent metallic matter in the laser drilling regime involves thermal and hydrodynamical phenomenon. Their role on the drilling is not yet completely understood and a realistic simulation of the process could contribute to a better understanding of these phenomenon. The simulation of such process induces strong numerical difficulties. This work presents a physical model combined with the use of the original Constraint Natural Element Method to simulate the laser drilling. The physical model includes solid/liquid and liquid/vapor phase transformations, the liquid ejection and the convective and conductive thermal exchanges. It is the first time that all these phenomena are included in a modelling and numerically solved in a 2D axisymmmetric problem. Simulations results predict most of measurements (hole geometry, velocity of the liquid ejection and laser drilling velocity) without adjusting any parameters.     

Grafting of gold nanoparticles and nanorods on plasma-treated polymers by thiols

Grafting of gold nanoparticles and nanorods on the surface of polymers, modified by plasma discharge, is studied with the aim to create structures with potential applications in electronics or tissue engineering. Surfaces of polyethyleneterephthalate and polytetrafluoroethylene were modified by plasma discharge and subsequently, grafted with 2-mercaptoethanol, 4,4′-biphenyldithiol, and cysteamine. The thiols are expected to be fixed via one of –OH, –SH or –NH₂ groups to reactive places on the polymer surface created by the plasma treatment. “Free” –SH groups are allowed to interact (graft) with gold nanoparticles and nanorods. Gold nano-objects were characterized before grafting by transmission electron microscopy and UV–Vis spectroscopy. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and electrokinetic analysis (zeta potential determination) were used for the characterization of polymer surface at different modification phases. It was proved by FTIR and XPS measurements that the thiols were chemically bonded on the surface of the plasma-treated polymers, and they mediate subsequent grafting of the gold nano-objects. On the surfaces, modified polymers were indicated some objects by AFM, size of which was dramatically larger in comparison with that of original nanoparticles and nanorods. This result and the other results of UV–Vis spectroscopy indicate an aggregation of deposited gold nano-objects.