A Single-Phase Boost Rectifier System for Wide Range of Load Variations

Converters operated in discontinuous-conduction-mode (DCM) and in continuous-conduction-mode (CCM) are suitable for lighter and higher loads, respectively. A new, constant switching frequency based single-phase rectifier system is proposed, which operates in DCM and in CCM for outputs less than and greater than 50% rated load, respectively, covering a wide range of load variation. The power circuit and the control circuit of the proposed rectifier are easily configurable for DCM and CCM operations. The measured load current is used to select the desired operating mode. The peak device current under DCM is limited to rated device current under CCM without using a device of higher current rating. The input current shaping under CCM and DCM are based on the comparison of measured input current with linear and nonlinear carriers, respectively. A load current feedforward scheme is presented to improve the system dynamic performance and also to ensure a smooth transition between the two operating modes. All the necessary control operations are performed without using multiplication, division and square-root operation. The proposed rectifier shows improved input current characteristics over the existing CCM converters for the above load range. This is validated on a 600-W rectifier prototype. Simulation and experimental results are presented     

Crystal plasticity modeling of deformation and creep in polycrystalline Ti-6242

This paper develops an experimentally validated computational model based on crystal plasticity for the analysis of two-phase α/β Ti-6242 polycrystalline alloys. A rate-dependent elastic-crystal plasticity model is incorporated in this model to accommodate anisotropy in material behavior and tension-compression asymmetry inherent to this alloy. A combination of microtesting, orientation imaging microscopy, computational simulations, and minimization process, involving genetic algorithms, is implemented in this study for careful characterization and calibration of the material parameters. Size effects are considered in this analysis through a simple scaling process. A homogenized equivalent model of the primary α with transformed β colonies is developed for incorporation in the Ti-6242 FE model. The polycrystalline Ti-6242 computational model incorporates accurate phase volume fractions, as well as statistically equivalent orientation distributions to those observed in the orientation imaging microscopy scans. The effects of orientation, misorientations, and microtexture distributions are investigated through simulations by this computational model. The model is used to simulate constant strain rate and creep tests in compression and tension, and the results are compared with experiments. The effects of microstructure and creep-induced load-shedding on the localization of microstructural stresses and strains are studied for potential crack initiation criteria.     

The dynamic transformation of deformed austenite at temperatures above the Ae3

Recent observations regarding the dynamic transformation of deformed austenite at temperatures above the Ae₃ are reviewed. Experimental results obtained on four different steels over the temperature range from 743 to 917 °C and at strains up to ε = 5 are described. It is shown that there is a critical strain for the formation of superequilibrium ferrite and that the volume fraction of transformed ferrite increases with the strain. The structures observed are Widmanstätten in form and appear to have nucleated displacively. The effect of deformation on the Gibbs energy of austenite is estimated by assuming that the austenite continues to work-harden after initiation of the transformation and that its flow stress and dislocation density can be derived from the experimental flow curve by making suitable assumptions about two-phase flow. By further taking into account the inhomogeneity of the dislocation density, Gibbs energy contributions (driving forces) are derived that are sufficient to promote transformation as much as 100 °C above the Ae₃. The C diffusion times required for the dynamic formation of the cementite particles observed are estimated. These range from ～25 to 100 μs and are therefore consistent with the times available during rolling. The Gibbs energy calculations suggest that growth of the Widmanstätten ferrite is followed by C diffusion at the lower carbon contents, while it is accompanied by C diffusion at the higher carbon levels.     

FORCED CONVECTIVE MASS TRANSFER IN ANNULI

Mass transfer in annuli has been critically examined for various flow situations. The overall mass transfer rate depends on the hydrodynamic regions prevailing in the annular channel as well as on its dimensions. Theoretically consistent correlations are proposed and recommended for both developed and developing boundary layers under laminar and turbulent flow conditions.     

Protective effect of the fruits of Terminalia arjuna against cadmium-induced oxidant stress and hepatic cell injury via MAPK activation and mitochondria dependent pathway

Cadmium (Cd), a highly toxic environmental pollutant, induces hepatic disorders. The present study has been undertaken to investigate the protective role of the fruit extract of Terminalia arjuna (AE) against Cd-induced oxidative liver impairment using a murine model. Cadmium reduced hepatocytes viability, activated MAPKs, disturbed Bcl-2 family protein balance, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and induced apoptotic cell death by mitochondria dependent caspases-3 activation. AE treatment, however, suppressed all the apoptotic actions of cadmium. Similarly, mice treated with cadmium altered a number biomarkers related to hepatic oxidative stress and other apoptotic indices. Oral administration of AE both pre and post prevented all the Cd-induced hepatic damages.     

Direct Amide Synthesis from Alcohols and Amines by Phosphine‐Free Ruthenium Catalyst Systems

Amides are synthesized directly from alcohols and amines in high yields using an in situ generated catalyst from easily available ruthenium complexes such as the (p‐cymene)ruthenium dichloride dimer, [Ru(p‐cymeme)Cl₂]₂, or the (benzene)ruthenium dichloride dimer, [Ru(benzene)Cl₂]₂, an N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand, and a nitrogen containing L‐type ligand such as acetonitrile. The phosphine‐free catalyst systems showed improved or comparable activity compared to previous phosphine‐based catalytic systems. The in situ generated catalyst from [Ru(benzene)Cl₂]₂, an NHC ligand, and acetonitrile showed excellent activity toward reactions with cyclic secondary amines such as piperidine and morpholine.     

Coalescence of bubbles and stability of foams in aqueous solutions of Tween surfactants

Coalescence of air bubbles and stability of foams in aqueous solutions of Tween 20, 40, 60 and 80 are reported in this work. Adsorption of the surfactants at air–water interface was studied by measuring the surface tension of the surfactant solutions. The surface tension profiles were fitted using a surface equation of state derived from the Gibbs and Langmuir adsorption equations. The critical micelle concentration and surface tension at this concentration were determined. The effect of surfactant concentration on coalescence of air bubbles at flat air–water interface was studied. The role of steric force on coalescence time was investigated. The coalescence time distributions were fitted by the stochastic model. The mean values of the distributions were compared with the predictions of seven film-drainage models. Stability of foams was analyzed by the Ross–Miles test. The initial and residual foam heights were measured at different surfactant concentrations. The stability of foams was compared with the coalescence time of the bubbles.     

Enhanced near band edge luminescence of Ti/ZnO nanorod heterostructures due to the surface diffusion of Ti

Information on the mechanistic differences in the luminescence properties of Ti/ZnO nanorods (NRs) has been obtained through the preparation of heterostructures by (a) varying the thickness of Ti from 1 nm to 20 nm keeping the substrate temperature at 400 °C, (b) varying the substrate temperature from room temperature (RT) to 500 °C while keeping the metal thickness constant at 10 nm and (c) annealing the RT Ti sputtered NRs at temperatures of 400 °C and 500 °C. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra show that the near band edge luminescence of ZnO in the ultraviolet (UV) region is enhanced as the thickness of Ti increases up to 5 nm and, thereafter, it falls. Sputtering of Ti on ZnO NRs at RT does not cause any UV enhancement but when sputtered at and above 400 °C, the UV intensity is enhanced. Annealing of RT Ti sputtered NRs at and above 400 °C also results in the enhancement of the UV peak, although with a lesser magnitude. Analysis of the PL results, supported by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, elemental mapping, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and electrical I-V measurement results, show a clear indication that the surface diffusion of Ti causes a reduction in the surface defects.     

Influence of grain boundary sliding on diffusion in yttria doped zirconia

Grain boundary sliding during high temperature deformation can lead to stress concentrations and an enhancement of diffusion in mobile boundaries. Experiments were conducted on a fine grained 3 mol% yttria stabilized tetragonal zirconia, under conditions associated with superplastic flow involving grain boundary sliding. Tracer diffusion studies under creep conditions and without load indicate that there is no enhancement in either the lattice or grain boundary diffusivities. The experimental creep data are consistent with an interface controlled diffusion creep mechanism.     

Frequency dependent stiffness and damping coefficients of orifice compensated multi-recess hydrostatic journal bearings

Frequency dependent stiffness and damping characteristics of an orifice compensated multi-recess hydrostatic journal bearing has been presented incorporating recess volume fluid compressibility effects into it. The theory is based on linearising the Reynolds' equation for finite bearings and the recess flow continuity equation using first order perturbations. A new dimensionless recess volume fluid compressibility parameter (γ) has been introduced. Results for stiffness and damping characteristics have been presented for various frequency of vibration or squeeze parameters (σ) and recess volume parameters (γ) in addition to the usual bearing design parameters.