Equivalent electrical network of the DNA molecule

The variation of current density with bias or temperature is examined for DNA molecules of different configuration. To this end, the DNA molecule is represented as an equivalent electrical network whose behavior is then simulated with PSPICE. The results are found to be in close agreement with ones obtained within a physical model. It is established that the electrical response of a DNA molecule to an applied electric field depends on the boundary conditions and the potential profile along the molecule. This finding should contribute to the creation of a complete library of DNA-molecule configurations with prescribed electrical properties.     

Effect of Adding Transition Metals to Copper on the Dehydrogenation Reaction of Ethanol

The present work aims to investigate the effect adding Ag, Co, Ni, Cd and Pt to copper on ethanol dehydrogenation. The catalysts synthesized by deposition–precipitation method were characterized using various physicochemical methods such as N₂ adsorption–desorption, TPR, SEM–EDX, XRD, XPS and TGA–DSC-MS. Catalytic evaluation results revealed that the predominant product of the reaction was acetaldehyde. Monometallic copper or mixed with Cd, Ag or Co show good catalytic performances. Adding nickel to copper improves the process conversion but reduces acetaldehyde selectivity, giving rise to methane in produced hydrogen. Pt-Cu/SiO₂ catalyst guides the reaction towards diethyl ether. Time on stream tests performed during 12 h at 260 °C, showed that adding Cd to Cu enhances its stability by over 30% of conversion, this is explained by the reduction of copper crystallites sintering, which makes Cd-Cu/SiO₂ a promising catalyst for the production of acetaldehyde by ethanol dehydrogenation.

Graphic Abstract

     

Multilevel assessment method for reliable design of composite structures

This work aims at demonstrating the interest of a new methodology for the design and optimization of composite materials and structures. Coupling reliability methods and homogenization techniques allow the consideration of probabilistic design variables at different scales. The main advantage of such an original micromechanics-based approach is to extend the scope of solutions for engineering composite materials to reach or to respect a given reliability level. This approach is illustrated on a civil engineering case including reinforced fiber composites. Modifications of microstructural components properties, manufacturing process, and geometry are investigated to provide new alternatives for design and guidelines for quality control.     

Reliability Prediction of Composite Tubular Structure Under Mechanical Loading by Finite Element Method

The diversified use of filamentary composites in harsh marine environments, recorded in recent years, has prompted researchers to focus their work on the reliability prediction. Through failure criteria, Tsai–Wu and the maximum stress, the reliability of multilayer tubular structures under mechanical loading is the subject of this paper, where Monte Carlo method estimated the failure probability. A sensitivity analysis was performed in order to identify the influence of the different parameters, such as materials’ properties, geometry, manufacturing and loading, on the reliability of the composite cylindrical structure studied. To achieve a high accuracy of the results, we have carried out 105 simulations. The results showed great influence on pressure loading, ply thickness and finally winding angle of filament composite.     

Estimation of the probability of mechanical systems breakdown by technical state modeling

This study considers the general model of estimating changes in technical state of mechanical systems caused by external action. This model makes it possible to estimate their effect on the probability of breakdowns. The considered examples include the destruction probabilities for crank rods of the opposite compressor to be simultaneously affected by cyclical loading and wear.     

Operational experience with coke battery 5 at OAO Altai-Koks

Coke battery 5 at OAO Altai -Koks, which went into operation in October 2006, is one of the most powerful and advanced in Russia and its immediate neighbors. Therefore, operational experience at this coke battery is of great value for other coke plants.