A new boundary finite element method for fluid–structure interaction problems

In order to study problems on fluid–structure interaction, we have used a mixed formulation which couples the classical functional of the structure with a new variational formulation by integral equations for the fluid. This formulation has the advantage over the finite element methods of avoiding the discretization of the fluid domain. Furthermore, unlike collocation methods, the explicit calculation of the Hadamard finite part of the singular integrals is avoided. This leads after discretization by boundary finite elements to a small and symmetrical algebraic system. Typical examples are presented that demonstrate the efficiency of this variational formulation by studying the sound transmission through a baffled plane structure and through a flexible panel backed by a rigid cavity. These include the calculation of the transmission loss factor and the determination of which modes dominate the noise transmission. Good agreement is obtained between numerical results and analytical results found in the literature.     

Multi-dimensional analysis of soil moisture dynamics in trickle irrigated fields. II: Model testing

The mathematical model which was developed in part I of this work for multi-dimensional analysis of soil moisture in irrigated fields is converted into computer algorithms. The algorithms are capable of emulating many field conditions of practical applications during both design and operation phases. The model is subjected to various tests, the results of which are reported here. The tests in various modes of simulations verified the numerical performance of the model and the accuracy of its predictions. The model provides a powerful tool for detailed studies of soil moisture dynamics in one or multi-dimensional problems irrigated fields     

A comparative study of the electrochemical behaviour of Algerian zinc and a zinc from a commercial sacrificial anode

Zinc is used in the oil industry as a sacrificial anode for protecting steel storage tanks from corrosion. The behaviour of a sample of zinc from the Algerian metallurgy industry (zinc A) and a commercially available zinc (zinc B) was compared in an electrolyte from storage tank drainage water. The corrosion potential measurements for zinc A confirmed that this material could be used as a sacrificial anode. The polarization curves of the two materials (zinc A and zinc B) were different, zinc A being the least polarized. Thus, the same corrosion protection could be obtained with a lower surface ratio (S _Zn/S _Fe) for Zinc A. Cyclic voltammetry curves provided evidence of a surface layer formed by dissolution products. To provide protection over extended periods of time, the zinc anode must be oversized. The two types of zinc tested were comparable.The results of the impedance spectroscopy study confirmed the previous results. The corrosion layer formed on zinc A was not prejudicial to dissolution. Hence, the properties of this zinc were found to be satisfactory for its use as a sacrificial anode.     

Galvanostatic and microscopic studies of nodulation during copper electrolysis

The galvanostatic technique on a laboratory scale has been shown to be a useful tool in detecting the presence of nodules on the cathode during copper electrodeposition by using the value of the starting electrolytic potential and by the presence of a cathodic polarization peak on the potential–time curve. Studying the morphology of the deposit with a scanning electron microscope at various magnifications confirmed the galvanostatic results. It is postulated that inappropriate concentrations and/or ratios of the additives (thiourea, gelatin and chloride ions) are associated with a certain current density that generates intergranular microcracks due to adsorption of the additives and leads to the formation of nodules at the macroscale.     

An economic and sensitive method for extracting chromium speciation in airborne inhalable dust,using a green sample treatment coupled with electrothermal atomic absorption

ABSTRACT

A new approach of cloud point extraction CPE procedure is optimized for hexavalent chromium determination in airborne dusts. Triton X-114 is used as a surfactant and 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol as a specific complexing agent for the trivalent chromium’s removal from the aqueous phase to isolate hexavalent chromium compounds. The parameters influencing the extraction protocol (pH, surfactant concentration, and temperature are optimized. The obtained detection and quantification limits are 0.1 and 0.4 μg/L, respectively. The linearity is verified, with a regression coefficient close to 0.999 and the extraction recovery exceeds 99%. The method was successfully applied to analyze airborne samples collected from workplaces.     

Investigating the influence of the counter Si-cell on the optoelectronic performance of high-efficiency monolithically perovskites/silicon tandem cells under various optical sources

Nowadays, tandem structures have become a valuable competitor to conventional silicon solar cells, especially for perovskite over silicon, as metal halides surpassed Si with tunable bandgaps, high absorption coefficient, low deposition, and preparation costs. This led to a remarkable enhancement in the overall efficiency of the whole cell and its characteristics. Consequently, this expands the usage of photovoltaic technology in various fields of applications not only under conventional light source spectrum in outdoor areas, i.e., AM1.5G, but also under artificial light sources found indoors with broadband intensity values, such as Internet of things (IoTs) applications to name a few. We introduce a numerical model to analyze perovskite/Si tandem cells (PSSTCs) using both crystalline silicon (c-Si) and hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) experimentally validated as base cells. All proposed layers have been studied with J-V characteristics and energy band diagrams under AM1.5G by using SCAPS-1D software version 3.7.7. Thereupon, the proposed architectures were tested under various artificial lighting spectra. The proposed structures of Li4Ti5O12/CsPbCl3/MAPbBr3/CH3NH3PbI3/Si recorded a maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 25.25% for c-Si and 17.02% for a-Si:H, with nearly 7% enhancement concerning the Si bare cell in both cases.     

Project scheduling under resource constraints: Application of the cumulative global constraint in a decision support framework

This paper concerns project scheduling under resource constraints. Traditionally, the objective is to find a unique solution that minimizes the project makespan, while respecting the precedence constraints and the resource constraints. This work focuses on developing a model and a decision support framework for industrial application of the cumulative global constraint. For a given project scheduling, the proposed approach allows the generation of different optimal solutions relative to the alternate availability of outsourcing and resources. The objective is to provide a decision-maker an assistance to construct, choose, and define the appropriate scheduling program taking into account the possible capacity resources. The industrial problem under consideration is modeled as a constraint satisfaction problem (CSP). It is implemented under the constraint programming language CHIP V5. The provided solutions determine values for the various variables associated to the tasks realized on each resource, as well as the curves with the profile of the total consumption of resources on time.     

Sense and sidedness in the graphics pipeline via a passage through a separable space

Computer graphics is ostensibly based on projective geometry. The graphics pipeline—the sequence of functions applied to 3D geometric primitives to determine a 2D image—is described in the graphics literature as taking the primitives from Euclidean to projective space, and then back to Euclidean space. This is a weak foundation for computer graphics. An instructor is at a loss: one day entering the classroom and invoking the established and venerable theory of projective geometry while asserting that projective spaces are not separable, and then entering the classroom the following week to tell the students that the standard graphics pipeline performs clipping not in Euclidean, but in projective space—precisely the operation (deciding sidedness, which depends on separability) that was deemed nonsensical. But there is no need to present Blinn and Newell’s algorithm (Comput. Graph. 12, 245–251, 1978; Commun. ACM 17, 32–42, 1974)—the crucial clipping step in the graphics pipeline and, perhaps, the most original knowledge a student learns in a fourth-year computer graphics class—as a clever trick that just works. Jorge Stolfi described in 1991 oriented projective geometry. By declaring the two vectors and distinct, Blinn and Newell were already unknowingly working in oriented projective space. This paper presents the graphics pipeline on this stronger foundation.

Electrodissolution de la galène en milieu suifamique

Résumé L'électrodissolution de sulfure de plomb obtenu par fusion ou par frittage, a été étudiée dans l'acide sulfamique par les méthodes cyclovoltammétrique, potentiocinétique et potentiostatique. Les paramètres examinés sont: la température, la vitesse de rotation de l'électrode, l'oxygène, le pH et la concentration de l'acide. L'identification par voie chimique, l'analyse par rayonsX et l'observation par la microscopie électronique à balayage ont permis de définir les produits de la polarisation anodique. Le comportement anodique de PbS en milieu sulfamique a été discuté et précisé davantage.

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The electrodissolution of lead sulphide, prepared by fusion or by sintering in sulphamic acid, was studied by cyclic voltammetric, potentiodynamic and potentiostatic methods. The parameters examined were: temperature, rotation speed of the electrode, oxygen concentration, pH and the acid concentration. The chemical identification,X-ray analysis and scanning electron microscope observations permitted the definition of the anodic polarization products. The anodic behaviour of PbS in sulphamic medium was critically discussed and is explained in more detail.