Mechanisms of orientational and photoelastic birefringence generation of methacrylates for the design of zero–zero‐birefringence polymers

The intrinsic birefringence Δn⁰ and photoelastic coefficient C of poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(2,2,2‐trifluroethyl methacrylate), poly(phenyl methacrylate), and poly(2,2,3,3,3‐pentafluorophenyl methacrylate) were determined. We categorized these methacrylate polymers into four birefringence‐types, even though their molecular structures differed only by the substituents on the side chains. Based on the results of Δn⁰ and C, novel polymers that exhibit neither orientational nor photoelastic birefringence, i.e., zero–zero‐birefringence polymers, were designed and synthesized by quaternary copolymerization system. Furthermore, we confirmed that the mechanisms of orientational birefringence and photoelastic birefringence generation were different in these methacrylate polymers. The conformation of the repeat unit of the polymers was nearly constant during the generation of orientational birefringence. In contrast, the conformation of the repeat unit of the polymers changed during the generation of photoelastic birefringence in the glassy state. These findings demonstrated the reasonability of evaluating orientational and photoelastic birefringence separately, as well as the adequacy of the classification of polymers into four birefringence‐types. Given these results and the fact that zero–zero‐birefringence polymers could be prepared successfully by four‐birefringence type monomers, we demonstrated the reasonability of the method for designing the zero–zero‐birefringence polymers. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:1330–1338, 2015. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Multiphysics modeling and optimization of mechatronic multibody systems

Modeling mechatronic multibody systems requires the same type of methodology as for designing and prototyping mechatronic devices: a unified and integrated engineering approach. Various formulations are currently proposed to deal with multiphysics modeling, e.g., graph theories, equational approaches, co-simulation techniques. Recent works have pointed out their relative advantages and drawbacks, depending on the application to deal with: model size, model complexity, degree of coupling, frequency range, etc. This paper is the result of a close collaboration between three laboratories, and aims at showing that for “non-academic” mechatronic applications (i.e., issuing from real industrial issues), multibody dynamics formulations can be generalized to mechatronic systems, for the model generation as well as for the numerical analysis phases. Model portability being also an important aspect of the work, they must be easily interfaced with control design and optimization programs. A global “demonstrator”, based on an industrial case, is discussed: multiphysics modeling and mathematical optimization are carried out to illustrate the consistency and the efficiency of the proposed approaches.     

Two-dimensional ultrasonic tomography in nondestructive evaluation by using area functions

It is shown that the (normalized) area function based on the Born approximation offers a simple connection between the ultrasonic scattering response and the monochromatic ray sum in X-ray CT (computerized tomography). Because of this simple association, it is possible to apply the ultrasonic signals in the computationally direct and efficient parallel-beam X-ray CT algorithm to reproduce the vertical thickness function of an ultrasonic scatterer. The development of this imaging methodology is demonstrated for flaws of simple geometry; theoretical as well as experimental results for two model scatterers using this imaging technique are reported. Specifically, the area functions for a two-to-one spheroid and a circular cylinder are calculated and applied to a filtered backprojection algorithm of X-ray CT to obtain the vertical thickness function images. These images are then compared with the true vertical thickness functions of the targets based on their geometry. With theoretical data, this method was found to work very well. Even when experimental data containing creeping waves were used, the method produced satisfactory results for objects with continuously smooth surface.     

On the stability issues of switched singular time‐delay systems with slow switching based on average dwell‐time

The issue of exponential stability analysis of continuous‐time switched singular systems consisting of a family of stable and unstable subsystems with time‐varying delay is investigated in this paper. It is very difficult to analyze the stability of such systems because of the existence of time‐delay and unstable subsystems. In this regard, on the basis of the free‐weighting matrix approach, by constructing the new Lyapunov‐like Krasovskii functional, and using the average dwell‐time approach, delay‐dependent sufficient conditions are derived and formulated in terms of LMIs to check the exponential stability of such systems. This paper also highlights the relationship between the average dwell‐time of the switched singular time‐delay system, its stability, exponential convergence rate of differential states, and algebraic states. Finally, a numerical example is given to confirm the analytical results and illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed strategy. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

In-plane and out-of-plane buckling of arches made of FGM

The mechanical buckling of curved beams made of functionally graded materials is studies in this paper. The equilibrium and stability equations of curved beams under mechanical loads are derived. Using proper approximate functions for the displacement components, the stability equations are employed to obtain the related eigenvalues associated with the buckling load of the curved beam. Closed-form solutions are obtained for mechanical buckling of curved beams with doubly symmetric cross section subjected to uniform distributed radial load and pure bending moment. The results are validated with the known data in the literature for beams with isotropic materials.     

Simulation and energy optimization of the stabilizer tower of a pyrolysis gasoline hydrogenation unit

Energy optimization of second distillation tower of a pyrolysis gasoline hydrogenation unit has been studied by the thermal cycle of vapor recompression method. The mentioned cycle is connected to the second distillation tower of the stabilizer of pyrolysis gasoline, and the results are found promising. The composite pinch curve for both the current and the optimized methods are shown. Moreover, an increase in the heat transfer rate in heat exchanger E-1014 causes energy recovery in reboiler. According to simulation results, by vapor recompression to 1970 kPa and using this heat source for thermal integration, condenser and reboiler’s energies are decreased by 56.93 and 30.4 percentage, respectively.     

Corrosion and time dependent passivation of Al 5052 in the presence of H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Corrosion and time–dependent oxide film growth on AA5052 Aluminum alloy in 0.25M Na₂SO₄ solution containing H₂O₂ was studied using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, potentiodynamic polarization, chronoamperometric and open circuit potential monitoring. It was found that sequential addition of H₂O₂ provokes passivation of AA5052 which ultimately thickens the oxide film and brings slower corrosion rates for AA5052. H2O2 facilitates kinetics of oxide film growth on AA 5052 at 25° and 60 °C which is indicative of formation of a thick barrier film that leads to an increment in the charge transfer resistance. Pitting incubation time increases by introduction of H₂O₂ accompanied by lower pitting and smoother surface morphologies. At short exposure (up to 8 h) to H₂O₂–containing solution, the inductive response at low frequencies predominantly determined the corrosion mechanism of AA5052. On the other hand, at prolonged exposure times (more than 24 h) to 0.25M Na₂SO₄+1vol% H₂O₂ solution, thicker oxide layers resulted in the mixed inductive–Warburg elements in the spectra.     

Solution combustion synthesis of cerium oxide nanoparticles as corrosion inhibitor

In this study, combustion synthesis of cerium oxide nanoparticles was reported using cerium nitrate hexahydrate as starting material as well as urea, glycine, glucose, and citric acid as fuels. The influence of fuel type on structure, microstructure, band gap, and corrosion inhibition was investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns and scanning electron microscopy micrographs showed that CeO₂ nanoparticles with different morphologies were obtained depending on the fuel type. Microstructural changes from unreacted gel to sponge-like morphologies were resulted by varying the fuel type from urea, glycine, and glucose to citric acid. In addition to Ce–O bonds, Fourier transform infrared analysis showed carbon bonds of carbonaceous compositions from incomplete combustion which were declined during combustion reaction. Furthermore, corrosion analyses showed that samples synthesized using urea fuel released the most Ce⁺⁴ ions and could have better protection than other samples.     

Author Index,Volume 8 (2002)

Authors Index

Author Index, Volume 8 (2002)