Radiation pattern computation of a spherical lens using Mie series

The radiation pattern of a sphericai layered dielectric lens is computed using eigenfunction expansions. The method is an adaptation of the well-known classical solution for plane wave scattering from a layered sphere but uses the less well-known vector addition theorem for spherical wave functions to represent the off-center sources. The usefulness of this formulation is that the solution is analytical and "exact," and is an efficient tool for investigating spherical lens radiation properties. The method is illustrated for a typical Luneburg lens.     

Space-time integral equation approach to dielectric targets

A time-domain integral equation technique is presented for computing the response of arbitrarily shaped three-dimensional nondispersive homogeneous dielectric solids. The method is an extension of the previously reported space-time integral equation (STIE) approach to scattering from conducting solids. It consists of the simultaneous solution of four integral equations by a procedure of marching in time. The incident pulse-width is of the order of a target dimension. The result is a "smoothed impulse response," or, after deconvolution, a frequency response valid from dc through the resonance region. While applicable to arbitrary shapes, the numerical solution was implemented for smooth solids with plane symmetry. Results for a sphere and a sphere-capped cylinder are given and verified, respectively, by comparison with the Mie series solution and with measurements.     

Development and validation of a computational model for design analysis of a novel marine turbine

The vast tidal and wave energy resources represent a potential to use marine energy systems to supply part of the global energy demand. However, there are many advances required to develop economic and reliable marine energy systems, which some of these advances can be achieved by using the existing knowledge and experience from offshore and wind energy industry. This research presents a novel marine energy system that integrates the concept of a vertical and horizontal axis wind turbines by combining a Darrieus and Wells type rotor. However, many other different concepts have been proposed, but models that account for hydrodynamic, structure and control are needed to determine their technical and economical feasibility. With the use of the double‐multiple streamtube theory, a hydrodynamic model is developed to predict the performance and the loads on the turbine blades coupled with a finite element model to compute strains and stresses. To validate the model, we used strain data from field measurement of the demo prototype. The validated model was used to compute extreme stresses and calculate the fatigue life. The model gives reliable estimates of stresses and fatigue life. With this result, the design analysis of the turbine blades can be optimized for any site condition and expected life time. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Influence of molecular weight distribution on the elasticity and processing properties of polypropylene melts

In a study of the flow behavior of polymer melts a semi-empirical viscometric equation has been used which contains an elasticity parameter relating the shear dependence of the viscosity to the normal-stress effect. The way in which both these effects are influenced by the molecular weight distribution of the polymers investigated is shown, and the influence of melt elasticity on polymer processing behavior is discussed. From previously published viscosity data the elasticity parameter has been determined for a number of polypropylene grades, and the possibility of classifying these grades according to a characteristic time constant is indicated.