On moving Chaplygin sleigh on a convex surface

We study the problem of moving Chaplygin sleigh along an arbitrary surface. Motion equations for the sleigh are represented as Appel equations. We consider the case when the sleigh moves along a surface of rotation, in particular, along a plane, sphere, and cylinder. We show several cases when the sleigh’s motion equations can be fully integrated.     

Development of Saturable Absorbers for Laser Passive Q‐Switching near 1.5 μm Based on Transparent Ceramic Co2+:MgAl2O4

We describe the development of a reasonable cost Co²⁺:MgAl₂O₄ transparent ceramic plates fabrication technology that allows the producing of parts functioning as passive laser Q‐switches in the 1.3–1.7 μm domain. The main relevant material characteristics were measured. The absorption band, positioned between 1.2 and 1.7 μm, is typical of the ⁴A₂ (⁴F) → ⁴T₁ (⁴F) transition of Co²⁺ substituting Mg²⁺ ions in their T_d symmetry sites. The measured ground‐state absorption cross section σ_gs = 2.9 × 10^?19 cm², saturation contrast γ = 0.12, and depleted ground‐state recovery time τ₂ = 110–430 ns render such parts suitable for the intended application. The radiative lifetime was estimated as . The spin‐orbit splitting constant was estimated as ξ_SL??150 cm^?1 for the ⁴F parent ground state, and ξ_SL ? –575 cm^?1 for the ⁴P parent excited state. Obtained specimens had a transmission of ~80% (t = 2 mm, λ = 600 nm) and included some opaque, white spots. Further improvement of host optical transmission and resistance to laser damage are necessary.     

Modeling of industrial accidents with liquefied toxic and flammable gases

Modeling of industrial accidents with liquefied toxic and flammable gases is considered. Propagation of nonreacting heavy gas clouds over complex terrains is described by a two-dimensional model with averaging over the cloud height. A numerical simulation of a toxic accident initiated by the release of chlorine in the urban environment has been performed and the number of injured people has been computed. A two-dimensional axisymmetric model based on the Favre-averaged Navier-Stokes equations is used to model the fireballs occurring upon combustion of hydrocarbon fuel-air clouds. Zones of various thermal hazards for people have been obtained.     

Kinetic mechanism of propane ignition and combustion in air

A detailed kinetic model of propane ignition and combustion in air is developed. The model includes 599 reactions with 92 species and involves both the high-temperature and low-temperature mechanisms of oxidation. The model is tested against experimental data on the ignition delay time, on propane conversion during low-temperature oxidation, on changes in species concentrations during propane pyrolysis, and on laminar flame propagation velocity. The model is tested in wide ranges of the initial temperature T ₀ = 680–1900 K, pressure p ₀ = 0.17–30 atm, and fuel-air equivalence ratio ϕ = 0.13–2.     

Experimental investigations of a breadboard model of Hall thruster

Various breadboard models of Hall thrusters are analyzed with a view to optimizing the output parameters which characterize the degree of processing of the working medium and the energy efficiency of the device. It is demonstrated that the channel geometry with the magnetic field uniform along the channel affects only slightly the efficiency of acceleration of ion flow. In a number of working modes, the formation of accelerated ion flow is accompanied by the emergence of pulsations of discharge current, this leading to destructive processes of acceleration and formation of ion flow. The development of a breadboard model with a nonuniform magnetic field along the channel significantly decreasing in the direction of anode with cylindrical space makes possible the elimination of discharge current pulsations in a wide range of parameters. The increase in the density of the flow of working medium by a factor of 1.7 results in a 30% increase in the energy efficiency and provides for the working medium utilization factor of the order of 1.2.