Rapid and Accurate Contact Determination between Spline Models using ShellTrees

In this paper, we present an efficient algorithm for contact determination between spline models. We make use of a new hierarchy, called ShellTree , that comprises of spherical shells and oriented bounding boxes. Each spherical shell corresponds to a portion of the volume between two concentric spheres. Given large spline models, our algorithm decomposes each surface into Bézier patches as part of pre-processing. At runtime it dynamically computes a tight fitting axis-aligned bounding box across each Bézier patch and efficiently checks all such boxes for overlap. Using off-line and on-line techniques for tree construction, our algorithm computes ShellTrees for Bézier patches and performs fast overlap tests between them to detect collisions. The overall approach can trade off runtime performance for reduced memory requirements. We have implemented the algorithm and tested it on large models, each composed of hundred of patches. Its performance varies with the configurations of the objects. For many complex models composed of hundreds of patches, it can accurately compute the contacts in a few milliseconds.     

Parametric sensitivity study of operating and design variables in wellbore heat exchangers

A numerical study was conducted to evaluate the potential for using Wellbore Heat Exchangers (WBHX) to extract heat for use in electricity generation. Variables studied included operational parameters such as wellbore geometries, working fluid properties, circulation rates, and regional properties including basal heat flux and formation rock type. Energy extraction is strongly affected by fluid residence time, heat transfer contact area, and formation thermal properties. Water appears to be the most appropriate working fluid. The effects of tubing properties and casing lengths are of second-order.On the basis of a sensitivity study, a Best Case model was simulated, and results compared against the geothermal fluid requirements of existing power generation plants that use low-temperature geothermal fluids. Even assuming ideal work conversion to electricity, a WBHX cannot supply sufficient energy to generate 200 kWe at the onset of pseudo-steady-state (PSS) conditions. Using realistic conversion efficiencies it is unlikely that the system would be able to generate 50 kWe at the onset of PSS.     

Investigation of Subthreshold Characteristics of Negative Capacitance Single-Active Layer Double-Gate (NC-SALDG) Thin-Film Transistor (TFT)

Silicon - In this paper, for the first time, the performance evaluation of negative capacitance single-active layer double-gate (NC-SALDG) TFT is presented. In the proposed NC-SALDG TFT, amorphous...     

The Couette flow of a conducting Jeffrey fluid when the walls are lined with deformable porous material

The paper deals with the flow, past a deformable porous channel bounded by finite deformable porous layer with moving rigid parallel plates. Transverse magnetic field is also applied and incorporated in the momentum equation. The coupled nonlinear equations are transformed to ordinary differential equations (ODEs) with suitable choice of similarity transformation. Further, these sets of nonlinear ODEs are solved analytically and are used to get results for the flow phenomena. The effects of the porous layer thickness and the drag on the flow phenomena are discussed graphically. It is observed that rigid velocity decreases with increasing in the drag, whereas the decrease in the deformable is noted. It is clear to see that the retards in solid displacement are shown with enhancing viscosity parameter η.     

Polyaniline–13X zeolite composite‐supported platinum electrocatalysts for direct methanol fuel cell applications

We successfully synthesized 13X zeolite using a hydrothermal method. Then, composites of polyaniline (PANI) with 13X zeolite and PANI–13X with platinum were prepared by chemical oxidative polymerization and chemical reduction, respectively. Field emission scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller techniques were used to characterize the PANI–Pt and PANI–Pt–13X composites. Further, the electrocatalytic activity towards methanol oxidation of the synthesized catalysts was explored using cyclic voltammetry in 1 mol L^?1 CH₃OH + 0.5 mol L^?1 H₂SO₄ solution. From the obtained results, PANI–Pt–13X shows superior performance compared to PANI–Pt towards methanol oxidation and electrical conductivity. Hence, the 13X zeolite‐incorporated PANI–Pt composite could be an efficient catalyst for direct methanol fuel cell applications. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis,characterization and corrosion protection properties of poly(N-vinyl carbazole-co-glycidyl methacrylate) coatings on low nickel stainless steel

Methacrylate based copolymers are considered as one of the best organic coating materials for anticorrosive application. Poly(N-vinyl carbazole-co-glycidyl methacrylate) have been synthesized by free radical solution polymerization technique from different mole ratios of N-vinyl carbazole (N-Vc) and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR). Thermal analyses of the poly(N-Vc-co-GMA) were performed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The number average molecular weight (M_n) of different compositions of the same was determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The corrosion performances of low nickel stainless steel specimens coated with different composition of copolymers were investigated in 1 M H₂SO₄ using potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopic (EIS) method, scanning electron microscopic (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX). Poly(N-Vc-co-GMA) have been provided in order to achieve adherent, low permeability to aggressive ions as well as environmentally favored good anticorrosive coating. Electrochemical corrosion test and surface analysis results clearly showed that poly(N-Vc-co-GMA) coatings served as a stable host matrix on low nickel stainless steel against corrosion. It was also observed that the coatings of poly(N-Vc-co-GMA) with equal mole ratio of N-Vc and GMA exhibited the best corrosion resistance among all combinations.     

Turmeric nanofiber-encapsulated natural product formulation act as a phytogenic feed additive—A study in broilers on growth performance,biochemical indices of blood,and E. coli in cecum

A phytogenic feed additive (PFA) formulation was prepared with bioactive molecules—curcuminoids, gingerol, and carvacrol by encapsulating in nanofiber isolated from turmeric spent (turmeric nanofiber, TNF). This formulation was completely characterized by scanning electron microscope, ultra performance liquid chromatography, and gas chromatography and evaluated for its efficacy. PFA-encapsulated TNF (PFA@TNF) considerably increased mean body weight, decreased cholesterol level, mortality rate, and reduced Escherichia coli content of broilers than antibiotic growth promoter (AGP). The depth of crypts in the ileum of broilers was considerably reduced by the inclusion of PFA@TNF in diets compared with the AGP.     

Synthesis, characterization, and electrochemical evaluation of anti-corrosive performance of poly((N-methacryloyloxymethyl) benzotriazole-co-N-vinylpyrrolidone) coatings

Poly((N-methacryloyloxymethyl)benzotriazole-co-N-vinylpyrrolidone) was synthesized by free radical solution polymerization technique and characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Thermal stability of the synthesized copolymer was analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis. The corrosion performances of low nickel stainless steel specimens coated with different mole ratios of synthesized copolymer were investigated in 1 M H₂SO₄ using potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance method, and chronoamperometric studies. Surface and morphological investigation were also provided in order to characterize the adherence and uniformity of the coatings. Electrochemical corrosion test and surface analysis results were clearly showed that the copolymer-coatings served as a stable host matrix on low nickel stainless steel as environmentally favored good anticorrosive coating.     

Hydroxyapatite coating on selectively passivated and sensitively polymer-protected surgical grade stainless steel

Surgical grade stainless steel (316L SS) is a widely used implant material in orthopedic surgeries. However, the release of metallic ions evidenced from the 316L SS implants in vivo conditions is a big challenge. In order to minimize the release of metallic ions, coating the 316L SS implant with a biocompatible material like hydroxyapatite [HAP, Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂] is one of the suitable methods. In this paper, the hydroxyapatite coating on borate passivated through poly-ortho-phenylenediamine (PoPD)-coated 316L SS by a dip coating method has been reported. The coatings were characterized by electrochemical techniques such as potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. Surface characterization studies of the coatings such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were also carried out. The leach out characteristics of the coatings was determined at the impressed potential. The mechanical property of the coatings was evaluated by Vicker’s microhardness test. The Cr-rich passive film formed underneath the PoPD layer showed a higher protective efficiency. The ability to form apatite on the post-passivated PoPD-coated 316L SS specimen was examined by immersing it in the simulated body fluid. The enhanced corrosion resistivity of the HAP coating on the post-passivated PoPD-coated 316L SS was due to an effective barrier of PoPD followed by the passive film underneath the PoPD.