Static and free vibration analysis of functionally graded plates based on a new quasi-3D and 2D shear deformation theories

In this study, two dimensional (2D) and quasi three-dimensional (quasi-3D) shear deformation theories are presented for static and free vibration analysis of single-layer functionally graded (FG) plates using a new hyperbolic shape function. The material of the plate is inhomogeneous and the material properties assumed to vary continuously in the thickness direction by three different distributions; power-law, exponential and Mori–Tanaka model, in terms of the volume fractions of the constituents. The fundamental governing equations which take into account the effects of both transverse shear and normal stresses are derived through the Hamilton's principle. The closed form solutions are obtained by using Navier technique and then fundamental frequencies are found by solving the results of eigenvalue problems. In-plane stress components have been obtained by the constitutive equations of composite plates. The transverse stress components have been obtained by integrating the three-dimensional stress equilibrium equations in the thickness direction of the plate. The accuracy of the present method is demonstrated by comparisons with the different 2D, 3D and quasi-3D solutions available in the literature.     

Electrocatalytic activity of LaSr3Fe3O10 and LaSr3Fe3O10-GO towards oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline medium

Oxygen reduction reaction(ORR) plays a critical role in many energy conversion and storage processes.Therein, a comparative study of the electrocatalytic activity for ORR in 0.1 mol/L KOH solution was conducted using layered perovskite-like LaSr_3 Fe_3 O_(10) and LaSr3 Fe_3 O_(10)-graphene oxide(GO) composite as electrodes. Linear sweep voltammetry(LSV) results show that the LaSr3 Fe_3 O_(10)-GO hybrid exhibits higher current density, a more positive onset potential(-0.15 V vs. Hg/HgO) in comparison with LaSr_3 Fe_3 O_(10).The value of the overall transferred electrons for both catalysts implies a dominant two electron process for ORR. Both catalysts under alkalic conditions exhibit a two-step Tafel slope, suggesting a change in the reaction mechanism for ORR. The composite electrode exhibits a higher ORR current density, but inferior durability performances in relative to the LaSr_3 Fe_3 O_(10) electrode.     

Mechanical properties of graphene films enhanced by homo-telechelic functionalized polymer fillers via π–π stacking interactions

Most researches on graphene/polymer composites are focusing on improving the mechanical and electrical properties of polymers at low graphene content instead of paying attention to constructing graphene’s macroscopic structures. In current study the homo-telechelic functionalized polyethylene glycols (FPEGs) were tailored with π-orbital-rich groups (namely phenyl, pyrene and di-pyrene) via esterification reactions, which enhanced the interaction between polyethylene glycol (PEG) molecules and chemical reduced graphene oxide (RGO) sheets. The π–π stacking interactions between graphene sheets and π-orbital-rich groups endowed the composite films with enhanced tensile strength and tunable electrical conductivity. The formation of graphene network structure mediated by the FPEGs fillers via π–π stacking non-covalent interactions should account for the experimental results. The experimental investigations were also complemented with theoretical calculation using a density functional theory. Atomic force microscope (AFM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), UV–vis and fluorescence spectroscopy were used to monitor the step-wise preparation of graphene composite films.     

Profiling Voids Embedded in a Slab by a Non-Linear Model

In this paper, by applying a non linear model for the electromagnetic inverse scattering, a technique for the dielectric profiling of a planarly layered medium is investigated and applied to void localization and diagnostics inside a homogeneous lossless slab (one-dimensional geometry). Data are collected under plane wave multifrequency normal incidence. Suitable finite dimensional representations for the unknown functions are introduced and their influence on the model is discussed. The resulting functional equation is solved by the method of weighted residuals and the solution algorithm amounts to minimizing a non quadratic function, where particular attention is devoted to reduce the occurrence of local minima. Finally, the inversion algorithm is validated by applications to both simulated and experimental data.     

Acidity and basicity of hydrotalcite derived mixed Mg-Al oxides studied by test reaction of MBOH conversion and temperature programmed desorption of NH3 and CO2

Mg-Al hydrotalcites intercalated with five different interlayer anions—CO₃²⁻, SO₄²⁻, Cl⁻, HPO₄²⁻ or terephthalate—were synthesized by either the coprecipitation or ion-exchange method. The structure of the as-synthesized samples and the presence of intended anions in the interlayer gallery of hydrotalcites were determined by X-ray diffraction and FTIR spectroscopy. On calcination at 600 °C the materials were transformed into mixed metal oxides. The kind of the counterbalancing anions present in the parent hydrotalcite influences strongly textural parameters of the obtained Mg-Al oxides. Both temperature-programmed desorption of NH₃ and CO₂, and test reaction of 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol (MBOH) conversion were used to determine the acidity and basicity of the samples. The hydrotalcite derived mixed Mg-Al oxides showed the presence of Brønsted and Lewis acid and base sites. However, the strong basic character of the solids caused that acetone and acetylene were observed as the major products of MBOH conversion.     

The reaction of ceria coatings on mica with H2S: An in-situ X-ray diffraction study

Thin layers of ceria were deposited on the surface of mica platelets in solution. The reaction of such particles with hydrogen sulfide yields a red colored special effect pigment. The ceria layer reacts with H₂S to produce a variety of sulfide and oxysulfide phases. The reaction path discovered in situ by time and temperature resolved X-ray diffraction is CeO₂→CeS₂→C-Ce₂S₃→Ce₁₀S₁₄O. The reaction itself is extremely variable depending on gas flow, heating rates and decomposition atmospheres. Effects on the thin film are recorded by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and revealed a destruction of the layer once red Ce₁₀S₁₄O was formed. The product layer then reveals the typical nonwetting behaviour of a liquid on a surface.     

Forced Vertical Vibration of Circular Plate in Multilayered Poroelastic Medium

This paper considers the vertical vibrations of an elastic circular plate in a multilayered poroelastic half space. The plate is subjected to axisymmetric time–harmonic vertical loading and its response is governed by the classical thin-plate theory. The contact surface between the plate and the multilayered half space is assumed to be smooth and either fully permeable or impermeable. The half space under consideration consists of a number of layers with different thicknesses and material properties and is governed by Biot’s poroelastodynamic theory. The vertical displacement of the plate is represented by an admissible function containing a set of generalized coordinates. Contact stress and pore pressure jump are established in terms of generalized coordinates through the solution of flexibility equations based on the influence functions corresponding to vertical and pore pressure loading. Solutions for generalized coordinates are obtained by establishing the equation of motion of the plate through the application of Lagrange’s equations of motion. Selected numerical results are presented to portray the influence of various parameters on dynamic interaction between an elastic plate and a multilayered poroelastic half space.     

Preparation and characterization of organic-inorganic poly(ethylene glycol)/WS2 nanocomposite

Layered nanocomposite PEG/WS₂, intercalating oligomeric poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG6000) into the tungsten disulfide host galleries, was synthesized using the exfoliation-adsorption technique. X-ray diffraction revealed that the intercalated oligomer within the host galleries is in a double-layer arrangement with an interlayer expansion of about 8.8 Å. The optimum conditions were explored to prepare the single-phase product with a composition of Li_0.12(PEG)_1.51WS₂. Thermal analyses suggested that the resulting material shows good thermal stability, with the decomposition of the interacted oligomeric chains within the disulfide galleries occurring at around 258 °C. Despite high conductivity of the host material, those of the PEG/WS₂ nanocomposite were found to be high in the order of 1 × 10⁻² S cm⁻¹ at ambient temperature, resulted from the host guest-host charge transfers.     

Mn-containing catalytic materials for the total combustion of toluene: The role of Mn localisation in the structure of LDH precursor

Mg/Mn/Al mixed oxide systems of similar atomic ratios close to 2/0.5/1 were obtained by calcination of Mg,Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) type precursors containing Mn either in the cationic form within the brucite layer or as permanganate anions in the interlayer. The materials were characterised with PXRD, thermal analysis, XPS, ESR, TPR and BET. In mixed oxides derived from interlayer-doped precursor PXRD identified MgO–MnO solid solution and poorly crystalline Al-rich spinel phase, while those obtained from layer-doped LDH contained a better crystalline Mn-rich spinel. Surface of both materials was covered with poorly crystalline and/or amorphous Mn⁴⁺-containing phases. Higher reducibility of this surface coat in calcined layer-doped catalyst, as compared to interlayer-doped one, was attributed to the differences in the nature of underlying crystalline phases, and was considered the chief reason for the higher catalytic activity of this catalyst in the total oxidation of toluene.     

Signature analysis and defect detection in layered manufacturing of ceramic sensors and actuators

This paper presents the concept of a process signature for the use of online signature analysis and defect detection in the layered manufacturing (LM) of ceramic sensors and actuators. To achieve the high quality of parts built by the fused deposition of ceramics (FDC), an online process-monitoring system is implemented to detect the processing defects. Using a process signature extracted from the image of a layer captured by the monitoring system, an ideal image is created that is then compared to the original image to detect and identify the defects. Some results of signature analysis and defect detection for single-material and multi-material parts are also presented.Received: 22 July 1999, Accepted: 21 October 2001, Published online: 29 October 2003 Correspondence to: Mohsen A. JafariThis work was supported by the Office of Naval Research under grant # N-0014-96-1-1175. Ref. US Patent # S-5738817, April 14, 1998.