Showing papers in "Science China-technological Sciences in 2003"

Creating and destroying vacancies in solids and nonequilibrium grain boundary segregation

Abstract: How the vacancies in excess of equilibrium concentration are created and destroyed in solids is crucial for understanding many of their physical characteristics and processes. Grain boundaries are known as sources and sinks for bulk vacancies, but what exchange will occur between the grain boundary and the bulk under a stress is still obscure. In the present paper, we show that grain boundaries will work as sources to emit vacancies when a compressive stress is exerted on them and as sinks to absorb vacancies when a tensile stress is exerted. This is the sixth method of introducing and annihilating vacancies in solids in addition to the five methods mentioned in literature. At the same time, this physical process will produce solute nonequilibrium grain-boundary segregation/dilution. A set of kinetic equations is established to describe such a physical process. Additionally an attempt has been made to simulate Misra’s experimental data with the kinetic equations to justify the physical process.

Constructs of highly effective heat transport paths by bionic optimization

Abstract: The optimization approach based on the biological evolution principle is used to construct the heat transport paths for volume-to-point problem. The transport paths are constructed by inserting high conductivity materials in the heat conduction domain where uniform or nonuniform heat sources exist. In the bionic optimization process, the optimal constructs of the high conductivity material are obtained by numerically simulating the evolution and degeneration process according to the uniformity principle of the temperature gradient. Finally, preserving the features of the optimal constructs, the constructs are regularized for the convenience of engineering manu|facture. The results show that the construct obtained by bionic optimization is approximate to that obtained by the tree-network constructal theory when the heat conduction is enhanced for the domain with a uniform heat source and high conductivity ratio of the inserting material to the substrate, the high conductivity materials are mainly concentrated on the heat outlet for the case with a uniform heat source and low thermal conductivity ratio, and for the case with nonuniform heat sources, the high conductivity material is concentrated in the heat source regions and construacts several highly effective heat transport paths to connect the regions to the outlet.

Fundamental solutions for transversely isotropic magneto- electro-elastic media and boundary integral formulation

Abstract: To obtain the fundamental solutions for computation of magneto-electro-elastic media by the boundary element method, the general solutions in the case of distinct eigenvalues are derived and expressed in five harmonic functions from the governing equations and the strict differential operator theorem. On the basis of these general solutions, the fundamental solution of infinite magneto-electro-elastic solid are obtained with the method of trial-and-error. Finally, the boundary integral formulation is derived and the corresponding boundary element method program is implemented to perform two numerical calculations (a column under uni-axial tension, uniform electric displacement or uniform magnetic induction, an annular plate simply-supported on outer and inner surfaces under axial loads). The numerical results agree well with the analytical ones.

A physical model of asymmetric vortices flow structure in regular state over slender body at high angle of attack

Abstract: In subcritical Reyolds number flow region, the repeatable and determinate asymmetric vortices flow at regular state can be obtained by manually setting mini-perturbation on the nose of a pointed ogive-cylinder model at high angle of attack and zero side slip. Test results of this study involve surface pressure distributions, sectional-side-force distributions and flow visualizations. The analyses of these results revealed a complicated multi-vortices system at regular state in which asymmetric twin vortices with inception region and fully developed region, asymmetric triple vortices, four vortices region, five vortices region and Karman-vortex-street-like flow region are developed along the slender body. The correlation between multi-vortices system structures and corresponding sectional-side-force distribution is given. The behaviors of multi-vortices flow structure at the peculiar points of sectional-side-force distributions and characteristics of corresponding pressure distribution are analysed. Finally, a physical model of asymmetric multi-vortices flow structure in regular state over slender body is developed.

Pore structure of new composite adsorbent SiO2 . xH2O . yCaCl2 with high uptake of water from air

Abstract: A new composite adsorbent SiO 2 · x H 2 O· y CaCl 2 which is composed of macro-porous silica gel and calcium chloride is introduced. In order to analyze its adsorption theory, adsorption and desorption isotherms, BET surface areas, pore volumes and average pore diameters of macro-porous silica gel and four composite adsorbent samples with different CaCl 2 content are measured using SEM and Asap2010 apparatus. From the adsorption isotherms, desorption isotherms and lag loops, it can be deduced that the main pore structure in macro-porous silica gel and the new composite adsorbent have two shapes: taper with one top open and taper or hyperbolic taper with both ends open. Based on the analysis of pore diameter distribution and lag loop, a sketch map showing calcium chloride filled in pore of macro-porous silica gel is presented. The adsorption isotherms at 25℃ are measured. Experimental results show that the new composite adsorbent can adsorb more water than common adsorbents (macro-porous silica gel, micro-porous silica gel and synthetic zeolite 13X). In the light of the results of pore structure, adsorption isotherms and lyolysis phenomenon are analyzed.

Columnar to equiaxed transition during alloy solidification

Abstract: Considering the local linear superposition of the species and combining the calculation of phase diagram, the columnar and equiaxed growth behaviours are investigated systematically during solidification of multicomponent alloys. A theoretical model is developed to describe the columnar to equiaxed transition during multicomponent alloy solidification by taking account of the competition between nucleation and growth ahead of a dendrite array, which shows a good agreement with the experimental results.

Implementing wavelet transform with SAW elements

Abstract: In the design of the finger-overlap envelope according to the envelope of wavelet function, it is concluded that the pulse-response function of the interdigital transducer (IDT) for surface acoustic wave (SAW) is identical to the wavelet function. SAW type of the wavelet-transform element is manufactured. A new method of using two wavelet-transform elements to manufacture the reconstruction element of the wavelet transform is proposed. The sources of the element error are analyzed, and the methods for reducing the error are put forward. SAW type of the wavelet transformation element and its reconstruction element have the following three characteristics: (i) the implementing methods of the wavelet transform element and its reconstruction element are simple, and free of complicated mathematical algorithms of the wavelet, transform; (ii) because one of SAW element is fast, the response velocities of SAW type of the wavelet transform element and its reconstruction element are also fast; (iii) the costs of the wavelet transform element and its reconstruction element are low, so the elements may be manufactured in a large quantity.

Metallization of bacteria cells

Abstract: Bacteria cells with different standard shapes are well suited for use as templates for the fabrication of magnetic and electrically conductive microstructures. In this paper, metallization of bacteria cells is demonstrated by an electroless deposition technique of nickel-phosphorus initiated by colloid palladium-tin catalyst on the surfaces of Citeromyces matritensis and Bacillus cereus. The activated and metallized bacteria cells have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). Results showed that both Citeromyces matritensis and Bacillus cereus had no deformation in shape after metallization; the metallized films deposited on the surfaces of bacteria cells are homogeneous in thickness and noncrystalline in phase structure. The kinetics of colloid palladium-tin solution and electroless plating on bacteria cells is discussed.

Dynamic wetting and stress singularity on contact line

Abstract: A theoretical investigation is conducted to understand the contact line movement and associated contact angle phenomena. Contact line is supposed to move on a thin precursor film, and contact line has a velocity and is subject to viscous stress on the film or geometrically on the solid surface. With the introduction of a characteristic parameter, δ′, the movement of contact line and contact angle phenomena are very well described in both physics and mathematics. The viscous shearing stress exerted by liquid on solid surface was derived, and the behavior of dynamic contact angle was recognized on rough solid surfaces. The analyses indicate that characteristic parameter δ′ is dependent upon solid wall intrinsic property and mechanical performance, and is irrelevant to liquid property. Theoretical predictions are in good agreement with available experimental data in literature.

Complex method of the plane elasticity in 2D quasicrystal with point group 10 mm tenfold rotational symmetry and holey problems

Abstract: The complex method of the plane elasticity in 2D quasicrystal with point group 10 mm tenfold rotational symmetry is established. First displacement potential function in the quasicrystal is represented by four analytic functions. Then by utilizing the properties of analytic function and through a great deal of derivation, the complex representations of stresses and displacements components of phonon fields and phason fields in the quasicrystal are given, which are the theoretical foundation for this method. From this theory, and by the help of conformal transformations in the theory of complex function, the problems of elliptic hole in the quasicrystal are solved. Its special cases are the solutions of well-known crack problem. Meanwhile, the results show that even if under the self-counterbalance force in the quasicrystal plane with elliptic hole, the stress components of phonon fields are also related to material constants of the quasicrystal when the phonon fields and phason fields are coupled, which is another distinctive difference from the properties of classical elastic theory. Besides, the present work is generalization and application of the complex method in the classical elastic theory established by Muskhelishvili to 2D quasicrystal. As in the classical elastic theory, if only conformal transformation from the quasicrystal plane to unit circle is found, any holey and crack problem in the quasicrystal plane could be solved.

Similarity of ideal gas flow at different scales

Abstract: The similarity of ideal gas flow at different scales is investigated analytically and numerically. With the compressible and rarefied effects considered, two dimensionless parameters, Mach number and Knudsen number, are proposed as the similarity criterions, because the Reynolds number can be expressed by the Mach number and the Knudsen number of ideal gases. A DSMC method is used to simulate flows at different scales with the same Ma and Kn, including subsonic channel flows and the supersonic flows over a hot plate. Comparisons between the results of different scales show that the normalized fields of macroscopic quantities are the same. This confirms the similarity. Especially, the results indicate that the micro flow are similar to the rarefied flow of ideal gas, which suggests that many transformations are available from the existing rarefied flow results to the micro flow.

Kinematic calibration of a class of parallel kinematic machines(PKM) with fewer than six degrees of freedom

Abstract: By taking a 3-DOF translational milling machine as an example, this paper investigates the kinematic calibration of PKM systems with fewer than 6-DOF. The error mapping function is formulated in such a way that the geometric errors affecting the compensatable and uncompensatable pose errors can be separated. Based upon the previous investigation, a hierarchical approach to the geometric error identification is proposed. The compensation strategy is developed which is particularly suitable for the PKM systems with translational moving capability. The experiment has been carried out to verify the effectiveness of the proposed approach and the results show that the accuracy can be significantly improved.

Bubble-sweeping mechanisms

Abstract: A series of subcooled boiling experiments was conducted on very small platinum wires having diameters of 0.1 and 0.025 mm. Vapor bubbles were visually observed to sweep back and forth along the wires in the experiments. The dynamic characteristics of bubble-sweeping phenomenon are described, and the induced bubble interaction and nonlinear growth are investigated to understand the boiling heat transfer mechanisms. An unsymmetrical temperature model is proposed to explain the physical mechanism.

Linear feature detection based on ridgelet

Abstract: Linear feature detection is very important in image processing. The detection efficiency will directly affect the perfomance of pattern recognition and pattern classification. Based on the idea of ridgelet, this paper presents a new discrete localized ridgelet transform and a new method for detecting linear feature in anisotropic images. Experimental results prove the efficiency of the proposed method.

Characterization of the ZnO thin film prepared by single source chemical vapor deposition under low vacuum condition

Abstract: A novel technique is developed for growing high quality ZnO thin films by means of single source chemical vapor deposition (SS CVD) under low vacuum conditions with the precursor of zinc carbamate Zn4O(CO2Net2)6. SEM, AFM and XRD studies show that the resultant thin films have high density, smooth surface, uniform polycrystalline structure and excellent c-axis orientation. XPS investigation indicates that the ZnO films are free of decomposed precursor residues in the bulk. Careful quantitative XPS analysis reveals that the ZnO films are stoichiometric with O/Zn atomic ratio very close to that of ZnO single crystal.

Oxidation behavior of CNTs and the electric double layer capacitor made of the CNT electrodes

Abstract: The effect of CO2 oxidized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on the performance of electric double layer capacitors (EDLCs) was studied. CO2 oxidation increased the specific area and improved the dispersity of CNTs. Specific capacitance of the polarizable electrodes in EDLCs based on the oxidized CNTs were obviously improved and the maximum specific capacitance of 47 F/g was obtained. CO2 oxidizing CNTs is hence an effective way to improve the performances of EDLCs based on the CNT electrodes.

Reliability analysis of multi-degree-of-freedom nonlinear random structure vibration systems with correlation failure modes

Abstract: Based on the generalized probabilistic finite element method, this paper presents an approximate solution technique for general multi-degree-of-freedom nonlinear random vibration systems with random parameters. The fourth-moment technique, maximum entropy theory and incomplete probability information theory are employed to systematically develop a reliability analysis method for dynamic random structural systems with correlation failure modes under unavailable joint probability density functions of basic random variables. The first passage problem of multi-degree-of-freedom nonlinear random vibration systems is solved.

Convective heat transfer enhancement of laminar flow of latent functionally thermal fluid in a circular tube with constant heat flux: internal heat source model and its application

Abstract: This paper analyzes the convective heat transfer enhancement mechanism of latent heat functionally thermal fluid. By using the proposed internal heat source model, the influence of each factor affecting the heat transfer enhancement of laminar flow in a circular tube with constant heat flux is analyzed. The main influencing factors and the mechanisms of heat transfer enhancement are clarified, and the influences of the main factors on the heat transfer enhancement are quantitatively analyzed. A modified Nusselt number for internal flow is introduced to describe more effectively the degree of heat transfer enhancement for latent functionally thermal fluid.

Model and numerical analysis of 3D corrosion layer of reinforced concrete structure

Abstract: Under the assumption that the corrosion at the end of steel bolt or steel bar is shaped like the contour line of ellipsoid, a mathematic model and formulas of calculating the thickness of corrosion layer at arbitrary point are presented in this paper. Then regarding the arbitrary points of 3D corrosion layer as patch element model of fictitious displacement discontinuity, we propose the basic solution of 3D problem of the patch element acting on discontinuous displacement. With three basic assumptions of the corrosion layer, we set up the 3D numerical discreted model, and derive the stress boundary equation for fictitious corrosion layer of 3D numerical analysis. We also make the numerical stimulating calculation of the shotcrete structure at some lane using 3D finite element method. The results show that this method is effective and reasonable.

Theoretical and experimental study on surface tension and dynamic surface tension of aqueous lithium bromide and water with additive

Abstract: The surface tensions of water and aqueous lithium bromide (LiBr) with 2-ethyl-1-hexanol (2EH) and 1-octanol were measured using Wilhelmy plate method, and the oscillation of surface tension under the open condition for LiBr solution was observed. The dynamic surface tensions of water and LiBr solution in the presence of the 2EH and 1-octanol vapor were measured in this paper. The results showed that the additives vapor could obviously affect surface tension. For water, the dynamic surface tension was also affected by the mass of the tested liquid; however, for LiBr solution, the dynamic surface tension was not related to the mass of the tested solution. According to the experimental results, the hypothesis that surface tension varies linearly with the surface excess concentration is advanced, which could overcome the limit of Gibbs equation. The equations of surface absorption and desorption are modified, the units of the adsorption coefficient and desorption coefficient are unified; the effects of the liquid and vapor of additive on the surface tension are unified; the theoretical relations of the static surface tension and dynamic surface tension with the relative contents of the liquid and vapor of additive are obtained under the combined actions of them; the theoretical equations are validated by the experiments results.

Synthesis process and growth mechanism of γ′-Fe4N nanoparticles by phase-transformation

Abstract: Multiphase Fe/N nanoparticles were synthesized by means of chemical vapor reaction, the influence of the preparing parameters on the properties of particles was studied carefully during the first nitriding process. The optimum process was determined. Single phase γ ′-Fe 4 N was prepared by twice-nitriding. Multiphase iron-nitride really transforms γ ′-Fe 4 N nanoparticle of single-phase and uniform. Moreover, the mechanism of nanoparticle nucleation and growth, including phase-transformation, was revealed. In addition, the mircograph, particle size, physical phases, schemical constituents and magnetic properties before and after phase-transformation were characterized initially.

The Kantorovich macro-or-mesoscopic refined solution for the heterogeneous functionally gradient material complex structure

Abstract: This paper is a piece of research on the complex structure of functionally gradient materials, which is an applicable triangular cantilever plate structure locally fixed and supported by its round revolving axis. Combined with the generalized Euler equation and the generalized boundary conditions, Kantorovich method and the principle of the two independent variables generalized calculus of variations are adopted to establish the bending governing equation of plates to work out the solution. In comparison with the previous work on the problem, this paper, taking into account three generalized mechanical factors and FGM macro-or-mesoscopic heterogeneity, proposes a new concept of translating the issue of theoretical initial value into the problem of semi-analytical boundary value to obtain the refined solution and then researches the joint effect of grads stress fields. Thereby a refined version of Kantorovich macro-or-mesoscopic solution is developed.

Simulation of multi-scale heterogeneity of porous media and parameter sensitivity analysis

Abstract: Because of the inherent multi-scale heterogeneity of porous media and the limitation of single-subject observed data, we propose to combine deterministic and stochastic techniques to simulate heterogeneity. We select a coastal plain sediment system as an example to demonstrate and verify this approach. Firstly, we apply transition probability matrix to determine and delineate the nonstationary unconformity, and combine hydro-stratigraphy analyses to establish the field/large-scale, deterministic stratigraphy model. Secondly, we apply fence diagrams and CPT data to infer the horizontal mean length of hydrofacies, and then build Markov chain models for each depositional system and simulate the local/intermediate-scale, stochastic hydrofacies model. Finally, we combine the stratigraphy and hydrofacies models to get a multi-scale heterogeneous model embedded with quantitative and qualitative observed data, with both deterministic and stochastic characteristics. In order to study the influence of uncertainty in model parameters on solute transport, we build multiple realizations of two types of heterogeneous model and use them to simulate groundwater flow and solute transport. The parameter sensitivity analysis shows the 1st and 2nd spatial moments of the contaminant plume increase with the lateral average length of hydrofacies.

An introduction to computational crystallography: the relationship between aluminum-based spinel structures and their morphologies

Abstract: The computational crystallography is proposed. Its basic concept and research method are systematically introduced, with aluminum-based spinel (ABS) as an example, through (i) selecting basic crystal structural unit, (ii) determining the mathematical expression of crystal structure, (iii) computing the stability energy of growth unit and finding out which is (are) favorable one(s), and (iv) describing the formation process of crystal morphology. The morphology of ABS deduced from the computation is in excellent agreement with that from hydrothermal experiments.

Modeling of CVI process in fabrication of carbon/carbon composites by an artificial neural network

Abstract: The chemical vapor infiltration(CVI) process in fabrication of carbon-carbon composites is very complex and highly inefficient, which adds considerably to the cost of fabrication and limits the application of the material. This paper tries to use a supervised artificial neural network(ANN) to model the nonlinear relationship between parameters of isothermal CVI(ICVI) processes and physical properties of C/C composites. A model for preprocessing dataset and selecting its topology is developed using the Levenberg-Marquardt training algorithm and trained with comprehensive dataset of tubal C/C components collected from experimental data and abundant simulated data obtained by the finite element method. A basic repository on the domain knowledge of CVI processes is established via sufficient data mining by the network. With the help of the repository stored in the trained network, not only the time-dependent effects of parameters in CVI processes but also their coupling effects can be analyzed and predicted. The results show that the ANN system is effective and successful for optimizing CVI processes in fabrication of C/C composites.

Influence of growth pressure of a GaN buffer layer on the properties of MOCVD GaN

Abstract: The influence of growth pressure of GaN buffer layer on the properties of MOCVD GaN on alpha-Al2O3 has been investigated with the aid of a home-made in situ laser reflectometry measurement system. The results obtained with in situ measurements and scanning electron microscope show that with the increase in deposition pressure of buffer layer, the nuclei increase in size, which roughens the surface, and delays the coalescence of GaN nuclei. The optical and crystalline quality of GaN epilayer was improved when buffer layer was deposited at high pressure.

An algorithm for calculating fresh air age in central ventilation system

Abstract: Fresh air age is an important index to evaluate indoor environment. The conventional method for measuring or calculating fresh air age is only suitable for simple ventilation systems and not for central ventilation systems. In this paper, an algorithm for calculating fresh air age in central ventilation system is presented, which is based on the analysis of air flow in duct and air mixing. An example is given to illustrate the algorithm. The fresh air age in every ventilated room and duct can be acquired after all rooms and duct are directly calculated in turn without iteration. The algorithm is suitable for different central ventilation systems.

Micro-pleating in carbon-carbon composites under a cyclic load

Abstract: The mechanical behavior of three-dimensional integral braided carbon-carbon composites (C/C) has been explored under uncoventional fatigue loading, and a series of special experimental phenomena were observed. In this present paper, one of these phenomena, the micro silk-like pleating of the pyrocarbon matrix, is discussed. With thermodynamic analysis, it is shown that small areas of high-temperature contribute to the micro-pleating formation. Moreover, slight friction between pyrocarbon laminates has been proven to produce the small high-temperature areas during cyclic tensile loading.

Chemical short-range order domain in bulk amorphous alloy and the prediction of glass forming ability

Abstract: Short-range order domains of face central cubic Zr 2 Ni (F-Zr 2 Ni) and tetragonal Zr 2 Ni (T-Zr 2 Ni) type structure with a size about 1—3 nanometers were observed in bulk amorphous Zr 52.5 Cu 17.9 Ni 14.6 Al 10 Ti 5 alloy by using HREM and nano-beam electron diffraction technique. A new thermodynamic model was formulated based on the concept of chemical short-range order (SCRO). The molar fractions of CSRO and thermodynamic properties in Ni-Zr, Cu-Zr, Al-Zr, Al-Ni, Zr-Ni-Al and Zr-Ni-Cu were calculated. According to the principle of maximum Δ G CSRO , the optimum glass forming ability (GFA) compositions were predicted in binary and ternary alloys. These results were proved to be valid by the experimental data of crystallizing activation energy, Δ T x and XRD patterns. The TTT curves of Zr-Ni-Cu alloys calculated based on CSRO model shows that the lowest critical cooling rate GFA is in the order of 100 K/s, which is close to the practical cooling rate for the preparation of Zr-based BMG alloys.

A novel two-layer compact electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) structure and its applications in microwave circuits

Abstract: This paper presents a novel two-layer electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) structure. The studies on the characteristics of the cell are carried out numerically and experimentally. A lumped-LC equivalent circuit extracted from the numerical simulation is used to model the bandgap characteristics of the proposed EBG structure. The influences of geometric parameters on the operation frequency and equivalent LC parameters are discussed. A meander line high performance bandstop filter and a notch type duplexer are designed and measured. These EBG structures are shown to have potential applications in microwave and RF systems.