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At least 343 records · Page 19

Damage evolution and ductile fracture of commercially-pure titanium sheets subjected to simple tension and cyclic bending under tension

This paper describes a study into the evolution of damage in commercial-purity titanium (CP–Ti) sheets subjected to cyclic bending under tension (CBT) and uniaxial tension (simple tension, ST). Sections were taken from sheets that were strained to various levels under both methods and were imaged using X-ray computed tomography (XCT) to reveal insights into the size, density, and distribution of microvoids in the sheets. Digital image correlation (DIC) was also used to observe the surface strain of CBT and ST sheets during testing. These results showed that elongation to failure (ETF) for CBT deformation is about 2.5× higher than for ST, local longitudinal strains in the bulk of the CBT sample are around 1.3× higher than the peak strain in the ST necked region, and 1.7× higher in the localized region of CBT failure. It was found that the volume-density of voids in both sheets followed a similar exponential increase with strain, reaching nearly 45× higher in the CBT than the ST sheets before the onset of failure, mainly due to the higher strain levels achieved. A higher volume density of voids developed in the center of sheets at high levels of strain, for both processes, with the density in the sheet center becoming approximately double that found near the edges. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine the fracture surface of CBT and ST sheets after failure. The observations are presented and discussed highlighting the CBT process as effective to delay ductile fracture of the CP-Ti sheets.

Commercially pure titanium↗

Coherent intergrowth of simple cubic and quintuple tetragonal perovskites in the system Nd{sub 2−ε}Ba{sub 3+ε}(Fe{sub ,}Co){sub 5}O{sub 15−δ}

Investigation of the Nd{sub 2−ε}Ba{sub 3+ε}(Fe,Co){sub 5}O{sub 15−δ} system, combining X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy, has allowed a tetragonal quintuple ordered perovskite “a{sub p}×a{sub p}×5a{sub p}” phasoid inter-grown within a single cubic perovskite matrix to be evidenced for ε=0. This nanoscale chemically twinned perovskite is compared with other members, Ln=Sm, Eu, Pr. The unusual long range ordering of the layers develops strains due to size mismatch between Ba{sup 2+} and Ln{sup 3+} cations. Importantly, two factors allow the strains to be decreased: (i) special intergrowths of double (LnBaFe{sub 2}O{sub 6−δ}) and triple (LnBa{sub 2}Fe{sub 3}O{sub 9−δ}) perovskite ribbons/layers oriented at 90°, (ii) nanoscale chemical twinning. The spin locking effect of the nano-domain boundaries upon the magnetic properties of these perovskites is discussed. - Graphical abstract: Nd{sub 2}Ba{sub 3}Fe{sub 5}O{sub 14.54} is a tetragonal quintuple perovskite phasoid embedded in a simple cubic perovskite matrix, which shows collinear antiferromagnetic behavior.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Facile synthesis of highly active reduced graphene oxide-CuI catalyst through a simple combustion method for photocatalytic reduction of CO{sub 2} to methanol

We report a facile combustion method synthesis of reduced graphene oxide/CuI composites as a photocatalyst, in which CuI nanoparticles were homogeneously distributed on the surface of reduced graphene oxide (rGO), showing a good visible light response. The rGO-supported and unsupported CuI hybrids were tested over the photocatalytic reduction of CO{sub 2} for methanol evolution in visible light. In the current study rGO-CuI composites have shown excellent yields (19.91 μmol g-cat{sup −1}). rGO provides a light-weight, charge complementary and two-dimensional material that interacts effectively with the CuI nanoparticles. - Graphical abstract: A facile reduced graphene oxide(rGO)/ CuI nanoparticles complexes hybrid material was prepared by a naked flame. This method can be simple and rapid preparation of composite materials which exhibit excellent catalytic performance. It is not only can improve the light absorption but also can be highly efficient reduction of CO{sub 2} to methanol in visible light. So the rGO-CuI composite will find potential applications as catalysts in organic photosynthetic reaction. Display Omitted - Highlights: • Reduced graphene oxide-CuI composites have been prepared by a facile method. • This method can produce reduced graphene oxide from graphene oxide without any reducing agent. • The absorption efficiency of rGO-CuI composites is significantly higher than rGO and CuI.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

A new strategy to design eutectic high-entropy alloys using simple mixture method

Eutectic high entropy alloys (EHEAs) hold promising industrial application potential, but how to design EHEA compositions remains challenging. In the present work, a simple and effective strategy by combining mixing enthalpy and constituent binary eutectic compositions was proposed to design EHEA compositions. This strategy was then applied to a series of (CoCrFeNi)M x (M = Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf) HEAs, leading to the discovery of new EHEAs, namely, CoCrFeNiNb 0.45 , CoCrFeNiTa 0.4 , CoCrFeNiZr 0.55 and CoCrFeNiHf 0.4 . The microstructure of these new EHEAs comprised of FCC and Laves phases in the as-cast state. In conclusion, the experimental result shows that this new alloy design strategy can be used to locate new EHEAs effectively.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Facile preparation of nitrogen-doped porous carbon from waste tobacco by a simple pre-treatment process and their application in electrochemical capacitor and CO{sub 2} capture

Highlights: • A pre-treatment process is used to prepared N-doped carbon from waste biomass. • Waste tobaccos, which are limited for the disposal, are used as the raw materials. • The product shows a specific surface area and nitrogen content. • Its electrochemical performance is better than commercial activated carbon. • Its CO{sub 2} sorption performance is also better than commercial activated carbon. - Abstract: Preparing nitrogen-doped porous carbons directly from waste biomass has received considerable interest for the purpose of realizing the atomic economy. In this study, N-doped porous carbons have been successfully prepared from waste tobaccos (WT) by a simple pre-treatment process. The sample calcinated at 700 °C (WT-700) shows a micro/meso-porous structures with a BET surface area of 1104 m{sup 2} g{sup −1} and a nitrogen content of ca. 19.08 wt.% (EDS). Performance studies demonstrate that WT-700 displays 170 F g{sup −1} electrocapacitivity at a current density of 0.5 A g{sup −1} (in 6 M KOH), and a CO{sub 2} capacity of 3.6 mmol g{sup −1} at 0 °C and 1 bar, and a selectivity of ca. 32 for CO{sub 2} over N{sub 2} at 25 °C. Our studies indicate that it is feasible to prepare N-enriched porous carbons from waste natural crops by a pre-treatment process for potential industrial application.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Simple synthesis of ZnO nanoflowers and its photocatalytic performances toward the photodegradation of metamitron

Highlights: • Fabrication of ZnO nanoflowers assembled from thin and uniform nanosheets. • The material possesses photocatalytic acitivity toward degradation of metamitron. • The catalyst features excellent cycling stability for at least 5 cycle times. • The promising mechanism of photocatalysis of metamitron is also discussed. - Abstract: Large-scale ZnO nanoflowers assembled from numerous thin and uniform nanosheets with a thickness of around 20 nm, were successfully prepared through a facile one-step hydrothermal synthesis route by using zinc acetate, sodium citrate and sodium hydroxide in water solution. The method was simple, green and effective. The obtained ZnO nanoflowers exhibited remarkable photocatalytic acitivity and good cycle stability for the degradation of metamitron under a 300 W of Osram{sup ®} ultra-vitalux lamp light emitting UV and visible radiation over 300–600 nm. UV–vis spectrophotometery was used to measure the rate of photodecomposition of metamitron. The results indicate that about 97% of the metamitron disappeared in the suspension of flower-like ZnO microspheres within four hours, and the degradation efficiency were not changed even after 5 cycle times.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Simple shielding reduces dose to the contralateral breast during prone breast cancer radiotherapy

Our goal was to design a prone breast shield for the contralateral breast and study its efficacy in decreasing scatter radiation to the contralateral breast in a prone breast phantom setup receiving radiation therapy designed for breast cancer. We constructed a prone breast phantom setup consisting of (1) A thermoplastic mask with a left-sided depression created by a water balloon for a breast shape; (2) 2 plastic bags to hold water in the thermoplastic mask depression; (3) 2000 mL of water to fill the thermoplastic mask depression to create a water-based false breast; (4) 1-cm thick bolus placed in the contralateral breast holder; (5) 2 lead (Pb) sheets, each 0.1-cm thick for blocking scatter radiation in the contralateral bolus-based false breast; (6) a prone breast board to hold the thermoplastic mask, water, bolus, and lead; (7) 9 cm solid water on top of the breast board to simulate body; (8) a diode was used to verify dose for each treatment field of the treated water-based breast; (9) metal–oxide–semiconductor-field effect transistor (MOSFET) dosimeters to measure dose to the contralateral bolus-based breast. The phantom prone breast setup was CT simulated and treatment was designed with 95% isodose line covering the treated breast. The maximum dose was 107.1%. Megavoltage (MV) port images ensured accurate setup. Measurements were done using diodes on the treated water-based breast and MOSFET dosimeters at the medial and lateral sides of the contralateral bolus-based breast without and with the Pb shield. Five treatments were done for each of the 3 data sets and recorded individually for statistical purposes. All treatments were completed with 6 MV photons at 200 cGy per treatment. The dose contributions from each of the 3 data sets including 15 treatments total without and with the prone lead shield to the medial and lateral portions of contralateral bolus-based breast were averaged individually. Unshielded dose means were 37.11 and 2.94 cGy, and shielded dose means were 12.68 and 1.54 cGy, respectively. When comparing medial and lateral portions of the contralateral bolus-based doses without and with Pb, the shield significantly reduced dose to both sides of the contralateral breast (medial p = 2.64 × 10{sup −14}, lateral p = 4.91 × 10{sup −6}). The prone 0.2-cm Pb shield significantly reduced scatter dose to the contralateral breast on the order of 2 to 3 times. Reductions may be clinically relevant for women younger than 45 years by decreasing the risk of contralateral radiation-induced breast cancer in patients receiving radiation therapy for breast cancer. This shield is simple as it would be a part of the prone breast board during treatments, but future studies are warranted for safety and efficacy clinically.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗

Synthesis, surface chemistry and pseudocapacitance mechanisms of VN nanocrystals derived by a simple two-step halide approach

Chloroamide precursors generated via a simple two-step ammonolysis reaction of transition metal chloride in the liquid phase at room temperature were heat treated in ammonia at moderate temperature to yield nano-sized VN crystallites. Grain growth inhibited by lowering the synthesis temperature (≈400°C) yielded agglomerated powders of spherical crystallites of cubic phase of VN with particle sizes as small as 6nm in diameter. X-ray diffraction, FTIR, mass spectroscopy (MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy assessed the ammonolysis and nitridation reaction of the VCl 4 -NH 3 system. X-ray Rietveld refinement, the BET technique and high-resolution transmission microscopy (HRTEM), energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) helped assess the crystallographic and microstructural nature of the VN nanocrystals. The surface chemistry and redox reaction leading to the gravimetric pseudo-capacitance value of (≈855 F/g) measured for the VN nanocrystals was determined and validated using FTIR, XPS and cyclic voltammetry analyses.

Choi, Daiwon (ORCID:000000024779742X)↗

BBN-simple: How to bake a universe-sized cake

Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN), the process of creation of lightest elements in the early universe, is a highly robust, precise, and ultimately successful theory that forms one of the three pillars of the standard hot-Big-Bang cosmological model. Existing theoretical treatments of BBN and the associated computer codes are accurate and flexible, but are typically highly technical and opaque, and not suitable for pedagogical understanding of the BBN. Here we present BBN-simple - a from-scratch numerical calculation of the lightest element abundances pitched at an advanced undergraduate or beginning graduate level. We review the physics of the early universe relevant for BBN, provide information about the reaction rates, and discuss computational-mathematics background that is essential in setting up a BBN calculation. Here, we calculate the abundances of the principal nuclear species in a standard cosmological model, and find a reasonably good agreement with public precision-level BBN codes.

Big bang nucleosynthesis↗

γIn-beam angular distribution and linear polarization measurements with GRETINA using a simple energy-ordering approach

Angular distribution and linear polarization measurements are powerful tools for inferring the spins and parities of nuclear levels. In this work, the performance of the Gamma-Ray Energy Tracking In-beam Nuclear Array (GRETINA) as a Compton polarimeter was characterized in a fusion-evaporation reaction experiment using a simple energy-ordering approach for the interaction points assigned in the signal decomposition process. A variety of multipolarities and characters for γ-ray transitions in the reaction products 25 Mg, 25 Na, and 22 Ne, formed from fusion-evaporation of an 18 O beam on a 9 Be target, were examined. The experimental angular distributions and linear polarization asymmetries were consistent with predictions using the theoretical formalism accounting for the Lorentz boost.

Angular distribution↗

Evaluation of RANS vs. LES simulation of fluid flow through 3 × 3 rod bundle with a simple spacer grid as a precursor to coupled fluid–structure interaction simulations

The research literature on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) of coolant flow through rod bundles with spacer-grids and mixing vanes is replete, ranging from high fidelity Large Eddy Simulation (LES)/Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) simulations to Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) modeled studies. The mixing of flow between subchannels and the pressure drop through the bundle are fundamental quantities useful for comparing and evaluating CFD methods. Less commonly observed and compared are the forces exerted onto the structure by the fluid. The present study seeks to evaluate the use of RANS simulations for predicting the structural response to fluid flow. Wall resolved RANS simulations are benchmarked against LES simulations of fluid flow at a Reynolds number of 15,000 through a 3 × 3 fuel rod bundle with a simple spacer grid. Velocity line-plots are compared showing good agreement between RANS and LES results, ascertaining that the former is capable of capturing the essential time-averaged velocity profile. Additionally, the distribution of forces on the spacer grid and fuel rods are collected as a function of time and space. The RANS methods are evaluated using the frequency and magnitude of the fluctuating forces on various portions of the structure as compared to LES. In conclusion, the power spectral density evaluation of the models reveal underprediction of force amplitude on the rod walls by RANS and also discrepancy in the prediction of high frequency spectra, especially in the immediate vicinity of spacer-grid structure, which may be attributed to the lack of random turbulence fluctuation or insufficient modeling of small-scale eddies in RANS simulation.

FIV↗

A simple procedure for construction of the orthonormal basis vectors of irreducible representations of O(5) in the O T ( 3 ) Ⓧ O N ( 2 ) basis

We report a simple and effective algebraic isospin projection procedure for constructing orthonormal basis vectors of irreducible representations of O(5) ⊃ OT(3) Ⓧ O$_\mathscr{N}$ (2) from those in the canonical O(5) ⊃ SU Λ (2) Ⓧ SU I (2) basis is outlined. The expansion coefficients are components of null space vectors of the projection matrix with four nonzero elements in each row in general. Explicit formulae for evaluating O T (3)-reduced matrix elements of O(5) generators are derived.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Simple analytical model for fitting QENS data from liquids

The advent of new generation of neutron spectrometers for quasielastic scattering measurements has demonstrated the need for multi-component (at least two-component) fitting of data collected from liquids. The narrowest component is associated with long-range translational diffusion, whereas the broader component originates from localized center-of-mass motions in the transient cage of the nearest neighbors. Intra-particle dynamics (e.g., of molecular side groups) may give rise to additional components besides the center-of-mass motions. We present a simple analytical model for two-component fits of quasielastic neutron scattering data collected from liquids. Here, the use of such models is optional (albeit helpful) in the traditional approach, where fits are performed sequentially and independently for the data collected at separate Q values, but imperative in the global fitting, where the data are fitted simultaneously at all Q values, which may be necessary to rationalize the data from increasingly complex systems.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

A simple three-component mixing problem for the evaluation of a new reaction rate model

A simple computational mixing problem is presented which can be utilized to assess the behavior of Reynolds-averaged reaction rate models in a problem with temporally varying mixedness. In this problem, three mixing components are homogeneously distributed but initially separated in a triply periodic domain. Further, these components are initialized within a Taylor–Green-like velocity field, which creates a mixing history evolving from the so-called “no-mix limit” to a well-mixed state. Large-eddy simulation results from this problem in configurations involving both premixed and nonpremixed reactants are then compared with zero-dimensional Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes results utilizing a new model for multicomponent reacting mixtures. The new model is shown to appropriately respect the no-mix limit and outperforms an earlier model (Morgan, 2022), particularly at early times when components are near the no-mix limit.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Toward reducing uncertainty quantification costs in DEM models of particulate flow: Testing simple, sensitivity-based, forward uncertainty propagation techniques

The performance of two conceptually-simple uncertainty quantification techniques are tested against the rigorous nested-loop sampling technique of Roy and Oberkampf (Comput Methods Appl Mech Eng, 200: 2131–2144, 2011) (herein called full-sampling) using two very small-scale DEM-based models of particulate flow (one gas-solid flow and one granular flow). The first simplified forward uncertainty propagation technique, reduced-sampling, uses a sensitivity analysis to eliminate uncertain inputs that have little impact on the model output prior to nested-loop sampling. The second technique, boundary-sampling, uses a sensitivity analysis to inform the selection of two bounding cases for each key model output. In conclusion, the uncertainties in the model outputs obtained via the reduced- and boundary-sampling methods agree well with those from full-sampling for both the gas-solid and granular flow models while yielding computational savings of 65–75% (reduced sampling) and 94–97% (boundary sampling).

42 ENGINEERING↗

Climate reconstructions for the Last Glacial Maximum from a simple cirque glacier in Fiordland, New Zealand

Mountain glacier records offer important constraints on the timing and magnitude of climate variability during the last glacial cycle. Existing moraine chronologies from the central Southern Alps indicate maximum ice extent was achieved during marine isotope stages 3–4, followed by repeated advances of similar, but gradually declining extent during marine isotope stage 2, until onset of the glacial termination. Questions remain over the precise role of climate in driving these changes, as most existing moraine chronologies come from large, complex former valley glacier systems, where non-climatic influences such as changing bed topography and proglacial lake formation may have influenced glacier length changes. In this work, we address this problem via a new cosmogenic 10Be chronology and equilibrium line altitude reconstruction from a cirque glacier situated in Fiordland, New Zealand. Our chronology shows moraine deposition at 32 ± 11 ka, 18.7 ± 0.2 ka, 18.1 ± 0.1 ka, and c. 17.2 ± 0.3 ka. The simple geometry of the former glacier supports the role of climate in driving a net decline of regional ice volume during marine isotope stages 3–2. Close spacing and good preservation of the 19–17 ka moraines permits 2D glacier reconstruction which suggests the equilibrium line altitude remained depressed by c.1130 m (equivalent to 5.8 ± 0.6 °C colder than present) during this interval. Onset of warming after 17.2 ± 0.2 ka is consistent with climate proxy evidence for a sustained southward shift in the southern westerly winds, which may have promoted deglaciation via shifting ocean currents and promoting increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Probing activated radioprotection of simple hydrophilic phosphonic acids in aqueous solution

Prior exploration into the radiation chemistry of the ligand octylphenyl-N,N-diisobutylcarbamoylmethyl phosphine oxide (CMPO) and its analogues demonstrated their ability to undergo activated radioprotection in an organic solvent – a feature most advantageous for spent nuclear fuel reprocessing scenarios. This phenomenon was dependent on these organophosphorus compounds forming a sacrificial complex involving extracted nitric acid and the presence of an adjacent phenylphosphine oxide motif in the molecule. However, the hydrophobic nature of these compounds prevented elucidation of which components were essential for activated radioprotection; for example, does the phenylphosphine oxide motif only require protonation, or simply the presence of complexed nitrate anion(s), or both? To begin to address these questions, we report on the effect of dissolved nitrate on the radiation chemistry of a series of simple hydrophilic phosphonic acids (methyl, ethyl, phenyl, and benzyl) in aqueous solution. An extensive suite of gamma irradiations supported by high performance liquid chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance techniques was used to demonstrate that all four compounds were unable to undergo activated radioprotection. While some nitrate protection was observed, this was attributed to changes in the available suite of radiolysis products, and not to the formation of nitrate-phosphonic acid sacrificial complexes. The absence of activated radioprotection and evidence for the formation of a [PhPA•NO 3 -] complex further supports the necessity of complex formation to activate the radioprotection mechanism.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗

A simple model for short-range ordering kinetics in multi-principal element alloys

Short-range ordering (SRO) in multi-principal element alloys influences material properties such as strength and corrosion. While some degree of SRO is expected at equilibrium, predicting the kinetics of its formation is challenging. We present a simplified isothermal concentration-wave (CW) model to estimate an effective relaxation time of SRO formation. Estimates from the CW model agree to within a factor of five with relaxation times obtained from kinetic Monte Carlo (kMC) simulations when above the highest ordering instability temperature. Further, the advantage of the CW model is that it only requires mobility and thermodynamic parameters, which are readily obtained from alloy mobility databases and Metropolis Monte Carlo simulations, respectively. The simple parameterization of the CW model and its analytical nature makes it an attractive tool for the design of processing conditions to promote or suppress SRO in multicomponent alloys.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗