Calculation Of Size Distribution Research Articles

Are nucleation bubbles in a liquid all independent?

The spontaneous formation of tiny bubbles in a liquid is at the root of the nucleation mechanism during the liquid-to-vapor transition of a metastable liquid. The smaller the bubbles the larger their probability to appear, and even for moderately metastable liquid, it is frequent to observe several tiny bubbles close to each other, suggesting that they are not all independent. It is shown that these spatially correlated bubbles should be seen as belonging to one single density depression of the liquid due to fluctuations (called LDR for Low Density Region) and should be counted as one event instead of several. This has a major impact on the characterization of the bubble density in a liquid, with consequences (i) for understanding liquid-to-vapor transitions which proceed through growing and merging of these correlated bubbles, and (ii) for free energy profile and barrier calculations with molecular simulation techniques which require to convert the calculated size distribution of the largest bubble into the size distribution of any bubble. Remarkably, the average number of LDRs in a given volume simply relates to the probability of not having bubbles in the liquid.

From spores to fungal pellets: A new high-throughput image analysis highlights the structural development of Aspergillus niger.

Many filamentous fungi are exploited as cell factories in biotechnology. Cultivated under industrially relevant submerged conditions, filamentous fungi can adopt different macromorphologies ranging from dispersed mycelia over loose clumps to pellets. Central to the development of a pellet morphology is the agglomeration of spores after inoculation followed by spore germination and outgrowth into a pellet population, which is usually very heterogeneous. As the dynamics underlying population heterogeneity is not yet fully understood, we present here a new high-throughput image analysis pipeline based on stereomicroscopy to comprehensively assess the developmental program starting from germination up to pellet formation. To demonstrate the potential of this pipeline, we used data from 44 sampling times harvested during a 48 h submerged batch cultivation of the fungal cell factory Aspergillus niger. The analysis of up to 1700 spore agglomerates and 1500 pellets per sampling time allowed the precise tracking of the morphological development of the overall culture. The data gained were used to calculate size distributions and area fractions of spores, spore agglomerates, spore agglomerates within pellets, pellets, and dispersed mycelia. This approach eventually enables the quantification of culture heterogeneities and pellet breakage.

Ambient aerosol properties in the remote atmosphere from global-scale in situ measurements

Abstract. In situ measurements of aerosol microphysical, chemical, and optical properties were made during global-scale flights from 2016–2018 as part of the Atmospheric Tomography Mission (ATom). The NASA DC-8 aircraft flew from ∼ 84∘ N to ∼ 86∘ S latitude over the Pacific, Atlantic, Arctic, and Southern oceans while profiling nearly continuously between altitudes of ∼ 160 m and ∼ 12 km. These global circuits were made once each season. Particle size distributions measured in the aircraft cabin at dry conditions and with an underwing probe at ambient conditions were combined with bulk and single-particle composition observations and measurements of water vapor, pressure, and temperature to estimate aerosol hygroscopicity and hygroscopic growth factors and calculate size distributions at ambient relative humidity. These reconstructed, composition-resolved ambient size distributions were used to estimate intensive and extensive aerosol properties, including single-scatter albedo, the asymmetry parameter, extinction, absorption, Ångström exponents, and aerosol optical depth (AOD) at several wavelengths, as well as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) concentrations at fixed supersaturations and lognormal fits to four modes. Dry extinction and absorption were compared with direct in situ measurements, and AOD derived from the extinction profiles was compared with remotely sensed AOD measurements from the ground-based Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET); this comparison showed no substantial bias. The purpose of this work is to describe the methodology by which ambient aerosol properties are estimated from the in situ measurements, provide statistical descriptions of the aerosol characteristics of different remote air mass types, examine the contributions to AOD from different aerosol types in different air masses, and provide an entry point to the ATom aerosol database. The contributions of different aerosol types (dust, sea salt, biomass burning, etc.) to AOD generally align with expectations based on location of the profiles relative to continental sources of aerosols, with sea salt and aerosol water dominating the column extinction in most remote environments and dust and biomass burning (BB) particles contributing substantially to AOD, especially downwind of the African continent. Contributions of dust and BB aerosols to AOD were also significant in the free troposphere over the North Pacific. Comparisons of lognormally fitted size distribution parameters to values in the Optical Properties of Aerosols and Clouds (OPAC) database commonly used in global models show significant differences in the mean diameters and standard deviations for accumulation-mode particles and coarse-mode dust. In contrast, comparisons of lognormal parameters derived from the ATom data with previously published shipborne measurements in the remote marine boundary layer show general agreement. The dataset resulting from this work can be used to improve global-scale representation of climate-relevant aerosol properties in remote air masses through comparison with output from global models and assumptions used in retrievals of aerosol properties from both ground-based and satellite remote sensing.

Estimation of mineral liberation distribution functions to be used in modelling of impact and attrition milling

The paper aimed to reveal the liberation behaviours to define a methodology for calculating the liberation distribution functions of the minerals. This function can be incorporated into the existing comminution modelling so that the accuracy of the mineral-specific predictions is further improved. Within the scope, grinding tests were performed with complex copper ore, which was subjected to the ball and stirred milling. Following the grinding tests, size intervals were prepared for MLA where the mineral contents and liberation degrees of minerals of interest were determined. The data interpretation included the calculation of liberated galena, sphalerite, chalcopyrite and pyrite minerals’ amount to make a comparison between the technologies and the minerals. The study showed that the attrition milling produced more liberated minerals and galena had the highest degree of liberation irrespective of the technology chosen. Afterwards, a methodology similar to express the breakage events (t10) was developed to determine the liberation distribution function. This function implies the energy-dependent distribution of the liberated minerals to the subsequent sizes. This was named as L10 and determined for each of the grinding technology and mineral. Initial model fitting of the minerals via perfect mixing model showed that there was a good agreement between the measured and calculated size distributions however further improvements may be considered. As a result, the comminution modelling of both technologies was accomplished.

Clustering of Diamond Nanoparticles, Fluorination and Efficiency of Slow Neutron Reflectors.

Neutrons can be an instrument or an object in many fields of research. Major efforts all over the world are devoted to improving the intensity of neutron sources and the efficiency of neutron delivery for experimental installations. In this context, neutron reflectors play a key role because they allow significant improvement of both economy and efficiency. For slow neutrons, Detonation NanoDiamond (DND) powders provide exceptionally good reflecting performance due to the combination of enhanced coherent scattering and low neutron absorption. The enhancement is at maximum when the nanoparticle diameter is close to the neutron wavelength. Therefore, the mean nanoparticle diameter and the diameter distribution are important. In addition, DNDs show clustering, which increases their effective diameters. Here, we report on how breaking agglomerates affects clustering of DNDs and the overall reflector performance. We characterize DNDs using small-angle neutron scattering, X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, neutron activation analysis, dynamical light scattering, infra-red light spectroscopy, and others. Based on the results of these tests, we discuss the calculated size distribution of DNDs, the absolute cross-section of neutron scattering, the neutron albedo, and the neutron intensity gain for neutron traps with DND walls.

Modelling the Nucleation, Growth and Agglomeration of Alumina Inclusions in Molten Steel by Combining Kampmann\u2013Wagner Numerical Model with Particle Size Grouping Method

Recent inclusion models are mainly focused on the compositional evolution of inclusion, steel and slag. Due to the importance of inclusion size distribution to steel properties, the evolution of inclusion size distributions should also be accounted for. As the first step to establish a model to predict the evolution of inclusion size distribution, the nucleation, growth and removal of alumina inclusions in molten steel were modeled by combining Kampmann and Wagner numerical model for nucleation, growth and coarsening with particle size grouping method. The model could simulate the time evolution of the size distribution of alumina inclusions after aluminum de-oxidation. The model was validated by using the experimental size distribution data of alumina inclusions available in the literature. The model calculation results were also compared with previous simulation results. The influences of interfacial tension between steel and inclusion and diffusion coefficient on the calculated inclusion size distribution were investigated. As interfacial tension between steel and alumina increases, the maximum number density decreases and the peak value of radius increases. As diffusion coefficient increases, the maximum number density decreases and the peak-value radius increases. The calculated size distribution curves showed a change from log normal to fractal, which is due to the change of dominating mechanisms for crystal growth and agglomeration.

CFD-DEM modelling of particles attrition in jet-in-fluidized beds

An improved CFD-DEM model for simulation of particles attrition is presented in this research. Hertzian contact stress was used to compute the stresses acting on particles and the Weibull distribution was used to calculate the breakage probability. Two breakage models were used to calculate size distribution of debris from particle attrition. These models were implemented to simulate a jet-in-fluidized bed. Breakage results, including spatial and size distribution of particles over time, breakage location/rate, and segregation of particles were studied. Simulation results show that, breakage rate was high in the first seconds due to stress caused by high velocity impact in the jet region, and then it increased linearly for some time and stopped due to smaller particles attrition inhibition by reducing the average stress acting on particles. About 98% of the breakages took place on the distributer zone. Particles breakage led to high degree of segregation and elutriation which was also studied here.

High-Resolution Nanoparticle Sizing with Maximum A Posteriori Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis.

The rapid and efficient characterization of polydisperse nanoparticle dispersions remains a challenge within nanotechnology and biopharmaceuticals. Current methods for particle sizing, such as dynamic light scattering, analytical ultracentrifugation, and field-flow fractionation, can suffer from a combination of statistical biases, difficult sample preparation, insufficient sampling, and ill-posed data analysis. As an alternative, we introduce a Bayesian method that we call maximum a posteriori nanoparticle tracking analysis (MApNTA) for estimating the size distributions of nanoparticle samples from high-throughput single-particle tracking experiments. We derive unbiased statistical models for two observable quantities in a typical nanoparticle trajectory-the mean square displacement and the trajectory length-as a function of the particle size and calculate size distributions using maximum a posteriori (MAP) estimation with cross validation to mildly regularize solutions. We show that this approach infers nanoparticle size distributions with high resolution by performing extensive Brownian dynamics simulations and experiments with mono- and polydisperse solutions of gold nanoparticles as well as single-walled carbon nanotubes. We further demonstrate particular utility for characterizing minority components and impurity populations and highlight this ability with the identification of an impurity in a commercially produced gold nanoparticle sample. Modern algorithms such as MApNTA should find widespread use in the routine characterization of complex nanoparticle dispersions, allowing for significant advances in nanoparticle synthesis, separation, and functionalization.

Hierarchical partitions of social networks between rivaling leaders.

A model algorithm is proposed to imitate a series of of consecutive conflicts between leaders in social groups. The leaders are represented by local hubs, i.e., nodes with highest node degrees. We simulate subsequent hierarchical partitions of a complex connected network which represents a social structure. The partitions are supposed to appear as actions of members of two conflicted groups surrounding two strongest leaders. According to the model, links at the shortest path between the rival leaders are successively removed. When the group is split into two disjoint parts then each part is further divided as the initial network. The algorithm is stopped, if in all parts a distance from a local leader to any node in his group is shorter than three links. The numerically calculated size distribution of resulting fragments of scale-free Barabási-Albert networks reveals one largest fragment which contains the original leader (hub of the network) and a number of small fragments with opponents that are described by two Weibull distributions. A mean field calculation of the size of the largest fragment is in a good agreement with numerical results. The model assumptions are validated by an application of the algorithm to the data on political blogs in U.S. (L. Adamic and N. Glance, Proc. WWW-2005). The obtained fragments are clearly polarized; either they belong to Democrats, or to Republicans. This result confirms that during conflicts, hubs are centers of polarization.

Transport characteristics of saturated gas diffusion layers treated with hydrophobic coatings

Water flooding of cathodic gas diffusion layers (GDLs) in proton-exchange membrane fuel cells at high current densities or low temperatures limits efficient operation due to disturbed transport of reactants to the catalytic sites or products away into the channels. We utilize tomography-based direct pore-level simulations to provide quantitative insights into the transport characteristics of partially saturated GDLs with and without hydrophobic surface treatment to eventually guide the design of better GDLs. High-resolution (voxel size of 1.3 μm) computed tomography images of two different types commercial Toray TGP-H-120 GDLs, one of them untreated and the other treated by hydrophobic coatings, at different water saturation levels were taken. These images were then digitally processed to precisely segment the gas, water, and fiber phases. The digitalized phase information was used in direct pore-level numerical flow simulations to determine effective relative diffusivity of the gas phase, relative permeability of the gas and liquid water phases, and tortuosity in the gas phase. Mathematical morphology operations were used to calculate size distributions of the liquid water phase and the gas phase at different saturation levels for a better understanding of the pore occupation by water at different capillary pressure. Percolation simulations were used to provide information on the connectivity of the gas and liquid phases. The results were validated with reported experimental data and semi-empirical correlations. Power law expressions provide a good level of accuracy for curve fitting. The hydrophobic coating does not affect the relative permeability and effective realtive diffusivity of air; however, it improves the water permeability significantly. The quantitative results presented provide insights and guidance for designing GDLs with better transport behavior.

Damage threshold influenced by polishing imperfection distribution under 355-nm laser irradiation

A systematic interpretation of laser-induced damage in the nanosecond regime is realized with a defect distribution buried inside the redeposited layer arising from a polishing process. Under the 355-nm laser irradiation, the size dependence of the defect embedded in the fused silica can be illustrated through the thermal conduction model. Considering CeO2 as the major initiator, the size distribution with the power law model is determined from the damage probability statistics. To verify the accuracy of the size distribution, the ion output scaling with depth for the inclusion element is obtained with the secondary ion mass spectrometer. For CeO2 particulates in size of the depth interval with ion output satisfied in the negative exponential form, the corresponding density is consistent with that of the identical size in the calculated size distribution. This coincidence implies an alternative method for the density analysis of photoactive imperfections within optical components at the semi-quantitative level based on the laser damage tests.

Aerosol dynamics in a sputtering DC discharge

An aerosol sectional model that describes the space-time evolution of the size distribution of carbon particles produced in a graphite cathode sputtering discharge is presented. The model includes the coupled phenomena of particle growth processes, due to coagulation and molecular surface deposition, particle nucleation as inferred from a molecular growth process, particle charging in the plasma, and particle drift-diffusion transport in the electrode gap. Comparison between simulation results and experiments showed that the model yields a satisfactory prediction of the particle cloud density and particle mean diameter in the electrode gap. It also yields a satisfactory prediction of the particle size distribution. The calculated size distribution shows two particle-populations: a first one with a very small size and just above the nucleus diameter and a second population, with a larger size, that determines the mean-diameter of the particle cloud. The sectional model also shows that simple aerosol models assuming single size particles significantly overestimate the particle density although it yields a satisfactory prediction for the particle size.

Influence of flame-generated ions on the simultaneous charging and coagulation of nanoparticles during combustion

ABSTRACTFlames generate a large amount of chemically and thermally ionized species, which are involved in the growth dynamics of particles formed in flames. However, existing models predicting particle formation and growth do not consider particle charging, which may lead to bias in the calculated size distribution of particles. In this study, Fuchs' charging theory was coupled with a monodisperse particle growth model to study the simultaneous charging and coagulation of nanoparticles during combustion. In order to quantify the charging characteristics of nanoparticles, a high-resolution DMA was used to measure the mobilities of ions generated from a premixed flat flame operated at various conditions. The effect of temperature on ion–particle and particle–particle combination coefficients was further examined. The proposed model showed that the influence of charging on particle growth dynamics was more prominent when the ion concentration was comparable to or higher than the particle concentrations, a co...

Simulation of microstructural evolution during repair welding of an IN718 plate

A precipitate evolution model based on classical nucleation, growth and coarsening theory is adapted and solved using the multi-class approach for the superalloy IN718. The model accounts for dissolution of precipitates and is implemented in a finite element program. The model is used to simulate precipitate evolution in the fused zone and the adjacent heat affected zone for a welding simulation. The calculated size distribution of precipitates is used to predict Vickers hardness. The simulation model is compared with nanoindentation experiments. The agreement between simulated and measured hardness is good.

Micro-Tomography to Characterize Size Distribution of Fragments Created by Laser Shock-Induced Micro-Spallation of Metallic Sample

Dynamic fragmentation in the liquid state after shock-induced melting, usually referred to as micro-spallation, is an issue of great interest for both basic and applied science. Recent efforts have been devoted to the characterization of the resulting ejecta, which consist in a cloud of fine molten droplets. We present laser shock experiments on tin and aluminium, to pressure ranging from about 50 to 300 GPa, with complementary diagnostics including a Photonic Doppler Velocimeter (PDV) set at a small tilt angle from the normal to the free surface, which enables probing the whole cloud of ejecta1, and a soft recovery device consisting of a low density gel to collect debris. Optical microscopy of these gel collectors reveals the presence of droplets which confirm shock-induced melting prior to fragmentation. To quantify size distribution of the collected debris, 3D micro-tomography has been performed, using the consistent and high-energy X-ray irradiation available at the ESRF synchrotron facility in France (similar to Japan SPRING-8), where sub-micrometer spatial resolution could be achieved. In this paper, the resulting size distributions are presented and compared with theoretical predictions based on a one-dimensional description accounting for laser shock loading, wave propagation, phase transformations, and fragmentation. Discrepancies between measured and calculated size distributions are discussed. Finally, combining size and velocity data provides access to the ballistic properties of debris and their kinetic energy, which are key issues for anticipating the damage produced by their impacts on nearly equipments.

Gas-hydrodynamic analysis of the genesis of green and orange glasses in lunar rocks

In order to elucidate the genesis of green and orange glasses in Apollo 15 and Apollo 17 samples of lunar rocks, two alternative hypotheses are analyzed, according to which the glasses are produced either (1) by a comet or meteorite impact (impact model) or (2) by volcanic activity (volcanic model). The green and orange glasses are clearly genetically and petrochemically autonomous, i.e., the composition of the glasses themselves differs from those of the major types of the primary rocks. The mechanisms responsible for the origin of the glasses are analyzed along with mathematical models of their genesis. The theoretically calculated size distribution of glass particles is in good agreement with those measured in Apollo 15 and Apollo 17 samples. Simulation results and the analysis of the composition and structure of the green and orange glasses lead to the conclusion that the impact hypothesis of their genesis is the most realistic.

Influence of the number of detectors by laser scattering method for estimation of particle size

Effect of the number of detectors on an inversion problem of a scattering pattern by laser scattering method based on Mie scattering model has been investigated. The influence of the number of detectors is obtained by comparing a given size distribution and a calculated size distribution by computer simulation and experimental method. An observing range of scattering angles is from 0.0007 to 2.5 rad. A non-linear iteration method is used for calculating particle size distribution. The number of detectors is changed from 6 to 81 elements by the computer simulation. The algorithm of the inversion problem is applied with mean diameters of log-normal distribution in a range from 0.546 to 214 μm at standard deviation of 0.27 and 0.68. Experimental results of certified mono-disperse polystyrene latex standards and a poly-disperse aluminum sample are obtained with 21, 41, and 81 elements detector, respectively. All tests are performed under conditions at diluted aqueous suspensions. Narrow size distribution is influenced by the number of detectors compared with wide size distribution. Not the number of physical detectors but the number of useful detectors affects the algorithm of the inversion problem. When the detector elements are over 20, the influence of the number of detectors is decreased.

Quantitative textural analysis of Vulcanian pyroclasts (Montserrat) using multi-scale X-ray computed microtomography: comparison with results from 2D image analysis

X-ray computed microtomography (μCT) was carried out on four pyroclasts from the 1997 Vulcanian explosions of Soufrière Hills Volcano, Montserrat. Three-dimensional data from multiple image stacks with different spatial resolutions (0.37, 4–8, and 17.4 μm px−1) were combined to generate size distributions of vesicles, inter-vesicle throats, crystals, and Fe–Ti oxides over a 3.4–860-μm size range, and to compare the results with those obtained by 2D image analysis on the same samples. Qualitative textural observations are in good agreement with those made in 2D, but μCT provides better resolution of textural features and spatial relationships. Calculation of size distributions requires automated decoalescence of the connected vesicle network. Problems related to this process, in part due to the high porosity of pumice, result in potential artefacts in the calculated size distributions, which are discussed in detail. The main modes of the 3D vesicle volume distributions are systematically shifted to larger sizes compared with those of the 2D distributions. Sample total vesicularities obtained in 3D are within 13 vol.% of those found in 2D, and within 10 vol.% of those measured by He-pycnometry. Total number densities of vesicles and Fe–Ti oxides from the two methods are consistent only to the first order, 3D values ranging from 37% to 309% of those in 2D. Vesicle coalescence, investigated by examining inter-vesicle throat size distributions, occurred in all pyroclasts between neighbouring vesicles of many sizes. The larger the vesicle, the more connected it is.

Mechanisms of metallic nanoparticle generation during an electric explosion of conductors

The mechanisms of conductor fracture and the generation of metallic nanoparticles during an electric explosion are discussed. The fracture of polycrystalline conductors with a crystallite size smaller than 100 nm during rapid introduction of energy is shown to occur due to its localization at grain boundaries. The dynamics of the explosion products (droplets, vapor) flying into a buffer gas is numerically simulated in terms of the mechanics of heterogeneous media with allowance for condensation and evaporation. The calculated size distributions of particles agree with the experimental distributions both qualitatively and quantitatively.

Study on conductivity property and microstructure of TritonX-100/alkanol/n-heptane/water microemulsion

The validity of percolation theories on TritonX-100/heptane/alkanol/water W/O (water-in-oil) microemulsion has been investigated based on conductivity analysis. The experiment results have proved that the microemulsion follows both Bernasconi–Weismann (BW) and effective medium theory with dipole–dipole interaction (EMTDD, clusters) theories in the water content range from W 0 = 1 to W 0 = 7. The results here are different from the reported microemulsions with CTAB, AOT or SDS as ionic surfactant and alkanols as cosurfactants, and those microemulsions always follow effective medium theory (EMT) perfectly. This suggests that nonspherical surfactant aggregates and droplet clusters exist in the microemulsion solution due to the dipolar interaction between the dispersed droplets. The size of water pool, the hydrodynamic diameter of droplet, and the number of surfactant and cosurfactant per droplet have been evaluated according to the two validated theories. The dynamic state and the calculated size distribution of droplets are agreed with the results detected by dynamic light scattering technique. The research has indicated that the percolation theories are also adaptable to nonionic surfactant microemulsions with low water content and the structure parameters of droplets can be calculated by the effective theories.