Rod Concentration Research Articles

Topological photonic quasicrystal alloy

Recently, a concept of topological photonic alloy was proposed by mixing magnetized and non-magnetized gyromagnetic rods in a two-dimensional square photonic crystal that supports tunable Chern bandgaps and robust chiral edge states even at a low concentration of magnetized rods. However, whether such a notion can be extended to non-crystalline systems is still an open question. Here, we theoretically demonstrate that topological photonic quasicrystal alloys can also sustain nontrivial Chern bandgaps and nonreciprocal chiral edge states. More interestingly, compared with the conventional topological photonic alloy with a crystalline lattice, we find that the topological photonic quasicrystal alloy with a non-crystalline lattice needs a higher threshold concentration of magnetized rods to open the Chern bandgap. These results not only broaden our understanding of topological photonic alloy but also offer a platform for exploring the unique properties of topological photonic quasicrystals.

Biomechanical analysis of the tandem spinal external fixation in a multiple-level noncontiguous lumbar fractures model: a finite element analysis.

This study aimed to investigate the biomechanical characteristics of the tandem spinal external fixation (TSEF) for treating multilevel noncontiguous spinal fracture (MNSF) using finite element analysis and provide a theoretical basis for clinical application. We constructed two models of L2 and L4 vertebral fractures that were fixed with the TSEF and the long-segment spinal inner fixation (LSIF). The range of motion (ROM), maximum stresses at L2 and L4 vertebrae, the screws and rods, and the intervertebral discs of the two models were recorded under load control. Subsequently, the required torque, the maximum stress at L2 and L4 vertebrae, the screws and rods, and the intervertebral discs were analyzed under displacement control. Under load control, the TSEF model reserved more ROM than the LSIF model. The maximum stresses of screws in the TSEF model were increased, while the maximum stresses of rods were reduced compared to the LSIF model. Moreover, the maximum stresses of L2 and L4 vertebrae and discs in the TSEF model were increased compared to the LSIF model. Under displacement control, the TSEF model required fewer moments (N·mm) than the LSIF model. Compared to the LSIF model, the maximum stresses of screws and rods in the TSEF model have decreased; the maximum stresses at L2 and L4 in the TSEF model were increased. In the flexion condition, the maximum stresses of discs in the TSEF model were less than the LSIF model, while the maximum stresses of discs in the TSEF model were higher in the extension condition. Compared to LSIF, the TSEF has a better stress distribution with higher overall mobility. Theoretically, it reduces the stress concentration of the connecting rods and the stress shielding of the fractured vertebral bodies.

Topological Photonic Alloy.

We present the new concept of photonic alloy as a nonperiodic topological material. By mixing nonmagnetized and magnetized rods in a nonperiodic 2D photonic crystal configuration, we realized photonic alloys in the microwave regime. Our experimental findings reveal that the photonic alloy sustains nonreciprocal chiral edge states even at very low concentration of magnetized rods. The nontrivial topology and the associated edge states of these nonperiodic systems can be characterized by the winding of the reflection phase. Our results indicate that the threshold concentrations for the investigated system within the first nontrivial band gap to exhibit topological behavior approach zero in the thermodynamic limit for substitutional alloys, while the threshold remains nonzero for interstitial alloys. At low concentration, the system exhibits an inhomogeneous structure characterized by isolated patches of nonpercolating magnetic domains that are spaced far apart within a topologically trivial photonic crystal. Surprisingly, the system manifests chiral edge states despite a local breakdown of time-reversal symmetry rather than a global one. Photonic alloys represent a new category of disordered topological materials, offering exciting opportunities for exploring topological materials with adjustable gaps.

Phases and correlations in active nematic granular systems.

We investigate the statistical behavior of a system comprising fore-aft symmetric rods confined between two vertically vibrating plates using numerical simulations closely resembling the experimental setup studied by V. Narayan et al., Science, 2007, 317, 105-108. Our focus lies in studying the phase transition of the system from an isotropic phase to a nematic phase as we increase either the rod length or the rod concentration. Our simulations confirm the presence of long-range ordering in the ordered phase. Furthermore, we identify a phase characterized by a periodic ordering profile that disrupts translation symmetry. We also provide a detailed analysis of the translational and rotational diffusive dynamics of the rods. Interestingly, the translational diffusivity of the rods is found to increase with the rod concentration.

Local analysis of crystalline phases and properties of poly(vinylidene fluoride) electrospun composites with BaTiO3 nanorods

AbstractThis study investigated the influence of barium titanate nanorods (BT rods) on the properties and phase formation of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) nanofibers of composite membranes created using the electrospinning technique. The primary objective was to assess the effect of varying BT nanorod concentrations on the membrane properties. The result shows that inserting BT rods into PVDF increases β‐phase content, which, with an optimal concentration of BT rods, affects the activation energy of thermal degradation resulting in the highest β‐phase content and the lowest activation energy at 3% BT content. Moreover, the electrical output of the samples was measured. Using a ball‐drop test, the sample containing 3 wt% BT rods exhibited the highest output voltage, reaching 1.64 V. The BT rods play a significant role in promoting the β‐phase PVDF molecular chain formation, acting as the polar phase in PVDF and aligning with the polarization direction of the BT rods. According to high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy investigations, crystalline phases of PVDF are strongly correlated with the surface charges of perovskite BT rods. The occurrence of charge on the BT rods significantly contributes to fostering the development of the β‐phase PVDF molecular chain. It essentially performs the function of the polar phase within the PVDF, aligning itself in accordance with the polarization direction inherent to the BT rods. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the potential of incorporating BT rod polar surfaces to interact with PVDF chain dipole moments, promoting β‐phase formation. © 2023 Society of Industrial Chemistry.

Dispersion and orientation patterns in nanorod-infused polymer melts.

Introducing nanorods into a polymeric matrix can enhance the physical and mechanical properties of the resulting material. In this paper, we focus on understanding the dispersion and orientation patterns of nanorods in an unentangled polymer melt, particularly as a function of nanorod concentration, using molecular dynamics simulations. The system is comprised of flexible polymer chains and multi-thread nanorods that are equilibrated in the NPT ensemble. All interactions are purely repulsive except for those between polymers and rods. Results with attractive vs repulsive polymer-rod interactions are compared and contrasted. The concentration of rods has a direct impact on the phase behavior of the system. At lower concentrations, rods phase separate into nematic clusters, whereas at higher concentrations more isotropic and less structured rod configurations are observed. A detailed examination of the conformation of the polymer chains near the rod surface shows extension of the chains along the director of the rods (especially within clusters). The dispersion and orientation of the nanorods are a result of the competition between depletion entropic forces responsible for the formation of rod clusters, the enthalpic effects that improve mixing of rods and polymer, and entropic losses of polymers interpenetrating rod clusters.

Controlling the transport of the mixture involving active and passive rods in confined channel.

The transport of the binary mixture of self-propelled rods (SPRs) and passive rods in the asymmetric conjugate periodic channel is studied by dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulations. It is found that the autonomous pumping of the binary mixture of active and passive rods can be achieved by either the individual or collective behaviour of SPRs. More specifically, the transport of passive rods can be driven through the individual, collective jostlement of the active rods, and crowding out effect. The strength of self-propulsion, rod length, rod concentration, and geometric feature of the channel determines the mechanism of pumping. In addition, the drift of the binary mixture can be in the positive and negative directions of the channel or the currents of SPRs and passive rods in opposite directions and relies on the geometric feature of the channel and concentration of the two species. Overall, our simulation study offers an efficient approach of flow control for both species.

Response of shear in bulk orientations of charged DNA rods: Taylor- and gradient-banding

Shear-induced instabilities leading to various kinds of inhomogeneous flow profiles play an important role in the processing of complex fluids, ranging from polymeric materials to various types of biological systems. In previously studied systems, either Taylor banding, or gradient banding, or fracture is observed. In the present work we study a system for which all instabilities occur in orientation textures (OTs), and where Taylor banding occurs simultaneously with gradient banding. The system here consists of crowded suspensions of long and thin DNA-based rods (at a low ionic strength of 0.16 mM salt), where the applied shear rate is systematically varied, for concentrations well below and above the glass-transition concentration (12.4 mg ml−1). To simultaneously measure the velocity profile along the gradient direction, in fracture and gradient banding, the optical cell is placed in a specially designed heterodyne light scattering set up, where the scattering volume can be scanned across the cell gap. The results confirm that Taylor bands and gradient banding occur in the concentration of DNA rods and applied shear-rates (35–80 s−1). Taylor bands clearly show the flow access in vorticity-direction, while the gradient banding is rearranged as thick rolling flows of OTs, at the middle shear-rate (50 s−1). The observations can be then useful to facilitate other biological complex fluids and the glass-forming liquids.

Coalescence Suppression in Flowing Polymer Blends Using Silica Rods with Different Surface Chemistries

Silica rods with homogeneous (hydrophilic or hydrophobic) and amphiphilic surface properties were synthesized and their efficiencies in suppressing the flow-induced droplet coalescence of immiscible polyisobutylene (PIB)/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) blends were evaluated via in situ visualization technique. The flow-induced coalescence behavior of blends was found to strongly depend on the surface nature and concentration of silica rods added as well as the blend ratio. While a trace amount of rods promoted coalescence, all kinds of rods demonstrated a morphology refinement effect at high rod concentrations. Good compatibilization effects were obtained at high rod concentrations, especially for hydrophilic and amphiphilic rods. Based on confocal laser scanning microscopy results, these phenomena observed were interpreted reasonably in terms of the selective distribution and aggregation of silica rods, which were suggested to be decisive for the stabilization mechanism and efficiency of these rods.

On the interaction of a solute atmosphere with a circular void in two-dimensional elasticity: A statistical mechanics approach

Solid solutions are of critical importance to many technological applications. While continuum frameworks have been developed and invoked in the past for studying behavior of solid solutions, recent studies point to the importance of image stresses in finite systems, and in particular, suggest that the homogenized self-stress field of the solutes, which enter the chemical potential in the prevalent continuum models, should be excluded in a correct treatment. The present work is concerned with the study of a solute atmosphere in the vicinity of a void in two-dimensional elasticity wherein the solute atmosphere is treated as a distribution of solute rods extended indefinitely normal to the plane of analysis. A statistical mechanics framework is adopted based on the Gibbs canonical ensemble, and the well-established path-independent integrals of solid mechanics are used for examining configurational forces on the void induced by the presence of a solute atmosphere. Numerical Monte Carlo simulations fully accounting for the interaction energy between the solute rods are used for calculation of the ensemble averages of the energy release rates associated with void translation and expansion, and semi-analytical solutions are further developed in the limit of dilute solute concentrations and large temperatures. Effect of interaction between the stress fields of a solute atmosphere and an external loading on the configurational forces is also investigated through both numerical and analytical calculations. It is shown that the interaction between the image stress field of a given concentration of solute rods and the stress field of an equi-biaxial loading results in an added contribution to the energy release rate of void expansion which does not fade away even when the solid dimensions grow indefinitely. Numerical simulations are further used to examine the effect of loading-induced solute redistribution on the energetic driving force for void expansion.

ZnO nanorod arrays assembled on activated carbon fibers for photocatalytic degradation: Characteristics and synergistic effects

Well-aligned ZnO nanorod arrays were assembled on activated carbon fibers by a stepwise sequence of sol-gel and hydrothermal synthesis methods. These ZnO nanorod arrays on activated carbon fibers having different characteristics such as surface area, rod concentration, aspect ratio and defect level, were applied as catalysts for the photodegradation of an aqueous methylene blue solution. They showed very promising methylene blue adsorbility in the dark (ca. 0.025–0.031 mg methylene blue m−2 catalyst, vs. 0.072 mg methylene blue m−2 activated carbon fibers). Significantly, the defect level of ZnO nanorod arrays has a major effect on the turnover frequency compared to other characteristics. A synergistic effect between activated carbon fibers and ZnO nanocrystals on enhancing turnover frequency was more significant for the well-assembled ZnO nanorod arrays on activated carbon fibers catalysts compared to the mechanically mixed ZnO powder with activated carbon fibers catalyst. Further, turnover frequency for the ZnO nanorod arrays on activated carbon fibers (0.00312 molmethylene blue molZnO−1 h−1) was twice higher than that for the corresponding bare ZnO nanorod arrays, and 3 times higher than that for a commercial ZnO powder. In addition, ZnO nanorod arrays on activated carbon fibers show high degradation (77.5%) and mineralization (55.0%) levels for methylene blue, and also good reusability (or stability) as demonstrated by a sequential 5-time recycle routine. These outstanding features indicate that activated carbon fibers supported ZnO nanorod arrays have significant potential to be used as catalysts for photodegradation.

Sedimentation of large particles in a suspension of colloidal rods

The sedimentation at low Reynolds numbers of large, non-interacting spherical inclusions in networks of model monodisperse, slender colloidal rods is investigated. The influence of rod concentration, rod length, and inclusion stress on the inclusion’s creeping motion is investigated. The decrease in sedimentation speeds as a function of rod concentration is compared to the Stokes law, using the zero-shear viscosity from the Doi–Edwards theory for semi-dilute colloidal rod solutions. The experimental speeds display the same concentration dependence as the zero-shear viscosity and are, thus, strongly dependent on the rod length. The speed is, however, a fraction of 2 and 4 lower than expected for rods of 0.88 μm and 2.1 μm, respectively. The results for both rod lengths superimpose when plotted against the overlap concentration, hinting at an extra dependence on the entanglement.

Neutronic analysis of gadolinia bearing fuel assemblies

Abstract Gadolinium is mixed with nuclear fuel for extended burnup, increased reactor cycle Lengths, and in-out core refueling schemes. The purpose of this work is to investigate the effect of Gadolinium on neutronic parameters. A comprehensive analysis of different fuel assemblies bearing gadolinia with different concentration and different number of gadolinia rods was carried out. The EPR fuel assemblies were chosen in this study. The fuel assemblies are of seven different types, each assembly has unique design characteristics in terms of enrichment, number of gadolinia rods and gadolinium concentration. The calculations were achieved using MCNP6 code and with ENDF/B-VII library. A fine mesh tally was superimposed on the geometry to illustrate flux distribution in the whole assembly and its change with burnup. The variation of reactivity and isotopic composition for each region of the assembly with burnup and its influence on flux distribution was studied. The results showed that the presence of gadolinium greatly affects the power distribution. It causes some skewness in axial power shape towards the top of the assembly, the assembly which has largest number of gadolinia rods and the lowest enrichment has the largest skewness of power distribution at BOC. At EOC the flux and axial power have a double hump shape due to the buildup of gadolinium isotopes and the large decrease in reactivity with burnup.

Ordering of Rods near Surfaces: Concentration Effects

We study the orientation of rods in the neighborhood of a surface. A semi-infinite region in two different situations is considered: (i) the rods are located close to a flat wall and (ii) the rods occupy the space that surrounds a sphere. In a recent paper we investigated a similar problem: the interior of a sphere, with a fixed concentration of rods. Here, we allow for varying concentration, the rods are driven from a reservoir to the neighborhood of the surface by means of a tunable chemical potential. In the planar case, the particle dimensions are irrelevant. In the curved case, we consider cylinders with dimensions comparable to the radius of curvature of the sphere; as they come close to the surface, they have to accommodate to fill the available space, leading to a rich orientational profile. These systems are studied by a mapping onto a three-state Potts model with annealed disorder on a semi-infinite lattice; two order parameters describe the system: the occupancy and the orientation. The Hamiltonian is solved using a mean-field approach producing recurrence relations that are iterated numerically and we obtain various interesting results: the system undergoes a first order transition just as in the bulk case; the profiles do not have a smooth decay but may present a step and we search for the factors that determine their shape. The prediction of such steps may be relevant in the field of self-assembly of colloids and nanotechnology.

Deconstruction of microfibrillated cellulose into nanocrystalline cellulose rods and mesogenic phase formation in concentrated low-modulus sodium silicate solutions

This work demonstrates for the first time the deconstruction of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) into rod-like cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) in concentrated low modulus sodium silicate solutions. To this aim, MFC suspensions at different concentrations were first treated in sodium hydroxide solutions and then amorphous silica powder was added. Optical microscopy and transmission electron microscopy observation showed how MFC was efficiently deconstructed into CNCs, evidencing the occurrence of a phase separation into an isotropic and mesogenic phase. The extracted CNCs were characterized by a remarkably higher length (600–1200 nm) in comparison with the plant-derived ones commonly reported in literature. FT-IR spectroscopy and 29Si MAS NMR confirmed that the Qn equilibrium of the suspended silicate species was affected, proportionally to the amount of MFC. It was also shown, that due to the excluded volume effect exerted by silicate anions, nematic or smectic ordering could be achieved for CNC concentrations far below the critical rod concentration predicted by the Doi-Edwards model.

Effect of Size Polydispersity on the Pitch of Nanorod Cholesterics

Many nanoparticle-based chiral liquid crystals are composed of polydisperse rod-shaped particles with considerable spread in size or shape, affecting the mesoscale chiral properties in, as yet, unknown ways. Using an algebraic interpretation of Onsager-Straley theory for twisted nematics, we investigate the role of length polydispersity on the pitch of nanorod-based cholesterics with a continuous length polydispersity, and find that polydispersity enhances the twist elastic modulus, K 2 , of the cholesteric material without affecting the effective helical amplitude, K t . In addition, for the infinitely large average aspect ratios considered here, the dependence of the pitch on the overall rod concentration is completely unaffected by polydispersity. For a given concentration, the increase in twist elastic modulus (and reduction of the helical twist) may be up to 50% for strong size polydispersity, irrespective of the shape of the unimodal length distribution. We also demonstrate that the twist reduction is reinforced in bimodal distributions, obtained by doping a polydisperse cholesteric with very long rods. Finally, we identify a subtle, non-monotonic change of the pitch across the isotropic-cholesteric biphasic region.

Anisotropy in electrical conductivity of two-dimensional films containing aligned nonintersecting rodlike particles: Continuous and lattice models

The electrical conductivity of two-dimensional films filled with rodlike particles (rods) was simulated by the Monte Carlo method. The main attention has been paid to the investigation of the effect of the rod alignment on the electrical properties of the films. Both continuous and lattice approaches were used. Intersections of particles were forbidden. Our main findings are (i) both models demonstrate similar behaviors, (ii) at low concentration of rods, both approaches lead to the same dependencies of the electrical conductivity on the concentration of the rods, (iii) the alignment of the rods essentially affects the electrical conductivity, (iv) at some concentrations of partially aligned rods, the films may be conducting only in one direction, and (v) the films may simultaneously be both highly transparent and electrically anisotropic.

Rheology of fiber suspensions using MRI

The suspensions of non-Brownian fibers are of interest for many applications. Although many studies concerning suspensions are available in the literature, most of them concern suspensions of spherical particles. In this paper, global and local rheology of fiber suspensions are explored near the jamming transition. A critical volume fraction is extracted from the experimental data. The value of this critical volume fraction is in agreement with the expected value of the concentration of rigid rods above which the isotropic phase becomes unstable. Moreover, non-reversible effects of the shearing are observed in flow curves because of the non-Brownian behavior of the studied fibers.

Solution treatment of Ti-6Al-4V alloy produced by consolidating blended powder mixture using a powder compact extrusion route

Titanium alloys are very sensitive to thermal history and different microstructures are obtained depending on their chemistry, processing route and post-processing heat treatment. The objective of this paper is to characterise solution-treated Ti-6Al-4V alloy rods from microstructural investigations using optical and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in addition to measurements of chemical composition and levels of impurity oxygen. From the results, it is clear that the compositions and oxygen concentration of the different rods, which varied between 0.34–0.36wt%, was consistent from one extrusion to another. TEM analysis of the as-extruded material with a fine lamellar microstructure indicates that the severe deformation and attendant dynamic recrystallization during and after hot extrusion did not give rise to any undesirable features that can degrade the ductility. Solution treatment above the β transus and subsequent ageing causes grain growth with grains containing a metastable martensitic structure (only α’ phase was present), some retained β and a limited formation of acicular secondary α. The α+β quenched and aged treatment gives a lamellar type morphology, but at the α interfaces there is retained β with some secondary α and potentially some α’ phase. In terms of mechanical behaviour, the data from v-notch Charpy impact tests and non-standard micro-tensile testing suggests that both water quenched and aged microstructures give a higher yield strength (~1022–1033MPa) and micro-hardness (388 HV), while the fracture-related properties such as estimated plastic strain and impact toughness were between 5–6% and 13.7J respectively. Overall, the level of mechanical properties reported here is better than that for typical values reported in the literature for as-cast material after similar solution treatments.

Twisting with a twist: supramolecular helix fluctuations in chiral nematics.

Most theoretical descriptions of lyotropic cholesteric liquid crystals to date focus on homogeneous systems in which the rod concentration, as opposed to the rod orientation, is uniform. In this work, we build upon the Onsager-Straley theory for twisted nematics and study the effect of weak concentration gradients, generated by some external potential, on the cholesteric twist. We apply our theory to chiral nematics of nanohelices in which the supramolecular helix sense is known to spontaneously change sign upon variation of particle concentration, passing through a so-called compensation point at which the mesoscopic twist vanishes. We show that the imposed field offers exquisite control of the handedness and magnitude of the helicoidal director field, even at weak field strengths. Within the same framework we also quantify the director fluctuation spectrum and find evidence for a correlation length diverging at the compensation point.