Fiber Radius Research Articles

Experimental demonstration on the proactive detection of fiber tapping in optical chaos communication.

Optical chaos communication has a physical-layer security advantage but defends passively against a malicious attack. Here, we conduct a proof-of-concept experiment of detecting the attack proactively by observing performance degradation in optical chaos communication tapped with fiber bending. Influences of the curvature radius of the bent fiber on a chaos synchronization coefficient and bit error rate are investigated. Results show that the synchronization coefficient decreases from 0.958 to 0.904 and the bit error rate increases from 1.31 × 10-4 to 1.73 × 10-3 under a curvature radius of 10 mm, revealing the attack. Bending fiber to this extent leads to a power loss of 1.81%, which is difficult to detect by the optical time-domain reflectometer but causes significant interference to chaos communication due to the concurrent change in the light polarization, jointly decreasing the effective optical injection strength for yielding chaos synchronization.

Quantitative analysis of failure performance uncertainty based on multiscale mechanical analysis of PEMFCs’ C/C composite bipolar plates

In order to quantify the failure performance of PEMFCs’ C/C composite bipolar plates (BPs) under considering the uncertainty in multiscale sizes and loads, the failure probability function (FPF) of BPs at cold start is estimated. A three-stage multiscale simulation method is proposed for mechanical behavior analysis of multi-component heterogeneous composites. And the efficient estimation of FPF for C/C composite BPs is achieved via the proposed multiscale simulation method and decoupling sparse integration method, in which the unified density weight is constructed to decouple the double-loop framework of analyzing FPF, thereby reducing the computational complexity. Results indicate that the dangerous positions of BPs are around the gas flow channels and bolt holes. And the dangerous components are the carbon matrix and the interface between the matrix and fiber. The radius of elliptical fibers affects the distribution of failure factors on microscopic components, thereby affecting the variation of failure probability with fiber sizes significantly. The distribution parameter of composite layer thickness in BPs has a significant effect on structural safety, and the FPF result can be used to effectively guide the design of structure. Therefore, the proposed method is of great significance for guiding the rapid parameter design of composite BPs.

[formula omitted] modified U-shaped fiber surface plasmon resonance sensor with high sensitivity

Design of optical fiber structure and sensitive material coating are two effective performance improvement approaches for fiber optic surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors. Here, a tungsten diselenide (WSe2) modified U-shaped fiber optic SPR sensor is proposed. It is found that the sensing performances of the proposed U-shaped probe can be controlled with the thickness of gold film, WSe2 layers, and bending radius of the U-shaped fiber. A sensitivity of 27520 nm/RIU (RIU: refractive index unit) is obtained with the optimized U-shaped probe, which is about 11.56-fold and 12.29-fold improvements over the traditional in-line transmission fiber optic SPR sensors without WSe2 coating and with monolayer WSe2, respectively. These results demonstrate a promising approach for sensitivity improvement of fiber optic SPR sensors, and the proposed WSe2 modified U-shaped fiber optic SPR sensor may have prospective potential applications in biological sensing, chemical sensing, and environmental monitoring.

Fracture mechanics model of biological composites reinforced by helical fibers

Many biological materials such as tendons and muscles contain helical fibers. In this paper, the fracture behavior of such chiral composites is investigated through a combination of theoretical analysis and finite element simulations. A mesoscopic fracture mechanics model of helical fiber-reinforced biological composites is presented, with the effects of interfacial damage and fiber breakage. A cohesive law is adopted to characterize the interfacial damage induced by the relative slipping between the fibers and the matrix. The theoretical model agrees well with the numerical results. The optimized fiber radius that can maximize the fracture toughness of the composites is determined. The effects of interfacial (e.g., bonding strength and energy dissipation) and material properties (e.g., strength and elastic modulus) on the resistance to crack propagation are revealed. Our results show that the composites reinforced by helical fibers exhibit comprehensively excellent mechanical properties, e.g., simultaneous high strength, stiffness, and fracture toughness. This work not only helps understand the structure–property interrelations of biological chiral composites, but also provides inspirations for designing high-performance engineering materials.

Fabrication of SNAP structures by wire heating.

Surface Nanoscale Axial Photonics (SNAP) is a promising technological platform for creating novel optical devices such as compact high-Q tunable delay lines, signal processors, and optical comb generators. For this purpose, the development of simple and reliable methods for the accurate introduction of a nanometer-scale variation of the optical fiber surface is desirable. Here, we present an easy-to-implement technique for the introduction of nanoscale variations of the effective optical fiber radius by annealing with a heated metal wire. Using the proposed method, we introduce modifications of the fiber effective radius with accuracy better than 0.1 nm without post-processing, making the proposed approach the simplest alternative to the previously developed SNAP fabrication techniques.

Pilot Study on the Production of Negative Oxygen Ions Based on Lower Voltage Ionization Method and Application in Air Purification

In the current highly industrialized living environment, air quality has become an increasing public health concern. Natural environments like forests have excellent air quality due to high concentrations of negative oxygen ions originating from low-voltage ionization, without harmful ozone. Traditional negative oxygen ion generators require high voltage for corona discharge to produce ions. However, high voltage can increase electron collisions and excitations, leading to more dissociation and recombination of oxygen molecules and consequently higher ozone production. To address the challenge of generating negative oxygen ions without accompanying ozone production, this study designed and constructed a low-voltage negative oxygen ion generator based on nanometer-tip carbon fiber electrodes. The advantage of this device lies in the high curvature radius of carbon fibers, which provides high local electric field strength. This allows for efficient production of negative oxygen ions at low operating voltages without generating ozone. Experiments demonstrated that the device can efficiently generate negative oxygen ions at a working voltage as low as 2.16 kV, 28% lower than the lowest voltage reported in similar studies. The purification device manufactured in this study had a total decay constant for PM2.5 purification of 0.8967 min−1 within five minutes, compared to a natural decay constant of only 0.0438 min−1, resulting in a calculated Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) of 0.1535 m3/min. Within half an hour, concentrations of PM2.5, PM1, PM10, formaldehyde, and TVOC were reduced by 99.09%, 99.40%, 99.37%, 94.39%, and 99.35%, respectively, demonstrating good decay constants and CADR. These findings confirm its effectiveness in improving indoor air quality, highlighting its significant application value in air purification.

Multilayer modeling framework for analyzing thermo-mechanical properties and responses of twisted and coiled polymer actuators

The twisted and coiled polymer actuator (TCPA) has a complex multi-scale structure consisting of crystalline micro-fibrils and an amorphous matrix at the micro-scale, which are organized into a macro-scale fiber. When the polymer fiber undergoes twisting and coiling, its mechanical and thermal properties become variable. In this study, we developed a multi-layer modeling framework capable of accurately predicting the effective mechanical and thermal properties, as well as the thermo-mechanical responses of the TCPA. Our numerical results demonstrate that the effective mechanical and thermal properties of the TCPA are influenced by the radius and twisting angle of the polymer fiber. By analyzing the precise mechanical and thermal properties, the numerical calculated driving responses exhibit good agreement with experimental data. We also examined the influence of initial helical radius, helical pitch and fiber radius on the driving responses of the TCPA. The proposed numerical model can be further utilized to optimize the driving responses of the TCPA by adjusting geometric parameters and the twisting angle of the polymer fiber.

Beam quality evolution in large-mode-area specially doped laser fiber through bend-induced effective refractive index change

The effect of bending in a specially doped large-mode-area (LMA) gain fiber on the beam quality of the laser and amplifier has been studied through simulation and experimentation. The effect on the overlap between the fundamental mode (FM) and the doping region due to bend-induced refractive index change was studied theoretically by varying the bend radius. Bend radius of the gain fiber in the range of 5–8 cm was used to study the evolution of beam quality at the amplified output. The numerical simulation of the overlap between the FM and the dopant distribution in the core of the gain fiber for different bending radii is well matched to the experimentally measured beam quality of the amplified output for the respective bending of the gain fiber. The master oscillator (having M 2 = 1.1) was successfully amplified to 35 W maintaining the near-diffraction-limited beam quality (M 2 = 1.05) using a confined doped LMA gain fiber with a bend radius of 8 cm. However, the use of a uniform doped LMA gain fiber with similar bend configuration degrades the beam quality (M 2 = 1.37) at the amplified output power of 31.3 W.

Modes of a Nonlinear Fiber Containing a Parabolic Graded-Index Core with Light Induced Variable Radius

"New features of the light localization in a nonlinear and graded-index medium in the case of radial symmetry are described analytically. The model of nonlinear graded-index fiber assumes that the dielectric permittivity changes abruptly when the electric field amplitude reaches a certain level. The dielectric permittivity depends on the polar radius according to a parabolic law, in the regions where the electric field amplitude exceeds a certain level. Explicit exact solution to the wave equation is found, in terms of the Whittaker function and the modified Bessel function of the second kind, describing a new type of optical localized structure. The influence of the propagation constant and parameters of the nonlinear graded-index dielectric permittivity on the field profile over the fiber radius is analyzed. It is derived that the core radius and the dielectric permittivity of the core depend on the propagation constant. The dependence of the core radius on the propagation constant causes the appearance of local dispersion."

Improved structural efficiency in composite manufacturing via hammered printing for large-curvature fiber paths

Maximizing the structural efficiency of composite materials is often limited by the minimum turning radius of fibers in composite manufacturing. Neglected defects, such as local fiber buckling, become more pronounced in regions with a large curvature, leading to reduced load-carrying capabilities and a deviation from the target design specifications. This study introduces “hammered printing” as a novel approach for achieving a large curvature of the fiber path in composite manufacturing. By utilizing the transition of the modulus with temperature of a thermoset epoxy pre-polymer, the proposed hammered printing technique generates a unique pressure effect that improves adhesion between the fiber tow and the substrate. This enables the production of accurate and uniform composite structures with a minimum curvature radius of 2 mm, while reducing the occurrence of wrinkling and bending deformations. A continuous fiber path with a small radius (2 mm) for open-hole plates was accurately printed using this printing pattern. Compared with conventional laminates and drilled composites, the obtained printed samples exhibit 75.3% and 28.8% increments in the tensile and bearing strengths, respectively, indicating that this continuous small-radius fiber path can effectively retain the strength and safety of fastened composite parts. Finally, comparisons indicate the great potential of the proposed technique as a large-curvature-path and high-performance manufacturing alternative for the cutout of composite assemblies in the aerospace and related engineering industries.

Non-axisymmetric modes in ultrathin annular liquid films coating a cylindrical fiber

This paper presents a detailed analysis of the three-dimensional stability properties of an annular liquid film coating a cylindrical fiber in the presence of van der Waals (vdW) interactions, whose influence depends on the wettability of the solid by the liquid. Under wetting conditions, vdW interactions can stabilize a uniform annular film when its thickness is smaller than a critical value that depends only on the fiber radius, the Hamaker constant, and the surface tension coefficient [Quéré et al., Science 249(4974), 1256–1260 (1990)]. In contrast, under non-wetting conditions, both surface tension and vdW forces contribute to destabilize the interface, and non-axisymmetric modes may become dominant depending on the thickness of the film and the relative strength of the surface tension and vdW forces. We perform temporal stability analyses of both the Stokes and lubrication equations of motion, allowing us to reveal the dominant azimuthal mode, as well as the optimal axial wavenumber and the corresponding temporal growth rate, as a function of the relevant governing parameters.

Automatic generation of 3D micromechanical finite element model with periodic boundary conditions to predict elastic properties of bamboo fibre-reinforced composites

This study presents an automatic algorithm to generate a three-dimensional (3D) micromechanical finite element (FE) model to predict elastic behaviours of biocomposites reinforced with unidirectional (UD) continuous natural fibres such as bamboo fibres. The developed algorithm constructs a virtual FE framework by generating stochastic Representative Volume Elements (RVEs) of fibre-reinforced composites incorporating random fibre arrangement and random assignment of fibre radii. It also applies various loading scenarios and periodic boundary conditions to simulate elastic behaviours accurately. The algorithm generates 3D periodic RVEs by introducing boundary and corner fibres. All the 3D RVE models, representing different fibre-reinforced composites, various loading cases, and periodic boundary conditions, are automatically created using Python scripting with the Abaqus FE solver. The accuracy of the algorithm and virtual FE test model is validated through comparisons with analytical models and experimental results. The effects of different types of fibre radius assignment, fibre volume fraction, and fibre periodicity on the prediction of effective elastic properties are investigated. The study also establishes correlations between all elastic constants of bamboo fibre-reinforced composites and the fibre volume fraction.

Humidity sensor using numerical simulation and electrospun Pd/TEA/PVA on a U-shaped fiber sensor

In this study, we proposed a novel humidity sensor for environmental monitoring and biomedicine applications. The sensing layer of the U-shaped fiber sensor was fabricated by electrospinning. Used COMSOL Multiphysics software simulation to determine the optimal wavelength and transmission loss by finding the best U-shaped fiber radius between 1 and 2 mm. Results showed at 1550 nm, a 1.5 mm radius had better transmission loss. In the humidity experiment, the U-shaped fiber transmission loss significantly increased from 20% to 70% RH. The average change was 0.222 dB/%RH with a sensitivity of 0.004 dB/%RH and linearity of 0.940, indicating good linearity and reproducibility. Furthermore, the electrospun Pd/Triethanolamine (TEA) wire material improved the sensor layer's sensitivity and stability to humidity, enhancing the humidity measurement response.

Multimode parabolic index fiber integrated with spatiotemporal vertical cavity surface emitting laser sources for optical fiber system improvement

Abstract This study has demonstrated the multimode parabolic index fibers integrated with spatiotemporal VCSEL sources for the optical fiber system improvement. Average radial intensity is clarified against fiber radius variations with 0.1 % refractive difference index step. The Max base band Q factor form is demonstrated against the fiber refractive index step variations. The Max base band Q factor form variations are demonstrated against VCSEL diode bias current variations. The Max base band Q factor form variations are clarified against the fiber core radius variations. The Max base band Q factor form is simulated against the fiber cladding thickness variations. Multimode fiber calculation report at the wavelength 1550 nm for the light source (Pol. X = VCSEL LP [0,1]) is reported. The Max lighted base optical band form power is clarified versus time after parabolic index multimode fiber with 0.1 % refractive difference index step. The Max optical lighted base band power form is demonstrated against wavelength after parabolic index multimode fiber with 0.1 % refractive difference index step. The Max base Q band form factor is simulated after spatial APD photodetector receiver with 0.1 % refractive difference index step. The fiber base band mode form intensity in x and d directions is demonstrated within the fiber with 0.1 % refractive difference index step. The fiber base band encircled flux form is studied and simulated versus fiber radius variations with 0.1 % refractive difference index step.

Optimal boundary control of a model thin-film fiber coating model

This paper considers the control of fluid on a solid vertical fiber, where the fiber radius is larger than the film thickness. The fluid dynamics is governed by a fourth-order partial differential equation (PDE) that models this flow regime. Fiber coating is affected by the Rayleigh–Plateau instability that leads to breakup into moving droplets. In this work, we show that control of the film profile can be achieved by dynamically altering the input flux to the fluid system that appears as a boundary condition of the PDE. We use the optimal control methodology to compute the control function. This method entails solving a minimization of a given cost function over a time horizon. We formally derive the optimal control conditions, and numerically verify that subject to the domain length constraint, the thin film equation can be controlled to generate a desired film profile with a single point of actuation. Specifically, we show that the system can be driven to both constant film profiles and traveling waves of certain speeds.

Enhancing ionic conductivity in polymer melts results in smaller diameter electrospun fibers

Chemically compatible additives were utilized to increase the ionic conductivity of polyethylene melts. When subjected to unconfined electrospinning, a predictable and significant decrease in the resultant fiber diameter with enhanced melt conductivity was observed. This generalized approach was confirmed for viscous melts, varying in conductivity over five orders of magnitude and viscosity 5×, from multiple commercial polyethylene formulations with various additives. These experimental results are connected to theory for the relevant length scales of capillary length, jet spacing, and jet radius. In particular, jet radius scales as conductivity to the −1/4 power. Fitting experimental fiber radius vs ionic conductivity data results in a similar power law exponent (−0.29). This trend, occurring at orders of magnitude higher viscosity and six orders of magnitude lower conductivity, is similar to results from needle-based, solution phase electrospinning, suggesting the generality of the effect. The connection between larger length scales, such as the distance between jets and the thickness of the film at the plate edge, and fluid properties (surface tension, viscosity, and conductivity) is also discussed.

A multiscale framework for modeling fibrin fiber networks: Theory development and validation

Fibrin fibers and fibrin network, the key structural components of blood clots, are imperative for maintaining the functionality of blood clots in hemostasis and wound healing. Although extensive experimental investigations have lent valuable insights into the link between structure of fibrin network and the mechanical behavior of the blood clots, there is a lack of approaches to systematically quantify how the alterations in the microstructure of fibrin network dictate its mechanical responses to various external loadings. Such quantitative knowledge is essential for understanding the mechanism underlying thromboembolism, a pathological condition that could trigger life-threating events, such as pulmonary embolism. Herein, we present a multiscale framework for modeling a fibrin fiber network constructed by individual fibrin fibers. First, we develop a mechanical model for fibrin fibers using constitutive equations to capture both the tensile and bending behaviors of individual fibrin fibers. In particular, we propose an equation to describe the radial packing structure of protofibrils in the fibrin fiber cross-section, through which we can incorporate the microscopic variables, i.e., protofibril density, fiber radius, and the stiffnesses of αC-regions and fibrin protofibrils, into the derivation of a bending potential for the fibrin fiber model. With this derived bending potential, we show that the computed bending stiffness and persistence lengths of the fibrin fiber model are consistent with those reported in prior experimental studies. Next, we use the mechanical model of fibrin fibers to inform the parameters in a coarse-grained particle-based model for simulating fibrin network. Our simulation results show that the stress-strain relationships computed from fibrin network model when under tension, shear, and compression, align with experimental results, demonstrating the validity and capability of the proposed multiscale framework in modeling the mechanical responses of the fibrin network under various external loadings.

Tailored Porous Transport Layers for Optimal Oxygen Transport in Water Electrolyzers: Combined Stochastic Reconstruction and Lattice Boltzmann Method.

The porous transport layer (PTL) plays an integral role for the mass transport in polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolyzers. In this work, a stochastic reconstruction method of titanium felt-based PTLs is applied and combined with the Lattice Boltzmann method (LBM). The aim is to parametrically investigate the impact of different PTL structures on the transport of oxygen. The structural characteristics of a reconstructed PTL agree well with experimental investigations. Moreover, the impact of PTL porosity, fiber radius, and anisotropy parameter on the structural characteristics of PTLs are analyzed, and their impact on oxygen transport are elucidated by LBM. Eventually, a customized graded PTL is reconstructed, exhibiting almost optimal mass transport performance for the removal of oxygen. The results show that a higher porosity, larger fiber radius, and smaller anisotropy parameter facilitate the formation of oxygen propagation pathways. By tailoring the fiber characteristics and thus optimizing the PTLs, guidelines for the optimal design and manufacturing can be obtained for large-scale PTLs for electrolyzers.

Novel continuous fiber bending experiment to determine size- and spatial-distribution of surface defects in glass fibers

Tensile strength models for unidirectional composites require scaling of fiber strength distributions to small length scales in the range of the fiber radius to the ineffective length (5–200 μm). No test methods currently exist to measure and validate fiber strength at these length scales. In this paper, a novel continuous fiber bending test method is developed to measure the size and spatial distribution of defects in S-glass fibers. For this test method, a single glass fiber was placed between Kapton film and tape, and the sample is subjected to a sequence of controlled radii of curvatures ranging from 350 μm to 25 μm in a confocal microscope. From the bending tests, the number of defects and spacings between the defects over 780 mm length of fiber are obtained for each level of flexural stress. The Kapton film confines the fiber fragments and maintains fiber alignment allowing the same sample to be tested at lower radius of curvature (higher flexural strain/stress). The associated defect size is calculated using fracture mechanics. These results are used to map the size- and spatial-distribution of critical defects on the tension surface of a glass fiber. A methodology is presented to map additional defects around the circumference of the fiber, while maintaining the size and spatial distribution obtained from the bending tests. The results show that the lognormal distribution best fits the spatial distribution of defects along the fiber axis. The results also indicate that extrapolating the Weibull strength distribution (be it bimodal or unimodal) to gage lengths less than 200 μm leads to serious errors in fiber strength prediction.

Effects of relative humidity, alkaline concentration and temperature on the degradation of plain/coated glass fibers: Experimental investigation and empirical degradation model

Glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) rebars are commonly considered as a substitute for conventional steel reinforcements in concrete structures to avoid possible steel corrosion. However, the tensile strength of GFRP rebars may degrade with time due to the degradation of glass fibers under H2O/OH– attack in a moist concrete with a high pH level (∼13.6). The purpose of this study is to investigate the degradation of glass fibers under exposure to various temperatures (23, 40 and 60 ℃), relative humidities (45%, 75%, 95%) and pH levels (i.e., pH = 7, 11, 12 and 13), and then build up a comprehensive database incorporating the information on physical, chemical and mechanical properties of conditioned fibers. Experimental results show that direct exposure to an alkaline solution is highly aggressive to plain glass fibers, resulting in violent chemical reactions (i.e., leaching and dissolution) and a significant reduction in the fiber radius and tensile strength. In contrast, the matrix coating (thickness of ∼ 1.5 μm) on the fiber surface can effectively delay the penetration of H2O/OH–, protecting fibers from radius reduction, chemical reaction and tensile strength degradation. The degradation of GFRP rebar with the same fiber and matrix is also analyzed to illustrate the inherent relationship between the macroscopic tensile strength performance of conditioned rebars and the degradation of local glass fibers at the microscopic level. The findings in this study yield useful information on the degradation of local glass fibers in the GFRP rebar, supplying engineers with a better understanding of GFRP degradation mechanism in an alkaline environment.