Hemispherical Holes Research Articles

Eco-Friendly Electrophoretic Deposition of Fluorescent Nanocomposite Films in an Aqueous Dispersion of Hydrophilized Core/Shell CuInS2/ZnS Quantum Dots for Optoelectronic Applications.

Low-toxic and efficient fluorescent core-shell CuInS2/ZnS (CIS/ZnS) quantum dots (QDs) are good candidates for optoelectronic device applications. They are synthesized in a hydrophobic environment, while large amounts of organic solvents used in the preparation of fluorescent films have significant problems on environmental load and human health. CIS/ZnS QDs hydrophilized by adsorbing 3-mercaptopropionic acid on their surfaces can be used in the aqueous film fabrication process. In this work, the aqueous electrophoretic deposition (EPD) of the hydrophilized QDs with silicone-modified acrylic resin nanoparticles was performed to fabricate fluorescent nanocomposite films. The hydrophilized QDs and resin nanoparticles were simultaneously dispersed in basic aqueous solutions due to electrostatic repulsion resulting from their negatively charged surfaces. Transparent films were obtained on a transparent conductive substrate at the anode side by the EPD. They showed yellow fluorescence of the QDs. The thickness increased with increasing the deposition time; however, hemispherical holes attributed to oxygen gas generated by water electrolysis were observed at the longer time. The electron microscopy revealed that the films were densely and homogeneously deposited. The QDs were dispersed around the resin nanoparticles without aggregation. The fluorescence (FL) quantum yield was 43%. The optical absorption peak and FL intensity of the QDs increased accompanied by the film growth. The nanocomposite film showed good heat resistance at 80-120 °C for 5 h; therefore, the prepared films have feasibility in white light-emitting diode (LED) applications. A lightening device structured with the obtained EPD film placed on a blue LED successfully emitted white light. In addition, the flexibility of the nanocomposite film was demonstrated. The aqueous EPD method would be one of the suitable methods for the industrial production of fluorescent QD films. This technique can be applied to other hydrophilic fluorescent QDs with charged surfaces. Realization of various fluorescent QD films would expand the application possibilities.

Reconfigurable switching between reflecting/absorbing modes in VO2 assisted graphene-coated hemispherical dielectric hole arrays

In this paper, a graphene-coated dielectric hole array is used to design a reconfigurable switchable optical reflector/absorber device. The design benefits from the collective excitation of localized surface plasmon resonances of graphene-coated hole array, providing simpler fabrication fellow and more compact structure with respect to graphene-coated spherical nanoparticle array with similar plasmonic behavior. Geometrical parametric study of the reflecting mode shows that the device has lots of degrees of freedom for spectrum tuning and can highly tolerate fabrication imperfections. Moreover, the reflection rate is slightly affected by the dielectric substrate height, which can be tuned to achieve strong absorption by backing it with a metallic mirror. The designed absorber efficiently captures a wide range of obliquely incident transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) waves. Also, the operating frequency of both reflecting and absorbing modes can be tuned after fabrication, thanks to the two-dimensional nature of graphene material. Finally, using vanadium dioxide (VO2) phase change material, the switchable reflector\\absorber mode of the device is also exhibited.

High-cycle fatigue behavior of a laser powder bed fusion additive manufactured Ti-6Al-4V titanium: Effect of pores and tested volume size

This work is focused on the effect of natural defect on the fatigue resistance of a laser powder bed fusion additively manufactured Ti-6Al-4V titanium. To reveal the fatigue strength variability and its sensitivity to the defect size, push-pull fatigue tests have been undertaken on specimens with different sizes of highly loaded volume of material. In order to easily vary the size of the highly loaded volume, specimens containing different numbers of surface hemispherical shape holes of 600 μm in diameter have been tested. This method also allowed to test small volume which triggered crack initiation from microstructural features.The fatigue damage mechanisms observed and the average natural defect size measured on the failure surfaces depend on the size of the highly stressed region. A higher fatigue strength is observed for smaller stressed volumes and defect free regions. To reduce the impact lack-of-fusion on fatigue and increase the probability of triggering crack initiation from a microstructural feature, the specimens were built in the horizontal direction. For specimens where fatigue cracks initiated at natural discontinuities, the results reported in a Kitagawa-Takahashi diagram revealed a critical defect size (area) in the range of 30 μm. In addition, a probabilistic approach based on the weakest link theory is proposed. The model describes a probabilistic Kitagawa-Takahashi diagram accounting for the size of both the highly stressed volume and the natural defect.

A generic approach of polishing metals via isotropic electrochemical etching

Isotropic etching polishing (IEP), which is based on the merging of hemispherical holes that are formed by isotropic etching, is proposed in this study as a universal metal finishing approach. Modeling of the surface evolution during IEP is also carried out, and the formation of a metal surface is predicted. The etching anisotropy of titanium is experimentally studied, and the results show that isotropic etching can be realized under optimized conditions. Isotropic etching sites originate from a breakdown of the passivation layer. Both the density and growth rate of the holes are affected by the current, and a large etching current is preferred for the realization of highly efficient polishing. IEP has been shown to be effective and efficient for surface finishing of TA2. The surface Sa roughness is drastically reduced from 64.1 nm to 1.2 nm, and a maximum polishing rate of 15 μm/min is achieved under an etching current of 3 A. IEP has also been successfully applied for surface finishing of other metals, including TC4, stainless steel 304, aluminum alloy 6063 and pure nickel, demonstrating that IEP can be considered a universal approach for finishing metals.

Table de jeu et autres signes lapidaires à Ḏarīḥ (Jordanie)

Three blocks, found in original position or fallen without shifting, belonging to the façade of the temple of Ḏarīḥ, bear on one of the hidden sides Nabataean letters for one, Thamudic for two others. Interpreted here as possible masonry-marks, these signs may have been assemblage markers, without however excluding the hypothesis of mason’s signatures. One of the blocks also bears parallel rows of hemispherical holes forming a game-table well attested in the Roman period.

Magnitude and distribution of stresses in composite resin and sound dentine interface with mechanical retentions.

Background Adhesive systems are constantly subjected to mechanical and chemical stresses that negatively impact the integrity and durability of the dentine-adhesive interface. Despite the lack of evidence to support or reject the clinical indication for mechanical retention, the potential further contribution of these preparations to the behavior of the composite resin-sound dentine bond has been rarely addressed. The authors evaluated by finite element analysis the effect of mechanical retention on the magnitude and distribution of stresses in a composite resin-sound dentin bonding interface when subjected to tensile and shear forces. Material and Methods A three-dimensional model was created based on three cylindrical volumes representing the sound dentin, adhesive system, and composite resin. From this main model, two models were designed to simulate dentine bonding: 1) a model with no mechanical retention, which considered flat adhesion; and 2) a model with retention, which considered four hemispherical holes on the dentine surface. Both groups were subjected to linear static analysis under tensile and shear loading of 200N. Results At the model with retentions’ bonding interface under tensile and shear loading, a concentration of Von Mises equivalent stress was observed within the retentions, with a reduction of those stresses on the bonding boundary surface. Conclusions Additional mechanical retention increases the tensile strength of the sound dentin-composite resin bonding interface, promoting a decrease in the magnitude of the stresses and their redistribution under tensile and shear loading. Key words:Adhesion, composite resins, dentine, finite element analysis.

Pitting Corrosion Investigation of Cantilever Beams Using F. E. Method

Carbon steel cantilever beams are widely used in many applications in aerospace, civil and mechanical engineering. Pitting corrosion is a phenomenon which places severe limitations on the design of such applications. As such, understanding this phenomenon and the methods to deal with it, are of a great importance. This paper presents numerical investigation by using F. E. (Finite Element) simulation on the load carrying capacity of corroded cantilever beams with pitting corrosion damage. The pitting corrosion hole shape has been modeled using ASTM G46 Standard Guide. Several different cases of pitting corrosion, represented by hemispherical holes, were modeled and examined by using ANSYS computer program. Clamped edge constraint was used on one end, while the other end was free. In these F. E. models, element of Solid95 was used and comparison to Bernoulli-Euler theory was made. The effect of the radius of the pitting corrosion holes on the stresses in the beam was examined in comparison to yield stress. It has been found that the M. S. (Margin of Safety) has been reduced gradually with increasing radii. Agreement with Bernoulli-Euler theory has been achieved only for small radii. Moreover, three methods of pitting corrosion repairs were examined, together with Bernoulli-Euler theory comparison: 1) Regular surface repair; 2) Extension surface repair; and 3) “Handy Removal”. It was found that extension surface repair has the highest M. S. value.

Comparison of two-dimensional periodic arrays of convex and concave nanostructures for efficient SERS templates

We describe the optical power enhancement on the surface of the 2D (two-dimensional) periodic arrays of convex and concave gold nanostructures for comparing the characteristics of the nanostructures for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) templates. The optical power enhancement is due to the surface plasmon polaritons, which is calculated by the Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) method at commercially-available 532 nm pump light. A periodic array of closely-packed gold particles is defined as convex nanostructure, while a periodic array of hemispherical holes, or voids, on gold substrate is defined as concave nanostructure. The peak power enhancement factor, the average power enhancement factor and the activity rate of each structure were compared. The convex nanostructures show a strong enhancement factor in localized hotspots, while the concave nanostructures show not only the peak power enhancement factor comparable to that of convex nanostructures, but also higher spatially-averaged power enhancement factors and activity rates than those observed on the convex nanostructures, meaning that the highly enhanced near-field zone distributes densely on the substrate. We also revealed the dependence of the void diameter on the inter-void distance for the power enhancement in the concave nanostructures system, providing a guideline for the fabrication of the efficient SERS template, which shows a strong power enhancement factor with a high area density.

Fabrication of substrates with extended nanostructured surface areas for wetting studies

We have developed a fabrication methodology that relies on nanoimprint lithography (NIL), wet etching (Buffered Oxide Etch solution) and plasma etching in an Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP); with our process we are able to pattern extended surface areas of about 1 cm 2 with an array of rectangular channels or hemispherical holes of nanometric size. The fabricated samples are used in adsorption experiments to test recent theoretical predictions concerning the capillary condensation in capped capillaries.

Preparation and abrasion resistance of transparent super-hydrophobic coating by combining crater-like silica films with acicular boehmite powder

A super-hydrophobic coating was prepared by combining a rigid base film with crater-like hemispherical holes and acicular nanoparticles. The acicular boehmite powder provides a high contact angle on the film surface. The rigid base film with crater-like hemispherical holes inhibits the rapid decrease of contact angle by surface rubbing. The combination of different roughness is an effective method for improving the abrasion resistance of super-hydrophobic films.

Magnetic Disturbance Due to the Hemispherical Hole in the Ground for a Building at the Magnetic Test Site

At the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, a zero magnetic field is required to test the magnetic characteristics of spacecrafts, satellites and to calibrate magnetometers. This zero-magnetic field is realized by means of a three-axis coil system which can cancel the uniform earth's magnetic field, but cannot cancel magnetic disturbance because of no magnetically shielded room. Therefore, the magnetic disturbance within and in the vicinity of the zero-magnetic field of a Spacecraft Magnetic Test Site (SMTS) is investigated by comparing the results of three-dimensional (3-D) finite-element analysis with measurements. Distributions of the magnetic disturbance due to three hemispherical objects-the roof, the foundation made of concrete, and the hole in the ground for the SMTS building-are analyzed and compared with those measured by a proton magnetometer. Consequently, it is shown that the hemispherical hole in the ground for the SMTS building, which has weak magnetism and is a little higher than that of concrete, generates a weak magnetic disturbance in the zero-magnetic field of the SMTS

Analytical solution for transient flow into a hemispherical auger hole

An explicit analytic solution for a transient groundwater flow to an auger hole of hemispherical shape is found on the base of ideas and under the same assumptions as in the original paper of Kirkham and van Bavel (1948). Theory of seepage into auger holes. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. Proc., 13, 75–82). The Legendre polynomial expansions are used to solve the Laplace equation with a combination of seepage face and equipotential conditions along the hole contour. A type curve for increasing water level in an initially empty hole is plotted, which allows for a fast determination of the hydraulic conductivity from the observation of filling of a small hole tapping a shallow water table. Time-decreasing total flow rates, velocities, particle trajectories, a capture zone of the hole are calculated using the Wolfram Mathematica software.

Confirmation of colonization of degrading bacterium strain SC-17 on poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) cast film

To clarify the mechanism of microbial degradation owing to colonization ofPseudomonas sp. strain SC-17 on a poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) cast film surface, morphological and spectroscopic analyses of the degraded film were investigated and colonization kinetics on the films is discussed. By spectroscopic analysis of unique hemispherical degradation marks, cells of strain SC-17 adhering to the marks' surface were confirmed. To account for the hemispherical hole formation and their linear enlargement with culture time, a three-dimensional colony growth model toward the interior of the film was developed. The model explained the hemispherical hole formation well. It was concluded that the hemispherical holes resulted from the colonization of strain SC-17 on the film surfaces. It was further determined that the microbial degradation by strain SC-17 is initiated from small pits formed on the PHB film surface.

Microbial degradation of an aliphatic polyester with a high melting point, poly(tetramethylene succinate)

The biodegradability of poly(tetramethylene succinate) (PTMS), a synthetic aliphatic polyester with a high melting point, was evaluated. The ecological study showed that the distribution of PTMS-degrading microorganisms in soil environments was quite restricted compared with the distribution of microorganisms that degrade poly((epsilon)-caprolactone) (PCL), a polyester with a low melting point. However, in soil samples in which the formation of a clear zone was observed, PTMS-degrading microorganisms constituted 0.2 to 6.0% of the total number of microorganisms, which is very close to the percentage (0.8 to 8.0%) observed for PCL-degrading microorganisms. Five strains were isolated from colonies which formed distinct clear zones on agar plates with emulsified PTMS. In liquid cultures of the isolates with ground PTMS powder, strain HT-6, an actinomycete, showed the highest PTMS degrading activity. It assimilated about 60% of the ground PTMS powder after 8 days of cultivation. When a PTMS emulsion was used, a higher degradation rate was observed and more than 90% of the PTMS was assimilated in 6 days. PTMS degradation products were analyzed by gas chromatography, and it was found that 1,4-butanediol, 4-hydroxy n-butyrate, and succinic acid accumulated during cultivation. Degradation of PTMS film by the strain occurred in two steps: fragmentation and then the formation of hemispherical holes on the surface of the film. Strain HT-6 was also able to assimilate PCL and poly((beta)-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB). The crude enzyme showed a wide range of substrate specificity, being able to degrade low-molecular-weight PTMS, PCL, PHB, and even high-molecular-weight PTMS.

Stress concentration due to an array or hemispherical cavities at the surface of an elastic half-space

The paper investigates the perturbation in an otherwise uniform stress field in an elastic half-space due to a doubly-periodic array of small hemispherical holes at the free surface. The solution is obtained using three potential functions of double Fourier series form in Galerkin's strain potential solution, the coefficients of which are determined using the collocation method. The unperturbed field is taken to be one of uniform plane stress parallel to the free surface. Two special cases are studied—uniform tension and uniform shear stress. Numerical results for these cases can be generalized by superposition to give solutions for a general state of biaxial plane stress. It is found that, for both tension and shear, the maximum stress concentration occurs at the bottom of the holes. The stress concentration factor increases with the ratio of hole spacing to radius, approaching the known solution for a single hemispherical hole at large ratios.

A modeled study for diagnosis of small anechoic masses with ultrasound.

Hemispherical holes created in the bases of uniform natural sponges were imaged in water to determine how anechoic masses fill in with echoes at increased gains. The increase in gain, from the threshold for outlining a hole, to the fill-in of the hole with echoes, was obtained for a range of hole diameters and imaging conditions. These gain changes fit on a smooth curve when plotted against the hole diameter divided by the ultrasound beam width. The main sources of fill-in, beam width and multiple reverberations, appear to behave similarly in vivo. Understanding these effects may help reduce diagnostic errors.

Solar distillation of water from soil and plant materials: a simple desert survival technique.

Water obtained from soil and plant materials by a simple distillation technique can provide a means for survival under desert conditions. A hemispherical hole in soil (in some cases containing cut plant material) is covered with plastic film formed and held in a conical shape by a rock placed in the center. Water collects on the under side of the plastic, runs to the point of the cone, and drops into the container. A yield of 1.5 liters per day of potable water was obtained from a single "survival still."