Twin Pulse Research Articles

Comparison of STP and TP Modes of Wire and Arc Additive Manufacturing of Aluminum–Magnesium Alloys: Forming, Microstructures and Mechanical Properties

Aluminum–magnesium (Al–Mg) alloys, known for their lightweight properties, are extensively utilized and crucial in the advancement of wire and arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) for direct high-quality printing—a focal point in additive manufacturing research. This study employed 1.2 mm ER5356 welding wire as the raw material to fabricate two sets of 30-layer thin-walled structures. These sets were manufactured using two distinct welding modes, speed-twin pulse (STP) and twin pulse (TP). Comparative evaluations of the surface quality, microstructures, and mechanical properties of the two sets of samples indicated that both the STP and TP modes were suitable for the WAAM of Al–Mg alloys. Analyses of grain growth in the melt pools of both sample sets revealed a non-preferential grain orientation, with a mixed arrangement of equiaxed and columnar grains. The STP mode notably achieved a refined surface finish, a reduced grain size, and a slight increase in tensile strength compared to the TP mode. From the comparison of the tensile data at the bottom, middle, and top of the two groups of samples, the additive manufacturing process in the STP mode was more stable.

Dynamics of twin pulse propagation and dual-optical switching in a Λ + Ξ atomic medium

Optical bistability (OB) and optical multistability (OM) as well as optical soliton and all-optical switching have been successfully established in a lambda + cascade-type five-level atomic medium under electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) and electromagnetically induced absorption (EIA) regimes. For this configuration, three laser fields are required to excite atomic transitions. The probe laser field with two circularly left- and right-polarized components excites atoms in a lambda-type configuration. Meanwhile, two coupling laser fields excite atoms in a ladder-type configuration. In this way, the above optical phenomena can occur with two frequency channels corresponding to the circularly left- and right-polarized light components. By adjusting the strength/direction of the static magnetic field in the presence of the driving field, the EIT and EIA effects can be swapped, at the same time, OB and OM effects can also be converted. In the EIT regime, the propagation of the probe pulse easily achieves the soliton state, whereas it can be completely extinguished in the EIA regime. This makes it easy to create an all-optical switching mechanism. Especially, both components of the probe field (cw) can be modulated into a synchronous or asynchronous square pulse according to the modulation of the driving field. The results obtained from the investigated model may provide merits of the applications for optical storage and all-optical switching for multi-channel optical communications.

Steady-state intracellular pH and recovery from NH3/NH4+-induced intracellular acid loads in primary cultures of rat hippocampal neurons and astrocytes

Intracellular pH (pH i ) homeostasis is of vital importance because pH i fluctuations alter the net charge on intracellular weak acids and bases (e.g., amino-acid residues of proteins, metabolic intermediates, solutes like inorganic phosphate), and can result in cellular dysfunction. The rate of pH i change (dpH i /dt) is determined by the balance between acid loading (e.g., metabolic production of H + , influx of H + , efflux of HCO 3 − via transmembrane proteins of the SLC4 family) and acid extrusion (e.g., efflux of H + via Na-H exchangers in the SLC9 family, influx of HCO 3 − by members of the SLC4 family). A powerful approach for studying pH i regulation is to impose an acute intracellular acid load using the NH 4 + /NH 3 prepulse technique, and then assess dpH i /dt during the subsequent pH i recovery. Using two such prepulses and recoveries (twin pulses), one can compare 2 experimental conditions. The goal of the present study is to develop a data-analysis approach that facilitates a meaningful presentation of all twin-pulse experiments in a data set. Using primary cultures (~2 weeks) of embryonic (E18–E20) rat hippocampal neurons and astrocytes on coverslips, we loaded cells with the ratiometric pH-sensitive fluorescent dye BCECF, subjected the cells to twin NH 4 + /NH 3 pulses, and calibrated BCECF at the end of each experiment with nigericin at pH=7.0. A standard 12-point nigericin calibration curve allowed us to compute pH i vs. time. Because we studied cells in 21% O 2 but the nominal absence of CO 2 /HCO 3 − , the pH i recoveries mainly reflect Na-H exchange. We fitted the pH i -recovery time course with a double exponential (DExp) to reduce bias. Nevertheless, in both neurons and astrocytes plots of dpH i /dt vs. pH i appeared rather linear, indicating that the pH i recoveries were “quasi” single exponential (SExp). To exploit the near-linearity, for each pH i recovery, we fitted the plot of dpH i /dt vs pH i with a line, the slope of which is the quasi-single exponential rate constant (kqSExp), and the x-intercept of which is the asymptotic pH i of the recovery. We summarize the twin pH i recoveries from individual cells as miniature plots (“thumbnails”) in which we display, for each recovery, both the dpH i /dt values (from the DExp fit of pH i vs. time) vs. pH i and the line of best fit for these dpH i /dt values vs. pH i . A single figure can replicate such twin-pulse experiments from many dozens of cells, so that a reader, at a glance, can surmise the essentials of each pH i recovery. The present work provides background data for additional work in which we studied pH i recoveries at a reduced [O 2 ], with or without CO 2 /HCO 3 − . R01 NS018400, R01 HL160857, R01 DK128315 This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2023 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Synthesized evaluation of various injection regimens on hydrogen propelled homogeneous charge compression ignition and dual fuel modes for an automotive application

The present work aimed to perform a comparative study between the hydrogen diesel homogeneous charge compression ignition (HDHCCI) and hydrogen diesel dual fuel (HDDF) modes with multiple injection regimens. The results showed that the maximum feasible hydrogen energy shares (HES) were 73.99% and 27.46% for the HDDF and HDHCCI modes in a single pulse injection. The level of efficiency increased while increasing HES in the HDHCCI mode for any injection regimen. Conversely, the level of efficiency decreased on increasing HES for the HDDF mode, however it yields higher efficiency than the HDHCCI mode at a steady HES operation. The extremely low NO emission was attained using single pulse and twin pulse HDHCCI modes as compared with HDDF mode, and vice versa for smoke and HC emissions, since the existence of cool flame due to too early injection timings drastically altered the combustion characteristics of HDHCCI mode.

Parametric investigations to establish the potential of methanol based RCCI engine and comparison with the conventional dual fuel mode

This experimental study explores the potential of Methanol- Diesel Reactivity Controlled Compression Ignition (RCCI) in achieving low emissions and high thermal efficiency and compares this with the conventional dual fuel mode. A single cylinder light duty common rail water-cooled diesel engine was run at a constant speed of 1500 rpm and IMEP of 5 bar (50% of rated load) with methanol being port injected. In the conventional dual fuel mode, diesel was directly injected as a single pulse and its injection timing was adjusted for maximum efficiency. The RCCI mode of combustion could only be supported with one early injection pulse followed by another late injection pulse of diesel. The methanol to diesel energy share (MDES) could be enhanced to 56% in the RCCI mode with proper setting of the injection parameters from 45% in the dual fuel mode. A higher quantity in the second diesel pulse that occurred close to TDC led to higher thermal efficiency and good combustion stability. The NO level was significantly lower in the RCCI mode by about 95% and soot emission was reduced by about 78% while the thermal efficiency was increased from 36% to 38% as compared to the dual fuel mode at a fixed MDES. Beyond an MDES of 45% heating of the intake air to about 85 °C was needed to enhance the thermal efficiency to about 42% without affecting NO emissions. Higher MDES values always reduced the soot and NO levels and but enhanced the HC and CO emissions which could be controlled by increasing the temperature of the intake air. On the whole, thermal efficiency higher than the conventional dual fuel mode along with considerably lower NO emissions and comparable soot, HC and CO emissions and enhanced methanol share can be achieved in the Methanol RCCI mode when twin pulse injection of diesel.

Focus on lasers, imaging, microscopy, and nanoscience

Focus on lasers, imaging, microscopy, and nanoscience

Paradoxical effects on voltage-gated Na+conductance in adrenal chromaffin cells by twin vs single high intensity nanosecond electric pulses.

We previously reported that a single 5 ns high intensity electric pulse (NEP) caused an E-field-dependent decrease in peak inward voltage-gated Na+ current (INa) in isolated bovine adrenal chromaffin cells. This study explored the effects of a pair of 5 ns pulses on INa recorded in the same cell type, and how varying the E-field amplitude and interval between the pulses altered its response. Regardless of the E-field strength (5 to 10 MV/m), twin NEPs having interpulse intervals ≥ than 5 s caused the inhibition of TTX-sensitive INa to approximately double relative to that produced by a single pulse. However, reducing the interval from 1 s to 10 ms between twin NEPs at E-fields of 5 and 8 MV/m but not 10 MV/m decreased the magnitude of the additive inhibitory effect by the second pulse in a pair on INa. The enhanced inhibitory effects of twin vs single NEPs on INa were not due to a shift in the voltage-dependence of steady-state activation and inactivation but were associated with a reduction in maximal Na+ conductance. Paradoxically, reducing the interval between twin NEPs at 5 or 8 MV/m but not 10 MV/m led to a progressive interval-dependent recovery of INa, which after 9 min exceeded the level of INa reached following the application of a single NEP. Disrupting lipid rafts by depleting membrane cholesterol with methyl-β-cyclodextrin enhanced the inhibitory effects of twin NEPs on INa and ablated the progressive recovery of this current at short twin pulse intervals, suggesting a complete dissociation of the inhibitory effects of twin NEPs on this current from their ability to stimulate its recovery. Our results suggest that in contrast to a single NEP, twin NEPs may influence membrane lipid rafts in a manner that enhances the trafficking of newly synthesized and/or recycling of endocytosed voltage-gated Na+ channels, thereby pointing to novel means to regulate ion channels in excitable cells.

Exploration of Weld Bead Forming Rule during Double-Pulsed GMAW Process Based on Grey Relational Analysis.

Weld bead forming rule is very important during double-pulsed gas metal arc welding (DP-GMAW) process, and this process has more advantages than that of conventional arc welding process. This work employed grey rational analysis to explore the weld bead forming rule. Since the latest twinpulse XT DP control process was employed, the parameters adjustment was easier than that of conventional operation. The grey relational analyses between five main process parameters, which were average welding current, welding speed, twin pulse relation, twin pulse frequency together with twin pulse current change in percent, and three key characteristic parameters, which were bead width, bead height and penetration, were conducted to explore the weld bead forming rule. To accurately calculate the grey relational degree, the negative relevancies were transformed to positive ones. According to calculations and corresponding analyses, it can be concluded that the effects of average welding current and welding speed on the weld bead forming and key characteristic parameters of the weld bead were higher than that of other process parameters. Moreover, the relevancies between key characteristic parameters of the weld bead, and process parameters which included twin pulse relation, average welding current and twin pulse current change in percent were positive, while the relevancies between key characteristic parameters and other two process parameters were negative. The work can supply a new method to evaluate the effects of process parameters during the DP-GMAW process on the weld bead forming or other process characteristics, and references for parameters selection and process optimization.

Process and Parameter Optimization of the Double-Pulsed GMAW Process

The double pulsed gas metal arc welding (DP-GMAW) process has been effectively employed to realize joining of steel plates and obtain weld bead surfaces with high quality fish scale ripples. In this work, a DP-GMAW process based on robot operation using the latest twinpulse XT DP control technology was employed to join the stainless-steel base plates. Four key operational parameters, which were robot welding speed, twin pulse frequency, twin pulse relation and twin pulse current change in percent, were selected to be input elements of orthogonal experimental design, which included nine experiments with three levels. To accurately understand the performance and process of weld bead obtained from DP-GMAW operation based on robot operation, the appearance observation and key shape parameters measurement, microstructure analysis, tensile and hardness testing, as well as stability analysis of the electrical signals, were conducted. Correlation analysis showed that the grain size was significantly correlative to the toughness and hardness. Then, to obtain quantitative evaluation results, fuzzy comprehensive evaluation (FCE) was employed to provide quality evaluation of weld beads from the above experiments. The influential levels of the key operational parameters on the appearance, grain size and FCE scores, and corresponding physical analyses, were respectively presented. In addition, optimal parameters combinations for obtaining weld beads with optimal appearance, grain size, and the highest FCE scores of weld bead quality were respectively provided according to the range analysis of the results from orthogonal experimental design. This work can provide an effective analysis method of influential levels of key operational parameters on the performance of the weld bead, optimal operational parameters combination seeking method, and quantitative quality evaluation method for the DP-GMAW process, which can improve the process optimization and increase the production efficiency, both in academic research and actual industrial production.

Effects of Operational Parameters on the Characteristics of Ripples in Double-Pulsed GMAW Process.

This study focuses on the characteristics of the ripples of the weld bead formed during the double-pulsed gas metal arc welding (DP-GMAW) process. As a special output of the process, ripples include many useful information and can reflect the quality of the welding process. The work analyzed the operational characteristics of the DP-GMAW process based on robot operation which used the latest twinpulse XT DP control process, and then selected five key operational parameters, such as average current, welding speed, twin pulse frequency, twin pulse relation, and twin pulse current change in percent, to explore their effects on the formation and characteristics of ripples. A reliable method of measuring the distance of the ripples was used to provide convincing data. According to a series of experimental observations and analyses, the distance of ripples and appearance under different conditions were obtained. Also, curve fitting equations between each operational parameter and corresponding distances of ripples was obtained. To testify the effectiveness of the curve fitting equations, corresponding verifying experiments were conducted, and the results showed that all the errors were below 10%. In addition, the different levels of the operational parameters on the formation and characteristics of ripples were provided. This work can be a reference for the process and quality control improvement for the DP-GMAW process.

High-extraction-efficiency, nanosecond bidirectional ring amplifier with twin pulses

The output performances of a bidirectional ring amplifier with twin pulses are demonstrated. Compared to the extraction efficiency of 32% for single-pulse injection, the extraction efficiency of stored energy for twin-pulse injection with bidirectional propagation is increased to 60%. The maximum output energies of the twin pulses are 347 mJ and 351 mJ, and the output energy of a single pulse is only 373 mJ under the same amplifier operating conditions. The experimental results show that the bidirectional ring amplifier with twin pulses can achieve a higher extraction efficiency of stored energy at a lower operating fluence, and has potential applications in high-power and high-energy laser facilities.

Bidirectional ring amplifier with twin pulses for high-power lasers.

A novel bidirectional ring amplifier with twin pulses for high-power lasers is proposed, and the performances on output energy capability and extraction efficiency are comprehended with detailed simulation. The results show that an extraction efficiency of 62.3% and the output energy of 13.4 kJ per pulse at the B integral limit can be obtained at low average fluence of 10.3 J/cm2 and the low injection energy of 3.9 mJ in the bidirectional ring amplifier. Compared with the multi-pass amplifier, the bidirectional ring amplifier is more compact and the extraction efficiency is much higher at low injection energy and low laser fluence operation, which is beneficial to simplify the preamplifier system and reduce the effects of nonlinear phase shift.

High-voltage electric stimulation of the donor site of skin grafts accelerates the healing process. A randomized blinded clinical trial

IntroductionSevere burns benefit from skin grafting, and grafting surgery is of great importance in the treatment of these injuries. As a result, there is formation of an additional wound at the donor site, which is painful and susceptible to infection. However, the therapeutic approach to these problems at donor sites for skin grafting is insufficiently explored in the literature. AimTo evaluate electrical stimulation of the donor sites of burn patients treated by grafting surgery. MethodsThis work evaluated 30 donor sites of cutaneous graft burn patients treated with high-voltage electrical stimulation. Subjects were randomized into two groups: electrical stimulation (GES), treated with electrostimulation (50min, 100Hz, twin pulses 15 us, monophasic), and the sham group (GS), treated by the same procedures but without current. Pain was assessed by visual analog scale daily before and after the electrical stimulation. The time elapsed until complete epithelization was evaluated (time of primary dressing detached spontaneously). Skin temperature was measured by thermography. The characteristics of donor sites were qualitatively evaluated using images and the plug-in CaPAS® (Carotid Plaque Analysis Software). ResultsThe results showed a significant decrease in pain, which was absent on the third day in the GES and the sixth day in the GS. The time the primary dressing detached spontaneously in days decreased (p<0.05) (4.7±0.2) compared to the GS group (7.0±1.3). Donor site healing characteristics such as vascularization, pigmentation, height, the quantity of crust formed, irregularities, and the quality of healing was better in the GES; moreover, homogeneity and inertia of the images confirmed higher healing quality. ConclusionAs a result of the study, the technology shows promise and merits a larger study with objective assessments and different physical variables.

Design, development and testing twin pulse tube cryocooler

The design and development of Twin Pulse Tube Cryocooler (TPTC) is presented. Both the coolers are driven by a single Linear Moving Magnet Synchronous Motor (LMMSM) with piston heads at both ends of the mover shaft. Magnetostatic analysis for flux line distribution was carried-out during design and development of LMMSM based pressure wave generator. Based on the performance of PWG, design of TPTC was carried out using Sage and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis. Detailed design, fabrication and testing of LMMSM, TPTC and their integration tests are presented in this paper.

Experimental studies on twin PTCs driven by dual piston head linear compressor

An experimental study on pulse tube cryocooler is presented with a twin pulse tube configuration. The study is conducted with a dual piston head linear compressor design which is developed indigenously. The two identical pulse tube cryocoolers are operated by a single linear motor which generates 1800 out of phase dual pressure waves. The advantages of the configuration being the reduction in fabrication cost and the increased cooling power. The compressor is driven at a frequency of 48 Hz using indigenously developed PWM based power supply. The CFD study of pulse tube cryocooler is discussed along with the experimental cool down results. A detailed experimental and FEM based studies on the fabrication procedure of heat exchangers is conducted to ensure better heat transfer in the same.

Treatment of Melasma with the Photoacoustic Twin Pulse Mode of Low-Fluence 1,064 nm Q-Switched Nd:YAG Laser.

BackgroundLow-fluence 1,064 nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser has been widely used for the treatment of melasma. Although new Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers with photoacoustic twin pulse (PTP) mode have been recently developed for high-efficiency, there is limited information available for the new technique.ObjectiveThis study was designed to investigate the efficacy and adverse effects after few sessions of repeated low fluence 1,064 nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser treatment with PTP mode in Asian women with melasma.MethodsTwenty-two Korean women were treated with a total of five sessions of low-fluence PTP mode Nd:YAG laser treatment (Pastelle®) at 2 weeks interval. Responses to treatments were evaluated by using Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) scoring, colorimeter measurement, and the investigators' and patients' overall assessments. Adverse events were recorded at each visit.ResultsInvestigators' and patients' overall assessment showed that 'significantly improved' was assessed by 13 (59.1%) and 19 of 22 patients (86.4%), respectively. MASI scores were significantly reduced by 20.4%. The lightness, measured by using a colorimeter, was significantly increased by 1.3 point. Notable adverse events were not observed.ConclusionAfter 5 sessions of laser therapy alone, about 60% of the subjects showed significant improvement. Few sessions of repeated laser toning treatment using the PTP mode is a safe and effective way to treat facial melasma.

Ramsey method for Auger-electron interference induced by an attosecond twin pulse

We examine the archetype of an interference experiment for Auger electrons: two electron wave packets are launched by inner-shell ionizing a krypton atom using two attosecond light pulses with a variable time delay. This setting is an attosecond realization of the Ramsey method of separated oscillatory fields. Interference of the two ejected Auger-electron wave packets is predicted, indicating that the coherence between the two pulses is passed to the Auger electrons. For the detection of the interference pattern an accurate coincidence measurement of photo- and Auger electrons is necessary. The method allows one to control inner-shell electron dynamics on an attosecond timescale and represents a sensitive indicator for decoherence.

Bidirectional amplifying architecture with twin pulses for laser fusion facilities

A novel method to amplify laser pulses in inertial confinement fusion (ICF) facilities is presented, in which twin pulses are employed to propagate along the amplifier in opposite directions. The resulting bidirectional propagation provides a substantially higher extraction efficiency of the amplifier than the conventional multipass architecture for an equal B limit, while keeping the laser fluence at a low level that is beneficial to system reliability and stability. It is shown that an extraction efficiency of ∼61% is achievable under a laser fluence of 10 J cm−2 (1ω, one pulse) in an 18-slab amplifier with the bidirectional amplifying design (slab thickness: 4 cm, small signal gain coefficient: 0.0525 cm−1), while the extraction efficiency is only ∼40% under a fluence of 13 J cm−2 (1ω) for the conventional multipass architecture.

A Segregated Neural Pathway for Prefrontal Top-Down Control of Tactile Discrimination

It has proven difficult to separate functional areas in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), an area implicated in attention, memory, and distraction handling. Here, we assessed in healthy human subjects whether PFC subareas have different roles in top-down regulation of sensory functions by determining how the neural links between the PFC and the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) modulate tactile perceptions. Anatomical connections between the S1 representation area of the cutaneous test site and the PFC were determined using probabilistic tractography. Single-pulse navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation of the middle frontal gyrus-S1 link, but not that of the superior frontal gyrus-S1 link, impaired the ability to discriminate between single and twin tactile pulses. The impairment occurred within a restricted time window and skin area. The spatially and temporally organized top-down control of tactile discrimination through a segregated PFC-S1 pathway suggests functional specialization of PFC subareas in fine-tuned regulation of information processing.

Pulsed Arc Welding Applied to Robotized Joining of Thin Car-Body Steel Sheets

The paper presents the potential of robotized welding applied for thin steel sheets using variable parameters of arc (different welding programs: Standard, Pulse, Twin Pulse, and Speed Pulse). Trial welded joints were made for sheets 0.8 to 1.25 mm thick and relevant welding parameters were selected for them during the first stage of examinations. The properties of welded joints were determined with non-destructive and destructive testing. In turn, visual inspection allowed to evaluate the shape and dimensional conformities of joints and to detect superficial imperfections. In order to improve detection accuracy, penetration testing was used for confirmation purposes. Tensile strength testing was also made to determine mechanical properties of the weld and the heat-affected zone. Metallographic examinations were used for sheets of all thickness values and for all welding programs to verify that the structure of joints was correct. All examinations and tests made on trial joints enabled to find how pulsing arc welding affects quality and strength properties of welds as compared with standard method.