Performance of corrugated actuator-tabs of aspect ratio 2.0 on supersonic jet mixing enhancement

Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology - The present experimental investigation explores the ability of the corrugated actuator-tabs (or simply, the corrugated actuators) of aspect ratio 2 in...     

Comparative analysis of a variety of high-Q capacitively transduced bulk-mode microelectromechanical resonator geometries

Microelectromechanical system (MEMS) based on-chip resonators offer great potential for sensing and high frequency signal processing applications due to their exceptional features like small size, large frequency-quality factor product, integrability with CMOS ICs, low power consumption etc. Capacitively transduced MEMS resonators are in general favored than their piezoelectrically transduced counterparts. Also among the former variety of microresonators, bulk acoustic mode of vibration is the preferred option for realizing high frequency of operation. So this study focuses on the design, simulation and optimization of some new as well as previously reported geometries of the particular variety of bulk-mode micromachined resonators based on capacitive transduction. A low motional resistance has been attempted for these resonators, which can make them ideal for use in radio frequency communication circuits like reference oscillators and filters.     

Influence of PVP buffer layer on the formation of NaA zeolite membrane

The support substrates were modified with the aqueous solutions of 1 and 3 wt% of polyvinyl pyrrolidine (PVP) as intermediate buffer layer followed by NaA zeolite seed (prepared hydrothermally at 85 °C for 2 h) coating with 2.5 wt% aqueous dispersion in each case. A better surface coverage with the oriented layer of NaA seed crystals was found with 1 wt% PVP buffer layer. The secondary crystallization of NaA membranes in the PVP-seed-coated supports was carried out hydrothermally at 65 °C for 2, 4, 6 h (single-stage each) and (2 + 2), (4 + 2)h (double-stage each) crystal growth processes. The crystallization behaviours of NaA membranes were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) while the microstructures of the same films were observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The single-stage secondary crystallization at 65 °C for 4 h showed highly interlocked and oriented NaA grains in the membranes and it rendered the permeance value of 2.2 × 10⁻⁸ mol m⁻²s⁻¹Pa⁻¹ for single gas, nitrogen (N₂) at ambient temperature (30 °C).     

Substrate effect on morphology and photoluminescence from ZnO monopods and bipods

A simple wet chemical bath deposition has been successfully deployed to fabricate zinc oxide (ZnO)nanostructures. For substrate free growth, the nanostructure is spindle like monopods. But when the nanostructures grow on the glass and quartz substrates, they are bipods (two monopods joined together base to base). Variation in the size of the spindles of the monopods and bipods and the particle size was observed due to the strain exists in the thin film due to lattice mismatch at the interface of the thin film and the substrates. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and selected area diffraction results confirmed the hexagonal unit cell structures of the monopods and bipods. Also the growth rates of various planes are different and the growth is anisotropic. The substrate free grown monopods show visible photoluminescence (PL) at 421 nm. But the emission gets shifted by 3 and 6 nm for ZnO thin film deposited on quartz and glass substrates respectively due to interfacial strain. In case of ZnO on quartz substrate a strong ultra-violet (UV) peak was observed at 386 nm due to band edge transition. These emissions are also accompanied by few weaker emission peaks due to various defect related transition.     

Characterization of polyurethane foams from soybean oil

Modified soy‐based vegetable oil polyols were successfully incorporated as a replacement for conventional polyols to produce flexible slabstock polyurethane foams. The oil was characterized for its hydroxyl value and fatty acid composition. The modified oils had higher hydroxyl values and lower unsaturated acids than regular unmodified oils. Three different modified polyols were used to investigate the reactivity with isocyanates. The effects on the foaming reaction of two different isocyanates, namely TDI and MDI, were investigated. The reactions were also carried out with a mixture of polyols containing synthetic polyols and vegetable oil‐based polyols to delineate the effect of each component. FTIR technique was used to identify the sequence of chemical reactions during the foaming process. The effect of water levels and isocyanate content on the kinetics of the foaming reaction was investigated. Information regarding the formation of hard and soft segments with the varying compositions was obtained. As the water content increased, the amount of the hard segment and urea formation increased in both soy oil polyols and synthetic polyols. Increased synthetic polyols in the mixture increased the rate of reaction and phase mixing due to the availability of primary hydroxyl groups. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) were used to probe the morphology. As the water content increased, the cell size increased. At lower water content a more uniform cell structure was evident and at higher water levels hard domain size increased. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 3097–3107, 2002     

Virtual Traffic Path Optimization in Connection-Oriented Networks with Stochastic Traffic

Traffic control is a critical issue in connection-oriented packet-switching networks such as asynchronus transfer mode, Mutiprotocol Label Switching, and Internet Protocol with IntServ. In this paper, we present a generalized concept, the virtual traffic path (VTP), to characterize the traffic control problems in connection-oriented networks. The VTP distribution typically addresses logical network design based on the physical network, and involves both the call level and the flow level controls. To date, various VTP optimization schemes for connection-oriented networks have been proposed. However, most reported schemes are based on the conventional flow assignment model. In this paper, we propose an extended flow assignment model focusing on the connection-oriented service with a non-linear objective function. The proposed model incorporates two concepts: VTP capacity and VTP flow, to perform the optimization. This model distributes traffic on all available VTPs evenly and takes the redundant capacities into account. In addition, we introduce a stochastic programming methodology to allocate VTPs when the injected traffic changes stochastically. Experimental results show that the proposed model and the stochastic methodology can significantly improve the performance of networks.     

Nanosilver-Coated Porous SiC–Si3N4 Composite Using Microwave-Assisted Process

Using a novel microwave-assisted process, nano-Ag-coated continuous porous SiC–Si₃N₄ substrate was fabricated from a solution containing AgNO₃ salts and ethylene glycol. The detailed microstructure of the fabricated substrate was investigated depending on the amount of AgNO₃ salts in the starting solution and the microwave irradiation time. From a solution containing 0.4 g of AgNO₃ for 60 s irradiation time, the Ag nanoparticles, ∼25 nm in diameter, were homogeneously coated on the continuous porous SiC–Si₃N₄ matrix as well as on the surface of the Si₃N₄ whiskers. However, the Ag nanoparticles (∼15 nm) deposited from a solution containing 0.6 g of AgNO₃ for 60 s irradiation time showed maximum homogeneity and narrow size distribution. The components of Si, N, and Ag were homogeneously distributed on the deposited layer. The deposited Ag nanoparticles covered with a thin (∼2 nm), amorphous layer had nanocrystallinity and adhered well to the surface of the Si₃N₄ whiskers.     

High-performance silica nanoparticle reinforced poly (vinyl alcohol) as templates for bioactive nanocomposites

Silica nanoparticle reinforced poly (vinyl alcohol) cast sheets 40 μm thick were tested for mechanical and biological properties. The films were characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and infrared spectroscopy. The crystallinity decreased with increased silica content. Changes in the morphology and structure upon the addition of silica suggest the formation of cross-linking. The modulus increased from 300 MPa for PVA to 7.2 GPa for 120 wt.% silica nanoparticle in the blend and the tensile strength increased from 3.5 MPa to 35 MPa. The modulus estimated using dynamic tests, tensile tests, and nanoindentation was comparable and was predicted well using the Halpin-Tsai's equation. The nanocomposites were an order of magnitude tougher than the pure polymer. Silica based nanocomposite was also found to be an excellent template for the deposition of calcium hydroxyapatite when immersed in simulated body fluid. The modulus and tensile strength of apatite coated silica nanoparticle (120 wt.%)–PVA composite increased to 11 GPa and 65 MPa respectively, close to that of cortical bone. The results represent one of the largest increases in mechanical properties of nanocomposite mimicking the properties of human bone. The addition of silica can also aid in osseointegration.