Closed form solutions of axisymmetric bending of circular plates having non-linear variable thickness

A new analytical method for evaluation of elastic stresses and deformations in axisymmetric plates having variable thickness according to a power of a linear function, either solid or annular, subjected to symmetrical bending due to lateral loads either distributed on upper surface or distributed along the inner or the outer edges. The proposed procedure is based on two independent integrals of the hypergeometric differential equation describing the rotation field and constitutes the generalization of the one found in the literature. This method allows to study a wide range of plates, be they solid or annular, converging or diverging with linear or non-linear thickness function, convex, concave or linear tapered, without the restrictions of the known procedures. Analytical results obtained by using this method utterly match both theoretical results which may be obtained in the specific case known (constant-thickness circular plate, linear variable thickness annular circular plate) and numerical results obtained by using FEA.     

Use of polarimetric lidar for the study of oriented ice plates in clouds

A polarization lidar operating at 532 nm was converted into an automatic, polarimetric lidar capable of measuring the entire Stokes vector of backscattered light and its derived quantities. Among these quantities, circular and linear depolarizations were studied as tools for investigating the presence of anisotropic scattering media. Isotropic scatterers show a simple relationship between linear and circular depolarization, a relation that we confirm theoretically and experimentally. Deviations from this relation, which are possible in the presence of anisotropic scatterers such as horizontally oriented ice plates when they are observed with a slant lidar, were studied both numerically and experimentally.     

Photorefractivity of poly-N-vinylindole-based materials as compared with that of poly-N-vinylcarbazole-based blends

The asymmetric two-beam coupling technique has been employed to measure the photorefractivity of thin films of polymer blends containing 2,5-dimethyl-4-(p-nitrophenylazo)anisole as the nonlinear optical component. Poly-(1-vinylindole) and poly-(2,3-dimethyl-1-vinylindole) were the photoconductive polymer counterparts. The values of the photorefractivity are reported. It appears that they are comparable with those of similar blends based on the well-known poly-(9-vinylcarbazole) (PVK), here considered as a reference standard. Careful differential scanning calorimetry analyses have been accomplished on the different blends taken into account to rationalize the significantly longer shelf lifetime of the indolyl-based films with respect to the PVK-based blends.     

Some developments in neutron and charged particle dosimetry

There is an increasing need for dosimetry of neutrons and charged particles. Increasing exposure levels are reported in the nuclear industry, deriving from more frequent in-service entries at commercial nuclear power plants, and from increased plant decommissioning and refurbishment activities. Another need stems from the compliance with requirements of the regulations and standards. The European Council directive 96/29 requires dosimetric precautions if the effective dose exceeds 1 mSv a(-1). On average, aircrew members exceed this value. Further, there is a trend of increasing use of charged particles in radiotherapy. The present situation is that we have reasonably good photon dosemeters, but neutron and charged particle dosemeters are still in need of improvements. This work highlights some of the developments in this field. It is mainly concentrated on some developments in passive dosimetry, in particular thermally and optically stimulated luminescent detectors, indicating the direction of ongoing research. It shows that passive dosemeters are still a very active field. Active dosemeters will not be discussed with the exception of new developments in microdosimetric measurements [new types of tissue equivalent proportional counters (TEPCs)]. The TEPC is unique in its ability to provide a simultaneous determination of neutron / charged particle / gamma ray doses, or dose equivalents using a single detector.     

Efficiency of a zeolitized pumice waste as a low-cost heavy metals adsorbent

The unextracted residue obtained after a countercurrent two-step extractive process of silica from pumice lapillus, at 100 degrees C and room pressure, has been found mainly crystallized to the pseudo-cubic form typical of zeolite P. This residue could be active as a low-cost agent for the removal of heavy metals from wastewater. In this paper the removal capacity of six metallic cations (i.e. Cu(2+), Ni(2+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+), Pb(2+) and Cr(3+)) was studied in a stirred batch reactor. Results obtained showed that the removal of metal ions (100-500mgg(-1)) from wastewater is achieved in a short time and the concentration lowered under the legal limits. The adsorption mechanism mainly involves an ionic exchange between sodium ions from the solid phase and heavy metals in solution. However, if wastewater was accompanied by free acidity, it first should be neutralized to pH 4-5 to prevent zeolite destruction.     

Surface-to-bed heat transfer in fluidised beds of fine particles

This work reports experimental results on the heat transfer between a fluidised bed of fine particles and a submerged surface. Experiments have been carried out using different bed materials (polymers, ballotini, corundum, carborundum and quartz sand) with Archimedes number between 2 and 50. Dry air at ambient pressure and temperature has been used as fluidising gas. Three different exchange surfaces, namely a sphere and two cylinders with different base diameter and same height, have been used.Experimental results show that the heat transfer coefficient increases with particle Archimedes number and is almost independent from particle thermal conductivity for K_p/K_g > 30. Finally, the comparison of heat transfer coefficient for the different surfaces shows that the effect of the surface geometry may account for a 30% variation in the heat transfer coefficient, with higher differences occurring for coarser particles.     

Analysis of nitride storage non-volatile memories with HfSiOx blocking dielectric and TiN metal gate for low power embedded applications

Nitride storage non-volatile memories with hafnium silicate (HfSiO_x) blocking dielectric and titanium nitride (TiN) metal gate aimed at low power embedded applications beyond the 45 nm node, have been fabricated and investigated. In addition to presenting the typical figures of merit of flash memories, the scalability of the devices has been assessed. We have also investigated the physical origin of the observed memory features.     

Experimental Electron Mobility in ZnO: A Reassessment Through Monte Carlo Simulation

The low-field electron mobility in bulk ZnO has been the object of extensive experimental studies, mainly through measurement of the temperature-dependent Hall effect. In this work, we reassess the experimental results through direct simulations of Hall measurements, performed with a Monte Carlo transport model and taking into account all the major scattering mechanisms. The deformation potentials required to compute acoustic and optical phonon scattering are derived from first-principles computations, and an original theory for charged-dislocation-line scattering is proposed and implemented. Monte Carlo results for the electron mobility and the Hall factor are compared with analytical expressions derived with the relaxation-time approximation, which is found to be adequate at low temperatures where inelastic scattering effects due to optical phonons are negligible.     

Post-Impact Mechanical Characterisation of Glass and Basalt Woven Fabric Laminates

Two woven fabric laminates, one based on basalt fibres, the other on E-glass fibres, as a reinforcement for vinylester matrix, were compared in terms of their post-impact performance. With this aim, first the non-impacted specimens were subjected to interlaminar shear stress and flexural tests, then flexural tests were repeated on laminates impacted using a falling weight tower at three impact energies (7.5, 15 and 22.5J). Tests were monitored using acoustic emission analysis of signal distribution with load and with distance from the impact point. The results show that the materials have a similar damage tolerance to impact and also their post-impact residual properties after impact do not differ much, with a slight superiority for basalt fibre reinforced laminates. The principal difference is represented by the presence of a more extended delamination area on E-glass fibre reinforced laminates than on basalt fibre reinforced ones.