Numerical investigation of the effect of surfactants on the stability and rheology of emulsions and foam

The simple shear flow of ordered and random, non-dilute and concentrated emulsions resembling foam is considered in the presence of an insoluble surfactant. Numerical investigations conducted by the method of interfacial dynamics for Stokes flow combined with an implicit finite-volume method for computing the evolution of the surfactant concentration illustrate the effect of the surfactant on the rheological properties of the emulsion and on the dynamics and stability of the evolving microstructure. Studies of ordered two-dimensional systems, where the suspended phase is distributed on an evolving doubly-periodic lattice, show that, depending on the capillary number, a surfactant may either destabilize or stabilize a concentrated emulsion by promoting or preventing the rupture of thin films developing between the interfaces of adjacent drops. The capillary number, viscosity ratio, and surfactant diffusivity are found to play an important role in determining the rheological properties of the emulsion and the geometrical properties of the evolving microstructure. Large-scale numerical simulations of random two-dimensional systems with 25 drops suspended in a doubly-periodic flow suggest that the qualitative effect of a surfactant is not altered by strong hydrodynamic interactions associated with intercepting or clustering drops.     

Electrochemical treatment of anionic surfactants in synthetic wastewater with three-dimensional electrodes

The electrochemical oxidation of anionic surfactants (sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate, DBS) contained in simulated wastewater treated by three-dimensional electrode system with combined modified kaolin served as packed bed particle electrodes and Ti/Co/SnO(2)-Sb(2)O(3) anode was studied, the chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal of pollutants in the solutions was also investigated. The results showed that the three-dimensional electrodes in combined process could effectively decompose anionic surfactants. The COD removal efficiency can reach 86%, much higher than that of Ti/Co/SnO(2)-Sb(2)O(3) electrodes used singly or modified kaolin employed singly (graphite as anode and cathode) on the same condition of pH 3 and 38.1 mA/cm(2) current density. The current efficiency and kinetic constant were calculated and energy consumption was studied. At the same time the influence of pH and current density on COD removal efficiency with combined three-dimensional electrodes was also investigated, respectively. The optimal initial pH value of degradation is 3 (acid condition), and a minor COD removal increase follows higher current density.     

EPS molecular weight and foam density effects in the lost foam process

The effects of pattern molecular weight and density on casting formation in the lost foam process have been studied. The tensile properties of injection molded ASTM D638 tensile rods have been measured for various densities and molecular weights. Thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry and other techniques have been used to study the thermal degradation characteristics of the pattern. A thermometric technique has been used to study the mold filling behavior with aluminum alloy A356. The results indicate that the tensile properties in the foam generally improve with increasing molecular weight and density. The structural characteristics of the foam may have a greater influence on mechanical properties than molecular weight. The rate of volatilization of the polymer increases as the weight average molecular weight, M _w, is lowered from 304,000 g/mol to 152,000 g/mol. The mold fill time increases with pattern density and M _w. The data suggest that pattern density and molecular weight may have a significant effect on the quality of the casting.     

Mechanical properties of open-cell foam synthetic thoracic vertebrae

This study presents comprehensive morphological and mechanical properties (static, dynamic) of open-cell rigid foams (Pacific Research Laboratories Inc. Vashon, WA) and a synthetic vertebral body derived from each of the foams. Synthetic vertebrae were comprised of a cylindrical open-cell foam core enclosed by a fiberglass resin cortex. The open-cell rigid foam was shown to have similar morphology and porosity as human vertebral cancellous bone, and exhibited a crush or fracture consolidation band typical of open-celled materials and cancellous bone. However, the foam material density was 40% lower than natural cancellous bone resulting in a lower compressive apparent strength and apparent modulus in comparison to human bone. During cyclic, mean compression fatigue tests, the synthetic vertebrae exhibited an initial apparent modulus, progressive modulus reduction, strain accumulation and S-N curve behaviour similar to human and animal vertebral cancellous bone. Synthetic open-cell foam vertebrae offer researchers an alternative to human vertebral bone for static and dynamic biomechanical experiments, including studies examining the effects of cement injection. Presented, in part, at the XXth Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics and 29th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics, Cleveland, OH, July 31-August 5, 2005     

Effect of synthetic temperature on the dispersion stability of gold nanocolloid produced via electrical explosion of wire

In this study, gold nanocolloid was produced via the electrical explosion of wire in water, for the purpose of medical treatment. Thus, the use of other additives was avoided to stabilize the gold nanocolloid. The temperature of the water that was to be used for explosion was changed, and its effect on the stability of the gold nanocolloid was investigated. The synthetic temperature was varied from ice temperature to 80 degrees C. The morphology and particle size were studied using a transmission electron microscope. The UV-Vis spectra confirmed the formation of gold nanoparticles in the water. The stability of the gold nanocolloid was estimated using the zeta-potential and Turbiscan methods. The results showed that the synthetic temperature affected the stability of the gold nanocolloid. The TEM images of the gold nanoparticles prepared at low temperatures (0 and 20 degrees C) have several big particles. But, when the synthetic temperature was increased to 80 degrees C, most of the nanoparticles formed a spherical shape, without neck connection. Better stability was obtained in the gold nanocolloid sample prepared at a higher temperature. The gold nanocolloid that was synthesized at 80 degrees C was stable for more than three months, with small sedimentation.     

Mechanical stability of metal foam cylindrical shells with various porosity distributions

Abstract

The paper deals with the nonlinear buckling analysis of imperfect cylindrical shells made of porous metal foam subjected to axial compression. For the metal foam shells, porosities are dispersed by uniform, symmetric, and asymmetric distributions in the thickness direction. Using Donnell shell theory and von-Karman nonlinear kinematics, nonlinear equilibrium equations are derived. The critical buckling load and buckling equilibrium curves for both perfect and imperfect shells are solved by using the Galerkin's procedure. A comprehensive investigation into the influence of porosity coefficient, imperfections, porosity distribution, and geometry on the buckling behaviors of the cylindrical shell is performed.     

Hydromagnetic stability of spiral flows with density stratification

The present paper deals with the effect of gravity on the hydromagnetic stability of spiral flows. By discussing the various models, it has been established that the density decreasing in the radial direction has a stabilizing effect in the present situation.     

Stability assessment with the stability index

Assessment of process stability is an important way to ensure high quality. There have been various approaches in the literature to assess process stability. We describe these methods and provide a minor modification of a previous approach, which we call the stability index (SI). We provide justification for the SI as a best practice for practitioners who assess process stability. We provide examples of the computation of the SI for various scenarios and show how the SI can be used in conjunction with capability indices in a process performance graph.     

Compressive properties of aluminum foam produced by powder-Carbamide spacer route

Effects of cell shape and size, and relative density of aluminum foam on its compressive behavior have been investigated. Aluminum foams were produced via aluminum powder-Carbamide spacer route. The results show that angular cells significantly reduce mechanical properties of the foam. They also indicate that compressive properties of the foams, including plateau stress (σ_pl), densification strain (ε_D), and energy absorption, increase by cell size and relative density of the foams. Experimental results were compared with theoretical predictions; they were fairly corresponded to theoretical conceptions; this arises from near-ideal architecture of the foams with almost spherical cells, in this study. Constant values of C, n and α in theoretical modulus and densification strain equations wear calculated as 1.22, 2.09 and 0.95, respectively. The values indicate compressive behavior approaches to ideal morphology foam via employing spherical space holder.     

Adaptation of density distributions for optimising aluminium foam structures

Abstract

Metallic foams show some potential for being produced with controlled spatial variations in their density. This suggests employing them as graded materials in space filling lightweight structures designed in analogy to cortical bone, a natural cellular material, that displays increased density in regions of high loading. In the present study the influence of the mechanical properties of aluminium foams on the results of an optimisation of the foam density distribution with regard to structural strength and stiffness was examined. Regression formulae for the relationships between stiffness and strength of metallic foams on one hand and effective density on the other hand can be fitted to the results of uniaxial compression tests of a certain brand of metallic foam. These results and additional assumptions such as overall isotropy and a yield surface suitable for cellular materials can be implemented into a finite element program adapted for performing stiffness or strength optimisation on the basis of a density adaptation similar to the remodelling of bone. Some applications are presented that show how foams with gradients in the apparent density may be employed to obtain optimal structural behaviour for classical design problems.     

Influence of oxides on the stability of zinc foam

The influence of oxides on the stabilisation of zinc foam made by foaming-compacted powder mixtures has been investigated by varying the oxide content in the zinc powder used by oxidation and reduction. Optical, scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy as well as energy dispersive X-ray mapping were used to determine the oxide distribution, morphology and structure in the foams. The study revealed that with increase in the oxide content of the foam, the maximum expansion and expansion rate increased. Small amount of nano-sized oxide particles and their cluster, which are randomly distributed, were observed within the bulk of foam. But the major fraction of oxides is observed on the surface of pores in the form of clusters. These clusters are distributed uniformly all over the surface. Effect of these oxides on the stability of foam is discussed. The formation of satellite pores, which is characteristic signature of zinc foams, and their stability, is investigated.     

Role of surfactants on the stability of nano-zinc oxide dispersions

Nowadays, stable colloidal dispersions with ultra-fine or nanosized particles are getting importance due to their higher activity. In this article, methods for the preparation of stable aqueous dispersions of zinc oxide (ZnO) were discussed. The quality of the dispersion was improved by capping with different types of surfactants say non-ionic, cationic, and anionic. Accordingly, Triton X 100, polyethylene glycol-6000 (both non-ionic), cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (cationic), and sodium dodecyl sulfate (anionic) were selected for the study. Effect of these surfactants on particle size of ZnO was followed through dynamic light scattering (DLS) studies and zeta potential measurements. Particle size analysis and zeta potential measurement indicated that ZnO dispersions stabilized with anionic surfactants (sodium dodecyl sulfate) showed better stability. Further, the effect of ultrasonication on particle size distribution was examined and optimized.     

Effect of strain rate and density on dynamic behaviour of syntactic foam

The final objective of this study is to improve the mechanical behaviour of composite sandwich structures under dynamic loading (impact or crash). Cellular materials are often used as core in sandwich structures and their behaviour has a significant influence on the response of the sandwich under impact. Syntactic foams are widely used in many impact-absorbing applications and can be employed as sandwich core. To optimize their mechanical performance requires the characterisation of the foam behaviour at high strain rates and identification of the underlying mechanisms.Mechanical tests were conducted on syntactic foams under quasi-static and high strain rate compression loading. The material behaviour has been determined as a function of two parameters, density and strain rate. These tests were complemented by experiments on a new device installed on a flywheel. This device was designed in order to achieve compression tests on foam at intermediate strain rates. With these test machines, the dynamic compressive behaviour has been evaluated in the strain rate range up [6.7 · 10⁻⁴ s⁻¹, 100 s⁻¹].Impact tests were conducted on syntactic foam plates with varying volume fractions of microspheres and impact conditions. A Design of Experiment tool was employed to identify the influence of the three parameters (microsphere volume fraction, projectile mass and height of fall) on the energy response. Microtomography was employed to visualize in 3D the deformation of the structure of hollow spheres to obtain a better understanding of the micromechanisms involved in energy absorption.     

Long term water uptake of a low density polyvinyl chloride foam and its effect on the foam microstructure and mechanical properties

The water uptake, evolution of the cell morphology and basic mechanical properties of a 48 kg/m³ commercial polyvinyl chloride (PVC) foam immersed in distilled water and seawater for up to 12 months is investigated. The samples of PVC foam immersed in distilled water showed a faster water absorption rate and water uptake than the samples immersed in seawater. For both conditions, the tensile and compressive properties of the foam evidence a plasticization effect with a small reduction in the elastic modulus (∼10%) and an increase in the ultimate tensile strain (∼19%) for 12 months of immersion. The detailed micrographic analysis conducted provides conspicuous evidence that for both conditions the cells at the surface of the foam are severely damaged after a few days of immersion, but such cell damage is superficial and does not cause severe irreversible damage to the internal cellular microstructure of the foam.     

Effect of panel density on dimensional stability of medium and high density fiberboards

This study investigated the relationship between panel density and dimensional stability properties of commercial manufactured medium and high density fiberboards (MDF and HDF, respectively). Experiments were conducted using DIN EN 318 (2005) standard method to determine expansion and swelling properties of the MDF and HDF as a function of panel density. A significant relationship was found between panel density and dimensional stability of the panels. Our results showed that dimensional stability of MDF and HDF panels were adversely affected by panel density. The linear expansion/contraction and thickness swelling/shrinkage increased with increasing panel density, principally for densities above 850 kg/m3. The thickness swelling and shrinkage values were higher than linear expansion and contraction values.     

Production of AgCu:NiO/Ni foam electrode with high charge accumulation and long cycling stability

Nickel oxide is a promising material for electrochemical energy storage devices due to its high specific surface area, rapid redox reactions, and short diffusion path in the solid electrode. It has been known that the loading of metallic elements into the NiO matrix enhances these superior properties. NiO material is electrochemically deposited on Ni foam, and then, Ag and Cu thin layers are coated on NiO by thermal evaporation. The produced NiO/Ni foam and AgCu:NiO/Ni foam electrodes are annealed at 400 °C for 1 h. Those are utilized as anode for high-performance energy storage electrode in an alkaline solution. The former has an energy density of 56.9 Wh kg^?1 at 3155.5 W kg^?1, while the latter has a high energy density of 107.6 Wh kg^?1 at the corresponding power density of 2957.7 W kg^?1. Although specific capacitance of the former decreases to 46.2% of its original capacitance at 10 A g^?1 after 5000 cycles, the latter exhibits higher cycling stability with 71.0% retention after 5000 charge–discharge cycles owing to the loading of Ag and Cu into NiO matrix. Charge transfer resistance of NiO/Ni foam, which is inversely proportional to electroactive surface area, reduces from 19.4 to 0.28 Ω after the incorporation of Ag and Cu. Compared to NiO/Ni foam, AgCu:NiO/Ni foam with a higher electroactive surface area is more appropriate for charge accumulation. As mention above, the features of AgCu:NiO/Ni foam indicate that it is a promising material as an effective start-of-art energy storage device.

     

Thermal stability of high current density magnets

The stabilization theories hitherto proposed for superconducting (SC) magnets are not fully developed for application to high current density magnets such as pulsed dipole magnets for a synchrotron. Hence, thermal stability in such high current density magnets is studied by obtaining a minimum energy of thermal disturbances which barely leads a magnet to quench. To find the minimum energy by calculation a dynamic simulation of temperature distribution along a conductor is carried out following an application of the disturbances on the conductor. The minimum energy is found to depend largely on time duration and spatial length of the disturbances. The values of the minimum energy given by calculation agree almost with the experimental results obtained for a coil which simulates a pulsed dipole magnet from the viewpoint of cooling. Discussion is also made in relation to the minimum energy on the performance of a pancake type solenoid magnet which has the same cooling as in the simulating coil.     

压力烧结铜-石墨复合材料的相对密度及性能研究

为提高铜-石墨复合材料的相对密度,改善其组织和性能,采用氩气保护下的压力烧结技术制备了铜-石墨复合材料,研究了烧结压力、压制压力、烧结温度和烧结时间对铜-石墨复合材料相对密度及性能的影响,探讨了相对密度与性能的关系。结果表明,适当提高压力烧结各参数可减少孔隙数量,改善组织均匀性,提高材料相对密度,进而提高材料硬度和导电率;材料性能主要取决于相对密度,相对密度越高,性能越好,但材料性能还受孔隙尺寸和形状的影响;在烧结压力为150 MPa、压制压力为400 MPa,烧结温度为870了℃,烧结时间为2.5 h条件下获得了相对密度为0.945,硬度为66.3 HB,电导率为6.2 MS/m的铜-石墨复合材料。