Effect of electric boundary conditions on crack propagation in ferroelectric ceramics

In this paper, the effect of electric boundary conditions on Mode I crack propagation in ferroelectric ceramics is studied by using both linear and nonlinear piezoelectric fracture mechanics. In linear analysis, impermeable cracks under open circuit and short circuit are analyzed using the Stroh formalism and a rescaling method. It is shown that the energy release rate in short circuit is larger than that in open circuit. In nonlinear analysis, permeable crack conditions are used and the nonlinear effect of domain switching near a crack tip is considered using an energy-based switching criterion proposed by Hwang et al.（Acta Metal. Mater.,1995）. In open circuit, a large depolarization field induced by domain switching makes switching much more diffcult than that in short circuit. Analysis shows that the energy release rate in short circuit is still larger than that in open circuit, and is also larger than the linear result. Consequently,whether using linear or nonlinear fracture analysis, a crack is found easier to propagate in short circuit than in open circuit, which is consistent with the experimental observations of Kounga Njiwa et al.（Eng. Fract. Mech., 2006）.

Effect of carboxymethyl cellulose on dissolution kinetics of carboxymethyl cellulose-sodium carbonate two-component tablet

Sodium carbonate and carboxymethyl cellulose powders are compressed into two-component tablets with three mass ratios,97%:3%,95%:5% and 93%:7%.The dissolution tests for two-component tablets and reference pure sodium carbonate tablets are carried out at various temperatures.The dissolution process of each tablet is measured by electrical conductivity tracking method and the concentration of dissolved sodium carbonate is quanti fied with calibrated conductivity-concentration converting equation of sodium carbonate.The quanti fied dissolution data is fitted with both surface reaction model and diffusion layer model and the results clearly show that surface reaction model is suggested as the appropriate dissolution model for all measured tablets.Therefore,it is determined that carboxymethyl cellulose is a stable element to remain the dissolution mechanism of tablet unchanged.The dissolution rate constant quanti fied with surface reaction model presents that carboxymethyl cellulose-sodium carbonate two-component tablets obtain signi ficant higher dissolution rate constant than pure sodium carbonate tablet and higher proportion of carboxymethyl cellulose leads to apparent higher dissolution rate constant.The results prove for the usage of carboxymethyl cellulose in most practical applications at a relative low-level,the effect of carboxymethyl cellulose is effective and positive for two-component tablet to enhance the dissolution process and improve dissolution rate constant and this effect is speculated coming from its dynamic physical transforming process in water including dilation and conglutination.

A new two-dimensional experimental apparatus for electrochemical remediation processes

Electrochemical extraction of contaminants from soils is a promising soil decontamination technology. Various experiments have been conducted to study electrochemical reactions and geochemical processes in the electrochemical extraction using different experimental apparatuses. This paper presents the development of a new closed two-dimensional(2D) apparatus that can better simulate the field application of the technology and accurately monitor the most important electrochemical parameters to understand the process. The innovative features of the new apparatus include the outer and inner electrodes designed to apply a non-uniform electrical field across the specimen as in the field electrochemical remediation process, the probes installed to measure the 2D distribution of electrical voltage, and the gas and fluid volume measurement devices used to accurately monitor the gas generation and electroosmotic flow rates at both electrodes as a function of time. The components of this new apparatus and the features of each component are described. The operating procedure and some typical results from three experiments with the apparatus are demonstrated. The results show that the variation of the gas generation rate is in good agreement with the electric current. Their relation provides a valid evaluation for electrochemical behavior of the system and Faraday's laws of electrolysis. The 2D profiles of cadmium concentration and voltage distribution at the end of the experiment reveal the great effects of a non-uniform electrical field on the contaminant mobilization.

CALCULATING STUDY OF ELECTRIC FIELD ACTING ON VORTICITY IN THUNDERSTORMS

Based on electric parameters measured in actual storms and considering that charges distribute along an axisymmetric cylinder, in this paper the changing rates of vertical electric vorticity with time in shear and anvil storms are calculated respectively, The results indicate that the changing rate of vertical electric vorticity with time caused by electric field force is about 10^(-8)—10^(-7) / s^2 in shear storms. For stronger electrified clouds, it can reach 10^(-6)—10^(-5) /s^2 in local area and be almost matched with the action of dynamics. The magnitude is larger at storm bottom and decreases with height. The electric energy concentrates mainly in middle and low layers of a storm. The results are same as in anvil storms, but the magnitude is an order smaller. Meanwhile, the results also indicate that the convective motion of charged hydrometeor particles due to electric field force can form horizontal vortex of air current. The electric circulation is an important factor.