The Erosion Effect of Kapton Film in a Ground-based Atomic Oxygen Irradiation Simulator

In order to investigate the effect of space environmental factors on spacecraft materials, a ground-based simulation facility for space atomic oxygen（AO） irradiation was developed in our laboratory. Some Kapton film samples were subjected to AO beam generated by this facility. The Kapton films before and after AO exposure were analyzed comparatively using optical microscopy, scanning electronic microscopy, atomic force microscopy, high-precision microbalance, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The experimental results indicate that the transmittance of Kapton film will be reduced by AO irradiation notably, and its color deepens from pale yellow to brown. Surface roughness of the AO-treated sample is already increased obviously after AO irradiation for 5 hours, and exhibits a flannel-like appearance after 15 hours’ exposure in AO beam. The imide rings and benzene rings in kapton molecule are partially decomposed, and some new bonds form during AO irradiation. The mass loss of kapton film increases linearly with the increase of AO fluence, which is resulted from the formation of volatile products, such as CO, CO2 and NOx. The breakage in structure and degradation in properties of AO-treated Kapton film can be attributed to the integrated effect ofimpaction and oxidization of AO beam. The test results agree well with the space flight experimental data.

A Mirror-like ECR Plasma Source for Ionosphere Environment Simulator

A compact mirror-like ECR (electron cyclotron resonance) Plasma source for the ionosphere environment simulator was described for the fort time in China. The Overall sources system was composed of a 200 W 2.45 GHz microwave source, a coastal 3A./4 TEM-mode microwave resonance applicator, column and cylindrical Nd-Fe-P magnets, a quartz bell-shaped discharge chamber, a gas inlet system and a plasma-diffusing bore. The preliminary experiment demonstrated that ambi-polar diffusion plasma stream into the simulator (-500 mm long) formed an environment with following parameters: a plasma density ne of 104 cm-3 - 106 cm-3, an electron temperature Te < 5 eV at a pressure P of 10-1 Pa-10-3 Pa, a Plasma uniformity of > 80% over the experimental target with a 160-mm-in-diameter, satisfying primarily the requirement of simulating in a severe ionosphere environment.

China Exported Space Environment Simulator to Russia

In the mid July, 2011, the GVU-600 space environment simulator developed by Bei-jing Institute of Spacecraft Environment Engineering of China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) under China

Effects of Environmental Factors on Corrosion Behavior of E690 Steel in Simulated Marine Environment

The effects of hydrostatic pressure, dissolved oxygen, temperature and flow velocity, and their interaction on the corrosion rates of E690 high-strength steel (HSS) in simulated marine environments were studied using response surface methodology. The results show that the flow velocity exerts the most significant influence on the corrosion rate of E690 HSS. Consequently, the corrosion behavior of E690 HSS under varying flow velocities were analyzed profoundly from initial pitting corrosion to long-term corrosion properties. The results indicate that the flow state facilitates the mass transfer and enhances the adsorption tendency of Cl− by enhancing the electrochemical activity of the steel surface. These factors accelerate the electrochemical reactions, resulting in increased pitting density, depth and the long-term corrosion rates in dynamic seawater environments.

Effect of Sintering Temperature on Aging Resistance and Mechanical Properties of 3Y-TZP Dental Ceramic

In order to investigate the effect of sintering temperature on aging properties and mechanical properties of 3Y-TZP dental ceramic in simulated oral environment, 3Y-TZP nanopowder compacts were pressurelessly sintered at 1 350℃, 1 400 ℃, 1 450 ℃,1 500 ℃, respectively, then were treated by soaking in artificial saliva （65 ℃, pH=7） for two months. The treated specimens sintered at 1 350 ℃ showed there was no phase transformation but whose strength and toughnesswere significantly improved （P〈0.05）, while those sintered at 1 400 ℃- 1 500 ℃ revealed a small amount of phase transformation and insignificant mechanical reinforcement （P〉0.05）. No microcracks were detected but increment in lattice volume was found in all specimens. Lowering sintering temperature favors aging resistance and mechanical reinforcement of 3Y-TZP in a simulated oral environment.

Classifying the sedimentary environments of the Xincun Lagoon,Hainan Island,by system cluster and principal component analyses

An understanding of the sedimentary environment in relation to its controlling factors is of great importance in coastal geomorphology,ecology,tourism and aquaculture studies.We attempt to deal with this issue,using a case study from the Xincun Lagoon,Hainan Island in southern China.For the study,surficial sediment samples were collected,together with hydrodynamic and bathymetric surveys,during August 2013.Numerical simulation was carried out to obtain high-spatial resolution tidal current data.The sediment samples were analyzed to derive mean grain size,sorting coefficient,skewness and kurtosis,together with the sand,silt and clay contents.The modern sedimentary environments were classified using system cluster and principal component analyses.Grain size analysis reveals that the sediments are characterized by extremely slightly sandy silty mud（ESSSM） and slightly silty sand（SSS）,which are distributed in the central lagoon and near-shore shallow water areas,respectively.Mean grain size varies from 0 to 8.0Ф,with an average of 4.6Ф.The silt content is the highest,i.e.,52% on average,with the average contents of sand and clay being 43% and 5%,respectively.There exists a significant correlation between mean size and water depth,suggesting that the surficial sediments become finer with increasing water depth.Cluster analyses reveals two groups of samples.The first group is characterized by mean grain size of more than 5.5Ф,whilst the second group has mean grain size of below 3.5Ф.Further,these groups also have different correlations between mean grain size and the other grain size parameters.In terms of the tidal current,the average values of the root mean square velocity（RMSV） are 7.5 cm/s and 6.9 cm/s on springs and neaps,respectively.For the RMSVs that are higher than 4 cm/s,a significant positive correlation is found between the content of the 63–125 μm fraction and the RMSV,suggesting that the RMSV determines the variability of the very fine sand fraction.Based on system cluster and principal component analyses（PCA）,the modern sedimentary environments are classified into three types according to the grain size parameters,RMSVs and water depth data.The results suggest the importance of grain size parameters and high-spatial resolution hydrodynamic data in differentiating the coastal sedimentary environments.

Online Monitoring Volume Deformation of Cement-based Materials in Multiple Environments

Comparing and analyzing some volume deformation measuring means for cement-based materials at home and abroad, a continuous online monitor of cement-based material volume deformation in multiple environments is developed. The device is designed based on the environmental simulation technology, micro-distance measuring technology of laser and eddy current, and transmission agent online monitoring the deformation of multi-group samples. This device can be used widely, such as glass, ceramics, walling material, and so on, with high precision, low testing cost, and intellectualization.

Simulation Operating System and Integrated Simulation Software

In this paper, a new concept of simulation operating system (SIMOS) is described. A detailed definition of SIMOS is given, and two integrated simulation software (IPSOS and IMSS) are introduced based on SIMOS.

The Design of a Graphical User Environment for Numerical Simulation of Powder Forming Processes

As computer simulation increasingly supports engine er ing design and manufacture, the requirement for a computer software environment providing an integration platform for computational engineering software increas es. A key component of an integrated environment is the use of computational eng ineering to assist and support solutions for complex design. Computer methods fo r structural, flow and thermal analysis are well developed and have been used in design for many years. Many software packages are now available which provi de an advanced capability. However, they are not designed for modelling of powde r forming processes. This paper describes the powder compaction software (PCS_SU T), which is designed for pre- and post-processing for computational simulatio n of the process compaction of powder. In the PCS_SUT software, the adaptive analysis of transient metal powder forming process is simulated by the finite element method based on deformation theories . The error estimates and adaptive remeshing schemes are applied for updated co -ordinate analysis. A generalized Newmark scheme is used for the time domain di scretization and the final nonlinear equations are solved by a Newton-Raphson p rocedure. An incremental elasto-plastic material model is used to simulate the compaction process. To describe the constitutive model of nonlinear behaviour of powder materials, a combination of Mohr-Coulomb and elliptical yield cap model is applied. This model reflects the yielding, frictional and densification char acteristics of powder along with strain and geometrical hardening which occurs d uring the compaction process. A hardening rule is used to define the dependence of the yield surface on the degree of plastic straining. A plasticity theory for friction is employed in the treatment of the powder-tooling interface. The inv olvement of two different materials, which have contact and relative movement in relation to each other, must be considered. A special formulation for friction modelling is coupled with a material formulation. The interface behaviour betwee n the die and the powder is modelled by using an interface element mesh. In the present paper, we have demonstrated pre- and post-processor finite elem ent software, written in Visual Basic, to generate the graphical model and visua lly display the computed results. The software consist of three main part: · Pre-processor: It is used to create the model, generate an app ropriate finite element grid, apply the appropriate boundary conditions, and vie w the total model. The geometric model can be used to associate the mesh with th e physical attributes such as element properties, material properties, or loads and boundary conditions. · Analysis: It can deal with two-dimensional and axi-symmetric applications for linear and non-linear behaviour of material in static and dyna mic analyses. Both triangular and quadrilateral elements are available in the e lement library, including 3-noded, 6-noded and 7-noded (T6B1) triangles and 4 -noded, 8-noded and 9-noded quadrilaterals. The direct implicit algorithm bas ed on the generalized Newmark scheme is used for the time integration and an aut omatic time step control facility is provided. For non-linear iteration, choice s among fully or modified Newton-Raphson method and quasi-Newton method, using the initial stiffness method, Davidon inverse method or BFGS inverse method, ar e possible. · Post-processor: It provides visualization of the computed resu lts, when the finite element model and analysis have been completed. Post-proce ssing is vital to allow the appropriate interpretation of the completed results of the finite element analysis. It provides the visual means to interpret the va st amounts of computed results generated. Finally, the powder behaviour during the compaction of a multi-level component is numerically simulated by the PCS_SUT software, as shown in Fig.1. The predict ive compaction forces at different displacements are computed and compared with the available experimental

Nano-Electronic Simulation Software (NESS): A Novel Open-Source TCAD Simulation Environment

This paper presents the latest status of the open source advanced TCAD simulator called Nano-Electronic Simulation Software(NESS)which is currently under development at the Device Modeling Group of the University of Glasgow.NESS is designed with the main aim to provide an open,flexible,and easy to use simulation environment where users are able not only to perform numerical simulations but also to develop and implement new simulation methods and models.Currently,NESS is organized into two main components:the structure generator and a collection of different numerical solvers;which are linked to supporting components such as an effective mass extractor and materials database.This paper gives a brief overview of each of the components by describing their main capabilities,structure,and theory behind each one of them.Moreover,to illustrate the capabilities of each component,here we have given examples considering various device structures,architectures,materials,etc.at multiple simulation conditions.We expect that NESS will prove to be a great tool for both conventional as well as exploratory device research programs and projects.

Development of an Accurate Urban Modeling System Using CAD/GIS Data for Atmosphere Environmental Simulation

This paper presents an urban modeling system using CAD/GIS data for atmosphere environmental simulation, such as wind flow and contaminant spread in urban area. The CAD data is used for the shape modeling for the high-storied buildings and civil structures with complicated shape since the data for that is not included in the 3D-GIS data accurately. The unstructured mesh based on the tetrahedron element is employed in order to express the urban structures with complicated shape accurately. It is difficult to understand the quality of shape model and mesh by the conventional visualization technique. In this paper, the stereoscopic visualization using virtual reality (VR) technology is employed for the verification of the quality of shape model and mesh. The present system is applied to the atmosphere environmental simulation in urban area and is shown to be an useful planning and design tool to investigate the atmosphere environmental problem.

Design and experimental performance verification of a thermal property test-bed for lunar drilling exploration

Chinese Chang＇e lunar exploration project aims to collect and return subsurface lunar soil samples at a minimum penetration depth of 2 m in 2017. However, in contrast to those on the Earth, automated drilling and sampling missions on the Moon raise the risk of burning bits. Test-beds are required for testing the thermal properties of drill tools in a lunar environment. In this paper, a novel temperature measuring method based on thermocouples and a slip ring was proposed. Furthermore, a data acquisition system for a drilling process was designed. A vacuous, cryogenic, and anhydrous soil environment simulating the lunar surface was established. A drilling test-bed that can reach a depth of 2.2 m was developed. A control strategy based on online monitoring signals was proposed to improve the drilling performance. Vacuum and non-vacuum experiments were performed to test the temperature rising effect on drill tools. When compared with the non-vacuum experiment, the vacuum temperature rise resulted in a 12 ℃ increase. These experimental results provide significant support for Chinese lunar exploration missions.

Degradation behaviors of surface modified magnesium alloy wires in different simulated physiological environments

The degradation behaviors of the novel high-strength AZ31B magnesium alloy wires after surface modification using micro-arc-oxidization （MAO） and subse- quently sealing with poly-L-lactic acid （PLLA） in different simulated physiological environments were investigated. The results show the surface MAO micropores could be physically sealed by PLLA, thus forming an effective protection to corrosion resistance for the wires. In simulated gastric fluid （SGF） at a low pH value （1.5 or 2.5）, the treated wires have a high degradation rate with a rapid decrease of mass, diameter, mechanical properties and a significant increase of pH value of the immersion fluid. However, surface modification could effectively reduce the degradation rate of the treated wires in SGF with a pH value above 4.0. For the treated wires in simulated intestinal fluid at pH =8.5, their strength retention ability is higher than that in strong acidic SGF. And the loss rate of mass is faster than that of diameter, while the pH value of the immersion fluid decreases. It should be noted that the modified wires in simulated body environment have the best strength retention ability. The wires show the different degradation behaviors indicating their different degradation mechanisms, which are also proposed in this work.

Modified robust optimal adaptive control for flight environment simulation system with heat transfer uncertainty

To solve the rapid transient control problem of Flight Environment Simulation System(FESS) of Altitude Ground Test Facilities(AGTF) with large heat transfer uncertainty and disturbance, a new adaptive control structure of modified robust optimal adaptive control is presented.The mathematic modeling of FESS is given and the influence of heat transfer is analyzed through energy view. To consider the influence of heat transfer in controller design, we introduce a matched uncertainty that represents heat transfer influence in the linearized system of FESS. Based on this linear system, we deduce the design of modified robust optimal adaptive control law in a general way. Meanwhile, the robust stability of the modified robust optimal adaptive control law is proved through using Lyapunov stability theory. Then, a typical aero-engine test condition with Mach Dash and Zoom-Climb is used to verify the effectiveness of the devised adaptive controller. The simulation results show that the designed controller has servo tracking and disturbance rejection performance under heat transfer uncertainty and disturbance;the relative steady-state and dynamic errors of pressure and temperature are both smaller than 1% and 0.2% respectively. Furthermore,the influence of the modification parameter c is analyzed through simulation. Finally, comparing with the standard ideal model reference adaptive controller, the modified robust optimal adaptive controller obviously provides better control performance than the ideal model reference adaptive controller does.

ATC simulation for flight training:The missing link

This paper presents the state of piloted flight simulation fidelity with a focus on the missing link needed to complete the flight simulation experience,namely the simulated ATC environment(SATCE).To date,there has been a great deal of effort invested in providing the highest level of flight realism possible.However,little investment has gone into systems which are used to improve communication skills with ATC while in a populated active airspace.It is important to note that the relatively few SATCEs is not due to the lack of technology,since such products have been available for about a decade.The primary reason for its absence is the inability and unwillingness for operators to justify the investment in such a training tool.In the meantime,the aviation industry has recognized that pilots need to have better communication skills while operating in various conditions.Consequently ICAO,with help from ARINC Industry Activities/FSEMC,has already taken steps to recommend the inclusion of SATCE characteristics in flight simulation devices.The aviation and research communities need to assist efforts by producing the necessary studies and metrics which can be used to evaluate and validate SATCEs used in the flight training.