Numerical Analysis of a Spiral-groove Dry-gas Seal Considering Micro-scale Effects

A dry-gas seal system is a non-contact seal technology that is widely used in different industrial applications.Spiral-groove dry-gas seal utilizes fluid dynamic pressure effects to realize the seal and lubrication processes,while forming a high pressure gas film between two sealing faces due to the deceleration of the gas pumped in or out.There is little research into the effects and the influence on seal performance,if the grooves and the gas film are at the micro-scale.This paper investigates the micro-scale effects on spiral-groove dry-gas seal performance in a numerical solution of a corrected Reynolds equation.The Reynolds equation is discretized by means of the finite difference method with the second order scheme and solved by the successive-over-relaxation（SOR） iterative method.The Knudsen number of the flow in the sealing gas film is changed from 0.005 to 0.120 with a variation of film depth and sealing pressure.The numerical results show that the average pressure in the gas film and the sealed gas leakage increase due to micro-scale effects.The open force is enlarged,while the gas film stiffness is significantly decreased due to micro-scale effects.The friction torque and power consumption remain constant,even in low sealing pressure and spin speed conditions.In this paper,the seal performance at different rotor face spin speeds is also described.The proposed research clarifies the micro-scale effects in a spiral-groove dry-gas seal and their influence on seal performance,which is expected to be useful for the improvement of the design of dry-gas seal systems operating in the slip flow regime.

Recent Advances in Computational Simulation of Macro-,Meso-,and Micro-Scale Biomimetics Related Fluid Flow Problems

Over the last decade, computational methods have been intensively applied to a variety of scientific researches and engineering designs. Although the computational fluid dynamics （CFD） method has played a dominant role in studying and simulating transport phenomena involving fluid flow and heat and mass transfers, in recent years, other numerical methods for the simulations at meso- and micro-scales have also been actively applied to solve the physics of complex flow and fluid-interface interactions. This paper presents a review of recent advances in multi-scale computational simulation of biomimetics related fluid flow problems. The state-of-the-art numerical techniques, such as lattice Boltzmann method （LBM）, molecular dynamics （MD）, and conventional CFD, applied to different problems such as fish flow, electro-osmosis effect of earthworm motion, and self-cleaning hydrophobic surface, and the numerical approaches are introduced. The new challenging of modelling biomimetics problems in developing the physical conditions of self-clean hydrophobic surfaces is discussed.

Model of Polysilicon Electro-thermal Micro Actuator and Research of Micro Scale Effect

A type of crank beam electro-thermal micro actuator was prescribed. Mechanical model of the actuator was established, and the static characteristic was analyzed.Comparing the theoretical analysis with experimental data, it is found that the thermodynamic character of material in micro actuator has a different variable regularity contrasted to that used in macro scale machines. It is the micro scale effect that results in the deviation between the simulating result and experimental results. The thermodynamic expression of polysilicon, which was fitted by means of the experimental data concerned, was used to modify the mechanical model. The modified model, in which the micro scale thermodynamic characteristic was considered, was more reasonable and could make the optimal design and control strategies analyzing the straight-line micro actuator more feasible.

Discharge characteristics of a needle-to-plate electrode at a micro-scale gap

To understand the discharge characteristics under a gap of micrometers,the breakdown voltage and current–voltage curve are measured experimentally in a needle-to-plate electrode at a microscale gap of 3–50 μm in air.The effect of the needle radius and the gas pressure on the discharge characteristics are tested.The results show that when the gap is larger than 10 μm,the relation between the breakdown voltage and the gap looks like the Paschen curve;while below 10 μm,the breakdown voltage is nearly constant in the range of the tested gap.However,at the same gap distance,the breakdown voltage is still affected by the pressure and shows a trend similar to Paschen＇s law.The current–voltage characteristic in all the gaps is similar and follows the trend of a typical Townsend-to-glow discharge.A simple model is used to explain the non-normality of breakdown in the micro-gaps.The Townsend mechanism is suggested to control the breakdown process in this configuration before the gap reduces much smaller in air.

Fabrication of micro-scale gratings for moiré method with a femtosecond laser

Fabrication of micro gratings using a femtosecond laser exposure system is experimentally investigated for the electron moire method. Micro holes and lines are firstly etched for parameter study. Grating profile is theoretically optimized to form high quality moire patterns. For a demonstration, a parallel grating is fabricated on a specimen of quartz glass. The minimum line width and the distance between two adjacent lines are both set to be 1 μm, and the frequency of grating is 500 lines/ram. The experimental results indicate that the quality of gratings is good and the relative error of the gratings pitch is about 1.5%. Based on molte method, scanning electron microscope （SEM） moire patterns are observed clearly, which manifests that gratings fabricated with the femtosecond laser exposure is suitable for micro scale deformation measurement.

Scale Effects and a Method for Similarity Evaluation in Micro Electrical Discharge Machining

Electrical discharge machining（EDM） is a promising non-traditional micro machining technology that offers a vast array of applications in the manufacturing industry. However, scale effects occur when machining at the micro-scale, which can make it difficult to predict and optimize the machining performances of micro EDM. A new concept of ＂scale effects＂ in micro EDM is proposed, the scale effects can reveal the difference in machining performances between micro EDM and conventional macro EDM. Similarity theory is presented to evaluate the scale effects in micro EDM. Single factor experiments are conducted and the experimental results are analyzed by discussing the similarity difference and similarity precision. The results show that the output results of scale effects in micro EDM do not change linearly with discharge parameters. The values of similarity precision of machining time significantly increase when scaling-down the capacitance or open-circuit voltage. It is indicated that the lower the scale of the discharge parameter, the greater the deviation of non-geometrical similarity degree over geometrical similarity degree, which means that the micro EDM system with lower discharge energy experiences more scale effects. The largest similarity difference is 5.34 while the largest similarity precision can be as high as 114.03. It is suggested that the similarity precision is more effective in reflecting the scale effects and their fluctuation than similarity difference. Consequently, similarity theory is suitable for evaluating the scale effects in micro EDM. This proposed research offers engineering values for optimizing the machining parameters and improving the machining performances of micro EDM.

Micro-scale Dispersion of Air Pollutants over an Urban Setup in a Coastal Region

The dispersion is mainly governed by wind field and depends on the planetary boundary layer (PBL) dynamics. Accurate representation of the meteorological weather fields would improve the dispersion assessments. In urban areas representation of wind around the obstacles is not possible for the pollution dispersion studies using Gaussian based modeling studies. It is widely accepted that computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools would provide reasonably good solution to produce the wind fields around the complex structures and other land scale elements. By keeping in view of the requirement for the micro-scale dispersion, a commercial CFD model PANACHE with PANEPR developed by Fluidyn is implemented to study the micro-scale dispersion of air pollution over an urban setup at Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam a coastal station in the east coast of India under stable atmospheric conditions. Meso-scale module of the PANACHE model is integrated with the data generated at the site by IGCAR under RRE (Round Robin Exercise) program to develop the flow fields. Using this flow fields, CFD model is integrated to study the micro-scale dispersion. Various pollution dispersion scenarios are developed using hypothetical emission inventory during stably stratified conditions to understand the micro-scale dispersion over different locations of coastal urban set up in the IGCAR region of Kalpakkam.

DEVELOPMENT OF MESO-AND MICRO-SCALE STRUCTURES IN THE CHAMBA-BHARMAUR SYNCLINE, WESTERN HIMALAYA, INDIA

The Chamba\|Bharmaur syncline located in between Zanskar range in the north and Dhauladhar\|Pirpanjal range in the south , in the Chamba district of Western Himachal Pradesh. The rocks constituting Chamba\|Bharmaur syncline belong to Precambrian to Lr. Triassic (Rattan, 1973) and represent the southern extension of the Tethyan facies of the Zanskar Tethys Himalayan sequence (Thakur, 1998). The geological and structural mapping in the Chamba\|Bharmaur syncline reveal that the area comprises of various litho\|units which show imprint of various phases of deformation. Three main phases of deformation DF\-1, DF\-2 and DF\-3 have affected the rocks of the Chamba\|Bharmaur syncline. The earliest recognisable deformational structures of the area are tight isoclinal folds appressed with long drawn out limbs and thickened hinges have experienced buckle shortening of 80%. They have been rendered intrafolial folds in many places; only a few of them show disharmony. The folds initiated in the multilayered sequences are generally controlled in their distribution and wave\|length by more competent members of the sequence.

Electrothermal energy conversion mechanism of micro-scale semiconductor bridge

The response characteristics of resistance is observed by the analysis of experimental data of micro scale semiconductor bridge （MSCB） under different voltage inputs. Two critical voltages are found. One is called exploding voltage, above which the MSCB can be melted and vaporized without generating a plasma, and the other is called producing a plasma voltage, above which the MSCB is entirely vaporized, and then the current flows through the vapor producing the plasma. Based on the non Fourier heat conduction theory, the electrothermal energy conversion model is es tablished for the stage from heating to exploding, and then the correlation of MSCB and time is ob tained by graphic calculation. Importantly, the critical exploding voltage and exploding time are also derivate. With the comparison between the analytical result from the theoretical model and that from experimental data, it has been demonstrated that the theoretical model is reasonable and feasible for designing the exploding voltage and exploding time.

Micro-scale FEM Calculation of Concrete Temperature during Production and Casting

A micro-scale finite element method(FEM) was proposed to precisely calculate the heat conduction between mortar and aggregate, and thus to accurately predict the non-uniformity of concrete pouring temperature. The concrete temperature field during vibration was also precisely calculated by accurate description of heat absorption characteristics of different parts of concrete when vibration. Based on the above method, the prediction model was used to predict the pouring temperature of a practical engineering. The comparison between actual results and simulated values shows that this method can be adopted to accurately predict the non-uniformity of concrete pouring temperature and the influence of mechanized vibration on concrete pouring temperature, and thus accurately predict pouring temperature. The control of casting temperature is crucial for preventing concrete fracture. The study provides a new method for predicting the pouring temperature of concrete structures, which has great practical value in engineering application.

Micro-Scale Motion Precision Simulation Method for a New-Type 6-DOF Micro-Manipulation Robot

A new 6-DOF micro-manipulation robot based on 3-PPTTRS parallel mechanisms in combination with flexure hinges is proposed. The design principle of the mechanism is introduced, and the kinematics analysis method based on differentiation is used to get the (inverse) kinematics equations. Then a micro-scale motion precision simulation method is proposed according to finite element analysis (FEA), and the prediction of robot’s motion precision in design phase is realized. The simulation result indicates that the 6-DOF micro-manipulation robot can meet the design specification.

A novel strategy of smart manipulation by micro-scale oscillatory networks of the reactionary zones for enhanced extreme thrust control of the next-generation solid propulsion systems

The main aim of this research is to get a better knowledge and understanding of the micro-scale oscillatory networks behavior in the solid propellants reactionary zones. Fundamental understanding of the micro-and nano-scale combustion mechanisms is essential to the development and further improvement of the next-generation technologies for extreme control of the solid propellant thrust. Both experiments and theory confirm that the micro-and nano-scale oscillatory networks excitation in the solid propellants reactionary zones is a rather universal phenomenon. In accordance with our concept,the micro-and nano-scale structures form both the fractal and self-organized wave patterns in the solid propellants reactionary zones. Control by the shape, the sizes and spacial orientation of the wave patterns allows manipulate by the energy exchange and release in the reactionary zones. A novel strategy for enhanced extreme thrust control in solid propulsion systems are based on manipulation by selforganization of the micro-and nano-scale oscillatory networks and self-organized patterns formation in the reactionary zones with use of the system of acoustic waves and electro-magnetic fields, generated by special kind of ring-shaped electric discharges along with resonance laser radiation. Application of special kind of the ring-shaped electric discharges demands the minimum expenses of energy and opens prospects for almost inertia-free control by combustion processes. Nano-sized additives will enhance self-organizing and self-synchronization of the micro-and nano-scale oscillatory networks on the nanometer scale. Suggested novel strategy opens the door for completely new ways for enhanced extreme thrust control of the solid propulsion systems.

Effect of Surface Roughness in Micro-nano Scale on Slotted Waveguide Arrays in Ku-band

Modeling of the roughness in micro-nano scale and its influence have not been fully investigated, however the roughness will cause amplitude and phase errors of the radiating slot, and decrease the precision and efficiency of the SWA in Ku-band. Firstly, the roughness is simulated using the electromechanical coupled（EC） model. The relationship between roughness and the antenna＇s radiation properties is obtained. For verification, an antenna proto- type is manufactured and tested, and the simulation method is introduced. According to the prototype, a contrasting experiment dealing with the flatness of the radiating plane is conducted to test the simulation method. The advantage of the EC model is validated by comparisons of the EC model and two classical roughness models （sine wave and fractal function）, which shows that the EC model gives a more accurate description model for roughness, the maxi- mum error is 13%. The existence of roughness strongly broadens the beamwidth and raises the side-lobe level of SWA, which is 1.2 times greater than the ideal antenna. In addition, effect of the EC model＇s evaluation indices is investigated, the most affected scale of the roughness is found, which is 1/10 of the working wavelength. The proposed research provides the instruction for antenna designing and manufacturing.

Two-phase micro-and macro-time scales in particle-laden turbulent channel flows

The micro- and macro-time scales in two-phase turbulent channel flows are investigated using the direct nu- merical simulation and the Lagrangian particle trajectory methods for the fluid- and the particle-phases, respectively. Lagrangian and Eulerian time scales of both phases are cal- culated using velocity correlation functions. Due to flow anisotropy, micro-time scales are not the same with the theo- retical estimations in large Reynolds number （isotropic） tur- bulence. Lagrangian macro-time scales of particle-phase and of fluid-phase seen by particles are both dependent on particle Stokes number. The fluid-phase Lagrangian inte- gral time scales increase with distance from the wall, longer than those time scales seen by particles. The Eulerian inte- gral macro-time scales increase in near-wall regions but de- crease in out-layer regions. The moving Eulerian time scales are also investigated and compared with Lagrangian integral time scales, and in good agreement with previous measure- ments and numerical predictions. For the fluid particles the micro Eulerian time scales are longer than the Lagrangian ones in the near wall regions, while away from the walls the micro Lagrangian time scales are longer. The Lagrangian integral time scales are longer than the Eulerian ones. The results are useful for further understanding two-phase flow physics and especially for constructing accurate prediction models of inertial particle dispersion.

Wave-Number Spectral Characteristics of Drift Wave Micro-Turbulence with Large-Scale Structures

Wave-number spectral characteristics of drift wave micro-turbulence with large-scale structures （LSSs） including zonal flows （ZFs） and Kelvin-Holmheltz （KH） mode are investigated based on three dimensional gyrofluid simulations in a slab geometry. The focus is on the property of the wave-number spectral scaling law of the ambient turbulence under the back reaction of the self-generated LSSs. A comparison of the spectral scaling laws between ion/electron temperature gradient （ITG/ETG） driven turbulences is presented. It is shown that the spectral scaling of the ITG turbulence with robust ZFs is fitted well by an exponential-law function （Φ^2/2）E∝e^-λkx in kx and a power-law one in （Φ^2/2）p∝ky^-β in ky. However, the ETG turbulence is characterized by a mixing Kolmogorov-like power-law and exponential-law （Φ^2/2）E∝e-λkx＇yk^-3x,y/（1 ＋ k^2x,y）^2 scaling for both kx and ky spectra due to the ZFs and KH mode dynamics, with λ and β the slope index factors. The underlying physical mechanism is understood as the spectral scattering caused by the back-reaction of the LSSs on the ambient turbulence. These findings may provide helpful guideline to diagnose the plasma fluctuations and flow structures in experiments.

High-Resolution Micro-Siting Technique for Large Scale Wind Farm Outside of Japan Using LES Turbulence Model

The spatial distribution of wind speed varies greatly over steep complex terrain, thus the selection of an optimal site in such terrain for wind turbine construction requires great care. We have developed a numerical model for simulating unsteady flows called RIAM-COMPACT (Research Institute for Applied Mechanics, Kyushu University, COM putational Prediction of Airflow over Complex Terrain), which is based on the LES (Large-Eddy Simulation) technique. The computational domain of RIAM-COMPACT can be varied from several meters to several kilometers, and the model is able to predict airflow over complex terrain with high accuracy. The present paper discusses the application of RIAM-COMPACT to the micro-siting of wind turbines at sites outside Japan. The results from two case studies will be presented.

Stable ^(85)Rb micro vapour cells:fabrication based on anodic bonding and application in chip-scale atomic clocks

We describe the microfabrication of ^85Rb vapour cells using a glass-silicon anodic bonding technique and in situ chemical reaction between rubidium chloride and barium azide to produce Rb. Under controlled conditions, the pure metallic Rb drops and buffer gases were obtained in the cells with a few mm^3 internal volumes during the cell sealing process. At an ambient temperature of 90 ℃ the optical absorption resonance of ^85Rb D1 transition with proper broadening and the corresponding coherent population trapping （CPT） resonance, with a signal contrast of 1.5% and linewidth of about 1.7 kHz, have been detected. The sealing quality and the stability of the cells have also been demonstrated experimentally by using the helium leaking detection and the after-9-month optoelectronics measurement which shows a similar CPT signal as its original status. In addition, the physics package of chip-scale atomic clock （CSAC） based on the cell was realized. The measured frequency stability of the physics package can reach to 2.1 × 10^-10 at one second when the cell was heated to 100 ℃ which proved that the cell has the quality to be used in portable and battery-operated devices.

用Micro-Lysimeters和大型蒸渗仪测定夏玉米蒸散的研究

利用大型称重式蒸渗仪和自制的Micro-Lysimeters对夏玉米生育期的蒸散量进行了研究。研究发现夏玉米整个生育期的棵间蒸发占总蒸散量的36.01%,其中大部分集中在生育前期;不同深度层次的土壤水分和棵间蒸发与蒸散量的比例(E/ETwd)随着深度的增加相关性越来越弱,10cm土壤含水量与E/ETwd的相关系数R2=81.23%,30cm土壤含水量与E/ETwd的相关系数R2=46.47%,50cm土壤含水量与E/ETwd的相关系数R2=34.09%;叶面积指数与E/ETwd也有密切的关系,相关系数R2=87.47%。

基于micro-CT扫描的孔裂隙结构表征及渗流模拟

以羊场湾不粘煤为研究对象,基于micro-CT扫描实验和Avizo处理软件,对煤中孔裂隙、矿物质以及煤基质进行精确提取与分割,并通过三维重构技术,得到了连通孔裂隙模型;在此基础上,进一步建立了具有孔裂隙形态学拓扑结构的等效孔隙网络模型,统计分析了煤中孔喉结构参数,包括孔隙半径、孔隙体积、喉道半径、喉道长度以及配位数;基于孔隙尺度的渗流模拟,实现了孔裂隙空间单相水的可视化渗流过程,并计算了3个方向的绝对渗透率。研究结果表明:羊场湾不粘煤中以片状孔隙群和大尺度互相垂直的裂隙发育为主,平均孔隙半径和喉道半径分别为106、27.79μm,平均配位数为3.45;在单相水渗流过程中,孔裂隙空间内的渗流速度明显高于流入流出端,3个方向的渗透率表现出明显的各向异性,其中y方向的绝对渗透率数值最大,x方向的渗透率最小。

灰阶超声联合超声MicroPure成像技术对乳腺导管癌微钙化的诊断价值

目的评价灰阶超声联合超声Micro Pure成像技术诊断乳腺导管癌微钙化的临床价值。方法回顾性分析我院2015年4月至2015年6月间的30例经手术病理证实为乳腺导管癌且钼靶诊断有微钙化患者的灰阶超声图像、超声Micro Pure技术图像及灰阶超声联合Micro Pure技术图像中微钙化的显示情况,分析并比较三种方法对乳腺导管癌微钙化的诊断情况。结果钼靶图像中显示有微钙化的30例乳腺导管癌患者中,单独应用灰阶超声对乳腺微钙化的检出率最低(60.0%),超声Micro Pure成像技术的检出率次之(76.7%),灰阶超声联合Micro Pure技术的检出率最高(90.0%),因此联合应用灰阶超声与Micro Pure技术对乳腺导管癌微钙化的显示能力明显高于二者的单独应用,其差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论灰阶超声联合超声Micro Pure成像技术能为乳腺导管癌微钙化的超声诊断提供重要的指导信息。