Deformation behaviors of magnesium alloy AZ31 sheet in cold deep drawing

To investigate how the popular magnesium alloy AZ31 sheet(aluminum 3%,zinc 1%)behaves in cold working,deep drawing experiments at room temperature,along with finite element(FE)simulation,were performed on the cold forming sheet of the AZ31 alloy after being annealed under various conditions.The activities were focused on the fracture pattern,limit drawing ratio(LDR),deformation load,thickness distribution,anisotropic effect,as well as the influences of the annealing conditions and tool configuration on them.The results display that punch shoulder radius instead of die clearance,has much influence on the thickness distribution.The anisotropy is remarkable in cold working,which adversely impacts the LDR.The fracture often happens on the side wall at an angle to axis of the deformed specimen.The results also imply that the LDR for the material under present experimental conditions is 1.72,and annealing the material at 450 ℃ for 1 h may be preferable for the cold deep drawing.

Simultaneous Oxidization of NO_x and SO_2 by a New Non-thermal Plasma Reactor Enhanced by Catalyst and Additive

The non-thermal plasma as one of the most promising technologies for removing NOx and SO2 has attrm^ted much attention. In this study, a new plasma reactor combined with catalyst and additive was developed to effectively oxidize and remove NOx and SO2 in the flue gas. The experimental results showed that TiO2 could improve the oxidation efficiency of SO2 in the case of applying plasma while having a negative effect on the oxidation process of NO and NOx. With the addition of NH3, the oxidation rates of NOx, NO and SO2 were slightly increased. However, the effect of adding NH3 on NOx oxidation was negative when the temperature was above 200℃.

Phase Behavior and Crystal Structure of Perovskite-Type Rare Earth Complex Oxides

Several compounds of rare earth complex oxides containing manganese and titanium were synthesized in Ar, and their crystal structures were analyzed by powder X-ray diffraction data and Rietveld method. Structures of A0.67Ln0.33 Mn0.33Ti0.6703（A = Ca or Sr and Ln = rare earth） were found to have orthorhombic symmetry with the space group Pnrna, and their interatomic distances and bond angles were obtained. This space group was also derived from electron microscopic study. Electrical conductivity of Cao.67Ln0.33Mn0.33Ti0.6703 for several rare earth elements showed a semiconducting property with the activation energy of 0.4 eV. Some of these compounds of the strontium system show the antiferromagnetic properties below 10 K.

FEM Modeling of Crack Propagation in a Model Multiphase Alloy

In this paper, several widely applied fracture criteria were first numerically examined and the crack-tip-region Jntegral criterion was confirmed to be more applicable to predict fracture angle in an elastic-plastic multiphase material. Then, the crack propagation in an idealized an elastic-plastic finite element method. The variation dendritic two-phase AI-7%Si alloy was modeled using of crack growth driving force with crack extension was also demonstrated. It is found that the crack path is significantly influenced by the presence of α-phase near the crack tip, and the crack growth driving force varies drastically from place to place. Lastly, the simulated fracture path in the two-phase model alloy was compared with the experimentally observed fracture path.

Dynamic Friction Behaviors of Pneumatic Cylinders

This paper deals with experimental investigation and modeling of dynamic friction behaviors in the sliding regime of pneumatic cylinders. Using three pneumatic cylinders, friction characteristics are investigated and modeled under various conditions of velocity variation and pressures. It is shown that a hysteretic behavior can be seen at low velocities in the friction force-velocity relation and the friction force varies nearly linearly with the velocity at high velocities. The hysteretic loop is expanded to higher velocities when the frequency of the velocity variation is increased, and its size is increased with increasing driving pressure and is decreased with increasing resistance pressure. It is shown that such behaviors can be relatively accurately simulated by the new modified LuGre model in which a few static parameters are varied with the frequency of velocity variation.

Solution of Nonlinear Advection-Diffusion Equations via Linear Fractional Map Type Nonlinear QCA

Linear fractional map type (LFMT) nonlinear QCA (NLQCA), one of the simplest reversible NLQCA is studied analytically as well as numerically. Linear advection equation or Time Dependent Schrödinger Equation (TDSE) is obtained from the continuum limit of linear QCA. Similarly it is found that some nonlinear advection-diffusion equations including inviscid Burgers equation and porous-medium equation are obtained from LFMT NLQCA.

Stability of phases in (Ba, Gd)MnO_3 solid solution system

The existing phases in BaxGd1-xMnO3 solid solution system （0≤x≤ 1） were studied by analyzing the detailed crystal structure of each composition from the results of the Rietveld method using powder X-ray diffraction data. For a small substitution of Ba for Gd （0≤x〈0. 1）, the orthorhombic phase with a perovskite type structure （Pnma space group） was stably formed and this fact was supported by the electron diffraction data. There existed an intermediate phase of Ba0.33Gd0.67MnO3, which was characterized as the tetragonal phase with perovskite structure. The composition range of this phase was narrow and almost line compound. Between the regions of these phases, there existed two-phase region. There was also a two-phase region between the intermediate tetragonal phase and BaMnO3. Measurement of electrical conductivities of these orthorhombic solid solutions and tetragonal phases showed semiconducting behaviors for both phases and the existence of the phase transition at high temperature for the orthorhombic phase, The transition temperature decreased as the Ba content increased.

Experimental confirmation of physical metal penetration generation and press casting production considering molten metal's pressure control

This paper presents a technique for controlling the pressure of a molten metal when using a new type of iron casting method called sand mold press casting to realize high productivity and obtain high-quality products.The past test results using this method showed a casting yield of 90% to 95%,while conventional methods only show a casting yield of 60% to 70%.Although the press casting method does not require a sprue cup or runner channel casting defects such as metal penetration are often caused by the high pressure in the high-velocity pressing part of this casting process.Therefore,we proposed a pressure control method with a mathematical model of molten metal pressure,and with it we achieved experimental confirmation of the successful production of brake drums at different pressing temperatures.Results show that the proposed pressing control method can realize sound,penetration-free casting production.However,the theoretical analysis and design of this pressing process had not previously been studied sufficiently,and therefore this paper presents the theoretical design algorithm for the process as well as its experimental confirmation.

The Influence of Iron on Ammonium Ion Generation from Nitrate Ion in Liquid Phase

Flue gas cleaning in discharge plasma process has been studied intensivelyand we have tried to remove the NO_x and SO_2 using the wet-type plasma reactor. In this system, NOis oxidized to NO_2 and absorbed as NO_3^-, and SO_2 is absorbed as SO_3^(2-) and oxidized in theliquid to SO_4^(2-). But the concentration of NO_3^- was saturated and the absorption of NO_x andSO_2 was inhibited. Then, the reduction of NO_3^- in the liquid is required. We examined thereductive reaction of NO_3^- to NH_4^+ using discharge above the liquid surface then the pH value ofthe liquid was changed to alkaline slightly. When the Fe plate was used as a ground electrode inthe liquid, NH_4^+ was generated. Then, the relation between the generation of NH_4^+ and Fe ions(Fe^(2+) and Fe^(3+)) was studied. When Fe^(2+) was presented in the liquid, NH_4^+ was generatedand Fe^(2+) was oxidized to Fe^(3+). Fe^(2+) is required to generate NH_4^+ from NO_3^-. When NH_4^+was generated from NO_3^-, both the calculated pH value from NH_4^+ concentration and the measuredpH value indicated a similar value. From these results, the discharge above the liquid surface waseffective to convert NO_3^- to NH_4^+ and the reductive reaction leads to more absorption of NO_3^-.These results showed that the wet-type plasma reactor is effective for NO_x and SO_2 removalsystem.

Simulation of Reductive Dechlorination Processes in a Lab-Scale Anaerobic Biobarrier with Enriched TCP Dechlorinating Consortium

In order to design and predict the dechlorination processes for remediating the halogenated aromatic compounds in the biobarrier system applied in situ,an anaerobic continuous-flow column was set up with the introduction of an enriched 2,4,6-trichlorophenol(TCP) reductive dechlorinating consortium.The fates of TCP and its metabolites were simulated according to the first-order sequential dechlorination kinetic model.The enriched TCP anaerobic dechlorinating consortium dechlorinated 100 μmol/L TCP to 4-chlorophenol(4-CP) via 2,4-dichlorophenol(DCP) in 10 d.The consortium was predominated with the phylum of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes,based on the PCRdenaturing gradient gel electrophoresis(DGGE) analysis.After the consortium was applied to the column,the experimental data in the steady state were fitted by the least square method,and the first-order dechlorination kinetic constants from TCP to 2,4-DCP,from 2,4-DCP to 4-CP and from 4-CP to phenol,were 1.58 d-1,2.23 d-1 and 0.206 d-1,respectively.According to the fitting results,the required biobarrier width for the complete remediation of TCP,2,4DCP and 4-CP were 126 cm,130 cm and 689 cm,respectively.The dechlorination/degradation of 4-CP must be increased when the technology is applied to the real site.

Solidification Microstructures of a Single-crystal Superalloy under Ultra-high Temperature Gradient Conditions

The solidification microstructures and solute segregation of a newly developed hot corrosion resistant single-crystal Ni-base superalloy were investigated with a zone-melting and ultra-high thermal gradient unidirectional solidification apparatus.Compared with the microstructures solidified at conventional low thermal gradient conditions,the dendrite arm spacings,the interdendritic microporosity and γ/γ' eutectic,and the severity of solute segregation of the single-crystal superalloy solidified at ultra-high thermal gradient conditions were considerably reduced.It was shown that the microstructure solidified under ultra-high thermal gradient condition is ideal for the full exploitation of the excellent property potentials of single-crystal superalloys.

Discharge Characteristics of Series Surface/Packed-Bed Discharge Reactor Diven by Bipolar Pulsed Power

The discharge characteristics of the series surface/packed-bed discharge （SSPBD） reactor driven by bipolar pulse power were systemically investigated in this study. In order to evaluate the advantages of the SSPBD reactor, it was compared with traditional surface discharge （SD） reactor and packed-bed discharge （PBD） reactor in terms of the discharge voltage, discharge current, and ozone formation. The SSPBD reactor exhibited a faster rising time and lower tail voltage than the SD and PBD reactors. The distribution of the active species generated in differ- ent discharge regions of the SSPBD reactor was analyzed by optical emission spectra and ozone analysis. It was found that the packed-bed discharge region （3.5 mg/L）, rather than the surface discharge region （1.3 mg/L） in the SSPBD reactor played a more important role in ozone gener- ation. The optical emission spectroscopy analysis indicated that more intense peaks of the active species （e.g. N2 and OI） in the optical emission spectra were observed in the packed-bed region.

Cyclosporin A inhibits the growth of neonatal MHC-expressing myotubes independent of NFATc1 and NFATc3 in the mechanically overloaded soleus muscle of mice

ABSTRACT The molecular signaling pathway linked to hyper-trophy of the anti-gravity/postural soleus muscle af-ter mechanical overloading has not been identified. Using Western blot and immunohistochemical analy-ses, we investigated whether the amounts of NFATc3, GSK-3?, NFATc1, and neonatal MHC change in the mechanically overloaded soleus muscle after cyc-losporine A (CsA) treatment. Adult male ICR mice were subjected to a surgical ablation of the gas-trocnemius muscle and treated with either CsA (25 mg/Kg) or vehicle once daily. They were sacrificed at 2, 4, 7, 10, and 14 days post-injury. Mechanical over-loading resulted in a significant increase in the wet weight and the cross-sectional area of slow and fast fibers of the soleus muscle in placebo-treated mice but not CsA-treated mice. After 4 days of mechanical overloading, we observed a similar co-localization of neonatal MHC and NFATc3 in several myotubes of both mice. The placebo-treated mice possessed larger myotubes with neonatal MHC than CsA-treated mice. At 7 days, mechanical overloading induced marked expression of neonatal MHC in myotubes and/or myofibers. Such neonatal MHC-positive fibers emerged less often in the hypertrophied soleus mus-cle subjected to treatment with CsA. CsA treatment did not significantly change the amount of GSK-3? protein in the soleus muscle. The modulation of growth in neonatal MHC-positive myofibers by CsA treatment may inhibit the hypertrophic process in the soleus muscle after mechanical overloading.

The Approximation of Bosonic System by Fermion in Quantum Cellular Automaton

In one-dimensional multiparticle Quantum Cellular Automaton (QCA), the approximation of the bosonic system by fermion (boson-fermion correspondence) can be derived in a rather simple and intriguing way, where the principle to impose zero-derivative boundary conditions of one-particle QCA is also analogously used in particle-exchange boundary conditions. As a clear cut demonstration of this approximation, we calculate the ground state of few-particle systems in a box using imaginary time evolution simulation in 2nd quantization form as well as in 1st quantization form. Moreover in this 2nd quantized form of QCA calculation, we use Time Evolving Block Decimation (TEBD) algorithm. We present this demonstration to emphasize that the TEBD is most natu-rally regarded as an approximation method to the 2nd quantized form of QCA.

Electric Conductivity of Fluorinated Oligomer Gel Electrolyte Including Ionic Liquid and Performance of Dye Sensitized Solar Cell

Fluorinated oligomer gel is suitable to the electrolyte of dye sensitized solar cell. This article studied mainly in the scope of electric conductivity, including ionic liquid in the electrolyte. It was found that the ratio of mixing with dimetyl sulfoxide and the concentration of LiI affect the conductivity. The behavior is different depending on the type of ionic liquid. Although the mixing ionic liquid enhances the conductivity, the short circuit current density of assembled solar cell with it was suppressed so much.

Response to Applied Voltage to Polyurethane Soft Actuators with Loaded Weights

We are investigating a polymer soft actuator using a poly urethane elastomer film that bends by an applied voltage, which is based on the electrostriction. In this article, the bending magnitude was studied in a weight-loaded condition. It was found that the thinner film can bend the more without any load, but that the film of 200-μm thickness gave the largest bending when weights were loaded. The thickness of some degree is critical for large bending torque.

Electrode Effects on Polyurethane Soft Actuator

A polymer soft actuator is under investigation using a poly urethane elastomer film that bends by means of an applied voltage, which is based on the electrostriction. Bending experiments were performed under different metal electrodes deposited the both sides of the film. Even if the thickness of the both electrodes?is the same, the metal of the both electrodes?is desirable to be the same to bend more. It is suggested that the balance of the physical properties of the both metal is critical for larger bending.