Shallow Compaction Modeling and Upscaling: A One-Dimensional Analytical Solution and Upscaling

Natural depositional processes frequently give rise to the heterogeneous multilayer system, which is often overlooked but essential for the simulation of a geological process. The sediments undergo the large-strain process in shallow depth and the small-strain process in deep depth. With the transform matrix and Laplace transformation, a new method of solving multilayer small-strain (Terzaghi) and large-strain (Gibson) consolidations is proposed. The results from this work match the numerical results and other analytical solutions well. According to the method of transform matrix which can consider the integral properties of multilayer consolidation, a relevant upscaling method is developed. This method is more effective than the normally used weighted average method. Correspondingly, the upscaling results indicate that the upscaled properties of a multilayer system vary in the consolidation process.

INVESTIGATION ON DOWNSTREAM PROCESSING OF INDUSTRIAL SCALE OF FLEXIRUBIN PRODUCTION USING SUPERPRO DESIGNER

The aim of this work is to utilize a process simulator SuperPro Designer v5.5 (Intelligent, NJ, USA) for investigation on the most optimum scenario for the recovery of flexirubin pigment that was produced from a fermentation process using Chryseobacterium artocarpi strain. Process flow sheeting was based on the production of 300 kg per annum of flexirubin. Production phase at 1000 L bioreactor (including steps for the inoculum development) and different scenarios/routes for recovery of flexirubin were considered. SuperPro designer process simulator allowed for the computation of overall operating cost and capital cost under various operating parameters. Results from simulation shows that all proposed downstream processing routes is capable of achieving a high degree of flexirubin recovery yield i.e. at least 94% (or greater). Operating cost was relatively low as the overall quantity of flexirubin was rather small. Capital cost for equipment purchasing however highly depending on the selection of unit procedures for recovery of flexirubin. Centrifugation unit accelerated the separation processes but it is costly compared to the dead-end filtration unit. The latter was found to be the bottleneck for the optimization step where high yield of flexirubin can be warranted at reduced capital cost by at least 40%.

Extensometer for Determining Strains on a Tensile and Torsion Simultaneous Load

The paper presents an extensometer designed to measure two mechanical strains at the same time—one from tensile load and the other from torsion load. Strain transducers provide different electric signals, which, after calibration, lead to the simultaneous measurement of linear (ε) and angular (γ) strains. Each of these two signals depends on the measured process and is not influenced by the other strain process. This extensometer is designed to be easily mounted on the sample with only two mounting points and can be used to measure the combined cyclical fatigue of tensile and torsional loadings. This extensometer has two bars—one rigid, reported at the resulting stress points, and one elastic and deformable. The elastic deformable bar has two beams with different orientations. When the sample is deformed, both beams are loaded by two bending moments (perpendicular to each other and both perpendicular on the longitudinal axis of the bars).

Ultra-stretchable supercapacitors based on biaxially pre-strained super-aligned carbon nanotube films

Ultra-stretchable supercapacitors are fabricated with super-aligned carbon nanotube film and active carbon powers by a biaxial pre-strain process and demonstrate high stretchability and excellent durability at 150% strains in multiple directions.

Fine-tuning of stress-induced martensite in TRIP/TWIP Ti alloys

Fine-tuning of stress-induced martensitic (SIM) transformation was studied in Ti-Mo based β metastable alloys, showing combined Transformation Induced Plasticity (TRIP) and Twinning Induced Plasticity effects (TWIP) effects. The work aimed to clarify the transition and interaction between the two deformation mechanisms and their influences on the mechanical properties of Ti-Mo based alloys. Electron parameter design methods (Bo-Md and e/a ratio) were cross-used to increase the β phase stability from near-TRIP to near-TWIP by adding third alloying elements. SIM α″ transformation and mechanical twinning were traced by in-situ EBSD (Electron backscatter diffraction) mapping under cyclic tension. The deformation modes of β phase exhibited significant changes when shifting its metastability via chemical composition modifications. In near-TRIP conditions (dominated by the growth of SIM α″ in plastic regime), SIM α″ transformation and internal twinning of martensite were the main mechanisms to accommodate the local stress-strain conditions. In near-TWIP ones (dominated by the growth of {332}<113>β twinning in plastic regime), SIM α″ was observed only at twinning interface during strain process and disappeared after stress release.

Extensometer for Determining Strains on a Tensile and Torsion Simultaneous Load

The paper presents an extensometer designed to measure two mechanical strains at the same time&mdash;one from tensile load and the other from torsion load. Strain transducers provide different electric signals, which, after calibration, lead to the simultaneous measurement of linear (&epsilon;) and angular (&gamma;) strains. Each of these two signals depends on the measured process and is not influenced by the other strain process. This extensometer is designed to be easily mounted on the sample with only two mounting points and can be used to measure the combined cyclical fatigue of tensile and torsional loadings. This extensometer has two bars&mdash;one rigid, reported at the resulting stress points, and one elastic and deformable. The elastic deformable bar has two beams with different orientations. When the sample is deformed, both beams are loaded by two bending moments (perpendicular to each other and both perpendicular on the longitudinal axis of the bars).