Sample records for capillary driving force

  1. Magneto-capillary dynamics of amphiphilic Janus particles at curved liquid interfaces.

    PubMed

    Fei, Wenjie; Driscoll, Michelle M; Chaikin, Paul M; Bishop, Kyle J M

    2018-05-11

    A homogeneous magnetic field can exert no net force on a colloidal particle. However, by coupling the particle's orientation to its position on a curved interface, even static homogeneous fields can be used to drive rapid particle motions. Here, we demonstrate this effect using magnetic Janus particles with amphiphilic surface chemistry adsorbed at the spherical interface of a water drop in decane. Application of a static homogeneous field drives particle motion to the drop equator where the particle's magnetic moment can align parallel to the field. As explained quantitatively by a simple model, the effective magnetic force on the particle scales linearly with the curvature of the interface. For particles adsorbed on small droplets such as those found in emulsions, these magneto-capillary forces can far exceed those due to magnetic field gradients in both magnitude and range. This mechanism may be useful in creating highly responsive emulsions and foams stabilized by magnetic particles.

  2. The effects of capillary forces on the axisymmetric propagation of two-phase, constant-flux gravity currents in porous media

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Golding, Madeleine J.; Huppert, Herbert E.; Neufeld, Jerome A.

    2013-03-01

    The effects of capillary forces on the propagation of two-phase, constant-flux gravity currents in a porous medium are studied analytically and numerically in an axisymmetric geometry. The fluid within a two-phase current generally only partially saturates the pore space it invades. For long, thin currents, the saturation distribution is set by the vertical balance between gravitational and capillary forces. The capillary pressure and relative permeability of the fluid in the current depend on this saturation. The action of capillary forces reduces the average saturation, thereby decreasing the relative permeability throughout the current. This results in a thicker current, which provides a steeper gradient to drive flow, and a more blunt-nose profile. The relative strength of gravity and capillary forces remains constant within a two-phase gravity current fed by a constant flux and spreading radially, due to mass conservation. For this reason, we use an axisymmetric representation of the framework developed by Golding et al. ["Two-phase gravity currents in porous media," J. Fluid Mech. 678, 248-270 (2011)], 10.1017/jfm.2011.110, to investigate the effect on propagation of varying the magnitude of capillary forces and the pore-size distribution. Scaling analysis indicates that axisymmetric two-phase gravity currents fed by a constant flux propagate like t1/2, similar to their single-phase counterparts [S. Lyle, H. E. Huppert, M. Hallworth, M. Bickle, and A. Chadwick, "Axisymmetric gravity currents in a porous medium," J. Fluid Mech. 543, 293-302 (2005)], 10.1017/S0022112005006713, with the effects of capillary forces encapsulated in the constant of proportionality. As a practical application of our new concepts and quantitative evaluations, we discuss the implications of our results for the process of carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration, during which gravity currents consisting of supercritical CO2 propagate in rock saturated with aqueous brine. We apply our two-phase model including capillary forces to quantitatively assess seismic images of CO2 spreading at Sleipner underneath the North Sea.

  3. Characteristics of fluid flow in the combustion synthesis of TiC from the elements

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Valone, S. M.; Behrens, R. G.

    1987-01-01

    The results of a numerical investigation of finite reservoir effects on capillary spreading at small reservoir dimensions are presently related to wave propagation phenomena in the combustion synthesis of TiC from its two elemental constituents. It is noted that gravitational forces can affect bubble coalescence by nonbuoyant means under the suitable conditions, although these conditions are expected to be rare in combustion synthesis. Finite-curved reservoirs can drive capillary flow due to surface tension and wall contact forces; these cause the wall and the metal to be completely reconfigured during combustion synthesis.

  4. Capillary flow enhancement in rectangular polymer microchannels with a deformable wall.

    PubMed

    Anoop, R; Sen, A K

    2015-07-01

    We report the capillary flow enhancement in rectangular polymer microchannels, when one of the channel walls is a deformable polymer membrane. We provide detailed insight into the physics of elastocapillary interaction between the capillary flow and elastic membrane, which leads to significant improvements in capillary flow performance. As liquid flows by capillary action in such channels, the deformable wall deflects inwards due to the Young-Laplace pressure drop across the liquid meniscus. This, in turn, decreases the radius of curvature of the meniscus and increases the driving capillary pressure. A theoretical model is proposed to predict the resultant increase in filling speed and rise height, respectively, in deformable horizontal and vertical microchannels having large aspect ratios. A non-dimensional parameter J, which represents the ratio of the capillary force to the mechanical restoring force, is identified to quantify the elastocapillary effects in terms of the improvement in filling speed (for J>0.238) and the condition for channel collapse (J>1). The theoretical predictions show good agreement with experimental data obtained using deformable rectangular poly(dimethylsiloxane) microchannels. Both model predictions and experimental data show that over 15% improvement in the Washburn coefficient in horizontal channels, and over 30% improvement in capillary rise height in vertical channels, are possible prior to channel collapse. The proposed technique of using deformable membranes as channel walls is a viable method for capillary flow enhancement in microfluidic devices.

  5. Capillary-induced crack healing between surfaces of nanoscale roughness.

    PubMed

    Soylemez, Emrecan; de Boer, Maarten P

    2014-10-07

    Capillary forces are important in nature (granular materials, insect locomotion) and in technology (disk drives, adhesion). Although well studied in equilibrium state, the dynamics of capillary formation merit further investigation. Here, we show that microcantilever crack healing experiments are a viable experimental technique for investigating the influence of capillary nucleation on crack healing between rough surfaces. The average crack healing velocity, v̅, between clean hydrophilic polycrystalline silicon surfaces of nanoscale roughness is measured. A plot of v̅ versus energy release rate, G, reveals log-linear behavior, while the slope |d[log(v̅)]/dG| decreases with increasing relative humidity. A simplified interface model that accounts for the nucleation time of water bridges by an activated process is developed to gain insight into the crack healing trends. This methodology enables us to gain insight into capillary bridge dynamics, with a goal of attaining a predictive capability for this important microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) reliability failure mechanism.

  6. Analysis of electrolyte transport through charged nanopores.

    PubMed

    Peters, P B; van Roij, R; Bazant, M Z; Biesheuvel, P M

    2016-05-01

    We revisit the classical problem of flow of electrolyte solutions through charged capillary nanopores or nanotubes as described by the capillary pore model (also called "space charge" theory). This theory assumes very long and thin pores and uses a one-dimensional flux-force formalism which relates fluxes (electrical current, salt flux, and fluid velocity) and driving forces (difference in electric potential, salt concentration, and pressure). We analyze the general case with overlapping electric double layers in the pore and a nonzero axial salt concentration gradient. The 3×3 matrix relating these quantities exhibits Onsager symmetry and we report a significant new simplification for the diagonal element relating axial salt flux to the gradient in chemical potential. We prove that Onsager symmetry is preserved under changes of variables, which we illustrate by transformation to a different flux-force matrix given by Gross and Osterle [J. Chem. Phys. 49, 228 (1968)JCPSA60021-960610.1063/1.1669814]. The capillary pore model is well suited to describe the nonlinear response of charged membranes or nanofluidic devices for electrokinetic energy conversion and water desalination, as long as the transverse ion profiles remain in local quasiequilibrium. As an example, we evaluate electrical power production from a salt concentration difference by reverse electrodialysis, using an efficiency versus power diagram. We show that since the capillary pore model allows for axial gradients in salt concentration, partial loops in current, salt flux, or fluid flow can develop in the pore. Predictions for macroscopic transport properties using a reduced model, where the potential and concentration are assumed to be invariant with radial coordinate ("uniform potential" or "fine capillary pore" model), are close to results of the full model.

  7. On-demand control of microfluidic flow via capillary-tuned solenoid microvalve suction.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Qiang; Zhang, Peiran; Su, Yetian; Mou, Chunbo; Zhou, Teng; Yang, Menglong; Xu, Jian; Ma, Bo

    2014-12-21

    A simple, low-cost and on-demand microfluidic flow controlling platform was developed based on a unique capillary-tuned solenoid microvalve suction effect without any outer pressure source. The suction effect was innovatively employed as a stable and controllable driving force for the manipulation of the microfluidic system by connecting a piece of capillary between the microvalve and the microfluidic chip, which caused significant hydrodynamic resistance differences among the solenoid valve ports and changed the flowing mode inside the valve. The volume of sucked liquid could be controlled from microliters even down to picoliters either by decreasing the valve energized duration (from a maximum energized duration to the valve response time of 20 ms) or by increasing the inserted capillary length (i.e., its hydrodynamic resistance). Several important microfluidic unit operations such as cell/droplet sorting and on-demand size-controllable droplet generation have been demonstrated on the developed platform and both simulations and experiments confirmed that this platform has good controllability and stability.

  8. The Dynamics of Glomerular Ultrafiltration in the Rat

    PubMed Central

    Brenner, Barry M.; Troy, Julia L.; Daugharty, Terrance M.

    1971-01-01

    Using a unique strain of Wistar rats endowed with glomeruli situated directly on the renal cortical surface, we measured glomerular capillary pressures using servo-nulling micropipette transducer techniques. Pressures in 12 glomerular capillaries from 7 rats averaged 60 cm H2O, or approximately 50% of mean systemic arterial values. Wave form characteristics for these glomerular capillaries were found to be remarkably similar to those of the central aorta. From similarly direct estimates of hydrostatic pressures in proximal tubules, and colloid osmotic pressures in systemic and efferent arteriolar plasmas, the net driving force for ultrafiltration was calculated. The average value of 14 cm H2O is lower by some two-thirds than the majority of estimates reported previously based on indirect techniques. Single nephron GFR (glomerular filtration rate) was also measured in these rats, thereby permitting calculation of the glomerular capillary ultrafiltration coefficient. The average value of 0.044 nl sec−1 cm H2O−1 glomerulus−1 is at least fourfold greater than previous estimates derived from indirect observations. PMID:5097578

  9. Apparatus for separating particles utilizing engineered acoustic contrast capture particles

    DOEpatents

    Kaduchak, Gregory; Ward, Michael D

    2014-10-21

    An apparatus for separating particles from a medium includes a capillary defining a flow path therein that is in fluid communication with a medium source. The medium source includes engineered acoustic contrast capture particle having a predetermined acoustic contrast. The apparatus includes a vibration generator that is operable to produce at least one acoustic field within the flow path. The acoustic field produces a force potential minima for positive acoustic contrast particles and a force potential minima for negative acoustic contrast particles in the flow path and drives the engineered acoustic contrast capture particles to either the force potential minima for positive acoustic contrast particles or the force potential minima for negative acoustic contrast particles.

  10. Apparatus for separating particles utilizing engineered acoustic contrast capture particles

    DOEpatents

    Kaduchak, Gregory [Los Alamos, NM; Ward, Michael D [Los Alamos, NM

    2011-12-27

    An apparatus for separating particles from a medium includes a capillary defining a flow path therein that is in fluid communication with a medium source. The medium source includes engineered acoustic contrast capture particle having a predetermined acoustic contrast. The apparatus includes a vibration generator that is operable to produce at least one acoustic field within the flow path. The acoustic field produces a force potential minima for positive acoustic contrast particles and a force potential minima for negative acoustic contrast particles in the flow path and drives the engineered acoustic contrast capture particles to either the force potential minima for positive acoustic contrast particles or the force potential minima for negative acoustic contrast particles.

  11. Spontaneous Ion Depletion and Accumulation Phenomena Induced by Imbibition through Permselective Medium

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lee, Hyomin; Jung, Yeonsu; Park, Sungmin; Kim, Ho-Young; Kim, Sung Jae

    2016-11-01

    Generally, an ion depletion region near a permselective medium is induced by predominant ion flux through the medium. External electric field or hydraulic pressure has been reported as the driving forces. Among these driving forces, an imbibition through the nanoporous medium was chosen as the mechanism to spontaneously generate the ion depletion region. The water-absorbing process leads to the predominant ion flux so that the spontaneous formation of the ion depletion zone is expected even if there are no additional driving forces except for the inherent capillary action. In this presentation, we derived the analytical solutions using perturbation method and asymptotic analysis for the spontaneous phenomenon. Using the analysis, we found that there is also spontaneous accumulation regime depending on the mobility of dissolved electrolytic species. Therefore, the rigorous analysis of the spontaneous ion depletion and accumulation phenomena would provide a key perspective for the control of ion transportation in nanofluidic system such as desalinator, preconcentrator, and energy harvesting device, etc. Samsung Research Funding Center of Samsung Electronics (SRFC-MA1301-02) and BK21 plus program of Creative Research Engineer Development IT, Seoul National University.

  12. Wetting behavior of selected crude oil/brine/rock systems

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    NONE

    1997-04-01

    Of the many methods of characterizing wettability of a porous medium, the most commonly used are the Amott test and the USBM test. The Amott test does not discriminate adequately between systems that give high values of wettability index to water and are collectively described as very strongly water-wet. The USBM test does not recognize systems that achieve residual oil saturation by spontaneous imbibition. For such systems, and for any systems that exhibit significant spontaneous imbibition, measurements of imbibition rate provide a useful characterization of wettability. Methods of interpreting spontaneous imbibition data are reviewed and a new method of quantifyingmore » wettability from rate of imbibition is proposed. Capillary pressure is the driving force in spontaneous imbibition. The area under an imbibition curve is closely related to the work of displacement that results from decrease in surface free energy. Imbibition rate data can be correlated to allow for differences in interracial tension, viscosities, pore structure, and sample size. Wettability, the remaining key factor in determining the capillary driving force and the related imbibition rate, then largely determines the differences in saturation vs. scaled time curves. These curves are used to obtain pseudo imbibition capillary pressure curves; a wettability index based on relative areas under these curves is defined as the relative pseudo work of imbibition. The method is applied for two crude oil/brine/rock systems. Comparison of the method with the Amott wettability index is made for different wettability states given by differences in aging of cores with crude oil. Correlations of wettability indices with waterflood recoveries are presented.« less

  13. Design and dynamic analysis of a piezoelectric linear stage for pipetting liquid samples

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yu-Jen, Wang; Chien, Lee; Yi-Bin, Jiang; Kuo-Chieh, Fu

    2017-06-01

    Piezoelectric actuators have been widely used in positioning stages because of their compact size, stepping controllability, and holding force. This study proposes a piezoelectric-driven stage composed of a bi-electrode piezoelectric slab, capacitive position sensor, and capillary filling detector for filling liquid samples into nanopipettes using capillary flow. This automatic sample-filling device is suitable for transmission electron microscopy image-based quantitative analysis of aqueous products with added nanoparticles. The step length of the actuator is adjusted by a pulse width modulation signal that depends on the stage position; the actuator stops moving once the capillary filling has been detected. A novel dynamic model of the piezoelectric-driven stage based on collision interactions between the piezoelectric actuator and the sliding clipper is presented. Unknown model parameters are derived from the steady state solution of the equivalent steady phase angle. The output force of the piezoelectric actuator is formulated using the impulse and momentum principle. Considering the applied forces and related velocity between the sliding clipper and the piezoelectric slab, the stage dynamic response is confirmed with the experimental results. Moreover, the model can be used to explain the in-phase slanted trajectories of piezoelectric slab to drive sliders, but not elliptical trajectories. The maximum velocity and minimum step length of the piezoelectric-driven stage are 130 mm s-1 and 1 μm respectively.

  14. Systems and methods for separating particles utilizing engineered acoustic contrast capture particles

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Kaduchak, Gregory; Ward, Michael D.

    An apparatus for separating particles from a medium includes a capillary defining a flow path therein that is in fluid communication with a medium source. The medium source includes engineered acoustic contrast capture particle having a predetermined acoustic contrast. The apparatus includes a vibration generator that is operable to produce at least one acoustic field within the flow path. The acoustic field produces a force potential minima for positive acoustic contrast particles and a force potential minima for negative acoustic contrast particles in the flow path and drives the engineered acoustic contrast capture particles to either the force potential minimamore » for positive acoustic contrast particles or the force potential minima for negative acoustic contrast particles.« less

  15. Apparatus for separating particles utilizing engineered acoustic contrast capture particles

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Kaduchak, Gregory; Ward, Michael D

    An apparatus for separating particles from a medium includes a capillary defining a flow path therein that is in fluid communication with a medium source. The medium source includes engineered acoustic contrast capture particle having a predetermined acoustic contrast. The apparatus includes a vibration generator that is operable to produce at least one acoustic field within the flow path. The acoustic field produces a force potential minima for positive acoustic contrast particles and a force potential minima for negative acoustic contrast particles in the flow path and drives the engineered acoustic contrast capture particles to either the force potential minimamore » for positive acoustic contrast particles or the force potential minima for negative acoustic contrast particles.« less

  16. Colloidal attraction induced by a temperature gradient.

    PubMed

    Di Leonardo, R; Ianni, F; Ruocco, G

    2009-04-21

    Colloidal crystals are of extreme importance for applied research and for fundamental studies in statistical mechanics. Long-range attractive interactions, such as capillary forces, can drive the spontaneous assembly of such mesoscopic ordered structures. However, long-range attractive forces are very rare in the colloidal realm. Here we report a novel strong, long-ranged attraction induced by a thermal gradient in the presence of a wall. By switching the thermal gradient on and off, we can rapidly and reversibly form stable hexagonal 2D crystals. We show that the observed attraction is hydrodynamic in nature and arises from thermally induced slip flow on particle surfaces. We used optical tweezers to measure the force law directly and compare it to an analytical prediction based on Stokes flow driven by Marangoni-like forces.

  17. Simple-structured capillary-force-dominated tunable-focus liquid lens based on the higher-order-harmonic resonance of a piezoelectric ring transducer.

    PubMed

    Feng, Guo-Hua; Liu, Jun-Hao

    2013-02-01

    This paper proposes a tunable-focus liquid lens implemented with a simple cylindrical container structure and liquid as the lens material. The cylindrical container was constructed using a Pb [Zr(0.52)Ti(0.48)]O(3) (PZT) ring transducer and a polydimethylsiloxane membrane that was attached to a flat side of the transducer. The free surface of the liquid in the cylindrical container can be driven as a static-like convex lens with different curvatures because the higher-order harmonic resonance of the PZT transducer was electrically controlled. Based on a capillary-force-dominant design, the activated liquid lens maintained surface curvature in an arbitrary orientation without a gravitational effect. Profiles of the liquid lenses were characterized with the driving voltages of the transducer ranging from 12 to 60 V peak-to-peak (Vpp) at a resonant frequency of 460 kHz. The temperature effects on the lenses caused by the continuous operation of the transducer were measured. Images showed the various curvatures of the lenses with a range of actuation voltages. A change in focal length of eight times (5.72 to 46.03 cm) was demonstrated within the 10 Vpp variation of the driving voltage. For the characterized liquid lenses, the distortion was less than 2%, and the modulation transfer function reached 63 line pairs per mm (lp/mm) using ZEMAX analysis.

  18. Liquid spreading on ceramic-coated carbon nanotube films and patterned microstructures

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhao, Hangbo; Hart, A. John

    2015-11-01

    We study the capillary-driven liquid spreading behavior on films and microstructures of ceramic-coated vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) fabricated on quartz substrates. The nanoscale porosity and micro-scale dimensions of the CNT structures, which can be precisely varied by the fabrication process, enable quantitative measurements that can be related to analytical models of the spreading behavior. Moreover, the conformal alumina coating by atomic layer deposition (ALD) prevents capillary-induced deformation of the CNTs upon meniscus recession, which has complicated previous studies of this topic. Washburn-like liquid spreading behavior is observed on non-patterned CNT surfaces, and is explained using a scaling model based on the balance of capillary driving force and the viscous drag force. Using these insights, we design patterned surfaces with controllable spreading rates and study the contact line pinning-depinning behavior. The nanoscale porosity, controllable surface chemistry, and mechanical stability of coated CNTs provide significantly enhanced liquid-solid interfacial area compared to solid microstructures. As a result, these surface designs may be useful for applications such as phase-change heat transfer and electrochemical energy storage. Funding for this project is provided by the National Institutes of Health and the MIT Center for Clean Water and Clean Energy supported by the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals.

  19. Electrically modulated capillary filling imbibition of nematic liquid crystals

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dhar, Jayabrata; Chakraborty, Suman

    2018-04-01

    The flow of nematic liquid crystals (NLCs) in the presence of an electric field is typically characterized by the variation in its rheological properties due to transition in its molecular arrangements. Here, we bring out a nontrivial interplay of a consequent alteration in the resistive viscous effects and driving electrocapillary interactions, toward maneuvering the capillary filling dynamics over miniaturized scales. Considering a dynamic interplay of the relevant bulk and interfacial forces acting in tandem, our results converge nicely to previously reported experimental data. Finally, we attempt a scaling analysis to bring forth further insight to the reported observations. Our analysis paves the way for the development of microfluidic strategies with previously unexplored paradigms of interaction between electrical and fluidic phenomenon, providing with an augmented controllability on capillary filling as compared to tthose reported to be achievable by the existing strategies. This, in turn, holds utilitarian scopes in improved designs of functional capillarities in electro-optical systems, electrorheological utilities, electrokinetic flow control, as well as in interfacing and imaging systems for biomedical microdevices.

  20. Direct Cytoskeleton Forces Cause Membrane Softening in Red Blood Cells

    PubMed Central

    Rodríguez-García, Ruddi; López-Montero, Iván; Mell, Michael; Egea, Gustavo; Gov, Nir S.; Monroy, Francisco

    2015-01-01

    Erythrocytes are flexible cells specialized in the systemic transport of oxygen in vertebrates. This physiological function is connected to their outstanding ability to deform in passing through narrow capillaries. In recent years, there has been an influx of experimental evidence of enhanced cell-shape fluctuations related to metabolically driven activity of the erythroid membrane skeleton. However, no direct observation of the active cytoskeleton forces has yet been reported to our knowledge. Here, we show experimental evidence of the presence of temporally correlated forces superposed over the thermal fluctuations of the erythrocyte membrane. These forces are ATP-dependent and drive enhanced flickering motions in human erythrocytes. Theoretical analyses provide support for a direct force exerted on the membrane by the cytoskeleton nodes as pulses of well-defined average duration. In addition, such metabolically regulated active forces cause global membrane softening, a mechanical attribute related to the functional erythroid deformability. PMID:26083919

  1. Micromechanism linear actuator with capillary force sealing

    DOEpatents

    Sniegowski, Jeffry J.

    1997-01-01

    A class of micromachine linear actuators whose function is based on gas driven pistons in which capillary forces are used to seal the gas behind the piston. The capillary forces also increase the amount of force transmitted from the gas pressure to the piston. In a major subclass of such devices, the gas bubble is produced by thermal vaporization of a working fluid. Because of their dependence on capillary forces for sealing, such devices are only practical on the sub-mm size scale, but in that regime they produce very large force times distance (total work) values.

  2. Continuous micro-feeding of fine cohesive powders actuated by pulse inertia force and acoustic radiation force in ultrasonic standing wave field.

    PubMed

    Wang, Hongcheng; Wu, Liqun; Zhang, Ting; Chen, Rangrang; Zhang, Linan

    2018-07-10

    Stable continuous micro-feeding of fine cohesive powders has recently gained importance in many fields. However, it remains a great challenge in practice because of the powder aggregate caused by interparticle cohesive forces in small capillaries. This paper describes a novel method of feeding fine cohesive powder actuated by a pulse inertia force and acoustic radiation force simultaneously in an ultrasonic standing wave field using a tapered glass nozzle. Nozzles with different outlet diameters are fabricated using glass via a heating process. A pulse inertia force is excited to drive powder movement to the outlet section of the nozzle in a consolidated columnar rod mode. An acoustic radiation force is generated to suspend the particles and make the rod break into large quantities of small agglomerates which impact each other randomly. So the aggregation phenomenon in the fluidization of cohesive powders can be eliminated. The suspended powder is discharged continuously from the nozzle orifice owing to the self-gravities and collisions between the inner particles. The micro-feeding rates can be controlled accurately and the minimum values for RespitoseSV003 and Granulac230 are 0.4 mg/s and 0.5 mg/s respectively. The relative standard deviations of all data points are below 0.12, which is considerably smaller than those of existing vibration feeders with small capillaries. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  3. Exact Solution for Capillary Bridges Properties by Shooting Method

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Qiang-Nian, Li; Jia-Qi, Zhang; Feng-Xi, Zhou

    2017-04-01

    The investigation of liquid bridge force acting between wet particles has great significance in many fields. In this article, the exact solution of capillary force between two unequal-sized spherical particles is investigated. Firstly, The Young-Laplace equation with moving boundary is converted into a set of ordinary differential equations with two fix point boundary using variable substitution technique, in which the gravity effects have been neglected. The geometry of the liquid bridge between two particles is solved by shooting method. After that, the gorge method is applied to calculate the capillary-bridge force that is consists of contributions from the capillary suction and surface tension. Finally, the effect of various parameters including distance between two spheres, radii of spheres, and contact angles on the capillary force are investigated. It is shown that the presented approach is an efficient and accurate algorithm for capillary force between two particles in complex situations.

  4. A many-body dissipative particle dynamics study of forced water-oil displacement in capillary.

    PubMed

    Chen, Chen; Zhuang, Lin; Li, Xuefeng; Dong, Jinfeng; Lu, Juntao

    2012-01-17

    The forced water-oil displacement in capillary is a model that has important applications such as the groundwater remediation and the oil recovery. Whereas it is difficult for experimental studies to observe the displacement process in a capillary at nanoscale, the computational simulation is a unique approach in this regard. In the present work, the many-body dissipative particle dynamics (MDPD) method is employed to simulate the process of water-oil displacement in capillary with external force applied by a piston. As the property of all interfaces involved in this system can be manipulated independently, the dynamic displacement process is studied systematically under various conditions of distinct wettability of water in capillary and miscibility between water and oil as well as of different external forces. By analyzing the dependence of the starting force on the properties of water/capillary and water/oil interfaces, we find that there exist two different modes of the water-oil displacement. In the case of stronger water-oil interaction, the water particles cannot displace those oil particles sticking to the capillary wall, leaving a low oil recovery efficiency. To minimize the residual oil content in capillary, enhancing the wettability of water and reducing the external force will be beneficial. This simulation study provides microscopic insights into the water-oil displacement process in capillary and guiding information for relevant applications. © 2011 American Chemical Society

  5. Propulsion Mechanism of Catalytic Microjet Engines

    PubMed Central

    Fomin, Vladimir M.; Hippler, Markus; Magdanz, Veronika; Soler, Lluís; Sanchez, Samuel; Schmidt, Oliver G.

    2014-01-01

    We describe the propulsion mechanism of the catalytic microjet engines that are fabricated using rolled-up nanotech. Microjets have recently shown numerous potential applications in nanorobotics but currently there is a lack of an accurate theoretical model that describes the origin of the motion as well as the mechanism of self-propulsion. The geometric asymmetry of a tubular microjet leads to the development of a capillary force, which tends to propel a bubble toward the larger opening of the tube. Because of this motion in an asymmetric tube, there emerges a momentum transfer to the fluid. In order to compensate this momentum transfer, a jet force acting on the tube occurs. This force, which is counterbalanced by the linear drag force, enables tube velocities of the order of 100 μm/s. This mechanism provides a fundamental explanation for the development of driving forces that are acting on bubbles in tubular microjets. PMID:25177214

  6. Migration And Entrapment Of Mercury In The Subsurface

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    M, D.; Nambi, I. M.

    2009-12-01

    Elemental mercury is an immiscible liquid with high density and high surface tension. The movement of mercury in the saturated subsurface region is therefore considered a case of two phase flow involving mercury and water and is expected to be governed by gravity, viscous and capillary forces. Fundamental investigation into the migration and capillary entrapment of mercury in the subsurface was done by controlled laboratory capillary pressure saturation experiments using mercury and water as non wetting and wetting fluid respectively. Residual mercury saturation and van Genuchten’s capillary entrapment parameters were determined independently for different sizes of porous media. Based on the experimental data, theoretical investigations were done on the role of the three predominant forces and their influence on mercury migration and entrapment. The effects of fluid density and interfacial tension and the influence of Capillary and Bond number on mercury entrapment were analyzed with the help of similar capillary pressure - saturation experiments using Tetrachloroethylene (PCE)-water fluid pair. Mercury-water systems exhibited a low residual saturation of 0.02 and 0.07 as compared to 0.16 and 0.27 for PCE-water systems. Less residual mercury saturation, lack of apparent hysteresis in capillary pressure saturation curves and large variation in van Genuchten’s parameters 'α'(inverse of displacement pressure) and ‘n’ (pore size distribution index) for mercury-water systems compared to PCE-water systems were observed. These anomalies between the two systems elucidate that the capillary trapping is equally dependent on the fluid characteristics especially for high density immiscible fluids. Gravity force nevertheless a predominant controlling factor in the migration of highly dense mercury, is counteracted by not less trivial capillary force which was 1.22x104 times higher than gravity force. The capillary forces thus surmount the gravity forces and cause entrapment of mercury in the soil pores even in homogeneous porous medium system. Bond number (Bond number relates gravity and capillary forces) for mercury-water system was found to 2.5 times higher than PCE-water systems. Large density differences between mercury and water lead to high Bond number and thus less residual saturation. Capillary number (Capillary number relates viscous and capillary forces) was found to be less for mercury-water systems. Literature review unveils that low Capillary number does not influence non wetting residual saturation. But for high density mercury with natural infiltration, even low Capillary number influences residual saturation. With the alarming increase in number of mercury spill sites, results of this study showed a better understanding of the capillary entrapment phenomena and the extent of influence of each predominant force during displacement of highly dense mercury. The fundamental inputs to NAPL entrapment models were generated in this study for mercury for the first time. This data will be used to assess the distribution of mercury in contaminated sites and design suitable remedial alternatives.

  7. Measurement of interactions between solid particles, liquid droplets, and/or gas bubbles in a liquid using an integrated thin film drainage apparatus.

    PubMed

    Wang, Louxiang; Sharp, David; Masliyah, Jacob; Xu, Zhenghe

    2013-03-19

    A novel device was designed to measure drainage dynamics of thin liquid films confined between a solid particle, an immiscible liquid droplet, and/or gas bubble. Equipped with a bimorph force sensor, a computer-interfaced video capture, and a data acquisition system, the newly designed integrated thin film drainage apparatus (ITFDA) allows for the direct and simultaneous measurements of force barrier, true film drainage time, and bubble/droplet deformation under a well-controlled external force, receding and advancing contact angles, capillary force, and adhesion (detachment) force between an air bubble or oil droplet and a solid, a liquid, or an air bubble in an immiscible liquid. Using the diaphragm of a high-frequency speaker as the drive mechanism for the air bubble or oil droplet attached to a capillary tube, this newly designed device is capable of measuring forces over a wide range of hydrodynamic conditions, including bubble approach and retract velocities up to 50 mm/s and displacement range up to 1 mm. The results showed that the ITFDA was capable of measuring hydrodynamic resistance, film drainage time, and other important physical parameters between air bubbles and solid particles in aqueous solutions. As an example of illustrating the versatility, the ITFDA was also applied to other important systems such as interactions between air bubble and oil droplet, two air bubbles, and two oil droplets in an aqueous solution.

  8. Apparent dynamic contact angle of an advancing gas--liquid meniscus

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Kalliadasis, S.; Chang, H.

    1994-01-01

    The steady motion of an advancing meniscus in a gas-filled capillary tube involves a delicate balance of capillary, viscous, and intermolecular forces. The limit of small capillary numbers Ca (dimensionless speeds) is analyzed here with a matched asymptotic analysis that links the outer capillary region to the precursor film in front of the meniscus through a lubricating film. The meniscus shape in the outer region is constructed and the apparent dynamic contact angle [Theta] that the meniscus forms with the solid surface is derived as a function of the capillary number, the capillary radius, and the Hamaker's constant for intermolecularmore » forces, under conditions of weak gas--solid interaction, which lead to fast spreading of the precursor film and weak intermolecular forces relative to viscous forces within the lubricating film. The dependence on intermolecular forces is very weak and the contact angle expression has a tight upper bound tan [Theta]=7.48 Ca[sup 1/3] for thick films, which is independent of the Hamaker constant. This upper bound is in very good agreement with existing experimental data for wetting fluids in any capillary and for partially wetting fluids in a prewetted capillary. Significant correction to the Ca[sup 1/3] dependence occurs only at very low Ca, where the intermolecular forces become more important and tan [Theta] diverges slightly from the above asymptotic behavior toward lower values.« less

  9. Numerical Simulation of Ion Transport in a Nano-Electrospray Ion Source at Atmospheric Pressure

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Wei; Bajic, Steve; John, Benzi; Emerson, David R.

    2018-03-01

    Understanding ion transport properties from the ion source to the mass spectrometer (MS) is essential for optimizing device performance. Numerical simulation helps in understanding of ion transport properties and, furthermore, facilitates instrument design. In contrast to previously reported numerical studies, ion transport simulations in a continuous injection mode whilst considering realistic space-charge effects have been carried out. The flow field was solved using Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations, and a particle-in-cell (PIC) method was applied to solve a time-dependent electric field with local charge density. A series of ion transport simulations were carried out at different cone gas flow rates, ion source currents, and capillary voltages. A force evaluation analysis reveals that the electric force, the drag force, and the Brownian force are the three dominant forces acting on the ions. Both the experimental and simulation results indicate that cone gas flow rates of ≤250 slph (standard liter per hour) are important for high ion transmission efficiency, as higher cone gas flow rates reduce the ion signal significantly. The simulation results also show that the ion transmission efficiency reduces exponentially with an increased ion source current. Additionally, the ion loss due to space-charge effects has been found to be predominant at a higher ion source current, a lower capillary voltage, and a stronger cone gas counterflow. The interaction of the ion driving force, ion opposing force, and ion dispersion is discussed to illustrate ion transport mechanism in the ion source at atmospheric pressure. [Figure not available: see fulltext.

  10. Numerical Simulation of Ion Transport in a Nano-Electrospray Ion Source at Atmospheric Pressure.

    PubMed

    Wang, Wei; Bajic, Steve; John, Benzi; Emerson, David R

    2018-03-01

    Understanding ion transport properties from the ion source to the mass spectrometer (MS) is essential for optimizing device performance. Numerical simulation helps in understanding of ion transport properties and, furthermore, facilitates instrument design. In contrast to previously reported numerical studies, ion transport simulations in a continuous injection mode whilst considering realistic space-charge effects have been carried out. The flow field was solved using Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations, and a particle-in-cell (PIC) method was applied to solve a time-dependent electric field with local charge density. A series of ion transport simulations were carried out at different cone gas flow rates, ion source currents, and capillary voltages. A force evaluation analysis reveals that the electric force, the drag force, and the Brownian force are the three dominant forces acting on the ions. Both the experimental and simulation results indicate that cone gas flow rates of ≤250 slph (standard liter per hour) are important for high ion transmission efficiency, as higher cone gas flow rates reduce the ion signal significantly. The simulation results also show that the ion transmission efficiency reduces exponentially with an increased ion source current. Additionally, the ion loss due to space-charge effects has been found to be predominant at a higher ion source current, a lower capillary voltage, and a stronger cone gas counterflow. The interaction of the ion driving force, ion opposing force, and ion dispersion is discussed to illustrate ion transport mechanism in the ion source at atmospheric pressure. Graphical Abstract.

  11. Characteristics of secondary migration driving force of tight oil and its geologic effect: a case study of Jurassic in Central Sichuan Basin

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pang, Zhenglian; Tao, Shizhen; Zhang, Bin; Wu, Songtao; Yang, Jiajing; Chen, Ruiyin

    2017-04-01

    As the rising of its production, tight oil is becoming more and more important. Much research has been done about it. Some articles mention that buoyancy is ineffective for tight oil secondary migration, and abnormal pressure is the alternative. Others believe that overpressure caused hydrocarbon generation is the very force. Though opinions have been given, there are two inadequacies. Firstly, the points are lack of sufficient evidences. Mostly, they are only one or two sentences in the papers. Secondly, geologic effect of the change of driving force hasn't been discussed. In this context, analog experiments, physical property testing, mercury injection, and oil/source comparison were utilized to study 3 issues: origin and value of tight oil secondary migration resistance, values and effectiveness of different potential driving forces, and geologic effect of tight oil secondary migration driving force. Firstly, resistance values of tight reservoir were detected by analog experiments. The value of tight limestone is 15.8MPa, while tight sandstone is 10.7MPa. Tiny size of pores and throats in tight reservoir is the main reason causing huge resistances. Over 90% of pores and throats in tight reservoir are smaller than 1μm. They form huge capillary force when oil migrating through them. Secondly, maximum of buoyancy in study area was confirmed, 0.09MPa, too small to overcome the resistances. Meanwhile, production data suggests that tight oil distribution pattern is not controlled by buoyancy. Conversely, analog experiment proves that overpressure caused by hydrocarbon generation can reach 38MPa, large enough to be the driving force. This idea is also supported by positive correlation between output and source rock formation pressure. Thirdly, is the geologic effect of tight oil secondary migration resistance and driving force. Tight oil can migrate only as non-darcy flow due to huge resistances according to percolation experiments. It needs to overcome the starting pressure gradient. As a result, it migrated a much shorter distance compared with conventional petroleum, coincident with the result of oil/source comparison. The effect of driving force is that boundary of tight oil profitable area is controlled by source rock. This boundary in the study area is the line of hydrocarbon generating strength of 40×104t/km2. By confirming controlling factors of tight oil formation and their evaluation index, it is of great significance during tight oil exploration.

  12. Soil water retention and maximum capillary drive from saturation to oven dryness

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Morel-Seytoux, Hubert J.; Nimmo, John R.

    1999-01-01

    This paper provides an alternative method to describe the water retention curve over a range of water contents from saturation to oven dryness. It makes two modifications to the standard Brooks and Corey [1964] (B-C) description, one at each end of the suction range. One expression proposed by Rossi and Nimmo [1994] is used in the high-suction range to a zero residual water content. (This Rossi-Nimmo modification to the Brooks-Corey model provides a more realistic description of the retention curve at low water contents.) Near zero suction the second modification eliminates the region where there is a change in suction with no change in water content. Tests on seven soil data sets, using three distinct analytical expressions for the high-, medium-, and low-suction ranges, show that the experimental water retention curves are well fitted by this composite procedure. The high-suction range of saturation contributes little to the maximum capillary drive, defined with a good approximation for a soil water and air system as HcM = ∫0∞ Krwdhc , where krw is relative permeability (or conductivity) to water and hc is capillary suction, a positive quantity in unsaturated soils. As a result, the modification suggested to describe the high-suction range does not significantly affect the equivalence between Brooks-Corey (B-C) and van Genuchten [1980] parameters presented earlier. However, the shape of the retention curve near “natural saturation” has a significant impact on the value of the capillary drive. The estimate using the Brooks-Corey power law, extended to zero suction, will exceed that obtained with the new procedure by 25 to 30%. It is not possible to tell which procedure is appropriate. Tests on another data set, for which relative conductivity data are available, support the view of the authors that measurements of a retention curve coupled with a speculative curve of relative permeability as from a capillary model are not sufficient to accurately determine the (maximum) capillary drive. The capillary drive is a dynamic scalar, whereas the retention curve is of a static character. Only measurements of infiltration rates with time can determine the capillary drive with precision for a given soil.

  13. Liquid Acquisition Device Design Sensitivity Study

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    VanDyke, M. K.; Hastings, L. J.

    2012-01-01

    In-space propulsion often necessitates the use of a capillary liquid acquisition device (LAD) to assure that gas-free liquid propellant is available to support engine restarts in microgravity. If a capillary screen-channel device is chosen, then the designer must determine the appropriate combination screen mesh and channel geometry. A screen mesh selection which results in the smallest LAD width when compared to any other screen candidate (for a constant length) is desirable; however, no best screen exists for all LAD design requirements. Flow rate, percent fill, and acceleration are the most influential drivers for determining screen widths. Increased flow rates and reduced percent fills increase the through-the-screen flow pressure losses, which drive the LAD to increased widths regardless of screen choice. Similarly, increased acceleration levels and corresponding liquid head pressures drive the screen mesh selection toward a higher bubble point (liquid retention capability). After ruling out some screens on the basis of acceleration requirements alone, candidates can be identified by examining screens with small flow-loss-to-bubble point ratios for a given condition (i.e., comparing screens at certain flow rates and fill levels). Within the same flow rate and fill level, the screen constants inertia resistance coefficient, void fraction, screen pore or opening diameter, and bubble point can become the driving forces in identifying the smaller flow-loss-to-bubble point ratios.

  14. Two hundred passage three-way valve: Fraction collector

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Keffer, J. L.

    1983-01-01

    This paper describes the design and operation of a fraction collector used to direct flow of separated biological materials from 197 capillary tubes to either a collection tray or to a waste tank. This mechanism uses a 28-volt dc gear motor driving twin cams to force 197 needles through a self-sealing silicone rubber septum, where they inject the material in 197 separate pockets in a collection tray. The position of the collector tray is sensed by two optical limit switches. The time sequences are controlled automatically by an electronics control monitoring module.

  15. Liquid film drag out in the presence of molecular forces

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Schmidhalter, I.; Cerro, R. L.; Giavedoni, M. D.; Saita, F. A.

    2013-03-01

    From a practical as well as a conceptual point of view, one of the most interesting problems of physicochemical hydrodynamics is the drag out of a liquid film by a moving solid out of a pool of liquid. The basic problem, sometimes denoted the Landau-Levich problem [L. Landau and B. Levich, "Dragging of a liquid by a moving plate," Acta Physicochim. USSR 17, 42-54 (1942)], involves an interesting blend of capillary and viscous forces plus a matching of the static solution for capillary rise with a numerical solution of the film evolution equation, neglecting gravity, on the downstream region of the flow field. The original solution describes experimental data for a wide range of Capillary numbers but fails to match results for large and very small Capillary numbers. Molecular level forces are introduced to create an augmented version of the film evolution equation to show the effect of van der Waals forces at the lower range of Capillary numbers. A closed form solution for static capillary rise, including molecular forces, was matched with a numerical solution of the augmented film evolution equation in the dynamic meniscus region. Molecular forces do not sensibly modify the static capillary rise region, since film thicknesses are larger than the range of influence of van der Waals forces, but are determinant in shaping the downstream dynamic meniscus of the very thin liquid films. As expected, a quantitatively different level of disjoining pressure for different values of molecular constants remains in the very thin liquid film far downstream. Computational results for a wide range of Capillary numbers and Hamaker constants show a clear transition towards a region where the film thickness becomes independent of the coating speed.

  16. Development of a Specific Impulse Balance for a Pulsed Capillary Discharge (Preprint)

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2008-06-13

    thrust stand [rad/s] I. Introduction A capillary discharge based coaxial , electrothermal pulsed plasma thruster (PPT) is currently under...20-23 July 2008. 14. ABSTRACT A capillary discharge based pulsed plasma thruster is currently under development at the Air Force Research...Edwards AFB, CA 93524 A capillary discharge based pulsed plasma thruster is currently under development at the Air Force Research Laboratory. A

  17. Enhanced solar evaporation of water from porous media, through capillary mediated forces and surface treatment

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Canbazoglu, F. M.; Fan, B.; Kargar, A.

    2016-08-15

    The relative influence of the capillary, Marangoni, and hydrophobic forces in mediating the evaporation of water from carbon foam based porous media, in response to incident solar radiation, are investigated. It is indicated that inducing hydrophilic interactions on the surface, through nitric acid treatment of the foams, has a similar effect to reduced pore diameter and the ensuing capillary forces. The efficiency of water evaporation may be parameterized through the Capillary number (Ca), with a lower Ca being preferred. The proposed study is of much relevance to efficient solar energy utilization.

  18. Influence of Capillary Force and Buoyancy on CO2 Migration During CO2 Injection in a Sandstone Reservoir

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wu, H.; Pollyea, R.

    2017-12-01

    Carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) is one component of a broad carbon management portfolio designed to mitigate adverse effects of anthropogenic CO2 emissions. During CCS, capillary trapping is an important mechanism for CO2 isolation in the disposal reservoir, and, as a result, the distribution of capillary force is an important factor affecting CO2 migration. Moreover, the movement of CO2 being injected to the reservoir is also affected by buoyancy, which results from the density difference between CO2 and brine. In order to understand interactions between capillary force and buoyancy, we implement a parametric modeling experiment of CO2 injections in a sandstone reservoir for combinations of the van Genuchten capillary pressure model that bound the range of capillary pressure-saturation curves measured in laboratory experiments. We simulate ten years supercritical CO2 (scCO2) injections within a 2-D radially symmetric sandstone reservoir for five combinations of the van Genuchten model parameters λ and entry pressure (P0). Results are analyzed on the basis of a modified dimensionless ratio, ω, which is similar to the Bond number and defines the relationship between buoyancy pressure and capillary pressure. We show how parametric variability affects the relationship between buoyancy and capillary force, and thus controls CO2 plume geometry. These results indicate that when ω >1, then buoyancy governs the system and CO2 plume geometry is governed by upward flow. In contrast, when ω <1, then buoyancy is smaller than capillary force and lateral flow governs CO2 plume geometry. As a result, we show that the ω ratio is an easily implemented screening tool for qualitative assessment of reservoir performance.

  19. The Pathway for Oxygen: Tutorial Modelling on Oxygen Transport from Air to Mitochondrion: The Pathway for Oxygen.

    PubMed

    Bassingthwaighte, James B; Raymond, Gary M; Dash, Ranjan K; Beard, Daniel A; Nolan, Margaret

    2016-01-01

    The 'Pathway for Oxygen' is captured in a set of models describing quantitative relationships between fluxes and driving forces for the flux of oxygen from the external air source to the mitochondrial sink at cytochrome oxidase. The intervening processes involve convection, membrane permeation, diffusion of free and heme-bound O2 and enzymatic reactions. While this system's basic elements are simple: ventilation, alveolar gas exchange with blood, circulation of the blood, perfusion of an organ, uptake by tissue, and consumption by chemical reaction, integration of these pieces quickly becomes complex. This complexity led us to construct a tutorial on the ideas and principles; these first PathwayO2 models are simple but quantitative and cover: (1) a 'one-alveolus lung' with airway resistance, lung volume compliance, (2) bidirectional transport of solute gasses like O2 and CO2, (3) gas exchange between alveolar air and lung capillary blood, (4) gas solubility in blood, and circulation of blood through the capillary syncytium and back to the lung, and (5) blood-tissue gas exchange in capillaries. These open-source models are at Physiome.org and provide background for the many respiratory models there.

  20. The Pathway for Oxygen: Tutorial Modelling on Oxygen Transport from Air to Mitochondrion

    PubMed Central

    Bassingthwaighte, James B.; Raymond, Gary M.; Dash, Ranjan K.; Beard, Daniel A.; Nolan, Margaret

    2016-01-01

    The ‘Pathway for Oxygen’ is captured in a set of models describing quantitative relationships between fluxes and driving forces for the flux of oxygen from the external air source to the mitochondrial sink at cytochrome oxidase. The intervening processes involve convection, membrane permeation, diffusion of free and heme-bound O2 and enzymatic reactions. While this system’s basic elements are simple: ventilation, alveolar gas exchange with blood, circulation of the blood, perfusion of an organ, uptake by tissue, and consumption by chemical reaction, integration of these pieces quickly becomes complex. This complexity led us to construct a tutorial on the ideas and principles; these first PathwayO2 models are simple but quantitative and cover: 1) a ‘one-alveolus lung’ with airway resistance, lung volume compliance, 2) bidirectional transport of solute gasses like O2 and CO2, 3) gas exchange between alveolar air and lung capillary blood, 4) gas solubility in blood, and circulation of blood through the capillary syncytium and back to the lung, and 5) blood-tissue gas exchange in capillaries. These open-source models are at Physiome.org and provide background for the many respiratory models there. PMID:26782201

  1. Arterial Pulsations cannot Drive Intramural Periarterial Drainage: Significance for Aβ Drainage

    PubMed Central

    Diem, Alexandra K.; MacGregor Sharp, Matthew; Gatherer, Maureen; Bressloff, Neil W.; Carare, Roxana O.; Richardson, Giles

    2017-01-01

    Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and to date there is no cure or efficient prophylaxis. The cognitive decline correlates with the accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) in the walls of capillaries and arteries. Our group has demonstrated that interstitial fluid and Aβ are eliminated from the brain along the basement membranes of capillaries and arteries, the intramural periarterial drainage (IPAD) pathway. With advancing age and arteriosclerosis, the stiffness of arterial walls, this pathway fails in its function and Aβ accumulates in the walls of arteries. In this study we tested the hypothesis that arterial pulsations drive IPAD and that a valve mechanism ensures the net drainage in a direction opposite to that of the blood flow. This hypothesis was tested using a mathematical model of the drainage mechanism. We demonstrate firstly that arterial pulsations are not strong enough to produce drainage velocities comparable to experimental observations. Secondly, we demonstrate that a valve mechanism such as directional permeability of the IPAD pathway is necessary to achieve a net reverse flow. The mathematical simulation results are confirmed by assessing the pattern of IPAD in mice using pulse modulators, showing no significant alteration of IPAD. Our results indicate that forces other than the cardiac pulsations are responsible for efficient IPAD. PMID:28883786

  2. Interfacial solvation thermodynamics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ben-Amotz, Dor

    2016-10-01

    Previous studies have reached conflicting conclusions regarding the interplay of cavity formation, polarizability, desolvation, and surface capillary waves in driving the interfacial adsorptions of ions and molecules at air-water interfaces. Here we revisit these questions by combining exact potential distribution results with linear response theory and other physically motivated approximations. The results highlight both exact and approximate compensation relations pertaining to direct (solute-solvent) and indirect (solvent-solvent) contributions to adsorption thermodynamics, of relevance to solvation at air-water interfaces, as well as a broader class of processes linked to the mean force potential between ions, molecules, nanoparticles, proteins, and biological assemblies.

  3. Capillary force on a tilted cylinder: Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) measurements.

    PubMed

    Kosgodagan Acharige, Sébastien; Laurent, Justine; Steinberger, Audrey

    2017-11-01

    The capillary force in situations where the liquid meniscus is asymmetric, such as the one around a tilted object, has been hitherto barely investigated even though these situations are very common in practice. In particular, the capillary force exerted on a tilted object may depend on the dipping angle i. We investigate experimentally the capillary force that applies on a tilted cylinder as a function of its dipping angle i, using a home-built tilting Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) with custom made probes. A micrometric-size rod is glued at the end of an AFM cantilever of known stiffness, whose deflection is measured when the cylindrical probe is dipped in and retracted from reference liquids. We show that a torque correction is necessary to understand the measured deflection. We give the explicit expression of this correction as a function of the probes' geometrical parameters, so that its magnitude can be readily evaluated. The results are compatible with a vertical capillary force varying as 1/cosi, in agreement with a recent theoretical prediction. Finally, we discuss the accuracy of the method for measuring the surface tension times the cosine of the contact angle of the liquid on the probe. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  4. Computing fluid-particle interaction forces for nano-suspension droplet spreading: molecular dynamics simulations

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhou, Weizhou; Shi, Baiou; Webb, Edmund

    2017-11-01

    Recently, there are many experimental and theoretical studies to understand and control the dynamic spreading of nano-suspension droplets on solid surfaces. However, fundamental understanding of driving forces dictating the kinetics of nano-suspension wetting and spreading, especially capillary forces that manifest during the process, is lacking. Here, we present results from atomic scale simulations that were used to compute forces between suspended particles and advancing liquid fronts. The role of nano-particle size, particle loading, and interaction strength on forces computed from simulations will be discussed. Results demonstrate that increasing the particle size dramatically changes observed wetting behavior from depinning to pinning. From simulations on varying particle size, a relationship between computed forces and particle size is advanced and compared to existing expressions in the literature. High particle loading significantly slowed spreading kinetics, by introducing tortuous transport paths for liquid delivery to the advancing contact line. Lastly, we show how weakening the interaction between the particle and the underlying substrate can change a system from exhibiting pinning behavior to de-pinning.

  5. Aerodynamic Leidenfrost effect

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gauthier, Anaïs; Bird, James C.; Clanet, Christophe; Quéré, David

    2016-12-01

    When deposited on a plate moving quickly enough, any liquid can levitate as it does when it is volatile on a very hot solid (Leidenfrost effect). In the aerodynamic Leidenfrost situation, air gets inserted between the liquid and the moving solid, a situation that we analyze. We observe two types of entrainment. (i) The thickness of the air gap is found to increase with the plate speed, which is interpreted in the Landau-Levich-Derjaguin frame: Air is dynamically dragged along the surface and its thickness results from a balance between capillary and viscous effects. (ii) Air set in motion by the plate exerts a force on the levitating liquid. We discuss the magnitude of this aerodynamic force and show that it can be exploited to control the liquid and even to drive it against gravity.

  6. Paper Capillary Enables Effective Sampling for Microfluidic Paper Analytical Devices.

    PubMed

    Shangguan, Jin-Wen; Liu, Yu; Wang, Sha; Hou, Yun-Xuan; Xu, Bi-Yi; Xu, Jing-Juan; Chen, Hong-Yuan

    2018-06-06

    Paper capillary is introduced to enable effective sampling on microfluidic paper analytical devices. By coupling mac-roscale capillary force of paper capillary and microscale capillary forces of native paper, fluid transport can be flexibly tailored with proper design. Subsequently, a hybrid-fluid-mode paper capillary device was proposed, which enables fast and reliable sampling in an arrayed form, with less surface adsorption and bias for different components. The resulting device thus well supports high throughput, quantitative, and repeatable assays all by hands operation. With all these merits, multiplex analysis of ions, proteins, and microbe have all been realized on this platform, which has paved the way to level-up analysis on μPADs.

  7. Capillary forces exerted by liquid drops caught between crossed cylinders. A 3-D meniscus problem with free contact line

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Patzek, T. W.; Scriven, L. E.

    1982-01-01

    The Young-Laplace equation is solved for three-dimensional menisci between crossed cylinders, with either the contact line fixed or the contact angle prescribed, by means of the Galerkin/finite element method. Shapes are computed, and with them the practically important quantities: drop volume, wetted area, capillary pressure force, surface tension force, and the total force exerted by the drop on each cylinder. The results show that total capillary force between cylinders increases with decreasing contact angle, i.e. with better wetting. Capillary force is also increases with decreasing drop volume, approaching an asymptotic limit. However, the wetted area on each cylinder decreases with decreasing drop volume, which raises the question of the optimum drop volume to strive for, when permanent bonding is sought from solidified liquid. For then the strength of the bond is likely to depend upon the area of contact, which is the wetted area when the bonding agent was introduced in liquid form.

  8. Early regimes of water capillary flow in slit silica nanochannels.

    PubMed

    Oyarzua, Elton; Walther, Jens H; Mejía, Andrés; Zambrano, Harvey A

    2015-06-14

    Molecular dynamics simulations are conducted to investigate the initial stages of spontaneous imbibition of water in slit silica nanochannels surrounded by air. An analysis is performed for the effects of nanoscopic confinement, initial conditions of liquid uptake and air pressurization on the dynamics of capillary filling. The results indicate that the nanoscale imbibition process is divided into three main flow regimes: an initial regime where the capillary force is balanced only by the inertial drag and characterized by a constant velocity and a plug flow profile. In this regime, the meniscus formation process plays a central role in the imbibition rate. Thereafter, a transitional regime takes place, in which, the force balance has significant contributions from both inertia and viscous friction. Subsequently, a regime wherein viscous forces dominate the capillary force balance is attained. Flow velocity profiles identify the passage from an inviscid flow to a developing Poiseuille flow. Gas density profiles ahead of the capillary front indicate a transient accumulation of air on the advancing meniscus. Furthermore, slower capillary filling rates computed for higher air pressures reveal a significant retarding effect of the gas displaced by the advancing meniscus.

  9. Triggering vacuum capillaries for pneumatic pumping and metering liquids in point-of-care immunoassays.

    PubMed

    Weng, Kuo-Yao; Chou, Nien-Jen; Cheng, Jya-Wei

    2008-07-01

    An innovative vacuum capillary pneumatic actuation concept that can be used for point-of-care testing has been investigated. The vacuum glass capillaries are encapsulated within a laminated pouch and incorporated into the fluidic card. Vacuum glass capillaries broken by external force such as finger pressure, generate the pneumatic forces to induce liquid flow in the fluidic system. The sizes of vacuum capillary play a vital role in the pumping and metering functions of the system. The luteinizing hormone (LH) chromatographic immunoassay performances in the fluidic cards show consistency comparable to that obtained by manual micropipetting. The vacuum capillary pneumatic actuation will be applied in other complex handling step bioassays and lab-on-a-chip devices.

  10. Changes in materials properties explain the effects of humidity on gecko adhesion.

    PubMed

    Puthoff, Jonathan B; Prowse, Michael S; Wilkinson, Matt; Autumn, Kellar

    2010-11-01

    Geckos owe their remarkable stickiness to millions of dry setae on their toes, and the mechanism of adhesion in gecko setae has been the topic of scientific scrutiny for over two centuries. Previously, we demonstrated that van der Waals forces are sufficient for strong adhesion and friction in gecko setae, and that water-based capillary adhesion is not required. However, recent studies demonstrated that adhesion increases with relative humidity (RH) and proposed that surface hydration and capillary water bridge formation is important or even necessary. In this study, we confirmed a significant effect of RH on gecko adhesion, but rejected the capillary adhesion hypothesis. While contact forces of isolated tokay gecko setal arrays increased with humidity, the increase was similar on hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces, inconsistent with a capillary mechanism. Contact forces increased with RH even at high shear rates, where capillary bridge formation is too slow to affect adhesion. How then can a humidity-related increase in adhesion and friction be explained? The effect of RH on the mechanical properties of setal β-keratin has escaped consideration until now. We discovered that an increase in RH softens setae and increases viscoelastic damping, which increases adhesion. Changes in setal materials properties, not capillary forces, fully explain humidity-enhanced adhesion, and van der Waals forces remain the only empirically supported mechanism of adhesion in geckos.

  11. Altering Emulsion Stability with Heterogeneous Surface Wettability

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Meng, Qiang; Zhang, Yali; Li, Jiang; Lammertink, Rob G. H.; Chen, Haosheng; Tsai, Peichun Amy

    2016-06-01

    Emulsions-liquid droplets dispersed in another immiscible liquid-are widely used in a broad spectrum of applications, including food, personal care, agrochemical, and pharmaceutical products. Emulsions are also commonly present in natural crude oil, hampering the production and quality of petroleum fuels. The stability of emulsions plays a crucial role in their applications, but controlling the stability without external driving forces has been proven to be difficult. Here we show how heterogeneous surface wettability can alter the stability and dynamics of oil-in-water emulsions, generated by a co-flow microfluidic device. We designed a useful methodology that can modify a micro-capillary of desired heterogeneous wettability (e.g., alternating hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions) without changing the hydraulic diameter. We subsequently investigated the effects of flow rates and heterogeneous wettability on the emulsion morphology and motion. The experimental data revealed a universal critical timescale of advective emulsions, above which the microfluidic emulsions remain stable and intact, whereas below they become adhesive or inverse. A simple theoretical model based on a force balance can be used to explain this critical transition of emulsion dynamics, depending on the droplet size and the Capillary number-the ratio of viscous to surface effects. These results give insight into how to control the stability and dynamics of emulsions in microfluidics with flow velocity and different wettability.

  12. Molar volume and adsorption isotherm dependence of capillary forces in nanoasperity contacts.

    PubMed

    Asay, David B; Kim, Seong H

    2007-11-20

    The magnitude of the capillary force at any given temperature and adsorbate partial pressure depends primarily on four factors: the surface tension of the adsorbate, its liquid molar volume, its isothermal behavior, and the contact geometry. At large contacting radii, the adsorbate surface tension and the contact geometry are dominating. This is the case of surface force apparatus measurements and atomic force microscopy (AFM) experiments with micrometer-size spheres. However, as the size of contacting asperities decreases to the nanoscale as in AFM experiments with sharp tips, the molar volume and isotherm of the adsorbate become very important to capillary formation as well as capillary adhesion. This effect is experimentally and theoretically explored with simple alcohol molecules (ethanol, 1-butanol, and 1-pentanol) which have comparable surface tensions but differing liquid molar volumes. Adsorption isotherms for these alcohols on silicon oxide are also reported.

  13. Self-Sealed Bionic Long Microchannels with Thin Walls and Designable Nanoholes Prepared by Line-Contact Capillary-Force Assembly.

    PubMed

    Lao, Zhao-Xin; Hu, Yan-Lei; Pan, Deng; Wang, Ren-Yan; Zhang, Chen-Chu; Ni, Jin-Cheng; Xu, Bing; Li, Jia-Wen; Wu, Dong; Chu, Jia-Ru

    2017-06-01

    Long microchannels with thin walls, small width, and nanoholes or irregular shaped microgaps, which are similar to capillaries or cancerous vessels, are urgently needed to simulate the physiological activities in human body. However, the fabrication of such channels remains challenging. Here, microchannels with designable holes are manufactured by combining laser printing with line-contact capillary-force assembly. Two microwalls are first printed by femtosecond laser direct-writing, and subsequently driven to collapse into a channel by the capillary force that arises in the evaporation of developer. The channel can remain stable in solvent due to the enhanced Van der Waals' force caused by the line-contact of microwalls. Microchannels with controllable nanoholes and almost arbitrary patterns can be fabricated without any bonding or multistep processes. As-prepared microchannels, with wall thicknesses less than 1 µm, widths less than 3 µm, lengths more than 1 mm, are comparable with human capillaries. In addition, the prepared channels also exhibit the ability to steer the flow of liquid without any external pump. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  14. Geometry-induced phase transition in fluids: Capillary prewetting

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yatsyshin, Petr; Savva, Nikos; Kalliadasis, Serafim

    2013-02-01

    We report a new first-order phase transition preceding capillary condensation and corresponding to the discontinuous formation of a curved liquid meniscus. Using a mean-field microscopic approach based on the density functional theory we compute the complete phase diagram of a prototypical two-dimensional system exhibiting capillary condensation, namely that of a fluid with long-ranged dispersion intermolecular forces which is spatially confined by a substrate forming a semi-infinite rectangular pore exerting long-ranged dispersion forces on the fluid. In the T-μ plane the phase line of the new transition is tangential to the capillary condensation line at the capillary wetting temperature Tcw. The surface phase behavior of the system maps to planar wetting with the phase line of the new transition, termed capillary prewetting, mapping to the planar prewetting line. If capillary condensation is approached isothermally with T>Tcw, the meniscus forms at the capping wall and unbinds continuously, making capillary condensation a second-order phenomenon. We compute the corresponding critical exponent for the divergence of adsorption.

  15. Spinodal decomposition in amorphous metal-silicate thin films: Phase diagram analysis and interface effects on kinetics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kim, H.; McIntyre, P. C.

    2002-11-01

    Among several metal silicate candidates for high permittivity gate dielectric applications, the mixing thermodynamics of the ZrO2-SiO2 system were analyzed, based on previously published experimental phase diagrams. The driving force for spinodal decomposition was investigated in an amorphous silicate that was treated as a supercooled liquid solution. A subregular model was used for the excess free energy of mixing of the liquid, and measured invariant points were adopted for the calculations. The resulting simulated ZrO2-SiO2 phase diagram matched the experimental results reasonably well and indicated that a driving force exists for amorphous Zr-silicate compositions between approx40 mol % and approx90 mol % SiO2 to decompose into a ZrO2-rich phase (approx20 mol % SiO2) and SiO2-rich phase (>98 mol % SiO2) through diffusional phase separation at a temperature of 900 degC. These predictions are consistent with recent experimental reports of phase separation in amorphous Zr-silicate thin films. Other metal-silicate systems were also investigated and composition ranges for phase separation in amorphous Hf, La, and Y silicates were identified from the published bulk phase diagrams. The kinetics of one-dimensional spinodal decomposition normal to the plane of the film were simulated for an initially homogeneous Zr-silicate dielectric layer. We examined the effects that local stresses and the capillary driving force for component segregation to the interface have on the rate of spinodal decomposition in amorphous metal-silicate thin films.

  16. Capillary photoelectrode structures for photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic cells

    DOEpatents

    Wang, Xudong; Li, Zhaodong; Cai, Zhiyong; Yao, Chunhua

    2017-05-02

    Photocatalytic structures having a capillary-force based electrolyte delivery system are provided. Also provided are photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic cells incorporating the structures and methods for using the cells to generate hydrogen and/or oxygen from water. The photocatalytic structures use an electrolyte-transporting strip comprising a porous network of cellulose nanofibers to transport electrolyte from a body of the electrolyte to a porous photoelectrode or a porous photocatalytic substrate via capillary force.

  17. Microgravity Investigation of Capillary Driven Imbibition

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dushin, V. R.; Nikitin, V. F.; Smirnov, N. N.; Skryleva, E. I.; Tyurenkova, V. V.

    2018-05-01

    The goal of the present paper is to investigate the capillary driven filtration in porous media under microgravity conditions. New mathematical model that allows taking into account the blurring of the front due to the instability of the displacement that is developing at the front is proposed. The constants in the mathematical model were selected on the basis of the experimental data on imbibition into unsaturated porous media under microgravity conditions. The flow under the action of a combination of capillary forces and a constant pressure drop or a constant flux is considered. The effect of capillary forces and the type of wettability of the medium on the displacement process is studied. A criterion in which case the capillary effects are insignificant and can be neglected is established.

  18. Visualizing and quantifying the crossover from capillary fingering to viscous fingering in a rough fracture

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Yi-Feng; Fang, Shu; Wu, Dong-Sheng; Hu, Ran

    2017-09-01

    Immiscible fluid-fluid displacement in permeable media is important in many subsurface processes, including enhanced oil recovery and geological CO2 sequestration. Controlled by capillary and viscous forces, displacement patterns of one fluid displacing another more viscous one exhibit capillary and viscous fingering, and crossover between the two. Although extensive studies investigated viscous and capillary fingering in porous media, a few studies focused on the crossover in rough fractures, and how viscous and capillary forces affect the crossover remains unclear. Using a transparent fracture-visualization system, we studied how the two forces impact the crossover in a horizontal rough fracture. Drainage experiments of water displacing oil were conducted at seven flow rates (capillary number log10Ca ranging from -7.07 to -3.07) and four viscosity ratios (M=1/1000,1/500,1/100 and 1/50). We consistently observed lower invading fluid saturations in the crossover zone. We also proposed a phase diagram for the displacement patterns in a rough fracture that is consistent with similar studies in porous media. Based on real-time imaging and statistical analysis of the invasion morphology, we showed that the competition between capillary and viscous forces is responsible for the saturation reduction in the crossover zone. In this zone, finger propagation toward the outlet (characteristic of viscous fingering) as well as void-filling in the transverse/backward directions (characteristic of capillary fingering), are both suppressed. Therefore, the invading fluid tends to occupy larger apertures with higher characteristic front velocity, promoting void-filling toward the outlet with thinner finger growth and resulting in a larger volume of defending fluid left behind.

  19. Underwater locomotion in a terrestrial beetle: combination of surface de-wetting and capillary forces

    PubMed Central

    Hosoda, Naoe; Gorb, Stanislav N.

    2012-01-01

    For the first time, we report the remarkable ability of the terrestrial leaf beetle Gastrophysa viridula to walk on solid substrates under water. These beetles have adhesive setae on their feet that produce a secretory fluid having a crucial role in adhesion on land. In air, adhesion is produced by capillary forces between the fluid-covered setae and the substrate. In general, capillary forces do not contribute to adhesion under water. However, our observations showed that these beetles may use air bubbles trapped between their adhesive setae to walk on flooded, inclined substrata or even under water. Beetle adhesion to hydrophilic surfaces under water was lower than that in air, whereas adhesion to hydrophobic surfaces under water was comparable to that in air. Oil-covered hairy pads had a pinning effect, retaining the air bubbles on their feet. Bubbles in contact with the hydrophobic substrate de-wetted the substrate and produced capillary adhesion. Additional capillary forces are generated by the pad's liquid bridges between the foot and the substrate. Inspired by this idea, we designed an artificial silicone polymer structure with underwater adhesive properties. PMID:22874756

  20. End-faced waveguide mediated optical propulsion of microspheres and single cells in a microfluidic device.

    PubMed

    Lilge, Lothar; Shah, Duoaud; Charron, Luc

    2013-07-07

    Single cell transport in microfluidic devices is a topic of interest as their utility is becoming appreciated by cell and molecular biologist. Cell transport should minimize mechanical stress due to friction or pressure gradients. Optical forces have the advantage of applying their forces across the cell volume and not only at the cell membrane and are thus preferable. Optical pushing by scattering force is a suitable candidate so highly dependent on the photon irradiance field inside the propagation capillary which in turn is determined by the waveguide properties delivering the radiation pressure. Here we present a numerical approach to predict the optical scattering force, speed and trajectory of cells as a function of waveguide and propagation capillary geometry. Experimental verification of the simulation approach is demonstrated using polystyrene microspheres and leukemia cells. Effects of optical fibre to waveguide alignment, capillary wall angle and temperature on the dynamic viscosity on speed and position of the microspheres and cells inside the propagation capillary are demonstrated.

  1. Motion of deformable drops through granular media and other confined geometries.

    PubMed

    Davis, Robert H; Zinchenko, Alexander Z

    2009-06-15

    This article features recent simulation studies of the flow of emulsions containing deformable drops through pores, constrictions, and granular media. The flow is assumed to be at low Reynolds number, so that viscous forces dominate, and boundary-integral methods are used to determine interfacial velocities and, hence, track the drop motion and shapes. A single drop in a flat channel migrates to the channel centerplane due to deformation-induced drift, which increases its steady-state velocity along the channel. A drop moving towards a smaller interparticle constriction squeezes through the constriction if the capillary number (ratio of viscous deforming forces and interfacial tension forces) is large enough, but it becomes trapped when the capillary number is below a critical value. These concepts then influence the flow of an emulsion through a granular medium, for which the drop phase moves faster than the suspending liquid at large capillary numbers but slower than the suspending liquid at smaller capillary numbers. The permeabilities of the granular medium to both phases increase with increasing capillary number, due to the reduced resistance to squeezing of easily deformed drops, though drop breakup must also be considered at large capillary numbers.

  2. Profile of capillary bridges between two vertically stacked cylindrical fibers under gravitational effect

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sun, Xiaohang; Lee, Hoon Joo; Michielsen, Stephen; Wilusz, Eugene

    2018-05-01

    Although profiles of axisymmetric capillary bridges between two cylindrical fibers have been extensively studied, little research has been reported on capillary bridges under external forces such as the gravitational force. This is because external forces add significant complications to the Laplace-Young equation, making it difficult to predict drop profiles based on analytical approaches. In this paper, simulations of capillary bridges between two vertically stacked cylindrical fibers with gravitational effect taken into consideration are studied. The asymmetrical structure of capillary bridges that are hard to predict based on analytical approaches was studied via a numerical approach based on Surface Evolver (SE). The axial and the circumferential spreading of liquids on two identical fibers in the presence of gravitational effects are predicted to determine when the gravitational effects are significant or can be neglected. The effect of liquid volume, equilibrium contact angle, the distance between two fibers and fiber radii. The simulation results were verified by comparing them with experimental measurements. Based on SE simulations, curves representing the spreading of capillary bridges along the two cylindrical fibers were obtained. The gravitational effect was scaled based on the difference of the spreading on upper and lower fibers.

  3. On multiscale moving contact line theory.

    PubMed

    Li, Shaofan; Fan, Houfu

    2015-07-08

    In this paper, a multiscale moving contact line (MMCL) theory is presented and employed to simulate liquid droplet spreading and capillary motion. The proposed MMCL theory combines a coarse-grained adhesive contact model with a fluid interface membrane theory, so that it can couple molecular scale adhesive interaction and surface tension with hydrodynamics of microscale flow. By doing so, the intermolecular force, the van der Waals or double layer force, separates and levitates the liquid droplet from the supporting solid substrate, which avoids the shear stress singularity caused by the no-slip condition in conventional hydrodynamics theory of moving contact line. Thus, the MMCL allows the difference of the surface energies and surface stresses to drive droplet spreading naturally. To validate the proposed MMCL theory, we have employed it to simulate droplet spreading over various elastic substrates. The numerical simulation results obtained by using MMCL are in good agreement with the molecular dynamics results reported in the literature.

  4. PKCδ Regulates Force Signaling during VEGF/CXCL4 Induced Dissociation of Endothelial Tubes

    PubMed Central

    Jamison, Joshua; Wang, James H-C.; Wells, Alan

    2014-01-01

    Wound healing requires the vasculature to re-establish itself from the severed ends; endothelial cells within capillaries must detach from neighboring cells before they can migrate into the nascent wound bed to initiate angiogenesis. The dissociation of these endothelial capillaries is driven partially by platelets' release of growth factors and cytokines, particularly the chemokine CXCL4/platelet factor-4 (PF4) that increases cell-cell de-adherence. As this retraction is partly mediated by increased transcellular contractility, the protein kinase c-δ/myosin light chain-2 (PKCδ/MLC-2) signaling axis becomes a candidate mechanism to drive endothelial dissociation. We hypothesize that PKCδ activation induces contractility through MLC-2 to promote dissociation of endothelial cords after exposure to platelet-released CXCL4 and VEGF. To investigate this mechanism of contractility, endothelial cells were allowed to form cords following CXCL4 addition to perpetuate cord dissociation. In this study, CXCL4-induced dissociation was reduced by a VEGFR inhibitor (sunitinib malate) and/or PKCδ inhibition. During combined CXCL4+VEGF treatment, increased contractility mediated by MLC-2 that is dependent on PKCδ regulation. As cellular force is transmitted to focal adhesions, zyxin, a focal adhesion protein that is mechano-responsive, was upregulated after PKCδ inhibition. This study suggests that growth factor regulation of PKCδ may be involved in CXCL4-mediated dissociation of endothelial cords. PMID:24699667

  5. PKCδ regulates force signaling during VEGF/CXCL4 induced dissociation of endothelial tubes.

    PubMed

    Jamison, Joshua; Wang, James H-C; Wells, Alan

    2014-01-01

    Wound healing requires the vasculature to re-establish itself from the severed ends; endothelial cells within capillaries must detach from neighboring cells before they can migrate into the nascent wound bed to initiate angiogenesis. The dissociation of these endothelial capillaries is driven partially by platelets' release of growth factors and cytokines, particularly the chemokine CXCL4/platelet factor-4 (PF4) that increases cell-cell de-adherence. As this retraction is partly mediated by increased transcellular contractility, the protein kinase c-δ/myosin light chain-2 (PKCδ/MLC-2) signaling axis becomes a candidate mechanism to drive endothelial dissociation. We hypothesize that PKCδ activation induces contractility through MLC-2 to promote dissociation of endothelial cords after exposure to platelet-released CXCL4 and VEGF. To investigate this mechanism of contractility, endothelial cells were allowed to form cords following CXCL4 addition to perpetuate cord dissociation. In this study, CXCL4-induced dissociation was reduced by a VEGFR inhibitor (sunitinib malate) and/or PKCδ inhibition. During combined CXCL4+VEGF treatment, increased contractility mediated by MLC-2 that is dependent on PKCδ regulation. As cellular force is transmitted to focal adhesions, zyxin, a focal adhesion protein that is mechano-responsive, was upregulated after PKCδ inhibition. This study suggests that growth factor regulation of PKCδ may be involved in CXCL4-mediated dissociation of endothelial cords.

  6. Electro-Optical Platform for the Manipulation of Live Cells

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2002-10-02

    system, other physical forces may play a significant role. In particular, electroosmotic forces that cause fluid movement relative to a surface can...occur due to the mobility of ions in solution. Electroosmotic forces are commonly utilized in capillary electrophoretic separa- tion, where the capillary...fluid motion that acts to entrain particles to be separated.46 Thus, in the chamber presented here, the patterned anode can induce electroosmotic flow

  7. Natural Length Scales Shape Liquid Phase Continuity in Unsaturated Flows

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Assouline, S.; Lehmann, P. G.; Or, D.

    2015-12-01

    Unsaturated flows supporting soil evaporation and internal drainage play an important role in various hydrologic and climatic processes manifested at a wide range of scales. We study inherent natural length scales that govern these flow processes and constrain the spatial range of their representation by continuum models. These inherent length scales reflect interactions between intrinsic porous medium properties that affect liquid phase continuity, and the interplay among forces that drive and resist unsaturated flow. We have defined an intrinsic length scale for hydraulic continuity based on pore size distribution that controls soil evaporation dynamics (i.e., stage 1 to stage 2 transition). This simple metric may be used to delineate upper bounds for regional evaporative losses or the depth of soil-atmosphere interactions (in the absence of plants). A similar length scale governs the dynamics of internal redistribution towards attainment of field capacity, again through its effect on hydraulic continuity in the draining porous medium. The study provides a framework for guiding numerical and mathematical models for capillary flows across different scales considering the necessary conditions for coexistence of stationarity (REV), hydraulic continuity and intrinsic capillary gradients.

  8. Capillary Discharge Soft X-ray Laser Experiments at Air Force Research Laboratory

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ruden, E. L.; Gale, D. G.

    1997-11-01

    The Air Force Research Laboratory (previously Phillips Laboratory) is presently attempting to reproduce the high gain laser results of J.J. Rocca's capillary discharge z-pinch pumped 46.9 nm Ne-like Ar laser. This poster presents progress to date at measuring our laser's intensity and gain. The capillary circuit consists of a low inductance 3 nH water capacitor discharged by a coaxial spark gap into a 12 cm long, 4 mm ID plastic capillary. The capillary is supplied with 39 kA of current with a 20 ns risetime. The principle radiation diagnostic consists of a VUV monochrometer coupled to a custom high speed vacuum X-ray diode with an aluminum cathode. The signal is recorded on a fast transient digitizer (Tektronix SCD 5000). The total detector system's analog bandwidth is about 3 GHz.

  9. Demountable direct injection high efficiency nebulizer for inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

    DOEpatents

    Montaser, Akbar; Westphal, Craig S.; Kahen, Kaveh; Rutkowski, William F.; Acon, Billy W.

    2006-12-05

    A nebulizer adapted for adjusting a position of a capillary tube contained within the nebulizer is provided. The nebulizer includes an elongated tubular shell having a gas input port and a gas output port, a capillary adjustment adapter for displacing the capillary tube in a lateral direction via a rotational force, and a connector for connecting the elongated tubular shell, the capillary adjustment adapter and the capillary tube.

  10. Vapor bridges between solid substrates in the presence of the contact line pinning effect: Stability and capillary force

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Yawei; Zhang, Xianren

    2016-12-01

    In this work, we focus on investigating how nanobubbles mediate long-range interaction between neighboring solid substrates in the presence of the contact line pinning effect caused by surface heterogeneities. Using the constrained lattice density functional theory (LDFT), we prove that the nanobubbles, which take the form of vapor bridges here, are stabilized by the pinning effect if the separation between two substrates is less than a critical distance. The critical distance strongly depends on the chemical potential (i.e., the degree of saturation) and could become extremely long at a special chemical potential. Moreover, under the pinning effect, the substrate chemistry only determines the stability of the vapor bridges and the range of the capillary force, but has less influences on the magnitude of the capillary force, indicating that the substrate chemistry or the apparent contact angle for droplets or bubbles on the substrates is no longer a direct parameter to determine the magnitude of capillary force. A qualitative analysis for the two dimensional vapor bridges by considering the feedback mechanism can explain the results from the LDFT calculations.

  11. High-order harmonic generation in a capillary discharge

    DOEpatents

    Rocca, Jorge J.; Kapteyn, Henry C.; Mumane, Margaret M.; Gaudiosi, David; Grisham, Michael E.; Popmintchev, Tenio V.; Reagan, Brendan A.

    2010-06-01

    A pre-ionized medium created by a capillary discharge results in more efficient use of laser energy in high-order harmonic generation (HHG) from ions. It extends the cutoff photon energy, and reduces the distortion of the laser pulse as it propagates down the waveguide. The observed enhancements result from a combination of reduced ionization energy loss and reduced ionization-induced defocusing of the driving laser as well as waveguiding of the driving laser pulse. The discharge plasma also provides a means to spectrally tune the harmonics by tailoring the initial level of ionization of the medium.

  12. Crossover from capillary fingering to viscous fingering in a rough fracture

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hu, R.; Chen, Y.; Wu, D. S.

    2017-12-01

    Controlled by the competition between capillary and viscous forces, the displacement patterns of one fluid displacing another more viscous one exhibit capillary fingering, viscous fingering, and the crossover between the two. Although extensive studies have investigated viscous and capillary fingerings in porous and fractured media, a few studies focused on the crossover in rough fractures, and how viscous and capillary forces affect the crossover remains unclear. Using a transparent fracture visualization system, we studied how the competition impacts the crossover in a horizontal rough fracture. Drainage experiments of water displacing oil were conducted at seven flow rates (capillary number log10Ca ranging from -7.07 to -3.07) and four viscosity ratios (M = 1/1000, 1/500, 1/100 and 1/50). We consistently observed lower invading fluid saturations in the crossover zone. In addition, we proposed a phase diagram for the displacement patterns in a rough fracture that is consistent with similar studies in porous media. Based on real-time imaging and statistical analysis of the invasion morphology, we showed that the competition between the capillary and viscous forces is responsible for the saturation reduction in the crossover zone. In this zone, finger propagation toward the outlet (characteristic of viscous fingering) as well as void-filling in the transverse and backward directions (characteristic of capillary fingering), are both suppressed. Therefore, the invading fluid tends to occupy larger apertures with higher characteristic front velocity, promoting void-filling toward the outlet with thinner finger growth and resulting in a larger volume of defending fluid left behind.

  13. Van der waals forces on thin liquid films in capillary tubes

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Herdt, G.C.; Swanson, L.W.

    1993-10-01

    A theory of the van der Waals attraction between a thin liquid films and a capillary tube is presented assuming the presence of a vapor-liquid interface. The model is based on the surface mode analysis method of van Kampen et al. Values for the van der Waals interaction energy per unit area were calculated for liquid films of pentane on a gold substrate assuming a thin liquid film. Results indicate that the effect of capillary curvature on the van der Waals interaction increases as the ratio of the liquid film thickness to the capillary radius is increased. This trend ismore » consistent with predictions based on the Hamaker theory. Deviations from results based on the Hamaker theory are easily explained in terms of retardation of the van der Waals interaction. Because the effect of capillary curvature increases in the regime where retardation effects become important, curvature effects constitute a small correction to the van der Waals forces in a capillary tube.« less

  14. Quantitative aspects of vibratory mobilization and break-up of non-wetting fluids in porous media

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Deng, Wen

    Seismic stimulation is a promising technology aimed to mobilize the entrapped non-wetting fluids in the subsurface. The applications include enhanced oil recovery or, alternatively, facilitation of movement of immiscible/partly-miscible gases far into porous media, for example, for CO2 sequestration. This work is devoted to detailed quantitative studies of the two basic pore-scale mechanisms standing behind seismic stimulation: the mobilization of bubbles or drops entrapped in pore constrictions by capillary forces and the break-up of continuous long bubbles or drops. In typical oil-production operations, oil is produced by the natural reservoir-pressure drive during the primary stage and by artificial water flooding at the secondary stage. Capillary forces act to retain a substantial residual fraction of reservoir oil even after water flooding. The seismic stimulation is an unconventional technology that serves to overcome capillary barriers in individual pores and liberate the entrapped oil by adding an oscillatory inertial forcing to the external pressure gradient. According to our study, the effect of seismic stimulation on oil mobilization is highly dependent on the frequencies and amplitudes of the seismic waves. Generally, the lower the frequency and the larger the amplitude, more effective is the mobilization. To describe the mobilization process, we developed two theoretical hydrodynamics-based models and justified both using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Our theoretical models have a significant advantage over CFD in that they reduce the computational time significantly, while providing correct practical guidance regarding the required field parameters of vibroseismic stimulation, such as the amplitude and frequency of the seismic field. The models also provide important insights into the basic mechanisms governing the vibration-driven two-phase flow in constricted capillaries. In a waterflooded reservoir, oil can be recovered most efficiently by forming continuous streams from isolated droplets. The longer the continuous oil phase under a certain pressure gradient, the more easily it overcomes its capillary barrier. However, surface tension between water and oil causes the typically non-wetting oil, constituting the core phase in the channels, to break up at the pore constriction into isolated beads, which inhibits further motion. The break-up thus counteracts the mobilization. We developed a theoretical model that provides an exact quantitative description of the dynamics of the oil-snap-off process. It also formulates a purely geometric criterion that controls, based on pore geometry only, whether the oil core phase stays continuous or disintegrates into droplets. Both the theoretical model and the break-criterion have been validated against CFD simulations. The work completed elucidates the basic physical mechanisms behind the enhanced oil recovery by seismic waves and vibrations. This creates a theoretical foundation for the further development of corresponding field technologies.

  15. MRI investigation of water-oil two phase flow in straight capillary, bifurcate channel and monolayered glass bead pack.

    PubMed

    Liu, Yu; Jiang, Lanlan; Zhu, Ningjun; Zhao, Yuechao; Zhang, Yi; Wang, Dayong; Yang, Mingjun; Zhao, Jiafei; Song, Yongchen

    2015-09-01

    The study of immiscible fluid displacement between aqueous-phase liquids and non-aqueous-phase liquids in porous media is of great importance to oil recovery, groundwater contamination, and underground pollutant migration. Moreover, the attendant viscous, capillary, and gravitational forces are essential to describing the two-phase flows. In this study, magnetic resonance imaging was used to experimentally examine the detailed effects of the viscous, capillary, and gravitational forces on water-oil flows through a vertical straight capillary, bifurcate channel, and monolayered glass-bead pack. Water flooding experiments were performed at atmospheric pressure and 37.8°C, and the evolution of the distribution and saturation of the oil as well as the characteristics of the two-phase flow were investigated and analyzed. The results showed that the flow paths, i.e., the fingers of the displacing phase, during the immiscible displacement in the porous medium were determined by the viscous, capillary, and gravitational forces as well as the sizes of the pores and throats. The experimental results afford a fundamental understanding of immiscible fluid displacement in a porous medium. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  16. Driving Cell Seeding Using Vibration Induced Surface Waves

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Haiyan; Friend, James; Yeo, Leslie

    2007-11-01

    The ability to load cells into scaffold matrices is an important step in in-vitro cell culturing. Efficient and rapid cell seeding is however difficult and has traditionally been carried out using a static method by allowing gravity to drive the perfusion of the cell suspension into the porous scaffold. Nevertheless, due to the large capillary pressures associated with the small scaffold pore dimensions, the static cell seeding method is both slow and inefficient; the majority of cells are distributed close to the surface of the scaffold due to the inability of the fluid to penetrate deep into the scaffold. By driving the liquid into the scaffold using small amplitude surface vibrations on a piezoelectric substrate, we demonstrate that the cells can be infused much quicker (approximately 10 seconds) than if allowed to perfuse by gravity alone, which requires seeding times in excess of 30 minutes. Greater penetration of the fluid and hence the cells into the scaffold is also achieved with the vibration forcing, thus giving rise to a more uniform cell distribution within the scaffold. Moreover, we have verified that 80% of the yeast cells seeded by the surface waves remained viable.

  17. Pleural pressure theory revisited: a role for capillary equilibrium.

    PubMed

    Casha, Aaron R; Caruana-Gauci, Roberto; Manche, Alexander; Gauci, Marilyn; Chetcuti, Stanley; Bertolaccini, Luca; Scarci, Marco

    2017-04-01

    Theories elucidating pleural pressures should explain all observations including the equal and opposite recoil of the chest wall and lungs, the less than expected pleural hydrostatic gradient and its variation at lobar margins, why pleural pressures are negative and how pleural fluid circulation functions. A theoretical model describing equilibrium between buoyancy, hydrostatic forces, and capillary forces is proposed. The capillary equilibrium model described depends on control of pleural fluid volume and protein content, powered by an active pleural pump. The interaction between buoyancy forces, hydrostatic pressure and capillary pressure was calculated, and values for pleural thickness and pressure were determined using values for surface tension, contact angle, pleural fluid and lung densities found in the literature. Modelling can explain the issue of the differing hydrostatic vertical pleural pressure gradient at the lobar margins for buoyancy forces between the pleural fluid and the lung floating in the pleural fluid according to Archimedes' hydrostatic paradox. The capillary equilibrium model satisfies all salient requirements for a pleural pressure model, with negative pressures maximal at the apex, equal and opposite forces in the lung and chest wall, and circulatory pump action. This model predicts that pleural effusions cannot occur in emphysema unless concomitant heart failure increases lung density. This model also explains how the non-confluence of the lung with the chest wall (e.g., lobar margins) makes the pleural pressure more negative, and why pleural pressures would be higher after an upper lobectomy compared to a lower lobectomy. Pathological changes in pleural fluid composition and lung density alter the equilibrium between capillarity and buoyancy hydrostatic pressure to promote pleural effusion formation.

  18. A lattice Boltzmann investigation of steady-state fluid distribution, capillary pressure and relative permeability of a porous medium: Effects of fluid and geometrical properties

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Zi; Galindo-Torres, Sergio; Yan, Guanxi; Scheuermann, Alexander; Li, Ling

    2018-06-01

    Simulations of simultaneous steady-state two-phase flow in the capillary force-dominated regime were conducted using the state-of-the-art Shan-Chen multi-component lattice Boltzmann model (SCMC-LBM) based on two-dimensional porous media. We focused on analyzing the fluid distribution (i.e., WP fluid-solid, NP fluid-solid and fluid-fluid interfacial areas) as well as the capillary pressure versus saturation curve which was affected by fluid and geometrical properties (i.e., wettability, adhesive strength, pore size distribution and specific surface area). How these properties influenced the relative permeability versus saturation relation through apparent effective permeability and threshold pressure gradient was also explored. The SCMC-LBM simulations showed that, a thin WP fluid film formed around the solid surface due to the adhesive fluid-solid interaction, resulting in discrete WP fluid distributions and reduction of the WP fluid mobility. Also, the adhesive interaction provided another source of capillary pressure in addition to capillary force, which, however, did not affect the mobility of the NP fluid. The film fluid effect could be enhanced by large adhesive strength and fine pores in heterogeneous porous media. In the steady-state infiltration, not only the NP fluid but also the WP fluid were subjected to the capillary resistance. The capillary pressure effect could be alleviated by decreased wettability, large average pore radius and improved fluid connectivity in heterogeneous porous media. The present work based on the SCMC-LBM investigations elucidated the role of film fluid as well as capillary pressure in the two-phase flow system. The findings have implications for ways to improve the macroscopic flow equation based on balance of force for the steady-state infiltration.

  19. Cheerios Effect Controlled by Electrowetting.

    PubMed

    Yuan, Junqi; Feng, Jian; Cho, Sung Kwon

    2015-08-04

    The Cheerios effect is a common phenomenon in which small floating objects are either attracted or repelled by the sidewall due to capillary interaction. This attractive or repulsive behavior is highly dependent on the slope angles (angles of the interface on the wall or floating object with respect to a horizontal line) that can be mainly controlled by the wettability of the wall and floating object and the density of the object. In this paper, electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD) is implemented to the wall or floating object in order to actively control the wettability and thus capillary interaction. As such, the capillary force on buoyant and dense floating objects can be easily switched between repulsion and attraction by simply applying an electrical input. In addition, the theoretical prediction for the capillary force is verified experimentally by measuring the motion of floating particle and the critical contact angle on the wall at which the capillary force changes from attraction to repulsion. This successive verification is enabled by the merit of EWOD that allows for continuous change in the contact angle. Finally, the control method is extended to continuously move a floating object along a linear path and to continuously rotate a dumbbell-like floating object in centimeter scales using arrays of EWOD electrodes. A continuous linear motion is also accomplished in a smaller scale where the channel width (3 mm) is comparable to the capillary length.

  20. Effect of dispersion forces on the capillary-wave fluctuations of liquid surfaces.

    PubMed

    Chacón, Enrique; Fernández, Eva M; Tarazona, Pedro

    2014-04-01

    We present molecular dynamics evidence for the nonanalytic effects of the long-range dispersion forces on the capillary waves fluctuations of a Lennard-Jones liquid surface. The results of the intrinsic sampling method, for the analysis of the instantaneous interfacial shape, are obtained in large systems for several cut-off distances of the potential tail, and they show good agreement with the theoretical prediction by Napiórkowski and Dietrich, based on a density functional analysis. The enhancement of the capillary waves is quantified to be within 1% for a simple liquid near its triple point.

  1. Capillary rise in a textured channel

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Beilharz, Daniel; Clanet, Christophe; Quere, David

    2016-11-01

    A wetting liquid can invade a textured material, for example a forest of micropillars. The driving and the viscous forces of this motion are determined by the texture parameters and the influence of shape, height and spacing of posts has been widely studied for the last decade. In this work, we build a channel with textured walls. Brought into contact with a reservoir of wetting liquid, we observe in some cases two advancing fronts. A first one ahead invading the forest of micropillars, and a second one behind filling the remaining gap. We study and model the conditions of existence and the dynamics of these two fronts as a function of the characteristics of both microstructure and gap of this elementary porous medium.

  2. Description of Jet Breakup

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Papageorgiou, Demetrios T.

    1996-01-01

    In this article we review recent results on the breakup of cylindrical jets of a Newtonian fluid. Capillary forces provide the main driving mechanism and our interest is in the description of the flow as the jet pinches to form drops. The approach is to describe such topological singularities by constructing local (in time and space) similarity solutions from the governing equations. This is described for breakup according to the Euler, Stokes or Navier-Stokes equations. It is found that slender jet theories can be applied when viscosity is present, but for inviscid jets the local shape of the jet at breakup is most likely of a non-slender geometry. Systems of one-dimensional models of the governing equations are solved numerically in order to illustrate these differences.

  3. A Preliminary Study of the Spreading of AKD in the Presence of Capillary Structures.

    PubMed

    Shen, Wei; Parker, Ian H.

    2001-08-01

    There may be several mechanisms at work in the process of migration or redistribution of alkyl ketene dimers (AKD) on cellulose fiber surfaces during paper sizing and curing. This work is the second part of a continuing investigation of the spreading behavior of AKD on the surfaces of hydrophilic substrates. Paper sheets, single cotton, and cotton lint fibers and smooth cellulose film were used as substrates. These represent samples that have pores, V-shaped grooves, and no capillary structure at all. A very simple and effective testing method for studying the AKD migration behavior through these substrates was designed. AFM was used to study the surface capillary structures of cotton and cotton lint fibers. The results of this study provide hard evidence supporting our finding that capillary structures in the form of either interfiber pores in a paper sheet or V-shaped grooves on the surface of single fibers are essential in order for the spreading of molten AKD on a cellulose substrate to occur. Some preliminary results on the existence and the surface diffusion of an autophobic precursor of AKD are also presented. The results support the conclusion we reached in the first part of this investigation; i.e., the molten AKD wets but does not spread on smooth, capillary-free hydrophilic surfaces such as glass and cellulose. The driving force from interfacial energy alone does not cause spontaneous "flow-like" spreading of molten AKD on these surfaces. This is possibly associated with the formation of an autophobic precursor in front of an AKD droplet. The results in this study do not support the perception that molten AKD forms a single molecular layer on the surface of cellulose fibers by spreading during heat treatment, although the autophobic precursor in front of an AKD droplet could theoretically be of a monolayer thickness and the surface diffusion of this precursor may contribute to the sizing development after heat treatment. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.

  4. Derivation of Jurin's Law Revisited

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Rodriguez-Valverde, Miguel Angel; Miranda, Maria Tirado

    2011-01-01

    The capillary rise/fall of a liquid within a thin capillary tube is described by the well-established Jurin's law. The liquid reaches an equilibrium height/depth as the capillary pressure is balanced by the hydrostatic pressure. When the adhesion force at the three-phase contact line is counteracted by the liquid weight, the liquid column also…

  5. The Role of Contact Line (Pinning) Forces on Bubble Blockage in Microchannels.

    PubMed

    Mohammadi, Mahshid; Sharp, Kendra V

    2015-03-01

    This paper highlights the influence of contact line (pinning) forces on the mobility of dry bubbles in microchannels. Bubbles moving at velocities less than the dewetting velocity of liquid on the surface are essentially dry, meaning that there is no thin liquid film around the bubbles. For these "dry" bubbles, contact line forces and a possible capillary pressure gradient induced by pinning act on the bubbles and resist motion. Without sufficient driving force (e.g., external pressure), a dry bubble is brought to stagnation. For the first time, a bipartite theoretical model that estimates the required pressure difference across the length of stagnant bubbles with concave and convex back interfaces to overcome the contact line forces and stimulate motion is proposed. To validate our theory, the pressure required to move a single dry bubble in square microchannels exhibiting contact angle hysteresis has been measured. The working fluid was deionized water. The experiments have been conducted on coated glass channels with different surface hydrophilicities that resulted in concave and convex back interfaces for the bubbles. The experimental results were in agreement with the model's predictions for square channels. The predictions of the concave and convex back models were within 19% and 27% of the experimental measurements, respectively.

  6. A glass capillary based microfluidic electromembrane extraction of basic degradation products of nitrogen mustard and VX from water.

    PubMed

    Tak, Vijay; Kabra, Ankur; Pardasani, Deepak; Goud, D Raghavender; Jain, Rajeev; Dubey, D K

    2015-12-24

    In this work, a glass capillary based microfluidic electromembrane extraction (μ-EME) was demonstrated for the first time. The device was made by connecting an auxillary borosilicate glass tubing (O.D. 3mm, I.D. 2mm) perpendicular to main borosilicate glass capillary just below one end of the capillary (O.D. 8mm, I.D. 1.2mm). It generated the distorted T-shaped device with inlet '1' and inlet '2' for the introduction of sample and acceptor solutions, respectively. At one end of this device (inlet '2'), a microsyringe containing acceptor solution along with hollow fiber (O.D. 1000μm) was introduced. This configuration creates the micro-channel between inner wall of glass capillary and outer surface of hollow fiber. Sample solution was pumped into the system through another end of glass capillary (inlet '1'), with a micro-syringe pump. The sample was in direct contact with the supported liquid membrane (SLM), consisted of 20% (w/w) di-(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate in 2-nitrophenyl octyl ether immobilized in the pores of the hollow fiber. In the lumen of the hollow fiber, the acceptor phase was present. The driving force for extraction was direct current (DC) electrical potential sustained over the SLM. Highly polar (logP=-2.5 to 1.4) basic degradation products of nitrogen mustard and VX were selected as model analytes. The influence of chemical composition of SLM, extraction time, voltage and pH of donor and acceptor phase were investigated. The model analytes were extracted from 10μL of pure water with recoveries ranging from 15.7 to 99.7% just after 3min of operation time. Under optimized conditions, good limits of detection (2-50ngmL(-1)), linearity (from 5-1000 to 100-1000ngmL(-1)), and repeatability (RSDs below 11.9%, n=3) were achieved. Applicability of the proposed μ-EME was proved by recovering triethanolamine (31.3%) from 10μL of five times diluted original water sample provided by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons during 28th official proficiency test. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  7. Dynamic pore-scale network model (PNM) of water imbibition in porous media

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, J.; McDougall, S. R.; Sorbie, K. S.

    2017-09-01

    A dynamic pore-scale network model is presented which simulates 2-phase oil/water displacement during water imbibition by explicitly modelling intra-pore dynamic bulk and film flows using a simple local model. A new dynamic switching parameter, λ, is proposed within this model which is able to simulate the competition between local capillary forces and viscous forces over a very wide range of flow conditions. This quantity (λ) determines the primary pore filling mechanism during imbibition; i.e. whether the dominant force is (i) piston-like displacement under viscous forces, (ii) film swelling/collapse and snap-off due to capillary forces, or (iii) some intermediate local combination of both mechanisms. A series of 2D dynamic pore network simulations is presented which shows that the λ-model can satisfactorily reproduce and explain different filling regimes of water imbibition over a wide range of capillary numbers (Ca) and viscosity ratios (M). These imbibition regimes are more complex than those presented under drainage by (Lenormand et al. (1983)), since they are determined by a wider group of control parameters. Our simulations show that there is a coupling between viscous and capillary forces that is much less important in drainage. The effects of viscosity ratio during imbibition are apparent even under conditions of very slow flow (low Ca)-displacements that would normally be expected to be completely capillary dominated. This occurs as a result of the wetting films having a much greater relative mobility in the higher M cases (e.g. M = 10) thus leading to a higher level of film swelling/snap-off, resulting in local oil cluster bypassing and trapping, and hence a poorer oil recovery. This deeper coupled viscous mechanism is the underlying reason why the microscopic displacement efficiency is lower for higher M cases in water imbibition processes. Additional results are presented from the dynamic model on the corresponding effluent fractional flows (fw) and global pressure drops (ΔP) as functions of capillary number and viscosity ratio. These results indicate that unsteady-state (USS) relatively permeabilities in imbibition should be inherently rate dependent.

  8. Assembly of silver nanowire ring induced by liquid droplet

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Seong, Baekhoon; Park, Hyun Sung; Chae, Ilkyeong; Lee, Hyungdong; Wang, Xiaofeng; Jang, Hyung-Seok; Jung, Jaehyuck; Lee, Changgu; Lin, Liwei; Byun, Doyoung

    2017-11-01

    Several forces in the liquid droplet drive the nanomaterials to naturally form an assembled structure. During evaporation of a liquid droplet, nanomaterials can move to the rim of the droplet by convective flow and capillary flow, due to the difference in temperature between the top and contact line of the droplet. Here, we demonstrate a new, simple and scalable technology for the fabrication of ring-shaped Ag NWs by a spraying method. We experimentally identify the compressive force of the droplet driven by surface tension as the key mechanism for the self-assembly of ring structures. We investigated the progress of ring shape formation of Ag NWs according to the droplet size with theoretically calculated optimal conditions. As such, this self-assembly technique of making ring-shaped structures from Ag NWs could be applied to other nanomaterials. This work was supported by the New & Renewable Energy R&D program of the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning (KETEP) Grant funded by the Korea government Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. (No. 20163010071630).

  9. Lock and Key Colloids through Polymerization-Induced Buckling of Monodispersed Silicon Oil Droplets

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sacanna, Stefano; Irvine, William T. M.; Chaikin, Paul M.; Pine, David J.

    2010-03-01

    Colloidal particles can spontaneously associate into larger structured aggregates when driven by selective and directional interactions. Colloidal organization can be programmed by engineering shapes and interactions of basic building blocks in a manner similar to molecular self-assembly. Examples of successful strategies that allow non-trivial assembly of particles include template-directed patterning, capillary forces and, most commonly, the functionalization of the particle surfaces with ``sticky patches'' of biological or synthetic molecules. The level of complexity of the realizable assemblies, increases when particles with well defined shape anisotropies are used. In particular depletion forces and specific surface treatments in combination with non spherical particles have proven to be powerful tools to self-assembly complex microstructures. We describe a simple, high yield, synthetic pathway to fabricate monodisperse hybrid silica spheres with well defined cavities. Because the particle morphologies are reproducible and tunable with precision, the resulting particles can be used as basic building blocks in the assembly of larger monodisperse clusters. This is demonstrated using depletion to drive the self-assembly.

  10. Meniscus formation in a capillary and the role of contact line friction.

    PubMed

    Andrukh, Taras; Monaenkova, Daria; Rubin, Binyamin; Lee, Wah-Keat; Kornev, Konstantin G

    2014-01-28

    We studied spontaneous formation of an internal meniscus by dipping glass capillaries of 25 μm to 350 μm radii into low volatile hexadecane and tributyl phosphate. X-ray phase contrast and high speed optical microscopy imaging were employed. We showed that the meniscus completes its formation when the liquid column is still shorter than the capillary radius. After that, the meniscus travels about ten capillary radii at a constant velocity. We demonstrated that the experimental observations can be explained by introducing a friction force linearly proportional to the meniscus velocity with a friction coefficient depending on the air/liquid/solid triplet. It was demonstrated that the friction coefficient does not depend on the capillary radius. Numerical solution of the force balance equation revealed four different uptake regimes that can be specified in a phase portrait. This phase portrait was found to be in good agreement with the experimental results and can be used as a guide for the design of thin porous absorbers.

  11. Hardening of particle/oil/water suspensions due to capillary bridges: Experimental yield stress and theoretical interpretation.

    PubMed

    Danov, Krassimir D; Georgiev, Mihail T; Kralchevsky, Peter A; Radulova, Gergana M; Gurkov, Theodor D; Stoyanov, Simeon D; Pelan, Eddie G

    2018-01-01

    Suspensions of colloid particles possess the remarkable property to solidify upon the addition of minimal amount of a second liquid that preferentially wets the particles. The hardening is due to the formation of capillary bridges (pendular rings), which connect the particles. Here, we review works on the mechanical properties of such suspensions and related works on the capillary-bridge force, and present new rheological data for the weakly studied concentration range 30-55 vol% particles. The mechanical strength of the solidified capillary suspensions, characterized by the yield stress Y, is measured at the elastic limit for various volume fractions of the particles and the preferentially wetting liquid. A quantitative theoretical model is developed, which relates Y with the maximum of the capillary-bridge force, projected on the shear plane. A semi-empirical expression for the mean number of capillary bridges per particle is proposed. The model agrees very well with the experimental data and gives a quantitative description of the yield stress, which increases with the rise of interfacial tension and with the volume fractions of particles and capillary bridges, but decreases with the rise of particle radius and contact angle. The quantitative description of capillary force is based on the exact theory and numerical calculation of the capillary bridge profile at various bridge volumes and contact angles. An analytical formula for Y is also derived. The comparison of the theoretical and experimental strain at the elastic limit reveals that the fluidization of the capillary suspension takes place only in a deformation zone of thickness up to several hundred particle diameters, which is adjacent to the rheometer's mobile plate. The reported experimental results refer to water-continuous suspension with hydrophobic particles and oily capillary bridges. The comparison of data for bridges from soybean oil and hexadecane surprisingly indicate that the yield strength is greater for the suspension with soybean oil despite its lower interfacial tension against water. The result can be explained with the different contact angles of the two oils in agreement with the theoretical predictions. The results could contribute for a better understanding, quantitative prediction and control of the mechanical properties of three-phase capillary suspensions solid/liquid/liquid. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  12. Mean curvature model for a quasi-static advancing meniscus: a drop tower test

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Yongkang; Tavan, Noel; Weislogel, Mark

    A critical geometric wetting condition resulting in a significant shift of a capillary fluid from one region of a container to another was recently demonstrated during experiments performed aboard the International Space Station (the Capillary Flow Experiments, Vane Gap test units, bulk shift phenomena). Such phenomena are of interest for advanced methods of control for large quantities of liquids aboard spacecraft. The dynamics of the flows are well understood, but analytical models remain qualitative without the correct capillary pressure driving force for the shifting bulk fluid—where one large interface (meniscus) advances while another recedes. To determine this pressure an investigation of the mean curvature of the advancing meniscus is presented which is inspired by earlier studies of receding bulk menisci in non-circular cylindrical containers. The approach is permissible only in the quasi-static limit. It will be shown that the mean curvature of the advancing bulk meniscus is related to that of the receding bulk meniscus, both of which are highly sensitive to container geometry and wetting conditions. The two meniscus curvatures are identical for any control parameter at the critical value identified by the Concus-Finn analysis. However, they differ when the control parameter is below its critical value. Experiments along these lines are well suited for drop towers and comparisons with the analytical predictions implementing the mean curvature model are presented. The validation opens a pathway to the analysis of such flows in containers of great geometric complexity.

  13. 3D printed Lego®-like modular microfluidic devices based on capillary driving.

    PubMed

    Nie, Jing; Gao, Qing; Qiu, Jing-Jiang; Sun, Miao; Liu, An; Shao, Lei; Fu, Jian-Zhong; Zhao, Peng; He, Yong

    2018-03-12

    The field of how to rapidly assemble microfluidics with modular components continuously attracts researchers' attention, however, extra efforts must be devoted to solving the problems of leaking and aligning between individual modules. This paper presents a novel type of modular microfluidic device, driven by capillary force. There is no necessity for a strict seal or special alignment, and its open structures make it easy to integrate various stents and reactants. The key rationale for this method is to print different functional modules with a low-cost three-dimensional (3D) printer, then fill the channels with capillary materials and assemble them with plugs like Lego ® bricks. This rapidly reconstructed modular microfluidic device consists of a variety of common functional modules and other personalized modules, each module having a unified standard interface for easy assembly. As it can be printed by a desktop 3D printer, the manufacturing process is simple and efficient, with controllable regulation of the flow channel scale. Through diverse combinations of different modules, a variety of different functions can be achieved, without duplicating the manufacturing process. A single module can also be taken out for testing and analysis. What's more, combined with basic circuit components, it can serve as a low-cost Lego ® -like modular microfluidic circuits. As a proof of concept, the modular microfluidic device has been successfully demonstrated and used for stent degradation and cell cultures, revealing the potential use of this method in both chemical and biological research.

  14. Passive driving forces of proximal tubular fluid and bicarbonate transport: gradient dependence of H+ secretion.

    PubMed

    Chan, Y L; Malnic, G; Giebisch, G

    1983-11-01

    The effect of oncotic pressure changes on fluid (Jv) and net bicarbonate transport (JHCO-3) and the transepithelial bicarbonate permeability (PHCO-3) were measured by an improved luminal and capillary microperfusion method that allows paired experiments on the same tubule. Rat proximal tubules were pump-perfused and Jv and [HCO-3] measured with [14C]inulin and a pH glass electrode. Raising peritubular protein (0-8-15 g/100 ml bovine serum albumin) stimulated Jv and HCO-3 reabsorption. The response to oncotic pressure changes was asymmetrical since changes of the luminal protein concentration had no significant effects. Whereas transepithelial solvent drag effects on HCO-3 must be minimal, peritubular protein most likely stimulates translocation of fluid and bicarbonate from intercellular spaces into peritubular capillaries. PHCO-3 was measured from HCO-3 net flux along a lumen-to-capillary-directed electrochemical potential gradient. In these experiments active H+ transport and Jv were minimized by 10(-4) M acetazolamide and luminal raffinose. PHCO-3 was 1.77 X 10(-5) cm X s-1 and was unaffected by increasing luminal flow rate from 10 to 45 nl X min-1. Since bicarbonate backflux is only a small fraction of physiological rates of JHCO-3, net transport alterations at varying [HCO-3] in the lumen must be due to changes in active HCO-3 (H+) transport. Thus, active H+ ion secretion across the luminal membrane of the proximal tubule is gradient dependent.

  15. Pleural pressure theory revisited: a role for capillary equilibrium

    PubMed Central

    Caruana-Gauci, Roberto; Manche, Alexander; Gauci, Marilyn; Chetcuti, Stanley; Bertolaccini, Luca

    2017-01-01

    Background Theories elucidating pleural pressures should explain all observations including the equal and opposite recoil of the chest wall and lungs, the less than expected pleural hydrostatic gradient and its variation at lobar margins, why pleural pressures are negative and how pleural fluid circulation functions. Methods A theoretical model describing equilibrium between buoyancy, hydrostatic forces, and capillary forces is proposed. The capillary equilibrium model described depends on control of pleural fluid volume and protein content, powered by an active pleural pump. Results The interaction between buoyancy forces, hydrostatic pressure and capillary pressure was calculated, and values for pleural thickness and pressure were determined using values for surface tension, contact angle, pleural fluid and lung densities found in the literature. Modelling can explain the issue of the differing hydrostatic vertical pleural pressure gradient at the lobar margins for buoyancy forces between the pleural fluid and the lung floating in the pleural fluid according to Archimedes’ hydrostatic paradox. The capillary equilibrium model satisfies all salient requirements for a pleural pressure model, with negative pressures maximal at the apex, equal and opposite forces in the lung and chest wall, and circulatory pump action. Conclusions This model predicts that pleural effusions cannot occur in emphysema unless concomitant heart failure increases lung density. This model also explains how the non-confluence of the lung with the chest wall (e.g., lobar margins) makes the pleural pressure more negative, and why pleural pressures would be higher after an upper lobectomy compared to a lower lobectomy. Pathological changes in pleural fluid composition and lung density alter the equilibrium between capillarity and buoyancy hydrostatic pressure to promote pleural effusion formation. PMID:28523153

  16. Surfactant effects on contact line alteration of a liquid drop in a capillary tube

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yulianti, K.; Marwati, R.

    2018-05-01

    In this paper, the effect of an insoluble surfactant on the moving contact line of an interface between two fluids filling a capillary tube is studied. The governing equations are the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations with the couple of Eulerian fluid variables and Lagrangian interfacial markers. In our model, capillary force plays a role in the fluids motion. Here, we propose that besides lowering the interfacial tension which affects the capillary force, the surfactant also decreases the surface tension between fluids and a solid surface. That condition is applied to the unbalanced Young condition at the contact line. The front-tracking method is used to solve numerically the free boundary motion of the interface. Results show that the surfactant has a significant effect on the motion of the contact line.

  17. On Thermocapillary Mechanism of Spatial Separation of Metal Melts

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Demin, V. A.; Mizev, A. I.; Petukhov, M. I.

    2018-02-01

    Theoretical research has been devoted to the study of binary metal melts behavior in a thin capillary. Earlier it has been found experimentally that unusually significant and quick redistribution of melts components takes place along capillary after the cooling. Numerical simulation of concentration-induced convection has been carried out to explain these experimental data. Two-component melt of both liquid metals filling vertical thin capillary with non-uniform temperature distribution on the boundaries is considered. It is assumed that the condition of absolute non-wetting is valid on the sidewalls. Because of this effect there is a free surface on vertical boundaries, where thermocapillary force is appeared due to the external longitudinal temperature gradient. It makes to move liquid elements at a big distance, compared with axial size of capillary. Effects of adsorption-desorption on the surface, thermal and concentration-capillary forces, convective motion in a volume and diffusion generate the large-scale circulation. This process includes the admixture carrying-out on the surface in the more hot higher part of the channel, its following transfer down along the boundary due to the thermocapillary force and its return in the volume over the desorption in the lower part of capillary. Intensity of motion and processes of adsorption-desorption on the free boundary have the decisive influence upon the formation of concentration fields and speed of components redistribution. Thus, one of the possible mechanisms of longitudinal division on components of liquid binary mixtures in thin channels has been demonstrated.

  18. Large scale ZnTe nanostructures on polymer micro patterns via capillary force photolithography

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Florence, S. Sasi, E-mail: sshanmugaraj@jazanu.edu.sa; Can, N.; Adam, H.

    2016-06-10

    A novel approach to prepare micro patterns ZnTe nanostructures on Si (100) substrate using thermal evaporation is proposed by capillary Force Lithography (CFL) technique on a self-assembled sacrificial Polystyrene mask. Polystyrene thin films on Si substrates are used to fabricate surface micro-relief patterns. ZnTe nanoparticles have been deposited by thermal evaporation method. The deposited ZnTe nanoparticles properties were assessed by Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). SEM studies indicated that the particles are uniform in size and shape, well dispersed and spherical in shape. This study reports the micro-arrays of ZnTe nanoparticles on a self-assembled sacrificial PS maskmore » using a capillary flow photolithography process which showed excellent, morphological properties which can be used in photovoltaic devices for anti-reflection applications.« less

  19. Thermocapillary phenomena and performance limitations of a wickless heat pipe in microgravity.

    PubMed

    Kundan, Akshay; Plawsky, Joel L; Wayner, Peter C; Chao, David F; Sicker, Ronald J; Motil, Brian J; Lorik, Tibor; Chestney, Louis; Eustace, John; Zoldak, John

    2015-04-10

    A counterintuitive, thermocapillary-induced limit to heat- pipe performance was observed that is not predicted by current thermal-fluid models. Heat pipes operate under a number of physical constraints including the capillary, boiling, sonic, and entrainment limits that fundamentally affect their performance. Temperature gradients near the heated end may be high enough to generate significant Marangoni forces that oppose the return flow of liquid from the cold end. These forces are believed to exacerbate dry out conditions and force the capillary limit to be reached prematurely. Using a combination of image and thermal data from experiments conducted on the International Space Station with a transparent heat pipe, we show that in the presence of significant Marangoni forces, dry out is not the initial mechanism limiting performance, but that the physical cause is exactly the opposite behavior: flooding of the hot end with liquid. The observed effect is a consequence of the competition between capillary and Marangoni-induced forces. The temperature signature of flooding is virtually identical to dry out, making diagnosis difficult without direct visual observation of the vapor-liquid interface.

  20. DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Moutinho, Helio R.; Jiang, Cun -Sheng; To, Bobby

    To better understand and quantify soiling rates on solar panels, we are investigating the adhesion mechanisms between dust particles and solar glass. In this work, we report on two of the fundamental adhesion mechanisms: van der Waals and capillary adhesion forces. The adhesion was determined using force versus distance (F-z) measurements performed with an atomic force microscope (AFM). To emulate dust interacting with the front surface of a solar panel, we measured how oxidized AFM tips, SiO 2 glass spheres, and real dust particles adhered to actual solar glass. The van der Waals forces were evaluated by measurements performed withmore » zero relative humidity in a glove box, and the capillary forces were measured in a stable environment created inside the AFM enclosure with relative humidity values ranging from 18% to 80%. To simulate topographic features of the solar panels caused by factors such as cleaning and abrasion, we induced different degrees of surface roughness in the solar glass. As a result, we were able to 1) identify and quantify both the van der Waals and capillary forces, 2) establish the effects of surface roughness, relative humidity, and particle size on the adhesion mechanisms, and 3) compare adhesion forces between well-controlled particles (AFM tips and glass spheres) and real dust particles.« less

  1. Role of mixed boundaries on flow in open capillary channels with curved air-water interfaces.

    PubMed

    Zheng, Wenjuan; Wang, Lian-Ping; Or, Dani; Lazouskaya, Volha; Jin, Yan

    2012-09-04

    Flow in unsaturated porous media or in engineered microfluidic systems is dominated by capillary and viscous forces. Consequently, flow regimes may differ markedly from conventional flows, reflecting strong interfacial influences on small bodies of flowing liquids. In this work, we visualized liquid transport patterns in open capillary channels with a range of opening sizes from 0.6 to 5.0 mm using laser scanning confocal microscopy combined with fluorescent latex particles (1.0 μm) as tracers at a mean velocity of ∼0.50 mm s(-1). The observed velocity profiles indicate limited mobility at the air-water interface. The application of the Stokes equation with mixed boundary conditions (i.e., no slip on the channel walls and partial slip or shear stress at the air-water interface) clearly illustrates the increasing importance of interfacial shear stress with decreasing channel size. Interfacial shear stress emerges from the velocity gradient from the adjoining no-slip walls to the center where flow is trapped in a region in which capillary forces dominate. In addition, the increased contribution of capillary forces (relative to viscous forces) to flow on the microscale leads to increased interfacial curvature, which, together with interfacial shear stress, affects the velocity distribution and flow pattern (e.g., reverse flow in the contact line region). We found that partial slip, rather than the commonly used stress-free condition, provided a more accurate description of the boundary condition at the confined air-water interface, reflecting the key role that surface/interface effects play in controlling flow behavior on the nanoscale and microscale.

  2. Directed liquid phase assembly of highly ordered metallic nanoparticle arrays

    DOE PAGES

    Wu, Yueying; Dong, Nanyi; Fu, Shaofang; ...

    2014-04-01

    Directed assembly of nanomaterials is a promising route for the synthesis of advanced materials and devices. We demonstrate the directed-assembly of highly ordered two-dimensional arrays of hierarchical nanostructures with tunable size, spacing and composition. The directed assembly is achieved on lithographically patterned metal films that are subsequently pulse-laser melted; during the brief liquid lifetime, the pattened nanostructures assemble into highly ordered primary and secondary nanoparticles, with sizes below that which was originally patterned. Complementary fluid-dynamics simulations emulate the resultant patterns and show how the competition of capillary forces and liquid metal–solid substrate interaction potential drives the directed assembly. Lastly, asmore » an example of the enhanced functionality, a full-wave electromagnetic analysis has been performed to identify the nature of the supported plasmonic resonances.« less

  3. Systems evaluation of thermal bus concepts

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Stalmach, D. D.

    1982-01-01

    Thermal bus concepts, to provide a centralized thermal utility for large, multihundred kilowatt space platforms, were studied and the results are summarized. Concepts were generated, defined, and screened for inclusion in system level thermal bus trades. Parametric trade studies were conducted in order to define the operational envelope, performance, and physical characteristics of each. Two concepts were selected as offering the most promise for thermal bus development. All of four concepts involved two phase flow in order to meet the required isothermal nature of the thermal bus. Two of the concepts employ a mechanical means to circulate the working fluid, a liquid pump in one case and a vapor compressor in another. Another concept utilizes direct osmosis as the driving force of the thermal bus. The fourth concept was a high capacity monogroove heat pipe. After preliminary sizing and screening, three of these concepts were selected to carry into the trade studies. The monogroove heat pipe concept was deemed unsuitable for further consideration because of its heat transport limitations. One additional concept utilizing capillary forces to drive the working fluid was added. Parametric system level trade studies were performed. Sizing and weight calculations were performed for thermal bus sizes ranging from 5 to 350 kW and operating temperatures in the range of 4 to 120 C. System level considerations such as heat rejection and electrical power penalties and interface temperature losses were included in the weight calculations.

  4. Capillary assisted deposition of carbon nanotube film for strain sensing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Zida; Xue, Xufeng; Lin, Feng; Wang, Yize; Ward, Kevin; Fu, Jianping

    2017-10-01

    Advances in stretchable electronics offer the possibility of developing skin-like motion sensors. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), owing to their superior electrical properties, have great potential for applications in such sensors. In this paper, we report a method for deposition and patterning of CNTs on soft, elastic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates using capillary action. Micropillar arrays were generated on PDMS surfaces before treatment with plasma to render them hydrophilic. Capillary force enabled by the micropillar array spreads CNT solution evenly on PDMS surfaces. Solvent evaporation leaves a uniform deposition and patterning of CNTs on PDMS surfaces. We studied the effect of the CNT concentration and micropillar gap size on CNT coating uniformity, film conductivity, and piezoresistivity. Leveraging the piezoresistivity of deposited CNT films, we further designed and characterized a device for the contraction force measurement. Our capillary assisted deposition method of CNT films showed great application potential in fabrication of flexible CNT thin films for strain sensing.

  5. Nucleation time of nanoscale water bridges.

    PubMed

    Szoszkiewicz, Robert; Riedo, Elisa

    2005-09-23

    Water capillaries bind together grains of sand. They also can bind an atomic force microscope tip to a substrate. The kinetics of capillary condensation at the nanoscale is studied here using friction force microscopy. At 40% relative humidity we find that the meniscus nucleation times increase from 0.7 to 4.2 ms when the temperature decreases from 332 to 299 K. The nucleation times grow exponentially with the inverse temperature 1/T obeying an Arrhenius law. We obtain a nucleation energy barrier of 7.8 x 10(-20) J and an attempt frequency ranging between 4 and 250 GHz, in excellent agreement with theoretical predictions. These results provide direct experimental evidence that capillary condensation is a thermally activated phenomenon.

  6. Experimental study on nonmonotonicity of capillary desaturation curves in a 2-D pore-network

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Rodriquez de Castro, Antonio; Shokri, Nima; Karadimitriou, Nikolaos

    2015-10-28

    Immiscible displacement in a porous medium is important in many applications such as soil remediation and enhanced oil recovery. When gravitational forces are negligible, two-phase immiscible displacement at the pore level is controlled by capillary and viscous forces whose relative importance is quantified through the dimensionless capillary number Ca and the viscosity ratio M between liquid phases. Depending on the values of Ca and M, capillary fingering, viscous fingering, or stable displacement may be observed resulting in a variety of patterns affecting the phase entrapment. The Capillary Desaturation Curve (CDC), which represents the relationship between the residual oils saturation andmore » Ca, is an important relation to describe the phase entrapment at a given Ca. In the present study, we investigate the CDC as influenced by the viscosity ratio. A comprehensive series of experiments using a high-resolution microscope and state-of-the-art micromodels were conducted. The CDCs were calculated and the effects of Ca and M on phase entrapments were quantified. The results show that CDCs are not necessarily monotonic for all M.« less

  7. Influence of local capillary trapping on containment system effectiveness

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Bryant, Steven

    2014-03-31

    Immobilization of CO 2 injected into deep subsurface storage reservoirs is a critical component of risk assessment for geologic CO 2 storage (GCS). Local capillary trapping (LCT) is a recently established mode of immobilization that arises when CO 2 migrates due to buoyancy through heterogeneous storage reservoirs. This project sought to assess the amount and extent of LCT expected in storage formations under a range of injection conditions, and to confirm the persistence of LCT if the seal overlying the reservoir were to lose its integrity. Numerical simulation using commercial reservoir simulation software was conducted to assess the influence ofmore » injection. Laboratory experiments, modeling and numerical simulation were conducted to assess the effect of compromised seal integrity. Bench-scale (0.6 m by 0.6 m by 0.03 m) experiments with surrogate fluids provided the first empirical confirmation of the key concepts underlying LCT: accumulation of buoyant nonwetting phase at above residual saturations beneath capillary barriers in a variety of structures, which remains immobile under normal capillary pressure gradients. Immobilization of above-residual saturations is a critical distinction between LCT and the more familiar “residual saturation trapping.” To estimate the possible extent of LCT in a storage reservoir an algorithm was developed to identify all potential local traps, given the spatial distribution of capillary entry pressure in the reservoir. The algorithm assumes that the driving force for CO 2 migration can be represented as a single value of “critical capillary entry pressure” P c,entry crit, such that cells with capillary entry pressure greater/less than P c,entry crit act as barriers/potential traps during CO 2 migration. At intermediate values of P c,entry crit, the barrier regions become more laterally extensive in the reservoir, approaching a percolation threshold while non-barrier regions remain numerous. The maximum possible extent of LCT thus occurs at P c,entry crit near this threshold. Testing predictions of this simple algorithm against full-physics simulations of buoyancy-driven CO 2 migration support the concept of critical capillary entry pressure. However, further research is needed to determine whether a single value of critical capillary entry pressure always applies and how that value can be determined a priori. Simulations of injection into high-resolution (cells 0.3 m on a side) 2D and 3D heterogeneous domains show two characteristic behaviors. At small gravity numbers (vertical flow velocity much less than horizontal flow velocity) the CO 2 fills local traps as well as regions that would act as local barriers if CO 2 were moving only due to buoyancy. When injection ceases, the CO 2 migrates vertically to establish large saturations within local traps and residual saturation elsewhere. At large gravity numbers, the CO 2 invades a smaller portion of the perforated interval. Within this smaller swept zone the local barriers are not invaded, but local traps are filled to large saturation during injection and remain during post-injection gravity-driven migration. The small gravity number behavior is expected in the region within 100 m of a vertical injection well at anticipated rates of injection for commercial GCS. Simulations of leakage scenarios (through-going region of large permeability imposed in overlying seal) indicate that LCT persists (i.e. CO 2 remains held in a large fraction of the local iv traps) and the persistence is independent of injection rate during storage. Simulations of leakage for the limiting case of CO 2 migrating vertically from an areally extensive emplacement in the lower portion of a reservoir showed similar strong persistence of LCT. This research has two broad implications for GCS. The first is that LCT can retain a significant fraction of the CO 2 stored in a reservoir – above and beyond the residual saturation -- if the overlying seal were to fail. Thus frameworks for risk assessment should be extended to account for LCT. The second implication is that compared to pressure driven flow in reservoirs, CO 2 migration and trapping behave in a qualitatively different manner in heterogeneous reservoirs when buoyancy is the dominant driving force for flow. Thus simulations of GCS that neglect capillary heterogeneity will fail to capture important features of the CO 2 plume. While commercial reservoir simulation software can account for fine scale capillary heterogeneity, it has not been designed to work efficiently with such domains, and no simulators can handle fine-scale resolution throughout the reservoir. A possible way to upscale the migration and trapping is to apply an “effective residual saturation” to coarse-scale grids. While the extent of overall immobilization can be correlated in this way, all coarser grids failed to capture the distance traveled by the migrating CO 2 for large gravity number. Thus it remains unclear how best to account for LCT in the routine simulation work-flow that will be needed for large-scale GCS. Alternatives meriting investigation include streamline methods, reduced-physics proxies (e.g. particle tracking), and biased invasion percolation algorithms, which are based on precisely the capillary heterogeneity essential for LCT.« less

  8. Transient studies of capillary-induced flow

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Reagan, M. K.; Bowman, W. J.

    1993-01-01

    This paper presents the numerical and experimental results of a study performed on the transient rise of fluid in a capillary tube. The capillary tube problem provides an excellent mechanism from which to launch an investigation into the transient flow of a fluid in a porous wick structure where capillary forces must balance both adverse gravitational effects and frictional losses. For the study, a capillary tube, initially charged with a small volume of water, was lowered into a pool of water. The behavior of the column of fluid during the transient that followed as more water entered the tube from the pool was both numerically and experimentally studied.

  9. Nano-Wilhelmy investigation of dynamic wetting properties of AFM tips through tip-nanobubble interaction

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Yuliang; Wang, Huimin; Bi, Shusheng; Guo, Bin

    2016-01-01

    The dynamic wetting properties of atomic force microscopy (AFM) tips are of much concern in many AFM-related measurement, fabrication, and manipulation applications. In this study, the wetting properties of silicon and silicon nitride AFM tips are investigated through dynamic contact angle measurement using a nano-Wilhelmy balance based method. This is done by capillary force measurement during extension and retraction motion of AFM tips relative to interfacial nanobubbles. The working principle of the proposed method and mathematic models for dynamic contact angle measurement are presented. Geometric models of AFM tips were constructed using scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) images taken from different view directions. The detailed process of tip-nanobubble interaction was investigated using force-distance curves of AFM on nanobubbles. Several parameters including nanobubble height, adhesion and capillary force between tip and nanobubbles are extracted. The variation of these parameters was studied over nanobubble surfaces. The dynamic contact angles of the AFM tips were calculated from the capillary force measurements. The proposed method provides direct measurement of dynamic contact angles for AFM tips and can also be taken as a general approach for nanoscale dynamic wetting property investigation. PMID:27452115

  10. Nano-Wilhelmy investigation of dynamic wetting properties of AFM tips through tip-nanobubble interaction

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Yuliang; Wang, Huimin; Bi, Shusheng; Guo, Bin

    2016-07-01

    The dynamic wetting properties of atomic force microscopy (AFM) tips are of much concern in many AFM-related measurement, fabrication, and manipulation applications. In this study, the wetting properties of silicon and silicon nitride AFM tips are investigated through dynamic contact angle measurement using a nano-Wilhelmy balance based method. This is done by capillary force measurement during extension and retraction motion of AFM tips relative to interfacial nanobubbles. The working principle of the proposed method and mathematic models for dynamic contact angle measurement are presented. Geometric models of AFM tips were constructed using scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) images taken from different view directions. The detailed process of tip-nanobubble interaction was investigated using force-distance curves of AFM on nanobubbles. Several parameters including nanobubble height, adhesion and capillary force between tip and nanobubbles are extracted. The variation of these parameters was studied over nanobubble surfaces. The dynamic contact angles of the AFM tips were calculated from the capillary force measurements. The proposed method provides direct measurement of dynamic contact angles for AFM tips and can also be taken as a general approach for nanoscale dynamic wetting property investigation.

  11. Scalable fabrication of strongly textured organic semiconductor micropatterns by capillary force lithography.

    PubMed

    Jo, Pil Sung; Vailionis, Arturas; Park, Young Min; Salleo, Alberto

    2012-06-26

    Strongly textured organic semiconductor micropatterns made of the small molecule dioctylbenzothienobenzothiophene (C(8)-BTBT) are fabricated by using a method based on capillary force lithography (CFL). This technique provides the C(8)-BTBT solution with nucleation sites for directional growth, and can be used as a scalable way to produce high quality crystalline arrays in desired regions of a substrate for OFET applications. Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  12. DLVO, hydrophobic, capillary and hydrodynamic forces acting on bacteria at solid-air-water interfaces: Their relative impact on bacteria deposition mechanisms in unsaturated porous media.

    PubMed

    Bai, Hongjuan; Cochet, Nelly; Pauss, André; Lamy, Edvina

    2017-02-01

    Experimental and modeling studies were performed to investigate bacteria deposition behavior in unsaturated porous media. The coupled effect of different forces, acting on bacteria at solid-air-water interfaces and their relative importance on bacteria deposition mechanisms was explored by calculating Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) and non-DLVO interactions such as hydrophobic, capillary and hydrodynamic forces. Negatively charged non-motile bacteria and quartz sands were used in packed column experiments. The breakthrough curves and retention profiles of bacteria were simulated using the modified Mobile-IMmobile (MIM) model, to identify physico-chemical attachment or physical straining mechanisms involved in bacteria retention. These results indicated that both mechanisms might occur in both sand. However, the attachment was found to be a reversible process, because attachment coefficients were similar to those of detachment. DLVO calculations supported these results: the primary minimum did not exist, suggesting no permanent retention of bacteria to solid-water and air-water interfaces. Calculated hydrodynamic and resisting torques predicted that bacteria detachment in the secondary minimum might occur. The capillary potential energy was greater than DLVO, hydrophobic and hydrodynamic potential energies, suggesting that film straining by capillary forces might largely govern bacteria deposition under unsaturated conditions. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  13. Foam on troubled water: Capillary induced finite-time arrest of sloshing waves

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Viola, Francesco; Brun, P.-T.; Dollet, Benjamin; Gallaire, François

    2016-09-01

    Interfacial forces exceed gravitational forces on a scale small relative to the capillary length—two millimeters in the case of an air-water interface—and therefore dominate the physics of sub-millimetric systems. They are of paramount importance for various biological taxa and engineering processes where the motion of a liquid meniscus induces a viscous frictional force that exhibits a sublinear dependence in the meniscus velocity, i.e., a power law with an exponent smaller than one. Interested in the fundamental implications of this dependence, we use a liquid-foam sloshing system as a prototype to exacerbate the effect of sublinear friction on the macroscopic mechanics of multi-phase flows. In contrast to classical theory, we uncover the existence of a finite-time singularity in our system yielding the arrest of the fluid's oscillations. We propose a minimal theoretical framework to capture this effect, thereby amending the paradigmatic damped harmonic oscillator model. Our results suggest that, although often not considered at the macroscale, sublinear capillary forces govern the friction at liquid-solid and liquid-liquid interfaces.

  14. Adhesion mechanisms on solar glass: Effects of relative humidity, surface roughness, and particle shape and size

    DOE PAGES

    Moutinho, Helio R.; Jiang, Cun -Sheng; To, Bobby; ...

    2017-07-27

    To better understand and quantify soiling rates on solar panels, we are investigating the adhesion mechanisms between dust particles and solar glass. In this work, we report on two of the fundamental adhesion mechanisms: van der Waals and capillary adhesion forces. The adhesion was determined using force versus distance (F-z) measurements performed with an atomic force microscope (AFM). To emulate dust interacting with the front surface of a solar panel, we measured how oxidized AFM tips, SiO 2 glass spheres, and real dust particles adhered to actual solar glass. The van der Waals forces were evaluated by measurements performed withmore » zero relative humidity in a glove box, and the capillary forces were measured in a stable environment created inside the AFM enclosure with relative humidity values ranging from 18% to 80%. To simulate topographic features of the solar panels caused by factors such as cleaning and abrasion, we induced different degrees of surface roughness in the solar glass. As a result, we were able to 1) identify and quantify both the van der Waals and capillary forces, 2) establish the effects of surface roughness, relative humidity, and particle size on the adhesion mechanisms, and 3) compare adhesion forces between well-controlled particles (AFM tips and glass spheres) and real dust particles.« less

  15. Enantiomeric separation of volatile organics by gas chromatography for the in situ analysis of extraterrestrial materials: kinetics and thermodynamics investigation of various chiral stationary phases.

    PubMed

    Freissinet, C; Buch, A; Szopa, C; Sternberg, R

    2013-09-06

    The performances of several commercial chiral capillary columns have been evaluated with the aim of determining the one most suitable for enantiomeric separation in a gas chromatograph onboard a space probe. We compared the GC-MS response of three capillary columns coated with different chiral stationary phases (CSP) using volatile chiral organic molecules which are potential markers of a prebiotic organic chemistry. The three different chiral capillary columns are Chirasil-Val, with an amino acid derivative CSP, ChiralDex-β-PM, with a CSP composed of dissolved permethylated β-cyclodextrins in polysiloxane, and Chirasil-Dex, with a CSP made of modified cyclodextrins chemically bonded to the polysiloxane backbone. Both kinetics and thermodynamics studies have been carried out to evaluate the chiral recognition potential in these different types of columns. The thermodynamic parameters also allow a better understanding of the driving forces affecting the retention and separation of the enantiomers. The Chirasil-Dex-CSP displays the best characteristics for an optimal resolution of the chiral compounds, without preliminary derivatization. This CSP had been chosen to be the only chiral column in the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) experiment onboard the current Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission, and is also part of the Mars Organic Molecules Analyzer (MOMA) gas chromatograph onboard the next Martian mission ExoMars. The use of this column could also be extended to all space missions aimed at studying chirality in space. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  16. Drops: The collapse of capillary jets

    PubMed Central

    Cordoba, Antonio; Cordoba, Diego; Fefferman, Charles; Fontelos, Marco A.

    2002-01-01

    The appearance of fluid filaments during the evolution of a viscous fluid jet is a commonly observed phenomenon. It is shown here that the break-up of such a jet subject to capillary forces is impossible through the collapse of a uniform filament. PMID:12172005

  17. Agglomeration of Non-metallic Inclusions at Steel/Ar Interface: In- Situ Observation Experiments and Model Validation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mu, Wangzhong; Dogan, Neslihan; Coley, Kenneth S.

    2017-10-01

    Better understanding of agglomeration behavior of nonmetallic inclusions in the steelmaking process is important to control the cleanliness of the steel. In this work, a revision on the Paunov simplified model has been made according to the original Kralchevsky-Paunov model. Thus, this model has been applied to quantitatively calculate the attractive capillary force on inclusions agglomerating at the liquid steel/gas interface. Moreover, the agglomeration behavior of Al2O3 inclusions at a low carbon steel/Ar interface has been observed in situ by high-temperature confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The velocity and acceleration of inclusions and attractive forces between Al2O3 inclusions of various sizes were calculated based on the CLSM video. The results calculated using the revised model offered a reasonable fit with the present experimental data for different inclusion sizes. Moreover, a quantitative comparison was made between calculations using the equivalent radius of a circle and those using the effective radius. It was found that the calculated capillary force using equivalent radius offered a better fit with the present experimental data because of the inclusion characteristics. Comparing these results with other studies in the literature allowed the authors to conclude that when applied in capillary force calculations, the equivalent radius is more suitable for inclusions with large size and irregular shape, and the effective radius is more appropriate for inclusions with small size or a large shape factor. Using this model, the effect of inclusion size on attractive capillary force has been investigated, demonstrating that larger inclusions are more strongly attracted.

  18. Terrestrial Testing of the CapiBRIC, a Microgravity Optimized Brine Processor

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Sargusingh, Miriam J.; Callahan, Michael R.; Weislogel, Mark M.

    2016-01-01

    Utilizing geometry based static phase separation exhibited in the radial vaned capillary drying tray, a system was conceived to recover water from brine. This technology has been named the Capillary BRIC; abbreviated CapiBRIC. The CapiBRIC utilizes a capillary drying tray within a drying chamber. Water is recovered from clean water vapor evaporating from the free surface leaving waste brine solids behind. A novel approach of optimizing the containment geometry to support passive capillary flow and static phase separation provides the opportunity for a low power system that is not as susceptible to fouling as membranes or other technologies employing physical barriers across the free brine surface to achieve phase separation in microgravity. Having been optimized for operation in microgravity, full-scale testing of the CapiBRIC as designed cannot be performed on the ground as the force of gravity would dominate over the capillary forces. However, subscale units relevant to full-scale design were used to characterize fill rates, containment stability, and interaction with a variable volume reservoir in the PSU Dryden Drop Tower (DDT) facility. PSU also using tested units scaled such that capillary forces dominated in a 1-g environment to characterize evaporation from a free-surface in 1-g upward, sideways and downward orientations. In order to augment the subscale testing performed by PSU, a full scale 1-g analogue of the CapiBRIC drying unit was initiated to help validate performance predictions regarding expected water recovery ratio, estimated processing time, and interface definitions for inlets, outlets, and internal processes, including vent gas composition. This paper describes the design, development and test of the terrestrial CapiBRIC prototypes.

  19. Drop Tower Experiments concerning Fluid Management under Microgravity

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gaulke, Diana; Dreyer, Michael

    2012-07-01

    Transport and positioning of liquid under microgravity is done utilizing capillary forces. Therefore, capillary transport processes have to be understood for a wide variety of space applications, ranging from propellant management in tanks of space transportation systems to eating and drinking devices for astronauts. There are two types of liquid transportation in microgravity using capillary forces. First, the driven liquid flow in open channels where the capillary forces at free surfaces ensure a gas and vapor free flow. Here it is important to know the limiting flow rate through such an open channel before the free surface collapses and gas is sucked into the channel. A number of different experiments at the drop tower Bremen, on sounding rockets and at the ISS have been conducted to analyse this phenomenon within different geometries. As result a geometry dependent theory for calculating the maximum flow rate has been found. On the other hand liquid positioning and transportation requires the capillary pressure of curved surfaces to achieve a liquid flow to a desired area. Especially for space applications the weight of structure has to be taken into account for development. For example liquid positioning in tanks can be achieved via a complicated set of structure filling the whole tank resulting in heavy devices not reasonable in space applications. Astrium developed in cooperation with ZARM a propellant management device much smaller than the tank volume and ensuring a gas and vapour free supply of propellant to the propulsion system. In the drop tower Bremen a model of this device was tested concerning different microgravity scenarios. To further decrease weight and ensure functionality within different scenarios structure elements are designed as perforated geometries. Capillary transport between perforated plates has been analyzed concerning the influence of geometrical pattern of perforations. The conducted experiments at the drop tower Bremen show the remarkable influence of perforations on the capillary transport capability.

  20. Atomic-force-controlled capillary electrophoretic nanoprinting of proteins.

    PubMed

    Lovsky, Yulia; Lewis, Aaron; Sukenik, Chaim; Grushka, Eli

    2010-01-01

    The general nanoprinting and nanoinjection of proteins on non-conducting or conducting substrates with a high degree of control both in terms of positional and timing accuracy is an important goal that could impact diverse fields from biotechnology (protein chips) to molecular electronics and from fundamental studies in cell biology to nanophotonics. In this paper, we combine capillary electrophoresis (CE), a separation method with considerable control of protein movement, with the unparalleled positional accuracy of an atomic force microscope (AFM). This combination provides the ability to electrophoretically or electroosmotically correlate the timing of protein migration with AFM control of the protein deposition at a high concentration in defined locations and highly confined volumes estimated to be 2 al. Electrical control of bovine serum albumin printing on standard protein-spotting glass substrates is demonstrated. For this advance, fountain pen nanolithography (FPN) that uses cantilevered glass-tapered capillaries is amended with the placement of electrodes on the nanopipette itself. This results in imposed voltages that are three orders of magnitude less than what is normally used in capillary electrophoresis. The development of atomic-force-controlled capillary electrophoretic printing (ACCEP) has the potential for electrophoretic separation, with high resolution, both in time and in space. The large voltage drop at the tip of the tapered nanopipettes allows for significant increases in concentration of protein in the small printed volumes. All of these attributes combine to suggest that this methodology should have a significant impact in science and technology.

  1. Viscous peeling with capillary suction

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Peng, Gunnar; Lister, John

    2014-11-01

    If an elastic tape is stuck to a rigid substrate by a thin film of viscous fluid and then peeled off by pulling at a small angle to the horizontal, then both viscous and capillary forces affect the peeling speed (McEwan and Taylor, 1966). If there is no capillary meniscus (e.g. if the peeling is due to viscous fluid being injected under the tape), then the peeling speed is given by a Cox-Voinov-like law, and is an increasing function of the peeling angle. We show that, with a meniscus present, the effect of the capillary forces is to suck down the tape, reducing the effective peeling angle and hence the peeling speed. When surface tension dominates and the peeling speed tends to zero, the system transitions to a new state whose time-evolution can be described by a system of coupled ordinary differential equations. These asymptotic results are confirmed by numerical calculations. Similar results hold for the peeling-by-bending of elastic beams, with ``angle'' replaced by ``curvature'' (i.e. bending moment).

  2. Suppressing Crack Formation in Particulate Systems by Utilizing Capillary Forces

    PubMed Central

    Schneider, Monica; Maurath, Johannes; Fischer, Steffen B.; Weiß, Moritz; Willenbacher, Norbert; Koos, Erin

    2017-01-01

    Cracks, formed during the drying of particulate films, can reduce the effectiveness or even render products useless. We present a novel, generic approach to suppress crack formation in thin films made from hard particle suspensions, which are otherwise highly susceptible to cracking, using the capillary force between particles present when a trace amount of an immiscible liquid is added to a suspension. This secondary liquid preserves the particle cohesion, modifying the structure and increasing the drying rate. Crack-free films can be produced at thicknesses much greater than the critical cracking thickness for a suspension without capillary interactions, and even persists after sintering. This capillary suspension strategy is applicable to a broad range of materials including suspensions of metals, semiconductive and ceramic oxides or glassy polymeric particles and can be easily implemented in many industrial processes since it is based on well-established unit operations. Promising fields of application include ceramic foils and printed electronic devices. PMID:28263554

  3. Rapidly moving contact lines and damping contributions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xia, Yi; Daniel, Susan; Steen, Paul

    2017-11-01

    Contact angle varies dynamically with contact line (CL) speed when a liquid moves across a solid support, as when a liquid spreads rapidly. For sufficiently rapid spreading, inertia competes with capillarity to influence the interface shape near the support. We use resonant-mode plane-normal support oscillations of droplets to drive lateral contact-line motion. Reynolds numbers based on CL speeds are high and capillary numbers are low. These are inertial-capillary motions. By scanning the driving frequency, we locate the frequency at peak amplification (resonance), obtain the scaled peak height (amplification factor) and a measure of band-width (damping ratio). We report how a parameter for CL mobility depends on these scanning metrics, with the goal of distinguishing contributions from the bulk- and CL-dissipation to overall damping.

  4. Eutectic growth under acoustic levitation conditions.

    PubMed

    Xie, W J; Cao, C D; Lü, Y J; Wei, B

    2002-12-01

    Samples of Pb-Sn eutectic alloy with a high density of 8.5 x 10(3) kg/m(3) are levitated with a single-axis acoustic levitator, and containerlessly melted and then solidified in argon atmosphere. High undercoolings up to 38 K are obtained, which results in a microstructural transition of "lamellas-broken lamellas-dendrites." This transition is further investigated in the light of the coupled zone for eutectic growth and the effects of ultrasound. The breaking of regular eutectic lamellas and suppression of gravity-induced macrosegregation of (Pb) and (Sn) dendrites are explained by the complicated internal flow inside the levitated drop, which is jointly induced by the shape oscillation, bulk vibration and rotation of the levitated drop. The ultrasonic field is also found to drive forced surface vibration, which subsequently excites capillary ripples and catalyzes nucleation on the sample surface.

  5. A self-powered, one-step chip for rapid, quantitative and multiplexed detection of proteins from pinpricks of whole blood.

    PubMed

    Wang, Jun; Ahmad, Habib; Ma, Chao; Shi, Qihui; Vermesh, Ophir; Vermesh, Udi; Heath, James

    2010-11-21

    We describe an automated, self-powered chip based on lateral flow immunoassay for rapid, quantitative, and multiplex protein detection from pinpricks of whole blood. The device incorporates on-chip purification of blood plasma by employing inertial forces to focus blood cells away from the assay surface, where plasma proteins are captured and detected on antibody "barcode" arrays. Power is supplied from the capillary action of a piece of adsorbent paper, and sequentially drives, over a 40 minute period, the four steps required to capture serum proteins and then develop a multiplex immunoassay. An 11 protein panel is assayed from whole blood, with high sensitivity and high reproducibility. This inexpensive, self-contained, and easy to operate chip provides a useful platform for point-of-care diagnoses, particularly in resource-limited settings.

  6. Eutectic growth under acoustic levitation conditions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xie, W. J.; Cao, C. D.; Lü, Y. J.; Wei, B.

    2002-12-01

    Samples of Pb-Sn eutectic alloy with a high density of 8.5×103 kg/m3 are levitated with a single-axis acoustic levitator, and containerlessly melted and then solidified in argon atmosphere. High undercoolings up to 38 K are obtained, which results in a microstructural transition of ``lamellas-broken lamellas-dendrites.'' This transition is further investigated in the light of the coupled zone for eutectic growth and the effects of ultrasound. The breaking of regular eutectic lamellas and suppression of gravity-induced macrosegregation of (Pb) and (Sn) dendrites are explained by the complicated internal flow inside the levitated drop, which is jointly induced by the shape oscillation, bulk vibration and rotation of the levitated drop. The ultrasonic field is also found to drive forced surface vibration, which subsequently excites capillary ripples and catalyzes nucleation on the sample surface.

  7. A microfluidic circulatory system integrated with capillary-assisted pressure sensors.

    PubMed

    Chen, Yangfan; Chan, Ho Nam; Michael, Sean A; Shen, Yusheng; Chen, Yin; Tian, Qian; Huang, Lu; Wu, Hongkai

    2017-02-14

    The human circulatory system comprises a complex network of blood vessels interconnecting biologically relevant organs and a heart driving blood recirculation throughout this system. Recreating this system in vitro would act as a bridge between organ-on-a-chip and "body-on-a-chip" and advance the development of in vitro models. Here, we present a microfluidic circulatory system integrated with an on-chip pressure sensor to closely mimic human systemic circulation in vitro. A cardiac-like on-chip pumping system is incorporated in the device. It consists of four pumping units and passive check valves, which mimic the four heart chambers and heart valves, respectively. Each pumping unit is independently controlled with adjustable pressure and pump rate, enabling users to control the mimicked blood pressure and heartbeat rate within the device. A check valve is located downstream of each pumping unit to prevent backward leakage. Pulsatile and unidirectional flow can be generated to recirculate within the device by programming the four pumping units. We also report an on-chip capillary-assisted pressure sensor to monitor the pressure inside the device. One end of the capillary was placed in the measurement region, while the other end was sealed. Time-dependent pressure changes were measured by recording the movement of the liquid-gas interface in the capillary and calculating the pressure using the ideal gas law. The sensor covered the physiologically relevant blood pressure range found in humans (0-142.5 mmHg) and could respond to 0.2 s actuation time. With the aid of the sensor, the pressure inside the device could be adjusted to the desired range. As a proof of concept, human normal left ventricular and arterial pressure profiles were mimicked inside this device. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured on chip and cells can respond to mechanical forces generated by arterial-like flow patterns.

  8. Design of fluidic self-assembly bonds for precise component positioning

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ramadoss, Vivek; Crane, Nathan B.

    2008-02-01

    Self Assembly is a promising alternative to conventional pick and place robotic assembly of micro components. Its benefits include parallel integration of parts with low equipment costs. Various approaches to self assembly have been demonstrated, yet demanding applications like assembly of micro-optical devices require increased positioning accuracy. This paper proposes a new method for design of self assembly bonds that addresses this need. Current methods have zero force at the desired assembly position and low stiffness. This allows small disturbance forces to create significant positioning errors. The proposed method uses a substrate assembly feature to provide a high accuracy alignment guide to the part. The capillary bond region of the part and substrate are then modified to create a non-zero positioning force to maintain the part in the desired assembly position. Capillary force models show that this force aligns the part to the substrate assembly feature and reduces sensitivity of part position to process variation. Thus, the new configuration can substantially improve positioning accuracy of capillary self-assembly. This will result in a dramatic decrease in positioning errors in the micro parts. Various binding site designs are analyzed and guidelines are proposed for the design of an effective assembly bond using this new approach.

  9. Faraday wave patterns on a square cell network

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Peña-Polo, Franklin; Vargas, Carlos A.; Vásquez-González, Benjamín; Medina, Abraham; Trujillo, Leonardo; Klapp, Jaime; Sigalotti, Leonardo Di G.

    2017-05-01

    We present the experimental observations of the Faraday instability when the vibrated liquid is contained in a network of small square cells for exciting frequencies in the range 10≤ F≤ 24 Hz. A sweep of the parameter space has been performed to investigate the amplitudes and frequencies of the driving force for which different patterns form over the network. Regular patterns in the form of square lattices are observed for driving frequencies in the range 10≤ F<14 Hz, while ordered matrices of oscillons are formed for 1423 Hz, disordered periodic patterns appear within individual cells for a small range of amplitudes. In this case, the wave field is dominated by oscillating blobs that interact on the capillary-gravity scale. A Pearson correlation analysis of the recorded videos shows that for all ordered patterns, the surface waves are periodic and correspond to Faraday waves of dominant frequency equal to half the excitation frequency (i.e., f=F/2). In contrast, the oscillons formed for 1423 Hz are not subharmonic and correspond to periodic harmonic waves with f=nF/2 (for n=2,4,\\ldots ). We find that the experimentally determined minimum forcing necessary to destabilize the rest state and generate surface waves is consistent with a recent stability analysis of stationary solutions as derived from a new dispersion relation for time-periodic waves with nonzero forcing and dissipation.

  10. Biomechanical investigation into the role of the periodontal ligament in optimising orthodontic force: a finite element case study.

    PubMed

    Liao, Zhipeng; Chen, Junning; Li, Wei; Darendeliler, M Ali; Swain, Michael; Li, Qing

    2016-06-01

    This paper aimed to precisely locate centres of resistance (CRe) of maxillary teeth and investigate optimal orthodontic force by identifying the effective zones of orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) from hydrostatic stress thresholds in the periodontal ligament (PDL). We applied distally-directed tipping and bodily forces ranging from 0.075 N to 3 N (7.5 g to 300 g) onto human maxillary teeth. The hydrostatic stress was quantified from nonlinear finite element analysis (FEA) and compared with normal capillary and systolic blood pressure for driving the tissue remodelling. Two biomechanical stimuli featuring localised and volume-averaged hydrostatic stresses were introduced to describe OTM. Locations of CRe were determined through iterative FEA simulation. Accurate locations of CRes of teeth and ranges of optimal orthodontic forces were obtained. By comparing with clinical results in literature, the volume average of hydrostatic stress in PDL was proved to describe the process of OTM more indicatively. The optimal orthodontic forces obtained from the in-silico modelling study echoed with the clinical results in vivo. A universal moment to force (M/F) ratio is not recommended due to the variation in patients and loading points. Accurate computational determination of CRe location can be applied in practice to facilitate orthodontic treatment. Global measurement of hydrostatic pressure in the PDL better characterised OTM, implying that OTM occurs only when the majority of PDL volume is critically stressed. The FEA results provide new insights into relevant orthodontic biomechanics and help establish optimal orthodontic force for a specific patient. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  11. Adhesion of bubbles and drops to solid surfaces, and anisotropic surface tensions studied by capillary meniscus dynamometry.

    PubMed

    Danov, Krassimir D; Stanimirova, Rumyana D; Kralchevsky, Peter A; Marinova, Krastanka G; Stoyanov, Simeon D; Blijdenstein, Theodorus B J; Cox, Andrew R; Pelan, Eddie G

    2016-07-01

    Here, we review the principle and applications of two recently developed methods: the capillary meniscus dynamometry (CMD) for measuring the surface tension of bubbles/drops, and the capillary bridge dynamometry (CBD) for quantifying the bubble/drop adhesion to solid surfaces. Both methods are based on a new data analysis protocol, which allows one to decouple the two components of non-isotropic surface tension. For an axisymmetric non-fluid interface (e.g. bubble or drop covered by a protein adsorption layer with shear elasticity), the CMD determines the two different components of the anisotropic surface tension, σs and σφ, which are acting along the "meridians" and "parallels", and vary throughout the interface. The method uses data for the instantaneous bubble (drop) profile and capillary pressure, but the procedure for data processing is essentially different from that of the conventional drop shape analysis (DSA) method. In the case of bubble or drop pressed against a substrate, which forms a capillary bridge, the CBD method allows one to determine also the capillary-bridge force for both isotropic (fluid) and anisotropic (solidified) adsorption layers. The experiments on bubble (drop) detachment from the substrate show the existence of a maximal pulling force, Fmax, that can be resisted by an adherent fluid particle. Fmax can be used to quantify the strength of adhesion of bubbles and drops to solid surfaces. Its value is determined by a competition of attractive transversal tension and repulsive disjoining pressure forces. The greatest Fmax values have been measured for bubbles adherent to glass substrates in pea-protein solutions. The bubble/wall adhesion is lower in solutions containing the protein HFBII hydrophobin, which could be explained with the effect of sandwiched protein aggregates. The applicability of the CBD method to emulsion systems is illustrated by experiments with soybean-oil drops adherent to hydrophilic and hydrophobic substrates in egg yolk solutions. The results reveal how the interfacial rigidity, as well as the bubble/wall and drop/wall adhesion forces, can be quantified and controlled in relation to optimizing the properties of foams and emulsions. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  12. Elastocapillary snapping

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Antkowiak, Arnaud; Fargette, Aurelie; Neukirch, Sebastien

    2010-11-01

    An elastica buckled in the form of an arch is subjected to a transverse force. Above a critical load value, the buckling mode is switched and the elastica takes the form of a reversed arch. This is the well-known snap-through phenomenon which has been extensively studied in solid mechanics. Here, we revisit this phenomenon and show that capillary forces may promote snapping of a buckled polymer strip. We report detailed experiments of this new paradigm for elasto-capillary interactions, and the obtained results are in close agreement with a simple elastic stability theory.

  13. Enhancing separation in short-capillary electrophoresis via pressure-driven backflow.

    PubMed

    Tian, Miaomiao; Wang, Yujia; Mohamed, Amara Camara; Guo, Liping; Yang, Li

    2015-07-01

    We present a novel easy-to-operate and efficient method to improve the separation efficiency in short-capillary electrophoresis by introducing steady backflow to counterbalance electro-osmotic flow without the use of any external pressure. The backflow was easily generated by tapering the capillary end, which was achieved by heating a straight capillary and stretching it with a constant force. We investigated the net fluidic transport rate under different tip lengths and separation voltages. Good run-to-run repeatability and capillary-to-capillary reproducibility of the present method were obtained with RSD less than 1.5%, indicating the stability of the fluid transport rate in the tapered capillary, which ensures the quantification and repeatability of capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) analysis. Enhanced separation of the tapered short capillary electrophoresis was demonstrated by CZE analyzing amino acids and positional isomers. Baseline separations were achieved in less than 60 s using a tapered capillary with the effective length of 5 cm, while no separation was achieved using a normal capillary without a tapered tip. The present study provides a promising method to use pressure-driven backflow to enhance separation efficiency in short-capillary electrophoresis, which would be of potential value in a wide application for fast analysis of complex samples. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  14. Erythrocytes Are Oxygen-Sensing Regulators of the Cerebral Microcirculation.

    PubMed

    Wei, Helen Shinru; Kang, Hongyi; Rasheed, Izad-Yar Daniel; Zhou, Sitong; Lou, Nanhong; Gershteyn, Anna; McConnell, Evan Daniel; Wang, Yixuan; Richardson, Kristopher Emil; Palmer, Andre Francis; Xu, Chris; Wan, Jiandi; Nedergaard, Maiken

    2016-08-17

    Energy production in the brain depends almost exclusively on oxidative metabolism. Neurons have small energy reserves and require a continuous supply of oxygen (O2). It is therefore not surprising that one of the hallmarks of normal brain function is the tight coupling between cerebral blood flow and neuronal activity. Since capillaries are embedded in the O2-consuming neuropil, we have here examined whether activity-dependent dips in O2 tension drive capillary hyperemia. In vivo analyses showed that transient dips in tissue O2 tension elicit capillary hyperemia. Ex vivo experiments revealed that red blood cells (RBCs) themselves act as O2 sensors that autonomously regulate their own deformability and thereby flow velocity through capillaries in response to physiological decreases in O2 tension. This observation has broad implications for understanding how local changes in blood flow are coupled to synaptic transmission. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  15. Capillary channel flow experiments aboard the International Space Station

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Conrath, M.; Canfield, P. J.; Bronowicki, P. M.; Dreyer, M. E.; Weislogel, M. M.; Grah, A.

    2013-12-01

    In the near-weightless environment of orbiting spacecraft capillary forces dominate interfacial flow phenomena over unearthly large length scales. In current experiments aboard the International Space Station, partially open channels are being investigated to determine critical flow rate-limiting conditions above which the free surface collapses ingesting bubbles. Without the natural passive phase separating qualities of buoyancy, such ingested bubbles can in turn wreak havoc on the fluid transport systems of spacecraft. The flow channels under investigation represent geometric families of conduits with applications to liquid propellant acquisition, thermal fluids circulation, and water processing for life support. Present and near future experiments focus on transient phenomena and conduit asymmetries allowing capillary forces to replace the role of gravity to perform passive phase separations. Terrestrial applications are noted where enhanced transport via direct liquid-gas contact is desired.

  16. Fingering and Intermittent Flow in Unsaturated Fractured Porous Media

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Or, D.; Ghezzehei, T. A.

    2003-12-01

    Because of the dominance of gravitational forces over capillary and viscous forces in relatively large fracture apertures, flow processes in unsaturated fractures are considerably different from flow in rock matrix or in unsaturated soils. Additionally, variations in fracture geometry and properties perturb the delicate balance between gravitational, capillary, and viscous forces, leading to liquid fragmentation, fingering and intermittent flows. We developed a quantitative framework for modeling fluid fragmentation and the subsequent flow behavior of discrete fluid elements (slugs). The transition from a slowly growing but stationary liquid cluster to a finger-forming mobile slug in a non horizontal fracture is estimated from the force balance between retarding capillary forces dominated by contact angle hysteresis, and the weight and shape of the cluster. For a steady flux we developed a model for liquid fragmentation within the fracture plane that gives rise to intermittent discharge, as has been observed experimentally. Intermittency is shown to be a result of interplay between capillary, viscous, and gravitational forces, much like internal dripping. Liquid slug size, detachment interval, and travel velocity are dependent primarily on the local fracture-aperture geometry shaping the seed cluster, rock-surface roughness and wetness, and liquid flux feeding the bridge (either by film flow or from the rock matrix). We show that the presence of even a few irregularities in a vertical fracture surface could affect liquid cluster formation and growth, resulting in complicated flux patterns at the fracture bottom. Such chaotic-like behavior has been observed in previous studies involving gravity-driven unsaturated flow. Inferences based on statistical description of fracture-aperture variations and simplified representation of the fragmentation processes yield insights regarding magnitude and frequency of liquid avalanches. The study illustrates that attempts at describing intermittent and preferential flow behavior by adjustment of macroscopic continuum approaches are destined to failure at most local scales. In accordance with recent observations, flow behavior in partially saturated fractures tends to produce highly localize pathways that focus otherwise diffusive fluxes (film flow or matrix seepage).

  17. From catastrophic acceleration to deceleration of liquid plugs in prewetted capillary tubes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Magniez, Juan; Baudoin, Michael; Zoueshtiagh, Farzam; Lemac/Lics Team

    2016-11-01

    Liquid/gas flows in capillaries are involved in a multitude of systems including flow in porous media, petroleum extraction, imbibition of paper or flows in pulmonary airways in pathological conditions. Liquid plugs, witch compose the biphasic flows, can have a dramatic impact on patients with pulmonary obstructive diseases, since they considerably alter the circulation of air in the airways and thus can lead to severe breathing difficulties. Here, the dynamics of liquid plugs in prewetted capillary tube is investigated experimentally and theoretically, with a particular emphasis on the role of the prewetting films and of the driving condition (constant flow rate, constant pressure). For both driving conditions, the plugs can either experience a continuous increase or decrease of their size. While this phenomenon is regular in the case of imposed flow rate, a constant pressure head can lead to a catastrophic acceleration of the plug and eventually its rupture or a dramatic increase of the plug size. A theoretical model is proposed to explain the transition between theses two regimes. These results give a new insight on the critical pressure required for airways obstruction and reopening. IEMN, International Laboratory LEMAC/LICS, UMR CNRS 8520, University of Lille.

  18. The Relationship Between Microscopic Grain Surface Structure and the Dynamic Capillary-Driven Advance of Water Films over Individual Dry Natural Sand Grains

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kibbey, T. C. G.; Adegbule, A.; Yan, S.

    2017-12-01

    The movement of nonvolatile solutes in unsaturated porous media at low water contents depends on transport in surface-associated water films. The focus of the work described here was on studying solute movement in water films advancing by capillary forces over initially-dry grain surfaces, to understand how microscopic surface roughness features influence the initial velocity of water film advance. For this work, water containing a non-adsorbing conservative tracer was used to track the movement of advancing water films. A stainless steel capillary tube connected to an external reservoir a fixed distance below the grain surface was used to transmit solution to the grain surface under negative pressure (positive capillary pressure), consistent with conditions that might be expected in the unsaturated zone. The small internal diameter of the capillary prevents solution from draining out of the capillary back into the reservoir. When the capillary is contacted with a grain surface, capillary forces that result from contact between the fluid and the rough grain surface cause water films to wick across the grain surface. Multiple experiments were conducted on the same grain, rotating the grain and varying the capillary contact point around the circumference of the grain. Imaging was conducted at fixed intervals using an automated Extended Depth of Field (EDF) imaging system, and images were analyzed to determine initial velocity. Grain surfaces were then characterized through scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging, using a hybrid stereoscopic reconstruction method designed to extract maximum detail in creating elevation maps of geologic surfaces from tilted pairs of SEM images. The resulting elevation maps were used to relate surface roughness profiles around the grain with initial velocities. Results suggest that velocity varies significant with contact point around an individual grain, and correlates quantitatively with the local grain surface structure. Preliminary simulation results will also be discussed.

  19. Fast DNA sieving through submicrometer cylindrical glass capillary matrix.

    PubMed

    Cao, Zhen; Yobas, Levent

    2014-01-07

    Here, we report on DNA electrophoresis through a novel artificial sieving matrix based on the highly regular submicrometer cylindrical glass capillary segments alternatingly arranged with wells. Such round capillaries pose a higher-order confinement resulting in a lower partition coefficient and greater entropic energy barrier while limiting the driving field strength to a small fraction of the applied electric field. In return, the separation can be performed at high average field strengths (up to 1.6 kV/cm) without encountering the field-dependent loss of resolving power. This leads to fast DNA sieving as demonstrated here on the capillaries of 750 nm in diameter. The 600 bp to 21 kbp long chains are shown to resolve within 4 min after having undergone a fairly limited number of entropic barriers (128 in total). The capillary matrix also exhibits a critical field threshold below which DNA bands fail to launch, and this occurs at a considerably greater magnitude than in other matrixes. The submicrometer capillaries are batch-fabricated on silicon through a fabrication process that does not require high-resolution advanced lithography or well-controlled wafer bonding techniques to define their critical dimension.

  20. Finite volume solution for two-phase flow in a straight capillary

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yelkhovsky, Alexander; Pinczewski, W. Val

    2018-04-01

    The problem of two-phase flow in straight capillaries of polygonal cross section displays many of the dynamic characteristics of rapid interfacial motions associated with pore-scale displacements in porous media. Fluid inertia is known to be important in these displacements but is usually ignored in network models commonly used to predict macroscopic flow properties. This study presents a numerical model for two-phase flow which describes the spatial and temporal evolution of the interface between the fluids. The model is based on an averaged Navier-Stokes equation and is shown to be successful in predicting the complex dynamics of both capillary rise in round capillaries and imbibition along the corners of polygonal capillaries. The model can form the basis for more realistic network models which capture the effect of capillary, viscous, and inertial forces on pore-scale interfacial dynamics and consequent macroscopic flow properties.

  1. Pressure Profiles in a Loop Heat Pipe Under Gravity Influence

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ku, Jentung

    2015-01-01

    During the operation of a loop heat pipe (LHP), the viscous flow induces pressure drops in various elements of the loop. The total pressure drop is equal to the sum of pressure drops in vapor grooves, vapor line, condenser, liquid line and primary wick, and is sustained by menisci at liquid and vapor interfaces on the outer surface of the primary wick in the evaporator. The menisci will curve naturally so that the resulting capillary pressure matches the total pressure drop. In ground testing, an additional gravitational pressure head may be present and must be included in the total pressure drop when LHP components are placed in a non-planar configuration. Under gravity-neutral and anti-gravity conditions, the fluid circulation in the LHP is driven solely by the capillary force. With gravity assist, however, the flow circulation can be driven by the combination of capillary and gravitational forces, or by the gravitational force alone. For a gravity-assist LHP at a given elevation between the horizontal condenser and evaporator, there exists a threshold heat load below which the LHP operation is gravity driven and above which the LHP operation is capillary force and gravity co-driven. The gravitational pressure head can have profound effects on the LHP operation, and such effects depend on the elevation, evaporator heat load, and condenser sink temperature. This paper presents a theoretical study on LHP operations under gravity neutral, anti-gravity, and gravity-assist modes using pressure diagrams to help understand the underlying physical processes. Effects of the condenser configuration on the gravitational pressure head and LHP operation are also discussed.

  2. A visualization study on two-phase gravity drainage in porous media by using magnetic resonance imaging.

    PubMed

    Teng, Ying; Liu, Yu; Jiang, Lanlan; Song, Yongchen; Zhao, Jiafei; Zhang, Yi; Wang, Dayong

    2016-09-01

    Gravity drainage characteristics are important to improve our understanding of gas-liquid or liquid-liquid two-phase flow in porous media. Stable or unstable displacement fronts that controlled by the capillary force, viscous force, gravitational force, etc., are relevant features of immiscible two-phase flow. In this paper, three dimensionless parameters, namely, the gravity number, the capillary number and the Bond number, were used to describe the effect of the above mentioned forces on two-phase drainage features, including the displacement front and final displacing-phase saturation. A series of experiments on the downward displacement of a viscous fluid by a less viscous fluid in a vertical vessel that is filled with quartz beads are performed by using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The experimental results indicate that the wetting properties at both high and low capillary numbers exert remarkable control on the fluid displacement. When the contact angle is lower than 90°, i.e., the displaced phase is the wetting phase, the average velocity Vf of the interface of the two phases (displacement front velocity) is observably lower than when the displaced phase is the non-wetting phase (contact angle higher than 90°). The results show that a fingering phenomenon occurs when the gravity number G is less than the critical gravity number G'=Δμ/μg. Moreover, the higher Bond number results in higher final displacing-phase saturation, whereas the capillary number has an opposite effect. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  3. Pressure Profiles in a Loop Heat Pipe under Gravity Influence

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ku, Jentung

    2015-01-01

    During the operation of a loop heat pipe (LHP), the viscous flow induces pressure drops in various elements of the loop. The total pressure drop is equal to the sum of pressure drops in vapor grooves, vapor line, condenser, liquid line and primary wick, and is sustained by menisci at liquid and vapor interfaces on the outer surface of the primary wick in the evaporator. The menisci will curve naturally so that the resulting capillary pressure matches the total pressure drop. In ground testing, an additional gravitational pressure head may be present and must be included in the total pressure drop when LHP components are placed in a non-planar configuration. Under gravity-neutral and anti-gravity conditions, the fluid circulation in the LHP is driven solely by the capillary force. With gravity assist, however, the flow circulation can be driven by the combination of capillary and gravitational forces, or by the gravitational force alone. For a gravity-assist LHP at a given elevation between the horizontal condenser and evaporator, there exists a threshold heat load below which the LHP operation is gravity driven and above which the LHP operation is capillary force and gravity co-driven. The gravitational pressure head can have profound effects on the LHP operation, and such effects depend on the elevation, evaporator heat load, and condenser sink temperature. This paper presents a theoretical study on LHP operations under gravity-neutral, anti-gravity, and gravity-assist modes using pressure diagrams to help understand the underlying physical processes. Effects of the condenser configuration on the gravitational pressure head and LHP operation are also discussed.

  4. Vacuum scanning capillary photoemission microscopy.

    PubMed

    Aseyev, S A; Cherkun, A P; Mironov, B N; Petrunin, V V; Chekalin, S V

    2017-08-01

    We demonstrate the use of a conical capillary in a scanning probe microscopy for surface analysis. The probe can measure photoemission from a substrate by transmitting photoelectrons along the capillary as a function of probe position. The technique is demonstrated on a model substrate consisting of a gold reflecting layer on a compact disc which has been illuminated by an unfocused laser beam with a wavelength 400nm, from a femtosecond laser with a beam size of 4mm. A quartz capillary with a 2-µm aperture has been used in the experiments. The period of gold microstructure, shown to be 1.6µ, was measured by the conical probe operating in shear force mode. In shear force regime, the dielectric capillary has been used as a "classical" SPM tip, which provided images reflecting the surface topology. In a photoelectron regime photoelectrons passed through hollow tip and entered a detector. The spatial distribution of the recorded photoelectrons consisted of periodic mountain-valley strips, resembling the surface profile of the sample. Submicron spatial resolution has been achieved. This approach paves the way to study pulsed photodesorption of large organic molecular ions with high spatial and element resolution using the combination of a hollow-tip scanner with time-of-flight technique. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  5. Hysteresis of the Contact Angle of a Meniscus Inside a Capillary with Smooth, Homogeneous Solid Walls.

    PubMed

    Kuchin, Igor V; Starov, Victor M

    2016-05-31

    A theory of contact angle hysteresis of a meniscus inside thin capillaries with smooth, homogeneous solid walls is developed in terms of surface forces (disjoining/conjoining pressure isotherm) using a quasi-equilibrium approach. The disjoining/conjoining pressure isotherm includes electrostatic, intermolecular, and structural components. The values of the static receding θr, advancing θa, and equilibrium θe contact angles in thin capillaries were calculated on the basis of the shape of the disjoining/conjoining pressure isotherm. It was shown that both advancing and receding contact angles depend on the capillary radius. The suggested mechanism of the contact angle hysteresis has a direct experimental confirmation: the process of receding is accompanied by the formation of thick β-films on the capillary walls. The effect of the transition from partial to complete wetting in thin capillaries is predicted and analyzed. This effect takes place in very thin capillaries, when the receding contact angle decreases to zero.

  6. Protein vs electrolytes and all of the Starling forces.

    PubMed

    Peters, R M; Hargens, A R

    1981-10-01

    Hemodilution-induced reductions of the intravascular protein concentration in patients and experimental animals with intact capillaries do not lead to pulmonary edema, despite significant increases in the amount of extravascular water in the systemic interstitial space. The protective factors are a drop in the extravascular concentration of protein, a rise in interstitial tissue pressure, and an increase in lymph flow. If the capillary endothelium is damaged, protein leaks into the extravascular space, and protein infusion has a diminished effect on fluid exchange across the capillary. Whether capillaries are intact or injured, prevention of increases in capillary hydrostatic pressure is the most important factor in preventing pulmonary edema. Administration of hypertonic fluids may provide a useful method of limiting total fluid infusion and reducing cell swelling after blood loss.

  7. Combined effect of moisture and electrostatic charges on powder flow

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rescaglio, Antonella; Schockmel, Julien; Vandewalle, Nicolas; Lumay, Geoffroy

    2017-06-01

    It is well known in industrial applications involving powders and granular materials that the relative air humidity and the presence of electrostatic charges influence drastically the material flowing properties. The relative air humidity induces the formation of capillary bridges and modify the grain surface conductivity. The presence of capillary bridges produces cohesive forces. On the other hand, the apparition of electrostatic charges due to the triboelectric effect at the contacts between the grains and at the contacts between the grains and the container produces electrostatic forces. Therefore, in many cases, the powder cohesiveness is the result of the interplay between capillary and electrostatic forces. Unfortunately, the triboelectric effect is still poorly understood, in particular inside a granular material. Moreover, reproducible electrostatic measurements are difficult to perform. We developed an experimental device to measures the ability of a powder to charge electrostatically during a flow in contact with a selected material. Both electrostatic and flow measurements have been performed in different hygrometric conditions. The correlation between the powder electrostatic properties, the hygrometry and the flowing behavior are analyzed.

  8. Arrays of ferromagnetic nanorings with variable thickness fabricated by capillary force lithography.

    PubMed

    Lee, Su Yeon; Jeong, Jong-Ryul; Kim, Shin-Hyun; Kim, Sarah; Yang, Seung-Man

    2009-11-03

    A new promising strategy is reported for the fabrication of ferromagnetic nanoring arrays with novel geometrical features through the use of capillary force lithography and subsequent reactive ion etching. In particular, we fabricated two different types of elliptic rings with variable width and height: one with pinching zones near the major axes and the other with pinching zones near the minor axes. We used PDMS stamps with either elliptic hole or antihole arrays for creating these elliptic rings with variable thickness by virtue of the uneven capillary rise, which was induced by the distributed Laplace pressure around the walls of elliptic holes or antiholes with nonuniform local curvatures. We transferred the polymer ring patterns to array of elliptical NiFe rings by Ar ion milling and characterized magnetic properties in terms of nonuniform ring width using magnetic force microscopy measurements. Our results demonstrated that the magnetic domain wall can be positioned in a controlled manner by using these novel elliptical ferromagnetic rings with local pinching zones and that the proposed CFL method can be utilized as a simple and effective fabrication tool.

  9. Assembly of live micro-organisms on microstructured PDMS stamps by convective/capillary deposition for AFM bio-experiments

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dague, E.; Jauvert, E.; Laplatine, L.; Viallet, B.; Thibault, C.; Ressier, L.

    2011-09-01

    Immobilization of live micro-organisms on solid substrates is an important prerequisite for atomic force microscopy (AFM) bio-experiments. The method employed must immobilize the cells firmly enough to enable them to withstand the lateral friction forces exerted by the tip during scanning but without denaturing the cell interface. In this work, a generic method for the assembly of living cells on specific areas of substrates is proposed. It consists in assembling the living cells within the patterns of microstructured, functionalized poly-dimethylsiloxane (PDMS) stamps using convective/capillary deposition. This versatile approach is validated by applying it to two systems of foremost importance in biotechnology and medicine: Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeasts and Aspergillus fumigatus fungal spores. We show that this method allows multiplexing AFM nanomechanical measurements by force spectroscopy on S. cerevisiae yeasts and high-resolution AFM imaging of germinated Aspergillus conidia in buffer medium. These two examples clearly demonstrate the immense potential of micro-organism assembly on functionalized, microstructured PDMS stamps by convective/capillary deposition for performing rigorous AFM bio-experiments on living cells.

  10. Flow Modification Induced by Quincke Rotation in a Capillary

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cebers, A.; Lemaire, E.; Lobry, L.

    When particles immersed in a semi-insulating liquid are submitted to a sufficiently high DC field, they can rotate spontaneously around any axis perpendicular to the field (Quincke rotation). Recently we have shown that due to Quincke effect the effective viscosity of a colloidal suspension could be reduced. When the suspension is submitted to a shear, the particles rotation is amplified by the electric torque and drives the suspending liquid. For a flow in a capillary, this effect manifests itself by an increase of the flow rate. We present the results of our experiments carried out with a rectangular cross section capillary. These results are compared with the direct determination of the apparent viscosity in a Couette flow rheometer.

  11. Polymer microfluidic device replacing fluids using only capillary force

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chung, Kwang Hyo; Lee, Dae Sik; Yang, Haesik; Kim, Sung Jin; Pyo, Hyun Bong

    2005-02-01

    A novel polymer microfluidic device for self-wash using only capillary force is presented. A liquid filled in a reaction chamber is replaced by another liquid with no external actuation. All the fluidic actuations in the device is pre-programmed about time and sequence, and accomplished by capillary force naturally. Careful design is necessary for exact actions. The fluidic conduits were designed by the newly derived theoretical equations about the capillary stop pressure and flow time. Simulations using CFD-ACE+ were conducted to check the validity of theory and the performance of the chip. These analytic results were consistent with experimental ones. The chip was made of polymers for the purpose of single use and low price. It was fabricated by sealing the hot-embossed PMMA substrate with a PET film. For simpler fabrication, the chip was of a single height. The embossing master was produced from a nickel-electroplating on a SU8-patterned Ni-plate followed by CMP. The contact angles of liquids on substrates were manipulated through the mixing of surfactants, and the temporal variations were monitored for a more exact design. The real actuation steps in experiment revealed the stable performance of selfwash, and coincided well with the designed ones. The presented microfluidic method can be applicable to other LOCs of special purposes through simple modification. For example, array or serial types would be possible for multiple selfwashes.

  12. Modeling capillary bridge dynamics and crack healing between surfaces of nanoscale roughness

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Soylemez, Emrecan; de Boer, Maarten P.

    2017-12-01

    Capillary bridge formation between adjacent surfaces in humid environments is a ubiquitous phenomenon. It strongly influences tribological performance with respect to adhesion, friction and wear. Only a few studies, however, assess effects due to capillary dynamics. Here we focus on how capillary bridge evolution influences crack healing rates. Experimental results indicated a logarithmic decrease in average crack healing velocity as the energy release rate increases. Our objective is to model that trend. We assume that capillary dynamics involve two mechanisms: capillary bridge growth and subsequently nucleation followed by growth. We show that by incorporating interface roughness details and the presence of an adsorbed water layer, the behavior of capillary force dynamics can be understood quantitatively. We identify three important regimes that control the healing process, namely bridge growth, combined bridge growth and nucleation, and finally bridge nucleation. To fully capture the results, however, the theoretical model for nucleation time required an empirical modification. Our model enables significant insight into capillary bridge dynamics, with a goal of attaining a predictive capability for this important microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) reliability failure mechanism.

  13. Electromagnetic liquid pistons for capillarity-based pumping

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Malouin, Bernard; Olles, Joseph; Cheng, Lili; Hirsa, Amir; Vogel, Michael

    2011-11-01

    Two adjoining ferrofluid droplets can behave as an electronically-controlled oscillator or switch by an appropriate balance of magnetic, capillary, and inertial forces. Their motion can be exploited to displace a surrounding liquid, forming electromagnetic liquid pistons. Such ferrofluid pistons can pump a precise volume of liquid via finely tunable amplitudes or resonant frequencies with no solid moving parts. Here we demonstrate the use of these liquid pistons in capillarity-dominated systems for variable focal distance liquid lenses with nearly perfect spherical interfaces. These liquid/liquid lenses feature many promising qualities not previously realized together in a liquid lens, including large apertures, immunity to evaporation, invariance to orientation relative to gravity, and low driving voltages. The dynamics of these liquid pistons is examined, with experimental measurements showing good agreement with a spherical cap model. A centimeter-scale lens was shown to respond in excess of 30 Hz, with resonant frequencies over 1 kHz predicted for scaled down systems.

  14. Jumping of water striders on water

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yang, Eunjin; Son, Jaehak; Jablonski, Piotr; Kim, Ho-Young

    2012-11-01

    Small insects such as water striders, springtails, fishing spiders freely move on water by adopting various modes of locomotion, such as rowing, galloping, jumping and meniscus-climbing. As the physics of jumping have not yet been fully understood among those ways of semi-aquatic propulsion, here we present the results of a combined experimental and theoretical investigation of the dynamics of water striders leaping off water. We first image and analyze the trajectories of the legs and body of jumping water striders of three different species with a high-speed camera. We then theoretically compute the forces acting on the body by considering the capillary interaction between the flexible legs and deforming water meniscus. Our theory enables us to predict the maximum take-off speed for given leg lengths. The experimental measurements suggest that the water striders drive their legs near the optimal speed to gain the maximum take-off speed.

  15. A self-powered, one-step chip for rapid, quantitative and multiplexed detection of proteins from pinpricks of whole blood†

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Jun; Ahmad, Habib; Ma, Chao; Shi, Qihui; Vermesh, Ophir; Vermesh, Udi; Heath, James

    2012-01-01

    We describe an automated, self-powered chip based on lateral flow immunoassay for rapid, quantitative, and multiplex protein detection from pinpricks of whole blood. The device incorporates on-chip purification of blood plasma by employing inertial forces to focus blood cells away from the assay surface, where plasma proteins are captured and detected on antibody “barcode” arrays. Power is supplied from the capillary action of a piece of adsorbent paper, and sequentially drives, over a 40 minute period, the four steps required to capture serum proteins and then develop a multiplex immunoassay. An 11 protein panel is assayed from whole blood, with high sensitivity and high reproducibility. This inexpensive, self-contained, and easy to operate chip provides a useful platform for point-of-care diagnoses, particularly in resource-limited settings. PMID:20924527

  16. Plethora of transitions during breakup of liquid filaments

    PubMed Central

    Castrejón-Pita, José Rafael; Castrejón-Pita, Alfonso Arturo; Thete, Sumeet Suresh; Sambath, Krishnaraj; Hutchings, Ian M.; Hinch, John; Lister, John R.; Basaran, Osman A.

    2015-01-01

    Thinning and breakup of liquid filaments are central to dripping of leaky faucets, inkjet drop formation, and raindrop fragmentation. As the filament radius decreases, curvature and capillary pressure, both inversely proportional to radius, increase and fluid is expelled with increasing velocity from the neck. As the neck radius vanishes, the governing equations become singular and the filament breaks. In slightly viscous liquids, thinning initially occurs in an inertial regime where inertial and capillary forces balance. By contrast, in highly viscous liquids, initial thinning occurs in a viscous regime where viscous and capillary forces balance. As the filament thins, viscous forces in the former case and inertial forces in the latter become important, and theory shows that the filament approaches breakup in the final inertial–viscous regime where all three forces balance. However, previous simulations and experiments reveal that transition from an initial to the final regime either occurs at a value of filament radius well below that predicted by theory or is not observed. Here, we perform new simulations and experiments, and show that a thinning filament unexpectedly passes through a number of intermediate transient regimes, thereby delaying onset of the inertial–viscous regime. The new findings have practical implications regarding formation of undesirable satellite droplets and also raise the question as to whether similar dynamical transitions arise in other free-surface flows such as coalescence that also exhibit singularities. PMID:25825761

  17. Bubble dynamics in microchannels: inertial and capillary migration forces

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rivero-Rodriguez, Javier; Scheid, Benoit

    2018-05-01

    This work focuses on the dynamics of a train of unconfined bubbles flowing in microchan- nels. We investigate the transverse position of a train of bubbles, its velocity and the associated pressure drop when flowing in a microchannel depending on the internal forces due to viscosity, inertia and capillarity. Despite the small scales of the system, inertia, referred to as inertial migration force, play a crucial role in determining the transverse equilibrium position of the bubbles. Beside inertia and viscosity, other effects may also affect the transverse migration of bubbles such as the Marangoni surface stresses and the surface deformability. We look at the influence of surfactants in the limit of infinite Marangoni effect which yields rigid bubble interface. The resulting migration force may balance external body forces if present such as buoyancy, Dean or magnetic ones. This balance not only determines the transverse position of the bubbles but, consequently, the surrounding flow structure, which can be determinant for any mass/heat transfer process involved. Finally, we look at the influence of the bubble deformation on the equilibrium position and compare it to the inertial migration force at the centred position, explaining the stable or unstable character of this position accordingly. A systematic study of the influence of the parameters - such as the bubble size, uniform body force, Reynolds and capillary numbers - has been carried out using numerical simulations based on the Finite Element Method, solving the full steady Navier-Stokes equations and its asymptotic counterpart for the limits of small Reynolds and/or capillary numbers.

  18. Magneto-capillary valve for integrated purification and enrichment of nucleic acids and proteins.

    PubMed

    den Dulk, Remco C; Schmidt, Kristiane A; Sabatté, Gwénola; Liébana, Susana; Prins, Menno W J

    2013-01-07

    We describe the magneto-capillary valve (MCV) technology, a flexible approach for integrated biological sample preparation within the concept of stationary microfluidics. Rather than moving liquids in a microfluidic device, discrete units of liquid are present at fixed positions in the device and magnetic particles are actuated between the fluids. The MCV concept is characterized by the use of two planar surfaces at a capillary mutual distance, with specific features to confine the fluids by capillary forces, and the use of a gas or a phase-change material separating the stationary aqueous liquids. We have studied the physics of magneto-capillary valving by quantifying the magnetic force as a function of time and position, which reveals the balance of magnetic, capillary and frictional forces in the system. By purification experiments with a fluorescent tracer we have measured the amount of co-transported liquid, which is a key parameter for efficient purification. To demonstrate the versatility of the technology, several MCV device architectures were tested in a series of biological assays, showing the purification and enrichment of nucleic acids and proteins. Target recovery comparable to non-miniaturized commercial kits was observed for the extraction of DNA from human cells in buffer, using a device architecture with patterned air valves. Experiments using an enrichment module and patterned air valves demonstrate a 40-fold effective enrichment of DNA in buffer. DNA was also successfully purified from blood plasma using paraffin phase-change valves. Finally, the enrichment of a protein biomarker (prostate-specific antigen) using geometrical air valves resulted in a 7-fold increase of detection signal. The MCV technology is versatile, offers extensive freedom for the design of fully integrated systems, and is expected to be manufacturable in a cost-effective way. We conclude that the MCV technology can become an important enabling technology for point-of-care systems with sample in-result out performance.

  19. Using Molecular Dynamics Simulation to Reinforce Student Understanding of Intermolecular Forces

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Burkholder, Phillip R.; Purser, Gordon H.; Cole, Renee S.

    2008-01-01

    Intermolecular forces play an important role in many aspects of chemistry ranging from inorganic to biological chemistry. These forces dictate molecular conformation, species aggregation (including self-assembly), trends in solubility and boiling points, adsorption characteristics, viscosity, phase changes, surface tension, capillary action, vapor…

  20. Effect of capillary forces on the nonstationary fall of a drop in an infinite fluid

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Antanovskii, L. K.

    1991-12-01

    An explicit solution is presented for the linear problem concerning the motion of a drop in an infinite fluid in the presence of any number of surfactants (chemical reactions are not considered in the first approximation). It is shown that the behavior of the system considered is consistent with the Le Chatelier principle. The reactivity of the capillary forces is directly related to the fundamental principles of thermodynamics, which makes it possible to write equations of surfactant thermodiffusion in symmetric form and obtain a relatively simple solution to the linearized problem.

  1. Self-similarity and scaling transitions during rupture of thin free films of Newtonian fluids

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Thete, Sumeet Suresh; Anthony, Christopher; Doshi, Pankaj; Harris, Michael T.; Basaran, Osman A.

    2016-09-01

    Rupture of thin liquid films is crucial in many industrial applications and nature such as foam stability in oil-gas separation units, coating flows, polymer processing, and tear films in the eye. In some of these situations, a liquid film may have two free surfaces (referred to here as a free film or a sheet) as opposed to a film deposited on a solid substrate that has one free surface. The rupture of such a free film or a sheet of a Newtonian fluid is analyzed under the competing influences of inertia, viscous stress, van der Waals pressure, and capillary pressure by solving a system of spatially one-dimensional evolution equations for film thickness and lateral velocity. The dynamics close to the space-time singularity where the film ruptures is asymptotically self-similar and, therefore, the problem is also analyzed by reducing the transient partial differential evolution equations to a corresponding set of ordinary differential equations in similarity space. For sheets with negligible inertia, it is shown that the dominant balance of forces involves solely viscous and van der Waals forces, with capillary force remaining negligible throughout the thinning process in a viscous regime. On the other hand, for a sheet of an inviscid fluid for which the effect of viscosity is negligible, it is shown that the dominant balance of forces is between inertial, capillary, and van der Waals forces as the film evolves towards rupture in an inertial regime. Real fluids, however, have finite viscosity. Hence, for real fluids, it is further shown that the viscous and the inertial regimes are only transitory and can only describe the initial thinning dynamics of highly viscous and slightly viscous sheets, respectively. Moreover, regardless of the fluid's viscosity, it is shown that for sheets that initially thin in either of these two regimes, their dynamics transition to a late stage or final inertial-viscous regime in which inertial, viscous, and van der Waals forces balance each other while capillary force remains negligible, in accordance with the results of Vaynblat, Lister, and Witelski.

  2. Measuring piconewton forces with micropipette suction and its application to the flow and adhesion of individual neutrophils

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shao, Jin-Yu

    A versatile technique for measuring piconewton forces, based upon a micropipette manipulation system and low Reynolds number hydrodynamics, was established. Spherical cells or beads can be used directly as force transducers, and the force resolution is determined by the diameter of the micropipette that contains the transducer and the accuracy of the pressure measurements. The strength of the technique is in its simplicity and its ability to measure forces between cells without requiring the use of a solid surface. Here, it was employed to study: (1) The adhesion between human neutrophils and antibody-coated latex beads. Three antibodies, directed against three receptors on the neutrophil surface (CD62L, CD18 and CD45), were used. It was found that CD62L could be more easily extracted from the neutrophil surface than CD18, while the anchorage of CD45 was much stronger than that of CD62L or CD18. The logarithm of the adhesion lifetime showed a linear dependence upon the force applied to the adherent neutrophil. The association energy of CD62L or CD18 with the membrane and the cytoskeleton is equivalent to that for about fourteen hydrogen bonds. From the experiments with CD45, the natural lengths of neutrophil microvilli were inferred (˜0.3 mum). According to the force applied on their tips, microvilli can be either extended to constant lengths or pulled out to form membrane tethers. The characteristic time of microvillus extension is ˜0.83 s and the minimum force required to form a tether from neutrophils is ˜45 pN. (2) The resistance to flow of individual human neutrophils in glass capillary tubes with diameters between 4.65 and 7.75 μm. With the aid of a theory that describes the motion of a concentric, smooth-walled, sausage-shaped body in a tube, the maximum gap width in the larger capillary tubes was calculated to be on the order of 0.1 mum, whereas the minimum gap width in the smaller capillaries was only about 0.015 mum. Maximum values for the adhesive force caused by the static friction were on the order of 80 pN. These data show that even a single white cell entirely within a capillary can cause a significant increase in the resistance to flow.

  3. Water movement in glass bead porous media: 1. Experiments of capillary rise and hysteresis

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lu, T. X.; Biggar, J. W.; Nielsen, D. R.

    1994-12-01

    Experimental observations of capillary rise and hysteresis of water or ethanol in glass beads are presented to improve our understanding of those physical processes in porous media. The results provide evidence that capillary rise into porous media cannot be fully explained by a model of cylinders. They further demonstrate that the "Ink bottle" model does not provide an adequate explanation of hysteresis. Glass beads serving as a model for ideal soil are enclosed in a rectangular glass chamber model. A TV camera associated with a microscope was used to record the processes of capillary rise and drainage. It is clearly shown during capillary rise that the fluid exhibits a "jump" behavior at the neck of the pores in an initially dry profile or at the bottom of the water film in an initially wet profile. Under an initially dry condition, the jump initiates at the particle with smallest diameter. The jump process continues to higher elevations until at equilibrium the surface tensile force is balanced by the hydrostatic force. The wetting front at that time is readily observed as flat and saturated. Under an initially wet condition, capillary rise occurs as a water film thickening process associated with the jump process. Trapped air behind the wetting front renders the wetting front irregular and unsaturated. The capillary rise into an initially wet porous medium can be higher than that into an initially dry profile. During the drying process, large surface areas associated with the gas-liquid interface develop, allowing the porous medium to retain more water than during the wetting process at the same pressure. That mechanism explains better the hysteresis phenomenon in porous media in contrast to other mechanisms that now prevail.

  4. Conditions for fluid separations in microchannels, capillary-driven fluid separations, and laminated devices capable of separating fluids

    DOEpatents

    TeGrotenhuis, Ward E [Kennewick, WA; Stenkamp, Victoria S [Richland, WA

    2005-04-05

    Methods of separating fluids using capillary forces and/or improved conditions for are disclosed. The improved methods may include control of the ratio of gas and liquid Reynolds numbers relative to the Suratman number. Also disclosed are wick-containing, laminated devices that are capable of separating fluids.

  5. Conditions for fluid separations in microchannels, capillary-driven fluid separations, and laminated devices capable of separating fluids

    DOEpatents

    TeGrotenhuis, Ward E [Kennewick, WA; Stenkamp, Victoria S [Richland, WA

    2008-03-18

    Methods of separating fluids using capillary forces and/or improved conditions for are disclosed. The improved methods may include control of the ratio of gas and liquid Reynolds numbers relative to the Suratman number. Also disclosed are wick-containing, laminated devices that are capable of separating fluids.

  6. An aluminum heat sink and radiator for electrophoresis capillaries.

    PubMed

    Rapp, T L; Morris, M D

    1996-12-15

    An aluminum heat sink and radiator are used with forced air cooling of an electrophoresis capillary. Theoretical analyses of the operating limits and heat dissipation characteristics are presented. A system designed for power dissipation as high as 5 W is shown to dissipate heat efficiently and to operate without arcing at voltages higher than 30 kV.

  7. Visualization and quantification of two-phase flow in transparent miniature packed beds

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhu, Peixi; Papadopoulos, Kyriakos D.

    2012-10-01

    Optical microscopy was used to visualize the flow of two phases [British Petroleum (BP) oil and an aqueous surfactant phase] in confined space, three-dimensional, transparent, natural porous media. The porous media consisted of water-wet cryolite grains packed inside cylindrical, glass microchannels, thus producing microscopic packed beds. Primary drainage of BP oil displacing an aqueous surfactant phase was studied at capillary numbers that varied between 10-6 and 10-2. The confinement space had a significant effect on the flow behavior. Phenomena of burst motion and capillary fingering were observed for low capillary numbers due to the domination of capillary forces. It was discovered that breakthrough time and capillary number bear a log-log scale linear relationship, based on which a generalized correlation between oil travel distance x and time t was found empirically.

  8. Visualization and quantification of two-phase flow in transparent miniature packed beds.

    PubMed

    Zhu, Peixi; Papadopoulos, Kyriakos D

    2012-10-01

    Optical microscopy was used to visualize the flow of two phases [British Petroleum (BP) oil and an aqueous surfactant phase] in confined space, three-dimensional, transparent, natural porous media. The porous media consisted of water-wet cryolite grains packed inside cylindrical, glass microchannels, thus producing microscopic packed beds. Primary drainage of BP oil displacing an aqueous surfactant phase was studied at capillary numbers that varied between 10(-6) and 10(-2). The confinement space had a significant effect on the flow behavior. Phenomena of burst motion and capillary fingering were observed for low capillary numbers due to the domination of capillary forces. It was discovered that breakthrough time and capillary number bear a log-log scale linear relationship, based on which a generalized correlation between oil travel distance x and time t was found empirically.

  9. The application of multilayer elastic beam in MEMS safe and arming system

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Li, Guozhong, E-mail: liguozhong-bit@bit.edu.cn; Shi, Gengchen; Sui, Li

    In this paper, a new approach for a multilayer elastic beam to provide a driving force and driving distance for a MEMS safe and arming system is presented. In particular this is applied where a monolayer elastic beam cannot provide adequate driving force and driving distance at the same time in limited space. Compared with thicker elastic beams, the bilayer elastic beam can provide twice the driving force of a monolayer beam to guarantee the MEMS safe and arming systems work reliably without decreasing the driving distance. In this paper, the theoretical analysis, numerical simulation and experimental verification of themore » multilayer elastic beam is presented. The numerical simulation and experimental results show that the bilayer elastic provides 1.8–2 times the driving force of a monolayer, and a method that improves driving force without reducing the driving distance.« less

  10. Asymmetric and speed-dependent contact angle hysteresis and relaxation of a suddenly stopped moving contact line

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Guan, Dongshi; Wang, Yong Jian; Charlaix, Elisabeth; Tong, Penger

    We report direct atomic-force-microscope measurements of capillary force hysteresis and relaxation of a circular moving contact line (CL) formed on a long micron-sized hydrophobic fiber intersecting a water-air interface. The measured capillary force hysteresis and CL relaxation show a strong asymmetric speed dependence in the advancing and receding directions. A unified model based on force-assisted barrier-crossing is utilized to find the underlying energy barrier Eb and size λ associated with the defects on the fiber surface. The experiment demonstrates that the pinning (relaxation) and depinning dynamics of the CL can be described by a common microscopic frame-work, and the advancing and receding CLs are influenced by two different sets of relatively wetting and non-wetting defects on the fiber surface. Work supported in part by the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong SAR.

  11. Direct numerical simulation of gas-solid-liquid flows with capillary effects: An application to liquid bridge forces between spherical particles.

    PubMed

    Sun, Xiaosong; Sakai, Mikio

    2016-12-01

    In this study, a numerical method is developed to perform the direct numerical simulation (DNS) of gas-solid-liquid flows involving capillary effects. The volume-of-fluid method employed to track the free surface and the immersed boundary method is adopted for the fluid-particle coupling in three-phase flows. This numerical method is able to fully resolve the hydrodynamic force and capillary force as well as the particle motions arising from complicated gas-solid-liquid interactions. We present its application to liquid bridges among spherical particles in this paper. By using the DNS method, we obtain the static bridge force as a function of the liquid volume, contact angle, and separation distance. The results from the DNS are compared with theoretical equations and other solutions to examine its validity and suitability for modeling capillary bridges. Particularly, the nontrivial liquid bridges formed in triangular and tetrahedral particle clusters are calculated and some preliminary results are reported. We also perform dynamic simulations of liquid bridge ruptures subject to axial stretching and particle motions driven by liquid bridge action, for which accurate predictions are obtained with respect to the critical rupture distance and the equilibrium particle position, respectively. As shown through the simulations, the strength of the present method is the ability to predict the liquid bridge problem under general conditions, from which models of liquid bridge actions may be constructed without limitations. Therefore, it is believed that this DNS method can be a useful tool to improve the understanding and modeling of liquid bridges formed in complex gas-solid-liquid flows.

  12. Effect of ultrasonic capillary dynamics on the mechanics of thermosonic ball bonding.

    PubMed

    Huang, Yan; Shah, Aashish; Mayer, Michael; Zhou, Norman Y; Persic, John

    2010-01-01

    Microelectronic wire bonding is an essential step in today's microchip production. It is used to weld (bond) microwires to metallized pads of integrated circuits using ultrasound with hundreds of thousands of vibration cycles. Thermosonic ball bonding is the most popular variant of the wire bonding process and frequently investigated using finite element (FE) models that simplify the ultrasonic dynamics of the process with static or quasistatic boundary conditions. In this study, the ultrasonic dynamics of the bonding tool (capillary), made from Al(2)O(3), is included in a FE model. For more accuracy of the FE model, the main material parameters are measured. The density of the capillary was measured to be rho(cap) = 3552 +/- 100 kg/m(3). The elastic modulus of the capillary, E(cap) = 389 +/- 11 GPa, is found by comparing an auxiliary FE model of the free vibrating capillary with measured values. A capillary "nodding effect" is identified and found to be essential when describing the ultrasonic vibration shape. A main FE model builds on these results and adds bonded ball, pad, chip, and die attach components. There is excellent agreement between the main model and the ultrasonic force measured at the interface on a test chip with stress microsensors. Bonded ball and underpad stress results are reported. When adjusted to the same ultrasonic force, a simplified model without ultrasonic dynamics and with an infinitely stiff capillary tip is substantially off target by -40% for the maximum underpad stress. The compliance of the capillary causes a substantial inclination effect at the bonding interface between wire and pad. This oscillating inclination effect massively influences the stress fields under the pad and is studied in more detail. For more accurate results, it is therefore recommended to include ultrasonic dynamics of the bonding tool in mechanical FE models of wire bonding.

  13. Critical Velocities in Open Capillary Flow

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Dreyer, Michael; Langbein, Dieter; Rath, Hans J.

    1996-01-01

    This paper describes the proposed research program on open capillary flow and the preliminary work performed theoretically and in drop tower experiments. The work focuses on the fundamental physical understanding of the flow through capillary bound geometries, where the circumference of the cross section of the flow path contains free surfaces. Examples for such a flow configuration are capillary vanes in surface tension tanks, flow along edges and corners and flow through liquid bridges. The geometries may be classified by their cross section areas, wetted circumferences and the radii of curvature of the free surfaces. In the streaming float zone the flow path is bound by a free surface only. The ribbon vane is a model for vane types used in surface tension tanks, where a structure in proximity to the tank wall forms a capillary gap. A groove is used in heat pipes for the transportation of the condensed working fluid to the heat source and a wedge may occur in a spaceborne experiment where fluid has to be transported by the means of surface tension. The research objectives are the determination of the maximum volume flux, the observation of the free surfaces and the liquid flow inside the flow path as well as the evaluation of the limiting capillary wave speed. The restriction of the maximum volume flux is due to convective forces (flow velocity exceeding the capillary wave speed) and/or viscous forces, i.e. the viscous head loss along the flow path must be compensated by the capillary pressure due to the curved free surface. Exceeding the maximum volume flux leads to the choking of the flow path, thus the free surface collapses and.gas ingestion occurs at the outlet. The means are ground-based experimental work with plateau tanks and in a drop tower, a sounding rocket flight, and theoretical analysis with integral balances as well as full three dimensional CFD solutions for flow with free surfaces.

  14. Transport, manipulation, and reaction of biological cells on-chip using electrokinetic effects.

    PubMed

    Li, P C; Harrison, D J

    1997-04-15

    A microfluidic system was fabricated on a glass chip to study mobilization of biological cells on-chip. Electroosmotic and/or electrophoretic pumping were used to drive the cell transport within a network of capillary channels. Whole cells such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, canine erythrocyte, and Escherichia coli were employed in this work. Photographs are presented to illustrate how cells are selected and transported from one location to another within the capillary network, with velocities up to about 0.5 mm/s in capillaries with a 15- x 55-microns cross section. The mixing of canine erythrocytes with the lysing agent sodium dodecyl sulfate, at an intersection within the chip, was performed to demonstrate that cell selection and subsequent reaction can be accomplished within the microchip.

  15. Glenohumeral contact force during flat and topspin tennis forehand drives.

    PubMed

    Blache, Yoann; Creveaux, Thomas; Dumas, Raphaël; Chèze, Laurence; Rogowski, Isabelle

    2017-03-01

    The primary role of the shoulder joint in tennis forehand drive is at the expense of the loadings undergone by this joint. Nevertheless, few studies investigated glenohumeral (GH) contact forces during forehand drives. The aim of this study was to investigate GH compressive and shearing forces during the flat and topspin forehand drives in advanced tennis players. 3D kinematics of flat and topspin forehand drives of 11 advanced tennis players were recorded. The Delft Shoulder and Elbow musculoskeletal model was implemented to assess the magnitude and orientation of GH contact forces during the forehand drives. The results showed no differences in magnitude and orientation of GH contact forces between the flat and topspin forehand drives. The estimated maximal GH contact force during the forward swing phase was 3573 ± 1383 N, which was on average 1.25 times greater than during the follow-through phase, and 5.8 times greater than during the backswing phase. Regardless the phase of the forehand drive, GH contact forces pointed towards the anterior-superior part of the glenoid therefore standing for shearing forces. Knowledge of GH contact forces during real sport tasks performed at high velocity may improve the understanding of various sport-specific adaptations and causative factors for shoulder problems.

  16. Experimental study on nonmonotonicity of Capillary Desaturation Curves in a 2-D pore network

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rodríguez de Castro, Antonio; Shokri, Nima; Karadimitriou, Nikolaos; Oostrom, Mart; Joekar-Niasar, Vahid

    2015-10-01

    Immiscible displacement in porous media is important in many applications such as soil remediation and enhanced oil recovery. When gravitational forces are negligible, two-phase immiscible displacement at the pore level is controlled by capillary and viscous forces whose relative importance is quantified through the dimensionless capillary number Ca and the viscosity ratio M between liquid phases. Depending on the values of Ca and M, capillary fingering, viscous fingering, or stable displacement may be observed resulting in a variety of patterns affecting the phase entrapment. The Capillary Desaturation Curve (CDC), which represents the relationship between the residual oil saturation and Ca, is an important relation to describe the phase entrapment at a given Ca. In the present study, we investigated the CDC as influenced by the viscosity ratio. To do so, we have conducted a comprehensive series of experiments using a high-resolution microscope and state-of-art micromodels to investigate the dynamics and patterns of phase entrapment at different Ca and M. By postprocessing of the experimental high-resolution images, we calculated the CDC and quantified the effects of the Ca and M on the phase entrapment and number of blobs trapped in the micromodel and their size distributions during immiscible two-phase flow. Our results show that CDCs are not necessarily monotonic for all M, and the physical mechanisms causing this nonmonotonic behavior are discussed.

  17. Ultraflexible nanostructures and implications for future nanorobots

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cohn, Robert W.; Panchapakesan, Balaji

    2016-05-01

    Several high aspect ratio nanostructures have been made by capillary force directed self-assembly including polymeric nanofiber air-bridges, trampoline-like membranes, microsphere-beaded nanofibers, and intermetallic nanoneedles. Arrays of polymer air-bridges form in seconds by simply hand brushing a bead of polymeric liquid over an array of micropillars. The domination of capillary force that is thinning unstable capillary bridges leads to uniform arrays of nanofiber air-bridges. Similarly, arrays of vertically oriented Ag2Ga nanoneedles have been formed by dipping silvercoated arrays of pyramidal silicon into melted gallium. Force-displacement measurements of these structures are presented. These nanostructures, especially when compressively or torsionally buckled, have extremely low stiffnesses, motion due to thermal fluctuations that is relatively easily detected, and the ability to move great distances for very small changes in applied force. Nanofibers with bead-on-a-string structure, where the beads are micron diameter and loaded with magnetic iron oxide (maghemite), are shown to be simply viewable under optical microscopes, have micronewton/ m stiffness, and have ultralow torsional stiffnesses enabling the bead to be rotated numerous revolutions without breaking. Combination of these high aspect ratio structures with stretched elastomers offer interesting possibilities for robotic actuation and locomotion. Polydimethylsiloxane loaded with nanomaterials, e.g. nanotubes, graphene or MoS2, can be efficiently heated with directed light. Heating produces considerable force through the thermoelastic effect, and this force can be used for continuous translation or to trigger reversible elastic buckling of the nanostructures. The remote stimulation of motion with light provides a possible mechanism for producing cooperative behavior between swarms of semiautonomous nanorobots.

  18. Instability of the capillary bridge

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pare, Gounseti; Hoepffner, Jerome

    2014-11-01

    Capillary adhesion is a physical mechanism that maintains two bodies in contact by capillarity through a liquid ligament. The capillary bridge is an idealization of this capillary adhesion. In this study we first focus on the classical case of the stability of the capillary bridge. Secondly we study a slightly more complex configuration, imagining a flow in the capillary bridge as in the case of the dynamics of the neck of a liquid ligament, in its withdrawal under the effect of capillarity. Inspired by the experiments on soap films of Plateau, the configuration analyzed consists of an initially axisymmetric, mass of fluid held by surface tension forces between two parallel, coaxial, solid pipes of the same diameter. The results presented are obtained by numerical simulations using the free software, Gerris Flow Solver. We first focus on the capillary Venturi. In the static configuration the stability diagram of the capillary bridge obtained is in perfect agreement with the results of Lev A. Slobozhanin. In the dynamic case we develop a matlab code based on the one dimensional equations of Eggers and Dupont. The comparison of the bifurcation diagram obtained and the numerical simulations shows a good agreement.

  19. Friction phenomena and phase transition in the underdamped two-dimensional Frenkel-Kontorova model

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yang, Yang; Duan, Wen-Shan; Chen, Jian-Min; Yang, Lei; Tekić, Jasmina; Shao, Zhi-Gang; Wang, Cang-Long

    2010-11-01

    Locked-to-sliding phase transition has been studied in the driven two-dimensional Frenkel-Kontorova model with the square symmetric substrate potential. It is found that as the driving force increases, the system transfers from the locked state to the sliding state where the motion of particles is in the direction different from that of driving force. With the further increase in driving force, at some critical value, the particles start to move in the direction of driving force. These two critical forces, the static friction or depinning force, and the kinetic friction force for which particles move in the direction of driving force have been analyzed for different system parameters. Different scenarios of phase transitions have been examined and dynamical phases are classified. In the case of zero misfit angle, the analytical expressions for static and kinetic friction force have been obtained.

  20. Effect of a powered drive on pushing and pulling forces when transporting bariatric hospital beds.

    PubMed

    Wiggermann, Neal

    2017-01-01

    Powered drives designed to assist with moving hospital beds are commercially available but no studies have evaluated whether they reduce the push and pull forces likely contributing to injury in caregivers. This study measured hand forces of 10 caregivers maneuvering a manual and powered bariatric bed through simulated hospital environments (hallway, elevator, and ramp). Peak push and pull forces exceeded previously established psychophysical limits for all activities with the manual bed. For the powered bed, peak forces were significantly (p < 0.05) lower for all tasks, and below psychophysical limits. Powered drive reduced peak forces between 38% (maneuvering into elevator) and 94% (descending ramp). Powered drive also reduced stopping distance by 55%. When maneuvering, the integral of hand force was 34% lower with powered drive, but average forces during straight-line pushing did not differ between beds. Powered drive may reduce the risk of injury or the number of caregivers needed for transport. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  1. Scaling of wet granular flows in a rotating drum

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jarray, Ahmed; Magnanimo, Vanessa; Ramaioli, Marco; Luding, Stefan

    2017-06-01

    In this work, we investigate the effect of capillary forces and particle size on wet granular flows and we propose a scaling methodology that ensures the conservation of the bed flow. We validate the scaling law experimentally by using different size glass beads with tunable capillary forces. The latter is obtained using mixtures of ethanol-water as interstitial liquid and by increasing the hydrophobicity of glass beads with an ad-hoc silanization procedure. The scaling methodology in the flow regimes considered (slipping, slumping and rolling) yields similar bed flow for different particle sizes including the angle of repose that normally increases when decreasing the particle size.

  2. Non-contact printing of optical waveguides using capillary bridges.

    PubMed

    Theiler, Pius M; Lütolf, Fabian; Ferrini, Rolando

    2018-04-30

    Non-contact printing methods such as inkjet, electro hydrodynamic, and aerosol printing have attracted attention for their precise deposition of functional materials that are needed in printed electronics, optoelectronics, photonics, biotechnology, and microfluidics. In this article, we demonstrate printing of tapered optical waveguides with losses of 0.61 ± 0.26 dB/cm, with the best performing structure achieving 0.19 dB/cm. Such continuous features are indispensable for successfully printing functional patterns, but they are often corrupted by capillary forces. The proposed inkjet printing method uses these forces to align liquid bridges into continuous features, enabling the printing of smooth lines on substrates with arbitrary contact angles.

  3. Targeted drug delivery to the brain using magnetic nanoparticles.

    PubMed

    Thomsen, Louiza Bohn; Thomsen, Maj Schneider; Moos, Torben

    2015-01-01

    Brain capillary endothelial cells denote the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and conjugation of nanoparticles with antibodies that target molecules expressed by these endothelial cells may facilitate their uptake and transport into the brain. Magnetic nanoparticles can be encapsulated in liposomes and carry large molecules with therapeutic potential, for example, siRNA, cDNA and polypeptides. An additional approach to enhance the transport of magnetic nanoparticles across the BBB is the application of extracranially applied magnetic force. Stepwise targeting of magnetic nanoparticles to brain capillary endothelial cells followed by transport through the BBB using magnetic force may prove a novel mechanism for targeted therapy of macromolecules to the brain.

  4. The Phillips Laboratory capillary pumped loop test facility

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gluck, Donald F.; Kaylor, Marc C.

    1996-03-01

    An ammonia capillary pumped loop (CPL) test facility has been designed, fabricated, subject to acceptance tests, and assembled at Phillips Laboratory. Its intent is to support a wide range of Air Force programs, bringing CPL technology to flight readiness for operational systems. The facility provides a high degree of modularity and flexibility with several heating and cooling options, and capability for elevation (+/- 15 in.), tilt (+/-60°) and transport length variation. It has a 182 by 44 by 84 inch envelope, an expected heat load capability of 2500 W, and a temperature range of 0 to 50 °C. The evaporator section has two plates with four capillary pumps (CPs) each, with a starter pump on one plate. The CPs are 5/8 in., with TAG aluminum 6063-T6 casing and UHMW polyethylene wicks. The active lengths are 15 and 30 inch with both 10 and 15 micron wicks. The individual CPs have thermal and hydraulic isolation capability, and are removable. The transport section consists of stainless steel lines in a serpentine configuration, a 216 in3 free volume reservoir, and a mechanical pump. The vapor transport line contains a capillary device (which can be bypassed) for vapor blockage during startup. The condenser consists of two separately valved, parallel cold plates each with a downstream noncondensible gas trap. Cooling of up to 1500 W at -50 °C is provided by an FTS Systems chiller using Flourinert FC-72. An enclosure/exhaust system is provided for safety and emergency venting of ammonia. An ammonia charge station performs or supports the functions of proof pressure, flushing with ammonia, purging with gaseous nitrogen, evacuation of all or part of the CPL to 20 microns, and charging. Instrumentation consists of over 116 thermocouples, five of which are internal; one absolute and six differential pressure transducers; eleven watt transducers, and a reservoir load cell. The data acquisition system consists of a temperature scanner, Bernoulli drive, and two Macintosh computers using LabView software. Data scanning and storage as rapid as once every three seconds for thermocouples and once per 0.6 seconds for transducers is supported.

  5. Functional expression of P2X4 receptor in capillary endothelial cells of the cochlear spiral ligament and its role in regulating the capillary diameter.

    PubMed

    Wu, T; Dai, M; Shi, X R; Jiang, Z G; Nuttall, A L

    2011-07-01

    The cochlear lateral wall generates the endocochlear potential (EP), which creates a driving force for the hair cell transduction current and is essential for normal hearing. Blood flow at the cochlear lateral wall is critically important for maintaining the EP. The vulnerability of the EP to hypoxia suggests that the blood flow in the cochlear lateral wall is dynamically and precisely regulated to meet the changing metabolic needs of the cochlear lateral wall. It has been reported that ATP, an important extracellular signaling molecule, plays an essential role in regulating cochlear blood flow. However, the cellular mechanism underlying ATP-induced regional blood flow changes has not been investigated. In the current study, we demonstrate that 1) the P2X4 receptor is expressed in endothelial cells (ECs) of spiral ligament (SL) capillaries. 2) ATP elicits a characteristic current through P2X4 on ECs in a dose-dependent manner (EC(50) = 0.16 mM). The ATP current has a reversal potential at ∼0 mV; is inhibited by 5-(3-bromophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-benzofuro[3,2-e]-1,4-diazepin-2-one (5-BDBD), LaCl(3), pyridoxal phosphate-6-azo(benzene-2,4-disulfonic acid) tetrasodium salt hydrate (PPADS), and extracellular acidosis; and is less sensitive to α,β-methyleneadenosine 5'-triphosphate (α,β-MeATP) and 2'- and 3'-O-(4-benzoyl-benzoyl) adenosine 5'-triphosphate (BzATP). 3) ATP elicits a transient increase of intracellular Ca(2+) in ECs. 4) In accordance with the above in vitro findings, perilymphatic ATP (1 mM) caused dilation in SL capillaries in vivo by 11.5%. N(ω)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (l-NAME), a nonselective inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, or 5-BDBD, the specific P2X4 inhibitor, significantly blocked the dilation. These findings support our hypothesis that extracellular ATP regulates cochlear lateral blood flow through P2X4 activation in ECs.

  6. Surfactants non-monotonically modify the onset of Faraday waves

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Strickland, Stephen; Shearer, Michael; Daniels, Karen

    2017-11-01

    When a water-filled container is vertically vibrated, subharmonic Faraday waves emerge once the driving from the vibrations exceeds viscous dissipation. In the presence of an insoluble surfactant, a viscous boundary layer forms at the contaminated surface to balance the Marangoni and Boussinesq stresses. For linear gravity-capillary waves in an undriven fluid, the surfactant-induced boundary layer increases the amount of viscous dissipation. In our analysis and experiments, we consider whether similar effects occur for nonlinear Faraday (gravity-capillary) waves. Assuming a finite-depth, infinite-breadth, low-viscosity fluid, we derive an analytic expression for the onset acceleration up to second order in ɛ =√{ 1 / Re } . This expression allows us to include fluid depth and driving frequency as parameters, in addition to the Marangoni and Boussinesq numbers. For millimetric fluid depths and driving frequencies of 30 to 120 Hz, our analysis recovers prior numerical results and agrees with our measurements of NBD-PC surfactant on DI water. In both case, the onset acceleration increases non-monotonically as a function of Marangoni and Boussinesq numbers. For shallower systems, our model predicts that surfactants could decrease the onset acceleration. DMS-0968258.

  7. Plethora of transitions during breakup of liquid filaments

    DOE PAGES

    Castrejón-Pita, José Rafael; Castrejón-Pita, Alfonso Arturo; Thete, Sumeet Suresh; ...

    2015-03-30

    Thinning and breakup of liquid filaments are central to dripping of leaky faucets, inkjet drop formation, and raindrop fragmentation. As the filament radius decreases, curvature and capillary pressure, both inversely proportional to radius, increase and fluid is expelled with increasing velocity from the neck. As the neck radius vanishes, the governing equations become singular and the filament breaks. In slightly viscous liquids, thinning initially occurs in an inertial regime where inertial and capillary forces balance. By contrast, in highly viscous liquids, initial thinning occurs in a viscous regime where viscous and capillary forces balance. As the filament thins, viscous forcesmore » in the former case and inertial forces in the latter become important, and theory shows that the filament approaches breakup in the final inertial–viscous regime where all three forces balance. However, previous simulations and experiments reveal that transition from an initial to the final regime either occurs at a value of filament radius well below that predicted by theory or is not observed. In this paper, we perform new simulations and experiments, and show that a thinning filament unexpectedly passes through a number of intermediate transient regimes, thereby delaying onset of the inertial–viscous regime. Finally, the new findings have practical implications regarding formation of undesirable satellite droplets and also raise the question as to whether similar dynamical transitions arise in other free-surface flows such as coalescence that also exhibit singularities.« less

  8. Driving Force of Plasma Bullet in Atmospheric-Pressure Plasma

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yambe, Kiyoyuki; Masuda, Seiya; Kondo, Shoma

    2018-06-01

    When plasma is generated by applying high-voltage alternating current (AC), the driving force of the temporally and spatially varying electric field is applied to the plasma. The strength of the driving force of the plasma at each spatial position is different because the electrons constituting the atmospheric-pressure nonequilibrium (cold) plasma move at a high speed in space. If the force applied to the plasma is accelerated only by the driving force, the plasma will be accelerated infinitely. The equilibrium between the driving force and the restricting force due to the collision between the plasma and neutral particles determines the inertial force and the drift velocity of the plasma. Consequently, the drift velocity depends on the strength of the time-averaged AC electric field. The pressure applied by the AC electric field equilibrates with the plasma pressure. From the law of conservation of energy, the pressure equilibrium is maintained by varying the drift velocity of the plasma.

  9. The Texas horned lizard as model for robust capillary structures for passive directional transport of cooling lubricants

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Comanns, Philipp; Winands, Kai; Pothen, Mario; Bott, Raya A.; Wagner, Hermann; Baumgartner, Werner

    2016-04-01

    Moisture-harvesting lizards, such as the Texas horned lizard Phrynosoma cornutum, have remarkable adaptations for inhabiting arid regions. Special skin structures, in particular capillary channels in between imbricate overlapping scales, enable the lizard to collect water by capillarity and to transport it to the snout for ingestion. This fluid transport is passive and directional towards the lizard's snout. The directionality is based on geometric principles, namely on a periodic pattern of interconnected half-open capillary channels that narrow and widen. Following a biomimetic approach, these principles were transferred to technical prototype design and manufacturing. Capillary structures, 50 μm to 300 μm wide and approx. 70 μm deep, were realized by use of a pulsed picosecond laser in hot working tool steel, hardened to 52 HRC. In order to achieve highest functionality, strategies were developed to minimize potential structural inaccuracies, which can occur at the bottom of the capillary structures caused by the laser process. Such inaccuracies are in the range of 10 μm to 15 μm and form sub-capillary structures with greater capillary forces than the main channels. Hence, an Acceleration Compensation Algorithm was developed for the laser process to minimize or even avoid these inaccuracies. The capillary design was also identified to have substantial influence; by a hexagonal capillary network of non-parallel capillaries potential influences of sub-capillaries on the functionality were reduced to realize a robust passive directional capillary transport. Such smart surface structures can lead to improvements of technical systems by decreasing energy consumption and increasing the resource efficiency.

  10. Probing the micro-rheological properties of aerosol particles using optical tweezers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Power, Rory M.; Reid, Jonathan P.

    2014-07-01

    The use of optical trapping techniques to manipulate probe particles for performing micro-rheological measurements on a surrounding fluid is well-established. Here, we review recent advances made in the use of optical trapping to probe the rheological properties of trapped particles themselves. In particular, we review observations of the continuous transition from liquid to solid-like viscosity of sub-picolitre supersaturated solution aerosol droplets using optical trapping techniques. Direct measurements of the viscosity of the particle bulk are derived from the damped oscillations in shape following coalescence of two particles, a consequence of the interplay between viscous and surface forces and the capillary driven relaxation of the approximately spheroidal composite particle. Holographic optical tweezers provide a facile method for the manipulation of arrays of particles allowing coalescence to be controllably induced between two micron-sized aerosol particles. The optical forces, while sufficiently strong to confine the composite particle, are several orders of magnitude weaker than the capillary forces driving relaxation. Light, elastically back-scattered by the particle, is recorded with sub-100 ns resolution allowing measurements of fast relaxation (low viscosity) dynamics, while the brightfield image can be used to monitor the shape relaxation extending to times in excess of 1000 s. For the slowest relaxation dynamics studied (particles with the highest viscosity) the presence and line shape of whispering gallery modes in the cavity enhanced Raman spectrum can be used to infer the relaxation time while serving the dual purpose of allowing the droplet size and refractive index to be measured with accuracies of ±0.025% and ±0.1%, respectively. The time constant for the damped relaxation can be used to infer the bulk viscosity, spanning from the dilute solution limit to a value approaching that of a glass, typically considered to be >1012 Pa s, whilst the frequencies of the normal modes of the oscillations of the particle can be used to infer surface properties. We will review the use of optical tweezers for studying the viscosity of aerosol particles and discuss the potential use of this micro-rheological tool for probing the fundamental concepts of phase, thermodynamic equilibrium and metastability.

  11. Effects of gas adsorption isotherm and liquid contact angle on capillary force for sphere-on-flat and cone-on-flat geometries.

    PubMed

    Hsiao, Erik; Marino, Matthew J; Kim, Seong H

    2010-12-15

    This paper explains the origin of the vapor pressure dependence of the asperity capillary force in vapor environments. A molecular adsorbate layer is readily formed on solid surface in ambient conditions unless the surface energy of the solid is low enough and unfavorable for vapor adsorption. Then, the capillary meniscus formed around the solid asperity contact should be in equilibrium with the adsorbate layer, not with the bare solid surface. A theoretical model incorporating the vapor adsorption isotherm into the solution of the Young-Laplace equation is developed. Two contact geometries--sphere-on-flat and cone-on-flat--are modeled. The calculation results show that the experimentally-observed strong vapor pressure dependence can be explained only when the adsorption isotherm of the vapor on the solid surface is taken into account. The large relative partial pressure dependence mainly comes from the change in the meniscus size due to the presence of the adsorbate layer. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  12. A new approach for the calculation of falling droplets from a cylindrical glass capillary based on force balance and velocity

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hummel, Sebastian; Bogner, Martin; Haub, Michael; Saegebarth, Joachim; Sandmaier, Hermann

    2017-11-01

    This paper presents a new simple analytical method to estimate the properties of falling droplets without solving complex differential equations. The derivation starts from the balance of forces and uses Newton’s second law and the equations of motion to calculate the volume of growing and detaching droplets and the time between two successive droplets falling out of a thin cylindrical capillary of borosilicate glass. In this specific case the reservoir is located above the capillary and the hydrostatic pressure of the fluid level leads to drop formation times about one second. In the second part of this paper experimental results are presented to validate the introduced calculation method. It is shown that the new approach describes the measuring results within a deviation of ±6.2%. The third part of the paper sums up the advantages of the new approach and an outlook is given on how the research on this topic will be continued.

  13. Elastocapillarity: When Surface Tension Deforms Elastic Solids

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bico, José; Reyssat, Étienne; Roman, Benoît

    2018-01-01

    Although negligible at large scales, capillary forces may become dominant for submillimetric objects. Surface tension is usually associated with the spherical shape of small droplets and bubbles, wetting phenomena, imbibition, or the motion of insects at the surface of water. However, beyond liquid interfaces, capillary forces can also deform solid bodies in their bulk, as observed in recent experiments with very soft gels. Capillary interactions, which are responsible for the cohesion of sandcastles, can also bend slender structures and induce the bundling of arrays of fibers. Thin sheets can spontaneously wrap liquid droplets within the limit of the constraints dictated by differential geometry. This review aims to describe the different scaling parameters and characteristic lengths involved in elastocapillarity. We focus on three main configurations, each characterized by a specific dimension: three-dimensional (3D), deformations induced in bulk solids; 1D, bending and bundling of rod-like structures; and 2D, bending and stretching of thin sheets. Although each configuration deserves a detailed review, we hope our broad description provides a general view of elastocapillarity.

  14. Fabrication of self-enclosed nanochannels based on capillary-pressure balance mechanism

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kou, Yu; Sang, Aixia; Li, Xin; Wang, Xudi

    2017-10-01

    Polymer-based micro/nano fluidic devices are becoming increasingly important to biological applications and fluidic control. In this paper, we propose a self-enclosure method for the fabrication of large-area nanochannels without external force by using a capillary-pressure balance mechanism. The melt polymer coated on the nanogrooves fills into the trenches inevitably and the air in the trenches is not excluded but compressed, which leads to an equilibrium state between pressure of the trapped air and capillary force of melt polymer eventually, resulting in the channels’ formation. A pressure balance model was proposed to elucidate the unique self-sealing phenomenon and the criteria for the design and construction of sealed channels was discussed. According to the bonding mechanism investigated using the volume of fluid (VOF) simulation and experiments, we can control the dimension of sealed channels by varying the baking condition. This fabrication technique has great potential for low-cost and mass production of polymeric-based micro/nano fluidic devices.

  15. On/off switching of capillary vessel flow controls mitochondrial and glycolysis pathways for energy production.

    PubMed

    Abo, Toru; Watanabe, Mayumi; Tomiyama, Chikako; Kanda, Yasuhiro

    2014-07-01

    Capillary vessel flow in the base of the fingernail can be observed by microscopy. This flow is switched off under some conditions, such as coldness, surprise, and anger and is switched on again under other conditions, such as warming, relaxation, and mild exercise. In other words, capillary vessels perform two functions: switching flow on and off. It is speculated that the switch-off function is necessary to direct energy production to the glycolysis pathway, while the switch-on function is necessary for the mitochondrial pathway. This is because glycolysis takes place under anaerobic conditions, while oxidative phosphorylation in the mitochondria proceeds under aerobic conditions in the body. To switch off circulation, the negative electric charges on the surface of erythrocytes and the capillary wall may be decreased by stimulation of the sympathetic nerves and secretion of steroid hormones. Negative charge usually acts as repulsive force between erythrocytes and between erythrocytes and the capillary wall. By decreasing the negative charge, erythrocytes can aggregate and also adhere to the capillary wall. These behaviors may be related to the capillary flow switch-off function. Here, it is emphasized that the capillary vessels possess not only a switch-on function but also a switch-off function for circulation. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  16. Investigation of energy dissipation due to contact angle hysteresis in capillary effect

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Athukorallage, Bhagya; Iyer, Ram

    2016-06-01

    Capillary action or Capillarity is the ability of a liquid to flow in narrow spaces without the assistance of, and in opposition to, external forces like gravity. Three effects contribute to capillary action, namely, adhesion of the liquid to the walls of the confining solid; meniscus formation; and low Reynolds number fluid flow. We investigate the dissipation of energy during one cycle of capillary action, when the liquid volume inside a capillary tube first increases and subsequently decreases while assuming quasi-static motion. The quasi-static assumption allows us to focus on the wetting phenomenon of the solid wall by the liquid and the formation of the meniscus. It is well known that the motion of a liquid on an non-ideal surface involves the expenditure of energy due to contact angle hysteresis. In this paper, we derive the equations for the menisci and the flow rules for the change of the contact angles for a liquid column in a capillary tube at a constant temperature and volume by minimizing the Helmholtz free energy using calculus of variations. We describe the numerical solution of these equations and present results from computations for the case of a capillary tube with 1 mm diameter.

  17. 2D VARIABLY SATURATED FLOWS: PHYSICAL SCALING AND BAYESIAN ESTIMATION

    EPA Science Inventory

    A novel dimensionless formulation for water flow in two-dimensional variably saturated media is presented. It shows that scaling physical systems requires conservation of the ratio between capillary forces and gravity forces. A direct result of this finding is that for two phys...

  18. Transition from a beads-on-string to a spike structure in an electrified viscoelastic jet

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Fang; Yin, Xie-Yuan; Yin, Xie-Zhen

    2017-02-01

    A one-dimensional numerical simulation is performed to study the nonlinear behaviors of a perfectly conducting, slightly viscoelastic liquid jet under a large radial electric field. A singular spike structure different from a beads-on-string structure is detected. The electric field is found to be the key factor for the formation of spikes. The transition from a beads-on-string to a spike structure occurs at sufficiently large electric fields. Moreover, the transition occurs more easily for smaller wave numbers. Viscosity is found to suppress spikes while elasticity promotes them. The mechanism responsible for spike formation is further explored by examining the maximum radius of the jet in the beads-on-string case. The capillary and electrostatic forces prove to be dominant in droplets, and the transition takes place when the electrostatic force exceeds the capillary force. The self-similarity in spikes is discussed. Different from the transition moment, the inertial, electrostatic, and solvent viscous forces are important in a developed spike.

  19. Surface capillary currents: Rediscovery of fluid-structure interaction by forced evolving boundary theory

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Chunbai; Mitra, Ambar K.

    2016-01-01

    Any boundary surface evolving in viscous fluid is driven with surface capillary currents. By step function defined for the fluid-structure interface, surface currents are found near a flat wall in a logarithmic form. The general flat-plate boundary layer is demonstrated through the interface kinematics. The dynamics analysis elucidates the relationship of the surface currents with the adhering region as well as the no-slip boundary condition. The wall skin friction coefficient, displacement thickness, and the logarithmic velocity-defect law of the smooth flat-plate boundary-layer flow are derived with the advent of the forced evolving boundary method. This fundamental theory has wide applications in applied science and engineering.

  20. Demonstration of Nautilus Centripetal Capillary Condenser Technology

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wheeler, RIchard; Tang, Linh; Wambolt, Spencer; Golliher, Eric; Agui, Juan

    2016-01-01

    This paper describes the results of a proof of concept effort for development of a Nautilus Centripetal Capillary Condenser (NCCC or NC3) used for microgravity compatible water recovery from moist air with integral passive phase separation. Removal of liquid condensate from the air stream exiting a condenser is readily performed here on Earth. In order to perform this function in space however, without gravity or mechanical action, other tactics including utilization of inertial, drag and capillary forces are required. Within the NC3, liquid water forms via condensation on cold condenser surfaces as humid air passes along multiple spiral channels, each in its own plane, all together forming a stacked plate assembly. Non-mechanical inertial forces are employed to transfer condensate, as it forms, via centripetal action to the outer perimeter of each channel. A V-shaped groove, constructed on this outer edge of the spiral channel, increases local capillary forces thereby retaining the liquid. Air drag then pulls the liquid along to a collection region near the center of the device. Dry air produced by each parallel spiral channel is combined in a common orthogonal, out-of-plane conduit passing down the axial center of the stacked device. Similarly, the parallel condensate streams are combined and removed from the condenser/separator through yet another out-of-plane axial conduit. NC3 is an integration of conventional finned condenser operation, combined with static phase separation and capillary transport phenomena. A Mars' transit mission would be a logical application for this technology where gravity is absent and the use of vibrating, energy-intensive, motor-driven centrifugal separators is undesired. Here a vapor stream from either the Heat Melt Compactor or the Carbon dioxide Reduction Assembly, for example, would be dried to a dew point of 10 deg using a passive NC3 condenser/separator with the precious water condensate recycled to the water bus.

  1. Polymerized phospholipid bilayers as permanent coatings for small amine separations using mixed aqueous/organic capillary zone electrophoresis.

    PubMed

    Pei, Lei; Lucy, Charles A

    2012-12-07

    Phospholipid bilayer (SPB) coatings have been used in capillary electrophoresis to reduce the nonspecific adsorption between the capillary wall and cationic analytes. This paper describes the use of the polymerizable lipid 1,2-bis(10,12-tricosadiynoyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (Diyne PC) as a permanent capillary coating. A supported phospholipid bilayer was formed on the capillary walls and polymerization was performed in situ using ultraviolet irradiation. The polymerization reaction was monitored by UV-visible absorbance spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. The EOF of the polymerized Diyne PC coating was moderately suppressed (2.0×10(-4)cm(2)/Vs) compared to a non-polymerized Diyne PC bilayer (0.3×10(-4)cm(2)/Vs), but the stability was improved significantly. Separations of benzylamine, veratrylamine, phenylethylamine and tolyethylamine using a poly Diyne PC coated capillary yielded efficiency of 220,000-370,000 plates/m and peak asymmetry factor 0.48-1.18. Specifically, the poly(Diyne PC) coating provided improved separation resolution in NACE due to the reduced surface adsorption. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  2. Structure of Particle Networks in Capillary Suspensions with Wetting and Nonwetting Fluids

    PubMed Central

    2016-01-01

    The mechanical properties of a suspension can be dramatically altered by adding a small amount of a secondary fluid that is immiscible with the bulk phase. The substantial changes in the strength of these capillary suspensions arise due to the capillary force inducing a percolating particle network. Spatial information on the structure of the particle networks is obtained using confocal microscopy. It is possible, for the first time, to visualize the different types of percolating structures of capillary suspensions in situ. These capillary networks are unique from other types of particulate networks due to the nature of the capillary attraction. We investigate the influence of the three-phase contact angle on the structure of an oil-based capillary suspension with silica microspheres. Contact angles smaller than 90° lead to pendular networks of particles connected with single capillary bridges or clusters comparable to the funicular state in wet granular matter, whereas a different clustered structure, the capillary state, forms for angles larger than 90°. Particle pair distribution functions are obtained by image analysis, which demonstrate differences in the network microstructures. When porous particles are used, the pendular conformation also appears for apparent contact angles larger than 90°. The complex shear modulus can be correlated to these microstructural changes. When the percolating structure is formed, the complex shear modulus increases by nearly three decades. Pendular bridges lead to stronger networks than the capillary state network conformations, but the capillary state clusters are nevertheless much stronger than pure suspensions without the added liquid. PMID:26807651

  3. Driving force of stacking-fault formation in SiC p-i-n diodes.

    PubMed

    Ha, S; Skowronski, M; Sumakeris, J J; Paisley, M J; Das, M K

    2004-04-30

    The driving force of stacking-fault expansion in SiC p-i-n diodes was investigated using optical emission microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The stacking-fault expansion and properties of the partial dislocations were inconsistent with any stress as the driving force. A thermodynamic free energy difference between the perfect and a faulted structure is suggested as a plausible driving force in the tested diodes, indicating that hexagonal polytypes of silicon carbide are metastable at room temperature.

  4. Wall slipping behavior of foam with nanoparticle-armored bubbles and its flow resistance factor in cracks.

    PubMed

    Lv, Qichao; Li, Zhaomin; Li, Binfei; Husein, Maen; Shi, Dashan; Zhang, Chao; Zhou, Tongke

    2017-07-11

    In this work, wall slipping behavior of foam with nanoparticle-armored bubbles was first studied in a capillary tube and the novel multiphase foam was characterized by a slipping law. A crack model with a cuboid geometry was then used to compare with the foam slipping results from the capillary tube and also to evaluate the flow resistance factor of the foam. The results showed that the slipping friction force F FR in the capillary tube significantly increased by addition of modified SiO 2 nanoparticles, and an appropriate power law exponents by fitting F FR vs. Capillary number, Ca, was 1/2. The modified nanoparticles at the surface were bridged together and formed a dense particle "armor" surrounding the bubble, and the interconnected structures of the "armor" with strong steric integrity made the surface solid-like, which was in agreement with the slip regime associated with rigid surface. Moreover, as confirmed by 3D microscopy, the roughness of the bubble surface increased with nanoparticle concentration, which in turn increased the slipping friction force. Compared with pure SDBS foam, SDBS/SiO 2 foam shows excellent stability and high flow resistance in visual crack. The resistance factor of SiO 2 /SDBS foam increased as the wall surface roughness increased in core cracks.

  5. A novel method for calculating the dynamic capillary force and correcting the pressure error in micro-tube experiment.

    PubMed

    Wang, Shuoliang; Liu, Pengcheng; Zhao, Hui; Zhang, Yuan

    2017-11-29

    Micro-tube experiment has been implemented to understand the mechanisms of governing microcosmic fluid percolation and is extensively used in both fields of micro electromechanical engineering and petroleum engineering. The measured pressure difference across the microtube is not equal to the actual pressure difference across the microtube. Taking into account the additional pressure losses between the outlet of the micro tube and the outlet of the entire setup, we propose a new method for predicting the dynamic capillary pressure using the Level-set method. We first demonstrate it is a reliable method for describing microscopic flow by comparing the micro-model flow-test results against the predicted results using the Level-set method. In the proposed approach, Level-set method is applied to predict the pressure distribution along the microtube when the fluids flow along the microtube at a given flow rate; the microtube used in the calculation has the same size as the one used in the experiment. From the simulation results, the pressure difference across a curved interface (i.e., dynamic capillary pressure) can be directly obtained. We also show that dynamic capillary force should be properly evaluated in the micro-tube experiment in order to obtain the actual pressure difference across the microtube.

  6. Spectacularly robust! Tensegrity principle explains the mechanical strength of the avian lung.

    PubMed

    Maina, J N

    2007-01-15

    Among the air-breathing vertebrates, the respiratory system of birds, the lung-air sac system, is remarkably complex and singularly efficient. The most perplexing structural property of the avian lung pertains to its exceptional mechanical strength, especially that of the minuscule terminal respiratory units, the air- and the blood capillaries. In different species of birds, the air capillaries range in diameter from 3 to 20 micro m: the blood capillaries are in all cases relatively smaller. Over and above their capacity to withstand enormous surface tension forces at the air-tissue interface, the air capillaries resist mechanical compression (parabronchial distending pressure) as high as 20 cm H(2)O (2 kPa). The blood capillaries tolerate a pulmonary arterial vascular pressure of 24.1 mmHg (3.2 kPa) and vascular resistance of 22.5 mmHg (3 kPa) without distending. The design of the avian respiratory system fundamentally stems from the rigidity (strength) of the lung. The gas exchanger (the lung) is uncoupled from the ventilator (the air sacs), allowing the lung (the paleopulmonic parabronchi) to be ventilated continuously and unidirectionally by synchronized bellows like action of the air sacs. Since during the ventilation of the lung the air capillaries do not have to be distended (dilated), i.e., surface tension force does not have to be overcome (as would be the case if the lung was compliant), extremely intense subdivision of the exchange tissue was possible. Minuscule terminal respiratory units developed, producing a vast respiratory surface area in a limited lung volume. I make a case that a firm (rigid) rib cage, a lung tightly held by the ribs and the horizontal septum, a lung directly attached to the trunk, specially formed and compactly arranged parabronchi, intertwined atrial muscles, and tightly set air capillaries and blood capillaries form an integrated hierarchy of discrete network system of tension and compression, a tensegrity (tensional integrity) array, which absorbs, transmits, and dissipates stress, stabilizing (strengthening) the lung and its various structural components.

  7. Nonstationary time series prediction combined with slow feature analysis

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, G.; Chen, X.

    2015-01-01

    Almost all climate time series have some degree of nonstationarity due to external driving forces perturbations of the observed system. Therefore, these external driving forces should be taken into account when reconstructing the climate dynamics. This paper presents a new technique of combining the driving force of a time series obtained using the Slow Feature Analysis (SFA) approach, then introducing the driving force into a predictive model to predict non-stationary time series. In essence, the main idea of the technique is to consider the driving forces as state variables and incorporate them into the prediction model. To test the method, experiments using a modified logistic time series and winter ozone data in Arosa, Switzerland, were conducted. The results showed improved and effective prediction skill.

  8. Molecular imprinted polymers for separation science: a review of reviews.

    PubMed

    Cheong, Won Jo; Yang, Song Hee; Ali, Faiz

    2013-02-01

    Molecular imprinted polymer is an artificial receptor made by imprinting molecules of a template in a polymer matrix followed by removing the template molecules via thorough washing to give the permanent template grooves. They show favored affinity to the template molecule compared to other molecules, and this property is the basic driving force for such diverse application of this techniques. Such techniques have been increasingly employed in a wide scope of applications such as chromatography, sample pretreatment, purification, catalysts, sensors, and drug delivery, etc., mostly in bioanalytical areas. A major part of them is related to development of new stationary phases and their application in chromatography and sample pretreatment. Embodiments of molecular imprinted polymer materials have been carried out in a variety of forms such as irregularly ground particles, regular spherical particles, nanoparticles, monoliths in a stainless steel or capillary column, open tubular layers in capillaries, surface attached thin layers, membranes, and composites, etc. There have been numerous review articles on molecular imprinted polymer issues. In this special review, the reviews in recent ca. 10 years will be categorized into several subgroups according to specified topics in separation science, and each review in each subgroup will be introduced in the order of date with brief summaries and comments on new developments and different scopes of prospects. Brief summaries of each categories and conclusive future perspectives are also given. © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  9. Weight-controlled capillary viscometer

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Digilov, Rafael M.; Reiner, M.

    2005-11-01

    The draining of a water column through a vertical discharge capillary tube is examined with the aid of a force sensor. The change of the mass of the liquid in the column with time is found to be not purely exponential as implied by Poiseuille's law. Using observed residuals associated with a kinetic energy correction, an approximate formula for the mass as a function of time is derived and excellent agreement with experimental data is attained. These results are verified by a viscosity test of distilled water at room temperature. A simple and inexpensive weight-controlled capillary viscometer is proposed that is especially suitable for undergraduate physics and chemistry laboratories.

  10. Interfacial Bubble Deformations

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Seymour, Brian; Shabane, Parvis; Cypull, Olivia; Cheng, Shengfeng; Feitosa, Klebert

    Soap bubbles floating at an air-water experience deformations as a result of surface tension and hydrostatic forces. In this experiment, we investigate the nature of such deformations by taking cross-sectional images of bubbles of different volumes. The results show that as their volume increases, bubbles transition from spherical to hemispherical shape. The deformation of the interface also changes with bubble volume with the capillary rise converging to the capillary length as volume increases. The profile of the top and bottom of the bubble and the capillary rise are completely determined by the volume and pressure differences. James Madison University Department of Physics and Astronomy, 4VA Consortium, Research Corporation for Advancement of Science.

  11. Human health and the water environment: using the DPSEEA framework to identify the driving forces of disease.

    PubMed

    Gentry-Shields, Jennifer; Bartram, Jamie

    2014-01-15

    There is a growing awareness of global forces that threaten human health via the water environment. A better understanding of the dynamic between human health and the water environment would enable prediction of the significant driving forces and effective strategies for coping with or preventing them. This report details the use of the Driving Force-Pressure-State-Exposure-Effect-Action (DPSEEA) framework to explore the linkage between water-related diseases and their significant driving forces. The DPSEEA frameworks indicate that a select group of driving forces, including population growth, agriculture, infrastructure (dams and irrigation), and climate change, is at the root cause of key global disease burdens. Construction of the DPSEEA frameworks also allows for the evaluation of public health interventions. Sanitation was found to be a widely applicable and effective intervention, targeting the driver/pressure linkage of most of the water-related diseases examined. Ultimately, the DPSEEA frameworks offer a platform for constituents in both the health and environmental fields to collaborate and commit to a common goal targeting the same driving forces. © 2013.

  12. Physics of self-aligned assembly at room temperature

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dubey, V.; Beyne, E.; Derakhshandeh, J.; De Wolf, I.

    2018-01-01

    Self-aligned assembly, making use of capillary forces, is considered as an alternative to active alignment during thermo-compression bonding of Si chips in the 3D heterogeneous integration process. Various process parameters affect the alignment accuracy of the chip over the patterned binding site on a substrate/carrier wafer. This paper discusses the chip motion due to wetting and capillary force using a transient coupled physics model for the two regimes (that is, wetting regime and damped oscillatory regime) in the temporal domain. Using the transient model, the effect of the volume of the liquid and the placement accuracy of the chip on the alignment force is studied. The capillary time (that is, the time it takes for the chip to reach its mean position) for the chip is directly proportional to the placement offset and inversely proportional to the viscosity. The time constant of the harmonic oscillations is directly proportional to the gap between the chips due to the volume of the fluid. The predicted behavior from transient simulations is next experimentally validated and it is confirmed that the liquid volume and the initial placement affect the final alignment accuracy of the top chip on the bottom substrate. With statistical experimental data, we demonstrate an alignment accuracy reaching <1 μm.

  13. A novel model for simulating the racing effect in capillary-driven underfill process in flip chip

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhu, Wenhui; Wang, Kanglun; Wang, Yan

    2018-04-01

    Underfill is typically applied in flip chips to increase the reliability of the electronic packagings. In this paper, the evolution of the melt-front shape of the capillary-driven underfill flow is studied through 3D numerical analysis. Two different models, the prevailing surface force model and the capillary model based on the wetted wall boundary condition, are introduced to test their applicability, where level set method is used to track the interface of the two phase flow. The comparison between the simulation results and experimental data indicates that, the surface force model produces better prediction on the melt-front shape, especially in the central area of the flip chip. Nevertheless, the two above models cannot simulate properly the racing effect phenomenon that appears during underfill encapsulation. A novel ‘dynamic pressure boundary condition’ method is proposed based on the validated surface force model. Utilizing this approach, the racing effect phenomenon is simulated with high precision. In addition, a linear relationship is derived from this model between the flow front location at the edge of the flip chip and the filling time. Using the proposed approach, the impact of the underfill-dispensing length on the melt-front shape is also studied.

  14. Capillary-Force-Assisted Clean-Stamp Transfer of Two-Dimensional Materials.

    PubMed

    Ma, Xuezhi; Liu, Qiushi; Xu, Da; Zhu, Yangzhi; Kim, Sanggon; Cui, Yongtao; Zhong, Lanlan; Liu, Ming

    2017-11-08

    A simple and clean method of transferring two-dimensional (2D) materials plays a critical role in the fabrication of 2D electronics, particularly the heterostructure devices based on the artificial vertical stacking of various 2D crystals. Currently, clean transfer techniques rely on sacrificial layers or bulky crystal flakes (e.g., hexagonal boron nitride) to pick up the 2D materials. Here, we develop a capillary-force-assisted clean-stamp technique that uses a thin layer of evaporative liquid (e.g., water) as an instant glue to increase the adhesion energy between 2D crystals and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) for the pick-up step. After the liquid evaporates, the adhesion energy decreases, and the 2D crystal can be released. The thin liquid layer is condensed to the PDMS surface from its vapor phase, which ensures the low contamination level on the 2D materials and largely remains their chemical and electrical properties. Using this method, we prepared graphene-based transistors with low charge-neutral concentration (3 × 10 10 cm -2 ) and high carrier mobility (up to 48 820 cm 2 V -1 s -1 at room temperature) and heterostructure optoelectronics with high operation speed. Finally, a capillary-force model is developed to explain the experiment.

  15. Vehicle Dynamics Control of In-wheel Electric Motor Drive Vehicles Based on Averaging of Tire Force Usage

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Masaki, Nobuo; Iwano, Haruo; Kamada, Takayoshi; Nagai, Masao

    For in-wheel electric motor drive vehicles, a new vehicle dynamics control which is based on the tire force usage rate is proposed. The new controller adopts non-linear optimal control could manage the interference between direct yaw-moment control and the tire force usage rate. The new control is considered total longitudinal and transverse tire force. Therefore the controller can prevent tire force saturation near tire force limit during cornering. Simulations and test runs by the custom made four wheel drive in-wheel motor electric vehicle show that higher driving stability performance compared to the performance of the same vehicle without control.

  16. A balanced ATP driving force module for enhancing photosynthetic biosynthesis of 3-hydroxybutyrate from CO2.

    PubMed

    Ku, Jason T; Lan, Ethan I

    2018-03-01

    Using engineered photoautotrophic microorganisms for the direct chemical synthesis from CO 2 is an attractive direction for both sustainability and CO 2 mitigation. However, the behaviors of non-native metabolic pathways may be difficult to control due to the different intracellular contexts between natural and heterologous hosts. While most metabolic engineering efforts focus on strengthening driving forces in pathway design to favor biochemical production in these organisms, excessive driving force may be detrimental to product biosynthesis due to imbalanced cellular intermediate distribution. In this study, an ATP-hydrolysis based driving force module was engineered into cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 to produce 3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB), a valuable chemical feedstock for the synthesis of biodegradable plastics and antibiotics. However, while the ATP driving force module is effective for increasing product formation, uncontrolled accumulation of intermediate metabolites likely led to metabolic imbalance and thus to cell growth inhibition. Therefore, the ATP driving force module was reengineered by providing a reversible outlet for excessive carbon flux. Upon expression of this balanced ATP driving force module with 3HB biosynthesis, engineered strain produced 3HB with a cumulative titer of 1.2 g/L, a significant increase over the initial strain. This result highlighted the importance of pathway reversibility as an effective design strategy for balancing driving force and intermediate accumulation, thereby achieving a self-regulated control for increased net flux towards product biosynthesis. Copyright © 2018 International Metabolic Engineering Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  17. Study of buckling behavior at the nanoscale through capillary adhesion force

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lorenzoni, Matteo; Llobet, Jordi; Perez-Murano, Francesc

    2018-05-01

    This paper presents mechanical actuation experiments performed on ultrathin suspended nanoscale silicon devices presenting Euler buckling. The devices are fabricated by a combination of focused ion beam implantation and selective wet etching. By loading the center of curved nanobeams with an atomic force microscope tip, the beams can be switched from an up-buckled position to the opposite down-buckled configuration. It is possible to describe the entire snap-through process, thanks to the presence of strong capillary forces that act as a physical constraint between the tip and the device. The experiments conducted recall the same behavior of macro- and microscale devices with similar geometry. Curved nanobeams present a bistable behavior, i.e., they are stable in both configurations, up or down-buckled. In addition to that, by the method presented, it is possible to observe the dynamic of a mechanical switch at the nanoscale.

  18. Continuous directional water transport on the peristome surface of Nepenthes alata

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Huawei; Zhang, Pengfei; Zhang, Liwen; Liu, Hongliang; Jiang, Ying; Zhang, Deyuan; Han, Zhiwu; Jiang, Lei

    2016-04-01

    Numerous natural systems contain surfaces or threads that enable directional water transport. This behaviour is usually ascribed to hierarchical structural features at the microscale and nanoscale, with gradients in surface energy and gradients in Laplace pressure thought to be the main driving forces. Here we study the prey-trapping pitcher organs of the carnivorous plant Nepenthes alata. We find that continuous, directional water transport occurs on the surface of the ‘peristome’—the rim of the pitcher—because of its multiscale structure, which optimizes and enhances capillary rise in the transport direction, and prevents backflow by pinning in place any water front that is moving in the reverse direction. This results not only in unidirectional flow despite the absence of any surface-energy gradient, but also in a transport speed that is much higher than previously thought. We anticipate that the basic ‘design’ principles underlying this behaviour could be used to develop artificial fluid-transport systems with practical applications.

  19. Long waves in parallel flow in Hele-Shaw cells

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Zeybek, M.; Yortsos, Y.C.

    During the past several years the flow of immiscible flow in Hele-Shaw cells and porous media has been investigated extensively. Of particular interest to most studies has been frontal displacement, specifically viscous fingering instabilities and finger growth. The practical ramifications regarding oil recovery, as well as many other industrial processes in porous media, have served as the primary driving force for most of these investigations. By contrast, little attention has been paid to the motion of lateral fluid interface, which are parallel to the main flow direction. Parallel flow is an often encountered, although much overlooked regime. The evolution ofmore » fluid interfaces in parallel flow in Hele-Shaw cells is studied both theoretically and experimentally in the large capillary number limit. It is shown that such interfaces support wave motion, the amplitude of which for long waves is governed by the KdV equation. Experiments are conducted in a long Hele-Shaw cell that validate the theory in the symmetric case. 35 refs., 16 figs.« less

  20. Theoretical research of helium pulsating heat pipe under steady state conditions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xu, D.; Liu, H. M.; Li, L. F.; Huang, R. J.; Wang, W.

    2015-12-01

    As a new-type heat pipe, pulsating heat pipe (PHP) has several outstanding features, such as great heat transport ability, strong adjustability, small size and simple construction. PHP is a complex two-phase flow system associated with many physical subjects and parameters, which utilizes the pressure and temperature changes in volume expansion and contraction during phase changes to excite the pulsation motion of liquid plugs and vapor bubbles in the capillary tube between the evaporator and the condenser. At present time, some experimental investigation of helium PHP have been done. However, theoretical research of helium PHP is rare. In this paper, the physical and mathematical models of operating mechanism for helium PHP under steady state are established based on the conservation of mass, momentum, and energy. Several important parameters are correlated and solved, including the liquid filling ratio, flow velocity, heat power, temperature, etc. Based on the results, the operational driving force and flow resistances of helium PHP are analysed, and the flow and heat transfer is further studied.

  1. Printed microfluidic filter for heparinized blood.

    PubMed

    Bilatto, Stanley E R; Adly, Nouran Y; Correa, Daniel S; Wolfrum, Bernhard; Offenhäusser, Andreas; Yakushenko, Alexey

    2017-05-01

    A simple lab-on-a-chip method for blood plasma separation was developed by combining stereolithographic 3D printing with inkjet printing, creating a completely sealed microfluidic device. In some approaches, one dilutes the blood sample before separation, reducing the concentration of a target analyte and increasing a contamination risk. In this work, a single drop (8  μ l) of heparinized whole blood could be efficiently filtered using a capillary effect without any external driving forces and without dilution. The blood storage in heparin tubes during 24 h at 4 °C initiated the formation of small crystals that formed auto-filtration structures in the sample upon entering the 3D-printed device, with pores smaller than the red blood cells, separating plasma from the cellular content. The total filtration process took less than 10 s. The presented printed plasma filtration microfluidics fabricated with a rapid prototyping approach is a miniaturized, fast and easy-to-operate device that can be integrated into healthcare/portable systems for point-of-care diagnostics.

  2. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) reduce evaporation and increase soil water retention

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zheng, W.; Zeng, S.; LaManna, J.; Bais, H.; Jin, Y.

    2017-12-01

    Enhancement of plant drought stress tolerance by plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) has been increasingly documented in the literature. However, most studies to date have focused on PGPR-root/plant interactions; very little is known about PGPR's role in mediating physiochemical and hydrological changes in the rhizospheric soil that may impact plant drought stress tolerance. Our study seeks to advance mechanistic understanding of PGPR- mediated biophysical changes in the rhizospheric soil that may contribute to plant drought stress tolerance in addition to plant responses. In this study, we measured soil water retention characteristics, hydraulic conductivity, and water evaporation in soils with various textures (i.e., pure sand, sandy soil, and loam) as influenced by a PGPR (Bacillus subtilis strain UD1022) using the instrument HYPROP©. All PGPR-treated soils held more water, had reduced conductivity, and reduced evaporation rate compared to their corresponding controls. While changes in evaporation behavior, i.e., the transition from Stage I to Stage II, due to PGPR addition, occurred in all soils, they differed with soil texture: PGPR prolonged Stage I (but at lower evaporation rate than control) in the pure sand while the bacteria shortened Stage I in the other two soils. These results indicate that PGPR affects evaporation by modifying soil capillarity and wettability that control liquid phase continuity and capillary forces that sustain Stage I evaporation. SEM images show that PGPR promoted aggregation in the pure sand due to EPS production and biofilm formation. On the other hand, modification of soil wettability by EPS/biofilm thus water phase continuity and capillary driving forces likely dominated the PGPR effects in the other two soils. These findings improve our understanding of rhizosphere functions and have implications in developing biotechnologies using PGPR to increase soil water retention, which would help sustain agricultural production under restricted water availability.

  3. Effects of long term supplementation of anabolic androgen steroids on human skeletal muscle.

    PubMed

    Yu, Ji-Guo; Bonnerud, Patrik; Eriksson, Anders; Stål, Per S; Tegner, Yelverton; Malm, Christer

    2014-01-01

    The effects of long-term (over several years) anabolic androgen steroids (AAS) administration on human skeletal muscle are still unclear. In this study, seventeen strength training athletes were recruited and individually interviewed regarding self-administration of banned substances. Ten subjects admitted having taken AAS or AAS derivatives for the past 5 to 15 years (Doped) and the dosage and type of banned substances were recorded. The remaining seven subjects testified to having never used any banned substances (Clean). For all subjects, maximal muscle strength and body composition were tested, and biopsies from the vastus lateralis muscle were obtained. Using histochemistry and immunohistochemistry (IHC), muscle biopsies were evaluated for morphology including fiber type composition, fiber size, capillary variables and myonuclei. Compared with the Clean athletes, the Doped athletes had significantly higher lean leg mass, capillary per fibre and myonuclei per fiber. In contrast, the Doped athletes had significantly lower absolute value in maximal squat force and relative values in maximal squat force (relative to lean body mass, to lean leg mass and to muscle fiber area). Using multivariate statistics, an orthogonal projection of latent structure discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) model was established, in which the maximal squat force relative to muscle mass and the maximal squat force relative to fiber area, together with capillary density and nuclei density were the most important variables for separating Doped from the Clean athletes (regression  =  0.93 and prediction  =  0.92, p<0.0001). In Doped athletes, AAS dose-dependent increases were observed in lean body mass, muscle fiber area, capillary density and myonuclei density. In conclusion, long term AAS supplementation led to increases in lean leg mass, muscle fiber size and a parallel improvement in muscle strength, and all were dose-dependent. Administration of AAS may induce sustained morphological changes in human skeletal muscle, leading to physical performance enhancement.

  4. Effects of Long Term Supplementation of Anabolic Androgen Steroids on Human Skeletal Muscle

    PubMed Central

    Yu, Ji-Guo; Bonnerud, Patrik; Eriksson, Anders; Stål, Per S.; Tegner, Yelverton; Malm, Christer

    2014-01-01

    The effects of long-term (over several years) anabolic androgen steroids (AAS) administration on human skeletal muscle are still unclear. In this study, seventeen strength training athletes were recruited and individually interviewed regarding self-administration of banned substances. Ten subjects admitted having taken AAS or AAS derivatives for the past 5 to 15 years (Doped) and the dosage and type of banned substances were recorded. The remaining seven subjects testified to having never used any banned substances (Clean). For all subjects, maximal muscle strength and body composition were tested, and biopsies from the vastus lateralis muscle were obtained. Using histochemistry and immunohistochemistry (IHC), muscle biopsies were evaluated for morphology including fiber type composition, fiber size, capillary variables and myonuclei. Compared with the Clean athletes, the Doped athletes had significantly higher lean leg mass, capillary per fibre and myonuclei per fiber. In contrast, the Doped athletes had significantly lower absolute value in maximal squat force and relative values in maximal squat force (relative to lean body mass, to lean leg mass and to muscle fiber area). Using multivariate statistics, an orthogonal projection of latent structure discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) model was established, in which the maximal squat force relative to muscle mass and the maximal squat force relative to fiber area, together with capillary density and nuclei density were the most important variables for separating Doped from the Clean athletes (regression  =  0.93 and prediction  =  0.92, p<0.0001). In Doped athletes, AAS dose-dependent increases were observed in lean body mass, muscle fiber area, capillary density and myonuclei density. In conclusion, long term AAS supplementation led to increases in lean leg mass, muscle fiber size and a parallel improvement in muscle strength, and all were dose-dependent. Administration of AAS may induce sustained morphological changes in human skeletal muscle, leading to physical performance enhancement. PMID:25207812

  5. Capillary wave propagation during the delamination of graphene by the precursor films in electro-elasto-capillarity

    PubMed Central

    Zhu, Xueyan; Yuan, Quanzi; Zhao, Ya-Pu

    2012-01-01

    Molecular dynamics simulations were carried out to explore the capillary wave propagation induced by the competition between one upper precursor film (PF) on the graphene and one lower PF on the substrate in electro-elasto-capillarity (EEC). During the wave propagation, the graphene was gradually delaminated from the substrate by the lower PF. The physics of the capillary wave was explored by the molecular kinetic theory. Besides, the dispersion relation of the wave was obtained theoretically. The theory showed that the wave was controlled by the driving work difference of the two PFs. Simulating the EEC process under different electric field intensities (E), the wave velocity was found insensitive to E. We hope this research could expand our knowledge on the wetting, electrowetting and EEC. As a potential application, the electrowetting of the PF between the graphene and the substrate is a promising candidate for delaminating graphene from substrate. PMID:23226593

  6. Inversion for the driving forces of plate tectonics

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Richardson, R. M.

    1983-01-01

    Inverse modeling techniques have been applied to the problem of determining the roles of various forces that may drive and resist plate tectonic motions. Separate linear inverse problems have been solved to find the best fitting pole of rotation for finite element grid point velocities and to find the best combination of force models to fit the observed relative plate velocities for the earth's twelve major plates using the generalized inverse operator. Variance-covariance data on plate motion have also been included. Results emphasize the relative importance of ridge push forces in the driving mechanism. Convergent margin forces are smaller by at least a factor of two, and perhaps by as much as a factor of twenty. Slab pull, apparently, is poorly transmitted to the surface plate as a driving force. Drag forces at the base of the plate are smaller than ridge push forces, although the sign of the force remains in question.

  7. Velocity gap mode of capillary electrophoresis developed for high-resolution chiral separations.

    PubMed

    Li, Xue; Li, Youxin; Zhao, Lumeng; Shen, Jianguo; Zhang, Yong; Bao, James J

    2014-10-01

    A new CE method based on velocity gap (VG) theory has been developed for high-resolution chiral separations. In VG, two consecutive electric fields are adopted to drive analytes passing through two capillaries, which are linked together through a joint. The joint is immersed inside another buffer vial which has conductivity communication with the buffer inside the capillary. By adjusting the field strengths onto the two capillaries, it is possible to observe different velocities of an analyte when it passes through those two capillaries and there would be a net velocity change (NVC) for the same analyte. Different analytes may have different NVC which may be specifically meaningful for enantioseparations because enantiomers are usually hard to resolve. By taking advantage of this NVC, it is possible to enhance the resolution of a chiral separation if a proper voltage program is applied. The feasibility of using NVC to enhance chiral separation was demonstrated in the separations of three pairs of enantiomers: terbutaline, chlorpheniramine, and promethazine. All separations started with partial separation in a conventional CE and were significantly improved under the same experimental conditions. The results indicated that VG has the potential to be used to improve the resolving power of CE in chiral separations. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  8. AFM Colloidal Probe Measurements Implicate Capillary Condensation in Punch-Particle Surface Interactions during Tableting.

    PubMed

    Badal Tejedor, Maria; Nordgren, Niklas; Schuleit, Michael; Millqvist-Fureby, Anna; Rutland, Mark W

    2017-11-21

    Adhesion of the powders to the punches is a common issue during tableting. This phenomenon is known as sticking and affects the quality of the manufactured tablets. Defective tablets increase the cost of the manufacturing process. Thus, the ability to predict the tableting performance of the formulation blend before the process is scaled-up is important. The adhesive propensity of the powder to the tableting tools is mostly governed by the surface-surface adhesive interactions. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) colloidal probe is a surface characterization technique that allows the measurement of the adhesive interactions between two materials of interest. In this study, AFM steel colloidal probe measurements were performed on ibuprofen, MCC (microcrystalline cellulose), α-lactose monohydrate, and spray-dried lactose particles as an approach to modeling the punch-particle surface interactions during tableting. The excipients (lactose and MCC) showed constant, small, attractive, and adhesive forces toward the steel surface after a repeated number of contacts. In comparison, ibuprofen displayed a much larger attractive and adhesive interaction increasing over time both in magnitude and in jump-in/jump-out separation distance. The type of interaction acting on the excipient-steel interface can be related to a van der Waals force, which is relatively weak and short-ranged. By contrast, the ibuprofen-steel interaction is described by a capillary force profile. Even though ibuprofen is not highly hydrophilic, the relatively smooth surfaces of the crystals allow "contact flooding" upon contact with the steel probe. Capillary forces increase because of the "harvesting" of moisture-due to the fast condensation kinetics-leaving a residual condensate that contributes to increase the interaction force after each consecutive contact. Local asperity contacts on the more hydrophilic surface of the excipients prevent the flooding of the contact zone, and there is no such adhesive effect under the same ambient conditions. The markedly different behavior detected by force measurements clearly shows the sticky and nonsticky propensity of the materials and allows a mechanistic description.

  9. Microdialysis of glucose in subcutaneous adipose tissue up to 3 weeks in healthy volunteers.

    PubMed

    Wientjes, K J; Vonk, P; Vonk-van Klei, Y; Schoonen, A J; Kossen, N W

    1998-09-01

    To measure possible changes in dialysate glucose concentrations over time, to validate the diffusional model for glucose transport from tissue to the probe, and to evaluate the actual glucose concentration in adipose tissue. Glucose concentrations in the subcutaneous adipose tissue of five healthy subjects (age 25 +/- 2.7 years, BMI 23.2 +/- 2.3 kg/m2 [mean +/- SD]) were measured by the microdialysis technique and compared with blood glucose. We applied microdialysis probes with hollow fibers of various membrane length (10-35 mm), used eight perfusion flow rates (0.5-20 microl/min), and perfused four glucose solutions (0.0, 2.8, 8.3, 11.1 mmol/l). After implantation, a substantial decrease in glucose recovery to the lowest value of 26 +/- 10% of the final plateau value was noted during the first few hours (n = 4). Recovery increased and stabilized after 5-9 days at 84.0 +/- 7.4% of capillary blood glucose when a flow rate of 0.5 microl/min was applied. According to the zero net-flux method, the glucose concentration in equilibrium, Cequi, with the surrounding tissue can be obtained. This concentration also decreases; however, 1 h after recovery, Cequi increases again over 1 or 2 days to a stable value that is not significantly different from the measured capillary blood glucose (P < 0.05). Using various perfusion flow rates and probes (membrane length 10-35 mm), it is shown that diffusion is the rate-limiting process for glucose transport through tissue. Insertion of the microdialysis probes causes damage to the adipose cells and the vascular bed around the probe. Glucose recovery decreases because of a lower blood supply. In 5-9 days, glucose recovery increases; apparently, this time is needed to repair the microstructure of tissue around the probe. After stabilization of the recovery, no loss of probe permeability, which is due to biocompatibility problems, was seen. The change during the 2 days in equilibrium concentration is probably caused by an inflammation reaction that consumes glucose around the probe. The individual increase in recovery during the 1st days after probe insertion until a stable plateau value is reached (flow rate >0 microl/min) is complicated for short-term clinical glucose measurements in adipose tissue. After stabilization, the mean equilibrium concentration of all subjects was equal to the mean capillary blood glucose concentration. Therefore, we conclude that capillary blood glucose concentration probably is the driving force for diffusion through the capillary wall into the probe and is not some interstitial concentration.

  10. Capillary Rise: Validity of the Dynamic Contact Angle Models.

    PubMed

    Wu, Pingkeng; Nikolov, Alex D; Wasan, Darsh T

    2017-08-15

    The classical Lucas-Washburn-Rideal (LWR) equation, using the equilibrium contact angle, predicts a faster capillary rise process than experiments in many cases. The major contributor to the faster prediction is believed to be the velocity dependent dynamic contact angle. In this work, we investigated the dynamic contact angle models for their ability to correct the dynamic contact angle effect in the capillary rise process. We conducted capillary rise experiments of various wetting liquids in borosilicate glass capillaries and compared the model predictions with our experimental data. The results show that the LWR equations modified by the molecular kinetic theory and hydrodynamic model provide good predictions on the capillary rise of all the testing liquids with fitting parameters, while the one modified by Joos' empirical equation works for specific liquids, such as silicone oils. The LWR equation modified by molecular self-layering model predicts well the capillary rise of carbon tetrachloride, octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, and n-alkanes with the molecular diameter or measured solvation force data. The molecular self-layering model modified LWR equation also has good predictions on the capillary rise of silicone oils covering a wide range of bulk viscosities with the same key parameter W(0), which results from the molecular self-layering. The advantage of the molecular self-layering model over the other models reveals the importance of the layered molecularly thin wetting film ahead of the main meniscus in the energy dissipation associated with dynamic contact angle. The analysis of the capillary rise of silicone oils with a wide range of bulk viscosities provides new insights into the capillary dynamics of polymer melts.

  11. Simultaneous detection of assembly and disassembly of multivalent HA tag and anti-HA antibody in single in-capillary assay.

    PubMed

    Wang, Jianhao; Qin, Yuqin; Qin, Haifang; Liu, Li; Ding, Shumin; Teng, Yiwan; Ji, Junling; Qiu, Lin; Jiang, Pengju

    2016-08-01

    Herein, we have developed an in-capillary assay for simultaneous detection of the assembly and disassembly of the multivalent HA tag peptide and antibody. HA tag with hexahistidine at C terminus (YPYDVPDYAG4 H6 , termed YPYDH6 ) was conjugated with quantum dots (QDs) by metal-affinity force to form a multivalent HA tag (QD-YPYDH6 ). QD-YPYDH6 and monoclonal anti-HA antibody (anti-HA) were sequentially injected into the capillary. They were mixed and assembled inside the capillary. The reaction products were online discriminated and detected by fluorescence coupled capillary electrophoresis (CE-FL). For the in-capillary assay, the binding efficiency of the multivalent HA tag and antibody on was influenced by the molar ratio and injection time. Such novel assay could even give out the self-assembly kinetic constant of QDs and YPYDH6 as KD of 34.1 μM with n (binding cooperativeness) of 2.2 by Hill equation. More importantly, the simultaneous detection of the assembly and imidazole (Im) induced disassembly of the QD-YPYDH6 -anti-HA complex was achieved in a single in-capillary assay. Our study demonstrated a new method for the online detection of antigen-antibody interactions. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  12. Visual detection of multiple genetically modified organisms in a capillary array.

    PubMed

    Shao, Ning; Chen, Jianwei; Hu, Jiaying; Li, Rong; Zhang, Dabing; Guo, Shujuan; Hui, Junhou; Liu, Peng; Yang, Litao; Tao, Sheng-Ce

    2017-01-31

    There is an urgent need for rapid, low-cost multiplex methodologies for the monitoring of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Here, we report a C[combining low line]apillary A[combining low line]rray-based L[combining low line]oop-mediated isothermal amplification for M[combining low line]ultiplex visual detection of nucleic acids (CALM) platform for the simple and rapid monitoring of GMOs. In CALM, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) primer sets are pre-fixed to the inner surface of capillaries. The surface of the capillary array is hydrophobic while the capillaries are hydrophilic, enabling the simultaneous loading and separation of the LAMP reaction mixtures into each capillary by capillary forces. LAMP reactions in the capillaries are then performed in parallel, and the results are visually detected by illumination with a hand-held UV device. Using CALM, we successfully detected seven frequently used transgenic genes/elements and five plant endogenous reference genes with high specificity and sensitivity. Moreover, we found that measurements of real-world blind samples by CALM are consistent with results obtained by independent real-time PCRs. Thus, with an ability to detect multiple nucleic acids in a single easy-to-operate test, we believe that CALM will become a widely applied technology in GMO monitoring.

  13. Crack Driving Forces in a Multilayered Coating System for Ceramic Matrix Composite Substrates

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ghosn, Louis J.; Zhu, Dongming; Miller, Robert A.

    2005-01-01

    The effects of the top coating thickness, modulus and shrinkage strains on the crack driving forces for a baseline multilayer Yttria-Stabilized-Zirconia/Mullite/Si thermal and environment barrier coating (TEBC) system for SiC/SiC ceramic matrix composite substrates are determined for gas turbine applications. The crack driving forces increase with increasing modulus, and a low modulus thermal barrier coating material (below 10 GPa) will have no cracking issues under the thermal gradient condition analyzed. Since top coating sintering increases the crack driving forces with time, highly sintering resistant coatings are desirable to maintain a low tensile modulus and maintain a low crack driving force with time. Finite element results demonstrated that an advanced TEBC system, such as ZrO2/HfO2, which possesses improved sintering resistance and high temperature stability, exhibited excellent durability. A multi-vertical cracked structure with fine columnar spacing is an ideal strain tolerant coating capable of reducing the crack driving forces to an acceptable level even with a high modulus of 50 GPa.

  14. Apparatus and method for producing an artificial gravitational field

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Mccanna, Jason (Inventor)

    1993-01-01

    An apparatus and method is disclosed for producing an artificial gravitational field in a spacecraft by rotating the same around a spin axis. The centrifugal force thereby created acts as an artificial gravitational force. The apparatus includes an engine which produces a drive force offset from the spin axis to drive the spacecraft towards a destination. The engine is also used as a counterbalance for a crew cabin for rotation of the spacecraft. Mass of the spacecraft, which may include either the engine or crew cabin, is shifted such that the centrifugal force acting on that mass is no longer directed through the center of mass of the craft. This off-center centrifugal force creates a moment that counterbalances the moment produced by the off-center drive force to eliminate unwanted rotation which would otherwise be precipitated by the offset drive force.

  15. Investigation and visualization of liquid-liquid flow in a vertically mounted Hele-Shaw cell: flow regimes, velocity and shape of droplets

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shad, S.; Gates, I. D.; Maini, B. B.

    2009-11-01

    The motion and shape of a liquid drop flowing within a continuous, conveying liquid phase in a vertical Hele-Shaw cell were investigated experimentally. The continuous phase was more viscous and wetted the bounding walls of the Hele-Shaw cell. The gap between the Hele-Shaw plates was set equal to 0.0226 cm. Four different flow regimes were observed: (a) small-droplet flow, (b) elongated-droplet flow, (c) churn flow and (d) channel flow. At low capillary number, that is, when capillary forces are larger than viscous forces, the droplet shape was irregular and changed with time and distance, and it moved with lower velocity than that of the conveying phase. At higher capillary number, several different shapes of stabilized elongated and flattened drops were observed. In contrast to gas-liquid systems, the velocities of droplets are higher than that of conveying liquid. New correlations derived from dimensionless analysis and fitted to the experimental data were generated to predict the elongated-drop velocity and aspect ratio.

  16. Visualizing the shape of soft solid and fluid contacts between two surfaces

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pham, Jonathan; Schellenberger, Frank; Kappl, Michael; Vollmer, Doris; Butt, Hans-Jürgen

    The soft contact between two surfaces is fundamentally interesting for soft materials and fluid mechanics and relevant for friction and wear. The deformation of soft solid interfaces has received much interest because it interestingly reveals similarities to fluid wetting. We present an experimental route towards visualizing the three-dimensional contact geometry of either liquid-solid (i.e., oil and glass) or solid-solid (i.e., elastomer and glass) interfaces using a home-built combination of confocal microscopy and atomic force microscopy. We monitor the shape of a fluid capillary bridge and the depth of indentation in 3D while simultaneously measuring the force. In agreement with theoretical predictions, the height of the capillary bridge depends on the interfacial tensions. By using a slowly evaporating solvent, we quantify the temporal evolution of the capillary bridge and visualized the influence of pinning points on its shape. The position dependence of the advancing and receding contact angle along the three-phase contact line, particle-liquid-air, is resolved. Extending our system, we explore the contact deformation of soft solids where elasticity, in addition to surface tension, becomes an important factor.

  17. Traction Stresses Exerted by Adherent Cells: From Angiogenesis to Metastasis

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Reinhart-King, Cynthia

    2010-03-01

    Cells exert traction stresses against their substrate that mediate their ability to sense the mechanical properties of their microenvironment. These same forces mediate cell adhesion, migration and the formation of stable cell-cell contacts during tissue formation. In this talk, I will present our data on the traction stresses generated by endothelial cells and metastatic breast cancer cells focused on understanding the processes of angiogenesis and metastasis, respectively. In the context of capillary formation, our data indicate that the mechanics of the substrate play a critical role in establishing endothelial cell-cell contacts. On more compliant substrates, endothelial cell shape and traction stresses polarize and promote the formation of stable cell-cell contacts. On stiffer substrates, traction stresses are less polarized and cell connectivity is disrupted. These data indicate that the mechanical properties of the microenvironment may drive cell connectivity and the formation of stable cell-cell contacts through the reorientation of traction stresses. In our studies of metastatic cell migration, we have found that traction stresses increase with increasing metastatic potential. We investigated three lines of varying metastatic potential (MCF10A, MCF7 and MDAMB231). MDAMB231, which are the most invasive, exert the most significant forces as measured by Traction Force Microscopy. These data present the possibility that cellular traction stress generation aids in the ability of metastatic cells to migrate through the matrix-dense tumor microenvironment. Such measurements are integral to link the mechanical and chemical microenvironment with the resulting response of the cell in health and disease.

  18. Scaling analysis and SE simulation of the tilted cylinder-interface capillary interaction

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gao, S. Q.; Zhang, X. Y.; Zhou, Y. H.

    2018-06-01

    The capillary interaction induced by a tilted cylinder and interface is the basic configuration of many complex systems, such as micro-pillar arrays clustering, super-hydrophobicity of hairy surface, water-walking insects, and fiber aggregation. We systematically analyzed the scaling laws of tilt angle, contact angle, and cylinder radius on the contact line shape by SE simulation and experiment. The following in-depth analysis of the characteristic parameters (shift, stretch and distortion) of the deformed contact lines reveals the self-similar shape of contact line. Then a general capillary force scaling law is proposed to incredibly grasp all the simulated and experimental data by a quite straightforward ellipse approximation approach.

  19. Rough surface adhesion in the presence of capillary condensation

    DOE PAGES

    DelRio, Frank W.; Dunn, Martin L.; Phinney, Leslie M.; ...

    2007-04-17

    Capillary condensation of water can have a significant effect on rough surface adhesion. Here, to explore this phenomenon between micromachined surfaces, the authors perform microcantilever experiments as a function of surface roughness and relative humidity (RH). Below a threshold RH, the adhesion is mainly due to van der Waals forces across extensive noncontacting areas. Above the threshold RH, the adhesion jumps due to capillary condensation and increases towards the upper limit of Γ=144mJ/m 2. Lastly, a detailed model based on the measured surface topography qualitatively agrees with the experimental data only when the topographic correlations between the upper and lowermore » surfaces are considered.« less

  20. Synthetic Capillaries to Control Microscopic Blood Flow

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sarveswaran, K.; Kurz, V.; Dong, Z.; Tanaka, T.; Penny, S.; Timp, G.

    2016-02-01

    Capillaries pervade human physiology. The mean intercapillary distance is only about 100 μm in human tissue, which indicates the extent of nutrient diffusion. In engineered tissue the lack of capillaries, along with the associated perfusion, is problematic because it leads to hypoxic stress and necrosis. However, a capillary is not easy to engineer due to its complex cytoarchitecture. Here, it is shown that it is possible to create in vitro, in about 30 min, a tubular microenvironment with an elastic modulus and porosity consistent with human tissue that functionally mimicks a bona fide capillary using “live cell lithography”(LCL) to control the type and position of cells on a composite hydrogel scaffold. Furthermore, it is established that these constructs support the forces associated with blood flow, and produce nutrient gradients similar to those measured in vivo. With LCL, capillaries can be constructed with single cell precision—no other method for tissue engineering offers such precision. Since the time required for assembly scales with the number of cells, this method is likely to be adapted first to create minimal functional units of human tissue that constitute organs, consisting of a heterogeneous population of 100-1000 cells, organized hierarchically to express a predictable function.

  1. Synthetic Capillaries to Control Microscopic Blood Flow.

    PubMed

    Sarveswaran, K; Kurz, V; Dong, Z; Tanaka, T; Penny, S; Timp, G

    2016-02-24

    Capillaries pervade human physiology. The mean intercapillary distance is only about 100 μm in human tissue, which indicates the extent of nutrient diffusion. In engineered tissue the lack of capillaries, along with the associated perfusion, is problematic because it leads to hypoxic stress and necrosis. However, a capillary is not easy to engineer due to its complex cytoarchitecture. Here, it is shown that it is possible to create in vitro, in about 30 min, a tubular microenvironment with an elastic modulus and porosity consistent with human tissue that functionally mimicks a bona fide capillary using "live cell lithography"(LCL) to control the type and position of cells on a composite hydrogel scaffold. Furthermore, it is established that these constructs support the forces associated with blood flow, and produce nutrient gradients similar to those measured in vivo. With LCL, capillaries can be constructed with single cell precision-no other method for tissue engineering offers such precision. Since the time required for assembly scales with the number of cells, this method is likely to be adapted first to create minimal functional units of human tissue that constitute organs, consisting of a heterogeneous population of 100-1000 cells, organized hierarchically to express a predictable function.

  2. On the performance of capillary barriers as landfill cover

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kämpf, M.; Montenegro, H.

    Landfills and waste heaps require an engineered surface cover upon closure. The capping system can vary from a simple soil cover to multiple layers of earth and geosynthetic materials. Conventional design features a compacted soil layer, which suffers from drying out and cracking, as well as root and animal intrusion. Capillary barriers consisting of inclined fine-over-coarse soil layers are investigated as an alternative cover system. Under unsaturated conditions, the textural contrast delays vertical drainage by capillary forces. The moisture that builds up above the contact will flow downdip along the interface of the layers. Theoretical studies of capillary barriers have identified the hydraulic properties of the layers, the inclination angle, the length of the field and the infiltration rate as the fundamental characteristics of the system. However, it is unclear how these findings can lead to design criteria for capillary barriers. To assess the uncertainty involved in such approaches, experiments have been carried out in a 8 m long flume and on large scale test sites (40 m x 15 m). In addition, the ability of a numerical model to represent the relevant flow processes in capillary barriers has been examined.

  3. Investigation of the Hydraulic Characteristics of Capillary Elements of the Injector Head of Jet Engines under Conditions of Isothermal Flow of A Liquid

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nigodjuk, V. E.; Sulinov, A. V.

    2018-01-01

    The article presents the results of an experimental study of the hydraulic characteristics of capillary elements of the injector head of jet engines in isothermal fluid flow and the proposed method of their calculation. The main geometric dimensions of the capillaries in the experiment were changed in the following range: Inner diameter from 0.16 to 0.36 mm, length from 4.3 to 158 mm and relative length from 25 to 614 and the inlet edge of the capillaries: sharp or smooth the leading edge. As the working fluid during the tests were distilled water, acetone and ethyl alcohol. Based on the results of a study of the dependences for calculation of ultimate losses in laminar and turbulent flow regimes in capillary tubes with smooth and sharp edges input. The influence of surface tension forces on loss of input on a sharp cutting edge. Experimentally confirmed the possibility of calculating the linear coefficient of hydraulic resistance of capillary tubes with a diameter of 0.16-0.36 mm in isothermal stable during the known dependencies that are valid for hydrodynamically smooth round tube.

  4. The driving forces of land change in the Northern Piedmont of the United States

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Auch, Roger F.; Napton, Darrell E.; Kambly, Steven; Moreland, Thomas R.; Sayler, Kristi L.

    2012-01-01

    Driving forces facilitate or inhibit land-use/land-cover change. Human driving forces include political, economic, cultural, and social attributes that often change across time and space. Remotely sensed imagery provides regional land-change data for the Northern Piedmont, an ecoregion of the United States that continued to urbanize after 1970 through conversion of agricultural and forest land covers to developed uses. Eight major driving forces facilitated most of the land conversion; other drivers inhibited or slowed change. A synergistic web of drivers may be more important in understanding land change than individual drivers by themselves.

  5. Towards understanding what contributes to forming an opinion

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Peng; Song, Jia; Huo, Jie; Hao, Rui; Wang, Xu-Ming

    Opinion evolution mechanism can be captured by physical modeling. In this paper, a kinetic equation is established by defining a generalized displacement(cognitive level), a driving force and the related factors such as generalized potential, information quantity and attitude. It has been shown that the details of opinion evolution depend on the type of the driving force, self-dominated driving or environment-dominated driving. In the former case, the participants can have their attitudes changed in the process of competition between the self-driving force and environment-driving force. In the latter case, all of the participants are pulled by the environment. Some regularities behind the dynamics of opinion are also revealed, for instance, the information entropy decays with time in a special way, etc. The results may help us to get some deep understanding for the formation of a public opinion.

  6. Using laser radiation for the formation of capillary structure in flat ceramic heat pipes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nikolaenko, Yu. E.; Rotner, S. M.

    2012-12-01

    The possibility of using laser radiation with a wavelength of 1.064 μm for the formation of a capillary structure in the evaporation zone of flat ceramic heat pipes has been experimentally confirmed. Using a technological regime with established parameters, a capillary structure was formed in AlN and Al2O3 ceramic plates with a thickness of 1-2 mm and lateral dimensions of 48 × 60 and 100 × 100 mm, which ensured absorption of heat-transfer fluids (distilled water, ethyl alcohol, acetone) to a height of 100 mm against gravity forces. The thermal resistance of flat ceramic heat pipes with this capillary structure reaches 0.07°C/W, which is quite acceptable for their use as heat sinks in systems of thermal regime control for electronic components and as heat exchange plates for large-size thermoelectric conversion units.

  7. Parametric modulation of thermomagnetic convection in magnetic fluids.

    PubMed

    Engler, H; Odenbach, S

    2008-05-21

    Previous theoretical investigations on thermal flow in a horizontal fluid layer have shown that the critical temperature difference, where heat transfer changes from diffusion to convective flow, depends on the frequency of a time-modulated driving force. The driving force of thermal convection is the buoyancy force resulting from the interaction of gravity and the density gradient provided by a temperature difference in the vertical direction of a horizontal fluid layer. An experimental investigation of such phenomena fails because of technical problems arising if buoyancy is to be changed by altering the temperature difference or gravitational acceleration. The possibility of influencing convective flow in a horizontal magnetic fluid layer by magnetic forces might provide us with a means to solve the problem of a time-modulated magnetic driving force. An experimental setup to investigate the dependence of the critical temperature difference on the frequency of the driving force has been designed and implemented. First results show that the time modulation of the driving force has significant influence on the strength of the convective flow. In particular a pronounced minimum in the strength of convection has been found for a particular frequency.

  8. Numerical simulation of ion transport in an atmosphere-to-vacuum interface taking into account gas dynamics and space charge.

    PubMed

    Skoblin, Michael G; Chudinov, Alexey V; Sulimenkov, Ilia V; Brusov, Vladimir S; Makarov, Alexander A; Wouters, Eloy R; Kozlovskiy, Viacheslav I

    2017-08-01

    A two-step approach was developed for the study of ion transport in an atmospheric pressure interface. In the first step, the flow in the interface was numerically simulated using the standard gas dynamic package ANSYS CFX 15.0. In the second step, the calculated fields of pressure, temperature, and velocity were imported into a custom-built software application for simulation of ion motion under the influence of both gas dynamic and electrostatic forces. To account for space charge effects in axially symmetric interfaces an analytical expression was used for the Coulomb force. For all other types of interfaces, an iterative approach for the Coulomb force computation was developed. The simulations show that the influence of the space charge is the main contributor to the loss of ion current in the heated capillary. In addition, the maximum ion current which can be transmitted through the heated capillary (0.58 mm inner diameter and 58.5 mm length) is limited to ∼6 nA for ions with m/z = 508 Da and with reduced ion mobility 1.05 cm 2 V -1 s -1 . This limit remains practically constant and independent of the ion current at the entrance of the capillary. For a particular ion type, this limit depends on its m/z ratio and ion mobility.

  9. Effects of aperture variability and wettability on immiscible displacement in fractures

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yang, Zhibing; Méheust, Yves; Neuweiler, Insa

    2017-04-01

    Fluid-fluid displacement in porous and fractured media is an important process. Understanding and controlling this process is key to many practical applications, such as hydrocarbon recovery, geological storage of CO2, groundwater remediation, etc. Here, we numerically study fluid-fluid displacement in rough-walled fractures. We focus on the combined effect of wettability and fracture surface topography on displacement patterns and interface growth. We develop a novel numerical model to simulate dynamic fluid invasion under the influence of capillary and viscous forces. The capillary force is calculated using the two principal curvatures (aperture-induced curvature and in-plane curvature) at the fluid-fluid interface, and the viscous force is taken into account by solving the fluid pressure distribution. The aperture field of a fracture is represented by a spatially correlated random field, which is described by a power spectrum for the fracture wall topography and a cutoff wave-length. We numerically produce displacement patterns ranging from stable displacement, capillary fingering, and viscous fingering, as well as the transitions between them. We show that both reducing the aperture variability and increasing the contact angle (from drainage to weak imbibition) stabilize the displacement due to the influence of the in-plane curvature, an effect analogous to that of the cooperative pore filling in porous media. Implications of these results will be discussed.

  10. The measurement of solute diffusion coefficients in dilute liquid alloys: the influence of unit gravity and g-jitter on buoyancy convection.

    PubMed

    Smith, R W; Yang, B J; Huang, W D

    2004-11-01

    Liquid diffusion experiments conducted on the MIR space station using the Canadian Space Agency QUELD II processing facility and the microgravity isolation mount (MIM) showed that g-jitter significantly increased the measured solute diffusion coefficients. In some experiments, milli-g forced vibration was superimposed on the sample when isolated from the ambient g-jitter; this resulted in markedly increased solute transport. To further explore the effects arising in these long capillary diffusion couples from the absence of unit-gravity and the presence of the forced g-jitter, the effects of a 1 milli-g forcing vibration on the mass transport in a 1.5 mm diameter long capillary diffusion couple have been simulated. In addition, to increase understanding of the role of unit gravity in determining the extent to which gravity can influence measured diffusion coefficient values, comparative experiments involving gold, silver, and antimony diffusing in liquid lead have been carried out using a similar QUELD II facility to that employed in the QUELD II/MIM/MIR campaign but under terrestrial conditions. It was found that buoyancy-driven convection may still persist in the liquid even when conditions are arranged for a continuously decreasing density gradient up the axis of a vertical long capillary diffusion couple due to the presence of small radial temperature gradients.

  11. UNCERTAINTY AND SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS OF RUNOFF AND SEDIMENT YIELD IN A SMALL AGRICULTURAL WATERSHED WITH KINEROS2

    EPA Science Inventory

    Using the Monte Carlo (MC) method, this paper derives arithmetic and geometric means and associated variances of the net capillary drive parameter, G, that appears in the Parlange infiltration model, as a function of soil texture and antecedent soil moisture content. App...

  12. Some Experiments on Evaporation of High-TDS Phreatic Water in an Arid Area

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, X.; Jin, M.; Zhou, J.; Liu, Y.; Zhao, Y.

    2012-12-01

    Most experiments that had been done on evaporation of phreatic water were limited to waters with fresh or low total dissolved solids (TDS, no more than 10g/L). The TDS of phreatic water is always dozens or even hundreds of grams per liter in extremely arid areas. Thus, experiments on phreatic water evaporation of different TDS (3g/L, 30g/L, 100g/L, 250g/L) were carried out in an arid plain of south Xinjiang, China. The results showed that there was significant linear positive correlation between TDS of phreatic water and cumulative salinity in soil profile. The variation of phreatic water evaporation was lag behind the change of surface water measured by E20 equipment, but both of them were more drastic at nighttime than the daytime. The research shows that the daytime evaporation capacity has significant effect on nighttime evaporation, and the soil water vapor condense at profile also is an important driving factor for the nighttime evaporation. Capillary rise is a significant contributor of soil salinity in extremely arid areas. Experiments about effects of different grains of sand soil and TDS of phreatic water (1, 30, 100, 250 g/L) on capillary rise showed that TDS had significant effects on capillary rise in later stage of experiments. For coarse sand, the higher TDS made the lower height of capillary rise. But for fine sand, the height of capillary rise of 1g/L was obviously larger than others. The sequence of height from larger to lower of capillary rise in silt was 30, 100, 250 and 1g/L. At the beginning of experiments on coarse sand, the higher TDS made the lower velocity of capillary rise, but other soil groups were not. Compared to high-TDS, the grain of sand soil was a more primary controlling factor of capillary rise. The research indicates that high-TDS not only changes the gravity of capillary water but also the pore size of soil during the processes of capillary rise in fine sand.

  13. Miniaturized technology for DNA typing: cassette PCR.

    PubMed

    Manage, Dammika P; Pilarski, Linda M

    2015-01-01

    With the smaller size, low cost, and rapid testing capabilities, miniaturized lab-on-a-chip devices can change the way medical diagnostics are currently performed in the health-care system. We have demonstrated such a device that is self-contained, simple, disposable, and inexpensive. It is capable of performing DNA amplification on an inexpensive instrument suitable for near point of care settings. This technology will enable on the spot evaluation of patients in the clinic for faster medical decision-making and more informed therapeutic choices. Our device, a gel capillary cassette, termed cassette PCR, contains capillary reaction units each holding a defined primer set, with arrays of capillary reaction units for simultaneously detecting multiple targets. With the exception of the sample to be tested, each capillary reaction unit holds all the reagents needed for PCR in a desiccated form that can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 months and even longer in colder conditions. It relies on capillary forces for sample delivery of microliter volumes through capillaries, hence avoiding the need for pumps or valves. In the assembled cassette, the wax architecture supporting the capillaries melts during the PCR and acts as a vapor barrier as well as segregating capillaries with different primer sets. No other chip sealing techniques are required. Cassette PCR accepts raw samples such as urine, genital swabs, and blood. The cassette is made with off-the-shelf components and contains integrated positive and negative controls.

  14. The Energetics of Motivated Cognition: A Force-Field Analysis

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Kruglanski, Arie W.; Belanger, Jocelyn J.; Chen, Xiaoyan; Kopetz, Catalina; Pierro, Antonio; Mannetti, Lucia

    2012-01-01

    A force-field theory of motivated cognition is presented and applied to a broad variety of phenomena in social judgment and self-regulation. Purposeful cognitive activity is assumed to be propelled by a "driving force" and opposed by a "restraining force". "Potential" driving force represents the maximal amount of energy an individual is prepared…

  15. Microfluidic Investigation Reveals Distinct Roles for Actin Cytoskeleton and Myosin II Activity in Capillary Leukocyte Trafficking

    PubMed Central

    Gabriele, Sylvain; Benoliel, Anne-Marie; Bongrand, Pierre; Théodoly, Olivier

    2009-01-01

    Circulating leukocyte sequestration in pulmonary capillaries is arguably the initiating event of lung injury in acute respiratory distress syndrome. We present a microfluidic investigation of the roles of actin organization and myosin II activity during the different stages of leukocyte trafficking through narrow capillaries (entry, transit and shape relaxation) using specific drugs (latrunculin A, jasplakinolide, and blebbistatin). The deformation rate during entry reveals that cell stiffness depends strongly on F-actin organization and hardly on myosin II activity, supporting a microfilament role in leukocyte sequestration. In the transit stage, cell friction is influenced by stiffness, demonstrating that the actin network is not completely broken after a forced entry into a capillary. Conversely, membrane unfolding was independent of leukocyte stiffness. The surface area of sequestered leukocytes increased by up to 160% in the absence of myosin II activity, showing the major role of molecular motors in microvilli wrinkling and zipping. Finally, cell shape relaxation was largely independent of both actin organization and myosin II activity, whereas a deformed state was required for normal trafficking through capillary segments. PMID:19450501

  16. The impact of capillary backpressure on spontaneous counter-current imbibition in porous media

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Foley, Amir Y.; Nooruddin, Hasan A.; Blunt, Martin J.

    2017-09-01

    We investigate the impact of capillary backpressure on spontaneous counter-current imbibition. For such displacements in strongly water-wet systems, the non-wetting phase is forced out through the inlet boundary as the wetting phase imbibes into the rock, creating a finite capillary backpressure. Under the assumption that capillary backpressure depends on the water saturation applied at the inlet boundary of the porous medium, its impact is determined using the continuum modelling approach by varying the imposed inlet saturation in the analytical solution. We present analytical solutions for the one-dimensional incompressible horizontal displacement of a non-wetting phase by a wetting phase in a porous medium. There exists an inlet saturation value above which any change in capillary backpressure has a negligible impact on the solutions. Above this threshold value, imbibition rates and front positions are largely invariant. A method for identifying this inlet saturation is proposed using an analytical procedure and we explore how varying multiphase flow properties affects the analytical solutions and this threshold saturation. We show the value of this analytical approach through the analysis of previously published experimental data.

  17. Subtle exchange model of flow depended on the blood cell shape to enhance the micro-circulation in capillary

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chan, Iatneng

    2012-02-01

    In general the exchange of gases or other material in capillary system is conceptualized by the diffusion effect. But in this model, we investigate a micro-flow pattern by simulation and computation on a micro-exchange model in which the blood cell is a considered factor, especially on its shape. It shows that the cell benefits the circulation while it is moving in the capillary. In the study, the flow detail near the cell surface is mathematically analyzed, such that the Navier-Stokes equations are applied and the viscous factor is also briefly considered. For having a driven force to the motion of micro-circulation, a breathing mode is suggested to approximately compute on the flow rate in the blood capillary during the transfer of cell. The rate is also used to estimate the enhancement to the circulation in additional to the outcome of diffusion. Moreover in the research, the shape change of capillary wall under pressure influence is another element in the beginning calculation for the effect in the assistance to cell motion.

  18. Shear strength of wet granular materials: Macroscopic cohesion and effective stress : Discrete numerical simulations, confronted to experimental measurements.

    PubMed

    Badetti, Michel; Fall, Abdoulaye; Chevoir, François; Roux, Jean-Noël

    2018-05-28

    Rheometric measurements on assemblies of wet polystyrene beads, in steady uniform quasistatic shear flow, for varying liquid content within the small saturation (pendular) range of isolated liquid bridges, are supplemented with a systematic study by discrete numerical simulations. The numerical results agree quantitatively with the experimental ones provided that the intergranular friction coefficient is set to the value [Formula: see text], identified from the behaviour of the dry material. Shear resistance and solid fraction [Formula: see text] are recorded as functions of the reduced pressure [Formula: see text], which, defined as [Formula: see text], compares stress [Formula: see text], applied in the velocity gradient direction, to the tensile strength [Formula: see text] of the capillary bridges between grains of diameter a, and characterizes cohesion effects. The simplest Mohr-Coulomb relation with [Formula: see text]-independent cohesion c applies as a good approximation for large enough [Formula: see text] (typically [Formula: see text]. Numerical simulations extend to different values of μ and, compared to experiments, to a wider range of [Formula: see text]. The assumption that capillary stresses act similarly to externally applied ones onto the dry granular contact network (effective stresses) leads to very good (although not exact) predictions of the shear strength, throughout the numerically investigated range [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. Thus, the internal friction coefficient [Formula: see text] of the dry material still relates the contact force contribution to stresses, [Formula: see text], while the capillary force contribution to stresses, [Formula: see text], defines a generalized Mohr-Coulomb cohesion c, depending on [Formula: see text] in general. c relates to [Formula: see text] , coordination numbers and capillary force network anisotropy. c increases with liquid content through the pendular regime interval, to a larger extent, the smaller the friction coefficient. The simple approximation ignoring capillary shear stress [Formula: see text] (referred to as the Rumpf formula) leads to correct approximations for the larger saturation range within the pendular regime, but fails to capture the decrease of cohesion for smaller liquid contents.

  19. Integrated microfluidic chip for rapid DNA digestion and time-resolved capillary electrophoresis analysis

    PubMed Central

    Lin, Che-Hsin; Wang, Yao-Nan; Fu, Lung-Ming

    2012-01-01

    An integrated microfluidic chip is proposed for rapid DNA digestion and time-resolved capillary electrophoresis (CE) analysis. The chip comprises two gel-filled chambers for DNA enrichment and purification, respectively, a T-form micromixer for DNA/restriction enzyme mixing, a serpentine channel for DNA digestion reaction, and a CE channel for on-line capillary electrophoresis analysis. The DNA and restriction enzyme are mixed electroomostically using a pinched-switching DC field. The experimental and numerical results show that a mixing performance of 97% is achieved within a distance of 1 mm from the T-junction when a driving voltage of 90 V/cm and a switching frequency of 4 Hz are applied. Successive mixing digestion and capillary electrophoresis operation clearly present the changes on digesting φx-174 DNA in different CE runs. The time-resolved electropherograms show that the proposed device enables a φx-174 DNA sample comprising 11 fragments to be concentrated and analyzed within 24 min. Overall, the results presented in this study show that the proposed microfluidic chip provides a rapid and effective tool for DNA digestion and CE analysis applications. PMID:22662085

  20. The criterion of subscale sufficiency and its application to the relationship between static capillary pressure, saturation and interfacial areas.

    PubMed

    Kurzeja, Patrick

    2016-05-01

    Modern imaging techniques, increased simulation capabilities and extended theoretical frameworks, naturally drive the development of multiscale modelling by the question: which new information should be considered? Given the need for concise constitutive relationships and efficient data evaluation; however, one important question is often neglected: which information is sufficient? For this reason, this work introduces the formalized criterion of subscale sufficiency. This criterion states whether a chosen constitutive relationship transfers all necessary information from micro to macroscale within a multiscale framework. It further provides a scheme to improve constitutive relationships. Direct application to static capillary pressure demonstrates usefulness and conditions for subscale sufficiency of saturation and interfacial areas.

  1. Shoulder muscle forces during driving: Sudden steering can load the rotator cuff beyond its repair limit

    PubMed Central

    Pandis, Petros; Prinold, Joe A.I.; Bull, Anthony M.J.

    2015-01-01

    Background Driving is one of the most common everyday tasks and the rotator cuff muscles are the primary shoulder stabilisers. Muscle forces during driving are not currently known, yet knowledge of these would influence important clinical advice such as return to activities after surgery. The aim of this study is to quantify shoulder and rotator cuff muscle forces during driving in different postures. Methods A musculoskeletal modelling approach is taken, using a modified driving simulator in combination with an upper limb musculoskeletal model (UK National Shoulder Model). Motion data and external force vectors were model inputs and upper limb muscle and joint forces were the outputs. Findings Comparisons of the predicted glenohumeral joint forces were compared to in vivo literature values, with good agreement demonstrated (61 SD 8% body weight mean peak compared to 60 SD 1% body weight mean peak). High muscle activation was predicted in the rotator cuff muscles; particularly supraspinatus (mean 55% of the maximum and up to 164 SD 27 N). This level of loading is up to 72% of mean failure strength for supraspinatus repairs, and could therefore be dangerous for some cases. Statistically significant and large differences are shown to exist in the joint and muscle forces for different driving positions as well as steering with one or both hands (up to 46% body weight glenohumeral joint force). Interpretation These conclusions should be a key consideration in rehabilitating the shoulder after surgery, preventing specific upper limb injuries and predicting return to driving recommendations. PMID:26139549

  2. The biomechanics of leg ulceration.

    PubMed Central

    Chant, A.

    1999-01-01

    Research performed in the late 1960s, using 24Na, suggested that the perfusion of skin and subcutaneous tissues is critically dependent on the relationship between capillary (Pc) and tissue pressures (Pt). Perfusion changes differed significantly between controls and patients with venous disease and the differences could be interpreted as evidence that Pt remained high in venous diseased patients. From this starting point, a biomechanical theory for the aetiology of venous ulceration was developed and tested by measuring skin elasticity, limb cross-sectional area and laser Doppler flux. The results confirm that, modelled as a two-compartment system (vascular and interstitial fluid), forces can be demonstrated sufficient to cause intermittent capillary closure and subsequent reperfusion injury. These forces are maximal in the gaiter area, the site of most leg ulcers. Images Figure 2 Figure 4 PMID:10364960

  3. Generation of capillary instabilities by external disturbances in a liquid jet. Ph.D. Thesis - State Univ. of N.Y.

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Leib, S. J.

    1985-01-01

    The receptivity problem in a circular liquid jet is considered. A time harmonic axial pressure gradient is imposed on the steady, parallel flow of a jet of liquid emerging from a circular duct. Using a technique developed in plasma physics a casual solution to the forced problem is obtained over certain ranges of Weber number for a number of mean velocity profiles. This solution contains a term which grows exponentially in the downstream direction and can be identified with a capillary instability wave. Hence, it is found that the externally imposed disturbances can indeed trigger instability waves in a liquid jet. The amplitude of the instability wave generated relative to the amplitude of the forcing is computed numerically for a number of cases.

  4. Magnus-induced dynamics of driven skyrmions on a quasi-one-dimensional periodic substrate

    DOE PAGES

    Reichhardt, Charles; Reichhardt, Cynthia Jane

    2016-09-13

    Here we numerically examine driven skyrmions interacting with a periodic quasi-one-dimensional substrate where the driving force is applied either parallel or perpendicular to the substrate periodicity direction. For perpendicular driving, the particles in a purely overdamped system simply slide along the substrate minima; however, for skyrmions where the Magnus force is relevant, we find that a rich variety of dynamics can arise. In the single skyrmion limit, the skyrmion motion is locked along the driving or longitudinal direction for low drives, while at higher drives a transition occurs to a state in which the skyrmion moves both transverse and longitudinalmore » to the driving direction. Within the longitudinally locked phase we find a pronounced speedup effect that occurs when the Magnus force aligns with the external driving force, while at the transition to transverse and longitudinal motion, the skyrmion velocity drops, producing negative differential conductivity. For collectively interacting skyrmion assemblies, the speedup effect is still present and we observe a number of distinct dynamical phases, including a sliding smectic phase, a disordered or moving liquid phase, a moving hexatic phase, and a moving crystal phase. The transitions between the dynamic phases produce distinct features in the structure of the skyrmion lattice and in the velocity-force curves. Lastly, we map these different phases as a function of the ratio of the Magnus term to the dissipative term, the substrate strength, the commensurability ratio, and the magnitude of the driving force.« less

  5. Magnus-induced dynamics of driven skyrmions on a quasi-one-dimensional periodic substrate

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Reichhardt, C.; Reichhardt, C. J. Olson

    2016-09-01

    We numerically examine driven skyrmions interacting with a periodic quasi-one-dimensional substrate where the driving force is applied either parallel or perpendicular to the substrate periodicity direction. For perpendicular driving, the particles in a purely overdamped system simply slide along the substrate minima; however, for skyrmions where the Magnus force is relevant, we find that a rich variety of dynamics can arise. In the single skyrmion limit, the skyrmion motion is locked along the driving or longitudinal direction for low drives, while at higher drives a transition occurs to a state in which the skyrmion moves both transverse and longitudinal to the driving direction. Within the longitudinally locked phase we find a pronounced speedup effect that occurs when the Magnus force aligns with the external driving force, while at the transition to transverse and longitudinal motion, the skyrmion velocity drops, producing negative differential conductivity. For collectively interacting skyrmion assemblies, the speedup effect is still present and we observe a number of distinct dynamical phases, including a sliding smectic phase, a disordered or moving liquid phase, a moving hexatic phase, and a moving crystal phase. The transitions between the dynamic phases produce distinct features in the structure of the skyrmion lattice and in the velocity-force curves. We map these different phases as a function of the ratio of the Magnus term to the dissipative term, the substrate strength, the commensurability ratio, and the magnitude of the driving force.

  6. Note: Design and fabrication of a simple versatile microelectrochemical cell and its accessories

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rajan, Viswanathan; Neelakantan, Lakshman

    2015-09-01

    A microelectrochemical cell housed in an optical microscope and custom-made accessories have been designed and fabricated, which allows performing spatially resolved corrosion measurements. The cell assembly was designed to directly integrate the reference electrode close to the capillary tip to avoid air bubbles. A hard disk along with an old optical microscope was re-engineered into a microgrinder, which made the vertical grinding of glass capillary tips very easy. A stepper motor was customized into a microsyringe pump to dispense a controlled volume of electrolyte through the capillary. A force sensitive resistor was used to achieve constant wetting area. The functionality of the developed instrument is demonstrated by studying μ-electrochemical behavior of worn surface on AA2014-T6 alloy.

  7. Miniaturized high throughput detection system for capillary array electrophoresis on chip with integrated light emitting diode array as addressed ring-shaped light source.

    PubMed

    Ren, Kangning; Liang, Qionglin; Mu, Xuan; Luo, Guoan; Wang, Yiming

    2009-03-07

    A novel miniaturized, portable fluorescence detection system for capillary array electrophoresis (CAE) on a microfluidic chip was developed, consisting of a scanning light-emitting diode (LED) light source and a single point photoelectric sensor. Without charge coupled detector (CCD), lens, fibers and moving parts, the system was extremely simplified. Pulsed driving of the LED significantly increased the sensitivity, and greatly reduced the power consumption and photobleaching effect. The highly integrated system was robust and easy to use. All the advantages realized the concept of a portable micro-total analysis system (micro-TAS), which could work on a single universal serial bus (USB) port. Compared with traditional CAE detecting systems, the current system could scan the radial capillary array with high scanning rate. An 8-channel CAE of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) labeled arginine (Arg) on chip was demonstrated with this system, resulting in a limit of detection (LOD) of 640 amol.

  8. Nonstationary time series prediction combined with slow feature analysis

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, G.; Chen, X.

    2015-07-01

    Almost all climate time series have some degree of nonstationarity due to external driving forces perturbing the observed system. Therefore, these external driving forces should be taken into account when constructing the climate dynamics. This paper presents a new technique of obtaining the driving forces of a time series from the slow feature analysis (SFA) approach, and then introduces them into a predictive model to predict nonstationary time series. The basic theory of the technique is to consider the driving forces as state variables and to incorporate them into the predictive model. Experiments using a modified logistic time series and winter ozone data in Arosa, Switzerland, were conducted to test the model. The results showed improved prediction skills.

  9. Experimental comparison of forces resisting viral DNA packaging and driving DNA ejection

    PubMed Central

    Keller, Nicholas; Berndsen, Zachary T.; Jardine, Paul J.; Smith, Douglas E.

    2018-01-01

    We compare forces resisting DNA packaging in bacteriophage phi29 inferred from optical tweezers studies with forces driving DNA ejection inferred from osmotic pressure studies. Ejection forces from 0–80% filling are consistent with a model that assumes a repulsive DNA-DNA interaction potential derived from DNA condensation studies and predicts an inverse spool DNA conformation. Forces resisting packaging from ~80–100% filling are also consistent with this model. However, that electron microscopy does not reveal a spool conformation suggests that this model overestimates bending rigidity and underestimates repulsion. Below 80% filling, inferred ejection forces are higher than those resisting packaging. Although unexpected, this suggests that most force that builds during packaging is available to drive DNA ejection. PMID:28618627

  10. Drive-amplitude-modulation atomic force microscopy: From vacuum to liquids

    PubMed Central

    Jaafar, Miriam; Cuenca, Mariano; Melcher, John; Raman, Arvind

    2012-01-01

    Summary We introduce drive-amplitude-modulation atomic force microscopy as a dynamic mode with outstanding performance in all environments from vacuum to liquids. As with frequency modulation, the new mode follows a feedback scheme with two nested loops: The first keeps the cantilever oscillation amplitude constant by regulating the driving force, and the second uses the driving force as the feedback variable for topography. Additionally, a phase-locked loop can be used as a parallel feedback allowing separation of the conservative and nonconservative interactions. We describe the basis of this mode and present some examples of its performance in three different environments. Drive-amplutide modulation is a very stable, intuitive and easy to use mode that is free of the feedback instability associated with the noncontact-to-contact transition that occurs in the frequency-modulation mode. PMID:22563531

  11. Fast charge separation in a non-fullerene organic solar cell with a small driving force

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Jing; Chen, Shangshang; Qian, Deping; Gautam, Bhoj; Yang, Guofang; Zhao, Jingbo; Bergqvist, Jonas; Zhang, Fengling; Ma, Wei; Ade, Harald; Inganäs, Olle; Gundogdu, Kenan; Gao, Feng; Yan, He

    2016-07-01

    Fast and efficient charge separation is essential to achieve high power conversion efficiency in organic solar cells (OSCs). In state-of-the-art OSCs, this is usually achieved by a significant driving force, defined as the offset between the bandgap (Egap) of the donor/acceptor materials and the energy of the charge transfer (CT) state (ECT), which is typically greater than 0.3 eV. The large driving force causes a relatively large voltage loss that hinders performance. Here, we report non-fullerene OSCs that exhibit ultrafast and efficient charge separation despite a negligible driving force, as ECT is nearly identical to Egap. Moreover, the small driving force is found to have minimal detrimental effects on charge transfer dynamics of the OSCs. We demonstrate a non-fullerene OSC with 9.5% efficiency and nearly 90% internal quantum efficiency despite a low voltage loss of 0.61 V. This creates a path towards highly efficient OSCs with a low voltage loss.

  12. Complex patchy colloids shaped from deformable seed particles through capillary interactions.

    PubMed

    Meester, V; Kraft, D J

    2018-02-14

    We investigate the mechanisms underlying the reconfiguration of random aggregates of spheres through capillary interactions, the so-called "colloidal recycling" method, to fabricate a wide variety of patchy particles. We explore the influence of capillary forces on clusters of deformable seed particles by systematically varying the crosslink density of the spherical seeds. Spheres with a poorly crosslinked polymer network strongly deform due to capillary forces and merge into large spheres. With increasing crosslink density and therefore rigidity, the shape of the spheres is increasingly preserved during reconfiguration, yielding patchy particles of well-defined shape for up to five spheres. In particular, we find that the aspect ratio between the length and width of dumbbells, L/W, increases with the crosslink density (cd) as L/W = B - A·exp(-cd/C). For clusters consisting of more than five spheres, the particle deformability furthermore determines the patch arrangement of the resulting particles. The reconfiguration pathway of clusters of six densely or poorly crosslinked seeds leads to octahedral and polytetrahedral shaped patchy particles, respectively. For seven particles several geometries were obtained with a preference for pentagonal dipyramids by the rigid spheres, while the soft spheres do rarely arrive in these structures. Even larger clusters of over 15 particles form non-uniform often aspherical shapes. We discuss that the reconfiguration pathway is largely influenced by confinement and geometric constraints. The key factor which dominates during reconfiguration depends on the deformability of the spherical seed particles.

  13. Nanoscale mechanochemical wear of phosphate laser glass against a CeO2 particle in humid air

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yu, Jiaxin; He, Hongtu; Zhang, Yafeng; Hu, Hailong

    2017-01-01

    Using an atomic force microscope, the friction and wear of phosphate laser glass against a CeO2 particle were quantitatively studied both in humid air and in vacuum, to reveal the water molecules induced mechanochemical wear mechanism of phosphate laser glass. The friction coefficient of the glass/CeO2 pair in air was found to be 5-7 times higher than that in vacuum due to the formation of a capillary water bridge at the friction interface, with a contribution of the capillary-related friction to the total friction coefficient as high as 65-79%. The capillary water bridge further induced a serious material removal of glass and CeO2 particle surfaces, while supplying both a local liquid water environment to corrode the glass surface and a high shearing force to assist the stretching of the Cesbnd Osbnd P bond, accelerating the reaction between water and the glass/CeO2 pair. In vacuum, however, no discernable wear phenomena were observed, but the phase images captured by AFM tapping mode suggested the occurrence of potential strain hardening in the friction area of the glass surface.

  14. Surface Properties of PEMFC Gas Diffusion Layers

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    WoodIII, David L; Rulison, Christopher; Borup, Rodney

    2010-01-01

    The wetting properties of PEMFC Gas Diffusion Layers (GDLs) were quantified by surface characterization measurements and modeling of material properties. Single-fiber contact-angle and surface energy (both Zisman and Owens-Wendt) data of a wide spectrum of GDL types is presented to delineate the effects of hydrophobic post-processing treatments. Modeling of the basic sessile-drop contact angle demonstrates that this value only gives a fraction of the total picture of interfacial wetting physics. Polar forces are shown to contribute 10-20 less than dispersive forces to the composite wetting of GDLs. Internal water contact angles obtained from Owens-Wendt analysis were measured at 13-19 highermore » than their single-fiber counterparts. An inverse relationship was found between internal contact angle and both Owens-Wendt surface energy and % polarity of the GDL. The most sophisticated PEMFC mathematical models use either experimentally measured capillary pressures or the standard Young-Laplace capillary-pressure equation. Based on the results of the Owens-Wendt analysis, an advancement to the Young-Laplace equation is proposed for use in these mathematical models, which utilizes only solid surface energies and fractional surface coverage of fluoropolymer. Capillary constants for the spectrum of analyzed GDLs are presented for the same purpose.« less

  15. Dynamics of the liquid film around elongated bubbles rising in vertical capillaries

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Magnini, Mirco; Khodaparast, Sepideh; Matar, Omar K.; Stone, Howard A.; Thome, John R.

    2017-11-01

    We performed a theoretical, numerical and experimental study on elongated bubbles rising in vertical tubes in co-current liquid flows. The flow conditions were characterized by capillary, Reynolds and Bond numbers within the range of Ca = 0.005 - 0.1 , Re = 1 - 2000 and Bo = 0 - 20 . Direct numerical simulations of the two-phase flows are run with a self-improved version of OpenFOAM, implementing a coupled Level Set and Volume of Fluid method. A theoretical model based on an extension of the traditional Bretherton theory, accounting for inertia and the gravity force, is developed to obtain predictions of the profiles of the front and rear menisci of the bubble, liquid film thickness and bubble velocity. Different from the traditional theory for bubbles rising in a stagnant liquid, the gravity force impacts the flow already when Bo < 4 . Gravity effects speed up the bubble compared to the Bo = 0 case, making the liquid film thicker and reducing the amplitude of the undulation on the surface of the bubble near its tail. Gravity effects are more apparent in the visco-capillary regime, i.e. when the Reynolds number is below 1.

  16. Low-Frequency Oscillations and Control of the Motor Output

    PubMed Central

    Lodha, Neha; Christou, Evangelos A.

    2017-01-01

    A less precise force output impairs our ability to perform movements, learn new motor tasks, and use tools. Here we show that low-frequency oscillations in force are detrimental to force precision. We summarize the recent evidence that low-frequency oscillations in force output represent oscillations of the spinal motor neuron pool from the voluntary drive, and can be modulated by shifting power to higher frequencies. Further, force oscillations below 0.5 Hz impair force precision with increased voluntary drive, aging, and neurological disease. We argue that the low-frequency oscillations are (1) embedded in the descending drive as shown by the activation of multiple spinal motor neurons, (2) are altered with force intensity and brain pathology, and (3) can be modulated by visual feedback and motor training to enhance force precision. Thus, low-frequency oscillations in force provide insight into how the human brain regulates force precision. PMID:28261107

  17. Sequential reconstruction of driving-forces from nonlinear nonstationary dynamics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Güntürkün, Ulaş

    2010-07-01

    This paper describes a functional analysis-based method for the estimation of driving-forces from nonlinear dynamic systems. The driving-forces account for the perturbation inputs induced by the external environment or the secular variations in the internal variables of the system. The proposed algorithm is applicable to the problems for which there is too little or no prior knowledge to build a rigorous mathematical model of the unknown dynamics. We derive the estimator conditioned on the differentiability of the unknown system’s mapping, and smoothness of the driving-force. The proposed algorithm is an adaptive sequential realization of the blind prediction error method, where the basic idea is to predict the observables, and retrieve the driving-force from the prediction error. Our realization of this idea is embodied by predicting the observables one-step into the future using a bank of echo state networks (ESN) in an online fashion, and then extracting the raw estimates from the prediction error and smoothing these estimates in two adaptive filtering stages. The adaptive nature of the algorithm enables to retrieve both slowly and rapidly varying driving-forces accurately, which are illustrated by simulations. Logistic and Moran-Ricker maps are studied in controlled experiments, exemplifying chaotic state and stochastic measurement models. The algorithm is also applied to the estimation of a driving-force from another nonlinear dynamic system that is stochastic in both state and measurement equations. The results are judged by the posterior Cramer-Rao lower bounds. The method is finally put into test on a real-world application; extracting sun’s magnetic flux from the sunspot time series.

  18. Effects of intermediate wettability on entry capillary pressure in angular pores.

    PubMed

    Rabbani, Harris Sajjad; Joekar-Niasar, Vahid; Shokri, Nima

    2016-07-01

    Entry capillary pressure is one of the most important factors controlling drainage and remobilization of the capillary-trapped phases as it is the limiting factor against the two-phase displacement. It is known that the entry capillary pressure is rate dependent such that the inertia forces would enhance entry of the non-wetting phase into the pores. More importantly the entry capillary pressure is wettability dependent. However, while the movement of a meniscus into a strongly water-wet pore is well-defined, the invasion of a meniscus into a weak or intermediate water-wet pore especially in the case of angular pores is ambiguous. In this study using OpenFOAM software, high-resolution direct two-phase flow simulations of movement of a meniscus in a single capillary channel are performed. Interface dynamics in angular pores under drainage conditions have been simulated under constant flow rate boundary condition at different wettability conditions. Our results shows that the relation between the half corner angle of pores and contact angle controls the temporal evolution of capillary pressure during the invasion of a pore. By deviating from pure water-wet conditions, a dip in the temporal evolution of capillary pressure can be observed which will be pronounced in irregular angular cross sections. That enhances the pore invasion with a smaller differential pressure. The interplay between the contact angle and pore geometry can have significant implications for enhanced remobilization of ganglia in intermediate contact angles in real porous media morphologies, where pores are very heterogeneous with small shape factors. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  19. A coupling modulation model of capillary waves from gravity waves: Theoretical analysis and experimental validation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Pengzhen; Wang, Xiaoqing; Liu, Li; Chong, Jinsong

    2016-06-01

    According to Bragg theory, capillary waves are the predominant scatterers of high-frequency band (such as Ka-band) microwave radiation from the surface of the ocean. Therefore, understanding the modulation mechanism of capillary waves is an important foundation for interpreting high-frequency microwave remote sensing images of the surface of the sea. In our experiments, we discovered that modulations of capillary waves are significantly larger than the values predicted by the classical theory. Further, analysis shows that the difference in restoring force results in an inflection point while the phase velocity changes from gravity waves region to capillary waves region, and this results in the capillary waves being able to resonate with gravity waves when the phase velocity of the gravity waves is equal to the group velocity of the capillary waves. Consequently, we propose a coupling modulation model in which the current modulates the capillary wave indirectly by modulating the resonant gravity waves, and the modulation of the former is approximated by that of the latter. This model very effectively explains the results discovered in our experiments. Further, based on Bragg scattering theory and this coupling modulation model, we simulate the modulation of normalized radar cross section (NRCS) of typical internal waves and show that the high-frequency bands are superior to the low-frequency bands because of their greater modulation of NRCS and better radiometric resolution. This result provides new support for choice of radar band for observation of wave-current modulation oceanic phenomena such as internal waves, fronts, and shears.

  20. Role of air-water interfaces in colloid transport in porous media: A review

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Flury, Markus; Aramrak, Surachet

    2017-07-01

    Air-water interfaces play an important role in unsaturated porous media, giving rise to phenomena like capillarity. Less recognized and understood are interactions of colloids with the air-water interface in porous media and the implications of these interactions for fate and transport of colloids. In this review, we discuss how colloids, both suspended in the aqueous phase and attached at pore walls, interact with air-water interfaces in porous media. We discuss the theory of colloid/air-water interface interactions, based on the different forces acting between colloids and the air-water interface (DLVO, hydrophobic, capillary forces) and based on thermodynamic considerations (Gibbs free energy). Subsurface colloids are usually electrostatically repelled from the air-water interface because most subsurface colloids and the air-water are negatively charged. However, hydrophobic interactions can lead to attraction to the air-water interface. When colloids are at the air-water interface, capillary forces are usually dominant over other forces. Moving air-water interfaces are effective in mobilizing and transporting colloids from surfaces. Thermodynamic considerations show that, for a colloid, the air-water interface is the favored state as compared with the suspension phase, except for hydrophilic colloids in the nanometer size range. Experimental evidence indicates that colloid mobilization in soils often occurs through macropores, although matrix transport is also prevalent in absence of macropores. Moving air-water interfaces, e.g., occurring during infiltration, imbibition, or drainage, have been shown to scour colloids from surfaces and translocate colloids. Colloids can also be pinned to surfaces by thin water films and capillary menisci at the air-water-solid interface line, causing colloid retention and immobilization. Air-water interfaces thus can both mobilize or immobilize colloids in porous media, depending on hydrodynamics and colloid and surface chemistry.

  1. A guide for statewide impaired-driving task forces.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2009-09-01

    The purpose of the guide is to assist State officials and other stakeholders who are interested in establishing an : Impaired-Driving Statewide Task Force or who are exploring ways to improve their current Task Force. The guide : addresses issues suc...

  2. Capillary muscle

    PubMed Central

    Cohen, Caroline; Mouterde, Timothée; Quéré, David; Clanet, Christophe

    2015-01-01

    The contraction of a muscle generates a force that decreases when increasing the contraction velocity. This “hyperbolic” force–velocity relationship has been known since the seminal work of A. V. Hill in 1938 [Hill AV (1938) Proc R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 126(843):136–195]. Hill’s heuristic equation is still used, and the sliding-filament theory for the sarcomere [Huxley H, Hanson J (1954) Nature 173(4412):973–976; Huxley AF, Niedergerke R (1954) Nature 173(4412):971–973] suggested how its different parameters can be related to the molecular origin of the force generator [Huxley AF (1957) Prog Biophys Biophys Chem 7:255–318; Deshcherevskiĭ VI (1968) Biofizika 13(5):928–935]. Here, we develop a capillary analog of the sarcomere obeying Hill’s equation and discuss its analogy with muscles. PMID:25944938

  3. Mechanics of Stimulated Neutrophils: Cell Stiffening Induces Retention in Capillaries

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Worthen, G. Scott; Schwab, Bill; Elson, Elliot L.; Downey, Gregory P.

    1989-07-01

    The effect of peptide chemoattractants on neutrophil mechanical properties was studied to test the hypothesis that stimulated neutrophils (diameter, 8 micrometers) are retained in pulmonary capillaries (5.5 micrometers) as a result of a decreased ability of the cell to deform within the capillary in response to the hydrodynamic forces of the bloodstream. Increased neutrophil stiffness, actin assembly, and retention in both 5-micrometer pores and the pulmonary vasculature were seen in response to N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine. These changes were abolished in cells that had been incubated with 2 micromolar cytochalasin D, an agent that disrupts cellular actin organization. A monoclonal antibody directed at the CD11-CD18 adhesive glycoprotein complex did not inhibit the increase in stiffness or retention in pores. These data suggest that neutrophil stiffening may be both necessary and sufficient for the retention that is observed. Hence, neutrophil sequestration in lung and other capillaries in the acute inflammatory process may be the result of increased stiffness stimulated by chemoattractants.

  4. Methods of forming and using porous structures for energy efficient separation of light gases by capillary condensation

    DOEpatents

    Calamur, Narasimhan; Carrera, Martin E.; Devlin, David J.; Archuleta, Tom

    2000-01-01

    The present invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for separating one or more condensable compounds from a mixture of two or more gases of differing volatilities by capillary fractionation in a membrane-type apparatus, and a method of forming porous structures therefor. More particularly, the invention includes methods of forming and using an apparatus consisting, at least in part, of a porous structure having capillary-type passages extending between a plurality of small openings on the first side and larger openings on a second side of the structure, the passages being adapted to permit a condensed liquid to flow therethrough substantially by capillary forces, whereby vapors from the mixture are condensed, at least in part, and substantially in and adjacent to the openings on the first side, and are caused to flow in a condensed liquid state, substantially in the absence of vapor, from the openings on the first side to the openings on the second side.

  5. Phenomenological model of sintering of oxide nuclear fuel with doping admixtures

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Baranov, V. G.; Devyatko, Yu. N.; Tenishev, A. V.; Khomyakov, O. V.

    2015-12-01

    It is shown that a change in the linear dimension of compacted UO2 in the sintering process is associated with its plastic yielding under the action of the forces of residual stress and capillary forces. From the curves of sintering of a fuel with doping admixtures in various gaseous media, its rate of creep is reduced.

  6. Effects of capillary heterogeneity on vapor-liquid counterflow in porous media

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Stubos, A. K.; Satik, C.; Yortsos, Y. C.

    1992-06-01

    Based on a continuum description, the effect of capillary heterogeneity, induced by variation in permeability, on the steady state, countercurrent, vapor-liquid flow in porous media is analyzed. It is shown that the heterogeneity acts as a body force that may enhance or diminish gravity effects on heat pipes. Selection rules that determine the steady states reached in homogeneous, gravity-driven heat pipes are also formulated. It is shown that the 'infinite' two-phase zone may terminate by a substantial change in the permeability somewhere in the medium. The two possible sequences, liquid-liquid dominated-dry, or liquid-vapor dominated-dry find applications in geothermal systems. Finally, it is shown that although weak heterogeneity affects only gravity controlled flows, stronger variations in permeability can give rise to significant capillary effects.

  7. Influence of granulometry in the Hurst exponent of air liquid interfaces formed during capillary rising in a granular media

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gontijo, Guilherme L.; Souza, Flávia B.; Braga, Rafael M. L.; Silva, Pedro H. E.; Correia, Maury D.; Atman, A. P. F.

    2017-06-01

    We report results concerning the fractal dimension of a air/fluid interface formed during the capillary rising of a fluid into a dense granular media. The system consists in a modified Hele-Shaw cell filled with grains at different granulometries and confined in a narrow gap between the glass plates. The system is then placed onto a water reservoir, and the liquid penetrates the medium due to capillary forces. We measure the Hurst exponent of the liquid/air interface with help of image processing, and follow the temporal evolution of the profiles. We observe that the Hurst exponent can be related with the granulometry, but the range of values are odd to the predicted values from models or theory.

  8. Properties of pendular liquid bridges determined on Delaunay's roulettes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mielniczuk, Boleslaw; Millet, Olivier; Gagneux, Gérard; El Youssoufi, Moulay Said

    2017-06-01

    This work addresses the study of capillary bridge properties between two grains, with use of recent analytical model, based on solutions of Young-Laplace equation from an inverse problem. A simple explicit criterion allows to classify the profile of capillary bridge as a surface of revolution with constant mean curvature (Delaunay roulette) using its measured geometrical parameters (gorge radius, contact angle, half-filling angle). Necessary data are obtained from experimental tests, realized on liquid bridges between two equal spherical grains. Sequences of images are recorded at several (fixed) volumes of liquid and different separations distances between the spheres (from contact to rupture), in laboratory and in micro-gravity conditions. For each configuration, an exact parametric representation of the meridian is revealed. Mean bridge curvature, internal pressure and intergranular capillary force are also determined.

  9. The criterion of subscale sufficiency and its application to the relationship between static capillary pressure, saturation and interfacial areas

    PubMed Central

    2016-01-01

    Modern imaging techniques, increased simulation capabilities and extended theoretical frameworks, naturally drive the development of multiscale modelling by the question: which new information should be considered? Given the need for concise constitutive relationships and efficient data evaluation; however, one important question is often neglected: which information is sufficient? For this reason, this work introduces the formalized criterion of subscale sufficiency. This criterion states whether a chosen constitutive relationship transfers all necessary information from micro to macroscale within a multiscale framework. It further provides a scheme to improve constitutive relationships. Direct application to static capillary pressure demonstrates usefulness and conditions for subscale sufficiency of saturation and interfacial areas. PMID:27279769

  10. Glass heat pipe evacuated tube solar collector

    DOEpatents

    McConnell, Robert D.; Vansant, James H.

    1984-01-01

    A glass heat pipe is adapted for use as a solar energy absorber in an evacuated tube solar collector and for transferring the absorbed solar energy to a working fluid medium or heat sink for storage or practical use. A capillary wick is formed of granular glass particles fused together by heat on the inside surface of the heat pipe with a water glass binder solution to enhance capillary drive distribution of the thermal transfer fluid in the heat pipe throughout the entire inside surface of the evaporator portion of the heat pipe. Selective coatings are used on the heat pipe surface to maximize solar absorption and minimize energy radiation, and the glass wick can alternatively be fabricated with granular particles of black glass or obsidian.

  11. Molecular insight into nanoscale water films dewetting on modified silica surfaces.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Jun; Li, Wen; Yan, Youguo; Wang, Yefei; Liu, Bing; Shen, Yue; Chen, Haixiang; Liu, Liang

    2015-01-07

    In this work, molecular dynamics simulations are adopted to investigate the microscopic dewetting mechanism of nanoscale water films on methylated silica surfaces. The simulation results show that the dewetting process is divided into two stages: the appearance of dry patches and the quick contraction of the water film. First, the appearance of dry patches is due to the fluctuation in the film thickness originating from capillary wave instability. Second, for the fast contraction of water film, the unsaturated electrostatic and hydrogen bond interactions among water molecules are the driving forces, which induce the quick contraction of the water film. Finally, the effect of film thickness on water films dewetting is studied. Research results suggest that upon increasing the water film thickness from 6 to 8 Å, the final dewetting patterns experience separate droplets and striation-shaped structures, respectively. But upon further increasing the water film thickness, the water film is stable and there are no dry patches. The microscopic dewetting behaviors of water films on methylated silica surfaces discussed here are helpful in understanding many phenomena in scientific and industrial processes better.

  12. Geometric control of capillary architecture via cell-matrix mechanical interactions.

    PubMed

    Sun, Jian; Jamilpour, Nima; Wang, Fei-Yue; Wong, Pak Kin

    2014-03-01

    Capillary morphogenesis is a multistage, multicellular activity that plays a pivotal role in various developmental and pathological situations. In-depth understanding of the regulatory mechanism along with the capability of controlling the morphogenic process will have direct implications on tissue engineering and therapeutic angiogenesis. Extensive research has been devoted to elucidate the biochemical factors that regulate capillary morphogenesis. The roles of geometric confinement and cell-matrix mechanical interactions on the capillary architecture, nevertheless, remain largely unknown. Here, we show geometric control of endothelial network topology by creating physical confinements with microfabricated fences and wells. Decreasing the thickness of the matrix also results in comparable modulation of the network architecture, supporting the boundary effect is mediated mechanically. The regulatory role of cell-matrix mechanical interaction on the network topology is further supported by alternating the matrix stiffness by a cell-inert PEG-dextran hydrogel. Furthermore, reducing the cell traction force with a Rho-associated protein kinase inhibitor diminishes the boundary effect. Computational biomechanical analysis delineates the relationship between geometric confinement and cell-matrix mechanical interaction. Collectively, these results reveal a mechanoregulation scheme of endothelial cells to regulate the capillary network architecture via cell-matrix mechanical interactions. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  13. Trace detection of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) with a SERS-based capillary platform prepared by the in situ microwave synthesis of AgNPs.

    PubMed

    Yüksel, Sezin; Schwenke, Almut M; Soliveri, Guido; Ardizzone, Silvia; Weber, Karina; Cialla-May, Dana; Hoeppener, Stephanie; Schubert, Ulrich S; Popp, Jürgen

    2016-10-05

    In the present study, an ultra-sensitive and highly reproducible novel SERS-based capillary platform was developed and utilized for the trace detection of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The approach combines the advantages of microwave-assisted nanoparticle synthesis, plasmonics and capillary forces. By employing a microwave-assisted preparation method, glass capillaries were reproducibly coated with silver nanoparticles in a batch fabrication process that required a processing time of 3 min without needing to use any pre-surface modifications or add surfactants. The coated capillaries exhibited an excellent SERS activity with a high reproducibility and enabled the detection of low concentrations of target molecules. At the same time, only a small amount of analyte and a short and simple incubation process was required. The developed platform was applied to the spectroscopic characterization of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and its identification at concentration levels down to 1 nM. Thus, a highly efficient detection system for practical applications, e.g., in drug monitoring/detection, is introduced, which can be fabricated at low cost by using microwave-assisted batch synthesis techniques. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  14. An introductory handbook for state task forces to combat drunk driving.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1983-01-01

    In June 1982 Governor Robb created a task force to identify and assess efforts under way in Virginia to address the problem of drunken driving and to make recommendations. This booklet was prepared to assist the task force in its deliberations.

  15. [Recent advances and applications of capillary electrochromatography and pressurized capillary electrochromatography].

    PubMed

    Wu, Yi; Zhang, Xiaohui; Wei, Juan; Xue, Yunyun; Bahatibieke, Marjan; Wang, Yan; Yan, Chao

    2009-09-01

    Capillary electrochromatography (CEC), in which electroosmotic flow (EOF) created from the electrical double layer is made to act as a pump to drive the mobile phase in a capillary column packed with micro-particulates or coated with stationary phase. Both neutral and charged species can be resolved by CEC. It has been demonstrated that the efficiency of a separation obtained by electroosmotic propulsion is superior to that obtained by pressure-driven flow (as is the case in HPLC). CEC combines the best features of CE and versatile selectivity and large sample capacity of HPLC, promising high efficiency, high resolution, high selectivity and high peak capacity. However, in practice, when CEC is used without pressure, often used on a commercial CE instrument, there are problems and difficulties associated with bubbles formation and column dry-out. These difficulties can be overcome by a pressurized CEC (pCEC) system, in which a supplementary pressure is applied to the column in addition to the EOF. In such a system, a pressure can be applied to the capillary column to suppress bubbles formation. Quantitative sample introduction in pCEC can be easily achieved through a rotary-type injector. Most importantly, it is amenable for a solvent gradient mode, similar to that in HPLC, by programming the composition of mobile phase. The article brings a comprehensive survey of recent development of CEC and pCEC, including the development of instrumentation, capillary columns and stationary phase as well as CEC and pCEC applications in life science, biotechnology, pharmaceutical analysis, food safety and environmental security. Prospects for CEC and pCEC development and application are also discussed.

  16. Effect of relative humidity on onset of capillary forces for rough surfaces.

    PubMed

    Zarate, Nyah V; Harrison, Aaron J; Litster, James D; Beaudoin, Stephen P

    2013-12-01

    Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to investigate the effect of relative humidity (RH) on the adhesion forces between silicon nitride AFM probes, hydrophilic stainless steel, and hydrophobic Perspex® (polymethylmethacrylate, PMMA). In addition, AFM-based phase contrast imaging was used to quantify the amount and location of adsorbed water present on these substrates at RH levels ranging from 15% to 65% at 22°C. Both the adhesion forces and the quantities of adsorbed moisture were seen to vary with RH, and the nature of this variation depended on the hydrophobicity of the substrate. For the Perspex®, both the adhesion force and the amount of adsorbed moisture were essentially independent of RH. For the stainless steel substrate, adsorbed moisture increased continuously with increasing RH, while the adhesion force rose from a minimum at 15% RH to a broad maximum between 25% and 35% RH. From 35% to 55% RH, the adhesion force dropped continuously to an intermediate level before rising again as 65% RH was approached. The changes in adhesion force with increasing relative humidity in the case of the stainless steel substrate were attributed to a balance of effects associated with adsorbed, sub-continuum water on the cantilever and steel. Hydrogen bonding interactions between these adsorbed water molecules were thought to increase the adhesion force. However, when significant quantities of molecular water adsorbed, these molecules were expect to decrease adhesion by screening the van der Waals interactions between the steel and the cantilever tip, and by increasing the separation distance between these solid surfaces when they were 'in contact'. Finally, the slight increase in adhesion between 55% and 65% RH was attributed to true capillary forces exerted by continuum water on the two solid surfaces. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  17. Precision wire feeder for small diameter wire

    DOEpatents

    Brandon, Eldon D.; Hooper, Frederick M.; Reichenbach, Marvin L.

    1992-01-01

    A device for feeding small diameter wire having a diameter less than 0.04 mm (16 mil) to a welding station includes a driving wheel for controllably applying a non-deforming driving force to the wire to move the free end of the wire towards the welding station; and a tension device such as a torque motor for constantly applying a reverse force to the wire in opposition to the driving force to keep the wire taut.

  18. Precision wire feeder for small diameter wire

    DOEpatents

    Brandon, E.D.; Hooper, F.M.; Reichenbach, M.L.

    1992-08-11

    A device for feeding small diameter wire having a diameter less than 0.04 mm (16 mil) to a welding station includes a driving wheel for controllably applying a non-deforming driving force to the wire to move the free end of the wire towards the welding station; and a tension device such as a torque motor for constantly applying a reverse force to the wire in opposition to the driving force to keep the wire taut. 1 figure.

  19. DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Volkov, N. B.; Zubarev, N. M., E-mail: nick@iep.uran.ru; Zubareva, O. V.

    Exact solutions are obtained for the problem of an equilibrium configuration of an uncharged cylindrical jet of a conducting liquid in a transverse electric field. The transverse cross section of the jet moving between two planar electrodes is deformed under the action of electrostatic forces (capillary forces play a stabilizing role). According to the solutions obtained, the initially circular cross section of the jet may be significantly (formally, unboundedly) stretched along the lines of forces of the field, and the boundaries of the jet asymptotically approach the electrodes.

  20. Magnetic force micropiston: an integrated force/microfluidic device for the application of compressive forces in a confined environment.

    PubMed

    Fisher, J K; Kleckner, N

    2014-02-01

    Cellular biology takes place inside confining spaces. For example, bacteria grow in crevices, red blood cells squeeze through capillaries, and chromosomes replicate inside the nucleus. Frequently, the extent of this confinement varies. Bacteria grow longer and divide, red blood cells move through smaller and smaller passages as they travel to capillary beds, and replication doubles the amount of DNA inside the nucleus. This increase in confinement, either due to a decrease in the available space or an increase in the amount of material contained in a constant volume, has the potential to squeeze and stress objects in ways that may lead to changes in morphology, dynamics, and ultimately biological function. Here, we describe a device developed to probe the interplay between confinement and the mechanical properties of cells and cellular structures, and forces that arise due to changes in a structure's state. In this system, the manipulation of a magnetic bead exerts a compressive force upon a target contained in the confining space of a microfluidic channel. This magnetic force microfluidic piston is constructed in such a way that we can measure (a) target compliance and changes in compliance as induced by changes in buffer, extract, or biochemical composition, (b) target expansion force generated by changes in the same parameters, and (c) the effects of compression stress on a target's structure and function. Beyond these issues, our system has general applicability to a variety of questions requiring the combination of mechanical forces, confinement, and optical imaging.

  1. Magnetic force micropiston: An integrated force/microfluidic device for the application of compressive forces in a confined environment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fisher, J. K.; Kleckner, N.

    2014-02-01

    Cellular biology takes place inside confining spaces. For example, bacteria grow in crevices, red blood cells squeeze through capillaries, and chromosomes replicate inside the nucleus. Frequently, the extent of this confinement varies. Bacteria grow longer and divide, red blood cells move through smaller and smaller passages as they travel to capillary beds, and replication doubles the amount of DNA inside the nucleus. This increase in confinement, either due to a decrease in the available space or an increase in the amount of material contained in a constant volume, has the potential to squeeze and stress objects in ways that may lead to changes in morphology, dynamics, and ultimately biological function. Here, we describe a device developed to probe the interplay between confinement and the mechanical properties of cells and cellular structures, and forces that arise due to changes in a structure's state. In this system, the manipulation of a magnetic bead exerts a compressive force upon a target contained in the confining space of a microfluidic channel. This magnetic force microfluidic piston is constructed in such a way that we can measure (a) target compliance and changes in compliance as induced by changes in buffer, extract, or biochemical composition, (b) target expansion force generated by changes in the same parameters, and (c) the effects of compression stress on a target's structure and function. Beyond these issues, our system has general applicability to a variety of questions requiring the combination of mechanical forces, confinement, and optical imaging.

  2. Axial force and efficiency tests of fixed center variable speed belt drive

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bents, D. J.

    1981-01-01

    An investigation of how the axial force varies with the centerline force at different speed ratios, speeds, and loads, and how the drive's transmission efficiency is affected by these related forces is described. The tests, intended to provide a preliminary performance and controls characterization for a variable speed belt drive continuously variable transmission (CVT), consisted of the design and construction of an experimental test rig geometrically similar to the CVT, and operation of that rig at selected speed ratios and power levels. Data are presented which show: how axial forces exerted on the driver and driven sheaves vary with the centerline force at constant values of speed ratio, speed, and output power; how the transmission efficiency varies with centerline force and how it is also a function of the V belt coefficient; and the axial forces on both sheaves as normalized functions of the traction coefficient.

  3. Capillary wave theory of adsorbed liquid films and the structure of the liquid-vapor interface

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    MacDowell, Luis G.

    2017-08-01

    In this paper we try to work out in detail the implications of a microscopic theory for capillary waves under the assumption that the density is given along lines normal to the interface. Within this approximation, which may be justified in terms of symmetry arguments, the Fisk-Widom scaling of the density profile holds for frozen realizations of the interface profile. Upon thermal averaging of capillary wave fluctuations, the resulting density profile yields results consistent with renormalization group calculations in the one-loop approximation. The thermal average over capillary waves may be expressed in terms of a modified convolution approximation where normals to the interface are Gaussian distributed. In the absence of an external field we show that the phenomenological density profile applied to the square-gradient free energy functional recovers the capillary wave Hamiltonian exactly. We extend the theory to the case of liquid films adsorbed on a substrate. For systems with short-range forces, we recover an effective interface Hamiltonian with a film height dependent surface tension that stems from the distortion of the liquid-vapor interface by the substrate, in agreement with the Fisher-Jin theory of short-range wetting. In the presence of long-range interactions, the surface tension picks up an explicit dependence on the external field and recovers the wave vector dependent logarithmic contribution observed by Napiorkowski and Dietrich. Using an error function for the intrinsic density profile, we obtain closed expressions for the surface tension and the interface width. We show the external field contribution to the surface tension may be given in terms of the film's disjoining pressure. From literature values of the Hamaker constant, it is found that the fluid-substrate forces may be able to double the surface tension for films in the nanometer range. The film height dependence of the surface tension described here is in full agreement with results of the capillary wave spectrum obtained recently in computer simulations, and the predicted translation mode of surface fluctuations reproduces to linear order in field strength an exact solution of the density correlation function for the Landau-Ginzburg-Wilson Hamiltonian in an external field.

  4. Capillary spreading of contact line over a sinking sphere

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Kim, Seong Jin; Fezzaa, Kamel; An, Jim

    The contact line dynamics over a sinking solid sphere are investigated in comparison with classical spreading theories. Experimentally, high-speed imaging systems with optical light or x-ray illumination are employed to accurately measure the spreading motion and dynamic contact angle of the contact line. Millimetric spheres are controlled to descend with a constant speed ranging from 7.3 × 10-5 to 0.79 m/s. We observed three different spreading stages over a sinking sphere, which depends on the contact line velocity and contact angle. These stages consistently showed the characteristics of capillarity-driven spreading as the contact line spreads faster with a higher contactmore » angle. The contact line velocity is observed to follow a classical capillary-viscous model at a high Ohnesorge number (> 0.02). For the cases with a relatively low Ohnesorge number (< 0.02), the contact line velocity is significantly lower than the speed predicted by the capillary-viscous balance. This indicates the existence of an additional opposing force (inertia) for a decreasing Ohnesorge number. The capillary-inertial balance is only observed at the very beginning of the capillary rise, in which the maximum velocity is independent of the sphere’s sinking speed. Additionally, we observed the linear relation between the contact line velocity and the sphere sinking speed during the second stage, which represents capillary adjustment by dynamic contact angle.« less

  5. Phase locking route behind complex periodic windows in a forced oscillator

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jan, Hengtai; Tsai, Kuo-Ting; Kuo, Li-wei

    2013-09-01

    Chaotic systems have complex reactions against an external driving force; even in cases with low-dimension oscillators, the routes to synchronization are diverse. We proposed a stroboscope-based method for analyzing driven chaotic systems in their phase space. According to two statistic quantities generated from time series, we could realize the system state and the driving behavior simultaneously. We demonstrated our method in a driven bi-stable system, which showed complex period windows under a proper driving force. With increasing periodic driving force, a route from interior periodic oscillation to phase synchronization through the chaos state could be found. Periodic windows could also be identified and the circumstances under which they occurred distinguished. Statistical results were supported by conditional Lyapunov exponent analysis to show the power in analyzing the unknown time series.

  6. Electroosmotic Push–Pull Perfusion: Description and Application to Qualitative Analysis of the Hydrolysis of Exogenous Galanin in Organotypic Hippocampal Slice Cultures

    PubMed Central

    2013-01-01

    We demonstrate here a method that perfuses a small region of an organotypic hippocampal culture with a solution containing an enzyme substrate, a neuropeptide. Perfusate containing hydrolysis products is continually collected and subsequently analyzed for the products of the enzymatic degradation of the peptide substrate. The driving force for perfusion is an electric field. The fused silica capillaries used as “push” and “pull” or “source” and “collection” capillaries have a ζ-potential that is negative and greater in magnitude than the tissue’s ζ-potential. Thus, depending on the magnitudes of particular dimensions, the electroosmotic flow in the capillaries augments the fluid velocity in the tissue. The flow rate is not directly measured; however, we determine it using a finite-element approach. We have determined the collection efficiency of the system using an all d-amino acid internal standard. The flow rates are low, in the nL/min range, and adjustable by controlling the current or voltage in the system. The collection efficiency of the d-amino acid peptide internal standard is variable, increasing with increased current and thus electroosmotic flow rate. The collection efficiency can be rationalized in the context of a Peclet number. Electroosmotic push–pull perfusion of the neuropeptide galanin (gal1–29) through the extracellular space of an organotypic hippocampal culture results in its hydrolysis by ectopeptidase reactions occurring in the extracellular space. The products of hydrolysis were identified by MALDI-MS. Experiments at two levels of current (8–12 μA and 19–40 μA) show that the probability of seeing hydrolysis products (apparently from aminopeptidases) is greater in the Cornu Ammonis area 3 (CA3) than in the Cornu Ammonis area 1 (CA1) in the higher current experiments. In the lower current experiments, shorter peptide products of aminopeptidases (gal13–29 to gal20–19) are seen with greater frequency in CA3 than in CA1 but there is no statistically significant difference for longer peptides (gal3–29 to gal12–29). PMID:23614879

  7. The microflow behavior and interphase characterization of fiber-reinforced polymer composites

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Foley, Maureen Elizabeth

    There is typically a trade off that takes place when designing a composite part for ballistic purposes. Structural strength requirements typically call for less than 1% voids with strong adhesion between the fiber and matrix whereas for ballistic applications, such as spall plates for body armor where energy absorbing properties are paramount, the composites are usually resin lean and have weaker fiber matrix interphases. The energy absorbing properties of a composite can be tailored through the sizings applied to the fiber or through control of the resin infiltration of the composite part. The goal of this research was two pronged. The first was to develop a transverse microflow model that could be used to predict the microflow within a tow assuming it is completely surrounded by resin. The models developed consider the capillary pressure on the flow front, which is typically ignored by literature models, as the main driving force for transverse flow into the fiber bundles. This capillary pressure is a function of the surface properties of the resin and fiber and by tailoring these properties one can control the microflow of the resin. The dynamic model, which takes into account the fiber radius, fiber volume fraction, fiber count, resin contact angle with the fiber and the resin surface tension, was used to study the effects of tow count, fiber volume fraction and contact angle on the infiltration time. The second goal of this research was the development of an interphase characterization methodology that can be used to evaluate the interphase properties, using the Dynamic Interphase Loading Apparatus (DILA), once the fiber preforms are infiltrated. The DILA is a unique piece of equipment that allows one to pushout a fiber from a thin composite slice while recording the resulting force and displacement. The interphase characterization process includes indenter selection, sample and test configuration design, test parameters, post test validation and data reduction. This process was used to evaluate glass fiber reinforced epoxy and vinyl ester systems under quasi-static and cyclic loading as examples of the DILA capabilities.

  8. Easter microplate dynamics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Neves, M. C.; Searle, R. C.; Bott, M. H. P.

    2003-04-01

    We use two-dimensional elastic finite element analysis, supplemented by strength estimates, to investigate the driving mechanism of the Easter microplate. Modeled stresses are compared with the stress indicators compiled from earthquake focal mechanisms and structural observations. The objective is to constrain the tectonic forces that govern the Easter microplate rotation and to test the microplate driving hypothesis proposed by [1993]. We infer that the mantle basal drag cannot drive the microplate rotation but opposes it, and that the asthenospheric viscosity is no more than about 1 × 1018 Pa s. At most, the basal drag comprises 20% of the force resisting microplate rotation. The outward pull of the main plates can drive the rotation by shear drag applied along the northern and southern boundaries of the microplate. However, we propose an additional driving force which arises from the strong variation of the ridge resistance force along the east and west rifts, so that the main driving torques come from the pull of the major plates acting across the narrowing and slowing rifts. This requires the strength to increase substantially toward the rift tips due to thickening of the brittle lithosphere as the spreading rate slows.

  9. Estimation of Muscle Force Based on Neural Drive in a Hemispheric Stroke Survivor.

    PubMed

    Dai, Chenyun; Zheng, Yang; Hu, Xiaogang

    2018-01-01

    Robotic assistant-based therapy holds great promise to improve the functional recovery of stroke survivors. Numerous neural-machine interface techniques have been used to decode the intended movement to control robotic systems for rehabilitation therapies. In this case report, we tested the feasibility of estimating finger extensor muscle forces of a stroke survivor, based on the decoded descending neural drive through population motoneuron discharge timings. Motoneuron discharge events were obtained by decomposing high-density surface electromyogram (sEMG) signals of the finger extensor muscle. The neural drive was extracted from the normalized frequency of the composite discharge of the motoneuron pool. The neural-drive-based estimation was also compared with the classic myoelectric-based estimation. Our results showed that the neural-drive-based approach can better predict the force output, quantified by lower estimation errors and higher correlations with the muscle force, compared with the myoelectric-based estimation. Our findings suggest that the neural-drive-based approach can potentially be used as a more robust interface signal for robotic therapies during the stroke rehabilitation.

  10. Dynamic regimes of buoyancy-affected two-phase flow in unconsolidated porous media.

    PubMed

    Stöhr, M; Khalili, A

    2006-03-01

    The invasion and subsequent flow of a nonwetting fluid (NWF) in a three-dimensional, unconsolidated porous medium saturated with a wetting fluid of higher density and viscosity have been studied experimentally using a light-transmission technique. Distinct dynamic regimes have been found for different relative magnitudes of viscous, capillary, and gravity forces. It is shown that the ratio of viscous and hydrostatic pressure gradients can be used as a relevant dimensionless number K for the characterization of the different flow regimes. For low values of K, the invasion is characterized by the migration and fragmentation of isolated clusters of the NWF resulting from the prevalence of gravity and capillary forces. At high values of K, the dominance of viscous and gravity forces leads to an anisotropic fingerlike invasion. When the invasion stops after the breakthrough of the NWF at the open upper boundary, the invasion structure retracts under the influence of gravity and transforms into stable vertical channels. It is shown that the stability of these channels is the result of a balance between hydrostatic and viscous pressure gradients.

  11. OSHA Laboratory Standard: Driving Force for Laboratory Safety!

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Roy, Kenneth R.

    2000-01-01

    Discusses the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA's) Laboratory Safety Standards as the major driving force in establishing and maintaining a safe working environment for teachers and students. (Author)

  12. Lyapunov stability analysis for the generalized Kapitza pendulum

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Druzhinina, O. V.; Sevastianov, L. A.; Vasilyev, S. A.; Vasilyeva, D. G.

    2017-12-01

    In this work generalization of Kapitza pendulum whose suspension point moves in the vertical and horizontal planes is made. Lyapunov stability analysis of the motion for this pendulum subjected to excitation of periodic driving forces and stochastic driving forces that act in the vertical and horizontal planes has been studied. The numerical study of the random motion for generalized Kapitza pendulum under stochastic driving forces has made. It is shown the existence of stable quasi-periodic motion for this pendulum.

  13. Liquid metal porous matrix sliding electrical contact: A concept

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ferguson, H.

    1973-01-01

    Concept utilizes porous metal or nonmetal matrix containing liquid metal in porous structure and confines liquid metal to contact area between rotor and brush by capillary forces. System may also be used to lubricate bearing systems.

  14. Hyperfiltration-mediated injury in the remaining kidney of a transplant donor.

    PubMed

    Srivastava, Tarak; Hariharan, Sundaram; Alon, Uri S; McCarthy, Ellen T; Sharma, Ram; El-Meanawy, Ashraf; Savin, Virginia J; Sharma, Mukut

    2018-05-29

    Kidney donors face a small but definite risk of end-stage renal disease 15-30 years postdonation. The development of proteinuria, hypertension with gradual decrease in kidney function in the donor after surgical resection of 1 kidney has been attributed to hyperfiltration. Genetic variations, physiological adaptations, and co-morbidities exacerbate the hyperfiltration-induced loss of kidney function in the years following donation. A focus on glomerular hemodynamics and capillary pressure has led to the development of drugs that target the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), but these agents yield mixed results in transplant recipients and donors. Recent work on glomerular biomechanical forces highlights the differential effects of tensile stress and fluid flow shear stress (FFSS) from hyperfiltration. Capillary wall stretch due to glomerular capillary pressure increases tensile stress on podocyte foot processes that cover the capillary. In parallel, increased flow of the ultrafiltrate due to single nephron glomerular filtration rate elevates FFSS on the podocyte cell body. While tensile stress invokes the RAAS, FFSS predominantly activates the COX2-PGE2-EP2 axis. Distinguishing these 2 mechanisms is critical, as current therapeutic approaches focus on the RAAS system. A better understanding of the biomechanical forces can lead to novel therapeutic agents to target FFSS through the COX2-PGE2-EP2 axis in hyperfiltration-mediated injury. We present an overview of several aspects of the risk to transplant donors and discuss the relevance of FFSS in podocyte injury, loss of glomerular barrier function leading to albuminuria and gradual loss of renal function, and potential therapeutic strategies to mitigate hyperfiltration-mediated injury to the remaining kidney.

  15. The margination propensity of spherical particles for vascular targeting in the microcirculation

    PubMed Central

    Gentile, Francesco; Curcio, Antonio; Indolfi, Ciro; Ferrari, Mauro; Decuzzi, Paolo

    2008-01-01

    The propensity of circulating particles to drift laterally towards the vessel walls (margination) in the microcirculation has been experimentally studied using a parallel plate flow chamber. Fluorescent polystyrene particles, with a relative density to water of just 50 g/cm3comparable with that of liposomal or polymeric nanoparticles used in drug delivery and bio-imaging, have been used with a diameter spanning over three order of magnitudes from 50 nm up to 10 μm. The number n∼s of particles marginating per unit surface have been measured through confocal fluorescent microscopy for a horizontal chamber, and the corresponding total volume V∼s of particles has been calculated. Scaling laws have been derived as a function of the particle diameter d. In horizontal capillaries, margination is mainly due to the gravitational force for particles with d > 200 nm and V∼s increases with d4; whereas for smaller particles V∼s increases with d3. In vertical capillaries, since the particles are heavier than the fluid they would tend to marginate towards the walls in downward flows and towards the center in upward flows, with V∼s increasing with d9/2. However, the margination in vertical capillaries is predicted to be much smaller than in horizontal capillaries. These results suggest that, for particles circulating in an external field of volume forces (gravitation or magnetic), the strategy of using larger particles designed to marginate and adhere firmly to the vascular walls under flow could be more effective than that of using particles sufficiently small (d < 200 nm) to hopefully cross a discontinuous endothelium. PMID:18702833

  16. Inclusions in freely suspended smectic films

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Stannarius, Ralf; Harth, Kirsten

    Smectic liquid crystal phases have a unique property: Like soap solutions, they can form stable freely suspended films. Their aspect ratios can be larger than one million to one. Such films can serve as models for two-dimensional (2D) uids, with or without in-plane anisotropy. Solid or liquid inclusions trapped in these films by capillary forces can move in the film plane and interact with other inclusions, with film thickness gradients or the film boundaries, and even with the local orientation field. We describe preparation techniques to incorporate particles or droplets in thin smectic films, and optical observation methods. Several aspects make inclusions in freely suspended films interesting research objects: They provide rich information on capillary forces as well as surface and interfacial tensions, they can serve as platforms for hydrodynamic studies in 2D, and they may help to understand coalescence dynamics at the transition from 2D to 3D...

  17. Position and force control of a vehicle with two or more steerable drive wheels

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Reister, D.B.; Unseren, M.A.

    1992-10-01

    When a vehicle with two or more steerable drive wheels is traveling in a circle, the motion of the wheels is constrained. The wheel translational velocity divided by the radius to the center of rotation must be the same for all wheels. When the drive wheels are controlled independently using position control, the motion of the wheels may violate the constraints and the wheels may slip. Consequently, substantial errors can occur in the orientation of the vehicle. A vehicle with N drive wheels has (N - 1) constraints and one degree of freedom. We have developed a new approach tomore » the control of a vehicle with N steerable drive wheels. The novel aspect of our approach is the use of force control. To control the vehicle, we have one degree of freedom for the position on the circle and (N - 1) forces that can be used to reduce errors. Recently, Kankaanranta and Koivo developed a control architecture that allows the force and position degrees of freedom to be decoupled. In the work of Kankaanranta and Koivo the force is an exogenous input. We have made the force endogenous by defining the force in terms of the errors in satisfying the rigid body kinematic constraints. We have applied the control architecture to the HERMIES-III robot and have measured a dramatic reduction in error (more than a factor of 20) compared to motions without force control.« less

  18. The effects of intra-aortic balloon pump support on macrocirculation and tissue microcirculation in patients with cardiogenic shock.

    PubMed

    den Uil, Corstiaan A; Lagrand, Wim K; van der Ent, Martin; Jewbali, Lucia S D; Brugts, Jasper J; Spronk, Peter E; Simoons, Maarten L

    2009-01-01

    It was the aim of this study to evaluate the effects of intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) counterpulsation on sublingual microcirculation as a model for tissue perfusion. In 13 patients with cardiogenic shock treated with IABP, the IABP assist ratio was reduced from 1:1 to 1:8 for 15 min. Using sidestream dark field imaging, 117 movie files of the sublingual microcirculation were obtained and quantified at different IABP assist ratios at 3 time points: 1:1 (T0), 1:8 (T1) and 1:1 (T2), respectively. Data are presented as the median and interquartile range. The median age of the patients was 59 years (range 56-73), and 62% were males. Discontinuation of IABP decreased the mean arterial pressure [75 mm Hg (71-84) at T0 vs. 69 mm Hg (64-79) at T1; p < 0.001], cardiac index [2.9 l/min/m2 (1.6-3.3) at T0 vs. 2.4 l/min/m2 (1.5-2.8) at T1; p = 0.005] and cardiac power index [0.46 W/m2 (0.29-0.59) at T0 vs. 0.36 W/m2 (0.24-0.50) at T1; p = 0.006]. However, these modest changes in macrohemodynamics did not significantly influence sublingual perfused capillary density and capillary red blood cell velocity (p = 0.28 and 0.73, respectively). A temporary, modest decrease in microcirculatory driving force, induced by lowering the IABP assist ratio, does not impair sublingual microcirculatory perfusion as measured by a novel 2-dimensional imaging technique. Copyright 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.

  19. Dynamics and Stability of Capillary Surfaces: Liquid Switches at Small Scales

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Steen, Paul H.; Bhandar, Anand; Vogel, Michael J.; Hirsa, Amir H.

    2004-01-01

    The dynamics and stability of systems of interfaces is central to a range of technologies related to the Human Exploration and Development of Space (HEDS). Our premise is that dramatic shape changes can be manipulated to advantage with minimal input, if the system is near instability. The primary objective is to develop the science base to allow novel approaches to liquid management in low-gravity based on this premise. HEDS requires efficient, reliable and lightweight technologies. Our poster will highlight our progress toward this goal using the capillary switch as an example. A capillary surface is a liquid/liquid or liquid/gas interface whose shape is determined by surface tension. For typical liquids (e.g., water) against gas on earth, capillary surfaces occur on the millimeterscale and smaller where shape deformation due to gravity is unimportant. In low gravity, they can occur on the centimeter scale. Capillary surfaces can be combined to make a switch a system with multiple stable states. A capillary switch can generate motion or effect force. To be practical, the energy barriers of such a switch must be tunable, its switching time (kinetics) short and its triggering mechanism reliable. We illustrate these features with a capillary switch that consists of two droplets, coupled by common pressure. As long as contact lines remained pinned, motions are inviscid, even at sub-millimeter scales, with consequent promise of low-power consumption at the device level. Predictions of theory are compared to experiment on i) a soap-film prototype at centimeter scale and ii) a liquid droplet switch at millimeter-scale.

  20. Amnioserosa cell constriction but not epidermal actin cable tension autonomously drives dorsal closure.

    PubMed

    Pasakarnis, Laurynas; Frei, Erich; Caussinus, Emmanuel; Affolter, Markus; Brunner, Damian

    2016-11-01

    Tissue morphogenesis requires coordination of multiple force-producing components. During dorsal closure in fly embryogenesis, an epidermis opening closes. A tensioned epidermal actin/MyosinII cable, which surrounds the opening, produces a force that is thought to combine with another MyosinII force mediating apical constriction of the amnioserosa cells that fill the opening. A model proposing that each force could autonomously drive dorsal closure was recently challenged by a model in which the two forces combine in a ratchet mechanism. Acute force elimination via selective MyosinII depletion in one or the other tissue shows that the amnioserosa tissue autonomously drives dorsal closure while the actin/MyosinII cable cannot. These findings exclude both previous models, although a contribution of the ratchet mechanism at dorsal closure onset remains likely. This shifts the current view of dorsal closure being a combinatorial force-component system to a single tissue-driven closure event.

  1. Application of laser ranging and VLBI data to a study of plate tectonic driving forces. [finite element method

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Solomon, S. C.

    1980-01-01

    The measurability of changes in plate driving or resistive forces associated with plate boundary earthquakes by laser rangefinding or VLBI is considered with emphasis on those aspects of plate forces that can be characterized by such measurements. Topics covered include: (1) analytic solutions for two dimensional stress diffusion in a plate following earthquake faulting on a finite fault; (2) two dimensional finite-element solutions for the global state of stress at the Earth's surface for possible plate driving forces; and (3) finite-element solutions for three dimensional stress diffusion in a viscoelastic Earth following earthquake faulting.

  2. Capillary Flow Layer-by-Layer: A Microfluidic Platform for the High-Throughput Assembly and Screening of Nanolayered Film Libraries

    PubMed Central

    2015-01-01

    Layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly is a powerful tool with increasing real world applications in energy, biomaterials, active surfaces, and membranes; however, the current state of the art requires individual sample construction using large quantities of material. Here we describe a technique using capillary flow within a microfluidic device to drive high-throughput assembly of LbL film libraries. This capillary flow layer-by-layer (CF-LbL) method significantly reduces material waste, improves quality control, and expands the potential applications of LbL into new research spaces. The method can be operated as a simple lab benchtop apparatus or combined with liquid-handling robotics to extend the library size. Here we describe and demonstrate the technique and establish its ability to recreate and expand on the known literature for film growth and morphology. We use the same platform to assay biological properties such as cell adhesion and proliferation and ultimately provide an example of the use of this approach to identify LbL films for surface-based DNA transfection of commonly used cell types. PMID:24836460

  3. Sensing mode atomic force microscope

    DOEpatents

    Hough, Paul V. C.; Wang, Chengpu

    2003-01-01

    An atomic force microscope utilizes a pulse release system and improved method of operation to minimize contact forces between a probe tip affixed to a flexible cantilever and a specimen being measured. The pulse release system includes a magnetic particle affixed proximate the probe tip and an electromagnetic coil. When energized, the electromagnetic coil generates a magnetic field which applies a driving force on the magnetic particle sufficient to overcome adhesive forces exhibited between the probe tip and specimen. The atomic force microscope includes two independently displaceable piezo elements operable along a Z-axis. A controller drives the first Z-axis piezo element to provide a controlled approach between the probe tip and specimen up to a point of contact between the probe tip and specimen. The controller then drives the first Z-axis piezo element to withdraw the cantilever from the specimen. The controller also activates the pulse release system which drives the probe tip away from the specimen during withdrawal. Following withdrawal, the controller adjusts the height of the second Z-axis piezo element to maintain a substantially constant approach distance between successive samples.

  4. Measurements and modelling of beach groundwater flow in the swash-zone: a review

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Horn, Diane P.

    2006-04-01

    This paper reviews research on beach groundwater dynamics and identifies research questions which will need to be answered before swash zone sediment transport and beach profile evolution can be successfully modelled. Beach groundwater hydrodynamics are a result of combined forcing from the tide and waves at a range of frequencies, and a large number of observations exist which describe the shape and elevation of the beach watertable in response to tidal forcing at diurnal, semi-diurnal and spring-neap tidal frequencies. Models of beach watertable response to tidal forcing have been successfully validated; however, models of watertable response to wave forcing are less well developed and require verification. Improved predictions of swash zone sediment transport and beach profile evolution cannot be achieved unless the complex fluid and sediment interactions between the surface flow and the beach groundwater are better understood, particularly the sensitivity of sediment transport processes to flow perpendicular to the permeable bed. The presence of a capillary fringe, particularly when it lies just below the sand surface, has influences on beach groundwater dynamics. The presence of a capillary fringe can have a significant effect on the exchange of water between the ocean and the coastal aquifer, particularly in terms of the storage capacity of the aquifer. Field and laboratory observations have also shown that natural groundwater waves usually propagate faster and decay more slowly in aquifers with a capillary fringe, and observations which suggest that horizontal flows may also occur in the capillary zone have been reported. The effects of infiltration and exfiltration are generally invoked to explain why beaches with a low watertable tend to accrete and beaches with a high watertable tend to erode. However, the relative importance of processes such as infiltration losses in the swash, changes in the effective weight of the sediment, and modified shear stress due to boundary layer thinning, are not yet clear. Experimental work on the influence of seepage flows within sediment beds provides conflicting results concerning the effect on bed stability. Both modelling and experimental work indicates that the hydraulic conductivity of the beach is a critical parameter. However, hydraulic conductivity varies both spatially and temporally on beaches, particularly on gravel and mixed sand and gravel beaches. Another important, but poorly understood, consideration in beach groundwater studies is the role of air encapsulation during the wetting of beach sand.

  5. Capillary Discharge Thruster Experiments and Modeling (Briefing Charts)

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2016-06-01

    Martin1 ERC INC.1, IN-SPACE PROPULSION BRANCH, AIR FORCE RESEARCH LABORATORY EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, CA USA Electric propulsion systems June 2016... PROPULSION MODELS & EXPERIMENTS Spacecraft Propulsion Relevant Plasma: From hall thrusters to plumes and fluxes on components Complex reaction physics i.e... Propulsion Plumes FRC Chamber Environment R.S. MARTIN (ERC INC.) DISTRIBUTION A: APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE; DISTRIBUTION UNLIMITED; PA# 16279 3 / 30 ELECTRIC

  6. US Air Force 1989 Research Initiation Program. Volume 2.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1992-06-25

    University of Minnesota-Duluth Specialtv: Inorganic Chemistry Specialty: Mechanics Dr. Satish Chandra Mr. Asad Yousuf Kansas State University Savannah...the Study Van der Waals forces in capillary tubes have previously been calculated by Philip (1977b]. His study was based on the Hamaker theory, which...important in condensed media, are not taken into account by the Hamaker theory. Calculations using on the Hamaker theory are often based on an unrealistic

  7. Surface tension dominates insect flight on fluid interfaces.

    PubMed

    Mukundarajan, Haripriya; Bardon, Thibaut C; Kim, Dong Hyun; Prakash, Manu

    2016-03-01

    Flight on the 2D air-water interface, with body weight supported by surface tension, is a unique locomotion strategy well adapted for the environmental niche on the surface of water. Although previously described in aquatic insects like stoneflies, the biomechanics of interfacial flight has never been analysed. Here, we report interfacial flight as an adapted behaviour in waterlily beetles (Galerucella nymphaeae) which are also dexterous airborne fliers. We present the first quantitative biomechanical model of interfacial flight in insects, uncovering an intricate interplay of capillary, aerodynamic and neuromuscular forces. We show that waterlily beetles use their tarsal claws to attach themselves to the interface, via a fluid contact line pinned at the claw. We investigate the kinematics of interfacial flight trajectories using high-speed imaging and construct a mathematical model describing the flight dynamics. Our results show that non-linear surface tension forces make interfacial flight energetically expensive compared with airborne flight at the relatively high speeds characteristic of waterlily beetles, and cause chaotic dynamics to arise naturally in these regimes. We identify the crucial roles of capillary-gravity wave drag and oscillatory surface tension forces which dominate interfacial flight, showing that the air-water interface presents a radically modified force landscape for flapping wing flight compared with air. © 2016. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

  8. Comprehensive analysis of individual pulp fiber bonds quantifies the mechanisms of fiber bonding in paper

    PubMed Central

    Hirn, Ulrich; Schennach, Robert

    2015-01-01

    The process of papermaking requires substantial amounts of energy and wood consumption, which contributes to larger environmental costs. In order to optimize the production of papermaking to suit its many applications in material science and engineering, a quantitative understanding of bonding forces between the individual pulp fibers is of importance. Here we show the first approach to quantify the bonding energies contributed by the individual bonding mechanisms. We calculated the impact of the following mechanisms necessary for paper formation: mechanical interlocking, interdiffusion, capillary bridges, hydrogen bonding, Van der Waals forces, and Coulomb forces on the bonding energy. Experimental results quantify the area in molecular contact necessary for bonding. Atomic force microscopy experiments derive the impact of mechanical interlocking. Capillary bridges also contribute to the bond. A model based on the crystal structure of cellulose leads to values for the chemical bonds. In contrast to general believe which favors hydrogen bonding Van der Waals bonds play the most important role according to our model. Comparison with experimentally derived bond energies support the presented model. This study characterizes bond formation between pulp fibers leading to insight that could be potentially used to optimize the papermaking process, while reducing energy and wood consumption. PMID:26000898

  9. Analysis on the multi-dimensional spectrum of the thrust force for the linear motor feed drive system in machine tools

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yang, Xiaojun; Lu, Dun; Ma, Chengfang; Zhang, Jun; Zhao, Wanhua

    2017-01-01

    The motor thrust force has lots of harmonic components due to the nonlinearity of drive circuit and motor itself in the linear motor feed drive system. What is more, in the motion process, these thrust force harmonics may vary with the position, velocity, acceleration and load, which affects the displacement fluctuation of the feed drive system. Therefore, in this paper, on the basis of the thrust force spectrum obtained by the Maxwell equation and the electromagnetic energy method, the multi-dimensional variation of each thrust harmonic is analyzed under different motion parameters. Then the model of the servo system is established oriented to the dynamic precision. The influence of the variation of the thrust force spectrum on the displacement fluctuation is discussed. At last the experiments are carried out to verify the theoretical analysis above. It can be found that the thrust harmonics show multi-dimensional spectrum characteristics under different motion parameters and loads, which should be considered to choose the motion parameters and optimize the servo control parameters in the high-speed and high-precision machine tools equipped with the linear motor feed drive system.

  10. Evaluation of a multiarray system for pharmaceutical analysis by microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography.

    PubMed

    Lynen, Frederic; Saavedra, Luis; Saveedra, Luis; Nickerson, Beverly; Sandra, Pat

    2011-05-15

    A multiplexed capillary electrophoresis (CE) system equipped with 96 channels was evaluated for high-throughput screening in drug discovery by microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography (MEEKC). Method transfer from a single channel to a multichannel CE system is described. Loss of efficiency and reduced migration times could be elucidated to the poor efficacy in Joule heat dissipation by forced air cooling in the multiarray system compared to liquid cooling in the single channel instrument. On the other hand, only 48 channels could actually be used because of the maximum total current of 3 mA. Precision data remained below 8% and 9% for migration times and peak areas, respectively. Some UV-detector cross-talk interference between neighboring capillary channels was noted. Impurities at 0.5% compared to the main peak (100%) could be detected with the multiplexed system which is 10 times lower compared to the single capillary system. Higher efficiency and improved figures of merit (absolute sensitivity and no cross-talk interferences) were obtained by using an array of only 24 capillaries. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  11. IB-LBM simulation of the haemocyte dynamics in a stenotic capillary.

    PubMed

    Yuan-Qing, Xu; Xiao-Ying, Tang; Fang-Bao, Tian; Yu-Hua, Peng; Yong, Xu; Yan-Jun, Zeng

    2014-01-01

    To study the behaviour of a haemocyte when crossing a stenotic capillary, the immersed boundary-lattice Boltzmann method was used to establish a quantitative analysis model. The haemocyte was assumed to be spherical and to have an elastic cell membrane, which can be driven by blood flow to adopt a highly deformable character. In the stenotic capillary, the spherical blood cell was stressed both by the flow and the wall dimension, and the cell shape was forced to be stretched to cross the stenosis. Our simulation investigated the haemocyte crossing process in detail. The velocity and pressure were anatomised to obtain information on how blood flows through a capillary and to estimate the degree of cell damage caused by excessive pressure. Quantitative velocity analysis results demonstrated that a large haemocyte crossing a small stenosis would have a noticeable effect on blood flow, while quantitative pressure distribution analysis results indicated that the crossing process would produce a special pressure distribution in the cell interior and to some extent a sudden change between the cell interior and the surrounding plasma.

  12. Novel concept of washing for microfluidic paper-based analytical devices based on capillary force of paper substrates.

    PubMed

    Mohammadi, Saeed; Busa, Lori Shayne Alamo; Maeki, Masatoshi; Mohamadi, Reza M; Ishida, Akihiko; Tani, Hirofumi; Tokeshi, Manabu

    2016-11-01

    A novel washing technique for microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs) that is based on the spontaneous capillary action of paper and eliminates unbound antigen and antibody in a sandwich immunoassay is reported. Liquids can flow through a porous medium (such as paper) in the absence of external pressure as a result of capillary action. Uniform results were achieved when washing a paper substrate in a PDMS holder which was integrated with a cartridge absorber acting as a porous medium. Our study demonstrated that applying this washing technique would allow μPADs to become the least expensive microfluidic device platform with high reproducibility and sensitivity. In a model μPAD assay that utilized this novel washing technique, C-reactive protein (CRP) was detected with a limit of detection (LOD) of 5 μg mL -1 . Graphical Abstract A novel washing technique for microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs) that is based on the spontaneous capillary action of paper and eliminates unbound antigen and antibody in a sandwich immunoassay is reported.

  13. Lung function, transfusion, pulmonary capillary blood volume and sickle cell disease.

    PubMed

    Lunt, Alan; McGhee, Emily; Robinson, Polly; Rees, David; Height, Susan; Greenough, Anne

    2016-02-01

    Lung function abnormalities occur in children with sickle cell disease (SCD) and may be associated with elevated pulmonary blood volume. To investigate that association, we determined whether blood transfusion in SCD children acutely increased pulmonary capillary blood volume (PCBV) and increased respiratory system resistance (Rrs5). Measurements of Rrs5 and spirometry were made before and after blood transfusion in 18 children, median age 14.2 (6.6-18.5) years. Diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide and nitric oxide were assessed to calculate the PCBV. Post transfusion, the median Rrs5 had increased from 127.4 to 141.3% predicted (p<0.0001) and pulmonary capillary blood volume from 39.7 to 64.1 ml/m2 (p<0.0001); forced expiratory volume in one second (p=0.0056) and vital capacity (p=0.0008) decreased. The increase in Rrs5 correlated with the increase in PCBV (r=0.50, p=0.0493). Increased pulmonary capillary blood volume may at least partially explain the lung function abnormalities in SCD children. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  14. Heat Load Sharing in a Capillary Pumped Loop with Multiple Evaporators and Multiple Condensers

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ku, Jentung

    2005-01-01

    This paper describes the heat load sharing function among multiple parallel evaporators in a capillary pumped loop (CPL). In the normal mode of operation, the evaporators cool the instruments by absorbing the waste heat. When an instruments is turned off, the attached evaporator can keep it warm by receiving heat from other evaporators serving the operating instruments. This is referred to as heat load sharing. A theoretical basis of heat load sharing is given first. The fact that the wicks in the powered evaporators will develop capillary pressure to force the generated vapor to flow to cold locations where the pressure is lower leads to the conclusion that heat load sharing is an inherent function of a CPL with multiple evaporators. Heat load sharing has been verified with many CPLs in ground tests. Experimental results of the Capillary Pumped Loop 3 (CAPL 3) Flight Experiment are presented in this paper. Factors that affect the amount of heat being shared are discussed. Some constraints of heat load sharing are also addressed.

  15. Self-separation of blood plasma from whole blood during the capillary flow in microchannel

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nunna, Bharath Babu; Zhuang, Shiqiang; Lee, Eon Soo

    2017-11-01

    Self-separation of blood plasma from whole blood in microchannels is of great importance due to the enormous range of applications in healthcare and diagnostics. Blood is a multiphase complex fluid, composed of cells suspended in blood plasma. RBCs are the suspended particles whose shape changes during the flow of blood. The primary constituents of blood are erythrocytes or red blood cells (RBCs), leukocytes or white blood cells (WBCs), thrombocytes or platelets and blood plasma. The existence of RBCs in blood makes the blood a non-Newtonian fluid. The current study of separation of blood plasma from whole blood during self-driven flows in a single microchannel without bifurcation, by enhancing the capillary effects. The change in the capillary effect results in a change in contact angle which directly influences the capillary flow. The flow velocity directly influences the net force acting on the RBCs and influence the separation process. The experiments are performed on the PDMS microchannels with different contact angles by altering the surface characteristics using plasma treatment. The change in the separation length is studied during the capillary flow of blood in microchannel. Bharath Babu Nunna is a researcher in mechanical engineering and implementing the novel and innovative technologies in the biomedical devices to enhance the sensitivity of the disease diagnosis.

  16. How mantle slabs drive plate tectonics.

    PubMed

    Conrad, Clinton P; Lithgow-Bertelloni, Carolina

    2002-10-04

    The gravitational pull of subducted slabs is thought to drive the motions of Earth's tectonic plates, but the coupling between slabs and plates is not well established. If a slab is mechanically attached to a subducting plate, it can exert a direct pull on the plate. Alternatively, a detached slab may drive a plate by exciting flow in the mantle that exerts a shear traction on the base of the plate. From the geologic history of subduction, we estimated the relative importance of "pull" versus "suction" for the present-day plates. Observed plate motions are best predicted if slabs in the upper mantle are attached to plates and generate slab pull forces that account for about half of the total driving force on plates. Slabs in the lower mantle are supported by viscous mantle forces and drive plates through slab suction.

  17. Analysis of Korean Students' International Mobility by 2-D Model: Driving Force Factor and Directional Factor

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Park, Elisa L.

    2009-01-01

    The purpose of this study is to understand the dynamics of Korean students' international mobility to study abroad by using the 2-D Model. The first D, "the driving force factor," explains how and what components of the dissatisfaction with domestic higher education perceived by Korean students drives students' outward mobility to seek…

  18. The Biomechanics of Cranial Forces During Figure Skating Spinning Elements.

    PubMed

    Wang, David H; Kostyun, Regina O; Solomito, Matthew J

    2015-03-01

    Several facets of figure skating, such as the forces associated with jumping and landing, have been evaluated, but a comprehensive biomechanical understanding of the cranial forces associated with spinning has yet to be explored. The purpose of this case study was to quantify the cranial rotational acceleration forces generated during spinning elements. This case report was an observational, biomechanical analysis of a healthy, senior-level, female figure skating athlete who is part of an on-going study. A triaxial accelerometer recorded the gravitational forces (G) during seven different spinning elements. Our results found that the layback spin generated significant cranial force and these forces were greater than any of the other spin elements recorded. These forces led to physical findings of ruptured capillaries, dizziness, and headaches in our participant.

  19. Effects of a Finger Tapping Fatiguing Task on M1-Intracortical Inhibition and Central Drive to the Muscle.

    PubMed

    Madrid, Antonio; Madinabeitia-Mancebo, Elena; Cudeiro, Javier; Arias, Pablo

    2018-06-19

    The central drive to the muscle reduces when muscle force wanes during sustained MVC, and this is generally considered the neurophysiological footprint of central fatigue. The question is if force loss and the failure of central drive to the muscle are responsible mechanisms of fatigue induced by un-resisted repetitive movements. In various experimental blocks, we validated a 3D-printed hand-fixation system permitting the execution of finger-tapping and maximal voluntary contractions (MVC). Subsequently, we checked the suitability of the system to test the level of central drive to the muscle and developed an algorithm to test it at the MVC force plateau. Our main results show that the maximum rate of finger-tapping dropped at 30 s, while the excitability of inhibitory M1-intracortical circuits and corticospinal excitability increased (all by approximately 15%). Furthermore, values obtained immediately after finger-tapping showed that MVC force and the level of central drive to the muscle remained unchanged. Our data suggest that force and central drive to the muscle are not determinants of fatigue induced by short-lasting un-resisted repetitive finger movements, even in the presence of increased inhibition of the motor cortex. According to literature, this profile might be different in longer-lasting, more complex and/or resisted repetitive movements.

  20. Study on magnetic force of electromagnetic levitation circular knitting machine

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wu, X. G.; Zhang, C.; Xu, X. S.; Zhang, J. G.; Yan, N.; Zhang, G. Z.

    2018-06-01

    The structure of the driving coil and the electromagnetic force of the test prototype of electromagnetic-levitation (EL) circular knitting machine are studied. In this paper, the driving coil’s structure and working principle of the EL circular knitting machine are firstly introduced, then the mathematical modelling analysis of the driving electromagnetic force is carried out, and through the Ansoft Maxwell finite element simulation software the coil’s magnetic induction intensity and the needle’s electromagnetic force is simulated, finally an experimental platform is built to measure the coil’s magnetic induction intensity and the needle’s electromagnetic force. The results show that the theoretical analysis, the simulation analysis and the results of the test are very close, which proves the correctness of the proposed model.

  1. Information driving force and its application in agent-based modeling

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Ting-Ting; Zheng, Bo; Li, Yan; Jiang, Xiong-Fei

    2018-04-01

    Exploring the scientific impact of online big-data has attracted much attention of researchers from different fields in recent years. Complex financial systems are typical open systems profoundly influenced by the external information. Based on the large-scale data in the public media and stock markets, we first define an information driving force, and analyze how it affects the complex financial system. The information driving force is observed to be asymmetric in the bull and bear market states. As an application, we then propose an agent-based model driven by the information driving force. Especially, all the key parameters are determined from the empirical analysis rather than from statistical fitting of the simulation results. With our model, both the stationary properties and non-stationary dynamic behaviors are simulated. Considering the mean-field effect of the external information, we also propose a few-body model to simulate the financial market in the laboratory.

  2. Wall relaxation and the driving forces for cell expansive growth

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Cosgrove, D. J.

    1987-01-01

    When water uptake by growing cells is prevented, the turgor pressure and the tensile stress in the cell wall are reduced by continued wall loosening. This process, termed in vivo stress relaxation, provides a new way to study the dynamics of wall loosening and to measure the wall yield threshold and the physiological wall extensibility. Stress relaxation experiments indicate that wall stress supplies the mechanical driving force for wall yielding. Cell expansion also requires water absorption. The driving force for water uptake during growth is created by wall relaxation, which lowers the water potential of the expanding cells. New techniques for measuring this driving force show that it is smaller than believed previously; in elongating stems it is only 0.3 to 0.5 bar. This means that the hydraulic resistance of the water transport pathway is small and that rate of cell expansion is controlled primarily by wall loosening and yielding.

  3. The surface diffusion coefficient for an arbitrarily curved fluid-fluid interface. (I). General expression

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    M. C. Sagis, Leonard

    2001-03-01

    In this paper, we develop a theory for the calculation of the surface diffusion coefficient for an arbitrarily curved fluid-fluid interface. The theory is valid for systems in hydrodynamic equilibrium, with zero mass-averaged velocities in the bulk and interfacial regions. We restrict our attention to systems with isotropic bulk phases, and an interfacial region that is isotropic in the plane parallel to the dividing surface. The dividing surface is assumed to be a simple interface, without memory effects or yield stresses. We derive an expression for the surface diffusion coefficient in terms of two parameters of the interfacial region: the coefficient for plane-parallel diffusion D (AB)aa(ξ) , and the driving force d(B)I||(ξ) . This driving force is the parallel component of the driving force for diffusion in the interfacial region. We derive an expression for this driving force using the entropy balance.

  4. Combination spindle-drive system for high precision machining

    DOEpatents

    Gerth, Howard L.

    1977-07-26

    A combination spindle-drive is provided for fabrication of optical quality surface finishes. Both the spindle-and-drive utilize the spindle bearings for support, thereby removing the conventional drive-means bearings as a source of vibration. An airbearing spindle is modified to carry at the drive end a highly conductive cup-shaped rotor which is aligned with a stationary stator to produce torque in the cup-shaped rotor through the reaction of eddy currents induced in the rotor. This arrangement eliminates magnetic attraction forces and all force is in the form of torque on the cup-shaped rotor.

  5. Metal band drives in spacecraft mechanisms

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Maus, Daryl

    1993-01-01

    Transmitting and changing the characteristics of force and stroke is a requirement in nearly all mechanisms. Examples include changing linear to rotary motion, providing a 90 deg change in direction, and amplifying stroke or force. Requirements for size, weight, efficiency and reliability create unique problems in spacecraft mechanisms. Flexible metal band and cam drive systems provide powerful solutions to these problems. Band drives, rack and pinion gears, and bell cranks are compared for effectiveness. Band drive issues are discussed including materials, bend radius, fabrication, attachment and reliability. Numerous mechanisms are shown which illustrate practical applications of band drives.

  6. Effects of Different Waveforms on the Performance of Active Capillary Dielectric Barrier Discharge Ionization Mass Spectrometry

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dumlao, Morphy C.; Xiao, Dan; Zhang, Daming; Fletcher, John; Donald, William A.

    2017-04-01

    Active capillary dielectric barrier discharge ionization (DBDI) is emerging as a compact, low-cost, and robust method to form intact ions of small molecules for detection in near real time by portable mass spectrometers. Here, we demonstrate that by using a 10 kHz, 2.5 kVp-p high-voltage square-wave alternating current plasma, active capillary DBDI can consume less than 1 μW of power. In contrast, the power consumed using a sine and triangle alternating current waveform is more than two orders of magnitude higher than that for the square waveform to obtain a similar voltage for plasma generation. Moreover, the plasma obtained using a square waveform can be significantly more homogenous than that obtained using sine and triangle waveforms. Protonated dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) and deprotonated perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) can be detected at about the same or higher abundances using square-wave DBDI mass spectrometry compared with the use of sine and triangle waveforms. By use of benzylammonium thermometer ions, the extent of internal energy deposition using square, sine, or triangle waveform excited plasmas are essentially the same at the optimum voltages for ion detection. Using an H-bridge circuit driving a transformer optimized to reduce losses, square-wave active capillary DBDI can be continuously powered for 50 h by common 9 V-battery (PP3).

  7. Weber electrodynamics, part I. general theory, steady current effects

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wesley, J. P.

    1990-10-01

    The original Weber action at a distance theory, valid for slowly varying effects, is extended to time-retarded fields, valid for rapidly varying effects including radiation. A new law for the force on a charge moving in this field is derived (replacing the Lorentz force which violates Newton's third law). The limitations of the Maxwell theory are discussed. The Weber theory, in addition to predicting all of the usual electrodynamic results, predicts the following crucial results for slowly varying effects (where Maxwell theory fails): 1) the force on Ampere's bridge in agreement with the measurements of Moyssides and Pappas, 2) the tension required to rupture current carrying wires as observed by Graneau, 3) the force to drive the Graneau-Hering submarine, 4) the force to drive the mercury in Hering's pump, and 5) the force to drive the oscillations in a current carrying mercury wedge as observed by Phipps.

  8. [Characteristics of electroosmotic flow in open-tubular capillary electrochromatography with magnetic nanoparticle coating as mixed-mode stationary phase].

    PubMed

    Qin, Sasa; Zhou, Chaoran; Zhu, Yaxian; Ren, Zhiyu; Zhang, Lingyi; Fu, Honggang; Zhang, Weibing

    2011-09-01

    A novel open-tubular capillary electrochromatography (OT-CEC) column with magnetic nanoparticle coating as mixed-mode stationary phase was prepared. The mixed-mode stationary phases were obtained by mixing C18 and amino modified magnetic nanoparticles with different ratios. The mixed modified magnetic nanoparticles as stationary phase were introduced into the capillary by using external magnetic force. The magnetic nanoparticle coating can be easily regenerated by removing the external magnetic field, and applied to other separation modes. The characteristics of electroosmotic flow (EOF) were theoretically investigated through the effect of physicochemical properties of different stationary phases on EOF. The experiment was conducted under different ratios of mixed-mode stationary phases and coating lengths, and it was verified that the theoretical conclusions accorded with the experimental results. It was shown that the EOF can be easily adjusted by changing the ratio of stationary phases or the number of permanent magnets.

  9. Spontaneous Imbibition in Low Permeability Medium, SUPRI TR-114

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Kovscek, Anthony R.; Schembre, Josephina

    1999-08-09

    A systematic experimental investigation of capillary pressure characteristics and fluid flow in diatomite was begun. Using an X-ray CT scanner and a specially constructed imbibition cell, we study spontaneous water imbibition processes in diatomite and, for reference, Berea sandstone and chalk. The mass of water imbibed as a function of time is also measured. Imbibition is restricted to concurrent flow. Despite a marked difference in rock properties such as permeability and porosity, we find similar trends in saturation profiles and weight gain versus time functions. Imbibition in diatomote is relatively rapid when initial water saturation is low due to largemore » capillary forces. Using a non-linear regression analysis together with the experimental data, the capillary pressure and water relative permeability curves are determined for the diatomite in the water-air system. The results given for displacement profiles by numerical simulation match the experimental results.« less

  10. Micro-column plasma emission liquid chromatograph

    DOEpatents

    Gay, Don D.

    1984-01-01

    In a direct current plasma emission spectrometer for use in combination with a micro-column liquid chromatograph, an improved plasma source unit. The plasma source unit includes a quartz capillary tube having an inlet means, outlet off gas means and a pair of spaced electrodes defining a plasma region in the tube. The inlet means is connected to and adapted to receive eluant of the liquid chromatograph along with a stream of plasma-forming gas. There is an opening through the wall of the capillary tube penetrating into the plasma region. A soft glass capillary light pipe is disposed at the opening, is connected to the spectrometer, and is adapted to transmit light passing from the plasma region to the spectrometer. There is also a source of electromotive force connected to the electrodes sufficient to initiate and sustain a plasma in the plasma region of the tube.

  11. Micro-column plasma emission liquid chromatograph. [Patent application

    DOEpatents

    Gay, D.D.

    1982-08-12

    In a direct current plasma emission spectrometer for use in combination with a microcolumn liquid chromatograph, an improved plasma source unit is claimed. The plasma source unit includes a quartz capillary tube having an inlet means, outlet off gas means and a pair of spaced electrodes defining a plasma region in the tube. The inlet means is connected to and adapted to receive eluant of the liquid chromatograph along with a stream of plasma-forming gas. There is an opening through the wall of the capillary tube penetrating into the plasma region. A soft glass capillary light pipe is disposed at the opening, is connected to the spectrometer, and is adapted to transmit light passing from the plasma region to the spectrometer. There is also a source of electromotive force connected to the electrodes sufficient to initiate and sustain a plasma in the plasma region of the tube.

  12. Water-Based Peeling of Thin Hydrophobic Films

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Khodaparast, Sepideh; Boulogne, François; Poulard, Christophe; Stone, Howard A.

    2017-10-01

    Inks of permanent markers and waterproof cosmetics create elastic thin films upon application on a surface. Such adhesive materials are deliberately designed to exhibit water-repellent behavior. Therefore, patterns made up of these inks become resistant to moisture and cannot be cleaned by water after drying. However, we show that sufficiently slow dipping of such elastic films, which are adhered to a substrate, into a bath of pure water allows for complete removal of the hydrophobic coatings. Upon dipping, the air-water interface in the bath forms a contact line on the substrate, which exerts a capillary-induced peeling force at the edge of the hydrophobic thin film. We highlight that this capillary peeling process is more effective at lower velocities of the air-liquid interface and lower viscosities. Capillary peeling not only removes such thin films from the substrate but also transfers them flawlessly onto the air-water interface.

  13. Crash and risky driving involvement among novice adolescent drivers and their parents.

    PubMed

    Simons-Morton, Bruce G; Ouimet, Marie Claude; Zhang, Zhiwei; Klauer, Sheila E; Lee, Suzanne E; Wang, Jing; Albert, Paul S; Dingus, Thomas A

    2011-12-01

    We compared rates of risky driving among novice adolescent and adult drivers over the first 18 months of adolescents' licensure. Data-recording systems installed in participants' vehicles provided information on driving performance of 42 newly licensed adolescent drivers and their parents. We analyzed crashes and near crashes and elevated g-force event rates by Poisson regression with random effects. During the study period, adolescents were involved in 279 crashes or near crashes (1 involving injury); parents had 34 such accidents. The incidence rate ratio (IRR) comparing adolescent and parent crash and near-crash rates was 3.91. Among adolescent drivers, elevated rates of g-force events correlated with crashes and near crashes (r = 0.60; P < .001). The IRR comparing incident rates of risky driving among adolescents and parents was 5.08. Adolescents' rates of crashes and near crashes declined with time (with a significant uptick in the last quarter), but elevated g-force event rates did not decline. Elevated g-force events among adolescents may have contributed to crash and near-crash rates that remained much higher than adult levels after 18 months of driving.

  14. Direct Numerical Simulation of Low Capillary Number Pore Scale Flows

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Esmaeilzadeh, S.; Soulaine, C.; Tchelepi, H.

    2017-12-01

    The arrangement of void spaces and the granular structure of a porous medium determines multiple macroscopic properties of the rock such as porosity, capillary pressure, and relative permeability. Therefore, it is important to study the microscopic structure of the reservoir pores and understand the dynamics of fluid displacements through them. One approach for doing this, is direct numerical simulation of pore-scale flow that requires a robust numerical tool for prediction of fluid dynamics and a detailed understanding of the physical processes occurring at the pore-scale. In pore scale flows with a low capillary number, Eulerian multiphase methods are well-known to produce additional vorticity close to the interface. This is mainly due to discretization errors which lead to an imbalance of capillary pressure and surface tension forces that causes unphysical spurious currents. At the pore scale, these spurious currents can become significantly stronger than the average velocity in the phases, and lead to unphysical displacement of the interface. In this work, we first investigate the capability of the algebraic Volume of Fluid (VOF) method in OpenFOAM for low capillary number pore scale flow simulations. Afterward, we compare VOF results with a Coupled Level-Set Volume of Fluid (CLSVOF) method and Iso-Advector method. It has been shown that the former one reduces the VOF's unphysical spurious currents in some cases, and both are known to capture interfaces sharper than VOF. As the conclusion, we will investigate that whether the use of CLSVOF or Iso-Advector will lead to less spurious velocities and more accurate results for capillary driven pore-scale multiphase flows or not. Keywords: Pore-scale multiphase flow, Capillary driven flows, Spurious currents, OpenFOAM

  15. Dynamical clustering of red blood cells in capillary vessels.

    PubMed

    Boryczko, Krzysztof; Dzwinel, Witold; Yuen, David A

    2003-02-01

    We have modeled the dynamics of a 3-D system consisting of red blood cells (RBCs), plasma and capillary walls using a discrete-particle approach. The blood cells and capillary walls are composed of a mesh of particles interacting with harmonic forces between nearest neighbors. We employ classical mechanics to mimic the elastic properties of RBCs with a biconcave disk composed of a mesh of spring-like particles. The fluid particle method allows for modeling the plasma as a particle ensemble, where each particle represents a collective unit of fluid, which is defined by its mass, moment of inertia, translational and angular momenta. Realistic behavior of blood cells is modeled by considering RBCs and plasma flowing through capillaries of various shapes. Three types of vessels are employed: a pipe with a choking point, a curved vessel and bifurcating capillaries. There is a strong tendency to produce RBC clusters in capillaries. The choking points and other irregularities in geometry influence both the flow and RBC shapes, considerably increasing the clotting effect. We also discuss other clotting factors coming from the physical properties of blood, such as the viscosity of the plasma and the elasticity of the RBCs. Modeling has been carried out with adequate resolution by using 1 to 10 million particles. Discrete particle simulations open a new pathway for modeling the dynamics of complex, viscoelastic fluids at the microscale, where both liquid and solid phases are treated with discrete particles. Figure A snapshot from fluid particle simulation of RBCs flowing along a curved capillary. The red color corresponds to the highest velocity. We can observe aggregation of RBCs at places with the most stagnant plasma flow.

  16. Experimental modeling of the effect of hurricane wind forces on driving behavior and vehicle performance.

    PubMed

    Rodriguez, Jose M; Codjoe, Julius; Osman, Osama; Ishak, Sherif; Wolshon, Brian

    2015-01-01

    While traffic planning is important for developing a hurricane evacuation plan, vehicle performance on the roads during extreme weather conditions is critical to the success of the planning process. This novel study investigates the effect of gusty hurricane wind forces on the driving behavior and vehicle performance. The study explores how the parameters of a driving simulator could be modified to reproduce wind loadings experienced by three vehicle types (passenger car, ambulance, and bus) during gusty hurricane winds, through manipulation of appropriate software. Thirty participants were then tested on the modified driving simulator under five wind conditions (ranging from normal to hurricane category 4). The driving performance measures used were heading error and lateral displacement. The results showed that higher wind forces resulted in more varied and greater heading error and lateral displacement. The ambulance had the greatest heading errors and lateral displacements, which were attributed to its large lateral surface area and light weight. Two mathematical models were developed to estimate the heading error and lateral displacements for each of the vehicle types for a given change in lateral wind force. Through a questionnaire, participants felt the different characteristics while driving each vehicle type. The findings of this study demonstrate the valuable use of a driving simulator to model the behavior of different vehicle types and to develop mathematical models to estimate and quantify driving behavior and vehicle performance under hurricane wind conditions.

  17. On the breakup of viscous liquid threads

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Papageorgiou, Demetrios T.

    1995-01-01

    A one-dimensional model evolution equation is used to describe the nonlinear dynamics that can lead to the breakup of a cylindrical thread of Newtonian fluid when capillary forces drive the motion. The model is derived from the Stokes equations by use of rational asymptotic expansions and under a slender jet approximation. The equations are solved numerically and the jet radius is found to vanish after a finite time yielding breakup. The slender jet approximation is valid throughout the evolution leading to pinching. The model admits self-similar pinching solutions which yield symmetric shapes at breakup. These solutions are shown to be the ones selected by the initial boundary value problem, for general initial conditions. Further more, the terminal state of the model equation is shown to be identical to that predicted by a theory which looks for singular pinching solutions directly from the Stokes equations without invoking the slender jet approximation throughout the evolution. It is shown quantitatively, therefore, that the one-dimensional model gives a consistent terminal state with the jet shape being locally symmetric at breakup. The asymptotic expansion scheme is also extended to include unsteady and inerticial forces in the momentum equations to derive an evolution system modelling the breakup of Navier-Stokes jets. The model is employed in extensive simulations to compute breakup times for different initial conditions; satellite drop formation is also supported by the model and the dependence of satellite drop volumes on initial conditions is studied.

  18. Training toddlers seated on mobile robots to drive indoors amidst obstacles.

    PubMed

    Chen, Xi; Ragonesi, Christina; Galloway, James C; Agrawal, Sunil K

    2011-06-01

    Mobility is a causal factor in development. Children with mobility impairments may rely upon power mobility for independence and thus require advanced driving skills to function independently. Our previous studies show that while infants can learn to drive directly to a goal using conventional joysticks in several months of training, they are unable in this timeframe to acquire the advanced skill to avoid obstacles while driving. Without adequate driving training, children are unable to explore the environment safely, the consequences of which may in turn increase their risk for developmental delay. The goal of this research therefore is to train children seated on mobile robots to purposefully and safely drive indoors. In this paper, we present results where ten typically-developing toddlers are trained to drive a robot within an obstacle course. We also report a case study with a toddler with spina-bifida who cannot independently walk. Using algorithms based on artificial potential fields to avoid obstacles, we create force field on the joystick that trains the children to navigate while avoiding obstacles. In this "assist-as-needed" approach, if the child steers the joystick outside a force tunnel centered on the desired direction, the driver experiences a bias force on the hand. Our results suggest that the use of a force-feedback joystick may yield faster learning than the use of a conventional joystick.

  19. Comprehensive and Critical Literature Review on Insitu Micro-Sensors for Application in Tribology

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1994-04-01

    Electroosmotic flow provides a pumping method that is convenient for small capillaries. Electrophoretic separation is shown to be useful. On the left hand...analysis systems on glass chips (1 centimeter by 2 centimeters or larger) that utilize electroosmotic pumping to drive fluid flow and electrophoretic...elucidate the interaction mechanism. Additionally, using two types of sensors in a mixed array increases selectivity by providing different information

  20. Stacking open-capillary electroosmotic pumps in series to boost the pumping pressure to drive high-performance liquid chromatographic separations.

    PubMed

    He, Chiyang; Zhu, Zaifang; Gu, Congying; Lu, Joann; Liu, Shaorong

    2012-03-02

    Numerous micropumps have been developed, but few of them can produce adequate flow rate and pressure for high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) applications. We have recently developed an innovative hybrid electroosmotic pump (EOP) to solve this problem. The basic unit of a hybrid pump consists of a +EOP (the pumping element is positively charged) and a -EOP (the pumping element is negatively charged). The outlet of the +EOP is then joined with the inlet of the -EOP, forming a basic pump unit, while the anode of a positive high voltage (HV) power supply is placed at the joint. The inlet and outlet of this pump unit are electrically grounded. With this configuration, we can stack many of such pump units in series to boost the pumping power. In this work, we describe in details how an open-capillary hybrid EOP is constructed and characterize this pump systematically. We also show that a hybrid EOP with ten serially stacked pump units can deliver a maximum pressure of 21.5 MPa (∼3100 psi). We further demonstrate the feasibility of using this hybrid EOP to drive eluents for HPLC separations of proteins and peptides. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  1. Lasers, extreme UV and soft X-ray

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Nilsen, Joseph

    2015-09-20

    Three decades ago, large ICF lasers that occupied entire buildings were used as the energy sources to drive the first X-ray lasers. Today X-ray lasers are tabletop, spatially coherent, high-repetition rate lasers that enable many of the standard optical techniques such as interferometry to be extended to the soft X-ray regime between wavelengths of 10 and 50 nm. Over the last decade X-ray laser performance has been improved by the use of the grazing incidence geometry, diode-pumped solid-state lasers, and seeding techniques. The dominant X-ray laser schemes are the monopole collisional excitation lasers either driven by chirped pulse amplification (CPA)more » laser systems or capillary discharge. The CPA systems drive lasing in neon-like or nickel-like ions, typically in the 10 – 30 nm range, while the capillary system works best for neon-like argon at 46.9 nm. Most researchers use nickel-like ion lasers near 14 nm because they are well matched to the Mo:Si multilayer mirrors that have peak reflectivity near 13 nm and are used in many applications. As a result, the last decade has seen the birth of the X-ray free electron laser (XFEL) that can reach wavelengths down to 0.15 nm and the inner-shell Ne laser at 1.46 nm.« less

  2. Stacking open-capillary electroosmotic pumps in series to boost the pumping pressure to drive high-performance liquid chromatographic separations

    DOE PAGES

    He, Chiyang; Zhu, Zaifang; Gu, Congying; ...

    2012-01-09

    Numerous micropumps have been developed, but few of them can produce adequate flow rate and pressure for high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) applications. We have recently developed an innovative hybrid electroosmotic pump (EOP) to solve this problem. The basic unit of a hybrid pump consists of a +EOP (the pumping element is positively charged) and a -EOP (the pumping element is negatively charged). The outlet of the +EOP is then joined with the inlet of the -EOP, forming a basic pump unit, while the anode of a positive high voltage (HV) power supply is placed at the joint. The inlet andmore » outlet of this pump unit are electrically grounded. With this configuration, we can stack many of such pump units in series to boost the pumping power. In this work, we describe in details how an open-capillary hybrid EOP is constructed and characterize this pump systematically. We also show that a hybrid EOP with ten serially stacked pump units can deliver a maximum pressure of 21.5 MPa (~3100 psi). Here, we further demonstrate the feasibility of using this hybrid EOP to drive eluents for HPLC separations of proteins and peptides.« less

  3. Modeling of Passive Forces of Machine Tool Covers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kolar, Petr; Hudec, Jan; Sulitka, Matej

    The passive forces acting against the drive force are phenomena that influence dynamical properties and precision of linear axes equipped with feed drives. Covers are one of important sources of passive forces in machine tools. The paper describes virtual evaluation of cover passive forces using the cover complex model. The model is able to compute interaction between flexible cover segments and sealing wiper. The result is deformation of cover segments and wipers which is used together with measured friction coefficient for computation of cover total passive force. This resulting passive force is dependent on cover position. Comparison of computational results and measurement on the real cover is presented in the paper.

  4. Acoustophoretic particle motion in a square glass capillary

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Barnkob, Rune; Marin, Alvaro; Rossi, Massimiliano; Kähler, Christian J.

    2014-11-01

    Acoustofluidics applications often use complex resonator geometries and complex acoustic actuation, which complicates the prediction of the acoustic resonances and the induced forces from the acoustic radiation and the acoustic streaming. Recently, it was shown that simultaneous actuation of two perpendicular half-wave resonances in a square channel can lead to acoustic streaming that will spiral small particles towards the pressure nodal center (Antfolk, Anal. Chem. 84, 2012). This we investigate in details experimentally by examining a square glass capillary with a 400- μm microchannel acoustically actuated around its 2-MHz half-wave transverse resonance. The acoustic actuation leads to the formation of a half-wave resonance in both the vertical and horizontal direction of the microchannel. Due to viscous and dissipative losses both resonances have finite widths, but are shifted in frequency due to asymmetric actuation and fabrication tolerances making the channel not perfectly square. We determine the resonance widths and shift by measuring the 3D3C trajectories of large particles whose motion is fully dominated by acoustic radiation forces, while the induced acoustic streaming is determined by measuring smaller particles weakly influenced by the acoustic radiation force. DFG KA 1808/16-1.

  5. Adaptable setups for magnetic drug targeting in human muscular arteries: Design and implementation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hajiaghajani, Amirhossein; Hashemi, Soheil; Abdolali, Ali

    2017-09-01

    Magnetic drug targeting has been used to steer magnetic therapeutic agents and has received much attention for capillaries and human brain arteries. In this paper, we focus on noninvasive targeting of nanoparticles in muscular arteries, in where the vessel diameter and blood flow are much challengingly higher than brain capillaries. We aim to design a low intensity magnetic field which avoids potential side effects on blood cells while steers particles with high targeting rate. The setup design procedure is considerably flexible to be used in a wide variety of large vessels. Using particle tracing, a new method is proposed to connect the geometry of the vessel under the action of targeting to the required magnetic force. Specifications of the coil which is placed outside the body are derived based on this required force. Mutual effects of coil dimensions on the produced magnetic force are elaborated and summarized in a design flowchart to be used for arbitrary muscular vessel sizes. The performance of the optimized coil is validated by in vitro experiments and it is shown that particles are steered with the average efficiency of 80.2% for various conditions.

  6. A Zero-Gravity Cup for Drinking Beverages in Microgravity

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Pettit, Donald R.; Weislogel, Mark; Concus, Paul; Finn, Robert

    2011-01-01

    To date, the method for astronauts to drink liquids in microgravity or weightless environments is to suck the liquid from a bag or pouch through a straw. A new beverage cup works in microgravity and allows astronauts to drink liquids from a cup in a manner consistent with that on Earth. The cup is capable of holding beverages with an angled channel running along the wall from the bottom to the lip. In microgravity, a beverage is placed into the cup using the galley dispenser. The angled channel acts as an open passage that contains only two sides where capillary forces move the liquid along the channel until it reaches the top lip where the forces reach an equilibrium and the flow stops. When one sips the liquid at the lip of the channel, the capillary force equilibrium is upset and more liquid flows to the lip from the reservoir at the bottom to re-establish the equilibrium. This sipping process can continue until the total liquid contents of the cup is consumed, leaving only a few residual drops about the same quantity as in a ceramic cup when it is drunk dry on Earth.

  7. Insect flight on fluid interfaces: a chaotic interfacial oscillator

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mukundarajan, Haripriya; Prakash, Manu

    2013-11-01

    Flight is critical to the dominance of insect species on our planet, with about 98 percent of insect species having wings. How complex flight control systems developed in insects is unknown, and arboreal or aquatic origins have been hypothesized. We examine the biomechanics of aquatic origins of flight. We recently reported discovery of a novel mode of ``2D flight'' in Galerucella beetles, which skim along an air-water interface using flapping wing flight. This unique flight mode is characterized by a balance between capillary forces from the interface and biomechanical forces exerted by the flapping wings. Complex interactions on the fluid interface form capillary wave trains behind the insect, and produce vertical oscillations at the surface due to non-linear forces arising from deformation of the fluid meniscus. We present both experimental observations of 2D flight kinematics and a dynamic model explaining the observed phenomena. Careful examination of this interaction predicts the chaotic nature of interfacial flight and takeoff from the interface into airborne flight. The role of wingbeat frequency, stroke plane angle and body angle in determining transition between interfacial and fully airborne flight is highlighted, shedding light on the aquatic theory of flight evolution.

  8. Synchronization of a self-sustained cold-atom oscillator

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Heimonen, H.; Kwek, L. C.; Kaiser, R.; Labeyrie, G.

    2018-04-01

    Nonlinear oscillations and synchronization phenomena are ubiquitous in nature. We study the synchronization of self-oscillating magneto-optically trapped cold atoms to a weak external driving. The oscillations arise from a dynamical instability due the competition between the screened magneto-optical trapping force and the interatomic repulsion due to multiple scattering of light. A weak modulation of the trapping force allows the oscillations of the cloud to synchronize to the driving. The synchronization frequency range increases with the forcing amplitude. The corresponding Arnold tongue is experimentally measured and compared to theoretical predictions. Phase locking between the oscillator and drive is also observed.

  9. Extracting the driving force from ozone data using slow feature analysis

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Geli; Yang, Peicai; Zhou, Xiuji

    2016-05-01

    Slow feature analysis (SFA) is a recommended technique for extracting slowly varying features from a quickly varying signal. In this work, we apply SFA to total ozone data from Arosa, Switzerland. The results show that the signal of volcanic eruptions can be found in the driving force, and wavelet analysis of this driving force shows that there are two main dominant scales, which may be connected with the effect of climate mode such as North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and solar activity. The findings of this study represent a contribution to our understanding of the causality from observed climate data.

  10. Analyzing the Long Term Cohesive Effect of Sector Specific Driving Forces.

    PubMed

    Berman, Yonatan; Ben-Jacob, Eshel; Zhang, Xin; Shapira, Yoash

    2016-01-01

    Financial markets are partially composed of sectors dominated by external driving forces, such as commodity prices, infrastructure and other indices. We characterize the statistical properties of such sectors and present a novel model for the coupling of the stock prices and their dominating driving forces, inspired by mean reverting stochastic processes. Using the model we were able to explain the market sectors' long term behavior and estimate the coupling strength between stocks in financial markets and the sector specific driving forces. Notably, the analysis was successfully applied to the shipping market, in which the Baltic dry index (BDI), an assessment of the price of transporting the major raw materials by sea, influences the shipping financial market. We also present the analysis of other sectors-the gold mining market and the food production market, for which the model was also successfully applied. The model can serve as a general tool for characterizing the coupling between external forces and affected financial variables and therefore for estimating the risk in sectors and their vulnerability to external stress.

  11. Analyzing the Long Term Cohesive Effect of Sector Specific Driving Forces

    PubMed Central

    Berman, Yonatan; Zhang, Xin; Shapira, Yoash

    2016-01-01

    Financial markets are partially composed of sectors dominated by external driving forces, such as commodity prices, infrastructure and other indices. We characterize the statistical properties of such sectors and present a novel model for the coupling of the stock prices and their dominating driving forces, inspired by mean reverting stochastic processes. Using the model we were able to explain the market sectors’ long term behavior and estimate the coupling strength between stocks in financial markets and the sector specific driving forces. Notably, the analysis was successfully applied to the shipping market, in which the Baltic dry index (BDI), an assessment of the price of transporting the major raw materials by sea, influences the shipping financial market. We also present the analysis of other sectors—the gold mining market and the food production market, for which the model was also successfully applied. The model can serve as a general tool for characterizing the coupling between external forces and affected financial variables and therefore for estimating the risk in sectors and their vulnerability to external stress. PMID:27031230

  12. Force determination in lateral magnetic tweezers combined with TIRF microscopy.

    PubMed

    Madariaga-Marcos, J; Hormeño, S; Pastrana, C L; Fisher, G L M; Dillingham, M S; Moreno-Herrero, F

    2018-03-01

    Combining single-molecule techniques with fluorescence microscopy has attracted much interest because it allows the correlation of mechanical measurements with directly visualized DNA : protein interactions. In particular, its combination with total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRF) is advantageous because of the high signal-to-noise ratio this technique achieves. This, however, requires stretching long DNA molecules across the surface of a flow cell to maximize polymer exposure to the excitation light. In this work, we develop a module to laterally stretch DNA molecules at a constant force, which can be easily implemented in regular or combined magnetic tweezers (MT)-TIRF setups. The pulling module is further characterized in standard flow cells of different thicknesses and glass capillaries, using two types of micrometer size superparamagnetic beads, long DNA molecules, and a home-built device to rotate capillaries with mrad precision. The force range achieved by the magnetic pulling module was between 0.1 and 30 pN. A formalism for estimating forces in flow-stretched tethered beads is also proposed, and the results compared with those of lateral MT, demonstrating that lateral MT achieve higher forces with lower dispersion. Finally, we show the compatibility with TIRF microscopy and the parallelization of measurements by characterizing DNA binding by the centromere-binding protein ParB from Bacillus subtilis. Simultaneous MT pulling and fluorescence imaging demonstrate the non-specific binding of BsParB on DNA under conditions restrictive to condensation.

  13. Phase-field-crystal investigation of the morphology of a steady-state dendrite tip on the atomic scale

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tang, Sai; Wang, Jincheng; Li, Junjie; Wang, Zhijun; Guo, Yaolin; Guo, Can; Zhou, Yaohe

    2017-06-01

    Through phase-field-crystal (PFC) simulations, we investigated, on the atomic scale, the crucial role played by interface energy anisotropy and growth driving force during the morphological evolution of a dendrite tip at low growth driving force. In the layer-by-layer growth manner, the interface energy anisotropy drives the forefront of the dendrite tip to evolve to be highly similar to the corner of the corresponding equilibrium crystal from the aspects of atom configuration and morphology, and thus affects greatly the formation and growth of a steady-state dendrite tip. Meanwhile, the driving force substantially influences the part behind the forefront of the dendrite tip, rather than the forefront itself. However, as the driving force increases enough to change the layer-by-layer growth to the multilayer growth, the morphology of the dendrite tip's forefront is completely altered. Parabolic fitting of the dendrite tip reveals that an increase in the influence of interface energy anisotropy makes dendrite tips deviate increasingly from a parabolic shape. By quantifying the deviations under various interface energy anisotropies and growth driving forces, it is suggested that a perfect parabola is an asymptotic limit for the shape of the dendrite tips. Furthermore, the atomic scale description of the dendrite tip obtained in the PFC simulation is compatible with the mesoscopic results obtained in the phase-field simulation in terms of the dendrite tip's morphology and the stability criterion constant.

  14. Contact Forces between Single Metal Oxide Nanoparticles in Gas-Phase Applications and Processes.

    PubMed

    Salameh, Samir; van der Veen, Monique A; Kappl, Michael; van Ommen, J Ruud

    2017-03-14

    In this work we present a comprehensive experimental study to determine the contact forces between individual metal oxide nanoparticles in the gas-phase using atomic force microscopy. In addition, we determined the amount of physisorbed water for each type of particle surface. By comparing our results with mathematical models of the interaction forces, we could demonstrate that classical continuum models of van der Waals and capillary forces alone cannot sufficiently describe the experimental findings. Rather, the discrete nature of the molecules has to be considered, which leads to ordering at the interface and the occurrence of solvation forces. We demonstrate that inclusion of solvation forces in the model leads to quantitative agreement with experimental data and that tuning of the molecular order by addition of isopropanol vapor allows us to control the interaction forces between the nanoparticles.

  15. 7. TOP SURFACES OF FOUR HYDRAULIC UNITS TO DRIVE COMPRESSORS. ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    7. TOP SURFACES OF FOUR HYDRAULIC UNITS TO DRIVE COMPRESSORS. Looking southeast along rear of building. - Edwards Air Force Base, Air Force Rocket Propulsion Laboratory, Helium Compression Plant, Test Area 1-115, intersection of Altair & Saturn Boulevards, Boron, Kern County, CA

  16. Self-Motion Depending on the Physicochemical Properties of Esters as the Driving Force

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Nakata, Satoshi; Matsuo, Kyoko; Kirisaka, Junko

    2007-01-01

    The self-motion of an ester boat is investigated depending on the physicochemical properties of the surface-active substance. The results show that the ester boat moves towards the higher surface tension generating as the driving force.

  17. Effect of contact angle on the orientation, stability, and assembly of dense floating cubes.

    PubMed

    Daniello, Robert; Khan, Kashan; Donnell, Michael; Rothstein, Jonathan P

    2014-02-01

    In this paper, the effect of contact angle, density, and size on the orientation, stability, and assembly of floating cubes was investigated. All the cubes tested were more dense than water. Floatation occurred as a result of capillary stresses induced by deformation of the air-water interface. The advancing contact angle of the bare acrylic cubes was measured to be 85°. The contact angle of the cubes was increased by painting the cubes with a commercially available superhydrophobic paint to reach an advancing contact angle of 150°. Depending on their size, density, and contact angle, the cubes were observed to float in one of three primary orientations: edge up, vertex up, and face up. An experimental apparatus was built such that the sum of the gravitational force, buoyancy force, and capillary forces could be measured using a force transducer as a function of cube position as it was lowered through the air-water interface. Measurements showed that the maximum capillary forces were always experienced for the face up orientation. However, when floatation was possible in the vertex up orientation, it was found to be the most stable cube orientation because it had the lowest center of gravity. A series of theoretical predictions were performed for the cubes floating in each of the three primary orientations to calculate the net force on the cube. The theoretical predictions were found to match the experimental measurements well. A cube stability diagram of cube orientation as a function of cube contact angle and size was prepared from the predictions of theory and found to match the experimental observations quite well. The assembly of cubes floating face up and vertex up were also studied for assemblies of two, three, and many cubes. Cubes floating face up were found to assemble face-to-face and form regular square lattice patterns with no free interface between cubes. Cubes floating vertex up were found to assemble in a variety of different arrangements including edge-to-edge, vertex-to-vertex, face-to-face, and vertex-to-face with the most probably assembly being edge-to-edge. Large numbers of vertex up cubes were found to pack with a distribution of orientations and alignments.

  18. Capillary droplet propulsion on a fibre.

    PubMed

    Haefner, Sabrina; Bäumchen, Oliver; Jacobs, Karin

    2015-09-21

    A viscous liquid film coating a fibre becomes unstable and decays into droplets due to the Rayleigh-Plateau instability (RPI). Here, we report on the generation of uniform droplets on a hydrophobized fibre by taking advantage of this effect. In the late stages of liquid column breakup, a three-phase contact line can be formed at one side of the droplet by spontaneous rupture of the thinning film. The resulting capillary imbalance leads to droplet propulsion along the fibre. We study the dynamics and the dewetting speed of the droplet as a function of molecular weight as well as temperature and compare to a force balance model based on purely viscous dissipation.

  19. Curvature-induced capillary interaction of spherical particles at a liquid interface.

    PubMed

    Würger, Alois

    2006-10-01

    We consider a liquid interface with different principal curvatures +/-c and find that the mere presence of a spherical particle leads to a deformation field of quadrupolar symmetry; the corresponding "capillary quadrupole moment" is given by the ratio of the particle size and the curvature radius. The resulting pair interaction of nearby particles is anisotropic and favors the formation of aggregates of cubic symmetry. Since the single-particle trapping energy depends quadratically on curvature with a negative prefactor, a curvature gradient induces a lateral force that pushes the particles towards strongly curved regions of the interface. As an illustration we discuss the effects occurring on a catenoid.

  20. BOOK REVIEW: Tribology on the Small Scale: A Bottom Up Approach to Friction, Lubrication, and Wear Tribology on the Small Scale: A Bottom Up Approach to Friction, Lubrication, and Wear

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hainsworth, S.

    2008-11-01

    Friction, lubrication and wear interactions between materials make considerable differences to how efficient our engines are, whether or not we ski downhill faster than others, or whether the shoes that we are wearing give us sufficient grip to successfully navigate the marble floors of buildings. Traditionally, tribologists have focussed on the macroscopic issues of tribological problems, looking at the design of components, the viscosity of oils and the mechanical properties of surfaces to understand how components interact to give the desired friction and wear properties. However, in the last twenty years there has been an increasing realization that the processes that are controlling these macroscopic interactions are determined by what happens on the atomic and microscopic scale. Further, with the advent of nano- and micro-electro mechanical systems (NEMs and MEMs), macroscopic scale tribological interactions do not influence the tribology of these devices in the same way, and capillary forces and van der Waal's forces play an increased role in determining whether these devices function successfully. This book aims to fill a gap in the area of tribology textbooks by addressing the important advances that have been made in our understanding of the science of nano- and micro-scale tribological interactions. The book is aimed at advanced undergraduate and graduate level students on engineering programmes, academics and scientists interested in atomic and microscopic scale tribological interactions, and engineers and scientists who are not tribologists per se but work in technologies (such as NEMs/MEMs) where tribology is of importance. Whilst the target audience appears to be largely engineers, the book should have wider appeal to physicists, chemists and modellers with interests in tribological interactions. The book consists of twelve chapters with an introduction to the general significance of tribology and a brief history of modern tribology, followed by more detailed coverage of characterization and quantification of surface roughness. There is then a discussion of the mechanical properties of surfaces, and an introduction to contact mechanics. This follows a similar structure to traditional tribology textbooks but there are some nice examples and illustrations of how this relates to small scale tribology, with reference to recording heads on laser textured disk surfaces for example. The origins of friction are then discussed, with a detailed section on stick-slip interactions which are particularly significant in tribological interactions at the small scale. Chapters 5-8 then deviate from the more traditional tribology textbooks and cover surface energies and capillary forces, surface forces and their physical origins, and the measurement of these forces by the surface force apparatus and atomic force microscope. Surface forces at the small scale and capillary forces are extremely important in the successful functioning of small scale nano- or micro-electro mechanical systems, and there is a good discussion of the origin of these forces and how they can be understood, measured and controlled. The final chapters are devoted to lubrication, and atomistic origins of friction and wear. Traditional lubrication theories are initially outlined followed by detailed examples of boundary lubrication and capillary forces in tribology at the micro-scale. There are some nice examples of the importance of lubricant chemistry on sliding forces. Overall I found this book to be well-written and very readable with some very nice examples of why all this fundamental background is of importance in practical applications. The book is well-presented and it should be accessible to its target audience, particularly since the cost is reasonable. Each chapter ends with a set of selected references to allow more detailed study of particular topics if desired. There is a comprehensive index at the end of the book. I will recommend it to my students on courses on tribology and surface engineering.

  1. Calculations of Alfven Wave Driving Forces, Plasma Flow and Current Drive in Tokamak Plasmas

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Elfimov, Artur; Galvao, Ricardo; Amarante-Segundo, Gesil; Nascimento, Ivan

    2000-10-01

    A general form of time-averaged poloidal ponderomotive forces induced by fast and kinetic Alfvin waves by direct numerical calculations and in geometric optics approximation are analyzed on the basis of the collisionless two fluid (ions and electrons) magneto-hydrodynamics equation. Analytical approximations are used to clarify the effect of Larmour radius on radio-frequency (RF) ponderomotive forces and on poloidal flows induced by them in tokamak plasmas.The RF ponderomotive force is expressed as a sum of a gradient part and of a wave momentum transfer force, which is proportional to wave dissipation. The gradient electromagnetic stress force is combined with fluid dynamic (Reynolds) stress force. It is shown that accounting only Reynolds stress term can overestimate the plasma flow and it is found that the finite ion Larmor radius effect play fundamental role in ponderomotive forces that can drive a poloidal flow, which is larger than a flow driven by a wave momentum transfer force. Finally, balancing the RF forces by the electron-ion friction and viscous force the current and plasma flows driven by ponderomotive forces are calculated for tokamak plasmas, using a kinetic code [Phys. Plasmas, v.6 (1999) p.2437]. Strongly sheared current and plasma flow waves is found.

  2. Demonstration of motion control of ZrO2 microparticles in uniform/non-uniform electric field

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Onishi, Genki; Trung, Ngo Nguyen Chi; Matsutani, Naoto; Nakayama, Tadachika; Suzuki, Tsuneo; Suematsu, Hisayuki; Niihara, Koichi

    2018-02-01

    This study aims to elucidate the mechanism that drives dielectric microparticles under an electric field. The driving of microstructures is affected by various electrical phenomena occurring at the same time such as surface potential, polarization, and electrostatic force. It makes the clarification of the driving mechanism challenging. A simple experimental system was used to observe the behavior of spherical ZrO2 microparticles in a nonaqueous solution under an electric field. The results suggest that the mechanism that drives the ZrO2 microparticles under an electric field involved the combination of an electric image force, a gradient force, and the contact charging phenomenon. A method is proposed to control the motion of micro- and nanostructures in further study and applications.

  3. Accelerating dewetting on deformable substrates by adding a liquid underlayer.

    PubMed

    Xu, Lin; Reiter, Günter; Shi, Tongfei; An, Lijia

    2010-05-18

    We investigated the dependence of the dewetting velocity of a thin, low-viscosity polystyrene (PS) top film on a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) double layer consisting of a low-viscosity underlayer of thickness h(L) coated with a high-viscosity middle layer of thickness h(M). The addition of the liquid underlayer generated complex nonmonotonic behavior of the dewetting velocity as a function of increasing h(M). In particular, we observed an acceleration of dewetting for an intermediate range of h(M). This phenomenon has been interpreted by a combination deformation of the middle elastic layer and a concurrent change in the contact angle. On one hand, deformation led to the formation of a trench that dissipated energy during its movement through the liquid underlayer and thus caused a slowing down of dewetting. However, with an increase in the thickness of the elastic middle layer, the size of the trench decreased and its influence on the dewetting velocity also decreased. On the other hand, the deformation of the elastic layer also led to an increase in the contact angle. This increase in the driving capillary forces caused an increase in the dewetting velocity.

  4. Mechanical mechanisms of the directional shift and inverse of the eccentric compound droplet

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Jingtao; Xu, Shen; Huang, Yan; Guan, Jing

    2018-04-01

    Mechanical mechanisms of the directional movement and inverse of an eccentric compound droplet in a modest extensional flow are investigated in this paper by spectral boundary element methods. In this work, a phenomenon is revealed that the shift of a compound droplet is driven by the asymmetric interfacial curvature, not just the outer drag. The asymmetric layout of the daughter droplet leads to the asymmetric drags from the continuous phase and the asymmetric deformation of the compound droplet with different interface curvatures. As the inner droplet has both enhancing and suppressing effects on the globule deformation (during different stages), the interface curvatures will vary when the relative size and location of the inner droplet are changed. The curvature difference results in the asymmetric pressure distribution and circulation inside the compound droplet. Eventually, the interaction of the inner driving force (curvature difference) and the outer drags results in the directional shift and inverse of the compound droplet. The shift direction is affected by the structural asymmetry parameter ɛ (eccentricity) and some flow features such as the capillary number. The conclusion could enlighten potential applications for the movement of soft globules driven by the curvature difference.

  5. Dripping and jetting regimes in co-flowing capillary jets: unforced measurements and response to driving

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Baroud, Charles; Cordero, Maria-Luisa; Gallaire, Francois

    2011-11-01

    We study the breakup of drops in a co-flowing jet, within the confinement of a microfluidic channel. The breakup can occur right after the nozzle (dripping) or through the generation of a liquid jet that breaks up a long distance from the nozzle (jetting). Traditionally, these two regimes have been considered to reflect an absolutely unstable jet or a convectively unstable jet, respectively. We first provide measurements of the frequency of oscillation and breakup of the liquid jet; the dispersion relation thus obtained compares well with existing theories for convective instabilities in the case of the jetting regime. However, the theories in the absolutely unstable mode fail to predict the evolution of the frequency and drop size in the dripping regime. We also test the jet response to an external forcing, using a focused laser to locally heat the jet. The dripping regime is found to be insensitive to the perturbation and the frequency of drop formation remains unaltered. In contrast, the jetting regime locks to the external frequency, which translates into a modification of the drop size in agreement with the dispersion relations. This confirms the convective nature of the jetting regime. Permanent address: Universidad de Chile.

  6. Spatial distribution of microbial communities in the shallow submarine alkaline hydrothermal field of the Prony Bay, New Caledonia.

    PubMed

    Quéméneur, Marianne; Bes, Méline; Postec, Anne; Mei, Nan; Hamelin, Jérôme; Monnin, Christophe; Chavagnac, Valérie; Payri, Claude; Pelletier, Bernard; Guentas-Dombrowsky, Linda; Gérard, Martine; Pisapia, Céline; Gérard, Emmanuelle; Ménez, Bénédicte; Ollivier, Bernard; Erauso, Gaël

    2014-12-01

    The shallow submarine hydrothermal field of the Prony Bay (New Caledonia) discharges hydrogen- and methane-rich fluids with low salinity, temperature (< 40°C) and high pH (11) produced by the serpentinization reactions of the ultramafic basement into the lagoon seawater. They are responsible for the formation of carbonate chimneys at the lagoon seafloor. Capillary electrophoresis single-strand conformation polymorphism fingerprinting, quantitative polymerase chain reaction and sequence analysis of 16S rRNA genes revealed changes in microbial community structure, abundance and diversity depending on the location, water depth, and structure of the carbonate chimneys. The low archaeal diversity was dominated by few uncultured Methanosarcinales similar to those found in other serpentinization-driven submarine and subterrestrial ecosystems (e.g. Lost City, The Cedars). The most abundant and diverse bacterial communities were mainly composed of Chloroflexi, Deinococcus-Thermus, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria. Functional gene analysis revealed similar abundance and diversity of both Methanosarcinales methanoarchaea, and Desulfovibrionales and Desulfobacterales sulfate-reducers in the studied sites. Molecular studies suggest that redox reactions involving hydrogen, methane and sulfur compounds (e.g. sulfate) are the energy driving forces of the microbial communities inhabiting the Prony hydrothermal system.

  7. LABORATORY INVESTIGATION OF RESIDUAL LIQUID ORGANICS FROM SPILLS, LEAKS, AND THE DISPOSAL OF HAZARDOUS WASTES IN GROUNDWATER

    EPA Science Inventory

    Organic liquids that are essentially immiscible with water migrate through the subsurface through the influence of capillary, viscous and buoyancy forces. our experimental methods were employed. irst, quantitative displacement experiments using short soil columns; second, additio...

  8. LABORATORY INVESTIGATION OF RESIDUAL LIQUID ORGANICS FROM SPILLS, LEAKS, AND THE DISPOSAL OF HAZARDOUS WASTES IN GROUNDWATER

    EPA Science Inventory

    Organic liquids that are essentially immiscible with water migrate through the subsurface through the influence of capillary, viscous and buoyancy forces. Four experimental methods were employed. First, quantitative displacement experiments using short soil columns; second, add...

  9. From Red Cells to Soft Porous Lubrication

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wu, Qianhong; Gacka, Thomas; Nathan, Rungun; Crawford, Robert; Vucbmss Team

    2014-11-01

    Biological scientists have wondered, since the motion of red cells was first observed in capillaries, how the highly flexible red cell can move with so little friction in tightly fitting microvessels without being damaged or undergoing hemolysis. Theoretical studies (Feng and Weinbaum, 2000, JFM; Wu et al., 2004, PRL) attributed this frictionless motion to the dramatically enhanced hydrodynamic lifting force generated inside the soft, porous, endothelial surface layer (ESL) covering the inner surfaces of our capillaries, as a red blood cell glides over it. Herein we report the first experimental examination of this concept. The results conclusively demonstrate that significant fraction of the overall lifting force generated in a soft porous layer as a planing surface glides over it, is contributed by the pore fluid pressure, and thus frictional loss is reduced significantly. Moreover, the experimental predictions showed excellent agreement with the experimental data. This finding has the potential of dramatically changing existing lubrication approaches, and can result in substantial savings in energy consumption and thus reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

  10. Assembly of Nanorods into Designer Superstructures: The Role of Templating, Capillary Forces, Adhesion, and Polymer Hydration

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Ciszek, Jacob W.; Huang, Ling; Tsonchev, Stefan

    The assembly mechanism by which hundreds of thousands of two-segment gold-polypyrrole nanorods are assembled into kinetically controlled shape-directed superstructures is examined to predict the range of nanoparticle sizes and materials that can be utilized in their formation. Four processes are responsible for assembly: templating, capillary force assembly, adhesion, and polymer hydration. It is shown that templating, where rods are prepositioned for assembly, is scale invariant and that the energy-minimized state after this step is highly disordered. In addition, we predict that superstructures can be made independently from patterns of rods separated by a distance as small as six times themore » inter-rod spacing. Both modeling and experiment show that adhesion and polymer dehydration, which induces curvature in the superstructures, are applicable to other materials. However, the high surface energy and low elastic modulus of polypyrrole are advantageous toward generating three-dimensional structures, inducing curvature at gold/polypyrrole length ratios as large as 7:1.« less

  11. Auxiliary drying to prevent pattern collapse in high aspect ratio nanostructures

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Gang; Zhou, Jie; Xiong, Ying; Zhang, Xiaobo; Tian, Yangchao

    2011-07-01

    Many defects are generated in densely packed high aspect ratio structures during nanofabrication. Pattern collapse is one of the serious problems that may arise, mainly due to the capillary force during drying after the rinsing process. In this paper, a method of auxiliary drying is presented to prevent pattern collapse in high aspect ratio nanostructures by adding an auxiliary substrate as a reinforcing rib to restrict deformation and to balance the capillary force. The principle of the method is presented based on the analysis of pattern collapse. A finite element method is then applied to analyze the deformation of the resist beams caused by the surface tension using the ANSYS software, and the effect of the nanostructure's length to width ratio simulated and analyzed. Finally, the possible range of applications based on the proposed method is discussed. Our results show that the aspect ratio may be increased 2.6 times without pattern collapse; furthermore, this method can be widely used in the removal of solvents in micro- and nanofabrication.

  12. Auxiliary drying to prevent pattern collapse in high aspect ratio nanostructures.

    PubMed

    Liu, Gang; Zhou, Jie; Xiong, Ying; Zhang, Xiaobo; Tian, Yangchao

    2011-07-29

    Many defects are generated in densely packed high aspect ratio structures during nanofabrication. Pattern collapse is one of the serious problems that may arise, mainly due to the capillary force during drying after the rinsing process. In this paper, a method of auxiliary drying is presented to prevent pattern collapse in high aspect ratio nanostructures by adding an auxiliary substrate as a reinforcing rib to restrict deformation and to balance the capillary force. The principle of the method is presented based on the analysis of pattern collapse. A finite element method is then applied to analyze the deformation of the resist beams caused by the surface tension using the ANSYS software, and the effect of the nanostructure's length to width ratio simulated and analyzed. Finally, the possible range of applications based on the proposed method is discussed. Our results show that the aspect ratio may be increased 2.6 times without pattern collapse; furthermore, this method can be widely used in the removal of solvents in micro- and nanofabrication.

  13. Fluid dynamics of two-dimensional pollination in Ruppia maritima

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Musunuri, Naga; Bunker, Daniel; Pell, Susan; Pell, Fischer; Singh, Pushpendra

    2016-11-01

    The aim of this work is to understand the physics underlying the mechanisms of two-dimensional aquatic pollen dispersal, known as hydrophily. We observed two mechanisms by which the pollen released from male inflorescences of Ruppia maritima is adsorbed on a water surface: (i) inflorescences rise above the surface and after they mature their pollen mass falls onto the surface as clumps and disperses on the surface; (ii) inflorescences remain below the surface and produce air bubbles which carry their pollen mass to the surface where it disperses. In both cases dispersed pollen masses combined under the action of capillary forces to form pollen rafts. This increases the probability of pollination since the capillary force on a pollen raft towards a stigma is much larger than on a single pollen grain. The presence of a trace amount of surfactant can disrupt the pollination process so that the pollen is not transported or captured on the water surface. National Science Foundation.

  14. Pleural liquid and its exchanges.

    PubMed

    Agostoni, Emilio; Zocchi, Luciano

    2007-12-15

    After an account on morphological features of visceral and parietal pleura, mechanical coupling between lung and chest wall is outlined. Volume of pleural liquid is considered along with its thickness in various regions, and its composition. Pleural liquid pressure (P(liq)) and pressure exerted by lung recoil in various species and postures are then compared, and the vertical gradient of P(liq) considered. Implications of lower P(liq) in the lung zone than in the costo-phrenic sinus at iso-height are pointed out. Mesothelial permeability to H(2)O, Cl(-), Na(+), mannitol, sucrose, inulin, albumin, and various size dextrans is provided, along with paracellular "pore" radius of mesothelium. Pleural liquid is produced by filtration from parietal pleura capillaries according to Starling forces. It is removed by absorption in visceral pleura capillaries according to Starling forces (at least in some species), lymphatic drainage through stomata of parietal mesothelium (essential to remove cells, particles, and large macromolecules), solute-coupled liquid absorption, and transcytosis through mesothelium.

  15. Microgravity effects on water flow and distribution in unsaturated porous media: Analyses of flight experiments

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jones, Scott B.; Or, Dani

    1999-04-01

    Plants grown in porous media are part of a bioregenerative life support system designed for long-duration space missions. Reduced gravity conditions of orbiting spacecraft (microgravity) alter several aspects of liquid flow and distribution within partially saturated porous media. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the suitability of conventional capillary flow theory in simulating water distribution in porous media measured in a microgravity environment. Data from experiments aboard the Russian space station Mir and a U.S. space shuttle were simulated by elimination of the gravitational term from the Richards equation. Qualitative comparisons with media hydraulic parameters measured on Earth suggest narrower pore size distributions and inactive or nonparticipating large pores in microgravity. Evidence of accentuated hysteresis, altered soil-water characteristic, and reduced unsaturated hydraulic conductivity from microgravity simulations may be attributable to a number of proposed secondary mechanisms. These are likely spawned by enhanced and modified paths of interfacial flows and an altered force ratio of capillary to body forces in microgravity.

  16. Hydrology beyond closing the water balance: energy conservative scaling of gradient flux relations

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zehe, Erwin; Loritz, Ralf; Jackisch, Conrad

    2017-04-01

    The value of physically-based models has been doubted since their idea was introduced by Freeze and Harlan. Physically-based models like typically rely on the Darcy-Richards concept for soil water dynamics, the Penman-Monteith equation for soil-vegetation-atmosphere exchange processes and hydraulic approaches for overland and stream flow. Each of these concepts is subject to limitations arising from our imperfect understanding of the related processes and is afflicted by the restricted transferability of process descriptions from idealized laboratory conditions to heterogeneous natural systems. Particularly the non-linearity of soil water characteristics in concert with the baffling heterogeneity subsurface properties is usually seen as the dead end for a meaningful application of physically based models outside of well observed research catchments and, more importantly, for an upscaling of point scale flux - gradient relation-ships. This study provides evidence that an energy conservative scaling of topographic gradients and soil water retention curves allows derivation of useful effective catchment scale topography and retention curve from distributed data, which allow successful simulations of the catchment water balance in two distinctly different landscapes. The starting point of our approach is that subsurface water fluxes are driven by differences in potential energy and chemical/capillary binding energy. The relief of a single hillslope controls the potential energy gradients driving downslope flows of free water, while catchment scale variability in hillslope relief is associated with differences in driving potential energy. It is more important to note that the soil water retention curve characterises the density of capillary binding energy of soil water (usually named soil water potential) at a given soil water content. Spatially variable soil water characteristics hence reflect fluctuations in capillary binding energy of soil water at a given soil water content among different sites. Essentially we propose that a meaning full effective representation of the driving topographic gradient needs to represent the mean distribution of geo-potential energy in a catchment, which leads us to the hypsometric integral. Similarly, we postulate that effective soil water characteristics should characterise the average relation between soil water content and capillary binding energy of soil water. For a given set of soil water retention curve derived from a set of undisturbed soil samples this can be achieved by grouping the observation points of all soil samples, averaging the soil water content at a given matric potential/binding energy density and fitting a parametric relation. We demonstrate that a single hillslope with the proposed effective topography and soil water retention curve is sufficient to simulate the water balance and runoff formation of two distinctly different catchments in the Attert experimental watershed.

  17. United States Air Force Summer Faculty Research Program, 1988. Program Technical Report. Volume 4

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1988-12-01

    Professor SDecialty: Gas Phase Ion-Molecule Chem. Dept. of Chemistry Assigned: Air Force Geophysics Lab. Louisiana State University Choppin Hall...For Lucid Dr. Darin DeForest 55 Pre-Sort Processor Phase Distortion Dr. Paul Dingman Evaluation 56 A PROLOG Natural Language Front End Dr. Hugh...analysis in the electron impact mode. The column used was 25m x 0.25am ID bonded phase FSOT capillary column (#952525 Alltech and Associates), coated with

  18. Harnessing electrical forces for separation. Capillary zone electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing, field-flow fractionation, split-flow thin-cell continuous-separation and other techniques.

    PubMed

    Giddings, J C

    1989-10-20

    A simple analysis, first presented twenty years ago, showed that the effectiveness of a field-driven separation like electrophoresis, as expressed by the maximum number of theoretical plates (N), is given by the dimensionless ratio of two energies N = -delta mu ext/2RT in which -delta mu ext is the electrical potential energy drop of a charged species and RT is the thermal energy (R is the gas constant and T is the absolute temperature). Quantity -delta mu ext is the product of the force F acting on the species and the path length X of separation. The exceptional power of electrophoresis, for which often N approximately 10(6), can be traced directly to the enormous magnitude of the electrical force F. This paper explores the fundamentals underlying several different means for utilizing these powerful electrical forces for separation, including capillary zone electrophoresis, gel electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing, electrical field-flow fractionation and split-flow thin continuous separation cells. Remarkably, the above equation and its relatives are found to describe the approximate performance of all these diverse electrically driven systems. Factors affecting both the resolving power and separation speed of the systems are addressed; from these considerations some broad optimization criteria emerge. The capabilities of the different methods are compared using numerical examples.

  19. 40 CFR 1066.210 - Dynamometers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... to recreate the mechanical inertia and frictional forces that a vehicle exerts on road surfaces... drive axles may share a single drive roll. Use good engineering judgment to ensure that the dynamometer... engineering judgment. (3) The load applied by the dynamometer simulates forces acting on the vehicle during...

  20. Tuning the driving force for exciton dissociation in single-walled carbon nanotube heterojunctions

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Ihly, Rachelle; Mistry, Kevin S.; Ferguson, Andrew J.

    2016-04-25

    Understanding the kinetics and energetics of interfacial electron transfer in molecular systems is crucial for the development of a broad array of technologies, including photovoltaics, solar fuel systems and energy storage. The Marcus formulation for electron transfer relates the thermodynamic driving force and reorganization energy for charge transfer between a given donor/acceptor pair to the kinetics and yield of electron transfer. Here we investigated the influence of the thermodynamic driving force for photoinduced electron transfer (PET) between single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and fullerene derivatives by employing time-resolved microwave conductivity as a sensitive probe of interfacial exciton dissociation. For the firstmore » time, we observed the Marcus inverted region (in which driving force exceeds reorganization energy) and quantified the reorganization energy for PET for a model SWCNT/acceptor system. The small reorganization energies (about 130 meV, most of which probably arises from the fullerene acceptors) are beneficial in minimizing energy loss in photoconversion schemes.« less

  1. Flow enhancement of deformable self-driven objects by countercurrent

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mashiko, Takashi; Fujiwara, Takashi

    2016-10-01

    We report numerical simulations of the mixed flows of two groups of deformable self-driven objects. The objects belonging to the group A (B) have drift coefficient D =DA (DB), where a positive (negative) value of D denotes the rightward (leftward) driving force. For co-current flows (DA ,DB > 0), the result is rather intuitive: the net flow of one group (QA) increases if the driving force of the other group is stronger than its own driving force (i.e., DB >DA), and decreases otherwise (DB

  2. Exact Integral Solutions for Two-Phase Flow

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    McWhorter, David B.; Sunada, Daniel K.

    1990-03-01

    Exact integral solutions for the horizontal, unsteady flow of two viscous, incompressible fluids are derived. Both one-dimensional and radial displacements are calculated with full consideration of capillary drive and for arbitrary capillary-hydraulic properties. One-dimensional, unidirectional displacement of a nonwetting phase is shown to occur increasingly like a shock front as the pore-size distribution becomes wider. This is in contrast to the situation when an inviscid nonwetting phase is displaced. The penetration of a nonwetting phase into porous media otherwise saturated by a wetting phase occurs in narrow, elongate distributions. Such distributions result in rapid and extensive penetration by the nonwetting phase. The process is remarkably sensitive to the capillary-hydraulic properties that determine the value of knw/kw at large wetting phase saturations, a region in which laboratory measurements provide the least resolution. The penetration of a nonwetting phase can be expected to be dramatically affected by the presence of fissures, worm holes, or other macropores. Calculations for radial displacement of a nonwetting phase resident at a small initial saturation show the displacement to be inefficient. The fractional flow of the nonwetting phase falls rapidly and, for a specific example, becomes 1% by the time one pore volume of water has been injected.

  3. Cellular context–mediated Akt dynamics regulates MAP kinase signaling thresholds during angiogenesis

    PubMed Central

    Hellesøy, Monica; Lorens, James B.

    2015-01-01

    The formation of new blood vessels by sprouting angiogenesis is tightly regulated by contextual cues that affect angiogeneic growth factor signaling. Both constitutive activation and loss of Akt kinase activity in endothelial cells impair angiogenesis, suggesting that Akt dynamics mediates contextual microenvironmental regulation. We explored the temporal regulation of Akt in endothelial cells during formation of capillary-like networks induced by cell–cell contact with vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs) and vSMC-associated VEGF. Expression of constitutively active Akt1 strongly inhibited network formation, whereas hemiphosphorylated Akt1 epi-alleles with reduced kinase activity had an intermediate inhibitory effect. Conversely, inhibition of Akt signaling did not affect endothelial cell migration or morphogenesis in vSMC cocultures that generate capillary-like structures. We found that endothelial Akt activity is transiently blocked by proteasomal degradation in the presence of SMCs during the initial phase of capillary-like structure formation. Suppressed Akt activity corresponded to the increased endothelial MAP kinase signaling that was required for angiogenic endothelial morphogenesis. These results reveal a regulatory principle by which cellular context regulates Akt protein dynamics, which determines MAP kinase signaling thresholds necessary drive a morphogenetic program during angiogenesis. PMID:26023089

  4. Actuation of flexoelectric membranes in viscoelastic fluids with applications to outer hair cells

    PubMed Central

    Herrera-Valencia, E. E.; Rey, Alejandro D.

    2014-01-01

    Liquid crystal flexoelectric actuation uses an imposed electric field to create membrane bending, and it is used by the outer hair cells (OHCs) located in the inner ear, whose role is to amplify sound through generation of mechanical power. Oscillations in the OHC membranes create periodic viscoelastic flows in the contacting fluid media. A key objective of this work on flexoelectric actuation relevant to OHCs is to find the relations and impact of the electromechanical properties of the membrane, the rheological properties of the viscoelastic media, and the frequency response of the generated mechanical power output. The model developed and used in this work is based on the integration of: (i) the flexoelectric membrane shape equation applied to a circular membrane attached to the inner surface of a circular capillary and (ii) the coupled capillary flow of contacting viscoelastic phases, such that the membrane flexoelectric oscillations drive periodic viscoelastic capillary flows, as in OHCs. By applying the Fourier transform formalism to the governing equation, analytical expressions for the transfer function associated with the curvature and electrical field and for the power dissipation of elastic storage energy were found. PMID:25332388

  5. Effect of interfacial slip on the thin film drainage time for two equal-sized, surfactant-free drops undergoing a head-on collision: A scaling analysis

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ramachandran, A.; Leal, L. G.

    2016-10-01

    Using a scaling analysis, we assess the impact of interfacial slip on the time required for the thin liquid film between two drops undergoing a head-on collision to drain to the critical thickness for rupture by van der Waals forces. Interfacial slip is included in our continuum development using a Navier slip boundary condition, with the slip coefficient modeled using previous theories [Helfand and Tagami, J. Chem. Phys. 57, 1812 (1972), 10.1063/1.1678491; Goveas and Fredrickson, Eur. Phys. J. B 2, 79 (1998), 10.1007/s100510050228]. Slip decreases hydrodynamic resistance and speeds up film drainage. It renders the dependence of the drainage time on capillary number stronger in the spherical-film regime, but, interestingly, this dependence is altered only weakly in the dimpled-film regime. A subtle effect of slip is that it increases the range of capillary numbers in which the film remains predominantly spherical in shape during drainage (as opposed to being dimpled), leading to significantly faster drainage for these capillary numbers. Slip also leads to an increase in the critical capillary number beyond which coalescence is not possible in a head-collision.

  6. Recurrence plots revisited

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Casdagli, M. C.

    1997-09-01

    We show that recurrence plots (RPs) give detailed characterizations of time series generated by dynamical systems driven by slowly varying external forces. For deterministic systems we show that RPs of the time series can be used to reconstruct the RP of the driving force if it varies sufficiently slowly. If the driving force is one-dimensional, its functional form can then be inferred up to an invertible coordinate transformation. The same results hold for stochastic systems if the RP of the time series is suitably averaged and transformed. These results are used to investigate the nonlinear prediction of time series generated by dynamical systems driven by slowly varying external forces. We also consider the problem of detecting a small change in the driving force, and propose a surrogate data technique for assessing statistical significance. Numerically simulated time series and a time series of respiration rates recorded from a subject with sleep apnea are used as illustrative examples.

  7. The effect of adsorbed liquid and material density on saltation threshold: Insight from laboratory and wind tunnel experiments

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yu, Xinting; Hörst, Sarah M.; He, Chao; Bridges, Nathan T.; Burr, Devon M.; Sebree, Joshua A.; Smith, James K.

    2017-11-01

    Saltation threshold, the minimum wind speed for sediment transport, is a fundamental parameter in aeolian processes. Measuring this threshold using boundary layer wind tunnels, in which particles are mobilized by flowing air, for a subset of different planetary conditions can inform our understanding of physical processes of sediment transport. The presence of liquid, such as water on Earth or methane on Titan, may affect the threshold values to a great extent. Sediment density is also crucial for determining threshold values. Here we provide quantitative data on density and water content of common wind tunnel materials (including chromite, basalt, quartz sand, beach sand, glass beads, gas chromatograph packing materials, walnut shells, iced tea powder, activated charcoal, instant coffee, and glass bubbles) that have been used to study conditions on Earth, Titan, Mars, and Venus. The measured density values for low density materials are higher compared to literature values (e.g., ∼30% for walnut shells), whereas for the high density materials, there is no such discrepancy. We also find that low density materials have much higher water content and longer atmospheric equilibration timescales compared to high density sediments. We used thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to quantify surface and internal water and found that over 80% of the total water content is surface water for low density materials. In the Titan Wind Tunnel (TWT), where Reynolds number conditions similar to those on Titan can be achieved, we performed threshold experiments with the standard walnut shells (125-150 μm, 7.2% water by mass) and dried walnut shells, in which the water content was reduced to 1.7%. The threshold results for the two scenarios are almost the same, which indicates that humidity had a negligible effect on threshold for walnut shells in this experimental regime. When the water content is lower than 11.0%, the interparticle forces are dominated by adsorption forces, whereas at higher values the interparticle forces are dominated by much larger capillary forces. For materials with low equilibrium water content, like quartz sand, capillary forces dominate. When the interparticle forces are dominated by adsorption forces, the threshold does not increase with increasing relative humidity (RH) or water content. Only when the interparticle forces are dominated by capillary forces does the threshold start to increase with increasing RH/water content. Since tholins have a low methane content (0.3% at saturation, [Curtis, D. B., Hatch, C. D., Hasenkopf, C. A., et al., 2008. Laboratory studies of methane and ethane adsorption and nucleation onto organic particles: Application to Titan's clouds. Icarus, 195, 792. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2008.02.003]), we believe tholins would behave similarly to quartz sand when subjected to methane moisture.

  8. How the interior viscosity structure of a terrestrial planet controls plate driving forces and plate tectonics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hoeink, T.; Lenardic, A.; Jellinek, M.; Richards, M. A.

    2011-12-01

    One of the fundamental unresolved problems in Earth and planetary science is the generation of plate tectonics from mantle convection. Important achievements can be made when considering rheological properties in the context of mantle convection dynamics. Among these milestones are (1) a deeper understanding of the balance of forces that drive and resist plate motion and (2) the dynamic generation of narrow plate boundaries (that lead to a piecewise continuous surface velocity distribution). Extending classic plate-tectonic theory we predict a plate driving force due to viscous coupling at the base of the plate from fast flow in the asthenosphere. Flow in the asthenosphere is due to shear-driven contributions from an overriding plate and due to additional pressure-driven contributions. We use scaling analysis to show that the extent to which this additional plate-driving force contributes to plate motions depends on the lateral dimension of plates and on the relative viscosities and thicknesses of lithosphere and asthenosphere. Whereas slab-pull forces always govern the motions of plates with a lateral extent greater than the mantle depth, asthenosphere-drive forces can be relatively more important for smaller (shorter wavelength) plates, large relative asthenosphere viscosities or large asthenosphere thicknesses. Published plate velocities, tomographic images and age-binned mean shear wave velocity anomaly data allow us to estimate the relative contributions of slab-pull and asthenosphere-drive forces driving the motions of the Atlantic and Pacific plates. At the global scale of terrestrial planets, we use 3D spherical shell simulations of mantle convection with temperature-, depth- and stress dependent rheology to demonstrate that a thin low-viscosity layer (asthenosphere) governs convective stresses imparted to the lithosphere. We find, consistent with theoretical predictions, that convective stresses increase for thinner asthenospheres. This result might eliminate the need for special weakening mechanisms to generate plate tectonics from mantle convection. Our results elucidate the role of the asthenosphere for plate tectonics on Earth, and also provide insights into the differences in tectonic styles between Earth and Venus.

  9. A linear magnetic motor and generator

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Studer, P. A.

    1980-01-01

    In linear magnetic motor and generator suitable for remote and hostile environments, magnetic forces drive reciprocating shaft along its axis. Actuator shaft is located in center of cylindrical body and may be supported by either contacting or noncontacting bearings. When device operates as bidirectional motor, drive coil selectively adds and subtracts magnetic flux to and from flux paths, producing forces that drive actuator along axis. When actuator is driven by external reciprocating engine, device becomes ac generator.

  10. DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Reister, D.B.; Unseren, M.A.

    When a vehicle with two or more steerable drive wheels is traveling in a circle, the motion of the wheels is constrained. The wheel translational velocity divided by the radius to the center of rotation must be the same for all wheels. When the drive wheels are controlled independently using position control, the motion of the wheels may violate the constraints and the wheels may slip. Consequently, substantial errors can occur in the orientation of the vehicle. A vehicle with N drive wheels has (N - 1) constraints and one degree of freedom. We have developed a new approach tomore » the control of a vehicle with N steerable drive wheels. The novel aspect of our approach is the use of force control. To control the vehicle, we have one degree of freedom for the position on the circle and (N - 1) forces that can be used to reduce errors. Recently, Kankaanranta and Koivo developed a control architecture that allows the force and position degrees of freedom to be decoupled. In the work of Kankaanranta and Koivo the force is an exogenous input. We have made the force endogenous by defining the force in terms of the errors in satisfying the rigid body kinematic constraints. We have applied the control architecture to the HERMIES-III robot and have measured a dramatic reduction in error (more than a factor of 20) compared to motions without force control.« less

  11. Primary drainage in geological fractures: Effects of aperture variability and wettability

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yang, Z.; Méheust, Y.; Neuweiler, I.

    2017-12-01

    Understanding and controlling fluid-fluid displacement in porous and fractured media is a key asset for many practical applications, such as the geological storage of CO2, hydrocarbon recovery, groundwater remediation, etc. We numerically investigate fluid-fluid displacement in rough-walled fractures with a focus on the combined effect of wettability, the viscous contrast between the two fluids, and fracture surface topography on drainage patterns and interface growth. A model has been developed to simulate the dynamic displacement of one fluid by another immiscible one in a rough geological fracture; the model takes both capillary and viscous forces into account. Capillary pressures at the fluid-fluid interface are calculated based on the Young-Laplace equation using the two principal curvatures (aperture-induced curvature and in-plane curvature) [1], while viscous forces are calculated by continuously solving the fluid pressure field in the fracture. The aperture field of a fracture is represented by a spatially correlated random field, with a power spectral density of the fracture wall topographies scaling as a power law, and a cutoff wave-length above which the Fourier modes of the two walls are identical [2]. We consider flow scenarios with both rectangular and radial configurations. Results show that the model is able to produce displacement patterns of compact displacement, capillary fingering, and viscous fingering, as well as the transitions between them. Both reducing the aperture variability and increasing the contact angle (from drainage to weak imbibition) can stabilize the displacement due to the influence of the in-plane curvature, an effect analogous to that of the cooperative pore filling in porous media. These results suggest that for geometries typical of geological fractures we can extend the phase diagram in the parameter space of capillary number and mobility ratio by another dimension to take into account the combined effect of wettability and fracture aperture topography. References: [1] Yang, Z. et al. (2012), A generalized approach for estimation of in-plane curvature in invasion percolation models for drainage in fractures. Wat. Resour. Res., 48(9), W09507. [2] Yang, Z. et al. (2016), Fluid trapping during capillary displacement in fractures. Adv. Water Resour., 95, 264-275.

  12. Driving-forces model on individual behavior in scenarios considering moving threat agents

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Shuying; Zhuang, Jun; Shen, Shifei; Wang, Jia

    2017-09-01

    The individual behavior model is a contributory factor to improve the accuracy of agent-based simulation in different scenarios. However, few studies have considered moving threat agents, which often occur in terrorist attacks caused by attackers with close-range weapons (e.g., sword, stick). At the same time, many existing behavior models lack validation from cases or experiments. This paper builds a new individual behavior model based on seven behavioral hypotheses. The driving-forces model is an extension of the classical social force model considering scenarios including moving threat agents. An experiment was conducted to validate the key components of the model. Then the model is compared with an advanced Elliptical Specification II social force model, by calculating the fitting errors between the simulated and experimental trajectories, and being applied to simulate a specific circumstance. Our results show that the driving-forces model reduced the fitting error by an average of 33.9% and the standard deviation by an average of 44.5%, which indicates the accuracy and stability of the model in the studied situation. The new driving-forces model could be used to simulate individual behavior when analyzing the risk of specific scenarios using agent-based simulation methods, such as risk analysis of close-range terrorist attacks in public places.

  13. Active mechanics in living oocytes reveal molecular-scale force kinetics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ahmed, Wylie; Fodor, Etienne; Almonacid, Maria; Bussonnier, Matthias; Verlhac, Marie-Helene; Gov, Nir; Visco, Paolo; van Wijland, Frederic; Betz, Timo

    Unlike traditional materials, living cells actively generate forces at the molecular scale that change their structure and mechanical properties. This nonequilibrium activity is essential for cellular function, and drives processes such as cell division. Single molecule studies have uncovered the detailed force kinetics of isolated motor proteins in-vitro, however their behavior in-vivo has been elusive due to the complex environment inside the cell. Here, we quantify active forces and intracellular mechanics in living oocytes using in-vivo optical trapping and laser interferometry of endogenous vesicles. We integrate an experimental and theoretical framework to connect mesoscopic measurements of nonequilibrium properties to the underlying molecular- scale force kinetics. Our results show that force generation by myosin-V drives the cytoplasmic-skeleton out-of-equilibrium (at frequencies below 300 Hz) and actively softens the environment. In vivo myosin-V activity generates a force of F ~ 0 . 4 pN, with a power-stroke of length Δx ~ 20 nm and duration τ ~ 300 μs, that drives vesicle motion at vv ~ 320 nm/s. This framework is widely applicable to characterize living cells and other soft active materials.

  14. Method and apparatus for optimized sampling of volatilizable target substances

    DOEpatents

    Lindgren, Eric R.; Phelan, James M.

    2002-01-01

    An apparatus for capturing, from gases such as soil gas, target analytes. Target analytes may include emanations from explosive materials or from residues of explosive materials. The apparatus employs principles of sorption common to solid phase microextraction, and is best used in conjunction with analysis means such as a gas chromatograph. To sorb target analytes, the apparatus functions using various sorptive structures to capture target analyte. Depending upon the embodiment, those structures may include 1) a conventional solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fiber, 2) a SPME fiber suspended in a capillary tube (with means provided for moving gases through the capillary tube so that the gases come into close proximity to the suspended fiber), and 3) a capillary tube including an interior surface on which sorptive material (similar to that on the surface of a SPME fiber) is supported (along with means for moving gases through the capillary tube so that the gases come into close proximity to the sorptive material). In one disclosed embodiment, at least one such sorptive structure is associated with an enclosure including an opening in communication with the surface of a soil region potentially contaminated with buried explosive material such as unexploded ordnance. Emanations from explosive materials can pass into and accumulate in the enclosure where they are sorbed by the sorptive structures. Also disclosed is the use of heating means such as microwave horns to drive target analytes into the soil gas from solid and liquid phase components of the soil.

  15. Surface and capillary forces encountered by zinc sulfide microspheres in aqueous electrolyte.

    PubMed

    Gillies, Graeme; Kappl, Michael; Butt, Hans-Jürgen

    2005-06-21

    The colloid probe technique was used to investigate the interactions between individual zinc sulfide (ZnS) microspheres and an air bubble in electrolyte solution. Incorporation of zinc ions into the electrolyte solution overcomes the disproportionate zinc ion dissolution and mimics high-volume-fraction conditions common in flotation. Determined interaction forces revealed a distinct lack of long-ranged hydrophobic forces, indicated by the presence of a DLVO repulsion prior to particle engulfment. Single microsphere contact angles were determined from particle-bubble interactions. Contact angles increased with decreasing radii and with surface oxidation. Surface modification by the absorption of copper and subsequently potassium O-ethyldithiocarbonate (KED) reduced repulsive forces and strongly increased contact angles.

  16. Model Predictive Control Based Motion Drive Algorithm for a Driving Simulator

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rehmatullah, Faizan

    In this research, we develop a model predictive control based motion drive algorithm for the driving simulator at Toronto Rehabilitation Institute. Motion drive algorithms exploit the limitations of the human vestibular system to formulate a perception of motion within the constrained workspace of a simulator. In the absence of visual cues, the human perception system is unable to distinguish between acceleration and the force of gravity. The motion drive algorithm determines control inputs to displace the simulator platform, and by using the resulting inertial forces and angular rates, creates the perception of motion. By using model predictive control, we can optimize the use of simulator workspace for every maneuver while simulating the vehicle perception. With the ability to handle nonlinear constraints, the model predictive control allows us to incorporate workspace limitations.

  17. Contact Forces between Single Metal Oxide Nanoparticles in Gas-Phase Applications and Processes

    PubMed Central

    2017-01-01

    In this work we present a comprehensive experimental study to determine the contact forces between individual metal oxide nanoparticles in the gas-phase using atomic force microscopy. In addition, we determined the amount of physisorbed water for each type of particle surface. By comparing our results with mathematical models of the interaction forces, we could demonstrate that classical continuum models of van der Waals and capillary forces alone cannot sufficiently describe the experimental findings. Rather, the discrete nature of the molecules has to be considered, which leads to ordering at the interface and the occurrence of solvation forces. We demonstrate that inclusion of solvation forces in the model leads to quantitative agreement with experimental data and that tuning of the molecular order by addition of isopropanol vapor allows us to control the interaction forces between the nanoparticles. PMID:28186771

  18. A Note on Diffusive Mass Transport.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Haynes, Henry W., Jr.

    1986-01-01

    Current chemical engineering textbooks teach that the driving force for diffusive mass transport in ideal solutions is the gradient in mole fraction. This is only true for ideal solution liquids. Therefore, it is shown that the appropriate driving force for use with ideal gases is the gradient in partial pressure. (JN)

  19. [Comparative study of respiratory exchanging surfaces in birds and mammals].

    PubMed

    Jammes, Y

    1975-01-01

    Anatomical studies of the respiratory apparatus of birds show evidences for a gas exchanging tubular system (parabronchi and air capillaries); these exchanging structures are entirely dissociated from the ventilatory drive acting on the air sacs. A "cross-current" gas exchanging system (perpendicular disposition of air and blood capillaries) allow a good wash-out of carbon dioxide (PaCO2 lower than PECO2). The great efficiency of this lung is allowed by its very large diffusive surface (ASa) and by the high values of lung specific oxygen diffusing capacity (DO2/ASa) and of O2 extraction coefficient in inspired air. The ventilatory pattern of birds is characterized by a greater tidal volume and a smaller respiratory frequency than in mammals of same weight. Respiratory centers of birds receive afferences from lung stretch receptors, CO2-sensitive lung receptors and arterial chemoreceptors.

  20. Tribology experiment in zero gravity

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Pan, C. H. T.; Gause, R. L.; Whitaker, A. F.

    1984-01-01

    A tribology experiment in zero gravity was performed during the orbital flight of Spacelab 1 to study the motion of liquid lubricants over solid surfaces. The absence of a significant gravitational force facilitates studies of the motion of liquid lubricants over solid surfaces as controlled by interfacial and capillary forces. Observations were made of phenomena associated with the liquid on one solid surface and also with the liquid between a pair of closely spaced surfaces. Typical photographic records obtained on Spacelab 1 are described.

  1. Neuromorphic meets neuromechanics, part II: the role of fusimotor drive.

    PubMed

    Jalaleddini, Kian; Minos Niu, Chuanxin; Chakravarthi Raja, Suraj; Joon Sohn, Won; Loeb, Gerald E; Sanger, Terence D; Valero-Cuevas, Francisco J

    2017-04-01

    We studied the fundamentals of muscle afferentation by building a Neuro-mechano-morphic system actuating a cadaveric finger. This system is a faithful implementation of the stretch reflex circuitry. It allowed the systematic exploration of the effects of different fusimotor drives to the muscle spindle on the closed-loop stretch reflex response. As in Part I of this work, sensory neurons conveyed proprioceptive information from muscle spindles (with static and dynamic fusimotor drive) to populations of α-motor neurons (with recruitment and rate coding properties). The motor commands were transformed into tendon forces by a Hill-type muscle model (with activation-contraction dynamics) via brushless DC motors. Two independent afferented muscles emulated the forces of flexor digitorum profundus and the extensor indicis proprius muscles, forming an antagonist pair at the metacarpophalangeal joint of a cadaveric index finger. We measured the physical response to repetitions of bi-directional ramp-and-hold rotational perturbations for 81 combinations of static and dynamic fusimotor drives, across four ramp velocities, and three levels of constant cortical drive to the α-motor neuron pool. We found that this system produced responses compatible with the physiological literature. Fusimotor and cortical drives had nonlinear effects on the reflex forces. In particular, only cortical drive affected the sensitivity of reflex forces to static fusimotor drive. In contrast, both static fusimotor and cortical drives reduced the sensitivity to dynamic fusimotor drive. Interestingly, realistic signal-dependent motor noise emerged naturally in our system without having been explicitly modeled. We demonstrate that these fundamental features of spinal afferentation sufficed to produce muscle function. As such, our Neuro-mechano-morphic system is a viable platform to study the spinal mechanisms for healthy muscle function-and its pathologies such as dystonia and spasticity. In addition, it is a working prototype of a robust biomorphic controller for compliant robotic limbs and exoskeletons.

  2. Neuromorphic meets neuromechanics, part II: the role of fusimotor drive

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jalaleddini, Kian; Minos Niu, Chuanxin; Chakravarthi Raja, Suraj; Sohn, Won Joon; Loeb, Gerald E.; Sanger, Terence D.; Valero-Cuevas, Francisco J.

    2017-04-01

    Objective. We studied the fundamentals of muscle afferentation by building a Neuro-mechano-morphic system actuating a cadaveric finger. This system is a faithful implementation of the stretch reflex circuitry. It allowed the systematic exploration of the effects of different fusimotor drives to the muscle spindle on the closed-loop stretch reflex response. Approach. As in Part I of this work, sensory neurons conveyed proprioceptive information from muscle spindles (with static and dynamic fusimotor drive) to populations of α-motor neurons (with recruitment and rate coding properties). The motor commands were transformed into tendon forces by a Hill-type muscle model (with activation-contraction dynamics) via brushless DC motors. Two independent afferented muscles emulated the forces of flexor digitorum profundus and the extensor indicis proprius muscles, forming an antagonist pair at the metacarpophalangeal joint of a cadaveric index finger. We measured the physical response to repetitions of bi-directional ramp-and-hold rotational perturbations for 81 combinations of static and dynamic fusimotor drives, across four ramp velocities, and three levels of constant cortical drive to the α-motor neuron pool. Main results. We found that this system produced responses compatible with the physiological literature. Fusimotor and cortical drives had nonlinear effects on the reflex forces. In particular, only cortical drive affected the sensitivity of reflex forces to static fusimotor drive. In contrast, both static fusimotor and cortical drives reduced the sensitivity to dynamic fusimotor drive. Interestingly, realistic signal-dependent motor noise emerged naturally in our system without having been explicitly modeled. Significance. We demonstrate that these fundamental features of spinal afferentation sufficed to produce muscle function. As such, our Neuro-mechano-morphic system is a viable platform to study the spinal mechanisms for healthy muscle function—and its pathologies such as dystonia and spasticity. In addition, it is a working prototype of a robust biomorphic controller for compliant robotic limbs and exoskeletons.

  3. Teen drivers' awareness of vehicle instrumentation in naturalistic research.

    PubMed

    Ehsani, J P; Haynie, D; Ouimet, M C; Zhu, C; Guillaume, C; Klauer, S G; Dingus, T; Simons-Morton, B G

    2017-12-01

    Naturalistic driving methods require the installation of instruments and cameras in vehicles to record driving behavior. A critical, yet unexamined issue in naturalistic driving research is the extent to which the vehicle instruments and cameras used for naturalistic methods change human behavior. We sought to describe the degree to which teenage participants' self-reported awareness of vehicle instrumentation changes over time, and whether that awareness was associated with driving behaviors. Forty-two newly-licensed teenage drivers participated in an 18-month naturalistic driving study. Data on driving behaviors including crash/near-crashes and elevated gravitational force (g-force) events rates were collected over the study period. At the end of the study, participants were asked to rate the extent to which they were aware of instruments in the vehicle at four time points. They were also asked to describe their own and their passengers' perceptions of the instrumentation in the vehicle during an in-depth interview. The number of critical event button presses was used as a secondary measure of camera awareness. The association between self-reported awareness of the instrumentation and objectively measured driving behaviors was tested using correlations and linear mixed models. Most participants' reported that their awareness of vehicle instrumentation declined across the duration of the 18-month study. Their awareness increased in response to their passengers' concerns about the cameras or if they were involved in a crash. The number of the critical event button presses was initially high and declined rapidly. There was no correlation between driver's awareness of instrumentation and their crash and near-crash rate or elevated g-force events rate. Awareness was not associated with crash and near-crash rates or elevated g-force event rates, consistent with having no effect on this measure of driving performance. Naturalistic driving studies are likely to yield valid measurements of driving behavior. Copyright © 2017 National Safety Council and Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  4. Neuromorphic Meets Neuromechanics, Part II: The Role of Fusimotor Drive

    PubMed Central

    Jalaleddini, Kian; Minos Niu, Chuanxin; Chakravarthi Raja, Suraj; Joon Sohn, Won; Loeb, Gerald E.; Sanger, Terence D.; Valero-Cuevas, Francisco J.

    2017-01-01

    Objective We studied the fundamentals of muscle afferentation by building a neuro-mechano-morphic system actuating a cadaveric finger. This system is a faithful implementation of the stretch reflex circuitry. It allowed the systematic exploration of the effects of different fusimotor drives to the muscle spindle on the closed-loop stretch reflex response. Approach As in Part I of this work, sensory neurons conveyed proprioceptive information from muscle spindles (with static and dynamic fusimotor drive) to populations of α-motor neurons (with recruitment and rate coding properties). The motor commands were transformed into tendon forces by a Hill-type muscle model (with activation-contraction dynamics) via brushless DC motors. Two independent afferented muscles emulated the forces of flexor digitorum profundus and the extensor indicis proprius muscles, forming an antagonist pair at the metacarpophalangeal joint of a cadaveric index finger. We measured the physical response to repetitions of bidirectional ramp-and-hold rotational perturbations for 81 combinations of static and dynamic fusimotor drives, across four ramp velocities, and three levels of constant cortical drive to the α-motor neuron pool. Results We found that this system produced responses compatible with the physiological literature. Fusimotor and cortical drives had nonlinear effects on the reflex forces. In particular, only cortical drive affected the sensitivity of reflex forces to static fusimotor drive. In contrast, both static fusimotor and cortical drives reduced the sensitivity to dynamic fusimotor drive. Interestingly, realistic signal-dependent motor noise emerged naturally in our system without having been explicitly modeled. Significance We demonstrate that these fundamental features of spinal afferentation sufficed to produce muscle function. As such, our neuro-mechano-morphic system is a viable platform to study the spinal mechanisms for healthy muscle function — and its pathologies such as dystonia and spasticity. In addition, it is a working prototype of a robust biomorphic controller for compliant robotic limbs and exoskeletons. PMID:28094764

  5. The capillary adhesion technique: a versatile method for determining the liquid adhesion force and sample stiffness

    PubMed Central

    Gandyra, Daniel; Gorb, Stanislav; Barthlott, Wilhelm

    2015-01-01

    Summary We report a novel, practical technique for the concerted, simultaneous determination of both the adhesion force of a small structure or structural unit (e.g., an individual filament, hair, micromechanical component or microsensor) to a liquid and its elastic properties. The method involves the creation and development of a liquid meniscus upon touching a liquid surface with the structure, and the subsequent disruption of this liquid meniscus upon removal. The evaluation of the meniscus shape immediately before snap-off of the meniscus allows the quantitative determination of the liquid adhesion force. Concurrently, by measuring and evaluating the deformation of the structure under investigation, its elastic properties can be determined. The sensitivity of the method is remarkably high, practically limited by the resolution of the camera capturing the process. Adhesion forces down to 10 µN and spring constants up to 2 N/m were measured. Three exemplary applications of this method are demonstrated: (1) determination of the water adhesion force and the elasticity of individual hairs (trichomes) of the floating fern Salvinia molesta. (2) The investigation of human head hairs both with and without functional surface coatings (a topic of high relevance in the field of hair cosmetics) was performed. The method also resulted in the measurement of an elastic modulus (Young’s modulus) for individual hairs of 3.0 × 105 N/cm2, which is within the typical range known for human hair. (3) Finally, the accuracy and validity of the capillary adhesion technique was proven by examining calibrated atomic force microscopy cantilevers, reproducing the spring constants calibrated using other methods. PMID:25671147

  6. Atomic Force Microscopy Analysis of Nanocrystalline Patterns Fabricated Using Micromolding in Capillaries

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Lyman, Benjamin M.; Farmer, Orrin J.; Ramsey, Ryan D.; Lindsey, Samuel T.; Stout, Stephanie; Robison, Adam; Moore, Holly J.; Sanders, Wesley C.

    2012-01-01

    A cost-effective, hands-on laboratory exercise is described for demonstrating nanoscale fabrication at non-research-based educational institutions. The laboratory exercise also contains a component involving qualitative and quantitative surface characterization of student-fabricated nanoscale structures at institutions with on-site access to an…

  7. LABORATORY INVESTIGATION OF RESIDUAL LIQUID ORGANICS FROM SPILLS, LEAKS, AND THE DISPOSAL OF HAZARDOUS WASTES IN GROUNDWATER

    EPA Science Inventory

    Organic liquids that are essentially immiscible with water migrate through the subsurface under the influence of capillary, viscous, and buoyancy forces. These liquids originate from the improper disposal of hazardous wastes, and the spills and leaks of petroleum hydrocarbons a...

  8. Capillary interconnect device

    DOEpatents

    Renzi, Ronald F

    2013-11-19

    An interconnecting device for connecting a plurality of first fluid-bearing conduits to a corresponding plurality of second fluid-bearing conduits thereby providing fluid communication between the first fluid-bearing conduits and the second fluid-bearing conduits. The device includes a manifold and one or two ferrule plates that are held by compressive axial forces.

  9. Distensibility and pressure-flow relationship of the pulmonary circulation. II. Multibranched model.

    PubMed

    Bshouty, Z; Younes, M

    1990-04-01

    The contribution of distensibility and recruitment to the distinctive behavior of the pulmonary circulation is not known. To examine this question we developed a multibranched model in which an arterial vascular bed bifurcates sequentially up to 8 parallel channels that converge and reunite at the venous side to end in the left atrium. Eight resistors representing the capillary bed separate the arterial and venous beds. The elastic behavior of capillaries and extra-alveolar vessels was modeled after Fung and Sobin (Circ. Res. 30: 451-490, 1972) and Smith and Mitzner (J. Appl. Physiol. 48: 450-467, 1980), respectively. Forces acting on each component are modified and calculated individually, thus enabling the user to explore the effects of parallel and longitudinal heterogeneities in applied forces (e.g., gravity, vasomotor tone). Model predictions indicate that the contribution of distensibility to nonlinearities in the pressure-flow (P-F) and atrial-pulmonary arterial pressure (Pla-Ppa) relationships is substantial, whereas gravity-related recruitment contributes very little to these relationships. In addition, Pla-Ppa relationships, obtained at a constant flow, have no discriminating ability in identifying the presence or absence of a waterfall along the circulation. The P-F relationship is routinely shifted in a parallel fashion, within the physiological flow range, whenever extra forces (e.g., lung volume, tone) are applied uniformly at one or more branching levels, regardless of whether a waterfall is created. For a given applied force, the magnitude of parallel shift varies with proportion of the circulation subjected to the added force and with Pla.

  10. Effects of added polyacrylamide on changes in water states during the composting of kitchen waste.

    PubMed

    Yang, Yu-Qiang; Chen, Zhuo-Xian; Zhang, Xue-Qing; Hu, Li-Fang; Shen, Dong-Sheng; Long, Yu-Yang

    2015-02-01

    The effects of adding polyacrylamide (PAM), to attempt to delay the loss of capillary water and achieve a better level of organic matter humification, in the composting of kitchen waste were evaluated. Four treatments, with initial moisture content of 60 % were used: 0.1 % PAM added before the start of composting (R1), 0.1 % PAM added when the thermophilic phase of composting became stable (at >50 °C) (R2), 0.1 % PAM added when the moisture content significantly decreased (R3), and no PAM added (R4). The introduction of PAM in R1 and R2 significantly increased the capillary force and delayed the loss of moisture content and capillary water. The introduction of PAM in R2 and R3 improved the composting process, in terms of the degradation of biochemical fractions and the humification degree. These results show that the optimal time for adding PAM was the initial stage of the thermophilic phase.

  11. Drainage Behavior in Soap Films Above and Below the CMC

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Berg, S.; Adelizzi, E. A.; Troian, S. M.

    2003-11-01

    We investigate through laser interferometry the drainage behavior of Newtonian soap films initially entrained on a fiber frame at small and constant capillary number. The initial film thickness is sufficiently small that gravitational drainage is presumed minimal. The drainage of rigid soap films by capillary forces alone should proceed according to h(t) ˜ t^- 1/2. Our experimental results show much more rapid drainage with exponents as large as -2, especially for those solutions whose surfactant concentrations are below the CMC. Video recordings of the entire film surface reveal a variety of structures during the drainage process, some attributable to marginal regeneration. Though still a controversial issue, this regeneration process is believed to be caused by surfactant accumulation in the meniscus region (1). We show that modification of the relevant capillary drainage equation to account for Marangoni effects through a course-grained slip condition at the air-liquid interface produces exponents in better agreement with experimental findings. (1) V. A. Nierstrasz and G. Frens, JCIS 215, 28 (1999).

  12. Self-assembly of triangular particles via capillary interactions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bedi, Deshpreet; Zhou, Shangnan; Ferrar, Joseph; Solomon, Michael; Mao, Xiaoming

    Colloidal particles adsorbed to a fluid interface deform the interface around them, resulting in either attractive or repulsive forces mediated by the interface. In particular, particle shape and surface roughness can produce an undulating contact line, such that the particles will assume energetically-favorable relative orientations and inter-particle distances to minimize the excess interfacial surface area. By expediently selecting specific particle shapes and associated design parameters, capillary interactions can be utilized to promote self-assembly of these particles into extended regular open structures, such as the kagome lattice, which have novel mechanical properties. We present the results of numerical simulations of equilateral triangle microprisms at an interface, including individually and in pairs. We show how particle bowing can yield two distinct binding events and connect it to theory in terms of a capillary multipole expansion and also to experiment, as presented in an accompanying talk. We also discuss and suggest design principles that can be used to create desirable open structures.

  13. Universal Behavior of the Initial Stage of Drop Impact

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Klaseboer, Evert; Manica, Rogerio; Chan, Derek Y. C.

    2014-11-01

    During the early stages of the impact of a drop on a solid surface, pressure builds up in the intervening thin lubricating air layer and deforms the drop. The extent of the characteristic deformation is determined by the competition between capillary, gravitational, and inertial forces that has been encapsulated in a simple analytic scaling law. For millimetric drops, variations of the observed deformation with impact velocity V exhibit a maximum defined by the Weber and Eötvös numbers: We =1 +Eo . The deformation scales as V1 /2 at the low-velocity capillary regime and as V-1 /2 at the high-velocity inertia regime, in excellent agreement with a variety of experimental systems.

  14. The effect of concentration in the patterning of silica particles by the soft lithographic technique

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Singh, Akanksha; Malek, Chantal Khan; Kulkarni, Sulabha K.

    2008-12-01

    Soft lithography provides remarkable surface patterning techniques to organize colloidal particles for a wide variety of applications. In particular, micromolding in capillaries (MIMIC) has emerged as a patterning method in the nanometer to micrometer scale in a single step by using templating and directing nanoparticles via capillary forces in the channel. The present work reports the results of the micropatterning of monodispersed silica particles of ~338 ± 2 nm size in ethanol medium, using MIMIC on silicon substrates. The effect of the concentration of silica particles on the patterning has been investigated. The patterns are well aligned and completely filled at 2 wt% concentration of silica particles.

  15. Friction and wear of hydrogenated and hydrogen-free diamond-like carbon films: Relative humidity dependent character

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shi, Jing; Gong, Zhenbin; Wang, Yongfu; Gao, Kaixiong; Zhang, Junyan

    2017-11-01

    In this study, tribological properties of hydrogenated and hydrogen free diamond-like carbon films at various relative humidity (RH) were investigated to understand the friction mechanism in the presence of water molecules. At normal load of 2N, DLC-H film's friction coefficient was 0.06 at RH14% while DLC film's friction coefficient was 0.19 at RH17%. With the increase of RH, their friction coefficient converged to about 0.15. This character remained unaltered when the normal load was 5N. Results show that low friction of DLC-H film at low RH was attributed to the low shear force aroused by graphitic tribofilm at wear care center. However, the high friction of DLC film was mainly endowed by the high adhesive force aroused by σ dangling bonds. At high RH, solid-to-solid contact was isolated by water molecules confined between the counterfaces, where capillary was a dominant factor for friction. In addition to the capillary force, the absence of tribofilm was also accountable. These two factors lead to the level off of friction coefficient for DLC-H and DLC films. Moreover, for both DLC-H and DLC films, tribo-oxidization was proved to be closely related to wear rate with the assist of H2O molecules during sliding.

  16. Line length dependence of threshold current density and driving force in eutectic SnPb and SnAgCu solder electromigration

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yoon, Min-Seung; Ko, Min-Ku; Kim, Bit-Na; Kim, Byung-Joon; Park, Yong-Bae; Joo, Young-Chang

    2008-04-01

    The relationship between the threshold current density and the critical line length in eutectic SnPb and SnAgCu electromigrations were examined using solder lines with the various lengths ranging from 100to1000μm. When the electron wind-force was balanced by the back-stress gradient force, the net flux of electromigration is zero, at which the current density and line length are defined as the threshold current density and the critical length, respectively. It was found that in SnAgCu electromigration, the 1/L dependence on the threshold current density showed good agreement, whereas the threshold current densities of the eutectic SnPb deviated from the 1/L dependence. The balance between the electron wind-force and the back-stress gradient force was the main factor determining the threshold product of SnAgCu electromigration. On the other hand, in the case of eutectic SnPb, the chemical driving force is contributed as a back-flux force in addition to the back-stress gradient force. The existence of the chemical driving force was caused by the nonequilibrium Pb concentration inside the Pb-rich phases between the cathode and anode during the electromigration procedure.

  17. Phenotypic heterogeneity in lung capillary and extra-alveolar endothelial cells. Increased extra-alveolar endothelial permeability is sufficient to decrease compliance.

    PubMed

    Lowe, Kevin; Alvarez, Diego; King, Judy; Stevens, Troy

    2007-11-01

    In acute respiratory distress syndrome, pulmonary vascular permeability increases, causing intravascular fluid and protein to move into the lung's interstitium. The classic model describing the formation of pulmonary edema suggests that fluid crossing the capillary endothelium is drawn by negative interstitial pressure into the potential space surrounding extra-alveolar vessels and, as interstitial pressure builds, is forced into the alveolar air space. However, the validity of this model is challenged by animal models of acute lung injury in which extra-alveolar vessels are more permeable than capillaries under a variety of conditions. In the current study, we sought to determine whether extravascular fluid accumulation can be produced because of increased permeability of either the capillary or extra-alveolar endothelium, and whether different pathophysiology results from such site-specific increases in permeability. We perfused isolated lungs with either the plant alkaloid thapsigargin, which increases extra-alveolar endothelial permeability, or with 4alpha-phorbol 12, 13-didecanoate, which increases capillary endothelial permeability. Both treatments produced equal increases in whole lung vascular permeability, but caused fluid accumulations in separate anatomical compartments. Light microscopy of isolated lungs showed that thapsigargin caused fluid cuffing of large vessels, while 4alpha-phorbol 12, 13-didecanoate caused alveolar flooding. Dynamic compliance was reduced in lungs with cuffing of large vessels, but not in lungs with alveolar flooding. Phenotypic differences between vascular segments resulted in site-specific increases in permeability, which have different pathophysiological outcomes. Our findings suggest that insults leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome may increase permeability in extra-alveolar or capillary vascular segments, resulting in different pathophysiological sequela.

  18. High reliability linear drive device for artificial hearts

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ji, Jinghua; Zhao, Wenxiang; Liu, Guohai; Shen, Yue; Wang, Fangqun

    2012-04-01

    In this paper, a new high reliability linear drive device, termed as stator-permanent-magnet tubular oscillating actuator (SPM-TOA), is proposed for artificial hearts (AHs). The key is to incorporate the concept of two independent phases into this linear AH device, hence achieving high reliability operation. The fault-tolerant teeth are employed to provide the desired decoupling phases in magnetic circuit. Also, as the magnets and the coils are located in the stator, the proposed SPM-TOA takes the definite advantages of robust mover and direct-drive capability. By using the time-stepping finite element method, the electromagnetic characteristics of the proposed SPM-TOA are analyzed, including magnetic field distributions, flux linkages, back- electromotive forces (back-EMFs) self- and mutual inductances, as well as cogging and thrust forces. The results confirm that the proposed SPM-TOA meets the dimension, weight, and force requirements of the AH drive device.

  19. Improved motors for utility applications: Volume 6, Squirrel-cage rotor analysis: Final report

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Griffith, J.W.; McCoy, R.M.

    1986-11-01

    An analysis of squirrel cage induction motor rotors was undertaken in response to an Industry Assessment Study finding 10% of motor failures to be rotor related. The analysis focuses on evaluating rotor design life. The evaluation combines state-of-the-art electromagnetic, thermal, and structural solution techniques into an integrated analysis and presents a simple summary. Finite element techniques are central tools in the analysis. The analysis is applied to a specific forced draft fan drive design. Fans as a category of application have a higher failure rate than other categories of power station auxiliary motor applications. Forced-draft fan drives are one ofmore » the major fan drives which accelerate a relatively high value of rotor load inertia. Various starting and operating conditions are studied for this forced-draft fan drive motor including a representative application duty cycle.« less

  20. Haptic device for telerobotic surgery

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Salisbury, Curt; Salisbury, Jr., J. Kenneth

    A haptic device for telerobotic surgery, including a base; a linkage system having first and second linkage members coupled to the base; a motor that provides a motor force; a transmission including first and second driving pulleys arranged such that their faces form an angle and their axes form a plane, first and second idler pulleys offset from the plane and arranged between the first and second driving pulleys such that their axes divide the angle between the first and second driving pulleys, and a cable that traverses the first and second driving pulleys and the set of idler pulleysmore » and transfers the motor force to the linkage system; an end effector coupled to distal ends of the first and second linkage members and maneuverable relative to the base; and a controller that modulates the motor force to simulate a body part at a point portion of the end effector.« less

  1. Ceramic microparticles and capsules via microfluidic processing of a preceramic polymer

    PubMed Central

    Ye, Congwang; Chen, Anthony; Colombo, Paolo; Martinez, Carlos

    2010-01-01

    We have developed a robust technique to fabricate monodispersed solid and porous ceramic particles and capsules from single and double emulsion drops composed of silsesquioxane preceramic polymer. A microcapillary microfluidic device was used to generate the monodispersed drops. In this device, two round capillaries are aligned facing each other inside a square capillary. Three fluids are needed to generate the double emulsions. The inner fluid, which flows through the input capillary, and the middle fluid, which flows through the void space between the square and inner fluid capillaries, form a coaxial co-flow in a direction that is opposite to the flow of the outer fluid. As the three fluids are forced through the exit capillary, the inner and middle fluids break into monodispersed double emulsion drops in a single-step process, at rates of up to 2000 drops s−1. Once the drops are generated, the silsesquioxane is cross-linked in solution and the cross-linked particles are dried and pyrolysed in an inert atmosphere to form oxycarbide glass particles. Particles with diameters ranging from 30 to 180 µm, shell thicknesses ranging from 10 to 50 µm and shell pore diameters ranging from 1 to 10 µm were easily prepared by changing fluid flow rates, device dimensions and fluid composition. The produced particles and capsules can be used in their polymeric state or pyrolysed to ceramic. This technique can be extended to other preceramic polymers and can be used to generate unique core–shell multimaterial particles. PMID:20484226

  2. Ceramic microparticles and capsules via microfluidic processing of a preceramic polymer.

    PubMed

    Ye, Congwang; Chen, Anthony; Colombo, Paolo; Martinez, Carlos

    2010-08-06

    We have developed a robust technique to fabricate monodispersed solid and porous ceramic particles and capsules from single and double emulsion drops composed of silsesquioxane preceramic polymer. A microcapillary microfluidic device was used to generate the monodispersed drops. In this device, two round capillaries are aligned facing each other inside a square capillary. Three fluids are needed to generate the double emulsions. The inner fluid, which flows through the input capillary, and the middle fluid, which flows through the void space between the square and inner fluid capillaries, form a coaxial co-flow in a direction that is opposite to the flow of the outer fluid. As the three fluids are forced through the exit capillary, the inner and middle fluids break into monodispersed double emulsion drops in a single-step process, at rates of up to 2000 drops s(-1). Once the drops are generated, the silsesquioxane is cross-linked in solution and the cross-linked particles are dried and pyrolysed in an inert atmosphere to form oxycarbide glass particles. Particles with diameters ranging from 30 to 180 microm, shell thicknesses ranging from 10 to 50 microm and shell pore diameters ranging from 1 to 10 microm were easily prepared by changing fluid flow rates, device dimensions and fluid composition. The produced particles and capsules can be used in their polymeric state or pyrolysed to ceramic. This technique can be extended to other preceramic polymers and can be used to generate unique core-shell multimaterial particles.

  3. Bifurcation, chaos, and scan instability in dynamic atomic force microscopy

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Cantrell, John H., E-mail: john.h.cantrell@nasa.gov; Cantrell, Sean A., E-mail: scantrell@nlsanalytics.com

    The dynamical motion at any point on the cantilever of an atomic force microscope can be expressed quite generally as a superposition of simple harmonic oscillators corresponding to the vibrational modes allowed by the cantilever shape. Central to the dynamical equations is the representation of the cantilever-sample interaction force as a polynomial expansion with coefficients that account for the interaction force “stiffness,” the cantilever-to-sample energy transfer, and the displacement amplitude of cantilever oscillation. Renormalization of the cantilever beam model shows that for a given cantilever drive frequency cantilever dynamics can be accurately represented by a single nonlinear mass-spring model withmore » frequency-dependent stiffness and damping coefficients [S. A. Cantrell and J. H. Cantrell, J. Appl. Phys. 110, 094314 (2011)]. Application of the Melnikov method to the renormalized dynamical equation is shown to predict a cascade of period doubling bifurcations with increasing cantilever drive force that terminates in chaos. The threshold value of the drive force necessary to initiate bifurcation is shown to depend strongly on the cantilever setpoint and drive frequency, effective damping coefficient, nonlinearity of the cantilever-sample interaction force, and the displacement amplitude of cantilever oscillation. The model predicts the experimentally observed interruptions of the bifurcation cascade for cantilevers of sufficiently large stiffness. Operational factors leading to the loss of image quality in dynamic atomic force microscopy are addressed, and guidelines for optimizing scan stability are proposed using a quantitative analysis based on system dynamical parameters and choice of feedback loop parameter.« less

  4. Current kinematics and dynamics of Africa and the East African Rift System

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Stamps, D. S.; Flesch, L. M.; Calais, E.; Ghosh, A.

    2014-06-01

    Although the East African Rift System (EARS) is an archetype continental rift, the forces driving its evolution remain debated. Some contend buoyancy forces arising from gravitational potential energy (GPE) gradients within the lithosphere drive rifting. Others argue for a major role of the diverging mantle flow associated with the African Superplume. Here we quantify the forces driving present-day continental rifting in East Africa by (1) solving the depth averaged 3-D force balance equations for 3-D deviatoric stress associated with GPE, (2) inverting for a stress field boundary condition that we interpret as originating from large-scale mantle tractions, (3) calculating dynamic velocities due to lithospheric buoyancy forces, lateral viscosity variations, and velocity boundary conditions, and (4) calculating dynamic velocities that result from the stress response of horizontal mantle tractions acting on a viscous lithosphere in Africa and surroundings. We find deviatoric stress associated with lithospheric GPE gradients are ˜8-20 MPa in EARS, and the minimum deviatoric stress resulting from basal shear is ˜1.6 MPa along the EARS. Our dynamic velocity calculations confirm that a force contribution from GPE gradients alone is sufficient to drive Nubia-Somalia divergence and that additional forcing from horizontal mantle tractions overestimates surface kinematics. Stresses from GPE gradients appear sufficient to sustain present-day rifting in East Africa; however, they are lower than the vertically integrated strength of the lithosphere along most of the EARS. This indicates additional processes are required to initiate rupture of continental lithosphere, but once it is initiated, lithospheric buoyancy forces are enough to maintain rifting.

  5. Understanding the destabilizing role for surface tension in planar shear flows in terms of wave interaction

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Biancofiore, L.; Heifetz, E.; Hoepffner, J.; Gallaire, F.

    2017-10-01

    Both surface tension and buoyancy force in stable stratification act to restore perturbed interfaces back to their initial positions. Hence, both are intuitively considered as stabilizing agents. Nevertheless, the Taylor-Caulfield instability is a counterexample in which the presence of buoyancy forces in stable stratification destabilize shear flows. An explanation for this instability lies in the fact that stable stratification supports the existence of gravity waves. When two vertically separated gravity waves propagate horizontally against the shear, they may become phase locked and amplify each other to form a resonance instability. Surface tension is similar to buoyancy but its restoring mechanism is more efficient at small wavelengths. Here, we show how a modification of the Taylor-Caulfield configuration, including two interfaces between three stably stratified immiscible fluids, supports interfacial capillary gravity whose interaction yields resonance instability. Furthermore, when the three fluids have the same density, an instability arises solely due to a pure counterpropagating capillary wave resonance. The linear stability analysis predicts a maximum growth rate of the pure capillary wave instability for an intermediate value of surface tension corresponding to We-1=5 , where We denotes the Weber number. We perform direct numerical nonlinear simulation of this flow and find nonlinear destabilization when 2 ≤We-1≤10 , in good agreement with the linear stability analysis. The instability is present also when viscosity is introduced, although it is gradually damped and eventually quenched.

  6. Skill Needs and Human Resources Development in the Emerging Field of Nanotechnology

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Yawson, Robert Mayfield

    2010-01-01

    Strong societal requirements and consumer acceptance are the driving force of nanotechnology development. The necessity for qualified experts and strong demand on education in the multi-, trans- and interdisciplinary field of nanotechnology is a logical consequence of this driving force. There is the need for a comprehensive national…

  7. Hybrid Upwinding for Two-Phase Flow in Heterogeneous Porous Media with Buoyancy and Capillarity

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hamon, F. P.; Mallison, B.; Tchelepi, H.

    2016-12-01

    In subsurface flow simulation, efficient discretization schemes for the partial differential equations governing multiphase flow and transport are critical. For highly heterogeneous porous media, the temporal discretization of choice is often the unconditionally stable fully implicit (backward-Euler) method. In this scheme, the simultaneous update of all the degrees of freedom requires solving large algebraic nonlinear systems at each time step using Newton's method. This is computationally expensive, especially in the presence of strong capillary effects driven by abrupt changes in porosity and permeability between different rock types. Therefore, discretization schemes that reduce the simulation cost by improving the nonlinear convergence rate are highly desirable. To speed up nonlinear convergence, we present an efficient fully implicit finite-volume scheme for immiscible two-phase flow in the presence of strong capillary forces. In this scheme, the discrete viscous, buoyancy, and capillary spatial terms are evaluated separately based on physical considerations. We build on previous work on Implicit Hybrid Upwinding (IHU) by using the upstream saturations with respect to the total velocity to compute the relative permeabilities in the viscous term, and by determining the directionality of the buoyancy term based on the phase density differences. The capillary numerical flux is decomposed into a rock- and geometry-dependent transmissibility factor, a nonlinear capillary diffusion coefficient, and an approximation of the saturation gradient. Combining the viscous, buoyancy, and capillary terms, we obtain a numerical flux that is consistent, bounded, differentiable, and monotone for homogeneous one-dimensional flow. The proposed scheme also accounts for spatially discontinuous capillary pressure functions. Specifically, at the interface between two rock types, the numerical scheme accurately honors the entry pressure condition by solving a local nonlinear problem to compute the numerical flux. Heterogeneous numerical tests demonstrate that this extended IHU scheme is non-oscillatory and convergent upon refinement. They also illustrate the superior accuracy and nonlinear convergence rate of the IHU scheme compared with the standard phase-based upstream weighting approach.

  8. Self-induced pinning of vortices in the presence of ac driving force in magnetic superconductors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bulaevskii, Lev N.; Lin, Shi-Zeng

    2012-12-01

    We derive the response of the magnetic superconductors in the vortex state to the ac Lorentz force, FL(t)=Facsin(ωt), taking into account the interaction of vortices with the magnetic moments described by the relaxation dynamics (polaronic effect). At low amplitudes of the driving force Fac the dissipation in the system is suppressed due to the enhancement of the effective viscosity at low frequencies and due to formation of the magnetic pinning at high frequencies ω. In the adiabatic limit with low frequencies ω and high amplitude of the driving force Fac, the vortex and magnetic polarization form a vortex polaron when FL(t) is small. When FL increases, the vortex polaron accelerates and at a threshold driving force, the vortex polaron dissociates and the motion of vortex and the relaxation of magnetization are decoupled. When FL decreases, the vortex is retrapped by the background of remnant magnetization and they again form vortex polaron. This process repeats when FL(t) increases in the opposite direction. Remarkably, after dissociation, decoupled vortices move in the periodic potential induced by magnetization which remains for some periods of time due to retardation after the decoupling. At this stage vortices oscillate with high frequencies determined by the Lorentz force at the moment of dissociation. We derive also the creep rate of vortices and show that magnetic moments suppress creep rate.

  9. Driving Chemical Reactions in Plasmonic Nanogaps with Electrohydrodynamic Flow.

    PubMed

    Thrift, William J; Nguyen, Cuong Q; Darvishzadeh-Varcheie, Mahsa; Zare, Siavash; Sharac, Nicholas; Sanderson, Robert N; Dupper, Torin J; Hochbaum, Allon I; Capolino, Filippo; Abdolhosseini Qomi, Mohammad Javad; Ragan, Regina

    2017-11-28

    Nanoparticles from colloidal solution-with controlled composition, size, and shape-serve as excellent building blocks for plasmonic devices and metasurfaces. However, understanding hierarchical driving forces affecting the geometry of oligomers and interparticle gap spacings is still needed to fabricate high-density architectures over large areas. Here, electrohydrodynamic (EHD) flow is used as a long-range driving force to enable carbodiimide cross-linking between nanospheres and produces oligomers exhibiting sub-nanometer gap spacing over mm 2 areas. Anhydride linkers between nanospheres are observed via surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy. The anhydride linkers are cleavable via nucleophilic substitution and enable placement of nucleophilic molecules in electromagnetic hotspots. Atomistic simulations elucidate that the transient attractive force provided by EHD flow is needed to provide a sufficient residence time for anhydride cross-linking to overcome slow reaction kinetics. This synergistic analysis shows assembly involves an interplay between long-range driving forces increasing nanoparticle-nanoparticle interactions and probability that ligands are in proximity to overcome activation energy barriers associated with short-range chemical reactions. Absorption spectroscopy and electromagnetic full-wave simulations show that variations in nanogap spacing have a greater influence on optical response than variations in close-packed oligomer geometry. The EHD flow-anhydride cross-linking assembly method enables close-packed oligomers with uniform gap spacings that produce uniform SERS enhancement factors. These results demonstrate the efficacy of colloidal driving forces to selectively enable chemical reactions leading to future assembly platforms for large-area nanodevices.

  10. Ratchet baryogenesis and an analogy with the forced pendulum

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bamba, Kazuharu; Barrie, Neil D.; Sugamoto, Akio; Takeuchi, Tatsu; Yamashita, Kimiko

    2018-06-01

    A new scenario of baryogenesis via the ratchet mechanism is proposed based on an analogy with the forced pendulum. The oscillation of the inflaton field during the reheating epoch after inflation plays the role of the driving force, while the phase 𝜃 of a scalar baryon field (a complex scalar field with baryon number) plays the role of the angle of the pendulum. When the inflaton is coupled to the scalar baryon, the behavior of the phase 𝜃 can be analogous to that of the angle of the forced pendulum. If the oscillation of the driving force is adjusted to the pendulum’s motion, a directed rotation of the pendulum is obtained with a nonvanishing value of 𝜃˙, which models successful baryogenesis since 𝜃˙ is proportional to the baryon number density. Similar ratchet models which lead to directed motion have been used in the study of molecular motors in biology. There, the driving force is supplied by chemical reactions, while in our scenario this role is played by the inflaton during the reheating epoch.

  11. Polarization-dependent force driving the Eg mode in bismuth under optical excitation: comparison of first-principles theory with ultra-fast x-ray experiments

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fahy, Stephen; Murray, Eamonn

    2015-03-01

    Using first principles electronic structure methods, we calculate the induced force on the Eg (zone centre transverse optical) phonon mode in bismuth immediately after absorption of a ultrafast pulse of polarized light. To compare the results with recent ultra-fast, time-resolved x-ray diffraction experiments, we include the decay of the force due to carrier scattering, as measured in optical Raman scattering experiments, and simulate the optical absorption process, depth-dependent atomic driving forces, and x-ray diffraction in the experimental geometry. We find excellent agreement between the theoretical predictions and the observed oscillations of the x-ray diffraction signal, indicating that first-principles theory of optical absorption is well suited to the calculation of initial atomic driving forces in photo-excited materials following ultrafast excitation. This work is supported by Science Foundation Ireland (Grant No. 12/IA/1601) and EU Commission under the Marie Curie Incoming International Fellowships (Grant No. PIIF-GA-2012-329695).

  12. Polymer translocation under time-dependent driving forces: resonant activation induced by attractive polymer-pore interactions.

    PubMed

    Ikonen, Timo; Shin, Jaeoh; Sung, Wokyung; Ala-Nissila, Tapio

    2012-05-28

    We study the driven translocation of polymers under time-dependent driving forces using N-particle Langevin dynamics simulations. We consider the force to be either sinusoidally oscillating in time or dichotomic noise with exponential correlation time, to mimic both plausible experimental setups and naturally occurring biological conditions. In addition, we consider both the case of purely repulsive polymer-pore interactions and the case with additional attractive polymer-pore interactions, typically occurring inside biological pores. We find that the nature of the interaction fundamentally affects the translocation dynamics. For the non-attractive pore, the translocation time crosses over to a fast translocation regime as the frequency of the driving force decreases. In the attractive pore case, because of a free energy well induced inside the pore, the translocation time can be a minimum at the optimal frequency of the force, the so-called resonant activation. In the latter case, we examine the effect of various physical parameters on the resonant activation, and explain our observations using simple theoretical arguments.

  13. Training Toddlers Seated on Mobile Robots to Steer Using Force-Feedback Joystick.

    PubMed

    Agrawal, S K; Xi Chen; Ragonesi, C; Galloway, J C

    2012-01-01

    The broader goal of our research is to train infants with special needs to safely and purposefully drive a mobile robot to explore the environment. The hypothesis is that these impaired infants will benefit from mobility in their early years and attain childhood milestones, similar to their healthy peers. In this paper, we present an algorithm and training method using a force-feedback joystick with an "assist-as-needed" paradigm for driving training. In this "assist-as-needed" approach, if the child steers the joystick outside a force tunnel centered on the desired direction, the driver experiences a bias force on the hand. We show results with a group study on typically developing toddlers that such a haptic guidance algorithm is superior to training with a conventional joystick. We also provide a case study on two special needs children, under three years old, who learn to make sharp turns during driving, when trained over a five-day period with the force-feedback joystick using the algorithm.

  14. Characterization of Intercalated Graphite Fibers for Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) Applications

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2007-03-01

    electric charge to drive movement, eg. a micromirror . These two actuator types have different characteristics and apply dif- ferent forces. The thermal...actuators include micromirrors , comb drives, cantilevers and scratch drives. A scratch drive actuator uses an applied square wave voltage to operate, as

  15. On the autonomous motion of active drops or bubbles.

    PubMed

    Ryazantsev, Yuri S; Velarde, Manuel G; Guzman, Eduardo; Rubio, Ramón G; Ortega, Francisco; Montoya, Juan-Jose

    2018-05-19

    Thermo-capillary stresses on the surface of a drop can be the result of a non-isothermal surface chemical conversion of a reactant dissolved in the host fluid. The strength of heat production (with e.g. absorption) on the surface is ruled by the diffusion of the reactant and depends on the state of motion of the drop. Such thermo-capillary stresses can provoke the motion of the drop or its motionless state in the presence of an external body force. If in the balance of forces, including indeed viscous drag, the net resultant force vanishes there is the possibility of autonomous motion with constant velocity of the drop. Focusing on drops with radii in the millimeter range provided here is a quantitative study of the possibility of such autonomous motion when the drop, considered as active unit, is seat of endo- or exo-thermic reactive processes that dominate its motion. The framework is restricted to Stokes flows in the hydrodynamics, negligible heat Peclet number while the solute Peclet number is considered very high. A boundary layer approximation is used in the description of reactant diffusion. Those processes eventually end up in the action being expressed by surface tension gradients and the Marangoni effect. Explicit expressions of the force acting on the drop and the velocity fields inside and outside the drop are provided. Some significant particular cases are discussed to illustrate the usefulness of the theory. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

  16. Estimation of Longitudinal Force and Sideslip Angle for Intelligent Four-Wheel Independent Drive Electric Vehicles by Observer Iteration and Information Fusion.

    PubMed

    Chen, Te; Chen, Long; Xu, Xing; Cai, Yingfeng; Jiang, Haobin; Sun, Xiaoqiang

    2018-04-20

    Exact estimation of longitudinal force and sideslip angle is important for lateral stability and path-following control of four-wheel independent driven electric vehicle. This paper presents an effective method for longitudinal force and sideslip angle estimation by observer iteration and information fusion for four-wheel independent drive electric vehicles. The electric driving wheel model is introduced into the vehicle modeling process and used for longitudinal force estimation, the longitudinal force reconstruction equation is obtained via model decoupling, the a Luenberger observer and high-order sliding mode observer are united for longitudinal force observer design, and the Kalman filter is applied to restrain the influence of noise. Via the estimated longitudinal force, an estimation strategy is then proposed based on observer iteration and information fusion, in which the Luenberger observer is applied to achieve the transcendental estimation utilizing less sensor measurements, the extended Kalman filter is used for a posteriori estimation with higher accuracy, and a fuzzy weight controller is used to enhance the adaptive ability of observer system. Simulations and experiments are carried out, and the effectiveness of proposed estimation method is verified.

  17. Estimation of Longitudinal Force and Sideslip Angle for Intelligent Four-Wheel Independent Drive Electric Vehicles by Observer Iteration and Information Fusion

    PubMed Central

    Chen, Long; Xu, Xing; Cai, Yingfeng; Jiang, Haobin; Sun, Xiaoqiang

    2018-01-01

    Exact estimation of longitudinal force and sideslip angle is important for lateral stability and path-following control of four-wheel independent driven electric vehicle. This paper presents an effective method for longitudinal force and sideslip angle estimation by observer iteration and information fusion for four-wheel independent drive electric vehicles. The electric driving wheel model is introduced into the vehicle modeling process and used for longitudinal force estimation, the longitudinal force reconstruction equation is obtained via model decoupling, the a Luenberger observer and high-order sliding mode observer are united for longitudinal force observer design, and the Kalman filter is applied to restrain the influence of noise. Via the estimated longitudinal force, an estimation strategy is then proposed based on observer iteration and information fusion, in which the Luenberger observer is applied to achieve the transcendental estimation utilizing less sensor measurements, the extended Kalman filter is used for a posteriori estimation with higher accuracy, and a fuzzy weight controller is used to enhance the adaptive ability of observer system. Simulations and experiments are carried out, and the effectiveness of proposed estimation method is verified. PMID:29677124

  18. Shapiro steps for skyrmion motion on a washboard potential with longitudinal and transverse ac drives

    DOE PAGES

    Reichhardt, Charles; Reichhardt, Cynthia Jane

    2015-12-28

    In this work, we numerically study the behavior of two-dimensional skyrmions in the presence of a quasi-one-dimensional sinusoidal substrate under the influence of externally applied dc and ac drives. In the overdamped limit, when both dc and ac drives are aligned in the longitudinal direction parallel to the direction of the substrate modulation, the velocity-force curves exhibit classic Shapiro step features when the frequency of the ac drive matches the washboard frequency that is dynamically generated by the motion of the skyrmions over the substrate, similar to previous observations in superconducting vortex systems. In the case of skyrmions, the additionalmore » contribution to the skyrmion motion from a nondissipative Magnus force shifts the location of the locking steps to higher dc drives, and we find that the skyrmions move at an angle with respect to the direction of the dc drive. For a longitudinal dc drive and a perpendicular or transverse ac drive, the overdamped system exhibits no Shapiro steps; however, when a finite Magnus force is present, we find pronounced transverse Shapiro steps along with complex two-dimensional periodic orbits of the skyrmions in the phase-locked regimes. Both the longitudinal and transverse ac drives produce locking steps whose widths oscillate with increasing ac drive amplitude. We examine the role of collective skyrmion interactions and find that additional fractional locking steps occur for both longitudinal and transverse ac drives. Finally, at higher skyrmion densities, the system undergoes a series of dynamical order-disorder transitions, with the skyrmions forming a moving solid on the phase locking steps and a fluctuating dynamical liquid in regimes between the steps.« less

  19. Light-Induced Pulling and Pushing by the Synergic Effect of Optical Force and Photophoretic Force

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lu, Jinsheng; Yang, Hangbo; Zhou, Lina; Yang, Yuanqing; Luo, Si; Li, Qiang; Qiu, Min

    2017-01-01

    Optical force, coming from momentum exchange during light-matter interactions, has been widely utilized to manipulate microscopic objects, though mostly in vacuum or in liquids. By contrast, due to the light-induced thermal effect, photophoretic force provides an alternative and effective way to transport light-absorbing particles in ambient gases. However, in most cases these forces work independently. Here, by employing the synergy of optical force and photophoretic force, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a configuration which can drive a micron-size metallic plate moving back and forth on a tapered fiber with supercontinuum light in ambient air. Optical pulling and oscillation of the metallic plate are experimentally realized. The results might open exhilarating possibilities in applications of optical driving and energy conversion.

  20. Dynamics and control of instrumented harmonic drives

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kazerooni, H.; Ellis, S. R. (Principal Investigator)

    1995-01-01

    Since torque in harmonic drives is transmitted by a pure couple, harmonic drives do not generate radial forces and therefore can be instrumented with torque sensors without interference from radial forces. The installation of torque sensors on the stationary component of harmonic drives (the Flexipline cup in this research work) produce backdrivability needed for robotic and telerobotic compliant maneuvers. Backdrivability of a harmonic drive, when used as torque increaser, means that the output shaft can be rotated via finite amount of torque. A high ratio harmonic drive is non-backdrivable because its output shaft cannot be turned by applying a torque on it. This article first develops the dynamic behavior of a harmonic drive, in particular the non-backdrivability, in terms of a sensitivity transfer function. The instrumentation of the harmonic drive with torque sensor is then described. This leads to a description of the control architecture which allows modulation of the sensitivity transfer function within the limits established by the closed-loop stability. A set of experiments on an active hand controller, powered by a DC motor coupled to an instrumented harmonic drive, is given to exhibit this method's limitations.

  1. Behavior of CO2/water flow in porous media for CO2 geological storage.

    PubMed

    Jiang, Lanlan; Yu, Minghao; Liu, Yu; Yang, Mingjun; Zhang, Yi; Xue, Ziqiu; Suekane, Tetsuya; Song, Yongchen

    2017-04-01

    A clear understanding of two-phase fluid flow properties in porous media is of importance to CO 2 geological storage. The study visually measured the immiscible and miscible displacement of water by CO 2 using MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), and investigated the factor influencing the displacement process in porous media which were filled with quartz glass beads. For immiscible displacement at slow flow rates, the MR signal intensity of images increased because of CO 2 dissolution; before the dissolution phenomenon became inconspicuous at flow rate of 0.8mLmin -1 . For miscible displacement, the MR signal intensity decreased gradually independent of flow rates, because supercritical CO 2 and water became miscible in the beginning of CO 2 injection. CO 2 channeling or fingering phenomena were more obviously observed with lower permeable porous media. Capillary force decreases with increasing particle size, which would increase permeability and allow CO 2 and water to invade into small pore spaces more easily. The study also showed CO 2 flow patterns were dominated by dimensionless capillary number, changing from capillary finger to stable flow. The relative permeability curve was calculated using Brooks-Corey model, while the results showed the relative permeability of CO 2 slightly decreases with the increase of capillary number. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  2. An approach to improving transporting velocity in the long-range ultrasonic transportation of micro-particles

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Meng, Jianxin; Mei, Deqing, E-mail: meidq-127@zju.edu.cn; Yang, Keji

    2014-08-14

    In existing ultrasonic transportation methods, the long-range transportation of micro-particles is always realized in step-by-step way. Due to the substantial decrease of the driving force in each step, the transportation is lower-speed and stair-stepping. To improve the transporting velocity, a non-stepping ultrasonic transportation approach is proposed. By quantitatively analyzing the acoustic potential well, an optimal region is defined as the position, where the largest driving force is provided under the condition that the driving force is simultaneously the major component of an acoustic radiation force. To keep the micro-particle trapped in the optimal region during the whole transportation process, anmore » approach of optimizing the phase-shifting velocity and phase-shifting step is adopted. Due to the stable and large driving force, the displacement of the micro-particle is an approximately linear function of time, instead of a stair-stepping function of time as in the existing step-by-step methods. An experimental setup is also developed to validate this approach. Long-range ultrasonic transportations of zirconium beads with high transporting velocity were realized. The experimental results demonstrated that this approach is an effective way to improve transporting velocity in the long-range ultrasonic transportation of micro-particles.« less

  3. The nature of the laning transition in two dimensions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Glanz, T.; Löwen, H.

    2012-11-01

    If a binary colloidal mixture is oppositely driven by an external field, a transition towards a laned state occurs at sufficiently large drives, where particles driven alike form elongated structures (‘lanes’) characterized by a large correlation length ξ along the drive. Here we perform extensive Brownian dynamics computer simulations on a two-dimensional equimolar binary Yukawa system driven by a constant force that acts oppositely on the two species. We systematically address finite-size effects on lane formation by exploring large systems up to 262 144 particles under various boundary conditions. It is found that the correlation length ξ along the field depends exponentially on the driving force (or Peclet number). Conversely, in a finite system, ξ reaches a fraction of the system size at a driving force which is logarithmic in the system size, implying massive finite-size corrections. For a fixed finite drive, ξ does not diverge in the thermodynamic limit. Therefore, though laning has a signature as a sharp transition in a finite system, it is a smooth crossover in the thermodynamic limit.

  4. Testing thermal gradient driving force for grain boundary migration using molecular dynamics simulations

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Bai, Xian-Ming; Zhang, Yongfeng; Tonks, Michael R.

    2015-02-01

    Strong thermal gradients in low-thermal-conductivity ceramics may drive extended defects, such as grain boundaries and voids, to migrate in preferential directions. In this work, molecular dynamics simulations are conducted to study thermal gradient driven grain boundary migration and to verify a previously proposed thermal gradient driving force equation, using uranium dioxide as a model system. It is found that a thermal gradient drives grain boundaries to migrate up the gradient and the migration velocity increases under a constant gradient owing to the increase in mobility with temperature. Different grain boundaries migrate at very different rates due to their different intrinsicmore » mobilities. The extracted mobilities from the thermal gradient driven simulations are compared with those calculated from two other well-established methods and good agreement between the three different methods is found, demonstrating that the theoretical equation of the thermal gradient driving force is valid, although a correction of one input parameter should be made. The discrepancy in the grain boundary mobilities between modeling and experiments is also discussed.« less

  5. Human grasp assist device and method of use

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Linn, Douglas Martin (Inventor); Ihrke, Chris A. (Inventor); Diftler, Myron A. (Inventor)

    2012-01-01

    A grasp assist device includes a glove portion having phalange rings, contact sensors for measuring a grasping force applied by an operator wearing the glove portion, and a tendon drive system (TDS). The device has flexible tendons connected to the phalange rings for moving the rings in response to feedback signals from the sensors. The TDS is connected to each of the tendons, and applies an augmenting tensile force thereto via a microcontroller adapted for determining the augmenting tensile force as a function of the grasping force. A method of augmenting a grasping force of an operator includes measuring the grasping force using the sensors, encoding the grasping force as the feedback signals, and calculating the augmenting tensile force as a function of the feedback signals using the microcontroller. The method includes energizing at least one actuator of a tendon drive system (TDS) to thereby apply the augmenting tensile force.

  6. Dynamo Induced by Time-periodic Force

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wei, Xing

    2018-03-01

    To understand the dynamo driven by time-dependent flow, e.g., turbulence, we investigate numerically the dynamo induced by time-periodic force in rotating magnetohydrodynamic flow and focus on the effect of force frequency on the dynamo action. It is found that the dynamo action depends on the force frequency. When the force frequency is near resonance the force can drive dynamo, but when it is far away from resonance dynamo fails. In the frequency range near resonance to support dynamo, the force frequency at resonance induces a weak magnetic field and magnetic energy increases as the force frequency deviates from the resonant frequency. This is opposite to the intuition that a strong flow at resonance will induce a strong field. It is because magnetic field nonlinearly couples with fluid flow in the self-sustained dynamo and changes the resonance of driving force and inertial wave.

  7. Fluid Physics Experiments onboard International Space Station: Through the Eyes of a Scientist.

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shevtsova, Valentina

    Fluids are present everywhere in everyday life. They are also present as fuel, in support systems or as consumable in rockets and onboard of satellites and space stations. Everyone experiences every day that fluids are very sensitive to gravity: on Earth liquids flow downwards and gases mostly rise. Nowadays much of the interest of the scientific community is on studying the phenomena at microscales in so-called microfluidic systems. However, at smaller scales the experimental investigation of convective flows becomes increasingly difficult as the control parameter Ra scales with g L (3) (g; acceleration level, L: length scale). A unique alternative to the difficulty of investigating systems with small length scale on the ground is to reduce the gravity level g. In systems with interfaces, buoyancy forces are proportional to the volume of the liquid, while capillary forces act solely on the liquid surface. The importance of buoyancy diminishes either at very small scales or with reducing the acceleration level. Under the weightless conditions of space where buoyancy is virtually eliminated, other mechanisms such as capillary forces, diffusion, vibration, shear forces, electrostatic and electromagnetic forces are dominating in the fluid behaviour. This is why research in space represents a powerful tool for scientific research in this field. Understanding how fluids work really matters and so does measuring their properties accurately. Presently, a number of scientific laboratories, as usual goes with multi-user instruments, are involved in fluid research on the ISS. The programme of fluid physics experiments on-board deals with capillary flows, diffusion, dynamics in complex fluids (foams, emulsions and granular matter), heat transfer processes with phase change, physics and physico-chemistry near or beyond the critical point and it also extends to combustion physics. The top-level objectives of fluid research in space are as follows: (i) to investigate fluid behaviour in order to support the development of predictive models for the management of fluids and fluid mixtures on the ground as well as in space; (ii) to measure fluid properties that are either very difficult or not possible at all to measure on the ground and establish benchmarks; (iii) to exploit the absence of gravity forces to study new behaviours and implement new experimental configurations; Surely, all of you have seen movies about astronauts’ work and life on the ISS. Here you will learn another approach to the ISS activity, through the opinion of experienced scientist.

  8. 78 FR 42758 - 36(b)(1) Arms Sales Notification

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-07-17

    ... aircraft, to include: Inlet/Fan Modules, Core Engine Modules, Rear Compressor Drive Turbines, Fan Drive...-PW-229 engines for the Hellenic Air Force F-16 aircraft, to include: Inlet/Fan Modules, Core Engine Modules, Rear Compressor Drive Turbines, Fan Drive Turbine Modules, Augmentor Duct and Nozzle Modules, and...

  9. Effects of 3D virtual haptics force feedback on brand personality perception: the mediating role of physical presence in advergames.

    PubMed

    Jin, Seung-A Annie

    2010-06-01

    This study gauged the effects of force feedback in the Novint Falcon haptics system on the sensory and cognitive dimensions of a virtual test-driving experience. First, in order to explore the effects of tactile stimuli with force feedback on users' sensory experience, feelings of physical presence (the extent to which virtual physical objects are experienced as actual physical objects) were measured after participants used the haptics interface. Second, to evaluate the effects of force feedback on the cognitive dimension of consumers' virtual experience, this study investigated brand personality perception. The experiment utilized the Novint Falcon haptics controller to induce immersive virtual test-driving through tactile stimuli. The author designed a two-group (haptics stimuli with force feedback versus no force feedback) comparison experiment (N = 238) by manipulating the level of force feedback. Users in the force feedback condition were exposed to tactile stimuli involving various force feedback effects (e.g., terrain effects, acceleration, and lateral forces) while test-driving a rally car. In contrast, users in the control condition test-drove the rally car using the Novint Falcon but were not given any force feedback. Results of ANOVAs indicated that (a) users exposed to force feedback felt stronger physical presence than those in the no force feedback condition, and (b) users exposed to haptics stimuli with force feedback perceived the brand personality of the car to be more rugged than those in the control condition. Managerial implications of the study for product trial in the business world are discussed.

  10. Prediction of Hydraulic Conductivity as Related to Pore Size Distribution in Unsaturated Soils

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Soil pore volume as well as pore size, shape, type (i.e. biopore versus crack), continuity, and distribution in soil affect soil water and gas exchange. Vertical and lateral drainage of water by gravitational forces occurs through large, non-capillary soil pores, but redistribution and upward moveme...

  11. Regional Quality Assurance Activity in Higher Education in Southeast Asia: Its Characteristics and Driving Forces

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Umemiya, Naoki

    2008-01-01

    This article analyses the characteristics and driving forces of regional quality assurance activity in Southeast Asia, which has been actively promoted in recent years by the ASEAN University Network, an organisation for higher education under the auspices of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). There are now more collaborative…

  12. Understanding Resonance Graphs Using Easy Java Simulations (EJS) and Why We Use EJS

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Wee, Loo Kang; Lee, Tat Leong; Chew, Charles; Wong, Darren; Tan, Samuel

    2015-01-01

    This paper reports a computer model simulation created using Easy Java Simulation (EJS) for learners to visualize how the steady-state amplitude of a driven oscillating system varies with the frequency of the periodic driving force. The simulation shows (N = 100) identical spring-mass systems being subjected to (1) a periodic driving force of…

  13. Impact of polymer film thickness and cavity size on polymer flow during embossing : towards process design rules for nanoimprint lithography.

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Schunk, Peter Randall; King, William P.; Sun, Amy Cha-Tien

    2006-08-01

    This paper presents continuum simulations of polymer flow during nanoimprint lithography (NIL). The simulations capture the underlying physics of polymer flow from the nanometer to millimeter length scale and examine geometry and thermophysical process quantities affecting cavity filling. Variations in embossing tool geometry and polymer film thickness during viscous flow distinguish different flow driving mechanisms. Three parameters can predict polymer deformation mode: cavity width to polymer thickness ratio, polymer supply ratio, and Capillary number. The ratio of cavity width to initial polymer film thickness determines vertically or laterally dominant deformation. The ratio of indenter width to residual film thickness measuresmore » polymer supply beneath the indenter which determines Stokes or squeeze flow. The local geometry ratios can predict a fill time based on laminar flow between plates, Stokes flow, or squeeze flow. Characteristic NIL capillary number based on geometry-dependent fill time distinguishes between capillary or viscous driven flows. The three parameters predict filling modes observed in published studies of NIL deformation over nanometer to millimeter length scales. The work seeks to establish process design rules for NIL and to provide tools for the rational design of NIL master templates, resist polymers, and process parameters.« less

  14. Quality evaluation of six bioactive constituents in goji berry based on capillary electrophoresis field amplified sample stacking.

    PubMed

    Wang, Wei-Feng; Yang, Jun-Li; Shi, Yan-Ping

    2018-04-27

    Goji berry, fruits of the plant Lycium barbarum L., has long been used as traditional medicine and functional food in China. In this work, a simple and easy-operation on-line concentration capillary electrophoresis (CE) for detection flavonoids in goji berry was developed by coupling of field amplified sample stacking (FASS) with an electroosmotic (EOF) pump driving water removal process. Due to the EOF pump and electrokinetic injection showing different influence on the concentration, the analytes injection condition should be systemically studied. Thereafter, the verification of the analytes injection conditions was achieved using response surface experimental design. Under the optimum conditions, 86-271 folds sensitivity enhancement upon normal capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE, 50 mbar × 5 s) were achieved for six flavonoids, and the detection limits ranged from 0.35 to 1.82 ng/mL; the LOQ ranged from 1.20 to 6.01 ng/mL. Eventually, the proposed method was applied to detect flavonoids in 30 goji berry samples from different habitats of China; and the results indicated that the flavonoids were rich in the eluent of 30-60% methanol, which provided a reference for extraction of goji berry flavonoids. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  15. The kidney in congestive heart failure: 'are natriuresis, sodium, and diuretics really the good, the bad and the ugly?'.

    PubMed

    Verbrugge, Frederik H; Dupont, Matthias; Steels, Paul; Grieten, Lars; Swennen, Quirine; Tang, W H Wilson; Mullens, Wilfried

    2014-02-01

    This review discusses renal sodium handling in heart failure. Increased sodium avidity and tendency to extracellular volume overload, i.e. congestion, are hallmark features of the heart failure syndrome. Particularly in the case of concomitant renal dysfunction, the kidneys often fail to elicit potent natriuresis. Yet, assessment of renal function is generally performed by measuring serum creatinine, which has inherent limitations as a biomarker for the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Moreover, glomerular filtration only represents part of the nephron's function. Alterations in the fractional reabsorptive rate of sodium are at least equally important in emerging therapy-refractory congestion. Indeed, renal blood flow decreases before the GFR is affected in congestive heart failure. The resulting increased filtration fraction changes Starling forces in peritubular capillaries, which drive sodium reabsorption in the proximal tubules. Congestion further stimulates this process by augmenting renal lymph flow. Consequently, fractional sodium reabsorption in the proximal tubules is significantly increased, limiting sodium delivery to the distal nephron. Orthosympathetic activation probably plays a pivotal role in those deranged intrarenal haemodynamics, which ultimately enhance diuretic resistance, stimulate neurohumoral activation with aldosterone breakthrough, and compromise the counter-regulatory function of natriuretic peptides. Recent evidence even suggests that intrinsic renal derangements might impair natriuresis early on, before clinical congestion or neurohumoral activation are evident. This represents a paradigm shift in heart failure pathophysiology, as it suggests that renal dysfunction-although not by conventional GFR measurements-is driving disease progression. In this respect, a better understanding of renal sodium handling in congestive heart failure is crucial to achieve more tailored decongestive therapy, while preserving renal function. © 2013 The Authors. European Journal of Heart Failure © 2013 European Society of Cardiology.

  16. Controlling Casimir force via coherent driving field

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ahmad, Rashid; Abbas, Muqaddar; Ahmad, Iftikhar; Qamar, Sajid

    2016-04-01

    A four level atom-field configuration is used to investigate the coherent control of Casimir force between two identical plates made up of chiral atomic media and separated by vacuum of width d. The electromagnetic chirality-induced negative refraction is obtained via atomic coherence. The behavior of Casimir force is investigated using Casimir-Lifshitz formula. It is noticed that Casimir force can be switched from repulsive to attractive and vice versa via coherent control of the driving field. This switching feature provides new possibilities of using the repulsive Casimir force in the development of new emerging technologies, such as, micro-electro-mechanical and nano-electro-mechanical systems, i.e., MEMS and NEMS, respectively.

  17. Distinct Chemical Contrast in Adhesion Force Images of Hydrophobic-Hydrophilic Patterned Surfaces Using Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Probe Tips

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Azehara, Hiroaki; Kasanuma, Yuka; Ide, Koichiro; Hidaka, Kishio; Tokumoto, Hiroshi

    2008-05-01

    In this paper, we describe a fabrication procedure for large-diameter carbon nanotube probe tips (CNT tips) for atomic force microscopy, the tip-end chemistry of the CNT tips, and their advantage drawn from the study of adhesion force imaging in an ambient atmosphere on a patterned hydrophobic and hydrophilic self-assembled monolayer, which has been prepared by a microcontact printing method. Force titration measurements in phosphate buffer solutions reveal that the CNT tip has retained carboxyl groups at its end. In adhesion force imaging, a distinct chemical contrast is obtained for the patterned surfaces as compared to a case using a silicon nitride tip. The origin of the distinct contrast is discussed in terms of the tip-end chemistry featured by carboxyl groups and a possible weakening of capillary forces of water caused at around the tip-sample interface because of the intrinsically hydrophobic nature of CNTs.

  18. Fabrication of Au- and Ag–SiO{sub 2} inverse opals having both localized surface plasmon resonance and Bragg diffraction

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Erola, Markus O.A.; Philip, Anish; Ahmed, Tanzir

    The inverse opal films of SiO{sub 2} containing metal nanoparticles can have both the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of metal nanoparticles and the Bragg diffraction of inverse opal crystals of SiO{sub 2}, which are very useful properties for applications, such as tunable photonic structures, catalysts and sensors. However, effective processes for fabrication of these films from colloidal particles have rarely been reported. In our study, two methods for preparation of inverse opal films of SiO{sub 2} with three different crystal sizes and containing gold or silver nanoparticles (NPs) via self-assembly using electrostatic interactions and capillary forces are reported. Themore » Bragg diffraction of inverse opal films of SiO{sub 2} in the presence and absence of the template was measured and predicted on the basis of with UV–vis spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The preparation methods used provided good-quality inverse opal SiO{sub 2} films containing highly dispersed, plasmonic AuNPs or AgNPs and having both Bragg diffractions and LSPRs. - Graphical abstract: For syntheses of SiO{sub 2} inverse opals containing Au/Ag nanoparticles two approaches and three template sizes were employed. Self-assembly of template molecules and metal nanoparticles occurred using electrostatic interactions and capillary forces. Both the Bragg diffraction of the photonic crystal and the localized surface plasmon resonance of Au/Ag nanoparticles were detected. - Highlights: • Fabrication methods of silica inverse opals containing metal nanoparticles studied. • Three template sizes used to produce SiO{sub 2} inverse opals with Au/Ag nanoparticles. • PS templates with Au nanoparticles adsorbed used in formation of inverse opals. • Ag particles infiltrated in inverse opals with capillary and electrostatic forces. • Bragg diffractions of IOs and surface plasmon resonances of nanoparticles observed.« less

  19. Open-type miniature heat pipes

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Vasiliev, L.L.

    1994-01-01

    The hypothesis that systems of thermoregulation, similar to open-type micro heat pipes, exist in nature (soils, living organisms, plants) and in a number of technological processes (drying, thermodynamic cycles on solid adsorbents) is considered. The hydrodynamics and heat transfer in such thermoregulation systems differ from the hydrodynamics and heat transfer in classical heat pipes, since their geometrical dimensions are extremely small (dozens of microns), adhesion forces are powerful, the effect of the field of capillary and gravitational forces is significant, and strong interaction between counter-current flows of vapor and liquid takes place.

  20. Analysis of the instability underlying electrostatic suppression of the Leidenfrost state

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shahriari, Arjang; Das, Soumik; Bahadur, Vaibhav; Bonnecaze, Roger T.

    2017-03-01

    A liquid droplet on a hot solid can generate enough vapor to prevent its contact on the surface and reduce the rate of heat transfer, the so-called Leidenfrost effect. We show theoretically and experimentally that for a sufficiently high electrostatic potential on the droplet, the formation of the vapor layer is suppressed. The interplay of the destabilizing electrostatic force and stabilizing capillary force and evaporation determines the minimum or threshold voltage to suppress the Leidenfrost effect. Linear stability theory accurately predicts threshold voltages for different size droplets and varying temperatures.

  1. Numerical simulation and stability analysis of solutocapillary effect in ultrathin films

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gordeeva, V. Yu.; Lyushnin, A. V.

    2017-04-01

    Polar fluids, like water or polydimethylsiloxane, are widely used in technical and medical applications. Capillary effects arising from surface tension gradients can be significant in thin liquid films. The present paper is dedicated to investigation of capillary flow due to a surfactant added to a polar liquid under conditions when intermolecular forces and disjoining pressure play an important role. Evolution equations are formulated for a film profile and the surfactant concentration. Stability analysis shows that the Marangoni effect destabilizes the film, and oscillatory modes appear at slow evaporation rates. We find that the film has four stability modes of at slow evaporation: monotonic stable, monotonic unstable, oscillatory stable, and oscillatory unstable, depending on the wave number of disturbances.

  2. Heterogeneous Nucleation Induced by Capillary Wave During Acoustic Levitation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lü, Yong-Jun; Xie, Wen-Jun; Wei, Bing-Bo

    2003-08-01

    The rapid solidification of acoustically levitated drops of Pb-61.9 wt.%Sn eutectic alloy is accomplished. A surface morphology of spreading ripples is observed on a sample undercooled by 15 K. The ripples originate from the centre of sample surface, which is also the heterogeneous nucleation site for eutectic growth. The Faraday instability excited by forced surface vibration has brought about these ripples. They are retained in the solidified sample if the sound pressure level exceeds the threshold pressure required for the appearance of capillary waves. Theoretical calculations indicate that both the pressure and displacement maxima exist in the central part of a levitated drop. The pressure near the sample centre can promote heterogeneous nucleation, which is in agreement qualitatively with the experimental results.

  3. Energy level alignment in TiO2/metal sulfide/polymer interfaces for solar cell applications.

    PubMed

    Lindblad, Rebecka; Cappel, Ute B; O'Mahony, Flannan T F; Siegbahn, Hans; Johansson, Erik M J; Haque, Saif A; Rensmo, Håkan

    2014-08-28

    Semiconductor sensitized solar cell interfaces have been studied with photoelectron spectroscopy to understand the interfacial electronic structures. In particular, the experimental energy level alignment has been determined for complete TiO2/metal sulfide/polymer interfaces. For the metal sulfides CdS, Sb2S3 and Bi2S3 deposited from single source metal xanthate precursors, it was shown that both driving forces for electron injection into TiO2 and hole transfer to the polymer decrease for narrower bandgaps. The energy level alignment results were used in the discussion of the function of solar cells with the same metal sulfides as light absorbers. For example Sb2S3 showed the most favourable energy level alignment with 0.3 eV driving force for electron injection and 0.4 eV driving force for hole transfer and also the most efficient solar cells due to high photocurrent generation. The energy level alignment of the TiO2/Bi2S3 interface on the other hand showed no driving force for electron injection to TiO2, and the performance of the corresponding solar cell was very low.

  4. Integrative Conductance of Oxygen During Exercise at Altitude.

    PubMed

    Calbet, José A L; Lundby, Carsten; Boushel, Robert

    2016-01-01

    In the oxygen (O2) cascade downstream steps can never achieve higher flows of O2 than the preceding ones. At the lung the transfer of O2 is determined by the O2 gradient between the alveolar space and the lung capillaries and the O2 diffusing capacity (DLO2). While DLO2 may be increased several times during exercise by recruiting more lung capillaries and by increasing the oxygen carrying capacity of blood due to higher peripheral extraction of O2, the capacity to enhance the alveolocapillary PO2 gradient is more limited. The transfer of oxygen from the alveolar space to the hemoglobin (Hb) must overcome first the resistance offered by the alveolocapillary membrane (1/DM) and the capillary blood (1/θVc). The fractional contribution of each of these two components to DLO2 remains unknown. During exercise these resistances are reduced by the recruitment of lung capillaries. The factors that reduce the slope of the oxygen dissociation curve of the Hb (ODC) (i.e., lactic acidosis and hyperthermia) increase 1/θVc contributing to limit DLO2. These effects are accentuated in hypoxia. Reducing the size of the active muscle mass improves pulmonary gas exchange during exercise and reduces the rightward shift of the ODC. The flow of oxygen from the muscle capillaries to the mitochondria is pressumably limited by muscle O2 conductance (DmcO2) (an estimation of muscle oxygen diffusing capacity). However, during maximal whole body exercise in normoxia, a higher flow of O2 is achieved at the same pressure gradients after increasing blood [Hb], implying that in healthy humans exercising in normoxia there is a functional reserve in DmcO2. This conclusion is supported by the fact that during small muscle exercise in chronic hypoxia, peak exercise DmcO2 is similar to that observed during exercise in normoxia despite a markedly lower O2 pressure gradient driving diffusion.

  5. A two-angle model of dynamic wetting in microscale capillaries under low capillary numbers with experiments.

    PubMed

    Lei, Da; Lin, Mian; Li, Yun; Jiang, Wenbin

    2018-06-15

    An accurate model of the dynamic contact angle θ d is critical for the calculation of capillary force in applications like enhanced oil recovery, where the capillary number Ca ranges from 10 -10 to 10 -5 and the Bond number Bo is less than 10 -4 . The rate-dependence of the dynamic contact angle under such conditions remains blurred, and is the main target of this study. Featuring with pressure control and interface tracking, the innovative experimental system presented in this work achieves the desired ranges of Ca and Bo, and enables the direct optical measurement of dynamic contact angles in capillaries as tiny as 40 × 20 (width × height) μm and 80 × 20 μm. The advancing and receding processes of wetting and nonwetting liquids were tested. The dynamic contact angle was confirmed velocity-independent with 10 -9  < Ca < 10 -5 (contact line velocity V = 0.135-490 μm/s) and it can be described by a two-angle model with desirable accuracy. A modified two-angle model was developed and an empirical form was obtained from experiments. For different liquids contacting the same surface, the advancing angle θ adv approximately equals the static contact angle θ o . The receding angle θ rec was found to be a linear function of θ adv , in good agreement with our and other experiments from the literature. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  6. Modeling studies of gas movement and moisture migration at Yucca Mountain, Nevada

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Tsang, Y.W.; Pruess, K.

    1991-06-01

    Modeling studies on moisture redistribution processes that are mediated by gas phase flow and diffusion have been carried out. The problem addressed is the effect of a lowered humidity of the soil gas at the land surface on moisture removal from Yucca Mountain, the potential site for a high-level nuclear waste repository. At the land surface, humid formation gas contacts much drier atmospheric air. Near this contact, the humidity of the soil gas may be considerably lower than at greater depth, where the authors expect equilibrium with the liquid phase and close to 100% humidity. The lower relative humidity ofmore » the soil gas may be modeled by imposing, at the land surface, an additional negative capillary suction corresponding to vapor pressure lowering according to Kelvin`s Equation, thus providing a driving force for the upward movement of moisture in both the vapor and liquid phases. Sensitivity studies show that moisture removal from Yucca Mountain arising from the lowered-relative-humidity boundary condition is controlled by vapor diffusion. There is much experimental evidence in the soil literature that diffusion of vapor is enhanced due to pore-level phase change effects by a few orders of magnitude. Modeling results presented here will account for this enhancement in vapor diffusion.« less

  7. Flow control for a paper-based microfluidic device by adjusting permeability of paper

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jang, Ilhoon; Kim, Gangjune; Song, Simon

    2014-11-01

    The paper-based microfluidics has attracted intensive attention as a prospective substitute for conventional microfluidic substrates used for a point-of-care diagnostics due to its superior advantages such as the cost effectiveness and production simplicity. Generally, a paper-based microfluidic device utilizes capillary force to drive a flow. Recent studies on flow control in such a device aimed at obtaining accurate and quantitative results by varying a channel geometry like width and length. According to the Darcy's law describing a flow in a porous media like paper, a flow rate can be adjusted the permeability of paper. In this study, we investigate a flow control method by adjusting the permeability of paper. We utilize the wax printing for the adjustment and the fabrication of paper channels. A rectangular wax pattern was printed on one inlet channel of a Y-channel geometry. By varying the brightness of the wax pattern, a relationship between the flow rate and permeability changes due to the wax was investigated. As a result, we obtained an effective permeability contour with respect to the wax pattern length and brightness. In addition, we developed a paper-based micromixer of which the mixing ratio was controlled precisely by adjusting the permeability.

  8. Effective Thermo-Capillary Mixing in Droplet Microfluidics Integrated with a Microwave Heater.

    PubMed

    Yesiloz, Gurkan; Boybay, Muhammed S; Ren, Carolyn L

    2017-02-07

    In this study, we present a microwave-based microfluidic mixer that allows rapid mixing within individual droplets efficiently. The designed microwave mixer is a coplanar design with a small footprint, which is fabricated on a glass substrate and integrated with a microfluidic chip. The mixer works essentially as a resonator that accumulates an intensive electromagnetic field into a spiral capacitive gap (around 200 μm), which provides sufficient energy to heat-up droplets that pass through the capacitive gap. This microwave actuation induces nonuniform Marangoni stresses on the interface, which results in three-dimensional motion inside the droplet and thus fast mixing. In order to evaluate the performance of the microwave mixer, droplets with highly viscous fluid, 75% (w/w) glycerol solution, were generated, half of which were seeded with fluorescent dye for imaging purposes. The relative importance of different driving forces for mixing was evaluated qualitatively using magnitude analysis, and the effect of the applied power on mixing performance was also investigated. Mixing efficiency was quantified using the mixing index, which shows as high as 97% mixing efficiency was achieved within the range of milliseconds. This work demonstrates a very unique approach of utilizing microwave technology to facilitate mixing in droplet microfluidics systems, which can potentially open up areas for biochemical synthesis applications.

  9. Simultaneous Evaluation of Life Cycle Dynamics between a Host Paramecium and the Endosymbionts of Paramecium bursaria Using Capillary Flow Cytometry.

    PubMed

    Takahashi, Toshiyuki

    2016-08-17

    Endosymbioses are driving forces underlying cell evolution. The endosymbiosis exhibited by Paramecium bursaria is an excellent model with which to study symbiosis. A single-cell microscopic analysis of P. bursaria reveals that endosymbiont numbers double when the host is in the division phase. Consequently, endosymbionts must arrange their cell cycle schedule if the culture-condition-dependent change delays the generation time of P. bursaria. However, it remains poorly understood whether endosymbionts keep pace with the culture-condition-dependent behaviors of P. bursaria, or not. Using microscopy and flow cytometry, this study investigated the life cycle behaviors occurring between endosymbionts and the host. To establish a connection between the host cell cycle and endosymbionts comprehensively, multivariate analysis was applied. The multivariate analysis revealed important information related to regulation between the host and endosymbionts. Results show that dividing endosymbionts underwent transition smoothly from the division phase to interphase, when the host was in the logarithmic phase. In contrast, endosymbiont division stagnated when the host was in the stationary phase. This paper explains that endosymbionts fine-tune their cell cycle pace with their host and that a synchronous life cycle between the endosymbionts and the host is guaranteed in the symbiosis of P. bursaria.

  10. Simultaneous Evaluation of Life Cycle Dynamics between a Host Paramecium and the Endosymbionts of Paramecium bursaria Using Capillary Flow Cytometry

    PubMed Central

    Takahashi, Toshiyuki

    2016-01-01

    Endosymbioses are driving forces underlying cell evolution. The endosymbiosis exhibited by Paramecium bursaria is an excellent model with which to study symbiosis. A single-cell microscopic analysis of P. bursaria reveals that endosymbiont numbers double when the host is in the division phase. Consequently, endosymbionts must arrange their cell cycle schedule if the culture-condition-dependent change delays the generation time of P. bursaria. However, it remains poorly understood whether endosymbionts keep pace with the culture-condition-dependent behaviors of P. bursaria, or not. Using microscopy and flow cytometry, this study investigated the life cycle behaviors occurring between endosymbionts and the host. To establish a connection between the host cell cycle and endosymbionts comprehensively, multivariate analysis was applied. The multivariate analysis revealed important information related to regulation between the host and endosymbionts. Results show that dividing endosymbionts underwent transition smoothly from the division phase to interphase, when the host was in the logarithmic phase. In contrast, endosymbiont division stagnated when the host was in the stationary phase. This paper explains that endosymbionts fine-tune their cell cycle pace with their host and that a synchronous life cycle between the endosymbionts and the host is guaranteed in the symbiosis of P. bursaria. PMID:27531180

  11. Capillary equilibrium and sintering kinetics in dispersed media and catalysts

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Delannay, Francis

    2016-06-01

    The evolution of an aggregate of particles embedded in a fluid phase, no matter whether a liquid, a vapor, or a mixture of both, is determined by the dependence of the equilibrium interface area on porosity volume fraction. In system with open porosity, this equilibrium can be analyzed using a model representing the particles as a collection of cones of revolution, the number of which is the average particle coordination number. The accuracy of the model has been assessed using in situ X-ray microtomography. The model makes possible the computation of the driving force for sintering, commonly called sintering stress. It allows the mapping of the domains of relative density, coordination number, and dihedral angle that bring about aggregate densification or expansion. The contribution of liquid/vapor interfaces is enlightened, as well as the dependence of the equilibrium fluid phase distribution on particle size. Applied to foams and emulsions, the model provides insight into the relationship between osmotic pressure and coordination. Interface-governed transport mechanisms are considered dominant in the macroscopic viscosity. Both sintering stress and viscosity parameters strongly depend on particle size. The capacity of modeling the simultaneous particle growth is thus essential. The analysis highlights the microstructural parameters and material properties needed for kinetics simulation.

  12. Moment analysis description of wetting and redistribution plumes in wettable and water-repellent soils

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xiong, Yunwu; Furman, Alex; Wallach, Rony

    2012-02-01

    SummaryWater repellency has a significant impact on water flow patterns in the soil profile. Transient 2D flow in wettable and natural water-repellent soils was monitored in a transparent flow chamber. The substantial differences in plume shape and spatial water content distribution during the wetting and subsequent redistribution stages were related to the variation of contact angle while in contact with water. The observed plumes shape, internal water content distribution in general and the saturation overshoot behind the wetting front in particular in the repellent soils were associated with unstable flow. Moment analysis was applied to characterize the measured plumes during the wetting and subsequent redistribution. The center of mass and spatial variances determined for the measured evolving plumes were fitted by a model that accounts for capillary and gravitational driving forces in a medium of temporally varying wettability. Ellipses defined around the stable and unstable plumes' centers of mass and whose semi-axes represented a particular number of spatial variances were used to characterize plume shape and internal moisture distribution. A single probability curve was able to characterize the corresponding fractions of the total added water in the different ellipses for all measured plumes, which testify the competence and advantage of the moment analysis method.

  13. Physiological and biochemical principles underlying volume-targeted therapy--the "Lund concept".

    PubMed

    Nordström, Carl-Henrik

    2005-01-01

    The optimal therapy of sustained increase in intracranial pressure (ICP) remains controversial. The volume-targeted therapy ("Lund concept") discussed in this article focuses on the physiological volume regulation of the intracranial compartments. The balance between effective transcapillary hydrostatic and osmotic pressures constitutes the driving force for transcapillary fluid exchange. The low permeability for sodium and chloride combined with the high crystalloid osmotic pressure (approximately 5700 mmHg) on both sides of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) counteracts fluid exchange across the intact BBB. Additionally, variations in systemic blood pressure generally are not transmitted to these capillaries because cerebral intracapillary hydrostatic pressure (and blood flow) is physio-logically tightly autoregulated. Under pathophysiological conditions, the BBB may be partially disrupted. Transcapillary water exchange is then determined by the differences in hydrostatic and colloid osmotic pressure between the intra- and extracapillary compartments. Pressure autoregulation of cerebral blood flow is likely to be impaired in these conditions. A high cerebral perfusion pressure accordingly increases intracapillary hydrostatic pressure and leads to increased intracerebral water content and an increase in ICP. The volume-targeted "Lund concept" has been evaluated in experimental and clinical studies to examine the physiological and biochemical (utilizing intracerebral microdialysis) effects, and the clinical experiences have been favorable.

  14. Experimental Characterization of Thermo-electric Driven Liquid Lithium Flow in Narrow Trenches for Magnetic Confinement Fusion

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xu, Wenyu; Christenson, Michael; Fiflis, Peter; Curreli, Davide; Andruczyk, Daniel; Ruzic, David

    2013-10-01

    The application of liquid metal, especially liquid lithium has become an important topic for plasma facing component (PFC) design. A liquid PFC can effectively eliminate the erosion and thermal stress problems compared to the solid PFC while transferring heat and prolong the lifetime limit of the PFCs. A liquid lithium surface can also suppress the hydrogen isotopes recycling and getter the impurities in fusion reactors. The Lithium/metal infused trench (LiMIT) concept successfully proved that the thermoelectric effect can be utilized to drive liquid lithium flow within horizontally placed metallic open trenches in transverse magnetic field. A limiter based on this concept was tested in HT-7 and gave out positive results. However a broader application of this concept may require the trench be tilted or even placed vertically, for which strong capillary force caused by narrow trenches may be the solution. A new LiMIT design with very narrow trenches have been manufactured and tested in University of Illinois and related results will be presented. Based on this idea new limiters are designed for EAST and LTX and scheduled experiments on both devices will be discussed. This project is supported by DOE/ALPS contract: DEFG02- 99ER54515.

  15. Design considerations of electromagnetic force in a direct drive permanent magnet brushless motor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, H. S.; Tsai, M. C.

    2008-04-01

    In this paper, a numerical study of electromagnetic force associated with the width of stator teeth, width of rotor back iron, and slot opening for a ten-pole nine-slot direct drive permanent magnet brushless motor is presented. The study calculates the amplitude of the electromagnetic force on the rotating rotor by using the finite-element method. The results show that the amplitude of electromagnetic force, which may cause the noise and vibration of motors, changes with the variation of these above mentioned three factors. The relationship between the considerations of output torque and the minimization of noise and vibration is also established in this paper.

  16. Nonlinear Magnus-induced dynamics and Shapiro spikes for ac and dc driven skyrmions on periodic quasi-one-dimensional substrates

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Reichhardt, Charles; Reichhardt, Cynthia J. Olson

    We numerically examine skyrmions interacting with a periodic quasi-one-dimensional substrate. When we drive the skyrmions perpendicular to the substrate periodicity direction, a rich variety of nonlinear Magnus-induced effects arise, in contrast to an overdamped system that shows only a linear velocity-force curve for this geometry. The skyrmion velocity-force curve is strongly nonlinear and we observe a Magnus-induced speed-up effect when the pinning causes the Magnus velocity response to align with the dissipative response. At higher applied drives these components decouple, resulting in strong negative differential conductivity. For skyrmions under combined ac and dc driving, we find a new class of phase locking phenomena in which the velocity-force curves contain a series of what we call Shapiro spikes, distinct from the Shapiro steps observed in overdamped systems. There are also regimes in which the skyrmion moves in the direction opposite to the applied dc drive to give negative mobility.

  17. Drive Control Scheme of Electric Power Assisted Wheelchair Based on Neural Network Learning of Human Wheelchair Operation Characteristics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tanohata, Naoki; Seki, Hirokazu

    This paper describes a novel drive control scheme of electric power assisted wheelchairs based on neural network learning of human wheelchair operation characteristics. “Electric power assisted wheelchair” which enhances the drive force of the operator by employing electric motors is expected to be widely used as a mobility support system for elderly and disabled people. However, some handicapped people with paralysis of the muscles of one side of the body cannot maneuver the wheelchair as desired because of the difference in the right and left input force. Therefore, this study proposes a neural network learning system of such human wheelchair operation characteristics and a drive control scheme with variable distribution and assistance ratios. Some driving experiments will be performed to confirm the effectiveness of the proposed control system.

  18. Analysis of driving force and exciting voltage for a bi-material infrared resonator

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Xia; Zhang, Dacheng

    2018-01-01

    For a designed sensor with bi-material resonator which is used to detect infrared (IR) radiation by means of tracking the change in resonance frequency of the resonator with temperature attributed to the IR radiation from targets, in accordance with electromagnetic theory, the relationship between the electrical driving force exerted on the resonator and the exciting voltage applied across two electrodes of the capacitor in the sensor is presented. According to vibration theory, the dependence of the driving force on the exciting voltage is analyzed. The result of analysis is used to guide the vibration mode and frequency-amplitude response simulations of the resonator. The simulation value is approximately equal to the measured value, which demonstrates that the analysis result is effective and practicable.

  19. Consensus statement of the European Heart Rhythm Association: updated recommendations for driving by patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators.

    PubMed

    Vijgen, Johan; Botto, Gianluca; Camm, John; Hoijer, Carl-Johan; Jung, Werner; Le Heuzey, Jean-Yves; Lubinski, Andrzej; Norekvål, Tone M; Santomauro, Maurizio; Schalij, Martin; Schmid, Jean-Paul; Vardas, Panos

    2010-03-01

    Patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) have an ongoing risk of sudden incapacitation that might cause harm to others while driving a car. Driving restrictions vary across different countries in Europe. The most recent recommendations for driving of ICD patients in Europe were published in 1997 and focused mainly on patients implanted for secondary prevention. In recent years there has been a vast increase in the number of patients with an ICD and in the percentage of patients implanted for primary prevention. The EHRA task force on ICD and driving was formed to reassess the risk of driving for ICD patients based on the literature available. The recommendations are summarized in the following table and are further explained in the document, (Table see text). Driving restrictions are perceived as difficult for patients and their families, and have an immediate consequence for their lifestyle. To increase the adherence to the driving restrictions, adequate discharge of education and follow-up of patients and family are pivotal. The task force members hope this document may serve as an instrument for European and national regulatory authorities to formulate uniform driving regulations. Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  20. Consensus statement of the European Heart Rhythm Association: updated recommendations for driving by patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators.

    PubMed

    Vijgen, Johan; Botto, Gianluca; Camm, John; Hoijer, Carl-Johan; Jung, Werner; Le Heuzey, Jean-Yves; Lubinski, Andrzej; Norekvål, Tone M; Santomauro, Maurizio; Schalij, Martin; Schmid, Jean-Paul; Vardas, Panos

    2009-08-01

    Patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) have an ongoing risk of sudden incapacitation that might cause harm to others while driving a car. Driving restrictions vary across different countries in Europe. The most recent recommendations for driving of ICD patients in Europe were published in 1997 and focused mainly on patients implanted for secondary prevention. In recent years there has been a vast increase in the number of patients with an ICD and in the percentage of patients implanted for primary prevention. The EHRA task force on ICD and driving was formed to reassess the risk of driving for ICD patients based on the literature available. The recommendations are summarized in the following table and are further explained in the document. [table: see text] Driving restrictions are perceived as difficult for patients and their families, and have an immediate consequence for their lifestyle. To increase the adherence to the driving restrictions, adequate discharge of education and follow-up of patients and family are pivotal. The task force members hope this document may serve as an instrument for European and national regulatory authorities to formulate uniform driving regulations.

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