Effect of Stoichiometry on Shape Memory Properties of Ti-Ni-Hf-Cu-Nb Shape Memory Alloys Manufactured by Suspended Droplet Alloying

A novel Ti-Ni-Hf-Cu-Nb shape memory alloy has been developed by a new combinatorial alloy synthesis method, the Suspended Droplet Alloying. The influence of alloying elements on the transformation temperature, the microstructure and the shape memory effect of this alloy have also been studied. It was found that Cu has a greater negative influence on the transformation temperature of Ti-Ni-Hf-CuX alloys (about −5 K/at.%) than on the Ti-Ni-CuX alloys (−0.67 K/at.%). In addition, the negative effect intensifies with increasing Hf content. The transformation temperature rapidly decreases with increasing Nb composition in the Ti-Ni-Cu-Nb and Ti-Ni-Hf-Cu-Nb alloys, with the solid solution of Nb in the matrix being 1 at.%. A Ti-Ni-Cu-Hf-Nb alloy with high thermal cycle stability has been developed, where the alloying elements affect the transformation behaviour via altering the slipping energy and forming different types of precipitations.

Numerical and experimental analyses for the improvement of surface instant decontamination technology through biocidal agent dispersion: Potential of application during pandemic

The transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects is an important form of transmissibility. Thus, in this study, we evaluated the performance of a disinfection chamber designed for instantaneous dispersion of the biocidal agent solution, in order to characterize a new device that can be used to protect individuals by reducing the transmissibility of the disease through contaminated surfaces. We proposed the necessary adjustments in the configuration to improve the dispersion on surfaces and the effectiveness of the developed equipment. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations of the present technology with a chamber having six nebulizer nozzles were performed and validated through qualitative and quantitative comparisons, and experimental tests were conducted using the method Water-Sensitive Paper (WSP), with an exposure to the biocidal agent for 10 and 30 s. After evaluation, a new passage procedure for the chamber with six nozzles and a new configuration of the disinfection chamber were proposed. In the chamber with six nozzles, a deficiency was identified in its central region, where the suspended droplet concentration was close to zero. However, with the new passage procedure, there was a significant increase in wettability of the surface. With the proposition of the chamber with 12 nozzles, the suspended droplet concentration in different regions increased, with an average increase of 266%. The experimental results of the new configuration proved that there was an increase in wettability at all times of exposure, and it was more significant for an exposure of 30 s. Additionally, even in different passage procedures, there were no significant differences in the results for an exposure of 10 s, thereby showing the effectiveness of the new configuration or improved spraying and wettability by the biocidal agent, as well as in minimizing the impact caused by human factor in the performance of the disinfection technology.