Spinneret geometry modulates the mechanical properties of man-made cellulose fibers

The production of cellulose-based textile fibers with high toughness is vital for extending the longevity and thus developing a sustainable textile industry by reducing the global burden of microplastics. This study presented strategies to improve fiber toughness by tuning spinneret geometries. Experimental studies were conducted by spinning with different spinneret geometries and measuring the mechanical and structural properties of the spun fibers. In addition, numerical simulation tools were used to better understand the effects of spinneret geometry. The altering parameters of the spinneret geometries were the capillary diameters D, the angle of the entry cone into the spinning capillary, and the ratio of capillary length to diameter L/D. The highest fiber toughness could be achieved at a capillary aspect ratio of 1 to 2. The obtained maximum fiber toughness was 93 MPa with a tensile strength of 60 cN/tex and a concomitant elongation of 16.5%. For these fiber properties, a 13 wt% solution of a high-purity pulp with higher viscosity in [DBNH][OAc] was spun into a 1.3 dtex fiber using a D100 spinneret with a capillary of 1:1 length/diameter and an entrance angle of 8°. It was noticeable that the microvoid orientations decreased almost linearly with increasing toughness of the fibers. The morphologies of the fibers were similar regardless of the spinneret geometries and the raw materials used in the spinning process. In summary, by modulating the spinneret geometries, Ioncell fibers obtained high toughness that have the potential to replace synthetic fibers.

The Contribution of Ball Launching and Ring Entrance Angle Variables in 3 points Jump Shot in Basketball

The research aimed at identifying the values of ball launch and ring entrance angle and relations among them as well as identifying the contribution of ball launch and angle variables in 3 point jump in basketball. The researchers hypothesized statistical relation between ball launch and entrance angle. They used the descriptive method on (10) basketball players best known for their 3 point jump shot. Each player is given (10) attempts and only attempts with a larger entrance angle in recorded. The results showed that the height of ball launch players an integral role in decreasing entrance angle as well as ball launch angle did not correlate with the entrance angle. Finally, ball launch variables have no effect or contribution on ball entrance angle.

Minimising Numerical Ventilation in CFD Simulations of High-speed Planing Hulls

Numerical Ventilation (NV) is a well-known problem that occurs when the Volume of Fluid method is used to model vessels with a bow that creates an acute entrance angle with the free surface, as is typical for both planing hulls and yachts. Numerical Ventilation may be considered one of the main sources of error in numerical simulations of planing hulls and as such warrants an in-depth analysis. This paper sets out to bring together the available work, as well as performing its own investigation into the problem to develop a better understanding of Numerical Ventilation and present alternate solutions. Additionally, the success and impact of different approaches is presented in an attempt to help other researchers avoid and correct for Numerical Ventilation. Interface smearing caused by the simulation being unable to track the free surface is identified as the main source of Numerical Ventilation. This originates from the interface between the volume mesh and the prism layer mesh. This study investigates this interface, presenting a novel solution to prism layer meshing that was found to minimize Numerical Ventilation. Through the implementation of a modified High Resolution Interface Capture (HRIC) scheme and the correct mesh refinements, it is possible to minimize the impact of Numerical Ventilation to a level that will not affect the results of a simulation and is acceptable for engineering applications.

Shining Light on Retroreflectivity: Perceived Brightness of Surfaces with Varying Reflective Properties

Typical road users appear not to understand retroreflectivity despite nightly exposure to retroreflective materials like road signs. A critical benefit of retroreflective materials is a robustness to changes in entrance angle, the angle at which light strikes the material. This study aims to measure observers’ perceived brightness judgments of surfaces representing three types of reflection (diffuse, specular, and retroreflective) when viewed under manipulations of entrance angle. Perceived brightness will be assessed before and during a demonstration including illumination from a source positioned near the observer’s eyes. Prior to the demonstration, observers are hypothesized to predict specular and retroreflective surfaces will have a consistent brightness despite changes in entrance angle. Seeing the retroreflectivity demo is expected to result in increased perceived brightness of only the retroreflective surfaces in the more extreme entrance angle conditions. Watching visual demonstrations of reflection, however, is expected to produce an enhanced appreciation that retroreflective (but not specular or diffuse) surfaces remain bright despite large changes in entrance angle. This evidence may eventually increase demand for retroreflective markings by vulnerable road users.

Low cost and miniaturized NDIR system for CO2 detection applications

Purpose The importance of Carbon dioxide (CO2) gas detection as a greenhouse and exhale breathe gas is an undeniable issue. This study aims to propose a new miniaturized, low cost and portable no dispersive infrared (NDIR) system for detecting CO2 gas. Design/methodology/approach Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-based channels with Au coating because of its high reflection properties in IR region were used in this work. The optical windows were fabricated using PDMS polymer which is cost effective and novel in comparison to other conventional methods. The effects of channel dimensions, lengths and entrance angle of light on optical path length and losses were analyzed with four types of channel using both simulation and experimental tests. Findings The simulation results indicate that the 0 degree light entrance angle is the most efficient angle among different investigated conditions. The experimental data are in agreement with the simulation results regarding the loss and optical path length in different types of channel. The experimental tests were performed for the 0.5% up to 20% of CO2 concentration under constant temperature and humidity condition. The results show that the device with 5 and 2 cm channels length were saturated in 4% and 8% concentration of CO2 gas, respectively. Response and recovery times were depending on gas concentration and channels specifications that in average found to be 10 S and 14 S, respectively, for the largest size channel. Moreover, the environment humidity effect on detection system performance was investigated which had no considerable influence. Also, the saturation fraction absorbance value for devices with various dimensions were 0.62 and 0.8, respectively. Practical implications According to the performed curve fitting for practical situation and selected CO2 concentration range for experimental tests, the device is useful for medical and environmental applications. Originality/value PMMA with Au deposition layer was used as a basic material for this NDIR system. Besides, a novel PDMS optical window helps to have a low cost device. The effects of channel dimensions, lengths and entrance angle of light on optical path length and losses were analyzed using both simulation and experimental tests. Using narrowband optical filter (100 nm bandwidth) helps to have a system with good CO2 selectivity. In addition, experimental tests with different channel dimensions and lengths covered a considerable range of CO2 concentration useful for medical and environmental applications. Finally, curve fitting was adopted for a modified Beer–Lambert law as a practical situation.

Numerical Simulation of Torque Converter With Different Pump Blade Camber

The main function of the torque converter pump is to transfer mechanical power into fluid dynamic energy. It has been proved that the pump blade shape, especially pump blade camber peak, is crucial to torque converter hydrodynamic performance. However, it remains unclear how this parameter affects internal flow characteristics, and how it leads to the difference in performance. Thus, the relationship between the pump blade camber and the performance of torque converter and the flow mechanism were explored in this study. Torque converters with different pump blade camber were tested. Meanwhile, the corresponding numerical models were also established and their internal flow fields were investigated through steady-state simulations. The influence of the pump blade camber on the hydrodynamic performance was studied using both numerical and experimental methods, and the flow mechanism was also revealed and elaborated by exploring the numerical flow fields. The results from both experiments and simulations showed that larger pump blade camber peak led to higher pump capacity, higher maximum efficiency and lower stall torque ratio. The flow field simulation revealed that larger pump camber peak would lead to higher total pressure in pump channel. And the pressure distribution between the suction and pressure surface showed a similar pattern; however, their difference, especially near the leading and tailing edge, depends on the camber peak. Besides, higher camber peak blade absorbed more power, also induced more complex vortex, but there always existed the most efficient speed ratio when pump efficiency can reach to peak, at this moment, the difference between angle of attack and entrance angle reach the zero, which can be used to guide the design of pump blade.

The DIVER Microscope for Imaging in Scattering Media

We describe an advanced DIVER (Deep Imaging Via Emission Recovery) detection system for two-photon fluorescence microscopy that allows imaging in multiple scattering media, including biological tissues, up to a depth of a few mm with micron resolution. This detection system is more sensitive to low level light signals than conventional epi-detection used in two-photon fluorescence microscopes. The DIVER detector efficiently collects scattered emission photons from a wide area of turbid samples at almost any entrance angle in a 2π spherical angle. Using an epi-detection scheme only photons coming from a relatively small area of a sample and at narrow acceptance angle can be detected. The transmission geometry of the DIVER imaging system makes it exceptionally suitable for Second and Third Harmonic Generation (SHG, THG) signal detection. It also has in-depth fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) capability. Using special optical filters with sin-cos spectral response, hyperspectral analysis of images acquired in-depth in scattering media can be performed. The system was successfully employed in imaging of various biological tissues. The DIVER detector can be plugged into a standard microscope stage and used as an external detector with upright commercial two-photon microscopes.

Strategies to Minimise Numerical Ventilation in CFD Simulations of High-Speed Planing Hulls

Numerical Ventilation (NV) is a well-known problem that occurs when the Volume of Fluid method is used to model vessels with a bow that creates a small, acute entrance angle with the free surface. These are typical of both planing hulls and yachts. There is a general lack of discussion focusing upon Numerical Ventilation available within the public domain, which is attributable to the fact that it only affects such a niche area of naval architecture. The information available is difficult to find, often fleetingly mentioned in papers with a different focus. Numerical Ventilation may be considered one of the main sources of error in numerical simulations of planing hulls and as such warrants an in-depth analysis. This paper sets out to bring together the available work, as well as performing its own investigation into the problem to develop a better understanding of Numerical Ventilation and present alternate solutions. Additionally, the success and impact of different approaches is presented in an attempt to help other researchers avoid and correct for Numerical Ventilation. Interface smearing caused by the simulations inability to track the free surface is identified as the main source of Numerical Ventilation. This originates from the interface between the volume mesh and the prism layer mesh. This study looks into the interface to identify strategies that minimise Numerical Ventilation, presenting a novel solution to prism layer meshing that was found to have a positive impact. Through the implementation of a modified High Resolution Interface Capture (HRIC) scheme and the correct mesh refinements, it is possible to minimise the impact of Numerical Ventilation to a level that will not affect the results of a simulation and is acceptable for engineering applications.

Experimental and Numerical Studies on Defect Characteristics During Milling of Aluminum Honeycomb Core

The honeycomb sandwich structure has been widely used in the aerospace industry due to its high specific strength and stiffness. However, the machining defects of the aluminum honeycomb core (AHC) have become the key factor that restricts its application. In this paper, the defects' characteristics including the formation mechanism, distribution characteristic, and cutting process of honeycomb cell walls during AHC milling process were experimentally investigated. Furthermore, using normalized Cockcroft and Latham ductile fracture criterion and Johnson–Cook (JC) constitutive model, the numerical simulation of the AHC machining process was conducted concerning the entrance angle. It is indicated that six categories of milling defects are obtained and the quantity as well as distribution regularity of AHC milling defects are determined by the double effects of both the entrance angle and cutting force. Most of the surface defects of honeycomb materials were found concentrated in three regions, named by zones I–III, in which extruding, shear, and tensile deformation was mainly generated, respectively. Besides, the finite element simulation results also agree well with the experimental findings. Finally, a novel optimization method to avoid defects in the aforementioned regions by controlling the entrance angle of all the honeycomb walls during the cutting process was proposed in this paper. Meanwhile, the optimal control equations of the entrance angle for all cell walls were derived. This method was verified by milling experiments at last and the results showed that the optimization effect was obvious since the quality of the machined surface was greatly improved.