Surface Dyakonov–Cherenkov radiation

Recent advances in engineered material technologies (e.g., photonic crystals, metamaterials, plasmonics, etc.) provide valuable tools to control Cherenkov radiation. In all these approaches, however, the particle velocity is a key parameter to affect Cherenkov radiation in the designed material, while the influence of the particle trajectory is generally negligible. Here, we report on surface Dyakonov–Cherenkov radiation, i.e. the emission of directional Dyakonov surface waves from a swift charged particle moving atop a birefringent crystal. This new type of Cherenkov radiation is highly susceptible to both the particle velocity and trajectory, e.g. we observe a sharp radiation enhancement when the particle trajectory falls in the vicinity of a particular direction. Moreover, close to the Cherenkov threshold, such a radiation enhancement can be orders of magnitude higher than that obtained in traditional Cherenkov detectors. These distinct properties allow us to determine simultaneously the magnitude and direction of particle velocities on a compact platform. The surface Dyakonov–Cherenkov radiation studied in this work not only adds a new degree of freedom for particle identification, but also provides an all-dielectric route to construct compact Cherenkov detectors with enhanced sensitivity.

Characteristic form of dynamics equations of Cosserat medium

In this paper, we construct the characteristic form of the equations of dynamics of the Cosserat medium and the Cosserat pseudocontinuum for bounded bodies. The method of matrix transformations proposed by the author is used for construction and allows obtaining the necessary relations using identical transformations. The obtained equations are compared with those for a symmetrically elastic isotropic homogeneous body. A method is proposed for selecting the necessary equations for computational schemes at the internal and boundary points of the body. A sequence of operations is proposed for iterative calculations of stresses, particle velocities, moment stresses, and angular velocities of particles in a coupled model of the Cosserat medium.

An experiment design for schools to demonstrate the Maxwell distribution

The article describes a new version of a demonstration experiment for the Maxwell distribution. In the first part students analyse the applicability of the Gaussian distribution to the projection of the particle velocities in the suggested experiment. Further, students observe two-dimensional distribution of particles by the modulus of velocity in a mechanical demonstration model and compare the results with theoretical provisions. Demonstration of the two-dimensional version of the Maxwell distribution for particle interaction allows students to independently derive formulas for the three-dimensional Maxwell distribution for particles in an ideal gas. The use of the suggested demonstration ensures active engagement in fundamentally important physical content.

Short- and Long-Range Microparticle Transport on Permalloy Disk Arrays in Time-Varying Magnetic Fields

We investigate maneuvering superparamagnetic microparticles, or beads, in a remotely-controlled, automated way across arrays of few-micron-diameter permalloy disks. This technique is potentially useful for applying tunable forces to or for sorting biological structures that can be attached to magnetic beads, for example nucleic acids, proteins, or cells. The particle manipulation method being investigated relies on a combination of stray fields emanating from permalloy disks as well as time-varying externally applied magnetic fields. Unlike previous work, we closely examine particle motion during a capture, rotate, and controlled repulsion mechanism for particle transport. We measure particle velocities during short-range motion—the controlled repulsion of a bead from one disk toward another—and compare this motion to a simulation based on stray fields from disk edges. We also observe the phase-slipping and phase-locked motion of particles engaging in long-range transport in this manipulation scheme.

Measuring binary fluidization of non-spherical and spherical particles using machine learning aided image processing

The binary fluidization of Geldart-D type non-spherical wood particles and spherical LDPE particles was investigated in a laboratory-scale bed. The experiment was performed for varying static bed height, wood particles count, as well as superficial gas velocity. The LDPE velocity field were quantified using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). The wood particles orientation and velocity are measured using Particle Tracking Velocimetry (PTV). A machine learning pixel-wise classification model was trained and applied to acquire wood and LDPE particle masks for PIV and PTV processing, respectively. The results show significant differences in the fluidization behavior between LDPE only case and binary fluidization case. The effects of wood particles on the slugging frequency, mean, and variation of bed height, and characteristics of the particle velocities/orientations were quantified and compared. This comprehensive experimental dataset serves as a benchmark for validating numerical models.

Effect of pile driving on ground vibration in clay soil: Numerical and experimental study

In this study, peak particle velocity (PPV) values for driving three piles with 40 cm, 50 cm, and 70 cm in a clayey soil through the impact piling method are investigated by an experimental study and a numerical simulation. An experimental study is carried out on a scale of 1:20 of the operation. Numerical simulation is performed by using an axisymmetric model in PLAXIS 2D finite element software. Properties of the soil and the piles used in the experimental study are obtained from geotechnical tests and employed in the numerical simulation. The model has been verified by comparing the acquired PPV values with those measured in the experimental study. The results show a good agreement between the computed values and the field data. Moreover, measured peak particle velocities in the experimental study indicate that an increase in the diameter of the pile can increase the level of ground vibration. Some sensitivity analyses have been performed by numerical modeling to determine the effect of soil and pile properties on the changes of PPV. The results indicate that increase in friction angle of the soil and pile diameter and reduction in elastic modulus of soil will increase the level of ground vibration.

Hugoniot Data and Equation of State Parameters for an Ultra-High Performance Concrete

This work aims at the characterization of a modern concrete material. For this purpose, we perform two experimental series of inverse planar plate impact (PPI) tests with the ultra-high performance concrete B4Q, using two different witness plate materials. Hugoniot data in the range of particle velocities from 180 to 840 m/s and stresses from 1.1 to 7.5 GPa is derived from both series. Within the experimental accuracy, they can be seen as one consistent data set. Moreover, we conduct corresponding numerical simulations and find a reasonably good agreement between simulated and experimentally obtained curves. From the simulated curves, we derive numerical Hugoniot results that serve as a homogenized, mean shock response of B4Q and add further consistency to the data set. Additionally, the comparison of simulated and experimentally determined results allows us to identify experimental outliers. Furthermore, we perform a parameter study which shows that a significant influence of the applied pressure dependent strength model on the derived equation of state (EOS) parameters is unlikely. In order to compare the current results to our own partially reevaluated previous work and selected recent results from literature, we use simulations to numerically extrapolate the Hugoniot results. Considering their inhomogeneous nature, a consistent picture emerges for the shock response of the discussed concrete and high-strength mortar materials. Hugoniot results from this and earlier work are presented for further comparisons. In addition, a full parameter set for B4Q, including validated EOS parameters, is provided for the application in simulations of impact and blast scenarios.

Parametric Redesign of a Convergent-Divergent Cold Spray Nozzle

The generation of a high velocity carrier gas flow for cold metal particle applications is addressed; with specific focus on titanium cold spraying. The high hardness of this material makes cold spraying titanium difficult to achieve by industry standard nozzles. The redesign of a commercial conical convergent-divergent cold spray nozzle is achieved by the application of aerospace design codes; based on the Method of Characteristics; towards producing a more isentropic expansion by contouring the nozzle walls. Steady threedimensional RANS SST k-ω simulations of nitrogen are coupled two-way to particle parcel tracking in the Lagrangian frame of reference. The new contoured nozzle is found to produce higher particle velocities with greater radial spread; when operated at the same conditions/cost of operation as the commercial nozzle. These numerical results have shown the potential for extending cold spray to high density and low ductility particles by relatively minor rig modifications; through an effective synergy between gas dynamics and material science.