Dynamic compression of water to conditions in ice giant interiors

Recent discoveries of water-rich Neptune-like exoplanets require a more detailed understanding of the phase diagram of H2O at pressure–temperature conditions relevant to their planetary interiors. The unusual non-dipolar magnetic fields of ice giant planets, produced by convecting liquid ionic water, are influenced by exotic high-pressure states of H2O—yet the structure of ice in this state is challenging to determine experimentally. Here we present X-ray diffraction evidence of a body-centered cubic (BCC) structured H2O ice at 200 GPa and ~ 5000 K, deemed ice XIX, using the X-ray Free Electron Laser of the Linac Coherent Light Source to probe the structure of the oxygen sub-lattice during dynamic compression. Although several cubic or orthorhombic structures have been predicted to be the stable structure at these conditions, we show this BCC ice phase is stable to multi-Mbar pressures and temperatures near the melt boundary. This suggests variable and increased electrical conductivity to greater depths in ice giant planets that may promote the generation of multipolar magnetic fields.

Dynamic Compression Characteristics and Failure Mechanism of Water-Saturated Granite

For Fangshan granite in Beijing, the static compression and dynamic compression tests have been carried out separately under natural air drying and water saturation. It was found that the dynamic compressive strength of water-saturated granite is higher than that of air-dried granite, which is contrary to the result that the strength of water-saturated rock is lower than that of air-dried granite under static load. Furthermore, under the medium strain rate condition, when the strain rate is 85 s−1, the dynamic strength of natural air-dried granite could be increased by nearly 0.5 times compared with its static state. The dynamic strength of water-saturated granite could be increased by nearly 1–2 times compared with its static strength, which shows that water-saturated granite has stronger strain rate sensitivity than natural air-dried granite. Meanwhile, under impact loading, from the perspective of water-bearing granite the Bernoulli effect of fluid, the adhesion effect of free water and the Stefan effect of fluid in water-saturated granite were revealed, and found to be the essential reasons affecting the dynamic strength of water-saturated granite. The dynamic strength in different water-bearing states in the range of medium strain rate could then be analyzed in depth, providing a certain reference value for the strength design of water-bearing rock engineering.

Influence of Defects to Zr65Cu18Ni7Al10 Bulk Metallic Glass Properties Under Dynamic Compression

The Zr65Cu18Ni7Al10 bulk metallic glass with smaller diameter exhibits higher fracture strength under dynamic compression, which is ascribed to concentration of flow defect. The density of shear bands in the sample surface will increase with decreasing of the diameter, whereas, average distance and width of tear ridges in the fracture surface will increase with larger diameter. In addition, the volume of shear transformation zone can be estimated, which presents a ductile-to-brittle transition with the change of diameter. The physical graph of shear transformation zone can be obtained from the experimental analysis.

Towards a dynamic compression facility at the ESRF

Results of the 2018 commissioning and experimental campaigns of the new High Power Laser Facility on the Energy-dispersive X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (ED-XAS) beamline ID24 at the ESRF are presented. The front-end of the future laser, delivering 15 J in 10 ns, was interfaced to the beamline. Laser-driven dynamic compression experiments were performed on iron oxides, iron alloys and bismuth probed by online time-resolved XAS.

GEODYNAMICS

Purpose. To investigate the features of the algorithm implementation for finding the derivatives of the spatial distribution function of the planet's masses with the use of high-order Stokes constants and, on the basis of this, to find its analytical expression. According to the given methodology, to carry out calculations with the help of which to carry on the study of dynamic phenomena occurring inside an ellipsoidal planet. The proposed method involves the determination of the derivatives of the mass distribution function by the sum, the coefficients of which are obtained from the system of equations, which is incorrect. In order to solve it, an error-resistant method for calculating unknowns was used. The implementation of the construction is carried out in an iterative way, while for the initial approximation we take the three-dimensional function of the density of the Earth's masses, built according to Stokes constants up to the second order inclusive, by dynamic compression by the one-dimensional density distribution, and we determine the expansion coefficients of the derivatives of the function in the variables to the third order inclusive. They are followed by the corresponding density function, which is then taken as the initial one. The process is repeated until the specified order of approximation is reached. To obtain a stable result, we use the Cesaro summation method (method of means).. The calculations performed with the help of programs that implement the given algorithm, while the achieved high (ninth) order of obtaining the terms of the sum of calculations. The studies of the convergence of the sum of the series have been carried out, and on this basis, a conclusion has been made about the advisability of using the generalized finding of the sums based on the Cesaro method. The optimal number of contents of the sum terms has been chosen, provides convergence both for the mass distribution function and for its derivatives. Calculations of the deviations of mass distribution from the mean value ("inhomogeneities") for extreme points of the earth's geoid, which basically show the total compensation along the radius of the Earth, have been performed. For such three-dimensional distributions, calculations were performed and schematic maps were constructed according to the taken into account values of deviations of three-dimensional distributions of the mean ("inhomogeneities") at different depths reflecting the general structure of the Earth's internal structure. The presented vector diagrams of the horizontal components of the density gradient at characteristic depths (2891 km - core-mantle, 700 km - middle of the mantle, also the upper mantle - 200, 100 km) allow us to draw preliminary conclusions about the global movement of masses. At the same time, a closed loop is observed on the “core-mantle” edge, which is an analogy of a closed electric circuit. For shallower depths, differentiation of vector motions is already taking place, which gives hope for attracting these vector-grams to the study of dynamic motions inside the Earth. In fact, the vertical component (derivative with respect to the z variable) is directed towards the center of mass and confirms the main property of mass distributions - growth when approaching the center of mass. The method of stable solution of incorrect linear systems is applied, by means of which the vector-gram of the gradient of the mass distribution function is constructed. The nature of such schemes provides a tool for possible causes of mass redistribution in the middle of the planet and to identify possible factors of tectonic processes in the middle of the Earth, i.e indirectly confirms the gravitational convection of masses. The proposed technique can be used to create detailed models of density functions and its characteristics (derivatives) of the planet's interior, and the results of numerical experiments - to solve tectonics problems.

A Novel Case of Neglected Monteggia Fracture Dislocation

Background: The Monteggia fracture-dislocation is a rare condition among children, and its treatment is still controversial. The treatment can become quite complicated when the diagnosis is delayed. There is a broad range of surgical treatments with various complications like subluxations, degenerative changes, and radial head deformity. The present case was reported as a novel surgical treatment choice for neglected Monteggia fracture-dislocation. Case Report: A 16 year-old boy presented with left elbow severe range of motion (ROM) limitation and pain who was diagnosed with neglected Monteggia fracture-dislocation. The patient went through open reduction beside internal fixation of the ulnar shaft via Limited Contact Dynamic Compression Plate (LC-DCP) and radio-capitellar joint reduction and provisional fixation by a pin. The patient recovered after three months with a significant increase in elbow ROM without any complications. Conclusion: This method could be an appropriate treatment of choice for neglected Monteggia fractures which indeed had excellent outcomes without complication.

Comparative studies of the constitutive models for tungsten heavy alloy (95W-3.5Ni-1.5Fe) at high strain rates

The plastic behaviors’ description of a tungsten heavy alloy (95W-3.5Ni-1.5Fe) at temperatures of 298–773 K and strain rates of 0.001–11,000 s−1 is systematically studied based on four constitutive models, that is, Zerilli-Armstrong model, modified Zerilli-Armstrong model, Mechanical Threshold Stress model, and modified Mechanical Threshold Stress model. The quasi-static compression experiments using an electronic universal testing machine and the dynamic compression experiments using a split Hopkinson pressure bar apparatus are employed to obtain the true stress–strain curves at a total of three temperatures (298 K, 573 K, and 773 K) and a wide range of strain rates (0.001–11,000 s−1). The parameters of the four constitutive models are obtained by the above fundamental experimental data and Grey Wolf Optimizer. The correlation coefficient and average absolute relative error are used to evaluate the predicted performance of these models. Modified Mechanical Threshold Stress model is found to have the highest predicted performance in describing the flow stress of the 95W-3.5Ni-1.5Fe alloy. Eventually, two compression experiments whose loading conditions are not in the fundamental experiments are conducted to validate the four models.