Stochastic Low-frequency Variability in Three-dimensional Radiation Hydrodynamical Models of Massive Star Envelopes

Increasing main-sequence stellar luminosity with stellar mass leads to the eventual dominance of radiation pressure in stellar-envelope hydrostatic balance. As the luminosity approaches the Eddington limit, additional instabilities (beyond conventional convection) can occur. These instabilities readily manifest in the outer envelopes of OB stars, where the opacity increase associated with iron yields density and gas-pressure inversions in 1D models. Additionally, recent photometric surveys (e.g., TESS) have detected excess broadband low-frequency variability in power spectra of OB star lightcurves, called stochastic low-frequency variability (SLFV). This motivates our novel 3D Athena++ radiation hydrodynamical (RHD) simulations of two 35 M ⊙ star envelopes (the outer ≈15% of the stellar radial extent), one on the zero-age main sequence and the other in the middle of the main sequence. Both models exhibit turbulent motion far above and below the conventional iron-opacity peak convection zone (FeCZ), obliterating any “quiet” part of the near-surface region and leading to velocities at the photosphere of 10–100 km s−1, directly agreeing with spectroscopic data. Surface turbulence also produces SLFV in model lightcurves with amplitudes and power-law slopes that are strikingly similar to those of observed stars. The characteristic frequencies associated with SLFV in our models are comparable to the thermal time in the FeCZ (≈3–7 day−1). These ab initio simulations are directly validated by observations and, though more models are needed, we remain optimistic that 3D RHD models of main-sequence O-star envelopes exhibit SLFV originating from the FeCZ.

Construction of a nano-phase-separated structure on a hydrogel surface

A nano-phase-separated structure was established on the surface region of a hydorogel by surface-inititated living radical polymerization.

Investigation of Ni catalyst activation during plasma-assisted methane oxidation

Atmospheric pressure plasma has shown promise in improving thermally activated catalytic reactions through a process termed plasma-catalysis synergy. In this work, we investigated atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ)-assisted CH4 oxidation over a Ni/SiO2.Al2O3 catalyst. Downstream gas-phase products from CH4 conversion were quantified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The catalyst near-surface region was characterized by in-situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS). The catalyst was observed to be activated at elevated temperature (500 °C) if it was exposed to the APPJ operated at large plasma power. “Catalyst activation” signifies that the purely thermal conversion of CH4 using catalysts which had been pre-exposed to plasma became more intense and produced consistently CO product, even if the plasma was extinguished. Without the application of the APPJ to the Ni catalyst surface this was not observed at 500 °C. The study of different exposure conditions of the activated catalyst indicates that the reduction of the catalyst by the APPJ is likely the cause of the catalyst activation. We also observed a systematic shift of the vibrational frequency of adsorbed CO on Ni catalyst when plasma operating conditions and catalyst temperatures were varied and discussed possible explanations for the observed changes. This work provides insights into the plasma-catalyst interaction, especially catalyst modification in the plasma catalysis process, and potentially demonstrates the possibility of utilizing the surface CO as a local probe to understand the plasma-catalyst interaction and shed light on the complexity of plasma catalysis.

Plasma surface engineering for manmade soft materials: A review

Manmade soft materials are important in a wide range of technological applications and play a key role in the development of future technologies, mainly at the interface of synthetic and biological components. They include gels and hydrogels, elastomers, structural and packaging materials, micro and nanoparticles as well as biological materials. Soft materials can be distinguished from liquids owing to their defined shape and from hard materials by the deformability of their shape. This review article provides an overview of recent progress on the plasma engineering and processing of softer materials, especially in the area of synthesis, surface modification, etching, and deposition. The article aims to demonstrate the extensive range of plasma surface engineering as used to form, modify, and coat soft materials focusing on material properties and potential applications. In general, the plasma provides highly energetic, non-equilibrium conditions at material surfaces requiring to adjust the conditions for plasma-surface interaction to account for the specifics of soft matter, which holds independent of the used plasma source. Plasma-induced crosslinking and polymerization of liquids is discussed to transform them into gel-like materials as well as to modify the surface region of viscous liquids. A major field covers the plasma surface engineering of manmade soft materials with the help of gaseous reactive species yielding ablation, nanostructuring, functionalization, crosslinking, stiffening, and/or deposition to obtain demanded surface properties or adhesion to dissimilar materials. Finally, plasma engineering of rigid materials is considered to induce surface softening for the enhanced contact with tissues, to allow interaction in aqueous media, and to support bonding to soft matter. The potential and future perspectives of plasma engineering will be discussed in this review to contribute to a higher knowledge of plasma interaction with sensitive materials such as soft matter.

Bubble structure in superheavy nuclei around neutron and proton shell closure

We have performed a systematic study for the nuclear structure of superheavy nuclei with a special emphasis on the nuclei with possible central depletion of proton and neutron density in the mass region [Formula: see text] using the Relativistic Hartree–Bogoliubov (RHB) framework. It has been observed that in the case of neutron density distribution, the occurrence of central depletion is related to the occupancy of 4s orbital and it is found to decrease with increasing occupancy of the 4s orbital. On the other hand, in the case of proton density distribution, the central density depletion is mainly due to the lowering of weakly bound p-orbital states close to the continuum as it is energetically favored to lower the Coulomb repulsion in the case of superheavy nuclei. Also, occupation probability of the lower angular momentum states (p-orbitals) lying near the Fermi level is strongly suppressed due to the weak centrifugal barrier and strong Coulomb repulsion in comparison to large angular momentum states (contributing to surface region mainly), resulting in central density depletion. Among the considered cases in the present work, the maximum depletion is observed for [Formula: see text] and for [Formula: see text]Og under spherically symmetric and axially deformed cases, respectively.

Numerical evaluation of the residual stresses in shot peening of alloy steels

In the present numerical study, the residual stresses generated during the shot peening process were evaluated using the finite element method. The influence of shot velocity on the residual stress distribution due to the indentation of a rigid shot over the target plate of alloy steel was studied. The finite element package ABAQUS 6.20 is used for simulating the shot peening process considering the target plate to be deformable. A parametric study was performed by introducing strain hardening rate as H1 = 800 MPa, keeping the dimension of target plate same with variation in shot velocity 20, 50, 75, 100, 125, and 150 m/s to check the behavior of residual stress distribution. As the indentation takes place over the metallic target plate, elastic-plastic deformation was observed. The indentation of the shot with a different velocity range causes the difference in the depth and size of the dent and induces the compressive residual stress. For perfectly plastic and the strain hardened material, the residual stress contour was simulated. The simulated results for strain hardened material show the significant change in the compressive residual stress in the sub-surface region of the target plate. It is evident from the results that the shot velocity has a significant effect on the residual stress distribution. The maximum compressive residual stress is achieved when the shot is indented at a velocity of 125 m/s.

Boriding of Laser-Clad Inconel 718 Coatings for Enhanced Wear Resistance

Nickel-based superalloys are particularly suitable for applications under corrosive conditions. Economic advantages can be achieved by limiting the use of materials to the surface region. Furthermore, the tribological property profile can be significantly improved by surface hardening. In the present study, the possibility of a process combination comprising a coating and a surface hardening technology was investigated. For this purpose, Inconel 718 coatings were applied to austenitic stainless steel by laser cladding. Subsequently, a thermochemical surface hardening by boriding was carried out. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) examinations were performed to evaluate the microstructure. The phase composition was determined by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) for the different states of the coating system. The influence of thermochemical hardening was investigated for different wear conditions. The increase in microhardness and wear resistance clearly demonstrates the utilization potential of the presented process combination.

Identification of Buffer and Surface Traps in Fe-Doped AlGaN/GaN HEMTs Using Y21 Frequency Dispersion Properties

The buffer and surface trapping effects on low-frequency (LF) Y-parameters of Fe-doped AlGaN/GaN high-electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) are analyzed through experimental and simulation studies. The drain current transient (DCT) characterization is also carried out to complement the trapping investigation. The Y22 and DCT measurements reveal the presence of an electron trap at 0.45–0.5 eV in the HEMT structure. On the other hand, two electron trap states at 0.2 eV and 0.45 eV are identified from the LF Y21 dispersion properties of the same device. The Y-parameter simulations are performed in Sentaurus TCAD in order to detect the spatial location of the traps. As an effective approach, physics-based TCAD models are calibrated by matching the simulated I-V with the measured DC data. The effect of surface donor energy level and trap density on the two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) density is examined. The validated Y21 simulation results indicate the existence of both acceptor-like traps at EC –0.45 eV in the GaN buffer and surface donor states at EC –0.2 eV in the GaN/nitride interface. Thus, it is shown that LF Y21 characteristics could help in differentiating the defects present in the buffer and surface region, while the DCT and Y22 are mostly sensitive to the buffer traps.

Computer simulations of solar cells based on silicon/boron phosphide selective contacts

Silicon solar cells with selective contacts based on boron phosphide (BP) demonstrate a high potential according to simulation. However, the influence of defects created at the BP/Si interface during BP deposition is a critical issue for solar cell performance. The computer simulations were performed to understand how the defects in the near-surface region and at the interface affect the photovoltaic properties. Calculations of the dependence of the characteristics of solar cells on parameters such as the density of interface states, the concentration of defects in the near-surface region, and its width were made.