The ice–vapour interface during growth and sublimation

We employed environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) in low-humidity atmosphere to study the ice growth, coalescence of crystallites, polycrystalline film morphology, and sublimation, in the temperature range of −10 to −20 ∘C. First, individual ice crystals grow in the shape of micron-sized hexagonal columns with stable basal faces. Their coalescence during further growth results in substantial surface defects and forms thick polycrystalline films, consisting of large grains separated by grain boundaries. The latter are composed of 1 to 3 µm wide pores, which are attributed to the coalescence of defective crystallite surfaces. Sublimation of isolated crystals and of films is defect-driven, and grain boundaries play a decisive role. A scallop-like concave structure forms, limited by sharp ridges, which are terminated by nanoscale asperities. The motivation for this work is also to evaluate ESEM's ability to provide a clean and reproducible environment for future study of nucleation and growth on atmospherically relevant nucleators such as materials of biological origin and inorganic materials. Hence, extensive information regarding potential ESEM beam damage and effect of impurities are discussed.

The Effect of Dissolved Elements and Inclusions on the Properties of Metal Products

The chapter deals mainly with the effect of impurities on the macro properties of metals made from steel, aluminium, copper, and zinc. It is about porosity, mechanical properties, strength, fatigue, and corrosion. It shows the effect of small amounts of inclusions and liquid impurities in bulk, on grain boundaries, and on the surface of the metals. The investigations have been carried out using mechanical tests, and advanced microscopic instruments like electron microscopes, X-ray diffraction, and different SIMS instruments (secondary ion mass spectrometry). The chapter lays the foundation for the need for refining of primary and secondary metals, i.e. recycling.

Effect of Impurities Control on the Crystallization and Densification of Polymer-Derived SiC Fibers

The polymer-derived SiC fibers are mainly used as reinforcing materials for ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) because of their excellent mechanical properties at high temperature. However, decomposition reactions such as release of SiO and CO gases and the formation of pores proceed above 1400 °C because of impurities introduced during the curing process. In this study, polycrystalline SiC fibers were fabricated by applying iodine-curing method and using controlled pyrolysis conditions to investigate crystallization and densification behavior. Oxygen and iodine impurities in amorphous SiC fibers were reduced without pores by diffusion and release to the fiber surface depending on the pyrolysis time. In addition, the reduction of the impurity content had a positive effect on the densification and crystallization of polymer-derived SiC fibers without a sintering aid above the sintering temperature. Consequently, dense Si-Al-C-O polycrystalline fibers containing β-SiC crystal grains of 50~100 nm were easily fabricated through the blending method and controlled pyrolysis conditions.

Effect of Impurities on a Two-Dimensional Dodecagonal Quasicrystal

Langevin dynamics simulations are performed to examine how impurities affect two-dimensional dodecagonal quasicrystals. We assumed that the interaction potential between two particles is the Lennard-Jones-Gauss potential if at least one of these particles is a matrix particle and that the interaction potential between two impurities is the Lennard-Jones potential. Matrix particles and impurities impinge with constant rates on the substrate created by a part of a dodecagonal quasicrystal consisting of square and triangular tiles. The dependences of the twelve-fold rotational order and the number of shield-like tiles on the impurity density are examined after sufficient solid layers are grown. While the change in the twelve-fold rotational symmetry is small, the number of shield-like tiles in the solid increases greatly with increasing impurity density.

Numerical analysis of heat transfer enhancement in pulsating flow pipes

In this paper, a rectangular flow runner is used as the research object to study the influence of adding a spoiler on the wall of the flow runner on its heat transfer characteristics and flow characteristics. Using the finite element method to analyse the influence of different spoiler’s structures and parameters of the spoilers on the heat transfer characteristics and flow characteristics of the flow runner, the study found that: by the comparison of the smooth flow runner and the rectangular spoiler flow runner, the comprehensive heat exchange effect of the spoiler runner is the best when the arc is arranged in the flow runner, and the accumulation effect of impurities in the runner is the slowest.