Controllable assembly of continuous hollow graphene fibers with robust mechanical performance and multifunctionalities

Macroscopic conformation of individual graphene sheets serves as the backbone of translating their intrinsic merits towards multifunctional practical applications. However, controllable and continuous assemblies of graphene-based nanomaterials to create stable macroscopic structural components are always in face of great challenge. We have developed a scalable converging-flow assisted wet-spinning methodology for continuously fabricating hollow graphene fibers (HGFs, the newest variation of solid graphene fibers) with high quality. The degradable silk thread is selectively utilized as the continuous hollow structure former that holds the coaxially stacked graphene sheets aligned through the converging-flow modulating process. For the first time, we have created the longest freestanding HGF in length of 2.1 m. The continuous HGFs are in an average diameter of 180 μm and with 4-8 μm adjustable wall thicknesses. The optimal HGF demonstrates an average tensile strength of 300 MPa and modulus of 2.49 GPa (comparable to typical solid graphene fibers, but the highest among the reported HGFs in literature) and an exceptional failure elongation of 10.8%. Additionally, our continuous HGFs exhibit spontaneous resistive response to thermal and strain stimuli (in form of large deformations and human motions), offering great potential for developing multifunctional sensors. We envision that this work demonstrates an effective and well-controlled macroscopic assembly methodology for the scaled-up mass production of HGFs.

Analytical and Numerical Simulation of Asymmetric Converging Flow of Gas under Drill Bits in Reverse Circulation Gas Drilling

Reverse circulation gas drilling has been considered to solve engineering problems such as formation water influx, wellbore instability, and excess gas requirement in gas drilling. The performance of reverse circulation gas drilling depends to a large extent on the structure design of drill bit. An analytical model and a numerical model were developed in this study to simulate the asymmetric converging flow of gas under drill bit for reverse circulation gas drilling. The two models were compared and applied to the evaluation of a drill bit structure design for bottom hole cleaning capacity of gas flow. It was found that the pressure, velocity, and specific kinetic energy given by the analytical model are slightly lower than that given by the numerical model. The relative difference between the gas flow rates given by the analytical model and the numerical model is less than 5%. For the drill bit structure design considered in this study, the gas flow energy between the short blades is much higher than that between the long blades. A gas injection rate of 10 m3/min (360 ft3/min) is expected to clean the drill cuttings between the short blades, while a gas flow rate of 28 m3/min (990 ft3/min) is required to clean the drill cuttings between the long blades. Although the numerical model gives more accurate result than the analytical model in predicting hydraulics parameters, the analytical model is recommended for evaluating drill bit structure design because of its simplicity and conservativeness.

Dense gas formation in the Musca filament due to the dissipation of a supersonic converging flow

Observations with the Herschel Space Telescope have established that most star forming gas is organised in filaments, a finding that is supported by numerical simulations of the supersonic interstellar medium (ISM) where dense filamentary structures are ubiquitous. We aim to understand the formation of these dense structures by performing observations covering the 12CO(4→3), 12CO(3→2), and various CO(2–1) isotopologue lines of the Musca filament, using the APEX telescope. The observed CO intensities and line ratios cannot be explained by PDR (photodissociation region) emission because of the low ambient far-UV field that is strongly constrained by the non-detections of the [C II] line at 158 μm and the [O I] line at 63 μm, observed with the upGREAT receiver on SOFIA, as well as a weak [C I] 609 μm line detected with APEX. We propose that the observations are consistent with a scenario in which shock excitation gives rise to warm and dense gas close to the highest column density regions in the Musca filament. Using shock models, we find that the CO observations can be consistent with excitation by J-type low-velocity shocks. A qualitative comparison of the observed CO spectra with synthetic observations of dynamic filament formation simulations shows a good agreement with the signature of a filament accretion shock that forms a cold and dense filament from a converging flow. The Musca filament is thus found to be dense molecular post-shock gas. Filament accretion shocks that dissipate the supersonic kinetic energy of converging flows in the ISM may thus play a prominent role in the evolution of cold and dense filamentary structures.

Bedform Morphology in the Area of the Confluence of the Negro and Solimões-Amazon Rivers, Brazil

Confluences are common components of all riverine systems, characterized by converging flow streamlines and the mixing of separate flows. The fluid dynamics of confluences possesses a highly complex structure with several common types of flow features observed. A field study was recently conducted in the area of the confluence of the Negro and Solimões/Amazon Rivers, Brazil, collecting a series of Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) transects in different flow conditions. These data were used to investigate the morphology of the bedforms observed in that area. First, the bedforms were mostly classified as large and very large dunes according to Ashley et al. (1990), with an observed maximum wavelength and wave height of 350 and 12 m, respectively. Second, a comparison between low flow and relatively high flow conditions showed that wavelength and wave height increased as the river discharge increased in agreement with previous literature studies. Third, the lee side angle was consistently below 10°, with an average value of about 3.0°, without flow separation confirming past findings on low-angle dunes. Finally, a comparison between the bedform sizes and past literature studies on large rivers suggested that while several dunes were in equilibrium with the flow, several largest bedforms were found to be probably adapting to discharge changes in the river.

Triggering of twists in solar prominence threads

Context. Magnetic twists are commonly associated with solar prominences. Twists are believed to play an important role in supporting the dense plasma against gravity as well as in prominence eruptions and coronal mass ejections, which may have a severe impact on the Earth and its near environment. Aims. We used a simple model to mimic the formation of a prominence thread by plasma condensation with the aim of investigating the possibility of triggering twists during this process. Methods. Temporal and spatial evolution of torsional Alfvénic perturbations driven by random photospheric motions was analysed using the linearised governing equations of motion and induction. Results. We find that small amplitude perturbations are exponentially amplified in time as they propagate along the condensing thread. Mechanisms contributing to the rapid growth are explored. The result of the amplification process is the generation of large amplitude axisymmetric twists along the thread. Conclusions. Magnetic twists may be triggered along a prominence thread when it is permeated by a converging flow, for example, during the evaporation and condensation of plasma along the thread. This may lead to the generation of vortices in the non-linear regime.