Solid-State Welding of the Nanostructured Ferritic Alloy 14YWT Using a Capacitive Discharge Resistance Welding Technique

Joining nanostructured ferritic alloys (NFAs) has proved challenging, as the nano-oxides that provide superior strength, creep resistance, and radiation tolerance at high temperatures tend to agglomerate, redistribute, and coarsen during conventional fusion welding. In this study, capacitive discharge resistance welding (CDRW)—a solid-state variant of resistance welding—was used to join end caps and thin-walled cladding tubes of the NFA 14YWT. The resulting solid-state joints were found to be hermetically sealed and were characterized across the weld region using electron microscopy (macroscopic, microscopic, and nanometer scales) and nanoindentation. Microstructural evolution near the weld line was limited to narrow (~50–200 μm) thermo-mechanically affected zones (TMAZs) and to a reduction in pre-existing component textures. Dispersoid populations (i.e., nano-oxides and larger oxide particles) appeared unchanged by all but the highest energy and power CDRW condition, with this extreme producing only minor nano-oxide coarsening (~2 nm → ~5 nm Ø). Despite a minimal microstructural change, the TMAZs were found to be ~10% softer than the surrounding base material. These findings are considered in terms of past solid-state welding (SSW) efforts—cladding applications and NFA-like materials in particular—and in terms of strengthening mechanisms in NFAs and the potential impacts of localized temperature–strain conditions during SSW.

Shape shifter: redirection of prolate phage capsid assembly by staphylococcal pathogenicity islands

Staphylococcus aureus pathogenicity islands (SaPIs) are molecular parasites that hijack helper phages for their transfer. SaPIbov5, the prototypical member of a family of cos type SaPIs, redirects the assembly of ϕ12 helper capsids from prolate to isometric. This size and shape shift is dependent on the SaPIbov5-encoded protein Ccm, a homolog of the ϕ12 capsid protein (CP). Using cryo-electron microscopy, we have determined structures of prolate ϕ12 procapsids and isometric SaPIbov5 procapsids. ϕ12 procapsids have icosahedral end caps with Tend = 4 architecture and a Tmid = 14 cylindrical midsection, whereas SaPIbov5 procapsids have T = 4 icosahedral architecture. We built atomic models for CP and Ccm, and show that Ccm occupies the pentameric capsomers in the isometric SaPIbov5 procapsids, suggesting that preferential incorporation of Ccm pentamers prevents the cylindrical midsection from forming. Our results highlight that pirate elements have evolved diverse mechanisms to suppress phage multiplication, including the acquisition of phage capsid protein homologs.

The Micromegas Surface Commissioning For the ATLAS New Small Wheel

In order to cope with the required precision tracking and trigger capabilities from Run III onward in the ATLAS experiment, the innermost layer of the Muon Spectrometer end-cap (Small Wheels) will be upgraded. Each of the two New Small Wheels (NSW) will be equipped with eight layers of MicroMegas (MM) detectors and eight layers of small-strip Thin Gap Chambers (sTGC), both arranged in two quadruplets. MM detectors of large size (up to 3m2) will be employed for the first time in HEP experiments. Four different types of MM quadruplet modules (SM1, SM2, LM1, LM2), built by different Institutes, compose the NSW. The modules are then sent to CERN, integrated into double wedges (DW), tested and sent for commissioning on the wheel itself. At the commissioning stage the MM double wedges along with the sTGC wedges are assembled together into sectors which are then installed and tested on the wheel. Each wheel comprises 8 small (made of SM1 and SM2 modules) and 8 large (made of LM1 and LM2 modules) sectors, in order to provide full coverage of the end caps. The first of the two wheels (NSW-A) has been fully commissioned, installed in ATLAS and the first tests are currently ongoing. The second wheel (NSW-C) is currently under commissioning and is expected to be ready by October this year.

The New Design Nanocapsules from Interactions between Atoms and Carbon Nanotubes with End Caps

A massive interest has arisen in nanocapsule, and it is used in different fields. Carbon nanotubes and fullerene are the most commonly used nanomaterials due to their remarkable properties, such as optical, mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties. Especially in biomedical science, nanocapsules are highly recommended to be applied as carriers for drugs. From the Magic bullet theory, it is expected that the nanocapsules can deliver drugs to the target cells, which can reduce the side effects on the nontargeted cells. In this research, we design a new nanocapsule consisting of a finite-length single-wall carbon nanotube with two end caps which are hemispheres of C60 fullerene. By using elementary mechanics and mathematical modelling, we can determine the exact formulae and their numerical solutions of nonbonded interactions between the nanocapsules and the atoms Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Ca, Ni, Zn, and Pb which are assumed to be located in the middle of the nanocapsules. Therefore, the optimal lengths of the carbon nanotubes for each case of atoms are determined. This research is a guideline for studying the interaction between the drug and the nanocapsule in the drug delivery system.

All-Fiber Gas Cavity Based on Anti-Resonant Hollow-Core Fibers Fabricated by Splicing with End Caps

In recent years, fiber gas lasers have obtained a rapid development, however, efficient and stable pump coupling is a key limitation for their applications in the future. Here, we report an all-fiber gas cavity based on anti-resonant hollow-core fibers which have the beneficial properties of adjustable broad transmission bands and potential low transmission attenuation, especially in the mid-infrared. This kind of all-fiber gas cavity is fabricated by directly splicing with end caps at both ends for the first time. The high-power laser transmission characteristics were studied, and the experimental results show that the all-fiber gas cavities have a very stable performance. The maximum input laser power at 1080 nm is about 260 W, and the output power is 203 W, giving a total transmission efficiency of 78.1%. This work opens a new opportunity for the development of high-power all-fiber structured fiber gas lasers.

Networks of Micellar Chains with Nanoplates

Nanocomposite networks of surfactant micellar chains and natural bentonite clay nanoplates are studied by rheometry, small-angle neutron scattering, and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy. It is shown that, in an aqueous medium in the presence of a small part of an anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate, the molecules of a biodegradable zwitterionic surfactant, oleyl amidopropyl dimethyl carboxybetaine, form micron-length living micellar chains which entangle and form a network possessing well-defined viscoelastic properties. It is found that addition of negatively charged clay nanoplates leads to an increase in viscosity and relaxation time by an order of magnitude. This is explained by the incorporation of the nanoplates into the network as physical multifunctional crosslinks. The incorporation occurs via the attachment of semispherical end-caps of the micelles to the surface of the particles covered with a surfactant layer, as visualized by cryogenic transmission electron microscopy. As the amount of nanoplates is increased, the rheological properties reach plateau; this is associated with the attachment of all end parts of micelles to nanoplates. The developed nanocomposite soft networks based on safe and eco-friendly components are promising for various practical applications.

Numerical study of fragments from cylindrical casing with one of end caps fully constrained

In order to study the process and characteristic of the fragments in the warhead with one end cap under full constraint condition, we established a cylindrical casing with two end caps which one of them was fully constrained using the simulation analysis. The result showed that the fragmentation of cylindrical casing with one end full constrained has its own characteristic. The Mach stem was generated when the detonation wave propagated to the fully constrained end cap under the condition of one end detonation, working on unreactive explosives and causing the nearby fragment subjected to nearly 2.5 times the normal pressure to obtain a higher speed. The cylindrical casing first ruptured at the contact surface with the fully constrained end, and then at the end cover of the initiating end, and then the rupture extends to the whole cylindrical casing. The detonation products started to leak out from the rupture. driving fragments to fly, and forming two dense flying areas. The analysis of this paper can provide a reference for the optimal design of this kind of warhead.

Experimental and Theoretical Study of Heat Losses in Drying Cylinders

The research purpose is to develop methods for determination of heat losses in drying cylinders. Experimental study of temperature of drying cylinders performed in the drying section of a paper machine during its steady-state operation. Medium, maximum and permissible statistical characteristics of drying cylinder temperatures were defined. The drying cylinders with increased condensation concentration were determined by the minimally permissible temperature levels and the repair of the condensation drainage system to reduce heat losses (steam consumption) was justified. The cause of uneven dryness of the paper web across the width has been determined. The condensate ring on the inner wall at the edges of the drying cylinders gets thickened due to moisture coming from the end caps from the action of centrifugal forces. The condensation is removed from the drying cylinders with a siphon on the drive side. Therefore, on the front side of the drying cylinders condensate film has a greater thickness, and the paper web dries worse. The single-sided condensate disposal and the physical effect of centrifugal condensate runoff from the end caps to the side inner surface of the drying cylinders cause a lower dryness from the front side of the paper web. The use of thermal insulation of end caps will contribute to uniform dryness across the width of the paper web. The results of experimental studies were processed by methods of mathematical statistics in order to describe the thermal losses during contact drying of the paper web on drying cylinders with and without thermal insulation of the end caps to the ambient air. The calculation of heat losses is carried out according to the refined method of researching thermal processes in contact drying of paper web. It is found, that the use of thermal insulation of the end caps of the drying cylinders provides a reduction in steam consumption for contact drying of the paper web without affecting the technological process. The research results can be used to reduce heat losses in the drying section of paper machines on cylinders that do not have thermal insulation of the end caps. For instance, for a paper machine consisting of 56 cylinders with a diameter of 1500 mm and a capacity of 7000 kg/h of absolutely dry paper, insulating their end caps saves up to 223 kg/h of steam for drying the paper web. Methods of detection of drying cylinders with increased content of condensation on permissible levels of temperature is developed and approved. A refined method for determining thermal losses during contact drying of the paper web on drying cylinders has been developed.

Buoyancy Force on a Plain or Perforated Portion of a Pipe

Torque and drag models have been used for many decades to calculate tensions and torques along drill-strings, casing strings and liner strings. However, when applied to sand-screens, it is important to check that all the initial hypotheses used for torque and drag calculations are still valid. In particular, it should be checked whether the buoyancy force on a perforated tube may differ from the one applied to a plain tube. The buoyancy force applied on a pipe, contributes to the sum of efforts at the contact between the pipe and the borehole and therefore influences torque and drag calculations. This contact force is local and should account for localized effects as well as the material internal forces, torques and moments on each side of the contact. As the buoyancy force is the result of the gravitational component of the pressure gradient on the surface of the pipe that is in contact with the fluid, the presence of holes in the pipe also influences the buoyancy force. When applied to a portion of a pipe, buoyancy does not have contributions at the end caps of that portion of the drill-stem since these end caps are not in contact with the fluid, except at positions with a change of diameter. Therefore, one shall be cautious when calculating the local buoyancy force either on a plain or a perforated tube. The paper describes how to calculate the local buoyancy force on a portion of a drill-stem by application of the Gauss theorem accounting for the necessary corrections arising from the end caps not being exposed to the fluid. An experimental setup has been built to verify that the tension inside a pipe subject to buoyancy does follow the derived mathematical calculations. With complex well construction operations, for instance during extended reach drilling or when drilling very shallow wells with high kick-off rates, the slightest error in torques and drag calculations may end up in jeopardizing the chance of success of the drilling operation. It is therefore important to check that all initial calculation hypotheses are still valid in those contexts and that for instance, sand-screens may be run in hole safely after a successful drilling operation.