Influence of various DEM shape representation methods on packing and shearing of granular assemblies

Realistic yet efficient representation of particle shape is a major challenge for the Discrete Element Method. This paper uses angle-of-repose and direct-shear test simulations to describe the influence of several shape representation methods, and their parameters, on the bulk response of granular assemblies. Three rolling resistance models, with varying coefficient of rolling friction, are considered for spherical particles. For non-spherical particles, superquadrics with varying blockiness and multi-spheres with varying bumpiness are used to model cuboids and cylinders of several aspect ratios. We present extensive quantitative results showing how the various ways used to represent shape affect the bulk response, allowing comparisons between different approaches. Simulations of angle-of-repose tests show that all three rolling friction models can model the avalanching characteristics of cube/cuboid and cylindrical particles. Simulations of direct-shear tests suggest that both the shear strength and the dilative response of the considered non-spherical particles (but not their porosity) can only be predicted by the elasto-plastic rolling resistance model. The quantitative nature of the results allows identifying values of the shape-description parameters that can be used to obtain similar results when using alternative shape representation methods. Graphical abstract

Anisotropy of out-of-phase magnetic susceptibility: an approach for magnetic subfabrics determination

<p>The Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility (AMS) represents the contribution of all minerals in rock samples (paramagnetic, diamagnetic, and/or ferromagnetic minerals). An intermediate AMS tensor may be recorded in rocks where a composite fabric is present, due to the presence of both paramagnetic and ferromagnetic minerals, being possible to be resolved into two distinct subfabrics using techniques as out-of-phase AMS (opAMS). The magnetic susceptibility measured in alternating field can be resolved into in-phase and out-of-phase components. In-phase AMS (ipAMS) measures the bulk response of all minerals in a sample however, opAMS is only sensitive to selected ferromagnetic minerals such as hematite, titanomagnetite, and ultrafine magnetite. The opAMS can be harnessed as a tool for direct determination of magnetic subfabrics defined by ferromagnetic minerals. This work focuses on three Portuguese plutons: Lamas de Olo, Lavadores-Madalena, and Santa Eulália. The preliminary results show that magnetic susceptibility is lower in opAMS, the degree of magnetic anisotropy is much higher in opAMS and the ellipsoid shape parameter has no significant differences in opAMS or ipAMS. The ipAMS and opAMS tensors are in general coaxial, pointing out that standard AMS fabric is parallel to the subfabric of minerals like hematite, titanomagnetite, and ultrafine magnetite. Two sites from Lamas de Olo Pluton with low in-phase magnetic susceptibility (ipK<sub>m</sub>) values were also measured, showing two different scenarios: (i) the coaxially is present in one site, pointing out the presence of minerals like hematite (after magnetite) but with the same orientation as the matrix; (ii) different orientation of K<sub>1</sub> and K<sub>3</sub> in ipAMS and opAMS suggesting the presence of a ferromagnetic oxide like hematite (after magnetite) but with a different orientation from the paramagnetic minerals. Nevertheless, it should be noted that in samples with low K<sub>m</sub> values, the presence of ferromagnetic minerals is scarce (or absent) and the opAMS has minor accuracy (the associated error is greater). The opAMS findings attain similar results to the anisotropy of anhysteretic remanent magnetization (AARM) studies, once both are related to the presence of ferromagnetic minerals, and their magnetic properties. However, the opAMS does not require the permanent magnetization of samples and is measured simultaneously with the ipAMS. With further works, a larger number of samples will be measured to accomplish more information, and AARM measurements will be performed on the same samples to compare the ipAMS, opAMS, and AARM tensors.</p><p>Acknowledgements: This work was funded by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) under UIDB/04683/2020 project.</p>

Electrochemical Response of Highly Porous Percolative CGO Electrospun Membranes

Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) is here used to characterize highly porous Ce0.9Gd0.1O1.95 (CGO, ca. 90% vol. of porosity) free-supporting nano-fibrous thick (100μm) membranes, fabricated via an electrospinning technique. The investigation of the calcination temperature influence on the microstructure indicates an evolution of the single nanofiber’s microstructure with a gradual grain growth from densely packed polycrystalline to pearl collar-like structures at increasing temperatures. This evolution is accompanied by brittleness for samples treated at temperatures above 800 °C. The electrochemical characterization suggests an ionic percolative conductivity that exploits both the bulk-lattice conduction along the individual nanofibers and interfacial conduction across different nanofibers at their intersections. Optimized membranes treated at 600 and 700 °C exhibit a similar electrochemical bulk response, but different interfacial electrochemical behavior (low frequency) associated with a grain size effect.

Characterization of bulk to thin wall mechanical response transition in powder bed AM

Purpose In the development of powder bed additive manufacturing (AM) process parameters, the characterization of mechanical properties is generally performed through relatively large mechanical test samples that represent a bulk response. This provides an accurate representation of mechanical properties for equivalently sized or larger parts. However, as feature size is reduced, mechanical properties transition from a standard bulk response to a thin wall response where lower power border scans and surface roughness have a larger effect. Design/methodology/approach For this study, samples of wall thickness varying between 4.0 and 0.25 mm were built in 304L on the selective laser melting (SLM) platform and Ti-6Al-4V on the electron beam melting (EBM) platform. Samples were then mechanically tested, and fractography was performed for analysis. Findings This study experimentally identifies the threshold between bulk and thin wall mechanical properties for 304L SS on the SLM platform and Ti-6Al-4V on the EBM platform. A possible method for improving those properties and shifting the transition from bulk to thin wall response to smaller wall thicknesses by manipulation of scan pattern was investigated. Originality/value This study is a novel investigation into the effect of reduced wall thickness on the mechanical properties of a part produced by powder bed AM.

Hypoxia-elicited catecholamine release is controlled by L-type as well as N/PQ types of calcium channels in rat embryo chromaffin cells

At early life, the adrenal chromaffin cells respond with a catecholamine surge under hypoxic conditions. This response depends on Ca2+ entry through voltage-activated calcium channels (VACCs). We have investigated here three unresolved questions that concern this response in rat embryo chromaffin cells (ECCs): 1) the relative contribution of L (α1D, Cav1.3), N (α1B, Cav2.2), and PQ (α1A, Cav2.1) to the whole cell Ca2+ current ( ICa); 2) the relative contribution of L and N/PQ channels to the cytosolic Ca2+ elevations triggered by hypoxia (Δ[Ca2+]c); and 3) the role of L and non-L high-VACCs in the regulation of the catecholamine surge occurring during prolonged (1 min) hypoxia exposure of ECCs. Nimodipine halved peak ICa and blocked 60% the total Ca2+ entry during a 50-ms depolarizing pulse to 0 mV (QCa). Combined ω-agatoxin IVA plus ω-conotoxin GVIA (Aga/GVIA) blocked 30% of both ICa peak and QCa. This relative proportion of L- and non-L VACCs was corroborated by Western blot that indicated 55, 23, and 25% relative expression of L, N, and PQ VACCs. Exposure of ECCs to hypoxia elicited a mild but sustained Δ[Ca2+]c; the area of Δ[Ca2+]c was blocked 50% by nifedipine and 10% by Aga/GVIA. Exposure of ECCs to 1-min hypoxia elicited an initial transient burst of amperometric secretory spikes followed by scattered spikes along the time of cell exposure to hypoxia. This bulk response was blocked 85% by nimodipine and 35% by Aga/GVIA. Histograms on secretory spike frequency vs. time indicated a faster initial inactivation when Ca2+ entry took place through N/PQ channels; more sustained secretion but at a lower rate was associated to Ca2+ entry through L channels. The results suggest that the HIS response may initially be controlled by L and P/Q channels, but later on, N/PQ channels inactivate and the delayed HIS response is maintained at lower rate by slow-inactivating L channels.