Heterogeneity of the Dendrite Array Created in the Root of Cored SX Turbine Blades during Initial Stage of Crystallization

The roots of cored single-crystalline turbine blades made of a nickel-based CMSX-4 superalloy were studied. The casts were solidified by the vertical Bridgman method in an industrial ALD furnace using the spiral selector and selector continuer situated asymmetrically in the blade root transverse section. Scanning electron microscopy, the Laue diffraction and X-ray diffraction topography were used to visualize the dendrite array and the local crystal misorientation of the roots. It has been stated that heterogeneity of the dendrite array and creation of low-angle boundaries (LABs) are mostly related to the lateral dendrite branching and rapid growth of the secondary and tertiary dendrites near the surface of the continuer–root connection. These processes have an unsteady character. Additionally, the influence of the mould walls on the dendrite array heterogeneity was studied. The processes of the lateral growth of the secondary dendrites and competitive longitudinal growth of the tertiary dendrites are discussed and a method of reducing the heterogeneity of the root dendrite array is proposed.

Defect Creation in the Root of Single-Crystalline Turbine Blades Made of Ni-Based Superalloy

An analysis of the defects in the vicinity of the selector–root connection plane occurring during the creation of single-crystalline turbine blades made of CMSX-6 Ni-based superalloy was performed. X-ray diffraction topography, scanning electron microscopy, and positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy were used. Comparing the area of undisturbed axial growth of dendrites to the area of lateral growth concluded that the low-angle boundaries-like (LAB-like) defects were created in the root as a result of unsteady-state lateral growth of some secondary dendrite arms in layers of the root located directly at the selector–root connection plane. Additional macroscopic low-angle boundaries (LABs) with higher misorientation angles were created as a result of concave curvatures of liquidus isotherm in platform-like regions near selector–root connections. Two kinds of vacancy-type defects, mono-vacancies and vacancy clusters, were determined in relation to the LABs and LAB-like defects. Only mono-vacancies appeared in the areas of undisturbed axial growth. Reasons for the creation of macroscopic LABs and LAB-like defects, and their relationships with vacancy-type defects were discussed.

Energetic comparison of some stump-removing methods

Concerns about climate change and fossil fuel shortages are encouraging interest in stumps, as alternative energy sources. Stumps are an almost unused resource in the context of bio fuels. Stump harvesting signifies an intensification of forest management compared with conventional stem-only or above-ground biomass-only harvesting. There are many benefits of stump harvesting. These include: the production of wood fuel, fossil fuel substitution, and improved soil preparation.Removing tree trunks in Hungary has been going on according to the principle of stump extraction, which means stumps are removed by grabbing technology. Experiments have been carried out to reduce the extraction force. In the Great Hungarian Lowland, where large areas require the operation implementation, stump extraction is done by special, hydraulic driven baggers equipped with a special bucket. During operation of the equipment, we carried out measurements of the extraction force and the time requirement. The experiments are designed to carry out the measurements with different soils and different tree species. According to our proposal the suitable force and torque required to remove stumps can be significantly reduced if before the lifting the soil — root connection is loosened. One of the possible ways to implement this task is the use of vibration. Since relatively great vibration power and wide domain of frequency are necessary, therefore we prepared the loosening machinery elements of alternating-current hydraulics system. Based on constructions variants we created a tractor-mounted experimental alternating-current hydraulic stump-loosening machine. It was designed with the ability to produce horizontal vibration in order to loosen stumps.

Water Transfer in a Papaya/Corn Split-root Culture System

`Honey Jean #3' sweet corn was planted in one-half of a split-root culture system containing `Tainung 1' or `Known You 1' papaya seedlings to determine if papaya roots could transfer water to the corn seedlings. After the corn seedlings were established, water was withheld from both compartments (2/2) or only the compartment containing the corn seedlings (1/2). Control plants were grown with both halves well-watered. Pre-dawn relative water content (RWC) of corn leaves was measured as an indicator of drought stress. Following 11 days, root competition was relieved in half of the 1/2 plants by cutting the papaya root connection between the half with corn from the rest of the papaya culture system. RWC of 1/2 corn plants was maintained above that of 2/2 plants, but below that of control plants. After relieving root competition, the 1/2 plants in competition with papaya roots maintained higher RWC than the 1/2 plants relieved of competition. Leaf tissue of all corn plants except the control plants was necrotic by 30 days. The results indicate that development of drought stress in corn using this culture system was retarded by watering a portion of the papaya roots not associated with the corn roots. Drought stress was accelerated by relief of competition with papaya, which is evidence that water was being supplied by the papaya roots within the papaya/corn system.

Spinal intradural schwannoma without attachment to a nerve root

✓ The authors report an unusual case of intradural schwannoma, without demonstrable nerve root connection. An original explanation is given.