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Abstract: In this paper, design and fabrication of a micro direct methanol fuel cell based on stainless steel in two kind of active and passive with cross strip and parallel flow field are presented. Dropping pressure, velocity and heat transfer of the cell is simulated by a 3D modeling in fluent software. An optimum operating condition of the cell is obtained by the mass flow and temperature limitation. The cell was tested in different temperatures and mass flow rate and the cell performance is investigated in different condition. Maximum power density of the cell in active condition and at 60°C was 170mW/cm2 and in passive condition was 85mW/cm2. A μDMFC with different flow field is investigated. Cross strip flow field has shown better performance and the effect of cell orientation on performance is also investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In recent years, Particle Tracking Velocimetry (PTV) has been extensively used to measure the translational velocity field of granular assemblies in applications such as vibrated beds, rotating drums and Couette shear cells. However, this technique has not yet been shown to be able to determine the velocity field of non-spherical particles. The aim of this paper is to develop an improved PTV technique to determine translational and rotational velocities for non-spherical particles. To prove the feasibility of this new PTV technique, it was employed to investigate the convection behaviour of non-spherical particles in a vibrated bed. In the demonstration example, paired POM particles made by gluing two single POM beads were studied. The test example was a single layer quasi-2D model. The transport properties of the paired POM particles in a vibrated bed, such as local average velocities, local fluctuation velocities, granular temperatures, fluctuation velocity distributions, self-diffusion coefficients and dimensionless convection flow rates, were evaluated from the experimental results and discussed. The developed improved PTV technique is shown to have the ability to measure more accurately the velocity field of non-spherical particulate systems. The study has demonstrated the convection phenomenon of non-spherical particles in a vibrated bed and has shown that particle rotation is significant in the vibrated granular bed. In such a granular system with convection phenomenon, the average rotational kinetic energy constitutes approximately 5.4% of the average kinetic energy and in some local regions the rotational granular temperature amounts to over 17% of the total granular temperature. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Several approaches of hydrogenotrophic denitrification of potable water as well as technical data and mathematical models that were developed for the process are reviewed. Most of the applications that were tested for hydrogenotrophic process achieved great efficiency, high denitrification rates, and operational simplicity. Moreover, this paper reviews the variety of reactor configurations that have been used for hydrogen gas generation and efficient hydrogen delivery. Microbial communities and species that participate in the denitrification process are also reported. The variation of nitrate concentration, pH, temperature, alkalinity, carbon and microbial acclimation was found to affect the denitrification rates. The main results regarding research progress on hydrogenotrophic denitrification are evaluated. Finally, the commonly used models and simulation approaches are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper reports the experimental investigation of a model for predicting flow pattern transitions and for the validation of void fraction models and correlations proposed in the authors'' previous publications and for the identification of flow regimes in data corresponding to annular flow downward condensation of R134a in a vertical smooth copper tube having an inner diameter of 8.1mm and a length of 500mm. R134a and water are used as working fluids on the tube side and annular side, respectively, of a double tube heat exchanger. Condensation experiments are done at mass fluxes of 260 and 515kgm−2 s−1 in the high mass flux region of R134a. The condensing temperatures are between 40 and 50°C; heat fluxes are between 10.16 and 66.61kWm−2. A mathematical model proposed by Soliman based on the models of Kosky and Lockhart–Martinelli is used to determine the condensation film thickness of R134a. Comparative void fraction values are determined indirectly using the measured data under laminar and turbulent flow conditions together with various void fraction models and correlations reported in the literature. There is good agreement between the void fraction results obtained from the theoretical model and those obtained from the void fraction models of Soliman, Chisholm and Armand, Turner and Wallis, Smith, Spedding and Spence previously proposed in the authors'' publications and tested against their experimental database. Various well-known flow regime correlations from the literature are investigated to identify the flow regime occurring in the test tube, the correlations of Taitel and Dukler, Dobson, Akbar et al., Breber et al., Cavallini et al., and Sardesai et al. can provide accurate estimates of the annular flow conditions in spite of their different working conditions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: It is a normal practice to consider the reduction of modal frequencies as an indicator for structural damage but some long-term monitoring studies revealed that the structural modal frequencies exhibited substantial seasonal variation without evidence of structural damage. Therefore, in order to perform reliable and consistent assessment on the health condition of civil engineering infrastructures, it is an indispensable task to quantify the modal frequency fluctuation induced by change of ambient conditions, such as temperature and humidity. In other words, it is necessary to distinguish the inevitable ambient interference from the abnormal changes due to structural damage and deterioration. In this paper, one-year daily measurement of a 22-storey reinforced concrete building is utilized to trace the variation of its modal frequencies, which are identified using the Bayesian spectral density approach with the ambient vibration data. Then, the Timoshenko beam model is considered to construct the mathematical model for the modal frequency–ambient condition relationship. Since the Timoshenko beam model incorporates both the shear and flexural deformation, it is appropriate for the behavior of buildings with different aspect ratios and configurations. Finally, Bayesian analysis is conducted to quantify the uncertain parameters in the modal frequency–ambient condition model. Results show that explicit consideration of the ambient temperature and relative humidity is essential for long-term structural health monitoring. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper the two main drawbacks of the heat balance integral methods are examined. Firstly we investigate the choice of approximating function. For a standard polynomial form it is shown that combining the heat balance and refined integral methods to determine the power of the highest order term will either lead to the same, or more often, greatly improved accuracy on standard methods. Secondly we examine thermal problems with a time-dependent boundary condition. In doing so we develop a logarithmic approximating function. This new function allows us to model moving peaks in the temperature profile, a feature that previous heat balance methods cannot capture. If the boundary temperature varies so that at some time t >0 it equals the far-field temperature, then standard methods predict that the temperature is everywhere at this constant value. The new method predicts the correct behaviour. It is also shown that this function provides even more accurate results, when coupled with the new CIM, than the polynomial profile. Analysis primarily focuses on a specified constant boundary temperature and is then extended to constant flux, Newton cooling and time dependent boundary conditions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: It is generally accepted that small-scale gravity waves (GW) produce the observed reversals in the zonal circulation and temperature variations of the upper mesosphere (e.g., ). There is evidence that GW also play an important role in the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) of the lower stratosphere, which can be generated by planetary waves (). In the present paper, we summarize the modeling studies with the mechanistic numerical spectral model (NSM), which incorporates the Doppler spread parameterization for GW (). Our studies illuminate the importance of GW filtering and momentum deposition associated with critical level absorption and wave braking. Numerical results from the 2D and 3D versions of the NSM show how these wave interactions generate in the zonal-mean: (a) annual and semi-annual oscillations, (b) QBO with related semi-decadal oscillation and solar cycle effects, and (c) monthly intra-seasonal oscillations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In a fuel cell of low temperature, especially a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC), fuel crossover phenomenon plays a significant role not only in its performance evaluation and analysis, but also in the optimum control under various operating conditions. A quantitative prediction of the fuel crossover flux thus becomes essential. Generally speaking, the theoretical approaches to the issue will be dramatically complex and less practical. On the other hand, experimental schemes are time-consuming and less capable of further analysis and applications. Consequently, a semi-empirical model that incorporates dominant physical parameters and operating variables is proposed in this paper to adequately evaluate the phenomenon of fuel crossover fluxes. It is stated analytically in the form of an algebraic function, in which the fuel concentration, the current density, and the temperature of the fuel cell are considered. It is therefore more suitable for a variety of in-situ applications. In the proposed model, the methanol concentration gradient in the anode backing layer, the anode catalyst layer, and the membrane are analyzed. The transfer behavior of methanol is modeled on the basis of diffusion and electro-osmosis mechanisms. By means of the proposed model, one can obtain a better prediction and a clearer picture of the effects of operating variables and physical parameters on methanol crossover fluxes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Results of computational modeling and simulation of the response of monolithic DH-36 steel plates and bilayer steel-polyurea plates to impulsive loads in direct pressure-pulse experiments (), are presented and discussed. The corresponding experiments and their results are presented in an accompanying paper (). The entire experimental setup is modeled using the finite-element code, LS-DYNA, in which a physics-based temperature- and strain rate-sensitive constitutive model for DH-36 steel, developed by ) and an experimentally supported temperature-, rate-, and pressure-sensitive constitutive model for polyurea, developed and incorporated into the computer code, LS-DYNA, by , have been implemented. The transient response of the plates under impulsive pressure loads is studied, focusing on the effects of the relative position of polyurea with respect to the loading direction, the thickness of the polyurea layer, and the polyurea-steel interface bonding strength. The numerical simulations of the entire experiment support the experimentally observed results reported by . [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper deals with the development of methods for non steady state test of solar thermal collectors. Our goal is to infer performances in steady-state conditions in terms of the efficiency curve when measures in transient conditions are the only ones available. We take into consideration the method of identification of a system in dynamic conditions by applying a Graybox Identification Model and a Dynamic Adaptative Linear Neural Network (ALNN) model. The study targets the solar collector with evacuated pipes, such as Dewar pipes. The mathematical description that supervises the functioning of the solar collector in transient conditions is developed using the equation of the energy balance, with the aim of determining the order and architecture of the two models. The input and output vectors of the two models are constructed, considering the measures of 4 days of solar radiation, flow mass, environment and heat-transfer fluid temperature in the inlet and outlet from the thermal solar collector. The efficiency curves derived from the two models are detected in correspondence to the test and validation points. The two synthetic simulated efficiency curves are compared with the actual efficiency curve certified by the Swiss Institute Solartechnik Pufung Forschung which tested the solar collector performance in steady-state conditions according to the UNI-EN 12975 standard. An acquisition set of measurements of only 4 days in the transient condition was enough to trace through a Graybox State Space Model the efficiency curve of the tested solar thermal collector, with a relative error of synthetic values with respect to efficiency certified by SPF, lower than 0.5%, while with the ALNN model the error is lower than 2.2% with respect to certified one. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, some models of comparative combustion characteristics for gasoline and hydrogen fuelled spark ignition internal combustion engines were developed and discussed from a thermodynamic and heat transfer perspective. The geometry used was that of a 3.4L GM V6 engine with a compression ratio of 9.5:1. Models for mass fraction burned, pressure, temperature, and gas speed were developed according to the literature survey and graphed over the cycle range. Furthermore, Pressure–Volume and Temperature–Entropy models were developed for both gasoline and hydrogen fuelled engines. Analysis of these models indicated approximately a 6.42% increase thermal efficiency for the hydrogen fuelled engine due to less exhaust blow down, less heat rejection during the exhaust stroke, and its shorter combustion duration closer to TDC. However, it was found that the hydrogen fuelled engine had approximately a 35.0% decrease in power output at an equivalence ratio of 1.0 due to the decrease in MEP and a greater amount of heat transfer to the cooling system due to the increased combustion temperatures, shorter quenching distance associated with H2 combustion and greater flame speed. Finally, an increase in cycle temperatures and pressures was observed from increasing the equivalence ratio from 0.4 to 1.0 to 1.2. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Hydrogen jet flames resulting from ignition of unintended releases can be extensive in length and pose significant radiation and impingement hazards. Depending on the leak diameter and source pressure, the resulting consequence distances can be unacceptably large. One possible mitigation strategy to reduce exposure to jet flames is to incorporate barriers around hydrogen storage and delivery equipment. While reducing the extent of unacceptable consequences, the walls may introduce other hazards if not properly configured. An experimental and modeling program has been performed at Sandia National Laboratories to better characterize the effectiveness of barrier walls to reduce hazards. This paper describes the experimental and modeling program and presents results obtained for various barrier configurations. The experimental measurements include flame deflection using standard and infrared video and high-speed movies (500 fps) to study initial flame propagation from the ignition source. Measurements of the ignition overpressure, wall deflection, radiative heat flux, and wall and gas temperature were also made at strategic locations. The modeling effort includes three-dimensional calculations of jet flame deflection by the barriers, computations of the thermal radiation field around barriers, predicted overpressure from ignition, and the computation of the concentration field from deflected unignited hydrogen releases. The various barrier designs are evaluated in terms of their mitigation effectiveness for the associated hazards present. The results show that barrier walls are effective at deflecting jet flames in a desired direction and can help attenuate the effects of ignition overpressure and flame radiative heat flux. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper presents an analysis of the effects of heat sources on performance of a planar anode-supported solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). Heat sources in SOFCs include ohmic heat losses, heat released by chemical and electrochemical processes and radiation. We take into account the first three types of heat source here while neglecting the last type as it is supposed to be negligibly small. The cell is working under conditions of direct internal reforming of methane and with co-flow configuration. The composite electrodes are discretized allowing the heat source associated with the electrochemical processes to be implemented in a layer of finite thickness. Two cases are investigated, one where the electrochemical heat source is implemented on the anode side (base case) and another where it is implemented on the cathode side. Results for temperature, current density and chemical species distribution of the base case are shown and discussed. Moreover, the effects of magnitude and location of the heat sources are discussed. The results show that including ohmic heating in the cell model does have a significant effect on the predicted cell performance. Comparisons between the two cases indicate that the location of the electrochemical heat source does not affect the cell performance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The first objective of this paper investigates the influence of the previous strain history on ratcheting. New tests were performed where different strain-controlled histories have been applied prior to ratcheting tests. It is demonstrated that under the same conditions, one can observe ratcheting, plastic shakedown or elasticity according to the prior strain-controlled history. The second objective points out the correlation between the experimental data base devoted to the identification of the material parameters and the quality of the predictions in cyclic plasticity. The results suggest that the choice of the tests should be closely linked to the capabilities of the model. In particular, the presence of non proportional strain-controlled tests in the data base may be not a good choice if the model itself is not able to represent explicitly such a character. All tests considered here were performed on 304L SS at room temperature. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A single-blow transient test technique based on axial dispersion model is proposed for the determination of both heat transfer coefficient and axial dispersion coefficient in plate heat exchangers, characterized by NTU and dispersive Peclet number respectively. The present experimental analysis deals with the effect of flow maldistribution on the transient temperature response for U-type plate heat exchangers. The experiments are carried out with uniform and non-uniform flow distributions for various flow rates and two different numbers of plates. Special effort has been made to differentiate the deviation from plug flow due to flow maldistribution and fluid backmixing. The fluid axial dispersion is used to characterize the backmixing and other deviations from plug flow. Due to unequal distribution of the fluid, the velocity of the fluid varies from channel to channel and hence the heat transfer coefficient variations are also taken into consideration. The computed outlet fluid temperatures are compared with experimental outlet temperatures, and the values of dispersive Peclet numbers are estimated. The results indicate that in order to get parameters independent of the number of plate used in single-blow experiment, it is essential to isolate flow maldistribution from backmixing. This paper has brought out a practical way in which this isolation can be done in the process of data reduction through suitable computational model. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper presents a heat and mass transfer simulation of an adsorber, taking into consideration the geometry of the heat exchanger and the diffusion in the adsorbent medium. In this model, an increment in the direction of heating/cooling fluid containing one (or more) fin pitch was considered. In the domain of this increment, the distribution of the adsorbent temperature was evaluated in the radial and axial directions. The model is validated by experimental data of different adsorbents, volume flows and temperatures. All data were collected in an adsorber test-bench at Fraunhofer ISE. As a result it was found a coefficient of multiple determination of around 0.94 and an error of 20% during the transient. Finally, the model was run on typical operation for cooling application and compared with data from literature. A numerical energy balance was also evaluated. In summary, the results obtained by a independent group shows the same range of confidence of the model developed here, in terms of the tendency of the curves and even the absolute values. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Preconsolidation pressure (p c ) is an important parameter in soil mechanics. For conventional unfrozen soils, p c is an index of the loading history and has a close relationship with the mechanical properties of soils. For frozen soils, special structures exist due to the interaction between ice and soil grains. A similar index like p c may exist in frozen soils, which is of great importance in the study of their mechanical properties. In this paper, clay obtained from the Qinghai–Tibet Railway is taken as the study object. K 0 compression tests were carried out on remolded soil samples with a wide range of dry unit weights under different negative temperatures. Double logarithmic coordinates were used to obtain the preconsolidation pressure index of the frozen soil. The test results show that an index does exist in the frozen soil, which is called pseudo-preconsolidation pressure (PPC) to take into account its different nature to p c in conventional soil mechanics. The test results also show that PPC is dependent on the initial dry unit weight of the frozen soil, but temperature is a more dominant factor. In order to investigate the influence of creep on frozen soils and use creep models for unfrozen soft soils, creep tests were carried out at different creep times at different temperatures. PPC was found to change in different ways with different pre-loads during creep. Further more extensive studies on the creep effects of pre-load on PPC would help to establish creep models for frozen soils. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper presents the experimental investigations on the strength of frozen sand by conducting the triaxial compressive tests under confining pressures varying from 0.0 to 18.0MPa at a temperature of −4°C. The results demonstrated that the strength of frozen sand increases with increasing in confining pressure at first, and then decreases with a further increasing in confining pressure for pressure melting and crushing phenomena. A strength criterion is presented to describe the failure mechanism of frozen sand under general stress state by the combination of strength function F 1(p) in p–q plane and F 2(q, θ σ ) in π plane. In this study, the strength function F 1(p) was well fitted by cubic polynomial equation, considering the pressure melting and crushing phenomena of frozen sand under high confining pressures. The strength function F 2(q, θ σ ) derived from the extended Matsuoka–Nakai model, considering the influence of hydrostatic pressure, was used. All the parameters of this failure criterion can be easily determined using the conventional triaxial compression tests. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A numerical model for the calculation of the electrical characteristics of donor-doped BaTiO3 semiconducting ceramics is suggested. This paper established a differential equation about electron level on the base of Poisson equation, and solved the equation with Runge–Kutta method. Under extra electric field, electrical characteristics have been calculated by the method of tilted energy band. We have quantitatively computed the positive temperature coefficient of resistivity (PTCR) behavior of donor-doped BaTiO3 semiconducting ceramics and its voltage effect, and further obtained non-linear current–voltage characteristics with different grain sizes at different temperature. The results pointed out that the resistance jumping is reduced with increasing electric field applied; current and voltage relation follows Ohm''s law below Curie temperature, and exhibits strong non-linear above Curie temperature; the non-linear coefficient shows a maximum value at temperature the resistivity reaches maximum and with grain size closed to depletion region width. The results are compared with experimental data. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A computational strategy is developed to model the effects and interactions of non-metallic inclusions with metal bases. As an industrial case study, the present paper characterises the local elasto-plastic deformation and residual stress distribution induced through the sintering process of the diamond–metal matrix hot-pressed tool, which is a special metal matrix composite (MMC) reinforced by diamond particles, with average diameters ranging from 10μm to 0.5mm, to increase the capability for cutting hard materials such as stones. The residual stress fields in the nearby region of a diamond particle via plastic deformation due to sintering process are examined to study the effects of the sintering temperatures and the compression pressure on the upper surface of the metal matrix during the sintering process. In the simulations, the metal matrix is modelled as an elastic–plastic material with combined isotropic–kinematic hardening. The diamond particle is modelled as isotropic and linear elastic. For simplicity, two geometries of the diamond particles are considered to study their effects on local plastic deformation and residual stress distributions. All simulations were performed using the ABAQUS finite element code. For the diamond particles embedded inside the metal matrix, 8-node axisymmetric quadrilateral, reduced integration ABAQUS solid element type CAX8 is used. For the diamond particles on the surface of the matrix, 4-node reduced integration ABAQUS solid element type C3D4 is used in the simulations. Simulating the sintering process and the cutting forces in service, it is demonstrated that the diamond retention capacity induced by the metal matrix (important for extending the life of a diamond tool) is mainly dependent on the sintering process. Optimum design of the diamond cutting tools can be achieved by selecting the appropriate sintering temperatures, the stress–strain behaviour of the metal matrix, the diamond particle shape and the compression pressure on the upper surface of the metal matrix during the sintering process. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper presents a complete modeling approach to analyze the thermal behavior of microprocessor-based systems. While most compact modeling approaches require a deep knowledge of the implementation details, our method defines a black box technique which can be applied to different target processors when this detailed information is unknown. The obtained results show high accuracy, applicability and can be easily automated. The proposed methodology has been used to study the impact of code transformations in the thermal behavior of the chip. Finally, the analysis of the thermal effect of the source code modifications can be included in a temperature-aware compiler which minimizes the total temperature of the chip, as well as the temperature gradients, according to these guidelines. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Infrared (IR) measurements of the surface temperature of electronic devices have improved over the last decade. However, to obtain more accurate surface temperatures the devices are often coated with a high emissivity coating leading to temperature averaging across the device surface and possible damage to the device. This paper will look at the problems of making accurate surface temperature measurements particularly on areas of transparent semiconductor and will address the surface emissivity and surface temperature correction problem using novel measurement approaches based on a mathematical model. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The main aim of this paper was to experimentally determine the amount of ice instantaneously formed after expansion during high-pressure shift freezing (HPSF). To do that, an easy, quick and cheap procedure was developed able to obtain accurate ice ratio estimations from temperature data of the sample after the pressure release. Very different pressure and temperature conditions, both near and far from the melting curve liquid–ice I, were chosen to produce different amounts of ice after expansion in HPSF experiments. Sucrose solutions of several concentrations (10%, 20%, 30% and 40% w/w) were also employed to study the influence of the water content of the sample. Good agreement was found between experimental estimations and theoretical predictions from the heat balance model for all the pressure and temperature conditions tested. The results showed that increasing pressure at a given temperature before expansion is an effective and fast way to increase the amount of ice produced. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The objective of this paper is to present the development of an effective thermal conductivity model for simulation of thermo-hydro-mechanical processes of geological porous media. The Wiener bounds and Hashin–Shtrikman bounds for thermal conductivity of three-phase mixture are introduced first, followed by descriptions of thermal conductivities of gas, water and solid, respectively. The derivation of a new effective thermal conductivity model, in closed form, is then presented. The model considers the combined effects of solid mineral composition, temperature, liquid saturation degree, porosity and pressure on the effective thermal conductivity of porous media, when multiphase flow with phase change is involved. The model strictly obeys the Wiener bounds (for anisotropic media) and Hashin–Shtrikman bounds (for isotropic media) over wide ranges of porosities and saturations, and the predicted results agrees very well with the experimental data for MX80 bentonite, compared with Johansen''s method. An experimental benchmark test problem under laboratory conditions for coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical processes of compacted FEBEX bentonite is simulated for validation of the model, and the results show that the model provides improved predictions of the evolution and distribution of temperature, with simpler forms of mathematical functions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In the present study, a 3D numerical simulation of a whole heat exchanger with middle-overlapped helical baffles is carried out by using commercial codes of GAMBIT 2.3 and FLEUNT 6.3. At first, the computational model and numerical method of the whole heat exchanger with middle-overlapped helical baffles is presented in detail, and parallel computation mode is adopted for the simulation of a whole heat exchanger with six cycles of the middle-overlapped helical baffles of 40° helical angle on a grid system of 13.5-million cells; second, the validation of the computational model is performed by comparing the total pressure drop and average Nusselt number of the whole heat exchanger with experimental data. Reasonably good agreement is obtained, and the reasons causing to the discrepancy are analyzed. The shell-side fluid pressure and temperature fields of the whole area are then presented. Finally the cycle average Nusselt number of different cycle in the heat exchanger are compared and it is found that within the accuracy allowed in engineering computation, periodic model for one cycle can be used to investigate the heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics for different heat exchanger to save computational source. The companion paper will provide details of simulation results using the periodic model for different helical angles and different structures of helical baffles. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, the characteristic dynamics and pattern formation of polymer–solvent system, undergoing thermal induced phase separation (spinodal decomposition), have been studied using non-linear simulations. The modified Cahn–Hilliard equation with the incorporation of the Flory–Huggins free energy model is used. The development of a wide variety of initial and intermediate stage morphology is feasible either by introducing sharp/continuous spatial temperature variation or by altering the initial mean solvent concentration (Co ) in the vicinity of the minima (Cm ) of the spinodal parameter (second derivative of excess Gibbs free energy w.r.t concentration). For Co < Cm initial stage of phase separation proceeds by the formation of columns/island of the solvent rich phase dispersed in polymer rich continuous phase. On the contrary, Co > Cm , phase separation leads to formation of holes of polymer rich phase dispersed in the continuous solvent rich phase. For an intermediate mean concentration very close to Cm inter-connecting structures are evolved. A continuous variation of spatial temperature leads to the directional (rather than random) evolution of phase separated pattern. The initial stage of evolution always propagates from the lowest to the highest temperature regime. A spatial step variation of temperature leads to formation of localized novel phase separated patterns. For a flow system, the dynamics and pattern formation can be controlled by tuning the different timescales: timescale of convection, de-mixing and coalescence. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Energy demand depends on outdoor temperature in a ‘u’ shaped fashion. Various studies have used this temperature dependence to investigate the effects of climate change on energy demand. Such studies contain implicit or explicit assumptions to describe expected socio-economic changes that may affect future energy demand. This paper critically analyzes these implicit or explicit assumptions and their possible effect on the studies'' outcomes. First we analyze the interaction between the socio-economic structure and the temperature dependence pattern (TDP) of energy demand. We find that socio-economic changes may alter the TDP in various ways. Next we investigate how current studies manage these dynamics in socio-economic structure. We find that many studies systematically misrepresent the possible effect of socio-economic changes on the TDP of energy demand. Finally, we assess the consequences of these misrepresentations in an energy demand model based on temperature dependence and climate scenarios. Our model results indicate that expected socio-economic dynamics generally lead to an underestimation of future energy demand in models that misrepresent such dynamics. We conclude that future energy demand models should improve the incorporation of socio-economic dynamics. We propose dynamically modeling several key parameters and using direct meteorological data instead of degree days. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In multi-band and inter-metallic materials superconductivity can be destroyed by applying external pressure in these systems. In many cases the critical temperature is driven continuously to zero, the superconducting to normal transition being associated with a superconducting quantum critical point (SQCP). In this paper we propose a model for this type of SQCP based on the increase of hybridization as pressure is applied in the material. We study a two-band superconductor with hybridization V between these bands. We use a BCS approximation and include both inter- and intra-band attractive interactions. We show that for negligible inter-band interactions, as hybridization increases there is a second order phase transition from a superconductor to a normal state at zero temperature at a critical value of the hybridization . This SQCP can be reached by pressure, since this external parameter controls hybridization in the system. We also find discontinuous transitions at zero temperature and the appearance of a gapless superconducting (GS) phase in a certain range of hybridization in the case of inter-band interactions being dominant. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The influence of the hydrothermal treatment conditions of rice straw (temperature – 150–190°C , time – 0–20min after reaching the operation temperature – and liquid/solid ratio – 6–8), on the composition of liquid and solid fractions was studied. Polynomial models were found for to reproduce the experimental results with errors less than 6%. Operating to 190°C, 15min and 9 liquid/solid ratio was obtained high values of glucose (1.92g/L), xylose (3.97g/L), arabinose (0.99g/L) and acetic acid (1.96g/L), what allows to save capital when not operating with the maximum time and/or liquid/solid ratio; yield in the solid fraction is 88.1% and lignin content 24.43%. If what it is required to obtain good values of yield (96.46%) and lignin content, is necessary to operate to 150°C, obtaining lower concentrations glucose (1.11%), xylose (2.78%), arabinose (0.56%) and acetic acid (0.39%). Ethanolamine pulping of solid fraction of hydrothermal treatment provides pulp with higher or similar properties to those obtained of pulping rice straw with ethanolamine or soda. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The impact of high hydrostatic pressure and temperature on the stability of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) was studied in cloudy apple juice. Application of 200–500 MPa near room temperature or heat treatment at 45–55 °C at ambient pressure caused an increase of PPO activity of up to 65% in freshly squeezed apple juice. Combined pressure–temperature inactivation experiments with fully activated PPO (5 min treatment at 400 MPa and 20 °C) were carried out in the range of 0.1–700 MPa and 20–80 °C. Enzyme inactivation kinetics followed a 2.2 order reaction scheme at all pressure–temperature conditions tested. A polynomial model was successfully applied to describe the rate of PPO inactivation as a function of pressure and temperature and was used to construct a pressure–temperature isokinetic diagram. This diagram clearly showed synergistic effects of pressure and temperature on the inactivation of apple PPO at pressures above 300 MPa and antagonistic effects at lower pressures. Compared to ambient pressure conditions, temperatures required to inactivate PPO in apple juice were increased 10–15 °C at 100–300 MPa. Industrial relevance: High pressure processing of fresh fruits is gaining popularity in the food industry because of its ability to inactivate microorganisms and some enzymes near room temperature with little impact on flavour or nutritional attributes of the food. However, quantitative data regarding the impact of process parameters on the target reaction are required to economically utilise this technology. This paper provides a mathematical model describing the combined effect of pressure, temperature and treatment time on the inactivation of PPO in cloudy apple juice. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, a more realistic approach of a non-uniform optically thick plasma in local thermodynamic equilibrium was applied to describe self-reversal of Co I 340.51 nm emission line recorded from a laser-induced plasma generated on a Co–Cr–Mo metallic alloy. This line was selected because it is one of the most absorbed of the major elements in air at atmospheric pressure. The model describes the behavior of the plasma after the breakdown, and it was semiempirical thus, some information was taken from the experiment. A cylinder-symmetrical plasma column with a parabolic temperature distribution having a maximum at the center and decreasing toward the edges was considered. The input parameters were the plasma length, the temperature in the plasma core, and the Co total density, which were estimated from measurements and previous work. Moreover, the distribution of electron density depended on the temperature, and the ionization degree was taken into account through Saha equation. Then, plasma parameters were adjusted in such a way calculations reproduced the experimentally measured line profiles. The effect of varying laser power on plasma homogeneity and its evolution in time were investigated. Moreover, preliminary results of spatial distribution of plasma parameters were obtained that confirmed the practical application of the model on plasma diagnostics. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Thermochronological studies of Variscan basement in Iberia yield cooling ages typically younger than ~200 Ma. In this paper, we explore the regional implications of this recurrent age maximum by examination of low and high temperature thermochronological datasets from all over Iberia. Based on these results, we show that in general the lack of cooling ages older than 200 Ma is the result of several important regional periods of thermal resetting. Resetting took place in areas of extension and burial during the Mesozoic break-up of Pangea. Evidence for large scale magmatism and mineralisation is found in Iberia during the Mesozoic, since at that time Iberia formed part of the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province and a large mineralization province extending from North Africa to Western Europe. Numerical modelling allows us to assess the conditions under which rocks in the upper crust may have been thermally reset and the mechanisms likely involved. Results show that active rifting combined with shallow magmatism, and to a lesser extent deep sedimentary burial, could have led to an increase of the geothermal gradient up to ~73 °C/km and the reset of thermochronometers with closure temperatures up to 200 °C. Yet, we suggest that also hydrothermal activity, associated to extensional basins, played an important role to the increase of temperatures of some basement rocks above 300 °C. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Accurate thermal interface characterization is essential for high flux microelectronic package design. However, it is increasingly difficult as interfacial bond lines are thinned and thermal interface materials (TIM) evolve to more complex formulations with better performance. This paper compares a static versus transient characterization method targeted at the chip-to-package interface in a test fixture that closely resembles a packaged chip. The static method requires measurements over multiple bond line thicknesses while the transient method yields additional information about the package at the cost of greater numerical complexity, hardware requirements, sensitivity to noise and experimental uncertainty. Both are compared with existing techniques. We conclude that the static method is more generally-applicable while transient is well-suited to rapid characterization of the interface when the rest of the package is well-defined. While both methods are sensitive to the accuracy and resolution of temperature and bondline thickness measurements, the transient technique is additionally sensitive to the relative contribution of the TIM in the full junction-to-ambient thermal path. These points are illustrated through experimental results and compact numerical modeling. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper compares four assembly solutions for power converters operating in sealed enclosures with tight temperature specifications. The specific application of interest is one of the DC/DC converters of a power supply system to be used in high-energy-physics experiments: the sealed case must not significantly alter the temperature of the surrounding components (detectors and their electronics). The comparison is made using 3D Finite Element thermal modeling. The standard FR4 board solution is shown not to be viable under these tight temperature specs; we therefore explore alternative assemblies for the stack connecting the active devices to the heat-sink. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, we propose to model charge variation in Multi-Level Cells in NOR Flash memories. We first define a sensitivity-to-temperature factor to determine the number of involved mechanisms. Then, according to previous studies, we can use the Poole–Frenkel (PF) and/or the Fowler–Nordheim (FN) equations to model every charge loss, which we apply to our cells. We succeed in modeling our data retention measurements by superimposing these two phenomena, being, respectively preponderant at the beginning and at the end of the data retention measurements, as shown by the factor of sensitivity-to-temperature. We have then found a relationship between temperatures to evaluate our cells lifetime. We validate that the classical 1/T Arrhenius law is not the most appropriate and that a T model can be better. We also model a fictive charge gain by using a negative charge front displacement in the tunnel oxide. This study can easily be extended to any floating gate non-volatile memory. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, a continuum viscoplastic model including damage effects is used to describe the creep deformation and damage mechanisms of P92 steel in the temperature range 550–750°C. In a first step, the results of creep tests performed at 575°C are presented and compared to other literature results in order to bring the main mechanisms of P92 steel creep behaviour into relief. Subsequently, a model from the literature is chosen, implemented in a F.E. code and identified on the basis of experimental results obtained at different temperatures. Validation simulations show that the model reasonably simulates the creep and tensile response of the material. Last, specific aspects of the modelling regarding long-term evolutions are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper describes a component model for dowelled timber connections under fire loading. The component model of the dowelled connection is first developed and calibrated for room temperature. The constitutive relations for dowel–timber interaction are detailed and compared with experimental results. In the fire situation, a two-step approach is used: first, three-dimensional (3D) thermal analysis of the connection is performed using a conductive model with timber properties defined in Eurocode 5 in order to calculate the temperatures in the fasteners and timber; afterwards, the mechanical analysis using a component model is carried out using mechanical properties of the steel dowel and of timber adjusted to the temperatures obtained by the thermal analyses. These properties are reduced according to Eurocode 3 and Eurocode 5, respectively. Numerical simulations are presented that allow evaluation of the model behaviour and performance. Obtained results show good agreement with available experimental data, indicating that regardless of its simplicity, the component model has the capability to accurately model timber connections under fire loading. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Mill discharge temperature and differential pressure have a strong effect on efficiency and safety of a coal fired power plant. Therefore, it is imperative that they are closely monitored and controlled during mill operation to keep their levels within a predetermined safe and efficient operating range regardless of the rate at which the raw coal is fed to the mill. One way to achieve this is through a control schedule that compares the value obtained from the process to the stored set-point value to determine if there is any deviation that requires correction. This paper describes a steady state model that could be used alongside conventional controllers as an on-line shadow that provides inferential estimates of desired temperatures and pressure drops in the mill circuit which can be continuously compared with the actual values for adjustment. This would not only help to avoid the difficulties associated with direct measurement but also provide a means for early detection of drifts and failing sensors and serve as a temporal back-up for the out-of-order sensors. The model was tested using industrial data collected from four ball mills at a coal fired power plant in South Africa and the results show a reasonable agreement between the measured data and model predictions both qualitatively and quantitatively within a 5% error margin. The model outputs were found to be highly sensitive to the variation in mill loading, the primary air (PA) flow and the mill channel dimensions. Therefore, for validity of this model, accurate determination of all significant parameters is essential. For now, the model is only valid for the ball mills involved in the current study, but with availability of data it can be reproduced elsewhere. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper presents the results of the impact of a gravity-fed cooling technique applied to a photovoltaic module. The experiment shows that the technique increases the power output of the module by reversing the negative effects of elevated cell temperature on open circuit voltage, and this without the use of a circulating pump. The cooling technique employs the hydraulic head of water from an upstream source as the driving force that passes water over the back of the module, and this keeps the module temperature constant. The experimental results and the results of mathematical model on which it is predicated on are in very close agreement. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Mechanical milling (MM) is referred to a solid state size reduction process where work materials in the form of coarse particulates are broken into the ultimate fineness by means of mechanical impact created by collisions of the work materials and the milling media which are placed inside a reciprocating vial. Many milling techniques have been so far developed to improve the process. However, the efficiency of MM process is still below satisfactory in terms of energy balance, where the energy consumed by the process of reduction is still very low compared to the energy supplied to perform the milling process itself. This contributes to high energy losses and proportionally to the span of processing time. Other major problems inherent in the process are contamination by the balls and the vial materials into the work materials, and process temperature that could influence the properties of milled materials. Since MM process utilizes the energy generated by impact upon the collisions of the balls against the work materials, it is important to understand the motions of the balls, the work materials, and the vial, which are the sources of the generation of impact energy. To obtain an optimized processing condition, the motions of vial and ball in relationship with the work materials should be designed in such a way to ensure the optimum impact energy is consumed by the work materials for the size reduction purposes. This paper presents a physical model for work materials, balls, and vial collisions based on different ways of motions. Using this model, higher impact could be achieved. These would lead to the reduction of milling time, contamination, as well as milling temperature. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper describes the development of an empirical model which may be used for predicting the G*/sin δ for neat and crumb rubber modified (CRM) binders. The model was developed using 36 unique CRM binder combinations, crumb rubber concentrations were varied at 5% intervals between 5% and 20%. The effects of crumb rubber particle size on model accuracy were also studied, ultimately a model was produced with the capability of predicting G*/sin δ values over a range of temperatures and crumb rubber concentrations. By definition, the upper limit of the performance grade is dependent on the G*/sin δ value; therefore, the relationship was also considered in terms of high end failure temperature. The rubber coefficient for G*/sin δ (R cg) was identified as an important parameter in the estimation of G*/sin δ in addition to the CRM. This term is a quantitative representation of the increase typically witnessed in G*/sin δ values with the addition of CRM. Ambient ground CRM exhibited higher R cg values than cryogenically ground particles. Additionally, 95% confidence intervals were generated for the predictive model, thus providing a range of accuracy for the model. The resulting confidence intervals were approximately ±1300Pa, these confidence intervals were seen to capture 92.6% of the 462 data points used. Findings from this research suggest that the differences between cryogenic and ambient CRM binder are accurately described using the R cg, furthermore binder properties may be predicted using an empirical equation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, an artificial neural network (ANN) model has been developed to predict the yield and tensile strengths of hot pressed NiAl intermetallic compound based on the experimental data from Albiter et al. [A. Albiter, M. Salazar, E. Bedolla, R.A.L. Drew, R. Perez, Mater. Sci. Eng. A 347 (2003) 154]. The predicted results, with a correlation relation between 0.9791 and 0.9921, show a very good agreement with the experimental values. Furthermore, the sensitivity analysis was performed to investigate the importance of the effects of chemical composition and temperature on the mechanical behavior of hot pressed NiAl intermetallic compound. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Our 1985 paper (JQSRT 1985; 33: 533–549) reported the result of the research we conducted back then to better understand heat transfer processes in large-scale combustion chambers, especially in pulverized coal-fired furnaces. It was one of the first works exploring radiative transfer in three-dimensional enclosures where absorption and scattering coefficients due to combustion particles and gases were allowed to vary within the medium. This flexibility of the mathematical model made it useful for applications to realistic furnaces and different types of high-temperature systems. This note briefly discusses the motivation behind the paper and the immediate extension of the idea to different systems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]