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The clustering of debris floating on liquid interfaces such as water surfaces is a complex phenomenon that finds its applications in numerous examples from industrial processing and environmental systems. The recent paper by Shin & Coletti (J. Fluid Mech. , vol. 984, 2024, R7) presents an experimental campaign investigating the three effects of turbulence, particle interactions and interfacial effects, to elucidate how the three force scales drag, capillary forces and lubrication give rise to three distinct regimes of clustering in dense suspensions. The study, hence, provides a useful systematic to categorize the clustering mechanisms. As an important finding, it is shown that, depending on volume fraction and non-dimensional turbulent shear, particles either tend to cluster into aggregate sizes larger than the Kolmogorov scale or can break into pieces that are as small as the primary particle size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small finite-size particles suspended in fluid flow through an enclosed curved duct can focus to points or periodic orbits in the two-dimensional duct cross-section. This particle focusing is due to a balance between inertial lift forces arising from axial flow and drag forces arising from cross-sectional vortices. The inertial particle focusing phenomenon has been exploited in various industrial and medical applications to passively separate particles by size using purely hydrodynamic effects. A fixed size particle in a circular duct with a uniform rectangular cross-section can have a variety of particle attractors, such as stable nodes/spirals or limit cycles, depending on the radius of curvature of the duct. Bifurcations occur at different radii of curvature, such as pitchfork, saddle-node and saddle-node infinite period (SNIPER), which result in variations in the location, number and nature of these particle attractors. By using a quasi-steady approximation, we extend the theoretical model of Harding et al. (J. Fluid Mech. , vol. 875, 2019, pp. 1–43) developed for the particle dynamics in circular ducts to spiral duct geometries with slowly varying curvature, and numerically explore the particle dynamics within. Bifurcations of particle attractors with respect to radius of curvature can be traversed within spiral ducts and give rise to a rich nonlinear particle dynamics and various types of tipping phenomena, such as bifurcation-induced tipping (B-tipping), rate-induced tipping (R-tipping) and a combination of both, which we explore in detail. We discuss implications of these unsteady dynamical behaviours for particle separation and propose novel mechanisms to separate particles by size in a non-equilibrium manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a computational analysis of fluid flow characteristics around two staggered arranged square cylinders using the Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM). With Reynolds number (Re) fixed at 200, numerical simulations explore the influence of varying gap ratios (G) ranging from 0 to 10 times the cylinder size. Emphasis is placed on understanding the impact of cylinders spacing on flow structure mechanisms and induced forces. Investigation of fluid flow parameters includes vorticity behavior, pressure streamlines, and variations in drag and lift coefficients alongside the Strouhal number under different values of G. From the results, four distinct flow patterns emerge: single bluff body flow, flip flopping flow, modulated synchronized flow, and synchronized flow, each exhibiting unique characteristics. This study reveals the strong dependence of fluid forces on G, with low spacing values leading to complex vortex structures and fluctuating forces influenced by jet flow effects. At higher spacing values, proximity effects between cylinders diminish, resulting in a smoother periodic flow. The Strouhal number, average drag force and the rms values of drag and lift force coefficients vary abruptly at narrow gaps and become smooth at higher gap ratios. Unlike the tandem and side-by-side arrangements the staggered cylinders arrangement is found to have significant impact on the pressure variations around both cylinders. Overall, this research could contribute to a comprehensive understanding of staggered cylinder arrangements and their implications for engineering applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the two-phase flow hydrodynamics of a column flotation operated from a homogeneous to a heterogeneous flow regimes using experimental and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) techniques. Experiments were conducted in a lab scale column flotation of 0.1 m internal diameter and 2.5 m length at various superficial gas velocities using a dual plane electrical resistance tomography (ERT). The mean gas holdup increased from 2 to 18% with the increase in superficial gas velocity from 0.6 to 7.2 cm/s. The gas holdup-based bubble swarm velocity method identified four distinct flow regimes, i.e. homogeneous bubbling regime, narrow discrete bubbling regime, a sustained helical flow regime and churn turbulent flow regime in the column. Further, transient simulations were conducted using a two-fluid model coupled with a population balance model to assess the flow behavior inside the column. Virtual mass, lift and drag forces were incorporated into the model to account for the interphase forces. Numerical simulations predicted mean gas holdup was matching with the experimental data at low gas velocities (<2.4 cm/s), and a marginal deviation was noted at higher gas velocities (>2.4 cm/s). The predicted radial gas holdup profiles were found to change from flatter to parabolic with the increase in gas velocities, i.e. similar to the experiments. The effect of particle size on the rate constant and recovery was estimated with Luttrell and Yoon’s performance model using the particle floatability input data and the two-phase experimental data. The developed CFD model can be useful to optimize the operating and design parameters for efficient operation of the column flotation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distributed plates have been proven effective in controlling the vortex shedding and reducing the drag force of a circular cylinder, but more studies on its effect on vortex-induced vibration (VIV) are needed. This paper presents a systematic study of the effect of distributed cross-plates on the suppression of the VIV of a flexible cylinder using wind tunnel experiments. The experiments are performed by changing the length (l), width (w), and number (N) of the cross-plates, the spacing (S) between the adjacent cross-plates, and the aspect ratio (λ) of the flexible cylinder. The flexible cylinder is allowed to vibrate in the transverse direction for a reduced velocity range of 3.0–9.5, corresponding to a Reynolds number of 10,000–49,000. The results show that the optimal configuration of the distributed cross-plates for suppressing VIV is (l / D, w / D, S / D) = (2.0, 0.5, 4), where D is the cylinder diameter. The maximum amplitude decreases monotonically with increasing length and width, respectively. The optimal spacing is independent of λ of the flexible cylinder. For the optimal configuration, the vibration can be fully suppressed in many cases, and the minimum reduction of the maximum amplitude is 14% depending on N and λ, demonstrating a potential application of the distributed cross-plates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The striking appearance of wax 'tails'—posterior wax projections on planthopper nymphs—has captivated entomologists and naturalists alike. Despite their intriguing presence, the functional roles of these formations remain largely unexplored. This study leverages high-speed imaging to uncover the biomechanical implications of wax structures in the aerial dynamics of planthopper nymphs (Ricania sp.). We quantitatively demonstrate that removing wax tails significantly increases body rotations during jumps. Specifically, nymphs without wax undergo continuous rotations, averaging 4.2 ± 1.8 per jump, in contrast to wax-intact nymphs, who do not complete a full rotation, averaging only 0.7 ± 0.2 per jump. This along with significant reductions in angular and translational velocity from takeoff to landing suggest that aerodynamic drag forces on wax structures effectively counteract rotation. These stark differences in body rotation correlate with landing success: Nymphs with wax intact achieve a near perfect landing rate of 98.5%, while those without wax manage only a 35.5% success rate. Jump trajectory analysis reveals that wax-intact jumps transition from parabolic to asymmetric shapes at higher takeoff velocities and show a significantly greater reduction in velocity from takeoff to landing compared to wax-removed jumps, demonstrating how wax structures help nymphs achieve more stable and controlled descents. Our findings confirm the aerodynamic self-righting functionality of wax tails in stabilizing planthopper nymph landings, advancing our understanding of the complex relationship between wax morphology and aerial maneuverability, with broader implications for wingless insect aerial adaptations and bioinspired robotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This investigation studied numerically the aerodynamical effects of different modifications in a model of a common sedan. Four car modifications as spoiler, wing profile spoiler, standard diffuser and curved diffuser and their combinations were reported. Using a three-dimensional sedan model created with Computer-Aided Design software, the modifications are applied and assessed their influence on aerodynamics at speeds ranging from 60 to 120 km/h. The spoiler, wing spoiler, standard diffuser and curved diffuser reducing the lift forces experienced by the vehicle. Three cases, spoiler, wing spoiler, and curved diffuser increase the drag forces Combining a curved diffuser and a spoiler significantly decreases lift forces by an average of 77.8%, albeit with a 15.3% increase in drag forces, by 120 km/h The synergy of a curved diffuser and a wing spoiler achieves a substantial 63.3% reduction of net vertical forces, with only a 7.9% increase in drag forces, by 120 km/h, offering improved control with lesser energy consumption in comparison to other combinations. Results show that modifications, greatly influence airflow interaction, with effects varying by speed. Importantly, the impact of using two modifications is not a simple sum of their individual effects; and it must be assessed thoughtfully alongside airflow alterations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the test particle method is used in order to calculate the Cherenkov radiation of runaway electrons. We have applied the dielectric tensor for hot magnetized plasma to derive the wave frequency of Cherenkov radiation due to particle resonance with the warm electrostatic waves. The electric field from the Cherenkov radiation is numerically calculated to model the radiation reaction force as a correction to the Coulomb logarithm in the collisional drag force. Then, the behavior of the correction term in strongly and weakly magnetized regimes is investigated. It is shown that both magnetic field strength and the speed of runaway electrons significantly modify the correction term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With continuous increase in the train speed, the aerodynamic drag forces of high-speed trains increase sharply in a square relationship. As an important source of train aerodynamic drag, pantograph regions have become the key areas to share the contribution to the train's total drag. Thus, improving the pressure distribution in pantograph regions can be a potential and effective method to reduce train aerodynamic drag. Coleoptera has smooth and hard elytra to protect the hindwings, which provides a new design concept for the pantograph deflectors. Based on the biological pattern of Coleoptera, the geometric shape of pantograph biomimetic elytra (i.e., deflector) was constructed in a three-car group mode. Therefore, four calculation cases were set up, i.e., the original unraised pantograph model, original raised pantograph model, unraised pantograph + deflector model, and raised pantograph + deflector model. A time-dependent numerical method improved delayed detached-eddy simulation (IDDES), first validated by the previous wind tunnel test, was employed to analyze the aerodynamic drag forces in different schemes, and the drag reduction mechanism of deflectors was studied. The results show that although an extra drag force is introduced from the deflector, a larger drag reduction is obtained from the pantograph itself. Thus, the aerodynamic drag of pantograph regions is significantly reduced after installing pantograph deflectors. The air flows over the pantograph region in a smoother way with less blocking effect, and the flow above the deflector is accelerated. After the deflector separately installed on three-car high-speed train models with unraised/raised pantographs, the drag reduction for the unraised/raised pantograph regions can be up to 83.88% and 35.29%, while for a three-car grouping model, it can be achieved by 10.76% and 4.49%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The suspension of porous particles in fluids occurs widely in various natural and industrial processes. However, the sedimentation behavior of porous particles is not extensively understood as the solid impermeable counterparts. In this work, the drafting–kissing–tumbling (DKT) phenomenon in a narrow channel containing porous particles is investigated by the multi-relaxation-time (MRT) lattice Boltzmann method (LBM). The initial particle spacing L p * (1.5 ∼ 6) and Darcy number Da (8 × 10 − 6 ∼ 6 × 10 − 2 ) are examined on the sedimentation process of two particles under three initial arrangements, i.e., the trailing particle is porous (case 1), the leading particle is porous (case 2), and both the particles are porous (case 3). The results show that the presence of porous particles can enhance the interactions between two particles, and increasing the penetrability reduces the particle drag force to accelerate sedimentation. The drafting time is insensitive to Da at small L p * , and it decreases with Da at large L p * in cases 1 and 3 while it changes to increase with Da in case 2. A phase diagram with respect to Da and L p * is further extracted to identify three sedimentation modes of particle pairs. It is found that the transition between the one-off DKT and repeated DKT modes is not affected by L p * in cases 2 and 3, while the critical condition for the non-DKT and one-off DKT modes depends strongly on Da and L p * in case 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the dynamic characteristics of suspended particles in a free field under the influence of a single cavitation bubble. The phenomenon of suspended particles being influenced by cavitation bubbles of comparable size reflects the dynamic characteristics of particles, a common occurrence in both hydraulic machinery and biopharmaceutical fields. A high-speed camera captures the process of a single cavitation bubble interacting with suspended particles. Combined with three-dimensional numerical simulations, the motion states of suspended particles as the cavitation bubble expands and contracts are analyzed. Observations reveal that at various initial distances between suspended particles and the cavitation bubble, suspended particle motion is consistently influenced by the expansion and contraction of the same cavitation bubble during the initial four processes. The particle motion direction is parallel to the propagation direction of the radiation force produced during the expansion and collapse of the cavitation bubble, consistent with the characteristics of motion under longitudinal wave effects. The initial distance between suspended particles and the cavitation bubble dictates the ultimate displacement direction of suspended particles, with the influence of the cavitation bubble on suspended particle velocity weakening as their distance increases. Under conditions where particle size closely matches that of the bubble, the jet produced by the cavitation bubble does not significantly accelerate particles, and the influence of the jet on suspended particle motion states could be disregarded. The investigation reveals that the suspended particles are primarily influenced by the radiation force, drag force, and virtual mass force exerted by the cavitation bubble. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When undergoing deformation, elastoviscoplastic fluids exhibit simultaneous viscous, elastic, and plastic characteristics. This study presents an extensive numerical investigation into how the combined elasticity and plasticity of such fluids influence the flow dynamics past a circular cylinder in the laminar vortex-shedding regime. By varying dimensionless numbers, such as the Weissenberg and Bingham numbers, this study elucidates their effects on various fluid-mechanical aspects, including streamlines, vorticity, drag and lift forces, and vortex-shedding frequency. The results show significant differences in the vortex street length, width, and shedding frequency downstream of the cylinder when both fluid elasticity and plasticity are present, compared to Newtonian fluids or fluids with only elasticity under the same flow conditions. Notably, flow field fluctuations are suppressed as fluid elasticity increases, an effect further accentuated by the introduction of fluid plasticity. These rheological behaviors also have a pronounced effect on the drag and lift forces acting on the cylinder. In particular, the drag forces increase with the Weissenberg and Bingham numbers while lift forces decrease. Furthermore, this study conducts the dynamic mode decomposition (DMD) analysis, a widely used reduced order modeling technique, to obtain insights into the coherent flow structures associated with the time-resolved vorticity fields for various fluids. This analysis uncovers hidden differences in the downstream vorticity structures of various fluid types using only a few DMD modes, differences that are not apparent from simple vorticity plots alone. Overall, the findings of this study are valuable for manipulating fluid-dynamical aspects, particularly the vortex-shedding phenomenon from bluff bodies, which is observed in many practical applications and natural processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comprehensive study of the nature of micropolar fluid on an unsteady MHD-free convective transference through a perforated sheet is discussed considering the suction and Lorentz's force effects. The corresponding similarity equations of temperature, momentum, concentration, and angular momentum equations have been modified into the non-dimensional similarity equations of the temperature, momentum, concentration, and angular momentum equations by utilizing the similarity technique. The modified equations have been resolved by exerting the shooting technique with the help of the finite difference method (FDM) through MATLAB. The fluid flow is inversely proportional to the changes in micro rotational effect (Δ). The concentration boundary layer gets thinner as the Schmidt number (Sc) advances and hence the concentration of the fluid decreases. Micropolar fluid helps reduce drag forces and also acts as a coolant. The heat transmission rate advances by around 391%, and 110% due to growing amounts of Pr from 0.71 to 7.0, and v 0 from 0.6 to 3.0, respectively. The surface couple stress decays by about 33%, 45%, and 36% due to increasing values of M from 0.6 to 3.6, ∆ from 3.0 to 6.0, and λ from 0.1 to 1.2, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of incompressible gas flow in a periodic cell with one microfiber and many nanofibers as an element of the porous structure of a mixed-type aerosol filter has been solved. The flow in a nanofiber medium around a single microfiber is described using the Darcy and Brinkman models. The boundary value problems for both models were solved analytically and numerically for circular and rectangular periodic cells, respectively. A microscopic Stokes model has been developed in the interpore space of a periodic cell, taking into account the slip condition on the surface of nanofibers. Analytical formulas are obtained for the aerodynamic drag force of a periodic cell and the drag forces of microfiber and nanofibers. The obtained formulas are in good agreement with the results of the microscopic model. The dependencies of the drag forces on the cell porosity and the mass fraction of nanofibers have been studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electromagnetohydrodynamic (EMHD) has a vital role due to its importance in aerospace and plasma physics, including energy transformation systems in which interaction between the liquid and magnetic field is crucial. Further, micropolar fluids with microstructural slip is used in the lubrication and liquid crystals. From this observation, the current study is conducted to express an EMHD flow of liquid on a microstructural slipped surface. The effects of a uniform heat source/sink (HS/S) with homogeneous and heterogeneous chemical reactions have been incorporated in energy and mass profiles. The governing equations are converted to ordinary differential equations using proper similarity variables. The converted equations are computed by the implementation of Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg (RKF) 4th 5th order with shooting technique. A list of the essential dimensionless constraints and graphs showing how they are affected are provided. The outcome of the problem shows that the electric parameter will improve the velocity but decline the microrotation profile. Further, both heterogeneous and homogeneous reactions have a decreasing concentration. While the heat distribution rate increases with greater magnetic and electric fields, the surface drag force decreases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In automobiles, the cooling system is essential in increasing engine performance. Conventional coolants like water and ethylene glycol have low thermal conductivity. Nanotechnology allows the development of a high thermal conductivity coolant named 'nanocoolant', a colloidal suspension. This study is focused on the effect of nanocoolant size on the radiator, which is also responsible for fuel consumption. To prepare nanocoolant two-step method was used, in which nanoparticles were prepared separately and dispersed in a base fluid under ultrasonic agitation. This research was carried out for the dispersion of Al2O3 in a water-ethylene glycol mixture with volume concentrations of 0%, 0.2%, 0.4% and 0.6%. The experimentation was carried out on 180, 216, 288 and 360 mm tube-length radiators. The experiments were conducted at a coolant inlet temperature 65 °C, air velocity of 1.05 m/s, and volume rate of 4 to 9 litres per minute. The result shows that using 0.2% Al2O3 nanoparticles, the overall heat transfer coefficient was augmented by 43% more than the base fluid. It is also seen that for 0.6% volume fraction nanocoolant, approximately 65% reduction in frontal radiator area is possible, which leads to decrement in the drag force and pumping power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rare-earth mud and manganese nodules coexist on the seafloor around Minamitorishima Island. To investigate the feasibility of a pulp-lift system that can ensure economic efficiency by pumping manganese using rare-earth mud as the working fluid, we conducted pulp-lift experiments at a head of 5.0 m using a squeeze pump for mortar pumping. In the study, we used carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) as the working fluid, which is a pseudo-plastic fluid like deep muddy seawater. We investigated the effects of the viscosity of the working fluid and the pump pulsation characteristics on lifting. The results revealed that the drag force acting on the pumped ore increased as the fluid became more viscous and the pulsation period became higher, while the reverse flow rate increased due to the negative pulsation pressure. This suggests that there is an optimum value for the viscosity of the working fluid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of the strategy to achieve net-zero Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in international maritime shipping, there is ongoing exploration into the use of wind propulsion systems as auxiliary ship propulsion devices. When considering a rigid sail as the wind propulsion system, evaluating the performance of a single sail is relatively simple. However, assessing the performance of multiple sails is more challenging due to the interference between the sails and between the sails and the hull. In this study, the thrust characteristics of two rigid sails attached to a ship are investigated by using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). This includes considering the interference effects between the sails themselves and between the sails and the hull. The research reveals the innovative optimized angle of attack for maximizing thrust under tailwind conditions. At 150° in relative wind direction, the best performance is achieved with a low angle of attack on the fore side sail and a high angle of attack on the aft side sail. At 180° in relative wind direction, a high angle of attack on the fore side sail and a low angle of attack on the aft side sail yield the best results. Here, a "low" angle of attack means that the lift force is greater than the drag force, while a "high" angle of attack means the drag force is greater than the lift force. In this study, the force in the ship's forward direction is only focused on optimizing the angles of attack of the two sails. However, the side forces caused by the sails are also significant for the ship's sailing conditions. Therefore, future work will involve optimizing the angles of attack under drifting conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An event-triggered neural adaptive cooperative control is proposed for the towing system (TS) with model parameter uncertainties and unknown disturbances. Different from ordinary multi-vessel formation control, the tugs and unactuated offshore platform in the TS are connected together by towlines, and the resultant tension of the towlines serves as the actual drag force for the platform. Initially, based on the radial basis function neural network (RBFNN), an adaptive RBFNN is designed to compensate unknown disturbances and model parameter uncertainties of the TS, and we use minimal learning parameter (MLP) algorithm to reduce the online learning parameters of adaptive RBFNN. Combined with dynamic surface technology and event-triggered control (ETC) mechanism, an event-triggered neural adaptive virtual controller is designed to obtain the desired drag force of the platform. According to the quadratic programming algorithm, the desired drag force is allocated as the desired tensions of towlines. Subsequently, the desired towline length and the desired position information of the tugs are obtained sequentially through the towline model and the position relationship between the tugs and the platform. Then, according to the desired positions of tugs, an event-triggered neural adaptive distributed cooperative controller is designed for achieving the multi-tug towing of the offshore platform. The ETC mechanism is introduced to reduce the communication burden within the TS and the execution frequency of the tugs' thrusters. Finally, the stability of the closed-loop system is proven using the Lyapunov theory, and the ETC mechanism proves that no Zeno behavior occurs. The effectiveness of the ETC mechanism and the MLP-based adaptive RBFNN on the controllers of TS is verified through simulations and comparison analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on the poorly known effect of polar cap patches (PCPs) on the ion‐neutral coupling in the F‐region. The PCPs were identified by total electron content measurements from the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and the ionospheric parameters from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program spacecraft. The EISCAT incoherent scatter radars on Svalbard and at Tromsø, Norway observed that PCPs entered the nightside auroral oval from the polar cap and became plasma blobs. The ionospheric convection further transported the plasma blobs to the duskside. Simultaneously, long‐lasting strong upper thermospheric winds were detected in the duskside auroral oval by a Fabry‐Perot Interferometer (FPI) at Tromsø and in the polar cap by the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment satellite. Using EISCAT ion velocities and plasma parameters as well as FPI winds, the ion drag acting on neutrals and the time constant for the ion drag could be estimated. Due to the arrival of PCPs/blobs and the accompanied increase in the F‐region electron densities, the ion drag is enhanced between about 220 and 500 km altitudes. At the F peak altitudes near 300 km, the median ion drag acceleration affecting neutrals more than doubled and the associated median e‐folding time decreased from 4.4 to 2 hr. The strong neutral wind was found to be driven primarily by the ion drag force due to large‐scale ionospheric convection. Our results provide a new insight into ionosphere‐thermosphere coupling in the presence of PCPs/blobs. Plain Language Summary: This study investigates how the evolution of the polar cap patches (PCPs) affects the upper layer of the Earth's atmosphere, termed the thermosphere. PCPs are dense patches of charged particles that move from the dayside to the nightside of the high‐latitude ionosphere through the polar cap region. Using the measurements by multiple ground‐based instruments and satellites, this study found that PCPs can enhance the formation of strong upper thermospheric winds. The winds are primarily driven by the ion drag force due to the interactions between charged particles and neutral gases. The results show that because of the arrival of PCPs, which increase the F‐region electron densities in the auroral oval, the ion drag acceleration acting on the neutrals can more than double and the related time constant of the ion drag can be halved. Key Points: Transportation of polar cap patches (PCPs) and their development in the nightside auroral oval was observed by multiple instrumentsVery strong, long‐lasting westward upper thermospheric wind in the duskside oval was associated with large‐scale ionospheric convectionHigh electron density produced by PCPs increases the ion drag force that drives the upper thermospheric wind [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study uses results of eddy‐resolving numerical simulations to investigate the open channel flow over large clusters of freshwater mussels (Unio elongatulus) partially buried in a rough, gravel bed. The density of the mussels forming the array varies from 26 to 500 mussels/m2. The flow structure is analyzed at large distances from the leading edge of the mussel bed, where the flow can be considered fully developed. The effects of changing the mussel bed density, the filtering discharge, the burial level and the roughness of the bed surface in which mussels are burrowed, are investigated in terms of flow field, turbulent structures, drag forces, and bed shear stresses. It is found that strong interactions occur between energetic eddies generated by the larger gravels on the exposed bed surface and by the mussel shells. Simulations results show that for a burial depth close to 50% and a ratio between the average gravel size and the mussel protruding height of 0.13, the shell induced turbulence becomes dominant for mussel bed densities around 50 mussels/m2. The influence of the bed roughness becomes less relevant with increasing mussel density, as the generation of energetic eddies is mostly controlled by mussel‐to‐mussel interactions. For fixed bed roughness, burial level and filtering velocity, the mean streamwise drag force and the associated drag coefficient for the exposed part of each mussel decrease with increasing mussel density, even if strong variations are observed for individual mussels. For constant mussel bed density and burial level, the mean streamwise drag force and the mean drag coefficient decrease slightly with increasing bed roughness. Increasing the burial level decreases not only the drag forces but also the drag coefficients because of the more streamlined shape of the top of the mussels. Strong active filtering acts toward decreasing the mean streamwise force and the mean drag coefficient. The spanwise drag forces contribute significantly to the total drag force, especially for high mussel bed densities. Based on smooth bed calculations, bed‐averaged shear stresses are reduced in highly dense clusters. Key Points: Mussel‐to‐mussel interactions are important for dense arrays and influence flow structure and turbulenceEddy resolving simulations showed that the effect of bed roughness become less significant with increasing mussel bed densityIn dense clusters of mussels, forces on the shells and bed shear stresses are reduced thus favoring mussel stability [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper develops a new framework to predict the mean flow through an array of cylinders in which the flow around the array (array‐scale) and the flow around individual cylinders (element‐scale) are modeled separately using actuator disc theory and empirical drag models respectively, and then coupled through the net drag force. Applying this framework only requires knowledge of the array geometry and incident flow. The framework is validated using high‐fidelity direct numerical simulations for arrays of between 7 and 109 cylinders having different arrangements (staggered, concentric, random) and bounding shapes (circular, square) in both two‐ and three‐dimensional flows. In general, the framework outperforms existing models which require calibration and are only valid for part of the practical parameter space. The demonstrated scale separation suggests different combinations of element‐scale and array‐scale models/theories may be used for other arrangements of bluff bodies. Plain Language Summary: The temporally and spatially averaged velocity, or mean flow, within an array of cylinders is important for many practical applications including, for example, estimating the rates of sediment transport and nutrient uptake within a patch of aquatic vegetation, the hydrodynamic forces on offshore structures, and the efficiency of power generation with a turbine farm. However, a general predictive tool for mean flow is currently lacking. To develop this predictive capacity, this study uses the idea of scale separation to integrate models from different research fields, including the actuator disc theory originally developed for design of turbines and propellers, and element‐scale drag models initially proposed for aquatic vegetated flows, to develop a unifying, predictive, analytical framework to estimate the mean flow. The framework is validated using high‐fidelity direct numerical simulations of arrays of cylinders with different arrangements (staggered, concentric, random) and array shapes (square, circular). With only knowledge of the array geometry and incident flow, the framework predicts the mean flow exceptionally well across a wide range of practical flow conditions. This leads to a step‐change in our ability to predict the fraction of incoming flow passing through a porous array, hydrodynamic load on offshore structures, and sediment flux within aquatic vegetation systems when combined with bed load transport models. The framework could be an important guide for coastal and riverine restoration projects using aquatic vegetation and the design of offshore structures and turbine farms. Key Points: A predictive framework based on an idea of scale separation is proposed for the mean velocity of the flow passing through an array of cylindersThe framework is versatile, being applicable for a wide range of practically meaningful cylinder arrangements, array shapes and array flow blockagesHigh‐fidelity, three‐dimensional direct numerical simulations are employed to investigate flow through the array of cylinders and validate the new predictive framework [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a semi‐implicit MPM to adequately characterize the mechanical behavior of unsaturated soil based on Biot's mixture theory. To represent the dependency of the degree of saturation on the suction, we employ the VG model along with a soil‐water characteristic curve, which determines a functional form of permeability called the Mualem model. Hencky's hyperelastic model and the Drucker‐Prager model assuming nonassociativity are adopted for elastic and plastic deformations, respectively. The novelty of this study is the incorporation of the fractional‐step method into the MPM framework so that the pore water pressure is obtained by implicitly solving the pressure Poisson's equation, which reduces numerical instability and improves computational efficiency. Also, because the drag force between solid and liquid phases is evaluated using the intermediate velocity of pore water relative to the intermediate velocity of solid skeleton, the time increment can be chosen without considering the magnitude of water permeability. In addition, to suppress "odd‐even" oscillation, we employ a sub‐grid method in which two grids with different spatial resolutions are used for the velocities and pore water pressure. Furthermore, considering the advantages and disadvantages of two different interpolation schemes for pore water pressure, we suggest switching the schemes depending on the model conditions. Several numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the performance of the proposed method. Specifically, unidirectional consolidation and leak flow analyses are performed for verification purposes, followed by validation analysis of a model experiment of infiltration‐induced landslides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluidized bed reactor can enhance mass transfer and increase reaction rate. Numerical simulation helps to optimize fluidized bed reactors. The present paper models the photocatalytic oxidation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid in a fluidized bed reactor using the Eulerian-Eulerian model. The drag models have influences on the distribution of catalysts particles. The bed expands under the fluid flow and reaches a quasi-steady height at approximately 3s. The asymmetric distribution of catalysts with respect to the axis plane is predicted. The Gidaspow model predicts the nearly same bed expansion with the experimental data, whereas the Syamlal-O ′ Brien model overestimates it. The simulation results at two pH values are in accordance with the experimental data. The removal in the continuous stirred tank reactor decreases with the increase in flow rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Controlling microrobot locomotion in vessels and capillaries is crucial for precise drug delivery and minimally invasive surgeries. However, this is challenging due to the complex interactions with red blood cells (RBCs) and the difficulty navigating within the dense environment. Here, we construct a numerical framework to evaluate the relative resistance coefficient ( C r * ) of a microrobot propelled through RBC suspensions. Our experiments validate the numerical results. We find that C r * increases for smaller microrobots and higher hematocrit levels, while magnetic force strength weakly impacts C r * . C r * is smaller than the resistance coefficient of a macroscale robot estimated from the apparent viscosity of the RBC suspension. The aspect ratio of a prolate ellipsoidal microrobot influences C r * along its long-axis direction. Additionally, machine learning accurately predicts C r * . These insights could enhance the design and control of microrobots for medical applications. Controlling microrobot movement in blood vessels is vital for medical treatments but is challenging due to red blood cells. This study combines simulations, experiments, and machine learning to demonstrate how hematocrit levels and robot geometry affect its locomotion characteristics in blood [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sizes of dust particles capable of levitating in dust traps in striations in a glow discharge in all inert gases are quantitatively determined for the same discharge parameters. A more than twofold decrease in the particle size was established upon passing from the gas with the maximum ionization potential (He) to Xe. The dependence found in the experiment is interpreted from the point of view of the conditions of particle levitation. It is shown that in gases with a low ionization potential in the balance of forces, the ion drag force exceeds the force of gravity, while the absolute values of the forces decrease with decreasing particle size. The discovered effect can be used for fine trapping of dust particles in plasma traps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an analytical method to describe the shape of an airplane wing. The analytical shape of the wing section implies analytical expressions for the wing parameters: maximum thickness, maximum camber, maximum camber position, minimum thickness position, and so on. The analytical expressions of the wings in a first representation allow simple relationships with the geometric parameters of the wing. The defined expressions for the wings parameters relevant for aircraft design are versatile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When the high-speed elevator is running, the air in the hoistway is rapidly compressed and released to form the piston effect. Especially when the car and counterweight intersect, the piston effect makes the aerodynamic force of the car and counterweight change sharply, affecting the stability of elevator operation. In this study, a three-dimensional car counterweight intersection model is constructed, and a multi-region dynamic layered method is proposed to calculate the aerodynamic flow field in the whole moving process, the changes of aerodynamic drag force and aerodynamic lateral force of the car and the counterweight under different length ratio, blockage ratio and spacing are analyzed and simulated, and the influence of structural changes in the hoistway on the aerodynamic flow field is studied. Furthermore, the accuracy of the numerical results is verified by the real elevator test. Finally, the results show that when the car intersects the counterweight in the hoistway, the interaction between the car and the counterweight is enhanced, and the drag force coefficient and lateral force coefficient of the car suddenly change, and return to the normal state after the intersection, with the decrease of length ratio and spacing and the increase of blockage ratio, the sudden change degree of drag force also increases, and the sudden change of lateral force of the car is mainly affected by the car counterweight spacing, and increases with the decrease of spacing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accurate assessment of hydraulic transmissivity in rock fractures filled with particles is not only a scientific challenge but also a critical need for various industrial applications. However, the intricate dynamics of particle erosion and pore clogging that govern transmissivity evolution remain largely unexplored. In this study, we experimentally examine the fluid‐driven particle migration behavior in filled fractures and its consequent impact on fracture transmissivity under various hydraulic gradients, normal stresses, and fracture apertures. We find that escalating hydraulic gradients not only intensify particle erosion through amplified fluid drag forces and hydro‐mechanical coupling effects but also lead to an increase in the size of migrating particles, thereby augmenting pore clogging. The dynamics of erosion and clogging define four distinct migration phases within the filled fractures. Variations in normal stress and initial fracture aperture significantly alter the particle arrangement and the soil structure stability within the fractures, thereby modulating the progress of particle migration in response to hydraulic gradients. The pattern of particle migration in filled fractures dictates the development of the internal pore structure and normal deformation, ultimately affecting fracture transmissivity. We propose an empirical expression to encapsulate the comprehensive evolution of fracture transmissivity across different particle migration patterns. Our research advances the understanding of fluid‐driven particle migration within filled fractures and provides a practical tool for the precise determination of hydraulic properties of fractured rocks amidst complex geological settings. Plain Language Summary: Filled fractures in rock masses, serving as dominant flow channels and potential failure planes, are typically perceived to exhibit constant hydraulic transmissivity. However, this perspective oversimplifies the dynamic nature of filled fractures, where fluid flow can greatly change the hydraulic characteristics by either eroding or accumulating the internal particles. Understanding how these filling particles respond to water flow and affect fracture transmissivity is vital for many geological processes and human activities. Here, we experimentally uncover four distinct phases of particle migration within a filled fracture, instigated by the dynamics of erosion and clogging under elevated hydraulic gradients. Variations in normal stress and fracture aperture significantly influence the particle arrangement and the soil structure stability within fractures, thereby affecting particle migration characteristics across phases. On this basis, we delve into how the patterns of particle migration impact the geometric structure of the filled fracture and, thus, the fracture transmissivity. Finally, we quantitatively portray the evolution in fracture transmissivity across various particle migration scenarios using an empirical model. Our findings enhance the understanding of fluid‐driven particle migration in filled fractures and provide a path forward for accurately assessing the hydraulic properties of fractured rocks in complex geological environments. Key Points: Erosion and clogging dynamics, modulated by hydraulic gradients, define four particle migration phases in stressed‐filled fracturesParticle migration patterns dictate pore structure and normal deformation, impacting fracture transmissivityAn empirical model encapsulates fracture transmissivity evolution across different particle migration patterns [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the dynamic response of trees to a strong wind is crucial to alleviating the damages and losses of tree forests caused by windstorms. Previous studies have elucidated small deformations of a broad range of tree species, yet mathematical models that can accurately pinpoint the location and severity of wind-induced damages are still lacking. To bridge this gap, the present work puts forward the first geometrically accurate, physics-based model to capture large deformation of trees induced by a strong wind. The proposed model incorporates a branched tree architecture to represent the topology of a realistic tree. The large, dynamic deformation of the trunk and branches of the tree is described by a system of nonlinear partial differential equations derived from structural theories rooted in classical mechanics. The aerodynamic loading is quantified based on the instantaneous relative velocity between the wind and the tree. The proposed model could successfully reproduce the effects of aerodynamic damping by capturing the nonlinear interplays between the wind and the tree, in contrast to prior analytical models that relied on empirical assumptions of the damping coefficients. The model further reveals a reduction in the drag force due to wind-induced shape reconfiguration, which is enhanced exponentially as a function of the wind speed. The proposed modeling framework could aid in the development of novel forest management strategies to mitigate wind-induced economic and environmental losses. • Quantifying the large dynamic deformation of trees in a strong wind is essential to mitigating wind-induced damages. • This work puts forward the first geometrically accurate, physics-based model to capture the large deformation of trees. • The model incorporates branched tree architectures and structural theories rooted in classical mechanics. • The model accurately captures the effects of aerodynamic damping without empirical assumptions on the damping coefficients. • The analysis reveals that drag reduction enhances exponentially with respect to the wind speed due to shape reconfiguration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we design a variable admittance controller and propose a variable admittance human-robot cooperative control method based on fuzzy model reference learning. The method is intended to improve the flexible adaptive capability of the robot to assist the surgeon in accomplishing different stages of the task during a craniotomy. First, the method establishes the autoregressive integrated moving average-Kalman filtering-blood pressure (ARIMA-Kalman-BP) model for the drag force prediction by taking the features of natural human arm motion as the reference model of fuzzy learning control, which solves the problem of the features of natural human arm motion being difficult to model. Then the tuning parameter rules for variable virtual damping and virtual mass of the fuzzy conductivity controller are trained by the learning mechanism. Subsequently, the variable conductivity control method based on the tuning of virtual damping and virtual mass parameters is developed by using the robot acceleration and the robot velocity as inputs, and the robot desired velocity and desired acceleration as outputs. The experimental results show that the method can meet the requirement of flexibility; the maximum error of human-machine cooperative velocity is 0.0014 m/s, and the maximum error of human-machine cooperative acceleration is lower than 0.0021 m/s2. Compared with the fuzzy control based on the variable admittance parameter alone, this method has better tracking velocity and acceleration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inertial focusing in curved microfluidic ducts exploits the interaction of the drag force from the Dean flow with the inertial lift force to separate particles or cells laterally across the cross-section width according to their size. Experimental work has identified that using a trapezoidal cross section, as opposed to a rectangular one, can enhance the sized based separation of particles/cells over a wide range of flow rates. Using our model, derived by carefully examining the way the Dean drag and inertial lift forces interact at low flow rates, we calculate the leading order approximation of these forces for a range of trapezoidal ducts, both vertically symmetric and nonsymmetric, with an increasing amount of skew towards the outside wall. We then conduct a systematic study to examine the bifurcations in the particle equilbira that occur with respect to a shape parameter characterizing the trapezoidal cross section. We reveal how the dynamics associated with particle migration are modified by the degree of skew in the cross-section shape, and show the existence of cusp bifurcations (with the bend radius as a second parameter). Additionally, our investigation suggests an optimal amount of skew for the trapezoidal cross section for the purposes of maximizing particle separation over a wide range of bend radii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study experimentally investigates the hydrodynamic forces acting on wood debris accumulations. Tests were performed under steady subcritical flow conditions by letting debris elements accumulate against an obstacle. We analyze the influence of a variety of variables involved in the problem, namely the Froude number, the blockage ratio, the geometric parameters of the dam, its porosity, and the debris type. Resulting forces are expressed through a typical drag coefficient formula, where the coefficient depends on the Froude number and the blockage ratio, but is independent of the geometric characteristics of the debris accumulation. The model is validated against literature data, providing both best-fit and safe-side predictors. Practical Applications: Wood debris can build up on bridge piers and decks, which increase the water's force on these structures. In this paper, we offer a straightforward method to estimate these forces. We have calibrated an empirical model using data from laboratory experiments and checked its accuracy against information from existing studies. With this model, one can input the basic characteristics of the flowing water (such as its depth, width, and speed) and the size of the debris pile facing the flow. The model then provides the drag coefficient, which, in turn, allows determining the drag force acting on the debris pile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Nikuradse roughness height for a river channel or, equivalently, the friction factor (f) or Manning's coefficient, are parameters required to calibrate hydrodynamic models used for flood risk management. In general, modeling hydraulic roughness includes the contributions of skin friction, related to sediment grain size, and bed-form roughness, related to bed-form geometry. Frequently, bed-form resistance is larger than the resistance due to skin friction. An empirical approach has been presented in the literature to estimating bed-form roughness, which is widely used for engineering purposes. This contribution presents an alternative physically based formulation for dune roughness estimation. Flow resistance generated by the bed form is assumed to arise from the drag force exerted by the bed, based on depth-averaged flow quantities. The new formulation agrees with existing experimental laboratory results and new field data from the Tercero (Ctalamochita) River, Córdoba, Argentina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Soret and Dufour effects play a crucial role in various fields such as geosciences, groundwater pollutant migration, chemical reactor operations, binary alloy solidification, and isotope separation. This study focuses on examining the impact of mixed convective flow on hybrid nanofluid through an exponentially stretching sheet with Soret and Dufour effects. The flow is affected by factors like variable viscosity, radiation, viscous dissipation, and activation energy. Instead of the no‐slip condition at the boundary, velocity slip, thermal slip, and concentration slip are considered. The physical problem is modeled using boundary layer theory, and flow patterns are expressed using partial differential equations (PDEs). These governing fluid flow equations are transformed into non‐linearly coupled ordinary differential equations (ODEs) using exponential similarity transformations. These simplified ODEs are resolved using the MATLAB bvp4c package. The effects of physical parameters on velocity, temperature, and concentration are illustrated through figures. Additionally, the drag force coefficient and heat and mass transfer rates are calculated for various parameters and presented graphically and in tabular form. It is observed that compared to nanofluids, the drag force coefficient of hybrid nanofluids increases by up to 21.05% with various solute buoyancy parameters (δ). Also, the mass transfer rate of hybrid nanofluids can be increased by.96% by the chemical reaction rate (σm). A comparison of this work with previously published research has been reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates pressure gradient dynamics within a porous medium in the context of two-phase fluid flow, specifically water and sand particle interactions. Using experimental data, we refine pressure correction coefficients within a numerical solution framework, employing the Semi-Implicit Method for the Pressure-linked Equations algorithm. Our findings highlight the relative nature of pressure gradient phenomena, with particle size and volume fraction emerging as crucial determinants. Graphical representations reveal a clear trend: an increase in volume fraction, up to 40%, across varying Reynolds Numbers, leads to a transition towards non-Newtonian behavior in the two-phase fluid system. Unlike the linear pressure gradient seen in single-phase fluid flow, the interplay between liquid and solid phases, along with drag forces, imparts a distinctly nonlinear trajectory to the pressure gradient in two-phase fluid flow scenarios. As the two-phase flow enters a porous medium, numerous factors come into play, resulting in a pressure drop. These factors include changes in cross-sectional geometry, alterations in boundary layer dynamics, and ensuing momentum fluctuations. Interestingly, an increase in porosity percentage inversely correlates with pressure gradient, resulting in reduced pressure gradient with higher porosity levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A significant increase in the number of anthropogenic objects in Earth orbit has necessitated the development of satellite conjunction assessment and collision avoidance capabilities for new spacecraft. Neutral mass density variability in the thermosphere, driven by enhanced geomagnetic activity and solar EUV absorption, is a major source of satellite propagation error. This work investigates the impacts of space weather driver forecasting uncertainty on satellite drag and collision avoidance maneuver decision‐making. Since most operational space weather driver forecasts do not offer an uncertainty assessment, the satellite operator community is left to make dangerous assumptions about the trustworthiness of the forecast models they use to perform satellite state propagation. Climatological persistence‐based forecast models are developed for F10.7 and Kp. These models accurately capture the heteroscedastic and, at times, highly non‐Gaussian uncertainty distribution on forecasts of the drivers of interest. A set of realistic satellite conjunction scenarios is simulated to demonstrate the contributions of space weather driver forecast uncertainty on the probability of collision and maneuver decisions. Improved driver forecasts, especially forecasts of F10.7, are demonstrated to be very useful for enabling durable maneuver decisions with additional lead time (up to 24 hr for the period examined), though the improvement depends on the specific conjunction scenario of interest. Plain Language Summary: As low earth orbit has become crowded with new satellites and debris, operators have been forced to maneuver satellites to avoid collisions on a regular basis. The drag force on a satellite, which can significantly affect the orbital path, varies depending on solar and geomagnetic activity. Unfortunately, solar activity and resulting impacts at Earth are difficult to predict even just a few days in advance. This paper traces space weather forecasting ability directly to impacts on satellite maneuver decision‐making and finds that forecast uncertainty plays a critical role in making durable maneuver decisions. Key Points: Poor forecasts of space weather drivers inhibit our ability to perform actionable satellite conjunction assessment with advance noticeClimatology‐based probabilistic forecasts are developed for F10.7 and Kp, which are used to assess satellite conjunction scenariosProviding probabilistic forecasts of the space weather drivers makes a meaningful difference in maneuver decision‐making [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water–air trans-media unmanned vehicle is a kind of aircraft, which can freely fly in the air, sail in the water and pass through free surface. For trans-media aircrafts, the development process from air–surface to air–underwater and from submarine-launched drive to autonomous drive is investigated. By analyzing the characteristic of manta ray, flying fish and existing aircraft, this paper proposes a new water–air trans-media unmanned vehicle with flat dish-airfoil-shaped main body and telescopic NACA-type wing. Then the numerical method to calculate the lift and drag forces is established and validated by the results of classic NACA cases. On this basis, the flow field around the new vehicle is numerically simulated, and its lift–drag performances in different media (air and water) and ground effect are analyzed, comparing it with a model inspired by the Blackwing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). The findings illustrate the superior performance of the new vehicle in terms of lift and drag forces, offering an innovative design framework for water–air trans-media UAV applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Addressing the challenges for detecting underwater damage to the structures with pile foundation, this study presents the design of an adsorption-operated robotic system. Initially, a prototype is proposed for an adsorption-operated robot that is equipped with an automatic movement mechanism. To account for the disturbance of the drag force in the control system, a hydrodynamic numerical model for the detection robot is established. The numerical results of the drag force are then integrated into the control system, leading to the design of a force-redeemed active disturbance rejection controller. Furthermore, a novel detection algorithm based on the image segmentation network UNet is developed for the automatic identification of damages. The performance of the controller and detection algorithm is evaluated against traditional methods. The results indicate that the proposed force-redeemed active disturbance rejection controller outperforms traditional PID and ADR controllers in terms of overshoot and adjustment time. Moreover, the developed detection algorithm exhibits superior performance in precision, F1 score, and mean intersection over union compared to the traditional algorithms of FCN, PSPnet, Deeplabv3, and UNet. Overall, this paper advances the technology of autonomous robots for underwater detection in the structures with pile foundation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the aerodynamic performance of a cambered wind turbine airfoil with a partially flexible membrane material on its suction surface was examined experimentally across various angles of attack and Reynolds numbers. It encompassed physical explanation at the pre/post-stall regions. The results of particle image velocimetry revealed that the laminar separation bubble was diminished or even suppressed when a local flexible membrane material was employed on the suction surface of the wind turbine blade close to the leading edge. The results of the deformation measurement indicated that the membrane had a range of flow modes. This showed that the distribution of aerodynamic fluctuations due to the presence of LSB-induced vortices was reduced. This also led to a narrower wake region occurring. Aerodynamic performance improved and aerodynamic vibration significantly lowered, particularly at the post-stall zone, according to the results of the aerodynamic force measurement. In addition to the lift force, the drag force was enormously reduced, corroborating and matching well with the results of PIV and deformation measurements. Consequently, significant benefits for a turbine blade were notably observed, including aerodynamic performance enhancement, increased aerodynamic power efficiency, and reduced aerodynamic vibration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces a low-boom aircraft optimization design method guided by equivalent area distribution, which effectively improves the intuitiveness and refinement of inverse design. A gradient optimization method based on discrete adjoint equations is proposed to achieve the fast solution of the gradient information of target equivalent area distribution relative to design variables and to drive the aerodynamic shape update to the optimal solution. An optimization experiment is carried out based on a self-developed supersonic civil aircraft configuration with engines. The results show that the equivalent area distribution adjoint equation can accurately solve the gradient information. After optimization, the sonic boom level of the aircraft was reduced by 13.2 PLdB, and the drag coefficient was reduced by 60.75 counts. Moreover, the equivalent area distribution adjoint optimization method has outstanding advantages, such as high sensitivity and fast convergence speed, and can take both the low sonic boom and the low drag force of the aircraft into account, providing a powerful tool for the comprehensive optimization design of supersonic civil aircraft by considering sonic boom and aerodynamic force. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigations of water flow movements affected by vegetation is a research hotspot in vegetation ecological restoration. The theory and equations of the flow velocity distribution under the influence of rigid vegetation are relatively mature. This study proposes a new drag force equation that varies with the vegetation bending angle and a new analytical solution of the velocity profile. Comparisons between the model calculation and experimental data, results showed that this new proposed model produced accurate simulations for flow through flexible vegetation for various deflections. In addition, this analytical model was verified to be applicable to rigid vegetation without a bending angle. Moreover, the features of the parameters adopted in this analytical equation are discussed, and the empirical equation for these parameters are presented. This study further improves the research in the field of environmental fluid mechanics and can serve as a theoretical underpinning for the ecological restoration of river courses. Key Points: A new drag force equation of flexible vegetation is proposed based on the bending angleThis new drag force equation of bending vegetation can recover to the traditional equation when applied to erect rigid vegetationNew analytical solutions of velocity profiles for flexible and rigid vegetation are established [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetation plays a crucial role in river hydrodynamic processes, and the accurate prediction of canopy drag force is essential for effective river management and ecosystem protection. The interactions within the vegetation canopies must be quantified to understand their impact on drag force. Through a series of flume experiments, we conducted an investigation into the canopy interaction mechanism of rigid emergent aquatic vegetation, particularly focusing on the blockage and sheltering effects. Our experimental design includes various combinations of lateral and longitudinal spacing, as well as special single‐row and single‐column arrangements. This allowed us to provide a more precise understanding of how lateral and longitudinal spacing affect the blockage and sheltering effects. Furthermore, we introduced a unified reference velocity that combines two effects, based on which we have established a widely applicable drag model that can predict drag under various density conditions. Lastly, we proposed a critical characteristic value for quantifying drag. This value is instrumental in revealing the ultimate performance of drag under different spacing arrangements. The findings provide a reliable approach for predicting drag in rigid emergent vegetation canopies, significantly enhancing our understanding of vegetation's influence on hydrodynamic processes and offering a practical tool for river management and ecosystem protection. Key Points: Investigate the canopy drag under varied lateral and longitudinal spacing configurationsPropose new reference velocities for accurately capturing the blockage and sheltering effects respectivelyDevelop a unified drag prediction model and elucidate the drag performance under different densities [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To design a high-performance stubble-breaking device, studying the interaction mechanisms between blades and root–soil composites is urgent. A simplified experimental method was proposed to investigate the cutting process and the effects of key factors on cutting by conducting cutting experiments on remolded root–soil composites and maize root–soil composites. The results showed that the soil support force and root–soil interface force significantly impacted cutting. Higher soil compaction and root–soil interface forces helped avoid root dragging, but higher soil compaction and thicker roots led to greater resistance. The superposition and accumulation effects significantly increased the cutting force, especially when root distribution was denser; as the oblique angle and bevel angle increased, the root-cutting force and dragging distance first decreased and then increased. Compared with orthogonal cutting, the optimal angles were both 45° and reduced the root-cutting force by 60.47% and 15.12% and shortened the dragging distance by 22.33 mm and 8.76 mm, respectively. Increasing the slide-cutting angle and cutting speed helped reduce the root-cutting force and dragging distance; however, it also faced greater pure-cutting force. Consequently, the interaction mechanisms between blades and root–soil composites revealed in this study provide a design and optimization basis for stubble-breaking devices, thus promoting the development of no-till technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design of heliostats throughout a concentrated solar power (CSP) plant are currently of uniform design, however, research into the variation in heliostat wind loading within a radially staggered field array can provide insight into potential material cost savings in heliostat field design. Experimental investigation was carried out on a field array model in the University of Adelaide large wind tunnel. A total of 64 heliostat models of size 0.1 × 0.1 m were radially arranged over four surround rows. Four 3-axis load cells were utilized to analyze field array cases of morning (0700 hours), noon (1200 hours), and evening (1700 hours) configurations. Angle calculations for beam reflection were made for the 21st March (equinox). Results show mean and peak drag force coefficients reduce with distance into the field for a 1700 hour case due to high upstream blockage. Comparing the downstream drag and lift force coefficients against each test configuration, when heliostats are at steep elevation angles, high flow blockage leads to a reduction of coefficients downstream (0700 hour and 1700 hour cases). When elevation angles are reduced (1200 hours), drag and lift coefficients increase with distance from the central tower in the downstream direction. Results also show the central tower increases load coefficients on downstream heliostats, and therefore should be considered in heliostat wind loading and field design.

The effect of solute hydrogen on shear-coupled grain boundary (GB) migration is investigated with the dislocation-array type Σ25(430)[001] GB and a dual role of hydrogen on GB mobility is unraveled. In the low temperature and high loading rate regime, where hydrogen diffusion is substantially slower than GB motion, GB breaks away from the hydrogen atmosphere and transforms into a new stable phase with highly enhanced mobility. In the reverse regime, hydrogen atoms move along with GB, exerting a drag force on GB and decreasing its mobility. These findings provide rationale for the coexistence of hydrogen hardening and softening observed experimentally in polycrystalline materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]