Analysis Of Failure Mechanisms In Platelet-Reinforced Composites

The short-term mechanical strength of platelet-reinforced polymer composites was modeled using classical two-dimensional stress-transfer analysis. The stress field in the platelet and at the platelet/matrix interface was described in the presence of a matrix crack perpendicular to the interface. Modeling takes into account the tensile strength of the platelet, its adhesion to the matrix, and also considers the internal stress state resulting from processing. Platelet rupture and interface delamination were considered to be the two key failure mechanisms, depending on the ratio of platelet strength to interface strength. The transition between the two failure events was predicted to occur at a critical platelet length, the value of which depends on the elastic properties of the platelet and matrix, on the platelet geometry and strength, on the platelet/matrix adhesion, and on the internal stress state. The approach was applied to the case of low volume fraction silicon oxide platelets/poly(ethylene terephthalate) composites, where the size of the platelets was accurately controlled either below or above the predicted critical length. Compression molded composites, with perfect alignment of the platelets, and injection molded composites, were prepared and tested. The toughness of the compression molded composites was found to be accurately predicted by the strength model, with a 100% increase in the case of platelets smaller than the critical length compared to larger platelets. Injection molded composites with platelets larger than the critical length were found to fail without yielding. By contrast, when the platelets were smaller than the critical length, the injection molded composites exhibited excellent ductility. The general agreement obtained between the predicted and observed toughening transition shows the importance of filler size and stress state on the strength of platelet-reinforced composite

Schubert calculus of Richardson varieties stable under spherical Levi subgroups

We observe that the expansion in the basis of Schubert cycles for $H^*(G/B)$ of the class of a Richardson variety stable under a spherical Levi subgroup is described by a theorem of Brion. Using this observation, along with a combinatorial model of the poset of certain symmetric subgroup orbit closures, we give positive combinatorial descriptions of certain Schubert structure constants on the full flag variety in type $A$. Namely, we describe $c_{u,v}^w$ when $u$ and $v$ are inverse to Grassmannian permutations with unique descents at $p$ and $q$, respectively. We offer some conjectures for similar rules in types $B$ and $D$, associated to Richardson varieties stable under spherical Levi subgroups of SO(2n+1,\C) and SO(2n,\C), respectively.Comment: Section 4 significantly shortened, and other minor changes made as suggested by referees. Final version, to appear in Journal of Algebraic Combinatoric

Spotting Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Degradation Effects by Electron Microscopy

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2012 in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, July 29 - August 2, 201

TEM investigation on zirconate formation and chromium poisoning in LSM/YSZ cathode

Cell durability is a crucial technological issue for SOFC commercialization, and considerable progress has been made in recent years. A number of degradation pathways have been established, amongst which microstructural changes, poisoning effects and formation of less conductive phases. In this study, transmission electron microscopy was used to observe submicron-scale effects on selected cathode zones of an anode supported cell tested in SOFC stack repeat element configuration. The test has been performed with a dedicated segmented test bench, at 800°C for 1900h, which allowed to spatially resolve degradation processes, and therefore to improve their correlation with localized post-test analysis. Evidence is presented of reaction products (mainly SrZrO3) at the LSM/YSZ interfaces as well as of contaminants, in particular Cr, but also Si. A polarized cell segment is compared to an unpolarized one, to assess any influence of cathode polarizatio

Reduction of nickel oxide particles by hydrogen studied in an environmental TEM

In situ reduction of nickel oxide (NiO) particles is performed under 1.3mbar of hydrogen gas (H2) in an environmental transmission electron microscope (ETEM). Images, diffraction patterns and electron energy-loss spectra (EELS) are acquired to monitor the structural and chemical evolution of the system during reduction, whilst increasing the temperature. Ni nucleation on NiO is either observed to be epitaxial or to involve the formation of randomly oriented grains. The growth of Ni crystallites and the movement of interfaces result in the formation of pores within the NiO grains to accommodate the volume shrinkage associated with the reduction. Densification is then observed when the sample is nearly fully reduced. The reaction kinetics is obtained using EELS by monitoring changes in the shapes of the Ni L2,3 white lines. The activation energy for NiO reduction is calculated from the EELS data using both a physical model-fitting technique and a model-independent method. The results of the model-fitting procedure suggest that the reaction is described by Avrami models (whereby the growth and impingement of Ni domains control the reaction), in agreement with the ETEM observation

Fluorescence spectroscopy for identification of atherosclerotic tissue

Objective: Vessel perforation and limited steerability of the laser light are the major limitations of laser angioplasty. To improve steerability fluoresence spectroscopy has been proposed for identification of atherosclerotic plaques. The aim was to investigate this. Methods: Fluorescence spectroscopy with three different excitation wavelengths (325 nm, 380 nm, 450 nm) was tested in an emission range of 400 nm to 600 nm. Intensity ratios at 480/420 nm were determined in different types of blood vessels. Necropsy material from 40 patients (punch biopsies of 4 mm diameter from the coronary and carotid artery as well as from the ascending and descending aorta) was studied spectroscopically. Histological alterations of the vessel wall were assessed by a semiquantitative score (0 to 10 points): (a) normal tissue, 0 to 2 points (mean=0.25; n=38); (b) mild atherosclerotic lesions, 3 to 5 points (mean=3.35; n=39); (c) severe atherosclerotic lesions, ≥ 6 points (mean=6.75; n=43). Results: Best spectroscopic results were obtained with an excitation wavelength of 325 nm. In samples with severe atherosclerotic lesions the fluoresence spectra showed a significant reduction of the emitted wavelength intensities when compared to normal tissue. There was a clear separation of the fluorescence spectra between normal and mild as well as between normal and severe atherosclerotic lesions; normal tissue showed an increased intensity in the range from 420 nm to 540 nm, whereas atherosclerotic lesions had no or only a small peak at 480 nm. There was a significant correlation between the semiquantitative score (n=120) and the fluorescence ratio at 480/420 nm (excitation wavelength 325 nm) with a correlation coefficient of 0.87. The spectroscopic results showed no differences between the samples taken from different types of vessels. Conclusions: Fluorescence spectroscopy allows a reliable identification of normal and atherosclerotic lesions. The close correlation between the emitted light intensity ratio at 480/420 nm and the histological alterations of the vessel wall suggests a relationship between vessel wall fluorescence and the atherosclerotic alterations of the wal

A Review of RedOx Cycling of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Anode

Abstract: Solid oxide fuel cells are able to convert fuels, including hydrocarbons, to electricity with an unbeatable efficiency even for small systems. One of the main limitations for long-term utilization is the reduction-oxidation cycling (RedOx cycles) of the nickel-based anodes. This paper will review the effects and parameters influencing RedOx cycles of the Ni-ceramic anode. Second, solutions for RedOx instability are reviewed in the patent and open scientific literature. The solutions are described from the point of view of the system, stack design, cell design, new materials and microstructure optimization. Finally, a brief synthesis on RedOx cycling of Ni-based anode supports for standard and optimized microstructures is depicted

Three-dimensional chemical analysis of laser-welded NiTi–stainless steel wires using a dual-beam FIB

The biomedical industry has an increasing demand for processes to join dissimilar metals, such as laser welding of NiTi and stainless steel wires. A region of the weld close to the NiTi interface, which previously was shown to be prone to cracking, was further analyzed by energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) extended in the third dimension using a focused ion beam. As the spatial resolution of EDS analysis is not precise enough to resolve the finest parts of the microstructure, a new segmentation method that uses in addition secondary-electron images of higher spatial resolution was developed. Applying these tools, it is shown that this region of the weld close to the NiTi interface does not comprise a homogeneous intermetallic layer, but is rather constituted by a succession of different intermetallics, the composition of which can be directly correlated with the solidification path in the ternary Fe-Ni-Ti Gibbs simplex