Full-field optical measurement of curvatures in ultra-thin-film–substrate systems in the range of geometrically nonlinear deformations

This article describes coherent gradient sensing (CGS) as an optical, full-field, real-time, nonintrusive, and noncontact technique for the measurement of curvatures and nonuniform curvature changes in film-substrate systems. The technique is applied to the study of curvature fields in thin Al films (6 mum) deposited on thin circular silicon wafers (105 mum) of "large" in-plane dimensions (50.8 mm in diameter) subjected to thermal loading histories. The loading and geometry is such that the system experiences deformations that are clearly within the nonlinear range. The discussion is focused on investigating the limits of the range of the linear relationship between the thermally induced mismatch strain and the substrate curvature, on the degree to which the substrate curvature becomes spatially nonuniform in the range of geometrically nonlinear deformation, and finally, on the bifurcation of deformation mode from axial symmetry to asymmetry with increasing mismatch strain. Results obtained on the basis of both simple models and more-detailed finite-element simulations are compared with the full-field CGS measurements with the purpose of validating the analytical and numerical models

Dependence on temperature and GC content of bubble length distributions in DNA

We present numerical results on the temperature dependence of the distribution of bubble lengths in DNA segments of various guanine-cytosine (GC) concentrations. Base-pair openings are described by the Peyrard-Bishop-Dauxois model and the corresponding thermal equilibrium distributions of bubbles are obtained through Monte Carlo calculations for bubble sizes up to the order of a hundred base pairs. The dependence of the parameters of bubble length distribution on temperature and the GC content is investigated. We provide simple expressions which approximately describe these relations. The variation of the average bubble length is also presented. We find a temperature dependence of the exponent c that appears in the distribution of bubble lengths. If an analogous dependence exists in the loop entropy exponent of real DNA, it may be relevant to understand overstretching in force-extension experiments.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures. Published on The Journal of Chemical Physic

Electrochemical behavior of Sn-Zn alloys with different grain structures in chloride-containing solutions

In the present research the electrochemical behavior of the Sn-Zn alloys (Sn-1 wt.%Zn, Sn-4 wt.%Zn and 8.9 wt.%Zn) in 3% NaCl solution is analyzed using potentiodynamic cyclic polarization measurements and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) technique. Specimens were longitudinally solidified with simultaneous heat extraction in two opposite directions. Working electrodes were constructed using longitudinal and cross sections of the specimens with both types of structure: columnar and equiaxed. Results obtained from the polarization curves indicated that the two types of grain structures of Sn-Zn alloys (Sn-1 wt.%Zn, Sn-4 wt.%Zn and Sn-8.9 wt.%Zn) corresponding to longitudinal section present a pseudo passive zone. In the case of specimens from cross sections of the samples, the columnar and equiaxed zones of Sn-8.9 wt.%Zn are the only ones that do not have this pseudo passive region. In addition, the interdendritic zone of alloys is susceptible to corrosion by dealloying because this phase is zinc-rich. This type of corrosion also occurs in the zinc rich lamellar structure present in the eutectic. The percentage of zinc in the alloy increases with increasing susceptibility to pitting corrosion. The EIS values obtained revealed that the susceptibility to corrosion increases with increasing zinc content in alloys, for both the columnar and equiaxed zones. In addition, the columnar zones of Sn-4 wt.%Zn and Sn-8.9 wt.%Zn specimens are more resistant to corrosion than the equiaxed grain specimens. However, the equiaxed zone of Sn-1 wt.%Zn alloy is less susceptible to corrosion than the columnar zone. After adjustment by equivalent circuits it is revealed that the equiaxed zone of Sn-8.9 wt.%Zn alloy has a second porous layer composed of corrosion products on the electrode surface.Fil: Mendez, Claudia Marcela. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Químicas y Naturales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones; ArgentinaFil: Scheiber, Verónica L.. Provincia de Misiones. Comité de Desarrollo e Innovación Tecnológica. Centro de Desarrollo e Innovación Tecnológica; ArgentinaFil: Rozicki, Roberto S.. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Químicas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Kociubczyk, Alex Iván. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Químicas y Naturales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones; ArgentinaFil: Ares, Alicia Esther. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Químicas y Naturales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones; Argentin

Improved graphene blisters by ultrahigh pressure sealing

Graphene is a very attractive material for nanomechanical devices and membrane applications. Graphene blisters based on silicon oxide micro-cavities are a simple but relevant example of nanoactuators. A drawback of this experimental set up is that gas leakage through the graphene-SiO2 interface contributes significantly to the total leak rate. Here we study the diffusion of air from pressurized graphene drumheads on SiO2 micro-cavities and propose a straightforward method to improve the already strong adhesion between graphene and the underlying SiO2 substrate, resulting in reduced leak rates. This is carried out by applying controlled and localized ultrahigh pressure (> 10 GPa) with an Atomic Force Microscopy diamond tip. With this procedure, we are able to significantly approach the graphene layer to the SiO2 surface around the drumheads, thus enhancing the interaction between them allowing us to better seal the graphene-SiO2 interface, which is reflected in up to ~ 4 times lower leakage rates. Our work opens an easy way to improve the performance of graphene as a gas membrane on a technological relevant substrate such as SiO2.Comment: pages 19, 4 figures + supplementary informatio

An experimental study of the effect of off-fault damage on the velocity of a slip pulse

The effect of off-fault damage on the speed of ruptures propagating on faults in photoelastic Homalite plates was measured using high-speed digital photography. The off-fault damage was composed of a network of fractures introduced by thermally shocking the Homalite in liquid nitrogen. The mode II rupture speed measured in damaged Homalite was significantly lower than the limiting Rayleigh speed of v_r = 0.92 v_s, even after the shear wave speed v_s was reduced to a value appropriate for the fracture-damaged Homalite. The additional slowing is most likely caused by frictional sliding on preexisting cracks, especially since we did not observe the generation of new fractures. The spatial extent of the interaction between the rupture and the off-fault damage was measured using samples in which the damage was limited to a band of width 2w centered on the fault and also using damaged samples containing a band of undamaged Homalite centered on the fault. By measuring the rupture velocity as a function of w, the interaction between the rupture and off-fault damage was observed to be limited to a distance of about 1 cm from the fault plane. This agrees with the spatial extent of Coulomb failure near the tip of a dynamic slip pulse predicted by the analytic model developed by Rice et al. (2005)

Electrochemical characterization of Zn-Sn alloys

En el presente trabajo se analizó el comportamiento electroquímico de probetas de Zn y Sn puros y de aleaciones Zn-Sn con concentraciones en peso de Sn, esto es, Zn3%Sn, Zn10%Sn y Zn50%Sn. Las aleaciones preparadas fueronsolidificadas direccionalmente en forma horizontal con extracción calórica en dos sentidos opuestos, obteniéndose asíen cada una de las probetas la transición de estructura columnar a equiaxial. Los diferentes tipos de estructurasobtenidas, columnar y equiaxial, fueron utilizadas como electrodos de trabajo. El análisis a la resistencia a lacorrosión se realizó mediante ensayos de polarización potenciodinámica cíclica y mediante la técnica deespectroscopía de impedancia (EIS), empleando una celda convencional de tres electrodos, un electrodo de referenciade calomel saturado, un electrodo de platino como contraelectrodo y una solución deaereada de NaCl al 3%, atemperatura ambiente. A partir de las medidas potenciodinámicas cíclicas obtenidas se observó que los potenciales decorrosión de los materiales son ligeramente más nobles conforme el contenido de Sn aumenta en la aleación. Laobservación microscópica de las probetas luego de los ensayos denotó una mayor tendencia a la corrosión por picadocon el aumento del porcentaje en peso de Sn y la disminución de la corrosión generalizada frente al Zn puro. Losespectros de EIS obtenidos fueron ajustados de acuerdo a dos modelos de circuitos eléctricos equivalentes. Losparámetros hallados describen el comportamiento de la capa de óxido formada. Para la estructura columnar, lamuestra de Zn puro es la menos resistente a la corrosión generalizada, aumentando su resistencia con el agregado deSn en las probetas.In the present work was analyzed the electrochemical behavior of Zn 3 % Sn, Zn10 %Sn and Zn50 % Sn alloys (weight percentage), and Zn and Sn pures. The samples were obtained by the horizontally unidirectional solidification method, with extraction of heat in two opposite directions. From each of the samples were obtained the three zones: columnar, equiaxed and columnar-to-equiaxed transition (CET). The different types of structures obtained were cut longitudinally and used like work electrodes. The analysis to the corrosion resistance was realized through potentiodynamic cyclic polarization essays and the EIS technique. For the tests was used a conventional threeelectrode cell, a reference electrode saturated calomel, was used platinum as a counter electrode and a 3% NaCl solution, dereated, at room temperature. From the potentiodynamic measures obtained was observed that the corrosion potential is slightly more noble when in the alloy increases the Sn content. After the tests, the microscopic observation of the samples showed that whit the increase of Sn content, increases the susceptibility of pitting corrosion and decreases the generalized corrosion versus pure Zn. The EIS obtained spectrums were adjusted according two equivalent circuit models. The found parameters described the behavior of the oxide formed film on the top of the material. For the columnar structure, the pure Zn sample is the most susceptible to the corrosion, the resistance increases with the amount of Sn.Fil: Scheiber, V. L.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Mendez, Claudia Marcela. Universidad Nacional de Misiones; ArgentinaFil: Ares, Alicia Esther. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Cs.exactas Químicas y Naturales. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones; Argentin

Optical quality variation of different intraocular lens designs in a model eye: lens placed correctly and in an upside-down position

Introduction: Intraocular lenses (IOLs) may lose their optical quality if they are not correctly placed inside the capsular bag once implanted. One possible malpositioning of the IOL could be the implantation in an upside-down position. In this work, three aspheric IOLs with different spherical aberration (SA) have been designed and numerically tested to analyse the optical quality variation with the IOL flip, and misalignments, using a theoretical model eye. Methods: Using the commercial optical design software OSLO, the effect of decentration and tilt was evaluated by numerical ray tracing in two conditions: IOL in their designed position and flipped. The Atchison theoretical model eye used. Seven IOL designs of +27.00 diopters were used: a lens with negative SA to correct the corneal SA, a lens to partially correct the corneal SA and a lens to not add any SA to the cornea (aberration-free IOL). These lenses were designed with the aspherical surface located on the anterior and posterior IOL surface. A lens with no aspherical surfaces was also included. For the optical quality analysis, the Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) and Zernike wavefront aberration coefficients of defocus, astigmatism and primary coma were used. Results: Off-centering and tilting the IOL reduced overall MTF values, and increased wavefront aberration errors. With the IOL correctly positioned within the capsular bag, an aberration-free IOL is the best choice for maintaining optical quality. When the IOL is flipped inside the capsular bag the optical quality changes, with the aberration-free IOL and the IOL without aspheric surfaces providing the worst results. With the lens in an upside-down position, an IOL design to partially correct corneal SA shows the best optical quality results in decentration and tilt. Conclusion: The aberration-free IOL is the best choice when minimal postoperative errors of decentration or tilt are predicted. With IOL flip, the negative SA lens design is the best choice, regarding the root mean square wavefront aberrations. However, in a proper IOL implantation, the IOL designed to partially compensate the corneal SA including asphericity on its posterior surface is the better possible option, even in the presence of decentration or tilt

Does time constrain affect consumer intention to purchase? A case study with orange/pomegranate juice.

The influence of time pressure on consumer perception may be particularly relevant for the design of food packages. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the influence of time-constraint on results from a rating-based conjoint task, using pomegranate/orange juice as case study. One hundred consumers evaluated the intention to purchase of images of juice bottles, which were designed by manipulating the following variables: bottle design, front-of-pack nutritional information, nutrition claim and processing claim. They were randomly divided into two experimental conditions: control and time-constraint. Consumers with a time-constraint gave significantly higher intention to purchase scores than those in control condition, but time-constraint did not largely modify the way in which consumers evaluated their intention to purchase. In both experimental conditions consumers gave higher intention to purchase scores for bottles with traditional design, which included processing claim and front-of-pack nutritional information. Result suggests that graphic design could help consumers to make healthier food choices.Food: the tree that sustains life. 1648