440 research outputs found
Brittle fracture down to femto-Joules - and below
We analyze large sets of energy-release data created by stress-induced
brittle fracture in a pure sapphire crystal at close to zero temperature where
stochastic fluctuations are minimal. The waiting-time distribution follows that
observed for fracture in rock and for earthquakes. Despite strong time
correlations of the events and the presence of large-event precursors, simple
prediction algorithms only succeed in a very weak probabilistic sense. We also
discuss prospects for further cryogenic experiments reaching close to
single-bond sensitivity and able to investigate the existence of a
transition-stress regime.Comment: REVTeX, new figure added, minor modifications to tex
Lifecycle Analysis for Automobiles: Uses and Limitations
There has been a recent trend toward the use of lifecycle analysis (LCA) as a decision-making tool for the automotive industry. However, the different practitioners` methods and assumptions vary widely, as do the interpretations put on the results. The lack of uniformity has been addressed by such groups as the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), but standardization of methodology assures neither meaningful results nor appropriate use of the results. This paper examines the types of analysis that are possible for automobiles, explains possible pitfalls to be avoided, and suggests ways that LCA can be used as part of a rational decision-making procedure. The key to performing a useful analysis is identification of the factors that will actually be used in making the decision. It makes no sense to analyze system energy use in detail if direct financial cost is to be the decision criterion. Criteria may depend on who is making the decision (consumer, producer, regulator). LCA can be used to track system performance for a variety of criteria, including emissions, energy use, and monetary costs, and these can have spatial and temporal distributions. Because optimization of one parameter is likely to worsen another, identification of trade-offs is an important function of LCA
Recommended from our members
Lifecycle analysis for automobiles: Uses and limitations
There has been a recent trend toward the use of lifecycle analysis (LCA) as a decision-making tool for the automotive industry. However, the different practitioners` methods and assumptions vary widely, as do the interpretations put on the results. The lack of uniformity has been addressed by such groups as the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), but standardization of methodology assures neither meaningful results nor appropriate use of the results. This paper examines the types of analysis that are possible for automobiles, explains possible pitfalls to be avoided, and suggests ways that LCA can be used as part of a rational decision-making procedure. The key to performing a useful analysis is identification of the factors that will actually be used in making the decision. It makes no sense to analyze system energy use in detail if direct financial cost is to be the decision criterion. Criteria may depend on who is making the decision (consumer, producer, regulator). LCA can be used to track system performance for a variety of criteria, including emissions, energy use, and monetary costs, and these can have spatial and temporal distributions. Because optimization of one parameter is likely to worsen another, identification of trade-offs is an important function of LCA
Recommended from our members
Lifecycle analysis: Uses and pitfalls
Lifecycle analysis (LCA) is a powerful tool, often used as an aid to decision making in industry and for public policy. LCA forms the foundation of the newly-invented field of industrial ecology. There are several possible uses and users for this tool. It can be used to evaluate the impacts from a process or from production and use of a product. Impacts from competing products or processes can be compared to help manufacturers or consumers choose among options, including foregoing the service the product or process would have provided because the impacts are too great. Information about impacts can be used by governments to set regulations, taxes, or tariffs; to allocate funds for research and development (R&D) or low-interest loans; or to identify projects worthy to receive tax credits. In addition, LCA can identify key process steps and, most important, key areas where process changes, perhaps enabled by R&D, could significantly reduce impacts. Analysts can use the results to help characterize the ramifications of possible policy options or technological changes
A Textured Silicon Calorimetric Light Detector
We apply the standard photovoltaic technique of texturing to reduce the
reflectivity of silicon cryogenic calorimetric light detectors. In the case of
photons with random incidence angles, absorption is compatible with the
increase in surface area. For the geometrically thin detectors studied, energy
resolution from athermal phonons, dominated by position dependence, is
proportional to the surface-to-volume ratio. With the CaWO4 scintillating
crystal used as light source, the time constants of the calorimeter should be
adapted to the relatively slow light-emission times.Comment: Submitted to Journal of Applied Physic
Interpretation of Light-Quenching Factor Measurements
We observe that the pattern of the quenching factors for scintillation light
from various ions, recently studied in in connection with dark matter
detectors, can be understood as a saturation phenomenon in which the light
output is simply proportional to track length, independent of the ion and its
energy. This observation is in accord with the high dE/dx limit of Birks' law.
It suggests a simple model for the intrinsic resolution of light detectors for
low energy ions, which we briefly discuss.Comment: Seven pages, seven figures, some with colo
A novel probe of the vacuum of the lattice gluodynamics
We introduce a notion of minimal number of negative links on the lattice for
a given original configuration of SU(2) fields. Negative links correspond to a
large potential, not necessarily large action. The idea is that the minimal
number of negative links is a gauge invariant notion. To check this hypothesis
we measure correlator of two negative links, averaged over all the directions,
as function of the distance between the links. The inverse correlation length
coincides within the error bars with the lightest glueball mass.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figure
Negative heat capacity in the critical region of nuclear fragmentation: an experimental evidence of the liquid-gas phase transition
An experimental indication of negative heat capacity in excited nuclear
systems is inferred from the event by event study of energy fluctuations in
quasi-projectile sources formed in collisions at 35 A.MeV. The
excited source configuration is reconstructed through a calorimetric analysis
of its de-excitation products. Fragment partitions show signs of a critical
behavior at about 5 A.MeV excitation energy. In the same energy range the heat
capacity shows a negative branch providing a direct evidence of a first order
liquid gas phase transition.Comment: 4 Postscript figures, submitted to Phys. Rev. Lett. on 14-apr-199
On the Significance of the Quantity "A Squared"
We consider the gauge potential A and argue that the minimum value of the
volume integral of A squared (in Euclidean space) may have physical meaning,
particularly in connection with the existence of topological structures. A
lattice simulation comparing compact and non-compact ``photodynamics'' shows a
jump in this quantity at the phase transition, supporting this idea.Comment: 6 pages, one figur
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