9,137 research outputs found
Dynamical heterogeneities as fingerprints of a backbone structure in Potts models
We investigate slow non-equilibrium dynamical processes in two-dimensional
--state Potts model with both ferromagnetic and couplings. Dynamical
properties are characterized by means of the mean-flipping time distribution.
This quantity is known for clearly unveiling dynamical heterogeneities. Using a
two-times protocol we characterize the different time scales observed and
relate them to growth processes occurring in the system. In particular we
target the possible relation between the different time scales and the spatial
heterogeneities originated in the ground state topology, which are associated
to the presence of a backbone structure. We perform numerical simulations using
an approach based on graphics processing units (GPUs) which permits to reach
large system sizes. We present evidence supporting both the idea of a growing
process in the preasymptotic regime of the glassy phases and the existence of a
backbone structure behind this processes.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figures, Accepted for publication in PR
Effect of Geometrical Imperfections on the Response of Dry-Joint Masonry Arches to Support Settlements
This paper aims to investigate the effects of geometrical imperfections on the response of a scaled dry-joint arch to the vertical displacement of one support. The arch behaviour was analysed in the large displacement regime using both physical and numerical modelling. The experimental tests were performed on 1:10 small-scale models made of bicomponent composite blocks with dry joints. In order to evaluate the geometrical accuracy of the blocks, two different sets of voussoirs were produced. The numerical simulations were carried out using a finite element (FE) micro-modelling approach, where the arch was modelled as an assembly of very stiff voussoirs connected by nonlinear interfaces. Particular attention was paid to the interface stiffness, which was set so as to tune the numerical model with the experimental evidence. Experimental and numerical results were then compared in terms of collapse mechanism, hinge configuration and ultimate displacement capacity. The imperfections of the physical models were found to significantly affect the arch response
Life cycle environmental analysis of a hydrogen-based energy storage system for remote applications
Energy storage systems are required to address the fluctuating behaviour of variable renewable energy sources. The environmental sustainability of energy storage technologies should be carefully assessed, together with their techno-economic feasibility. In this work, an environmental analysis of a renewable hydrogen-based energy storage system has been performed, making use of input parameters made available in the framework of the European REMOTE project. The analysis is applied to the case study of the Froan islands (Norway), which are representative of many other insular microgrid sites in northern Europe. The REMOTE solution is compared with other scenarios based on fossil fuels and submarine connections to the mainland grid. The highest climate impacts are found in the diesel-based configuration (1,090.9 kgCO2eq/MWh), followed by the REMOTE system (148.2 kgCO2eq/MWh) and by the sea cable scenario (113.7 kgCO2eq/MWh). However, the latter is biased by the very low carbon intensity of the Norwegian electricity. A sensitivity analysis is then performed on the length of the sea cable and on the CO2 emission intensity of electricity, showing that local conditions have a strong impact on the results. The REMOTE system is also found to be the most cost-effective solution to provide electricity to the insular community. The in-depth and comparative (with reference to possible alternatives) assessment of the renewable hydrogen-based system aims to provide a comprehensive overview about the effectiveness and sustainability of these innovative solutions as a support for off-grid remote areas
Orthogonal Polynomial Representation of Imaginary-Time Green's Functions
We study the expansion of single-particle and two-particle imaginary-time
Matsubara Green's functions of quantum impurity models in the basis of Legendre
orthogonal polynomials. We discuss various applications within the dynamical
mean-field theory (DMFT) framework. The method provides a more compact
representation of the Green's functions than standard Matsubara frequencies and
therefore significantly reduces the memory-storage size of these quantities.
Moreover, it can be used as an efficient noise filter for various physical
quantities within the continuous-time quantum Monte Carlo impurity solvers
recently developed for DMFT and its extensions. In particular, we show how to
use it for the computation of energies in the context of realistic DMFT
calculations in combination with the local density approximation to the density
functional theory (LDA+DMFT) and for the calculation of lattice
susceptibilities from the local irreducible vertex function.Comment: 14 pages, 11 figure
A spectroscopic survey of the youngest field stars in the solar neighbourhood. I. The optically bright sample
We present the first results of a ground-based programme conducted on 1-4m
class telescopes. Our sample consists of 1097 active and presumably young
stars, all of them being optical counterparts of RASS X-ray sources in the
northern hemisphere. We concentrate on the 704 optically brightest
(V_Ticho<=9.5 mag) candidates. We acquired high-res spectroscopy in the
Halpha/Li spectral regions for 426 of such stars without relevant literature
data. We describe the sample and the observations and we start to discuss its
physical properties. We used a cross-correlation technique and other tools to
derive accurate radial/rotational velocities and to perform a spectral
classification for both single and SB2 stars. The spectral subtraction
technique was used to derive chromospheric activity levels and Li abundances.
We estimated the fraction of young single stars and multiple systems in stellar
soft X-ray surveys and the contamination by more evolved systems, like RS
CVn's. We classified stars on the basis of Li abundance and give a glimpse of
their sky distribution. The sample appears to be a mixture of young
Pleiades-/Hyades- like stars plus an older Li-poor population (~1-2 Gyr). 7
stars with Li abundance compatible with the age of IC 2602 (~30 Myr) or younger
were detected as well, although 2 appear to be Li-rich giants. The discovery of
a large number of Li-rich giants is another outcome of this survey. The
contamination of soft X-ray surveys by old systems in which the activity level
is enhanced by tidal synchronisation is not negligible, especially for K-type
stars. 5 stars with Li content close to the primordial abundance are probably
associated with known moving groups in the solar neighbourhood. Some of them
are PTTS candidates according to their positions in the HR diagram.Comment: 16 pages, 12 figures, 6 tables; 2 figures and 2 tables in electronic
form only. Paper accepted by Astronomy and Astrophysic
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