Why are massive O-rich AGB stars in our Galaxy not S-stars?

We present the main results derived from a chemical analysis carried out on a large sample of galactic O-rich AGB stars using high resolution optical spectroscopy (R~40,000-50,000) with the intention of studying their lithium abundances and/or possible s-process element enrichment. Our chemical analysis shows that some stars are lithium overabundant while others are not. The observed lithium overabundances are interpreted as a clear signature of the activation of the so-called ``Hot Bottom Burning'' (HBB) process in massive galactic O-rich AGB stars, as predicted by the models. However, these stars do not show the zirconium enhancement (taken as a representative for the s-process element enrichment) associated to the third dredge-up phase following thermal pulses. Our results suggest that the more massive O-rich AGB stars in our Galaxy behave differently from those in the Magellanic Clouds, which are both Li- and s-process-rich (S-type stars). Reasons for this unexpected result are discussed. We conclude that metallicity is probably the main responsible for the differences observed and suggest that it may play a more important role than generally assumed in the chemical evolution of AGB stars.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, to appear in the proceedings of the conference "Planetary Nebulae as astronomical tools" held in Gdansk, Poland, jun 28/jul 02, 200

Infrared Study of Fullerene Planetary Nebulae

We present a study of 16 PNe where fullerenes have been detected in their Spitzer spectra. This large sample of objects offers an unique opportunity to test conditions of fullerene formation and survival under different metallicity environments as we are analyzing five sources in our own Galaxy, four in the LMC, and seven in the SMC. Among the 16 PNe under study, we present the first detection of C60 (possibly also C70) fullerenes in the PN M 1-60 as well as of the unusual 6.6, 9.8, and 20 um features (possible planar C24) in the PN K 3-54. Although selection effects in the original samples of PNe observed with Spitzer may play a potentially significant role in the statistics, we find that the detection rate of fullerenes in C-rich PNe increases with decreasing metallicity (5% in the Galaxy, 20% in the LMC, and 44% in the SMC). CLOUDY photoionization modeling matches the observed IR fluxes with central stars that display a rather narrow range in effective temperature (30,000-45,000 K), suggesting a common evolutionary status of the objects and similar fullerene formation conditions. The observed C60 intensity ratios in the Galactic sources confirm our previous finding in the MCs that the fullerene emission is not excited by the UV radiation from the central star. CLOUDY models also show that line- and wind-blanketed model atmospheres can explain many of the observed [NeIII]/[NeII] ratios by photoionization suggesting that possibly the UV radiation from the central star, and not shocks, are triggering the decomposition of the circumstellar dust grains. With the data at hand, we suggest that the most likely explanation for the formation of fullerenes and graphene precursors in PNe is that these molecular species are built from the photo-chemical processing of a carbonaceous compound with a mixture of aromatic and aliphatic structures similar to that of HAC dust.Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJ (43 pages, 11 figures, and 4 tables). Small changes to fit the proof-corrected article to be published in Ap

Probing O-enrichment in C-rich dust planetary nebulae

The abundance of O in planetary nebulae (PNe) has been historically used as a metallicity indicator of the interstellar medium (ISM) where they originated; e.g., it has been widely used to study metallicity gradients in our Galaxy and beyond. However, clear observational evidence for O self enrichment in low-metallicity Galactic PNe with C-rich dust has been recently reported. Here we report asymptotic giant branch (AGB) nucleosynthesis predictions for the abundances of the CNO elements and helium in the metallicity range Zsun/4 < Z < 2Zsun. Our AGB models, with diffusive overshooting from all the convective borders, predict that O is overproduced in low-Z low-mass (~1-3 Msun) AGB stars and nicely reproduce the recent O overabundances observed in C-rich dust PNe. This confirms that O is not always a good proxy of the original ISM metallicity and another chemical elements such as Cl or Ar should be used instead. The production of oxygen by low-mass stars should be thus considered in galactic-evolution models.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS Letters (5 pages, 1 figure, and 1 table

Galactic planetary nebulae with precise nebular abundances as a tool to understand the evolution of asymptotic giant branch stars

We present nucleosynthesis predictions (HeCNOCl) from asymptotic giant branch (AGB) models, with diffusive overshooting from all the convective borders, in the metallicity range Z/4 < Z < 2Zsun. They are compared to recent precise nebular abundances in a sample of Galactic planetary nebulae (PNe) that is divided among double-dust chemistry (DC) and oxygen-dust chemistry (OC) according to the infrared dust features. Unlike the similar subsample of Galactic carbon-dust chemistry PNe recently analysed by us, here the individual abundance errors, the higher metallicity spread, and the uncertain dust types/subtypes in some PNe do not allow a clear determination of the AGB progenitor masses (and formation epochs) for both PNe samples; the comparison is thus more focussed on a object-by-object basis. The lowest metallicity OC PNe evolve from low-mass (~1 Msun) O-rich AGBs, while the higher metallicity ones (all with uncertain dust classifications) display a chemical pattern similar to the DC PNe. In agreement with recent literature, the DC PNe mostly descend from high-mass (M > 3.5 Msun) solar/supersolar metallicity AGBs that experience hot bottom burning (HBB), but other formation channels in low-mass AGBs like extra mixing, stellar rotation, binary interaction, or He pre-enrichment cannot be disregarded until more accurate C/O ratios would be obtained. Two objects among the DC PNe show the imprint of advanced CNO processing and deep second dredge-up, suggesting progenitors masses close to the limit to evolve as core collapse supernovae (above 6 Msun). Their actual C/O ratio, if confirmed, indicate contamination from the third dredge-up, rejecting the hypothesis that the chemical composition of such high-metallicity massive AGBs is modified exclusively by HBB.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS (11 pages, 3 figures, and 2 tables

Hot bottom burning and s-process nucleosynthesis in massive AGB stars at the beginning of the thermally-pulsing phase

We report the first spectroscopic identification of massive Galactic asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars at the beginning of the thermal pulse (TP) phase. These stars are the most Li-rich massive AGBs found to date, super Li-rich AGBs with logE(Li)~3-4. The high Li overabundances are accompanied by weak or no s-process element (i.e. Rb and Zr) enhancements. A comparison of our observations with the most recent hot bottom burning (HBB) and s-process nucleosynthesis models confirms that HBB is strongly activated during the first TPs but the 22Ne neutron source needs many more TP and third dredge-up episodes to produce enough Rb at the stellar surface. We also show that the short-lived element Tc, usually used as an indicator of AGB genuineness, is not detected in massive AGBs which is in agreement with the theoretical predictions when the 22Ne neutron source dominates the s-process nucleosynthesis.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics Letters (7 pages, 5 figures and 1 table); final version (language corrected

FEM based mathematical modelling of thrust force during drilling of Al7075-T6

Like most machining processes, drilling is affected by many parameters such as the tool diameter, the cutting speed and feed. The current research investigates the possibility of developing a finite element modelling based prediction model for the generated thrust force during drilling of Al7075-T6 with solid carbide tools. A total of 27 drilling experiments were carried out in order to examine the interaction between three key parameters and their effect on thrust force. In addition, simulations of the experiments were realized with the use of DEFORM3D((TM))software in order to obtain the necessary numerical data. Finally, a comparison was made between the experimental and the numerical results to verify that reliable modelling is feasible. The mathematical model was acquired with the use of response surface methodology and the verification of the adequacy of the model was performed through an analysis of variance. The majority of the simulations yielded results in agreement with the experimental results at around 95% and the derived model offered an accuracy of 5.9%

CAD-Based Automated Design of FEA-Ready Cutting Tools

The resources of modern Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software provide engineers with powerful mechanisms that can be used to investigate numerous machining processes with satisfying results. Nevertheless, the success of a simulation, especially in three dimensions, relies heavily on the accuracy of the cutting tool models that are implemented in the analyses. With this in mind, the present paper presents an application developed via Computer-Aided Design (CAD) programming that enables the automated design of accurate cutting tool models that can be used in 3D turning simulations. The presented application was developed with the aid of the programming resources of a commercially available CAD system. Moreover, the parametric design methodology was employed in order to design the tools according to the appropriate standards. Concluding, a sample tool model was tested by performing a number of machining simulations based on typical cutting parameters. The yielded results were then compared to experimental values of the generated machining force components for validation. The findings of the study prove the functionality of the tool models since a high level of agreement occurred between the acquired numerical results and the experimental ones

Influence of the Nose Radius on the Machining Forces Induced during AISI-4140 Hard Turning: A CAD-Based and 3D FEM Approach

The present study investigated the performance of three ceramic inserts in terms of the micro-geometry (nose radius and cutting edge type) with the aid of a 3D finite element (FE) model. A set of nine simulation runs was performed according to three levels of cutting speed and feed rate with respect to a predefined depth of cut and tool nose radius. The yielded results were compared to the experimental values that were acquired at identical cutting conditions as the simulated ones for verification purposes. Consequently, two more sets of nine simulations each were carried out so that a total of 27 turning simulation runs would adduce. The two extra sets corresponded to the same cutting conditions, but to different cutting tools (with varied nose radius). Moreover, a prediction model was established based on statistical methodologies such as the response surface methodology (RSM) and the analysis of variance (ANOVA), further investigating the relationship between the critical parameters (cutting speed, feed rate, and nose radius) and their influence on the generated turning force components. The comparison between the experimental values of the cutting force components and the simulated ones demonstrated an increased correlation that exceeded 89%. Similarly, the values derived from the statistical model were in compliance with the equivalent FE model values due to the verified adequacy