The present and future of QCD

This White Paper presents an overview of the current status and future perspective of QCD research, based on the community inputs and scientific conclusions from the 2022 Hot and Cold QCD Town Meeting. We present the progress made in the last decade toward a deep understanding of both the fundamental structure of the sub-atomic matter of nucleon and nucleus in cold QCD, and the hot QCD matter in heavy ion collisions. We identify key questions of QCD research and plausible paths to obtaining answers to those questions in the near future, hence defining priorities of our research over the coming decades

Stress-Optimised Shape Memory Devices for the Use in Microvalves

A gas valve of 6x6x2 mm3 size has been developed for high pressure applications. Stress-optimised shape memory microbeams of 100 µm thickness are used to control the deflection of a membrane above a valve chamber. The shape memory thin sheets have been fabricated by melting and rolling, which creates specific textures. Investigations by X-ray diffraction revealed major orientations of [111] and [011] in rolling direction. The corresponding maximum anisotropy of transformation strain was 20%. The microbeams have been fabricated by laser cutting. For stress-optimisation, the lateral widths of the beams are designed for homogeneous stress distributions along the beam surfaces allowing an optimised use of the shape memory effect and a minimisation of fatigue effects. For actuation, a rhombohedral phase transformation is used. This allows operation below pressure differences of 1200 hPa in designs with one valve chamber and below 4500 hPa in pressure-compensated designs with a second valve chamber above the membrane. Maximum gas flows of 1600 sccm (sccm = cm2 at standart conditions / minute) and work outputs of 35 µNm are achieved for a driving power of 210 mW. The response times for closing the valves vary between 0.5 and 1.2 s and for opening between 1 and 2 s depending on the applied pressure difference

Development of Microactuators Based on the Shape Memory Effect

The mechanical and electrical properties of beam-cantilever microdevices fabricated from cold-rolled NiTi sheets and sputter-deposited NiTi thin films have been investigated by beam-bending experiments and electrical resistance measurements, respectively. In order to study possible size effects on the martensitic transformation, different device thicknesses have been realized down to grain dimensions of the NiTi sheets of about 20 μm, revealing enhanced transformation hystereses. For actuation control by resistive heating, the achievable displacements and work outputs were determined by the cross-section-dependent heat transfer to the device regions of maximum strain. Optimum heating/cooling performance and hysteresis control have been achieved for NiTi thin film devices with R-phase transformation above room-temperature. In order to demonstrate the potential of the microdevices for actuator applications, prototypes of membrane microvalves have been realised and tested

Simulação das perdas de água por evaporação e arraste, no aspersor NY-7 (4,6 mm x 4,0 mm), em sistemas de aspersão convencional Simulation of evaporation and wind drift losses, in the NY-7 sprinkler (4.6 mm x 4.0 mm), in stationary sprinler irrigation systems

As perdas de água por evaporação e arraste em sistemas de irrigação por aspersão podem assumir valores consideráveis, reduzindo a eficiência do sistema. Os objetivos do presente trabalho foram avaliar a capacidade preditiva de cinco modelos empíricos para estimar perdas de água por evaporação e arraste em aspersores modelo NY-7 (bocais de 4,6 mm x 4,0 mm), trabalhando sob diferentes condições operacionais e ambientais, e ajustar modelos específicos para o aspersor NY-7. Comparando os resultados medidos em ensaios de campo, com os resultados simulados, foi possível concluir que os cinco modelos empíricos considerados apresentaram pouca ou nenhuma adequação, tanto para os ensaios com um único aspersor (quadrado do erro-médio de 5,27; 20,70; 5,07; 6,95 e 7,06% para os modelos empíricos 1; 2; 3; 4 e 5, respectivamente) quanto para os ensaios com linhas laterais contendo aspersores (quadrado do erro-médio de 7,41; 24,43; 6,72; 3,16 e 2,9% para os modelos empíricos 1; 2; 3; 4 e 5, respectivamente). Comparados aos cinco modelos empíricos considerados, os novos modelos ajustados apresentaram menores erros, indicando que a aplicação de modelos empíricos deve ser limitada às condições de operação (diâmetro de bocal, pressão de operação, etc.) similares àquelas em que os modelos foram desenvolvidos.<br>Evaporation and wind drift losses during sprinkler irrigation may reach significant values, cutting system efficiency down. The present work aims: (a) to evaluate the ability of five empirical models in predicting losses of a NY-7 model sprinkler (nozzle of 4.6 mm x 4.0 mm), working under different operational and climatic conditions; and (b) to adjust specific models to the NY-7 sprinkler. By comparing measured values - obtained on field trials - with simulated ones, it was possible to conclude that, in general, the five considered empirical models presented little or no adjustment for the single-sprinkler outdoor tests (root mean square error of 5.27; 20.70; 5.07; 6.95 and 7.06% for empirical models 1; 2; 3; 4 and 5, respectively) as well as for the block irrigation outdoor tests (root mean square error of 7.41; 24.43; 6.72; 3.16 and 2.90% for empirical models 1; 2; 3; 4 and 5, respectively). When compared to the five considered empirical models, the new adjusted models showed lower errors, indicating that the application of empirical models must be limitated to working conditions (nozzle size, operational pressure, etc.) similar to the ones in which they were developed