METCAN updates for high temperature composite behavior: Simulation/verification

The continued verification (comparisons with experimental data) of the METCAN (Metal Matrix Composite Analyzer) computer code is updated. Verification includes comparisons at room and high temperatures for two composites, SiC/Ti-15-3 and SiC/Ti-6-4. Specifically, verification of the SiC/Ti-15-3 composite includes comparisons of strength, modulus, and Poisson's ratio as well as stress-strain curves for four laminates at room temperature. High temperature verification includes comparisons of strength and stress-strain curves for two laminates. Verification of SiC/Ti-6-4 is for a transverse room temperature stress-strain curve and comparisons for transverse strength at three temperatures. Results of the verification indicates that METCAN can be used with confidence to simulate the high temperature nonlinear behavior of metal matrix composites

Knowledge-based vision and simple visual machines

The vast majority of work in machine vision emphasizes the representation of perceived objects and events: it is these internal representations that incorporate the 'knowledge' in knowledge-based vision or form the 'models' in model-based vision. In this paper, we discuss simple machine vision systems developed by artificial evolution rather than traditional engineering design techniques, and note that the task of identifying internal representations within such systems is made difficult by the lack of an operational definition of representation at the causal mechanistic level. Consequently, we question the nature and indeed the existence of representations posited to be used within natural vision systems (i.e. animals). We conclude that representations argued for on a priori grounds by external observers of a particular vision system may well be illusory, and are at best place-holders for yet-to-be-identified causal mechanistic interactions. That is, applying the knowledge-based vision approach in the understanding of evolved systems (machines or animals) may well lead to theories and models that are internally consistent, computationally plausible, and entirely wrong

Geophysical Methods: an Overview

Geophysics is expected to have a major role in lunar resource assessment when manned systems return to the Moon. Geophysical measurements made from a lunar rover will contribute to a number of key studies: estimating regolith thickness, detection of possible large-diameter lava tubes within maria basalts, detection of possible subsurface ice in polar regions, detection of conductive minerals that formed directly from a melt (orthomagmatic sulfides of Cu, Ni, Co), and mapping lunar geology beneath the regolith. The techniques that can be used are dictated both by objectives and by our abilities to adapt current technology to lunar conditions. Instrument size, weight, power requirements, and freedom from orientation errors are factors we have considered. Among the geophysical methods we believe to be appropriate for a lunar resource assessment are magnetics, including gradiometry, time-domain magnetic induction, ground-penetrating radar, seismic reflection, and gravimetry

How has the Louisiana Scholarship Program Affected Students? A Comprehensive Summary of Effects after Four Years

School choice has long been a subject of robust debate. Private school vouchers—programs providing public funds for students to attend K-12 private schools—tend to be the most contentious form of school choice. Over the past three years, our research team has released a series of reports examining how the LSP has affected key student and community conditions

Relativistic Quantum Thermodynamics of Ideal Gases in 2 Dimensions

In this work we study the behavior of relativistic ideal Bose and Fermi gases in two space dimensions. Making use of polylogarithm functions we derive a closed and unified expression for their densities. It is shown that both type of gases are essentially inequivalent, and only in the non-relativistic limit the spinless and equal mass Bose and Fermi gases are equivalent as known in the literature.Comment: 6 pages, 1 figur

Dynamical coupled-channels analysis of 1H(e,e'pi)N reactions

We have performed a dynamical coupled-channels analysis of available p(e,e'pi)N data in the region of W < 1.6 GeV and Q^2 < 1.45 (GeV/c)^2. The channels included are gamma^* N, pi N, eta N, and pi pi N which has pi Delta, rho N, and sigma N components. With the hadronic parameters of the model determined in our previous investigations of pi N --> pi N, pi pi N reactions, we have found that the available data in the considered W < 1.6 GeV region can be fitted well by only adjusting the bare gamma^* N --> N^* helicity amplitudes for the lowest N^* states in P33, P11, S11 and D13 partial waves. The sensitivity of the resulting parameters to the amount of data included in the analysis is investigated. The importance of coupled-channels effect on the p(e,e' pi)N cross sections is demonstrated. The meson cloud effects, as required by the unitarity conditions, on the gamma^* N --> N^* form factors are also examined. Necessary future developments, both experimentally and theoretically, are discussed.Comment: 14 pages, 11 figures. Version to appear in PR

An improved continuous compositional-spread technique based on pulsed-laser deposition and applicable to large substrate areas

A new method for continuous compositional-spread (CCS) thin-film fabrication based on pulsed-laser deposition (PLD) is introduced. This approach is based on a translation of the substrate heater and the synchronized firing of the excimer laser, with the deposition occurring through a slit-shaped aperture. Alloying is achieved during film growth (possible at elevated temperature) by the repeated sequential deposition of sub-monolayer amounts. Our approach overcomes serious shortcomings in previous in-situ implementations of CCS based on sputtering or PLD, in particular the variations of thickness across the compositional spread and the differing deposition energetics as function of position. While moving-shutter techniques are appropriate for PLD-approaches yielding complete spreads on small substrates (i.e. small as compared to distances over which the deposition parameters in PLD vary, typically about 1 cm), our method can be used to fabricate samples that are large enough for individual compositions to be analyzed by conventional techniques, including temperature-dependent measurements of resistivity and dielectric and magnetic and properties (i.e. SQUID magnetometry). Initial results are shown for spreads of (Sr,Ca)RuO$_3$.Comment: 6 pages, 8 figures, accepted for publication in Rev. Sci. Instru

Ferromagnetism below 10 K in Mn doped BiTe

Ferromagnetism is observed below 10 K in [Bi0.75Te0.125Mn0.125]Te. This material has the BiTe structure, which is made from the stacking of two Te-Bi-Te-Bi-Te blocks and one Bi-Bi block per unit cell. Crystal structure analysis shows that Mn is localized in the Bi2 blocks, and is accompanied by an equal amount of TeBi anti-site occupancy in the Bi2Te3 blocks. These TeBi anti-site defects greatly enhance the Mn solubility. This is demonstrated by comparison of the [Bi1-xMnx]Te and [Bi1-2xTexMnx]Te series; in the former, the solubility is limited to x = 0.067, while the latter has xmax = 0.125. The magnetism in [Bi1-xMnx]Te changes little with x, while that for [Bi1-2xTexMnx]Te shows a clear variation, leading to ferromagnetism for x > 0.067. Magnetic hysteresis and the anomalous Hall Effect are observed for the ferromagnetic samples.Comment: Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

Computational simulation of matrix micro-slip bands in SiC/Ti-15 composite

Computational simulation procedures are used to identify the key deformation mechanisms for (0)(sub 8) and (90)(sub 8) SiC/Ti-15 metal matrix composites. The computational simulation procedures employed consist of a three-dimensional finite-element analysis and a micromechanics based computer code METCAN. The interphase properties used in the analysis have been calibrated using the METCAN computer code with the (90)(sub 8) experimental stress-strain curve. Results of simulation show that although shear stresses are sufficiently high to cause the formation of some slip bands in the matrix concentrated mostly near the fibers, the nonlinearity in the composite stress-strain curve in the case of (90)(sub 8) composite is dominated by interfacial damage, such as microcracks and debonding rather than microplasticity. The stress-strain curve for (0)(sub 8) composite is largely controlled by the fibers and shows only slight nonlinearity at higher strain levels that could be the result of matrix microplasticity