1,180 research outputs found
CF6 performance improvement
Potential CF6 engine performance improvements directed at reduced fuel consumption were identified and screened relative to airline acceptability and are reviewed. The screening process developed to provide evaluations of fuel savings and economic factors including return on investment and direct operating cost is described. In addition, assessments of development risk and production potential are made. Several promising concepts selected for full-scale development based on a ranking involving these factors are discussed
Strain monitoring of tapestries: results of a three-year research project
The outcomes of an interdisciplinary research project between conservators and engineers investigating the strain experienced by different areas of a tapestry are described. Two techniques were used: full-field monitoring using digital image correlation (DIC) and point measurements using optical fibre sensors. Results showed that it is possible to quantify the global strain across a discrete area of a tapestry using DIC; optical fibre and other sensors were used to validate the DIC. Strain maps created by the DIC depict areas of high and low strain and can be overlaid on images of the tapestry, creating a useful visual tool for conservators, custodians and the general public. DIC identifies areas of high strain not obvious to the naked eye. The equipment can be used in situ in a historic house. In addition the work demonstrated the close relationship between relative humidity and strain
Surface-directed spinodal decomposition in the pseudobinary alloy (HfO_2)_x(SiO_2)_{1-x}
Hf silicate films (HfO_2)_{0.25}(SiO_2)_{0.75} with thicknesses in the range
4-20 nm were grown on silicon substrate by atomic layer deposition at 350
deg.C.The Hf distributions in as-grown and 800 deg.C annealed films were
investigated by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM),
angle-resolved x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (ARXPS) and medium energy ion
scattering (MEIS). HRTEM images show a layered structure in films thinner than
8 nm. The ARXPS data also reveal a non-uniform distribution of Hf throughout
the film depth. Diffusion of SiO_2 to the film surface after a longer time
anneal was observed by MEIS. All these observations provide evidence for
surface-directed spinodal decomposition in the pseudobinary
(HfO_2)_x(SiO_2)_{1-x} alloy system.Comment: 1o figures, one tabl
Survey of research priorities in water erosion, waterlogging and flooding in south-western Australia
Matter Wave Scattering and Guiding by Atomic Arrays
We investigate the possibility that linear arrays of atoms can guide matter
waves, much as fiber optics guide light. We model the atomic line as a quasi-1D
array of s wave point scatterers embedded in 2D. Our theoretical study reveals
how matter wave guiding arises from the interplay of scattering phenomena with
bands and conduction along the array. We discuss the conditions under which a
straight or curved array of atoms can guide a beam focused at one end of the
array.Comment: Submitted to Phys. Rev.
Applications of polymer optical fibre grating sensors to condition monitoring of textiles
Fibre Bragg gratings (FBGs) in polymer optical fibres (POFs) have been used to measure the strain in a woven textile.
FBGs in both POFs and silica optical fibres were attached to a woven textile specimen, and their performance
characterised. It was demonstrated that the POF FBGs provide improved strain transfer coefficients and reduce local
structural reinforcement compared to silica FBGs and therefore make a more suitable proposition for textile monitoring
Liquid State Anomalies for the Stell-Hemmer Core-Softened Potential
We study the Stell-Hemmer potential using both analytic (exact and
approximate ) solutions and numerical simulations. We observe in the
liquid phase an anomalous decrease in specific volume and isothermal
compressibility upon heating, and an anomalous increase in the diffusion
coefficient with pressure. We relate the anomalies to the existence of two
different local structures in the liquid phase. Our results are consistent with
the possibility of a low temperature/high pressure liquid-liquid phase
transition.Comment: 4 pages in one gzipped ps file including 11 figures; One RevTex and
11 gzipped eps figure
Driven Morse Oscillator: Model for Multi-photon Dissociation of Nitrogen Oxide
Within a one-dimensional semi-classical model with a Morse potential the
possibility of infrared multi-photon dissociation of vibrationally excited
nitrogen oxide was studied. The dissociation thresholds of typical driving
forces and couplings were found to be similar, which indicates that the results
were robust to variations of the potential and of the definition of
dissociation rate.
PACS: 42.50.Hz, 33.80.WzComment: old paper, 8 pages 6 eps file
Nuclear structure of 30S and its implications for nucleosynthesis in classical novae
The uncertainty in the 29P(p,gamma)30S reaction rate over the temperature
range of 0.1 - 1.3 GK was previously determined to span ~4 orders of magnitude
due to the uncertain location of two previously unobserved 3+ and 2+ resonances
in the 4.7 - 4.8 MeV excitation region in 30S. Therefore, the abundances of
silicon isotopes synthesized in novae, which are relevant for the
identification of presolar grains of putative nova origin, were uncertain by a
factor of 3. To investigate the level structure of 30S above the proton
threshold (4394.9(7) keV), a charged-particle spectroscopy and an in-beam
gamma-ray spectroscopy experiments were performed. Differential cross sections
of the 32S(p,t)30S reaction were measured at 34.5 MeV. Distorted wave Born
approximation calculations were performed to constrain the spin-parity
assignments of the observed levels. An energy level scheme was deduced from
gamma-gamma coincidence measurements using the 28Si(3He,n-gamma)30S reaction.
Spin-parity assignments based on measurements of gamma-ray angular
distributions and gamma-gamma directional correlation from oriented nuclei were
made for most of the observed levels of 30S. As a result, the resonance
energies corresponding to the excited states in 4.5 MeV - 6 MeV region,
including the two astrophysically important states predicted previously, are
measured with significantly better precision than before. The uncertainty in
the rate of the 29P(p,gamma)30S reaction is substantially reduced over the
temperature range of interest. Finally, the influence of this rate on the
abundance ratios of silicon isotopes synthesized in novae are obtained via 1D
hydrodynamic nova simulations.Comment: 22 pages, 12 figure
Profitable and Sustainable Grazing Systems for Livestock Producers with Saline Land in Southern Australia
Dryland salinity affects over 2.5 M ha in Australia, mostly in southern states and is expanding at 3-5% per year (NLWRA, 2001). The prognosis is for considerable expansion of the area affected by salinity and waterlogging (12â17 M ha at equilibrium), because groundwater levels continue to rise and only small-scale land management programmes have been implemented. In addition, many waterways are increasingly saline, especially in the Murray Darling Basin and in Western Australia (WA). Sustainable Grazing on Saline Land (SGSL) addresses the need to make productive use of saline land and water resources. Its research component operates at 12 sites across WA, South Australia (SA), Victoria and New South Wales (NSW) and consists of coordinated activities that have regional relevance and contribute nationally. The programme seeks to develop and demonstrate profitable and sustainable grazing systems on saline land that have positive environmental and social impacts. Whilst there are different priority research issues at each site, data collection is governed by common measurement protocols for salt and water movement, biodiversity, and pasture and animal performance in order to make comparisons and data sharing across sites practical
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