311 research outputs found
Microstructure dependence of fatigue crack propagation behavior in wrought magnesium alloy
This paper deals with the fatigue crack propagation behavior of rolled AZ31B magnesium alloy (grain size: approximately 40 ?m). Fatigue crack propagation tests were performed on single edge notched tension specimens at a stress ratio of R = 0.1 and a frequency of 10 Hz at room temperature. Loading axes were parallel to the rolling direction; fatigue cracks propagated parallel to the transverse direction (L-T specimen), parallel to the short transverse direction (L-S specimen). Loading axis was perpendicular to the rolling direction; fatigue cracks propagated parallel to the transverse direction (S-T specimen). The crack growth rate (da/dN) of the L-S specimen was several times lower than that of the L-T specimen in the examined stress intensity factor range (?K). Fracture surfaces of the L-T and L-S specimens showed many steps parallel and perpendicular, respectively, to the macroscopic crack growth direction. The da/dN of the S-T specimen was higher than that of the L-T and L-S specimens in the examined ?K. The fracture surface was covered by quasi-cleavage facets independent of macroscopic crack growth direction, and the fracture surface roughness at low ?K was larger than that at high ?K
TLSim: A software for Electrical Public Transportation Systems
The Laboratory of Electrical Machines of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (Lausanne) has developed a software (TLSim) for the simulation of electrical urban transportation systems. This program can simulate the behaviour of the power supply network (current and voltage level at any point of the topology) comprising uni- and bi- directionnal sub-stations. In the network the vehicules (trolleybus) may run along any defined path through different electrical supply sectors. Several models of trolleybus are available, one of these allowing for the injection of current back in the supply network. The operating schedule of the buses as well as the geographical data of the network are provided by the user. This program is a perfect tool for system planning as ascertained by its use by a Swiss transportation operator. A comparison of simulation and measurements on a real network has been performed with satisfactory results. This software evolved from a specific study to a flexible program still being extended with new developments. The latest of such developments being the study of the influence of capacitors in helping the system to keep voltages over a specified level mainly by supplying the surge current during the acceleration of the trolleybuses
Direct Imaging of a Cold Jovian Exoplanet in Orbit around the Sun-like Star GJ 504
Several exoplanets have recently been imaged at wide separations of >10 AU
from their parent stars. These span a limited range of ages (<50 Myr) and
atmospheric properties, with temperatures of 800--1800 K and very red colors (J
- H > 0.5 mag), implying thick cloud covers. Furthermore, substantial model
uncertainties exist at these young ages due to the unknown initial conditions
at formation, which can lead to an order of magnitude of uncertainty in the
modeled planet mass. Here, we report the direct imaging discovery of a Jovian
exoplanet around the Sun-like star GJ 504, detected as part of the SEEDS
survey. The system is older than all other known directly-imaged planets; as a
result, its estimated mass remains in the planetary regime independent of
uncertainties related to choices of initial conditions in the exoplanet
modeling. Using the most common exoplanet cooling model, and given the system
age of 160 [+350, -60] Myr, GJ 504 b has an estimated mass of 4 [+4.5, -1.0]
Jupiter masses, among the lowest of directly imaged planets. Its projected
separation of 43.5 AU exceeds the typical outer boundary of ~30 AU predicted
for the core accretion mechanism. GJ 504 b is also significantly cooler (510
[+30, -20] K) and has a bluer color (J-H = -0.23 mag) than previously imaged
exoplanets, suggesting a largely cloud-free atmosphere accessible to
spectroscopic characterization. Thus, it has the potential of providing novel
insights into the origins of giant planets, as well as their atmospheric
properties.Comment: 20 pages, 12 figures, Accepted for publication in ApJ. Minor updates
from the version
Direct Imaging of Fine Structures in Giant Planet Forming Regions of the Protoplanetary Disk around AB Aurigae
We report high-resolution 1.6 \micron polarized intensity () images of
the circumstellar disk around the Herbig Ae star AB Aur at a radial distance of
22 AU () up to 554 AU (3.85), which have been obtained by the
high-contrast instrument HiCIAO with the dual-beam polarimetry. We revealed
complicated and asymmetrical structures in the inner part (140 AU) of
the disk, while confirming the previously reported outer ( 200 AU)
spiral structure. We have imaged a double ring structure at 40 and
100 AU and a ring-like gap between the two. We found a significant
discrepancy of inclination angles between two rings, which may indicate that
the disk of AB Aur is warped. Furthermore, we found seven dips (the typical
size is 45 AU or less) within two rings as well as three prominent
peaks at 40 AU. The observed structures, including a bumpy double ring, a
ring-like gap, and a warped disk in the innermost regions, provide essential
information for understanding the formation mechanism of recently detected
wide-orbit ( 20 AU) planets.Comment: 12 pages, 3 figure
Accurate stellar masses in the multiple system T Tau
The goal of this study is to obtain accurate estimates for the individual
masses of the components of the tight binary system T Tau S in order to settle
the ongoing debate on the nature of T Tau Sa, a so-called infrared companion.
We take advantage of the fact that T Tau S belongs to a triple system composed
of two hierarchical orbits to simultaneously analyze the motion of T Tau Sb in
the rest frames of T Tau Sa and T Tau N. With this method, it is possible to
pinpoint the location of the center of mass of T Tau S and, thereby, to
determine individual masses for T Tau Sa and T Tau Sb with no prior assumption
about the mass/flux ratio of the system. This improvement over previous studies
of the system results in much better constraints on orbital parameters. We find
individual masses of 2.73+/-0.31 Msun for T Tau Sa and of 0.61+/-0.17 Msun for
T Tau Sb (in agreement with its early-M spectral type), including the
uncertainty on the distance to the system. These are among the most precise
estimates of the mass of any Pre-Main Sequence star, a remarkable result since
this is the first system in which individual masses of T Tauri stars can be
determined from astrometry only. This model-independent analysis confirms that
T Tau Sa is an intermediate-mass star, presumably a very young Herbig Ae star,
that may possess an almost edge-on disk.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure, accepted for publication in Astronomy &
Astrophysics Letter
Orbital characterization of GJ1108A system, and comparison of dynamical mass with model-derived mass for resolved binaries
We report an orbital characterization of GJ1108Aab that is a low-mass binary
system in pre-main-sequence phase. Via the combination of astrometry using
adaptive optics and radial velocity measurements, an eccentric orbital solution
of =0.63 is obtained, which might be induced by the Kozai-Lidov mechanism
with a widely separated GJ1108B system. Combined with several observed
properties, we confirm the system is indeed young. Columba is the most probable
moving group, to which the GJ1108A system belongs, although its membership to
the group has not been established. If the age of Columba is assumed for
GJ1108A, the dynamical masses of both GJ1108Aa and GJ1108Ab ( and ) are more massive than what an
evolutionary model predicts based on the age and luminosities. We consider the
discrepancy in mass comparison can attribute to an age uncertainty; the system
is likely older than stars in Columba, and effects that are not implemented in
classical models such as accretion history and magnetic activity are not
preferred to explain the mass discrepancy. We also discuss the performance of
the evolutionary model by compiling similar low-mass objects in evolutionary
state based on the literature. Consequently, it is suggested that the current
model on average reproduces the mass of resolved low-mass binaries without any
significant offsets.Comment: Accepted in Ap
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