A kinematically-enhanced relaxation scheme for the modeling of displacive phase transformations

In this contribution, a micro-mechanically motivated, energy relaxation-based constitutive model for phase transformation, martensite reorientation and twin formation in shape memory alloys is proposed. The formulation builds on an idealized parametrization of the austenite-twinned martensite microstructure through first- and second-order laminates. To estimate the effective rank-one convex energy density of the phase mixture, the concept of laminate-based energy relaxation is applied. In this context, the evolution of the energetic and dissipative internal state variables, that describe characteristic microstructural features, is computed via constrained incremental energy minimization. This work also suggests a first step towards the continuous modeling of twin formation within the framework of energy relaxation and can be viewed as a generalization of earlier models suggested by Bartel and Hackl (2009) and Bartel et al. (2011). More specifically, in the current model the orientation of martensitic variants in space is not pre-assigned. Variants are rather left free to arrange themselves relative to the martensite-martensite interface in an energy-minimizing fashion, where, however, it is assumed that they form crystallographically-twinned pairs. The formulation also eliminates the need to introduce specific expressions for the Bain strains in each of the martensitic variants, by relating them to a master variant and utilizing the information about their absolute orientation. The predictive capabilities of the proposed modeling framework are demonstrated in several representative numerical examples. In the first part of the results section, the focus is placed on purely energetic analysis, and the particular influence of the different microstructural degrees of freedom on the relaxed energy densities and the corresponding stress-strain responses is investigated in detail. In the second part, macro-homogeneous uniaxial strain and shear loading cases are analyzed for the dissipative case. It is shown, that the proposed model, which, compared to purely phenomenological macro-scale models, has the advantage of strong micro-mechanical motivation, is capable of qualitatively predicting central features of single crystal shape memory alloy behavior, such as the phase diagram in stress-temperature space, and pseudo-elastic and pseudo-plastic responses, while simultaneously providing valuable insight into the underlying micro-scale mechanisms

Surfactantes reativos não-iônicos em polimerização em emulsão de látices de acetato de vinila - vinil neodecanoato: influência nas propriedades de barreira à água Nonionic reactive surfactants in emulsion polymerization of vinyl acetate - vinyl neodecanoate latexes: influence on the water barrier properties

A indústria de tintas é grande consumidora de látex obtido por polimerização em emulsão. Os surfactantes, essenciais à estabilidade do látex, exercem papel fundamental na produção e na aplicação destes polímeros. Contudo, podem também produzir efeitos adversos nas propriedades do produto, em razão de sua adsorção física às partículas de polímero. Os surfactantes não ligados podem migrar através do filme para as interfaces, formando agregados que podem aumentar a sensibilidade à água, afetando desta forma as propriedades de barreira. Um caminho promissor para minimizar este efeito dos surfactantes convencionais tem sido o uso de surfactantes polimerizáveis, ou reativos, que estão covalentemente ligados ao polímero e, desta forma, não podem ser dessorvidos e migrarem durante a formação do filme. Neste trabalho foram preparados látices de acetato de vinila - vinil neodecanoato (VeoVa 10®), estabilizados com surfactantes não-iônicos convencionais e reativos, e avaliado o desempenho dos filmes obtidos a partir destes látices. Os resultados demonstraram que o uso de surfactantes não-iônicos polimerizáveis pode, sob determinadas condições, trazer ganhos para as propriedades de barreira.<br>The paint industry is a huge consumer of latex from emulsion polymerization. The surfactants, essential to the stability of the latex, play a crucial role in the production and application of emulsion polymers. However, they can also have adverse effects on product properties due to their physical adsorption on the polymer particles. The unbound surfactants can migrate through the film toward the interfaces forming aggregates which increase water sensitivity of the film, thus affecting its barrier properties. A promising way to reduce the negative effects of the conventional surfactants is to use polymerizable or reactive surfactants (surfmers) that are covalently linked to the polymer, which avoids its desorption and migration during the film formation. In this work vinyl acetate - vinyl neodecanoate (VeoVa 10®) latexes, stabilized with conventional and reactive nonionic surfactant, were prepared and the performance of these films was evaluated. It was noted that latexes stabilized with nonionic polymerizable surfactants can bring, under certain conditions, better barrier properties

Eastern Baltic cod in distress: an ecological puzzle hampering scientific guidance for fisheries management

The eastern Baltic (EB) cod (Gadus morhua) stock was depleted and overexploited for decades until the mid-2000s, when fishing mortality rapidly declined and biomass started to increase, as shown by stock assessments. These positive developments were partly assigned to effective management measures, and the EB cod was considered one of the most successful stock recoveries in recent times. In contrast to this optimistic view, the analytical stock assessment failed in 2014, leaving the present stock status unclear. Deteriorated quality of some basic input data for stock assessment in combination with changes in environmental and ecological conditions has led to an unusual situation for cod in the Baltic Sea, which poses new challenges for stock assessment and management advice.Anumber of adverse developments such as low nutritional condition and disappearance of larger individuals indicate that the stock is in distress. In this study, we (i) summarize the knowledge of recent changes in cod biology and ecosystem conditions, (ii) describe the subsequent challenges for stock assessment, and (iii) highlight the key questions where answers are urgently needed to understand the present stock status and provide scientifically solid support for cod management in the Baltic Se

Weeds in fields with contrasting conventional and genetically modified herbicide-tolerant crops. II. Effects on individual species.

We compared the effects of the management of genetically modified herbicide-tolerant (GMHT) and conventional beet, maize and spring oilseed rape on 12 weed species. We sampled the seedbank before and after cropping. During the season we counted plants and measured seed rain and biomass. Ratios of densities were used to calculate emergence, survival, reproduction and seedbank change. Treatments significantly affected the biomass of six species in beet, eight in maize and five in spring oilseed rape. The effects were generally consistent, with biomass lower in GMHT beet and spring oilseed rape and higher in GMHT maize. With few exceptions, emergence was higher in GMHT crops. Subsequent survival was significantly lowered for eight species in beet and six in spring oilseed rape in the GMHT treatments. It was increased for five species in maize and one in spring oilseed rape. Significant effects on seedbank change were found for four species. However, for many species in beet and spring oilseed rape (19 out of 24 cases), seed densities were lower in the seedbank after GMHT cropping. These differences compounded over time would result in large decreases in population densities of arable weeds. In maize, populations may increase