72,030 research outputs found
Accelerating universe from gravitational leakage into extra dimensions: confrontation with SNeIa
There is mounting observational evidence that the expansion of our universe
is undergoing an acceleration. A dark energy component has usually been invoked
as the most feasible mechanism for the acceleration. However, it is desirable
to explore alternative possibilities motivated by particle physics before
adopting such an untested entity. In this work, we focus our attention on an
acceleration mechanism: one arising from gravitational leakage into extra
dimensions. We confront this scenario with high- type Ia supernovae compiled
by Tonry et al. (2003) and recent measurements of the X-ray gas mass fractions
in clusters of galaxies published by Allen et al. (2002,2003). A combination of
the two databases gives at a 99% confidence level that
, , and
, indicating a closed universe. We then
constrain the model using the test of the turnaround redshift, , at
which the universe switches from deceleration to acceleration. We show that, in
order to explain that acceleration happened earlier than within
the framework of gravitational leakage into extra dimensions, a low matter
density, , or a closed universe is necessary.Comment: 16 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in Ap
Oil Blending: Mixing and Contamination
The Shell Company of Australia has a frequent need to blend lubricants. Blending, sometimes involving three lubricant oils and additives, takes place by jet mixing in large tanks of typically 45,000 titres capacity. The jets are driven by pumps with typical volume throughput of up to 1,000 titres per minute, and typical blending times may be as long as one or two hours.
The jet blending process was investigated in a number of ways at the Study Group. These included: simple estimates for blending times, theoretical and experimental description of jet behaviour, development of a simple compartment model for the blending process, and several large scale computer simulations of the jet-induced motion using a commercial Computational Fluid Dynamics package. In addition, the sedimentation of contaminant particles in the tanks was investigated. This overall investigation, using a variety of approaches, gave a good knowledge of the blending process
Gravitational Lensing Statistics as a Probe of Dark Energy
By using the comoving distance, we derive an analytic expression for the
optical depth of gravitational lensing, which depends on the redshift to the
source and the cosmological model characterized by the cosmic mass density
parameter , the dark energy density parameter and its
equation of state . It is shown that, the larger the
dark energy density is and the more negative its pressure is, the higher the
gravitational lensing probability is. This fact can provide an independent
constraint for dark energy.Comment: 9 pages, 2 figure
Gravitational lensing statistical properties in general FRW cosmologies with dark energy component(s): analytic results
Various astronomical observations have been consistently making a strong case
for the existence of a component of dark energy with negative pressure in the
universe. It is now necessary to take the dark energy component(s) into account
in gravitational lensing statistics and other cosmological tests. By using the
comoving distance we derive analytic but simple expressions for the optical
depth of multiple image, the expected value of image separation and the
probability distribution of image separation caused by an assemble of singular
isothermal spheres in general FRW cosmological models with dark energy
component(s). We also present the kinematical and dynamical properties of these
kinds of cosmological models and calculate the age of the universe and the
distance measures, which are often used in classical cosmological tests. In
some cases we are able to give formulae that are simpler than those found
elsewhere in the literature, which could make the cosmological tests for dark
energy component(s) more convenient.Comment: 14 pages, no figure, Latex fil
PDMS/PVA composite ferroelectret for improved energy harvesting performance
This paper address the PDMS ferroelectret discharge issue for improved long- term energy harvesting performance. The PDMS/PVA ferroelectret is fabricated using a 3D-printed plastic mould technology and a functional PVA composite layer is introduced. The PDMS/PVA composite ferroelectret achieved 80% piezoelectric coefficient d33 remaining, compared with 40% without the proposed layer over 72 hours. Further, the retained percentage of output voltage is about 73% over 72 hours
Numerical simulations of negative-index refraction in wedge-shaped metamaterials
A wedge-shaped structure made of split-ring resonators (SRR) and wires is
numerically simulated to evaluate its refraction behavior. Four frequency
bands, namely, the stop band, left-handed band, ultralow-index band, and
positive-index band, are distinguished according to the refracted field
distributions. Negative phase velocity inside the wedge is demonstrated in the
left-handed band and the Snell's law is conformed in terms of its refraction
behaviors in different frequency bands. Our results confirmed that negative
index of refraction indeed exists in such a composite metamaterial and also
provided a convincing support to the results of previous Snell's law
experiments.Comment: 18 pages, 6 figure
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