4,013 research outputs found
Slow crack propagation through a disordered medium: Critical transition and dissipation
We show that the intermittent and self-similar fluctuations displayed by a
slow crack during the propagation in a heterogeneous medium can be
quantitatively described by an extension of a classical statistical model for
fracture. The model yields the correct dynamical and morphological scaling, and
allows to demonstrate that the scale invariance originates from the presence of
a non-equilibrium, reversible, critical transition which in the presence of
dissipation gives rise to self organized critical behaviour.Comment: 16 pages, 4 figures, to be published on EPL
(http://epljournal.edpsciences.org/
Ultracold polarized Fermi gas at intermediate temperatures
We consider non-zero temperature properties of the polarized two-component
Fermi gas. We point out that stable polarized paired states which are more
stable than their phase separated counterparts with unpolarized superfluid
region can exist below the critical temperature. We also solve the system
behavior in a trap using the local density approximation and find gradually
increasing polarization in the center of the system as the temperature is
increased. However, in the strongly interacting region the central polarization
increases most rapidly close to the mean-field critical temperature, which is
known to be substantially higher than the critical temperature for
superfluidity. This indicates that most of the phase separation occurs in the
fluctuation region prior to superfluidity and that the polarization in the
actual superfluid is modest.Comment: Final published versio
Brownian ratchet in a thermal bath driven by Coulomb friction
The rectification of unbiased fluctuations, also known as the ratchet effect,
is normally obtained under statistical non-equilibrium conditions. Here we
propose a new ratchet mechanism where a thermal bath solicits the random
rotation of an asymmetric wheel, which is also subject to Coulomb friction due
to solid-on-solid contacts. Numerical simulations and analytical calculations
demonstrate a net drift induced by friction. If the thermal bath is replaced by
a granular gas, the well known granular ratchet effect also intervenes,
becoming dominant at high collision rates. For our chosen wheel shape the
granular effect acts in the opposite direction with respect to the
friction-induced torque, resulting in the inversion of the ratchet direction as
the collision rate increases. We have realized a new granular ratchet
experiment where both these ratchet effects are observed, as well as the
predicted inversion at their crossover. Our discovery paves the way to the
realization of micro and sub-micrometer Brownian motors in an equilibrium
fluid, based purely upon nano-friction.Comment: main paper: 4 pages and 4 figures; supplemental material joined at
the end of the paper; a movie of the experiment can be viewed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHrdY4BC71k ; all the material has been
submitted for publication [new version with substantial changes in the order
of the presentation of the results; differences with previous works have been
put in evidence
High-temperature molten salt thermal energy storage systems
The results of comparative screening studies of candidate molten carbonate salts as phase change materials (PCM) for advanced solar thermal energy storage applications at 540 to 870 C (1004 to 1600 F) and steam Rankine electric generation at 400 to 540 C (752 to 1004 F) are presented. Alkali carbonates are attractive as latent heat storage materials because of their relatively high storage capacity and thermal conductivity, low corrosivity, moderate cost, and safe and simple handling requirements. Salts were tested in 0.1 kWhr lab scale modules and evaluated on the basis of discharge heat flux, solidification temperature range, thermal cycling stability, and compatibility with containment materials. The feasibility of using a distributed network of high conductivity material to increase the heat flux through the layer of solidified salt was evaluated. The thermal performance of an 8 kWhr thermal energy storage (TES) module containing LiKCO3 remained very stable throughout 5650 hours and 130 charge/discharge cycles at 480 to 535 C (896 to 995 F). A TES utilization concept of an electrical generation peaking subsystem composed of a multistage condensing steam turbine and a TES subsystem with a separate power conversion loop was defined. Conceptual designs for a 100 MW sub e TES peaking system providing steam at 316 C, 427 C, and 454 C (600 F, 800 F, and 850 F) at 3.79 million Pa (550 psia) were developed and evaluated. Areas requiring further investigation have also been identified
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