Spectral Analysis and the Dynamic Response of Complex Networks

The eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the connectivity matrix of complex networks contain information about its topology and its collective behavior. In particular, the spectral density $\rho(\lambda)$ of this matrix reveals important network characteristics: random networks follow Wigner's semicircular law whereas scale-free networks exhibit a triangular distribution. In this paper we show that the spectral density of hierarchical networks follow a very different pattern, which can be used as a fingerprint of modularity. Of particular importance is the value $\rho(0)$, related to the homeostatic response of the network: it is maximum for random and scale free networks but very small for hierarchical modular networks. It is also large for an actual biological protein-protein interaction network, demonstrating that the current leading model for such networks is not adequate.Comment: 4 pages 14 figure

Determination of the Elastic Constants of Composites Through the Inversion of Leaky Lamb Wave Data

Analysis and prediction of the response of composite laminates to external loads are essential for the design of composite structures. This in turn requires a precise knowledge of their mechanical properties including their constitutive behavior. It is reasonable to assume that, in the bulk, the overall behavior of unidirectional graphite/epoxy composites is the same as that of a homogeneous, transversely isotropic material with its symmetry axis along the fiber direction. Then the linear elastic response of the material can be described by means of five elastic constants. If the values of these constants can be determined, then the stress analysis of a laminate with a given number and stacking order of the laminae can, in principle, be carried out. However, the measurement of the elastic constants by conventional, destructive techniques is difficult and often, inaccurate. Thus, the availability of alternative, preferably nondestructive methods, for the determination of the elastic costants of the material would be extremely helpfu

Characterization of Adhesive Bonding Using Leaky Lamb Waves

The performance of adhesive bonds in primary structures strongly depends on the quality of adhesion. Many NDE methods are presently used to detect unbonded areas; however, these methods cannot be used to determine bond properties. In standard ultrasonic techniques, the velocity of bulk wave propagation through the specimen is measured by time-offlight. Unfortunately, the waves reflected from the bonded region cannot be easily identified or analyzed to determine the properties of the adhesive layer

Boiling and condensation in a liquid-filled enclosure

A combined experimental and analytical investigation of boiling and condensation in a liquid-filled enclosure, with water and Freon- 113 as the working fluids, is described. The operating characteristics of a boiling system, utilizing a condenser submerged in the fluid, are presented and related to specific operational modes and thermal transport mechanisms. A lower bound of operation, corresponding to natural convection heat transfer at both the heated and condenser surfaces, is identified. Similarly, for the commonly encountered range of system operation, a condensive upper bound is identified and shown to correspond to vapor space condensation. A nondimensional vapor bubble collapse length, L c/W, is found to govern the rate and mechanism of heat transfer at the submerged condenser surface. LValues of wC > 1 condensation is found to dominate thermal transport at the condenser surface. 4 possible technique for augmenting condensation heat transfer on horizontal surfaces is examined in an attempt to raise the condensive upper bound of submerged condenser operation. A doubly-rippled surface with small, constant radius of curvature undulations is shown to yield a factor of two increases in the rate of vapor space condensation based on the projected area of the condenser surface.(cont.) A systematic design procedure for submerged condenser systems utilizing the proposed models and correlations is described and related to typical design considerations

Phase transition in the bounded one-dimensional multitrap system

We have previously discussed the diffusion limited problem of the bounded one-dimensional multitrap system where no external fiel is included and pay special attention to the transmission of the diffusing particles through the system of imperfect traps. We discuss here the case in which an external field is included to each trap and find not only the transmission but also the energy associated with the diffusing particles in the presence and absence of such fields. From the energy we find the specific heat $C_h$ and show that for certain values of the parameters associated with the multitrap system it behaves in a manner which is suggestive of phase transition. Moreover, this phase transition is demonstrated not only through the conventional single peak at which the specific heat function is undifferentiable but also through the less frequent phenomenon of double peaks.Comment: 25 pages, 6 PS Figures, there have been introduced many changes including the remove of two figure

Generation of macroscopic quantum-superposition states by linear coupling to a bath

We demonstrate through an exactly solvable model that collective coupling to any thermal bath induces effectively nonlinear couplings in a quantum many-body (multi-spin) system. The resulting evolution can drive an uncorrelated large-spin system with high probability into a macroscopic quantum-superposition state. We discuss possible experimental realizations.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, Physical Review Letters (in press

Praying Mantis Bending Core Breakoff and Retention Mechanism

Sampling cores requires the controlled breakoff of the core at a known location with respect to the drill end. An additional problem is designing a mechanism that can be implemented at a small scale, yet is robust and versatile enough to be used for a variety of core samples. The new design consists of a set of tubes (a drill tube, an outer tube, and an inner tube) and means of sliding the inner and outer tubes axially relative to each other. Additionally, a sample tube can be housed inside the inner tube for storing the sample. The inner tube fits inside the outer tube, which fits inside the drill tube. The inner and outer tubes can move axially relative to each other. The inner tube presents two lamellae with two opposing grabbing teeth and one pushing tooth. The pushing tooth is offset axially from the grabbing teeth. The teeth can move radially and their motion is controlled by the outer tube. The outer tube presents two lamellae with radial extrusions to control the inner tube lamellae motion. In breaking the core, the mechanism creates two support points (the grabbing teeth and the bit tip) and one push point. The core is broken in bending. The grabbing teeth can also act as a core retention mechanism. The praying mantis that is disclosed herein is an active core breaking/retention mechanism that requires only one additional actuator other than the drilling actuator. It can break cores that are attached to the borehole bottom a

Ultrasonic/Sonic Impacting Penetrators

Ultrasonic/sonic impacting penetrators (USIPs) are recent additions to the series of apparatuses based on ultrasonic/sonic drill corers (USDCs). A USIP enables a rod probe to penetrate packed soil or another substance of similar consistency, without need to apply a large axial force that could result in buckling of the probe or in damage to some buried objects. USIPs were conceived for use in probing and analyzing soil to depths of tens of centimeters in the vicinity of buried barrels containing toxic waste, without causing rupture of the barrels. USIPs could also be used for other purposes, including, for example, searching for pipes, barrels, or other hard objects buried in soil; and detecting land mines. USDCs and other apparatuses based on USDCs have been described in numerous previous NASA Tech Briefs articles. The ones reported previously were designed, variously, for boring into, and/or acquiring samples of, rock or other hard, brittle materials of geological interest. To recapitulate: A USDC can be characterized as a lightweight, low-power, piezoelectrically driven jackhammer in which ultrasonic and sonic vibrations are generated and coupled to a tool bit. As shown in the figure, a basic USDC includes a piezoelectric stack, a backing and a horn connected to the stack, a free mass (free in the sense that it can slide axially a short distance between the horn and the shoulder of tool bit), and a tool bit, i.e., probe for USIP. The piezoelectric stack is driven at the resonance frequency of the stack/horn/backing assembly to create ultrasonic vibrations that are mechanically amplified by the horn. To prevent fracture during operation, the piezoelectric stack is held in compression by a bolt. The bouncing of the free mass between the horn and the tool bit at sonic frequencies generates hammering actions to the bit that are more effective for drilling than is the microhammering action of ultrasonic vibrations in ordinary ultrasonic drills. The hammering actions are so effective that the axial force needed to make the tool bit advance into the material of interest is much smaller than in ordinary twist drilling, ultrasonic drilling, or ordinary steady pushing

Pin fin two-phase micro gap coolers for concentrating photovoltaic arrays

Paper presented to the 3rd Southern African Solar Energy Conference, South Africa, 11-13 May, 2015.Concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) systems are among the most promising renewable power generation options but will require aggressive thermal management to prevent elevated solar cell temperatures and to achieve the conversion efficiency, reliability, and cost needed to compete with alternative techniques. Two-phase, evaporative cooling of CPV modules has been shown to provide significant advantages relative to single-phase cooling but, to date, the available two-phase data has been insufficient for the design and optimization of such CPV systems. This Keynote lecture will begin with a brief review of CPV technology and the solar cell cooling techniques described in the literature. Energy modeling, relating the harvested solar energy to the “parasitic” work expended to provide the requisite cooling, will be used to support the efficacy of twophase cooling for CPV applications. Attention will then turn to the available correlations for pin-finned microgap coolers and the gaps which must be addressed to enable such thermal management for CPV arrays. This will be followed by a detailed description of an experimental study of 3 pin-finned microgap coolers for CPV systems and the derived heat transfer and pressure drop correlations. The data spans a large parametric range, with heat fluxes of 1 - 170 W/cm2, mass fluxes of 10.7 - 1300 kg/m2-s, subcooled (single phase) flow as well as exit qualities up to 90%, and 3 heat transfer fluids (water, HFC-134a, HFE-7200). The lecture will close with a brief case study of two-phase CPV cooling, demonstrating that the application of this thermal management mode can lead to a highly energy efficient CPV system.dc201