Mechanisms of acoustic processing of a metal melt containing nanoparticles

Wave processing with the frequencies from subsound (vibration) to ultrasound is used to produce nanopowder-modified composite alloys. This work considers mechanisms of such processing of metal melts, which lead to deagglomeration and wettability of particles of a metal melt and to the destruction of growing crystals during solidification. The main dependences for the threshold of the turbulence and cavitation were obtained. Resonance phenomena that contribute to positive changes in the melt are discussed. Possible mechanisms of the destruction of growing crystals and agglomerates of particles at the high-frequency processing of the melt are considered, including the destruction of agglomerates in the front of an acoustic wave and the destruction of crystals by oscillating solid particles

Spores of puffball fungus Lycoperdon pyriforme as a reference standard of stable monodisperse aerosol for calibration of optical instruments

Advanced air quality control requires real-time monitoring of particulate matter size and concentration, which can only be done using optical instruments. However, such techniques need regular calibration with reference samples. In this study, we suggest that puffball fungus (Lycoperdon pyriforme) spores can be utilized as a reference standard having a monodisperse size distribution. We compare the Lycoperdon pyriforme spores with the other commonly used reference samples, such as Al2O3 powder and polystyrene latex (PSL) microspheres. Here we demonstrate that the puffball spores do not coagulate and, thus, maintain the same particle size in the aerosol state for at least 15 minutes, which is enough for instrument calibration. Moreover, the puffball mushrooms can be stored for several years and no agglomeration of the spores occurs. They are also much cheaper than other calibration samples and no additional devices are needed for aerosol generation since the fungal fruiting body acts as an atomizer itself. The aforementioned features make the fungal spores a highly promising substance for calibration and validation of particle size analyzers, which outperforms the existing, artificially produced particles for aerosol sampling. Furthermore, the L. pyriforme spores are convenient for basic research and development of new optical measurement techniques, taking into account their uniform particle size and absent coagulation in the aeroso

Ultrasonic dispersion of agglomerated particles in metal melt

This work considers the deagglomeration and wettability of particles by metal melt and proposes a mechanism of particle agglomerate dispersion by ultrasonic cavitation. The main dependences connecting the processing time and intensity with the physical and chemical properties of particles and the melt as well as acoustic parameters are obtained. For the first time found that melt during ultrasonic treatment, inclusive the particles agglomerates proportional to melt viscosity and the size of the agglomerates. It has been established that time ultrasonic treatment melt containing the particles agglomerates is proportional to melt viscosity and the size of the agglomerates. The required time for successful melt infiltration in the agglomerates, wettability and their introduction into the melt takes ten minutes. The suggested equation allows estimating the intensity of ultrasonic radiation, required to destroy the agglomerates of particles in the melt. It was found that intensity of the ultrasound must be inversely proportional to the radius of the agglomerates. The theoretical results are confirmed by comparing with experimental dates

Theoretical and experimental investigations of the process of vibration treatment of liquid metals containing nanoparticles

It is known that the use of external effects, such as acoustic fields (from ultrasonic to low-frequency range), help in breaking down agglomerates, improving particle wettability, providing uniform particle distribution in the melt volume, and reducing the grain size. The fragmentation of growing crystals, de-agglomeration of particles and their mixing in liquid metal under the influence of vibration (with frequencies of 10–100 Hz) are considered in this paper. The major advantage of such a technique in comparison with high-frequency methods (sonic, ultrasonic) is the capability of processing large melt volumes proportional to the wavelength. The mechanisms of the breaking down of particle agglomerates and the mixing of particles under conditions of cavitation and turbulence during the vibration treatment of the melt are considered. Expressions linking the threshold intensity and frequency with the amplitude necessary to activate mechanisms of turbulence and cavitation were obtained. The results of vibration treatment experiments for an aluminum alloy containing diamond nanoparticles are given. This treatment makes it possible to significantly reduce the grain size and to improve the casting homogeneity and thus improve the mechanical properties of the alloy

Review of the problems of additive manufacturing of nanostructured high-energy materials

This article dwells upon the additive manufacturing of high-energy materials (HEM) with regards to the problems of this technology’s development. This work is aimed at identifying and describing the main problems currently arising in the use of AM for nanostructured highenergy materials and gives an idea of the valuable opportunities that it provides in the hope of promoting further development in this area. Original approaches are proposed for solving one of the main problems in the production of nanostructured HEM—safety and viscosity reduction of the polymer-nanopowder system. Studies have shown an almost complete degree of deagglomeration of microencapsulated aluminum powders. Such powders have the potential to create new systems for safe 3D printing using high-energy materials

Ultrasonic impact on a metal melt containing electrostaticly charged nanoparticles

Ultrasonic processing is applied to modify nanopowders of metals for the creation of composition alloys. The introduction of particles to metal is prevented by their low wettability in the metal melt. We use electrostatic charging of particles to increase the wettability of particles and to prevent their agglomeration. Mechanisms of the ultrasonic impact on melts of metals containing charged nanoparticles are considered. We find that an electric charge of the surface leads to a decrease in the contact angle. Expressions for the time of ultrasonic processing depending on physical and chemical characteristics of particles and the melt are found

Dispersed Systems: Physics, Optics, Invariants, Symmetry

Disperse systems are widely used in technology (medicine, food science, oil refining, metallurgy, etc [...

A Mathematical Model for Sublimation of a Thin Film in Trace Explosive Detection Problem

Here, we introduce an advanced mathematical model for the sublimation of thin films of explosives. The model relies on the Hertz–Knudsen–Langmuir (HKL) equation that describes the vaporization rate of an explosive and controls the mass exchange between the surface and the ambient air. The latest experimental data on sublimation and diffusion of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) monocrystals were factored in, as well as the data on the sublimation rate of hexogen (RDX), octogen (HMX), and picramide (TNA) traces. To advance the mathematical model we suggested previously, we took into account the structure of a substrate on which a thin explosive layer was deposited. The measurement problem of the sublimation rate and limits of an explosive arises from developing and advancing remote detection methods for explosives traces. Using mathematical modelling, we can identify a detectable quantity of a specific explosive under given conditions. We calculated the mass of the explosive in the air upon sublimation of thin explosive films from the surfaces over a wide range of the parameters in question and made conclusions regarding the application limits of the devised standoff trace explosive detection techniques

Symmetry in Aerosol Mechanics: Review

The present review is concerned with the motion of aerosol particles, including that under the exposure to external fields, with special focus being put on the problems related to the similarity theory and invariants that manifest themselves as symmetry in physics. Research on the mechanics of aerosols is extremely important for managing environmental practices. Ultrasonic and electrostatic effects are used in technological processes for cleaning industrial aerosol emissions. In addition, aerosol systems are commonly used to prevent emergency situations (fire extinguishing, fog deposition). Understanding these processes requires knowledge of aerosol mechanics. At the same time, fundamental laws of particulate matter behavior have not been established until now, especially in the presence of external fields. In this paper, we consider the main similarity criteria that are applied for aerosol description. The motion of aerosol particles in the gravitational, electric, and ultrasonic fields is described. The results from studies into acoustic and electrostatic aerosol coagulations are presented herein