Hydrodynamic approaches that treat granular materials as a continuum via the homogenization of discrete flow properties have become viable options for efficient predictions of bulk flow behaviours. However, simplified boundary conditions in computational fluid dynamics are often adopted, which have difficulty in describing the complex stick–slip phenomenon at the boundaries. This paper extends the lattice Boltzmann method for granular flow simulations by incorporating a novel frictional boundary condition. The wall slip velocity is first calculated based on the shear rate limited by the Coulomb friction, followed by the reconstruction of unknown density distribution functions through a modified bounce-back scheme. Validation is performed against a unique plane Couette flow configuration, and the analytical solutions for the flow velocity profile and the wall slip velocity, as functions of the friction coefficient, are reproduced by the numerical model. The transition between no-slip and partial-slip regimes is captured well, but the convergence rate drops from second order to first order when slip occurs. The rheological parameters and the basal friction coefficient are calibrated further against the discrete element simulation of a square granular column collapsing over a horizontal bottom plane. It is found that the calibrated continuum model can predict other granular column collapses with different initial aspect ratios and slope inclination angles, including the basal slip and the complex internal flow structures, without any further adjustments to the model parameters. This highlights the generalization ability of the numerical model, which has a wide range of application in granular flow predictions and controls.

The effect of sheared E × B flow on the blob dynamics in the scrape-off layer (SOL) of HL-2A tokamak has been studied during the plasma current ramp-up in ohmically heated deuterium plasmas by the combination of poloidal and radial Langmuir probe arrays. The experimental results indicate that the SOL sheared E × B flow is substantially enhanced as the plasma current exceeds a certain value and the strong sheared E × B flow has the ability to slow the blob radial motion via stretching its poloidal correlation length. The locally accumulated blobs are suggested to be responsible for the increase of plasma density just outside the Last Closed Flux Surface (LCFS) observed in this experiment. The results presented here reveal the significant role played by the strong sheared E × B flow on the blob dynamics, which provides a potential method to control the SOL width by modifying the sheared E × B flow in future tokamak plasmas.

Employing atomic-scale simulations, the response of a high-angle grain boundary (GB), the soft/hard GB, against external loading was systematically investigated. Under tensile loading close to the hard orientation, strain-induced dynamic recrystallization was observed to initiate through direct soft-to-hard grain reorientation, which was triggered by stress mismatch, inhibited by surface tension from the soft-hard GB, and proceeded by interface ledges. Such grain reorientation corresponds with expansion and contraction of the hard grain along and perpendicular to the loading direction, respectively, accompanied by local atomic shuffling, providing relatively large normal strain of 8.3% with activation energy of 0.04 eV per atom. Tensile strain and residual dislocations on the hard/soft GB facilitate the initiation of dynamic recrystallization by lowering the energy barrier and the critical stress for grain reorientation, respectively.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) has been prevalent for some time in China and it was first identified in 2010. However, the seroprevalence of SFTSV in the general population in southeastern China and risk factors associated with the infection are currently unclear. Blood samples were collected from seven counties across Zhejiang province and tested for the presence of SFTSV-specific IgG antibodies by ELISA. A total of 1380 blood samples were collected of which 5·51% were seropositive for SFTSV with seroprevalence varying significantly between sites. Seroprevalence of SFTSV in people who were family members of the patient, lived in the same village as the patient, or lived in a different village than the patient varied significantly. There was significant difference in seroprevalence between participants who bred domestic animals and participants who did not. Domestic animals are probably potential reservoir hosts and contact with domestic animals may be a transmission route of SFTSV.

In this study, CeO2 nanowires–reduced graphene oxide hybrids (CeO2 NWs–RGO) were synthesized by a green hydrothermal method using CeO2 NWs and graphene oxide (GO) as raw materials. During the process of reduction of GO, hydrothermal condition with supercritical water provides thermal and chemical factors to synthesize RGO. The photocatalytic experimental results show that the CeO2 NWs–RGO hybrids exhibit enhanced photocatalytic activity for degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) under UV-light irradiation. It is found that the degree of photocatalytic activity enhancement strongly depends on the mass ratio of RGO in the hybrids, and the remarkable photocatalytic activity is 20 times that of pristine CeO2 NWs when the loading amount of RGO is 8.0 wt%. The enhancement of photocatalytic activity can be attributed to the excellently elevated absorption ability for the dye through π–π conjugation as well as the effective inhibition of the recombination of photogenerated electrons because of the electronic interaction between CeO2 NWs and RGO sheets.

The Ultra-Fast Flash Observatory (UFFO), which will be launched onboard theLomonosov spacecraft, contains two crucial instruments: UFFO BurstAlert & Trigger Telescope (UBAT) for detection and localization of Gamma-Ray Bursts(GRBs) and the fast-response Slewing Mirror Telescope (SMT) designed for the observationof the prompt optical/UV counterparts. Here we discuss the in-space calibrations of theUBAT detector and SMT telescope. After the launch, the observations of the standard X-raysources such as pulsar in Crab nebula will provide data for necessary calibrations ofUBAT. Several standard stars will be used for the photometric calibration of SMT. Thecelestial X-ray sources, e.g. X-ray binaries with bright optical sourcesin their close angular vicinity will serve for the cross-calibration of UBAT and SMT.

The Ultra-Fast Flash Observatory (UFFO) Pathfinder for Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs) consistsof two telescopes. The UFFO Burst Alert & Trigger Telescope (UBAT) handles thedetection and localization of GRBs, and the Slewing Mirror Telescope (SMT) conducts themeasurement of the UV/optical afterglow. UBAT is equipped with an X-ray detector, analogand digital signal readout electronics that detects X-rays from GRBs and determines thelocation. SMT is equipped with a stepping motor and the associated electronics to rotatethe slewing mirror targeting the GRBs identified by UBAT. First the slewing mirror pointsto a GRB, then SMT obtains the optical image of the GRB using the intensified CCD and itsreadout electronics. The UFFO Data Acquisition system (UDAQ) is responsible for theoverall function and operation of the observatory and the communication with the satellitemain processor. In this paper we present the design and implementation of the electronicsof UBAT and SMT as well as the architecture and implementation of UDAQ.

One of the unexplored domains in the study of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) is the early timephase of the optical light curve. We have proposed Ultra-Fast Flash Observatory (UFFO) toaddress this question through extraordinary opportunities presented by a series of smallspace missions. The UFFO is equipped with a fast-response Slewing Mirror Telescope thatuses a rapidly moving mirror or mirror array to redirect the optical beam rather thanslewing the entire spacecraft or telescope to aim the optical instrument at the GRBposition. The UFFO will probe the early optical rise of GRBs with sub-second response, forthe first time, opening a completely new frontier in GRB and transient studies. Its fastresponse measurements of the optical emission of dozens of GRB each year will provideunique probes of the burst mechanism and test the prospect of GRB as a new standardcandle, potentially opening up the z > 10 universe. We describe the current limit inearly photon measurements, the aspects of early photon physics, our soon-to-be-launchedUFFO-pathfinder mission, and our next planned mission, the UFFO-100.

The UFFO (Ultra-Fast Flash Observatory) is a GRB detector on board the Lomonosovsatellite, to be launched in 2013. The GRB trigger is provided by an X-ray detector,called UBAT (UFFO Burst Alarm & Trigger Telescope), which detects X-rays from the GRBand then triggers to determine the direction of the GRB and then alerts the Slewing MirrorTelescope (SMT) to turn in the direction of the GRB and record the optical photon fluxes.This report details the calibration of the two components: the MAPMTs and the YSO crystalsand simulations of the UBAT. The results shows that this design can observe a GRB within afield of view of ±35° and can trigger in a time scale as short as 0.2 – 1.0 safter the appearance of a GRB X-ray spike.

The Ultra-Fast Flash Observatory (UFFO) is a space observatory for optical follow-ups ofgamma ray bursts (GRBs), aiming to explore the first 60 seconds of GRBs optical emission.UFFO is utilized to catch early optical emissions from GRBs within few sec after triggerusing a Gimbal mirror which redirects the optical path rather than slewing entirespacecraft. We have developed a 15 cm two-axis Gimbal mirror stage for the UFFO-Pathfinderwhich is going to be on board the Lomonosov satellite which is to be launched in 2013. Thestage is designed for fast and accurate motion with given budgets of 3 kg of mass and 3Watt of power. By employing stepping motors, the slewing mirror can rotate faster than 15deg/sec so that objects in the UFFO coverage (60 deg × 60 deg) can be targeted in~1 sec. The obtained targeting resolution is better 2 arcmin using a close-loopcontrol with high precision rotary encoder. In this presentation, we will discuss detailsof design, manufacturing, space qualification tests, as well as performance tests.

The Ultra-Fast Flash Observatory (UFFO) aims to detect the earliest moment of Gamma-RayBursts (GRBs) which is not well known, resulting into the enhancement of GRB mechanismunderstanding. The pathfinder mission was proposed to be a scaled-down version of UFFO,and only contains the UFFO Burst Alert & Trigger Telescope (UBAT) measuring theX-ray/gamma-ray with the wide-field of view and the Slewing Mirror Telescope (SMT) with arapid-response for the UV/optical photons. Once the UBAT detects a GRB candidate with theposition accuracy of 10 arcmin, the SMT steers the UV/optical photons from the candidateto the telescope by the fast rotatable mirror and provides the early UV/optical photonsmeasurements with 4 arcsec accuracy. The SMT has a modified Ritchey-Chrètien telescopewith the aperture size of 10 cm diameter including the rotatable mirror and the imagereadout by the intensified charge-coupled device. There is a key board called the UFFOData Acquisition system (UDAQ) that manages the communication of each telescope and alsoof the satellite and the UFFO overall operation. This pathfinder is designed and builtwithin the limited size and weight of  ~20 kg and the low power consumption up to ~30 W. We will discuss the design and performance of the UFFO-pathfinder, and itsintegration to the Lomonosov satellite.

One of the key aspects of the upcoming Ultra-Fast Flash Observatory (UFFO) pathfinder forGamma Ray Bursts (GRBs) identification is the UFFO Burst Alert & Trigger Telescope(UBAT). The scientific propose of UBAT is to detect and locate as fast as possible theGRBs in the sky. This is achieved by using a coded mask aperture camera scheme with a widefield of view (FOV) and selecting a X-ray detector of high quantum efficiency and largedetection area. This X-ray detector of high quantum efficiency and large detection area iscalled the UBAT detector. The UBAT detector consists of 48 × 48 Yttrium Oxyorthosilicate(YSO) scintillator crystal arrays and Multi Anode Photomultiplier Tubes (MAPMTs), analogelectronics equipped with ASIC chips, digital electronics equipped with Field ProgrammableGate Array (FPGA) chips, and a mechanical structure that supports all components of theUBAT detector. The total number of the pixels in the UBAT detector is 2304, and the totaleffective detection area is 191 cm2. We will present the design andconstruction, and performance of the UBAT detector including the responses of the UBATdetector to X-ray sources.

Based on the dielectric-continuum model and Loudon’s crystal model, the propagating optical phonons and electron-phonon interactions are studied by using the determinate method. The dispersions and electron-phonon coupling functions of the propagating optical phonons are investigated for wurtzite GaN/ZnO single quantum well (QW). The numerical results show that there are infinite propagating phonon branches by a quantum number m in the two regions. The propagating optical phonons are more dispersive for decreasing m. Moreover, the electron-phonon coupling functions have oscillating behavior in barrier layer (GaN), the periods of electron-phonon coupling functions in low frequency region are larger than those in high frequency region. The electron-phonon coupling functions of propagating phonon modes in low frequency region are more important than those in high frequency region.

In this work, the time-dependent plastic deformation behavior of Ti40Zr25Ni3Cu12Be20 bulk and ribbon metallic glass alloys was investigated using a nanoindentation technique at room temperature with the applied load ranging from 5 to 100 mN. The stress exponent n, defined as, has been derived as a measure of the creep resistance. It was found that the measured stress exponent increases rapidly with increasing indentation size, exhibiting a positive size effect. The size effect on the stress exponent n obtained from the bulk sample is more pronounced than that obtained from the ribbon sample. The deformation mechanism involved will be discussed.

Compressive deformation was experimentally investigated for Ti41.5Cu42.5Zr2.5Hf5Ni7.5Si1 bulk metallic glass (BMG) fabricated at different cooling rates. It was found that the ductility of the BMG alloy increased with increasing of the cooling rate in solidification. The alloy with a monolithic amorphous structure exhibited a large ductility, up to 12%. The effect of cooling rate on the ductility of the BMG alloy is interpreted in terms of the variation in amorphous nature and free volume of the as-cast materials.

To improve the performance of p-type SiGe-channel FEPs is important for Si-based high-speed/high-frequency applications. This work discusses the design of germamium profiles in the strained Si1−xGex channel region of p-type SiGe modulation doped FET's and studies its effect on device performance. Two-dimensional device simulator is used to simulate the large-signal device performance for various Ge distributions including triangular, trapezoidal, and flat profiles. In particular, the thickness of the strained SiGe channel layer is 15 nm and a 5 ran thick Si cap layer is on top of the channel. It is found that with the same integrated Ge content in the strained channel, graded Ge profiles lead to higher transconductances and larger threshold voltage windows than those of flat profiles, due to deeper potential wells and better carrier confinement ability. For triangularly graded profiles, the peak position must be located in the upper half portion of the channel layer to result in superior performance. By adding more Ge to extend the peak region, triangular profiles become trapezoidal ones. However, more Ge content does not necessarily produce better performance. If the well depth of trapezoidal profile is the same as that of triangular profile and if the trapezoid plateau begins at the same position as that of triangle peak, the device performance is almost the same for both profiles.