Papers by Keyword: Deconvolution

Abstract: During nanoindentation analysis of cementitious materials, data points with abnormal load-depth curves are often obtained. This study investigates the effect of these abnormal indentation points (AIP) on the micromechanical properties and content of phase in hydrated cement paste calculated by nanoindentation test combined with deconvolution analysis, including the least-square-estimation (LSE) and maximum-likelihood-estimation (MLE) methods. The results indicate that the AIP is mostly associated with phases with low mechanical properties, and the exclusion of AIP significantly affects the volume fractions of micropore phase and low-density calcium silicate hydrate, while the mechanical properties of phases keep stable except that the mechanical properties of micropore phase are slightly increased by the exclusion of the AIP. The phase contents derived based on LSE showed a more significant change than those derived based on the MLE when AIP was excluded from indentation data. In addition, the phase content derived by nanoindentation analysis was compared to that derived by other analysis methods, including mercury intrusion and quantitative x-ray diffraction.

Abstract: A transient thermal network model is utilized to design and evaluate the transient thermal characteristics of power modules. Static test method identifies the transient thermal network model from the time response of the junction temperature, which is obtained by using the temperature dependency of I-V characteristics for power devices. This paper experimentally evaluates the effect of the sampling frequency and the resolution of the AD conversion on the accuracy of the obtained transient thermal network model. The high sampling frequency and the high resolution in the obtained time response of the junction temperature enable to clearly identify the transient thermal network model of the power module with the direct bonding copper substrate.

Abstract: In this paper, trap levels around the glass transition temperature (T_g) of polymers have been characterized using Thermally Stimulated Current (TSC) technique. Deconvolution on α-peaks of the T_g for PE (-104 °C), plasticized PVC (-35 °C), PMMA (90 °C) and PET (96 °C) were carried out based on the first-order kinetic theory for non-Debye relaxation. Using temperature, T from TSC experimental data, we have successfully separated the α-peaks of the thermoplastic polymers. It is found that the complex curve of α-peaks can composed of four (4) to eight (8) sub peaks. Dominant sub peaks were identified at T_max = -105 °C, -34 °C, 89 °C and 92 °C for PE, pPVC, PMMA and PET, respectively. These peaks show activation energy, E_a of shallow and deep trap centers ranged from 0.3 eV to 4.6 Ev where they represent the depolarization of localized dipoles and space charges relaxations in the polymers.

Abstract: The paper describes an experimental program focused on the research of high performance concrete with partial replacement of cement by fly ash. Four mixtures were investigated: reference mixture and mixtures with 10 %, 20 % and 30 % cement weight replaced by fly ash. In the first stage, the effect of cement replacement was observed. The second phase aimed at the influence of homogenization process for the selected 30% replacement on concrete properties. The analysis of macroscopic properties followed compressive strength, elastic modulus and depth of penetration of water under pressure. Microscopic analysis concentrated on the study of elastic modulus, porosity and mineralogical composition of cement matrix using scanning electron microscopy, spectral analysis and nanoindentation. The macroscopic results showed that the replacement of cement by fly ash notably improved compressive strength of concrete and significantly decreased the depth of penetration of water under pressure, while the improvement rate increased with increasing cement replacement (strength improved by 18 %, depth of penetration by 95 % at 30% replacement). Static elastic modulus was practically unaffected. Microscopic investigation showed impact of fly ash on both structure and phase mechanical performance of the material.

Abstract: Magnetite’s abilities rely on the quantitative phases present in the sample. Magnetite quality can strongly influence several physical properties, such as magnetism, catalytic performance, and Verwey transition. However, differentiation of magnetite and maghemite through the conventional X-ray diffractogram comparison are not relevant for the intermediate phases. In this study, the deviation from the ideal stoichiometric magnetite and the relative quantification of both phases were mathematically achievable through a new XRD technique. Various synthesis conditions were applied to obtain different crystallite sizes, in the range of 9 to 30 nm. Generally, the stoichiometric deviation and maghemite content would be significantly influenced by the final size, whereas system conditions (temperature of solution, agitation rate, and pH of solution) would only have minor significance. In this study, iron oxide nanoparticles prepared using the co-precipitation method was calculated to contain 100% magnetite for particles of 30.26 nm in size, while 100% maghemite was calculated for particles at 9.64 nm.

Abstract: The amount and alignment of hydroxyl ions influence the bioactivity of hydroxyapatite. Hydroxyl ions in hydroxyapatite are the most mobile and upon heating are the first to leave the lattice to form oxyhydroxyapatite. This work describes a method for producing hydroxyapatite with different amounts of hydroxyl ions, and reports on the changes in Fourier transform infrared absorption at increasing level of dehydroxylation. Detailed analysis of spectra in the 500 – 700 cm^-1 range showed a peak shift for the hydroxyl ion absorption line at 632 cm^-1 to 637 cm^-1 and an increase in the wavenumber for the phosphate line at 575 cm^-1.

Abstract: Thermal spraying is commercially used to produce hydroxyapatite coatings, but the high temperature depletes hydroxyl ions in the structure. To return hydroxyapatite to its original state, it is necessary to restore the hydroxyl ion content in the structure. In this work, the effect of hydrothermal treatment on the hydroxyl ions was investigated in hydroxyapatite powder and thermally sprayed hydroxyapatite coatings. Samples were hydrothermally treated at 200 °C for 24 h and 48 h. Chemical phases were determined by X-ray diffraction, functional groups and hydroxyl ion concentration was examined by Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy. Results showed that hydrothermal processing of hydroxyapatite coatings at 200 °C for 48 hours produced the greatest increase in the hydroxyl ion concentration by 29%.

Abstract: The way of the lateral resolution improvement for 3D nanorelief measurement is proposed. Algorithm for digital processing of measurement data based on deconvolution operation using Wiener filtration is presented. Results of theoretical researches, numerical and optical experiments are given.

Abstract: Infra-red spectroscopic (IR) analysis of the geopolymers provides information regarding gel chemistry, quantitative analysis, kinetics and effect of different activators on geopolymers. This review discusses the IR analysis of geopolymers and their starting materials. Different applications of IR spectroscopy, used in geopolymerization, are explored in detail. Future research questions regarding IR analysis of geopolymers are also discovered

Abstract: This paper deals with microstructure and micromechanical properties of two commercially available aluminium foams (Alporas and Aluhab). Since none of the materials is available in a bulk and standard mechanical testing at macro-scale is not possible the materials need to be tested at micro-scale. To obtain both elastic and plastic properties quasi-static indentation was performed with two different indenter geometries (Berkovich and spherical tips). The material phase properties were analyzed with statistical grid indentation method and micromechanical homogenization was applied to obtain effective elastic wall properties. In addition, effective inelastic properties of cell walls were identified with spherical indentation. Constitutive parameters related to elasto-plastic material with linear isotropic hardening (the yield point and tangent modulus) were directly deduced from the load–depth curves of spherical indentation tests using formulations of the representative strain and stress introduced by Tabor.