Microwave sintering (MWS) of commercially available 15-nm-size nanocrystalline TiN powder was studied. Densification kinetics and grain growth mechanisms of nano-TiN were evaluated using non-isothermal heating up to 1500 °C with variable heating rates. A true nanocrystalline ceramic with ~80-nm-size grains and 94.5 % theoretical density was obtained via MWS consolidation at 1400 °C. At higher t...

This paper refers to complex granular-fluid mixtures involved into geophysical flows, such as debris and hyper-concentrated flows. For such phenomena, the interstitial fluids play a role when they are in the viscous regime. Referring to experiments on granular-fluid mixture carried out with pressure imposed annular shear cell, we study the rheological behaviour of dense mixture involving both s...

The upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers are important transportation resources for United States grain producers and exporters. Unfortunately, the lock and dam system on these Rivers is aged and barge delays have become troublesome in the lower portion of these Rivers. Studies are underway to measure the benefits and costs of upgrading locks on selected segments of these transportation arteri...

The microstructure of polycrystalline ZnO thin films grown on amorphous fused quartz has been studied by transmission electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy ~EELS!. The optical functions of the grain and grain boundary of ZnO acquired from EELS are compared to elucidate the mechanism of the formation of self-assemble laser cavities within this material. It is found that the r...

The many factors that determine the price and suitability for processing of cereal grain can be divided into two groups: seasonal factors and inherited factors. Seasonal factors are largely determined by growing, harvesting, and storage conditions. These aspects of quality are readily tested and include moisture content, test weight, soundness of the grain, and the presence of contaminants. On ...

This paper reviews findings on the anisotropy of the grain boundary energies. After introducing the basic concepts, there is a discussion of fundamental models used to understand and predict grain boundary energy anisotropy. Experimental methods for measuring the grain boundary energy anisotropy, all of which involve application of the Herring equation, are then briefly described. The next sect...