Element 56 in our International Year of the Periodic Table series is barium. Barium is found in green fireworks, used in X-ray imaging, and also in drilling fluids. When you’re watching a fireworks display, barium compounds (commonly barium nitrate) are responsible for the green colours you see. Small particles of barium compounds can be dispersed …
Here’s the monthly summary of chemistry stories that have hit the news. This month features news on isotope evidence showing the Moon is older than previously thought, a compound that can remove the stench of skunk spray, and more! Larger summary images for each item are provided below, along with links to articles and studies …
Element 55 in our International Year of the Periodic Table series is caesium. Caesium is used in atomic clocks and is the most reactive metal in the periodic table. Caesium is the element most commonly used in atomic clocks, which provide the most accurate times. Since 1967, the second has been defined in reference to …
Element 54 in our International Year of the Periodic Table series is xenon. Xenon is used in some car headlights, to propel some satellites and spacecraft, and also in some types of medical imaging. Many car headlights, particularly those in more modern cars, use xenon. Despite commonly being referred to as xenon headlights, these are …
The objectives of this investigation were to design and develop an experimental turbocharger test rig (TTR) to measure the shaft whirl of the rotating assembly and the axial and frictional loads experienced by the bearings. The TTR contains a ball bearing turbocharger (TC) that was instrumented and operated under various test conditions up to 55,000 …
Element 53 in our International Year of the Periodic Table series is iodine. This element is found in (and can be extracted from) seaweed, and is also used in LCD screens in phones and televisions. Iodine is one of the more unusual elements in the periodic table in terms of its appearance. At room temperature, …
The work presented in this paper describes a new approach to calculate the film profile, friction, and fluid transport of a reciprocating U-cup seal used in a hydraulic piston pump. An innovative partial lubrication model of the seal is developed, which connects the inverse hydrodynamic lubrication method and Greenwood–Williamson asperity contact model. Finite element models …
Port’s often relegated to the festive period, and forgotten about for the rest of the year (at least, in the UK). Which is a shame, as if you look beyond the standard ruby port, there are several other delicious types, particularly the varieties that are aged for longer periods of time. There’s also some interesting …
Finite element analysis is conducted on an elastic-plastic full stick contact between a rigid flat and a deformable coated sphere with a soft coating. A combined normal and tangential load is applied to the rigid flat, and the sliding inception is assumed as a result of the decreasing tangential stiffness of the contact junction. As …
Element 52 in our International Year of the Periodic Table series is tellurium. This element is found in some types of solar cells, DVD and Blu-Ray discs, and photocopiers. Cadmium telluride is used to make some solar cells. These cells accounted for 8% of all solar cells in 2011. Tellurium isn’t a particularly abundant element …
