The finite element approximation of vector fields in curvilinear coordinates

We demonstrate that it is possible to express each component of the displacement vector for the interior point of the finite element (FE) through all components of nodal unknowns in curvilinear coordinates. The effectiveness of the valid technique of vector approximation for displacement fields has been verified on an example.     

The Genesis Solar Wind Concentrator Target: Mass Fractionation Characterised by Neon Isotopes

The concentrator on Genesis provided samples of increased fluences of solar wind ions for precise determination of the oxygen isotopic composition. The concentration process caused mass fractionation as a function of the radial target position. This fractionation was measured using Ne released by UV laser ablation and compared with modelled Ne data, obtained from ion-trajectory simulations. Measured data show that the concentrator performed as expected and indicate a radially symmetric concentration process. Measured concentration factors are up to ∼30 at the target centre. The total range of isotopic fractionation along the target radius is 3.8%/amu, with monotonically decreasing ²⁰Ne/²²Ne towards the centre, which differs from model predictions. We discuss potential reasons and propose future attempts to overcome these disagreements.     

Astrophysics in 2006

The fastest pulsar and the slowest nova; the oldest galaxies and the youngest stars; the weirdest life forms and the commonest dwarfs; the highest energy particles and the lowest energy photons. These were some of the extremes of Astrophysics 2006. We attempt also to bring you updates on things of which there is currently only one (habitable planets, the Sun, and the Universe) and others of which there are always many, like meteors and molecules, black holes and binaries.     

Operation algorithm synthesis for the information-control system of inspection and diagnostics of aircraft equipment state

The problem is formulated and a technique is revealed for synthesizing the optimal strategy of troubleshooting and constructing an operation algorithm for the information-control system of inspection and diagnostics of the aircraft equipment state.     

Optimal friction control on a circular cylinder taking into account the reverse effect of the boundary layer

We analyze the effect of injection both of uniformly distributed over the entire cylinder surface and of the optimal one on the velocity distribution at the outer border of the boundary layer and, as a result, on friction.     

Possibilities of parallel calculations in solving gas dynamics problems in the CFD environment of FLUENT software

The results of studying an incompressible gas flow field in a periodic element of the porous structure made up of the same radius spheres are presented; the studies were based on the solution of the Navier-Stokes equations using FLUENT software. The possibilities to accelerate the solution process with the use of parallel calculations are investigated and the calculation results under changes of pressure differential in the periodic element are given.     

A program package for solving problems of FV structure design

In this paper, a program package for solving problems in the field of thin-walled three-dimensional FV structure design is described.     

Problems of application of face gasodynamic seals in aircraft engines

Problems arising in introduction of gasodynamic seals in aircraft engines are considered. The operation of a face gasodynamic seal as part of a natural gas pump is analyzed and its efficiency in the presence of oil is shown.     

A system for measuring the altitude-airspeed parameters of rotorcraft and very light flight vehicles

In this paper, a problem on measuring the altitude-airspeed parameters (AAPs) of rotorcraft and very light flight vehicles is considered. Some ways of improving systems used to measure the parameters of FV elements and units have been determined. Also suggested and substantiated are the principles and designs of the basic variants of these measuring systems as well as the algorithms of their operation.     

Two years of INTEGRAL observation of the BHC IGR J17464-3213

On March 2003, IBIS, the γ-ray imager on board the INTEGRAL satellite, detected an outburst from a new source, IGR J17464-3213, that turned out to be an HEAO-1 transient, namely H1743-322. The spectral and temporal evolutions of the source were observed by INTEGRAL in different periods. Also RXTE observed the source for the first time on 2003 March 29 during a PCA Galactic bulge scan. The source flux decayed below the RXTE PCA sensitivity limit in November 2003, then in April 2004 it was again detected by INTEGRAL. On July 3, 2004 the source was again detected by RXTE/PCA at a 2–10 keV intensity of 16 mCrab and on July 7, reached 69 mCrab. Recently, a new outburst was observed on August 2005. We briefly summarise here the behaviour of the source observed by INTEGRAL from March 2003 to August 2005. The new outbursts of the source and the analysis of all the data collected (now public) give a global view of the spectral and time behaviour of this X-ray transient.