Cover

Aims and Scope
Editorial Board

1. Combating climate change with hydrogen

Maher A.R. Sadiq Al-Baghdadi ^1,2

¹ Kufa Centre for Advanced Simulation in Engineering (KCASE), Faculty of Engineering, University of Kufa, Najaf, Iraq.

² Fuel Cell Research Center, International Energy and Environment Foundation, Najaf, P.O.Box 39, Iraq.

Abstract: Replacing fossil fuels with hydrogen helps us cut our carbon footprint and turn into green transportation. Hydrogen is an essential fuel for our secure and clean energy future. Hydrogen will be the future fuel, and gradually it will replace all current fossil fuels. The present work provides an overview of combating climate change with hydrogen as an alternative fuel for transportation, which can be used in internal combustion engines and fuel cells.

Volume 13, issue 1, 2022, pp.1-18.

2. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy behavior of aluminum alloys 2024 and 6061 in rainwater

Sahib M. Mahdi, Saraa M. Mohammed

Department of Material Engineering, College of Engineering, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq.

Abstract: AA2024 and AA6061 solution heat treatable aluminum alloys, which are used in the manufacture of aircraft hulls and structures for their superior mechanical properties. Exposure to a changeable atmosphere, especially rainwater, requires knowledge of the corrosion behavior of these alloys when exposed to rainwater. In the present work the EIS behavior of solution heat-treated and aging of alloys 2024 and 6061 in natural rainwater, were studied before and after solution heat treatment. XRD and SEM detections are used for determining the composition of precipitate particles and the surface morphology after corrosion. The Nyquist curves for the EIS test, agree with equivalent circuits fitting the model of Constant Phase Element (CPE), the polarization resistance (Rp), and the capacitance (Cf) values recorded for these alloys. The EIS tests show a fluctuation in (Rp) and (Cf) values and reaction order (a) is less than 0.7 clarifying that the surface – rainwater reactions are unequal due to non-uniform sizes and dispersions of precipitation particles (Al2Cu) and (Mg2Si) for both alloys, as well as the coating layer formation of the corrosion products. The corrosion resistance of 2024 is lower than 6061 in rainwater.

3. An investigation of dynamic behaviour of cracked porous graded moving plate under thermal environment

Rusul J. Manshad, Talib EH. Elaikh

Mechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, University of Thi-Qar, Iraq.

Abstract: The vibration characteristic of a cracked porous graded moving plate based on a neutral surface plane under uniform temperature rise is investigated in this paper. The material property gradient is based on the distribution of the power law in the direction of the plate thickness. The vibration equation is obtained depending on the classical plate theory (CPT), and resolved by the extension of the Differential quadrature approach (DQM). Furthermore, the mode shapes of the model are determined for simply supported moving graded plates with cracks. The present natural frequencies results are compared with those available in the published literature and a good agreement is found. The effect of key parameters such as plate velocity, crack length ratio, gradient index, and porosity on the dynamic characteristics of axial moving systems in addition to their physical interpretations is described.

4. Optimal design of elastic curved shank of below knee prosthesis

Ammar M. Khalaf, Mahmud. R. Ismail

Al-Nahrain University, College of Engineering, Prosthetics and Orthotics Engineering Department, Iraq.

Abstract: Researchers attempt to gain the benefit of any energy that can be produced from the structure of prosthetic legs. Such energy can be stored and released from elastic parts of the prosthesis like the foot, shank, and joints. The advantage is to reduce patient effort and consumption of metabolic energy. Unfortunately these prosthetic parts are mostly expensive and can not be manufactured locally by Prosthetics and Orthotics centres. The purpose of this study is to design a low-cost elastic shank that can be locally manufactured and can produce equivalent performance. In this work, four elastic shank models are suggested and designed using the SOLIDWORKS program. These models are; C- shape, S-shape, single circular shape, and double circular shape. Each model is analyzed using the finite element method to evaluate stresses, vertical deformation, and safety factors. Also, the stiffness for each model is calculated to investigate the amount of kinetic energy which can be stored in the shank and then can be released to assist the patient and reduce efforts. This energy can be used to improve a patient gait or reduce its metabolic energy. During the research spine, the main limitation was that there were a very low number of studies dealing with the topic of the research. It is found that; the lowest stiffness is found in the C-shape shank which means it is the most elastic design, in the same time it has the highest vertical elastic deformation at a maximum range that can be reached at 15 mm which is preferable when compare it to conventional shock absorber Pylon (shank) while the highest stiffness and lowest deformation at double circular shank which is not preferred for this application but it is the safest design due to reducing the stress concentration. Trade between safety and elasticity can be made to reveal that using of C shape is more optimal for designing elastic shanks. The value of this research is can be a base to manufacture a local elastic shank in Prosthetic and Orthotics centres and use it instead of using high-cost foot, shanks, and adapters.