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Background: Despite intense research efforts, the aetiology and pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis remain poorly understood. Gelsolin, an actin-binding protein that modulates cytoskeletal dynamics, was recently highlighted as a likely disease modifier through comparative expression profiling and target prioritisation. Methods: To decipher the possible role of gelsolin in pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis, immunocytochemistry on tissue microarrays of human patient samples was performed followed by computerised image analysis. The results were validated in the bleomycin-induced animal model of pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis using genetically-modified mice lacking gelsolin expression. Moreover, to gain mechanistic insights into the mode of gelsolin activity, a series of biochemical analyses was performed ex vivo in mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Results: Increased gelsolin expression was detected in lung samples of patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia as well as in modelled pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis. Genetic ablation of gelsolin protected mice from the development of modelled pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis attributed to attenuated epithelial apoptosis. Conclusions: Gelsolin expression is necessary for the development of modelled pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis, while the caspase-3-mediated gelsolin fragmentation was shown to be an apoptotic effector mechanism in disease pathogenesis and a marker of lung injury.

Die numerischen und experimentellen Arbeiten zur Auslegung und dem Test einer elektromagnetischen Pumpe zur Kontrolle des Füllprozesses beim Aluminium-Feinguss werden zusammen gefasst. Weiterhin wird über die industriellen Ergebnisse des Einsatzes eines statischen Magnetfeldes auf die Gussteilqualität berichtet.

Es ist aus theoretischen Überlegungen und praktischen Untersuchungen bekannt, daß beim Feinguß eine in die Form einströmende Schmelze eine in ihrem exakten Zahlenwert unbekannte Maximalgeschwindigkeit (Näherungswert: 0,5 m/s) nicht übersteigen darf. Füllt die Schmelze den Formhohlraum mit einer höheren Geschwindigkeit, ergeben sich Verwirbelungen und Oxideinschlüsse, die sich nachteilig auf die mechanischen Eigenschaften des Gussteils auswirken. Es gibt Hinweise an Gussteilen, die diese Theorien stützen. Da eine Form als oben offener Hohlraum betrachtet werden kann, muß das Metall immer aus einer Höhe eingefüllt werden, die durch die Höhe des Gussteils und zusätzlicher gießtechnischer Anordnungen vorbestimmt ist. Damit resultiert die Maximalgeschwindigkeit der Schmelze am tiefsten Punkt aus den geometrischen und flüssigkeitsdynamischen Gegebenheiten. Eine kontaktlose Regelung der Schmelzströmung, welche durch Einsatz elektromagnetischer Felder realisiert werden kann, ist offensichtlich wünschenswert und vorteilhaft im Vergleich zu mechanischen Lösungen.

The magnetic control of aluminium investment casting is presented as an example of metallurgical applications of external magnetic fields.

The mould filling process of aluminum investment casting consists basically of the flow in a U-bend showing a high pouring velocity at the beginning and decreasing velocity values during the course of the process. The high velocities during the starting phase are supposed to cause distinct problems like bubble or inclusion entrapment. Several types of filters are already in use for the purpose of inclusion filtering but velocity reduction, too. We present results on the design and application of a DC magnetic field to control the pouring velocity. Numerical calculations were performed to simulate the filling process and the effect of the magnetic field. The free surface problem which occurs in the riser of the casting unit was taken into account by a Volume-of-Fluids Method. 3d transient calculations using the commercial finite- element code FIDAP (FLUENT Inc.) were carried out for a simplified model system as well as for the real aluminum casting unit. The term for the electromagnetic force was implemented into the code via a user defined subroutine, and an additional equation for the electrical potential was solved. End effects due to the limited size of the magnet poles were taken into account. In that way, results from three-dimensional transient simulations of the filling process were obtained. Parallel to the simulations model experiments have been performed using the low melting eutectic InGaSn. The casting unit was modelled by a plexiglas model [1]. The ultrasonic Doppler velocimetry was applied to carry out detailed velocity measurements in the model [2]. Such measurements delivered the basis to validate the numerical calculations. A comparison between numerical and experimental results showed an excellent agreement, allowing scaling up the simulations to the realistic aluminium casting process. Real tests have been performed at an industrial investment caster with molten aluminium. The primary action of the magnetic field, i.e. the reduction of the velocity peaks at the beginning of the process, was clearly shown. In a second set of experiments the amplitude of the DC field was tuned during the process. At the beginning the maximum braking force was applied, whereas the field strength was reduced with increasing fluid level in the casting unit. In this regime, a clear reduction of the peak velocities is obtained without a significant prolongation of the overall filling time. REFERENCES [1] S. Eckert, G. Gerbeth, A. Cramer, B. Willers, W. Witke, V. Galindo, Liquid metal model experiments on casting and solidification processes, Proc. Int. Symposium on liquid metal processing and casting, Eds.: P.D. Lee, A. Mitchell, J.-P. Bellot, A. Jardy, (2003), 333-343. [2] S. Eckert, G. Gerbeth, T. Gundrum, F. Stefani, W. Witke, New approaches to determine the velocity field in metallic melts, EPM 2003, Lyon, Proceedings PL13 (2003).

The mould filling process of aluminum investment casting consists basically of the flow in a U-bend showing a high pouring velocity at the beginning and decreasing velocity values during the course of the process. The high velocities during the starting phase are supposed to cause distinct problems like bubble or inclusion entrapment. Several types of filters are already in use for the purpose of inclusion filtering but velocity reduction, too. We present results on the design and application of a DC magnetic field to control the pouring velocity. Numerical calculations were performed to simulate the filling process and the effect of the magnetic field. The free surface problem which occurs in the riser of the casting unit was taken into account by a Volume-of-Fluids Method. 3d transient calculations using the commercial finite- element code FIDAP (FLUENT Inc.) were carried out for a simplified model system as well as for the real aluminum casting unit. The term for the electromagnetic force was implemented into the code via a user defined subroutine, and an additional equation for the electrical potential was solved. End effects due to the limited size of the magnet poles were taken into account. In that way, results from three-dimensional transient simulations of the filling process were obtained. Parallel to the simulations model experiments have been performed using the low melting eutectic InGaSn. The casting unit was modelled by a plexiglas model. The ultrasonic Doppler velocimetry was applied to carry out detailed velocity measurements in the model. Such measurements delivered the basis to validate the numerical calculations. A comparison between numerical and experimental results showed an excellent agreement, allowing scaling up the simulations to the realistic aluminium casting process. Real tests have been performed at an industrial investment caster with molten aluminium. The primary action of the magnetic field, i.e. the reduction of the velocity peaks at the beginning of the process, was clearly shown. In a second set of experiments the amplitude of the DC field was tuned during the process. At the beginning the maximum braking force was applied, whereas the field strength was reduced with increasing fluid level in the casting unit. In this regime, a clear reduction of the peak velocities is obtained without a significant prolongation of the overall filling time.

During last decades magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) effects have attracted growing interest because of its potential impact on numerous industrial technologies. In processes involving electrically conducting liquids, the application of an external magnetic field offers efficient opportunities for a contactless flow control and fluid handling. However, for a well-aimed optimisation of the flow structure local information about flow quantities like velocity, pressure, temperature, concentration or void fraction is necessary. In case of liquid metals the choice of a suitable measuring technique is a crucial problem, because the user is confronted with the problems of opaque fluids, high temperatures as well as a strong chemical reactivity of the fluid against many materials. Therefore, measuring techniques well-known from ordinary hydrodynamics generally fail for liquid metal applications. As a consequence, no commercial measuring systems are available for liquid metal applications. We present a summary of our R&D activities on velocity measuring techniques for liquid metal flows. Various model experiments with various liquid melts at different temperatures have been performed to test and evaluate local sensors as well as integral methods. A mechano-optical probe was developed which has to be positioned directly inside the liquid metal flow. The measuring principle is based on the separation of a direct mechanical interaction between flow and sensor tip and the optical acquisition and processing of the signal. The insensitivity of the system to electrical noise and external magnetic fields can be considered as an important advantage. Until now, the sensor has been tested in metallic melts up to temperatures of about 450 °C, but an extension up to 800°C should be straightforward. The ultrasound Doppler velocimetry (UDV) represents a powerful tool since it delivers a full velocity profile along the ultrasonic beam. It can operate with a direct contact to the melt, but also through a channel wall. To overcome the thermal restriction of the ultrasonic transducers an acoustic wave guide has been used. The acoustic wave guide and the piezoelectric element are combined in form of an integrated sensor. This approach allowed the first successful application of the ultrasound Doppler technique in liquid metals at temperatures above 200°C. The feasibility of this integrated sensor concept was demonstrated in experiments in metallic melts as sodium, PbBi, CuSn or aluminium. In some applications even a coarse knowledge of the flow topology and the direction of the main eddies would be of high value. We study the possibility of velocity reconstruction in electrically conducting fluids from external measurements of induced magnetic fields. The method is based on the fact that an external magnetic field is deformed by the motion of the fluid. Applying the primary magnetic field in two different directions and measuring the related induced magnetic fields at an array of Hall probes, the three-dimensional velocity field can be reconstructed. Besides some theoretical basics, we present experimental results of a demonstration experiment.

A better understanding and optimisation of liquid metal processes requires experimental data of the velocity field. Numerical simulations alone are often of limited value. To measure local velocities in liquid metals or to measure channel flow rates in a contact-less way, almost nothing is available commercially. We report on various measuring technique developments, their test in different liquid metals, and applications in hot melts. For local velocity measurements, a mechano-optical probe working up to temperatures of about 800°C has been developed [1]. It delivers the two mean velocity components perpendicular to the sensor axis. In the presence of an external steady magnetic field, the use of local potential probes allows to analyse the turbulent properties of the flow in addition to the mean velocity [2]. However, both sensor techniques rely on the introduction of probes into the melt and are thus mainly of interest for laboratory purposes. The Ultrasound Doppler Velocimetry (UDV) became a powerful tool to measure the velocity structure of liquid flows. Because of the ability to work in opaque fluids and to deliver complete velocity profiles in real time it is very attractive for liquid metal applications. In addition, it can principally operate through the channel wall though a direct contact to the melt reduces ultrasonic losses. However, in case of hot metallic melts the user is confronted with several problems: the application of the ultrasonic transducers is usually restricted to maximum temperatures of 200°C, and a good acoustic coupling between the liquid metal and the related interfaces has to be provided. We report on successful measurements in liquid sodium at 150°C [3] which were performed through the channel wall. To overcome the limitation of ultrasonic transducers to temperatures lower than 200°C, an integrated ultrasonic sensor with acoustic wave-guide has been developed. This sensor can presently be applied at maximum temperatures up to 1000°C. Stable and robust velocity measurements have been performed in various PbBi flows at about 250-300°C. We report on first successful measurements in a CuSn melt of about 620°C and in an Al melt of about 750°C. Evidently, a fully contact-less measuring technique would be most desirable. Such a method has been developed making use of external magnetic field measurements and inverse reconstruction techniques [4]. We will report on a first demonstration experiment showing the feasibility of this approach for the reconstruction of the three-dimensional mean velocity structure. For the flow rate measurement in a pipe, a contact-less solution based on a pair of alternating magnetic field transmitter and receiver has been developed. Test results from a laboratory model and an industrial Al casting process will be presented.

We present results on the design and application of a DC magnetic field in order to control the filling process of the investment casting of aluminium alloys. The configuration basically consists in a U-bend, and the main request is to reduce the high flow velocities during the starting phase of the filling process. They are considered as the main source of problems like bubble or inclusion entrapment. At first, the process was simulated using a plexiglas model and the eutectic melt InGaSn which is liquid at room-temperature. Local velocity measurements have been performed using the ultrasonic Doppler velocimetry, whereas flow rates have been determined independently using the contact-less transmitter technique. Measurements and video visualizations clearly show effects like flow rate oscillations or gas bubble entrapment. Depending on geometric and process parameters, the time-scale to get rid of these entrapments may become longer than the process itself. In order to decrease the maximum values of the velocity at the beginning of the process, an external steady magnetic field has been applied. The measurements show that it is capable of reducing the velocity peaks significantly. Numerical simulations have been performed for the filling process with DC magnetic field control. The free surface problem which occurs in the riser of the casting process is taken into account by a Volume of Fluids Method. The simulations have been compared to the model experiments, and afterwards scaled up to the realistic aluminium casting process. For the influence of the DC magnetic field, a good agreement is obtained between numerics and measurements. Real tests have been performed with molten aluminium at an industrial investment caster. They clearly show the primary action of the magnetic field, i.e. to reduce the velocity peaks at the beginning of the process. In a second set of experiments the amplitude of the DC field has been adapted in such a way that at the beginning of the process the full breaking action takes place, whereas the field strength has been reduced during the course of the filling process. In this regime, a clear reduction of the peak velocities is obtained with an only slight increase of the overall filling period. For the flow rate measurement in a pipe, a contact-less solution based on a pair of alternating magnetic field transmitter and receiver has been developed. Test results from a laboratory model and the industrial Al casting process will be presented.

Der Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, eine Einrichtung zur Messung von Strömungsgeschwindigkeiten vorzuschlagen, die auch in nichttransparenten Fluiden einsetzbar ist und keinen Einschränkungen bei kleinen Geschwindigkeitswerten, turbulenten Geschwindigkeitsschwankungen, hohen Temperaturen und der Richtung der Strömung unterliegt.

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Einrichtung zur lokalen Messung von Strömungsgeschwindigkeiten in Gasen und Flüssigkeiten. Die Erfindung ist auch zur Bestimmung der Strömungsgeschwindigkeit in nichttransparenten Fluiden und bei hohen Temperaturen, zum Beispiel in Metallschmelzen, geeignet. Der Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, eine Einrichtung zur lokalen Messung von Strömungsgeschwindigkeiten in Gasen und Flüssigkeiten vorzuschlagen, mit der ein gut reproduzierbares Arbeiten auch bei hohen Temperaturen und größerer Einsatztiefe ermöglicht wird. Insbesondere soll die Erfindung in Metallschmelzen anwendbar sein.

Model experiments are an important tool to understand the details of the flow structure and the transport properties of flows occurring in real-scale metallurgical facilities as well as to validate the multitude of numerical codes for flow simulation. The application of suitable alloys with low melting points, for instance PbBi (T = 125 °C) or InGaSn (T = 5...10 °C), guarantees realistic flow parameters and also offers the ability to measure essential flow quantities like velocity, pressure or void fraction. Two approaches will be discussed to measure the local velocities in opaque liquid flows such as liquid metals: a mechano-optical sensor and the ultrasonic Doppler method, respectively. Today, with respect to problems like high temperatures or material compatibility both techniques reveal severe limitations considering velocity measurements in liquid steel or aluminium, however, their reliability at moderate temperatures has been demonstrated. Here, we present velocity measurements obtained by means of both methods for the case of a cylinder filled with an eutectic InGaSn melt driven by a rotating magnetic field.

Model experiments are an important tool to understand the details of the flow structure and the transport properties of flows occurring in real-scale metallurgical facilities as well as to validate the multitude of numerical codes for flow simulation. Generally, water experiments are often performed to characterise the flow. Nevertheless, due to the large differences of material properties like density, heat conductivity, surface tension or electrical conductivity the use of liquid metals has clearly to be preferred if heat transfer phenomena, two-phase flows or the influence of electromagnetic fields on the flow should be investigated. The application of suitable alloys with low melting points, for instance PbBi (Tm = 125 °C) or InGaSn (Tm = 5...10 °C), makes such kind of experiments very flexible and offers the ability to measure the essential flow quantities like velocity, pressure or void fraction. In this lecture we want to discuss a novel sensor which has been developed by the Rossendorf group to measure the local velocities in opaque liquid flows. The measuring principle is based on the separation of a direct mechanical interaction between flow and sensor tip and the optical acquisition and processing of the signal. In principle, this fact allows the extension of the range of applicability to higher temperatures. Furthermore, the insensitivity of the system to electrical noise and external magnetic fields can be considered as an important advantage. Until now, the sensor has been tested in metallic melts up to temperatures of about 350 °C . In principle, an extension of the range of application up to temperatures of about 1100 °C should be possible by the utilisation of quartz glass as material for the sensitive sensor tips. The first sensors have been manufactured and tested with low temperature melts. We present measurements of the local velocity obtained in an eutectic InGaSn melt driven by a rotating magnetic field. The interest is focussed on geometry and parameters relevant for crystal growth technologies and mixing processes in metallurgical applications, respectively. Measured profiles of the azimuthal velocity have been obtained at different frequencies and field amplitudes.

Mit der Erfindung soll die Strömungsgeschwindigkeit und -richtung in einem weiten Temperaturbereich, auch in Metallschmelzen und unter schwierigen geometrischen Bedingungen bestimmt werden. Die Einrichtung besteht aus einem Sensor und Mitteln zur Signalgewinnung, -weiterleitung und -verarbeitung. Der Sensor (1) ist als Rohr (5) ausgeführt, dessen eines Ende zu einer zentrisch angeordneten Spitze (6) ausgeformt ist. In der Spitze (6) ist das Ende eines Stabes (7) verschmolzen, dessen anderes Ende in das Rohr (5) ragt. Rohrlänge und Stablänge sind etwa gleich. Der Sensor (1) besteht vorzugsweise aus nicht ferromagnetischem und elektrisch nicht leitendem Material.

The knowledge about properties of the anisotropic turbulence in liquid metal flows exposed to an external magnetic field is essential for several technological applications such as the concept of a selfcooled liquid metal blanket for thermonuclear fusion reactors, but also of basic interest for turbulence research. Flow parameters like pressure drop and heat transfer rate are essentially determined by the interaction between the external magnetic field and the liquid metal flow. Several experimental studies revealed that the application of a magnetic field leads not exclusively to a suppression of the turbulent perturbations. Velocity fluctuations remain and demonstrate a distinct anisotropy of the MHD turbulence showing a tendency to become two-dimensional. The properties of the local transport of heat or mass are strongly governed by the anisotropic character of the flow. In this context a number of questions arises regarding the origin, the decay time or the size of the turbulent elements. A typical feature of the two-dimensional turbulence is that the energy becomes concentrated in organised large scale fluctuations. This fact ensures an intensive heat transfer on longer distances. Because of the anisotropy of the electromagnetic dissipation term vortices will be scarcely damped over long distances if their axes are aligned with the magnetic field lines. For practical applications it is important to identify possibilities to promote the formation of such quasi-two-dimensional vortices in order to control the heat or mass transfer rate of the flow. It is well-known that the mentioned perturbations can be generated by rather specific means, for example, mechanical inserts or electrical currents between definitely arranged electrodes, etc.. In this paper we force the turbulence intensity by mechanical means employing a grid of cylindrical bars or flat stripes. Due to the favourable material properties of the used liquid sodium we are able to extend the measurements into the region of high interaction parameters. In this way the obtained results complement the already existing knowledge about the two-dimensional MHD turbulence.

It is well known now that in a liquid metal duct flow exposed to a strong transverse magnetic field turbulent fluctuations can persist even when the mean flow can be regarded as laminar with respect to the overall pressure drop. It was also found, that these fluctuations can even be increased under distinct conditions. This effect is in line with the model of two-dimensional MHD turbulence. While 3D turbulence elements are effectively damped by the magnetic field, 2D eddies with axes in the direction of the B-field are not influenced by this damping mechanism. The use of this 2D turbulence allows an enhancement of the heat/mass transport perpendicular to the flow direction without a significant influence on the overall pressure drop. There is an ongoing research in the FZR MHD group on local transport phenomena in a turbulent LM duct flow exposed to a transverse magnetic field. Measurements were performed at the FZR sodium facility. The advantage of sodium is that high MHD parameters (Ha = 3000, N = 800) can be reached with moderate values of the magnetic field (B = 0.5 T). On the other hand the properties of sodium cause considerable difficulties with respect to any local measurements in such a flow (velocity, fluctuation intensities). Thus the idea was created to use small gas bubbles (argon) as local tracers for the investigation of local transport mechanisms. In the case of our experimental conditions a volumetric gas flow ratio lower than 0.09 clearly indicates a pure bubbly flow regime. The bubbles are injected by means of a single injector in the center of the channel cross section or in the vicinity of a channel wall. The injector was located in the region where the flow enters into the magnetic field. A traversing mechanism allows to move the B-field-region. Single wire resistivity probes are used for measuring the local void fraction and the number of bubbles. The measured local dispersion of bubbles shows a significant anisotropy which clearly corre ...