Analysis of grey wolf optimizer based fractional order PID controller in speed control of DC motor

Microsystem Technologies - The present work deals with comparative and robustness analysis of grey wolf optimization (GWO) based fractional order proportional–integral derivative (FOPID)...     

Evolution of ferroelectric and piezoelectric response by heat treatment in pseudocubic BiFeO<Subscript>3</Subscript>–BaTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> ceramics

Heat treatment of ceramics is an important process to tailor the fine electromechanical properties. To explore the criteria for optimized heat treatment in a perovskite structure of (1–x)Bi_1.05FeO₃–xBaTiO₃ (BF–BT100x) system, the structural phase relation, ferroelectric and piezoelectric response of BF–BT36 and BF–BT40 ceramics prepared by furnace cooling (FC) and quenching process were investigated. The X-ray diffraction examination showed single pseudocubic perovskite structure for all the ceramics. The homogenous microstructure was obtained for all ceramics with relatively large grain size in the furnace cooled samples. Well saturated ferroelectric hysteresis loops and enhanced piezoelectric constant (d₃₃?=?97 pC/N) were achieved by quenching process. Dielectric curve of BF–BT36 showed large dielectric constant at its Curie temperature, however, BF–BT40 showed diffused relaxor-like dielectric anomalies. Quenched BF–BT36 samples showed typical butterfly like field induced strain curves, however negative strain decreased in BF–BT40 ceramics. From these investigated study, it is observed that BF–BT ceramics are very sensitive to the heat treatment process (furnace cooling and quenching) on the dielectric, electromechanical properties.     

Performance‐based evaluations of the tangible benefits of information networks with applications

This paper provides a new methodology for the evaluation of the tangible benefits of information networks, based on their utilization and performance. The methodology enables the evaluation of different tangible benefits including those resulting from time, movement, paper, and space savings. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analysis of the cost‐effectiveness of information networks with applications

This paper presents a methodology for the analysis of the cost‐effectiveness of information networks over a period of time. The cost‐effectiveness is considered to be associated with use‐dependent and use‐independent costs and benefits. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Polydopamine as an intermediate layer for silver and hydroxyapatite immobilisation on metallic biomaterials surface

Hydroxyapatite (HA) coated implant is more susceptible to bacterial infection as the micro-structure surface which is beneficial for osseointegration, could also become a reservoir for bacterial colonisation. The aim of this study was to introduce the antibacterial effect of silver (Ag) to the biomineralised HA by utilising a polydopamine film as an intermediate layer for Ag and HA immobilisation. Sufficient catechol groups in polydopamine were required to bind chemically stainless steel 316 L, Ag and HA elements. Different amounts of Ag nanoparticles were metallised on the polydopamine grafted stainless steel by varying the immersion time in silver nitrate solution from 12 to 24 h. Another polydopamine layer was then formed on the metallised film, followed by surface biomineralisation in 1.5 Simulated Body Fluid (SBF) solution for 3 days. Several characterisation techniques including X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, Atomic Force Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Contact Angle showed that Ag nanoparticles and HA agglomerations were successfully immobilised on the polydopamine film through an element reduction process. The Ag metallisation at 24 h has killed the viable bacteria with 97.88% of bactericidal ratio. The Ag was ionised up to 7 days which is crucial to prevent bacterial infection during the first stage of implant restoration. The aged functionalised films were considered stable due to less alteration of its chemical composition, surface roughness and wettability properties. The ability of the functionalised film to coat complex and micro scale metal make it suitable for dental and orthopaedic implants application.     

Multiple color-image authentication system using HSI color space and QR decomposition in gyrator domains

Abstract

A new multiple color-image authentication system based on HSI (Hue–Saturation–Intensity) color space and QR decomposition in gyrator domains is proposed. In this scheme, original color images are converted from RGB (Red–Green–Blue) color spaces to HSI color spaces, divided into their H, S, and I components, and then obtained corresponding phase-encoded components. All the phase-encoded H, S, and I components are individually multiplied, and then modulated by random phase functions. The modulated H, S, and I components are convoluted into a single gray image with asymmetric cryptosystem. The resulting image is segregated into Q and R parts by QR decomposition. Finally, they are independently gyrator transformed to get their encoded parts. The encoded Q and R parts should be gathered without missing anyone for decryption. The angles of gyrator transform afford sensitive keys. The protocol based on QR decomposition of encoded matrix and getting back decoded matrix after multiplying matrices Q and R, enhances the security level. The random phase keys, individual phase keys, and asymmetric phase keys provide high robustness to the cryptosystem. Numerical simulation results demonstrate that this scheme is the superior than the existing techniques.     

Association of microstructure and electric heterogeneity in BiFeO3

BiFeO₃ ceramics was synthesized by solid state reaction technique. Synchrotron X-ray diffraction analysis was employed to investigate the phase formation and structure determination. Rietveld refinement of the diffracted data confirmed the rhombohedrally distorted perovskite structure with space group R3c. Localized atomic structure determined from fitted X-ray data showed off centered displacement of Fe³⁺ cations with a magnitude of 0.397 Å along c-axis. The FeO₆ octahedron comprised of two types of Fe–O bonds with bond lengths of ∼1.935 Å and ∼2.131 Å. Impedance spectroscopic data collected in wide temperature (300–400 K) and frequency (200 Hz–2 MHz) ranges, demonstrated two relaxation phenomena corresponding to two heterogeneous phases. The best fits to the collected impedance data were achieved by employing an equivalent circuit model R_g(R_gbC_gb)(R_eQ_e). Grain boundaries showed only p-type small polaronic hopping conduction process assisted with the oxidation of Fe³⁺ to Fe⁴⁺ in measured temperature range of 300–400 K. Grains exhibited p-type small polaronic hopping conduction mechanism up to 375 K; however, above 375 K electronic conduction becomes prominent. Conduction is dominated by short range hopping of the polarons among Fe³⁺ and Fe⁴⁺ or through the first ionized oxygen vacancy bridge between Fe³⁺ and Fe²⁺ cations.     

Substrate Temperature Dependent Surface Morphology and Photoluminescence of Germanium Quantum Dots Grown by Radio Frequency Magnetron Sputtering

The visible luminescence from Ge nanoparticles and nanocrystallites has generated interest due to the feasibility of tuning band gap by controlling the sizes. Germanium (Ge) quantum dots (QDs) with average diameter ~16 to 8 nm are synthesized by radio frequency magnetron sputtering under different growth conditions. These QDs with narrow size distribution and high density, characterized using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) are obtained under the optimal growth conditions of 400 °C substrate temperature, 100 W radio frequency powers and 10 Sccm Argon flow. The possibility of surface passivation and configuration of these dots are confirmed by elemental energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. The room temperature strong visible photoluminescence (PL) from such QDs suggests their potential application in optoelectronics. The sample grown at 400 °C in particular, shows three PL peaks at around ~2.95 eV, 3.34 eV and 4.36 eV attributed to the interaction between Ge, GeO_x manifesting the possibility of the formation of core-shell structures. A red shift of ~0.11 eV in the PL peak is observed with decreasing substrate temperature. We assert that our easy and economic method is suitable for the large-scale production of Ge QDs useful in optoelectronic devices.     

Effect of Multi-Step Tempering on Retained Austenite and Mechanical Properties of Low Alloy Steel

 The effect of multi-step tempering on retained austenite content and mechanical properties of low alloy steel used in the forged cold back-up roll was investigated. Microstructural evolutions were characterized by optical microscope, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope and Feritscope, while the mechanical properties were determined by hardness and tensile tests. The results revealed that the content of retained austenite decreased by about 2% after multi-step tempering. However, the content of retained austenite increased from 36% to 51% by increasing multi-step tempering temperature. The hardness and tensile strength increased as the austenitization temperature changed from 800 to 920 ℃, while above 920 ℃, hardness and tensile strength decreased. In addition, the maximum values of hardness, ultimate and yield strength were obtained via triple tempering at 520 ℃, while beyond 520 ℃, the hardness, ultimate and yield strength decreased sharply.