Metal-containing intermacromolecular complexes: Electrochemical and viscometric studies in DMF-methanol mixture

Summary Multicomponent intermacromolecular complexes have been prepared from some typical phenolic copolymers with a non-ionic polymer (e.g. PVP), and a polyelectrolyte (e.g. PAA). Some transition metal ions (e.g. Cu(II) and Ni (II)) have been incorporated in the complex through its unreacted co-ordinating groups. The formation of these complexes has been studied by several techniques, such as viscometry, conductometry, potentiometry, IR and UV spectrophotometry. A scheme has been presented to explain the mode of interaction of the various components.     

Design, fabrication and analysis of micromachined high sensitivity and 0% cross-axis sensitivity capacitive accelerometers

This paper presents the design and fabrication of three MEMS based capacitive accelerometers. The first design illustrates the achievement of an accelerometer with 0% cross-axis sensitivity and has been fabricated using PolyMUMPs, a multi-user surface-micromachining process. A unidirectional parallel plate configuration is utilized in this design to illustrate the achievement of 0% cross-axis sensitivity and an acceptable performance range. In addition, a method is introduced to improve the sensitivity of a capacitive sensor employing a transverse configuration based on the relationship of initial gaps setup in comb-finger arrangements. A design based on this technique and the PolyMUMPs fabrication process is illustrated which demonstrates a sensitivity value of 4.07 fF/μm, with a nonlinearity of 2.05% for a ±3 μm sensor operating range. The last design based on this method and the SOIMUMPs fabrication process exhibits a sensitivity of 3.45 pF/μm for ±1 μm operating range of the sensor.     

Intelligent control of static synchronous series compensator via an adaptive self-tuning PID controller for suppression of torsional oscillations

In this paper, an intelligent controller is proposed to control a static synchronous series compensator (SSSC) in order to mitigate subsynchronous resonance (SSR) oscillations in a power system. This intelligent controller is an adaptive self-tuning PID controller. To train the PID controller, the gradient descent method is employed where the learning rate is adapted in every iteration in order to accelerate the speed of convergence. This control scheme also requires a wavelet neural network (WNN) to identify the controlled system dynamic. To update the parameters of WNN, the gradient descent (GD) along with the adaptive learning rates derived by the Lyapunov method is used. The computer simulations are used to show the ability of the proposed controller. In addition, the performance of the proposed controller is compared with another self-tuning PID controller. The results demonstrate that the proposed controller has a successful performance in minimizing the SSR.     

Facility location dynamics: An overview of classifications and applications

In order to modify the current facility or develop a new facility, the dynamics of facility location problems (FLPs) ought to be taken into account so as to efficiently deal with changing parameters such as market demand, internal and external factors, and populations. Since FLPs have a strategic or long-term essence, the inherited uncertainty of future parameters must be incorporated in relevant models, so these models can be considered applicable and ready to implement. Furthermore, due to largely capital outlaid, location or relocation of facilities is basically considered as a long-term planning. Hence, regarding the way in which relevant criteria will change over time, decision makers not only are concerned about the operability and profitability of facilities for an extended period, but also seek to robust locations fitting well with variable demands. Concerning this fact, a trade-off should be set between benefits brought by facility location changes and costs incurred by possible modifications. This review reports on literature pointing out some aspects and characteristics of the dynamics of FLPs. In fact, this paper aims not only to review most variants of these problems, but also to provide a broad overview of their mathematical formulations as well as case studies that have been studied by the literature. Finally, based on classified research works and available gaps in the literature, some possible research trends will be pointed out.     

Optimal power flow of HVDC system using teaching–learning-based optimization algorithm

In this paper, a solution to the optimal power flow (OPF) problem in electrical power networks is presented considering high voltage direct current (HVDC) link. Furthermore, the effect of HVDC link converters on the active and reactive power is evaluated. An objective function is developed for minimizing power loss and improving voltage profile. Gradient-based optimization techniques are not viable due to high number of OPF equations, their complexity and equality and inequality constraints. Hence, an efficient global optimization method is used based on teaching–learning-based optimization (TLBO) algorithm. The performance of the suggested method is evaluated on a 5-bus PJM network and compared with other algorithms such as particle swarm optimization, shuffled frog-leaping algorithm and nonlinear programming. The results are promising and show the effectiveness and robustness of TLBO method.

     

Implementation of genetic algorithm in an embedded microcontroller-based polarization control system

Implementation of genetic algorithm in a PIC32MX microcontroller-based polarization control system is proposed and demonstrated. The controller measures the signal intensity that is used to estimate the genetic value. This process is controlled by the genetic algorithm rather than referring to the Look-Up-Table as implemented in existing solutions. To reach optimum performance, the code is optimized by using the best genetic parameters so that the fastest execution time can be achieved. An ability of genetic algorithm to work efficiently in polarization control system possesses many advantages including easy code construction, low memory consumption and fast control speed. Genetic algorithm is intelligent enough to be used for endless polarization stabilization and in the worst case, able to stabilize the polarization changes in 300 μs. In the best case the response time can reach 17 μs.     

CO2 laser irradiation of raw and bleached cotton fabrics,with focus on water and dye absorbency

In this research, the effect of carbon dioxide laser irradiation on various properties of raw and bleached cotton fabrics, including fabric weight, bending rigidity, wetting, and air permeability, as well as dyeing, was examined and compared. The experiments were carried out at three different laser powers ranging from 4.5 to 6 W to determine the effect of laser treatment on fabric properties. In particular, the influence of laser irradiation on the dyeing properties of treated fabrics with CI Reactive Blue 198 was studied. The colour change of laser‐treated fabrics was determined by calculation of the K/S values as a function of fabric reflectance. The morphological changes in laser‐treated fabrics were observed by scanning electron microscopy. The effects of laser treatment on the properties of raw and bleached cotton fabrics were varied. For instance, the wettability of raw cotton samples was reduced after laser irradiation, whereas the wettability of bleached cotton fabrics was greater. Possible reasons for the various dyeing behaviours observed with irradiation at different laser powers are discussed.     

A general methodology for bearing design in non-symmetric T-shaped sections in extrusion process

In this study, a general methodology has been developed to design the proper bearing in order to eliminate the curvature of the final product in extrusion process. Three smooth curved (advanced-surface) dies with non-symmetric T-shaped sections and different off-centricities have been studied. For each die, the proper bearing has been designed and physical and numerical modeling have been performed to validate the design. The design procedure is as follows: A formulation, based on Bezier curves, has been used to determine the exit velocity profile. Since the result of Bezier method is different from the actual velocity profile, the Chitkara corrective function has been modified and applied to improve the velocity field. A deviation function has been developed to measure the curvature of the final product in terms of the exit velocity field. Considering the obtained velocity field, the friction effects, and the geometry of the dies, the proper bearing for each die has been designed. Finally, numerical and physical modeling have been performed on the die-bearing combination. According to the results, the curvature of the final product was eliminated to a great extent.