Antlion Algorithm Optimized Fuzzy PID Supervised On-line Recurrent Fuzzy Neural Network Based Controller for Brushless DC Motor

In this paper, Antlion algorithm optimized Fuzzy PID supervised on-line Recurrent Fuzzy Neural Network based controller is proposed for the speed control of Brushless DC motor. Learning parameters of the supervised on-line recurrent fuzzy neural network controller, i.e., learning rate (η), dynamic factor (α), and number nodes (N_i) are optimized using Genetic algorithm, Particle Swarm optimization, Ant colony optimization, Bat algorithm, and Antlion algorithm. The proposed controller is tested with different operating conditions of the Brushless DC motor, such as varying load conditions and varying set speed conditions. The time domain specifications such as rise time, overshoot, undershoot, settling time, recovery time, and steady state error and also integral performance indices such as root mean square error, integral of absolute error, integral of squared error, and integral of time multiplied absolute error are measured and compared for above optimized controller. Simulation results show Antlion algorithm optimized Fuzzy PID supervised on-line recurrent fuzzy neural network based controller has proved to be superior than other considered controllers in all aspects. In addition, the experimental verification of proposed control system is presented to test the effectiveness of the proposed controller with different operating conditions of the Brushless DC motor.     

Epoxy curing by polyaniline (PANI) – Characterization and self-healing evaluation

Polyaniline (PANI) was synthesized by chemical oxidative polymerization of aniline dissolved in aqueous phosphoric acid. The polymer was characterized by UV–Visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic (FTIR) techniques. Hardener free epoxy coating was formulated with 10% PANI. The curing process of epoxy resin by PANI was analyzed using FTIR and a suitable mechanism of curing was suggested. The corrosion protective performance of conventional polyamide cured epoxy and PANI cured epoxy coating on steel has been assessed in 3% NaCl by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The self-healing property of the PANI cured epoxy coating on steel in 3% NaCl was studied by scanning vibrating electrode technique (SVET).     

Fretting fatigue studies of titanium nitride-coated biomedical titanium alloys

Fretting fatigue is an adhesive wear mechanism caused by repetitive tangential micro-oscillation between two contacting materials pressed together under cyclic load. Bioimplants, such as hip joints and bone plates, are prone to undergo fretting fatigue failures during their service within the body. This article presents the fretting fatigue damage characterization of physical vapor deposition (PVD) TiN-coated biomedical titanium alloys (Ti-6Al-4V and Ti-6Al-7Nb) subjected to cyclic loads. The PVD TiN layer delayed the damage because of superior tribological properties compared with uncoated alloys. Delamination and abrasive wear damage of TiN at contact caused failure of the alloy. Friction coefficient curves of the PVD TiN-coated pair showed an irregular pattern caused by the influence of wear particulates and Ringer fluid at the contact.     

Mechanical behaviour of an austempered ductile iron

Austempering of a ferrite-pearlitic grade of ductile iron was carried out to assess the potential use of the material for crank shaft application reported. A commercial material was austempered at 340°C to realize the properties. The austempered ductile iron gave good strength although the ductility values were lower. The material developed had complete ausferritric structure free of pearlite. The various phase constitution and phase transformation associated with the treatment and during mechanical deformation was examined. Using XRD analysis the volume fraction of the austenite in the matrix was estimated. The various aspects of processing a commercial cast iron during ausetmpering, the phase transformation, microstructural evolution have been examined along with the property of the material. The mechanical behaviour of the material and the scope for further improvement is discussed.     

Wear behavior of alloyed hypereutectic gray cast iron

Alloyed gray cast iron of varying compositions was studied for their wear behavior. In general, the alloyed gray irons studied have higher graphite volume fraction (∼20%) with Type-A graphite flake morphology. Base cast iron showed two to three times higher wear rates than the alloyed gray irons. Tensile strength and wear rates show decreasing trend with increase in graphite and carbide volume fraction. Wear track analysis shows three body abrasive wear mode resulting in debris generation and smudging along the wear tracks. The graphite gets released during sliding to form films along the wear tracks and then forms irregular debris.     

High temperature superconductivity in orthorhombic LaBa2Cu3O7−δ

High temperature superconducting LaBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ has been prepared by ceramic and nitrate methods to understand the influence of preparation conditions on superconductivity. The characterization was carried out by X-ray diffraction and magnetic susceptibility measurements.T _c onset was observed at 88 K. Meissner effect has been observed above the liquid nitrogen temperature.     

Interface Oxygen Vacancy-Enhanced Co3O4/WO3 Nanorod Heterojunction for Sub-ppm Level Detection of NOx

Herein, a cobalt oxide/tungsten oxide (Co₃O₄/WO₃) p–n heterojunction for NO_x detection is developed and optimized. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy shows that the WO₃ nanorods are embellished with Co₃O₄ nanostructure. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveals the presence of oxygen vacancy on the Co₃O₄ coupled with WO₃ heterojunction. Compared to bare WO₃ and pure Co₃O₄, the Co₃O₄/WO₃ heterojunction sensor shows significant sensitivity to NO_x at 200 °C. The sensor exhibits higher linearity from 0.4 to 10 ppm of NO_x, with a sensing response of 4.4–93%. The NO_x sensitivity of the Co₃O₄/WO₃ heterojunction sensor is ninefold higher than that of the pure WO₃ sensor. Even in a high humidity (84%) environment, the Co₃O₄/WO₃ heterojunction sensor demonstrates high NO_x sensitivity. The sensor maintains remarkable stability measured for up to 4 weeks. The possible NO_x sensing mechanism of the Co₃O₄/WO₃ heterojunction is additionally discussed.     

Slurry Erosion Studies on Surface Modified 13Cr-4Ni Steels: Effect of Angle of Impingement and Particle Size

Hydroturbine steels, such as 13Cr-4Ni martensitic steels, are generally subjected to heavy-erosive wear and loss of efficiency due to solid particulate entrainment in the water. Surface-modified steels have proven to give better performance in terms of erosive wear resistance. In the present study, an attempt is made to investigate the effect of angle of impingement and particle size on slurry-jet erosion behavior of pulsed plasma nitrided and laser hardened 13Cr-4Ni steels. Laser hardening process has shown good performance at all angles of impingement due to martensitic transformation of retained austenite. Plastic deformation mode of material removal was also an evident feature of all laser-hardened surface damage locations. However, pulsed-plasma nitrided steels have exhibited chip formation and micro-cutting mode of erosive wear. Erosion with 150-300 μm size was twice compared to 150 μm size slurry particulates.