Embedded Metal Oxide Plasmonics Using Local Plasma Oxidation of AZO for Planar Metasurfaces

New methods for achieving high-quality conducting oxide metasurfaces are of great importance for a range of emerging applications from infrared thermal control coatings to epsilon-near-zero nonlinear optics. This work demonstrates the viability of plasma patterning as a technique to selectively and locally modulate the carrier density in planar Al-doped ZnO (AZO) metasurfaces without any associated topographical surface profile. This technique stands in strong contrast to conventional physical patterning which results in nonplanar textured surfaces. The approach can open up a new route to form novel photonic devices with planar metasurfaces, for example, antireflective coatings and multi-layer devices. To demonstrate the performance of the carrier-modulated AZO metasurfaces, two types of devices are realized using the demonstrated plasma patterning. A metasurface optical solar reflector is shown to produce infrared emissivity equivalent to a conventional etched design. Second, a multiband metasurface is achieved by integrating a Au visible-range metasurface on top of the planar AZO infrared metasurface. Independent control of spectral bands without significant cross-talk between infrared and visible functionalities is achieved. Local carrier tuning of conducting oxide films offers a conceptually new approach for oxide-based photonics and nanoelectronics and opens up new routes for integrated planar metasurfaces in optical technology.     

A method for testing and validating executable statechart models

Software and Systems Modeling - Statecharts constitute an executable language for modelling event-based reactive systems. The essential complexity of statechart models solicits the need for...     

A study on corrosion‐fatigue behavior of AA7075‐T651 subjected to different surface modification treatments

Two corrosive media were used (3.5 wt% NaCl aqueous solution and distilled water) to examine the corrosion‐fatigue behavior of AA 7075‐T651, subjected to various surface modifications (wire‐EDM, blasting, and anodizing). An in‐situ corrosion‐fatigue device was used to test the corrosion‐fatigue durability. The apparatus is able to generate cyclic loads within a corrosive solution. The mechanical loading is simulated with the aid of finite element method (FEM). At both corrosive environments, a prolongation of the corrosion‐fatigue life was achieved by the blasting procedure, compared with the as‐machined specimens under same conditions. Anodizing had a deleterious impact in all examined cases.     

An adaptive design for quantized feedback control of uncertain switched linear systems

This paper addresses the problem of asymptotic tracking for switched linear systems with parametric uncertainties and dwell‐time switching, when input measurements are quantized due to the presence of a communication network closing the control loop. The problem is solved via a dynamic quantizer with dynamic offset that, embedded in a model reference adaptive control framework, allows the design of the adaptive adjustments for the control parameters and for the dynamic range and dynamic offset of the quantizer. The overall design is carried out via a Lyapunov‐based zooming procedure, whose main feature is overcoming the need for zooming out at every switching instant, in order to compensate for the possible increment of the Lyapunov function at the switching instants. It is proven analytically that the resulting adjustments guarantee asymptotic state tracking. The proposed quantized adaptive control is applied to the piecewise linear model of the NASA Generic Transport Model aircraft linearized at multiple operating points.     

COSMO‐based computer‐aided molecular/mixture design: A focus on reaction solvents

In this article, we investigate reaction solvent design using COSMO‐RS thermodynamics in conjunction with computer‐aided molecular design (CAMD) techniques. CAMD using COSMO‐RS has the distinct advantage of being a method based in quantum chemistry, which allows for the incorporation of quantum‐level information about transition states, reactive intermediates, and other important species directly into CAMD problems. This work encompasses three main additions to our previous framework for solvent design (Austin et al., Chem Eng Sci. 2017;159:93–105): (1) altering the group contribution method to estimate hydrogen‐bonding and non‐hydrogen‐bonding σ‐profiles; (2) ab initio modeling of strong solute/solvent interactions such as H‐bonding or coordinate bonding; and (3) solving mixture design problems limited to common laboratory and industrial solvents. We apply this methodology to three diverse case studies: accelerating the reaction rate of a Menschutkin reaction, controlling the chemoselectivity of a lithiation reaction, and controlling the chemoselectivity of a nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction. We report improved solvents/mixtures in all cases. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 63: 104–122, 2018     

Effects of chromium (VI) addition on the activated sludge process

The effect of hexavalent chromium, Cr(VI), addition on various operating parameters of activated sludge process was evaluated. To accomplish this, two parallel lab-scale continuous-flow activated sludge plants were operated. One was used as a control plant, while the other received Cr(VI) concentrations equal to 0.5, 1, 3 and 5 mgl(-1). Cr(VI) concentrations of 0.5 mgl(-1) caused significant inhibition of the nitrification process (up to 74% decrease in ammonia removal efficiency). On the contrary, the effect of Cr(VI) on organic substrate removal was minor for concentrations up to 5 mgl(-1), indicating that heterotrophic microorganisms are less sensitive to Cr(VI) than nitrifiers. Activated sludge floc size and structure characterization showed that Cr(VI) concentrations higher than 1 mgl(-1) reduced the filaments abundance, causing the appearance of pin-point flocs and free-dispersed bacteria. Additionally, the variability of protozoa and rotifers was reduced. As a result of disperse growth, effluent quality deteriorated, since significant amounts of suspended solids escaped with the effluent. Termination of Cr(VI) addition led to a partial recovery of the nitrification process (up to 57% recovery). Similar recovery signs were not observed for activated sludge floc size and structure. Finally, shock loading to the control plant with 5 mgl(-1) Cr(VI) for 2 days resulted in a significant inhibition of the nitrification process and a reduction in filamentous microorganisms abundance.     

Soil-washing design methodology for a lead-contaminated sandy-soil

Soils located near high traffic roadways, particularly where renovations have taken place, typically exhibit elevated levels of trace metals in the upper soil horizon. Regulators are currently seeking an efficient method of site characterization and treatment system design which will lend itself to timely and environmentally efficacious clean-up. The soil investigated in this study was a silty sand collected near a bridge abutment for a major interstate highway. The soil had a total lead content of 1392 mg/kg. In addition, the soil contained a considerable fraction of organic carbon (approximately 6.3%). A sequential chemical extraction indicated that a fraction of contaminants were in labile soil phases and thus amenable to chemical extraction (soil-washing). A soil washing design methodology is presented based on surface chemistry and equilibrium stage operation. In this work, a double layer surface complexation model was used to describe equilibrium sorption behavior and a preliminary design of an ex-situ counter-current equilibrium stage extraction process is presented. Model calibration was conducted using sorption data obtained from a 1:40 solid to liquid ratio (s/l), adsorption edge. Model validation was accomplished with batch titration data and a 1:20 s/l, adsorption edge. The model accurately predicted leachable lead concentrations over a wide pH range. The required number of ideal equilibrium stages was highly sensitive to pH.     

Molecular simulation studies of adsorption of hydrogen cyanide and methyl ethyl ketone on zeolite NaX and activated carbon

In the present research study the primary aim is to understand and characterize the physical adsorption of polar molecules namely, hydrogen cyanide and methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) in zeolite NaX, and activated carbon through detailed Monte-Carlo simulations and computational quantum chemistry techniques. The sorption capacity and affinity of the zeolite is compared with activated carbon with different acid site concentrations, type of acid site, and pore sizes by simulating single component isotherms and Henry's constant at 25 degrees C. The role/contribution of certain types of electrostatic interactions namely charge-dipole, charge-induced dipole with zeolite NaX and activated carbon, as well as dipole-dipole interactions among polar molecules is analyzed and discussed.