3D ECT reconstruction by an improved Landweber iteration algorithm

Electrical capacitance tomography (ECT) is a relatively mature non-invasive imaging technique that attempts to map dielectric permittivity of materials. Recently, 3D ECT has gained interest because of its potential to generate volumetric images. The study of a fast and accurate image reconstruction algorithm is a challenge task, especially for 3D reconstruction. In this paper, we propose an improved Landweber iteration algorithm. We incorporate an additional acceleration term into the cost function and apply an adaptive threshold operation to the image obtained in each iteration for reducing artefacts. The algorithm proposed is tested by the noise-free and noise-contaminated capacitance data. Sensitivity matrixes and capacitance data of a 3D ECT sensor are obtained by using the finite element (FE) method. Extensive simulations in 3D reconstruction are carried out. The results verify the effectiveness of these improvements. Both the reconstruction time and the artefacts in the reconstructed image are reduced obviously. The experimental results of 3D reconstruction of objects in the shape of letters U and L confirm the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm further.     

A subgap density of states modeling for the transient characteristics in oxide-based thin-film transistors

The modeling of the transient subgap density of states (DOS) for the investigation of trap densities in the oxide-based thin-film transistors is proposed. The study is based on both transient measurements and physical modeling. In history, the subgap DOS modeling of trap densities have been studied according to the static-state current–voltage characteristics or the capacitance–voltage curves. However, the subgap DOS modeling for the transient curves is seldom proposed. In this study, the transient model of subgap DOS is discussed for amorphous In–Ga–Zn–O (a-IGZO) thin films. This model suggests the subgap DOS exhibits a transient behavior with an exponential distribution on the band edge and a Gaussian distribution in the deep gap level. This study could be helpful to understand and optimize the transient electrical properties of a-IGZO TFTs.     

In-situ investigation of EMC relaxation behavior using piezoresistive stress sensor

The relaxation behavior of an epoxy molding compound (EMC) subjected to a constant strain can cause new reliability challenges in automotive electronics. This problem will be exacerbated due to the ever-increasing demand in modern electronics systems for miniaturization with more functionality, yet it has not been studied extensively to mitigate its effect on reliability. In this study, a piezoresistive silicon-based stress sensor is used to understand the stress state in an electronic control unit (ECU), more specifically the relaxation behavior of EMC caused by the storage time of an ECU (i.e., duration between production and actual usage). Mechanical stresses are measured by the piezoresistive stress sensor that is encapsulated in a standard microelectronic 3 × 3 mm land grid array (LGA) package. The relaxation behavior is observed at three different temperatures for 1 week: 75 °C, 100 °C and 125 °C. The relaxation behavior is measured continuously for one more week after cooling the package to room temperature (at 25 °C). An additional test is conducted at 85 °C with 85% relative humidity to investigate the effect of moisture diffusion on the package. The experimental results clearly indicate that the proposed approach can be used for better understanding of the evolution of stresses in molded packages during their lifetime, especially during storage, which in turn can lead to more optimal designs in the future.     

Optimization of multi-product economic production quantity model with partial backordering and physical constraints: SQP,SFS, SA,and WCA

A multi-product economic production quantity model with several real-world technical and physical constraints is developed in this paper. The cost function includes ordering, holding, backordering, lost sale, and the cost caused by unused space in the warehouse. The goal is to minimize the total inventory cost, where shortages are allowed and partially backordered with fixed and linear costs. The aim is to determine the length of the inventory cycle, the length of positive inventory period, and the backordering rates of the products during the shortage period in order to minimize the total inventory costs while satisfying all constraints. Due to complexity and non-linearity of the proposed model, sequential quadratic programming (SQP), stochastic fractal search (SFS), simulated annealing (SA), and water cycle algorithm (WCA) are utilized for solution. Ninety numerical examples in small, medium, and large sizes are solved to evaluate the efficiency of the solution methods. The performances of the solution methods are compared statistically. Besides, sensitivity analysis is performed to determine the effect of change in the main parameters of the problem on the objective function value and decision variables.     

Enhanced alkali resistance of CeO2/SO42 −–ZrO2 catalyst in selective catalytic reduction of NOx by ammonia

Ceria catalysts supported on sulfated zirconia showed a remarkable resistance towards alkali metal poisoning in selective catalytic reduction of NO by NH₃. TPD results revealed sulfation treatment of supports produced massive acid sites on the surface of catalysts. Adequate acidity was of importance for the enhanced resistance to alkali metal ions. The introduction of potassium did not affect the crystalline phases and morphology of catalysts, but it could lead to higher surface areas of samples.     

A very unusual transistor failure,caused by a solenoid

By a customer providing industry electronics, we were faced to repeated failures of a small power transistor. However, nearly all samples were burnt and no conclusion could be drawn from device analysis. We took the next step forward towards system analysis. The electronic board with the transistor was mounted at the end of a big solenoid. The metal baseplate of the board holder also served as a heatsink for the power transistor. The board was mounted into a plastic housing, which has been damaged in many cases. It turned out that, when the big solenoid's core was running against its mechanical end stop, the mechanical impulse knocked the electronic board to the end of the plastic housing, thus deforming the heatsink plate in a manner that it lost the thermal contact to the transistor after some time of use. In result, the transistor overheated and failed. This case study is a nice example showing the need of a system-related failure analysis for root-cause finding.     

The reliability of distributed solar in critical peak demand: A capital value assessment

Generation is most valuable when demand is highest. As electricity can't yet be cheaply stored, generation and transmission infrastructure must be built to meet the highest expected demand, plus a margin of error. Reliably producing power at times of critical demand not only offsets the need to use expensive liquid fuels such as diesel or condensate, but also removes the need to build backup power stations and transmission infrastructure that would only be used for a small fraction of the year. Under the most extreme demand conditions, solar has reduced the peak demand seen by retailers and wholesale energy markets. This study compares the capital cost of critical peak availability from gas turbines to the capital cost of critical peak availability from distributed solar in the Australian National Electricity Market (NEM). When compared on this basis, 10–22% of the cost of installing the solar system can be attributed to the capital value of critical peak generation. North–west and west facing PV is worth a further 3–6% of system installation costs when compared to generally north facing PV. Finally, southern states, with longer summer days and more sunshine in the afternoon are found to benefit more from peak supply of solar PV.     

Developing a computer vision method based on AHP and feature ranking for ores type detection

Detection of size, shape and color of minerals are important for obtaining information about minerals. The output of mines is ores which vary in colors and shapes. The multiplicity of ores, large scale features and the importance of speeding up the mineral type detection process for intelligent systems, leads us to rely more on expert's advice and rank the selected available features for type detection, according to their importance. In this paper, to separate different ores and gangue minerals, image processing and computer vision techniques with combination of multi criteria decision making (MCDM) approach are applied. Our method proposes a novel way which combines the image processing techniques and artificial neural networks, with analytic hierarchy process (AHP) approaches to detect different types of ores. By help of experts in feature ranking, the image processing techniques proved to be more effective and prompt. The final results show that the proposed method is more successful in type detection of minerals than the other image processing techniques for ores type detection. Our method is also applicable for real-time systems to estimate minerals at on-line ore sorting and classification stages.     

Rapid and controllable synthesis of nitrogen doped reduced graphene oxide using microwave-assisted hydrothermal reaction for high power-density supercapacitors

Nitrogen doped reduced graphene oxide (N-RGO) is synthesized using microwave-assisted hydrothermal (MAHA) reaction. The proper configurations of nitrogen atoms in graphene sheets considerably increase the intrinsic electrical properties of N-RGO resultantly improving its capacitance and other kinetic properties in supercapacitor. Here, under the controlled MAHA reaction, we adjusted the ratio of nitrogen configurations (pyridinic-N, pyrrolic-N and quaternary-N) for the most optimum supercapacitor performances of N-RGOs in the shortest time ever reported, and clarified that its enhanced electrical conductivity and supercapacitor performances are attributed to its enlarged concentration of quaternary-N. With this MAHA reaction, we present a supercapacitor based on N-RGO, which is capable of displaying the promising electrochemical properties.