Current variability in a wide and open lacustrine embayment in Lake Geneva (Switzerland)

Field measurements and numerical simulations were used to determine the effects of dominant meteorological conditions on the hydrodynamics of a wide (aspect ratio ~ 2), relatively deep (seasonally stratified) and open lake embayment (Vidy Bay, Lake Geneva). A three-dimensional hydrodynamic model (Delft3D-FLOW) was employed to simulate flow in the lake. High-resolution maps of wind, temperature and humidity (over the lake) were applied as input to drive the model. Because wind was the main force driving flow in the lake, currents in the embayment were investigated systematically for different wind conditions and seasonal stratification. Satisfactory model validation was achieved using drifter and moored measurements within the embayment. Markedly different circulation patterns were measured within the embayment, with the transition from one pattern to another occurring abruptly for small changes in wind direction. These distinct patterns resulted from relatively small changes in the large gyre of Lake Geneva's main basin, especially the angle between the current in front of the embayment and the embayment shoreline. The boundary between the embayment and the pelagic zone was defined by the largest gyre within the embayment. This study shows that, (i) in a large lake, complex current patterns can occur even within a minor embayment, and (ii) that these patterns can transition rapidly over a small range of wind directions. Near-shore gyre can occur for lengthy periods, which has implications for flushing of discharges within the embayment.     

Note: three-dimensional stereolithography for millimeter wave and terahertz applications

Metal-coated polymers shaped by 3D stereolithography are introduced as a new manufacturing method for passive components for millimeter to terahertz electromagnetic waves. This concept offers increased design capabilities and flexibilities while shortening the manufacturing process of complex shapes, e.g., corrugated horns, mirrors, etc. Tests at 92.5, 140, and 170 GHz are reported.     

Low-Latency Elliptic Curve Scalar Multiplication

This paper presents a low-latency algorithm designed for parallel computer architectures to compute the scalar multiplication of elliptic curve points based on approaches from cryptographic side-channel analysis. A graphics processing unit implementation using a standardized elliptic curve over a 224-bit prime field, complying with the new 112-bit security level, computes the scalar multiplication in 1.9?ms on the NVIDIA GTX 500 architecture family. The presented methods and implementation considerations can be applied to any parallel 32-bit architecture.     

The stochastic maximum principle for optimal control problems of delay systems involving continuous and impulse controls

This paper is concerned with a Pontryagin’s maximum principle for stochastic optimal control problems of delay systems with random coefficients involving both continuous and impulse controls. This kind of control problems is motivated by some interesting phenomena arising from economics and finance. We establish a necessary maximum principle and a sufficient verification theorem by virtue of the duality and the convex analysis. To explain the theoretical results, we apply them to a production and consumption choice problem.     

Anodic oxidation of phenol for waste water treatment

The electrochemical oxidation of phenol for waste water treatment was studied at a platinum anode. Analysis of reaction intermediates and a carbon balance has shown that the reaction occurs by two parallel pathways; chemical oxidation with electrogenerated hydroxyl radicals and direct combustion of adsorbed phenol or/and its aromatic intermediates to CO₂.     

Influence of Ge addition on the morphology and properties of TiN thin films deposited by magnetron sputtering

Thin films of TM-X-N (TM stands for early transition metal and X = Si, Al, etc.) are used as protective coatings. The most investigated among the ternary composite systems is Ti-Si-N. The system Ti-Ge-N has been chosen to extend the knowledge about the formation of nanocomposite films. Ti-Ge-N thin films were deposited by reactive magnetron sputtering on Si and WC-Co substrates at T_s = 240 °C, from confocal Ti and Ge targets in mixed Ar/N₂ atmosphere. The nitrogen partial pressure and the power on the Ti target were kept constant, while the power on the Ge target was varied in order to obtain various Ge concentrations in the films. No presence of Ge-N bonds was detected, while X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements revealed the presence of Ti-Ge bonds. Transmission Electron Microscopy investigations have shown important changes induced by Ge addition in the morphology and structure of Ti-Ge-N films. Electron Energy-Loss Spectrometry study revealed a significant increase of Ge content at the grain boundaries. The segregation of Ge atoms to the TiN crystallite surface appears to be responsible for limitation of crystal growth and formation of a TiGe_y amorphous phase.     

Toward a unified description of nonlinearity and frequency dispersion of piezoelectric and dielectric responses in Pb(Zr,Ti)O3

A phenomenological approach is proposed describing both nonlinearity and frequency dispersion in dielectric and piezoelectric properties of lead zirconate titanate, Pb(Zr,Ti)O₃ (PZT), thin films and ceramics. The approach couples the frequency dependent response in form of the power law, 1/ω^β, with the rate-independent nonlinear response described by the Rayleigh law. The main experimental trends are well described by the model.     

The effect of defect location on coating fragmentation patterns under biaxial tension

Fragmentation of a coating possessing orthogonal preferential crack propagation directions is modeled for equibiaxial tensile loading. Two plausible cracking scenarios are compared, caused by flaws randomly distributed over the area of the coating or along the coating fragment edges. The two fragmentation scenarios considered are shown to yield qualitatively different fragment patterns.