Homotopy continuation enhanced branch and bound algorithms for strongly nonconvex mixed-integer nonlinear optimization

Large-scale strongly nonlinear and nonconvex mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) models frequently appear in optimization-based process synthesis, integration, intensification, and process control. However, they are usually difficult to solve by existing algorithms within acceptable time. In this study, we propose two robust homotopy continuation enhanced branch and bound (HCBB) algorithms (denoted as HCBB-FP and HCBB-RB) where the homotopy continuation method is employed to gradually approach the optimum of the NLP subproblem at a node from the solution at its parent node. A variable step length is adapted to effectively balance feasibility and computational efficiency. The computational results from solving four existing process synthesis problems demonstrate that the proposed HCBB algorithms can find the same optimal solution from different initial points, while the existing MINLP algorithms fail or find much worse solutions. In addition, HCBB-RB is superior to HCBB-FP due to much lower computational effort required for the same locally optimal solution.     

Effect of ultrasonic waveforms on gas–liquid mass transfer in microreactors

This study aims to investigate the effect of ultrasonic waveforms on the gas–liquid mass transfer process. For a given load power (P), continuous rectangular wave yielded stronger bubble oscillation and higher mass transfer coefficient (k_La) than continuous triangular and sinusoidal wave. For pulsed ultrasound, the k_La decreased monotonically with decreasing duty ratio (D), resulting in weak enhancement at low D (≤33%). For a given average load power (P_A), concentrating the P for a shorter period resulted in a higher k_La due to stronger cavitation behavior. For a given P_A and D, decreasing the pulse period (T) led to an increase in k_La, which reached a constant high level when the T fell below a critical value. By optimizing the D and T, a k_La equivalent to 92% of that under continuous ultrasound was obtained under pulsed ultrasound at a D of 67%, saving 33% in power consumption.     

Energy storage performance of 0.55Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3-0.45SrTiO3 ceramics doped with lanthanide elements (Ln = La,Nd, Dy,Sm) using a viscous polymer processing route

Lead-free bismuth sodium titanate-strontium titanate (NBT-ST) dielectric ceramic materials have been extensively investigated energy storage materials because of their relaxor characteristics. In this study, four different lanthanide elements were introduced into the ferroelectric NBT-ST ceramic to improve their relaxor properties. The introduction of the lanthanide resulted in an increase in disorder at location A within the perovskite lattice and improved relaxor characteristics, leading to a stored energy density of more than 3.5 J/cm³. In particular, an ultrahigh recoverable stored energy density of 4.94 J/cm³ and efficiency of 88.45% were achieved at 440 kV/cm when the NBT-ST ceramic was modified with neodymium. The modified ceramic also exhibited good thermal stability in the range of 30–120 °C, as well as a fast discharge time of ～153 ns, indicating that Nd-incorporated NBT-ST is a promising candidate for electrical energy storage ceramic.     

A three-dimensional surface measurement system implemented with Gaussian process based adaptive sampling

Self-adaptive surface measurements that can reduce data redundancy and improve time efficiency are in high demand in many fields of science and technology. For this purpose, a system implemented with Gaussian process (GP) adaptive sampling is developed. The non-parametric GP model is applied to reconstruct the topography and guide the subsequent sampling position, which is determined from the inference uncertainty estimation. A criterion is proposed to terminate the GP adaptive measurement automatically without any prior model or data of the topography. Experiments on typical surfaces validate the intelligence, adaptability, and high accuracy of the GP method along with the stabilization of the automatic iteration termination. Compared with traditional raster sampling, data redundancy is reduced and the time efficiency is improved without sacrificing the surface reconstruction accuracy. The proposed method can be implemented in other systems with similar measurement principles, thus benefitting surface characterizations.     

The cold sintering process: A review on processing features,densification mechanisms and perspectives

Since its first introduction in 2016, cold sintering process (CSP) has gained worldwide interest from the scientific community as green and innovative fabrication route due to the dramatic reduction of processing time, energy, and costs. Cold sintering resembles the geological formation of rocks where a ceramic powder is densified with the aid of a liquid phase under an intense external pressure and limited heating conditions (below 350 °C). Up to date, tens of different materials, including composites, have been successfully processed through CSP and extraordinary results in terms of densification, microstructure and final properties have been achieved. In the present review, processing features and variables, possible densification mechanisms and issues also for the realization of ceramic-based composites are explored. Advantages with respect to existing techniques are analysed and current challenges are described to lay the ground for new processing opportunities to be faced in the near future.     

Effects of water and carbon dioxide pressure on the adhesion of Na2SiO3 and K2SiO3 binders on silica sand surface: Comparison of experimental data and molecular dynamics simulation

In this study, the effects of different water amounts, CO₂ blowing pressures, Na₂O:SiO₂ and K₂O:SiO₂ ratios were studied on the bonding strength of Na₂SiO₃ and K₂SiO₃ binders. It was concluded that the increase in water content had an adverse effect on the bonding strength of CO₂-hardened Na₂SiO₃ sand. The blowing pressure did not have a linear relationship with the bonding strength, but it was closely related to the diffusion coefficient of CO₂. Based on scanning electron microscopic results, it was inferred that the low strength was caused by the formation of lamellar crystals after the adhesive was hardened. It was found that the low strength was caused by the formation of lamellar crystals after the adhesive was hardened. Based on molecular dynamics simulations, different pressures and water contents had a great influence on the diffusion coefficient of CO₂ in the silicate binder system. This research provides an important theoretical background to improve the technology of CO₂-hardened Na₂SiO₃- and K₂SiO₃-bonded sands during the casting process.     

The spheroidization process of micron-scaled α-Al2O3 powder in hydrothermal method

Understanding the spheroidization process of micron-scaled α-Al₂O₃ powder in hydrothermal method is of great importance but still not completely revealed. The results demonstrated that SO₄^2? played a significant role in the formation of spherical powder, while the bubble generated from the reaction of urea didn't work in the spheroidization process. The spheroidization process was summed up as two steps. The first was that SO₄^2? limited the hydrolysis of Al³⁺ and reacted with Al³⁺ and OH^- to form Al₄(OH)₁₀SO₄, which nucleated and agglomerated into granular precipitates. The second was Ostwald ripening, which gave the spherical precursors a double-layered structure. When the spherical precursors obtained 120 °C were sintered at 1200 °C, α-Al₂O₃ were got and the spherical morphology still maintained with a large number of nano-sized pores. We anticipate the spherical α-Al₂O₃ with nano-sized pores can be applied in adsorption and filtration industries.     

The thermochromic characteristics of Zn-doped VO2 that were prepared by the hydrothermal and post-annealing process and their polyurethane composite films

In this paper, Zn-doped VO₂ nanoparticles have been successfully fabricated by a two-step hydrothermal-annealing process, and the thermally induced visible light transmittance enhancement of Zn-doped VO₂ has been studied for the first time. It is found that Zn-doped VO₂ not only exhibits excellent solar modulation ability (ΔT_sol = 15.27%) but also can reduce the phase transition temperature and increase the visible light transmittance after the heat-induced phase transition (ΔT_lum=+5.78%). Moreover, with the increase of Zn doping concentration, the phase transition temperature (T_c) and phase transition hysteresis (ΔT) both decrease. It is shown that the Zn-doped VO₂-PU films not only have good solar light modulation ability and properties of improving visible light transmission after phase transition, but also have good durability. The research result is of great significance for improving the visible light transmittance after phase transition and realizing the practical application of VO₂ in the field of smart windows.     

Reaction behavior of quartz in gibbsite-boehmite bauxite in Bayer digestion and its effect on caustic consumption and alumina recovery

A high content of quartz is usually present in Australian gibbsite-boehmite bauxite. The reaction between quartz and sodium aluminate solution at high temperatures in the Bayer process can lead to loss of alumina and sodium oxide. Therefore, to improve alumina recovery, the reaction of quartz needs to be avoided. The digestion behavior of Australian gibbsite-boehmite bauxite and pure quartz in the Bayer process at 230–250 °C was systematically studied in this paper. The mineral composition and morphology of the reaction products were characterized and the kinetics of the quartz dissolution process was studied in detail. It was shown that boehmite in gibbsite-boehmite bauxite can be completely digested at high temperature (250 °C) with a short digestion time (5 min). A short digestion time results in a low reaction rate of quartz in bauxite, and is ideal for alumina recovery at high temperatures. The quartz reaction rate rapidly increases with longer digestion times. The apparent activation energy of the dissolution of quartz in bauxite in the caustic solution is 151.9 kJ mol^?1, and the rate-controlling step of this reaction process is the interfacial chemical reaction. By controlling the particle size of bauxite, the digestion temperature, and the digestion time, the reaction rate of quartz in bauxite can be inhibited, which is beneficial for improving alumina recovery and reducing caustic consumption. Therefore, based on the above theoretical research, a process for digesting gibbsite-boehmite bauxite is proposed using high digestion temperature (250 °C), short digestion time (5 min) and large mineral size. An economic benefit of about US$101.9 million for a refinery with the annual output of 2 million tons of alumina can be created by the proposed process.     

Analytical Modeling for Translating Statistical Changes to Circuit Variability by Ultra-Deep Submicron Digital Circuit Design

This paper presents a physics-based compact gate delay model that includes all short-channel phenomena prevalent at the ultra-deep submicron technology node of 32 nm. To simplify calculations, the proposed model is connected to a compact α-power law-based (Sakurai-Newton) model. The model has been tested on a wide range of supply voltages. The model accurately predicts nominal delays and the delays under process variations. It has been shown that at lower technology nodes, the delay is more sensitive to threshold voltage variations, specifically at the sub-threshold operating region as compared with effective channel length variations above the threshold region.