Magnetic induction based cluster optimization in non-conventional WSNs: A cross layer approach

Conventional Radio Frequency (RF) communication technique is unsuitable for communication in non-conventional media (water, soil, rocks, etc.) because of heavy losses incurred due to dynamic channel characteristics. Magnetic Induction (MI) communication overcomes these losses as it is least affected by such varying channel characteristics. In non-conventional media based Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) the deployed sensor nodes cannot replace or replenish their batteries. Thus, energy consumption should be minimized and that can be achieved by clustering process. This process involves data sensing, aggregation and routing to the base station. These sub-tasks are performed under Physical (PHY), Medium Access Control (MAC) and Network (NET) layers of OSI Network model. Having lesser or larger number of clusters has different impact on energy consumption in different layers’ perspective. A large number of clusters decreases energy consumption as per PHY layer whereas it results in increased energy consumption as per MAC and NET layers. Thus, a trade-off is required to minimize the overall energy consumption. To this end, we found an optimal number of clusters considering the simultaneous influence of all three layers. The above analysis is performed for three media viz. sea water, fresh water and dry soil.     

Cu3P and Ni2P co-modified g-C3N4 nanosheet with excellent photocatalytic H2 evolution activities

Copper-nickel phosphides/ graphite-like phase carbon nitride (Cu₃P-Ni₂P/g-C₃N₄) composites were obtained through a facile one-pot in situ solvothermal approach. The coexistence of Cu₃P and Ni₂P plays an important role in enhancing the catalytic activity of g-C₃N₄. The 7 wt% Cu₃P-Ni₂P/g-C₃N₄ bimetallic phosphide photocatalyst demonstrates the best photocatalytic hydrogen (H₂) evolution rate of 6529.8 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹, which is 80.7-fold higher than that of g-C₃N₄. The apparent quantum yield (AQE) was determined to be 18.5% at 400 nm over the 7% Cu₃P-Ni₂P/g-C₃N₄. This in situ growth strategy produced intimate contact interfaces, leading to a significantly promoted separation of charge carriers, and hence strengthened the photocatalytic H₂ production. Moreover, the coexistence of Cu₃P and Ni₂P reduced the overpotential of H₂ during the evolution process, further benefiting H₂ production. Finally, the photocatalytic enhancement mechanism was proposed and verified by fluorescence and electrochemical analysis. This work provides a low-cost strategy to synthesize nonprecious bimetallic phosphides/carbon nitride photocatalyst with outstanding H₂ production activity. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry     

The scenario approach: A tool at the service of data-driven decision making

In the eyes of many control scientists, the theory of the scenario approach is a tool for determining the sample size in certain randomized control-design methods, where an uncertain variable is replaced by a random sample of scenarios. This point of view is rooted in the history of the scenario approach and stands on a long track record of successful applications. However, in the last two decades the theory of the scenario approach has gone beyond its original motivations and applications, and has unveiled some fundamental relationships between the complexity of a design and its generalization capabilities. The new knowledge brought by the theory provides a solid ground for a framework where data can be exploited in a flexible and wise manner throughout a large variety of engineering activities. By this article we aim at providing an access point to a set of state-of-the-art results in the theory of the scenario approach that can be valuable to target important challenges in modern control-design and decision-making at large. In the first part of the article, we introduce a set-up for decision-making where the role of prior knowledge and user preferences can, and should, be distinguished from the role of data. Then, we show that the theory of the scenario approach offers a platform for conjugating heuristic approaches, which in complex contexts are unavoidably based on incomplete and possibly imprecise information, with a solid theory for certifying the validity of the output of the decision process.     

Full and reduced-order H∞ filtering of Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy time-varying delay systems: Input–output approach

This article addresses the issue of delay-dependent H_∞ filtering design for TakagiŮSugeno fuzzy time-varying delay systems using the input–output approach. A three-term approximation model has been used to transform the original system into two interconnected subsystems. Since the nonquadratic Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional requires to deal with the membership function's (MF) time derivative, upper-bound inequalities have been added to the obtained conditions. Based on the scaled small gain theorem, nonquadratic Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional approach and considering the bounds of the MF time-derivative, the H_∞ full- and reduced-order filters are designed and then formulated in terms of linear matrix inequalities. Finally, illustrative examples are presented to demonstrate the validity of the proposed methods.     

Multi-objective optimization of hybrid PEMFC/Li-ion battery propulsion systems for small and medium size ferries

Hybrid Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells/Lithium-ion battery powertrains are a promising solution for zero-local-emissions marine propulsion. The present study aims to optimize the design and operation of such hybrid powertrain for small-size passenger ferries, taking into account the performance degradation of both fuel cells and batteries. A Mixed-Integer Linear-Programming approach and a hierarchical method are adopted to concurrently minimize the fuel cells degradation, the capital expenditure and the operating expenditure, while constraints are included in the model to limit the battery degradation. The results show that the proposed multi-objective optimization can lead to a reduction of fuel cells degradation by up to 65% compared to a cost-minimization only. However, this can imply an increase in the battery capacity by up to 136%. The proposed method has general validity, and it is a useful tool for both preliminary design and choice of the optimal energy management strategy for ships energy systems.     

钢筋UHPC梁正截面抗弯承载力计算方法

超高性能混凝土(ultra-high-performance concrete，UHPC)是一种高强、高韧性和高耐久性的新型水泥基复合材料，具有广阔的应用前景。由于UHPC内的钢纤维能有效控制裂缝开展并提高UHPC的抗拉强度，因此，UHPC构件抗弯承载力分析时，一般计入截面受拉区UHPC的抗拉作用，但对于如何考虑受拉区UHPC的抗弯贡献，国内外相关研究结果间存在较大分歧，因此值得进一步研究。首先，编制钢筋UHPC梁正截面抗弯承载力分析程序，分析不同设计参数对截面受拉区UHPC抗弯贡献的影响。结果表明：配筋率、梁高、钢纤维长度、截面形状和预应力水平是影响受拉区UHPC抗弯贡献的主要参数。基于参数分析结果的回归分析，提出截面受拉区UHPC的均匀分布应力折减系数k的计算公式；通过引入受拉翼缘面积折减系数kf，考虑不同截面形状的影响。在此基础上，提出不同弯曲破坏模式下钢筋UHPC梁抗弯承载力的简化计算方法，并以国内外115根钢筋UHPC梁抗弯承载力试验结果验证所提方法的适用性。     

High energy-storage performance of lead-free AgNbO3 antiferroelectric ceramics fabricated via a facile approach

AgNbO₃ lead free AFE ceramics are considered as one of the promising alternatives to energy storage applications. In the majority of studies concerning the preparation of AgNbO₃ AFE ceramics, an oxygen atmosphere is required to achieve high performance, increasing the complexity of the fabrication process. Herein, a facile approach to preparing AgNbO₃ ceramics in the ambient air was reported, in which the AgNbO₃ ultrafine powder with stable perovskite structure was synthesized by hydrothermal method instead of the conventional ball milling process, leading to a lower temperature of phase formation and thus smaller grain size. The resulting ceramics sintered at 940 °C displayed high breakdown strength (216 kV/cm) and a recoverable energy density of 3.26 J/cm³ with efficiency of 53.5 %. Also, the high thermal stability of recoverable energy density (with minimal variation of ≤20 %) and efficiency (≤ 10 %) over 30–150℃, enables AgNbO₃ ceramics achieved to be a promising candidate for energy storage applications.     

Value drivers of blockchain technology: A case study of blockchain-enabled online community

There is growing recognition that blockchain technology has significant potential to alter how organizations and people work and communicate. However, theoretical guidance concerning how organizations leverage blockchain technology to enhance value creation for users is still limited. Grounded in the socio-technical perspective and leveraging the rich data obtained from case analyses of blockchain-enabled online communities, this paper develops a theoretical model to identify the core value drivers that blockchain enables for online communities. The core value drivers include: a reputation-value system, data ownership mechanisms, and verification & tracking mechanisms. Our findings suggest that these three value drivers enhance value creation of online communities by motivating participation and protecting contributions.     

Precision manufacturing of turbine wheel slots by trim-offset approach of WEDM

The present study aims to precisely manufacture the turbine wheel slot using a novel trim-offset approach of wire-electrical-discharge-machining (WEDM) in order to overcome the challenges of a conventional broaching process. Two dimensional model of turbine wheel slot is prepared in ‘ELCAM’ software to generate the computer-numerical-control (CNC) code of fir-tree-profile geometry. The experimental plan based on a trim-offset approach is executed to minimize the thermal damage and to improve the surface fatigue strength, which is most desirable for a long operating life of the jet engine. An average cutting speed of ~1.5 mm/min is observed for rough-cut and ~5 mm/min for trim-cut operation. Six categories of wires are used to manufacture the turbine wheel slots without any wire breakage and gap-short issue. The fabricated profile slots have demonstrated an average roughness (Ra) of 0.65 μm, profile accuracy within ±5 μm, minimum hardness alteration (34.87 Hv), and negligible recast layer (<5 μm) using B-150 wire and fulfilled the essential requirements of the gas turbine industries. Compared to wire-electrochemical-machining (WECM), WEDM trim-offset approach is quite advantageous and should be beneficial for the researchers working in ‘Precision machining of aerospace materials’.