Fuzzy logic control of vehicle suspensions with dry friction nonlinearity

We design and investigate the performance of fuzzy logic-controlled (FLC) active suspensions on a nonlinear vehicle model with four degrees of freedom, without causing any degeneration in suspension working limits. Force actuators were mounted parallel to the suspensions. In this new approach, linear combinations of the vertical velocities of the suspension ends and accelerations of the points of connection of the suspension to the body have been used as input variables. The study clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of the fuzzy logic controller for active suspension systems. Suspension working space degeneration is the most important problem in various applications. Decreasing the amplitudes of vehicle body vibrations improves ride comfort. Body bounce and pitch motion of the vehicle are presented both in time domain when travelling over a ramp-step road profile and in frequency domain. The results are compared with those of uncontrolled systems. At the end of this study, the performance and the advantage of the suggested approach and the improvement in ride comfort are discussed.     

Porous polyurethane film fabricated via the breath figure approach for sustained drug release

The breath figure (BF) method is an effective process for fabricating porous polymeric films. In this study, we fabricated porous polymer films from thermoplastic polyurethane (PU) through static BF with CHCl₃ as a solvent under 55–80% relative humidity. The porous PU films were prepared within various pore structures and sizes, which were adjustable, depending on the fabrication conditions. The humidity and exposure time were examined as variable parameters affecting the surface morphology, wettability, and cytotoxicity. Atorvastatin calcium, a hyperlipidemic agent, was loaded into the porous films during the casting process, and the drug-loading and drug-releasing behaviors of the porous PU membranes were evaluated. Approximately 60–80% of the drug was released in 14 days. The films exhibited sustained drug-release performances because of the hydrophobicity and nonbiodegradable nature of PU for perivascular drug administration. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47658.     

Coupling Between Magnetic Exchange and Charge Activation in Cu‐Doped LaFeO3

Material research on perovskite‐type oxides (ABO₃) has been driven by the recognition of their unique properties primarily attributed to the presence of oxygen octahedron (BO₆). Since 2003, the discovery of strong coupling in TbMnO₃ and BiFeO₃ has stimulated new interests in understanding the relationship between magnetic and electric properties in perovskites. In this article, we report our recent work on the magnetic superexchange interaction and charge formation in copper‐doped LaFeO₃ using high‐temperature neutron diffraction and thermoelectric measurements. In situ neutron diffraction measurements show a loss of antiferromagnetic ordering above 450°C. With an increase in Cu content, the (Fe, Cu)‐O bond length decreases and the (Fe, Cu)–O–(Fe, Cu) bond angle increases, which leads to an enhancement of the Fe–O–Fe superexchange interaction. Thermoelectric and electrical measurements show that the formation of electron holes in Cu‐doped LaFeO₃ is a thermally activated process with two distinct regions with a transition temperature near 450°C, in congruence with the magnetic measurements. Our work show that Cu is in 3+ state in La(Fe,Cu)O₃ at room temperature, resulting in the maximum superexchange interaction between Fe³⁺ ions.     

Qualitative improvement of catfish burger using <Emphasis Type="Italic">Zataria multiflora</Emphasis> Boiss. essential oil

This study investigates the effects of different concentrations of Zataria multiflora Boiss. essential oil on the quality of catfish burger during storage at 4?°C. For this purpose, fish burgers were produced with 0, 0.2 and 0.4?% ZMEO and the changes in their TBA, PV, FFA, TVB-N, microbiological loads and appeal to consumers during storage were evaluated. The obtained results indicated that the best sensory quality was attained at the highest ZMEO concentration (0.4?%) compared with control samples. The storage time significantly affected the TBA, PV, FFA, TVB-N values, as treated samples with ZMEO showed lower values of lipid oxidation products compared with the control samples. Regarding to microbial load, samples treated with 0.2 and 0.4?% of ZMEO revealed significant reduction at 9th day of storage as compared with the control samples.     

Durchsatzverhalten von Hohlkegeldüsen

A semi empirical relationship is proposed for swirl nozzle discharge coefficients. It considers the theoretical background and is matched to an extended own experimental database and to data from manufacturers of industrial nozzles. The equation considers the liquid viscosity and can be used for very different nozzle designs.     

Plasma polymerization‐modified bacterial polyhydroxybutyrate nanofibrillar scaffolds

The design and the development of novel scaffold materials for tissue engineering have attracted much interest in recent years. Especially, the prepared nanofibrillar scaffold materials from biocompatible and biodegradable polymers by electrospinning are promising materials to be used in biomedical applications. In this study, we propose to produce low‐cost and cell‐friendly bacterial electrospun PHB polymeric scaffolds by using Alcaligenes eutrophus DSM 545 strain to PHB production. The produced PHB was characterized by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Nanofibrous scaffolds were fabricated via electrospinning method that has a fiber diameter approximately 700–800 nm. To investigate cell attachment, cell growth, and antioxidant enzyme activity on positively and negatively charged PHB scaffold, PHB surface was modified by plasma polymerization technique using polyethylene glycol (PEG) and ethylenediamine (EDA). According to the results of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity study, PEG‐modified nanofibrillar scaffolds indicated more cellular resistance against oxidative stress compared to the EDA modification. As can be seen in cell proliferation results, EDA modification enhanced the cell proliferation more than PEG modification, while PEG modification is better as compared with nonmodified scaffolds. In general, through plasma polymerization technique, surface modified nanofibrillar structures are effective substrates for cell attachment and outgrowth. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Nanometric bimetallic sulfides prepared via thermal decomposition of Ni and Fe heteropolymolybdate emulsions

NiMo and FeMo nanometric particles were prepared by thermal decomposition of water in oil emulsions, where the aqueous phase was a solution of iron or nickel heteropolymolybdates. Decomposition experiments were carried out at 573 K and 70 Bar of hydrogen, with carbon disulfide added to the emulsions. Solids were characterized by X ray diffraction, confocal microscopy and BET surface area. Thiophene hydrodesulfurization was performed in a continuous flow microreactor at 553 K and 1.0 Bar. Particles with diameters between 370 and 560 nm were obtained, and thiophene HDS was in the order NiMoS > MoS ≈ FeMoS > NiS > FeS. The feasibility of using thermal decomposition of emulsions to obtain nanometric bimetallic sulfides particles was shown.