Generalized adaptive notch filters with frequency debiasing for tracking of polynomial phase systems

Generalized adaptive notch filters are used for identification/tracking of quasi-periodically varying dynamic systems and can be considered an extension, to the system case, of classical adaptive notch filters. For general patterns of frequency variation the generalized adaptive notch filtering algorithms yield biased frequency estimates. We show that when system frequencies change slowly in a smooth way, the estimation bias can be substantially reduced by means of post-filtering of the frequency estimates. The modified (debiased) algorithm has better tracking capabilities than the original algorithm.     

Self-optimizing generalized adaptive notch filters — comparison of three optimization strategies

The paper provides comparison of three different approaches to on-line tuning of generalized adaptive notch filters (GANFs) — the algorithms used for identification/tracking of quasi-periodically varying dynamic systems. Tuning is needed to adjust adaptation gains, which control tracking performance of GANF algorithms, to the unknown and/or time time-varying rate of system nonstationarity. Two out of three compared approaches are classical solutions — the first one incorporates sequential optimization of adaptation gains while the second one is based on the concept of parallel estimation. The main contribution of the paper is that it suggests the third way — it shows that the best results can be achieved when both approaches mentioned above are combined in a judicious way. Such joint sequential/parallel optimization preserves advantages of both treatments: adaptiveness (sequential approach) and robustness to abrupt changes (parallel approach). Additionally the paper shows how, using the concept of surrogate outputs, one can extend the proposed single-frequency algorithm to the multiple frequencies case, without falling into the complexity trap known as the “curse of dimensionality”.     

The Use of a Novel Ferulic Acid Esterase from Lactobacillus acidophilus K1 for the Release of Phenolic Acids from Brewer's Spent Grain

In this work, an extracellular ferulic acid esterase was produced in bioreactor cultivations of Lactobacillus acidophilus K1 strain. The enzyme was partially purified using ultrafiltration (10 kDa), dialysis (4–6 kDa) and Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography (Sepharose CM, Sephacryl S‐300). A considerable increment of enzyme activity (31‐fold) in the final preparation was achieved. Two distinct bands (approx. 21.5 kDa and 39 kDa) were obtained after SDS‐PAGE. A high similarity of the purified enzyme (LC‐MS/MS analysis) to tannase and ferulic acid esterase from Burkholderia ambifaria MEX‐5 was obtained. The optimal pH and temperature for the enzyme activity were 6.3 and 37°C, respectively. The enzyme preparation effectively released phenolic acids (mainly ferulic and p‐coumaric acid) from brewer's spent grain. This novel enzyme preparation can be used for the utilisation of a valuable and inexpensive by‐product of the brewing industry.     

Mechanics of interface with applications in electronic packaging

The purpose of this paper is to present a brief review of the mechanics of interface fracture, with a focus on applications in electronic packaging. From a structural mechanics perspective, electronic devices can be thought of as composite structures fabricated from highly dissimilar materials. Often, the interfaces between these materials are where failure is most likely to occur when the device is subjected to thermomechanical loading. The mechanics of interface fracture is a specialized subtopic within the discipline of fracture mechanics and the nonspecialist may be unaware of some of the subtle differences encountered in applying interface fracture concepts. The mechanics associated with interface fracture introduces certain mathematical concepts that may seem to be unnecessarily complicated, but are essential for its proper application. It is important that the electronic packaging reliability engineer be aware of these concepts, understanding the most important implications. This review will focus on the mechanics and computational aspects of interface fracture in electronic structures, with a particular emphasis on some details that the nonexpert could only obtain after an extensive review of the available literature. Numerical results are presented for the important problem of corner cracking between silicon and epoxy materials subjected to thermomechanical loading. These new results provide insight into the three-dimensional nature of interfacial crack propagation at bimaterial corners.     

Stable crack growth in a surface compression-strengthened hollow cylinder

In this paper the static fatigue problem for a circumferentially cracked hollow cylinder is examined. For this particular configuration, stable crack growth, in the absense of any external forces, is determined for cylinders with axial components of residual stress which are compressive on the inner and outer radial surfaces and tensile in the cylinder wall. An initial surface crack which is deep enough to penetrate the compression strengthened surface region and enters the tensile zone may propagate in a stable manner until either sudden spontaneous failure occurs or the crack arrests. Since a portion of the crack near the cylinder surface will be closed because of the compressive residual stress field, an additional unknown in the problem is the extent of the crack surface contact. This crack surface contact length is determined by iteration on the integral equation which arises in the mathematical derivation for an embedded circumferential crack in a hollow cylinder. As an illustration of stable crack growth for this geometry with a realistic residual stress distribution, numerical results are presented for a hollow, soda-lime glass cylinder, based on crack growth rates in soda-lime glass exposed to water at 25‡ C. Using the fracture toughness and slow crack growth characteristics for soda-lime glass, the conditions for no crack propagation, crack propagation leading to crack arrest, and catastrophic failure are established.     

High-Temperature large-strain behavior of polycarbonate,polyetherimide and poly(butylene terephthalate)

A noncontacting experimental procedure has been used for characterizing the high-temperature large-strain uniaxial behavior of polycarbonate (PC), polyetherimide (PEI), and poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT), through controlled tests on flat specimens cut from extruded sheet. While each of these polymers exhibits stable necking over a broad temperature range, the transition to the necked state is shown to be more gradual at higher temperatures, resulting in a less sharply defined neck transition region during the drawing process. These trends in necking behavior, and other phenomena such as double necking, which only occur at high temperatures, are illustrated through contour plots of the Cauchy-Green deformation tensor. Elevated temperature true-stress versus stretch data are given for each of these polymers.     

Impact of Tube Surface Properties on Crystallization Fouling in Falling Film Evaporators for Seawater Desalination

ABSTRACT

Crystallization fouling on heat transfer surfaces is a severe problem and a complex phenomenon in multiple-effect distillation plants with horizontal tube falling film evaporators for seawater desalination. The choice of tube material affects the wettability, the adhesion forces between surface and deposit, and the induction time of crystallization fouling. The effects of surface properties on crystallization fouling from seawater have been investigated in a horizontal tube falling film evaporator in pilot plant scale. Experiments were performed with artificial seawater and various tube materials. The tube surfaces were characterized by measuring surface roughness and contact angles and by determining surface free energies. The tube materials show qualitative and quantitative differences with respect to scale formation. The interfacial defect model was applied to the system. Spreading coefficients of CaCO₃ scale on the aluminum alloys 5052 and 6060 and stainless steel grade 1.4565 were calculated to be higher than those on copper–nickel 90/10 and aluminum brass, but the quantities of CaCO₃ scale measured on the tube surfaces were much lower compared to CuNi 90/10 and aluminum brass. The application of advanced approaches such as the interfacial defect model depends on the precise knowledge of interfacial free energies, which are very difficult to find. However, results suggest that more similar values of the interfacial free energies of heat transfer surface and deposit lead to increased scale formation.     

Comparison of experimental and theoretical residual stresses in welds: The issue of gauge volume

Welding residual stresses have an effect on many aspects of the integrity of structures but are normally one of the largest unknown stresses. Residual stresses are difficult to measure and to estimate theoretically but are often significant when compared with the service stresses on which they superimpose. High tensile residual stresses can lead to loss of performance in corrosion, fatigue and fracture.In this research, measurement of residual stresses by the neutron diffraction technique is compared to an analysis of a sample geometry by theoretical finite-element procedures. The results indicate good qualitative agreement. One of the key issues in this comparison relates to what is termed “gauge volume” in the measurement technologies and what might be described as a “calculation volume” in theoretical approaches.     

Growth kinetics of interfacial damage: epoxy coating on a genericdual inline package

Epoxy coated dual inline packages (DIPs) consisting of 24 pins and three parallel gold metallization lines were used as test vehicles in accelerated environmental tests. The coated DIPs were subjected to 121°C, 100% relative humidity, and unbiased conditions as a standard test condition. After each test, optical microscopy was performed to monitor the interfacial damage. Changes in the leakage current also were monitored for correlation with measured interfacial damage. The growth of interfacial damage as a function of time was observed over the entire surface area of each DTP. Each damage site on the interface was monitored in an effort to model the evolution of the geometrical features and magnitude of the damage. It was noted that a two-parameter Frechet cumulative distribution function (cdf) could be used to represent the damage growth at each time interval. Precipitate in typical damage locations also was analyzed and found to consist primarily of sodium, carbon, and oxygen. The growth kinetics of interfacial damage, including the location and magnitude of the damage, is characterized, and the dominant failure modes are identified for this type of protective coating