Applying dual-tree complex discrete wavelet transform and gamma modulating function for simulation of ground motions

The aim of this paper is to develop a stochastic-parametric model for the generation of synthetic ground motions (GMs) which are in accordance with a real GM. In the proposed model, the dual-tree complex discrete wavelet transform (DT-CDWT) is applied to real GMs to decompose them into several frequency bands. Then, the gamma modulating function (GMF) is used to simulate the wavelet coefficients of each level. Consequently, synthetic wavelet coefficients are generated using extracted model parameters and then synthetic GM is extracted by applying the inverse DT-CDWT to synthetic wavelet coefficients. This model simulates the time–frequency distribution of both wide-frequency and narrow-frequency bandwidth GMs. Besides being less time consuming, it simulates several dominant frequency peaks at any moment in the time duration of GM, because each frequency band is separately simulated by the gamma function. Moreover, the inelastic response spectra of synthetic GMs generated by the proposed model are a good estimate of target ones. Using the random sign generator in the proposed model, it is possible to generate any number of synthetic GMs in accordance with a recorded one. Because of these advantages, the proposed model is suitable for using in performance-based earthquake engineering.

     

The role of rotation speed on intermetallic compounds formation and mechanical behavior of friction stir welded brass/aluminum 1050 couple

In this paper, the intermetallic compounds formation during dissimilar friction stir welding of brass to aluminum 1050 and its effect on the mechanical behavior of joint were studied. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis (EDS) and X-ray Diffraction analysis were used to characterize intermetallics. In addition, tensile tests and microhardness measurements were performed to evaluate mechanical properties. The results showed that utilizing rotation speeds higher than 400 rpm leads to gradual formation of intermetallic compounds in the stir zone and at the interface. CuAl₂ is the dominant compound in the composite structure of the stir zone, whereas four intermetallic bands are detected at the interface. From aluminum to brass, two middle layers were formed. Then, CuAl₂, Cu₉Al₄ and CuZn were detected. The increase in rotation speed is accompanied by thickening and development of interfacial intermetallic compounds. The optimum rotation speed of 450 rpm yielded a narrow interfacial intermetallic compound and a lamellar composite structure within the stir zone which enhances the tensile strength of the weld. On the other hand, further increase of rotation speed lowers the tensile strength of the weld which is accompanied by disappearance of lamellar composite structure, increment of weld defects and thickening of interfacial intermetallic layer.     

Structural,magnetic and microwave absorption characteristics of BaCoxMnxTi2xFe12 − 4xO19

The effect of Mn⁺²Co⁺²Ti⁺⁴ substitution on microwave absorption has been studied for BaCo_xMn_xTi_2xFe_12 ? 4xO₁₉ ferrite–acrylic resin composites, where x varies from 0.3 to 0.5 in steps of 0.1, in frequency range from 12 to 20 GHz. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), vibrating sample magnetometer, and vector network analyzer were used to analyze the structures, electromagnetic and microwave absorption properties. The results showed that, the magnetoplumbite structures for all samples have been formed. Based on microwave measurement on reflectivity, BaCo_xMn_xTi_2xFe_12 ? 4xO₁₉ may be a good candidate for electromagnetic compatibility and other practical applications at high frequency.     

Low‐Power,Electrochemically Tunable Graphene Synapses for Neuromorphic Computing

Brain‐inspired neuromorphic computing has the potential to revolutionize the current computing paradigm with its massive parallelism and potentially low power consumption. However, the existing approaches of using digital complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor devices (with “0” and “1” states) to emulate gradual/analog behaviors in the neural network are energy intensive and unsustainable; furthermore, emerging memristor devices still face challenges such as nonlinearities and large write noise. Here, an electrochemical graphene synapse, where the electrical conductance of graphene is reversibly modulated by the concentration of Li ions between the layers of graphene is presented. This fundamentally different mechanism allows to achieve a good energy efficiency (<500 fJ per switching event), analog tunability (>250 nonvolatile states), good endurance, and retention performances, and a linear and symmetric resistance response. Essential neuronal functions such as excitatory and inhibitory synapses, long‐term potentiation and depression, and spike timing dependent plasticity with good repeatability are demonstrated. The scaling study suggests that this simple, two‐dimensional synapse is scalable in terms of switching energy and speed.     

The role of Metal-Matrix Composite development During Friction Stir Welding of Aluminum to Brass in Weld Characteristics

The present research aims to investigate the development of brass reinforced aluminum composites during dissimilar friction stir welding of brass and aluminum. Moreover, to probe the effect of such a metal matrix composite on its bed, the cross-sectional properties of joint area are studied in two aspects of corrosion behavior and hardness distribution. Microstructural investigations through optical and electron microscopy show development of lamellar composites within the top site of the stir zone and aluminum surface. The measured iso-hardness contours indicate that evolved composite structures increase the cross-sectional hardness of aluminum locally. Also, the electrochemical assessment of joint area suggests that Al/Br composite structure plays an accelerative role in deterioration of cross-sectional corrosion resistance of aluminum through obstructing passivation and forming microgalvanic cells, where cathodic brass reinforcements intensify the corrosion of anodic aluminum matrix.     

Effects of Boundary Conditions on Thermal Response of a Cellulose Acetate Layer Using Hottel’s Zonal Method

Energy can transfer internally by radiation in addition to conduction in translucent polymers. Since radiant propagation is very rapid, it can provide energy within the layer more quickly than diffusion by heat conduction. Thus, the transient thermal response of a layer for combined radiative and conduction may be extremely different from that of conduction alone. In this paper, the behavior of a heat conducting, absorbing, and emitting layer of Cellulose Acetate layer is investigated during the transient interval when both conductive and radiative heat transfer are considered. Specifically, the effects of boundary conditions on the response of the layer are considered here. These boundary conditions include both conductive boundary conditions, such as convection coefficient and convective fluid temperature, and radiation boundary conditions, like radiation surrounding temperature and specular reflectivity. To this end, the governing differential equations including the equation of radiative heat transfer within the material coupled to the transient energy equation with radiative terms are presented. The solution procedure is based on nodal analysis and Hottel’s zonal method extended by the ray tracing method. The transient energy equation including the radiative internal energy source is solved using a time marching finite difference procedure with variable space and time increments.     

Effect of Ho3+ substitution on magnetic and microwave absorption properties of Sr(ZnZr)0.5Fe12O19 hexagonal ferrite nanoparticles

Sr_1?x Ho _x (ZnZr)_0.5Fe₁₁O₁₉ (x = 0.03, 0.06 and 0.09) hexaferrite nanocrystallites of average sizes in the range of 46–60 nm are synthesized by the citrate sol–gel method. Crystalline structure, morphology, magnetic properties, and microwave absorption properties of powders were studied via X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscope vibrating sample magnetometer, and vector network analyzer, respectively. The magnetic properties such as saturation magnetization (M _s ) and coercivity (H _c ) were calculated from hysteresis loops. The XRD patterns show that the main phase is M-type strontium hexaferrite without other impurity phases. Microwave absorption properties of hexaferrite (70 wt%)–acrylic resin (30 wt%) composites were measured by the standing-wave-ratio (SWR) method in the range from 12 to 20 GHz. Results showed that substitution of Ho³⁺ ions for Sr²⁺ ions in Sr(ZnZr)_0.5Fe₁₁O₁₉ resonance frequency moves to higher frequency. For samples with x = 0.03, a minimum reflection loss of ?42 dB was obtained at 16.6 GHz for a layer of 1.7 mm in thickness. It was concluded that the prepared composites could be good candidates for electromagnetic compatibility and other practical applications at high frequency.     

Finite difference solution for radiative–conductive heat transfer of a semitransparent polycarbonate layer

Thermal radiation greatly affects the transient thermal response of translucent materials in many practical applications, such as radiative heat shields and ignition and flame spreads for translucent plastics. However, because of the complexities that transients impose, less work has been done on the transient analysis of combined radiation–conduction heat transfer than on steady‐state analysis. In this study, the transient heat transfer analysis of a polycarbonate (PC) layer was done with the use of the two‐flux method and implicit finite difference formulations. The radiative and conductive properties of PC available in the literature, together with computer implementation prepared on the basis of the two‐flux method and implicit finite difference formulations, were used to obtain the transient thermal response of a PC layer. On the basis of these results, we show that, compared to the conduction‐alone case, the PC layer responded faster when radiation effects were considered. It is also shown that the internal reflectivity of boundaries had a great effect on the thermal response of the layer, whereas the thermal conductivity had a minor influence. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009