Investigation of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks–derived carbon nanotubes thin film in solar vapor generation

Journal of Porous Materials - Solar vapor generation is considered a green and practical approach to take advantage of solar energy as a renewable source and provide pure water. However, developing...     

Quantitative characterization of carrier injection across metal–organic interfaces using Bardeen theory

We have investigated the contact between a metal and an organic/polymeric (o/p) material and we have introduced a relation for carrier injection using Bardeen theory. A series of narrow barriers is considered in the semiconductor side to account for the localized nature of the carriers in the o/p material. As an application of the model, we have calculated the hopping rate of carriers in terms of the contact parameters. Also, we have discussed the hopping of carriers deep into the organic dielectric. Finally, we have explored the hopping rate in practical contacts between polyfluorene-based polymers and different electrodes.     

Multi-objective Phasor Measurement Unit Placement in Electric Power Networks: Integer Linear Programming Formulation

A multi-objective optimal phasor measurement unit placement model using integer linear programming is presented in this article. The proposed model simultaneously optimizes two objectives, i.e., minimization of phasor measurement unit numbers and maximization of measurement redundancy. To calculate the redundancy criteria, the single-line outage and the phasor measurement unit loss are considered simultaneously. A linear formulation is presented for both objective functions. Also herein, to address conflicting attributes and identify Pareto optimal solutions of the multi-objective optimal phasor measurement unit placement problem, a new multi-objective mathematical programming method is proposed. Finally, a new index, i.e., minimum distance to utopia point, is implemented to select the most preferred solution among the available Pareto front based options on the goal to achieve judicious decision makers. Two test systems, i.e., a modified 9-bus and an IEEE 118-bus test systems, are used to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed framework.     

Particle Size Effects on Thermal Decomposition of Energetic Material

This work refers to a study of the thermal decomposition of octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) under nonisothermal conditions, with heating rates from 5 to 20°C min^?1. The influence of the particle size in the thermal decomposition of HMX was verified. The activation energy for the decomposition of each sample was calculated using the peak temperature shift methods, proposed by Kissinger and Ozawa. A significant variation in the results was observed according to the range of the particle size used. The results showed that, as the particle size of HMX increased, the thermal decomposition temperature of HMX and the decompositional activation energies ranges enhanced. At the same time, at a constant heating rate, the decomposition temperatures of the smaller particles were lower than those of larger ones. The critical temperature for thermal explosion of each sample was calculated. Also, the values of ΔS^#, ΔH^#, and ΔG^# of reaction for each particle size were computed.     

A solidification model for prediction of castability in the precipitation-strengthened nickel-based superalloys

The Scheil equation was used to model the solidification path, microsegregation of alloying elements in the interdendritic regions, solidification temperature ranges, and to predict the formation of secondary structures and the castability behavior of as-cast superalloys. 4 experimental alloys with pre-specified γ-Ti,Nb,Al,Mo composition containing different Nb, Ti and Al contents were designed using vacuum induction melting furnace. The produced as-cast superalloys were characterized using optical and scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer and TG–DSC analysis. The experiments showed logic conformity to the modeling results. The model and experiment confirmed the highest segregation behavior for Ti and Nb. All the experimental superalloys indicated the remarkable tendency to form secondary eutectic structures at the last stages of solidification. Superalloy with chemical composition of γ-3.5%Mo,1.8%Al,4%Ti,2.9%Nb showed the shorter solidification temperature range and the best castability.     

Genetic-based random key generator (GRKG): a new method for generating more-random keys for one-time pad cryptosystem

In this paper, a new algorithm for generating more-randomized keys for symmetrical cipher one-time pad (OTP) according to the linear congruential (LCG) method based on the idea of genetic algorithm is proposed. The method, genetic-based random key generator, is proposed for generating keys for the OTP method with a high degree of key randomness; this adds more strength to the OTP method against breaking this cryptosystem. This algorithm is composed of two parts. Initially, the first population is being generated by LCG method, and then, genetic operators for generating the next populations are being used. Generating random keys with the presented method requires seven-parameter key that increases the security of communication between the transceivers.     

Effect of long-chain monoacrylate on the residual monomer content, swelling and thermomechanical properties of SAP hydrogels

Residual monomer is an important factor, particularly in hygienic materials such as superabsorbent polymer (SAP) hydrogels. Recently, we reported different approaches to minimizing residual monomer content in SAPs. In this paper, the effect of a long-chain monomer, poly(ethylene glycol) methylether methacrylate (PEG.MEMA), on the residual monomer content of SAP networks of partially neutralized acrylic acid–PEG.MEMA is investigated. The aim of using PEG.MEMA in SAP synthesis was to reduce the glass transition temperature (T _g) of SAP. As the temperature that is conventionally used to dry SAP (70–110 °C) is lower than the T _g of ordinary SAPs, the polymer is in the glassy state during the heating stage. It was assumed that converting SAP from the glassy state to the rubbery state during drying would facilitate the removal of acrylic acid monomer (AA) from the gel, thus reducing the residual monomer content. The results showed that the use of PEG.MEMA led to a reduction in residual AA when the drying temperature was 100 °C. The residual AA was decreased from 169 to 95 ppm when the drying time was increased from 3 to 15 hours at 100 °C. This positive effect of PEG.MEMA on the level of unwanted residual AA became insignificant at a higher drying temperature (140 °C). The effects of PEG.MEMA content on the thermal and mechanical properties (in the dried state) and the rheological properties (in the water-swollen state) of the SAP hydrogels were also investigated. The swelling capacity and rate was studied in relation to the PEG.MEMA content. It was found that a high level of PEG.MEMA restricted both the absorption capacity and the rate of water absorption.     

Microstructural analysis of in situ mesophase transformation in the fabrication of carbon-carbon composites

In this work, we examined the microstructures formed during the pyrolysis of naphthalene mixed with AlCl₃ catalyst, in the critical temperature range of 300-500 °C and at varying pressures. In addition, non-rigidized preforms were densified by multiple cycle in situ transformation and compared the process with impregnation using fully transformed AR mesophase pitch under similar conditions. The process of mesophase formation in the bulk phase and within tightly packed fiber bundles was observed to be similar: spherule nucleation from the isotropic phase, coalescence of spherules forming bulk mesophase, and mesophase flow before hardening. The hardened mesophase displays the coarse, fibrous, and lamellar microstructure observed in needle cokes. The molten naphthalene was observed to evenly penetrate in-depth the large void spaces and fiber bundles. After two in situ cycles, the fiber bundles and the inter-fiber bundle regions were well filled with transformed mesophase. The incremental filling of the larger void spaces reduced the calculated filling efficiencies from 47% in the first cycle to below 15% in the third through fifth cycle. An 8% improvement in densification efficiencies was achieved by applying modest pressures during the pyrolysis. The extent of mesophase penetration with AR mesophase was observed to decrease from the outer to the inner regions of the preform. The results suggest impregnation with naphthalene catalyst mixture is efficient in filling tightly packed fiber bundles but not large void spaces. Multiple cycles are required in order to fill the large void spaces.