Features of Cattaneo‐Christov heat flux model for Stagnation point flow of a Jeffrey fluid impinging over a stretching sheet: A numerical study

The present work focuses on a two‐dimensional steady incompressible stagnation point flow of a Jeffery fluid over a stretching sheet. The Cattaneo‐Christov heat flux model is incorporated into this study. Simulation is conducted via the Runge‐Kutta fourth‐order cum shooting method for the transformed system of nonlinear equations. The influence of the governing parameters on the dimensionless velocity, temperature, skin friction, streamlines, and isotherms is incorporated. A significant outcome of the current investigation is that an increase in the relaxation time parameter uplifts temperature; however, a gradual decrease is observed in the velocity field. Another important outcome of the present analysis is that the momentum boundary layer augments due to an increase in the Deborah number; however, a decrease is observed in the temperature. Furthermore, it is also observed that the skin friction coefficient escalates with an increase in the relaxation time parameter for the assisting flow, but a reverse trend is observed for the opposing flow.     

Maximum likelihood-based adaptive differential evolution identification algorithm for multivariable systems in the state-space form

Parameter estimation plays an important role in the field of system control. This article is concerned with the parameter estimation methods for multivariable systems in the state-space form. For the sake of solving the identification complexity caused by a large number of parameters in multivariable systems, we decompose the original multivariable system into some subsystems containing fewer parameters and study identification algorithms to estimate the parameters of each subsystem. By taking the maximum likelihood criterion function as the fitness function of the differential evolution algorithm, we present a maximum likelihood-based differential evolution (ML-DE) algorithm for parameter estimation. To improve the parameter estimation accuracy, we introduce the adaptive mutation factor and the adaptive crossover factor into the ML-DE algorithm and propose a maximum likelihood-based adaptive differential evolution algorithm. The simulation study indicates the efficiency of the proposed algorithms.     

Recursive least squares estimation methods for a class of nonlinear systems based on non-uniform sampling

Many dynamic processes in practice have nonlinear characteristics and must be described by using nonlinear models. It remains to be a challenging problem to build the models of such nonlinear systems and to estimate their parameters. This article studies the parameter estimation problem for a class of Hammerstein-Wiener nonlinear systems based on non-uniform sampling. By means of the auxiliary model identification idea, an auxiliary model-based recursive least squares algorithm is derived for the systems. In order to enhance the computational efficiency, an auxiliary model-based hierarchical least squares algorithm is proposed by utilizing the hierarchical identification principle. The simulation results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms.     

Three-stage least squares-based iterative estimation algorithms for bilinear state-space systems based on the bilinear state estimator

Because of the product item of the control input and the state vector, the identification of bilinear systems is difficult. This paper considers the combined parameter and state estimation problems of bilinear state-space systems. On the basis of the observability canonical form and the model transformation, an identification model with a linear combination of the system parameters is obtained. Using the hierarchical principle, the identification model is decomposed into three submodels with fewer variables, and a three-stage least squares-based iterative (3S-LSI) algorithm is presented to estimate the system parameters. Furthermore, we derive a state estimator (SE) for estimating the unknown states, and present an SE-3S-LSI algorithm for estimating the unknown parameters and states simultaneously. After that, the least squares-based iterative algorithm is presented as a comparison. By analyzing the estimation results and the calculation amount, these two algorithms can identify the bilinear system effectively but the 3S-LSI algorithm can improve the computational efficiency. The simulation results indicate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms.     

A hybrid composite of rGO/TiO2 as a double layer electrode with improved capacitance performance

Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) has unique properties that can revolutionize the performance of the functional devices. rGO hybrids can be designed with transition metal oxides for improved energy storage applications. Herein, a hybrid composite of conductive rGO with titanium dioxide, designed by a simple hydrothermal method, is reported to demonstrate a high double layer capacitance in aqueous electrolyte systems. The mesoporous structure of the composite provides short ion diffusion pathways and the resultant capacitance of the material is 334 F g⁻¹ with ~77% capacitance retention after 7000 charge-discharge cycles.     

Thermophoresis and MHD mixed convection three-dimensional flow of viscoelastic fluid with Soret and Dufour effects

Heat and mass transfer effects in three-dimensional mixed convection flow of viscoelastic fluid over a stretching surface with convective boundary conditions are investigated. The fluid is electrically conducting in the presence of constant applied magnetic field. Conservation laws of energy and concentration are based upon the Soret and Dufour effects. First order chemical reaction effects are also taken into account. By using the similarity transformations, the governing boundary layer equations are reduced into the ordinary differential equations. The transformed boundary layer equations are computed for the series solutions. Dimensionless velocity, temperature, and concentration distributions are shown graphically for different values of involved parameters. Numerical values of local Nusselt and Sherwood numbers are computed and analyzed. It is found that the behaviors of viscoelastic, mixed convection, and concentration buoyancy parameters on the Nusselt and Sherwood numbers are similar. However, the Nusselt and Sherwood numbers have qualitative opposite effects for Biot number, thermophoretic parameter, and Soret-Dufour parameters.

     

The effects of the welding current on heat input,nugget geometry,and the mechanical and fractural properties of resistance spot welding on Mg/Al dissimilar materials

Investigating the joining capability of magnesium AZ31 alloy sheets and aluminium 1350 alloy sheets with the application of resistance spot welding was the objective of this study. The weld current values used in the welding process of Al–Mg sheets were 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, and 33 kA. The studies examined the nugget geometries of joined specimens, recorded the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the welded zone and the fracture surface, and recorded the energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS, semi-quantitative) analyses. The results of the experiment confirmed that nugget geometry was different for the Al and Mg sides. Tensile shear tests carried out on the welded joints determined their strength and failure mode. The increase in the weld current and duration resulted in an increase in the nugget size and the weld strength. According to observations, the tensile load bearing capacity (TLBC) increased up to 29 kA of the weld current value. It was also found that tearing during fracture occurred in two different ways.     

Group theory transformation for Soret and Dufour effects on free convective heat and mass transfer with thermophoresis and chemical reaction over a porous stretching surface in the presence of heat source/sink

The group theoretic method is applied for solving the problem of combined effect of thermal diffusion and diffusion thermo on free convective heat and mass transfer over a porous stretching surface in the presence of thermophoresis particle deposition with variable stream conditions. The application of one-parameter groups reduces the number of independent variables by one and consequently, the system of governing partial differential equations with the boundary conditions reduces to a system of ordinary differential equations with appropriate boundary conditions. The equations along with the boundary conditions are solved numerically by using Runge Kutta Gill integration scheme with shooting technique. Impact of Soret and Dufour effects in the presence of thermophoresis particle deposition with chemical reaction plays an important role on the flow field. The results thus obtained are presented graphically and discussed.     

Scanning electron microscopy of bio‐fabricated Fe2O3 nanoparticles and their application to control brown rot of citrus

Citrus is the leading fruit crop of Pakistan and exported to different parts of the world. Due to suitable weather condition, this crop is affected by different biotic factors which seriously deteriorate its quality and quantity. During the months of November 2018 to January 2019, citrus brown rot symptoms were recurrently observed on sweet oranges in National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), Islamabad. Causal agent of citrus brown rot was isolated, characterized, and identified as Fusarium oxysporum. For environment‐friendly control of this disease, leaf extract of Azadirachta indica was used for the green synthesis of iron oxide (Fe₂O₃) nanoparticles. These nanoparticles were characterized before their application for disease control. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) of these synthesized nanoparticles described the presence of stabilizing and reducing compounds like alcohol, phenol, carboxylic acid, and alkaline and aromatic compounds. X‐Ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed the crystalline nature and size (24 nm) of these nanoparticles. Energy dispersive X‐Ray (EDX) analysis elaborated the presence of major elements in the samples. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed the spinal shaped morphology of prepared nanoparticles. Successfully synthesized nanoparticles were evaluated for their antifungal potential. Different concentrations of Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles were used and maximum mycelial inhibition was observed at 1.0 mg/ml concentration. On the basis of these findings, it could be concluded that Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles, synthesized in the leaf extract of A. indica, can be successfully used for the control of brown rot of sweet oranges.