Passivity and synchronisation of complex dynamical networks with multiple derivative couplings

Two network models with multiple derivative couplings and different dimensions of output and input vectors are investigated in this paper. The problem of passivity for the proposed network models is analysed by utilising some inequality techniques and Lyapunov functional method, and several synchronisation conditions for complex dynamical networks with multiple derivative couplings (CDNMDC) are given. Moreover, by employing adaptive state feedback control strategy, some sufficient conditions for guaranteeing passivity and synchronisation of CDNMDC are obtained. In the end, we give two examples to verify the effectiveness of the results.     

Survey on Passivity Based Control of Induction Machine

Induction machines (IM) constitute a theoretically interesting and practically important class of nonlinear systems. They are frequently used as wind generators for their power/cost ratio. They are described by a fifth‐order nonlinear differential equation with two inputs and only three state variables available for measurement. The control task is further complicated by the fact that IM are subject to unknown (load) disturbances and the parameters can be of great uncertainty. One is then faced with the challenging problem of controlling a highly nonlinear system, with unknown time‐varying parameters, where the regulated output, besides being unmeasurable, is perturbed by an unknown additive signal. Passivity‐based control (PBC) is a well‐established structure‐preserving design methodology which has shown to be very powerful to design robust controllers for physical systems described by Euler‐Lagrange equations of motion. PBCs provide a natural procedure to "shape" the potential energy yielding controllers with a clear physical interpretation in terms of interconnection of the system with its environment and are robust vis á vis to unmodeled dissipative effects. One recent approach of PBC is the Interconnection and Damping Assignment Passivity‐Based Control (IDA‐PBC) which is a very useful technique to control nonlinear systems assigning a desired (Port‐Controlled Hamiltonian) structure to the closed‐loop. The aim of this paper is to give a survey on different PBC of IM. The originality of this work is that the author proves that the well known field oriented control of IM is a particular case of the IDA‐PBC with disturbance.     

Passivity analysis of neural networks with two different Markovian jumping parameters and mixed time delays

This paper studies the problem of passivity analysis for neural networks with two different Markovian jumping parameters and mixed time delays utilizing some integral inequalities. The integral inequalities produce sharper bounds than what the Jensen's inequality produces, consequently, better results are obtained. The Markovian jumping parameters in connection weight matrices and discrete delay are assumed to be different in the system model. By constructing a new appropriate Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional (LKF), some sufficient conditions are established which guarantee the passivity of the proposed model. Numerical examples are given to show the less conservatism and effectiveness of the proposed method.     

Electrochemical study of the corrosion of different alloys exposed to deaerated 80 °C geothermal brines containing CO2

Corrosion of metallic engineering materials accounts for problems during geothermal operation in the Upper Rhine Graben (URG). Herein, we study the electrochemical behaviour of various metal alloys in an 80 °C simulated geothermal environment by using potentiodynamic polarisation and open-circuit potential measurements. Two different natural geothermal waters from URG geothermal sites were used for the experiments. The measurements reveal spontaneous passivation to be a key process for all alloys. This ennoblement protects more noble alloys from significant corrosion (e.g. titanium gr. 2, alloy 625) and brings less noble alloys to failure, mostly due to pitting corrosion (e.g. 316L).     

Power management and nonlinear control of a fuel cell–supercapacitor hybrid automotive vehicle with working condition algorithm

This paper deals with the problem of controlling a multi-source system applied in hybrid electrical vehicles. The system consists of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) and a super capacitor (SC). Fuel cell (FC) provides energy for load as a main power source, and SC helps the system in a load peak or in fast transients. The system is modeled as Port controlled Hamiltonian (PCH), and interconnection and damping assignment passivity based controller (IDA-PBC) is used for a typical hybrid vehicle. The aim is first to support the load power in all circumstances without interruption by combination of FC and SC production, and second to control the DC bus voltage. The purposed system analyzed under standard driving cycle consists of off-load, over-load, and charging conditions of SC. Simulations are accomplished in MATLAB/Simulink software for validation of control strategy and new represented algorithm. The results illustrate that both control method and algorithm can manage power among PEMFC, SC, and the load whereas the DC bus voltage remains near its reference.     

The effect of oxidation on the corrosion resistance and mechanical properties of a Zr-based metallic glass

The oxidation kinetics of the Zr₆₄Cu₁₆Ni₁₀Al₁₀ bulk metallic glass (BMG) roughly follows a two-stage rate law at both 433 and 593 K in air. An oxide film of 940 nm can be formed by oxidation at 593 K, which is ZrO₂-enriched but Cu-depleted on the outer surface. The oxide film leads to a superior passivity in 0.5 M NaCl and great corrosion resistance improvements in other solutions. The oxidation effect on mechanical properties were characterized by nanoindentation, wedge indentation and compression tests. The Zr-based BMG still keeps the amorphous nature and its good mechanical properties are retained after oxidation.     

Chromium–palladium films on 316L stainless steel by pulse electrodeposition and their corrosion resistance in hot sulfuric acid solutions

Chromium–palladium alloy films with good adhesive strength and higher micro-hardness have been deposited on 316L stainless steel by pulse electroplating. The films are composed mainly of chromium and palladium crystallites in the metallic state, with grain sizes less than 100 nm. On the film surface Cr(OH)₃ and Cr₂O₃ are present. The co-deposited Cr and Pd in the films show a synergetic effect on passivation. In boiling 20 wt.% H₂SO₄ solution, boiling acetic–formic acid mixture, and simulated PEM fuel cells environment, the Cr–Pd-plated 316L steel shows excellent corrosion resistance.     

Effects of solution pH and Cl on electrochemical behaviour of an Aermet100 ultra-high strength steel in acidic environments

In this work, the effects of solution pH and Cl⁻ on the electrochemical behaviour of an Aermet100 ultra-high strength steel in 0.5 M (Na₂SO₄ + H₂SO₄) solution were studied by polarization curve and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements, combined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) characterization. The results show that, when solution pH is below 4, the steel is in the active dissolution state, and corrosion current decreases with the increase of pH. There exists a critical pH value, above which the steel is passivated. Moreover, the oxides and hydroxides of Fe, Co, Ni and Cr are the primary components of the passive film. With addition of Cl⁻, pits are initiated on the steel electrode.     

Responsive behaviour of galvanic anodes in concrete and the basis for its utilisation

In this study, a unique concrete specimen was used to analyse the response of embedded sacrificial zinc and steel anodes to rainfall and fluctuations in temperature. Current from the zinc and steel anodes increased when the environment was aggressive, showing that the required protection current depends on the present level of corrosion risk. A basis for using the ‘responsive behaviour’ of galvanic anodes is provided by the protective effects of pit re-alkalisation and pH maintenance. By contrast, protection based on achieving adequate polarisation inhibits the use of responsive behaviour and galvanic anodes might only deliver adequate polarisation in aggressive environments.     

Passivation of Al–Cr–Fe and Al–Cu–Fe–Cr complex metallic alloys in 1 M H2SO4 and 1 M NaOH solutions

The corrosion mechanisms of Al–Cr–Fe and Al–Cu–Fe–Cr complex metallic alloys have been investigated by potentiodynamic and potentiostatic polarization. Very good passivation of the Al–Cr–Fe surface is exhibited from 1 M H₂SO₄ to 1 M NaOH solutions, which was confirmed by ICP-OES analysis over a period of 273 days. Potentiostatically formed passive films analysed by XPS revealed chromium enrichment in the outermost layer of the aluminium oxy-hydroxide film. Although Al–Cu–Fe–Cr showed passivation during potentiodynamic polarization, heavy active corrosion at OCP was revealed by ICP-OES. For the Al–Cu–Fe–Cr alloy, the 10% content of Cr is insufficient to maintain a protective “chemically stable” Cr oxide/hydroxide.