Operation of Yb:YAG fiber-optic temperature sensor up to 1600 °C

Fiber-optic temperature sensors based on fluorescence decay in Yb doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Yb:YAG) and Yb,Tb:YAG have been tested. The sensitivity of the sensor is found to be better than 1%/°C for Yb:YAG between 1400 and 1600 °C and for Yb,Tb:YAG between 1250 and 1450 °C. The maximum temperature of 1600 °C reached by the Yb:YAG sensor exceeds the previous record for this type of temperature sensor by more than 200 °C. These sensors are potentially operable up to 1900 °C.     

正交非线性模型在传感器动态补偿中的应用

讨论了基于正交函数的非线性模型在传感器的动态补偿中的应用,给出了该模型的结构及相应的算法,使经过补偿后的传感器具有理想的输入输出特性。试验结果表明,应用这种基于正交函数的非线性模型对传感器进行动态补偿是一种行之有效的方法。     

Determination of reduced glutathione using an amperometric carbon paste electrode chemically modified with TTF–TCNQ

The development of an amperometric sensor for the determination of reduced glutathione (GSH) is described. The sensor is based on tetrathiafulvalene–tetracyanoquinodimethane (TTF–TCNQ) incorporated into the graphite powder/Nujol oil matrix. The electrooxidation of GSH was monitored amperometrically at 200 mV versus SCE (saturated calomel electrode). The amperometric response of the sensor was linearly proportional to the GSH concentration between 20 and 300 μmol l⁻¹, in 0.1 mol l⁻¹ phosphate buffer (pH 8.0), containing 0.1 mol l⁻¹ KCl and 0.5 mmol l⁻¹ Na₂H₂EDTA, as supporting electrolyte.

The detection limit, considering signal/noise ratio equal three, was 4.2 μmol l⁻¹ for GSH and the repeatability obtained as relative standard deviation was of 5.1% for a series of 10 successive measurements.     

废气氧传感器Hammerstein模型结构的确定

研究了废气氧(EGO)传感器Hammerstein模型结构辨识方法。静态非线性函数选用双曲正切与多项式组合形式,动态线性环节分别选用带外生变量的自回归(ARX)模型、输出误差(OE)模型和Box-Jenkins(BJ)模型结构。采用交叉准则法进行参数估计和阶次选择,通过仿真比较对模型进行检验。结果表明:最终输出误差(FOE)准则和最终预报误差(FPE)准则均适用于用估计数据选择阶次,但前者比后者更可靠。基于预测误差法的3阶OE模型和BJ模型均可用于EGO传感器Hammerstein模型动态线性环节的建模。     

Simultaneous strain and temperature measurements in composites using extrinsic Fabry–Perot interferometric and intrinsic rare-earth doped fiber sensors

This paper reports on a novel optical fiber-based sensing system for conducting simultaneous strain and temperature measurements. The sensor design involves the use for the first time of an extrinsic Fabry–Perot interferometric (EFPI) strain sensor in conjunction with a rare-earth doped fiber fluorescence decay-time based temperature sensor. The combined sensors were embedded in a carbon fiber reinforced composite system and evaluated. The feasibility of using this type of embedded sensor configuration for simultaneous strain and temperature measurements was demonstrated.     

Construction of modified embedded atom method potentials for the study of the bulk phase behaviour in binary Pt–Rh, Pt–Pd, Pd–Rh and ternary Pt–Pd–Rh alloys

A first attempt is made to simulate the solid part of the phase diagram of the ternary Pt–Pd–Rh system. To this end, Monte Carlo (MC) simulations are combined with the Modified Embedded Atom Method (MEAM) and optimised parameters entirely based on Density Functional Theory (DFT) data. This MEAM potential is first validated by calculating the heat of mixing or the demixing phase boundary for the binary subsystems Pt–Rh, Pt–Pd and Pd–Rh. For the disordered alloy systems Pt–Rh and Pt–Pd, the MC/MEAM simulation results show a slightly exothermic heat of mixing, thereby contradicting any demixing behaviour, in agreement with other theoretical results. For the Pd–Rh system the experimentally observed demixing region is very well reproduced by the MC/MEAM simulations. The extrapolation of the MEAM potentials to ternary systems is next validated by comparing DFT calculations for the energy of formation of ordered Pt–Pd–Rh compounds with the corresponding MEAM energies. Finally, the validated potential is used for the calculation of the ternary phase diagram at 600 K.     

A thermodynamic description of the Al–Ca–Zn ternary system

A comprehensive thermodynamic database of the Al–Ca–Zn ternary system is presented for the first time. Critical assessment of the experimental data and re-optimization of the binary Al–Zn and Al–Ca systems have been performed. The optimized model parameters of the third binary system, Ca–Zn, are taken from the previous assessment of the Mg–Ca–Zn system by the same authors. All available as well as reliable experimental data both for the thermodynamic properties and phase boundaries are reproduced within experimental error limits. In the present assessment, the modified quasichemical model in the pair approximation is used for the liquid phase and Al_FCC phase of the Al–Zn system to account for the presence of the short-range ordering properly. Two ternary compounds reported by most of the research works are considered in the present calculation. The liquidus projections and vertical sections of the ternary systems are also calculated, and the invariant reaction points are predicted using the constructed database.     

Thermodynamic evaluation and optimization of Al–Gd, Al–Tb, Al–Dy, Al–Ho and Al–Er systems using a Modified Quasichemical Model for the liquid

The Al–Gd, Al–Tb, Al–Dy, Al–Ho and Al–Er (Al–heavy rare earths) binary systems have been systematically assessed and optimized based on the available experimental data and ab-initio data using the FactSage thermodynamic software. A systematic technique (reduced melting temperature proposed by Gschneidner) was used for estimating the Al–Tb phase diagram due to lack of experimental data. Optimized model parameters of the Gibbs energies for all phases which reproduced all the reliable experimental data to satisfaction have been obtained. The optimization procedure was biased by putting a strong emphasis on the observed trends in the thermodynamic properties of Al–RE phases. The Modified Quasichemical Model, which takes short-range ordering into account, is used for the liquid phase and the Compound Energy Formalism is used for the solid solutions in the binary systems. It is shown that the Modified Quasichemical Model used for the liquid alloys permits one to obtain entropies of mixing that are more reliable than that based on the Bragg–Williams random mixing model which does not take short-range ordering into account.     

An organically modified sol–gel membrane for detection of lead ion by using 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehydene-8-aminoquinoline as fluorescence probe

A fluorescent reagent, 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehydene-8-aminoquinoline (HNAAQ) was synthesized, and an organically modified sol–gel membrane for detection of lead ion by using HNAAQ as fluorescence probe was fabricated. Under the optimum conditions, by a coplanar effect and the degree of molecular conjugation due to the complexation of Pb²⁺ with HNAAQ the relative fluorescence intensity I₁₀₀/I₀ of the sensing membrane is linearly increased over the Pb²⁺ concentration range of 1.9 × 10⁻⁷ to 1.9 × 10⁻⁴ mol/L with the detection limit of 8.3 × 10⁻⁸ mol/L. The preparation of this organically modified sol–gel membrane and its characteristics were investigated in detail.     

A selective modified bentonite–porphyrin carbon paste electrode for determination of Mn(II) by using anodic stripping voltammetry

A novel voltammetric sensor based on chemically modified bentonite–porphyrin carbon paste electrode (MBPCE) has been introduced for the determination of trace amount of Mn(II) in wheat flour, wheat rice and vegetables. In this method Mn(II) gives well-defined voltammetric peak at the pH range of 3.5–7.5. For the preliminary screening purpose, the catalyst was prepared by modification of bentonite with porphyrin and characterized by thermogravimetric method (TG) and UV–vis spectroscopy. The detection limit (three times signal-to-noise) with 4 min accumulation is 1.07 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹ Mn(II). The peak currents increases linearly with Mn(II) concentration over the range of 6.0 × 10⁻⁷ to 5.0 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ (r² = 0.9959). Statistical treatment of the results gave a relative standard deviation lower than 2.30%. The chemical and instrumental parameters have been optimized and the results showed that 1000-fold excess of the additive ions had not interferences on the determination of Mn(II).     

Observer‐based model reference control of Takagi–Sugeno–Lipschitz systems affected by disturbances using quadratic boundedness

In this paper, a model reference control strategy is proposed in order to perform trajectory tracking in Takagi–Sugeno–Lipschitz (TSL) systems. Since the state vector is assumed not to be completely available for measurement, a proportional observer is added to the control scheme in order to apply an estimate‐feedback control action instead of a state‐feedback one. The overall design of both the controller and the observer gains are performed using a Lyapunov‐based quadratic boundedness specification, in order to improve the robustness against unknown exogenous disturbances. It is shown that the conditions that ensure convergence within ellipsoidal regions of the tracking and estimation errors can be expressed in the form of a linear matrix inequality (LMI) formulation. The effectiveness of the developed control strategy is demonstrated by means of simulation results.     

On input-to-state stability of min–max nonlinear model predictive control

In this paper we consider discrete-time nonlinear systems that are affected, possibly simultaneously, by parametric uncertainties and other disturbance inputs. The min–max model predictive control (MPC) methodology is employed to obtain a controller that robustly steers the state of the system towards a desired equilibrium. The aim is to provide a priori sufficient conditions for robust stability of the resulting closed-loop system using the input-to-state stability (ISS) framework. First, we show that only input-to-state practical stability can be ensured in general for closed-loop min–max MPC systems; and we provide explicit bounds on the evolution of the closed-loop system state. Then, we derive new conditions for guaranteeing ISS of min–max MPC closed-loop systems, using a dual-mode approach. An example illustrates the presented theory.     

Thermodynamic assessment of the Bi-alkali metal (Li,Na, K,Rb) systems using the modified quasichemical model for the liquid phase

Bi-alkali metal (Li, Na, K, Rb) binary systems have been systematically assessed based on the available phase diagrams and thermodynamic data. The modified quasichemical model, which takes short-range ordering into account, is used to describe the liquid phase. All intermetallic phases are treated as stoichiometric compounds. A set of self-consistent model parameters is obtained and the experimental data are reproduced well within experimental error limits. The enthalpy of mixing, entropy of mixing, and activity of element are calculated, showing the liquid phase exhibits maximum short-range ordering at 75 at% X (X=Li, Na, K, Rb). Some systematic variations and regularities are presented, indicating the enthalpy and entropy of mixing for the liquid phase at the maximum short-range ordering along with the enthalpy of formation and melting temperature of intermediate compound BiX₃ change with the atomic radius of alkali metals regularly.     

Control of a pilot plant using QP based min–max predictive control

The practical implementation of min–max MPC (MMMPC) is limited by the computational burden required to compute the control law. This problem can be circumvented by using approximate solutions or upper bounds of the worst possible case of the performance index. In a previous work, the authors presented a computationally efficient MMMPC control strategy in which a close approximation of the solution of the min–max problem is computed using a quadratic programming problem. In this paper, this approach is validated through its application to a pilot plant in which the temperature of a reactor is controlled. The behavior of the system and the controller are illustrated by means of experimental results.     

Computation of the exact Cramer–Rao lower bound for the parameters of a nonsymmetric half-plane 2-D ARMA model

The Cramer–Rao lower bound (CRLB) that gives the minimal achievable variance/standard deviation for any unbiased estimator offers a useful tool for an assessment of the consistency of parameter estimation techniques. In this paper, a closed-form expression for the computation of the exact CRLB on unbiased estimates of the parameters of a two-dimensional (2-D) autoregressive moving average (ARMA) model with a nonsymmetric half-plane (NSHP) region of support is developed. The proposed formulation is mainly based on a matrix representation of 2-D real-valued discrete and homogeneous random field characterized by the NSHP ARMA model. Assuming that the random field is Gaussian, the covariance matrix of the NSHP ARMA random field is first expressed in terms of the model parameters. Then, using this matrix structure, a closed-form expression of the exact Fisher information matrix required for the CRLB computation of the NSHP ARMA model parameters is developed. Finally, the main formulas derived for the NSHP ARMA model are rearranged for its autoregressive and moving average counterparts, separately. Numerical simulations are included to demonstrate the behavior of the derived CRLB formulas.     

Optimisation of interaction parameters for GaxIn1−xAsyP1−y solid solutions using gas-solid equilibrium data and a sublattice model

The interaction parameters for the Ga_xIn_1−xAs_yP_1−y solid solutions in equilibrium with the source gases used for growing them by VPE (vapour phase epitaxy) have been optimised. This has been achieved by combining a sublattice model with our own and other experimental gas and solid phase compositions. When these optimised values are used a good agreement between the experimental and calculated solid phase compositions is observed. The usefulness of these parameters in carrying out several thermodynamic analyses is exemplified by the deduction of activity of each of the species and a model gas composition-solid composition correlation using the generalised computerised equilibrium calculation method, THERMO-CALC.