High temperature 1H-NMR study of coal and pitch at the early stages of carbonization

The temperature dependence of the ¹H-NMR absorption in coals and pitches have been obtained using a pulsed Fourier transform NMR spectrometer with a high temperature probe. The samples as received were heated in the high temperature probe and NMR spectra were obtained simultaneously. With increasing temperature, the value of the line width at half-height (ΔH_1/2) of a brown coal decreases and then increases rapidly. On the other hand, tar pitch and the γ component of a coal indicate that the values of ΔH_1/2 remain small over a wide temperature range. It is found that there is an excellent relation between the temperature dependence of ΔH_1/2 and the optical texture of the mesophase.     

Field test around Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant site using improved Ce:Gd3(Al,Ga)5O12 scintillator Compton camera mounted on an unmanned helicopter

An improved light-weight Compton camera exhibiting low power consumption was developed to be mountable on an unmanned helicopter to detect cesium radiation hot spots and confirm the decontamination effect of cesium-affected areas. An increase in the Ce:Gd₃(Al,Ga)₅O₁₂ scintillator array from 4 × 4 to 8 × 8 and expansion of the interlayer distance enhanced the detection efficiency and angular resolution, respectively. Measurements were performed over the Ukedo riverbed in Namie, Fukushima Prefecture (Japan). The helicopter's flight path and speed were pre-programmed to lines interspaced by 5 and 10 m intervals and 1 m/s, respectively, facilitating measurements over areas of 65 × 60 m² and 65 × 180 m² at a height of 10 m for approximately 20 and 30 min, respectively. Results provided accurate ambient dose equivalent rate maps at a height of 1 m with an angular resolution corresponding to a position resolution of approximately 10 m from a height of 10 m. Hovering flights were executed over hot-spot areas for 10–20 min at a height of 5–20 m. Gamma-ray images of these hot spots were obtained using a reconstruction software. Comparison between position-shifted measurement results showed that the angular resolution coincided with that evaluated in the laboratory (approximately 10°).     

A novel framework based on a data-driven approach for modelling the behaviour of organisms in chemical plume tracing

We propose a data-driven approach for modelling an organism''s behaviour instead of conventional model-based strategies in chemical plume tracing (CPT). CPT models based on this approach show promise in faithfully reproducing organisms’ CPT behaviour. To construct the data-driven CPT model, a training dataset of the odour stimuli input toward the organism is needed, along with an output of the organism’s CPT behaviour. To this end, we constructed a measurement system comprising an array of alcohol sensors for the measurement of the input and a camera for tracking the output in a real scenario. Then, we determined a transfer function describing the input–output relationship as a stochastic process by applying Gaussian process regression, and established the data-driven CPT model based on measurements of the organism’s CPT behaviour. Through CPT experiments in simulations and a real environment, we evaluated the performance of the data-driven CPT model and compared its success rate with those obtained from conventional model-based strategies. As a result, the proposed data-driven CPT model demonstrated a better success rate than those obtained from conventional model-based strategies. Moreover, we considered that the data-driven CPT model could reflect the aspect of an organism’s adaptability that modulated its behaviour with respect to the surrounding environment. However, these useful results came from the CPT experiments conducted in simple settings of simulations and a real environment. If making the condition of the CPT experiments more complex, we confirmed that the data-driven CPT model would be less effective for locating an odour source. In this way, this paper not only poses major contributions toward the development of a novel framework based on a data-driven approach for modelling an organism’s CPT behaviour, but also displays a research limitation of a data-driven approach at this stage.     

Performance of PM-assisted synchronous reluctance motor forhigh-efficiency and wide constant-power operation

This paper examines the design and the performances of a permanent-magnet assisted synchronous reluctance motor (PMASRM) for wide constant-power operation. The effects of properly adding magnets into the rotor of a synchronous reluctance motor are examined by several experimental results and analyses on the prototype machines. The proposed machine can offer a large constant-power speed range, high-efficiency and high-power-factor operation in comparison to the complete synchronous reluctance motor. It was shown that the problems such as the decrease of efficiency at light-loads and the uncontrolled generator mode operation, which occur in the high-speed flux-weakening operation of the conventional PM motor drives, can be eliminated in the PM-assisted synchronous reluctance motor     

Motion and coalescence of a pair of bubbles rising side by side

Bouncing and coalescence of a pair of slightly deformed bubbles rising side by side in a quiescent liquid are experimentally studied. The trajectories and shapes of the bubbles are investigated in detail by using a high-speed video camera. The wakes of bubbles are visualized by using a photochromic dye that is colored with UV light irradiation. We observe that the patterns of the trajectories of rising bubbles are strongly dependent on the Reynolds number. When the Reynolds number is over the critical region, two bubbles approach each other and then collide. After the collision, two types of motions are observed—coalescence and bouncing. We investigate the critical Reynolds number and Weber number over which the bubbles bounce. In the definitions of these numbers, we use vertical velocity, instead of horizontal one, as the characteristic velocity. We clarify that the critical Weber number is around 2 regardless of the Morton number. The critical Reynolds number decreases with an increase in the Morton number. Moreover, the visualization of the wake of bubbles enables us to observe the vortex separation from the rear surface of the bubbles on collision. We find that the vortex separation from the rear of bouncing bubbles causes a decrease in the rising velocity and an increase in the horizontal speed after their collision. We also observe that the behavior of repeatedly bouncing bubbles is significantly influenced by the wake instability of a single bubble rather than by the bubble-bubble interaction. By applying an existing model for spherical bubble-bubble interaction, we clarify that the revised model accurately describes the trajectory of a pair of slightly deformed bubbles using the restitution coefficient and velocity fluctuation from the experimental results.