Efficient global optimization for high-dimensional constrained problems by using the Kriging models combined with the partial least squares method

In many engineering optimization problems, the number of function evaluations is often very limited because of the computational cost to run one high-fidelity numerical simulation. Using a classic optimization algorithm, such as a derivative-based algorithm or an evolutionary algorithm, directly on a computational model is not suitable in this case. A common approach to addressing this challenge is to use black-box surrogate modelling techniques. The most popular surrogate-based optimization algorithm is the efficient global optimization (EGO) algorithm, which is an iterative sampling algorithm that adds one (or many) point(s) per iteration. This algorithm is often based on an infill sampling criterion, called expected improvement, which represents a trade-off between promising and uncertain areas. Many studies have shown the efficiency of EGO, particularly when the number of input variables is relatively low. However, its performance on high-dimensional problems is still poor since the Kriging models used are time-consuming to build. To deal with this issue, this article introduces a surrogate-based optimization method that is suited to high-dimensional problems. The method first uses the ‘locating the regional extreme’ criterion, which incorporates minimizing the surrogate model while also maximizing the expected improvement criterion. Then, it replaces the Kriging models by the KPLS(+K) models (Kriging combined with the partial least squares method), which are more suitable for high-dimensional problems. Finally, the proposed approach is validated by a comparison with alternative methods existing in the literature on some analytical functions and on 12-dimensional and 50-dimensional instances of the benchmark automotive problem ‘MOPTA08’.     

Optical and electrical properties of a new polymer

Thin film of poly (5-isopropylidenecyclo-1,4-vinylene-2,3-dicarboxylicacidamide-s-methyl hydrazinecarbodithioate) (II) (Scheme 1) of 5 μm thickness was prepared. The dielectric properties of the prepared sample were studied as a function of frequency and temperature, and the results were analyzed by the Cole–Cole method. The optical permittivity and the dc-conductivity have been deduced, and the activation energy has been calculated and found to be 0.023 eV. Also, a detailed study of optical absorption is presented. The optical absorption spectra were measured in the wavelength range from 200–600 nm. The calculated absorption coefficient, absorption index, and determined values of energy gaps ( and ΔE) are presented. The results indicate that both mechanisms of direct and indirect transitions exist. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 65:1653–1657, 1997     

Use and recycling of Ca-alginate biocatalyst for removal of phenol from wastewater

The objective of the current work is the exhaustive study of the phenol degradation potential in both free cell and immobilized bacterium (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) in calcium alginate beads (biocatalyst) was investigated for its ability to grow and degrade phenol as its sole source of carbon and energy.The biodegradation assays were performed in liquid medium with phenol being the only substrate. It was found that P. aeruginosa is able to degrade phenol up to 500 mg L^?1 in 50 h as free cell and 900 mg L^?1 in 80 h when immobilized in the calcium alginate beads. However, for 1200 mg L^?1 concentration, the immobilized cells took much more time (290 h) for a complete degradation.The reuse of these beads in different concentrations of phenol (100–900 mg L^?1) showed that the cells keep their phenol degradation ability up to 900 mg L^?1in 78.5 h with 99% removal efficiency.Similarly, the reuse of the biocatalyst in the same initial phenol concentration (500 mg L^?1), allows us to get 9 cycles.     

Hot compression and fracture toughness of HSS composed hot strip work rolls

The rolls in the finishing stands must have good resistance to both wear and fire cracks. The use of high-speed steel at the finishing stands has shown satisfactory results. The composition of this high-alloyed steel is an important parameter as the most significant change lays on the type, morphology, and volume fraction of the eutectics carbides. The heat treatment of these products consists of high temperature austenization followed by quenching and two temperings, as required in order to increase their overall hardness and to completely eliminate residual austenite. The influence of tempering temperatures on the mechanical properties of these products, determined using tensile, hot compression and fracture toughness tests, was studied in this research work. Their corresponding failure micromechanisms were defined by means of the analysis of fracture surfaces.     

Curing characteristics and internal stresses in epoxy coatings: Effect of crosslinking agent

The development of internal stresses in a series of epoxy coatings prepared using five different crosslinking agents have been studied. The crosslinking agents were: H1, 4,4 methylenedianiline (DDM); H2, diethylentriamine (DETA); H3, cycloaliphatic polyamine; H4, polyaminoimidazoline; and H5, polyamidoamine adduct. Four different post-cure treatments were applied and the dependence of internal stress on crosslinking agent and post-cure treatment was determined. Curing was followed by monitoring the FTIR epoxy band at 916 cm^{– 1} and the glass transition temperature was determined using DSC to assist interpretation of the measured values of internal stress. The internal stress was tensile in all of the materials at the end of each post-cure treatment. The stress magnitudes increased monotonically with post-cure temperature. The largest stresses were recorded with H1, H2 and H3 whereas the lowest stresses were recorded with H4 and H5, which both included a flexible aliphatic chain. The effects of ageing for extended periods in dry air and in humid air (52%RH and 97%RH) were also examined. Exposure to humid air almost always caused a reduction in the tensile stress and often produced compressive stresses, attributed to swelling due to water absorption. A comparison was made of the stresses formed in coatings applied to a thin substrate that was (i) free to bend during curing, post-curing and ageing, and (ii) prevented from bending (restrained substrate). The general trends in behaviour were in agreement but no simple relationship could be found between the stress magnitudes obtained by the two different test configurations.     

Etude de diverses roches au laboratoire par ondes ultrasonores

The wave propagation velocity in the rocks is a well known tool with many applications in their structure and conditions studies (porosity, microcracks, saturation) or for the relationship with their mechanical properties (R_c, dynamic modulus, ...). In this paper, the interest of the signal shape study is pointed out for a better characterization of the porous medium. An examination of the transmitted frequencies looks particularly promising for materials quality determination.     

The adoption of artificial intelligence and robotics in the hotel industry: prospects and challenges

Electronic Markets - The growth of technology has resulted in the use of state-of-the-art systems such as artificial intelligence (AI) and robot-based applications and services in the hotel...     

Preparation of new microporous titanium pillared kenyaite materials active for the photodegradation of methyl orange

In recent years, layered silicates have extensively been used to design new nanomaterials through functionalization. In this work, the lamellar sodium silicates magadiite and kenyaite have been hydrothermally synthesized in presence of ethanol as organic co-solvent. Materials of high purity and high crystallinity were obtained after only 24 h of crystallization at a temperature of 180 °C for kenyaite and a temperature of 150 °C for magadiite. It appears that the presence of ethanol in the synthesis medium tends not only to increase the crystallization rate, but also to stabilize the formation of magadiite.The as-synthesized Na-kenyaite was used as precursor for the preparation of titanium pillared clay materials. The resulting microporous titanium oxide pillared kenyaite materials exhibit large specific surface areas up to 180 m² g^?1 with a Ti contents up to 24 wt% and are active for the photocatalytic degradation under UV light irradiation of the organic dye methyl orange in water.     

Forced transverse vibration of composite sandwich beam with magnetorheological elastomer core

We studied, experimentally and numerically, the vibrational response of a magnetorheological elastomer sandwich beam, clampedfree, delimited by two skins aluminum 7075T6, first subjected to a variable magnetic field perpendicular to the skin of the beam, and second to a harmonic excitation by magnetic force applied at the free end. Our main objective was to predict the effect of the intensity of the current flowing through a coil on several dynamic factors. The maximum amplitude of resonance and the variation of the loss factor as a function of structural stiffness are adjusted simultaneously by the application of different magnetic fields. The results of both methods are compared.