Multi-Fidelity High-Throughput Optimization of Electrical Conductivity in P3HT-CNT Composites

Combining high-throughput experiments with machine learning accelerates materials and process optimization toward user-specified target properties. In this study, a rapid machine learning-driven automated flow mixing setup with a high-throughput drop-casting system is introduced for thin film preparation, followed by fast characterization of proxy optical and target electrical properties that completes one cycle of learning with 160 unique samples in a single day, a > 10 ×  improvement relative to quantified, manual-controlled baseline. Regio-regular poly-3-hexylthiophene is combined with various types of carbon nanotubes, to identify the optimum composition and synthesis conditions to realize electrical conductivities as high as state-of-the-art 1000 S cm⁻¹. The results are subsequently verified and explained using offline high-fidelity experiments. Graph-based model selection strategies with classical regression that optimize among multi-fidelity noisy input-output measurements are introduced. These strategies present a robust machine-learning driven high-throughput experimental scheme that can be effectively applied to understand, optimize, and design new materials and composites.     

Electric-field-controlled effects of spatial recurrence and multiplication of electron waves in two-dimensional semiconductor nanostructures

Effects of recurrence and multiplication in the spatial distribution of the probability-flux density j _x(x, z) (or the quantum-mechanical current density ej _x(x, z), where e is the elementary charge), which arise from electron-wave interference in two-dimensional semiconductor nanostructures, are analyzed, and the possibility of controlling these effects by the application of a dc transverse electric field is examined. A type of nanostructure represented by two rectangular quantum wells (a wide one and a narrow one) whose widths are measured in the direction of the z axis (the quantum-confinement axis) with the wells arranged sequentially in the direction of propagation of the electron wave (the x axis) is considered. It is shown that, for an electron wave entering the wide well from the narrow well, the initial transverse distribution peak j _x(0, z) is reproduced with some accuracy at distances X _p = pX ₁ (recurrence) and, in nanostructures symmetric along the z axis, splits at distances X ₁/q into q identical peaks of magnitude reduced by a factor of q (multiplication) (here, p and q are integers). It is demonstrated that these effects can be controlled by a dc electric field applied in the transverse direction (along the z axis) in the region of the wide quantum well. A reduction in the effective well width and appearance of asymmetry in the transverse potential profile upon application of the electric field cause a radical change in the j _x(x, z) distribution in this quantum well and make possible inverse population of the quantum-confinement subbands.     

A 2D quadrangular pyramid photoelectric autocollimator with extended angle measurement range

A photoelectric autocollimator with high accuracy and extended measurement range based on the quadrangular pyramid is proposed, and the corresponding algorithms are also deduced. A new image processing algorithm has been proposed to improve the accuracy, and the corresponding errors are also estimated, the error does not exceed half a pixel when the distance between the marks more than two radii. The experimental results have verified that the measurement range of the proposed two-dimensional (2D) quadrangular pyramid photoelectric autocollimator can be increased times than that of the flat mirror photoelectric autocollimator from 10′ to 15′. The accuracy is better than 1″ when the deflection is less than 15′.     

Electric-field control of electron interference effects in 2D semiconductor nanostructures with parabolic quantum wells

The possibility of the influence of a constant electric field on spatial reproduction effects for quantum-mechanical current density, which arise during interference of electron waves in 2D semiconductor nanostructures, is studied theoretically. It is found that, in structures comprising a narrow rectangular quantum well and a wide parabolic quantum well placed successively in the direction of propagation of an electron wave, the transverse current density distribution existing at the input of the wide quantum well is reproduced in this well with a certain accuracy in periodically repeated cross sections. The inhomogeneous current density distribution arises because of the interference of electron waves propagating in the wide quantum well simultaneously in different quantum-dimensional subbands. It is shown that it is possible to control these effects via the use of a constant electric field perpendicular to the axis of the structure in the region of the wide quantum well.     

Impulse response of the HVAC duct as a communication channel

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) ducts in buildings behave as multimode waveguides when excited at radio frequencies and thus, can be used to distribute radio signals. The channel properties of the ducts are different from the properties of a usual indoor propagation channel. In this paper, we describe physical mechanisms which affect the HVAC channel impulse response and analyze their influence on the delay spread. Those mechanisms include antenna coupling, attenuation, and three types of dispersion: intramodal, intermodal, and multipath. We analyze each type separately and explore the behavior of the delay spread as a function of distance in straight ducts. Experimental channel measurements taken on real ducts confirm the validity of our model.     

Ensuring Strength in Laser Welds Made Using the Dispersion-Hardened EP693 Nickel Alloy

Russian Journal of Non-Ferrous Metals - The process of making a weld using the heat-resistant EP693 alloy (Ni–Cr–W–Co–Co–Mo system) to make assemblies and components...     

Quantitative Analysis of Carbide Phases in Medium-Carbon Steel After Low-Temperature Tempering

Metallurgist - Structural features of high-strength wear-resistant steel formed after tempering at different temperatures are investigated. Temperature dependences are determined for steel hardness...     

Mathematical modelling of perorally induced immunological tolerance

A mathematical model of the mechanism of development of orally induced immunologic tolerance has been suggested. The model presents a system of differential non-linear equations, and it is realized as a program in FORTRAN. The model describes primary and secondary immune responses, reflects the main features of the immune system response to antigen intake with food. The immune system model response to varying doses and frequency of the antigen intake with food has been studied. It has been established that repeated administration of small doses of the food antigen leads to a deeper tolerance due to lower stimulation of the immune system. The existence of optimal tolerogenic doses of the food antigen has been proved. Qualitative changes in the immune system response to the food antigen have been recorded in case of increased permeability of the intestinal wall.     

Self-Detection of High-Frequency Mechanical Oscillations of Whiskers in Quasi-1D Conductors with Charge-Density Wave

Heterodyne mixing with frequency modulation is employed for detection of torsional resonances of whiskers in rhombic TaS₃ (typical quasi-1D conductor) with charge-density wave (CDW). The dependences of both torque and the feedback signal of torsion on the internal properties of CDW are distinctive features of the proposed method. Sample placement in the vicinity of the electrode that serves as gate is unnecessary. Electromechanical and elastic properties of the CDW systems can be studied with the aid of the proposed method, at least, in the megahertz frequency range.     

Stability of stochastic self-adjusting automatic control systems with after effect. I. mean square asymptotic stability of systems of linear stochastic differential-difference equations

The stability of stochastic self-adjusting automatic control systems with aftereffect is investigated. Theorems on the mean square stability of stochastic differential difference equations are proved, which allow the stability analysis of stochastic self-adjusting systems.