Design of phononic materials/structures for surface wave devices using topology optimization

We develop a topology optimization approach to design two- and three-dimensional phononic (elastic) materials, focusing primarily on surface wave filters and waveguides. These utilize propagation modes that transmit elastic waves where the energy is contained near a free surface of a material. The design of surface wave devices is particularly attractive given recent advances in nano- and micromanufacturing processes, such as thin-film deposition, etching, and lithography, which make it possible to precisely place thin film materials on a substrate with submicron feature resolution. We apply our topology optimization approach to a series of three problems where the layout of two materials (silicon and aluminum) is sought to achieve a prescribed objective: (1) a grating to filter bulk waves of a prescribed frequency in two and three dimensions, (2) a surface wave device that uses a patterned thin film to filter waves of a single or range of frequencies, and (3) a fully three-dimensional structure to guide a wave generated by a harmonic input on a free surface to a specified output port on the surface. From the first to the third example, the resulting topologies increase in sophistication. The results demonstrate the power and promise of our computational framework to design sophisticated surface wave devices.     

CT Saturation Calculations: Are They Applicable in the Modern World?—Part I: The Question

Previously, ANSI/IEEE relay current transformer (CT) sizing criteria were based on traditional symmetrical calculations that are usually discussed by technical articles and manufacturers' guidelines. In 1996, IEEE Standard C37.110-1996 introduced (1+X/R) offset multiplying, current asymmetry, and current distortion factors, officially changing the CT sizing guideline. A critical concern is the performance of fast protective schemes (instantaneous or differential elements) during severe saturation of low-ratio CTs. Will the instantaneous element operate before the upstream breaker relay trips? Will the differential element misoperate for out-of-zone faults? The use of electromagnetic and analog relay technology does not assure selectivity. Modern microprocessor relays introduce additional uncertainty into the design/verification process with different sampling techniques and proprietary sensing/recognition/trip algorithms. This paper discusses the application of standard CT accuracy classes with modern ANSI/IEEE CT calculation methodology. This paper is the first of a two-part series; Part II provides analytical waveform analysis discussions to illustrate the concepts conveyed in Part I     

Parameter Sensitivity in Microsphere Impact and Capture

In the presence of adhesion and under certain conditions a microsphere will be captured during a low speed impact with a substrate. The sensitivity of the capture velocity (the largest initial normal velocity at which capture occurs) to five physical factors is analyzed in this paper. The factors are the Hertzian stiffness, Dupré surface energy, the microsphere radius, a damping coefficient associated with adhesion dissipation, and one associated with material dissipation. The sensitivity is determined by examining the effects of the factors on the capture velocity using a two-level, fractional factorial design layout. Capture velocities are determined using analytical models. Results indicate that the Dupré surface energy and the microsphere radius by far play the greatest role in the capture process. The Hertzian stiffness and the dissipation coefficient associated with adhesion affect capture to a lesser extent; an interaction of the surface energy and the adhesion energy dissipation can also play a small role.     

A Fuzzy Relative of the ISODATA Process and Its Use in Detecting Compact Well-Separated Clusters

Abstract

Two fuzzy versions of the k-means optimal, least squared error partitioning problem are formulated for finite subsets X of a general inner product space. In both cases, the extremizing solutions are shown to be fixed points of a certain operator T on the class of fuzzy, k-partitions of X, and simple iteration of T provides an algorithm which has the descent property relative to the least squared error criterion function. In the first case, the range of T consists largely of ordinary (i.e. non-fuzzy) partitions of X and the associated iteration scheme is essentially the well known ISODATA process of Ball and Hall. However, in the second case, the range of T consists mainly of fuzzy partitions and the associated algorithm is new; when X consists of k compact well separated (CWS) clusters, X_i , this algorithm generates a limiting partition with membership functions which closely approximate the characteristic functions of the clusters X_i . However, when X is not the union of k CWS clusters, the limiting partition is truly fuzzy in the sense that the values of its component membership functions differ substantially from 0 or 1 over certain regions of X. Thus, unlike ISODATA, the “fuzzy” algorithm signals the presence or absence of CWS clusters in X. Furthermore, the fuzzy algorithm seems significantly less prone to the “cluster-splitting” tendency of ISODATA and may also be less easily diverted to uninteresting locally optimal partitions. Finally, for data sets X consisting of dense CWS clusters embedded in a diffuse background of strays, the structure of X is accurately reflected in the limiting partition generated by the fuzzy algorithm. Mathematical arguments and numerical results are offered in support of the foregoing assertions.     

Thermoelastic assessment of damage growth in composites

This paper examines, experimentally and numerically, the use of thermal emission measurements as a means of assessing severity of damage and monitoring damage growth in composite materials. In contrast to most traditional methods the thermal emission profile reflects the interaction of load, geometry, material and damage in a non-destructive fashion. It represents a possible method for the scaling of test data, obtained from coupon tests, to tests on full scale structures.     

32P-postlabeling detection of DNA adducts in fish from chemically contaminated waterways

Fish were collected from sites in the chemically-contaminated Buffalo River, New York, and the Detroit River, Michigan. The sediments of these rivers have high levels of chemical contaminants, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and fish from these locations have high prevalences of liver cancer. To determine chemical-DNA interactions and a possible role for chemicals as a cause of the observed tumors, DNA was isolated from livers and was enzymatically digested to normal and adducted nucleotides. The DNA digests were enriched for hydrophobic, bulky adducts, either by preparative reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography, or by selective nuclease P1 dephosphorylation of normal nucleotides. DNA-chemical adducts were then quantitated by 32P-postlabeling analysis. Regardless of the adduct enrichment procedure, the chromatograms derived from DNA of fish from polluted areas showed a diffuse, diagonal radioactive zone consisting, at least in part, of multiple overlapping discrete adduct spots. The behavior of the adducts in the diagonal radioactive zone and of their unlabeled precursors is consistent with their identification as nucleotide adducts of a variety of bulky, hydrophobic, aromatic genotoxic compounds. Analysis of bile demonstrated recent exposure to multi-ringed aromatic compounds.     

Item response theory modeling of substance use: An index based on 10 drug categories.

This study examined the psychometric characteristics of an index of substance use involvement using item response theory. The sample consisted of 292 men and 140 women who qualified for a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (3rd ed., rev.; American Psychiatric Association, 1987) substance use disorder (SUD) diagnosis and 293 men and 445 women who did not qualify for a SUD diagnosis. The results indicated that men ha4 a higher probability of endorsing substance use compared with women. The index significantly predicted health, psychiatric, and psychosocial disturbances as well as level of substance use behavior and severity of SUD after a 2-year follow-up. Finally, this index is a reliable and useful prognostic indicator of the risk for SUD and the medical and psychosocial sequelae of drug consumption. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Internet2 QBone: building a testbed for differentiated services

The Internet2 project is a partnership of over 130 U.S. universities, 40 corporations, and 30 other organizations. Since its inception, one of the primary technical objectives of Internet2 has been to engineer scalable, interoperable, and administrable interdomain QoS to support an evolving set of new advanced networked applications. Applications like distance learning, remote instrument access and control, advanced scientific visualization, and networked collaboratories will allow universities to fulfill their research and education missions into the future, but only if the network QoS these applications require can be ensured. To meet this challenge, the Internet2 QBone initiative has brought together a dedicated group of U.S. university and federal agency networks, international research networks, engineers, researchers, and applications developers to build a testbed for interdomain IP differentiated services. This article presents the engineering motivations behind DiffServ and its adoption by Internet2, provides an overview of the QBone architecture, and describes its anticipated deployment, including plans for a trial inter-domain bandwidth brokering architecture. Security aspects are considered togethered together with an inter-bandwidth broker reservation signaling protocol