Mobile Robot Motion Framework Based on Enhanced Robust Panel Method

International Journal of Control, Automation and Systems - This paper proposes a framework for the mobile robot motion in partially unknown static and dynamic environments. Its main part is a path...     

The use of nickel oxide as a hole transport material in perovskite solar cell configuration: Achieving a high performance and stable device

Solar cells incorporated with organic-inorganic lead or tin halide-based perovskite materials as active light-absorber surfaces are referred to as perovskite solar cells (PSCs). This fast advancing solar technology has recorded an increase in its efficiency from 3.8% in 2009 to above 25% in recent years. The technology creates room for diverse device architectures, which enhances further development of thin-film solar cells and photovoltaics. This article reviews the use of nanocrystalline nickel oxide (NiO) film as a hole transport material in PSCs. The literature on pure nickel oxide and doped nickel oxide films has been discussed. The principle of operation, charge separation of PSCs and the various parameters that affect the efficient hole transport mechanisms, power conversion efficiency, growth mechanism, and stability of PSCs have also been discussed. Possible electron-blocking applications and future perspective of nickel oxide films have also been discussed.     

Synthesis,Radiosynthesis and Biological Evaluation of Buprenorphine-Derived Phenylazocarboxamides as Novel μ-Opioid Receptor Ligands

Targeted structural modifications have led to a novel type of buprenorphine-derived opioid receptor ligand displaying an improved selectivity profile for the μ-OR subtype. On this basis, it is shown that phenylazocarboxamides may serve as useful bioisosteric replacements for the widely occurring cinnamide units, without loss of OR binding affinity or subtype selectivity. This study further includes functional experiments pointing to weak partial agonist properties of the novel μ-OR ligands, as well as docking and metabolism experiments. Finally, the unique bifunctional character of phenylazocarboxylates, herein serving as precursors for the azocarboxamide subunit, was exploited to demonstrate the accessibility of an ¹⁸F-fluorinated analogue.     

Micro‐Phase Separation within Epoxy Resin Yields Ultrathin Mesoporous Membranes with Increased Scalability by Conversion from Spin‐ to Dip‐Coating Process

Ultrathin mesoporous membranes offer highly desirable characteristics for separation tasks regarding selectivity and mass transport of proteins. They have potential applications as separation devices in microfluidics, diagnostics, sensing, and high‐precision separations for pharmaceutical formulation. Especially for large‐scale and mass production, sophisticated production processes represent a barrier for wider application. A method is developed to produce nanomembranes with a thickness of 75 nm and 40 nm pores with an epoxy resin. The novolac resin is cured with branched polyethylenimine to form a covalently crosslinked polymer membrane with perforations spanning the entire thickness. Pore formation relies on micro‐phase separation of the curing agent during casting and the selective dissolution of the emergent nanodomains which thereby serve as pore templates. The resulting membranes are hydrophilic and therefore suitable for applications with biological fluids. Mechanical testing of the flexible but robust thin films reveals an ultimate tensile strength of 15 MPa and a biaxial modulus of 0.8 GPa. Proteins with a diameter of less than 12 nm can diffuse through the pores and permeation rates are pH dependent. The entire fabrication process is transferred to a dip‐coating approach, which is more suitable for a potential large‐scale production.     

Flow,suspension and mixing dynamics in DASGIP bioreactors,Part 2

This work aims to characterize the mixing and suspension dynamics occurring within two commercially available DASGIP bioreactor configurations, equipped with a two-blade paddle impeller with large impeller to tank diameter ratio, D/T = 0.97. Both continuous and intermittent agitation modes were employed to determine the impact that agitation strategy has upon mass transfer and microcarrier settling/suspension. This paper builds upon the flow dynamics data presented in Part 1 for a flat bottom DASGIP bioreactor and shows how intermittent agitation can break-up regions of slow mixing observed during continuous agitation, therefore substantially increasing the mixing efficiency of the system. Similarly, it was found that microcarrier characteristics might significantly affect the level of suspension when the impeller is in dwell status when intermittent agitation modes are used.     

Epileptic seizure detection using hybrid machine learning methods

Neural Computing and Applications - The aim of this study is to establish a hybrid model for epileptic seizure detection with genetic algorithm (GA) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) to...     

A Simple and Adaptive Methodology to Use a Commercial Solvent Extraction Microsystem as Screening Tool: Validation with the U-TBP Chemical System

The solvent extraction of a U (VI) present at several g.L^?1 from the aqueous phase [HNO₃] = 3 M to the organic one (30% TBP) involves a change of the viscosity of the two phases during the extraction process in microsystem. This shifts the position of the interface between the two phases and then affects the quality of the separation at the outlet of the microsystem. The aim of this study is to present a simple method to stabilize the quality of the separation by controlling the interface position during solvent extraction in microsystem. First, a study at low concentration is operated in order to set flow rates and contact time that allow optimal parallel flows and mass transfer. Second, the influence of the high grade concentration (up to 140 g.L^?1) of solute on the flows and extraction yield is studied.     

Biomimetic protein‐based elastomeric hydrogels for biomedical applications

In recent years, protein‐based elastomeric hydrogels have gained increased research interest in biomedical applications for their remarkable self‐assembly behaviour, tunable 3D porous structure, high resilience (elasticity), fatigue lifetime (durability), water uptake, excellent biocompatibility and biological activity. The proteins and polypeptides can be derived naturally (animal or insect sources) or by recombinant (bacterial expression) routes and can be crosslinked via physical or chemical approaches to obtain elastomeric hydrogels. Here we review and present the recent accomplishments in the synthesis, fabrication and biomedical applications of protein‐based elastomeric hydrogels such as elastin, resilin, flagelliform spider silk and their derivatives. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry     

Introduction to the STAF 2015 special section

Software and Systems Modeling -