On the asymptotic accuracy of reduced-order models

International Journal of Control, Automation and Systems - Popular model reduction methods can easily be adapted to retain the asymptotic response to inputs with rational transform. To this...     

Experience-Driven Model of Decision-Making Processes in Project Teams

This article presents a model of decision-making processes in project teams. Project teams constitute a specific type of organization appointed to implement a project. Decisions made by project teams result from the methods of project management and best management practices. The authors have undertaken the task of formalizing these processes using the classical method of constructing decision trees. It has been established that this method cannot be fully exploited because the decision-making paths need changing (the decision tree must be dynamically generated after every decision). Therefore, the authors applied a method for collecting experiences, the Set of Experience Knowledge Structure (SOEKS), to support the structure of a decision tree. This method was used to support decision-making processes regarding the selection of methods and technologies of project management and to classify the location decisions resulting from exceeding levels of particulate matter.     

Modeling power supplies of LED lamps

In the paper, the model of the power supply of the LED lamp in the form dedicated for SPICE is proposed. The form of the worked out by the authors' model is presented, and the results of experimental verification of this model for the LED lamp of the type CLA25 are shown. The presented model is elaborated only for the power supply of LED lamps, in which the constant output voltage is stabilized. This model has the form of a subcircuit for SPICE, and it describes the influence of load resistance, amplitude of the input voltage, and the ambient temperature on both the input current and the output voltage. It is confirmed that the worked out model describes correctly both the waveform of the current received from the electroenergy network and the influence of the load current, the ambient temperature, and the supply voltage on the output voltage.     

On 2D integro-differential systems. Stability and sensitivity analysis

Multidimensional Systems and Signal Processing - In the paper a two-dimensional integro-differential system is considered. Using some variational methods we give sufficient conditions for the...     

High Efficiency and High Open Circuit Voltage in Quasi 2D Perovskite Based Solar Cells

An important property of hybrid layered perovskite is the possibility to reduce its dimensionality to provide wider band gap and better stability. In this work, 2D perovskite of the structure (PEA)₂(MA)_n–1Pb_nBr_3n+1 has been sensitized, where PEA is phenyl ethyl‐ammonium, MA is methyl‐ammonium, and using only bromide as the halide. The number of the perovskite layers has been varied (n) from n = 1 through n = ∞. Optical and physical characterization verify the layered structure and the increase in the band gap. The photovoltaic performance shows higher open circuit voltage (V_oc) for the quasi 2D perovskite (i.e., n = 40, 50, 60) compared to the 3D perovskite. V_oc of 1.3 V without hole transport material (HTM) and V_oc of 1.46 V using HTM have been demonstrated, with corresponding efficiency of 6.3% and 8.5%, among the highest reported. The lower mobility and transport in the quasi 2D perovskites have been proved effective to gain high V_oc with high efficiency, further supported by ab initio calculations and charge extraction measurements. Bromide is the only halide used in these quasi 2D perovskites, as mixing halides have recently revealed instability of the perovskite structure. These quasi 2D materials are promising candidates for use in optoelectronic applications that simultaneously require high voltage and high efficiency.     

Modulating the Ferromagnet/Molecule Spin Hybridization Using an Artificial Magnetoelectric

Spin‐polarized charge transfer at the interface between a ferromagnetic (FM) metal and a molecule can lead to ferromagnetic coupling and to a high spin polarization at room temperature. The magnetic properties of these interfaces can not only alter those of the ferromagnet but can also stabilize molecular spin chains with interesting opportunities toward quantum computing. With the aim to enhance an organic spintronic device's functionality, external control over this spin polarization may thus be achieved by altering the ferromagnet/molecule interface's magnetic properties. To do so, the magnetoelectric properties of an underlying ferroelectric/ferromagnetic interface are utilized. Switching the ferroelectric polarization state of a PbZr_0.2Ti_0.8O₃ (PZT) bottom layer within a PZT/Co/FePc‐based (Pc ‐ phthalocyanine) device alters the X‐ray magnetic circular dichroism of the Fe site within the phthalocyanine molecular top layer. Thus, how to electrically alter the magnetic properties of an interface with high spin polarization at room temperature is demonstrated. This expands electrical control over spin‐polarized FM/molecule interfaces, which is first demonstrated using ferroelectric molecules, to all molecular classes.     

Synthesis,characterization and application of a novel zinc(II) ion-imprinted polymer

In our study, a Zn(II) ion-imprinted polymer (ZnIP) and non-imprinted polymer (NIP) were synthesized via free-radical polymerization. 1-Vinylimidazole, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate and 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile were used as functional, cross-linking monomers and free-radical initiator, respectively. The obtained polymer was characterized by various analytical methods (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence, UV VIS, thermal analysis). The sorption properties of ZnIP and NIP were evaluated after removal of Zn(II) ions from the polymer network. The optimum pH for adsorption was 7.0. The maximum adsorption capacity at the pH was 5.2 and 0.22 mg/g for ZnIP and NIP, respectively. To determine the selectivity, the polymer was equilibrated with the binary mixture of Zn(II) ions and the interfering ions [Cu(II), Ni(II) or Co(II)]. The relative selectivity of ZnIP was 22.57, 5.44 and 46.17 for Cu(II), Ni(II) and Co(II) ions, respectively. The proposed ZnIP sorbent was applied to determine the zinc ions in urine samples by Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence.     

Electrical conductivity and transparency of polymer hybrid nanocomposites based on poly(trimethylene terephthalate) containing single walled carbon nanotubes and expanded graphite

Single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT)/expanded graphite (EG)/poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) hybrid nanocomposites were prepared via in situ polymerization. Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were employed to determine both, purity and morphology of the nanofillers and the dispersion of nanotubes and nanosheets. The electrical and optical properties of thin polymer films based on both “single” nanocomposites and hybrid nanocomposites were studied. For PTT/SWCNT nanocomposites, results confirmed that films optical transmittance decreases as the concentration of SWCNT increases, attaining almost no optical transmittance for 0.3 wt % of nanofiller. Conversely, the electrical conductivity of nanocomposites was found to increase by increasing the nanofiller amount and the σ_dc values indicate that percolation occurs at a very low SWCNT content (around 0.05 wt %). In the case of PTT/SWCNT + EG nanocomposites, when the content of SWCNT is 0.05%, the hybrid system presents lower conductivity than that corresponding to the “single” nanocomposite. The incorporation of additional EG to the PTT/SWCNT nanocomposite has a small effect on the electrical conductivity but inhibits the transparency of the system. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44370.     

Blow-assisted multi-jet electrospinning of poly-L-lactic acid nanofibers

Regardless the low production rate, electrospinning remains the attractive technique for the nanofibers production in various fields. Thus, the development of a multi-jet technologies for electrospinning gives an opportunity to scale up and increase throughput of the fibers production. However, the multi-jet electrospinning technologies exhibit one major drawback– electrostatic mutual jet repulsion issue. In present research, we propose air blow-assisted multi-jet electrospinning system allowing production of nanofibers with yield, at least, tenfold higher than single jet electrospinning. The system produces nanofibers in two modes: multi-jet electrospinning and blow-assisted multi-jet electrospinning. In case of the latter, the application of sheath air stream allows the system to overcome the electrostatic mutual repulsion issue. These lead to the reduction of deviation of the polymer solution jets, the reduction of instabilities of the jets and the improvement of the control of the nanofibers deposition. Nanofibers morphology and size were investigated based on the scanning electron microscope micrographs. The comparison of the two modes shows changes in nanofibers morphology from beaded structure to fine nanofibers, and the slight increase in fiber mean size when the blowing assistance was applied to the process.     

Assessment of aliphatic poly(ester-carbonate-urea-urethane)s potential as materials for biomedical application

Selected mechanical and biological properties of biodegradable elastomeric poly(ester-carbonate-urea-urethane)s (PECUUs) point towards their potential to be applied as scaffolds in tissue engineering. Here we explore their medical applicability taking into account their hemocompatibility and cytotoxicity. The influence of the ester monomer (derivatives of adipic and succinic acids), as well as diisocyanate type (IPDI and HDI) on the investigated PECUUs properties is presented. The presence of aliphatic diisocyanates, cyclic IPDI or linear HDI, governs the adhesion of Candida cells to these polymers offering the possibility to control the biofilm formation on their surface. In comparison to the linear form, cyclic diisocyanates with pentamethylene succinate or adipate fragments had two to three times lower biofilm mass formation on their surface. Reduced hemoglobin release from red blood cells observed during incubation of tested polymers with human erythrocytes suspension indicates their potential biocompatibility with human tissues. PECUUs were also able to support the growth of human keratinocytes HaCaT on their surface when coated with collagen. In effect, IPDI derivatives might possess a high potential for use in biomedical applications.