On stability analysis of systems featuring a multiplicative combination of nonlinear and linear time‐invariant feedback

We show that sufficient conditions for the finite‐gain stability of certain systems featuring a multiplicative combination of memoryless nonlinear feedback and linear time‐invariant feedback, as encountered in some systems' biology prototype applications, can be obtained by building on the Rantzer multipliers. These results are obtained by observing that for all finite energy signals x, the time‐truncated inner product 〈x, H(x)N(x)〉_T is positive for all T>0 if N belongs to a subclass of positive memoryless monotone nonlinearities and if, in addition, H is a Rantzer multiplier. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Some Aspects of Modification of Asphalts with Polymeric Materials

Modification of petroleum asphalts with polymeric materials was examined. Polymers containing a crystalline phase can be used as modifiers. Based on an adsorption model of the reaction of the polymer with the disperse phase of the asphalt, a relation was obtained for determining the lower concentration of cross-linking of the polymer in the polymer–asphalt composite. It was shown that the total maximum content of asphalt in the polymer and disperse phase should not exceed 25%.     

Special features of boronizing iron and steel using a continuous-wave CO2 laser

In some cases saturation of a surface by alloying elements with the use of laser treatment provides unique structures with a novel set of properties. Processes of laser alloying after which the heat treatment of the parts is unnecessary present a special interest. Laser boronizing is one such process. Translated from Metallovedenie i Termicheskaya Obrabotka Metallov, No. 1, pp. 5–9, January, 1998.     

Initial oxidation of silver electrode in weakly acidic sodium fluoride solutions: Potential shifts induced by laser heating

The behavior of a silver electrode in weakly acidified NaF solutions is studied by the methods of potential shifts induced by laser heating, impedance spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. These methods make it possible to observe the time effects that reflect the electrochemical adsorption of oxygen on the Ag electrode/solution interface in the potential range from −0.7 to 0.2 V (SCE). The analysis of experimental data allows one to assess the effects of the potential and time of the electrode exposure (after its cathodic reduction or mechanical renewal) in the electrolyte on the amount of chemisorbed oxygen and also the effect of the latter on the electric double layer structure.     

Image-processing procedures for quality estimation in production of elastic foamy materials

We present a system for estimating the quality of polyurethane foam, which is able to measure the apparent density and mean size of the cell. The system consists of a flatbed scanner of high resolution, an electronic balance, and a personal computer. We present the new way for measuring the sample volume using six nonorthogonal projections and adapt the marker dividing line algorithm for cell segmentation in the scanned image. We examine an approach for determining the efficiency of the image-processing system operating as a measuring system on the basis of the Six Sigma method.     

Formation of trajectory of industrial robot based on artificial neural network

The application of the neural network approach to solving the problem of optimizing the trajectory of industrial robots with respect to minimum energy consumption and maximum performance is considered. The results of an investigation of the proposed approach for industrial robots are presented.