Corrosion and Erosion Analysis of AlCrN/CrN Multilayered Coating Applied by Cathodic Arc Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD)

Protection of Metals and Physical Chemistry of Surfaces - A multilayered AlCrN/CrN coating was applied on stainless steel C-450 precipitation hardened stainless steel by cathodic arc vapor...     

Autonomous 3D vision-based bolt loosening assessment using micro aerial vehicles

Earlier identification of bolt loosening is crucial to maintain structural integrity and prevent system-level collapse. In this study, a novel drone-based 3D vision methodology has been proposed for autonomous bolt loosening assessment. First, a low-cost micro aerial vehicle with various types of sensors is designed. Second, a drone-based autonomous image collection method is proposed. Third, a 3D point cloud of the bolted connection is generated using the acquired images. Fourth, 3D point cloud processing methods are proposed to localize and quantify bolt loosening. The proposed method has been implemented on structural beam–column connections. The results show that the proposed drone-based data collection method can effectively acquire images for 3D reconstruction. The 3D point cloud processing methods can reliably localize and quantify bolt loosening at high accuracy. The proposed method provides a more robust and comprehensive evaluation of bolt loosening, compared to existing 2D vision methods, which process 2D images captured at a specific camera view.     

A heuristic-based multi-choice goal programming for the stochastic sustainable-resilient routing-allocation problem in relief logistics

Neural Computing and Applications - Natural or man-made disasters impose destructive effects like human injuries and urban infrastructure damages, which lead to disruptions that affect the entire...     

Correlation between droplet-induced strain actuation and voltage generation in single-wall carbon nanotube films

In this paper, a method of strain actuation of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) films using droplets is examined, and the physical origin of an open-circuit voltage (Voc)-observed across the film during this process-is explored. We demonstrate that droplet actuation is driven by the formation of a capillary bridge between the suspended SWNT films and the substrates, which deforms the films by wetting forces during evaporation. The induced strain is further evaluated and analyzed using dynamic Raman and two-dimensional correlation spectra. Supported by theoretical calculations, our experiments reveal the time and strain dependency of the capillary bridge's midpoint directional movement. This relationship is applied to display the correlation between the induced strain and the measured Voc.     

设平衡孔时气液混输泵内部流动及轴向力分析

本文采用两相混合模型进行数值模拟计算,探究了不同进口含气率条件下,设置平衡孔对气液混输泵外特性、内部流动及轴向力的影响。研究发现：各工况条件下,设置平衡孔后该混输泵的轴向力均明显减小;从平衡系统回流的高压流体对转轮内部流动状态产生扰动,同时能破坏和夹带转轮流道内聚集的气泡;综合考虑对混输泵的性能和轴向力的影响,在较低进口含气率时采用平衡孔方法平衡混输泵轴向力的方法是可行的;平衡系统进出口压力系数随比面积系数增大而非线性减小,平衡孔的直径过大会导致混输泵的容积损失问题,因此平衡孔直径设计存在最佳值;对比发现平衡孔设在转轮叶片吸力面时转轮的轴向力幅值和脉动相对较小。研究结论可为后期多级气液混输泵平衡孔平衡轴向力系统的设计和优化提供思路和借鉴。     

In-cell solid-state NMR as a tool to study proteins in large complexes

A major limitation of solution NMR is molecular tumbling, which is often too slow for detection. Here we demonstrate that solid-state NMR spectroscopy in combination with flash freezing of cells can be used to detect proteins in the cellular environment and provides information on backbone chemical shifts.     

Tie-line data for aqueous mixtures of butyric acid with isobutyl acetate at various temperatures

Experimental liquid-liquid equilibrium (LLE) data for the system of (water+butyric acid+iso-butyl acetate) were obtained at T=(298.2, 303.2, 308.2, and 313.2) K and atmospheric pressure. This ternary system exhibits type-1 behavior of LLE. The experimental tie-line data were correlated using the UNIQUAC and NRTL models. The reliability of the experimental tie-line data was determined by applying the Othmer-Tobias and Hand correlations. Distribution coefficients and separation factors were calculated over the immiscibility regions.     

A fast expert system for electrocardiogram arrhythmia detection

Abstract: A fast expert system for electrocardiogram (ECG) arrhythmia detection has been designed in this study. Selecting proper wavelet details, the ECG signals are denoised and beat locations are detected. Beat locations are later used to locate the peaks of the individual waves present in each cardiac cycle. Onsets and offsets of the P and T waves are also detected. These are considered as ECG features which are later used for arrhythmia detection utilizing a novel fuzzy classifier. Fourteen types of arrhythmias and abnormalities can be detected implementing the proposed procedure. We have evaluated the algorithm on the MIT–BIH arrhythmia database. Application of the wavelet filter with the scaling function which closely resembles the shape of the ECG signal has been shown to provide precise results in this study.     

The effect of foamed cement nanocomposite as counter electrode on the performance of dye-sensitized solar cell

Improper interparticle connection between carbon-based materials, poor interface bonding between the carbon counter electrodes (CEs) and substrate, and low surface area are the main limitations of carbon-based CEs in dye-sensitized solar cells. In this study, we utilized foamed cement and binder for adherence and surface area improvement in carbon-based CEs, such as graphite, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, and carbon black (CB). The results revealed that incorporating foamed cement into carbon materials improved the resistance, short-circuit current density, fill factor, and power conversion efficiency of the device. The porous cement/CB nanocomposite CE with a photoconversion efficiency of 5.51% exhibited the best photovoltaic performance. Moreover, this nanocomposite electrode showed an enhancement catalytic activity by high current density in cyclic voltammogram, low charge transfer resistance $(R_{CT}$) in electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and high exchange current density in Tafel measurements compared to other electrodes. The porosity of foamed cement has been found to be the main cause of its superior photovoltaic performance, which expands the contact area with the electrode and enables rich ion transport. Additionally, the enhanced performance was due to strong bonding, crack-free deposited films, superior conductivity, and high catalytic activity.