Fuzzy controlled backpropagation neural network for tool condition monitoring in face milling

The performance of a fuzzy controlled backpropagation neural network has been studied to predict the tool wear in a face milling process based on simple process parameters and sensor signal features. The results show the potentiality of the method in comparison to the standard backpropagation neural network and one of its variants. The speed of convergence, accuracy of prediction and total time of system development make fuzzy controlled backpropagation an attractive technique amenable for online tool condition monitoring.     

Transport phenomena in laser surface alloying

A three dimensional, transient model is developed for studying heat transfer, fluid flow and mass transfer for the case of a single-pass laser surface alloying process. The numerical study is performed in a co-ordinate system fixed to the laser which moves with a constant scanning speed. The coupled momentum, energy and species conservation equations are solved using a finite volume technique. Phase change processes are modelled using a fixed-grid enthalpy-porosity technique, which is capable of predicting the continuously evolving solid-liquid interface. The three-dimensional model is able to predict the species concentration distribution inside the molten pool during alloying, as well as in the entire cross section of the solidified alloy. Corresponding experimental results show a good qualitative agreement with the numerical predictions with regard to pool shape and final composition distribution.     

Nonlinear analysis of nuclear coupled density wave instability in time domain for a boiling water reactor core undergoing core-wide and regional modes of oscillations

The objective of the paper is to develop a nuclear coupled thermal-hydraulic model in order to simulate core-wide (in-phase) and regional (out-of-phase) stability analysis in time domain within the limitation of desktop research facility for a boiling water reactor subjected to operational transients. The integrated numerical tool, which is a combination of thermal-hydraulic, neutronic and fuel heat conduction models, is used to analyze a complete boiling water reactor core taking into account the strong nonlinear coupling between the core neutron dynamics and primary circuit thermal-hydraulics via the void-temperature reactivity feedback effects. The integrated model is validated against standard benchmark and published results. Finally, the model is used for various parametric studies and a number of numerical simulations are carried out to investigate core-wide and regional instabilities of the boiling water reactor core with and without the neutronic feedback effects. Results show that the inclusion of neutronic feedback effects has an adverse effect on boiling water reactor core by augmenting the instability at lower power for same inlet subcooling during core-wide mode of oscillations, whereas the instability is being suppressed during regional mode of oscillations in presence of the neutronic feedback. Dominance of core-wide instability over regional mode of oscillations is established for the present case of simulations which indicates that the preclusion of the former will automatically prevent the latter at the existing working condition.     

A 2‐D surface‐potential‐based threshold voltage model for short channel asymmetric heavily doped DG MOSFETs

In recent times, transistors with heavily doped body have generated much interest because of junctionless channel. In addition, proper threshold voltage regulation requires adjustment of the channel doping, as a result of which most of the compact models become invalid as they consider an intrinsic body. In this paper, a compact surface‐potential‐based threshold voltage model is developed for short channel asymmetric double‐gate metal–oxide–semiconductor field‐effect transistors with heavily/lightly doped channel. The 2‐D surface potential is computed and compared with Technology Computer Aided Design, and a relative error of 2–4 % was obtained. The threshold voltage is solved from 2‐D Poisson's equation using ‘virtual cathode’ method, and a good agreement is observed with the numerical simulations. Also, the model is compared with a reference model and a better result is obtained for heavily doped channel. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Light-emitting diodes with 17% external quantum efficiency at 622Mb/s for high-bandwidth parallel short-distance optical interconnects

We report on nonresonant cavity light-emitting diodes (NRC-LED) with large quantum efficiencies and high speed. A maximum quantum efficiency of 31% is measured for a device with an active layer thickness of 120 nm, and 18.7% for a device having an active layer of 30 nm. Further, we report on optical rise and fall times of NRC-LEDs. Even when switched to current levels below 4 mA, at which the external quantum efficiency exceeds 17%, our NRC-LEDs have 10%-90% rise and fall times of less than 2 ns. As a result, eye diagrams taken at this current level at 622 Mb/s are wide open. This demonstrates the suitability of high-efficiency NRC-LEDs for optical interconnects. Finally, from a system's viewpoint it is important to note that the optical output power of NRC-LEDs decreases by only 0.36%/°C     

Microstructural evolution and fracture toughness of plasma sprayed CNT reinforced Yttria-stabilized Hafnia coating

Yttria (8 wt%)-stabilized hafnia (YSH) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) (1 wt%) reinforced yttria-stabilized hafnia (YSHC) coatings were fabricated on alumina substrate using atmospheric plasma spray technique. Raman spectra confirmed the survival of CNTs in plasma sprayed YSHC coating and indicated about graphitization of CNTs. Whereas, the FE-SEM micrograph infers the presence of few 2-D graphene platelet-like structure in plasma sprayed YSHC coating. Addition of 1 wt% CNTs has significantly increased the densification of YSH coating from 86% to 92%, whereas average hardness and elastic modulus increased by ~57% and ~16%, respectively. A phenomenal increase of ~125% in relative fracture toughness was observed in YSHC coating, which is attributed to three major factors viz. (a) Enhanced densification (b) High fraction of fully melted regions and (c) Various toughening mechanisms, like CNTs pull out, CNTs braiding, graphene splat wrapping, CNTs anchoring.