Graphite intercalated polymer coatings on stainless steel

The use of graphite modified polymer films has been investigated, on stainless steel. Polythiophene and polypyrrole films have been synthesized electrochemically on stainless steel, and then very thin graphite layers were realized on polymer films. Since the graphite layer is not applicable as a top coat, polymeric top films were also electrosynthesized on graphite layers. Following this procedure, polypyrrole-graphite-polypyrrole and polythiophene-graphite-polythiophene coatings have been obtained on stainless steel. The corrosion behaviours of coated samples have been investigated in 0.1 M H₂SO₄ solution, by means of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and anodic polarization curves. The intercalation of graphite layer altered the performance and properties of coatings significantly. Especially, polypyrrole coating system was found to exhibit almost an excellent coating behaviour that hindered the attack of corrosive environment within 96 h exposure time. The EIS results of polypyrrole coating system were indicating to almost a perfect capacitive behaviour that the response was reflecting capacitive behaviour in a wide frequency region. This property was also examined with successive cyclic voltammograms in a potential range between 0.10 and 0.40 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). The charge densities involved in oxidation and reduction regions were determined for successive cycles and it was shown that coated sample was able to exhibit charge-discharge (i.e. oxidation and reduction) behaviour successfully, without any degradation.     

The current–voltage and capacitance–voltage characteristics of molecularly modified β-carotene/n-type Si junction structure with fluorescein sodium salt

β-Carotene–FSS organic semiconductor/n-type Si structure has been characterized by current–voltage and capacitance–voltage methods. A deviation in I–V characteristic of the diode is observed due to effect of series resistance and interfacial layer. Cheung's functions were used to calculate diode parameters. The ideality factor, series resistance and barrier height values of the diode are n = 1.77, R_s = 10.32 (10.39) kΩ and 0.78 eV. The obtained ideality factor suggests that Au/β-carotene–FSS/n-Si Schottky diode has a metal–SiO₂ oxide layer plus organic layer–semiconductor (MIOS) configuration. The capacitance–voltage characterizations of Au/β-carotene–FSS/n-Si diode at different temperatures were performed. The capacitance of the diode changes with temperature. The barrier height and ideality factor obtained from C–V curves are 0.67 eV and 1.68. The interface density properties of the diode are analyzed and the shape of the density distribution of the interface states is in the range of E_c −0.49 to −0.62 eV. It is evaluated that the FSS organic layer controls electrical charge transport properties of Au/β-carotene/n-Si diode by excluding effects of the β-carotene and SiO₂ residual oxides on the hybrid diode.     

Dynamic Model Adaptation for Multiscale Simulation of Hyperbolic Systems with Relaxation

In numerous industrial CFD applications, it is usual to use two (or more) different codes to solve a physical phenomenon: where the flow is a priori assumed to have a simple behavior, a code based on a coarse model is applied, while a code based on a fine model is used elsewhere. This leads to a complex coupling problem with fixed interfaces. The aim of the present work is to provide a numerical indicator to optimize to position of these coupling interfaces. In other words, thanks to this numerical indicator, one could verify if the use of the coarser model and of the resulting coupling does not introduce spurious effects. In order to validate this indicator, we use it in a dynamical multiscale method with moving coupling interfaces. The principle of this method is to use as much as possible a coarse model instead of the fine model in the computational domain, in order to obtain an accuracy which is comparable with the one provided by the fine model. We focus here on general hyperbolic systems with stiff relaxation source terms together with the corresponding hyperbolic equilibrium systems. Using a numerical Chapman–Enskog expansion and the distance to the equilibrium manifold, we construct the numerical indicator. Based on several works on the coupling of different hyperbolic models, an original numerical method of dynamic model adaptation is proposed. We prove that this multiscale method preserves invariant domains and that the entropy of the numerical solution decreases with respect to time. The reliability of the adaptation procedure is assessed on various 1D and 2D test cases coming from two-phase flow modeling.     

Non-intrusive Coupling: Recent Advances and Scalable Nonlinear Domain Decomposition

This paper provides a detailed review of the global/local non-intrusive coupling algorithm. Such method allows to alter a global finite element model, without actually modifying its corresponding numerical operator. We also look into improvements of the initial algorithm (Quasi-Newton and dynamic relaxation), and provide comparisons based on several relevant test cases. Innovative examples and advanced applications of the non-intrusive coupling algorithm are provided, granting a handy framework for both researchers and engineers willing to make use of such process. Finally, a novel nonlinear domain decomposition method is derived from the global/local non-intrusive coupling strategy, without the need to use a parallel code or software. Such method being intended to large scale analysis, we show its scalability. Jointly, an efficient high level Message Passing Interface coupling framework is also proposed, granting an universal and flexible way for easy software coupling. A sample code is also given.     

Variational Foundations and Generalized Unified Theory of RVE-Based Multiscale Models

A unified variational theory is proposed for a general class of multiscale models based on the concept of Representative Volume Element. The entire theory lies on three fundamental principles: (1) kinematical admissibility, whereby the macro- and micro-scale kinematics are defined and linked in a physically meaningful way; (2) duality, through which the natures of the force- and stress-like quantities are uniquely identified as the duals (power-conjugates) of the adopted kinematical variables; and (3) the Principle of Multiscale Virtual Power, a generalization of the well-known Hill-Mandel Principle of Macrohomogeneity, from which equilibrium equations and homogenization relations for the force- and stress-like quantities are unequivocally obtained by straightforward variational arguments. The proposed theory provides a clear, logically-structured framework within which existing formulations can be rationally justified and new, more general multiscale models can be rigorously derived in well-defined steps. Its generality allows the treatment of problems involving phenomena as diverse as dynamics, higher order strain effects, material failure with kinematical discontinuities, fluid mechanics and coupled multi-physics. This is illustrated in a number of examples where a range of models is systematically derived by following the same steps. Due to the variational basis of the theory, the format in which derived models are presented is naturally well suited for discretization by finite element-based or related methods of numerical approximation. Numerical examples illustrate the use of resulting models, including a non-conventional failure-oriented model with discontinuous kinematics, in practical computations.     

An exploratory study of api changes and usages based on apache and eclipse ecosystems

Frameworks are widely used in modern software development to reduce development costs. They are accessed through their Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), which specify the contracts with client programs. When frameworks evolve, API backward-compatibility cannot always be guaranteed and client programs must upgrade to use the new releases. Because framework upgrades are not cost-free, observing API changes and usages together at fine-grained levels is necessary to help developers understand, assess, and forecast the cost of each framework upgrade. Whereas previous work studied API changes in frameworks and API usages in client programs separately, we analyse and classify API changes and usages together in 22 framework releases from the Apache and Eclipse ecosystems and their client programs. We find that (1) missing classes and methods happen more often in frameworks and affect client programs more often than the other API change types do, (2) missing interfaces occur rarely in frameworks but affect client programs often, (3) framework APIs are used on average in 35 % of client classes and interfaces, (4) most of such usages could be encapsulated locally and reduced in number, and (5) about 11 % of APIs usages could cause ripple effects in client programs when these APIs change. Based on these findings, we provide suggestions for developers and researchers to reduce the impact of API evolution through language mechanisms and design strategies.     

Scalable P2P bot detection system based on network data stream

P2P Botnets are one of the most malevolent threats to the Internet users due to their resiliency against takedown efforts. In this paper, we propose a bot detection system that is capable of detecting stealthy bots in a network. This system treats network traffic as a data stream, segregating the traffic into two parallel streams. The detection is based on failure traffic and communication traffic. The traffic is analyzed during small time window, and the infected hosts are reported immediately. The network administrator can monitor the status of hosts in the network and can take the necessary action before the infected hosts harm the system or can involve in the attacks. Experiments and evaluation of the proposed system on a variety of P2P data transfer applications and P2P botnets have demonstrated high accuracy of detection. The scalability of the proposed system is exhibited through its implementation on Hadoop MapReduce.     

Water–energy–food nexus in a transboundary context: the Euphrates–Tigris river basin as a case study

The interlinkage between water, energy and food security and its transboundary relevance is becoming increasingly important. The paper analyses the evolution of transboundary water resources management in the Euphrates–Tigris basin with specific reference to interlinkages between water, food and energy policies at national and transboundary levels, and it explores how the policy shifts at the highest decision-making level have served to produce synergies for cooperation among the riparians or vice versa.