Multidisciplinary heat generating logic block placement optimization using genetic algorithm

A multidisciplinary optimization methodology for placement of heat generating semiconductor logic blocks on integrated circuit chips is presented. The methodology includes thermal and wiring length criteria, which are optimized simultaneously using a genetic algorithm. An effective thermal performance prediction methodology based on a superposition method is used to determine the temperature distribution on a silicon chip due to multiple heat generating logic blocks. Using the superposition method, the predicted temperature distribution in the silicon chip is obtained in much shorter time than with a detailed finite element model and with comparable accuracy. The main advantage of the present multidisciplinary design and optimization methodology is its ability to handle multiple design objectives simultaneously for optimized placement of heat generating logic blocks. Capabilities of the present methodology are demonstrated by applying it to several standard benchmarks. The multidisciplinary logic block placement optimization results indicate that the maximum temperature on a silicon chip can be reduced by up to 7.5 °C, compared to the case in which only the wiring length is minimized.     

Use of asphaltene filler to improve low-density polyethylene properties

Asphaltene filled LDPE composite were prepared and characterized. The composites were studied to determine the reinforcement imparted by the asphaltene on the durability of LDPE polymer. The study showed that the composites have higher melting and crystalline behavior, delays the degradation induced by heat and acts as a thermal barrier limiting the emission of the gaseous degradation products, resulting in an increase in the thermal stability of the composites, higher tensile strength, have higher values of the storage and loss modulus. 5 wt% of asphaltenes added in the LDPE afforded the best dispersion in the polymeric matrix, larger crystallite size, enhanced thermal stability, highest relative degree of crystallinity and improved mechanical tensile or thermo-mechanical properties.     

Selection and Synthesis of Energetic Heterocyclic Compounds Suitable for Use in Insensitive Explosive and Propellant Compositions

The rationale behind developing insensitive energetic compounds (IECs) for incorporation into insensitive munition (IM) formulations (rather than the alternative approach of desensitizing higher energy but sensitive compounds) is discussed. With the aim of selecting a maximum of 2–3 IECs suitable for use in insensitive explosive and propellant compositions, a survey of the literature on IECs published in the last 20 years was carried out. From around 50 candidates, a selection was made of eight prime candidates, all heterocyclic compounds (principally monocyclic or fused‐ring bicyclic compounds of the di‐ or triazine, triazole or oxadiazole classes), which displayed explosive performance significantly better than that of the ubiquitous IEC, TATB. The criteria for inclusion of compounds in these listings are described. Screening of the eight candidate compounds against further performance criteria reduced the list to five compounds which were evaluated in detail – these were: CL‐14 (5,7‐diamino‐4,6‐dinitrobenzofuroxan), ANPZ‐i (2,5‐diamino‐3,6‐dinitropyrazine), NNHT (2‐nitrimino‐5‐nitro‐hexahydro‐1,3,5‐triazine), NTAPDO (5‐nitro‐2,4,6‐triaminopyrimidine‐1,3‐dioxide), and PANT [4‐(picrylamino)‐5‐nitro‐1,2,3‐triazole]. A detailed analysis of scale‐up issues associated with each compound was then made, including cost and availability of precursors, hazards (chemical and explosive), effluent streams, and other scale‐up issues (e.g. materials of plant construction). A further downselection using these criteria gave the present short‐list comprising three compounds (the first three listed above) and further evaluation is in progress. The results of this study, funded by UK MOD, comprise the UK contribution to a nine‐nation European research collaboration in the EUCLID Common European Priority Area 14 “Energetic Materials”, as part of a five‐year project which commenced in October 2003.     

Models of growing season weather impacts on breadmaking quality of spring wheat from producer fields in western Canada

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to quantify growing season weather and wheat quality at individual producer fields to understand weather impacts and develop weather‐based models of spring wheat quality. RESULTS: Ninety‐six hard red spring wheat samples of two genotypes supplied by western Canadian producers in 2003 and 2004 underwent comprehensive analysis for breadmaking quality. For each individual field, daily rainfall, maximum and minimum air temperature were observed and used to calculate several measures of heat. Modeled water use, demand and stress were also calculated and all weather variables were accumulated over different phenological stages. Relationships between weather variables and wheat quality variables were determined by multivariate regression analysis separated into four steps, each adding more complex information into the models. There was substantial variation in weather conditions and wheat quality between years with generally higher quality and stronger dough in the warmer and drier year, 2003. The two genotypes displayed many differences in response to the environment. Prediction of wheat quality improved with increasing complexity of weather models and close to 50% of the variation in quality could be explained by multivariate models. CONCLUSIONS: Results showed that even for top‐grade milling wheat of similar protein content, significant differences exist in breadmaking quality of wheat from different farms. The improvement in r² when using modeled environmental variables indicates that crop water use and water stress are important for wheat quality. The development of Canada Western Red Spring quality prediction models for western Canada based on growing season weather shows promise. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Carbon nanotube-reinforced composites: frequency analysis theories based on the matrix stiffness

Strong and versatile carbon nanotubes are finding new applications in improving conventional polymer-based fibers and films. This paper studies the influence of matrix stiffness and the intertube radial displacements on free vibration of an individual double-walled carbon nanotube (DWNT). For this, a double elastic beam model is presented for frequency analysis in a DWNT embedded in an elastic matrix. The analysis is based on both Euler–Bernoulli and Timoshenko beam theories which considers shear deformation and rotary inertia and for both concentric and non-concentric assumptions considering intertube radial displacements and the related internal degrees of freedom. New intertube resonant frequencies and the associated non-coaxial vibrational modes are calculated. Detailed results are demonstrated for the dependence of resonant frequencies and mode shapes on the matrix stiffness. The results indicate that internal radial displacement and surrounding matrix stiffness could substantially affect resonant frequencies especially for longer double-walled carbon nanotubes of larger innermost radius at higher resonant frequencies, and thus the latter does not keep the otherwise concentric structure at ultrahigh frequencies. Therefore, depending on the matrix stiffness, for carbon nanotubes reinforced composites, different analysis techniques should be used while the aspect ratio of carbon nanotubes has a little effect on the analysis theory which should be selected.     

Effect of rare earth on physical properties of Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3 system: A density functional theory investigation

Na_0.5(Bi_3/4RE_1/4)_0.5TiO₃ (RENBT, RE = Nd, Gd, Dy, and Ho) compounds were investigated in the framework of first-principles calculations using the full potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method based on the spin-polarized density functional theory implemented in the WIEN2k code. Combined charge density distribution and Ti K-edge X-ray absorption spectra reveal that the RENBT compositions with high polarization values are accompanied by a higher TiO₆ distortion, DyNBT, and NdNBT compounds. The effect of the rare-earth elements on the polarization is confirmed experimentally with the collection of the hysteresis loops. The investigation of the electronic properties of the compounds highlights the emergence of a magnetization owing to the 4f orbital effect of the rare-earth elements. Besides, the investigation of the chemical ordering shows a short-range chemical ordering for the pure composition and an increased A-site disorder for dysprosium doped NBT system. The increased disorder may speak for increased relaxor properties in the RE doped compositions.     

Study of change in the efficiency of CR-39 after storage for different product companies by using TRACK_TEST program

The main relation between efficiency of CR-39 nuclear track detector from different produced companies, critical angle for track revelation (θ_C) and bulk etch rate (V_B) have been stayed.Computer program TRACK_TEST was used for calculating track parameters and plotting profiles for etch pits in nuclear track materials.The results showed that for any application of CR-39 detector should be calibrated before used it. The detectors older than 3 years seemed to show odd behaviors of V_B with detector efficiency and the critical angle (θ_C).For age = 3 years the efficiency decreases exponentially for different alpha particle energy, and the bulk etch rate increases with decreasing age.This behavior may be important in applications of this detector; for example, the calibration factor for radon measurements should be established by taking into account the age of the detector.     

Characterization of the influence of main emulsion components on the physicochemical properties of orange beverage emulsion using response surface methodology

The present work was conducted to investigate the influence of main emulsion components, namely Arabic gum (7–13% w/w), xanthan gum (0.1–0.3% w/w) and orange oil (6–10% w/w) contents on physical stability, viscosity, cloudiness and conductivity of orange beverage emulsion. In this study, 20 orange beverage emulsions were established based on a three-factor central composite design (CCD) involving 8 factorial points, 6 axial points and 6 center points. The main objective of the present study was to determine an optimal concentration level of main emulsion components leading to an optimum orange beverage emulsion with desirable physicochemical properties. In general, all response surface models were significantly (p<0.05) fitted for describing the variability of physical stability, viscosity, conductivity and cloudiness as a nonlinear function of the content of main emulsion components. More than 84% of the variation of physicochemical properties of orange beverage emulsion could be explained as a function of the content of the main beverage emulsion components. In general, the orange oil content appeared to be the most significant (p<0.05) factor influencing all emulsion characteristics studied except for conductivity. From the optimization procedure, the overall optimal region leading to the desirable orange beverage emulsion was predicted to be achieved by the combined level of 13% (w/w) Arabic gum, 0.22% (w/w) xanthan gum and 10% (w/w) orange oil.