Fault detection in non-linear systems based on type-2 fuzzy logic

This paper presents a new method for fault detection (FD) based on interval type-2 fuzzy sets. The main idea is based on a confident span using interval type-2 fuzzy systems. An estimate for upper and lower bounds of output has been taken using the designing of an optimal fuzzy system through clustering. Finally the method has been tested in two non-linear systems, a two-tank with a fluid flow and pH neutralisation process, and it is compared with a well-known method named ANFIS. Furthermore, the mathematical model and the results of simulations prove the effectiveness, usefulness and applications of our new method.     

Theoretical Investigation of Ethanol Conversion to Ethylene over H–ZSM–5 and Transition Metals–Exchanged ZSM–5

Abstract  

Reaction mechanisms of ethanol conversion to ethylene over H–ZSM–5, Cu–ZSM–5, Ag–ZSM–5, and Au–ZSM–5 catalysts were investigated using density functional theory calculations. Energetics, thermodynamic quantities, rate and equilibrium constants of ethanol conversion to ethylene were obtained using the B3LYP/LanL2DZ method. The catalytic abilities of these catalysts on the reaction rates of ethanol conversion to ethylene are in order: Au–ZSM–5 > > Ag–ZSM–5 > H–ZSM–5 > > Cu–ZSM–5.     

A Convenient Method for Preparation of Amphiphilic Monomethoxypoly (Ethylene Glycol)–Polystyrene Diblock Copolymer by NMRP Technique

Amphiphilic block copolymers are macromolecular compounds of great importance from both fundamental scientific and many technological point of views for a large variety of applications. Amphiphilic diblock copolymer containing segments of monomethoxypoly(ethylene glycol) and polystyrene (MPEG-b-PS) was synthesised by a convenient method for preparation of macroinitiator MPEG-TEMPO for ‘living’ free radical polymerization (NMRP technique). Initially, derivative of MPEG with chlorine function has been prepared in an one-step reaction with thionyl chloride. 1-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidine (TEMPO-OH) obtained by reduction of 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidinyl-1-oxy (TEMPO) with sodium ascorbate was coupled with chlorinated MPEG to yield the macroinitiator MPEG terminated with a TEMPO unit (MPEG-TEMPO), which was further used to prepare the diblock copolymer MPEG-b-PS of styrene. The product was purified and identified by ¹H NMR, GPC and, FT-IR.     

Combined Spectroscopic and Calorimetric Studies to Reveal Absorption Mechanisms and Conformational Changes of Protein on Nanoporous Biomaterials

In this study the effect of surface modification of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) on its adsorption capacities and protein stability after immobilization of beta-lactoglobulin B (BLG-B) was investigated. For this purpose, non-functionalized (KIT-6) and aminopropyl-functionalized cubic Ia3d mesoporous silica ([n-PrNH₂-KIT-6]) nanoparticles were used as nanoporous supports. Aminopropyl-functionalized mesoporous nanoparticles exhibited more potential candidates for BLG-B adsorption and minimum BLG leaching than non-functionalized nanoparticles. It was observed that the amount of adsorbed BLG is dependent on the initial BLG concentration for both KIT-6 and [n-PrNH₂-KIT-6] mesoporous nanoparticles. Also larger amounts of BLG-B on KIT-6 was immobilized upon raising the temperature of the medium from 4 to 55 °C while such increase was undetectable in the case of immobilization of BLG-B on the [n-PrNH₂-KIT-6]. At temperatures above 55 °C the amounts of adsorbed BLG on both studied nanomaterials decreased significantly. By Differential scanning calorimetry or DSC analysis the heterogeneity of the protein solution and increase in Tm may indicate that immobilization of BLG-B onto the modified KIT-6 results in higher thermal stability compared to unmodified one. The obtained results provide several crucial factors in determining the mechanism(s) of protein adsorption and stability on the nanostructured solid supports and the development of engineered nano-biomaterials for controlled drug-delivery systems and biomimetic interfaces for the immobilization of living cells.     

Effect of support type and synthesis conditions on the oxygen reduction activity of RuxSey catalyst prepared by the microwave polyol method

Ru_xSe_y nanoparticles supported on different carbon substrates were synthesized by microwave heating of ethylene glycol solutions of Ru(III) chloride and sodium selenite at different pH and Ru/Se mole ratios. The resulting catalysts were used for the electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in acidic solution. The electrochemical activity was highest for the supported catalyst synthesized at pH 8. Increasing the Se concentration of the catalyst up to 15 mol% increased the catalytic activity for the ORR; at this Se concentration, the activity of the catalyst was considerably higher than that observed for pure Ru catalyst synthesized at exactly the same conditions. The influence of the type of carbon support on the activity of the electrocatalyst was also investigated. Among the different supports, including carbon black (Vulcan XC-72R) (C1), and nanoporous carbons synthesized from resorcinol- (C2) and phloroglucinol-formaldehyde (C3) resins, the Ru_xSe_y catalyst supported on C3 exhibited highest activity for ORR.     

Supercritical methanol for fatty acid methyl ester production: A review

To overcome the limitations of conventional biodiesel processing technology, researchers have investigated alternative production methods, one of these being supercritical methanol processing. It has been reported that this process can handle feed contaminants, has simple purification operations and achieves high conversion in short reaction times. Despite these promising results many factors have been shown to affect the level of conversion at the high temperatures and pressures required. The purpose of this review is to clarify the inter-relation between these parameters and evaluate the merit of supercritical methanol processing as an alternative to the conventional homogeneous alkaline catalysed method.     

Systematic literature review on city logistics: overview,classification and analysis

City logistics is one of the significant branches of supply chain management, dealing with the logistics and transportation activities in urban areas. This research area has recently appropriated an exponential growth of publications. This paper presents a bibliometric analysis along with a systematic literature review to organise the results of surveying more than 370 papers and research works published since 2010. We identify the top contributing research topics. The most common keywords used in the city logistics literature are referred to in order to propose six research categories identifying the main innovative research perspectives.     

Resource discovery approaches in cloudIoT: a systematic review

The Journal of Supercomputing - The cloud of things (CloudIoT) represents a general system of supporting infrastructure for storing and processing information gathered from smart objects and their...