A new type of compliant spatial four-bar (RSSR) mechanism

This paper presents a novel study on the analysis and design of a new type compliant spatial four-bar (RSSR) mechanism. To the best of our knowledge, any research on compliant spatial mechanisms which possesses out of plane motions is not available in the literature. This study introduces enumeration and novel approach for the analysis and design of such mechanisms. The analysis and design are performed with the pseudo-rigid-body model (PRBM). Since there are numerous applications of rigid spatial four bar mechanisms, it is strongly believed that a compliant version of such mechanisms may find many applications.     

Dissimilarity Maximization Method for Real-time Routing of Parts in Random Flexible Manufacturing Systems

This paper presents a dissimilarity maximization method (DMM) for real-time routing selection and compares it via simulation with typical priority rules commonly used in scheduling and control of flexible manufacturing systems (FMSs). DMM aims to reduce the congestion in the system by selecting a routing for each part among its alternative routings such that the overall dissimilarity among the selected routings is maximized. In order to evaluate the performance of DMM, a random FMS, where the product mix is not known prior to production and off-line scheduling is not possible, is selected for the simulation study. A software environment that consists of a computer simulation model, which mimics a physical system, a C++ module, and a linear program solver is used to implement the DMM concept. In addition to DMM, the simulation study uses two priority rules for routing (i.e., machine) selection and seven priority rules for selecting parts awaiting service at machine buffers. The results show (1) DMM outperforms the other two routing selection rules on production rate regardless of the part selection rule used, and (2) its performance is highly dependent on the part selection rules it is combined with.     

Using ant colony optimization to solve hybrid flow shop scheduling problems

In recent years, most researchers have focused on methods which mimic natural processes in problem solving. These methods are most commonly termed “nature-inspired” methods. Ant colony optimization (ACO) is a new and encouraging group of these algorithms. The ant system (AS) is the first algorithm of ACO. In this study, an improved ACO method is used to solve hybrid flow shop (HFS) problems. The n-job and k-stage HFS problem is one of the general production scheduling problems. HFS problems are NP-hard when the objective is to minimize the makespan [1]. This research deals with the criterion of makespan minimization for HFS scheduling problems. The operating parameters of AS have an important role on the quality of the solution. In order to achieve better results, a parameter optimization study is conducted in this paper. The improved ACO method is tested with benchmark problems. The test problems are the same as those used by Carlier and Neron (RAIRO-RO 34(1):1–25, 2000), Neron et al. (Omega 29(6):501–511, 2001), and Engin and Döyen (Future Gener Comput Syst 20(6):1083–1095, 2004). At the end of this study, there will be a comparison of the performance of the proposed method presented in this paper and the branch and bound (B&;B) method presented by Neron et al. (Omega 29(6):501–511, 2001). The results show that the improved ACO method is an effective and efficient method for solving HFS problems.     

Acceptor formation in Mg-doped,indium-rich GaxIn1?xN: evidence for p-type conductivity

We report on the Mg-doped, indium-rich Ga_xIn_1−xN (x < 30). In the undoped material, the intrinsic electron density is very high and as a result there is no detectable photoconductivity (PC) signal within the range of temperatures of 30 <T < 300 K. In the Mg-doped material however, where the conductivity is reduced, there is a strong PC spectrum with two prominent low-energy peaks at 0.65 and 1.0 eV and one broad high-energy peak at around 1.35 eV. The temperature dependence of the spectral photoconductivity under constant illumination intensity, at T > 150 K, is determined by the longitudinal-optical phonon scattering together with the thermal regeneration of non-equilibrium minority carriers from traps with an average depth of 103 ± 15 meV. This value is close to the Mg binding energy in GaInN. The complementary measurements of transient photoluminescence at liquid He temperatures give the e-A⁰ binding energy of approximately 100 meV. Furthermore, Hall measurements in the Mg-doped material also indicate an activated behaviour with an acceptor binding energy of 108 ± 20 meV.     

Moving target detection using super‐resolution algorithms with an ultra wideband radar

We present subspace based detection algorithms for detecting moving targets applied to the data collected by an ultra wideband radar system. Combining the results of time reversal MUSIC algorithm and delay estimation MUSIC methods resulted in successful localization of targets. We have investigated methods to resolve the ambiguities in target detection and we performed experiments using two targets to test the effectiveness of the algorithms. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 20, 237–244, 2010     

CFB combustion of low-grade lignites: Operating stability and emissions

This work presents the results of a comprehensive experimental investigation on the combustion of the low grade Turkish lignites in a 30 kW_th circulating fluidized bed combustor. This is the first study of this kind has ever been undertaken on these coals. Eighteen lignite samples procured from various lignite sites of Turkey have been burned under similar combustion conditions in order to access to their combustion stability and to determine the emissions of the major pollutants such as CO, NO_X and SO₂ in the flue gas from combustor. The qualities of lignites were evaluated based on van Krevelen graph which was highly scattered and diverse in respect to the degree of ageing. A steady and stable combustion was observed in the temperature range of 725–950 °C with an average operating temperature of around 850 ± 50 °C for all lignites. Under the operating condition applied in the study, CO, NO_X and SO₂ emissions varied mostly in the ranges of 120–600 mg/Nm³, 90–420 mg/Nm³ and 1100 mg/Nm³ - 18000 mg/Nm³, respectively. From the experimental results it seems that the most challenging problem may be faced during the CFB combustion of most of these lignites will be SO₂ emissions.     

Effect of solidification parameters on the microstructure of Sn-3.7Ag-0.9Zn solder

In this work, Sn–Ag–Zn alloy of eutectic composition (Sn-3.7wt.%Ag-0.9wt.%Zn) was directionally solidified upward at a constant temperature gradient (G = 4.33 K/mm) in a wide range of growth rates (V = 3.38–220.12 μm/s) and a constant growth rate (V = 11.52 μm/s) with different temperature gradients (G = 4.33–12.41 K/mm) using a Bridgman type directional solidification furnace. The microstructure was observed to be a rod Ag₃Sn structure in the matrix of β–Sn from the directionally solidified Sn-3.7wt.%Ag-0.9wt.%Zn samples. The values of eutectic spacing (λ) were measured from transverse section of samples. The dependency of eutectic spacing on the growth rate (V) and temperature gradient (G) were determined with linear regression analysis. The dependency of λ on the values of V and G were found to be λ = 10.42V ^? 0.53 and λ = 0.27G ^? 0.48, respectively. The values of bulk growth were also determined to be λ²V = 86.39 μm³/s by using the measured values of λ and V. The results obtained in present work were compared with the previous similar experimental results obtained for binary and ternary alloys.     

Optimal design of MR damper via finite element analyses of fluid dynamic and magnetic field

In the last decade many researchers have been carried out on semi-active control systems, a large number of academic publications have been presented. Semi-active control systems which are used the magnetic field controlled fluid have been shown significant improvements by the researchers. In the study, a design optimization method that has been carried out for the objectives of target damper force and maximum magnetic flux density of an MR damper has been presented. Finite element methods, electromagnetic analysis of magnetic field and CFD analysis of MR flow, have been used to obtain optimal value of design parameters. The new approach that is use of magnetic field and MR flow together and simultaneously has specified optimal design values. Two optimal design of MR damper obtained have been verified with experimental study by manufacturing and testing of the dampers.     

Thermophilic aerobic granular biomass for enhanced settleability

Aerobic biological wastewater treatment at thermophilic (ca. 55 degrees C) temperatures notoriously produces biomass that flocculates poorly or not at all. Contrary to this, thermophilic aerobic biomass that settled well in sequencing batch reactors was cultured with sludge volume index (SVI) values as low as 60mL/g. A mixture of granular and flocculant biomass resulted when closed reactors were sparged with recirculated reactor headspace gas containing some air, whereas a conventionally aerated control reactor sparged with air alone contained dispersed growth that did not flocculate. Maximum granule diameter was from 1.2 to 1.9mm, and granule resistance to disintegration was comparable to aerobic mesophilic granules. Two bacteria were isolated and identified as Anoxybacillus flavothermus and Pseudoxanthomonas taiwanensis as determined by partial 16S rDNA sequencing. Anoxybacilli species are alkaliphilic or alkalitolerant, with the type species having an obligate requirement for carbonate, even when grown on glucose. We postulate that high alkalinity and CO(2) may select for a population of aerobic thermophilies that flocculates and granulates.