A robust µopt‐LMS algorithm for the tracking of fading channels

This paper presents an application of LMS algorithm with optimum step size (µ_opt‐LMS) for fading channel estimation. The expression for optimum step size of the LMS algorithm is modified for use in the fading channel estimation problem. The robustness of the proposed µ_opt‐LMS algorithm is demonstrated via simulation in different channel conditions. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Functionalization of Electrospun Titanium Oxide Nanofibers with Silver Nanoparticles: Strongly Effective Photocatalyst

In the present study, we are introducing silver-doped titanium oxide nanofibers produced by electrospinning technique. Calcination of dry nanofiber mats consisting of silver nitrate–titanium isopropoxide/PVAc in air at 600°C for 1 h leads to produce Ag-doped titania nanofibers. Two dyes have been invoked to check the photocatalytic ability of the produced nanofibers; methylene blue dihydrate and methyl red. The obtained results indicated that the silver-doped titanium oxide nanofibers can eliminate >92% of the methylene blue dye within 10 min only. In a case of methyl red, almost the dye was decayed (93%) within 3 h.     

Polymeric nanofibers containing solid nanoparticles prepared by electrospinning and their applications

Generally, polymer solution or sol–gel is used to produce electrospun nanofibers via the electrospinning technique. In the utilized sol–gel, the metallic precursor should be soluble in a proper solvent since it has to hydrolyze and polycondensate in the final solution; this strategy straitens the applications of the electrospinning process and limits the category of the electrospinnable materials. In this study, we are discussing electrospinning of a colloidal solution process as an alternative strategy. We have utilized many solid nanopowders and different polymers as well. All the examined colloids have been successfully electrospun. According to the SEM and FE SEM analyses for the obtained nanofiber mats, the polymeric nanofibers could imprison the small nanoparticles; however, the big size ones were observed attaching the nanofiber mats. Successfully, the proposed strategy could be exploited to prepare polymeric nanofibers incorporating metal nanoparticles which might have interesting properties compared with the pristine. For instance, PCL/Ti nanofiber mats exhibited good bioactivity compared with pristine PCL. The proposed strategy can be considered as an innovated methodology to prepare a new class of the electrospun nanofiber mats which cannot be obtained by the conventional electrospinning technique.     

Irradiation grafting of methyl methacrylate monomer onto ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene: An experimental design approach for improving adhesion to bone cement

The grafting of methyl methacrylate (MMA) onto ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and chromic acid etched UHMWPE was conducted with a preirradiation method in air in the presence of a Mohr salt and sulfuric acid. The grafted samples were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, a gravimetric method, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and interfacial bonding strength measurements. The FTIR results showed the presence of ether and carbonyl groups in the MMA‐grafted UHMWPE (MMA‐g‐UHMWPE) samples. The Taguchi experimental design method was used to find the best degree of grafting (DG) and bonding strength. The efficient levels for different variables were calculated with an analysis of variance of the results. SEM micrographs of MMA‐g‐UHMWPE samples showed that with increasing DG and chromic acid etching, the MMA‐g‐UHMWPE rich phase increased on the surface; this confirmed the high interfacial bonding strength of the grafted samples with bone cement. The grafting of the MMA units onto UHMWPE resulted in a lower crystallinity, and the crystallization process proceeded at a higher rate for the MMA‐g‐UHMWPE samples compared to the initial UHMWPE; this suggested that the MMA grafted units acted as nucleating agents for the crystallization of UHMWPE. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Load-slip relationship of tension reinforcement in reinforced concrete members

An accurate evaluation of the moment-rotation relationship of reinforced concrete members at both serviceability and ultimate limit states is a very important aspect as rotation has a significant contribution to the deflection of the member and also has a direct impact on the magnified moment, the ability to absorb energy and the redistribution of moments. The rotation in the un-cracked or homogenous parts of a reinforced concrete member can be determined by integrating the curvature using standard procedures. However, in the cracked or non-homogenous regions, rotations are found to have sudden or discrete changes at each crack between their crack faces. This can be quantified by the crack opening produced by the slip Δ between the reinforcement and the concrete at the crack face induced by the force in the reinforcing bar P. In this paper, closed form solutions are derived for the P-Δ relationships which are applicable to any type and shape of reinforcement. It is then shown how these closed form solutions can be conveniently used to derive the moment-rotation relationship at a crack.     

Improved voltage tracking of autonomous microgrid technology using a combined resonant controller with lead-lag compensator adopting negative imaginary theorem

Growing application of distributed generation units at remote places has led to the evolution of microgrid (MG) technology. When an MG system functions independently, i.e., in autonomous mode, unpredictable loads and uncertainties emerge throughout the system. To obtain stable and flexible operation of an autonomous MG, a rigid control mechanism is needed. In this paper, a robust high-performance controller is introduced to improve the performance of voltage tracking of an MG system and to eliminate stability problems. A combination of a resonant controller and a lead-lag compensator in a positive position feedback path is designed, one which obeys the negative imaginary (NI) theorem, for both single-phase and three-phase autonomous MG systems. The controller has excellent tracking performance. This is investigated through considering various uncertainties with different load dynamics. The feasibility and effectiveness of the controller are also determined with a comparative analysis with some well-known controllers, such as linear quadratic regulator, model predictive and NI approached resonant controllers. This confirms the superiority of the designed controller.