Robust control design of power system stabilizers using multivariable frequency domain techniques

H_∞ and structured singular value optimization techniques are used to design robust power system stabilizers (PSS) for a single-machine and a two-machine system with varying operating conditions. Realistic uncertainty models to represent the possible operating conditions as perturbations from a nominal operating condition are developed. System experience is used to select weighting functions to provide adequate damping and shape the controller frequency response. Computer simulations show that the PSS designed using the proposed technique provides improved damping compared to a conventional PSS.     

Effect of maleic anhydride‐grafted polypropylene on polypropylene/recycled acrylonitrile butadiene rubber/empty fruit bunch composite

The effect of maleic anhydride‐grafted polypropylene (PP‐g‐MAH) as a compatibilizer on the properties of polypropylene (PP)/recycled acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBRr)/empty fruit bunch (EFB) composites were studied. The composites were melt mixed using a heated two roll mill at 180°C and a speed of 15 rpm with six different compositions (100/0/10, 80/20/10, 70/30/10, 60/40/10, 50/50/10, 40/60/10 phr). The effects of PP‐g‐MAH on mechanical, morphological and chemical properties of the PP/NBRr/EFB composites were examined. The PP‐g‐MAH compatibilized composites have higher tensile values compare to uncompatibilized composites. Scanning electron microscopy showed better adhesion between EFB and PP/NBRr matrices in the presence of PP‐g‐MAH. Better interaction was formed between EFB and PP/NBRr matrices via C‐O‐C ester bonds as indicated by FTIR analysis. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 24:275–280, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Phase equilibrium,microstructure and properties of some magnesite-chromite refractories

The effect of phase equilibrium and microstructure of magnesite-chromite batches containing from 0 to 100% Egyptian chrome ore, with intervals of 10%, on their physical properties was studied. The phase equilibrium data were calculated using the phase relationships within the system M-M₂S-CMS-MR (M=MgO, S=SiO₂, C=CaO, R=R₂O₃). A computerized electron-probe microanalyser was applied to study the microstructure as well as microchemistry of the fired magnesite-chromite co-clinkers. Some physical and technological properties of the co-clinkered briquettes were also investigated by determining densification parameters, spalling resistance and load-bearing capacity.It is concluded that dense, spalling resistant and refractory magnesite, magnesite-chrome and chrome-magnesite refractories could be produced by co-clinkering of magnesite-chromite batches of 1000, 7030 and 3070 weight ratios, respectively, at 1600 °C. The prepared co-clinkers were subsequently graded, moulded and refired up to 1700 °C in order to obtain direct-bonded bricks. Meanwhile, dense chromite refractories with lower refractory quality could be processed by firing the Egyptian chrome ore up to 1600 °C.     

Variable Global Optimization min-sum (VGOMS) algorithm of decode-and-forward protocol for the relay node in the cooperative channel

Wireless Networks - The excessive delay due to the complexity of the decoding process at the relay node results in additional delays at the destination which is a significant issue in cooperative...     

A fractional equation to approximate wave dispersion relation in elastic rods

The Kolsky‐Hopkinson bar technique is widely used to test materials at high strain rates. When large‐diameter bars have to be used, the processing of experimental signals needs to take into account wave dispersion effects. Such effects are either characterised experimentally, mostly using spectral techniques, or modelled analytically, using the Pochhammer‐Chree equation. In this paper, a phenomenological fractional approximation is proposed to model the wave dispersion relation in elastic bars. It involves the Poisson's ratio as a parameter. The proposed new equation approximates well the wave dispersion relation obtained by the Pochhammer‐Chree equation for Poisson's ratio ranging from 0.25 to 0.4 and for wavelengths 4 times higher than the radius of the bar. This roughly corresponds to frequencies up to 75 kHz. Thus, the proposed fractional equation is useful for processing signals obtained in Kolsky‐Hopkinson bar experiments. The approximate fractional equation is as simple as Love's equation; however, the former outperforms the latter equation.     

Structural,optical, and photocatalytic investigation of nickel oxide@graphene oxide nanocomposite thin films by RF magnetron sputtering

Despite the recent advancement in graphene oxide (GO) as a host material in energy and environmental sectors, its composite thin films with metal oxides such as nickel oxide (NiO) and its optical, structural, chemical state, and photocatalytic activities have been poorly explored. Herein, we have reported the GO/NiO thin films preparation by a combination of chemical and physical deposition techniques (i.e. spin coating followed by DC/RF sputtering). The as-prepared composites thin films were characterised using Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction/photoelectron spectroscopy scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. The surface topography confirmed the uniform deposition of NiO over thin films of GO. The XPS results showed the formation of NiC along with the partial reduction in GO into graphene with their existing four constituents, i.e. NiO, NiC, GO, in the thin film composites. The classical plasmon, Wemple and Didomenico model, was first time applied for GO/NiO to compute energy loss functions, and dispersion energy parameters. The theoretical calculated values for the deposited GO/NiO thin films were found to be in very close agreement to the standard classical plasmon values. The change in spin orbital movement of Ni is considered due to the interaction between its nanoparticles and basal planes of GO. Thin films applied for the photodegradation of recalcitrant organic pollutant 2-chlorophenol (2-CP) revealed the dependence of photocatalytic efficiency on particle size and also on the interaction of GO with NiO rather than the ratio of NiO and GO in the films.     

Work Function Tuning and Doping Optimization of 22-nm HKMG Raised SiGe/SiC Source–Drain FinFETs

The basic requirements on process design of extremely scaled devices involve appropriate work function and tight doping control due to their significant effect on the threshold voltage as well as other critical electrical parameters such as drive current and leakage. This paper presents a simulation study of 22-nm fin field-effect transistor (FinFET) performance based on various process design considerations including metal gate work function (WF), halo doping (N _halo), source/drain doping (N _sd), and substrate doping (N _sub). The simulations suggest that the n-type FinFET (nFinFET) operates effectively with lower metal gate WF while the p-type FinFET (pFinFET) operates effectively with high metal gate WF in 22-nm strained technology. Further investigation shows that the leakage reduces with increasing N _halo, decreasing N _sd, and increasing N _sub. Taguchi and Pareto analysis-of-variance approaches are applied using an L₂₇ orthogonal array combined with signal-to-noise ratio analysis to determine the best doping concentration combination for 22-nm FinFETs in terms of threshold voltage (V _t), saturation current (I _on), and off-state current (I _off). Since there is a tradeoff between I _on and I _off, the design with the nominal-is-best V _t characteristic is proposed, achieving nominal V _t of 0.259 V for the nFinFET and ?0.528 V for the pFinFET. Pareto analysis revealed N _halo and N _sub to be the dominant factor for nFinFET and pFinFET performance, respectively.     

An intelligent model to predict the life condition of crude oil pipelines using artificial neural networks

Neural Computing and Applications - Inefficient scheduling of a pipeline system may lead to severe degradation and substantial economic losses. Earlier studies mostly focussed on corrosion and...