Novel configuration of ultra‐wide band uni‐planar configuration of complementary split ring resonator composite right/left‐handed based band pass filter with sharp roll off and good stopband attenuation

In this paper, a compact novel simple design of ultra‐wide bandpass filter with high out of band attenuation is presented. The filter configuration is based on combining an ultra‐wide band composite right/left‐handed (CRLH) band pass filter (BPF) with simple uni‐planar configuration of complementary split ring resonator (UP‐CSRR). By integrating two UP‐CSRR cells, the ultra‐wideband CRLH filter roll‐off and wide stopband attenuation are enhanced. The filter has 3 dB cutoff frequencies at 3.1 GHz and 10.6 GHz with insertion loss equals 0.7 dB in average and minimum and maximum values of 0.48 dB and 1.05 dB, respectively over the filter passband. Within the passband. The transition band attenuation from 3 dB to 20 dB is achieved within the frequency band 1.9 GHz to 3.1 GHz (48%) at lower cutoff and the frequency band 10.6 GHz to 11.4 GHz (7%) at upper stopband. Moreover, the filter has a wide stopband attenuation >20 dB in frequencies 11 GHz to 13.6 GHz (21%) and ends with 3 dB cutoff frequency at 14.8 GHz. Furthermore, the designed filter size is very compact (23 × 12 mm²) whose length is only about 0.17 λ_g at 6.85 GHz. The filter performance is examined using circuit modeling, full‐wave simulations, and experimental measurements with good matching between all of them.     

Microwave effect on kinetics of paper cups pyrolysis

Not only are microwaves notorious in food heating, but they exhibit interesting properties in different domains including chemical engineering. Their ability to concentrate heat transfer inside dielectric materials enhances process efficiency and permits high heating rates. Nonetheless, their effect on reactions is still controversial. While some researchers believe in non-thermal effects due to the efficient conversion of microwave energy to enhance reactions without heat dissipation, others assert that microwave frequencies are not high enough to excite molecular bonds. In this study, paper cups pyrolysis is achieved in electrical and microwave TGA using two heating modes. The effect of microwaves on the kinetics of paper cups pyrolysis is shown to depend on the heating regime: at a moderate heating rate, microwave pyrolysis started at a lower temperature, while the pyrolysis in the electrical and microwave TGA have similar kinetic parameters at high heating conditions. This difference is linked with reaction mechanisms. At moderate heating conditions, cellulose decomposes first to an intermediate compound then to final products. The intermediate has a short reaction time and interacts with the microwave. Hence, hot spots at the molecular scale are generated in a short amount of time below the detectable limits of existing temperature measurements media. At a high heating rate, the decomposition of cellulose is direct and no effect is observed.     

Effect of process conditions on the properties of surface‐modified organic pigments encapsulated by UV‐curable resins

Aqueous dispersions of nanoscale organic pigments were successfully prepared via ball milling and ultrasonication. The dispersed organic pigments were encapsulated into UV‐curable resins via a mini‐emulsion technique. Critical factors that affected the dispersion and encapsulation stability were investigated. The encapsulated organic pigments were characterised with transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analyses, Fourier Transform‐infrared spectra and zeta potential. The results clarified that the type of dispersing agent plays an important role in achieving maximal dispersion stability. Encapsulated organic pigments showed greater dispersion stability, and better wettability than the original pigments. Polyester tetra‐acrylate oligomer can stabilise the mini‐emulsion from diffusion degradation and inhibit phase separation with time. 1,6‐Hexandiol dimethacrylate was the monomer of choice for ink‐jet printing inks. Furthermore, it was found that monomer/oligomer and pigment/resin ratios were more influential and needed to be optimised. Thermal analysis, ultracentrifuge sedimentation and morphologies provided supporting evidence for the encapsulation of organic pigments into UV‐curable resins.     

Fault diagnosis in power transformers using multi-class logical analysis of data

This paper presents the implementation of a novel multi-class diagnostic technique for the detection and identification of faults based on an approach called logical analysis of data (LAD). LAD is a data mining, artificial intelligence approach that is based on pattern recognition. In the context of condition based maintenance (CBM), historical data containing condition indices and the state of the machine are the inputs to LAD. After training and testing phases, LAD generates patterns that characterize the faulty states according to the type of fault, and differentiate between these states and the normal state. These patterns are found by solving a mixed 0–1 integer linear programming problem. They are then used to detect and to identify a future unknown state of equipment. The diagnostic technique has already been tested on several known machine learning datasets. The results proved that the performance of this technique is comparable to other conventional approaches, such as neural network and support vector machine, with the added advantage of the clear interpretability of the generated patterns, which are rules characterizing the faults’ types. To demonstrate its merit in fault diagnosis, the technique is used in the detection and identification of faults in power transformers using dissolved gas analysis data. The paper reaches the conclusion that the multi-class LAD based fault detection and identification is a promising diagnostic approach in CBM.     

Design for Six Sigma through collaborative multiobjective optimization

This paper presents a global methodology for designing product for Six Sigma. First, we combine a feasibility-modeling technique with an interactive multiobjective algorithm taking into account the decision maker’s preferences (IMOP) to generate several Pareto-optimal solutions that maintain a probability of constraint satisfaction. These solutions are called reliable Pareto-optimal solutions.The solutions found by the algorithm fulfill as much as possible the decision makers’ requirements. Second, we develop a procedure for choosing a solution for implementation from among the reliable Pareto-optimal solutions generated by the algorithm. This procedure is based on the robust design and philosophy of Six Sigma. Finally, the critical characteristics are identified to help the managers develop the manufacturing system and its related control plans in order to achieve quality products. The proposed methodology is applied to vehicle crash-worthiness design optimization for side impact with structural weight and front door velocity under side impact as objectives.     

Candidate architectures for emerging IoV: a survey and comparative study

Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) is observing significant evolution in terms of technology and investment worldwide. This has given birth to the new concept of Internet of vehicles (IoV) as one of the leading applications of the Internet of Things. IoV aims to offer a better sharing of information and communication between vehicles, enabling higher cooperation for common interests. IoV is increasingly attracting the interest of a significant body of research. The e ort was mostly focused on solving various problems encountered in traditional VANETs, such as lack of coordination between vehicles, insufficient information, scalability, etc. Rapidly, IoV observed, particularly interesting advances taking advantage of exponential growth in communication and data analysis technologies. This includes cloud and/or fog computing, large data analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. In this paper, we make a survey of the existing and recently proposed architecture solutions for IoV systems. Moreover, we define a list of criteria, features, and properties associated to the various architectures in order of making critical and insightful comparisons and assessments. Finally, we outline the key future research perspectives on the topic and define the key technical aspects that will help drive the future of IoV architectures.

     

Tuning the flow of light in two-dimensional metallic photonic crystals based on Faraday effect

In this paper, we investigate the tunability of two-dimensional metallic photonic crystals by an external magnetic field. Our theoretical analysis is based on the frequency-dependent plane wave expansion method. The numerical results show that the external magnetic field has a pronounced effect on the permittivity of the metals. Therefore, the photonic band structures can be strongly tuned and controlled by adjusting the external magnetic field. Our structure is a good candidate for many applications such as filters, optical switches and modulators.