Consistent Estimation of Linear and Non-linear Autoregressive Models with Markov Regime

An autoregressive process with Markov regime is an autoregressive process for which the regression function at each time-point is given by a (non-observable) Markov chain. We examine maximum likelihood estimation for such models and show consistency of a conditional maximum likelihood estimator. Also identifiability issues are discussed     

Antioxidant efficacy of chitosan/graphene functionalized superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles

The antioxidant potential of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles functionalized with chitosan and graphene were examined in the present work. Coprecipitation technique was followed for the synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles. Graphene-iron oxide nanocomposites were synthesized by mechanical mixing followed by the heat treatment at moderate temperature. The chitosan coated iron oxide nanoparticles were prepared by dispersing nanoparticles in chitosan solution. The nanoparticles/nanocomposites were characterized using XRD, SEM, TEM and HAADF-STEM for phase structure, morphology and elemental analysis. The superparamagnetic behavior of nanoparticles/nanocomposites were confirmed by magnetic measurements using vibrating sample magnetometry. Antioxidant efficacy of these nanoparticles/nanocomposites were investigated in terms of free radical scavenging and reducing potential using an array of in vitro assay system. Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) were used for the antioxidant capacity. The investigation suggests that the graphene improves the antiradical response of iron oxide nanoparticles at higher concentration which is almost comparable to the ascorbic acid used as standard.     

Highly dispersible and uniform size Cu2ZnSnS4 nanoparticles for photocatalytic application

Highly dispersible, uniform size (～7 nm) single-phase Cu₂ZnSnS₄ nanoparticles have been synthesized by hydrothermal method using non-toxic surfactant (oleic acid). High resolution transmission electron microscopy image indicates good crystallinity of the Cu₂ZnSnS₄ nanoparticles with the growth along (1 1 2) plane. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses suggested that the formation of with Cu, Zn, and Sn in +1, +2 and +4 oxidation states. The optical absorption spectrum of Cu₂ZnSnS₄ nanoparticles exhibits an absorption in the visible region and its optical band gap was found to be ～1.72 eV, which could be much more appropriate for photocatalytic application under visible light irradiation. These Cu₂ZnSnS₄ nanoparticles have been shown high photocatalytic degradation activity of methylene blue (MB) dye in the presence of visible light irradiation. The rate constant (k) value of Cu₂ZnSnS₄ nanoparticles is found to be 0.0144 min^?1. We have discussed the mechanism of dye degradation process that drives the photocatalytic degradation process. The reusability of the Cu₂ZnSnS₄ nanoparticles for the dye degradation is also demonstrated.     

Next generation stamping dies — controllability and flexibility

In sheet metal forming, external energy is transferred to sheet metal through a set of tooling to plastically deform a workpiece. The design of the tooling and its associated forming process parameters play important roles in this manufacturing process since they directly affect the quality and cost of the final product. With increasing demands from customers, government regulations, and global competition, the controllability and flexibility of stamping dies have been challenged. In this paper, we will summarize the research activities conducted at the Advanced Materials Processing Laboratory at Northwestern University in the area of sheet metal forming. An overview of our approach towards the system will be given followed by a summary of individual projects in the areas of failure prediction, design and control of a variable binder force, and the segmented die design with local adaptive controllers.     

N-Containing Carbons Derived from Microporous Coordination Polymers for Use in Post-Combustion Flue Gas Capture

Herein, novel carbons that, owing to a high density of micropores (up to 79%) and N-content (up to 14.9%), offering exciting potential for post-combustion CO₂ capture are reported. Given that little is known about how starting materials impact the structure and performance of carbons, three different microporous materials are pyrolyzed. These include a Co-(metal-organic framework) (MOF), a Co-MOF-polymer composite, and a coordination polymer derived from the same monomer and cobalt ions. Notably, the cobalt, which is required to drive the polymerization, is subsequently leached from the carbons via acid for its reuse in MOF synthesis. Next, various metrics including CO₂ capacity, selectivity, isosteric heat of adsorption, breakthrough time and cyclability are assessed. The acid treated carbons adsorb 0.21, 0.99, and 1.11 mmol CO₂ g⁻¹, respectively, (313 K, 0.15 bar) with CO₂/N₂ selectivity ranging from 37 to 52. Due to superior capacity, the polymer-derived carbons also reveal impressive breakthrough times in simulated flue gas mixtures (15% CO₂/85% N₂, 80% RH, 313 K) ranging from 33 to 40 min g⁻¹. Similar performance is also observed under dry conditions and after pre-saturation with water for 1.5 h. Remarkably, no loss in working capacity is observed after 100 CO₂ TSA cycles (313 K/393 K).     

Fixed-structure controller synthesis for systems with input nonlinearities and time delay

In this paper we consider the problem of stabilizing continuous-time linear systems containing input nonlinearities and time delays. Specifically, a fixed-order (i.e. full and reduced-order) dynamic outputfeedback control technique is developed and sufficient conditions involving a system of modified Lyapunov-Riccati equations are presented for stabilization of systems with sector-bounded input nonlinearities and state and measurement time delays.     

Effect of filter parameters on the phase noise of RF MEMS tunable filters employing shunt capacitive switches

The effect of filter parameters on the phase noise of RF MEMS tunable filters employing shunt capacitive switches is investigated in this article. It is shown that the phase noise of a tunable filter is dependent on the input power, fractional bandwidth, filter order, resonator quality factor, and tuning state. Phase noise is higher for filters with smaller fractional bandwidth. In filters with high fractional bandwidth (>3%), phase noise increases as the input power approaches the power‐handling capability of the filter. In filters with smaller bandwidths, phase noise increases with input power upto a threshold level of input power, but begins to decrease thereafter. The unloaded quality factor of the filter has a noticeable effect on the phase noise of filters with narrow bandwidths. The phase noise changes with the filter tuning state and is maximum when all the switches are in the up‐state position. It is also shown that the phase noise increases with the filter order, due to increase in the number of noisy elements in the filter structure. This article provides a methodology to evaluate the phase noise of a tunable filter and proves that RF MEMS filters are suitable for high performance applications without considerable phase‐noise penalty. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE, 2010.     

Optimal and Approximate Mobility-Assisted Opportunistic Scheduling in Cellular Networks

This paper considers the problem of scheduling multiple users in the downlink of a time-slotted cellular data network. For such a network, opportunistic scheduling algorithms improve system performance by exploiting time variations of the radio channel. We present novel optimal and approximate opportunistic scheduling algorithms that combine channel fluctuation and user mobility information in their decision rules. The algorithms modify the opportunistic scheduling framework of Liu et al., (1993) with dynamic constraints for fairness. These fairness constraints adapt according to the user mobility. The adaptation of constraints in the proposed algorithms implicitly results in giving priority to the users that are in the most favorable locations. The optimal algorithm is an offline algorithm that precomputes constraint values according to a known mobility model. The approximate algorithm is an online algorithm that relies on the future prediction of the user mobility locations in time. We show that the use of mobility information in opportunistic scheduling increases channel capacity. We also provide analytical bounds on the performance of the approximate algorithm using the fundamental inequality of Dyer et al., (1986) for linear programs. Simulation results on high data rate (HDR) illustrate the usefulness of the proposed schemes for elastic traffic and macrocell structures     

Interfacial electrical properties of diamond-like carbon/gallium arsenide heterostructures

Deposition onto GaAs of dielectric film with good interfacial properties is difficult owing to the high surface state densities at the GaAs surface. Study of diamond-like carbon (DLC)/GaAs heterostructures is worthwhile because of the advantageous properties of insulating DLC film and the low temperatures involved in its preparation. In this paper, we compare the electrical interfacial properties of DLC/GaAs with those of DLC/Si and DLC/Ge structures. The DLC films were prepared by r.f. plasma-assisted chemical vapour deposition using a mixture of propane and n-butane. Capacitance measurements were taken in the frequency range 400 Hz to 1 MHz. The interface trap density distribution N_ss(E) was estimated for the DLC---Si interface using Terman's method. Compared with the DLC---Si and DLC---Ge interfaces, the DLC---GaAs interface shows qualitatively different behaviour. There is an indication that the interfacial layer at the DLC---GaAs interface is more conducting than the DLC film, giving rise to Maxwell-Wagner type relaxation. As a result, the effective permittivity of the DLC film is one order of magnitude higher. The formation of this interfacial layer could be related to pre-etching of the GaAs substrate using argon plasma.     

Ultrasonic Ply-by-Ply Detection of Matrix Cracks in Laminated Composites

In the design of cryogenic fuel tanks for the next generation Reusable Launch Vehicles (RLVs), permeability of cryogenic fuels across the thickness of the tank is a critical issue. In this context, the detection of matrix cracks and their connectivity takes on an unprecedented significance. In this work we develop an ultrasonic backscattering technique for the detection of matrix cracks in each of the plies of a damaged graphite/epoxy laminated composite.