A wideband beam shaping reflector antenna using model predictive control

A novel method based on model predictive control (MPC) is presented for synthesis and optimization of a wide band reflector antenna with cosecant squared and flat‐topped radiation patterns. The proposed system is a doubly curved reflector antenna with nonlinear dynamic equation. This article investigates design and optimization of a double ridged horn reflector antenna operating within the frequency range of 8 to 18 GHz. In order to synthesize the proposed reflector antenna, MPC is used to achieve the desired radiation cosecant pattern. This method utilizes system model and tries to find the best control effort for minimizing the cost function by predicting the future behavior. The system differential equation is comprised of first and second order derivatives, so MPC can be a good solution for synthesis of a doubly reflector antenna. MPC optimizer operates based on state space model, so the proposed system is linearized in the operating range. Maximum error, the average error and side lobe level of this method for the radiation pattern of the proposed wideband antenna respectively are 1.4, 0.9, and ?20 dB. Simulation results of the radiation pattern in CST and HFSS software show that the proposed reflector antenna can be used in broadband surveillance radar systems.     

An investigation of different gas injection scenarios as enhanced condensate recovery method in a naturally fractured gas-condensate reservoir

In gas condensate reservoirs, when the bottom hole pressure falls below the dew point pressure condensates are formed. This causes hydrocarbon liquid saturation around the well bore region. This phenomenon is called condensate blockage or condensate banking. Condensate recovery reduction due to condensate banking near the well bore region is an important problem in gas condensate reservoirs. The common method to prevent the condensate banking is gas cycling (reinjection of produced dry gas) into the reservoir that can contribute to the condensate vaporization, thus increasing the condensate recovery factor. The objective of this study was to find a suitable replacement for gas cycling. For this purpose, an investigation on the effects of injection of different types of gases (CO₂, N₂, and C₁) on enhance condensate recovery factor and pressure maintenance were performed. This research was done on one of the Iranian gas condensate reservoirs through a compositional simulator. The two-parameter Peng-Robinson equation of state (EOS) and Lohrenz-Bray-Clark correlation were used to model reservoir fluid properties through regression on the pressure-volume-temperature (PVT) experimental data. A fracture network was distributed over the reservoir, so a dual porosity/dual permeability model was selected for better evaluation of the fracture system. Then, various scenarios of natural depletion and CO₂, N₂, C₁, and gas cycling injection were studied. The results showed that CO₂ injection scenario being associated with the highest efficiency compared to that of other gases.     

Plasma diagnostics by optical emission spectroscopy on manganese ore in conjunction with XRD,XRF and SEM-EDS

Manganese (Mn) is an important industrial mineral. Information about the chemical and phase constitution along with the concentration of impurities presented in Mn ore is compulsory in assessing its suitability for different applications. We performed the qualitative and quantitative analysis of low-grade Mn ore (LGMO) using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) in conjunction with x-ray diffraction (XRD), x-ray fluorescence (XRF) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive x-ray electron spectroscopy (EDS). The optical emission spectra of the LGMO sample displayed the presence of Mn, Si, Ca, Fe, Al, Mg, V, Ti, Sr, Ni, Na, Ba and Li. The plasma parameters, electron temperature and number density were estimated using the Boltzmann plot and Stark broadening line profile methods and were found to be 7500 K±750 K and 8.18±0.8×10¹⁷ cm⁻³, respectively. Quantitative analysis was performed using the calibration-free LIBS (CF-LIBS) method and its outcome along with XRD, XRF and SEM-EDS data showed almost analogous elemental composition, while the LIBS method gave acceptably precise elemental analysis by detecting the low atomic number element Li besides V and Sr. The results obtained using LIBS for the LGMO exhibited its ability as a powerful analytical tool and XRF, XRD and SEM-EDS as complementary methods for the compositional analysis of complex low-grade mineral ore.     

Automated setup planning in CAPP: a modified particle swarm optimisation-based approach

Comprehensive process planning is the key technology for linking design and the manufacturing process and is a rather complex and difficult task. Setup planning has a basic role in computer-aided process planning (CAPP) and significantly affects the overall cost and quality of machined parts. This paper presents a generative system and particle swarm optimisation algorithm (PSO) approach to the setup planning of a given part. The proposed approach and optimisation methodology analyses constraints such as the TAD (tool approach direction), the tolerance relation between features and feature precedence relations, to generate all possible process plans using the workshop resource database. Tolerance relation analysis has a significant impact on setup planning to obtain part accuracy. Based on technological constraints, the PSO algorithm approach, which adopts the feature-based representation, optimises the setup planning using cost indices. To avoid becoming trapped in local optima and to explore the search space extensively, several new operators have been developed to improve the particles’ movements, combined into a modified PSO algorithm. A practical case study is illustrated to demonstrate the effectiveness of the algorithm in optimising the setup planning.     

Fabrication and electrical characterization of p-Cu2O/n-ZnO heterojunction

The conducting metal oxide (ZnO, Cu2O) films were used for fabrication of p-n heterojunction by rf sputtering and electrodeposition techniques respectively. The as synthesized films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), UV spectroscopy and electrical techniques. The electrical properties of the p-Cu2O/n-ZnO heterojunction were examined using the current-voltage measurements. The current-voltage (I-V) result showed that potential barrier was higher than the turn-on voltage, which was attributed to the presence of the interface defect states. The PN junction parameters such as ideality factor, barrier height, and series resistance were determined using conventional forward bias current-voltage characteristics. The annealing of Cu2O increase the crystallinity size and which enhance the photo current from 1.6 mA/cm2 to 3.7 mA/cm2. The annealing of respective film resulted in a decrease of these parameters with an increase in efficiency of solar cell from 0.14% to 0.3% at 350 degrees C.     

Novel Linear Piezo-resistive Auxetic Meta-Sensors with Low Young's Modulus by a Core–Shell Conceptual Design and Electromechanical Modelling

Production of piezo-resistive auxetic sensors is usually carried out through mixing and coating methods. Although these methods are beneficial, Young's modulus of mixed sensors becomes high because of using a high percentage of sensing elements while the durability of coated sensors gets low due to the separation of sensing elements from the sensor surface. This article presents a new core–shell metamaterial model to address the mentioned problems. The shell and the core are produced of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) rubber and a mixture of PDMS/graphite powders (73.45 wt% graphite powders), respectively. A finite element model is developed via COMSOL software to predict the electromechanical behaviors of the created sensor and verified by an experimental study. Scanning electron microscope imaging is conducted to detect the separations of the graphite particles. The main important feature of this meta-sensor is to possess a linear sensitivity due to having zero Poisson's ratio. The advantage of this method is that Young's modulus of the sensor does not decrease (unlike the mixing method), and the sensor-coated particles do not separate from the sensor after a while (unlike the coating method). The introduced model has advantages that promote potential applications such as using sensory gloves to detect, for instance, human hand movements.     

Comprehensive energy and economic transient analysis of an off-grid hydrogen car-integrated zero energy building

Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy - In this study, for the first time, an off-grid zero-energy building with hydrogen energy storage integrated with two hydrogen cars is simulated and...     

Transient response of porous inhomogeneous nanobeams due to various impulsive loads based on nonlocal strain gradient elasticity

International Journal of Mechanics and Materials in Design - Transient vibration responses of a porosity-dependent functionally graded nanobeam under different impulsive loadings have been...