A multi‐objective evolutionary optimization of fuzzy controller for energy conservation in air conditioning systems

This paper presents the use of evolutionary optimization approach to design and tune smart fuzzy controllers for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems or HVAC. The objective is to optimize energy consumption while accounting for user comfort requirements. The problem of energy conservation in air conditioning systems becomes a multi‐objective optimization constrained problem, which enlarges the solution search space. To solve this problem, a multi‐objective evolutionary optimization technique based on genetic algorithm (GA) is proposed. A physical experimental setup is constructed for data collection and formulation of mathematical model. A fuzzy controller is initially designed through expert knowledge, and GA is then used to tune the rules and membership functions of the fuzzy controller in order to optimize multiple objectives. Simulations and real experiments are compared to determine the effectiveness of the proposed strategy. As compared to the controller present in the real experimental air conditioner, approximately 15% energy is successfully saved with no increase in average individual dissatisfaction or discomfort index. Also, a decrease in peak individual dissatisfaction or discomfort index from 91% to 62% is observed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Temperature-Invariant Scaling for Compressible Turbulent Boundary Layers with Wall Heat Transfer

In a recent paper by Zhang et al. in 2012, a Mach number-invariant scaling was proposed to account for the effect of variation of free-stream Mach number in supersonic turbulent boundary layers. The present work focuses on the effect of variation of wall temperature with strong heating and cooling at the wall. Direct numerical simulation is used to study scaling and turbulence structure of a spatially evolving Mach 2 supersonic boundary layer at a friction Reynolds number of 500. A new scaling law is proposed to account for temperature-dependent fluid-property variations. This universal scaling appears superior to the existing models with the novelty that it applies not only for the mean-velocity profile but also extends to the turbulent transport, production, and dissipation terms in the budget of the turbulent kinetic energy.     

CHARACTERIZATION OF EFFECTIVE TIRE CONTACT AREA FOR VARIOUS TREAD PATTERNS

The effective tire-pavement contact area affects the relative damage of asphalt pavement and should be incorporated in both mechanistic and empirical response analyses of pavements. A new machine called ROTOCOM Wheel Tracker (RCWT) was designed and fabricated to capture the effective tire contact area apart from slab compacting, and conducting simulative laboratory wheel tracking tests. The main focus of this paper is laboratory measurement of effective tire contact areas for various tread patterns. Seven tire treads were selected for the footprint image analyses at five tire loads and four tire inflation pressures. An image processing MATLAB-based program was coded to calculate the contact areas of the 280 imprints obtained from both sides of the RCWT. Factorial analysis indicated significant effects of tire tread, tire load, and inflation pressure on the resulting contact area. Comparison between effective and traditional contact areas indicated that the current pavement design procedure with traditional circular contact area extremely overestimates the actual tire-pavement contact area up to 92%.     

Enhancement of electroconductivity of polyaniline/graphene oxide nanocomposites through in situ emulsion polymerization

The present study introduces a systematic approach to disperse graphene oxide (GO) during emulsion polymerization (EP) of Polyaniline (PANI) to form nanocomposites with improved electrical conductivities. PANI/GO samples were fabricated by loading different weight percents (wt%) of GO through modified in situ EP of the aniline monomer. The polymerization process was carried out in the presence of a functionalized protonic acid such as dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid, which acts both as an emulsifier and protonating agent. The microstructure of the PANI/GO nanocomposites was studied by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, UV–Vis spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared, differential thermal, and thermogravimetric analyses. The formed nanocomposites exhibited superior morphology and thermal stability. Meanwhile, the electrical conductivities of the nanocomposite pellets pressed at different applied pressures were determined using the four-probe analyzer. It was observed that the addition of GO was an essential component to improving the thermal stability and electrical conductivities of the PANI/GO nanocomposites. The electrical conductivities of the nanocomposites were considerably enhanced as compared to those of the individual PANI samples pressed at the same pressures. An enhanced conductivity of 474 S/m was observed at 5 wt% GO loading and an applied pressure of 6 t. Therefore, PANI/GO composites with desirable properties for various semiconductor applications can be obtained by in situ addition of GO during the polymerization process.     

Study on crosslinked gelatin–montmorillonite nanoparticles for controlled drug delivery applications

Gelatin, because of its biodegradability and ecofriendly nature, has been the best choice for controlled release applications. Montmorillonite (MMT) clay shows a very important role in controlling drug delivery. Hence, an attempt was made in this work to prepare gelatin–MMT nanoparticles by desolvation method using acetone as precipitating agent, glutaraldehyde (GA) as crosslinking agent, and water as reaction media for controlled delivery of isoniazid, a drug for tuberculosis. Characterization of the MMT and isoniazid-loaded gelatin–MMT nanoparticles was carried out using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction study, scanning electron microscopy study, and transmission electron microscopy study. The effect of MMT on gelatin nanoparticles was evaluated in terms of water uptake studies, and subsequently to the release of isoniazid drug in buffer solution at pH 1.2 (gastric pH) and pH 7.4 (intestinal pH). Swelling experiment indicated that the gelatin nanoparticles were very sensitive to the pH environment. The release profile of drug was studied by a UV–Visible spectrophotometer. Cytotoxicity study revealed that MMT-containing nanoparticles showed less cytotoxicity than MMT-free nanoparticles.     

High-efficiency remediation of cadmium (Cd2+) from aqueous solution using poultry manure– and farmyard manure–derived biochars

Farmyard manure (FYM-BC) and poultry manure (PM-BC) derived biochars were applied as adsorbents to remove Cd²⁺ from water. Results indicated that PM-BC was a more efficient adsorbent than FYM-BC at all experimental conditions. Maximum Cd²⁺ adsorption was observed at pH 4, temperature 318 K and contact time 1 h, regardless of biochar type. The Langmuir model predicted maximum adsorption capacity of 90.09 mg g^?1 for PM-BC. The data fitting to pseudo-second-order model proposed chemisorption of Cd²⁺ onto biochars. Thermodynamics indicated that adsorption was spontaneous and endothermic. Post-adsorption analysis provided evidences of strong chemical interactions between biochars’ functional groups and Cd²⁺ ions.