Improved synthetic wind speed generation using modified Mycielski approach

In this paper, novel approaches for wind speed data generation using Mycielski algorithm are developed and presented. To show the accuracy of developed approaches, we used three‐year collected wind speed data belonging to deliberately selected two different regions of Turkey (Izmir and Kayseri) to generate artificial wind speed data. The data belonging to the first two years are used for training, whereas the remaining one‐year data are used for testing and accuracy comparison purposes. The concept of distinct synthetic data production with correlation‐wise and distribution‐wise similar statistical properties constitutes the main idea of the proposed methods for a successful artificial wind speed generation. Generated data are compared with test data for both regions in the sense of basic statistics, Weibull distribution parameters, transition probabilities, spectral densities, and autocorrelation functions; and are also compared with the data generated by the classical first‐order Markov chains method. Results indicate that the accuracy and realistic behavior of the proposed method is superior to the classical method in the literature. Comparisons and results are discussed in detail. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Model-based ideal testing of hardware description language (HDL) programs

Software and Systems Modeling - An ideal test is supposed to show not only the presence of bugs but also their absence. Based on the Fundamental Test Theory of Goodenough and Gerhart (IEEE Trans...     

Variable-Field Hall Effect Analysis of HgCdTe Epilayers with Very Low Doping Density

Ultra-low-doped mercury cadmium telluride (HgCdTe, or MCT) is of significant interest for infrared detectors designed to suppress Auger recombination. Measurement of low doping levels in multi-layered structures is difficult with traditional 4-point Hall effect measurements. Multi-layered Hg_.79Cd_.21Te samples were analyzed using variable magnetic field Hall effect measurements and a multi-carrier fitting procedure. The measurements resolve two distinct carrier species corresponding to surface and/or buffer layer conduction and conduction through the primary low-doped material. High-quality electronic transport is achieved, including the demonstration of an epitaxial layer (x = 0.2195) with n = 1.09 × 10¹⁴ cm^?3 and μ = 275,000 cm²/Vs at 77 K. This technique shows promise as a way to analyze layers with significantly lower doping, and a starting point to understand and advance the development of HgCdTe epilayers with very low doping concentration.     

Leaching behavior of chromium in chrome shaving generated in tanning process and its stabilization

In this study, leaching properties and pollution potential of chromium in chrome shaving (CS), which is a solid residue of leather industry, containing 2.27% Cr were investigated and thermal stabilization procedure was applied to the CS for chromium immobilization. For this purpose, firstly, effects of the liquid/solid ratio, contact time, pH and sequential extraction on the leaching behavior of chromium in the CS were studied. It was determined that the CS-caused chromium pollution is a hazardous material for environment. Thermal stabilization procedure was applied to the CS in the temperature range of 250-500 degrees C for the chromium immobilization. Effective stabilization of chromium in the CS was achieved by heating of CS at 350 degrees C under CO(2) atmosphere. Leaching experiments were also carried out with the samples obtained from the stabilization process and the results compared with that of the CS. Also, TCLP test method was applied to the samples to determine pollution potentials and discharge situations of the CS and its stabilization products. While the chromium concentrations in the test solutions of all samples stabilized thermally at above 350 degrees C were below the USEPA regulatory limit of 5 mg/l, the concentration of chromium leached out from the CS was 30-fold bigger than the USEPA regulatory limit.     

Effect of fiber orientation on viscoelastic properties of polymer matrix composites subjected to thermal cycles

Fibers in polymer composites can be designed in various orientations for their usage in service life. Various fiber orientated polymer composites, which are used in aeroplane and aerospace applications, are frequently subjected to thermal cycles because of the changes in body temperatures at a range of −60 to 150°C during flights. It is an important subject to investigate the visco‐elastic properties of the thermal cycled polymer composite materials which have various fiber orientations during service life. Continuous fiber reinforced composites with a various fiber orientations are subjected to 1,000 thermal cycles between the temperatures of 0 and 100°C. Dynamic mechanic thermal analysis (DMTA) experiments are carried out by TA Q800 type equipment. The changes in glass transition temperature (T_g), storage modulus (E′), loss modulus (E′′) and loss factor (tan δ) are inspected as a function of thermal cycles for different fiber orientations. It was observed that thermal and dynamic mechanical properties of the polymer composites were remarkably changed by thermal cycles. It was also determined that the composites with [45°/−45°]_s fiber orientation presented the lowest dynamic mechanical properties. POLYM. COMPOS., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers     

The production of β-SiAlON ceramics with low amounts of additive,at low sintering temperature

In the present work nano-sized powder of β-SiAlON was produced using a wet milling process. Different milling times and mediums (methyl ethyl keton, ethanol and toluene as solvents, polyethyleneglicol, oleic acid, sodium tripolyphosphate and polyvinylpyrrolidon as dispersants) were performed for the determination of the most efficient milling system. The powders were produced using a conventional process (the ball to powder ratio was 1:1.5, at 300 rpm, for 1.5 h) having a few hundred nanometer particle size, and these were used as standard powders in this study. The nano-sized β-SiAlON starting powders (<100 nm) were sintered at lower temperatures than that of the conventional powders. The amount of Y₂O₃ in powders (～130 nm), produced by high energy milling process, was fewer than conventional powders (5 wt.%). The results of the powder size, sintering behavior and mechanical properties of this sample were compared to those of the standard powder and its sintered sample. This sample, produced using the nano-powder, was investigated, and densified at 150 °C lower than that of the standard sample. Even though the amount of Y₂O₃ was decreased, the hardness of the samples was better than that of the standard sample.     

Effect of cathodic arc plasma treatment on the properties of WC–Co based hard metals

In this study, ion bombardment in a cathodic arc physical vapor deposition system was applied on WC–Co hard metal surfaces aiming to benefit from the diffusion acceleration effect, and to investigate the role of this effect on the surface composition, morphology and corrosion resistance of the materials. Chromium ions obtained via cathodic arc evaporation were accelerated under low (− 150 V) and high (− 1000 V) bias voltages in order to apply coating–bombardment cycles to sample surfaces. Substrate temperatures were measured by an optical pyrometer during the processes. The treated samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD). Temperature measurements showed that the sample temperature could be controlled precisely by adjusting the bias voltage. Temperatures in the range of 750–1200 °C were measured during the treatment depending on the duration of the high bias voltage cycles. XRD analysis showed η phase formation in the near surface regions of all treated samples. The amount of the formed η phase was shown to be dependent on the heating–cooling regime that varied with the applied mode of bias. The corrosion behavior of the samples was investigated by immersing treated and untreated samples in a solution of 5% H₃PO₄ containing 1 g/l Zn^{+ 2} for 24 h at 50 °C. The samples were investigated via SEM observations after immersion. Cathodic arc plasma treated samples showed a better resistance to corrosion in this environment.     

Investigation of electrochromic properties of poly(3,5-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)dithieno[3,2-b;2′,3′-d]thiophene)

Electropolymerization of 3,5-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)dithieno[3,2-b;2′,3′-d]thiophene BMPhDTT, having strong electron-donating methoxy groups, was performed, utilizing potentiodynamic method. The homopolymer was characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and UV–vis spectroscopy. Spectroelectrochemical and electrochromic properties of the homopolymer film were investigated and a PBMPhDTT/PEDOT device was constructed to understand its characteristics in detail. It was revealed that the potential range of 0.0–2.0 V is suitable for operating the device between yellow and blue colors. It indicated a good open circuit memory and stability.     

Analysis of dragline cycle time components

This paper focuses on the breakdown of dragline cycle time. A 15-year old dragline deployed for casting the interburden and extracting the coal seam immediately beneath is monitored for a period of 45 days. The following operational modes are sampled: key-cutting, main-cutting, chopping and coal extraction. Data are handled regarding the parameters which have influence on particular stages of a cycle. It has been revealed that bucket loading is influenced by dimensions and geometry of the excavation face, material diggability, spatial position of ground penetration point and operator preference. Dumping phase appears to be affected by bucket fill factor and operator preference. Loaded and empty swing times are positively correlated with associated swing angles. Angular velocity of draglines is low at swing angles of up to 60 degrees. Loaded swing phases appear to be operator-dependent. Bucket repositioning phase is affected by geometry of the excavation area and the position of bucket penetration point. It is independent from the operator preferences.     

Fuzzy multiple-criteria decision-making: Application to AML project selection

ABSTRACT

In this paper, we present the application of fuzzy multiple-criteria decision-making to the problem of abandoned mine land (AML) project selection. More specifically, the category of multiple-criteria techniques known as fuzzy ranking methods are used to rank projects under conditions where the criteria of selection are imprecisely defined and the project scores for the criteria are subjectively determined.

An experiment was designed in which 14 experts contributed their knowledge of AML project criteria to the fuzzy ranking methods through three questionnaires. The first two questionnaires provided the essential information for the methods to form a fuzzy mathematical ranking relationship. The third questionnaire then provided the experts' scores for each of the chosen criteria for eleven candidate reclamation projects chosen from Pennsylvania's AML project inventory. In addition, the third questionnaire also sought overall project rankings from the experts to compare with the rankings provided by the fuzzy ranking methods.

The results appear to prove that fuzzy rankings methods can satisfactorily rank projects of this type and will generally produce results similar to that produced by the experts. While not necessarily better than human rankings, the rankings of the mathematical methods may increase the objectivity in decision-making even though bias in the original data cannot be eliminated.