A general technique for derivation of average current mode controllaws for single-phase power-factor-correction circuits without inputvoltage sensing

This paper presents a general technique to derive average current mode control (CMC) laws without input voltage sensing to achieve high power factor for single-phase topologies operating in continuous conduction mode (CCM). The control laws are derived based on the steady-state input-output voltage relationships and the CCM large-signal averaged pulsewidth modulation (PWM)-switch model. Using this methodology, average CMC laws with linear PWM waveforms are discovered for commonly used single-phase power stage topologies such as boost, flyback, SEPIC, and buck/boost. Conventional three-loop-controlled average CMC converters can now be controlled with a two-loop architecture. Hardware results for a boost power factor correction (PFC) and simulation results for flyback, SEPIC, and buck/boost topologies verify operation. The small-signal models of the current loop and voltage loop are derived for the boost topology and are used for control loop design. Input current harmonic distortion measurements demonstrate improved performance compared to the conventional three-loop control technique     

Graph theory augmented math programming approach to identify minimal reaction sets in metabolic networks

Bioprocesses are of growing importance as an avenue to produce chemicals. Microorganisms containing only desired catalytic and replication capabilities in their metabolic pathways are expected to offer efficient processes for chemical production. Realizing such minimal cells is the holy grail of metabolic engineering. In this paper, we propose a new method that combines graph-theoretic approaches with mixed-integer liner programming (MILP) to design metabolic networks with minimal reactions. Existing MILP based computational approaches are computationally complex especially for large networks. The proposed graph-theoretic approach offers an efficient divide-and-conquer strategy using the MILP formulation on sub-networks rather than considering the whole network monolithically. In addition to the resulting improvement in computational complexity, the proposed method also aids in identifying the key reactions to be knocked-out in order to achieve the minimal cell. The efficacy of the proposed approach is demonstrated using three case studies from two organisms, Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.     

Studies on spinel cobaltites,MCo2O4 (M = Mn,Zn, Fe,Ni and Co) and their functional properties

Optimization of electrodes for charge storage with appropriate processing conditions places significant challenges in the developments for high performance charge storage devices. In this article, metal cobaltite spinels of formula MCo₂O₄ (where M = Mn, Zn, Fe, Ni and Co) are synthesized by oxalate decomposition method followed by calcination at three typical temperatures, viz. 350, 550, and 750 °C and examined their performance variation when used as anodes in lithium ion batteries. Phase and structure of the materials are studied by powder x-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. Single phase MnCo2O4,ZnCo2O4 and Co3O4 are obtained for all different temperatures 350 °C, 550 °C and 750 °C; whereas FeCo₂O₄ and NiCo₂O₄ contained their constituent binary phases even after repeated calcination. Morphologies of the materials are studied via scanning electron microscopy (SEM): needle-shaped particles of MnCo₂O₄ and ZnCo₂O₄, submicron sized particles of FeCo₂O₄ and agglomerated submicron particle of NiCo₂O₄ are observed. Galvanostatic cycling has been conducted in the voltage range 0.005–3.0 V vs. Li at a current density of 60 mA g^?1 up to 50 cycles to study their Li storage capabilities. Highest observed charge capacities are: MnCo₂O₄ – 365 mA h g^?1 (750 °C); ZnCo₂O₄ – 516 mA h g^?1 (550 °C); FeCo₂O₄ – 480 mA h g^?1 (550 °C); NiCo₂O₄ – 384 mA h g^?1 (750 °C); and Co₃O₄ – 675 mA h g^?1 (350 °C). The Co₃O₄ showed the highest reversible capacity of 675 mA h g^?1; the NiO present in NiCo₂O₄ acts as a buffer layer that results in improved cycling stability; the ZnCo₂O₄ with long needle-like shows good cycling stability.     

DC Link Filter Design Considerations in Three-Phase Voltage Source Inverter-Fed Induction Motor Drive System

The dc link filter elements in a three-phase voltage source inverter-fed induction motor system can affect the performance of the drive system if not properly chosen. The requirements, design considerations, and a simplified procedure for the selection of filter component values based on minimization of voltage and current ripple currents in the dc link, damping effects, and on resonant frequency considerations are formulated. Typical computational results and experimental waveforms are presented.     

Integrated decision support system for waste minimization analysis in chemical processes

The need to build and operate environmentally friendly plants has challenged the chemical industry to consider waste minimization or even elimination starting from the early stages of process development. A thorough waste minimization analysis requires specialized expertise and is laborious, time-consuming, expensive, and knowledge-intensive. This has caused a major technical barrier for implementing waste minimization programswithin the industry. Previously, we had reported a systematic methodology and a knowledge-based system, called ENVOPExpert, for identifying waste minimization opportunities in chemical processes. In this paper, we propose an integrated qualitative-quantitative methodology to identify waste minimization alternatives and assess their efficacy in terms of environmental impact and process economics. A qualitative analysis is first conducted to identify the sources of wastes and to propose alternatives for eliminating or minimizing them. Environmental impact of each alternative is then calculated by doing a quantitative pollutant balance. The capital expenditure required for implementing the alternative and the resulting plant operating costs are also calculated and used in the evaluation of the waste minimization alternatives. Through this, practical and cost-effective options can be identified. This methodology has been implemented as an integrated decision support system and tested using the hydrodealkylation process case study with satisfactory results.     

Synthesis and biological activity of novel thiazolidinediones

Novel compounds having a dual pharmacophore were synthesised and evaluated for their insulin sensitiser and anti-inflammatory properties in different animal models.     

Fusibility study of the magnesium cell electrolyte containing MgCl2, CaCl2, NaCl and KCl

The four-component magnesium cell electrolyte containing MgCl₂, CaCl₂, NaCl and KCl has been converted to a quasi-ternary system by keeping the proportion of NaCl and KCl in the mixture equimolecular. The triangular phase diagram has been drawn depicting the fusibility isotherms of the system. It has been possible to obtain complete liquid mixtures at temperatures as low as 400° C by suitably adjusting the proportions of the four components of the molten salt mixture.     

THE FLOW BEHAVIOR OF SUBMICRON α-Al2O3 AQUEOUS SUSPENSIONS

The viscosity of aqueous, charged a-Al₂O₃ suspensions with and without added polyelectrolytes (polyacrylic acid (PAA 1800)) is investigated over a wide range of volume fractions and shear rates. The Carreau-Yasuda model is used for both cases for examining the shear-rate dependence; for the electrostatically-stabilized suspensions the Krieger-Dougherty and Quemada models are used to determine the maximum packing fraction. The latter analysis shows that the suspension behavior changes from liquid-like to solid-like at a volume fraction of 0.71 in the low-shear limit and at 0.89 at the high-shear limit (because of the polydispersity of the suspension). The results with polyelectrolytes indicate that the dosage of the polymer plays an important role in the viscosity of suspensions and that there is an optimum dosage of polyelectrolyte that must be added to reduce the viscosity at high volume fractions of solids.     

A structural study on MFCl (M=Ca, Sr, Ba) and BaFX (X=Br, I)

Here we present the electronic band structure calculations of CaFCl, SrFCl, BaFCl, BaFBr and BaFI performed using tight binding linear muffin-tin orbital method. The calculated ground state properties namely the lattice parameters, bulk moduli and the pressure-volume relations were found to be in good agreement with the experimental values. The electronic band structure of these compounds were calculated at ambient as well as in the high pressure region. The band gap values of these insulating systems were calculated and compared with available experimental values. At high pressure these compounds exhibit the interesting phenomenon of band overlap metallization.