Hierarchical micro-nanostructured albite-based glass-ceramic for high dielectric strength insulators

A novel glass-ceramic material based on albite type Na-rich feldspar has been synthesized by conventional ceramic process. High crystallinity, >94%?Vol.% is obtained by fast sintering which allows energy saving processing. Albite is the main crystalline phase and tetragonal SiO₂ is a secondary phase. Electrical properties were examined by complex impedance, DC measurements, and dielectric breakdown test. Dielectric characterization shows a non-Debye type dielectric behavior with low dielectric constant, 4.6 at 1?MHz, low dielectric losses, (～10^?3 at 1?MHz, and a large dielectric strength, ～60?kV/mm), that it is the largest value reported in ceramic insulators. Those dielectric properties are attained by the low glassy phase content in the samples and their unique micro-nanostructure. All these properties make this novel material a very promising candidate in the market of ceramic electrical insulator, highlighting for high-voltage applications.     

Estimation of the Stress-Strength Reliability for Exponentiated Pareto Distribution Using Median and Ranked Set Sampling Methods

In reliability analysis, the stress-strength model is often used to describe the life of a component which has a random strength (X) and is subjected to a random stress (Y). In this paper, we considered the problem of estimating the reliability R=P [Y<X] when the distributions of both stress and strength are independent and follow exponentiated Pareto distribution. The maximum likelihood estimator of the stress strength reliability is calculated under simple random sample, ranked set sampling and median ranked set sampling methods. Four different reliability estimators under median ranked set sampling are derived. Two estimators are obtained when both strength and stress have an odd or an even set size. The two other estimators are obtained when the strength has an odd size and the stress has an even set size and vice versa. The performances of the suggested estimators are compared with their competitors under simple random sample via a simulation study. The simulation study revealed that the stress strength reliability estimates based on ranked set sampling and median ranked set sampling are more efficient than their competitors via simple random sample. In general, the stress strength reliability estimates based on median ranked set sampling are smaller than the corresponding estimates under ranked set sampling and simple random sample methods.     

Synthesis of Tritium-Labeled Deoxyglucose and Its Derivative

Radiochemistry - Reaction of solid-phase catalytic heterogeneous isotope exchange of 2-deoxy-D-glucose and its derivative, O(6)-(4-bromothiophenyl)guanine-C8-β-D-glucose with tritium has been...     

Distributed learning consensus control based on neural networks for heterogeneous nonlinear multiagent systems

This paper considers a novel distributed iterative learning consensus control algorithm based on neural networks for the control of heterogeneous nonlinear multiagent systems. The system's unknown nonlinear function is approximated by suitable neural networks; the approximation error is countered by a robust term in the control. Two types of control algorithms, both of which utilize distributed learning laws, are provided to achieve consensus. In the provided control algorithms, the desired reference is considered to be an unknown factor and then estimated using the associated learning laws. The consensus convergence is proven by the composite energy function method. A numerical simulation is ultimately presented to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed control schemes.     

Fulde–Ferrell State in Spin–Orbit-Coupled Superconductor: Application to Dresselhaus SOC

We show that in the presence of magnetic field, two superconducting phases with the center-of-mass momentum of Cooper pair parallel to the magnetic field are induced in Dresselhaus spin–orbit-coupled superconductor. Specifically, at small magnetic field, the center-of-mass momentum is induced due to the energy-spectrum distortion and no unpairing region with vanishing singlet correlation appears. We refer to this superconducting state as the drift-BCS state. By further increasing the magnetic field, the superconducting state falls into the Fulde–Ferrell state with the emergence of the unpairing regions. The observed abrupt enhancement of the center-of-mass momenta and suppression on the order parameters during the transition indicate the occurrence of a first-order phase transition. Enhanced Pauli limit and hence enlarged magnetic-field regime of the Fulde–Ferrell state, due to the spin-flip terms of the spin–orbit coupling, are revealed. We also address the triplet correlations induced by the spin–orbit coupling, and show that the Cooper-pair spin polarizations, generated by the magnetic field and center-of-mass momentum with the triplet correlations exhibit totally different magnetic-field dependences between the drift-BCS and Fulde–Ferrell states.     

Soret and Dufour effects between two rectangular plane walls with heat source/sink

This study addresses the thermo‐diffusion and the diffusion‐thermo phenomena in a semi‐infinite absorbent channel whose walls are contracting/expanding, with heat source/sink effects. The governing partial differential equations with suitable boundary conditions are transformed to a system of dimensionless ordinary differential equations. An analytic solution of the problem has been found using a technique called homotopy analysis method (HAM). HAM gives consistently valid answers to the problem over an extensive variety of parameters and also provides better accuracy. To validate the analytical results, a comparison has been presented with a numerical solution calculated by using the parallel shooting method. The effects of dimensionless parameters, that is, deformation parameter, Reynolds number, Soret and Dufour numbers, and heat source/sink parameter on the expressions of velocity, temperature, and concentration profiles are analyzed graphically to understand the physics of the deformable channel. It has been noted that the velocity across the channel is higher for the expanding channel, as compared to that for the contracting channel. Also the Soret and Dufour number increases the temperature of the fluid, and decreases the concentration. The temperature profile has an increasing behavior in the case of heat source, and a decreasing behavior in the case of heat sink.     

Mechanophysical Cues in Extracellular Matrix Regulation of Cell Behavior

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a macromolecular network that can provide biochemical and structural support for cell adhesion and formation. It regulates cell behavior by influencing biochemical and physical cues. It is a dynamic structure whose components are modified, degraded, or deposited during connective tissue development, giving tissues strength and structural integrity. The physical properties of the natural ECM environment control the design of naturally or synthetically derived biomaterials to guide cell function in tissue engineering. Tissue engineering is an important field that explores physical cues of the ECM to produce new viable tissue for medical applications, such as in organ transplant and organ recovery. Understanding how the ECM exerts physical effects on cell behavior, when cells are seeded in synthetic ECM scaffolds, is of utmost importance. Herein we review recent findings in this area that report on cell behaviors in a variety of ECMs with different physical properties, i.e., topology, geometry, dimensionality, stiffness, and tension.     

Linear friction welding of Ti6Al4V: experiments and modelling

Linear friction welding of the Ti6Al4V alloy is studied. A new definition of the energy input rate is proposed, based on an integration over time of the in-plane force and velocity; a strong correlation with the upset rate is then found. The effective friction coefficient is estimated to be 0·5±0·1 for varying frequencies and amplitudes, with only a weak dependence on the processing conditions displayed. A model is proposed that accounts for both the conditioning and equilibrium stages of the process, which is shown to be in good agreement with the experimental data. The model is used to study the mechanism by which the flash is formed. A criterion is proposed by which the rippled nature of its morphology can be predicted.