Consensus-based linear distributed filtering

We address the consensus-based distributed linear filtering problem, where a discrete time, linear stochastic process is observed by a network of sensors. We assume that the consensus weights are known and we first provide sufficient conditions under which the stochastic process is detectable, i.e. for a specific choice of consensus weights there exists a set of filtering gains such that the dynamics of the estimation errors (without noise) is asymptotically stable. Next, we develop a distributed, sub-optimal filtering scheme based on minimizing an upper bound on a quadratic filtering cost. In the stationary case, we provide sufficient conditions under which this scheme converges; conditions expressed in terms of the convergence properties of a set of coupled Riccati equations.     

SEM‐EDX,water absorption,and wetting capability studies on evaluation of the influence of nano‐zinc oxide as additive to paraloid B72 solutions used for wooden artifacts consolidation

Consolidation of frail, degraded wood is a key issue of wooden cultural heritage conservation. Paraloid B72 is one of the most often used consolidant in conservation practice. The present research aimed at formulating stable consolidation solutions of Paraloid B72 with ZnO nano‐additives and at determining the influence of these additives on the penetration pathways, retention of the consolidation material into wood and on the water behavior of the treated wood. The experiments were performed on sound samples of aspen (Populus tremula). The addition of nano‐ZnO slightly increased the uptake and retention of the consolidant within the wooden structure and led to hydrophobic surfaces. However, the influence of nano‐ZnO additives to the water absorption was not conclusive. Scanning Electron Microscope coupled with an EDX Detector investigation proved vessels, fibers, and interconnecting pits as main pathways of consolidant penetration into the wooden structure as well as the presence and distribution of nano‐ZnO. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

The 1100 °C isothermal section of the Ti-Co-Si ternary system

The 1100 °C isothermal section of the Ti-Co-Si ternary system has been determined, for which 24 single-phase fields, 42 two-phase fields, and 22 three-phase fields were detected. Ten ternary phases were detected; these include eight previously reported in the literature plus two previously reported, H(Ti₄CoSi₄) and J(Ti₃Co₂Si). The I phase, whose crystallographic data have not been reported before, is found to be orthorhombic with a=0.7961 nm, b=0.7048 nm, and c=0.5467 nm. Except for K and H, all ternary phases show considerable composition ranges, especially the G′ and V phases.     

Structure simulation in unidirectionally solidified turbine blade by dendrite envelope tracking model(I):numerical modeling

1 Introduction Unidirectional solidification technology is used to get special properties of casting, for example, to get the turbine blades with columnar or single crystal structures. Several modelling approaches have been carried out for the structure d…     

Study of the atypical formations in the corrosion bulks of an ancient bronze shield,by optical and electron microscopy

This article presents the atypical formations in the structure of the corrosion crust and in the partially mineralized metallic core, which resulted during the underground stay of a bronze shield, dated between the 1st century B.C. and the 1st century A.D. For our study, we choose a representative fragment from the rim of the shield, which was analyzed by optical microscopy and by electron microscopy coupled with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, to study its morphology, its composition, and the location of chemical compounds on the surface and inside the bulk formed during the underground stay, by processes of chemical and physical alteration, assisted by contamination with structural elements from the site. Those processes, by monolithization and mineralization formed a series of structures consisting of congruent elements and phases with a complex composition. Those formations, defined as surface effects generated by exogenous factors and endogenous factors inside the bulk, are frequently found in ancient bronze objects (such as the exterior flat mole formations and the Liesegang effect in the stratigraphic structure of the bulk). Some of those structures have atypical characteristics as regards their structure, composition, and formation mechanism, which may be used in archeometry. Moreover, that includes the object in the category of special cases, in terms of artifact evolution during underground stay and of the atypical formations resulted from the action of pedological and environmental factors. Microsc. Res. Tech. 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Evaluation of a novel hybrid inorganic/organic polymer type material in the arsenic removal process from drinking water

The objective of this paper is the evaluation of a hybrid inorganic/organic polymer type material based on hydrated ferric oxide (HFO), in the adsorption process of arsenic oxyanions from contaminated waters used as drinking water. The study includes rapid small-scale column tests conducted in continuous flow operation in order to assess the arsenic removal capacity in various conditions. Thus it was evaluated the influence of some competing ions like silicate and phosphate on As(V) adsorption and the influence of feed water pH in the removal process of As(V) and As(III) species. Based on the As/pH variation in time at different feed water pH (5, 7 and 9), a possible sorption mechanism that fits the experimental data was suggested. The regeneration and re-use of the hybrid adsorbent was studied in the presence and in the absence of the contaminant ions. The novel hybrid material is very selective towards arsenic oxyanions even though the presence of silica and phosphate reduces the adsorption capacity.     

Cathodoluminescence of TiO2 nanotubes prepared by low-temperature anodization of Ti foils

We show that anodization of Ti sheets in an ethylene glycol and HF containing electrolyte at temperatures under 0 °C results in the formation of a self-arranged ordered porous structure at the top surface of the sample. This perforated surface structure initiates the growth of an ordered array of titania nanotubes. The inner diameter of nanotubes can be modified in a controlled fashion in the range from 10 nm to more than 250 nm through the change of the electrolyte temperature from −20 °C to + 50 °C. The spectral distribution of cathodoluminescence from a cluster of nanotubes clearly demonstrates the formation of resonator modes which are separated from each other by around 200 meV.     

Influence of Nitrogen Flow Rate on the Microstructure and Properties of N and Me (Me=Cr,Zr) Co-doped Diamond-like Carbon Films

In this paper,Me (Me=Cr,Zr) and N co-doped diamond like carbon (DLC-MeN) composite films were prepared on cemented carbide substrates by pulsed bias arc ion plating.The effect of nitrogen flow rates on the microstructure and properties of the films were investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS),Raman spectra,grazing incident X-ray diffraction (GIXRD),high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and nano-indentation.Raman,GIXRD and HRTEM results show that the deposited films are nano...     

Thermodiffusion Coefficient Analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-Dodecane /<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-Hexane Mixture at Different Mass Fractions and Pressure Conditions

In this study, the thermodiffusion coefficient of n-dodecane/n-hexane binary mixture at 25 ^°C mean temperature was determined for several pressure conditions and mass fractions. The experimental technique used to determine the thermodiffusion coefficient was the thermograviational column of cylindrical configuration. In turn, thermophysical properties, such as density, thermal expansion, mass expansion and dynamic viscosity up to 10 MPa were also determined. The results obtained in this work showed a linear relation between the thermophysical properties and the pressure. Thermodiffusion coefficient values confirm a linear effect when the pressure increases. Additionally, a new correlation based on the thermodiffusion coefficient for n C₁₂/n C₆ binary mixture at 25 ^°C temperature for any mass fraction and pressures, which reproduces the data within the experimental error, was proposed.     

Interfacial titanium oxide between hydroxyapatite and TiAlFe substrate

The interface between nano-crystalline hydroxyapatite (HA) thin films and a titanium alloy (Ti5Al2.5Fe) has been studied by means of Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry and X-ray diffraction at grazing incidence. The HA thin films were deposited by radio-frequency magnetron sputtering in low pressure dry argon on substrates kept at low temperature or heated at 550 °C. The effect of film treatment by sputtering and annealing in humid air, as a simple, effective way of restoring the crystallinity and stoichiometry of the HA bulk, was studied in correlation with the development of a titanium oxide layer at the film-substrate interface. An interfacial TiO₂ film grew at the interface during annealing in moist air, while a TiO₂ layer diffused into the HA films when directly sputtered at 550 °C. The formation of an interfacial titanium oxide layer was inhibited by the insertion of a crystalline TiN buffer interlayer between the substrate and the HA film. Separately, the mechanical characteristics of the different HA films were monitored by nanoindentation to find out how they had been affected.