Estimation of Aeroelastic Parameters of Bridge Decks Using Neural Networks

A new method of estimating flutter derivatives using artificial neural networks is proposed. Unlike other computational fluid dynamics based numerical analyses, the proposed method estimates flutter derivatives utilizing previously measured experimental data. One of the advantages of the neural networks approach is that they can approximate a function of many dimensions. An efficient method has been developed to quantify the geometry of deck sections for neural network input. The output of the neural network is flutter derivatives. The flutter derivatives estimation network, which has been trained by the proposed methodology, is tested both for training sets and novel testing sets. The network shows reasonable performance for the novel sets, as well as outstanding performance for the training sets. Two variations of the proposed network are also presented, along with their estimation capability. The paper shows the potential of applying neural networks to wind force approximations.     

Computational Implementation of Asymmetric Integral Imaging by Use of Two Crossed Lenticular Sheets

We propose an asymmetric integral imaging method to adjust the resolution and depth of a three‐dimensional image. Our method is obtained by use of two lenticular sheets with different pitches fabricated under the same F/#. The asymmetric integral imaging is the generalized version of integral imaging, including both conventional integral imaging and one‐dimensional integral imaging. We present experimental results to test and verify the performance of our method computationally.     

An Analog Front‐End Circuit for ISO/IEC 14443‐Compatible RFID Interrogators

An analog front‐end circuit for ISO/IEC 14443‐compatible radio frequency identification (RFID) interrogators was designed and fabricated by using a 0.25 µm double‐poly CMOS process. The fabricated chip was operated using a 3.3 Volt single‐voltage supply. The results of this work could be provided as reusable IPs in the form of hard or firm IPs for designing single‐chip ISO/IEC 14443‐compatible RFID interrogators.     

Neue Entwicklungen beim Hohlkatoden‐Gasflusssputtern. New Developments in Hollow Cathode Gas Flow Sputtering

The gas flow sputter technique was invented a few years ago particularly for the inexpensive fabrication of sophisticated ceramic layers. Meanwhile, it has matured and become increasingly powerful. Today it is on the verge of being applied in industrial fabrication processes. The present article gives an overview over the method, its characteristics and the numerous applications.     

Reliability of a k-out-of-n: G system with common-mode outages

This paper presents the model of a k-out-of-n: G system with common mode outages. The objective is to analytically derive the mean operating mode between failures for a non-repairable component system. The average system failure time and the system availability are also considered. Then, the model is extended to a system with repairable components and unrestricted repair, in which service times are exponentially distributed.     

Characteristics of nitrogen and phosphorus removal in SBR and SBBR with different ammonium loading rates

Laboratory scale experiments were conducted to study the deterioration of enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) due to influent ammonium concentration, and to compare the performance of two types of sequencing batch reactor (SBR) systems, a conventional SBR and sequencing batch biofilm reactor (SBBR). Both in SBR and SBBR, the total nitrogen removal efficiency decreased from 100% to 53% and from 87.5% to 54.4%, respectively, with the increase of influent ammonium concentration from 20 mg/l to 80 mg/l. When the influent ammonium concentration was as low as 20 mg/l (C: N: P=200: 20: 15), denitrifying glycogen-accumulating organisms (DGAOs) were successfully grown and activated by using glucose as a sole carbon source in a lab-scale anaerobic-oxic-anoxic (A₂O) SBR. In the SBR, due to the effect of incomplete denitrification and pH drop, the nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficiency decreased from 77% to 33.3% when the influent ammonium concentration increased from 20 mg/l to 80 mg/l. However, in the SBBR, simultaneous nitrification/denitrification (SND) occurred, and the nitrification rate in the aerobic phase did not change remarkably in spite of the increase in influent ammonium concentration. Phosphorus removal was not affected by the increase of influent ammonium concentration.     

A positive‐working photosensitive polyimide based on thermal cross‐linking and acidolytic cleavage

A novel positive‐working photosensitive polyimide (PSPI) based on a poly(hydroxyimide) (PHI), a crosslinking agent having vinyl ether groups, and a photoacid generator (PAG) was prepared. The PHI as a base resin of the three‐component PSPI was synthesized from 4,4′‐oxydiphthalic anhydride and 2,2′‐bis(3‐amino‐4‐hydroxyphenyl)hexafluoropropane through ring‐opening polymerization and subsequent thermal cyclization. 2,2′‐bis(4‐(2‐(vinyloxy)ethoxy)phenyl)propane (BPA‐DEVE) was used as a vinylether compound and diphenyliodonium 5‐hydroxynaphthalene‐1‐sulfonate was used as a PAG. The phenolic hydroxyl groups of the PHI and the vinyl ether groups of BPA‐DEVE are thermally crosslinked with acetal structures during prebake step, and the crosslinked PHI becomes completely insoluble in an aqueous basic solution. Upon exposure to UV light (365 nm) and subsequent postexposure bake (PEB), a strong acid generated from the PAG cleaves the crosslinked structures, and the exposed area is effectively solubilized in the alkaline developer. The dissolution behavior of the PSPI containing each 11.5 wt % of BPA‐DEVE and of the PAG was studied after UV exposure (365 nm) and PEB. It was found that the difference in dissolution rates between exposed and unexposed areas was enough to get high resolution. A fine positive pattern with a resolution of 5 μm in a 3.7‐μm‐thick film was obtained from the three‐component PSPI. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008