Optimal Control of Open-Channel Flow Using Adjoint Sensitivity Analysis

An optimal flow control methodology based on adjoint sensitivity analysis for controlling nonlinear open channel flows with complex geometries is presented. The adjoint equations, derived from the nonlinear Saint-Venant equations, are generally capable of evaluating the time-dependent sensitivities with respect to a variety of control variables under complex flow conditions and cross-section shapes. The internal boundary conditions of the adjoint equations at a confluence (junction) derived by the variational approach make the flow control model applicable to solve optimal flow control problems in a channel network over a watershed. As a result, an optimal flow control software package has been developed, in which two basic modules, i.e., a hydrodynamic module and a bound constrained optimization module using the limited-memory quasi-Newton algorithm, are integrated. The effectiveness and applicability of this integrated optimal control tool are demonstrated thoroughly by implementing flood diversion controls in rivers, from one reach with a single or multiple floodgates (with or without constraints), to a channel network with multiple floodgates. This new optimal flow control model can be generally applied to make optimal decisions in real-time flood control and water resource management in a watershed.     

Thermo economic evaluation of oxy fuel combustion cycle in Kazeroon power plant considering enhanced oil recovery revenues简

Oxy fuel combustion and conventional cycle （currently working cycle） in Kazeroon plant are modeled using commercial thermodynamic modeling software. Economic evaluation of the two models regarding the resources of transport and injection of carbon dioxide into oil fields at Gachsaran for enhanced oil recovery in the various oil price indices is conducted and indices net present value （NPV） and internal rate of return on investment （IRR） are calculated. The results of the two models reveal that gross efficiency of the oxy fuel cycle is more than reference cycle （62% compared to 49.03%）, but the net efficiency is less （41.85% compared to 47.92%） because of the high-energy consumption of the components, particularly air separation unit （ASU） in the oxy fuel cycle. In this model, pure carbon dioxide with pressure of 20~ 105 Pa and purity of 96.84% was captured. NOx emissions also decrease by 4289.7 tons per year due to separation of nitrogen in ASU. In this model, none of the components of oxy fuel cycle is a major engineering challenge. With increasing oil price, economic justification of oxy fuel combustion model increases. With the price of oil at $ 80 per barrel in mind and $ 31 per ton fines for emissions of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, IRR is the same for both models.     

Highly luminescent film functionalized with CdTe quantum dots by layer‐by‐layer assembly

Robust and facile strategies are required to fabricate film with high luminescence for application in the fields of biomaterials. In this study, the luminescent electrospinning cellulose fibrous mats were decorated with CdTe quantum dots (QDs) and poly(diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride) (PDDA) using layer by layer (LBL). The characterizations of the LBL films coated mats were executed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, fluorescent spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, thermal gravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. The luminescent intensities were linearly increased with adding the amount of deposited bilayers. The green fabricated (QDs/PDDA)_n coated mat through physical interactions is a promising luminescent material. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41893.     

Effect of chlorine ion concentration on morphology and optical properties of Cl-doped ZnO nanostructures

Effect of Cl^?1 concentration on morphology and optical properties of Cl-doped ZnO nanostructures was studied. The Cl-doped ZnO nanostructures and undoped ZnO microstructures were grown on Si(1 1 1) substrates using a physical vapor deposition method. The ZnO nanostructures have been doped with different concentrations of chlorine. The Cl-doped ZnO nanostructures with 6% atom Cl, showed a nanodisk morphology with a hexagonal shape, while the Cl-doped ZnO nanostructures with 9% atom Cl, exhibited a stacked nanoplate morphology with smaller thickness in comparison to the Cl-doped ZnO nanodisks. In addition, with increasing Cl content to 13%, morphology of the products changed to more stacked nanoplates with nanoflakes morphology. X-ray diffraction results clearly showed a hexagonal structure for the all samples. Raman spectroscopy results showed a strong crystalline quality for the undoped ZnO microdisks and Cl-doped ZnO nanodisks; while these results indicated a weak crystalline quality for the Cl-doped ZnO nanoplates and nanoflakes. Photoluminescence (PL) studies also confirmed the Raman results and it exhibited a lower optical property for the Cl-doped ZnO nanoplates and nanoflakes in comparison to the undoped ZnO microdisks and Cl-doped ZnO nanodisks. Furthermore, the UV peak of the Cl-doped ZnO nanostructures was blue-shifted with respect to that of the undoped ZnO.     

Simultaneous growth of self-patterned carbon nanotube forests with dual height scales

In this study, we report on a unique, one-step fabrication technique enabling the simultaneous synthesis of vertically aligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes (VA-MWCNTs) with dual height scales through alcohol catalyzed chemical vapor deposition (ACCVD). Regions of VA-MWCNTs with different heights were well separated from each other leading to a self-patterning on the surface. We devised a unique layer-by-layer process for application of catalyst and inhibitor precursors on oxidized Si (100) surfaces before the ACCVD step to achieve a hierarchical arrangement. Patterning could be controlled by adjusting the molarity and application sequence of precursors. Contact angle measurements on these self-patterned surfaces indicated that manipulation of these hierarchical arrays resulted in a wide range of hydrophobic behavior changing from that of a sticky rose petal to a lotus leaf.     

A low pressure SWCNT-ENM sandwich membrane system for the removal of PPCPs from water

While carbon nanotubes are known as efficient adsorbents for removal of a number of contaminants from water, the possibility of their leaching into drinking water has prevented their application in water treatment. In this study, single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) were sandwiched between two electrospun nanofibre membranes (ENM). The relatively small pore size of the ENM prevented the mechanically entangled nanotubes from passing through and contaminating the water. The performance of the SWCNT-ENM was evaluated in a lab-scale setup for the removal of PPCPs. For this purpose, a feed solution spiked with known concentrations of six PPCPs was passed through the membrane system. The target substances included acetaminophen (ACT), bezafibrate (BZF), iopromide (IOP), diclofenac (DCF), carbamazepine (CBZ), and sulphamethoxazole (SMX). The same test was also conducted using a single contaminant (ACT). Results demonstrated a decrease in the overall percent removal of PPCPs as feed flow rate and PPCP concentration increased. For multi-component feeds containing equal amounts of the aforementioned PPCPs, the overall percent removal decreased from 90.8% to 71.0% when increasing the feed concentration from 30 to 600 μg/L. Experiments using sandwiched powdered activated carbon (PAC) showed that the dynamic adsorption capacity of PPCPs by SWCNT-ENM was higher than that of PAC-ENM, and remained unaffected by the feed composition. In addition, the high porosity of this novel membrane allowed for flow of water with low resistance such that the trans-membrane pressure was found to be as low as 4 kPa at a pure water flux of 330 L/m²h.     

High-performance photocatalysts for the selective oxidation of alcohols to carbonyl compounds

With an increase in awareness about the need for green chemistry, there is a shift in focus towards identifying eco-compatible technologies that can improve product yield and eliminate the use or generation of hazardous compounds. An immediate practical example of such an approach is the development of sustainable methods for alcohol oxidation as alternatives to the current processes that are energy intensive and rely on ecotoxic chemicals. In this regard, heterogeneous photocatalysis has been identified as a robust technique to catalyze reactions under benign conditions, which would otherwise require harsh synthesis routes. With the advent of materials sciences and nanotechnology, there has been a tremendous increase in the scope of applicability of photocatalysis in fine chemicals synthesis. Though an attractive choice, much of the fundamental information pertaining to catalyst activity, selectivity and reaction conditions for optimum conversion are still to be investigated for most of these systems. To this end, this review will encompass recent achievements in the selective photocatalytic oxidation of alcohols by harnessing solar radiation as a viable source of energy. The discussion will be arranged based on common types of photocatalysts reported in literature, namely metal oxides (eg, TiO₂ and ZnO, Nb₂O₅), sulphides (eg, CdS, CuS, and Bi₂S₃), and carbonaceous photocatalysts (eg, g-C₃N₄). Several such candidates for photocatalysts will be discussed critically with the aim of providing useful insight into developing selective photocatalysts that can oxidize alcohols via eco-friendly pathways along with high yields.     

Regulatory RNAs: A Universal Language for Inter-Domain Communication

In eukaryotes, microRNAs (miRNAs) have roles in development, homeostasis, disease and the immune response. Recent work has shown that plant and mammalian miRNAs also mediate cross-kingdom and cross-domain communications. However, these studies remain controversial and are lacking critical mechanistic explanations. Bacteria do not produce miRNAs themselves, and therefore it is unclear how these eukaryotic RNA molecules could function in the bacterial recipient. In this review, we compare and contrast the biogenesis and functions of regulatory RNAs in eukaryotes and bacteria. As a result, we discovered several conserved features and homologous components in these distinct pathways. These findings enabled us to propose novel mechanisms to explain how eukaryotic miRNAs could function in bacteria. Further understanding in this area is necessary to validate the findings of existing studies and could facilitate the use of miRNAs as novel tools for the directed remodelling of the human microbiota.     

Thermal cure monitoring of phenolic resole resins based on in situ fluorescence technique

The thermal curing reaction of two phenolic resole resins is monitored using the fluorescence technique. The intrinsic fluorescence can be used as an indicator for cure monitoring for the first resole. As the thermal curing proceeds, the intrinsic fluorescence intensity of the resole resin decreases and exhibits a few nanometers of redshift. The fluorescence intensity of the emission maxima is correlated with the conversion measured by differential scanning spectroscopy. A linear correlation is found at three different temperatures. The intrinsic fluorescence cannot always be used for monitoring the curing process of phenolic resole resins. Thus, three intramolecular charge transfer compounds and two organic donor–π‐acceptor salts are selected and applied for the cure monitoring of the second phenolic resole resin. As the curing reaction proceeds, the fluorescence emission spectra of the probes exhibit a blue spectral shift and the intensity changes because of environmental changes. An intensity ratio method is applied in which the ratios of the low‐ to high‐intensity changes in the emission bands are used to determine the degree of the curing process. There is a smooth correlation between the intensity ratio method and the degree of cure. The method enables one to follow the changes in the polymer structure at low and intermediate degrees of the curing process (below 70%) and obtain comparable results from different types of probes during the same curing process. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 1773–1780, 2002