A novel Z-source boost derived hybrid converter for PV applications

Analog Integrated Circuits and Signal Processing - This paper proposes a novel Z-source boost derived hybrid converter (ZSBDHC) that produces high gain dual output from a single DC input, which is...     

Enhanced Energy Proficient Encoding Algorithm for Reducing Medium Time in Wireless Networks

Wireless Personal Communications - Providing increased network coding gain is one of the optimum-based medium time problems in wireless networks. This problem is identified using non-linear...     

Dielectric and conductivity studies on cobalt phthalocyanine tetramers

Electrically conductive organic and metalloorganic polymers are of great interest and they have applications in electronic, optical, photonic, photoelectric, electrochemical, and dielectric devices. Tetrameric cobalt phthalocyanine was prepared by conventional chemical method. The dielectric permittivity of the tetrameric cobalt phthalocyanine sample was evaluated from the observed capacitance values in the frequency range 100 KHz to 5 MHz and in the temperature range of 300 to 383°K. It is found that the system obeys the Maxwell Wagner relaxation of space charge phenomenon. Further, from the permittivity studies AC conductivity was evaluated. The values of AC conductivity and DC conductivity were compared. Activation energy was calculated. To understand the conduction mechanism Mott's variable range hopping model was applied to the system. The T^?1/4 behavior of the DC conductivity along with the values of Mott's Temperature (T₀), density of states at the Fermi energy N (E_F), and range of hopping R and hopping energy W indicate that the transport of charge carriers are by three‐dimensional variable range hopping. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 2529–2535, 2004     

Tolerance design optimization of machine elements using genetic algorithm

An important problem that faces design engineers is how to assign tolerance limits. In practical applications, tolerances are most often assigned as an informal compromise between functionality, quality and manufacturing cost. Frequently, the compromise is obtained iteratively by trial and error. A more scientific approach is often desirable for better performance. In this paper, a genetic algorithm (GA) is used for the design of tolerances of machine elements to obtain the global optimal solution. The objective is to design the optimum tolerances of the individual components to achieve the required assembly tolerance, zero percentage rejection of the components and minimum cost of manufacturing. The proposed procedure using GA is described in this paper for two tolerance design optimization problems: gear train and overrunning clutch assemblies. Results are compared with conventional techniques and the performances are analyzed.     

Fuzzy control of multivariable process by modified error decoupling

In this paper, a control concept for the squared (equal number of inputs and outputs) multivariable process systems is given. The proposed control system consists of two parts, single loop fuzzy controllers in each loop and a centralized decoupling unit. The fuzzy control system uses feedback control to minimize the error in the loop and the decoupler uses an adaptive technique to mitigate loop interactions. The decoupler predicts the interacting loop changes and modifies the input (error) of the loop controller. The controller was tested on the simulation model of "single component vaporizer" process. The results indicate that the decoupling controller shows better performance for set point and load changes.     

Scheduling optimisation of flexible manufacturing systems using particle swarm optimisation algorithm

The increased use of flexible manufacturing systems (FMS) to efficiently provide customers with diversified products has created a significant set of operational challenges. Although extensive research has been conducted on design and operational problems of automated manufacturing systems, many problems remain unsolved. In particular, the scheduling task, the control problem during the operation, is of importance owing to the dynamic nature of the FMS such as flexible parts, tools and automated guided vehicle (AGV) routings. The FMS scheduling problem has been tackled by various traditional optimisation techniques. While these methods can give an optimal solution to small-scale problems, they are often inefficient when applied to larger-scale problems. In this work, different scheduling mechanisms are designed to generate optimum scheduling; these include non-traditional approaches such as genetic algorithm (GA), simulated annealing (SA) algorithm, memetic algorithm (MA) and particle swarm algorithm (PSA) by considering multiple objectives, i.e., minimising the idle time of the machine and minimising the total penalty cost for not meeting the deadline concurrently. The memetic algorithm presented here is essentially a genetic algorithm with an element of simulated annealing. The results of the different optimisation algorithms (memetic algorithm, genetic algorithm, simulated annealing, and particle swarm algorithm) are compared and conclusions are presented .     

Sources and impacts of pharmaceutical components in wastewater and its treatment process: A review

Pharmaceutical compounds and their derivatives are major pollutants in the environment, as their metabolites affect the terrestrial as well as aquatic organisms in one or another way. In recent times, many papers have discussed the treatment procedures for single pharmaceutical and mixture of pharmaceutical components, but only few papers have discussed the fate and the exposure of pharmaceutical contaminants in our environment. In this paper, we discuss the sources and the forms of pharmaceutical products and their resultant in the environment and their addition to the microbial and to human communities. A detailed discussion of various treatment techniques from conventional to current techniques, their advantages and disadvantages is given here. Researchers are finding the techniques in order to completely degrade the contaminants and their transformed products from the environment. Among the technique, s nanotechnology was found to be an efficient technique, and the combination of nanotechnology with other conventional technologies gives higher removal efficiency.     

Drying and energy aspects of tapioca sago processing-an experimental field study

Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology - The drying characteristics of tapioca sago were studied using four different drying methods—Open sun drying (OSD), Conveyor belt drying (CBD),...     

Studies on Silicon Containing Nano-hybrid Epoxy Coatings for the Protection of Corrosion and Bio-Fouling on Mild Steel

An epoxy nano-composite coating was developed using amine functionalized nZnO (in the amount of 2.5 %, 5.0 % and 7.5 wt %) as the dispersed phase and a commercially available epoxy resin as the matrix phase. The structural features of these materials were ascertained by FT-IR spectral studies. The anti-corrosive properties of the epoxy/nZnO hybrid coatings in comparison with a virgin coating were investigated by a salt spray test and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy technique. The surface morphology determined by SEM, indicates that nZnO particles were dispersed homogenously through the epoxy polymer matrix. The results showed improved antifouling and anticorrosive properties for epoxy-nZnO hybrid coatings.