Styrene-butadiene branched star-shaped asphalt modifiers: Synthesis and mechanical characterization

Abstract

The synthesis and the corresponding characterization of styrene-butadiene (SB), branched, star-shaped copolymers was investigated as part of a research project on asphalt modification using polymers with precise molecular structures. The method of anionic polymerization was followed to prepare samples of block copolymers of SB, a synthesis method that controls chain-architecture, molecular weight distribution, monomer distribution, and the average molecular weight. The research studies are the synthesis of block copolymers including linear, three- and four-arms constructs, depending on the coupling agent used. The techniques of nuclear magnetic resonance (1NMR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and rheology were carried out to characterize the copolymers. From the results of the 1NMR, DSC, and GPC analyses, all star-shaped copolymers investigated showed a similar block copolymer composition. Furthermore, the rheological behavior of one of the synthesized star-shaped copolymers was nearly the same as a four-branched commercial copolymer. Rheologically, the four-arm block copolymer sample had the largest storage modulus (G′) among the branched copolymers synthetized, indicating that such architecture produces a highly structured material. In regard to polymer-modified asphalt formulations, the three-branched copolymer architecture yielded better elastic behavior than the four-branch version. In summary, the findings of this investigation provide new insight about a polymer system that may offer advantages in industrial asphalt paving applications.     

Coverage and invariability in fuzzy systems

This paper presents a new complex system systemic. Here, we are working in a fuzzy environment, so we have to adapt all the previous concepts and results that were obtained in a non-fuzzy environment, for this fuzzy case. The direct and indirect influences between variables will provide the basis for obtaining fuzzy and/or non-fuzzy relationships, so that the concepts of coverage and invariability between sets of variables will appear naturally. These two concepts and their interconnections will be analyzed from the viewpoint of algebraic properties of inclusion, union and intersection (fuzzy and non-fuzzy), and also for the loop concept, which, as we shall see, will be of special importance.     

Chattering-Free Sliding Mode Altitude Control for a Quad-Rotor Aircraft: Real-Time Application

Nowadays, the chattering problem in sliding mode control is one of the most important points to consider in real-time applications. To address this problem, a real-time robust altitude control scheme is proposed for the efficient performance of a Quad-rotor aircraft system using a continuous sliding mode control. The sensing of altitude measurement sensing is performed by a pressure sensor in order to obtain a robust altitude control of the vehicle in hovering mode both indoor and outdoor. The altitude measurement has the advantage of introducing this state information directly in the closed loop control which should be very useful for achieving robust stabilization of the altitude control. Accordingly, we propose a sliding mode control strategy without chattering. The sliding mode control proposed removes the chattering phenomenon by replacing a sign function with a high-slope saturation function. The control algorithm is derived from the Lyapunov stability theorem. Moreover, we have assumed that the actuators are able to respond quickly and accurately and we have not enforced limits on the control signals for a real-time application. Finally, to verify the satisfactory performance of proposed nonlinear control law, several simulations and experimental results of the Chattering-free sliding mode control for the Quad-rotor aircraft in the presence of bounded disturbances are presented.     

Fault Estimation for a Quad-Rotor MAV Using a Polynomial Observer

This work addresses the problem of fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) for a quad-rotor mini air vehicle (MAV). Actuator faults are considered on this paper. The basic idea behind the proposed method is to estimate the faults signals using the extended state observers theory. To estimate the faults, a polynomial observer (Aguilar et al. 2011; Mata-Machuca et al., Commun Nonlinear Sci Numer Simul 15(12):4114–4130, 2010, BioSystems 100(1):65–69, 2010) is presented by using the available measurements and know inputs of the system. In order to investigate the diagnosability properties of the system, a differential algebra approach is proposed (Cruz-Victoria et al., J Frankl Inst 345(2):102–118, 2008; and Martinez-Guerra and Diop, IEE P-Contr Theor Ap 151(1):130–135, 2004). The effectiveness of the methodology is illustrated by means of numerical simulations.     

FAST LINEAR ESTIMATION METHODS FOR VECTOR AUTOREGRESSIVE MOVING-AVERAGE MODELS

Abstract. Three linear methods for estimating parameter values of vector auto-regressive moving-average (VARMA) models which are in general at least an order of magnitude faster than maximum likelihood estimation are developed in this paper. Simulation results for different model structures with varying numbers of component series and observations suggest that the accuracy of these procedures is in most cases comparable with maximum likelihood estimation. Procedures for estimating parameter standard error are also discussed and used for identification of nonzero elements in the VARMA polynomial structures. These methods can also be used to establish the order of the VARMA structure. We note, however, that the primary purpose of these estimates is to generate initial estimates for the nonzero parameters in order to reduce subsequent computational time of more efficient estimation procedures such as exact maximum likelihood.     

Electrochemical anticorrosion performance evaluation of Al2O3 coatings deposited by MOCVD on an industrial brass substrate

Alumina (Al₂O₃) coatings of different thickness were deposited on OT59 brass substrate (BS) using the metal organic chemical vapour deposition (MOCVD) technique to evaluate the corrosion performance by EIS measurements. The used precursor was dimethyl-aluminium-isopropoxide. Electrochemical characterizations of the deposited films were performed in a standard very aggressive acidic solution (aerated 1N H₂SO₄ at 25 °C up to 168 h of immersion time) by means of direct current method (Tafel curves) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS) indicated that the films are very pure with the correct Al₂O₃ stoichiometry, while the IR absorption spectra showed that the films did not contain any OH groups. The surface film morphology was investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and displayed a globular texture. The films were very smooth, with a maximum root mean square roughness, for example, of 14 nm for a 0.96 μm thick coating. The EIS data confirmed, as expected, that a 2.40 μm Al₂O₃ layer ensures the best corrosion protection after 168 h of immersion in the very acidic environment used.     

Parametric study on smoothed particle hydrodynamics for accurate determination of drag coefficient for a circular cylinder

Simulations of two-dimensional (2D) flow past a circular cylinder with the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method were conducted in order to accurately determine the drag coefficient. The fluid was modeled as a viscous liquid with weak compressibility. Boundary conditions, such as a no-slip solid wall, inflow and outflow, and periodic boundaries, were employed to resemble the physical problem. A sensitivity analysis, which has been rarely addressed in previous studies, was conducted on several SPH parameters. Hence, the effects of distinct parameters, such as the kernel choices and the domain dimensions, were investigated with the goal of obtaining highly accurate results. A range of Reynolds numbers (1–500) was simulated, and the results were compared with existing experimental data. It was observed that the domain dimensions and the resolution of SPH particles, in comparison to the obstacle size, affected the obtained drag coefficient significantly. Other parameters, such as the background pressure, influenced the transient condition, but did not influence the steady state at which the drag coefficient was determined.     

A hybrid dynamic motion prediction method for multibody digital human models based on a motion database and motion knowledge

In this paper, we present a novel method to predict human motion, seeking to combine the advantages of both data-based and knowledge-based motion prediction methods. Our method relies on a database of captured motions for reference and introduces knowledge in the prediction in the form of a motion control law, which is followed while resembling the actually performed reference motion. The prediction is carried out by solving an optimization problem in which the following conditions are imposed to the motion: must fulfill the goals of the task; resemble the reference motion selected from the database; follow a knowledge-based dynamic motion control law; and ensure the dynamic equilibrium of the human model, considering its interactions with the environment. In this work, we apply the proposed method to a database of clutch pedal depression motions, and we present the results for three predictions. The method is validated by comparing the results of the prediction to motions actually performed in similar conditions. The predicted motions closely resemble the motions in the validation database and no significant differences have been noted either in the motion’s kinematics or in the motion’s dynamics.     

A microfluidic optical beam steerer

This paper reports the fabrication and characterization of a prototype microfluidic device that can act as a periodic beam steerer. The prototype is formed by a simple T-junction followed by a serpentine channel that allows generation of a periodical segmented flow of air and water bubbles. If light hits the channel wall with a suitable angle, it can be either transmitted or reflected by the segmented flow, giving rise to an alternating beam steerer. The duty cycle, switching frequency, and overall stability and reproducibility of this prototype system are presented and discussed.     

The biodrying process of sewage sludge – a review

Abstract

Sewage treatment can be classified into three phases: liquid, gaseous, and solid. Treatment of solids is performed in several steps, and the greatest difficulty in removing water from sewage sludge is due to the bound water present in the sludge. Thus, biodrying, a drying method that can be classified as biological, has been recently applied to treat this type of waste. This review paper aims to report and compile data from 49 biodrying assays of sewage sludge found in the literature (through the present, 2019) into one synthesis table, to discuss and compare the numerous variables found in these papers and their implications for biodrying, and to suggest possibilities for future research. This paper additionally intends to improve knowledge of biodrying and to consequently contribute to the monitoring and understanding of the process.