Effect of organic dopants on electrodeposition and characteristics of polyaniline under the varying influence of H2SO4 and HClO4 electrolyte media

Electrodeposition of conducting polyaniline (Pani) was made under potentiostatic condition at pH 1.0 in different electrolyte media (H₂SO₄ and HClO₄) in the absence and presence of two organic dopants, disodium salts of naphthalene-1,5-disulphonic acid (NSA) and of catechol-3,5-disulphonic acid (CSA). The rate and yield of Pani deposition were dependent on the acid medium and the dopant employed. NSA in H₂SO₄ caused an increase in rate and yield but CSA decrease when compared to the rate and yield of H₂SO₄ alone. In HClO₄ medium, both the dopants showed a decrease. With regard to DC electrical conductivity, both the dopants exhibited an enhancement in H₂SO₄ medium but NSA a decline in HClO₄. Characterisation of the electrosynthesised polymer samples by various instrumental techniques (cyclic voltammetric: CV, FTIR, UV-Visible: UV-Vis, EPR, XRD, TGA and DTG methods) revealed that between the two acid media, H₂SO₄ was the better one. Further, it enlightened the role of two organic dopants in relation to the acid media. The advantageous role of NSA in H₂SO₄ had origin on its molecular characteristics such as non-polarity, larger π-electron cloud etc., while CSA could not perform such a role because of its easily oxidisable hydroxyl groups. In HClO₄, however, both the dopants could play only an unfavourable role owing to its greater polarity and oxidizing power than H₂SO₄.     

Performance analysis of voting strategies for a fly-by-wire systemof a fighter aircraft

Findings of studies on input processing of a digital fly-by-wire system of a fighter aircraft are presented. Objectives were to select a suitable software structure complying with reliability and fault tolerance requirements and to assess its computational load. Ramp and constant input signals with noise were studied based on Monte-Carlo methods. Voting strategies studied and compared include lower-median, upper-median, and weighted average. Execution times and memory requirements of each strategy have also been assessed     

The MITRE E3 family of models structure and results

A family of energy/economic/environmental (E³) models is presented as a mechanism for analysing national policy issues. The family consists of discrete models which are designed to be run in an integrated manner. The outputs of certain models provide the inputs to the next. This structure allows the analyst to readily incorporate an understanding of regional factors such as local energy prices, concerns over air quality, water availability, or attitudes towards construction of new energy facilities, into national assessments of energy policies. This paper reviews the analytic framework within which energy policy issues are currently addressed. The initial family of E³ models is described with the emphasis on the data linkages and feedback which are provided when these models are run sequentially. The ongoing MITRE research programme with the E³ family of models is presented and plans and opportunities for future work are outlined.     

Damage mechanisms and failure modes in cross-ply laminates under monotonic tensile loading: The influence of fiber sizing

In this study, the effect of fiber-matrix interphase on the damage modes and failure mechanisms in (0, 90₃), cross-ply graphite-toughened epoxy laminates is investigated. Two material systems (designated as 810 A and 810 O) with the same fiber and same matrix, but with different fiber sizings, were used to study the effect of the interphase. The system designated as 810 A contained an unreacted Bisphenol-A (epoxy) sizing, while a thermoplastic polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) sizing was used in the 810 O system. Damage accumulation in the cross-ply laminates under monotonic tensile loading was monitored using edge replication, x-ray radiography, acoustic emission, optical and scanning electron microscopy. Results indicate that the fiber-matrix bond strength is lower in the 810 O system compared to the 810 A system. Transverse matrix cracking initiates at a significantly lower stress level in the 810 O laminate. The 810 O laminates also exhibit longitudinal splitting, while the stronger bonding suppress this damage mode in the 810 A laminates. Numerous local delamination occur on the 0/90 interface at the intersection of 0 and 90 degree ply cracks, in the 810 O laminates. These are absent in the 810 A laminates. The failure modes are also different in the two material systems used in this study. The 810 A laminate exhibits a brittle failure, controlled by the local stress concentration effects near broken fibers. In the 810 O laminates, the presence of longitudinal splits result in the reduction of stress concentration effects near fibe fractures. This results in a global strain controlled failure in the 810 O system. It is concluded that the presence of different fiber sizings result in different damage modes and failure mechanisms in the cross-ply laminates used in this study.Research Associate, Research Assistant, Alexander Giacco Professor and Professor respectively.     

Finite element crack growth algorithm for dynamic fracture

A new finite element crack growth algorithm has been developed to simulate dynamic fracture. In this algorithm, pseudo elements with very high initial density are placed below the crack plane and the density is reduced to zero in a gradual manner as the crack passes the element. A number of linear elastic and elasto-viscoplastic problems have been carried out to test the new algorithm. The results are compared with some of the existing crack growth models.     

A micromechanics model for the prediction of static strength of off-axis unidirectional laminates

In this paper a micromechanics model using the concentric cylinder assemblage model and the Mori-Tanaka average stress scheme is used to predict the static strength of unidirectional angle ply laminates. The predicted strengths agree with experimental results for Glass/Epoxy and Graphite/Epoxy systems.     

Thermal shock and thermal fatigue study of ceramic materials on a newly developed ascending thermal shock test equipment

A test equipment was designed to study thermal shock and thermal fatigue of ceramic materials subjected to fast heating (ascending). The equipment was designed to generate thermal stress in a test specimen by heating one surface of it by an oxy-hydrogen flame while cooling the opposite surface. The sample cracked when thermal stress exceeded its mechanical strength. The in situ crack formation was detected by an acoustic emission system coupled to the set up. The hot zone temperature was measured by an infra red pyrometer. The equipment was also designed to run thermal fatigue test cycles in automatic mode between two selected temperatures. The temperature and thermal stress distribution in the test specimen were modelled using finite element software. The effect of temperature distribution of the top and bottom surfaces on thermal stresses was studied. It was observed that the thermal stress is very sensitive to the temperature distribution on the top surface and maximum near the periphery of the top surface. This was in agreement with the experimental results in which the cracks were originated from the periphery of top surface. It was also observed that the failure temperature was higher for thicker samples.