Low-order ODE approximations and receding horizon control of surface roughness during thin-film growth

The problem of feedback controller synthesis with objective to control the microstructure during thin-film growth is considered. The problem of the non-availability of closed form dynamic models for the evolution of the microstructure is circumvented by deriving low-order state-space models that approximate the underlying kinetic Monte Carlo simulations. Initially, a finite set of “coarse” observables is identified from spatial correlation functions to represent the coarse microscopic state and capture the dominant characteristics of the microstructure during the deposition process. Subsequently, a state-space model is identified, employing proper orthogonal decomposition and Carleman linearization, that describes the evolution of the coarse observables. The state-space model is subsequently employed to design receding horizon controllers that regulate the surface roughness of the thin-film at a specified set-point during the growth process by manipulating the substrate temperature. The above approach is applied to: (i) a deposition process modeled using solid-on-solid model on a one-dimensional lattice; and (ii) an anisotropic deposition process on a two-dimensional lattice. Closed-loop simulations at various growth rates and in the presence of disturbances are performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed controller design scheme.     

Assessment of Post-Earthquake Fire Behavior of a Steel MRF Building in a Low Seismic Region

International Journal of Steel Structures - Building-level response to post-earthquake fire hazards in steel buildings has been assessed using primarily two-dimensional analyses of the lateral...     

Carbon nanohorn‐graphene nanoplate hybrid: An excellent electrode material for supercapacitor application

This study describes the capacitor behavior of carbon nanohorn (CNH)/graphene nanoplate (GNP) hybrid (CNGN). The well‐CNH‐decorated GNP‐plate electrode materials show high capacitance value (≈677 F/g) and can be extensively used in new generation for energy storage. In the hybrid (CNGN), two nanofillers jointly affect the capacitance behavior and increase the capacitance value of the CNGN hybrid. Homogeneous coating of CNH over the GNP plate plays an effective role to enhance the capacitance behavior of the composite. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis of the composite confirmed the CNH coating on the GNP plate. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42118.     

Stabilization of Indian peat using alkali-activated ground granulated blast furnace slag

Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment - Peat is an exceptionally problematic soil for construction purposes and is often stabilized by traditional stabilizers (like cement), which...     

Distribution of mineral species in different coal seams of Talcher coalfield and its transformation behavior at varying temperatures

International Journal of Coal Science & Technology - Mineral phase characterization and thorough understanding of its transformation behavior during combustion are imperative to know the...     

Lightpath Rerouting Algorithm to enhance blocking performance in all-optical WDM network without wavelength conversion

In this paper, we have proposed an efficient wavelength rerouting algorithm for dynamic provisioning of lightpath. In wavelength-division multiplexed (WDM) networks rerouting of lightpath can be used to improve throughput and to reduce blocking probability. We have proposed a Lightpath Rerouting Algorithm (LRRA) for dynamic traffic in WDM optical networks. The results have shown that LRRA can improve blocking performance of the network. In this paper, low complexity algorithm has been developed which is used for the calculation of blocking probability of network. The proposed algorithm has also been applied on the realistic network such as NSFnet for calculation and optimization of blocking probability of the network. The results have also shown that the proposed algorithm can be implemented to huge networks for good blocking performance of the network.     

Using poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate)/polyacrylonitrile composite membranes for gas dehydration and humidification

The transport of water vapor through a composite membrane consisting of hydrophilic poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) as the active layer and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) as the substrate was investigated, and the performance of the membrane for gas dehydration and humidification applications was evaluated. For gas dehydration, methane/water vapor mixtures were used as feed and vacuum was applied on the downstream side. The feed composition and operating temperature were found to have a significant effect on the membrane performance. The PAN substrate had little effect on the permeation of methane, but the resistance of the substrate to water vapor permeation was significant because of the substantially higher permeability of water vapor in the membrane. For gas humidification, liquid water was brought to be in contact with the active layer of the membrane and nitrogen gas flowed on the other side. With an increase in the gas flow rate, the mass transfer rate of water through the membrane to reach the gas stream increased, and the humidity level of the gas stream decreased. The humidification can be enhanced significantly by operating at a higher temperature. A phenomenological mass transfer equation was derived for membrane humidifiers to correlate the overall mass transfer coefficient and membrane area, and this equation could be used in process design and scale up.     

Analytical Modeling of Quantum Mechanical Tunneling in Germanium Nano-MOSFETS

A simple analytical model has been developed to study quantum mechanical effects (QME)in a germanium substrate MOSFET (metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor),which includes gate oxide tunneling considering the energy quantization effects in the substrate.Some alternate high dielectric constant materials to reduce the tunneling have also been studied.By comparing with the numerically reported results,the results match well with the existing reported work.