Reachable set of bilinear control systems with time varying drift

In this article, we give a complete characterization of the reachable set at all times for a class of bilinear control systems with time varying drift and unbounded control amplitude. These results are of fundamental interest in geometric control theory and have important applications to control of coupled spins in solid state NMR spectroscopy.     

Removal of lead from aqueous solution by hybrid precursor prepared by rice hull

Use of low-cost hybrid precursor, prepared from rice hull has been studied as a sorbent for the removal of Pb(2+) from aqueous solutions. Effect of contact time, initial concentration, pH and temperature has been studied. The effect of temperature (30, 40, 50 and 60 degrees C) on adsorption phenomena has been studied and data have been analyzed using Langmuir isotherm. The change in enthalpy (Delta H) (-14.6179 kJ/mol), free energy (Delta G) and entropy (DeltaS) has also been evaluated. The negative values of Delta G and Delta H indicate the adsorption of lead ions on the surface of hybrid precursor to be spontaneous and exothermic under the experimental condition.     

Vibration and damping characteristics of beams with active constrained layer treatments under parametric variations

Hybrid damping designs with active piezoelectric materials and passive viscoelastic materials (VEMs) combine the advantages of both active and passive constrained layer damping (ACLD/PCLD) treatments.Researchers have established the standards for the extent and placement of the PCLD treatment for common structures. However for ACLD treatment, such detailed studies are not available. This study is aimed to examine, the effect of parametric variation of active constrained layer on the vibration control of the beams treated with optimally placed active or passive constrained layer damping patches. Finite element model is developed to model the open-loop and close-loop dynamics of active/passive constrained layer damping treated beam. The placement strategies of ACLD patches are devised using the modal strain energy (MSE) approach. Extensive experimentation studies are conducted by making twenty one separate samples of ACLD/PCLD treated beams with variations in viscoelastic material layer thickness, ACLD/PCLD patch coverage and location of the patch. Effects of key parameters, such as control gain, viscoelastic material thickness, coverage and location variation of ACLD patch on the system loss factor have been investigated. The careful analysis of results from partially covered ACLD treated beam suggests that the maximum damping of the first mode can be achieved by attaching the ACLD patch only up to 50% coverage. It also reveals that with proper choice of the control voltage and thickness, the effective loss factor can be almost doubled. The present study suggests the potential use of parametric studies that establish some guide lines for the extent and placement of the ACLD patches on the cantilevered beam.     

Bioactive polymers: Synthesis,release study and antimicrobial properties of polymer bound Ampicillin

Matrices of poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride) with surface containing functional anhydride groups of different percentage was prepared by solution polymerization. Ampicillin was bound on the surface of this matrix by chemical bonding in organic medium. The amount of Ampicillin chemically bound to the matrix was spectroscopically characterized and the in vitro release rate of Ampicillin in weakly basic medium was established along with the determination of its antimicrobial activity. This prodrug allows a prolonged release (6–8 days) of the drug.     

Scientometric analysis of literature on distributed vehicular networks : VOSViewer visualization techniques

Artificial Intelligence Review - The idea of vehicular communication has evolved dramatically over the past two decades apparently with technological advancements that accord low power and memory...     

A novel technique for generating desired vibrations in structure

A novel technique is presented for exciting desired transient vibrations in a structure. A cantilevered plate instrumented with piezoelectric sensor and actuator is used as a test-structure. Finite element model of the test-plate is developed using Hamilton's principle. Finite element model is reduced to first two modes using orthonormal modal truncation and then this reduced model is converted into a state-space model. Tracking optimal control is then employed to obtain desired transient curves simultaneously, of first two modes of vibration. Theoretical findings are verified by conducting experiments, for experimentation, Kalman observer is used to estimate first two modes and Labview software is used for interfacing. Presented strategy can be used to do dynamic vibration testing of a product by forcing the product to experience same transient vibrations that it is expected to experience in field.