Performances comparison between multilevel hierarchical and mesh FPGA interconnects

This paper evaluates a new multilevel hierarchical FPGA (MFPGA). The specific architecture includes two unidirectional programmable networks: a downward network based on the Butterfly-Fat-Tree topology; and a special upward network. New tools are developed to place and route several benchmark circuits on this architecture. Comparison with the traditional symmetric Manhattan mesh architecture shows that MFPGA can implement circuits with a smaller area and better speed.     

Entropy generation in Poiseuille–Benard channel flow

The issue of entropy generation in Poiseuille–Benard channel flow is analyzed by solving numerically the mass, momentum and energy equations with the use of the classic Boussinesq incompressible approximation. The numerical scheme is based on Control Volume Finite Element Method with the SIMPLER algorithm for pressure–velocity coupling. Results are obtained for Rayleigh numbers Ra and irreversibility φ ranging from 10³ to 5×10⁴ and from 10⁻⁴ to 10 respectively. Variations of entropy generation and the Bejan number as a function of Ra and φ are studied. The limit value φ_l for which entropy generation due to heat transfer is equal to entropy due to fluid friction is evaluated. It has been found that φ_l is a decreasing function of the Rayleigh number Ra. φ_l varies from 0.0015 to 0.096 when Ra decrease from 5×10⁴ to 10³. Stream lines and entropy generation maps are plotted at six times over one period at Ra =10⁴ and φ=10⁻³. It has been found that the maximum entropy generation is localized at areas where heat exchanged between the walls and the flow is maximum. No significant entropy production is seen in the main flow.     

Combining scanning probe microscopy and x-ray spectroscopy

A new versatile tool, combining Shear Force Microscopy and X-Ray Spectroscopy was designed and constructed to obtain simultaneously surface topography and chemical mapping. Using a sharp optical fiber as microscope probe, it is possible to collect locally the visible luminescence of the sample. Results of tests on ZnO and on ZnWO4 thin layers are in perfect agreement with that obtained with other conventional techniques. Twin images obtained by simultaneous acquisition in near field of surface topography and of local visible light emitted by the sample under X-Ray irradiation in synchrotron environment are shown. Replacing the optical fibre by an X-ray capillary, it is possible to collect local X-ray fluorescence of the sample. Preliminary results on Co-Ti sample analysis are presented.     

Identification of the wear mechanism on WC/C nanostructured coatings

A series of WC/C nanostructured films with carbon contents ranging from 30 to 70 at.% was deposited on M2 steel substrates by magnetron sputtering of WC and graphite targets in argon. Depending on the amorphous carbon (a-C) incorporated in the coatings, nanocrystalline coating (formed mainly by WC_{1 − x} and W₂C phases) or nanocomposite (WC_{1 − x}/a-C) were obtained with tunable mechanical and tribological properties. Ultrahardness values of 36–40 GPa were measured for the nanocrystalline samples whilst values between 16 and 23 GPa were obtained in the nanocomposite ones depending on the a-C content. The tribological properties were studied using a pin-on-disk tester versus steel (100Cr6) balls and 5 N of applied load in dry sliding conditions and the failure modes by scratch adhesion tests. Three different zones were identified according to the observed tribological behavior: I (μ > 0.8; adhesive wear), II (μ: 0.3–0.6; abrasive wear) and III (μ ~ 0.2; self-lubricated). The wear tracks and the ball scars were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman spectroscopy in order to elucidate the tribochemical reactions appearing at the contact and to determine the wear mechanism present in each type. A correlation among structure, crystalline phases, a-C content and tribomechanical properties could be established for the series of WC/C coatings and extended to understand the trends observed in the literature for similar coatings.     

Salt effect on phenolics and antioxidant activities of Tunisian and Canadian sweet marjoram (Origanum majorana L.) shoots

BACKGROUND: Two varieties of Origanum majorana (Canadian and Tunisian) were evaluated for their phenolic, flavonoid and tannin contents, individual phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities under NaCl constraint. RESULTS: The results showed a significant variability in phenolic composition and antioxidant behavior between the two varieties under salt stress. The phenolic composition of methanolic extracts was determined by reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography. Amentoflavone was the predominant flavonoid compound; in addition, trans‐2‐hydrocinnamic acid became the major phenolic acid with salt treatment of the Tunisian variety. In the control, Canadian variety extract was characterized by high levels of gallic acid and amentoflavone. However, under 75 mmol L^?1 NaCl, gallic acid content doubled, whereas amentoflavone content was maintained in the Canadian variety. Stimulation of phenolic acid biosynthesis was observed in these two varieties under salt treatment despite the fact that shoots of the Tunisian variety showed higher antioxidant activities compared to those from the Canadian variety. Tunisian O. majorana might have developed tolerance to salinity and avoided tissue damage by activating enzymes involved in the galactosylation of quercetin into quercetin‐3‐galactoside and quercetin‐3‐rhamnoside. CONCLUSION: Our results confirmed the tolerance of Tunisian O. majorana plants. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Giant dielectric permittivity and non-linear electrical behavior in CaCu3Ti4O12 varistors from the molten-salt synthesized powder

CaCu₃Ti₄O₁₂ (CCTO) powder has been prepared by a molten salt method using the NaCl–KCl mixture. Crystal structure and microstructure of the powder and the resulting ceramics have been characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microcopy (SEM). Impedance analyzer and current–voltage meter were employed to analyze dielectric and nonlinear (I–V) properties of the CCTO ceramics with different sintering durations and subsequent cooling rates. The values of dielectric permittivity and nonlinear coefficient of the quenched sample were found to be higher than those of the slowly cooled sample. More specifically, the cooling methods (quenching and furnace-cooling) have allowed to adjust; (?) the breakdown voltage within a rather low range of 0.3–4.4 kV cm⁻¹; (??) the nonlinear coefficient between 2 and 6 and (???) the giant dielectric permittivity for the ceramics within a range from 5000 to 20000. A double Schottky barrier can be evidenced from the linear behavior between the ln J and E^1/2 in grain boundary regions. The relationship between the electrical current density and the applied electrical field indicates that the potential barrier height Φ_B is holding time dependent.     

周期性输入组分和扫气在改善钯膜反应器甲烷部分氧化制氢中的作用(英文)

The partial oxidation of methane under periodic operation over Ni/γ-Al2O3 catalyst was investigated in a Pd-membrane reactor.The effects of key parameters such as the inlet composition and the sweeping gas on methane conversion and the hydrogen recovery are numerically established with two periodic input functions.In order to analyze the effect of the inputs modulation,the reaction was performed under low steam to methane ratio at a moderate temperature and pressure.It was obtained that to achieve process intensification is to operate the process in a periodic way.The main results show that the periodic input functions can improve the performance of the process compared to the optimal steady state operation.Moreover,there is an optimum amplitude of manipulated inputs leads to a maximum of hydrogen recovery.It is noteworthy that the comparison between the predicted performance via the sinusoidal and the square ways show that the better average performance was obtained with the square way.     

Thermal degradation of diethanolamine at stripper condition for CO2 capture: Product types and reaction mechanisms

Amine-based absorption/stripping is one of the promising technology for CO₂ capture from natural and industrial gas streams. During the process, amines and CO₂ undergo irreversible reactions to produce undesired compounds, which cause corrosion, foaming, increased viscosity and breakdown of equipment, ultimately contributing to the economic loss and environmental pollution. In this study, the thermal degradation of aqueous diethanolamine in the presence and absence of dissolved CO₂ was investigated. The experiments were performed in stainless steel cylinders. The results show that thermal degradation in the absence of CO₂ was a slow process; triethanolamine, and tris(2-aminoethyl)amine were only the degradation products identified in the mixture In addition, the rate of degradation was very low, only 3% degradation was observed after 4 weeks. But in the presence of CO₂, sixteen degradation products were identified, nine of which were new degradation products reported for the first time in this study. The 3-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-oxazolidinone, 1,4-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazine and triethanolamine were the most abundant degradation products. The remaining DEA concentration after 4 weeks was about 20% of the total amine concentration. The most probable degradation reactions and their mechanisms are also proposed.