Intriguing nonlinear dynamics of a controller with a sluggish actuator

We apply a bifurcation-theoretic approach to the standard Moore–Greitzer compressor model in effort to understand a curious phenomenon. When one forces the actuator to respond sluggishly to commanded inputs, performance of the controller improves dramatically. We show that the behavior can be explained via Hopf–Hopf interactions of surge and rotating stall. Also, we argue that there is a broad class of controllers which possess the general dynamic features responsible for the surprising effectiveness of sluggish actuators.     

Synthesis of Sialon from Kaolin and Its Phase Formation

The main phase transformations during synthesis of β‐sialon from kaolin of the Prosyanovskii deposit (Ukraine) under test-industrial production conditions have been studied. Sialon was prepared by carbothermal reduction in graphite-tube furnaces in nitrogen. It is shown that the process is characterized by the simultaneous occurrence of several chemical reactions with formation of intermediate phases (Si₂ON₂, X₁‐phase), silicon carbide, and (apart from β‐sialon) sialons based on AlN polytypes. The phase composition of the final product is determined not only by the charge composition but also by the set of production parameters. Results of the work may provide a basis for commercial preparation of sialon powder.     

Iron–cobalt catalysts synthesized by a reverse micelle impregnation method for controlled growth of carbon nanotubes

Fe–Co bimetallic metals supported on CaCO₃ support have been prepared using three different methods for the preparation of the catalysts; wet impregnation (IMP), deposition–precipitation (DP) and reverse micelle impregnation (RM). By careful choice and optimization of CVD reaction conditions and catalyst preparation procedures, we have tailored the nanofabrication of CNTs using 5 wt.% Fe–Co/CaCO₃. High yields of ‘clean’ MWNTs with near 100% selectivity and excellent reproducibility were obtained (1215% and 835% yields for the IMP and DP methods respectively). The RM technique enabled more precise control over the size of the CNTs and a narrower diameter distribution (3–5 nm i.d. and 10–15 nm o.d.) was obtained.     

Techno-economic study of different alternatives for biodiesel production

Biodiesel has become an attractive diesel fuel substitute due to its environmental benefits since it can be made from renewable resource. However, the high costs surrounding biodiesel production remains the main problem in making it competitive in the fuel market either as a blend or as a neat fuel. More than 80% of the production cost is associated with the feedstock itself and consequently, efforts are focused on developing technologies capable of using lower-cost feedstocks, such as recycled cooking oils and wastes from animal or vegetable oil processing operations.     

Thermal solution of Kashpir shale in pressurized benzene under supercritical conditions

The results of the thermal solution of oil shale in benzene in a flow unit under supercritical conditions are reported. It was found that the conversion of shale organic matter into liquid products increased by a factor of 2.5 with an increase in the solvent pressure from 5 to 15 MPa.     

Sp3/sp2 character of the carbon and hydrogen configuration in micro- and nanocrystalline diamond

Hot filament and microwave plasma CVD micro- nanocrystalline diamond films are analysed by visible and ultra-violet excitation source Raman spectroscopy. The sample grain size varies from 20 nm to 2 μm. The hydrogen concentration in samples is measured by SIMS and compared to the grain size, and to the ratio of sp² carbon bonds determined by Raman spectroscopy from the 1332 cm^− 1 diamond peak and the sp² 1550 cm^− 1 G band. Hydrogen concentration appears to be proportional to the sp² bonds ratio. The 3000 cm^− 1 CH_x stretching mode band intensity observed on the Raman spectra is decreasing with the G band intensity. Thermal annealing modifies the sp² phase structure and concentration, as hydrogen outdiffuses.     

SHS of shape memory CuZnAl alloys

Aiming at preparation of shape memory alloys (SMAs), we explored the SHS of Cu_{1 − x} Zn_{1 − y} Al_{1 − z} alloys (0.29 < x < 0.30, 0.74 < y < 0.75, and 0.83 < z < 0.96). The most pronounced shape memory effect was exhibited by the alloys of the following compositions (wt %): (1) Cu(70.6)Zn(25.4)Al(4.0), (2) Cu(70.1)Zn(25.9)Al(4.0), and (3) Cu(69.9)Zn(26.1)Al(4.0). The effect of process parameters on the synthesis of CuZnAl alloys was studied by XRD, optical microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The grain size of CuZnAl was found to depend on the relative amount of the primary CuZn and AlZn phases. Changes in the transformation temperature and heat of transformation are discussed in terms of ignition intensity and compaction. Mechanism of the process depends on the level of the temperature attained relative to the melting point of components. At the melting point of AlZn, the process is controlled by the solid-state diffusion of AlZn into a product layer. The ignition temperature for this system depends on the temperature of the austenite-martensite transformation in CuZnAl alloys. The composition and structure of the products was found to markedly depend on process parameters. The SHS technique has been successfully used to prepare a variety of SMAs.      

Choosing the technology of combined processing of titanium-rare-metal raw materials

The main rules and principles which govern the choice of new variants for chemical technology of combined processing of titanium-rare-metal raw materials are considered. The existing variants of the technology are characterized from the viewpoint of their technological, economical, and ecological efficiency and social importance for a given region. A realistic choice of a technology from a large number of available variants should take into account the entire combination of their advantages and disadvantages The implementation of a rational technological scheme will result in the creation of economically profitable and efficient domestic production satisfying the demands of Russian industry in rare-metal and titanium materials. Directions are noted in which it is expedient to continue studies on designing a rational technology of loparite concentrate or some other concentrate.     

Integrated carbon nanotube field emission differential amplifier: Modeling and measurement of the common-mode rejection ratio

A novel integrated vacuum field emission (VFE) differential amplifier (diff-amp) utilizing carbon nanotube (CNT) emitters has been developed. A dual-mask microfabrication process was employed to achieve a VFE diff-amp by integrating identical CNT VFE transistors with built-in split gates and integrated anodes. The identical pair of triode amplifiers was well-matched in their device characteristics. The measured ac small-signal characteristics of the diff-amp showed a common-mode-rejection ratio (CMRR) of ~ 320 (~ 50 dB). The proposed analytical model of the CMRR was verified to be in good agreement with the experimental data. The successful implementation of the CNT diff-amp demonstrates a new way to achieve temperature and radiation tolerant VFE integrated microelectronics.