Fabricating and robust artificial neural network modeling nanoscale polyurethane fiber using electrospinning method

With regard to the fact that currently there is no comprehensive method to predict diameter of polyurethane/solvent fiber from electrospinning, in this study, diameter prediction of polyurethane/solvent fiber was conducted using neural networks and an error of 166 nm was observed. This error shows that artificial neural networks (ANNs) can predict diameter of electrospinning polyurethane fibers well. Then, considering weak repeatability nature of electrospinning in fabricating fibers with desired diameter, least mean square is used to improve stability of neural network model that shows an error of 113 nm, which represented better results compared to common ANN. To investigate the effect of each one of parameters affecting fiber diameter, sensitivity analysis was conducted. Along with this predicting model, sensitivity analysis can be used to reduce parameters space before conducting future studies. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45116.     

Electrospinning of poly(vinylpyrrodine) template for formation of ZrO2 nanoclusters for enhancing properties of composite proton conducting membranes

Nanosized ZrO₂ clusters were prepared by electrospinning a poly(vinylpyrrodine) (PVP)/ZrO₂ mixture for calcination to remove PVP template and sizing. The morphological, chemical, structural, and thermal resistance changes during preparation stages were investigated using scanning electron microscope, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis. The obtained ZrO₂ clusters were used for preparation of nanocomposite membranes by dispersion in 2,6-pyridine polybenzimidazole (2,6-Py-PBI) matrix at 5?wt% content followed by phosphoric acid (PA) doping. The ZrO₂ nanoclusters were found to be uniformly distributed in 2,6-Py-PBI/PA matrix leading to a remarkable increase in the PA doping level and proton conductivity of the obtained composite membrane.     

A numerical study on heat transfer enhancement and design of a heat exchanger with porous media in continuous hydrothermal flow synthesis system

The aim of this study is to use a new configuration of porous media in a heat exchanger in continuous hydrothermal flow synthesis (CHFS) system to enhance the heat transfer and minimize the required length of the heat exchanger.For this purpose,numerous numerical simulations are performed to investigate performance of the system with porons media.First,the numerical simulation for the heat exchanger in CHFS system is validated by experimental data.Then,porous media is added to the system and six different thicknesses for the porous media are examined to obtain the optimum thickness,based on the minimum required length of the heat exchanger.Finally,by changing the flow rate and inlet temperature of the product as well as the cooling water flow rate,the minimum required length of the heat exchanger with porous media for various inlet conditions is assessed.The investigations indicate that using porous media with the proper thickness in the heat exchanger increases the cooling rate of the product by almost 40％and reduces the required length of the heat exchanger by approximately 35％.The results also illustrate that the most proper thickness of the porous media is approximately equal to 90％ of the product tube's thickness.Results of this study lead to design a porous heat exchanger in CHFS system for various inlet conditions.     

弯剪作用下螺栓角部连接的性能分析

研究了腹板角钢尺寸对双腹板顶底角钢的弯曲-转动性能影响。研究中采用了多个三维有限元模型,以其几何和材料特性作为影响参数。在这些模型中,所有的连接组件,如梁、柱、角钢及螺栓都采用实体单元建模。构件间的相互作用效应,如螺栓滑移和摩擦,采用表面接触算法建模。为更精确地评估连接件的性能,在栓杆上施加预拉力作为第一荷载。     

Identification and Affinity Determination of Protein-Antibody and Protein-Aptamer Epitopes by Biosensor-Mass Spectrometry Combination

Analytical methods for molecular characterization of diagnostic or therapeutic targets have recently gained high interest. This review summarizes the combination of mass spectrometry and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor analysis for identification and affinity determination of protein interactions with antibodies and DNA-aptamers. The binding constant (K_D) of a protein–antibody complex is first determined by immobilizing an antibody or DNA-aptamer on an SPR chip. A proteolytic peptide mixture is then applied to the chip, and following removal of unbound material by washing, the epitope(s) peptide(s) are eluted and identified by MALDI-MS. The SPR-MS combination was applied to a wide range of affinity pairs. Distinct epitope peptides were identified for the cardiac biomarker myoglobin (MG) both from monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, and binding constants determined for equine and human MG provided molecular assessment of cross immunoreactivities. Mass spectrometric epitope identifications were obtained for linear, as well as for assembled (“conformational”) antibody epitopes, e.g., for the polypeptide chemokine Interleukin-8. Immobilization using protein G substantially improved surface fixation and antibody stabilities for epitope identification and affinity determination. Moreover, epitopes were successfully determined for polyclonal antibodies from biological material, such as from patient antisera upon enzyme replacement therapy of lysosomal diseases. The SPR-MS combination was also successfully applied to identify linear and assembled epitopes for DNA–aptamer interaction complexes of the tumor diagnostic protein C-Met. In summary, the SPR-MS combination has been established as a powerful molecular tool for identification of protein interaction epitopes.     

Compensation of voltage disturbances in distribution systems using single-phase dynamic voltage restorer

In this paper, a new topology is proposed for a single-phase dynamic voltage restorer (DVR) using direct ac/ac converter. This topology does not require dc-link energy storage elements. The proposed topology has a simple structure and can compensate several types of voltage disturbances such as voltage sags, swells, harmonics and flickers. This topology will not face any problem in long time compensation due to the fact that it provides the required energy directly through grid. The proposed topology can be easily extended to n-phase systems such as three-phase based on the same principle of the operation. In n-phase systems, the voltage sags and swells can be properly compensated regardless of the balanced or unbalanced operation. A new control method is also proposed for direct ac/ac converter in the proposed topology. The simulation and experimental results verify the effectiveness of the proposed topology and its control method in voltage restoration.     

Effects of mercaptopropionic acid as a stabilizing agent and Cd:Te ion ratio on CdTe and CdHgTe quantum dots properties

In the present work, mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) capped CdTe and CdHgTe quantum dots (QDs) are synthesized using a method based on the bottom up approach in aqueous medium. The CdTe QDs were prepared with a two different ratios of Cd:Te (3:1 and 4:1). It was noticed that there was a minimum concentration of MPA for each Cd:Te ratio. The resulting QDs were characterized using optical absorption spectroscopy, energy dispersion X-ray (EDX) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). It was found that the EDXs of CdTe and CdHgTe QDs showed that the stiochiometric ratios of CdTe obtained with Cd:Te ratio of 3:1 is 50:50 and for CdHgTe is 40:26:34 for 100?% of Hg. The band gap of CdHgTe QDs varies slightly with composition from 2.21?eV for a pure CdTe to 1.4?eV for a CdHgTe with 100?% of Hg. The HRTEM image showed a good dispersed nano-crystalline structure for the CdTe QDs with average size of 3–4?nm. The existence of the lattice planes on the HRTEM images of the QD indicated that the CdTe QDs are highly crystalline. In addition, the CdHgTe QDs size is 12?nm for 100?% of Hg.     

Silicon nanocrystal production through non-thermal plasma synthesis: a comparative study between silicon tetrachloride and silane precursors

Silicon nanocrystals with sizes between 5 and 10?nm have been produced in a non-thermal plasma reactor using silicon tetrachloride as precursor. We demonstrate that high-quality material can be produced with this method and that production rates as high as 140?mg?h(-1) can be obtained, with a maximum precursor utilization rate of roughly 50%. Compared to the case in which particles are produced using silane as the main precursor, the gas composition needs to be modified and hydrogen needs to be added to the mixture to enable the nucleation and growth of the powder. The presence of chlorine in the system leads to the production of nanoparticles with a chlorine terminated surface which is significantly less robust against oxidation in air compared to the case of a hydrogen terminated surface. We also observe that significantly higher power input is needed to guarantee the formation of crystalline particles, which is a consequence not only of the different gas-phase composition, but also of the influence of chlorine on the stability of the crystalline structure.     

Evaluation of hydrogen permeation through standalone thermally sprayed coatings of AISI 316L stainless steel

This research evaluates hydrogen permeation and its diffusion characteristics through standalone thermally sprayed coatings of AISI 316L stainless steel. The effects of various charging currents and other parameters on hydrogen diffusion coefficient were scrutinized using electrochemical hydrogen permeation tests. Hydrogen permeation through the thermally sprayed coatings displayed anomalous behavior such that a maximum pinnacle was observed in the permeation curves, attributed to heavily trapped hydrogen atoms in the delayed surface cracks. Therefore, new diffusion parameters were defined for modeling of the anomalous permeation curves. The fitted diffusion parameters were consistently identified, and hence, the model perfectly explained experimental data. The results showed that the increase in charging current caused fast activation and development of surface cracks. The measured diffusion coefficient of hydrogen in the stainless steel thermally sprayed coating was relatively high because the microstructure of the coating contained some ferritic phases and dense dendritic structure, which configure fast diffusion paths.     

Intensification of continues biodiesel production process using a simultaneous mixer- separator reactor

Nowadays, Biodiesel as an alternative, sustainable and less toxic fuel has been accepted by both researchers and industry. Developing process intensification reactors with the aim of reaching more efficient process has captured the attention of many researchers recently. In order to examine a novel reactor for biodiesel production using Waste Cooking Oil as a cost-effective feedstock, and KOH as an efficient homogeneous catalyst, the present study was developed to investigate three effective parameters (Oil flow rate, catalyst concentration and reaction temperature) focusing on transesterification reaction yield in the Simultaneous Mixer-Separator (SMS) reactor, designed and fabricated exclusively for biodiesel production at Tarbiat Modares University (TMU). As the findings indicated, rising the flow rate presented an increasing trend up to 15 mL/min and a decreasing trend was found after this level. Also, catalyst concentration up to 1% w/w showed an increasing trend which was significant. Analysis of reaction temperature showed that at 60^°C the maximum yield is obtained. Furthermore, 15 mL/min oil flow rate, 1% w/w KOH concentration and 60^?C were selected as the optimal reaction conditions for continuous biodiesel production. At this point, the produced biodiesel followed by the purification step reached the yield of 96%. The produced biodiesel physicochemical properties were found to meet ASTM D6751 standard. All in all, continuous production capability, higher productivity, simultaneous separation of products, and the successful handling of waste resources distinguish the SMS reactor as a potential and efficient process intensification reactor.