Design and allocation of power system stabilizers using the particle swarm optimization technique for an interconnected power system

In this paper, three particle swarm optimization (PSO) based power system stabilizers (PSSs) are developed for three power systems. The system under study here is a power pool consisting of 3 power systems. System I represents the Egyptian power system, system II represents the Jordan and Syrian power systems, and system III for the Libyan power system, which are originally self standing and completely independent systems. As a matter of fact each of them should equipped with its own PSS. For this reason this work is started by designing an optimum power stabilizer for each of them standing alone. After which, the developed PSSs are firstly installed one at a time. Then the three PSSs are installed together in the interconnected power system and their effect on its dynamic performance is studied.As a test for stabilization efficiency, the detailed power system model is subjected to a forced outage of a 600-MW generator, which is the biggest unit in the pool, when it is fully loaded. This outage results in loosing of about 3% of the spinning capacity of system I and about 2% of the spinning capacity of the whole interconnected system. The obtained results show an improvement in the power pool performance accompanied with an improvement in the inter-area oscillation.     

Reconciling engineer-to-order uncertainty by supporting front-end decision-making

This paper presents the dynamics of engineer-to-order (ETO) practice through Integration Definition for Function Modelling (IDEF) practice. The paper describes and defines how an ETO manufacturer utilised IDEF-QA in order to manage project uncertainties within the tendering process. The research is conceptualised through an empirical action research approach, involving an active role in the assessment of the ETO process. The paper revisits the use of IDEF, showcasing an assessment of output quality. It also suggests a road map for resource uncertainty within ETO, specifically when scoping the supply chain for ETO projects. The paper then presents an IDEF Quality Assessment model for improving the tendering process of ETO, and it examines the importance of evaluating project behaviour for supporting new future projects. The principal contribution is in how a structured approach provides IDEF with a quality assessment of resources, thereby consolidating and establishing a relationship for highlighting the uncertainties experienced by ETO manufacturers within the decision-making process.     

Study on Iraqi limestone aggregates in bituminous mixes

In North Iraq, there are two major sources of crushed stone aggregates, the Darbandibazian source of limestones and the Kalachwalan source. Limestones are generally not used in bituminous mixes as they are considered weak and unsuitable. In this study, these two available sources of crushed stone aggregates are rationally analysed for their engineering properties and suitability for use in bituminous mixes. It was observed that limestones do meet the Marshall test requirements of a bituminous mix and can be used satisfactorily, with slightly higher percentage of bitumen. Huge amount of locally available limestones thus have a potential for use.     

Detecting simulated patterns of lung cancer biomarkers by random network of single-walled carbon nanotubes coated with nonpolymeric organic materials

An array of chemiresistive random network of single-walled carbon nanotubes coated with nonpolymeric organic materials shows a high potential for diagnosis of lung cancer via breath samples. The sensors array shows excellent discrimination between the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in the breath of patients with lung cancer, relative to healthy controls, especially if the sensors array is preceded with either water extractor and/or preconcentrator of VOCs. The pattern compositions of the healthy and cancerous states were determined by gas-chromatography linked with mass-spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis of real exhaled breath.     

Direct observation of the transition point between quasi-spherical and cubic nanoparticles in a two-step seed-mediated growth method

An aqueous seed-mediated growth method is adapted to explore the shape transformation of quasi-spherical Au seeds to nanocubes in a direct and continuous manner. Quenching the growth process at varied reaction-duration times and exploring the intermediate products by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and UV/vis spectroscopy shows an abrupt cuboctahedral-to-nanocube transition at 25-27 nm without any change in the nanoparticle size. The size of the obtained nanocubes remains constant (25-27 nm) until most (>90%) of the cuboctahedral nanoparticles are transformed to nanocubes. At this point, the (25-27 nm) nanocubes initiate further continuous and homogeneous growth until they reach 50-nm Au cubes. These observations are ascribed to a scenario in which the kinetically controlled growth mode of the nanoparticle is significantly affected by the surface self-diffusion of metal adatoms, especially when the adatom's self-diffusion distance is comparable with the nanoparticle's size.     

Enhanced Nature-Inspired Meta-Heuristic Algorithm for Microgrid Performance Improvement

Abstract

In this article, a new selection technique based on Enhanced Nature-Inspired Meta-Heuristic (ENIMH) optimization algorithm is presented to improve the Microgrid (MG) dynamic performance. Interconnected microgrids have the ability to provide a clean and sustainable energy during normal and emergency operating conditions. The concerned microgrid includes hybrid renewable energy sources (RES) and energy storages systems (ESS). MG achieves a reduced dependency on the electric grid and provides flexible and adaptive energy supply. This paper develops a new selection technique based on ENIMH optimization that distinguishes the degrees of resemblance between the best individual and other individuals of current population. This technique proposes a binary coding of individuals, and is compared to conventional techniques; it allows each individual to occupy a section of the modified roulette wheel selection for the calculated degree of resemblance. This enhanced optimization technique tunes the dynamic PID parameters of microgrid closed loop system. The designed strategy is dependably to locate the arrangement of enhanced parameters to minimize the system frequency fluctuations in the microgrid and to provide the improved dynamic performance by being sensitive to variations for closed loop response under various power and load conditions. The proposed technique has been demonstrated using Matlab/Simulink simulation on the underlined microgrid, where the achieved results confirm the effectiveness of proposed selection method for the reproduction of best individuals to show the improved performance. The proposed technique achieved satisfactory performance for PID-controllers, and provided a good closed loop performance, minimum overshoot and minimum fitness index, in comparison with other well-established methods. The results emphasize that ENIMH optimization algorithm has the exploration and exploitation capability of population best individuals to accomplish the best solutions.     

An adaptive microscope for the imaging of biological surfaces

Scanning fluorescence microscopes are now able to image large biological samples at high spatial and temporal resolution. This comes at the expense of an increa...     

Experimental and parametrical investigation of pre-stressed ultrahigh-performance fiber-reinforced concrete railway sleepers

In this study, ultrahigh-performance fiber-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) used in a type B70 concrete sleeper is investigated experimentally and parametrically. The main parameters investigated are the steel fiber volume fractions (0%, 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5%). Under European standards, 35 UHPFRC sleepers are subjected to static bending tests at the center and rail seat sections, and the screw on the fastening system is pulled out. The first cracking load, failure load, failure mode, crack propagation, load–deflection curve, load–crack width, and failure load from these tests are measured and compared with those of a control sleeper manufactured using normal concrete C50. The accuracy of the parametric study is verified experimentally. Subsequently, the results of the study are applied to UHPFRC sleepers with different concrete volumes to investigate the effects of the properties of UHPFRC on their performance. Experimental and parametric study results show that the behavior of UHPFRC sleepers improves significantly when the amount of steel fiber in the mix is increased. Sleepers manufactured using UHPFRC with a steel fiber volume fraction of 1% and a concrete volume less than 25% that of standard sleeper B70 can be used under the same loads and requirements, which contributes positively to the cost and surrounding environment.