Common randomness and distributed control: A counterexample

When agents collaborate to perform a control task, it is of interest to characterize the set of joint probability distributions they can achieve on their joint action space when they are passively provided with external common randomness. We give a simple counterexample to a natural conjecture about this class of joint distributions.     

Printed organic transistors for ultra-low-cost RFID applications

Printed electronics provides a potential pathway toward the realization of ultra-low-cost radio frequency identification (RFID) tags for item-level tracking of consumer goods. Here, we report on our progress in developing materials and processes for the realization of printed transistors for low-cost RFID applications. Using inkjet printing of novel conductors, dielectrics, and organic semiconductors, we have realized printed transistors with mobilities >10/sup -1/cm/sup 2//V-s. AC performance of these devices is adequate for 135-kHz RFID, and, with further optimization, 13.56-MHz RFID appears to be within reach. We review the performance of these devices, and discuss optimization strategies for achieving the ultimate performance goals requisite for realizing ultra-low-cost printed RFID.     

Young's modulus of cold- and hot-rolled (Al2O3)p-Al composite

The Young's modulus of hot-rolled Al alloy reinforced with Al₂O₃ particulates, (Al₂O₃)_p-Al composite, is measured using the dynamic sonic resonance test method. The variation in the moduli of cold- and hot-rolled composites, as a function of the reduction ratio, is compared. Although both cold and hot rolling result in more uniform distribution of the particulates, hot rolling causes less damage to the reinforcements, resulting in more isotropic composites possessing a higher Young's modulus. These observed variations in the Young's modulus with respect to reduction ratio are analysed on the basis of the microstructural changes due to the rolling and T6 heat-treating operations.     

Optimal replacement policy for a redundant system

Summary This paper considers the reliability of a system which consists ofn components connected in series, the i^thcomponent being supported by (m _i – 1) units in parallel and obtains the optimal policy of replacement by dynamic programming. In the case of a system consisting of identical pairs, the decision depends on the number of operable pairs. For this case sample calculations are presented.

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Zusammenfassung Wir untersuchen die Zuverlässigkeit eines Seriensystems ausn Komponenten, bei dem für diei-te Komponentem _i – 1 Reserveelemente zur Verfügung stehen. Mit Hilfe der dynamischen Optimierung bestimmen wir die optimale Ersetzungspolitik. Besteht das System aus identischen Paaren, hängt die Entscheidung von der Zahl der intakten Paare ab. Für diesen Fall geben wir beispielhaft einige numerische Ergebnisse.

     

Epoxidation of alkene using bi-functional metal oxide supported SBA-16 catalyst

Journal of Porous Materials - Three dimensional (3D) cubic cage like Im3m mesoporous SBA-16 was synthesized by one pot hydrothermal method using Pluronic F127 as structure directing agent and...     

Effect of V2O5 Loading on Propane Combustion over Pt/V2O5–Al2O3 Catalysts

Propane combustion was studied on Pt(0.4%)/V₂O₅–Al₂O₃ catalysts containing up to 20% V₂O₅. The density, strength and nature of surface acid sites were determined by TPD of NH₃ and FTIR spectra of adsorbed pyridine. The sample acidity increased with the vanadium content, essentially because the addition of vanadium oxide generated Brønsted acid sites. The Pt dispersion as determined by H₂ chemisorption increased with increasing V₂O₅ loading. The sample activity for propane combustion was evaluated through both conversion versus temperature (light-off curves) and kinetically-controlled conversion versus time catalytic tests. The propane combustion turnover rate on Pt/V₂O₅–Al₂O₃ increased with the amount of vanadium, probably because the intrinsic Pt oxidation activity increases with the sample acidity.     

Formation of Diruthenium(II) Complexes Containing 2,2′;6′,2′′-Terpyridine Domains Possessing Rotationally Restricted Connectivity: The Influence of Shape-Persistence

The synthesis and characterization of a structurally related series of bis-terpyridine diruthenium(II) complexes are described. Two of the complexes (10 and 11) contained elements of rotational immobility around the central axis due to a mesitylene moiety, while two other complexes (12 and 13) were free-to-rotate about the central tolyl moiety. It was found that the complexes that included the mesitylene moiety in the central region showed a unique splitting pattern of the protons associated with the inner bis-terpyridine, while the complexes that lacked the mesitylene showed no such splitting; there was also no unusual splitting observed for the complexes that contained a peripheral mesitylene group. Molecular modeling calculations indicated the rotational barrier around the central axis of the mesitylene moiety to be substantially greater than the rotational barrier of the tolyl group. The X-ray crystal structure of the rotationally frozen ligand is also described.     

Preparation and characterization of delafossite CuCrO2 film on flexible substrate

Delafossite CuCrO₂ film was successfully prepared on a flexible plastic substrate using a heat transfer process. The metallic acetate of the first layer decomposed to form a carbonized layer for use as a release layer. The thin film was deposited on the first layer by chemical solution deposition and heat treated to form a CuCrO₂ film. After that, the delafossite CuCrO₂ film was transferred from a Si substrate to a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) substrate. The CuCrO₂/PMMA film structure, morphology, and optical properties were studied by different characterization techniques. X-ray diffraction analysis and Raman spectrum analysis confirmed that the delafossite CuCrO₂ film was transferred onto the PMMA substrate. XPS analysis showed that the metallic acetate was annealed in N₂ to form a carbonized layer. The resistivity of the CuCrO₂/PMMA was gauged by a four-point probe method, and the visible light transmittance was approximately 58%.     

Diamond synthesis at low temperatures

Diamond growth at room temperature [i.e., on unheated monocrystalline silicon (111) substrates], has been demonstrated by the laser irradiation of CO/H₂ gas mixtures at low pressures. The CO is photodissociated by a multiphoton process using 193 nm radiation from an excimer laser. This process, referred to as laser chemical vapor deposition (LCVD), is distinct from the laser-excited CVD (LECVD) process described in an earlier publication. Although no quantitative measurements have yet been made on the gas-phase species compositions in LCVD, the growth of diamond particles at room temperature marks a beginning to enabling diamond deposition on materials with low melting temperatures.