Inverted pendulum stabilization: Characterization of codimension-three triple zero bifurcation via multiple delayed proportional gains

The paper considers the problem of stabilization of systems possessing a multiple zero eigenvalue at the origin. The controller that we propose, uses multiple delayed measurements instead of derivative terms. Doing so, we increase the performances of the closed loop in presence of system uncertainties and/or noisy measurements. The problem formulation and the analysis is presented through a classical engineering problem which is the stabilization of an inverted pendulum on a cart moving horizontally. On one hand, we perform a nonlinear analysis of the center dynamics described by a three dimensional system of ordinary differential equations with a codimension-three triple zero bifurcation. On the other hand, we present the complementary stability analysis of the corresponding linear time invariant system with two delays describing the behavior around the equilibrium. The aim of this analysis is to characterize the possible local bifurcations. Finally, the proposed control scheme is numerically illustrated and discussed.     

The relationship between centrality and land use patterns: Empirical evidence from five Chinese metropolises

The relationship between location and land use patterns is one of the classic theoretical issues in urban studies. Classic models based on the monocentricity hypothesis have limitations in the interpretation of modern urban structure. China has experienced institutional transformation in recent decades, and the interaction of national government policy, market forces and the natural environment has influenced urban planning in Chinese metropolises, resulting in urban structures with special characteristics. This paper examines the distribution of location and land use intensity, and tested the Alonso model by the relationship between them in five Chinese metropolises using Point of Interest data, space syntax methodology, the grid weighted statistical method and the Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) model. Universal patterns about the scaling relation between intensity of land use types and the centrality of location are revealed. The elasticity of land use types to location, from high to low sensitivity, is commercial, residential then industrial land in most of the five metropolises studied. The sensitivity sequence of land use studied suggests that the hypothetical model based on the classical Alonso model can explain the spatial structure of modern metropolises in China to some extent, especially for the commercial land. But the order of sensitivity of residential land and industrial land to location does not conform to the model. The spatial heterogeneity in land use intensity and centrality were explored and the factors embedded were discussed. It can be found that the relation between centrality and land use intensity conforms to power law. In most of the metropolises studied, when the scaling relation between land use intensity and centrality is super linear, the sequence of the frequency value from high to low are commercial, residential and industrial land; when the scaling relation is sublinear, the sequence of the frequency value is industrial, residential and commercial land.     

High-temperature stability of Mg(Al,Cr)2O4 spinel co-existing with calcium aluminates in air

Cr₂O₃ is a well-known corrosion resistant oxide used in refractory applications. However, it can oxidize into toxic and water-soluble Cr(VI) compounds upon reaction with calcium aluminate cement phases in the presence of oxygen, which subsequently causes disposal problems after use. This study describes the extent to which chromium in the spinel Mg(Al,Cr)₂O₄ phase can be oxidized to Cr(VI) when it reacts with the calcium aluminate cement phases C₁₂A₇, CA, CA₂ and free CaO at 1300 °C in air, using XRD, XPS and leaching tests (TRGS 613 standard) as analytical tools. On reaction with CaO, the Mg(Al,Cr^III)₂O₄ spinel mainly transformed into hauyne (Ca₄Al₆Cr^VIO₁₆) and Ca₅Cr₃O₁₂ which contains both Cr(IV) and Cr(VI). The reaction of C₁₂A₇ and CA with the spinel phase also resulted in the formation of Ca₄Al₆CrO₁₆. Conversely, the reaction of Mg(Al,Cr^III)₂O₄ spinel with CA₂ resulted in the formation of only a trace amount of Cr(VI). Water-soluble Cr(VI) leached in large quantities (>100 mg/L) from samples where the Mg(Al,Cr^III)₂O₄ reacted with either C₁₂A₇ or CA. Almost no Cr(VI) leached from the sample when Mg(Al,Cr^III)₂O₄ reacted with CaO, using the standard TRGS 613 leach test, but a significant amount of Cr(VI) was released into solution when leached with a HCl solution for 12 h. Both Cr(IV) and Cr(VI) present in the Ca₅Cr₃O₁₂ dissolved into acidic solution. Only a small amount of Cr(VI) leached from the sample that resulted when spinel was reacted with CA₂, even after a prolonged HCl leach. Cr(III) in spinel Mg(Al,Cr)₂O₄ is very stable and does not leach in either distilled water or acidic solution.     

DC conductivity and AC impedance of Mn doped magnesia alumina spinel (MgAl2-2xMn2xO4) over a large temperature range

MgAl_2-2xMn_2xO₄ (MAMO) with x = 0-0.12 was synthesized in a single-phase form by solid-state reaction. XRD analysis showed that the samples had the cubic center structure of the Fd-3 m space group. Electrical properties of the samples were studied over the temperature range of 300 K∼1073 K. The results showed that the DC conductivity (σ_DC) increased from 10⁻¹¹S/cm at 300 K (MAMO, x = 0) to 10^-3S/cm at 1073 K (MAMO, x = 0.12). The equivalent circuit of the complex impedance spectra suggested that the relaxation of charge carriers was of non-Debye type. The conduction was mainly caused by grain boundaries and the capacitance was mainly attributed to polarization. The complex permittivity values (ε’ and ε’’) were increased by two orders of magnitude with the increase in Mn content and temperature over the measured frequency range (1 Hz-1 MHz). Therefore, doping with Mn could be applied to modify the electrical properties of MAMO at high temperature.     

Performance investigation on a novel 3D wave flow channel design for PEMFC

Flow field structure can largely determine the output performance of Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell. Excellent channel configuration accelerates electrochemical reactions in the catalytic layer, effectively avoiding flooding on the cathode side. In present study, a three-dimensional, multi-phase model of PEMFC with a 3D wave flow channel is established. CFD method is applied to optimize the geometry constructions of three-dimensional wave flow channels. The results reveal that 3D wave flow channel is overall better than straight channel in promoting reactant gases transport, removing liquid water accumulated in microporous layer and avoiding thermal stress concentration in the membrane. Moreover, results show the optimal flow channel minimum depth and wave length of the 3D wave flow channel are 0.45 mm and 2 mm, respectively. Due to the periodic geometric characteristics of the wave channel, the convective mass transfer is introduced, improving gas flow rate in through-plane direction. Furthermore, when the cell output voltage is 0.4 V, the current density in the novel channel is 23.8% higher than that of conventional channel.     

Lactobacillus Gasseri LGZ 1029 in yogurt: rheological behaviour and volatile compound composition

Yogurt preserves and enhances nutritional value of milk. In this study, we have compared several strains to determine the physicochemical, sensory, rheological and aroma characteristics of different yogurts. We used Lactobacillus gasseri LGZ 1029 (LG), commercial probiotic L. rhamnosus (LGG) and traditional fermentation strains Streptococcus thermophilus and L. bulgaricus (SL). Results showed that the flavour and texture characteristics of mixed-strain yogurts were obviously better than in single-strain yogurts. Addition of LG increased pseudoplastic behaviour, as shown by Herschel–Bulkley model analysis of rheological behaviour. The LG + SL group also had both the highest viscosity consistency index and thickening ability. In addition, a total of 57 volatile compounds were detected in yogurts and the fermentation with the addition of LG was mainly affected by ketones. Our study suggested that a yogurt with new attributes can be produced by using LGZ 1029.     

土木工程施工课程线上平台教学实践

土木工程施工课程作为土木工程及工程管理专业的学科基础课和核心专业课程,在疫情防控期间"停课不停教""停课不停学"的要求下,通过线上平台进行授课。由于土木工程施工课程内容庞杂、综合性强、实践性强,且章节之间关联性较弱,探究既能使学生快速适应,又能保证教学质量的在线教学方法至关重要。以华南某高校土木工程施工课程为例,基于中国大学MOOC、建筑云课、腾讯课堂、QQ群等线上平台讲授教学内容,并运用问卷调查对课程线上教学效果进行评价。结果表明,线上教学为学生提供了丰富灵活的学习方式,显著提高了学生的自主学习能力,扩大了学生的知识面,达到了较好的学习效果。     

Fabrication and properties of Si3N4 based ceramics using combustion synthesized powders

Silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) based ceramics were fabricated with β-SiAlON and Si₃N₄ powders synthesized by combustion synthesis method via power injection molding (PIM). In the PIM process, the solids loading for each material was first determined from the results of the torque rheometer experiment. The mixing process was repeated to produce the homogeneous feedstock, and homogeneity of feedstocks was evaluated by observing the shear viscosity with time at a constant shear rate. The rheological behavior of feedstocks was investigated using capillary rheometer. It found that both feedstocks have no problem in injection molding. The binder decomposition behavior was also investigated, and a wax-polymer binder system was nearly removed by the optimized solvent and thermal debinding processes. Thereafter, the debound samples were sintered at 1750 and 1800 °C for 4 h in nitrogen atmosphere. Regardless of sintering temperature, the relative density of higher than about 96% was achieved. When comparing mechanical properties including bending strength, Vickers hardness and fracture toughness, Si₃N₄ with 2 wt% Y₂O₃ and 5 wt% Al₂O₃ (Si₃N₄+2Y5A) had higher values than β-SiAlON with 4 wt% Y₂O₃ (β-SiAlON+4Y) regardless of sintering temperature. It was supported by observing the microstructures of the plasma-etched samples.