Low-Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Time Domain Characterization of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid–Rich Linseed and Fish Oil Emulsions during Thermal Air Oxidation

Linseed contains high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), such as α-linolenic acid (> 50% ALA-18:3), that are naturally protected against thermal oxidation by their encapsulation within linseed oil bodies (OB) by multiple components including antioxidant proteins and mucilage emulsifying agents. Linseed OB emulsions (LSE) can be produced by grinding linseed seeds, adding water, adjusting pH, and sonication. This is a process that can encapsulate externally added PUFA to minimize their thermal oxidation, as it does for the intrinsic ALA PUFA. Fish oil (FO) encapsulation into this LSE platform to form linseed fish oil emulsions (LSFE) offers the possibility of a nutritive delivery system of the biologically essential FO PUFA eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. In this study, ¹H low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) is used to characterize LSE's and LSFE's chemical and structural properties as well as their stability and changes under thermal oxidation (55 °C for 96 hours). ¹H LF-NMR data processing was developed to generate one-dimensional (1D) T₁ (spin–lattice), 1D T₂ (spin–spin), and 2D (T₁ vs. T₂) relaxation time spectra that can characterize OB emulsions and monitor their time domain fingerprints (spectrum peaks) of chemical and structural changes during the oxidation process. The ¹H LF-NMR analysis were further supported and correlated with conventional peroxide value test, self-diffusion, droplet size distribution, zeta potential estimation of surface stability, and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of fatty acid profile changes under thermal oxidation conditions. The 1D and 2D LF-NMR relaxation spectra showed that the LSE and LSFE did not suffer intense oxidation process, due to PUFA assembly in OB oxidative protection. These results were further confirmed by the supportive analytical methodologies. The results of this study demonstrate the efficacy of ¹H LF-NMR methodology to monitor PUFA's rich oil and emulsion thermal oxidation.     

Development of sodium hybrid quasi-solid electrolytes based on porous NASICON and ionic liquids

Lithium-ion batteries are currently the alternative of choice to overcome the increasing demand of energy. However, besides the scarcity of lithium and limited geolocation, it is believed that such batteries have already reached their maximum maturity. Sodium batteries emerge as an alternative to produce the new, so called, post-lithium batteries. In this study, we explore (i) the effect of sodium content and sintering temperature in solid electrolytes based in NASICON-type compounds and (ii) the use of two methodologies to obtain porous NASICON samples: application of natural substances and organic materials as pore-formers and freeze casting. The main purpose is the attainment of hybrid quasi-solid state electrolytes, with enhanced room temperature conductivity, based on porous ceramic electrolyte layers infiltrated with ionic liquids. Using this approach, porous samples with different microstructure and porous morphology and distribution were achieved, providing an enhancement in conductivity (ranging from 0.45 to 0.96 mS cm⁻¹ at 30 °C) of one order of magnitude for infiltrated samples respect to pore-free samples. According to these results the porous NASICON might be considered as a functional macroporous inorganic separator that can act as a Na⁺ reservoir.     

TiN/Cr/Al2O3 and TiN/Al2O3 hybrid coatings structure features and properties resulting from combined treatment

New experimental results are presented on the structure and the elemental and phase composition of hybrid coatings, which were deposited on a substrate of AISI 321 stainless steel using a combination of plasma-detonation, vacuum-arc and subsequent High-Current Electron Beam (HCEB) treatment. We found that an increase in energy density intensified mass transfer processes and resulted in changes in aluminum oxide phase composition (γ → α and β → α). Also we observed the formation of a nanocrystalline structure in Al₂O₃ coatings. Electron beam treatment of a hybrid coating surface induced higher adhesion, decreased the intensity of surface wear and increased corrosion resistance in a sulphuric acid solution. The corrosion resistance of the coatings was studied in several electrolytic solutions (0.5 M H₂SO₄, 1 M HCl, 0.75 M NaCl) using electrochemical techniques. In most cases the corrosion resistance was improved, except those in NaCl solutions. The nano-hardness of the protecting coating was 13 GPa before electron beam melting and 9 GPa after it (as a result of TiN and Al₂O₃ sub-layers mixing).     

Preparation and characterization of superhydrophobic silica-based surfaces by using polypropylene glycol and tetraethoxysilane precursors

Preparation of superhydrophobic silica-based surfaces via sol-gel process by adding polypropylene glycol (PPG) polymer into the precursor solution has been developed. Surface roughness of the films was obtained by removing the organic polymer at 500 °C and then the hydrophobic groups bonded onto the films were obtained by chemical reaction with hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS). Physical properties of the as-prepared films were analyzed by contact angle measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-VIS scanning spectrophotometer and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrophotometer. The experimental parameters were varied by the type of silane species, the weight ratio of PPG solution to precursor solution, the hydrolysis time of the precursor solution, the molecular weight of PPG, the casting temperature and the evaporation temperature. The phase separation of the PPG polymer rich domain occurred on the substrates at a lower temperature. The result showed that the contact angles of the films prepared at 5 °C were greater than 150° when the weight ratio of PPG solution to precursor solution was 5. In addition, the transmittance of the films was greater than 80% simultaneously.     

Development of Hybrid Assembly Workplaces

In times of shortened innovation cycles, increasing product variation and demands for faster delivery, the flexibility of production systems is crucial for success. Hybrid workplaces, dynamically configurable for both human workers and robots, help to increase the flexibility. The robot kinematics employed, the available sensors, and the grasping conditions involved in the assembly process mainly determine the changeover effort of a workplace. In this paper, different concepts for hybrid workplaces are introduced and compared with respect to investment costs and configuration effort. Concept application and evaluation are illustrated by final assembly of flat screen monitors.     

电动汽车车载永磁同步电动机转子位置自检测算法

永磁同步电动机由于其自身的众多优点,在现代电动汽车上得到了越来越广泛的应用.文章介绍了一种采用增量式码盘和转子磁极初始位置辨识算法相结合的方法来实现永磁同步电动机转子位置的自检测.这种方法可以应用在隐极式同步电动机上,实现在无位置传感器的条件下确定电动机转子的绝对位置,并且简单、有效,受电动机参数变化的影响比较小,在电动机静止、低速和高速运行时都可以正常使用.利用MATLAB/Simulink软件建立了这种方法的仿真模型,仿真结果证明了该方法的可行性和有效性.     

Modelling of a dual circuit induced draft cooling water system for control and optimisation purposes

The successful operation of any petrochemical plant is dependent on the use of several utilities which may include electricity, steam, compressed air, cooling media, refrigeration media, nitrogen, condensate and fuel gas. These utilities form a significant portion of the fixed cost associated with running a plant. Utility optimisation has not received much attention until recently, driven by rising energy costs, stricter environmental policies, more competitive markets, and the threat of climate change. The generation, preparation, and transportation of utilities require energy and therefore should be optimised to reduce losses and improve operating efficiency. One example of such a utility is a cooling water system. This paper describes the modelling of a dual circuit induced draft cooling water system for control and optimisation purposes. The derived model is verified with plant data indicating promising results. The model is represented in a steady-state algebraic form as well as a dynamic state-space form. This provides a convenient basis for simulation studies and controller/optimiser design.     

Optimal design of adaptive type-2 neuro-fuzzy systems: A review

Type-2 fuzzy logic systems have extensively been applied to various engineering problems, e.g. identification, prediction, control, pattern recognition, etc. in the past two decades, and the results were promising especially in the presence of significant uncertainties in the system. In the design of type-2 fuzzy logic systems, the early applications were realized in a way that both the antecedent and consequent parameters were chosen by the designer with perhaps some inputs from some experts. Since 2000s, a huge number of papers have been published which are based on the adaptation of the parameters of type-2 fuzzy logic systems using the training data either online or offline. Consequently, the major challenge was to design these systems in an optimal way in terms of their optimal structure and their corresponding optimal parameter update rules. In this review, the state of the art of the three major classes of optimization methods are investigated: derivative-based (computational approaches), derivative-free (heuristic methods) and hybrid methods which are the fusion of both the derivative-free and derivative-based methods.     

Exploring the Relationship Between Green Consumption Value,Satisfaction, and Loyalty to Hybrid Car in Elderly Consumers

The study aimed to examine the relationship between green consumption value, satisfaction, and loyalty of driving hybrid cars among elderly consumers. Data were collected from a cross‐sectional survey of 314 elderly consumers who purchased hybrid cars in the United States. A partial least squares analysis revealed that elderly consumers’ social, price, and quality values positively influenced the satisfaction of their hybrid car experience, and their satisfaction significantly influenced their loyalty of hybrid car. The relationship between green consumption value, satisfaction, and loyalty toward driving hybrid cars among elderly consumers revealed insight into their value orientations toward the hybrid car. Special efforts are suggested in promoting hybrid car use to elderly consumer groups. Marketers should pay attention to changing beliefs and increasing perceived values of driving a hybrid car for consumers to encourage them to use green products.