Novel approach for attapulgite/poly(acrylic acid) (ATP/PAA) nanocomposite microgels as selective adsorbent for Pb(II) Ion

A novel approach was developed for the preparation of the attapulgite/poly(acrylic acid) (ATP/PAA) nanocomposite microgels via the “one-pot” inverse suspension radical polymerization of acrylic acid (AA) with the multi-functionalized attapulgite nanorods (org-ATP) as the sole crosslinker. The parameters of the feeding ratio of the functional attapulgite (org-ATP) nanorods and AA (org-ATP/AA), oil (liquid paraffin)–water ratio, and feeding ratios of dispersing agent (sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS)) and initiator (ammonium persulfate (APS)) were optimized via 4-Variable 3-Level Orthogonal experiments. Under the optimized preparation condition, more than 85% of the monomer AA had been grafted onto the org-ATP nanorods to form the 3-dimensional network of the ATP/PAA nanocomposite microgel. The ATP/PAA nanocomposite microgel exhibited better mechanical stabilities (resistance to pressure and resistance to agitation) and selective adsorption to heavy metal ions, especially to Pb²⁺. The adsorbed Pb²⁺ ion could be completely eluted with HCl solution. The better mechanical stability and regeneration make it potential adsorbent for the heavy metal contaminated water.     

Sparse optimization for inverse problems in atmospheric modelling

We consider inverse problems in atmospheric modelling represented by a linear system which is based on a source-receptor sensitivity matrix and measurements. Instead of using the ordinary least squares, we add a weighting matrix based on the topology of measurement points and show the connection with Bayesian modelling. Since the source-receptor sensitivity matrix is usually ill-conditioned, the problem is often regularized, either by perturbing the objective function or by modifying the sensitivity matrix. However, both these approaches may be heavily dependent on specified parameters. To ease this burden, we propose to use techniques looking for a sparse solution with a small number of positive elements. Finally, we compare all these methods on the European Tracer Experiment (ETEX) data where there is no apriori information apart from the release position and some measurements.     

Towards fully automatic reliable 3D acquisition: From designing imaging network to a complete and accurate point cloud

This paper describes a novel system for accurate 3D digitization of complex objects. Its main novelties can be seen in the new approach, which brings together different systems and tools in a unique platform capable of automatically generating an accurate and complete model for an object of interest. This is performed through generating an approximate model of the object, designing a stereo imaging network for the object with this model and capturing the images at the designed postures through exploiting an inverse kinematics method for a non-standard six degree of freedom robot. The images are then used for accurate and dense 3D reconstruction using photogrammetric multi-view stereo method in two modes, including resolving scale with baseline and with control points. The results confirm the feasibility of using Particle Swarm Optimization in solving inverse kinematics for this non-standard robot. The system provides this opportunity to test the effect of incidence angle on imaging network design and shows that the matching algorithms work effectively for incidence angle of 10°. The accuracy of the final point cloud generated with the system was tested in two modes through a comparison with a dataset generated with a close range 3D colour laser scanner.     

Determination of concrete rebars characteristics by enhanced post-processing of GPR scan raw data

A method for the estimation of rebar radius by post-processing the raw data acquired by the ground penetrating radar as a B-scan radargram is proposed. Considering the hyperbola trace and the diffracted amplitudes an inverse problem consisting of two steps was stated. Using at first hyperbola fitting, the wave velocity and the coordinates of the hyperbola apex are identified. Then the rebar radius is retrieved as solution of a further optimization problem for which the cost function measures the misfit between the actual value of the maximum diffracted amplitudes and their theoretical predictions. The procedure was implemented in Matlab and tested in realistic situations. The obtained results showed improved accuracy.     

On capacity allocation for operating rooms

This paper studies capacity planning decisions that allocate surgical specialties to operating-room (OR) days with the objective of minimizing total expected costs due to penalties for any patients who are not accommodated and for under- (i.e., idleness) and over- (i.e., overtime) usage of OR capacity. It presents a prototypical non-linear, stochastic programming model to structure relevant and practical features of the problem and four adaptations, along with associated solution approaches, with the goal of facilitating solution by overcoming the computational disadvantages of the prototype. Each of these adaptations offers advantages but is also attended by disadvantages. Computational tests compare the four adaptations and solution approaches with respect to solution quality and run time.     

Micro-stress analysis and identification of lightweight aggregate’s failure strength by micromechanical modeling

This work is based on a dual approach of experiments and micromechanical modeling in order to characterize the failure behaviors of lightweight aggregate concretes (LWAC). Many classes of LWAC were tested, based on five families of lightweight aggregates (LWA) and three types of mortar matrices: normal, high performance (HP) and very high performance (VHP). Micromechanical modeling is based on an iterative homogenization approach and associated localization: local stress distributions during the uniaxial compression tests can be predicted in LWAC’s components and at their interface. Experimental compressive strengths were measured on manufactured 16 × 32 cm cylindrical specimens. The confrontations between micromechanical modeling and experiments were used to identify LWA’s failure strengths which are difficult to measure, and to quantify the inaccuracies related to conventional methods. These corrected values of LWA’s failure strength were introduced into a failure criterion modeling: associated predictions of LWAC’s compressive strength are in good agreement with the experimental measurements.     

Kinetics of inverse graphitization of detonation sintered nano-diamond/alumina composites

Recently, detonation sintered nano-diamond/alumina composites have appeared and attracted much theoretical and experimental attention. Inspired by core hypothesis of diamond, molecular dynamics was used to analyze the probability of phase transformation between diamond and graphite. The results showed that the very short duration of heating and cooling was beneficial to the stability of nano-diamond in an environment of high temperature. The higher the pressure is, the more stable the diamond would be under high temperature. Therefore, under the condition of short time, high temperature and high pressure, the probability of diamond-graphite transition of detonation sintered nano-diamond/alumina composites was only equal to 11 parts per million. The probability of phase transformation from nano-diamond to graphite has been very low and the test experiences are in good agreement with the calculated results. Compared with other synthetic methods, the method of detonation sintered nano-diamond/alumina composites with high temperature, high pressure and short duration has the advantages of operation, environmentally benign and high yields.     

Electronic structure of stable n-type semiconducting molecular complex (diC8-BTBT)(TCNQ) studied by ultraviolet photoemission and inverse photoemission spectroscopy

The electronic structure of a semiconducting mixed-stack charge transfer (CT) complex composed of a 2,7-dialkyl[1]benzothieno[3,2-b][1] benzothiophene (diC₈-BTBT) electron donor and a tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) electron acceptor, (diC₈-BTBT)(TCNQ), was studied by ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy and inverse photoemission spectroscopy. Compared with its components, the frontier electronic states observed for the (diC₈-BTBT)(TCNQ) complex showed a large stabilization that originates from the reconstruction of electronic states by intermolecular donor-acceptor CT interactions. We discuss how the frontier electronic states of the complex are formed from those of the individual component molecules, and clarify the origin of the air-stable n-type organic field-effect transistor characteristics that the material exhibits when it is used as a channel semiconductor.     

Intelligent coordinated controller design for a 600 MW supercritical boiler unit based on expanded-structure neural network inverse models

Under present widespread automatic generation control (AGC) centered on regional power grid, a large-capacity coal-fired supercritical (SC) power unit often operates under wide-range variable load conditions. Since a SC once-through boiler unit is represented by a typical multivariable system with large inertia and non-linear, slow time-variant and time-delay characteristics, it often makes the coordinated control quality deteriorate under wide-range loading conditions, and thus influences the unit load response speed and leads to heavy fluctuation of the main steam pressure. To improve the SC unit’s coordinated control quality with advanced intelligent control strategy, the neural-network (NN) based expanded-structure inverse system models of a 600 MW SC boiler unit were investigated. A feedforward neural network with time-delayed inputs and time-delayed output feedbacks was adopted to establish the inverse models for the load and the main steam pressure characteristics. Based on the model, a neural network inverse coordinated control scheme was designed and tested in a full-scope power plant simulator of the given SC power unit, which showed that the proposed coordinated control scheme can achieve better control results compared to the original PID coordinated control.