Domain reduction for Benders decomposition based global optimization

While domain reduction has been successfully applied in branch-and-bound based global optimization over the last two decades, it has not been systematically studied for decomposition based global optimization, which is usually more efficient for problems with decomposable structures. This paper discusses integration of domain reduction in Benders decomposition based global optimization, specifically, generalized Benders decomposition (GBD) and nonconvex generalized Benders decomposition (NGBD). Revised GBD and NGBD frameworks are proposed to incorporate bound contraction operations or/and range reduction calculations, which can reduce the variable bounds and therefore improve the convergence rate and expedite the solution of nonconvex subproblems. Novel customized bound contraction problems are proposed for GBD and NGBD, and they are easier to solve than the classical bound contraction problems because they are defined on reduced variable spaces. The benefits of the proposed methods are demonstrated through a gas production operation problem and a power distribution system design problem.     

Enhanced energy storage performance of BNT-ST based ceramics under low electric field via domain engineering

Lead-free bulk ceramics for advanced pulse power capacitors possess low recoverable energy storage density (W_rec) under low electric field. Sodium bismuth titanate (Bi_0.5Na_0.5TiO₃, BNT)-based ferroelectrics have attracted great attention due to their large maximum polarization (P_m) and high power density. The BNT-ST: xAlN ceramics are designed and fabricated to get high W_rec and large P_m under low electric field simultaneously. An excellent large P_m (49.04 μC/cm²) and W_rec (2.07 J/cm³) under low electric field (160 kV/cm) are acquired in BNT-ST: 0.1 wt% AlN. The domain structure evolution and polarization switching are investigated systematically using piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM). The introduction of AlN promotes the formation of thermal conductive network and the crystallization of ceramics, thus improving thermal stability and increasing P_m significantly. The higher density of domain walls and the larger negative built-in voltage may be beneficial to increase breakdown field strength (E_b), while the more 180° domains induce by electric field and the better domain switching behavior contribute to a significant increase in P_m. The enhanced E_b and super high P_m are favorable for obtaining high W_rec under low electric field which will boost the application of BNT-based ferroelectrics in advanced pulse power capacitors.     

Influence of ferroelectric domain texture on the performance of multilayer piezoelectric actuators

Lead zirconate titanate (PZT)-based multilayer piezoelectric actuators (MAs) present a maximum in their piezoelectric properties when pre-stressed with a low mechanical load (ca. 50 MPa) along the longitudinal axis of the actuator. In this work, we investigate this phenomenon by combining polarised Raman spectroscopy with a Reverse Monte Carlo (RMC) method in order to quantify the domain orientation distribution of PZT-based MAs, both in-situ and at the remanent state, under combined applied electric field and mechanical load. Our study shows that the performance maximum of MAs is the result of two competing effects: (i) an increasing reservoir for non-180° domain switching for increasing applied compressive pre-stress and (ii) a large activation energy for domain switching at high pre-stresses. Hence, our study uncovers structure-property relationships in piezoceramic components that could be used to finely tune the electromechanical response of actuators.     

Domain switching characteristics of lead zirconate titanate piezoelectric ceramics on a nanoscopic scale

Domain switching characteristics of lead zirconate titanate ceramics with and without poling under compressive loading are investigated using electron backscatter diffraction. For loading in the poling direction, the switching strain is stronger than that for loading perpendicular to the poling direction. There is strong domain switching when the domain (c-axis of the tetragonal structure) is orientated close to the loading direction. A large number of domains are switched between 85.4° and 90.0°, with many crossing the loading axis. Each grain consists of domains with three different patterns; i.e., with c-axis orientated in three directions in each grain. The patterns remain unchanged even with domain switching and strong deformation. However, the ratios among the patterns depend on compressive stress. Under stress, one or two specific domain modes are switched to about 90°, although others are not switched as much. These domain switching characteristics are related to the poling and loading directions. 90° domain switching model is proposed on the basis of twin deformation model. Due to the aspect ratio of c/a = 1.014 (tetragonal structure), the angle of the switching is less than 90° (89.2°). This angle is corresponding to the switching angle obtained by an electron backscatter diffraction analysis (Ave. 88.9°).     

Near tip stress intensity factor for an edge-crack in a Pb(ZrxTi1−x)O3 thin film with 90° domain switching under a continuous laser irradiation

The near tip stress intensity factor K_Itip for an edge-crack in a Pb(Zr_xTi_1−x)O₃ thin film was investigated by superposition of the applied stress intensity factor K_Iapp under a continuous laser irradiation and the shielding stress intensity factor ΔK_I for 90° domain switching. Both K_Iapp and ΔK_I were solved by the weight function method, and switching toughening was analyzed based on the small scale domain switching theory. Results show that K_Itip of the edge-crack in the thin film is significantly affected by the initial poling angle, and the edge-crack tip is toughened by the domain switching area with the increase of the initial poling angle. The methodology can predict the fracture toughening of Pb(Zr_xTi_1−x)O₃ thin films quantitatively.     

An environmental purpose artificial island off Belgium

Processing municipal and industrial wastes on land and particularly near inhabited centra has met with increased opposition. An apparent remedy to the problem is the establishment of such facilities offshore, hence various projects to build them on artificial islands. The paper examines a concrete proposal to locate such an island offshore from the Belgian Coast. Oceanographic and environmental aspects of the site are discussed, construction methods reviewed, erosion and corrosion effects looked at. The possibility of utilizing ocean power to provide the necessary operation energy is likewise considered.     

光寻址电位传感器的噪声分析与信号处理方法研究

鉴于光寻址电位传感器(LAPS)的响应信号较弱,传统的抽取频域基波分量的方法易受信号漂移和随机噪声的影响,提出了一种基于频域分量均方根和卡尔曼滤波的两步信号处理方法。基于光寻址电位传感器件的理论模型构建了其等效电路模型,推导得到输出信号的表达式,分析了漂移与噪声产生的原因及其抑制方法。通过实验检测了不同pH值的溶液,并采集了系统输出的光电流信号。求取信号傅里叶变换后频域中的基波分量、二次谐波分量、三次谐波分量的谱线幅值的均方根,然后对归一化电流-偏压(I-V)特性曲线进行卡尔曼滤波。实验结果表明,相对于单纯抽取基波分量的方法,基于频域分量均方根和卡尔曼滤波的两步信号处理方法使检测结果的均方差(MSE)降低了97%,显著减少了信号漂移和随机噪声对检测结果的影响。     

Evolution of structure and electrical properties with lanthanum content in [(Bi1/2Na1/2)0.95Ba0.05]1−xLaxTiO3 ceramics

Lead-free perovskite [(Bi_1/2Na_1/2)_0.95Ba_0.05]_1−xLa_xTiO₃ (x = 0.00–0.10) ceramics were fabricated via the solid state reaction method and their crystal structures and electrical properties were systematically studied. Transmission electron microscopy examination reveals a transition from a rhombohedral R3c phase with micron-sized complex domains to a mixture of rhombohedral R3c and tetragonal P4bm phases with nanodomains as La content was increased. X-ray diffraction analysis on bulk samples, however, indicates a pseudocubic structure in La-doped compositions. Electrical poling seems to transform the pseudocubic structure to a rhombohedral phase in compositions with 0.00 < x < 0.03. With La addition, the depolarization temperature (T_d) is observed to decrease and the dielectric constant (ɛ_r) within 100–350 °C becomes more temperature independent, promising for applications in high-temperature capacitors. Electric field-induced polarizations and strains display complex changes with respect to La concentration, with the highest strain of 0.35% achieved in the composition x = 0.04 under 70 kV/cm at room temperature. The piezoelectric coefficient d₃₃ initially increases with La content, reaching a maximum value of 151 pC/N in the composition x = 0.02, and then diminishes.     

BWT-Boyer-Moore压缩域搜索算法的研究

针对BoyerMoore匹配算法对压缩文本文件搜索的不足,分析了当前对于压缩文件搜索的主要方法,提出了一种基于BW转换的高效的搜索算法并予以验证。