Efficient computational method for transient EM response of large-loop source over layered earth

Calculations of the ElectroMagnetic （EM） response produced by a large horizontal loop placed over layered medium are rather complex because its integral expression contains the product of two Bessel functions and has a divergent term. In this paper, an improved fast Hankel and Gaver-Stehfest transforms are introduced to solve the strong-oscillation and slow-decay properties of the integrand, where one Bessel function in the product is substituted by a carefully chosen polynomial of high accuracy and the other used as the digital filter coefficients in the convolution integral. Comparisons prove the validity and the efficiency of the proposed method.     

Study on the hydrogen storage properties of the dual active metals Ni and Al doped graphene composites

The graphene nanosheets are synthesized by modified Hummer's method, based on which the dual active metals Ni and Al doped graphene composites are prepared through in-suit reaction and self-assembly with high-temperature reduction process. The molecular structure, morphology and specific surface area of graphene nanosheets are characterized systematically. The phase composition, surface morphology and hydrogen storage properties of dual active metals Ni and Al doped graphene composites are further investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and gas reaction controller. Results show that the graphene nanosheets have typical graphene feature, whose transparent graphene edges can be observed clearly, and the specific surface area is as high as 604.2 m² g⁻¹. The Ni and Al doped graphene composites are composed with Ni, Al and C phases, which have high hydrogen storage capacity and excellent hydriding/dehydriding stabilities. The maximum hydrogen storage uptake of such composites is up to 5.7 wt% at 473 K, and the dehydriding efficiency is high as 96%∼97% at the dehydriding temperature of 380 K. The hydrogen adsorption and desorption rate control step of the Ni and Al doped graphene composites is complied to the nucleation and two-dimensional growth mechanism.     

The dual capacity of the NiSn alloy/MWCNT nanocomposite for sodium and hydrogen ions storage using porous Cu foam as a current collector

A nanostructured NiSn alloy/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composite was successfully synthesized for highly reversible sodium and hydrogen ions storage by using an electrochemical deposition process on porous Cu foam. The surface morphology of the resulting NiSn alloy/MWCNT nanocomposite was characterized using a field-emission scanning electron microscope, indicating the formation of sphere-like NiSn alloy nanoparticles with an average size of 190 nm. On the other hand, X-ray diffraction analysis, energy dispersive and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies were employed to determine the crystalline structure, elemental surface and chemical composition of the nanocomposite electrode. The initial sodium discharge capacity of the electrode was maximized at ∼550 mAh g⁻¹ under the current density of 1000 mA g⁻¹, and a high hydrogen discharge capacity of 5200 mAh g⁻¹ was obtained at 1100 mA g⁻¹ after 20 cycles. A comprehensive comparison between the sodium and hydrogen ions capacities in this study and those of the literature for different materials and structures was also performed. Accordingly, the resulting nanocomposite electrode with dual capacity may offer promising applications in both sodium-ion battery and hydrogen storage.     

Effect of natural gas enrichment with hydrogen on combustion characteristics of a dual fuel diesel engine

Environmental benefits are one of the main motivations encouraging the use of natural gas as fuel for internal combustion engines. In addition to the better impact on pollution, natural gas is available in many areas. In this context, the present work investigates the effect of hydrogen addition to natural gas in dual fuel mode, on combustion characteristics improvement, in relation with engine performance. Various hydrogen fractions (10, 20 and 30 by v%) are examined. Results showed that natural gas enrichment with hydrogen leads in general to an improved gaseous fuel combustion, which corresponds to an enhanced heat release rate during gaseous fuel premixed phase, resulting in an increase in the in-cylinder peak pressure, especially at high engine load (4.1 bar at 70% load). The highest cumulative and rate of heat release correspond to 10% Hydrogen addition. The combustion duration of gaseous fuel combustion phase is reduced for all hydrogen blends. Moreover, this technique resulted in better combustion stability. For all hydrogen test blends, COV_IMEP does not exceed 10%. However, no major effect on combustion noise was noticed and the ignition delay was not affected significantly. Regarding performance, an important improvement in energy conversion was obtained with almost all hydrogen blends as a result of improved gaseous fuel combustion. A maximum thermal efficiency of 32.5%, almost similar to the one under diesel operation, and a minimum fuel consumption of 236 g/kWh, are achieved with 10% hydrogen enrichment at 70% engine load.     

A revised examination of the dual pathway model for bulimic symptoms: The importance of social comparisons made on Facebook and sociotropy

ObjectiveTo replicate the Dual Pathway Model (DPM) of bulimia nervosa (BN) symptoms prospectively, and to assess whether a revised version of the DPM that included the variables social comparisons made on Facebook and sociotropy influenced the DPM.MethodParticipants were 245 females who completed baseline measures (T1) that assessed the DPM, as well as the constructs social comparisons made on Facebook, and sociotropy, and a follow-up questionnaire, which assessed symptoms of depression, bulimia, and dietary restraint, one month later (T2).ResultsPath analysis revealed that the original and the revised DPMs had excellent fit once modifications to the respective models were made. In both DPMs, T1 pressures to be thin and T1 thin ideal internalization were related to T1 body dissatisfaction. T1 body dissatisfaction prospectively predicted T2 depressive symptoms and T2 bulimic symptoms, but not T2 dietary restraint. Furthermore, T2 dietary restraint, but not T2 depressive symptoms, predicted T2 BN symptoms. Results also showed that T2 dietary restraint was associated with T2 depressive symptoms. In the revised DPM, T1 social comparisons made on Facebook were associated with T1 body dissatisfaction, T1 pressures to be thin, and T2 bulimic symptoms. T1 sociotropy was related to T1 social comparisons on Facebook, T1 pressures to be thin, T1 body dissatisfaction, and T2 bulimic symptoms.ConclusionsFindings suggest the BN preventative efforts might benefit from addressing appropriate forms of social comparisons, especially those made on Facebook, and the personality trait sociotropy.     

Statistical Programs for High Speed Computers

Eight-run two level factorial and fractional factorial designs are examined from two points of view: (1) the number of levels which must be changed in performing the design, (2) the effect of a first order time trend on the main effects. It is found that only a few run orders are desirable from these viewpoints and thus randomization of the runs is likely, in general, to lead to an unfavorable sequence.     

The effects of multifunctional coating on Li-rich cathode material with hollow spherical structure for Li ion battery

Structural stability and high ionic and electronic conductivity are crucial for the performance of Li-ion batteries. To improve the electrochemical performance of Li-rich Mn-based cathode material, we have adopted a combination of bulk doping and surface coating rather than a single modification, thereby enhancing structural stability and conductivity. This combination is achieved tactfully by one-step method using surface coating on hollow material. After coating and treatment at high temperature, elements from coating layer substitute transition metal elements and distribute gradiently throughout the entire shell of cathode material, showing collective advantages of element doping and surface coating. The modified samples show enhanced rate capability and cycling stability. We discuss the relationship between battery performance and structural improvement.     

Dual-quaternion based fault-tolerant control for spacecraft formation flying with finite-time convergence

Study results of developing control system for spacecraft formation proximity operations between a target and a chaser are presented. In particular, a coupled model using dual quaternion is employed to describe the proximity problem of spacecraft formation, and a nonlinear adaptive fault-tolerant feedback control law is developed to enable the chaser spacecraft to track the position and attitude of the target even though its actuator occurs fault. Multiple-task capability of the proposed control system is further demonstrated in the presence of disturbances and parametric uncertainties as well. In addition, the practical finite-time stability feature of the closed-loop system is guaranteed theoretically under the designed control law. Numerical simulation of the proposed method is presented to demonstrate the advantages with respect to interference suppression, fast tracking, fault tolerant and practical finite-time stability.     

Learning control of fermentation process with an improved DHP algorithm☆

Control of the fed-batch ethanol fermentation processes to produce maximum product ethanol is one of the key issues in the bioreactor system. However, ethanol fermentation processes exhibit complex behavior and nonlinear dynamics with respect to the cel mass, substrate, feed-rate, etc. An improved dual heuristic program-ming algorithm based on the least squares temporal difference with gradient correction (LSTDC) algorithm (LSTDC-DHP) is proposed to solve the learning control problem of a fed-batch ethanol fermentation process. As a new algorithm of adaptive critic designs, LSTDC-DHP is used to realize online learning control of chemical dynamical plants, where LSTDC is commonly employed to approximate the value functions. Application of the LSTDC-DHP algorithm to ethanol fermentation process can realize efficient online learning control in continuous spaces. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of LSTDC-DHP, and show that LSTDC-DHP can obtain the near-optimal feed rate trajectory faster than other-based algorithms.     

Anodic potential on dual-chambered microbial fuel cell with sulphate reducing bacteria biofilm

Dual chamber microbial fuel cell reactors were inoculated with a mixed culture of sulfate-reducing bacteria with anode potential being the controlling parameter. A negative poised anode potential enhanced the performance of this fuel cell while a positive poised anode potential had adverse effects on cell performance. Negative anodic potential affects the biofilm characteristics, as evidenced by electrochemical analysis. Microbial community was changed accordingly.