Application of model predictive control strategy based on fuzzy identification to an SP-100 space reactor

In this work, a model predictive control method combined with fuzzy identification, is applied to the design of the thermoelectric (TE) power control in the SP-100 space reactor. The future TE power is predicted by using the fuzzy model identified by a subtractive clustering method of a fast and robust algorithm. The objectives of the proposed fuzzy model predictive controller are to minimize both the difference between the predicted TE power and the desired power, and the variation of control drum angle that adjusts the control reactivity. Also, the objectives are subject to maximum and minimum control drum angle and maximum drum angle variation speed. The genetic algorithm that is effective in accomplishing multiple objectives is used to optimize the fuzzy model predictive controller. A lumped parameter simulation model of the SP-100 nuclear space reactor is used to verify the proposed controller. The results of numerical simulations to check the performance of the proposed controller show that the TE generator power level controlled by the proposed controller could track the target power level effectively, satisfying all control constraints.     

Effect of binder-phase modification and Cr3C2 addition on properties of WC-IOC0 cemented carbide

For production of fine-grained and corrosion-resistant tungsten carbide (WC) based cemented carbides, addition of chromium carbide (Cr₃3C₂) in small amounts is standard practice. No systematic study, however, has been made of the effects of large additions (maximum 6 wt % ) of Cr₃C₂ as a substitute for tungsten carbide. This study focuses on the effect of hard-phase substitution by C₃C₂ in WC-1OCo cemented carbide. An attempt is also made to modify the binder metal cobalt by partial or complete substitution of nickel. Specimens were prepared using the standard liquid-phase sintering process and were tested for sintered porosity, mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and microstructural parameters. Results confirm the findings of earlier workers regarding grain refinement and improvement of mechanical properties upon the addition of small amounts (<2 wt%) of Cr₃C₂. Modification of the binder phase improves indentation fracture toughness and corrosion resistance. Addition of Cr₃C₂ independent of the binder type improves corrosion resistance.     

Chemical-bath deposition of band-gap-tailored CdxPb1−xS films

An attempt was made to modify the band gap of CdS ( 2.4 eV) by preparing a mixed lattice with a low-band-gap material, PbS (0.3 eV), giving a new set of materials, Cd _x Pb_1–x S. Band gaps as low as 1.9 eV were achieved with increasing x. The preparation of Cd _x Pb_1–x S was carried out by chemical-bath deposition. Structural characterization studies using X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersion analysis by X-rays (EDAX), and optical microscopy were performed. The optical-absorption studies used to find the band gap are also described.     

Assessment of oxygen in silicon carbide fibres

Five different types of SiC fibre produced by chemical vapour deposition were analysed using Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray (WDX) analysis. Fibres studied include SCS0, SCS6, Sigma SM1240 and two types of SiC fibres denoted SAM1 and SAM2, produced in the Commonwealth of Independent States (Ukraine, former USSR). Fibres were fracturedin situ in the Auger spectrometer. For each fibre, the oxygen, carbon and silicon yields were measured and qualitative assessment of oxygen was performed. Results suggest that the SCS0 fibre contains less oxygen than other SiC fibres. It was revealed that the SAM1 fibre (120 m diameter) has a duplex SiC and carbon coating deposited over a 20 m tungsten core prior to the main SiC deposition, to decouple mechanically the tungsten core from the main SiC deposition.     

Software fault prediction using Nonlinear Autoregressive with eXogenous Inputs (NARX) network

This paper explores a new approach for predicting software faults by means of NARX neural network. Also, a careful analysis has been carried out to determine the applicability of NARX network in software reliability. The validation of the proposed approach has been performed using two real software failure data sets. Comparison has been made with some existing parametric software reliability models as well as some neural network (Elman net and TDNN) based SRGM. The results computed shows that the proposed approach outperformed the other existing parametric and neural network based software reliability models with a reasonably good predictive accuracy.     

Total radiation dose at geostationary orbit

Active semiconductor components in satellites are sensitive to accumulated ionization radiation dose. Radiation dose and shielding estimations for electronic components are usually carried out using NASA models of space radiation particle flux. Accurate measurement of accumulated dose during the life of a satellite is essential for optimizing radiation shielding design for electronic components. Dosimeters were designed using radiation sensitive field-effect transistors (RADFETs) and accumulated dose at geostationary orbit was measured. Radiation dose as measured by these dosimeters with spherical aluminum shields are presented and compared with NASA model doses.     

Sintered 434L ferritic stainless steel-Al2O3 particulate composites containing phosphorus

Sintering of 434£ ferritic stainless steel powder compacts containing 0-8 volume %

cx-AI20 a (1 J.1m size) and 0-4 weight % phosphorus in the form of either FesP or Fe2P was carried out in the temperature range 1150°C-1300°C, and the resultant densification parameters, ultimate compressive strengths and hardnesses were measured. The results reveal that temperatures of 1150°C and 1200°C produced liquid-phase sintering when phosphorus was added in the form of FeaP. With Fe2P additions, a higher sintering temperature of 1300°C densified the composites, and an increase in the phosphorus content to 3% uniformly enhanced the sintered properties: The presence of Al20 a particles at an optimum level only improved the properties of the liquid-phase sintered composites.     

Tensile and Fracture Properties of Aluminium Alloy AA2219-T87 Friction Stir Weld Joints for Aerospace Applications

Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A - The purpose of the present work is to study the mechanical behaviour of AA2219-T87 friction stir weld (FSW) joints at different temperatures (Room...     

Ultrathin Highly Luminescent Two‐Monolayer Colloidal CdSe Nanoplatelets

Surface effects in atomically flat colloidal CdSe nanoplatelets (NLPs) are significantly and increasingly important with their thickness being reduced to subnanometer level, generating strong surface related deep trap photoluminescence emission alongside the bandedge emission. Herein, colloidal synthesis of highly luminescent two‐monolayer (2ML) CdSe NPLs and a systematic investigation of carrier dynamics in these NPLs exhibiting broad photoluminescence emission covering the visible region with quantum yields reaching 90% in solution and 85% in a polymer matrix is shown. The astonishingly efficient Stokes‐shifted broadband photoluminescence (PL) emission with a lifetime of ≈100 ns and the extremely short PL lifetime of around 0.16 ns at the bandedge signify the participation of radiative midgap surface centers in the recombination process associated with the underpassivated Se sites. Also, a proof‐of‐concept hybrid LED employing 2ML CdSe NPLs is developed as color converters, which exhibits luminous efficacy reaching 300 lm W_opt^?1. The intrinsic absorption of the 2ML CdSe NPLs (≈2.15 × 10⁶ cm^?1) reported in this study is significantly larger than that of CdSe quantum dots (≈2.8 × 10⁵ cm^?1) at their first exciton signifying the presence of giant oscillator strength and hence making them favorable candidates for next‐generation light‐emitting and light‐harvesting applications.