Optimization of flow in additively manufactured porous columns with graded permeability

Chemical engineering systems often involve a functional porous medium, such as in catalyzed reactive flows, fluid purifiers, and chromatographic separations. Ideally, the flow rates throughout the porous medium are uniform, and all portions of the medium contribute efficiently to its function. The permeability is a property of a porous medium that depends on pore geometry and relates flow rate to pressure drop. Additive manufacturing techniques raise the possibilities that permeability can be arbitrarily specified in three dimensions, and that a broader range of permeabilities can be achieved than by traditional manufacturing methods. Using numerical optimization methods, we show that designs with spatially varying permeability can achieve greater flow uniformity than designs with uniform permeability. We consider geometries involving hemispherical regions that distribute flow, as in many glass chromatography columns. By several measures, significant improvements in flow uniformity can be obtained by modifying permeability only near the inlet and outlet.     

LPNN-based approach for LASSO problem via a sequence of regularized minimizations

In compressive sampling theory, the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) is a representative problem. Nevertheless, the non-differentiable constraint impedes the use of Lagrange programming neural networks (LPNNs). We present in this article the -LPNN model, a novel algorithm that tackles the LASSO minimization together with the underlying theory support. First, we design a sequence of smooth constrained optimization problems, by introducing a convenient differentiable approximation to the non-differentiable -norm constraint. Next, we prove that the optimal solutions of the regularized intermediate problems converge to the optimal sparse signal for the LASSO. Then, for every regularized problem from the sequence, the -LPNN dynamic model is derived, and the asymptotic stability of its equilibrium state is established as well. Finally, numerical simulations are carried out to compare the performance of the proposed -LPNN algorithm with both the LASSO-LPNN model and a standard digital method.     

A survey and taxonomy on virtual data center embedding

The Journal of Supercomputing - Data center network virtualization is being considered as a promising technology to provide a performance guarantee for cloud computing applications. One important...     

Induction of mosaic sex-linked recessive lethals in the different germ cell stages of Drosophila melanogaster by bleomycin

The dead-end filtration characteristics of the dimorphic yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus var. marxianus (formerly fragilis) NRRLy2415 were investigated for a range of mean cell morphologies, ranging from predominantly yeast-like to predominantly filamentous. Semiautomated image analysis was used to measure the mean cell specific surface area, Sv, and the mean ratio of cell length to equivalent cylindrical diameter, Ldm, in each broth. The method of Ju and Ho (Biotechnol. Bioeng. 1988, 32, 95-99) was used to show that for broths with Ldm values between 1.72 and 10.03, the voidage of cell pellets formed by centrifugation increased with increasing Ldm. In the pressure range 30-180 kPa, the specific filter cake resistance, alpha, was found to be related to pressure, DeltaP, through the equation alpha = alpha0(1 + kcDeltaP). The dependence of alpha0/Sv2 on Ldm was found to be qualitatively consistent with the pellet voidage data and the Carman-Kozeny equation. Considerably better agreement with the experimental data was obtained when the Kozeny constant, K, was treated as variable and related to Ldm through the equation K = 4.83 + 7.08 log10 Ldm. The cake compressibility constant, kc, was found to increase with increasing Ldm, a phenomenon consistent with the wide range of voidages that can be displayed by beds of long cylinders.     

Synthesis of heterocyclic metal complexes and their evaluation as marine antifoulants

4-Amino-3-thio-1,24-triazolidine (L₁) and 4-amino-5-thio-1,3,4-thiadiazole (L_II) as well as their metal complexes of the general formulae ML_I·2H₂O and ML_IICl (M; Pb(II), Cd(II) and Zn(II)) were prepared. With Sn(II), we obtained Sn(L_I)₂·2H₂O and SnL_IICl, respectively. The structures of the compounds were identified through elemental analysis, and IR and UV spectra measurements, in addition to thermal analysis in case of the metal complexes. The antifouling properties of the compounds were tested by their incorporation into paint formulations which were applied to PVC substrates and tested in water from Alexandria western harbour. When the compounds were added at 17·5% by volume, the coated panels were fouled after 3 months of immersion. The addition of 6·7% by volume of tributyltin oxide to 15·8% of the prepared compounds in one formulation elevated the paint efficiency and prevented fouling for 11 months. Paint containing solely tributyltin oxide at the same concentration was inactive against algae.     

Composition Dependence and Irradation Effects on Residual Resistivity in Cu-Al Alloys

Residual electrical resistivity due to short-range order has been calculated for Cu100-xAlx (x=9.13,13.56, 14.5 and 14.76 in at pct) alloys using pseudopotential approach, and the results have been discussed in the light of experimental studies of the local-order structure of these alloys. In case of Cu85.5Al14.5, change in the total residual electrical resistivity due to neutron-irradiation effects has been estimated by including contributions from the short-range order and static atomic displacement correction. Our results show a decrease in the residual resistivity in the irradiated Cu-Al solid solution as compared to the unirradiated sample. This is in accordance with the experimental results     

Software for dynamic reconfigurable order picking systems

This paper describes an approach, conceptual framework, and software architecture for dynamic reconfiguration of the order picking system. The research and development project was sponsored by the Material Handling Research Center (MHRC), a National Science Foundation sponsored Cooperative Industry/University Research Center. The storage configuration is assumed to be an in-the-aisle order picking system in which stockkeeping units (SKUs) can occupy variable capacity storage locations and stock-splitting is allowed among zones (clusters). The product mix may include multiple product families with different life cycles, correlated demand within families and commonality of demand across families.     

Formation of titanium and cobalt germanides on Si (100) using rapid thermal processing

Titanium and cobalt germanides have been formed on Si (100) substrates using rapid thermal processing. Germanium was deposited by rapid thermal chemical vapor deposition prior to metal evaporation. Solid phase reactions were then performed using rapid thermal annealing in either Ar or N₂ ambients. Germanide formation has been found to occur in a manner similar to the formation of corresponding silicides. The sheet resistance was found to be dependent on annealing ambient (Ar or N₂) for titanium germanide formation, but not for cobalt germanide formation. The resistivities of titanium and cobalt germanides were found to be 20 μΩ-cm and 35.3μΩ-cm, corresponding to TiGe₂ and Co₂Ge, respectively. During solid phase reactions of Ti with Ge, we have found that the Ti₆Ge₅ phase forms prior to TiGe₂. The TiGe₂ phase was found to form approximately at 800° C. Cobalt germanide formation was found to occur at relatively low temperatures (425° C); however, the stability of the material is poor at elevated temperatures.