A new method of reinforcing graphene nanoplatelets in glass/epoxy composites

This research aims to develop a method for the amalgamation of graphene nanoplatelets in glass/epoxy composites. The poor interface bonding between the fiber and matrix is critical and hinders the full performance of the composites. Glass fabric and epoxy were used as reinforcement and matrix in the composite, respectively. Graphene nanoplatelets were utilized as an additional nano-materials filler for the composites. Glass/graphene/epoxy and glass/epoxy composites were fabricated via vacuum infusion molding. The new method of applying graphene nanoplatelets as secondary reinforcement in the composite was developed based on proper functionalization in the sonication process. The physical, tensile, flexural, and short beam interlaminar properties of fabricated composites were examined to analyze the method's effectiveness. The results showed that density decreased by around 5 %; however, thickness increased by around 34 % after introducing graphene nanoplatelets into the composites. The tensile strength and modulus of the composites declined by approximately 19 %, on the other hand, flexural strength and modulus increased by around 63.3 % and 8.3 %, respectively, after the addition of graphene nanoplatelets into the composites. Moreover, interlaminar shear strength of the composite was enhanced by approximately 50 %.     

Decentralized robust set-valued state estimation in networked multiple sensor systems

This paper addresses a decentralized robust set-valued state estimation problem for a class of uncertain systems via a data-rate constrained sensor network. The uncertainties of the systems satisfy an energy-type constraint known as an integral quadratic constraint. The sensor network consists of spatially distributed sensors and a fusion center where set-valued state estimation is carried out. The communications from the sensors to the fusion center are through data-rate constrained communication channels. We propose a state estimation scheme which involves coders that are implemented in the sensors, and a decoder–estimator that is located at the fusion center. Their construction is based on the robust Kalman filtering techniques. The robust set-valued state estimation results of this paper involve the solution of a jump Riccati differential equation and the solution of a set of jump state equations.     

Decentralized control of multi-agent systems for swarming with a given geometric pattern

This paper addresses a problem of cooperative formation control of a network of self-deployed autonomous agents. We propose a decentralized motion coordination control for the agents so that they collectively move in a desired geometric pattern from any initial position. There are no predefined leaders in the group and only local information is required for the control. The control algorithm is developed using the ideas of information consensus, and its effectiveness is illustrated via numerical simulations.     

Resilience Assessment of Water Resources System

The resilience perspective, which emphasizes the integrated, systemic concept of human and nature interactions, is increasingly used as an approach for understanding the dynamic of social-ecological system. As the water resources system (WRS) is a social-ecological system, resilience thinking such as Holling??s adaptive cycle has been adopted as a fundamental unit for understanding the water resources system dynamics in this paper. In the adaptive cycle of WRS, the likelihood shift among different phases largely depends on resilience value; and a quantitative method for estimating the resilience of WRS is proposed. The method is related to the degree of change and characteristics of the WRS, and has been applied to identify the phase of WRS in every city in Zhejiang province, China. The results of resilience assessment have also been discussed in terms of adaptive cycle.     

Semiconducting Carbon Nanotubes for Improved Efficiency and Thermal Stability of Polymer–Fullerene Solar Cells

The effects of the incorporation of semiconducting single‐walled nanotubes (sc‐SWNTs) with high purity on the bulk heterojunction (BHJ) organic solar cell (OSC) based on regioregular poly(3‐hexylthiophene‐2,5‐diyl):[6,6]‐phenyl‐C₆₁‐butyric acid methyl ester (rr‐P3HT:PCBM) are reported for the first time. The sc‐SWNTs induce the organization of the polymer phase, which is evident from the increase in crystallite size, the red‐shifted absorption characteristics and the enhanced hole mobility. By incorporating sc‐SWNTs, OSC with a power conversion efficiency (PCE) as high as 4% can be achieved, which is ≈8% higher than our best control device. A novel application of sc‐SWNTs in improving the thermal stability of BHJ OSCs is also demonstrated. After heating at 150 °C for 9 h, it is observed that the thermal stability of rr‐P3HT:PCBM devices improves by more than fivefold with inclusion of sc‐SWNTs. The thermal stability enhancement is attributed to a more suppressed phase separation, as shown by the remarkable decrease in the formation of sizeable crystals, which in turn can be the outcome of a more controlled crystallization of the blend materials on the nanotubes.     

Preparation of Au-loaded niobate nanosheets and their plasmon-driven photochemical reaction

Niobate nanosheets prepared by exfoliation of layered hexaniobate K₄Nb₆O₁₇ were sequentially decorated with two noble metal nanoparticles, gold and silver, through two-step photochemical reactions. First, cationic bis(ethylenediamine)gold(III) ions were electrostatically adsorbed on the anionic niobate nanosheets, and reduced to gold nanoparticles by UV excitation of the photocatalytically active niobate nanosheets. Then, the surface plasmon band of the photodeposited gold nanoparticles was excited with visible light, by which the silver cations introduced to the system together with citrate anions were reduced to silver nanoparticles. Spectroscopic and transmission electron microscopic observations indicated the formation of morphologically different silver nanoparticles, for example nanorods and core-shell particles.     

Resting energy expenditure and carbohydrate oxidation are higher in elderly patients with COPD: a case control study

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) usually have a compromised nutritional status which is an independent predictor of morbidity and mortality. To know the Resting Energy Expenditure (REE) and the substrate oxidation measurement is essential to prevent these complications. This study aimed to compare the REE, respiratory quotient (RQ) and body composition between patients with and without COPD. METHODS: This case-control study assessed 20 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease attending a pulmonary rehabilitation program. The group of subjects without COPD (control group) consisted of 20 elderly patients attending a university gym, patients of a private service and a public healthy care. Consumption of oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) was determined by indirect calorimetry and used for calculating the resting energy expenditure and respiratory quotient. Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were also measured. Percentage of body fat (%BF), lean mass (kg) and muscle mass (kg) were determined by bioimpedance. The fat free mass index (FFMI) and muscle mass index (MMI) were then calculated. Results: The COPD group had lower BMI than control (p=0.02). However, WC, % BF, FFMI and MM-I did not differ between the groups. The COPD group had greater RQ (p=0.01), REE (p=0.009) and carbohydrate oxidation (p= 0.002). Conclusions: Elderly patients with COPD had higher REE, RQ and carbohydrate oxidation than controls.     

Quantitation of spironolactone in the presence of canremone using high-performance liquid chromatography

Two stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatography methods have been developed to quantify spironolactone in the presence of its product(s) of decomposition. Both methods are accurate and precise with percent relative standard deviation of 0.7 based on 5 readings using microC₁₈ column and 0.9 using microphenyl column. By using different wavelengths, the sensitivity of the methods to quantify spironolactone or canrenone (the major product of decomposition of spironolactone) can be increased many times. Spironolactone appears to be relatively stable between pH values of about 3.4-5.2. In the acidic pH, the decomposition is slower than on the basic side of the pH. Even at pH 7.3, the decomposition was about 3.1 times faster than at pH 2.3.     

Improvement of characteristics of new-type solar cells, having a “transparent conductor/thin Si02 layer with ultrafine metal particles as conductive channels/n-Si” junction

New-type solar cells, having a structure “transparent conductor/thin Si0₂ layer with ultrafine metal islands as conductive channels/n-Si” have been prepared by forming a very thin (< 1.0 nm) silicon oxide (Si0₂) layer as well as platinum (Pt) islands (5–50 nm in size) embedded in it on a single crystal n-type silicon (n-Si) wafer, followed by the deposition of an indium tin oxide (ITO) film (200 nm thick) by the electron-beam evaporation method. The open-circuit photovoltages (V_oc) of the solar cells of the above structure were relatively low, 0.25–0.47 V, but they increased very much to 0.50–0.59 V if a thin (3–10 nm) layer of an organic compound such as copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) was pre-deposited on the Pt-island modified n-Si wafer before the ITO deposition. The reason for the beneficial effect of the pre-deposition of the thin CuPc layer was investigated in detail, and it has been found that certain crystal defects are formed in n-Si near the n-Si/Si0₂ interface during the ITO deposition in the absence of the CuPc layer. The formation of such defects is prevented in the presence of the CuPc layer, which leads to a decrease in surface carrier recombination and hence to the increase in V_oc.