Closed-loop expressions of minimum energy control for single-inputlinear digital systems

Closed-loop expressions for the minimum energy control of a single-input linear digital system are described. They are obtained by two different methods. The optimal inputs are given by state feedback with the bounded variable gains. The gains are independent of the initial state of the system     

Experimental investigation of melt pool behaviour during selective laser melting by high speed imaging

Melt pool behaviour and the characteristics of the surrounding metal powder during selective laser melting (SLM) are captured using high-speed imaging, and the influence of the substrate temperature and the line building sequence on the formation of the built structure and the generation of spatter particles is experimentally investigated. The results indicate that the substrate temperature has a measurable effect on the formation of droplets and the generation of spatter particles, while the volume specific energy density of the process was the principal factor affecting the built structure.     

Preparation and Luminescence Spectra of Calcium- and Rare-Earth (R = Eu, Tb, and Pr)-Codoped α-SiAlON Ceramics

Rare-earth-doped oxynitride or nitride compounds have been reported to be luminescent and may then serve as new phosphors with good thermal and chemical stabilities. In this work, we report the photoluminescence (PL) spectra of europium-, terbium-, and praseodymium-doped Ca-α-SiAlON ceramics. The highly dense ceramics were prepared by hot pressing at 1750°C for 1 h under 20 MPa in a nitrogen atmosphere. Europium-doped Ca-α-SiAlON displayed a single broad emission band peaking at λ= 550–590 nm depending on the europium concentration. The emission bands in the spectra of europium-doped Ca-α-SiAlONs were assigned to the allowed transition of Eu²⁺ from the lowest crystal field component of 4 f ⁶5 d to ⁸S_7/2 (4 f ⁷) ground-state level. The emission spectra of terbium- and praseodymium-doped Ca-α-SiAlON ceramics both consisted of several sharp lines, which were attributed to the ⁵D₄→⁷F _j ( j = 3, 4, 5, 6) transitions of Tb³⁺ and ³P₀→³H _j ( j = 3, 4, 5) transitions of Pr³⁺, respectively. In particular, the terbium-doped α-SiAlON ceramics showed a strong green emission among these phosphors.     

Microwave synthesis of Fe-doped β-rhombohedral boron

Iron-doped β-rhombohedral boron was synthesized by 28 GHz microwave irradiation on a powder mixture of iron and β-boron. β-Boron strongly absorbs 28 GHz microwaves, and this strong coupling with microwave energy can be used to promote a reaction with iron dopant. The powder mixture was heated to 1800°C within 2 min by microwave irradiation, resulting in the formation of β-rhombohedral boron interstitially doped with iron. The reaction proceeded rapidly without accompanying grain growth. The XRD analysis and the electrical conductivity measurements revealed successful incorporation of iron into two doping sites of β-boron.     

CORROSION INHIBITION OF CARBON STEEL IN LOW CHLORIDE MEDIA BY AN AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF HIBISCUS ROSA-SINENSIS LINN

The inhibition efficiency (IE) of an aqueous extract of white flower, namely, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Linn., in controlling corrosion of carbon steel immersed in an aqueous solution containing 60 ppm of Cl^-has been evaluated by the mass loss method. The flower extract (FE) shows good IE. In the presence of Zn²⁺, excellent IE is shown by the flower extract. A synergistic effect exists between the flower extract and Zn²⁺. The mechanistic aspects of corrosion inhibition have been investigated by polarization study and AC impedance spectra. Polarization study reveals that the formulation consisting of flower extract and Zn²⁺ functions as a mixed inhibitor. AC impedance spectra reveal that a protective film is formed on the metal surface. The active principle in the flower extract is quercetin-3-O-glucoside. This has been confirmed by UV-visible absorption spectra. The protective film formed on the metal surface has been analyzed by FT-IR and AFM spectra. It is found that the protective film consists of Fe²⁺-quercetin-3-O-glucoside complex and Zn(OH)₂.     

Laser manipulation of micro untransmissive particles in water

The laser trapping of untransmissive particles are discussed in this paper. Photon can generate the momentum to the untransmissive particle by diffraction and reflection on the surface of the particles. We tried laser trapping of untransmissive particles using an attractive force caused by the diffraction and radiation force caused by reflection. The laser trapping system includes CW YAG laser, which has 1.064 μm in wave length and an optical microscope. The motions of particles were monitored by a CCD camera on the top of the microscope and recorded by PC connected to the CCD camera.     

A new high-pressure polymorph of NiSb2

A new polymorph of NiSb₂ was obtained under high-pressure/temperature condition of 6 GPa and 550–650°C. The crystal structure is orthorhombic with the space group Pbca (No. 61), isostructural with the low-temperature form of NiAs₂ (pararammelsbergite). The crystallographic parameters were refined by the Rietveld analysis of the powder X-ray diffraction data (a=0.62866(2) nm, b=0.63643(2) nm, c=1.23670(3) nm, Z=8). The structure can be regarded as an intermediate structure between the marcasite-type and the pyrite-type. The pararammelsbergite-type NiSb₂ is a high-pressure form of NiSb₂ and the density is slightly higher than that of ambient pressure form with the marcasite-type structure.     

Microwave Synthesis of Yttrium Aluminum Iron Garnet Powder

The solid solution of yttrium aluminum garnet-yttrium iron garnet [YAIG, Y₃(Al,Fe)₅O₁₂] was synthesized from the component oxides by 28 GHz-microwave irradiation. The compositions of the resulting garnets were not the same as the nominal compositions. This difference could be explained by selective coupling of chemical species with microwaves, predictable from the temperature–time profiles of each raw material under microwave irradiation. The diffusion process under microwave irradiation was discussed.     

Rapid Formation and Growth of Bixbyite-Type (In0.67Fe0.33)2O3 by 28 GHz Microwave Irradiation

(In_0.67Fe_0.33)₂O₃ with the bixbyite structure was synthesized via 28 GHz microwave irradiation, using multimode microwave heating equipment. Indium sesquioxide strongly absorbs 28 GHz microwaves, and this strong coupling with microwave energy can be used to drive a reaction with iron sesquioxide. A mixture of In₂O₃ and α-Fe₂O₃ powders (In:Fe ratio of 2:1) was irradiated with microwaves at a frequency of 28 GHz. The mixture was heated to 1400°C during the microwave irradiation. The formation of a solid solution was completed within a minute, which indicated a drastic enhancement of the reaction rate. Scanning electron microscopy revealed remarkable grain growth under microwave irradiation.