Global optimization of laminated cylindrical panels based on fundamental natural frequency

This investigation presents an optimization of laminated cylindrical panels based on fundamental natural frequency. Also, trends of change in optimum stacking sequence while the proportions of structures vary, are studied which can be insightful for design purposes. A displacement based finite element model is used, in order to extract fundamental natural frequencies of T300/5208 Carbon/Epoxy cylindrical panels. To obtain optimum designs, the Globalized Bounded Nelder–Mead (GBNM) algorithm is employed. Predictions are compared with the results of Genetic Algorithm (GA) method and show faster and more accurate convergence to the global optimum, while variables are continuous in GBNM and discrete in GA. Moreover, verification of novel convergence criteria to ameliorate local searcher in GBNM is examined.     

Elasticity solution for static analysis of laminated cylindrical panel using differential quadrature method

The three-dimensional (3D) solution for static analysis of cross-ply cylindrical panel is presented using differential quadrature method (DQM) and Fourier series approach. The panel is assumed to be simply-supported at one pair of opposite edges and arbitrary conditions at the other pair. Applying the DQM to the governing differential equations and to the boundary conditions along the axial or circumferential directions, new state equations about state variables at discrete points are derived. Displacement and stress fields according to the various kinds of edges conditions are obtained by solving these state equations. The method is validated by comparing numerical results for the simply-supported edges with that available in the literature.     

Reliability Evaluation of an Open‐Cathode PEMFC at Operating State and Longtime Vibration by Mechanical Loads

Reliability and durability of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are one of the most complex issues in real applications' environment. Especially, when it subjects to the various mechanical loads and vibrations. This topic requires more attention for research and experimental works. In this study, the effect of mechanical loads was investigated on an open‐cathode PEMFC in operating state. Several long time vibration tests have been applied on non‐operating PEMFC, and the performance of the fuel cell was evaluated during the test. Hydrogen leakage as a key parameter was investigated in performance monitoring instead of measuring torque on compression bolts. The vibration tests were consisted of sine, shock and random for X, Y and Z axes in operating state and random vibration in non‐operating state of PEMFC. The experimental results in operating state were indicated that the fuel cell performance has not been affected by the proposed vibrations. Furthermore, the test results of non‐operating state have been shown that the performance of PEMFC reduces about 0.6% in each four‐hour step of the vibration test. In addition, the experiments reveal that if the mechanical loads and vibrations cause physical damage on the fuel cell components, they can change the performance and reliability of the fuel cell.     

Vibration Modeling of PEM Fuel Cell for Prediction of Cell Number Effects by Experimental Data

One of the most important challenges in increasing the performance, reliability and lifetime of fuel cells is the mechanical load effects that occur on real applications. Therefore, the vibration model of fuel cell that predicts the behavior of various fuel cell layouts is very useful. The fuel cell is made up of different adjacent layers that may have semi opposite mechanical properties. This special structure leads to occurrence of non‐linear behavior of fuel cell under dynamic mechanical vibrations and so, a black box method is selected for modeling of its vibration behavior. In this study, the mechanical load experiments in various shape and axes were applied on five layouts of proposed fuel cell and the vibration of its body measure by some accelerometers. The NNARXM neural network is created and trained with the experimental data of three layouts of the fuel cell. Then, the prediction error of this neural network, validated with the two other experimental data of fuel cell layouts, by correlation coefficients and histogram of prediction errors. Neural network validation shows the well prediction of both untrained layout and suitable estimation for any desired layout.     

Stable repeated-batch production of recombinant dye-decolorizing peroxidase (rDyP) from Aspergillus oryzae

Recombinant Aspergillus oryzae expressing a dye-decolorizing peroxidase gene (dyp) was cultivated for repeated-batch production of recombinant dye-decolorizing peroxidase (rDyP) using maltose as a carbon source. High-level rDyP activity in limitation of carbon and nitrogen sources was maintained stably for 26 cycles of repeated 1-d batches of A. oryzae pellets without any additional pH control. Cultures maintained at 4 degrees C for 20 d resumed rDyP production following a single day of incubation. One liter filtrated crude rDyP containing 4600 U rDyP decolorized 5.07 g RBBR at the apparent decolorization rate of 17.7 mg l(-1) min(-1).     

Self-healing semi-IPN materials from epoxy resin by solvent-free furan–maleimide Diels–Alder polymerization

Novel self-healing Diels–Alder (DA) polymer and the corresponding semi-interpenetrated polymer networks (semi-IPNs) were synthesized and characterized. Initially, a furan-functionalized resin (FFR) was synthesized through the ring-opening reaction of a conventional epoxy resin [diglycidyl ether bisphenol A (DGEBA)] with furfuryl alcohol as a bio-based compound. Subsequently, semi-IPNs with different compositions were obtained through the blending of DGEBA, FFR, 4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane, and 1,1′-(methylenedi-1,4-phenylene) bismaleimide in the molten state by following a predetermined time–temperature program. Fourier transform infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance analyses confirmed the successful synthesis of the materials. Thermoreversibility via retro-DA (rDA) reaction was evidenced by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and sol–gel transition tests. Repeated DSC cycle was successfully performed thrice on the DA polyadduct which corroborated repeatability of the DA/rDA association/dissociation. Self-healing and mechanical properties were preliminarily evaluated by scanning electronic microscopy and flexural testing analyses, respectively. The self-healing efficiencies were around 80 and 95% for semi-IPN and DA polyadduct, respectively, based on flexural strength. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 48015.     

Experimental evaluation of fatigue behaviour of thin Al5456 welded joints

Because of wide applications of welded structures in different industries, using design codes and standards such as IIW recommendations is known as a safe and common method to design welded joints. The weld geometry and thickness of welded joint are the most important parameters that affect the fatigue strength of welded joints. In the present study, the fatigue behaviour of thin Al5456 butt‐welded joints has been investigated, and the effect of thickness on fatigue strength has been evaluated. Contrary to the above‐mentioned recommendations about thin welded joints, it was shown that the thickness of welded joints affects the fatigue strength. Moreover, the fatigue test results have been compared with the IIW design recommendations for three well‐known approaches in order to analyse the reliability of the codes. According to the design stress‐life diagrams, it was found that in some cases, the fatigue strength has much larger values than the IIW predictions, and IIW‐based design causes an over conservative design. While in some other cases, the fatigue strength is lower than IIW recommendations, and it leads to a non‐conservative design. Based on the experimental results, the new values for slope of S‐N curve and FAT have been proposed in order to improve the design diagrams.     

Production of dye-decolorizing peroxidase (rDyP) from complex substrates by repeated-batch and fed-batch cultures of recombinant Aspergillus oryzae

We examined production levels of dye-decolorizing peroxidase (rDyP) by recombinant Aspergillus oryzae using wheat bran and rice bran powders in repeated-batch and fed-batch cultures. Similar average rDyP productivities were observed in repeated-batch cultures using wheat bran powder and rice bran powder. Average rDyP productivities in fed-batch cultures were slightly lower than those in repeated-batch cultures. The rDyP production was affected by the addition of K(2)HPO(4) in the repeated-batch and fed-batch cultures using wheat bran powder. All average rDyP productivities in this study were significantly higher than those for any other peroxidases previously reported.     

A novel microbial fuel cell stack for continuous production of clean energy

Production of sustainable and clean energy through oxidation of biodegradable materials was carried out in a novel stack of microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Saccharomyces cerevisiae as an active biocatalyst was used for power generation. The novel stack of MFCs consist of four units was fabricated and operated in continuous mode. Pure glucose as substrate was used with concentration of 30 g l⁻¹ along with 200 μmol l⁻¹ of natural red (NR) as a mediator in the anode and 400 μmol l⁻¹ of potassium permanganate as oxidizing agent in the cathode. Polarimetry technique was employed to analyze the single cell as well as stack electrical performance. Performance of the MFCs stack was evaluated with respect to amount of electricity generation. Maximum current and power generation in the stack of MFC were 6447 mA.m⁻² and 2003 mW.m⁻², respectively. Columbic efficiency of 22 percent was achieved at parallel connection. At the end of process, image of the outer surface of graphite electrode was taken by Atomic Force Microscope at magnification of 5000. The high electrical performance of MFCs was attributed to the uniform growth of microorganism on the graphite surface which was confirmed by the obtained images.