An integrated dimensionality reduction and surrogate optimization approach for plant-wide chemical process operation

With liquefied natural gas becoming increasingly prevalent as a flexible source of energy, the design and optimization of industrial refrigeration cycles becomes even more important. In this article, we propose an integrated surrogate modeling and optimization framework to model and optimize the complex CryoMan Cascade refrigeration cycle. Dimensionality reduction techniques are used to reduce the large number of process decision variables which are subsequently supplied to an array of Gaussian processes, modeling both the process objective as well as feasibility constraints. Through iterative resampling of the rigorous model, this data-driven surrogate is continually refined and subsequently optimized. This approach was not only able to improve on the results of directly optimizing the process flow sheet but also located the set of optimal operating conditions in only 2 h as opposed to the original 3 weeks, facilitating its use in the operational optimization and enhanced process design of large-scale industrial chemical systems.     

Classic and inverse compositional Gauss-Newton in global DIC

Today, effective implementations of digital image correlation (DIC) are based on iterative algorithms with constant linear operators. A relevant idea of the classic finite element (or, more generally, global) DIC solver consists in replacing the gradient of the deformed state image with that of the reference image, so as to obtain a constant operator. Different arguments (small strains, small deformations, equality of the two gradients close to the solution, etc) have been given in the literature to justify this approximation, but none of them are fully accurate. Indeed, the convergence of the optimization algorithm has to be investigated from its ability to produce descent directions. Through such a study, this paper attempts to explain why this approximation works and what is its domain of validity. Then, an inverse compositional Gauss-Newton implementation of finite element DIC is proposed as a cost-effective and mathematically sound alternative to this approximation.     

Applications of Diglycolamide Based Solvent Extraction Processes in Spent Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing,Part 1: TODGA

Over the last decade there has been much interest in the applications of diglycolamide (DGA) ligands for the extraction of the trivalent lanthanide and actinide ions from PUREX high active raffinates or dissolved spent nuclear fuel. Of the DGAs, the N,N,N’,N’-tetraoctyldiglycolamide (TODGA) is the best known and most widely studied. A number of new actinide separation processes have been proposed based on extraction with TODGA. This review covers TODGA-based processes and extraction data, specifically focusing on how phase modifiers have been used to increase metal loading and thus enhance the operating process envelopes. Effects of third phase formation and the organic phase speciation are reviewed in this context. Relevant aspects of the extraction chemistry of important solvents (TODGA-modifier-diluent combinations) are described and their performances demonstrated by a consideration of the published flowsheet tests. It is seen that modifiers are successfully enabling the use of TODGA in actinide separation processes but to date the identification and testing of suitable modifiers has been rather empirical. There is a growing understanding of the fundamental chemistry occurring in the organic phase and how that affects extractant speciation and metal loading capacity but studies are still needed if TODGA-based flowsheets are to become an industrially deployable option for minor actinide (MA) recovery processes.     

Modeling and verification of the double frequency effect using a MEMS device

The derivation, verification, and implication of the nonlinear dynamic and frequency response of electrostatic actuator due to the double frequency effect (DFE) were reported in this study. In particular, an extra mode called half mode was observed and measured in various studies. However, a complete in-depth discussion of the effect was not reported in the past. In the present study, a second-order dynamical equation was adapted firstly to model the dynamic and frequency response of electrostatic actuator where typical harmonic input signal with a dc bias was used. Secondly, by solving the equation, complex waveform in dynamic response and an extra half mode in frequency response due to the double frequency effect can be observed and discussed. To verify the simulated result, an electrostatic driving device was fabricated using PolyMUMPS^© process. Note that in frequency response, when dc bias is equal to the amplitude of ac signal, simulated and experimental results indicated that the amplitude of half mode was one-fourth of first mode.     

A novel InP/InGaAs TEBT for ultralow current operations

A novel InP/InGaAs tunneling emitter bipolar transistor (TEBT) is fabricated and demonstrated. The studied device exhibits a very small collector-emitter offset voltage of 40 mV and an extremely wide operation regime. The operation region is larger than 11 decades in magnitude of collector current (10/sup -12/ to 10/sup -1/A). A current gain of 3 is obtained even if the device is operated at an ultralow collector current of 3.9 /spl times/ 10/sup -12/A (1.56 /spl times/ 10/sup -7/A/cm/sup 2/). Furthermore, the common-emitter breakdown voltage of the studied device is higher than 2 V. Consequently, the studied device shows a promise for low supply voltage, and low-power consumption circuit applications.     

Allocentric Versus Egocentric Spatial Memory After Unilateral Temporal Lobectomy in Humans.

Thirty patients who had undergone either a right or left unilateral temporal lobectomy (14 RTL; 16 LTL) and 16 control participants were tested on a computerized human analogue of the Morris Water Maze. The procedure was designed to compare allocentric and egocentric spatial memory. In the allocentric condition, participants searched for a target location on the screen, guided by object cues. Between trials, participants had to walk around the screen, which disrupted egocentric memory representation. In the egocentric condition, participants remained in the same position, but the object cues were shifted between searches to prevent them from using allocentric memory. Only the RTL group was impaired on the allocentric condition, and neither the LTL nor RTL group was impaired on additional tests of spatial working memory or spatial manipulation. The results support the notion that the right anterior temporal lobe stores long-term allocentric spatial memories. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Implicit Leadership Theories in Applied Settings: Factor Structure, Generalizability, and Stability Over Time.

The present empirical investigation had a 3-fold purpose: (a) to cross-validate L. R. Offermann, J. K. Kennedy, and P. W. Wirtz's (1994) scale of Implicit Leadership Theories (ILTs) in several organizational settings and to further provide a shorter scale of ILTs in organizations; (b) to assess the generalizability of ILTs across different employee groups, and (c) to evaluate ILTs' change over time. Two independent samples were used for the scale validation (N1 = 500 and N2 = 439). A 6-factor structure (Sensitivity, Intelligence, Dedication, Dynamism, Tyranny, and Masculinity) was found to most accurately represent ELTs in organizational settings. Regarding the generalizability of ILTs, although the 6-factor structure was consistent across different employee groups, there was only partial support for total factorial invariance. Finally, evaluation of gamma, beta, and alpha change provided support for ILTs' stability over time. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Concurrent error detection in array multipliers forGF(2m) fields

Based on Lee-Lu-Lee's array multipliers and the RESO method, a concurrent error detection scheme in array multipliers for GF(2^m ) fields is presented and only one clock cycle is added. The fault tolerant capability in such array multipliers is also included and only two extra clock cycles are required     

Perspectives on Design and Innovation

A series of studies of top European and other firms has revealed patterns of design management associated with commercial success. Firms that invest resources and professional expertise in product and industrial design in traditional and new industries have been commercially more successful than firms that pay less attention to these aspects of design. As an industry matures there is a shift in emphasis from design associated with technological innovation, to designs supporting technical improvements, and then to supporting user needs, fashion and product variants. These issues are illustrated through the history of the evolution of the bicycle.     

Shallow Linear Action Graphs and their Embeddings

Action calculi, which generalise process calculi such as Petri nets, π-calculusand ambient calculus, have been presented in terms of action graphs. We here offer linear action graphs as a primitive basis for action calculi. This paper presents the category of embeddings of undirected linear action graphs without nesting, using a novel form of graphical reasoning which simplifies some otherwise complex manipulations in regular algebra. The results are adapted in a few lines to directed graphs. This work is part of a long-term search for a uniform behavioural theory for process calculi. Received October 2000 / Accepted in revised form April 2001