Sensor Fault Diagnosis and Unknown Disturbances Estimation of High Switching Frequency Single-phase PWM Rectifier

International Journal of Control, Automation and Systems - The fault and disturbances estimation has an important role in the modern traction railway system. This paper proposes a unique method for...     

Design and evaluation of a dynamic job search website for non-literate users of Pakistan

ABSTRACT

Among the many available online job searching solutions, very limited are proposed for non-literate users. The available solutions have tested the possibilities using static web pages which are not applicable in the real world for non-literate users because of the dynamism of the real world. In this research, a dynamic job search solution is presented for non-literate users of Pakistan. User Interface (UI) requirements were identified through an extensive literature review. The culturally specific content in the form of hand-drawn sketches, voice feedback, semi-illustrations was identified and incorporated in the job seekers (non-literate) module. The same module was evaluated by the non-literate and semi-literate participants in a field study as per the usability specification defined by ISO-9241-11. The results have shown that non-literate users could search for a job efficiently in the minimum task completion time as compared to the time reported in the previous literature. They were satisfied and motivated to use the website again to search for jobs. The results indicate a potential for designing ICT-based solutions to provide services to the non-literate users in developing countries.     

Learning-Based Relay Selection for Cooperative Networks with Space–Time Network Coding

Wireless Personal Communications - Space–time network coding has recently been used in cooperative communication to mitigate the problem of transmission delay in wireless systems as well as...     

Employing reactive synthesis for metal to ceramic joining for high temperature applications

Joining of dissimilar materials allows the properties of both materials to be exploited in a device or structure. The main reasons for the incorporation of dissimilar materials are to achieve function, improve efficiency and to reduce cost.Silicon nitride is an engineering ceramic that has outstanding properties but has yet to find its full commercial potential. Silicon nitride is suitable for high temperature applications, however, its incorporation into devices or structures tends to be restricted due to a lack of suitable joining techniques.This paper presents the results of joining between the high temperature and corrosion resistant iron-chromium-aluminium alloy (Fecralloy) with silicon nitride by a nickel aluminide (NiAl) interlayer. The formation of NiAl from its constituent elements (Ni-Al compact was used) by reactive synthesis is highly exothermic and this was utilised to cause partial melting of the Fecralloy interface and reactive wetting of the silicon nitride interface.Joints with average shear strength of 94.3 MPa were fabricated under optimum processing conditions (900°C, 15 min, 45 MPa). Thermal cycling at 850°C in air showed that the joints could be used at this temperature.The primary focus of this work was on the effects of process conditions upon the microstructure and mechanical properties of the joint. The reactive synthesis of NiAl was studied using differential thermal analysis (DTA), where the effects of varied heating rate were investigated.