Synthesis and properties of a new series of low-molar-mass organo-siloxane derivatives

Two series of ferroelectric liquid crystalline organo-siloxanes containing a laterally attached halogen on the phenyl ring have been synthesised and characterised to determine the impact of the siloxane group and the halogen on the mesomorphism and electro-optic switching properties. Both monomesogenic and bimesogenic compounds have been studied. The monomesogenic derivatives were found to be ferroelectric with high tilt and Ps. The tilt angle of 45° and the Ps of 95nC/cm2 are almost temperature independent. The bimesogenic bromo substituted derivatives showed mainly ferroelectric phases about 60°C wide. Maximum values for the spontaneous polarisation and the tilt angle were only slightly influenced by the length of the siloxane spacer. Altering the halogen to a fluorine shifted the liquid cystalline phase slightly to higher temperatures whilst maintaining the mesophase range of 60°C.

Transient thermal analysis of power devices based on Fourier-series thermal model

A new thermal model based on Fourier series expansion method has been presented for dynamic thermal analysis on power devices. The thermal model based on the Fourier series method has been programmed in MATLAB SIMULINK and integrated with a physics-based electrical model previously reported. The model was verified for accuracy using a two-dimensional Fourier model and a two-dimensional finite difference model for comparison. To validate this thermal model, experiments using a 600V 50A IGBT module switching an inductive load, has been completed under high frequency operation. The result of the thermal measurement shows an excellent match with the simulated temperature variations and temperature time-response within the power module. ©2008 IEEE.

Synthesis of positive-real functions with low-complexity series-parallel networks

The purpose of this paper is to continue to develop the recently introduced concept of a regular positive-real function and its application to the classification of low-complexity two-terminal networks. This paper studies five- and six-element series-parallel networks with three reactive elements and presents a complete characterisation and graphical representation of the realisability conditions for these networks. The results are motivated by an approach to passive mechanical control which makes use of the inerter device. ©2009 IEEE.

Active Voltage Control on series connection of IGBTs and diode recovery optimization

In this paper an Active Voltage Control (AVC) technique is presented, for series connection of insulated-gate-bipolar-transistors (IGBT) and control of diode recovery. The AVC technique can control the switching trajectory of an IGBT according to a pre-set reference signal. In series connections, every series connected IGBT follows the reference and so that the dynamic voltage sharing is achieved. Another key advantage for AVC is that by changing the reference signal at turn-on, the diode recovery can be optimised. © 2010 IEEE.

An allelic series reveals essential roles for FY in plant development in addition to flowering-time control

The autonomous pathway functions to promote flowering in Arabidopsis by limiting the accumulation of the floral repressor FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC). Within this pathway FCA is a plant-specific, nuclear RNA-binding protein, which interacts with FY, a highly conserved eukaryotic polyadenylation factor. FCA and FY function to control polyadenylation site choice during processing of the FCA transcript. Null mutations in the yeast FY homologue Pfs2p are lethal. This raises the question as to whether these essential RNA processing functions are conserved in plants. Characterisation of an allelic series of fy mutations reveals that null alleles are embryo lethal. Furthermore, silencing of FY, but not FCA, is deleterious to growth in Nicotiana. The late-flowering fy alleles are hypomorphic and indicate a requirement for both intact FY WD repeats and the C-terminal domain in repression of FLC. The FY C-terminal domain binds FCA and in vitro assays demonstrate a requirement for both C-terminal FY-PPLPP repeats during this interaction. The expression domain of FY supports its roles in essential and flowering-time functions. Hence, FY may mediate both regulated and constitutive RNA 3'-end processing.

IGBT series connection under active voltage control

In this paper an Active Voltage Control (AVC) technique is presented, for series connection of insulated-gate-bipolar-transistors (IGBT) and control of diode recovery. The AVC technique can control the switching trajectory of an IGBT according to a pre-set reference signal. In series connections, every series connected IGBT follows the reference and so that the dynamic voltage sharing is achieved. For the static voltage balancing, the AVC technique can clamp the highest collector-to-emitter voltage to a pre-set clamping voltage level. By selecting the value of the clamping voltage, the difference among series connected IGBTs can be controlled in an accepted range. Another key advantage for AVC is that by changing the reference signal at turn-on, the diode recovery can be optimized. © 2011 EPE Association - European Power Electr.

Experimental study on an SFCL using series-connected YBCO thin films

Superconducting Fault Current Limiters (SFCLs) are able to reduce fault currents to an acceptable value, reducing potential mechanical and thermal damage and allowing more flexibility in an electric power system's design. Due to limitations in current YBCO thin film manufacturing techniques, it is necessary to connect a number of thin films in different series and parallel configurations in order to realise a practical SFCL for electric power system applications. The amount of resistance generated (i.e. the degree of current limitation), the characteristics of the S-N transition, and the time at which they operate is different depending on their comparative characteristics. However, it is desirable for series-connected thin films to have an operating time difference as small as possible to avoid placing an excess burden on certain thin films. The role of a parallel resistance, along with the influence of thin film characteristics, such as critical current (Ic), are discussed in regards to the design of SFCLs using YBCO thin films. © 2008 IOP Publishing Ltd.