Temperature dependent current-voltage characteristics of zinc oxide nanowire/polypyrrole nanocomposite

Temperature dependent current-voltage (I-V) measurements of electrochemically prepared zinc oxide nanowire/polypyrrole (ZnONW/PPy) nanocomposite yielded non-linear I-V characteristics at temperatures between 300 and 4.5 K. The low-field conductance (G) of the ZnONW/PPy film exhibits pronounced temperature dependence with room temperature conductance (G(300K)) similar to 10(-3) S and a conductance ratio (G(300)K/G(4.5K)) of similar to 10(4), indicating dominance of significant temperature dependent charge transport processes. The conduction mechanism of the film is satisfactorily understood by extended fluctuation induced tunneling (FIT) model as the non-linear I-V characteristics fit fairly well to the extended FIT model. Further, the temperature dependence of G(o) obtained from fitting followed Sheng's model also. (C) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.

Study the effect of electrical and mechanical shock loading on liberation and milling characteristics of mineral materials

Milling is an energy intensive process and it is considered as one of the most energy inefficient processes. Electrical and mechanical shock loading can be used to develop a pre-treatment methodology to enhance energy efficiency of comminution and liberation of minerals. Coal and Banded Hematite Jasper (BHJ) Iron ores samples were taken for the study to know the effect of shock loading. These samples were exposed to 5 electric shocks of 300 kV using an electric shock loading device. A diaphragmless shock tube was used to produce 3 and 6 compressed air shocks of Mach number 2.12 to treat the coal and Iron ore samples. Microscopic, comminution and liberation studies were carried out to compare the effectiveness of these approaches. It was found that electric shock loading can comminute the coal samples more effectively and increases the yield of carbon by 40% at 1.6 gm/cc density over the untreated coal samples. Mechanical shock loading showed improved milling performance for both the materials and 12.90% and 8.1% reduction in the D-80 of the particles was observed during grinding for treated samples of coal and iron, respectively. Liberation of minerals in BHJ Iron ore was found unaffected due to low intensity of the mechanical shock waves and non conductivity of minerals. Compressed air based shock loading is easier to operate than electrical shock loading and it needs to be explored further to improve the energy efficacy of comminution. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

DC-Bias-Superposition Characteristics of Ni0.4Zn0.2Mn0.4Fe2O4 Nanopowders Synthesized by Auto-Combustion

Ni0.4Zn0.2Mn0.4Fe2O4 nanopowders were prepared by auto-combustion method. The as-synthesized powders were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermo-gravimetric-differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), and the powders were densified at different temperatures 400 degrees C, 500 degrees C, 600 degrees C and 700 degrees C/4 hrs using conventional sintering method. The sintered samples were characterized by XRD and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The bulk densities of the samples were increased with an increase of sintering temperature. The grain sizes of all the samples vary in between 18 nm to 30 nm. The hysteresis loops show high saturation magnetization and low coercivity, indicates that it is a soft material. The incremental permeability (permeability with magnetic field superposition) was influenced by both Delta M and H-c. A sample with higher initial permeability and favoured the attainment of a higher incremental permeability. The Q-factor was mainly determined by the sintered density and microstructure. To summarize, a uniform and dense microstructure with relatively small average grain size is favourable for obtaining better dc-bias-superposition characteristics, including permeability and Q-factor.

Penetration Characteristics of Air, Carbon Dioxide and Helium Transverse Sonic Jets in Mach 5 Cross Flow

An experimental investigation of sonic air, CO2 and Helium transverse jets in Mach 5 cross flow was carried out over a flat plate. The jet to freestream momentum flux ratio, J, was kept the same for all gases. The unsteady flow topology was examined using high speed schlieren visualisation and PIV. Schlieren visualisation provided information regarding oscillating jet shear layer structures and bow shock, Mach disc and barrel shocks. Two-component PIV measurements at the centreline, provided information regarding jet penetration trajectories. Barrel shocks and Mach disc forming the jet boundary were visualised/quantified also jet penetration boundaries were determined. Even though J is kept the same for all gases, the penetration patterns were found to be remarkably different both at the nearfield and the farfield. Air and CO2 jet resulted similar nearfield and farfield penetration pattern whereas Helium jet spread minimal in the nearfield.

Sensitivity characteristics of Ag doped BaTiO3-CuO mixed oxide as Carbon-dioxide S ensor

Ag doped BaTiO3-CuO mixed oxide thin films are evaluated for their carbon-dioxide sensing characteristics. The metal oxide films of different thicknesses are deposited on oxidized p type Si < 100 > substrate by RF Sputtering. Sensing characteristics for different CO2 concentration, (300 ppm - 1000 ppm) are obtained for different operating temperatures, (100 degrees C - 400 degrees C). Optimum temperature for maximum sensitivity is found to be 250 degrees C. The effect of annealing on sensing properties is also evaluated. The unannealed films give better sensitivity than that of annealed films. Response time and recovery time are also calculated.

Effects of temperature and clay content on water absorption characteristics of modified MMT clay/cyclic olefin copolymer nanocomposite films: Permeability, dynamic mechanical properties and the encapsulated organic device performance

In the present study, amino-silane modified layered organosilicates were used to reinforce cyclic olefin copolymer to enhance the thermal, mechanical and moisture impermeable barrier properties. The optimum clay loading (4%) in the nanocomposite increases the thermal stability of the film while further loading decreases film stability. Water absorption behavior at 62 degrees C was carried out and compared with the behavior at room temperature and 48 degrees C. The stiffness of the matrix increases with clay content and the recorded strain to failure for the composite films was lower than the neat film. Dynamic mechanical analysis show higher storage modulus and low loss modulus for 2.5-4 wt% clay loading. Calcium degradation test and device encapsulation also show the evidence of optimum clay loading of 4 wt% for improved low water vapor transmission rates compared to other nanocomposite films. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Constitutive Model for Strength Characteristics of Municipal Solid Waste

This paper presents modification of the derivation of a previously proposed constitutive model for the prediction of stress-strain behavior of municipal solid waste (MSW) incorporating different mechanisms, such as immediate compression under loading, mechanical creep, and time-dependent biodegradation effect. The model is based on critical state soil mechanics incorporating increments in volumetric strains because of elastic, plastic, creep, and biodegradation effects. The improvement introduced in this paper is the modified critical state surface and considers five variable parameters for the estimation of stress-strain behavior of MSW under different loading conditions. In addition, an expression for the strain hardening rule is derived, with considerations of time-dependent mechanical creep and biodegradation effects. The model is validated using results from experimental studies and data from published literature. The results are also compared with the predictions of the stress-strain response obtained from a well-established hyperbolic model. (c) 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.

Analysis of absorption characteristics of stacked patch arrays on moderately lossy dielectric layers

It is demonstrated that a square patch array on a moderately lossy dielectric can be transformed into a near-perfect absorber by the addition of a metallic square loop layer between the patch array and the metal back. In this configuration, the condition of perfect absorption can be easily obtained by modifying loop dimensions. The absorption properties of this configuration are analyzed theoretically using an equivalent circuit model and full-wave electromagnetic simulations. Experimental investigations included a bistatic radar cross-section measurement, which ensured that there are no scattered fields in other directions. An array structure built on a commercially available FR4 substrate with copper metallization is used to experimentally validate these results.

Shear strength characteristics of mechanically biologically treated municipal solid waste (MBT-MSW) from Bangalore

Strength and stiffness properties of municipal solid waste (MSW) are important in landfill design. This paper presents the results of comprehensive testing of shear strength properties of mechanically biologically treated municipal solid waste (MBT-MSW) in laboratory. Changes in shear strength of MSW as a function of unit weight and particle size were investigated by performing laboratory studies on the MSW collected from Mavallipura landfill site in Bangalore. Direct shear tests, small scale and large scale consolidated undrained and drained triaxial tests were conducted on reconstituted compost reject MSW samples. The triaxial test results showed that the MSW samples exhibited a strain-hardening behaviour and the strength of MSW increased with increase in unit weight. Consolidated drained tests showed that the mobilized shear strength of the MSW increased by 40% for a unit weight increase from 7.3 kN/m(3) to 10.3 kN/m(3) at 20% strain levels. The mobilized cohesion and friction angle ranged from 5 to 9 kPa and 8 degrees to 33 degrees corresponding to a strain level of 20%. The consolidated undrained tests exhibited reduced friction angle values compared to the consolidated drained tests. The friction angle increased with increase in the unit weight from 8 degrees to 55 degrees in the consolidated undrained tests. Minor variations were found in the cohesion values. Relationships for strength and stiffness of MSW in terms of strength and stiffness ratios are developed and discussed. The stiffness ratio and the strength ratio of MSW were found to be 10 and 0.43. (c) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Analysis on the atomization characteristics of aviation biofuel discharging from simplex swirl atomizer

The atomization characteristics of aviation biofuel discharging from a simplex swirl atomizer into quiescent atmospheric air are studied. The aviation biofuel is a mixture of 90% commercially available camelina-derived biofuel and 10% VonSol-53 (aromatics). The experiments are conducted in a spray test facility at varying fuel flow rate conditions. The measured characteristics include atomizer flow number, spray cone angle, breakup length of liquid sheet, wavelength of undulations on liquid sheet, and spray droplet size. The characteristics of biofuel sheet breakup are deduced from the captured images of biofuel spray. The measurements of spray droplet size distribution are obtained using Spraytec. The experimentally measured characteristics of the biofuel sheet breakup are compared with the predictions obtained from the liquid film breakup model proposed by Senecal et al. (1999). The measurements of wavelength and breakup length of the biofuel sheet discharging from the simplex swirl atomizer agree well with the model predictions. The model-predicted droplet size for the biofuel spray is significantly higher than the experimentally measured Sauter mean diameter (SMD). The spray droplets formed from the liquid sheet breakup undergo secondary atomization until 35-45 mm from the atomizer exit and thereafter the SMD increases downstream due to the combined effect of fuel evaporation and droplet coalescence. A good comparison is observed between the experimentally measured SMD of the biofuel spray and the predictions obtained using the empirical correlation reported in literature for sprays discharging from simplex swirl atomizers. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Experimental Investigation on Switching Characteristics of High-Current Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors at Low Currents

Insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) are used in high-power voltage-source converters rated up to hundreds of kilowatts or even a few megawatts. Knowledge of device switching characteristics is required for reliable design and operation of the converters. Switching characteristics are studied widely at high current levels, and corresponding data are available in datasheets. But the devices in a converter also switch low currents close to the zero crossings of the line currents. Further, the switching behaviour under these conditions could significantly influence the output waveform quality including zero crossover distortion. Hence, the switching characteristics of high-current IGBTs (300-A and 75-A IGBT modules) at low load current magnitudes are investigated experimentally in this paper. The collector current, gate-emitter voltage and collector-emitter voltage are measured at various low values of current (less than 10% of the device rated current). A specially designed in-house constructed coaxial current transformer (CCT) is used for device current measurement without increasing the loop inductance in the power circuit. Experimental results show that the device voltage rise time increases significantly during turn-off transitions at low currents.

Experimental Study on Switching Characteristics of an Inverter Leg Consisting of IGBTs of Dissimilar Makes

Usually the top and bottom IGBT devices in an inverter leg are of the same make (i.e. from same manufacturer). At low power level, these two devices even may be contained in the same module. However at high power levels the top and bottom devices are in separate modules. Sometimes, in the event of device failure, device of particular make may be replaced by one of another make, but of same ratings (on account of non-availability of the original make). This paper investigates the effect of such intermixing of two different makes of high power IGBTs in an inverter leg on the switching characteristics. The switching transitions between IGBT and diode of similar make and those of IGBT and diode of dissimilar make are compared experimentally at various DC link voltages and currents. The comparisons are made in terms of, IGBT peak turn-on di/dt, IGBT peak turn-off di/dt, peak diode reverse recovery current (I-rr), peak IGBT voltage overshoot and switching energy losses.

Atomization Characteristics of Camelina-Based Alternative Aviation Fuels Discharging From Dual-Orifice Injector

The atomization characteristics of blends of bioderived camelina hydrogenated renewable jet (HRJ) alternative fuel with conventional aviation kerosene (Jet A-1) discharging into ambient atmospheric air from a dual-orifice atomizer used in aircraft engines are described. The spray tests are conducted in a spray test facility at six different test flow conditions to compare the atomization of alternative fuels with that of Jet A-1. The fuel sprays are characterized in terms of fuel discharge, spray cone angle, drop size distribution, and spray patternation. The measurements of spray drop size distribution are obtained using laser diffraction based Spraytec equipment. The characteristics of fuel discharge and cone angle of alternative fuel sprays do not show any changes from that of Jet A-1 sprays. The characteristics of spray drop size, evaluated in terms of the variation of mean drop size along the spray axis, for the alternative fuel sprays remain unaffected by the variation in fuel properties between the alternative fuels and Jet A-1. The measurements on spray patternation, obtained using a mechanical patternator at a distance 5.1 cm from the atomizer exit, show an enhanced fuel concentration in the vicinity of spray axis region for the alternative fuel sprays discharging from the dual-orifice atomizer.

Metal-insulator transition characteristics of vanadium dioxide thin films synthesized by ultrasonic nebulized spray pyrolysis of an aqueous combustion mixture

We report the synthesis of high quality vanadium dioxide (VO2) thin films by a novel spray pyrolysis technique, namely ultrasonic nebulized spray pyrolysis of aqueous combustion mixture (UNSPACM). This simple and cost effective two step process involves synthesis of a V2O5 film on an LaAlO3 substrate followed by a controlled reduction to form single phase VO2. The formation of M1 phase (p21/c) is confirmed by Raman spectroscopic studies. A thermally activated metal-insulator transition (MIT) was observed at 61 degrees C, where the resistivity changes by four orders of magnitude. Activation energies for the low conduction phase and the high conduction phase were obtained from temperature variable resistance measurements. The infrared spectra also show a dramatic change in reflectance from 13% to over 90% in the wavelength range of 7-15 mu m. This indicates the suitability of the films for optical switching applications at infrared frequencies.

Effect of catchment characteristics on the relationship between past discharge and the power law recession coefficient

This study concerns the relationship between the power law recession coefficient k (in - dQ/dt = kQ(alpha), Q being discharge at the basin outlet) and past average discharge Q(N) (where N is the temporal distance from the center of the selected time span in the past to the recession peak), which serves as a proxy for past storage state of the basin. The strength of the k-Q(N) relationship is characterized by the coefficient of determination R-N(2), which is expected to indicate the basin's ability to hold water for N days. The main objective of this study is to examine how R-N(2) value of a basin is related with its physical characteristics. For this purpose, we use streamflow data from 358 basins in the United States and selected 18 physical parameters for each basin. First, we transform the physical parameters into mutually independent principal components. Then we employ multiple linear regression method to construct a model of R-N(2) in terms of the principal components. Furthermore, we employ step-wise multiple linear regression method to identify the dominant catchment characteristics that influence R-N(2) and their directions of influence. Our results indicate that R-N(2) is appreciably related to catchment characteristics. Particularly, it is noteworthy that the coefficient of determination of the relationship between R-N(2) and the catchment characteristics is 0.643 for N = 45. We found that topographical characteristics of a basin are the most dominant factors in controlling the value of R-N(2). Our results may be suggesting that it is possible to tell about the water holding capacity of a basin by just knowing about a few of its physical characteristics. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.