On the diffraction of acoustic waves by a quarter-plane

This paper follows the work of A.V. Shanin on diffraction by an ideal quarter-plane. Shanin's theory, based on embedding formulae, the acoustic uniqueness theorem and spherical edge Green's functions, leads to three modified Smyshlyaev formulae, which partially solve the far-field problem of scattering of an incident plane wave by a quarter-plane in the Dirichlet case. In this paper, we present similar formulae in the Neumann case, and describe a numerical method allowing a fast computation of the diffraction coefficient using Shanin's third modified Smyshlyaev formula. The method requires knowledge of the eigenvalues of the Laplace-Beltrami operator on the unit sphere with a cut, and we also describe a way of computing these eigenvalues. Numerical results are given for different directions of incident plane wave in the Dirichlet and the Neumann cases, emphasising the superiority of the third modified Smyshlyaev formula over the other two. © 2011 Elsevier B.V.

Fast-switching phase gratings using in-plane addressed short-pitch polymer stabilized chiral nematic liquid crystals

We demonstrate a fast-switching (sub-millisecond) phase grating based upon a polymer stabilized short-pitch chiral nematic liquid crystal that is electrically addressed using in-plane electric fields. The combination of the short-pitch and the polymer stabilization enables the diffraction pattern to be switched “on” and “off” reversibly in 600 µs. Results are presented on the far-field diffraction pattern along with the intensity of the diffraction orders as a function of the applied electric field and the response times.

Parameter extraction and calorimetric validation for a silicon carbide jfet pspice model

This paper focuses on the PSpice model of SiC-JFET element inside a SiCED cascode device. The device model parameters are extracted from the I-V and C-V characterization curves. In order to validate the model, an inductive test rig circuit is designed and tested. The switching loss is estimated both using oscilloscope and calorimeter. These results are found to be in good agreement with the simulated results.

Fast-switching phase gratings using in-plane addressed short-pitch polymer stabilized chiral nematic liquid crystals

We demonstrate a fast-switching (sub-millisecond) phase grating based upon a polymer stabilized short-pitch chiral nematic liquid crystal that is electrically addressed using in-plane electric fields. The combination of the short-pitch and the polymer stabilization enables the diffraction pattern to be switched on and off reversibly in 600 μs. Results are presented on the far-field diffraction pattern along with the intensity of the diffraction orders as a function of the applied electric field and the response times. © 2011 American Institute of Physics.

Treatment of Phaeodactylum tricornutum cells with papain facilitates lipid extraction.

Triacylglycerols (TAGs) from microalgae have the potential to be used for biodiesel, but several technical and economic hurdles have to be overcome. A major challenge is efficient extraction of intracellular TAGs from algae. Here we investigate the use of enzymes to deconstruct algal cell walls/membranes. We describe a rapid and simple assay that can assess the efficacy of different enzyme treatments on TAG-containing algae. By this means crude papain and bromelain were found to be effective in releasing TAGs from the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum, most likely because of their cysteine protease activity. Pre-treating algal biomass with crude papain enabled complete extraction of TAGs using heptane/isopropyl alcohol. Heptane as a single solvent was also effective, although complete recovery of TAG was not obtained. Economic implications of these findings are discussed, with the aim to reduce the complexity of, and energy needed in, TAG extraction.

Precise description of the different far fields encountered in the problem of diffraction of acoustic waves by a quarter-plane

This paper provides a review of important results concerning the Geometrical Theory of Diffraction and Geometrical Optics. It also reviews the properties of the existing solution for the problem of diffraction of a time harmonic plane wave by a half-plane. New mathematical expressions are derived for the wave fields involved in the problem of diffraction of a time harmonic plane wave by a quarter-plane, including the secondary radiated waves. This leads to a precise representation of the diffraction coefficient describing the diffraction occurring at the corner of the quarter-plane. Our results for the secondary radiated waves are an important step towards finding a formula giving the corner diffraction coefficient everywhere. © 2012 The authors.

Treatment of Phaeodactylum tricornutum cells with papain facilitates lipid extraction

Triacylglycerols (TAGs) from microalgae have the potential to be used for biodiesel, but several technical and economic hurdles have to be overcome. A major challenge is efficient extraction of intracellular TAGs from algae. Here we investigate the use of enzymes to deconstruct algal cell walls/membranes. We describe a rapid and simple assay that can assess the efficacy of different enzyme treatments on TAG-containing algae. By this means crude papain and bromelain were found to be effective in releasing TAGs from the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum, most likely because of their cysteine protease activity. Pre-treating algal biomass with crude papain enabled complete extraction of TAGs using heptane/isopropyl alcohol. Heptane as a single solvent was also effective, although complete recovery of TAG was not obtained. Economic implications of these findings are discussed, with the aim to reduce the complexity of, and energy needed in, TAG extraction. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.

Linear and nonlinear model large-eddy simulations of a plane jet

The nonlinear Kosovic, and mixed Leray and α subgrid scale models are contrasted with linear Smagorinsky and Yoshizawa Large Eddy Simulations for a Re = 4000 plane jet simulation. Comparisons are made with Direct Numerical Simulation data and measurements. Global properties of the jet such as the spreading and centreline velocity decay rates are investigated. The mean-flow and turbulence parameters in the self-similar region are also studied. All models generally give encouraging agreement with the Direct Numerical Simulation data and reliable measurements. Solution differences for the models are relatively minor, none giving clear improvements for all data comparisons.

A plane symmetric 6R foldable ring

The design of a deployable structure which deploys from a compact bundle of six parallel bars to a rectangular ring is considered. The structure is a plane symmetric Bricard linkage. The internal mechanism is described in terms of its Denavit-Hartenberg parameters; the nature of its single degree of freedom is examined in detail by determining the exact structure of the system of equations governing its movement; a range of design parameters for building feasible mechanisms is determined numerically; and polynomial continuation is used to design rings with certain specified desirable properties. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

Analytical field-effect method for extraction of subgap states in thin-film transistors

We present an analytical field-effect method to extract the density of subgap states (subgap DOS) in amorphous semiconductor thin-film transistors (TFTs), using a closed-form relationship between surface potential and gate voltage. By accounting the interface states in the subthreshold characteristics, the subgap DOS is retrieved, leading to a reasonably accurate description of field-effect mobility and its gate voltage dependence. The method proposed here is very useful not only in extracting device performance but also in physically based compact TFT modeling for circuit simulation. © 2012 IEEE.

Group coordination and cooperative control of steered particles in the plane

The paper overviews recent and ongoing efforts by the authors to develop a design methodology to stabilize isolated relative equilibria in a kinematic model of identical particles moving in the plane at unit speed. Isolated relative equilibria correspond to either parallel motion of all particles with fixed relative spacing or to circular motion of all particles about the same center with fixed relative headings. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2006.