Efeitos da compactação em algumas propriedades físicas do solo e seu reflexo no desenvolvimento das raízes de plantas de soja

Estudou-se o efeito de vários níveis de compactação na densidade do solo, porosidade total e resistência à penetração, objetivando determinar o nível que impede o desenvolvimento das raízes de plantas de soja. O trabalho foi realizado em casa de vegetação, com amostras deformadas do horizonte superficial de uma terra roxa estruturada e de um latossolo roxo, controlando os níveis de compactação e o teor de água. A influência da compactação no desenvolvimento das raízes foi avaliada um mês após a germinação. Os valores de densidade do solo, para um mesmo nível de compactação, foram maiores para a terra roxa estruturada. O teor de água ótimo para a compactação foi de 21,0% para a terra roxa estruturada e de 29,8 para o latossolo roxo. A compactação artificial do solo acarretou aumento da resistência à penetração e diminuição da porosidade total. A elevação da sua densidade de 0,90 para 1,30 kg/m³ para a terra roxa estruturada, e de 0,90 para 1,23 kg/m³ para o latossolo roxo, promoveu, respectivamente, diminuição de 39 e de 41% na massa seca das raízes. O desenvolvimento das raízes das plantas ficou impedido quando a densidade do solo atingiu valores de 1,30 e 1,23 kg/m³, respectivamente, para a terra roxa estruturada e o latossolo roxo.

Análise de onda completa de superfície seletiva em freqüência do tipo anteparo duplo

This work presents a theoretical analysis and numerical and experimental results of the scattering characteristics of frequency selective surfaces, using elements of type patch perfectly conductor. The structures are composed of two frequency selective surfaces on isotropic dielectric substrates cascaded, separated by a layer of air. The analysis is performed using the method of equivalent transmission line in combination with the Galerkin method, to determine the transmission and reflection characteristics of the structures analyzed. Specifically, the analysis uses the impedance method, which models the structure by an equivalent circuit, and applies the theory of transmission lines to determine the dyadic Green's function for the cascade structure. This function relates the incident field and surface current densities. These fields are determined algebraically by means of potential incidents and the imposition of the continuity of the fields in the dielectric interfaces. The Galerkin method is applied to the numerical determination of the unknown weight coefficients and hence the unknown densities of surface currents, which are expanded in terms of known basis functions multiplied by these weight coefficients. From the determination of these functions, it becomes possible to obtain numerical scattered fields at the top and bottom of the structures and characteristics of transmission and reflection of these structures. At work, we present numerical and experimental results for the characteristics of transmission and reflection. Comparisons were made with other results presented in literature, and it was observed a good agreement in the cases presented suggestions continuity of the work are presented

Desenvolvimento de antenas de microfita com aberturas nos patches condutores através do método da segmentação

Microstrip antennas are widely used in modern telecommunication systems. This is particularly due to the great variety of geometries and because they are easily built and integrated to other high frequency devices and circuits. This work presents a study of the properties of the microstrip antenna with an aperture impressed in the conducting patch. Besides, the analysis is performed for isotropic and anisotropic dielectric substrates. The Multiport Network Model MNM is used in combination with the Segmentation Method and the Greens function technique in the analysis of the considered microstrip antenna geometries. The numerical analysis is performed by using the boundary value problem solution, by considering separately the impedance matrix of the structure segments. The analysis for the complete structure is implemented by choosing properly the number and location of the neighboor element ports. The numerial analysis is performed for the following antenna geometries: resonant cavity, microstrip rectangular patch antenna, and microstrip rectangular patch antenna with aperture. The analysis is firstly developed for microstrip antennas on isotropic substrates, and then extended to the case of microstrip antennas on anisotropic substrates by using a Mapping Method. The experimental work is described and related to the development of several prototypes of rectangular microstrip patch antennas wtih and without rectangular apertures. A good agreement was observed between the simulated and measured results. Thereafter, a good agreement was also observed between the results of this work and those shown in literature for microstrip antennas on isotropic substrates. Furthermore, results are proposed for rectangular microstrip patch antennas wtih rectangular apertures in the conducting patch

Antenas planares integradas com FSSs para aplicações em sistemas de comunicações sem fio

This work presents a theoretical and experimental analysis about the properties of microstrip antennas with integrated frequency selective surfaces (Frequency Selective Surface - FSS). The integration occurs through the insertion of the FSS on ground plane of microstrip patch antenna. This integration aims to improve some characteristics of the antennas. The FSS using patch-type elements in square unit cells. Specifically, the simulated results are obtained using the commercial computer program CST Studio Suite® version 2011. From a standard antenna, designed to operate in wireless communication systems of IEEE 802.11 a / b / g / n the dimensions of the FSS are varied to obtain an optimization of some antenna parameters such as impedance matching and selectivity in the operating bands. After optimization of the investigated parameters are built two prototypes of microstrip patch antennas with and without the FSS ground plane. Comparisons are made of the results with the experimental results by 14 ZVB network analyzer from Rohde & Schwarz ®. The comparison aims to validate the simulations performed and show the improvements obtained with the FSS in integrated ground plane antenna. In the construction of prototypes, we used dielectric substrates of the type of Rogers Corporation RT-3060 with relative permittivity equal to 10.2 and low loss tangent. Suggestions for continued work are presented

Projeto de um Transformador utilizado em uma Planta de Plasma

This work discusses the design of a transformer used in a plant plasma. This plant, which is being developed in UFRN, will be used in the treatment of waste. It consists basically of a radio frequency power supply and a inductive plasma torch. The transformer operates at the nominal frequency of 400 kHz, with 50 kW, allowing the adaptation of impedance between the power supply and torch. To develop the project, a study was done on the fabrication technologies and physical effects on the frequency of operation. This was followed by the modeling of this transformer. Finally, simulations and tests were conducted to validate the design

Sistema radicular e nutrição da soja em função da compactação do solo

A compactação do solo diminui o crescimento radicular, podendo afetar tanto o desenvolvimento quanto a produtividade da soja. No presente trabalho, estudaram-se os efeitos da compactação subsuperficial na morfologia radicular da soja (Glycine max L. Merrill), procurando relacioná-los ao crescimento e à nutrição da planta. O 'Primavera' foi cultivado até os 37 dias da emergência, em vasos onde a camada de 15-18,5 cm de profundidade foi campactada a 1,03, 1,25, 1,48 e 1,72 g/cm³, em um latossolo vermelho-escuro com 80% de areia e 16% de argila e cuja compactação em subsuperfície levou a um acúmulo de raízes na camada superficial do vaso, sem grandes conseqüências na nutrição da planta. Na densidade aparente de 1,72 g/cm3, as raízes não conseguiram penetrar, embora já houvesse alguma restrição ao crescimento na densidade de 1,25 g/cm³. Quando a camada compactada apresentava resistência à penetração de 0,69 MPa, houve uma redução de 50% no crescimento radicular da soja.

Estimação de Fasores para Proteção de Sistemas Elétricos Baseada em Mínimos Quadrados e Morfologia Matemática

This work proposes a new technique for phasor estimation applied in microprocessor numerical relays for distance protection of transmission lines, based on the recursive least squares method and called least squares modified random walking. The phasor estimation methods have compromised their performance, mainly due to the DC exponential decaying component present in fault currents. In order to reduce the influence of the DC component, a Morphological Filter (FM) was added to the method of least squares and previously applied to the process of phasor estimation. The presented method is implemented in MATLABr and its performance is compared to one-cycle Fourier technique and conventional phasor estimation, which was also based on least squares algorithm. The methods based on least squares technique used for comparison with the proposed method were: forgetting factor recursive, covariance resetting and random walking. The techniques performance analysis were carried out by means of signals synthetic and signals provided of simulations on the Alternative Transient Program (ATP). When compared to other phasor estimation methods, the proposed method showed satisfactory results, when it comes to the estimation speed, the steady state oscillation and the overshoot. Then, the presented method performance was analyzed by means of variations in the fault parameters (resistance, distance, angle of incidence and type of fault). Through this study, the results did not showed significant variations in method performance. Besides, the apparent impedance trajectory and estimated distance of the fault were analysed, and the presented method showed better results in comparison to one-cycle Fourier algorithm

Síntese citrato-hidrotermal e caracterização eletroquímica de LSCF para aplicação como catodo em célula a combustível de temperatura intermediária

The lanthanum strontium cobalt iron oxide (La1-xSrxCo1-yFeyO3 LSCF) is the most commonly used material for application as cathode in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs), mainly due to their high mixed ionic electronic conductivity between 600 and 800ºC. In this study, LSCF powders with different compositions were synthesized via a combination between citrate and hydrothermal methods. As-prepared powders were calcined from 700 to 900°C and then characterized by X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, thermal analyses, particle size analyses, nitrogen adsorption (BET) and scanning electronic microscopy. Films of composition La0,6Sr0,4Co0,2Fe0,8O3 (LSCF6428), powders calcined at 900°C, were screen-printed on gadolinium doped ceria (CGO) substrates and sintered between 1150 and 1200°C. The effects of level of sintering on the microstructure and electrochemical performance of electrodes were evaluated by scanning electronic microscopy and impedance spectroscopy. Area specific resistance (ASR) exhibited strong relation with the microstructure of the electrodes. The best electrochemical performance (0.18 ohm.cm2 at 800°C) was obtained for the cathode sintered at 1200°C for 2 h. The electrochemical activity can be further improved through surface activation by impregnation with PrOx, in this case the electrode area specific resistance decreases to values as low as 0.12 ohm.cm2 (800°C), 0.17 ohm.cm2 (750°C) and 0.31 ohm.cm2 (700°C). The results indicate that the citrate-hydrothermal method is suitable for the attainment of LSCF particulates with potential application as cathode component in intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs)

Comparação entre diferentes métodos para estimativa de gordura corporal de ciclistas brasileiros de elite

O objetivo do estudo foi comparar diferentes métodos de estimativa de gordura corporal em ciclistas de elite. A amostra foi composta por 15 atletas de alto nível, do sexo masculino, com idade média de 28,6 anos. Gordura corporal foi estimada pela equação para espessura de dobras cutâneas (EDC), análise da bioimpedância elétrica (BIA) e absortometria de radiológica de dupla energia (DEXA) (utilizada como referência). O teste t pareado comparou as diferenças entre os métodos e o coeficiente de correlação intraclasse analisou o relacionamento entre os mesmos. Foi observado que os valores do percentual de gordura corporal estimado pela BIA (p= 0,029), mas não o estimado pela EDC (p= 0,094) diferiram das estimativas da DEXA. Dessa maneira, é possível concluir que EDC apresentou estimativas mais próximas daquelas fornecidas pelo DEXA.

Wine classification by taste sensors made from ultra-thin films and using neural networks

This paper reports on a sensor array able to distinguish tastes and used to classify red wines. The array comprises sensing units made from Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films of conducting polymers and lipids and layer-by-layer (LBL) films from chitosan deposited onto gold interdigitated electrodes. Using impedance spectroscopy as the principle of detection, we show that distinct clusters can be identified in principal component analysis (PCA) plots for six types of red wine. Distinction can be made with regard to vintage, vineyard and brands of the red wine. Furthermore, if the data are treated with artificial neural networks (ANNs), this artificial tongue can identify wine samples stored under different conditions. This is illustrated by considering 900 wine samples, obtained with 30 measurements for each of the five bottles of the six wines, which could be recognised with 100% accuracy using the algorithms Standard Backpropagation and Backpropagation momentum in the ANNs. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A layer-by-layer film of chitosan in a taste sensor application

Chitosan is alternated with sulfonated polystyrene (PSS) to build layer-by-layer (LBL) films that are used as sensing units in an electronic tongue. Using impedance spectroscopy as the principle method of detection, an array using chitosan/PSS LBL film and a bare gold electrode as the sensing units was capable of distinguishing the basic tastes - salty, sweet, bitter, and sour - to a concentration below the human threshold. The suitability of chitosan as a sensing material was confirmed by using this sensor to distinguish red wines according to their vintage, vineyard, and brands.

Effect of ion concentration of ionomer in electron injection layer of polymer light-emitting devices

Polymer light-emitting devices (PLEDs) with poly(2-methoxy-5-hexyloxy)-p-phenylenevinylene (OC1OC6-PPV) as the emissive layer were studied with an electron injection layer of ionomers consisting of copolymers of styrene and methylmethacrylate (PS/PMMA) with 3, 6 and 8 mol% degree of sulfonation. The ionomers were able to form very thin films over the emissive layer, with less than 30 nm. Additionally, the presence of ion pairs of ionomer suppresses the tendency toward dewetting of the thin film of ionomer (similar to 10 nm) which can cause malfunction of the device. The effect of the ionomers was investigated as a function of the ion content. The devices performance, characterized by their current density and luminance intensity versus voltage, showed a remarkable increase with the ionomer layer up to 6 mol% of ionic groups, decreasing after that for the 8 mol% ionomer device. The study of the impedance spectroscopy in the frequency range from 0.1 to 10(6) Hz showed that the injection phenomena dominate over the transport in the electroluminescent polymer bulk. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Fabrication, structural characterization, and applications of Langmuir and Langmuir-Blodgett films of a poly(azo)urethane

The synthesis of a poly(azo)urethane by fixing CO2 in bis-epoxide followed by a polymerization reaction with an azodiamine is presented. Since isocyanate is not used in the process, it is termed clean method and the polymers obtained are named NIPUs (non-isocyanate polyurethanes). Langmuir films were formed at the air-water interface and were characterized by surface pressure vs mean molecular area per met unit (Pi-A) isotherms. The Langmuir monolayers were further studied by running stability tests and cycles of compression/expansion (possible hysteresis) and by varying the compression speed of the monolayer formation, the subphase temperature, and the solvents used to prepare the spreading polymer solutions. The Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique was used to fabricate ultrathin films of a particular polymer (PAzoU). It is possible to grow homogeneous LB films of up to 15 layers as monitored using UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. Higher number of layers can be deposited when PAzoU is mixed with stearic acid, producing mixed LB films. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) absorption spectroscopy and Raman scattering showed that the materials do not interact chemically in the mixed LB films. The atomic force microscopy (AFM) and micro-Raman technique (optical microscopy coupled to Raman spectrograph) revealed that mixed LB films present a phase separation distinguishable at micrometer or nanometer scale. Finally, mixed and neat LB films were successfully characterized using impedance spectroscopy at different temperatures, a property that may lead to future application as temperature sensors. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to correlate the data.

Comportamento elétrico a alta temperatura de termistor cerâmico alfa-Fe2O3 com coeficiente de temperatura negativo

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Electrical characterization of poly(amide-imide) for application in organic field effect devices

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)