Experimental Demonstration of H{infty} Control based Active Vibration Suppression in Composite Fin-tip of Aircraft using Optimally Placed Piezoelectric Patch Actuators

The goal of this study is the multi-mode structural vibration control in the composite fin-tip of an aircraft. Structural model of the composite fin-tip with surface bonded piezoelectric actuators is developed using the finite element method. The finite element model is updated experimentally to reflect the natural frequencies and mode shapes accurately. A model order reduction technique is employed for reducing the finite element structural matrices before developing the controller. Particle swarm based evolutionary optimization technique is used for optimal placement of piezoelectric patch actuators and accelerometer sensors to suppress vibration. H{infty} based active vibration controllers are designed directly in the discrete domain and implemented using dSpace® (DS-1005) electronic signal processing boards. Significant vibration suppression in the multiple bending modes of interest is experimentally demonstrated for sinusoidal and band limited white noise forcing functions.

Steel-concrete-steel composite columns subjected to lateral impact

Concrete-filled double skin tube (CFDST) is a creative innovation of steel-concrete-steel composite construction, formed by two concentric steel tubes separated by a concrete filler. Over the recent years, this column form has been widely used as a new sustainable alternative to existing structural bridge piers and building columns. Since they could be vulnerable to impact from passing vessels or vehicles, it is necessary to understand their behaviour under lateral impact loads. With this in mind, physical tests on full scale columns were performed using an innovative horizontal impact testing system to obtain the failure modes, the time history of the impact force, reaction forces and global lateral deflection as well as permanent local buckling profile of the columns. The experimental testing was complemented and supplemented by developing and using an advanced finite element analysis model. The model was validated by comparing the numerical results against experimental data. The findings of this study will serve as a benchmark reference for future analysis and design of CFDST columns.

Macro fiber composite (MFC) as a delamination sensor in antisymmetric laminates

The change in extension-twist Coupling due to delamination in antisymmetric laminates is experimentally measured. Experimental results are compared with the results from analytical expression existing in literature and finite element analysis. The application of the Macro-Fiber Composite (MFC) developed at the NASA Langley Research Center for sensing the delamination in the laminates is investigated. While many applications have been reported in the literature using the MFC as an actuator, here its use as a twist sensor has been studied. The real-life application envisaged is structural health monitoring of laminated composite flexbeams taking advantage of the symmetry in the structure. Apart from the defect detection under symmetric conditions, other methods of health monitoring for the same structure are reported for further validation. Results show that MFC works well as a sensor.

Structure and electron transport anomalies in InSe-In6Se 7 composite

Rapid solidification of an equiatomic In-Se alloy resulted in the formation of an equilibrium InSe-In6Se7 phase mixture. The InSe phase was found to be polytypic and exhibited the structural variants 2H, 3H, and 4H. The 4H polytype was found to be in considerably higher proportion compared to 2H and 3H types. The In6Se7 phase was found to be hexagonal with a=0.8919 nm and c=1.4273 nm. Both In6Se 7 and the polytypes of InSe could be identified with the space group P61. The conductivity σ variation with temperature was found to be similar to that observed in disordered semiconducting materials. For temperatures >200 K, ln σ decreased linearly with T-1, phonon-assisted carrier excitation. For temperatures <200 K, ln σ decrease followed T-1/3 behavior, representative of variable-range hopping conduction of electrons.

High Rate Capability of a Dual-Porosity LiFePO4/C Composite

Mesoporous intercalation compounds consisting of two differentdistributions of pores represent a potentially attractive material for high-rate cathodes. A mesoporous LiFePO4/C composite with two sizes of pores is prepared for the first time via a solution-based polymer templating technique. The precursor of the LiFePO4/C composite is heated at different temperatures in the range from 600 to 800 degrees C to study the effect of crystallinity, porosity, and morphology on the electrochemical performance. The composite is found to attain reduction in the surface area, carbon content, and porosity upon increasing temperature. Nonetheless, the composite prepared at 700 degrees C with pore-size distributions of around 4 and 50 nm exhibits a high rate capability and stable capacity retention upon cycling.

Dielectric properties of poly(vinylidene luoride)/CaCu3Ti4O12 nanocrystal composite thick films

The poly(vinylidene fluoride)/CaCu3Ti4O12 (CCTO) nanocrystal composite films (thickness approximate to 85 mu m) with relatively high dielectric permittivity (90 at 100 Hz) were prepared by the solution casting followed by spin coating technique. The structural, the microstructural and the dielectric properties of the composites were studied using X-ray diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscope, and Impedance analyzer respectively. The effective dielectric permittivity (e(eff)) of the composite increased with increase in the volume fraction of CCTO at all the frequencies (100 Hz to 1 MHz) under investigation. The room temperature dielectric permittivity which is around 90 at 100 Hz, has increased to about 290 at 125 degrees C (100 Hz). These results may be exploited in the development of high energy density capacitors.

Mesoporous Carbon and Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) Composite as Catalyst Support for Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells

In situ polymerization of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene with sol-gel-derived mesoporous carbon (MC) leading to a new composite and its subsequent impregnation with Pt nanoparticles for application in polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) is reported. The composite exhibits good dispersion and utilization of platinum nanoparticles akin to other commonly used microporous carbon materials, such as carbon black. Pt-supported MC-poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) composite also exhibits promising electrocatalytic activity toward oxygen reduction reaction, which is central to PEFCs. The PEFC with Pt-loaded MC-PEDOT support exhibits 75% of enhancement in its power density in relation to the PEFC with Pt-loaded pristine MC support while operating under identical conditions. It is conjectured that Pt-supported MC-PEDOT composite ameliorates PEFC performance/durability on repetitive potential cycling. (C) 2010 The Electrochemical Society. DOI: 10.1149/1.3486172] All rights reserved.

Chemical toughening of epoxies. I. Structural modification of epoxy resins by reaction with hydroxy-terminated poly (butadiene-co-acrylonitrile)

In an attempt to toughen the epoxy resin matrix for fiber-reinforced composite applications, a chemical modification procedure of a commercially available bisphenol-A-based epoxy resin using reactive liquid rubber HTBN [hydroxy-terminated poly(butadiene-co-acrylonitrile)] and TDI (tolylene diisocyanate) is described. The progress of the reaction and the structural changes during modification process are studied using IR spectroscopy, viscosity data, and chemical analysis (epoxy value determination). The studies support the proposition that TDI acts as a coupling agent between the epoxy and HTBN, forming a urethane linkage with the former and an oxazolidone ring with the latter. The chemical reactions that possibly take place during the modification are discussed.

Effect of morphology and particle size on the ionic conductivities of composite solid electrolytes

A model incorporating the surface conductivity and morphology of the composite solid electrolytes is envisaged to explain their conduction behaviour. The conductivity data on LinX−50 m/o Al2O3 (X = F−, Cl−, Br−, CO32−, SO42−, PO43−) composites prepared by thermal decomposition of LinX·2nAl(OH)3·mH2O salts and Li2SO4−A (A=Al2O3, CeO2, Y2O3, Yb2O3, Zr2O3, ZrO2 and BaTiO3) composites prepared by mechanical mixing of the components are examined in the light of this model. It is surmised that the particle size of both the dispersoids and the hosts not only influence the ionic conductivity of the host matrix but also affect its bulk properties.

Chemical toughening of epoxies. I. Structural modification of epoxy resins by reaction with hydroxy-terminated poly(butadiene-co-acrylonitrile)

In an attempt to toughen the epoxy resin matrix for fiber-reinforced composite applications, a chemical modification procedure of a commercially available bisphenol-A-based epoxy resin using reactive liquid rubber HTBN [hydroxy-terminated poly(butadiene-co-acrylonitrile)] and TDI (tolylene diisocyanate) is described. The progress of the reaction and the structural changes during modification process are studied using IR spectroscopy, viscosity data, and chemical analysis (epoxy value determination). The studies support the proposition that TDI acts as a coupling agent between the epoxy and HTBN, forming a urethane linkage with the former and an oxazolidone ring with the latter. The chemical reactions that possibly take place during the modification are discussed.

Reduction behaviour of Fe3+/Al2O3 obtained from the mixed oxalate precursor and the formation of the Fe0-Al2O3 metal-ceramic composite

Reduction behaviour of Fe3+/Al2O3 obtained by the decomposition of the oxalate precursor has been investigated by employing X-ray diffraction (XRD), Mössbauer spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Calcination of Fe3+/Al2O3 at or below 1070 K yields mainly a poorly ordered, fine particulate form of ?-Al2�xFexO3. Calcination at or above 1220 K yields ?-Al2�xFexO3. Reduction of Fe3+/Al2O3 samples calcined at or below 1070 K gives the FeAl2O4 spinel on reduction at 870 K; samples calcined at or above 1220 K give Al2-xFexO3 with a very small proportion of metallic iron. Fe3+/Al2O3 samples calcined at 1220 K or above yield metallic iron and a very small proportion of the spinel on reduction below 1270 K. In the samples reduced at or above 1270 K, the main product is metallic iron in both ferromagnetic and superparamagnetic forms. The oxalate precursor route yields more metallic iron than the sol�gel route.

Structural, mechanical and biocompatibility studies of hydroxyapatite-derived composites toughened by zirconia addition

Hydroxyapatite(OHAp)-based ceramic composites with added ZrO2 have been prepared both by sintering at 1400 °C and by hot isostatic pressing (HIP) at 1450 °C and 140 MPa pressure (argon atmosphere). The development of the crystalline phases and the microstructure of the composites have been examined using X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, infrared and magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MASNMR) spectroscopic techniques. The fracture toughness and biocompatibility of the composites have also been studied. The effect of the addition of CeO2- and Y2O3-stabilized ZrO2 and of simple monoclinic ZrO2 to the initial physical mixture, on the structure and properties of the resulting composites has been investigated. In most of the sintered or HIP samples, the OHAp decomposes into tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP). CaO, which forms as a product of decomposition, dissolves completely in ZrO2 and stabilizes the latter in its cubic/tetragonal phase. Presence of the β-TCP phase in the product seems to be the result of a structural synergistic effect of hexagonal OHAp. Two structurally distinct orthophosphate groups have been identified in the composites by MASNMR of 31P and attributed to decomposition products of OHAp at higher temperatures. The composites possess high KIC values (2–3 times higher than that of pure OHAp). Decomposition of hydroxyapatite gives rise to differences in microstructure between HIP and simply sintered composites although fracture toughness values are similar in magnitude indicating the presence of several toughening mechanisms. The in vitro SP2-O cell test suggests that these composites possess good biocompatibility. The combination of good biocompatibility, desirable microstructure and easy availability of initial reactants indicates that the simply sintered composite of OHAp and monoclinic ZrO2(ZAP-30) appears to be the most suitable for prosthetic applications.

Self-assembled composite nano-materials exploiting a thermo reversible n-acene fibrillar scaffold and organic-capped ZnO nanoparticles

An organic-inorganic composite material is obtained by self-assembly of 2,3-didecyloxy-anthracene (DDOA), an organogelator of butanol, and organic-capped ZnO nanoparticles (NPs). The ligand 3, 2,3-di(6-oxy-n-hexanoic acid)-anthracene, designed to cap ZnO and interact with the DDOA nanofibers by structural similarity, improves the dispersion of the NPs into the organogel. The composite material displays mechanical properties similar to those of the pristine DDOA organogel, but gelates at a lower critical concentration and emits significantly less, even in the presence of very small amounts of ZnO NPs. The ligand 3 could also act as a relay to promote the photo-induced quenching process.

Identification of delamination in composite beams using spectral estimation and a genetic algorithm

An efficient strategy for identification of delamination in composite beams and connected structures is presented. A spectral finite-element model consisting of a damaged spectral element is used for model-based prediction of the damaged structural response in the frequency domain. A genetic algorithm (GA) specially tailored for damage identification is derived and is integrated with finite-element code for automation. For best application of the GA, sensitivities of various objective functions with respect to delamination parameters are studied and important conclusions are presented. Model-based simulations of increasing complexity illustrate some of the attractive features of the strategy in terms of accuracy as well as computational cost. This shows the possibility of using such strategies for the development of smart structural health monitoring softwares and systems.

Structural and dielectric studies on poly(l-lithocholic acid)

In this paper, we report the results pretaining to the study of the structural, microstructural and the dielectric properties of poly(I-lithocholic acid) (PL), and the composite of PL dispersed in PMMA. The density of the composites was measured using Archimedes principle. The microstructural properties of the composities were studied using XRD and SEM techniques, which give an idea about the dispersion of the polymer PL in the PMMA matrix. The dielectric constants er of the composites were measured with a HP 4194A Impedance/Gain-Phase Analyzer in the frequency range 100 Hz-40 MHz at room temperature. The dielectric constants of the composites at different frequencies were predicted using Clasius-Mossotti and Maxwell's models.