WavePacket: A Matlab package for numerical quantum dynamics. II: Open quantum systems, optimal control, and model reduction

WavePacket is an open-source program package for numeric simulations in quantum dynamics. It can solve time-independent or time-dependent linear Schr\"odinger and Liouville-von Neumann-equations in one or more dimensions. Also coupled equations can be treated, which allows, e.g., to simulate molecular quantum dynamics beyond the Born-Oppenheimer approximation. Optionally accounting for the interaction with external electric fields within the semi-classical dipole approximation, WavePacket can be used to simulate experiments involving tailored light pulses in photo-induced physics or chemistry. Being highly versatile and offering visualization of quantum dynamics 'on the fly', WavePacket is well suited for teaching or research projects in atomic, molecular and optical physics as well as in physical or theoretical chemistry. Building on the previous Part I which dealt with closed quantum systems and discrete variable representations, the present Part II focuses on the dynamics of open quantum systems, with Lindblad operators modeling dissipation and dephasing. This part also describes the WavePacket function for optimal control of quantum dynamics, building on rapid monotonically convergent iteration methods. Furthermore, two different approaches to dimension reduction implemented in WavePacket are documented here. In the first one, a balancing transformation based on the concepts of controllability and observability Gramians is used to identify states that are neither well controllable nor well observable. Those states are either truncated or averaged out. In the other approach, the H2-error for a given reduced dimensionality is minimized by H2 optimal model reduction techniques, utilizing a bilinear iterative rational Krylov algorithm

EcoBlock: Grid Impacts, Scaling, and Resilience

Widespread deployment of EcoBlocks has the potential to transform today's electricity system into one that is more resilient, flexible, efficient and sustainable. In this vision, the system will consist of self- su cient, renewable-powered, block-scale entities that can deliberately adjust their net power exchange and can optimize performance, maintain stability, support each other, or disconnect entirely from the grid as needed. This report is intended as an independent analysis of the potential relationships, both constructive and adverse, between EcoBlocks and the grid

Networked and Distributed Control Method with Optimal Power Dispatch for Islanded Microgrids

In this paper, a two-layer network and distributed control method is proposed, where there is a top-layer communication network over a bottom-layer microgrid. The communication network consists of two subgraphs, in which the first is composed of all agents, while the second is only composed of controllable agents. The distributed control laws derived from the first subgraph guarantee the supply-demand balance, while further control laws from the second subgraph reassign the outputs of controllable distributed generators, which ensure active and reactive power are dispatched optimally. However, for reducing the number of edges in the second subgraph, generally a simpler graph instead of a fully connected graph is adopted. In this case, a near-optimal dispatch of active and reactive power can be obtained gradually, only if controllable agents on the second subgraph calculate set points iteratively according to our proposition. Finally, the method is evaluated over seven cases via simulation. The results show that the system performs as desired, even if environmental conditions and load demand fluctuate significantly. In summary, the method can rapidly respond to fluctuations resulting in optimal power sharing

Enhancing cutting tool sustainability based on remaining useful life prediction

As a critical part of machining, cutting tools are of great importance to sustainability enhancement. Normally, they are underused, resulting in huge waste. However, the lack of reliable support leads to a high risk on improving the cutting tool utilization. Aiming at this problem, this paper proposes an approach to enhance the cutting tool sustainability. A non-linear cutting tool remaining useful life prediction model is developed based on tool wear historical data. Probability distribution function and cumulative distribution function are used to quantize the uncertainty of the prediction. Under a constant machining condition, a cutting tool life is extended according to its specific remaining useful life prediction, rather than a unified one. Under various machining conditions, machining parameters are optimized to improve efficiency or capability. Cutting tool sustainability is assessed in economic, environmental and social dimensions. Experimental study verifies that both material removal rate and material removal volume are improved. Carbon emission and cutting tool cost are also reduced. The balance between benefit and risk is achieved by assigning a reasonable confidence level. Cutting tool sustainability can be enhanced by improving cutting tool utilization at controllable risk.©2020 Elsevier. This manuscript version is made available under the Creative Commons Attribution–NonCommercial–NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY–NC–ND 4.0) license, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/fi=vertaisarvioitu|en=peerReviewed

Contemporary performance measurement systems: A review of their consequences and a framework for research

The main purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual framework for understanding the literature on the consequences of contemporary performance measurement (CPM) systems and the theories that explain these consequences. The framework is based on an in-depth review of 76 empirical studies published in high-quality academic journals in the areas of accounting, operations, and strategy. The framework classifies the consequences of CPM into three categories: people's behaviour, organizational capabilities, and performance consequences. This paper discusses our current knowledge on the impact of CPM, highlighting inconsistencies and gaps as well as providing direction for future research

Integration of Legacy Appliances into Home Energy Management Systems

The progressive installation of renewable energy sources requires the coordination of energy consuming devices. At consumer level, this coordination can be done by a home energy management system (HEMS). Interoperability issues need to be solved among smart appliances as well as between smart and non-smart, i.e., legacy devices. We expect current standardization efforts to soon provide technologies to design smart appliances in order to cope with the current interoperability issues. Nevertheless, common electrical devices affect energy consumption significantly and therefore deserve consideration within energy management applications. This paper discusses the integration of smart and legacy devices into a generic system architecture and, subsequently, elaborates the requirements and components which are necessary to realize such an architecture including an application of load detection for the identification of running loads and their integration into existing HEM systems. We assess the feasibility of such an approach with a case study based on a measurement campaign on real households. We show how the information of detected appliances can be extracted in order to create device profiles allowing for their integration and management within a HEMS

The Viability of Alternative Call Center Production Models

[Excerpt] The central question of this paper is whether a mass customization strategy coupled with high involvement work practices is an economically viable model for service and sales call centers. If so, under what conditions and why? To answer these questions, in the next section, we describe alternative models of call center management. In section III, we present a conceptual framework for understanding the relationship between management practices, workers reactions to those practices, and performance outcomes. We then review empirical evidence on these relationships, focusing primarily on studies of call centers or related service workplaces. In section IV, we draw on evidence from two recent quantitative studies of call centers to examine the performance outcomes of high involvement practices in this context. We close with a discussion and critique of existing evidence and suggestions for future research