7,032 research outputs found
Evolutionary neurocontrol: A novel method for low-thrust gravity-assist trajectory optimization
This article discusses evolutionary neurocontrol, a novel method for low-thrust gravity-assist trajectory optimization
On the computation of moist-air specific thermal enthalpy
The specific thermal enthalpy of a moist-air parcel is defined analytically
following a method in which specific moist entropy is derived from the Third
Law of thermodynamics. Specific thermal enthalpy is computed by integrating
specific heat content with respect to absolute temperature and including the
impacts of various latent heats (i.e., solid condensation, sublimation,
melting, and evaporation). It is assumed that thermal enthalpies can be set to
zero at K for the solid form of the main chemically inactive components of
the atmosphere (solid- oxygen and nitrogen, hexagonal ice). The moist
thermal enthalpy is compared to already existing formulations of moist static
energy (MSE). It is shown that the differences between thermal enthalpy and the
thermal part of MSE may be quite large. This prevents the use of MSE to
evaluate the enthalpy budget of a moist atmosphere accurately, a situation that
is particularly true when dry-air and cloud parcels mix because of
entrainment/detrainment processes along the edges of cloud. Other differences
are observed when MSE or moist-air thermal enthalpy is plotted on a
psychrometric diagram or when vertical profiles of surface deficit are plotted.Comment: Paper accepted for publication (January 2014) in the Quarterly
Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society (39 pages, 12 Figures, 7 Tables
Short Communication: a Simple Nanoparticle - based TiO2 Memristor Device and the Role of Defect Chemistry In Its Operation
A simple metal-semiconductor-metal device comprising TiO2 cast from a suspension of Degussa P25 and placed between two metal plates (Al/Al lap shears) demonstrated memristive-like resistive switching behaviour. A mechanism is proposed which relies upon the formation of p and n-type regions within the P25 semiconductor material ultimately leading to the formation of a p-n junction. This device also exhibited enhanced steady state currents upon the imposition of potential steps, most notably at higher potential magnitudes (both anodic and cathodic), indicating lack of ionic conduction
Formation of p-n Junctions in Nanoparticle Cerium Oxide Electrolytic Cells Displaying Memristive Switching Behaviour
A macro-scale metalâsemiconductorâmetal device comprising CeO2 nanoparticles cast from a suspension of cerium dioxide formed by a novel synthetic method was fabricated. Thin CeO2 films of 40 nm thickness placed between panels of aluminium and/or copper displayed memristive-like resistive switching behaviour upon the application of potential sweeps ranging between â0.6 V and 0.6 V. A mechanism is proposed based on the notion that an electrolytic cell operates under such conditions with the initial formation of p and n-type regions within the central semiconductive thin film. Evidence is presented for the existence of numerous point defects in these nanosized CeO2 films, which are also likely to play a role in the device\u27s operation acting as internal dopants. Steady currents were observed upon the imposition of constant potentials, most notably at higher potential values (both anodic and cathodic). It is suggested that electrons and holes act as charge carriers in these devices rather than ionic species as proposed in some other mechanisms
Use of Inner/Outer Sphere Terminology in ElectrochemistryâA Hexacyanoferrate II/III Case Study
Salts of hexacyanoferrate II/III anions have been widely used as redox couple probe molecules to determine the characteristics of electrode surfaces. Examples include the assessment of electrocatalysts for energy applications and electrocatalysts for the detection of biological or chemical species, as well as the determination of electrochemically active surface areas. An examination of the electrochemical literature, based largely on cyclic voltammetric investigations, reveals a wide range of peak separation and/or heterogeneous electron transfer rate constants, classified sometimes as inner or outer sphere electron transfer processes. Originally developed for the mechanistic interpretation of inorganic transition metal compounds in solution, this terminology has since been extended to account for heterogeneous electron transfer occurring at electrodes. In the case of the hexacyanoferrate II/III anions, there can be a number of reasons why it sometimes behaves as an outer sphere probe and at other times displays inner sphere electron transfer characteristics. After examining some of the structural and chemical properties of the hexacyanoferrate II/III species, the methods used to determine such classifications are described. The most common method involves measuring peak-to-peak separation in a cyclic voltammogram to ascertain a heterogeneous rate constant, but it has inherent flaws. This paper reviews the reasons for the classification disparity, including the effects of various oxygen surface species, the influence of organic surface films, the nature of the cation counter-ion, surface adsorption and surface hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity. Other surface interactions may also take place, such as those occurring with Au corrosion or pH effects. These can impact the electrical double layer and thus may affect the electron transfer process. Consequently, it is recommended that hexacyanoferrate II/III should be considered a multi-sphere or alternatively a surface-sensitive electron transfer species
Diclofenac Determination Using CeO2 Nanoparticle Modified Screen-printed Electrodes:a Study of Background Correction
The detection of low levels of drugs including Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) in natural waters and wastewaters is becoming increasingly important. Electrochemical methods offer an attractive means of detection, as they overcome many disadvantages associated with the currently available analytical methods. Cerium dioxide nanoparticles were synthesised and then incorporated onto the working electrodes of commercial graphite-based Screen Printed Carbon Electrodes (SPCE) then used to determine diclofenac levels. Following initial Cyclic Voltammetry studies, Square Wave Voltammetry (SWV) investigations were conducted over a range of conditions to optimise the peak potential separation and sensitivity of the method. The use of background correction as signal processing is highlighted since it constitutes a mandatory pre-treatment of data before the analysis of results. SWV study was carried out on diclofenac over a concentration range from 0.4 ÎŒM up to 26 ÎŒM which indicated that the response was linear with a limit of detection of 0.4 ÎŒM and a sensitivity of 0.058 ÎŒA/ÎŒM. The SWV method provides a rapid means of diclofenac detection where cerium dioxide nanoparticles combined with electrode vacuum heat treatment and use of background correction all play an important role
Vanishing spin alignment : experimental indication of triaxial nuclear molecule
Fragment-fragment- coincidences have been measured for at an energy corresponding to the population of a conjectured
resonance in Ni. Fragment angular distributions as well as -ray
angular correlations indicate that the spin orientations of the outgoing
fragments are perpendicular to the orbital angular momentum. This differs from
the and the resonances, and
suggests two oblate nuclei interacting in an equator-to-equator
molecular configuration.Comment: 14 pages standard REVTeX file, 3 ps Figures -- Accepted for
publication in Physical Review C (Rapid Communication
Machine learning and structure formation in modified gravity
In general relativity, approximations based on the spherical collapse model such as PressâSchechter theory and its extensions are able to predict the number of objects of a certain mass in a given volume. In this paper, we use a machine learning algorithm to test whether such approximations hold in screened modified gravity theories. To this end, we train random forest classifiers on data from N-body simulations to study the formation of structures in lambda cold dark matter (CDM) as well as screened modified gravity theories, in particular f(R) and nDGP gravity. The models are taught to distinguish structure membership in the final conditions from spherical aggregations of density field behaviour in the initial conditions. We examine the differences between machine learning models that have learned structure formation from each gravity, as well as the model that has learned from CDM. We also test the generalizability of the CDM model on data from f(R) and nDGP gravities of varying strengths, and therefore the generalizability of extended PressâSchechter spherical collapse to these types of modified gravity
A Probabilistic Bulk Model of Coupled Mixed Layer and Convection. Part II: Shallow Convection Case
Extension of the sun-synchronous Orbit
Through careful consideration of the orbit perturbation force due to the oblate nature of the primary body a secular variation of the ascending node angle of a near-polar orbit can be induced without expulsion of propellant. Resultantly, the orbit perturbations can be used to maintain the orbit plane in, for example, a near-perpendicular (or at any other angle) alignment to the Sun-line throughout the full year of the primary body; such orbits are normally termed Sun-synchronous orbits [1, 2]. Sun-synchronous orbits about the Earth are typically near-circular Low-Earth Orbits (LEOs), with an altitude of less than 1500 km. It is normal to design a LEO such that the orbit period is synchronised with the rotation of the Earthâs surface over a given period, such that a repeating ground-track is established. A repeating ground-track, together with the near-constant illumination conditions of the ground-track when observed from a Sun-synchronous orbit, enables repeat observations of a target over an extended period under similar illumination conditions [1, 2]. For this reason, Sun-synchronous orbits are extensively used by Earth Observation (EO) platforms, including currently the Environmental Satellite (ENVISAT), the second European Remote Sensing satellite (ERS-2) and many more. By definition, a given Sun-synchronous orbit is a finite resource similar to a geostationary orbit. A typical characterising parameter of a Sun-synchronous orbit is the Mean Local Solar Time (MLST) at descending node, with a value of 1030 hours typical. Note that ERS-1 and ERS-2 used a MLST at descending node of 1030 hours ± 5 minutes, while ENVISAT uses a 1000 hours ± 5 minutes MLST at descending node [3]. Following selection of the MLST at descending node and for a given desired repeat ground-track, the orbit period and hence the semi-major axis are fixed, thereafter assuming a circular orbit is desired it is found that only a single orbit inclination will enable a Sun-synchronous orbit [2]. As such, only a few spacecraft can populate a given repeat ground-track Sun-synchronous orbit without compromise, for example on the MLST at descending node. Indeed a notable feature of on-going studies by the ENVISAT Post launch Support Office is the desire to ensure sufficient propellant remains at end-of-mission for re-orbiting to a graveyard orbit to ensure the orbital slot is available for future missions [4]. An extension to the Sun-synchronous orbit is considered using an undefined, non-orientation constrained, low-thrust propulsion system. Initially the low-thrust propulsion system will be considered for the free selection of orbit inclination and altitude while maintaining the Sun-synchronous condition. Subsequently the maintenance of a given Sun-synchronous repeat-ground track will be considered, using the low-thrust propulsion system to enable the free selection of orbit altitude. An analytical expression will be developed to describe these extensions prior to then validating the analytical expressions within a numerical simulation of a spacecraft orbit. Finally, an analysis will be presented on transfer and injection trajectories to these orbits
- âŠ