6,813 research outputs found
Piezoelectricity and valley Chern number in inhomogeneous hexagonal 2D crystals
Conversion of mechanical forces to electric signal is possible in
non-centrosymmetric materials due to linear piezoelectricity. The extraordinary
mechanical properties of two-dimensional materials and their high crystallinity
make them exceptional platforms to study and exploit the piezoelectric effect.
Here, the piezoelectric response of non-centrosymmetric hexagonal
two-dimensional crystals is studied using the modern theory of polarization and
model Hamiltonians. An analytical expression for the
piezoelectric constant is obtained in terms of topological quantities such as
the {\it valley Chern number}. The theory is applied to semiconducting
transition metal dichalcogenides and hexagonal Boron Nitride. We find good
agreement with available experimental measurements for MoS. We further
generalise the theory to study the polarization of samples subjected to
inhomogeneous strain (e.g.~nanobubbles). We obtain a simple expression in terms
of the strain tensor, and show that charge densities can be induced by realistic inhomogeneous strains, .Comment: 14 pages, 3 figure
Supernova neutrino physics with xenon dark matter detectors: A timely perspective
Dark matter detectors that utilize liquid xenon have now achieved tonne-scale
targets, giving them sensitivity to all flavours of supernova neutrinos via
coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering. Considering for the first time a
realistic detector model, we simulate the expected supernova neutrino signal
for different progenitor masses and nuclear equations of state in existing and
upcoming dual-phase liquid xenon experiments. We show that the proportional
scintillation signal (S2) of a dual-phase detector allows for a clear
observation of the neutrino signal and guarantees a particularly low energy
threshold, while the backgrounds are rendered negligible during the supernova
burst. XENON1T (XENONnT and LZ; DARWIN) experiments will be sensitive to a
supernova burst up to 25 (35; 65) kpc from Earth at a significance of more than
5 sigma, observing approximately 35 (123; 704) events from a 27 Msun supernova
progenitor at 10 kpc. Moreover, it will be possible to measure the average
neutrino energy of all flavours, to constrain the total explosion energy, and
to reconstruct the supernova neutrino light curve. Our results suggest that a
large xenon detector such as DARWIN will be competitive with dedicated neutrino
telescopes, while providing complementary information that is not otherwise
accessible.Comment: 19 pages, 9 figures. Minor revisions compared to original version.
Matches version published in Phys. Rev.
Robustness-Driven Resilience Evaluation of Self-Adaptive Software Systems
An increasingly important requirement for certain classes of software-intensive systems is the ability to self-adapt their structure and behavior at run-time when reacting to changes that may occur to the system, its environment, or its goals. A major challenge related to self-adaptive software systems is the ability to provide assurances of their resilience when facing changes. Since in these systems, the components that act as controllers of a target system incorporate highly complex software, there is the need to analyze the impact that controller failures might have on the services delivered by the system. In this paper, we present a novel approach for evaluating the resilience of self-adaptive software systems by applying robustness testing techniques to the controller to uncover failures that can affect system resilience. The approach for evaluating resilience, which is based on probabilistic model checking, quantifies the probability of satisfaction of system properties when the target system is subject to controller failures. The feasibility of the proposed approach is evaluated in the context of an industrial middleware system used to monitor and manage highly populated networks of devices, which was implemented using the Rainbow framework for architecture-based self-adaptation
Experimental bilocality violation without shared reference frames
Non-classical correlations arising in complex quantum networks are attracting
growing interest, both from a fundamental perspective and for potential
applications in information processing. In particular, in an entanglement
swapping scenario a new kind of correlations arise, the so-called nonbilocal
correlations that are incompatible with local realism augmented with the
assumption that the sources of states used in the experiment are independent.
In practice, however, bilocality tests impose strict constraints on the
experimental setup and in particular to presence of shared reference frames
between the parties. Here, we experimentally address this point showing that
false positive nonbilocal quantum correlations can be observed even though the
sources of states are independent. To overcome this problem, we propose and
demonstrate a new scheme for the violation of bilocality that does not require
shared reference frames and thus constitute an important building block for
future investigations of quantum correlations in complex networks.Comment: 10 page
Stochastic management framework of distribution network systems featuring large-scale variable renewable energy sources and flexibility options
The concerns surrounding climate change, energy supply security and the growing demand are
forcing changes in the way distribution network systems are planned and operated, especially
considering the need to accommodate large-scale integration of variable renewable energy
sources (vRESs). An increased level of vRESs creates technical challenges in the system, bringing
a huge concern for distribution system operators who are given the mandate to keep the integrity
and stability of the system, as well as the quality of power delivered to end-users. Hence,
existing electric energy systems need to go through an eminent transformation process so that
current limitations are significantly alleviated or even avoided, leading to the so-called smart
grids paradigm.
For distribution networks, new and emerging flexibility options pertaining to the generation,
demand and network sides need to be deployed for these systems to accommodate large
quantities of variable energy sources, ensuring an optimal operation. Therefore, the
management of different flexibility options needs to be carefully handled, minimizing the sideeffects
such as increasing costs, worsening voltage profile and overall system performance. From
this perspective, it is necessary to understand how a distribution network can be optimally
operated when featuring large-scale vRESs. Because of the variability and uncertainty pertinent
to these technologies, new methodologies and computational tools need to be developed to deal
with the ensuing challenges. To this end, it is necessary to explore emerging and existing
flexibility options that need to be deployed in distribution networks so that the uncertainty and
variability of vRESs are effectively managed, leading to the real-time balancing of demand and
supply.
This thesis presents an extensive analysis of the main technologies that can provide flexibility
to the electric energy systems. Their individual or collective contributions to the optimal
operation of distribution systems featuring large-scale vRESs are thoroughly investigated. This
is accomplished by taking into account the stochastic nature of intermittent power sources and
other sources of uncertainty. In addition, this work encompasses a detailed operational analysis
of distribution systems from the context of creating a sustainable energy future.
The roles of different flexibility options are analyzed in such a way that a major percentage of
load is met by variable RESs, while maintaining the reliability, stability and efficiency of the
system. Therefore, new methodologies and computational tools are developed in a stochastic
programming framework so as to model the inherent variability and uncertainty of wind and
solar power generation. The developed models are of integer-mixed linear programming type,
ensuring tractability and optimality.As mudanças climáticas, a crescente procura por energia e a segurança de abastecimento estão
a modificar a operação e o planeamento das redes de distribuição, especialmente pela
necessidade de integração em larga escala de fontes de energia renováveis. O aumento desses
recursos energéticos sustentáveis gera enormes desafios a nível técnico no sistema, atendendo
a que o operador do sistema de distribuição tem o dever de manter a integridade e a
estabilidade da rede, bem como a qualidade de energia entregue aos consumidores. Portanto,
os sistemas de energia elétrica existentes devem passar por um eminente processo de
transformação para que as limitações atuais sejam devidamente atenuadas ou mesmo evitadas,
esperando-se assim chegar ao paradigma das redes elétricas inteligentes.
Para as redes de distribuição acomodarem fontes variáveis de energia renovável, novas e
emergentes opções de flexibilidade, que dizem respeito à geração, carga e à própria rede,
precisam de ser desenvolvidas e consideradas na operação ótima da rede de distribuição. Assim,
a gestão das opções de flexibilidade deve ser cuidadosamente efetuada para minimizar os
efeitos secundários como o aumento dos custos, agravamento do perfil de tensão e o
desempenho geral do sistema. Desta perspetiva, é necessário entender como uma rede de
distribuição pode operar de forma ótima quando se expõe a uma integração em larga escala de
fontes variáveis de energia renovável. Devido à variabilidade e incerteza associadas a estas
tecnologias, novas metodologias e ferramentas computacionais devem ser desenvolvidas para
lidar com os desafios subsequentes. Desta forma, as opções de flexibilidade existentes e
emergentes devem ser implantadas para gerir a incerteza e variabilidade das fontes de energia
renovável, mantendo o necessário balanço entre carga e geração.
Nesta tese é feita uma análise extensiva das principais tecnologias que podem providenciar
flexibilidade aos sistemas de energia elétrica, e as suas contribuições para a operação ótima
dos sistemas de distribuição, tendo em consideração a natureza estocástica dos recursos
energéticos intermitentes e outras fontes de incerteza. Adicionalmente, este trabalho contém
investigação detalhada sobre como o sistema pode ser otimamente gerido tendo em conta estas
tecnologias de forma a que a uma maior percentagem de carga seja fornecida por fontes
variáveis de energia renovável, mantendo a fiabilidade, estabilidade e eficiência do sistema.
Por esse motivo, novas metodologias e ferramentas computacionais usando programação
estocástica são desenvolvidas para modelizar a variabilidade e incerteza inerente à geração
eólica e solar. A convergência para uma solução ótima é garantida usando programação linear
inteira-mista para formular o problema
Real wave propagation in the isotropic relaxed micromorphic model
For the recently introduced isotropic relaxed micromorphic generalized
continuum model, we show that under the assumption of positive definite energy,
planar harmonic waves have real velocity. We also obtain a necessary and
sufficient condition for real wave velocity which is weaker than
positive-definiteness of the energy. Connections to isotropic linear elasticity
and micropolar elasticity are established. Notably, we show that strong
ellipticity does not imply real wave velocity in micropolar elasticity, while
it does in isotropic linear elasticity
seismic vulnerability mitigation of a masonry church by means of cfrp retrofitting
Abstract The paper presents some numerical results on a Romanesque masonry church located in Emilia-Romagna (Italy), a region recently stricken by a devastating seismic sequence on 20 th - 29 th May 2012. A full investigation of the damages and their comparison with advanced FE analyses, in both linear and nonlinear range are carried out. FE limit analyses are performed through non-commercial software proposed by one of the authors. A remarkable consistency is found among limit analysis results, real performance of the structure under seismic excitation and advanced nonlinear dynamic analyses. In particular, both damage patterns and active failure mechanisms found numerically are consistent with that observed on the church after the seismic event. The results put in evidence the insufficient strength of the apse for combined shear/bending actions, the columns of the central nave for bending, as well as the facade for overturning of the upper part. A seismic upgrading by means of CFRPs composite materials is proposed, designed and analysed quantitatively using FEs, finding an optimal fit between the required performance and the invasivity reduction. The interaction between CFRP strips and masonry substrate is accounted for assuming the behaviour of the reinforcement in agreement with Italian Guidelines for r.c./masonry strengthening with composite materials (CNR DT200). It is found that, with a targeted design, it is possible to prevent premature collapses of the macro-elements, strongly increasing the load carrying capacity of the structure
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