Deployable Tensegrity Reflectors for Small Satellites

Future small satellite missions require low-cost, precision reflector structures with large aperture that can be packaged in a small envelope. Existing furlable reflectors form a compact package which, although narrow, is too tall for many applications.An alternative approach is proposed, consisting of a deployable “tensegrity” prism forming a ring structure that deploys two identical cable nets (front and rear nets) interconnected by tension ties; the reflecting mesh is attached to the front net. The geometric configuration of the structure has been optimized to reduce the compression in the struts of the tensegrity prism. A small-scale physical model has been constructed to demonstrate the proposed concept. A preliminary design of a 3-m-diam, 10-GHz reflector with a focal-length-to-diameter ratio of 0.4 that can be packaged within an envelope of 0.1 x 0.2 x 0.8 m^3 is presented

A geometric technique to generate lower estimates for the constants in the Bohnenblust--Hille inequalities

The Bohnenblust--Hille (polynomial and multilinear) inequalities were proved in 1931 in order to solve Bohr's absolute convergence problem on Dirichlet series. Since then these inequalities have found applications in various fields of analysis and analytic number theory. The control of the constants involved is crucial for applications, as it became evident in a recent outstanding paper of Defant, Frerick, Ortega-Cerd\'{a}, Ouna\"{\i}es and Seip published in 2011. The present work is devoted to obtain lower estimates for the constants appearing in the Bohnenblust--Hille polynomial inequality and some of its variants. The technique that we introduce for this task is a combination of the Krein--Milman Theorem with a description of the geometry of the unit ball of polynomial spaces on $\ell^2_\infty$.Comment: This preprint does no longer exist as a single manuscript. It is now part of the preprint entitled "The optimal asymptotic hypercontractivity constant of the real polynomial Bohnenblust-Hille inequality is 2" (arXiv reference 1209.4632

Amplitude analysis of B-0 -> (D)over-bar0K(+)pi(-) decays

The Dalitz plot distribution of B-0 -&gt; (D) over bar K-0(+)pi(-) decays is studied using a data sample corresponding to 3.0 fb(-1) of pp collision data recorded by the LHCb experiment during 2011 and 2012. The data are described by an amplitude model that contains contributions from intermediate K* (892)(0), K*(1410)(0), K-2*(1430)(0) and D-2(*)(2460)(-) resonances. The model also contains components to describe broad structures, including the K-0(*)(1430)(0) and D-0(*)(2400)(-) resonances, in the K pi S-wave and the D pi S-and P-waves. The masses and widths of the D-0*(2400)(-) and D-2(*)(2460)(-) resonances are measured, as are the complex amplitudes and fit fractions for all components included in the amplitude model. The model obtained will be an integral part of a future determination of the angle gamma of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa quark mixing matrix using B-0 -&gt; DK+pi(-) decays.</p

Cavity QED of Strongly Correlated Electron Systems: A No-go Theorem for Photon Condensation

In spite of decades of work it has remained unclear whether or not superradiant quantum phases, referred to here as photon condensates, can occur in equilibrium. In this Letter, we first show that when a non-relativistic quantum many-body system is coupled to a cavity field, gauge invariance forbids photon condensation. We then present a microscopic theory of the cavity quantum electrodynamics of an extended Falicov-Kimball model, showing that, in agreement with the general theorem, its insulating ferroelectric and exciton condensate phases are not altered by the cavity and do not support photon condensation.Comment: Reference list updated and minor typos correcte

Kinetic-Rotor Self-Commissioning of Synchronous Machines for Magnetic Model Identification with Online Adaptation

This paper proposes a new magnetic model self-identification technique for synchronous machines to build the flux-map look-up tables (LUTs). Provided the shaft is free to turn, an alternating self-acceleration and deceleration sequence is envisaged for identification without a dedicated experimental rig or additional hardware. Respect to previous works, the stator flux and the stator resistance are adapted online during the run, thus eliminating the need for post-processing and the sensitivity to winding temperature variations during the test. Experimental validations on a 1.1 kW synchronous reluctance (SyR) and a 11 kW permanent-magnet assisted synchronous reluctance (PM-SyR) motors are provided

Multipolar SPM machines for direct drive application: a general design approach

A closed-form, per-unit formulation for the design of surface mounted permanent magnet motors having high numbers of poles is hereby proposed. The analytical expression of machine inductances is presented, covering distributed and concentrated windings configurations. The paper addresses how the slot/pole combination, the geometric variables and the number of poles are related to average torque, the Joule loss and the power factor. The performance of distributed and concentrated windings machines is compared analytically, in normalized quantities. Last, the design approach is tested on four design examples, including all winding types and validated by finite element analysis

A comprehensive investigation on the temperature and strain rate dependent mechanical response of three polymeric syntactic foams for thermoforming and energy absorption applications

Polymeric syntactic foams (PSF) are a kind of composite material, which consists of a polymer matrix reinforced by hollow thin wall glass micro-spheres. Because of their low density, low moisture absorption, relatively high specific strength and stiffness, PSF are often employed in aerospace and submarine applications in which they are subjected to a wide range of temperature conditions. Due to the temperature sensitivity of the polymer matrix, the physical and mechanical behaviour of PSFs is highly sensitive to temperature variations. Besides, their dynamic response is significantly affected by the strain rate. This research investigates the temperature and strain rate dependence of the mechanical behaviour of polyurethane, epoxy and nylon syntactic foams under compressive and tensile loads. The selected materials have in common that their mechanical characteristics, thermal properties, and dimensional stability make them suitable for both impact engineering and thermoforming applications. The experimental results, acquired over a temperature range from −25 °C to 100 °C at low and high strain rates, reveal a clear interplay between temperature and strain rate effects on the mechanical behaviour of the materials under investigation. This synergy is observed to vary based on both the matrix material and the loading mode. Notably, the rate dependency of polyurethane and nylon syntactic foams is significantly influenced by the testing temperature during compression, while in tension the influence of the temperature on the rate dependency is moderate or negligible. In contrast, the rate dependency of the epoxy syntactic foam remains largely unaffected by the testing temperature. Deformation and failure mechanisms were analysed by examining the failure surface of the tested samples using SEM micrographs