The Bernstein problem for intrinsic graphs in Heisenberg groups and calibrations

In this paper we deal with some problems concerning minimal hypersurfaces in Carnot-Caratheodory (CC) structures. More precisely we will introduce a general calibration method in this setting and we will study the Bernstein problem for entire regular intrinsic minimal graphs in a meaningful and simpler class of CC spaces, i.e. the Heisenberg group H^n. In particular we will positively answer to the Bernstein problem in the case n=1 and we will provide counterexamples when n>=5

The Fano-Rashba effect

We analyze the linear conductance of a semiconductor quantum wire containing a region where a local Rashba spin-orbit interaction is present. We show that Fano lineshapes appear in the conductance due to the formation of quasi bound states which interfere with the direct transmission along the wire, a mechanism that we term the Fano-Rashba effect. We obtain the numerical solution of the full Schr\"odinger equation using the quantum-transmitting-boundary method. The theoretical analysis is performed using the coupled-channel model, finding an analytical solution by ansatz. The complete numerical solution of the coupled-channel equations is also discussed, showing the validity of the ansatz approach.Comment: 5 pages, proceedings of ICN+T 2006 (Basel, Switzerland, 30/7-4/9), accepted, to appear in J. Phys.: Conf. Se

Fast model predictive control for hydrogen outflow regulation in ethanol steam reformers

© 20xx IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other works.In the recent years, the presence of alternative power sources, such as solar panels, wind farms, hydropumps and hydrogen-based devices, has significantly increased. The reasons of this trend are clear: contributing to a reduction of gas emissions and dependency on fossil fuels. Hydrogen-based devices are of particular interest due to their significant efficiency and reliability. Reforming technologies are among the most economic and efficient ways of producing hydrogen. In this paper we consider the regulation of hydrogen outflow in an ethanol steam reformer (ESR). In particular, a fast model predictive control approach based on a finite step response model of the process is proposed. Simulations performed using a more realistic non-linear model show the effectiveness of the proposed approach in driving the ESR to different operating conditions while fulfilling input and output constraints.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft