Classical Particle Indistinguishability, Precisely

I present a new perspective on the meaning of indistinguishability of classical particles. This leads to a solution to the problem in statistical mechanics of justifying the inclusion of a factor N! in a probability distribution over the phase space of N indistinguishable classical particles

Amine-functionalized interpenetrating Polymer networks for CO2 capture

The research performed looked to advance the studies of vacuum swing absorption of Carbon Dioxide to help combat global climate change issues. The focus of the project was to create an anime-polymer sorbent that will weakly absorb and desorb CO2. The sorbent must be durable and be able to withstand multiple uses. The creation of a porous polymer matrix aided in the amines\u27 ability to absorb CO2. Created samples underwent several qualitative and quantitative tests to determine their usefulness as an industrial sorbent. Infrared spectroscopy was used to study the effectiveness of the amine sorbents. Studying the changes in the peaks of the graphs gave insights into what bonds were formed and broken during the absorption and desorption processes. Vacuum swing technology hopes to lower costs and increase CO2 recycling efficiency

Furrow irrigation of corn with water and dairy manure slurry

The purpose of this research was to determine the benefits and feasibility of irrigation using both water and a dairy manure slurry on corn silage yields. The influence of soil types and soil properties on corn silage yields were also studied. Corn silage at the West Tennessee Experiment Station, Jackson, Tennessee was irrigated for three growing seasons with water only. Gated aluminum pipe delivered irrigation water to the furrows between corn rows. The corn silage was harvested using a silage chopper, and plot yields were obtained. Corn silage at the Cherokee Dairy Farm, Knoxville, Tennessee was irrigated for three growing seasons using a dairy manure slurry. The manure slurry was delivered to the furrows by gated aluminum pipe. Corn silage was harvested by hand cutting to determine plot yields. In both locations, the value of irrigation was determined by measuring the increase in the corn silage yields compared to non-irrigated plots at each location. Irrigation can increase corn silage yields even in years of near normal rainfall. Irrigation with both water and dairy manure slurry resulted in increased yields. Soil types also influenced corn silage yields on irrigated areas but only to a slight extent when the soil types were similar

Multi-mode coaxial transmon qubits for quantum computing and sensing

Superconducting circuits are well established as a viable candidate for the realisation of quantum computers. Circuits based on the transmon qubit are now ubiquitous, owing to its simple design and reduced control wiring overhead. An issue with transmon qubit-based architectures is the always-on unwanted interactions that impose limits on gate speeds and introduce errors into their operation. In addition, understanding sources of noise and decoherence is essential to the low-error operation quantum computers. This thesis describes the implementation of a multi-mode superconducting qubit in a coaxial circuit QED architecture. Constructed from three superconducting islands, connected via two Josephson junctions, the device possesses two transmon-like modes with orthogonal field symmetries. The unique polarisation of each mode allows for engineering dissipation and coupling in the system, extending functionality beyond the single-mode transmon. Experimental results on the unit-cell of the two-mode coaxial transmon are presented, demonstrating coherent control and simultaneous dispersive readout of the modes of the device. A predictive theory of charge sensitivity in a multi-mode superconducting qubit is presented, and experimental results in agreement of this theory are shown, observing sensitivity to four charge-parity configurations and two independent gate-charge offsets. The utility of a multi-mode qubit as a charge detector in spatially tracking local-charge drift of ≃ 100 µm length scales is also shown, demonstrating the use of these devices as tools in understanding charge noise in superconducting circuits. Finally, a system of a pair of coupled two-mode coaxial transmons is introduced, demonstrating a highly mode-selective coupling architecture. A suppressed quantum crosstalk of 2 kHz between protected modes of the devices is measured, along with equal single qubit gate fidelities when operated both individually and simultaneously. A first characterisation of a microwave activated conditional phase interaction between computational modes driven via ancillary transitions (AT-MAP) is presented. Whilst not shown in this work, this state-dependent two-qubit interaction can be used to generate entanglement. Combined with the low crosstalk demonstrated, this shows the multi-mode qubit architecture is a promising candidate for the construction of larger scale quantum processors with fast gates and low crosstalk-related errors

Exergy analysis of a Stirling cycle

In this dissertation the analysis of the Stirling engine is presented, this research topic falls within the category of thermal energy conversion. The research that was conducted is presented in three chapters of which the topics are: the effects of allocation of volume on engine performance, the GPU-3 (Ground Power Unit - developed by GM) Stirling engine analysis, and the optimisation of a 1000 cm³ Stirling engine with finite heat capacity rates at the source and the sink. The Stirling engine has many advantages over other heat engines, as it is extremely quiet, has multi-fuel capabilities and is highly efficient. There is also significant interest in using Stirling engines in low to medium temperature solar thermal applications, and for waste heat recovery. To develop high-performance engines that are also economically viable, advanced mathematical models that accurately predict performance and give insight into the different loss mechanisms are required. This work aims to use and adapt such a model to analyse the effects of different engine parameters and to show how such a model can be used for engine optimisation using the Implicit Filtering algorithm. In the various analyses that are presented, the dynamic second order adiabatic numerical model is used and is coupled to equations that describe the heat and mass transfer in the engine. The analysis shows that the allocation of volume has a significant effect on engine performance. It is shown that in high-temperature difference (HTD) engines, increasing dead-volume ratio increases efficiency and decreases specific work output. In the case of low-temperature difference (LTD) and medium-temperature difference (MTD) engines, there is an optimal dead-volume ratio that gives maximum specific work output. It was also found that there are optimal swept volume ratios and that the allocation of heat exchanger volume has a negligible effect on engine performance - so long as the dead-volume ratio is optimal. The second order model with irreversibilities included was used to perform an exergy analysis of the GPU-3 Stirling engine. This model compared well with experimental results and the results from other models found in the literature. The results of the study show the two different approaches in modelling the engine losses and the effect that the various engine parameters have on the GPU-3 power output and efficiency. The optimisation of the 1000 cm³ Stirling engine was performed using a model with finite heat capacity rates at the source and the sink, fixed number of heater and cooler tubes, and four different regenerator mesh types. The engine geometry was optimised for maximum work output using the implicit filtering algorithm, and the results show the dominant effect that the regenerator has on engine performance and the geometry that gives maximum work output. The critical insights obtained from this research are the importance of the dead-volume ratio in engine analysis, the merits of the novel Second law Stirling engine model, and the importance of regenerator mesh choice and geometry. The Implicit filtering algorithm is also shown to be a suitable choice of optimisation algorithm to use with Stirling engine mathematical models

7th INTREPID Report: Gagliato: A framework for future growth

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Identity and indistinguishability in thermal physics

This thesis proposes mathematically precise analyses of the concepts of identity and indistinguishability and explores their physical consequences in thermodynamics and statistical mechanics. I begin by exploring the philosophical consequences of the geometric formulation of thermodynamics, well-known to many mathematicians. Based on this, I offer novel accounts of what it means to be a thermodynamic system and what it means to be a composite system. I then use these mathematical tools to offer new and precise definitions of ‘mixture’ and ‘identity’ in thermodynamics. These analyses allow me to propose a novel resolution of Gibbs’ paradox. Finally, I offer a new definition of indistinguishability in statistical mechanics with a view to offering a new resolution of Gibbs’ paradox in statistical mechanics (the N! problem). My analysis highlights the importance of observables in the foundations of statistical theories.