Gold, copper, silver and aluminum nanoantennas to enhance spontaneous emission

We compute the decay rates of emitters coupled to spheroidal nanoantennas made of gold, copper, silver, and aluminum. The spectral position of the localized surface plasmon-polariton resonance, the enhancement factors and the quantum efficiency are investigated as a function of the aspect ratio, background index and the metal composing the nanoantenna. While copper yields results similar to gold, silver and aluminum exhibit different performances. Our results show that with a careful choice of the parameters these nanoantennas can enhance emitters ranging from the UV to the near-IR spectrum.Comment: 7 pages, 10 figure

One-dimensional backreacting holographic p-wave superconductors

We analytically as well as numerically study the properties of one-dimensional holographic p- wave superconductors in the presence of backreaction. We employ the Sturm-Liouville eigenvalue problem for the analytical calculation and the shooting method for the numerical investigations. We apply the AdS3/CFT2 correspondence and determine the relation between the critical temperature Tc and the chemical potential \mu for different values of mass m of charged spin-1 field and backreacting parameters. We observe that the data of both analytical and numerical studies are in good agreement. We find out that increasing the backreaction as well as the mass parameter cause the greater values for Tc/ \mu. Therefore, it makes the condensation harder to form. In addition, the analytical and numerical approaches show that the value of the critical exponent \beta is 1/2 which is the same as in the mean field theory. Moreover, both methods confirm the exhibition of a second order phase transition

A Shift-Dependent Measure of Extended Cumulative Entropy and Its Applications in Blind Image Quality Assessment

Recently, Tahmasebi and Eskandarzadeh introduced a new extended cumulative entropy (ECE). In this paper, we present results on shift-dependent measure of ECE and its dynamic past version. These results contain stochastic order, upper and lower bounds, the symmetry property and some relationships with other reliability functions. We also discuss some properties of conditional weighted ECE under some assumptions. Finally, we propose a nonparametric estimator of this new measure and study its practical results in blind image quality assessment

Managing bacterial wilt, caused by Erwinia tracheiphila, on muskmelon with early control of striped cucumber beetle ( Acalymma vittatum (F)), and through varietal selection

Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L), is an important vegetable crop in the United States. It is grown throughout the US, and Indiana ranked 4th in production after California, Arizona and Georgia with 12.4 thousand metric tons and market value of $7.6 million in 2015. Bacterial wilt of cucurbits, which is caused by Erwinia tracheiphila (E. F. Smith), and vectored by striped cucumber beetle (Acalymma vittatum (F)), is one of the most serious diseases of muskmelon that influences muskmelon quality and yield. Many cultivars of muskmelon are grown around the United States, especially in the Midwest. Muskmelon cultivars differ in attractiveness to the striped cucumber beetle (SCB) and susceptibility to BW, but no known cultivar resistant to BW has been introduced. The primary method for managing BW is controlling the striped cucumber beetle before it can infect the plant. However, it is not known whether there is a critical stage during early plant growth when muskmelon plants are more susceptible to infection and therefore control of striped cucumber beetle is especially important. We conducted three field experiments at two locations (Lafayette and Vincennes, IN) in 2013 and 2014 to investigate whether there is a critical period for striped cucumber beetle control sometime during the first three weeks after muskmelons are transplanted to the field. We found that using row covers that exclude beetles, seed treatment or soil drenches with insecticide thiamethoxam significantly reduces the beetle numbers and wilt and increases the number of marketable fruits yield compared to not controlling striped cucumber beetle. However, the length of time row covers were left on the plants (for 7, 14, or 21 days after transplanting, DAT), or the period beetles were permitted to feed on plants (0-7, 7-14, or 14-21 DAT), or the time when beetles began to feed on plants (0, 7, or 14 DAT) did not significantly influence disease influence or yield in a consistent manner. This suggests that there is no clear ‘critical period’ during early muskmelon growth when controlling striped cucumber beetles is especially important. The data show that maximum severity of bacterial wilt occurred in June and July, which corresponds to development of disease transmitted by feeding of overwintered beetles plus additional transmission by the first generation of adults to emerge in the summer. We also conducted field studies in 2015 and 2016 with 10 to 12 cultivars at three locations (Lafayette, Wanatah and Vincennes, Indiana) to identify those most and least attractive to SCB and susceptible to BW. Replicated plots of each cultivar were grown and natural populations of SCB allowed to feed. At one location, additional plots of each cultivar were populated with 5 SCB per plant, and row covers applied to keep the SCB near the plants for 3 weeks. Results differed among locations. Without row covers, cultivars ‘Diplomat’, ‘Dream Dew’ and ‘RML 9818’ attracted higher numbers of SCBs than most other cultivars at one location each. ‘Dream Dew’ (at all locations) and ‘RML 9818’ (at two locations) had significantly higher percentages of BW than the least susceptible cultivars. Without row covers, ‘Superstar’, ‘Aphrodite’ and ‘Wrangler’ produced significantly greater yield than the lowest yielding cultivars at all locations. With row covers, early season beetle populations did not differ among cultivars and BW was greatest in ‘Dream Dew’ and least in ‘Superstar’ with other cultivars intermediate. With row covers, ‘Athena’ and ‘Superstar’ produced greater yield than many other cultivars. Over all ‘Diplomat’ and ‘Dream Dew’ were the most attractive to beetles and susceptible to BW. ‘Aphrodite’, ‘Athena’ and especially ‘Superstar’ were less attractive to beetles and showed more tolerance to BW in both 2015 and 2016. We found cucurbitacin A in leaves of ‘Athena’ and ‘RML9818’, and cucurbitacin B only in leaves and stems of ‘Dream Dew’ and ‘RML9818’. All cultivars had cucurbitacin I in both leaves and stems. In leaves the highest level of cucurbitacin I was found in ‘Hales Best’ followed by ‘Afg1’ and ‘Superstar’, and the highest level of cucurbitacin A was found in ‘RML9818’. Stems of ‘Diplomat’ had the most cucurbitacin I, followed ‘Superstar’, ‘Dream Dew’ and ‘Hales Best’. Cucurbitacin B was the highest in stems of both ‘Dream Dew’ and ‘RML9818’. Cucurbitacin E was present at similar levels in the stems of ‘Diplomat’, ‘Hales Best’ and ‘Afg2’

Optimisation de la Conception du Moteur Synchrone à Excitation Hybride pour Véhicules Électriques à Haut Performance

Since 1970, the ever-growing concerns of human community for the life-threatening environmental changes have pushed the policy makers to decarbonize those sectors with high energy demands, including the transportation industry. Optimal designs of Electric Vehicles (EVs) can contribute to today’s exigent car market, and take the leading role for future sustainable transportation of human and goods. At the heart of electromechanical energy conversion lays the electrical machines, which have attracted lots of interests and efforts for efficiency increase and cost reduction. In this thesis, a methodology is proposed and implemented to design and optimize the cost and efficiency of a Hybrid Excitation Synchronous Machine (HESM) for a given vehicle and a desired driving cycle. Hybridization in the excitation system can combine the favorable qualities of high-torque at low-speed with superior overloading capability, exceptional flux weakening and extended Constant Power Speed Range (CPSR), high efficiency, and flexible controllability in motoring and generation modes. With HESM technology, we can also shift from the rare-earth magnets towards the cheap ferrite magnets and guaranty the supply for motor industry. The designed HESM in this work responds to three requirements of the vehicle, namely, the maximum cruising speed, acceleration time, and gradeability, with the least or null overdesign in the drivetrain. At the same time, it will have the maximum global efficiency over the driving cycle, and the minimum cost for the material. The optimization is conducted at either of the component and system levels. The optimization at component-level is developed based on the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm-II (NSGA-II). A new formulation for the objective functions is proposed, which deals with the design optimization and cost minimization, simultaneously. To maximize the efficiency, a system-level search is conducted to find the optimum HESM with the highest global efficiency over a given driving cycle. Due to the 3D direction of magnetic flux in the selected HESM topology, the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) was very time- and process-consuming. To be able to evaluate the objective functions during the optimization, a new model has been developed based on a 3D Magnetic Equivalent Circuit (MEC) network. This model predicts well the non-linearity of magnetic materials, as compared with the FEA simulations. At last, the final optimized HESM is evaluated by the virtue of FEA technique.Depuis 1970, les préoccupations de l’humanité envers les changements climatiques ont poussé les chercheurs à faire des études approfondies pour optimiser les machines électriques pour avoir des véhicules électriques plus performants et moins énergivores. La conception optimale de véhicules électriques (EV) peut contribuer pour un marché automobile plus exigeant et jouer un rôle principal pour le futur du transport durable des biens et des personnes. Les machines électriques se trouvent au cœur de la conversion d'énergie électromécanique, qui ont suscité beaucoup d'intérêts et d’efforts pour augmenter leur rendement et réduire leur coût. Cette thèse propose une méthodologie et une mise en œuvre pour minimiser le coût et maximiser l’efficacité d’une machine synchrone à excitation hybride (HESM) pour un véhicule donné et un cycle de conduite sélectionné. L'hybridation du système d’excitation peut combiner les qualités favorables comme un couple élevé à basse vitesse avec une capacité de surcharge supérieure, un défluxage exceptionnelle et une plage de vitesse prolongée de puissance constante (CPSR), une efficacité élevée et une contrôlabilité flexible dans les modes de traction et de freinage régénératif. Avec la technologie HESM, nous pouvons également passer des aimants de terres rares aux aimants en ferrite bon marché, et garantir l’approvisionnement pour l’industrie automobile. Le HESM conçu dans ce travail répond à trois exigences du véhicule : la vitesse de croisière maximale, le temps d’accélération et la capacité de monter une pente, avec un surdimensionnement minimal ou nulle de la chaîne de traction. Une optimisation multiniveau avec une interaction entre la vision composant et la vision système est proposée et validée. L’optimisation au niveau du composant est développée sur la base de l’algorithme génétique de tri non dominé (NSGA-II). Une nouvelle formulation pour les fonctions objectives est proposée pour l’optimisation simultanée de la conception de la machine et de la minimisation de son coût. Après avoir optimisés onze HESM au niveau du composant, pour maximiser l’efficacité, une optimisation au niveau du système est réalisée pour trouver le HESM optimal avec le plus haut rendement global sur le cycle de conduite donné. Une validation de la conception finale de la HESM présente un meilleur rendement global sur le cycle de conduite de 18,65% en relation à une machine synchrone à excitation séparée équivalente et 15,8% en relation à une à aiment permanent. En raison de la direction 3D du flux magnétique dans la topologie HESM sélectionnée, l’analyse par éléments finis (FEA) prenait beaucoup de temps et de ressources computationnelles. Afin d’évaluer les fonctions objectives lors de l’optimisation, un nouveau modèle a été développé basé sur un réseau de circuits magnétiques équivalents 3D (MEC). Ce modèle prédit bien la non-linéarité des matériaux magnétiques, par rapport aux simulations FEA. Enfin, le HESM optimisé final est évalué grâce à la technique FEA

Simulating Business Models for Electricity Storage

Electricity storage systems (ESS) are hailed by many scholars and practitioners as a key element of the future electricity systems and a key step towards the transition to a renewable energy system. However, the global speed of ESS implementation is relatively slow. There are several reasons for the slow rate of ESS deployment, one of them is the lack of viable business models.This dissertation suggests a way to study the design of business models for ESS from different actors’ perspectives in the Dutch electricity sector given several complexities and deep uncertainties. We follow a step-by-step design framework, and adopt literature review and data analysis methods in order to set goals, objectives, and constraints; and we develop a design space. Then, we combine agent-based modelling (ABM) and exploratory modelling analysis (EMA) approaches to test ESS business models incorporating several complexities and uncertainties. Our experiments focus mostly on extreme conditions .Our results show that ESS is not profitable in most scenarios. The results also show that generally a “wholesale arbitrage” business model leads to more profit than “reserve capacity”. In addition, we found that in the scenarios with extremely high share electricity generation from renewable sources, ESS is not necessarily profitable. Besides, we found that more implementation of ESS does not necessarily reduce the average profit for ESS projects. Finally, we explain that improving technologies is expected to improve the desirability of ESS more than government intervention

Conductivity of the holographic p-wave superconductors with higher order corrections

We investigate the holographic $p$-wave superconductors in the presence of the higher order corrections on the gravity as well as on the gauge field side. On the gravity side, we add the Gauss-Bonnet curvature correction terms, while on the gauge field side we take the nonlinear Lagrangian in the form $F + b F^2$, where F is the Maxwell Lagrangian and b indicates the strength of nonlinearity. We employ the shooting method for the numerical calculations in order to obtain the ratio of the critical temperature $T_c$ over $\rho^ {1/(d-2)}$. We observe that by increasing the values of the mass and the nonlinear parameters the critical temperature decreases and thus the condensation becomes harder to form. In addition, the stronger Gauss-Bonnet parameter $\alpha$ hinders the superconducting phase in Gauss-Bonnet gravity. Furthermore, we calculate the electrical conductivity based on the holographic setup. The real and imaginary parts are related to each other by Kramers-Kronig relation which indicates a delta function and pole in low frequency regime, respectively. However, at enough large frequencies the trend of real part can be interpreted by $Re[\sigma] = \omega^{(d-4)}$. Moreover, in holographic model the ratio $\omega_g/T_c$ is always much larger than the BCS value $3.5$ due to the strong coupling of holographic superconductors. In both gravity kinds, decreasing the temperature or increasing the effect of nonlinearity shifts the gap frequency toward larger values. Besides, the gap frequency is occurred at larger values by enlarging the Gauss-Bonnet parameter. In general, the behavior of conductivity depends on the choice of the mass, the nonlinear and the Gauss-Bonnet parameters.Comment: 26 page

A Survey on the Best Choice for Modulus of Residue Code

Nowadays, the development of technology and the growing need for dense and complex chips have led chip industries to increase their attention on the circuit testability. Also, using the electronic chips in certain industries, such as the space industry, makes the design of fault tolerant circuits a challenging issue. Coding is one of the most suitable methods for error detection and correction. The residue code, as one of the best choices for error detection aims, is wildly used in large arithmetic circuits such as multiplier and also finds a wide range of applications in processors and digital filters. The modulus value in this technique directly effect on the area overhead parameter. A large area overhead is one of the most important disadvantages especially for testing the small circuits. The purpose of this paper is to study and investigate the best choice for residue code check base that is used for simple and small circuits such as a simple ripple carry adder. The performances are evaluated by applying stuck-at-faults and transition-faults by simulators. The efficiency is defined based on fault coverage and normalized area overhead. The results show that the modulus 3 with 95% efficiency provided the best result. Residue code with this modulus for checking a ripple carry adder, in comparison with duplex circuit, 30% improves the efficiency