Sharif Digital Repository

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to identify the fault modes of a nonlinear twin-rotor system (TRS) using the subspace technique to facilitate fault identification, diagnosis and control applications. Design/methodology/approach: For identification of fault modes, three types of system malfunctions are introduced. First malfunction resembles actuator, second internal system dynamics and third represents sensor malfunction or offset. For each fault scenario, the resulting TRS model is applied with persistently exciting inputs and corresponding outputs are recorded. The collected input–output data are invoked in NS4SID subspace system identification algorithm to obtain the unknown fault... 

Hybrid nanofluids are new and most fascinating types of fluids that involve superior thermal characteristics. These fluids exhibit better heat-transfer performance as equated to conventional fluids. Our concern, in this paper, is to numerically interpret the kerosene oil-based hybrid nanofluids comprising dissimilar nanoparticles like silver (Ag) and manganese zinc ferrite (MnZnFe2O4). A numerical algorithm, which is mainly based on finite difference discretization, is developed to find the numerical solution of the problem. A numerical comparison appraises the efficiency of this algorithm. The effects of physical parameters are examined via the graphical representations in either case of... 

The current study revealed the effectiveness of polypropylene (PP) fibers and cement to enhance the strength of black cotton soil. PP fibers and cement with different concentrations were mixed with black cotton soil. The strength of PP fiber and cement-based soil samples was measured in terms of unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and California Bearing ratio (CBR). Specimens for UCS and CBR tests were prepared at 2%, 4%, 6% and 8% of cement (by dry weight of soil) and seven percentages of polypropylene fibers i.e. 0.0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4%, 0.5% and 0.6% (by dry weight of soil). Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis confirmed the presence of polypropylene and cement contents in... 

The current study revealed the effectiveness of polypropylene (PP) fibers and cement to enhance the strength of black cotton soil. PP fibers and cement with different concentrations were mixed with black cotton soil. The strength of PP fiber and cement-based soil samples was measured in terms of unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and California Bearing ratio (CBR). Specimens for UCS and CBR tests were prepared at 2%, 4%, 6% and 8% of cement (by dry weight of soil) and seven percentages of polypropylene fibers i.e. 0.0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4%, 0.5% and 0.6% (by dry weight of soil). Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis confirmed the presence of polypropylene and cement contents in... 

In the present work, multiple non existing model order reduction (MOR) techniques for unstable second-order form systems (SOSs) are proposed. For unstable SOSs, continuous-time algebraic Lyapunov equations get unsolvable that halt the reduction process. To avoid this problem, unstable SOS is first decomposed into stable and unstable portions and balanced truncation is applied to the stable part. The obtained reduced order model (ROM) for the stable portion is augmented with the unstable portion to obtain the overall reduced system. It is observed that the second-order structure in ROM for the first technique gets lost as well as augmented unstable dynamics degrade the ROM performance. To... 

In the present work, multiple non existing model order reduction (MOR) techniques for unstable second-order form systems (SOSs) are proposed. For unstable SOSs, continuous-time algebraic Lyapunov equations get unsolvable that halt the reduction process. To avoid this problem, unstable SOS is first decomposed into stable and unstable portions and balanced truncation is applied to the stable part. The obtained reduced order model (ROM) for the stable portion is augmented with the unstable portion to obtain the overall reduced system. It is observed that the second-order structure in ROM for the first technique gets lost as well as augmented unstable dynamics degrade the ROM performance. To... 

This article focuses on the impact of waviness and aggregation of nanofillers on wave dispersion behavior of the nanocomposite curved beam strengthened with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). In fact, the aggregation phenomenon is an inevitable subject in the manufacturing process of strengthened nanocomposite materials. Furthermore, in reality, usage of straight nanoreinforcements is almost impossible. So, MWCNTs can be wavy. These noted topics can significantly affect mechanical behavior of reinforced nanocomposite structures. In the current investigation, aggregation and waviness factors are accounted for through a modified Halpin-Tsai micromechanical homogenization model. The... 

Our study delves into the dynamics of a convective Magneto-Hydrodynamic Bioconvective Nanofluid model (MHD-BCNFM) flowing over a convectively heated stretched sheet. To accomplish this, we utilize the distinctive capabilities of the Supervised Stochastic Approach for Computational Analysis (SSACA). By integrating similarity transformations, we convert the partial differential equations (PDEs) governing the system into coupled ordinary differential equations (ODEs). We generate the dataset for our approach using the Adam numerical technique specifically tailored for the (MHD-BCNFM). Achieving this involves systematic modulation of parameters such as λ, bioconvection Péclet number Pe,... 

This study demonstrates a novel, facile and one-pot approach to synthesize silica nanoparticles with silver at core and crust (SiNP-AgCC). A modified Stöber method was used to make SiNP-AgCC. A significant reduction in the size of SiO2 nanoparticles was seen, with 2–5 nm AgNPs being uniformly distributed on the surface and 10–20 nm AgNPs in the center. A typical mesoporous SiO2 particle (SiNP) produced using the Stöber method was transformed to nanoporous SiO2 by this modified Stöber method. Nanoporous SiO2 particles with silver in the center are advantageous for slow and consistent Ag+ release, which was confirmed by Ag+ ion release test. Antibacterial activities of the samples were tested... 

Connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) have the potential to drastically change the structure of future cities and regions. Researchers predict different outcomes to result from the emergence of CAV technology. While some see their potential as amounting to a complete overhaul of the transport system, others predict the technology will be slow to be adopted and may face competition from other mobility options such as drones. Therefore, the future can be viewed along a spectrum, ranging from no CAVs to a fully driverless transport system. This paper presents an overview of the past attempts on studying CAVs and their impacts to provide a comprehensive view about possible futures with CAVs.... 

Nano sized ZnO on TiO 2 spherical core shells were prepared by using hydrothermal method. The particle size of initial TiO 2 was around 20 nm, and the specific surface area was 50 m2/gr. Different ratios of TiO 2 and ZnO applied to synthesize core shell particle. X-ray diffraction (XRD) used to phase characterization and crystalline size, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to morphology and microstructure investigations. S. Brunauer, P. H. Emmett and E. Teller method (BET) to find specific surface area, Diffusive UV-visible-NIR spectrometry to bang gap calculations. The results indicate that powders with a shell of zinc oxide in specific range have the quantum size effect. Titanium oxide and... 

Water shortage is the main limitation for agricultural production in many parts of the world. Drought or unavailability of water may seriously limit plant growth as well as yield. A pot experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of various irrigation strategies, i.e., Full (FI), deficit (DI) and partial root-zone drying (PRD) on physiological, biochemical and yield-related attributes of cotton crop. Irrigation treatments started 60 days after planting and lasted for 60 days. For FI and DI, 100% and 50% of evapotranspiration (ET) was replaced by irrigating the entire pot surface every 4–5 days. For PRD, root system was split into two equal halves and during each irrigation event, only... 

Bulk metallic glasses (BMGs), that display extraordinary properties of high strength, corrosion resistance, polymer-like formability, and excellent magnetic properties, are emerging as modern quintessential engineering materials. BMGs have garnered significant research enthusiasm owing to their tremendous technological and scientific standing. In this article, the recent advancements in the field of BMGs and their applications are put in a nutshell. Novel state-of-the-art production routes and nano/microimprinting strategies with salient features capable of circumventing the processing related complexities as well as accelerating modern developments, are briefly summarized. Heterogeneous BMG... 

Risk aversion is a prevalent phenomenon when sufficiently large amounts are at risk. In this paper, we introduce a new prescriptive approach for coping with risk in sequential decision problems with discrete scenario space. We use Conditional Value-at-Risk (CVaR) risk measure as optimization criterion and prove that there is an explicit linear representation of the proposed model for the problem  

Treatment of dye pollution containing C.I. Acid Red 14 (AR14) by a coupled photocatalytic process was studied. Titanium dioxide, in the form of anatase and rutile, and zinc oxide, were used as photocatalysts. The investigated photocatalysts were Aldrich-produced nanopowders with crystallites of a mean size of 20-30 nm and a specific surface area of about 50 m 2/g. A comparison of TiO 2(anatase), TiO 2(rutile), TiO 2(a,r), and ZnO for the decolorization of the AR14 solution was performed. Results showed that color removal followed the decreasing order of TiO 2(a,r), ZnO > TiO 2(a,r) > TiO 2(a), ZnO > TiO 2(r), ZnO >TiO 2(a,r) > TiO 2(a) > ZnO > TiO 2(r). Response surface methodology (RSM) was... 

This article presents a novel identification approach which can deal with nonlinear and time-varying characteristics of complex dynamic systems, especially an aerial vehicle in the entire flight envelope. A set of local sub-models are first developed at different operating points of the system, and subsequently a self-organizing multi-model ensemble is introduced to aggregate the outputs of the local models as a single model. The number of employed local models in the proposed multi-model ensemble is optimized using a novel self-organizing approach. Also, wavelet neural networks, which combine both the universal approximation property of neural networks and the wavelet decomposition... 

L-tryptophan functionalized AgNPs were successfully fabricated using a one-pot synthesis method and assessed as a colorimetric probe for rapid and accurate determination of Mg2+ ions. The developed sensor showed a selective response towards Mg2+ with no interference from Ca2+ in the wide concentration range of 1–200 µM. The sensor's response was optimized in the pH range of 9–10, which can be attributed to the protonation of amine groups and their interaction with Mg2+ ions. The stability and selectivity of the sensor were examined in different salt (NaCl) and other metal ions, respectively. The L-tryptophan-AgNPs sensor detected Mg2+ with the limit of detection of 3 µM, which is way lower... 

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN) is a promising metal-free catalyst for environmental remediation. However, its practical applications have been limited due to insufficient solar-light responsivity. Hetero-element doping and the construction of heterostructures, comprised of g-CN and other band-matched semiconductors could be considered to overcome these drawbacks. In the present work, a series of 2D/3D heterostructures comprised of a few layers of boron-doped g-CN (B-CN) anchored on sea urchin-like Bi2S3 (BS) particles (B-CN@BS) were successfully synthesized. The catalytic performances of B-CN@BS composites were assessed for the photo-reduction of Cr(VI) and in-situ generation of H2O2 under... 

To evaluate the propulsion system capabilities of a Flapping Micro Air Vehicle (FMAV), a new aeroelastic model of a typical flexible FMAV is developed, utilizing the Euler-Bernoulli torsion beam and quasi steady aerodynamic model. The new model accounts for all existing complex interactions between the mass, inertia, elastic properties, aerodynamic loading, flapping amplitude and frequency of the FMAV, as well as the effects of several geometric and design parameters. To validate the proposed theoretical model, a typical FMAV, as well as an instrumented test stand for the online measurement of forces, flapping angle and power consumption, has been constructed. The experimental results are... 

The graphitic carbon nitride/tin oxide (g-C3N4/SnO2) nanocomposite synthesized under microwave irradiation was used for adsorptive removal of sulfur-containing dibenzothiophene (DBT) from Tehran vehicular gasoline. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy techniques determined the adsorbent characteristics, and gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector determined the DBT concentration of the samples. Application of the experimental data into the solid/fluid kinetic models indicated a chemisorption...