Coating Cellulosic Material with Ag Nanowires to Fabricate Wearable IR-Reflective Device for Personal Thermal Management: The Role of Coating Method and Loading Level

Textiles coated with silver nanowires (AgNWs) are effective at suppressing radiative heat loss without sacrificing breathability. Many reports present the applicability of AgNWs as IR-reflective wearable textiles, where such studies partially evaluate the parameters for practical usage for large-scale production. In this study, the effect of the two industrial coating methods and the loading value of AgNWs on the performance of AgNWs-coated fabric (AgNWs-CF) is reported. The AgNWs were synthesized by the polyol process and applied onto the surface of cotton fabric using either dip- or spray-coating methods with variable loading levels of AgNWs. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), infrared (IR) reflectance, water vapor permeability (WVP), and electrical resistance properties were characterized. The results report the successful synthesis of AgNWs with a 30 μm length. The results also show that the spray coating method has a better performance for reflecting the IR radiation to the body, which increases with a greater loading level of the AgNWs. The antibacterial results show a good inhibition zone for cotton fabric coated by both methods, where the spray-coated fabric has a better performance overall. The results also show the coated fabric with AgNWs maintains the level of fabric breathability similar to control samples. AgNWs-CFs have potential utility for cold weather protective clothing in which heat dissipation is attenuated, along with applications such as wound dressing materials that provide antibacterial protection.     

Sensitive voltammetric determination of paracetamol by poly (4-vinylpyridine)/multiwalled carbon nanotubes modified glassy carbon electrode

A novel glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with a composite film of poly (4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (P4VP/MWCNT GCE) was used for the voltammetric determination of paracetamol (PCT). This novel electrode displayed a combined effect of P4VP and MWCNT on the electro-oxidation of PCT in a solution of phosphate buffer at pH 7. Hence, conducting properties of P4VP along with the remarkable physical properties of MWCNTs might have combined effects in enhancing the kinetics of PCT oxidation. The P4VP/MWCNT GCE has also demonstrated excellent electrochemical activity toward PCT oxidation compared to that with bare GCE and MWCNT GCE. The anodic peak currents of PCT on the P4VP/MWCNT GCE were about 300 fold higher than that of the non-modified electrodes. By applying differential pulse voltammetry technique under optimized experimental conditions, a good linear ratio of oxidation peak currents and concentrations of PCT over the range of 0.02–450 μM with a limit of detection of 1.69 nM were achieved. This novel electrode was stable for more than 60 days and reproducible responses were obtained at 99% of the initial current of PCT without any influence of physiologically common interferences such as ascorbic acid and uric acid. The application of this electrode to determine PCT in tablets and urine samples was proposed.     

A new multiobjective allocator of capacitor banks and distributed generations using a new investigated differential evolution

This article has investigated a new multiobjective allocation of optimal sizing and sitting of distributed generation (DG) units and capacitor banks in simultaneous mode to improve reliability and reduce energy losses. The proposed method consists of four objectives, that is, cost of energy not supplied, system average interruption duration index, costs of energy loss and investment. A novel structure differential evolution has been suggested to solve this nonlinear complex problem and its results are compared with related values of genetic algorithm and simple differential evolutionary algorithm. In addition to the novel objective function, the other contribution of this article is proposing a new model for load and energy cost. Three types of DGs, that is, wind turbine, solar cell, and diesel generator have been used in placement process. To verify the comprehensiveness of the proposed function, three scenarios have been introduced: scenario i: first, placement of DGs, then capacitor banks, scenario ii: first, placement of capacitor banks, and then DGs, and scenario iii: simultaneous placement of DGs and capacitor banks. Simulations have been carried out on one part of practical distribution network in Metropolitan Tabriz in North West of Iran. The results of simulations have been discussed and analyzed using the five novel indices. The obtained simulation results using proposed function shows that the simultaneous placement of DGs and capacitor banks results in more reduction of the energy losses and increase improvements of reliability indices as well as voltage profile. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 19: 40–54, 2014     

Improvement in gas separation properties of a polymeric membrane through the incorporation of inorganic nano‐particles

The present work tries to introduce a high‐performance nano‐composite membrane by using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as its main polymer matrix to meet some specific requirements in industrial gas separations. Different nano‐composite membranes were synthesized by incorporating various amounts of nano‐sized silica particles into the PDMS matrix. A uniform dispersion of nano‐particles in the host membranes was obtained. The nano‐composite membranes were characterized morphologically by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Separation properties, permeability, and ideal selectivity of C₃H₈, CH₄, and H₂ through the synthesized nano‐composite membranes with different nano‐particle contents (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 3 wt%) were investigated at different pressures (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 atm) and constant temperature (35°C). It was found out that a 2 wt% loading of nano‐particles into the PDMS matrix is optimal to obtain the best separation performance. Afterwards, sorption experiments for the synthesized nano‐composite membranes were carried out, and diffusion coefficients of the gases were calculated based on solution‐diffusion mechanism. Gas permeation and sorption experiments showed an increase in sorption and a decrease in diffusion coefficients of the gases through the nano‐composite membranes by adding nano‐particles into the host polymer matrix. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Adsorption and Inhibition Effect of Benzaldehyde Schiff Bases on Mild Steel Corrosion in 1 M HCl Medium

This article has been retracted.     

The single facility location problem with time-dependent weights and relocation cost over a continuous time horizon

In this study, we investigate the problem of locating a facility in continuous space when the weight of each existing facility is a known linear function of time. The location of the new facility can be changed once over a continuous finite time horizon. Rectilinear distance and time- and location-dependent relocation costs are considered. The objective is to determine the optimal relocation time and locations of the new facility before and after relocation to minimize the total location and relocation costs. We also propose an exact algorithm to solve the problem in a polynomial time according to our computational results.     

Optimal location and optimized parameters for robust power system stabilizer using honeybee mating optimization

A honeybee mating optimization technique is used to tune the power system stabilizer (PSS) parameters and find optimal location of PSSs in this article. The PSS parameters and placement are computed to assure maximum damping performance under different operating conditions. One of the main advantages of the proposed approach is its robustness to the initial parameter settings. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated on two case studies as; 10‐machine 39‐buses New England (NE) power system in comparison with Tabu Search (TS) and 16 machines and 68 buses‐modified reduced order model of the NE New York interconnected system by genetic algorithm through some performance indices under different operating condition. The proposed method of tuning the PSS is an attractive alternative to conventional fixed gain stabilizer design as it retains the simplicity of the conventional PSS and at the same time guarantees a robust acceptable performance over a wide range of operating and system condition. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 21: 242–258, 2015     

An adaptive neuro‐fuzzy inference system for islanding detection in wind turbine as distributed generation

This article proposes a new integrated diagnostic system for islanding detection by means of a neuro‐fuzzy approach. Islanding detection and prevention is a mandatory requirement for grid‐connected distributed generation (DG) systems. Several methods based on passive and active detection scheme have been proposed. Although passive schemes have a large non‐detection zone (NDZ), concern has been raised on active method due to its degrading power‐quality effect. Reliably detecting this condition is regarded by many as an ongoing challenge as existing methods are not entirely satisfactory. The main emphasis of the proposed scheme is to reduce the NDZ to as close as possible and to keep the output power quality unchanged. In addition, this technique can also overcome the problem of setting the detection thresholds inherent in the existing techniques. In this study, we propose to use a hybrid intelligent system called ANFIS (the adaptive neuro‐fuzzy inference system) for islanding detection. This approach utilizes rate of change of frequency (ROCOF) at the target DG location and used as the input sets for a neuro‐fuzzy inference system for intelligent islanding detection. This approach utilizes the ANFIS as a machine learning technology and fuzzy clustering for processing and analyzing the large data sets provided from network simulations using MATLAB software. To validate the feasibility of this approach, the method has been validated through several conditions and different loading, switching operation, and network conditions. The proposed algorithm is compared with the widely used ROCOF relays and found working effectively in the situations where ROCOF fails. Simulation studies showed that the ANFIS‐based algorithm detects islanding situation accurate than other islanding detection algorithms. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 21: 10–20, 2015     

An analytical methodology for assessment of smart monitoring impact on future electric power distribution system reliability

Smart grid is referred to a modernized power grid which can mitigate fault detection and allow self‐healing of the system without the intervention of operators. This article proposes an innovative analytical formulation using Markov method to evaluate electric power distribution system reliability in smart grids, which incorporates the impact of smart monitoring on the overall system reliability. An accurate reliability model of the main network components and the communication infrastructure have been also considered in the methodology. The proposed approach was applied to a well‐known test bed (Roy Billinton Test System) and various reliability case studies with monitoring provision and monitoring deficiency are analyzed. This article involves the developing possibilities of communication technologies and next‐generation control systems of the entire smart network based on the real‐time monitoring and modern control system to achieve a reliable, economical, safe, and high efficiency of electricity. The implementations indicate that using an appropriate set of the smart grid monitoring devices for power system components can virtually influence all the reliability indices although the amount of improvement varies between techniques. The proposed approach determined that smart monitoring for which components of the electric power distribution systems are tailored and deduce to major economical benefits. The described approach also reveals which reliability indices drastically influenced using monitoring. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 21: 99–113, 2015     

Hybrid harmony search algorithm and fuzzy mechanism for solving congestion management problem in an electricity market

A hybrid technique for solving the congestion management problem in an electricity market based on harmony search algorithm (HAS) and Fuzzy mechanism is presented in this article. This algorithm does not require initial value setting for the variables and does not require differential gradients, thus it can consider discontinuous functions as well as continuous functions. The HAS is a recently developed powerful evolutionary algorithm, inspired by the improvisation process of musicians, for solving single/multiobjective optimization problems. In the proposed technique, each musician plays a note for finding a best harmony all together. Transmission pricing and congestion management are the key elements of a competitive electricity market based on direct access. They also focus of much of the debate concerning alternative approaches to the market design and the implementation of a common carrier electricity system. This article focuses on the tradeoffs between simplicity and economic efficiency in meeting the objectives of a transmission pricing and congestion management scheme. The effectiveness of the proposed technique is applied on 30 and 118 bus IEEE standard power system in comparison with CPSO, PSO‐TVAC, and PSO‐TVIW. The numerical results demonstrate that the proposed technique is better and superior than other compared methods. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 21: 90–98, 2016