Noise-induced chaotic-attractor escape route

Nonlinear Dynamics - In the present article, a combination of numerical and experimental studies is undertaken to comprehend the influence of noise on the responses of continuous-time dynamical...     

Generating functions for a class ofq-polynomials

Summary Some simple ideas are used here to prove a theorem on generating functions for a certain class of q-polynomials. This general theorem is then applied to derive a fairly large number of known as well as new generating functions for the familiar q-analogues of various polynomial systems including, for example, the classical orthogonal polynomials of Hermite, Jacobi, and Laguerre. A number of other interesting consequences of the theorem are also discussed.     

Design and fabrication of fluid controlled dynamic optical lens system

A novel small fluid controlled optical lens system that is capable of displaying dynamic variation of its focal length and field-of-view (FOV) is designed and fabricated. In this active lens system, appropriate volume of the optical fluid can be pumped into or out of the lens chamber to provide double-convex (DCX) or double-concave (DCV) lens effect. Simple optical imaging experiments were performed using different sets of glass lenses with fixed focal lengths to determine the optimum lens configuration required for designing a dynamic optical lens system. The experimental results obtained from the glass lenses demonstrate that a combination of a single DCX lens with three DCV lenses provides a wider FOV. The flexible membranes for fluid controlled lenses were fabricated using polydimethylsiloxane polymer material, which has good optical transparency and elasticity. A simple fluid injection system is used to vary the radius of curvature of the lenses, and thereby to change the focal length. A dynamic optical lens system with a combination of one DCX and multiple variable focal length DCV lenses as designed here can image an object with a wide range of focal length and FOV. With this fluid controlled optical system, the FOV and focal length could be continuously varied and a maximum FOV of 118.3° could be achieved. The smallest f-number (f_/#) for this fluid controlled single lens system was found to be 1.3, which corresponds to the numerical aperture value of 0.35.     

Temperature studies of Fe−Mn nodules

Sea nodules were extensively studied over a wide range of temperature ranging from 77K to 1175K using Mossbauer effect and ESR. The Mossbauer studies of the nodules at 77K and room temperature show a quadrupole doublet whereas at higher temperatures magnetic spectra were obtained starting at around 875K which ultimately gives a hyperfine field of around 390 KOe at 1175 K. The Mossbauer spectra recorded at 30K did not show any significant change in the room temperature spectra. The analysis of the spectra upto 775K showed two positions of Fe^R+, vie., octahedral and tetrahedral which were varified by ESR of the diluted samples.     

A highly selective and sensitive thorium(IV) PVC membrane electrode based on a dithio-tetraaza macrocyclic compound.

A poly(vinyl chloride)-based membrane composed of dithio-tetraaza macrocyclic compound as a neutral carrier with sodium tetraphenylborate (NaTPB) as an anion excluder and nitrobenzene (NB) as plasticizer was prepared and investigated as a Th(IV)-selective electrode. The electrode exhibits a Nernstian slope of 14.2 +/- 0.3 mV per decade over a wide concentration range (1.0 x 10(-6) to 1.0 x 10(-1) M) with a detection limit of 8.0 x 10(-7) M between pH 3.5 and 9.5. The response time of the sensor is about 10 s and it can be used over a period of 5 months without any divergence in potential. The proposed membrane sensor revealed a good selectivity for Th(IV) over a wide variety of other metal ions and proved to be a better electrode in many respects than those reported in the literature. It was successfully applied as an electrode indicator as well as in the direct determination of thorium ions in standard and real samples.     

Counterion and solvent effects on the dilute solution viscosity of polystyrene ionomers

We present an analysis of data on the intrinsic viscosity [η] of sulfo-polystyrene ionomers in several solvents for a variety of sulfonation levels and counterions. For solvents of low dielectric constant, 2 < ε < 18, [η] decreases from the base polymer value [η]₀ with increasing substitution level. This behavior was attributed to intramolecular association of ionic dipoles. The ratio [η]/[η]₀ was found to depend on a single reduced variable α_Aα_Sx, where x is the fractional substitution, α_A depends only on the counterion, and α_S ∝ ε^?1 depends only on the solvent. For solvents of high dielectric constant, 36 < ε < 47, [η] increases approximately as x³, and counterion effects are small. This behavior was attributed to ionic dissociation, giving rise to a polyelectrolyte effect. Implications of the low ε results are discussed in relation to association-induced gelation behavior and possible generalizations of the reduced variables approach.