Stabilizing periodic orbits of fractional order chaotic systems via linear feedback theory

In this paper stabilizing unstable periodic orbits (UPO) in a chaotic fractional order system is studied. Firstly, a technique for finding unstable periodic orbits in chaotic fractional order systems is stated. Then by applying this technique to the fractional van der Pol and fractional Duffing systems as two demonstrative examples, their unstable periodic orbits are found. After that, a method is presented for stabilization of the discovered UPOs based on the theories of stability of linear integer order and fractional order systems. Finally, based on the proposed idea a linear feedback controller is applied to the systems and simulations are done for demonstration of controller performance.     

Modelling and Simulation of Degassing Process

This work deals with the modelling and simulation of a degassing process mainly used for extruders in polymer industry. The numerical simulations are done with finite-volume method using OpenFOAM for a 2D single screw extruder. The material parameters have been all chosen for a PDMS-Pentane polymer mixture so that the results could be compared with the available experiments already performed for this mixture [1]. In addition to experiments, the numerical results will be compared with an analytical solution derived from Danckwerts' model [2][3]. (© 2014 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Multi-mode resource-constrained project scheduling problem with material ordering under bonus–penalty policies

This study emphasizes that project scheduling and material ordering (time and quantity of an order) must be considered simultaneously to minimize the total cost, as setting the material ordering decisions after the project scheduling phase leads to non-optimal solutions. Hence, this paper mathematically formulates the model for the multi-mode resource-constrained project scheduling with material ordering (MRCPSMO) problem. In order to be more realistic, bonus and penalty policies are included for the project. The objective function of the model consists of four elements: the material holding cost, the material ordering cost, the bonus paid by the client and the cost of delay in the project completion. Since MRCPSMO is NP-hard, the paper proposes three hybrid meta-heuristic algorithms called PSO-GA, GA-GA and SA-GA to obtain near-optimal solutions. In addition, the design of experiments and Taguchi method is used to tune the algorithms’ parameters. The proposed algorithms consist of two components: an outside search, in which the algorithm searches for the best schedule and mode assignment, and the inside search, which determines the time and quantity of orders of the nonrenewable resources. First, a comparison is made for each individual component with the exact or best solutions available in the literature. Then, a set of standard PROGEN test problems is solved by the proposed hybrid algorithms under fixed CPU time. The results reveal that the PSO-GA algorithm outperforms both GA-GA and SA-GA algorithms and provides good solutions in a reasonable time.     

Control of stochastic chaos using sliding mode method

Stabilizing unstable periodic orbits of a deterministic chaotic system which is perturbed by a stochastic process is studied in this paper. The stochastic chaos is modeled by exciting a deterministic chaotic system with a white noise obtained from derivative of a Wiener process which eventually generates an Ito differential equation. It is also assumed that the chaotic system being studied has some model uncertainties which are not random. The sliding mode controller with some modifications is used for stochastic chaos suppression. It is shown that the system states converge to the desired orbit in such a way that the error covariance converges to an arbitrarily small bound around zero. As some case studies, the stabilization of 1-cycle and 2-cycle orbits of chaotic Duffing and Φ⁶${\Phi }^6$ Van der Pol systems is investigated by applying the proposed method to their corresponding stochastically perturbed systems. Simulation results show the effectiveness of the method and the accuracy of the statements proved in the paper.     

Thermodynamics of complex formation between hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin and quercetin in water–ethanol solvents at T = 298.15 K

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - Quercetin (QCT) is a flavonoid possessing many activities, such as neuro-/cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory and anticancer, but its pharmacological...     

Boundary stabilization of non-classical micro-scale beams

In this paper, the problem of boundary stabilization of a vibrating non-classical micro-scale Euler–Bernoulli beam is considered. In non-classical micro-beams, the governing Partial Differential Equation (PDE) of motion is obtained based on the non-classical continuum mechanics which introduces material length scale parameters. In this research, linear boundary control laws are constructed to stabilize the free vibration of non-classical micro-beams which its governing PDE is derived based on the modified strain gradient theory as one of the most inclusive non-classical continuum theories. Well-posedness and asymptotic stabilization of the closed loop system are investigated for both cases of complete and incomplete boundary control inputs. To illustrate the performance of the designed controllers, the closed loop PDE model of the system is simulated via Finite Element Method (FEM). To this end, new strain gradient beam element stiffness and mass matrices are derived in this work.     

Highly cross-linked UV-cured siloxane copolymer networks as icephobic coatings

Preventing ice growth on infrastructure, vehicles, and appliances remains a significant engineering challenge. Damage caused by ice growth on these installations can be expensive to repair, and their failure can be dangerous. Materials such as cross-linked polymer networks make effective anti-ice coatings and can prevent ice growth: reducing the cost of infrastructure repairs and limiting downtime. A link between cross-link density and ice adhesion has been demonstrated, such that lower cross-link density materials tend toward lower ice adhesion. Here we describe a method of lowering cross-link density by incorporating the covalently bound comonomers methyl methacrylate, lauryl methacrylate, and styrene into UV-cured PDMS-based polymer networks. Cross-link density, hardness, surface roughness, and ice adhesion on these materials are tested, showing the influence of comonomer proportions on their properties. Durability is found to increase with the addition of 5, 10, and 25 wt% comonomer, with little to no effect on ice adhesion until 25 wt%, where increases in ice adhesion are observed. Coatings show promisingly low ice adhesion of ~50 kPa, maintaining this low adhesion for up to 50 deicing cycles.