Development and Validation of Hierarchical Models for the Design of Engine Control Strategies

The development of mathematical models for the design of controlstrategies for spark ignition automotive engines is described. The objectiveof the models, used for both simulation and optimization analysis, is theprediction of the effects of control strategies on fuel consumption andemissions of a vehicle over arbitrary driving cycles. In order to achievethe best compromise between precision, experimental costs, computationaltime and flexibility, a mixed modelling approach is used, withphenomenological and input-output models integrated within a hierarchicalsystem.Mean value models have been used to describe the most significant dynamiceffects: (i) air flow. (ii) two phases fuel flow in the intake manifold, and(iii) thermal flow in the cylinder walls. Stochastic effects due to sensorsand actuators can be also predicted.Two-zone and multizone thermodynamic models for the prediction ofpressure cycle sub-models for engine emissions (HC, CO, andNO _x and mechanical losses have been developed. Experimentaldesign techniques are also under development to optimize the interactionsbetween experimental analysis and models. Most of the models have beenintegrated in a computer code, used by a major automotive supplier.     

Synthesis of aromatic tetracyclic tin compounds by template and transmetallation reactions: Alkyl vs aryl migration from tin to nitrogen

The syntheses of [bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxy-2-phenyl)amine]diphenyltin (1) and [bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxy-2-phenyl)amine]dichloro-phenyl-stannate (2) by template reactions using 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol, aqueous ammonia and SnPh₂Cl₂ are reported. We also report the syntheses of compounds 2, [bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxy-2-phenyl)amine]trichloro-stannate (4), [bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxy-2-phenyl)methylamine]chloro-methyltin (5), and [bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxy-2-phenyl)-n-butylamine]n-butyl-chlorotin (6) and [bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxy-2-phenyl)amine]n-butyl-dichloro-stannate (7), performed by transmetallation reactions of the octahedral zinc coordination compound Zn[3,5-di-tert-butyl-1,2-quinone-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxy-1-phenyl)imine]₂ (3) with SnPhCl₃ or SnPh₂Cl₂, SnCl₄, SnMe₂Cl₂, Sn(nBu)₂Cl₂ and Sn(nBu)Cl₃, respectively. The X-ray diffraction structures of compounds 1, 2, 4 and 6 are reported. The transmetallation reactions with Sn(alkyl)₂Cl₂ afforded pentacoordinated tin compounds, where an alkyl group migrated from tin to nitrogen, while similar reactions with Sn-Ph compounds did not present any phenyl group migration.     

Π‐Stacking Functionalization of Carbon Nanotubes through Micelle Swelling

We report on a new, original and efficient method for π‐stacking functionalization of single‐wall carbon nanotubes. This method is applied to the synthesis of a high‐yield light‐harvesting system combining single‐wall carbon nanotubes and porphyrin molecules. We developed a micelle‐swelling technique that leads to controlled and stable complexes presenting an efficient energy transfer. We demonstrate the key role of the organic solvent in the functionalization mechanism. By swelling the micelles, the solvent helps the non‐water‐soluble porphyrins to reach the micelle core and allows a strong enhancement of the interaction between porphyrins and nanotubes. This technique opens new avenues for the functionalization of carbon nanostructures.     

Synthesis and characterization of PMMA/silylated MMTs

Commercially available Sodium clay (Dellite HPS) and organo-clay (Dellite 72T) are modified via a silylation reaction. These silylated clays are characterized by IR, XRD, thermogravimetric analyses, and their equilibrium contact angles are measured. They are used to prepare nanocomposites at different loading percentage (1, 3, 5% wt) by in situ intercalative polymerization of Methyl methacrylate and morphology and thermal properties of nanocomposites are examined. SEM images of nanocomposites fractured surface show the absence of clays aggregates, confirming a good dispersion and distribution of montmorillonites in the polymer matrix. The effects of modified clays on the thermal properties of nanocomposites are analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analyses showing an increase of glass and decomposition temperatures of all nanocomposites respect to homopolymer ones. The best results are obtained in the presence of silylated montmorillonites, clearly the organosilane improves the compatibility between polymer matrix and clay and as effect the properties of nanocomposites.     

Low-Energy Kaon�CNucleon/Nuclei Interaction Studies at DA��NE (SIDDHARTA and AMADEUS Experiments)

The DA??NE electron?Cpositron collider at the Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati of INFN has made available a unique quality low-energy negative kaons ??beam??. The SIDDHARTA experiment used this beam to perform unprecedented precision measurements on kaonic atoms, while the AMADEUS experiment plans to perform in the coming years precision measurements on kaon?Cnuclei interactions at low-energies, in particular to study the kaonic nuclei. The two experiments are briefly presented in this paper.     

Wave propagation in multi-wire strands by wavelet-based laser ultrasound

Methods based on guided ultrasonic waves are gaining increasing attention for the non-destructive inspection and condition monitoring of multi-wire strands used in civil structures such as prestressing tendons and cable stays. In this paper we examine the wave propagation problem in seven-wire strands at the level of the individual wires comprising the strand. Through a broad-band, laser ultrasonic setup and a time—frequency wavelet transform processing, longitudinal and flexural waves are characterized in terms of dispersive velocity and frequency-dependent attenuation. These vibrating frequencies propagating with minimal losses are identified as they are suitable for long-range inspection of the strands. In addition, the wave transmission spectra are found to be sensitive to the load level, suggesting the potential for continuous load monitoring in the field.     

The Synthesis of Some Fused Pyrazolo‐1,4‐Naphthoquinones

New fused pyrazolo‐1,4‐naphthoquinones were prepared from the reaction of hydrazines with 6‐(4‐methyl‐3‐pentenyl)‐1,4‐naphthoquinone. The reaction was extended to hydroxylamine to afford the corresponding isoxazolo‐1,4‐napthoquinone compound.     

Shakedown analysis of limited-ductility structures

Summary The paper deals with the shakedown analysis problem of discrete elastoplastic structures, subjected to variable and repeated quasi-static loads, account being given to the limited structural ductility by imposing a-priori limit values to some relevant parameters of plastic deformation. The key-concept of limited-ductility load amplifier is assessed and the problem is given a unified formulation as a nonlinear mathematical programming problem, where ductility constraints — of generalized character — are obtained by using a so-called perturbation method which leads to a-priori upper bounds of the relevant plastic deformation measures. Lower bounds to the load amplifier are so obtained and three different computationals stratagies are herein outlined: the linear parametric programming one is applied to three case-study structures.

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Sommario La memoria affronta lo studio del problema di adattamento elastoplastico di strutture discrete, sottoposte a carichi comunque variabili in modo quasi-statico, tenendo conto di un comportamento a limitata duttilità della struttura, il quale richiede che uno o più parametri della deformazione plastica risultino non superiori di assegnati valori. Del problema di analisi posto, utilizzando il concetto di moltiplicatore dei carichi per l'adattamento con limitata duttilità, viene data una formulazione unitaria come problema di programmazione matematica non lineare, i cui vincoli di duttilità sono ottenuti con tecniche perturbative di maggiorazione a-priori delle deformazioni plastiche. Il metodo conduce a limiti inferiori del moltiplicatore dei carichi dipendenti dal livello assegnato alla deformazione plastica. Tre differenti strategie computazionali vengono delineate per la soluzione del problema, una delle quali di tipo programmazione lineare parametrica viene applicata a tre esempi.

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Ricerca finanziata dal CNR e dal MPI.