Evaluating the quality of online optimization algorithms by discrete event simulation

A key feature of dynamic problems which offer degrees of freedom to the decision maker is the necessity for a goal-oriented decision making routine which is employed every time the logic of the system requires a decision. In this paper, we look at optimization procedures which appear as subroutines in dynamic problems and show how discrete event simulation can be used to assess the quality of algorithms: after establishing a general link between online optimization and discrete event systems, we address performance measurement in dynamic settings and derive a corresponding tool kit. We then analyze several control strategies using the methodologies discussed previously in two real world examples of discrete event simulation models: a manual order picking system and a pickup and delivery service.     

Efficient Microwave-Assisted Esterification Reaction Employing Methanesulfonic Acid Supported on Alumina as Catalyst

A rapid and efficient protocol assisted by microwave irradiation for the synthesis of esters using methanesulfonic acid (CH₃SO₃H) supported on Al₂O₃ (AMA) as catalyst and free of solvent is described. The products were obtained in good yields and purity, with reduced reaction time, and the process is simple and environmentally benign.     

Recent progress in nickel oxide-based electrodes for high-performance supercapacitors

In recent years, interest in nanostructured electrode materials for use in supercapacitors has been on the rise. Nickel oxide has been reported as a good candidate for supercapacitor applications due to its high theoretical capacitance and low cost. However, its poor electrical conductivity has resulted in actual poor specific capacitance and cycling ability. Over the years, researchers have studied various techniques to modify the structure and composition of NiO with the aim of improving its electrochemical performance. In this review, we opine that NiO-based electrodes can be fabricated using different approaches and different composite forms in order to obtain cells of high efficiency and specific capacitances. We discuss the recent advances in NiO-based electrodes fabricated using different approaches.     

Quantum Quenches with Random Matrix Hamiltonians and Disordered Potentials

We numerically investigate statistical ensembles for the occupations of eigenstates of an isolated quantum system emerging as a result of quantum quenches. The systems investigated are sparse random matrix Hamiltonians and disordered lattices. In the former case, the quench consists of sudden switching‐on the off‐diagonal elements of the Hamiltonian. In the latter case, it is sudden switching‐on of the hopping between adjacent lattice sites. The quench‐induced ensembles are compared with the so‐called “quantum micro‐canonical” (QMC) ensemble describing quantum superpositions with fixed energy expectation values. Our main finding is that quantum quenches with sparse random matrices having one special diagonal element lead to the condensation phenomenon predicted for the QMC ensemble. Away from the QMC condensation regime, the overall agreement with the QMC predictions is only qualitative for both random matrices and disordered lattices but with some cases of a very good quantitative agreement. In the case of disordered lattices, the QMC ensemble can be used to estimate the probability of finding a particle in a localized or delocalized eigenstate.     

Fractional Gaussian estimates and holomorphy of semigroups

Let $$\Omega \subset {\mathbb {R}}^N$$ be an arbitrary open set, $$0<s<1$$ and denote by $$(e^{-t(-\Delta )_{{{\mathbb {R}}}^N}^s})_{t\ge 0}$$ the semigroup on $$L^2({{\mathbb {R}}}^N)$$ generated by the fractional Laplace operator. In the first part of the paper, we show that if T is a self-adjoint semigroup on $$L^2(\Omega )$$ satisfying a fractional Gaussian estimate in the sense that $$|T(t)f|\le Me^{-bt(-\Delta )_{{{\mathbb {R}}}^N}^s}|f|$$, $$0\le t \le 1$$, $$f\in L^2(\Omega )$$, for some constants $$M\ge 1$$ and $$b\ge 0$$, then T defines a bounded holomorphic semigroup of angle $$\frac{\pi }{2}$$ that interpolates on $$L^p(\Omega )$$, $$1\le p<\infty $$. Using a duality argument, we prove that the same result also holds on the space of continuous functions. In the second part, we apply the above results to the realization of fractional order operators with the exterior Dirichlet conditions.     

Preparation of Conductive Gold Nanowires in Confined Environment of Gold‐Filled Polymer Nanotubes

Continuous conductive gold nanofibers are prepared via the “tubes by fiber templates” process. First, poly(l‐lactide) (PLLA)‐stabilized gold nanoparticles (AuNP) with over 60 wt% gold are synthesized and characterized, including gel permeation chromatography coupled with a diode array detector. Subsequent electrospinning of these AuNP with template PLLA results in composite nanofibers featuring a high gold content of 57 wt%. Highly homogeneous gold nanowires are obtained after chemical vapor deposition of 345 nm of poly(p‐xylylene) (PPX) onto the composite fibers followed by pyrolysis of the polymers at 1050 °C. The corresponding heat‐induced transition from continuous gold‐loaded polymer tubes to smooth gold nanofibers is studied by transmission electron microscopy and helium ion microscopy using both secondary electrons and Rutherford backscattered ions.

     

Impact of Membrane Types and Catalyst Layers Composition on Performance of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells

Performance of a low temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is highly dependent on the kind of catalysts, catalyst supports, ionomer amount on the catalyst layers (CL), membrane types and operating conditions. In this work, we investigated the influence of membrane types and CL compositions on MEA performance. MEA performance increases under all practically relevant load conditions with reduction of the membrane thickness from 50 to 15 μm, however further decrease in membrane thickness from 15 to 10 μm leads to reduction in cell voltage at high current loads. A thick anode CL is found to be beneficial under wet operating conditions assuming more pore space is provided to accommodate liquid water, whereas under dry operating conditions, an intermediate thickness of the anode CL is beneficial. When studying the impact of catalyst layer thickness, too thin a catalyst layer again shows reduced performance due to increased ohmic resistance ruled out the performance of the MEAs which have identical Pt crystallite sizes on the cathode CLs i. e. the thinnest the cathode CL, the highest the voltage were achieved at a defined current load. Adaptation of the operating conditions is highly anticipated to achieve the highest MEA performance.