Multi-objective Geometry Optimization of a Gas Cyclone Using Triple-Fidelity Co-Kriging Surrogate Models

Cyclone separators are widely used in a variety of industrial applications. A low-mass loading gas cyclone is characterized by two performance parameters, namely the Euler and Stokes numbers. These parameters are highly sensitive to the geometrical design parameters defining the cyclone. Optimizing the cyclone geometry therefore is a complex problem. Testing a large number of cyclone geometries is impractical due to time constraints. Experimental data and even computational fluid dynamics simulations are time-consuming to perform, with a single simulation or experiment taking several weeks. Simpler analytical models are therefore often used to expedite the design process. However, this comes at the cost of model accuracy. Existing techniques used for cyclone shape optimization in literature do not take multiple fidelities into account. This work combines cheap-to-evaluate well-known mathematical models of cyclones, available data from computational fluid dynamics simulations and experimental data to build a triple-fidelity recursive co-Kriging model. This model can be used as a surrogate with a multi-objective optimization algorithm to identify a Pareto set of a finite number of solutions. The proposed scheme is applied to optimize the cyclone geometry, parametrized by seven design variables.     

Syntheses of New Unsymmetrical 2,5‐Disubstituted‐1,3,4‐oxadiazoles and 1,2,4‐Triazolo[3,4‐b]‐1,3,4‐thiadiazoles Bearing Thieno[2,3‐c]pyrazolo Moiety

New series of (thieno[2,3‐c]pyrazolo‐5‐yl)‐[1,2,4]triazolo[3,4‐b][1,3,4]thiadiazoles 10a , 10b , 10c and (thieno[2,3‐c]pyrazol‐5‐yl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐3(2H)‐yl)ethanones 6a , 6b , 6c has been synthesized from thieno[2,3‐c]pyrazole‐5‐carbohydrazide 3 by multistep reaction sequence. (5‐Aryl‐1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl)‐1H‐thieno[2,3‐c]pyrazoles 4a , 4b , 4c were also synthesized from thieno[2,3‐c]pyrazole‐5‐carbohydrazide 3 by cyclization with various aromatic carboxylic acids. The hydrazide 3 was obtained by reaction of thieno[2,3‐c]pyrazole‐5‐carboxylate 2 with hydrazine hydrate in good yield, and compound 2 was obtained by the reaction of 5‐chloro‐3‐methyl‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazole‐4‐carbaldehyde 1 and 2‐ethyl thioglycolate in presence of sodium alcoholate in good yield.     

New Synthesis and Reactions of Ethyl 5‐amino‐4‐cyano‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazole‐3‐carboxylate

Synthesis of ethyl 5‐amino‐4‐cyano‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazole‐3‐carboxylate 5 has been achieved via abnormal Beckmann rearrangement of o‐chloroaldehyde 1 . Reaction of o‐aminocarbonitrile 5 with concentrated H₂SO₄ furnished expected o‐aminocarboxamide pyrazole 6 . Key intermediates o‐aminocarbonitrile 5 and o‐aminocarboxamide 6 were successfully utilized for the synthesis of pyrazolopyrimidine derivatives. The replacement of Cl in o‐chlorocarbonitrile 3 with secondary amine furnished new synthon 13 , which was further used for the synthesis of polysubstituted heterocycles. The obtained new products were well characterized by IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, and mass spectra.     

Direct control of electron transfer to the surface-CO bond on a Pt/TiO2 catalytic diode

We study CO adsorption on a multilayer catalytic diode in which electron transfer at the metal-semiconductor (Pt/TiO(2)) junction is controlled by an applied external voltage. The multilayer diode structure enhances infrared absorption signals from CO molecules adsorbed on the small area Pt surface. We find that the diode behaves like a Schottky junction and that changes in electron transfer at the junction are directly correlated with reversible shifts in the vibrational frequency of adsorbed CO. Infrared polarization and incidence angle dependent studies show that the magnitude of vibrational frequency shift varies with orientation of the molecules being probed and increases with proximity to the Pt/TiO(2) interface. The results demonstrate the ability to control the metal-adsorbate bond through external electronic modifications of a metal-support junction. The catalytic diode can potentially provide control of the surface chemical bond by an external voltage, providing a new approach for investigations in heterogeneous catalysis, sensors, and plasmonic devices.     

Understanding the role of the sulfide redox couple (S2-/S(n)2-) in quantum dot-sensitized solar cells

The presence of sulfide/polysulfide redox couple is crucial in achieving stability of metal chalcogenide (e.g., CdS and CdSe)-based quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSC). However, the interfacial charge transfer processes play a pivotal role in dictating the net photoconversion efficiency. We present here kinetics of hole transfer, characterization of the intermediates involved in the hole oxidation of sulfide ion, and the back electron transfer between sulfide radical and electrons injected into TiO(2) nanoparticles. The kinetic rate constant (10(7)-10(9) s(-1)) for the hole transfer obtained from the emission lifetime measurements suggests slow hole scavenging from CdSe by S(2-) is one of the limiting factors in attaining high overall efficiency. The presence of the oxidized couple, by addition of S or Se to the electrolyte, increases the photocurrent, but it also enhances the rate of back electron transfer.     

Fluorescent zinc(II) complex exhibiting "on-off-on" switching toward Cu2+ and Ag+ ions

Binuclear zinc(II) and copper(II) complexes based on a new Schiff base ligand N,N'-bis(2-hydroxybenzilidene)-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene-1,3-diamine (H(2)L) have been synthesized. The ligand H(2)L and complexes under investigation have been characterized by elemental analyses, spectral (FT-IR, (1)H, (13)C NMR, ESI-MS, electronic absorption, emission), and electrochemical studies. The structures of H(2)L and complexes [{Zn(C(23)H(18)N(2)O(2))}(2)] (1) and [{Cu(C(23)H(18)N(2)O(2))}(2)]·H(2)O (2) have been determined crystallographically. Selective "On-Off-On" switching behavior of the fluorescent complex 1 has been studied. The fluorescence intensity of 1 quenches (turns-off) upon addition of Cu(2+), while enhances (turns-on) in the presence of Ag(+) ions. The mechanisms of "On-Off-On" signaling have been supported by (1)H NMR, ESI-MS, electronic absorption, and emission spectral studies. Job's plot analysis supported 1:1 and 1:2 stoichiometries for Cu(2+) and Ag(+) ions, respectively. Association and quenching constants have been estimated by the Benesi-Hildebrand method and Stern-Volmer plot. Moreover, 1 mimics a molecular keypad lock that follows correct chemical input order to give maximum output signal.     

Tandem Prins/Friedel–Crafts cyclization for stereoselective synthesis of heterotricyclic systems

Homoallylic substrates such as (E)-6-arylhex-3-enyl alcohols, N-tosylamides, and thiols undergo smooth cross-coupling with various aldehydes in the presence of 10 mol % Sc(OTf)(3) and 30 mol % TsOH to afford the trans-fused hexahydro-1H-benzo[f]isochromenes, N-tosyloctahydrobenzo[f]isoquinolines, and hexahydro-1H-benzo[f]isothiochromenes, respectively. However, the cross-coupling of (Z)-olefins such as 6-arylhex-3-enyl alcohols, N-tosylamides, and thiols with aldehydes affords the corresponding hexahydro-1H-benzo[f]isochromenes, N-tosyloctahydrobenzo[f]isoquinolines, and hexahydro-1H-benzo[f]isothiochromenes with complete cis selectivity via intramolecular Prins-, aza-Prins-, and thia-Prins/Friedel-Crafts cyclizations, respectively. Though the Prins cyclization proceeds smoothly under the influence of Sc(OTf)(3), high conversions and enhanced reaction rates are achieved using a mixture of Sc(OTf)(3) and TsOH (1:3).     

A rapid and simple route for the synthesis of lead and palladium nanoparticles in tetrazolium based ionic liquid

In the present work, we report a novel method for the synthesis of palladium and lead nanoparticles by the reduction method in tetrazolium ring based ionic liquid. Palladium and lead nanoparticles so-prepared were well characterized by powder X-ray diffraction measurements (pXRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and quasi elastic light scattering (QELS) techniques. Powder X-ray diffraction (pXRD) analysis revealed all relevant Bragg's reflection for crystal structure of palladium and lead. Powder X-ray diffraction plots also revealed no oxidized material of palladium and lead nanoparticles. TEM showed nearly uniform distribution of the particles in methanol and confirmed by QELS. Typical applications of palladium nanoparticles include in vitro use and sensor design applications. Palladium nanoparticles is also ideal for spin coating, self-assembly and monolayer formation. Palladium nanoparticles can also be considered as potential new catalysts.     

Phase boundaries as agents of structural change in macromolecules

We model long rod-like molecules, such as DNA and coiled-coil proteins, as one-dimensional continua with a multi-well stored energy function. These molecules suffer a structural change in response to large forces, characterized by highly typical force-extension behavior. We assume that the structural change proceeds via a moving folded/unfolded interface, or phase boundary, that represents a jump in strain and is governed by the Abeyaratne–Knowles theory of phase transitions. We solve the governing equations using a finite difference method with moving nodes to represent phase boundaries. Our model can reproduce the experimental observations on the overstretching transition in DNA and coiled-coils and makes predictions for the speed at which the interface moves. We employ different types of kinetic relations to describe the mobility of the interface and show that this leads to different classes of experimentally observed force-extension curves. We make connections with several existing theories, experiments and simulation studies, thus demonstrating the effectiveness of the phase transitions-based approach in a biological setting.