The impact of production time variability on make-to-stock queue performance

In this paper, we exploit the distributional Little’s law to obtain the steady-state distribution of the number of customers in a GI/G/1 make-to-stock queueing system. Non-exponential service times in make-to-stock queue modeling are usually avoided or at best, considered in approximations due to difficulties in developing an exact method. By providing a numerical solution of the GI/G/1 make-to-stock queue, we observed the impact of production time variability on optimal inventory control policies. The numerical results prove the degree of errors in the results if an exponential service time distribution were assumed instead of the actual distribution.     

Modified-DBR-based semi-omnidirectional multilayer anti-reflection coating for tandem solar cells

In this paper, multilayer antireflection coatings are designed by modifying the thickness of two and three paired layer distributed Bragg reflector （DBR） structure. Our proposed DBR-based structures show antireflection behaviors, in spite of the reflection treatment in traditional DBR structures. Firstly, the proposed structures are designed to be equivalent to the theoretical ideal triple-layer （TL） antireflection coating （ARC）. Therefore, the problem of finding a suitable material for the middle layer of triple structure is solved. Simulation results show the significant equivalency for the reflectance of proposed structures to the ideal TL ARC at the same wavelengths and incident angles. Also, the design of the structure is changed in order to present the constant reflectance coefficient over a wide range of wavelengths. This structure enhances the omni-directionality of the multilayer ARC.     

Interaction forces between soft magnetic particles in uniform and non-uniform magnetic fields

The influence of the magnetization of a soft magnetic sphere on the surrounding magnetic field is measured and characterized.The interaction force between two soft magnetic particles is directly measured using an ultra precision load sensor in uniform and non-uniform magnetic fields. The interaction force largely follows an inverse fourth power law as a function of separation distance between particle centers. At small distances,the effect of magnetization of one particle on the magnetization of its adjacent particle causes the attractive（repulsive） force to be larger（smaller） than that predicted by the inverse fourth power law.The theoretical prediction based on a modified dipole model,that takes into account the coupling effect of the magnetization among soft magnetic particles,gives excellent agreement with the measured force in a uniform magnetic field.The interaction force under a non-uniform applied magnetic field can be reasonably predicted using the dipole-dipole interaction model when the local magnetic field is used to determine the magnetization.     

Multiaxial cyclic deformation and non-proportional hardening employing discriminating load paths

Some novel discriminating multiaxial cyclic strain paths with incremental and random sequences were used to investigate cyclic deformation behavior of materials with low and high sensitivity to non-proportional loadings. Tubular specimens made of 1050 QT steel with no non-proportional hardening and 304L stainless steel with significant non-proportional hardening were used. 1050 QT steel was found to exhibit very similar behavior under various multiaxial loading paths, whereas significant effects of loading sequence were observed for 304L stainless steel. In-phase cycles with a random sequence of axial-torsion cycles on an equivalent strain circle were found to cause cyclic hardening levels similar to 90° out-of-phase loading of 304L stainless steel. In contrast, straining with a small increment of axial-torsion on an equivalent strain circle results in higher stress than for in-phase loading of 304L stainless steel, but the level of hardening is lower than for 90° out-of-phase loading. Tanaka’s non-proportionality parameter coupled with a Armstrong–Fredrick incremental plasticity model, and Kanazawa et al.’s empirical formulation as a representative of such empirical models were used to predict the stabilized stress response of the two materials under variable amplitude axial-torsion strain paths. Consistent results between experimental observations and predictions were obtained by employing the Tanaka’s non-proportionality parameter. In contrast, the empirical model resulted in significant over-prediction of stresses for 304L stainless steel.     

Extranatural inflation

We present a new model of inflation in which the inflaton is the extra component of a gauge field in a 5D theory compactified on a circle. The chief merit of this model is that the potential comes only from nonlocal effects so that its flatness is not spoiled by higher-dimensional operators or quantum gravity corrections. The model predicts a red spectrum (n approximately 0.96) and a significant production of gravitational waves (r approximately 0.11). We also comment on the relevance of this idea to quintessence.     

Use of phosphorylated chitosan/alumina nanoadditives for polymer performance improvement

Cellulose - In this research, a new generation of ternary nanocomposites based on poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), phosphorylated chitosan and surface modified alumina nanoparticles were...     

Forecasting the thermal conductivity of a nanofluid using artificial neural networks

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - In this study, the influence of incorporating MWCNT on the thermal conductivity of paraffin was evaluated numerically. Input variables including mass...     

Comparative study of mixed convection heat transfer of water–Cu nanofluid in an enclosure having multiple rotating circular cylinders with different configurations and considering harmonic cylinders rotation

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - In the present study, heat transfer in a lid-driven square cavity in the existence of four rotating cylinders having harmonic motion was investigated...