Linear system identification via an asymptotically stable observer

This paper presents a formulation for identification of linear multivariable systems from single or multiple sets of input-output data. The system input-output relationship is expressed in terms of an observer, which is made asymptotically stable by an embedded eigenvalue assignment procedure. The prescribed eigenvalues for the observer may be real, complex, mixed real and complex, or zero corresponding to a deadbeat observer. In this formulation, the Markov parameters of the observer are first identified from input-output data. The Markov parameters of the actual system are then recovered from those of the observer and used to realize a state space model of the system. The basic mathematical formulation is derived, and numerical examples are presented to illustrate the proposed method.     

On the total variation, topological entropy and sensitivity for interval maps

A concept related to total variation termed H₁ condition was recently proposed to characterize the chaotic behavior of an interval map f by Chen, Huang and Huang [G. Chen, T. Huang, Y. Huang, Chaotic behavior of interval maps and total variations of iterates, Internat. J. Bifur. Chaos 14 (2004) 2161-2186]. In this paper, we establish connections between H₁ condition, sensitivity and topological entropy for interval maps. First, we introduce a notion of restrictiveness of a piecewise-monotone continuous interval map. We then prove that H₁ condition of a piecewise-monotone continuous map implies the non-restrictiveness of the map. In addition, we also show that either H₁ condition or sensitivity then gives the positivity of the topological entropy of f.     

Effects of strontium on the surface acoustic wave properties of Sm-modified PbTiO3 ceramics

The Sm-modified lead titanate ceramics with a composition of (Pb(0.88-x)Sr(x)Sm(0.08))(Ti(0.98)Mn(0.02))O(3); x = 0.05-0.25 were prepared by conventional mixed-oxide method. Surface acoustic wave (SAW) properties, including phase velocity, electromechanical coupling coefficient and temperature coefficient of frequency, were measured. The experiments successfully showed that Sr additive is helpful to obtain higher phase velocity and high electromechanical coupling coefficient. The SAW properties of our samples (V(p),k(2)) are better than some commercially-made PZT and PT samples.     

Mechanism of Adsorption of Dyes and Phenols from Water Using Activated Carbons Prepared from Plum Kernels

The kinetics and mechanism of adsorption of two commercial dyes (BR22, AB25), phenol, and 3-chlorophenol from water on activated carbons were studied at 30 degrees C. The activated carbons were prepared from plum kernels, and the activation temperature and time tested were in the ranges 750-900 degrees C and 1-4 h, respectively. Three simplified kinetic models including a pseudo-first-order, a pseudo-second-order, and an intraparticle diffusion model were tested. It was shown that the adsorption of both phenols could be fitted to a pseudo-second-order rate law, and that of both dyes could be fitted to an intraparticle diffusion model. Kinetic parameters were calculated and correlated with the physical properties of the adsorbents. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.     

Sorption of phenols from water in column systems using surfactant-modified montmorillonite

The sorption of phenol, m-nitrophenol (m-NP), and o-cresol from water onto montmorillonite modified with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) in a column was studied. The sorption isotherms were fitted by the Langmuir equation. Column experiments were performed at 25 degrees C to determine the breakthrough curves at different flow rates, feed sorbate concentrations, and bed lengths. It was shown that the proposed constant-pattern wave approach with the Langmuir model could well describe the breakthrough curves. The time required when the effluent concentration reached half of the feed concentration (t(1/2)) decreased with increasing feed flow rate, but the mass transfer coefficient (KLa) increased. In addition, an increase in feed sorbate concentration led to a decrease of both values of t(1/2) and KLa. The effect of axial dispersion on breakthrough dynamics in these sorption systems was finally discussed.     

Observation of magnetic level repulsion in Fe6:Li molecular antiferromagnetic rings

Heat capacity (C), magnetic torque, and proton NMR relaxation rate (1/T(1)) measurements were performed on Fe6:Li single crystals in order to study the crossings between S = 0 and S = 1 and between S = 1 and S = 2 magnetic states of the molecular rings, at magnetic fields B(c1) = 11.7 T and B(c2) = 22.4 T, respectively. C vs B data at 0.78 K show that the energy gap between two states remains finite at B(c)'s (Delta(1)/k(B) = 0.86 K and Delta(2)/k(B) = 2.36 K) thus proving that levels repel each other. The large Delta(1) value may also explain the anomalously large width of the peak in 1/T(1) vs B, around B(c1). This anticrossing, unexpected in a centrosymmetric system, requires a revision of the Hamiltonian.     

Adsorption of sulfate and copper(II) on goethite in relation to the changes of zeta potentials

The amount of adsorption of sulfate and Cu(II) from single- and binary-adsorbate systems on goethite were measured. All experiments were carried out with and without supporting electrolyte (0.01 M NaNO(3)) as a function of equilibrium pH (2 - 7), adsorbate concentration (0.21 - 1.57 mM), and temperature (15 - 35 degrees C). At a given equilibrium pH, it was shown that the adsorption isotherms of single sulfate, rather than Cu(II), could be well described by the Langmuir equation. The isosteric enthalpy of sulfate adsorption was also evaluated. In contrast to a single-adsorbate system, the adsorption of Cu(II) was enhanced and that of sulfate was inhibited in binary adsorbate systems under the conditions studied. Finally, the changes in zeta potentials of the goethite suspensions with solution pH before and after adsorption were measured, which could be macroscopically related to the amount of sulfate adsorption even in binary-adsorbate systems.