On the dynamic electromechanical loading of dielectric elastomer membranes

Dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) have received considerable attention recently due to large voltage-induced strains, which can be over 100%. Previously, a large deformation quasi-static model that describes the out-of-plane deformations of clamped diaphragms was derived. The numerical model results compare well with quasi-static experimental results for the same configuration. With relevance to dynamic applications, the time-varying response of initially planar dielectric elastomer membranes configured for out-of-plane deformations has not been reported until now. In this paper, an experimental investigation and analysis of the dynamic response of a dielectric elastomer membrane is reported. The experiments were conducted with prestretched DEAs fabricated from 0.5 mm thick polyacrylate films and carbon grease electrodes. The experiments covered the electromechanical spectrum by investigating membrane response due to (i) a time-varying voltage input and (ii) a time-varying pressure input, resulting in a combined electromechanical loading state in both cases. For the time-varying voltage experiments, the membrane had a prestretch of three and was passively inflated to various predetermined states, and then actuated. The pole strains incurred during the inflation were as high as 25.6%, corresponding to slightly less than a hemispherical state. On actuation, the membrane would inflate further, causing a maximum additional strain of 9.5%. For the time-varying pressure experiments, the prestretched membrane was inflated and deflated mechanically while a constant voltage was applied. The membrane was cycled between various predetermined inflation states, the largest of which was nearly hemispherical, which with an applied constant voltage of 3 kV corresponded to a maximum polar strain of 28%. The results from these experiments reveal that the response of the membrane is a departure from the classical dynamic response of continuum membrane structures. The dynamic response of the membrane is that of a damped system with specific deformation shapes reminiscent of the classical membrane mode shapes but without same-phase oscillation, that is to say all parts of the system do not pass through the equilibrium configuration at the same time. Of particular interest is the ability to excite these deformations through a varying electrical load at constant mechanical pressure.     

Monofunctionalised resorcinarenes

A convenient methodology for introducing single functional groups to the lower rim of resorcinarenes is described. The methodology allows for very convenient differential protection or derivatisation of the upper and lower rims, and a wide range of functional groups (alcohol, carboxylic acid, thiol, amine, carbamate, alkyl halide) can be incorporated as a single unit at the lower rim, opening up the way to further modification at this point and generally widening the scope for further utilising resorcinarenes. Furthermore, our approach has enabled us to link two resorcinarenes together to form novel resorcinarene dimers.     

A short synthesis of koniamborine, a naturally occurring pyrano[3,2-b]indole

An expedient synthesis of the alkaloid koniamborine, the only to date isolated naturally occurring pyrano[3,2-b]indole is presented. The key pyrano[3,2-b]indole forming step is a palladium-catalyzed reductive N-heteroannulation of 2-(4-methoxy-2-nitrophenyl)-(4H)-pyrane-4-one.     

Weak Attractive Ligand–Polymer and Related Interactions in Catalysis and Reactivity: Impact,Applications, and Modeling

The notion of weak attractive ligand–polymer interactions is introduced, and its potential application, importance, and conceptual links with “cooperative” ligand–substrate interactions are discussed. Synthetic models of weak attractive ligand–polymer interactions are described, in which intramolecular weak C? H???F? C interactions (the existence of which remains contentious) have been detected by NMR spectroscopy and neutron and X‐ray diffraction experiments. These C? H???F? C interactions carry important implications for the design of catalysts for olefin polymerization, because they provide support for the practical feasibility of ortho‐F???H_β ligand–polymer contacts proposed for living Group 4 fluorinated phenoxyimine catalysts. The notion of weak attractive noncovalent interactions between an “active” ligand and the growing polymer chain is a novel concept in polyolefin catalysis.     

Globally anisotropic high porosity silica aerogels

We discuss two methods by which high porosity silica aerogels can be engineered to exhibit global anisotropy. First, anisotropy can be introduced with axial strain (i.e. axial compression). In addition, intrinsic anisotropy can result during growth and drying stages and, suitably controlled, it can be correlated with preferential radial shrinkage in cylindrical samples. We have performed small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) to characterize these two types of anisotropy. We show that global anisotropy originating from either strain or shrinkage leads to optical birefringence and that optical cross-polarization studies are a useful characterization of the uniformity of the imposed global anisotropy.     

Physics in Melbourne

I survey highlights of the practice of physics and allied sciences in Melbourne,Australia, from the 1850s, soon after Europeans first settled in the area, to the present. I note recognizable sites of past and current physical-science activity that may be visited, as well as exhibits of historic items of physics apparatus. I trace the role of physics, in the course of a century and a half, in the evolution of a pioneering settlement into a large city embedded in a modern industrial economy.     

Development of a Profit-Based Air Cargo Loading Information System

In today's competitive logistics business environment, airfreight forwarders need to optimize every aspect of their logistics operations. However, forwarders still heavily rely on human brain and working experiences for calculating complex cargo packing and scheduling problems. Although recent research studies related to cargo packing and scheduling problems have resulted in the development of a number of advanced techniques of cargo planning, it can be seen that most of the research work is focused on the optimization of space in order to achieve the maximum possible amount of cargo to be packed in the minimum of space. After numerous site evaluation and end-user feedbacks, it is found that space optimization does not necessarily cause profit optimization, which is the ultimate aim of logistics providers. A study of contemporary research publications indicates that there are inadequate research studies related to profit-based optimization in cargo packing areas. This paper presents a profit-based air cargo loading information system (ACLIS) that embeds an innovative technology known as heuristics iterative reasoning technology (HIRT) that supports loading plan generation, focusing on maximization of the profit margin. In general, the proposed system is meant to maximize the profit in the airfreight forwarding business. It adopts an objective function governed by a list of constraints together with rule-based reasoning to provide expert advice to support the generation of appropriate loading plans     

DefSim: A Remote Laboratory for Studying Physical Defects in CMOS Digital Circuits

This paper describes a unique remote laboratory for studying CMOS physical defects that is meant to be used in advanced courses in the scope of microelectronic design and test. Both the measurement equipment and the remote access mechanism were custom developed in the frame of the European Union project REASON. The core of the equipment is an educational chip that contains different manufacturing defects physically implemented into standard digital cells and small logic circuits on the layout level. The chip is supplied with a dedicated plug-and-play measurement box, which provides an interface between the chip and the training software. This measurement kit offers a glimpse into the silicon reality, revealing behavior of the most common defects and their influence on the circuits' operations. Students can choose between approximately 500 different defects, which can be classified into different groups by studying their properties, and find differences or similarities. The remote server-based version of the laboratory is accessible over the Internet, thereby supporting distance learning and e-learning modes of training. A personal version of the training software is also available.     

Cyclo[(6-amino-6-deoxy-d-galactonic acid)4]: a new class of carbopeptoid-cyclodextrin

The formation of the 28-membered ring cyclo[(6-amino-6-deoxy-d-galactonic acid)₄] by cyclisation of a protected open chain fully hydroxylated nylon 6 linear tetramer in modest yield provides the first example of a new class of carbopeptoid-cyclodextrin.