Nonlinear analysis of laser droplet generation by means of 0–1 test for chaos

We apply the recently improved version of the 0–1 test for chaos to real experimental time series of laser droplet generation process. In particular two marginal regimes of dripping are considered: spontaneous and forced dripping. The outcomes of the test reveal that both spontaneous and forced dripping time series can be characterized as chaotic, which coincides with the previous analysis based on nonlinear time series analysis.     

All-fiber high-sensitivity pressure sensor with SiO2 diaphragm

The design and fabrication of a miniature fiber Fabry-Perot pressure sensor with a diameter of 125 microm are presented. The essential element in the process is a thin SiO2 diaphragm that is fusion spliced at the hollow end of an optical fiber. Good repeatability and high sensitivity of the sensor are achieved by on-line tuning of the diaphragm thickness during the sensor fabrication process. Various sensor prototypes were fabricated, demonstrating pressure ranges of from 0 to 40 kPa to 0 to 1 MPa. The maximum achieved sensitivity was 1.1 rad/40 kPa at 1550 nm, and a pressure resolution of 300 Pa was demonstrated in practice. The presented design and fabrication technique offers a means of simple and low-cost disposable pressure sensor production.     

Cyclopentene-fused [C60]-fullerenes: synthesis and electrochemical properties

New cyclopentene-fused [C60]-fullerene derivatives containing terpene moieties have been synthesized by [3?+?2]-addition to fullerene C₆₀. All obtained products were fully characterized by ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR, IR, and MS. The electrochemical properties have been studied by cyclic voltammograms (CV), combined with absorption spectra, which are consistent with those obtained from density functional theory (DFT) calculations. It was found that all fulleropyrrolidines showed very similar absorption spectra, orbital energies, in which electron densities in both the LUMO and HOMO are mainly located on the fullerene cage, suggesting that C₆₀ act as the acceptor. All the compounds exhibited good thermal stability. All determined characteristics of fullerene conjugates were compared to [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester ([60]PCBM), a popular fullerene-containing compound.

Graphical abstract

Open image in new window

     

Energy Cost of Dynamical Stabilization: Stored versus Dissipated Energy

Dynamical stabilization processes (homeostasis) are ubiquitous in nature, but the needed energetic resources for their existence have not been studied systematically. Here, we undertake such a study using the famous model of Kapitza’s pendulum, which has attracted attention in the context of classical and quantum control. This model is generalized and rendered autonomous, and we show that friction and stored energy stabilize the upper (normally unstable) state of the pendulum. The upper state can be rendered asymptotically stable, yet it does not cost any constant dissipation of energy, and only a transient energy dissipation is needed. Asymptotic stability under a single perturbation does not imply stability with respect to multiple perturbations. For a range of pendulum–controller interactions, there is also a regime where constant energy dissipation is needed for stabilization. Several mechanisms are studied for the decay of dynamically stabilized states.     

Toward three-dimensional nanoengineering of heterogeneous catalysts

Cobalt-based Fischer-Tropsch systems are widely used to convert synthesis gas to clean hydrocarbon fuel. However, surprisingly little is known about the morphology of the catalysts on the nanoscale. Here we show that scanning transmission electron tomography reveals their true 3-D morphology and provides direct evidence that the support controls the final morphology of the catalyst. Such direct local three-dimensional measurements provide unprecedented insight into catalysis, and can henceforth transform our understanding of these complex materials.