Biaxial System Research Articles

Drift compensation system of an autocollimator based on reciprocal roll angles and a feedback combination target

To address the issues of limited field of view and beam drift in traditional autocollimation measurements, a novel, to our knowledge, autocollimation measurement method is proposed. This method is based on the principle of full-circle continuous measurement using reciprocal roll angles of a compound biaxial system, combined with a feedback and compensation mechanism for beam drift using both calibration and compensation targets. A self-collimating small-angle measurement system model, coupled with a compound biaxial turntable and combined target, is established using ray tracing and perspective projection transformation techniques. Additionally, a closed-loop beam drift compensation system is developed by applying a BP neural network and a PID control algorithm. Experimental tests on the compensation system demonstrate a significant improvement in measurement accuracy and stability. The results show that this method satisfies the requirements for small-angle autocollimation measurement, and the method also enhances the overall stability of the autocollimation system.

Age- and sex-specific biomechanics and extracellular matrix remodeling of the ascending aorta in a mouse model of severe Marfan syndrome.

Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is associated with Marfan syndrome (MFS), a connective tissue disorder caused by mutations in fibrillin-1. Sexual dimorphism has been recorded for TAA outcomes in MFS, but detailed studies on the differences in TAA progression in males and females and their relationships to outcomes have not been performed. The aims of this study were to determine sex differences in the diameter dilatation, mechanical properties, and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling over time in a severe mouse model (Fbn1mgR/mgR = MU) of MFS-associated TAA that has a shortened life span. Male and female MU and wildtype (WT) mice were used at 1-4 mo of age. Blood pressure and in vivo diameters of the ascending thoracic aorta were recorded using a tail-cuff system and ultrasound imaging, respectively. Ex vivo mechanics and ECM remodeling of the aorta were characterized using a biaxial test system and multiphoton imaging, respectively. We showed that mechanical properties, such as structural and material stiffness, and ECM remodeling, such as elastic and collagen fiber content, correlated with diameter dilatation during TAA progression. Male MU mice had accelerated rates of diameter dilatation, stiffening, and ECM remodeling compared with female MU mice which may have contributed to their decreased life span. The correlation of mechanical properties and ECM remodeling with diameter dilatation suggests that they may be useful biomarkers for TAA progression. The differences in diameter dilatation and life spans in male and female MU mice indicate that sex is an important consideration for managing thoracic aortic aneurysm in MFS. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Using a mouse model (Fbn1mgR/mgR = MU) of severe thoracic aortic aneurysm in Marfan syndrome (MFS), we found that male MU aorta had an accelerated time line and increased amounts of dilatation, stiffening, and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling compared with female MU aorta that may have contributed to an increased risk of fatigue failure with cyclic loading over time and a reduced life span. We suggest that aortic stiffness may provide useful information for clinical management of aneurysms in MFS.

Experimental and numerical investigation on rock fracturing and fragmentation under coupled static pressure and blasting

The blasting technique is widely adopted to break rock in civil and mining engineering, and its operation is generally subjected to static pressure due to tectonic and gravitational stresses. In the present study, the rock fracturing and fragmentation under coupled static pressure (uniaxial pressure and confining pressure) and blasting are experimentally and numerically investigated. First, 11 blast tests with 100-mm cubic red sandstone samples are carried out based on a biaxial loading system. Then, the blast-produced rock fragmentation in blast testing is numerically modeled using finite element method with LS-DYNA, and the explosion pressure attenuation and fracture evolution in rock samples are numerically reproduced. The simulated rock fragmentation data are obtained by image processing in ImageJ, and the fragment size distribution of red sandstone under combined static stress and blasting is characterized using Weibull distribution. Accordingly, the effects of uniaxial pressure and confining pressure on blast-created rock fragmentation are quantitatively compared and analyzed, and the corresponding mechanisms are discussed and revealed. The current findings indicate that the static pressure plays a role in increasing blast-induced compressive stress and reducing tensile stress in both radial and hoop directions and thus results in a decrease in the length and number of fractures propagating vertically to the direction of applied pressure, further leading to the creation of coarser fragmentation. Blasting under confining pressure produces larger fragments than that under uniaxial pressure. The average fragment size increases quickly at first and then increases slowly with the increase of static stress, which can be well characterized using a logarithm equation. Based on current findings, increasing the free surface is crucial in practical blasting to improve rock fragmentation performance under blasting.

On a method of constructing a biaxial multitype conservative chaotic system and an image encryption scheme

On the basis of single axis coupling for constructing conservative chaos, a method for constructing a biaxial multitype conservative chaotic system is proposed. The method constructs more types of chaotic systems with a wider range of traversal. When coupling the Eulerian subbody biaxially, it is discovered that the structural matrix is able to exhibit two different multistates, namely, 0 and the opposite state, 0 and the same state, and depending on the location of the introduced adjustable parameter, the constructed chaotic equations also exhibit multiple types. When the structure matrix exhibits 0 and opposite state, the chaotic equations exhibit three types, which are opposite, one-parameter, and two-parameter types; and when the structure matrix is 0 and the same state, the chaotic equations exhibit the same type, one-parameter, and two-parameter types. The relationship of each pair of adjustable parameters satisfies the structure matrix antisymmetry, which leads to many types of Hamiltonian conservative chaotic systems that can transition between quasi-periodic, hyperchaotic, and chaotic states, all of which pass the NIST test, increasing the diversity of chaotic system choices in image encryption. The chaotic system is applied in image encryption, using Hadamard product matrix permutation, index permutation and four-dimensional pixel diffusion algorithms, and finally generates the ciphertext image. The method of biaxial coupling can construct six different types of chaotic systems, after image encryption, the average value of information entropy reaches 7.9994, the correlation coefficient is close to 0, the NPCR and UACI are close to the ideal values of 99.61 % and 33.46 %, the algorithm can effectively resist the statistical attack, the robustness attack and the differential attack, and the results demonstrate that the algorithm has better security performance.

Glenoid component cyclical failure decreases with increasing baseplate contact: a biomechanical study

BackgroundGlenoid baseplate loosening remains a common mode of failure in reverse shoulder arthroplasty. One of the key factors to baseplate stability is theorized to be maximization of baseplate backside contact. The purpose of this biomechanical study is to investigate the role of varying degrees of backside bony glenoid support in component stability for reverse total shoulder arthroplasty. MethodsTwenty synthetic scapular models were divided into 3 test groups of 5 scapulae with glenoid baseplate contacts of 40%, 60%, and 75%, and one control group with glenoid baseplate contact of 100%. Standardized application of a commercially available glenoid baseplate and glenosphere was performed. The scapulae were mounted on a linear bearing with a humeral component and polyethylene liner which were affixed to a biaxial servohydraulic fatigue testing system. Each specimen was loaded for 10,000 cycles or to failure, about a 55° arc along the glenosphere at a rate of 1 Hz as a 750 N compression load was applied. Failure was defined as fracture of the scapula with implant fixation compromise. Before and after loading, stability of the baseplate was assessed by quantifying the total motion between the model and the baseplate with digital calipers as a ramp load between 0 and 150 N was applied. Two-sample unpaired t-tests were performed with significance set at P < .05. ResultsBaseplate contacts of 40% (1623 ± 227, P = .0001), 60% (3299 ± 1170, P = .0001), and 75% (5615 ± 1587, P = .0077) demonstrated statistically significant decrease in the average number of cycles to failure in all cohorts compared to our control (8641 ± 1070). Cycles taken for initial cracks to progress to failure showed no significant differences; 40% contact (862 ± 452, P = .4751), 60% contact (1651 ± 996, P = .4318), 75% contact (2882 ± 1347, P = .0620), and 100% control (1166 ± 657). Baseplate contacts of 40% (6150.4 ± 444.0, P = .0006), 60% (4647.1 ± 552.3, P = .0072), and 75% (2927.8 ± 918.5, P = .2573) demonstrated increasing micromotion (pre-post cyclical loading) in all cohorts compared to our control (2074.7 ± 1164.6) with statistical significance at 40% and 60%. ConclusionThese biomechanical tests demonstrate that decreasing glenoid baseplate backside contact leads to increased micromotion and fewer cycles to failure. This supports the surgical goal of achieving maximal glenoid baseplate backside contact, suggesting that decreased glenoid baseplate support could contribute to significant loosening.

Contour error control for the biaxial system based on active disturbance rejection generalised prediction

ABSTRACT For the purpose of contour error control in two-axis systems, a cross-coupled controller utilising auto-disturbance rejection generalised predictive control and nonlinear proportional differentiation is proposed. The contour error components along each axis are estimated by utilising the information from the nearest reference point and its adjacent reference points. The combination of ADRC and GPC is utilised for uniaxial tracking control. The LESO is utilised for estimating and compensating for the total disturbance of the system while simplifying it into two cascaded integrators. Because GPC is designed only for the series form of the integrator, the dependence on mathematical models is reduced. A nonlinear cross-coupled controller is designed utilising the fal function, with compensation control quantities for each axis directly obtained from their respective contour error components. Finally, the results obtained from the simulation demonstrate that the control strategy can availably enhance the performance of single-axis tracking and contour processing.

Stretchable OLEDs based on a hidden active area for high fill factor and resolution compensation

Stretchable organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) have emerged as promising optoelectronic devices with exceptional degree of freedom in form factors. However, stretching OLEDs often results in a reduction in the geometrical fill factor (FF), that is the ratio of an active area to the total area, thereby limiting their potential for a broad range of applications. To overcome these challenges, we propose a three-dimensional (3D) architecture adopting a hidden active area that serves a dual role as both an emitting area and an interconnector. For this purpose, an ultrathin OLED is first attached to a 3D rigid island array structure through quadaxial stretching for precise, deformation-free alignment. A portion of the ultrathin OLED is concealed by letting it ‘fold in’ between the adjacent islands in the initial, non-stretched condition and gradually surfaces to the top upon stretching. This design enables the proposed stretchable OLEDs to exhibit a relatively high FF not only in the initial state but also after substantial deformation corresponding to a 30% biaxial system strain. Moreover, passive-matrix OLED displays that utilize this architecture are shown to be configurable for compensation of post-stretch resolution loss, demonstrating the efficacy of the proposed approach in realizing the full potential of stretchable OLEDs.

Physical model test and application of 3D printing rock-like specimens to laminated rock tunnels

Weak structural plane deformation is responsible for the non-uniform large deformation disasters in layered rock tunnels, resulting in steel arch distortion and secondary lining cracking. In this study, a servo biaxial testing system was employed to conduct physical modeling tests on layered rock tunnels with bedding planes of varying dip angles. The influence of structural anisotropy in layered rocks on the micro displacement and strain field of surrounding rocks was analyzed using digital image correlation (DIC) technology. The spatiotemporal evolution of non-uniform deformation of surrounding rocks was investigated, and numerical simulation was performed to verify the experimental results. The findings indicate that the displacement and strain field of the surrounding layered rocks are all maximized at the horizontal bedding planes and decrease linearly with the increasing dip angle. The failure of the layered surrounding rock with different dip angles occurs and extends along the bedding planes. Compressive strain failure occurs after excavation under high horizontal stress. This study provides significant theoretical support for the analysis, prediction, and control of non-uniform deformation of tunnel surrounding rocks.

Tangential velocity tracking-based cross-coupled control method with variable feedrate for biaxial parametric curve following

To address the inaccurate contour error calculation problem in traditional cross-coupled control (CCC) methods for biaxial motion systems, this paper presents a novel CCC method based on a recently developed tangential velocity tracking (TVT) strategy. It has the advantage that existing high-precision algorithms for searching the foot point can be directly integrated to obtain the excellent estimation accuracy of contour error. The cumbersome parameter tuning for position controllers of each axis is unnecessary. Moreover, a velocity interpolator for parametric curves is developed to extend the TVT strategy to the variable feedrate case. The stability of the TVT-based CCC system is proved using a quadratic Lyapunov function. Comparative experiments are carried out, and the results indicate that the estimation deviation of contour error in the TVT-based CCC method can be constrained within 1 μm. The maximum contour error is significantly reduced by 65.32% and 50.10% compared with the traditional CCC methods based on tangential and circular approximations, respectively.

Three-dimensional numerical simulation of dynamic strength and failure mode of a rock mass with cross joints

To study the dynamic mechanical properties and failure characteristics of intersecting jointed rock masses with different joint distributions under confining pressure, considering the cross angle α and joint persistence ratio η, a numerical model of the biaxial Hopkinson bar test system was established using the finite element method–discrete-element model coupling method. The validity of the model was verified by comparing and analyzing it in conjunction with laboratory test results. Dynamics-static combined impact tests were conducted on specimens under various conditions to investigate the strength characteristics and patterns of crack initiation and expansion. The study revealed the predominant factors influencing intersecting joints with different angles and penetrations under impact loading. The results show that the peak stress of the specimens decreases first and then increases with the increase of the cross angle. When α < 60°, regardless of the value of η, the dynamic stress of the specimens is controlled by the main joint. When α ≥ 60°, the peak stress borne by the specimens decreases with increasing η. When α < 60°, the initiation and propagation of cracks in the cross-jointed specimens are mainly controlled by the main joint, and the final failure surface of the specimens is composed of the main joint and wing cracks. When α ≥ 60° or η ≥ 0.67, the secondary joint guides the expansion of the wing cracks, and multiple failure surfaces composed of main and secondary joints, wing cracks, and co-planar cracks are formed. Increasing lateral confinement significantly increases the dynamic peak stress able to be borne by the specimens. Under triaxial conditions, the degree of failure of the intersecting jointed specimens is much lower than that under uniaxial and biaxial conditions.

Establishment of a Biaxial Testing System for Characterization of Right Ventricle Viscoelasticity Under Physiological Loadings.

Prior studies have indicated an impact of cardiac muscle viscoelasticity on systolic and diastolic functions. However, the studies of ventricular free wall viscoelasticity, particularly for that of right ventricles (RV), are limited. Moreover, investigations on ventricular passive viscoelasticity have been restricted to large animals and there is a lack of data on rodent species. To fill this knowledge gap, this study aims to develop a biaxial tester that induces high-speed physiological deformations to characterize the passive viscoelasticity of rat RVs. The biaxial testing system was fabricated so that planar deformation of rat ventricle tissues at physiological strain rates was possible. The testing system was validated using isotropic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) sheets. Next, viscoelastic measurements were performed in healthy rat RV free walls by equibiaxial cyclic sinusoidal loadings and stress relaxation. The biaxial tester's consistency, accuracy, and stability was confirmed from the PDMS samples measurements. Moreover, significant viscoelastic alterations of the RV were found between sub-physiological (0.1Hz) and physiological frequencies (1-8Hz). From hysteresis loop analysis, we found as the frequency increased, the elasticity and viscosity were increased in both directions. Interestingly, the ratio of storage energy to dissipated energy (Wd/Ws) remained constant at 0.1-5Hz. We did not observe marked differences in healthy RV viscoelasticity between longitudinal and circumferential directions. This work provides a new experimental tool to quantify the passive, biaxial viscoelasticity of ventricle free walls in both small and large animals. The dynamic mechanical tests showed frequency-dependent elastic and viscous behaviors of healthy rat RVs. But the ratio of dissipated energy to stored energy was maintained between frequencies. These findings offer novel baseline information on the passive viscoelasticity of healthy RVs in adult rats.

Complete integrability and equilibrium thermodynamics of biaxial nematic systems with discrete orientational degrees of freedom

We study a discrete version of a biaxial nematic liquid crystal model with external fields via an approach based on the solution of differential identities for the partition function. In the thermodynamic limit, we derive the free energy of the model and the associated closed set of equations of state involving four order parameters, proving the integrability and exact solvability of the model. The equations of state are specified via a suitable representation of the orientational order parameters, which imply two-order parameter reductions in the absence of external fields. A detailed exact analysis of the equations of state reveal a rich phase diagram where isotropic versus uniaxial versus biaxial phase transitions are explicitly described, including the existence of triple and tricritical points. Results on the discrete models are qualitatively consistent with their continuum analogue. This observation suggests that, in more general settings, discrete models may be used to capture and describe phenomena that also occur in the continuum for which exact equations of state in closed form are not available.

A custom-built planar biaxial system for soft tissue material testing

Accurate material characterization of soft tissues is crucial for understanding the physiopathology of cardiovascular diseases. However, commercial biaxial testing systems are expensive, prompting the need for affordable custom solutions. This study aimed to develop a low-cost custom biaxial system capable of accurately characterizing the mechanical behavior of soft tissues. The biaxial system was constructed using 3D printing technology and non-captive linear actuators for precise displacement control. A real-time marker tracking system was implemented to estimate dis-placements without the need for costly hardware. The system's performance was evaluated through tests on a calibration spring and frozen porcine aorta samples. The linear actuators demonstrated excellent response to user position input after motor tuning, showing no discrepancies between commands and actual positions. The experimental testing of the calibration spring showed good agreement with the analytical solution, validating the system's ability to accurately test materials. Testing on porcine aorta samples revealed stress–strain responses consistent with existing literature, accounting for potential variations due to tissue preservation and regional material property heterogeneity. Overall, this custom biaxial system demonstrates promising performance in accurately assessing the mechanical behavior of soft tissues, providing researchers with a valuable tool for cardiovascular disease research and tissue engineering applications.

Improved Model-Free Adaptive Control for MIMO Nonlinear Systems With Event-Triggered Transmission Scheme and Quantization.

In this article, an improved model-free adaptive control (iMFAC) is proposed for discrete-time multi-input multioutput (MIMO) nonlinear systems with an event-triggered transmission scheme and quantization (ETQ). First, an event-triggered scheme is designed, and the structure of the uniform quantizer with an encoding-decoding mechanism is given. With the concept of partial form dynamic linearization based on event-triggered and quantization (PFDL-ETQ), a linearized data model of the MIMO nonlinear system is constructed. Then, an improved model-free adaptive controller with the ETQ process is designed. By this design, the update of the pseudo partitioned Jacobean matrix (PPJM) estimates and control inputs occurs only when the trigger conditions are met, which reduces the network transmission burden and saves the computing resources. Theoretical analysis shows that the proposed iMFAC with the ETQ process can achieve a bounded convergence of tracking error. Finally, a numerical simulation and a biaxial gantry motor contour tracking control system simulation are given to illustrate the feasibility of the proposed iMFAC method with the ETQ process.

Investigation on radial fracturing around borehole under combined static stress and blasting

Blast-induced radial fracturing is generally subjected to geo-stress. This study experimentally, theoretically and numerically investigates the radial fracturing behaviours around a rock borehole under combined static stress and blast loading by combining blast testing, elastic mechanics analysis and finite element modelling. The study begins with 11 blast tests on 100 mm cubic granite samples under various uniaxial and biaxial stress states based on a biaxial hydrostatic loading system. The fracture networks are subsequently image-processed in ImageJ where the morphology and fractal characteristics of radial fracturing in the rock surface are examined. Then, the variations in fracture patterns are analyzed using elastic mechanics, and the corresponding crack extension is numerically simulated in LS-DYNA. The mechanisms of the influence of static pressure on blast-induced radial cracking are revealed. The results demonstrate that the static stress greatly suppresses the blast-induced radial fracturing, resulting in fewer and shorter radial cracks with lower propagation velocity. This leads to a reduction in the fractal dimension of fractures and rock damage, which is attributed to the initial stress offsetting the blast-formed tangential tensile stress. Meanwhile, uniaxial pressure governs the propagation direction of radial fractures, as the cracks initiate at the borehole wall where the maximum hoop tensile stress presents and propagate along a path with the smallest circumferential compression. At last, the implications of the current results for practical blasting are discussed. It is advisable to leverage the directional cracking advantage offered by blasting under anisotropic in-situ stress to achieve a smoother excavation profile.

High-Quality Positioning Strategy for Biaxial Contour Machining System With Nonlinear Model Predictive Control

The trajectory tracking ability is an important index to measure the computer numerical control (CNC) machining tools. In this paper, the nonlinear model predictive control strategy (NMPC) is proposed to improve the trajectory tracking ability of the biaxial contour machining system (BCMS). The position-, velocity-, and current-loop of the permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs) of the BCMS are considered as the complete control object to construct a single-loop nonlinear model predictive controller. Meanwhile, the matching non-linear disturbance observer (NL-DOB) is designed to estimate the uncertainty disturbances caused by the parameters mismatch, external load changes and harmonic disturbances in real-time. And the estimated disturbance values are used as feed-forward compensations, which can improve the steady-state performance of the system. At last, the positioning performance comparison between the proposed strategy and the conventional ones are carried on the testbench. The experimental results indicate that the positioning errros can be reduced by up to 40% with the proposed algorithm.

Corneal Biomechanical Properties Demonstrate Anisotropy and Correlate With Axial Length in Myopic Eyes.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the ex vivo and in vivo biomechanical characteristic of cornea in myopic eyes. Fifty-one corneal stromal lenticules were obtained from myopic eyes during the SMILE procedure and were tested by a biaxial tensile system within 24 hours postoperatively. The material properties of the lenticules were described using stress-strain curves and were compared among axial length (AL) <26 mm and AL ≥ 26 mm group. Pre-operative stress-strain index (SSI) parameters were used to evaluate the biomechanical properties of the cornea in vivo. Compared with AL < 26 mm, the tangent modulus significantly decreased in horizontal and vertical directions when AL ≥ 26 mm (P < 0.05); SSI also significantly decreased when AL ≥ 26 mm (P < 0.05). Anisotropic parameter is positively correlated with AL (r = 0.307, P < 0.05). Compared with AL < 26 mm, anisotropic parameter significantly increased when AL ≥ 26 mm (P < 0.05). SSI was negatively correlated with AL (r = -0.380, P < 0.05) in the AL < 26 mm group but not in the AL ≥ 26 mm group (P > 0.05). Compared with 26 mm ≤ AL < 27 mm group, the tangent modulus significantly decreased in the horizontal direction (P < 0.05) but not in the vertical direction when 27 mm ≤ AL < 28 mm (P > 0.05). The biomechanical properties of cornea decreased with the increase of AL. Tangent modulus significantly decreased in the horizontal direction compared with vertical direction. AL should be taken into account during calculation of corneal biomechanical parameters in order to improve validity.

Biaxial tensile testing system for measuring mechanical properties of both sides of biological tissues

The aortic wall exhibits a unique elastic behavior, periodically expanding in aortic diameter by approximately 10% during heartbeats. This elastic behavior of the aortic wall relies on the distinct yet interacting mechanical properties of its three layers: intima, media, and adventitia. Aortic aneurysms develop as a result of multifactorial remodeling influenced by mechanical vulnerability of the aortic wall. Therefore, investigating the mechanical response of the aneurysmal wall, in conjunction with changes in microstructural parameters on both the intimal and adventitial sides, may offer valuable insights into the mechanisms of aortic aneurysm development or rupture. This study aimed to develop a biaxial tensile testing system to measure the mechanical properties of both sides of the tissue to gain insights concerning the interactions in anisotropic layered tissue. The biaxial tensile test set-up consisted of four motors, four cameras, four load cells, and a toggle switch. Porcine ascending aortas were chosen as the test subject. Graphite particles with diameters of approximately 5–11 [μm] were randomly applied to both sides of the aorta. Strain measurements were obtained using the stereo digital-image correlation method. Because stretching a rectangular specimen with a thread inevitably concentrates and localizes stress, to reduce this effect the specimen's shape was investigated using finite element analysis.The finite element analysis showed that a cross-shaped specimen with diagonally cut edges would be suitable. Therefore, we prepared specimens with this novel shape. This test system showed that mechanical response of the aortic tissue was significantly different between the intimal and adventitial side in the high-strain range, due to the disruption of collagen fibers. The adventitia side exhibited a smaller elastic modulus than the intimal side, accompanied by disruption of collagen fibers in the adventitia, which were more pronounced in the longitudinal direction. In contrast, in the mid-strain range, the elastic modulus did not differ between the intimal and adventitial sides, irrespective of longitudinal or circumferential direction, and collagen fibers were not disrupted but elongated.A biaxial tensile test system, which measures the mechanical properties of both sides of biological tissues and the shape of the specimen for reducing the concentration of stress at the chuck region, was developed in this study. The biaxial tensile testing system developed here is useful for better understanding the influences of mechanical loads and tissue degeneration on anisotropic, layered biological tissues.

Towards smart communities using solar photovoltaic technologies: A comparative assessment by novel wins in league theory

In the present work, hybrid energy systems based on various types of solar photovoltaic technologies is investigated for rural electricity supply. Five configurations are considered based on solar tracking systems, including biaxial, uniaxial and non-tracking. Solar photovoltaic size is optimized by HOMER software. Choosing the appropriate configuration is based on considering the simultaneous effect of six criteria, including renewable fraction (RF), solar capacity factor (CF), initial equipment cost, levelized cost of energy (LCOE), CO2 emission and energy security. In this study, for the first time the theory of Wins in League (WIL) is used to select the best system. This theory is a form of classical multicriteria decision-making methods. Technical evaluations showed that the highest amount of RF and CF is related to the vertical uniaxial and biaxial tracking system, respectively. The solar system without tracking has the lowest LCOE, but the horizontal uniaxial tracking system has the highest LCOE. In general, LCOE between different configurations ranges from 0.198 to 0.207 $/kWh, and solar energy is proper for electrification in Iranian rural areas. The results of the WIL theory also show that, the biaxial solar tracking system is best option in rural areas.

Temperature‐dependent mechanical performance of Nafion® 212 proton exchange membrane under uniaxial and biaxial loading

AbstractThe degradation of proton exchange membranes (PEMs) can significantly affect the structural integrity and lifetime of fuel cells. This study investigates the effects of temperature, peak load, initial strain, and loading modes on the mechanical properties of Nafion® 212 PEM using an in‐situ biaxial testing system. The findings indicate that membrane creeping is positively correlated with temperature and peak loads. The stress relaxation rate increases with the increase of initial strain, and an increase in temperature also leads to an apparent decrease in the anti‐relaxation properties of Nafion® 212 membrane. Additionally, the mechanical properties of low‐cycle fatigue at various temperatures were explored under biaxial cyclic loading conditions. When the temperature is fixed, the membrane strain increases and gradually stabilizes with the rise of fatigue cycles. With an increase in temperature, the strain increases at a greater rate. The phase difference increases with temperature growth, and the “hysteresis” phenomenon of the strain becomes more pronounced, resulting in greater energy loss. These results provide valuable insights into the mechanical behavior of Nafion® 212 PEM under different conditions. And can inform the design and optimization of fuel cell systems and contribute to the development of more robust and durable PEM materials.