Numerical Results Research Articles

A Study on a Compact Double Layer Sub-GHz Reflectarray Design Suitable for Wireless Power Transfer

The paper presents a novel small-footprint varactor diode-based reconfigurable reflectarray (RRA) design and investigates its power reflection efficiency theoretically and experimentally in a real-life indoor environment. The surface is designed to operate at 865.5 MHz and is intended for simultaneous use with other wireless power transfer (WPT) efficiency-improving techniques that have been recently reported in the literature. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no RRA intended to improve the performance of antenna-based WPT systems operating in the sub-GHz range has been designed and studied both theoretically and experimentally so far. The proposed RRA is a two-layer structure. The top layer contains electronically tunable phase shifters for the local phase control of an incoming electromagnetic wave, while the other one is fully covered by metal to reduce the phase shifter size and RRA’s backscattering. Each phase shifter is a pair of diode-loaded 8-shaped metallic patches. Extensive numerical studies are conducted to ascertain a suitable set of RRA unit cell parameters that ensure both adequate phase agility and reflection uniformity for a given varactor parameter. The RRA design parameter finding procedure followed in this paper comprises several steps. First, the phase and amplitude responses of a virtual infinite double periodic RRA are computed using full-wave solver Ansys HFSS. Once the design parameters are found for a given set of physical constraints, the phase curve of the corresponding finite array is retrieved to estimate the side lobe level due to the finiteness of the RRA aperture. Then, a diode reactance combination is found for several different RRA reflection angles, and the corresponding RRA radiation pattern is computed. The numerical results show that the side lobe level and the deviation of the peak reflected power angles from the desired ones are more sensitive to the reflection coefficient magnitude uniformity than to the phase agility. Furthermore, it is found that for scanning angles less than 50°, satisfactory reflection efficiency can be achieved by using the classical reactance profile synthesis approach employing the generalized geometrical optics (GGO) approximation, which is in accord with the findings of other studies. Additionally, for large reflection angles, an alternative synthesis approach relying on the Floquet mode amplitude optimization is utilized to verify the maximum achievable efficiency of the proposed RRA at large angles. A prototype consisting of 36 elements is fabricated and measured to verify the proposed reflectarray design experimentally. The initial diode voltage combination is found by applying the GGO-based phase profile synthesis method to the experimentally obtained phase curve. Then, the voltage combination is optimized in real time based on power measurement. Finally, the radiation pattern of the prototype is acquired using a pair of identical 4-director printed Yagi antennas with a gain of 9.17 dBi and compared with the simulated. The calculated results are consistent with the measured ones. However, some discrepancies attributed to the adverse effects of biasing lines are observed.

Hybrid Quantum-Dot Cellular Automata Nanocomputing Circuits

Quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) is an emerging transistor-less field-coupled nanocomputing (FCN) approach to ultra-scale ‘nanochip’ integration. In QCA, to represent digital circuitry, electrostatic repulsion between electrons and the mechanism of electron tunnelling in quantum dots are used. QCA technology can surpass conventional complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology in terms of clock speed, reduced occupied chip area, and energy efficiency. To develop QCA circuits, irreversible majority gates are typically used as the primary components. Recently, some studies have introduced reversible design techniques, using reversible majority gates as the main building block, to develop ultra-energy-efficient QCA circuits. However, this approach resulted in time delays, an increase in the number of QCA cells used, and an increase in the chip area occupied. This work introduces a novel hybrid design strategy employing irreversible, reversible, and partially reversible QCA gates to establish an optimal balance between power consumption, delay time, and occupied area. This hybrid technique allows the designer to have more control over the circuit characteristics to meet different system needs. A combination of reversible, irreversible, and innovative partially reversible majority gates is used in the proposed hybrid design method. We evaluated the hybrid design method by examining the half-adder circuit as a case study. We developed four hybrid QCA half-adder circuits, each of which simultaneously incorporates various types of majority gates. The QCADesigner-E 2.2 simulation tool was used to simulate the performance and energy efficiency of the half-adders. This tool provides numerical results for the circuit input/output response and heat dissipation at the physical level within a microscopic quantum mechanical model.

Validation and Parametric Study of a Soil–Structure Interaction Nonlinear Simplified Model

This paper established a numerical model for the structure system in a soil–structure interaction using MATLAB 23.2 and ANSYS 24.1 software and validated the effectiveness and accuracy of a simplified nonlinear calculation model for soil–structure interaction through the numerical simulation results. Meanwhile, a list of key parameters was identified according to their influence on the simplified model, including the free field area, site soil parameters, equivalent soil area, superstructure size and number of stories, and input seismic waves. On this basis, a series of parametric investigations were carried out with the validated simplified model, by varying the selected key parameters. The research findings demonstrated that the simplified calculation model exhibited excellent accuracy and efficiency, and was capable of reflecting the nonlinear response of the structural system. It is applicable to the field of dynamic response analysis of the superstructure, considering soil–structure interaction.

Superconvergence analysis of an energy-conserving Galerkin FEM for the two-dimensional sine-Gordon equation

In this paper, the superconvergence error analysis of an energy-conserving Galerkin fully discrete scheme is proposed and investigated for the two-dimensional sine-Gordon equation. The unique solvability of the numerical scheme as well as the energy conservation are studied firstly. Then, based on the special property of the bilinear element on the rectangular mesh and the superclose estimate between interpolation and Ritz projection of the exact solution in H 1 -norm, the global superconvergence result in H 1 -norm is obtained in terms of a post-processing technique. Finally, numerical results are provided to confirm the energy conservation and superconvergence properties.

Energy control and block performance optimization of bench blasting

In this study, rock-like model blast tests with varying toe burdens are conducted and the evolution of blast-induced fractures is analyzed using the digital image correlation (DIC) method. In addition, post-blast fragmentations are image-processed to quantitatively investigate the blasting performance. A three-dimensional numerical model is developed and validated against the experimental results. The effects of blasthole inclination (70°, 80°, and 90°) and short delays on fragment size distribution (FSD) are numerically investigated. Field trials are conducted to verify the numerical results. The experimental results reveal that the overall fragment size increases significantly in proportion to the toe burden. The explosion energy utilization rates range from 3.56 % to 13.16 %, with a tendency to initially increase and subsequently decrease. The numerical results demonstrate that fragments are more evenly distributed with a blasthole inclination of 70°, resulting in a remarkable improvement in rock fragmentation compared to a vertical blasthole. Compared to the toe burden, the influence of short delays on concrete fragmentation is insignificant. The field test results indicate that a narrower FSD range and stable pit walls are achieved by utilizing inclined blastholes in bench blasting. This study provides theoretical guidance for optimizing bench blasting parameters, which has practical significance for improving explosive energy utilization and production efficiency in open-pit mines.

Asymptotic matching the self-consistent expansion to approximate the modified Bessel functions of the second kind

The self-consistent expansion (SCE) is a powerful technique for obtaining perturbative solutions to problems in statistical physics but it suffers from a subtle problem—too much freedom! The SCE can be used to generate an enormous number of approximations but distinguishing the superb approximations from the deficient ones can only be achieved after the fact by comparison to experimental or numerical results. Here, we propose a method of using the SCE to a priori obtain uniform approximations, namely asymptotic matching. If the asymptotic behaviour of a problem can be identified, then the approximations generated by the SCE can be tuned to asymptotically match the desired behaviour and this can be used to obtain uniform approximations over the entire domain of consideration, without needing to resort to empirical comparisons. We demonstrate this method by applying it to the task of obtaining uniform approximations of the modified Bessel functions of the second kind, Kα(x) .

Eccentric compressive performance and design of asymmetric steel columns with complex edges

Box-type houses often use asymmetric cold-formed thin-walled steel columns with complex edges to meet structural requirements. However, there is a need to clarify the mechanical properties of eccentric loading in this section of the steel column. This study conducted eccentric compression tests on 24 asymmetric cold-formed thin-walled steel columns with complex edges, clarifying the specimens' ultimate load-bearing capacity and buckling mode. The results showed that the resistance to pressure provided by the corner was higher than that provided by the two crimped edges. Subsequently, a finite element model was established, and its accuracy was verified by comparing it with experimental results. Finally, based on the formula for calculating the nominal axial strength in AISI, the direct strength method formula for the stable bearing capacity of asymmetric cold-formed thin-walled steel columns with complex edges under in-plane eccentric compression was proposed. This method takes into account the local-global interactive buckling and distortional-global interactive buckling. The comparison between the theoretical calculation results and numerical simulation results demonstrated that the design method proposed in this study is effective and conservative. It can provide a reference for future engineering applications.

Development and comprehensive investigation of a lightweight FBG accelerometer for small structure acceleration measurements

Abstract Despite their sensitivity potential, diaphragm-type fiber Bragg grating accelerometers with inertia mass are often too complex and large, limiting their suitability for measuring small structures. Designing a suitable accelerometer for small structures, where its weight must be less than one-tenth of the measured structure, is challenging. This paper introduces a compact, simplified, and fabricable non-inertia mass FBG accelerometer (FBGA-SD), featuring a longer FBG tunnel and a through-hole for monitoring. The proposed FBGA-SD is 16 × 16 × 10 mm, weighing 4 grams. Numerical and experimental results show good agreement, though amplitude sensitivity differs by 50%. The experimental sensitivity is 9.64 × 10-2 pm/g, while transient response analysis gives 4.79 × 10-2 pm/g, valid for 10-100 Hz excitation frequencies and up to 10.5 m/s² base acceleration.

Effect of rubber particles on mechanical properties of calcareous sand under large displacement shear

To reveal the influence of rubber particles on the mechanical properties of calcareous sand under the large-displacement shear effects of earthquakes and waves, indoor ring shear tests were conducted on rubber particle-calcium sand mixtures. The effects of rubber particle size and content on the mechanical properties of calcareous sand were studied via indoor ring shear test. Then, based on PFC3D, a numerical model of a ring shear test that can restore the shape of calcareous sand particles is established, and a mesomechanical analysis of mixed sand is carried out. The results showed that the effect of the rubber particle content on the crushing characteristics and strength of calcareous sand was significant and that the effect of the particle size was small. The rubber content causes a gradual decrease in the peak strength and particle crushing rate and increases the deformation stability of the mixed sand. The softening coefficient and relative crushing rate were significantly reduced to 0.01–0.06 and 0.28–1.2%, respectively, at 40% rubber content. The numerical simulations and experimental results were in good agreement. An increase in the rubber content significantly influences chain development, which explains the macroscopic mechanical properties of mixed sand at the fine level.

Bioinspired molecular communications system for targeted drug delivery with IoBNT-based sustainable biocyber interface

This paper presents a sustainable biocyber interface approach for an intelligent targeted drug delivery system (TDDS). The proposed approach employs a bioinspired molecular communications (MC) system in which molecules are used as information carriers and a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) nanorelay to efficiently transfer therapeutic drugs from extravascular (outside blood vessels) to intravascular (within blood vessels) sites that are targeting diseased tissue. The proposed approach consists of a number of bio-nano things (BNTs) implanted inside the human intra-body nanonetwork near the diseased site. The communication among BNTs is accomplished by a sequential multistep FRET, and the nanonetwork is controlled by the Internet of Bio-Nano Thing (IoBNT) paradigm sustained by an uplink/downlink biocyber interface. The bit error rate (BER) and molecular channel capacity are utilized to evaluate the performance of the proposed approach. In addition, a Markov model decision in terms of the number of nanomachines is presented to calculate the successful probability of drug delivery and the average delay time. The numerical results show how effective the suggested method is at transmitting therapeutic medication information with an attainable bit-rate error.

An inertial hyperplane projection method for split feasibility problems and applications

ABSTRACT In this paper, we propose a new projection algorithm to solve the split feasibility problem in Hilbert spaces. This method involves a new strategy that projects the inertial term onto the intersection of the feasible set and a half-space. The strong and weak convergence of the new algorithms under standard assumptions are established. We examine the performance of our method on sparse signal processing and image deblurring problems. The reported numerical results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.

Physics‐informed neural operator solver and super‐resolution for solid mechanics

AbstractPhysics‐Informed Neural Networks (PINNs) have solved numerous mechanics problems by training to minimize the loss functions of governing partial differential equations (PDEs). Despite successful development of PINNs in various systems, computational efficiency and fidelity prediction have remained profound challenges. To fill such gaps, this study proposed a Physics‐Informed Neural Operator Solver (PINOS) to achieve accurate and fast simulations without any required data set. The training of PINOS adopts a weak form based on the principle of least work for static simulations and a strong form for dynamic systems in solid mechanics. Results from numerical examples indicated that PINOS is capable of approximating solutions notably faster than the benchmarks of PINNs in both static an dynamic systems. The comparisons also showed that PINOS reached a convergence speed of over 20 times faster than finite element software in two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional static problems. Furthermore, this study examined the zero‐shot super‐resolution capability by developing Super‐Resolution PINOS (SR‐PINOS) that was trained on a coarse mesh and validated on fine mesh. The numerical results demonstrate the great performance of the model to obtain accurate solutions with a speed up, suggesting effectiveness in increasing sampling points and scaling a simulation. This study also discusses the differentiation methods of PINOS and SR‐PINOS and suggests potential implementations related to forward applications for promising machine learning methods for structural designs and optimization.

1D Topological Photonic Crystal based Nanosensor for Tuberculosis Detection.

In this study, we present a nanosized biosensor based on the photobiological properties of one-dimensional (1D) topological photonic crystals (PCs). A topological structure had been designed by combining two photonic crystal structures (PC 1 and PC 2) comprised of functional material layers, Si and SiO2. These two, PC 1 and PC 2, differ in terms of the thickness and arrangement of these dielectric materials. We carried out a comparison between two distinct topological photonic crystals: one using random photonic crystals, and the other featuring a mirror heterostructure. Tuberculosis may be diagnosed by inserting a sensor layer into 1D topological photonic crystals. The sensing process is based on the refractive indexes of the analytes in the sensor layer. When the 1D-topological heterostructure-based PC and its mirror-image structures are stacked together, the sensor becomes more efficient for analyte detection than the conventional PCs. The random-based topological photonic crystal outperformed the heterostructure-based topological photonic crystal in analyte sensing. Photonic media witness notable blue shifts due to the analytes' variations in refractive index. The numerical results of the sensor are computed using the transfer matrix approach. Effective results are achieved by optimizing the thicknesses of the sensor layer and dielectric layers; number of periods and incident angle. In normal incident light, the developed sensor shows a high sensitivity of 1500 nm/RIU with a very low limit of detection in the order of 2.24E-06 RIU and a high-quality factor of 30659.54.

Lattice Boltzmann method for the linear complementarity problem arising from American option pricing

In this paper, a lattice Boltzmann method is proposed for solving the linear complementarity problem (LCP) arising in single and multi-asset American put option pricing. The LCP for American option is a variable coefficient parabolic model defined on an unbounded domain. Initially, using the far field estimate method and the penalty method respectively, the LCP could be reformulated into a nonlinear parabolic partial differential equation on a bounded domain. To construct a unified lattice Boltzmann model for the option pricing problems, the above transformation equations are rewritten into an equivalent divergence form. Then, through the incorporation of an amending function into the evolution equation, which assists in recovering the source term and eliminating the error term, the lattice Boltzmann model with spatial second-order accuracy is constructed. Finally, the present model is validated using numerical simulations, and the numerical results agree well with the option values obtained by existing methods, which indicates that the present lattice Boltzmann model is efficient for solving the American put option pricing problem.

Numerical simulations on compression behaviors of the laminated shale based on the digital image technology and the discrete element method

As an unconventional reservoir sedimentary rock, shale contains a series of layers and various microstructures that lead to complex mechanical properties, such as the anisotropy of stiffness and strength. This study is directed towards the anisotropy caused by the microstructures of the shale, employing the 2D particle flow code (PFC2D) to explore stiffness, strength, failure mode, and micro-crack evolution. More realistic microstructures and the calibration of microscopic parameters of the shale are reasonably considered through the computed tomography (CT) images and mineral analysis. The corresponding numerical simulation results are fully compared with the experimental results. In what follows, the sensitivity analysis is conducted on the key microscopic parameters and microstructure characteristics in numerical samples with laminated characteristics. The results show that the influence of microscopic parameters of the parallel bonding model on macroscopic parameters is related to the layering angle and the face type, and the microstructures and initial cracks of numerical samples can considerably affect the macroscopic mechanical behaviors of the laminated samples. Next, the effect of confining pressure on the mechanical properties of layered shale is also discussed based on the numerical results. These findings highlight the potential of this approach for applications in micro-scaled models and calibration of microscopic parameters to probe mechanical behaviors of the laminated rock.

The discontinuous mesh processing for electromagnetic scattering analysis of conducting objects by PO method

In electromagnetic (EM) simulations, conventional triangular patches are implemented to discretize the surfaces of conducting objects. The EM scattering of the conducting objects is presented based on the Rao-Wilton-Glisson basis function and continuity of the surface current across the boundary with different mesh sizes. The radar cross section (RCS) is acquired for conducting objects using physical optics (PO). The numerical results are compared with those from a commercial software (FEKO), which indicated the accuracy and effectiveness of the method in this study.

Response analysis of NMRG system considering Rb-Xe coupling

Abstract The dynamic range of the nuclear magnetic resonance gyroscope can be effectively improved through the closed-loop control scheme, which is crucial to its application in inertial measurement. This paper presents the analytical transfer function of Xe closed-loop system in the nuclear magnetic resonance gyroscope considering Rb-Xe coupling effect. It not only considers the dynamic characteristics of the system more comprehensively, but also adds the influence of the practical filters in the gyro signal processing system, which can obtain the accurate response characteristics of signal frequency and amplitude at the same time. The numerical results are compared with a experimentally verified simulation program, which indicate great agreement. The research results of this paper are of great significance to the practical application and development of the nuclear magnetic resonance gyroscope.

Experimental and numerical investigations of high strength steel unlipped channel sections under interior-two-flange loading

This paper presents laboratory tests, numerical simulations and web crippling design of high strength steel unlipped channel sections under interior-two-flange loading. An experimental programme comprising 10 test specimens (with six for grade S690 high strength steel and four for grade S960 high strength steel) was firstly implemented, and test results including failure modes, full load-deformation curves and ultimate loads were reported. Subsequently, finite element models were constructed and validated against the obtained test results, and then used to conduct supplementary parametric studies to widen the examined parameter ranges of high strength steel unlipped channel sections. Considering that relevant codified design rules are absent, the applicability of the design rules of EN 1993–1-3, EN 1993–1-5 and AISI S100 for normal strength steel unlipped channel sections to their high strength steel counterparts was evaluated against the obtained test and numerical results. It is shown that the resistance predictions from the codified design provisions were generally inaccurate and scattered. Hence, a modified AISI S100 design method and a slenderness-based design method were proposed and demonstrated to be accurate, consistent and reliable for the web crippling design of high strength steel unlipped channel sections under interior-two-flange loading.

Flow field analysis and performance evaluation of a mini-hydrocyclone for ultra-low inlet flow rate

It is difficult for hydrocyclone to separate oil-water under the condition of ultra-low inlet flow rate, which commonly exist in the field of energy engineering. Mini-hydrocyclone is an effective technology to solve this problem. The flow field characteristics and oil droplet migration trajectory in the mini-hydrocyclone are the key to guide its efficient work. An innovative mini-hydrocyclone are studied via computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and experiment method. The good separation performance of mini-hydrocyclone for ultra-low inlet flow rate and tiny particle size of oil droplets is verified and analyzed. Furthermore, The distribution of velocity, oil volume fraction and oil migration trajectories in the mini-hydrocyclone are analyzed systematically. The effects of oil droplet size, inlet flow rate and split ratio on the separation performance of mini-hydrocyclone are investigated. The results show that the maximum separation efficiency of the mini-hydrocyclone for 1.0 L/min ultra-low inlet flow rate is 99.98 %, when the split ratio is 30 %, the oil phase volume fraction is 2 %. Moreover, the morphological and distribution of oil core in mini-hydrocyclone are basically consistent between simulation and experiment results, under the conditions of different operating parameters. The minimum error of numerical simulation and experiment results is less than 2.23 %, the accuracy of the numerical simulation method is verified.

Simulation research on blasting of an open pit mine slope considering elevation conditions and slope shape factors

This study established a numerical model that considers elevation conditions and slope shape factors by the modified Sadovsky formula to analyze the vibration attenuation law of open-pit slopes under blasting vibration conditions. The blasting excavation of a slope in a certain open-pit mine in Yunfu, Guangdong, is selected as an example. Using a numerical model that considers elevation conditions and slope shape factors by the modified Sadovsky formula, a triangular pulse load was utilized to approximate the time-history characteristics of explosion vibration with FLAC3D software. The simulation results showed the radiation range of the blasting vibration seismic wave. By comparison with field monitoring data, the numerical model that considers the slope shape factor had a relative error of ∼10%, while the numerical model that disregards the slope shape factor had a relative error of ∼15%. The relative accuracy of the calculation results of the new numerical model is higher and closer to the actual attenuation law of blasting particle vibration speed, providing more reliable results for slope stability assessment. The peak particle velocities obtained from the numerical simulation results were generally higher than the field monitoring data. These discrepancies might be attributed to the use of simplified models that disregard the discontinuous structural planes within the rock mass. This study provides an important reference for the stability assessment of open-pit slopes under blasting vibration conditions, offering guidance for improving slope stability assessment and related engineering practices.