Matrix Dimensional Analysis for Electromagnetic Quantities

We utilize the electromagnetically-oriented LTI∅ dimensional basis in the matrix solution of dimensional-analysis (DA) problems involving mainly electromagnetic quantities, whether these quantities are lumped or distributed. Representations in the LTI∅ basis (compared with the standard MLTI basis) are more informative and much simpler. Moreover, matrix DA computations employing the LTI∅ basis are more efficient and much less error prone. Extensive discussions of two demonstrative examples expose technical details of a novel DA scheme, and clarify many important facets of modern dimensional analysis.

Helicoidally Arranged Polyacrylonitrile Fiber-Reinforced Strong and Impact-Resistant Thin Polyvinyl Alcohol Film Enabled by Electrospinning-Based Additive Manufacturing

In this study, we demonstrate the use of parallel plate far field electrospinning (pp-FFES) based manufacturing system for the fabrication of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fiber reinforced polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) strong polymer thin films (PVA SPTF). Parallel plate far field electrospinning (also known as the gap electrospinning) is generally used to produce uniaxially aligned fibers between the two parallel collector plates. In the first step, a disc containing PVA/H2O solution/bath (matrix material) was placed in between the two parallel plate collectors. Next, a layer of uniaxially aligned sub-micron PAN fibers (filler material) produced by pp-FFES was directly collected/embedded in the PVA/H2O solution by bringing the fibers in contact with the matrix. Next, the disc containing the matrix solution was rotated at 45° angular offset and then the next layer of the uniaxial fibers was collected/stacked on top of the previous layer with now 45° rotation between the two layers. This process was continued progressively by stacking the layers of uniaxially aligned arrays of fibers at 45° angular offsets, until a periodic pattern was achieved. In total, 13 such layers were laid within the matrix solution to make a helicoidal geometry with three pitches. The results demonstrate that embedding the helicoidal PAN fibers within the PVA enables efficient load transfer during high rate loading such as impact. The fabricated PVA strong polymer thin films with helicoidally arranged PAN fiber reinforcement (PVA SPTF-HA) show specific tensile strength 5 MPa·cm3·g−1 and can sustain specific impact energy (8 ± 0.9) mJ·cm3·g−1, which is superior to that of the pure PVA thin film (PVA TF) and PVA SPTF with randomly oriented PAN fiber reinforcement (PVA SPTF-RO). The novel fabrication methodology enables the further capability to produce even further smaller fibers (sub-micron down to even nanometer scales) and by the virtue of its layer-by-layer processing (in the manner of an additive manufacturing methodology) allowing further modulation of interfacial and inter-fiber adherence with the matrix materials. These parameters allow greater control and tunability of impact performances of the synthetic materials for various applications from army combat wear to sports and biomedical/wearable applications.

Scattering matrix solution for an ideal star-junction multiplexer based on ladder-type filters

Multiplexer design is a challenging task due to the high number of variables involved, raising the difficulty as the numbers of filters increase. Numerical computing tools provide a suitable environment to evaluate topologies and technologies before starting the long journey to the device. A direct scattering matrix solution for a star-junction multiplexer, based on the circuit theory, is presented in this work. The resulting star-junction matrix is introduced in a matrix system with the scattering matrix of each filter to evaluate the overall multiplexer response. This approach allows the acquisition of main multiplexer parameters like transmission, reflection, and cross-isolation response in a compact way, achieving a good starting point for the further full-wave optimization procedure. Furthermore, an approach for the design of a star-junction multiplexer is tackled based on the reflection coefficient phase. A triplexer under this interpretation is presented and evaluated using lumped elements.