A Hierarchical Restoration Mechanism for Distribution Networks Considering Multiple Faults

Service restoration of distribution networks in contingency situations is one of the highly investigated and challenging problems. In the conventional service restoration method, utilities reconfigure the topological structure of the distribution networks to supply the consumer load demands. However, the advancements in renewable distributed generations define a new dimension for developing service restoration methodologies. This paper proposes a hierarchical service restoration mechanism for distribution networks in the presence of distributed generations and multiple faults. The service restoration problem is modeled as a complicated and hierarchical program. The objectives are to achieve the maximization of loads restored with minimization of switch operations while simultaneously satisfying grid operational constraints and ensuring a radial operation configuration. We present the service restoration mechanism, which includes the dynamic topology analysis, matching isolated islands with renewable distributed generations, network reconfiguration, and network optimization. A new code scheme that avoids feasible solutions is applied to generate candidate solutions to reduce the computational burden. We evaluate the proposed mechanism on the IEEE 33 and 69 systems and report on the collected results under multitype fault cases. The results demonstrate the importance of the available renewable distributed generations in the proposed mechanism. Moreover, simulation results verify that the proposed mechanism can obtain reasonable service restoration plans to achieve the maximization of loads restored and minimization of switching operations under different faults.

Avoided deconfinement in Randall-Sundrum models

We study first order phase transitions in Randall-Sundrum models in the early universe dual to confinement in large-N gauge theories. The transition rate to the confined phase is suppressed by a factor exp(−N2), and may not complete for N » 1, instead leading to an eternally inflating phase. To avoid this fate, the resulting constraint on N makes the RS effective field theory only marginally under control. We present a mechanism where the IR brane remains stabilized at very high temperature, so that the theory stays in the confined phase at all times after inflation and reheating. We call this mechanism avoided deconfinement. The mechanism involves adding new scalar fields on the IR brane which provide a stablilizing contribution to the radion potential at finite temperature, in a spirit similar to Weinberg’s symmetry non-restoration mechanism. Avoided deconfinement allows for a viable cosmology for theories with parametrically large N. Early universe cosmological phenomena such as WIMP freeze-out, axion abundance, baryogenesis, phase transitions, and gravitational wave signatures are qualitatively modified.

Self-Restoration Mechanism for Run-Time Reconfigurable Data-Stream Processors

The cost of a hardward failure in high-performance computing systems is usually extremely high because of the system stall where billions of operations can be lost within one second. Thus, implementation of self-restoration mechanisms is one of the most effective approaches to keep system performance on a required level. The project presents a new approach, which allows retaining the performance of the Run-Time Reconfigurable stream processing system on its maximum level. This becomes possible by development of multi-level self-restoration mechanism that consists of: restoration by FPGA-scrubbing, restoration by FPGA-slot replacement and restoration with optimum performance degradation. All above levels of restoration procedure were developed and tested on reconfigurable computing platform based on XILINX Virtex FPGA. Analysis of achieved results of the developed mechanism shows a very fast restoration of functionality and dramatic increase of lifetime of FPGA based computing platforms.

Self-Restoration Mechanism for Run-Time Reconfigurable Data-Stream Processors

The cost of a hardward failure in high-performance computing systems is usually extremely high because of the system stall where billions of operations can be lost within one second. Thus, implementation of self-restoration mechanisms is one of the most effective approaches to keep system performance on a required level. The project presents a new approach, which allows retaining the performance of the Run-Time Reconfigurable stream processing system on its maximum level. This becomes possible by development of multi-level self-restoration mechanism that consists of: restoration by FPGA-scrubbing, restoration by FPGA-slot replacement and restoration with optimum performance degradation. All above levels of restoration procedure were developed and tested on reconfigurable computing platform based on XILINX Virtex FPGA. Analysis of achieved results of the developed mechanism shows a very fast restoration of functionality and dramatic increase of lifetime of FPGA based computing platforms.

Controllable and decomposable multidirectional synchronizations

Studying large-scale collaborative systems engineering projects across teams with differing intellectual property clearances, or healthcare solutions where sensitive patient data needs to be partially shared, or similar multi-user information systems over databases, all boils down to a common mathematical framework. Updateable views (lenses) and more generally bidirectional transformations are abstractions to study the challenge of exchanging information between participants with different read access privileges. The view provided to each participant must be different due to access control or other limitations, yet also consistent in a certain sense, to enable collaboration towards common goals. A collaboration system must apply bidirectional synchronization to ensure that after a participant modifies their view, the views of other participants are updated so that they are consistent again. While bidirectional transformations (synchronizations) have been extensively studied, there are new challenges that are unique to the multidirectional case. If complex consistency constraints have to be maintained, synchronizations that work fine in isolation may not compose well. We demonstrate and characterize a failure mode of the emergent behaviour, where a consistency restoration mechanism undoes the work of other participants. On the other end of the spectrum, we study the case where synchronizations work especially well together: we characterize very well-behaved multidirectional transformations, a non-trivial generalization from the bidirectional case. For the former challenge, we introduce a novel concept of controllability, while for the latter one, we propose a novel formal notion of faithful decomposition. Additionally, the paper proposes several novel properties of multidirectional transformations.

Restoration Mechanism and Sub-Structural Characteristics of Duplex Stainless Steel with an Initial Equiaxed Austenite Morphology during Post-Deformation Annealing

Uni-axial compression (UAC) tests and further post deformation annealing (PDA) were done for 23Cr-6Ni-3Mo duplex stainless steel (DSS). The initial morphology was equiaxed (EQ) in nature. In the first stage of PDA, austenite showed limited static recrystallization (SRX) followed by static recovery (SRV); however ferrite showed static recovery (SRV). In the second stage of PDA, the austenite showed grain coarsening followed by disintegration of substructures (DIS); and ferrite revealed mostly SRV leading to grain coarsening. The third stage of PDA envisages substructural disintegration of unstable substructure leading to saturation in both austenite and ferrite. The sub-structural characteristics were provided by Electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) and its post processing were done by using HKL Channel 5 software.

Investigation of the Dynamic Recovery and Recrystallization of Near-β Titanium Alloy Ti-55511 during Two-Pass Hot Compression

The two-pass thermal compression behavior of near-β Ti-55511 alloy was investigated. The first-pass restoration mechanisms changed from dynamic recrystallization (DRX) to dynamic recovery (DRV) as the first-pass deformation temperature increased from 700 °C to 850 °C. The occurrence of recrystallization reduced the dislocation density, resulting in a slower grain growth rate in the subsequent process. Because of the static recrystallization (SRX) and β grain growth, the β grain size increased and the morphology became less uniform during the subsequent β holding process, which also changed the restoration mechanism during second-pass compression. The level of continuous dynamic recrystallization (CDRX) and discontinuous dynamic recrystallization (DDRX) become weaker during second-pass deformation. The changes in the restoration mechanism and the microstructures slightly increased the peak stress during the second-pass deformation.

Restoration Mechanisms at Moderate Temperatures for As-Cast ZK40 Magnesium Alloys Modified with Individual Ca and Gd Additions

The deformation behaviour of as-cast ZK40 alloys modified with individual additions of Ca and Gd is investigated at 250 °C and 300 °C. Compression tests were carried out at 0.0001 s−1 and 0.001 s−1 using a modified Gleeble system during in-situ synchrotron radiation diffraction experiments. The deformation mechanisms are corroborated by post-mortem investigations using scanning electron microscopy combined with electron backscattered diffraction measurements. The restoration mechanisms in α-Mg are listed as follows: the formation of misorientation spread within α-Mg, the formation of low angle grain boundaries via dynamic recovery, twinning, as well as dynamic recrystallisation. The Gd and Ca additions increase the flow stress of the ZK40, which is more evident at 0.001 s−1 and 300 °C. Dynamic recovery is the predominant restoration mechanism in all alloys. Continuous dynamic recrystallisation only occurs in the ZK40 at 250 °C, competing with discontinuous dynamic recrystallisation. Discontinuous dynamic recrystallisation occurs for the ZK40 and ZK40-Gd. The Ca addition hinders discontinuous dynamic recrystallisation for the investigated temperatures and up to the local achieved strain. Gd addition forms a semi-continuous network of intermetallic compounds along the grain boundaries that withstand the load until their fragmentation, retarding discontinuous dynamic recrystallisation.