Electrodynamic Apparatuses for Concentration of Solutions

The results of complex research of electrodynamic vacuum evaporators are presented. The scientific and technical concept of the directed energy action technology applicable to apparatuses of the electrodynamic type is substantiated. A system analysis of the energies of traditional dehydration equipment is given. Their technological and energy problems are determined by the electrothermal analogy method. It is shown how these problems are solved in the electrodynamic type apparatuses. A physical scheme and a mathematical model of a electrodynamic continuous operation vacuum evaporator are developed. Assumptions that take into account the specifics of evaporation in an electromagnetic field are formulated. A system of differential equations that defines the solution interaction with an electromagnetic field in vacuum is presented. A nonstationary model is transformed into relations in dimensionless variables using the methods of similarity theory and the “dimension analysis”. The tasks of experimental modeling are defined. The results of complex experimental studies of microwave vacuum evaporators are presented. The influence of the electromagnetic field power, the solution type and concentration, and the pressure level on the steam output is established. Constants of the equation in generalized variables, which, with an error within 8%, establishes the relationship of the number of energy actions with dimensionless complexes that characterize the technological parameters, are defined.

Reviewing Plasma Seed Treatments for Advancing Agriculture Applications on Earth and Into the Final Frontier

With benefits such as environmentally safe treatment methods to stimulate growth, to increase plant yield, and improve disinfection efficiency, literature on the field of plasma treatment of seeds is growing. Generalized variables and success criteria have not been well correlated between studies, so this review paper serves to connect plasma and agriculture technologies to coordinate future efforts in this growing area of research. The authors have particular interest due to space agriculture, where seeds are sanitized before being sent into space for crop production. In order to supply a spectrum of nutritional needs, it is necessary to provide a variety of crops and ensure biological decontamination before the seeds are being sent into space. Traditional seed sanitization methods are not viable for all seed types, so exploration of other options is needed to expand the astronaut diet on long-duration space missions. This review paper brings together the current state-of-the-art reported literature to aide in understanding plasma seed application apparatus, seed or crop performance pertaining to germination, growth, water interactions, inactivation of bacteria, and surface sanitization results. These recent works include evolving research themes for potential seed treatment sanitization processes for various seed types to ensure the viability of plants for future growth in microgravity crop production systems.

Synthesis on the Acceleration Energies in the Advanced Mechanics of the Multibody Systems

The present paper’s objective is to highlight some new developments of the main author in the field of advanced dynamics of systems and higher order dynamic equations. These equations have been developed on the basis of the matrix exponentials which prove to have undeniable advantages in the matrix study of any complex mechanical system. The present paper proposes some new approaches, based on differential principles from analytical mechanics, by using some important dynamics notions, regarding the acceleration energies of the first, second and third order. This study extended the equations of the higher order, which provide the possibility of applying the initial motion conditions in the positions, velocities and accelerations of the first and second order. In order to determine the time variation laws for the generalized variables, the driving forces and acceleration energies of the higher order are applied by the time polynomial functions of the fifth order. According to inverse kinematics also named control kinematics of the robots, the applications of polynomial functions lead to the kinematic control functions of mechanical motions, especially the transitory motions. They influence the dynamic behavior of multibody systems, in which robot structures are included.

MODELLING OF FORGETTING CURVES IN EDUCATIONAL E-ENVIRONMENT

Modelling of the didactical process by using educational network needs network representation of learning and forgetting curves known from the literature. The learning and forgetting curves are the solution of differential equations. The differential equations can be represented in the form of a network of connected elements in a similar way to the electrical circuits and represented in the form of an intuitive schematic. The network can be simulated using a microsystems simulator. Such an approach enables the easy creation of the macro models and their analysis. It enables the use of many advanced simulation algorithms. The use of analogy enables defining the educational environment by defining network variables and giving them meaning relative to generalized variables. In the paper, examples of representation of forgetting curves as the above-mentioned network are presented. Parameters of elements were selected in the deterministic optimisation process. The obtained results were compared with the forgetting curves known from the literature. The appropriate time constants were identified in the systems and their values were given. Time constants have their equivalents in the appropriate values in the formulas describing the forgetting curves. Based on the results, appropriate conclusions were drawn. The work also shows the concept of a model that uses behavioural modelling and variable parameters of elements depending on the state and time. The model has been used in practice. The presented approach enables a much more accurate determination of the parameters of the forgetting curves. The models can be used in the simulation of the forgetting process. The paper can be interesting for those who deal with modelling of the didactical process, especially on the e-learning platforms.

Overview of Design of Structures to Extreme Hazards

<p>Common engineering practice in multi-hazard design is to consider each natural hazard independently. The underlying assumption is that it is highly unlikely that one disaster will be closely followed by another. This approach dominated large part of the 20th century. The engineering community has made large strides in designing structures to withstand known hazards, leading to improved reliability and safety of infrastructure. This in turn has supported population growth and increased prosperity. As witness to our success, it is common in developed nations to consider it unacceptable for a disaster to cause large scale devastation. However, the nature of the disasters has proved otherwise.</p><p>It is unlikely that one extreme event will have catastrophic consequences on communities, because we know how to prepare for a single event. Instead, as experience shows, disasters are more typically comprised by one event followed by one or more other events, exposing the vulnerability of our design assumptions. The examples of multiple disasters are Indonesia (i.e., earthquake followed by tsunami followed by volcano), Haiti (i.e., earthquake followed by cholera outbreak) and Japan (i.e., earthquake followed by tsunami followed by nuclear meltdown). The obvious solution is to focus on understanding on the resilience of the system as an its ability to rapidly recover from the event.</p><p>This paper proposes a framework for quantitative measure and mathematically reproducible definitions of structural resilience as it pertains to a building’s ability to minimize the potential for undesirable consequences. The resilience assessment and design process follow logical progression of steps, starting with the characterization of hazards, continuing through analysis simulations, damage modelling, and loss assessment by finding and subsequently balancing functional relationships between design and analysis and consequences. The outcomes of each process are articulated through a series of generalized variables, termed as topology, geometry, damage and hazard intensity measures. Topological analysis methods are developed to map the effects of blast and extreme fire exposure so that the corresponding intensity measures can be addressed simultaneously during design</p>