Sharif Digital Repository

The main contribution of this paper is to introduce a novel non-Lipschitz protocol that guarantees consensus in finite-time domain. Its convergence in networks with both unidirectional and bidirectional links is investigated via Lyapunov Theorem approach. It is also proved that final agreement value is equal to average of agents' states for the bidirectional communication case. In addition effects of communication time-delay on stability are assessed and two other continuous Lipschitz protocols are also analyzed  

Bi-directional RSFQ benefits from using both positive and negative SFQ pulses to manipulate and transfer digital data. This allows more flexibility in the design of simpler circuits with enhanced performance. On the other hand, using the AC bias current, one can replace on-chip resistive current distributors with inductors. This resembles RQL logic, but in contrast to RQL, it is possible to use the well-established standard RSFQ cells in bi-directional RSFQ. These two advantages (energy-efficient computation and flexibility in design) make bi-directional RSFQ a powerful tool in next-generation supercomputers and also compatible with ultra-low-temperature quantum computers. In this work, to... 

In this paper, we develop control algorithms for addressing second-order consensus problems in intrinsically second-order nonlinear multi-agent dynamical systems with switching topologies. The proposed adaptive controller applies a leader-following strategy in which all agents are assumed to be informed of the leader's state. Another feature of this work which specifically distinguishes it from others is that the proposed controller uses undirected and directed graphs to accommodate for a full range of possible graph information topologies without limitations of bidirectional communication  

In this paper, we show how time-sharing method may reduce transmission delay in the dynamic index coding scenario. We propose a novel time-shared dynamic index coding transmission scheme that achieves the maximum index coding gain for a complete bi-directional side information graph and formulate a constrained optimization problem to tune the transmission scheme for the minimum transmission delay. A closed-form solution is presented for the special case of two-user. We also use analytical and simulation results to provide graphical intuition for the obtained results  

The Endurance Time (ET) method is a time history-based dynamic analysis procedure which uses special intensifying acceleration functions for evaluation of the seismic response of structures. One of the potential applications of the ET method is in the three-dimensional analysis of buildings under multidirectional excitations. In this paper, considering horizontal components of excitation, an algorithm for the multi-component analysis of building structures by the ET method is proposed, and results of the ET method for various steel moment frames with 1 to 7 stories are compared with results from time history analysis with real earthquakes. Results show that based on recommendations of... 

This paper deals with the nonlinear free vibration analysis of in-plane bi-directional functionally graded (IBFG) rectangular plate with porosities which are resting on Winkler-Pasternak elastic foundations. The material properties of the IBFG plate are assumed to be graded along the length and width of the plate according to the power-law distribution, as well as, even and uneven types are taken into account for porosity distributions. Equations of motion are developed by means of Hamilton's principle and von Karman nonlinearity strain-displacement relations based on classical plate theory (CPT). Afterward, the time-dependent nonlinear equations are derived by applying the Galerkin... 

In this paper, a novel thermal microactuator is designed which is capable of producing bi-directional lateral and rotational output and one of its applications as a two DOF micromanipulator is shown. Also, by carefully choosing the doping level, temperature distribution is determined by considering the dependency of silicon's resistivity and conductivity to temperature. Using variable separation method an equation in terms of elliptic integrals is reached and after imposing boundary conditions the exact temperature distribution is obtained numerically. Currents at each branch is updated due to the last temperature distribution and this process is repeated several times until the final... 

In this paper, a novel microfabrication process of a six DOF thermal compliant nanopositioner is presented. The microfabrication process was based on bulk micromachining process. By using this process some important operational restrictions which are usually created by surface micromachining were removed. Moreover, this novel process does not need SOI wafers and needs only ordinary wafers. Therefore, it makes microfabrication process cheaper than surface micromachining processes where SOI wafer should be used. This method is completely appropriate for microactuators which have 120 degree misalignment. Finally, a primary test by using interferometer method was used to test connection of... 

In this paper, considering horizontal components of seismic excitation, an algorithm for the nonlinear multi-component analysis of building structures by the Endurance Time (ET) method is proposed, and results of the ET method for various steel moment frames with one to seven stories are verified by comparing with the results from Nonlinear Time History Analysis with use of two different sets of ground motions. In addition, several parameters such as eccentricities and irregularities in structure, rotational and lateral stiffness, effect of hysteresis type and ductility have been considered for sensitivity analysis on results, obtained by ET method. Results show that on the basis of... 

Particle dispersion in the vortex flow has been one of the most interesting subjects in recent years. Bidirectional vortex flow field is an industrial sample of the rotating flow which is used to obtain advantages of better mixing and combustion. In this work penetration and dispersion quality of the particles which are entering from various positions on the vortex engine walls have been numerically predicted. Head side, end side, and sidewall are considered as the entering positions. The particle has been assumed to be a rigid sphere. Initial velocity, diameter, and density of entering the particles are assumed to be known. If the particle length scale is considered not to be comparable... 

In this paper, a novel microfabrication process of a six DOF thermal compliant nanopositioner is presented. The microfabrication process was based on bulk micromachining process. By using this process some important operational restrictions which are usually created by surface micromachining were removed. Moreover, this novel process does not need SOI wafers and needs only ordinary wafers. Therefore, it makes microfabrication process cheaper than surface micromachining processes where SOI wafer should be used. This method is completely appropriate for microactuators which have 120 degree misalignment. Finally, a primary test by using interferometer method was used to test connection of... 

Natural nanochannels and those used for applied purposes are often several nanometers in diameter and have lengths up to micrometer scales. Since normally no pressure gradient, mechanical force or electrical field is exerted on fluids in these situations, the fluid flow within them is not single-file and can be bidirectional. For this reason, studying the behavior of bidirectional flows in the channels is of paramount importance. In this study, a comprehensive investigation on the straight and non-straight bidirectional water transfer through carbon nanotubes is conducted via extensive molecular dynamics simulations. The results indicate that by changing the length, the diameter and the... 

Battery and plug-in hybrid vehicles equipped with bidirectional battery chargers are capable of supplying power to the electric grid according to power system demand. This technology is called 'vehicle to grid' or V2G. A bidirectional on-board charger can be used to improve the charge availability. An on-board charger should have small size and light weight. On the other hand, the charger must minimize power quality impact, draw current at high power factor to maximize power from an outlet. In this paper, a new three-phase integrated bidirectional isolated soft-switched battery charger is proposed which is appropriate for vehicle to grid technology. The charger utilizes a 4-switch... 

This article presents a process of numerically predicting and experimentally verifying the dispersion quality and penetration level of fuel particles entering and moving in various directions relative to vortex engine walls. If the length scale of particles considered in this study is not comparable to the chamber length and, furthermore, the density is ignored, the effect of the particle on the flow field can be neglected and a one-way solution will be viable for the problem. The solutions in each case are carried out to estimate the particle trajectory and parameters affecting it. The governing equations are converted to a set of nonlinear, coupled, ordinary differential equations (ODEs)... 

Different types of macro-elements have been proposed to simulate the behavior of unreinforced masonry (URM) structures under seismic loads. In many of these, macro-elements URM walls are replaced with beam elements with different hysteretic behaviors. The effect of out-of-plane loading or change of gravity load due to the overturning moment is usually not considered in the behavior of these macro-elements. This article presents interaction curves for bidirectional loadings of unreinforced masonry walls to investigate the importance of these factors. Two parameters are systematically changed to derive the interaction curves for a wall with specific dimensions, including compressive traction... 

Thermopneumatic micropump is one type of positive displacement micropump, which has many applications due to its relatively large stroke volume, low working voltage, and simple fabrication in microscale. In this paper, a numerical study of heat transfer and fluid flow in a valveless thermopneumatically driven micropump is presented. For rectifying the bidirectional flow, a nozzle and a diffuser are used as the inlet and outlet channels of the chamber. Since the fluid flow is induced by the motion of a diaphragm, the numerical simulation includes fluid structure interaction, which requires applying a dynamic mesh. The domain of solution is divided into two sections; the actuator unit, which... 

A semi-analytical method is proposed to solve the equations governing a bi-directionally pumped Raman amplifier through continuous-spectrum radiation. The governing equations are systems of uncountable Nonlinear Ordinary Differential Equation (NODE). By applying the moment method, the uncountable system of NODE is reduced to a system of finite number of NODEs. This system of equations is solved numerically and the results are compared with that of the full numerical method. It was shown that the moment method is a powerful and efficient technique for the analysis of a bi-directionally pumped Raman amplifier through continuous-spectrum radiation  

During recent years, Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) have been effectively used to control the seismic response of structural systems. Recovering the residual strains upon unloading (super-elasticity) or by heating (shape memory effect) is the main characteristic of SMA materials. This paper explores the efficiency of a proposed application of steel & SMA bolts in improving the seismic behavior of connections in steel Moment Resisting Frame (MRF) structures. A new semi-rigid, end-plate, beam-column connection is introduced, which is based on parallel application of steel and austenite-phase SMA bolts. A number of 3-D steel MRF structural models with different numbers of stories and mass... 

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles draw electricity from the electrical grid and store energy in their batteries. To increase charge availability for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, on-board chargers can be used, which should be small in size and lightweight. In this article, an on-board bidirectional soft-switched battery charger is proposed that utilizes a phase-shift-controlled dual-bridge series resonant converter with isolation. The bidirectional characteristic of proposed charger makes it suitable for vehicle-to-grid operation (i.e., injecting power from the vehicle to the grid) in smart grids. A switching control scheme is also proposed to provide soft-switching operation for all...