Sharif Digital Repository

TRISO particles are the specific features of HTTR and generally HTGR reactors. Their heterogeneity and random arrangement in graphite matrix of these reactors create a significant modeling challenge. In this study, an algorithm is proposed for modeling random arrangement of TRISO particles in the fuel compacts of HTTR. The effect of this arrangement on criticality calculations, i.e. effective multiplication factor and critical position of control rods, is then compared with regular arrangement. Regular arrangement was modeled by positioning each TRISO as a fixed sphere in the center of a cubic lattice and subsequently, each fuel compact was filled with around 13,000 (approximate number of... 

A closed-form spatial Green's function for a truncated dielectric slab is derived by using a combination of the characteristic Green's function (CGF) and perfectly matched layer (PML) method. The original structure is terminated by PML that is backed by perfect electric conductor (PEC) in semi-infinite layer at the top and/or bottom. The eigenmodes of the closed structure by PML construct the continuous spectrum contribution of the original structure efficiently. Derived Green's function is exact for separable finite structure while it is approximate for nonseparable one especially in the corners. Generalized scattering matrix (GSM) of truncating surface which contains possible conversions... 

An efficient method for scattering analysis from slightly rough surfaces is introduced. This method can be used in ray tracing algorithm where the computational efficiency is important due to the complexity and size of problems. In this method, the Kirchhoff approach is used for a periodic extension of the finite surface, which is approximated by strong harmonics of its Fourier series. Typical asphalt surfaces are analyzed by this method in millimeter-wave band and validated with the method of moments. The dominant scattering angles and ray widths of the scattered field can be easily used in ray tracing algorithm. The computation time and accuracy of results show that this method can be used... 

An efficient method for computation of surface wave (SW) reflectivity and coupling in an abruptly ended planar layered waveguide is presented. Using characteristic Green's function (CGF) technique, the original structure is approximated by a separable structure. Then by applying rational function fitting method (RFFM) a uniform and closed-form expression of spatial Green's function for separable structure is derived. Having a full wave solution of the original structure, an optimization problem is defined to find the reflection coefficients of SW modes. Unlike the previous presented CGF based method called CGF-complex images (CI), CGF-RFFM leads to easy incorporation of radiation modes... 

The problem of electromagnetic wave scattering from rough surfaces has been the subject of intensive investigations over the past several decades for its applications in a number of important remote sensing implementations. For slightly rough surfaces that the radius of curvature of surface is bigger than the wavelength, the Kirchhoff method is the most commonly used approach. In this paper a new way for scattering computation from rough surfaces is introduced. Here Kirchhoff approach is applied for considering the electromagnetic wave interaction with slightly rough Gaussian surfaces. Fourier series of rough Gaussian surface is used for extracting the strong harmonics of the surface. Then... 

The proliferation of communication system used in and around man-made structures has resulted in growing need to determine the scattering properties of various commonly used building materials at radio frequencies typically used in business and residential environments. This paper describes the calculation of scattered wave by reinforced concrete walls. For these walls is modeled with a grid of straight wire. We used the Method of Moments (MOM) to find the wire currents. The complex images (CI) method is also used to rapidly evaluate spatial-domain Green's functions for the wall. The angular dependence of scattered fields is shown  

The properties of Functionally Graded Materials (FGM) are characterized by gradual variation of volume fraction of their constituents or phases over the thickness direction. They are normally ceramic in one side and metal in the other side. This kind of material has been employed as thermal barrier and also as coatings in many applications including turbine blades. Thermal stress behavior of FGMs is normally studied by simulating the material as a composite laminate where the properties ofeach layer are found by averaging the properties and volume fraction of FGM constituents through the thickness of the layer. However, it should be mentioned that the grains of FGM constituents are usually... 

The electrodeposition of nickel was studied using electrochemical techniques in different electrolytes and various agents. The voltammetry analysis clearly showed that the electrodeposition of nickel was a diffusion-controlled process associated with a typical nucleation process. The current transients represented instantaneous nucleation with a typical three-dimensional (3D) growth mechanism. Scharifker's equations were derived for instantaneous and progressive nucleation of the 3D growth of the spherical centers under diffusion-controlled condition. The number of nucleation sites increased with the increment in overpotential and Ni 2+ concentration. Atomic force microscopy was used to... 

Nickel nanostructure thin films were electrodeposited on copper plates to investigate the fractal study. Scharifker's equations were derived for instantaneous and progressive nucleation and 3D growth of hemispherical centres under diffusion-controlled condition to calculate in situ change of fractal dimension of surface. It was assumed that the layer could be formed completely when fractal dimension of surface inclined to 2. Moreover, the fractal analysis of atomic force microscopy (AFM) images has confirmed the presumed model. Also, the power values of power spectral density (PSD) of the AFM images were determined using fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithms. The PSD plots are approximated... 

In this study, EVAc/PLA/organo clay nanocomposites were prepared via solution mixing method. The SEM images were used to investigate the morphology of nanocomposites revealing no phase separation or agglomeration of disperse phase in EVAc/PLA blends and nanocomposites. SAXS spectra confirmed the intercalated morphology of nanocomposites. Soil burial test were carried out and the rate of degradation of the samples were measured indirectly. Oxygen gas permeability of EVAc was slightly decreased by adding PLA to the matrix, when small loads of clay caused dramatic improvement in barrier properties. Melt rheological frequency sweep test illustrated the compatibility of EVAc with low contents of... 

A novel method for computation of guided mode reflectivity from optical waveguide end-facet is presented. The method is based on the characteristic Green's function (CGF) technique formulation combined with the complex images (CIs) method for dielectric planar waveguides. By separability assumption of the structure, a uniform and closed-form expression of spatial Green's function is obtained. Derived expression consists of discrete and continuous spectrum contributions which denote guided and radiation modes effects, respectively. Having a full-wave solution, efficient optimization procedure is then used to calculate the exact reflection coefficients of guided modes at the end-facets. To... 

A uniform and closed-form spatial Green's function for finite dielectric structures is derived by using a combination of the characteristic Green's function (CGF) and rational function fitting method (RFFM). Employing the concept of quasi leaky waves, CGF-RFFM represents both of the discrete and continuous spectrum contributions efficiently by using the modified VECTFIT algorithm. The method is examined for 2-D truncated dielectric slab while it can be implemented for 3-D structure straightforwardly. An error of less than 0.2% is achieved compared with the direct numerical integration of the spectral integral. The derived Green's function is exact for separable structures while it is... 

A closed-form spatial Green's function for finite dielectric structures is derived by using a combination of the characteristic Green's function (CGF) and rational function fitting method (RFFM). CGF-RFFM represents both of the discrete and continuous spectrum contributions efficiently by using the modified VECTFIT algorithm. To obtain more accurate results, reflection coefficient correction due to the surface waves (SWs) incident on the the end-facet is considered. The main advantage of this method lies in its speed as well as accuracy. Excellent agreements with the rigorous method of moments (MoM) are shown in several examples  

Balance impairment is critical for many patient groups such as those with neural and musculoskeletal disorders and also the elderly. Accurate and objective assessment of balance performance has led to the development of several indices based on the measurement of the center of pressure. In this study, a robotic device was designed and fabricated to provide controlled and repeatable mechanical perturbations to the standing platform of the user. The device uses servo-controlled actuators and two parallel mechanisms to provide independent rotations in mediolateral and anterior-posterior directions. The device also provides visual feedback of the center of pressure position to the user.... 

In the present work, nano-composites of Ni-P-SiO2-Al2O3 were coated on a 6061 aluminum substrate. The surface morphology of the nano-composite coating was studied by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The amount of SiO2 in the coating was determined by Energy Dispersive Analysis of X-Ray (EDX) and the crystalline structure of the coating was examined by X-ray diffractometer (XRD). All the experiments concerning the corrosion behavior of the coating carried out in 3.5%wt NaCl solution and evaluated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and polarization technique. The results showed that an incorporation of SiO2 and Al2O3 in Ni-P coating at the SiO2 concentration of... 

Time-dependent model is presented to simulate random lasers in the presence of an inhomogeneous gain medium. PbSe quantum dots (QDs) with an arbitrary size distribution are treated as an inhomogeneous gain medium. By introducing inhomogeneity of the PbSe QDs in polarization, rate, and Maxwell's equations, our model is constructed for a one-dimensional disordered system. By employing the finite difference time-domain method, the governing equations are numerically solved and lasing spectra and spatial distribution of the electric field are calculated. The effect of increasing the pumping rate on the laser characteristics is investigated. The results show that the number of lasing modes and... 

High-temperature insulators protect structures against extreme thermal loads in various industries such as energy and space-related areas. For such insulations, radiation is the dominant mode of heat transfer. The intended multilayer high-temperature insulator utilizes reflection as the controlling mechanism for the radiative heat transfer. In the current study, the axiomatic design methodology is used to map the design process of a reflective multilayer high-temperature insulator. In addition, an analytical model is developed to simulate the combined radiation and conduction heat transfer in the reflective multilayer high-temperature insulator. The model was solved numerically and validated... 

Background: Diabetes is associated with many pathological changes and one of the most important consequences of the diabetes is hepatic injury. The present study was performed to investigate the effect of eight weeks endurance training with consumption of cinnamon supplementation on plasma concentrations of liver enzymes,alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in women with type II diabetes. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study,36 female volunteers with type II diabetes (age 52.72±2.64 years and body mass index 29.28±2.94 Kg/m2) were participated. The subjects were homogenized regarding their body mass index and then were divided randomly into four groups... 

Purpose: This work aims to study factors, such as driver characteristics, environmental conditions, and vehicle characteristics, that affect different crash types with a special focus on distraction parameters. For this purpose, distraction factors are divided into five groups: cellphone usage, cognitive distractions, passengers distracting the driver, outside events attracting the driver’s attention, and in-vehicle activities. Methods: Taking the crashes that occurred in the USA into account, the crash types are divided into two main groups, single-vehicle crashes and two-vehicle crashes. Since there were different crash types (alternatives) in the dataset and the probable correlation in... 

This study provides a comprehensive literature review to summarize all contributing factors and the logit-based models that were used to predict the severity of crashes. Using the General Estimates Systems (GES) dataset, as a subset and a branch of the National Automotive Sampling System in the US, a Generalized Ordered Logit (GLM) model is developed to predict the crash severity. The developed severity model detects the most important parameters based on characteristics of the driver, the environment, the vehicle, the road, and the type of crash. This study aims to take a more in-depth look into the distraction-related factors as one of the most important groups of contributing factors to...