Indian Institute of Technology Bombay

About: Indian Institute of Technology Bombay is a education organization based out in Mumbai, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Catalysis & Computer science. The organization has 16756 authors who have published 33588 publications receiving 570559 citations.

Constraints on dark energy dynamics and spatial curvature from Hubble parameter and baryon acoustic oscillation data

Abstract: We use all available baryon acoustic oscillation distance measurements and Hubble parameter data to constrain the cosmological constant $\Lambda$, dynamical dark energy, and spatial curvature in simple cosmological models. We find that the consensus spatially flat $\Lambda$CDM model provides a reasonable fit to the data, but depending on the Hubble constant prior and cosmological model, it can be a little more than 1$\sigma$ away from the best-fit model, which can favor mild dark energy dynamics or non-flat spatial hypersurfaces.

Flexural analysis of laminated composites using refined higher-order C ° plate bending elements

Abstract: A finite element formulation for flexure of a symmetrically laminated plate based on a higher-order displacement model and a three-dimensional state of stress and strain is presented here. The present higher-order theory incorporates linear variation of transverse normal strains and parabolic variation of transverse shear strains through the plate thickness, and as a result it does not require shear correction coefficients. A nine-noded Lagrangian parabolic isoparametric plate bending element is described. The applications of the element to bending of laminated plates with various loading, boundary conditions, and lamination types are discussed. The numerical evaluations also include the convergence study of the element used. The present solutions for deflections and stresses are compared with those obtained using the three-dimensional elasticity theory, closed-form solutions with another high-order shear deformation theory, and the Mindlin's theory. In addition, numerical results for a number of new problems, not available in the literature, are presented for future reference.

Indian Summer Monsoon Rainfall: Implications of Contrasting Trends in the Spatial Variability of Means and Extremes

Abstract: India’s agricultural output, economy, and societal well-being are strappingly dependent on the stability of summer monsoon rainfall, its variability and extremes. Spatial aggregate of intensity and frequency of extreme rainfall events over Central India are significantly increasing, while at local scale they are spatially non-uniform with increasing spatial variability. The reasons behind such increase in spatial variability of extremes are poorly understood and the trends in mean monsoon rainfall have been greatly overlooked. Here, by using multi-decadal gridded daily rainfall data over entire India, we show that the trend in spatial variability of mean monsoon rainfall is decreasing as exactly opposite to that of extremes. The spatial variability of extremes is attributed to the spatial variability of the convective rainfall component. Contrarily, the decrease in spatial variability of the mean rainfall over India poses a pertinent research question on the applicability of large scale inter-basin water transfer by river inter-linking to address the spatial variability of available water in India. We found a significant decrease in the monsoon rainfall over major water surplus river basins in India. Hydrological simulations using a Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) model also revealed that the water yield in surplus river basins is decreasing but it is increasing in deficit basins. These findings contradict the traditional notion of dry areas becoming drier and wet areas becoming wetter in response to climate change in India. This result also calls for a re-evaluation of planning for river inter-linking to supply water from surplus to deficit river basins.

AT2018cow: A Luminous Millimeter Transient

Abstract: We present detailed submillimeter- through centimeter-wave observations of the extraordinary extragalactic transient AT2018cow. The apparent characteristics—the high radio luminosity, the rise and long-lived emission plateau at millimeter bands, and the sub-relativistic velocity—have no precedent. A basic interpretation of the data suggests E_k ≳ 4 x 10^(48) erg coupled to a fast but sub-relativistic (ν ≈ 0.13c) shock in a dense (n_e ≈ 3 x 10^5 cm^(-3)) medium. We find that the X-ray emission is not naturally explained by an extension of the radio-submm synchrotron spectrum, nor by inverse Compton scattering of the dominant blackbody UV/optical/IR photons by energetic electrons within the forward shock. By Δt ≈ 20 days, the X-ray emission shows spectral softening and erratic inter-day variability. Taken together, we are led to invoke an additional source of X-ray emission: the central engine of the event. Regardless of the nature of this central engine, this source heralds a new class of energetic transients shocking a dense medium, which at early times are most readily observed at millimeter wavelengths.

Magnetic Bearing Configurations: Theoretical and Experimental Studies

Abstract: A radial magnetic bearing, consisting of two permanent magnets, is an attractive choice because of its zero wear, negligible friction, and low cost, but it suffers from low load capacity, low radial stiffness, lack of damping, and high axial instability. To enhance the radial load and radial stiffness, and reduce the axial thrust, we have made a theoretical and experimental study of various radial configurations, including hydrodynamic lubrication to improve dynamic performance of the magnetic bearing. We developed an experimental setup to investigate the performance of bearing configurations under different operating conditions. The motion of a rotating shaft is mapped by two displacement sensors with a data acquisition system and personal computer. The first critical speed of each configuration is determined experimentally and verified through frequency analysis. We present a polar plot of displacement data.