Generation and adaptation of computational surface meshes from discrete anatomical data

Fast and accurate scanning devices are nowadays widely used in many engineering and biomedical fields. The resulting discrete data is usually directly converted into polygonal surface meshes, using ‘brute‐force’ algorithms, often resulting in meshes that may contain several millions of polygons. Simplification is therefore required in order to make storage, computation and display possible if not efficient. In this paper, we present a general scheme for mesh simplification and optimization that allows to control the geometric approximation as well as the element shape and size quality (required for numerical simulations). Several examples ranging from academic to complex biomedical geometries (organs) are presented to illustrate the efficiency and the utility of the proposed approach. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Smart-MEMS based inertial measurement units: gyro-free approach to improve the grade

Microsystem Technologies - Inertial measurement units (IMU) are essentially a combination of acceleration and rotation rate sensors, generating position and attitude information. For tactical and...     

Behavior of Boron in Molten Aluminum and its Grain Refinement Mechanism

The mechanism of heterogeneous grain refining of aluminum by ultrafine elemental boron particles was investigated. In order to facilitate the observation of the boron-aluminum interface, a boron filament was introduced in a melt at 1013 K (740 °C) containing different levels of Ti. The Al/B interface was studied using transmission electron microscopy and different phases were identified using the electron diffraction method. The experimental results showed that boron is dissolved in pure aluminum while its dissolution is inhibited in presence of titanium solute. A thin layer of TiB₂ formed at the surface of boron thickens with residence time in the melt. The mechanisms by which aluminum is crystallized on boron are discussed.     

Evaluation of interconnected production sites taking into account multidimensional uncertainties

The production sites of international companies are becoming increasingly interconnected. Due to the uncertainty of multiple factors, determining a location is a strategic choice entailing high financial risk. For this reason, a method for site evaluation was developed allowing multidimensional, i.e., both quantitative and qualitative, uncertainties to be taken into account. The uncertainties are modeled with both probability and fuzzy-set theory and integrated into a modular-structured monetary calculation model. For the analysis and interpretation of evaluation results, methods have been developed which allow risk assessment. The developed method provides a way to handle existing location risks and can thus ensure the success of manufacturing companies in the long term.     

Limitations of Preferential Enrichment: A Case Study on Tryptophan Ethyl Ester Hydrochloride

Since eutomer and distomer show different biological effects, access to pure enantiomers is essential. Preferential enrichment is a relatively new process of chiral resolution developed in the 90s. Extension of its scope was attempted with tryptophan ethyl ester hydrochloride. This salt meets one of the most important requirements for preferential enrichment, namely, a larger solubility for the pure enantiomers with reference to the racemic compound. But, due to the absence of a solid solution, this salt cannot perform preferential enrichment. This impossibility was endorsed by semi‐empirical molecular modeling.