Crystallization behavior of poly(l-lactic acid)

The crystallization behavior of poly(l-lactic acid) was studied in the range of 80-160 °C. The peak crystallization time (τ_p) was defined and obtained from the crystallization isotherm measured with a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). Isothermal crystallization temperature (T_c) dependence of log(τ_p) discretely changed at 113 °C (= T_b). The linear growth rate of spherulite, G, was measured with a polarizing microscope. The T_c dependence of G and the size of the spherulite also discretely changed at T_b. Crystal structures for samples isothermally crystallized at temperatures which were higher and lower than T_b were orthorhombic (α-form) and trigonal (β-form), respectively. The discrete change of the crystallization behavior was explained by the formation of different crystal.     

Effect of copper pretreatment on the zincate process and subsequent electroplating of a protective copper/nickel deposit on the AZ91D magnesium alloy

To obtain a durable Ni coating with excellent adhesion strength on an AZ91D Mg alloy, a pretreatment was performed with a small amount of Cu²⁺ ions added to the activation bath used in the pretreatment prior to the plating process. In the pretreatment activation process, a high density Cu layer was deposited on both the α-phase and β-phase areas of the substrate accompanied with Mg dissolution. The Cu deposit acted as nucleation seeds for the Zn deposition in the following zincate process which provided a uniform and dense Zn layer almost completely covering the substrate. Then a thin Cu layer was electroplated on this zincated substrate as an undercoating for the succeeding electroplating with Ni. Cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy observations showed that the Cu deposited by the pretreatment enabled the deposition of a protective Ni layer with few defects. This structure also contributed to the improvement of adhesion strength and corrosion resistance as compared with the non-Cu added sample.     

Reliability of Liquid Crystal Display

This paper reports the reliability of twisted nematic liquid-crystal display for basic applications such as watches and calculators. We have studied significant stress factors such as voltage, temperature and humidity, and their corresponding failure modes. The main failure mode is LCD misalignment; many different modes appear corresponding to different stress conditions as well as material and process for the LCD. We have analyzed the accelerated test results by Weibull distribution, elucidated accelerating factors, and estimated life time. The life is inversely proportional to 1.78-2.45 power of applied voltage, depending upon misalignment modes. The distribution of life is well expressed by Weibull distribution with shape parameter between 2.5-3.0, and proportional to the square of coefficient of variation of life. We conclude that the acceleration factors could be determined and 99.9% of tested displays will live more than 10 years. The knowledge on reliability of LCD can be now applied to new fields of LCD, such as industrial use, home appliance, and automotive instruments.     

Characterization of electrode/electrolyte interface for lithium batteries using in situ synchrotron X-ray reflectometry—A new experimental technique for LiCoO2 model electrode

A new experimental technique was developed for detecting structure changes at electrode/electrolyte interface of lithium cell using X-ray reflectometry and two-dimensional model electrodes with a restricted lattice-plane. The electrodes were constructed with an epitaxial film of LiCoO₂ synthesized by pulsed laser deposition method. The orientation of the epitaxial film depends on the substrate plane; the 2D layer of LiCoO₂ is parallel to the SrTiO₃ (1 1 1) substrate (_(0 0 3)LiCoO₂//_(1 1 1)SrTiO₃)$({(003)}_{\text{LiCo}{\text{O}}_2}//{(111)}_{\text{SrTi}{\text{O}}_3})$, while the 2D layer is perpendicular to the SrTiO₃ (1 1 0) substrate (_(1 1 0)LiCoO₂//_(1 1 0)SrTiO₃)$({(110)}_{\text{LiCo}{\text{O}}_2}//{(110)}_{\text{SrTi}{\text{O}}_3})$. The anisotropic properties were confirmed by electrochemical measurements. Ex situ X-ray reflectivity measurements indicated that the impurity layer existed on the as-grown LiCoO₂ was dissolved and a new SEI layer with lower density was formed after soaking into the electrolyte. In situ X-ray reflectivity measurements indicated that the surface roughness of the intercalation (1 1 0) plane increased with applying voltages, while no significant changes in surface morphology were observed for the intercalation non-active (0 0 3) plane during the pristine stage of the charge–discharge process.     

資源環境の保全をめざした二次副産材を導入するコンクリ一ト材料の発展的利用に関する研究

日本では,21世紀半ばに人工の固体物質の代表である解体コンクリート塊の排出量がピークを迎えると同時に,最終処分が困難になる状況が想定されていることから,コンクリート材料の完全資源型の利活用要求はより一層高まるといえる.本研究は,副産微粉,再生骨材などの二次副産材を積極的に混和し,同一産地*種類型の調合条件のもとで,コンクリートの物性改善,資源有効利活用を目的としたコンクリートを製造し,その基礎的物性の評価と環境影響評価を行い,環境保全に資するコンクリート材料の発展的利用のあり方を検討した.     

Eddy current analysis of thin metal container in induction heating by line integral equations

In recent years, induction‐heating cookers have spread rapidly. It is desirable to commercialize flexible and disposable food containers that are suitable for induction heating. In order to develop a good‐quality food container for moderate heating, the eddy currents induced in a thin metal plate must be accurately analyzed. The integral equation method is widely used for solving induction‐heating problems. If the plate thickness approaches zero, the surface integral equations on the upper and lower plate surfaces tend to become the same and the equations become ill‐conditioned. In this paper, we first derive line integral equations from the boundary integral equations under the assumption that the electromagnetic fields in the metal are attenuated more rapidly than those along the metal surface. Next, to test the validity of the line integral equations, we solve for the eddy current induced in a thin metal container in induction heating and obtain the power density imparted to the container and the impedance characteristics of the heating coil. We then compare the computed results with those obtained by the FEM. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 168(2): 20–27, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20813