Developing Predictive Equations to Model the Visual Demand of In-Vehicle Touchscreen HMIs

Touchscreen human–machine interfaces (HMIs) are commonly employed as the primary control interface and touch-point of vehicles. However, there has been very little theoretical work to model the demand associated with such devices in the automotive domain. Instead, touchscreen HMIs intended for deployment within vehicles tend to undergo time-consuming and expensive empirical testing and user trials, typically requiring fully functioning prototypes, test rigs, and extensive experimental protocols. While such testing is invaluable and must remain within the normal design/development cycle, there are clear benefits, both fiscal and practical, to the theoretical modeling of human performance. We describe the development of a preliminary model of human performance that makes a priori predictions of the visual demand (total glance time, number of glances, and mean glance duration) elicited by in-vehicle touchscreen HMI designs, when used concurrently with driving. The model incorporates information theoretic components based on Hick–Hyman Law decision/search time and Fitts’ Law pointing time and considers anticipation afforded by structuring and repeated exposure to an interface. Encouraging validation results, obtained by applying the model to a real-world prototype touchscreen HMI, suggest that it may provide an effective design and evaluation tool, capable of making valuable predictions regarding the limits of visual demand/performance associated with in-vehicle HMIs, much earlier in the design cycle than traditional design evaluation techniques. Further validation work is required to explore the behavior associated with more complex tasks requiring multiple screen interactions, as well as other HMI design elements and interaction techniques. Results are discussed in the context of facilitating the design of in-vehicle touchscreen HMI to minimize visual demand.     

Modeling of ferrofluid magnetic actuation with dynamic magnetic fields in small channels

One of the most important and promising research areas in biomedical and micropumping applications is magnetic actuation of ferrofluids with dynamic magnetic fields. For ensuring the use of ferrofluids in various applications in engineering fields, their flows generated by magnetic fields should be extensively investigated and simulated. In this study, simulations of ferrofluid actuation with dynamic magnetic fields were performed by modeling it using the COMSOL Multiphysics software, and iron oxide nanoparticle-based ferrofluids at different angles of rotating magnets were considered to provide insight into ferrofluid flow in small channels. Ferrofluid flows were modeled at different magnetic flux densities provided by rotating magnets, and velocity profiles inside the channel were analyzed. It was shown that ferrofluid actuation can be considered as a futuristic micropumping alternative, simulation results matched well with the experimental results of previous work, and the established model could serve as a tool to analyze ferrofluid flows generated by dynamic magnetic fields. The results of the model show that flow rates up to 100 µl/s can be reached at a rotation angle of 30° by using dynamic magnetic fields. Various applications including biomedical applications might be envisaged.     

Metal-Containing Polymers Synthesized via Acyclic Diene Metathesis (ADMET) Polymerization Using Electrochemically Reduced Tungsten-Based Catalyst: Polycarbogermanes

Various germanium-containing dienes, bis(4-pentenyl)diethylgermanium (1), bis(4-pentenyl)dimethylgermanium (2) and bis(3-butenyl)diethylgermanium (3), were synthesized and polymerized using an electrochemically reduced tungsten-based catalyst system via acyclic diene metathesis (ADMET) polymerization. All polymer structures were characterized by ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy. These results indicate the retention of the double bonds in the polymer structure with high trans content (57–70%) as expected from a step condensation reaction. These polymers have low molecular weight (M _W) that range from 7400 to 19,100. The thermal stability of polymers was evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis. The glass transition temperatures of the polymer of monomer 1, 2 and 3 were −24, −9 and −47°C, respectively. Synthesis, characterization and the general limitations of ADMET polymers obtained by this catalyst are discussed. An erratum to this article can be found at     

作用在防抱制动系统上的外转矩

本文研究了采用一个附加的驱动力矩作用于一带ABS系统的控制机构来缩短制动距离的可能性。在该ABS的控制周期内，只有减小制动压力才能使锁止轮再加速，当在制动压力比较低的阶段可采用一外加牵引力矩来缩短加速时间。可用车辆发动机或一个附加电机作为一个外加牵引力矩源。可以用一个数字模型来研究该系统缩短制动距离的可能性。采用一个仿真模型来分析该附加加速力的影响，并获得可缩短制动距离达到10％的结论。     

Mineralogy-induced radiological aspects with characterization of commercial granites exploited in Turkey

This study deals with natural radioactivity levels of the ten most important commercial granites from various districts currently being exploited as dimension stone in Turkey. Determining the level of radioactivity is important for human health, particularly for indoor use of granites. This study shows that the relationship between the natural radioactivity and the radiogenic mineralogical contents of the granites exploited for commercial utilization in Turkey is variable. The natural radioactivity levels (i.e., activity concentrations of radionuclides ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K) of granite samples were determined by high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometry. Using these activities, radiological hazard dose rates (absorbed and annual effective) and gamma-activity indexes were calculated using standard equations accepted by public health bodies, taking relevant international reports and guidelines into account. Three of the granites exploited in the Black Sea, Aegean, and Central Anatolia regions were found to be high in radium-equivalent activities and annual effective doses due to minerals bearing the radionuclides, including zircon, apatite, allanite, xenotime, uranothorite, K-feldspars, and biotite. Of those, uranothorite contains large amounts of radionuclides and is present in samples of granites collected from the Black Sea and Aegean regions. Radioactivity measurements using high-resolution gamma-ray spectroscopy serve as a rapid screening tool to evaluate natural radioactivity, whereas detailed petrographic, mineralogical, and elemental investigations can reveal the source of radioactive emissions in granites.     

Electrodeposition of poly(4‐methyl carbazole‐3‐carboxylic acid) on steel surfaces and corrosion protection of steel

The electropolymerization of 4‐methyl carbazole‐3‐carboxylic acid was successfully performed on a stainless steel (316L) surface with lithium perchlorate/acetonitrile as the supporting electrolyte. The corrosion resistance of the new coating, poly(4‐methyl carbazole‐3‐carboxylic acid) (PCz), was investigated. To this end, potentiodynamic polarization curves, open circuit potentials, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to evaluate the capacity of the PCz coating to protect the steel surface. The corrosion tests indicated that PCz exhibited effective anodic protection in a corrosive test solution. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

A simulation-based comparison of two goods-to-person order picking systems in an online retail setting

Design and analysis of order picking systems continues to be an active topic of interest both in academia and practice, especially in light of the significant increase in online retail sales. In this paper, we examine two types of well-known, goods-to-person order picking systems, namely, a miniload system and a Kiva system. Using a simulation model, we compare the performance of the two systems on the basis of expected throughput and expected container retrieval times to process the same set of customer orders. We also discuss some of the advantages and limitations of the two systems.