Electrical-discharge wire cutting of ADI and its effect on impact energies

This study built up a set of machining data for electrical-discharge wire cutting (EDWC) of austempered ductile iron (ADI). The treated ADIs with the optimum toughness and the superior strength and hardness were very difficult to machine by the traditional technique. The EDWC process was used to cut the specimens of ADI and the remelted layer and the heat affected zone of the cut surfaces were measured and observed. Optimum cutting conditions were suggested for ADIs with different nodular counts and/or with varying matrix structures. Experimental results showed that if ADIs are cut by EDWC, then the formation of microvoids due to the decarburization and vaporization of graphite nodules at the remelted layer greatly deteriorate the quality of the machined surface. A severe bubbling was observed during cutting. This bubbling in the pool of dielectric fluid markedly lowered the cutting feedrate of EDWC. A model was proposed to correlate the cutting feedrate with the thickness of the workpiece, the time of the discharge spark, the feedrate override of the table, nodule counts of irons and the per cent retained austenite of ADIs.     

Mathematical models for the numerical study of turbulent flows

Abstract

This paper presents (1) a brief overview of the mathematical models used in the numerical study of turbulent flows; (2) a K‐? model of turbulence; and (3) extensions of the K‐? model to account for some of the effects of compressibility, low Reynolds number, streamline curvature, and preferential stress dissipation.     

Analysis and optimal control of discrete time‐varying systems Via Hahn polynomials

Abstract

Recently, the problem of analysis and optimal control of discrete time‐invariant systems has been extensively studied using finite series expansion of discrete orthogonal polynomials. This paper is to extend the applicable scope of discrete orthogonal polynomials to discrete time‐varying systems. The finite set of Hahn polynomials {q_ik)], i=0, 1, …, N} is chosen as the finite series expansion basis due to its general form and useful properties. First, for treating the product of two discrete‐time functions by Hahn series expansion, a new algorithm is derived to compute the Hahn series expansion coefficients of products qi(k)q_j (k), i, j=0, 1, …, N. These Hahn coefficients are then used to establish a product operational matrix for relating the Hahn coefficient vector of a product function to those of its component functions. This product operational matrix, along with the relations for connecting the Hahn coefficient vectors of a discrete function x(k) and its time‐shifted x(k+1), is finally applied to derive computational algorithms for solving the problems of analysis and optimal control of discrete time‐varying systems via finite Hahn series. Computed results are provided to illustrate the applicability of the proposed algorithms.     

Optimum design of a cogeneration system in processes

Abstract

A systematic method is presented for the preliminary design of a cogeneration system with the desire of achieving minimum operating costs. The ratio of power to process heat is shown to be a critical factor in the preliminary selection of energy conversion systems. However, the final decision should be based on the operating costs and economical index, ROI. A fuel substitution factor is proposed to define theoretically the most economical power generation in plants. Two case studies are demonstrated to describe this approach.     

The effect of accumulation of cathodic decomposition on the anodic conversion of sulfide ions to sulfur in a continuous extractive electrochemical reactor

Abstract

This paper presents an intelligent digital filter synthesis system which consists of a user‐friendly graphic I/O interface, a synthesis program designing filter coefficients, an intelligent hardware generation system and a simulator including time and frequency domain simulation. Users need only to specify the filter type, filter specifications, sampling rate requirement and some parameters through the graphic interface. The filter response and the simulation results can be immediately shown on the screen. The graphic interface is based on the X Window System and therefore provides a network‐transparent and vendor‐independent operating environment for the system. The synthesis system is targeted for two main types of digital filter: FIR and IIR. An automatic partition algorithm on FIR is developed to meet the user's sampling rate requirement. The optimal cascade architecture of biquad‐based IIR with programmable coefficients is also derived. The final circuit designs under economic bitwidth are generated by the GDT system and further layouts can be generated.     

Charge Transfer at Junctions of a Single Layer of Graphene and a Metallic Single Walled Carbon Nanotube

Junctions between a single walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) and a monolayer of graphene are fabricated and studied for the first time. A single layer graphene (SLG) sheet grown by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is transferred onto a SiO₂/Si wafer with aligned CVD‐grown SWNTs. Raman spectroscopy is used to identify metallic‐SWNT/SLG junctions, and a method for spectroscopic deconvolution of the overlapping G peaks of the SWNT and the SLG is reported, making use of the polarization dependence of the SWNT. A comparison of the Raman peak positions and intensities of the individual SWNT and graphene to those of the SWNT‐graphene junction indicates an electron transfer of 1.12 × 10¹³ cm^?2 from the SWNT to the graphene. This direction of charge transfer is in agreement with the work functions of the SWNT and graphene. The compression of the SWNT by the graphene increases the broadening of the radial breathing mode (RBM) peak from 3.6 ± 0.3 to 4.6 ± 0.5 cm^?1 and of the G peak from 13 ± 1 to 18 ± 1 cm^?1, in reasonable agreement with molecular dynamics simulations. However, the RBM and G peak position shifts are primarily due to charge transfer with minimal contributions from strain. With this method, the ability to dope graphene with nanometer resolution is demonstrated.     

In-Situ monitoring of temperature and alloy composition of Hg1−xCdxTe using FTIR spectroscopic techniques

Optical real-time in-situ sensors play a very important role in the processing of semiconductor devices because of their noncontact remote nature and excellent compatibility with UHV systems. In this work, we report on progress in developing an in-situ temperature sensor for HgCdTe structures grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). Based on the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer, this sensor is capable of continuous real-time monitoring of the surface temperature, thickness and alloy composition of HgCdTe epilayers. The accuracy and sensitivity of this FTIR technique were studied in all temperature ranges of interest. Also compared are two different methods of temperature determination obtained from the normalized spectral radiance. The influence of stray radiation and of sample holder rotation on the measurement accuracy have been studied. Reflectivity spectra for HgCdTe/CdZnTe(211) and HgCdTe/CdTe(211)/Si(211) structures have been analyzed in real time in order to determine the layer thickness and alloy composition for growing layers. Also discussed is a multilayer-structure optical model developed to solve the problem of composition determination at early stages of growth. The application of this model for fitting the transmission spectra is demonstrated.     

Dynamic complexes of beta2-adrenergic receptors with protein kinases and phosphatases and the role of gravin

Signals mediated by G-protein-linked receptors display agonist-induced attenuation and recovery involving both protein kinases and phosphatases. The role of protein kinases and phosphatases in agonist-induced attenuation and recovery of beta-adrenergic receptors was explored by two complementary approaches, antisense RNA suppression and co-immunoprecipitation of target elements. Protein phosphatases 2A and 2B are associated with the unstimulated receptor, the latter displaying a transient decrease followed by a 2-fold increase in the levels of association at 30 min following challenge with agonist. Protein kinase A displays a robust, agonist-induced association with beta-adrenergic receptors over the same period. Suppression of phosphatases 2A and 2B with antisense RNA or inhibition of their activity with calyculin A and FK506, respectively, blocks resensitization following agonist removal. Recycling of receptors to the plasma membrane following agonist-promoted sequestration is severely impaired by loss of either phosphatase 2B or protein kinase C. In addition, loss of protein kinase C diminishes association of phosphatase 2B with beta-adrenergic receptors. Overlay assays performed with the RII subunit of protein kinase A and co-immunoprecipitations reveal proteins of the A kinase-anchoring proteins (AKAP) family, including AKAP250 also known as gravin, associated with the beta-adrenergic receptor. Suppression of gravin expression disrupts recovery from agonist-induced desensitization, confirming the role of gravin in organization of G-protein-linked signaling complexes. The Ht31 peptide, which blocks AKAP protein-protein interactions, blocks association of beta-adrenergic receptors with protein kinase A. These data are the first to reveal dynamic complexes of beta-adrenergic receptors with protein kinases and phosphatases acting via an anchoring protein, gravin.     

Particle Size Effect on the Packaging Performance of YAG:Ce Phosphors in White LEDs

The synthesis of cerium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG:Ce) phosphor of different sizes with uniform size distribution was carried out using solid-state reaction followed by grinding and sieving method. The effect of particle size distribution of YAG:Ce phosphors on the photoluminescence (PL) properties was investigated. The results demonstrate that the uniform size distribution and particle size affects the packaging performance in white light emitting diode (LED) applications. The YAG:Ce phosphors with different particle sizes were packaged in white LEDs using different amounts of each phosphors in order to get similar efficiency as that of commercially available YAG:Ce phosphors. It was observed that minimum amount of phosphor material is required for smaller particle size for getting the similar efficiency as that exhibited by commercially available YAG:Ce phosphors. The results are particularly interesting in view of reducing the cost of current LEDs by lowering the amount of phosphors without compromising the efficiencies of final LED package. A systematic study of YAG:Ce phosphors on the packing performance in white LEDs is reported.