The Effect of the Coefficient of Variation of Operation Times on the Allocation of Storage Space in Production Line Systems

This paper studies the effect of the coefficient of variation of operation times on the optimal allocation of storage space in production line systems. The operation times at each station are modelled by a two-stage Coxian distribution. This work extends the results of our previous study of the storage allocation problem with exponentially distributed operation times. Interpreting Stage 1 of the two-stage Coxian distribution as the normal service for an item at a station and Stage 2 as down time at the station, our model can also be used to study the effect of breakdowns on the allocation of storage space in production line systems. The results show that the “bowl effect” whereby the center stations should be given preferential treatment becomes more pronounced with higher variability in the operation times. Another general conclusion is that the overall optimal storage allocation commonly follows a “storage bowl phenomenon” whereby the allocation of buffer storage space fits an inverted bowl pattern when the total storage space is also a decision variable     

High throughput methods for polymer nanocomposites research: Extrusion, NMR characterization and flammability property screening

A large number of parameters influence polymer-nanocomposite performance and developing a detailed understanding of these materials involves investigation of a large volume of the associated multi-dimensional property space. This multi-dimensional parameter space for polymer-nanocomposites consists of the obvious list of different material types under consideration, such as polymer and nano-additive, but also includes interphase surface chemistry, and processing conditions. This article presents combinatorial library design and high-throughput screening methods for polymer nanocomposites intended as flame-resistant materials. Here, we present the results of using a twin-screwn extruder to create composition-gradient library strips of polymer nanocomposites that are screened with a solid-state NMR method to rapidly evaluate the optimal processing conditions for achieving nanocomposite dispersion. In addition, we present a comparison of a new rapid Cone calorimetry method to conventional Cone calorimetry and to the gradient heat-flux flame spread method.     

A system of heat-mass-transfer equations for vapor filtration in dispersed media

A system of heat-mass-transfer equations describing filtration of a vapor in dispersed media is presented. The cases of local thermal equilibrium and temperature difference between the filtering agent and medium particles are considered.Translated from Inzhenerno-Fizicheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 40, No. 4, pp. 705–710, April, 1981.     

A two-machine permutation flow shop scheduling problem with buffers

Problems with blocking (limited intermediate storage space) are used frequently for modelling and scheduling just-in-time and flexible manufacturing systems. In this paper, an approximation algorithm is presented for the problem of finding the minimum makespan in a two-machine permutation flow-shop scheduling problem with the mediating buffer of finite capacity. The algorithm is based on the tabu search approach supported by the reduced neighborhood, search accelerator and technique of back jumps on the search trajectory. Due to some special properties, the proposed algorithm provides makespans very close to optimal in a short time. It has been shown that this algorithm outperforms all known approximation algorithms for the problem stated.     

Structural optimization of composite material for aircraft panels with strength,stability, and deflection restrictions

A theoretical approach is put forward for the structural design (in terms of the number of layers, layer thickness, and reinforcement orientation angle) for laminated composite material of minimalweight aircraft panels with restrictions on their strength, stability, and deflection. We deduce dependences for calculation of potential number of uniform-strength layers in a stack, for which the strength criterion in the form of equality is satisfied. A problem of structural optimization for a composite made up of uniform-strength layers is formulated and solved. The structures with reinforcement orientation angles [0], [90], [0, 90], [±], [±₁, ±₂], [0, ±], [90, ±], and [0, 90, ±] are demonstrated to be the optimal ones, depending on the load type and magnitude. We derived the necessary and sufficient sets of equations for the determination of design parameters. Several examples and particular loading cases are discussed.Translated from Problemy Prochnosti, No. 6, pp. 33–47, November–December, 2004     

Solution of thermal conductivity problems with boundary condition of the third kind and arbitrary coordinate and time dependence of the biot number

An analytical solution of the thermal conductivity problem with boundary conditions of the third kind and arbitrary coordinate and time dependence of the Biot number is found in the form of a converging series of quadratures.Notation , z dimensionless coordinates - dimensionless temperature - Q dimensionless volume heat-liberation density per unit time - Fo=/² Fourier number - Bi₁(, Fo)=(, Fo) · / Biot number - thermal diffusivity coefficient - plate thickness - time - (, Fo) heat-liberation coefficient - thermal conductivity coefficient - i summation index - Jo zero order Bessel function of the first kind Translated from Inzhenerno-Fizicheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 41, No. 3, pp. 536–540, September, 1981.     

A rank-frequency model for scientific productivity

If f(r) is the number of contributions of an author or rank r, then it is shown that f(r) is proportional to r^–, where >0. The model is dependent on the definitions of a contribution and rank of an author. Three estimation procedures are illustrated and four other scientific productivity studies and two data sets on Canadian Mathematicians are shown to adequately fit this rank-frequency relationship.Research partially supported by National Research Council Grant No. A9229.     

TEM study of metastable β-phase decomposition in rapidly solidified Ti-6Al-4V alloy

A new rationale is presented for various decomposition products obtained from the metastable -phase found in Ti-6A1-4V alloy produced by hot isostatic pressing comminuted melt-spun fibres and cooled to room temperature by furnace cooling. This alloy has an -matrix with about 8 vol% retained -phase, which is supersaturated with -stabilizers to such an extent that the martensitic transformation has been suppressed. The metastable -phase decomposes by different modes during continuous cooling, depending on the actual composition of individual -grains. Less enrichment of vanadium and iron favours the direct formation of the equilibrium -phase from the -matrix, while greater enrichment of vanadium and iron leads to a spinodal decomposition of the metastable -phase, resulting in a + two-phase structure. During further continuous cooling, the -phase which is lean in -stabilizers will transform into isothermal -phase. In addition, an unknown phase has also been observed in the -phase, which is typified by the appearance of 1/2{112} reflections in the SAD patterns.     

Mechanism of β1 formation in conventional dental amalgams

This study reexamined the mechanism of ₁ formation in conventional dental amalgams in the light of a previously unrecognized intergranular structure, the SnHg-₂ phase. Two amalgams, A (45. 5% Hg) and B (65. 0% Hg), were made from a Zn-free alloy of the following composition (wt%): Ag-70, Sn-26, Cu-4. After storage at 37°C for 1 day, both amalgams were heat treated at 70°C for up to 16 days. The structural changes in the two amalgams as a function of their heat treatment were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction techniques. On the basis of the experimental data, we have proposed a new mechanism on ₁ formation. This mechanism involves a series of interrelated reactions. The primary one is a reaction between AgSn- and ₂ that leads to the nucleation of ₁ at boundaries. Simultaneous operation of several secondary and tertiary reactions result in (1) further growth of ₁ and its continuing change in composition, (2) loss of Sn from the ₁ matrix, (3) conversion of CuHg into , and (4) a possible transformation of ₂ into Sn-rich ₁ or ₁.     

The existence of Taylor vortices and wide-gap instabilities in spherical Couette flow

Summary The flow of a viscous incompressible fluid in the gap between two concentric spheres was investigated for the case where only the inner sphere rotates and the outer one is stationary. Flow visualization studies were carried out for a wide range of Reynolds numbers (Re2·10⁵) and aspect ratios (0.080.5) to determine the instabilities during the laminar-turbulent transition and the corresponding critical Reynolds numbers as a function of the aspect ratio. It was found that the laminar basic flow loses its stability at the stability threshold in different ways. The instabilities occurring depend strongly on the aspect ratio and the initial conditions. For small and medium aspect ratios (0.080.25), experiments were carried out as a function of the Reynolds number to determine the regions of existence for basic flow, Taylor vortex flow, supercritical basic flow and furthermore, to give the best fit for the maximum number of pairs of Taylor vortices as a function of aspect ratio. For wide gaps (0.330.5), however, Taylor vortices could not be detected. The first instability manifests itself as a break of the spatial symmetry and non-axisymmetric secondary waves with spiral arms appear depending on the Reynolds number. For =0.33, secondary waves with an azimuthal wave numbern=six, five and four were found, while in the gap with an aspect ratio of =0.5 secondary waves withn=five, four and three spiral arms exist. Frequencies of these secondary waves were measured, the corresponding critical Reynolds numbers and the transition Reynolds numbers during the transition to turbulence were found. The flow modes occurring at the poles look very similar to those found in the flow between two rotating disks. Effects of non-uniqueness and hysteresis were determined as a function of the acceleration rate.     

A transmission-electron-microscopy study of a face-centred-cubic phase in an Al-Li-Cu-Mg-Zr alloy

Icosahedral T₂ phases can form either by solid-state precipitation or during solidification in Al-Li-Cu-Mg alloys. The T₂ phase forming during solidification can transform to an R phase at high annealing temperatures. The T₂ phase forming by solid-state precipitation coexists with the Y phase, which has a face-centred cubic (f.c.c.) structure with lattice parameter a2.0 nm and can form microtwins with the twin plane of (111). The orientation relationships between the C phase and the T₂ phase are: i¯5Y0 1 1, Y1 1 3; i¯3Y1 1 1, Y1 2 3, Y1 1 5; Y2 3 5; i2Y0 1 1, Y1 1 1, Y1 1 2, Y1 1 3, Y1 1 5.     

Modern Problems of Intensification of Heat Exchange in Channels

The current achievements in the field of intensification of heat exchange in tube heatexchange apparatus are considered. Requirements for highefficiency heattransfer surfaces have been formulated. Problems of intensification of heat exchange in bundles of finned tubes and in heatexchange apparatus under conditions of condensation and boiling of heattransfer agents and under scaling conditions have been investigated. Highefficiency designs of heatexchange apparatus are presented.     

Modeling of the Temperature State of Large‐Size Space Structures

A procedure of modeling of the temperature state of largesize space structures is considered. Results of modeling of the temperature state of a truss structure, the reflector of a reflectortype aerial, and the concentrator of a solar power unit are reported.     

The crystallization of the amorphous alloy Fe40Ni40P14B6

The isothermal transformation behaviour of the metallic glass Fe₄₀Ni₄₀P₁₄B₆ between 320 and 400° C is described. Crystallization occurs by a eutectic mechanism to form Fe-Ni austenite and a body-centred tetragonal phase which is isomorphous with Fe₃P and Ni₃P. The eutectic crystals have a barrel shape such that the c-axis of the tetragonal phase is parallel to the barrel axis. The orientation relationship between the two phases is 1 1 0T 1 1 0 and 0 0 1T 1 1 2. The austenite phase contains (1 1 1) twins.     

Mixing displacement of viscoplastic fluids feom a channel with a rectangular cavity

Different mixing displacement regimes for viscoplastic fluids are investigated theoretically and experimentally.Notation x and y Cartesian coordinates - h half-width of the gap - H, L dimensionless depth and length of the cavity - v_x, v_y velocity components - density - _ik components of the viscous stress tensor - e_ik components of the deformation rate tensor - dynamic viscosity - dynamic viscosity for infinitely high displacement velocity - ₀ analog of the limiting shear stress in Bingham's fluid - W parameter in Williamson's model - =/gh dimensionless viscosity - stream function - vorticity - ₀, ₀ distributions of and at the inlet - r,a, b, and c auxiliary constants - C concentration of the displacing fluid - D diffusion coefficient - Pe Peclet's number Translated from Inzhenerno-Fizicheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 40, No. 3, pp. 432–439, March, 1981.     

Phase decomposition in extruded Zn-Al based alloy

Ageing characteristics of an extruded eutectoid Zn-Al based alloy were investigated using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy techniques. The extruded alloy consisted of Al rich phase and Zn rich _E and phases. The original cast eutectoid Zn-Al alloy was extruded at 250 °C. Both supersaturated _s and _s phase decomposed during extrusion and appeared as fine and coarse lamellar structures. The _E and phases particles formed in the original interdendritic region. It was found that two Zn rich phases _E and decomposed sequentially during ageing at 170, 140 °C. The decomposition of the _E phase occurred as a discontinuous precipitation in the early stage of ageing and the decomposition of the phase took place in a four phase transformation: + T + in the prolonged ageing. Two typical morphologies of the decomposition of the Zn rich phases _E and were distinctive in back-scattered scanning electron microscopy.     

Hydraulic resistance of rotating tubes

Parametric relations have been obtained, based on experimental data, for the hydraulic resistance coefficient of rotating tubes, allowing for the action of mass forces on the fluid flow.Notation d tube internal diameter - F mass force referred to unit volume - F^* mass force applied to a fluid particle - F excess mass force (difference between the mass forces of two characteristic points of the system) - K similarity parameter - j difference between the inertia accelerations at two points of the system - l characteristic dimension - M moment of momentum of a fluid particle - n number of revolutions of the tube in unit time - r radial coordinate, tube radius - Re Reynolds number, based on the mean mass velocity of the fluid motion - Re_circ Reynolds number based on the circular velocity of fluid motion - S similarity parameter - u circular velocity of the inner surface of the tube - v volume of a fluid particle - w mean mass velocity of the fluid - v kinematic viscosity - ₀ - coefficient of hydraulic resistance of a rotating tube - ₀ same for a fixed tube - fluid density - angular velocity of rotation of the tube     

On strong Dickson pseudoprimes

It is known that the Lucas sequenceV _n(,c)=aⁿ + bⁿ,a, b being the roots ofx ² – x + c=0 equals the Dickson polynomial .^n–2i Lidl, Müller and Oswald recently defined a number b to be a strong Dickson pseudoprime to the parameterc (shortlysDpp(c)) if [itg_n(b, c)b modn for all b. These numbers seem to be very appropriate for a fast probabilistic prime number test. In generalizing results of the above mentioned authors a criterion is derived for an odd composite number to be ansDpp(c) for fixedc. Furthermore the optimal parameterc for the prime number test is determined.     

Agglomeration problems in the formation of FeSi2 from Fe-Si thin-film couples

The agglomeration process that occurs during annealing of thin Fe films (<200 nm) on Si substrates has been studied. Agglomeration occurred on uncapped films prior to silicide formation. Capping layers of SiO₂, or more appropriately Si-SiO₂, have been used to minimize agglomeration effects. Continuous thin films of -FeSi₂ have been grown on 11 1 and 100 oriented substrates. Preferred growth of (202) and (220) suicide planes on 111 Si has been obtained, while preferential growth was not observed on 100 Si.     

Influence of pore volume on laser performance of Nd : YAG ceramics

For present study, 1.1 at% Nd-doped YAG ceramics with a controlled pore volume (150–930 vol ppm) were fabricated by a solid-state reaction method using high-purity powders. The scattering coefficients of Nd:YAG ceramics, obtained from Fresnel' equation, increased simply with increases in the pore volume. The cw laser output power of Nd:YAG ceramics was clearly related to the scattering coefficients of the specimens examined in the present works, which in turn were affected on the pore volume. The effective scattering coefficients of Nd:YAG ceramics with a pore volume of 150 vol ppm were nearly equivalent to those of a 0.9 at%Nd:YAG single crystal by Czochralski method. As the exciting power was increased under excitation by an 808-nm diode laser, however, the laser output power of the Nd:YAG ceramics exceeded that of the Nd:YAG single crystal because of the fairly large amount of Nd additives. The lasing performance of the Nd:YAG ceramics changed drastically with change in pore volume. On the other hand, lasing performance was not affected by the existence of grain boundaries in the polycrystalline Nd:YAG ceramics.