Design and Application of Static Logic Directors

A digital computer program written by Westinghouse engineers aids the design of new static logic systems for metal mills. The computer program accepts logic equations specifying the functions to be performed. The program generates circuit drawings of logic circuitry plus paper tape for controlling an automatic wiring machine. The automatic wiring machine wires the back panel receptacles for plug-in cards which contain the integrated-circuit AND/NAND logic elements. The design engineer determines functional requirements to be performed by the logic circuits. He expresses these requirements in convenient logic statement form and adds comments on circuit functioning. Logic and comment statements are keypunched for input to the computer. The computer analyzes the equations, converts the functions to AND/ NAND logic circuits and generates the punched-paper tape required by the automatic wiring machine. In addition, the computer generates the circuit diagrams showing the actual AND/NAND circuits with complete (JIC) cross references and comments on circuit functioning. During computer processing diagnostic messages are generated to aid in finding design errors. Only one type of logic board is used in the new static logic system to perform all logic functions. This reduces maintenance to mere board replacement and greatly reduces spare board inventory. Triac outputs are featured in addition to normal contact closure outputs. Traic is a static ac switch which can operate pilot-operated solenoid valves, contactors, indicating lights, and other common ac loads. The logic system combines the advantages of fully wired integrated-circuit logic with the convenience and accuracy of computer aided design.     

The role of technological know-how in c-commerce success

Collaborative commerce (c-commerce), involving the use of technology to enable and facilitate inter-organizational processes, is an increasingly important area for technology innovation and investment, and has become a backbone of modern business activity. A vital basis for enhancing the likelihood of c-commerce success is an understanding of the factors that contribute to that success. This research studies one set of such factors: the facets of an organization's technological know-how for performing inter-firm collaboration. It builds on prior research that finds a link between organizational know-how and successful inter-firm collaboration to develop hypotheses about the relationship between an organization's technological know-how for performing inter-organizational collaboration and the success of such collaboration. These hypotheses are tested using data collected from survey respondents who have led c-commerce initiatives. We find support for the proposition that there are aspects of an organization's technological-collaborative know-how that have a significant positive relationship with the firm's c-commerce success.     

The feasibility of dynamic color separation: data from a 20V display prototype

Abstract— This article provides performance requirements and measurement data on dynamic‐color‐separation (DCS) displays. Implementation for a 20V prototype is described. Measurement on its electron gun and phosphor screen provides a benchmark by which requirements for the full range of color CRT displays may be extrapolated. The advantages of DCS are summarized.     

Nanometre-scale rolling and sliding of carbon nanotubes

Understanding the relative motion of objects in contact is essential for controlling macroscopic lubrication and adhesion, for comprehending biological macromolecular interfaces, and for developing submicrometre-scale electromechanical devices. An object undergoing lateral motion while in contact with a second object can either roll or slide. The resulting energy loss and mechanical wear depend largely on which mode of motion occurs. At the macroscopic scale, rolling is preferred over sliding, and it is expected to have an equally important role in the microscopic domain. Although progress has been made in our understanding of the dynamics of sliding at the atomic level, we have no comparable insight into rolling owing to a lack of experimental data on microscopic length scales. Here we produce controlled rolling of carbon nanotubes on graphite surfaces using an atomic force microscope. We measure the accompanying energy loss and compare this with sliding. Moreover, by reproducibly rolling a nanotube to expose different faces to the substrate and to an external probe, we are able to study the object over its complete surface.     

Impact of Trucks on Signalized Intersection Capacity

Abstract: The most common method used for the analysis of signalized intersections in the United States is contained in the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM). In this method, the base saturation flow rate of the signalized intersection is defined in units of passenger cars per hour green per lane (pc/hg/ln). To account for the presence of large trucks in the traffic stream, the HCM includes a Passenger Car Equivalency (PCE) value. In the current edition of the HCM, a PCE value of 2.0 is applied for all large trucks, with no distinction between different sizes of trucks. The HCM also recommends a single value of 2.0 seconds for startup lost time, regardless of queue composition. Many transportation professionals have questioned the validity of the PCE value and startup lost time recommended by the HCM. They are concerned that the impact of trucks at signalized intersections is being underestimated. If this is the case, then capacity is being overestimated and intersections are not being adequately designed. The objective of this study was to identify appropriate truck PCE values and a relationship for startup lost time as a function of truck percentage in the traffic stream. To accomplish this objective, a custom simulation tool was developed based on the modified Pitt car‐following model, calibrated with field data, and applied to a comprehensive experimental design. The PCE values determined from this study are 1.8, 2.2, and 2.8 for small, medium, and large trucks, respectively. A model for estimating startup lost time based on the same small, medium, and large truck classifications was also developed.     

Selective functionalization of arbitrary nanowires

We report the selective functionalization of uniform and heterostructured nanowires with self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane (MPTMS). The wires were grown electrochemically in anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates. Selective deposition and removal of SAMs during nanowire growth permits the decoration of specific regions of the surface along the length of the nanowires. This technique presents a facile method for the tailored functionalization of nanowires, but does not rely on the intrinsic chemical properties of the nanowires as previous methods have.