The effect of nanostructure upon the compressive strength of carbon fibres

The relationship between the structure and the compressive strength of carbon fibres has been studied in detail. In order to determine the compressive strength, a combination of single-fibre composite tests and Raman spectroscopy was employed. It was found that the compressive stress–strain curves showed nonlinear behaviour, with modulus softening in compression. The compressive strengths for the fibres with a modulus ≥400 GPa were measured as ≤2 GPa and those with a modulus <400 GPa were >2 GPa. We have introduced a model to explain this behaviour that assumes that the fibres behave as composites consisting of both crystallites and amorphous carbon. It is suggested that the compressive strength is controlled by the critical stress for kinking the crystallites in the fibres. Hence, the compressive strength of carbon fibres is found to depend upon the shear modulus of the fibres and the orientation of the crystallites within them.     

Pulse switching characteristics of MAGTs for pulsed power applications

For pulsed power systems such as lasers and accelerators, semiconductor switches with their longer service life have actively been developed as replacements for thyratrons. The MOS-driven thyristors are suitable for pulsed power applications because they have high-power handling and fast turn-on capabilities. The MOS-assisted gate-triggered thyristor (MAGT), designed especially for pulsed power, is a promising candidate in this field. This paper presents the results of an investigation into the performance of MAGTs. Using a pulse-forming network (PEN), the pulse-switching characteristics and the dynamic resistance characteristics during the current flow are investigated. A maximum current density of 21.8 kA/cm² and di/dt of 106 kA/μs/cm² with 1550-V anode voltage on a single-shot basis were obtained. Furthermore, a life test with 10⁹ shots at a high repetition rate showed no degradation in the observed characteristics. Based on these experimental results, a carrier flow model of MAGT during turn-on process is proposed and the turn-on mechanism is considered.     

Natriuretic peptide family as a novel antimigration factor of vascular smooth muscle cells

Vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration is proposed to be an important process in the initiation and/or progression of atherosclerosis. The present study examined the effects of the natriuretic peptide family (atrial, brain, and C-type natriuretic peptides; ANP, BNP, and CNP) on the migration of cultured rat SMCs, using Boyden's chamber methods. Fetal calf serum (FCS) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB potently stimulated SMC migration. Rat ANP(1-28), rat BNP-45, and rat CNP-22 clearly inhibited SMC migration stimulated with FCS or PDGF-BB in a concentration-dependent manner. CNP-22 had the most potent inhibitory effect compared with other natriuretic peptides. When PDGF-BB-induced migration was separated into chemotactic and chemokinetic activities, the chemotactic component was strongly inhibited by these natriuretic peptides. Such inhibition by these natriuretic peptides was paralleled by an increase in the cellular level of cyclic GMP. The addition of a cyclic GMP analogue, 8-bromo cyclic GMP, and an activator of the cytosolic guanylate cyclase, sodium nitroprusside, significantly inhibited FCS- and PDGF-BB-stimulated migration in a concentration-dependent manner. These results suggest that natriuretic peptides, especially CNP-22, inhibit FCS- or PDGF-BB-stimulated SMC migration at least in part through a cyclic GMP-dependent process. Thus, the natriuretic peptide family may play a role as an antimigration factor of SMCs under certain circumstances.     

Stimulation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate formation by the novel vasorelaxant peptide adrenomedullin in cultured rat mesangial cells

This study was conducted to compare the tensile bond strength at the two interfaces of the "sandwich technique". 48 hours after the specimens were tested, using Hounsfield tensometer. Load was gradually applied on to the specimen till the bond at the interface failed. The load at which the bond failed was recorded and analysed for statistical significance. From the present study it can be concluded that the bond between glass ionomer and dentine is better than the bond between glass ionomer and composite resin.     

Estimating energy consumption from night-time DMPS/OLS imagery after correcting for saturation effects

A methodology is presented to accurately estimate electric power consumption from saturated night-time Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) Operational Linescan System (OLS) imagery using a stable light correction. An area correction for the stable light image of DMSP/OLS for the year 1999 was performed and the build-up area rate data were used to clarify the intensity distribution characteristics of the stable light. Based on the spatial distribution characteristics of the stable light, the saturation light of the electric power supply area of Japan was corrected using a cubic regression equation. The regression between the correction calculations by the cubic regression equation and the statistical electric power consumption data was applied in Japan and also in China, India and 10 other Asian countries. The correction method was then evaluated. This study confirms that electric power consumption can be estimated with high precision from the stable light.     

Numerical simulation of GaAs MESFETs with a p-buffer layer on asemi-insulating substrate compensated by deep traps

A numerical analysis of GaAs MESFETs with a p-buffer layer on a semi-insulating substrate is performed in which impurity compensation by traps in the substrate is considered. It is shown that the use of a thick p-buffer layer results in a lower device current due to the formation of a steep barrier at the channel-substrate interface. It is also shown that with higher trap and acceptor densities in the substrate, the drain current is reduced due to the decrease in the substrate current. This decrease occurs because a negative-space-charge layer is formed in the substrate. It is demonstrated that when the p-buffer layer is fully depleted, its acceptors play the same electrical role as the acceptors within the space-charge region of the semi-insulating substrate. Thus, using a thick p-buffer layer has the same effect as using a substrate with a high density of traps, i.e. it minimizes the short-channel effects in GaAs MESFETs. Therefore, if the trap density in the substrate is low, the short-channel effects can be reduced by introducing a p-buffer layer or a buried p-layer     

Permeation characteristics of poly(vinyl alcohol)–poly(vinyl acetate) composite porous membranes

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVAc) composite porous membrane has been prepared from PVAc latex film by extraction with acetone. The PVAc latex was prepared by emulsion polymerization of vinyl acetate in the presence of PVA, employing the hydrogen peroxide–tartaric acid systemm as an initiator. The extraction degree of PVAc could be controlled in a wide range by changing the addition method of the initiator, and, acoordingly, PVA–PVAc omposite porous membranes which had variosu void volumes were obtained. The maximum void volume attained was ca. 90%. Permation characteristics of organic solvents wre investigated on the membranes whose extraction degrees were 95.6% and 80.7%. Thge feeds were benzene, n-hexane, cyclohexane, and their mixtures. neither swelling nor shrinkage in tje appearance size of the while benzene hardly permeated even at 20 kg/cm². The grafted PVAc in the mebrane was removed or converted into grafted PVA by treatment with sodium methylate, and then the depression of benzene permeation was lost. The grafted PVAc was suggested to be localizd on the cell wall and was found to function as a valve which closes with nenzene or a good solvent for PVAc and opens with n-haxane or a poor solvent for PVAc.     

Eight-year operational experience with a 13,400 M3/d reverse osmosis desalination plant at Kashima works of Sumitomo metals

Recently, the reverse osmosis has been applied widely to industrial water purification and accepted commercially. A large number of RO systems are now in operation all over the world. Sumitomo Metals adopted the first 3,000 m³/d (800,000 gpd) reverse osmosis system as pretreatment for ion exchange equipment in 1971, which was expanded to a combined capacity of 13,400 m³/d (3.54 mgpd). Since its start up of operation, various operational problems have been experienced at Kashima and cured to establish a stablized modes of operation.This paper presents a comprehensive review of the operation, maintenance, steps taken for trouble-shooting, and performance data of the world's largest reverse osmosis desalination plant operating now in Kashima Steel Works of Sumitomo Metals, Japan.