Process Optimization in Tableware Industries Using Taguchi's Design of Experiments

The essential influences of 15 parameters on defects (cracks and bubbles) during production of tableware have been studied with 16 experimental progressions using a L₁₆(2¹⁵) experimental design by G. Taguchi. Evaluation (analysis of means and analysis of variance) indicated that in this production liter weight, drying time, moisture before biscuit firing, and position in the biscuit-firing kiln have a significant influence on cracks. Concerning bubbles, parameters with an influence are liter weight, gate system, mold material, and moisture content before glost firing. Rejects of the article used in the experiments were reduced from 2.44% to 2.27% with respect to cracks and from 6.22% to 0% with respect to bubbles.     

New airborne scanning lidar system: applications for atmospheric remote sensing

A new scanning airborne-aerosol lidar system that has the potential to be a valuable atmospheric remote-sensing tool has been developed. The system has the ability to scan both parallel and perpendicular to an aircraft's flight path, and this ability permits both the three-dimensional rendering of the aerosol structure below the aircraft and the measurement of aerosol extinction and optical depth. The system has been integrated into a NASA P-3 aircraft and during a recent flight was used to acquire excellent data with both scanning modes. The system design, the application of the across-track scanning data to the study of the atmospheric boundary layer, and the computation of optical depth derived from along-track scan data are reported.     

V.P.E. GaAs m.e.s.f.e.t. structure using oxygen injection during buffer layer growth

GaAs m.e.s.f.e.t. structures with high-resistivity buffer layers were prepared by introducing oxygen into the deposition system during growth. The electrical properties of the buffer layers are independent of the oxygen content of the gas phase over a large range of partial pressures. The characteristics of devices prepared with such layers are excellent.     

Synaptic delay learning in pulse-coupled neurons

We present rules for the unsupervised learning of coincidence between excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) by the adjustment of postsynaptic delays between the transmitter binding and the opening of ion channels. Starting from a gradient descent scheme, we develop a robust and more biological threshold rule by which EPSPs from different synapses can be gradually pulled into coincidence. The synaptic delay changes are determined from the summed potential--at the site where the coincidence is to be established--and from postulated synaptic learning functions that accompany the individual EPSPs. According to our scheme, templates for the detection of spatiotemporal patterns of synaptic activation can be learned, which is demonstrated by computer simulation. Finally, we discuss possible relations to biological mechanisms.     

Epoxy resins from fats. I. Epoxidized glycerides cured with phthalic anhydride

Summary and Conclusion Epoxy resins were made from phthalic anhydride and the following expoxidized fatty glycerides: neats-foot oil, lard oil, triolein, soybean oil, perilla oil, and trilinolein. Some physical properties of these resins were measured and tabulated. It has been shown that heat-distortion temperature, tensile strength, and modulus of elasticity increase with the unsaturation of the glyceride precursor of the epoxy intermediate. Presented at the fall meeting, American Oil Chemists' Society, Chicago, Ill., October 20–22, 1958. Eastern Regional Research and Development Division, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture.     

Metal soaps of wool wax acids as stabilizers for plasticized polyvinyl chloride

Copper, magnesium, lead, nickel, cobalt, manganese, iron, chromium, cadmium, and barium soaps of the wool wax acid fraction have been tested as stabilizers for plasticized polyvinyl chloride polymers. Barium, cadmium, and lead soaps performed well in the light stability evaluations. In the heat aging tests barium, magnesium, lead, and nickel soaps were superior while cadmium, and manganese soaps performed poorly. The copper, cobalt, iron, and chromium soaps were ineffective. Two tests for stability were employed: an accelerated light aging test and an accelerated heat aging test. Combinations of barium and cadmium soaps were tested for synergistic effects and found to be more effective as stabilizers than the individual soaps. Soaps made from fractions of acids by partitioning the whole wool wax acid fraction were also tested. Neither the hydroxy nor the non-hydroxy acid fraction soaps had as goad stabilizing properties for PVC as those of the whole acid fraction. Presented at the Spring Meeting of the American Oil Chemists' Society, St. Louis, Missouri, May 1–3, 1961. Eastern Utilization Research and Development Division, Agricultural Research Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture.     

Darstellung von schwer entflammbaren polymeren unter verwendung von β-trichlormethyl-β-lactonen und deren derivate

By using β-trichloromethyl-β-lactones it is possible to incorporate the CCl₃-group into various classes of polymers. This can be achieved either via ringopening copolymerization or by using the adducts of these lactones with amines, alcohols or phenols in polycondensation or polyaddition reactions. Under suitable reaction conditions block- or graft-copolymers can be obtained. Finally, derivatives of β-trichloro-β-propiolactones can be used for the incorporation into polymers after or during polymerization. Polymers containing CCl₃-groups are flame resistant or selfextinguishing. Often, these effects are observed at lower chlorine contents than normally necessary with other chlorinated flame retardants.     

Polymerizable derivatives of long-chain fatty alcohols. III. Copolymers of some alkyl acrylates and acrylonitrile

Coplymers of acrylonitrile containing 5 to 28 mole % (11 to 70 weight %) of three alkyl acrylates (butyl, octyl, and octadecyl) were prepared in t-butanol solution. The copolymers were capable of being molded at about 300–400°F. under a pressure of about 2,000 p.s.i. The magnitude of both the tensile strength and the characteristic low temperature of the copolymers varied inversely with the weight percentage of the acrylate present without regard to its alkyl type. The copolymers were oriented with an accompanying three-fold increase in the tensile strength. Good resistance to several selected reagents was shown by all the copolymers. This paper was presented, in part, at the fall meeting. American Oil Chemists' Society, New York, October 1960. Eastern Utilization Research and Development Division, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.