Interfacial adhesion reaction of polyethylene and starch blends using maleated polyethylene reactive compatibilizer

The interfacial reaction of the polyethylene (PE)/starch blend system containing the reactive compatibilizer maleated polyethylene (m‐PE) was directly characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. A significant amount of anhydride groups on m‐PE existed as hydrolyzed forms, resulting in a large amount of carboxyl groups. Using a vacuum‐heating‐cell designed in the laboratory, the carboxyl groups were successfully transformed into the dehydrolyzed state (i.e., anhydride group). This result enabled the direct spectroscopic observation of chemical reaction occurring at the interface. For the PE/starch blend system containing m‐PE, the chemical reaction at the interface was verified by the evolution of ester and carboxyl groups in the FTIR spectra. The effect of the reactive compatibilizer on the interfacial morphology was also examined by scanning electron micrography (SEM). Enhanced interfacial adhesion was clearly observed for the blend system containing reactive compatibilizer. Tensile strengths of blend systems containing m‐PE also increased noticeably compared with the corresponding system without compatibilizer. A similar observation was made for the breaking elongation data. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 767–776, 2002     

Multilayer Composites Based on PTFE Films and Fiberglass

Fibre Chemistry - The article is devoted to the development of two-layer composites with a fluoroplastic matrix and fiberglass reinforcing elements. The fluoroplastic matrix acts as a protective...     

Empathy and Modern Technology: A Neuroergonomics Perspective

The primary purpose of this paper is to discuss the role of empathy in the design of advanced systems in manufacturing and service industries in order to ensure suitable working conditions for employees from the social and technological point of view. The origins and components of empathy are briefly reviewed. The neural underpinnings of three components of empathy, including cognitive, emotional, and behavioral aspects, are considered in the context of human–human and human–machine interactions, as well as design of working environments. Finally, the potential advantages of applying empathy‐related knowledge to the design and development of human‐centered technology are discussed.     

Studies on a New Concept of 3D Data Integration about Reaches and Forces of a Disabled Person on a Wheelchair (CAD Methods in Car and Market Ergonomics)

The article presents a new concept of combining the three dimensions (3D) of a person's manipulation space. The data concern information about the reach of the arms and biomechanical data about limiting the load of a disabled person sitting in a wheelchair. Measurement data were acquired empirically, on original measuring station. The data included, respectively, arms' reach (static and dynamic) or, alternatively, measurements of limiting forces. The obtained data were processed into virtual 3D surfaces of arms' reach and forces. These surfaces provide the required graphic model of anthropotechnical and biomechanical data. Developed model was utilized to perform a virtual analysis of the accessibility of a disabled person to technical means: in a market sale space and in the ergonomic analysis into the space of a personal car. The presented method of 3D graphic modeling of anthropometrical and biomechanical data can be universally applied in ergonomic designing of work stations not only for disabled persons. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Explicit formulae for completions of linear time varying singular systems of differential equations

Completions of linear time varying singular systems of the formE(t)x(t)+F(t)x(t)=f(t) are explicitly computed using recent results on rational matrix functions. The algorithm and the theory behind it are carefully described. Computational issues are discussed.Research supported in part by the U.S. Army Research Office under DAAL03-89-D-0003, and the National Science Foundation under ECS-9012909.     

Shielding of Electromagnetic Radiation by an Artificial Magnetic Conductor Based on an Isotropic Composite Material Consisting of Capacitive Gratings

Journal of Communications Technology and Electronics - The characteristics of an artificial magnetic conductor (AMC) based on an anisotropic composite material consisting of capacitive gratings...     

Double Auction-based Scheduling of Scientific Applications in Distributed Grid and Cloud Environments

Economy models have long been considered as a promising complement to the classical distributed resource management not only due of their dynamic and decentralized nature, but also because the concept of financial valuation of resources and services is an inherent part of any such model. In its broadest sense, scheduling of scientific applications in distributed Grid and Cloud environments can be regarded as a market-based negotiation between a scheduling service optimizing user-centric objectives (execution time, budget), and a resource manager optimizing provider-centric metrics (resource utilization, income, job throughput). In this paper, we propose a new instantiation of the negotiation protocol between the scheduler and resource manager using a market-based Continuous Double Auction (CDA) model. We analyze different scheduling strategies that can be applied and identify general strategic patterns that can lead to a fast and cheap work ow execution. In the experimental study, we demonstrate that under certain circumstances one can benefit by applying an aggressive scheduling strategy.