Organic electrochromism for a new color electronic paper

We studied electrochemical properties of terephthalate derivatives, which showed reversible color change from clear to three primary colors by electrochemical stimuli, towards paper-like electronic imaging device. To improve the repetitive stability of the electrochromic cell, ferrocene was added to the electrolyte solution as electron donor (counter redox material). Passive-matrix operation (8×8) of electrochromic display (ECD) has been demonstrated. Moreover, a prototype three-layered ECD, which consisted of cyan, magenta and yellow primary-color layers, was also demonstrated to clarify the potential for full-color electronic paper.     

Antitermitic Activities of Abietane-type Diterpenes from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Taxodium distichum</Emphasis> Cones

Eight known abietane-type diterpenes were isolated from the weak acidic fraction of the n-hexane extract from cones of Taxodium distichum, one of the extant, living fossil conifers. They were identified as 6,7-dehydroroyleanone (1), taxodal (2), taxodione (3), salvinolone (4), 14-deoxycoleon U (5), 5,6-dehydrosugiol (6), sandaracopimaric acid (7), and xanthoperol (8). The structures of these compounds were determined by comparison of NMR spectral data with published data. The antitermitic (termicidal and antifeedant) activities of the compounds 1–8 against the subterranean termite, Reticulitermes speratus Kolbe, were evaluated. Compounds 1 and 3 showed potent termicidal activity, and 5 and 8 showed potent antifeedant activity. Compound 1 was found to be one of the representative bioactive compounds in the n-hexane extract of T. distichum cones. Compounds 1–8, with the exception of 7, were oxides of ferruginol (9). Therefore, the presence of various oxidation forms of the abietane-type structure reflects their various bioactivities.     

Distribution voltage rise at dense photovoltaic generation area and its suppression by SVC

An SVC is proposed as a reactive power compensation device to suppress the rise in the customer voltage due to photovoltaic power generation systems. The SVC produces a reactive power by controlling a thyristor. The effect of the SVC on the rise in the customer voltage has been investigated. Calculation results show that installing an SVC on the low‐voltage side is more effective for suppressing the rise in the customer voltage compared to an SVC located on the high‐voltage side. As far as the calculation conditions are concerned, it is found that the rated capacity of the SVC needed to maintain the customer voltage within 101±6V is over ±11.1kVA. The slope reactance required to suppress the customer voltage lower than 107 V is found to be under 1.28%. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 166(2): 47–53, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20478     

Project scheduling using a genetic algorithm with adaptable changing genetic operators

Genetic algorithms (GA) have been widely used to solve planning problems. However, they require one to determine the optimal values of many genetic parameters, such as population sizes, crossover probability, mutation probability, and so on. To make matters worse, the most suitable combination of parameters for one problem is not always optimal for others. Therefore, these parameters should be tuned whenever the problem changes. In this paper, we propose an adaptable GA mechanism that has autonomic parameter tuning for the composition of generic operators. This mechanism raises questions concerning the probability of genetic operators that acted effectively, that is, the probability that one operator created better individuals than the other operators. It also successively adjusts the combinations of genetic parameters suitable for the target problem. We applied the adaptable GA mechanism to a project scheduling model (PSM) and evaluated it with manual tuning methods. © 1998 Scripta Technica, Electr Eng Jpn, 124(2): 36–42, 1998     

Study of immersed heat exchange surface for high-efficiency heat recovery from wire-rim tires in a fluidized-bed boiler

In an internally circulating fluidized-bed (ICFE) boiler, the fluidized bed is separated by a partition into main combustion and heat recovery chambers. The flows in these chambers are generated by using silica sand as the fluidizing medium. To determine the overall heat transfer coefficient (HTC) of the boiler's panel-type immersed heat transfer tubes, combustion tests were performed with wire-rim tires. The overall (HTC) of a panel tube array was lower than that of a zigzag tube arrangement. In practice, the heat absorbed by the fins makes the coefficients of either type of tube array almost identical. The air flowrate in the circulating bed at the bottom of the heat recovery chamber can be changed to control the overall HTC to a value virtually identical with that of a zigzag tube array. The combustion of wire-rim tires leads to a buildup of wires in the zigzag array, hampering the transfer of heat. Yet, the panel-type array showed no buildup so that it was possible to maintain steady operation with this type of tube arrangement. © 1997 Scripta Technica. Inc. Heat Trans Jpn Res. 25 (2): 120–134, 1996     

Real-time control software for transaction processing based on colored safe Petri Net model

A Petri Net-based real-time control software system for transaction processing is proposed to improve flexibility and maintainability in real-time application software. This software system is named Station Controller (SCR). Transaction processing control programs can be understandably described using Control Net (C-net) which is a problem-oriented language based on a colored safe Petri Net model. The described C-net program is directly executed by a net-interpreter installed on a 16-bit micro-computer system. In this paper, some features of the SCR are described and a successful application of the SCR is illustrated.     

Data abstraction in Prolog/KR

Data abstraction and inheritance, some of the most important features in constructing a large, clean software system, in a logic programming language Prolog/KR, an expansion of Prolog, are described. First two kinds of processes are added; one is called NPO, which is mainly used to implement a generator, the other is called CPO, which is mainly used to implement an abstract data object. Then synchronization features are added to implement abstract data types that can be used concurrently. Using this feature it is possible to employ pipes for communications among processes. Finally, inheritance mechanism is added to define hierarchies among objects.     

The influence of antioxidants on electrical tree generation in XLPE

In conjunction with previous experiments studying the effect of decomposition products of dicumyl peroxide (DCP) and antioxidants (AOs) in cross‐linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation on electrical tree generation, the authors conducted experiments investigating tree inhibition by phenolic AOs. The experiments were conducted using XLPE slabs containing four different phenolic AOs. Among the specimens containing these AOs, the specimen containing 4,4é‐thio‐bis(3‐methyl‐6‐tert‐butylphenol) was found to show the highest tree inception voltage. To examine the reasons for the significant increase in tree inception voltage in this specimen, further experiments were carried out on XLPE specimens containing both phenolic AO and a sulfur‐containing AO. The results demonstrated that the tree inception voltages of specimens containing both phenolic AO and sulfur‐containing AO were higher than those of the specimens containing only one of these two types of AOs. The roles of antioxidants in XLPE dielectrics are discussed with reference to the mechanisms of autoxidation of polymeric materials. The great increase in the tree inception voltage of XLPE specimens containing 4,4é‐thio‐bis(3‐methyl‐6‐tert‐butylphenol) appears to be due to a synergistic effect between the phenolic AO and the sulfur‐containing AO. © 2001 Scripta Technica, Electr Eng Jpn, 135(3): 1–7, 2001