Patent analysis of wind energy technology using the patent alert system

Using publicly available information effectively is important to remain competitive in technology related industries. The main difficulty in this is determining how to use the information effectively and in a manner that will yield results that can be acted upon. Several different methodologies are being developed in the Technology Watch area of research including the Patent Alert System (PAS) by Dereli and Durmusoglu. By using two different variations of the Patent Alert System, this paper will analyze two different technologies based on wind energy. These variations include Linear Regression based PAS and Fuzzy Logic based PAS. Each approach uses a different methodology to evaluate the available data and generate a trend that will be used to predict future values of patent counts in the applied area of technology. The results of these different approaches are compared in order to determine if either method produces more reliable results which would then lead to better decisions by the organization. In order to connect the results with real-world events, trend changes will be evaluated against global events which should have an impact on technological development in this area.     

A utility-driven approach to supplier evaluation and selection: empirical validation of an integrated solution framework

Supplier evaluation and selection (SES) problems have long been studied, leading to the development of a wide range of individual and hybrid models for solving them. However, the lack of widespread diffusion of existing SES models in the industry points to a need for simpler models that can systematically evaluate both qualitative and quantitative attributes of potential suppliers while enhancing the flexibility decision-makers need to account for relevant situational factors. Furthermore, empirical validations of existing models in SES have been few and far between. With a view to addressing these issues, this paper proposes an integrated solution framework that can be used to evaluate both tangible and intangible attributes of potential suppliers. The proposed framework combines three individual methods, namely the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process, fuzzy complex proportional assessment and fuzzy linear programming. The framework is validated through application in a Turkish textile company. The results generated using the proposed framework is compared with the actual historical data collected from the company. Additionally, a feasibility assessment is conducted on the sample supplier selection criteria employed, as well as assessment of the results generated using the proposed model.     

Optimization of transesterification for methyl ester production from chicken fat

In this study, low cost feedstock chicken fat was used to produce methyl ester. After reducing the free fatty acid level of the chicken fat less than 1%, the transesterification reaction was completed with alkaline catalyst. Potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, potassium methoxide and sodium methoxide were used as catalyst and methanol was used as alcohol for transesterification reactions. The effects of catalyst type, reaction temperature and reaction time on the fuel properties of methyl esters were investigated. The produced chicken fat methyl esters were characterized by determining their viscosity, density, pour point, flash point, acid value, methanol content, heat of combustion value, total-free glycerin, mono-di-tri glycerides, copper strip corrosion and ester yield values. The measured fuel properties of the chicken fat methyl ester met EN 14214 and ASTM D6751 biodiesel specifications when using potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide catalysts with high ester yield.     

Evaluation of association between atherogenic index of plasma and intima‐media thickness of the carotid artery for subclinic atherosclerosis in patients on maintenance hemodialysis

Incidence of cardiovascular diseases in the patients having chronic kidney disease (CKD) is between 25% and 60%. This increased rate is proposed to be associated with “accelerated atherosclerosis.” Increased carotid intima‐media thickness (CIMT) is a subclinical atherosclerosis marker. Small‐dense low‐density lipoprotein particles are a strong risk factor for atherosclerosis. It was shown that atherogenic index of plasma (AIP = log(TG/HDL‐c)) is correlated with size of the lipoprotein particles. We investigated the correlation between AIP and CIMT which is a subclinical atherosclerosis marker, in hemodialysis (HD) patients. A total of 62 persons with 31 patients under HD therapy and 31 volunteers were included in the study. In all the participants, CIMT was measured and AIP were calculated. AIP and CIMT values of the participants were compared with blood pressures, lipid profiles and the other risk factors. AIP (0.39 ± 0.32) and CIMT (0.57 ± 0.13) were found significantly higher in the patient group than in the controls (0.04 ± 0.36 and 0.45 ± 0.119, respectively); (P = 0.0001 and 0.0001, respectively). There was a significant correlation between AIP and increased CIMT in the patient group (P = 0.0001, r = 0.430). Among the lipid parameters, the strongest correlation was found between CIMT and AIP. We demonstrated the significant increase of AIP and CIMT in HD patients. A correlation was found between AIP and CIMT. AIP was found to show a correlation with a greater number of risk factors, both classical and CKD specific, than CIMT. These data suggest that AIP might be a method which can be used both in diagnosis of subclinical atherosclerosis and in deceleration processes of its progression.     

Effects of pattern coating and vacuum assistance on porosity of aluminium lost foam castings

Lost foam casting (LFC) process has several advantages when compared to conventional sand casting techniques however formation of large amount of gaseous products during foam pattern removal increases porosity fraction of castings, especially for low melting point A1 and Mg alloys. In this study pattern coating and vacuum assistance at the time of filling were investigated and their characterizations in constant casting conditions have been determined. Green sand moulding technique was carried out for all moulds because it is necessary to obtain sound castings by using expandable polystyrene (EPS) foam patterns without refractory coating. Simple prismatic shaped patterns were prepared from cutting pieces from an EPS isolation board. A well-known A380 Al-Si-Cu casting alloy was cast at 730°C. As expected, pattern coating reduce the gas permeability and increase porosity however metal penetration into sand grains and surface roughening occurs without coating. Slight vacuum were applied to moulds with vacuum casting machine until solidification. Vacuum assistance enhanced gas removal and it has clear effect on decreasing porosity.     

Mechanical and electromechanical properties of piezoelectric ceramic fibers drawn by the alginate gelation method

Piezoelectric ceramic fibers are widely used in piezocomposite devices. The various methods that are used to draw ceramic fibers differ in the way the fiber form is obtained, which in return closely affects the density, uniformity and the properties of the fibers that are obtained at the end. In this study, the processing-property relationship in the piezoceramic fibers drawn using the alginate gelation method is investigated, with a focus on the mechanical and electrical properties of individual fibers. Fibers with a Weibull strength of 65.3 MPa, remanent polarization of 22 μC/cm² and a total bipolar field induced strain of 0.25% under an electric field of 2.5 kV/mm, piezoelectric coefficient of 300 pm/V and dielectric constant of 3323 were produced. 1-3 piezocomposite devices prepared from these fibers had a 6 dB higher free-field voltage sensitivity and a 50% wider bandwidth compared to a solid disk transducer of the same dimensions.     

Influence of orbital shaking on microstructure and mechanical properties of A380 aluminium alloy produced by lost foam casting

Using vibration for refining microstructure and improve mechanical properties of aluminium alloys castings are in the interest of researchers for many years. Within the framework of these studies mechanical, ultrasonic and electromagnetic vibration applications were carried out. Results of these processes can be summarized as grain refining and changing the dendritic structure into globular. Accordingly increasing in density and mechanical properties were reported. In this work, orbital shaking technique was used alternatively to conventional mechanical vibration in lost foam casting (LFC) of A380 aluminium alloy. In the experiment castings, effects of shaking movement and speed during pouring were investigated. First of all orbital shaking movement has not damage LFC parts and any shape disorder was not occurred. Optical microstructure observations show that, the increase in shaking speed, decrease secondary dendrite arm spacing (SDAS) and partial dendrite arm fractures were determined at 150 rpm shaking. Density and hardness of as cast specimens were increased with shaking and rising shaking speed as well.     

Vertically aligned carbon nanotube – Polyaniline nanocomposite supercapacitor electrodes

We develop a fast and cost effective method for the fabrication of a nanocomposite supercapacitor electrode. In this study aluminum foils were decorated with vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNT) via chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method, which was followed by the electrodeposition of polyaniline (PANI) layer on top of the VACNTs. Electrochemical behavior of the fabricated nanocomposite electrodes were evaluated through cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge discharge cycles and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy method. Fabricated VACNT/PANI nanocomposite electrodes through 15 electrodeposition cycles showed significant electrochemical performance. The specific capacity of these electrodes was calculated as 16.17 mF/cm² at a current density of 0.25 mA/cm².     

T6热处理对触变锻造加低过热铸造制备的A356和A380铝合金的影响（英文）

研究T6热处理对触变锻造A356和A380铝合金的影响。采用低过热铸造(LSC)技术制备用于触变锻造的样品。为了获得等轴晶粒并防止枝晶生长,将样品在高于液相温度20°C时进行浇铸,将浇铸坯料再加热不同时间(20~80 min)后进行触变锻造,变形量为50%,再将触变锻造后的A356和A380铝合金样品进行T6热处理。用光学显微镜、能量弥散X射线谱仪、扫描电镜和布氏硬度仪对经触变锻造、固溶处理和时效处理后样品的显微组织和硬度变化进行检测。结果表明,T6热处理后合金的显微组织更均匀,并分别在A356和A380坯料中形成了新的析出相Mg_2Si和Al_2Cu。相应地,经过人工时效后,样品的硬度大幅度提高,A356铝合金的硬度达到HB 93,A380铝合金的硬度达到HB 120。     

Line and circle formation of distributed physical mobile robots

The formation problem of distributed mobile robots was studied in the literature for idealized robots. Idealized robots are able to instantaneously move in any directions, and are equipped with perfect range sensors. In this study, we address the formation problem of distributed mobile robots that are subject to physical constraints. Mobile robots considered in this study have physical dimensions and their motions are governed by physical laws. They are equipped with sonar and infrared range sensors. The formation of lines and circles is investigated in detail. It is demonstrated that line and circle algorithms developed for idealized robots do not work well for physical robots. New line and circle algorithms, with consideration of physical robots and sensors, are presented and validated through extensive simulations. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.