Template-free electrodeposition of highly oriented and aspect-ratio controlled ZnO hexagonal columnar arrays

We report an easy one-step template-free electrodeposition method for preparing large arrays of ZnO hexagonal nanocolumns, vertically oriented on a Au-coated Si substrate. Systematic scanning electron microscopy investigations revealed the potential of this method for obtaining a high degree of verticality and orientation of the nanostructures and for controlling their aspect-ratio in an easy manner. Further structural studies demonstrated that the as-obtained ZnO nanocolumns present a well defined hexagonal symmetry exhibiting an excellent crystallinity.     

Understanding the growth of amorphous SiO2 nanofibers and crystalline binary nanoparticles produced by laser ablation

The pulsed-laser evaporation synthesis of silica nanofibers and crystalline binary nanoparticles is investigated in detail. By careful adjustment of the synthesis parameters one can tailor the product to form high yield nanofibers or binary nanoparticles. Some control on their diameters is also possible through the synthesis parameters. Oxidation of the nanofibers occurs upon exposure to air after the reaction.     

Hopping Conduction in Mn Ion-Implanted GaAs Nanowires

We report on temperature-dependent charge transport in heavily doped Mn(+)-implanted GaAs nanowires. The results clearly demonstrate that the transport is governed by temperature-dependent hopping processes, with a crossover between nearest neighbor hopping and Mott variable range hopping at about 180 K. From detailed analysis, we have extracted characteristic hopping energies and corresponding hopping lengths. At low temperatures, a strongly nonlinear conductivity is observed which reflects a modified hopping process driven by the high electric field at large bias.     

Stress-dependent thermal relaxation effects in micro-mechanical resonators

Thermal relaxation is a key factor in determining the quality factor of micro and nano resonators, which controls the energy dissipation through the coupling of the mechanical and thermal domains. While the literature contains approximate, exact and computational models for quantitative analysis of thermo-elastic coupling, very few techniques are available to ‘tune’ it without changing the material, geometry or operating conditions. In this paper, we develop an analytical model that considers a pre-stress in a flexural resonator to modify the thermal relaxation time and thus increase the quality factor. The effects of length-scale, pre-stress and geometry on the quality factor have been analyzed. The model predicts that significant improvement in terms of dimensionless quality factors is possible by tuning the pre-stress.     

Experimental design of tritium extraction loop from lead lithium eutectic

Effective tritium breeding achievable in Test Blanket Module (TBM) is a major issue for sustainable fusion energy program. Equally important is tritium extraction to recover and recycle tritium back to fusion reactor. Tritium extraction from lead lithium is much more complicated than from purge gas due to low tritium extraction efficiency in transfer step to gas phase and the limitations imposed on space and lead lithium inventory in port cell. Earlier investigations do suggest the preference of packed columns over bubble columns. Theoretical models based on axial dispersion plug flow in liquid and gas proposed for bubble columns and packed columns are reinvestigated for different boundary conditions.This paper highlights the critical issues of experimental design based on tritium extraction efficiency and its impact on recovery loop. Steady state closed loop for absorption and stripping of hydrogen isotopes using inert gas is designed along with the associated auxiliaries.     

Modeling of 1,3-hexadiene, 2,4-hexadiene and 1,4-hexadiene-doped methane flames: Flame modeling, benzene and styrene formation

In this work, we have developed a detailed chemical kinetic model and reacting flow simulation for the hexadiene-doped 2-d methane diffusion flames studied experimentally by McEnally and Pfefferle. The GRI-Mech 2.11 methane oxidation and Lawrence Livermore butane oxidation mechanisms were used as the base mechanism to which hexadiene chemistry generated by Reaction Mechanism Generator (RMG) was added. Some important chemically activated pathways leading to aromatic species formation, including the reactions on C₅H₇, C₆H₁₀, C₆H₉, C₆H₇, C₈H₈ and C₈H₉ potential energy surfaces, are examined in great detail using quantum chemistry (CBS-QB3) and master equation analysis as implemented in Variflex.An efficient program to solve the doped methane diffusion flame was developed. The solver uses the method of lines to solve the species mass balance equation arising in the diffusion flame. It assumes that the temperature and velocity profiles of the doped flame are the same as those of the undoped flame.The mole fractions of various species as predicted by our model are compared to the experimentally measured mole fractions. The agreement between theory and experiments is quite good for most molecules. The added hexadiene dopants to the flame decompose to produce significant amount of cyclopentadienyl radical, which combines with methyl radical to produce benzene. We also show that styrene is formed primarily by recombination of cyclopentadienyl and propargyl radicals, a pathway which to our knowledge, has not been included in prior flame simulations.     

Investigating the value of integrated operations planning: A case-based approach from automotive industry

During the last decade, many researchers have focused on joint consideration of various operations planning aspects like production scheduling, maintenance scheduling, inventory control, etc. Such joint considerations are becoming increasingly important from the point of view of current advancement in intelligent manufacturing, also known as Industry 4.0. Under the concept of Industry 4.0, advanced data analytics aim to remove human intervention in decision-making. Thus, the managerial level coordination of decisions taken independently by various departments will be out of trend. Therefore, developing an approach that optimises various operations planning decisions simultaneously is essential. Available literature on such joint considerations is more of the exploratory in nature and is limited to simplistic production environments. This necessitates the investigations of value of integrated operations planning for wide range of manufacturing scenarios. Present paper adopts a case-oriented approach to investigate the value of integrated operations planning. First, an integrated approach for simultaneously determining job sequencing, batch-sizing, inventory levels and preventive maintenance schedule is developed. The approach is tested in a complex production environment of an automotive plant and substantial economic improvement was realised. Second, a comprehensive evaluation is performed to study the robustness and implications of proposed approach for various production scenarios. Results of such pervasive performance investigations confirm the value of proposed approach over conventional approaches.     

Electrical and mechanical properties of PMMA/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites prepared via in situ polymerization

We report the effect of filler incorporation techniques on the electrical and mechanical properties of reduced graphene oxide (RGO)-filled poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanocomposites. Composites were prepared by three different techniques, viz. in situ polymerisation of MMA monomer in presence of RGO, bulk polymerization of MMA in presence of PMMA beads/RGO and by in situ polymerization of MMA in presence of RGO followed by sheet casting. In particular, the effect of incorporation of varying amounts (i.e. ranging from 0.1 to 2 % w/w) of RGO on the electrical, thermal, morphological and mechanical properties of PMMA was investigated. The electrical conductivity was found to be critically dependent on the amount of RGO as well as on the method of its incorporation. The electrical conductivity of 2 wt% RGO-loaded PMMA composite was increased by factor of 10⁷, when composites were prepared by in situ polymerization of MMA in the presence of RGO and PMMA beads, whereas, 10⁸ times increase in conductivity was observed at the same RGO content when composites were prepared by casting method. FTIR and Raman spectra suggested the presence of chemical interactions between RGO and PMMA matrix, whereas XRD patterns, SEM and HRTEM studies show that among three methods, the sheet-casting method gives better exfoliation and dispersion of RGO sheets within PMMA matrix. The superior thermal, mechanical and electrical properties of composites prepared by sheet-casting method provided a facile and logical route towards ultimate target of utilizing maximum fraction of intrinsic properties of graphene sheets.     

Implementation of the pin-in-paste process in a contract manufacturing environment

The pin-in-paste process was developed and validated for a contract manufacturing PCB assembly environment. A systematic approach was used to implement this process in a production environment. The sequence used for process development included solder paste volume calculations for through hole components (THCs), stencil aperture design for the pin-in-paste application, solder paste deposition through stencil printing, reflow profile development, inspection, and testing. A series of experiments were conducted to identify the 'process window' associated with each process step. The required volume of solder paste was computed using a set of empirical equations. The stencil printing process was 'optimized' using a 'design of experiments' based approach. Response surfaces were plotted and used to identify the 'optimal' print parameters. Thermal profiles were developed for reflow soldering the THCs in conjunction with the surface mount components (SMCs) in a single reflow pass. The assemblies were built using the 'optimized' process parameters. The assemblies were then inspected under an X-ray system to check for solder voiding. Electrical testing was then done to check for solder shorts and open connections. The shape of the solder joints was similar to a wave soldered joint, voiding was minimal, and there was no instance of solder shorts or an open connection. The solder joints were then cross-sectioned as a part of destructive testing. The cross sections showed the formation of good positive fillets (both top and bottom fillet), the solder paste had filled the plated through hole (PTH) completely, and voiding was minimal.     

Gas Sensing Mechanism of Metal Oxide Doped PANi Composites

Novel hybrid gas-sensitive materials were made-up by means of metal oxide （MOX） doped organopolymers. The hybrid gas-sensitive materials were prepared by varying molar concentration of Bi2O3 and Y2O3 MOX in conducting polymer PANi. The hybrid materials have tested upon exposure to LPG gas. The sensitivity of both composites materials was studied at room temperature. The gas sensing mechanism explained on the basis of chemisorbed/adsorbed oxygen. The materials were characterized by FTIR and SEM analysis.