Dielectric surface flashover in vacuum. Experimental design issues

In order to determine the influence of intrinsic material properties of dielectric materials on high field surface flashover characteristics in vacuum, it is important that we minimize or eliminate the influence of the experimental test structure on the high field processes. In this paper we shall examine the flashover characteristics of polycrystalline alumina insulators, using a lateral test structure similar to the one used in semiconductor devices. A significant improvement in surface flashover strengths (~200%) was found using a metalized contact electrode system compared with a classical solid electrode system. The results indicate that, using a metalized film cathode, the scatter in the flashover data is significantly reduced compared with the solid electrode system, implying that the electron-dielectric interaction processes that lead to flashover occur in a more predictable fashion. The new metal contact electrode system reveals the dependence of flashover strength on the surface preparation and the grain size of the dielectric material. The average flashover strength increases and the scatter in the flashover data decrease with a decrease in the average grain size of the particles composing the alumina ceramic. Thus the surface flashover processes in vacuum are related to the dielectric surface microstructure, specifically the surface and sub-surface microdamage and grain-boundary defects     

Distributed Multi-Level Recovery in Main-Memory Databases

In this paper we present recovery techniques for distributed main-memory databases, specifically for client-server and shared-disk architectures. We present a recovery scheme for client-server architectures which is based on shipping log records to the server, and two recovery schemes for shared-disk architectures—one based on page shipping, and the other based on broadcasting of the log of updates. The schemes offer different tradeoffs, based on factors such as update rates.Our techniques are extensions to a distributed-memory setting of a centralized recovery scheme for main-memory databases, which has been implemented in the Dalì main-memory database system. Our centralized as well as distributed-memory recovery schemes have several attractive features—they support an explicit multi-level recovery abstraction for high concurrency, reduce disk I/O by writing only redo log records to disk during normal processing, and use per-transaction redo and undo logs to reduce contention on the system log. Further, the techniques use a fuzzy checkpointing scheme that writes only dirty pages to disk, yet minimally interferes with normal processing—all but one of our recovery schemes do not require updaters to even acquire a latch before updating a page. Our log shipping/broadcasting schemes also support concurrent updates to the same page at different sites.     

Structural integrity of copper-nickel to steel using metal inert gas welding

Metal inert gas (MIG) welding may be used as a technique to attach copper-nickel panels to steel substrates to minimize the corrosion and biofouling of offshore structures and ship hulls. A series of plug welds must be located on each panel in order to eliminate bowing when the panels are subjected to compressive loadings. Laboratory tests on MIG plug-welded specimens have shown that the fatigue life of the plug welds is the same as the fatigue life of the copper-nickel cladding without the plug welds. The possible increase in fatigue life attributed to the lack of bowing of the sheets is offset by the stress concentration created by the weld. SEM examination of the failed weld site showed that fracture was predominantly intergranular in the regions adjacent to the weld, while regions remote from the weld exhibited fatigue striations.     

Physical phenomena affecting performance and reliability of 4H-SiC bipolar junction transistors

The silicon carbide bipolar junction transistor (BJT) is attractive for use in high-voltage switching applications offering high-voltage blocking characteristics, low switching losses, and is capable of operating at current densities exceeding 300 A/cm². However, performance reliability issues such as degradation of current gain and on-resistance currently prohibit commercial production of 4H-SiC BJTs. This paper examines the physical mechanisms responsible for this degradation as well as the impact that these physical phenomena have on device performance. Results were obtained through the examination of several types of N-P-N BJT structures using various fabrication methodologies. Electron-beam induced current (EBIC) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) etching were used to characterize defect content in the material, before and after device current stress, when possible. It was found that Shockley stacking faults (stress-induced structures) associated with the forward voltage drift phenomenon in SiC bipolar diodes, also play a major role in the reduction of gain and an increase of on-resistance of the BJTs. However, results from some devices suggest that additional processes at the device periphery (edge of the emitter) may also contribute to degradation in electrical performance. Hence, it is essential that the sources of electrical degradation, identified in this paper, be eliminated for SiC BJTs to be viable for commercial scale production.     

System simulation model for high-pressure metal hydride hydrogen storage systems

On-board hydrogen storage systems employing high-pressure metal hydrides promise advantages including high volumetric capacities and cold start capability. In this paper, we discuss the development of a system simulation model in Matlab/Simulink platform. Transient equations for mass balance and energy balance are presented. Appropriate kinetic expressions are used for the absorption/desorption reactions for the Ti_1.1CrMn metal hydride. During refueling, the bed is cooled by passing a coolant through tubes embedded within the bed while during driving, the bed is heated by pumping the radiator fluid through same set of tubes. The feasibility of using a high-pressure metal hydride storage system for automotive applications is discussed. Drive cycle simulations for a fuel cell vehicle are performed and detailed results are presented.