Theoretical calculations and performance results of a PZT thin film actuator

High piezoelectric coupling coefficients of PZT-based material systems can be employed for actuator functions in micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) offering displacements and forces which outperform standard solutions. This paper presents simulation, fabrication, and development results of a stress-compensated, PZT-coated cantilever concept in which a silicon bulk micromachining process is used in combination with a chemical solution deposition (CSD) technique. Due to an analytical approach and a finite element method (FEM) simulation for a tip displacement of 10 /spl mu/m, the actuator was designed with a cantilever length of 300 /spl mu/m to 1000 /spl mu/m. Special attention was given to the Zr/Ti ratio of the PZT thin films to obtain a high piezoelectric coefficient. For first characterizations X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), hysteresis-, current-voltage I(V)and capacitance-voltage C(V)-measurements were carried out.     

Computation of 3-D stress singularities for multiple cracks and crack intersections by the scaled boundary finite element method

Among the various possible ways of dealing with notch and crack situations, the scaled boundary finite element method [SBFEM, (Wolf and Song in Finite element modelling of unbounded structures. Wiley, Chichester, 1996; Wolf in The scaled boundary finite element method. Wiley, Chichester, 2003)] has been adopted in this work. This method has been proved to be versatile, much less time consuming than the finite element method and generates highly accurate numerical predictions in cases of structures with notches and cracks. The SBFEM gives the advantage of boundary element method by reducing one dimension in modelling the structures but the mathematical formulations are more related to conventional displacement based finite element method. This method requires a certain scalability of the given structure with respect to a point called similarity center. Like in the case of the boundary element method, the structure needs to be discretized only at the surface where standard displacement based isoparametric finite element formulations are adequate. Unlike in the boundary element method, however, no fundamental solution is required by the scaled boundary finite element method. The similarity or scalability of the method requires separation of coordinates such that in the radial direction (i.e. scaling direction) it yields simple differential equations that can be solved analytically. So this approach can be considered as a semi-analytical method. Several two-dimensional examples have been analysed for crack and notch situations that are well known cases in fracture mechanics. A number of three-dimensional cases have been considered for different crack configurations that yield high order of singularity. The results, according to the authors’ knowledge are up to now unpublished in the open literature. Parametric studies are conducted for structures with bi-material interfaces.     

Aktuelle Aktivitäten zu den europäischen Rohstoff-Initiativen

The European Initiatives manifested in the Communications of the European Commission on Raw Materials, in the Strategic Implementation Plan of the European Innovation Partnership on Raw Materials and in the 2014 Call of the European Institute for Innovation & Technology (EIT) for a Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) on Raw Materials lead to manifold Austrian activities on Government level and on level of the Montanuniversitaet Leoben. The ESEE Region, thus East- and Southeast Europe has a special role.     

A note on the success ratio and the utility of fixed hiring rate personnel selection decisions.

Using simple simulation methods, the author verifies that the formulas used to estimate both the expected success ratio of a selection and the expected average criterion score of the selectees overestimate the real gain one may expect to obtain when hiring a preestablished proportion of employees from a finite sample of applicants. To correct for this deficiency, the present article shows how an exact estimate of the expected payoff can be obtained. In addition, it indicates how the new approach can be used to assess the sampling variability of the utility estimates. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Anwendungsorientierung im Informatikstudium

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Oxidation of Silicon Carbide Fibers During Static Fatigue in Air at Intermediate Temperatures

The static fatigue of SiC-based fiber bundles and single fibers has been examined in previous papers, with emphasis placed on the analysis of the stress–rupture time data, and on the modelling of delayed failure from slow crack growth. The present paper investigates the oxidation of the fibers during static fatigue, at temperatures in the intermediate temperature range (500°–800°C). Two oxidation-induced phenomena have been evidenced: the formation of a thin silica film at the surface of fibers and the delayed failure of fiber bundles and single filaments. The stress–rupture time data are interpreted with respect to the chemical and structural characteristics of fibers, and to the oxide film growth rate. The structural analysis of the fibers was carried out using scanning electron microscopy and Auger electron spectroscopy. Delayed failure was found to result from slow crack propagation from surface defects, as a result of the consumption of the free carbon at grain boundaries and the local stresses induced by the SiC→SiO₂ transformation at the crack tip. The respective contributions of these phenomena to static fatigue are discussed.     

Sustainability evaluation of decentralized electricity generation

Decentralized power generation is gaining significance in liberalized electricity markets. An increasing decentralization of power supply is expected to make a particular contribution to climate protection. This article investigates the advantages and disadvantages of decentralized electricity generation according to the overall concept of sustainable development. On the basis of a hierarchically structured set of sustainability criteria, four future scenarios for Germany are assessed, all of which describe different concepts of electricity supply in the context of the corresponding social and economic developments. The scenarios are developed in an explorative way according to the scenario method and the sustainability criteria are established by a discursive method with societal actors. The evaluation is carried out by scientific experts. By applying an expanded analytic hierarchy process (AHP), a multicriteria evaluation is conducted that identifies dissent among the experts. The results demonstrate that decentralized electricity generation can contribute to climate protection. The extent to which it simultaneously guarantees security of supply is still a matter of controversy. However, experts agree that technical and economic boundary conditions are of major importance in this field. In the final section, the article discusses the method employed here as well as implications for future decentralized energy supply.