Usability evaluation of virtual reality interaction techniques for positioning and manoeuvring in reduced, manipulation-oriented environments

This paper introduces some novel interaction techniques based on the concepts of composite positioning and composite manoeuvring (described in the paper). In contrast with other previous proposals, these techniques have been designed and evaluated in the context of a user centred process. The results of this evaluation and some relevant findings for the field of human computer interaction are also described.     

New concept of a submillimetric pixellated Silicon detector for intracerebral application

A new beta⁺ radiosensitive microprobe implantable in rodent brain dedicated to in vivo and autonomous measurements of local time activity curves of beta radiotracers in a volume of brain tissue of a few mm³ has been developed recently. This project expands the concept of the previously designed beta microprobe, which has been validated extensively in neurobiological experiments performed on anesthetized animals. Due to its limitations considering recordings on awake and freely moving animals, we have proposed to develop a wireless setup that can be worn by an animal without constraining its movements. To that aim, we have chosen a highly beta sensitive Silicon-based detector to devise a compact pixellated probe. Miniaturized wireless electronics is used to read-out and transfer the measurement data. Initial Monte-Carlo simulations showed that high resistive Silicon pixels are appropriate for this purpose, with their dimensions to be adapted to our specific signals. More precisely, we demonstrated that 200 μm thick pixels with an area of 200 μm×500 μm are optimized in terms of beta⁺sensitivity versus relative transparency to the gamma background. Based on this theoretical study, we now present the development of the novel sensor, including the system simulations with technology computer-assisted design (TCAD) to investigate specific configurations of guard rings and their potential to increase the electrical isolation and stabilization of the pixel, as well as the corresponding physical tests to validate the particular geometries of this new sensor.     

Influence of carbon nanotubes on the thermal, electrical and mechanical properties of poly(ether ether ketone)/glass fiber laminates

Novel poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK)/single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT)/glass fiber laminates incorporating polysulfone as a compatibilizing agent were fabricated by melt-blending and hot-press processing. Their morphology, mechanical, thermal and electrical properties were investigated and compared with the behavior of similar non-compatibilized composites. Scanning electron micrographs demonstrated better SWCNT dispersion for samples with polysulfone. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated a remarkable improvement in the thermal stability of PEEK/glass fiber by the incorporation of SWCNTs wrapped in the compatibilizer, ascribed to a significant thermal conductivity enhancement. Differential scanning calorimetry showed a decrease in the crystallization temperature and crystallinity of the polymer with the addition of both wrapped and non-wrapped SWCNTs. The laminates exhibit anisotropic electrical behavior; their conductivity out-of-plane is lower than that in-plane. Dynamic mechanical studies revealed an increase in the storage modulus and glass transition temperature in the presence of polysulfone. Mechanical tests demonstrated significant enhancements in stiffness, strength and toughness by the incorporation of wrapped nanofillers, whilst the mechanical properties of non-compatibilized composites only improved marginally. Samples with laser-grown SWCNTs exhibit enhanced overall performance. This investigation confirms that SWCNT-reinforced PEEK/glass fiber compatibilized composites possess excellent potential to be used as multifunctional engineering materials in industrial applications.     

Modelling of the radiative properties of an opaque porous ceramic layer

Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) operate at temperatures above 1,100 K where radiation effects can be significant. Therefore, an accurate thermal model of an SOFC requires the inclusion of the contribution of thermal radiation. This implies that the thermal radiative properties of the oxide ceramics used in the design of SOFCs must be known. However, little information can be found in the literature concerning their operating temperatures. On the other hand, several types of ceramics with different chemical compositions and microstructures for designing efficient cells are now being tested. This is a situation where the use of a numerical tool making possible the prediction of the thermal radiative properties of SOFC materials, whatever their chemical composition and microstructure are, may be a decisive help. Using this method, first attempts to predict the radiative properties of a lanthanum nickelate porous layer deposited onto an yttria stabilized zirconium substrate can be reported.     

Peptides from fish and crustacean by-products hydrolysates stimulate cholecystokinin release in STC-1 cells

Fish protein hydrolysates (FPH) are of significant interest, due to their potential application as a source of bioactive peptides in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical domains. Here, we investigated the action of FPH from blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) and brown shrimp (Penaeus aztecus) on cholecystokinin release from intestinal endocrine cells (STC-1). We demonstrated for the first time that FPH were able to highly stimulate CCK-releasing activity from STC-1 cells and that this stimulation was mainly due to peptide molecules. The partial purification of CCK-stimulating peptides showed that their apparent molecular weight ranged between 1000 and 1500 Da for fish and crustacean FPH, respectively. Finally, in an aim to industrially produce hydrolysates enriched in CCK-stimulating molecules, we tested the effects of membrane processes (ultrafiltration and nanofiltration) on active peptide enrichments.     

Macroscopic simulation of the liner honing process

The form quality, the roughness and the surface appearance produced by honing minimizes the friction of the piston in the liner. The process is however mechanically complex and the selection of the process parameters is currently based on empirical methods. The aim of this paper is thus to develop a macroscopic simulation environment of complete real honing cycles, which will help end-users during the setting-up. This virtual tool is based on a space–time discretization and a macroscopic cutting model taking into account local contacts between the workpiece and the abrasive tool. The space–time discretization allows representing the machine environment with the tool, the workpiece and the kinematics. Simulation results are finally validated by comparison with industrial experiments.     

Heat transfer in a mechanical face seal

This paper presents a numerical analysis of heat transfer in an experimental inner pressurized mechanical face seal, using CFD. The configuration is similar to the laminar flow between a static and a rotating disc bounded by a co-rotating sidewall. A series of simulations allow the authors to propose a correlation for the global Nusselt number for the rotating ring and the static disc. The Nusselt number is a function of the Reynolds number of the flow and the Prandtl number, as well as of the ratio of the fluid and material thermal conductivities. This last conclusion arises from the fact that the heat source is located in the contact between the rotor and the stator and depends on the temperature distribution in the solids. The cooling oil flow appears not to affect the Nusselt number. The numerical results were validated by comparison with measurements carried out on the experimental seal by means of an infrared camera.     

Treatment of dairy wastewater by electrocoagulation process: Advantages of combined iron/aluminum electrodes

ABSTRACT

The objective was to assess the efficiency of electrode material in an electrocoagulation (EC) process for wastewater treatment by comparing the efficiency of aluminum (Al–Al), iron (Fe–Fe) and combined Fe–Al electrodes. The treatment of synthetic dairy wastewater, characterized by high levels of 5-day biological oxygen demand (BOD₅) and chemical oxygen demand (COD), was used to compare electrode materials. Experimental results showed that all electrodes materials achieved the same final removal yield in the range of current studied (55% COD, 60% total organic carbon, 90% total nitrogen, and nearly 100% turbidity) when equilibrium was achieved. But at fixed current density and initial concentration of dairy waste, the Al–Al assembly exhibited the fastest elimination, whereas the slowest removal rate was observed with the Fe–Fe electrodes, even though adsorption was always the main removal mechanism. Finally, an Fe–Al system using an Fe anode with an Al cathode emerged as a techno-economic trade-off because of the low price of iron: both metals contributed to the removal of dairy waste, and the treatment time to achieve equilibrium values was closer to the Al–Al assembly at fixed current density. Moreover, experimental results proved the additivity of the mechanisms reported for Al–Al and Fe–Fe systems with Fe–Al.