Morphological Connected Filtering on Viscous Lattices

This paper deals with the notion of connectivity in viscous lattices. In particular, a new family of morphological connected filters, called connected viscous filters is proposed. Connected viscous filters are completely determined by two criteria: size parameter and connectivity. The connection of these filters is defined on viscous lattices in such a way that they verify several properties of the traditionally known filters by reconstruction. Moreover, reconstruction algorithms used to implement filters by reconstruction can also be employed to implement these new filters. We also show that connected viscous filters have a behavior similar to filters with reconstruction criteria. The interest of these new connected filters is illustrated with different examples.     

Quantitative aspects of chain extension of telechelics

Summary Quantitative aspects of chain extension of telechelics have been studied. Molecular weight independent characteristic terms were defined and simple expressions were derived for number average extension, , and number average degree of extension, , as a function of number average functionality (¯F_n) of telechelic prepolymers. Analysis of these expressions indicate that _n and ¯DE_n are enormously sensitive to insignificant changes in ¯F_n close to ideal ¯F_n = 2.0. Molecular weight of the extended polymer (¯M_r) has also been calculated considering ¯F_n, number average molecular weight of the prepolymer (¯M_n), and molecular weight of the extender (M_e).     

Reliability Estimation for Accelerated Life Tests Based on a Cox Proportional Hazard Model with Error Effect

In this paper, a Cox proportional hazard model with error effect applied on the study of an accelerated life test is investigated. Statistical inference under Bayesian methods by using the Markov chain Monte Carlo techniques is performed in order to estimate the parameters involved in the model and predict reliability in an accelerated life testing. The proposed model is applied to the analysis of the knock sensor failure time data in which some observations in the data are censored. The failure times at a constant stress level are assumed to be from a Weibull distribution. The analysis of the failure time data from an accelerated life test is used for the posterior estimation of parameters and prediction of the reliability function as well as the comparisons with the classical results from the maximum likelihood estimation. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Design and Implementation of a Gas Generating System for Complex Gas Mixtures and Calibration Gases

A test gas generation system for complex gas mixtures designed to mimic real industrial gas matrices with traces raging from low pptv to high ppmv level and minor and main components ranging from low to high percentage levels with variable relative humidity levels (0–80 % RH) is presented. It combines different gas generation methods to study fragmentation patterns under controlled conditions by means of a proton transfer reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometer, the application of alternative feedstocks in catalytic processes as well as the performance of gas purification and conditioning processes.     

The formation of a hydrothermal carbon coating on graphite microfiber felts for using as structured acid catalyst

A hydrothermal carbon layer has been coated on graphite felt using a carbohydrate solution (glucose, sucrose or starch) as precursor. The coating is uniform in thickness and coverage, and exhibits excellent adhesion to the substrate. It is highly hydrophilic, very accessible to reactants and the thickness can be tuned by the synthesis conditions. The coating was functionalized with sulfonic acid groups and its morphology and surface chemistry characterized by SEM, TPO-MS, IR-spectroscopy and XPS. The sulfonated material has been tested in the esterification of palmitic acid with methanol exhibiting significant activity and stability.     

Atomic mechanisms of local structural rearrangements in strained crystalline titanium grain

The nucleation and development of plastic deformation in a crystalline grain of titanium (Ti) during uniaxial tension has been studied by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with the interatomic interaction described using the embedded atom method. Specific features of the generation of local structural rearrangements in the grain at various straining rates are revealed. It is established that there is a threshold deformation level at which local structural rearrangements begin to nucleate in the crystal, which is accompanied by a jumplike decrease in the potential energy. Because of the inertial character of the accommodation processes, this threshold value increases with the loading velocity.     

Graphitization in Low Alloy Steel Pressure Vessels and Piping

This article discusses the problem of graphitization that can occur in carbon steels exposed to high temperature for extended time when these are present in pressure vessels and piping. Several case studies are described dealing with actual failures that have been investigated by the authors.     

Experimental Results in Multi-UAV Coordination for Disaster Management and Civil Security Applications

This paper describes a multi-UAV distributed decisional architecture developed in the framework of the AWARE Project together with a set of tests with real Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) to validate this approach in disaster management and civil security applications. The paper presents the different components of the AWARE platform and the scenario in which the multi-UAV missions were carried out. The missions described in this paper include surveillance with multiple UAVs, sensor deployment and fire threat confirmation. In order to avoid redundancies, instead of describing the operation of the full architecture for every mission, only non-overlapping aspects are highlighted in each one. Key issues in multi-UAV systems such as distributed task allocation, conflict resolution and plan refining are solved in the execution of the missions.