Live sequence charts applied to hardware requirements specification and verification

Techniques and tools for formally verifying compliance with industry standards are important, especially in System-on-Chip (SoC) designs: a failure to integrate externally developed intellectual property (IP) cores is prohibitively costly. There are three essential components in the practical verification of compliance with a standard. First, an easy-to-read and yet formal specification of the standard is needed; we propose Live Sequence Charts (LSCs) as a high-level visual notation for writing specifications. Second, assertions should be generated directly from the specification; an implementation will be scrutinized, usually by model checking, to check that it satisfies each assertion. Third, a formal link must be made between proofs of assertions and compliance with the original specification. As an example, we take the Virtual Component Interface (VCI) Standard. We compare three efforts in verifying that the same register transfer level code is VCI-compliant. The first two efforts were manual, while the third used a tool, lscAssert, to automatically generate assertions in LTL. We discuss the details of the assertion generation algorithm.     

Fabrication of PVDF hierarchical fibrillar structures using electrospinning for dry-adhesive applications

We report the fabrication of hierarchical poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) fibrous structures using a unique fabrication technique based on electrospinning. Electrospinning was used to fabricate aligned PVDF fibrous membranes. These membranes were then brought in contact with anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) template and then heat-treated above the glass transition temperature (T _g) of the polymer to assist the flow of polymer within the cylindrical pores of AAO template. Scanning electron microscopy images confirmed that this approach lead to the growth of nanopillars on the surface of PVDF fibers. Nanoindenter was used to measure the pull-off force that was required to completely detach the indenter from the samples. To investigate the effect of hierarchy, pull-off force required to detach the indenter from neat PVDF fibers was determined and compared with the pull-off force recorded for hierarchical fibers. The effect of indentation depth was also investigated on both PVDF fibers and PVDF fiber with nanopillars. Significant pull-off force recorded indicates that these PVDF hierarchical fibrous structures can be potentially used for dry-adhesive applications.     

Novel composites of $$\upbeta $$-SiAlON and radome manufacturing technology developed at ARCI,Hyderabad, for hypervelocity vehicles

Keeping the importance of developing suitable radome (a word derived from radar \(+\) dome) materials and near-net shape consolidation technique for manufacturing radomes suitable for hypersonic (>mach 5) radar-guided missiles in India, the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), Hyderabad, has initiated an in-house R&D programme and successfully developed a complete process know-how for manufacturing defect-free prototype \(\upbeta \)-SiAlON-based radome structures with all the desired properties. As a part of this R&D programme, total six separate sub-projects mentioned below were undertaken and executed: (i) identification of the best composition out of \(\upbeta \)-\(\hbox {Si}_{6-z}\hbox {Al}_{z}\hbox {O}_{z}\hbox {N}_{8-z}\) (0 \(\le z \le \) 4.1) solid solution, which possesses a right combination of properties required for radome applications, (ii) designing of an AlN-free precursor mixture for consolidating \(\upbeta \)-\(\hbox {Si}_{4}\hbox {Al}_{2}\hbox {O}_{2}\hbox {N}_{6}\) ceramics by following aqueous colloidal processing routes, (iii) development of a process for passivating water-sensitive AlN powder against hydrolysis, (iv) development of aqueous gelcasting (GC) and hydrolysis-assisted solidification (HAS) powder processing routes for consolidating dense \(\upbeta \)-SiAlON ceramics using highly solids loaded (>50 vol%) aqueous slurries, (v) development of an hydrolysis-induced aqueous gelcasting (GCHAS) process, a novel near-net-shape consolidation technique, to produce radomes with very high-production yields and (vi) development of an economic route for synthesizing the low-dielectric constant and high strength novel \(\upbeta \)-SiAlON-\(\hbox {SiO}_{2}\) ceramic composites. In this paper, (i) the basis for choosing \(\upbeta \)-SiAlON-based ceramics for hypervelocity radome applications, and (ii) the various bottle-neck problems faced, while executing this entire R&D work and the way they were overcome have been critically analysed and discussed systematically, while citing all the relevant and important references.     

Measurement of Carrier Bead Velocity Distribution in Cascade Flow

A miniature piezoelectric impact probe is described for measuring the impact velocity of carrier beads in a cascade flow. The probe can sense a force of a few dynes. It has a response time of about 1 ?s and a total settling time of less than 40 ?s. The impacts of a few microgram particles due to a free-fall under gravity of a distance of about 50 ?m and at a count rate in excess of 20 000/s have been measured. The probe has been used in measuring the impact velocity distribution of carrier beads in a cascade flow. The impact velocity distributions have been measured at different flow conditions and compared with theoretical predictions. The characteristics of the cascade flow are briefly discussed in terms of the two parameters: the number density of the carrier beads in the flow and the diffusion constant of the flow.     

A Theoretical Study of the Mechanics of a Xerographic Cleaning Blade

The use of a polymeric blade is common in removing the residual toner from the imaging surface in xerography. The cleaning action of such a blade is influenced by its local deformation in the contacting region. A nonlinear beam theory approach is presented for studying the deformation of a xerographic cleaning blade. Both the straight and tip regions of the blade are examined. The parameters studied include the normal load, the ratio of tangential and normal forces (the coefficient of friction , ?), the blade tip angle, blade inclination angle, Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, blade length, and thickness. The effect of these parameters on the size of the contacting region is presented. The critical ratio ?c and the critical inclination angle which determine blade curl-under and curl-up are discussed. The maximum blade inclination angle which governs the tip stability is predicted. Cleaning performance criteria for planning and local curl-unders are developed in terms of the pressure in the contacting region. Agreement of the analytical findings with the available experimental data is good.     

Detection of Nitric Oxide from Living Cells Using Polymeric Zinc Organic Framework‐Derived Zinc Oxide Composite with Conducting Polymer

Sensitive and selective detection of nitric oxide (NO) in the human body is crucial since it has the vital roles in the physiological and pathological processes. This study reports a new type of electrochemical NO biosensor based on zinc‐dithiooxamide framework derived porous ZnO nanoparticles and polyterthiophene‐rGO composite. By taking advantage of the synergetic effect between ZnO and poly(TTBA‐rGO) (TTBA = 3′‐(p‐benzoic acid)‐2,2′:5′,2″‐terthiophene, rGO = reduced graphene oxide) nanocomposite layer, the poly(TTBA‐rGO)/ZnO sensor probe displays excellent electrocatalytic activity and explores to detect NO released from normal and cancer cell lines. The ZnO is immobilized on a composite layer of poly(TTBA‐rGO). The highly porous ZnO offers a high electrolyte accessible surface area and high ion–electron transport rates that efficiently catalyze the NO reduction reaction. Amperometry with the modified electrode displays highly sensitive response and wide dynamic range of 0.019–76 × 10^?6m with the detection limit of 7.7 ± 0.43 × 10^?9m . The sensor probe is demonstrated to detect NO released from living cells by drug stimulation. The proposed sensor provides a powerful platform for the low detection limit that is feasible for real‐time analysis of NO in a biological system.     

Influence of Substrate Material on Plain Fatigue and Fretting Fatigue Behavior of Detonation Gun Sprayed Cu-Ni-In Coating

Cu-Ni-In coating was formulated on two substrate materials—Ti-alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) and Al-alloy (AA 6063) fatigue test specimens using detonation gun (D-gun) spray process. Coating on both substrates was dense with low porosity, high hardness, and high surface roughness. Relatively higher surface compressive residual stress was present at the coating on Ti-alloy specimens. In case of the coating on Al-alloy samples, tensile residual stress was also present in some places. Uniaxial plain fatigue and fretting fatigue experiments were conducted on uncoated and coated specimens. The detrimental effect of life reduction due to fretting was relatively larger in the Al-alloy compared to the Ti-alloy. While Cu-Ni-In coating was found to be beneficial on the Ti-alloy, it was deleterious on the Al-alloy substrate under both plain fatigue and fretting fatigue loading. The results were explained in terms of differences in the values of surface hardness, surface roughness, surface residual stress, and friction stress.     

Studies on segregation of binary mixture of solids in continuous fast fluidized bed: Part II. Effect of particle size

Experimental investigations on the continuous fast fluidized bed were extended for size segregation of binary mixture of solids in the column with air as the separation medium [1]. The feed is either jetsam-rich or flotsam-rich binary mixture of particles of different size, but same density. The variables tested were superficial gas velocity, solids feed rate and feed characteristics. At steady state, there exists physical equilibrium between the evolved flotsam and the residual jetsam when the granular solids are in fluid-like state as in the case of density segregation of solids [1]. Using the analogy of the binary liquid mixtures separation by distillation, the phase diagram was constructed from the experimental observations. The effect of solids feed rate, feed composition, particle size ratio and particle size on equilibrium distribution of the flotsam and jetsam were presented.     

Hydrolysis-induced aqueous gelcasting for near-net shape forming of ZTA ceramic composites

A new near-net shape forming process called “hydrolysis-induced aqueous gelcasting” (GCHAS) is reported in this paper for the consolidation of ZTA composites, ZTA-30 (70 wt.% Al₂O₃ + 30 wt.% ZrO₂) and ZTA-60 (40 wt.% Al₂O₃ + 60 wt.% ZrO₂). For comparison purposes, ceramics having the same chemical compositions were also consolidated by hydrolysis-assisted solidification (HAS). All the starting suspensions contained a solids loading of 50 vol.%. In the precursor powder mixtures, 1–5 wt.% of Al₂O₃ was replaced by equivalent amounts of AlN to enhance or promote or co-promote the consolidation of suspensions by HAS or by GCHAS, respectively. The suspensions for GCHAS were prepared by dispersing the ZTA powder precursor mixtures in a premix solution of 20 wt.% MAM (methacrylamide), MBAM (methylenebisacrylamide) and NVP (n-vinylpyrrolidinone) in 3:1:3 ratio in de-ionized water. Ceramics consolidated via GCHAS exhibited superior mechanical properties after consolidation and after sintering for 1 h at 1600 °C in comparison to those consolidated by HAS.     

Properties of lightweight expanded polystyrene aggregate concretes containing fly ash

Lightweight concretes can be produced by replacing the normal aggregates in concrete or mortar either partially or fully, depending upon the requirements of density and strength levels. The present study covers the use of expanded polystyrene (EPS) beads as lightweight aggregate, both in concrete and mortar. The main aim of this programme is to study the mechanical properties of EPS concretes containing fly ash and compare the results with these in literature on concretes containing OPC alone as the binder. The effects of EPS aggregate on the green and hardened state characteristics of concretes containing fly ash were evaluated. The compressive strength of the EPS concretes containing fly ash show a continuous gain even up to 90 days, unlike that reported for OPC in literature. It was also found that the failure of these concretes both in compression and split tension was gradual as was observed earlier for the concretes containing plastic shredded aggregates. The stress-strain relations and the corresponding elastic modulus were also investigated.