Geothermal reservoir simulation

This paper is intended to be a state of the art review of geothermal reservoir simulation. Its recent application to the modelling of real geothermal reservoirs is described and put in the context of an emerging general approach to reservoir modelling. The use of computer simulation for geothermal well test analysis is described. One of the main recent uses of reservoir simulators has been for conducting numerical experiments aimed at improving the understanding of geothermal reservoir physics. Such studies on fractured reservoirs, the thermal structure of reservoirs and the effects of non-condensable gases and dissolved salts are outlined.     

WHIM, the Window Handler and Input Manager

This article describes WHIM, the Window Handler and Input Manager, a window management system being developed as part of the QuickSilver operating system project at IBM's Almaden Research Center. Another version of WHIM runs under AIX on the IBM PC RT. This article contrasts and compares the overlapped window scheme used in WHIM with the tiled window scheme used in other systems. The advantages of the window management scheme used in WHIM are detailed, and the effect of display interfaces on the window manager is described.     

A Graphene Field-Effect Device

In this letter, a top-gated field-effect device (FED) manufactured from monolayer graphene is investigated. Except for graphene deposition, a conventional top-down CMOS-compatible process flow is applied. Carrier mobilities in graphene pseudo-MOS structures are compared to those obtained from the top-gated Graphene-FEDs. The extracted values exceed the universal mobility of silicon and silicon-on-insulator MOSFETs     

The microscopy cell (MicCell), a versatile modular flowthrough system for cell biology, biomaterial research, and nanotechnology

We describe a novel microfluidic perfusion system for high-resolution microscopes. Its modular design allows pre-coating of the coverslip surface with reagents, biomolecules, or cells. A poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) layer is cast in a special molding station, using masters made by photolithography and dry etching of silicon or by photoresist patterning on glass or silicon. This channel system can be reused while the coverslip is exchanged between experiments. As normal fluidic connectors are used, the link to external, computer-programmable syringe pumps is standardized and various fluidic channel networks can be used in the same setup. The system can house hydrogel microvalves and microelectrodes close to the imaging area to control the influx of reaction partners. We present a range of applications, including single-molecule analysis by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS), manipulation of single molecules for nanostructuring by hydrodynamic flow fields or the action of motor proteins, generation of concentration gradients, trapping and stretching of live cells using optical fibers precisely mounted in the PDMS layer, and the integration of microelectrodes for actuation and sensing.     

Multicriteria procedure for the design and the management of infiltration systems.

Infiltration systems are frequently used as an option to manage urban storm drainage. By reducing flows and volumes in downstream sewers or in surface waters, they decrease the overflows and make it possible to recharge groundwater. They come in various forms with different uses; therefore, their performance is diverse and integrates multiple aspects. Consequently, a multicriteria approach was developed in order to quantify the performance of these systems and to help in decision making problems. For that purpose, a list of performance indicators integrating technical, economical, environmental and social aspects was developed. The performances were defined with the help of a working group composed of engineers from different technical or strategic departments from Greater Lyon and researchers from different fields. The paper presents the last version of the performance indicators tested according to a set of quality requirements: availability of data, relevance, fidelity, precision, sensitivity/robustness. This critical review of the set of indicators has led us to redefine a certain number of indicators, identify numerous biases and allow putting forward general instructions for criterion or indicator construction. The last phase is to propose multicriteria decision aid methods; a procedure using ELECTRE methods should be used.     

Complex design of electromagnetic drives with prescribed dynamic performances

The design principals of fast-operating electromagnetic drives with prescribed dynamic performances are examined. The represented procedure permits the command parameters to be to determined with the guaranteed prescribed parameters of the drive.