Scenario and roadmap-based approach for the analysis of prospective production technology needs

Technological opportunities and threats relevant to a manufacturing company have to be identified prematurely to derive purposeful measures regarding the future use of a technology in the production environment. However, the identification of technologies is resource-intensive since companies are often unable to specify their prospective technology needs. This paper therefore presents an applicable method to support producing companies in specifying technology needs. The method consists of three steps that focus on deriving, selecting and describing relevant search fields constituting those needs. Thus, technologies covering the defined needs that may represent a technological opportunity or threat for a company can be found more effectively. The method has been applied at a German automobile manufacturer.     

Effect of an isothermal action on the functional properties and the shape memory effect parameters of a TiNi(Mo,V) alloy

The influence of annealing at 450°C for 1 h on the shape memory effect parameters of the Ti₅₀Ni_48.7V₁Mo_0.3 alloy is studied over a wide temperature range at a constant load. Annealing is shown to decrease the critical stresses of the martensitic shear, to increase the temperature hysteresis wide during a repeated shape memory effect, and to decrease this effect.     

Emerging Role of Phospholipase-Derived Cleavage Products in Regulating Eosinophil Activity: Focus on Lysophospholipids,Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Eicosanoids

Eosinophils are important effector cells involved in allergic inflammation. When stimulated, eosinophils release a variety of mediators initiating, propagating, and maintaining local inflammation. Both, the activity and concentration of secreted and cytosolic phospholipases (PLAs) are increased in allergic inflammation, promoting the cleavage of phospholipids and thus the production of reactive lipid mediators. Eosinophils express high levels of secreted phospholipase A2 compared to other leukocytes, indicating their direct involvement in the production of lipid mediators during allergic inflammation. On the other side, eosinophils have also been recognized as crucial mediators with regulatory and homeostatic roles in local immunity and repair. Thus, targeting the complex network of lipid mediators offer a unique opportunity to target the over-activation and ‘pro-inflammatory’ phenotype of eosinophils without compromising the survival and functions of tissue-resident and homeostatic eosinophils. Here we provide a comprehensive overview of the critical role of phospholipase-derived lipid mediators in modulating eosinophil activity in health and disease. We focus on lysophospholipids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and eicosanoids with exciting new perspectives for future drug development.     

Wavelet-enhanced bayesian classification of surface nanostructures observed in pentacene thin films

In recent years, the wavelet transform has proven to be an extremely powerful image-processing tool. Here, we have developed a wavelet-enhanced Bayesian methodology to analyze the AFM images of organic crystals, such as pentacene, using the Haar wavelet transform. This methodology segments and identifies structures in AFM data and extracts quantitative information such as grain size, perimeter, and orientation. This methodology relies on a Naïve Bayesian classification system, which determines whether each data point corresponds to a peak or a valley with a finite statistical probability based on analysis of a synthetic teaching image. In this work, we apply this technique to AFM images of organic crystal films deposited on three different substrates.     

Evaluation of the economic feasibility of RFID in the supply chain

The distributed value added in the automotive network enables the manufacturing of customized products at lower production costs. However the coordination of the processes requires an absolute transparency and a high coordination effort within the companies and among them. To reduce operating expenses the companies bank on a cooperative implementation of the RFID technology. Unfortunately this is associated with high investments, complex process transformations and technical issues. Furthermore the identification of the benefits is a major challenge. Based on this, it was necessary to develop a method for the evaluation of the economic feasibility of RFID in the supply chain. This method was introduced in order to prove the cost effectiveness of investments. These focused primarily on identifying and quantifying all factors influencing the economy. In addition, analytical methods were developed for the generation of a broad decision basis. An overview about the single steps of the method is described in the following article.     

Thermo-mechanical behaviour of Shape Memory Polymers, e.g., Tecoflex® by 1WE method: SEM and IR analysis

Thermomechanical cycles including programming, cooling, unloading and heating to trigger the 1WE were examined for a shape memory polymer (SMP), Tecoflex® (TFX EG-72D). Cycles were performed at 60 °C with 65% strains and the recovery time of 10 min. Strains evolving with time were estimated during the thermomechanical treatments for the total 50 cycles using 65% strains. Recovery ratios for 65% strains were also estimated. It turns out that programming, cooling, unloading and heating to trigger the 1WE causes an increase of irreversible strain and is associated with a corresponding decrease of the intensity of the 1WE in particular during the first thermomechanical cycles. Gold coated scanning electron microscopic study using secondary electron imaging (120 times magnified) shows a very little wavy surface structure evolve during cycling up to 300% strains. IR study accurately features the chemical nature after cycling, processing and programming of TFX EG-72D.     

Planar silver nanowire,carbon nanotube and PEDOT:PSS nanocomposite transparent electrodes

Highly conductive, transparent and flexible planar electrodes were fabricated using interwoven silver nanowires and single-walled carbon nanotubes (AgNW:SWCNT) in a PEDOT:PSS matrix via an epoxy transfer method from a silicon template. The planar electrodes achieved a sheet resistance of 6.6 ± 0.0 Ω/□ and an average transmission of 86% between 400 and 800 nm. A high figure of merit of 367 Ω⁻¹ is reported for the electrodes, which is much higher than that measured for indium tin oxide and reported for other AgNW composites. The AgNW:SWCNT:PEDOT:PSS electrode was used to fabricate low temperature (annealing free) devices demonstrating their potential to function with a range of organic semiconducting polymer:fullerene bulk heterojunction blend systems.