Constraint force design method for topology optimization of planar rigid-body mechanisms

This study develops a new design method called the constraint force design method, which allows topology optimization for planar rigid-body mechanisms. In conventional mechanism synthesis methods, the kinematics of a mechanism are analytically derived and the positions and types of joints of a fixed configuration (hereafter the topology) are optimized to obtain an optimal rigid-body mechanism tracking the intended output trajectory. Therefore, in conventional methods, modification of the configuration or topology of joints and links is normally considered impossible. In order to circumvent the fixed topology limitation in optimally designing rigid-body mechanisms, we present the constraint force design method. This method distributes unit masses simulating revolute or prismatic joints depending on the number of assigned degrees of freedom, analyzes the kinetics of unit masses coupled with constraint forces, and designs the existence of these constraint forces to minimize the root-mean-square error of the output paths of synthesized linkages and a target linkage using a genetic algorithm. The applicability and limitations of the newly developed method are discussed in the context of its application to several rigid-body synthesis problems.     

Computer-aided measurement plan for an impeller on a coordinate measurement machine with a rotating and tilting probe

This paper presents a computer-aided measurement plan (CAMP) for an impeller on a coordinate measurement machine (CMM) with a rotating/tilting probe. The blade surfaces of a machined impeller were measured exactly to secure the machining tolerance and surface finish of the impeller. CMM with a rotating and tilting probe is commonly used for this measurement. However, it is not easy to evaluate all the points on the impeller surfaces due to the time-consuming nature of the CMM measurement. In addition, many points cannot be easily accessed by the CMM probe due to the interference between the probe and the impeller blades. Furthermore, the inherent complexity of the existing teaching operation of a probe using a joystick suggests the necessity of developing a new method for the measurement planning of an impeller. Thus, this paper proposes a CAMP for effectively gauging the inspection points based on the ruled line information of the impeller blade surfaces. The proposed plan partitions the surfaces into several measurement regions based on the ruled lines of a blade surface and the approach vectors of the probe. Finally, a case example for an impeller is presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed strategy.     

Study of polymer‐network structure on polymer‐stabilized blue phase

Abstract— To understand the mechanism of the disclination defect of the liquid‐crystal (LC) phase, this study was conducted to directly analyze the polymer‐network (PN) structure of polymer‐stabilized blue phase (PSBP), which is minutely formed on all LC layers. The PN was examined after first removing the glass decap and then the LC. Important to note is that the removal of the glass decap did not affect or damage the PN structure. The PN was determined to be a stable structure without any change to the thickness of the layer. When removing the LC, both hexane and acetone solutions were used. Moreover, there was no structural deformation to the PN when using the hexane solution. The results of the study show that the actual size of the polymer chain is in fact 50–60 nm, five times larger than previous theories which estimated the size to be only 10 nm. In addition, this study confirmed that the pores between the PN are 100–200 nm. The PN structure was shown to be susceptible to change based on different heating temperatures. In summation, now that defect lines of a LC display (LCD) could be directly measured, further progress and development in the theoretical interpretations of the Kerr effect on PSBP can be realized.     

Evolution of the linkage structure of ICT industry and its role in the economic system: the case of Korea*

ABSTRACT

When assessing the structural role of an industry sector within an economic system, considering its relationship to other sectors is crucial. Among others, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry, one of the innovation accelerators or key engines of economic growth, is evaluated. Specifically, we analyze inter-industry production inducement linkages within a qualitative input–output analysis framework, since it is useful for understanding the key structure of an economic system. Our purpose is to understand the significant spillover structure of the Republic of Korea’s ICT industry within the national production system, as it has played an important role in the national economy and grown dramatically over the years. The findings from the structural analysis, focused on changes in links, are as follows: First, ICT manufacturing showed a higher degree of heterogeneity than ICT service sectors in its sensitivity effects structure, an indication that this sector needs to be utilized in various other industries. Second, the spectrum of industries having significant production inducement linkages with the ICT industry is limited and furthermore, the influence effects of the ICT manufacturing sector diminished considerably although the ICT industry’s sensitivity effects increased. Finally, intra-industry linkages within the ICT industry are gradually strengthened especially between ICT services and manufacturing. These findings call for sustained policy efforts to promote the virtuous circle in the overall inter-industry production inducement system, by increasing the utilization of products and services from other sectors by ICT sectors (especially ICT manufacturing) as well as the application of ICT in other sectors.     

Schemes generating entangled states and entanglement swapping between photons and three-level atoms inside optical cavities for quantum communication

We propose quantum information processing schemes based on cavity quantum electrodynamics (QED) for quantum communication. First, to generate entangled states (Bell and Greenberger–Horne–Zeilinger [GHZ] states) between flying photons and three-level atoms inside optical cavities, we utilize a controlled phase flip (CPF) gate that can be implemented via cavity QED). Subsequently, we present an entanglement swapping scheme that can be realized using single-qubit measurements and CPF gates via optical cavities. These schemes can be directly applied to construct an entanglement channel for a communication system between two users. Consequently, it is possible for the trust center, having quantum nodes, to accomplish the linked channel (entanglement channel) between the two separate long-distance users via the distribution of Bell states and entanglement swapping. Furthermore, in our schemes, the main physical component is the CPF gate between the photons and the three-level atoms in cavity QED, which is feasible in practice. Thus, our schemes can be experimentally realized with current technology.     

Optimization of 3.5-in. HDD spindle motors for OP-vibration performance: theoretical prediction and experimental verification

The purpose of this paper is to optimize OP-vibration performance of 3.5-in. hard disk drive (HDD) spindle motors through theoretical prediction and experimental verification. OP-vibration performance of HDD is closely related to the first rocking vibration of spindle motors because excited frequencies of 3.5-in. HDD from the environment are mostly below 500 Hz and the first rocking vibration is the only resonance in the corresponding frequencies. Therefore, minimizing first rocking vibration leads to improve OP-vibration performance of the spindle motors. In order to minimize the first rocking vibration key parameters of FDB spindle motors were selected from a previous work done by Heo and Shen (Microsyst Technol 11:1204–1213, 2005). Then, the selected parameters have been optimized to minimize the first rocking vibration through a theoretical model developed at University of Washington. Then, experiments with ten prototype FDB spindle motors have been conducted to verify the theoretical results. Each prototype motor has different spindle parameter configurations including bearing coefficients, bearing locations, and center of gravity location, etc. Also, this paper demonstrated that radial measurements of spindle rocking vibration have better correlation with OP-vibration performance than axial measurements through PES measurements. Finally, the optimized design has been manufactured by a motor maker and has also successfully verified the theoretical prediction experimentally.     

Effects of substrate temperature on the magnetic and electrical properties of cobalt ferrite/metal composite thin films

The magnetic and electrical properties of the cobalt ferrite/metal composite thin films, prepared by reactive sputtering, were studied as a function of substrate temperature. With increasing substrate temperature, the saturation magnetization of the thin films increased owing to precipitation of the Co_0.67Fe_0.33 phase. Also, the electrical resistivity of the thin films decreased. From Hall experiments, the decrease of electrical resistivity of the composite thin films was mainly attributed to the increase of electron concentration. The Seebeck coefficient measurement shows that the electrical conduction mechanism of the thin films containing 37.8 and 33.7 at % Co changes from p-type to n-type and that of the thin films containing 28.5 at % Co remains n-type with increasing substrate temperature. This might be attributed to the change in composition of the cobalt ferrite matrix to Fe-excess with precipitation of Co-rich Fe alloy. ©1999 Kluwer Academic Publishers     

The effect of touch-key size on the usability of In-Vehicle Information Systems and driving safety during simulated driving

Investigating the effect of touch-key size on usability of In-Vehicle Information Systems (IVISs) is one of the most important research issues since it is closely related to safety issues besides its usability. This study investigated the effects of the touch-key size of IVISs with respect to safety issues (the standard deviation of lane position, the speed variation, the total glance time, the mean glance time, the mean time between glances, and the mean number of glances) and the usability of IVISs (the task completion time, error rate, subjective preference, and NASA-TLX) through a driving simulation. A total of 30 drivers participated in the task of entering 5-digit numbers with various touch-key sizes while performing simulated driving. The size of the touch-key was 7.5 mm, 12.5 mm, 17.5 mm, 22.5 mm and 27.5 mm, and the speed of driving was set to 0 km/h (stationary state), 50 km/h and 100 km/h. As a result, both the driving safety and the usability of the IVISs increased as the touch-key size increased up to a certain size (17.5 mm in this study), at which they reached asymptotes. We performed Fitts' law analysis of our data, and this revealed that the data from the dual task experiment did not follow Fitts' law.