A framework for constructing databases for supervisory control systems

This paper presents a framework for constructing databases for supervisory control systems. The proposed framework utilizes a generation-based approach and object-oriented framework libraries. In this framework, a database is designed for the target system from a design template, and the software for the database system is generated from the database design. The generated database system includes a domain-specific object system and a diagram and plant data editor, which provides effective data input functions. © 1998 Scripta Technica, Electr Eng Jpn, 123(1): 32–42, 1998     

Miscibility and pressure‐sensitive adhesive performances of acrylic copolymer and hydrogenated rosin systems

Relationship between the miscibility of pressure‐sensitive adhesives (PSAs) acrylic copolymer/hydrogenated rosin systems and their performance (180° peel strength, probe tack, and holding power), which was measured over a wide range of time and temperature, were investigated. The miscible range of the blend system tended to become smaller as the molecular weight of the tackifier increased. In the case of miscible blend systems, the viscoelastic properties (such as the storage modulus and the loss modulus) shifted toward higher temperature or toward lower frequency and, at the same time, the pressure‐sensitive adhesive performance shifted toward the lower rate side as the T_g of the blend increased. In the case of acrylic copolymer/hydrogenated rosin acid systems, a somewhat unusual trend was observed in the relationship among the phase diagram, T_g, and the pressure‐sensitive adhesive performance. T_g of the blend was higher than that expected from T_gs of the pure components. This trend can be due to the presence of free carboxyl group in the tackifier resin. However, the phase diagram depended on the molecular weight of the tackifier. The pressure‐sensitive adhesive performance depended on the viscoelastic properties of the bulk phase. A few systems where a single T_g could be measured, despite the fact that two phases were observed microscopically, were found. The curve of the probe tack of this system shifted toward a lower rate side as the T_g increases. However, both the curve of the peel strength and the holding power of such system did not shift along the rate axis. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 71: 651–663, 1999     

Microstructural characteristics and mechanical properties in laser beam welds of Ti6Al4V alloy

The microstructural characteristics and mechanical properties in laser beam welds of Ti6Al4V alloy were investigated. The microstructural characteristics in the heat affected zone and fusion zone change obviously after laser beam welding, which are strongly influenced by the welding conditions. The mechanical properties of the welds are evidently dependent on the microstructural characteristics, and the strengthening in the heat affected zone and fusion zone is mainly attributed to the formation of martensite.     

Nanoparticulation of probucol, a poorly water-soluble drug, using a novel wet-milling process to improve in vitro dissolution and in vivo oral absorption

To improve the dissolution and oral absorption properties of probucol, a novel wet-milling process using the ULTRA APEX MILL was investigated. The particle size of bulk probucol powder was 17.1 μm. However, after wet-milling with dispersing agents such as Gelucire 44/14, Gelucire 50/13, vitamin E-TPGS, and Pluronic F-108, the probucol particle sizes decreased to about 77-176 nm. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis also suggested that the probucol particles were successfully milled into the nanometer range. An in vitro dissolution study showed that the dissolution rates of all nanopowders were several folds higher than those of the corresponding mixed powders. When orally administered to rats, the AUC values of probucol nanopowders treated with Gelucire 44/14 and 50/13, and vitamin E-TPGS were about 3.06-3.54-folds greater than that of the bulk powder. Therefore, through this study, we have developed a new pharmaceutical technique to improve the dissolution rate and oral absorption of probucol using the ULTRA APEX MILL by wet-milling with various dispersing agents.     

Characteristics of dissimilar laser-brazed joints of isotropic graphite to WC–Co alloy

The effect of Ti serving as an activator in a eutectic Ag–Cu alloy filler metal in dissimilar laser-brazed joints of isotropic graphite and a WC–Co alloy on the joint strength and the interface structure of the joint is investigated in this study. To evaluate the joint characteristics, the Ti content in the filler metal was increased from 0 to 2.8 mass%. The laser brazing was carried out by irradiating a laser beam selectively on the WC–Co alloy plate in Ar atmosphere. The threshold content of Ti required to join isotropic graphite to WC–Co alloy was 0.4 mass%. The shear strength at the brazed joint increased rapidly with increasing Ti content up to 1.7 mass%, and a higher Ti content was found to be likely to saturate the shear strength to a constant value of about 14 MPa. The isotropic graphite blocks also fractured at this content. The concentration of Ti observed at the interface between isotropic graphite and the filler metal indicates the formation of an intermetallic layer of TiC.     

Economic analysis on small-scale forest biomass gasification considering geographical resources distribution and technical characteristics

Biomass is getting the great interest in Japan, and the cabinet approved “Biomass Nippon Strategy” in 2002 to promote the utilization of biomass. Although various projects utilizing wood biomass for energy uses have started already, many of them utilize mainly waste wood. Forest biomass remains unutilized because of the high logistic cost and the small scale of resource generation at a site. Small-scale gasification is considered as a suitable technology for forest biomass, and more than 10 demonstration plants have started to be operated recently. This study analyzes the economic feasibility of the small-scale forest biomass CHP system with gasification technology in Japan.The authors have developed the BiRReT tool, which takes input data such as geographical resource distribution and scale merit information of the target technology, and analyzes the economics of bioenergy system in target region by finding the optimal conditions; namely plant size, plant location, the number of plants, and lower generation costs. A case study in Miyagi prefecture revealed the conclusion that the system with logging residue fuel has the economic feasibility if the capital cost and the resource price will decrease from the BAU case by technological learning in the future. On the other hand, thinned wood will not be utilized as a fuel for power plants due to high fuel production cost. It is also found by the tool analysis that the technology’s scale merit has stronger impact on power generation cost in the trade-off between scale merit and the transportation cost.     

无机精细化工新产品的研究开发现状与展望

介绍了无机精细化工新产品（主要包括电功能材料、磁功能材料、光功能材料、超导功能材料、纳米储氢材料、新型记录记忆材料、无机膜、多孔材料、纳米颗粒催化剂、无机颜料材料、智能材料、纳米药物载体材料、功能陶瓷、功能纤维材料等）的研发现状,重点阐述了研究动向和发展趋势。以21世纪的热点问题纳米材料为切入点,针对无机精细化工产品的精细化、功能化及系列化的要求,从化学原理到化工过程加以阐述,并简要介绍一些主要的新型无机化工产品的精细化制备工艺技术。     

Evaluation of local deformation behavior accompanying fatigue damage in F82H welded joint specimens by using digital image correlation

By using digital image correlation, the deformation behaviors of local domains of F82H joint specimens welded using tungsten inert gas (TIG) and electron beam (EB) welding were evaluated during tensile and fatigue testing. In the tensile test specimens, the tensile strength decreased in the TIG-welded joints, and ductility decreased in both the EB- and TIG-welded joints. Because axial strain increased in the tempered heat-affected zone (HAZ) and led to the fracture of the TIG-welded joint, the strength was considered to have decreased because of welding. In fatigue testing, the number of cycles to fracture for the welded joint decreased to less than 40–60% of that for the base metal. For both fracture specimens, the largest value of shear strain was observed in the region approximately between the fine-grained HAZ and tempered HAZ; this shear strain ultimately led to fracture. Cavities and macrocracks were observed in the fine-grained HAZ and tempered HAZ in the cross sections of the fracture specimens, and geometrical damage possibly resulted in the reduction of fatigue lifetime.     

Banded structure and its distribution in friction stir processing of 316L austenitic stainless steel

Banded structures, which vary with welding parameters, were observed in friction stir processing of 316L austenite stainless steel. Sigma phase precipitation was detected in banded structures by transmission electron microscopy. The amount of banded structure had direct ratio relations with heat input. The higher the heat input, the larger the area of banded structures. This is attributable to slower cooling rate at high heat input, which results in longer exposure to the temperature range for precipitation. The formation of sigma phase produced Cr depletion, which resulted in largely degraded corrosion resistance. The present study suggests that low heat input (i.e. low rotation speeds, low working loads and high welding speed) contributes to restrain sigma phase precipitation.