Cermet-type hydrogen separation membrane obtained from fine particles of high temperature proton-conductive oxide and palladium

A mixed ionic and electronic conducting hydrogen separation membrane, which consisted of proton-conductive oxide and metallic palladium, was fabricated. A porous alumina tube was employed as a support, and proton-conductive oxide particles were introduced into a microporous top layer of the support by an impregnation method. Palladium particles were deposited into the same porous layer by chemical vapor deposition. Hydrogen permeated preferentially via the membrane thus obtained with a hydrogen permeance (PH₂) of 1.2 × 10^− 9 mol·m^− 2·s^− 1·Pa^− 1 at 873 K. Selectivity for hydrogen (PH₂/PN₂) increased with the operating temperature due to an increase in proton conductivity of the membrane, and PH₂/PN₂ = 5.7 was attained at 873 K.     

Real-time exploration of a multi-robot rescue system in disaster areas

A system procedure is proposed for a multi-robot rescue system that performs real-time exploration over disaster areas. Real-time exploration means that every robot exploring the area always has a communication path to human operators standing by at a base station and that the communication path is configured by ad hoc wireless networking. Real-time exploration is essential in multi-robot systems for USAR (urban search and rescue) because operators must communicate with every robot to support the victim detection process and ad hoc networking is suitable to configure a communication path among obstacles. The proposed system procedure consists of the autonomous classification of robots into search and relay types and behavior algorithms for each class of robot. Search robots explore the areas and relay robots act as relay terminals between search robots and the base station. The rule of the classification and the behavior algorithm refer to the forwarding table of each robot constructed for ad hoc networking. The table construction is based on DSDV (destination-sequenced distance vector) routing that informs each robot of its topological position in the network and other essentials. Computer simulations are executed with a specific exploration strategy of search robots. The results show that a multi-robot rescue system can perform real-time exploration with the proposed system procedure and reduce exploration time in comparison with the case where the proposed scheme is not adopted.     

Shape space estimation by higher-rank of SOM

The aim of this study is to develop an estimation method for a shape space. In this work, “shape space” means a nonlinear subspace formed by a class of visual shapes, in which the continuous change in shapes is naturally represented. By using the shape space, various operations dealing with shapes, such as identification, classification, recognition, and interpolation can be carried out in the shape space. This paper introduces an algorithm based on a generative model of shapes. A higher-rank of the self-organizing map (SOM²) is used to implement the shape space estimation method. We use this method to estimate the shape space of artificial contours. In addition, we present results from a simulation of omnidirectional camera images taken from mobile robots. Our technique accurately predicts changes in image properties as the robot’s attitude changes. Finally, we consider the addition of local features to our method. We show that the inclusion of local features solves the correspondence problem. These results suggest the potential of our technique in the future.     

Anomalous surface morphology of iron generated after anodic dissolution under magnetic fields

The effects of applied magnetic fields on the anodic dissolution of iron in a sulfuric acid solution were studied by potentiodynamic polarization measurements and electrode morphology observations. Uneven anodic dissolution occurs in the presence of magnetic field and the extent of the electrode surface inhomogeneity increases with magnetic flux density. Severely local dissolution at two edge areas of the iron electrode in the presence of magnetic fields is caused by the inhomogeneous distribution of the magnetic flux density at the ferromagnetic iron electrode and the resultant enhancement of the mass transport rate of interfacial film at local areas.     

Modular design of mechatronic systems with function modeling

This paper develops a modularization scheme based on the functional model of a system. The modularization approach makes use of the function–behavior–state (FBS) model of the system to derive the entity relations. The design structure matrix (DSM) is automatically constructed based on the FBS model. In this way, the tedious work of filling the DSM entries based on expert knowledge is avoided. The approach makes use of k-means clustering algorithm to allow the user to try different number of clusters in a fast way. The k-means clustering is adopted for DSM based modularization by defining a proper entity representation, relation measure and objective function. Two modularization schemes are performed, one based on the immediate relations and one on the deeper behavioral relations between the components. Considering the application on the shifting system of the Delft University of Technology (DUT) Formula Student car, the latter modularization resulted in more mechatronic behavior based modules, while the former resulted in modules based on mere disciplinary and spatial closeness.     

Improvement of fracture properties of hydroxyapatite particle filled poly(l-lactide)/poly(ε-caprolactone) biocomposites using lysine tri-isocyanate

Effects of LTI addition on the mode I fracture energy of HA/PLLA/PCL were examined and the micro-structural modification due to LTI addition was investigated. Both the mode I energy release rate, G _in, and averaged fracture energy, E _f, are improved dramatically due to LTI addition. The reason is considered to be the improvements of the interfacial structure connecting HA particles with PLLA/PCL matrix and the miscibility between PLLA and PCL. These changes of blend morphology and interfacial structure reduce the stress concentration and lead to the ductile deformation and resulted in the increase of those fracture properties.     

Hydrothermal Corrosion of Alumina Ceramics

The corrosion behavior and strength degradation of alumina ceramics with 99%, 99.9%, and 99.99% Al₂O₃ were studied in water at 300°C and 8.6 MPa for 1 to 10 d. The weight loss in alumina ceramics was mainly attributed to the dissolution of SiO₂ and Na₂O grain-boundary impurities. Intergranular corrosion proceeded in the alumina ceramics by preferential attack at the grain boundaries. The extent of the strength reduction for corroded alumina ceramics was related to the impurity level in the alumina ceramics.     

TARGET YIELDS AND HYDROGEN CONSUMPTION IN BROWN COAL LIQUEFACTION

A simple mechanistic model for brown coal liquefaction has been developed and used in conjunction with data from PDU operation to examine the factors which contribute to hydrogen consumption. It is found that after allowing for hydrogen generation requirements, the maximum achievable refined product yield from Morwell brown coal ((ssuming a naphtha/middle distillate ratio of 5:6 together with refined product H/C ratios of 1.8 for naphtha and 1.5 for middle distillate) is 46 - 48%, corresponding to a hydrogen consumption of 6.6 - 7.6%. Alternatively, if consideration of hydrogen generation is excluded (as in pilot plant operation), the maximum yield would be around 54%, corresponding to 6.6% net hydrogen consumption. These results suggest that an aim of maximizing product yield by decreasing Cl-C4 gas formation may not be as desirable as at first thought.