Infrared reflectance and transmission spectra of semiconducting non-stoichiometric CdGe x As2

The infrared reflectance and transmission spectra of amorphous CdGe _x As₂ were investigated to study the amorphous structure with varying Ge content. The mid-infrared optical absorption edges of amorphous CdGe _x As₂ with 0<x<1.2, were observed in the range 1.6–1.7 m, indicating a structural similarity in short-range order throughout. Comparing the reflectance and transmission spectra of amorphous and devitrified crystalline phases established that the structures of amorphous CdGe _x As₂ transformed from the CdAs₂ basic structure to the chalcopyrite (CdGeAs₂) structure, as one progressed fromx=0 tox=1.2. The infrared spectra were interpreted interactively with radial distribution function, magnetic susceptibility, density measurements, and crystallization studies. The crystallization behaviour of amorphous CdGe _x As₂ that was heat treated at different temperatures was investigated using far-infrared transmission spectra.     

Fabrication of high-efficiency anatase TiO2 photocatalysts using electrospinning with ultra-violet treatment

In metal oxide nanofiber fabrication using the electrospinning method, heat treatment is performed at temperatures of 500°C or higher for crystallization and polymer desorption. Therefore, it is difficult to fabricate low-temperature phase metal oxides that crystallize at low temperatures. TiO₂, a representative metal oxide often used as photocatalysts, is known to have higher photocatalytic activity in the low-temperature phase (anatase structure) than in the high-temperature phase (rutile structure). Studies on the fabrication of TiO₂ anatase nanofibers using conventional electrospinning have reported disadvantages such as the partial expression of rutile structures and low crystallinity. This study developed an anatase TiO₂ nanofiber as a high-efficiency catalyst based on the electrospinning method and a residual organic matter cleaning method that employs ultra-violet (UV) light. We fabricated nanofibers using the electrospinning method and implemented TiO₂ nanofibers with the anatase structure through heat treatment at 260°C. Residual organics remaining after heat treatment of the fabricated crystalized TiO₂ nanofibers were removed by exposing them to UV light, thereby improving photocatalytic efficiency. The photocatalytic efficiency of the fabricated TiO₂ nanofibers was confirmed through a methylene blue (MB) decomposition experiment under visible light irradiation. The photocatalytic efficiency (time taken for the concentration of the MB solution to reach 50%) of the UV-treated TiO₂ nanofibers was approximately six times higher than of P25 and the heat-treated nanofibers.     

Temperature and grain size dependence of superplasticity in a Zn−0.3wt.%Al alloy

The superplastic deformation behavior of quasi-single phase Zn-0.3 wt. %Al was investigated. A series of load relaxation and tensile tests was conducted at various temperatures ranging from RT (20 °C) to 200 °C. The recently proposed internal variable theory of structural superplasticity was applied. The flow curves obtained from load relaxation tests were shown to consist of contributions from interface sliding (IS) and accommodating plastic deformation. In the case of quasi-single phase Zn-0.3 wt.% Al alloy with an average agrain size of 1 μm, the IS behavior could be described as a viscous flow process characterized by a power index of M_g=0.5. A large elongation of about 1400% was obtained at room temperature and the strain rate sensitivity parameter was about 0.4. Although relatively large-grained (10 μm) single phase alloy showed a high value of strain rate sensitivity comparable to that of fine-grained alloy at very low strain rate range, IS was not expected from the analysis based on the internal variable theory of structural superplasticity at room temperature. As the temperature increased above 100 °C, however, the contribution from IS was observed at a very low strain rate range. A high elongation of ∼400% was obtained in a specimen of 10-μm-grain-size at 200 °C under a strain rate of 2×10⁻⁴/sec. Jointly appointed at Center for Advanced Aerospace Materials (CAAM)     

Effects of anodizing voltage on the anodized and hydrothermally treated titanium surface

Anodic oxidation is the process of creating a titanium oxide layer with various defects more dense and stable. In this study, a dense, stable and porous oxide layer was formed using anodic spark oxidation on pure titanium surface and hydroxyapatite crystals were formed on its surface via a hydrothermal treatment. A mixture of 0.02M−GP (Glycerolphosphate disodium salt) and 0.2M-CA (Calcium acetate) was used as an electrolyte. By increasing the anodizing voltage to 220, 260, 300, and 360 V, the effects of the anodizing voltage were examined by evaluating the film properties after anodization and a hydrothermal treatment. Breakdown occurred around 230 V. As the voltage increased after breakdown, the pore size increased. After the hydrothermal treatment, the amount of HA crystal precipitation was also increased as the voltage increased. The mean surface roughness (Ra) of the anodizing surface was also increased as the voltage increased. The Ra value was larger in the hydrothermally treated group compared with the group treated with anodization as a result of the HA crystals present on the surface after the hydrothermal treatment. Corrosion resistance of the surface modified by anodization was significantly increased in a saline solution compared to that for the non-treated group; this increased further after the hydrothermal treatment. These increases were most likely due to a thick stable oxide layer formed through anodization. Thus, it is believed that titanium with its surface modified through anodic spark oxidation would be a suitable biomaterial due to its corrosion resistance and biocompatibility.     

Pre-annealing effect of electroless Ni−B deposit as a diffusion barrier for electroplated Cu electrodes

Ni−B film of 1 μm thickness was electrolessly deposited on an electroplated Cu bus electrode. The film, which encapsulates the Cu bus electrodes, prevents Cu oxidation and serves as a diffusion barrier against Cu contamination of the transparent dielectric layer in a plasma display during the firing process at 580 °C. The microstructure of theas-deposited barrier film was amorphous phase and crystallized to Ni and Ni₃B after annealing at 300 °C. The good barrier properties observed here can be explained by Ni₃B precipitates at the grain boundaries acting as a fast diffusion path via pre-annealing at 300 °C before the firing process at 580 °C.     

A note on the optimal pricing and production decisions with price‐driven substitution

Recently, Kim and Bell ( 2011 ) developed a revenue managemnent pricing model with price‐driven substitution. The authors considered production decisions under unlimited production capacity and investigated the impact of price‐driven substitution on a firm's pricing and production decisions. The authors modeled the consumer demands for each market segment as linear additive demand function based on exogenous variables, where demand substitution occurred as a function of price differences between the two products. In this article, we extend this work to examine the impact of a production capacity constraint on the firm's joint pricing and inventory decisions. Based on this extended model, we investigate the impact of price‐driven substitution on a firm's pricing and production decisions where there is a limit on total capacity. We show how revenue managers should adjust prices and production levels to take into account price‐driven substitution under a capacity constraint setting. Both deterministic and stochastic models are developed, and the impact of price‐driven substitution and a capacity constraint on the optimal prices, production levels, and revenues is illustrated.     

Exploring the Relationship Between Green Consumption Value,Satisfaction, and Loyalty to Hybrid Car in Elderly Consumers

The study aimed to examine the relationship between green consumption value, satisfaction, and loyalty of driving hybrid cars among elderly consumers. Data were collected from a cross‐sectional survey of 314 elderly consumers who purchased hybrid cars in the United States. A partial least squares analysis revealed that elderly consumers’ social, price, and quality values positively influenced the satisfaction of their hybrid car experience, and their satisfaction significantly influenced their loyalty of hybrid car. The relationship between green consumption value, satisfaction, and loyalty toward driving hybrid cars among elderly consumers revealed insight into their value orientations toward the hybrid car. Special efforts are suggested in promoting hybrid car use to elderly consumer groups. Marketers should pay attention to changing beliefs and increasing perceived values of driving a hybrid car for consumers to encourage them to use green products.     

Distinct element method analysis of a retaining wall using a steel frame and fill materials

A technique is developed to clearly establish the shear resistance of a cellular structure, retaining wall composed of a steel frame and fill materials with both continuous and discontinuous characteristics. To overcome the limitation of the existing analysis approach based on continuum mechanics, in which the shear behavior and interaction between the frames and fill material of this type of structure are difficult to describe, this paper introduces displacement incremental analysis into the distinct element method. The results obtained by using the proposed approach are compared with experimental results to verify its accuracy. The results show an internal friction angle of fill materials and overburdening load are major factor determining the shear resistance of a retaining wall with a cellular structure type. From the results of the parametric study on the shear behavior of this type of structure, this paper also proposes a shear resistance moment-shear displacement formula for designing a retaining wall with a cellular structure type.     

Usability Principles for Augmented Reality Applications in a Smartphone Environment

Through the rapid spread of smartphones, users have access to many types of applications similar to those on desktop computer systems. Smartphone applications using augmented reality (AR) technology make use of users' location information. As AR applications will require new evaluation methods, improved usability and user convenience should be developed. The purpose of the current study is to develop usability principles for the development and evaluation of smartphone applications using AR technology. We develop usability principles for smartphone AR applications by analyzing existing research about heuristic evaluation methods, design principles for AR systems, guidelines for handheld mobile device interfaces, and usability principles for the tangible user interface. We conducted a heuristic evaluation for three popularly used smartphone AR applications to identify usability problems. We suggested new design guidelines to solve the identified problems. Then, we developed an improved AR application prototype of an Android-based smartphone, which later was conducted a usability testing to validate the effects of usability principles.