Microstructural analysis of in situ mesophase transformation in the fabrication of carbon-carbon composites

In this work, we examined the microstructures formed during the pyrolysis of naphthalene mixed with AlCl₃ catalyst, in the critical temperature range of 300-500 °C and at varying pressures. In addition, non-rigidized preforms were densified by multiple cycle in situ transformation and compared the process with impregnation using fully transformed AR mesophase pitch under similar conditions. The process of mesophase formation in the bulk phase and within tightly packed fiber bundles was observed to be similar: spherule nucleation from the isotropic phase, coalescence of spherules forming bulk mesophase, and mesophase flow before hardening. The hardened mesophase displays the coarse, fibrous, and lamellar microstructure observed in needle cokes. The molten naphthalene was observed to evenly penetrate in-depth the large void spaces and fiber bundles. After two in situ cycles, the fiber bundles and the inter-fiber bundle regions were well filled with transformed mesophase. The incremental filling of the larger void spaces reduced the calculated filling efficiencies from 47% in the first cycle to below 15% in the third through fifth cycle. An 8% improvement in densification efficiencies was achieved by applying modest pressures during the pyrolysis. The extent of mesophase penetration with AR mesophase was observed to decrease from the outer to the inner regions of the preform. The results suggest impregnation with naphthalene catalyst mixture is efficient in filling tightly packed fiber bundles but not large void spaces. Multiple cycles are required in order to fill the large void spaces.     

Energy conservation in compressed‐air systems

In this paper, we evaluate and quantify the energy losses associated with compressed‐air systems, and their costs to manufacturers. We also show how to reduce the cost of compressed air in existing facilities by making some modifications with attractive payback periods. Among the measures, we investigate to reduce the compressed air are: (1) repairing air leaks, (2) installing high‐efficiency motors, (3) reducing the average air inlet temperature by using outside air (4) reducing compressor air pressure. We also illustrate the potential saving associated with each measure by using realistic examples. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Variational estimates of the effective thermal conductivities of transversely isotropic composites

A study is made of a type of composite material that is widely used in practical applications — a composite with fibers of constant cross section arranged parallel to one another in the matrix. The effective thermal conductivities of transversely Isotropie composites is estimated on the basis of dual variational principles from thermostatics. Certain geometric models that are of practical interest are examined and refined estimates of their effective conductivities are obtained. Due to mathematical equivalence, the results obtained can also be used for effective electrical conductivity, the effective diffusion coefficient, effective permittivity, and effective permeability.Translated from Inzhenerno-fizicheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 59, No. 10, pp. 562–568, October, 1990.     

High-/spl kappa//metal-gate stack and its MOSFET characteristics

We show experimental evidence of surface phonon scattering in the high-/spl kappa/ dielectric being the primary cause of channel electron mobility degradation. Next, we show that midgap TiN metal-gate electrode is effective in screening phonon scattering in the high-/spl kappa/ dielectric from coupling to the channel under inversion conditions, resulting in improved channel electron mobility. We then show that other metal-gate electrodes, such as the ones with n+ and p+ work functions, are also effective in improving channel mobilities to close to those of the conventional SiO/sub 2//poly-Si stack. Finally, we demonstrate this mobility degradation recovery translates directly into high drive performance on high-/spl kappa//metal-gate CMOS transistors with desirable threshold voltages.     

The Economical PAPR Minization Scheme for Combinative Coding Technique Applied OFDM Communication System

In this paper, we propose a new combinative scheme to combine with parity check and block coding methods for the reduction of the peak to average power ratio (PAPR) of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system. In the proposed schemes, the simulation results shown that Peak-to-Average Power Ratio (PAPR) can be reduced by 3.502 dB. The results of this mapped can be shown that PAPR is reduced. The principle of the scheme is illustrated with the specific example of an eight-carriers signal and its computer simulation results. All simulation results have compare with ideal channel case and AWGN case separately; both of cases are shown the PAPR reduced indeed. Do Horng Guo received his B.S. Degree in Electronic Engineering from National Taiwan Marine Science University, Keelung, Taiwan, in 1983, and M.S. Degree in Computer Communication from Northrop University, Los Angeles, USA, in 1986. He is enrolled in Ph.D program in Graduate Institute of Communication Engineering of Tatung University from 2001. His current interest includes wireless communication system and digital signal processing. Chau-Yun Hsu received his B.S. degree M.S. and Ph.D in Electrical Engineering from Tatung Institute of Technology, Taipei, Taiwan, in 1981, 1983 and 1988, respectively. He was the lecturer in Department of Electrical Engineering of Tatung University from 1983 to 1985. From 1988 to 1997, he served as the Associate professor of Tatung University. Since 1998, he has been the Chair Professor of Graduate Institute of Communication Engineering of Tatung University. Now he is also the chair of department of Electrical Engineering of Tatung University. His current interest includes Wireless Channel Model and Estimation, Machine Learning, Digital Signal Processing and Image Processing.     

Implementation of a third-generation 1.1-GHz 64-bit microprocessor

This third-generation 1.1-GHz 64-bit UltraSPARC microprocessor provides 1-MB on-chip level-2 cache, 4-Gb/s off chip memory bandwidth, and a new 200 MHz JBus interface that supports one to four processors. The 87.5-million transistor chip is implemented in a seven-layer-metal copper 0.13-/spl mu/m CMOS process and dissipates 53 W at 1.3 V and 1.1 GHz.     

Surgical treatment and outcome in patients with a hepatocellular carcinoma greater than 10 cm in diameter

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) over 10 cm in diameter at the time of diagnosis continues to account for a number of patients undergoing hepatic resection. This study evaluated the clinicopathological features and outcome following surgery for large HCC. METHODS: Forty patients with a large HCC (greater than 10 cm) (group 1) resected between 1991 and 1996 were studied retrospectively. They were compared with 245 patients who had smaller HCCs (10 cm or less) (group 2). RESULTS: No patient in group 1 had hepatitis C infection compared with 22.9 per cent in group 2 (P=0.001). Patients in group 1 were significantly younger, had higher alpha-fetoprotein levels (16750 versus 1864 ng/ml; P < 0.001), better liver function, a higher incidence of multiple tumours (27 of 40 versus 42.0 per cent; P=0.003) and venous invasion (35 of 40 versus 52.2 per cent; P < 0.001), and underwent more major resections (37 of 40 versus 26.5 per cent; P < 0.001) than those in group 2. Morbidity and mortality rates and hospital stay were comparable in the two groups. For group 1, the 1-, 3- and 5-year disease-free survival rates were 42, 30 and 28 per cent respectively. Multiple tumours, venous invasion and impaired liver function were factors associated with recurrence. CONCLUSION: Large HCC had specific clinicopathological features. In selected patients, resection is safe and offers the chance of long-term disease-free survival.     

An effective hybrid approach of desirability,fuzzy logic,ANFIS and LAPO algorithm for optimizing compliant mechanism

This paper proposes an efficient hybrid approach for solving multi-objective optimization design of a compliant mechanism. The approach is developed by integrating desirability function approach, fuzzy logic system, adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system, and Lightning attachment procedure optimization. Box–Behnken design is used to form a numerically experimental matrix. First, a refinement of design variables is conducted through analysis of variance and Taguchi approach in terms of considerably eliminating space of design variables and computation efforts. Next, desirability of two objective functions is computed and transferred into the fuzzy logic system. The output of fuzzy logic system is regarded as single combined objective function. Subsequently, a modeling for fuzzy output is developed via adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system. Then, LAPO algorithm is adopted for solving the optimization problem. By investigating three different numerical examples, performance of the proposed approach is validated. Numerical results revealed that the proposed approach has a computational accuracy better than that of Taguchi-based fuzzy logic reasoning. Finally, case study 1 is chosen as an optimal solution for the mechanism. Furthermore, the effectiveness of proposed approach is greater than that of the Jaya algorithm and TLBO algorithm through Wilcoxon signed rank test and Friedman test. The proposed approach can be used for related engineering fields.