Sensitivity of torsional stress predictions of diesel generatorsets to critical parameter values

In the present paper a new method is presented for the evaluation of torsional stressing of diesel-generator sets consisting of components with uncertain torsional characteristics. A frequency scanning technique is implemented for eigenvalue analysis of the elastic system. Due to the uncertainty of the values of stiffness and damping coefficients, a sensitivity analysis method is also presented, suitable for the evaluation of the range of the mechanical stresses. Special consideration is given to the correct simulation of the coupling to the electric network, including the influence of generator regulators and possible network interactions. An exact formula is extracted for the synchronizing and damping torque coefficients. The method presented was checked in a diesel power station of the autonomous electric system of a Greek island     

Trade-off between resolution and interactivity in spatial taskperformance

Virtual reality displays usually lag far behind classical computer graphics displays in static image quality parameters, such as resolution. Both the popular press and scientific papers often stress that resolution will have to increase greatly before users can experience virtual environments as “the real thing”. Nevertheless, it is already possible to do some useful work in VR environments. The point we experimentally demonstrate here is that resolution is much less important for interactive tasks that employ immersive VR, where users can explore the environment by moving their heads and bodies, than it is in classical computer graphics applications, where users can only explore by gazing at a single picture. In the context of unmanned aerial vehicles, frame rate (read: passive camera movement) is more important than resolution for target detection, recognition, designation, and tracking. In the experiments reported here, we investigated the relative importance of various image parameters like spatial resolution (number of pixels per video frame), intensity resolution (number of gray levels per pixel), and temporal resolution (number of frame updates per second). Most experimental data concerning these resolutions come from classical psychophysics. However, experimental conditions in classical psychophysics feature stationary observers looking at short-term, pointlike flashes on stationary displays, and are thus far more representative of human interaction with pictures and photographs than with highly interactive systems like those employed in virtual reality     

Performance enhancement of scan converter-based transientdigitizers by digital image processing

A method for the enhancement of dynamic performance of scan converter-based transient digitizers is proposed. First, a technique for discriminating the best diode target region is illustrated. Then, by considering the digitized charge distribution on the target as a digital image, a filtering algorithm capable of recovering trace discontinuities is shown. Results of tests carried out on an actual digitizer are reported     

Oblique flow impinging on a wall with suction or blowing

Summary The oblique flow of a viscous fluid impinging on a flat wall with suction or blowing is studied. It is found that when suction is applied the fluid penetrates the wall while blowing causes the shifting of the stagnation point. It is also found that this shifting depends upon the magnitude of the blowing.     

Drug Release from Lipogels According to Gelling Conditions and Mechanical Treatment

The release rate of a drug dissolved in the liquid phase of lipogels may be greatly affected by the type and concentration of gelling agent and by processing conditions and mechanical treatment of the ointment. These differences in release rate are reduced after application of mechanical stress comparable with the strain exerted on the ointment during application to the skin. Therefore, changes in the concentration of gelling agents used to achieve suitable consistency and manufacturing and packing processes that meet industrial and marketing requirements do not appear to exert a practical influence on drug availability after application to the skin.     

Electrical passivation in hydrogen plasma exposed GaN

Lightly p-doped (3×10¹⁷ cm^-3) GaN grown on GaAs substrates by metal organic molecular beam epitaxy (MOMBE) shows deactivation of the residual acceptors on exposure to a microwave (2.45 GHz) hydrogen plasma at 250°C. Subsequent annealing to 350°C produces further dopant passivation, while higher temperatures (450°C) restore the initial conductivity. These results suggest that hydrogen carrier gases should be avoided during vapour phase growth of III-V nitrides