Alloyed W–(Co,Ni,Fe)–C phases for reaction sintering of hardmetals

It has been shown that W–Co–C phases could dissolve a substantial amount of metals such as V, Cr and Ta, which are known to positively influence the microstructure of hardmetals with respect to uniform grain size distribution and fine grain size. This offers a tool to circumvent the conventional doping of hardmetals with individual carbides. In the present study we used double- and triple-alloyed κ-W₉Co₃C₄ (i.e. κ-(W,V,Cr)₉Co₃C₄ and κ-(W,V,Cr,Ta)₉Co₃C₄) and applied a variety of sintering experiments to obtain WC–Co, WC–(Ti,Ta,Nb)C–Co and WC–(Ti,Ta,Nb)(C,N)–Co hardmetals. We also prepared κ-W₉Fe₃C₄, alloyed κ-W₉Ni₃C₄, and κ-W₉(Fe/Ni)₃C₄, and used the latter for sintering.     

Integer wavelet transform for embedded lossy to lossless imagecompression

The use of the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) for embedded lossy image compression is now well established. One of the possible implementations of the DWT is the lifting scheme (LS). Because perfect reconstruction is granted by the structure of the LS, nonlinear transforms can be used, allowing efficient lossless compression as well. The integer wavelet transform (IWT) is one of them. This is an interesting alternative to the DWT because its rate-distortion performance is similar and the differences can be predicted. This topic is investigated in a theoretical framework. A model of the degradations caused by the use of the IWT instead of the DWT for lossy compression is presented. The rounding operations are modeled as additive noise. The noise are then propagated through the LS structure to measure their impact on the reconstructed pixels. This methodology is verified using simulations with random noise as input. It predicts accurately the results obtained using images compressed by the well-known EZW algorithm. Experiment are also performed to measure the difference in terms of bit rate and visual quality. This allows to a better understanding of the impact of the IWT when applied to lossy image compression.     

Innovative Anwendungen der Plasmatechnik

Plasma processes can be found in various application areas. Plasmas are used for coating and cleaning of workpieces, for etching of microelectronic structures, for finishing of textiles, for welding and generating of radiation. The fields of application increase permanently due to a better understanding of the processes and new plasma sources.     

Stoffliche und konstruktionsbezogene Besonderheiten beim Einsatz von UHFB im Brückenbau am Beispiel von drei Pilotprojekten

Seit 1997 wurden weltweit ca. 30 Brücken aus UHFB (Ultrahochfester Beton) gebaut. Wegen der hohen Leistungsfähigkeit von UHFB, vor allem in Bezug auf seine Festigkeits‐ und Dauerhaftigkeitseigenschaften, ist er geradezu prädestiniert für Ingenieurbauwerke und damit auch für Brücken. Übliche Konstruktionsprinzipien des Betonbaus lassen sich jedoch nicht einfach auf den neuen Werkstoff übertragen. Die konsequente Einbeziehung der Eigenschaften und Besonderheiten des neuen Werkstoffes sowie die Berücksichtigung der Forderungen der Nachhaltigkeit führen zu filigranen, modularen und flexiblen Bauweisen, die sich ihrem Konstruktionsprinzip nach zwischen Beton‐ und Stahlkonstruktionen einordnen lassen. Bei Betrachtung der gesamten Lebenszykluskosten sind mit solchen Bauweisen wirtschaftliche Bauwerke mit eminentem Nutzen für die Volkswirtschaft möglich. Nach einer allgemeinen Betrachtung werden anhand der Erfahrungen bei Konstruktion, Bemessung und Ausführung von drei verschiedenen Pilotprojekten in Österreich die Besonderheiten und neuen Erkenntnisse beispielhaft erläutert. Special Features of Material and Structure in the Application of UHPC for Bridge Construction exemplified by three Pilot Projects Since 1997 nearly 30 bridges have been built worldwide using UHPC (Ultra High Performance Concrete). Due to the high performance of UHPC, especially owing to its strength and durability properties, this material is predestined for engineering structures and as a result also for bridges. Common design philosophies in concrete construction can not easily be adapted to this new material. The consistent incorporation of the properties and special features of this new material as well as the demands for sustainability lead to filigree, flexible and modular buildings. Therefore the design philosophy can be classified between concrete and steel constructions. Considering the complete life‐cycle costs, such constructions permit economical buildings with an eminent benefit for the national economy. After general consideration, the special properties and the new insights gained are exemplified based on experiences during construction, dimensioning and implementation of three different pilot projects in Austria.     

Flexural properties of z-pinned composite laminates in seawater environment

Unidirectional carbon-fibre reinforced composite laminates with and without z-pins were immersed in artificial seawater and exposed to two different temperature levels (?1.75 and 50 °C), as well as thaw–freeze cycles (+20/?20 °C). The investigation described is focused on the question to which degree seawater absorption, as well as bending properties are influenced by z-pin reinforcement. The results indicate an increasing influence of the z-pin reinforcement on the water sorption rate, while the sorption rate of unpinned laminates is lower. This is a result of the additional diffusion pathways of the moisture ingress into the laminate caused by the inserted z-pins which in turn change the micro-structure. Furthermore, the sorption rate depends on the immersion temperature. Laminates immersed into seawater with higher temperatures (50 °C) display a significantly higher diffusion rate than those immersed in colder seawater (?1.75 °C) or those immersed under thaw–freeze conditions (+20/?20 °C). Z-pin reinforced laminates with a unidirectional fibre orientation show a reduced bending strength by about 31 %, as well as a reduced flexural modulus by about 11 % in comparison to unpinned samples. Unpinned and z-pinned samples that were exposed to a seawater environment for 1344 h show a reduced flexural modulus depending on the immersion temperatures. As opposed to flexural modulus, flexural strength is not affected by immersion time or temperature. The overall bending strain energy that is necessary for a complete fracture of the unpinned samples under 4-point bending loads can be described with the value of the elastic bending strain energy. In contrast to this the overall bending strain energy of the z-pinned laminates is composed of two different components –the elastic bending strain energy and the post-fracture strain energy. The post-fracture strain energy occurs after exceeding the flexural strength. The overall bending strain energy of z-pinned and unpinned samples without immersion into seawater is around 7.2 J, while the percentage of the post-fracture energy of the pinned samples is 40 % with respect to the overall bending strain energy. The duration of the immersion into water and higher water temperatures increases the overall bending strain energy for both unpinned and pinned samples. The increase is higher for z-pinned samples and is mainly caused by the increase of the post-fracture energy.     

Topography of diabetic macular edema with optical coherence tomography

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop a protocol to screen and monitor patients with diabetic macular thickening using optical coherence tomography (OCT), a technique for high-resolution cross-sectional imaging of the retina. DESIGN: A cross-sectional pilot study was conducted. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 182 eyes of 107 patients with diabetic retinopathy, 55 eyes from 31 patients with diabetes but no ophthalmoscopic evidence of retinopathy, and 73 eyes from 41 healthy volunteers were studied. INTERVENTION: Six optical coherence tomograms were obtained in a radial spoke pattern centered on the fovea. Retinal thickness was computed automatically from each tomogram at a total of 600 locations throughout the macula. Macular thickness was displayed geographically as a false-color topographic map and was reported numerically as averages in each of nine regions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Correlation of OCT with slit-lamp biomicroscopy, fluorescein angiography, and visual acuity was measured. RESULTS: Optical coherence tomography was able to quantify the development and resolution of both foveal and extrafoveal macular thickening. The mean +/- standard deviation foveal thickness was 174 +/- 18 microns in normal eyes, 179 +/- 17 microns in diabetic eyes without retinopathy, and 256 +/- 114 microns in eyes with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. Foveal thickness was highly correlated among left and right eyes of normal eyes (mean +/- standard deviation difference of 6 +/- 9 microns). Foveal thickness measured by OCT correlated with visual acuity (r2 = 0.79). A single diabetic eye with no slit-lamp evidence of retinopathy showed abnormal foveal thickening on OCT. CONCLUSIONS: Optical coherence tomography was a useful technique for quantifying macular thickness in patients with diabetic macular edema. The topographic mapping protocol provided geographic information on macular thickness that was intuitive and objective.     

On the future of power generation and transmission future energytrends in Eastern Germany

Methods for determining energy demand in Eastern Germany are discussed. In particular, a prognostic model for determining energy demand and a linear optimization model for determining the usage of generating equipment for meeting the demand are detailed. Results of a case study are given     

Transparent cubic-ZrO2 ceramics for application as optical lenses

Optical transparent polycrystalline ZrO₂ ceramics were fabricated by solid-state sintering process using first vacuum sintering followed by hot isostatic pressing. In the visible wavelength range (400–800 nm), the in-line transmittance of 5.6-mm thick samples reaches 68% at exemplary wavelength 600 nm (corresponding to an in-line absorbance based on 10 of A₁₀ = 0.08 cm^?1), which is approximately 90% of theoretical limit. The refractive indices of the ZrO₂ optoceramics at 630 nm (n_d) are varying between 2.10 and 2.20, depending on TiO₂ contents, the latter being used as sintering aid. The appearance of birefringence is strongly correlated to the addition of TiO₂ as sintering additive in the ceramic samples, whereas addition of TiO₂ and simultaneous increase in Y₂O₃ content resulted in a decrease of birefringence.