Runtime home mapping for effective memory resource usage

In tiled Chip Multiprocessors (CMPs) last-level cache (LLC) banks are usually shared but distributed among the tiles. A static mapping of cache blocks to the LLC banks leads to poor efficiency since a block may be mapped away from the tiles actually accessing it. Dynamic policies either rely on the static mapping of blocks to a set of banks (D-NUCA) or rely on the OS to dynamically load pages to statically mapped addresses (first-touch).     

Reliability-based robust assessment for multiobjective optimization design of improving occupant restraint system performance

Optimal performance of vehicle occupant restraint system (ORS) requires an accurate assessment of occupant injury values including head, neck and chest responses, etc. To provide a feasible framework for incorporating occupant injury characteristics into the ORS design schemes, this paper presents a reliability-based robust approach for the development of the ORS. The uncertainties of design variables are addressed and the general formulations of reliable and robust design are given in the optimization process. The ORS optimization is a highly nonlinear and large scale problem. In order to save the computational cost, an optimal sampling strategy is applied to generate sample points at the stage of design of experiment (DOE). Further, to efficiently obtain a robust approximation, the support vector regression (SVR) is suggested to construct the surrogate model in the vehicle ORS design process. The multiobjective particle swarm optimization (MPSO) algorithm is used for obtaining the Pareto optimal set with emphasis on resolving conflicting requirements from some of the objectives and the Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) method is applied to perform the reliability and robustness analysis. The differences of three different Pareto fronts of the deterministic, reliable and robust multiobjective optimization designs are compared and analyzed in this study. Finally, the reliability-based robust optimization result is verified by using sled system test. The result shows that the proposed reliability-based robust optimization design is efficient in solving ORS design optimization problems.     

Additive manufacturing in the spare parts supply chain

As additive manufacturing (AM) evolves to become a common method of producing final parts, further study of this computer integrated technology is necessary. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the potential impact of additive manufacturing improvements on the configuration of spare parts supply chains. This goal has been accomplished through scenario modeling of a real-life spare parts supply chain in the aeronautics industry. The spare parts supply chain of the F-18 Super Hornet fighter jet was selected as the case study because the air-cooling ducts of the environmental control system are produced using AM technology. In total, four scenarios are investigated that vary the supply chain configurations and additive manufacturing machine specifications. The reference scenario is based on the spare parts supplier's current practice and the possible future decentralization of production and likely improvements in AM technology. Total operating cost, including downtime cost, is used to compare the scenarios. We found that using current AM technology, centralized production is clearly the preferable supply chain configuration in the case example. However, distributed spare parts production becomes practical as AM machines become less capital intensive, more autonomous and offer shorter production cycles. This investigation provides guidance for the development of additive manufacturing machines and their possible deployment in spare parts supply chains. This study contributes to the emerging literature on AM deployment in supply chains with a real-world case setting and scenario model illustrating the cost trade-offs and critical requirements for technology development.     

Telerobot-enabled HUB-CI model for collaborative lifecycle management of design and prototyping

The HUB-CI model is investigated in a telerobotic system in a client/server network to manage the lifecycle of engineering design and prototyping. The purpose of this platform is to support collaborative engineering design and proof of concept to enhance distributed team collaboration and resource utilization. The suggested platform is exemplified in two collaboration support tools and a physical prototyping platform. Structured Co-Insight Management is developed to support innovative idea exchanges and the consensus decision-making during the design process. Conflict/error detection management helps preventing conflicts and errors during the lifecycle of design and development. Physical collaboration over the network occurs when a team controls the telerobot operation during prototyping and testing in design cycles. A pilot system is implemented with a group project for the design of an electronic circuit (including both hardware and software designs). The functional assessment method is used to compare this platform to other collaborative design tools. The system presented offers unique qualitative advantages as an integrated collaboration support system.     

Synthesis of functional π-conjugated polymers from aromatic acetylenes

Because of their unique structures and properties, π-conjugated polymers have attracted the attention of scientists and engineers. The authors have studied the synthesis of two kinds of π-conjugated poly(aromatic acetylene)s, i.e. poly(arylacetylene)s and poly(aryleneethynylene)s with the aim of obtaining new polymers having novel functions or higher performances. This review mainly concerns the authors' results, as follows: first, we describe the synthesis and properties of achiral poly(arylacetylene)s, containing trimethylsilyl groups, oligodimethylsiloxanyl groups, dendritic groups, and glavinoxyl groups, for application as oxygen permselective membrane materials. Their self-membrane-forming abilities and high oxygen permeabilities are presented. Second, the synthesis by asymmetric-induced polymerization of chiral poly(arylacetylene)s having both a main-chain chirality and chiral pendant groups and their application as optical resolution membranes are described. Third, two new synthetic methods for preparing chiral helical poly(phenylacetylene)s without the coexistence of any other chiral moieties are presented. One is helix-sense-selective addition polymerization and the other is in situ removal of chiral pendant groups from membranes of poly(arylacetylene)s that also contain a main-chain chirality. The chiral helical poly(arylacetylene)s were tested as optical resolution membranes. The chiral and achiral poly(arylacetylene)s were synthesized by addition polymerization using metathesis catalysts or rhodium complexes. Finally, the synthesis of regiospecific poly(aryleneethynylene)s bearing stable radicals by the polycondensation of bromoethynylanthracene derivatives using a Pd(0) complex is described. The magnetization and the static magnetic susceptibility of the polyradicals are explained.     

Synergistic Extraction of Rare Earth Ions by 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-benzoyl-5-pyrazolone and Trioctylphousphine Oxide in Paraffin Wax

ＳｙｎｅｒｇｉｓｔｉｃＥｘｔｒａｃｔｉｏｎｏｆＲａｒｅＥａｒｔｈＩｏｎｓｂｙ１ｐｈｅｎｙｌ３ｍｅｔｈｙｌ４ｂｅｎｚｏｙｌ５ｐｙｒａｚｏｌｏｎｅａｎｄＴｒｉｏｃｔｙｌｐｈｏｕｓｐｈｉｎｅＯｘｉｄｅｉｎＰａｒａｆｉｎＷａｘＧａｏＪｉｎｚｈａ...     

The in-line inspection of carbon anodes for aluminum production

In this paper, methods for measuring the quality of carbon anodes consumed in the commercial production of aluminum are discussed. The electrical and mechanical qualities of these anodes are important for the economic operation of the aluminum plant. While the investigation is ongoing, results from tests made at an aluminum reduction plant are included. The methods reviewed include direct resistivity measurement using core samples, ultrasonic measurement, the hammer method, analysis of the Hall effect, the four-probe method, and use of magnetic coils (various arrangements).