Mechanism Oriented Steel Development

The paper discusses how physically based material models can contribute to the development and optimization of new materials. In combination with using enhanced simulation techniques such as density functional theory a true multi scale material development can be established.     

Developing Biotechnology Clusters in Non-high Technology Regions—The Case of Austria

This paper explores the role of distant knowledge links and policy actions for the development of biotechnology clusters. It seeks to challenge the prevailing view that the birth and early development of high technology industries are always spontaneous phenomena which are mainly based on local knowledge. Departing from the theoretical concept of regional innovation systems (RIS), a distinction between “RIS with strong potentials for high technology industries” and “RIS with weak potentials for high technology industries” will be drawn. It will be argued that in the latter case the development of biotechnology clusters is more dependent on distant knowledge sources and proactive policy efforts to create a favourable environment for high technology activities. Furthermore, it will be shown that a far-reaching transformation of the regional innovation system is crucial for catching-up processes of regions which are latecomers in high technology sectors such as biotechnology.     

Quasicrystal–crystal structural transformation in Al–5 wt.% Mn alloy

The atomic structure of Al–5 wt.%Mn (Al–5Mn) alloy, prepared by rapid solidification, and pre-annealed at 623 and 773 K for 5 and 1 h, respectively, were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) techniques. The sample in as-quenched stage was found crystalline, consisting of metastable α-Al (Al–Mn solid solution) and icosahedral quasicrystalline I-Al₆Mn phases. Five hours annealing at 623 K proved thermal stability of both the phases. Pre-annealing at 773 K/1 h on the other hand leads to α-Al phase decomposition and structural transformation of metastable I-Al₆Mn to stable orthorhombic Al₆Mn phase. The EXAFS results indicate that Mn atoms are located preferably on the outer shell of icosahedrons. During the I-Al₆Mn→o-Al₆Mn transformation the total Al atoms coordinating one Mn were found to be constant (∼10). Based on the results, only distance/symmetry changes in atomic arrangement around Mn atoms were suggested.     

Quantized UWB Transmitted Reference Systems

Digital implementation of ultra-wideband receivers requires analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) at an extremely high speed, thereby limiting the available bit resolution. Herein, the effect of low bit resolution quantization on the performance of UWB transmitted reference receivers is investigated. It is verified that the gain of the automatic-gain-control (AGC) has a significant effect on the achievable performance. Because of the considerable performance loss of conventional transmitted reference receivers in the presence of a low resolution ADC a new family of receiver structures optimized and tailored to quantized observations is presented. In particular, the generalized- likelihood ratio test (GLRT) based on the quantized samples is derived and shown to provide modest performance gains relative to the infinite resolution GLRT rule employed on the quantized received signal suggesting that conventional receiver structures can also be employed in the presence of a low resolution ADC. Results reveal that four bits of resolution in combination with an optimal choice for the AGC gain are sufficient to closely approach the performance of an infinite resolution receiver.     

Mechanical Properties and Oxidation Behavior of Al2O3–AlN–TiN Composites

The study examines the effect which the composition of hot-pressed electroconductive ceramics has on their structure, mechanical properties, and oxidation behavior, for ceramics of the type AIN–Al₂O₃–42 wt% TiN, differing in the AIN/Al₂O₃ ratio. The results are physico-mechanical property data, including density, hardness, strength, fracture toughness, and wear resistance. A correlation was found between the wear resistance and fracture toughness. The analysis of oxidation products revealed the formation of α-Al₂O₃ and rutile in the temperature range from 600° to 1100°C and aluminum titanate above 1200°C. The spallation of the oxide layer caused low oxidation resistance of Al₂O₃-rich composites above 1250°C. The oxidation of composites was compared with the oxidation of pure TiN. The relationship is discussed between material properties, composition, phases, and processing parameters.     

Localized Synthesis of Iron Oxide Nanowires and Fabrication of High Performance Nanosensors Based on a Single Fe2O3 Nanowire

A composed morphology of iron oxide microstructures covered with very thin nanowires (NWs) with diameter of 15–50 nm has been presented. By oxidizing metallic Fe microparticles at 255 °C for 12 and 24 h, dense iron oxide NW networks bridging prepatterned Au/Cr pads are obtained. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies reveal formation of α‐Fe₂O₃ and Fe₃O₄ on the surface and it is confirmed by detailed high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) investigations that NWs are single phase α‐Fe₂O₃ and some domains of single phase Fe₃O₄. Localized synthesis of such nano‐ and microparticles directly on sensor platform/structure at 255 °C for 24 h and reoxidation at 650 °C for 0.2–2 h, yield in highly performance and reliable detection of acetone vapor with fast response and recovery times. First nanosensors on a single α‐Fe₂O₃ nanowire are fabricated and studied showing excellent performances and an increase in acetone response by decrease of their diameter was developed. The facile technological approach enables this nanomaterial as candidate for a range of applications in the field of nanoelectronics such as nanosensors and biomedicine devices, especially for breath analysis in the treatment of diabetes patients.     

Potent and Selective Non‐hydroxamate Histone Deacetylase 8 Inhibitors

Specific inhibition of histone deacetylase 8 (HDAC8) has been suggested as a promising option for the treatment of neuroblastoma and T‐cell malignancies. A novel class of highly potent and selective HDAC8 inhibitors with a pyrimido[1,2‐c][1,3]benzothiazin‐6‐imine scaffold was studied that is completely different from the traditional concept of HDAC inhibitors comprising a zinc binding group (ZBG), in most cases a hydroxamate group, a spacer, and a capping group that may interact with the surface of the target protein. Although lacking a ZBG, some of the new compounds were shown to have outstanding potency against HDAC8 in the single‐digit nanomolar range. The pyrimido[1,2‐c][1,3]benzothiazin‐6‐imines also inhibited the growth of solid and hematological tumor cells. The small size and beneficial physicochemical properties of the novel HDAC inhibitor class underline the high degree of drug likeness. This and the broad structure–activity relationship suggest great potential for the further development of compounds with the pyrimido[1,2‐c][1,3]benzothiazin‐6‐imine scaffold into innovative and highly effective therapeutic drugs against cancer.     

Molecular Origin of the Charge Carrier Mobility in Small Molecule Organic Semiconductors

Small‐molecule organic semiconductors are used in a wide spectrum of applications, ranging from organic light emitting diodes to organic photovoltaics. However, the low carrier mobility severely limits their potential, e.g., for large area devices. A number of factors determine mobility, such as molecular packing, electronic structure, dipole moment, and polarizability. Presently, quantitative ab initio models to assess the influence of these molecule‐dependent properties are lacking. Here, a multiscale model is presented, which provides an accurate prediction of experimental data over ten orders of magnitude in mobility, and allows for the decomposition of the carrier mobility into molecule‐specific quantities. Molecule‐specific quantitative measures are provided how two single molecule properties, the dependence of the orbital energy on conformation, and the dipole‐induced polarization determine mobility for hole‐transport materials. The availability of first‐principles based models to compute key performance characteristics of organic semiconductors may enable in silico screening of numerous chemical compounds for the development of highly efficient optoelectronic devices.     

Online world modeling and path planning for an unmanned helicopter

Mission scenarios beyond line of sight or with limited ground control station access require capabilities for autonomous safe navigation and necessitate a continuous extension of existing and potentially outdated information about obstacles. The presented approach is a novel synthesis of techniques for 3D environment perception and global path planning. A locally bounded sensor fusion approach is used to extract sparse obstacles for global incremental path planning in an anytime fashion. During the flight, a stereo camera checks the field of view along the flight path ahead by analyzing depth images. A 3D occupancy grid is built incrementally. To reduce the high data rate and storage demands of grid-type maps, an approximated polygonal world model is created. For a compacted representation, it uses prisms and ground planes. This enables the system to constantly renew and update its knowledge about obstacles. An incremental heuristic path planner uses both a-priori information as well as incremental obstacle updates to assure a collision-free path at any time. Mapping results from flight tests show the functionality of onboard world modeling from real sensor data. Path planning feasibility is demonstrated within a simulation environment considering world model changes inside the vehicle’s field of view.     

Probing the Conformation States of Neurotensin Receptor 1 Variants by NMR Site-Directed Methyl Labeling

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are key players in mediating signal transduction across the cell membrane. However, due to their intrinsic instability, many GPCRs are not suitable for structural investigations. Various approaches have been developed in recent years to remedy this situation, ranging from the use of more native membrane mimetics to protein-stabilization methods. The latter approach typically results in GPCRs that contain various numbers of mutations. However, probing the functionality of such variants by in vitro and in vivo assays is often time consuming. In addition, to validate the suitability of such GPCRs for structural investigations, an assessment of their conformation state is required. NMR spectroscopy has been proven to be suitable to probe the conformation state of GPCRs in solution. Here, by using chemical labeling with an isotope-labeled methyl probe, we show that the activity and the conformation state of stabilized neurotensin receptor 1 variants obtained from directed evolution can be efficiently assayed in 2D NMR experiments. This strategy enables the quantification of the active and inactive conformation states and the derivation of an estimation of the basal as well as agonist-induced activity of the receptor. Furthermore, this assay can be used as a readout when re-introducing agonist-dependent signaling into a highly stabilized, and thus rigidified, receptor by mutagenesis. This approach will be useful in cases where low production yields do not permit the addition of labeled compounds to the growth medium and where 1D NMR spectra of selectively ¹⁹F-labeled receptors are not sufficient to resolve signal overlap for a more detailed analysis.