Parallelised production of fine and calibrated emulsions by coupling flow-focusing technique and partial wetting phenomenon

The capacity of microfluidic technology to fabricate monodisperse emulsion droplets is well established. Parallelisation of droplet production is a prerequisite for using such an approach for making high-quality materials for either fundamental or industrial applications where product quantity matters. Here, we investigate the emulsification efficiency of parallelised drop generators based on a flow-focusing geometry when incorporating the role of partial wetting in order to make emulsion droplets with a diameter below 10 μm. Confinement intrinsically encountered in microsystems intensifies the role played by interfaces between liquids and solids. We thus take advantage of partial wetting to enhance the maximum confinement accessible due to liquid flow focusing. We compare the performances brought by partial wetting to more established routes such as step emulsification. We show that the step configuration and the partial wetting regime are both well suited for being parallelised and thus open the way to the production of fine and calibrated emulsions for further applications. Finally, this new route of emulsification that exploits partial wetting between the fluids and the channel walls opens possibilities to the formation of substantially smaller droplets, as required in many fields of application.     

Characterization of cationic water-soluble polyacrylamides

Copolymers of poly(acrylamide-co-acryloyloxyethyltrimethylammonium chloride or AM–CMA) and poly(acrylamide-co-methacryloyloxyethyltrimethylammonium chloride or AM–CMA) prepared by inverse emulsion polymerization were characterized by different analytical techniques. The chemical composition of the copolymers was estimated by elemental analysis and by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). NMR spectroscopy and computer simulation were further used for investigating the polymers' sequence distribution. The poly(AM–CMA) copolymers are chemically more homogeneous than are the poly(AM–CMA). The configurational propagation of dyads and triads for the homopolymers obeys Bernouilli's statistics. For the copolymers, the chemical sequences distribution is governed by Markov's first-order statistics.     

冠带层新平台技术

子午线轮胎出现不久，就采用钢丝带束层代替了纤维带束层，这对于实现子午线轮胎提高使用寿命和改善操纵性能的潜能是必要的。     

Application of the percolation model to gelation of an epoxy resin

The percolation model has been applied to the study of gelation of the TGDDM-DDS system (tetraglycidyldiaminodiphenylmethane–diaminodiphenylsulfone) at a mass concentration of 100–30. For each temperature the experimental viscosity curves are satisfactorily described by a percolation law. Using the degree of chemical reactions, X, as a variable, a very clear change in the reaction mechanism with temperature can be shown. Then a rate of advancement of effective reactions, Y, is defined. This value only takes intermolecular-type reactions into account, and is probably the only variable on which viscosity depends in a percolation law: η = B(1 ? Y/Y_c)^?p. We obtain Y_c= 0.45 and p= 2.0. Comparing X_c and Y_c at the gel point, we obtain information on the proportion of intramolecular reactions with temperature. It is also demonstrated that the critical percolation threshold agrees closely with the gel point determined experimentally on log G″= f(t) curves.     

Model-based intelligent user interface adaptation: challenges and future directions

Software and Systems Modeling - Adapting the user interface of a software system to the requirements of the context of use continues to be a major challenge, particularly when users become more...     

Towards a smooth design process for static communicative node‐link diagrams

Node‐link infographics are visually very rich and can communicate messages effectively, but can be very difficult to create, often involving a painstaking and artisanal process. In this paper we present an investigation of node‐link visualizations for communication and how to better support their creation. We begin by breaking down these images into their basic elements and analyzing how they are created. We then present a set of techniques aimed at improving the creation workflow by bringing more flexibility and power to users, letting them manipulate all aspects of a node‐link diagram (layout, visual attributes, etc.) while taking into account the context in which it will appear. These techniques were implemented in a proof‐of‐concept prototype called GraphCoiffure, which was designed as an intermediary step between graph drawing/editing software and image authoring applications. We describe how GraphCoiffure improves the workflow and illustrate its benefits through practical examples.     

How In-Home Technologies Mediate Caregiving Relationships in Later Life

In-home technologies can support older adults' activities of daily living, provide physical safety and security, and connect elders to family and friends. They facilitate aging in place while reducing caregiver burden. One of older adults' primary concerns about in-home technologies is their potential to reduce human contact, particularly from cherished caregivers. In this exploratory in situ study, we provided an ecosystem of networked monitoring technologies to six older adults and their caregivers. We analyzed the amount and content of communication between them. The amount of noncomputer-mediated communication did not decrease through the 6-week study. The content of communication coalesced into four themes: communication about the technologies, communication facilitated by technologies, intrusiveness of technologies, and fun and playfulness with the technologies. Results suggest that in-home technologies, designed with sensitivity to older adults' primary motivations, have the potential to shape and tailor important relationships in later life.     

Managing digital collections: Towards a strategic framework for the development of appropriate and effective organisational data policies. Part I 1

This article begins by looking at changes in the student body in recent years as useful indicators of how libraries need to alter and adapt their student library provision. Among the concepts explored are the student as consumer-customer, the Google generation, greater than ever competition among students especially for the job market, new technology as fashion accessory as much as learning tool, the widening participation agenda for higher education, and the almost ubiquitous presence of multi-functional electronic devices.

There is an examination of some challenges for librarians in meeting the needs and demands of this new generation of students. These include the balancing of electronic and print provision, the future of the physical library environment, push rather than pull to deliver library services, anytime anywhere access to information, integration with other university services, and helping to fit students for the world of work.

The main message of the article is that librarians are not under threat from the giant search engines as long as they embrace the interactive technologies which students so willingly and expertly use, and adapt them to get library services out to students as customers.     

The making of the Xian terra‐cotta soldiers

Abstract

This paper describes the making of a short film on the Xian terra‐cotta soldiers using our integrated HU‐MANOID software. The method of creating and animating the soldiers’ faces is first presented. Then, we show how our approach, based on metaballs and spline surfaces, was used for designing and deforming soldiers’ bodies. For the animation of the bodies, we describe the motion control methods. Clothes for the soldiers are then described as well as horses and decor design. For the rendering, we explained our strategy using parallel machines. Finally, problems of integration are addressed.