A real‐time encoding and decoding system for nonlinear HDTV editor

A real‐time encoding and decoding system (REDS) for HDTV that can be used for nonlinear HDTV editing in studio has been developed. The intrapicture coding of motion JPEG is implemented and optimized in the REDS so that a high‐quality image can be recovered for the nonlinear editing. The REDS has a parallel architecture with multiple programmable digital signal processors (DSP) and reconfigurable field programmable logic devices (FPLD). The HDTV image is spatially partitioned and concurrently processed by the multiple processors. The programmable DSPs perform the discrete cosine transform and quantization to reduce the spatial redundancy of the HDTV image, whereas the FPLDs perform the variable length coding to reduce the statistical redundancy. In addition, field‐based quantization matrices are developed for HDTV images. The REDS has the programmability and the random accessibility of image frames, the two most important features for a nonlinear HDTV editing system. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol 11, 152–157, 2000     

Preparation of high molecular weight poly(N‐vinylcarbazole) in high yield by low‐temperature precipitation polymerization of N‐vinylcarbazole

To produce high molecular weight poly(N‐vinylcarbazole) (PVCZ) with high conversion, N‐vinylcarbazole (VCZ) was heterogeneously polymerized in methanol at 30, 40 and 50 °C using a low temperature initiator, 2,2′‐azobis(2,4‐dimethylvaleronitrile) (ADMVN), and the effects of polymerization temperature and concentration of initiator and solvent on the polymerization behaviour and molecular parameters of PVCZ investigated. Globally, experimental results correspond to predicted ones. Low polymerization temperature using ADMVN and a heterogeneous system using methanol proved to be successful in obtaining poly(N‐vinylcarbazole) (PVCZ) of high molecular weight and high conversion with small temperature rise during polymerization, although free radical polymerization by azoinitiator was used. The polymerization rate of VCZ in methanol at 30 °C is proportional to the 0.88th power of ADMVN concentration. The molecular weight is higher and the molecular weight distribution is narrower with PVCZ polymerized at lower temperatures. For PVCZ produced in methanol at 30 °C using an ADMVN concentration of 0.0001 mol/mol of VCZ, a weight average molecular weight of 1 750 000 g mol⁻¹ is obtained, with a polydispersity index of 1.82 © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Control of molecular weight distribution in propylene polymerization with Ziegler–Natta/metallocene catalyst mixtures

Propylene polymerization was investigated with a sequential addition of Ziegler–Natta and metallocene catalysts. From the fact that the molecular weights of polypropylene (PP) produced with Ziegler–Natta and with metallocene catalysts differ, it was possible to control the molecular weight distribution (MWD) of PP with a sequential addition of methylaluminoxane and rac-ethylenebis(indenyl)zirconium dichloride followed by triethylaluminum and magnesium dichloride-supported titanium tetrachloride catalyst. The obtained PP exhibited a wide MWD curve with shoulder peak. The position and height of each peak was controlled with the variation of polymerization time for each catalyst as well as the amount of each catalyst. The MWD of PP prepared with sequential addition of catalysts was much wider than that of PP obtained from each catalyst. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 67:2213–2222, 1998     

A simulation study on continuous direct esterification process for poly(ethylene terephthalate) synthesis

A mathematical model for a continuous direct esterification reactor has been developed. The solid-liquid equilibrium of terephthalic acid (TPA) was considered in our modeling, and the characteristic dissolution time, an adjustable parameter, was introduced to account for the mass-transfer effect in the dissolution of TPA. The effects of the characteristic dissolution time, monomer feed ratio, temperature, and pressure on the reactor performance at different residence times were investigated through simulation. It was observed that the behavior of the first reactor strongly depends on whether the solid TPA is completely dissolved in the reaction mixtures. From the dynamic simulations, it was found that a sudden change in the operating conditions affects the ethylene glycol (EG) vapor flow rate instantly. For the esterification process having two reactors in series, the strategy for time distribution and recycling of EG is also discussed. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Integrated simulations of structural performance,molding process,and warpage for gas‐assisted injection‐molded parts. III. Simulation of cyclic,transient variations in mold wall temperatures

Whether it is feasible to perform an integrated simulation for structural analysis, process simulation, as well as warpage calculation based on a unified CAE model for gas‐assisted injection molding (GAIM) is a great concern. In the present study, numerical algorithms based on the same CAE model used for process simulation regarding filling and packing stages were developed to simulate the cooling phase of GAIM considering the influence of the cooling system. The cycle‐averaged mold cavity surface temperature distribution within a steady cycle is first calculated based on a steady‐state approach to count for overall heat balance using three‐dimensional modified boundary element technique. The part temperature distribution and profiles, as well as the associated transient heat flux on plastic–mold interface, are then computed by a finite difference method in a decoupled manner. Finally, the difference between cycle‐averaged heat flux and transient heat flux is analyzed to obtain the cyclic, transient mold cavity surface temperatures. The analysis results for GAIM plates with semicircular gas channel design are illustrated and discussed. It was found that the difference in cycle‐averaged mold wall temperatures may be as high as 10°C and within a steady cycle, part temperatures may also vary ∼ 15°C. The conversion of gas channel into equivalent circular pipe and further simplified to two‐node elements using a line source approach not only affects the mold wall temperature calculation very slightly, but also reduces the computer time by 95%. This investigation indicates that it is feasible to achieve an integrated process simulation for GAIM under one CAE model, resulting in great computational efficiency for industrial application. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 71: 339–351, 1999     

The synthesis and properties of new epoxy resin containing phosphorus and nitrogen groups for flame retardancy

A new type of epoxy resin, which contained phosphorus oxide and nitrogen groups in the main chain, was synthesized. The structure of the new type of epoxy resin was confirmed by infrared (IR) spectroscopy, ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H‐NMR), and ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopic techniques. In addition, compositions of the new synthesized epoxy resin (TGDMO) with three curing agents, for example, bis(3‐aminophenyl) methylphosphine oxide (BAMP), 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylmethane (DDM), and 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylsulfone (DDS), were used for making a comparison of its curing reactivity, heat, and flame retardancy with that of Epon 828 and DEN 438. The reactivities were measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Through the evaluation of thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), those polymers which were obtained through the curing reactions between the new epoxy resin and three curing agents (BAMP, DDM, and DDS) also demonstrated excellent thermal properties as well as a high char yield. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 74: 413–421, 1999     

Analysis of unbound materials in carbon‐black‐filled NR vulcanizates

Extraction of unbound materials from carbon‐black‐filled natural rubber (NR) vulcanizates with different cure systems was studied using various solvents with different dielectric constants of n‐hexane, toluene, THF, acetone, and acetonitrile. The extraction was performed at room temperature and 40°C for 2 days and in the boiling solvent for 8 h. Amounts of extracted materials from the NR vulcanizates increase by increasing the temperature. Amounts of extracted materials from the NR vulcanizates with n‐hexane, toluene, and THF are more than those with acetone and acetonitrile. Amounts of extracted materials from the NR vulcanizate with a high crosslink density are less than those from the NR vulcanizate with a low one. Thermogravimetric analysis of the NR vulcanizates before and after the extraction were carried out to investigate components of the extracted materials. It was found that there were polymer components and metal complexes, as well as organic matters with a low molecular weight in the extracted materials. Abilities of the solvents to extract unbound materials from the NR vulcanizates were discussed. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 71: 1995–2005, 1999     

Volume phase transition behavior of N‐isopropyl acrylamide–N‐cyanomethyl acrylamide copolymer gel particles: The effect of crosslinking density

We prepared submicron‐sized N‐isopropyl acrylamide (NIPA)–N‐cyanomethyl acrylamide (NCMA) copolymer gel particles by precipitation polymerization. Volume phase transition behaviors of gel particles with various compositions and crosslinking density were observed by using photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS). The experimental data showed that both the volume transition temperature and the swelling ratio of copolymer gel particles were varied with the mole ratio of NCMA and NIPA. We compared the swelling behaviors of given systems with the thermodynamic model based on the extended Flory–Huggins theory. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 72: 1091–1099, 1999     

Effects of mixing temperatures on the morphology and toughness of epoxy/polyamide blends

A new mixing process was explored to increase further the fracture toughness and to investigate the toughening mechanisms of epoxy/nylon blend. In this process, without mechanical mixing, the mixtures of epoxy and premade nylon 6 powder were heated without the curing agent to specific temperatures, referred to as the “mixing temperature.” For epoxy/nylon blends, at sufficiently high temperatures, a semi‐interpenetrating network‐like structure can be developed at the interphase via the reaction between the amine end group and the epoxide group. The depth of interphase and the extent of reaction depends on the mixing temperature. The strong dependency of the fracture energy on mixing temperature reveals the positive effect of the newly developed structure at the interphase. The increase of fracture toughness is possibly due to the enhanced crack fingering bifurcation/deflection mechanism resulting from the lamellae developed in the interphase and the enhanced plastic deformation of epoxy as a result of preyielding of the interphase. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 72: 1055–1063, 1999